Dark Secret

Chapter 13: Don't Leave Me Yet

Clutching a small wooden box in his hand, he knocked on the door of Zhongli's home. Zhongli looks up from his paperwork.

"Enter."

The ginger haired young male entered smiling. One hand clutching the small wooden box, and the other waving, he greets the amber-black haired man. "Xiansheng!"

"Ah. Tartaglia. Take a seat. What brings you here?" Zhongli promptly stated, returning to looking at the papers in his hands that he held.

Childe grabbed a seat across from Zhongli at his desk. "So... what's up with the Traveler these days? One moment she's all cherry and everything, the next, she's avoiding me."

"Did you two have a disagreement again?"

"No, at least I don't think so..."

Zhongli narrowed his eyes. "Really? Then... is it because of her departure?"

Childe jumped up from his seat. "Departure? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Zhongli could only sigh. "So she still hasn't told you."

"Shut it with the acting like you're from a Sumerian light novel! What the heck are you talking about?!" Childe snapped.

"She'll be leaving Liyue for Inazuma in a week's time."

Childe froze.

Of course. How could he be so stupid? All of the hints had all always been pointing towards Inazuma. Paimon and Lumine constantly looking worried, looking for a way to get to Inazuma. Even when doing commissions with him, they would still be talking about traveling.

"From your expression, you had no idea."

"No shit old man! Why the hell do you think I'm here, huh?!"

Zhongli finally looked up from his work. "Her boat will be leaving tomorrow. I suggest you try your best to find her before then. She has already said farewell to all of her friends. I would think it's just you by now."

Childe grit his teeth, clutching the wooden box in his hand. "When does her boat leave again?"

"Tomorrow at 12 PM sharp."

Childe was about to punch something before he reminded himself to take a deep breath. "Thank you for your help again, Xiansheng."

Zhongli smiled before looking down at his paperwork again. "Catch her and I'll consider it as your thank you."

Childe flashed him a faint smile before opening the door of the office, and stepped out of the office.

Zhongli looked up from his work, staring at the door. "Good luck, Tartaglia. I have faith that you will catch up to her before she leaves."

"Ehhhhhh~~! Old man~! Did you help me finish up those papers that I gave you to work on?"

Zhongli could only sigh. At least Childe would have his adventure in Inazuma. He was stuck in Liyue for the time being having to deal with a coupon obsessed boss.

A/N: The chapter after this one will be the last chapter of this book sadly. But remember this is a series! That means that there's still many adventures ahead for Chilumi! Enjoy the last chapter of this book, and some sneak-peeks I've got in the story for you~! (Credit + Author's Message is included free of charge!) Bonus points if you can guess what's inside that box Childe is holding~! {Sorry for the short chapter...}

Chapter 14: In the End, I'll Never Forget

"Heyy! Lumine! Come on aboard! We'll be leaving in a few minutes!" Beidou greeted her aboard, walking past Lumine and Paimon.

"Lumine, are you sure you're okay? You look like you haven't been getting much sleep these days." Paimon flew around her worried.

"I'm fine." Her voice cracked with exhaustion. Red rings surrounded her eyes, dark black circles under her eyes were very obvious, the bags under her eyes were just as visible.

The deck of the ship was just one more step. Just one more. Lumine forced herself to take that step. That one step made her shatter into a million pieces. Tears rolled down her face, and she looked away from Paimon to quickly wipe away the tears, making sure Paimon didn't notice. Golden hair shadowing her once bright, now dull eyes, she forced herself not to look back. Not to remember. Yet she did so anyway. Liyue would always hold the most important place in her heart. Everyone here.... The memories she made with them.

The memories she made with Childe.

How he saved her from getting caught by the Millith, and how he introduced her to Zhongli... the Battle of the Golden House, the deal between her and Childe after waking from her coma, their countless battles they shared, and how he caught her by the pool singing. Memories of everything, even the bad, mixed together.... all of them undeniably precious to her.

She stumbled, and Kazuha quickly jumped down to catch her, Lumine whispering a quiet thank you, before going to the side of the ship, looking at Liyue.

"Hoist the anchor!" Beidou cried from the helm.

The screech of the heavy and huge chain lifting the anchor and the sound of the sails unfurling to catch the wind ranging around them.

'This.... Is this the last chapter? Is.... this-'

"Lumine!!!"

Her eyes grew wide in disbelief as she turned around to look up at the top of the pillars of the stone forest. A figure running at the top before jumping down with a glider to glide to her.

"No.... no, it's all a dream..." sh thought her heart, slowly pieces its way back together, with hope. Her legs started moving on their own, breaking into a run.

"Lumine!" The shout was much clearer as the figure approached her. What the person did next, confirmed Lumine hopes and deperations, as the figure did his infamous plunge onto the ship deck.

"Ajax! You...." her voice faltered, as the ginger haired harbinger came over to her. The crew around them began readying their weapons at the known fact that it was the very harbinger that released the Overlord of the Vortex upon Liyue.

"Ojou-Chan, you forgot this." Childe said, pulling out the small brown box and handing it to her.

Lumine took it, curious and opened the box, not believing her eyes. Her hairpin had not only been repaired, but now had small jewels to replace whichever jewels had been destroyed while in Scaramouches possession. "Childe.... My hairpin..... Thank you...." she breathed under her breath.

Childe gently patted her head, as he touched the pin from the box, and placed it in her hair. "You always looked better with it on and it seemed that you quite liked it." he hummed as his hand drifted held her chin up. Lumine started into his deep azure eyes with a smile that was pure happiness. "But also how could I let you run off without taking me with you?" he whispered softly into her ear.

"Does this mean... you're coming with us?"

"You bet!" Childe grinned, lookin at Lumine, playfully pulling her close with a playful and confident grin despite the clear blush on his face. "Besides, it seems you stole my heart Lumi, and as long as I'm still around, that's not allowed."

She grabbed the harbingers scarf, yanking it hard, as Childe panicked. "You stupid idiot of the Fatui!" she screamed, as she kissed him between sobs. "You stole my heart as well, so it's only fair that I took yours! In the end, make sure to never forget that, you hear me?!" she sobbed, hugging Childe.

Childe's eyes brightened with pure delight and happiness as he pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her. The ship, vanishing into the bright sun of the afternoon, bright blue skies, and crisp white clouds filled the sky. But everything for Lumine and Ajax, nothing else existed in this moment as everything seemed to be drowned out to a barely audible white noise around them.

Nothing else would ever replace this moment.

Nothing.

Fini.

A/N: Aria, sorry for stealing! I will repay you anyway possible for this, but I really had to put this out there! ALL CREDIT (Well.. majority) GOES TO ARIA SNOW!!!!