[part 1] [part 2] [part 3]
“Childe invites Lumine to the annual Snezhnayan holiday dedicated to the Tsaritsa. There, she meets his entire family, and all the conflict that comes with them.”
hey all sorry for the delay in update my brain went brrrr the past few days LOL :’)
[Fic Masterlist]
“ice fishing” (pt. 4)
The town square was bustling with various food stalls and merchants as the family weaved through crowds of celebrating Snezhnayans. Childe carried Tonia while Teucer held Lumine’s hand; Anthon held Teucer’s other hand, and Lumine and Childe’s hands were joined in the middle. Misha stayed a few steps behind them. Alexei decided to venture out to the countryside, alone, and Feliks and Galina remained at home.
Childe had his face obscured by his red scarf brought up to his nose, along with a winter hat, as he wanted to avoid recognition as a Harbinger around his younger siblings.
Lumine stepped in closer to Childe. “I can feel Misha’s disapproving glare burning into my skull,” she whispered.
“Yes, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her satisfied with anything in the world,” he whispered back.
Teucer tugged on Lumine’s hands. “Look at those toys, Lumine!” he said, eyes set on a colorful stall displaying various dolls, stuffed animals, and other children’s knick-knacks. The group stood in front of the stall, and the children ogled over the bright colors and playful patterns.
“Children, I think you have enough toys already,” Misha said. “I think it would be better if you found something more practical to buy.”
“It’s Lyublyu,” Childe interjected. “It’s a time for festivities; whatever they want, I’ll get it for them.”
The older sister turned to him. “You spoil them too much, Ajax. How are they supposed to learn and grow up if you keep babying them?”
His eyes narrowed. “They’re children, Misha. Let them have their fun and dreams.”
Misha frowned, turned, then walking away.
I have to know if she’s working with Alexei. Without a second thought, Lumine started following her.
“Lumine! Where are you going?” Childe called out behind her.
She turned back, only to see her view of Childe and the children become swallowed up by the intense crowd shuffling around her.
She cursed, turning back to where she saw Misha’s back receding. Guess I have to follow her now…
Lumine’s tiny frame was jostled around as she tried her best to push through, keeping Misha in sight. The crowd thinned out at the edge of the town square with only a few people dispersed around. Lumine started to pick up her pace to catch up to Misha.
Suddenly, a tall, blonde man stepped in her way, obscuring her view.
“You don’t look like you’re from around here,” he said with a smile.
“I’m not,” Lumine answered simply, moving to get around him.
He stepped in her way again. “You look very beautiful.”
Great, a creep. “I’m in a bit of a hurry,” she told him. This time, she moved quicker and got around him.
But he grabbed her wrist and stopped her. “Let me take you out, darling.”
No, allow me. Lumine charged up Anemo energy in her hand, blowing his grip away. In his shocked state, he stumbled back a bit, where she conjured Geo energy to pull up some stone and tripped him. He fell on his back.
“What the—?” He looked at her, a mixture of fear and confusion, then got up and scurried away.
Lumine let out a sigh. The sound of a sword sheathing turned her around.
Misha stood there, hands on the hilt of her sword. “And here I was, ready to help.”
“You were going to help me?” the traveler asked.
“Perhaps,” Misha said. “But it seems like you’re strong enough to handle it on your own.”
“Oh, uhm, thanks,” Lumine responded awkwardly. Did she…did she just compliment me?
“So, why were you following me? Did Ajax send you?”
“No. I wanted to ask you something.” Lumine took a deep breath in, then looked Misha in the eyes. “Why are you here?”
A scoff. “Why am I here, at my own home?”
“Why did you come back? Childe told me you left.”
“Did he now?” Misha took a step closer to Lumine. “And did he tell you why?”
“Your mother got sick. You didn’t want to deal with her weakness. Or your father’s.”
“She’s running out of time. And so is my father. They’re shells of who they used to be.” She clenched her sword’s hilt. “I left to train. To learn. So I could come back and raise my siblings properly.”
Lumine crossed her arms. “I would say Childe is doing a much better job than you are.”
Misha’s jaw clenched. “Teaching them a false reality of the world? That the world is made up of glittering childhood dreams and endless toys? That the world is always kind, no matter what?” She grimaced. “No. That only teaches them weakness. And then they’ll be like our mother and father: weak, empty shells.”
The traveler frowned. “You don’t think children deserve those dreams? You’d rather shatter their illusions of the world?”
Lumine and Aether hadn’t experienced normal childhoods, no experiences of motherly or fatherly love. Misha wasn’t wrong: the universe could be a cruel place, full of people who wanted to hurt and lie and steal and break—betrayals, heartbreak, blood. Lumine knew that firsthand. But if she could stop someone from going through that, going through what she went through, she would.
“If it makes then stronger,” Misha’s expression hardened, “then yes.”
And what was her strength? Where does my strength come from?
She closed her eyes and imaged a vast, endless sea of clouds. Of the air whistling past her as her wings flapped. Seeing one beautiful world after another. With one person by her side. Aether.
She saw an ocean, felt the misty spray around her, heard the metal clanging of blades. She tasted sweet love and felt power—respect—flowing through her veins. Gloved hands and an illuminating smile. Childe.
Strength. Love.
“It’s easy to hate,” Lumine said. “It’s harder to love in the face of evil. Your parents are strong, Misha, not weak. They have so much love for you and your siblings, no matter what.” Her hand hovered over her chest. “Anthon, Tonia, Teucer…they will be stronger with love and kindness. Not by shattering their childhood dreams.”
“This is love,” Misha said, her voice as sharp as a knife’s edge. “I love my siblings enough to make them strong enough. So they won’t have to suffer when the world decides to bite down on them, to feed on them.”
Lumine stepped closer to the elder Snezhnayan. “You’re making them suffer now, Misha.” Another step. “They’re just children. Let them be warm, let them have their innocence. You’re right here to protect them. Childe is too.” She held out her hand. “And I will be here too.”
Misha looked down at the outstretched hand, her own hands still hovering her sword’s hilt. She then took a deep breath, and grabbed Lumine’s hand. But, instead of shaking it, she yanked her closer until their faces were inches apart. What—?!
“You…You defeated Ajax?” Misha asked, her voice low.
“Yes, I did,” Lumine replied, ignoring Misha’s vice grip on her arm.
“He’s a powerful Harbinger. He’s been fighting for a long time, since before he was even a teenager.” Misha’s eyes narrowed. “And you, a mere traveler, with no vision, bested him in combat?”
“I did.”
Misha’s mouth twitched like she was about to laugh. “If there’s one thing I admire about Ajax is his limitless strength—his absolute power. How masterful he is on the battlefield. And yet…you beat him.”
“And I could easily do it again.” As my powers return more and more…
A pause. Then, a laugh. An actual laugh from Misha? “I can see why he likes you, traveler.” Her grip on Lumine’s arm loosened a bit. “Perhaps what you say is right. Your strength…it doesn’t come from cruelty.” Her icy blue eyes seemed the softest they’d ever been.
“Thank you,” Lumine said, overjoyed she had won Misha over.
Suddenly, a hand came down between Misha and Lumine, splitting their hold. Childe stood between them, an obviously fake smile plastered on his face. Anthon, Teucer, and Tonia stood to the side, confused.
“Oh, sister Misha, what are you doing with Lumine?” His voice sounded sickly sweet. “If I didn’t know any better, it would appear like you’re trying to steal her away from me.”
Misha readjusted her gloves. “If she was so easily stolen from something like that, she would’ve been mine long before you intervened.” She had a tiny smirk on her face.
Lumine’s jaw almost dropped. Is this…Is she joking?!
Childe’s hands flexed, ready for a weapon. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you joke, Misha.” Another fake smile, his eyes dark. “At least, I hope for your sake, it was a joke.”
Misha looked at her brother then laughed. “Of course, Ajax, you don’t have to worry about a thing. I don’t take things that aren’t mine.” She turned to the children. “Come, little ones, let’s go find some toys to buy.”
Teucer’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Anthon’s brows furrowed. “Is this a trick?”
“No, it is not a trick, Anthon,” the eldest sister replied. “Maybe some toy swords…?”
Tonia gasped, jumping to Misha, and hugging her legs. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, sister!”
Teucer grabbed Misha’s hand and started dragging her back to the vendors. “I think I saw some toy swords over here!” Soon, Misha, Anthon, Teucer, and Tonia disappeared back into the crowded town square.
“It’s a bit shocking to see Misha so…happy,” Lumine commented, her gaze still fixed on the crowd. Silence. “Childe—?” As she turned towards him, he grabbed her chin—his other hand on the small of her back—pushing her close into a deep kiss.
Lumine broke away, her face flushing. “What was that for?!”
His eyes were still slightly dark, arms still wrapped around her. “What did you and Misha talk about?”
…
“…Childe…are you jealous of Misha?”
“No, of course not.”
She reached up and pulled his hat down over his eyes. As he tried readjusting his hat, Lumine stood on the tip of her toes, grabbing the collar of his shirt, catching him off guard with a soft kiss.
“You idiot,” she muttered. “I love you. Just you.”
Childe pulled his hat back, his eyes meeting hers. “What can I say? You draw people in. It’s hard not to notice.” He rested his forehead on hers. “The thought of you…and…someone else…” He let out a hard laugh. “Well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be a pretty sight.”
“Well you don’t have to worry about that,” Lumine reassured. “My stupid heart chose you.”
“Mm, as did mine. I guess we’re just stuck together.”
Together.
Forever? Her heart questioned without hesitation.
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … . .
[part 5 coming soon]