Black Jade

Chapter 16: Bonded

 Wei Wuxian and Boquin walked along the streets of town. Everyone around was staring at the beautiful masters who walked with race, power and riches. The girls were jumping over each other to get a good look at them.

"A-Xian, where would you like to go?" asked Boquin.

"I suppose we could get some alcohol, and then take a boat onto the lake."

"Sounds perfect." They walked in a comfortable silence to Wuxian's old favorite bar. When they entered all eyes turned towards them, but a certain table of young men gasped at the sight of one of their old friends.

"Wuxian! Wuxian! Where have you been?" asked the frantic group of young men.

"It's a long story, but please don't let anybody know I'm here yet," Wuxian responded,

putting his finger over his lips.

"Of course, but you have to drink with us," the boy said, crossing his arms.

"As long as it's okay with Boquin," he asked, turning to his friend. Boquin smiled and

nodded, knowing that it's been a while since A-Xian had seen his old friends. They sat around having a few drinks together and talking about how Wei Wuxian used to be.

"Don't you remember that one time that he ran around the town in the middle of the night, and then passed out in a trash bin?" one of the men said, laughing. Wei Wuxian blushed as he looked at Boquin.

"I forgot about that hehe," Wuxian said, trying to cover his face. Boquin just chuckled at his antics, finding it amusing. He was happy to hear about how A-Xian was when he was younger.

"Don't you remember when you came back from studying at the Cloud Recess, you wouldn't stop talking about some Lan cultivator. You were acting like a maiden in love," another said laughing again. Wuxian froze as he remembered the one person he didn't want to think about.

"Who was this?" asked Boquin, faking a smile.

"I believe it was the second young master," said another. Wei Wuxian changed the subject quickly to avoid talking about that. But the damage had been done, Boquin was officially jealous, which made him want to work harder.

"I think A-Xian and I should get going, we wanted to take a boat ride, just the two of us," said Boquin, taking Wuxian's hand. The boys looked at their connected hands and had a realization.

"Of course, of course, but please come see us again sometime Wuxian," said another, nudging his friend's shoulder.

"Will do."

"What was that about?" asked Wuxian as they exited the tavern.

"Nothing, I just wanted to spend some time with you," responded Boquin, squeezing Wuxian's hand. Wei Wuxian blushed but agreed. They made their way over to the boats and rented one for a couple of hours. Wuxian was happy to be able to show Boquin the beauty of Yunmeng. They put a talisman on the back of the boat to make it go on it's own. They spent a couple of hours just talking, before the sunset.

"See, look how beautiful!" shouted an excited Wuxian as he pointed to the lanterns that lit up the whole lake and Lotus flowers. Boquin looked directly at Wei Wuxian.

"I see."