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It started without another thought, as natural as the waves crashing into the sandy shores of Yaoguang Shoal. Xingqiu and Chongyun were walking through Guili Plains, returning from another ghost exorcism, with less than satisfactory results on the lighter haired boys' part. The other, was trying his best to cheer him up, because what else are best friends for?
“Cheer up Yun! You were so close to approaching the spirit this time, it’s only because we got too close to a disguised whopperflower! There’s no way we could’ve guessed that the spirit would use that to its advantage to run away…”
Xingqiu is trying his best here, but Chongyun is in a deeper slump than usual today. It may have also added to his already somber mood when his auntie Shenhe paid a visit to him while training. While her advice comes from a well meaning place, she is still getting used to the idea of “sugarcoating” her words. Chongyun then looks up from his kicking feet in the gravel at his best friend.
“Xingqiu, let's just head back to Liyue Harbour, it’s getting late and I don’t want you getting in trouble with your brother again.” he mumbles. He then starts to speed up, shrugging past the other with his head down again.
Xingqiu stops to take in the sight, his best friend, down in the dumps, not even letting anyone comfort him. This can not stand.
An idea comes to Xingqiu, with a small grin, he jogs to catch up to Chongyun and grabs his arm to bring them both to a halt.
“Okay Yun, as much as I appreciate the sentiment, I can annoy my brother as much as I want and he will still love me. I’m not too worried about getting back at the moment. What I am worried about right now is the fact that my best friend is so down in the dumps he doesn’t even seem to notice that we have an entire evening ahead of us to have some fun. What do you say Yun, indulge me a little, please?”
Xingqiu bats his eyelashes twice and smiles innocently, hands folded together over his chest. You will never hear Chongyun admit it, but he has always found Xingqiu’s pleas to get his way adorable. Which is very dangerous for them, as it’s the reason they get into trouble half the time. Nonetheless, Chongyun has no will power to refuse Xingqiu today, or ever possibly.
“Fine A-Qiu, what shall we do on this fine evening?” Chongyun shakes his head to match the dramatic flare of the sentence. Xingqiu’s novels must be rubbing off on him, he’s starting to talk more and more like those flowery characters. Xingqiu’s response is worth it though, as he smiles wide and true, excited for the possibility of having another adventure.
“That’s more like it Yun! I have the perfect idea, let's go!” Xingqiu squeezes Chongyun’s hand then starts running off the path towards Yaoguang Shoal. Xingqiu is careful to avoid any hilichurl camps along the way, as this is meant to cheer up Chongyun and not put them in any more danger. Once their feet reach the sandy shores, Xingqiu stops to look around and find what he’s looking for. He finds a propped up stone with a blue swirling mark on it beside the bushes. He reaches in and thanks the archons that no one took it. He starts to pull out the chest from its hiding spot. After a couple tugs, Xingqiu looks over his shoulder at Chongyun and nods in the direction of the chest. “A little help, please?” Chongyun, stunned from observing his friend's schemes, blinks and moves right away to help him pull the chest out.
Within a couple minutes, the chest is out in the open for them to open.
“Go ahead Yun, open it!” Xingqiu prods Chongyun’s arm. Chongyun looks at the chest, then his friend and back to the chest. He’s still a little confused as to why Xingqiu knows where to find a chest buried like the treasure hoarders, but his curiosity to know what’s inside is winning. He touches the lock and it springs open to reveal… a tent?
“Xingqiu, there’s only a tent in here? What’s so special about a tent?”
Xingqiu just shakes his head and grabs the tent out of the chest. “It’s an emergency tent I keep around when I want to get away from the city and just hang out. Now it can be our little secret, feel free to use it if you find yourself out here and don’t want to pay for a room at Wangshu Inn.” He starts setting it up with ease, obviously having done this a few times already.
Our little secret, huh? They seem to have a lot of those, but Chonyun wouldn’t trade it for the world. He adores his relationship with Xingqiu. He’s a great friend, always looking out for him, and the occasional prank is jarring at times but never to the point of making him uncomfortable. Chongyun helps set up a small fire pit nearby to heat up dinner and grabs the food that Xiangling packed for them. With practiced ease, Xingqiu then takes over fire starting duties, and shoos Chongyun away to set up their sleeping mats inside the tent. The sun is starting its slow descent in the sky, painting a canvas of pinks and oranges. Chongyun sits in the sand and watches the sky, breathing easier now that he can relax. Xingqiu brings both their meals over and joins Chongyun in watching the sunset. They eat in silence, watching the clouds pass over them and spread out in the myriads of colours. They quickly wrap up the meal, with a sigh, Xingqiu lies down in the sand with his limbs flailing out. An arm lands on Chongyun lap, casual.
Touching each other has always been casual, whether it’s through sparring practice, tugging each other along on their adventures or relaxing under a tree while Xingqiu gets absorbed in his novels and ends up leaning against Chongyun. But in this moment, with the sky as their constant witness of their relationship, it feels different today. Perhaps Chongyun is just feeling sentimental, or his moods today are reaching all corners of the spectrum. The touch has the potential to mean more. To him at least. He hopes it means something to Xingqiu as well. Feeling emboldened, Chongyun takes Xingqiu’s hand and leans back, bringing it over his chest. They’re lying in the sand as the sky turns more purple and dark blue, hand in hand over the heartbeat of Chongyun’s chest. Xingqiu looks over at his friend, curiosity lighting up his amber eyes.
“What’s up my dearest?” Xingqiu asks with a slight tilt of the head toward the other. Chongyun turns his head as well, and gives Xingqiu a small smile.
“Thank you, for this. I appreciate it a lot, there was a lot on my mind today and this is helping me feel… normal again.”
Xingqiu smiles in response, eyes squinting slightly and the faintest of dimples that only appear when he smiles true. “Anything for you Chongyun dearest” He says with a small laugh. Casual banter, casual flirting. It’s always been casual. Chongyun is coming to the conclusion that he doesn’t want casual. He wants real.
“Anything?” Chongyun turns fully towards the darker haired boy, from this angle his steep cut bangs are even more at an angle. The hand on his chest never leaves his grip. Xingqiu is now looking at Chongyun with more interest, seeing his friend get more serious.
Xingqiu would do anything for Chongyun. Chongyun is his best friend, the one he trusts with his life in battle and in general life. They’ve been by each other's side for years, and there hasn’t been a single time where Xingqiu imagined he would continue living without the constant presence of his trusted friend.
Friend. That’s how they’ve always been. But could there be more?
Xingqiu has read of what comes next after friendship. A relationship. A partner for life, through sickness and health. Good times and bad.
When he thinks about it, it’s not so different from what they have now, except for the title.
Xingqiu confirmed these feelings a long time ago. He loves his best friend, more than most things in life. He may know Chonyun’s favourite foods, preferred weather and even his shoe size, but this is the one thing he can not figure out about him. Reciprocal feelings. Whether his best friend is willing to be more than best friends.
“Anything, YunYun.” Xingqiu slips in the nickname he used to call him when they were young. Chongyun’s cheeks are becoming a light shade of rosy pink, he brings them both up so they’re sitting again, two hands now holding Xingqiu’s one.
“Xingqiu… I hope you know that… I will always be here for you too. Thank you, again. For everything…” Chongyun seems to be struggling a little on what to say next, while this is usually a moment Xingqiu would tease and prod, now is not the time. Xingqiu wants to know where this is going, and if he can finally say the things that have been on his mind for a long time.
“... Can we… stay like this? Tonight?” And Chongyun brings Xingqiu’s hand to his lips, placing a light kiss on his index and middle finger knuckles.
There it is. His confirmation. Xingqiu won’t hold back anymore. Neither will Chongyun.
“Are you sure you only want tonight? I’m yours for as long as you need.” Xingqiu sits closer, folded legs resting on top of Chongyun now.
“... Then how about forever?” Chongyun mumbles out, cheeks and neck turning a darker pink. Xingqiu smiles wide now, dimples prominent and he places his other hand on Chongyun’s cheek.
“Archon’s Yun, you have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that.” Xingqiu leans forward and kisses him lightly, it’s sweeter than any dessert they could get in Liyue Harbour. Xingqiu pulls back to admire his dearest. Chongyun is thoroughly red now, it’s almost concerning with his constitution. But Chongyun isn’t worried, he feels more in control now than ever. He leans forward and recaptures Xingqiu’s lips in another kiss, hands planted beside Xingqiu’s hips, Xingqiu reaching up to hold Chongyun’s face. They remain like that until they’re breathless.
The stars and the sky as their witness, they lie back down in the sand hand in hand and enjoy the rest of the night in each other's company.
It started with the waves crashing into Yaoguang Shoal without a second thought, and it remains true now and forever.