Camp Crush! (Modern!Xingqiu/Vampire!Chongyun) [COMPLETED]

Act 9: Risks

The next morning was a mess. It didn't take long for everyone to find out Xingqiu was in trouble once they heard of the stricter bedtime rules. Xiangling felt left out and even though she didn't admit it, Sucrose wasn't very happy about it either.

Xingqiu felt embarrassed. He'd succesfully screwed everything up for everyone, especially Chongyun. Would he still trust him after this? What if he never saw him again...

He had to banish the thought. He didn't want to destroy his mood even more than it already had been. He kept quiet and didn't interact with anyone, not even Xinyan. She tried to speak to him but he wasn't up for it. He just wanted time to process.

Today couldn't be worse. He was counting the hours until Zhongli would call his dad and he'd be grounded for a month if he was lucky. He went along with the activities of the day but it was halfhearted. He drew nothing of note, just scribbles. He nibbled absentmindedly on Xiangling's newest cooking succes, not really tasting it. Everything felt so pointless now that he knew he had most likely gotten Chongyun in trouble if anyone went looking for him. He wanted to make it up to him somehow, but he couldn't think of anything.

Eventually the scedule reached the forest walk. Out of all the activities, this one would help him stay distracted the most. Childe and Zhongli were the guides again, one for the exercise and one for the educational opportunities. They took a different route from last time, hoping to avoid another dead animal encounter.

This path was a bit darker. Covered in shadow from the many trees. It ran along a thin stream of water, the sound of which Barbara adored. Xingqiu walked at the back of the group, not interested in socializing. He just wanted to think and prepare himself for the inevitable punishment his dad would think up.

"Right, this seems like a good spot for a break."
Zhongli sat on a rock and Childe joined him.

Childe took off his backpack and opened it, pulling out the snacks they'd packaged earlier.
"Who wants sandwiches?"

Human food... boring.
Chongyun had been lurking behind them. He wanted to speak to Xingqiu so bad it hurt, but he'd need him alone for that. Something the man named 'Childe' was not making any easier. It felt like a trap, the guy was keeping an eye on everyone and constantly scouting their surroundings. It was already hard enough to find shadow for him to hide in, he really didn't like having to avoid a trained eye at the same time.

He was glad to see Xingqiu accept a sandwich and eat it. He wondered what it tasted like to his human crush. As a vampire, only blood tasted good to him.

He caught himself glancing at the boy's neck and looked away, disgusted by what he was. If only he was human like him, they could've shared that sandwich.

No, there was no time for sadness. He had to focus on his goal. Get Xingqiu alone, ask him if he's okay and apologize for not showing up the night before. He chose his own safety over Xingqiu and he felt so guilty about it. If he'd walked up to help he might have gotten in trouble, but Xingqiu would still be smiling. His colorful smile... he missed it so much. The Xingqiu of today seemed grey in comparison.

The group stayed there for about half an hour until they continued the hike. Chongyun trailed behind them, hopping from shadow to shadow. Daylight made him weak. Everything was more exhausting like this, but he knew it was worth it to see Xingqiu. Hopefully.

That's when it happened. a cliff to the right of the path. It wasn't going to hit anyone if they kept up with the pace. But Xingqiu wasn't keeping up, he was lagging behind.

The cliffside above him crumbled. Bad luck, one could say. A smaller rock hit his leg and knocked him down. His ankle was sprained. Not badly, but enough to stop him from walking for a little while. Enough to keep him in the path of the larger rock that broke free from the cliff.

It rumbled down steadily. The group further ahead turned around in shock. Childe and Zhongli started sprinting, knowing they'd be too late. Xingqui could only watch as the rock came his way, failing to stand with his pain. He braced for impact-

Nothing.

The crushing rock had missed him just barely, landing against a tree with a loud blow. In front of Xingqiu lay Chongyun, the clothes on his back torn and red. He'd blocked the rock and changed its course, catching the full blow with his body.

"Chongyun!"
Xingqiu wanted to help him but he didn't know how. What could he do? Chongyun wasn't moving, he just laid there.
"I'm sorry..."

Chongyun's exposed skin started sizzling in the sun. Weakened, his body couldn't defend against it as it burned into him.

"Childe, take care of Xingqiu!"
Zhongli was quick with his orders. He took off his coat and threw it onto Chongyun, protecting his skin and keeping him safe.

The walk back to the camp was hurried yet careful. Childe carried Xingqiu and Zhongli carried Chongyun wrapped in the coat. Once they were back at the camp he told Childe to keep everyone else in the dorms, he and Albedo would handle this.

Childe placed Xingqiu in the same office he'd been the night before, but this time it wasn't to be reprimanded. Childe left, Albedo arrived, Zhongli had placed Chongyun on the sofa.

Albedo didn't say anything. He just looked at the two boys in disbelief.

Zhongli took a chair and sat sat himself in front of Xingqiu.
"I knew you were hiding something, but a vampire? You understand how dangerous this is?"

Xingqiu wasn't having it.
"Dangerous? He saved my life! If you had just listened to me none of this would have happened!"

Albedo was inspecting the vampire's wounds.
"He's hurt bad."

Zhongli turned to Xingqiu, seeing the desperation in his eyes.
"Has he fed from you?"

"No."

"And you trust him?"

Xingqiu looked at the boy on the sofa. Chongyun's actions spoke books on his character.
"With my life."

"Then we'll help him."