Narrator:

Feng Xin and Mu Qing had always had a strong, straightforward relationship. Their friendship was one built on mutual respect and years of shared experiences. But recently, something strange had started to happen. Mu Qing, who had always been reserved and controlled had become...clingy. He’d find excuses to stay close to Feng Xin, follow him around like a shadow and even touch him when it wasn’t necessary.

At first, it was subtle..just a few lingering glances or a hand brushing against his arm. But soon, it escalated. Mu Qing had started acting like a magnet, always gravitating toward Feng Xin. He hated it. He was annoyed by how needy he felt. But no matter how much he tried to distance himself..the clingy behavior only seemed to grow stronger.

And despite the growing frustration, Feng Xin couldn’t deny that he was beginning to notice how much Mu Qing’s closeness made his heart race.

It was a quiet afternoon and Feng Xin was in the training yard, his sword moving in practiced arcs. His mind was sharp, focused until a sudden, familiar presence behind him made him pause mid-swing.

"Feng Xin." Mu Qing’s voice called, smooth and calm as usual. But today, there was something different about his tone. It was softer almost too soft.

Feng Xin glanced over his shoulder, irritated by the interruption. "What is it now, Mu Qing?"

Mu Qing was standing a few paces away, watching him intently. His usual, composed demeanor was still intact but there was something in his eyes that Feng Xin couldn't quite place. He was standing just a little too close.

Feng Xin narrowed his eyes. "Are you following me around now? I’m trying to train."

Mu Qing shrugged casually, his eyes not leaving Feng Xin’s. "I’m just watching. You’re doing well."

Feng Xin groaned inwardly, his annoyance building. "You’ve been doing this for days now. It’s starting to feel like you’re... stalking me or something."

Mu Qing opened his mouth to retort but then hesitated. He knew it was odd, the way he couldn’t help but stay close to Feng Xin. He had tried to distance himself, to focus on other things but the pull was almost magnetic. His heart beat faster every time he saw Feng Xin’s confident stance, the way his muscles rippled as he moved, how serious and yet how effortlessly... perfect he was.

Mu Qing clenched his fists, his frustration growing. "I’m not stalking you, alright?" he snapped, though his voice betrayed a hint of insecurity. "I just...want to be around you."

Feng Xin blinked at him, startled by the unexpected admission. "Why? What’s going on with you?"

Mu Qing looked down, unable to meet Feng Xin's gaze. "I don’t know, alright?" He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I didn’t ask for this. I’m not used to... feeling like this."

Feng Xin took a step closer, his frustration now mixed with a curiosity he didn’t want to acknowledge. "Feeling like what?"

Mu Qing exhaled sharply, his eyes darkening with an emotion Feng Xin couldn’t quite read. "Like... I don’t want to leave your side. Like I’m constantly drawn to you. It’s driving me crazy."

Feng Xin’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure why but hearing Mu Qing say it so openly without the usual guardedness, stirred something deep inside him. "You... want to be around me?"

Mu Qing gritted his teeth. "Yes, but it’s annoying! I don’t want to feel this way, Feng Xin! It’s distracting and I hate it." His eyes flicked up to meet Feng Xin’s, searching for understanding. "I can’t stop it. I’ve tried to ignore it..to just..leave you alone but it’s impossible."

Feng Xin, now more confused than ever, took a step forward. "Why do you hate it? You’re just being... honest, right?"

Mu Qing scowled, his frustration mounting. "I don’t want to be this clingy. It’s not me and it’s certainly not how I want to be seen."

Feng Xin studied him for a long moment, the frustration in his own chest slowly shifting to something else. "So, you’re mad at yourself because you want to be near me?"

Mu Qing rubbed his face in exasperation. "Yes! It’s embarrassing! I’m annoying myself and I’m sure I’m annoying you too. Every time I try to pull away, I end up getting closer, and it’s driving me mad."

Feng Xin took a deep breath, trying to calm his own racing thoughts. "I don’t know if you’re annoying me.." he said, his voice quieter than he intended. "You’re just..here. And I can’t help but notice it."

Mu Qing’s eyes flickered with surprise, then hesitation. "Really?"

Feng Xin bit his lip, torn between pushing Mu Qing away and pulling him closer. "You’re always around now. I don’t know how I feel about it... but I can’t deny that I’ve been noticing. Maybe... maybe I don’t mind you being here."

Mu Qing stared at him, his brows furrowing in disbelief. "Wait, are you saying-"

Before he could finish, Feng Xin stepped forward, brushing past him and leaning against a nearby post. "I’m saying I don’t know what to do with you, Mu Qing.."

Mu Qing, his heart suddenly racing at Feng Xin’s words, stepped closer as well. "Um...so..you're not mad that I’ve been... clingy?"

Feng Xin glanced at him, his usual deflection in place. "I’m not mad. Just... confused. You’ve been acting all weird lately."

Mu Qing let out a frustrated sigh, running his hands through his own hair again. "I just... I don’t know why I can’t stop this feeling. It’s like every time I try to push it down, it just keeps bubbling up."

Feng Xin turned to face him fully, studying him closely. "Maybe you don’t need to push it away. Maybe you just need to...deal with it."

Mu Qing blinked. "Deal with it?"

"Yeah" Feng Xin said, his tone softer now. "Maybe you just need to admit that you like being around me." Mu Qing’s cheeks flushed red at the implication. "I... I didn’t think you’d be okay with it."

Feng Xin shrugged, a half-smile tugging at his lips. "It’s not like I have much of a choice now, do I?"

Mu Qing stared at him, his heart pounding in his chest. "So you’re saying...you don’t mind?"

Feng Xin exhaled, finally letting himself relax into the moment. "I guess... I don’t mind you being around. But if you’re going to keep acting like this, you’d better get used to the fact that I’m not letting you go that easily either."

Mu Qing’s heart soared at the words. He stepped closer, his voice softer. "You really mean that?"

Feng Xin gave him a teasing look. "I’m not sure yet. But we’ll see how long I can tolerate your clinginess."

Mu Qing chuckled, his frustration finally melting away. "I’m not going anywhere then.." Feng Xin grinned, shaking his head. "I figured that much."

The days following that conversation were filled with an unexpected sense of ease between Feng Xin and Mu Qing. The clinginess which had once been a source of irritation for Mu Qing, gradually became something they both learned to accept.

Mu Qing, though still embarrassed by his sudden desire to always be near Feng Xin, started to find comfort in it. He began to stop fighting the impulse and let himself stay close, offering a small smile whenever Feng Xin didn’t pull away. And Feng Xin, to his surprise..didn't mind it at all.

At first, he was confused, unsure how to handle this shift in their dynamic. But as the days passed, he began to realize something maybe..he liked the way Mu Qing’s presence felt..like a steady warmth that had always been there even if he hadn't noticed it before.

One evening, as they sat together in silence after a long day, Mu Qing shifted slightly closer to Feng Xin. His head leaned onto Feng Xin’s shoulder as he let out a quiet sigh.

Feng Xin, without hesitation, let his arm drape across Mu Qing’s back, his fingers lightly tracing the fabric of his clothes. "You’re not going anywhere, are you?" he asked, his tone teasing but soft.

Mu Qing sigh, his voice muffled by Feng Xin’s shoulder. "No. Not anymore."

Feng Xin smiled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "Good. Because I think I’ve gotten used to it."

Mu Qing looked up at him, his eyes bright. "Really?"

"Mhm.." Feng Xin hummed, his voice steady. "Really."

And in that quiet, unspoken moment, both of them realized that what had begun as annoyance had transformed into something deeper. Something they could no longer deny.

They were no longer just friends. Mu Qing’s clinginess had become a constant reminder of something they had both been too afraid to admit..they needed each other, in ways they hadn't even understood until now. It wasn’t always perfect. There were still moments of bickering and of frustration. But as long as they were together, that was enough.