Chapter Text
“So this is Mondstadt, huh.”
Xiao steps foot upon the stone bridge, gaining full view of the wide Mondstadt gates.
The windmills stand tall, adorning Mondstadt’ skies with its steady spinning blades.
Last time he saw Mondstadt it wasn’t even located here.
“Not bad.” He continues his steps, finally entering the City of Freedom.
He takes his time in his walk around, taking in the city’s atmosphere.
Surely a ‘knights headquartes’ would stand out from the rest? He thinks, eyes scanning every building he comes across.
Every building looks the same.
Did Liyue’s buildings all look smilar as well? He doesn’t remember.
The Rex Lapis matter was the one time he came to Liyue after hundreds of years as well.
Not wanting to ‘taint himself with mortal interaction’ he decides to find his own way through town.
When all else fails, asking for directions will be an unfortunate last resort
Although, truthfully, he doesn’t mind. Not if it’s for someone of great importance (to him).
Earlier that day
“Lumie-nee!” The little ‘red burny girl’ runs towards Lumine with small yet speedy steps.
“Oof!” Klee crashes into Lumine, before absorbing her in a tight hug.
“Nice to see you again too, Klee!” Lumine chuckles, offering a soft smile to the little knight.
“Come in! Come in! Let’s continue yesterday’s playdate!” Klee tugs on Lumine’s hand with quite enough strength that she slightly stumbles upon the doorway to the solitary confinement room.
“Aren’t you bored of always playing with me, Klee?” Lumine crouches down to be at eye level with the little knight. “Why don’t you go outside, it’d be way more fun and healthier!”
“No, no, no! Klee only wants to play with Lumine!” She shakes her head, a frown on her face. “You’re not boring! Klee wants to spend all day with Lumie-nee!”
Whoops.
Plan backfired.
“I-is that so?” Lumine attempts a laugh, knowing very well what she’s brought upon herself.
Klee nods enthusiastically.
She smiles in response, patting Klee’s head softly. “Okay then, it’s not like you’d give me a choice anyway, right?”
Klee nods once again, a determined look in her eyes.
After getting directions from one of the townspeople, Xiao makes his way to the Knights of Favonius’ headquarters.
“You don’t look like you’re from here,” An unfamiliar voice coos.
Xiao turns to the source, quirking a brow.
Dark turquoise hair, a white fur cloak across his shoulder, and an eyepatch.
“You must be one of the Knights of Favonius.” He says, noticing how Kaeya matches the townsfolk’s descriptions perfectly.
“Cavalry Captain Kaeya, at your service.” He shifts from his leaning position, extending a hand. “So what brings you here, sir…”
“Xiao.”
“Ah,” Kaeya’s brows shoot up. “I believe I’ve heard that name before.”
Kaeya remembers the name pop up in one of Lumine’s many tavern stories- specifically the one about her time in Liyue.
“Then I won’t need to introduce myself,” Xiao doesn't spare a second to waste.
“I have an appointment with your honorary knight.”
An obvious lie.
To be fair- ‘Come visit me in Mondstadt sometime when you’re free’ was what she said.
Though Xiao isn’t quite sure what part of that sentence convinced himself to actually drag his feet here.
“Is that so?” Kaeya says, placing a hand on his chin.
“If I’m not mistaken, she is inside right now. Come.”
Xiao follows Kaeya into the HQ.
Upon entering the building, Xiao examines his surroundings- looking up the stone walls decorated with tall wooden doors.
At the same time, Kaeya is talking to Wood- a knight guarding one of the doors.
Xiao walks towards them just as the conversation ends.
“Seems like you’re out of luck, Xiao.” Kaeya gives an eye-smile. “Unfortunately, Lumine isn’t available at the moment.”
Xiao crosses his arms. “I thought you said she was here today?”
If Kaeya had the confident to say that she’s inside right now , it’d mean that he must have seen her enter.
“Well apparently, she’s not accepting any guests right now.” Kaeya adds.
Xiao comes to realize that he does not like the captain- or maybe the way he talks.
“Tell her it’s Xiao, she’ll remember of our (nonexistent) appointment.” Xiao counters, unphased by the knight’s dismissive words.
“I don’t think you’re listening, Xiao.” Kaeya keeps his smile wide, wide enough for Xiao to see its fakeness.
He steps forward.
“She’s not available right now. Come again some other time~”
Xiao grits his teeth.
He wasn’t having any of this, not after coming all the way here to Mondstadt.
Why’d he even come here anyway?
Was it really just because of that one sentence?
That one person, perhaps?
The person whom -somehow- is different to Xiao than other mortal beings he’s met.
He stops his train of thought, taking a deep and slow breath. How pathetic if he’d start a fight here, inside of the knight’s own headquarters.
For something as trivial as- No. this isn't trivial. The knight is basically in his way.
“What’s going on here?” A different- softer voice steps in, cutting off the suffocating silence.
Xiao turns to look again, it’s Jean-the acting grand master of the knights of favonius.
“This gentleman, Xiao, apparently had a scheduled appointment with our lovely little honorary knight.” Kaeya says, crossing his arms.
A smile stays plastered on his face. Xiao hates it.
Lovely little honorary knight? Xiao furrows his brows.
He takes it back. He really hates the Cavalry Captain and the way he talks,
Jean lets out a long sigh, shaking her head.
“My name is Jean, acting grand master of the Knights of Favonius.” She introduces herself, a hand on her chest.
“About Lumine…”
“I’m sorry, she’s here but-” Jean looks at the door, scratching her nape. “She’s asleep right now.”
“And we never want to interrupt her sleep since we rarely ever see her sleep at all.” Jean says, an apologetic expression on her face.
Xiao could hear the sincerity in her voice, unlike Kaeya. And feels the implication that she is trustworthy.
“If that’s the case then I guess there’s nothing we can do.” Xiao crosses his arms, shaking his head. “Please do tell her I was here, when she wakes up.”
“Of course, and I’m really sorry for the hassle.” Jean says, side-eyeing Kaeya.
Kaeya merely shrugs and walks away with a small ‘see you later’.
“You must be tired after the long journey, Xiao.” Jean states, looking at Xiao’s not-so-mondstadt clothing style.
“Not really.” Xiao stares blankly at the door.
Would this little journey really trouble a guardian yaksha? He thinks, though admittedly his feet does feel sore. Not to mention he’s basically drained from all the social interaction he’s had in one day.
Click.
The previously mentioned door slightly budges- freezing his train of thought.
“Hmm~” Lumine walks out groggily, slowing to a stop to stretch her limbs.
“Ah, Lumine, you’re awake.”
“Jean?” She half-asks, not fully aware of her surroundings yet. “How long was I asleep?”
“A few hours.” Jean smiles sweetly, stepping closer to Lumine.
She lets out a small yawn, wiping away tears.
“Um, you have a guest, Lumine.” Jean nudges her by the shoulder.
“Hmm?” She turns to her right, one eye closed.
She smiles in realization.
“Hey.” Xiao raises a hand as a greeting, attempting the smallest smile.
Lumine suddenly dashes towards him and clasps both his hands in hers.
“You actually came!”
Xiao is taken aback by the gesture, shoulders stiffening.
It’s a new feeling, though not a bad one.
“Obviously,” He smirks.
“How could ever I miss a chance to visit when invited by the town’s own famous honorary knight?” He teases.
Lumine chuckles, hands still gripping his.
He could get used to this.
“I’ll leave you to it then,” Jean says, taking her leave.
“Don’t forget to try Mondstadt’s wine while you’re here!” She tells Xiao whilst walking away.
Lumine unexpectedly tugs on Xiao’s hands, pulling him a little closer. “So, shall I give you that tour I promised?”
Xiao flinches, their faces are barely inches away.
A wide and teethy smile adorns her face, while he feels the heat rise to his.
This is bad.
Is it because she just woke up that she’s so full of energy?
Sure, Xiao and Lumine have gotten quite close over time, but Xiao hasn’t really ever had such physical contact nor be this close to her face before.
“Uh.. my hands?” He asks with the calmest voice he could attempt, slightly looking away to hide his flushed face.
“Oh, sorry!” She lets go, looking flustered herself.
“Force of habit, I guess?” She offers another cute teethy smile.
Cute?
“Let’s just go already!” She guides them both out of the HQ, and into the streets of Mondstadt.
Wait. Force of habit?
So she acts this way with others too?
Only then Xiao reaches a realization, feeling ridiculous.
Of course, why would he be any special?
She’s an honorary knight of Mondstadt. The whole town knows of her and her deeds.
In fact, she’s just as popular over in Liyue.
While he’s an adeptus that’s not even known by his own people- unlike moon carver, mountain shaper, or cloud retainer that people pray and look to for wisdom.
What was I expecting, coming here?
“Xiao!”
He flinches, brought back to real time by Lumine’s voice.
“You haven’t touched your food.” She frowns. “Aren’t you hungry after the trip here from Liyue?”
Lumine is seated across from him, a knife and fork in hand.
Xiao looks at the plate in front of him, a fresh hot plate of what she called “sticky honey roast” served on it.
“Or is it not to your liking?” Lumine asks, worried.
“No, I just don’t have the appetite.” He simply says.
Lumine grumbles, not quite satisfied with the answer.
“Should I make you some almond tofu instead?”
Xiao’s ears twitch at the mention of the food.
“No, don’t trouble yourself.” He shakes his head firmly.
This is stupid.
She doesn’t see me in any special way yet I can’t stop thinking about her.