Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The air is different to that in Teyvat. Here it's colder, less lively than the people she met in the previous world of archons and elements. Somehow, every world ,after retrieving her brother, was more and more boring than the last. Nothing stood out to her. They've made a few friends though- in these new worlds, but they never stayed long enough to build long term friendships. Their people needed them.

"Lumine," her brother called, concern dripping from his tone which broke her from her trance. She was staring at the stars that dark nights like in this moment shined brighter than most evenings. Her mind was elsewhere, but when her brother reached for her she glanced his way.

"Aether?" she questioned, wondering why he was still awake. They were camping for the night, the long hours of the day had drained them. Paimon was still asleep though.

Aether sat beside her on the grass, eyeing the sky as she did before facing her once more. She was much more difficult to read than before. Her expressions were the same but there was always something else behind her eyes. A glint of sorts or a flash. She wasn't the same ever since they left Teyvat.

"I'm worried about you. You hardly sleep and you're always in a daze," he stated factually. He'd kept a close eye on her after they left Teyvat. She had a baby for crying out loud, how hard that must've been for her to just leave her child. And her lover. He knew that she made a life for herself while he was brainwashed. While she searched the entire world for him. On the days she didn't, he imagined she spent her time with the people she cared about and he knew she connected with many. She was suffering. He knew she was.

"What are you on about? I do sleep, sometimes I just don't feel tired," she rolled her eyes with a pretend smile, "I just have a few things I like to think about," she answered softly.

"About him? And your daughter?" Aether questioned but it was more of a statement that she didn't have to confirm.

She said nothing.

"I've said this many times but I truly think you should go back. I'll take our promise in for the both of us-"

"Thats the reason Aether. OUR promise. To OUR people. We promised them a home. Do you know how many times I felt guilt and regret? When I lived such a good life in Teyvat and then I remembered our people who are suffering. Waiting on our return. The guilt is eating at me all day. As much as I'd love to go back- I can't. I won't. I have a duty, " she sighed out.

" You have a duty as a mother as well Lumine. A child. My niece. You're missing out on her as we speak. The more we travel- and I know we promised, I know we made an oath, but sometimes it's okay to be greedy, especially when you're the one making the most sacrifice. When you're suffering more than others," Aether held onto his sister's hands staring into her eyes expectantly.

Silence. The wind. The crickets. The sway of the leaves on the trees. In take of breath. Inhale. Exhale. 

" We save our people and then I'll return. " she stubbornly answered. And that was that.

The conversation was never brought up again.

The guilt and regret never left her but she fought through. Paimon did her best to relieve the siblings worries and keep their mind off their problems. 

Aether also did his best to encourage her subtlety. The worlds they visited became less and less once they found the perfect place, they hurried back to their people. Years had past but even so, the universe they lived in was strange. Thousands of years has passed for them but once they reached home, it had only been a few months. Their people weren't in the best of health but they were alive, well, so were the twins parents. Their reunion didn't last too long though because Lumine made a promise to her self. 

She was going back to HER family.  

Of course her parents understood that the reunion was their last seeing of each other which resulted in an emotional farewell. 

As for Aether and Paimon. They wanted to travel with her too. Aether didn't see a reason why he had to stay with his people if they were all safe and that he too would like a change of scenery.

"I did live in Khaenri'ah for a while- you seem to forget I was there five hundred years before you," he rolled his eyes playfully. Lumine sighed, shaking her head at her brother. She wonders if he still held a grudge towards the archons, he didn't seem to nor did he show any obvious signs of such emotions. Sometimes she couldn't even tell what he was thinking. So many things happened in Teyvat, she even doubted their blood relations at some point- despite being literal twins and the fact they've travelled with each other for so long. None of that mattered to her anymore though, she had other plans. 

Paimon was rather thrilled to be going back to her home. But Aether and Paimon promised to accompany her later so that Lumine could reconcile with her family without distractions. They respected her wishes. 

Although her reasoning was flawed, she indeed was between mortal and immortal, but whether you die or not didn't mean you weren't... human. A living thing, more like. With emotions too. She wasn't proud of her decisions and sometimes she wished she could've been selfish enough to stay with Xiao. She should've. 

But there was no point in regretting...

Lumine woke up feeling deliciously comfortable under the sheets. She felt the warmth of another right under her arm, so she snuggled closer. Her arms reflexively tightened around the smaller figure and she nestled her cheek onto the owners head. She was awake, but kept her eyes closed. The bed was beyond comfortable and the warmth was practically seducing her. She could stay in bed all day- so cozy and sleepy...

"Mama!"

Mama?

Mama!

Her eyes sprung open and she sat up, pulling the child with her. Xiaohe squealed in surprise by her mother's quick movements, giggling shortly after. Lumine stared almost in disbelief as she held her daughter in front of her. She'd been dreaming about the past, but this wasn't a dream. Her baby was in her arms and she was in Teyvat. She was home, it was all real. 

"Good morning," she greeted with a warm smile pressing a kiss to Xiaohe's forehead. The little one sat on her mother's lap and greeted back excitedly. It was the first time she woke up besides her mother. Usually it was Xiao, but she'd seem to have forgotten all about her father. 

"Did you sleep well?" Lumine asked, brushing the hair out of Xiaohe's face and placing a palm on her cheek. Her daughter leaned into the touch and nodded.

"The best sleep, Mama," she yawned after. She relaxed in Lumine's arms and let herself doze off a bit more. The traveler caressed her baby's head in awe, still in denial of the truth. She ran her fingers through the younger's hair, smoothing it out a brushing out the lighter knots. She massaged her head, not taking her eyes of Xiaohe for a second and watched as she relaxed on  her lap. Lumine could do that all day if she could. 

Some time passed and the sun was really starting to shine now, Lumine was surprised Xiao hadn't stepped in yet, he must've still been caught up in duties- or he's avoiding her. Of course she'd understand why, but he was interested in hearing about why she left. She promised she'd tell him, and she was in no way going to hide the reason, not that it was necessary anyway. 

Xiaohe had already gotten up and dressed in her usual attire, she asked her mother to do her hair, in which lumine platted it like she used to do Aether's hair. She looked adorable. The little half-yaksha pulled her mother along for breakfast- and to say Verr almost got a heart attack, would be an understatement. While she sat it dawned upon her that she'd have to visit quite a lot of people. She was almost sure the Archons could sense her presence in Teyvat, especially Beur- aka Nahida. Zhongli most likely sensed her the night before just as Xiao did- and Venti... She was sure he'd come to her himself to visit. She admittedly missed the drunkard bard quite a bit. Yes, at times he was overbearing, but she always welcomed it, no matter how annoying he could be sometimes. She wondered if Ei was doing well, and the other Archons, 

She had lots to do, but she'd rather sort her own family first before leaving to see everybody else. 

"Breakfast is delicious as always Smiley!" Lumine complimented flashing her signature smile that warmed any one's heart. Xioahe had silently watched her mother the entire time they ate, almost as if Lumine didn't actually exist and she was just hallucinating that her mother was back. Lumine didn't say anything and instead cleaned off Xiaohe while she ate. Once they both finished, the pair headed to the  baths together, Lumine hadn't showered the day before so she was beginning to feel a bit icky. They placed their clothes near a private bath hidden from the public one at the Inn and shimmied off the rest before getting into the hot water. They both let out a sigh which caused them both to giggle simultaneously. 

"This is nice," Lumine sighed out, hair tied up in a little bun. Xiaohe splashed around a bit beside before she started playing with the strands of her mother's hair. Lumine knitted her eyebrows watching her daughter before smiling and closing her eyes. She hasn't been this relaxed in years. She wondered if Xiao and Xiaohe took baths together, it was a strange image to picture, especially the stone cold Xiao face sitting in a bath with Xiaohe. She supposed it wouldn't be surprising if he did bathe with her all the time. 

When they were together Xiao didn't like using the Inn's bathing facilities, so instead they'd clean themselves in mountain rivers- most of the time they ended up doing more than bathing though. 

Lumine's cheeks burned at the memories. The hot nights under the stars and out in the open. They really did it everywhere- mostly in the mountains and rivers. Thinking about it, those were all risky places but Xiao was quick to use the excuse of him sensing anyone nearby. They've never been caught, but the thought always excited her. Which brings Lumine to her current predicament. Thinking about her an Xiao has gotten her all aroused, not too much, but she only just realized how long it's been since she'd spend the night with someone. 

"Mama, why's your face red?" Xiaohe questioned, bringing Lumine back to reality only to be called out by her daughter. Her mind had gone blank throughout their entire bath time and on their way to the bedroom. She's embarrassed to have gotten aroused so irresponsibly and just by the memory of them doing it. 

"Nothing, nothing," she lies, but Xiaohe can tell and she frowns a bit, not understanding why her mother would keep things from her. Lumine quickly tried to distract her. "I just wondered where papa is," she lied but thanks to that she no longer frowned. 

"I can call Papa," Xiaohe said standing and getting ready to call for him the same way Xiao told Lumine to call for him a while back. 

"No it's fine-"

"Papa!" Xiaohe called with a smile while Lumine froze up awkwardly. 

Xiao arrived seconds later, fully clothed with his polearm in his hand. He's eyes found Xiaohe's, not concerned in anyway but rather with a gentle questioning expression. She runs to her father and immediately jumps into his arms. He's used to this so he didn't stagger- instead he caught her and let his polearm disperse into smoke. She giggles in his arms, fully dressed now and his lips quirked up just a tiny bit higher. It warmed Lumine's heart to see the two together, a small smile gracing her lips as well. She's silent when they both break from their little embrace. She happens to meet Xiao's eyes when Xiaohe's head shifted to the side and no longer in front of his face. His eyes were narrowed just a bit, cat like, but it wasn't mean to assert anything besides a reminder- he wanted answers. 

She promised him so she wasn't really alarmed. She eyes Xiaohe for a second before turning to him again and he understood. He cleared his entire morning- finishing up his duties and anything else he thought might've disrupt their conversation. 

"I'm going to talk with Lum- with Mama for a bit, can you help out with Verr so long?" He asked while placing her back onto the floor. She looks between her parents curiously before smiling. 

"Okay!" she nodded rushing towards Lumine and climbing onto her lap. She pecks her mother's cheek and flashes her pearly whites before rushing off to Verr. Lumine watches her fondly as she departs out of her sight. She takes a breath before returning back to Xiao. He's already staring back at her and she stands up, patting down her dress and walking towards him. Their height different isn't much, but she still has to gaze up to meet his eyes. They're both silent until Xiao takes hold of her wrist. With a blink of an eye they're both teleported to higher ground- Mount Hula, she managed to remember. 

They were under a large tree, the shade of the leaves covered them from the blazing sun. It was a warm day, a slight breeze but not quite noticeable. A few boulders sat under the tree as well which was something they could sit on. Whether it was intentional or not, Lumine was familiar with this spot. It was secluded, no obvious- or really any accessible way to reach the spot. Which is why they both liked it, there were no interruptions. 

He let go of her hand and slowly walked towards the tree. He sat down on the boulder and rested his back against the other boulder behind it that was much larger. The rock was cool for his hot skin and his body relaxed. He eyed her from the spot noticing her fingers fidget in front of her. She was... nervous? Maybe hesitant? He wasn't quite sure and decided to wait for her. They had all day and he didn't plan to leave until he got some answers. 

After a minute she decided to sit beside him- a good distance away from him so she didn't pass his personal space. She crossed her legs and sighed, tucking her hair behind her ears. She peers over to him but this time he's facing ahead. She didn't know where to start so she figured the beginning would be the best. 

"After I left..." 

... 

Tears streamed down Lumine's cheeks, cries muffled into Aether's chest as he held her close. Her hands clutched her brothers shirt , body curling against his. She couldn't stop, her heart was breaking, she was panicking, her body shaking. Everything was just too much. 

"Go back Lumine, I'll understand, our people will understand-"

"I-I can't, we h-have a responsibility Aether-"

She felt guilty. She felt as if she was betraying her people for living such a good life in Teyvat while her people suffered. She promised to find them a safer place but instead of keeping her focus on saving her brother, she focused on many other things. She felt guilty for falling in love and starting a family. She also felt guilty for prioritizing others over her family. Her people were her family too but so were Xiao and her baby. She didn't know what was more important and the fact she chose her people made her even more guilty for even having to choose. And she chose wrong. Or perhaps in certain perspectives she was in the wrong. 

Of course her brother Aether also made the promise and leaving him to find a home would be ideal. But they promised to do it together, as siblings- as twins. She really didn't know what was wrong with her. Her heart couldn't handle it. She wanted both and the way she thought was- find a good home for her people and return as soon as possible. She could've told Xiao this. He would've understood. 

Would he? 

Before their baby was born she always reminded him of how one day she'd have to leave. Of course this was even before she knew she was pregnant. She really does love him, but in the beginning, she was ready to leave with Aether. But things with Xiao blossomed. Feelings and promises in the heat of the moment. Hopes and dreams. They began to share the thought of being forever. They both wanted that.

And then...

Aether sighed and comforted his sister as much as he could. She cried for the longest time until she calmed down and they visited the next star.

Lumine was emotionless to say the least. As they continued their journey, Aether did his best to cheer her up, telling jokes or pushing Paimon to ask something stupid. Sometimes she'd let out the smallest of laughs or smiles, but after that she'd space out most of the time. She'd smile when they met new people but it never reached her eyes. 

For the first few weeks she was completely unrecognizable, quiet and lost. She barely ate and barley slept. Aether sometimes scold her and she'd just stare with dead eyes, but that never phased him. He stayed strong for the both of them and avoided any discussion on anything remotely Teyvat related. Paimon made more than a few slip up which led to Aether's scary glares and lectures. 

"Lumine, what do you think of these flowers?" Paimon flew over, comparing the plant with the one on Lumine's head.

By this point Lumine was more... alive. She was less spaced out and more motivated to find the best world for their people. Paimon and Aether didn't know where her new found incentive came from but they were glad she wasn't bland anymore. 

'"They smell good, pretty too," she took them from Paimon and smiled. "They smell similar to Qinxin." This shocked the pair, the words fell from her mouth so nonchalantly that they almost didn't catch it. Lumine never spoke about anything in Teyvat let alone a flower from Liyue that was something special between her and Xiao. Paimon figured she finally accepted and the reason she was suddenly more motivated was because she really wanted to back and she had the resolve to see them. 

That may have been the ultimate reason, but at the same time her mind had mentally forced her to be okay. She figured the more she thought about her life in Teyvat the easier it'd be to accept the decision she made. It didn't work for long. The only good thing that came out from this was that she started smiling again- really smiling. She might've just started to realize that how she was acting wasn't making the trip fun for her brother and Paimon. She felt bad for brooding so much and ruining the whole journey. She wanted to change that, but she could also tell that they were walking on glass around her when they spoke about Teyvat. Aether also lived there and that was Paimon's home, she didn't think it was fair for them to not speak about that world. So she decided to speak about it first, letting them know that it was okay.

"Yeah, but Qinxin is better," Paimon smiled brightly and they began speaking about the different flowers in Teyvat. 

Aether was still worried about his sister, he still knew she was suffering inside and he knew it was better for her if she spoke about what she was feeling. Even though they agreed not to speak about Xiao or her baby, he wanted to push a bit. He wanted to test how 'okay' she was. 

That night, while Paimon snored away, they both sat outside the tent and stargazed. They sat in a comfortable silence, but Aether was tryig to think of a way to start the conversation he'd been meaning bring up.

She sighed, causing him to furrow his eyebrows. She suddenly turned to face him and he raised his brows expectantly. 

"Do you have something to say Aether?" she asked with a raised brow and a smug smile. She knew he wanted to say something. Call it twin instinct because he wasn't surprised when she asked. He'd be more surprised if she didn't realize though. 

"Are you planning to see them soon?" He referred to her lover and baby and she didn't need for him to elaborate. 

She was silent. Pondering.

"I think so," she hesitantly answered. 

They both stared at each other. Not saying a word. Lumine would have to take ahead of the conversation if she wanted it to continue, if not, Aether didn't plan to press on. Not immediately anyway, 

"I miss them. I want to see them. I want to go back," she sighed out, closing her eyes, the picture of Xiao holding their baby came to mind. A small smile graced her lips, the most genuine Aether had seen in a while. 

"You never told me much about Xiao," Aether decided to steer the conversation. Perhaps she'd smile more talking about him, and he'd like to see what his sister was like when she's in love. Lumine's eyes might've brighten a bit when Aether spoke because she brought her knees to her chest and hid her blush, turning away from him. Admittedly she was embarrassed to speak about her love life, the twins hadn't really gotten into serious relationships before and they were siblings. It was awkward, but even so she found herself talking about him. 

"He's not the sociable type- in fact he'd rather stay far away from 'mortals' as he calls them," Lumine let out a short breathy laugh at the memory of him before continuing," He didn't want to hurt other people, he didn't have the best history so he likes to remind himself that he's repenting for his sins and that he deserves to suffer and not have good things in life," she frowned at that part, Aether as well, but he listened," He's so... selfless- in the most unhealthy way. He deserves so much more," she tears up just a bit, a feeling of dread settles in her stomach and suddenly she doesn't feel well. 

"Xiao is kind-hearted, even if he doesn't admit or realize that himself. He fights evil and risks his life for the people of Liyue out of altruism," she sighs resting her head on Aether's shoulder. "He's gentle and sometimes shy when you point out the good he does. He's always there when I need him, even when I didn't, he kept me company when I felt lonely- missing you," she said facing her brother. 

Aether wraps an arm around Lumine and hugs her side placing his head on top of hers. She couldn't see his face but he was smiling, thrilled by the fact she'd found someone who loved her just as much or maybe even more than he did. But he doubted that, he loved his sister more than anyone. He really did feel guilty about everything that went down in Teyvat but he was glad that through all of it, Lumine still found happiness and comfort. 

"I'm sorry," he apologized, not out of pity but because he really was. He was sorry that she had to choose when she obviously loved everyone and equal or just about more amount. Sometimes the universe liked to remind them that life was indeed not fair. 

"Let's get this over with quickly then, so you can return to your family," he whispered, unsure if whether she heard because her breath had labored and she wasn't responding. She must've fallen asleep. 

Their journey was long and tiring, every world they came across was between good and bad. The process was a pain and so was learning new languages and world customs. In the end they settled for a world filled with greenery, not much people or a stable economy. A world where they could call their own. A fresh start for their people. And the rest was history, leading up to Lumine's return. 

... 

After her story Xiao processed it all. He still had questions that needed answering, but he stayed quiet. She gazed at him, face neutral but he could tell she was waiting for a reply. And for a while they just sat, watching the birds and listening to the wind. Lumine was antsy clasping and unclasping her hands before rubbing them on her dress repeatedly. She was nervous. Scared he'd tell her off for that lame reason and forbid her to see Xiaohe or himself ever again. But Xiao wasn't like that, so the fear was all in her head. Even she knew that. 

"You could've told me to wait for you. You had me believe that you'd never come back," he finally spoke. Lumine anticipated this response while waiting for him, and she was ready to answer anything he asked. 

"The only reason I didn't was because I was uncertain. I could promise you I'd be back but I really didn't know if I'd return. For the longest time- since arriving in Teyvat and my goal being to find my brother, I just figured I'd leave for good and continue living with my people. That was the plan originally," she stated. Xiao knew this part, when they first succumbed to their desires she reminded him of her limited time in his world. Of course back then they weren't in that deep and decided that they'd live in the moment. It was a sad love story but the didn't plan for Lumine's pregnancy and their growth for one another. Things changed and their feelings only grew from there. Their promises made during their most intimate moments started becoming more truthful than their fantasy dreams of being forever. 

"I didn't expect to love you so much," she said and their worlds seemed to have collided once more. Xiao finally looked at her- really look at her. She was telling the truth, he could tell. He of all people would what it was like to make wrong decisions or to want a second chance. Even though his heart broke for her, he was willing to hand her the pieces to fix it again. 

"Only you could hurt me so much Lumine. Life without you was... hell," he admitted standing up and taking a breath. He walked towards her and then in front of her, obscuring her view. He noticed the dried up tears and the red flush on her nose from crying. Telling her story made her emotional all over again. He bent down in front of her and reached out for her to grab his hand. She didn't hesitate to take it. 

"Stay," he said, louder than a whisper but in such a tone that it dripped with need. He was giving her the last of his sanity, entrusting it to her once more. "And don't you dare leave me again."

"Do you think Xiao welcomed her back okay? Did she get to se her baby again? What if Xiao doesn't want her around- what if he's super mad at her and wants her to leave? What if-"

"Paimon relax, Lumine knows what she's doing... I think. By what you guys told me about him, he definitely doesn't hate her and he definitely won't keep the baby away from her. It's their baby, not just his. He doesn't seem like the type to be so harsh on her," Aether assumes.

When Lumine left to Teyvat, Aether worried about all these things. He's never met Xiao personally besides their greeting before he and Lumine left te world. From what he saw, they loved each other ver much and he even cried when his sister left. Lumine was depressed for the longest time too so he could only guess Xiao was the same. Lumine didn't cry for just anything so the fact that she changed so drastically when she left, it made him realize that the couple were indeed... Real. At least that's what he came up with.

He promised to let Lumine figure out everything on her own before returning to Teyvat. Paimon wanted to accompany her but he stopped her. Instead they both decided to give her a few days or weeks. Surely things wouldn't be too bad. And of course, time flowed differently so their days were much longer than hers. Aether would decided when was the right time to go back.

Since Lumine left Paimon was introduced to the twins people, their parents too. Surprisingly they were completely ordinary people. But for some reason the twins were almost celestial? Paimon didn't know how else to describe it. Maybe on their travels they gained some type of power or something. The twins were truly a mystery to her, but she gave up on figuring them out a while ago. She wasn't much of a thinker. Gave her headaches. 

"Mmhmm, Paimon' s still worried. Xiao could be so stubborn sometimes," she crossed her arms with a frown. Aether tilted his head with knitted brows resting a hand on his hip.

"Stubborn?"

"Yeah. Before they became so close he rejected her so many times despite being so overly protective of her. Whenever she got hurt he'd immediately ask her why she hadn't called for him or didn't ask for help. But when he needed help she didn't ask him either whenever she offered. It was a back and forth with them. Lumine tried getting close but he'd just push us away. And when Lumine confessed to him he just vanished," she rolled her eyes in complaint, groaning at the Xiao's old antics.

" So how'd they get together if he was pushing her away all the time? " Aether asked, intrigued by his sister's love story.

" OH, well Lumine was super persistent. Anyone could tell that Xiao cared for her, he was just in denial," Paimon sighed, "Lumine didn't stop though, she got into his personal space as often as she could, put herself in all kinds of danger to get him to stop avoiding her- Of course Lumine was only pretending to be in danger but still, Xiao always showed," a smug smile plays on Paimon's lips as she recalls the memories." Paimon's not sure how they actually got together though. One night Lumine was just gone and the next morning they were hugging and blushing- sheesh they were so lovey dovey, " she gags but truthfully she was happy for them. Aether smiles at Paimon's reactions, getting a better idea of the couple with the new critical information.

Aether was somewhat proud of Lumine for pushing Xiao's buttons but at the same time he kind of understood why he rejected Lumine. By what his sister told him, Xiao had something called karmic debt, he knew little of yakshas but he knew what they were, basically. And Lumine had told him about Xiao's past. He didn't want to hurt Lumine and because she wasn't going to be there long he was protecting her and himself. It sounded more like he got attached and tried to... Detach him self.

He wanted to get to know Xioa. The one who took care of his sister while he wasn't. He had respect for the yakshas and because his sister and him were lovers, he wanted to play a brotherly role to Xiao as well. And hopefully a good uncle towards his niece.

"It seems they really love each other, Paimon, so we needn't worry," he assures her and faces the little village his people began to construct.

"Is it dinner time?!" she watches Aether excitedly and he nods. Paimon's flies off but he stays behind a second longer.

Twins usually separated, and they had for hundreds of years. His sister was starting a family and he loved seeing Lumine happy. Maybe this was immature of him, but he wanted to stay with her forever. He wanted to experience what she was too and if Teyvat was the place to do it, he didn't mind going back. His people were safe and it was time to face Teyvat in a new light. Khaneria was his home, unfortunately he can't bring that back, but perhaps he could journey with Dainsleif again or meet a few of Lumine friends. Maybe meet a lover as well.

"Maybe we'll be returning sooner, Paimon."