The Winter Boy's Novel (Xingyun FanFic)

Chapter 3

Xingqiu's POV

I sat in the office anxiously. My father slammed his hands on the desk. "Guhua arts, books, and books and books!? Get a life! I didn't raise my son to be this way!" "Father, please-" "I don't understand you, Xingqiu! I've been the perfect father to you! I tried so hard to be the perfect father for you and this is how you repay me? Not trying?!" "I am... I am trying... It's just-" "ENOUGH! I've had it with you. Now GET OUT OF MY SIGHTS AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" I stood up so quickly that I knocked the chair over. I tried not to cry as I ran out of the building. I slowed down after I ran for what seemed like forever. In the opposite direction. I pulled a book out of my bag and stared at it. "I am trying, father. I've tried my entire life. Am I just not good enough for you?"

I sighed and started walking back to where Chongyun was. I didn't feel like doing anything or going anywhere, but I knew I had things I needed to tend to. The snow was falling softly again. It was a constant, steady stream. Before I knew it, I was crying again. My tears sank to the bottom of the piles of snow. I can't bottle these things up forever. I have to let it out eventually. But I can't do it in front of Chongyun. Not ever. That would just make him worry about me, and that's definitely what I don't want. I composed myself after a minute and resumed my walk. I saw an unusual, blue flower nearing the small house Chongyun and I shared. I figured out what it was a split second before it started attacking me. A cryp whooperflower. The next thing I knew, there were seven of them attacking me and I was on the ground, blood blurring my vision, and several treasure hoarders laughing hyperly at me. I didn't have my sword with me. I couldn't use my vision. I couldn't do anything. I gave up thinking of ways to get out of this situation. I also gave up consciousness.

Chongyun's POV

It's been several hours since Xingqiu left, and when he says something won't take long, it doesn't take long. I decided to see if I could find him outside. It was snowing, which was nice. But not far into my search, I found Xingqiu. He was lying in the snow, the snow around his head dyed crimson red and his arm was dripping blood. My breath hitched in my throat as I crouched down next to him. "Xingqiu, Xingqiu, wake up." I shook him in panic. "Xingqiu, please wake up. I need you to wake up. Please wake up." His lips were blue and he was pale and cold to the touch. I think he was dying.

Luckily, Cyrus saw me and sprinted off to find Barbara. He came back with Jean, Kaeya, and Barbara. "What happened here?" Jean asked. I found myself breathing more heavily than them, and they were the ones who ran all the way out here. "I... I don't know... I just found him here, I don't know what happened." I stammered. Cyrus handed me a blanket. "T-Thanks." I said as I wrapped it around Xingqiu. I saw Aether and Paimon running/floating over. "Wha~? What happened to Guhua Geek?" Paimon asked. "He doesn't like you calling him that..." I mumbled. Kaeya picked Xingqiu up and kicked away snow with his foot before laying him back down again. Barbara crouched down next to him. "Sister, can you hand me my stuff?" she asked. Jean did as her sister requested without hesitation. Aether rested a hand on my shoulder. It seemed like something XIngqiu would do. "I don't know what happened... but... He'll be okay. Barbara's a great healer." he said. I tried to tell myself that Aether was right. "Y-Yeah... right. You're right. Thanks." I replied. "I've done the best I can. Make sure you keep him warm or... Just keep him heated up." Barbara told me. I nodded.

Xingqiu himself was quiet. But it seemed quiet without Xingqiu. I mean, Xingqiu was here. His body was. But his spirit wasn't. It scared me. Xingqiu was there for me as long as I could remember. He brought me blankets when I was sitting outside. He was there to help me fall asleep when I couldn't. He was there to rest his hand on my back when I was throwing up, and he was there whenever I needed help with something. But I couldn't do anything to get him back here. I did everything I could. He was just lying unconscious in bed and I couldn't do anything to help him.

Xingqiu was lying on his back, facing the ceiling when I last checked on him. Blankets were piled on top of him and bandages were wrapped around his arm and head. I got up to grab a popsicle and heard murmuring from Xingqiu. He rolled onto his side and murmured something that I didn't catch. I walked over to the side of his bed and reluctantly touched his hand. "Xingqiu? Are you..." I trailed off when he blinked wearily at me. I covered my mouth with my hand. "You're okay. You're okay." I whispered. He smiled weakly at me and nodded. "Mhmm. Thank you, my liege." he murmured. "Are you feeling okay? Cold, or does your head hurt, or-" "I'm alright. Just... very tired." He turned over on his other side so that he was facing the window. Then, it occurred to me. "Uh, do you want me to read to you?" I asked. He looked at me with surprise. "Yes, please. I'd like that." he said. I picked up his book and flipped through it until I found the ribbon bookmarks he always used. But before I could even start, Xingqiu was already murmuring in his sleep.