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Huang Shaotian liked to think of himself as being good at giving advice. While people rarely came to him asking for advice, he was certain that if someone did come to him with a problem, he’d be able to solve it easily. So, when Yu Wenzhou came to him with a confession, Shaotian jumped at the chance to show that he could give good advice.
Yu Wenzhou rarely had problems. Typically, most of the issues in his life were caused by Huang Shaotian being unable to keep his mouth shut in front of the press or Ye Xiu was stirring up a fuss in Glory again. Most of time however, he was able to live his life without much drama. Unfortunately, this all changed when he realised something about himself. He’d fallen in love with one of his closest friends, Xiao Shiqin. They’d met near the end of season three and they were now well into season nine. Six years they’d known each other, and Wenzhou couldn’t pinpoint the moment he fell in love, but he knew full well what he was feeling. So, he turned to the only person he felt he could ask about this: his vice-captain.
“You came to the right person captain, I’m certain that I can help you make Shiqin fall in love with you. We’ve known him for so long, surely we know him well enough to get him to fall in love with you as well. You should romance him captain! Show him that you are capable of romantic feelings because many people think you’re more like a robot than anything else but then Shiqin knows you well so he probably doesn’t believe that. You should give him nice things to eat! What are those weird fancy French things he’s always talking about? You know those ones that he talked about in that interview that are really sweet?” Shaotian trailed off for a moment, mulling the question over in his mind for a long time before it came back to him. “Macaroons! That’s what I was thinking of! Shiqin is always talking about how great those are so I’m sure if you get him some of those he’ll fall in love with you at once!”
Yu Wenzhou blinked rapidly a couple of times, trying to process the barrage of words that had just spilled out of his vice-captain’s mouth. Shaotian looked like an eager puppy, bouncing in place as he waited for his captain to respond. He was certain that he’d just given some wonderful advice and that Wenzhou just needed a moment to come to terms with how brilliant his words were.
“You think I should get Shiqin gifts?” Shaotian nodded his head firmly, completely convinced of his own genius.
“Yes, a great way to get someone to like you is to show them how much you like them! Shiqin is really smart, though not as smart as you captain, and if you give him gifts then he’ll realise your feelings in no time!” Wenzhou hummed pensively, Shaotian’s advice was solid, making perfect sense and eventually he nodded.
“You’re right Shaotian, if I give Shiqin gifts he’ll realise my feelings. Thank you for your help.” Shaotian managed to keep him composure until he was certain that Wenzhou was out of earshot before he exploded with glee. Jumping up from his bed and grinning, he’d been aware that his captain had been pining over Excellent Era’s new vice-captain for a long while and he got to help them get together!
“I really am good at advice.” He thought smugly to himself and the rest of his teammates wondered why their vice-captain so pleased when Wenzhou left him to handle their training.
“How stressful,” Zheng Xuan sighed out, knowing that whenever Shaotian was left unsupervised he simply yelled insults from the front of the room. Without his captain, Shaotian was a…colourful presence in the room and Blue Rain’s members sighed along with their spitfire, placing their headphones on but knowing this wouldn’t drown out Shaotian’s words.
Meanwhile, unaware of the suffering that his teammates were experiencing, Wenzhou was wandering through Excellent Era’s halls, not sure where he could find Shiqin at this time. Xinjie was always much easier to track down, he sent his schedule to all his close friends in order to “ensure optimal communication” as he liked to put it. Shiqin did not have a schedule that was set in stone however and this led to Wenzhou looking a little lost as he wandered haplessly through Excellent Era’s hallways, hoping to bump into someone who could point him in the right direction.
Eventually, his aimless wandering led to him meeting Su Mucheng who offered him a bright smile and quick incline of her head. She wasn’t dressed in her uniform and Wenzhou decided that he was likely not interrupting their training then. He opened his mouth to speak but Mucheng beat him to the punch, eyes bright with mischief and Wenzhou had the sinking sensation that the other player could see right through him and knew why he was there. The sensation was disconcerting.
“You’re here to see Shiqin right? He’ll be in his room, I’ll take you there.” Wenzhou nodded, smile on his lips and Mucheng wondered if she could press a little further, get a little more information out of him. “Do you have something to discuss with Shiqin?” To her delight, Wenzhou’s cheeks actually reddened, a flush spreading across his skin under her expectant gaze.
“Well- I just wanted- Shaotian suggested-“ Experiencing the typically composed and calm captain devolving into flustered spluttering was remarkably satisfying and Mucheng felt no need to cut in and save Wenzhou from his own inability to talk. “I got him a gift and wanted to give it to him in person, he’s always liked macaroons, so I left Shaotian to oversee training and-”
“You left Shaotian in charge of training?” Mucheng watched as the red drained out of Wenzhou’s face as he was abruptly reminded of how Shaotian liked to run his training sessions.
“…I’m sure it’s fine.”
“You bought Shiqin macaroons?” Wenzhou felt extremely exposed under Mucheng’s stare and he clutched the bakery box tighter as her eyes raked over him, seemingly searching for something in his face. At the smile that spread across her face, he hoped she was happy with what she’d seen and she knocked loudly on the door until Shiqin called for them to enter. Before the door opened, Mucheng’s hand was on his wrist, tight and threatening though the smile didn’t slip off her face.
“I don’t think I need to voice what will happen if you hurt him do I captain Yu?” Wenzhou shook his head, throat working to swallow around his sudden terror. Mucheng’s smile was bright and knowing as she walked away and Wenzhou took a breath to compose himself before he faced Shiqin.
Excellent Era’s vice-captain was sitting at his desk, scribbling away in his notebook but he glanced up and when he noticed Wenzhou his lips curved up into a smile and Blue Rain’s captain could help mirror the smile, happy to see his friend again. Since Excellent Era was relegated he hadn’t seen the other player due to them being in different leagues.
“It’s nice to see you Wenzhou, is there a particular occasion?” Shiqin watched in surprise as Wenzhou’s cheeks reddened slightly and he proffered a bakery box, without a word. Shiqin lifted the lid and his smile widened in delight at the sight of macaroons in the box.
Wenzhou knew his cheeks were likely bright red but in the face of his crush’s obvious glee, he couldn’t help the way the heat spread across his skin. Shiqin brushed one hand reverently over the side of the box, eyes still fixed on the treats inside, and Wenzhou took the opportunity to admire how Shiqin’s smile made his whole face seem to radiate light. Everyone had taken part in that interview and everyone had taken the opportunity to mock one another for their answers so Wenzhou was certain that Shiqin, being one of four master tacticians would understand the significance.
“I saw them and thought of you.” Yu Wenzhou was waiting for the penny to drop, for Shiqin to understand what had just happened, why he’d given him a gift out of nowhere but his friend’s face was open and lacking any understanding and Wenzhou couldn’t bring himself to confess.
“Thank you so much, you remembered that I love these,” Shiqin bit into one and hummed in pleasure and Wenzhou was struck by the irrational urge to press his lips against the other’s and taste the sugar from his mouth. He wasn’t typically a fan of sweets but he thought wildly that he wouldn’t mind the taste if he could kiss Shiqin.
“I shouldn’t keep you, you’re busy and I left Shaotian in charge of training.” At Shiqin’s subtle wince Wenzhou laughed, lips quirking up and Shiqin felt himself get distracted from the macaroons in favour of watching how his friend’s eyes crinkled when he laughed, throat bared as he tilted his head back-
Shiqin shook himself out of his daze and offered a smile to Wenzhou, watching in surprise when the flush, which he’d attributed to the heat of the room, only deepen in the face of his smile. Before Wenzhou could leave, he caught the other’s wrist, feeling a fine tremor dance across his wrist, wondering what could have caused it.
“Don’t be a stranger Wenzhou, come visit again soon.” Blue Rain’s captain seemed slightly dazed, blush still stark against his cheeks, now creeping down his neck and Shiqin felt the urge to trace the path of the colour with his finger but he let Wenzhou leave, noting, almost absent-mindedly that the red flush was visible at the back of his neck as well.
Long after Wenzhou left Shiqin couldn’t shake the other’s strange behaviour out of his mind and he wondered if he’d offended or made his friend uncomfortable in some way. The thought made him frown, Wenzhou had been a close friend since his debut and though he’d developed a crush on him soon after that, he wasn’t willing to lose him over that. Shiqin knew he wasn’t thinking through this rationally and so he turned to the person he always turned to when he got worked up like this: Su Mucheng.
Su Mucheng was tired. Just because she seemed to be the only person who was capable of handling emotions didn’t mean she felt like handling all the problems the male e-sports players managed to get themselves into, especially when the solution seemed glaringly obvious. She kept her smile on her face however, trying to stay optimistic in the face of this overwhelming stupidity. Why Yu Wenzhou didn’t confess to Shiqin when he had the chance she didn’t understand. And how Shiqin didn’t see that the other was trying to confess she didn’t understand. As she kept half an ear on Shiqin’s confusion she heard her phone go off in her pocket and Shaotian’s icon popped.
Huang Shaotian: Mucheng how is your vice-captain so stupid???? Isn’t he supposed to be one of four master tacticians??? My captain’s back here and pining loudly all over our compound because he thinks Shiqin was trying to politely reject him!!! I thought Shiqin liked him back! Whenever I see them together Shiqin’s face is all mushy!
Mucheng tuned back in as Shiqin let out a heavy sigh.
“I’ve never seen Wenzhou go that red before and Shaotian is always touching him- do you think it was because it was me? Do you think I made him uncomfortable and he just didn’t want to be impolite?” Back in Blue Rain’s common areas Wenzhou was frowning at his lap, hands folded tightly.
“He can’t have forgotten about the interview Shaotian, it wasn’t that long ago. He was trying to let me down gently Shaotian, he doesn’t feel the same way.”
Su Mucheng: What great plan do you have lined up next noisy Shaotian?
Huang Shaotian: If your vice-captain is so dense then my captain has to be more direct! Pick up lines!
Mucheng felt a headache building in her temples but she cut off Shiqin’s increasingly ridiculous speculations with the decision to cut out the middle man as she was well-aware that the two held affection for one another.
“Shiqin, do you remember that interview we did a little while ago? For Valentine’s Day?” Shiqin was distracted from his feelings by confusion at the abrupt change in topic.
“Of course, we discussed what we would give to our significant others if we had one. I though macaroons would be a good choice as I also like them-“ Shiqin’s eyes went wide and round as the realisation struck him all at once. “Oh.” Mucheng rejoiced at the realisation.
Su Mucheng: You don’t have to coach your captain in pick up lines anymore, Shiqin’s realised that Wenzhou likes him in return.
Huang Shaotian: SU MUCHENG!!! You’ve spoiled my entertainment!! >_< It would’ve been fun to watch captain try and use pick-up lines!!!
Su Mucheng: Nothing’s stopping Wenzhou from using them.
Huang Shaotian: Tell Shiqin to visit tomorrow to confess! He can talk to the captain about their mushy feelings all day if they need to, training is cancelled anyway!
Su Mucheng: Are you just setting your captain up to use pick-up lines?
Huang Shaotian: It would be funny!! Disagree with me Mucheng! You can’t!
Su Mucheng: See if you can get a video.
She turned her attention back to Shiqin who seemed ready to dash off to confess his love right at that moment. Mucheng half wished the sprinklers would go off to drench him in water, all the better to set the dramatic atmosphere, it almost felt like one of her dramas. Shiqin was fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve and Mucheng intervened before he actually left to confess and ruined Shaotian’s pick-up line plan. If she had to act as the go between for brainless lovesick e-sport players, she was going to get some entertainment out of it.
“You should let this sink in, go see Wenzhou tomorrow, you can confess to him then.” Mucheng suspected Shiqin would be on edge for the rest of the day but she’d solved most of his problem, his excess energy was his to handle.
“You’re right, I’ll see him tomorrow, I can explain tomorrow, thank you Mucheng.” She watched as the normally put together man nearly walked into a wall, wandering off in a daze and she giggled softly to herself as she went off to make herself a snack as a reward.
Meanwhile Shaotian was trying to convince his captain that pick-up lines were an excellent way to get Shiqin to fall in love with him. Wenzhou had his doubts but Shaotian was persistent.
“It’s much more direct captain! Yes, I overestimated Shiqin’s intelligence with my first plan, but there’s no way this plan won’t work! If you just talk to him and say: is it tiring to be so cute. It’s very direct and Shiqin won’t be able to misunderstand that!” Wenzhou ran a hand through his hair and sighed, his heart had taken a small beating today and he wasn’t sure he could handle an outright rejection.
“Shaotian-“
“No no no captain! This will definitely work! I’m certain that Shiqin likes you back, you never see the way he stares at you so just use the pick-up line and I’ll eat okra for two months if it doesn’t work!” Wenzhou’s head tilted to the side in consideration, Shaotian promising to eat okra was an indication of how certain he was about Shiqin’s feelings and he sighed in defeat.
“If you’re so sure you’ll eat okra then I’ll try again tomorrow.” Shaotian hid his shout of joy and merely patted his captain on his shoulder a few times, bright smile stretched across his face.
“It will work this time I’m sure!”
The next morning had Shaotian crouched behind an oversized pot plant in Blue Rain’s lobby, he’d convinced Wenzhou to invite Shiqin over so he could confess and this was a perfect opportunity to film for Mucheng. Wenzhou waved at the other player and as Shaotian had suspected and hoped for once his calm captain was overtaken by his nerves and the words spilled out clumsily.
“Do you find it tiring to be so handsome?” The moment the words left Wenzhou’s lips his eyes went wide behind his glasses, looking as if he wished he were anywhere else. Shiqin blinked in surprise and his own words spilled out without him thinking them through.
“Then you must be exhausted.” Blue Rain’s dual core was shocked at the words and Shiqin watched in delight as the same pretty pink flush spread across Wenzhou’s skin, creeping down his neck as he fumbled for his words. Shiqin had intended something a little more romantic for his confession but his brain had decided for him and he threw caution to the wind and tilted Wenzhou’s face up so he could pull him into a kiss.
Wenzhou wasn’t entirely sure what was happening but Shiqin was kissing him and he’d been right, he didn’t mind the sweet flavour when it came from Shiqin’s mouth. Everything was hazy around him and he missed Shaotian’s whoop of triumph but Shiqin’s hands were warm where they cupped his face and he let out a soft sound of contentment. When they broke apart Shiqin’s cheeks were also slightly flushed.
“I- I didn’t make the connection between the macaroons and romance.” Shiqin’s smile was sheepish and endearing, “Mucheng had to remind me about the interview we all did before I realised.”
“Shaotian thought that pick-up lines would be the best way to get you to realise how I felt-“ Wenzhou’s flush only darkened, “I don’t think they fit me.” Shiqin’s lips twisted into a thoughtful pout, mulling it over in his mind before he shook his head firmly.
“I thought the pick-up line worked well, I’m glad you like me in return.” Wenzhou slipped his hand into Shiqin’s, still blushing, and squeezed tightly as he led the other out of public so they could talk a little more in private. Shaotian sent the recording over to Mucheng, celebrating his genius as he watched his captain walk off with his crush, lips still kiss swollen.
Huang Shaotian: *sent a video*
Huang Shaotian: Good entertainment.
Su Mucheng: They’re both so sweet!
Huang Shaotian: I am such a great wingman.
Su Mucheng: You will never stop bragging about this will you?
Huang Shaotian: 😊
Huang Shaotian: Never.