If Only

4

As twilight descended upon the Yaoguang Shoals, the sky transitioned from a vibrant orange to deeper hues of purple and indigo. The sun had just slipped beneath the horizon, leaving behind a soft, lingering glow that danced on the calm waters. The reflections of the fading light created a shimmering tapestry on the surface, while the shadows of the surrounding hills and ancient trees stretched languidly across the landscape. The tranquil murmur of the shoals and the gentle rustling of the bamboo added a soothing rhythm to the serene evening, wrapping the scene in a peaceful embrace. A faint grunting noise interrupted their moment of peace, in the distance they noticed a couple Hilichurl camps which could prove to be threatening if they let their gaurds down at night. Just as Ajax and Astrid were about to head off to get rid of their camps, Paimon reminded them that they needed to relax their muscles and have some food before they went on expending more energy. 

"Can't wait to see you in action again, especially after Neuvillette kicked your butt in front of everyone," Lumine snickered while stretching. Ajax scoffed and replied that he had fought the Narwhal for an entire month straight. Lumine met his gaze and admitted she had been worried when she saw him at the Opera House. She patted his shoulder, advising him to take it easy sometimes. He maintained eye contact, appreciating her concern, and assured her he was taking it easy at that moment.

There was a brief pause as they looked at each other, the evening's quiet settling around them. Tentatively, Lumine reached out, and Ajax followed suit, pulling her into a gentle, hesitant hug. It was a simple gesture, but it conveyed their unspoken support and care. They lingered for a moment, finding comfort. "Let's get rid of those Hilichurls." They waded through the cool, shallow water, approaching the Hilichurl camp as twilight deepened and shadows stretched across the rocky terrain.

As they engaged, Lumine moved with her usual grace, but her attempts to coordinate with Childe fell short. Her precise strikes sometimes disrupted Childe's aggressive hydro attacks, and their misaligned movements caused momentary confusion. Childe's powerful water blasts occasionally pushed enemies into Lumine's path, forcing her to adjust on the fly. The bow-wielding Hilichurl, stationed on a rocky outcrop, became a focal point. Childe's attempt to disrupt the archer's aim was slightly off, causing the arrow to veer dangerously close to Lumine. In a hasty leap, Lumine reached the archer with a rushed strike, her usual finesse faltering as she secured the takedown.  As the last Hilichurl fell, they stood amidst the aftermath, catching their breath. Their struggle for synchronization highlighted the need for better teamwork.

They exchanged a glance and burst out laughing. Lumine fell to the ground as small beads of tears formed in her eyes. "We were horrible!" she said between loud laughs. Ajax's cheeks turned red with embarrassment. He expected them to have a cosmic connection and synchronize seamlessly tearing through their enemy, but instead, their coordination was a mess. As Lumine picked herself up, she saw Childe's look of regret and heard his apology. He expressed his concern over his aggressive approach and the lack of coordination, and it took her by surprise. "It's okay," she said. His feelings for her had only grown in Fontaine and continued to deepen, but he hesitated to act on them. 

The shared laughter and the way she looked at him made his heart flutter. His mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions—he wanted to bridge the distance between them, but the fear of disrupting their growing friendship and differing sides held him back. The blush on his cheeks was a mix of embarrassment and something loving. As he looked into her reassuring eyes, he couldn't help but wonder if this moment might be the first step toward something more, though he was unsure how to proceed. Lumine tapped his shoulder a little more aggressively to snap Ajax out of his daze and told him that they needed to clear out two more camps. "Right, well, the first to take down the purple Hilichurl wins." saying this, he ran towards the next camp. Water splashed behind him with every step he took making her dress wet as she ran to catch up with him.