#jiaming

Xingqiu remembers getting sick a lot as a child. In fact, he was sick so often, his parents were convinced that he was cursed by a vengeful spirit, and took him all across Teyvat to receive the blessings of every Archon. That is, until they were told that he, in fact, was not cursed. He just has a poor immune system.

Hence why he is now laying in bed, his head pounding, face flushed, and chest tight. He lets out a whine as Chongyun strokes his hair, his other hand resting atop Xingqiu’s forehead, using his vision to cool him down. At least a little. “Cho-cho..” he murmurs, closing his eyes and trying to rest. If he can’t sleep, maybe just closing his eyes will do him some good.

“Yes, Xingqiu?” Chongyun leans down to peck his cheekbone, tilting his head, a worried look painting his face. Xingqiu takes a deep breath. “Thank you.. And Gaming. I really appreciate you two taking care of me like this.”

Just before Chongyun is able to console Xingqiu and tell him that it’s really no bother at all, that’s what they’re there for, Gaming returns to the room with a pot of soup. Broth, to be specific, but with their resident bookworm sick, who’s going to correct them on that? “Xingqiu! It’s our job to take care of you. Shhhh,” Gaming scolds lightly, earning a smile from Chongyun and a giggle from Xingqiu. “Okay, okay.. But still, thank you.”

Gaming rolls his eyes. He sits down on the bed next to Chongyun, who helps Xingqiu up into a sitting position. A pillow is placed behind him to make it a little easier, and more comfortable. Gaming sets the pot on the dumb bed tray that Xingqiu insisted on buying for himself. Well, he guesses it’s coming in handy now, at least. He scoops up a spoonful and guides it to Xingqiu’s mouth, and he giggles at Gaming. “I appreciate your dedication, my dragon, but I’m not a little kid, I can-” He’s cut off by Gaming simply slipping the spoon into his mouth, a smirk upon his lips as Xingqiu shuts up and takes it. Chongyun snickers a little. “...Okay, fine, you two can feed me,” the sick Hydro user mutters, a slight blush upon his otherwise pale cheeks.

The broth is nice, a little spicier than expected for Gaming’s supposed “magic home cure”. Scratch that, it’s completely expected for Gaming- Xingqiu is surprised it isn’t spicier than it is. Chongyun seems a little curious to try it, so he dips a finger into the warm mixture and tastes it. His eyes widen and he quickly realises he needs something to compensate, so he gets up to go to the kitchen, much to Xingqiu’s despair. The broth is working to making him feel less sick, but it’s also making him sleepy, and a sleepy Xingqiu is a clingy Xingqiu. “Nooo.. Cho-cho..” he whines, but Gaming manages to distract him with more broth, leaving a light kiss on his cheek. “Shh, Cho-cho will be back soon, okay, tián xīn? Don’t worry.”

Xingqiu sighs and nods, and as soon as Gaming puts the mostly empty pot aside, he curls up under the blankets. Only his eyes and the top of his head are peeking out, and Gaming can’t help but smile at the sight. “What, baby? What is it?” He teases, reaching over to ruffle Xingqiu’s hair. He can’t see the devious grin creeping across Xingqiu’s face.

That is, until his arm is seized and he’s tugged under the blankets. He yelps in surprise, which elicits a delighted laugh from Xingqiu. “You’ve fallen into my trap!” He exclaims, holding Gaming tightly.

The two then hide and wait for Chongyun to re-enter the room.

“...You guys know I can see you under the blankets, right? Unless you set up pillows to look like you.” Xingqiu curses to himself as Chongyun approaches. Setting up pillows like that would’ve been a really good idea. The two stay silent, trying not to giggle as they hear Chongyun walk over to the bed.

He sits down.

Gaming wraps his arms around his waist.

He is swept under the blanket, a similar yelp to Gaming’s escaping him as he’s smothered in the embrace of the two other boys. “Ah-! Gaming!” He can’t help but laugh as Gaming and Xingqiu start laughing too. Except Xingqiu does look close to knocking out.