Far From Home

"...Is this really appropriate?" Lu asked the host, Captain Beidou, as he received the drink she was offering.

"It's fine. This doesn't happen too often. Plus, don't you think we have a great reason to celebrate right now?" She laughed in high spirits.

Night came as the Captain of the Crux Fleet told everyone about the good news. As such, the whole crew joined in on the celebration.

Naturally, she didn't give them the complete details, nor how she got the treasure map in the first place.

"Look over there. Even Kazuha didn't reject the idea completely." The pirate pointed to the young man who was enjoying himself at the hull of the Alcor.

"So, everyone is participating... If thats the case... Wait! Surely you did not-" Yes she did...

"Luuu~! Don't be such a party pooper and join me here~. Here you go!" Lumine arrived carrying a big mug of beer in each of her hands.

"But I already have one... See?" Lu replied while raising his.

"...Too bad then~. I guess these are both mine now." She took a quick glance at Beidou for a second before responding.

"... Will she be fine?" The captain whispered to the deity.

"Don't worry. She's tougher... and older than she looks."

"I see... Then I'll leave you two to enjoy yourselves! Don't hold back!" Beidou remarked, then walked towards the other crew members that were waiting for her.

...

"Where's your partner, Lumine?" Lu questioned.

"...Paimon? Dunno... She's probably eating her fill somewhere as usual. Ehehe~." She giggled cutely.

"Are you drunk?... *Sigh* Hand one of it over." He offered to take one of her drinks.

"Don't wanna~. Didn't you say that you have one already?" The blonde rejected.

*Glug* *Glug*

"Oops, it's gone now~. Hand it over, Lumine." Lu drank it all in one go, and ordered.

"You want it? Then you'll have to take it~." She stuck out her tongue.

*Fwoosh* A breeze surged on her feet.

"Really, Lumine? You're gonna use the power of the elements for this?" The deity wryly smiled.

"Afraid to lose, dear Master~?" The drunk blonde provoked.

"Okay then... I'll make quick work of you." He fired back with a smirk.

...

The two trespassers played tag around the ship for a few minutes before a winner was decided. As for who this winner was... Surely, I don't need to point it out...

...

"Haahh... Haahh... You've been defiant as of late, Lumine. Should I teach you a lesson~?" A slightly tired Lu stated.

"...Haahh... Hmm... Show me what you got~." A sweaty and exhausted blonde grinned.

"..... Let's find a place to rest. Don't move a muscle." He carried her by the back, and walked around.

"Haa... There should be an empty table at your right. Take me there..." Lumine, who was being piggybacked, demanded.

"Yes yes... Now shut your mouth. Your breath stinks..." His jab was returned by a smack on the shoulder.

...

"Excellent work, my servant. You may now put me down." She said smugly.

"Why is this even here?..." Lu uttered as he let her go. He looked around only to find an endless sea.

"I heard from one of the crew that Beidou likes staying here occasionally for the good view. Good taste, I must admit." Is she sober now?...

"No wonder there's only one seat." Lu remarked.

"... It can't be helped. Take a seat. I really need something or someone... to rest my back on right now..." Lumine gestured.

"...Sure." He sighed while resigning to his fate. Letting the blonde rest on his chest.

...

"...Lu..."

"What is it?" The man inquired.

".....Can... Could you join me on my journey?" Lumine asked while staring at the ground.

"I can't. I have my responsibilities in Inazuma. Maybe from time to time..."

"..... I see... I'll be looking forward to it." She gripped her hand, putting a bit of pressure on the deity's leg.

...

"Lumine... Lumine."

"...Hmm?" Hearing her name get called made her snap back to reality.

"... Why not just join mine?" He asked in a serious tone.

"Okay."

"That's quick..." Lu chuckled.

"Hehehe~!" The blonde simply giggled.

...

"Then... does that mean?!" Lumine realized what had occurred and looked straight at him.

"Yeah." He nodded at her enthusiasm. In which she responded by hugging him tight, something he didn't refuse.

Lu merely surveyed the night sky, and watched as small waves hit the Alcor every so often.

"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦..." The deity reckoned in his mind.

The few hours of celebration and enjoyment seemed like a few minutes for him... And it was most likely the same for her too.

"You should sleep, Lumine. It's already late. And you're drunk." He suggested to the blonde clinging onto him.

"Ehehe~..." She was still in her own world to actually hear what he said.

"Listen to me~. Sleep. Now." Lu pulled her by the cheek and ordered.

"Okay, okay! Jeez, I'm having a moment here, can't you see?" Lumine complained.

"Yeah, yeah. Now rest." He rolled his eyes.

...

"..... You won't leave?" She asked while staring at his eyes ominously...

"I won't."

"...Fine. Good night." The blonde whispered before slumping down in his arms.

"Sweet dreams, Lumine. Rest assured, I'll take care of Paimon."

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, Paimon... I'll leave it to you..." It didn't take long for the maiden to fall asleep.

She must've some comfortable pillows...

***

(Lumine's POV)

I woke up to the sounds of blades clashing. It must have been happening for a while now. My rest was simply that satisfying to wake up this late in the morning.

"Right... We were currently at Beidou's ship." I mumbled to no one, while getting out of the bed I found myself in.

Being full of energy, I burst out of the room and followed the sounds of battle.

It wasn't really that hard to point out the location since most of what you'd hear here would be the sound of the voyage, or the crewmembers, chatting with each other occasionally.

...

"Ah! Good morning, traveler!" Paimon greeted me. Yet for some reason I couldn't hear it properly as I was focused on finding someone else.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked them. Unknowingly focusing on one person.

"Oh, you're finally here, Lumine. I was just helping these two spar as a morning exercise. A small lesson, if you would." Lu answered as he pointed at the Captain and Kazuha... Why?

"I already accepted his proposal, Lumine. Wanderer as I may be, Inazuma will surely be a place where I can belong." Kazuha added, after parrying a strike from the ferocious pirate. Why?...

"Times when a genuine god can provide guidance is basically a miracle. So we're accepting it to the fullest before this merchant here, leaves." Beidou said- Leave? Who?...

...

I was too stunned to speak that the duel ended before I could collect myself.

Since it was nothing but a spar, there was really no winner... Or maybe both of them won if they really got something from his guidance.

"Thank you really, for the warm welcome Captain Beidou. I'm looking forward for your exploits. You too Kazuha, I'll be waiting eagerly for the time you go back to Inazuma to restore your clan's Isshin Art." I heard a familiar voice giving his farewell. Why?

The two also said their goodbyes, yet I couldn't even hear it as a question continuously rang in my head.

"Lumine... Are okay Lumine?"

"W-Why are you leaving?" I asked in a broken voice. I can't even afford to look him in the eye.

"No no. You misunderstand, Lumine-." I lunged at him before I could process everything. Not expecting him to just take it and embrace me right after...

"Seems like you're still half-asleep Lumine~. Is your beauty sleep really that good?" Wha-

"Meet me back in Inazuma in three days. I still have one more thing to settle there before we leave for our journey~." His teasing voice soothes me weirdly enough... At least my mind was cleared with it.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me-" I hurriedly apologized to make up with what I'd done.

"Shh. Bye bye for now~. I'll be looking forward to our adventure to the land of ice." He left... He really left... But not before I felt a soft sensation on my right cheek...

Eh?

...

Eh?

"Woah! Even the wind didn't notice such an enormous change. Congratulations." I heard Kazuha's cheerful remark.

Did he really?

...

Ehhh?!!!

"I'm happy for you, but be careful around him, Lumine. He seemed like a playboy to me." Beidou warned me.

"I know that!!!" I covered my loud mouth immediately for running on its own.

"Feisty, I approve of it! As long as you know what's good for you." No! Don't laugh... Please!

I don't know what expression I have right now, but my heart is pounding like crazy. I hope I have a proper smile...

"Wha!!! What's happening?! What did I miss?!Am I dreaming right now?! Please tell me I am!!!" I heard my former partner, Paimon, losing it.

Hehehe~

***

Two chapters tomorrow since we reached our goal this week!

I hope you enjoyed this lengthy conclusion for this arc, for now.

***

Don't forget about the powerstones! Let's go for 250 of them this time for a bonus chapter.