An Adventure for Two || XiaoLumine

Planning

It has officially been the month's wait prescribed by Dr. Baizhu. I wanted so badly to see her, but I could not bring myself to go. Over the past few weeks, I have been around Liyue. Accomplishing my duties as an Adeptus and then retiring to the Wangshu Inn for the nights. Today was another one of those mindless days. I was mid-battle with a group of hilichurls when I heard something. Someone was calling my name. It didn't sound like a distress call, but someone needed me, nonetheless. I teleported nearby to find the director, aimlessly waving her arms in the air and yelling my name. I stood behind her.

"What is it, Director?"

"Oh, goodie! I found you!" She spoke. "I need you to follow me."

"To where?"

"You'll see!" She grabbed my hand and dragged me in the direction of the Inn.

She hummed this strange tune the entirety of the way there. We arrived at the Inn, and she told me I needed to go to the balcony urgently. I wasn't sure about the sincerity of that. She seemed excited for me to go up to the balcony. I rode up the elevator to the highest level and climbed the stairs to the top. She was there.

"Lumine?" I said softly.

She turned to me, smiling. "Hey, Xiao." Her voice was still a little weak.

She walked over to me. I couldn't resist anymore. I ran to her, gripping her into a tight hug. She let out a sharp gasp and I instantly dropped her. She fell to the floor.

I bent down quickly. "Lumine, are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It was just a little tight."

"I'm sorry." I helped her to her feet. She giggled as she stood.

"Something wrong?"

"No." She kept my hand and walked back toward the balcony. "I like it here."

"I'm glad," I spoke. "Where's your little white friend? I thought she was always with you?"

Her expression darkened. "Oh, I didn't mean to-"

"No, it's fine." She sighed. "I'm pretty sure Paimon is still in Inazuma. I'm planning to go back there soon. I need to finish what I started with that Shogun and rescue the citizens."

"You can't..."

"But I have to."

"Lumine." My tone was darker than what I wanted. "You cannot go back there. You almost died the first time you went. I'm not letting you go back."

She turned to me, seemingly offended. "Xiao, I'm sorry. You can't make that decision for me. I'm going back."

I sighed. There was no per swaying her. I'd seen this before when she left the first time. 

"What can you eat now?" I asked her.

"Just soft things. Like noodles and soup and things like that."

"Want to have dinner here? I think they're lighting lanterns in the city tonight."

"For what?"

"Not sure."

"I'd love to stay the evening with you."

She turned to me, taking my hands. Her eyes looked like gold, sparkling in the evening sunlight. She got closer, flitting her lashes at me. I understood her and closed the gap. The rest of the evening went by in a haze. We ate on the balcony together while watching the lanterns float into the sky. We sat together until past midnight. Holding each other in the moonlight, wishing it could stay that moment forever. I turned at one point to find her asleep in my arms.

"I love you, Lumine." I whispered.

So cheesy ;-;'