Dark Secret

Chapter 1: Coma

Lumine awoke with a throbbing headache. She groaned.

"LUMINE! YOUR AWAKE! YOU SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH!" a high-pitched voice said.

"Oh... hey Paimon... wha-" she started coughing very hard.

"You... you've been stuck in a coma, so you can't talk right away... Paimon go get some water and brings Zhongli and Childe. They've been helping me take care of you."

Lumine's eyes widened as she heard Childe had been willing to take care of her.

Shortly, Paimon came back with water, and Zhongli and Childe walked into the room.

"Sorry... I didn't think of the consequences." Childe apologized.

Lumine ignored him. "How long have I been out?" after drinking her water.

"Four weeks and a half now. If you had still been out for another two days, it would have been five weeks." Zhongli stated.

"Thank you for your assistance. If you and Paimon could leave for a second to have a word with Childe... please?"

"Yes, not a problem. Paimon, let's leave them to talk." The two left the room, as Paimon complained to Zhongli about how she was hungry. (She always is...)

"So..."

"Explain."

"What?"

"I WANT EXPLANATIONS NOW! WHY IN THE NAME OF THE ARCHONS WERE YOU THINKING?! RELEASING THE OVERLORD OF THE VORTEX?!"

"Lumine, you know I was just a pawn in all of this! I did what I was told, and if I didn't, you know what would have happened?! I would get into a lot of trouble with the Tsarist and my family could get hurt! Just like you, I have siblings! If one of them gets hurt, it's my fault, because I work for the damned Fatui!"

Lumine's eyes widened at what she had just done, and how Childe had snapped. "...Sorry... I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It's just... frustrating. I get caught up in these different situations that I'm not even supposed to get involved in, but... I am always willing to help anyway... especially after encountering what I saw a long time ago..."

"What did you see?"

"It's nothing. But... I have a contract."

"Oh? What's the contract you have for me?"

"I know you enjoy sparring with me... so after I get better... I want to get to know your life more... so in exchange..." she shifted. "I'm seriously going to regret this, but we'll spare at least once every month."

Childe smiled. "I accept! Looking forward to our spares each month once you get better~!" Childe grinned.

"Wipe that stupid smirk off your face and help me get up. I want to test something."

Childe offered his hand and helped Lumine up. "Careful!" He said as she stumbled a little.

"Sorry... just a bit dizzy."

She walked over to the balcony of the bedroom and opened and pushed the curtains away. She admired the sight. "Nice view from here... now... I wonder..." she summoned her sword to hand.

So... if this is what it means to get to know you more... then I'm willing to accept it.