Chapter Text
“Hey, Chongyun.”
Xingqiu’s amber eyes were mesmerizing in the light of the setting sun.
Well, It’s not like they weren’t beautiful by themselves. In fact, It was the opposite. Xingqiu’s eyes were just like the rest of him: Simply gorgeous and perfect.
It’s just that… When the sun was setting, and the sky was covered in orange and gold, Xingqiu’s beautiful orbs seemed to have gained their own light as well. They were so beautiful it was blinding. And yet, Chongyun would never stop staring at these two suns if he was given a choice.
And just like the sun in the sky, the suns in Xingqiu’s eyes would always make Chongyun feel warm.
Too warm.
“Y-Yes, Xingqiu?” He mumbled and averted his gaze, trying to divert the other boy’s attention from a ‘sunburn’ that was quickly spreading across his cheeks.
“I was just asking If you would like to read another poem for me.”
“Oh, from that new favorite book of yours? 'Young and hopelessly smitten’, was it?”
“Exactly!” Xingqiu’s smile was yet another sun that Chongyun would never dare to hide from. “I’m glad you’re paying attention to these kinds of things, you know, Chongyun? It’s nice to know that you care so much that you remember everything, especially since you don’t like reading so much.”
Ah yes, as If Chongyun’s once pale cheeks couldn’t get any warmer already.
“Oh… Don’t mention it. You’re my… Friend. Yes, my friend. Of course I would remember.” He nervously brushed his fingers through his soft, light hair, which the other boy would often compare to fresh snow or fluffy clouds. “Any specific poem that you want me to read?”
“Yeah… A friend.” A hint of nervousness could be seen in Xingqiu’s eyes as he handed the book to Chongyun. “I believe that I’ve seen something interesting On the inner side of the back cover, but I had no time to check it out. How about you do it now? Maybe It’s a special something left by the author.”
“Inner side of the back cover…? Alright then.” Chongyun carefully grabbed the object and opened it on It’s very last page. He expected to see something like a few thankful words from the author- but to his surprise, it was something entirely different.
“… Xingqiu, there is an envelope inside”
“Huh, why don’t you open it then?”
“I’m going to do it, but… It’s strange.” Chongyun carefully traced his finger on the soft, expensive paper the envelope was made of. “It’s sealed with a geo sigil. Didn’t you say that the author was from Fontaine?”
“Aw, another small detail you remember? That’s cute” Xingqiu moved just a bit closer to his best friend, now sitting directly in front of him. “Doesn’t that make its content all the more interesting though? Come on, open it!”
Smiling fondly at the other boy’s enthusiasm, Chongyun nodded and gently opened the envelope, revealing a letter written in extremely familiar, yet just as extremely terrible handwriting.
“Wait, what…?”
Xingqiu laughed softly, his golden eyes piercing into Chongyun’s soul. “Can you read it out loud, please?”
The exorcist averted his gaze from the other boy, trying to focus on the letter instead. Though the writing was absolutely hideous, Chongyun was already used to it to some extent. All thanks to Xingqiu’s of course.
“…Alright then.”
His voice was trembling slightly, as his lips moved to reveal the contents of the letter.
“My dearest, Chongyun.
As you can see, or maybe not due to my terrible handwriting, I did indeed put the comma after the word 'dearest’.
And that is for a reason.
You see, the title of this poem series I made you read is a pretty accurate description of myself.
'Young and hopelessly smitten’.
And the object of my affection is… The person reading this letter.
Even though I’m giving myself time to write this, I simply can’t find proper words to describe my feelings. So If you don’t mind, I shall use a simple sentence to tell you only the most important information…”
Chongyun swallowed, raising his eyes to meet his best friend’s shy gaze. His cheeks seemed just as flushed as Chongyun’s, when he quietly asked the exorcist to continue reading.
But Chongyun didn’t even have to look at the words written, as they already escaped from between his own lips.
“I love you, Chongyun.”
When Xingqiu’s pearly laugh echoed through the moonlit bamboo forest, Chongyun understood that personally, he’s much more than just hopelessly smitten for the golden-eyed boy.
“You know, when you were looking at me like that, I was almost hoping that you would say my name. I’m really glad that you love yourself though.”
Chongyun’s heart skipped a beat as he subconsciously placed his hand atop of Xingqiu’s, his gaze meeting the other’s beautiful orbs.
“…Shall I say it again, then?”
Xingqiu’s eyes widened at the words, yet he didn’t take his gaze off the exorcist, only nodding in an agreement for him to continue.
“Please do, Chongyun.”
His heartbeat racing and breathing uneven, Chongyun silently leaned towards the other boy, placing a gentle kiss on his delicate lips.
“…I love you too, Xingqiu.”
The young swordsman once again blinded Chonguun with his beautiful smile, only to return the kiss, and then go back to the previous position, his loving gaze fixed on the exorcist’s silver eyes.
“You know what, my dearest, Chongyun?”
“… What is it, Xingqiu?”
A moment of silence fell between them, as Xingiu’s delicate hand gently cupped the light-haired boy’s cheek.
“The moons are beautiful tonight.”