Work Text:
“We’re moving to California.”
It was a simple statement, straight to the point. Just like how Mu Qing’s mother always was. Truthfully, Mu Qing couldn’t care less about moving schools, his only issue being he’ll be away from the one person he actually gets along with, Xie Lian, until college comes around.
It’s only for senior year. I can deal with a new school for one year.
-
Mu Qing already had a long list of things that he hated about California.
It’s hot as hell; quite the opposite of the weather in Colorado. He hated it.
Plus, his school seemed like an absolute hellhole. A public school with a horrible dress code, and a student body so large that lockers meant for one person now had to be shared between two people. Meaning Mu Qing had to share a locker with a random stranger.
He was about to lose his mind.
Upon unlocking his locker, he was instantly filled with annoyance. His supposedly ‘shared’ locker was filled with stuff from whoever his lockermate is. Two backpacks (Who the hell needs two?), several textbooks, and various other supplies were everywhere in the locker, leaving no room for Mu Qing to put his one, singular, simple bag inside.
Who the fuck needs this much stuff?
“What the hell are you doing in my loc-”
The voice came to an abrupt stop as Mu Qing jumped, moving before he could think and serving a clean smack across the face of whoever the voice had belonged to.
After a second of processing, Mu Qing stood frozen, his eyes huge. He actually just slapped someone.
The boy he hit turned his head back towards him, his expression a mix between confusion, shock, and anger. Mu Qing continued to stand completely still, not bothering to move a muscle, and stared at the stranger for several moments before the tan boy finally spoke up.
“Are you going to say sorry, or do you want me to beat the shit out of you?” The boy’s eyebrows were furrowed, frowning deeply at Mu Qing, his cheek red from the hit. He was rather tall, with a strong build and a deadly stare.
Mu Qing knew when to back down, or when to continue. He sighed, turning back towards the locker. “Maybe don’t sneak up on people like that, you deserved that hit.”
That was not what he meant to say.
Despite Mu Qing accidentally blurting literal fighting words , he brushed it off by taking his bag off of his shoulders, staring at the locker. “You the one I’m sharing a locker with? You know, I can’t even put one bag in here.”
The stranger gave him a weird look. “Sharing? The hell are you talking about? I’ve had my own locker since freshman year.”
Mu Qing blinked, his face turning slightly pink in embarrassment. Surely he didn’t get the wrong locker number, right?
He quickly pulled out his schedule, checking the locker number on the slip of paper, then the number above the locker, before sighing in relief. So, he wasn’t stupid. His lockermate was.
Mu Qing shoved the piece of paper into the brunette’s chest. “Not anymore. Can you move some of your shit now? I’d rather not be late for my first class.”
The other boy glanced at the piece of paper, his eye twitching in annoyance. “Are you fucking kidding me.”
“I’m not one to make jokes very often, so no. Now move your shit. ”
-
Mu Qing soon learned his lockermate’s name was Feng Xin. Feng Xin, an athlete with skills above your average college football player, and he was only 17. It feels as if in every hallway that Mu Qing turns into, someones talking about Feng Xin. Everyone swoons over the guy, for fuck’s sake.
That guy clearly has everything going great for him, yet he acts like having a shared locker is the worst thing that could possibly ever happen to him. How annoying.
Feng Xin pissed Mu Qing off. He was always so loud. Always walking (running) around with groups of even louder people.
Not to mention he still had no idea how to share his space in their locker. Every morning was a battle for Mu Qing to simply put his tote bag into their locker without crushing his books.
Mu Qing sighed in frustration before slamming the locker door shut, a little more aggressive than he had intended, after a failed attempt to fit said bag inside. He would just carry it to class, he’d decided. It wasn’t worth the hassle.
Suddenly, Mu Qing’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Checking the notification, Mu Qing’s pent up annoyance slowly floated away. It was Xie Lian.
Xie Lian: Mu Qing!! Good morning!! How’s the new school?? You haven’t mentioned much about it since you moved ^^
The black haired boy leaned against his locker, typing a response to his friend.
Mu Qing: Morning, it’s fine? Nothing special. All the people here are annoying.
“Yo. Can you like, move?”
Mu Qing ignored the voice, unaware of the statement being directed towards him.
Xie Lian: Haha! I guess the people there are a liiittle more energetic than you’re used to huh? I miss you sooo much, it’s so boring here without you, y’know? Even Hua Cheng sounds like he misses you LOL
Mu Qing: Tell Hua Cheng to suck my dick.
Xie Lian: That’s not very nice!! :(
“Dude, are you seriously ignoring me right now??”
Mu Qing: Miss you too.
A hand appeared in front of Mu Qing’s face, waving around and knocking him out of his trance. Mu Qing looked up to see Feng Xin standing in front of him, eyebrows furrowed. “Hellooo? Earth to Mu Qing? Dude, are you that unaware of your surroundings?”
“What do you want.” Mu Qing said plainly.
“I want in my locker.”
Mu Qing stepped aside without another word, leaving room for the brunette to get into their locker.
Feng Xin sighed loudly as he opened the door. “Shit, there’s no goddamn room for anything in here anymore! Where am I supposed to put my jacket?”
Mu Qing raised an eyebrow and looked at Feng Xin. The boy was wearing a bulky, red and gold jacket with his name stitched onto the front. Mu Qing easily recognized it as a letterman, or varisty jacket, those ridiculously expensive jackets that are really only useful during your high school years. Wearing one after you graduate? Embarrassing.
“You’re an idiot.” Mu Qing stated.
Feng Xin shot a look at the shorter boy. “The hell? How am I the idiot? I’m stating a fact. Thanks to you, I can’t put shit in here anymore!”
“...Idiot. Literally everything in that locker is your’s.”
Feng Xin raised an eyebrow. “Hah? What about your ba-” The brunette fell silent as his eyes landed on the small tote bag hanging over Mu Qing’s shoulder. Mu Qing watched in slight amusement as the other boy looked back at the locker, a look of defeat on his face. “...Fuck. My bad.”
“Mhm.” Mu Qing opened his phone back up, unable to care any less about Feng Xin’s struggles.
Feng Xin glanced back at the black haired boy. “Who you texting? Your girlfriend or something?”
Mu Qing scrunched his nose in disgust. “ Absolutely not. Just a friend. Stop being weird.”
Feng Xin’s eyes widened slightly. “Holy shit, you have friends??”
There was another thing Mu Qing couldn’t stand about his lockermate. He never thinks before he speaks.
Sure, Mu Qing wasn’t the most approachable person, he knew that, but why be approachable when everyone around you annoys the shit out of you? Xie Lian and (unfortunately) Hua Cheng were enough for him. He’d rather die than be in the spotlight all the time, unlike Feng Xin.
“Is being an asshole all you’re good at?” Mu Qing stated simply. He then stood up from the lockers, and walked off and to his first class, before Feng Xin could even give him a response.
-
The next morning, Mu Qing opened his locker to an empty space big enough to perfectly fit his bag into.
-
Halfway through the semester, Mu Qing could only really describe his relationship with Feng Xin as strange. Surprisingly, the free space inside his locker remained free, and was never cluttered with Feng Xin’s junk. At some point, the two had exchanged numbers, though their texts only really consisted of ‘I forgot my book in my locker can u grab it for meeee’ from Feng Xin and the occasional ‘Wash your jacket, it stinks.’ from Mu Qing.
In person, they only really spoke to each other periodically. Most of it was ridiculous arguments and banter. However, Mu Qing took note of the small attempts from Feng Xin to have a normal conversation; asking him about his day, or asking how he was doing. The brunette had even thrown a “Do you have plans later?” towards the black haired boy one day, who responded with a simple “Yep.”
The statement kind of flew over Mu Qing’s head. Along with several other statements from Feng Xin.
Why was Feng Xin being kinda weird?
Mu Qing stared blankly inside the open locker, lost in thought, when suddenly his phone buzzed. Expecting a text from Xie Lian, he opened his phone right away, only to see a notification from Feng Xin instead, much to his surprise.
Feng Xin: yo, i forgot my jacket in my locker… if ur still here can u bring it to the football field plsss????
Mu Qing rolled his eyes, throwing his bag over his shoulder. He looked at the letterman jacket and paused for a moment.
Feng Xin was very… possessive of this stupid jacket. To be honest, Mu Qing was shocked he forgot it in the first place, and for him to trust Mu Qing to bring the jacket to him is an even bigger shock.
Nonetheless, Mu Qing took the jacket off its hook and gently threw it over his arm, then started walking outside and towards the football field.
It was November now, and it had become surprisingly cold, considering that he was in California . He should be used to the cold, but the 90-or-so degree weather from the past few months made him much more susceptible to this type of weather. It was 50 degrees, but Mu Qing found himself shivering, only wearing a simple t-shirt and black jeans. Not the warmest outfit.
As he walked to the field, the black haired boy found himself glancing at the jacket resting on his forearm. He started to wonder how pissed off Feng Xin would be if he had put it on.
I mean, it is cold. I have an excuse.
Mu Qing began to slide the jacket over his shoulders, before stopping abruptly.
What the hell am I thinking? You don’t just wear other people's letterman jackets. That’s, like, a couple sort of thing.
Mu Qing stood there for a moment, seriously considering his decision. But, he was cold.
He slid the jacket on and continued walking, trying to keep a casual expression on his face as he received a few glances and stares from other students.
The jacket was warm.
It smells nice, he actually did wash it.
..
Once at the school's football stadium, Mu Qing was unsure of where to go from there. He watched silently as the football players practiced out in the open field; watched as the brunette that he walked this far to find caught a football with a confident smirk on his face.
Now, Mu Qing knew nothing about sports, much less football. All he really knew was you ran the ball to your side of the field and you got points… or whatever. But, despite that, he found himself entranced by the athletes in front of him as they played a practice game. Specifically, he couldn’t take his eyes off of Feng Xin, for some unknown reason.
He watched as Feng Xin ran to get what Mu Qing knew as a touchdown, watched as the taller boy raised his fists in the air and cheered loudly, grinning ear to ear as his teammates tackled him playfully, giving him pats on the back.
Mu Qing sat at the bleachers on the side of the field, rolling his eyes at the boys’ enthusiasm over a mock-game. He would just wait until Feng Xin finished practicing.
Mu Qing pulled his phone out of his pocket to text Xie Lian.
Mu Qing: California’s madr me weak. It’s 50 degrees here and I‘m freezinf ^^;
He cursed at himself for the typos.
Xie Lian: I can tell by your inability to type.
Mu Qing’s eyes widened slightly. Sure, Xie Lian teased him, but that text was a little out of character.
Xie Lian: SORRY!! Sorry, that was Hua Cheng! He took my phone! Ignore him!
Xie Lian: Anyways, that happens sometimes!! Your body naturally adapts to your environment, so your’s got used to the hotter weather. This winter will be rough for you, haha! ^^
Mu Qing sighed, of course he was with Hua Cheng. He was always around that guy, to the point where Mu Qing was starting to suspect that something was going on between them.
The black haired boy opened his camera, taking a selfie in a downwards angle, with a small frown on his face, sending it to his friend. Xie Lian responded almost immediately.
Xie Lian: :o
Xie Lian: Is that someone's varsity jacket??? Are you with someone now, Mu Qing??? You said you haven’t made any friends or anything down there!!
Mu Qing’s eyes widened, his face turning a light shade of red. He had forgotten he was still wearing the jacket, and the… impression it would likely give off to his friend.
Mu Qing: NO. It’s my lockermate’s jacket. I just got cold waiting for him to finish practicing. Stop being weird.
Xie Lian: Whatever you sayyyy~
Mu Qing rolled his eyes and turned his phone off. He stared out at the field, chin resting on his hand as he waited for Feng Xin to be finished. How long did practice even last?
Then, Mu Qing started becoming nervous. Why was he even waiting for Feng Xin to finish practice? He could just drop off the jacket on the bleachers and leave. But wouldn’t that also be kind of rude, considering the value of this jacket? The jacket that he was literally wearing . Why was he wearing it? Feng Xin’s gonna kill him, probably. He should take it off. But, then he’ll be cold as hell. It’s too cold here.
“Uh, Mu Qing? Earth to Mu Qing?”
Mu Qing jumped, startled by the sudden voice. He looked up to see Feng Xin standing in front of him, an eyebrow raised slightly. Mu Qing just stared back, mouth slightly open, but unable to speak. Oh shit.
“...I thought you’d just uh, drop it off or something.”
Mu Qing’s face grew red once again. Blame it on the cold. “Wouldn’t- Wouldn’t that be kind of rude? This thing’s expensive.”
Feng Xin just blinked at him, his cheeks gaining a little bit of color. Maybe he was cold too?
“Good point, I guess? Thanks for not doing that then.”
The two just stared at each other in silence for a moment.
After a few moments, Mu Qing finally came to his senses, quickly sliding the jacket off and holding it out towards Feng Xin. “I just got cold- stop looking at me like that.”
Feng Xin just blinked at him again, taking the jacket. “...Aren’t you from Colorado or something? It had to have been a lot colder than this.”
“I-I got used to your stupid California weather!” The stuttering was so out of character for Mu Qing, that he was ready to bash his head into the metal bleachers. The cold, metal bleachers.
He crossed his arms and quickly stood up. “I’m leaving now, bye.”
Feng Xin laughed a little and waved him off.
-
Mu Qing forgot to dress warmly, once again, and the next morning wasn’t any warmer than the day before. He silently cursed at himself as he got to the school building.
Much to his dismay, Feng Xin was standing at their shared locker as he approached. The taller boy looked over at him in slight amusement. “Cold again? Didn’t learn your lesson last time?”
“I’m not cold, shut the fuck up.”
“Sure look like you are.”
“ No. Now move out of my way.” Mu Qing gently shoved Feng Xin out of his way as he put his bag into its dedicated spot, taking only his laptop out with him.
“Who pissed in your cereal this morning?” The brunette asked.
Good, Mu Qing thought, the whole jacket thing didn’t make anything weird.
The black haired boy huffed, looking away from his lockermate. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”
Feng Xin just laughed, sliding that stupid fucking jacket off his shoulders to place into their locker. Mu Qing found himself staring as Feng Xin did so, catching the boy's attention.
“Uh, did you… wanna wear it, or something?”
Mu Qing’s eyes widened and he looked away quickly. “What? No. I’m fine. Why would you even ask me that?”
“I mean, you looked quite comfortable in it yesterday. And you said you were cold.”
Fuck.
Feng Xin was met with silence for a few moments. He clicked his tongue. “I mean, you can wear it if you want to, I don’t really mind…?”
Mu Qing looked back at Feng Xin, squinting at him. “Wouldn’t people get the wrong message, or something?”
It was Feng Xin’s turn to become a light shade of red. “Oh- Oh. I didn’t think of that.”
“...”
“......”
Mu Qing sighed and snatched the jacket out of his hands. “Whatever, I don’t care, I’m cold.” He slid the insanely warm letterman on, and walked away without another word.
Once at a safe distance, he glanced over his shoulder, only to see a stunned Feng Xin standing dumbly at their locker. How amusing .
-
As winter got closer, Mu Qing found himself borrowing Feng Xin’s jacket more often. Feng Xin didn’t seem to mind at all, sometimes handing it to him before the shorter boy had even asked for it.
For the record, Mu Qing had a larger-than-average wardrobe. He definitely could’ve worn his own winter jacket to school- in fact, he had a good selection to pick from.
Feng Xin didn’t have to know that though, Mu Qing decided.
Besides, Mu Qing found the whole situation very amusing, because of course some people got the wrong idea, they were in high school, after all. The black haired boy found it hilarious, seeing the panicked look on Feng Xin’s face every time someone asked him if the two were a thing (which they most definitely weren’t.) Despite that, though, Feng Xin still let Mu Qing wear that stupidly expensive jacket as much as he pleased.
The two started talking more often. There was less banter between them, which Mu Qing didn’t mind. He even found himself going to Feng Xin’s practices at times, but would leave as soon as he got the sign that practice was finished, leaving the jacket neatly folded by Feng Xin’s backpack.
Though, this time, the brunette caught the other boy before he could flee.
“Hey, Mu Qing!”
Mu Qing froze in his steps, turning towards the voice. Feng Xin ran up to him, raising an eyebrow. “Were you planning to go home with my jacket this time?” He said with a lighthearted laugh.
Mu Qing’s face grew red. “Shit- sorry, I forgot.” He started shrugging it off, before Feng Xin stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“I’m just messing with you. Also, why are you always in such a big hurry to fucking flee? Let me walk you home or something, you stress me out walking home in the dark like this every night.”
Mu Qing’s eyes widened slightly. Walk him home?
“First off, I can walk myself home. Secondly, you're not good at convincing other people we’re just friends."
“Aw, you see me as your friend?”
“Shut the fuck up .” That earned another laugh from Feng Xin, the color on Mu Qing’s face growing redder. Though, it was obvious Feng Xin wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
“C’mon, I’m walking you home whether you like it or not.”
..
The two walked in an awkward yet comfortable silence towards Mu Qing’s place. Mu Qing kept the stupid jacket on as Feng Xin walked beside him, practically touching shoulders due to the close proximity. It was driving Mu Qing insane.
As the two turned into Mu Qing’s neighborhood, Feng Xin stopped suddenly, looking around with a confused expression. Mu Qing raised an eyebrow at him, looking over his shoulder at the confused brunette. “What’s your problem?”
“You live here?”
“No, Feng Xin, I just felt like sightseeing here.”
Feng Xin shot him a look. “Shut up. I meant, like, I literally live in the neighborhood across the street,” He points towards the cluster of homes on the other side of the sidewalk, “Right over there. Didn’t realize how close we were.”
Mu Qing blinked. “You’re seriously this close to me even outside of school? I can’t escape you.”
Feng Xin turned to him, leaning closer with a slight smirk on his face. “Acting like you don’t like my company- oommf-!”
Mu Qing pushed his face away with his palm, a scowl on his face. “Shut your mouth.”
“Sho rudfe..” Feng Xin mumbled, his words muffled by the hand pushing at his face.
Mu Qing moved his hand away and sighed, taking the jacket off and handing it to Feng Xin. “See you in the morning.”
Feng Xin gave him a small smile. “I’ll meet you over here so we can walk to school togeth-”
“ No. ”
Feng Xin laughed. “Whatever, I’ll do it anyway.”
-
He was, in fact, true to his word,
He did, in fact, show up to Mu Qing’s house at the same time that Mu Qing left to head to school. Mu Qing’s jaw dropped slightly at the sight of that idiot standing at the end of his driveway.
“Mooooorning~”
“Feng Xin, what the fuck.”
“I told you I’d be here, dumbass.”
Mu Qing let out a long, exasperated sigh. Nonetheless, he still found himself at Feng Xin’s side, walking with him.
Feng Xin glanced at Mu Qing and sighed. “Do you not own any jackets, or what?”
Mu Qing’s eyes widened slightly. Technically, the answer is no, Mu Qing has plenty of jackets and warm clothes to go around. But to tell Feng Xin that he actually just didn’t wear any of it so he could have an excuse to wear his jacket? He’d rather kill himself than admit that.
“...No, I got rid of all of them when we moved here. Didn’t think it would really get cold.” He lied.
Feng Xin just laughed. “Well, you thought wrong. You are in northern Cali, after all.”
“...Shut up and give me your jacket.”
“Do you just want people to think we’re a couple or something?”
“What? No. You’re weird.” Mu Qing scrunched his nose in disgust. Though, he didn't feel disgusted at all. What was wrong with him?
Feng Xin just smiled as he handed the jacket over to Mu Qing. The shorter boy threw it on; it almost felt natural on him at that point. He found himself shrinking into it a little bit, becoming enveloped in the warmth and comfort of it. It smells like Feng Xin.
There was a comfortable silence again as they walked, and the silence got Mu Qing thinking.
Actually... what were the two of them?
Saying they were friends felt… off. Mu Qing didn’t make friends very much, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng being the only two he ever considered giving such a title. Sure, he hung around Feng Xin more than anyone else in school, but it was mainly because they shared a locker and stuff, right? It was just convenient to be around each other. Plus, Feng Xin is very well known in school. It’s like he’s friends with everyone. He wouldn’t consider the new guy who barely spoke to anyone his friend , would he? Then again, students at school have started suspecting the two of them to be an item or something. But it was… strange. Mu Qing didn’t feel very thrown off by it; he found it amusing, and the runors even made him feel a hint of pride. Feng Xin didn’t seem to let it bother him too much either, considering they still stuck around each other, and considering he still let Mu Qing wear that jacket all of the time.
... What were they...?
Feng Xin whistled in Mu Qing’s ear, once again breaking him from his trance. “Earth to Mu Qinggggg. Seriously, do you always zone out? You’re gonna get hit by a car someday or something.”
Mu Qing blinked and looked up. Somehow, they had made it to school. He didn’t even realize.
Feng Xin looked at him, head tilted, like a confused puppy. “What has you so lost in thought, dude?”
Mu Qing looked at Feng Xin, holding a rather uncomfortable eye contact as he built the courage to speak up. “What are we?”
Feng Xin blinked at him. “...Huh?”
“What... What are we? Like friends? Or...?”
Feng Xin scratched the back of his neck, his eyebrows furrowed. He was genuinely pondering his answer, much to Mu Qing’s surprise. He honestly expected a deadpanned ‘Friends, duh?’ sort of response.
Now his heart is fucking racing , because did he just unlock some new barrier between the two?
“I mean, I dunno… I’ve been trying to get to know you better or hang out with you more, honestly, but you keep shutting me down."
Mu Qing blinked.
Right, he did do that..
“I just... thought you were teasing?”
Feng Xin raised an eyebrow at him. “What? No, I genuinely just wanted to-” He cut himself off suddenly, his eyes widening.
It was Mu Qing’s turn to raise his eyebrows. “To….?”
“To… ask you on a date, or something…” The brunette looked away and mumbled. It was so quiet, Mu Qing could barely make it out. His mouth fell open.
On… a what???????????
“Are... Are you being serious?” Was all Mu Qing could manage to say.
Fuck, that was not a good response.
Feng Xin looked troubled, his body stiffening as he turned away and started walking towards the school gate. “Nevermind, just- Forget I said anything-”
But Mu Qing stopped him, grabbing a hold of his wrist. The tan boy turned his head towards him, a nervous expression on his face.
Mu Qing looked away shyly. Shyly? Mu Qing isn’t shy. What’s wrong with him?
“I-I just meant I didn’t expect that. Sorry.”
Feng Xin blinked and nodded his head slightly. Silence. Mu Qing still held onto the other boy's wrist tightly, staring down at it neevously.
“....So?” Feng Xin finally broke the silence.
Mu Qing looked up at him. “So?”
“Do you want to?”
“Do I want to what?” Mu Qing asked dumbly.
“Go on a date… or something.”
Mu Qing’s brain almost short circuited.
“...Yeah, sure.”
-
Mu Qing had no idea what the fuck he was doing.
He paced back and forth in his room, biting at his nails nervously. He doesn’t get nervous.
That day, he said ‘sure’. To Feng Xin asking him out . That was Thursday. Now its Saturday, and they’re going to an arcade together. And dinner. What the fuck.
In a panic, Mu Qing finds himself video calling Xie Lian, who answers quickly with a confused expression, Hua Cheng sitting in the background with a bored expression.
“Mu Qing? What’s up? You rarely call me-”
“Xie Lian I have a fucking date in four hours and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or what to wear or even what to bring. Do I get a gift?? Or-”
“ A DATE? ” Xie Lian’s voice echoes through the phone’s speakers. Hua Cheng started paying more attention, facing the camera instead of messing with the pen in his hand.
Mu Qing’s face was on fire. He had to be red as hell.
Right, he forgot to mention that little detail before now.
“I, uh… that guy I share a locker with, and stuff-”
“Ohhh my god! Mu Qing! I’m so happy for y-”
Mu Qing’s face grew hotter. “Shut up and help me !”
Xie Lian just laughed in response. “Right, right! Well, it depends on what you guys are doing?”
“We’re going to an arcade, and he's buying me dinner... I think.”
“Hmm, so wear something casual, but like a nice casual. Like maybe those black ripped jeans you like so much, if you still have them! And a decent looking shirt. Also gifts aren’t really necessary for a first date, don’t worry about that part. And just have fun! You’ll be fine!” The boy smiled brightly over the phone.
“And don’t be an idiot, unlike usual!” Hua Cheng shouted from behind Xie Lian, who in return turned around and gave Hua Cheng a glare.
Mu Qing simply rolled his eyes at Hua Cheng’s statement as he reached into his closet to pick out an outfit. It’s fine, he can do this.
“Kay, thaaaanks. I’m going now.” Mu Qing said simply.
Xie Lian smiled back at the camera, waving. “Bye Mu Qing!! Good luck!! Update me!!”
Mu Qing hummed in response and hung up, setting his phone to the side. He took a deep breath. He’ll be fine, no big deal. Just take Xie Lian’s advice.
He went with that pair of black jeans Xie Lian had mentioned, along with a red and black striped sweater. He tied his hair up in his signature high ponytail, the silky locks falling down his back as he stared at himself in the mirror, rather proud of his finished look.
Another deep breath, and the boy finally headed out his front door, and to the two’s agreed upon meeting location.
..
Mu Qing was so fucking nervous.
He stood on the sidewalk, right outside the restaurant Feng Xin had decided on, waiting for the boy to show up.
Mu Qing, out of nervousness, showed up 10 minutes early. Idiot.
Before he knew it, Feng Xin appeared from around the corner. He was wearing a dark blue hoodie and black jeans, his hair in a half up half down style, instead of his signature bun. His letterman jacket was, surprisingly, nowhere to be seen.
Mu Qing looked up at him, his mouth parted slightly, earning a small laugh from Feng Xin.
“You look nice.” Feng Xin said simply, a warm smile on his face as he looked down at Mu Qing.
Holy fuck, Mu Qing was going to explode.
Mu Qing swallowed nervously. “You too.”
“Hungry?”
“Mhm..”
Feng Xin laughed at the shorter boy’s obvious nervousness and grabbed his wrist gently, walking him inside the restaurant. All of this was so alien to Mu Qing, he didn’t even know how to react or respond. He simply followed behind Feng Xin with wide eyes and, probably, a red face.
The two boys sat down in a booth, and Mu Qing could feel his hands sweating a very abnormal amount. He wiped them off on his jeans frantically.
Feng Xin rested his chin on his hand and laughed again. That damn laugh. “You okay over there? What, never been on a date before?”
Mu Qing shook his head, a little too aggressively. You look like a fucking idiot.
Feng Xin’s eyes widened a little. “Oh shit, like, actually?”
“Why is that so shocking?” Mu Qing said rather defensively.
Feng Xin blinked at him, blushing slightly. Mu Qing took note of that. “I-It’s just, uh… I’m surprised nobody asked you out before, considering your looks.”
Mu Qing was 90% sure Feng Xin just called him good looking, which made him want to explode.
“Well, I don’t really talk to people much.” Mu Qing said simply, unable to hide the obvious blush that had also appeared on his face. Fuck .
Feng Xin just smiled at that. “You talk to me though?”
“I have to, we share a locker!”
“And a jacket~.” Feng Xin teased.
“...Shut up.”
Feng Xin laughed again, looking back at Mu Qing. “So, you do have some winter clothes, huh?” He pointed at the sweater.
Caught red-handed.
“...Just a little bit.” Mu Qing responded quietly. Feng Xin’s smile turned into a rather confident smirk. He didn’t have to even say anything for Mu Qing to know Feng Xin could see through his lie. “...I may have lied a little about my wardrobe.” Mu Qing mumbled.
“I fucking knew it! So, what, you like wearing my jacket that much?”
Mu Qing’s face turned a deeper shade of red.
“S-Shut up, dammit!”
..
The rest of the date went, surprisingly, well for Mu Qing. The two enjoyed their food, opening up to each other more about their lives outside of school. Mu Qing learned a lot about Feng Xin: Apparently he had been playing football since he was four . Pretty much his entire life. He also got a full ride to their local university; the one’s athletes tend to get.
Also, Feng Xin was an older brother. He had two younger sisters and one younger brother. He had a dog too, which he rambled for about ten minutes about, as he showed Mu Qing a large collection of pictures of the little furry creature. It made Mu Qing smile a little.
As for Mu Qing, he didn’t have much to share about himself; he wasn’t even used to talking about himself to begin with. He told Feng Xin about Xie Lian from back in Colorado, and about how he was an only child, with no pets, as his mom was allergic to most animal furs.
He also told Feng Xin about his interest in fashion, which actually came as a surprise to the brunette. Mu Qing felt at ease, letting down his walls slightly as he spoke freely about his interests to one of the most attentive listeners he had ever been around.
It was nice.
Honestly, he could get used to this.
..
“Remember when we first met, and you slapped me in the face?”
Mu Qing almost choked on his dessert, earning a laugh from Feng Xin. He glared up at the taller boy. “I said I was sorry!”
Feng Xin’s laughter died down after a few moments. “I know, I know.” The brunette glanced down at the other boy’s free hand, hesitating slightly before reaching out for it. Mu Qing reached over quickly in return, hastily intertwining their fingers. Feng Xin smiled in response.
“Just funny to think we went from sharing a simple locker to this.”
Mu Qing smiled back for once, staring down at their intertwined hands.
Right, this all started with a dumb, filled-to-the-brim locker. Then turned into a shared letterman jacket.
And now they were here, and for once, Mu Qing had no complaints.