Work Text:
Fourteen times.
That is how many times General Xuan Zhen and General Nan Yang have destroyed each other's palaces during their arguments. You would think that after a handful of centuries of the same bullshit, they would learn to keep away from the buildings, and maybe…just maybe, use the new state of the art training fields all the martial gods had begged for a hundred years ago.
Unfortunately, that was not the case, because there Ling Wen stood, surveying the damage of the two fallen palaces, for the fourteenth fucking time.
As she made some mental notes about costs, and possible improvements (in an attempt to prevent this next time the two argue…because there will be a next time) she could hear the two generals still bickering somewhere behind her. Something about who threw the first pillar, or whose palace had the weaker structure…she didn't know, nor did she care.
With one last glance towards the destroyed palaces, Ling Wen sighed, before turning and quietly making her way back towards her own palace, not expecting either general to notice her departure. Too engrossed in their current argument, neither did.
In the past, when both palaces would get destroyed, the generals would each have temporary palaces built for them and their deputies, and that had been the plan this time as well.
Emphasis on had been.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
“What the fuck do you mean, ONE palace?!” Mu Qing hissed, restraining himself from storming up to Ling Wen's desk and slamming his fists down in anger.
“Listen! This…This is a bad idea, okay? I don’t know if this is your idea of payback…or punishment…or whatever the fuck this is…but putting us in one palace will have a horrible outcome!” Feng Xin groans, dragging a hand down his face in exasperation.
“SEE! Even that dumbass understands! This is a bad idea! Have you truly lost your mind, Ling Wen Zhen Ju!?”
“Hey! Shut the fuck up, assho-” “QUIET !”
Two audible clicks of teeth could be heard as both Mu Qing and Feng Xin’s jaws clamped shut. It was rare that Ling Wen ever raised her voice, and it was honestly unsettling to both.
Ling Wen huffs lightly, dragging a hand through her hair and letting herself fall back into her chair. Mu Qing catches sight of the bags under her eyes and almost feels bad for her.
Almost.
He’s still upset though, which outweighs it.
“For the time being, you and your deputies will be sharing a single palace. Unless you both can offer up double the typical merits for your usual palaces to be rebuilt, in order to encourage the erecting of them to occur more quickly than planned, it will take time. This will not only save some merits here and there for you two, but it will also save some time and effort that I cannot afford on your arguments right now. We have a perfectly fine empty palace that can be used to house you two, so it will do just that.”
“Wait, but what the fuck happened to the two temporary palaces that we have had access to in the past when something like this happens?”
“They are no longer open for use as a temporary palace, as both have been occupied by officials in the middle court.” Ling Wen was really, desperately, fighting every urge to roll her eyes. The ignorance and gall of some of these martial gods!
She was simply at her breaking point with the two generals. The emperor seemed happy enough to let them do as they please, which left her to deal with their damages every single time. Was it a bit… petty… to make them share a palace? Sure, she knew that. Especially when she also knew there happened to be another empty palace on the other side of the heavenly capital….but they didn't know that. Besides, what if something happened and another official needed a temporary palace! Putting the two of them in one palace simply made the most logical sense.
At least maybe they would learn a lesson or two and be at least a pinch grateful for their new palaces when they were finally built. But Ling Wen was beyond behind on typical duties, between the current increase of prayers and missions to send officials on, not to mention everything that occurred in the heavens on a daily basis, so the planning of the new palaces wouldn't occur for a… bit… of time.
Yes, this was the most ideal plan.
Mu Qing huffed, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes, but didn't say a thing.
“Fucki—fine…is this one fucking palace going to fit all our combined deputies though? There is no reason for them to be punished and forced to be living on top of eachother.”
“Excellent question, Nan Yang. Yes, it will. Space will not be an issue, there are already multiple common areas that can be used for each palace. Each will have their own wing, and you two will have your own quarters. It is only temporary. Now if you do not mind, I have work I need to do, I will advise you shortly when it is alright to get access to the palace.”
“Fucking tempor—fine. That's fine . Thank you for all your hard work, Ling Wen.” Mu Qing hisses - slightly sarcastically - through clenched teeth, bowing stiffly before spinning around to gather his deputies to inform them of the news. Like a shadow, seconds later Feng Xin bows as well, nodding as politely as he could manage to Ling Wen, before following in Mu Qings footsteps to do the same with his own. She let her eyes close, attempting to ignore the angry mutterings from the general of the Southeast as he departed.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
Mu Qing, despite knowing that Ling Wen was probably fed up with the two of them, considering she had always been the one on the other side of their destruction, couldn't help but feel as if she was going out of her way to punish them like they were children. Was this a cruel form of timeout? Did she realize that this palace would potentially not last very long? They got into arguments often, and while the difference in arguments outweighed the amount of times their palaces were actually caught in the crossfire, arguing under the same roof for who knows how long may have worse destructive consequences.
Sure, she was always the one to clean up their messes - quite literally - and replace what had needed replacing…but was one palace really the solution? How could she really see this as more productive than two separate palaces?
It was bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.
“Hey! What are you planning on telling your deputies?” Feng Xin suddenly called from behind him, pulling him from his thoughts. Mu Qing came to a stop, causing a quickly moving Feng Xin to walk right into him, toppling them both forward.
“Would you watch where you’re going! You brute!”
Feng Xin simply crossed his arms and rolled his eyes - something he picked up from Mu Qing, no doubt - as if to say ‘then don’t stop so suddenly’. “And not that my palace’s matters is any of your business, but I will be telling them the truth! That General Nan Yang stupidly and carelessly destroyed not only my palace, but he destroyed his own too during his destructive episode! Then I will say that because Ling Wen has been so busy, and overworked,” He rolled his eyes, despite the fact they both knew it was true. “To save time and merits, she has condemned us to one already built palace for the time being!”
Feng Xin stared at him with an unamused expression, one eyebrow raised. “Uh huh, and that’s….the truth? ”
“Naturally, of course.” Mu Qing nodded, spinning back around in the direction of where his palace once stood.
“I distinctly remember you throwing the first pillar, you fuckhead!” Feng Xin calls after him, but Mu Qing doesnt turn around, he simply lifts his hand, and flips Feng Xin off from over his shoulder.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
Both palaces’ deputies took it about as well as one would expect from notorious rivaling groups at first. Both groups acted appalled by the other generals actions, making comments here and there under their breaths about the opposing god.
The first interaction between the two palaces under the same roof was filled with a tension that Mu Qing could cut with his saber, neither wanting to be the first to make a comment and potentially upset their general. After that, they all just seemed to walk on eggshells around each other awkwardly.
The two palaces had been on many missions together in the past due to their generals' territories proximity of course, so many of the deputies were well acquainted. Though, to be on a mission together for a week, versus living together under one roof…they were two completely different situations that neither seemed to know how to manage. Honestly, neither general could blame them.
Yet, after about a week or two, some awkward interactions and a handful of fights, they all actually began to interact with each other quite well, with very little arguments. In fact, they almost seemed… okay… with the arrangement, much more than Mu Qing and Feng Xin were! Their generals found the sudden and surprising cooperation from their deputies annoying, yet were also simultaneously grateful for the lack of conflict, because it meant less to deal with on their end.
Word had quickly spread about the palace being shared by both Southern gods, and soon enough, the two started to hear whispers as they passed by other officials.
In fact, almost immediately, Mu Qing heard two civil gods gossiping about how they were convinced that he and Feng Xin had gotten secretly engaged, and that’s why they were living together now - because they couldn't tolerate living apart any longer He couldn't help but scoff in shock, flipping his hair over his shoulder, before stomping in the direction of the his temporary home. How dare they assume such things about him? About him with Feng Xin? Did they not know any better? Did they know nothing about their elder Generals?
All things aside, even if he and Feng Xin were anything…which they were NOT...he was abstinent! A-And Feng Xin was the oh so great General Ju Yang! He would never marry someone like Mu Qing!
Not that Mu Qing even wanted that! Obviously!
(AN: Author squints suspiciously in Mu Qings direction)
Feng Xin, on a later occasion, overhears some young martial gods whispering about how after both their palaces were wrecked, neither had the merits to have new ones built, so they had to combine their current minimal merits to build the one measly one. He couldn't help stomping over and glaring down at the two newer gods - ones he wasn't ashamed to admit he didn't know the names of - before smiling tensely and ‘gently’ informing them that they shouldn't discuss matters that are above them.
He departed the two shaken younger gods with a possibly too aggressive tap to each of their heads.
He didn't like rumors, what could he say? Especially when the rumors were that he and Mu Qing - centuries old martial gods with over thousands of temples to each of their names - were broke, of all things.
Plus! This palace was already built! So there! No merits spent at all!
Not yet at least. Not until their new palaces would start to be built.
Now you’re probably thinking, “Why would Feng Xin go out of his way to defend Mu Qing? He doesn't even like him!”
This is different!
He can make fun of Mu Qing all he wants, he grew up with him for goodness sake! But these were two random children in comparison to them, who simply don’t know who they're talking about! They shouldn't, at their young age, bad mouth any of their elder gods! Even if it's Mu Qing! They needed to learn respect now rather than later anyways!
On the walk back to the palace, post the peaceful discussion with the younger gods - Feng Xin couldn't help but think of their time in the shared space so far, not being able to help himself with the topic so fresh on his mind. It had been a full moon cycle already, and the two of them hadn't gotten into too much trouble, thankfully. There had been a couple of close calls, like that one time where they accidentally bumped into each other in the kitchen…
2 weeks into sharing the palace:
Feng Xin had never been one for sleep, once he had ascended. He did when he and his body, or his mind, needed it, of course…but most of the time, he chose to use the late night hours to get work done to lessen his workload in the day. His deputies knew this, and were used to it.
He didn't think to factor in that his new roommate was not.
It was nearly dawn when he left his quarters, heading to the kitchen in search of a bite to eat, moreso just something to chew on while he worked, rather than to fill his stomach. He was intentionally quiet as he walked down the corridors, not wanting to disturb anyone that may actually be trying to get some shut eye, or anyone that happened to be working on something so late like he was.
It was only when he turned into the kitchen and nearly walked into a figure leaving, that he finally made a sound, with a hissed out “Shit!” leaving his lips before he could stop it.
The figure stepped back with their own hushed curse, and Feng Xin immediately knew who they were.
“Mu Qing? Why the fuck are you out here this early?!” He whispers into the quiet space.
Mu Qing scoffs. “I could ask you the same thing? It’s not your palace anyways, in case you forgot! I can be here if I want.”
“Oh my gods that's not what I meant. Can we not do this right now? The sun isn't even out, I just wanted a snack.”
“Whatever.” Mu Qing sighs, moving to the side in order to walk around Feng Xins wide frame, but is blocked when Feng Xin moves in tandem.
“Why are you awake? If I remember correctly, you take part in the act of sleeping every night?” Feng Xin probed, curiosity taking over.
“It’s none of your business if I am awake or not.” Mu Qing rolls his eyes. Despite the fact Feng Xin can't see it with how dark it still is, he just knows the man by now. “Now move so I can go back to my chambers.” Mu Qing attempts to sidestep Feng Xin again, and is once again blocked.
There was something off putting about his voice, and it wasn't like Feng Xin was concerned for Mu Qings wellbeing or whatever! But…what if he was cursed? And that curse was contagious !? Yeah! That would be a huge issue if he was living under the same palace roof as the South's other martial god and all their deputies! Feng Xin had to get to the bottom of it for everyone's sake!
Mind made up, Feng Xin then waves his hand, thus lighting the candles in the kitchen, thus revealing Mu Qing’s face.
Mu Qing’s tear stained, blotchy red face.
He looked like a deer caught in headlights, and immediately turned his face to the side in order to hide the evidence. But Feng Xin had already seen it, and his curiosity grew.
He hadn't ever seen Mu Qing cry… maybe not since their Xianle days…but he can hardly even recall a time back then.
“Wait, are you crying? What the fuck happened?”
“I swear to go--Feng Xin if you do not move out of my way I will move you myself.” Mu Qing hisses under his breath, still not looking at the archer, trying to once again side step around in order to escape.
“Don’t be a fucking bitch about it, I’m just wondering what’s wrong!”
Mu Qing doesn't respond, and instead shoves Feng Xin hard in order to push him out of the way. Yet Feng Xin had foreseen that coming, and stood sturdy, stepping back on one foot in order to stay planted where he was.
His curiosity was no longer at the forefront, as worry had blossomed instead. It was very un-Mu Qing-like behavior, which really set him on edge. He would never admit it, but he relied on their dynamic and close rivalry more than he wished he did. It wasn't his fault though! He had just known Mu Qing for so long, and they came from the same fallen kingdom, and…he was just the last piece of home that Feng Xin had so close by. So even if they weren't friends, per say, he still cared…in his own way.
He was sure Mu Qing did too! Because by now, if they truly “hated” each other, they both know they could have taken the other one out. They knew each other's weaknesses like the back of their hands, just as they knew each other's strengths. Instead, they went in circles of banter, sparring, arguments…
It wasn't perfect, but it was them, and for now, it worked.
“You bastard, I swear I’m gonna-” “You’re gonna what? Cry about it more? Just talk to me, you brat! You’re freaking me out with all the tears and shit!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Feng Xin knew they weren't the right thing to say. But what was said was said, and he stood his ground.
“You’re a fucking dick, a bigger one than that stupid Ju Yang of yours, you know that right?” Mu Qing finally looked at him, his eyes narrowed.
“Can you stop bringing that up! Jeez! Listen, Mu Qing…just sit down, have some tea or some shit…I can listen to shit you know! I can’t promise I can give you any advice, not that you’d want it, but I can at least listen. You hardly ever show your true emotions and feelings, let alone cry! So something is clearly going on! Don’t blame me for being freaked out!”
“I’m seriously going to kill you in a second if you don’t get the fuck out of the way. It’s none of your fucking business, thats that, stop acting like you give a shit.” Mu Qing’s eyes narrowed more, if it was possible.
“Are you sad about not having your own palace? Hmmm…are you losing worshippers?” Feng Xin started to question, not really expecting Mu Qing to respond verbally, but hoping for even the littlest crack in his stern face. He listed as many possible reasons he could think of, as Mu Qing sat there with his arms crossed and eyes still narrowed dangerously. “Was it a curse? Did you get cursed? Is someone you’re close to cursed? Wait -- are you close to anyone? I never thought about that actually. Did one of your deputies knock over an artifact or some shit? Was it a nightmare?”
Ah.
There it was.
Once the word nightmare had left his mouth, Mu Qing’s eyes widened ever so slightly. He may not have even noticed how small the moment was, but Feng Xin did.
“Ah…a nightmare…what about?” He doesnt mean for it to sound teasing, but Mu Qing, being who he is and how he thinks, probably took it as such. “Was it about Xianle? The wars? Oh shit, wait was it about your mo-” “ Fuck you , Feng Xin. I yearn for the day I’m not condemned to being under the same fucking roof as you.”
With that, Mu Qing apparently decided he no longer cared if he woke anyone up, and punched the wall directly next to where Feng Xin stood, causing him to jump back from the unexpectedness of it. The hit was enough to break down a large amount of the end of the wall, allowing Mu Qing to finally step around Feng Xin and retreat back to his room.
Feng Xin couldn't help but slightly regret the way he acted, feeling a bit guilty if the cause of Mu Qing’s tears happened to be about his mother. He didn't know the full story, but Feng Xin knew that she had died shortly after Mu Qing had officially left him and His Highness all those years ago, so he was left with no one, forced to bury her by himself.
Back then, Feng Xin had wanted to share a piece of his mind with the man who betrayed His Highness, and had stumbled upon Mu Qing burying something wrapped in blankets on the outskirts of the village where he had lived with his mother. It didn't take long for Feng Xin to piece together what--well… who he was burying, going off of the soft sobs that could be heard, which had been carried to Feng Xin by the wind. He stayed long enough to watch Mu Qing plant flowers atop of where she lay for the rest of eternity, as he seemed to have no carved grave tablet. At that moment, Feng Xin had forgotten the reason he had come to find Mu Qing in the first place, and wanted to reach out. But as if a bucket of cold water was dumped on him, he recoiled instead, the thought of what Mu Qing had done to His Highness reclaiming his mind.
Perhaps if he had reached out, things would be different now, but he had quickly turned around, and let his legs subconsciously bring him back to His Highness.
Mu Qing definitely didn't even know that he knew that, and right now he kind of wishes that he didn't either, because the guilt grew with each passing minute he stared at the gaping hole in the end of the wall.
The hole was never patched up, as neither General had wanted to inform Ling Wen that there had been destruction so soon. With that knowledge, she could push off the building of their palaces, forcing them to stay in the one palace longer than necessary.
Therefore, neither spoke up, nor did the deputies. All thoughts of the hole, as well as the incident that night, pushed to the back of both Generals minds.
The present…
Thankfully, that was the most damage that the shared palace received within the first month, which was monumentally less than both of them had expected.
When Feng Xin finally arrived at the shared palace, a few deputies quite literally scurried out of the common room reserved for his palace like little rats, and amongst them, he noticed Xuan Zhen deputies as well. Quirking an eyebrow, he summed it up to them simply idly gossiping - deputies were always yapping about this or that in their downtime, and as they were younger, he knew he personally let it slide.
Mu Qing on the other hand though….
“What are you all doing? Do you not have tasks to attend to? I know for a fact I told my palace that they should be on the training fields today!”
Speak of the devil.
Feng Xin followed the where the deputies had run off to, which naturally was where Mu Qing happened to be as well, as he had caught them red handed.
Mu Qing’s deputies bowed deeply, softly apologizing, while his own slinked to the back of the group as quietly as they could. Unfortunately, Mu Qing had already seen them, and had seen Feng Xin.
With a hand on his hip, he glared at Feng Xin. “You! Are you going to discipline them at all or must I be the strict one? They’re running around gossiping about…a-about trivial matters!” Feng Xin caught the way that Mu Qing’s cheeks heated slightly, and his interest peaked.
Just what were the deputies talking about? It must be something scandalous if it has Mu Qing as flustered as he is…
“Do they not have any tasks assigned? Must I assign something to them as well?” Mu Qing scolded, finishing his rant with an eye roll and successfully bringing Feng Xin back to the current matter at hand.
“O-Oh…I..Yes!” He coughed out, straightening up when his deputies from the group turned to him.
“You all know the daily routine, off to the archery fields, I know a lot of you could work on your shot…no coercing with the Xuan Zhen deputies until after everyone is done.”
He could feel Mu Qings glare, and didn't have to look to know that the gods nostrils were flaring in anger, so he quickly corrected himself. “I mean…no coercing with the Xuan Zhen deputies. Point blank.” He gave a look to Mu Qing over all the deputies heads as if to say ‘are you happy now?’ yet the man wouldn't meet his eyes.
A few of the deputies had the audacity to let a pout slip at Feng Xins demand before they all departed in different directions, leaving their two generals still standing in the corridor in a heavy silence.
“Who do you think you are to try to scold my deputies, Mu Qing? What were they even talking about anyways?”
“Perhaps you should control them better then. I don’t need mine cozying up to them so intimately.”
The fact Feng Xins second question went ignored didn't go unnoticed.
“They weren't cozyi—they’re young! Let them have fun! Honestly, I’ve been thinking… so what if they become friends with each other, isn't that better than pure and utter hatred between them?”
Feng Xin’s voice carried a tone that made Mu Qing wonder if he was still talking about the deputies, or if he was insinuating something else. Choosing to not think on it further though, he rolled his eyes and turned away, following in the direction of his deputies in order to make sure they were actually doing as they were told, leaving Feng Xin unanswered once more.
“Must I be the strict one?” Mu Qing had hissed at him in front of their combined group of deputies. Feng Xin couldn't help but think about how parental…and domestic… it made them seem at that moment.
Shaking the obscure thought from his head instantly, he retreated to his chambers in search of a hot bath, trusting his deputies to do what he had asked of them.
It was later that night, when everyone had retired to bed, save for the two generals, who opted to work on some prayers, when Mu Qing softly spoke into his and Feng Xin’s private array.
“They think that we’re together, you know.”
“Good evening to you too, Mu Qing.”
“Did you not hear me? Our deputies think that we’re together! L-Like… romantically! ”
Feng Xin dragged a hand down his face out of exhaustion, not surprised that this was what was getting under Mu Qing’s skin.
He had heard the rumors, not just from their deputies, but also from fellow officials. Mere whispers as he passes of course, but with each passing day, he hears it more and more. It wasn't surprising that the rumor had reached their deputies.
“I heard you, I’ve heard other officials theorizing it as well. Is that all?”
“This is different from the irrelevant other officials making up some stupid rumor! These are our deputies !”
“I’m growing tired, this is a later issue. We can discuss if we want to talk to our deputies concerning the matter tomorrow. Goodnight, Mu Qing.”
“Fine.”
That talk never came.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
Save for a handful of arguments here and there about the stupidest shit, such as Feng Xin not picking up after himself (Immediately after, mind you! He was going to clean up soon!) or Mu Qing reading too much in one of the common areas and demanding Feng Xin not disturb him (didn't he have his own chambers to do that in?) they seemed to fall into an agreement. It was almost as if the two had an unspoken peace treaty. Or perhaps, they were simply getting used to living with each other.
Neither of them really knew when it had started, when they had become so ‘okay’ with living with each other, but at some point, both had discovered within themselves that they were no longer eager to rush out of the shared palace and into their own separate ones. Neither of them found that they were anxiously anticipating Ling Wen appearing in their arrays to inform them of their palace's construction, nor did they walk past the lot where the palaces would be built.
Nothing had changed, yet simultaneously, everything had.
The first time Feng Xin realizes it, is during one of the many arguments they had about something silly. He was man enough to admit that yes, he did in fact instigate this specific argument, but he couldn't help it! So what if he left the tea set out on a table in the common area, he was going to clean it!
Why did Mu Qing feel the need to be such a perfectionist when it came to cleanliness?! He might as well be the god of cleaning, rather than the south!
And that's exactly what he shouted. It was another case of immediately knowing that the words that left his mouth were not right.
Truly, he didn't even mean it, as Mu Qing was a formidable martial god, but some times, things just slipped past his lips.
The look that settled on Mu Qings face after Feng Xins comments was so icy that Feng Xin really thought the temporary palace was going down just like theirs had.
“How dare you? I worked just as hard, maybe even harder—considering I had to cultivate and not just rely on my pure martial fucking might—to get here! After being your equal in every way, down to our territories, you truly dare to think that?!” Mu Qing bristles, his eyes wide as a madman.
“No.”
The seriousness in his tone surprises Mu Qing, as well as himself.
“What?” Mu Qing snaps, stomping towards Feng Xin so that he is nearly face to face with him.
“No…I don’t think that…I-I don’t actually know why I even…I didn’t even mean it like that! I just…I was going to clean up! I just had not gotten to it yet! I really didn't mean for the comment to come off like…that.”
Mu Qing didn't speak for a moment, opting to stare at Feng Xin instead, obviously scanning his face for any little tell that he was lying. Yet when he found none, his mouth opened to an ‘o’, and he took a step back.
“Oh. Well, good. I would string you up by your ears if you did.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
Mu Qing nodded, clearly satisfied with having the last word, and turned quickly on his heels, retreating to what Feng Xin assumed was his private quarters. Just like that, the argument was over. Nothing destroyed palace wise, no pace destruction, no fights…physical nor verbal! They handled it probably just as well as both of them could have handled an argument with the other.
The next time Feng Xin had noticed the shift was when he was in the main common area of the palace, where either of them or their deputies could spend time if they so pleased. He had not really meant to end up there, but when returning from his most recent mission, he had not made it to his own quarters. Exhausted as he was, he chose to take a seat in the common area and just to relax for a bit before getting to his mission report. That was, until Mu Qing entered with a handful of scrolls, probably to catch up on his own reports.
“Oh. I can go.” Feng Xin goes to stand, not really up for getting into an argument with the other god at this exact moment. Mu Qing surprises him by holding up a hand, taking a seat on a cushion directly across from Feng Xin before speaking.
“Forget it, the only reason I am here is because our deputies are hosting some game in my palace's common area, and I need scenery different than my quarters for now. If you remain quiet, so will I”
“Ah…Uh…Alright, yeah.” Feng Xin muttered, closing his eyes to the sound of Mu Qing unrolling one of the scrolls.
He is unsure if he zones out, or falls asleep, or what, but Mu Qings voice jostles him out of whatever state he had been in.
“Sorry, what?” He asks, opening his eyes and looking over to Mu Qing, who had not looked up from his scroll.
“I asked how the mission went.”
“Oh, it went fine. Nothing new, I guess. Just some stupid wrath causing bullshit trouble in some village, you know.”
“Mn….”
This was uncharted territory.
They had conversations in the past about missions, naturally, but it had never felt so…domestic.
There was that word again. That feeling.
The domesticity of it all. Of this. Of them sitting around like this while their deputies were off doing their own thing, peacefully discussing a mission.
“So…” He continued, not really wanting the conversation to end where it had, because who knew when it would be this peaceful between them again. “What about you? You were on a mission recently too, yes? How did it go?”
“Fine. Minimal injuries, finished in a couple days. Overall it was decent. Nothing exciting.” Mu Qing still did not look up from his scroll as he answered, but Feng Xin caught sight of his pink cheeks
Interesting.
“Well that's good…”
“Mn.”
There was a pregnant pause before Feng Xin decided to test his luck and continue once more. “So much for being quiet…haha…”
“Feng Xin.”
“Right…right…”
Neither spoke after that, not until Feng Xin departed to take a bath and they exchanged simple goodbyes, but the silence between them was neither awkward nor tense. It was just that, silent.
Feng Xin would even consider it nice.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
Mu Qing couldn't remember when he realized there had been a shift in his dynamic with Feng Xin, but it took him a bit of time to realize that he was more okay with this shift than he would have expected to be.
After being on his own, so to say, for so long, he thought it would be miserable to share a space. Especially with someone he had shared a living space with for many years of his life, pre-godhood. Instead, it was actually…nostalgic, in a weirdly good way. Despite the turbulences they had faced at first, they seemed to fall into a rhythm around one another, and they were able to live in the same area once more, but this time as equals in their own right.
It was strange to him at first, especially considering it had occurred without Dianxia being the one to push for it as he always did.
A part of him that still yearned for Xie Lian’s praise hoped that if their banished prince ever came to find out about their current lack of hostility around each other, he would be proud.
Mu Qing came to realize something else, very soon after he had noticed the shift.
He refused to come to terms with it though, so he ignored the feeling of fluttering in his chest whenever he passed Feng Xin in the shared palace, turning away in order to hide his blush after they nodded politely.
The occurrence happens more times than he can count on his fingers, with weeks passing of these partially awkward encounters, despite the fact they could linger in the common room together without any tension. Mu Qing chalked it up to the fact that typically, they were both working on something mission related, or relaxing post return from a mission. The common room was simply…well…common ground. Yet passing each other and remaining pleasant in the halls, rather than purposely shoving into each other's shoulders was something he was really trying to get used to.
It came to a head when he had decided that whatever he was feeling was just his imagination, naturally, and it was up to him to restore the order in which they were used to, because of course Feng Xin would never think of a way to do so! With that in mind, he conjured his plan.
One night, when he knew he would cross paths with Feng Xin in the halls once more, he purposely walked closer to the side he knew Feng Xin walked, just to cause them to walk into each other.
Yes, surely that would have the desired effect, and he and Feng Xin could go back to their argumentative relationship.
It was foolproof.
Feng Xin would blow up, raging about Mu Qing purposely walking into him.
That was until Feng Xin avoided him completely, stepping to the side in order to avoid Mu Qing’s body, thus avoiding his attempt at a shove, his an attempt at bringing normalcy back into their lives!
“Sorry.” Feng Xin nodded quietly, continuing on his way down the corridor as if Mu Qing hadn't just attempted to walk into him.
Mu Qing gaped, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of a water for a moment until;
“Do I disgust you so much that you cannot each brush past me in the corridors anymore?!”
Feng Xin swung around to meet him eye to eye. “What? What are you going on about?”
“You quite literally just sidestepped me! As if even touching my sleeves would….would dirty you!”
“Mu Qing what the actual fuck? You were walking in the middle of the corridor! What did you want me to do?! Barrel right into you?”
Mu Qing crosses his arms. “You’ve never had an issue with it before, why now? Just because I’m forced to share with you, you think you’re better? Too good to even touch filthy General Xuan Zhen? The mopping general!?” He hisses out, his glare ice cold.
Feng Xin stands there speechless, and proceeds to drag a hand down his face in obvious annoyance. “Genuinly, how the fuck does your brain jump to that? Are you good?”
“Well it’s obvious! We haven’t even sparred in…in...I don't even know how long!”
“And somehow, in that twisted and mangled fucked up brain of yours, you have decided that all of that, is because I find it disgusting…to touch you…am I getting that right?”
Mu Qing doesn't answer, but stands up straighter, confirming that yes, he did indeed think that.
“Gods, Mu Qing…and here I thought we were getting along better.”
Mu Qing huffed, turning his head to the side as Feng Xin rubbed his temples.
“Listen, you were just walking in the middle of the hall, I didn't want to ram into you, because I didn't want you to think I was trying to be aggressive or start anything. That is all.” Feng Xin explains through clenched teeth. Mu Qing sighs before turning back towards his forced palacemate.
“Everything is…wrong. Are you so stupid that you are unable to see it?’
Feng Xin quirks an eyebrow. “What do you mean ‘wrong’? What’s wrong?”
Mu Qing gestures between them. “How we’ve been acting! Have you truly not noticed?! We don’t argue at all, let alone fight! And…and we’re acting as if we were…as if we were--”
“Friends?” Feng Xin cuts him off. “Of course I've noticed that we’re not attacking each other any chance we get, don’t you think it’s been sort of…nice?”
“Friends? Nice? That has never been…we’ve never…”
“Can’t we change? What’s…what’s so wrong about not fighting? Don’t you get tired of it?”
“...” Mu Qing bit his lip, not wanting to truly agree with the man, because of course it was tiring, but it was all they had known.
“Here, can I walk you back to your quarters? That’s where you were headed, correct? Let’s walk together.”
“You were going to the kitchen though, that's in the other direction.”
“It’s alright.” Feng Xin shakes his head, walking a few paces to stand beside Mu Qing. “It was just to get something to chew on while I worked, but honestly, it’s quite late…I suppose I should rest for the night.”
“Fine then.” Mu Qing says cooly, turning in the direction of his quarters and stalking off. He couldn't risk Feng Xin seeing how pink his cheeks had gotten, not with how embarrassed he had already been tonight.
Feng Xin followed, the recognizable heavy steps quickly moving from directly behind him, to beside him.
“Did you…want to spar, perhaps? It can just be a friendly spar, in the palace gardens out back? Tomorrow maybe? I have training with some deputies early on but I can after, if you are free?” Feng Xin asks tentatively.
“Oh? Are we officially planning sparring sessions now?” He asks as monotone as he could, but internally, he is losing it.
They had never planned sparring sessions before, and this sounded… no . He was just imagining that. Feng Xin would never.
“I mean, it sets aside a time for us to both get a good fight in, who else would we practice with? Plus, it’s been a bit since we got a good one in.”
“I could practice with General Ming Guang.” Mu Qing shrugs, not thinking much of it, just offering the next martial god that popped up in his mind. Yet the footsteps beside him came to a stop, causing him to stop and turn to the other.
“You want to spar with Pei Ming?” Feng Xin asked, eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed.
“No, absolutely not. I never said I wanted to, you asked who else we would practice with, and I suggested another martial god. Simple as that. I don’t even want to share air with him half the time, let alone get close enough to where he can touch me.” Mu Qing shudders.
Ming Guang was a great martial god, there was no doubt about that. He was strong, and earned his place in the heavens like the rest of them. But his ways around people he found attractive always caused Mu Qing to lift his nose in disgust. The man was shameless!
“Well…don’t do that…he’s too shameless.”
Ah. At least they agree.
Fine. Tomorrow after training. I’ll meet you in the gardens.” Mu Qing agrees at last, turning towards the corridor leading to his quarters once more.
“Awesome!” Feng Xin basically yips like an excited puppy, before coughing and straightening up and continuing. “That’s…yeah that’s good. Okay, let’s get you back to your quarters, it’s getting late.” Feng Xin smiled, leading the way this time. “I know how much the princess likes his beauty sleep.” He laughs, earning himself a smack upside the back of his head.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
The next day, Mu Qing passed the training fields on the way back from a meeting he had with some of the civil gods, and happened upon the archer with some of his deputies. They were lined up, shooting at the targets uniformly, each deputy in their Palace of Nan Yang uniform, their elbows raised and pulled back, before letting the arrow fly. Each hit the target with near perfect precision. The only one that got it directly in the middle, one after the other, splitting the previous arrows, was their general.
Feng Xin trained shirtless most of the time, Mu Qing knew this. In fact, he was used to it! Yet he couldn't help but feel a tightening in his stomach, his mouth drying, as he watched his palacemate’s muscles move with each shot.
He had always been aware of Feng Xin’s…build. The man had always been broad in comparison to Mu Qing's thinner form, not to mention the way that he packed on muscle. Even when they were young, still by their prince's side in their early childhoods, Feng Xin had been all muscle.
Mu Qing hated him for it. Hated that he would catch himself watching Feng Xin practice with his childhood bow and quiver all those years ago, just like he had caught himself today.
He probably could have stood there watching for hours, watching until Feng Xin noticed the time and realized that he was to be meeting Mu Qing in the gardens for their spar, only to turn and see the man he was looking for already staring at him intently, half naked no less!
Thankfully, Ling Wen - the goddess she is - rescued him. Unintentionally, of course, but still.
“General?” Her voice pulled him from his thoughts. Mu Qing finally snaps his head away from Feng Xin’s back, turning to look at Ling Wen. She looked between Feng Xin and him once or twice, before raising an eyebrow at Mu Qing.
“What? Do you have something to say? Can a martial god not watch another martial gods training now?!” Mu Qing explains defensively, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Ah…” Ling Wen nodded, as if she had come to some sort of conclusion. “I see, of course general…forgive me.”
“Did you need something, Ling Wen?”
“Indeed. I require your presence tomorrow at my palace.” She looks to Feng Xin again, nodding towards him. “Nan Yang as well. After lunch works best for me. Please inform him when you speak to him next.”
With that, in a swirl of robes, she was gone.
Mu Qing sighs, and with one last glance towards Feng Xin, heads towards their shared palace to prepare for the spar.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
He hears Feng Xin before he sees him, so very used to hearing the stomp of those heavy steps against any sort of ground.
“Ling Wen wants to see us tomorrow, both of us.” Is the first thing he says, before Feng Xin can say anything.
“Oh? What about?”
Mu Qing, who had been sitting on a bench inspecting some of the flowers, stood to face his fellow - now fully clothed - god.
“You think I know? She was incredibly vague as per usual, all I know is she requested both of us, after lunch.”
“Hmmm oh! Do you think it’s about our palaces?” Feng Xin asks as he rounds the bench to meet Mu Qing, before then following him to the middle of the field.
“Maybe, it has been quite long.”
“Yeah…but…it hasn't been all bad.” Feng Xin comments as they turn to face each other.
“It’s been pretty bad.” Mu Qing chuckles, lunging forward to throw the first punch.
They throw punches back and forth for a few moments, dodging the others' fists easily. Mu Qing began to lift his knee in order to kick at Feng Xin’s side. The archer takes the chance to grab Mu Qings leg and hold it in place.
“You think? I truly don't mind it anymore! I actually quite like the time we’ve been spending together.” Feng Xin teases, his cheeks flushed bright red. Mu Qing doesn't know if it's out of embarrassment or their spar.
Pulling his leg free of Feng Xins grasp, he huffs out a laugh. “I suppose it has been adequate, as of recently.”
“Adequate?! You wound me, Mu Qing!” Feng Xin clutches his heart, as he dodges Mu Qings rebuttal punch. “Are you saying I’m bad company?” He pouts before lunging for Mu Qing’s chest and toppling them onto the grass.
“You ape! Get off of me this instant!” Mu Qing commands, but a smile breaks through as he tries to buck Feng Xin off of him.
“Admit you like my company! I saw your little smiles during our time together!” Feng Xin had not budged, and was now trying to just keep them both on the ground, not giving Mu Qing the chance to flip them.
“D-Don’t say it like that! How shameless!”
“No matter how it’s worded! You still smiled while reading your little scrolls! I saw it!”
At last, Mu Qing gained the upper hand, flipping them so that Feng Xin’s back was against the grass instead. He immediately stood, crossing his arms with a triumphant smile on his face.
“I have no idea what you're talking about, I can’t recall ever experiencing an ounce of joy from reading those mission scrolls. Why would I smile?”
Feng Xin smiles goofily from where he lay, apparently accepting his loss. “Like I said! You like spending time with me!”
“You are so annoying. Are you going to get up or not? We still have time for a few more rounds.”
A ‘few’ rounds quickly turned to nine more rounds, with both generals flushed red and covered in sweat and dirt. They lay side by side in the grass together catching their breath and looking up at the darkening sky.
It felt so peaceful, lying there beside his rival - turned palacemate - turned friend. He could get used to this, these friendly sparring sessions with Feng Xin.
It had lacked cruel words, blood, and threats, as it was replaced by playful teasing. They were not out to hurt each other, as they once had been. Instead, they were simply practicing with the only person who knew them like the back of their hand.
Is this what it was like? To be close to Feng Xin?
Because he truly did not mind it.
“I was being truthful before, you know.” Feng Xin suddenly says, bringing Mu Qing back to reality.
“Hm?”
“I really do enjoy spending time with you…I don’t mind sharing the palace at all…not anymore. It’s…actually quite nice…” Feng Xin says softly as he sits up, massaging the shoulder that Mu Qing had gotten a good hit on during the fourth round.
“Oh…” Mu Qing hums, sitting up alongside the archer.
“I really can’t explain it, you know? It just kind of feels..right? It’s always kind of felt like that when we’re around each other…for me at least. I presume it has to do with the fact we grew up together, to be fair.” Feng Xin rambled on.
Mu Qing was about to respond, he was about to even agree when Feng Xin shook his head as if snapping out of a trance. “Sorry, I don’t know if that makes sense, I don’t even think I really know what I mean when I say that…but I hope it makes a little—”
“It feels like home.” Mu Qing whispers, cutting Feng Xin off.
He pulls his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them to hide his face. He doesn't see Feng Xin, but he hears the man hum, and can feel the piercing golden gaze burning into him.
“Yeah…feels like home.”
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
“Welcome, generals. Thank you both for joining me today.” Ling Wen bows her head to the two Southern gods as they take their seat before her.
“Ling Wen.” They say in unison, bowing their heads politely in response.
“I actually wanted to discuss your new palaces with each of you, one meeting simply made it easier time wise. That being said, Nan Yang, we will start with you. Should the builders go forward with the same amount of wings as your last? Furthermore, are there any specifications that you want made? If so, I need to know now, as the construction on yours starts very soon.”
As she spoke, she unrolled a scroll in preparation for notes she planned to take. Yet surprisingly, Feng Xin was silent, looking down at his lap where his hands were folded one over the other.
“Nan Yang!” Mu Qing hisses, nudging his counterpart with his elbow, jostling him back to the conversation.
“Oh sorry, my bad…I uh…I was just thinking about something…if possible, may I pull Xuan Zhen aside for a moment? To discuss something with him? It will be very quick, I swear.” Feng Xin asked, holding a hand over his heart in a promise.
Ling Wen looks between the two of them, eyebrow raised, but nods nonetheless, gesturing for them to take a step away from her desk.
“What? Why now?” Mu Qing asks, watching as Feng Xin stands from the chair.
“Thank you, Ling Wen. It will only be a moment.” Feng Xin nods, grabbing Mu Qings hand, and pulling him up and away from the desk to a corner of the room.
“Feng Xin?! What is this about?!” Mu Qing hisses, careful of his volume as Ling Wen still sat in the room.
“I’ve been..thinking.”
“HA! That’s a first!”
“Shut the fuck up! Don’t do this right now!”
Mu Qing huffs, crossing his arms, but mumbles “Fine.”
“Okay well…you see…”Feng Xin is rubbing his arms anxiously, and worry nestles in Mu Qing’s stomach.
Why was he so nervous?
“Come on, spit it out.”
“What if we didn't?” Feng Xin blurts out, reaching out at the speed of light to grasp Mu Qing’s shoulders.
“...What if we didn't..what?”
Feng Xin takes a deep breath, glancing from Ling Wen back to Mu Qing before whispering out; “What if we just…didn’t get new palaces?”
“What? You want to continue sharing?”
Feng Xin smiles softly, dropping his head to face the tiles below them. “Like I said…I don’t mind it, at all actually. I…I really like living together honestly, having all our deputies under one roof, being able to see you randomly in the halls before bed, and first thing in the morning. I don’t really want to give that up…it’s probably stupid as fuck to say all that, selfish as well…I know.”
“You actually want to continue living in the same palace?” Mu Qing verifies again. He could feel his hackles rising in alarm, because this could always be a prank afterall. A cruel prank, which granted, Feng Xin was not known for at all. But it could still happen! They had been at each other's throats for so many centuries, maybe this was just a way for Mu Qing to talk about his own feelings for blackmail material!
“I really…I just…” Feng Xin starts again, still holding onto Mu Qings shoulders as if they were a lifeline. “I thought about what you had said yesterday, after our spar. How when I spend time with you, it feels like home. You feel like home. It made me think about how we have always, no matter what words were said between us, gravitate towards each other in some way shape or form. Where I go, you are and vice versa. We’ve always been a packaged deal, and we were the only ones ignorant to that.” Feng Xin babbles on, looking anywhere but Mu Qing.
“It could only get worse, you know.” Mu Qing finally speaks.
Because it was true. Yes, it is good now. Pleasant and enjoyable. But what about a century from now, when they are sick of being around each other? Desperately craving their own palace away from the other, only to be stuck.
“I think that if anyone can get past it, it’s us.” Feng Xin breathes, finally meeting Mu Qings eyes. “Tell me it’s stupid. Tell me ‘no’, and that you want your own palace, and I’ll never bring it up again, I swear.” The grip on Mu Qing tightens lightly, not enough to cause bruises, but enough for him to feel the heat from Feng Xins hands.
“I…why?”
“Why? Why what?” Feng Xin asks, head tilted to the side similar to that of an adorable little puppy.
“Why do you want this? I thought you…I thought you hated me.”
Feng Xin sighs, using the grasp he has on Mu Qing’s shoulder to pull the leaner man towards his chest. Mu Qing attempts to back away, pushing himself as much as he can, but Feng Xin only holds tighter, hugging Mu Qing as if that could prove to Mu Qing that he had never truly hated him.
Yet he knew how Mu Qing’s mind worked, so with another deep breath, he spoke softly into Mu Qing’s ear.
“I never hated you. I have felt a wide range of emotions for you over the years. Sure, there were some bad ones, but not a single time did I ever truly hate you.”
This time, he did allow Mu Qing to push off of his chest, but only because the other continued to stay in Feng Xin’s arms. He simply looked up at him through narrowed suspicions eyes, scanning Feng Xin’s face for any lies.
“I never did either.” He finally mumbles as he ducks his head down in order to hide his bright red cheeks.
Mu Qing doesn't see it, but Feng Xin smiles so brightly, Ling Wen, who had been watching the two, looks away, feeling as though she was imposing on a special moment.
“So…did you…want to keep living in our palace?” Feng Xin whispers softly.
Our palace.
He lifts his face to look up to Feng Xin once more, who's looking at Mu Qing as if he had hung the moon and all the stars in the sky.
Our palace.
Straightening up, he nods a single nod.
Our palace.
Mu Qing could get used to that.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
Silently, the two generals make their way back to Ling Wen, both their cheeks flushed red.
“Sorry, we’re all set now.” Nan Yang bows his head in apology. Ling Wen waves her hand, gesturing for them to sit back down.
She had another meeting with General Qi Ying soon…she had to mentally prepare for that, so she was truly hoping to get this finished quickly.
“So, did you think about any changes for your future palace, Nan Yang? Xuan Zhen, I request that you start thinking of any you may want as well, in order to be time efficient.”
“Well, actually...” Xuan Zhen starts, only for his cheeks to redden more, if it were even possible. She had never seen the general look so…awkward.
“We won’t be needing them.” Nan Yang finishes.
“Won’t be needing…?”
“The new palaces…” Xuan Zhen says shyly, looking away from her and focusing on the shelves of scrolls that stood behind her.
“You…you want to continue using the single palace?” She asks, needing to hear them confirm that was indeed what they wanted.
There was no way. She couldn't help but think to herself.
The two looked to each other silently, seemingly communicating between themselves for a moment, before looking back at her and nodding concurrently.
“Ah..”
She would need to remember to contact Ol’ Pei later to inform him that he was right in his theories.
“Well…that makes this meeting a bit shorter then.” She says, mentally sighing happily to herself over the thought of resting for at least a moment before Qi Ying showed up. “I suppose all I need to know is if there is anything you need for this palace? Any damages I should know about that need fixing? Do we need to add anything?”
Two answers ring out at the same time.
“Does this need to be finalized now? I could survey the palace and take inventory and get back to you when possible if I believe there is something that should be added.”
“There’s a massive hole in one of the walls.”
Xuan Zhen whips his head to glare at Nan Yang. “Why the hell would you bring that up?!” He hisses, but Nan Yang only smiles and shrugs.
“I changed my mind, Ling Wen. I apologize. I actually quite like the hole. It’s grown on me a bit.”
She stares at Nan Yang, and with a deadpan tone, mutters out “I can see that.” Turning to Xuan Zhen, she nods in response to his question. “Please just let me know when you can, I would rather have the palace worked on sooner rather than later.”
Xuan Zhen nods. “I will.”
The two generals then stand at the same time and turn towards the palace doors in order to depart.
“Oh, generals!” Ling Wen suddenly calls out against her better judgment. After all, she had never truly been one to really tease her colleagues.
Truly, she simply couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this one.
Both men turn to look at her over their shoulders, and a smirk forms on her lips.
“Many blessings. I truly hope the engagement goes well.”
The reaction is exactly what she expects from the two, both generals going bright red, gasping as if scandalized and suddenly rambling that this is not what was going on, before scurrying out of her palace faster than she had ever seen either move.
₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*
Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen rejected the rumors, they told her that living together in the palace ‘wasn't like that’.
And yet half a century later she watches as the two generals, clad in red robes, share a kiss in the middle of their palaces garden. The whoops and cheers of their deputies, as well as surrounding heavenly officials are so loud, they can be heard all the way to Ghost City.
“Ling Wen.” Pei Ming's voice comes from beside her, and he moves closer in order to be heard over the loud celebrations as the newly married couple depart the gardens.
She looks over to her friend with a raised eyebrow, as if to ask ‘what?’
“It took only half a century, I was right. You owe me two million merits.”