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Stars in Snezhnaya shine unlike anywhere in Teyvat. They shine harsher, like the glow of mechanical lights, and are plastered across the sky like someone threw them without a second thought. When he first saw the stars in Sumeru, Phi thought he was dreaming. They glow, scattered as if someone painted them with a careful hand.
He loathes the stars in Sumeru.
Well, he doesn’t like a lot of things about Sumeru. The only thing he likes, the only thing keeping him here (other than Prime’s orders) is Baizhu.
As if summoned, the familiar voice calls out from behind him.
“Pietre!” Baizhu walks up to him, the gentle smile spread across his face far more beautiful than those false stars. “Aren’t you cold?”
Phi shakes his head. He takes in the scarves and layers wrapped around Baizhu’s body. One hangs off his shoulder, revealing a small patch of skin. Reaching out, he tugs one of the scarves down. “Aren’t you? The cold will hurt you more than me.”
Baizhu laughs, his breath fogging in the cold air. The snake around his neck glares at him, but it does not say anything. Phi gives it a dirty look. “I’m okay. Thank you for worrying, Pietre.”
“Do you need to say my name so much?” His words are sharper than he intends, but Baizhu only smiles. Phi reaches out for his scarves, but the damned snake hisses at him.
“Calm down, Changsheng,” Baizhu murmurs. “I like your name, Pietre.” He glances at the sky. “The stars are beautiful, aren’t they?”
“I hate them,” Phi doesn’t say. “I like the ones in Snezhnaya better.” He never takes his eyes off Baizhu. “I should take you to see them. You’d like them better too.”
He hums, tilting his head. “How are you so sure?”
“Because we’re the same,” Phi blurts. They’re not. He knows they’re not. But he likes the idea.
Baizhu chuckles. “Maybe.” He tucks a stray piece of hair behind his ear, the green flowing through his pale fingers. “I’m curious. Do you ever get cold, Pietre?” When he turns to face him, a soft smile spreads across his face. An oblivious man might have fallen for it. But Phi is not a man, nor is he oblivious. Golden eyes sparkle with a look that pins Phi to the spot.
“I do,” he says. “Just not as easily as you.” The corners of Baizhu’s mouth twitch and he can’t tell if it’s mockery or amusement. What he can tell is that he has a sudden, primal urge to kiss him. “Why?”
Baizhu chuckles, a soft, tinkling sound that sends shivers down Phi’s spine. “No reason. I was just thinking about how you would look bundled in Snezhnayan clothes, that’s all.” He smiles again, taking a step closer to Phi. “Would you ever take me there?”
“Whatever you want,” Phi says, the words spilling out of his mouth before he can think about it. “I’ll make sure that you stay warm. We can see the stars.” He turns to Baizhu, ignoring how badly he wishes for him to say yes. Prime always said that segments did not hope or dream. That they could not hope or dream. Clearly, he hadn’t accounted for Baizhu.
Baizhu, as if sensing his desire, laughs again. His head shakes and the tassel on his glasses clinks with the movement. “If we ever get a vacation from our schoolwork, I’ll let you.”
“Great,” Phi blurts, his mouth moving before his mind. “We have a weekend off in two weeks. I’ll take you then. Don’t worry about arranging anything, I can take care of it myself.” His mind starts racing with ideas, about how to get the funds and where exactly to bring Baizhu and--
A small laugh from Baizhu cuts his thoughts off. “Well, as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm--I do quite like a man who can take care of me--” Phi burns, despite not being able to generate his own heat --I think I know better than most what I need on my travels.”
“Right, yes, of course,” Phi says, “ I’ll let you--”
Baizhu leans forward the slightest bit and Phi snaps his mouth shut. “I was joking, Pietre. I trust you to take care of everything.” He leans forward and rests his head lightly on his shoulder. “You know me better than anyone.”
He would never admit it, but Phi almost collapses on the spot.
-
Unfortunately, both he and Baizhu have never had the archon’s favor. After a journey by Sumpter Beast pulled cart (Phi had insisted, despite Baizhu’s protests about the price), the two had waited for two hours to ride an elevator up to the top of an observatory. Once they got there, though, the sky had clouded over. Despite all the claims that today would be perfectly clear, here they are, standing below a cloudy sky under falling snowflakes.
At least he managed to do something for Baizhu. Phi had purchased one of Pantalone’s new business investments, a self-heating scarf, just for Baizhu. It’s wrapped around Baizhu’s thin neck now, so tight that he can’t see even a sliver of skin. “Sorry,” he says again. “They said it was going to be clear.”
Baizhu smiles. “It’s alright. The snow is just as pretty.” He leans his head on Phi’s shoulder again and the warmth from his scarf spreads throughout his body. “It’s the thought that matters, no? I’ve never had someone so willing to bring me on a trip, despite my frail constitution.”
Phi frowns. The mere idea of people refusing to accommodate Baizhu makes him angry, but when he sees the worry flash across Baizhu’s eyes he relaxes. “Yeah, I suppose. Just say the word, and I’ll arrange a trip for you any time.”
“Any time?” Baizhu chuckles. “Even if we were in the middle of exam week?”
“Even then,” Phi says. It doesn’t matter if he passes or fails his classes. Prime hadn’t even given him the slightest glance when he was created. Just a test prototype for some other experiment, he said. At least this meant Prime ignored him, for the most part. Ignored Baizhu.
Baizhu snorts. “You’re always so serious, Pietre. I like that about you.” He stands straight up, leaning on the balcony as the flurries of snow start to fall faster and faster. Even the white snow looks pale as it falls on Baizhu’s skin, and Pietre reaches out to brush some of it off his face.
“If you’re cold, we should go inside.”
“No, I’m fine.” Baizhu smiles at him. “Let’s stay out here for a moment longer.” His gaze turns to the view beneath them. “Do you come here often? It feels like you’ve visited this place before. Like you belong here, up on this tower.” He doesn’t look at Pietre as he says this.
Pietre glances out at the expense of Snezhnaya before them. The sight gives him the vague impression of familiarity, but not his own. “No, I haven’t.”
“Hm.” Baizhu steps closer to Phi, resting his head on his shoulder. “Thank you for taking me here, Pietre. Even if I can’t see the stars, this experience has reminded me that someone like me can enjoy views like this.” His hands, wrapped in blood-red wool, trail across the handrail. “You might think this sounds strange, but the cold biting at my skin helps me feel alive.”
Phi swallows. “I would never think you were strange.” It would be impossible for Phi. Even if he wasn’t acquainted with the insanity of the other Segments, he’s sure he could never think negatively of Baizhu. Not with his gorgeous golden eyes, his soft smile, and green hair the color of dendro.
Baizhu stares at him for a moment, a quiet, piercing gaze freezing Phi in his place. “You really mean that.” He smiles again, and Phi doesn’t think his heart can take this any longer.
-
In the hotel, Baizhu sneaks into Phi’s bed and wraps his arms around his back, face buried in the crook of his neck. In the silence of the room only broken by the soft ticking of an ornate grandfather clock, when Phi can feel the other segments taking up Prime’s attention, where for a moment, he feels alone, truly alone, Pietre whispers softly in Baizhu’s ear.
“I love you.”
Baizhu hums against his neck. “I know.” He pauses, breath tickling Pietre’s neck. “I love you too.”