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Alone, betrayed, confused, exhausted. That’s how she was able to describe how she was feeling.
Lumine regretted leaving Paimon behind. Sure, she knew that Paimon would be well taken care of and fed (to which her wallet breathed a sigh of relief), but her company would have been nice.
She sits outside of Direidyth’s cave, staring up at the night sky, yet again unable to sleep.
She thinks of her journey over the past 4 and a half years, her mind especially stuck on the one thing she’s been unable to find. Her Brother. Twice now, she’s seen him, and twice he turned his back on her (She has this strange feeling she’s seen him once more than that, but she can’t place the memory).
She recalls the journey through the 6 nations she’s visited so far: Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, and Natlan. The experiences she’s been able to have in each and all the friends she’s made so far carry a special place in her heart. Venti, Klee, Shenhe, Gaming, Ei, Kokomi, Collei, Wanderer, Furina, Lyney, Mualani, and Kinich. Just a few of the many people she’s gotten to know over the years. However, a certain someone stands out amongst them all.
Xiao.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding their meeting, they developed a bond that neither thought would be possible. The thought of him brings her a sense of warmth she needed. Unfortunately, outside of the annual Lantern Rite festival, they hardly had the chance to see each other.
They were able to keep in contact with letters, with Xiao’s most recent one arriving a couple of hours before the whole space-time fiasco happened. She hasn’t had the heart to even write a reply. Tears tug at her eyes once again and she gives in, allowing herself to have the mental breakdown she needed.
.
.
.
“Lumine…?” a very familiar voice asks.
Lumine looked up in shock at who she just heard…and is currently standing in front of her.
“X-Xiao…?”
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It was yet another quiet night in the Dihua Marsh. “Almost too quiet,” Xiao mused.
It was well past midnight, and usually the marshes were filled with monsters of all shapes and sizes. Xiao had noticed a decline in the amount of hilichurls taken over by god remains, but never a full on depletion. He suspected that it was due to the sealing of the border of life and death during the past Lantern Rite, but wasn’t sure. Maybe Lumine had gotten herself mixed into Abyss-related shenanigans again.
Lumine….. The thought of her warm smile brings a rare one of his own. When she told of her descent into Teyvat as a shooting star so many moons ago, he believed it because of her sun-like personality, her warmth, beautiful locks…...and there was that feeling again. Rex La-Zhongli had laughed when Xiao originally told him of that feeling whenever he saw, or thought, of Lumine, much to Xiao’s confusion. When the former archon got over his amusement, he revealed the name of the feeling, love.
He had never thought that he could feel genuine love, much less have it reciprocated. As Xiao learned a few mere days later after that meeting, Lumine felt the same way. So, for once in his long life, he threw caution to the wind and allowed himself the closeness of her company.
Xiao regrets that he can’t travel the world with her, but he has a duty to uphold here in Liyue. So, when Lumine returns for Lantern Rite every year, or for any random festival that she hears about even in far off lands, they always find time to themselves. In between, they talk through letters. The rate at which he gets her next letter is usually no more than four days at most since he sent his previous letter.
It’s been a week since Xiao sent his last letter, and he’s begun to get worried about Lumine’s safety. Sure, she can handle herself, and letters from her during her stay in the nation of Pyro have been erratic due to the lasting effects of their war with the Abyss, but she’s never been *this* late. Maybe she had gotten herself into more trouble again.
Sighing, Xiao stands up from the rock he’s been using as a chair for the past 5 minu-, he glances up at the moon,….HOUR??? He really needs to be better about his thoughts drifting off, especially when it comes to Lumine
Before he teleports himself back to the inn for the remainder of the night, Xiao decides to use his Anemo powers to scan for any enemy activity, all is fine....until.
“Crying? It sounds very faint, and…familiar almost like- but can it really? Is it really Lumine?” The theory solidified itself in his head when he realized it came from outside of Liyue…and was a long way off. He decided to follow his instinct and teleported to the source of the crying…..and was then met with the one he oh so adored crumpled in a heap on the ground. The sight broke his heart.
“Lumine…?” Xiao softly spoke.
In response, she lifted up her head, shock accompanying the red in her eyes, “X-Xiao…?” she asked in a broken voice.
That decimated what was left of his heart.
As he went to kneel down to pull her into an embrace, the ground violently shook with a devastating force. It was when flaming rocks started falling down that Xiao realized that they were on the side of Natlan’s volcano (he forgets the name of it).
“Hey Lumi?”, Xiao asked, keeping his voice soft. “I really want to help you, but I need to pick you up and take you inside this cave here so you're out of immediate danger, ok?” She nodded.
After seeing her nod, Xiao cradled her into his arms. He noticed very soon after he started walking further into the cave that Lumine clung on tightly, as if she was afraid of being dropped. Xiao shrugged off that observation as he set her down by the fire pit.
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Lumine almost couldn’t believe he was here.
The sight of her utter patheticness must’ve shocked him, almost as much as she was shocked to see him, in Natlan of all places. “How’d he even know she was here? Why was he out of Liyue when he has a duty to uphold?”
As if in tune to her negative thoughts, Mt. Atocpan erupted yet again in its usual fashion. The feeling of the earthquake beneath her and the sight of flaming rocks falling didn't phase Lumine. However, Xiao seemed extremely concerned, because while he was half-kneeling (When did he kneel down?) in front of her, he asked a question that she couldn't quite hear but she nodded anyway.
The topic of the question was quickly realized when Xiao scooped her up into his arms. Lumine very easily settled into his hold and even felt a sense of relief she hasn’t felt since-
Xiao set her down carefully by the fire pit that she had used to cook a small meal the night prior. She’d almost forgotten how gentle he was inside his rough exterior. Xiao seemed like he was about to ask her a question, but right when he went to speak, she grabbed him into a long-awaited hug, and started crying all over again. Lumine barely noticed how Xiao had tensed at the sudden contact but relaxed into it after a second.
She continued sobbing into the crook of his neck, letting all of her pent up emotions out. She would probably beat herself up about it later, but she’ll let herself enjoy it for now
Xiao did attempt to comfort her, but in all honesty it made her feel worse. “*I don’t deserve this,*” Lumine thought to herself, “Why does he care so much?”
“Lumi….” Xiao spoke, “What’s wrong? What happened?” She backed away just a bit and lifted her head to look at him, worry evident in his eyes. She wanted to start crying again.
“I- I’m tired Xiao.” She sniffed.
“Tired of what?” He replied calmly, though worry was clear in his eyes.
“Everything.”
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He didn’t know what to do.
After Xiao set Lumine down, he sat with her, hoping to get her to talk. When she instead grabbed on tightly in a hug, it stunned him. He didn’t know how to comfort someone.
He relaxed into the sudden hug and let her sob into his shoulder. He figured that was right.
Xiao put his hand on the back of her head, hoping that it would somehow help.
He convinced himself he had to ask; “Lumi… what’s wrong? What happened?”
“I- I’m tired Xiao.” Her reply broke him a little more.
“Tired of what?” His attempts seemed to have failed him, he’d have to ask someone about how to do it properly later.
“Everything.” Her utter defeat shining through, her head falling again to his neck and continued sobbing, the action made his heart feel that ache again.
Xiao wanted to hurt whoever made her feel this way. He’d only seen her like this once before, back when they weren’t all that close. Who or what could devastate the always smiling, literal light of his life?
He didn't know what to do, what to say, where to go, how to comfort her properly, and that thought killed him inside.
The ground continued to shake violently outside. “Maybe the first step is getting her to safety, but where?” He pondered. He could take her back to Wangshu, but there was the risk of them being seen, and he's almost positive she doesn't want unnecessary attention much like him. He didn’t know where she was staying here in Natlan, if anywhere at all. Knowing Lumine, she probably made camp as often as possible; favoring the wilds to people clamoring for her attention. That’s mostly the reason Streetward Rambler crafted and gave Lumine the Serenitea Pot.
...........
Oh how stupid he was.
The obviousness of the realization hit Xiao like a Geovishap. How could he forget the Teapot? The time Lumine spent decorating it was…..well, excessive. When she obtained her first realm dispatch, she presented it to him, and he did spend quite a lot of time there. Every time Xiao’s visited within the past several months, he failed to even catch a glimpse of her, Granted, since she left Liyue for Inazuma on her quest to locate her brother, he hasn’t seen her there at all.
“Lumi, can we go to your teapot? We can talk and rest there, it’d probably be much safer than here anyway.” Xiao cooed, hoping she wouldn't notice the slight tremor in his voice. He needed to stay strong for her. She lifted her head again and slowly nodded.
He picked her up as gently as he could, then he activated his realm dispatch. He noticed that she leaned into him a little when he picked her up, he held onto her a little tighter in response. With a whoosh, that cave in Natlan was uninhabited once more.
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She’d genuinely forgotten about her teapot.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t grateful for the gift from Madame Ping, quite the opposite actually, Lumine just got caught up in all of the shenanigans of her travels since leaving Liyue.
After they arrived in her teapot, she vaguely noticed it was the same as the last time she left. She was too exhausted to notice much about her surroundings. One thing she did know was how warm Xiao’s hold was. When he’d picked her up to come here, she had unconsciously leaned into his hold. He seemed to hold her a little closer after that.
Next thing she knew, Xiao had laid her down on the couch she had in her living room area. He mumbled something and walked away, leaving her stunned. From the direction he went, Lumine supposed he went into her kitchen area. As foggy as her mind was, Lumine figured that he might need help. She forced herself up, despite the protests of her body, and staggered into her kitchen area.
When she entered the room, she found Xiao seemingly fixing a glass of…something. She couldn't quite make out very much, as her vision was as foggy as her mind. Everything seemed to be getting a little foggier by the second, and she was really *really* tired. Unconsciously, she yawned, which seemed to startle Xiao a bit, making him spin around.
He seemed to be talking, but she couldn't quite hear. All she could really focus on was how she was super tired. Almost to the point-
The last thing she knew was darkness, the sound of her name being frantically called, and the touch of the one she most holds dear.
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When they arrived at Lumine's teapot, it remained the same since Xiao had last seen it. As he carried her inside her house, Xiao was reminiscing about the times spent there with her.
He figured that her couch in the living room was the best place to set Lumine down. Looking at her face, Xiao noticed she was very close to sleep. Nearly closed eyes, relaxed and even breathing, unmoving, Lumine was practically asleep already. Xiao thought she was until when he shifted to lay her down, she practically had a death grip on his sleeve.
After gently, and regretfully, removing her hand from his sleeve, Xiao decided to get her, and himself, a glass of water from Lumine’s kitchen. “I’ll be right back,” Xiao cooed, cupping her face with his palm, “Stay here.” With that, he picked himself up and walked as steadily as he could manage into her kitchen.
While he was fixing the glasses, Xiao had to keep himself from breaking down. He knew that yes, his beloved liked to tire herself out and not sleep for one or two nights, however, Xiao also recognized that whatever put her into that pitiful state was not normal. It took a lot to break her joyful spirit, he’d only seen her in a similar mood when she first returned from Inazuma. He remembered getting angry at how she was treated during their civil war, Xiao was even ready to go face down the Raiden Shogun himself had Lumine not stopped him insisting that the situation was resolved.
Xiao didn't realize that Lumine had followed him into the kitchen, not until she yawned, which spooked him more than it should. Whipping around, he saw her leaning against the doorframe, looking ready to fall asleep any minute.
“Lu-Lumine? What are you doing?” Xiao asked, “I thought I asked you to stay where you were?” His concern kept growing and quite frankly, he didn't really notice how she kept swaying back and forth. He also didn’t notice how her eyes were glazed and unfocused…until it was seemingly too late.
Lumine’s eyes suddenly rolled back, and in an instant, she was falling to the floor. Xiao called her name while he instinctively lunged for her, catching her right before her head banged against the ground.
The sudden adrenaline rush wore off and Xiao was left sitting on the ground with Lumine's upper body supported with his arms. The absolute fear and worry that rushed through him in a split second rendered his mind utterly blank. He knew that she was exhausted and was finally getting the rest she needed, but her sudden loss of consciousness worried Xiao deep down.
He spared a glance down to her sleeping form and found himself entranced by her face. Sure he’s watched her sleep before, but each and every time he found himself watching her with a deep admiration.
The next logical step his mind decided on was to lay her down in an actual bed. It’d probably be more comfortable and better on her body than the floor. So, Xiao scooped her into his arms and quietly walked up the stairs into Lumine’s bedroom.
This was not his first time here, she's had many nightmares in the past and has called his name subconsciously (not that he had actually minded). He’s even fallen asleep here sometimes as well, even after she stopped using it as frequently. “Maybe this is part of the ‘love’ feeling.” Xiao paused. He shook that thought off, he had other, more important business to attend to.
Xiao looked down at her peaceful face once more and was relieved that his movements hadn't affected Lumine’s rest at all. He thought back to her face not even half an hour ago now, tear-stricken and distraught. His absolute anger and bloodlust was rekindled once more. He wanted to obliterate anyone or anything that had brought those emotions to her face….even if it was—
Lumine suddenly shifted in his arms like she somehow knew his thoughts were turning dark. Xiao was quickly startled out of his spiral and resumed his previous goal of lying her down and ensuring her comfort. He fretted over her many blankets and pillows to provide said comfort and rest.
Once Xiao had finished with said arranging, he figured he’d stay with Lumine while she slept. He would need to tell Re–Zhongli that he wouldn't be attending his duties for several days. Though Xiao figured the former Geo lord to be alright with it, having tried to get Xiao to take many breaks over the past year or two or three. He considered locating Lumine’s travel companion, but he didn't want to be away from Lumine for too long, lest she wake and be alone, though he doubted she'd be awake for at least several days. He did write a note telling her where he’d gone, just in case. After tucking a loose piece of her hair behind her ear, Xiao quietly whoosed away into the night.
An hour later, Xiao returned to find everything exactly the way it’d been when he left. Not that he’d thought it would be disturbed somehow.
Zhongli took the news as expected, even going as far as to Xiao a whole 2 weeks off. At first, Xiao hesitated, but the former Archon reasoned it might be some time after the Traveler woke up for her to be fully recovered. Xiao had no more words of protest following this, which made Zhongli chuckle quite a bit.
Xiao also decided that the Boss Lady at Wangshu needed to be informed of the situation. Finding her proved to be easy enough, but her fondness for Lumine overwhelmed Xiao. Shortly after, he found himself taking what seemed to be half of the Inn’s supplies back to Lumine’s teapot.
After putting the many supplies away in their various spots, Xiao removed several of his accessories and placed them on one of the tables that were on each side of the bed. Once he was slightly more comfortable, he got into the bed with Lumine and drew her closer to himself. They have cuddled like this before, it started after Lumine was too scared to sleep after a particularly bad nightmare. Her steady breathing lulled him to sleep, and fairly soon after, Xiao slept peacefully next to Lumine.
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Several days later…….
The first thing Lumine woke up and saw was the sight of her beloved Xiao sleeping peacefully in the morning light. For a split second she didn't know why he was there, or where she was for that matter. She was perfectly content just to lay there and enjoy this moment.
That is, until her stomach growled.
Lumine felt her face grow red with embarrassment as she watched Xiao stir from his sleep. His rich, amber eyes quickly saw her now open ones, and before she could even say a word, he gripped her tight in an embrace. It wasn't long before she heard him sniffling quietly and something wet ran down her neck.
In response, she started crying too and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
He then shook his head, “Don’t be,” Xiao replied, voice cracking slightly, “I just wish I figured out something was wrong sooner so I–”
“Shush. You’ve done plenty.” Lumine interrupted. “Thank you for finding me when you did, and for bringing me here. I–”
Xiao interrupted her with a small kiss, which caused both of them to now be flushed. They had rarely kissed before, so Lumine was surprised he’d do it so suddenly, and, unintentionally, she started to cry again, not from sadness, but rather from joy. She knew in that moment that no matter how long it took to find her sibling, she’d have support every step of the way.