Archive of Our Own ^beta

February comes by, it is almost that time of the year for Liyue citizens; the annual Lantern Rite Festival. This time around, it was the Feiyun Commerce Guild managing this year’s lantern rite, with the assistance of the Liyue Qixing. Unfortunately, this was bad for Xingqiu. Being the ‘golden child’ of the family, he was assigned twice the paperwork than what he usually had to deal with. The amount was overwhelming to the point he couldn’t just skim through all of it swiftly to escape the guild. This upset the second heir greatly. Lantern rite was one of his favoured occasions. Wandering the streets of the harbour that was busier than usual, having dinner with his small friend group, even at a casual venue like Wanmin’s Restaurant; it was the strong bond they held that matters. This time, the sight of the thousand Xiao Lanterns being released into the night sky would only be a view that he could admire through his bedroom window, by the side of his desk full of somewhat organised paperwork. Most importantly, this year he won’t be able to release a Xiao Lantern by Chongyun’s side.

He wouldn’t be able to be by Chongyun’s side.

It’s just for one day, he knew.

But this year was meant to be their first lantern rite spent as lovers.

That lantern rite morning, Chongyun was supposed to pick him up at the guild, as they spent the whole day together. As lovers.

Too bad he couldn’t escape his responsibilities this time around. That early morning, he was wakened up by one of the guild’s maids. He had to get ready early to attend a meeting with sponsors, or something. He stretched before requesting her to let the exorcist know, ‘The young master has business to attend to, and will be unable to join you for the rest of today.’

If Xingqiu were to be honest, he was disappointed. He had a lot he planned to do with Chongyun, do activities they wouldn’t usually do in their daily lives. Doing more voluntary work, helping out at the docks… Not everything goes according to plan, regretfully.

There’s always next year, he convinces himself. That didn’t stop the sorrow he felt deep inside, however. There was no use dwelling on it anyway, there was no other option than moving on, and so he did. He got into the clothes that he ironed the day prior and placed them on his bed as he washed up. After that, he brushed his hair, wore his clothes and rushed down to greet the guests he’ll be with for the next few hours. And then comes the long paperwork. Some of them just required the authentic guild stamp for approval. Aside from the occasional tea breaks, that was all he did for the rest of the day, work accompanied by the bustling streets. Sometimes he would peek outside of his window, hoping to see a glimpse of the exorcist he was longing for, only to be disappointed after staring outside for three minutes. He missed him. He hasn’t even seen him the whole day. He was hoping to tease him and hold his hand on the streets wherever they went. What was intended to be a stress-free day, turned by 180 degrees.

Time flies, as it was now bedtime. Usually at this hour, he would be in front of Wanmin Restaurant, with Chongyun and maybe Xiangling, releasing their lanterns before watching the fireworks go off. He had the materials to craft a Xiao Lantern somewhere in his drawers, but what was the point if he wasn’t going to release it with Chongyun this year? He kept it there untouched out of spite. Mayhaps he’s glad the festival that was being managed by his family went well.

He was about to wrap up the paperwork for the night when he heard a knock on his windowsill. Huh, must be his imagination.  

Knock knock.  

Okay, he was a little scared now. Must be the wind?

“Xingqiu?”

He knew that voice. Hesitant yet calm, he couldn’t scramble to the curtains any faster. He opened the curtains and was met with the exorcist he had wanted to see all day. Chongyun placed his palm onto the window glass, and Xingqiu placed his palm to meet his, before actually opening the window.

“Chongyun, what are you doing here? ” Xingqiu couldn’t help but giggle. They used to have this exact interaction a lot back then.

“You think I would just leave you behind here during your favourite festival?” Chongyun beamed.

Xingqiu offered his hand to help Chongyun sneak inside, just like the old times.

In unison, they sat on Xingqiu’s untouched bed.

“It was boring to spend today without you, Xingqiu,” Chongyun smiled shyly as he looked down. It’s been a few months since they started dating yet he was still acting all shy around him; Xingqiu couldn’t help but be in awe. The swordsman shifted closer to Chongyun as he placed his finger on his chin to lock eyes.

“Likewise,” he smiled cheekily before giving a quick peck on the other’s lips. Xingqiu loved to observe Chongyun’s rosy cheeks flush more every time he initiates. “Well, what now?”

Chongyun smiled at Xingqiu as he put his hoodie on, catching the things that fell out from it. Chongyun could be full of surprises sometimes, in this case, he used his hood as a pocket ?

Upon closer inspection, Xingqiu recognized them. Plausteride Shards, Wick Material and Lantern Fiber, the materials needed to craft a Xiao Lantern; “I know you’ve been busy with paperwork, but it’s okay to escape for a while, you know," Chongyun looked at him in the eyes, full with worry, "Anyway, you don’t happen to have an alchemy table somewhere around the guild, do you?” “There is actually, just a few rooms down the hallway,” Xingqiu grinned, “you really do want to release them with me this year?”

“Lantern rite wouldn’t feel complete if we didn’t” he grinned back, cheeks flushed red.

To avoid suspicion, Xingqiu went to the room on his own to craft the Xiao Lanterns as quickly as possible. He genuinely thought he wouldn’t be able to release them this year, but perhaps Rex Lapis never disappoints when it comes to his citizens. What a blessing!

After a few minutes, Xingqiu snuck back into his bedroom. He watched as Chongyun swayed his feet back and forth, waiting for him. The exorcist halted immediately as soon as he saw him, now flustered. “You’re back!”

“Where to next, dear?” Xingqiu held the two lanterns in his grasp.

“Come with me,” Chongyun invited as he walked towards the window. The two of them climbed out as Xingqiu followed behind Chongyun. He led him to the roof of the guild. Xingqiu was in awe of the sight before him. “I’ve never seen them from up here before,”

“It’s nice, isn’t it?”, Chongyun stared at the view with him.
“Indeed, my liege. Though, I think the view beside me is more… exquisite,”

“Ah,” Chongyun blushed at the remark as he fidgeted his fingers while Xingqiu smirked at him. A comfortable silence occurred between them before Chongyun changed the subject, “Have you ever thought of… marriage? I know this is sudden, but it has been on my mind lately that we’re all growing up. The topic will be brought to the table eventually,”

The bookworm turned his head in the exorcist’s direction; “Huh, I’ve never thought of that,” Xingqiu placed his hand on his chin, like he always would when he’s deep in thought. That was something Chongyun noticed about Xingqiu over the years. “Well, I’ll let you know that I won’t go through with any proposals if it wasn’t from you,” he giggled, “well, if you’ll allow me to be yours, of course. Don’t get me a ring too soon though, we haven’t even reached our first anniversary~” he snickered.

“Don’t be quick to assume, it was just a growing-up question,” Chongyun glared, but his rosy cheeks could never lie to the swordsman, “Anyway, we should release our lanterns soon… time to write our wishes,”

Still giggling, Xingqiu could only nod, as he grabbed the pieces of parchment he took before coming up here, passing one to Chongyun. “Think wisely.”

They did this very same routine every year; staring at the night sky full of lanterns while deciding on their wish. Xingqiu occasionally glances back at forth between the sky above and Chongyun before deciding on a wish. He took his pen and wrote on the piece of parchment:

‘May I be betrothed to Chongyun one day, and grow old with him,’

It was something selfish to wish for, silly even. Usually, he would wish for more general stuff he stood for, something like justice being served and stuff of the sort; but after what Chongyun asked him earlier, he didn’t regret what he wrote, for that was truly what he wished for. There’s no telling if it’ll ever come true, but it was worth a shot. Being married to him was nice to think about. He was aware that they’d only been dating for a few months, but he has known the other forever, having exchanged tassels during their youth. His wish felt reasonable Besides, it’s okay to be selfish sometimes.

“Are you done, dear?”

“...Yeah, ready to release it?”

“Mhm,”


And so, they lit up their lanterns and watched them fly up with the other Xiao Lanterns. “So, what did you wish for?” Xingqiu sneered. He asked the same question every year, after releasing a lantern every time. Chongyun always had the same response: “It wouldn’t come true if I told you, would it?”. They laughed together on the rooftop before the bustling streets slowly settled down. It’s time.

From what Xingqiu knew of the guild’s schedule, his brother should be done with his speech at some sort of closing ceremony. After that, the fireworks would be launched. And that should be right about now.

Xingqiu let his palm inch closer to Chongyun’s, as they mutually allowed each other to intertwine fingers.

Every citizen looked up at the sky as the sparks of the fireworks could be heard, a sign they were about to be set off.

In sync, the two lovers looked at each other. Soft smiles were exchanged as they both got lost in the other’s eyes. They were brought down to earth once the fireworks finally launched into the sky. Aside from the lanterns, the night sky was now full of colour, launched one after another, shining bright. After a minute of admiring, Xingqiu looked to his left. He could practically see the fireworks reflected in those icy blue eyes that he adored very much. The bookworm lightly squeezed their clasped hands, which successfully grabbed Chongyun’s attention.

Xingqiu felt bold.

As soon as their gazes locked, Xingqiu leans forward to kiss him.

He was bold. They never initiated something so intimate in public before, but then again, is it really public if barely anyone could see them?

Thus, Chongyun allowed himself to be bold too. As soon as they pulled away, Chongyun lightly held his lover’s waist closer to him, locking lips with him again, deeper, and passionately. All the sound around them was blocked out, it was just the two of them.

Upon the lack of oxygen, they pulled away yet again, lightly panting. Despite that, they smiled cheekily at each other. At the sight of Chongyun turning red, Xingqiu pulled a popsicle that he snuck into his coat. “I hoped this would happen, so I grabbed one while I was using the alchemy table earlier,”

The exorcist blushed harder before accepting it, “t… thank you… love,”

Xingqiu could squeal. “Chongyun! Did you just address me with a pet name?!”

“I-it felt right, okay! I don’t know what came over me-!”

“No, it’s okay! That was so cute of you! Ahh!”

“Xingqiu, stop!”

Chongyun bashfully consumed the popsicle while Xingqiu giggled in the background. Well, the fireworks were still going on of course, but only his lover mattered at the moment.

Chongyun loved Xingqiu, and he was honoured to know that his love was shared and reciprocated.

Xingqiu loved Chongyun, and he hoped that one day his wish would come true.