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Chapter Text

It was the early hours of the morning when Lumine's water broke. She'd been lying wake in bed, feeling uncomfortable, not knowing why until she felt her inner thighs slip against each other. 'Xiao', she had called for him in an instant. The vigilante yaksha was doing his nightly patrols around Liyue when he heard his name being summoned by his beloved, escorted by the wind that brushed against his face. 

His eyes widened by the urgency in his name, immediately he leaves behind a puff of black, white and green smoke in his stead, journeying over to her in less than a second. She stayed in his living quarters at Wangshu inn, because he barely used it, he allowed her to use it as her own personal space. From what used to be a plain old room with a bed, side table and desk, was now decorated with all of Lumine's things. Her books, clothes, souvenirs from her past travels, everything she owned was in this room. A vase of Qingxin flowers situated before the wide window that viewed the tall mountains of Liyue. 

Xiao lands on the window sill, eyes darting for the girl who'd call out his name only moments ago. He found the blonde trying her best to sit up-straight. He then jumped off and went to her aid.

"What's wrong?" he asked, voicing his concern, an emotion he was still getting used to showing, but it was easy when he was with her. He held her shoulders, helping her stand. 

"My water broke," she winced while standing, taking shaky breaths. Xiao wasn't used to these mortal terms and faced her, puzzled. She gestured towards the bed that left a wet patch and he then looked back at her thighs that dripped a certain liquid. "The baby, Xiao, it's coming," she explained, exasperated as the pain really started to kick in and her legs shook. 

Without another second he lifts her into his arms bridal style, Lumine's grip on him deadly as she let out painful whimpers. Distressed, he took her to Liyue Harbor. He remembered where the clinic ,she forced him to go with her a while back, was. It was open all night so the moment he got there, the nurses who checked on her every few weeks took Lumine. Xiao, not knowing what to do and the gut wrenching feeling of hearing her in pain, clenched his fists standing at the entrance after they took her from him. 

"Come, she needs your support," one of the nurses pulled him by the arm. He let himself be dragged around, following after the other nurses who helped Lumine onto a bed. The nurse left him beside her, the women scurrying around to get ready for the delivery. All the while, Lumine claws at the sheets of the bed, sweat dripping from her forehead, her blonde hair sticking to the side of her face. She tried taking deep breaths, but the contractions were painful. She'd never experienced pain like this, she'd rather fight an entire army of the fatui. 

Witnessing his lover in agony he takes hold of her hand and intertwines them causing Lumine to look over with teary eyes. Xiao felt utter useless in this moment. Centuries of suffering, he should be sick of it, but when Lumine made such an expression he wished he could take her pain. His heart ached for her, it was hurting him to see her like this but it all had to happen. He wasn't sure if he should be upset at himself for getting her pregnant- or the baby who was currently putting it's mother in that excruciating pain.

"Lumine," he brought his hand to take the hair out of her face, wiping her sweat at the same time. "I'll be right here, the entire time." he kissed her knuckles, worshipping them as he kept eye contact. Her body relaxed just a bit, feeling better that he was with her. She squeezed his hand- another contraction. 

Unfortunately, the delivery prolonged longer than they thought. A whole five hours of contractions, Xiao's hands numb from her deathly grip. The tears had dried up a while ago and her mood switched rather quickly. She was no longer an emotional wreck, instead she swore. Swore at how painful it was and swore at Xiao for getting her pregnant in the first place. Xiao took all the insults that was thrown at him and sat beside her the entire time. 

Until finally, the baby arrived and Lumine's voice rang throughout the clinic. 

"Push Ms. Lumine!" The nurses encouraged. Xiao had never experienced such an ordeal right in front of him. Women cheering Lumine on while her knuckles turned white with his. And when the baby finally came, cries enveloped the now silent room. Cries from Lumine and cries from their baby. Xiao's head whipped away from Lumine whose hand went limp in his hold, and eyes that were trying to stay open. 

The nurses ushered him towards the baby so he could cut the umbilical cord. Then they handed him the baby, after teaching him how, who was wrapped up in the softest blanket he'd ever felt. And there she was. Their baby girl. The yaksha was at a loss for words. He didn't know what to say, his eyes fixated on the little being in his arms. She was tiny, fingers even tinier when he touched them. Soft. Precious.  Those were the words that came to mind. She didn't have much hair on her hair, but there was a mix of blonde, teal and black. Her eyes were closed, he didn't know why. 

"Her eyes..." he voiced, not sure if the baby was able to see. 

Then he heard Lumine's exhausted little giggle. "Sometimes babies don't open their eyes until a day or two," she explains and tried lifting her arms. She wanted to meet her daughter too. 

Xiao walked slowly, afraid he'd hurt or drop the baby. She settled Lumine's arms, her cries that went deaf on Xiao's ears finally coming to a stop. He didn't even notice, so entranced with the little being who was a mix of Lumine and himself. Something blossomed in his chest when he saw the image in front of him. The mother of his child, holding their baby. Was this happiness? 

Everything inside him, as he stared at the pair, started to hold up it's guards. 

Protect.

His instincts weren't like those of mortals. These were primal. This was his pact, his family. Their baby was his own flesh and blood. The urge to protect was keeping him on edge. He was like an animal.

Now, everything scared him. 

They spent the rest of the morning at the clinic, allowing Lumine to rest and the baby. As much as Xiao would've liked to stay, he still had his duties. So while his little family slept, he made haste with is executions and commissions so he could be there again before they wake up. 

Never in his years of suffering did he feel this free. His mind and body felt lighter, head clear of any negativity. He easily did his morning patrols. Adepti had no need for sleep- or at least Xiao did not. Yes, at times he'd rest up in bed with Lumine, closed his eyes and let his body melt into the sheets, but he never needed sleep. Just rest to get back his energy. 

When he arrived back at the clinic, Lumine was still asleep, he assumed it was labor exhaustion and placed a soft kiss on her forehead before searching for his daughter. Daughter... The thought and reality was hard to process, but with the baby lying still beside his lover's bed, he couldn't not come to terms with the truth. For a moment, it didn't look like the baby was breathing, causing him to panic as he placed his index finger by her tiny, scrunched up nose. 

Light breaths. 

He sighed, easing the tension that had quickly built up. Was he always going to be this paranoid? On edge with his own child. The thought of losing her made him tremble slightly. He'd only set eyes on the little being a few hours ago and he already wanted to risk his life for her. He felt as if he'd go through another millennia of suffering if it meant his daughter would live a happy and healthy life. 

Yes. He was prepared to make all kinds of sacrifices for her. 

The baby bed was smaller then Lumine's bed, so when he dropped down to his knees, leaning his cheek on the bed, he was still able to see his little sunshine. The baby's fingers moved, as if it wanted to grab onto something. That's when he hesitantly brought his pinkie finger to hers. The baby grabbed it and it made him wonder why she had such a grip at so young. She got it from her mother most likely. Either way he didn't know how to express how precious it was that the baby's fingers could barely wrap around his smallest finger. 

What did Lumine always call him- cute? 

That's what came to mind, although it sounded just as embarrassing in his mind. 

"Xiao." His ears perked from the sound of Lumine's voice. It was raspy, dry- so he poured her a glass of water from a jug that sat besides her bed. 

"Are you okay? Do you need anything?" Xiao's eyes couldn't stay in one place, it darted to every spec on her face, until she raised her one hand to cup his face. He then kept his eyes on her. 

Lumine caught a glimpse of the baby behind him. She'd seen how Xiao interacted with the baby the entire time and found it adorable. Although she was surprised by how entranced Xiao was. He didn't even notice that she'd woken up. 

"I'm okay, really. Just tired," she replied softly, running a thumb over his cheek repeatedly. He relaxed into her touch and leaned into her palm. They sat like that for a while, sitting quietly in their comfortable silence. At some point Xiao had lied his head on her shoulder, still in a sitting position as she ran her fingers through his hair. He purred, almost like a cat which caused Lumine to giggle. 

Xiao didn't say anything, just enjoyed her touch as she hummed a tune from some tone-deaf bard she met. At that moment, she wondered if Paimon was enjoying her stay at Xiangling. She wondered what Paimon would say about her baby. Probably give her some ridiculous name and say that she was cuter than Lumine. If so, Lumine wouldn't be able to deny her own daughter's cuteness. 

She sighed. She was a mother now. What would Aether think?  This was his niece after all. Would he love her too?

Lumine would have to find him first to get the answer. Which lead to her next question. What happens now? She couldn't sit all day, her number one goal was to find her brother.  Would he want to stay in Teyvat? They never stayed permanently in any world they came across. They were travelers. Could she take her daughter too? What about Xiao? He couldn't leave Liyue and once the twins leave they never return to the same world twice. 

She didn't want to deprive him of his daughter. 

Her eyes wandered over the room. Her lover curled up beside her and their baby fast asleep. She had a lot to think about, but not at the moment, she wanted to enjoy the day her daughter was born as much as possible. Nothing could ruin her day. Not this day. 

2 Weeks later...

Lumine was taken home right after they taught her how to breast feed. It was a... learning experience- an interesting one at that. It felt weird at first but nothing sort of different when Xiao would- yeah.

Most of her friends were informed about the baby, they all came to congratulate her. That was a week ago. She also sent letters to her friends in Monstadt and Inazuma. They all wrote back wishing for her to visit with the baby. 

Besides that, most things had changed. She hadn't gone back to work since she started showing, she felt out of shape and with the baby, she was even more exhausted, especially at night when the baby decided to wake up at two in the morning. After Xiao's nightly patrols, he'd rid himself of filth and take care of the baby, although it always ended up with Lumine needing to help. The baby would just not stop crying, which meant she had to stay up all night breastfeeding while Xiao sat beside her, feeling useless. She repeatedly told him that babies are just like that and that their daughter had nothing personal against him, especially when he brought up his karmic debt, saying the baby doesn't want to be held by ' the conqueror of demons'. 

"She'll warm up to you eventually, you're her father," she said with a tired smile. The moon was their only source of light as it illuminated the room through their window.

Xiao didn't look convinced as he watched the two. The baby calm as she drank her mother's milk. 

Lumine felt embarrassed by the way Xiao stared and kicked him gently without stirring the baby. 

"Stop staring," she whined with flush cheeks. Xiao however didn't think anything of it, he knew this was natural. So he didn't look away, but rather he lied down on her abdomen, the baby above him in Lumine's arms. His eyes situated on how the milk sometimes leaked from the baby's mouth. 

"Does it taste like regular milk?" he asked, Lumine's face burning up by the ridiculous question. "No!" she whisper yelled. 

He was curious and somewhat jealous of his daughter who'd been hogging his lover. They hadn't spend a night together in a long time and Xiao was a bit pent up. He knew that they'd be busy, but it was a bit much. Nonetheless, he couldn't think of that, he only had one thing on his mind-

"How does one name a baby?" he asked. He'd been wondering for a while, since they've been calling their daughter 'baby' for the past two weeks. 

"We have to think of one- together," she stated, now realizing that they haven't thought about it. 

Xiao hummed in response. He'd never named anything before, so naming his own daughter had to be special. 

"We can take our time, giving someone a name for the rest of their lives is a big deal," she said, getting the baby off her breast now that she'd fallen asleep drinking. She slid off the bed, placing the baby in her crib before cuddling in with Xiao on their bed. 

"Perhaps we should leave the naming to you. I haven't a clue on how these mortal rituals work," he suggested, Lumine laughing at his common use of the word 'mortal'. 

The couple lied in bed, until Lumine fell asleep and Xiao watched his two girls, swearing to protect them if harm comes their way. And so their lives went on

until...                         

4 Months later...

Lumine started working again, despite having a baby, her mission still went on. It took sometime to get back into shape, but she and Paimon had gotten back on their journey. She hesitated leaving her baby behind, but she knew Xiao was up for the task. She even had Verr Goldet help him with anything he needs. Their baby was in good hands. 

With no worries about her baby, she was able to continue her travels, searching for her brother. Of course there were those encounters she made with him and the abyss. 

During her meetings with Dainsleif, she learned that Aether had been brainwashed, the God that took from the very beginning was behind everything and when she stood up to fight her, she successfully defeated her with the power of all seven elements and the powers that she lost being restored. She even got her wings back, no longer needing her wind-gliders. 

Her brother finally came to his senses and Teyvat was no longer endangered by that evil god. Or at least not for a long time. After all, war never ends. 

But that's when her journey came to an end. Aether suggested they move on with their travels of the worlds and maybe even back to their home world. Lumine was so happy she couldn't agree with him more, and so she stopped at every place she ever went to. Her farewells were as emotional as it gets. Saying goodbye to all her friends were heartbreaking, but then she also got to introduce her brother to them, which made her happy. 

She had yet to state her farewells in Liyue, her last stop, and introduce Aether to Xiao and her daughter.

The thought had only then crossed her mind that she'd no longer see Xiao, and the baby... 

Was she really leaving her own child behind? Was she leaving her lover behind? The man who swore to protect her with his life and with just a single call to his name. To father of her child. The man she loved. Was she leaving him behind as well?

Yes. Her first intention was not to fall in love and start a family in this world she was forced to stay, searing for her brother for so long. Her life there was temporary and her promise to her brother was  made first before anything else. 

She made a point to say her goodbyes to everyone in Liyue first, before meeting Xiao on the balcony of Wangshu Inn, their daughter in his arms. 

"Lumine," he said, the brightest of smiles she'd ever seen lit up in his eyes rather than on his face. She couldn't even enjoy the moment for too long when Xiao noticed the male blonde who flew beside her. Her twin, he could tell quite obviously. 

"Aether, this is Xiao and our baby," she introduced. Of course she filled her brother on all the details before hand. He was shocked, but happy for her. 

"Xiao, my brother, Aether," she said. 

Xiao saw the similarities between them before Aether could even open his mouth, not just in physical appearance. He noticed the kindness and shine in both of their eyes, they truly were siblings. 

After their short greetings, Lumine got Aether to hold his niece for the first time as she dragged Xiao to their room inside the Inn. 

"I'm happy you found your brother." Was the first thing he said. By the way she pulled him along and the words she spoke a long time ago in the back of his head, he dreaded her next words, hoping he could stall for a while. 

"Xiao," she said, voice shuddering as her heart raced. Her time in Teyvat had come to an end, and even though they both knew this would happen when they decided to give into their desires, it was still heartbreaking. 

She didn't have to say anything, he already planted his lips on hers for the last time. He could taste salt, her tears most likely, in their kiss. He didn't want to let her go, his arms wrapped tightly around her small frame. He feared that once their kiss ended, he'd never see her again, which is why when they lost breath and took a breather, he dived straight into the next one. Lips molding with hers, desperate, passionate, begging for her to stay. He felt as though those empty promises they made to stay together forever was just that, empty promises.  

He let himself believe that those promises were real. He knew the heartbreak would come and he might be selfish while thinking this, but he wished that Aether could've stayed missing just a bit longer. He knew it was awful. He was truly a terrible, selfish being. But was it wrong to want to keep the one he loved?

Lumine could feel both their hearts shattering in that moment. And when she finally was able to break the kiss for the third- maybe forth time, she stopped him from going in for another. 

"I'm sorry," she apologized, but he couldn't accept it. She didn't have to be sorry, she could stay. That's what he wanted to say. He wanted to keep her with him. But he couldn't. And that's what frustrated him. It frustrated him so much he didn't realize he was crying until Lumine wiped a way his never ending stream of tears. 

"I can't take her with me-"

"L-Lumine-" she'd never heard his voice crack like that.

"She's too young-"

"P-please don't go-" he begged, both of them speaking over the other, trying not to give into the other's words. 

Her wings fluttered, reaching the balcony as Xiao follows her in a panicked state. Aether witnesses the scene with a saddened expression. Truth is, he asked Lumine countless times, as they did their farewell rounds, if she wanted to stay. She refused each time. She didn't state her reason either. 

He passed his niece to his sister, giving her and Xiao some space. 

Lumine placed kisses all over her daughter's face, apologizing repeatedly, along with 'I love you'. Xiao shook his head, body trembling as the reality kicked him. He was in denial, blaming his karmic debt for his unhappiness when this... was just life. 

She handed their unnamed daughter to him, the Adeptus still shaking his head in disbelief. 

"P-please," he begged.

But Lumine couldn't look him in the eye. 

"Lumine," he whispered in a shaky breath, calling her like she did him in time of need.

She let her tears fall, facing away from the family she was leaving behind. 

Her wings fluttered once more, and se raised off the ground, Xiao's hand lifting, but not reaching, no matter how quick he was or how high he could jump, in a mere second, the twins were gone. Out of reach and gone for good. 

And so he was left there, his daughter abandoned by her mother and him, a father who didn't know how to raise a baby on his own. 

That day, his last tear shed, falling onto the cheek of his four month old baby who he held onto for dear life itself.

"We were supposed to name her together."