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It’s not like their current situation could be described as uncommon or something of the like. If anything, common might even be the perfect word to describe it. Well, more it has come to be the perfect word for it in recent weeks, usual sly glances across tables turned into something more, something more meaningful from whatever they initially used to be. Not like Chongyun can actually remember how it used to be. He spares a glance to Xingqiu, his navy hair currently swaying gently in the wind. He looks beautiful like this, close to angelic, and a part of the exorcist hurts at the sight.
It’s no fair really, why had he managed to fall for Xingqiu out of everyone? Was it purely for the other’s enthralling looks or simply the way he expresses himself, walks, talks and thinks? Chongyun isn’t sure, but he knows he’s deep, far too deep in. There’s no escape out of the gigantic hole he’d dug for himself and a part of the exorcist doesn’t even want to crawl out of it. He barely takes notice of Xingqiu turning towards him, a slight frown gracing his features.
“Are you alright?”
Chongyun opens his mouth only to close it again shortly after, no words escaping him or even remotely close to leaving his lips. Before the following silence even has the chance to become awkward Xingqiu laughs, the sound light and airy and way more enticing than it should be. “Is your silence a yes or no?”
He doesn’t even know himself, archons know he doesn’t and still- Chongyun is just left staring at the graceful, seemingly delicately carved features of his friend. Xingqiu merely raises an eyebrow at him before sighing and closing the book he’d been reading.
And then he seats himself right on Chongyun’s lap before shooting the exorcist a sly grin that speaks volumes by itself, the action something Chongyun’s brain can’t even begin to process and something that causes his heart to beat rapidly inside his chest.
“Wh- What are you doing?!”
His yang spirit is acting up, of course it is. Chongyun wouldn’t even be remotely surprised if that had been the other’s goal all along. To get the exorcist all riled up only to question him further. Just as the thought crosses his mind Xingqiu laughs again, this time quieter and softer than before. Chongyun shivers at the sound, for reasons he doesn’t fully understand. It’s not like it’s the first time he’s heard the exact same sound before, with the other’s soft laugh ringing inside his head ever so often, but them being so close to each other was definitely a vastly different experience. Chongyun guesses he’s reached the conclusion that yes, he adores his best friend’s laugh, especially Xingqiu’s light and airy one. It makes him think of summer and soft ripples on the surface of water, created by a light summer breeze or droplets of rain.
“Chongyun, you think too much.”
That he is, he definitely is, but it’s not like he can actually bring himself to stop. It’s not like his feelings regarding his best friend had begun to surface just recently either, in fact, they’d been occupying his mind and heart for years now. It’s likely embarrassing, but it’s not as if the exorcist can muster up the courage to bring himself to act on them. He’d tried, vaguely, but whenever his gaze had landed on glowing ambers he’d immediately lost all courage and his mind and thoughts had appeared completely wiped and empty, admittedly not really the best way to go.
He opens his mouth, only to close it again shortly after, him being lost for words once again, and then a grin spreads its way on Xingqius face. Before Chongyun can let his mind dwell on it, Xingqiu is suddenly moving closer, eyes fluttering closed and oh archons is he dreaming or is this actually happening-
Xingqiu’s lips are so soft, slightly cold, but they still taste sweet and perhaps this is the best sensation Chongyun has ever felt. Sadly the touch is gone all too soon, and after opening his eyes again (when had he come to close them in the first place?) Chongyun can make out Xingqiu fixing the ground with a stare, his cheeks dusted pink while his lips are caught in between his teeth, gnawing on them being a habit the other had grown to evolve quite recently.
“Was... Was that-“
“Yes.”
It’s not like Chongyun actually knows what Xingqiu had wanted to say but he can only assume and mentally curses himself for acting so quickly on mere assumptions. But the smile that spreads on his friends face seemingly makes it all worth it, so bright it could definitely rival the sun and the exorcist notes once again that he’s definitely far too in love with his best friend. Although...
“Does that mean-“
Another laugh before a breathless “Yes” leaves the other’s lips, and this time Chongyun can’t keep himself from smiling as well.
Then it’s silent again, but it’s comfortable and not like the tense silence he’s used to. Both of them just keep smiling at each other, both of them still so close, and archons, he doesn’t know how this happened but he’s so so happy and he feels like he could combust any second now.
Xingqiu leans towards him, his slightly cooler skin resting against his forehead. “You know, I’ve been wanting to do this for quite a while now.”
The words leave him before can stop himself.
“Really? Why haven’t you?”
A shrug. “I’m not sure, I think I was just.. scared. Scared of how you’ll react and... treat me after.”
“So why now?”
“The look on your face.”
Chongyun can feel his eyebrows raise at the reply, not having expected anything quite like it. “The look on my face?”
“Hmm.”
Xingqiu doesn’t gift him with an explanation or anything of the sort, and somehow Chongyun is fine with that. Instead the guhua disciple leans towards him again, and Chongyun catches the other’s soft lips between his own, another smile making its way on his face as he thinks of everything the gesture implies and what it’ll mean for their future, their shared future.
I love you, I adore you, is what he doesn’t say, not quite yet, but Chongyun figures he definitely will one day. Hopefully beating Xingqiu to it this time, unlike initiating their first shared kiss.