Chapter Text
"Dear diary.... It all started about two years ago... We were about 16..."
....
(Lumine POV, first person)
We were moving from Mondstadt to Liyue, because our parents got a new job, that paid them better. We had to leave all of our friends behind and basically start a new life. Since in Liyue they don't speak Mondstadtian we had to learn a whole new language as speaking the universal Teyvat language was... well... Weird. Anyway, we got a hang of the basic Liyuean words and sentences and were send to a new school. Luckily me and my brother ended up in the same class, 1-A.
It was about 7:40am when we walked into the class, almost all seats were taken by the students, whom looked around our age. I don't know what about my brother, but i felt very awkward having all of their eyes on us. I hate dealing with new situations, especially the ones that involve socialising with strangers. There wasn't any teacher in the class so I looked awkwardly at the free seats and it appeared that I'll have to sit seperately from my brother. What a nuisance. I sighed and looked to the free seats, it was either a guy that looked like he could slaughter me and my family or some girl that was eagerly looking towards us. Of course I picked the girl, my brother can deal with the guy, I couldn't care less.
I made my way to the girl and pointed at the seat —
"Can I sit here?" I mumbled, trying to pronounce the words the best I could.
"Yeah!! Of course you can, go ahead!!" The girl looked absolutely thrilled at my request. For a split second I regretted my decision but I sat there anyway. I put my bag on the table and got my books out on the desk.
"By the way, I'm Xiangling!! It's sooooo nice to meet you! ~" The girl spoke again, clearly admiring my beauty, huh. I didn't understand much of what she said but from what it sounded like she introduced herself, so in response I nodded and introduced myself, too.
"Lumine is my name." I smiled to her, trying to sound as confident as I could, even though I forgot the sentence that I replayed in my head the most. Which was something along the lines of 'I'm Lumine nice to meet you!'. Well... looking at her reaction I didn't get it so wrong. She giggled at me and smiled.
(Aether POV, first person)
When Lumine went to sit with some girl, there was only one seat left for me in the class, next to some emo guy. He didn't look too appealing but I shrugged and walked up to him, putting a smile on my face.
"Hi. Can I sit here?" I confidently said, proud of myself that I put more thought into learning Liyuean than my sister. The guy turned his head to me, looked me up and down and shrugged. I took it as a yes so I sat beside him. To what literally flabbergasted me was that the guy I sat next to, pulled out A DAMN VAPE and took a puff???? WTF??? I really thought that them Liyueans were cultured and that this was forbidden in school?!! Man... if I knew I'd bring my own, but oh well.
My sister didn't know that I smoke anyway, so maybe the lack of knowledge of it was actually good for me. I hadn't noticed it until the guy pointed it out but my mouth was gaping and I was staring at him.
"Uhm.... You want a puff or something..? Stop staring.. weirdo..." He finally spoke, clearly uncomfortable with my presence.
I didn’t understand much of what he said, since of course, this wasn't the kind of language that I practiced so I just shrugged and looked away—
"I apologise." The guy scoffed at my pathetic sorry and hid the vape back in his pocket, my heart aching at it, if only I had understood...
As I was paining, the teacher walked in. I don't think he noticed two new faces in the class, well at least not for a long while. He looked closely at the students and smiled.
"Ah... is that two new faces I see?" He spoke, clearly to me and my sister.
He introduced himself as Zhongli Xiangsheng. Our form teacher. He then ordered me and Lumine to introduce ourselves to the class which was kind of awkward but we handled it well. After I introduced myself as Aether I sat down, noticing that my deskmate was staring at me.
"Jeez, you're a guy??? I thought you were a girl, damn..." He said. I tried to understand most of it but well.. I didn't know how to respond to it in Liyuean.
"Yes, I'm a guy. Isn't that obvious?" I resorted to using Teyvatian Universal Language as it just seemed easier. I guess that's why it's universal?
My deskmate looked at me up and down and sighed, I guess giving me another chance to become his friend? —
"I'm Xiao. And that guy over there —" He pointed to the teacher. "— is my father." I nodded as acknowledging.
"Are you from Liyue?" I asked out of curiosity, maybe he could help me learn some of the language? After all it's easier to do with with a local.
"Oh, yeah. I'm guessing you're not though."
"I'm from Mondstadt, my sister too." I smiled and pointed towards my sister, who was surrounded by our classmates trying to get to know her. Either I was so unattractive or it was Xiao that scared them off me but either way I was comfortable without too much going on around me.
(Lumine POV, first person)
When the bell rang, signaling the long lunch break, was so relieved, I could finally be by myself for almost an hour. I sat somewhere next to the stairs leading to the rooftop, expecting some peace and quiet when a tall guy walked in. I guess he wasn't expecting to see anyone there as he slightly jolted when he saw me. I raised an eyebrow and looked closely at him. He was a guy with ginger hair and deep blue eyes. He wasn't particularly attractive but he also wasn't bad looking. I mean it in the nicest wy possible, but he didn't look Liyuean.
"Im sorry ill go-" He suddenly spoke, a clear, thick accent flowing along with his words, clearly exposing that he's not a local.
"... Sit with me." I slowly said, carefully picking my words. "I'm Lumine."
He looked at me up and down and slightly smiled.
"I'm.... Tartaglia. Ajax Tartaglia." He introduced himself. I muttered his name under my breath a few times, trying to remember it.
"You.. Aren't from here, right? I haven't seen you before."
I looked at him, surprised by his question.
"I'm from Mondstadt." I quietly mumbled, he just smiled and sat beside me.
"That's cool! I'm from Snezhnaya" I haven't met any Shnezhnayan person before now, so I was pretty excited and he possibly noticed that.. It made me quite embarrassed on the inside but he didn't seem to mind it.
"Where do you come from? What town?" I asked eagerly. Ajax chuckled slightly before answering me–
"From a small village near Nod-Krai. Really, you won't know it by the name, haha"
"Hmm... That's cool nonetheless. How long have you been in Liyue?" A small smile creeping onto my lips, this guy was quite pleasant to talk to, not gonna lie.
(Aether POV, first person)
During the lunch break, I didn't really know what to do with myself so I stayed in the class. It seemed I wasn't the only one to do that though. There were two other people with me. My new friend and some girl, I didn't see her face as she was sitting with her back facing me. But from what I could see, her build was quite small and she had long, blue-ish hair that was tied into a high ponytail. I don't know what possessed me but I impulsively walked up to her.
"Hi there! Mind if I join you?" She seemed to have gotten spooked by me but she let me sit beside her. She introduced herself as Ayaka. We spoke together for the whole lunch break, I sometimes looked to Xiao to see what he was doing but he was just studying or vaping, not even eating anything. Soon it was time to go back to learning. I went back to my seat, next to Xiao. He still seemed quite startled that someone was sitting beside him, and who wasn't scared of him. I tried to socialise with him a bit more but it was nearly impossible because he was avoiding my questions like a plague... is it soo wrong that I want a friend????
Anyway, that's lowkey how the whole day passed, I socialised with Ayaka and tried to do the same with Xiao while my sister kept disappearing every break but I didn't bother to ask her about it until the day was finished and we were waiting for the bus home.
"Hey, Lumi, how'd you enjoy school?" I sat beside my sister on the bus stop.
"Oh, Hey Aeth. Ye it was good I guess... I've met some new friends.. How about you? My bad for having you sit with that creepy guy in the back of the class..." She shivered at the thought of Xiao. I didn't notice It but apparently my face had a worried look on it. At least that's what Lumine has told me—
"You good? You started to look worried when I mentioned that guy being creepy and shit-"
"Sorry, I didn't notice. But he's not THAT creepy.... I believe that he's just.. i dont know, some emo looking guy, I mean he HAS to be at least a little bit nice?" What I didn't know is that Xiao was behind the bus stop, also waiting for the bus. We just didn't see him. And he could hear our whole conversation(Since it was in the Teyvat Universal Language) so we were highkey screwed.
(Xiao POV, first person)
Hmph. Those fools were unaware of my presence and on top of that they were talking shit about me??? What a bad day to have ears. Not only that but I had to ride the bus on my own since father was working late today... sigh.
I decided that it'd be quite hilarious if I just sat beside my new deskmate as if I heard nothing. And... he didn't fucking notice me???? Nor the blondie beside him? What the fuck am I invisible or something? I moved out of my comfort zone to get noticed by Aether and uh... I hesitantly reached my arm over his shoulder, I tried to be as nonchalant as I can but I accidentally lost my balance and well...
Kinda fell onto him. I've never felt more embarrassed in my whole 16 years of life. I felt my face heat up like a firework and become as red as a beetroot. I quickly moved away from Aether and stood up to apologise to him. I kept bowing and apologising but it didn't feel like it was enough. Aether on the other hand was just confused, and just as red as me.
"Chill dude it's okay... it was an accident... no need to apologise" He reassured me, but I still felt odd with what happened. Fortunately, the bus has arrived, but unfortunately the twins also got on it with me.
……
Xiao went to sit at the back of the bus, hoping for some peace and quiet. He didn't get it. For some reason Aether sat beside him, and without his sister, too? Xiao slightly jolted at the presence next to him but didn't dare to look up. It was like Aethers image of him being all red and embarrassed under him was burned into the cornea of his eyes everytime he looked at the blondes face. Xiao slightly shook his head and cursed himself under his breath.
"Hey, Xiao. Could you please help me study Liyuean? Pleaseee" Aether looked to Xiao and begged him with puppy eyes, ugh it was too cute for him to refuse...
"Fine... Do you want my WeChat.?" He muttered under his nose.
"Hm... Sure, but wouldn't it be easier if we studied face to face?" Xiao looked at Aether up and down and raised an eyebrow, finding his mates request odd.
"No. That's gay. Are you gay?" Xiao frowned his eyebrows, the question slipping from his mouth, almost filled with curiosity, yet disgust has taken over. A guy should never like a guy in a romantic way. Aether frowned his eyebrows and thought for a short while.
"No, I'm not gay. It's odd to like boys. I mean.. How would it even work.?"
"Uh... I don't know.? I've never thought of it I guess..? It's forbidden to."
"Why? In Mondstadt we openly discussed this topic.. I just..never participated."
"Well in Liyue we don't discuss those kinds of topics. Especially not in public. You know... people can hear..." Xiao mumbled and crossed his arms on his chest. "I have a name to myself here, don't ruin it by talking to me about this kind of stuff."
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..?" Aether pouted and looked away from his friend, feeling guilty.
Meanwhile Lumine sat in the front of the bus, with her friend Xiangling. They were talking about their classmates, their names etc, suddenly —
"Xiangling, um. Do you know people from other classes, too?" Lumine suddenly asked, unexpectedly. Xiangling blinked a few times from surprise and slowly nodded.
"Well.. yeah, why? Ooh! Have you met someone?~" She giggled mischievously –"who is it??"
Lumine blushed slightly from embarrassement and put her hands together on her chest.
"Uhm... I-its not like that.. I mean I accidentally stumbled upon him.. I think his name is uh... A... Something with A.. Ajax.?" Lumine slowly said, trying to remember the gingers name. Xianglings mouth was just gaping apart, she was quite astonished.
"Ajax? As in Tartaglia Ajax? Giiirrrl!! Stay away from him, I heard rumours that he's.. well.. " She turned her tone to whisper — "I heard that he's quite dangerous... and um... a cheater.."
Lumines eyes widened, how could such a kind guy be a cheater?? She must talk with him next time they meet.. or maybe not, since it's a mean rumour and they just met? She was quite at a loss of words.
"A.. cheater? Has he had a girlfriend before?" She quietly asked, totally overlooking the 'dangerous' part of Xianglings words.
"Well yeah, many. He's very handsome I don't see why he would not have a girlfriend before??"
"I don't know??? Maybe waiting for the right one.. Haha.." Lumine tried to laugh off her awkwardness.
"Dunno. But apparently he's good in bed, or at least that's what one of his ex-girlfriends said." Xiangling giggled to herself.
When it was Lumines & Aethers stop, they swiftly hopped off the bus and headed home, talking about their day and their new classmates.
When they got home, they were greeted by the amazing smell of THE Sticky Honey Roast. Their mum came out of the kitchen, still in an apron on her and hugged her kids with love.
"My babiesss! How was school?? Come on, tell me everything!" Their mum smiled and sat then at the table, listening to their stories as she set the table and put the meal on it.
"Well.. I've met two new friends today..-"Aether started, but Lumine interrupted. —
"Oh, and I've also met a few new friends! Most from our class and one from a higher one! Not sure which one though." She smiled and wiggled on her chair in happiness. Their mum chuckled and ruffled the hair on their heads before sitting with them at the table.
"Thats great, kids. Although, you should be careful, Lumi. What if that friend from a higher class is already an adult? You're only 16!"
"Its okay, Mummy. I don't think he's an adult."
Their mum looked flabbergasted at her daughter.
"He? Pardon me? You're just a baby why do you have male friends??? Don't be a.." she coughed "a whore." She finished in a shushed tone. Both Aether and Lumine looked at each other with a surprised look, they've never seen their mum swear nor be so pressed about any of them having friends in opposite gender. Aether opened his mouth to say something but his mum interrupted.
"The same goes for you, Aeth. No girlfriends until you're both 18."
This was the end of their conversation. After that, their mum called their dad to dinner and they ate together.
At the table there was silence the whole time, noone dared to speak and cause another quarrel.
After they ate, everyone went back to their rooms, while the dad cleaned up the dishes.
Aether went into his room after the unusually quiet dinner which was lowkey expected but not so much.
He pulled his backpack to his desk, and got out his books, wanting to do the homework and maybe study Liyuean........ Then he remembered that he forgot to take Xiaos phone number.
"Ugh, For fucks sake...!" He mumbled and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
"Man.. Fuck this.. I aint studyin Nuh-uh."
Aether out of frustration threw his books off the desk to the floor, making a loud noise, and plopped himself onto his bed. He pulled out his phone from his pants and scrolled on social media.
Not long after, his dad came into his room to check on him.
"We heard a loud noise and your mother send me here.. You good?" His father spoke, looking around his room before sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. I just.. It doesn't matter." Aether frowned his eyebrows, upset at himself for forgetting such a simple yet important thing. Same with Ayakas number. His dad sighed and ruffled his hair with the palm of his hand —
"Ok.. If you need anything just go to your mum, she gives better advice than me." And left the room.
Aether sighed and went back to scrolling on his phone.
After dinner Lumine went into her room, still baffled by her mums reaction. She shook off her feelings and pulled out her phone, smiling. In the bus she acquired Xianglings phone number and they decided that it'll be a good idea to go on a call together. To study, talk, etc. Also maybe gossip about what her mum said.
She threw her phone onto her bed, quickly changed from the school uniform into her own clothes, a soft, white, off-shoulder sweater and a cute, layered, denim skirt. She didn't bother wearing any leg accessories with it, as Xiangling isn't gonna see them anyway, and besides, she's at home, not going out.
Soon after she called her new friend on face time and started to study with Xiangling over the phone, taking breaks to gossip about some people in the school that Lumine didn't know. The tea was good though.
Soon enough it was time to sleep. Lumines mum went into her room and told her that it's bedtime before shutting the door. Lumine pouted and hung up, not rushing herself though. She changed into her pj's, a baby-pink coloured silk tee and matching shorts, before walking to her shared bathroom with Aether to wash her make-up off. She was too lazy and tired to shower today... she'll do it in the morning. Lumine gently opened the door..
Just to find the bathroom empty. It hasn't been used today. She was surprised, since Aether usually would use it before her. She just shrugged and continued with taking off her make-up and doing her skincare.
Meanwhile Aether was in his room, doom scrolling on tiktok. He was unaware of the hour, and additionally their mum didn't come into his room to tell him to go to sleep, since she thought he was sleeping already, as his lights are off.
He was about to put his phone down and go to sleep, when he got a sudden rush of excitement and motivation. To... Well to masturbate. Seemed like his testosterone levels were irregular.
He slowly emerged from his bed and quietly went to see if his parents are asleep. He couldn't care less if Lumine was asleep or not, since she had a soundproof room (She begged their parents for one ever since they were 13 and they finally gave in, only when they moved to Liyue).
As Aether quietly walked down the hallway, all he heard was mildly loud snoring from his dad. He saw it as a good sign and crawled back to his room.
Once he was in his bed all his energy was suddenly drained and he's lost the motivation to touch himself. He just yawned and fell asleep with his hand almost down to his pants.