Archive of Our Own

"You!" Mu Qing hissed as he glanced towards the doorway. "What is someone like you doing here?"

"I could ask the same thing of you!" Feng Xin fired back, raising his arms in exasperation.

The two martial gods had descended into the mortal realm to deal with a rather urgent issue. Traces of an awakened powerful ghost from ages long past had been detected in the southern region. Because of their combined jurisdiction and the fact they were both powerful, they were sent to deal with this issue to ensure that whatever was out there would actually be suppressed or taken care of.

The problem was that this request was made last minute. As in, interrupted in the middle of their working day. In the middle of a training session and in the middle of sorting through prayers.

There was the option to have members of their own respective palaces to join their general, but Mu Qing and Feng Xin had both refused. For reasons that were similar than the pair would like to think. Mu Qing seemed to be an individualistic person on the outside, but he wasn't cruel enough to interrupt them out of the blue— if he hated being interrupted—  he imagined his people would react and could empathise with them. Feng Xin on the other hand, not only thought that this sudden notification was an issue but he also thought that sending out his people with barely any preparation towards the traces of a powerful deity was not exactly his cup of tea.

If there had been time to make more preparations, either of them would have both happily sent out their people in their place.

Which brings them to now.

Mu Qing had surveyed the area around him and came to an understanding that there were indeed traces akin to breadcrumbs leading to the inside of an old cave. When one took a closer look, they would notice that the interior of the cave itself was naturally pleasing to the eyes, but had deformed and that years of years of being abandoned had let it fall to this state. Mu Qing’s suspicions all pointed to the cave belonging to a powerful cultivator.

Of course, Feng Xin just had to arrive without prior notice which had Mu Qing's hairs on edge. His loud entrance made for a perfect jumpscare, almost enough for Mu Qing to visibly flinch.

"You’re not here for the ghost, are you?" Mu Qing snarled, his anger being imitated by a flame he held in his palm. As the flame fluctuated, Feng Xin could see their surroundings increasingly but also decreasingly illuminated. “Don’t get in my way and we can be done with this quicker.”

Oh, and he could clearly see the fire in Mu Qing's eyes. It was seething, and it was all directed towards him.

"Well, what a coincidence," Feng Xin really wanted to clap his hands. Another part of him wanted his closed fist to meet Mu Qing's pretty face. "Looks like I have to deal with not one, but two pain in the asses!"

"Why— you incorrigible—!" Fengxin's free arm started to move towards the scabbard of his sword.  His fingers had just brushed the hilt when-

"HALT!" A voice echoed from the entrance of the cave, dust being dislodged and pinches of it falling from the ceiling. 

The two gods froze.

"Might you two be gods from the heavens?" That same voice called out from the darkness.

"So what of it?" Mu Qing spoke first.

"It's been so long since I have laid eyes on another being.” The voice sounded so content. They must’ve been here a really long time, no one could even put a name to this ghost. “Come closer, I bear no harm, really,"

That incited nothing more than Mu Qing and Feng Xin suspicions. The generals trudged forwards, lightly gripping on their weapons in case things went south. With an air of rigid cautiousness, they dared to venture deeper into the ancient castle. If they were physically any closer, their shoulders would brush.

But like two magnets of the same side, there was a physical repel built over years of mistrust and miscommunication. While one could force the pair to reluctantly rely on each other during combat, they were even more trigger-happy when it came to petty little skirmishes.

Together, they moved towards the direction of the voice from earlier. Could hear its constant calls that guided them through a maze of passageways that felt more akin to stairs and corridors.

Then they entered a big hollow area that felt similar to a classroom. Feng Xin could see that stones had been hauled in from somewhere, stones with sizes that could be thought of as desks and chairs.  There was one dimming oil lamp placed on one of the desks, it was all rusted and the metal had lost its sheen but it was also the only thing that looked remotely alive in this room.

"It has been a few millennia since I last awoke, and I think it is time for me to go soon." The light within the lamp flickered as if the voice came from it. 

"What do you want?" Feng Xin bluntly asked. The less time he had to spend with Mu Qing, the better.

The voice chuckled, "I am just an old man who wishes to leave for the afterlife. Will you help me?"

"If it is reasonable and within our power," Mu Qing answered.

"When I was still alive, I was a cultivator who taught others. My only goal in life was to be able to pass on my wisdom.”

Mu Qing didn't exactly think that several years was the definition of new. How long had this ancient ghost been trapped here exactly?

"The problem is that my students are long gone. So instead, I have a request." The voice sighed, before continuing, "Right before I passed away, I was unable to attend a lesson. I suspect that this is what kept me tethered to the mortal realm. Seeing as I no longer have living disciples, would you be kind enough to act as my students for a final lesson?"

The two martial gods were both extremely suspicious of this man’s request, but they couldn't sense any trace of hostility laced in their words. This thing, whatever it was, clearly wasn’t something that they could just use their martial arts to suppress physically.  They were both a bit disappointed that this encounter hadn’t turned into a fight. Recently, It was getting kind of boring.

“What kind of lesson will this be?” Mu Qing crossed his arms.

“A life lesson. I think it will both be beneficial for you both.”

“Will it come with a price?”

“Of course, everything earned comes with a price. My lessons usually lasted for around 12 shichen, so if you are willing to sacrifice your time...”

24 hours was practically no amount of time for a god, just a grain of sand in a dessert. Feng Xin agreed almost immediately.

"You idiot!" Mu qing grumbled and pinched the bridge of his nose. It took all his willpower not to smack Feng Xin straight in the face. "Why did you accept it without a second thought or asking more questions?"

"The old man told us what he wants," Feng Xin shrugged, clearly not caring about Mu Qing’s opinion on the matter, "and we need to be done with this as soon as possible."

"I have a question for you, old man," Mu Qing spoke, “If I agree to be under your tutelage for 24 hours, guarantee me that it will cause no harm."

"What kind of teacher wishes for the destruction of the environment or harm to their students?" the voice merely chuckled, a bit bewildered at Mu Qing’s notion, "No harm will come to any living being, I swear on it."

"Then I accept and would like you to teach me as well." Mu Qing placed a palm to a closed fist and bowed before the source of the voice. Feng Xin, noticing his display of respect towards thin air, had wanted to laugh at Mu Qing, but followed suit and performed the same action when Mu Qing had elbowed him.

"Good, good, let us get started then." If this voice had a physical form then Feng Xin could imagine that they were stroking their beard in satisfaction. “You two do not particularly seem to get along, even though you work together? Do you perhaps see each other as enemies? I have just the lesson plan for that.”

There was a lot of animosity between the two generals. They acted like the other was their enemy, but never referred to each other as such. It was rather ironic though, since you would think that with their centuries of history would have them bonding with each other instead of getting into fist fights.

Like right now, as Mu Qing and Feng Xin turned away from the lamp containing the old cultivator ghost and instead turned to sharply glare at each other. 

“Aiya, if you were both sent here to take care of me, why are you both so hostile to each other? You should at least try to get along?”

“Get along?” Mu Qing rolled his eyes, “You saw how he accepted your request without even stopping to think twice! I could never get along with someone as brainless as him!”

“First of all, fuck you,” Feng Xin crossed his arms without breaking eye contact. “If I were really brainless, I wouldn’t be here standing before you as a general.”
Before the quarreling could escalate any further, the lamp’s flame immediately flared up. “Silence! Stop behaving like children, you are both high ranking gods are you not?”

“...” Mu Qing and Feng Xin both shut their mouths despite wanting to retort how they were assigned half of the southern region, and not all- but continued to glare at each other instead. If Mu Qing were a cat, Feng Xin could see the hairs on his back prickle and stand right up. One wrong move and Mu Qing would pounce on him like he was a rat.

“Raise your arm,” The old ghost instructed.

The two martial gods each raised one arm. Suddenly, an enchantment glowed, circling their wrists in a golden light. Immediately, the two gods felt a physical pull towards each other that didn’t go ignored. The pull only stopped when their wrists were touching.

“What did you just do?” Mu Qing raised an eyebrow as he tried to tug himself away from Feng Xin, but to no avail. Feng Xin was shaking his arm, desperately trying to free himself from Mu Qing. Mu Qing began to think that Feng Xin was allergic to him. 

“You act like you are  enemies, when you are clearly not.” If the voice of the old cultivator had a physical body, Mu Qing swore that he would be able to see it facepalming in this moment. “You are both the martial gods of the south, it is unreasonable for you to be this hostile towards each other. It will only lead to disaster in the future."

From the corner of his eye, Mu Qing saw Feng Xin leaning down and opening his mouth to bite at their wrists in a pathetic attempt to get rid of the enchantment. Oh no, I am not getting that motherfucker’s saliva on me, Mu Qing thought, so much for agreeing to his lesson first. Mu Qing raised his other arm and smacked Feng Xin’s forehead like he had wanted to earlier.

Feng Xin hissed and used his arm to jab Mu Qing’s ribs.

“See? This sort of behaviour is unacceptable. So I have decided to assign this life lesson, titled: know your enemy like you know your lover.”

“Him? My lover?” Feng Xin scrunched up his face in disbelief.

“It’s a figure of speech!” Mu Qing was really tempted to headbutt Feng Xin, considering their close proximity.

“... Anyway, the point of this lesson is to understand each other more. In the end, I hope you can at least empathise with each other. This lesson has three conditions:”

“One, at all times you must be no more than a rulers’ width apart.”

“Two, at all times you must maintain some sort of physical contact.”

Their wrists flashed brightly, before disappearing again. “This enchantment by default will have your wrists touch. You may maintain physical contact with more convenient methods.”

“As for the third condition, it is a reflection of the lesson after the 12 shichen has passed. You must return here and tell me one thing which you have learned about each other. A newfound appreciation of each other must be gained in order to consider this lesson a success.”

Mu Qing and Feng Xin felt an oncoming migraine at the thought of having to learn something new about each other. The two generals had served under Xie Lian so many years ago, literally side-by-side. They believed that they knew everything about each other! If there was one thing they agreed on, it was that the other person was someone they absolutely could not get along with.

And now they had to survive 24 hours with their wrists touching. Oh, and they had to somehow learn something new about each other. It was really an impossible task.  

Mu Qing gave a strong, experimental tug and started walking away from Feng Xin.
Feng Xin gave a yelp as an invisible force involuntarily pushed him towards Mu Qing. Luckily, the latter had reacted in time to shove Feng Xin away before they could both topple on the floor.

“What was that for?” Feng Xin complained.

“That,” Mu Qing started, sarcasm dripping in his voice, “Is what happens when we try to move away from each other. Neat, huh?” 

“Well don’t do it again.” 

“Why would I want to? You’re so heavy.”

“Ahem,” The ghost in the oil lamp coughed. “Return here the next day, same time. I will be waiting.”

“Yes,” Mu Qing once again bowed out of habitual respect, dragging Feng Xin’s arm along with him. Feng Xin cursed at the Mu Qing before giving his farewells to the cultivator ghost. 

The old ghost could hear the bickerings of the two gods fade as the pair left.

=====

At the behest of a catty Mu Qing, the pair had arrived back at the heavenly realm.

They did not even consider going to ask Xie Lian for help at Puqi Shrine. Who knew if the crimson rain was there (he probably would be, just to humour them both). If he saw the position Feng Xin and Mu Qing were in, he would never let it die down. And as much as they revered dianxia, they were running out of excuses to avoid eating his cooking.

Feng Xin envisioned the smug, mocking face of Xie Lian’s husband and it almost made steam come out of his ears. As if trying to disperse the thought, we frantically swatted at the air above him.

“What on earth are you doing?” Mu Qing asked, looking like he was offended. “Were you even listening to what I was saying?”

“No.” Feng Xin curtly responded, hoping not to ignite another argument with Mu Qing. He tried to put on his best passive face, in hopes of not actually offending Mu Qing. The other general seemed like he had a plan, and if Mu Qing had a plan, he thought that he should at least listen to whatever it was. Even if he was stupid one.

“Well whatever. How could I possibly learn something new about you?”

“Oh, we agree on something for once.” Feng Xin mused. “I’ve known you for centuries, I don’t know what I don’t know about you.”

“Yeah? Well, same- I can’t think of anything,” Mu Qing grumbled. “Any ideas in that singular brain cell of yours?”

If it were any other day, that comment would have provoked Feng Xin. But seeing as the situation was dire, he decided not to retort and instead pondered for a moment. The pair took a moment to direct themselves towards a nearby stone bench to sit down and think.

“Okay, since you don’t have a plan, I came up with a plan,” Mu Qing announced after several minutes of staring through the soul of a nearby bush. “The point of this lesson is to learn something about each other. So why don’t we just follow each other around?”

“Is this seriously the only idea you came up with?”

“Unless you have a better one.”

Feng Xin gritted his teeth. He abruptly stood up, dragging Mu Qing’s wrist along with him, earning a hiss from the latter. “Watch it!”

“Fine. I’ll go first then.” Feng Xin huffed and started to walk in the direction of Nan Yang palace. Mu Qing had no other choice but to follow after him.

Then they heard a commotion from the spiritual array.

...Going back to the heavenly capital together, holding each other’s sleeve. How scandalous.

I saw it! Xuan Zhen Jiangjun and Nan Yang Jiangjun were actually touching wrists while sitting perfectly still.

Are they holding hands?

They actually managed to sit next to each other without punching each other?

It seems they’re walking towards Nan Yang Palace.

“Shut up. It’s not like that. Another word out of you lot and I will-” Mu Qing started.

“It’s at the request of a ghost from the south. Don’t get any funny ideas.”

A-Ah, yes of course General Nan Yang!

Mu Qing was grateful that Feng Xin managed to shut them up.
Not that he would ever admit it. 

=====

“Seriously? Your idea was showing me archery practice?” Mu Qing asked in disbelief as Feng Xin led them both to the shooting arena. “I already saw you practice back in Xianle.”

“No shit,” Feng Xin replied, heading towards where the practice bows and quivers were kept. “I did learn a few new things though. Just watch me.”

“Oh? Like what?” Mu Qing sassed, as Feng Xin adjusted his stance. “You do remember that archery requires two arms, right? How are you going to shoot a bow with only one hand?”

“Ah,” Feng Xin closed his eyes, “Fuck.”

Mu Qing was about to laugh when he felt his arm being yanked. The bastard Feng Xin had decided to go through with his stupid archery. “What are you doing!?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Feng Xin adjusted his left arm until Mu Qing’s right arm was tucked comfortably in the area between his forearm and upper arm. To no one’s surprise, Mu Qing squirmed in retaliation.

“Why.”

“Because I knew you’d squirm and mess up my aim. At least like this, my left arm will be steady.” Feng Xin picked up an arrow and began to nock it. As he positioned the arrow, his left arm moved further and further back. Feng Xin bent his left arm as much as possible, with no regard for the way that his muscles squeezed poor Mu Qing. The latter felt his face flush with irritation.

Thwack!

Feng Xin’s arrow had hit the bullseye, and Mu Qing expected no less of a result. Nothing had changed.

“Stop squeezing my arm!”

“How else am I supposed to aim?”

“Literally have any other part of our bodies make physical contact!” Mu Qing snapped.

“And mess up my posture? Fuck no.” Feng Xin ignored him and reached for another arrow. And another. And another. In quick succession, too.  

Mu Qing noticed how perfectly still Feng Xin’s right arm was. Despite the pulled back string, the still, stretched arm was showing no signs of being affected by the repeated strain of tension. Then again, Feng Xin had been doing this for centuries, so this was nothing to be surprised about.

Mu Qing didn’t realise, but he had stopped squirming and given in to the fate of his own arm being sandwiched between  Feng Xin’s horrible muscles. He instead focused on the way Feng Xin’s eyes shone with determination and sheer concentration, not taking his golden eyes off of the targets for a split second.

But this was nothing new.

And after half an hour of showing off, Feng Xin lowered his bow and looked towards him.

“So, did you learn anything new?”

“I’m supposed to appreciate your archery more? No thanks, I still prefer my sword.”

“Ugh, you are impossible! Whatever, you try showing me something then!” Feng Xin admitted defeat to Mu Qing’s attitude. In the end, he had just inconvenienced them both and taken up a considerable amount of time.

“Fine.” and Mu Qing led them both towards Xuan Zhen Palace.

=====

“So you’re just going to sit here and meditate?” 

Mu Qing opened one eye to give him a dirty look. “I’m cultivating, thank you very much. Be grateful that I’m not squeezing your arm to death.”

“Oh please,” Feng Xin looked down at where their knees were touching each other. “Like this is any better. At least you were actually moving, now you’re just sitting here.”

The pair had both made their way towards a particularly silent wing of Xuan Zhen Palace. This area was kept silent for the sole purpose of cultivating through meditation. Its rooms  were kept at a cool calming temperature, giving it a rather tranquil atmosphere. Without many decorations in the room, it was much easier to focus. 

“Why don’t you shut up and try it?” Mu Qing closed his eyes, clearly not wanting to deal with Feng Xin’s complaints. And not wanting to deal with the way Feng Xin’s knee comfortably rested against his own (despite the complaints).

“Rest your hands on your knees.” Mu Qing demonstrated.

Feng Xin, to his surprise, followed his instructions and did as he was shown. But now their fingertips were brushing each other, and there was an electric tingle where they connected. 

Mu Qing drew in a deep breath.

“Let go of all your thoughts and focus.”

The other martial god could not let go of his thoughts or focus. He relented and tried to keep silent, to give Mu Qing the chance to do so. Feng Xin was not a god who had ascended due to cultivation, but rather through his accomplishments. But this was clearly not Feng Xin’s thing and he only ended up getting more bored and sleepy.

Around the time it took for an incense stick to burn later, Mu Qing yet again opened an eye to see how Feng Xin was doing. For once, the other general had a gentle expression on his face. This expression was nothing new though, he had seen it other times before, just not directed at him.

Mu Qing closed his eyes once again and was about to smile until he felt a weight on his shoulder.

And then came the light snores.

Gods didn’t even need to sleep! Why did Feng Xin decide to lose consciousness here of all places?

Mu Qing sighed and was about to give his companion a rude awakening but decided against it. He was meditating right now, it wouldn’t do him any good to end up shouting at Feng Xin. He was rather tired of the arguing too, this close proximity had allowed for their bickering to increase and he just wanted a short break.

So, he patiently waited for Feng Xin to wake up.

The resting general’s eyes slowly opened. Feng Xin was just starting to get oriented with his surroundings. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Why did you fall asleep?” Enemies wouldn’t fall asleep on each other’s shoulders.

“I saw you and dianxia do this all the time. It’s nothing new.” Feng Xin simply shrugged, “It’s really boring.”

“Yeah, I can see that!”

“Argh, this really isn’t working,” Feng Xin angrily scratched the back of his head, messing up his hair. “What if we just do what dianxia does?”

“And what does he do?”

“Have dinner with strangers.”

“We’re not strangers! And we don’t even need to eat!”

“Well, do you have any other ideas?”

“...”

“Like I thought. Come on, let’s buy dinner.”

Feng Xin has a point, Mu Qing thought, I don’t want to entertain the thought of having to only cook with one arm. He would be right there and my hand holding a knife would also be right there. It would be far too tempting.

“Whatever, let's go.”

=====

Dinner should have been a relatively simple affair. They could easily eat food while their toes were touching underneath the table. Then the generals would talk about themselves. It should have been a piece of cake.

But with almost all things done in typical Mu Qing and Fen Qing fashion, things didn't exactly go very smoothly. Neither of the two had any doubts on how badly they could fuck up dinner— it was just eating food on the same table? How hard could it be! Dianxia was able to do it so easily, and if he could have dinners with others, then anyone could!

It all started after Feng Xin had placed rice into the bowls Mu Qing had purchased. It was a one-time use kind of bowl since gods didn't really need to eat and Mu Qing had said there was no point in splurging their merits on these bowls. He had just absent-mindedly chosen whatever was best-selling at the time. Feng Xin hadn't agreed, but he hadn't disagreed either. He was simply distracted looking for his favourite meat dish and left Mu Qing to decide.

When Mu Qing was halfway through his rice bowl, chopsticks pressing into the side of it had made it slide across the wooden table. The two generals immediately made eye contact as they both knew an argument was about to start.

"Why the fuck," Feng Xin pointed with the rice paddle, "Did that just slide across the table?"

"Because I was asking you earlier on what kind of bowls we should use, and you — once again — weren't listening to me," Mu Qing glared at Feng Xin. "This isn't completely my fault either! Hold it still!"

Feng Xin cursed under his breath and used his free arm to steady the light-weight bowl. He held it there until Mu Qing had finished eating.

"Your turn," Feng Xin said, and looked at his own bowl. Mu Qing relented and held that bowl still with his free hand until the other general had also finished all his rice. 

"A good dinner isn't a good dinner without any wine," Feng Xin leaned towards his side,  procuring a few containers he had purchased and also moving so that his and Mu Qing's toes were no longer touching.

"Wait, you—!" 

And their wrists instantly connected, sending them both towards each other and almost bashing their heads in the process. Mu Qing winced, squeezing Feng Xin's palm in response.

Wait, his palm?

The two generals looked down at where their wrists were connected. They were connected, alright, and their hands were overlapping each other.

The enchantment by default will have your wrists touch.

If it wasn't for Mu Qing's dominant arm— the one affected in this enchantment— he would have given Feng Xin a nice, clean uppercut many hours ago.

"Are you an idiot?" Mu Qing hissed, "Now we have to stay like this!"

But was Feng Xin's hand really that uncomfortable?

Feng Xin clenched Mu Qing's hand. "Ah… whoops, I forgot all about it for a moment."

Mu Qing narrowed his eyes. Feng Xin genuinely seemed disappointed that he had caused a mishap.

"Pass it," Mu Qing sighed. "I'll pour it."

The wine, too, turned out to be a difficult process. Mu Qing had to pour the wine himself, but Feng Xin and him were never on the same wavelength. Drops of it kept spilling on the table. Being this close to it, Mu Qing squinted his eyes at the rather putrid smell. One of the many things in his cultivation that he had to abstain from was wine, and he did not regret that decision one bit.

"You're giving me a headache. I want to go lie down. Don't bother me." Mu Qing announced, tired, grumpy and not caring about the mess left on the table. He clould take care of it tomorrow anyway.

After dinner, the pair both stood up and bounded towards Mu Qing's private quarters.

=====

Gods didn't need sleep, but Mu Qing had decided that he wanted to go unconscious to avoid talking to Feng Xin. Dinner was such a disaster, he didn't even want to perceive whatever the hell had just happened moments ago. In fact, he had a rather spacious bed, it was big enough to comfortably fit three people! Feng Xin should consider himself lucky that there was space for him to lay down beside Mu Qing!

Although, it didn't take long for Mu Qing to close his eyes after staring aimlessly at the ceiling.

“I’m going to sleep.” Mu Qing tugged Feng Xin's arm closer towards him as he reached for his blanket.

“You’re what. You told me you just want to lay down."

“You heard me right. I want to sleep now.” Mu Qing faked a yawn.

“Yeah I heard you, but do I have to sleep here?”

“You could sleep on the cold floor.”

“I will castrate you if that happens.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.” Feng Xin laid down on Mu Qing's matress.

After a pause.

Feng Xin jolts straight up as if his back had gotten struck by lightning.

“Mu qing who the fuck puts a mat underneath their bed sheets? That is so uncomfortable, no wonder you always wake up like you had a broom up your ass, you don’t even get a proper rest. It’s so uncomfortable!”

"Well my posture is better than yours for a reason! What’s so great about your bed anyway?"

"It’s better because it doesn’t have a hard-ass mat! You might as well sleep on the floor. Beds are meant to be comfortable!"

Mu Qing glared at him. “Well let’s go see how much better your bed is then!”

Feng Xin almost rolled his eyes. Damn, this bastard is rubbing off on him. He heads towards the door first, dragging along Mu Qing who looks like he wants to protest but doesn’t. 

"Fine! Fine!" Feng Xin continues to grumble all the way to Nan Yang palace. He hurriedly leads Mu Qing through the corridors, fast enough so that people couldn't see how he dragged Mu Qing in there by the hand.

“This bed is too small. Both of us can’t fit in here.” Mu Qing stated when they had reached Feng Xin's own quarters.

“Are you asking to sleep on the floor?” Feng Xin raises an eyebrow, “Because I can have arrangements made especially for you.”

Mu Qing rolled his eyes and led Feng Xin towards the bed. "Whatever, I'm gonna lay down." He removed his outer robes and neatly folded them before placing them on Feng Xin's bedside table. Then, Mu Qing raised a leg and settled himself on the side of the bed.

Feng Xin followed suit and shamelessly sprawled over his mattress.

Mu Qing made a sound of dissatisfaction.

"What?"

"You're taking up too much space and pressing me up against the wall."

"Sorry, I don't have a bed made for two people!" Feng Xin placed a hand on the other general's soldier and slowly pushed him down. Until the said general was mostly resting against his chest, head pressed into the crook of Feng Xin's collar.

"What the f—" came Mu Qing's immediate protest, he raised his hand and was about to push himself up.

"Do you want to sleep on the floor? Pressing into the wall or this?" Feng Xin gave him an ultimatum. "I'm tired as fuck from dealing with you today so just choose one, I really don't care anymore."

Mu Qing grumbled but moved around a bit, positioning himself to be more comfortable resting part of his body on Feng Xin's chest and his head in the small juncture between Feng Xin's arm and torso. If he had to spend the rest of the allotted time with the insufferable Feng Xin, he might as well get comfortable.

Both of them wanted to fall into unconsciousness.

Fengxin needed an excuse to not think about how Mu Qing’s luxurious robes contrasted with the toned arm hidden underneath which he had held for several minutes.

Mu Qing needed an excuse not think about that idle expression on Feng Xin’s face when he fell asleep on his shoulder earlier— because who the fuck decided that this man had to have such a chiseled jaw?? No one, that’s who.

Mu Qing closed his eyes and passed out like a rock.

=====

"So, what did you two both learn from each other?"

Mu Qing tugged onto the sleeve of the other martial god, their hands clasped, fingers intertwined.

"Well, he's insufferable but I don't think he's actually an enemy. We get along... sometimes..." Mu Qing recalled memories of the previous day. Feng Xin had dragged him to practice archery, Feng Xin had wrapped an arm around his, Feng Xin's fingertips brushed against his, Feng Xin sleeping as he leaned on his shoulder, Feng Xin holding his bowl of rice so it wouldn't go flying, Feng Xin gently pressing Mu Qing towards his chest. Feng Xin—

"Well, that is something. What about you," The cultivator ghost addressed Feng Xin, "What did you learn about your companion?"

"He's bearable. This fucker is annoying, but bearable. Better when he's not yelling at me." Feng Xin's mind was elsewhere. Truth be told, after Mu Qing fell asleep on him, he had taken to absent-mindedly threading his hands through Mu Qing's silky locks of hair. It was soft. So soft. Why did something so ethereal such as this belong to such a short-tempered man? No— How on earth did it belong to Mu Qing who was ready to fight him anywhere and everywhere.

Neither of them talked about how they had awoken to Feng Xin's arm comfortably placed on the back of Mu Qing. No one else  needed to know. No one else needed to know how it felt right for it to be resting there, like it belonged on Mu Qing's back.

"Is there anything you would like to tell each other?" 

The two generals forced themselves to look at each other, even though their faces were getting redder and redder by the second.

"N-No…!"

"Nothing!"

"Well, seeing as you both have not started arguing since you entered, I would say that this was a successful lesson. Satisfactory, might I add? I thought it would take you both a bit longer, to be honest…" The voice confessed. "I will be going soon. Thank you for fulfilling my final wish. Do not forget what about what has happened! and…"

"What?" 

A shimmering light started to engulf the old oil lamp.

"You realise your enchantment is gone, right? It has been gone for an hour already."

But even after the ghost had departed, Feng Xin refused to let go of Mu Qing's hand. Mu Qing made no further protests aside from Feng Xin' sweaty palm and just let it be.

It felt too right to let go.