Chapter Text
"Oh, come on, it's just a bag of Sunsettias, can we do 100 Mora?"
The shopkeeper scoffed and put his hands on his hips. "It's not like you're on a shortage of Mora, anyway! 300 and nothing less."
Lumine made a face at the shopkeeper before walking off, shaking her head and huffing. If she let herself buy at those prices, it’d encourage other merchants to do the same. She'd be better off picking her own in the wild. The problems of being a celebrity in Teyvat...
"You said 300 Mora?" A familiar voice suddenly pierced the cacophony of the street's hustle and bustle, and the Traveler quickly whirled around in surprise, heart racing.
"Yeah, I'll take it gladly."
Lumine scanned the crowd of people gathered around the shopkeeper's stall and spotted him; a man slightly taller than the locals, a splash of brown hair, a red scarf and a tantalizingly familiar grey jacket. As the man received the Sunsettias from the shopkeeper and turned around, weighing them in his hand, Lumine recognized those deep blue eyes and faintly scarred cheeks.
“Childe?!”
“Lumine!” The Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui smugly waved over as he walked through the morning crowd to her excitedly. Lumine felt a smile creep onto her face unconsciously as she strode over to meet him. “What are you doing here?”
Childe held out the sack eagerly. “I thought you wanted these Sunsettias?”
The Traveler glanced down at the bag of fruit and exhaled a laugh, taking it in one hand. “Thank you. Now that everyone knows who I am, it’s been rough trying to go day-to-day without someone bringing up my status as… You know. You'd think they'd give me a discount or something!”
“Ah, now you know how it is.” Childe tapped her shoulder and gestured her to follow him to the Alchemy Table in the plaza. “You should really consider an alter ego to wear around when you’re in the streets.”
“What, like how the Fatui do it?” She raised an eyebrow at him cheekily and he glanced back, eyes practically glowing with mischief. “Maybe…”
The two of them dropped their bags at the Alchemy Table before Childe leaned over it and began poring over its surface.
“What's the… Thing again? Earth, water, wind and fire… Craft for me what I desire.”
The runes engraved onto the Table’s surface began to hum and emanate a soft, bluish glow. Grinning, Childe snapped his fingers in satisfaction. “Still got it.”
“What are you making?” Lumine scratched the back of her neck.
“Oh, I’m just… Tinkering.” He bit the inside of his cheek as he pondered for a while. “Oh, where’s Paimon? Usually she’s around.”
“Paimon’s spending the day at Xiangling’s. She’s giving Paimon cooking lessons because, uh…” Lumine giggled to herself. “I think you know the rest.”
Childe rested his cheek in his palm as a smile passed over his face. “Ah, I’m almost sad to miss her. But while we’re on the topic of eating, how about a meal? For old time’s sake? It’s on me.” He promised.
“I’ll take you up on that.” Lumine held out her hand and they dapped each other up. “You won’t believe how stressful my week has been…”
“Tell me over brunch.” Childe smirked.
“Oh, you bet, partner.”
"I didn’t know you got a new bow."
"Heh. Had it fashioned for a more powerful shot.” Childe’s irises gleamed as they admired the weapon in her hands.
“Looks heavy…” Lumine traced her finger on its silver frame, admiring the pulsating blue designs etched into its body. “It’s called Polar Star? Look at how thick it is. The draw weight must be immense.”
Childe beamed as he put his hands on his hips. “Yeah, I know, I’m awesome. And cool. And-”
Lumine rolled her eyes and tsk’ed. “Alright, yeah, yeah, we know, whale boy.”
“Whale boy?!” He pressed his palm to his heart and the back of his other hand to his forehead like he was fainting. “Surely that’s not what they’re calling me in Fontaine now, is it?”
“I wouldn’t put it past them.” Lumine handed it back to him, snickering. The atmosphere in Heyu Teahouse was quiet; it was right before lunch time, and the Liyueans hadn't yet started pouring in to have their afternoon teatime. The two were seated in the open air, next to a railing that overlooked the sea between Liyue and Inazuma.
“Ah, it's… I forgot about these.” Childe grimaced as he gingerly lifted a pair of chopsticks off the table. He twirled them in his hands like they were knives. “Still haven't mastered them...”
Lumine suppressed a chuckle as she watched him cluelessly move them around in his hands. “It's fine. You’re lucky you can eat this with a fork.” She gestured to the egg noodles on their plates blackened by the chilli sauce.
“Oh. You know, when I told you to ‘surprise me’, I was hoping you’d get me rice or something.” Childe stroked his imaginary moustache. “What do they call this?”
“Wonton noodles.” “And hey! I’m already trying to get you used to noodles, this is your best bet yet!”
Childe raised an eyebrow as he toyed with his food. “Wanton, like the adjective?”
“What? No! Like the food, wonton!”
“What the heck are you talking about right now?”
Lumine leaned back and folded her arms. “And don't tell me you still haven't mastered the art of using two sticks to pick something up?”
“Listen, okay?” The Harbinger wagged his finger at her while she burst into laughter at his expense. “I just need more time around here. Just you wait, I'll get even better than you at this.”
“Hey, you still haven't told me! What are you doing in Liyue?”
“What, I can't see my best sparring partner?” Childe looked out to the harbor. “I'm just visiting, and I was about to go looking for Zhongli for some sightseeing tips when I saw you.”
“Not plotting or planning anything?” The Traveler shot him a faint, amused smile as she scooped noodles into her mouth.
Childe tapped his chin with his index finger, pretending to be deep in thought. “Hmph. Not this time, it appears.”
“Eat your food.” Lumine warningly pointed to his plate, which he hadn’t touched yet at all. Childe flinched and folded his arms with a face that dared Lumine to try harder. “What are you, my mom?”
“No, but I got you one of Heyu Teahouse’s best dishes, so you better eat up!”
Childe groaned as he leaned back in his seat. "Lumie, I’m so bored! How about we go to the city outskirts and go a couple rounds? I promise I won't hold back this time."
"No thanks, I’m not looking to exert myself today.” Lumine held up her left hand and splayed it out. “See how great I have it right now? No bruises, no cuts…” She rested both her forearms on the table and leaned forward. “I’ve been taking a gap week from adventuring. Just stopping in Liyue to relax and kick back before I get ready to leave for Natlan.”
“Really?” Childe tentatively twirled the noodles on his fork before putting it in his mouth. They sat in silence, Lumine on the edge of her seat as she observed Childe chewing on his noodles, nodding to himself thoughtfully before looking up and carrying on as if his mouth wasn’t full. “Natlan, huh? I can’t say I know too much about the place.”
Lumine pinched the bridge of her nose as she rocked her body to the silent giggles erupting from watching Childe struggle with the noodles. “Yeah, well…” A silhouette in the far corner of Heyu Teahouse caught her eye.
“Is that Zhongli?”