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Lumine has been drinking with him since they arrived at the Angel’s Share in the early evening, and they continued on as the bar filled up more and more throughout the night.
Their voices, in the beginning kept low and intimate, were now raised to not be drowned out by the local bard and the chants of the crowd, the laughter and hollering, and the thumping of the countless heels on wood as the dance floor was covered with carefree couples.
He loved watching Lumine‘s demeanor change the more she drank, her smile was open and her cheeks were flushed pink. And most importantly, she talked.
He wondered if she was even able to speak the language of Teyvat at first, her little fairy companion was usually talking for her. But the one liners Lumine did deliver were always cutting and to the point. He wanted to hear more of that witty tongue, wanted to hear her thoughts, her laughter.
He swallowed the last drops of his ale like it was nothing but fizzy water, and raised his eyebrow as he pointed to her mug.
She quickly emptied it in the same manner, wiping her mouth like a seasoned adventurer.
He waved towards the bar, holding their cups high to signal they wanted a refill.
Their eyes wandered across the place, and Lumine swayed along with the music, holding her head in her hand.
Lumine has been offered to dance multiple times that evening but she declined every single one, which only increased Childe‘s hopes of her wanting to stay by his side that day. But Childe was also known for feeding into delusions.
He couldn't take his eyes off of her. To his dismay, she noticed.
"What?" She grinned.
"Are you sure you don't want to dance?"
„I‘m happy just watching them.“
His potential reply was cut off with the arrival of the new refreshments. He thanked the bar maiden but she quickly moved to the next table with a nervous look on her face.
Lumine giggled as she grabbed her new drink „If you want to dance though, there's probably a lot of guys and girls wanting to match with you.“
He attempted to smile, but it felt forced. "They're more likely scared than charmed."
Lumine giggled again. "You're sitting in the company of Mondstadt's Star, The Honorary Knight herself. Haven't you noticed the looks you've been earning from everyone? If I left this table for even a minute I'm sure you'd be swarmed with admirers trying to make your acquaintance."
He scoffed and slowly drowned his thoughts in a cold sip of brew. She was making fun of him again, he was sure of it. All night she has been the one swarmed by hungry men and women alike.
He noticed the bar maiden again, and he caught her staring right back at him. She quickly lowered her face, pretending to dust a glass, blushing from ear to ear.
The realization hit him like a rolling vishap. She looked at him like he had been looking at Lumine.
His jaw dropped helplessly, and Lumine laughed out loud.
"I sense your exclusive focus on battle has led to certain other interests of life to be neglected."
"Even so-" he cut her off before she could call him out more, "there's no one here that I will be more interested in than you."
Lumine was stunned at the blunt confession, but her eyes warmed up.
"I didn't think I would ever say that, but likewise."
She leaned closer, and he mirrored her advance. He could almost feel her cheek on his own as she whispered into his ear.
„I would be very jealous if your first dance was with someone else other than me.“
"But you said you didn't want to-"
She grabbed his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Without hesitation he pulled her up and into the swirling crowd, and she followed along like a magnet.
Confidence and excitement rushed through him as they found a spot on the dance floor. He pulled her close, planting a hand on her waist.
He was guiding her through the music, even though she didn't know any of the steps. A lively Mondstadt tavern wasn't the Zapolyarny Palace though, and a proper dance routine would feel out of place anyway.
She was following his motions easily, completely entrusting herself into his lead. He loved to twirl her and watch her spin in that flowy white dress. It certainly attracted the eyes of everyone else as well.
He could see the surprise on her face. She wasn't expecting him to dance as he did, which made him want to show off even more.
He grabbed her waist with both hands and heaved her in the air into a spin, catching her in his arms as she descended, twirling and twirling in chaotic glee, her laughter filling up his ears until it was all he could hear.
✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧
They left the tavern once the dawn was near, and Lumine had her boots chucked over her shoulders, balancing barefoot across the cobblestone streets. The mild Mondstadt nights were perfect. The refreshing air tasted like home.
She pinched his fingertip, getting hold of his glove and sliding it off with curious eyes.
Their naked palms met. His hand was so much larger than hers, his fingers soft and yet had spots of trained skin, like her own. Hands that were used to wield weapons.
He pulled off the other glove with his teeth, found her hand and intertwined their fingers. Her skin felt like stardust.
She shivered. „I've been wanting to do this for a long time.“
„Hold hands?“
„Feel your skin.“
Childe had never understood attraction the way his peers did. When he asked them what it was like- he usually received a vague description that he couldn't follow. It felt like they just knew what to do. Instinct. He had been sure his instinct only included survival.
But in this moment, he wanted to feel her just as much as she did. He wondered what it would feel like if he kissed her. Would he survive that ?
"Lumine…" His words felt sore in his throat, his blood rushing through his eardrums.
She guided his hands towards her face, where he gently cupped her cheeks. He leaned closer as she rose to her tiptoes, lips finding each other in the dewy summer morning.