#xingming

Congratulations for making it to the end!

Wouldn't you like to read something unique? Something that was never done before?

I wanna read the fic already, I don't need to read your long-winded pitch

You may have guessed it already, because I didn't exactly make it very difficult. But I have for you, adventurer who has made it through this long (five steps) and arduous (you had to scroll down) journey, a suggestion, or perhaps a reward, if you are so inclined.

This weary (it's 3am) and old (perhaps if we believe in reincarnation) wanderer has written a piece of fanfiction. It is unrelated to this generic medieval videogame-inspired monologue I found myself in, but very dear to my heart nonetheless. I'm sure an adventurer as brave (that much is true if you read until here, no need to jest) and clever (should I flatter both of us and say that this is also true?) as you could piece it together by themselves but it's a Freminet x Gaming x Xingqiu x Chongyun (FreXingMingYun) (why is there only one type of blue) fic, a ship that, to the best of my knowledge, I invented. It is yet unfinished but there are seven chapters already available for your perusal.

I don't need more convincing, pls give me the fic already

Just ponder its recipe for a moment...

First, you take Xingyun, already a well-known and established ship in the fandom.

Then you add Gaming, an energetic and sincere young man from the same region. Not an uncommon idea if you don't want to decide between Xingyun and ChongMing.

Now it's getting a bit tricky. For this, you are either very fond of Freminet, or you think singular dynamics would be very interesting. Gaminet is not an unpopular ship for both Freminet and Gaming. FremiYun has been garnering attention for featuring two awkward Cryo boys. FreXing has not yet reached much of any popularity (I was the first in its tag too) but just imagine the potential of two story-lovers with a heightened sense of justice.

Now, mix them all together. And this is what you'll have: A fic that focuses on the individual relationships between Freminet and Gaming, Chongyun and Xingqiu each while also showcasing their relationship as a whole and not forgetting about the relationship between Gaming, Chongyun and Xingqiu each.

Okay, yes, I got it. The fic, please?

Additional features include:

Teaching a self-loathing character about love

Lyney, Lynette and Freminet being loving siblings

Xinyan x Yun Jin cameo, Hu Tao x Yanfei cameo, ZhongChi mentions

Thought Experiment: What if Freminet (plus Lyney and Lynette) came to Liyue (they alr did during the 4.4 Lantern Rite which is why the fic is set during that time)

A love letter to Freminet's character, Liyue's world building, Fontaine's underwater world and socially awkward characters everywhere

Dear adventurer. If you're somehow reading this, uhm, well, I'm sorry, first of all. That you had to read all of this. I tried my hand at an elaborate pitch because I thought it would be funny and if you're here, it must have worked at least once. If this pitch interested you at all, I'd love for you to check out "The Sun, Moon, Stars and Their Sea" and if you come from here, it'd be so funny if you could let me know because I wanna know if this is like effective whatsoever (not that it'd stop me lmao).

You may have reached the end of this post, but this may be the beginning of yet another journey. Hope to see you soon!

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.