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Lumine ascends the stairs to the balcony, the apprehension briefly flitting across her face before it dissolves into an elated smile, like a sealed envelope - so many emotions fighting to be released as she sees the familiar figure she had been anticipating. Her heels click against the wooden planks, announcing her arrival, at which he flinches slightly, but makes no move to greet her.
She chuckles delicately, the sound ethereal, as if it were carried on a summer’s breeze effortlessly over a sea of flowers.
“Giving me the cold shoulder? What about if I openly admit I missed you? I know you missed me too, by the way.” It takes all of Lumine’s willpower not to hug him right then and there as she smoothly side steps next to him at the railings. Her eyes fleet between the mandarin leaves that sail past them like destiny’s confetti, a celebration of their reunion. How fitting. A knowing smile bypassed her facade, unable to resist the urge to take a glance at him.
She catches the tail end of his eye roll, but the subtle yet undeniable smirk on his face is glorious.
“Why are you here? Only to flatter yourself with your delusions?”
A look of shock horror dawns on Lumine’s face, golden eyes creasing at the edges while her expression contorts between a mixture of amusement and fake sorrow. The back of her hand raises to her forehead in a theatrical display.
“How cruel. I understand - I have been put in my place. My presence isn’t desired here. I shall take my leave.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He huffs, stealing a transient glance at her. Archons above, he didn’t realise it was possible to both regret and love a decision so resolutely.
He would never, not in any of the worlds Lumine had once spoken of, admit his feelings, whether it be to her directly, or to himself. All it takes is one swift glimpse, a fleeting moment of vulnerability, and he finds her silhouette etching itself into his brain. To say he’d missed her too is an understatement - he had yearned for her, their every temporary farewell leaving him with a feeling he has strived to understand for what seems like millennia. Her every brief touch lingers, just leaving him desiring more and more.
Even now, as she stands carefree at his side with her arm propped on the railing and her face in her palm, he finds it painstakingly difficult to be honest with himself. Only when she gives him a sly smile paired with a side-eyed glance, is he anchored once more.
“Consider my curiosity piqued. So, what did you mean then?”
How she manages to shatter his stoic facade, break down his walls that he has spent many centuries building around himself, and penetrate his heart so easily, he will never understand. Before he is able to contemplate his actions, he speaks, his mouth moving faster than his mind.
“I suppose I missed you too.”
Lumine laughs airily once more, her hand reaching out to his arm and grazing over his skin affectionately, like a prayer in which no words are spoken.
“I knew it. My charms are simply unmatched.”
“Here we go again.” His gaze as he appraises her is firm, a mask for those true emotions underneath. He doesn’t pull away from the touch, instead subconsciously leaning into it, his hand finding hers and placing it tenderly atop her fingers. The touch is light, yet it’s all he ever finds his thoughts wandering to. A gentle sigh is exchanged between the two of them as they share this intimate moment. No words are needed - why fill this comfortable silence with nothings when all the words necessary can be spoken through subtle and loving gestures?
Xiao is the first to break the pleasant tranquillity, his voice prying Lumine from her absent minded gaze out into Dihua Marsh below. If she has noticed the way his thumb draws delicate circles over the back of her hand, she makes no move to put an end to it. Instead, she glances at his face, her eyes drifting over his features, a slight smile playing on her lips. How he managed to be so unnaturally beautiful is beyond her - she isn’t surprised that not a drop of human blood courses through his veins - only an adeptus could stand to be that mysteriously alluring.
“Why do you insist on visiting me so frequently? Sometimes even on a whim. You change your schedule to plan around me and your visits. It makes me worry that perhaps, I am a burden to you.”
The blonde at his side stifles a snort, albeit a very poor attempt, as within the next few seconds she is giggling uncontrollably. Dumbfounded, the adeptus spares her a look of disbelief.
“Are my concerns amusing to you?”
Noticing the lack of mirth in his tone, Lumine reigns it back in and regains her composure, her half-lidded, golden eyes staring back at him. She speaks in a hushed, subdued manner, maintaining eye contact throughout their exchange.
“I am simply surprised you feel that way, and also at how excruciatingly oblivious you are. I am grateful and hold nothing but admiration toward you. You’ve saved my life three times, even if the latest occurrence was, well, a hoax. Which should prove to you, really, that I am more likely to be the thorn in your side. Doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere though, of course.”
The yaksha’s eyes soften at her reassurance, finding himself lost in all the possible words he could use to respond - but instead staying silent. His gaze becomes distant. Dwelling and ruminating on his past was and will forever be an inevitability for him, following him around like a starved wolf pack would stalk prey: it always seems to strike at the most inconvenient, vulnerable time. This feeling of inadequacy he mulls over leaves him wondering if he is truly worthy of her compassion and affection.
“I am nothing but a sinner.”
“That makes two of us. Surely you didn’t think I got to where I am, travelling throughout the different nations without making decisions I regret? Without doing things that supposedly, would make me undeserving of kindness?” A breezy laugh escapes her lips, her flaxen tresses draping past her shoulders as she leans further against the railings. There is a moment of understanding quiet between them, until Lumine clears her throat.
“What I mean to say is, nothing you say would ever faze me. Unfortunately, or fortunately, whichever way you decide to look at it, you’re stuck with me. Whether you like it or not.”
Much to her surprise, this manages to elicit a genuine chuckle from him, and a tender pat to her fingers.
“You’re very persistent. I will give you that.”
“Well, I have to be, don’t I? Considering how stubborn you are, if I wasn’t persistent, nothing I say would ever get through to you.
He hums thoughtfully, a glint of amusement in his sharp, cat-like eyes. A chord has clearly been struck within him, for his response is sarcastic, returning that teasing tone, that ever so clear playful lilt to his voice.
“If I’m stubborn, then what are you?”
Lumine smiles mischievously, irises shimmering as the sunset that spills over Liyue reflects in her eyes.
“It makes me someone who thoroughly enjoys seeing a smile on your face. It suits you. I wish I could see it more often.”