"Mmmmmgh," Lian grumbled. She was trying to try out several weapons in her fathers' armory, practicing with sword to spear to bow. Feng Xin and Mu Qing stood a distance away, avoiding getting struck by Lian by a weapon she was trying out and being struck by her temper.
Lian was currently using a saber, Mu Qing's signature weapon. It didn't seem to fit her, and neither did the bow and arrow that Feng Xin suggested. She tried out spears, but she didn't like to have to hit and strike in precise locations. Mu Qing and Feng Xin assessed her movements and agility and quietly talked amongst themselves while they watched Lian practice.
"Her movements are fluid, like water. They're also precise and trained, but she doesn't work the best with a spear," Feng Xin quietly said to Mu Qing. Mu Qing nodded.
"She controls her movements well. She is trained with every weapon here, knowing exactly how to use it. None of the blades fit her kind of movement, and no bow works with her the best either. We have nearly every weapon that exists here. What could she need...?" Mu Qing said back to Feng Xin. Lian's forehead was covered in sweat, exhausted after a full day of practicing with every weapon that existed. She lowered her arms, giving up on the saber that she was holding. Mu Qing looked up.
"A-Lian, do you need a break?" He asked, holding out a leather pouch full of water. Lian nodded, taking the pouch from her father's hands.
"Yeah. I wanna go outside for a little bit, is that okay?" Lian asked. She chugged the water, then wiped her forehead. Mu Qing smiled helplessly and nodded.
"Of course. Go ahead, and when you're ready, come back in," Mu Qing said. Lian smiled and ran outside, breathing the cool air of Feng Xin's garden. She looked at the large willow tree, fantasizing about what could have happened under there. She unconsciously reached out a hand and broke off a long branch from the willow tree, waving it around. She smiled and struck a stance.
Although she had no experience with fighting with a whip, she did know some things. She flung her wrist out and twirled, and slashed at a stray branch at the willow tree. The branch was cut clean by her spiritual power and her technique, and she grinned broadly.
"Oh. That was what we were missing," Feng Xin mumbled, amused. Mu Qing smiled. They had gone outside to check on Lian, only to see that she had cut a branch clean from its source.
"A-Lian, how about you start training with a whip?" Mu Qing asked, chuckling. Lian whipped around and her eyes shone.
"Ah... alright! I think it'll work," Lian replied, grinning. Feng Xin smiled.
"I'll forge a whip for you. Do you want it shaped like a willow branch, strong but with sharp golden leaves?" Feng Xin asked. He already had a design in his head. Lian ecstatically nodded as her grin grew.
"A-Die, really?" Lian asked, rushing over. Feng Xin chuckled.
"Yes." Feng Xin replied. With that one word, Lian's heart leaped. She was already a young teen, but she was still growing. Even she had to have some days when she'd act like a little child. Her eyes shone with the innocence (...?) of youth as she smiled.
~~~~~~~~
"Aiya, she's so grown now," Mu Qing thought aloud. It was night, and Feng Xin and himself were walking in Feng Xin's garden. Lian was sleeping, as it was relatively deep into the night.
"I remember when she was so small that I could put her into my inner robes and nobody would notice," Feng Xin muttered. Mu Qing gave him the side eye, raising an eyebrow.
"Did you?" Mu Qing asked a hint of malice in his voice.
"No. I didn't try," Feng Xin replied, scratching the back of his head. Mu Qing led him to the willow tree, sitting on the marble bench underneath it. Feng Xin plopped down next to him, letting out a breath. The full moon above cast a gentle silver light on Mu Qing's features, highlighting every contour of his face. His lips were gently curled upward, gazing at the moon. His eyes slightly narrowed as the wind blew his hair everywhere. He tucked his hair behind his ear. Feng Xin stared at him, marveling at the sight of his beautiful husband.
"It's a beautiful night tonight," Mu Qing mumbled. He turned his head towards Feng Xin and smiled. All of Feng Xin's self-control flew out the window, Feng Xin gently grasped Mu Qing's chin and kissed him on the lips. Mu Qing's eyes slightly widened, but he gave in. He opened his mouth slightly and let Feng Xin's intruding tongue slide in.
After a good while, Mu Qing pulled away, eyes half-lidded. Both men's faces were red as they peered at each other. Mu Qing grasped Feng Xin's face in between both of his hands as he pushed Feng Xin down on the long marble bench. Feng Xin's back was pushed against the cold marble, but in this passionate embrace, the temperature felt hot.
"A-Xin, can we?" Mu Qing asked, his tone carrying a hint of desire. Feng Xin's breaths came quick as his face reddened. He smiled.
"Of course," Feng Xin said, smirking.
*yargh mmmmhahaha*
YOU ARE READING
Mixed Robes [FengQing]
Romance*The cover art is not mine, and credits go to @msmsnst* **a warning from this venerable author beforehand, please stretch your facial muscles before reading. It would be a pain for your face to cramp after the amount of cringing you'll be doing thro...