Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lumine stretched on a wooden crate atop the Crux Fleet, basking in the warm sun.

What was Captain Beidou thinking, sending me to Sumeru City, borrowing an Akasha, right after a commission? I’m exhausted now. She gazed at Beidou and Kaedehara Kazuha, chatting on the floor of the ship. He had soft, beautiful hair, crimson eyes…and a voice like the wind. She blushed, smiling slightly. She couldn’t help thinking about his chest, his li-

Lumine, what the fuck?!? She sighed, rubbing her hand on the bridge of her nose. What the hell was wrong with her? Beidou’s basically in love with him. Let it go.

She turned around, resting her eyes on the large tree of Sumeru City. Members of the Akademiya frolicked around. It had been a while since she’s been here. I wonder how Nahida’s doing?

The warm sun coerced her into rest. Her aching muscles screamed for a break. She closed her eyes, falling into the warmth. Maybe just a short nap.

The land held the sky on his shoulders, shaking the slightest.

That’s the first thing she saw when she awoke on the deck of the ship. Her body felt heavy, as if the weight of the world had settled on her. Where’d the crates she was on go? Lumine rubbed her eyes and groggily looked around. The day had turned into late afternoon. Someone was sitting close to her. Kazuha?

It was Captain Beidou, standing on the wooden planks of the boat, leaning against the fence. Beidou looked at her.

“Finally awake. You know-” A sudden, violent coughing fit broke through her words, shaking her entire frame. Lumine’s eyes snapped open. Beidou’s face twisted in pain, and the sound of her coughing was… urgent.

Lumine quickly got to her feet. “Captain Beidou! Are you alright?” She reached out, her hands trembling. Beidou’s coughing grew more aggressive, her chest heaving with the effort, before she fell to her knees, blood splattering onto her hands. Lumine’s heart lurched at the sight of the blood. This was no ordinary sickness. And then Beidou collapsed, her breathing ragged.

Lumine froze, her chest tight. A sharp, tearing pain seared through her as shock took over her nervous system.

Kazuha was already rushing over, knocking over some boxes in his haste. He kneeled beside Beidou, his voice desperate. “Beidou! Beidou!” He shook her, his hands trembling. “Are you alright?”

Beidou’s eyes opened just a crack. “No…not really.” She whispered softly, her voice hoarse.

She let out a quiet, strained laugh, attempting to lighten the mood.

Kazuha shook his head, his face pale, and gently lifted Beidou from the floor into his arms. “Traveller, follow me. Let’s take a look at her.”

It was night. The doctor said Beidou was sick with a rare fatal illness. “The only cure known is a herb on top of Dragonspine, the snowstorm of Mondstat,” she had said.

Kazuha had gone into the guest’s sleeping area. He was acting detached, and…cold. He’s probably in anguish, Lumine thought. But he’s trying to hold it together.

The moon was already high in the air. She yawned, exhausted. Whether she liked it or not, she needed to take a rest.

She quietly made her way into the guest’s dormitory. Colourful rags hung off the dark corridors of the ship, lightening the place up. In the dormitory, there was just one lonely silhouette. Kazuha, watching the window. He was humming a melody, a melancholy one. She decided not to disturb him, sitting down on one of the futons.

“Lumine.” It was the first time he had called me by my name.

He spoke as clear as the sea, his voice a brush of autumn.

“Come here.”

Lumine crawled to the window, and sat down next to Kazuha on his futon, her legs crossed.

“Kazuha?”

Her heart was beating abnormally fast.

He continued staring out at the beautiful foliage of Sumeru’s hills. “I know I’m supposed to be in pain, and angry, but Lumine, I can’t feel anything. I feel so numb…it doesn't feel real.” He looks at her, his breath shaking. His hands were trembling uncontrollably.

A warm tear falls down Lumine's cheek. The rawness of her fear and denial unfurls away, to reveal a passionate sadness.

“It’s- it’s okay not to feel anything. It was so sudden, you’re in denial.” She draws a shaky breath in, “Beidou has been your best friend for…so long.”

He nods. They sit in silence.

“Do you love her?” she abruptly asks.

“I do…I love her as friends love each other. But, truthfully, no.” He sighs. “I wish I could. But I just don’t see her like that. Do you…understand what I mean?”

“I see. Yeah, I do.”

“Anyways, sorry for bothering you. We should get some rest.” He undoes his hair, ending the conversation early.

“Goodnight.” Lumine retired to her own bedding. Minutes pass. Both of them are trying to sleep.

“We can go to Dragonspine.”

“I thought you would never say it.”

Morning crept up on Lumine. The light caressed her cheek, shining into her eyes. And yet, last night’s memories dwelled in her mind, the blood on Beidou’s hands like a horror film.

She made her way out of the enclosed area, onto the open air deck. The wooden floor felt wet – did it rain while she was asleep? Maybe it was the morning dew. She went up to Beidou’s room, and knocked.

“Come in,” Beidou ordered.

For a second, Lumine thought Beidou was feeling better – her voice had sounded bright. She was resting in a bed, with a tray of food, water, and herbs on her lap. Alas, her eyes were weary, and her skin was pale.

“Hello Captain. How are you…feeling?” Lumine enquired, carefully managing her tone.

“You don’t have to tip-toe around me now that I’m sick,” Beidou laughed, “it’s okay. I’m doing a bit better but I can’t seem to stand up.”

“Please rest, it’s the best thing you can do.” Lumine breathed in. “Has Kazuha told you about our plans?”

“To go to Dragonspine? Yes, he did. But I firmly denied it.”

Lumine’s eyes widened. “You denied it? But your condition-”

Beidou waved her off, her usual confidence wavering only slightly. “I’m not allowing you two risk your lives for me.”

Lumine’s demeanor softened. She’s only trying to protect him from danger. But, “Kazuha... he’s not going to give up, is he?”

“What do you think, Traveller?”

Chapter Text

That day, Kazuha and the Traveller already left the Crux Fleet. “We have to get there as quickly as possible,” Kazuha said to Beidou. Lumine was sure it was tough for the woman to say goodbye to her best friend, succumbing him to unknown dangers.

They were walking through Sumeru City. Kazuha’s eyes were set on his map, expression unusually determined. Lumine tip-toed over his shoulder, trying to see what he was looking at.

Kazuha showed no response to her proximity, and walked faster. “See if you can keep this pace up,” he chuckled.

“Of course I can!"

Time passed - sunset was close. Long vines and moss draped the trees, occasionally touching the travellers as they walked down the pathway. The duo has almost left Avidya Forest, approaching the Chasm. 

“Traveller, we should set up camp here.” Kazuha murmured, his mind on something else.

“Leave it to me,” Lumine answered. She hasn’t had to walk this much since she came to Sumeru from Natlan, a month ago – rest was very welcome.

“We’re doing this together,” Kazuha made eye contact with her. “We’re travelling together. Let me help.”

“Fine, go ahead and set up a campfire.”

While Kazuha went out to search for dry wood, Lumine stayed in the meadow and opened her bag, looking for her futon. Light and portable, perfect for travelling…where is it? Did I forget it? No big deal, it’ll be just like before I had it then.

Kazuha returned with a few branches. “This probably won’t last after we go to bed, but it’s quite damp here so this is the only dry wood in the area.” He observed Lumine on the ground. “Traveller, you should probably set up your futon…”

Lumine felt a smile forming at the corner of her mouth at her carelessness. “About that, I’m pretty sure I forgot it. I used to sleep without one until recently anyways, so it doesn’t bother me.”

“Share mine,” he said, with no expression.

Until he started blushing. “I’m not going to do anything like that, and the nights in Sumeru are worse than Inazuma’s…you’ll freeze.”

“Kazuha…”

He regained his posture. “I don’t want to carry the guilt of allowing a lady to sleep in the cold. Understand?”

Lumine sighed and bowed her head down, her cheeks red as beetroot. “Thanks, Kazuha…”

Without a word, she set up their futon. Walking into the forest, she shot down a bird, and brought it to her companion. Kazuha took out some stale berries from his bag.

They kept from interacting with each other, not sure how to navigate the tension between them.

Finishing his food, Kazuha glanced at Lumine, a spark in his eyes. “Shall we go to bed, my lady?” he tenderly coaxed, leaving a smirk on his face.

Lumine gasped. “Kazuha!!! D-don’t act like that… we’re just sharing tonight. Because it’s cold…”

“Sorry Lumine, the joke was too easy to make. Speaking of cold, I think I’m going to get into bed.”

Of all people, why does it have to be him I sleep with?

The frigid wind of Sumeru’s night hit Kazuha’s face. Lumine’s warmth seeped through the layers between them. She clung to him, her breath against his chest keeping him awake.

Her legs were intertwined with his - and her arm was draped across his stomach. Kazuha's mind started go to awry.

Focus, he reminded himself.

Kazuha brought his gaze to the crimson fire, the dying embers mesmerizing him. They were so beautiful; it was a shame they had to disappear so quickly. A gust of wind roused their glow, bringing him back into the moment.

Kaedehara. The journey ahead matters, nothing more.

Yet… Lumine shifted slightly in her sleep, her hand brushing slightly against his. No. It was natural – just survival. They were travellers, company, and he was protecting her from the cold, nothing more. He exhaled, turning his head to the canopy above. It was best not to dwell on these things. Instead, he shifted his focus to the journey ahead.

“Dragonspine,” he muttered under his breath. “The cold there will make this night seem warm.”

His grip tightened over the edge of the futon, grounding himself in tangible things. The expedition. Beidou’s life. The path ahead.

The samurai closed his eyes for a moment, melting into the stillness, ignoring the warmth at his side that felt…far too distracting.

Tomorrow, they would continue. And that was all that mattered.