Dark Secret

Chapter 8: Big Brother

A/N: Hehe! I finally got a positive, long chapter into here! Hope you enjoy what I got planned! (Grinning like sly Miko.) To be truthful, Teucer's words always had a huge impact on me, because I realized, lies are real, whether they're meant as a joke or real. I take Teucer's words to heart, even though he's probably younger than everyone who even plays Genshin, but sometimes, even the young have words that show a lesson.

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"Um... Lumine, why does it look like there's a little kid in front of that Ruin Guard?! The kid's gonna activate it!" Paimon pointed to the figure.

Hearing 'kid', and 'Ruin Guard', Childe and Lumine looked at where Paimon was pointing. When Childe saw the child, his face instantly turned snowy white. "Teucer!" Childe called out, as he moved forward to the child. "Put away your weapons." Childe hissed at them just as the little boy turned to see who was calling his name.

"Big Brother!" the child's face shone with happiness. "I finally found you! Come see what I found!"

The trio cautiously approached the Ruin Guard. "Teucer! You shouldn't be here!" Childe proclaimed.

"I saw a boat selling toys, and I thought you might be on it so I looked around but you weren't there. Then I went off the boat and saw Mr. Cyclops!" the little ginger-haired boy pointed toward the Ruin Guard. "It's a life-sized one too!!!"

Lumine took a side glance at Childe. Childe hesitated. "Lumine, why don't you and Paimob take Teucer around Liyue Harbor While I finish making some of the toys I didn't finish making, and also finish the surprise while I'm at it?" suddenly he hissed softly to Lumine, "I mean your commissions. While you're in front of my little brother, call me Ajax. I'll explain everything later." he looked at Lumine pleadingly.

"Okay, Ajax. Come on Teucer, let's go have an adventure!" Lumine planted a big, kind, smile on her face.

"H-huh? Wh-"

"Right Paimon?" Lumine continued to hold her big kind smile but gave Paimon a death glare, and Paimon gulped down her words.

"Uh... y-yeah! Let's go, Teucer!"

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Later...

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"Okay, I'm full now. Can we go see Ajax now?" Teucer's eyes were wide open.

"We have to w-"

"Teucer!" Childe's voice cut Lumine's response off. Childe slowly approached, looking a bit tired in Lumine's eyes, but the tall ginger man hid it well.

"Ajax!" Teucer ran over to his brother and hugged him.

"How was he?" asked Ajax looking up at Lumine.

"Miss Nice Lady was kind and bought me a lot of stuff!" Teucer spoke for Lumine.

Lumine giggled. "Now, now Teucer, no need to go spilling out three different words for my name. Call me Lumine." Lumine looked at Ajax. "...You spoil your brother, ya' know?" giving a little annoyed look.

Ajax stared at Lumine then burst out laughing. "That's family for me!"

"Big Brother, I wanna see the surprise!"

"Off we go then!"

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Teucer gasped at the sight. "I-it's a Mr. Cyclops toy factory! And they're all life-sized!"

"Okay, Teucer. We're going to play a game of hide and seek, okay?" I want you to count to 20."

"Okay! 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6..."