Work Text:
Once the clock hits 10, a young boy visits the cliff, sitting on a bench angled perfectly for you to see the bustling streets of liyue harbor. It's lights just faintly reaching him.
Everyday, especially when the moon is full and bright, he was seen there alone. Long gone was the inseparable pair that would stay there whenever the city was too crowded for their moods liking. There was only him left.
"Hey," he spoke. Voice soft with a tinge of sorrow.
"I hope you're there. I want to tell you how my day went."
...silence...
"It wasn't as fun as when you were still here. But Xiangling's been giving me different flavoured ice pops. And for the first time, none of them had any chilis!" he chuckled. He hovered his hands above the grass as his gaze moved from it to the moon. It was bright and beautifully surrounded by glittering stars.
"And then Yunjin visited. We've never really spoke, but she said Xinyan invited me to their concert. They were really kind." he recalled Xiangling joining him and just fangirling over Xinyan.
"I tried expanding my services more, you know? I've reached Sumeru. Apparently a bunch of them knew me, for some reason. I guess gossip do spread."
...
"Everywhere I go I'd hear people whisper to each other how sad I must be. Like 'what a poor boy...' I'd hear. It truly has been a month, but they aren't correct right? I'm not sad, not when I know you're still there..."
...
"...We'll still laugh, we can play around the beach..! Maybe even make sand castles together. I'll balance my yang energy and we wouldn't have to worry!" His eyes wide with hope and joyful plans for the future.
"We can sing songs at night! Right here, on this hill. Looking at... the moon. I'd get to hear your voice again."
...
"I mean, they said never lose hope so... so.."
Chongyuns voice hitched, and then faded into low sobs and hiccups. If anyone had passed by they'd think he was crazy. Talking to himself, pausing every now and then as if someone was replying.
But obviously, no one was. No one would climb till the top of the cliff when they were already so close to the harbor. Why climb right? Right. That's why it was their get-away. But it was. It was when they still existed. Now it's just his.
He guides his head back up to the moon, eyes scanning the view.
"You may no longer be in this world but, I know you're somewhere out there." he sniffed "..somewhere far away,"
Either it was his tears or just imagination, but he saw as if the moon shone brighter.
"They say I've gone mad. Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. But wherever you are... you're looking at the same moon, maybe even listening. To whatever it is I'm saying" he let out a laugh. If Xingqiu indeed was hearing him, what would he tell him..?
"Kinda hoping you're on the other side, maybe talking to me too."
Cold wind suddenly passed him, the grass swaying with his hair as he rubbed his hands on his arms, pulling his knees close together and up the bench. His chin was now resting on his knees, his smile shattered into a frown and then doubt and tears came, "Unless.. heh. Unless I am just a fool. A fool who sits alone talking to the moon."