Chapter Text
“Do I really have to go to this party, Aether?” Lumine whined, dragging her feet across the floor. She’d rather stay home, writing or something. The invite was from someone she barely knew, so she wasn’t exactly thrilled about it, even if she got herself dressed up for the occasion. If she knew who they were, Lumine would be more inclined to go, but this was the first gathering she’d been to since moving into town.
However, Aether insisted. He was basically begging Lumine to come. It was some college friend’s birthday celebration, and Aether had to show face because a bunch of his college friends were gonna be there.
“Yes, Lumine, you have to,” Aether replied while slipping into his jacket. “I’ve already told everyone that you’re coming, and they’re all eager to meet you.”
Lumine heaved a defeated sigh, seeing there was no way of convincing her brother to let her stay home. She’d briefly considered faking illness to avoid spreading any germs, but that ship had already sailed.
“Fine,” Lumine grumbled, sporting a displeased look as she reluctantly followed her brother out of the apartment.
Lumine was never big on going to parties, even when her twin was there. Being the older twin, Aether had taken it upon himself to watch over Lumine from the time they were kids. She’d gotten used to relying on him. But at some point, Lumine knew she had to spread her wings and embrace new connections.
The real turning point for her was when they went to different colleges, leaving Luming feeling isolated and adrift. She ended up hunkering down, hitting the books hard and acing her classes, but it came at the price of a barren social life. After graduation and reuniting with Aether, she swore to stick by his side for good, except when it came to large gatherings that would make her uneasy.
When the twins showed up at the party, Lumine couldn’t help but gawk at the mansion in front of her. “Your friend lives here?” She asked Aether.
“Yep, it seems like it,” Aether responded. “This is my first time coming over. She’s from a well-off family, so I’m not too surprised.”
Lumine felt a bit more anxious, realizing her brother’s friend was filthy rich (not that she had any issues with that) and she’d probably get lost inside the home.
Aether saw the worry in his sister’s eyes and offered a reassuring hand. “Don’t worry, you’ll be alright. I’ve got your back.”
Lumine looked at her brother’s hand, then back at him. It was just like when they were children, with Aether always making sure Lumine felt secure as long as they held hands. A small smile crept onto her face as she reached out, firmly grabbing her brother’s hand, and followed Aether as he led the way to the front door.
He pressed the doorbell, and they stood there for a moment before they heard footsteps approaching. Suddenly, the door swung open, and the tunes blasting from inside hit them. Out came a tall young man with fiery red hair and cool blue eyes.
“Aether! You finally made it,” He exclaimed, giving his friend a quick hug. He noticed that Aether was still holding his sister’s hand and then looked over at Aether’s identical twin.
His smile grew wider as he locked eyes with Lumine. “And you must be Miss Lumine. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you from your brother,” he said, reaching out for her free hand and giving it a quick peck. Lumime froze, unsure how to react to such a gesture.
“She’s off-limits, Childe,” Aether growled, shooting a stern look at his friend.
Childe chuckled as he released Lumine’s hand, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. “I know she is. You know I only have eyes for a certain someone,” he teased, winking at Aether momentarily as he drew closer, leaning against the doorway.
Aether’s ears reddened as she shrugged off Childe’s advances and pulled his sister inside through the door. Lumine noticed the interaction and the subtle blush on her brother’s face, sparking her curiosity. She was certain something was going on between the two.
The music was lively and got even louder as they got closer to the living area. Lumine was nervous, seeing all the people in one room. It even made her a bit uneasy, but she was determined not to make a scene. She’s just not a big fan of big crowds.
She clung onto her brother, not keen on navigating through the crowd. Aether saw how uncomfortable she was and felt kinda guilty for dragging her to the party. He didn’t know it was going to be packed.
“Lumine,” he called out to her with a warm smile. “How ‘bout we find a quieter spot, just for you?” Lumine looked up at her brother, seeing the sincerity in his eyes before he led the way to another part of the home.
It made her happy that even at times like this, Aether was still choosing to look after her. While she cherished his care, Lumine also recognized the importance of finding her independence, understanding that she couldn’t always be in her older brother’s shadow.
Aether spotted a cozy corner on the same floor, a small den adjacent to the living room. It had a vacant couch that looked like the perfect place for them to get settled. “I know we just got here, but how about I grab us some drinks? Do you wanna stay put or would you rather tag along?” He asks.
Lumine settled herself into the couch, her handbag finding a place on her lap. She thought about it for a moment. She trusted her brother would promptly return with drinks, or at least, she hoped he would. Yet, a pang of guilt tugged at her. She didn’t want to be the one to keep Aether from having a good time at the party. They hadn’t even greeted the celebrant, and yet, her unease about being there was already creeping in.
“I can stay here and wait,” Lumine replied with determination, wanting her brother to have fun at the party. “Don’t worry about fetching me a drink. Go on, have a good time. I’ll manage just fine.”
Aether looked at his sister, feeling a tad concerned about leaving her behind, but Lumine insisted he make the most of the party. After all, he was there to reconnect with his college friends, and it would be a shame to attend and not enjoy himself.
After seconds of contemplating and making sure Lumine would be fine on her own, Aether decided to join his friends in the living room. He made sure he stood where he could see her in the den and kept his phone nearby just in case she needed help or wanted to leave early. It was a challenge for Lumine to become more independent without relying too much on her brother.
Meanwhile, there was a group of people hanging around between the living room and the den, spotting Lumine all by herself with her phone in hand.
“Hey, isn’t that Aether’s twin?” A girl with a short navy blue bob cut inquired, peering in Lumine’s direction.
“Yeah, looks like it. She looks exactly like him,” the guy with icy blue hair chimed before taking a sip of his (extra cold) iced tea.“What’s her name again?”
“I think it’s Lumine,” another person said. “Aether mentioned she’s a writer. Maybe she’d be interested in collaborating with my publisher.”
“Hold off on that, Xingqiu,” the girl said. “We can save that conversation for later. Right now, let’s go say hello!”
“Xiangling, we can’t just run up to her and freak her out. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’d appreciate strangers crowding her,” the icy blue-haired boy replied. “At least that’s the vibe I’m getting from her.”
“Chongyun’s got a point,” Xingqiu added. “Let’s wait for Xiao to come back first and then we’ll figure out what to do. If we start shuffling around, he might be looking for us, ” Xingqiu replied.
“You’re making it sound like I’m gonna need a search party after coming out of the restroom.” A young man with dark green hair approached the group, interested in their conversation and eager to know what was going on.
“See that blonde girl sitting on the couch?” Chongyun asked as he pointed in Lumine’s direction. “That’s Aether’s twin sister, Lumine. We want to say hi, but we’re not exactly sure how to approach her. She seems a bit on the shy side, and we don’t want to overwhelm her with too many people at once.”
Xiao shrugged, “You didn’t need to wait for me to greet her. Do whatever you guys want, I don’t care. I’m sure I’d be able to find—” His words trailed off as his gaze fell on Lumine. It was almost as if time itself slowed down, and his attention was fixated on the blonde.“...you guys.”
The three musketeers couldn’t help but notice the change in Xiao’s demeanour as his voice grew quieter, and his gaze lingered. Xiangling and Xingqiu quickly put two and two together, realizing that Xiao was interested in Lumine. It wasn’t often that the mysterious young man would take interest in a complete stranger. Meanwhile, Chongyun remained oblivious to the subtle change in dynamics.
With a sly grin, Xingqiu piped up, “You know what? I think you should be the one to strike up a conversation with her.” The suggestion left Chongyun puzzled as to why it should be Xiao and not someone like Xiangling.
“I was kinda thinking Xiangling would be better—ow!” Chongyun began explaining his suggestion but was abruptly interrupted as Xiangling gave him a playful yet effective nudge that nearly sent his cup tumbling.
“I’m with Xingqiu on this,” the navy-haired girl added. “The vibes have to match, and out of the four of us, you’d be the perfect fit.” It wasn’t entirely accurate since any of them could’ve approached Lumine regardless of vibe, but Xiangling was on a mission to get Xiao to be the first to strike up a conversation.
Xiao looked at the three suspiciously. He had a hunch that they were up to something, but the details eluded him. Unknown to him, his change in attitude didn’t escape their notice. He was oblivious to the fact that his subtle shift in demeanour didn’t go unnoticed.
With a hint of skepticism in his voice, Xiao responded, “I’m not sure this is the best idea. You guys are well aware that I’m not great at approaching people I don’t know.”
“And that’s the very reason you’re perfect for this! Go on and say hi!” Xingqiu cheered, playfully shoving Xiao forward while Xiangling lent a hand. The nudge was a tad too strong, causing Xiao to stumble over his own feet, but he skillfully regained his footing just in time to avoid an embarrassing face-plant in front of the blonde. Xiao straightened up and shot an irritated glare at his friends.
Xiao turned around, and as fate would have it, his gaze locked with Lumine’s. He had a little stumble, and that was enough to break Lumine’s attention from her phone. There was no going back now, finding himself standing right in front of her.
“H-hey, um… mind if I take a seat?” Xiao stammered, pointing to the empty spot next to Lumine.
Lumine had no clue that Xiao’s friends were in the background, giggling amongst themselves as they watched from a distance. She was focused on Xiao, her gaze lingering for a moment. Her jaw kinda dropped a bit, not because she was surprised by someone approaching, but because the guy who did was undeniably attractive. There was something about Xiao that intrigued her, even though she couldn’t quite put a finger on it.
He wore a casual yet stylish ensemble, his attire consisting of a pair of distressed jeans paired with high-top sneakers. His choice of a basic, but fashionable, warm grey henley showcased a subtle touch of personality with a small, embroidered green bird icon tastefully placed over the left side of his chest.
“Hello?” Xiao’s voice called out, bringing Lumine back to reality.
“U-uh, yes! I mean, no! I mean, I don’t mind if you take a seat,” Lumine replied, stumbling over her words. It was as if her words had suddenly tangled themselves in her mind, and she secretly hoped her awkwardness wouldn’t be too obvious.
Xiao took a seat next to Lumine, casually reclining as he pondered his options. He didn’t really know what to do now that he was in this situation other than try to strike up a conversation. His golden eyes darted across the room to his friend, who were engaged in their own conversation. Xingqiu and Xiangling couldn’t suppress their grins and giggles as they exchanged glances. As for Chongyun, he seemed lost with all the talk. Xiao released a deep, resigned sigh, crossing his arms and closing his eyes in an attempt to avoid staring at the three.
However, even with his eyes shut, he could vividly visualize the surprised expression that flashed across Lumine’s face as she fumbled over her words just moments ago. It was cute. Xiao found himself wondering it was about the blonde girl that made time stand still when he first laid eyes on her, even more so, why his heart quickened when he stumbled in front of her. Xiao couldn’t quite understand, but her presence seemed to have a captivating effect on him as if she held a mysterious allure that drew him towards her.
Lumine hesitated for a moment, her phone gripped tightly in her hand as if it were her lifeline. With a soft voice, she timidly called out to the green-haired guy, “Um, excuse me.” Xiao opened his eyes and shifted his attention toward her, immediately noticing her nervousness as she attempted to initiate a conversation. She continued, her voice slightly wavering, “My name is Lumine, and, well, I’m sorta new around here.” It was clear that Lumine was taking a leap of faith by introducing herself, despite her initial apprehension.
“Xiao. Nice to meet you, Lumine,” Xiao greeted, adjusting his posture so he could properly face the blonde. “You’re Aether’s twin, right?” Lumine nodded, her gaze brieling looking away from his.
“Yeah,” she replied, her cheeks tinged with a hint of bashfulness. “I guess it’s not that hard to draw the connection, given how much we look alike. I see he’s quite popular.” Lumine admitted with a soft chuckle, not surprised that people saw the twin’s uncanny resemblance.
Xiao was quick to pick up on the fact that Lumine wasn’t comfortable with small talk but he appreciated her efforts to engage in conversation. He, too, struggled with social interactions, but Lumine’s presence made it feel more effortless. Perhaps it was because they were alike in that sense.
“So, I’m guessing you’re here because Aether got invited?” Xiao asked. Lumine nodded in response. “But I gather you’re not exactly a fan of crowded places.”
Lumine gazed at Xiao in awe. It was as though he had read her like an open book. She wondered if it was so evident to others that she disliked busy environments, wishing she could hide that better.
“Yeah, I’m not really a fan of big parties like this,” Lumine admitted with a shy smile, her fingers nervously swiping her phone screen. “I mean, I’d rather be at home, curled up with a good book or watching some shows, you know? But my brother was pretty adamant that I show and meet all his college buddies, so here I am.” She shrugged, doing her best to hide her discomfort.
“It’s not like I don’t go out,” she continued, “I actually enjoy it, but I’m more into those cozy, intimate get-togethers with close friends. You can make meaningful conversations and not feel like you’re lost in a sea of people.” Lumine hoped her words would make her seem less like a recluse and more like someone who valued quality social interactions.
“I’m the same way,” Xiao responded with a nod. “I’d rather be back home right now too. It’s kinda chaotic here with all the noise and distractions.”
Lumine, with her curiosity piqued,” leaned in a little closer and asked, “But aren’t you friends with the birthday celebrant? Isn’t that why you’re here?”
Xiao shrugged a hint of amusement in his tone. “Well, you could say we’re friends, but it’s more like we’re acquaintances.” He then gestured to his friends who had been loitering in the same spot for a while. “Honestly, it’s because of those three. They basically strong-armed me into coming.”
Lumine’s gaze followed the direction of his finger, and she spotted the trio, grinning and waving in their direction. She raised her hand, offering a shy but friendly wave. “Why don’t they come over and say hello?”
Xiao let out a weary sigh. “I wish I knew, but it was their idea to introduce themselves and greet you, yet they made me do it.”
Lumine felt a little guilty, realizing she might’ve complicated things for Xiao. “Oh, I’m sorry… you really didn’t have to come over to say hello just because your friends told you to do it.” Xiao looked at Lumine in surprise, seeing the sad look in her eyes as she averted her gaze. “It must be uncomfortable being here talking to a stranger.”
“No, not at all,” Xiao replied warmly. “I’m actually kinda grateful that I’m here talking to you.”
As their eyes locked in a moment that felt like forever. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving them alone, lost in the depths of each other’s gaze. The music that played in the background grew faint, now just a mere whisper. A rush of warmth flooded their cheeks as they held their gaze.
It was as if an unspoken connection formed, a comfort made in each other’s presence. The bustling party continued around them, but time had slowed down just for them, allowing the connection to blossom in the midst of revelry.
Xiao cleared his throat, breaking the romantic tension in the air, prompting Lumine to delicately sweep a few strands of hair behind her ear. She couldn’t help but look away to hide her red-tinted cheeks. “Why don’t we grab something to drink?” Xiao asked, his voice soft and intimate.
Lumine met his golden gaze and nodded, her lips curving into a shy smile. Deep down, she was thankful that she didn’t accept her brother’s offer to fetch her a drink. As soon as they rose from the couch, Xiao and Lumine left the den behind and headed toward the kitchen area.
In the cozy nook, Lumine and Xiao found themselves immersed in the warmth of the moment. Their fingers gently wrapped around their drinks, and as the conversation flowed, they felt at ease as they opened up to each other. It felt like they were long-time friends catching up for the first time in a decade. With each exchange, they discovered the striking similarities that they shared, weaving that invisible connection that drew them closer together.
“Lumine!” The sound of her brother’s voice down the hallway startled the blonde girl. She quickly turned her head toward the source of the voice, seeing Aether pass by the entrance of the cozy nook.
“Aether! I’m over here,” She called out, pushing herself up from the chair.
Aether doubled back, his worried expression giving way to relief as soon as he saw Lumine. He hurried into the nook and gave her a hug. “I looked in the den and couldn’t find you. You weren’t picking up my calls or replying to my texts. I was starting to panic.”
“Sorry,” Lumine stammered as she held her brother. “I must’ve had my phone still set on silence, but I’m fine.”
Aether pulled away, looking at Lumine with relief. His eyes then shifted past Lumine and landed on Xiao. “Xiao, long time no see.”
Xiao rose from his seat and approached Aether, offering a casual fist bump. “Hey.” The two exchanged a friendly greeting with their fists.
“Anyway, why were you looking for me, Aether? Are we going soon?” Lumine asked, her curiosity piqued.
Aether shook his head. “Not quite yet. I want you to meet the birthday girl and some of my other friends,” he replied, casting a glance over in Xiao’s direction. “I mean, after you two are finished with your conversation.”
Lumine turned her gaze toward Xiao, silently hoping to chat with him a little longer. They’d been engaged in lively conversation for quite a while, and she wasn’t sure how much time had passed since they had left the den. She was enjoying their chat and didn’t want it to end, but it also felt rude to not meet the person who extended the party invitation.
“We’re finished,” Xiao answered curtly. “You can take her to greet Ningguang.”
Lumine couldn’t help but feel dismayed, wanting a longer conversation with Xiao, but she understood that she had other things to attend to. Xiao seemed to understand too.
“Great,” Aether chimed in with enthusiasm, wrapping his arm around his sister’s shoulders. “Then, let’s get going.”
Just as they were about to leave the cozy nook, Lumine cast one final gaze back at Xiao, who stood there in solitude. Her heart ached at the loneliness she saw in his eyes before he disappeared from her view.
In the quiet moments that followed, Xiao couldn’t help but be in his own thoughts. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he should’ve at least asked for her phone number. He enjoyed their conversation, or to be more exact, listening to her. Lumine had turned out to be quite the chatterbox, contrary to her reserved appearance. Yet, Xiao was drawn to the way she spoke. It brought him warmth. Her voice was a delicate harmony of gentleness, enthusiasm, and a subtle undercurrent of passion. It resonated with him, leaving a deep impression he couldn’t easily dismiss.