Chapter Text
Mu Qing taps his foot as he waits by the door for his friends. They only have twenty minutes before their first class and they’re going to be late. This was the biggest con of having the same classes as your housemates - especially when said housemates were chronically late to everything.
“I’m going to leave you two if you aren’t ready in thirty seconds!” Mu Qing yells. He hears a thud and a string of curses. Good to know that Feng Xin wasn’t even out of bed yet.
“I’m almost ready!” Xie Lian yells from the bathroom. He walks out a few seconds later and Feng Xin throws open his bedroom door and runs in.
“Give me one minute!” He yells as he slams the door shut.
“Thirty seconds!” Mu Qing picks up his bag and violin from where they were leaning against the wall. “And don’t slam the door!”
“Okay, mom, ” is muffled and obviously said around a toothbrush.
Mu Qing felt his temper rising and was seriously questioning why he was friends with such a jerk. The worst part was that Feng Xin was the third best person he knew (the first being his mother and the second being Xie Lian). He truly must have forsaken the gods in a past life for it to turn out this way.
“Think fast!” Xie Lian warns before throwing him an apple. Mu Qing catches it with ease and tries to figure out how he missed Xie Lian going into the kitchen. One of these days he’s going to figure out why he gets tunnel vision when he starts thinking about Feng Xin.
He takes a bite of the apple as he stews in his exaggerated anger.
Xie Lian has just made it to the door when Feng Xin runs out of the bathroom. He reaches into his doorway to grab his backpack before rushing to the front door. He flings it open and is halfway to Mu Qing’s car before he looks over his shoulder.
“You two are going to be late if you don’t hurry up!”
“I’m going to poison your dinner tonight!” Mu Qing hollars and runs after him. He can hear Xie Lian giggling behind him and looks back. “I’m seriously going to do it this time.”
“I believe you, Qing’er,” Xie Lian says as he locks the front door without an ounce of belief in his voice.
His friends are the worst.
He fumes as he puts his things in the trunk and then climbs into the driver’s seat. He debates driving off without his friends but Feng Xin barely passed his driving test on his fourth try and Xie Lian was still considered a danger to himself behind a wheel.
And Mu Qing unfortunately cares about his very irritating, very tarty friends.
He takes a few more bites out of his apple and turns on the ignition as his friends pile in - Feng Xin in the passenger seat and Xie Lian in the back. The Matenrou Opera CD he was listening to last starts blasting through the speakers.
“You know, maybe if you didn’t listen to such loud music in the morning you wouldn’t be so angry all the time,” teases Feng Xin as he takes his apple from Xie Lian.
“Says the drummer,” Mu Qing shoots back. “Maybe if you played the piano more often you wouldn’t be such a brute.”
“How about you two play Composers to warm up for the first day of classes?” Xie Lian asked. He phrased it like a suggestion but his voice made it clear there was no arguing with him.
Feng Xin crossed his arms and pouted. He reached down to take a bite of his apple and continued to sulk. Mu Qing sighed as he realized he’d have to start.
“ Amarilli mia bella ,” Mu Qing smirks.
“Fuck you,” Feng Xin says and sits up to think. “Giulio Caccini. Ich suche dich .”
Mu Qing clicks his tongue at the switch to Classical. He should have expected that, though. “Ernst Häussler. Regina coeli .”
Mu Qing glanced over to see Feng Xin’s brows furrow even more.
“Which one?” he asks.
“Guess.” Mu Qing says and turns attention back to the road. Traffic has started to pick up now that they’re closer to campus.
“Mu Qing, you ass, that’s cheating!” Feng Xin lighty shakes Mu Qing’s shoulder and there’s no heat to his words. “Which one?”
“Qing’er,” Xie Lian warns and Mu Qing knows without looking that he didn’t even look up from his phone.
“Fine,” Mu Qing relented. “ Romeo und Julie .”
“Johann Gottfried Schwanenberger.”
Mu Qing smirks. “That’s Romeo e Julia . I said Romeo und Julie .”
Feng Xin slams his head back. “Damn it.”
Mu Qing turned onto campus and tried to not feel smug about winning the first round of the school year.
He ignored the fact that it was the first round in two years.
He glances over at Feng Xin to see a small smile grace his face. Mu Qing briefly wonders what it would be like to be on the receiving end of that smile.
Mu Qing pulls into the parking lot for the music building and scowls at how crowded it already is despite it not even being eight in the morning. He’s able to find a parking spot towards the back of the lot and thankfully in the shade. The late August heat was sure to make the ride back home miserable regardless.
Feng Xin is out of the car the second Mu Qing parks and Xie Lian is close behind him. Mu Qing falls behind as he still has to get his bag and violin from the trunk. He jogs a bit to catch up and regrets it instantly. The sun is harsh and Mu Qing has an unfortunate wardrobe of all black attire. He glares at Feng Xin’s basketball shorts and T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. The jerk could have some modesty instead of flaunting his muscles every chance he got.
“Okay, we are…” Xie Lian checks his phone as they enter the building. The blast of AC that hits Mu Qing as he walks in is heavenly. “We are in room two-ten.”
Mu qing and Feng Xin throw away their finished apples in the trashcan by the entrance.
“Ugh,” Feng Xin groans. “Of course it’s the room right by all of the practice rooms.”
“That’s probably on purpose,” Mu Qing says and holds the door open to the stairs for them. He tries not to glare at all of the lost freshmen that are bound to run into them. “I looked over the syllabus and we have a lot of free practice days.”
“Oh, thank god,” Feng Xin sighs.
“That doesn’t mean free skip days,” Xie Lian warns. “We’re seniors now. We have to at least pretend to want to be here.”
“Boo,” Feng Xin whines. “Why are we taking this class again?”
“Because you two are the bestest friends ever and promised to take it with me.” Xie Lian says and gives them both a bright smile.
“Careful, Xie Lian,” Feng Xin smirks. “People might start to realize Mu Qing isn’t as heartless as he looks.”
“Feng Xin!” Mu Qing yells and goes to smack him with his violin case. Feng Xin yelps and runs up the rest of the stairs, Mu Qing right behind him. The three of them stumble out of the staircase laughing anyway.
They’re still giggling as they get to the classroom. Xie Lian goes to sit in the front row. Mu Qing sits on his left and Feng Xin sits right behind Mu Qing.
Once Mu Qing has taken out a notebook and pen he turns to Xie Lian to ask if he grabbed any granola bars but stops when he notices someone staring.
The guy is sitting a couple of rows away in the very back of the room. He isn’t staring at Mu Qing but is looking at Xie Lian with a look of awe and shock. The guy has long black hair and an eye patch over his right eye. He’s wearing a short-sleeved red button up with the first three buttons undone. Mu Qing’s first thought is, what an asshole .
His second thought is, he better stay far, far away from Xie Lian .
Mu Qing’s attention is pulled away when their professor walks in and begins class. He passes out the syllabus and goes over his expectations for the class. Mu Qing starts to wish he had had more than just iced coffee and an apple about halfway through. His head starts to feel fuzzy and hunger grips his stomach painfully.
He doesn’t notice that he’s zoned out until an apple sauce packet is slid onto his desk. He turns around to thank Feng Xin but he’s already turned his head to act like it wasn’t him. Mu Qing knows that he keeps snacks in his backpack specifically for him after he passed out last February.
Mu Qing rolls his eyes and decides not to say anything. He opens the applesauce and focuses back on what the professor is saying.
“You will have three performances this semester,” the professor says. “Each will be duets. I’ve already decided on the pairs for the first performance. I will allow you all to choose for the last two.”
Mu Qing tenses at that. He’s always struggled at getting along with others. He wasn’t entirely sure why Feng Xin and Xie Lian have put up with him for so long. Well, Xie Lian that is. Mu Qing was pretty sure Feng Xin only put up with him because of Xie Lian.
Mu Qing thoroughly ignores the tiny voice that reminds him that Xie Lian has no idea why Feng Xin keeps snacks in his backpack for him.
Mu Qing tries to control the shaking of his hands as the professor starts listing off pairs.
“...Xie Lian and Hua Cheng…”
Mu Qing has never wished to work with Feng Xin so badly.
“... finally, Mu Qing and Feng Xin. You may find your partner to begin discussing. That’s all for today.”
Oh thank gods.
God dammit.
Mu Qing glared at Xie Lian as he tried not to giggle.
The guy in red glared at Mu Qing.
What the fuck?
And Feng Xin was glaring at the guy in red.
“Don’t look so angry,” Xie Lian tried soothing them. “You two play beautifully together.”
Mu Qing pouted. “You’re making fun of us.”
“What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t poke fun at you two every now then.”
“A kinder one,” Feng Qing said and crossed his arms.
“Gege is always kind,” a low voice says behind them. They all turn to see the guy in red standing slightly behind Xie Lian.
“Oh!” Xie Lian brightens even more. “It’s you!”
“You two have met?” Feng Xin asks.
Xie Lian turns back to them. “Yes. San Lang helped me in the library a few times last year.”
Xie Lian works part time in the small library the music department had in the basement. He had gotten the job their freshman year and it was one of the few things he was able to keep for himself the last two years.
“It was my pleasure,” is all San Lang has to say.
Mu Qing sizes him up as he finishes his applesauce packet. The guy didn’t seem like he was up to anything but he’s been wrong before.
His legs start to ache.
Very wrong before.
“Hua Cheng, spending his free time helping out in a library?” Feng Xin scoffs. “Yeah, right.”
“Feng Xin!” Xie Lian swats him on the shoulder. “Be nice!”
Mu Qing notices the flash of insecurity in Hua Cheng’s face before it morphs into a sneer. He hated the way the familiarity of it coiled in his stomach.
Always one to jump at the chance to make fun of Feng Xin and to make sure his friends’ words aren't misunderstood, Mu Qing rolls his eyes. “Better than you, Feng Xin. I’m not even sure you know how to read.”
“You little -” Feng Xin puts him in a loose headlock and messes up his hair. “Who’s side are you on?”
Mu Qing laughs and tugs at Feng Xin’s arms. “Any side that drags you through the mud!”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing continue to play fight as Xie Lian turns to Hua Cheng. “Would San Lang like to go get breakfast with us?”
Feng Xin lets go of Mu Qing and looks at Xie Lian like an excited puppy. “We’re going to go get breakfast?”
“Yes, yes,” Xie Lian giggles. “My treat.”
Feng Xin cheers and quickly shoves his things into his bag. Mu Qing is a little more careful and subtly pays attention to Hua Cheng's response. This is a test after all.
“I don’t want to cause Gege any trouble,” Hue Cheng frowns.
“Nonsense, San Lang,” Xie Lian stands and pats his shoulder. “It’d be my pleasure.”
Hua Cheng nods. “If Gege insists.”
Mu Qing spares a glance and meets Feng Xin’s eyes.
He’s passed for now.
~~
Feng Xin sits in the corner of the practice room eating his burrito bowl and watching The Untamed on his laptop. He was starting to understand why Mu Qing liked it so much. That boy was a sucker for tragic backstories.
Xie Lian had an afternoon shift at the library and so Mu Qing and Feng Xin decided they would wait in a practice room. Mu Qing wanted to get a head start on their duet anyway even though they had two weeks to officially decide what they wanted to perform.
He glances up to see Mu Qing staring at him through the window in the door. After a moment they both flip each other off. Mu Qing grins and pushes open the door.
“Bitch,” Feng Xin greets him.
Mu Qing laughs and shuts the door behind him. “Jerk.”
Feng Xin pauses the show while Mu Qing sits down beside him. He takes the bowl of noodles he got for lunch out of a plastic bag, takes off the lid, and pulls out a pair of disposable chopsticks. He takes a bite of noodles before focusing on Feng Xin’s laptop.
“What episode are you on?” he asks.
“Thirty-five,” Feng Xin says and presses play.
Mu Qing takes another bite of his noodles. “Oh, good. I don’t think I can emotionally handle the backstory right now.”
Feng Xin decides to not mention that he isn’t forcing Mu Qing to watch with him. They sit in silence as they eat, keeping their focus on the show. By the time they’re both done eating, they’ve reached the end of the episode.
Feng Xin closes out Netflix while Mu Qing walks out to the hallway to throw their trash away. They learned the hard way to never throw away food in the practice rooms since they weren’t allowed to eat there in the first place.
Mu Qing walks in just as Feng Xin is placing his laptop on top of the piano and pulling out the bench. Mu Qing quickly unpacks his violin and starts tuning it - occasionally leaning over Feng Xin to check his tone on the piano.
Once Mu Qing is satisfied with it he plays a few scale warm ups and Feng Xin joins him on the piano. It’s been ages since they’ve played together and Feng Xin wasn't afraid to admit he missed it.
Once they’re done with that, Mu Qing places his violin down and gathers his long dark hair up into a messy bun. A few of the silver strands at the front fall to frame his and Feng Xin is struck at out pretty it makes him look. He knows better than to comment on the silver but he can’t help but think it.
“Have you looked over the assignment?” Mu Qing asks.
“I did,” Feng Xin nods. “He didn’t give us any requirements on time period. We get free reign.”
Mu Qing clicks his tongue. Feng Xin knew Mu Qing hated when professors gave little instruction on assignments, constantly worried he’d interpret it wrong.
Feng Xin tilts his head. “Any ideas?”
“ Flight of the Bumblebee ,” Mu Qing deadpans. Feng Xin swats him on the back of the head.
“Be serious!”
“You didn’t have to hit me!” Mu Qing shoves his head but not forcefully. Feng Xin knew the two of them were both only pretending.
Mu Qing huffed. “ Merry-Go Round of Life .”
Feng Xin startles. “What?”
“You heard me,” Mu Qing pouts and crosses his arms.
Feng Xin feels a smile slip onto his face as he watches a light blush bloom onto Mu Qing’s cheeks. Mu Qing was always thinking of others, of course he’s going to turn a class assignment into a gift. Xie Lian hasn’t watched his favorite movie in years.
Instead of responding, Feng Xin places his hands in position and starts playing the piece he’s had memorized for years. He always played it to cheer up Xie Lian when they were younger.
Mu Qing joined him after he played the intro. They stumbled towards the middle of the piece, both of them out of practice with the piece. They worked on it measure-by-measure wanting it to be perfect.
Once they were satisfied with their progress, they decided to have a small jam session. Feng Xin was halfway through his rendition of Candy by Robbie Williams with Mu Qing singing along when he noticed the ache in his cheeks from smiling the whole time.
He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this at peace.
They decide to pack up about fifteen minutes before Xie Lian’s shift is supposed to end. Feng Xin decides to ask about their String Literature class that Xie Lian and Mu Qeng had after their accompanying class.
It was so worth it to see Mu Qing’s face light up.
“It’s going to be so interesting!” he says and holds the door open for Feng Xin as they step into the hallway. “We’re starting with Early Baroque in Italy!”
Feng Xin smiled as Mu Qing started telling him about the composers their class would be learning about. Baroque had always been Mu Qing’s favorite time period.
They’ve reached the basement by the time Feng Xin realizes he’s never seen such unfiltered joy wash over Mu Qing.
He was in bed that night when he realized the imprint of Mu Qing’s smile had burned itself onto his brain.