Chapter Text
"Oh! One just HAS to observe this fine specimen of Mechanical genius!"
Paimon sighed, her shoulders sagging under an invisible weight. "Do we have to NOW?” she whinged. “Paimon is so tired!"
Xianyun spun on her heels from the front of their little group to turn and face her weary travel companion, hands on her hips and one eyebrow cocked. Not sparing a second thought to what stopping in the middle of a busy street meant to the other Fontanians milling around, (now doing their best to maneuver around her).
"How can one even THINK of resting on one’s laurels when there is much innovation around you? One simply can not comprehend such a notion."
"Lumine!" Paimon wailed, turning to fix her oldest friend a watery plea. "Can we go tomorrow? Please?"
Lumine smiled placatingly at her two friends. Xianyun joining them on their trip back to Fontaine meant she had been playing mediator between the two overt personalities more often than not.
Their group had just left a toy store in the heart of the Court of Fontaine's shopping district after Xianyun had spontaneously dashed into it. They had been walking past when she paused and immediately ran to press her face to the display window, eyes wide. Mechanical Toys moved on their own accord to cheerful music, beckoning every passer by.
"One must get a better look!", was all the warning they were given before she disappeared into the store with a flourish.
They had followed after and while Paimon and Xianyun had milled around towards the front, Lumine found herself wandering towards the back of the store; pulled through by a soft melody.
It was here that she had found it. A small music box, the base fashioned in wood stained a rich mahogany then polished to a gleaming shine. Paper thin bands of gold were intricately inlaid and spaced evenly apart to create a precise pattern. Lumine’s eyes traveled further up and immediately she found herself face to face with a miniature replica of the waltzing automatons of Erinnyes.
Coppelia and Coppelius, no more than six inches tall, whirled and glided across a mirrored rink while that same soft melody played around them. Coppelia's skirt flared around her when she was spun out from her partner only to sway like it was made of silk when she was pulled back into Coppelius' awaiting arms.
Like most items in the store, this was one-of-a-kind and the craftsmanship was superb. Even though it was advertised as a mere decoration, a toy even, it perfectly captured the couple's endless waltz. The miniature figures were just as graceful as the real version of the Icewind Suite they were modeled after.
Lumine had been seriously considering buying it for her teapot when she felt a presence behind her.
"Stunning."
She turned to see Xianyun looking over her shoulder. The exclamation had come out as nothing more than a breathless whisper and her eyes shone with appreciation for the craftsmanship.
"It is." Lumine agreed. "So are the actual ones."
At Xianyun's confused tilt of her head, Lumine told her about the real Clockwork Meka. A pair of mechanical dancers from the Fontaine Research Institute that were actually more like six feet tall instead of six inches, and that waltzed day and night to a silent tune that only they could hear.
She continued to explain their purpose, how you can challenge them to hone your, and their, battle skills while a researcher captured every minute detail.
"They are just outside the city on the island of Erinnyes. We can go see them if you would like."
Xianyun’s eyes had lit up like it was Lantern Rite all over again and before Lumine even knew what was happening, she was being dragged outside the store by the hand nearly just as fast as they had entered.
Which leads to the present.
"I think a break sounds nice. Besides, Coppelia and Coppelius aren't going anywhere." She looked up to the sky and noted how the vibrant reds and oranges of late afternoon were starting to shift into twilight.
"Besides, it's getting dark.”
Seeing Cloud Retainer’s intense gaze shift to annoyance, Lumine immediately offered a compromise.
“We can go see them first thing tomorrow." She offered the illuminated beast a sweet smile in supplication. “I promise!”
Breaking eye contact, Lumine turned to her right and smiled at the last of their companions who had been quiet throughout the entire exchange.
"Does that sound alright to you, Xiao?"
Xiao remained with his arms crossed, gaze flitting from face to face of every Fontainian who passed by. Hearing Lumine address him specifically, his golden gaze shifted to hers and he offered a nonchalant shrug.
"Whatever you wish."
Lumine smiled and turned back to a relieved Paimon and slightly annoyed Xianyun before clapping her hands together.
"Then it's settled! Let's head back to our rooms for the night, and we will head to Erinnyes first thing tomorrow morning."
"YAY!" Paimon cheered, thrusting her little fists in the air. "Paimon is starving!"
"One is surprised how often one of your stature requires sustenance."
"What's THAT supposed to mean!?"
Lumine sighed softly while the two engaged in another squabble. Their constant bickering kept attracting the occasional odd look and Lumine was content to hang back and let the boisterous pair walk ahead.
It was truly never a dull moment.
She sighed once more. "I'm sorry. You must be uncomfortable."
Xiao had fallen into step next to her and while she didn't think Paimon nor Xianyun had noticed, (or cared for that matter), she could practically feel the tension and anxiety rolling off him in waves. She didn't think his arms uncrossed once the entire day nor did his shoulders ever loosen from their squared position.
"You need not concern yourself."
He waited a beat, intending to leave the statement there, but decided to elaborate further in an effort to be more companionable.
“I have known Cloud Retainer a considerable amount of time. I am aware of how she is.”
Lumine smiled sadly. Xiao was always so quick to brush off concerns for his well-being, yet always made it a point to prioritize hers and others. Maybe this whole idea was a mistake.
________________________
It was during Lantern Rite that the conversation came up.
Zhongli had invited Lumine and Paimon to dinner one night, wanting to celebrate the festive occasion by catching up with the traveler and some of his oldest friends.
Conversation had flowed seamlessly from one topic to the next until the discussion segued into Lumine’s next destination. Once Lantern Rite concluded, the pair of adventurers would be making their way back to Fontaine as they had put a pin in their current adventures to return to Liyue for the festivities. Xianyun had hummed thoughtfully.
“One would love to pay a visit to Fontaine one of these days. The education One would glean would be insurmountable.”
Lumine swallowed the bite of food in her mouth and set her chopsticks down.
“Why don’t you join us? We are heading back after Lantern Rite and you could come with us for a little while.”
The invitation hadn’t required a second thought from her. Lumine was happy to spend more time with the Adeptus and knew the Hydro nation aligned to her interests.
Cloud Retainer had been struck speechless for a moment. “J-join you? Just like that? Oh One couldn't possibly!”
“I think it’s a fine idea.” Zhongli cut in around his tea cup. “How long has it been since you have left Liyue?”
“Centuries, maybe? Far too long to remember.” Cloud Retainer murmured. She shuffled the vegetables around her plate for a moment in deep thought; weighing the pros, cons and everything in between.
“One supposes Shuyu could remain under Ganyu’s care while One is away.”
She seemed to be trying to convince herself while thinking through the specifics of taking such a trip.
“Yeah!” Paimon trilled. “And it’s not like you have to be gone forever! You could come back after a week or two!”
“A week…” Xianyun tested the timeline on her tongue. “Yes, One does think a vacation is long overdue…”
“Then that settles it.” Zhongli nodded while setting his tea cup down. “You will accompany Lumine back to Fontaine.” He then cast his gaze to the other Adeptus in the room and cocked his head in question.
“Why don’t you join them as well Adeptus Xiao?”
Xiao, having been mid-sip of his own cup of tea, spluttered and nearly choked on the hot liquid.
“What?!” He coughed once. Twice, before trying to compose himself. “I couldn't possibly!” He stood up from his seat with a start, hands slamming onto the table top in front of him.
“Liyue -”
“Would be fine in your absence.” Zhongli placated soothingly. “Adeptus Xiao, I think Liyue will still be standing if you were to leave and relax for a week.”
“I don’t need to…relax.” The word sounded so foreign to him and took considerable effort to say. He searched the Geo Archon’s face for any ulterior meaning.
“Have I faulted in my duty as of late?”
Zhongli waved his hand to banish the thought aside. “Of course not. You have done a most excellent job in protecting Liyue all these centuries.”
“Then why?”
Zhongli steepled his fingers and regarded his once subordinate, now friend, over them.
“I think it would benefit you greatly.”
The entire table fell silent with a hush. Xiao remained standing, blinking at the Geo Archon while his brain struggled to put into words the millions of thoughts swirling in it. He shook his head to try to clear it, and just as he opened his mouth to protest further, he was cut off by the soft voice of Lumine to his immediate right.
“We would love it if you joined us Xiao.”
He faltered once more and immediately cast his golden gaze to her.
“My Karma -”
Lumine shook her head ferociously. “Will be fine, Xiao. I promise.” She slowly, gently, placed her hand on his forearm, tense with where the conversation had been going and willing him to relax.
She held his gaze, resolute and with a tone that brooked no room to falter.
“I will be with you the whole time. The moment you need to leave, we will. I promise.” she pleaded earnestly.
She saw a shift in his eyes; a kaleidoscope of changing emotions.
“Please? Please trust me?”
Xiao opened his mouth to protest again, to offer any and every excuse he could possibly think of, but her warm eyes sparkling with a silent plea, begging for HIS company, to spend more time with HIM, had every word dying on his tongue.
Could he indulge in selfishness just this once? Forsake duty and give in to the one desire he had of spending more time with her?
“I…”
Xiao sighed, closed his eyes and willed his white-knuckle fists to unclench and open in supplication.
To want something so wholly and completely. It contradicted damn near every fiber of his being.
But, Archons, did he want it.
He opened his eyes, warring with himself, but decision made.
“...as you wish. For one week.”
Even with his reiteration of the terms, it did nothing to dampen the unfettered happiness Lumine felt blooming in her chest.
Xiao watched Lumine’s face light up. Her eyes sparkling with joy, and her pink lips broke out into a breathtaking smile that left him stunned speechless.
“YAY!!!” Paimon bounced as she inserted herself between the two of them to float in front of Xiao’s face. “Paimon knew you were a big softie!”
Xiao fell back into his chair with a plop.
Later that night, under the soft glow of a lantern and to the tune of Paimon’s soft snores, Lumine wrote to Neuvillette informing him that she and Paimon would be back in Fontaine shortly with two Adepti in tow. She didn't want to startle the dragon by bringing two powerful beings into his land unannounced.
But it was she who would be caught off guard when she saw him waiting on the platform for their group as soon as they stepped off the Aquabus and into the Court of Fontaine.
"Traveler and esteemed guests of Liyue."
Neuvillette greeted them the moment they were within earshot.
"Fontaine is honored to host your visit."
He bowed deeply at the waist for a moment before righting himself to standing once more.
Lumine released a breath she had been holding and thanked all her lucky stars above that they arrived in the middle of the night. To be greeted by the Iudex himself would have drawn A LOT of unwanted attention during the day. If Cloud Retainer was looking to keep a low profile, then she could only assume Xiao was hoping his would be non-existent.
"Thank you, Neuvillette." She smiled, stepped aside, and gestured to the two other companions with her.
"I would like you to meet Adeptus Xianyun and Adeptus Xiao. They will be here for a week or so."
Xianyun bowed her head in greeting. “One is honored to make your acquaintance Monsieur Neuvillette.”
Xiao remained quiet but mirrored his companion’s actions.
"Wonderful." He acknowledged and with a sweep of his arm, gestured for everyone to follow him.
"I have taken the liberty of reserving rooms for you all at Hotel Debord. I hope the accommodations are to your satisfaction."
Paimon squealed in excitement and together the group made their way into the city.
It was then that Lumine had started to feel hopeful that maybe the entire thing would go over well. Potential fears that she had been worried about started to melt away one by one…
…Only for regret and contrition to immediately gnaw at her conscience the moment they had stepped foot into the hotel.
Xiao had been quiet and would never outright refuse the hospitality offered of another nation, but she knew he was uncomfortable the moment they got to their rooms.
The accommodations at Hotel Debord were lavish, and opulence was never something the Conqueror of Demons indulged in. Hell, even his room at Wangshu Inn was sparse and barely ever used.
After Xianyun and Paimon disappeared into their respective rooms, (with Paimon offering a wave and a “See you later Lumine!”), Lumine held back to watch for any signs of his discomfort.
It was subtle, but it was there.
It was in his posture; stiff and pin-straight. In the way his shoulders tensed and squared. In the way he imperceptively drew his eyebrows together.
“Is this too much?”
She hated how small her voice sounded, but then Xiao sighed so softly it nearly broke her heart.
“I…” he had started, looking for the words. Torn between how much he could physically stand and not wanting to hurt Lumine. True to her word, she had been by his side the entire portion of the journey thus far searching his eyes and body language for even the slightest hint that he was regretting being with her.
He had been drowning in guilt and self-loathing ever since they crossed the borders of Liyue and into Fontaine. Thinking he was imposing on her because the enemies she was trying to safeguard him against weren't physical. It would have been much easier for him if they were.
Xiao steeled himself. “It is…suitable. You need not worry Traveler.”
His words did nothing to ease her guilt, but then she thought of a compromise.
Lumine went into her backpack and searched until she found what she was looking for. With a triumphant smile, she breezed past Xiao and gingerly set her Teapot, her own little Adeptal Abode, on the polished writing desk in the room.
“Well if you change your mind…” she turned to him and beamed. “You can use my abode! It’s private and spacious.” She giggled at the juxtaposition of her statement and its size.
“Even if it doesn't look like it. I promise it's much bigger inside!”
Xiao was startled at the offer. Did she not understand how deeply the Adepti covet their abodes? They were direct mirrors into their very souls. Bared raw and open to all who step foot in them. Even the most social of his kind rarely invited others into their own.
And she was…sharing hers? With him?
He crossed the room to join her and gently, with a feather-light touch, ran his fingers over the Jadeite vessel. Smooth, polished, and brimming with Adeptal energy.
He felt unworthy of the offer and parted his lips to refute her generosity, but when he raised his eyes to hers, he found that he couldn't.
They were so close. A hair's breath between them.
“Are you sure?”
Lumine could only nod in return, not yet trusting her own voice in the soft little bubble they found themselves in.
“Whenever you want.” she breathed. “I mean it. Truly.”
Lumine had watched a small smile, one of those rare ones she coveted, slowly spread on Xiao’s face.
“Thank you, Lumine.”
She went to bed that night feeling lighter than air.
________________________
Back in the present, Lumine blinked the memories away.
She was feeling guilty, knowing how hard this must be for Xiao. He barely ever stepped foot in Liyue Harbor, and yet, here he was walking through the bustling streets in the Court of Fontaine, doing his best to not draw attention to himself.
Not that it was working.
Lumine would never say so out loud, but the pair of Adepti didn't just draw stares for their obviously regal Liyuen appearance. Both Cloud Retainer and Xiao exuded a silent aura of power and strength that left many of the denizens of Teyvat exercising caution in their presence.
Whether it was a conscious thought or not.
She had almost winced when earlier that morning, a man dressed in Fontaine's latest fashion, had physically startled upon seeing the stoic Adeptus and scrambled to get out of their way.
But no harsh glares, nor loud conversations could steer these crowds away. The streets and traffic always seemed to pick up around this time before they thinned out for the evening, and the sudden influx of people rushing this way and that had Lumine moving closer to Xiao to try to avoid being pushed by Fontain’s citizens. Her shoulder brushed against his when a woman walking her poodle strayed a little too close to her other side.
Xiao’s step never faltered, but she saw the way his golden eyes shifted imperceptibly to assess an invisible threat. To judge if her safety was being put into jeopardy.
His arm came around to settle at her waist and pulled her so close that Lumine’s side pressed flush against his.
“Stay close.”
All he had done was turn his head slightly to ghost those words along Lumine's ear. His breath tickled her hair and skin and his scent flooded her senses. Fresh air and Qingxin. A heady mix that shouldn’t stir things within her like it did.
Lumine felt her blood sing to life and pound in her ears. Every one of her senses was assaulted and overwhelmed by Xiao. Despite the air starting to chill around them, being so close to Xiao’s body and her own flushing had her growing considerably warm. She tugged at the scarf around her neck in a vain attempt to cool herself and hoped Xiao would be too distracted by everything around them to notice her very obvious attraction.
It was going to be a long walk.
________________________
Having made their way back to the same hotel Neuvillette reserved for them to conclude their day, the group of travelers sat at a table high on the second level. Being next to the railing that overlooked the first level, their vantage point gave a clear, unobstructed view of the dance floor below.
Over the polished brass railing, the marble tiles gleamed a mirror shine and a string quartet sat at the edge towards one of the corners of the room. A classical melody floated softly through the restaurant.
Paimon had taken the liberty of ordering anything and everything on the menu she fancied and Lumine knew, as she always did regarding her friend's endless appetite, that the bill would be no small amount. Even though mora wasn't an issue for her at this point in their adventures, Paimon still tended to overdue it.
Especially when she knew their companions weren't the biggest fan of the food in general. Cloud Retainer was more willing to try new things and had even found a few dishes she enjoyed, but Xiao had not had as much luck.
During their first dinner together, Lumine had suggested he try Trout Amandine. A simple plate of Trout fried in butter that featured fried almonds. Lumine thought this would be more aligned with his preferences since the spices and seasonings were mild and he enjoyed the taste of almonds, (given his preference for almond tofu). However, he had only taken one small, polite bite before wordlessly sliding the plate to her; his silence speaking volumes.
Lumine had made him a plate of Almond Tofu the moment she was back in her room.
With their table now adorned with all manner of dishes and Paimon and Xianyun engaged in a riveting discussion of whether or not her Supreme Cuisine Machine could imitate Fontaine’s culinary profile, Lumine turned her head and watched the patrons below.
Elbow on the table with her chin resting on one hand, she watched a gentleman stand from his table and straighten the lapels of his waistcoat; brushing invisible dust away. The next moment, he turned towards his companion; a beautiful brunette wearing a stunning dress with curls piled atop her head in a fashionable updo.
He gracefully bent at his waist to bow low towards her. Simultaneously, his left arm swept behind him to rest his wrist at his lower back while his right came in front of him; hand poised upturned and extended towards her in a silent plea for a dance.
The woman blushed and tittered behind her hand before gently placing her other in his and allowing him to bring her to her feet. Together, the couple walked to the dance floor and fell into a perfectly synchronized step.
Lumine smiled softly at the couple below who seemed lost in their own world. Realizing she had been lost in hers, she tore her gaze away and to Xiao. Like her, he had been quietly, intently, watching the dancing below.
"Do you dance, Xiao?"
He startled at hearing her question and blinked before sliding his intense golden gaze to hers.
"I…used to." He responded, weighing his words carefully. "When the others were still alive."
She didn't need to ask who those "others" were. She knew he meant his friends, his found family, the other yakshas he fought alongside and cherished.
“…but…not like that…”
Lumine turned her own gaze over the balcony once more and to the joyous couples below. More having since filled in the empty spaces of the dance floor. Women in intricate dresses and full skirts waltzed with their partners to the music being played. Each pair seemed to be perfectly in sync to the others around them; never faltering and never missing a step nor beat.
She smiled softly. In the countless worlds she and Aether had visited over their shockingly long lives, never had she ever got to take part in a dance like that. A dance where you are held impossibly close by the one you love, falling into perfectly synchronized steps, while the rest of the world fades away until you are the only ones who exist.
To be cradled in your partner's arms like you were something to be cherished.
Had she ever felt that way?
“Do you?”
The question was spoken almost fearfully and so softly that Lumine could have easily missed it over the din of the busy restaurant patrons and the conversation of their table mates.
She brought her gaze back to Xiao’s, gold on gold, and smiled wistfully before using his own words back at him.
“Not like that.”