Chapter Text
Choosing a tourist location to spend the evening with Yun Jin may not have been your brightest idea. There are many non-liyuen people and familiar faces scattered together. You pull your shoulders back and stand straight. You crane your neck to look at Yun Jin.
Her eyes have thinned in only what you can assume is breathlessness.
No. That is what you’re feeling right now.
“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” Yun Jin looks up to return your stare. Now you understand that her eyes are thin from a smile. She feels… happy. “Yet all you dare to look at is me or your hands.”
“The moon isn’t out. It is only the evening.” You realise that your posture has slipped and fix it quickly. This only makes the amusement in Yun Jin’s eyes more apparent. “You are an astute woman. I’m sure you're aware of my uneasiness around normal people.”
“I’m aware.” She turns her head to look over the harbour. “I was referring to an Inazuman phrase. ‘The moon is beautiful’ is synonymous with ‘I love you.’ Some see it as impolite to say such a phrase so abruptly.”
You open your mouth and close it. You bite the inside of your cheek. A long silence spills over the both of you. You have never wanted to pick the skin off of your face so badly before. But you can’t. She is looking at you so intently again.
“That is quite convenient, personally, at least.” You dip your feet into the cold water, metaphorically. “I appreciate forwardness, as I don’t understand statements veiled by metaphors, but it is quite a tense declaration.” You try to escape her intrusive gaze. It prods your chest and warms your skin. Your hands start to itch from the uncomfortable temperature. “I think the moon is beautiful as well.”
Yun Jin holds your hand. They feel so different from your own. Your hands are calloused from your polearm, but you recall she regularly has her hands and nails washed and scrubbed and painted for performances. It reminds you of the gap between you both.
“Shenhe. You are so cute when you’re shy.” Yun Jin plays with the hand in her hand. Maybe she feels restless too. “It is how I know you tell the truth.”
You want to kiss her. That is what humans do in tender moments like these. She… wants to kiss you because she sees you as a person. And people kiss each other in tender moments like these.
Your knees are locked and she’s smirking at you knowingly. She reads you so easily.
“Lean down already, silly.” Yun Jin is impossible to defy.
You slouch your back and with a crack, you’re at a suitable height to kiss her. Your eyes are on the hair against her ear and jaw and she understands.
The kiss freezes as your lips meet. Perhaps even people capable of initiation feel anxious. You lean into her lips with haste. Yun Jin squeezes your arms and smiles against you.
Someone behind you claps. You turn swiftly, Yun Jin tumbling forward. She laughs hard into your chest.
“Chongyun?” You flush. Why are you turning red?
“Aunt Shenhe. Ah, apologies for the interrupting, but I’m happy you two finally got together.” Chongyun’s smile is soft and genuine, but something irks you.
“Finally?”
His eyebrows raise and he looks away abruptly. “I didn’t mean to imply anything rude.” His palms are raised defensively.
A girl with dark brown twin tails and the young boy Xingqiu appear right behind Chongyun.
Maybe what was irking you was not his phrasing but that boy’s presence. “You’re hanging out with Xingqiu?” Your voice is accusatory.
“Aunt…” His eyes are now permanently resting at his feet.
“Apologies. I did not mean to come off aggressive. It’s just…” Your sentence ended with desperation.
“Fret not, Yun. Feel no qualms as I take no offence. Ma’am Shenhe, let me clarify what Chongyun meant by ‘finally.” Xingqiu brought his hands together. In your eyes, they seem particularly mischievous.
The girl with twin tails spoke up, louder than the boy. “No, no. Let me illustrate it for you, Miss Shenhe! Who knows if this fiend with the delinquent haircut can comprehend what Chongyun means and/or convey it truthfully!!! Poor ‘Yun-yun’ only means that you’ve been pining for Lady Yun Jin for many a year. He is happy to see you finally pursuing the fair maiden!”
She seems quite passionate and dedicated. You will trust her. “Ah, I see. What is your name? Are you a friend of Chongyun’s? Do you not trust the blue-haired one as well?”
“Yip yip, Miss Shenhe! So many questions immediately.” Her smile takes a devious upturn. She is starting to resemble Xingqiu. “My name is Hu Tao! The Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour. I am one of Chongyun’s close friends alongside Xingqiu and Xiangling! And Xinyan if you know her. But yes, yes! I agree completely with you. The blue-haired boy cannot be trusted! He is quite the trickster, always harassing our innocent and unsuspecting Chongyun.”
Chongyun covers his face, “Hu Tao, please stop.”
“I know you feel embarrassed with this uncovered truth but I and your Auntie are here to support you!”
Hu Tao is suddenly on the ground as Chongyun pushes her. She gasps dramatically.
“Chongyun!” One of your hands meets your hip. “Why would you push a friend?”
“She is lying to you repeatedly!” He pleas. “She teases me just as must as Xingqiu and she is doing it right now. Please ignore them.”
You look at the grinning Hu Tao now crossing her legs, sitting on the ground and to Xingqiu, who is stifling a laugh. “I see. I shall disregard their comments. I appreciate your support for my romantic endeavours.”
Chongyun bows his head, still deeply embarrassed. “I should leave now. Please oblige, you guys.”
They nod enthusiastically, both clinging to Chongyun’s arms. “Can you pretty please buy us food at Wanmin?”
“You both have enough money to buy your own food…” Chongyun sighs, exhausted, but there is a fond smile on his face. Even through what you see as childish and manipulative.
Yun Jin stands on her toes to whisper cheerfully, “They’re just having fun, Shenhe. Chongyun likes his friends. You shouldn’t worry so much about him.”
“You’re… right. I guess.”
“You’re pretty childish too, you know?”
She reads you too easily..