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The travelers hands shook as they were raised, balled up; ready to knock on the door in front of her, but for some reason, she was struggling.
She had a dozen hidden tiny cuts that the crisp air nipped at, causing her to shudder. She didn’t know where they came from, but at this point, she didn’t know where almost all of her wounds came from. Fresh or scars, they were countless and untraceable in her memory.
Lumine brought her fists down back to her sides, then took a deep breath and finally knocked on the northlands bank's main office’s door.
“The door's open, Ekaterina.” A familiar voice called out. It was disgruntled and tired, which he tried to hide behind a curt tone, yet failed because the person listening knew him well. Sometimes she believes too well, but she always pushes those thoughts down; the urge to push anyone and everyone who she cares too deeply for away. She had to swallow them; even if her countless fears that came from letting others beyond arms distance kept her awake at night, they were nothing compared to the sheer terror she had at the thought of being alone.
“Thats good, I thought I’d have to break it down to execute you.” Lumine shut the door behind her, giving Childe a forced half smile to go along with her jest.
The ginger immediately perked up, “Lumine-!” And what the traveler could only describe as a mountain of paperwork surrounded him, likely the cause of the weight in his eyes.
He quickly collected himself from his shock and excitement. “The day I don’t let you in is the day I'm already dead. Or sleeping, in which I don’t think you’re cowardly enough to kill me then.” He smiled at her, but she saw how his eyes scanned her figure in concern; trying to figure out whom the blood that stained her white dress belonged to.
Lumine sat down in the chair next to the door, letting out a deep sigh through her nose as she unconsciously leaned into the cushions. Honestly, the furniture in Childe’s office likely cost more than what she made in a year, and the quality showed.
She quickly shot a timid glance at the ground, “You’d be surprised.” She said, causing Tartaglia to furrow his eyebrows, trying to discern the meaning for a moment; deciding she’s too cryptic for him to understand (in any context).
“You’re full of surprises printsessa, so I'm sure I would be.” He abandoned his half filled document to stand up, his hands firm on the desk. “In any case, you look injured.”
“Most of it isn’t mine.”
“Yeah, I got that notion,” Her looked up and down for a second time, “but some of it still is.”
He made his way towards her, and the blonde caught a quick glance at a new scar that ran down the outside of his forearm, as he only wore his crimson dress shirt, with the sleeves partially rolled up. She wondered where it was from. Or whom.
A chill ran down the blonde's spine when Childe’s cold palm briefly and gently ran across her forehead to pull back her bangs and examine a leaking gash.
“You have a head injury, girly.” He stated obviously, “You shouldn’t sleep for an hour or so.”
“Hmm,” Lumine hummed then leaned into his palm, “I just think you want to spend time with me.”
He fixed her bangs, brushing out loose tangles with his fingers, accidentally smearing more blood between the golden threads in the process.
Childe chuckled, “Was I that obvious?”
He continued to examine her, leaning down to run his hands down her shoulders to her hands. Touching her wasn’t necessary, but he hasn’t seen her for so long; he wanted to make sure she wasn’t a figment from his thinly veiled exhaustion.
“Do you have any injuries on your back?”
“No.”
He took his hands off of her shoulders then stood up, “Then you’re good to go.”
Lumine leaned back into the chair with her eyes closed, “And do what?”
“Whatever you came here for, or interpreted dancing, or yodeling. Y’know, anything; it’s your prerogative." Childe sat down on the ground in front of her, his legs crossed as he rested his chin on his palm, now looking up at her.
The traveler looked down at him with half lidded eyes and scoffed at the sight, “I think you’re just sitting there like that to look up my dress.” She crossed her legs.
“How rude!” He put his hand on his chest in faux offense in response, “I’ll have you know I'm widely known as fatui’s gentleman!” He half joked.
“I’m widely known as brave with ‘veins of steel’, but that isn’t true either.”
At that the harbinger raised his eyebrows in genuine confusion, “What’re you talking about?” He questioned seriously. “You’re certainly the boldest person I know.”
Lumine leaned back forward, and ran a hand down her face before resting it in her palm. “Y’know, you’d think that, but-“ She quickly cut herself off, pinching her temples and huffing in frustration afterwards.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Childe uncrossed his legs, and leaned back on his hands, assuming a more serious position. “Go ahead.”
Almost as if Lumine wasn’t expecting him to say yes for some reason, she hesitated, gaping her mouth open a few times, only to bite her bottom lip. Childe almost assured her that she didn’t have to follow through, as she was obviously anxious with whatever she wanted to ask, and was already visibly *off* from the start. Almost. Almost, as a selfish, curious part of him that was desperate to form a deeper connection with her further than the clashing of blades and hidden nighttime escapades, didn’t want that chance to leave his grasp.
It wasn’t like she never opened up to him before; she was much more open to him than anyone else with the exception of her flying companion, but for someone like the traveler, a chance to hear what she was truly feeling was very rare, even for him.
“I..” She finally spoke up, and the harbinger wouldn’t rush her. “If… If you didn’t have your family anymore for some reason, with the exception of only one of your closest siblings.. and they told you they loved you but abandoned you for something else, what would make of it?”
Oh.
So *thats* what this is about. Or rather whom. He should have guessed, really. To be honest, to say that Tartaglia didn’t like Lumine’s twin was somewhat of an understatement. She barely ever spoke of him, and especially not poorly, so most of what he knew was from fatui intel, though he didn’t know as much as his superiors, he knew enough to connect the dots. Despite that, he tried not to make *too* many assumptions about him; as he knew how tricky sibling relationships could be, especially in immortals including with all the baggage that the twins had, but currently, he isn’t making a good case for himself.
He exhaled, “That's a tricky question.” then ran a hand down his face, “Honestly, the thought of only having one of my siblings left is too rough for me to think about.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t mean it like that!” Childe panicked, raising his hands before sighing at his poor wording when she's already delicate. “Sorry.. I just meant it's a horrible situation to be in already, with just that factor alone.” He continued to explain, choosing his next words carefully, “It really depends on the situation I guess. But if I was the sibling between two crossroads, I'd let the world burn. With no hesitation, no matter the situation.”
He immediately felt deep regret after saying that, as Lumine’s shoulders instantly dropped in dejection and she hung her head low with sucked in cheeks. He wasn’t sure what it was that upset her, but it didn’t matter as even with everything in him telling him to shut up and change the subject or comfort her, he just kept talking.
“..but situations vary and family can be extremely complicated, and forgive me if i’m crossing a line by saying this, but i’m an ordinary human so my choices and perspective may be different than.. unordinary people.” Even if he couldn’t understand how or why. As to him, family was something boundless to humanity; it was something known and felt in every living organism, human or deity; It was universal. But regardless, that seemed to fortunately lightly ease the ache he caused, and whatever memory he triggered with it.
A few moments passed as the traveler weighed his words, taking them seriously and carefully with a pinched face. Just for her to fall back into her seat and loudly sigh, “Please, you’re far from ‘ordinary’”
Childe gave her a lopsided smile, “That’s what you got from that?” He was a little disappointed she closed herself off right as she opened up, but at least she was feeling even a little better.
Speaking of, “You should probably get cleaned up. I can take you to the apartment I've been renting.”
“What about your work?” She asked but still stood up, groaning as she stretched. Feeling her wounds stretch with her muscles, she hissed. It was quick, but Childe took notice and wondered if she had more wounds hidden under her dress.
He quickly shot up after her and put his hands on her waist as if she would fall or topple over. “It’s not important.”
“Hey, I'm not *that* injured.”
“I’d believe you, if you took your health more seriously.”
“Please, as if you are any bet-! Ajax! Put me down!!” She squealed when Tartaglia interrupted her by easily sweeping her off her feet, bridal style.
🌺 🌺 🌺
“You’ve been stationed here for so long that you got an apartment?” Lumine questioned as soon as she entered the very… unlived in but rather spacious apartment. It was unlived in as it was almost completely spotless, the only thing on the living room floor being picture perfect furniture, and one singular loose jacket.
“I’m just renting, but yeah I'm going to be here for a while, though I'm not exactly sure for how long.”
“You could have stayed in the teapot.” She muttered lowly, causing childe to chuckle loudly, “And you said *I* wanted to spend time with you.”
Lumine’s face flushed, “Shut up, I just meant you’re wasting your money.” She crossed her arms, and looked around. “Where’s your washroom?”
Tartaglia put a hand on her back, “This way.” He gently nudged and directed her towards a closed room.
“Aren’t you going to help me?” Lumine stopped and furrowed her eyebrows up at him.
Childe threw his hands up in response, “I was, but you showed me you didn’t need my help.” and dramatically dipped his head down with the face of a kicked puppy.
“Oh come on, don’t pout.” She rolled her eyes, “I was not going to have you carry me through Liyue city bridal style.”
“So you admit you would have if there weren't people around?”
“Okay, that is *not* I said.”
“Well, that's what I heard!” He exclaimed and quickly grasped her wrist, causing her to lightly yelp in shock.
He dragged her to his washroom, a large tub sat in the corner of the room. Without a word, he turned on the faucet, reaching his hand underneath the water to feel its temperature.
“Liyue has plumbing now?”
“Some parts do; they’re still renovating some parts of the city.” The ginger answered as he shook water off his hand, and the blonde undressed (which elicited an unwelcome wolf whistle from the former)
Childe wrapped his arms around Lumine from behind, pulling her close, “Y’know how long it’s been since I saw you last, Kochana?” He closed his eyes and strongly inhaled, taking her in as he peppered soft kisses behind her ear, ignoring the blood that smeared onto his lips in the process.
“I’m literally covered in blood and open wounds.” She grabbed the back of his hands anyways.
“I know,” He started to playfully sway her as if they were lightly dancing to music. “You’ve never looked better.”
With one last kiss on her cheek he pulled apart then turned around to turn off the tub's faucet.
Lumine reached for a loose rag on the sink counter and dampened it, before finally taking off the last of her clothing to wipe off some blood, so as to not dirty the water too much.
“Whistle again, and I will literally strangle you.”
“I wouldn’t mind that.” He smirked which caused Lumine to roll her eyes, before he took the cloth from her to clean her off instead. “I should probably stitch this up before you get in the tub.” He pointed to a rather deep gash on her side.
“I don’t think you're supposed to soak stitches?"
“Eh, I’ve done it and I've always turned out peachy.” He reached for what looked like a homemade first aid kit, though he didn’t have to reach far as it was already open on the counter.
The blonde turned her side towards him, reaching her arm into the air, “Maybe that's why you always scar.”
“You love it.” He pulled the suture through the long needle, putting on his -serious- face over what Lumine believed to be so menial. “Do you want wine first? For the pain.”
“No, I'm fine.” She answered honestly, and Childe bent down on his knee and began sewing the wound shut, pinching his face whenever she would flinch or hiss. But given his experience it doesn’t take long, and just as quickly as he started, he's finished and wiping off excess blood.
“If this gets infected I'm going to kill you.”
Tartaglia set the soiled rag and tools in the sink, “I’m looking forward to seeing you try Printsessa.” He quickly kissed the top of her bed. “But you need a bath first.”
“You too.” The traveler swiftly turned around, shuddering at the breeze. “I know you’re tired as well.” She pulled at the buttons on his shirt, quickly undoing a few, then fully pulled it off of him before he had a chance to agree or disagree.
“You noticed that huh?”
“You’re a terrible actor.” She chided as she pulled at the buckle of his pants, him laughing at her when she struggled and eventually gave up, letting him undress himself.
“I just hope it's still a little warm,” Childe put a foot in and let out a sigh of relief when he discovered it was, in fact, lukewarm.
Lumine’s eyes widened. “It can be hot?” She asked and immediately basically jumped into the tub to answer her own question, splashing water everywhere. Meanwhile, the other slowly lowered himself in as he gave her a questioning look.
“Didn’t you grow up rich or something?”
“Didn’t you grow up taking ice baths?” The blonde snorted, “And something like that, but I'm talking about the plumbing getting the water hot, not the idea of hot baths itself.”
Lumine put her right leg out of the tub with the other tucked under her, so the other could fully submerge himself without being squashed. It was a big tub, but Ajax was a big man.
“Hmm maybe it's because I grew up taking cold baths that I appreciate warm ones.” He wordlessly pulled Lumine’s leg back in and put it on his lap, a small acknowledgment of her efforts. “Y’know, like us commoneners.” He teased.
“Oh shut up.”
He tugged at her other leg, “You have a wound on that leg; you shouldn’t sit on it.”
“It’s just a small cut, it's fine.”
“It’s bleeding now.” He gave her an arrogant ‘I told you so’ look as they both watched bright orange come from her thigh to the surface of the water.
“Agh- whatever.” She pulled it out from under her, and turned around, backing up to lean her back against his chest. “This is too much work for a bath.”
Tartaglia immediately wrapped his arms and legs around her, then leaned his head into the crook of her neck.
“I think it's worth it.”
They sat in comfortable silence for the next few minutes, only the occasional sloshing of water as someone readjusted or comfortable; content exhales were heard. Until the harbinger spoke up.
“Where’s your little flying friend?” he asked her.
“Zhongli invited us to dinner, and you know her, she couldn’t decline. She’s spending the night with him. It’s cute, she always admires guys like him; it’s innocent.”
“He does have a nice presence about him, but you didn’t want to go?”
Lumine shook her head, “Had some commissions I wanted to do, plus I heard you were here; so I wanted to see you first.”
“Well I'm honored.” His laugh was low, it caused the other to shudder as it reverberated in her ear.
A few more moments of comfortable silence passed, before Childe asked what he really wanted.
“..Why don’t you think you're brave?”
At that, Lumine’s shoulders immediately tensed up, and her breath hitched. Her fists also balled for a moment, and Tartaglia considered the possibility that she was angry at him for bringing it up.
“…” He heard her click her tongue, and he considered apologizing for prying and then change the subject, but she spoke up.
“I always feel like a little girl when I talk to him now.”
He didn’t need to ask who *him* was. He let her continue.
“I’m not afraid of him.” She said slowly and drawn out, as if she was just working this out now. “I just don’t know him.”
The traveler turned her head around to try and face him, waiting for his response.
Childe looked around with his eyebrows pinched as he carefully chose his words, trying not to trigger anything again.
He looked back at her and decided to tell the truth, “I don’t see how that makes you cowardly.”
Lumine hesitated again, “I’m not afraid that he’s going to hurt me. I’m afraid of who he has become, and to me, that's worse.”
“It’s natural.”
“There’s nothing natural about us.” She turned back around and lightly shook her head, “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
Lumine fully turned around then stood up, and out of the tub, “It’s fine.”
Sensing it was in fact, not fine, Childe followed her out the tub while she basically shoved her clothes on despite being practically soaked. He cringed when she roughly chafed the fabric against open cuts and other loose wounds, worried she would tear her fresh stitches.
“Traveler-“ He grabbed her wrist, “I’m sorry, okay? Don’t be like this.”
“I said it was fine, Tartaglia.” She snatched her hand away from him, “I can bring up uncomfortable topics I know you don’t like as well, like how I know you know things about him that you’re hiding from me.”
“Lu-“
“But that's okay, we can both have our secrets. It keeps distance between us so we don’t get hurt.”
She quickly pushed past him, her boots and gloves in hand.
“Fuck-“ The harbinger reached for his pants, quickly pulling them up as he chased after her towards the apartments entrance.
“Lumine!” He gripped her wrist, pleading for her to stop. “It’s not like that.” He stated honestly. She looked up at him in anger. Or so it seemed to an outside perspective; but to him, he saw fear.
“I promise. Look, I’m sorry for bringing it up, I crossed a line; I knew it was probably about your brother, and would upset you.” At that, he saw the look on her face slightly softened, almost regretful. “I get if you’re pissed with me, that's fine. Just don’t leave, please?”
He let go of her wrist so she could answer without intimidation. She blinked rapidly and lightly shook her head as her eyes darted around the room. Her hands were shaking, and he wished he should hold them; but he didn’t.
“No-“ Lumine shook her head, and his chest sank. “Wait-!“ She continued, “I meant- I..” and took a deep, shaking breath. “You didn’t do anything wrong. This is my problem.” She admitted, then finally looked up at him. “I won't leave. I just need some time.”
The ginger’s shoulders dropped in relief as he sighed through his nose. He knew if she left now he likely wouldn’t see her again.
“Yeah, that's okay.” He hovered his hands over the frame of her shoulders, afraid that if he touched her she’d suddenly change her mind. “The washroom connects to the guest room. Take your time.”
Lumine solemnly nodded, exhaling as she looked up at him. She gently cupped his cheek before moving past him. It was just for a moment, but it was enough.
🌺 🌺 🌺
Childe banged his head down on his desk. Even away from his office, he couldn’t escape boring paperwork that wouldn’t even make a difference. He couldn’t wait until he joined the upper ranks to get in on more direct action.
He stretched his fingers and cracked his knuckles, then reached back for his pen when he heard a light knock at his door. It was almost pathetic how quickly he responded.
“Come on in!” He accidentally yelled. So much for being calm and nonchalant.
Lumine slowly walked in, light on her feet, “You brought the office with you?” She asked, her voice soft.
He turned in his chair to face her directly, “Yeah, I brought it here a few days ago. It's just busy work; it's not important.”
“I’m sorry about earlier.” The blonde said bluntly, as she approached him. She put a hand over his new scar, rubbing her fingers over it.
Childe turned his arm over to grab her hand and hold it, “It’s okay. I know you’re tense, and I hit a sore spot. I get it.”
“No..” Lumine shook her head, eliciting confusion from the harbinger. “I mean yeah-, but I understood why you asked, and that spooked me. That's what happened.”
He gave her a smile, “That must be hard for you to admit. Want to talk about it?”
“Not right now.” She gave him a bittersweet one in return, “I’m not ready yet. Honestly, just admitting that is overwhelming for me.” It's terrifying for her.
“Thats okay.”
“Thank you, Ajax.”
The mentioned leaned his head back with closed eyes and let out a sigh of relief, “I’m so happy to hear you call me that, I hate it when you call me Tartaglia in private. ”
The traveler took her hand from his to go back to examining the scar on his forearm, and raised his eyebrow at him. “Why is that?” She asked.
Childe squinted his eyes open at her, wondering himself why it bothers him. He figured it probably wouldn’t be wise to tell her it was the barrier that it created between them that bothered him; the way it turned them back into The Traveler and Fatui Harbinger again. He would tell her one day, just not now.
He sat back up, “I like the way your voice sounds saying Ajax more.” Which wasn’t a lie.
Lumine narrowed eyes at him, an inquisitive look on her face before she merely sighed, “You’re a weird man.”
“So I've been told,” Childe laughed loudly, then stood up and put his hands on her waist. His expression suddenly turned serious. “I’m not trying to talk about him, but I need you to know what you said earlier isn’t true.” He said to her, his dead eyes looking intently into her own starry ones.
In response she left his gaze, darting her eyes down to his chest, and other low places in the room. He felt her become uneasy, but she wasn’t going to run, even if she wanted to.
She placed her palms onto his chest, “I’ll try to believe that.” On the outside that sounds snarky or even closed off, but she meant it with her whole heart. Just trying to trust him was a large step for her, and he knew that.
“I’m not as important in the fatui as my superiors; they get all the juicy details.” He said lightheartedly as he snaked his arms around to her back, pulling her closer.
Lumine turned and set her cheek onto his chest (which was unfortunately clothed). “That must be hard for you to admit.” She said jokingly.
“Yeah, my ego is breaking into a million pieces now because I said it outloud. What I do for you, Kochana.” Ajax tsked, “But it's okay. It just means I need to get stronger.”
“Which you’d do regardless.” The blonde noted and the other agreed, then pulled her back with his hands on her waist. And when he gave her that mischievous smile, she knew *exactly* what he was gonna ask.
“Wanna spar?”
Lumine immediately snorted, “The hell did you stitch me up for then?”
“A challenge? To defeat me without tearing it?” Ajax squeaked out slowly, as he made an excuse up on the spot.
The other raised her eyebrows at him with a teasing smirk, “Oh, that is *hardly* a challenge.”
He pulled her away from him further, excitement evident in his expression, making her feel a bit bad. “Those sound like fighting words, girly.”
“Well they're not, we’re both really tired.”
At that Ajax looked like a disappointed child who had been sent to an early bedtime, then a faint glimmer of hope painted his expression. “Tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” Lumine looked up at him with a wide, and genuine smile, “Tomorrow.”