Genshin Impact | "The Last Night in Aaru Village" | Alhaitham x Lumine

A Force in Teyvat, Part 7

A Force in Teyvat, Part 7

"It's Childe!" Paimon exclaimed.

He was standing on top of the ledge beside her. He dropped below, boots pressing down the grass. Turning to the Traveler so he could see her properly, he said, "not that I'm spying on you, comrade. I happened to spot you just now. Looks like my luck is finally coming back." He studied her face and noticed her eyes and nose were red. "Have you been crying?" he asked, astounded to witness her moment of weakness.

"No," Lumine answered at the same time as Paimon said, "yes." She narrowed her eyes at her companion who didn't know how to take a hint.

Paimon zipped her lips.

"I have a severe case of colds these days," Lumine lied.

"You were crying," Childe confirmed despite her excuse. "I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I know when a woman cries. What happened?"

"It doesn't matter," Lumine said after rubbing her eyes to remove traces of tears. "But what are you doing here? I thought you'd be back to Snezhnaya."

He crossed his arms and noted her intent to change the topic. "I needed to confirm that you're alive by seeing you with my own eyes before reporting back to the Tsaritsa. Though, I'm really not lucky around Sumeru. I got lost again as I was heading back to the city, goodness." He shook his head in frustration. "That aside, I can finally breathe in peace after seeing you. Maybe I'd even get a promotion... the sixth Harbinger spot is still empty."

"Paimon doesn't know if she should congratulate you for your future promotion as a Harbinger. That doesn't sound right," Paimon said.

"I won't, but I should still thank you properly for saving me. Thank you, Childe..." Lumine said awkwardly.

"Ah... No need to be so formal, comrade," he gave her a small smile.

"No, I'm serious. You saved my life," Lumine said. "If there's any favor you want, a commission I can do for you for free, or maybe a free meal in the Tavern, you name it. I'll grant anything you want... as long as I can do it, of course," she offered lightheartedly.

"Hmm... I'll think about it. But that is a promise, right?" Lumine agreed. "Okay. Now, what I'm more interested to know is what happened to you just now. Were you crying because of your brother?" he asked as he propped his hands on his waist.

The Traveler realized he was never letting the subject go but she had no reason to open up to him. He wasn't exactly a close friend. She gazed at him quietly as his ginger hair and the sash tailing down his shoulders swayed from the breeze, unsure if the man was worried for her or simply curious. Lumine tapped softly at the ledge beside her. "You can sit her, Childe."

"I get the privilege? Thanks," he said, delighted as he sat next to her like they were good friends. His eyes traveled down and observed how his thighs touched the side of hers.

"I'd rather not talk about who are what made me cry... It's not like anything will change," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"But it might make you feel better," Paimon said which elicited a sharp look from her companion. She zipped her lips again.

"Paimon is right," Childe spoke. "We might not find the solution to your problems but it can make you feel better if you share some of your burdens to your friends." He gazed at her as she stared at her outstretched legs, heels pressing down the grass. The redness of her eyes and nose had gone down but her cheeks were blushed. He was tempted to brush his fingers over them but stopped himself knowing it would make her angry.

She didn't say anything, so he continued to talk. "If you'd rather not talk about it, we can just spar. I do that when I have lots of thoughts running in my head. Helps me think straight and see what I might've missed..."