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Feng Xin knows he isn’t the brightest. Mu Qing makes sure he’s aware of that at least twenty times a day. Feng Xin has to agree because only an idiot would feel giddy that he was told that twenty times a day now instead of just ten. Feng Xin got to see Mu Qing so much now that he was able to get insulted double the amount of times than before.
Yeah, only an idiot would get happy over that.
He also has no idea what Mu Qing is mad at him for now, either. That also makes him an idiot - according to Mu Qing.
“-and now Pei Ming has it in his head that we’re together !” Mu Qing throws his hands up in exasperation briefly before going back to dig through Feng Xin’s wardrobe. “Something about you looking at me funny - are you even fucking listening? This is your fault, dimwit.”
Feng Xin thinks Mu Qing might have given him a complex.
Wait.
“How is it my fault that Pei Ming is being delusional?” he asks, leaning back on his bed with his hands propping him up behind him.
Mu Qing pulls out a robe to look at it more closely and rolls his eyes. “Because you did something to make Pei Ming think that. So yeah, it’s your fault.”
“Right,” Feng Xin started and raised an eyebrow. “And it’s not because you just walked into my private chambers like you owned the place for all of my gossipy deputies to see?”
“I-” Mu Qing’s cheeks turned bright red and Feng Xin had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. “It’s not my fault you’re incapable of wearing anything other than armor! If I don’t pick something nice for you to wear for the banquet you’ll just wear the same thing you wear everyday!”
Feng Xin leans forward and doesn’t even attempt to hide his smirk. “What’s wrong with that?”
“His highness specifically requested that we wear something nice. You were there!” Mu Qing shoves the robe he was holding back into the wardrobe and pulls out a new one. He holds the robe up a bit to look at it more closely. These are a deep blue with gold accents that Feng Xin didn’t even know he owned.
“The colors match…” Mu Qing mutters and Feng Xin is just barely able to hear it. Mu Qing turns and holds the robe out to Feng Xin. “Try this on. I’ll see if I need to adjust it.”
“Why?” Feng Xin frowns but still takes the robe.
Mu Qing rolls his eyes. “To make sure it fits you.”
“Yes, I got that,” Feng Xin says and stands up to shrug the robes on. He was already just in his inner robes as he was in the process of getting ready for bed when Mu Qing barged into his room and started going through his wardrobe. “Why would you adjust it?”
Mu Qing clicks his tongue. “I just said to make sure it fits.”
“I could just wear other robes,” Feng Xin says and rolls his eyes, deciding to not point out that Mu Qing still hadn’t answered his question.
Mu Qing frowns. “No, you should wear these.”
Feng Xin decides it’s in his best interest to not argue with Mu Qing about this. Recently, Mu Qing has gotten it in his head that he needs to do things for Feng Xin. He hasn’t really figured out why.
It was just a few months after the whole Jun Wu incident when it started. Feng Xin had come back from a mission. It hadn’t been particularly difficult but it had resulted in his robes getting torn and a few extra scratches from landing in some bramble.
Mu Qing had followed him all the way back to his palace bitching about how he needed to be more careful and then carefully bandaged Feng Xin up. The next day he found his mended robes folded neatly in his office.
It left his mind reeling and his world shattering.
And then Mu Qing just kept Doing Things.
Sometimes it would be small things like having a cup of tea ready for Feng Xin when he got to meetings late or always having Feng Xin’s favorite desserts baked when Feng Xin visits.
But sometimes - sometimes - Mu Qing would Do Big Things. He would mend Feng Xin’s clothes or tidy up altars in his temples. And then there was the one time that they were visiting Xie Lian and Mu Qing had decided that Feng Xin’s hair was too messy and fixed it for him. Feng Xin hadn’t known what to do and ended up sitting completely still while his friends continued their conversation like nothing was happening.
Neither of them talk about it and Feng Xin wouldn’t even know how to if they did. So he just lets Mu Qing do what he does and Feng Xin basks in getting to spend more time with him.
“Hmmm.” Feng Xin is pulled out of his thoughts as Mu Qing starts pinching at the robes around his shoulders. “Can you move easily in them?”
Feng Xin lifts his arms slowly. “Yeah. They feel fine.”
“What about in the middle? Are they -” Mu Qing cuts himself off and pulls at the robes around his waist. “Did you lose weight?”
“I don’t think so.” Feng Xin frowns. Could gods even lose weight?
Mu Qing frowns as well and pulls out a mini sewing pouch. “Either way, they’re too loose around the middle and look too tight around your shoulders.”
Feng Xin tries to stay still as Mu Qing places pins in the fabric where he needs to work on them. It wasn’t long before Mu Qing was having him carefully take off the robes and Feng Xin is surprised a pin didn’t stab him once.
Bastard must’ve been doing it on purpose before.
Feng Xin couldn’t even find it in himself to be angry. It was just funny.
“Um,” Mu Qing starts and doesn’t meet his eyes as he folds up the robes. “I can have them done by the morning.”
“Do you -” Feng Xin clenches his hands to hide his nerves. “You can work on them here if you want.”
Mu Qing looks at him warily but there’s a light blush on his face that Feng Xin finds comfort in. “I thought you were getting ready for bed.”
Feng Xin shrugs. “I’m probably going to do more reading than sleeping, if I’m being honest. It’ll be nice to have some company.”
Mu Qing perks up a bit at that. “Will you read to me? Like you used to?”
Feng Xin had almost forgotten about that. He used to read aloud during their Xianle days before Xie Lian’s ascension. He doesn’t really remember how it started but it was during those times that it was rare for them to argue. Mu Qing would be focused on whatever he was working on and Feng Xin would be too wrapped up in the story.
It was the only escape they got, brief as it was.
“Sure.” Feng Xin says brightly and walks over to the small shelf he keeps by his bed. “I was going to start a new one tonight.”
He turns back to see that Mu Qing has already made himself comfortable at the low table on the other side of the room. Feng Xin tries to keep his dopey smile under control as he makes his way over.
The rest of the night is peaceful. Feng Xin reads while Mu Qing works and makes comments on the story here and there.
Mu Qing finishes his work by early morning. Feng Xin almost asks him to stay but figured he’d rather avoid the rumors that were sure to spread if Mu Qing was spotted leaving his palace after staying all night.
It was bad enough that his own deputies are aware of how long Mu Qing stayed over.
~~
The banquet was the following evening.
Feng Xin made sure to get ready with plenty of time for Mu Qing to get to his palace early and knit-pick every part of his outfit.
He was retying his hair when Mu Qing barged into his bed chamber only announced by the quick footsteps down the hallway preceding his entry.
Mu Qing takes a moment to look at him before giving an affectionate sigh. “Your hair is crooked, let me help.”
Feng Xin isn’t given a chance to answer before his ribbon is taken from his hand and Mu Qing’s fingers are in his hair.
“You don’t have to.”
“If I didn’t want to, I wouldn’t.” Mu Qing doesn’t leave room for argument so Feng Xin doesn’t start one. It’s nice not constantly being at each other’s throats now.
It’s silent as Mu Qing fixes his hair. Feng Xin doesn’t feel like breaking it for once, though. It was nice being able to just be in each other’s company. It was comforting just to have Mu Qing by his side.
“Don’t drink too much,” Mu Qing says quietly. If Feng Xin didn’t know any better he would almost say Mu Qing sounded timid, like he was worried Feng Xin would be angry. He finishes tying off Feng Xin’s hair and lightly traces his fingers along the back of his shoulders.
“Okay,” Feng Xin agrees.
“And don’t leave me alone. No one else talks to me.”
That can’t be right. Mu Qing was fun to talk to.
Feng Xin rolls his eyes and turns around. “What are you so nervous about? We’ve been to more banquets than I can count.”
Mu Qing raises an eyebrow. “You can’t even count to eight hundred? I don’t recall you being that slow, General.”
Feng Xin chuckles and flicks at Mu Qing’s ponytail. “Brat.”
“Jerk.”
They make their way out of the palace and towards where the banquet is being held. It’s now that Feng Xin finally takes in Mu Qing’s robes. His are also a deep blue but with gold embroidery throughout. It’s intricate floral patterns that Mu Qing must have worked on for weeks.
“The colors match…”
Oh. Oh.
Mu Qing wanted them to match .
Gods, he’s so cute.
Feng Xin has to look away to get the blush he sure is traveling up his face under control. Ugh, he was never going to hear the end of this from Pei Ming. Or Xie Lian.
He needs better friends.
Right before they enter the banquet hall, Mu Qing tugs on Feng Xin’s sleeve and he comes to a stop. When he turns, Mu Qing is biting his lip and not meeting his eyes.
“We need to stay close to His Highness. This is his first banquet since,” Mu Qing gestures vaguely, “everything. And I know he’s fine now that Crimson Rain is back but he isn’t really close to any of the other officials. And he specifically asked for us to be there and - oh gods, we should have come here with him -”
“Mu Qing!” Feng Xin interrupts his spiral and gently places his hands on his shoulders. “It’s just a banquet. Not even the Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s just supposed to be fun. So we’ll have fun - with His Highness. Okay?”
Feng Xin squeezes Mu Qing’s shoulders and he takes a deep breath. “Right. Just fun. Because I definitely know how to be fun.”
Feng Xin chuckles and pulls Mu Qing into a hug. “You’re plenty of fun. And hey, if it is boring, the three of us can just leave and go make our own fun. Just like we used to.”
Mu Qing just nods and returns the hug.
“Oh, good!” They both jump at the sound of Xie Lian’s voice. They turn around to see Xie Lian walking up to the banquet hall. “You two are already here!”
“Your Highness…” Mu Qing trails off as he takes in their friend. Their wonderful friend, whom they love very much, who showed up in his normal robes. “I asked you to let me find you something to wear.”
“Yes, well,” Xie Lian says. “I’m far more comfortable in these. And I would hate to accidentally ruin anything - with my luck and all.”
“But-”
Xie Lian gives them a bright smile. “You two look very nice!”
Feng Xin lets him change the subject and returns the smile. “Mu Qing fixed these up for me.”
They start walking into the banquet hall and Mu Qing stays close to Feng Xin’s side. Their arms brush every other step and Feng Xin wants desperately to reach out and hold his hand.
That, however, is not in the agreed upon Unspoken Terms of their friendship so he doesn’t.
“Mu Qing, did you do the embroidery on yours, as well? It’s very pretty.” Xie Lian asks and Feng Xin tries not to laugh at the way Mu Qing practically glows in the praise.
“Yes, I did these a few months back in my down time. I’m glad I have a reason to wear them.”
As soon as they enter, Mu Qing’s attention is everywhere. Before, Feng Xin would assume that he was sizing everyone up but now he knows it’s simply overwhelming to him. He even takes a small step closer to Feng Xin.
Amazing how this was the same god who used to throw pillars at him.
“There they are!” Pei Ming yells as soon as he sees them. Feng Xin can tell he’s already piss drunk and only going to get worse. “Nan Yang, get o’er ere!”
Feng Xin laughed and felt Mu Qing’s nervous eyes on him. “I promised I wouldn’t but maybe next time!”
“I just asked you not to get drunk, it’s okay,” Mu Qing whispers.
“Nah,” Feng Xin says and guides his friends to the first three empty seats he finds. “It’s too easy to get me to keep drinking once I start. Better to not start at all.”
“You’re not drinking, Feng Xin?” Xie Lian asks as they sit.
Feng Xin pouts. “You two act like I’m always drinking. It’s only sometimes. And besides, Mu Qing doesn’t drink and still gets through these just fine.”
“I usually just tune everything out until I notice you acting stupid,” Mu Qing says.
“That’s what you do all the time.”
Mu Qing doesn’t bother to respond to that but Feng Xin does notice him smirking.
“Now, now,” Xie Lian placates. Probably more out of habit than fear of then starting a fight.
They spend the rest of the evening catching up and eating way too much food. Other gods join them from time-to-time but for the most part the three of them stay in their own little bubble. Xie Lian tells them what’s been going on in the mortal realm and Feng Xin tells him about different missions they’ve been assigned. Mu Qing, of course, knows the dirt on everyone and by the end of the night, Feng Xin knows far more about the love lives of his coworkers than he ever wanted.
They leave early - not that that’s new for Feng Xin and Mu Qing. Of course, before it was because they were forced to leave to have their fights somewhere else rather than ruining everyone else’s night. Xie Lian just isn’t used to being around so many people at once anymore.
They say goodbye to Xie Lian in front of Feng Xin’s palace. He really shouldn’t be surprised that Mu Qing then invites himself over.
“You know,” Feng Xin starts when they get to his bedchamber. “I’m really starting to think that any rumor about us being together is your fault.”
Mu Qing throws a shoe at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Mu Qing,” Feng Xin says flatly and starts undressing. “You have once again barged into my private chambers like you own the place. Do you even plan on going to your own palace tonight?”
“I can leave if I’m that much of a burden!” Mu Qing seethes and tries to reach for the shoe he threw earlier.
Feng Xin just uses that to grab both of Mu Qing’s arms and pull him towards him. “That’s not what I mean, A-Qing.”
Mu Qing’s breath hitches and Feng Xin feels immensely proud that he caused it.
“I want you to stay. Whenever you want, for as long as you want.” Feng Xin gently brings his hand up to move Mu Qing’s face so he can look him in the eyes. “I want you to stay.”
“I -” Mu Qing starts but tears well up in his eyes. He doesn’t move away, though. “I want to stay.”
Feng Xin just smiles. “Good.”
And then, he tilts Mu Qing’s head forward and captures his lips into a kiss. It’s shy at first. He’s letting Mu Qing back out if he wants. But after a moment, Mu Qing starts returning the kiss and Feng Xin wraps his arm around Mu Qing’s waist and pulls him forward so they’re flush against each other.
The kiss deepens into something almost desperate. Like if they break away from each other they’ll never get another chance. Which is ridiculous, really, because Feng Xin isn’t going to leave that easily and he’s pretty certain Mu Qing won’t either.
Still though, he only breaks away long enough for Mu Qing to take a breath before diving back in. Every little sound that Mu Qing makes just spurring him on.
Feng Xin might not have had anything to drink, but he was certainly drunk now. He was completely drunk off of Mu Qing and he thinks, a bit hysterically, he’d really like to stay that way.