If Only

5

Lumines eyes widened slights and cheeks blushed as she look away from him. "Did he figure it out?". Her mind went blank as she shut the world out trying to think of an answer to salvage the hole she dug herself into but Ajax's voice pulled her back into reality. "So, what is it that you're trying to figure out?", he smirked glancing at Astrid. A long pause later he smiled, "You are close enough for me to trust you to meet my family." He stood up and walked towards her, closed the gap between them and continued, "I still don't know what you mean by family, Astrid." He sat down beside her, their hands almost touching, never breaking eye contact with her for even a second. His smile was kind but carried a hint of mischief. 

The blonde lady finally broke the silence by asking what he meant by family. His smile widened as he explained. "I'd take you home and introduce you to my parents, Teucer and Tonia. I'm sure they'll like you." Lumine giggled and replied, "I already know Teucer thinks I'm more fun to hang out with than you.". Ajax laughed and moved his hand closer to Lumine, his cheeks bright red, he wasn't even hiding it at this point. Although he was sitting close to the traveler, there was still quite a bit of distance between them, just in case. 
"I really like you too you know."

"As family?"

"I like you as the type of person who could become family."

Having said that, Ajax got up and extended his hand towards Lumine. The stars were still glittering in the sky and the fire shone incandescent light on them. He pulled her closer, standing only a few inches apart. Lumine's mind began flooding with questions and thoughts- why was she attracted to a Harbinger? She pulled away from him harshly and rubbed her arms like she was hugging herself. Without a word she turned towards the tent and slept beside Paimon. Seeing her walk away like that, Childe stood there with his face buried in his hands, he did it again -he had made her uncomfortable.

He slumped on the mat where Astrid had been sitting trying to push the thoughts from his mind. He looked around for any monsters but the shoal was just as calm as it was when Lumine was there with him. He lied down on his back with his arms on his abdomen, gazing at the beautiful stars, he missed his home land and the beautiful aurora borealis lights dancing in the sky. They were bold and beautiful just like Lumine, he thought. A smile crept on his face as he continued to watch around for any signs of danger. 

Two hours or so passed since the incident, Tartaglia's eyelids were getting heavy so he got up and walked towards the tent where Lumine was. He peeked in and saw her sleeping peacefully and couldn't bring himself to wake her. He saw how her gorgeous blonde hair framed her face and how those beautiful flowers in her hair added a delicate touch. With exhaustion taking over his body, he settled beside Astrid. He could smell her scent as his head was close to her neck, instinctively, he wrapped his arm around her and fell asleep. 

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As all three of them were packing up their camp, Paimon sensed the awkward tension surrounding them. The late morning sun bright light over the waves that gently lapped against the shore. The rhythmic sound of the waves was soothing, but it did little to nothing to alleviate the unease among the two.
Paimon had woken up early and saw Lumine and Ajax curled up together while they were asleep. Shocked by what she had seen, she pretended to continue sleeping to avoid the uncomfortable and awkward situation. "So, Paimon was wondering what todays' plan is?" she awkwardly chuckled looking at Tartaglia. He kept the folded mats in a bag and told Paimon that him and Astrid are going to find the four ruined guards next. Lumine looked at him in utter disbelief tightly holding the folded blankets in her hand. Ajax noticed Lumine's incredulous expression and reminded her that she agreed to the plan back in Liyue Harbour. "That was before I knew we'd have terrible coordination!".Childe's face was a study in frustration and irritation as he spoke. "I'm sorry I couldn't guess your next move, Astrid," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm but carrying an undertone of hopefulness. "Maybe I'll figure out how to fight alongside people eventually."