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“I’ve told you to be careful,” Chongyun says as he wraps up Xingqiu’s leg. He’s sitting on the floor inside their makeshift tent. Through the thin walls, Chongyun can hear the howling winds of Dragonspine.
“Well, I can’t exactly just stand there and watch you get attacked by a bunch of hilichurls, can I?”
Chongyun was aware that many dangerous individuals often frequent this mountain. So, naturally, he didn’t want to scale it. He had feared for both of their safety but Xingqiu had insisted. It will be a new adventure, he said.
But now, as he kneels down in front of Xingqiu, just having witnessed him slay a pack of hilichurls by himself, Chongyun begins to worry his initial fears weren’t irrational. “As expected, this place is too dangerous.” Chongyun puts away his first aid materials and starts to stand. “We should start our descent tomorrow morning.”
Xingqiu brings a hand up to Chongyun’s face. He carefully stands up. “Chongyun, aren’t you curious to what lies at the top of this formidable mountain,” he asks with a small smile.
Chongyun gently grabs Xingqiu’s hand in his own and pulls it away from his face. “Not if I have to watch you get hurt at the same time.” He brings Xingqiu’s palm to his lips. “You’re obviously more important to me than some stupid ruin.”
“Am I really,” he says, smiling wide. Xingqiu twists his wrist and interlocks their fingers. He looks up at Chongyun and leads him by the hand to their bed.
Even here, the only light a single candle burning on a small table in the centre, Xingqiu looks beautiful. The colour of his eyes warms Chongyun better than any campfire.
Enveloped in the comfort of a blanket and each other’s presence, Chongyun and Xingqiu face each other, their joined hands laying between them.
“I don’t like this mountain,” Chongyun says, plainly and clearly. “Let’s go down tomorrow.”
Xingqiu could tell he really was worried. Softly, he says, “I was just thinking the same.”