Chapter Text
The train came to a stop. Stepping off the train, Chongyun stretched his arms before suddenly being tackled by someone. He looked up to see Bennett, who was all smiles, “Chongyun! You really came! Come on, Xingqiu and Razor are waiting for you at the cafe we picked out!”
They began to walk out of the station. Chongyun asked, “did you wait for me all alone? Why didn’t anyone else come with you?” and Bennett replied, “I was so excited! It’s been a long time since we even met up at all! Besides, Razor doesn’t like crowds, and Xingqiu would get overrun by people since he’s reading all the time.”
“Ah..you’re right about that. I’m still worried about you and your bad luck..”
“I could have jinxed something I guess,” Bennett shrugged, “but I didn’t! I think the world’s finally smiling on me, isn't that great? It’s like your arrival actually means something!”
A laugh came out of Chongyun, “let’s not think too hard about it.”
“Okay, okay.”
Chongyun didn’t like leaving his city and friends for school. However, since he was an exorcist and that required him to go to a special academy to learn how to properly exorcise spirits, though he knew it wouldn’t be of use because of his...medical condition. It was the first time in two years that he was going to see his friends again.
He was downright ecstatic! He couldn’t get too excited though or he’d lose it, but that was okay, he still was happy to see his friends. He had gotten numerous calls and messages from all of them, he had saved them all just in case. He couldn’t lose them.
The wheels on the bag he was dragging around clicked across the tiles outside of the station. Leaves from trees flew from them, dancing in the air before settling on the ground. People were lingering at the station, greeting family members or friends.
Bennett gestured down the street, “there’s the cafe. Everyone’s waiting for you!”
So he followed him down the street, looking around at the stores he had gone to before he went to the academy. It was all so nostalgic. Storekeepers recognized him and waved to him, glad to see that he was back and okay.
They made it to the cafe and Bennett opened the door, greeting the receptionist and heading over to the booth where Xingqiu and Razor were waiting. Xingqiu lowered his book and he smiled at Chongyun, “I’m glad to see that you are well.”
Razor nodded, “I am..glad, Chongyun.”
His luggage was kept underneath the table as he took a seat next to Xingqiu. A waitress came over and they ordered their food before getting right into the conversation. Bennett had his elbows on the table, leaning forward, “Xingqiu could hardly sit still before I left to pick you up.”
Xingqiu flipped a page of his book, “it has been two years since you left..time passes by fast. How was the academy? Did they teach you well?” He was ignoring Bennett’s comment.
“It was fine, I aced most of the classes,” Chongyun said, “they had a lot of books that I think you would like.”
“Really? Please tell them to me, perhaps I can get my hands on them,” Xingqiu lowered the book to make eye contact with Chongyun. The two were in their separate world as they discussed the books that Chongyun had found at the academy he went to. Bennett sighed, shaking his head.
He said, “those two..why do they ignore us constantly whenever they talk?”
“Is it because they both like each other?” Razor tilted his head, “close friends like each other enough to talk over other people.”
“...I don’t think that’s the case.”
“Is it because you talk too much and they’d rather not hear you?”
“That’s not it either! Come on, Razor,” Bennett stared at him and Razor shrugged, “you talk too much, Bennett, I can’t keep up.”
“If you asked me, I would slow down..”
“I’m sorry.”
Xingqiu looked over at Bennett and Razor before holding the book up to make sure the two wouldn’t be listening in. He leaned into Chongyun and said, “now that you’re back, I must tell you of how Bennett and Razor have been progressing in their friendship, just like we have discussed before you left.”
“Has anything changed?”
“As much as Razor doesn’t show it, I suppose he finds solace in Bennett’s company. He rarely goes anywhere in the first place, but when he does, Bennett is always with him. Perhaps he finds that Bennett’s energy counters his anxiety?”
“Interesting. We’ll have to keep going to see what happens next,” Chongyun nodded and Xingqiu nodded as well, a devious smile on his face, “I’m excited to see what transpires between the two. I hope it's something so well done that it can’t be explained in any romance novel.”
The two snickered. Their plan was, before Chongyun left, that they were going to set Bennett and Razor up. That was two years ago, and the plan was still going to be enacted. Seeing Xingqiu filled with mischief gave Chongyun happiness, he loved how Xingqiu could get so mischievous even if it was on him.
It would be a case of good luck for Bennett and something to experience for Razor! It was a good plan they had made together.
Their food arrived and they dug in, enjoying each other’s company and reunion. Seeing Bennett and Razor talk, Chongyun glanced at Xingqiu and Xingqiu glanced back at him. Their eyes met and they burst out into laughter, surprising Bennett and Razor.
It was just like the good old times.
Chongyun wouldn’t have wanted anything less. He could tell the slight differences between all of them but it was like another piece of the grand puzzle, him coming back was really like a good thing sent by the world. Maybe Bennett was onto something.
He glanced at Xingqiu again while the other was focused on reading, and he smiled. He was finally home.