a Lesson of Lumine

Chapter Twenty-One: Above the Hilltop & Epilogue

The crisp air made Xiao shiver as he walked outside. While the house did have an alarm system, Zhongli had yet to notice he could still sneak out. He walked across the dimly lit town with his hoodie pulled over his face. He couldn't stop repeating to himself...It was his fault. It was his fault. It was his fault. If he had just got everyone to stay at the house for that time, they would still be alive. Xiao wouldn't have to deal with the burden of having lost those close to him. All of this is why he couldn't even begin to show affection. Someone always got hurt. Xiao walked to his favorite spot - the one hill practically nobody know of. It was so hidden by plants, you had to look for it in order to find it. He walked up the path and heard...something. It sounded like another person. Xiao quickly ran to the top to find nobody other than Lumine sitting on the grass, leaning against the stone bench. Her golden hair peeked barely above, also being the thing that gave her away. As for Xiao he wasn't sure where to go or what to do. He tried to sneak back but accidentally stepped on a stick. "W-who's there?" Her voice shook.
"Tsk. No need to be so hostile."
"Oh...Xiao...Hi...I was just-"
"- don't try to explain yourself. It will only make you look pathetic. I was the one that was leaving," He turned away to finally sneak back but it wasn't quite successful. "Wait...Can you sit here? W-with me?...Just for a little bit..."
"Oh - uh...sure," Xiao nervously walked to sit by Lumine and just kept an eye on the stars. She slowly continued to cry, tears staining her white shorts. Blindly she simply plunged into Xiao's lap. "I...I hate them!" Lumine finally spoke.
"What? Hate who?"
"Everyone! Why can't I just live a normal life and not worry about having to be perfect all the time? I don't know!...Damnit, look at me. I can't even explain my own emotions. You must think I'm so pathetic, crying up on a hill as if this is some 2000's TV drama. You don't-"
"Why'd you come out here Lumine? I see you're not wearing the flowers in your hair."
"Well...I...My uncle took the time to yell at me for wearing such a precious flower on my head all the time - he kept shouting at me even though I kept saying it was a gift from Aether. He then roped everything into it...my grades, my social life, all of it. I...I'm sick of all of this. He's right though! You think I'm crazy, don't you."
"...I don't. Before I start sounding actually mature, sit up. It's not polite to slouch," Xiao helped Lumine sit up and finally began to speak, "Not everyone can tell good things by one glance. I used to think you were just some bubbly gossip girl, and here we are. You live a life the rest of us dream of. Everyone that knows you wants to be like you; Lumine - the smartest, most popular and most beautiful girl in the entire city."
"You...think I'm beautiful?" A smile snuck across her face as her face turned red in a flush. Nevertheless, Xiao continued.
"I've always wanted to live like you. You have a full family - you were never mistreated enough to decide that being alone was a better option. I'm not going to guilt trip you, but just...you have everything. If people yell at you for it, there are still several more waiting to help."
"Xiao? What do you mean by that?" Lumine asked. With a sigh, Xiao sat back and began to share his entire life story in a nutshell. Xiao, along with his siblings, were all adopted. Xiao's birth name was Alatus and he was born into a cruel family that would mistreat him and use him for things no child should have to do. Thankfully, Zhongli stepped in and convinced them to let go of Xiao. Long story short, that's basically how he started to want to be alone. He finished shortly and turned to see Lumine listening intently. "I'm so sorry...It is a miracle though."
"What is? Are you saying that sorrow is a miracle?"
"No...this is," Lumine leaned forward and kissed Xiao. His ears turned a pinkish red as he found himself returning the favor. They stayed like that for a while longer before sitting by each other once more. "Do you really think I'm beautiful? Out of everyone?" She asked.
"Of course. What does it mean to you?"
"It's everything. You've always been such a cool person - everyone always says it."
"Well, everyone also yells at you and everyone can sometimes be a total bitch."
"Hey! Language!" Lumine laughed, gently shoving Xiao. The two spent the rest of the night together on that hilltop. Despite the bugs (mostly mosquitos), it was beautiful. The sun peeking over the treetops was the only thing that brought them out of the deep sleep. There was something so calming about waking next to one another...Everything was as beautiful as you can think.

The two of them returned to school eventually. Xiao was clearly more happy. He was actually able to (narrowly) pass his classes...except geology. The only rocks he cared about were the ones he would give to Lumine as gifts. As for Lumine herself, she was able to let go of being "Little Miss Perfect" to some degree. She still tried her absolute hardest but always turned to Xiao when she needed a break. Zhongli had seen Xiao's face when he saw Lumine - it was the way he looked at Guizhong. Instead of being the overprotective dad, he kept a watchful eye while watching his youngest finally improve...and hopefully get out of Childe's way. Aether was never really that happy about his sister getting a boyfriend. He only was in for the fact he would be seeing Xiao much more often. Over the course of the school year, Xiao and Lumine helped each other out whenever they could. Everything from covering lunch one day to helping make it to class on time. A year later, Xiao and Lumine went to the same spot. They were finally free. They were finally together. Well my dear reader, that concludes todays lesson; a Lesson in Lumine.