Chapter Text
Under the mountain, in a cave behind a waterfall, Feng Xin watched Mu Qing meditate. This detention—the first of many, many more—forced them to talk.
Deep under Taicang Mountain the detained youths sat in silence within a cave behind a waterfall. Seals placed upon the walls locked them inside. The soft glowing plants and amber lighting of the torches by the sealed gate gave light. Mu Qing meditated; Feng Xin watched him. It had been several days since their incident and there would still be several more after.
A month in solitary confinement—a minimal punishment considering the damage they’d caused. Guoshi healed their wounds and placed a temporary shackle on their bodies. As Feng Xin had no spiritual power, it only reduced his physical prowess and caused his energy levels and stamina to be reduced significantly. Mu Qing, now powerless, continued to practice his cultivation routine even in the darkness.
As Feng Xin stared into the stygian black waters, he remembered that Xie Lian had told him he would still take care of them. How the tears burned a silvery fire in his eyes as he stared into the stygian black water. He betrayed Xie Lian’s trust, and he hurt him. He was a disgrace.
His temper had always been short-fused and there was never a moment that he was agreeable with Mu Qing. It was impulsive and reckless to fight and dishonor the prince. Xie Lian had given him everything when he was nothing.
Had Xie Lian been any other prince, Feng Xin and Mu Qing would have been discharged from their positions and quite possibly forced to live out their days apart from him. But Xie Lian was Xie Lian, and he had an abundance of wisdom for his age. Instead of throwing his attendants out, he was able to convince Guoshi that spending time to reflect on their actions would serve as a just punishment. His royal influence did not sway Guoshi because he was pleading like a servant, whining like a child, or forceful because of his rank. Xie Lian was honest and gave evidence that this detention would suffice.
“ Dianxia ,” Feng Xin said before they went below the mountain, “Forgive me.”
Xie Lian gave him a pained smile. In their hearts, both were still ripping at the seams like vessels bound to break because they were too full. It would not do for either to bear it any longer. This gap in time would keep them apart absolutely.
A creeping thought in Feng Xin’s mind told him that perhaps the prince couldn’t bear to speak to him still. How long would he be able to stand the silence? Heartbreak was a heavy burden and it gripped Feng Xin’s throat and settled in the lines of his brow. Feng Xin thought about an entire month apart from Xie Lian. He wanted to yell, so he did.
He yelled a guttural cry, ruining the stillness of the water by pounding it with his fists.
Mu Qing cursed at him, “What are you yelling for?”
Feng Xin only yelled more.
“Stop throwing a tantrum. You’re not a child.” Mu Qing shouted.
“Why the fuck do you care.” Feng Xin shouted back.
“I don’t care. I just happen to be locked in here with you so if you could continue on with your brooding, I’d much prefer that to your howling, dog .”
“Fuck you. Stop calling me that.”
“Then stop acting like one.” Mu Qing tilted his head and there was a glint in his eyes as if he was challenging Feng Xin again. If they fought under the mountain they were surely going to be removed. “Have a little respect for yourself.”
Feng Xin groaned. Mu Qing rolled his eyes. Neither were able to fight with the shackles.
The days passed with no more upsets. They received their meals each day and had no visitors. As their eyes adjusted to the dark, Feng Xin found crystals within the cave. He displayed them near his bed and sometimes would show Mu Qing who would turn them over in his hand and appreciate the beauty and then hand it back to him. They wouldn’t admit it, but one might say they were getting along.
Mei Nianqing visited them on their last day.
"Act like that again and I will have no choice but to report you both to the king.” He spoke sternly but softly. “His highness is my student, and you are his disruptions. Distracting him from his training and cultivation will fog his mind and might cause him to stumble on his path. You are to be silent and to do your duties. He is going to be mightier than all the earth one day. Do not get in the way.”
They understood. They knew their place.
They were released that night. There was a full moon, and she was bright—significantly more so since they’d been in the dark for a month. Wind was something Feng Xin didn’t realize he missed at all and there was a soft breeze that kissed his cheeks and carried his hair, now grown shoulder length, with it. Mei Nianqing removed their shackles and then led them back. Though Feng Xin and Mu Qing did not expect Xie Lian, they hoped they might see him as soon as possible.
Mu Qing allowed a soft glow to emanate from his palm since the shackle was now removed and Feng Xin felt the shroud over his body lift. It felt like the first stretch in the morning. He could now move without feeling sluggish and sense his surroundings better. It had been a month, and though he drilled in the cave and exercised, he would surely be out of practice.
It had been a long time since he’d worked hard enough to sweat. He was no longer angry, but he was restless, so Feng Xin went to the training grounds. It felt like he was being pulled in as he walked. He assumed it was the feeling of being free and away from Mu Qing’s face finally that had him excited enough that he broke into a run. His body responded and his blood was pumping.
Mu Qing had not offered any consolation for Feng Xin’s broken heart while they were under the mountain, but Feng Xin had used that time to heal what had hurt. The distance and the determination helped him focus on keeping Xie Lian on his path. Indeed, like Guoshi said, he would not get in the way. There was no abyss that could drag Xie Lian down, but should he get caught along this path, Feng Xin would be there.
***
Time stops when you see the love of your life, they say.
Feng Xin’s relief turned quickly to something sharper. Once he arrived, there was no one but Xie Lian practicing. Feng Xin watched from the distance as Xie Lian whipped his sword in a lethal dance. Xie Lian’s sword cut through the air as if a god were cutting through the earth to shape its form for the rivers to flow through the land . His robes were draped over a railing, leaving only his pants and boots on.
Seventeen years old and though he still looked like a youth, his body was solid and lithe. Xie Lian repeated his drills, with each honing his strikes and aim and swings. His hair was tied back in a long braid and the rope of hair would swish like a whip on his head. Feng Xin could see the sweat dripping down his chest and back, but Xie Lian didn’t seem to be out of breath. This prince had full control of his body and mind now.
Feng Xin could only watch--the desire to move his own body completely subdued by what he was seeing. Or perhaps not.
He went into the armory quietly and picked up a sword and from within watched Xie Lian’s movements and mimicked him. Though his body was stockier and not nearly as graceful, studying a young master in the moonlight would harm no one. If anything, Xie Lian would delight in it since he took pride in his abilities so. He was quite cheeky when it came to his sword skills and like any young, bright star he burned with an effervescent passion for what he was good at and looked to see if anyone was watching him.
And of course, there were watchers. He was the prince, and he was beautiful, and he was loved.
“You can come out now,” He called. Feng Xin froze, not realizing Xie Lian knew he was there.
“ Dianxia ,” Feng Xin answered faintly, feeling like he needed to hide. But he didn’t. He would never hide from Xie Lian.
He walked out and stood away from him. So beautiful , Feng Xin thought as his eyes couldn’t help but look at all of Xie Lian in front of him. It was probably equivalent to a husband seeing his bride on their wedding night . He couldn’t look away for fear the prince would disappear before his eyes.
“It’s good to see you.” Xie Lian said, smiling his soft smile as he walked towards Feng Xin.
“ Dianxia , I did not want to disturb you.” Feng Xin bowed. He wanted to apologize as well. He opened his mouth to speak, and Xie Lian met his lips with his own.
Feng Xin felt like he could cry. Why was he kissing him?
Xie Lian pressed his hand against Feng Xin and slowly pushed him back into the railing where Xie Lian’s robes were. Feng Xin couldn’t figure out where to put his hands, but he was not about to break this moment. Xie Lian was feverishly kissing now, and Feng Xin was losing himself in the sweetness all over again. The prince took his hands over Feng Xin’s, and placed them on the skin of his waist. It was smooth and soft, supple and addicting.
Feng Xin was returning the kisses harder now as his hands rubbed and gripped onto Xie Lian. All Feng Xin could think about was how small his waist was in his hands. He pulled them closer together, Xie Lian no doubt feeling Feng Xin’s hard cock. What surprised him most was that Xie Lian’s palm touched him there.
Xie Lian pulled away and breathlessly asked, “Is this alright?”
“Yes,” Feng Xin kissed him and groaned as Xie Lian used his hand to grind down.
Anyone could see them, but Feng Xin didn’t care. Xie Lian had spent the entire month considering what this would mean, no doubt. He wanted this. He still wanted Feng Xin.
So, Feng Xin took it all in.
He would not be there in the morning when Mu Qing came, but Feng Xin spent the moonlight hours in Xie Lian’s bed. To see Xie Lian on his knees looking up with want and a pliant mouth must have been a dream. Feng Xin had never touched himself before, so this experience was all new and he’d nearly forgotten who he was and more importantly who was bobbing his head and taking him all in so well.
“Xie Lian,” he moaned when he finally came. He’d never spoken the prince’s name before. He slid off the bed, Xie Lian still sitting between his legs and kissed him, tasting himself on the prince’s lips.
Xie Lian was still a virgin. He assured Feng Xin that this meant more to him than physical pleasure. Intimacy for him took the form of laying upon Feng Xin’s chest and falling asleep.
“You’ve protected me for so long, but I’ve never felt safer than in your arms.” Xie Lian whispered just as he drifted off to sleep.
Feng Xin kissed his brow and sighed.
He didn’t want to leave this bed.
But he did.
And they both woke up alone.