Genshin Impact: One Shots

pov: you return to liyue after a long time and meet chongyun again

- inspired by: pov you return to liyue after a long time and meet chongyun again -

- playlist by x1aoluvrr on YouTube -

- written originally in October 2021 -

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It had been a good year or two since you have not been to Liyue. Somehow, in between running around all the seven nations, you rarely had the chance to take commissions around the region. Once in a while, when you need to get to Mondstadt or Dragonspine, you'd pass through the outskirts of the area, the warm grass, clear skies and the small streams bringing back memories. However, you've rarely had the chance to actually go to the city. 

Today, you finally packed and decided that the day will be spent in Liyue Harbour. There were so many sights you wanted to see, so many experiences to relive, and so many people to meet again. A week before you went, you wrote a letter to Keqing and Xiangling, saying that you'll be coming back and you wanted to spend time with them, you just didn't know when you'd exactly be free to. Obviously there were not going to be any replies back due to the short timeframe, but you were hopeful that they received it. 

The saltiness of the sea, and the lovely aroma of different spices welcomed your sense as you reached the harbour in the morning. You missed the sunrise, but the sea was lovely nonetheless as you watched the waves ebbed and flowed for a little while. Then, came lunch. 

Obviously, you had to go to Wanmin Restaurant again. And lo and behold, Xiangling was there, cooking up a storm instead of foraging for ingredients in the wild.

"Xiangling!" You waved towards her as you rushed to the restaurant. "Hey! I wasn't expecting you so early!" Xiangling rushed out as soon as she saw you, and Guoba followed after, wobbling and bouncing along. 

"So you received the letter?" 

"Of course I did!" Xiangling giggled. "We were so excited to have you back. It's been a year." 

"Indeed. But you look the same." You mused. "It's comforting." 

"Hehe. I'm glad you think so. But hopefully you'll find my food even more comforting!" She pulled you inside the homely shop and set out a table and stool for you to sit down. 

"Just wait for a little while. The golden shrimp balls will be done soon, and we'll have five dishes for you today!" 

"Have you been cooking this much all throughout the week?" You ask, somewhat guilty you couldn't give them an exact day that you could come. 

"Yes. But no worries, Xingqiu and Chongyun come often because they were dying to see you again as well, so they eat here as well. Obviously they have different tastes than you do, but they were accommodating enough to eat the ones that suit them. I already have cold mountain noodles set aside for Chongyun though at this point in case nothing suits him." 

You nodded, remembering the body type that Chongyun has. The overwhelming heaty energy that he was wary about and the diet that he followed as a consequence. 

"Xiangling! We're here!" You turned around at the voice, recognizing immediately as Xingyun. 

True enough, the blue haired boy used his fan to lift up the curtains above his head as he stepped in the room. You thought he looked a little taller, but other than that, it was the same Xingqiu that you know. 

"Xingqiu!" You beamed at him as he paused momentarily, blinking at you. The same smile spread across his face as he walked up to you, arms open for a hug. You compiled, wrapping your arms around him. He had the smell of the woods and the mountains, like clear streams and bamboo shoots. You know it was weird, but it was the same smells you had associated with them after your travels. 

"Wow, you grew taller!" You said as you pull back. 

"Of course! You can't expect a Guhua disciple to stay the way they were after so much training, can you?" He sounded amused as he said so. "I have stronger muscles underneath this too you know?" 

"Obviously I'm not going to squeeze them, so I wouldn't know." 

"Cruel." 

You laughed it off. "Where's Chongyun?" 

"Someone called me?" A male's smooth tenor rang out as the curtain rustled again. 

You turn around, confused. And then your jaw dropped. 

"Chongyun?" 

"That's me!" 

"That's not you." You gasped. 

Gone was the Chongyun you knew. Gone were the impression of him that was cute and short and bright and warm. 

The Chongyun that stood in front of you had his floppy hair pushed back with some sort of gel, and framed his chiseled cheekbones perfectly. Since when did he have such chiseled features though? His jawline, cheekbones, his nose. He wore earrings too, much like Kaeya, and even Childe. You liked it on them, but Chongyun looked so much better with them than the others somehow. 

Your eyes trailed down to his body, and it seems that his years of swinging around a broadsword had finally showed some physical results, because holy heck his muscles looked fine through his sleeveless shirt. His shoulders were broad, and the way he stood, definitely confident and charismatic. 

"Surprised?" He flashed a smile with his pearly teeth, and you felt your face heating up. 

"Very. You look different." 

"Different in a good way, I hope?" Chongyun chuckled, and your heart decided to beat faster at that angelic sound. 

"Uh oh, and we have another person lining up for Chongyun." Xingqiu teased suddenly, and you slammed a hand over your open mouth. 

"Definitely a good way." 

Xingqiu sighed playfully as he crossed his arms. "I want a glow up too." 

"Yours will come soon enough, we're almost the same age after all." 

"I hope so.""Golden Shrimp Balls coming through!" Xiangling announced suddenly. "Ah, you guys are here too. Come on, sit down and have lunch."

And somehow, Chongyun just had to pull out a seat next to you, his muscles flexing in close proximity as you tried hard to keep a straight face. 

 "Do tell us about your travels during lunch. We have a lot to catch up on."