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Lumine had finally set foot back on the mainland. Chasca, Mualani, and Bennett, along with Venti, had gone their separate ways not long after they docked. She already missed their company, yet she knew deep down that their paths would cross again somewhere in the winding roads of her journey.
On the shore, she and Paimon decided to part for a short while. The floating fairy, worn out from everything they had endured, wanted nothing more than a good, long rest. Bennett’s origins had been far more surprising than either of them expected, now it made sense why his streak of bad luck seemed to defy the usual odds, bordering on the unreal.
Lumine strolled along the shoreline, shoes in hand, letting the warm grains of sand sift between her toes as the sunset painted the horizon in gold and crimson. Each step left a trail behind her, delicate imprints slowly softening as the tide crept closer. Natlan’s beauty lingered in her heart, but so did the memories of their vacation—moments that felt both fleeting and unforgettable.
“Fancy meeting you here, Tumaini.”
She turned at the familiar voice and saw Kinich approaching, his steps unhurried. When she glanced down, she noticed he was deliberately placing his feet where hers had been, erasing her footprints with his own.
“Now why would you replace my footprints in the sand, Kinich? I left those on purpose for a lost puppy--so they could follow them and find me,” Lumine said teasingly, proceeding to walk again, but this time slower so Kinich could catch up. But Kinich slowed down even more still replacing her footprint on top of his.
Kinich chuckled softly at her. “So you’re saying I’m a lost puppy?”
“Perhaps? Yes? No? Maybe so,” she replied, lips curling into a teasing smile as the tide lapped closer to their feet. "But Kinich, we did met few days ago during our vacation."
"Yeah I know, I was just happy meeting you here."
Kinich hummed in response, and a gentle stillness settled between them. No words lingered in the air, only the quiet rhythm of waves and the warmth of their shared presence.
It was the kind of silence that moved slowly, the kind that wrapped around you like a soft blanket, comfortable, unhurried, and deeply calming.
“The sun,” Kinich said after a moment, his gaze drifting toward the horizon, “it’s almost hiding.”
“Yeah,” Lumine replied, “kind of like the way you hid Ajaw before coming here.”
That made Kinich pause mid-step, folding his arms as an amused smile tugged at his lips. “I had to get rid of him eventually. I swear, every time I close my eyes, his voice is still there, haunting me.”
Lumine understood what he meant, the ancient dragonlord was like a broken chatterbox on repeat wishing for Kinich's demise every chance he gets.
They stopped where the last strands of sunlight spilled across their faces. The golden rays brushed their skin like a fleeting kiss, painting Kinich’s features in a warm glow.
Lumine’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t realized until now just how captivating he could look framed by the dying sun.
“You could always just cover his mouth,” she said, forcing the words past the sudden tightness in her chest.
Kinich’s smile softened, though his tone carried a teasing bite. “I’d rather lock him in a crate and let a thousand tiny Cacucu torture him.”
“That’s harsh.”
“At least it’s not as bad as him hoping I’d die early just so he could use my body.”
Lumine’s nose wrinkled. “Good point.”
With a quiet chuckle, Kinich urged her forward, falling into step behind her. “Tumaini, will you keep walking? I want to keep following your footprints, if that’s alright.”
She gave him a puzzled glance but chose not to ask, deciding to save the question for later.
“Oh, and drop your shoes. I’ll carry them for you.”
Lumine shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I can carry my own stuff.”
“I insist. Please?”
She blinked, surprised by the hint of pleading in his voice. It was just shoes—hardly heavy—but something in the way he asked made her lips curl into a half-smile. Without a word, she let them fall beside her and walked on. Kinich scooped them up, trailing after her like a devoted, slightly lost puppy.
"Now you're acting a little strange, Malipo," she said, deliberately using his ancient name.
"How so?" Kinich asked, entirely unbothered, trailing slowly behind her.
"Well, you showed up and… did whatever it is you’re doing right now."
"Do you want to know my answer?"
Lumine glanced back and gave a small nod. Kinich came to a stop, prompting her to pause as well, turning fully toward him to listen.
"The truth is," he began, "I’ve been wondering for weeks now how you suddenly appeared in Natlan, ready to save my nation. How you took on everyone’s problems as if they were your own. How you helped us carry out the Turnfire Ritual for the Lord of the Mountain, and later fought beside us in the war. I’ve wondered how you managed to do all of that without breaking—without losing your will or your strength. And when the outside world finally opened again, allowing us to travel beyond Natlan, I realized just how much of a difference you’ve made to every nation you’ve passed through."
Hearing all of this in one go made Lumine’s heart skip a beat. It was touching to hear it coming from him, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure how to react.
"Now," Kinich continued, "here I am, following your footsteps, hoping I would be able to understand you a little bit more before we part ways again. I have a feeling this might be the last time we’ll speak."
Kinich approached slower until they were just an arm’s length apart. Lumine stayed where she was, trying to process his words, her heart quickening.
"It’s like every footprint you leave in the sand speaks of stories, of struggles you’ve endured, of friendships you’ve made along the way," he said, his eyes fixed on hers.
Lumine blinked rapidly to pull herself out of the haze his voice left her in. She touched her own arms, then dropped them, unsure where to place her hands. Her face felt warm.
"Come now, Kinich, you’re embarrassing me."
He shook his head. Without another word, he lowered himself to one knee, and Lumine froze, startled but letting him continue.
"Hold my shoulder, or my hair. Just don’t fall," he murmured.
Still caught off guard, she placed her hands lightly on his head. Kinich brushed the sand from her bare foot with a slow, deliberate touch before sliding her shoe on, then moved to the other, repeating the same careful motion.
Lumine didn’t know why her chest felt tight, but she was certain of one thing, if any god was watching them right now, they would hear her heart pounding as loudly as she felt it. And in that quiet moment, she wondered if his was doing the same.
After Kinich was done, he placed his hand over hers, where Lumine held unto for support and rose to his feet without letting go.
"Lumine, I admire you. I’d be willing to brush away every speck of dirt, clear every path you take, just to see you," Kinich said.
Lumine felt heat rise to her cheeks. "I.. I don’t know what to say, honestly, Kinich."
"Then I’ll be the first. Tumaini, Lumine, Traveler, Honorary Knight and the one title I found amusing, the Ex-Prisoner of Meropide."
She stared at him, lips curling into a faint smile. Kinich saw her reaction and chuckled. "I knew it. Remember when we were in Fontaine? I got that title from Charlotte."
"Going back," he said, his fingers tightening slightly around hers.
"I genuinely admire you, your feats, your resolve, and everything you’ve done for Teyvat so far. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, but I believe my admiration is unlike any other, even if it can’t compare in magnitude to those who also hold you in high regard." Lumine nodded.
"But once again, I admire you, Lumine. I’ve never confessed anything like this to anyone before, but with you, I want you to be my first."
Lumine’s gaze dropped to their intertwined hands, her chest tightening from the weight of his words. Her heart felt full, overflowing with the sincerity and warmth he had given her. She took a slow breath before lifting her eyes to meet his.
"Kinich, I’m not used to hearing things like this. I’ve been called many things, faced countless challenges, but this, what you’re saying, means more than I can explain. I can’t promise I’ll always know how to respond, but I can promise I’ll never forget it. And I’m grateful."
Kinich placed a light kiss on top of her hand, his lips lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
"You don’t need to respond," he said softly, his voice low but steady. "Just you listening to me already means more than you know. I will be patiently waiting for a response, no matter how long it takes." His thumb brushed over her knuckles in a slow, absent motion, as if memorizing the shape of her hand.
He glanced up at her, a faint smile touching his lips. "Even if that answer never comes, I’ll still be glad I told you. At least you’ll know what’s in my heart, and I’ll have no regrets."
There was a quiet sincerity in his gaze, something that made it impossible for her to look away. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the warmth of his hand over hers and the unspoken promise hanging between them.
The night had finally settled in, the sun sinking deep into the horizon as if tucking itself away to rest. The world grew quieter, and Lumine and Kinich stood in that stillness, letting the silence wrap around them like a thin, cold veil. The crisp air carried the faint scent of the sea, and every breath felt heavier than the last.
Kinich’s hand slowly slipped away from hers. For a brief moment, she wanted to reach for it again, to hold on just a little longer, but something in her heart told her not to. She understood now. This would be the last time they would speak to each other.
"You’re going to Nod-Krai, I assume?" Kinich asked, his voice calm, though there was a weight beneath it.
"Yes," she replied softly.
"The flower on your hair, it suits you." Lumine nodded gratefully. Then he continued. "Good luck on your journey. Our savior..." He lingered his voice a bit more. "And my Tumaini."
The way he spoke those last words felt final, like a door quietly closing. And then, without another glance, he was gone, his figure fading into the shadows until the night swallowed him completely.
Lumine stood there, unsure how long she remained in place. The cool wind brushed against her skin, but it was the empty space beside her that made her shiver. Her chest felt tight, and her thoughts tangled between gratitude, sorrow, and something far more complicated. She couldn’t name what she was feeling, but she knew one thing. Whatever it was, it would linger with her long after she reached Nod-Krai.
"Lumine! Come here now, it’s getting cold!" Paimon’s voice rang out from a distance, her small form waving frantically in the dark.
Lumine blinked, the sound pulling her out of her trance. The weight in her chest didn’t vanish, but she pushed it aside, tucking her feelings away for another time.
"Coming!" she called back, forcing a small smile as she turned toward Paimon.
With one last glance at the empty path where
Kinich had stood, she walked away, the night wind at her back, carrying with it the warmth of his words and the ache of their goodbye.