Work Text:
The night air seemed to turn quiet as Lu Guang walked through the old woods, approaching the decrepit old stone temple that sat in a clearing.
The fight yesterday had been— confusing. Lu Guang, Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling had been completing a small quest, finding an old treasure chest in a tomb hidden under a stone ridge, when they had been attacked by the ghouls living there, led by Liu Xiao, their frustratingly mysterious (and honestly irritating) recurring enemy.
Qiao Ling and Cheng Xiaoshi had been focused on fighting off the ghouls and couldn’t stop Liu Xiao from separating Lu Guang from the group— he’d lured him out from the tomb and into the shadow of the ridge, casting a spell of silence on him that rendered most of Lu Guang’s more powerful spells useless.
Liu Xiao had backed Lu Guang against the stone, caught his wrist when Lu Guang tried to hit him— gods, he felt useless without his magic— and leaned over to whisper an offer in his ear.
He’d given a time and place, some old temple at midnight, and promised he could teach Lu Guang how to make his magic more powerful.
“At least consider it,” he’d smiled quietly, then touched his hat in salutation before disappearing.
Quite literally disappearing— Lu Guang still wasn’t sure if it had been a teleportation or invisibility spell.
It was almost certainly a trap. It was just as surely an opportunity.
A meeting like this— one-on-one— would give Lu Guang the opportunity to learn more about the rather mysterious wizard he and his team had to face so many times. If he could talk to Liu Xiao, outside of a fight— learn his habits, his weak spots, he could at least have a chance to destabilize him the next time they faced each other in combat.
Oh, he didn’t expect Liu Xiao to show any vulnerability during this encounter, but if there was a chance Lu Guang could use this to win, it would be worth it.
And Liu Xiao had promised to teach him more powerful spells— Lu Guang had to admit he was curious what that would include.
As much as Lu Guang thought the man was strange and impossible— he intrigued Lu Guang in a way no other enemy had done before. He was thankful of this opportunity to get to understand him better.
Of course, there was still the very real possibility that this was a trap to get Lu Guang alone and kill him.
Though— he could have killed him, then, when Lu Guang was alone under the ridge.
So, Lu Guang was curious. Sue him.
(Not that he’d ever admit it to Liu Xiao.)
He finally stepped through the stone arch and into the ruins of the temple. It wasn’t quite dark inside— moonlight seemed to drip into the air through large cracks in the walls and a mostly-missing ceiling, sliding down the vines and heavy flowers that adorned the walls to pool along the stone floor.
The place seemed… empty. Lu Guang stayed on his guard, glancing around the room as he took a few steps forward.
Was Liu Xiao hiding under an invisibility spell?
“You came alone?” Suddenly, there was a voice by Lu Guang’s ear coming from behind him— and hands on his shoulders, soft, sliding down to his elbows.
Lu Guang flinched and spun around, striking out with his arm on instinct.
Liu Xiao hopped back gracefully, holding onto his hat as he avoided a hit to the face. He chuckled and straightened. “Really now, is this any way to treat an ally?”
“Ally?” Lu Guang forced his body to relax and crossed his arms, glaring at the wizard in front of him. He was suddenly reminded of how much he hated the man. “That’s funny.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Liu Xiao hummed, his eyes sliding from Lu Guang to the door he’d come in through. “Did anyone follow you?”
“I’m alone,” Lu Guang said through gritted teeth. As stupid as he knew this whole thing was, he’d respected Liu Xiao’s request to meet him on his own.
“Good.” Liu Xiao looked satisfied, adjusting his already-perfect sleeves. “We can get much more work done without your little friends getting in the way. The last thing you need here is a chaperone.”
“Why are you doing this?” Lu Guang couldn’t help but ask. “I mean— you’re our enemy. You do know that, right? So why help me— us?”
“Mm.” Liu Xiao seemed to consider the question. He started pacing around Lu Guang, who turned to keep him within his sight. “You’re wondering why a powerful wizard like me would want to take the time to teach a few tricks to someone like you, then?”
“I want to know this isn’t a trap.” Lu Guang said, keeping his voice even. His cloak swept the ground as he kept turning to follow Liu Xiao. “You’re allied with the demon Vein. We’ve fought you— more than once. So why?”
“Honestly?” Liu Xiao leaned over with a finger to his lips as if telling a secret, voice hushed. He winked. “I like you, Lu Guang. Your fighting spirit. You have potential.”
Lu Guang stepped back, staying wary. “That’s it, then? You’re trying to recruit me? If you think, just for one second, that you can win me over—“
Liu Xiao sighed and moved his finger to press it to Lu Guang’s lips instead, shutting him up. “Once I’ve shown you what you can learn, you might change your mind. All the power might be enough to seduce you to our side.”
Lu Guang flushed, looking away. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I think,” Liu Xiao continued, unbothered, “that the real question here is why you agreed to come tonight. Could it be that you like my company?”
Lu Guang grabbed Liu Xiao’s wrist to pull his hand away from his mouth, hating the way his heart was racing. “Don’t get carried away,” he hissed. “All I want is to learn more spells so I can fight you. If you’re not here to help me, then fuck off.”
Liu Xiao’s eyes flicked down to him, suddenly turning cold in a way that sent a chill down Lu Guang’s spine, making him drop the hand. “Now, don’t go forgetting which of us is the strongest, here. If you don’t want to cooperate, I can very easily make you.”
Lu Guang gritted his teeth. Gods, he hated this man. He pulled his cloak aside to reveal the dagger he’d strapped to his belt as a precaution before coming, even though he despised weapons. “You might be a more powerful wizard than me, but I can assure you it won’t change a thing when I stick a knife through your heart. Don’t get any ideas.”
Liu Xiao simply smiled, not seeming concerned in the least as his usual smug expression returned. He swept into a bow, too deep to be genuine. “And what if I told you, dear, that my heart already belongs to you— and it would gladly welcome any blade of yours?”
Lu Guang huffed, relaxing at what was obviously a joke and eyeing Liu Xiao’s hat, wondering how it didn’t fall off with the movement. “Don’t tempt me.”
“I can’t promise anything.” Liu Xiao stood straight once more and, reaching for the clasps of his cloak, let it slide off his shoulders. “Tempting you is the most fun I can have, tonight.”
Lu Guang watched the heavy fabric pool to the ground, leaving Liu Xiao in his ruffled purple shirt and looking oddly… not quite vulnerable, but open. Unguarded. It left a quiet, fluttering feeling in Lu Guang’s chest. He didn’t like it in the least.
Liu Xiao stepped forwards and, this time, extended his hand to Lu Guang. “Shall we start?”
Lu Guang took his hand. “Sure.”
Liu Xiao didn’t give him the chance to think before Lu Guang was suddenly swept up into a twirl— Liu Xiao entwined their fingers and let his other hand rest on Lu Guang’s waist, spinning them mindlessly in some kind of waltz. He was— humming? Some kind of quiet tune, swaying the two of them.
“What is this?” Lu Guang protested, his heart hammering in his chest at the closeness of their bodies— because Liu Xiao was dangerous. And nothing else. He pushed his free hand against Liu Xiao’s chest to separate them, without much success.
Liu Xiao only chuckled, continuing the dance. “Your footwork could use some improvement. I thought you came from a noble family, dear.”
Lu Guang rolled his eyes at the endearment, letting Liu Xiao spin them through another circle. “Wasn’t much time to learn anything like dancing.”
“I see.” Liu Xiao tugged Lu Guang closer, leaving Lu Guang’s hand pressed against his chest. “Then you’d best hold on to my shoulder. And lead with your right foot.”
“Why?” Lu Guang raised an eyebrow, but complied anyway. “I’m here to learn how to cast more spells and be more powerful. I’ve told you, if you’re just here to toy with me—”
Liu Xiao spun him away with one hand, Lu Guang’s head spinning at the sudden movement. He clutched Liu Xiao’s hand and caught himself before he could fall.
“Balance,” Liu Xiao smiled as Lu Guang glared his way. “If you want to cast proper spells during combat, the first thing you need is steady feet under you and a good sense of balance. Fighting, especially when spellcasting, is like a dance— every move matters, and you can’t lose focus or you’ll have lost.”
He tugged Lu Guang back to him and caught his waist once more. Lu Guang reluctantly put his hand back on his shoulder. “Balance?”
“Mm.” Liu Xiao inclined his head in a slow nod, their faces far too close as they kept spinning. “Complete mastery of your own body.”
Lu Guang looked down, to avoid Liu Xiao’s eyes— instead, his eyes fell and he found himself looking down the front of Liu Xiao’s shirt, through the rather… generous opening of his collar. He quickly looked away again, his face burning.
“Like what you see?” Liu Xiao teased, far too aware of Lu Guang’s thoughts.
“Shut up.” Lu Guang swallowed thickly. “Aren’t you supposed to be teaching me something right now?”
“So impatient.” Liu Xiao’s hand shifted to the small of his back and he dipped Lu Guang, making him bite back a surprised sound as he clutched Liu Xiao’s shoulder tighter for balance. “What do you want to learn, then? Just for tonight, I’m yours. Anything you want to know, just ask.”
“Anything?” Lu Guang repeated sceptically, looking up at where Liu Xiao was bending over him. His legs shook slightly at staying half-bent backwards for so long.
“Anything.” Liu Xiao winked, pulled him back up, and continued their dance. “If you can’t come up with any ideas, I do have a few suggestions; could a mysterious, charming wizard such as myself happen to be single? Or what my favourite flower arrangement is? My preferred place to dine out, perhaps?”
Lu Guang scoffed, but a smile had crept into his face anyway. “I was thinking something closer to your fatal weakness.”
“On the first date?” Liu Xiao gasped in false shock. “How forward of you.”
Lu Guang stepped back, taking Liu Xiao with him, and led them into another twirl. He looked into Liu Xiao’s eyes, unimpressed. “You did say anything.”
“I suppose I did.” Liu Xiao inclined his head. “To tell you the truth— I’m rather weak to stubborn, white-haired young wizards. Make of that what you will.”
Lu Guang rolled his eyes and absolutely did not blush. He needed to gain the upper hand here— lead the dance, so to say. He’d come here to learn how to one-up Liu Xiao, to find a weakness to use as an advantage the next time they fought.
Not… whatever this was. Teasing. Romantic to the point of cliché, too perfect to be true. He couldn’t afford to get lost in this moment.
But how?
He could ask about Vein, how to get into his castle, but the question felt too direct. He could ask about spells— after all, he’d come here under the pretence of learning more powerful magic from Liu Xiao.
Would Liu Xiao really share with him any spells that would be powerful enough to defeat him? Doubtful.
“Liu Xiao,” Lu Guang started, and paused.
“Yes?” Liu Xiao’s eyes flicked to him, amused, and he waited for him to continue, leading them into yet another spin.
Really, it was a miracle Lu Guang wasn’t dizzy yet.
He opened his mouth to speak again when something in his pocket buzzed and the dance came to a halt.
Suddenly, everything was… too quiet. Too still. The buzzing in Lu Guang’s pocket, which he now recognized as his sending stone that would keep him in communication with the rest of his team.
Liu Xiao’s fingers loosened near-imperceptibly from between Lu Guang’s. He smiled quietly. “Are you going to get that?”
After a second, Lu Guang pulled himself away, letting go of Liu Xiao and taking a few steps back. “… Yes.”
He stuck his hand into his pocket to clutch the sending stone, his head beating a little too fast for the situation. If Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling were in danger— while he’d been spending time with their enemy, in a secluded location, barely learning anything from him— oh, he’d never forgive himself.
The moment he closed his hand around the smooth stone, he heard Qiao Ling’s voice in his head, annoyed with just a touch of concern. He let himself relax at the familiar tone.
Eh, where are you, Lu Guang!? I woke up and you weren’t with us. Are you out for a walk or something? Get back here before my idiot brother wakes up, he’ll be worried.
He smiled to himself, looking away from Liu Xiao to send a message back.
Yes, I’m all right. I needed a bit of air. I’m on my way back now.
He let go of the stone and turned back to Liu Xiao, strangely hesitant. Should he… thank him? Say goodbye?
“I suppose your little friends need attention again.” Liu Xiao pouted, turning away to go pick up his discarded cloak. He murmured something and snapped his fingers, making the dust on it disappear before he slipped it back around his shoulders.
Lu Guang couldn’t help but feel frustrated that he’d gotten nothing out of this night. No new spells, no secret weaknesses uncovered— though Lu Guang had to admit one night away from his teammates’ chaos didn’t feel so terrible.
Shame it had to be with him, though.
“I’m afraid you must be disappointed at not having learned much,” Liu Xiao mused. He adjusted his collar. “So. Same place, same time, a week from now?”
“Yes,” Lu Guang agreed, far too fast, something nervous loosening in his chest. At least this evening wasn’t all wasted.
He tried to reason with himself that this was for strategic value— just an opportunity to win the next battle, and the next. Liu Xiao, on the other hand, looked delighted. “Good. I do hope you’ll miss me… absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.”
Lu Guang walked up to Liu Xiao, cursing himself for what he was about to do, and extended his hand. “Good night.”
Liu Xiao raised an eyebrow but took his hand, his grip deceptively soft. “Good night, darling.”
Lu Guang shoved back any embarrassing feelings he might have been having and raised Liu Xiao’s hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to his knuckles as one might say goodbye to a lover. “… And thank you.”
He looked up to see— just this once— a look of genuine, pure surprise on Liu Xiao’s face. It was gone in a second, but Lu Guang had seen it, and it felt like the first victory of the night.
He turned quickly, so Liu Xiao couldn’t see his smile (or the warmth of his face) and walked quickly away, crossing the stone arch and walking out into the woods.
Yes, tonight hadn’t been a total loss.