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Thwack.
"You didn’t split that tree in half," Yukong observes. She enjoys it when Feixiao asks her to join the lone training; for her eyes only. "Holding yourself back, General?"
Swish.
As another arrow leaves the grip of Yukong’s bow, the divine weapon trembles with impact, vibrations resonating from Feixiao’s arm throughout her entire being. This is why she prefers shooting this particular one; it can sustain strong emotions. There’s something about it—its owner—which makes Feixiao relax, slow down.
Yukong’s presence is enough.
Feixiao lowers their bow and addresses her, "Remember when we fought side by side?"
"How can I not."
"Your toughness inspired me back then. Now, it’s your affection." She smiles. "With you by my side once more, I needn’t be tough."
And maybe that’s something Yukong can allow. Let her own self be softer, too. As honest.
"I will never forget the very first time you adjusted my aim," Feixiao continues, nocking an arrow. "Put your arms around my shoulders, guided me…"
Swish. Thwack.
"...Let go."
Urgent to not miss her cue, Yukong darts towards Feixiao.
Crack. Thud.
The skies she longs to fly again may just as well fall down.
"Don’t draw another arrow." She studies Feixiao’s lips. "Don’t say another word."
Yukong spent years running away from this need.
To no avail.
Spellbound, she soars high anew.
Giving in to the kiss she’s been after, Feixiao lets go of the matchmaking weapon and hurries to cup Yukong’s face. "What just happened, jie-jie?" she whispers into her mouth.
She knows exactly what happened, for this is her greatest triumph.
Yukong opens her eyes to ascertain—It’s the way Feixiao looks at her.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she turns round. You!
Feixiao embraces her from behind. Taut at first, Yukong gradually melts into her caring arms.
"I’m one old fox, General." She allows herself to feel the craved intimacy, let it wash over. "Yet when you came back, you made me feel young again, alive."
Taking in every word she says, Feixiao rests her head in the crook of Yukong’s neck.
"You and your pretence of bow practice! You are a legendary weaponry wielder, what practice do you even need anymore? Our training past is long gone."
Feixiao squeezes her tighter, afraid it might just be a fleeting dream. "Vulnerability practice," it is her turn to confess. "If you got killed in the recent attack, there would have been far worse consequences for everyone with me succumbing to Moon Rage," she playfully nips at Yukong’s neck. "I don’t have much time left either. Share it with me."
Peerless general, competitive rascal. Soft. Holding onto Yukong like her life depends on her.
It does.
Feixiao is so, so warm against her back, so welcoming. Just like she dared imagine she would be. So Yukong allows–practises this too.
Heavens, she even allows Feixiao to keep stroking her tail.
"It’s so soft, Yukong," she caresses the fluff eagerly. It’s soothing against her battle-scarred skin. "This is better than training! Can we please add this to our routine?"
A sigh. Yukong’s twitching ears are quick to betray her, though.
Not only ears.
"Hey, has it just become even bushier?" Feixiao giggles, her own pointy ears fluttering. She buzzes with adoration against the tail.
Feixiao doesn’t show any weakness to anyone else. She owns her power and confidence, and it radiates off of her. Such childlike bliss becomes her even more, Yukong notes as she turns back to face her.
"Look at you all fluffed up!" Fascinated, Feixiao reaches to caress her fluffy ears. "I could only dream of such eagerness from you. This is very unlike you."
"It is like you, however." Indeed. "To challenge, and relish a tough one."
This one had been the toughest. Took ages.
Yet was so worth it.
"Promise me," Yukong grabs Feixiao by the waist to tug her close. "You will not quiver. You will keep on being the piercing arrowhead you are, until our last breath."
She knows her well.
"Is it…a challenge?"
"Perhaps," Yukong kisses her deep.
Worth it all.