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That day for Chongyun had been interminable, like all the others: get out of bed at seven to be in class at eight, lessons until midday, lunch -as disgusting as ever-, so many tests that Chongyun himself couldn't even remember, training and training and then finally he could return exhausted to his room just before dinner, time to take a shower.
Once inside, he could already hear the water running: Kaeya had probably finished his lessons before him, as always. He was following the sword training course, so he and Chongyun practically never meet all day until dinner time. The younger boy placed gently his claymore on the bed a thud, then walked over to his desk and opened the laptop. That day he hadn't had time to talk with Xingqiu because Childe didn't leave him for a moment, damn it.
'What could I write to him?' he thought hesitantly in front of the screen, with Xingqiu's chat at the top.
Intent on staring at the screen, a green light came on: Xingqiu is online.
"Hey Xingqiu," Childe announced as he took off his sweatshirt with a brusque gesture: "Today is my turn to shower first."
"Sure, go ahead."
Xingqiu was not interested in showering first. He wanted to make sure Chongyun was okay, bacause that day he couldn't get enough time -and enough credible lies to tell Childe and his group of friends- to go talk to him without getting caught. To the whole school the idea that a Cryo and Hydro user could even look each other in the eye seemed absurd: not surprisingly, each elemental users had an isolated floor. They were just mixed during lessons to avoid too many classrooms.
He carefully placed his sword -of the same course as Kaeya's- in its case and then turned on the PC.
His eyes immediately fell on the green icon at the bottom right of the screen: Chongyun is online.
Chongyun, today at 6:43 PM
Hey!! Are you free this evening after dinner?
Xingqiu, today at 6:44 PM
Sure! Now I must take a shower. Today our room is in the first shift at dinner, so by 8 PM I should be already back. Childe probably goes to watch the game with the others.
Chongyun, today at 6:44 PM
Same luckily, I'm starving! But Kaeya will remain here with me because he has an important exam in the next days.
Xingqiu, today at 6:44 PM
So we can't call :(
Chongyun, today at 6:44 PM
No, that sucks.
Xingqiu, today at 6:45 PM
I have an idea! My room is free, want to come?
Chongyun, today at 6:45 PM
Are you mad!? A Cryo user on Hydro's floor? Don't you remember what happened the last time with that boy named Razor? Pyro users literally panicked like if they saw a demon! The other boys would probably destroy me!
Xingqiu, today at 6:46 PM
No, silly! Today there's the game! Everyone is planning to go!... Except for me, of course.
...
Xingqiu, today at 6:46 PM
Trust me, my liege. Nobody will find out.
Chongyun, today at 6:46 PM
Alright. But we have to wait the second shift to finish dinner. Your room at 9:15 PM?
Xingqiu, today at 6:47 PM
Deal. Now Childe's coming back. Need to go.
See ya <3
Xingqiu has disconnected.
"Xingqiu, I've finished!" Childe came out of the shower in a bathrobe, rubbing his head to dry his hair. "You can go."
"Ah sure, thanks." Xingqiu replied, turning abruptly and instinctively closing the laptop.
Childe never cared about Xingqiu's personal affairs, nor did he intend to spy on his personal stuff, but lately Xingqiu seemed to want to hide something from him. In the past he had insisted, then he realized it was better to let it go.
"Tonight I'm going to see the game with the others. Are you coming?"
"Nah, I think I'll stay here." the younger replied thoughtfully as he retrieved his towel and soap.
"What!? But it's Liyue against Mondstadt! You can't miss this one!"
Ignoring him, Xingqiu justified himself: "I know, it's just... I have a headache. I think I'll rest this evening."
His friend snorted, visibly annoyed. "Well, as you like."
And Xingqiu went into the bathroom.
Kaeya left the bathroom expecting Chongyun already in the room. "There you are. I thought you were holed up in some hot girl's room."
Chongyun chuckled: "If only there were some interested in me." But he got serious soon after: "I'm not staying in our room this evening, anyway."
"Uh? And where are you going? I highly doubt you want to go to see the game and meet those cackling other elemental users in front of a screen."
"Of course not!" Chongyun said with mock disbelief. "I just don't want to bother you and I have no reason to stay here. I'm going to take a walk."
"Alright then," his older friend replied as he adjusted his newly worn shirt. "see you soon in the canteen."
"See you later." and Chongyun went to wash himself too.
***
"Okay Xingqiu, I'm going." Childe was already at the door, visibly impatient to go to his friends. "Have fun... I guess?"
Xingqiu raised his head from the book he was staring at, pretending to be reading it, and replied calmly: "Oh, thank you. Then tell me how the game goes."
When Childe closed the door Xingqiu sat up on the bed to reach the laptop and notify Chongyun. As soon as he sent the message he began tidying up the room to make it presentable. He had no idea if he was more nervous about seeing Chongyun or afraid of getting caught.
Whatever the answer was, he knew they wouldn't have much time so he wanted to avoid wasting any.
After a few minutes he opened the room door to lean into the corridor with only his head. He turned several times, total silence. He heard thuds from downstairs, the Electro users' male dorms, so everything should be alright. He just hoped Chongyun would arrive unseen.
Chongyun was waiting for Xingqiu's message with his PC open on his lap while chatting with Kaeya.
"So, I heard you started dating my classmate Eula." Chongyun said without assuming an accusatory or nervous tone, since there were no actual problems for him.
"Oh, we... yes. She's really pretty. Too bad she uses a claymore so we're not in the same training course. You're so lucky to have her in your same class!"
"Yeah, she is pretty strong. Anyway..." a notification appeared on the screen. He should go. "I... I think I'll go now."
"Oh, well," Kaeya didn't seem suspicious: "have fun and relax. What time are you planning to return?"
"For sure before midnight."
"I think I'll wait for you."
"That's... kind. Thank you."
"Goodbye."
"See ya."
***
The Hydro users' dorms were definitely bigger.
Chongyun was slowly walking through the corridor when he heard a door opening. Luckily and as expected, it was Xingqiu. They both smiled when their eyes met. They could never show in public any display of affection, but now... they hugged, in the middle of the corridor, smiling like two children.
"Finally I can hug you... I wanted this for months." Xingqiu's hoodie was really warm and he hugged Chongyun really tight.
"Same, little popsicle." And he smiled in his arms. He raised his head to reach Xingqiu's face and kiss him on the cheek.
"Come in," Xingqiu proposed blushing: "we can watch TV or have a chat." and he opened the door behind him.
Chongyun entered in the room. He expected it messier, he... liked it. Really much.
Sitting on Xingqiu's bed together, they started talking about the last exams, about their family and their friends and many more things... losing track of time.
Until... they heard footsteps.
They both froze. Instinctively, Xingqiu looked at the clock and Chongyun checked his messages. It was almost midnight, the game had already been over for half an hour and Kaeya called Chongyun 12 times!
"What do we do!?"
They heard loud voices and laughs.
Xingqiu started to look around. "In the bathroom, now!"
As soon as Xingqiu closed the door he heard keys turning in the other lock. "Xingqiu? Are you here?"
"Uhhhh... yes Childe! I'm in the bathroom," he cleared his throat trying to communicate with Chongyun with facial expressions "I'll finish soon!"
"Oh, ok! Take your time. Later I'll tell you how the game went in detail."
He turned to Chongyun whispering so softly that he couldn't even hear his own voice "Chongyun, you have only one chance. The window."
"What!? I don't want to risk falling!"
"Outside the window of the room there is our balcony, the curtains will cover you and if you reach out you will reach the railing."
"And I'm supposed to go down two floors like a monkey!?"
"Would you rather be a monkey or be dead!?"
They heard Childe snorting loudly: "Xingqiu, have you finished?"
"Yeah, almost!" and he whispered: "Go Chongyun, now!"
Chongyun opened the window and looked down. Gods, it was really high. Leaning on the windowsill, he grabbed the railing and jumped. Swinging, he went downstairs where fortunately the lights of the room were out and he heard snoring loudly, and then leapt nimbly onto the balcony below which, no one knows thank to which of the Seven Archon, was lucky enough to be his own.
From behind the curtains he saw Kaeya's backlit profile on the bed reading, occasionally looking at the phone.
He had no choice, he had to knock.
Knock knock!
The boy indoors stood up, scared. He pulled away the curtains with a worried expression, then assumed a confused one.
He opened the window abruptly and blurted out: "What the fuck are you doing here!? You scare the shit out of me!"
Chongyun was mortified: "I... erm..."
Kaeya rocked on his own legs "Listen, I'm tired, come inside and let's sleep."
"Yes, yes sure."
He put on his pajamas and crawled under the covers so that Kaeya could press the switch and lean back on the pillow with a thud.
Chongyun, today at 0:23 AM
Still alive ;)
Xingqiu, today at 0:25 AM
Thank the Gods! I was so concerned.
Chongyun, today at 0:25 AM
Next time maybe let's go for a walk around town, okay?
Xingqiu, today at 0:25 AM
Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. But that was fun XD
"Chongyun that light is pissing me off, turn that off!"
"Sorry Kaeya! Goodnight."
Chongyun has disconnected.