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Narrator:
For centuries, Feng Xin and Mu Qing had been caught in an endless cycle of bickering. They argued over strategy, chores, even the weather..anything could spark another fight. Their dynamic was predictable..fiery words exchanged, cold silences that followed and an unspoken truce before the process repeated.
But lately, Feng Xin had started to feel the weight of it all. He hated how the arguments lingered longer than they used to..how the silences grew heavier. He hated that every interaction felt like a battle. Most of all, he hated that he didn’t know how to stop it.
It wasn’t that he didn’t care about Mu Qing quite the opposite, really. Somewhere between the insults and eye rolls, Feng Xin had realized he cared too much.
And it terrified him.
So, for once..Feng Xin decided to take the first step to fix things. Whether it was out of desperation or something deeper, he wasn’t sure.
Feng Xin found Mu Qing standing by the temple courtyard, meticulously polishing his armor. The late afternoon sun reflected off the metal, casting golden patterns on the stone floor.
“Mu Qing” Feng Xin started, his voice louder than intended. Mu Qing barely glanced up. “What is it now? Here to complain about something else I didn’t do right?”
Feng Xin winced. “No, I- Look, can we just... talk?” That got Mu Qing’s attention. He paused, setting down the cloth. “Talk? About what?”
“About us." Feng Xin said, crossing his arms defensively. “About how we’re always fighting.” Mu Qing raised an eyebrow. “We fight because you’re impossible to deal with.”
“And you’re so easy, right?” Feng Xin shot back, his frustration bubbling up before he caught himself. “See? This is what I mean! We can’t even have a normal conversation without arguing.”
“Maybe because you’re the one who starts it half the time..” Mu Qing retorted, narrowing his eyes.
Feng Xin groaned and running a hand through his hair. “Can you stop blaming me for once? I’m trying to fix this!”
“Fix what?” Mu Qing demanded. “You act like this is some big problem.”
“It is a problem!” Feng Xin said while throwing his hands up. “Don’t you ever get tired of it? The yelling, the insults..doesn’t it bother you?” Mu Qing hesitated, his expression guarded. “...Maybe. Sometimes.”
Feng Xin exhaled sharply. “Then why do we keep doing it? I don’t want to fight with you anymore, Mu Qing.”
There was a long silence. Finally, Mu Qing crossed his arms and his tone softer but still wary. “And what do you suggest we do instead? Hold hands and sing songs?”
Feng Xin rolled his eyes. “I’m being serious.”
“So am I.” Mu Qing said, his voice quieter now. “It’s not like we can just stop fighting overnight.”
“I know that.” Feng Xin admitted, stepping closer. “But we can at least try. You’re not-” He paused, searching for the right words. “You’re not as bad as I make you out to be. I just... I don’t know how to deal with you sometimes..."
Mu Qing’s eyes widened slightly before he quickly masked his surprise. “Well, you’re not exactly easy to deal with either. You’re loud, stubborn and reckless.”
Feng Xin snorted. “And you’re cold, nitpicky and smug.” Mu Qing gave him a flat look. “Great start to ‘fixing things’, Feng Xin.”
“I’m being honest!” Feng Xin said, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
Mu Qing sighed and his shoulders relaxing slightly. “So, what’s your big plan? How do we ‘fix’ this?”
Feng Xin hesitated and scratching the back of his neck. “I don’t really have a plan. I just... thought maybe we could start by talking. Without yelling.”
Mu Qing considered this, his expression unreadable. “Talking.” he repeated.
“Yeah.” Feng Xin said, his voice softer now. “I don’t hate you, you know. Sometimes it feels like you think I do..but I don’t.” Mu Qing looked away, his grip tightening on the cloth in his hand. “...It’s hard to tell, with the way you act sometimes.”
Feng Xin frowned. “That’s not fair. You give as good as you get.”
“I know” Mu Qing admitted, his tone unusually quiet. “I guess... I just don’t know how else to talk to you.”
“Well, maybe we can figure it out together” Feng Xin said as his voice almost gentle. “I’m tired of being at odds with you all the time. We’re supposed to be on the same side, aren’t we?”
Mu Qing looked up at him and his guarded expression softening ever so slightly. “...Alright. We can try.”
“Really?” Feng Xin said..blinking in surprise. Mu Qing smirked faintly. “Don’t make me regret it.” A small laugh escaped Feng Xin, and for the first time in a long time..the tension between them seemed to ease.
“Don’t worry." Feng Xin said, a grin breaking across his face. “I’ll make sure you regret it just a little.”
Mu Qing rolled his eyes but there was a hint of warmth in his expression as he turned back to his armor. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. And for Feng Xin..that was enough...
