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“Should you really still have that, after all, you haven’t been a vice-captain for over a season.” Xiao Shiqin glanced over at Zhang Xinjie who was rubbing against the edges of his own Best Vice-Captain badge and he frowned.
“Shaotian hasn’t asked for it back yet. If he wanted it back he would’ve already managed to convince Wenzhou to steal it off me.”
“If Shaotian had wanted it back, Wenzhou would have simply taken it from you Shiqin.” Xiao Shiqin knew that Zhang Xinjie was right, that Yu Wenzhou would be perfectly capable of simply taking the badge, a pleasant smile never leaving his lips even as he struck fear into the hearts of all who saw him, but just because he knew Zhang Xinjie was right, didn’t mean he had to admit it.
They lapsed into silence for a few moments, which allowed them to hear the chatter of Huang Shaotian and Zhang Jiale, arguing over who had been more successful in their contest over who could garner more attention on their food adventures. Zhang Jiale was arguing that it was cheating to use a picture of Yu Wenzhou, divested of all but one of his many layers to attract a following. Huang Shaotian fired back with a spirited accusation that at least Yu Wenzhou had known why he was in his short sleeved shirt that was just a little too small, whereas Han Wenqing had clearly been kept in the dark.
Xiao Shiqin shot Zhang Xinjie a look as that snippet floated past them and Zhang Xinjie busied himself with arranging his belongings more carefully. Knowing his friend, it was likely a ploy to avoid Xiao Shiqin’s look and also a genuine desire to keep his things neat throughout the flight. This meant that Xiao Shiqin knew that if he held his look for just a little longer, Zhang Xinjie would be forced to acknowledge it, and he reveled in the sour look Zhang Xinjie shot him when he looked up.
“I voted against you having that badge.” Xiao Shiqin couldn’t help but laugh at that, Zhang Xinjie was clearly trying to redirect the conversation but he was willing to take the bait.
“Did you protest Su Mucheng’s badge when she took on Happy’s captaincy?”
“Whether or not Su Mucheng holds onto her badge is irrelevant to you, besides, you were a captain before you were a vice-captain, Su Mucheng has held the spirit of a vice-captain long before she took on the role of a captain.”
“That’s a lot of words to convey that you fear Mucheng’s wrath Xiao Zhang.” Zhang Xinjie turned to address Ye Xiu and Xiao Shiqin took a moment to take in the rest of the plane. Yu Wenzhou had his head on Wang Jiexi’s shoulder, seemingly asleep while Li Xuan and Wang Jiexi had calculators out and were, from what little Xiao Shiqin could hear, they were discussing budgeting strategies. Su Mucheng had relocated and was playing a card game that looked both fast and violent with Sun Xiang and Chu Yunxiu, a hastily constructed scoreboard tacked up on the seats in front of them.
Sun Xiang seemed to fumble a play, causing Chu Yunxiu to swoop in with a card, that, from her cheering, had secured her a win. Su Mucheng offered her friend a high five and Sun Xizang’s face settled into a frown that had his bottom lip stuck out in what Xiao Shiqin could only describe as a pout. Su Mucheng noticed the expression next and she swooped in to poke gently at his bottom lip which caused a flush to spread across Sun Xiang’s cheeks, and he pulled his hood up over his head, as if that would protect him from Su Mucheng’s teasing.
From the way Chu Yunxiu looked up from her phone to try and offer Sun Xiang a headpat while he flailed his limbs attempting to avoid the touch, his efforts were for nothing. Xiao Shiqin couldn’t help but be reminded of the time where he’d, unthinkingly, ruffled Sun Xiang’s hair, in the same way he’d ruffle Dai Yanqi’s when she pulled off a particularly impressive play. Unlike Dai Yanqi, Sun Xiang hadn’t preened under the attention, he’d made a noise that seemed to be caught between a squawk and a growl before he’d fallen off his chair, and then ran out of the room like he was being chased, leaving Xiao Shiqin bereft of his company, much like he was at Thunderclap.
Xiao Shiqin was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard Zhang Xinjie inhale sharply beside him and he shifted to face him, wondering why his friend looked both horrified and like something had been revealed to him. He also didn’t like the calculating look in Zhang Xinjie’s eyes, it was the same look every pro player got when they’d just found out something they could use to leverage out gossip or snacks. Zhang Xinjie was notoriously ruthless when it came to making deals, Huang Shaotian still maintained that he had been cheated out of his rightful information and Zhang Xinjie always answered with a tiny smug smile that he refused to admit to.
“You find yourself…bereft of Sun Xiang’s company?”
“Oh no,” Xiao Shiqin knew he was growing paler, from the way Zhang Xinjie leaned a little closer, like a shark scenting blood, tasting weakness in the air, and Xiao Shiqin was fully aware of how ruthless his friend could be. He pushed up his glasses, adjusting the way they lay on his face, wondering if he could draw out this moment for the next 6 hours they’d be sitting next to each other. Or perhaps he could convince someone to swap places with him, if he looked pathetic enough Su Mucheng would surely take pity on him, or Huang Shaotian might trade, if only to gossip exchange strategies with Zhang Xinjie-
“Shiqin.” Zhang Xinjie raised one eyebrow and Xiao Shiqin sighed.
“How much to never mention this to anyone?” Zhang Xinjie hummed, seemingly mulling it over, although Xiao Shiqin could already see that this wouldn’t be that easy.
“I think that this is a very useful example of fostering inter-team friendships. Wenzhou has been talking about how this will help our synchronicity in-game.” Xiao Shiqin remembered that meeting, he also remembered that they had plenty of examples of that already and there was no need for this to be brought up.
“I think Wenqing would be interested to see some of the comments on Zhang Jiale’s last visit to buy macarons.” Zhang Xinjie’s eyes narrowed, clearly wondering if Xiao Shiqin was bluffing.
“Are you just upset Jiale found a bakery and wouldn’t give you the name while you were in Qingdao?”
“I wouldn’t be that petty.” Xiao Shiqin said this with confidence despite knowing that both he and Zhang Xinjie knew that he was that petty.
“Wenqing encourages his teammates to have hobbies outside of Glory. He knows it’s good to ease mental strain, I’m sure I can smooth it over.” Zhang Xinjie’s smile was sharp, teeth on full display and Xiao Shiqin sent a silent prayer for Han Wenqing if he had to face a determined Zhang Xinjie.
“If we can’t come to an agreement then I guess we shall simply have to see where this goes.” Zhang Xinjie lit up at his words and Xiao Shiqin realised this was as good as admitting defeat, but in this case, retreat was the best solution.
“Xinjie, captain is still asleep and I’d sit by Big-eyed Wang but he’s being so boring, budgeting is a conversation for old grandpas sipping rejuvenating tea, not young people, it even put my captain to sleep, my poor Wenzhou, I know you have something interesting to say anyway, you and Shiqin have been talking so quietly for so long!” Xiao Shiqin gratefully sacrificed his seat to Huang Shaotian, standing and scanning for a group he could join.
He spotted Su Mucheng waving at him, Chu Yunxiu having taken Huang Shaotian’s spot beside Zhang Jiale and they were deep in discussion over a drama he’d heard Su Mucheng arguing with Qiao Yifan about. Sun Xiang glanced up to see who Su Mucheng was waving at, when he spotted Xiao Shiqin he ducked his head down, flush working its way up his neck. Xiao Shiqin glanced around again, Tang Hao had headphones in and was studiously ignoring everyone while Fang Rui was chatting animatedly to Zhou Zekai who seemed to be just as enthusiastic as the other, though much quieter. All the other seats were occupied and so Xiao Shiqin took a seat beside Su Mucheng, offering her a bright smile that only grew wider when he noticed her vice-captain badge pinned to her jacket.
“Did Shaotian ever suggest to you that you should give the badge back?”
“No, but he said he’ll make me a new one for season 11, he says it’s going to be a surprise.” Sun Xiang made a face at that and Xiao Shiqin made a questioning noise.
“The last time he got me a surprise it was Troubling Rain stabbing One Autumn Leaf.” Xiao Shiqin remembered that match, Huang Shaotian had leapt out of a bush screaming a war cry, had slashed at Sun Xiang and then sprinted off, leading him right into a trap. Su Mucheng couldn’t hold in her giggle and Sun Xiang looked betrayed and then embarrassed and then he attempted to hide both reactions.
“It was an impressive war cry.” Xiao Shiqin kept his face as calm and passive when Sun Xiang turned to stare at him.
“You weren’t the one who heard it right in your ear!” Su Mucheng made a thoughtful noise, the kind of noise that suggested she was about to offer up a quip.
“Wenzhou always tells us that Shaotian’s voice is soothing, I’m surprised you don’t agree.” Xiao Shiqin hid his snort with a cough, unsuccessfully if Sun Xiang’s frown was any indication.
“I’ve always found Shaotian’s voice to be reassuring myself.”
“Xiao Shi qing makes a little joke.” Sun Xiang looked as proud of himself over the joke as he had the first time he’d made it and Su Mucheng let out an inelegant wheeze of laughter, that only increased Sun Xiang’s smugness. It made Xiao Shiqin want to lean over and nip at his lips, made him want to taste Su Mucheng’s laughter from the source. He settled for reaching over to prod at Sun Xiang’s side, watching, pleased when he earned himself a flail and a yelp from Sun Xiang and a grin from Su Mucheng. He settled in for the rest of the flight, resolving to not look over to where he could feel Zhang Xinjie’s eyes on him.
The arrival in Zurich and subsequent travel through the airport and to the hotel passed in a blur, he could hear Wang Jiexi telling Huang Shaotian that he should’ve napped on the plane rather than napping on his shoulder now, but made no move to shift the other player. Zhang Jiale was whining at Zhang Xinjie who seemed to have no qualms about mercilessly poking his senior awake in order to prevent him remaining on the wrong timezone. Sun Xiang seemed to be explaining the game he’d played before to Zhou Zekai, frowning as his captain picked it up quickly, deftly winning himself a point.
Xiao Shiqin was glad that Yu Wenzhou had had the foresight to assign rooms before they travelled, meaning he could simply head to his assigned room immediately. From long experience, he knew Zhang Xinjie preferred to sleep by the window and so he claimed the other bed and flopped down on top of it.
“Sleeping now will decrease the quality and quantity of sleep you get tonight and will ensure you are overtired tomorrow.” Xiao Shiqin made a noncommittal groaning sound and focused on the pillow beneath his face and not the judgemental look that was being aimed at his back.
“Hey!” Xiao Shiqin pulled his face out of his pillow when a projectile collided with his back, and he looked up to see Zhang Xinjie’s innocent face despite the fact he was the only one in the room and therefore the only one who could’ve thrown it.
“Fang Rui, Shaotian and Jiale are setting up games in the common room. They say it will increase camradire and help keep everyone awake.” Xiao Shiqin wondered briefly about shoving his head under his pillow and pretending he couldn’t hear, but he suspected that Zhang Xinjie would leave only to return with reinforcements, better to give in now, even if Zhang Xinjie’s smug look made him want to go to sleep out of spite.
When they entered the common room, it was already full of noise and energy, Li Xuan seemed to be vehemently defending his maths skills while Zhou Zekai frowned at a calculator and Wang Jiexi pointed aggressively at his notes. Xiao Shiqin made a mental note that he wasn’t going anywhere near whatever game they were playing, it seemed far too number based for his tired brain.
He felt too sluggish for the fast paced card game that involved spoons that Huang Shaotian was helming which he was also accompanying with bouts of trash talk followed by analysis of the various teams at Worlds. While much of what was being discussed seemed insightful, Xiao Shiqin knew he wasn’t awake enough to contribute, and he would be soundly mocked for it.
Yu Wenzhou was playing jenga with Tang Hao, Sun Xiang, and Chu Yunxiu, how he’d wrangled that, Xiao Shiqin didn’t know but he couldn’t help but be impressed. Tang Hao didn’t seem enthused to be there, but him engaging with the game, however perfunctory it seemed, was progress. It felt like a delicate balance and Xiao Shiqin sensed he shouldn’t disturb it.
Ye Xiu was sat with a pack of cards, shuffling them before laying out the cards for patience, Xiao Shiqin made the decision that it would be better to head over there and offer unneeded advice on the game than try and focus on a game of his own and he took a seat around the small table. He felt some trepidation when Zhang Xinjie followed him, but he couldn’t think of an excuse to then escape, and so he gave in and took his seat, keeping an eye on Zhang Xinjie, suspicion written across his features.
“You can move that five of hearts over there.” Ye Xiu looked up from where he was reaching for the card even before Xiao Shiqin had opened his mouth, already exchanging a look with Zhang Xinjie.
“Do you often point out the obvious Shiqin?” Zhang Xinjie’s head tilted to the side while Ye Xiu moved the card over and hummed at the next card revealed, of little use in progressing the game.
“You could go join Li Xuan if you like pointing out the obvious, you could assist him in proving his calculations correct.”
“By that logic Xinjie should go join Shaotian’s game, make use of his handspeed if we’re being assigned groups based on our skills.”
“My Xinjie can stay here with me, he’s not pointing out the obvious.” Xiao Shiqin watched as Zhang Xinjie’s gaze flicked over to where Sun Xiang was playing jenga, and he knew that everything was about to be revealed. As he watched Zhang Xinjie open his mouth, he couldn’t help but think, distantly, that his friend had decided that he wasn’t allowed to maintain his dignity for more than 4 hours after finding out the crucial information.
“If that were true, you should be playing jenga, after all, you hold fondness for those who were in progress.” Whether intentionally or not, and Xiao Shiqin knew he wouldn’t get a straight answer out of Zhang Xinjie if he asked, his friend had timed his words to coincide perfectly with a lull in the conversation, meaning nearly everyone heard it. Wang Jiexi’s group seemed too preoccupied with a walkthrough of their equation to be listening, but everyone else went still and Xiao Shiqin savoured the last few moments of peace.
“You don’t mean how Xiao Sun was before-”
“Isn’t this Xiao Shiqin’s business-?”
“Not anymore!”
“Did we miss something?”
“Xiao Shiqin I knew you were a masochist-” Xiao Shiqin sent a silent look of thanks to Yu Wenzhou for his swiftness in crossing the room and placing a hand over Huang Shaotian’s mouth. He was fully aware that Yu Wenzhou wasn’t acting out of a desire to save his reputation, rather he was aiming to protect himself and likely Huang Shaotian’s as well, but Xiao Shiqin was grateful anyway.
“We demand answers!” Fang Rui looked far too invested in the way this was playing out and Xiao Shiqin had a feeling this was being fed into one of the many GPA chats and would therefore be common knowledge in a few hours.
“They’re demanding answers Shiqin,” Zhang Xinjie looked endlessly smug at the chaos he’d created and immediately directed away from himself. Xiao Shiqin made a mental note to message Han Wenqing later, even if Zhang Xinjie was adamant that he could handle that fallout, phrasing it correctly might allow him sufficient revenge.
“I mentioned I missed Sun Xiang’s company,” Xiao Shiqin knew he was reddening under the scrutiny but he soildered on, “it was enjoyable being on a team with him.” As the ruckus continued, it was remarkably easy for Xiao Shiqin to slip away and leave his team to debate how big of a revelation this was. Yu Wenzhou had given up on trying to preserve his and Huang Shaotian’s dignity and as he escaped, Xiao Shiqin could hear Blue Rain’s vice-captain proclaiming that he knew this all along as Xiao Shiqin had always been a masochist.
Xiao Shiqin had barely made it back to his room and closed the door before he heard a knock and he opened it to find Sun Xiang standing on the other side, seemingly second guessing his decision. The other player looked even closer to bolting when Su Mucheng appeared at the doorway, eyes bright with amusement and intent, as she herded them both into the room, shutting the door behind them.
“You miss Xiao Sun as well?”
“I think that doesn’t really need to be asked, I’m sure even the pros back in China have heard by now.”
“Do you miss us too?” Su Mucheng, fortunately for Xiao Shiqin, had shifted her focus to Sun Xiang, who blushed under the scrutiny.
“You- you can’t just ask that!”
“Why not? Don’t you miss us too Xiao Sun?” Su Mucheng moved forward, hand on Sun Xiang’s arm, eyes wide and beseeching, Xiao Shiqin had never heard the noise Sun Xiang made before, a mix between a tea kettle and a balloon popping.
“Okay fine! I miss you both too!”
“Would you let us kiss you?” Xiao Shiqin went pink when Su Mucheng and Sun Xiang both gave him their full attention, he’d been very bad at keeping his thoughts in his head recently.
“I’d let you both kiss me.” Su Mucheng cheerfully offered up her opinion, watching Sun Xiang carefully for his own reaction.
“I would to,” it was nearly inaudible, but Xiao Shiqin couldn’t miss the way Su Mucheng lit up, pleased expression written across her features. Xiao Shiqin’s lips curved up into a grin, Su Mucheng’s delight at the admission fully infectious, and Sun Xiang’s flush and tiny smile was enough to let them know how on board he was as well. Su Mucheng reached out for Xiao Shiqin’s hand, slipping her other hand into Sun Xiang’s at the same time for a tight squeeze, cementing it for them.
“So, if we’re all on the same page now, how right was Shaotian?” Sun Xiang let out a choking noise, understanding what Su Mucheng was getting at, but Xiao Shiqin’s brows furrowed in confusion.
“Right about what?”
Xiao Shiqin inhaled as Su Mucheng stepped closer, trapping him between her body and the wall. Despite the height difference between them, he couldn’t help but bend under the weight of her aura, and her smile had a frission of heat pooling in his stomach.
“Right about you being a masochist,” Sun Xiang’s wide eyes met Xiao Shiqin’s and Su Mucheng’s grin suggested she had them right where she wanted them, she’d have to set a reminder to send Zhang Xinjie and thank you card, if not for him, it might have taken much longer to manouvere Xiao Shiqin and Sun Xiang into the right mindset to be asked out. Zhang Xinjie had really done her a favour, however unintentionally, but for now, Su Mucheng shifted her attention back to the way Sun Xiang was wetting his lips and Xiao Shiqin’s steadily growing flush.
It was far more interesting after all.