Chapter Text
When the war ended, Teyvat was finally in peace. No more abyss order, no more battling each other, no more fatui. It was an ending that felt too good to be true.
When everything ended, Aether held Lumine's hand as she tried to apologize to everyone and fix what she had done. Nevertheless, some consequences can't return. Some forgave her, some despised her, Lumine accepted them all.
Teyvat felt peaceful even when they knew the truth of this world. It was a beautiful world, where the twins wanted to stay and call it home as a place they could go return. Though, the peacefulness in Lumine didn't last long.
"I'm getting marry," said her brother, with the white-haired lady by her arm. Lady Kamisato was known for her beauty, elegance, and intellectual. Regardless, Lumine had no right to oppose this marriage, especially since her brother had gone through so much for her.
"...I'm happy for you, Aether," she smiled as she looked at her brother.
During the engagement ceremony, Lumine could only stand against the wall, looking at his brother, who was smiling happily. People were accepting her since she was "the traveler's sister," but no more than that.
"May I join?"
She could recognize that voice. Kamisato Ayato was a cunning and mischievous man who no one could read. Lumine didn't have much impression about him except for the head of the Kamisato Clan and her brother's soon to bride's brother.
"Can I say no?"
"I guess not," he smiled as he handed her a boba tea. She would have thought it was poison if it wasn't her brother's engagement ceremony.
"You don't seem to be in high-spirited in your brother's special day, huh?" he said as he stood next to her, "Shouldn't you be happy you're finally in peace?"
"...no, I can't be accepted here after all I've done," Lumine looked at the boba tea she just got.
The sky was beautiful as the sun was also congratulating her brother. Not too hot but rather warm sunlight, yet she stood in the shadow, looking at her sun.
"Aren't you going to try getting the people's acknoledgement?" Ayato smiled as he looked at Lumine. Unlike her brother, her eyes were fierce, like the sun in summer.
He never liked the summer. It's boiling and sweats easily, which reduces his work efficiency. He never really liked Lumine either. She always had sorrows and distant in her eyes. She didn't even give Ayaka a chance to get close, but somehow he felt they were the same. They both fought to protect who they cared about since they lost everything. But Lumine was different too. She tried to fix the mistakes that she could but was always affected by her brother's reputation. So much that she gave up on their recognition.
"...So, how are you feeling? Seeing the sister you adore so much left," she finally broke the silence as she took a good look at Ayaka.
"I figured this day would happen, sooner or later."
"So you prepared."
The silence continued. Lumine and Ayato both aren't fond of socializing but made efforts to talk to each other. They don't have many similarities either. One was rather mischievous, and one was straightforward.
"...I'd like to protect my brother's happiness, so you don't have to worry about Ayaka and me, I can figure it out," she looked straight into his purple eyes, like making an oath to keep someone happy. Ayato was surprised for a moment, but then he smiled at her.
"You haven't touched the boba tea."
"You think I wouldn't realized you took a sip?"
They both giggled a bit at themselves before parting away again. Lumine didn't come to visit the Kamisato Estate, and Ayato didn't stop himself from working.
Lumine signed up as an adventurer, looking for any piece of evidence from her actions and eliminating the treasure hoarders. She just quietly went and disappeared, perhaps like the wind.
The summer quickly came as the sunlight became hotter and fewer clouds were there to block. Ayato stayed in the Kamisato Estate, panting because of the heat. It was normal to wear multiple layers of clothes in Inazuma, even in summer. Only when he's alone, Ayato could take off some of the layers.
"...Hello, you seem...hot," a voice came from the door. It was Lumine, holding some wet towels that he asked Thoma for. Ayato was stunned for a second but quickly regained his composure.
"If you mean hot when you see me all sweaty with only one layer of clothes then thank you," he grinned while teasingly breaking the silence.
"It's the boiling hot one," she replied while putting the towel tray down to the table full of paper.
"Where's Thoma?"
"He had someone looking for him, it seems urgent, but I was there."
"You don't normally come here. What's the reason of today then?"
"I told you, didn't I? I protect my brother's happiness."
Ayato recalled the time his sister got letters from an unknown person. Ayaka had a warm smile on her face every time the letter came.
"Never thought you were serious," Ayato chuckled when he realized what was happening, "And you didn't send me any letter."
"That is just unnecessary, isn't it, my Lord," Lumine mockingly replied as she turned her back to leave. Ayato could see her sweaty back and realized how exposing her outfit was. She was rather slim, and to think how strong she was, Ayato couldn't help but wonder where that strength came from.
"You know, normally, Thoma would use the towel to wipe my sweat."
Lumine startled. She could understand what he meant and gave him a confusing glare through her shoulder. She saw his cunning smile at her, wondering what she'll do.
"...Take off your clothes then," she signed and grinned back at him as if challenging to see if he was serious. Nevertheless, his attire fell down, revealing the muscular body that was hidden under multiple layers of clothes every day.
"Now then, will you lend me a hand?"
He calmly stood up from the table and walked toward her. However, Lumine had seen many men's bodies, enough to keep her head cool in situations like this.
She grabbed one of the towels and rubbed his abs. Before they even noticed, he started to relax in the coolness of the towel. Her elemental power was also there, using a bit of cyro to keep the towels from the heat.
"A bit on the left."
"Here?" Lumine annoyingly asked. She was only here because of the bounties before bumping into the busy Thoma. He pleaded with her to put the tray in Ayato's working office. Seeing how sincerely he was and remembering times when he helped her in Inazuma, she couldn't help but say yes.
"You're good at this. I wouldn't mind if you became a Kamisato's staff."
"Sure."
Ayato startled and turned to the girl who was wiping his back.
"For real?"
"I meant sure if my brother lives here. He lives in a teapot, you airhead," Lumine confusingly looked at him. His sudden turn made their faces became closer than ever. He was surprised to see her confusing eyes. They weren't as annoying as when they first met, but somehow they made his body's temperature rise again.
"Please get out now, Lumine," he quickly smiled at her despite her gaze. The door was slammed behind her back as she left. While inside, lord Kamisato slammed his head on the table. His flustered face should never be seen by anyone.