As Shang Li polished his troops into a functioning portion of the army that his father would be proud of, Ping began mentioning the mid-autumn festival. Surprisingly, it was Chi-Fu who insisted on everyone celebrating it, with all the troops in the camp taking time to join in and help with preparations.

Chi-Fu put real effort into the festival, but he explained to Ping in a quiet moment that the farms near his town had had trouble with the harvest a few times when he had been young, so they had put real emphasis on the festival.

Ping thought of Mulan as he watched the men dancing and playing music. She loved dancing during the festival, and every year she always ignored to curious glances of the men in their village, eager to dance with her. She had always danced with Ping. Would she be overrun with invitations this year, unable to reject them in favour of her twin? Or would she have no one to dance with after the disaster with the match maker?

"You are meant to be having dinner with us by light of the moon, not sulking over here." Shang sat down next to Ping, and despite his light tone, he looked concerned.

"I'm sorry." He said, his eyes burning in response to Shang's appearance. He'd been holding his tears back.

"I know it's not the same as appreciating the moon and eating with family, but… well…" Shang rubbed his neck awkwardly, but Ping smiled gently up at him.

"Thanks. It was my sister I was thinking of." He dropped his eyes to his lap. "She didn't exactly impress the match maker before I left. I hope she has someone to dance with this year."

"From what you've told me, Ping, your sister is a strong woman." He pressed a hand to his shoulder. "I'm sure she'll be fine."

"It's been so long since I last saw her. Half a year…"

"I'm sure she wouldn't recognise you." Shang grinned broadly at him. "You've come out your shell."

"I could say the same of you." Ping smirked, sitting up as he spoke. "You are a different man to the one your father left behind."

"I haven't changed." Shang looked puzzled.

"Sure you have." Ping laughed. The difference was night and day to him. "You're so much more confident than you were. And far less awkward… well, mostly."

Shang was hunched slightly, still rubbing his neck, but he looked pleased with Ping's words.

"Come on." Shang stood up, holding a hand out as he smiled. Together the men headed back over to the others and sat down.

Chi-Fu was still trying to round up everyone so the festival could run according to the schedule he had prepared. As everyone gathered around, Ping raised his eyes to the moon. It was a clear night, and the temperature was cool, but Ping was comfortable. His mind drifted back to his sister. They'd never been parted for so long.

"Although I am far from home, I have conviction in my mind." He whispered softly, and even though he saw Shang look at him, he kept his eyes on the moon. "I wish my family happiness and blessings forever."

By his side, Shang gasped his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I am glad you are with me on the full moon night." Whispered Shang softly, hotly in his ear. "Happy Mid-Autumn Day, my dearest."

Ping flushed and turned to stare, wide-eyed, at Shang. He didn't move back, so Ping could feel his breath on his face. Hidden in his tunic, Mushu growled, but Ping paid him no mind. His heart pounded in his chest as heat flooded his body.

"It's a shame there are no children." Sighed Chi-Fu, sitting heavily beside Shang, which caused him to jolt away. "I like the lanterns they make."

"Want me to bite him for you?" muttered Mushu, mischief in his voice.

"No." breathed Ping. "Besides, I thought you didn't like Shang."

"You like him." Mushu still didn't sound thrilled, "And he'd be a fool if he wasn't mad about you. If I can't get my… I mean, I'm less bothered about honour than I am about your happiness."

"Thanks Mushu." He murmured again, grinning happily. His eyes moved back to the moon, and he felt hope.

It was typical that the night of celebration ended in the men arguing with Chi-Fu. Ping sat to the side, half-dozing against Shang as Yao tripped up the scribe. He tumbled to the ground, flushing angrily as laughter came from the men who were still drinking.

"What are you going to do?" taunted Ling, drink apparently getting the better of him.

"Yeah. We're better than you. We're ready for war." Yao joked, and Ping could recognise the words as a joke now. It seemed that Chi-Fu didn't though.

"Ready for war? Ready? You're immature. You're pathetic." He rose to his feet, trembling in his distress. "You'll never go to war. I won't allow it. You'll cause nothing but trouble."

As the argument began to escalate, Ping stood up, needing to do something. Behind him, Shang slumped to the floor, fast asleep.

"H-Hey." Ping shouted, not willing to throw himself into the fray, but not wanting anyone to come away injured. "Stop."

"Piss off, Ping. He's gotta pay!" Yao snarled, taking a step forwards.

"I- I think it's probably time for bed." But he took a deep breath and stepped between Chi-Fu and Yao. He felt faint with fear as he looked into Yao's angry face.

"Look here-" spat Yao, grabbing the front of Ping's clothing and pulling him down.

"Hey!" Yelled a voice, and Shang was sitting up, a scowl on his face as he took in the situation. "Let. Go."

"This time." Grumbled Yao, but he obeyed his commanding officer.

"Bed. Everyone." He snapped, and the men left quite quickly.

"Thank you." Said Chi-Fu, drawing himself up to his full height in an attempt to look dignified, but the result of a night of drinking and an argument that had started to get physical was evident, so he hurried away.

"What happened?" Asked Shang, eyes flitting over Ping's face, searching for an injury.

"Fine. I just think everyone drank too much." The people in his village tended to be more boisterous when they had had a drink, it was no surprise that it had happened here too.

"Thank goodness." Murmured Shang, leaning down to once again brush his lips over Ping's cheek.

The alcohol in Ping's system must have made him braver than he usually was, because the young man grumbled, "Not again. Come on!" then wrapped his hands around Shang's hand and pulled him down.

Their lips met in a kiss that shocked his system. It was far more exciting than he could have imagined. The gasp the other man let out, the way he pulled Ping against his chest, the moan and the wet slide of lips… from a distance Ping had always thought these things looked a little bizarre, and not really all that interesting. However, experiencing them was an entirely different thing. Shang's scent filled his lungs, seeping into his mind and wiping his thoughts. He pressed closer, body burning as he felt Shang rub hands up and down his back… and then lower.

He pulled away, arousal taking hold of his whole body, but fear making itself known. He wondered if he was trembling.

"S-Sorry." He said, hoping he hadn't insulted the man.

"T-Too fast? You kissed me, so I know it wasn't that, you know… that it was me you were kissing… that was the problem." Shang looked awkward, and he was shifting uncomfortably. However, Ping didn't dare look down in case he saw evidence of an erection in the Captain. He needed a moment to get used to things.

"S-Sorry." He repeated, jerkily nodding his head.

"It's fine." Taking a deep breath, Shang leaned down and this time, he pressed a gentle kiss to Ping's lips. "I'll see you in the morning."

Stumbling into bed, Ping sent Mushu away for a while to take care of himself. He had to admit though; his heart, his mind, even his soul were burning in response to Shang. It wasn't just the man's appearance that made him stir, after all. Shang Li was cementing his place in Ping's mind as perfection, even with his flaws.