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Lumine had always loved Dragonspine.
The cold air that would harshly bite at her skin and make her feel painfully alive, the way the glittering snowflakes would dance in the frosty breeze as they descended from the gray skies to paint the tall mountains in a blanket of white- it lent her comfort, offered her a place to rest and seek shelter in its frozen confines away from all the thoughts that haunted her, all the problems that clawed at her from the inside.
And yet, for the past month Lumine had found herself restless in its embrace.
Whenever someone would mention the lands of Dragonspine she would feel her stomach sink, Eula’s offer to join her in patrolling one of the more isolated areas of it making her heart drop at the mere thought and the thought that something that had once brought her so much comfort would cause such a heavy weight to descend on her chest was leaving her restless.
The looks of concern her friends would shoot her when they thought she wasn’t looking went ignored, the blonde attempting to continue her travels as if nothing was out of the ordinary, and at first, it had seemed to work.
Until the sound of his name carried to her ears.
“Maybe big brother Albedo will let me try my new bombs out!”
The second Klee’s excited voice reached her ears the blonde felt the blood in her veins freeze from where she was seated at Good Hunter’s, Amber and Eula carrying on with their conversation and completely unaware of the way her heart suddenly seemed to cease to beat, the soft surge of pain that constricted her chest making her grip on her drink tighten.
Albedo.
It was a name that she had heard thousands of times before, a name that had passed her lips on more occasions than she could remember, and yet, this time, it felt strange.
The sound of it made the beat of her heart quicken in alarm, the blood that warmed her veins suddenly cooling and for some reason, Lumine couldn’t help but feel the restlessness in her increase, the warning chimes that sounded in her ears foreign yet so familiar at once.
She had merely brushed it off then, deciding to not waste her time mulling over a feeling that she couldn’t explain, a feeling that would surface when she would least expect it and fade just as fast, leaving only a dull ache behind that seemed to grow with each day and it had worked.
And yet, all it took was one day to change it.
“Lumine!”
The blonde’s head snapped up at the sound of her name from where she was descending the stairs of the Cathedral, the sight of Amber jogging up to her causing her steps to slow as her golden eyes flashed in curiosity at the smile on Amber’s face.
“Amber.” Lumine greeted the brunette with a smile, the sight of her high-spirited friend always managing to brighten her mood as she curiously tipped her head. “What’s the matter?”
Amber shot her a bright smile as she made her way up the remaining flight of stairs, meeting Lumine halfway not even a moment later before she heaved an exhausted sigh.
“The Adventurer's guild sent me.” Amber told her, causing surprise to flicker in her chest before she continued. “You have received a new commission.”
“Commission?” Lumine echoed in surprise, not having expected to receive any new task this soon given that she had just managed to finish her last. “Do you know what kind of commission?”
Amber nodded as she moved next to Lumine who began to descend the stairs once more, hazel eyes sparkling as they fixed on the Barbatos statue with a smile.
“It’s from Albedo.” The brunette announced, unaware of the way her friend suddenly came to an abrupt halt as she continued to make her way down. “He needs someone to test a few potions he prepared and specifically requested for you to be the one to come.”
It’s from Albedo.
The second the name sounded Lumine felt the ache in her chest grow, golden eyes narrowing in confusion at the hollowness she felt in her chest.
“Albedo.” Lumine echoed, his voice barely above a whisper as she moved to follow Amber once more, golden eyes growing distant as the burning in her lungs sparked. “I see.”
She wondered why it had to be her whom the Alchemist requested, the remaining members of the Guild more than capable of taste-testing his potions as well and although she didn’t mind lending him a hand, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was amiss, that the hollow ache in her chest was lacking something she couldn’t put her finger on.
With a small shake of her head to herself she moved to follow Amber once more, the feeling of apprehension that filled her chest refusing to fade even as the sun set and night broke.
The moment the pristine snow crumbled beneath the sole of her boot, she knew that she shouldn’t have come.
With each step she was taking up the familiar path she felt the pace of her heart quicken, the weight in her stomach increasing as the whispers in her mind grew louder, bolder as they pleaded her to turn around, to leave the path that led into the mountains, that led towards him.
And yet, she refused to listen, the young woman moving onward as the frozen crystals dancing in the breeze led her way down the path she knew by heart.
Her journey passed by in a blur, her thoughts consuming her and keeping her attention from the reality she found herself in and before she knew it, she already found herself standing in front of the entrance that led to a familiar campsite.
It looked the same as it did the times before, the blonde noting the absence of the one person whose name refused to cease echoing in her mind before she took a slow, tentative step inside.
The warmth of the fire set in the middle of the camp embraced her freezing form and licked at her skin, the sound of her heels clicking against the stone floor echoing through the empty campsite of the missing Alchemist.
Golden eyes attentively scanned her surroundings for a familiar flash of blond hair, and just as she came to a halt at the fire and wondered if maybe she had been too early after all, a voice behind her suddenly sounded.
“You came.”
The second the smooth voice reached her ears Lumine felt the blood in her veins freeze as she stiffened before she turned around to face the Alchemist.
He was standing at the entrance of the camp, lips lifted into a small smile at the sight of her and although he seemed just like he did the times before, Lumine could have sworn to have seen his teal eyes flicker with something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
Deciding to shrug it off, the blonde offered the Alchemist a small, yet genuine smile in return.
“Of course.” She returned, the weight of his gaze seeming strangely heavier than usual as it descended on her before she tipped her head curiously aside. “I heard that you need me to test a few potions for you.”
The Alchemist nodded as he lifted a gloved hand to gesture at the small examination table placed in the corner of the camp, the smile on his lips not once fading as Lumine moved to take a seat, the blonde trying her best to ignore the nervous skip of her heart as the sound of his boots hitting the ground echoed in her ears as he moved closer.
“There is one specific potion I would like you to taste.” He told her, gloved hand lifting the small vital that was filled with a bright, blue liquid. “It’s a potion meant to reduce the cold.”
Golden eyes flickered to the shining blue potion as Albedo extended a gloved hand as he offered the small vial to her and although Lumine never shied away from trying any of his potions, this time, she couldn’t help but hesitate.
There was something about it that made her stomach sink and her chest feel strangely heavy, the small voices in the back of her mind whispering to her, telling her that she shouldn’t drink it with an urgency that made her pulse quicken and the nerves within her spark.
It was frustrating, the way her body refused to listen to the reason of her mind, to the reassuring knowledge that Albedo had and would never do anything to hurt her, to betray the trust she had put in him, and as much as she knew that it was the truth, she couldn’t help but feel slightly nervous still.
The second Lumine suddenly felt a gloved hand rest on her small shoulder she tensed, golden eyes snapping up from the vial to clash with teal and the second she saw the reassuring smile on his lips, she instantly felt some of her worries fade.
“Don’t worry.” He told her, gaze suddenly turning firm as he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I won’t hurt you.”
Not anymore.
Lumine ignored the way her chest tightened at his words, the blonde offered him a soft smile in return before she reached out to accept the potion.
It felt cool against her skin, the way her heartbeat quickened in her chest as she lifted it to her lips going ignored and when she saw his small smile of encouragement, she tilted her head back and allowed the cool liquid to pass her lips.
Lumine made sure to drink it all, the potion feeling warm and soothing as it slid down her throat and just when the last drop passed her lips and she straightened once more, a wave of dizziness overcame her.
Golden eyes narrowed softly as she lifted a hand to her head, the blood in her veins suddenly running hot as her head pounded softly and her vision spun, the sight of Albedo’s boots moving closer to her blurry.
She instantly realized something was wrong, the sudden wave of exhaustion that hit her causing her body to sway ever so slightly as she parted her lips to call for the Alchemist but before any sound was able to pass her lips, her vision tilted.
Golden eyes fluttered close as Lumine tipped forwards, the vial slipping from her fingers and just when she thought she might hit the ground, she suddenly felt herself falling against a warm, firm chest.
She barely registered the arm that came around her small body to steady her, the faint scent of wood clouding her senses and just when she was about to drift into the darkness that lulled her into sweet unconsciousness, the soft sound of his voice carried to her ears.
“Sleep.” He said, gloved hand on her small back tightening protectively as his voice softened. “I promise I’ll take care of you.”
And with that, the darkness finally claimed her and pulled her into a deep slumber.
First, there was only darkness.
Lumine woke to the erratic pounding of her head, the soothing darkness that enveloped her in its embrace gradually fading until there was only a dull gray.
Her mind was hazy as she regained consciousness, lungs burning with every breath she was taking as the soft ringing that filled her ears that refused to fade back into the blissful silence.
Something was wrong.
Lumine felt her chest ache with every beat of her heart as she forced her heavy eyelids open, her vision blurry as she tried to make out her surroundings.
Her brows drew together in confusion as she tried to remember what happened to get her into this position in the first place, the last thing she was able to remember being her leaving Mondstadt for some commission and just as she was about to lift a hand to her head in hopes of getting the painful pounding in it to cease, a voice suddenly broke through the ringing in her ears.
“You’re awake.”
The familiar voice was enough to make her pulse quicken in an instant, the blood in her veins growing hot as she narrowed her eyes in hopes to clear her vision and it was when she felt a gloved hand brush her golden hair aside before it gently came to rest on her forehead that she felt the throbbing in her head cease ever so slightly.
“Albedo?”
Her voice was barely above a whisper as it passed her, the taste of his name on her lips instantly making her chest tighten and when her vision finally cleared, she was able to make out the soft smile on his lips as he gazed down at her.
“How are you feeling?”
Lumine fought the shiver that run down the length of her spine when he removed his hand, the heat that lingered in its wake instantly making her miss the soft caress as his question echoed in her ears.
“I feel dizzy.” She admitted, voice sounding slightly rough as she attempted to sit up, the hand that instantly moved to rest on her small back to steady her burning her skin as her heart skipped a painful beat.
She couldn’t help but be hyper-aware of his presence, the way his gently caress was suddenly enough to make her pulse race to the point her vision spun, the sudden desire to lean into his comforting touch- it was all so foreign yet painfully familiar at the same time.
The second her gold eyes flickered up to catch his teal ones she felt her heart leap in her chest, the concern that filled them causing the weight in her stomach to increase.
“You should stay here for observation.” He told her, voice laced with worry as he lifted his other hand to rest gently on her shoulder but the second it did, Lumine flinched as if burned by his touch.
“It’s fine.” The blonde quickly returned, the words of reassurance sounding dull in her own ears as she swiftly moved to her feet, the sudden wave of dizziness that hit her nearly throwing her off balance once more if it weren’t for his hold on her waist. “I should leave.”
Without giving him any chance to object Lumine brushed past him and made her way out of the camp once more, the cool air hitting her face as her feet hurriedly carried her down the snow-covered path doing little to calm the erratic beat of her heart.
And if she would have looked back, she would have seen the way teal eyes had softened at the sight of her retreating form, the hopeful flicker that momentarily brightened his orbs fading just as fast as it had appeared.
Lumine instantly realized that something was wrong.
Wherever she went, the image of him would follow, the sound of his voice haunting her to the point it was all she could think of, the heat of his touch lingering on her skin and leaving an imprint behind that refused to fade.
She had tried to ignore the way the pace of her heartbeat would fasten whenever the image of his face would flash in her mind, the way her heart would ache as the desire to be close to him once more ate her up from the inside, and as much as she tried to fight it, the need to be close to him was too strong, the desire to see him again consuming her.
It was as if she was in a daze and there was only him.
His image on her mind, his voice in her ears, his comforting touch on her skin, and as foreign as these feelings were they felt just as familiar, as if someone had unlocked a memory that had been kept from her, a memory of feelings once lost and finally found again that every fibre of her being embraced welcomingly, lovingly, as if a piece of her that had been missing had finally returned to her.
And it was all because of him.
Ever since the day she had tested that potion for him these thoughts continued to haunt her, these feelings that only grew with every moment that passed gripping her with a firmness as if they feared that they would once again fade into the depths of her memories and she knew that whatever he had given her had unlocked something in her, something so overwhelming yet comforting that left her restless yet warm all the same.
And it was when the last rays of the sun gradually faded that she decided to answer the pleading calls of her heart.
Before she had realized it her feet had already carried her to the abandoned lands covered in snow, the cold air that embraced her welcomingly doing little to ease the adrenaline that warmed her body, the urgency that made her heart pound faster and her steps just a little more rushed as she made her way down the familiar path that would lead her right to him .
Her journey passed by in a blur, her mind filled with the image of him and ears deaf to anything but the sound of the beat of her heart echoing in her chest as the pull increased and the second she finally reached the top of the path, she saw him.
He was already in front of the camp, dressed in his usual attire and standing outside in the cold as if he had been waiting for something, for someone , and the second golden clashed with warm teal once more, it happened.
Memories, so foreign yet familiar flooded her mind at a speed that made her steps falter, lungs aching painfully as the shadow of a pain long forgotten made it scratch in faint remembrance and yet, the warmth that made her chest swell instantly eased the pain, the overwhelming sense of comfort that made the blood in her veins hum calmly.
Images of flowers resting on her trembling hands flashed in her mind, the hollow ache the memory left behind filled with the warmth the image of him as it chased away the pain almost instantly and when she saw his expression soften as she lifted a hand to rest it over the base of her throat, the realization hit her with a force that nearly knocked all air from her lungs.
She loved him.
She had loved him once, the flowers that had spilled from her throat the proof of the love she had thought not to be reciprocated, the love that had pained her, that she had not wanted to burden him with and instead, chose to get removed all these weeks ago.
And although it shouldn’t have, the love once lost managed to return.
Because of him.
The realization that he must have found out made her heartbeat quicken, the potion he had given her having activated the memories slumbering in the back of her mind, having recovered the feelings that she had thought to never be able to hold once more for him.
“Albedo?”
His name passed her lips in a whisper, her voice drowning under the soft howling of the icy breeze and yet, the second it did she saw his lips lift into a soft smile, teal eyes shining with a warmth that instantly spread in her chest.
It was then that he moved, the sound of the snow crunching softly beneath his boots drowning under the beat of her heart that sounded loudly in her chest and when she felt a gloved hand reach out to gently brush a strand of her golden locks behind her ear, his gaze softened.
“Forgive me.” He said, his smooth voice making her tremble beneath the warmth of his touch as his hand came to rest on the side of her face in a loving caress. “For having been too late. This time, I promise to make it right, so allow me to take care of you.”
And as his promise echoed in her ears Lumine knew that he meant it, the way his eyes shone with the affection that her own heart mirrored causing the last spark that burned her lungs to fade.
And it was when she lifted a hand to his and leaned into his touch that his smile brightened that for the first time in weeks, she finally felt like the piece that had been missing had finally been returned to her.
For the mind might forget, but the heart will always remember.