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The Moonchase Festival was in full swing at this time of year. While the times continued to change ever since the departure of Rex Lapis, his people still gathered together with kith and kin to celebrate ancient traditions; Everything was as colorful and bountiful as ever inside of Liyue. Such joviality was almost akin to that of the annual Lantern Rite. However, this event was meant to honor the generous Stove God, and the opportunity for meeting up with close loved ones was even more significant.
Two youths strolled back into the city after having done just that. Now that a pleasant evening made up of relaxation, reading, and a run-in with four good friends who were on a quest was coming to a close, Liyue’s vibrant lights beckoned them towards its wharf. The streets were all astir and no business was without patrons that night. At least the wharf wasn’t terribly packed.
Going there was a good call. Now the pair of blue-haired boys could resume their conversation as they settled into the nostalgic ambience, falling in step with one another like they had done during countless other walks.
“Have you any words to spare about my most recent reading session?” Voice silvery and to the point, Xingqiu’s delivery was precisely well-measured. He came off as positively expectant. He didn’t have to wait very long at all for a reply, but cocked a thin brow at Chongyun nonetheless in suspense.
Although.. he didn’t really get much in return. His question was technically an invitation for the exorcist to share his thoughts. Seeing him get all confused a split-second afterwards made Xingqiu halt, therefore Chongyun halted as well. The bookworm let him have a moment, keeping up with his expectant nature despite the minor setback.
Chongyun grabbed at his chin the way he always did when debating something. Little hums tickled Xingqiu’s ears as he waited.
“Surely that’s not it,” he jested, amusing himself to fill in the widening silence. That way it could stay comforting. It must’ve been helpful. The exorcist's lips were twitching in thought, even as he scratched his light-blue hair.
Xingqiu took it as a sign of progress. He clapped his hands together, saying, “Shall I give you some more ample time? We could step aside so we don’t look like statues in the midst of a busy road. Then you could also tell me about what components you liked and disliked about this new book.”
More hums came and went as Chongyun went with the first plan. They approached the edge of the street, right as those three kids who were always pretending to be pirates whizzed past. Their subsequent laughter was merely background noise to the duo (especially to Xingqiu), and silence prevailed in their own world. What was keeping him from an instant answer?
Xingqiu leaned in, breath hitching in his throat. A half-smirk began to take shape on his complexion.
“Thinking away you are.. Are you reminiscing about the scenery? I thought that the moonlit cliffside was an adequate location, wouldn't you agree?"
Chongyun’s expression shifted, though it looked like he had no comment on the growth of Xingqiu’s impatience, if he could call it that. Confusion was a gateway to intrigue. “Why are you asking all these questions?” That couldn’t have been all his best friend had to offer, right? His ice-blue gaze spoke as much as Xingqiu did. Then, as if he could read Xingqiu’s mind, Chongyun added onto his small reply, chin lifted and free of any grabby hands.
It was a genuine effort.
“You've been unearthing many texts during Moonchase for as long as I can remember, and then you always tell me to join you when you read the texts out in the wilderness, right as the moon begins to shine. I’ve always taken a deep appreciation for the way you do your narrations. Why would I ever think otherwise? It doesn’t matter what you read. You always reel me in with your talent, Xingqiu, even if you have one too many flippant books.. It’s worth looking into if you’re the one reading them all.”
So why did it still not seem like enough?
Xingqiu threaded a hand through his short hair, shoving it away from his beseeching face. His friend couldn’t catch onto many things in the sense where he was much too ignorant, and Xingqiu couldn’t determine whether that was good or bad. He never could. Meanwhile he seemed to betray nothing at all whilst maintaining a calm, satisfied exterior. He choose to find happiness in the fact that he had gotten something to work with in the first place; And so it was:
“Thank you kindly, Chongyun," Xingqiu started, for he couldn’t properly go about this conundrum straight away. He owed his friend his gratitude. And if anything, since Chongyun knew him well, the gesture should've made him expect more.
'Twas exactly what happened. Turning forwards, he added, "You see, I was hoping that you would provide some manner of criticism.. or perhaps a general review of the most important aspects of tonight. It pleases me to hear that you still like these sessions, but are you sure we should continue to carry them out how we always do? Just say the word, and I'll spice things up a decent amount, and you won't have to fret about it being too much. For instance, I would truly consider letting you pick any of the future texts I read if-“
“But I never said I didn’t like anything, did I?” Chongyun caused Xingqiu to halt all over again, albeit verbally this time. He seemed to grow hot, inexplicably hot.
Xingqiu raised a finger, then it was lowered. His lips were parting wordlessly as the exorcist was twice as stumped compared to before. Chongyun had his little hums, and Xingqiu had a couple of low clicks he made in the back of his throat during moments such as these.
The conversation was making a bad name for itself, so Xingqiu regained control of the reins, casually flicking his wrist as he hoped to also cool down. This is rather unnecessary.. but I can handle it. He swore inwardly that he could clarify everything. “I just want to make sure that you continue enjoying yourself with whatever we may engage in. Rest-assured that your advice won’t go to waste. I’ll take it seriously, for the betterment of our outings, and so on and so forth. You know I will, my dear yun-yun~”
Next thing he knew, a blank stare fogged his friend’s features. One short chuckle wedged its way out of Xingqiu’s chest, one he didn’t think to emit till he did so subconsciously. “Go on. What is it now? I can always explain it once more, but..”
Luckily, as he trailed off, the other boy’s stare grew firmer. Would this be his ‘eureka’ moment? Hope had the tendency to soar high as though it were the tail of a blazing comet. It felt like there was one inside of the tense Xingqiu just now, sending more heat forth, which accumulated in his cheeks.
There was a chuckle. Xingqiu wasn’t behind the noise, surprisingly. It was all Chongyun’s doing!
“Since when were you a bookstore in need of feedback? Please, don’t be offended. I simply don’t see a reason for you to be so persistent.” Chongyun’s hands, ever frosty but smooth, clung to Xingqiu’s shoulders. This would be the third time tonight in which the bookworm halted. His breath mimicked the stillness of his slight frame. Chongyun smiled lightly, despite the hint of blush on his face. “Honestly Xingqiu, I should probably learn of more ways to say how grateful I am with the way things are just now,” came the last-minute tease, a tease often left for Xingqiu to use, not the other way around.
Perhaps it was greatly needed at that moment.
When it looked like he couldn’t come any closer, the bookworm inclined his head and studied Chongyun with but a glance, sufficient and brisk since he didn’t want to stall much longer. He acquired part of what he sought, and his remaining wishes were kept a mystery to the boy he cherished since they were tots.
“Of course he hasn’t realized what I’m doing yet..” whispered the departing boy, laughing a wry laugh to himself, and only to himself. Why is Master Hu always right?
After so many pauses, twists, and turns, Chongyun found himself following Xingqiu back onto the main-road. Their paces still matched despite whatever gnawed at the bookworm’s noggin.
“Xingqiu!” cried the oblivious boy, his voice sticking out the most amid the strewn crowds, shouting the loudest he could so he wouldn’t go unheard. Fearing such was unnecessary; Xingqiu pivoted on a heel, an unnoticed sigh thrusting his chest out. He detained his true feelings in the blink of an eye, so they also went unnoticed. The feelings he held dearly were also within the other.. unbeknownst to them both; especially to Chongyun. He made no sense of his pounding heart, thinking that fear was to blame for it. Such wasn’t the case, because it actually pounded faster when Xingqiu halted all over again.
Chongyun’s best friend wouldn’t immediately face him, not while he tried to gather up his emotions to exhibit a more proper reaction. Call it all failure, but the bookworm wasn’t willing to do so.
There would be other opportunities and other festivals in the coming months, as always. For now it looked like there would never be an exact moment in time where Xingqiu could fulfill what he desired most. He made do of what he received with an open-mind.
The ladies will no doubt help me some more. Do you feel what I feel, dear yun-yun? I’d like to think that we’ll figure that out one day. One day, Chongyun. And I hope our feelings are mutual then. I hope this isn’t a selfish thought. Yet I hope for so much at the same time..
He turned his sights onto Chongyun as he arrived, draping an arm atop his shoulders and herding him——his best friend and closest confidant, back towards the gleaming wharf.
“Pardon me. I felt a bit bad was all. You're right, enough dawdling. Let us enjoy ourselves before we grow tired. Shall we?” He waved his free hand out, which Chongyun’s gaze went after. The exorcist’s icy gaze then connected with the bookworm’s amber gaze, the two of them locked in a quiet stalemate.
“Of course. Lead the way. I’ll stick close to you,” Chongyun eventually said, a growing smile in his reserved voice. His friend seemed happily relieved. Xingqiu whisked him away, butting heads with Chongyun, and off the duo went.
The bookworm's heart remained uncertain, but perfectly full and warm.
.Fin.