I Feel Much More Accomplished Now - Tumblr Posts
>:3c for the drabble prompts! courting for fengqing <3
Thank you for the ask! Idk how to write anything short so here's this: 1.7k Words Canonverse Soft and sweet <3 And now on ao3!
The two martial gods of the south descended to the mortal realm late this morning and made their way to the bustling village of Qinyuan that lies squarely along the border of their territories. They descended—of course—to gauge the well-being of their followers by attending a festival celebrating the end of the harvest season.
It's imperative to keep a close watch on such matters, as two gods as experienced as Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen are sure to know. But it's especially important now considering that, in recent months, there has been a shift in the interactions between their followers—a truce of sorts.
As it always has, the relationship between their followers seems to very closely resemble the relationship between the gods themselves—and nowadays, their relationship is more amicable than ever.
Things have improved so much that, at Mu Qing's last count, there are now eight temples that have been erected and dedicated to both generals simultaneously.
And, perhaps, this truce amongst their followers may have coincided with the beginning of general Nan Yang and general Xuan Zhen's... courtship… but who's to say? Regardless, neither god will admit whether either of them had a hand in the whole dual temple business.
It's just a simple observation that every single one of the new statues depicting the gods within these temples are immaculately detailed—down to every last beauty mark on general Xuan Zhen's face and every smile line accentuating general Nan Yang's eyes. But that's neither here nor there.
At this point, the harvest festival must have ended a sichen ago, but the two gods still find themselves in the mortal realm as the purple dusk of evening creeps along the edge of the horizon. A cool breeze sweeps in from across the swaying waters of the nearby lake and brings a light, rosy color to Mu Qing's cheeks.
They are in their Fu Yao and Nan Feng forms tonight—their preferred disguises when visiting the mortal realm—and they walk very closely together, their arms nearly touching as they follow the dirt path that leads away from the village. Mu Qing fills the silence of the night with a quiet recounting of a recent upper court meeting Feng Xin was absent for and Feng Xin dutifully listens, munching on the last of his tanghulu.
They have made many trips such as this one—attending festivals like they've done today, or perusing night markets for unique wares, or simply patroning popular tea houses and restaurants—all on the pretense of 'official heavenly business'.
Ah, but they both know that the time they've been spending together is so much more than just that.
Outings, one could call them.
Romantic ones.
Mu Qing walks with his arms tucked politely within his sleeves and expertly hides the shiver that runs through him as Feng Xin leads them off the path and towards the rocky shore. They step carefully down the gentle incline leading to the beach and their boots begin to sink a little more heavily into the softness of the sand.
While in these forms, Feng Xin is a bit taller and broader than Mu Qing and Mu Qing feels these differences viscerally.
A warm, large palm hovers there at the small of his back as they continue to walk and Mu Qing is suddenly quite thankful for the chilly evening as it's an easy excuse to explain away his flushed cheeks.
Feng Xin slows their pace as they approach an especially rocky section of beach. That large palm finally presses lightly along Mu Qing's lower back and the other hand is offered out to Mu Qing in a clear attempt to steady him. The gesture stokes a fire in Mu Qing's middle—flames curling along his belly and through his chest—molten heat licking its way along his neck until it settles atop his cheeks and the tips of his ears. He clicks his tongue disapprovingly and steadies himself, rolling his eyes even as he turns his burning face away from Feng Xin's view.
"I'm no fragile maiden," he says bitterly, swatting at Feng Xin's offered hand until the other man pulls it back with a sigh. "I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of walking along some rocks without your assistance."
"I know that, Mu Qing."
"And yet you offered your hand anyway," Mu Qing retorts, huffing as if he's annoyed.
In reality he's having, yet another, inner battle with himself about why he has to be so exceedingly obstinate. They have been courting each other for several months now and yet, Mu Qing is still unable to accept a kindness when it is offered to him. Heaven knows it's frustrating for Mu Qing, so he can only imagine how frustrating it must be for Feng Xin. Frustrating enough that Mu Qing is certain their courtship is on the precipice of ruin—if only he could just—
"You're not a burden."
Mu Qing whips his face back in Feng Xin's direction, his eyes narrowed and his brows pinched as he looks up at the other man. Feng Xin stares down at him with a warm smile, expression completely earnest in only the way Feng Xin seems capable of. It makes Mu Qing melt even further and he quickly looks away, speeding up his pace just slightly as they continue to approach the outcropping of rocks lining a good stretch of the shore.
"Of course not," he mutters, earning a soft laugh from Feng Xin who trails close behind him. Where does the man get off saying such a thing? The absolute nerve—
"And you're not delicate."
"Obviously."
"You could pummel my ass into the ground right this moment if you chose to." Feng Xin easily catches up with Mu Qing, their steps quickly falling into rhythm with one another. "And with your fast reflexes, I'd be unable to do much else than simply accept my fate. We both know that, Mu Qing."
Mu Qing is loath to agree with Feng Xin in his current state, but he can't deny the truth so he nods as they shuffle their way along the increasingly uneven beach.
"I admire your fierceness—your tenacity—it's one of the things that first drew me to you back in Xianle."
Mu Qing scoffs, side-stepping around a grouping of rocks that have formed a small crater where a large puddle of rain water has pooled. They have just reached the large, flat-topped boulder they've been trying to get to when Feng Xin's hand gently circles Mu Qing's wrist and prevents him from climbing up onto it.
Mu Qing turns with every intention of arguing, but looking up into those warm, honeyed eyes has him quieting in an instant. That smile—overflowing with loving warmth and devotion—should never be aimed at the likes of Mu Qing. His heart pounds in his chest, rattling incessantly in his ears, and despite his trepidation, he finds he can't possibly tear himself away from Feng Xin again.
The fingers encircling his wrist loosen just enough to ghost over his palm and then his hand is being engulfed in both of Feng Xin's own large ones. He is squeezed firmly as if to remind him he is present in this moment and, unthinkingly, he tries to squeeze back. When Feng Xin speaks again, his voice is lower—hushed like the wind as it coaxes the gentle waves of the lake against the shore.
"The soft and quiet personal attendant of the crown prince out in the training yard after dark, practicing his sword forms with a broom… what a sight he was." Feng Xin laughs fondly, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, and Mu Qing's face goes red in an instant. Well, there goes his ability to save any face; how humiliating.
"All that fire hidden away behind this elegant" Feng Xin leans forward, letting go of Mu Qing's hand so he can brush the backs of his fingers along his cheek instead, "and—frankly—criminally beautiful face." Mu Qing swallows as Feng Xin delicately tucks a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "I was smitten from the very start—I was just fucking stupid about it for several centuries."
They've already talked about such things when Feng Xin originally asked to court Mu Qing all those months ago, so Mu Qing can't possibly understand why such an embarrassing topic needs to brought up yet again—
"So, yes," Feng Xin says decidedly, leading his hand to its rightful place at the small of Mu Qing's back—and Mu Qing lets him—"you are more than capable of walking along a rocky beach all on your own." Mu Qing takes a breath, feeling small and vulnerable in a way that makes him want to run, but he plants his feet firmly in the wet sand and keeps his face tilted up towards the beautiful southern sun.
"But you don't have to. I'm here now."
A sharp breath in through his nose—a shaky exhale puffed out between barely parted lips—Mu Qing is shivering and he can't stop. Feng Xin presses close, offering his other hand to Mu Qing as he grounds the man with a firm touch along his back.
"I offer to help because I care for you, I admire you, and I respect you, Mu Qing—and that's all." Feng Xin's smile widens as Mu Qing tentatively places his shaking hand onto Feng Xin's offered palm.
"No hidden agendas," Feng Xin whispers, giving Mu Qing's hand a reaffirming squeeze as he guides him up onto the rock. "No belief that you're less-than or undeserving. It's just out of love for you—plain and simple."
Mu Qing settles onto his bottom, scooting back a bit further onto the rock as he stares down at his one and only god—his friend—his Feng Xin. He wills his heart to calm, though he knows it's an impossible task, and stretches his hand out to Feng Xin before he can think better of it.
Feng Xin looks at the offered hand and then back up to Mu Qing's face, something tender and reverent shining in his eyes, and takes Mu Qing's hand without question.
"Plain and simple," Mu Qing repeats, pulling Feng Xin up onto the rock with him and finding he doesn't mind the way their hands stay linked even after Feng Xin has settled.
They spend the rest of the evening watching the sky change colors in the reflection of the lake—gentle kisses and soft breaths exchanged between them like a vow—and don't return to heaven until dawn.