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Chapter Text

Lumine blinks in surprise as she takes the white envelope, opening to find tickets and a hotel booking. She frowns as Zhongli smiles.

"Don't you think its time for you to take a break?" Zhongli asks, looking almost doting as Lumine shrugs. She never really thought of taking a holiday; but she guess it would be nice to have one, especially when it was the term break.

"I guess..." Lumine says, still slightly unsure. Haar Islands, Golden Apple Archipelago Resort; the hottest and coolest resort destination around. It was really tempting; Haar Island had many ruins and ancient structures, and it was a tropical destination for summer-loving Lumine stellar, buy...

"Or why don't you take this chance to go and see Aether and the boys?" Zhongli suggested, smiling widely as Lumine feels the air around her freeze at the man's words.

Visit...Aether and the rest?

A lump forms in her throat at those words.

Her elder twin brother, someone she was once inseparable from as children, and their childhood friends; sweet and mischievous Venti, quiet but attentive Xiao, and Kazuha. 

Gentle and intelligent Kazuha.

Her first love.

Lumine has rarely heard from her brother and Kazuha ever since they became critically acclaimed, globally-beloved band 4NEMO — They were busy, she was busy; their respective careers kept them away from each other, but even so, some part of Lumine felt bitter about this; friends turn distant because of different careers.

They were beloved pop idols who belonged on the stage. Charismatic and beautiful, they succeeded in breaking records, setting new trends, breaking the norms of society — 4NEMO did all that, and was continuing to reach even greater heights.

Lumine was one of Teyvat's brightest — the youngest professor of Teyvat University, a polymath, with the brains and wits to match up with Teyvat's most cunning politicians and business people.

She wouldn't have it any other way; she loves her current life. But sometimes, occasionally, a small part of her wishes she still had her brother and her childhood friends in her life again. Other than the rare one minute phone call, Lumine barely talked to even her own brother; that hurt her more than she like to admit.

She shakes her head no, and Zhongli looks slightly disappointed as she plasters on a smile onto her lips.

"I rather go on a relaxing holiday. I'm sure Aether wouldn't have the time to entertain me — he's far too busy with his life for his little sister," Lumine says jokingly to hide the pain, as Zhongli shakes his head, looking rather disappointed.

"Both you and Tao'er..."

"Heh, what can I say? I rather take a break at a tropical island, resting in a hammock, the sun shining down on me with a coconut in hand and a book," Lumine says half-jokingly as Zhongli nods, before flashing Lumine a gentle, fatherly smile.

"Alright then; I'm sure you aren't possibly planning on going alone?"

"Actually I was. Why?"

Lumine ask with a tilt of her head, as Zhongli shakes his head yet again. She furrows her brow.

"What now?" grumbles Lumine as Zhongli smiles faintly.

"Since I took the liberty of arranging this holiday for you—,"

"Without bothering to ask me first," muttering Lumine, within earshot of Zhongli, who ignored her as he continued. She just slinks back in her seat; knowing Zhongli, he probably did something like invite someone along with her

"I also arranged for your friend to go with you," Zhongli announced to her, which earns him a 'I'm so done with this' look from Lumine, who now feels less thrilled; Zhongli considers anyone who wasn't an enemy a friend; chances are, he could have invited a person Lumine didn't get along well with enough or someone who she didn't know well.

"Don't worry, I learnt from past mistakes. Albedo Gold and Klee Clover are your friends, are they not?"

Lumine's eyes shot up in relief.

Oh, so the old geezer really did get it right this time round. Zhongli chuckles at the relief expression on her face.

"My most promising professor in years should be treated to a holiday worthy of herself, after all; I made sure you'll have a great time there with your friends. So go and have fun."

"Thank you, uncle Zhongli," Lumine says gratefully as she pushes herself up, dropping into a quick bow before hurrying over too where she would find her friend.

"Albedo? Albedooooooo," Lumine calls out in the alchemy laboratory that belonged to her close friend, genius Alchemist Albedo Gold, before she spots him hunch over papers, intently writing something. She sighs and roll her eyes; Albedo was so...engrossed in his own little world of Alchemy at times. 

"Albedo! Are you prepared?"

"Oh. Lumine. I thought you might come to find me sooner or later," the blonde man replies with a crooked smile, eyebags under his eyes as Lumine tugs at his sleeving rolling her eyes.

"Looks like I'm not the only one in need of a break."

"Oh, I'm sure you need it more than me; I don't think I ever seen you go anywhere for a break in years."

"The pot's calling the kettle black, isn't it?"

"Maybe — at least I've packed everything needed for tonight's flight," Albedo replies, sounding a bit smug as Lumine gives him an unimpressed look.

"It's just a two-week holiday; I'll be at the airport on time, no big deal."

"Oh? I'll hold you up to that, then."

.

.

.

"I thought you said you weren't going to be late."

Lumine glares at Albedo, who gives her an amused smile, one that conveyed the message of 'I told you so'  as Klee bounces up and down, looking starry eyed as she clings onto Lumine, giggling.

"Hehe, Klee's soooo happy to be with big sister Lu on this vacation! Klee wants to see the dolphins! Build sandcastles, play volleyball...Klee's so excited!"

Lumine smiles softly as she pats the younger girl's head. Klee was always such a delight to have around, unlike her snarky elder brother/cousin, who could alternate being gentle and kind, to snarky and mischievous, and rarely, angry.

"Its's almost time to board," Albedo says as the line begins to move, the three of them moving along at a slow pace as Albedo carries Klee, the two adult talking quietly as Klee takes a short nap.

"Klee's could barely sleep last night; its early morning, so by the time we reach the islands, It would be noon. I hope she'll get enough rest by then," Albedo says, looking slightly worried as Lumine shakes her head.

"You worry too much. Klee will be fine; what about you? What do you want to at the resort?"

"Resting in a hammock and a coconut sounds great."

"Right? Uncle Zhongli looked so unimpressed when I said that."

"It is the most generic thing in the world to do at a resort, after all."

Chapter Text

"Why are all of you here? Shouldn't you be on holiday?" Lumine asks with a cross of her arms, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion as she regards every single one of them. 

She feels a headache coming along at sight of the people in front of her. The idea of a relaxing vacation was soon to be override by this little group of troublemakers she call her friends, much to her chagrin.

Ajax Telamon, a wealthy banker.

Mao Xiangling, an ingenious chef.

Yang Chongyun, an antique appraiser.

Feiyun Xingqiu, the enigmatic 2nd young master of Feiyun Commerce.

Morax Hutao, the eccentric 77th Wangsheng Funeral Parlour Director.

Barbara Page, the cheery cardiovascular surgeon.

Mona Megistus, a wise astrologist.

Bennett, a young rookie detective.

And they weren't even half of the circus.

"What, not happy to see us? Come now, girlie. You wouldn't have that much fun without any of us," Childe says with a grin, as she sees Hutao and Xingqiu wear matching smirks on their faces from beside him. Lumine sighed and shook her head.

Troublemakers, all of them were. Regardless, Lumine loves then; they were her closest and dearest for half a decade. "Of course I'm happy, but this doesn't feel like a coincidence to me."

Lumine says dubiously, her eyes shifting from one person to another. One may wonder, how could such a diverse group of people, of different personalities and jobs be so close? Some dance on the side of the law; some walk in the grey lines.

But they were a group of friends that had an unbreakable bond, a group of battle-harden warriors that been through the tough times, the good and the bad together for nearly a decade.

"Well, I mean you probably guess already. My dad was the one who sent all of us here, after all!"

Of course it was Zhongli's plan; he probably thought she needed a little more...excitement in her holiday. Her meddlesome old adoptive uncle, who probably arranged all this.

Not that Lumine actually minded at all; even if she makes a statement of being annoyed by huffing and puffing, she was glad to see her friends now, when the circumstances weren't one borne out of...issues that had to solve.

She lets loose a little smile; she was actually, and truly happy to be reunited with her friends again so soon.

Who wouldn't be, after all?

"You finally smiled! When Lu smiles, it's a good sign!"

"I guess...this holiday will be an exciting one," Lumine says with a wry smile, before the group bursts out into laughter, a lighthearted mood settles in as everyone joke around, walking together lazily towards the beach.

"Well, don't know about the rest of you, but I'm totally hitting the beach waves!" Bennett shouts with a pump of his fist, pointing at the white sandy beach in front of them, before tripping over himself, face first into the white sand. Lumine giggles slightly at the sight. Bennett and his unluckiness; Barbara rolls her eyes as she helps up the boy from the sand amongst the snickers from their friends.

"The beach looks crowded; very noisy too. Is there an event happening there?" Childe says, looking off into the distance, at the beach's shores. Lumine notes he was correct, in fact, she thinks he was understating the little circus happening down there at the shores. A large horde of people have amassed at the beach, screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs that Lumine's ear drums burned from all that ruckus the crowd was making.

Seriously. This. Was. NOISE. POLLUTION.

"Oh, don't you know? The beach is closed for swimming," a girl walks past them, but stops upon overhearing their conversation. 

Bennett looked disappointed at the news as he gives a sigh and mutters under his breath, probably cursing his unluckiness as normal. Barbara pats the poor boy's back as Lumine turns to the the girl. 

"Oh? Why is that?" Lumine asks with a curious tilt of her head, when the girl's expression drops into one of shock and offense...?

 Lumine makes a confused look at the expression on the girl's face, as if they didn't know something that everyone should have known.

"Have you all been living under a rock? An event featuring —" The girl says with a frown, when a group of girls ran past them. Lumine flinches as once of them unceremoniously shoves her aside by accident, her feet stumbling as she tries to balance herself.

But before she kisses the floor, big hands stabilised her, gripping onto her shoulders gently as she looks up to see a smirking Childe.

"Careful now, don't wanna end up face down in the sand like Benny, right?"

"Thanks," Lumine says gratefully, when she realises the girl was dragged off by the group, who she supposed were her friends if she was with them.

Well, that was one question left unanswered. But Lumine supposes that there was no harm in checking out the event; they had nothing better to do right now either ways.

Oh, how she was going to start regretting her decision in a matter of minutes.

"Let's check out the event; must be pretty impressive if people are going nuts, right?" Lumine asks, as everyone agrees, starting to walk towards the beach's shores as Barbara sidles to walk beside her, a knowing grin on the blonde's face as Lumine tilts hers in confusion.

"So...you came here with Albedo, hm?" 

Lumine recognises that teasing tone from a mile away instantly. She gives a flat look as Barbara giggles, nudging her jokingly.

"I came here with Klee and Albedo; you know how Dean Morax is. He was like 'Lumine, you need to take a break; go and have fun' and 'Lumine, you need to not stay cooped up in your office all day'," Lumine says, mockingly mimicking her adoptive uncle and superior as Barbara rolls her eyes fondly.

"He's right , you know? One of Teyvat University best and brightest professor you may be, but a break is needed for even geniuses," Barbara says, lookinhg almost doting as her expression turns teasing again.

"But...holiday with Albedo? And little Klee? Not even dating yet and going on holidays with the family—"

"For the last time, me and Albedo are friends! Just. Friends," Lumine enunciated each word calmly, as Barbara nods dubiously, clearly not believing Lumine.

Seriously, why did everyone think her and Albedo had something? If they did, something would have happened by now — they have been friends since she was 17, making it close to a decade-long friendship; one that she treasures immensely.

Albedo and her knew each other like the back of their hands; before this little group of friends was just them and their fellow university peers; young, naive and untainted by the world. He was, in many senses, her equal. A rival. A trusted confidant. A person who she seen the worse of the world with; a man she trust implicitly.

But that was just it; friends. Just friends, never more, never less.

And Lumine will never have it any other way.

Lumine feels her muscles become less tense as she walk across the beach with her friends, despite the ruckus from the crowd becoming louder and louder as they approach. She stares at the crowd; now, did they really want to get into the crowd and fight their way to the front for some event that they don't even know about? 

Too bad her friends were far too interested in knowing what this was about. Bennett eagerly jumps into the throng of people, but soon gets lost, along with Barbara and Childe, who tried to find him, but ended up separated from the group as Lumine feels herself being pushed into the crowd by some people in the crowd, as Albedo seemed to noticed what happened, but it was too late.

Lumine missed the outstretched hand as she's swept away by the crowd, being pushed and shoved by many excited beach-goers.

And that was when she saw them.

By the coastline was an obstacle course, filled with many silly challenges where the people here were just clamouring to watch the participants run through the course.

Of course, people wouldn't just stand and watch just anybody do this; oh no, the contestants for this was a very popular boy band, one that Lumine was all too familiar with...

She grew up with them after all; its a real shame they drifted apart as the years gone by.

 Lumine felt her eyes nearly popped out of her sockets as the realisation finally clicks in.What were they doing HERE? This was really the the cherry on top of the cream of coincidences — how could they be doing a special event at the resort she was staying?

Unless this wasn't a coincidence.

A certain man came to mind, his insistent and repetitive suggestions from a day ago coming into mind.

"Why don't you take this chance to go see Aether?"

"You know, you haven't seen your brother in years, don't you miss him?"

"This is a great opportunity to finally go see your twin, don't you think so, Lumine?"

Zhongli. Oh, it made so much sense, that Lumine wasn't even surprised anymore. She grimaces as she feels for her phone, to dial her scheming boss right now and give him a piece of her mind, when she find that her phone was missing. Panic grips her tightly when she couldn't find her phone and when she finds herself moving closer to the front, not on her own accord, at that!

And that was when their eyes met again, for the first time in years.

Gold meet scarlet, both filled with surprised, their eyes meeting for less than a second, but Lumine feel years from that eye contact, her heartbeat increasing rapidly when she jolts out of it, hearing a loud holler through the speakers.

"Aether wins!"

The crowd went wild at that, as Lumine finds her view blocked again, for better for worse she didn't know. She was about to turn and force her way out of the crowd, to return back to her room, to have a good rest, and forget all about this little encounter.

Only, today's list of surprises had one more thing installed for her. 

Violet eyes, violet hair. A menacing smirk that was never out of place on his face; pure viciousness ran in his blood, after all.

Lumine feels dread when she sees a man she's all too familar with.

He tips his hat. at her, the smile he wore so lazily looked so dangerous as he turns to walk away.

She gives chase, ignoring all the warnings she has received since her very first encounter with him.

Zhongli told her to run in the other direction when he is spotted, the number of times was countless at this point; that was how much Zhongli didn't like Lumine to even go near to Scaramouche.

He was a total wild card, that one. The most unpredictable ones were the most dangerous; an unknown threat was the one that was most destructive; he is Scaramouche, the former 6th harbinger of the feared mafia, The Fatui.

"Lumine."

A soft, familiar voice that sets her heart at ease says from behind her, his arms enveloping her in a hug, as he whispers quietly,

"Don't go after him. You need to stay away from him."

Though Albedo's voice was warm and kind, his tone was warning as Lumine sighs, trying to escape his hug.

"Scaramouche is dangerous; we need him in jail, not roaming free."

"He's gone by now; you of all people should know he isn't one to stick around, waiting to be captured."

Sure enough, he disappeared — how, she never knew. He always knew how to make an entrance and an exit, thats for sure.

Lumine bit back the urge to fight Albedo now; if she didn't control herself, she'll start spilling out information that should never be heard by the public.

Albedo's tone turn softer, seeming to try to soothe her irritation now as he asks her,

"So...quite a coincidence its a 4NEMO event, right?"

"No, it is not. Look, this has Uncle Zhongli written all over it; he clearly has being pulling the strings behind everything that had happened here."

Lumine didn't want to be ungrateful, but what was Zhongli's aim here? She knows she isn't the only one that was going to be upset when someone realises who was here.

This really wasn't one of his better plans.

"Where's...Hutao?" Lumine asks, and from the uncomfortable expression on Albedo's face, she knows Hutao knows that her brother is here.

"She ran off when she realised who was here; really upset too. The rest is probably around, we are all just spilt up. Oh, and your phone. I think it slipped out of your pocket in the midst of all that pushing."

Lumine has never been more grateful than now towards Albedo as she takes her phone from him. She is worried for Hutao, but now, she could do anything; escaping from this crowd was proving to be difficult, as Albedo sighs. Lumine feels him place his hands on her shoulders.

"Don't you want to talk to your brother?"

The view clears up again, and this time, all four men were talking with the emcee, seeming to have a light-hearted conversation going on as Lumine turns her head to look at Albedo.

"No thanks. Coming into the crowd was already enough of a heart attack for me. Let's go back, now. Don't you need to pick Klee up from the indoor kid's theme park?"

Albedo had dropped Klee off at the little theme park just for kids just before they step out onto the beach, why the little girl wasn't here.

"Not yet; its still rather early. Back to what I was saying. This is a rare chance to go and see your brother," repeats Albedo as Lumine rolls her eyes.

 Albedo made it sound simple; Lumine knew it wasn't so easy as that. Her brother was the only kin she has left in the world; but their relationship...was so complex. Aether was sunshine incarnate; the light that brightens up people's days. He always was meant for the spotlight; Lumine shouldn't blame him for chasing his dreams.

It just happened his dreams led him to drift so far from her.Not just him, but the friends she grew up with; Xiao, Venti, Kazuha. 

Lumine feels hurt they were no longer there like they always were as children.

But what could she do?

The path she chose to walk diverge from them long ago; and it led her to meet many people, people she trusted, people she loved, people she hated...

But she has never once regretted it.

Albedo was also the only one in their little group privy to her thoughts of her brother; and as someone who had got along well with his own siblings, he didn't understand her reservations with seeing her brother, and probably will never understand.

"It's not as simple as you make it sound to be."

"Relationship never are. Lumine." Albedo says with a shake of his head, but was interrupted when the emcee barges into the crowd, and grabs her wrist with a wink, startling Lumine slightly as she hears jealous sighs and see envious looks from everyone around her.

Lumine was clearly missing something here; she was too engrossed in her argument with Albedo, unfortunately. She feels herself being pulled towards the front by no one other than the emcee, who grins at her as she is hauled towards the front where the boys are at, the panic in her building up as she is shove next to Aether, who grins at her as he gives her a shoulder hug.

"We have a winner! Thank you all for participating, we are sorry, but only one person can join us on this on 'A week with 4NEMO!'" Aether says cheerily as Lumine gapes at her brother.

WHAT?!

She looks for Albedo in the crowd; he looked just as shock as her.

"..."Lumine remains speechless and in a daze as the boys say their goodbyes, while she is led of the stage area and to the backstage part. She was join soon after by the four of them, all who looked unsurprised, and one who looked way too happy, contradting his stone-face sister who could probably kill someone with that glare of hers.

"Hehe, when Uncle Zhongli called and said to expect a happy surprise, I never thought it'll be you, Lumi!" Aether says cheerily as he hugs Lumine tight.

Lumine doesn't say anything, or even tries to reciprocate the warm and affectionate hug Aether was giving.

She sighs and pushes Aether off.

"Did you plan all this?" Lumine asks flatly, crossing her arms, feeling slightly guilty as Aether looked slightly hurt by her coldness.

"No, it was all my dad. We just took advantage of the prize we had for our fans," Xiao interjects, looking slightly miffed as Venti nods with puppy eyes, looking a bit sad as well. Only Kazuha stands a good distance away, remaining quiet as Lumine fights the urge to snap at them.

So that's what it was, wasn't it? She wasn't playing along with this.

"Aren't you happy to see us, Lumine? It's been a while..." Venti asks, looking rather disappointed, as the rest of them look at her expectantly.

"I'm not playing along with your event."

"Its not as bad as you think, sis. It's not going to be filmed, nor do you have to worry about being interviewed. I promise," Aether says, looking a bit more composed now as Lumine sighs and closed her eyes.

She wasn't going to get out of this one without a fight, was she?

"Fine. You win, brother. Now, if you excused me, I have to go and find my friends," Lumine says,  the irritation rolling off her in waves as she stomps out of the back stage to go find her friends.

She soon finds them waiting near a rock formation, the relief on their faces comforts Lumine to some extent as she raises a hand in greeting.

"We have a lot to talk about,"

Lumine announces solemnly, eyes scanning her friends before it finally rests on Albedo, the same thought running in their minds.

Scaramouche's appearance today was no coincidence.

.

.

.

"Leave. Now," Zhongli's voice is stern and usually, no one dares to argue again the Dean of Humanities, but Lumine refuses to budge on this; besides, she has her fair share of arguements with Zhongli

"No."

"Lumine, this is not up for discussion—"

"Neither was 4NEMO, too, huh, Daddy?"

Hutao says innocently, though she looks just as pissed off as Lumine. Zhongli shakes his head, his eyebrow creasing as he point one finger at the both of them through the video call.

"Do not mix up your personal lives with this; Scaramouche is dangerous — I want ever single one of you out of there — now. Especially you, Lumine."

"Me?! If only it was that simple. It isn't, and you know it! Scaramouche clearly has an agenda here, and he wants me to be involved; he never does anything without reason."

"Lumine, I'm only trying to keep you safe."

"I'll be safe when we get Scaramouche behind bars. I'm not a little girl anymore," Lumine states, crossing her arms as Zhongli sighs, burying his head into his hands.

"You aren't, so you should know you are risking your life time and time again. I—,"

"I'll proceed with caution, I'll update my every single move to Keqing. I won't work alone on this, I promise you. Does that set you at ease?" Lumine watches Zhongli's frown deepen at that.

"...Do you have to insist on this?"

"Yes."

"Just be careful. One wrong move and you may..."

"I know. I'll be careful."

Lumine falls silent as the call ends with a nod of Zhongli's head. She hated arguing with someone she knows that cares for her wellbeing, and even more so, upsetting the person who took care of her since her grandfather's passing.

"...So. Back to work, I guess," Lumine says silently, turning to face her friends. She feels guilty that they couldn't enjoy their holidays as they all intended; but she couldn't just ignore Scaramouche's appearance.

Childe gives Lumine a lazy smile as he says casually,

"Heh, now things finally start to feel normal."

"Huh?" Lumine blinks in surprise as her friends all wear matching grins.

"Can't wait to get back to doing what we do best, eh, Tortilla?" Hutao says, cracking a grin as the two troublemakers grinned at each other.

"Time to take names, kick butt!"

"The Fatui will be sorry when we're done with them!"

"Technically, Scaramouche isn't apart of the Fatui anymore, since he defected and all."

"Hehe! They'll be running for the hills when they see us coming!"

Lumine feels reassured that her friends were particularly upset at the prospect of working on a holiday.

Right; things would be awfully boring without things to spice up your life, wouldn't they?