Xiao and Lumine - Part 6: Where the sun shines

Xiao could hear Lumine calling for him, and as much as he wanted to teleport down to her, he couldn't. When she had kissed him, and… touched him, it had awakened feelings in him he never thought he would experience. And while something in him wanted it, wanted her, he knew he couldn't. He had already let it go too far, and no matter how much he wanted it, he knew it couldn't last.

      "Xiao?" Lumine's voice was closer now. He heard her walk onto the balcony. He was sitting on the top of the roof, hidden from her sight. "Where is he?" Paimon asked. Lumine sighed. "I don't think he's here anymore. Let's…" Lumine's words faded as she and Paimon went inside again. Xiao's heart was screaming for her, but it was also beating fast with fear. The thought of Lumine leaving made his heart ache. He just wanted to scream.

      "Lumine." He jumped down from the roof. She was still there, on her way down the stairs. "Xiao." Her voice when she saw him was filled with relief. "Where did you go?" Xiao didn't respond at first but then he nodded towards the roof. "I'm sorry," he said. Lumine took his hands, and gently squeezed them. "You don't have anything to be sorry about," she said. "Maybe I was too forward…" Xiao shook his head. "No."

      Lumine looked at him, her face blushing. Xiao realized that Paimon was there right next to them, looking at them with a questionable look. "What exactly happened between you two?" She crossed her arms, as if to tell them to spill their secrets. Xiao blushed too, looking at Lumine for help, but Lumine just laughed. "Paimon, can Xiao and I have a moment to ourselves?" Paimon looked displeased. "You better tell Paimon what's going on!" she said, flying away and giving them space.

      "I'm sorry if I stepped over your boundaries," Lumine started, but Xiao quickly stopped her. "You… didn't." He looked into her eyes as he tried to find the words to explain everything. "When you… we… were laying in bed, you made me feel things I thought I would never experience. And it made it all so real. You showed me something I never thought I could have, and it was there, right in front of me. And it scared me. Because no matter how much I want to be with you, I think we both know I can't. And you can't either. Your journey. Your brother. That should be your priority. Not me."

      He looked away. Lumine reached for him, her hand gentle as she touched his cheek. "Xiao," she whispered. "It was always you. It will always be you. Don't try to make me change my mind about this. About you. About us. I want this."

      "But my karma," he whispered. "Eventually it will be too much. It will consume me. I don't want you to see me when that happens." He looked away, but Lumine gently pulled him closer. "For better and for worse," she whispered into his ear. "I will always be here. Always. I know you're afraid of the impact of your karma, but I'm not. I'm willing to take the risk. For you. For us. You can't change my mind about this."

      Xiao sighed. He knew that she was right. When Lumine put her heart and mind to something, nothing could change that. It was a fight he couldn't win. He twirled her hair between his fingers. It was smooth as silk and the feeling of it soothed his mind. "Okay," he whispered. As soon as he said those words, he felt infinitely lighter. As if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He let Lumine embrace him, let himself fall into her, let the feelings for her rush through him.

      Finally he could allow himself to feel, to… breathe. For the first time in thousands of years, he could feel the air fill his lungs. Could feel his heart beating faster when he thought of his love for her. Was this how it felt being alive? Was this how it felt to be wanted? To be loved?

      He could feel Lumine's breath on his neck, sweet and warm. "Stay with me," he whispered into her hair. "Stay with me forever." He could feel her lips on his neck as she kissed him gently. "Always. I'll talk to Zhong- I mean, Rex Lapis. I'll have him bless your departure. Come with me to Fontaine. Join me on my journey."

      "You know I can't do that. Even if I wanted to, I can't leave Liyue." Lumine took a step back and looked up at him. "Just let me talk to him. I'm sure that your promises – all your promises – are fulfilled." He smiled at her, knowing that this was another thing he couldn't take her mind off of. "Okay," he said. "But for now, please just stay."

      He led her towards his room. "Are you sure?" Lumine asked as he lifted her up and carried her to the bed. He nodded. "This is what I want. You are what I want. What I always wanted." He put her down on the bed, and started kissing her, gentle at first, then harder, faster. "Xiao…" Lumine whispered. He looked at her. She opened her arms to him, and he allowed himself to drown in her hug. Her heat was like radiating sunlight and filled his heart with a warmth and calmness he hadn't felt since the day in the desert.

      Lumine's heart was beating fast, it was racing against his. "Can we just stay like this for a bit?" she whispered, and her words made the butterflies in his stomach flutter. He buried his face in her neck, and for the first time in two thousand years, he allowed tears to escape from his eyes. She didn't say anything, just gently stroke him on the back, over the hair, and let him silently cry his heart out.

      They stayed together the whole day and night, hugging, kissing. For so long they had longed for each other, but fate had seemed to keep them apart. For the first time they could finally be allowed to be together, to hold each other as they had always wanted, always wished for. When the next morning came, Lumine got up early to prepare for her travel to Liyue Harbor. She turned towards Xiao, he was still in bed, looking at her.

      "I still don't like you leaving," he said. Lumine smiled. "I know. I'll only be away for a few days. While I'm there on business, I also want to catch up with my friends." She walked towards him and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. He kissed her back and put his arms around her. "Don't go," he whispered, holding her tight. Lumine laughed. "Xiao… I'll be back." He reluctantly let her go. "Just… be careful." Lumine gave him a reassuring smile. "I can take care of myself."

      "I know. But still… be careful."

      "I will. I promise."

      Lumine opened the bedroom door and headed outside. Xiao could hear Paimon in the hallway, her voice unhappy. "I hope you had a nice night," he could hear her say sarcastically. He smiled as he heard Lumine chuckle. Their voices faded as they walked down the hallway until he couldn't hear them anymore. He sighed and stood up. He had neglected his work for a full night. Who knew what dangers lurked around the roads? He should head out soon too, making sure the roads were safe.

      He teleported up to the roof and got the full view of Liyue. Even though he had guarded this place for over two thousand years, he was still amazed of the beautiful landscape that unfolded in the morning sun. And now, it was even more beautiful. Finally he had found his peace, and in a way, his freedom. Knowing this, acknowledging this, made a calmness wash over him. And when Lumine returned from Liyue, everything would be perfect.