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

Ch. 23

To try and make things stay as normal as possible between them, Xingqiu invited Chongyun out to run some errands with him.

And by errands he meant go read some books to him since he was tired.

Not that Chongyun minded - actually, it was nice to read to Xingqiu sometimes and find out more about what kind of stories he was into, even if it changed every so often.

Chongyun settles down and reads the last few chapters of Xingqiu's current novel before he insists on reading the next one out loud himself.

While Chongyun listens, he finds that the two characters seem a little similar to him and Xingqiu - they were very close, blushed around each other a lot, and spent most of their time together - exactly like them.

"They must be good friends too." He thinks to himself happily.

That is until the bombshell is dropped on him and he finds out that the character most like him has a crush on the other one.

The way Xingqiu says the word crush when reads it feels funny and familiar, like he should know what it is.

So he asks him.

"Hey Qiu?"

"Yes Yun?"

"What's a crush?"

"It's when you want to be closer to someone than just in a friendly way. Like if you want to be with them romantically." He explains.

"What if-" Chongyun sucks in a breath and anticipates the next answer. "-you get jealous of a crush someone has on someone else? Would you have a...a crush on them?"

"I guess that depends on whether you wish it were you if not."

Chongyun did wish it was him. He had always wished that it would be him.

Ever since they were little and Xingqiu would bring the idea up, he had no objections to being the Prince Charming to his Sleeping Beauty - like in the story Xingqiu liked.

He didn't think it would be weird to kiss Xingqiu either - he figured he must just care about him enough that he gets butterflies thinking about it.

But that wasn't the case anymore.

Because Chongyun realizes that he has a C-R-U-S-H on his best friend.

His best friend who likes someone else.

It made him feel sick to his stomach, it was so strange and confusing that he would get jealous of his friend's happiness. But who in Teyvat could be so important and endearing to Xingqiu that he liked them that much if it wasn't him?

"No one."

...

There wasn't anyone that Xingqiu liked that much. No one that Chongyun didn't know. While Xingqiu did have to keep his fair share of secrets from the public, none of them were ever from Chongyun. And that's exactly why his crush is a 'secret' from him.

Because Xingqiu likes him.

He's so lost in his thoughts that when a few friends of theirs approach them, he falls against the earth as Xingqiu stands up.

"My my Chongyun, you really are always falling for me." Xingqiu giggles, hovering over him with the sun softening his features.

"Yeah, no kidding..." he mumbles quietly enough enough that Xingqiu can't hear him.

"If you guys are busy we can come back later." Paimon says, the oblivious romantic tension not escaping even her.

"Hmm? Oh it's no trouble at all! I'm sure a little trip to your Serenitea Pot would be lovely." Xingqiu reassures her while helping Chongyun to his feet.