𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 | Genshin Impact

ᴀᴅʀɪꜰᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀʀʙᴏʀ

FIFTY EIGHT

CHONGYUN AND XINGQIU were as different as two people can be. An exorcist and a noble son. Different responsibilities yet no matter how many hours or days would go by without seeing one another, the next time they were to stand side by side was as if these measly gaps of time never happened at all. It made (Y/n) wonder how friendships last so long. It made her wonder about the ones she had recently left behind, and if they too would return likewise someday.

"No fair..." Chongyun groaned out loud, "You beat me again!"

In contrast, Xingqiu snickered. "Best out of three?" He asked.

Chongyun's face scrunched up. "I'd rather not entertain you any longer," His shoulders slumped forward in defeat.

(Y/n) kept watch over the two from the corner of her eyes. She mindlessly messed around with the bandage over her wrist, the one she had purposely began to use to hide the mark on her skin.

They sat above a rather large wooden crate playing games with their hands while the girl rested on another smaller one nearby. She eyed them carefully, watching as Xingqiu failed miserably in hiding a few snickers when the remaining piece of Chongyun's popsicle no longer clung to the stick and rolled over his hand before falling onto the floor.

It only takes a brief glance their way to feel the air around them. With squinted eyes, and eyelashes shielding their vision from the light; it's a sight you only see in the background on your way to your destination.

When Xingqiu quelled the hiccups of laughter, he composed himself and spoke. "Hey, here's an idea," He said, which garnered the the two's attention, "Something came to mind. An errand. It'll be real quick, and the two of you can catch up without me in the meantime."

"Oh, sure," (Y/n) said. Though, it was a bit odd he thought of it now of all times.

On the other hand, Chongyun's face turned visibly confused. "An errand?" He asked. It was as if he was left in wonder why his friend, who'd usually tell him everything, hadn't told him.

"Like I said, it'll be quick," Xingqiu reassured the two, "Promise."

Both (Y/n) and Chongyun kept an eye on him as he slid off the crate. His shoes made a sound as he landed on both feet, to which he then straightened himself out to wave them goodbye.

(Y/n)'s eyes darted across his fading figure, watching as he disappeared into the semi-crowded streets of Liyue.

Letting the feeling of confusion pass its course, Chongyun hovered a hand above his head as he peered upward into the sky. Thick branches of a nearby tree obscured the cerulean blue heavens. Leaves of autumn hues sprouting from each twig and end. His eyes searched the view for any light seeping through, but not a douse of sun dared fall anywhere near his cold, pale skin.

"Is there something interesting in the tree?" (Y/n)'s voice lulled him from his thoughts.

The exorcist immediately glanced down at her with the slightest smile tugging at the end of his lips. "If there were, I would be sure to tell you," He said.

(Y/n)'s head followed him as he pushed himself from where he sat, all the way down to next to her. He then lifted his gaze to meet hers. The two were now face-to-face.

"You know, I don't think I've gotten the chance to tell you how glad I am you're back," He said, "It felt like forever without you here."

(Y/n) rested her cheek against the palm of her hand. "It hadn't been that long," Her tone was playful, "After all, you came to visit me in Mondstadt. Remember?"