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

Windblume, Part 3

Windblume, Part 3

The Harbinger was blocking his way to a full recovery. When Alhaitham and Lumine had kissed, a memory flashed in his mind. The two of them were in his house one cold morning. He was sitting on the lounge, reading a book, while Lumine was sitting on his lap sideways, wearing nothing but the oversized tunic she had grabbed from his closet after waking up naked on his bed. She had crawled on his lap and snuggled on his chest, eventually falling asleep. It was a peaceful moment. The Scribe would occasionally rub her shoulder affectionately using the arm that encircled her back and kiss the golden head under his chin as he read the book on his other hand. She woke up at some point and when he noticed, he asked, "aren't you being too comfortable around me?" The Traveler shook her head, her round, amber eyes staring at his face innocently. "I am right where I should be," she said. "This is where I belong." And she buried her face on his chest. The corners of his lips tugged lightly. The memory brought back the warmth of that moment, and he remembered thinking back then how it was possible to love her more than he already did.

Through this, Alhaitham had successfully proven that whenever they touched intimately, bits and pieced of his memories returned. But as much as he wanted to recover all of them with her as soon as possible, he couldn't do it with the Harbinger hovering around.

The Scribe gripped her wrist, making sure none of them were leaving without his word. He tried to pull her to his side but Childe refused to let go of her other hand, leaving Lumine in between two opposing forces.

"The Traveler died and miraculously returned to life recently. Because this event transpired in Sumeru, it is only makes sense that I, the Acting Grand Sage of the Akademiya, should look after her for the time being. I mustn't allow a Harbinger to leave with her alone and do whatever he wants," Alhaitham rationalized.

"Comrade, have you told the Acting Grand Sage," he scoffed at the title, "that it was me who brought you back to life?" He turned to Alhaitham. "I saved her from the Eternal Dreamland."

The Scribe's eyes narrowed. "I don't know what the Fatui eat for breakfast but it must be something that inflicts illness to the mind. Have you become so delusional as to think that you saved her when it was me who did?"

Lumine had enough of their argument. "You two are idiots!" She yanked her hands away from them, effectively freeing herself. The Traveler massaged her wrists as she turned to Alhaitham, switching to a gentler voice. "Alhaitham... I'm sorry... Please be understanding. I made a promise to Childe. I would have to accompany him to this ball if that's what he wants..."

The Acting Grand Sage's gaze softened as she spoke to him. Childe didn't like what was unfolding before him, not one bit. The Traveler was asking for the other's permission as if he owned her. "If he doesn't want you to come then we can settle this the best way I can think of. We can do this through a duel." His vision glowed and water started to swirl around his fingers.

Alhaitham turned to the Harbinger sharply, the softness in his eyes gone in an instant. "So you want escalate this to a physical dispute? I accept." He pulled out his sword and it glowed green from the Dendro element.

Lumine gave up. Even she was pissed. "Please stop this! You two are acting like children!"

The two men blinked.

Alhaitham thought it was nonsensical that she would compare him to a child when all he did was state the fact that he saved her. He only pulled out his sword to defend himself after the Harbinger summoned his own weapon.

Childe thought she looked very cute while huffing and puffing in anger.

"The innkeeper is watching us right now and both of you are embarrassing me." She gritted her teeth and gestured to the old man standing above the stairs at the end of the corridor to her room. The man watched them warily while holding the staircase with one hand like he was ready to run and probably call the Knights in case an actual fight ensued. Some of the tenants from the neighboring rooms opened their doors and popped their heads out to see what was the commotion.