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“Yun, what did I say about coming here? If your parents find out you were talking to me again you’ll get into trouble.” The dark-haired boy frowned. Crossing his arms as his snowy-haired friend trailed up the hill, following the worn-out path. “I know… but I already walked all the way up here.” He pouted with his baby face. His cheeks were still round, not changing a bit since he was a kid. Xingqiu wondered what his icy pale skin would feel like, his little cheeks cupped in his hands.
“Oh, so that’s the only reason you're staying?” He raised an eyebrow smirking.
Chongyun sighed.
“I also missed you…a lot.”
Xingqiu giggled. “I know you did. Now come inside I’ve got something I’m working on.” He walked in without looking back. Disappearing into the mysterious building.
He followed, his heart already beating faster. Even his smiles did things nothing else did. Sure, it made him feel things, confusing things, but these were different. Unlike most of the other confusing things in his life, this seemed to calm him. Just his presence melting his painfully icy heart.
“So, what is it you wanted to show me?” He walked inside, pushing the tin curtain hanging from the door frame aside so he could pass. "A map!” Xingqiu gestured to a big hand-drawn map hanging on the wall.
- A map?
- Yes, a map. Annnnd it has all the places spirits reside marked on it.” He pointed to a red circle on the map. There were quite a lot of those red dots spread out around the map.
"Do you not like it?” The darker-haired boy frowned facing Chongyun.
“Nono no! I love it! ..Thanks. This was really considerate.” He blushes, averting his gaze. He hated when Xingqiu looked him in the eyes with his stupid smirk. “Well, here you go!” He started to take it off the wall and rolled it up. “Now you won't have to take me on all those missions to guide you.” He chuckled. “Sorry about that.. I just get lost on my own, and it’s more of an adventure with you. I don’t feel so bummed when the spirits run away.” Xingqiu simply smiled softly.
“Tea?”
"Yes please." He sat down at the small table for two Xingqiu owned. It had a white laced cloth that covered it from corner to corner with a vase of freshly picked silk flowers. His house was always so clean and pretty. The aura there always felt peaceful and serene. Maybe it was the thick trees that had been homed here for millions of years before them or the little waterfall down the path that you could faintly hear if you focused enough.
Ever since Chongyun found this house and the boy who lived inside of it his life had been changed whether it was for better or worse was up to him.
"Yun~?" He felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.
"Stop zoning out and drink your tea." Xingqiu giggled and sat down, placing his tea on the table with caution. "Do you mind if we go to the waterfall?" The snowy-haired boy asked as he eyed his tea, waiting for it to cool. "No, not at all." He smiled. "I was thinking of asking you the same thing. The sun is out today, maybe we'll go for a swim." They didn't get to see each other often but when they did they had to make the most of it. This time Chongyun didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay and live here with the boy he loved.
That's what he planned to tell him at the waterfall.
"Well since you're obviously not going to drink that, why don't we start heading there." The taller male got up and swiftly picked up both of the cups and put them in the sink. He grabbed a book he had on the counter and headed for the door. "I know it's been a while but surely you don't forget the way?"
- I didn't! I was waiting for you.
- Sure sure use that excuse.
- It's not an excuse!
The walk was short, like most things in life. That's why it's important to grasp onto the things you love for the time being. The big trees loomed overhead and cast a refreshing shade. The wind was light and the sun was bright. Perfect weather. Xingqiu was the first to dip his toes into the water. He relaxed as soon as he felt how warm the water was and sat down on the rocks that surrounded the small pond.
Chongyum sat beside him. "I wanted to tell you something."
"Go ahead, I'm always here to listen Yun Yun" He said as he drew circles in the water.
"Well, I've been thinking about you a lot. Your stupid smile always comes to me at night and.. I think I'm in love with you."
He turned to see his friend's reaction and was met with a sad smile. "Oh Yun, I told you to grasp onto those moments, yes?" He nodded.
"I was preparing you for this day. Now promise me no matter what you'll remember these moments, our moment." His voice sounded pained and Chongyun could see his eyes grow more glassy from the tears forming.
"Why.. why are you telling me this?" He asked, concerned. He reached out to wipe his tears away. But when he brought his hand up to the other's face it phased through. He met the other's eyes in shock, tears now starting to roll down his face too as it suddenly hit him. In those couple seconds, his world crumbled.
"I knew you'd forgotten but I've told you before." He grasped the other boy's hand. His body was now translucent. He had a pained look on his face. Mortals and the dead shouldn't have contact or the consequences would be great. Life anew would be taken away. "I love you too Yun, so much, I've been waiting for the day you'd say it to me. I knew that that day would be my last."
"What do you mean?" He choked on a sob his face now puffy and red and hot tears streamed down his porcelain skin.
"Please! You can't leave!" His cries seemed like ones of a child. No matter how much he begged this was the end and he knew it as well as the other. But he didn't want to lose hope or his light that was already slowly fading.
"I love you darling, never forget this. I'm sure one day the fates will be in our favour."
With his last breath at what seemed to be life, he grasped the other's icy face and linked their lips for 4 fleeting seconds. His last seconds on earth were locked in an embrace with the love of his life. And when those 4 last seconds were over Chongyun was all alone. The big trees still looming overhead. The sun still shining brightly. Everything was exactly the same except for a part of him had been lost that day.