Chapter 5: Visions and Amusement
********
'Xingqiu could feel his heart skip as Chongyun pressed closer to him. The waters to their side were crystal clear, and he could see their reflection. His friend pressed his cheek against his, the warmth was inviting and comforting.
"Yun?"
"Listen Xingqiu," he said softly, turning his friend's gaze to meet him with a soft grip on his chin. "I don't care if the others can see us."
"What do you mean?" Xingqiu's heart was racing, Is this another episode? "We should head back to them, make sure they aren't getting into any trouble with the festival."
"No," Chongyun said, leaning closer. "It's just us right now. And you're mine."
"Yun?! What are yo—"
Chongyun pressed his lips against Xingqiu's. There was a flood of warmth. The embrace was both overwhelming and intoxicating. At first his movements were restrained, gently moving away from his friend, but as Chongyun pressed closer he surrendered to the embrace. Letting his soft lips move against his as he flushed red with embarrassment. His heart was pounding out of his body.'
Xingqiu yawned, stretching his arms widely as he awoke from his cat-like slumber. He rubbed his eyes lightly before pushing back the layers of thick blankets covering his body. A part of him didn't want to get out of bed, the comfort it provided along with his dreams was too pleasant to leave behind, but he knew the day ahead needed to be faced regardless.
Weird dream, he thought to himself, removing his nightgown. He winced slightly as the cold krept upon his bare skin, the warmth of the bed was far removed from the stagnant air. Everyone was there: Yun, Xiangling, and Hu Tao. The dream was fresh in his memory, and as Xingqiu recalled it he remembered why he woke up.
"Yun Yun!" the images from his dream rushed back to him, as his face flushed red. We were by the water and…In his excitement he'd awoken from his dream. "We kissed," Xingqiu contemplated the vivid dream. It had felt so real, as if the events within his mind and heart had just transpired.
"Too bad it was just a dream," he sighed. His heart sank a little, knowing his friend was still just his friend. Although optimism returned as Xingqiu rationalized it to himself, At least I know what he honestly thinks of me, the events of the prior night returning to him as he put on a fresh pair of clothes.
He shook his head, returning to his senses, "To believe in one's dreams is to spend all of one's life asleep."
"Right," Xingqiu nodded, tightening his collar. "Time to get to work." Moving towards his bedroom door he paused his movements, something familiar caught his eye. A poorly wrapped gift box sitting idle on his end stand. That's right! Yun's gift, moving over to his bedside he reached for the box. I didn't have time to open it last night.
He chuckled, analyzing the craftsmanship, "I can see he tried his hardest." Although his heart was warmed by the gesture regardless. "Wonder what's inside," he shook the box lightly, feeling and listening for any signs of the contents. To his surprise no sound or feeling could be sensed as he turned the box on its side. "Huh."
Time to open it then! Xingqiu pried the wrapping paper off, revealing the azure box inside. It was a thin container of solid color, there was a seal of sorts stamped onto the lid in gold ink. He recognized it as a mark of a merchant, a clothing vendor to be exact. His heart fluttered with excitement and anticipation, What did you get me Yun Yun?
He removed the lid revealing the contents. His jaw dropped, and his heart stopped, "What?!" Xingqiu blinked and rubbed his eyes, Maybe I'm still asleep. "A dress?!" Inside the box was a sleeveless navy blue Qipao dress, visibly altered so the skirt was shorter than usual, with gold highlights and a subtle chest window.
"This has to be a mistake," Xingqiu removed the article of clothing from the box, holding it up to analyze it further. Spreading it out he could see it clearly, the craftsmanship was superb and judging by the quality of the material he could tell it cost a fortune. It's in my size, he blushed as his imagination began to run wild. Did Yun want me to wear…
"No," he shook his head. "This has to be a misunderstanding." Xingqiu placed a hand on his chin, and thought out the possibilities. "Right, after the chaos of last night, perhaps the gifts in the inn were mixed up with someone else's."
He shook his head again in vexation, "Wait, we were the only one's there." His head sank, This can't be right.
"Maybe I should ask him about it," he placed the dress back in the box, covering it with the lid. "This is all probably a weird coincidence or misunderstanding." Sliding the box under his bed, Xingqiu left his room. He wouldn't want any of his family, or any of the servants, to notice the strange gift in his room.
He jolted awake gasping for air with deep breaths. His whole body was sore, especially his back, and he felt as though there was a heavy weight on his bare chest. Chongyun propped himself up off his pillow, trying to piece together the mental images that were compiling in his mind.
What happened? he thought. Everything in his room was just as he'd left it, that he was certain of, his bed was a mess and his desk was covered in random notes left behind to remind him of upcoming tasks. Laundry, cleaning, and other mundane subjects that were often forgotten in the rush of day to day life.
"How long was I out?" he muttered, peering at the curtains to his room. They were closed, but from the light peeking through he could tell it was past morning.
He turned his focus back to the notes on the desk, a large one read: Hot spring with Xingqiu, don't forget to stop by the pharmacy.
The images in his head slowly came together, a collection of thoughts and memories from before...He recognized the symptoms, "I had another episode again didn't I?"
Clambering out of bed Chongyun took a brief moment to stretch, yawning as he adjusted his posture. He put a fresh pair of clothes on, then moving towards the window, he opened the curtains, sliding them back to reveal the city below and beyond. Almost blinding, the afternoon sun was bright forcing his eyes to adjust. But, the city streets were less congested than they usually were, with an inspiring lack of overcast.
It's a beautiful day, he thought. Wonder if Xingqiu is free.
Exiting his room Chongyun ran through his memories, trying to piece together what had happened. I know I stopped by the pharmacy, he recalled. Did the potion fail? He splashed some cold water on his face once he neared the kitchen sink. It helped his senses wake up, in a way that was absent of any stimulants that could flare his Yang spirit.
"I suppose it isn't impossible for a potion to fail," he reasoned to himself. In any case, I should apologize to him, hopefully my episode wasn't too bad. Chongyun cringed at the thought, knowing just how bad his Yang spirit episodes had turned out in the past. Attempted exorcism of Xiangling at a dinner party, speaking fluent hilichurlian during a public speaking event, and even public indecent impersonation of Morax during a religious ceremony for which he was fined six thousand mora and given a mark on his record. At least from what he'd heard from his friends; Chongyun was never capable of recalling his episodes. Amnesia caused by his condition kept him in ignorant bliss.
"Xingqiu was there, he should be able to tell me what happened," Chongyun nodded. "Maybe we can discuss it over lunch."
As he was getting ready to leave his apartment, it dawned on him that last night he was supposed to have handed his friend a gift. His heart skipped a beat as panic took hold of his senses. Wait, I blacked out before I could hand it to him! Chongyun shook his head. What if it was lost? With renewed vigor he darted out of his house, determined to find Xingqiu and the answers to his worries.
"What are you smiling about?" his father asked him, between bites of food. A delayed breakfast at their household had made him that much more irritable. The stress of business on an empty stomach.
"It's nothing," Xingqiu answered, snapping back to reality. "Just had a good dream last night." He wasn't that hungry, taking only small helpings of food. It was rude to refuse a meal, especially in front of family.
"A dream?" his father chuckled. "Tell us about it."
His brother leaned towards him across the table, "I've seen that smile before, did this dream involve—?"
"Yes," Xingqiu nodded, pouring himself some tea. "My friends."
"Hmph, friends don't pay bills," his father remarked, gulping down the last of his plate hastily.
Xingqiu shot him a glare, ignoring the statement as he turned to his brother. "I dreamt I was with them at a festival of sorts, it was a lot of fun."
"Oh, neat. Any details you remember?" his brother raised his interest, shifting his body a little closer. "You only smile like that when you're pranking someone."
He thought back, recalling how vivid the dream felt. The sights, scents, and feelings that had made it difficult to distinguish between reality. How close Chongyun had actually felt, Xingqiu blushed at the thought.
"Chongyun, Xiangling, and Hu Tao were there," he explained. "There were lots of carnival games, and even a haunted house."
His thoughts continued, towards the end I was with him...by the waterside we kissed. Xingqiu did his best to conceal his expressions, as the images replayed in his mind.
"Sounds like fun," his brother smiled. "Sorry you had to wake up."
"It's fine," dreams are just dreams after all," Xingqiu sighed.
His father slammed his glass down onto the table after hastily downing its contents, "Exactly! That is why we work."
His sons glanced at him, bracing themselves to hear his story once again, "When I was your age, I dreamed of becoming a successful tradesmen. But I didn't get where I am by simply dreaming, I had to—"
"Work hard and smart," they replied in unison, cutting him off. "We know Father."
"I'm glad you remember my stories," he scratched his beard stubble before standing up from his seat. "Shows me you're listening." He shot a glance at Xingqiu, "I just wish you listened a bit more."
Xingqiu pouted, he wanted to reply but he knew it wasn't the right place or time. It's not worth it, he told himself. Tightening his grip around his glass in frustration.
He slid on his coat, adjusting his collar as he spoke,"Which is why later this evening I need both of you to come with me for the monthly commerce charter."
"But—," Xingqiu objected, bolting up from his seat.
"No objections," his father cut him off. "You've missed one too many meetings. How are you to inherit my work if you don't take it seriously?"
"I do take it seriously, I just have other commitments," Xingqiu argued. "I have a life outside of this house."
His brother chimed in, "Relax, the meeting shouldn't take too long." He gave a weak smile trying to calm his younger brother's nerves, "Plus we can grab something to eat afterwards if you'd like."
His father ignored them, "You mean playing adventurer with frauds and handmaidens?"
"Chongyun is not a fraud! He's the best exorcist in Teyvat," Xingqiu's blood was boiling now. "And Xiangling does honest work, she's very talented."
"He's never even seen a spirit before, and cooking is the work of servants not artisans," his Father scoffed.
Xingqiu groaned and stormed out of the room, taking his satchel as he slammed the door behind him.
"Wait!" his Brother called out to him. He shot a glance at his Father, "I'm going to speak with him."
His Father nodded, "Maybe you can talk some sense into him."
"You're too harsh on him, he cares about our family he's just conflicted," his Brother reasoned with outstretched arms. "He just needs time to think and see things through."
"If he doesn't show up to the meeting, he'll have all the time he needs to think behind these walls," his Father's voice boomed throughout the house, as he pointed upwards. His gaze unflinching as his judgement.
At the far end of the estate past the storage sheds and barns, past the servants' quarter and other enclosures, was a line of fences that marked the end of the estate's holdings. The solid white fence line was a boundary that separated the wealthy merchant residence from the irrigated farmland just beyond. Miles of open rice paddies, fields of wheat, and barley that were cross cut by wide irrigation ditches and aqueducts bringing water from north of Liyue. It was a boundary lined with small trees and bamboo shoots offering a visual break from the water and fields that laid past.
He made his way to the fence line, a journey he'd made hundreds of times before. For Xingqiu the secret held behind the line of foliage was a safe retreat from the harsh realities of home life. Between the thickest shoots of bamboo was a narrow walkway past the fence line, lined with small rocks and moss at its base.
"Uggh," Xingqiu groaned, darting through the cluttered path. "He doesn't understand me." It was infuriating to say the least. How the person who was around him the most seemed to know the least about him.
Nearing the end of the winding path, the object of his retreat came into view. An abandoned shack of sorts by the water's edge standing on a foundation of stilts and sand. It was falling apart at its seams, the ancient woodwork having seen better years, but Xingqiu had done his best to keep the shelter habitable. A blue tarp was stretched out over the broken roof, its surroundings were lined with flowers and a matching rock garden, and the structure itself was in the process of being repainted as evidenced by the stray buckets of paint left here and there.
Xingqiu sighed as he approached the building, crouching beside the rock garden with his knees pressed to his chest. Burying his face into his lap he sobbed, I moved back in with family to get closer to them...to be happier. Wiping the tears from his eyes he shook his head.
"I should take my mind off of this," he spoke softly, turning to the paint buckets at his side. They were open, the used brushes from before leaning against their surface. Xingqiu grabbed the brushes and continued from where he'd last left off on the shack, painting neat streaks of color down the wooden beams. It was a light blue or cyan. Xingqiu wasn't sure why he'd chosen the color, but there was something about it that just made him feel at ease.
Chongyun, he thought to himself. He made sure to apply the coat evenly, avoiding the creation of any stroke lines in between the movements of the brush. If I could be with him all the time...Xingqiu smiled at the thought. I don't think I could be happier.
He continued his work until roughly two thirds of the structure was painted with the basecoat. There was still a lot more to do, but regardless it eased his tension.
"Xingqiu! Xingqiu!" it was the voice of his Brother calling out to him. It was distant past the line of trees and bamboo, but he could tell the direction of its source. Xingqiu stood up from his perch, and left his sanctuary. Heading back the way he'd arrived through the narrow pathway to meet his eldest Brother.
"There you are, I've been looking for you," there was a look of relief on his face. "I wasn't sure where you'd gone."
"I didn't wander far," Xingqiu admitted.
His Brother gave him a light hug, relieved to know he was ok. "Listen, I know things this morning were uncalled for. Father was being too harsh."
"That's putting it lightly," Xingqiu remarked, his smile vanishing as the memory came back to him.
"He's just distraught, the state the business is in is driving him anxious. You know he wasn't always like this."
"Once. He was like this before," Xingqiu corrected him. "When Mother died."
"Yeah, that's true," his Brother rubbed the back of his neck. "But, I'm just trying to keep the family together. You all mean a lot to me and I hate seeing everyone like this,"
"I know," Xingqiu turned away. "As do I."
"If the Business gets fixed everything will go back to normal," his Brother insisted, patting his younger sibling on the back. "I urge you to come to the meeting today, just this once, I don't think I can do this on my own."
Xingqiu sighed. He hated business and he hated the Commerce Guild, but he loved his family and they came before anything else. "All right I'll be there," he said, giving his Brother a hug.
"Thank you, it means the world to me and Father."
It wasn't often that he found himself in this portion of the city. The outskirts of Liyue where only the wealthiest families resided in large rural estates. Chongyun was amazed how different it was where he lived. The densely packed apartments, shops, and tenants were far removed from the large mansions and neighboring fields. Rows of hedges and fruit trees that were neatly maintained by a small army of servants and other workers.
He should be home, Chongyun thought.
It was sometimes easy for him to forget that his friend came from a wealthy family. Xingqiu's antics and welcoming personality weren't exactly the image of rich nobility Chongyun had in mind. But as he neared the house he was reminded. The perimeter was marked by an iron gate that spanned the entire front end of the property. Like rows of spears standing guard.
There were a few sentries standing at the entrance, chatting amongst themselves. They sprung to attention once they noticed him, "Afternoon, what can I do for you?"
Chongyun bid them greetings, "I'm just here to see Xingqiu, is he home?"
"The Young Master? Yes he's home, I'll send for him," the guard answered.
He waited as a servant from the field was summoned to retrieve Xingqiu. Chongyun chuckled to himself, Perhaps I should work here, I'd get to see him everyday...A mental image of himself in a butler's outfit serving his friend formed. A plate of warm food ready to serve in his hand, beside a roaring fire and soft couch, as Xingqiu looked on at him smugly. If I was a servant...Chongyun could picture it vividly in his mind from top to bottom, how his friend would be dressed in formal tight fitting clothing; how he'd be asked to do various tasks as a servant.
He imagined Xingqiu turning to him on the couch, "Servant, would you be so kind as to give me a massage?" Chongyun blushed at thought, the mental image carrying on in his head as his face reddened.
"Yun?" Xingqiu asked again, "It might help if I take my shirt off." Chongyun was at a loss for words, his excitement taking the words from his mouth.
"Well...that m-might...work," he answered meekly, dropping his serving dish and adjusting his collar nervously.
Xingqiu removed his shirt slowly, revealing his bare shoulders, "Here, it's quite sore."
Chongyun nodded leaning forward, placing his grip around Xingqiu, he could feel the tension in his body. "Like this?" kneading his hands into the spot his friend had directed him too he pressed forward.
"Yeah," Xingqiu breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Followed by a slight moan. "Yun Yun?"
Chongyun ignored him, his heart racing as he continued the massage. He was determined to serve his friend as best as he could.
"Yun Yun?"
"Yun Yun?" Xingqiu waved his hands in front of Chongyun's face. His friend hadn't responded to him yet, Chongyun's gaze locked into space. "What are you thinking about? You're not having another episode again are you?"
Chongyun's face was flushed red and his hands were placed on his head. His eyes seemed to wander in frantic circles, while he muttered softly, "Yes Xingqiu, I'll go lower."
"Was he like this before?" Xingqiu turned to the guards at the gate.
They shook their heads in confusion, "No sir, he seemed fine just a minute ago."
"Chongyun!" Xingqiu grabbed his friend, and shook him fiercely to get his attention.
"H-huh?! What?" Chongyun snapped back to reality, his day dream interrupted.
"Good, you're still conscious. I feared you might be suffering from heat stroke again," Xingqiu breathed a sigh of relief. Although he could tell his friend's temperature was high, Chongyun's body felt warm to the touch even as he moved his hand away.
"I'm fine," he answered, rubbing the back of his neck. "How are you doing?"
"My morning has been...difficult," Xingqiu chose his words carefully in front of the sentries, knowing how quickly words could travel behind the walls of the estate.
"Oh, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"I'll talk about it later," Xingqiu shifted his gaze down. "I take it you came here to spend time with me?"
Chongyun nodded, "Indeed. Are you free at the moment?"
Xingqiu's heart skipped at the thought. It was heartwarming to know Chongyun wanted to be around him more. "One moment," he turned to the guards and spoke. "I'll be heading out. I should return before evening." The sentries nodded and returned to their posts, closing the gate as they did so.
Turning back to Chongyun he spoke, "I'm free for a short time, I have important matters to attend to later." Xingqiu stepped away from the fenceline, drawing the conversation with him as they parted the estate.
"Excellent, I was hoping we could talk about last night," Chongyun could feel his anxiety return to him. It wasn't a comforting topic for him, but he needed to know what happened after blacking out.
Xingqiu chuckled, "There's certainly a lot to discuss then." Flanked by tall hedges and rows of trees, the dirt road carried them onwards towards the city's commerce district. The buildings were still distant, but there was no question where their destination was.
"I hope I didn't cause too much damage," Chongyun felt guilty as he always did for his outbursts. Try as he could, there was only so much he could do to control his Yang energy.
"Fear not," Xingqiu smirked, punching his friend softly on the shoulder. "There's still half an inn left."
Chongyun's heart dropped, Eh?! I destroyed the place! "Oh Morax," he shook his head. "I made a fool of myself again, didn't I?"
Placing his hand on his chin, Xingqiu recalled the evening in full detail and pondered how to put it lightly. It was an embarrassing episode to say the least, but chivalry commanded him to tell the truth. "You attempted to exorcise the inn...with a greatsword...wearing nothing but a towel," he spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.
Chongyun was mortified. His face lost all of its color as he heard the truth. I'll never be able to set foot in Wangshu again. He shifted his gaze away in shame, "Sorry about all that."
"It's fine, I know it wasn't your fault," Xingqiu tried to console him, placing his hand on his back. "I paid for the damages, and did what I could to salvage the situation."
"You're always having to cover for my mistakes," Chongyun sank his head. "I'm a terrible friend."
"Don't say that!" Xingqiu snapped. "I know you feel guilty for what you can't control, but for what it's worth I always find your episodes amusing." He smiled, "Even if I have to clean them up, I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Huh?"
"Your outbursts are a part of who you are, and I wouldn't change that for the world," Xingqiu continued. "And for what it's worth, you said some sweet things last night." The words were trailing on his memory, Maiden...Beautiful.
"You really mean that?" Chongyun asked, he felt a warm sensation overtake his senses.
Xingqiu nodded, wrapping his arms around his friend in a bear hug. "Of course."
Chongyun laughed, I don't deserve you. "Anyways Xingqiu, you didn't happen to receive a gift last night did you?" The question had been on his mind all morning.
"Ummm, about that," Xingqiu said. "I di—"
A familiar voice shot out from behind them, "So when are you two planning on getting married?" They turned to face its source. It was Hu Tao, hiding under the canopy of a tall tree, and perched on a set of branches.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Chongyun asked, pushing Xingqiu away in his embarrassment.
"What are you doing here?" Xingqiu asked. It wasn't unusual for her to wander, but this part of town was normally absent from her antics.
"I'm just scouting out for new clients," Hu Tao jumped down from her perch gracefully. "Wealthy families make for excellent customers." She giggled to herself as she drew near them, her arms tucked behind her back and a smug look etched onto her face.
"You know I could help you two reserve a wedding ceremony," she continued to prod them with the question. "They're not that different from funerals, believe it or not."
Marriage?! Xingqiu's heart raced at the thought. His imagination ran wild, mental images of kissing Chongyun at a ceremony, followed by a romantic honeymoon, and a happy life afterwards.
"What do you mean?" Chongyun stammered at the suggestion. Is she serious?
"Pfft," she couldn't contain her laughter. "Hahaha, so serious. Your reactions are always priceless." She continued, inching closer and placing her hands on each of their heads. "Jokes aside, I always see you two together. You're practically a married couple already." Hu Tao's grin widened, as she forced their heads closer together. Xingqiu and Chongyun looked away, blushing in embarrassment.
As unsettling as her teasing could be at times they both knew it was all in good faith. Hu Tao was one of their closest friends, and although she could be quirky at times, she was one of the few people in Liyue who fully understood them. Asides, it was generally understood that every member of their friend group was outlandishly weird in some way or another. From Xiangling's rampant curiosity and spirit of adventure, to Chongyun's episodes, or Xingqiu's pranks. Hu Tao's teasing and eccentric personality were just another part of their group dynamic.
"Perhaps you'd like to take a break from scouting," Xingqiu suggested, wanting to change the topic of conversation.
"Hmm?" Hu Tao raised her brow. "What do you have in mind?"
Chongyun shot Xingqiu with a glare that read: 'She's interrupting us.' But as much as Xingqiu wanted to have time for just the two of them to talk privately, it had been ages since they'd last spent time with her. Out of all their friends Hu Tao was by far the busiest; being director of the Wangshu Funeral Parlor had its responsibilities.
"Maybe we could grab lunch together," he suggested.
"Wanmin then?" Hu Tao asked.
Chongyun scoffed, "I'd prefer someplace more private." He desperately wanted to speak with Xingqiu alone, a restaurant full of people was far from the proper venue to do so.
"I must admit I'm looking for something less chaotic," Xingqiu added. The restaurants tended to be crowded and full of noisy guests. Having just fled the chaos of his home life, he wasn't in the state of mind to enter the rush hour of Liyue. Unless...
"Let's make it a special occasion then," Xingqiu chirped. "Why don't we have a small picnic at the park?" It was a way for him to kill two birds with one stone he reasoned, Spend time with friends, and make room for a romantic moment with Yun Yun.
"Ooo, that sounds like a good idea," Hu Tao gleaned with excitement. "We should invite Xiangling with us, I'm sure she'd enjoy this kind of thing."
"Not sure she's available at the moment," Chongyun lowered his head.
"She can be quite busy, she's usually free later in the evenings but not at this hour," Xingqiu added. Wanmin Restaurant was one of the most popular eateries in Liyue, a reputation which ensured it was always packed with hungry customers. Xiangling was most often found assisting her Father run the business, working six days a week from early mornings to midday to help prepare food and fulfill other responsibilities.
"I guess it'll just be us then," Hu Tao walked forward, leading the way down the road. "All right, let's go!"
The park itself was centered in the Northern quarter of the city's newest residential districts. It was constructed fairly recently ago, a project inspired by many of Fontaine's own sprawling gardens but given a Liyue twist. A series of connected walkways, lined with rocks and Silk Flowers, that all wrapped around the twisting landscape of artificial hills and ponds. Chongyun was a little disheartened to see that the park was full of people at this hour. But he reassured himself, I'm sure we'll find a moment to talk.
"Wow this place is huge," Hu Tao chimed, scanning her surroundings.
"I think I see a vacant spot over there we can use," Xingqiu pointed towards the far end of the park. Past a series of hedges and bushes, trees and cherry blossoms.
Chongyun nodded and followed their lead behind them. It's been a while since I was last in a place like this, he thought to himself.
"There's so much to see!" Hu Tao laughed with excitement as she took the lead, dashing past Xingqiu.
Right...there is too much to see, Chongyun blushed, staring at Xingqiu's legs. His high waisted shorts were tight, and they left little to the imagination. He tried to avert his gaze as best as he could.
There were dozens of people all around them. Seniors feeding ducks by the waterside. Children flying paper kites. Enthusiastic locals playing games on colorful tables. Food vendors and other carts serving hungry families. So many people, he thought, as they reached the far end of the park.
"This will do," Xingqiu took his seat on the crimson bench, resting his belongings on the adjacent table. There was an umbrella positioned at its center to provide shade, and the line of hedges to their side provided some privacy from the rest of the setting.
"All right! Shall we get started then?" Hu Tao asked. "I could order some food for us if you'd like," she eyed the distant vendors eagerly.
"Certainly," Xingqiu nodded. "I'm most partial to the skewers if there are any left."
"And you?" she turned to Chongyun.
"I'll have what Xingqiu is having," he shot his friend a playful glare. "Barring the spice of course."
"Gotcha, I'll be right back with the food," Hu Tao chirped with a salute, skipping away towards the food carts on the other side of the park.
Once she left it got quiet. There was a light breeze rustling through the bushes and trees. Silk Flower petals fluttered in the wind. Chongyun inched closer to Xingqiu, sliding down the bench, "About the gift."
"Ah yes, I did receive a gift last night from the hosts while you were unconscious," Xingqiu shifted his gaze down. "Although…"
"Hmm?" Chongyun tilted his head.
"I'm certain there must've been a mistake of some kind, for the gift I received was…" Xingqiu paused to gather his thoughts.
Chongyun's heart skipped, He's seen it then? He began to worry, perhaps his choice of gift had been misplaced all along.
"A dress," Xingqiu tried to conceal his soft blush as the words parted his lips.
"How should I put this?" Chongyun stammered, not sure how to respond. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, "It was no mistake Xingqiu, that dress was my gift."
Xingqiu went from a peachy complexion, to beet red. A look of stunned bewilderment possessed his jaw dropped face. "Y-you...bought me...a dress?" Xingqiu tried to quantify what he was hearing. He really bought me a dress?! This is absurd, ridiculous! He can't expect me to wear it, this has to be a mistake?!
"I know you like trying out new things," Chongyun rubbed the back of his neck as a feeling of guilt overtook him. "And when I saw it...I couldn't help but think of you."
"Y-Yu. Yun Y-Yun," Xingqiu was at a loss for words. "About last night."
"I know I caused a lot of trouble last night, and I know this may come as a shock," Chongyun continued lost in his own words.
"B-before you passed out," Xingqiu tried to piece his mind back together. Removing a book from his satchel, he used its spread covers to conceal his face in embarrassment. "I told you that…"
Doki Doki
"I love you!" they both shouted in unison as emotion boiled over.
The wind parted the air around them. The sun was crowning overhead. For a brief moment everything around them froze. It was quiet, save for the rustling of branches. They both stared at one another, lost in each other's disbelief. Chongyun felt as though a roaring fire had sparked to life inside his chest. A sudden dizzy spell overtook him, and it became hard to breathe. He fell backwards leaning off the bench.
"Yun Yun!" Xingqiu dashed forward to catch him, before his friend hit the ground. Dropping his book to the side as he reached his arms around Chongyun.
"You...love...me?" Chongyun muttered, the disbelief had knocked the wind out of his lungs.
It was a strange feeling for them to quantify. Something that felt both familiar and foreign. A feeling that had always been a part of them, but regardless felt new and exciting.
A few tears swelled in his eyes as he spoke, "I do."
Chongyun smiled, "Then all of my worries can be left behind."
He felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and content. Chongyun wasn't sure how to express what he was feeling, but he found his body moved on its own. The movements came naturally, as he wrapped a steady set of arms around Xingqiu, drawing him closer. They embraced, laughing to themselves as they pressed their foreheads against one another.
From a distance, with a set of skewers in her hands, Hu Tao watched in shock. They really are a married couple! she thought to herself, peering through a gap in the hedge line.
Xingqiu giggled, "You're warm Yun Yun." He leaned closer, pushing his friend over the edge of the bench. They both tumbled over one another, falling to the ground.
"I'm always warm," Chongyun replied.
Xingqiu ran his hands along Chongyun's neck and cheek. "Glad to hear you finally confessed it," Xingqiu could tell his friend's mood at times based on body temperature alone. "You're excited?" The patterns of his Yang energy were easy to read, most of the time anyways.
"Yeah," Chongyun kept his reply brief. He didn't want his bliss to be interrupted and carried on, pressing his head deeper into Xingqiu's soft chest.
Beneath the bench was a dark looming shadow, and to its right was a small bush. At its crest a silk flower bobbed in the wind.
"We should probably stop before someone sees," Xingqiu suggested gently pushing Chongyun away.
Chongyun ignored him, pulling Xingqiu closer as he tried to pry him off.
Xingqiu smiled, Clingy...cute. "Oh, ok," Xingqiu accepted the embrace, patting Chongyun on the head for good measure.
"Someone already has," Chongyun muttered, gazing at the bush to their right. Looking closely, past the looming shadows, they could see a pair of eyes watching them with curious intent. They blinked in perplexion, the bush rustled, and the silk flower overhead bobbed up and down.
Xingqiu stretched his hand outwards towards the bush. Slowly he moved it back and forth, watching as the pair of eyes followed the movement closely. "Uh, the bush is moving," Xingqiu inched away from it carefully.
"A dendro slime?" Chongyun asked. Reaching his hand out towards the strange bush, he watched as the pair of eyes reeled back. The flower on the top of the bush moved away from them suddenly.
"They're quite rare," Xingqiu remarked. "Wonder what it's doing here?"
"Heyo! I brought food," Hu Tao called out from behind them, waving with a wide smile.
They all turned to face her, including the bush. Hu Tao stared at her friends with great interest, trying to perceive their intentions with her keen insight. I want to ask them, but is now the time? she thought to herself.
"I asked them to cool down these ones," Hu Tao handed a set of skewers to Chongyun.
"Oh thanks," Chongyun grabbed them, bowing slightly to express his gratitude.
"And for you I asked for extra jueyun chilis," she said, turning to Xingqiu.
"Perfect, you have my thanks."
"Now get up, you don't plan to eat on the ground do you?"
"Well," Xingqiu rubbed the back of his neck. She didn't see us did she?
"We have a guest," Chongyun pointed to the bush. The pair of eyes tilted in curiosity at the foreign gesture.
With her food in her mouth Hu Tao paused to look at the guest in question. "Eh?" she peered into the set of curious eyes watching her closely. "A slime?"
"Perhaps it lives in the park," Xignqiu suggested, patting the dirt off his clothes as he stood up. Taking a bite of his food he pondered the subject, "Slimes are seldom alone however."
"We shouldn't waste this opportunity," Hu Tao chirped, holding her skewer in her mouth as she knelt forward with outstretched arms. "It's been ages since I last did this."
"What are yo—" Chongyun asked, the rapid motion caught him and his words off guard.
Hu Tao vaulted over the bench, landing herself on the dendro slime's head. The silk flower perched between her legs as she straddled the startled slime. "Let's go!" she shouted, taking another hasty bite of her food.
The slime was mortified by the intrusion. In a panic it darted for cover, trying to shake Hu Tao off its body. The leaves and branches of the bush thinning with every twist and turn. "Woohoo!"
"Hu Tao wait!" Xingqiu shouted after her.
There are kids around...Chongyun sighed. "Isn't this a bit dangerous?"
"Wait for me to catch up!" Xingqiu darted after her, mounted atop his own dendro slime.
Where did he! Chongyun was in disbelief.
"Hop on," Xingqiu reached out to him with a wide smile.
Shaking his head, Chongyun reluctantly accepted. Taking Xingqiu's hand to hoist himself onto the slime's back. It was larger than the other one, affording them the space needed for two people.
"We'll race her," a wicked smile crossed Xingqiu's lips. The dendro slime took off after its kin, scared senseless by the adventurers atop its head.
Bursting through the hedge line in an explosion of scattered foliage, they reached eye shot of Hu Tao. Her movements with her slime were far more controlled and directed. It was obvious she was very experienced riding slimes. In contrast, Xingqiu and Chongyun could barely control theirs. Its frantic movements crashed through obstacles rather than avoiding them, all while dumbstruck bystanders stared on in horror and disbelief.
"Lean more to the right Yun Yun," Xingqiu bit his lip.
"I'm trying!" Chongyun's anxiety kicked into high gear as he looked ahead. The main park lounge was just in front, rows of tables and food carts parked in full view.
It wasn't easy staying centered on the unstable slime. Chongyun had to firmly wrap his arms around Xingqiu as he leaned right to keep himself from slipping off.
"Look out everyone!" Xingqiu shouted at the crowd ahead of them. Panicked bystanders leapt up from their seats, abandoning their tables as the large slime crashed into them. Toppling them over in a cascade of scattered food and other amenities.
"Sorry everyone," Chongyun did his best to comfort them as he passed by. "Terribly sorry for this."
The food cart at the end of the perimeter only narrowly avoided collision. The frightened chef pulled with all his strained strength to move the heavy cart out of the path of the rampaging slime.
Hu Tao slid into view at their flank once they'd passed through the park center. " You're not very good at this," Hu Tao teased. She was leaning back on her slime, arms behind her head in a relaxed pose.
"We're getting the hang of things," Chongyun replied.
"We might have other worries," Xingqiu pointed towards the edge of the park clearing. Where the pond ended and a thick grove of small trees interrupted the otherwise open area.
As the slimes raced towards the trees it became apparent they were far from alone. Nuzzled deep in the heart of the grove was a vast number of eyes peering out at them from the shadows on all sides.
"Wow, I don't think I've seen this many in one place before," Hu Tao remarked, dismounting from her slime. It scurried off into the shadows. Revealing the other slimes in the process.
There were dozens of them, mostly juvenile, gathered around the adventurer's. They moved to comfort their mortified kin, circling around it to protect it from further advances. The large dendro slime at the center shook Xingqiu and Chongyun off in a single motion. Returning to its smaller kin as it freed itself. They gathered around and on top of the large slime, glaring at the trio of intruders before them.
"It must be a nest of sorts," Xingqiu glanced around at the setting. Yes, water, space, and nature constitute the perfect habitat for them.
"Dendro slimes are friendly right?" Chongyun asked, a hint of unease in his voice. He'd left his weapons at home.
"For the most part," Hu Tao chimed.
"Maybe we should depart then," Chongyun inched away from the horde slowly.
"There's no harm in leaving them be," Xingqiu added with a nervous laugh.
They departed, retreating from the grove as slimes looked on with disdainful expressions.
The sun had begun to set. Dusk had reached Liyue, and the horizon glowed with the parting of day.
Chongyun groaned, "So much slime condensate." From head to toe he was soaked in the substance. Along with leaves, branches, and dirt matted to his hair and clothing.
Xingqiu wasn't faring much better, his suit down to his white undershirt was covered in slime condensate. He removed his coat and suit to shake off the dirt, "That was quite fun though, we should do it again sometime."
Chongyun blushed, he could see parts of Xingqiu's chest and shoulders peeking through the soaked transparent shirt. "Right," he nodded, moving his gaze away.
Xingqiu took notice, "Is something wrong?" He ran his eyes up and down Chongyun. Even covered in dirt and slime, Xingqiu thought. He's still adorable. In fact, the more he analyzed him the more he found the imperfections excited him. His ruffled hair, the sweat on his forearms, the leaves stuck to his forehead.
I could clean him up, Xingqiu purred, pursing his lips.
"No, nothing's wrong," Chongyun answered, his nervous eyes desperately seeking shelter away from the enticing image in front of him.
"Are you sure?" Xingqiu leaned in closer, wrapping his arms around Chongyun's neck. "You seem distracted."
Chongyun's face grew redders as Xingqiu pressed against him. He could feel his skin through the soaked shirt. That warm softness peaking through to melt his senses. "D-don't you have somewhere important to be?" he stammered.
"Oh?!" Xingqiu remembered. "The Commerce Guild meeting. Oh, Morax, I'm going to be late." Putting his suit and coat back on he snapped into motion.
"There's no time to lose then," Chongyun chuckled.
"I know a shortcut," Hu Tao chimed, springing up behind them. "Follow me, we should arrive there in no time at all."