Author's Note: All characters are adults, and over the age of 20. This is a future AU.

Also, HAPPY PRIDE MONTH 06/30/21

Chapter 1: Tale of the Harbor Maiden

She sat at the edge of the parting sea, waiting for the waves to break against the shore; waiting for the one who had broken her heart.

"Hmmm," he thought to himself as he read the passage. His fingers glided across the aged parchment before turning the next page.

The Harbor Maiden knew not when love would return, nor when she could find herself at ease.

"Why am I reading this?" Xingqiu asked as he scanned the rest of the page. Skipping through a few other pages to peek at how far away the next chapter was.

There was something about the book that had forced him to read it. He couldn't put his finger on what 'it' was. The narrative wasn't exactly exciting, afterall how could romantic tragedy compare to some of his favored martial art novels? Nor were the descriptions particularly gripping.

Yet something was telling him to read the Tale of the Harbor Maiden. And it was more than just the librarian who'd rewarded him the book as a parting gift.

"Is this all I have left," Xingqiu took a parting glance at the stack of books to his side. There were dozens in a pile sitting next to the log he was perched on. Ranging from action adventure to old historical texts covered in layers of ancient dust.

He sighed, "Looks like it." As many books as he'd brought with him, most of them were novels he'd already read numerous times. Narratives and conclusions he enjoyed over and over again to the point where he'd memorized most of their contents.

Read, read, read. If Xingqiu wasn't out on some assignment, or practicing his martial arts he was always reading. A habit afforded by his wealthy upbringing as the second son of a local commerce guildmaster. But there were few books in Liyue he hadn't read, which meant that finding an exciting story was growing increasingly hard.

"Guess I should continue this then," he returned his attention to the chapter, and carried on.

As he read, words lead to pages, then to chapters, and before the sun had creeped over the distant mountains he had already burned through half of the novel. Xingqiu placed it back down on the log, and took a second to yawn and stretch his arms. He ran the story over in his head, making sure to get every detail absorbed into his memory.

" 'In faith, the Harbor Maiden failed to part with her love, and so too did love fail to part from her heart and soul' ," he quoted.

I don't get it, he thought to himself. "But why? She went through all that trouble for love?"

Xingqiu pondered the thought, and passed his gaze over the surrounding countryside. From the foothills of Mt. Tianheng he could see the whole city of Liyue, and then some, with the distant harbor flooded with the traffic of ships and people.

"Love…" he repeated. "Maybe that's why I'm reading this." Xingqiu sighed, Maybe that's what I'm missing. He thought to himself as he stood up from the log.

"Or, maybe it's something else," he shook his head. "I don't know, maybe I should ask what Chongyun thinks. He's empathetic and understanding, he should know the answer."

He packed his belongings into his satchel, and took off down the hill. "He should be back soon, that false lead I gave him will no doubt bring him back to Wanmin."

Chongyun tried to slow his rapid breathing, "I really overdid it." He sighed, stretching out his back and reaching for his legs.

It had been a long trip, and one he'd done too quickly in his excitement. A trek from Wanmin Restaurant to Qingce Village in a single morning, with all the muscle pain and fatigue to be expected from such a journey.

"Another false lead," Chongyun sighed again in disappointment. If only my luck wasn't so bad, he thought to himself as Liyue Harbor came into distant view.

Exorcising spirits was his job, and one which he took great pride in performing to the best of his ability. It wasn't glamorous work contrary to popular misconception. In fact most of his job was spent sitting down in haunted buildings, rather than performing any strange traditional rituals. A luxury, or curse if you asked him, afforded to Chongyun by his pure Yang Spirit.

But this particular lead, provided to him by his close friend Xingqiu, on the whereabouts of a Tiger Demon had proven to be false. There was in fact no Demon haunting the elderly couple at the crest of the mountain. Only a pair of confused Elders puzzled as to why a young well armed exorcist had arrived at their door.

"It's all so tiresome," he was exhausted. It was one thing to have sprinted for the entire journey in his rush to follow the lead, but it was another to have the hot sun glaring on his back. Coupled with his pure Yang Spirit…

Chongyun wiped some sweat off his brow, and reached into his satchel. In moments like these the only thing that could keep his body temperature regulated, asides from his vision, was an ice cold popsicle.

He pulled it out, taking a quick glance to verify it's quality, before sliding his tongue across its chilled length. It was bland being little more than a stick of frozen ice, sugar, and slime condensate. The chill provided some relief to his soaring body temperature, but it wasn't enough.

To add to his discomfort, there was something gnawing at him inside. It wasn't his pure Yang Spirit, or the disappointment he'd felt from the false lead, but something else. An emptiness of sorts that seemed to numb and dull his perceptions and outlook.

Chongyun sighed, "Isn't there more to this?" He made a gesture with his hand at the roadside. The trees were barren, but soon to be in full boom.

Mission after mission, it's so tiresome. I work, rest, and go back to work. He thought to himself. I feel like I'm missing something in my life.

"Uggh," he groaned as the ennui began to consume him. "But what is it?"

It certainly wasn't adventure he was missing, after all, Chongyun spent much of his time traveling across Teyvat. Nor was it excitement, his frequent battles with Hilichurls and Treasure Hoarders provided plenty of that.

"Maybe I should ask Xingqiu," Chongyun reasoned. "He's the wisest person I know, surely he'll have an answer."

Feeling a rush of energy enter his veins, he doubled his pace and set a course for Wanmin Restaurant.

"How do you know he'll show up?" Xiangling asked, as she placed a pair of pepper and salt jars down onto the dining table.

"Intuition," Xingqiu replied with a smug expression written on his face.

"It was a false lead wasn't it?" she asked. Xiangling had already begun preparing their meal on short notice, taking great care to make it presentable and enjoyable. Huge clouds of fragrant steam billowed from pots of brewing tea. Idle pans and pots frothed with sputtering oils and glazed seasonings.

His attention was focused on the two wooden spice jars on the table. "Something like that," Xingqiu spoke with his back turned, barely shifting his gaze.

Xiangling shook her head, and placed her kitchen tools aside. "I know you're close friends, but how long are you going to keep doing this?"

He could feel where the label on the wooden jars began, and slowly peeled them off. Taking great care to make sure she didn't notice. Xingqiu chuckled, "It's the only way I can make time to talk to him. He's always so busy with commissions." He swapped the labels on the jars before anyone could notice.

Xiangling approached the table with a large serving tray in hand. It was full of dishes, cups, and other myriads of exotic garnishes and culinary tools. "As usual, Jueyun Chili Chicken and hot tea for you. And Cold Mountain Noodles and ice water for Chongyun," she chirped, placing the dishes on the table.

"Thank you," Xingqiu responded, taking a steady sip of his tea. "He'll be here any minute."

Hopefully he can answer my question...he thought to himself.

A few minutes passed by before an exhausted cyan haired adventurer walked into view. He waved to them, parting the crowd to enter the small building labeled: Wanmin Restaurant.

He took his seat at the table across from Xingqiu and spoke, "You were waiting for me?"

"Just a little, I figured you'd come back to Wanmin, you are a creature of habit," Xingqiu spoke in between sips of his tea and small bites of his food.

Chongyun was starving, he hadn't eaten a proper meal since early morning. A long journey in the hot sun had built himself an appetite and heavy thirst. That, and his pure Yang Spirit was swelling in the heat. Over the years he'd grown better at controlling it, however there were still times when it overcame him and his emotions flared wildly.

"Oh Chongyun! Before you dig in you might want to add some salt," Xiangling shouted from the kitchen with an outstretched arm.

Xingqiu smiled, and passed his friend the 'salt' shaker. "So how was the exorcism at Qingce?"

Chongyun grabbed the wooden jar, and generously began to shake it over his food. "Oh, about that. Turns out the lead was false." His voice was mired in a tone of disappointment.

"Aww, I'm sorry to hear that. Especially since I gave you the lead."

"You're fine, it's not your fault Xingqiu. You were just sharing information you heard from someone else." Chongyun reasoned in between steady shoveling of food into his mouth.

"I'll make it up to you, this lunch is on me, I insist," Xingqiu patted his friend on his back for good measure.

"No, it's fine. Don't worry about it. It's not that big of a deal really—" Chongyun paused. He could taste pepper in his noodles. He could feel the burn all across his tongue.

"That's not what your expression says," Xingqiu leaned in a little closer towards his friend to analyze his features. Chongyun's cheeks began to change color, as the spice of the noodles overtook his senses.

"What...did you...put in this Xiang?" Chongyun could barely speak in between frantic coughing as pepper dust filled his throat.

"N-nothing! I made sure to omit any Jueyun chilis the recipe called for," Xiangling confessed.

Xingqiu's smile grew wide as he tried to contain his laughter. He wouldn't say it, but his friend looked hilarious struggling with spicy food. All the frantic movements and twisted facial expressions were priceless to witness.

Xiangling rushed a cup of water to his aid. He gulped it down as hastily as it arrived.

"I thought you were getting better at handling spice?" Xingqiu asked smugly in between small bites of his own food.

"I am," Chongyun broke into a coughing fit. He reached for the glass of water, and downed its contents as fast as he could.

Xingqiu took a large bite of his Jueyun chili and savored the flavor, he made sure to do this slowly and in clear view of his friend. "Mmmmm, delicious."

Chongyun glared at him with eyes full of pain and fear. He could feel the burn slowly start to wash away, but he would never forget how badly it felt. "Why am I always the victim of your antics?"

Xingqiu pondered the question, wiping his face with a napkin before answering. "Because you're the president of the Victims of Xingqiu Alliance," he chuckled. "In truth, it's because you give the best reactions." Xingqiu smiled and finished the last of his tea.

"Thanks for paying for my meal," Chonyun thanked with a slight nod towards his friend.

"It's the least I can do," Xingqiu admitted. "Anything less wouldn't be chivalrous of me."

The two friends finished their food, the restaurant was quiet at this time of day, leaving much of the place to themselves. There was a calm ease to the atmosphere, they could be themselves without any foreign eyes intruding on their peace; they could ask each other anything…

"In any case." Xingqiu spoke up to break the easy silence. "There's something I could use your insight on."

"I could ask the same thing from you," Chongyun responded, bumping his fist lightly against his friend's shoulders.

Chongyn continued, "I feel like I'm missing something in my life. I don't know, maybe it's just me."

Xingqiu's eyes sparked to life, "You too?!" He took hold of his friend's shoulders, and pressed his excited gaze deep into Chongyun's eyes.

"Yeah," What's up with him? Chongyun thought. "Maybe I'm just frustrated with work, but I don't know how everything feels so…bland, pointless even."

"Ennui," Xingqiu nodded. "I've felt it too."

"So what do you need my insight on?" Chongyun raised his brow. "You're wiser than me."

"I was reading this new novel I acquired—,"

"We're not trying out a new martial art technique you found in some old book," Chongyun scoffed. "I still have scars from the last time you coaxed me into that."

"No, no, this is different." Xingqiu reached into his satchel and pulled out the book in question. Presenting it to Chongyun.

"Tale of the Harbor Maiden?" Chongyun shot his friend a puzzled look. "I didn't take you as a fan of romance."

"I'm not," Xingqiu admitted. "Although, I can't help but think the novel offers some insight into our ennui."

"Huh. That being?"

"Well…" Xingqiu ran his fingers through his long hair. He'd grown it out in recent months much to the dismay of his father. "What if we're missing love in our life?" The words came out in a cracked tone. They were words he hadn't expected to say, and even speaking to his closest friend in an empty restaurant on the matter was still embarrassing to say the least.

"Love?" Chongyun chuckled. "We're adventurers, not concubines."

"It doesn't matter what our profession is, we're still people." Xingqiu argued. "Asides, you've been working tirelessly, yet you feel empty."

"I guess you have a point."

Xiangling was carefully eavesdropping on their conversation from behind the safety of her counter. A habit she'd acquired from years of hosting guests in Wanmin. She smiled, laughing silently to herself as she heard the two continue with their conversation.

"But how do we really know we're missing love in our life?" Chongyun reasoned with outstretched arms. "I mean we could be missing something else entirely."

Xingqiu paused to consider the argument, on one hand his friend had a point, but on the other,

this was the only lead they had. If it was wrong, what else could explain their feelings of frustration and emptiness?

"What other emotion garners such attention? Such sacrifice or excitement?" Xingqiu spoke recalling the Harbor Maiden's tragic devotion to 'love'. It made him wonder, if someone was that willing to suffer on account of an emotion that strongly, then perhaps the feeling of 'love' was much more than just a feeling. Perhaps it was something worth pursuing somehow.

Xiangling grew restless the more the two continued to argue. They're clueless, she thought to herself. Storming out of the kitchen she approached the table they were at and spoke, "Guys stop arguing, I know what you're going through and I have answers."

"Do tell," Xingqiu raised his brow.

"We're all ears." Chongyun took a sip of his water.

"Of course you're missing love in your life!" she exclaimed. "For years I've seen you two come into Wanmin almost daily, and all you two talk about are missions and martial arts." She shot a glance at Xingqiu.

"Love is something everyone needs," her mind wandered and got lost into memories of prior crushes she'd been through at various points in her life. "You two have just been so wrapped up in adventuring that you've missed out on any mention of it."

"What makes you so sure?" they asked.

"When was the last time you felt fear?" Xiangling asked, placing her hands at her hips.

"Uh...yesterday," Chongyun admitted.

"When was the last time you felt happy?" she asked again.

"Today," Xingqiu smirked. "Seeing Yun handle spicy food was priceless."

"Sad?"

"This afternoon," Chongyun spoke up. "My lead was false."

"Where are you going with this?" Xingqiu inquired.

"Good. But when was the last time you felt love?" Xiangling asked.

They both paused. Searching through distant memories in their past to find the right answer. They stood silent.

"Exactly," Xiangling smiled. "You've never felt it before, that's why you two feel so empty."

"You're right," Xingqiu realized.

"I guess I can't argue with that," Chongyun scoffed, lowering an embarrassed gaze.

"Great, now get out of my restaurant and go find love." Xiangling shooed them away with her hands. "It's closing time."

"Wait, b-but how do we—?" they stammered.

"You'll find it if you keep looking. But if you need help, the Moonchase festival is coming up and it's very romantic." Xiangling chirped with a smile. "I'm thinking of asking one of my regular customers to go with me~." She purred and melted at the thought.

Xingqiu and Chongyun gave a parting wave, and wished her goodnight. Turning their attention to address their new issue, the two friends strolled the streets of Liyue, still brimming with late night traffic. Deep in thought as to how they would 'find' love.

"Lots of people tonight," Chongyun noted.

Downtown Liyue was always busy, even when the market district was closed for the evening, commerce was constantly flowing in and out of the narrow streets. Foreign merchants, traveling adventurers, even street performers were still out and about. Offering the citizens of the city a reason to keep wandering late into the night.

"Liyue never sleeps." Xingqiu's eyes wandered. Both out of curiosity in wake of the glowing spectacle that was Liyue's night, and in search of what Xiangling had said. You'll find it if you keep looking.

"I've been thinking about what she said." Chongyun admitted glancing at his friend with a rigid expression.

"And?"

"Well we've been wandering and adventuring all our life, we've run into all sorts of people and adventurer's like us."

"Right."

"But we've never come across love. It's kind of troubling to think about it," Chongyun shifted his gaze. "I'm just worried we won't ever find it."

Xingqiu placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. We'll find it," he smiled trying to lighten his friend's mood. "Asides, it's not like this is a false lead."

Chongyun smirked, "Come to think of it, you're the closest person to me in the whole world."

Xingqiu stopped. He took a moment to process what was just said. For a brief moment none of the crowds, traffic, or noise of city life disturbed his attention. It was a profound statement for him to make, but the more he looked into it for signs of falsehood; the more he found the truth.

"You're right," Xinqiu replied, thinking about his own life. "You too."

"What?" Chongyun asked.

"You're the closest person to me I know."

"That can't be, I mean you have your older Brother right?"

"We're distant," Xingqiu looked away with a mournful expression. "I'm not that close to my family."

"I guess that speaks to the strength of our friendship then," Chongyun explained.

Xingqiu nodded. He felt at ease knowing there was perhaps no better person in his life to 'search' for love alongside. Chongyun had been his friend for as long as he could remember, and was both understanding and fun to be around. Someone he could rely upon when he needed support, and someone he could tease when he needed a good laugh.

They rounded the end of the street corner, approaching the last line of buildings just before the harbor.

"Funny, I always figured you were close with your father."

"He doesn't approve of my...antics," Xingqiu cut him off sharply.

It was hard being the son of a prominent and respected guild master. Even more so, when they expected him to carry on the family trade, studying markets, commerce, and finances; rather than burying his mind into martial arts and tales of chivalry. To put it bluntly, Xingqiu's father was disappointed, only finding relief in his older brother's talents for business.

"I see." Chongyun tried to find the right words to follow up with. To steer the conversation in a path that would cheer his friend up.

"So what do you suppose it'll look like when we find it?" Chongyun ran his hand through his short hair. A nervous gesture looking for approval. Let's return to the topic at hand, he thought.

"Not sure—"

There was a distant loud applause, followed by the booming voice of an orator perched atop a jade pulpit. He was dressed in a set of orange sunburnt brown robes, and seemed to glow in the soft lantern light.

"Tonight I shall relate to you all a tale of romance between Dust and Morax." His voice was ancient, yet flawless in its execution. It held a commanding presence, garnering the attention of all who were in earshot.

The orator continued, "It is said that they first met in Dihua, where the glaze lilies meet the azure streams. A Goddess in the form of a fair maiden, clad in indigo robes, was presented a gift by none other than the Archon of Geo."

Chongyun and Xingqiu tuned in, turning their attention to the speaker at the far edge of the gathered audience.

"A cutter of jade, piercingly bright, a shine to tear through the glade. She chuckled, accepting his offer to humor him. For the two had been friends for long, respecting."

"I didn't know Morax was capable of love," Chongyun whispered.

"Neither did I, he always seems so cold and detached from human emotions," Xingqiu replied, trying to keep his voice down.

"From there the scholars say that a love most pronounced blossomed between them," the orator continued with exotic gestures. "Although these are but rumors to most, it's heartening to believe that the foundation of love in Liyue was first laid down by the noble Rex Lapis."

The orator continued long into the evening. Retelling the tale of Guizhong and Rex Lapis, with an added flair of romantic intrigue. Ending the oration on a somber note with her death, and the mourning that followed.

Their love was short lived, but served to make them stronger, he elaborated, and perhaps none in all of Teyvat were better suited for one another.

"It's a little far-fetched I think," Xingqiu said after the crowd departed from around the podium.

"I can agree with that, I can't see Rex Lapis being the romantic type," Chongyun nodded as he charted their path out of the forum.

"But more than that, I mean after all Morax went through the death of a lover proved to be his greatest loss?" Xingqiu tried to wrap his head around the thought. It was a foreign concept to him. His mind was buried in tales of sacrifice and chivalry of noble warriors; characters from fiction and history alike who's greatest loss proved to be their principles or honor. Rather than pursuits of love or other emotions.

"If it is true, then whatever love feels like, it sounds powerful," Chongyun explained.

Xingqiu nodded as the two neared the harbor. The streets had cleared out for the most part this late into the night. Leaving them alone, save for the stars and parting waves against the docks.

"It's not like I don't know what it is," Xingqiu hissed.

"Love?" Chongyun prodded, sensing his friend's frustration.

Xingqiu shook his head, "Xiangling acted as if I was clueless, as if I haven't seen what it looks like."

Chongyun leaned in, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Relax, I wouldn't take what she said personally, you know how energetic she can be."

He continued, "But you're not mad at her, are you?" reading the message cloaked in Xingqiu's body language and expressions.

"No, course not," Xingqiu took a seat on the idle pier, his mind and gaze facing the quiet sea. "It's just...maybe you're right. Maybe we won't find love."

Chongyun glanced around at his surroundings, the night was calm and few people were out this late. "Well we found something," he pointed to the distant shoreline. There was a couple resting on the rocky beach. Arms interlocked and embracing one another in the soft moonlight.

Xingqiu focused his attention on the couple, his gut tightened and his heart began to beat faster. Then he turned to Chongyun, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "We did, thanks for sticking with me for so long."

Chongyun felt his temperature rise. His muscles tensed. "Oh, it was nothing. The least I can do since you paid for…"

Doki Doki

His gaze focused into Xingqiu's eyes, as if they were glowing stars waiting in precious amber. Unmoving. Mesmerized.

"Uh, Yun?" Xingqiu asked. "You ok?" He flicked Chongyun on the forehead.

"What?" Chongyun snapped back. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just tired." He turned away, running his hand through his rough hair.

"Then we should depart, it's getting late," Xingqiu added. "Get some rest."

Chongyun nodded, and the two parted ways under the setting light of the fireflies.