Work Text:
Clang! Your swords struck once more, neither of you backing away. Parrying swiftly, Xinghui returned your blows with grace, while you redirected your own with precision. The spar, in many others' eyes, looked more like a dance.
"Okay, okay, you win. You win." You let him jab one end harmlessly to your shoulder, already putting your own sword down and lifting away the fencing attire.
"Calling it quits this early? Do you have somewhere to be?" Xinghui's posture relaxed as he put his gear away, a hand running through his blond locks. You zipped up your gym bag, throwing a look back. "I actually have to study for finals, 'Hui. Not everyone is a genius like you."
Xinghui laughed, shaking his head to dismiss your accusation. He brushed past you to pick up your bag, carrying both your things effortlessly. It was almost as if he didn't even just fence for two hours. "Are you studying alone?" Xinghui asked, waiting for you to follow him out of the training ground. Standing outside the fencing facility, you wondered for a moment.
"Yeah, I tend to do better alone."
There was a disappointment that flashed in his gaze, one that disappeared as quickly as you saw it.
"Same time next week, then?"
"Of course."
Your senior, your tutor, your best friend, your sparring partner. It was sheer luck, or fate, that you managed to meet him as quickly as you did. You were interested in the same subjects, and could debate all day about biochemistry, evolution. You spent your free time in the fencing club, sparring your problems and stresses away. And, embarrassingly, you both often found yourself in detention for oversleeping in the mornings. It didn't take long for Xinghui to be apart of your school life, no matter the subject, time, or place. He had become a staple, one you turned to for everything, from school festivities, to mock papers.
That is, until now.
Neither of you had yet to bring it up, but you both knew it was coming. Xinghui was graduating, soon. He had already filled in his university applications, already sought out scholarships, thinking six steps ahead as he usually did. A genius with the brightest of futures, and the most immaculate of skills, you knew how much would be in store for him. He was meant for great things, and you never gained the courage to ask if you had a place to stay in that near future of his.
"I need to cram for finals, missing practice today." You sent out a quick text, not missing the way the read receipts instantly lit up.
"It's the last day of the year."
Your eyes widened. Wasn't extra curriculers meant to continue until after exams? You quickly dug through your school emails, skimming through the announcements and reminders until you found what you were looking for.
"All club activity will end before the first paper on xx Oct. Club activities will resume next semester."
You blinked. The last day... it was Shen Xinghui's last time attending fencing before he graduated. And you were going to miss it. A wave of guilt washed through you as you stared back at his text.
"I didn't realise, I'm sorry."
Read. Typing...
"I'll make it up to you after finals."
Read. Typing...
You didn't give yourself a chance to see what he had to say, switching your device off and flipping to the page you had left off. There was a sense of shame in your heart as you started writing your notes, but you knew you had to put yourself first. Steeling your resolve, you put your phone away, ready to tackle the syllabus before you.
It was getting dark when you left the school building. Orange clouds against a gray sky had you realising just how late you had stayed in the school library. It had been a productive session, one that left you feeling ever so slightly more prepared for the upcoming week.
Pushing past the front gates, you were about to reach for your phone in your pocket when a tall figure caught your eye.
"Shen Xinghui, you haven't gone home?"
A small smile found itself onto his face as he heard your voice. He took long strides towards you, still holding his sword, indicating the fencing class he had attended. The one you had missed.
"Not yet. I wanted to see you."
His hair had an orange hue to it under the setting sun. Just as you were admiring it, he brought your attention to his hands, thrusting something he was holding into your hands. You looked at him, awaiting a continuation.
"I got you this. It's a charm for your fencing sword. See, it matches mine."
You watched him deftly lift his sword, pointing to a small charm on the hilt of it's handle in the shape of a star. You opened your hands, and looked at the small heart shaped one he got you. The colours did infact match.
"You waited for me just to give me this?"
"I was going to give it to you during fencing. I graduate after finals, so I don't know if I'd get to see you again."
You averted your gaze, half out of shame. If you had known the class meant that much to him, perhaps it would have been worth skipping one extra day of studying.
"I need to catch the last bus. You should head home, and rest early. But text me if you get stuck on any practice questions."
As quickly as he met up with you, he was gone, waving absentmindedly as he left the campus. You were left standing alone in front of the gates, still staring at the heart shaped charm in your hands.
The walk home was uneventful. Toying with your new gift, you thought about Xinghui's words. Would you really not get to see him in school anymore? Imagining a school life without him in it felt odd. You wonder if you would be allowed to visit his university sometime. If he would even want to see you then.
A buzz of your phone alerted you as you reached home, dumping your bag on your desk and reaching for your phone.
Granny was almost done with dinner, and you had studied extensively today, you suppose you could give yourself a break, and scroll through some notifications. The first one to catch your eye however, was Xinghui's.
"When will U be done?"
"Finished fencing, still studying?"
NEW! "By the way, it's also a pendant. U can store a key or cash in it."
Intrigued, you pull out the charm he had gifted you. Taking a closer look, you realised he was right, it did have a clasp on it. Opening it, you were surprised to see it already filled. One side of the locket was a tiny photograph, a selfie you took with him during detention. The other side... you gasped as something fell onto your lap. You picked it up, looking at the small star shaped sigil on... a ring? On the inside, some words seemed to be engraved into the ring. Stunned, you looked at your gift in totality once more.
Promise not to forget me.