Chapter Text
She wants to blame the recent hustle and bustle of the Lantern Rite Festival. She wants to blame being occupied by commissions. She even wants to blame Paimon for being the reason she has to fill their pockets back up in the first place. Unfortunately for her, Lumine realizes with a small groan, she can only blame herself.
The renowned traveler finds herself in Mondstadt; sitting at one of the wooden tables in front of Good Hunter. The meal she ordered sits on the plate mostly uneaten, having since gone cold, only to be pushed around aimlessly with a fork. Her floating companion across from her, however, is just finishing up her third. Lumine spares them a quick glance at the sound of their contented sigh. There goes the payment I just earned , the woman thinks to herself wryly. When her previous thoughts begin to filter back into her head though, the concern for mora is long gone.
How could this have slipped my mind? What am I going to do?
Lumine has a problem. It’s a problem she shouldn’t be having. Truthfully it’s a problem she wouldn’t be having if she had just kept better track of time. If she had paid better attention to herself. But she didn’t. And now here she is sitting with a cold meal worrying about her seemingly cold future. Funnily enough the only reason she was even able to catch it before it was too late to begin with was thanks to Paimon. At the time they were making their way back to Mondstadt from yet another slime extermination commission. Lumine was enjoying the walk from Springvale to the city as she always had. The peaceful scenery, the feel of the light breeze, the song of the chirping birds, even the satisfaction from getting the slime residue off of her sword. She felt tranquil. That is, she did, up until Paimon had broken the serenity with a very jarring statement.
“You never told Paimon what you were doing for your next heat.”
A spiritual bucket of ice water was dumped on her then and there. The surprise made her jolt, causing her previously practiced hand to slip against the blade she had almost finished cleaning. Sucking in a hiss from the sudden sting, Lumine stopped dead in her tracks. The small commotion had Paimon turning to look at her in concern, asking if she was okay. Lumine didn’t acknowledge it though. She didn’t acknowledge anything at all for a brief moment. Not the sounds around her, not her worried companion, and not even the fresh blood that dripped down her palm and onto the ground below. It was as if her brain needed to process her harrowing realization at full capacity. When it finally did, and the world around her began to move again, the only thing Lumine could do was let out a very unsure and somewhat strangled sounding hum.
“I…” She hesitated before giving a small, defeated sigh. “Forgot.”
Lumine forgot. The incredibly skilled, adventuring, multiple element wielding, monster hunting, Fatui thwarting, region saving, archon battling traveler had forgotten about her own body. Evidently for no viable reason either; other than self sabotage, she supposes. As the fresh memory plays through her head again she clenches her fists in mild frustration only to wince in pain from putting pressure on her healing wound. Her face twists in annoyance at herself. Definitely self sabotage.
But as she currently sees it, she can kick herself for the tenth time this day, or she can actually be productive and try and think of a solution. There is at least one thing she can successfully put blame on, and it’s her hormones for making her broody… In more ways than one.
The heat itself isn’t the main issue. No, Lumine has long since gotten used to this part of herself over the many years of her life. Not having a place to stay, to settle in and hide herself, is the problem. One that she never used to have when her brother was around. No matter where they were, where they traveled to, or where they stayed, Aether always made sure that she was comfortable and safe. He protected her. He was her security blanket. One that was ripped away from her when she found herself in Teyvat. The first couple of years without him were difficult. The heats she spent on her own? Even more so. Especially since Lumine had found out, very quickly, that a lot of the alphas in this world are pushy. Incredibly, annoyingly pushy. They swarmed around her like buzzards then. Being unfamiliar with the land and not having a home of her own must’ve painted a giant, red target on her back for them to try and hit. And archons, did they try. It was irritating, exhausting, sometimes even… scary.
Thankfully nothing had ever happened. As long as she has some modicum of self defense nothing ever will happen. Lumine is confident in her ability to hold her own. Pre-heat or not. Although, full heat is a different story. But she’s still positive she can rip any unwanted alpha to shreds. Not that she ever wants to put it to the test.
When Lumine became more familiar and better connected throughout the regions she began to stay with some of her alpha friends during her heats. Xiao was the first one she went to. Or really, he was the one to go to her. He had sent a group of alphas running with their metaphorical tails between their legs. Her relief was palpable, despite the small scolding she received afterward. It was because of his concern, and lecture, that she realized that maybe she could rely on the people she met on her journey a little more than she did. She was thankful for that. They were always respectful and the harassment dropped significantly. Maybe it was from their scents. Maybe it was the fact that people around knew not to cross them. Maybe it was a mixture of both. One thing was certain, from there on out Lumine always tried to plan out her heats, asking for a place to settle in with her alpha companions.
Emphasis on “tried” because it’s something she so spectacularly failed at this time around.
There is always Diluc. He’s trustworthy. Polite. Kind. Strong. He would definitely keep any unwanted advances away from her and then some. Angel’s Share, though… There are too many people going in and out of that place. The noise would be constant. And the smells. There would be so many different smells from people, alcohol, and food alike that Lumine’s nose is wrinkling just at the thought of it. Also, who’s to say some drunken alpha wouldn’t try their luck? It would lead to an ass-beating—from either her or Diluc—that she wouldn't even be able to fully enjoy. Not worth it in her books. Dawn Winery is a possibility as well. Or it would be if Lumine, to put it bluntly, didn’t feel incredibly embarrassed by the thought of it. An inn or a tavern room is one thing. The people coming and going most likely wouldn’t know her. Let alone remember her. She is acquainted with everyone who works at the winery though. She is also acquainted with their love for gossip. Spending a heat in an estate filled with nosy and talkative workers just comes across as something she really does not want to do.
Kaeya is a good option. A great option actually, considering he had helped her out in the past. He was teasing about it. He even went as far as to offer her “company” in jest. Which, in a brief moment of weakness, Lumine had considered taking. In truth she would have if he hadn’t been such a gentleman and gave her space. Kaeya’s apartment was nice. It was quiet and cozy. Not to mention his bedding . Lumine would spend every heat there for his blankets and sheets alone. So comfortable. So soft. So fitting for a man like him. One who appreciates some of the finer comforts in life. She really needs to ask him where he got them when he comes back.
Ah. Right. Kaeya would be a great option. Except he isn’t here. The Cavalry Captain is currently away carrying out some allegedly important job for the Knights of Favonius. Even if she knows he wouldn’t mind, using the man’s home without his permission is not only weird and creepy, but also invasive. As disappointed as she is, Lumine needs to think of someone else.
Her mind instinctively flits back to Xiao. He truly is her preference. While his room at the Wangshu Inn is incredibly simple, and his bedding isn’t nearly as phenomenal, the adeptus’s scent is one she can never get enough of. It soothes her in a way she has never felt with anyone else. Except maybe Aether. His presence is calming, and despite his warnings of his karmic debt, Lumine always feels safe around him. Xiao is gentle, respectful. He is truly reliable. Out of all of the traveler’s companions he is the one she has gone to the most. He is the one she will continue going to if she can help it. Unfortunately the Wangshu Inn is quite a ways away. Making it there in time to get properly settled for her heat just isn’t feasible. Someone in Mondstadt will have to do. She doesn’t have a choice.
And those choices are getting fewer by the second.
Lumine doesn’t really know Rosaria well enough to ask her for something like this. Maybe she can get away with asking Jean? The Acting Grand Master may be a beta but her status definitely has to count for something, right? No pheromone crazed alpha would go against someone held in such high regard... Right? Thinking about it though, Lumine isn’t even sure if Jean ever leaves her office. Actually she knows she doesn’t. No. Jean is already far too busy with her constant workload. Bothering her with an issue like this will only add more onto her plate.
The list gets even smaller.
Venti is an alpha. Surprisingly. Does he even have a home though? Other than the entirety of Mondstadt? Does he just sleep in trees? When he’s not at Angel’s Share or the giant statue where does he go? These are things Lumine has never once thought about until now. Okay. So maybe not Venti.
… Dvalin? She doesn’t know if he’s an alpha. Or if he even has secondary traits to begin with. Although who in their right mind would ever mess with a dragon? She will definitely be safe in the company of a dragon.
No, Lumine. What the hell?
Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be so bad to call out Xiao’s—
“Hey!” Paimon’s shrill cry pulls Lumine out of her increasingly absurd thoughts and places her back in reality. The woman blinks as the area around her seemingly loads back into her consciousness. Paimon pouts when she doesn’t answer and eyes the traveler with suspicion. “Why aren’t you eating? You’ve hardly touched your food.”
A sigh passes her lips. Lumine places the fork down, not even bothering to keep up the facade, and pushes the plate over to them. “I guess I’m just not that hungry.”
Paimon’s eyes light up at the offering yet she opts to ignore it momentarily. She looks at Lumine with worry painted all over her face. “Is everything okay?” Not a second goes by before the traveler can practically see a light bulb illuminate over the fae’s head. She doesn’t even wait for her to give her an answer before following with, “oh! Are you thinking about your personal problem again?”
Classic Paimon. Blurting out her business in the middle of a very public and very busy area. Amazing, really. Lumine quickly shushes her companion. Paimon laughs nervously in realization, giving a small “sorry” to her friend. It’s not that Lumine hides the fact that she’s an omega. Something like that is pointless for someone like her. That being said, she doesn’t exactly like advertising it either. Especially when it comes to things revolving around her current situation. It’s the entire reason Lumine is stressing out in the first place. She doesn’t have somewhere to go to lay low, and she doesn’t want attention. The stress and anxiety must be radiating off of her because Paimon floats over to Lumine and places a small hand on her arm in comfort.
“Well,” Paimon starts much quieter this time. “Don’t worry too much. If Paimon needs to take on a bunch of commissions to pay for a nice hotel room then Paimon will!” The last part is said with such finality and confidence it pulls a soft laugh from Lumine.
With a smile finally gracing her features she puts her hand over the smaller one in reassurance.
“I appreciate it, Paimon. You don’t need to fuss over me though. I’ll manage to figure something out. I always do—”
The sound of an explosion cuts her off.
Everyone in the plaza stops to look toward the direction of the sudden blast. A plume of smoke is billowing out of the alchemy stand as murmurs rise from the onlookers examining the scene. Lumine grips her sword tight in her hand, body tense and ready strike; but as the smoke dissipates so does her summoned weapon. Standing in the aftermath is a shell-shocked Sucrose and a soot-covered Timaeus. His hair and clothes are thoroughly singed. It was only an alchemical mishap. Albeit a slightly disastrous one. Sucrose blinks dumbly before her senses return to her and she begins to scold—if you can even call it that in regards to her—the junior scholar. As the situation seems to resolve itself most of the onlookers lose interest, turning back to their daily business as if nothing out of the ordinary occurred.
Lumine continues to watch as the young woman gives the smoldering student an earful. The whole incident distracts her from her own internal crisis. She can’t make out what they’re saying but she finds it amusing nonetheless. Timaeus, aside from being crispy and dejected, looks fine. The stand itself? Not so much. Though this isn’t the first time disaster has struck. Paimon trying to transmute slime into gold once had seen to that. Since then, measures by the Chief Alchemist himself had been taken in order to protect most of the important supplies and equipment. Lumine smiles at the thought of him. She wonders what his reaction would be if he were here right now. Would he be pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed and brows furrowed? Would he give an exasperated sigh before quickly composing himself? Despite his keen control over his emotions, would the hint of annoyance be present as his scent wafted over to her? Probably. If the past was anything to go by.
Lumine’s eyelids start to drift shut as she reminisces. Albedo’s scent in particular unintentionally becomes the main focus. Rich, earthy pine. The smell of frost. Fresh air on a cold morning. It reminds her of camping at the base of Dragonspine. Something else. Something she can’t quite remember. It fades from her memory.
Lumine’s eyes snap open with a gasp. Much like the start of this whole mess, how could she forget?
“Hey! Were you thinking again? Paimon has been talking to you this entire time!”
Maybe she follows it with “how rude,” but like the rest of their alleged rambling Lumine doesn’t catch it. It doesn’t matter to her at this exact moment. Which maybe is a little rude. But again it doesn’t matter! This entire occurrence has given her an idea. An amazing, brilliant, dignity-saving idea. Continuing to ignore her travel companion Lumine hurriedly fishes out a pouch of mora. She shoves it into the small fae’s hands, earning her an “oof.” If she wasn’t super focused on her newfound goal she may have chuckled at the extreme confusion on Paimon’s face.
“What the?”
“It’s for food,” Lumine quickly answers before she can even be asked. “And other supplies if you need them.” She gets up from her seat with haste, unable to contain the excitement glimmering in her eyes. A newly found determination is fueling her. “Go find Amber and stay with her.”
After giving Paimon a quick goodbye over her shoulder, the traveler is off. She walks with a vigor she hadn’t felt since the heat induced doom-cloud shrouded over her whole entire being. That thing was nowhere in sight now. It was only clear skies and sunny days from here on out. Lumine gives a blissful, hopeful sigh at the feeling of a heavy weight being lifted off her shoulders. She couldn’t be more thankful for Timaeus blowing himself up. She needs to remember to get him something nice as thanks, even if she won’t tell him what it’s for. Because of him a solution to her problem has been found.
After all, what’s more private and secluded than a mountain?