Narrator:

The rain poured mercilessly, soaking them both to the bone but neither of them moved. Neither of them cared.

They had come down to the mortal realm to check on Xie Lian....again. And, as always, it had ended in an argument.

It always did.

Feng Xin’s hands were clenched into fists, his jaw tight as he glared at Mu Qing. "You always have something to say, don’t you?"

Mu Qing is unfazed and crossed his arms. "Because you’re always an idiot."

The storm raged around them but the real storm was between them.

"Why do you always have to be like this?" Feng Xin snapped, voice barely audible over the downpour. "Do you ever shut up?"

Mu Qing rolled his eyes, raindrops sliding down his sharp cheekbones. "Why should I, when you keep proving me right?" He flicked wet hair out of his face, unimpressed. "You act first, think later. Just like always."

Feng Xin let out a short and humorless laugh. "And you overthink everything, like an uptight-"

"Like someone with common sense?" Mu Qing cut in smoothly, tilting his head. "Gods, it’s exhausting having to deal with you."

Something in Feng Xin snapped.

Before Mu Qing could react, Feng Xin grabbed him by the front of his robes and yanked him forward, their faces inches apart. "You-" His voice was low, rough with frustration.

Mu Qing blinked, barely processing the movement before..

Feng Xin’s lips crashed against his, heated and furious.

Mu Qing made a muffled noise of protest, hands pushing against Feng Xin’s chest. But Feng Xin wasn’t letting go..one hand had already tangled itself in Mu Qing’s damp ponytail, gripping tight.

Mu Qing struggled, fighting against the kiss, against the way Feng Xin was holding him so forcefully.

"Damn this bastard!.. But why did it feel so..." With a sharp inhale, Mu Qing gave in.

His hands.. once pushing, curled into fists against Feng Xin’s robes before pulling him closer. He kissed back..just as angry..just as intense. Teeth clashed and breaths heavy, the rain drowning out everything else.

Feng Xin pulled at his ponytail, earning a sharp gasp from Mu Qing but the other only leaned in further.

When they finally broke apart, their chests were heaving, their lips swollen and the rain still poured down between them.

Mu Qing scowled first. "You’re an idiot.."

Feng Xin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Yeah? And you just kissed an idiot."

Mu Qing rolled his eyes, turning away. "Shut up."

The rain was relentless, drumming against their skin like a punishment from the heavens themselves. The kiss had ended but the heat still lingered..biting, raw and impossible to ignore.

Mu Qing stood frozen as his lips parted, chest rising and falling beneath his drenched robes. His pulse thundered in his ears, louder than the rain.

Feng Xin's fingers were still tangled in his ponytail, the grip loosening but not quite letting go. His dark eyes flicked between Mu Qing’s flushed face and swollen lips as if trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.

Neither of them spoke.

The air between them was sharp—cutting, dangerous.

Finally, Mu Qing’s fingers twitched where they had fisted against Feng Xin’s chest. He stepped back, jerking his head away from the grip in his hair.

“What the hell was that btw?” His voice was sharp but breathless..like he'd forgotten how to sound unbothered.

Feng Xin’s lips twitched in something that wasn’t quite a smirk but close enough to piss him off.

“Seemed like the only way to shut you up.”

Mu Qing’s eyes narrowed. His cheeks burned despite the cold rain but he scoffed while flicking wet hair out of his face again. “You really think that’s going to work?”

Feng Xin stepped forward..like he was testing something and pushing just to see how far he could go before Mu Qing snapped.

“Didn’t seem like you minded.”

Mu Qing’s heart kicked against his ribs. His skin prickled under the weight of that gaze, hot despite the rain. He hated how easily Feng Xin got under his skin..always had and always would.

“I was caught off guard, you brute." Mu Qing muttered, eyes flicking away.

“Yeah? Didn’t feel like you were fighting that hard.”

Mu Qing clenched his jaw and stepping back..just out of reach. “Because I know how to pick my battles.”

Feng Xin smirked. “Funny. You’ve been picking fights with me since the day we met.”

Mu Qing rolled his eyes but something in him faltered. His heart was still racing in his chest and he hated that Feng Xin could probably hear it if he listened close enough.

They should’ve gone back by now. The rain was freezing, soaking into their bones. But neither of them moved.

Finally, Mu Qing broke the silence..sharp, defensive. “This was a mistake.”

Feng Xin’s smirk faded.. replaced by something quieter. His eyes darkened, searching Mu Qing’s face.

“Was it?”

Mu Qing’s breath caught. He hated how soft those two words sounded. Hated how they made him feel exposed..like Feng Xin could see every crack in the armor he tried so hard to keep intact.

Mu Qing fingers twitched at his sides. He could walk away right now. Pretend this never happened. But he didn’t.

Instead, he stayed rooted to the spot..like some idiot waiting for a storm to pass even knowing it would tear him apart.

Feng Xin shifted closer..just a breath away now. His hand lifted, fingers brushing wet strands of hair away from Mu Qing’s forehead. The touch was surprisingly gentle, and Mu Qing hated how it made his breath hitch.

“You really want to pretend this didn’t happen?” Feng Xin murmured, voice lower now..dangerous in a way Mu Qing had never heard before.

Mu Qing’s heart clenched painfully.

“Yes.” he snapped. Too fast. Too defensive.

Feng Xin’s hand slid down to his jaw, his fingers tipping his face up..forcing him to meet his gaze.

“Liar.”

Mu Qing’s breath caught sharp and angry but before he could think of something sassy to spit back, Feng Xin’s mouth was on his again.

This kiss was slower..less violence, more heat. It burned just as much but in a different way.

Mu Qing’s hands curled into the front of Feng Xin’s robes, like he wanted to push him away but couldn’t quite make himself do it.

Feng Xin’s other hand found his waist, fingers pressing hard enough to bruise.

They kissed like they fought..full of tension. When they finally broke apart, both of them were panting, rainwater dripping down their faces.

Mu Qing swallowed hard, eyes darting away. "You're the worst."

Feng Xin’s lips curved..just a little. "You’re still a pain in the ass.”

Mu Qing’s fingers tightened in his robes. For a moment, he looked like he might shove him away..spit out some snarky insult and walk off like nothing had happened.

The rain had started to slow, turning from a violent downpour to a quiet drizzle. The world around them felt muted as if the storm had taken all its fury and left nothing but silence in its wake.

But the storm between them? That still raged.

Mu Qing pressed his forehead against Feng Xin’s shoulder, his breath unsteady, his fingers still curled into the fabric of his robes. He should move. He should say something or even insult him or.. walk away like nothing had happened.

But he didn’t.

Feng Xin stood still, his hand lingering at Mu Qing’s waist like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to hold on any longer. His heart was still pounding from the kiss.. from the fight, from everything they had never said.

It was Mu Qing who finally pulled away, his usual sharpness returning as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Well..” he said, voice clipped, like he was trying to shove everything back into a neat little box. “That was stupid.”

Feng Xin scoffed. “Yeah? Then why did you kiss me back?”

Mu Qing huffed, rolling his eyes. “Momentary lapse in judgment.”

Feng Xin narrowed his eyes. “Right. And the second time?”

Mu Qing turned away, arms crossing over his chest. “Rain got in my eyes. Couldn't see what I was doing.”

Feng Xin let out a short and breathy laugh. “You’re such a terrible liar.”

Mu Qing shot him a glare over his shoulder. “And you’re such an idiot for thinking this means anything.”

Feng Xin’s smirk faltered just slightly.

Mu Qing saw it and for some reason, that made his chest feel tight. He sighed and rubbing a hand over his face before turning back to face him properly.

“…Look.” he muttered, voice quieter now. “I don’t...” He hesitated.. then exhaled sharply. “I don’t do things unless they’re perfect. And this?” He gestured vaguely between them. “This is messy. This is ridiculous.”

Feng Xin crossed his arms. “Yeah? Well, you’re messy and ridiculous so it suits you.”

Mu Qing glared but there was no real heat behind it.

Feng Xin sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “I don’t know what the hell this is either. But I do know that I don’t regret it.” His voice softened, just a little. “Do you?”

Mu Qing hesitated.

The answer should’ve been easy. A clean, sharp “yes” and then he could walk away and pretend nothing ever happened.

But his throat tightened around the words.

Feng Xin watched him, waiting..

“…No.” Mu Qing admitted finally, barely above a whisper.

Feng Xin blinked as if he hadn’t actually expected an answer. Then, his lips twitched into the smallest and most infuriating smile.

“See?” He stepped closer, voice annoyingly smug. “Told you you were a terrible liar.”

Mu Qing groaned, shoving him hard. “Shut up before I change my mind.”

Feng Xin just laughed, easily catching himself. But instead of stepping back, he reached out, gripping Mu Qing’s wrist before he could pull away.

Mu Qing stiffened.

For once, there were no words between them. Just the feeling of rain damp skin, of warmth where Feng Xin’s fingers pressed into his.

Mu Qing swallowed, looking away. “…We should go.”

Feng Xin didn’t let go immediately. But after a beat.. he sighed and released him. “Yeah.”

They started walking back, side by side. The rain had almost stopped now, the clouds breaking just enough for the moon to peek through.

Neither of them spoke but something between them had shifted..like the air after a storm, charged but quieter. Mu Qing suddenly muttered, “If you tell his highness about this, I will personally end you.”

Feng Xin smirked. “Oh? I thought it didn’t mean anything?”

Mu Qing shot him a glare so deadly it could’ve made demons weep. Feng Xin chuckled but said nothing more.

"...I'll keep it as our secret.."