When Rose's Thorns Attack my Sides (But my Eyes Stay Trained on You) (Xingyun)

Ch. 5

3 years later

Chongyun had not failed to continue looking for an evil spirit that could withstand his condition.

Unfortunately, that didn't make any leads he received anymore true.

"I was so sure I had it that time!" He sighs, biting hastily into a popsicle to calm himself down.

Xingqiu pats him on the back and gives him a small smile of encouragement. "There there Chongyun, don't look so down. You'll get it someday."

"But what if I don't?" He looks at him bleakly.

Xingqiu stops and blinks at him before rummaging in his pocket for something. "Close your eyes, I have something for you."

Despite being confused, Chongyun closed his eyes as per Xingqiu's request and held out his hand, waiting until something that tickled his palm was gently placed in it.

"You can open your eyes now Yun."

He peeked one eye open before opening them both and tipping his head to the side.

In his hand was a little tassel that faded from white to blue, with a little white string he could hold it from.

He dangled it on his index finger and marveled at it in curiosity before asking Xingqiu his burning question.

"What's this for?"

"It's a tassel I got for you. I was gonna wait to give it to you, but since you seem deterred from your goal, I thought I'd give it to you now." Xingqiu smiles.

"It's supposed to be a symbol for you to never give up on yourself as an exorcist - as well as a symbol for our strong friendship. I thought it would be a nice gift to give my best friend after knowing you for so long." He explains.

When he meets Chongyun's eyes though, his face falls in worry when he realizes Chongyun's eyes were welling with tears.

"Wh-whats wrong? Do you not like it?" He asks with a frown.

Chongyun shakes his head fast before wiping his eyes with his opposite hand. "No, I love it! I'm just very grateful for this. One day, I'm going to return the favor!"

"Awww, you don't have to do that." Xingqiu laughs. "It's just a little gift for my friend."

Chongyun shakes his head, already having his new goal set in mind. He fastens it onto his belt and smooths it out, making sure anyone who crosses paths with him could see it.

"I will return the favor to you Xingqiu. And I'm going to wear it everyday from now on!" He declares.

Xingqiu blushes from embarrassment and gives him an awkward smile. "I'm glad you enjoy it so much. I will await your repayment, since you insist so much you do so."

Chongyun continued to listen to Xingqiu about his story of coming across the tassel, and he was already thinking about how he would repay his act of kindness.

-

As it turned out, Chongyun had no clue what to get him.

What kind of gift could possibly equal what Xingqiu had done for him? Anything he thought of just paled in comparison, and he continued to come back to the drawing board day after day.

One day though, while he was out, he came across some amber on his way back to Liyue Harbor.

"It's so shiny..." he whispers, kneeling down next to the ore. The orange-yellow hue it gave off gleamed in the sun, and the blended colors reminded him of Xingqiu's eyes immediately.

"I should use this for my gift!" He says to himself while readying his claymore to strike.

After collecting the amber and setting off back home, he looked back down at the tassel and the fading white to blue design.

Looking back at the ore again, his eyes lit up, and he finally knew what he was going to do to repay Xingqiu.

-

"Hmmm... which to read first..." Xingqiu mutters to himself.

He held two different novels, and while both had completely different stories, they were both so wildly enticing that he wanted to devour both of them instantly.

He didn't get to think much on it though on accord of his best friend coming over with something clearly concealed in his hands.

"What do you have there?" Xingqiu asks, pointing at his hands.

"I finally figured out what to give you to repay you for the tassel." Chongyun told him before revealing the gift to Xingqiu.

"You got me a tassel too?" Xingqiu asks, taking it delicately from his palms and holding it up to the light.

"Mmhmm. I couldn't think of anything that could be the same level of what you gave me except for another tassel. I found some amber on my way back to Liyue Harbor a while ago, and it reminded me of you, so I knew I had to use it." Chongyun explains happily.

"It reminded you of me? How so?" Xingqiu asks taking his eyes off of the tassel for a second.

"O-oh, um, it reminded me of your eyes, since they're kinda yellow and orange too." He looks away.

Despite not being able to see his face, Xingqiu blushes at his compliment and feels his heart beat a little faster. "Thank you. I appreciate the thought you put into this very much."

He fastened it to his side, much to Chongyun's delight that was wearing his too.

For the afternoon, they both chatted about their matching friendship tassels and the meanings behind them, both of their stomachs filled with fluttering butterflies.

**********************************************

Written: May 25th, 2023

Finished/Published: July 13th, 2023

(Word Count: 923)