The Celestial Veil Sect's annual Moon Harmony Festival painted the mountain in shimmering color. Lanterns floated like stars fallen to earth, their soft glow reflecting off polished tiles and fluttering fabric banners. Music drifted through the air—gentle flutes, drums, and chimes—mingling with laughter and the excited chatter of disciples preparing for their performances.
Shen Yu had been excited since dawn.
Ling Wei had been suffering since dawn.
"Ling Wei, look!" Shen Yu thrust a handful of glittering ribbons in his face. "We can use these for our sword dance—"
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"Just one ribbon?"
Ling Wei leveled a flat stare. "Shen Yu. We are performing a sword dance, not a children's puppet show."
Shen Yu pouted hard, shoulders drooping. "You say that now, but when the audience cries tears of joy at our sparkly beauty, you'll regret it."
"I assure you," Ling Wei said calmly, "I will not regret anything."
From nearby, Xiao Rong burst into laughter. Yu Zhen was adjusting the strings of a guqin for their duet, glancing up with a faint smile. "He's right, Shen Yu. Ribbons might be a little… distracting."
Shen Yu gasped. "Yu Zhen! Not you too!"
Xiao Rong leaned casually against a pillar. "Just face it, Shen Yu. You're the most dramatic person on the mountain."
Shen Yu opened his mouth to argue—then paused.
"…You're not wrong."
Even Ling Wei cracked a tiny smile.
The festival began as the sun began to sink behind the peaks, bathing the courtyard in a warm orange glow. The crowd gathered, disciples filling the seats while elders watched from above. Lanterns framed the stage, swaying gently with the evening breeze.
"Ready?" Ling Wei asked quietly as they stepped behind the curtain.
Shen Yu inhaled deeply. For once, he didn't trip, stumble, or panic. He glanced at Ling Wei—steady, calm, dependable—and something warm spread through him.
"Yeah," Shen Yu said softly.
"I'm ready."
When their names were announced, the courtyard rippled with anticipation.
Ling Wei stepped out first—graceful as falling snow, his blade catching soft moonlight. Shen Yu followed, full of bright energy and focus, and the crowd murmured with surprise. His posture was steadier, his steps more controlled than anyone expected.
The music began.
Ling Wei moved like poetry, every motion fluid and precise. Shen Yu followed—not perfectly, but with heart, strength, and determination. When he stumbled slightly in a spin, Ling Wei shifted seamlessly, guiding the movement in a way that made the misstep look purposeful.
Their blades crossed in a flash of light, spiraling apart in perfect harmony. Shen Yu leaped, landing just a hair too close—Ling Wei's hand brushed his waist to steady him, their breaths catching in sync.
Gasps came from the crowd—not because of the near-stumble, but because the two of them looked undeniably beautiful together.
Shen Yu felt it too.
The closeness.
The warmth.
The silent electricity that had been building between them for days.
When the final note echoed through the courtyard, they ended in mirrored stances—blades lowered, chests rising and falling, eyes locked for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
The applause that followed was thunderous.
Shen Yu's smile lit up his entire face.
"Ling Wei!" he whispered excitedly. "I didn't mess up too much!"
"You did well," Ling Wei said, voice low, eyes softening. "Very well."
Shen Yu glowed.
Next came Xiao Rong and Yu Zhen.
Their performance was quieter—gentle rather than dazzling. Yu Zhen sat at the guqin while Xiao Rong stood beside him with a flute. When the first notes flowed, it felt as if the entire courtyard exhaled at once.
Yu Zhen's fingers moved with elegant precision, producing a melody warm as morning light. Xiao Rong's flute joined in—soft at first, then growing bolder, weaving around Yu Zhen's music like vines curling around a sturdy tree.
Even Shen Yu, who normally couldn't sit still for long, fell silent.
Xiao Rong leaned slightly closer as the tempo rose, their breaths syncing. At one moment, Yu Zhen glanced up—just a brief look—and Xiao Rong's notes trembled with something that wasn't fear.
It was something tender.
Something new.
Something growing.
Their final harmony drifted through the air like falling feathers.
Then the applause erupted once more.
Shen Yu whistled loudly, ignoring Ling Wei's gentle nudge to "behave."
"That was amazing! Xiao Rong, Yu Zhen! You two sounded like—like—"
"A married couple?" Xiao Rong deadpanned.
Yu Zhen flushed faintly. "It was only a duet."
"And a beautiful one," Ling Wei added.
As lanterns were released into the sky, glowing softly as they floated upward, Shen Yu ran ahead, marveling at each one. Ling Wei followed at a slower pace, a small smile tugging at his lips every time Shen Yu pointed excitedly.
Xiao Rong nudged Yu Zhen with his elbow. "So? Did you like performing with me?"
Yu Zhen's expression softened in a way he rarely allowed anyone else to see.
"…Yes. More than I expected."
Xiao Rong froze.
Then slowly, the widest smile crept onto his face. "Good," he said softly. "Me too."
Lantern light reflected in their eyes.
On the other side of the courtyard, Shen Yu lifted a lantern of his own. "Ling Wei! Let's release one together!"
Ling Wei stepped beside him, hand brushing Shen Yu's as they raised the lantern toward the night sky. Their fingers lingered—just a moment, but enough to send a soft shiver through Shen Yu.
The lantern floated upward, joining hundreds of others, glowing like a promise.
Behind the beauty and laughter, neither pair noticed the faint shadow watching from beyond the festival lights—silent, patient.
Waiting.
But for tonight, the world was warm.
And the bonds between them grew just a little deeper.