Ch. 10

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Back in Liyue Harbor the next week, Xingqiu managed to slip out to go with Chongyun for a few commissions.

On their way back, the puddles from the day before's previous rain were still at large, which Xingqiu was highly unpleased with.

"Hopefully by next week I'll- Xingqiu are you coming?" Chongyun turns around to look at him.

Xingqiu folds his arms and looks at the puddles almost in disgust. "I just had my boots cleaned this morning and now they're going to get all dirty...I suppose it's not a huge deal, but it's still a disturbance, and the maids will have more to do..."

"Oh. Well I can just carry you across if you're that worried about them. Here-"

Chongyun heads over to him and puts a hand under his thigh and the other on his back, hoisting him up into the air and safely in his arms as he treks through the puddles with his arms full.

"You alright Xingqiu? You're very quiet." Chongyun's asks, looking over to him.

Xingqiu tries to push aside his rapidly blushing face and flashes him an easy smirk, putting the back of his hand to his head and kicking a leg up of dramatic effect. "Oh yes, I'm quite alright. In fact, my shoes may be even shinier than they've ever been! Surely I can't leave your kind deed unrewarded now can I?"

"It's fine. You don't have to reward me for every little thing Xingqiu. That's not a good system."

Xingqiu frowns inwardly but tries not to let it show, more determined to put the blushy attention on him instead. "No no, I do insist. After all, I'm draped in your arms like a damsel in distress, much like that book I read you earlier, right Yun?"

Chongyun's cheeks tint pink at the long running nickname and being a damsel in distress, and Xingqiu holds back his genuine smile. "I mean...sort of, I guess. But just because I'm helping you out with something little didn't mean you should-"

"Ah ah ah Chongyun! You forget that the hero who saves the damsel in distress does indeed take her reward." He reminds him, his smirk growing more evident just as they make it over the puddles.

Chongyun looks at him in mild annoyance before setting him down and sighing. "What did she give him as a reward?"

Xingqiu allows his full smile to be seen, flashing his dimples yet again and leaning up on his tiptoes so he can get a good inch or two taller than the other.

"She gave him a kiss."

Chongyun's face quickly contorts to its usual shade of crimson and his eyes widen. "Y-you aren't seriously considering giving me a kiss, are you? You and I aren't even dating!"

"Oh? Why do we need to be?" He asks playfully before Chongyun's words completely shatter his good mood.

"Because you should wait until you meet your 'true love', shouldn't you?"

Xingqiu blinks at him before his face falls and his dimples go away, much to Chongyun's inner disappointment. He starts walking back to Liyue where they'd left off, and nods at what he had said. "I uh...I suppose you're correct, yes. Thank you for reminding me."

No matter how Xingqiu put it, looking for someone to love didn't feel right when he had all he needed right next to him: Chongyun.

What need did he have for a lover when he had his best friend? He didn't want to have to put someone in importance over him by any means, so honestly...

His face heats up just from thinking the thought. Chongyun couldn't be his lover. Chongyun was his best friend. Chongyun's relationship with him was platonic. And Chongyun was probably straight.

Probably.

But Xingqiu did not like him like that.

He was pretty sure of it, anyways.

He huffs and listens to Chongyun start talking about exorcism trips absentmindedly while he clears his thoughts, letting the harsh color drain from his face.

"Falling in love with your best friend...who would be so stupid to do such a thing?"

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Written: May 31st, 2023

Finished/Published: July 18th, 2023

(Word Count: 697)

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