Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

From afar, Kuang noticed the Feng brothers conversing and, forgetting about propriety, quickened his pace. The headwind tore a strand of silver hair from hairdo.  Hair stubbornly fell on face, but the adept did not pay attention to it.

— De Shang, — the name fell from lips. The young man bit his lip, but almost immediately forgot about this blunder. Because the spellcaster, interrupting the conversation, went to meet him. The lips broke into a happy smile.

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

The disheveled look gives it a certain charm. Despite the fact that it was not customary to be in such a state on the Clan's lands, De Shang did not make any comments, rather out of personal preference. The mentors are already resting. This means there is no one else to give instructions to.

The first son of the Head sincerely valued friendship, because they had been together since a very young age. He pulled a strand of hair, making it even more disheveled, which made him happy somewhere inside.

— Kuang, you are just what I need, — pointing to the path, suggested taking a walk, — I'll be busy packing for the next week. Head Hu will be celebrating his birthday. Father told me to represent our Order. And you...

De Shang smiled, looking at his interlocutor, deliberately pausing.

— You will replace me. You have a great responsibility, and to relieve you a little, I will take some of the adepts with me. Are you ready to take on my duties?

Of course, the young man does not need an answer. He knows that he can trust his friend even with his own life, but he waits ceremoniously.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

Kuang didn’t even count on such luck; he couldn’t explain why he called out, but it turned out that his fellow practitioner was looking for him himself.

— Of course, Xiang Jiang. You don't have to worry about anything, I'll do everything, — a bright smile seemed to be stuck to his face. The young man walked happily along the snowy path, next to his old friend, whom he always admired. The first stars were already beginning to peek out from behind the clouds, and in their light De Shang seemed even more beautiful, snow-white hair seemed to be woven from light. Qiang Chen couldn't help but admire him, wondering to himself that in all these years of knowing him, he had never noticed how handsome he was.

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

It was as if two streams of wind were moving, scattering the freshly fallen snow in different directions with the hems of the hanfu. For a moment, De Shang was interested in the whirlwind, and when he looked up, he found that his friend was looking at him attentively. The first son was embarrassed, wondering if he had given him too much hard work, and decided to clarify.

— Kuang, are you sure? You seem puzzled now. Maybe I should ask someone else to do this? — thoughts rushed through head in a heap, and he came to a sad conclusion, discomposedly continuing to shower him with questions, — My friend, you may be ill. Perhaps we should go through the physicians' quarters?

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

— I'm not sick, Xiang Jiang. And doctors have absolutely nothing to do with it, — the light euphoria disappeared without a trace, the smile slid off face, — You don't need to ask anyone else. I'm very glad that you chose me for this assignment. And I won't let you down.

The young man looked sadly into the worried blue eyes, amazingly beautiful, clear as the sky on a clear day, and just as deep. He needed to say something, to dispel doubts, but his thoughts, as if deciding to play, ran in different directions. Kuang, as if spellbound, could not tear his gaze away from his friend's face.

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

De Shang listened carefully and realized that something was wrong. Wrinkling his forehead slightly, he touched his face with the fingers of both hands and tried to straighten his hair.

— Is there something wrong with me? Is there something on my face? — tried a few more times to remove from my face what I couldn't see, — Kuang, my friend, can you tell me what's wrong?

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

The voice brought him out of stupor. Kuang caught a thin hand trying to brush something off his face.

— Everything is so perfect with you! Your face is beautiful! How could something be wrong with perfection? When I look at you I forget everything else.  Even the sun grows dim next to you, unable to stand comparison. You don't understand... and I don't quite understand myself, but...— the young man squeezed the warm fingers tighter, — I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you that. Forget it. I'll do anything for you, we're friends…

The last words sounded very quietly. «What a fool I am! How can I say such things? He probably won't want to talk to me anymore», — flashed through head. Quietly sighing, he reluctantly unclenched his hand and guiltily lowered his gaze. 

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

Caught, he listened carefully to the words. Compliments were a common thing, many people talked about his beauty, so didn't pay any attention to the words. He was pleased that nothing had stuck to his face, and it was still as flawless as it should be. De Shang knew that Kuang would do everything in his power, so when he let go of his hand, put his arm around his shoulders and continued walking.

— Of course we are friends, did you ever doubt that? You can tell me whatever you want, don’t confuse our friendship with duty. You and I have been together since childhood. 

The young man patted him on the shoulder with a smile, slightly squeezing his friend towards him.

— Qiang Chen, let me take you to your quarters, you need to rest.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

Kuang looked up in disbelief, a friendly smile playing on beautiful lips. Didn't understand what I was saying? He didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about this, but the warm hug distracted him from his thoughts. Let him go as he goes.

— Thank you for your concern, I'm not tired. If you're not busy, maybe you could hand over the affairs to me now? You yourself said that there was almost no time left to get ready, — smiling, put his arm around the thin waist and turned onto the path leading to De Shang’s chambers, dragging him along with him.

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

Xiang Jiang walks easily, not letting go of his embrace, because it is not the first time they have walked like this. He is glad that his friend has taken up the matter so zealously. There is really too little time, and if today he can pass on at least the paper part, it will greatly speed up the preparations.

— Of course, I'm glad I have you. I don't think I can trust anyone else with my affairs as easily as I can you, — rubbing the fabric on his shoulder with his palm, he decided to change the subject.

— Kuang, do you have any idea how many noble spellcasters there will be? It's like a gift... I can chat with them personally and make new friends, — De Shang looked dreamily at the stars between the clouds.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

The last words are like a punch in the gut. The young man could hardly resist answering sharply. Biting his lips until they bled, he took a few deep breaths. Calm down, there really is nothing wrong with that. That's just... smiling tightly, he looked at the serene face:

— I am very glad. New acquaintances are really important, especially for you. After all, one day you will become the Head of the Clan. I hope that you will spend time there not only usefully, but also with pleasure, — the last words were especially hard.

— Do you already have ideas for a gift? — driving away gloomy thoughts, he barely noticeably stroked slender waist.

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

The words distracted De Shan from the stars, looked at his interlocutor, listening further. Kuang was right, someday, like his father, he would become the Head of the Clan. Smiled at the question and patted shoulder with his hand.

— I placed the responsibility for the gift on Xue He will meticulously study everything he can find and select a gift that will leave Head Hu with a good impression of our Clan.

The friends approached the house, De Shang easily pushed the door, letting his friend inside, and pointed his hand at the table.

— Take the papers, — rummaging through the shelves, he collected the scrolls, — and here's another one.

Having selected everything that seemed necessary at first glance, Xiang Jiang handed over the kippah.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

Watching, Kuang smiled again. How gracefully he moves, you can watch endlessly.

— Xue Wang? Then there really is nothing to worry about. Your brother is very responsible, despite his young age. No one could handle this task better than him, — after a short silence, he continued, — De Shang, if you need help preparing for the trip, I am always here.

With his hands full of papers, he headed towards the door.

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

It was nice to hear praise for his brother, De Shang smiled, looking around his work place and, finding a fallen scroll, picked it up.— Kuang, stop, — added one more to the pile in hands, — was on the floor. If anything, you can come in and take what you need even after I leave.

The young man opened the door, letting the guest out.

— I think that you have already helped me a lot. There you will find a schedule, my students are used to, — De Shang smiled again and winked slightly, - good dreams, Qiang Chen.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

Stopping on the threshold, Tian Kuang accepted another scroll.

— However, you know that it is a pleasure for me to be of service to you, so my offer still stands, — smiling, he transferred the pile into one hand, and with the other he hugged and pressed the young man to himself for a moment, from which heart almost jumped out of chest, — Don't worry about anything. And good dreams to you, De Shang.

Quickly turning away, he left, fearing that if he stayed a little longer, he would not be able to resist kissing those inviting lips and would lose his friend.

Feng De Shang (Xiang Jiang)

Standing in the doorway, De Shang smiled back and, looking after as left, he thought about the upcoming holiday and the people who would be there. While was thinking, didn’t notice how he was already standing by the spread mat, taking off his clothes, carefully folding them next to him. Already lying down, the young man rejoiced at the friendship. After all, he really had no more devoted friend. He yawned sleepily and closed his eyes.