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It was like any other day in Liyue. The bright sun rose above the mountains and hills, showering people in Teyvat with warm sunlight. The birds are singing, the flowers are dancing with the music from the blowing wind. The dew from last night already evaporated in the afternoon.
Today is a very lovely day. Surely nothing will happen, right?
Everyone in Liyue is smiling happily. The merchants cried through the crowd to attract customers, soldiers are walking around to do their duties. It is like usual.
Except for one, the young man from the Zheyun family. Xingqiu.
He woke up today feeling confused, he scratched his head and even slapped himself. His pajamas and hair were messy, his eyes puffed red. He felt as if his head was about to explode.
Last night, he dreamt of something. A dream he will always remember, it's glued to his memory and he can't forget it no matter what he did. This is confusing. Xingqiu had dreamed before, but it was never this frustrating. At least for as far as he remembered.
In Xingqiu's dream, he is the little boy he used to be. With holding his best friend's hand, Chongyun the exorcist. They both smiled and laughing to themselves, Xingqiu also dragged the other to play around. It was like the other days, Xingqiu's laughs and Chongyun's warm smile.
And then, something hit little Xingqiu's teeth. His eyes were tearing at the pain and the other little boy was hugging his friend in panic. Xingqiu can feel blood dripping out from his mouth, it is sticky but somehow doesn't smell. He took something from his mouth and to his surprise, his front tooth fell off.
He doesn't feel Chongyun's arms around him anymore. He looked up to see no one but the bright sun slowly fades into rain. And then, everything turned black. Xingqiu opened his eyes and seeing his own room.
Xingqiu was shivering. His body and mind is trembling from the thought. What was the meaning behind this dream? He was sure he hadn't read a story like this, nor even dreamed about it.
He walked carelessly around Liyue, to the point he almost leaves Liyue Harbor without anything to protect himself. He feels empty and confused, he still wonders the meaning behind his dream.
Then he finally got his answer.
He ran to the mountains to meet his friend Chongyun. Only to then bump into him.
"Xingqiu?" The voice called. Calming and dreamy, just like what Xingqiu had remembered. He wrapped his arms around his friend and broke into silent tears.
Chongyun didn't understand at first, but he returned the hug with a smile. Xingqiu is so cold while Chongyun felt so warm. They both embraced each other in the middle of the crowd, without caring other eyes looking at them.
"Xingqiu... What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Chongyun asked the raven haired while stroking his head. Xingqiu doesn't answer, instead he tightens their hug.
With a heavy heart and broken voice, Xingqiu opens his mouth, "My dear Chongyun... promise to not leave me alone, okay?" He pulled his little finger and made a "promise" gesture. His eyes were still teary, he looked at Chongyun with mixed emotions.
Chongyun still didn't understand. But he also takes out his little finger. "I promise. But why did you ask? Is there something wrong?" He asked once more. Xingqiu still didn't answer, but he laughed this time. "I don't want to remember".
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Light fades into shadow
Happiness fades into sadness
Emptiness swallowed both happiness and unhappiness
I don't bother to cry anymore
But what about the promise we made in our last hug?
"Hey, Xingqiu. Did you remember our promise?"
"Why did you break it?"
"I already promised to you, I won't leave you."
"But why are you the one who left me?"