Work Text:
“Boo!”
“I heard you from a mile away,” Keeping his back to her, a grin spreads across his lips. “Lumine.”
“You knew it was me, too?” Lumine chuckles in reply, apparently expecting nothing less from him.
Standing from his crouched position in front of a floral specimen of concern as of late, he turns to face her and crosses his arms. “Each individual has their own rhythm of gait. Taking into account the weight they put into their steps, I can discern just about anyone I’ve known for a period of time from the rest.”
She giggles lightly again, jesting sarcastically, “Alright, I get it. You hear everything, Tighnari.”
“Yes, do remember that before you do anything nefarious.” He jokes with her. “Like whatever you hope to do with what’s in that box you’re holding behind your back.”
Surprisingly, a light flush of pink akin to a Zaytun Peach spreads atop Lumine’s cheeks. He tilts his head curiously, intrigued by the splash of color. Raising an eyebrow at her continued silence, he teases her further, “Oh? Now what did you venture into Avidya Forest for today? Or did you come here for another health check?”
The objects inside the small box crash into each other and the sides of the cardboard material as she lifts it to partially cover her face with fingers from both hands clutching around it.
Pocky?
Oh. It must be that date today.
“Will you play with me?” For being the renowned Traveler with a reputation known far and wide throughout all of Teyvat, even in nations she has yet to visit, her innocence shines brightly. He is sure most would not believe her to have such a gentle disposition.
Their loss.
“If you wanted a kiss, you could straightforwardly ask for one.” Tighnari sighs dryly.
Lumine pouts then, that endearing expression she only dares show in his presence. A sort of petulance most would lose during childhood, society having come to frown upon such juvenile trivialities. But for all the maturity and unfailing resolution she devotes herself to usually, he is grateful to be shown the Lumine she is when her walls are down.
“It’s all about the anticipation.” She insists. “The kind that makes your heart pound in your chest, but in a good way.”
Tighnari hums noncommittally.
“Ah… I’m sorry, I’m bothering you while you’re working, aren’t I?” Lumine quickly looks embarrassed at her realization, if not outright sad, dropping her hands and, again, hiding the box behind her back. “I’ll wait at Gandharva Ville.”
He is working, yes, but there is one thing he must correct her on. “You’re never a bother to me.” Reaching out, he curls his gloved fingers around her wrist to tug it back forward; taking the box of Pocky from her hand next. “How about in exchange, you help me a little?”
Her smile is still sheepish, but happy nonetheless. “Alright. I’d love to help.”
With a nod, Tighnari opens the package and takes out one of the chocolate coated sticks. “Open.”
Another blush forms on Lumine’s face, but she parts her lips anyways.
Pink. Good.
Giving her the chocolate part, knowing her penchant for sweets, he nibbles on the other end. They take turns, biting off small pieces of the dessert stick at a time. Just a couple centimeters from the center, he can smell the aroma on her breath, her warmth intermingling with his own.
A single centimeter.
He bites off his next piece and moves away. “Last person to move away is the winner, right? Congratulations.”
“You…” Lumine huffs, yet still gives him a smile.
“What did you have for lunch? Your breath smells floral.” Tighnari absently asks as he closes the Pocky box back up.
He looks up again once he hears her self-conscious groan.
“Does it smell bad…?”
“Just a passing observation, nothing more. No need for you to fret so much about it.” Tighnari stores the box away in his bag, reaching out to hold her hand afterwards and curling his fingers around hers securely. “Come now, you said you’d help.”
“…Rose Custard.”
He chuckles breathily. “I do not need to lecture you on a proper diet, do I?”
“No!”
On their way along the patrol route, Tighnari keeps her close to his side, their arms occasionally brushing against one another as the forest passes them by. She keeps up with his pace easily, an adventurer used to trekking through any and all terrain. At seemingly random intervals, he would squeeze her fingers laced between his just a tad stronger; and when she returns the silent gesture, his heart beats a little faster.
Honestly, Pocky could never mimic such an emotion coursing through his veins.
Coming upon a location he had marked on his map to inspect specifically, Tighnari reluctantly releases Lumine’s hand to get to work. The Traveler follows him around dutifully, crouching to the ground when he does and observing his sample collecting.
“Is this area different from others?” Lumine wonders.
Smart girl. “An old Withering Zone that was cleared away after the purification of the Irminsul.” He nods. “I need to make sure all the effects are sufficiently healed over.”
The small spoon he uses clicks against the edge of the test tube as Tighnari carefully spills dirt into its orifice.
Lumine hums an understanding tone. “It’s nice to see this place looking lively again though.”
“Thanks to you.” He comments, putting a seal over the test tube to safely traverse with it back.
“It was thanks to everyone.” She shakes her head and claims. “We couldn’t have done it without you, either.”
Tighnari does not say more – only reaching out and running the back of his fingers against her porcelain smooth cheek. Lumine leans into it, closing the closest eye in bliss.
They take to multiple different locations within the old Withering Zone, collecting dirt samples as they go. When he deems he has collected enough, Tighnari takes out the box of Pocky again, earning himself a confused tilt of Lumine’s head.
“An advance payment to travel with me to the next location on the route.” He informs.
Though still slightly bewildered, Lumine nips on the plain end he points towards her nevertheless. She shouldn’t intake too much sugar in a day, no matter how miniscule the difference is for a singular Pocky stick.
And again, when they nearly meet in the middle, Lumine’s eyes closing and lashes fluttering atop her cheeks, Tighnari pulls away. “Winner again. How lucky you are.”
“…Tighnari…”
The despondent grumble makes him chuckle. “You’re winning, just what exactly are you complaining about? The day is wasting away, so let’s get going.”
On their path this time, Tighnari’s ears pick up the sounds of wildlife nearby – far enough that they can avoid them without issue, but too close for comfort; especially with the company he keeps with him currently. Avidya Forest, no matter how much the Forest Rangers seek to protect it and those who come into it, is still a forest teeming with nature. He refuses to allow the place he calls home to harm the woman he clasps the hand of tightly.
However, to his relief within the next hundred paces, Lumine seems to sense the presence of the Rishboland Tigers, as well, asking with her eyes what they should do and keeping quiet. Tighnari nods his head towards the small dirt path off to the side through the trees, a slight detour, but a safer route undoubtedly.
It takes a tad longer, not that he complains about the extra time spent with Lumine next to him, but eventually they come upon the next former Withering Zone. Here, he has previously noted that the foliage has taken on more severe decay than normal – well, as normal as a Withering Zone can be, that is. Inspecting the vegetation now, he records their recovery and lingering side effects.
“See this discoloration?” Tighnari asks, plucking a small branch from a tree with a crack. Showing it to the attentive Traveler, he twirls it in between his fingers. “This tree is still showing signs that it is not well. First, we must discover what ails it. Then, it is prudent to test the recovery fertilizers and products we have on hand on smaller samples rather than pouring it all over with only hope in our hearts and praying to the Dendro Archon for luck.”
Lumine snickers at his explanation. “Got it. No recklessly pouring antiseptics onto a stomachache.”
He could kiss her right there and then. Instead, Tighnari settles for a pat on her head. “Exactly.”
She does not seem to complain, taking it in stride. It is praise, after all.
They take one last check around the area, collecting more concerning samples as they make their inspection, before Tighnari pauses to take out the Pocky box once more. It is only now that Lumine looks wholly skeptical about the dessert game that she had brought to him with her own two hands and will.
“Paying for my service again?”
“Yes. Now, ahh.”
“Ahh.” Lumine instinctively mimics the sound, opening her mouth and biting the stick between her teeth.
She does not anticipate a kiss this time, and she does not receive one either.
There is one final lesson he must teach her yet.
Lumine’s hand is always warm within his own whenever they meet. She is a Traveler, searching for her brother out in the vast world of Teyvat, and he, a humble Forest Ranger residing within Sumeru’s Avidya Forest, one of many nations and many environments the world has to offer. But what he cannot provide for her during her travels, he hopes to make up for in offering a safe home to return to, a place that will always be and where she will always belong.
The next site is one filled with water. The Nilotpala Lotuses within its ponds seem to be thriving; petals still closed while the sun remains reigning in the skies above. Tighnari moves to take various samples of the water at the edge, dipping test tubes in and cleanly wiping them dry before sealing and storing them.
“The water looks pretty clear…” Lumine mumbles absently, her golden eyes that shine akin to the stars at midnight staring out into the expansive, reflective pool in wonderment.
“Clear does not mean safe.” Tighnari lightly raps the top of her head with a single knuckle. “Don’t tell me you drink from any water source you find.”
“Of course not.” She puts both of her hands over the offended spot, as though to protect it. “I was just saying you can see the bottom and all the fish.”
Another one of those innocence-laced pouts purses her lips cutely.
“Though I’m happy to look after you, don’t make it a habit.” He jokes, taking the Pocky box out once he finishes his work and wipes his hands.
Lumine does not protest nor waver this time, taking the dessert stick from his fingers with her lips when he points it towards her. A subtle crunch. Another crack. A muffled chew.
The Traveler squeaks in surprise.
Tighnari presses his lips to hers with firm pressure, unbothered by her unresponsive shock. Tilting his head, he slots their mouths together more securely, giving her his warmth, his everything, as much as he takes those from her. Tighnari runs his fingers featherlight across Lumine’s arms, sliding them up to the base of her neck and holding her within his palms. His thumbs stroke across her soft cheeks adoringly, hoping to convey to her all the care she deserves.
She is well. Her temperature to the touch is within normal range. Her tongue is pink, indicating no internal ailments; nor does her breath stink of gastrointestinal concerns. Her gait and body movements are as smooth and methodical as always, speaking of no present injuries hindering her mobility. Additionally, her attentiveness and energy levels are high; she must have gotten a good night’s rest last moon cycle.
He kisses her just a little harder, shuffling further into Lumine’s personal space and pressing their bodies together firmly. His heart beats quickly within his ribcage, faster than any game of Pocky may quicken it to. He is almost sure Lumine can feel its hasty rhythm against her own.
She will be fine. He knows she will.
And despite that, he pours into her his feelings of hope and confidence.
She will return just fine.
Tighnari takes one last nip of her bottom lip before pulling back just a couple centimeters, a string of transparent saliva continuing to connect them briefly. Her lips are a beautiful shade of subtle ruby, shining like the gem itself even – perhaps especially – when the tip of her tongue slides across the tender, teeth abused skin.
With his hands still cupping her face, he keeps her eyes on him while giving another reassuring pass of his thumbs. “To keep you happy.”
“Being with you already makes me happy, though.”
He nuzzles the tip of his nose to hers, because he feels the same. “One last task for you.”
“Oh?” Lumine’s voice is breathless, gaze still slightly hazed in pleasure.
Tighnari leans in that much closer, lips brushing against hers as he whispers, “There is another patrol route near here meant for tomorrow. You’re one of the few I am confident in to send out into Avidya Forest by themselves. Once this task is done, I can rearrange tomorrow’s itinerary and play this Pocky game with you all day. If your own schedule permits.”
“Hmm… To spend a day with you? I can make it happen.”
His mouth spreads into another easy smile. Pressing one last kiss to her moist lips, lingering just a little longer than necessary and parting with a quiet sound, he slides his hands down to her shoulders. He gives her one last self-assuring squeeze upon her form before he departs from her space.
“You remember what I showed you? You weren’t spacing out, were you?” Tighnari challenges with a smirk.
“Of course not, I’m an avid listener to all your quirks.” Lumine teases back, sticking out the tip of her healthily pink tongue playfully.
He hands her the spare equipment he carries with him each time he takes to such safeguarding patrols. “Anything you find out of place, even things you don’t.”
“You got it.” Lumine says with a nod, handing him her map to mark.
When he finishes, he hands to her both the newly marked map and one of his Vijnana Stormhearts. She knows how to use it, he has taught her its properties and effects long ago; hoping that if she does run into trouble, to throw it and confuse foes and get herself to safety.
Not being able to help himself, Tighnari reaches out to hold the sides of her head and bring the both of them closer once more. He places a lasting kiss directly onto her forehead. “Stay safe.”
“I will. You stay safe, too.”
“Return to Gandharva Ville when you finish.”
“Always.”
He will keep ahold of the Pocky box himself, as extra assurance that she will return for it and what is to come.