A/N: These are the thoughts I had while watching TKA, expanded into fic form. Didn't expect to love TKA as much as I do now, and the relationships between the characters fill me with so much warmth.So, this is my contribution to the fandom.
CHAPTER ONE: An Age Old Rivalry
RELATIONSHIPS: Han Wenqing and Ye Xiu (GEN, Could be considered as HanYe)
Desert Dust had only ever had one opponent who could be considered as worthy.
Since the dawn of Glory, the battles between Desert Dust and One Autumn Leaf had been legendary. The people behind the Avatars were fiercely competitive and the joy they felt when battling the other was almost visceral.
When Han Wenqing heard the news about Ye Qiu's retirement, he almost staggered from the sheer force of betrayal that flooded him. When he saw One Autumn Leaf being controlled by someone other than its rightful owner - the man with that smug, irritating smirk and eyes that flashed gold just like the victory announcement on Glory - the sense of loss that Han Wenqing felt couldn't be put into words.
But then...
Oh, but then, Ye Qiu threw him his lifeline (like he always did).
He hasn't give up. He isn't giving into defeat. Not now. Not ever.
A fire raged into being inside Han Wenqing's soul. Zhang Xinjie noticed the genuine smile that tugged at his Captain's lips and said nothing.
When that upstart usurper dared to mention the rivalry between the two Gods and spoke of settling it, Han Wenqing almost punched his face in.
A cheerful 'I'll see you in the Arena!' floated through his mind. He discreetly eyed the lazily sprawled figure in the audience. He could almost make out the insolent smirk that would undoubtedly be residing on that face.
Looking back at Sun Xiang, Han Wenqing gave a sarcastic (feral) smile and watched with satisfaction as the other flinched back.
Once the battle was won, he drove the knife in, just a little, just a bit deeper.
If it had been Ye Qiu...
Well, Sun Xiang was no Ye Qiu. But Ye Qiu had promised. And so, Han Wenqing would wait.
He will train and he will look forward to the day he can meet his true equal in the Arena once more.
Ye Qiu made his statement the very next day, made all the more powerful due to the lack of words.
The dragon soared.
The crowd roared.
Han Wenqing laughed.
Months later, when Ye Xiu was asked about his opinion on the match between Sun Xiang and Han Wenqing, and the rivalry between Desert Dust and One Autumn Leaf, Ye Xiu let out a small laugh.
"Sun Xiang has improved very much now, compared to how he was then."
Ye Xiu smiled then, a hint of something predatory flashing in his eyes, causing a cold shiver to run over the reporter's spine.
"But it was not his place to settle a rivalry that he had no claim to."
The moment passed and the sun shone all the brighter.
END NOTES: This is my first work in TKA fandom, and I'm still figuring out how to accurately capture the characters' voices. Apologies if I messed up!Comments are always welcome.