ChiLumi - Crimson Tides of love

46

The sky above Inazuma was ablaze with hues of orange and pink, the sun descending slowly behind the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Lumine sat cross-legged on a grassy knoll overlooking the water, the gentle sound of the waves creating a calming backdrop. She gazed at the scene before her, lost in thought, while the distant silhouette of the Sakura trees framed the view.

Beside her sat Childe, his crimson hair catching the last rays of sunlight as he stared into the distance. He wore a relaxed smile, but inside, waves of anxiety crashed against the walls of his heart. He could feel the cool metal of the engagement ring in his pocket, an object of hope and fear all at once. With a shaky sigh, he shifted his weight, trying to ground himself in the moment while reckoning with the whirlwind of feelings that accompanied his decision.

Lumine glanced at him, noticing the slight tension in his stance. "You okay?" she asked, her voice gentle, harmonizing perfectly with the sound of the soft tides.

He forced a bright smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, just thinking about...stuff," he replied, trying to downplay the rush of emotions swirling within him.

She raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced, but let the topic drop. Instead, she focused on the sunset, reveling in the brilliance of the colors as they melded together. It was one of those rare moments where time seemed to slow, where the world faded into nothing more than the beauty of the moment shared between them. Her heart swelled at the sight, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Childe fidgeted, his fingers playing with the edge of his pocket. It felt both liberating and terrifying to hold something that symbolized lifelong commitment. "What do you think about sunsets?" he asked, somewhat more abruptly than he intended, trying to divert his mind.

Lumine turned her head to him, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "I think they remind us that endings can be beautiful. Each day comes to a close, but there's promise in every sunrise that follows. It's a cycle, and sometimes, it's comforting."

Childe took in her words, allowing them to settle in. He had seen countless sunsets in his travels, each one reminding him of fleeting moments and lost times. But now, sitting beside Lumine, he contemplated a future sunset—one that might include her by his side, not just as a friend, but as something more.

Yet the weight in his pocket felt heavier than ever. What if she didn't feel the same? What if he ruined this perfect moment by confessing something she wasn't ready for?

He released another sigh, this one heavier than the last. Lumine glanced over again, concern weaving through her gaze. "You can talk to me, you know," she said softly. "Whatever it is... you don't have to keep it to yourself."

Taking a deep breath, he met her shimmering gaze. Childe felt his resolve waver. The sunset bathed everything in warmth; the world felt alive with possibilities. In the warmth of that moment, courage began to bloom in his chest.

"Lumine," he started, his heart racing, "there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about. Something important."

Butterflies danced in Lumine's stomach, and she could sense the shift in the air around them. The beauty of the sunset felt almost sacred, and for a split second, everything felt right.

"Tell me," she encouraged, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with sincerity.

Childe took a deep breath, his fingers brushing against the ring in his pocket, and for the first time, he allowed hope to supersede his fear. "I think..." he paused, searching her eyes for signs of encouragement, "...I think we should make promises to each other—about the future."