Narrator:

Feng Xin and Mu Qing had found a curious enchanted dice that would teleport them to somewhere destination when rolled. One roll later, they found themselves stranded in an unfamiliar, otherworldly forest. The air shimmered with strange light, the ground pulsed faintly under their feet and their bickering began immediately. Later..
_

“This is your fault!” Mu Qing snapped, brushing dirt off his pristine robes.

“How is it my fault?” Feng Xin shot back, throwing his hands up. “You’re the one who rolled the dice!”

“You told me to roll it!” Mu Qing retorted, glaring at him.

“Because you wouldn’t stop complaining about how I hold dice wrong!”

Mu Qing crossed his arms. “Maybe if you weren’t so hopelessly inept-”

“Oh, here we go again!” Feng Xin interrupted, his voice rising. “You always have to make everything my fault!”

“Because it usually is!”

Feng Xin groaned, rubbing his temples. “I can’t believe I’m stuck here with you.”

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual.” Mu Qing said icily, surveying the eerie surroundings.

The forest was unlike anything either of them had seen before. The trees glowed faintly, their twisted branches forming a dense canopy overhead. Strange sounds echoed in the distance..chimes, whispers and the occasional low growl.

“Great.” Feng Xin muttered. “Not only are we lost but we’re probably surrounded by monsters. Perfect.”

“If you’re done complaining, maybe we can figure out how to get out of here, dumbass.” Mu Qing said, already walking ahead.

“Excuse me, who put you in charge?” Feng Xin demanded, following him.

“Someone has to be.” Mu Qing shot back over his shoulder. “And it’s clearly not going to be you.”

"You bastard."

Hours passed as they wandered through the forest, their bickering serving as a constant background noise. “This looks familiar.." Feng Xin said, frowning as he pointed at a gnarled tree with glowing blue moss. Mu Qing groaned softly. “That’s because we’ve passed it three times already. You’re terrible at directions.”

“Me? You’re the one who said to turn left!”

“Because you were too busy whining to pay attention!”

Feng Xin clenched his fists, glaring at Mu Qing. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“You’re still following me tho.” Mu Qing replied coolly. They came to a stop in a small clearing. Feng Xin dropped to the ground with a frustrated sigh, leaning back against a glowing rock. “This is hopeless. We’re never getting out of here.”

Mu Qing paced the clearing, his brow furrowed. “We’ll figure it out. There has to be a way.”

“Why are you so calm about this?” Feng Xin asked, watching him. “Because panicking won’t help." Mu Qing replied, though his tone was clipped. Feng Xin tilted his head, studying him. “You’re worried, aren’t you?”

Mu Qing froze for a moment before resuming his pacing. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“You are." Feng Xin said, smirking slightly. “You always get all snippy when you’re stressed.”

Mu Qing glared at him. “And you always get louder when you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared!” Feng Xin protested, sitting up straight.

“Really? Because you’ve been checking over your shoulder every five seconds,” Mu Qing said, arching an eyebrow.

“That’s called being cautious” Feng Xin grumbled, crossing his arms.

“Call it whatever you want." Mu Qing said, sitting down across from him. “But yelling at me isn’t going to fix this.” Feng Xin sighed, resting his elbows on his knees. “Yeah, well... yelling at you is easier than admitting I have no idea what to do.”

Mu Qing blinked, surprised by the admission. “...At least you’re honest.” Feng Xin looked up, meeting his gaze. “Don’t get used to it.” Mu Qing smirked faintly, the tension between them easing for the first time since they arrived.

As the hours dragged on, their bickering gradually gave way to quieter conversations. “Do you think his highness will come looking for us?” Feng Xin asked, staring up at the faintly glowing canopy.

“Probably.” Mu Qing said. “Though knowing him, he’ll find some way to make this our fault.”

Feng Xin chuckled. “Sounds about right.”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Feng Xin spoke again. “You know, for someone who acts like they hate me, you’re surprisingly good company.”

Mu Qing raised an eyebrow. “I don’t hate you. You’re just... exhausting.”

“Gee, thanks.” Feng Xin said dryly. “You’re welcome, I guess...” Mu Qing replied with a faint smirk. Feng Xin leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re not so bad yourself. When you’re not being a complete pain, that is.”

“Don’t push it." Mu Qing warned, though there was no heat in his tone.

Eventually, they found a way out of the forest by retracing their steps and working together..a first for them. As they stood at the edge of the forest, Feng Xin turned to Mu Qing, a lopsided smile on his face. “Hey, maybe we make a good team after all.”

Mu Qing rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile that crept onto his lips. “Don’t let it go to your head, idiot.” Feng Xin laughed, clapping him on the back. “Too late.”

As they made their way back, the forest’s eerie glow fading behind them..both silently admitted..though neither would say it aloud that the experience hadn’t been all bad.