Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

his back ached after the many hours spent sitting on the bamboo floor. chongyun quietly observed his mother and father, who were busy talking to a patron at the other end of the table. they had encouraged him to join the conversation a few moments prior, but he could only offer a weak smile and politely decline. the topic of choice was not one he found particularly enjoyable. he wouldn’t have much to bring to the table. 

his futou hat, the very thing symbolizing his status and newly found prestige, was tied uncomfortably around his head. the knot was far too tight, and the stray pieces of cloth constantly got in the way when he did so much as turn his head. his horns bent his futou in an awkward position. speaking of, they itched terribly. it took everything in him to keep it on.

the coming of age ceremony was typical. traditional. something every dragon needed to go through. 

it was the customary way for dragons to celebrate the beginning of their adulthood. it ensured they would receive the favor of the gods — blessing them with abundance and good fortune. 

now that the rite has finished, he was finally up for grabs. a young, newly independent dragon, who trained diligently every single day he could. he was honest and kind, patient and hardworking. he did the best he could in any mission assigned to him. after all, he was no stranger to physical strength, since he was trained in the martial arts for as long as he can remember. it was not an uncommon sight to see the dragon running around for the elders. being in his early 20s, chongyun was in what most considered to be the prime of life. it would not be long before a pile of proposals were at his doorstep.

truth be told, that had been something he was truly dreading. he knew he was a worthy marital candidate among many families across liyue. he was a humble man with enough experience to protect his phoenix, and his background was simply a bonus. exorcism was a fairly noble art after all.

the after party was enjoyable to some extent, but chongyun can’t deny the twinge of guilt every time he rejected someone. several phoenixes that approached him were visibly young; it was to be expected, since a phoenix as young as 18 could undergo the hair pinning ceremony. he shut them down a little too quickly. other phoenixes were more welcoming than he expected. they congratulated him and gifted many clothes and pendants, but even he could see the gifts for what they really were: an open invitation to courtship. nonetheless, he appreciated the effort (even if he had no interest pursuing them).

besides, there was already someone on his mind.

chongyun had been considering xingqiu for a very long time. ever since his parents first told him that a phoenix, with enough yin energy, was necessary to balance his unruly yang spirit. 

i mean, it was only fitting that he pursued him right? out of his little group of friends, he’s known him the longest. they spent the most time together, shared many secrets, and exchanged many words of encouragement. they fed each other all kinds of food, even if it was something absolutely vile. they went on countless adventures and persevered through the challenges they encountered.

they laughed, cried, and got hurt. the day after, they would laugh again. it was the beauty that came with knowing someone for so long. the familiarity, the solace, the ability to be so — comfortable. chongyun was willing to throw caution to the wind and court the phoenix, as a dragon should, even if rejection was still a possibility.

“you have quite a look on your face.”

that cadence .  

‘speak of the devil.’ chongyun straightens and looks up, meeting the gentle eyes of his long-time friend. 

his appearance hadn’t changed much since the last time he saw him. xingqiu still flaunted that hideously uneven haircut from their childhood, which has grown a little longer than shoulder length. when asked if he was going to cut it short again, he said he needed nothing more than a quick trim. an ornament made of noctilucous jade hung from his ear. though it wasn’t his usual earring, it still accompanied xingqiu’s face beautifully.

his wings, once light with only a few thin feathers, have grown out. although they were folded, they look much heavier and thicker, the feathers much more vibrant in color. chongyun could easily see their sheen under the lantern lights. they were strong and powerful, yet admirably elegant, certainly complementing his best friend in all the right ways.

the attire he wore was simple, yet enough to convey his nobility. his hanfu, a deep blue with white embroidery that resembled sea foam, fitted his frame perfectly and accentuated his figure. he noticed that the sleeves were taken off, exposing much of his back area. it was only upon closer inspection did he realize that the setpieces were being held by one of his attendants. 

if he shifted his body in the slightest, chongyun would see the exposed milky skin properly. he assumes it was to let his wings breathe. he couldn’t blame him; it must have been uncomfortable for them to be trapped under thick fabric through such a long ceremony. xingqiu’s posture was much firmer than he would’ve preferred. perhaps it was a situational reason, or for the sake of modesty.

“xingqiu.. it’s been a while. i’m glad you could make it,” he bowed his head slightly, his words sincere.

“gah! no need to be so formal, especially to me!” xingqiu laughed, easing the tension in his shoulders, “we’ve known each other for so long. if anything, i should be showing you some respect since it’s your coming of age! i was just about to fetch someone another glass of wine, but i figured i should entertain you for a little while instead. after all, you look awfully pale.” his tone was fond, teasing. an attendant behind him coughed awkwardly, saying something over his shoulder. xingqiu simply brushed him off. “if this is about anything personal, i’m more than willing to find a much more suitable place to discuss it.”

“no no! you’re mistaken,” he frantically reassured, “it’s nothing of that sort. i was simply thinking about an upcoming commission, that’s all. with the cleanup at the temple and the venue, it’s a bit stressful how troublesome it would be if my preparations were to overlap.”

xingqiu, with his cunning genius, raised a brow in question. “are you sure? your well-being is one of many things i hold close to heart, dear chongyun. i am aware that the reception is beginning to grow a little more overwhelming. if you would like to step outside for some fresh air, nobody is going to stop you.”

“i appreciate your concern, but i promise there is nothing wrong. i’m just trying to keep my composure. today has been rather intense.”

he nodded his head, humming. “i understand. today marks one of the most important days of your life after all.” a genuine smile spread across his face. “that being said, i would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate you on this momentous occasion. i am sure the gods will look upon you and bless your path with many fruitful gifts. you are a dragon who is more than worthy enough for the grace of the gods.”

xingqiu came forward and gave him a small hug. before he can reciprocate, his brain hardly registering the words he said, his friend already pulled away.

“anyway, i believe we have plenty of catching up to do! i’m sure you’re aware of my brother’s most recent commissioned trip abroad? well he sent back a delightful tea set i wish for you to see. i was going to invite the girls as well, but they warned me in advance that neither were going to make it. would you be so kind to accompany me instead? i have very little free time, you know.” 

chongyun blinked. 

clearing his throat, he nodded, “y-yes. of course. i will gladly accept your invitation.”

“good.”

xingqiu only smiled and excused himself, his attendants stumbling not far after him.

-

the feiyun commerce guild was truly a sight to behold. it was a massive structure, situated in the heart of liyue harbor where the dazzling lights never stopped glittering. built in an old-fashioned style, it was clear to any passerby of the wealth written under the feiyun name. it was their pride, a physical representation of the effort his ancestors put into climbing to the top of the food chain. and, despite all the years he’s spent running up these steps and knocking at the door, he never quite got used to it.

“so how are things faring for you?” xingqiu stirred the contents in his cup; he had told him that the tea was from an inazuman collection, prepared by infusing dried dendrobium leaves in hot water. it was aromatic and slightly acidic, with a bitter aftertaste that was difficult to miss. it was enough to get relieve the stiff tension in his shoulders. “i hope the tea is to your liking.”

“it is, you needn’t worry about my preferences. anything you prepare is special to me,” he chuckled, “that aside, i’ve been doing very well. my last excursion went smoothly with little to no issue. the spirit i encountered was nothing short of the minor kind, so it was well within my capabilities.” 

“that’s wonderful to hear! your career is certainly flourishing. it is to be expected considering how hard you’ve worked to get here.”

chongyun grew shy under his praises. “thank you xingqiu. what about you and the guild? and your brother?”

“i haven’t been up to anything new lately. with guildwork and all, it’s been a challenge finding some spare time to myself. creating this opportunity for us is not an exception.” his friend sighed, slumping his shoulders. chongyun nodded solemnly. “as for my brother, he didn’t write much in his last letter, but i believe he will be discussing with inazuma’s textile manufacturers soon. he’s been interested in a collaboration with them.”

“that sounds lovely. it seems the guild never stops expanding.”

“i guess,” he shrugged, “despite father retiring from his position, he and i still pull the strings.”

before chongyun could respond, a young woman approached the table and refilled their cups. she must’ve been fairly new, since he’s never seen her before. he politely muttered his thanks. “well, i’m sure your brother is not entirely incompetant around the guild. he may be a bit airheaded, but he’s quite sharp and deals well enough under pressure. with a couple more years of experience, surely he will fit well into the role as headmaster.”

“hopefully,” he sighed, “no matter, let’s talk about something else. how did you feel about your coming of age? i know you said you were fine, but even my attendants could tell you weren’t feeling the best. did anything happen?”

“not really, my mind’s just been pre occupied.”

“with anything in particular?” xingqiu lifted the cup’s rim to his lips.

chongyun paused for a moment, carefully picking his next words. he knew what he was concerned about, but he didn’t have the gall to admit that the man sitting across from him was who he’s planning to court. “i was worrying about the next step in my life,” he said slowly, “with my future and all. since yin energy is necessary for my spirit, i’ve been thinking about the concept of marriage.”

xingqiu gasped, slapping his hand over his mouth as if he said something utterly offensive. “oh ho ho! such a passionate topic! how are you not overheating?” he leaned forward and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. his wicked smile and the mischieveous glint in his eyes meant that chongyun had made an amateur mistake. “i didn’t think you were interested in marriage in the slightest! pray tell, you must tell me everything you’re curious about.”

“i would prefer not to. and what makes you think marriage is something i can easily shrug off?” he huffed, crossing his arms. “it’s a common thing all dragons and phoenixes need to face, and i am no exception.”

“touche, dear friend. no wonder you looked so ill during the after party! luckily, you weren’t thinking about it during the rite.”

“don’t even think about getting ahead of yourself. i’m starting to think you were secretly hoping i would feel sick the entire time. even so, my ceremony would still be above yours.”

“ gods, i don’t even want to think about my hair pinning ceremony. it was a disaster!” xingqiu wailed, burying his face in his hands, “my hair was terribly stubborn that day. my poor mother and the stewardess couldnt tie it in a bun in time, and we nearly lost my ji ! explaining everything to the presider was a nightmare. i swear, not a single amount of mora could compensate for the time we wasted. honestly, i’m glad you didn’t run into any problems with your ceremony.” 

“most say that a phoenix is meant to bring good fortune. though, considering how your coming of age went, i don’t know if you fall under that category.”

chongyun couldn’t stop xingqiu from lunging over and pinching his ear.

-

after their splendid tea party, the two friends decided to stretch their legs and head to the market. they might as well, since they were already spending the day together. 

chongyun decided to wander on his own after realizing that xingqiu wouldn’t budge from his spot near the bookstore. he didn’t hesitate to pluck one of the books off their respective spot on the shelf and  read it, despite the very clear, very obvious sign that warned patrons to avoid free reading. it didn’t matter how many times jifang scolded him in his youth; he still did it anyway. she eventually let xingqiu be the one and only exception (though it was hard to miss the thinly concealed look on her face whenever they visited).

as he mindlessly browsed through the stalls, he thought back on the topic of courting and marriage. he already made up his mind on who he wanted to court. it just just a matter of when and how. 

‘perhaps i should start looking at potential gifts. something simple but enough to consider valuable. books are important, but there were no new releases since the last volume of the legend of the shattered halberd.’ chongyun made it to the main street. it wasn’t too far from the bookstore, so xingqiu wouldn’t really mind. luckily there were many more stores for window shopping. deciding to make ground, he walked into a fabric shop. ‘maybe a new set of clothes for his wardrobe? or a new pair of shoes?’ he rummaged through the racks. after a few minutes, he pulled out a cheongsam.

“it’s far too early to be gifting someone clothes and shoes,” he muttered, quickly leaving the store.

chongyun could start with a bouquet instead. flowers were sweet and simple. however, he was afraid they were too simple. what were flowers when you owned a guild that specialized in creating silk out of them? he didn’t want to start with something that looked cheap.

instead, he found himself standing in front of mingxing jewelry.

“good afternoon, xingxi jiejie ,” chongyun smiled politely, raising his hand in a small wave. the jewelrist returned the gesture, a small smile crawling up her face. xingxi is a kind dragon who was, and is still, very close with his mother. when he was a young boy, she often came to visit to deliver a handmade gift for his grandparents. her visits became less and less frequent, though, due to her becoming the legal owner of her family’s jewelry parlor. admittedly, it has been some time since he saw her.

“chongyun! it’s been so long. word spread of your coming of age ceremony a few days ago. i’m glad you’ve grown into a fine young man!” she congratulated, putting her hands on her hips, “what do i owe the pleasure of having you stop by today? is there anything you’d like me to help you with? any last minute preparations for a celebration coming up? or a gift that needs wrapping?”

chongyun rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, “thank you jiejie , i’m very glad to see you’re doing well. i was actually wondering if you have any suggestions for a gift? i plan to give it to someone special to me.”

“ oh? ” she squinted her eyes at him, “already courting someone?” her tone was surprised, skeptical.

“a-ah well- i plan to. i want to pick out a nice gift first. this is my first time introducing myself not as a friend, but as someone who likes them. this is no different to first impressions.”

xingxi rubbed her chin, deep in thought. 

“you could start with a bracelet,” she offered. “they’re simple and elegant, but far from your average, everyday present. i’m sure your lucky someone would appreciate it very much. bracelets are also a pretty clear way of saying that you want to court them, coming from experience. or maybe a few wing ornaments? they’re fairly small and easily accessible, and depending on the person’s sensitivity, it won’t do any harm.”

“i see… those two sound like good options.”

"anything in particular sticking out to you?"

"not yet. i would like to see what you have to offer for myself, if you don't mind."

“certainly.” she pulled out a large cardboard box from under the counter. after carefully removing the tape that tightly sealed the top, xingxi opened it and displayed its contents. many of which appeared to be bracelets of all textures and sizes, made out of different materials: nocticulous jade, cor lapis, and amber. “these look stunning,” he whispered. “how did you harvest some of this ore?”

the jewelrist shrugged, “i know a guy.”

chongyun took one from the display. it was thin and fragile; he was afraid it would crumble if he did so much as grip it too tightly.

“right here are the wing ornaments. they’re divided and meant for separate sections of the wing; for instance, this right here can hang from the metacarpus. they’re attachable so you don’t need to worry about them dropping on the floor. again, depending on the phoenix, these don’t usually hurt. most of the jewelry won’t get stuck in the feathers either.” she explained, “wing ornaments definitely help with emphasizing shape and size, and they’re in fashion.”

“they sound pretty interesting,” chongyun rolled the small beads and jewels between his fingers, staring at one of the wing ornaments. it was a pale blue, which would go well with his cerulean wings. there was no doubt in his mind that this was the perfect gift. they weren’t too simple or too complicated, but a comfortable middle ground. xingqiu would definitely like them as well. they were modest yet classy. despite the temptation, though, he gave in to the small tug in his heart.

“i don’t think i’ll buy this yet. they’re wonderful, but i don’t want to overwhelm him.” he admitted. “i will stick to the bracelet.”

"are you sure? these will be in store for a limited time. i am willing to sell it for a small price. consider it a family discount."

"i am." 

xingxi was quiet for a moment, as if to say ‘are you sure?’

but chongyun knew what he wanted.

it wasn’t long before she looked at him with a pleased smile.

“that’s a very good choice.”

-

it turns out chongyun was in fact wrong earlier. upon returning to the bookstore, xingqiu was not in the same spot he left him in. he spoke with jifang and checked with the nearby stall owners, but none were able to give him the information he needed.

the sun began to set, and chongyun was panicking.

‘did i take too long? maybe he went home.’

he went up to a granny selling leftover parasols.

‘did he think i left him?’

luckily, she was able to point towards the direction the young master ran off to.

‘yujing terrace.’

“xingqiu!” 

his friend looked up from the thin book in his hands. he was leaning on the rail and facing the lotus plants. a small smile crept up his face. “i was wondering when you would show up.”

chongyun slumped over the rail, gasping for air. “w-what do you mean,” he wheezed, “i’m sorry i left so suddenly.”

sensing his distress, xingqiu coughed and waved his hand, turning away. “nevermind. where have you been? i didn’t expect you to leave back there.”

“i’m sorry! i w-was just.. looking for something.”

xingqiu tilted his head, urging him to continue.

instead of saying another word, chongyun reached for his pockets and took out a box; it was small and plain, with a thin blue ribbon holding it together. he moved closer to place it in the palm of xingqiu’s hand.

at first, it was a little awkward. neither said a single thing. chongyun shifted in his spot as his friend stared at the gift.

he felt rather suspicious. xingqiu thoroughly believed he has every right to be skeptical, since his friend didn’t explain what was inside. it could be a bomb for all he knew! slowly, he tugged on the ribbon. “i didn’t think i would receive anything from you today. you’ve always been unpredictable,” he chuckled, meeting his gaze for a split second before lifting the lid entirely. “but i guess that’s what makes you so fun.” he peeled back the bits of paper until finally revealing what was underneath: a dainty gold bracelet with a small piece of jade that no bigger than a coin. chongyun didn’t miss the gasp that slipped past his lips.

it was a quiet sound, barely audible. but he could’ve swore it was the sweetest thing he has ever heard.

xingqiu carefully lifted the bracelet to eye level, observing the jade. his eyes slightly widened at the way the lantern lights reflected off the small gem. chongyun moved even closer — they were so close — and took the bracelet again. he reached for xingqiu’s left hand and brushed his lips over his knuckles, pink dusting his cheeks. then he slipped it on his wrist, gentle and patient, and intertwined their fingers. 

it was silent in yujing terrace. only if they were to strain their ears would they be able to catch the chitter chatter among the people. there was children’s laughter in the distance, and the nearby croak of a small cricket. the lights were dim, flickering, only accompanied by the stars. the moment was fragile, tender. despite the life in other parts of the harbor, they only saw each other. they only felt each other. the rhythmic beats of their hearts, the slow rise of their chests as they breathed in sync. 

“you bought me a gift.”

“i did.”

“you want to court me.”

“i do.”

a moment passed, as if he was choosing his next words.

“you’re interested in me.” xingqiu whispered. direct. simple.

“ i am. ”

a delicate hand rose to his lips, hiding the small laugh that threatened to escaped. chongyun was having none of it and swatted it away. 

“there are many reasons for me to choose you. you are a kind man with many talents, and very knowledgeable in many areas. with experience in sword art, you have a fierce spirit. you are often determined and willing. courageous and uplifting. not only are you someone i strongly admire, but someone i’ve known for so long. through the years we have learned and grown into our own persons. we’ve faced a countless number of challenges together, but overcame just as many.” chongyun said, slightly tightening his grip, “and i trust you. despite all the pranks you’ve pulled on me, and the verbal torment you put me through, i still love you like no other. as a dragon to a phoenix, a l óng to a fènghuáng , there is not a single person that can balance me as you do, both in mind and in spirit.”

xingqiu stared for a moment. he was rendered speechless. he looked down at their intertwined hands and thought carefully. 

the warmth between them was comforting, like the setting sun peppering his skin with kisses. 

‘perhaps this is what it felt to be balanced. complete.’ he smiled softly. xingqiu finally met his gaze.

“i accept your courtship. after the many years of knowing each other, i cannot help but agree. you and i are the same, like two sides of the one coin. you are a wonderful man with such a kind heart,” he reached up and cupped his cheek. chongyun can’t help but melt into it. “you are driven by an incredible passion and ambition to succeed. with this, i know that you are more than capable of taking care of me. as your friend and new lover, i will continue to do the same as i have been all these years.”

chongyun reached forward and pulled him in for a hug. he buried his face in the crook of his neck, pressing a countless number of kisses on the unblemished skin (something he’s been wanting to do for a long time). the feathers of xingqiu’s wings caressed the side of his face, and he was able to catch a whiff of brewed silk flowers.

“oh,” he gasped, his shoulders shaking. “i’m so glad.”

his new lover bursted out laughing, his arms wrapping around his neck. “did you think i would say no?” his fingers crawled up to comb through his hair, being mindful of his large horns.

“of course! i spent so much time picking out a gift! i could tell xingxi was getting sick of me.”

“i would’ve been fine with a bouquet!”

he huffed. “keep telling yourself that. even if i bought a bouquet, i would need to pair it with something.”

shifting, xingqiu turned to look at him properly. “ well ,” he started matter of factly, “i would never mind a single thing you gifted me. even if it was a single stone. remember the time we spent in my house a few hours ago? i asked if you liked the tea and you said — and i quote — ‘anything you prepare is special to me.’ do you remember that? i just so happen to feel the same w—”

chongyun swooped in and pressed a firm kiss on his lips, effectively shutting him up.

when the dragon soars and the phoenix dances,

the people will enjoy happiness for years

bringing peace and tranquility to all under heaven.

Chapter Text

his parents quickly caught on after a mere six days. it was expected; he has been spending quite some time outside of home after all. this sort of behavior was easy to dismiss in his adolescence, but chongyun was far pass that point. if it weren’t for the fact that they were technically together, it would be seen as improper. “taboo” might be a better word, but chongyun thought it was too harsh.

to be fair, his parents already knew about their close friendship. it was a surprise to no one that they began courting each other. perhaps they were more surprised at how long it took. his mother was especially joyous over the news, pulling his right horn and insisting that they welcome xingqiu into the family right away. he begged — pleaded with her to put the pen down and avoid writing to the feiyuns (chongyun reassured her, saying he has everything planned out and under control).

yet again, they’ve always been that way. his parents probably knew about his feelings before he figured it out himself. chongyun brushed it off as “parental intuition.”

soon after his parents, their friends caught on as well. even xiangling, who wasn’t known for being the most perceptive in their friend group, saw right through them. it wasn’t like they were displaying any affection either! they were only sitting at their usual table in wanmin restaurant (a little closer than usual). 

he didn’t have anything left in him to care anymore. even if they were still friends, chongyun would’ve continued visiting despite being at an age where social status reigns supreme. etiquette was the least of his concerns. he would never give up xingqiu’s company for something as trivial as image and reputation. 

two days after his first gift, xingqiu told him that his brother would be returning from his trip. he would be bringing back a handful of new fabrics that required several phases of cleaning and testing. xingqiu, being the subhead of the guild, will need to be present. it was a lengthy process and, if all goes well, was only the first stage of a much bigger project. chongyun was a little disappointed at first, but he understood the importance of his work. 

xingqiu has many responsibilities to take care of, much like how he has his own. in the meantime, he could always occupy himself with commissions.

at least that’s what chongyun told himself two weeks ago.

it has been two weeks since fenhua’s return, and chongyun hasn’t seen xingqiu at all. only in passing did he get the luxury of hearing something about the guild, when the harbor kids whipped up rumours of an “evil twin” by the docks who looked much like the phoenix he loves. nothing can change the fact that he did indeed miss him. he always did, even if they were on two ends of the earth or on opposite sides of a thin bamboo wall. 

with their new bond, it was impossible to not miss him. he only knew xingqiu felt the same.

with this in mind, chongyun decided to start brainstorming his next gift. it needed to be big. bold.  

unfortunately, he’s never really been good with coming up with things on his own. all hope was lost until he remembered what his mother said.

inviting a phoenix into a dragon’s home was too far into the future, something akin to marriage. it was for this reason that chongyun was so quick to shut it down. it was too early to be thinking about marriage. it was a life long commitment, and although he already knew who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, chongyun wanted to enjoy every second of courtship. because it was with xingqiu .

chongyun felt like an idiot for not realizing the alternative. 

while inviting a phoenix is one thing, approaching their home is another. meeting the phoenix’s family is one of the most important pillars in courtship. it is said that this tradition can be traced back to ancient liyue, when rex lapis first presented himself to lady guizhong’s kin. there is no telling whether this is true or simply a work of fiction, but either way, it has integrated itself so deep into liyuen society. 

one may argue that it was still too early to introduce himself to xingqiu’s family, but one may also agree that it was far more sensible than marriage, considering the point of their relationship. plus, it was probably best to tell xingqiu’s family now and get it over with, even if xingqiu himself already told the news. his parents would most likely appreciate a formal presentation.

with this hell of an idea in mind, chongyun knew it was best to begin the preparations.

he sent a letter to xingqiu and received a confirmation. he picked out the best outfit from his wardrobe and made sure to iron it a few nights before. he asked xiangling to make the best jade parcels in her entire career. and finally, he neatly wrapped a small box with a token of his sincerity. it was a set of incense sticks that smell of violetgrass and silk flowers, the two families’ symbol for prosperity and good fortune.

it was simple, but his actions are what count. 

this brings us to present day.

‘of all the things i could’ve done,’ chongyun thought helplessly, staring at the sandbearer doors that loomed over him, his gifts in hand. chongyun took hold of his collar and fiddled with it one last time. rivers of sweat ran through his palms. he suddenly felt self-conscious. anyone in their right mind would just buy another bracelet, that was the more convenient thing to do. but chongyun is a fool who does foolish things, like formally presenting himself to xingqiu’s family. not as a friend, but as a dragon. a lover. 

the poor man can only do so much as ignore strange looks from passersby. “come on tianheng, you can do this,” he whispered, reminding himself what he came here for. it was for xingqiu. always xingqiu. there’s no use standing outside of the guild and letting him wait inside. if he were to see him at this very moment, he would push him to keep his head and be the best version of himself. his real self. with a newly found sense of determination, chongyun raised his hand and firmly knocked on the door.

it didn’t take long for someone to heed his call.

“chongyun!”

he couldn’t get a word in before he was pulled in a tight hug. chongyun barely had the chance to balance everything in his hands before quickly returning the gesture, wrapping his arms around xingqiu’s slim waist. relishing in his fragrance, chongyun buried his nose deep in the phoenix’s hair. “i missed you.” he admitted, saying nothing else before pressing a kiss against his neck.

xingqiu chuckled, light and fond. his nimble fingers gently brushed away any loose strand of hair. “only two weeks gone and you’re so affectionate. i should disappear more often.” 

he knew it was a tease, but chongyun couldn’t help the sour look on his face. 

“i’m joking!” after shutting the doors, xingqiu quickly led him inside. it was then chongyun finally took in xingqiu’s attire. it was a navy cheongsam with an ibis embroidered near his abdomen. his back was exposed as always, his wings folded behind his shoulders. the young man looked lovely.

“i was rather surprised by your letter, dear.” he took them to the dining room. although it was empty, there was already a vast array of food on the table from egg drop soup to northern smoked chicken. at the end, he spotted a few plates of cold delicacies. “i didn’t think you were the type to do something like this. mother and father were equally surprised when i told them your visit. i personally don’t mind whether you do this or not, but they looked pretty pleased. you may have already made a good impression.” xingqiu smiled softly.

chongyun returned a weak smile beforing slumping on the closest chair, burying his head in his hands. “i hope so!”

xingqiu rolled his eyes and swatted his hands away from his face. “i know what you’re thinking about, and i promise you’re overestimating the situation. my family already knows you, dear. this is just like every other dinner we’ve had in the past!” a hand reached for his left horn, scratching the base. chongyun never knew why he did that. it felt nice, sure, but even he didn’t like the feeling of dry scales. he appreciated the sweet gesture nonetheless. 

“that’s not true..”

“on the bright side, the only one you really have to worry about is father. mother and gēge have no problems with you,” xingqiu hummed. “now enough of that! have i mentioned how irresistible you look? i can’t believe you’ve never worn this suit around me. the fabric hugs your frame criminally. you look absolutely ravishing.” the end teetered towards a purr. it was hard to miss the way he batted his eyelashes.

before he could retaliate, their little banter was interrupted by the clicks of someone’s heels. it steadily grew louder, chongyun realized, as the individual moved closer to the dining room entrance. there is only one person who made that noise with her heels — heels that were made of stained oak and ivory — and if his suspicions were true, then it would be no surprise of the two men following after her. 

a figure, clad with silk that draped over her sharp frame and a fur scarf around her neck, walked into the dining room. her fan snapped shut at the sight of them, the feathers of her wings bristling. he vaguely  remembered her as one of the patrons from his coming of age ceremony. with her familiar blue hair and chestnut eyes, chongyun easily recognized this woman as xingqiu’s mother. behind her was two men, one who looked much older in appearance with grey tucked under his dark locks, and the other who looked closer to his own age.

some may say that the brothers were too similar to differentiate, but if you were someone like chongyun, it was too easy to tell them apart.

“tianheng chongyun, it certainly has been a while.” her voice was firm, kind. it was much lighter than her angular features led on.

chongyun quickly got on his feet and bowed deeply. “so it has. i apologize for not visiting the guild much sooner. time has passed and there is plenty to catch up on. i am very glad to see you all in good health.”

“surely the guild hasn’t done anything to discourage you from visiting us.”

“mama please ,” xingqiu started, “you’re scaring him.” at this, fond laughter erupted from her chest, a hand flying over her mouth to cover her cunning smile.

“don’t take me so seriously! i’m sure chongyun is able to recognize my kidding. now let’s excuse all the formalities! chongyun dear, i’m sure you’re familiar with my husband and first son. they have been rather busy with the recent exports from sumeru, as with xingqiu. it’s quite a taxing project you see. if they seem a bit under the weather, please excuse them.” the last part came off as a low whisper, though not nearly as quiet enough if she didn’t want either of them to hear.

“again with you,” xingqiu’s father moved from his spot, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “let’s get this over with. it’s best you start talking whenever you’re ready, chongyun.” he walked towards the table, paying no mind to any of them before pulling a chair. fenhua quietly followed, doing the same before offering a polite smile. 

xingqiu sighed and gave him an apologetic look, as if to say ‘don’t take his behavior too personally.’

once they were all seated, dinner officially started. xingqiu and his family reached for different dishes depending on their acquired tastes. several servants walked in and out of the dining room, bringing in new trays and removing anything that took up too much space. chongyun himself played it safe, picking out what was most familiar to him: cold mountain noodles. it was bland, boring. predictable and unexciting. however, he couldn’t care less. he didn’t dare being experimental, especially tonight in front of people he was planning to impress.  

“thank you for allowing me into your home.” he began, albeit uselessly. they were already pass this point of a conversation. chongyun internally cringed at his own lack of words.

xingqiu’s father looked up from his plate, meeting his eyes in a calculated stare. “you’re more than welcome, chongyun. i hope you feel better than you look. it’s an unspoken privilege to be in the presence of the main family of the feiyun commerce guild. in most cases, one would have to go through a six month registration process to even squeeze into my sons’ schedules, what more mine.” his voice was clear, a little baritone with perfect enunciation. it was gravelly, yet pleasant to the ears. it was firm in a way similar to his wife.

chongyun quickly nodded his head in acknowledgement. “i’m fully aware of my circumstances, sir. i believe there is much to discuss, the first item being my relationship with your second son xingqiu.”

“i’ve heard. it caught me off guard,” he admitted, stealing a glance between them. his father put his chopsticks down and folded his arms, staring at chongyun dead in the eye. “i’m a bit disappointed in you, tianheng.”

it was silent for a moment. fenhua and his mother exchanged knowing looks.

“i would like to apologize for not reaching out to you sooner.” he continued, his voice sincere. if he were still a young boy, a faulty exorcist and a hatchling with nothing to his name, chongyun would keep his head low. he would fiddle with his thumbs and shroud his figure, unable to compete with the more dominant presence. but he wasn’t a little kid anymore. “i got carried away with myself and pursued a relationship with him before discussing it prior. however, considering my close friendship with him since childhood and my equal loyalty to the guild as with my own clan, i would to ask that you respect us as individuals and as a couple.”

“i’m not looking for your approval. i understand why you may think i’m not a good fit for xingqiu, and in a way i agree. i wholeheartedly believe that he deserves the world, yet there are things i may not be able to give him. somewhere out there, there is someone who does have the capabilities to give him everything he wants and needs, but i’m too selfish to let that happen. xingqiu is a wonderful person. i cherish him with all my heart, and nothing in my life compares to him.”

under the table, he felt xingqiu’s hand slip into his and squeeze it for reassurance. he glanced at him for a moment before catching his gentle expression, full of love and patience. 

“love can only take you so far. what will happen when you two are old and grey and dying? will you say the same then? what will you do when the guild collapses?”

“chongyun is a kind dragon and an even better person, father.” xingqiu pushed, “you have nothing to worry about when it comes to my health and offspring. what more, he is from an influential family with much to bring to the guild; connections, materials, he has travelled all over teyvat.” xingqiu was all too familiar with his father’s concerns. if it were too easy, he would’ve been betrothed to chongyun a long time ago, but that wasn’t the case. luckily, xingqiu knew where to hit. 

his father didn’t say anything, only looking between the two men pointedly. chongyun’s jaw was tight. it was nearly impossible to tell what xingqiu’s father was thinking about. the only thing he heard was the ringing in his ears accompanied by the obnoxious grandfather clock down the room. ‘is this how businessmen felt whenever they spoke with him about commerce? is this the look he gave before rejecting them?’ their mingled hands grew warm and sweaty and borderline uncomfortable. 

by the grace of the gods, fenhua piped in. “i think we should let them be. chongyun has never shown any ill intentions towards us or xingqiu after all. if anything, he has done more than what we bargained for. i doubt there is anyone else in teyvat who can handle xingqiu’s antics the way chongyun can.” although chongyun was never close with the eldest son, it was moments like this where he can truly appreciate his company. his mother hummed in agreement.

“i concur. at this point in his life, xingqiu is more than capable of deciding for himself,” he felt xingqiu’s hand tremble at his mother’s words, “i have observed their bond since childhood, and i cannot fathom how deeply it runs between them. there is no one else to trust if not chongyun.” 

despite his overwhelming presence, chongyun no longer felt small beside xingqiu’s father. happiness welled up inside him, spreading across his chest and towards the apples of his cheeks. 

there was a strange comfort in this situation, chongyun thought. it was an odd feeling; like finding solace on a ship in the middle of a storm. it filled him with dread that simmered in the pit of his stomach. yet the ship walls, the subtle approval of a mother and brother, did so much to protect him from the raging sea, from getting washed up by the waves and drowning under the weight of disapproving eyes.

from the way the corners of his lips wobbled, his eyes glossed over with beads of tears caught in his lashes, he knew xingqiu felt the same.

after several moments, his father stirred.

he stood up from his seat, alerting everyone in the room. chongyun’s stomach sunk. 

he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a pen and a thin slip of paper.

he grumbled, rolling his eyes and scribbling.

he carelessly folded it and tossed it at him. chongyun barely had the chance to catch it, untangling himself from xingqiu’s hand. upon opening it he realized it was a signature, big and illegible. 

“show that to the priest.” looking up, chongyun met his eyes. a clash between frost and hard amber. “i better not hear anything bad between you or my son.” muttering something under his breath, xingqiu’s father turned away and walked out of the room. 

the air tasted stale. it was his mother that made the next move. she followed suit and quietly came after him, not before ruffling their hair and whispering a sincere ‘congratulations’ between them. 

he looked down again at the signature in his hands, trembling from the adrenaline. his fists tightly closed around it, holding it close to his chest before smiling up at xingqiu. 

said man pulled him in for a tight hug, the second one this evening. “chongyun — archons — you’re mad. absolutely mad. i can’t believe you.” slim hands reached for his face and squeezed his cheeks. light frantic pecks littered his face before reaching his puckered lips. chongyun hardly registered what was happening, still recovering from the confrontation. slowly, he melted into the kiss, raising his arms and wrapping them around a thin waist, careful of the large mass of feathers behind it. the tender skin under his fingertips twitched slightly at his touch.

xingqiu pulled away, breathless. his lips parted, presumably to say something, but chongyun delved back into that heat with enough force to push him against the table. he squeaked, finding purchase on his firm arms. he couldn’t help his fingers slipping under the thin fabric and tracing light shapes across the supple skin of his thighs.

an awkward cough permeated through the sounds of smacking, prompting them to pull away at lightning speed. xingqiu turned his head first, catching sight of his older brother staring at them, traumatized.

“ gēge! ” his voice was shrill in a way chongyun didn’t expect, octaves higher than the phoenix’s usual inflection. still half lost in the haze, he sinfully thought how far he can push the songbird’s limits. “what are you still doing here!?” 

without a second thought, xingqiu grabbed the closest thing to him (a used table napkin) and threw it at his brother. 

fenhua ducked just in time. “now now,” he raised his arms in a defensive manner, “i was just going to give you both my blessing as well. how was i suppose to know you two were gonna lay it all out on the dinner table, which, by the way, i will not be eating off of from now on. anyway xingqiu, i’m willing to give you a few weeks off of guildwork so you two can—”

“ out ,” he seethed. 

poor guy didn’t need to be told twice. their privacy was promised after a soft click of the dining room door.

it was a shame the moment was ruined. chongyun slowly turned back to him, smoothing out the tangled feathers. for a second he thought he was crying from the way his shoulders shook and his head tilted downwards, but his concern was wiped away at the expression on xingqiu’s face. smiling softly, he cupped his face and gingerly caressed his cheek. 

“i’m proud of you. you never fail to surprise me every single day.”

"i was scared," chongyun admitted, nuzzling into his palm, "i wasn't sure if he was fine with us being together. i was scared he was going to separate us."

xingqiu snorted. “of course he would. you know how he is, awfully stubborn and full of himself. he knows how important you are to me, and he knows that i’m more than willing to cut all ties with the guild if he said no.”

“yeah yeah.” he playfully rolled his eyes. “you sound spoiled when you say stuff like that. would we elope and build a new life together somewhere else?” chongyun meant it as a joke, but a selfish part of him wanted an answer. 

a sweet warmth settled between them. it was slow, languid, lacing their bones and tender aches like honey. xingqiu leaned in one more time, sealing their lips together. a silent promise. a symbol of his devotion. “only for you.”