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The first time it happened, it was an offhanded comment. The High Cloud Quintet were having their usual spar in one of the Luofu training grounds, sun high in the sky, laughter in the air, wind subtly ruffling their sweat drenched clothes.
Dan Feng was sitting on the side, holding his cup in one hand while fanning himself with the other. The scene in front of him was an usual one, putting a small smile on his face while observing their antics. Jing Yuan and Yingxing were at each other's throats, both figuratively and literally.
Jing Yuan jumped back, attempting to wipe sweat from his brow with the back of his free hand. "Yingxing, your move just now was totally unfair. I'll have you know, cheating doesn't truly make it your win."
"Bold words coming from you, boy. Don't think I didn't notice you were planning to cheat yourself." Yingxing laughed, already making his way towards Dan Feng. His eyes crinkled into a smile, forming little crescents. Dan Feng moved to make space for the bigger man, but Yingxing, already familiar, unconsciously pulled him back as he sat down, chest still heaving from exertion.
"Gege, what do you think? Am I in the wrong?"
Dan Feng's hand froze in mid air as he was about to take a sip from his tea. He looked at Yingxing, dumbfounded. He must've heard it wrong. Dan Feng swallowed his surprise, arranging his expression back into place.
"Both of you need to learn how to have a proper, fair fight."
"Will you give us the honor of teaching us then, Yinyue Jun?" Jing Yuan looked at him, expectant.
"As if."
-
The second time it happened, it was definitely on purpose. Dan Feng was leaning against the wall of a trinket shop, arms crossed. The streets were already clearing out of their usual populace, no one was paying the High Elder any mind. He looked at the sun setting in the distance on the artificial sky while his mind wandered aimlessly; did he remember to hand that official document to the preceptors in time that morning?
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden tap on his shoulder. He turned his head leisurely.
"Gege, help me pick this present, would you? It would make things easier for the both of us." Yingxing said, a pout forming on his lips. Dan Feng's gaze landed on them, making him wet his own in return. Then he processed what was being said to him.
Dan Feng pushed himself off the wall, mentally cursing himself for the heat that was forming on his cheeks. His eyes darted down, looking at the button on Yingxing's chest that was always struggling for its life, or else he would've noticed the knowing smirk on the other man's face. "Why do you insist on addressing me that way? There's no need for such... formalities." Dan Feng then glanced around, confirming they were still alone, unwatched (safe from the store owner, very evidently enjoying the show from his spot inside).
"What could you possibly mean... gege?" Yingxing was unable to hide his grin any longer, gaze fixed to the endearing blush adorning the dragon's cheeks. Dan Feng slapped his arm lightly, turning around in a fit.
"You're insufferable."
"Wait, what about the gift?" Yingxing called after Dan Feng's already retreating form.
"You can craft it yourself, anyway." Dan Feng yelled back.
Yingxing sighed. He had no regrets.
-
The third time, he already expected it. He felt the soft drag of teeth on his neck and the night breeze on his bare back, the window of their shared room wide open, the moon's light framing their tangled bodies in a gentle embrace. Dan Feng chuckled, despite himself, "It tickles." He lifted his hands to hold Yingxing's cheeks, pulling him up to eye level. The moon and the stars were shining in their eyes as they were quietly gazing at each other, completely at peace. The corners of Yingxing's mouth lifted in a tired, satisfied smile; Dan Feng started counting the eyelashes fanning his cheeks out of habit.
"Gege" Yingxing whispered, the hand under him lightly caressing his back in a comforting motion.
Dan Feng sighed, resigned to his fate. The form of address hardly surprised him anymore, it quickly became Yingxing's most favorite way of teasing him; Dan Feng knew it was his own fault for letting himself be affected in such ways to goad his lover on. "What is it?" He replied, despite knowing he was playing right into Yingxing's hands. The man in question was looking down at him, full of mirth and playfulness.
"So you do answer to it now? Thought you didn't like it." Yingxing shifted, moving off him to lay on his side, head propped on his palm.
"I never said that. It's only... a bit embarassing." He admitted. Dan Feng opened his mouth to continue, but quickly closed it after better consideration. Yingxing could live without further explanations, he thought. Just so he could save some face, even though it was too late for that. He felt Yingxing's chest shake against his side with a small chuckle. Dan Feng had the urge to hide his face, for a short moment.
"You're considerably older than me, so it's only appropriate for me to call you gege, is it not? If only the others knew the mighty High Elder was embarassed by such a thing." Dan Feng didn't want to look at Yingxing's smug grin that has no doubt already taken form.
"Don't say it like that. It makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong by taking a much younger lover." He murmured, eyebrows scrunched into a small frown. He can't lie that he gave this a serious thought long ago, when both of them were still figuring out their feelings. Silence fell. He more so felt the way Yingxing burst into a clear, hearty laughter that filled the former quietness of the room. He looked to the side to see Yingxing's head thrown back, and he couldn't stop his own smile from forming, contagious. "Stop laughing."
Yingxing took a harsh breath, trying to calm down; he wiped at the corner of his eye. "Sorry. I didn't consider you would have such concerns." Dan Feng elbowed him in the ribs jokingly, and Yingxing grimaced, letting out one last laugh.
"It's a valid concern." He puffed, turning to burrow his face in Yingxing's chest. The cold air of the night hitting his skin involuntarily made him shiver, and Yingxing wrapped his arm around his waist, pulling him further into his warmth. "You can call me what you want." Dan Feng's voice was muffled.
"Really? Then..."
"No."
"Gege, you're so mean. You didn't even hear me out."