Narrator:

Valentine's Day was never a big deal for Feng Xin and Mu Qing. To them, it was just another day. But this year, Feng Xin found himself thinking about it more than he ever had before. Over time, the subtle moments shared between him and Mu Qing..the teasing, the quiet companionship and the rare, genuine smiled had begun to mean something deeper. Something he wasn’t ready to admit not even to himself.

Despite his usual carefree nature, Feng Xin found himself wanting to do something special for Mu Qing..something that went beyond their usual banter. So, after some internal conflict and a lot of second-guessing..he decided to take a leap and give Mu Qing a Valentine’s Day gift.

Mu Qing, however..was his usual difficult self..unwilling to show vulnerability or accept anything that felt too "sappy." And of course, Feng Xin’s decision to give him a gift was going to spark an argument...or several.

What neither of them expected was that this Valentine’s gift would lead them to confront feelings they had kept hidden for far too long.

It was early morning when Feng Xin walked into the common area of their shared quarters, a small..carefully wrapped box tucked under his arm. His face was its usual, carefree expression but there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. He had never been the type to do anything special for Valentine’s Day and he wasn’t sure how Mu Qing would react.

Mu Qing, seated at the table with a book in hand and looked up when he heard the door creak open. "What’s this? Are you planning to distract me with some nonsense today?"

Feng Xin sigh..trying to keep his nerves under control. "Maybe. Or maybe I’ve got something that’s actually... important."

Mu Qing raised an eyebrow. "Important? You? That’s a new one."

Feng Xin huff then walking over and sitting down across from Mu Qing. He placed the small box on the table between them. "Just open it."

Mu Qing stared at the box for a long moment, clearly suspicious. "What is this? You didn’t buy some ridiculous thing to annoy me, did you?"

Feng Xin’s lips twitched. "It’s not ridiculous. Just open it."

Mu Qing roll his eyes and picked it up carefully, unwrapping it with the precision of someone who didn’t quite trust whatever was inside. As he opened the box, his eyes flicked over the contents which is a small, intricately carved wooden box with a set of hand-painted bookmarks inside. They were simple but each one had a symbol that was meaningful to them both..a sword, a book, a tree and a small painting of a mountain range.

Mu Qing’s eyes widened slightly and surprised by the thoughtfulness. He looked up at Feng Xin who was watching him intently, waiting for his reaction.

"Feng Xin..." Mu Qing started, his voice unusually soft. "What’s the meaning of this?"

Feng Xin shrugged..trying to play it cool. "Just thought you could use some bookmarks. You know, for all that reading you do."

Mu Qing clearly not convinced and gave him an incredulous look. "Are you seriously telling me you got me... bookmarks for Valentine’s Day?"

Feng Xin couldn’t help but forced a smile. "It’s not just any bookmarks. They’re symbols. Thoughtful, meaningful. And you always have your nose buried in books..so it made sense."

Mu Qing stared at him for a long moment, not sure whether to be touched or frustrated. "I don’t need... this." He gestured at the box. "This is... unnecessary."

Feng Xin felt a pang of uncertainty but he didn’t back down. "Well, I wanted to do something. So just accept it."

Mu Qing sighed and put the box down. "You’re always so... complicated, Feng Xin. You make everything more difficult than it needs to be."

Feng Xin’s smile faded slightly, his expression turning more serious. "I didn’t think it would be that complicated. But you always think everything’s a hassle."

Mu Qing crossed his arms. "I’m not used to this sort of thing. Gifts? Valentine’s Day? It’s not... me."

"I know" Feng Xin said, his tone softening. "But it doesn’t have to be a big deal. I just thought you might like something small, something that shows I-" He stopped himself, realizing he had almost said too much.

Mu Qing looked at him as his brow furrowing slightly. "Shows you what?"

Feng Xin hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He never expected giving a gift would make him feel this exposed. "Shows that... I care. I wanted to do something nice. For once."

Mu Qing’s expression softened though he didn’t quite know how to process what Feng Xin was saying. "Feng Xin…"

Feng Xin leaned back in his chair, a little frustrated with the whole situation. "Forget it. It was a stupid idea anyway."

But Mu Qing quickly reached over and stopped him, placing a hand on his wrist. "No, it’s not stupid. I.." He paused, trying to find the words. "It’s just that... I don’t know how to accept this kind of thing from you."

Feng Xin looked at him and surprised. "Why? Are you really that opposed to someone showing they care about you?"

Mu Qing’s face turned slightly red though he tried to hide it. "It’s not that. It’s just… I don’t know how to handle it when you do things like this. You always act like you don’t care about anything serious and then you do something that makes me..." He cut himself off when realizing he was getting too emotional.

Feng Xin’s heart skipped a beat as he leaned forward, his voice softer. "Makes you what?"

Mu Qing took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Makes me feel like I’m important to you. And I don’t know how to react to that."

Feng Xin’s gaze softened as he reached out, gently taking Mu Qing’s hand. "You are important to me, Mu Qing. I don’t always show it but that doesn’t change the way I feel."

For a moment, Mu Qing was silent..processing what Feng Xin had said. The tension between them seemed to dissipate was replaced by an understanding that neither of them had fully realized was there.

"I guess..." Mu Qing trailed off, looking at the box of bookmarks again. "I don’t need to hide from it. I just don’t always know how to handle your gestures."

Feng Xin smiled as his thumb brushing over the back of Mu Qing’s hand. "You don’t need to handle it. Just... let it be."

Mu Qing nodded slowly and his usual stoic demeanor returning but there was a soft smile tugging at his lips now. "Thanks, Feng Xin. For the gift. I’ll keep them."

Feng Xin grinned, his heart racing. "Glad you like them."

Mu Qing’s smile turned a little mischievous. "You know, next time...don’t pick something so... practical."

Feng Xin chuckled and his eyes sparkling with amusement. "What’s wrong with practical? It’s useful."

Mu Qing shook his head but there was warmth in his gaze. "I suppose I’ll let it slide. Just don’t get any more ideas about ‘meaningful gifts’ okay?"

Feng Xin smirked. "No promises."
_

The day ended with the two of them sitting together and sharing a quiet meal. The tension had long since melted away and as Mu Qing absentmindedly traced the edges of the bookmarks, Feng Xin found himself watching him with a sense of contentment.

For once, the Valentine’s Day gift had done more than just spark a disagreement..it had opened a door to something deeper, something that neither of them had expected but were both beginning to embrace.

And as the evening wore on, Feng Xin couldn't help but smile and realizing that sometimes, the smallest gifts were the ones that spoke the loudest.