ChiLumi - Crimson Tides of love

48

The soft morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Lumine's room, casting a warm glow that danced across the walls. She stirred awake, the gentle rustling of sheets bringing her to consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, and she took a moment to adjust to the world around her, wrapped in the familiar cocoon of her blankets.

As she rolled over, her gaze fell upon her pillow. There, nestled beside the plush fabric, was a single red rose, its rich petals glistening with dew droplets that caught the morning light. A smile unfurled on her lips, chasing away the remnants of sleep as she reached out to pick it up, its soft fragrance filling the air around her.

Lumine held the rose delicately between her fingers, admiring how its beauty reflected the care Childe had for her. Their lives were so often entangled in chaos, with his duties as a Fatui Harbinger keeping him busy and often away from her. She understood the demands of his role, knew that the responsibilities he bore were heavy, yet it never ceased to warm her heart to know he thought of her—even in the midst of all that.

With a gentle sigh, she sat up in bed, allowing the sunlight to wash over her. She had often worried about the path Childe had chosen; the life of a Harbinger was fraught with dangers and uncertainties. But moments like these—little tokens of affection that reminded her of his commitment—made her heart swell with warmth.

Lumine brought the rose closer, brushing her fingers over the petals as if searching for some hidden message. Was this a promise? A reminder that despite the swirling storms of their lives, his heart would remain tethered to her own?

Setting the flower carefully on her bedside table, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. The soft rug beneath her feet was comforting, grounding her as she thought about Childe and the adventures that awaited them. She would not let her worries consume her; instead, she would cherish these small yet profound moments between them.

With a newfound determination, she walked toward the window, pulling back the curtains to reveal the vibrant landscape outside. The world of Teyvat was alive with possibility, and she would embrace it, knowing that Childe would always return—just as he had when he left this rose.

Lumine glanced back at the flower, a smile dancing on her lips. "You're always sticking around, aren't you?" she mused softly to herself. The sunlight kissed her skin as she took a deep breath, ready to face whatever the day had in store, knowing that love—like the rose—could brighten even the darkest paths.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a soft glow across the mist-laden streets of Inazuma, Childe stood atop the wooden balcony of his temporary residence, gazing out at the tranquil view. The serene atmosphere felt foreign to him, a stark contrast to the raucous energy that usually surrounded him back in Liyue. Yet, there was a calm determination in his heart as he prepared to take care of his harbinger duties, his mind a whirl of strategies and outcomes.

The ocean breeze whispered through the trees, mingling with the distant sounds of a city slowly waking. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to breathe in the scent of salt and sakura, a reminder that every nation had its own rhythm, its own pulse. But beneath this calm facade lay the ever-present weight of responsibility that the Tsaritsa had placed upon him.

His musings were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoing against the wooden walkway. Childe turned, his keen senses picking up on the approach of another as they crossed the threshold into his view. It was a Fatui agent, their face obscured by a dark mask, but their posture suggested urgency.

"Harbinger," the agent spoke, the words clipped and authoritative. "I bring a message from Snezhnaya."

Childe raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. "I hope it's not bad news. I was hoping for a quiet dawn."