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"Anything Columbina can do for you, I can do better."
It was a memory that haunted her often in the days preparing to face Dottore. Not because she had ever considered joining him; he disgusted her.
What did Dottore think he could offer her? His power? It wasn't like she needed it. She was plenty powerful by herself. Even more so with Aether. It wasn't as if Lumine was friends with Columbina to gain the power of a moon goddess, either.
Was that it? He thought he could offer his "friendship?" Some twisted version of love? As if. Columbina would never be replaceable. It wasn't as simple as substituting one for the other—Lumine could not and would not feel that kind of bond they had with the man who had trapped Columbina on her way back home.
It hurt a little bit. A lot, actually. She would never come first to Columbina. After all she had been through in Teyvat, Lumine understood, more than anyone, wanting to go home. But she knew that that home would not include her.
…
"It's beautiful," said Lumine. "I didn't know this was possible."
"Before, it wouldn't have been," Columbina said. "I was only able to open this pathway because the true moon is now within the false sky."
"Hah, you'll have to take the kuuhenki up here too," said Lumine. "I'm sure they'd love to see it."
"You know them well. I had planned on it. But for now, let us enjoy this time together."
They sat in silence, watching Teyvat. Lumine had never realized the areas she had journeyed were so vast. Either that, or Teyvat was a very small planet.
She leaned her head on Columbina's shoulder. "How does it feel," she asked, "to be home after so long?"
She didn't answer for a moment. "Now that I am here, it feels… peaceful. I was so unsure of what this place would be like. If it would be worth separating myself from those I now see as friends. But I think… I think this is my home. And I think Teyvat is also my home."
She paused, seemingly lost in thought.
"Traveler, do you consider Teyvat your home?"
Lumine thought. It was difficult to say. After all that time she had spent searching for Aether, she had certainly wanted to depart from Teyvat. Find him, and leave. But now, she was starting to understand why he'd refused to abandon the people he'd come to see as his own. There were people here dear to her now as well.
"Yes. It's home."
Columbina hummed contentedly.
"You should call me Lumine," she said, the words rushing out of her mouth. She'd kept the Traveler alias in part to distance herself from the world below. But she no longer wanted to do so.
"Lumine?"
"It's my real name. I… no one in this planet calls me that. But you should. My brother does. He's home to me, and now… I feel like you are too."
Columbina turned to her; smiled. It was still odd seeing her eyes opened. But Lumine smiled back. This was a special moment, after all.
"Lumine. It fits you."
Lumine laughed. "I couldn't imagine picking a different one."
"Are you… unhappy? When they call you Traveler?"
"No. But it's not my name, either."
Columbina reached for her, wrapping her in a hug. She almosy didn't know how to respond—Columbina? Making the first move? But she shook herself out of it and hugged her back.
"I'll miss you, when you're up here," whispered Lumine.
"I know. It's quite peaceful up here, but I don't think I could stay a long time. I would consider you my home as well."
"I'm glad you feel that way," said Lumine, relieved. Wishing the lump in her throat that had formed would go away. "I don't think I could keep going if you left forever."
Too, she left unspoken.
"I wouldn't. I'll be by your side, and if not that, I'll watch over you from the moon."
"And I'll keep watch for you on the ground. You'd better… send signals, or something."
Columbina laughed. "I'll send signals, and even some just for you. You need have no fear of me abandoning you."