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Lumine had been in Teyvat just over three years now meaning her friends were well aware of when her birthday is at least she thought so. It was a struggle the first year after all she shared her birthday with someone who was no longer with her, she remembers how she cried after her friends had all gone home from the party they threw her.
Last year it was slightly less painful she had come to terms with it slightly more. She didn’t have a party she just had some drinks at the Angel’s share then went to spend some time with Xiao on his balcony. Lumine had got a few birthday wishes from her other friends in the form of cards and small gifts when she saw them next. In a way it was bitter sweet she enjoyed her birthday yet part of her ached to spend it with Aether.
She knew it was childish after all her brother didn’t care the same way, he knew she was out there and didn’t care. He made his stand and she should move on and enjoy herself instead of longing for something that will never come. Which is why she decided she was going to enjoy herself this year as if her life depends on it.
Lumine wasn’t sure what she was going to exactly do to enjoy it, she wasn’t the biggest fan of parties which meant that was way of the table so she made a mind map. She wrote all her favourite things to do and crossed them off one by one until she figured it out. It took awhile, longer than Lumine had actually anticipated.
After a while she managed to narrow it down to two things one, going shopping in Liyue harbour and two, Spending time with Xiao. Lumine sighed at the last second one she would only be able to do it if she could find him and if he agrees. He had been more open with her lately and she had told him when her birthday was but they’re is a good chance he will forget. She could call his name but he only gave it to her if she was in danger so she put a question mark next to it.
Lumine’s birthday came quickly, she had been more excited about it this year than she had been the whole time she had spent in Teyvat. She often went to Liyue harbour but she had never been able to enjoy the shopping experience before, usually she was to busy running about like a headless chicken to get commissions done.
But today, today was different she could calmly walk around the harbour without a care in the world. Today was her day and she will do what the damn hell she wishes (Within reason of course). She had saved up a good amount of mora from her commissions, she even did a couple extra just in case, she doubted she would actually need much but better to be safe than sorry.
As she finally arrived in the harbour she spent a good few hours just wandering the stalls looking at the stalls and talking to a couple of the familiar faces. She knew quite a couple from her work at the adventurers guild but this was the first time she could actually stop and have a talk with them. They were all lovely to her and actually seemed to enjoy the conversation, she made a mental note to actually come do this more often.
Lumine eventually made her way up towards where she knew Zhongli would be, the man was like clockwork he always had his lunch at the same place at the same time. Its one thing she could never make sense of the old archon, it made her wonder if he secretly had a clock inside him that forced him to go places.
“Zhongli” Lumine called out waving to him from where she was walking, he was sitting with his food. Hu Tao had recently put a table and chairs outside the parlour which is were he was now sitting as he greeted her.
“Ah Lumine” He nodded towards the seat in front of him which she took, “What do I owe the pleasure”
“I was just shopping since it’s my birthday and decided to come say hi” She honestly didn’t expect the man to know it was her birthday after all she doesn't recall ever telling him it. Lumine spoke to Zhongli for quite awhile she always did find him good conversation he had lived for quite a while. He may only ever tell her parts of story’s but she had known him long enough to start putting the puzzle pieces together to view a bigger picture.
They spoke for most of the afternoon about various things, it was probably the longest she had ever actually sat down and spoke to him. Although she did wonder if he did need to do some work at the funeral parlour but he waved of her worries telling her it was fine. Making Lumine question if he was over working poor Hu Tao.
By the time they parted ways it was nearly pitch black and was time to head back to the inn, she enjoyed her time spent and wrote down in her notebook to have days off far more often. She now was hoping Xiao would be on his balcony when she gets back, he probably wont be as he is usually off protecting Liyue at night.
It wouldn’t be the end of the world if he wasn’t even if Lumine would be slightly disappointed, she had a good day it would take more than Xiao not being anywhere to be seen to mess it up.
Lumine popped up to her room first to drop of some of the things she had treat her self to. She grabbed a blanket off her bed, wrapping it around her shoulders before heading off to the balcony. It got cool quickly after the sun set if Xiao did end up being there she didn’t want to end up turning into an ice cube.
She knew she had made the right descension in bringing the blanket before she was even outside, the cold air blew down the hallway making her shiver slightly. As she got outside she realized there was something different about it, candles were littering the railing’s lighting up the balcony. She started to wonder if she had just crashed something important before she felt a familiar gush of wind.
“Xiao” She turned to face him her smile growing bigger at the minuet, “You’re here” Xiao rolled his eyes in a playful way, he had been more open with her lately. It was nice to see the playful side of him she loved the fact he was now so open with her. It made her feel trusted. She spread her arms as if she was asking to hug him.
“Of course I’m here” He gave her a smile before accepting the hug she wanted, “Why did you doubt me” He pulled away frowning making her a bit sheepish.
“I just thought you might of forgotten that’s all” She laughed awkwardly fearing she might of accidentally offended him, but to her surprise he didn’t seem to care one bit.
“Well you will be glad to know I didn’t” He pulled away fully instead choosing to take her hand in his, “I wasn’t sure what to do so I hope this is enough” Lumine squeezed his hand while giving him a huge smile.
“I love it” She told him, “I wasn’t really expecting anything so its a lovely surprise” Lumine knew Xiao didn’t really care for birthdays after all he had told her himself.
“I have one more thing” He reached into his pocket as Lumine eyed him curiously, “Here” He passed her something, she took it with the most care she had ever held something with. It looked like leaves made in the shape of a butterfly yet it had the weight of something much heavier.
“What is it” She asked him, “Don’t you dare say leaves because its to heavy” She knew how Xiao sometimes liked to cover up his true intentions yet she liked to think she always sees through them.
Xiao sighed, “It’s an adepti amulet it staves of evil” Lumine smiled before realizing its in the shape of a butterfly, does he know what they represent? Even if he did he didn’t mention it either way it would be fun to tease him.
“Are you aware what butterfly's represent?” She asked innocently not letting on her intentions to early. She watched multiple emotions wash over his face before settling on clueless yet she knew he knew and decided to push it further still acting dumb.
“Some day they represent an undying bond between lovers” She told him rather nonchalantly watching as his ears turned red slightly, “It’s sweet actually” She laughed turning back to the amulet turning it over in her hand waiting for him to reply.
“I wasn’t aware I’m sorry If you are uncomfortable I could make you something else” He told her reaching over to take it but Lumine covered her other hand over it pulling it away from him.
“I love it you aren’t having it back now” She told him dead serious, it was the best gift anyone has got her so far in Teyvat. If he wanted it back it would be over her cold dead body, “Besides it doesn't mean anything unless you wish for it to mean anything” It was in that moment she decided to rub it in fully, “Do you wish for it to mean anything?”
Lumine wished he would say ‘yes’ that is exactly what he wanted it to mean but she thinks that's probably not going to happen. After all he is notoriously known for being like a skittish cat that hates everyone and himself. He had already shown so much love in his actions tonight she just wishes for the verbal confirmation.
Xiao suddenly went the same colour as a pyro vision, it was as if something had short circuited in his wiring, “I- well maybe” He whispered turning away from her, now it was Lumine’s turn for her mind to go blank. While this was what she wanted to here she didn’t actually expect it to happen after all.
“Xiao” She whispered his name as if it was a prayer, “Yes or no” He turned his head back looking into her eyes.
“Yes” He confirmed, she could have swore her heart fully stopped in that moment. That one word made her feel as if she was floating on cloud 9. She reached out taking his hands in hers pulling him to fully face her.
“Can I have one more gift?” She asked him regaining her confidence, he nodded giving her an awkward smile, “Kiss me” She tried not to laugh from happiness when he completed her request.