Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lumine was just about done with men. How many failed long relationships has she been in? Oh right, 10… from the age of 18 to 25. She didn’t have a single month where she was single in the past 7 years. That was because she moved on quickly. Mostly because all her exes were trash. Lumine then got a text… Great just great it was her boyfri- well now ex-boyfriend, Lumine rolled her eyes while keeping him on delivered. She wasn't even gonna bother reading his text. After all, he had cheated on her with his girl best friend.

“Great Lumine, you always pick the worst people to date,” she said to herself. Why did she always get the short end of the stick? Was there something wrong with her? Or was it simply bad luck that came upon her? Whatever it was Lumine was sick and tired of it. Buzz… Lumine didn’t even bother looking at who texted her guessing it was her ex, Felix. He was an… okay guy. He wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but she wasn’t either; so, who was she to judge.

She was finished with her moping, (She was moping for 3 minutes) reborn with newfound confidence. She didn’t need a man or woman for that matter in her love life! She could live her life without any romantic relationship! She was perfectly fine being on her own! Buzz… Lumine sighed and picked up the phone to see the message, silently praying it wasn’t Felix.

Aether: I’m killing him.

Lumine: Aeth you said that with my 9 other exes.

Aether: No, I’m serious I’m slitting his throat.

Lumine: Okay, well good luck with that you're like half his size.

Aether: Serious Lumi? Your 5 ex-boyfriends and 4 ex-girlfriends were all trash! When are you going to find someone to treat you right?

Lumine: Aeth, I’m going to take a break from relationships for a while.

Aether: Good, I hope you’ll go through with that.

Lumine: Okay Aeth, I better sleep soon. I am TIRED!!!

Aether: Good night, Lumi.

Picking out her plain baby blue pajama pants and white shirt, Lumine fell back on her bed. Closing her eyes Lumine rolled over, so she was laying down properly on her bed, slowly drifting off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Despite being in 10 relationships in the span of 7 years, Lumine was not very social. Aether had always been the more outgoing twin. Now she sat at her desk reading a text from one of her only friends Xiangling.

Xiangling: “Hey girl! Everyone wants to meet up at the local bar for drinks! I hope to see you there! ;)”

Lumine: “I’d love too! Who’s coming?”

“Oh just Xingqiu, Chongyun, Hu Tao, and Aether said he might come a little late. He’s apparently stuck at work.

“Alright I’ll be there in 20!”

Putting down her phone Lumine packed up her things. Closing up the cafe as she was the last to leave. She worked as a barista at a popular cafe, named “Divine Seelie.” Most weekends the cafe was packed with customers, while weekdays were filled with take-out orders. Getting in the car, Lumine set her directions to her house. She couldn’t go to a bar in her cafe uniform.

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Unlocking the door to her apartment, Lumine took off her sneakers and raced to her bedroom. The bar was a 5-minute walk from her house, so she could take her time getting ready. Picking out a light blue lace bralette from her drawer. She moved over to her closet taking out a white mini skirt, adding a white blazer to finish the look. She already had on light makeup. She decided she was ready to leave, after checking herself in the hallway mirror.

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Opening the doors to the bar she immediately spotted Xiangling and the others. As she walked over to their table, she ran into someone… a man. The first thing she noticed was his blue dead eyes, along with the fluffy ginger hair. He was an attractive man, definitely more attractive than her exes. The man smiled at her and apologized. Blushing slightly, Lumine apologized as well. And immediately started speed walking towards her friends. This guy was WAY too handsome to keep her promise that she made with herself. But before she could walk closer to the table the man grabbed her wrist gently.

“Do you mind if I buy you a drink as an apology?” The man said with a grin.

Lumine froze; she couldn’t turn down a free drink, but she had to get to her friends. Trying to come up with a polite response, she awkwardly said. “Maybe another time?”

“I’ll take you up on that offer,” The man smiled with a wink and walked away.

Lumine mentally facepalmed herself, for coming up with that response. Sighing as she walked up to her friend's table. Xiangling waved at Lumine.

“What’s got you in such a sour mood?” Xiangling questioned, taking a sip of her drink, the usual spicy watermelon margarita.

“Eh, it’s not that big of a deal,” Lumine waved off Xiangling’s question, taking a seat right next to Hu Tao. She was not about to tell her friends about some awkward conversation she just had with a cute guy.

“OOOooOOoo, looks like our little friend here is hiding something, ~” Hu Tao giggled, leaning her head on Lumine’s shoulder.

“It better not be another lover,” Aether muttered under his breath.

“Haha,” Lumine mockingly laughed at Aether’s muttering.

“A but no, I am done with relationships,” Lumine emphasized.

“I am making a bet she won’t last a month alone!” Hu Tao laughed… straight in Lumine’s face.

“A month is generous, I give a week and a half,” Xingqiu joked calmly.

“I think Lumine has it in her, I’ll give her two months,” Chongyun added.

“I agree, she can 100% make it two months!” Xiangling said, smiling at Lumine.

“Hey! Can we stop betting on this,” Lumine huffed.

“And by the way I can make it a whole year without someone! I lasted 18 years without a partner!” Lumine huffed.

“Hah! That’s because Mom and Dad banned you from dating!” Aether exclaimed loudly.

“You guys are soooo annoying, when are you going to stop acting like children!” Lumine groaned.

“Hey! At Least we aren't dating like middle schoolers,” Hu Tao teased.

“I do not!”

“You do! One day you introduce us to some guy and the next week it’s a whole new person!” Hu Tao giggled.

“Whatever!” Lumine crossed her arms, looking the other way while cracking a slight smile.

“See you know it!” Hu Tao pointed in Lumine’s direction.

Shaking her head, Lumine just knew that this would be a long night.