"DAMN, this kid can FIGHT!" A bead of sweat trickles down Liu Zhilan's brow as he works his battle fan to divert continuous hits from Zhao Hui's blade.
Okay, so maybe the ship wasn't quite abandoned as the group had estimated before. This was proven when as soon as Zhao Hui took a step into the boat, an alarm blew off. The alarm was loud and piercing, forcing the group to shelter their ears, and at that time, a man slammed open a door, running out. He pulled out a fan and swiftly pulled it open with one hand, the top of the fan emitting spikes. Although Liu Jia recognized this individual to be Liu Zhilan, a previous discipline in her clan, Zhao Hui had already deemed him to be a threat. Well, sort of.
"I'm not a kid you monkey-looking bitch! I'm a year older than you!" Zhao Hui yells in frustration, allowing his anger to show in his blows.
"I will take that as a compliment!"
Liu Jia and Xun YuYang stand together, leaning on the edge of the boat, shaking their heads in disappointment at his actions. Beneath them, Min Boquin sits criss-cross on the wooden floor, cheering at the battle.
"Oh shut up will you, you dumb melon?!" Xun YuYang slaps the back of Min Boquin's head, making him lurch forwards.
"OW!" Min Boquin holds the back of his head whining in pain. He turns to Liu Jia to complain, "Liu Jiaaaaa!"
"I didn't see anything, what are you talking about?" Liu Jia shrugs, high-fiving Xun YuYang.
"I think we should let them go for a good minute more, this is pretty fun to watch! Does anyone want roasted nuts? These are fresh from the market, got them just this morning!" Zhang Bai holds a sack and passes it around. Everyone takes a handful of nuts and bites into them.
"Wow, they're tasty! Thank you! Um, and I had a question. Can we use your ship to get to our destination? We're running behind, and we can only get there by the water."
"Of course! We were looking for a little adventure anyways!" Min Guiying smiles softly towards Zhang Bai, which Zhao Hui catches in the corner of his eye.
Is he, SMILING at him?! HEY! THAT'S NOT ALLOWED! Wait till I'm done with this monkey brain, then I'll tell Min Guiying off! I wouldn't even be FIGHTING this little whore if he didn't jump out at me! He's part of the good people! Zhao Hui thinks saltily as he executes his swings bigger.
"Okay guys, let's break it up! Zhao Hui. Zhao Hui? ZHAO TAI!" Min Guiying yells, walking in between the two fighters.
"What Young Master Min?" Zhao bites back, glaring at him.
"Keep fighting dumbass, and I'll throw you overboard into the water!" Min Guiying grabs Zhao Hui's hands, standing in front of him.
"Ah shit, am I supposed to stop him too? Hold on-" Zhang Bai heaves an arm around Liu Zhilan's shoulder, handing him the nuts, smirking, "Ah- Lan! Try some of my nuts, they're tasty."
"Oh shut up you kinky bitch!"
"I didn't say anything dirty though! What were you thinking of Ah- Lan~?" Zhang Bai brings his face closer to Liu Zhilan in an intimate way.
Huh, that line gives me deja vu... I remember hearing someone saying that, now who was it???
"Wow, he reminds me of you Zhao Hui, with his teasing. You sure you guys haven't met before?" Min Boquin stands next to Zhao Hui, elbowing him, smirking.
"OH YEAH! I SAID IT TO MY UNCLE!" Zhao Hui exclaims, remembering at last, and then slaps a hand to his mouth, "I mean- uh- f u c k."
"Woah, woah, woah. There's someone else like me?!" Zhang Bai hops over to Zhao Hui, looking at him intrigued. At that moment, Zhao Hui forgot that he was to yell at this person in front of him, but rather got ahead of himself. Maybe they could be... friends?
"Oh, you too?! People just make it so easy to tease them, especially with their reactions!"
"I know, right?!"
"Look over here at Young Master Min, he makes it too easy!" Zhao Hui whispers, chuckling.
"Young Master Min? Oh, did you guys come from the Min clan? I hear they got attacked."
"Um, yeah, we did." Zhao Hui looks at Min Guiying as if asking whether to tell him or not.
"I'm Zhang Bai, son of Sect leader Zhang! It's nice to meet you! The person you fought is Liu Zhilan, but I believe Shijie should recognize him."
"WHAT?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?! Jia Jie, it's been a while seen we've seen each other!" Liu Zhilan cups his hands, bowing at Liu Jia.
"Ah- Lan, you're still as immature as before!" Liu Jia teases.
"Jia Jie! Don't expose me like this!"
"What are you two doing on this ship anyways? Oh, I'm Xun YuYang by the way."
"We were sent away in case the Nuh clan attacked, so we stayed in this boat here for about 2 months now, right?" Liu Zhilan nods at Zhang Bai's words.
"It's so boring here! Ugh, and staying with HIM? Even worst!" Liu Zhilan pouts like a baby and then gets pulled into a chokehold by Zang Bai.
"Now, now, Ah- Lan, don't lie to yourself. Anyways, where is it that you guys needed to get to?"
"Cave of Desiderum."
"Come again? Never heard of that place."
"I'll draw a map for you, do you have paper and a pencil?"
"No, but I have parchment and a brush, is that what you meant?"
"Oh, uh- yeah, sure." Zhao Hui chuckles awkwardly at his mess-up.
...
"Why are we always assigned to room together?" Min Guiying sighs, holding his hand to his face.
"Come on, don't act like you don't enjoy this~" Zhao Hui chuckles as he sits on the floor with his map.
"Who says I don't?" Min Guiying, with a straight face, takes a seat next to Zhao Hui.
"Woah. How can you say that with such a straight face Young Master Min?" Zhao Hui brings his face close to Min Guiying, who looks away.
"You can just call me Min Guiying." Min Guiying mutters under his breath, blushing furiously at Zhao Hui's stare.
"Can you look at me?" Zhao Hui whispers, setting his hand beneath Min Guiying's jaw, turning his head.
It seemed to be suffocating in that room, silence ringing as their breaths sang together, deep and heavy. Zhao Hui and Min Guiying stare into each other's eyes, their lips slightly ajar. Min Guiying was fighting an internal battle, trying so hard to look away from his glimmering eyes that shone regardless of how dark it was. Zhao Hui was doing the same. Trying to look away because if he fell for those innocent eyes, his heart would be broken. Min Guiying was meant to be with Liu Jia, it was such a big part of the comic book, it's something that can't be changed.
But his body did something else.
He began to move closer, and watches as Min Guiying does the same. Their eyes flutter shut and now it's the anticipation beating on their skin. He was so close, SOOOO close, but-
He couldn't.
"I'm sorry I just- I have to go and make sense of the mess going on in my head." Zhao Hui opens his eyes and runs away, leaving Min Guiying slightly shook.