Work Text:
“Hey.” A pair of silver eyes landed on a tiny hand in front of him. His eyelashes trembled as he looked up and saw a pair of golden eyes meeting his gaze. In an instant, his gaze became sharp and did not speak, silently staring still at the person across him.
The latter did not move a muscle, standing still with its tiny hand still suspended in the air. The silver-eyed kid remained its sharp gaze until he finally spoke, “What.”
He pulled out the lollipop from his lips that created a pop sound and replied, “I’m Feng Xin.” His tiny hand, suspended in the air, twitched a little that made the latter tear its gaze from the person and diverted towards the hand.
A flicker of hesitation unnoticeably appeared from the silver-eyed kid for a moment before extending his hand back. Their hands shook a couple of times, “My name is Mu Qing.” he replied.
Not long after, the teacher arrived and Feng Xin obediently ran back to his proper seat. Mu Qing’s gazes followed the figure until Feng Xin arrived at his seat and clumsily sat down while putting the lollipop stick to his short pockets.
Little did either of them know, they’d be stuck all throughout their journey to growth.
“Alright kids, I’m sure you have friends in this class, don’t you?” The kindergarten teacher asked with a smile. The students looked at their own particular directions, receiving the same gazes as a mutual agreement of their friendship and proudly answered, “Yes, teacher!”
Teacher clapped her hands and said, “The school year is ending. Next time you will go back to school, you will have to be in first grade in elementary. Of course, vacation is around the corner. Now, Teacher has an activity for you. Did you bring what I asked you to bring?”
They all nodded in unison and some of them already pulled out the materials and things and placed them on their desks in advance. “Okay. With all of that materials and things, I want you to make something memorable and give it to your friend as a gift. Is that okay?”
Their eyes lit up and nodded with bright faces. After the teacher gave the cue to start, they started busying themselves on their seats.
Mu Qing stared at his materials across him and the fake diamond beads that shone all around its shape. His eyes showed contemplation and deep thinking of what he should do with these things.
He would’ve loved to play with the beads he had at home but he can’t bring them because his parents won’t allow him, plus he doesn’t really want to share them. He thinks it’s very precious to him and he can’t let it go to others.
But he’s still a little boastful. He wants to show to the whole class that he has diamonds, very shiny diamonds but is also afraid that his classmates would ask for a few from him.
In the end, he picked up his Thomas the Train with glitters ruler and stenciled a parallel line. He cut it with full care and attention to how straight it is then moved the rest aside. He pulled out his glue paste and dirtied his fingers with it. With clumsy movements, he spread the over-proportioned glue paste and poured his diamond beads.
He tried his best to fill in the gaps of the blue strip of paper with diamond beads and tried it to himself. Seeing something wrong, he hastily picked a few of the beads away from the paper and left an empty space.
“Time's up! I hope you’re finished now, pick up the little pieces of paper and clean your area now. The area who has the cleanest floor would have additional points and another very good star stamp.”
After that chaos of the contest, the teacher stood in front of them once again and explained. “On my count to three, I want you to give what you did to your friend, Okay? Okay. “
Several bodies jumped up tinily, excited to stand up from their seats and run to their so-called friends to give their gift to them.
“One, Two…” Mu Qing stared at this diamond strip art of his and pondered to whom should he give this to.
“Three!” Then, another chaos began. They all stood up and went for their friends, except Mu Qing who was still looking down. The teacher saw this, and was about to stand up when a loud, tiny voice rang up the whole room, attracting several attention, including the teacher’s.
She then saw Feng Xin running across the whole room playfully while shouting a name. The teacher found it funny and chuckled, and was about to call him for running and telling him to keep his voice down when he yelled again.
“MUUUUUUUU, QINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!” The second time, Mu Qing was startled on his seat from this loud voice and a figure appeared in front of him. He looked up to see Feng Xin catching his breath with his other fist balled.
HIs silver eyes widened and stared at him. Until then, Feng Xin extended his empty hand and said, “Give me your hand.”
At loss, Mu Qing silently extended his hand and watched him do things to him. Then, he saw the latter inserting who knows what to his middle finger. When Feng Xin let go, he realized it was a ring, a paper ring.
His breath hitched and his shoulders tensed, drawing his hand near to himself and observing this ring. He noticed a text was written on it and read them.
Forever.
“I know it kinda sucks and not really so presentable-”
“You don’t have glitter?” Mu Qing cut him off. Feng Xin paused and thought about it, then shook his head.
“Do you want it to shine? I’d go ask our classmate if they have glitter. Return that thing to me first…” Unexpectedly, Mu Qing pulled his hand closer to himself and shook his head shyly.
“No need.” He said lowly.
“..Okay. I promise I will study on how to make them more pretty and cool, then I will give it to you in a better looking one.” Feng Xin replied.
Then, he remembered his work of art and picked them up from the desk.
Seeing it full of diamonds, Feng Xin’s eyes lit up and drew a big smile to his lips, revealing a set of baby teeth with a canine tooth missing above.
Mu Qing reached for his glue paste once again, “Give me your arm.” Feng Xin happily extended it and a thick paper strip full of diamonds stuck with it wrapped around his wrist. Mu Qing, with focus, pasted the two ends of the paper strip together and it then became a bracelet.
“You’re better than me. It’s very cool!” Feng Xin giggled and raised the arm that had it, boasting to their classmates that 'his friend’ gave him tons of diamonds. Mu Qing’s eyebrows furrowed from it but couldn’t do anything.
It was just because he’s shy.
Seeing this, the teacher let out a sigh of relief and thought, They’re surely perfect with each other. A clumsy and noisy Feng Xin with a shy and loner Mu Qing.
.
.
.
.
“...Still no glitter?” Mu Qing asked and continued to stare at the paper ring wrapping around his finger with the same text, but with improved handwriting and still with a clumsy cut of paper.
“ Aiyah, I don’t have money to buy glitter, okay? Also, I forgot to tell mum yesterday, so she hadn’t bought them. I’d give you another ring full of shine next time!”
.
.
.
.
.
“We’re already in Junior high school next school year.” Feng Xin lazily spoke with a twig between his teeth. Mu Qing, who was seated beside him, did not reply and continued throwing pebbles into the pond.
“What school are you going to?” Mu Qing nervously asked.
“Hmm? Mum said we’d stay at my grandpop and grandpoppy’s house. It’s far.” Feng Xin replied and continued to stare at the setting sun.
Hearing this, Mu Qing seemed to feel his breathing stop and felt the world crumble down.
After a moment of silence, he tried to force out his words, “You’re leaving?” Feng Xin nonchalantly nodded and the silence once again aroused.
The green grass they’re laying on gave a golden touch because of the setting sun. The wind hugged their bodies, swaying their uniform and their graduation gown. They both held to their graduation caps to prevent it from being flown away by the wind and continued with the silence.
“Here.” Mu Qing caught a tiny thing on his hand. He discovered it was a plastic ring.
“No more paper?” Hearing this, Feng Xin sat up from lying and schooched nearer to Mu Qing.
“You’re not asking me ‘No shine?’”
“...No shine?” Feng Xin laughed at this and ruffled Mu Qing’s silver hair.
“I suck at art. I just bought them on the sidewalk. But I lost the first one who had a shiny gem on it. I tried to go back and find a new one but I couldn’t find the one that had a gem in it. Apparently, it was the last one, but I lost the gem. So That’s the only best I could give to you, so far.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
Mu Qing stared at the person across him in a daze. The person as well stood there dumbfoundedly staring back at him. Seeming to forget they’re in public, all the surroundings appeared blurry in their sight.
“Mu Qing?” His fingers tightened the grip from holding his textbook from hearing his name from a familiar person.
He felt a lump in his throat and couldn’t bear to reply instantly. He internally calmed down and forced out, “Feng...Xin.”
Hearing his reply, Feng Xin’s eyes lit up and ran towards Mu Qing. Mu Qing had to step back a few centimeters and looked up to him.
When they were kids, they were just at the same height. When they were in elementary school, Mu Qing was slightly taller than him. Now, Feng Xin is taller.
“I...haven’t seen you in a long time.” Mu Qing nodded awkwardly and forced a smile. His mind still hadn’t sunk in that it was his childhood best friend standing before him. His eyes were still glued to Feng Xin’s figure, face, to be specific.
On that day at the vast university, who would’ve known that they’d meet again?
“You didn’t say you’re studying here too.” Mu Qing said and walked alongside with him.
“I lost connection with you in our third year. My phone was robbed and I didn’t memorize your number.” Feng Xin replied, awkwardly apologizing while itching his nape.
“Tch, careless.” Mu Qing rolled his eyes away. Feng Xin made faces and sounds, and could not think of any counterattack at all.
“Pst.” Several whispers of calling bothered Mu Qing while the class was ongoing and stopped playing with his pen. Face crumpled, he turned his head at the side and saw Feng Xin in his varsity jacket.
He looked at him with an annoyed face and Feng Xin just smirked. “Give me your hand.” He whispered.
He looked at him for a few seconds and replied, “For what.” Feng Xin pursed his lips and knew instantly that his friend wouldn’t give his hand easily. So, he secretly moved himself nearing Mu Qing, making sure he wouldn’t get caught.
Mu Qing looked away with knitted brows, without knowing the reddening of his earlobes. He tried to focus on the lesson in front of him when a hand snatched his left hand. He almost dropped his pen, and with panic turned around to Feng Xin. He tried to snatch his hand back but paused when he saw Feng Xin inserting a pink paper to his fourth finger.
“There, I hope that cleared out my years of debt.” Mu Qing saw a heart-shaped silver gem on the top of the paper ring.
Mu Qing was at loss. He didn’t know what to do. He stared at Feng Xin who was back at his ‘good student-athlete’ posture, listening intently to the class.
He felt it suddenly turned hot, and secretly fanned himself, unaware of his red face.
He just swallowed emptily and tried to focus on the class. For some reason, the gem was bothering him. So he secretly pulled it out from the paper, knowing it was just a sticker. He stole several glances at the paper ring, observing and admiring how neat it was. The heart was neatly folded and shaped as well.
Until then, he built a habit of fiddling with it subconsciously.
It was a long class, a triple period of a very, very boring class for the both of them.
“Do you have practice later?” Mu Qing initiated the conversation, trying his best to lower his voice so that they would not get caught. Feng Xin nodded with droopy eyelids, appearing very sleepy.
“Ah. Are we going home together?” Feng Xin let out a small hum and replied with a husky whisper, “Wait for me. It’s until six-thirty.”
Feng Xin’s eyes stilled on the ring wrapping around the fourth finger of the person beside him and noticed the gem was gone. He thought Mu Qing must’ve disliked the color, plus he knew it didn’t shine much.
His chest tightened a bit but he just let it go with a long, deep sigh.
Mu Qing noticed this and instantly turned his head to him, “Is there a problem?”
Feing Xin shook his head in a small motion, not even glancing back at him. Mu Qing’s lips opened and wanted to say something. In the end, he chose not to.
Not a long silence passed, he suddenly heard Feng Xin speak in a low voice. “When we graduate, I'll find a job and be successful and stable.”
Mu Qing didn’t know what he’s pointing out. Maybe, his plans in the future? But it’s not really necessary to share them at this time, are they? Mu Qing was about to speak when he was cut off with words he didn’t expect.
“And then, I’ll marry you.” Feng Xin added.
Mu Qing’s eyes widened and the boredom from this class was abruptly swept away from hearing this. “If you don’t feel the same way, then I will pursue you. I will make you fall in love with me. And then, I will insert a true ring there at your fourth finger. I know you like shiny things, so I will give you the grandest, shiniest, and most expensive, limited edition ring. “
Hearing all these words, his silver pupils slowly shrunk and his right hand fiddled the paper ring. His heartbeat is getting loud and fast, as if it wants to burst out of his ribcage.
He was at a loss for words.
Then, he slowly looked at the paper ring Feng Xin just gave to him. He didn’t know why his fingers were shaking, his hands emitting a cold sweat. And a heavy feeling he had been carrying since their junior high was lifted, and just vanished into thin air.
He noticed a beautifully, and neatly written text at the downside of the ring.
Forever.
Mu Qing didn’t know why he was smiling, but his breathing gradually eased up. He didn’t know where that heavy feeling came from, he just knew he felt lighter. In any case, he didn’t bother finding them out anymore.
“I like shiny things, but I’d marry you with paper rings.” He replied in a low voice.
Now, Feng Xin was the one who’s left dumbfounded. Mu Qing smirked and diverted his attention to the class, feeling he’s at his victory.
Feng Xin’s lips slowly crept a smile. And when he noticed he had been smiling too much his cheeks and jaw hurt, he tried to suppress the smile and lowly coughed.
Feng Xin looked down to hide his smile. Mu Qing knew all of this, he could see them in his peripheral vision. Until he noticed Feng Xin grinning and giggling nonstop.
Mu Qing was also suppressing his smile and elbowed the person beside him. Then, he started giggling as well.
If this was a dream, then they wish they’d never wake up again.
.
.
.
.
.
“Kitten, what’s taking you so long to segregate useless things there?” Mu Qing heard his husband’s footsteps getting nearer to their bed. Mu Qing felt a pair of warm arms snake around his waist and a kiss planted on his silver hair.
Feng Xin then saw an unfamiliar box that was being held in Mu Qing’s hands. He looked at Mu Qing from behind and saw him staring at the unopened box with soft gazes.
It seemed old, but it was taken care of very properly. Few creases were only visible flaws. “Hmm? What’s that?”
Mu Qing with a small smile on his lips opened the box. There revealed a lot of things with the same shape and intentions, but different appearance. It was the two paper rings and the plastic ring Feng Xin bought for him from the sidewalk after their elementary graduation.
Realizing these were his gifts for Mu Qing, Feng Xin stared at it with mouth agape. He even noticed that disgustingly cute, messy work of paper ring way back when they were in kindergarten. Those were the rings he gave each school year, on the same day. He remembered sneaking out of his house to go to Mu Qing’s house just to give it if ever the date was on weekends.
“That’s… a complete collection. You still have them?” Feng Xin felt his heart melting and hugged Mu Qing tightly. Feeling that it wasn’t enough, he turned Mu Qing around and his lips collided with Mu Qing’s.
They never felt butterflies, which took them a lot of time to make sure they were into each other. Without realizing at all, the calm and safe place they felt whenever they’re with each other was much better than feeling butterflies in their stomach.
Feng Xin placed his forehead on his husband’s, and looked down together in the box of paper rings.
“Darling,” Feng Xin raised his brows seeing the flirtatious gaze from his lover.
Mu Qing drew his face nearer again, only an inch away from his lover’s lips.
“Why don’t you propose to me again?” He spoke, his lips brushing with the other.
Hearing this, Feng Xin was first dumbfounded with the idea of this wife of his. However, in the end, he still picked out the most neat paper ring. The one he made when they were in college, but Mu Qing’s hands stopped it.
“I want that one from kindergarten.” Feng Xin’s mouth went agape.
“But it’s already fragile? Plus it won’t fit with the size of your finger now.” He said, but Mu Qing just looked him in the eyes. Telling him, “And then?”
Actually, it was Mu Qing’s favorite ring. I mean, it was all his favorite because it came from his favorite person, but it was by far the most memorable to him. He was his first friend, the first person who gave a sentimental gift to him.
They were still kids back then, so he really looked forward to that promise of his. He had kept it in his heart for a long time until now, it still felt like it was yesterday.
Defeated, Feng Xin picked the paper ring from kindergarten. His face became a little sour and held it with utmost care.
Then, he walked a few steps back and kneeled on his one knee.
“Mu Qing, my baby, kitten, darling, bubby-”
“Stop calling me names.” Mu Qing irritably, but light heartedly said.
Feng Xin grinned and coughed a few times to get ready.
“Mu Qing,” he stared at the person in front of him. His eyes were full of admiration, adoration to his wife of his.
“I know you like shiny things,” It wasn’t easy for them. Coming out of their closet in this society wasn't easy. But thank the heavens, and thank the deep love they continued getting drowned in, they never wanted to swim up to the shore and live in a reality they did not want.
“But will you marry me with this paper ring?” He asked.
Mu Qing met his lover’s eyes. Although it was just a play, although Mu Qing just wanted to play, he still felt and saw the most sincere gazes gazing back at him.
With a hint of a smile in his twinkling eyes, he extended his left hand without saying a word and nodded.
It just felt like yesterday. When Feng Xin initiated to extend his hand to introduce himself. Now, it was Mu Qing’s turn to extend his hand, with his whole world leaned on this lover of his, with that paper ring that was just able to fit on the upper part of his finger.
Rings made of paper mixed with the intoxicating feeling of their forever together.