Chongyun had been in a particularly joyous mood November 16th. Despite the warm drizzle pattering against the sidewalk throughout Liyue Harbor, he managed to stay fairly cool under the alluring shade. His legs haunched uncomfortably as he leaned towards one of the edges of a pond, pale fingers brushing the petals of a lotus flower with careful anxiety - as if he was going to accidentally injure the tough petals. He hummed in acknowledgment of the sky that day, it was fairly cloudy. The grey overlapped the precious light blue that ascended forever into what? Chongyun wasn't sure.
One thing that stood out to him however, was Xingqiu's lack of presence. Whatever, Chongyun was a very patient and forgiving person. He sits back with a sigh of relief, his body preening from the release of bunched muscles. The long abandoned popsicle stick sat haphazardly across his sword, little droplets of liquid surrounding the excess he hadn't gotten to. He sorta wish he brought something to keep his entertainment, however, the heat was slowly creeping up on him.
He lets out another sigh, this time slow and calm with precision- after all, Xingqiu told him peace is the biggest soother of all anxieties. Chongyun was skeptical of the nature of his words, but he'd always trust his closest confident, however much of a triumphant prankster he was. He would trust Xingqiu as much as he could because he was the most witty and intelligent being Chongyun had ever met. His seemingly impossible golden eyes would push up with his cheeks whenever he smiled. Sometimes it was hard to tell the motive- wether it was another prank for the poor unsuspecting Chongyun or Xingqiu had something important to say.
Chongyun picks at a blade of bright green grass and rolls it between his fingers as he thinks thoughtfully. The rustle of the looming leaves and soft, low howl of the wind kept his mind at ease. Xingqiu always stuck by his side, no matter how disappointing he could seem. To a lot of people, it was easy to figure out how insecure Chongyun was. He was insecure over everything, it seemed. His exorcism abilities, the shape of his jaw, his pale blue eyelashes- or god forbid even his smile made him insecure. Chongyun could provide a list of his worries without much confidence, fretting over every useless detail. Xingqiu would just hum and tilt his head, asking Chongyun "Why?"
That one word had surprised Chongyun quite a lot, actually. He remembers the impact on someone analyzing him with a brain of diamonds and eyes of magnifying glasses, ones that shown so bright you'd cover your eyes with the wrath of the suns. I guess thats why Xingqiu's gaze was always warm to Chongyun.
----
"Why?" Xingqiu asked thoughtfully, a finger pressed against his pursed lips. His leg was crossed over the other, sitting in a chair that was so expensive Chongyun was too afraid to take a seat. Xingqiu's eyes blinked again at Chongyun, awaiting his answer patiently.
"Why?" Chongyun echoed back with shock. He hadn't expected Xingqiu to confront his insecurities about his appearances, but he didn't expect Xingqiu to agree with them either. Xingqiu only let out a low sigh to Chongyun's response, but it wasn't disappointed. It was more sympathetic. Xingqiu uncrosses his legs and outstretches his hands gently out to Chongyun.
Chongyun embarrassedly looks into Xingqiu's eyes before darting his own crystal pair away. He apprehensively takes Xingqiu's warmer ones with a subtle blush across his cheeks. Xingqiu doesn't seem to notice- or comment on it, which Chongyun appreciates wholeheartedly.
"My dearest Chongyun, why are you so concerned about your appearance?" Xingqiu asks, softly squeezing his hands. "Nobody is criticizing what you appear like- more less, how you carry out your professional matters. You know why?" Xingqiu asks, adjusting his posture.
Chongyun is at a loss for words so he shakes his head no very quickly. His eyebrows knit together. He didn't know where Xingqiu was going with this. Did they not care because they were too busy worrying about themselves? Or did they feel pity for him, so they spared poor Chongyun of his confidence?
YOU ARE READING
𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿, 𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗾𝗶𝘂
Fanfiction[Major Character Death] What happens when stars go out? Does the gas dissipate into the atmosphere? Does it linger in the universe as a forgotten and alluring memory swept away by the excruciating pain of time? Chongyun doesn't know. He might never...
