A lose lose situation

The confession

"Xingqiu I- I think I love you...I have since we were 11 haha! I guess I never got over my childhood crush..." "I love you too Chongyun...b-" Chongyun puts his arms around Xingqius hips and kisses him, Xingqiu enjoys the kiss but tears are welling in his eyes. When they pull away Chongyun feels very guilty. "Why are you crying? I'm sorry I shouldn't have-" "No no the kiss...was great it's just.." Xingqiu starts really crying. "I'm engaged!.." "T-to who?!" Xingqiu grabs the fabric on Chongyun's shoulders and sticks his head in the others chest. "I don't even know her name! I'm 16! I'm to young to get married! I dont want to I'm not ready! I don't even know if I LIKE girls! Chongyun wraps his arms around his friend as he feels his shirt get wet. Tears start to drip down his cheek, it was hard seeing the boy he loved in this much pain. 

After staying and crying for about 10 minutes, Xingqiu re-gains control of his thoughts and emotions. "Chongyun? I'm meeting my fiancé tomorrow...will you go with me? I don't want to be alone with her." "Sure I'll go with you." 

The day had arrived, this scared Xingqiu as he knew he was getting closer and closer to his wedding day. He was supposed to meet with his fiancé at noon at Wanmin restaurant,  so he and Chongyun decided to meet at 11:30. Xingqiu sat down inside Wanmin restaurant as he sees Xiangling walk over to him. "Heya Xingqiu, what would you li- why do you look so down!? Is everything okay?" She sets down her note pad and sits across from Xingqiu with quite a worried expression on his face. "Uhm...I'm meeting my- uh...fiancé." "HUH? I thought you liked Chongyun!" Xiangling was the first to know about Xingqius crush on Chongyun and since then she was his wingman (girl?). "I do! He actually confessed yesterday but...my parents are marrying me off to someone I haven't even met yet!" Just then Chongyun walks in "psst does he know?" "Yea I had to tell him last night when he confessed." 

"Oh! I have an idea!" Xiangling exclaimed as Chongyun sat down, looking just as depressed as Xingqiu. "How about you too "date" until Xingqiu has to get married!" Xiangling didn't realize this would just make it harder to leave each other. The two boys thought the exact same thing. 'It'll be harder to leave him but...at least I'll be happy for a month...?' "Xingqiu will you date me for a month?" "Yea. I will." 

A young woman walks into the restaurant just as Xiangling is leaving the table to return to work. The two boys switch spots, Chongyun near the wall and Xingqiu on the outside on the same bench. She looks around, sees Xingqiu and walks over to him. She was very beautiful and her smile was warm, but Xingqiu only had his heart set on Chongyun. "Hi, you must be Xingqiu. My name is Ekie." Xingqiu stood up and grabbed her hand as he bent over to kiss it. "Hello dear Ekie, I'm very glad to finally meet you." He was, in fact lying. Xingqiu sat back down as Ekie sat across from him. "And who is this?" Chongyun had been looking down and fiddling with his thumbs trying not to show his face, because he was probably just as nervous and sad as Xingqiu. But at the question he looked up and couldn't help but frown. 'How couldn't Xingqiu fall in love with her, she's beautiful and seems kind.' He thought to himself. "This is my dearest...friend! Chongyun, he was very excited to meet you so he is joining us today." 

After about twenty minutes of chit chat Chongyun can tell Xingqiu is getting quite annoyed and restless, usually he is very calm and can hide his emotions easily if need be. But now? He was bouncing his leg and his brows were furrowed. "I'll be right back dear, I need to use the restroom." Xingqiu got up and bowed before speed walking to the bathroom. Five minutes go by and Chongyun decides to "use the bathroom" as well. He doesn't say anything to Ekie, mostly out of spite. He just gets up and leaves. 

"Xingqiu...?" He speaks as he walks into the bathroom slowly. A soft crying can be heard from inside a stall. "Xingqiu can I open the door?" It takes a second for Xingqiu to answer, probably calming himself enough to talk. "Yea." He slowly opens the stall door to see Xingqiu, crying obviously. Chongyun doesn't know what to say so he just lifts Xingqiu off the seat and hugs him. After a few seconds, he has the right words. "Hey, hey. Even when you're married I'll still be here, I'll make sure there's a way to see you. Everyday I'll be by your side even if we can't love each other, romantically at least. You'll never be alone through this, okay? I promise I'll always be here for you, until we're old. You still have to help me find an evil spirit to exorcise!" "Thank you...can I- can I kiss you again?" Xingqiu says as he starts to dry his tears. Chongyun doesn't say anything but softly kisses him. When they return to the table Ekie seems at ease and much more relaxed, earlier she wasn't 'stiff' per say but she was calmer than before.