There was no night hunt.
The curiosity to know more about the other won over them, and made a short presentation turn into a conversation so long that it lasted until the star king returned to heaven.
Song Yewan is by nature unsociable and sparing even with his closest shixiongs; however, the ease of speech of Xiao Qingchen and his energetic spirit, strangely led him to feel less withdrawn and also to venture to talk about himself, leaving aside his innate habit of only listening. Young Xiao noticed this detail by comparing his initial availability with the final one but did not understand why it made him feel happy.
It is so strange! They are just getting to know each other but it is so comfortable to be with him!
They talked for hours and hours, about a little of everything, sometimes stopping just to laugh. They talked about their past, what brought them to this present, and what they hope for in the future. They were constantly surprised by so many similarities to each other: they shared dreams, ways of seeing the world, and ideals. They were both orphans, had a family unrelated to blood and teachers, apparently of the same generation. They were the minors of the house, aware of being spoiled for it and they really liked it. They love art, beauty, and martial; justice, good, and ethics.
Oh, and his favorite fruit is orange. One said for being sweet and the other for being sour.
Next to this new friend, they felt somehow complete. As if they had known about this encounter from birth; as if they had always longed for or sought it ... they were now pleased.
With this feeling tickling their hearts and tired of staying up late, they put out the fire that warmed them and took cover under the trees from the cold snow. As they watched its fall, they both ended up sleeping soundly next to each other.
Yes. They slept so carelessly.
For some reason, they did not feel like they should be vigilant; on the contrary, they felt that this boy was the only one they could fully trust from now on.
For the next five days, they devoted themselves to caring for the little panda and enjoying the new company. Little to nothing did they mind breaking their routine of going to the next town at the second dawn, and they just threw it to the back of their minds so they could relax and just be what they were.
Children.
Spending the mornings between workouts and exchanges of techniques; the afternoons enjoying strolling and doing a little sightseeing in the nearby surroundings, and the nights full of shared loud illusions and bright stars. In this way, their relationship became closer and trust grew.
They were not even going on night hunts or out of the woods. The few times they did it, they were mostly together and to sell the fish they caught while playing in the narrow river that ran through the western part of the forest. From the money they got from it, they bought the food of the day and the necessary medicine to properly heal the little bear. Sometimes they just spent it on little treats. Such as that beautiful calligraphic brush or that delicate sword tassel that they bought just to see the smile of the other when giving it as a gift.
After a week, the baby panda is completely healthy.
The injury was not that bad, so it did not take long to heal; they both knew about this, but still refused to say it out loud. They thought that by announcing it, these fun moments together would end and it would be time to leave, each one taking a different direction.
They really enjoyed the company of this new friend! Despite being so different in personalities, they were at the same time so similar, they felt that they would never find someone else like him again!
And so, they were silent for a couple more days, trying to find some situation or excuse to dare to ask the other to continue the journey together.
One night, they were encouraged to go night hunt, but not before leaving their little one in a safe place.
It did not take long for some terrible creature to show itself, and without the need for words, the two fought incredibly. They protected each other, taking turns attacking and defending with timing that bordered on perfection.
Not even they expected this result.
On their own, each one is strong, skilled, and more than capable; nevertheless, together, they are simply from another world.
They fought cleanly and elegantly. So fast that it would not be an exaggeration to compare them to the cold gust of winter wind; so soft that, when you see them, you would remember the silent fall of a snowflake on the landscape behind your window.
They were definitely made for each other and they knew it.
This nocturnal hunt was the small and necessary push for them to decide to take the step they so much avoided taking.
The sun would soon rise, the night mist was slowly dispersing. Both of them ended this hunt and would go back to the clearing after finishing exorcising this last defeated beast.
The magic that rippled through their slender fingers toward the corpse of the bloody creature glowed; the swords were already resting in their sheath. Xiao Qingchen and Song Yewan kept thinking about the aforementioned subject.
«It's a good time,» they thought at the same time.
Taking a bit of courage, the tallest cultivator managed to speak first.
—Qing-xiong. —He called trying not to stutter for nerves. On the outside, he still looked serene—. I have thought about it for a few days and I think it is time to say it.
Xiao Qingchen, curious, watches him silently.
—Zhu'er is healthy now. It is no longer necessary for us to keep staying.
Xiao agreed and look down at the dead at his feet. Song continued.
—We have met in the middle of a journey that we started alone. It is been more than a week, so I think… it's time to move on.
The one in white robes immediately turned to see him. In his own expression, something close to fear surfaced. YeWan wants to leave now? Alone? He seems very determined ...
—YeWan...
For a moment, Xiao Qingchen thought that he too felt the same about this friendship...
His pretty eyebrows trembled a bit, his gaze looked somewhat sad and he did not know if he could continue listening to him.
—So, I ... —Young Song did not see the painful expression of his friend, because, from the beginning, he avoided looking at the other out of embarrassment—. I was wondering... if Qing-xiong wanted...
—Aaah! Yewan! —He interrupts energetically, unable to wait any longer. He closes his eyes in anticipation of a denial that he does not want to see come out of his mouth, but that he inevitably thinks he will listen when I ask him to...—: Please, after this be my partner!
They both fell silent. One waiting for a response, another trying to process the request. The childish beautiful face of a dumbfounded Song Yewan is slowly reddened by the swirl of inner thoughts.
Partner, partner, partner.
Is it what he thinks it is? He has no words!
On the other hand, to Xiao Qingchen, seemed strange to him the opposite silence, so he repeated his own words mentally- and noticed his incomplete request in time!
His small, smooth jade face also turned a faint red.
—T-this xiong actually meant that...! Ahhh! —He immediately covered his face with his hands. Shrinking awkwardly into place, he murmured—: I wanted to ask you if... it is possible that you and I... were fellow partner travelers from now on.
How shy. Both so cute~
Adolescence is truly a good time for love if both hearts are as pure as theirs.
Song Yewan listened carefully to Xiao Qingchen and understood. He quickly collected himself before replying:
—I, ahem. —Used the cough to hide his flushed cheeks behind his sleeves—. I was also going to ask you... the same ...
Taking the few steps that separated him from his friend, he knelt beside him to give him a couple of gentle pats on the head.
—If that is okay with Qing-xiong, of course.
Xiao Qingchen finally stopped hiding his face.
Their gazes connected; in this lonely place, their eyes only reflecting the other and shining.
—It is a yes. —I agree.
And so, that morning, they said goodbye to that little panda and the great bamboo forest that welcomed them. Side by side, they walked the same path to their next destination.
A white figure and another black, with a gentle smile and an icy look, with a soft aura and a distant aura ... They surprised whoever saw them, not only because of the great beauty of the pair that made the flowers cry and illuminated the nights but also for the image they gave.
They are the sun and the moon; the bright day with its white clouds and the dark night of snowy full moon and stars; the cool breeze of spring and the frost of winter.
They are Song Yewan and Xiao Qingchen, a pair of destined souls who just wanted to spend their days in happiness.