Work Text:
“Hey, careful! I can clearly tell you’re quite excited, Tighnari, but at least watch your step. You’re gonna end up tripping over tiny rocks, it’s not gonna look good on you.”
“Yes, but I'm not as clumsy as those foolish merchants in Sumeru who don't know any better.”
In Mondstadt, the Windblume festival was still going strong on a calm and windy afternoon. After a surprise encounter with Alice's voice on a floating island, everyone went their separate ways. Collei and Sucrose had a friendly date with Amber, Eula, and Noelle, while Albedo and Cyno shared a few rounds of Genius Invokation TCG (depending on their definition of few) all the while exchanging average jokes. Bennett and Razor were with Lisa in another location, and Timaeus was enjoying spending time with Ying'er, the woman he loved.
After their intimate gathering in the city, Lumine escorted Tighnari to the elevated haven of Windrise. Along the way, they indulged in a few exchanges, one of which involved Albedo's reference to a particular plant species indigenous to the nation.
“I recall hearing about it somewhere, and I've ever since wanted to have a chance to witness it firsthand,”
“There are many Windwheel asters growing in the vicinity of Windrise and Dawn Winery. These wildflowers are undeniably beautiful and their appearance closely resembles that of windwheels, as their name suggests..” said Albedo.
“You can still grow them outside the nation, right?”
“Certainly, however, their optimal growth is contingent upon environmental conditions, specifically their reliance on wind. These plants flourish when exposed to a constant and gentle breeze.”
“I also heard they spin like the actual windmills,”
“Yes, you’re correct.”
“How do they smell like? Are they edible? What happens if I pick one? I wonder what genetic makeup they have that allows them to thrive where they are.”
“Pfft,”
Lumine, who was standing beside Tighnari, let out a small laugh as he looked at her with a puzzled expression. “What? Is something wrong?”
“I could take you somewhere where there’s a lot of them if you’re so curious and want to see them for yourself,”
Lumine found Tighnari, who was usually serious and composed, to be endearing when she noticed the twinkle in his light brownish-green eyes.
Cyno was already quick to steal Albedo away when they didn’t notice, and the two were left to each other. “I would be delighted to have a closer look at these flowers,”
“If you’re tired and don’t want to go too far, I know someone who sells flowers. She has windwheel asters on display just a short walk from here, but she’s very strict with touching them.” Lumine had suggested.
“Hmm, no. I’m fine. Besides, I’d appreciate it better if I get to observe and analyze these flowers without restrictions in the place they come from itself.”
“I see two more up ahead,” Tighnari called out warily as he trod forward, ever mindful of the gnarled roots coiling beneath the towering tree that stood sentinel behind the Statue of the Seven. Lumine trailed close at his heels, matching his steps with equal care and watchfulness.
As he walked by the flowers, his attention was arrested, and he came to an abrupt halt. Bending down, his gloved hands traced the contours of the delicate stems with the utmost care, reveling in the silky-smooth texture of the petals. With great deliberation, he plucked them out, cradling them tenderly in his hands, being mindful not to inflict harm upon the fragile roots that had previously clung to the earth. “There we go, easy.” He whispered tenderly, his words a balm to soothe the displaced plants, torn from the safety of their native soil. “I’ll take good care of you,”
Lumine settled on the grass behind the tree, hidden from the statue, and gestured for Tighnari to join her. He obliged, arranging his tail into a comfortable position before plunking himself onto the earth with a soft thud.
“It's fortunate that these little fellas can continue to grow despite being plucked, provided that they remain in a windy environment… look at the roots! They’re significantly rougher and sturdier than the rest of the delicate flower.” With a sense of inquisitiveness, he turned the flowers over and over in his hand, examining not just their petals and stems, but also their roots and every other detail he could discern.
“It makes sense so they keep the flowers held down, especially during strong winds, what with their choice of habitat and all,” Lumine commented.
“Good point,” he mumbled. With a gentle touch, he nudged the petals, causing them to pirouette in delight. His eyes widened in wonder, mirroring the effervescent joy that danced within him. His tail wagged in a rhythmic motion, an embodiment of his childlike excitement akin to that of a jubilant fox.
With every tentative sniff, he pushed the petals, keeping them in perpetual motion every time they threatened to come to a standstill. “Hmm, they do have a smell of their own, but it’s not very strong.” he mused. “You said it’s edible, right?”
“Yes, but–! Don’t even think about eating them yet. They’re not the actual meal, they’re more of like… seasonings? They can add some flavor to the dish,”
“But how can they improve the flavor if they’re so close to bland from weak smell alone?”
“Which is why I said some, but I guess there are a few cases where they ease the bitter or herbaceous taste of some of the dishes.”
“So a flavor mediator of some sort?”
“Well… yeah, sort of,”
“Interesting,” he mumbled to himself.
“Other than that, they can also be used as edible decoratives on some other dishes.” Lumine briefly added. With a fleeting gesture, she procured a flower from the assortment held within his grasp.
“What are you doing?” As she delicately severed the roots and straightened the stem, Tighnari raised his eyes to meet hers, his attention captured at last, his fascination with the observed specimens momentarily forgotten.
“Come closer,”
“Hm?”
As she lifted the flower towards his face, he inched nearer, drawn by her gentle touch. With great care, she nestled the stem beside his ear, causing it to twitch slightly until it was firmly secured. The moment lingered, suspended in time like a captured butterfly, as they shared the intimacy of the moment.
“Tada! It’s…”
“I can only imagine it fits horribly on me, the color doesn’t even fit me.”
“Hey! I mean– okay it’s not that horrible, it’s just in a weird placement. Your ears aren’t really human so it’s hard to tell where to put the flower,”
“While my head isn't typically meant for ornate decorations, I'll allow it in this once if it makes you happy.”
“Pfft,”
As Lumine attempted to suppress her laughter, she covered her blushing face with her hands and turned away, leaving Tighnari with a perplexed expression and furrowed brows. However, despite her reaction, Tighnari couldn't help but smile at the contagious and utterly adorable bundle of joy next to him.
“Sorry, I’m just–” she cleared her throat and laughed nervously. “I forget sometimes when it’s just us alone that we’re together–”
“We are together,” he inserted.
“Yeah, but I meant together as in like–” she paused, her smile shy as she coughed, “you know…”
“Romantically? That we’re two individuals who eloped into a new committed romantic relationship because you appreciate my passion for plants and how I often speak about them, and I admire your willingness to listen to me and learn from what I have to say about them?”
“D-Don’t use that word! That–”
“Elope?”
“That! Exactly! You’re not– we’re not– we haven’t gone that far yet, it’s only been a week! And it doesn’t fit the context!”
“Yet?”
“Tighnari!”
With a burst of laughter, Tighnari's mirth filled the air as Lumine brought her knees together in a feeble attempt to conceal her blushing face. As he gingerly placed the windwheel asters on his hand aside, he drew closer to her, until he could enfold her within his embrace.
Tighnari, a man of immense curiosity and vast knowledge, was rarely inclined to pursue romantic endeavors. Either he never found someone who matched his exacting standards or he was simply disinterested. When he met Lumine, he initially dismissed her as a foolish merchant lost in the woods. However, she turned out to be a hero and a renowned traveler, surpassing all his expectations. On top of that, despite his lectures and company, she remained humble and kind-hearted, earning a special place in Tighnari's heart.
He tilted his head to the side, his cheek pressed against her upper arm as he looked patiently at his lover with a small grin on his face.
“Lumi,” he whispered softly, and the strands of her hair began to waltz with the rhythm of his breath.
With a sudden gesture, Lumine lifted her head until her bright, shining gaze collided with his earthy, verdant eyes. They locked into an intimate stare, holding each other's gaze for a fleeting moment before she tenderly extended her hand to stroke the soft fur on his ear.
As his tail gently brushed against her back, a low purr emanated from his throat while he nuzzled his face against her neck. Her body quivered in response to the tender caresses, and with each soft peck, she leaned into his affection, craving more.
As if by some magical spell, the sky had transformed itself into a canvas painted with warm, reddish-orange hues that gradually deepened into shades of pink and purple. Unbeknownst to them, the day had slipped away and given way to the night, leaving the two lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the twilight sky.
“Nari,” Lumine called out to him.
“Hmm?”
“It’s getting dark, should we head back?”
There was a short pause before he pulled her closer to him. That sounded like a no.
“You smell nice,” he mumbled. That also sounded like a no.
Beneath the starry sky, her eyes lifted heavenward, beholding the twinkling stars above. The symphony of crickets soon filled the air, while the gentle breeze brought solace and comfort to their companionship.
“Here,” She gestured for him to step back momentarily while she adjusted herself, and then proceeded to lie down on the grass. “Remember when you said you wanted to learn more about the stars?” she patted the grass beside her. “We can talk about it now if you’d like,”
The suggestion enkindled a smile upon his face as Tighnari reclined next to her. His tail reached out towards her, and with a touch as light as a feather, she took hold of it and brushed through the strands of fur, a ritual they had unconsciously adhered to for some time.
“See those six bright little stars over there huddled together almost in some sort of diamond pattern?” she pointed out to the sky. “Viatrix. It represents a wise and virtuous woman who guides sailors safely through treacherous waters.”
“Sounds befitting for a woman such as yourself,” With a chuckle, Tighnari made a passing remark as her hand meandered in a different direction.
“There’s another set of six bright stars on the other side,” she pointed. “Vulpes Zerda. It represents the sly and quick-witted nature of the fennec fox, evoking a sense of cunning and resourcefulness. Its constellation pattern, with its sharp angles and pointed edges, captures the fox's nimble agility and cleverness. See? The two stars above that make the constellation look like some sort of Y forms the ears,”
“Is this really a thing, or are you making this up as you speak?” Although jokingly, he found himself truly amazed by her ability to conduct such readings.
“Hey now, don’t underestimate my ability to read the stars. I literally used to live out there,” she giggled. “I can read everyone’s constellations, just differently from Mona’s, and – well, by everyone I mean everyone with visions.”
“How so?”
“Visions are gifts from the heavens, right? That means allogenes like yourself have a chance to ascend to Celestia. Your constellation lights up, signifying a place for you in the heavens if the gods will it.”
With a romantic yearning, Tighnari fixed his gaze upon the captivating beauty before him, but as she continued to speak about the heavens above, he listened with rapt attention, entranced by the lyrical stories that flowed from her lips. As she wove tales of constellations he had never seen, his eyes remained fixed upon her, longing to be entwined in her celestial embrace.
“...Oh! And those shooting stars we keep seeing from time to time? They’re not really stars, just some meteoroids passing by. Wishing on it doesn’t really do anything unless you’re dead set on manifesting it yourself, but it’s fun too so I don’t condemn it either.”
“Do you have a wish?” inquired Tighnari, to which she responded with a pensive pause, her lips firmly pressed together in contemplation.
After a brief moment of silence, she exhaled a soft sigh before returning with a smile.
“If not for my brother to return back to me, I wish to at least know why he’s the way he is now and why he’s doing the things he does.” Although she held her smile steadfast like a fortress, he could feel the sorrow seeping through the cracks of her lips that quivered slightly.
“Other than that,” with a renewed glint in her eyes, she turned her body towards him and spoke. “I wish for this new experience we have to be filled with love, trust, and mutual respect.”
Her marriage-like vow almost took his breath away in a choke, but he couldn't help but chuckle and smile, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear with a gloved hand. “I wish we can grow together, continue to support each others’ dreams, and create beautiful memories that we’ll cherish for a lifetime,” with a fervent declaration, he expressed his wish to her, and her cheeks were immediately suffused with a deep crimson hue as she shyly buried her face in the shelter of his chest.
“N-Now that you’re saying that, this sounds too ceremonial.”
“You started it,”
“No– you asked me what I wished for and I answered!”
In his arms, she squealed, while he chuckled heartily. With his arms encircling her, he drew her head closer to his own, bestowing a tender kiss upon her hair. As he did so, he felt her lips curl into a genuine smile against his chest. The two of them remained in this intimate embrace for an undisclosed amount of time, lost in each other's company. Only they knew when they would finally depart from their serene surroundings and return to the clamor of the city.
In the forest deep and wide, a watcher stood and spied. A traveler came, their paths entwined, and love began and bind.