Chapter Text
Xiao has never enjoyed someone’s scent as much as he enjoys Lumine’s. She brings the scent of the stars themselves and of something floral (which he learns later is from the strange flowers decorating her hair), sometimes her skin smells of the summer sun and it seems to do odd things to his head if he isn't careful. He finds comfort and peace from her smell and mourns the days where she is nowhere to be found, either off on another adventure or continuing her search for her wayward brother.
Their first Lantern Rite together after they met was… pleasant. Xiao would probably never admit to anyone but Morax himself that he actually enjoyed Lantern Rite for the first time in his long existence, in no small part due to the company he shared.
He remembered how her golden eyes glittered in the glow of their lantern’s light, her own gaze focused on making sure she didn’t drop it before they sent it off to carry their wishes. He wasn’t surprised to hear her wish for her brother’s safety. He himself wished privately for her safety and hoped for her to return for next year’s Lantern Rite.
As they watched the lantern fly higher and higher- Xiao allowing for Lumine to grip onto his arm; tense muscles gripped by excited and awe-struck hands as she watched the thousands of lanterns follow their own. He felt his neck burn and his fists clench, but forced himself to relax and admire her profile as her face was illuminated by far away lights, making her eyes glitter and her skin glow. He has never experienced the sparkling warmth that filled his chest like a firecracker, heat traveling from his neck and to his ears before he forced himself to gaze at the large deer that took to the sky- it’s massive form elegantly galloping in the air and delighting his companion.
—
Lumine awakes the next day and decides to visit her various companions that live in the city of Liyue- having spent the evening releasing the lantern with Xiao meant that she missed the more eventful gatherings, so she wished to catch up and see what everyone else was up to. Paimon had spent her time with Xiangling and her friends, so that’s where she started her journey.
Paimon continued to speak about the amazing dishes that Xiangling had cooked for their dinner the night before, rubbing her still-bloated stomach and raving about how she got the various recipes she snagged from their friend before the night had ended, a small stack of paper manifesting in her tiny hand before she handed them over.
“Thank you Paimon, I’ll make sure to cook some of these for us while we’re in Inazuma.” Lumine flicked the floating tiara, sending it nearly toppling over before her companion hastily fixed it.
Paimon stomps her tiny foot and crossed her arms, face puffing up in indignation, “Hey! Paimon did something nice for you and this is the thanks she gets?!”
As the irate fairy continued to vent besides her, she notices a familiar figure leisurely sipping tea at the Third-Round Knockout. Steering herself and her friend in that direction, she smiles as Zhongli gestures to the free seats at his table. Paimon’s rant ends abruptly once she notices where they are and waves apologetically to Tian, who was in the middle of a re-telling of the first Lantern Rite.
As the storyteller begins his storytelling once more- seemingly appeased by Paimon’s nonverbal apology- the adventuring duo sit at the two free spots (well, Lumine sits, Paimon just hovers over the seat next to her).
“Welcome, Traveler and Paimon. What brings you two here? Do you wish to also hear about the first Lantern Rite?” He lifts his steaming tea cup to his nose and inhales the scent of green tea, pausing for a beat before smiling teasingly and sipping from the cup, “How was your Lantern Rite?”
Deciding to not mention the sudden change in demeanor, Lumine tells Zhongli about how she chose to spend her Lantern Rite before Paimon tells her own tale, the smile on the former Geo Archon’s lips twitching before softening, “Sounds lovely, I’ll make sure to visit Xiao sometime soon to wish him a happy new year.”
The small group listen to Iron Tongue Tian’s dramatics before ultimately parting ways, Lumine forever puzzled by what Zhongli found humor in before letting the curiosity naturally leave her system as her and Paimon head off to finish their rounds.
—
Their second Lantern Rite together was spent much like the first; crafting a simple lantern together and releasing it near Liyue Harbor. The difference between this one and the last is that his Traveler was late due to the arrival of Beisht- the wife of Osial. Watching from afar as she fought another deadly monster that they failed to rid themselves of during the Archon War was nerve-wracking for Xiao, but he followed orders and waited on shore to see if his assistance was needed to deal with such a beast.
Lumine was beautiful when she fought; her dress flowed like water around her as she dashed into the depths of Beisht’s prison, eyes determined like they always were when protecting those she sees as her friends, hair whipping every which-way as the wind picked up around her. But as he looks at her now; face ecstatic from her victory and hair still wild from the wind, he felt the very air escape his lungs when those bright eyes faced him. She was beautiful no matter what she did- but being here, with him, and looking at him as if he was all there was to direct her bright energy towards was turning his brain to mush and making his heart attempt to escape him to reach for her.
The scent of flowers and stars were carried towards him when she had spun towards him, a physical thing that threatened to make him drop their lantern if he wasn’t careful. Making sure he sets the lantern down on a patch of nearby grass, he straightens back up to face the now-curious Lumine.
“Here.” his hands move before he can react, reaching for her wild, wind-swept hair to smooth some strands down and to tuck a few stubborn ones behind her now-warm ear. Focus solely on his task as to not make things worse. A subconscious smile graced his features as he felt nothing but adoration for the woman before him.
Even though the smile was barely-there, Lumine still catches the twitching of his lips and it sends another stream of electro through her veins, joining the tingling sensation that had started from the top of her head and built the longer Xiao groomed her hair into a presentable state. She had hurried to meet him after the battle, seeing as Lantern Rite had not been canceled, so she had to hurry to make it to their meeting place on time and forgot how messy she can look after a hard-won fight. The embarrassment of arriving just to look like a fool only served to redden her cheeks more.
Xiao finished and stepped back, creating space between them before grabbing the lantern he had left sitting next to them, “There. Do you still wish to spend this Lantern Rite with me?” he tried to ignore how something in him quite enjoyed helping her in such a way, almost purring in satisfaction from the way her natural scent now carried subtle hints of almond and Qingxin. He supported his side of the now-lit lantern between them and waited for Lumine’s response.
Her hands moved on instinct to support her own side of the lantern, hands gentle with the delicate paper used to make it, “Of course.”
They released their lantern a little later than everyone else, but neither seemed to mind as they wished silently. Lumine wished once more for her twin brother’s safety, but added a wish for her companions’ own safety and for them all to have a happy new year.
His eyes never left her image; her head bowed respectfully with hands clasped in prayer as she wished for things so selfless while he stood there listening in, senses tuned to anything related to her and wishing he could be the one to grant these wishes. He wasn’t lying to her when he said Adepti do not have the ability to grant wishes, and he wishes for the first time that he could grant them just to be of use to her.
—
Lumine and Paimon walk through the Harbor like they did last year, silently agreeing that this should be a tradition they will continue for however many years to come, when they cross paths with Yanfei and Ganyu.
The two Adepti varied in their greetings; Yanfei seemed to hold a mischievous air to her that Lumine brushes off as her just not knowing the other woman too well, but Ganyu’s contemplative expression is what made her nearly ask what was wrong.
Paimon interrupts her train of thought with (loud) small talk that helped distract everyone enough to ignore the Adepti’s curious behaviors.
“How is the Teapot treating you?” Yanfei’s chipper voice carries genuine intrigue, “I’ve never had use for one, so I wouldn’t know if you would find any use for it in your travels or not! But, if Granny says you will, then I’m sure you can find some use in it!”
“I’m still working on some of the finer details, but I’ve been enjoying it. Thanks again for your help!” Lumine smiles kindly, tension melting away as they continued to talk about random topics.
It’s when they begin to say their farewells that Yanfei speaks up again, “Well, you should consider inviting people over once you’re ready! I’m sure certain people would enjoy a place to rest that’s away from the hustle and bustle of mortal life.” the legal consultant winks, insinuating something that won’t make since until Lumine is considering her invitation list much, much later.
—
Saying their farewells the night before her voyage is a silent affair; Lumine had brought homemade almond tofu for Xiao as a parting gift and they ate under the stars with a melancholic air surrounding them.
Lumine nearly glowed under the full moon; the flowers in her hair seemed to catch the moon’s beam and her suntanned skin only highlighted her entire being under the stars. Her smiles didn’t seem to fully reach her eyes, and Xiao knows that it must have something to do with the recent commission she tended to in Mondstadt regarding her brother- but if she will not offer this information freely, then Xiao will not push for her to. He could only offer her his company and hope that she can find some peace in it.
The tofu is quickly eaten and they don’t move to end their night early. They stand with the plates still in their hands as the stars draw their attention from each other. Xiao wonders which one she hailed from. In the two years they’ve known each other, Lumine has never offered up more than was necessary regarding her homeland. All he knows is that she came from the very sky they’re standing under, and that she’s been in Teyvat for over five hundred years. The thought of her alone and forced into sleeping for so long is an unhappy thought, so Xiao decides to leave it be for now.
Their scents create a bubble around them both that he bathes in, lungs inhaling deeply and slowly exhaling to bring him ultimate peace. Her mere presence calms him like no other, the purity of her being such a opposing force to his karma that it has no other option but to tame the darkness that taints his mind.
For the first time in two millenniums, Xiao wishes to travel away from Liyue. He wished to protect the one who he holds dear, but as the night grows old and Lumine grows tired, he can only promise to be there for her whenever she calls.
With sadness in his heart and her calming scent bleeding into their surroundings, he sets his empty plate down onto the railing before dawning his mask and leaving her alone with only teal smoke flashing in the space he once resided.
—
Xiao holds on to the memory of her glow while she’s traveling through Inazuma, finding himself staring longingly at the lamps lining the outside of Wangshu Inn; remembering how the light of their lantern reflected so beautifully off of her entire being.
He goes a bit mad trying to find her scent on various wildflowers and stones; his mind subconsciously looking for anything to tie him to her despite the distance between them. He ultimately writes to her on his birthday- a way to connect after his search for traces of her end fruitlessly. Gathering crystalflies and fashioning one in such a way that she could wear it in her hair if she wished to, stuffing the extra flies into a jar for safekeeping before sending the package to her using the wind.
Restless energy still coursed through him, so he decides to continue his patrol further out than he usually goes, striking down monsters and keeping his senses open for any threats of unresolved karma tainting the land he swore to protect. Thoughts of golden-haired travelers and their alluring scent being set aside as he clears out a large Hilichurl camp.
—
The next time he is able to be graced with her presence, she’s standing on their balcony, fairy companion nowhere to be seen and forearms resting on the wooden railing in front of her. Her figure is illuminated by the lantern hanging besides the doorway and the bright streams of moonlight, creating a dreamlike image for him to take in once he manifests a few feet behind her.
Seeing her alive, safe and whole relaxes his tense muscles before he makes the short trip to her side, a respectable distance between them as they gaze at the night-soaked marsh before them.
Lumine turns her head slightly to watch him, sending warmth up his neck from the near-physical feeling that her gaze brings. She seems to study him as he does her, soft eyes and relaxed features that make his heart rate pick up it’s pace.
Finally breaking the growing silence, she says, “I got your present. Thank you, the crystalflies are very useful and I especially liked the hair accessory you made.” She gestures to the luminescent crystal and it’s wings that are nestled between her flowers, secure and taken care of.
Xiao’s eyes have long sense turns to regard her since she began to speak, cat-like pupils dilating when he catches sight of her new hair ornament. The warmth building on his neck reaches his ears and he knows that if it were not nighttime, she would have surely spotted their reddening color. His chest seems to flutter and he subtly grips onto the wood in front of them, the feeling of firecrackers encompassing his fingertips as if they wished to hold, but he practices restraint and faces the marsh once more, “I’m glad you liked them.” his voice is soft and gentle- if Lumine were not already listening for his response, she would have missed it.
Heat travels to her cheeks and she, too, faces the darkened marshes, “I’ll make sure to take care of your gift; I don’t want to accidentally ruin it.” she fiddles with her wrist guards, cheekbones pinkening as she tries to distance herself from this overwhelming emotion taking over her chest. She hasn’t felt this type of shyness before, sure, she’s been shy when meeting new people during her youth, but that was centuries ago! There is no reason for her to be feeling this way when talking to someone she is already friendly with!
“No need. If you need a new one, then I will simply make you another.” his gruff voice pulls Lumine out of her head, carrying assurance and subtle warmth that does not help in her quest to calm her fluttering heart!
In hopes of settling down, Lumine begins to tell Xiao about her recent adventures: The Vision Hunt Decree, becoming Public Enemy Number One in Inazuma, joining a civil war, becoming the Captain of Swordfish II, the political aspects of it all, and how she fought an Archon.
Xiao listens and subconsciously thinks back to how he originally didn’t believe that a mortal like Lumine could have possibly killed the Lord of Geo- and while he still stands by that conclusion- he is not so sure that Lumine couldn’t build her strength up to such a level. He silently thanks the Heavens that she isn’t an evil being sent to eradicate Teyvat.
The moon was high in the sky when her story concluded, Xiao in silent awe at the woman next to him. Adepti do not admire many- if any- people, but if he were to choose someone to admire, she would be the first person he thought of. His body had turned towards her during their conversation, his posture mirrored in her own and they enjoy the silence between them while taking in the other’s visage.
Lumine’s eyelids grow visibly heavy and Xiao decides to be the one to break their silence this time, “You should rest. It’s getting late and I need to tend to my patrols before daybreak.” his voice is softer than he intended it to be, but he finds he doesn’t mind it as the ethereal being before him smiles softly, sleepy eyes apologetic but agreeing.
“Okay, come wake me if you need any assistance.” knowing he wouldn’t need to do such a thing, but also knowing that she wouldn’t leave if he didn’t agree to call for her, he nods before watching as she walks towards the balcony’s entrance. Her scent carries towards him on the breeze that ruffles her scarf and he inhales deeply, nerves further settled as she leaves him behind.
Once he can no longer see her anymore, he turns to look out at the marshes one last time before disappearing in a puff of teal smoke, leaving behind his own scent of almonds and Qingxin flowers to mingle with the last of stars and Inteyvats that permeate the open air.
—
So far, the Chasm was somewhere that Lumine is growing to despise. First, her stupid brother ignores her once more, and how her stupid friend is trying to create a distance that hasn’t been a concern between them in years!
She swears that the next time she sees that stubborn Yaksha, she’ll give him such a thorough talking to that he would have no choice but to believe every word she says!
Her sanity is holding on by a thread, the constant concern for Xiao and the ever-present worry for her brother war in her mind as she sits in the simple camp with her large group. At least Itto and Paimon make for a good distraction, she supposes.
Yanfei makes herself known by shuffling next to her, bending down to set a reassuring hand on Lumine’s tense shoulder, “Hey, we’ll find him, I know it. Now come help me test a theory.”
Xiao dodges out of the way of his brother’s elecro-infused fist, dashing behind him to try and land a hit before shouting out in pain when feeling the skin break on his shoulder. He quickly teleports further away from reach.
As he assesses his situation, he tries not to become overwhelmed with the fear, anger, grief, and pain that has been pressing on him since he spotted his older brother in the midst of his karma-induced insanity. He cannot falter in the face of something that was inevitable. He knows that his kind will all face the same fate, he knew that Bosacius was likely overcome by his karmic debt when he went missing so many centuries ago, but the physical evidence of such a thing is proving too much. Knowing that Lumine is somewhere in this same domain was only adding to his distractions.
“Xiao!” as if knowing that he was thinking of her, Lumine’s voice reaches for him from somewhere nearby, “Xiao, where are you?!”
“Lumine?!” he dodges an attack aimed towards his chest, “Lumine! I told you to leave!”
He blocks another attack, a pained grunt escaping his clinched teeth as his brother bears down on him with two of his arms while the other pair reaches for his throat. Bosacius falls from the sudden loss of something to lean on, quickly turning to face Xiao who is now standing on a raised platform further away.
“Xiao! It’s a maze in here- the Domain is tricking us! We can’t escape.” Yanfei’s voice is louder than Lumine’s was, causing Xiao’s eyes to flick in the direction he heard it, finding nothing but stale air, “You have to find a way to us!”
Xiao watches as his brother slowly stalks towards him, body nearly consumed by the foggy karma that permeates the very air around him in dark purple smoke. He can’t just leave his brother- he has a duty as a Yaksha to end his siblings’ suffering when they entered such a state.
Hands clutching his polearm with renewed determination, he makes to attack when Yanfei speaks up again, “Lumine nearly got hurt looking for a way out! We can’t leave with the way we are now.”
Ice floods his veins and he looks in the direction of Yanfei’s voice, “Is this the truth?” his voice is harsher than he meant, but his worry is reaching unmanageable levels and he needs to make a choice, now.
“It’s true, Xiao, I was nearly attacked by the Abyss.” Lumine’s voice is quiet, but loud enough for Xiao to hear the fear and honest behind her words.
“… How do I find you?” protecting the living comes before ending those who are already dead. His polearm suddenly feels too heavy to bare and he eyes his insane brother warily from his platform. Bosacius is pacing like a feral dog, fangs bared and words uttered too lowly for Xiao to hear, but are said with such a growl that he doesn’t wish to try and hear them.
“You need to follow our voices and force your way through! Enough force should break through to our side and you will be able to reach us.” Yanfei’s instructions are clear and Xiao takes his eyes off of his brother to face the area he heard their voices.
“Xiao! Just follow our voices!” Lumine’s voice sends vibrations through the hairline fracture he can vaguely see forming in the wall across from his platform. Both women keep talking, but he focuses all his remaining strength into dashing across the air above, barely darting away from his brother’s claws before digging his polearm into the fracture. Teal and black energies swirl violently, forcing their way into the crevice before he feels the wall give. He can barely feel how the stone morphs like clay before he’s being spat out the other side. The once clay-like wall turns quickly back into hard stone as Xiao kneels on the floor, breathing heavily and feeling weaker than ever.
Cold hands touch his burning skin and it takes him a moment to recognize them as Lumine’s callused fingers gently helping him up, “Xiao…” her voice is so much sweeter in person and he can only grunt in response as Yanfei comes to his other side, hesitantly copying Lumine by wrapping his injured arm around her shoulder as they work together to walk him to the campsite.
Meditation has always been simple for him; being able to turn off all worldly concerns to solely focus on healing or bettering your cultivation was therapeutic in a way that Xiao would probably never admit to enjoying. But, when the woman who you can’t stop thinking about was sitting before your mediating form, smelling of sun, stars and wildflowers, Xiao finds that he can’t do much but slowly heal his physical wounds. Her scent and presence alone helps him calm his inner turmoil to a manageable level, but he feels guilty finding peace in her presence when he denied her his own since they shared their second Lantern Rite together.
He had heard of the stories of the Unnamed Yaksha since they began, but until recently, he hasn’t believed in them. The recent news of the Chasm reopening after so long, though, reminded him of the story, and so he planned to put these theories to rest by investigating. Alone.
To be fair, he hadn’t believed that the Traveler and her fairy companion would have wished to join him for such an adventure. His trip into the Chasm was supposed to be quick and he wished to have been done before she even knew he went. He should have known she would somehow find her way down here; she drew danger towards her like a moth to a flame. He must have been feeling too hopeful to think that he could get away with venturing down here without her finding out.
Opening his eyes, he finds gold staring back at him. Her eyes seemed tired, hands folded in her lap as she analyzed his features like he holds all the answers to any question she wishes to ask. Her eyes hold a sadness that he has only seen once before- when she had come back from her commission in Mondstadt. Worry painted the lines of her face and she moved her eyes to instead look at his shoulder- now healed and no longer leaking karma. Her hand lifted to lightly graze his healed shoulder, the barely-there feeling of her nails sending a tingling sensation through his entire arm.
“What happened?” her voice is barely a whisper- meant only for them as she moved her hand down his arm and taking a gentle hold of his gloved hand.
“I’ll tell you when we’re out of this Domain.” his tone brokered no argument and she didn’t have the energy to argue, so she just nods before standing, letting go of his hand and letting it drop into his own lap.
—
Lumine was forever thankful for her idiotic and bull-headed companion, his hard head strong enough to break a hole into the wall at the cost of his own energy. Itto might be dense at times, but he was also stubborn and had a heart of gold, so she leaves Shinobu to take care of and lecture her boss while the tense group of five venture further into the labyrinth. Xiao seems to have accepted that he was not going to be allowed to sacrifice himself and stayed in the rear of the group, polearm at the ready for any sneak attacks while Lumine tried to settle down from the emotional roller coaster she just experienced, arms crossed and focusing on the puzzles presented to her.
Puzzles were an important part of exploring, so she studied the mechanisms before her with a trained eye before quickly solving each one. With the three fighters watching her back, she didn’t have to worry about anything hurting her as she lit each beacon.
Once they completed each trial and puzzle, they were left with- what Yanfei and Yelan believed to be- the Fantastic Compass. The device only worked with Vision user energy and Adepti energy, so it was quickly decided that Yelan and Xiao would power it while the rest stood guard. With Itto still knocked out, Lumine helps guide him and Shinobu onto the raised platform before taking her place beside Xiao and Paimon.
Xiao looks to her, eyes apologetic, and she just shakes her head, “Let’s just talk when we get out of here.” she didn’t wish to have that conversation in front of their friends. With an agreeable nod, Xiao turns to Yelan and Yanfei who have just finished their own private conversation.
“Ready?” Yelan’s confident and smooth voice echoed off the stone walls, bouncing eerily back at them while Xiao nods in confirmation.
“Hold on tight; I don’t know how smooth of an assent this will be. I’m sure the Domain will fight back to try and keep us trapped.” Xiao’s voice echoed as well, gruff and stern.
Yanfei pulls out her catalyst while Lumine pulls out her sword, “Don’t worry about us- we will make sure they don’t slow us down.” Yanfei’s chipper voice assures.
With one last glance around to make sure that everyone was ready, Yelan nods at Xiao, “Lets get going.”
The combined power of Adepti and hydro hummed through the mechanism, activating the platform and sending it shooting up. Lumine steadies herself before slicing away at shadows that threaten to attack them, blade cutting and piercing anything that came too close.
Yanfei blasts a few away, flashes of fire warming up anyone too close and scaring away the ghouls, “They’re grabbing onto the platform!” she follows this up by blasting some back, burning their shadowed fingers that tried to get a good grip on the ascending compass.
A large group of them bump into the bottom of the platform, causing the Compass’ occupants to widen their stances to try and keep balance. More shadowy figures try to attack them- clawed fingers reaching out just to get sliced off or blasted back, leaving the sound of ghostly cries and hissing in their wake.
“There’s too many!” Lumine’s voice is a warning that didn’t come a second too late, Xiao’s power flares and sends them soaring higher, Yelan’s brow starts to sweat as she does the same, “Almost there!”
Yelan’s energy wanes and Xiao picks up her slack, “I can stabilize it, just leave it to me.” they make eye contact, a silent conversation passing between them before Yelan nods and gives up control.
Xiao’s teal energy flares brightly and the platform shakes. Ghouls grab onto the edges, claws sinking into the floor and creating cracks in the already unstable elevator, “Xiao!” Lumine’s voice is frantic, eyes landing on Xiao’s mask that covers his face from her frightened gaze, “No!”
A crack form on his mask- something she’s never seen happen before- and as his energy builds higher, it fully shatters, leaving her to witness his mournful expression staring back at her. Gold eyes meet amber, concern meets acceptance, fear meets an unspoken apology, before the platform shatters and Lumine is teleported out of the Chasm’s Maw before Lumine’s outstretched hand can make contact with Xiao’s shoulder.
Knowing that he did what he set out to do, Xiao accepts gravity’s embrace as he falls, jade strands of hair framing his view of the Chasm’s exit, sun rays reaching out to him in a futile attempt at saving him. His eyes close as his karma surges; sensing his nearing demise and welcoming him with it’s freezing claws.
Golden light suddenly pierces his eyelids, causing him to take a peek at what could be causing the abnormality. Energy he was familiar with wraps around his being like silken rope, cradling him like a babe in their sling, before he feels the warmth of the sun heating his back. Eyes that remain unseeing stare at the yellowing grass, gloved hands touching dirt that was too hot, and the scent of stars and flowers hits him like a wall before he registers arms wrapping around his neck.
When his shock finally calms down, he grips onto Lumine like a lifeline, red-lined eyes finally registering her golden hair that takes up half of his vision and the sight of their companions nearby doesn’t matter when he’s alive, whole, and safe inside of his star’s arms.
His hearing slowly picks up on Lumine’s breathing, how it’s far too quick and frantic. He moves a hand to the back of her head, gently combing through her hair as his other arm draws her impossibly closer by the waist. He’s vaguely aware of everyone making plans and leaving them alone, but he only had his attention on the slowly-calming woman in his arms.
“You can’t leave me too.” he would have expected her voice to be louder, maybe angry, but she just sounds tired. Her body goes limp in his hold and Xiao hides his face in her hair.
“I’m sorry.” he subtly rubs his wrists and cheeks on her back and head- a calming gesture that was meant for them both, but probably only calmed him. His instincts were going haywire; adrenaline fading until all that was left was the urge to comfort and be comforted.
“Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.” Lumine finally pulls back, face red and eyes puffy, but Xiao could only think about how unfair it is that she was able to steal his breath even after crying into his shirt.
“Okay.”
—
Before Lumine and Paimon left for Sumeru and the Inazumans left for Inazuma, Xiao was coerced into attending a dinner with them all- with the stipulation that he didn’t stay too long, of course.
Yelan had important business to attend to, so it was just Itto, Shinobu, Yanfei, Paimon, and Lumine who he had to share a meal with. Of course, he’s shared meals with Lumine and Paimon before- they usually invited him for a small gathering at their camp for the Traveler’s birthday. Xiao, of course, didn’t ever see the appeal with parties or birthdays, but he still attended for the Traveler’s sake. All this to say; Xiao was not prepared to be in such a social setting with mortals. Yanfei and Lumine not included, he guesses.
“It will be okay. If you need to leave, then we won’t hold it against you, but we would all appreciate your attendance nonetheless.” and how could he say no to that? So, begrudgingly, he had accepted. Now he’s here, between Lumine and Yanfei, regretting every life decision that led him here.
“Little man! It’s good to see that you’re still kicking! Did Lumine tell you about what Ushi said? He’s a very intelligent bull!” it looks like the Oni was going to summon his cow companion before Shinobu quickly snatches his wrist,”Ow ow!”
“No animals inside the restaurant. You know this.” she releases his wrist when she’s sure he won’t try to summon Ushi again, “Now behave.”
Yanfei giggles at the scene before her, hand covering her grin, “Sorry, Itto, but I don’t thing they would appreciate cows inside.” she turns to Paimon, “Have you ever had trouble getting into establishments? I would assume people would confuse you for some flying object.”
Paimon stomps her foot, “Paimon is not an object!” she crosses her arms before looking away, “I’d like to see them try kicking Paimon out!”
Itto laughs, “Jeez, Flying Lavender melon! She was just joking!” he reaches across the table to poke her arm, only causing Paimon to become even more upset and they fall into a loud argument.
Xiao was not cut out for this. Body tensing, his hands fist in his lap as his eyes dart to the nearby door. Before he can make a decision, he feels a warm hand encompass his colder one and he immediately calms.
“You okay?” Lumine’s voice is hushed so that their companions don’t hear and he appreciates the effort.
“Yes.” his eyes find her own and he relaxes further. When she’s this close, her scent is able to reach him and he would be embarrassed by how much it affects him, but he can’t gather enough energy to care at the moment.
With on last squeeze, Lumine lets him go and turns to pay attention to the evolving argument across from them. His attention is brought to the voice calling his name and tries not to tense when he realizes everyone’s eyes have turned to him, “What?”
“I said, did you get Ushi’s message?” Itto’s sass raises Xiao’s heckles and he has to remind himself that even though Itto is an Oni, he is also Lumine’s friend.
“Yes.” When he gives no further insight, Itto groans dramatically and leans closer, body nearly covering the entire table, “What are you doing?”
“Is that really all you have to say?! Come on! Was it inspiring?! Did you appreciate it?!” The man’s energy was akin to that of an excitable toddler and Xiao mourned the peace and quiet that he was enjoying earlier this morning.
“Yes.” was his short reply. Lumine covers her smile to his right and Yanfei outright cackles to his left. He tries not to take offense.
“Bro! Yes, what?” Xiao almost enjoys the Oni’s exasperation. Almost.
“Yes, I appreciated it. Yes, I found it… inspiring.” he coughs slightly, feeling a bit too vulnerable in the current setting.
Itto crosses him arms smugly, nose high in the air, “There! Was that so hard?”
Yes, Xiao thinks, but does not say in fear that the man before him will cause a bigger scene than he already has.
Lumine seems to take pity on him and changes the topic to Beetle Fighting, which the Oni carries on talking about up until they get their food. Shinobu and Yanfei talk about legal jargon, Paimon and Itto talk about the best way to roast a lavender melon, and Xiao tries to enjoy his tofu and ignore Itto’s concerned glances at his plate at the same time.
Lumine watches as her friends mingle and feels a sense of calm wash over her; it’s not often that she can gather friends from different nations and see how they interact, so seeing how these various personalities clash or meld is fulfilling in a way.
She situates her chopsticks into her right hand rest to her left on Xiao’s unoccupied hand. He jumps at the sudden touch, but calms when he realizes it’s just Lumine and relaxes into her touch. Yanfei’s side-eyes don’t go unnoticed by Lumine, but she brushes it off. They’re not doing anything wrong, so she’ll enjoy the comfortable atmosphere she’s surrounded in and eats her noodles.
—
It’s later, after everyone had already parted ways, that Yanfei find Xiao near the harbor, “When are you going to tell her?” humor and a subtle seriousness pin him in place, her own scent of raspberries and green tea spiking to display what she means. Xiao steps away from her, the raspberry tickling his nose too much, “Scenting someone without telling them is problematic, Conquer of Demons.”
If this feeling of being cornered and slightly fearful is how her opponents feel in a debate, Xiao pities them, “I’m not scenting her.” the second the words leave his lips, he knows he’s just lied, “I have no claim on her.”
“You’re right- you don’t have a claim on her- so why, prey tell, does she smell of almonds and Qingxin?” she steps closer, scent now blown away by the breeze to clear the air around them, “If you weren’t scenting her, then why does she smell like you?”
Xiao has never felt so backed into a corner before, “I-” he bites his lip, chewing on any words that threatened to leak out.
“Conquer of Demons. Lumine deserves to know that you’ve been subtly threatening everyone she’s been coming into contact with who can smell you on her.” she backs away, arm unfolding to tap sharpened fingernails on the legal book sitting on her hip, “I can easily make this a bigger issue if you don’t settle this soon.” then she turns, posture straight as she confidently walks back towards the light of the harbor.
Xiao releases a breathe he didn’t know he was holding, watching as the fellow Adeptus’ form disappears in the crowd. He was so screwed.