Fluid Ice (Xingyun)

Chapter 1 ~ A Simple Hangout

It had been quite a while since Chongyun had a mostly calming day and today was no exception, he could count on having quite the long day when it came to hanging out with Xingqiu. The to had gone out to Wuwang Hill in search for evil spirits that needed to be exorcised, but sadly, they came up dry. Chongyun was disappointed at first but due to Xingqiu's positive and encouraging words, that disappointment became happiness as tomorrow was going to be a brand new day in which anything could happen. The two boys were currently at Wanwen Bookhouse due to Xingqiu being excited about today's restock, "So many books, and yet so little time!" Xingqiu exclaimed, becoming overwhelmed by the large amount of new releases. Chongyun smiled upon seeing Xingqiu's own grin.

Something about knowing that Xingqiu was happy, just made Chongyun even more happier than before. Feelings like this always surfaced when the two were together, but the two usually pushed them aside, simply mistaking them for a deep friendship, however something told Chongyun that there was more behind all these strange feelings, try as he might, he couldn't place his finger on what it could be. The only option was a strong friendship... for sure! There's no way, their bond could be broken.

Chongyun sighed as he watched Xingqiu revel in the vast amount of books. "Hey, 'yun, which one do you think I should get?" Xingqiu asked, clearly becoming indecisive. Chongyun put his hands up beside his head before speaking, "Don't ask me, I know nothing about your book interests. Maybe ask Ms. Jifang? She is the boss here, she might be able to find something that peaks your interest." Xingqiu nodded and scurried over to the desk that Jifang worked behind. The two bookworms talked for a bit although, Chongyun didn't pay much attention to what they said, his mind was wandering off to a place of wonder. A place where all of his questions stayed. When will I finally exorcise a spirit? Why did the gods give me a vision? And, where did Xingqiu's book interests come from?

He stayed in his thoughts for a while before he heard Xingqiu shout his name. "Chongyun! I'm ready to go!" Chongyun smiled before responding, "Alright then, lets head off." The two boys started walking down the stairs, talking all the way, until they reached the solid floor. Chongyun then sighed, he was, admittedly, tired, but he didn't want to stop hanging out with Xingqiu. It was fun and the two were happy, so he didn't want to end the fun. Try as he might, it was quite obvious to Xingqiu that his friend was tired, so with a smile, Xingqiu said his goodbyes to Chongyun and the two boys parted ways.

The next day, the two would hang out just the same. This time hanging around the harbor, sitting on a ledge together, their feet dangling above the sea's soft waves. The salty smell of the sea, along with the sounds of water against water, calmed Chongyun's mind easily. The young exorcist lay his back on the cold, fresh floor of the harbor. His eyes up to the sky, lost in his thoughts once again. Xingqiu, on the other hand, had his face in his brand new book. Every now and then he would let out a noise, whether it be a gasp, or a sound of intrigue.

Chongyun found himself sitting up to silently watch his friend enjoy his literature. After a while of hanging out together, Chongyun began to notice little details about how Xingqiu read his book. His eyebrows were slightly lifted and his eyes were just the smallest bit wider, as if trying to take in all the knowledge through his eyes. Not to mention the smile that was placed on Xingqiu's face. In all honesty, it was somewhat,... cute. In a friend sorta way. 

"Hey, 'yun. Are you alright?" Chongyun realized that his friend had been trying to speak to him for a bit. "Oh, y-yeah, I'm alright." Chongyun voiced, a smile placed upon his face. "Are you sure? Your nose is kind of— well— bleeding." 

"Oh!" Chongyun frantically placed his hands above his nose in desperation.

"Do you need anything?!"

"No, no, I'm fine!"

Before Chongyun could complain, Xingqiu had taken out a tissue and handed it to Chongyun. The look on his face said, "use it or I'm out of here."  Chongyun grabbed the tissue and began cleaning his nose. "What even happened?" Xingqiu stressed. Chongyun racked his brain for an excuse. "It was, um, excessive yang energy!" REALLY CHONGYUN? YANG ENERGY?! WHY NOT JUST A DRY NOSE OR SOMETHING—

"Oh! Don't you have popsicles for that though?"

"I, uh— I ran out..." Chongyun lied in hopes of his friend not noticing.

"Let's go get more then!" Xingqiu stated, while standing up. He reached out his hand for Chongyun to grab. A smile on Xingqiu's of the face. As the exorcist grabbed the hand of his friend, he found himself smiling too, not worried about how he would have to ask chef Mao for a new batch of popsicles mere hours after he had made his order of the week. For now, all that mattered was him, 

and Xingqiu.