A Flame Wrapped in Ice

Lotus Kingdom Training Pavilion | Early Morning]
Lín Méiyuè wiped the sweat from her brow, her blade resting against her back as the morning sun crept over the tiled rooftops. The silence of the training ground was almost perfect.
Until—
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
You’re sloppy when you overthink. Try breathing next time.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
(flatly)
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
Seers aren't welcome in the training yard, remember?
Kang Hayeon stepped out of the shadows in her cool blue robes, arms folded, not phased in the slightest.
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
I go where I please. Besides… watching you trip over your own technique brings me joy.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
(scowling)
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
Then maybe I’ll trip into you next time.
They stared at each other. The tension hung like lightning waiting for a storm.
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
(shrugging)
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
Careful. That sounded flirtatious.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
(blushing, turning away)
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
It wasn’t.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
Later That Day | Temple Courtyard]
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
A small mission had been posted on the palace board: escort a minor relic to a shrine near the border.
Liáng Yǔhán
Liáng Yǔhán
(glancing at the list)
Liáng Yǔhán
Liáng Yǔhán
Oh, look. You two are assigned together. Again.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
What?! Why?
Liáng Yǔhán
Liáng Yǔhán
(teasing)
Liáng Yǔhán
Liáng Yǔhán
Maybe the gods are shipping you.
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
(to Méiyuè, deadpan)
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
Let’s go, General. Before you pass out from how red your face is.
Shrine Path | Nightfall]
They traveled under a sky littered with stars. The woods were quiet. Too quiet.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
…You don’t have to keep looking at me like that.
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
(softly)
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
Like what?
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
(avoiding her gaze)
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
Like I’m going to say something important.
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
Maybe I’m waiting for you to admit something.
A pause.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
(quietly)
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
You scare me, sometimes.
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
(sincere)
Kang Hayeon
Kang Hayeon
And yet… you always walk toward me.
Another pause.
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
(barely a whisper)
Lín Méiyuè
Lín Méiyuè
...Maybe I want to be caught.
Suddenly, a celestial wind stirred the trees. A faint shimmer. A thin, red thread glowed between their fingers — for just a moment. Neither said a word.
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