Work Text:
Mu Qing was having a beyond shitty day. So when Pei Ming tried to bribe him to go drinking, he didn’t protest. He wouldn’t drink much anyway.
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That was a lie, he drank way too much. The world was spinning and the ground was moving under him. He wanted to throw up.
“Xuan Zhen, circulate your spiritual powers. That should make you feel better.” Pei Ming tried to help him, but he was too out of it to think properly. He just grumbled, sinking lower into his seat.
Pei Ming piped up “Don’t make me call Nan Yang to come pick you up, you're gonna regret that in the morning!” Pei Ming was just trying to taunt him, and it shouldn’t have affected him at all but he still felt of rage at the name.
Mu Qing banged his head into the table cursing, “Nan Yang this, Feng Xin that, just shut up already!”
Pei Ming’s eyebrows raised. “Too late.”
At that moment Feng Xin had already barged into the room. Mu Qing buried his head in his hands.
Feng Xin came up to him, prying his hands away from his face. Mu Qing’s face was tinted red from the alcohol. Feng Xin’s brow was furrowed, confused. “Mu Qing, why did you get drunk?” He asked. It wasn’t meant to be taunting or insulting which somehow made Mu Qing feel worse. Why couldn’t he just get yelled at instead?
“Why do you care?” He said, glaring holes into Feng Xin’s stupid face.
Feng Xin could smell the liquor in his breath, his face shifted, suddenly looking angry, “I came here to check on you and you're still acting like this?”
Mu Qing just wanted to go back to laying his head on the table questioning his life. He tried to pry his hands away from Feng Xin, but Feng Xin wouldn’t loosen his hold on his wrists, and being drunk made it hard for Mu Qing to use all his strength.
Why did Feng Xin have to act like this? Why’d he have to act like he cared? Mu Qing bowed his head, opting to stare at the table. Maybe if he ignored Feng Xin, he’d give up and leave.
Feng Xin stilled for a moment before letting go of one of Mu Qing's wrists to put two fingers to his temple. Mu Qing glanced up, noticing this his head shot up as he asked,
“Who are you talking to?” His words were slightly slurred from all the alcohol. The sudden movement made his head spin and his vision sway, and he grabbed onto Feng Xin’s arm for support unconsciously.
Seeing this, Feng Xin’s gaze softened, and he loosened his grip on Mu Qing's wrist a little. “His Highness.”
Hearing that Mu Qing felt a pang in his heart. Jealousy? He wasn’t sure. Mu Qing sniffed, rolling his eyes.
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Not too long after somebody else barged in. It was, of course, Xie Lian.
He rushed over to Mu Qing. “Mu Qing, is everything alright?” He said, as he placed a hand on Feng Xin’s shoulder and tilted his head to the hand still grasping Mu Qing’s wrist. Feng Xin let go, Mu Qing’s hand dropped back onto the table.
Pei Ming who was still watching from the side, up to this point turned to leave, mumbling something along the lines of “I see, so Xuan Zhen is a moody drunk.”
Xie Lian crouched down so he could be at eye level with Mu Qing who was still sulking in his chair.
“Your highness…” He slurred, he was talking but his mind was elsewhere.
Xie Lian put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Mu Qing, why did you drink today?” His voice was soft, like he was trying not to scare a small animal. This made Mu Qing feel disgusted. Not with Xie Lian, but with himself. Was he really so useless that Xie Lian had to come here to clean up after him?
Mu Qing’s gaze turned misty. Xie Lian and Feng Xin exchanged a glance.
Before either of them could say anything, Mu Qing decided to get it over with. “Just go back to Crimson Rain, I can take care of myself. You don’t need to come check on me like this. I’m a martial god..” He brushed Xie Lian’s hand off his shoulder, the touch lingering.
“Mu Qing, just tell us what's wrong already, I’m sure his highness is busy..” Feng Xin trailed off when he saw Mu Qing’s face distorted. “What?”
Mu Qing’s vision went hazy. “If your so busy just— hic— just get out of here”
Xie Lian intervened, “No, I’m not busy Mu Qing. We’re friends aren’t we?” Xie Lian gave a comforting smile.
Mu Qing felt his heart stutter. “Why?” His voice shook when he spoke.
Xie Lian gave him a look. “Why?” He repeated, tilting his head to the side.
“Because! You’re always so… so nice, and you even came here to hic check on me…” Mu Qing’s lips quivered. He turned around facing away from them.
“I don’t get why you even agreed on that day, to be.. f-friends!” He spat out, curling in on himself in his seat.
He hiccuped. His eyes feeling slightly wet. Xie Lian was about to step forward, when abruptly Feng Xin forcefully turned him around and hugged him.
“You’re an idiot!” Feng Xin said, gritting his teeth. Mu Qing stifled a sob.
“Mu Qing, you're worthy to be our friend.” Xie Lian said, also coming over, joining the hug. He gently brushed Mu Qing's hair out of his face.
“I’m just a s-shity servant!” Mu Qing tried pushing them away, but failed.
“Is this the reason you got drunk today?” Feng Xin questioned, pulling away.
Mu Qing hesitated, looking at him. Feng Xin sighed.
“We’re friends now, okay? Eight hundred years of rivalry was enough for me.” Mu Qing’s watery eyes stared at him. Feng Xin suddenly felt embarrassed, turning away.
“Can you stand?” Xie Lian asked.
Mu Qing scoffed, “Of course I can fucking stand!” As he said this he stood up. Or at least he tried to. He was suddenly assaulted by waves of dizziness. He stumbled a bit, before a strong arm grabbed him, steadying him.
Xie Lian smiled at him warmly, holding his arm. Mu Qing frowned. Feng Xin sighed, putting a hand on Mu Qing’s back, and giving a light push.
“Let’s get you back…”
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After stumbling back to his palace, leaning on Xie Lian for support, Xie Lian made Mu Qing take a nap while he helped circulate his spiritual powers to get the alcohol out of his system.
Mu Qing woke up to Xie Lian by his side, and Feng Xin not too far away.
“What the hell…” He mumbled, his mind groggy from the alcohol and sleep.
Feng Xin cocked an eyebrow at him. “Awake?”
Mu Qing glared. “What are you doing here? Get out.”
Feng Xin scoffed.
“I feel like shit.” Mu Qing deadpanned.
“Mu Qing, do you remember what happened?” Xie Lian asked, turning towards him.
Mu Qing scowled, thinking. A moment later his eyes lit up in recognition, yet his face fell. His cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “Wh-what the hell??” He squawked.
Xie Lian let out a small laugh.
Feng Xin muttered out; “Crybaby..” Xie Lian glared at him.
“Crybaby? What crybaby?! I didn’t cry!” Mu Qing yelled.
“It’s okay to cry, Mu Qing.” Xie Lian comforts, patting him on the shoulder.