Chapter Text
It was another day in February, where the breeze was pleasant and the sun was warm. The trees of the Teyvat Middle School’s campus were just about to sprout its green.
"Hi, Razor!" Bennett smiled as he greeted Razor
"Hey" Razor returned.
They were best friends in school. You would always see them together, the only time you would see them separated was when they had a fight, which wouldn't last long. Their classmates always liked to ship them together, teasing them that they were couples. And, well, they're kind of half right...
Bennett had liked Razor since two years ago when they first became friends. He was so cute, especially when he would frown in a concerned look. After they had become best friends, Razor had always cared for him, always holding him up when he was down.
He always considered confessing; maybe Razor had liked him too. But everytime he thought of it, it always came to this: what if he confessed but didn't get Razor’s liking? Would they stop being friends? Bennett was worried that it wouldn’t go well, and he didn’t want to lose their friendship. So everytime, Bennett decided against it.
Once again he slipped into his thoughts. Razor waved his hand in front of his face, with his eyes wide. Gosh he’s so cute… Bennett thought.
Razor asked, "Benny, are you okay?"
"Oh uhm, yeah. W-Why?" His eyes came back in focus.
"Your face was scrunched up…"
"Oh uh, I was thinking…"
"Hmm, I don’t know what you’re thinking but… cream puff?" A puff appeared in Razor’s hand.
"Since when did you have this?" Bennett asked, surprised.
He took a bite, the vanilla cream filling oozing into his mouth. "Mmm! It’s good!" He blurted out with his mouth full.
Razor winked, "Told you!"
And of course the bell had to ring.
The first lesson was English, or more specifically, English literature.
It was the windblume festival, a season of freedom and love. So, naturally, the teacher decided they would be writing a love poem. A perfect opportunity for an indirect confession, Bennett thought.
He scrunched his whole brain to think of the best and most romantic lines. He wasn’t the best at poem writing, but he did have a poetry class from Mr. Venti last summer.
This was the best he could do:
You and the Mare Jivari
So far yet so close
One at the edge of the world
The other at the centre of my heart
Wolfhook and dandelion
My windblume offering to you
“Hey, Razor, you like it?” Bennett asked Razor.
“Yeah! Never knew u could do poetry.” Razor exclaimed in response.
“It’s for you.”
“What? Oh, yeah whatever haha…” Razor waved his hands and laughed.
Bennett’s heart sank. He didn’t take it seriously. He thought it was a joke. He probably only likes me as a friend.
“Wait, no, I- ah I mean yeah, haha…” Bennett faked a laugh, his voice filled with hurt.
“Benny, is there something on your mind? I could help you.” Razor asked, his voice ever so soft and warm. He put a hand on Bennett’s shoulder caringly, trying to comfort him.
“No! I don’t need your care. You’re always caring about this and that, it’s so annoying!” Bennett spat out, pushing Razor’s hand away and turning back to his own classwork paper.
Razor was taken aback by his sudden hostility, “I- I’m sorry if I did anything that hurt you.”
“You should be!”
And then they sat silent for an hour straight, no one talking to each other.
Razor had been puzzled by Bennett’s anger, but the more he thought of it, the more he understood.
He traced his thoughts back to an hour ago, when Bennett had just completed the love poem.
He has said that the poem had been for him. He had taken it as a joke, but what if Bennett meant it seriously? Maybe that was his way to saying that he loved him?
No, it can’t be, Bennett’s a straightforward person, he would never use these ways to confess, would he? Maybe he was just not brave enough to say it out loud. That would explain the anger and disappointment.
Just as he was scrambled in his own thoughts, the bell rang, signaling for the first recess.
Bennett pulled him into a corner, "Hey, umm Razor, I- I'm sorry about this morning…"
"It’s okay, I forgive you. But still, could you tell me what made you mad? I could maybe be more aware of it next time." Razor put a hand on his shoulder, but took it back as he realized he might not like the action.
"I- Can I not, I don't really want to talk about it..." Bennett looked down at the floor tiles.
He nodded, "Water?" He handed him a bottle.
Bennett sipped some water, "Wait, have you drunk this before?"
Razor thought for a while, and laughed,"Oh, whoops."
He could’ve sworn he saw a little smile on Bennett’s face.
The next day, they had a soccer lesson. They had to split into two teams, and unfortunately the teacher split Razor and Bennett into different teams.
As they were running around the field, laughing and kicking the ball around, Razor accidentally kicked the ball right into Bennett’s leg, right at the centre of the bone. He crumbled down instantly, curling into a ball and holding his leg. He saw that his face was scrunched in pain, and his tears were just narrowly held back.
Razor ran over instantly, holding Bennett up. He noted the teacher, and carried him to the emergency room.
Along the way, Razor kept mumbling, "I'm so sorry Benny. I’m so sorry."
Benny had already fainted in pain by the time Razor reached the emergency room. "Barbara, I… I kicked the ball into… into his leg…'' Razor panted.
He watched helplessly as Barbara, the nurse, worked on his leg. He wanted to help, but didn't want to make the fracture worse.
After almost an hour, Bennett woke up. "Razor? Wait, where am I?" He gazed around, his eyes unfocused.
"You're awake! The emergency room. I- um, kicked tthe ball into your leg remember?" Razor looked down, brows frowning, a relieved look on his face.
Bennett trying sitting up. "Lie down, you're hurt. Here, water." Razor pushed him down gently.
Bennett poured some water down his throat, and glanced at the fractured leg.
"Can you help me up?" Bennett asked.
"Okay, here," Razor held out a hand.
Bennett stumbled. "Woah! Hey there, sit down first, I'm gonna get you a walking stick."
One hand on the walking stick, in hand holding Razor’s arm, they slowly walked one step by another.
Barbara, the nurse, was just coming in. "Hey, Benny, I would advise you to sit down for now, still got some checking to do."
As he sat back down, Barbara checked his leg bone, Bennett yelping at times.
At last, Barbara said, "Done! This walking stick you can keep it for now. Be careful!"
Once again, they both walked step by step, as Razor held Bennett all the way home.
The next day, and a few more days after, Razor went to Bennett's place to help him to school everyday. Bennett repeatedly refused the help, but Razor always said,"I took your shoes and now you're hurt, of course I need to make up for it."
He was obviously still guilty for it, however much Bennett said that it wasn't his fault.
But still, selfishly, and secretly, Bennett was happy that he could be with Razor every morning.
During the weekend, either by coincidence of fate, both boys' parents had to go out, one on a honeymoon, another on a business trip. So, Bennett decided to call Razor over to some fun.
He had hoped that they could have the whole Saturday, but Razor has classes in the morning, so they instead promised to have a movie night, where Razor would come over to Bennett's place.
As time closed in to 6pm, Bennett lay on the sofa, staring at the clock, as one second rolled on to another. It felt like forever, even though it has only been a minute.
Finally, after what seemed like a millennia, a "ding" sounded off in the direction of the door. Bennett was at it in an instant.
"Hey, Razor!" Bennett pulled him in.
Bennett rushed to get some water, some chips, some popcorn, and everything else he could think of.
"Benny, what should we watch?" Razor turned around to ask.
"You decide. I don't have anything on the list"
"Lemme see, oh I have that one horror movie series I always wanted to watch. You're okay with watching horror movies, right?" Razor suggested.
Benny trembled at the suggestion. He hated horror movies. But he didn't want to say no if Razor wanted to.
"Y-yeah, I'm, uh, in fact, I-I like horror movies." Bennett replied, trying to act brave.
"You sure?"
"Yeah!" Bennett answered, a bit too fast.
It was dark in the room. They originally were sitting in the living room, with big TV. But as Bennett got scared, they moved into Bennett's room, and sat on the bed, tucked into the covers. They had the lights off, and with the outside deep in the night, the only light came from the TV.
Throughout the night, Bennett hugged tight to Razor. Razor didn't mind, he liked being close to Bennett. He was so warm and cuddly. In turn, Razor put his arm on Bennett's shoulder, comforting him, while feeling his warmth. Razor also liked how Bennett would bury his face into him when the scenes got so scary even Razor himself didn't dare watch. If people had no idea, they might even think they were couples.
Razor hoped they were.
At some points, there would be jump scares. Bennett would scream so loud people in Mare Jivari could hear him. If it weren't for Razor’s hand on his shoulder, he would have hit his head on the ceiling. Razor would whisper into his ear, "Hey, don't be scared, I'm here."
Bennett lifted his head," Razor… can you maybe… sleep with me tonight? I-I'm scared."
Razor would never give up a chance to be with a boy he had liked since they met.
"Uhm, yeah, o-okay" Razor felt his cheeks heat up, "Are you sure though? I move a lot when I sleep."
Bennett nodded, and buried his face into Razor even more.
Razor couldn't sleep. He just couldn't. His mind was full of Bennett, who was sleeping peacefully beside him. He studied Bennett closely, searching the lines on his face. He never noticed the little scar on the bridge of his nose. Must be from a childhood accident. The scent of dandelion floated from Bennett's ash-gray hair. Ever so sweet, ever so beautiful. He edged toward Bennett, self conscious of how close they were. He looped an arm around Bennett, and kissed his hair gently.
As if in response to his kiss, Bennett started to shudder. He seemed to sit up a bit, and Razor thought he heard his name.
Bennett panted "Razor, help me." over and over. He was clearly having a nightmare.
Razor shook Bennett, trying to take him away from the nightmare. With one high-pitched scream, Bennett's eyes snapped open.
"Benny, Benny, I'm here, don't worry," Razor comforted him.
Bennett stopped looking around frantically, and stopped his eyes on Razor. "Can you get me a cup of water?" Bennett asked, his voice trembling.
Razor started to roll off the side of the bed, but Bennett held him back. "Actually, just don't go, I'm scared, be here with me."
"Okay, don't be scared, no monsters or anything is gonna come, only I'm here." Razor held Bennett tight, and pulled the covers higher, as Bennett curled into a ball.
With the room back to silence, Razor softly kissed the back of Bennett's head, and put a hand around his waist, pulling him in. Bennett turned, and even in the darkness, Razor knew he was smiling.
The next day, their parents were still out, so they had another day of fun.
"Had a good night's sleep?" Razor asked, as the first ray of sunlight shone through the gaps on the curtains, "That is, except the nightmare you had. Shouldn't have watched a horror movie." He added with a chuckle.
"Can't have a bad night with you around." Bennett replied, looking up to Razor.
He felt over the moon to be with Razor, for the whole night even.
Razor’s skin was golden with the sunlight, and his gray hair turned silver under the beautiful morning's light. Looking up to him, he almost looked like an angel.
"Hello? You're staring." Razor mumbled.
"How can I not stare? You look fabulous under the sun." Bennet flirted.
"Hmm, never knew you were so flirty." Razor raised an eyebrow.
"Anyyywayyy, what should we do today?" Razor asked, changing the topic.
"Dandelion fields?" Bennett suggested," It beautiful there."
"Okay, wait, gotta wash up."
By the time the boys finished packing, the sun had already risen all the way.
They walked side by side, occasionally Bennett would touch Razor’s hand, and they would look at each other embarrassed.
"Here we are! It’s beautiful, isn't it?" Razor exclaimed.
"Not as beautiful as you." Bennett chuckled.
"Aww, stop with the flirting already." Razor replied, cheeks reddening.
They set up camp between the dandelions, both boys lying on the mat.
"The sky is so beautiful, a clear blue, no clouds in any direction." Bennett said.
"Yeah, and the birds chirping." Razor replied.
They walked to the edge of the starsnatch cliff, the beautiful city of Monstadt stretching below them.
As they stood by the cliff, Razor grabbed Bennett's face, and put his lips to Bennett's. Bennett seemed to melt inside, filled with joy, he closed his eyes as he wrapped his hands around Razor.
The dazzling sunlight illuminated the lush grass, the refreshing wind blew across the first signs of spring, the scent of the dandelions became sweeter, and the birds chirped their beautiful song, but nothing felt as good as Razor. He didn't want time to pass, he wanted to stay at this moment, forever.
Finally, Razor pulled away, gasping for breath, like a fish above water.
Bennett picked a dandelion from grass. As if in sync, they blew on it at the same time, its seeds floating freely into the orange sunset.
As the last of the sun hid behind the hills of the farlands, Bennett and Razor dove off the cliff, and glided off into the sunset.