Chapter Text
On one fine afternoon, Lumine and Paimon can be seen standing at a port in Liyue Harbor. They continued to wave goodbye, even though the leaving ship was far enough away that Teucer probably couldn’t see them any more.
It had been a bizarre day for both of them. When they both woke up today, they had only planned on going sightseeing around Liyue properly, considering that they weren’t able to do so during that whole fiasco with Rex Lapis and his supposed assassination. Seeing as they had yet to find a way to enter Inazuma, it was the only thing they could do while searching for information. As they were about to set out, somehow, they got roped into helping the Millelith with some concerning Ruin Guards sightings. And by the end of it all, help a Fatui Harbinger with babysitting and lying to a child.
Truly a weird day. Eventful in its own right, despite, once again, not being able to sight see at their own leisure.
A small grunt to their left side made Lumine look, her arm finally dropping down. A man clutching at his sides in pain came limping into view. Undeterred by the obvious agony he was sporting, he still flashed a smile and waved in acknowledgement.
It was none other than Childe.
The second he reached them, Paimon didn’t waste any time accosting him. As soon as Teucer was out of the picture, it’s off with the kiddie gloves.
“So, you were here the whole time! What are you hiding for?”
“Why did you not send your brother off yourself? Such a charming big brother you are,” added Lumine. She watched as Paimon hovered around Childe, throwing accusations in his face while he tried to bat the fairy away. It was an amusing sight.
“Give me a break, will you? Let me look cool in front of my little brother, at least.”
“Nah, stay pathetic. It’s a good look on you. I had some good laughs in today. Thanks.”
“Wow, you don’t mince your words, do ya girlie? Do you hate me that much?” Childe sighed in mock defeat when Lumine made a face that very much said, ‘what do you think?’.
“I don’t see any reason to show consideration to you, now that Teucer’s gone.”
“And yet, you showed me plenty today. I’m grateful, in any case,” said Childe. He grunted a bit as he adjusted his standing position to a more comfortable one, his weight shifting from one leg to another. Lumine guessed that the damage was more severe than what was led to believe and almost felt sorry. “Still… It’s a shame that I couldn’t see him off myself… Even if I have my subordinates to look after him, I still worry... I should’ve gone myself.”
“Haven’t you spoiled the kid enough already?” asked Paimon in exasperation.
“Haha. I can’t quite explain it, but somehow I felt much more at ease leaving him in your care. And to think that not long ago, we….” Childe stopped himself, figuring it would do none of them good to bring up that incident again. Why ruin a good mood with bitter memories? He shelved away the wonder he felt at why he trusted the Traveller so, for another time. “Ah, yes. I almost forgot. Remuneration for your services - which I really couldn’t have done without this time.”
Paimon let out an excited whoop when Childe passed them a heavy bag of mora. Wasting no time, she swiped it off Childe’s hold and flew a distance away, presumably to fawn over its contents without interruptions.
Lumine shook her head. Some things just never changed. She then studied Childe’s form once again and concluded that maybe some things do. Like her opinion of this man standing in front of her. She couldn’t make head or tails of what to make of him. Whether to see him as a friend or a foe? For now, she would remain wary. From her experience in Teyvat, Fatui was bad news, and even bad people can be sweet to their loved ones.
“... If you think we’re doing it for you, you’re sorely mistaken. Teucer’s a good kid. A bit of a brat, but which kid isn’t? It’d be a pity to have him look disappointed. He has a nice smile.”
“He does, doesn’t he? Like yours truly.” Childe winked. It was a bit difficult to do though and appeared more like he was wincing; his right cheek was starting to swell from the bruise he had got earlier, but he made it work.
Lumine scoffed. “I’ve thought this before, but you’re the definition of arrogance.”
“Over me simply praising my own good looks? Why, that hurts me, you know?”
At that, she rolled her eyes. She turned her back and went to scan for Paimon. She’s ready to leave this whole thing behind and rest. Going into a panic over a kid and fighting a bunch of Ruin Guards was not her idea of a fun outing.
Childe stopped her. “Wait, come on. What’s the hurry? We can talk a bit more, right?”
Lumine gave an incredulous stare towards Childe, who in fact, looked far worse for wear. “Uh, no offence, shouldn’t you… rest up right about now?”
“Come on, don’t blow me off like that. I have a reason, see? This is a long shot, but have you ever thought of joining the Fatui? We could use people as strong as you… Or rather, I’m asking for entirely selfish reasons.”
“Well, that came out of nowhere. Wouldn’t say this is the first time someone asked too…”
“Someone already did?”
Lumine decided not to answer that question. She didn’t think there was any need to. “Well? Go on. Them being?”
“My selfish reasons? Why, I just want to test my strength against yours again. I recognise your strength, friend; no one can beat me just by luck alone… So how about it? Join, and we get to fight often? It’d be fun.”
“You said ‘reasons’. Is there more?” She deigned not to entertain the fact that this person in front of her even called her a ‘friend’. What a weird way to get friends. Lumine bet Childe didn’t have any, laughable as that is.
“You got me,” grinned Childe, “To put simply, you’re dangerous. I have a feeling you might get in the way of my Tsaritsa’s plans in the future, so I wanted to keep you in my sights. Always. So there’s that malicious intent you’re searching for. I confess.”
“Aren’t you an honest one?”
Childe simply let the sarcasm dripping off Lumine’s words roll off his shoulders. His smile widened just as much as Lumine’s fake, polite smile.
“Ah, I see. Well, I’m afraid I’ve no plans to tie myself down. I have things to accomplish. Until that is done, I’m not doing anything else unless necessary.”
“So you’re saying there’s a chance you might join?”
“Perhaps. If it proves to be beneficial to my goal.”
“Not many people would dare to admit so freely about using us as a stepping stone!” Childe was liking the traveller more and more. At first, he had thought of her as a nuisance and an obstacle. But now he found her intriguing. Her strength, her sharp tongue, how she’s fearless even while bantering with a known Harbinger. It’s the most entertainment he’d had in a while, more so than the battle high he chased on the job. “I’m curious. What are you after?”
“That’s none of your business,” replied Lumine, curt.
“An answer as cold as my dear homeland. Alright, I won’t pry any further. I’d ask if I could interest you in a spar, but as you can see, I’m not in optimal condition. Wait for me to get better?”
Lumine took a while to consider. On one hand, she would really rather not fraternise with an enemy, but on the other hand, she had found that the idea of having him as a sparring partner wasn’t so bad after all. It made for good exercise, if anything.
“... Deal.”