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“We might as well try to contact Hu tao tonight because what in the world is this.”
Ah Snezhnaya, home to the pesky fatui and the infamous cryo archon alike. With lovely frozen blue lakes that’d no doubt be a delight to glide on and mystical ice caves just waiting to be explored. No doubt, on paper it really seemed like a winter wonderland.
On paper.
“Paimon can’t feel their legs!” The icy chill that hit Lumine the moment they stepped down from the boat was one that knocked the wind(and warmth) out of her, arms shooting up to wrap around her body and salvage whatever slither of heat was left in her.
And breathing- archons above- it hurt to breathe! Every single intake of breath left her nostrils numb and lungs burning. Snezhnaya really put Dragonspine to shame, the sheer cold she experienced in all those domains was nothing compared to this freezing hell.
“There’s no way we can camp out here- how does anyone live like this?!” All around her people were unloading off the boat. Some reacted a similar way she did but majority simply walked off, completely at ease as though taking a night stroll through a warm beach.
Yeah Snezhnayans definitely had iron skin.
“Traveler what are we gonna do? At this rate we might have to spend on a hotel or Inn and Mora…” Right, the duo had been banking on camping through their stay so they would only have to spend on necessities and fighting supplies. In hindsight camping in an icy land didn't sound like a very smart idea but she had underestimated just how cold Snezhnaya was and given into Paimon’s incessant probing to spend a little more loosely on food at the Lantern festival.
That stupid imp.
“Paimon you idiot this is all your fault”
“WHAT?! Don’t give me that! You weren't thinking about this either when you were stuffing your face with Zhongyuan chop suey!”
“Yeah yeah I hope you’re happy now because that little emergency food ‘joke’ won't remain a joke for very long”
“HUH-”
“A-hem”
They both turned to find a young fatui recruit standing before them with an amused glint in his eyes.
“Excuse me, I’d like to-” Faster than his brain could register that she’d moved, the tip of a very sharp blade graced his neck and the outlander glared at him with brilliant terrifying golden orbs “Speak, and don’t move a muscle”.
The amused glint vanished. “I- I’m here to s-show you to uhm a ho-hotel”
“Denied” the duo shot in unison without an ounce of hesitation.
“You see Master Childe instructed me-”
“Denied” but the sword was slowly lowered and the glare softened to that of irritation. Thank the archons, he wasn't dying tonight.
“What I’m trying to say is, your accommodation has already been covered by Master Tartaglia.”
The traveler gave an annoyed sigh “Ugh, I don’t think-”
“He’ll also be covering your expenses for the entire duration of your stay here and asked me to deliver this bag of mora as a welcome gift.”
“Oh tart, what’d we do without you you unhinged bastard” the chilly menacing aura was instantly replaced with a much eager one as the girls practically dragged the recruit along with them.
“What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”
***
“Morning miss, did you sleep well?”
“Like a baby”
The young recruit watched with a smile as the traveling duo descended a pair of stairs. The traveler stretched with a pleased grunt while her little companion let out a little yawn.
Looking at her now -well rested and without her blade in hand- he had to admit, the outlander was quite alluring with a fascinating aura to them. He could see why his boss was so captivated with her.
“The master said to attend to whatever needs you have” until he got here himself, but she didn't need to know that.
The miss held a chin between her thumb and index finger in thought before glancing at him “Some winter clothes would be nice- actually no they’d be needed this frost is killing me.”
“Paimon would like some too! Some mittens, maybe little fur lined boots too- Why are you laughing?!”
The young fatui couldn't help smiling at the pair- they would be quite fun to be around.
Just then he caught familiar giggles from a small group of fatui girls huddled together at the lounge. They glanced at the traveler excitedly and muttered to each other which unleashed a slew of giggles.
Oh boy.
“I didn't notice before but this hotel is a fatui lodging site isn't it?” He had to get her out of there, immediately. “It is! Anyway, we should probably get going- by the way, I’m Anton. I’ll be your guide today”.
***
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
Lumine knew the fatui were looked up to in their homeland- it was only logical that they’d be regarded as some sort of heroes or champions. However… this… this was something she never would have expected.
“Is that a fatui fanclub” the traveling pair looked in awe and disgust at a large gathering of shacks bustling with excitement; pictures and merchandise of the harbingers lined countertops and several groups of giddy snezhnayans laughed and chatted boisterously as they wandered through the cursed area.
“Aha it -err- it is”
“EW” the traveler continued to stare agape at the scene while Anton worked to usher her away “Anyway miss we should probably get something to eat” He had to avoid anything related to the fatui fans at any cost-
“Paimon’s starviiiing- ooo what’s that?” Luckily the tiny sprite floated towards a restaurant a good distance away that had some local desserts on display and the traveler simply followed.
“Snezhnayans are weird why would they- anyway, I’m not gonna dwell on it for too long or I’ll get a headache”
Lumine lifted her head and came face to face with a giant poster of Childe. She rolled her eyes “I bet he’s super popular huh? that pretty boy look probably sells like hotcakes”
Anton couldn't help hiding a smile “Certainly, he’s especially popular with the ladies”
“Is that so?” there seemed to be an extra edge of sarcasm laced in her words and he couldn't help letting a bit of his amusement slip out “Though he doesn't pay mind to any- you’re probably the only girl I’ve seen him so fascinated by-” The look on her face shut him up in an instant and he looked down to stare awkwardly at his feet “A-anyway let’s order something, yes?”
How such a petite girl could be so silently terrifying, he had no clue. He definitely had to get her away from those fans.
The trio placed their orders and sat back as one of the waiters served them a mug of hot cocoa. The traveler and Paimon naturally fell into their usual banter, dispelling whatever awkward aura had been present and setting a casual air instead.
“Isn’t Tartaglia and Signora’s relationship quite interesting?”
… looks like the casual air wouldn't be present for long.
The blonde and Pixie sat up in their seats, he could practically see their ears enlarging in pure curiosity as the group of women behind them chatted away.
“Haha, are you serious? They hardly acknowledge each other I doubt they talk outside whatever periodic meeting the harbingers have”
“True but I feel there might be some kind of potential…”
“Too bad she’s dead.”
Anthon caught the strange look the traveler and Paimon gave each other but brushed it off after a moment of confusion.
“How about that tiny harbinger- Scaramouche?”
“Hey! If you’re going to speak on him do it with some respect.”
“Yes yes I get that you’re infatuated with him along with half of Snezhnaya though Archons knows why-”
“I actually do see the appeal…”
“Uh whatever, you’re both very odd. Fact is, I can’t see the chemistry between them either.”
“Ah I heard he’s friends with a funeral consultant in Liyue”
Anton didn't like where this conversation was leading up to but Lumine and Paimon were snickering and trying hard not to laugh out loud.
“Um Miss, perhaps-” the duo hushed him and he slumped back in his chair in defeat.
“Ooo I can definitely see it with him! They look pretty good together no wonder the pairing is quite popular.”
Lumine snorted as quietly as she could and took a gulp of hot cocoa to try to silence her giggles.
“My favourite pairing with him though would have to be with the traveler- hands down”
There went the casual air.
Lumine choked on the hot liquid, eyes widening in shock while Paimon looked at her in disbelief before a small smile started to inch at the corner of her lips.
That little-
“RIGHT?! They make quite a sexy pair; two enemies, a fatui harbinger and an outlander, sworn rivals- their blades clashing whenever they meet. Tartaglia pinning her hands against the ground and taunting her to admit defeat or the traveler straddling him while holding a blade to his neck saying she’d never lose to him.”
“You have quite the imagination huh?”
Anton watched tentatively as the little sprite tried to contain her laughter and the outlander silently sat, eyes glued to the drink on the table and legs suddenly fidgeting underneath her. Ugh this was what he had been trying all day to avoid…
“But I think their relationship has a heartwarming air to it too. It’s obvious that Tartaglia is very fond of the traveler and she quite cares about him too. Why I heard he even took time off his duties and accompanied her on a few travels. The witnesses say they seemed like a fun bickering couple- they really are quite close despite being on opposing sides.”
The young fatui and Paimon shared a look with Paimon giving a small nod of affirmation. Huh- he had heard rumors of the boss and traveler sharing a close relationship but most of it had been embellished to the point of absurdity and having met the traveler himself, he concluded that his boss was trapped in a one sided pining. Perhaps the traveler really did care about him more than she let on…?
He glanced at the golden eyed belle. She looked absolutely flustered and her eyes were darting everywhere, probably looking for a way out.
Ah, so that’s how it is.
Paimon’s small body was still wracking with barely contained laughter when Lumine grabbed both of her companions and zoomed into the nearest store she could find, away from the restaurant.
“Miss what about the foo-”
“Forget about the food!”
“Forget about the food?!” Paimon’s snorts quickly turned into a high pitched shriek.
“TRAVELER, I’M STARVING!”
“I know I know I just umm saw something interesting and wanted to check it out!”
Hands quickly darted towards a small book and Anton’s eyes instantly widened in horror when he realized what it was “Miss hold on that’s a-”
“OH MY GOD” the book was dropped in an instant as though it had been a hot ladle and Lumine backed FAR away from it. “-Doujinshi” Anton finished with a dejected slump of his shoulders.
“Are Snezhnayans insane?! Why would they- Why would they-”
“Why would they what?” A playful and all too familiar voice came to them and the trio turned to find a grinning redhead leaning against one of the shop pillars- arms and legs crossed in a relaxed manner and blue eyes regarding them with mirth.
“Lord Tartaglia! Welcome sir!”
Childe merely nodded at the young recruit(who didn't look much older than himself) and wrapped an arm around the traveler with a small smirk “Welcome to Snezhnaya comrade, sorry I didn't get to welcome you myse-”
“BACK AWAY!” all that was left encircling his arms was emptiness as Lumine shuffled to the far corner of the shop “NO TOUCHING”
“Eh?” He blinked in confusion at the traveler’s flustered face and narrowed eyes. A sigh resounded behind him.
“Sir that’s…” Blue orbs caught a small book spread open against the tiled floor and they were between his fingers in an instant before Anton could even think of diving for it.
“Ha…” Childe’s eyes went wide with shock before they turned to Lumine with a teasing glint.
“Comrade, I didn’t know you were interested in this kind of thing- much less with me” Lumine’s face was a tomato at this point and Childe couldn’t help going on with glee “If you want we could swing by my place tonight and-”
“Oh my god- shut UP already!” blushing face was buried into small hands as Lumine let out a muffled scream of agitation.
Ah, what a pleasantly entertaining sight- he definitely missed teasing her like this.
“What are you three going on about?” Paimon floated next to Childe to observe the culprit of all the fuss and let out a squeak followed by a deep dusting of red enveloping her face.
“Umm that’s… I -It’s really well drawn huh?”
“How did they know I had a scar there…”
“Enough! Let’s get going already- I don’t want people recognizing us and more weird rumors spreading’”
“Pfft- you know those rumors have been around for a while now right?”
“Another word and I’ll slit your throat.”
“Oh? Are you threatening me with a good time?”
Laughter and irritated groans filled the shop as the small group exited. A large gloved hand enveloped Anthon’s shoulder as he made to tell the restaurant they’d been in earlier to package the food to-go.
“After you're done with that, get me a copy of that fanbook yeah?”
“...”
***
Lumine wanted to choke him. She’d wanted to do so several times before but she especially wanted to do so now.
“Ah Comrade I missed you~♡”
Childe had always been open with the fact that he’d grown fond of her but this… that ginger bastard was definitely playing it up and teasing her and the fatui agents in the lobby were eating it right up.
“Oh my lord is that-”
“I can’t believe we get to witness it up close”
“I’ve never seen that look on Sir’s face before…”
“Do you think they’ll kiss right here”
“Idiot, they aren’t at that stage yet- but it’s coming”
Archons…was this HELL?
At this point she could try to choke him out and her action would be grossly misinterpreted.
Instead she formed a tight smile and pulled Childe down to her by his scarf (ignoring the delighted squeals that reverberated after).
“Enjoying yourself are we?”
He only chuckled and his teasing note shifted to that of a much softer and sincere one “I really did miss you, you know”
Whoa?!
A small blush couldn’t help spreading across her face at his sudden change in tone and her eyes darted away from the blue orbs “Well.. it isn’t a bad thing that I met you here either”
Childe only smiled and laid a quick peck on her hand before making his way towards the hotel exit. “I can’t wait to bring you home to my family- I’ve been meaning to fulfill our promise for a while.”
Lumine’s eyes widened in astonishment.
She was going to kill him-
“WHA?!”
The squeals and giggles that had been hushed whispers before exploded into shrieks.
Eyes closing and head tilting towards the brilliant chandelier above, she could only resign herself to her fate.
Snezhnaya might just be her longest stay yet.