Chapter Text
On the rare occasion that Jingyuan visits his parents, he happens to encounter the last person he expects to see. He wasn’t complaining, of course, he couldn’t since it’s been a few months of knowing a beauty at a masquerade party, Jingyuan considers Luocha an exception to many things.
This included his realisation of what Luocha meant by having a ‘humble day-time job’ and he surely wasn’t aware of whom he worked for.
“I suppose it’s fate we see each other so often,” Jingyuan laughs, appreciating the way the sun softly kisses Luocha’s skin.
“Indeed it is, I should’ve seen the resemblance sooner, it pleasantly shocks me,” the blonde smiles, admiring his lover’s face. Being the gardener for Jingyuan’s parents was a mere coincidence – they always had moments of being solely in each other’s world, but when did it become so literal? Although Jingyuan jokingly called him out on his ‘stalking’ (considering Luocha’s first entrance to his house was very uncommon) he swears he did not know of Jingyuan’s parents.
“My dear, I have always believed you, why wouldn’t I now?” Jingyuan whispers, aware of creeping eyes. They had a mutual agreement to keep the relationship a secret for obvious reasons.
Luocha blushed, his mind on the clouds thinking about how he already met Jingyuan’s parents, all he needed was their agreement in the far future. Butterflies fluttered around him as he tended to the rose bush.
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Halloween approaches, with yet again, another party at the High Cloud Residence. As expected, Jingyuan received an invitation from Jingliu, and so did Luocha. Was it risky to be at a place where you might’ve committed a crime? Of course, and he wasn’t taking risks of getting caught on a spooky night. Of course, that also doesn’t mean he’s not attending. The Gentleman Thief is also a master at disguise, how else would he still be on the run?
“Are you sure you're not going? I promise I’ll make sure nothing happens to you,” Jingyuan pleaded with him once again, his puppy eyes did not make an effect, although it was close to changing his mind. It was out of Luocha’s selfishness to refuse, all for his grand plan that he’s positive would leave a bigger impact than merely attending.
“He could only hope Jingyuan would stop begging him, for the sake of his heart.
Dolled up in his heavenly costume, Luocha commends his effort in his drastically changed appearance; long, raven hair and golden eyes.
Whether Jingyuan had looked long enough at his figure or even just his face, he was the type to go along with Luocha's foolish schemes. It frankly didn't matter since he knew his lover would recognise him one way or another since he was naturally attentive due to the nature of his job – it's about the fun of getting to that stage, the simple realisation that Luocha did not leave him and that he never will.
Being the perfectly prideful man he was, Jingyuan had bragged about his costume – long, silk robes of ebony black resembling a fallen angel, a black rose flower crown adorning his head and black wings as the cherry on top. Little did he know of Luocha’s plans regarding that information.
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The final moment arrives as Luocha catches a glimpse of Jingyuan, it was like he went to heaven and back the way he looked breath-taking and ethereal, a rare beauty like no other. He was the fallen angel, and Luocha was falling for him once more, even doubting if he could manage to approach his lover in a friendly and composed manner. In a crowd of stunning costumes of all varieties, there was only one made just for him.
“My apologies,” he mumbles as he purposely bumps into Jingyuan, quickly walking by like he was in search of someone. That someone happened to be a white-haired woman who conveniently played the role without knowing.
“That was very bold of you, sir,” Jingliu looked knowingly at him, trying not to laugh. Her assassin costume made it a weirder sight to see.
“What an interesting greeting, Jingliu.”
“You’ve deceived him and now you show up with a matching outfit,” she sighs, shaking her head, “Couples these days…”
Luocha was immediately alarmed at how she figured out, considering how careful they were with their display of affection.
“Sometimes it’s not in the actions but more about the look of pure love,” she informs him, “After all, eyes are the window to your soul, I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Luocha imagines Jingyuan’s eyes, glimmering like the most precious jewel he ever laid eyes upon. Oh, how honoured he was to see them, to see them filled with different emotions as well.
“You know me all too well.”
“Now, what are you waiting for? The dance is about to begin,” she smiles at the way Luocha lights up, “To witness such budding love, I’m rather jealous myself.”
Step by step, his target was closer in sight. Step by step, his heart races more and more. Step by step, hesitation fills his mind at the last seconds. Jingyuan notices him first, shooting him a curious glance, most likely realising the similarity of their costumes.
“May I have this dance?”
His lover appeared sceptical for a second before turning to him with friendly eyes, “There’s only one man I have danced with and I wish for it to stay that way.”
Luocha, ignoring the fluttering of his heart, presses on, “May I ask the significance of this man you speak of to receive special treatment?”
“If you mind me rambling, of course you can,” they stand centre in the crowd, eyes set on each other whilst everyone else wanders, finding a partner for themselves.
“In the darkness, he was a ray of hope, not for me but for many others as well. He appeared alongside the morning rays of my window, he was there with me through the darkest nights, he held my hand, bringing me closer to the horizon where the sun rise and sets,” Jingyuan stares straight into Luocha’s eyes, a look of pure love evident in his, just like what Jingliu talked about. Perhaps their love was built on fate, perhaps it was not. It didn’t matter what brought them to be like this, he thought. They were still Jingyuan and Luocha, an Officer and a Gentleman Thief. Somehow, their lifes were intertwined, that’s what mattered.
“He’s just…him. That’s precisely why he’s so special, sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint a reason, but who said I needed to do that? I have far too many anyways,” Jingyuan laughs, lightening Luocha’s heart with the mellifluous melody of his voice.
“Oh, are you still here, listening to me? Your loyalty rather proves to be strong,” at this point, he knew he was just teasing, “Are you sure you still want to dance with me?”
Luocha slots their hands together in a nostalgic position.
“Alright, fine. Getting impatient now, aren’t we?” Jingyuan tightens his hold, eyes crinkled with happiness, “You may have this dance, my dear angel.”
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Halloween was a spooky night full of thrill and possibly surprises. Tonight surely felt like Halloween , Jingyuan thought as he leaned on the balcony, admiring the full moon enveloping the city in its light. He received an angel from above who went by the name of Luocha. What better surprise could he ask for?
Gentle footsteps approach him before the person embraces him from behind, nuzzling into his neck.
“I knew I’d find you here.”
“It’s a special place for us, the place where you stole two very important things, one being my heart.”
“I’m positive that was what I intended to steal.”
“You and the strange confidence you gain when coming to social gatherings like this,” Jingyuan remarks, “Are you trying to impress me?”
“You wish.”
“And what if I do wish?”
“Well, would you like to find out what I think will impress you the most?” Luocha asks with an enigmatic smile, one which Jingyuan easily figures out to be full of mischief.
“Now you’ve made me curious.”
The angels lean in, feeling their breaths sync as they close the gap with a tender kiss, their hearts light as a feather, yet filled to the brim with a happiness that will last a lifetime.
Whether the moon is their only witness or not, the world deserves to see such happiness.
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