Chapter Text
Today was a date day! In all honesty, Chongyun and Xingqiu’s dates looked pretty much like how they hung out before they even started dating. This was early on in their relationship, after all. Their plan was to go to the Heyu Tea House, and watch the ocean from the balcony while they sipped their tea. Chongyun had never been, because tea was meant to be hot, but Xingqiu suggested that he cool it down with his cryo vision. A novel idea indeed.
Chongyun stood waiting outside the Feiyun Commerce Guild during the late afternoon, parasol in hand. Right on time, Xingqiu came rushing out the door to greet him. He was wearing his usual attire, but something was different.
“Are you wearing eyeliner?” Chongyun asked.
“Yeah! I wanted to try it for our date!” Xingqiu replied.
Chongyun immediately felt underdressed.
“Oh um…I’m sorry, I didn’t wear anything special…”
“That’s quite alright Yunyun. I only require that your beautiful self accompanies me, with no frivolities attached.” Xingqiu explained eloquently.
“Oh okay. In that case, let’s get going!”
“Yes indeed!” Xingqiu said, extending out one hand.
Chongyun just looked at it blankly. At which Xingqiu began to laugh.
“Chongyun! I’m extending my hand so you’ll hold it!”
“Oh! Sorry…” Chongyun said, embarrassed.
“What’s the matter? We’ve held hands before.” Xingqiu asked.
That was true. In fact, people had assumed they were dating before because they liked to hold hands sometimes. But for some reason, now that they were official, there was something about it that was troubling Chongyun.
“Oh nothing, I’m just a little out of it today, that’s all.” Chongyun said, cracking a faint smile.
He took Xingqiu’s hand, and Xingqiu happily began to walk beside him. Chongyun settled into the situation. He liked Xingqiu’s presence very much, and it was a beautiful day in the harbor. Lots of people milling about under the sunny blue sky, that Chongyun was thankfully protected from by his parasol. Being with Xingqiu gave Chongyun a bit of extra confidence that he didn’t have alone. He knew that Xingqiu would back him up, so he felt he could hold hands with his lover proudly while walking through downtown Liyue Harbor.
When they got to the tea house, Chongyun wanted to split the bill, but Xingqiu insisted he pay it in full himself. A trip to the tea house was a drop in the ocean that was his bank account.
“I thought I’d order my favorite, green tea with qingxin flower, for you to try. It’s got a nice…leafy flavor. I don’t know. You might not like it.” Xingqiu explained.
“Well I imagine a drink made from leaves would taste ‘leafy.” Chongyun replied.
“Oh hush you!” Xingqiu said laughing, a little flustered from the teasing. “You know what I mean.”
Xingqiu poured the tea into their cups after it arrived.
“I’ll have to let mine cool.” He said.
“I’ll see if I can expedite this process…” Chongyun muttered.
He took a deep, meditative breath, and blew on his cup with an icy breath that managed to coat it in a thin layer of frost.
“Wow. That was impressive.” Xingqiu said.
“Thanks.” Chongyun said.
He took a sip.
“It’s perfect!”
“Oh wonderful, and you like the taste as well?” Xingqiu asked.
“Mmm. It’s bitter…but…refreshing?” Chongyun replied.
They smiled. Their date was going swimmingly. Just tea and a chat, and nothing more. Xingqiu gently put his hand over Chongyun’s hand, a silent gesture of comfort and companionship.
“Hey, which one do you think tops?” Said a voice nearby, along with some snickering.
It was quiet, but definitely loud enough to make sure they heard it. It was a group of guys their age. The kind of group of teenage boys who wander around for the sole purpose of making life exponentially more irritating for everyone around them. Chongyun jolted back in his chair, nearly knocking their cups over.
“W-we don’t even do that kind of stuff!!” He stuttered, his voice high and thin.
“Don’t worry little guy, you’ll get there soon!” They said before erupting into loud laughter.
Xingqiu got out of his chair, furious out of his mind. His pristine social skills allowed him to keep his composure, however.
“Why don’t you imbeciles get out of here before I make you leave.” He snarled.
The boys just laughed and sneered at him.
“Hey aren’t you the young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild?” One of them said.
“Ohhh I see a rich boy!” Yelled another.
“What’s he gonna do, throw money at us?”
“No he needs that money for his sugar baby back there!”
They all laughed again. Poor Chongyun was too embarrassed to do much of anything but watch from behind. This was far outside his realm of social aptitude. Xingqiu, emboldened by his protective nature over Chongyun, started going blind from white hot rage. Barely even realizing it, he manifested his sword in his hands. His vision began to glow, causing drops of water to materialize around him. The group of boys went silent, realizing that they were actually facing a vision bearer. Suddenly, the confrontation ended.
“You kids get out of my teahouse before I call the Millileth on you!!” Shouted the owner.
The boys took off in a hurry.
“You two! OUT!!” He yelled, pointing at Xingqiu and Chongyun.
They looked at each other wide eyed, looked back at the owner, and immediately bolted out and down the stairs. Like two criminals on the run, they escaped into an alleyway.
They were leaning against the walls and panting. This was not how their date was planned. Chongyun felt heat building in his face, and started his breathing exercises to calm his yang energy. He then noticed that Xingqiu had his hands on his face. He was red, too.
“I cannot believe I just did that. I’m the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild! Xu is gonna kill me!” He dropped his head in defeat.
Chongyun stepped in to comfort him.
“Hey it’s alright. That guy didn’t actually call the Millileth on us, I doubt anyone will find out.”
Xingqiu just groaned. He held his reputation in high status, and he was thoroughly embarrassed that he almost got in a rowdy street fight. Something about Chongyun just made him go feral, it seemed.
Chongyun, of course, immediately started to blame himself.
“I’m sorry…”
“For what, dearest?” Xingqiu asked.
“I don’t know…the date.” Chongyun replied.
“It’s not your fault! Those guys started it! Plus, I was the one who almost started a fight in the tea house.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Thanks for sticking up for me.”
Xingqiu leaned in to take his hand again, but Chongyun yanked his out of the way. He then profusely apologized, where did that reflex even come from?
Xingqiu just looked concerned.
“It’s okay, come on, let’s go see if we can salvage this date. Would you like some cold noodles from Wanmin?”
“Yeah…” Chongyun said somberly.
That was his favorite thing to get at Wanmin. They both needed some cheering up after that incident. Maybe Xiangling’s bubbly demeanor would raise their spirits.