Chapter Text
The dust swirled around Feng Xin and Mu Qing’s boots as they traversed the desolate plains. Their mission, bestowed upon them by a slightly exasperated Xie Lian, was simple: retrieve a runaway spirit lamp with a penchant for setting small villages ablaze. Naturally, the journey was proving anything but simple. They each wanted to complete the mission on their own (to gain new followers to light them lanterns for the Battle of the Lanterns coming up, obviously), but unfortunately, their paths had to cross.
“Honestly, Feng Xin,” Mu Qing sighed, adjusting the meticulously arranged contents of his qiankun pouch, “must you be so loud? You’re scaring away all the non -flammable wildlife.”
Feng Xin snorted. “And you’re being so stuffy you’re probably attracting all the flammable ones. Relax a little, Mu Qing. We’re not in the Heavenly Capital anymore. No one’s here to judge your impeccable posture and silent-but-deadly glares.”
Mu Qing’s lips thinned, rolling his eyes. “My posture is exemplary, thank you very much. And my glares are perfectly justified when dealing with… certain individuals.” He pointedly looked away, the “certain individual” being Feng Xin.
They continued in a strained silence for a while, the only sound being the crunch of their boots on the dry earth. Then, Feng Xin tripped over a gnarled root, sprawling forward with a yell.
“Graceful as ever, Feng Xin,” Mu Qing drawled with sarcasm, not bothering to conceal the smirk playing on his lips. He offered a hand, but with a distinct lack of urgency.
Feng Xin grumbled, accepting the offered hand. “Shut it, Mu Qing. It's not my fault the earth decided to attack me.”
“Perhaps it sensed your… unique charm,” Mu Qing retorted, pulling Feng Xin up a little too hard, causing him to stumble again.
“Oh, real mature, Mu Qing,” Feng Xin snapped, dusting himself off. “You know, for someone who claims to be so above it all, you’re awfully petty.”
“And you’re awfully… present,” Mu Qing countered, his voice dangerously low.
The argument escalated, as it usually did with these two. They traded insults, each barb sharper than the last. Finally, Feng Xin, in a moment of inspired (or perhaps ill-advised) provocation, said, “You know, for someone so critical of everyone else, you’re surprisingly… uptight.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Something in Mu Qing’s expression shifted. His usual cool demeanor cracked, replaced by a flicker of… something. He grabbed Feng Xin’s collar, pulling him close. Feng Xin braced for a punch, but it never came.
Instead, Mu Qing stared at him. Really stared. His eyes roamed over Feng Xin’s face, lingering on his… well, his features. Feng Xin, despite his anger, found himself oddly captivated by the intensity of Mu Qing’s gaze. He could feel his own heart beating faster.
Mu Qing’s mind raced. He’d intended to deliver a scathing retort, maybe even a well-deserved punch. But… he found himself momentarily distracted. He’d never really… looked at Feng Xin like this before. The lines of his face, usually contorted in anger or exasperation, seemed… different. More… defined. Dare he admit it, even to himself? Attractive.
The thought hit Mu Qing like a physical blow. He flushed crimson, a furious embarrassment washing over him. He abruptly shoved Feng Xin back, his hand clenching into a fist. The punch, originally intended as a simple act of aggression, now carried the weight of his confused emotions.
Feng Xin, caught off guard by the sudden shift, staggered back, a hand going to his jaw. “What was that for?!”
“You… you… infuriating idiot!” Mu Qing sputtered, his face still burning. He threw another punch, this time aimed at Feng Xin’s shoulder.
Feng Xin, finally understanding that a physical altercation was unavoidable, retaliated. They exchanged blows, a flurry of fists and feet. But beneath the surface of their angry exchange, a different kind of tension simmered. Mu Qing’s embarrassment had ignited something in him, a confusing mix of anger and… something else. And Feng Xin, despite his protests, couldn’t deny the strange flutter in his chest whenever Mu Qing’s gaze lingered a little too long.
As they grappled, neither noticed the spirit lamp, perched on a nearby rock, watching their fight with a flickering, mischievous light. It seemed this quest was going to be much more complicated than anyone anticipated.