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Lumine knew she had pushed it. She could feel it after she had taken down the fifth group of treasure hoarders. The way her legs shook a little too much or the way it took her longer to regain her breath. It was all tell-tales signs of the exhaustion that will hit her. After her fifth battle she decided to call it a day that was until she came across an old lady who could get home.
Not being able to leave the women on her own, Lumine took it upon herself to battle anything that may have been causing the women issues. It took her a few hours before they were able to get her home. At this point Lumine was basically running on empty. Her legs felt weak under every step leaving her with a slight wobble underfoot.
If Paimon was with her she would be scolding Lumine in her light irritating voice. The traveller thanked the archons that Paimon was with Xiangling. The little fairy is always on at Lumine for her self sacrificing nature but the girl couldn’t help it. The idea of something happening to someone that Lumine herself could have prevented just left her not being able to say no.
She supposed that probably stemmed from not being able to find her brother but she tried not to think too much about it. Lumine instead focused on getting her legs to take her home. A sense of relief came over her once the view of Liyue harbour came into view. The idea of finally feeling the soft feel of the bedsheets on her skin was making her feel even worse.
The moment she set foot on the wooden bridge suddenly heard her name. The feeling of dread swept over her. She couldn’t handle another commission no matter how much peril the person was in. She doesn’t think he could even do it for over a hundred thousand mora. Nothing in Teyvat could make her pick up her sword and go into battle willingly.
“Lumine!” The voice called out again.
This time the voice was closer. It was recognisable. A small tired smile spread across her lips as she turned to look at its owner. Tartaglia came bounding towards her with a bright smile across his face. This was the one person Lumine didn’t mind talking to her when she was in such a mood. Despite his outwards demeanour of being over the top and boisterous he was actually soft and caring.
“Hi Childe” She said the exhaustion evident in her voice.
Tartaglia faltered. She watched as his eyes glanced up and down her body before landing on her face. He came closer taking a hand in his pressing his other hand to her forehead, “We have talked about this Lumi”
“I know” She sighed, they had talked extensively about her self sacrificing nature. He is always telling her to slow down. That she didn’t even need the money but she always made a point that she was never doing it for the money, “I’m sorry”
“You don’t have anything to apologise for” He smiled tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
Lumine leant into the touch, closing her eyes. She felt like she could fall asleep right there on the wooden bridge. She felt it clawing at the back of her mind pulling her deeper and deeper into slumber. But she opened her eyes too quickly for it to take full effect.
“We need to get you to bed” He huffed out a laugh at her as she just hummed in agreement.
Tartaglia took her hand in his as they started weaving their way through Liyue harbour. If anyone cared to wonder why the hero of Teyvat was holding hands with one of the Fatui Harbingers they didn’t care to look too long. It wasn’t like they exactly tried to hide their relationship.
When they finally reached the quiet comfort of his apartment Lumine felt the weight on her shoulders fall off. She hadn’t realised how tense she was until then. She took three long strides before falling face down on the sofa in the main area.
“Lumi u can’t sleep there” He pointed out coming to squat beside her.
“Watch me” She spoke back, her voice muffled by the cushion.
“Okay” He muttered before his arms came underneath her pulling her up from the couch into his arms.
This wasn’t the first time he had done something like this. It wasn’t even the second. She just resigned herself to her fate moving to rest her head against his shoulder leaving a feather light kiss on his shoulder.
He gently placed her down on the bed moving to start pulling off her shoes, “I can undress myself Childe”
He placed one of her boots down on the floor before moving to kiss the side of her cheek, “Let me do this for you”
Lumine’s eye fluttered closed sighing at the contact, “Ok”
He was gentle as he pulled the rest of her clothes off before replacing them with her nightgown. Eventually by the time Lumine was dressed for bed she could barely keep her eyes open any longer.
Climbing over to her side of the bed pulling back the covers she finally felt at peace. She watched through half lidded eyes as her boyfriend undressed himself before sliding in next to her.
“Don’t you have work to be doing?” She questioned moving to lay her head in his lap.
“Probably” He shrugged, “Not my problem though”
“You are ridiculous” She sighed as she closed her eyes.
She felt as Tartaglia's ungloved hand moved to tangle itself in her hair. Lumine let out a deep breath as she felt sleep claw at her once again.
“Childe-” She started before he cut her off.
“You can call me my actual name Starlight, it’s just us” He whispered.
“Ajax” She smiled at the name, “Thankyou”
“It’s my duty to look after you Lumi” He laughed quietly, “Now sleep I can see you fighting it”
She hummed in response, finally letting sleep take her.