I have some ship and lore headcanons that live rent free in my brain, and since my last post about how Lumine has dated different people at different times gained some minor traction, I figured it would be fun to expound upon it. Feel free to use for fics I’m too lazy to write.
Like many people, I headcanon that Childe not only tricked Lumine into friendship but into an actual romantic relationship prior to the golden house fight. (Because of when I started playing, the lantern rite was happening around this time) I also headcanon that Lumine initially met and became closely acquainted to Xiao simultaneously during lantern rite. If people remember the first Lantern Rite, Xiao does not take the traveler up on watching the lanterns with her. So to me, it created the perfect scenario for Childe to swoop in to have a romantic lantern rite date as Xiao attempted to create distance due to his karmic debt. Xiao’s iconic save the day moment where he catches Lumine, followed by his story quest, is while Lumine heals from the betrayal and is opening herself up to Xiao instead.
On that note, I also headcanon that Xiao cannot contractually leave Liyue (not counting the chasm) and due to his deep respect for Rex Lapis, he honors his obligation despite the end of all contracts. (I created a whole plot line in my mind that Xiao breaks this rule to save Lumine one time, arguing that his duty to Liyue extends to protecting one of its greatest heroes. But that’s too long to explain here)
Long story short, he can’t really travel with the traveler which leaves their relationship very open ended, despite both of them professing their love. To Xiao, she is like a bird he has to set free and wasn’t supposed to have to begin with.
Okay this is a weird one. By this point Childe’s story quest is done and they’ve somewhat reconciled. But I headcanon that Childe at first is a part of the Inazuma archon quest up until we flee to Watatsumi to fight alongside Kokomi. I also headcanon that he offers to go with her by boat, but Lumine, still distrusting his motives, tricks him with a kiss (very Jack sparrow and Elizabeth inspired if I’m being honest) and uses her anemo powers to blast her little boat away from shore before he can join. Dejected, he doesn’t follow, but eventually forgives her for it and understands why it was a conflict of interest.
Obviously all the canon quests and events resolve the betrayal between Childe and Lumine by the time we’re in Fontaine. But I do headcanon that the night before Childe’s arrest, Lumine has trouble sleeping and decides to take Childe up on a secret late night walk in Fontaine. He shows her the Icewind Suite Mecca with the intention of them partnering to fight it the next morning, but they dance along side them in a super bittersweet romantic way at night. The next morning Lumine is excited to spend more time with Childe, but he’s arrested and they are obviously separated until he is seen fighting the narwhal.
Alright here’s where things take a turn. Canonically, we haven’t seen Childe since Fontaine. Only brief mentions of him and letters. I headcanon that the Tsaritsa purposefully avoids assigning him closely to her right now because of his obvious attachment. Because of this, Lumine has for the most part remained alone for all other nation and archon quests, and in her heart desires for a world where she can settle down in Liyue to be with Xiao again (cue romantic lantern rite moments). (I do also headcanon that a lot of other people like her since she’s so famous, so there flirtatious moments here and there)
Lumine is pretty resolved that she’s meant to be alone at this point though, and the first time in a while that Lumine starts to be uncomfortable with her own feelings is when Wanderer saves her in Nod Krai. Remember, at this point they’ve had plenty of run ins and limited events together. So by the time he saves her from Dottore, I headcanon that he essentially (begrudgingly) admits to having some sort of feelings for her, and attempts to not make it a big deal and says a lot of nonchalant crap like “puppets don’t even have a heart, so it’s okay. You don’t have to say anything back” Lumine doesn’t return his feelings right away but by the time he offers his core to Sandrone she’s feeling conflicted and in denial.
This is where things start to actually take off between Wanderer and Lumine. I headcanon a lot of awkwardness and avoidance at first, accumulating into a pretty intense conversation in the Mausoleaum of King Deshret before the big battle with Dottore (the convo is sparked by Wanderer chatting it up with that Npc Hapaysia I think?) Lumine then assumes and asks Wanderer if he’s since gotten over his feelings, and he gets a bit defensive and doubles down that he’s in fact not over it. Lumine deflects and gives 100 reasons she’s not a good person for him and how the timing is not appropriate (they are literally at war) but she avoids Wanderers question of if she actually reciprocates. He asks her and instead of saying yes or no, she almost implies that she’s still not over his past. This leaves him noticeably hurt before the big fight.
Obviously the fight ensues, Wanderer is heroic af. They reconcile and Lumine apologizes for bringing up his past. They almoooost part ways but thanks to a certain Dendro Archon giving Wanderer a push, I headcanon that he kisses her. Lumine accepts that she actually has feelings for him, and he joins the group on the trip to Mondstat.
The issue is, Lumine is bounded for Shneznaya. She doesn’t know what it’ll be like to see Childe again, she still longs for Xiao and misses him, and she refuses to ask Wanderer to accompany her to a place so ridden in his past identity. I headcanon that they talk about it, and he tells her essentially “don’t ask me to go with you, because I’ll say yes and I can’t say yes” it’s too painful. Yet again, my girl is doomed to leave her lover behind.
