Work Text:
It wouldn’t be right to call them pranks, because it wasn’t out of a need for amusement. Trickery is the closest way to describe how Xingqiu kept on feeding Chongyun information rooted on no facts.
Chongyun was not an idiot. After the first five instances, he figured it out. He was upset, undoubtedly, but there was also curiosity born from the way he couldn't understand why Xingqiu would tell him lies. He did not benefit from it at all. The only effect was that Chongyun wasted his time, and he had a hard time believing that Xingqiu found that amusing.
So why?
A part of him wanted to ask outright. A part of him wanted to break this unconventional game they were playing for the sake of his own sanity. It wasn't that the lies were bad, but they've been getting on his nerves. Not in a bad way, but in the way that there was an ever present feeling of anxiousness that whatever this was would end badly. Despite his instincts, Chongyun plays along, as it’s the only way to keep Xingqiu close.
He never utters the words he wants to, for he decided that it’s not within his best interest. There’s no reason to ruin their friendship like this.
If his time was wasted on the false leads that Xingqiu supplied him, then at least Xingqiu would treat him to a meal afterwards—at least, he was in Xingqiu’s presence and good graces.
Chongyun knows though, that at some point, he will have to confront his friend about his antics soon, but Chongyun has now decided that he would not initiate it. At some point, it will just happen, and he’s more than happy to play along until then.
...It just turns out that it would happen all too soon, on an all too normal day. Xingqiu gave him another lead, sounding as innocent as ever.
“There’s a really nasty ghost near Wangshu Inn,,” Xingqiu told him before cheekily adding a wink. “It’s your time to shine, dear Chongyun.”
Of course, the exorcist entertained the idea and promptly told Xingqiu that he would check it out right after he ate his breakfast.
“I’ll return by sunset.”
-
For all the things Chongyun could say Xingqiu was, malicious wasn’t one of them. So, when he got attacked while on his way to Wangshu Inn, his first thought was about how badly Xingqiu might blame himself. He knows his best friend and that means knowing Xingqiu always means well.
It wasn't his fault that Chongyun was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he actually took a blow from the Fatui at his right. It gratingly dug into his shoulder, and he couldn’t stop a hiss of pain when the blade pulled away. It caused his whole upper body to be slightly burnt, making a wave of annoyance course through him.
Honestly, Chongyun has defeated his fair share of the Fatui, so this shouldn’t be that hard for him, but he gained new wounds nonetheless. Wounds that are too deep to hide.
After returning back to Xingqiu, Chongyun decided that he would visit a healer for treatment—only after he actually gets to Wangshu Inn though. False as it may be, it wouldn’t hurt to check if there was actually a ghost where Xingqiu told him there was. One of these days, he might actually find one.
One of these days, Xingqiu might unintentionally be honest.
-
There were no ghosts in Wangshu Inn, so he returns back to Xinyue Kiosk where Xingqiu is inevitably still waiting for him.
Instantly, a pair of fearful golden eyes meet him. He gives a smile as he watches his friend take in his injuries, from the gash on his shoulder to the smaller cuts by his arms. There’s a flash of recognition in those eyes, recognition that he was the one who caused Chongyun harm. Then, there's guilt. Chongyun’s smile turns stiff at that. It's uncomfortable to see. It was just as much his fault as it was Xingqiu’s.
Xingqiu, born as the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, grew up knowing manners like the back of his hand. He’s proper, elegant, and so much more.
Chongyun flinches as Xingqiu drops the teacup he was holding to rush towards him.
“Chongyun, you’re hurt!...—” All thanks to you. Xingqiu’s own mind screams at him, but he steadily ignore it. “You shouldn’t have come to me directly! Quickly... Let's... Let’s go to Doctor Baizhu.”
Slowly, carefully. “It’s fine…” Chongyun allows Xingqiu’s gaze to fall all over his body. “It’s not that much. You can heal it for me.”
Guilt threatens to swallow Xingqiu whole. He hastily shakes his head. “I’m not a healer,” Xingqiu says with a trembling, weakening voice.
“Not mainly, but you still can.”
“That doesn't... No. We should just go to—”
Chongyun stares Xingqiu right in the eye. He doesn’t know why his anger is suddenly acting up. It's warm. It’s simmering under his skin and wants nothing more than to explode. It's like there's bubbles in his throat that want nothing more than to rise and rise and be released. He can't let it. He really shouldn't let it, but the words spill out before he can stop.
“You caused these wounds. Take accountability.”
"..."
That causes both of them to still for a moment. Then, Xingqiu tries to calm himself, hands fidgeting on his tassel—the ones they shamelessly match. “I—”
Chongyun doesn’t blame Xingqiu at all. It was an honest mistake, he knows. Who would ever even think that a bunch of Fatui would be on the path to Wangshu Inn? Nonetheless, he takes this time as the perfect opportunity for confrontation. It's his own selfish desire to have Xingqiu’s—and only Xingqiu’s—element envelop him and ease the pain he's feeling.
Xingqiu exhales heavily before activating Raincutter. Rain swords now orbit him as he grabs Chongyun by his hands and interlocks them with his.
Closing his eyes, Xingqiu rests his forehead on Chongyun’s knuckles as he whispers apologies Chongyun couldn’t and didn't want to hear.
Chongyun feels his emotions spike, heart weighing heavily as he feels teardrops fall from his best friend’s eyes and onto his knuckles. One, two, three. More and more keep falling as Xingqiu’s rain swords dissipate and seep into his wounds. It heals him.
Chongyun learns something new as he watches Xingqiu’s shoulders tremble with every breath; his best friend was a silent crier. If he couldn’t see his body shaking, and if he couldn’t feel how wet his knuckles were from tears, he wouldn’t even think anything was wrong.
Chongyun decides that it’s because Xingqiu finds vulnerability like this to be humiliating.
Yet, here he was now, out in public and crying. In a bustling restaurant, no less. It’s a good thing other people were too preoccupied with their own lives to notice anything.
They both stay silent like that, even as the last of Chongyun’s wounds close. Chongyun waits until he sees that Xingqiu’s breathing has calmed down.
“Chongyun…”
He hums in response.
“...Chongyun.” Xingqiu repeats himself, voice growing more steady. He wipes away any remaining tears in his eyes while also drying Chongyun’s hands. “This is all my fault.”
“You didn’t know.”
“But I sent you out there!” Xingqiu yells and lets go of Chongyun’s hands, fearing that he might injure it as he feels less and less in control of his own emotions. “You only went there because I told you to. It’s all my fault.” Xingqiu’s voice, at some point, had quietened down to barely above a whisper.
“Xingqiu, you did it out of the goodness of your heart, so don’t blame yourself. There was a ghost there and—”
Chongyun flinches for the second time that day as Xingqiu slams his hands on the table. “There wasn’t any ghost!” And just as quickly as he shouted, Xingqiu’s face pales, realizing his words came out faster than his brain could think to filter. He tries to find his way out of this trap he’s dug for himself, but he struggles. Chongyun watches him with a conflicted gaze. “And by that… I mean, the chances were… low and not… not many sighted it… and…”
Obvious excuses. Xingqiu should know better than this—he's absolutely wonderful at lying! And yet, when faced with Chongyun's too earnest eyes, he just melts.
“I know," Chongyun murmurs. It's an assurance, an olive branch, and Xingqiu only gets the urge to run away in shame. He doesn’t deserve that kindness directed at him all, Xingqiu confessed to himself. No amount of good deeds would lead to him being worthy of the person in front of him. The person that was all too understanding of his flaws and chooses to accept them regardless. Hesitantly, he asks. “You… know?” The thoughts whirling inside Xingqiu’s brain were maddening. He knows, Xingqiu repeats, his dread reaching new heights.
“Chongyun, I’m really sorry. I never meant for it to go this far—”
“It’s okay. I’ve always believed you to be a liar,” comes the immediate response.
Xingqiu feels as though his whole world shatters. His breath gets caught in his throat and he looks at Chongyun in alarm. He knows it's not much, but he still says his next words with as much sincerity as he can: “I’m really sorry.”
He receives a small nudge at his hands.
“But I’m fine with being best friends with a liar.” Chongyun carefully says, urging Xingqiu to calm down by offering a smile. “If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here right now. So don’t look so distressed… It doesn’t suit you.” Confidence is more flattering on you, goes unsaid.
More tears fall down from Xingqiu's lashes, eventually dribbling down his cheeks then chin. “Then,” he starts, nibbling on his own lip, nervous. “I apologize. I won’t trick you ever again.”
The tension between them slowly ebbs away. Chongyun decides to be playful. He says, “But what if I want you to continue?”
Xingqiu frowns. “Why would you even want that?”
“It’ll be the same thing but more like a date.” There’s a confidence in Chongyun that he’s pretty sure he stole from Xingqiu. “Ghost hunting but together.”
Breathlessly, Xingqiu’s eyes glimmer in excitement.
“I’d love that.”
“And I love you.”