Work Text:
They were ten when Feng Xin first met the prince.
Feng Xin’s father had recently been promoted to become a general for the palace, their sons lurking behind them during meetings.
“Father,” Xie Lian pointed towards the young boy behind the general, “who is that?”
The King of Xianle followed his gaze, “that’s the General’s son, Feng Xin.”
He saw the other boy also glancing back at them, whispering to his mother and father.
The Queen smiled gently, “why don’t you go play with him while we have our meeting?”
The young prince laughed, and made his way towards the General’s son.
That was only the beginning of a bond between the two sons.
——
They were twelve when Feng Xin was allowed to train with Xie Lian.
It had been the General’s idea, for them to train together, and in the future when they were older fight alongside each other as prince and bodyguard.
“A-Xin!” The prince asked, “what weapon would you like to use?” He flourished his hand, showcasing the different weapons that hung on the wall.
Feng Xin pondered for a moment, looking at the variety of weapons the armory had to offer. He noticed a pair of bow and arrows, pointing towards it. “I like that one!”
Xie Lian looked at the bow and arrow, “okay! I’ll have that reserved for you, but I want to see your skills first, you’ve been training with the general right?”
He nodded, picking up a less flashy version of the bow and arrows set. “Look.”
Xie Lian watched intently as Feng Xin knocked an arrow, shooting directly into the bullseye.
The prince smiled, impressed with his skill, but Feng Xin was not done showing off, he was rumored to be one of the best in Xianle, and he wanted to show that off.
He shot several more from varying lengths, all of them hitting straight in the target.
Xie Lian clapped, delighted, walking towards Feng Xin, “I misjudged you, your skill with the bow is nothing like I’ve seen before!”
Feng Xin flushed with the praise, smiling haughtily as he shot more arrows.
——
They were thirteen when young ladies would throw themselves at Xie Lian, much to Feng Xin’s dismay.
“Lian-gege!” A girl called out as Xie Lian and Feng Xin walked through the capital of Xianle.
Fu Jingfei. Her father was several ranks below Feng Xin’s own father, but the girl acted better than anyone.
“Hello.” Xie Lian replied, waving respectfully, letting go of Feng Xin’s arm. (Feng Xin would never admit it, but at that moment he felt a strong pang of what felt like jealousy.)
Fu Jingfei giggled, sauntering over to the prince. “This is for you! I hope you can come and let me visit the palace one day!” She handed over a box of rice cakes, decorated with a pink bow.
Xie Lian smiled, accepting the offer, “thank you, Fu Jingfei, is that right?”
The girl giggled again, and to Feng Xin her laugh sounded absolutely horrible to his ears, “mhm!”
The prince waved goodbye, and continued to converse with Feng Xin like nothing had happened.
——
They were fourteen when Feng Xin was appointed to be Xie Lian’s bodyguard. (“A-Xin, if I had to choose who would be my bodyguard, I would choose you.)
They were fourteen when Mu Qing came into the picture, Feng Xin never liked him, he thought he was taking his prince’s kindness for his own gain.
They were fourteen when the King and Queen decided that it was time for Xie Lian to accept suitors.
“Y’know, Qing-er, A-Xin, I’m so tired of women throwing themselves to me all the time.” Xie Lian sighed as Mu Qing brushed out his hair, a slight pang of jealousy erupted in Feng Xin’s chest.
Mu Qing chucked softly, “how so?”
Xie Lian pressed the back of his hand to his forehead theatrically, “I’m so tired of them trying to be close! I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, but half of the time they gift me cakes! And I don’t like those!”
“I don’t understand why Their Majesties would ask you to accept women for courting, isn’t it against your cultivating lessons?” Feng Xin asked.
“It isn’t,” Mu Qing quipped, “as long as you don’t sleep with them, it’s fine.”
Feng Xin glared, “I wasn’t asking you!”
Xie Lian sighed, “calm down Feng Xin, Qing-er is right.”
The guard huffed as Mu Qing smirked softly.
“Are there any women you’re interested in, Xie Lian?” Mu Qing asked.
“It’s ‘His Highness’ to you!” Feng Xin glowered, both the prince and servant ignored him.
“Not really, they’re all beautiful, but I don’t like any of them.”
Warmth bloomed in Feng Xin’s chest, he was unsure of what it was, perhaps it was relief, or hope.
He wasn’t sure as to why he felt those in the first place.
——-
They were fifteen when Xie Lian had to reject multiple women a day.
“I’m sorry,” The prince said apologetically, “I don’t feel the same way.”
Day after day, young nobles would throw themselves at Xie Lian and would walk away dejected and disappointed.
They were also fifteen, when Xie Lian whispered promises of love to him under the moonlight.
“Do you love me, Feng Xin?” He murmured, eyes half closed.
“Of course.”
Xie Lian smiled gently, he promised that if anything happened to him, he would be protected.
——
They were sixteen when they first laid in bed together,
“As much as I want you, Your Highness, isn’t it not allowed to have sex?” Feng Xin asked, although his hands slid down Xie Lian’s chest as they sat down on his bed.
The prince closed his eyes, pulling Feng Xin on top of him, “maybe.”
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“Why should we risk this?”
Xie Lian sighed, “because I love you.”
Something struck within Feng Xin’s chest, he immediately connected their lips together, Xie Lian’s legs wrapped around his torso.
“Feng Xin,” Xie Lian whispered as Feng Xin pressed his mouth against Xie Lian’s neck.
“Your Highness.”
“Xie Lian.” The prince said, “call me by my name.”
“Xie Lian.” Feng Xin repeated, the name unfamiliar on his tongue.
“Again.”
“Xie Lian.” A trail of kisses down the prince’s body.
“Feng Xin.” Nails clawed on the guard’s back.
“I love you.” Xie Lian whispered.
“I love you, Xie Lian.”