Starfell (Genshin) - From enemies to lovers (Chilumi)

60 ✦ Saving Sumeru - Part 1

LUMINE

The following day I spend the day in Aaru Village to talk to the group as we prepare to face the Sages of the Akademiya after gathering our last bits of information. Today was another day planned that I was spending with Alhaitham which I purposely did not mention to Childe because things between us are just going so well and I don't want to break this momentum. And to be honest... I don't know if it's the fact that suddenly he thinks there's another man in the picture after me but... the sex in the bedroom tripled over even better than I thought it could. Who would've thought a little jealousy would fire him up like that?

Maybe a little jealousy is not such a bad thing...

I'm ripped out of my inner monologue admiring Childe's bedrooms skills when my eyes locate the Scribe near a house. He's busy talking with someone. I take my time walking up to them to evade interrupting their discussion. The person walks off and he stands there thoughtfully, spacing out.

I don't get why I feel so awkward when I'm alone with him now.

"Alhaitham!!" Paimon exclaims and waves happily, unaware of what happened because I completely forgot to tell her. He turns around and his eyes rest on me for a moment as I walk up the stone stairs to him.

"So, have you said your goodbyes?" He asks.

"Mhmm!! Candance told us to be careful!!" Paimon nods gleefully.

"Yes... but our plan isn't child's play. We won't achieve anything if we're too careful. We must be fully committed to this." He points out.

"I hope that's clear to you?" He says in a scrutinizing tone which is not uncommon for him.

I blink.

Maybe the awkwardness is all in my head. He's still the same unfiltered guy that he's always been. I'm actually quite thankful for it too.

"Don't worry, I understand the plan." I nod.

"Uhh... that's not very cheerful.. this guy doesn't do morale boosting does he?" Paimon says to me with an awkward voice and I laugh.

"Didn't we... already do all that during the meeting..." he replies just as awkwardly and I burst out loud laughing.

"Sheesh! You can never have enough words of encouragement y'know!" Paimon places her hands on her hips with a frown.

"In that case... you can let Candace cuddle you with words of encouragement while I continue to remind you the seriousness of our situation." He raises a brow at Paimon.

Cuddle? Oh.. is he making it a point for me not to get weird thoughts about what happened?

"Some people handle logistics and some fight on the frontlines. Don't come to me for warm fuzzy words." He sighs and I have to hold in a chuckle.

This is the same guy who held me to keep me warm. The irony.

"Speaking of front lines. You don't exactly look like a solder." Paimon points out.

"Obviously I'm just a feeble scholar compared to the mercenaries." He replies as if that's obvious.
"The advantages of that is that I get to stay in a safe location instead of in direct danger and offer strategic insight."