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A hummed tune reaches Xingqiu from where he sat inside a small, sunlit dining room. It brushed past his eardrums like a comforting icy wind and tasted slightly of mist flower and qingxin. The apartment he currently resided in had one bath and two bedrooms, humbly accompanied by a bookshelf full of thoroughly loved paperbacks. It was quite petite, being barely generous enough for one person and three guests. Nestled high above Liyue’s busy streets, a cool breeze was always available right outside the doors to the balcony. Perfect for someone like Chongyun.
Through an arch doorway, he watched as the exorcist peacefully stirred a light broth on the stove. His melody was as slow as his movements, the spoon only making one full rotation around the pot every ten seconds. It was a subtle attempt to buy time for Bennett, who had volunteered to run out and buy the produce needed to make their dinner tonight. Bamboo shoot soup, suggested by their very own Adventurer’s Guild member.
Though, if Xingqiu remembered correctly, that conversation had ended nearly thirty minutes ago.
His eyes focused back on Razor, who was staring down at the papers before him on the table. Sitting in a chair next to him, the boy had his arms wrapped around his folded knees. He could see that he was pouting.
“Farvonus.”
“Favonius,” Xingqiu softly righted him. Razor promptly let a disappointed huff out of his nose. He did that often when he was frustrated.
“You can do it,” he encouraged, tapping at the point in the page where he had scribbled down the word as legibly as he could manage, “Take your time and try again.”
His ear twitched at the sound of the front door opening. Bennett was back. And by the way he was audibly struggling to take off his boots, he had predictably purchased much more than he could possibly carry. He always seemed to buy with his eyes rather than the size of his wallet.
That’s alright, it was Xingqiu's mora anyway. He had no other need for it. Plus, the shelves in this home were in desperate need of a restock.
Eventually, Chongyun deemed it safe enough to risk leaving the bubbling pan unattended for a moment to help. With a soft hum, he made sure to tuck a lock of loose hair behind Xingqiu’s ear before setting foot into the hallway, where Bennett had double knotted his shoes instead of untying them.
“Fa-vo-ni-us,” he provided, sounding it out.
“Fa-vo…” Razor repeated, “ni-us.”
“Great! Now put it all together.”
With an aura of false confidence, Bennett swiftly entered the dining room, his elbows scratched with fresh scraps. Arms full of various food items, he found himself successful in leaning down to plant two firm kisses amongst Razor’s skin. One on his forehead, another on his cheek. Both full to the brim with an equal amount of care. They were quick and sweet but still managed to flush the boy’s face a dark red hue. A unique shyness spread throughout his features. Even after traveling with them for at least a couple of months by now, he was still not used to being treated with human love.
Xingqiu smiled. The tale of how they fell for one another goes unknown to him. He often wondered when they’ll be ready to tell. With the way they both flush with the slightest glance at each other, he already knew that the narrative would be just as cheesy as it is unfinished.
As Bennett retreated into the kitchen on Chongyun’s tail, Razor's face returned to its normal milky pink.
“Far…” he started again, before stopping himself short. He knew he was wrong.
It had been more than twenty-five tries, but Xingqiu didn’t mind. He was trying his best. That was all he could ever ask for.
“Favonius,” he corrected once more, making sure the understanding he had for him is present enough within his vocal cords. Patience is a virtue blessed to those with persistence. It was an honor he will respect for all due time for Razor.
It was him who agreed to take Xingqiu (and a very wary Chongyun) to study the ruins of old Mondstadt he and Bennett had already ventured through plenty. It was him who waited patiently while he wrote down every detail he could make out on each stone tablet they came across. It was him who listened intently to his notoriously lengthy narratives, even if he could barely understand a single word.
To get to know the person beneath that kindness was a privilege he longed to have. He knew so much about the pure-spirited Chongyun and even the bright adventurer Bennett, but so little about Razor. He'd like to hear his story one day.
However, an author needed words to write a book, one of the very few qualities Razor lacks. So, Xingqiu would do his best to provide. It was the least he could do for a friend.
A yelp from the kitchen made them both lift their heads. Like always, Bennett had accidentally let the water boil too hot. Xingqiu chuckled. With a wave of his hand, it quickly settled back into a slight simmer. From over his shoulder, Chongyun sent him a grateful smile. He answered with a fond one of his own.
His gaze fell back onto Razor. The scar on his left cheek is prominent under the direct sunlight they rested in. He wanted to ask how it got there.
“Fa…”
Xingqiu’s eyes widened.
“Farvonus.”
An accidental sigh slipped past his teeth. At the sound, Razor visibly shrunk farther into his seat. Xingqiu’s lips immediately pressed together in guilt.
It was the same feeling he had felt when he had put jeuyun chilis in his food. It was supposed to be harmless. Make them all laugh (for a little while at least). Instead, it had only made Razor sick for two painstakingly long days. Feeling like he had just kicked a puppy, it was then he vowed to never prank the other again. Tricks on just Chongyun and Bennett were enough anyways.
Discouragement took the form of tears in his friend’s eyes.
“I cannot do it,” Razor whispered. He knew Bennett hated when any one of them was mean to themselves.
Xingqiu quickly shook his head, “Yes, you can. You’re doing great so far.”
“Razor is- I… am tired.”
A correction in grammar was progress. At that, a sense of pride blossomed inside his chest.
“I know. Let's try one more time. Then we’ll eat,” he wagered. After a beat, Razor went back to studying the word in front of him.
Giggles burst from the kitchen. Xingqiu could hear Bennett cooing. He internally groaned. He knew that meant the framed picture that sat idly on the window sill above the sink had finally been discovered by curious eyes. It had been taken by Xiangling a few months prior to the four of them meeting. While Chongyun was busy admiring the sunset in front of them, he had been caught looking at the exorcist instead. The adoration on his face was embarrassingly evident. He had confessed just mere days after.
Xingqiu felt his ears burn. Chongyun was definitely going to show Razor the same photo later.
Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it. That photo was one of Chongyun’s favorite possessions, after all. So much so that he had put it in a place where he could see it every day. He would be a monster to take that away from him. Even if the tiniest sight of it made his heart pound against his ribcage.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Chongyun began to ladle soup into separate porcelain bowls. The four of them had bought the set of dishes together at a sketchy market stand in the harbor. It had been troublesome to haggle for, but Razor had especially liked the flower detailing on them, only encouraging him to win the fight against the stubborn owner of the flimsy-looking kiosk. He wished he had asked him what he found so special about it at the time. To the left, Bennett was carefully preparing chives to be sprinkled on top of each portion with freshly bandaged hands. Dinner was about to be served.
Razor’s lips parted.
“...Favonius.”
Xingqiu beamed.
“Right, Favonius. Good job.”
Razor smiled, sharp eyes crinkling at tired edges. He was embarrassed but happy.
His story will unfold when the time is right, Xingqiu decided early on. The chapter book that is their friendship had only just begun. And so, he would wait for eternity for every section to fill within his mind. Even if it took one word at a time.