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Jinlintai was glowing in the afternoon sun, gold sparkling from roofs and pillars. Sect Leader Yao was sitting under a porch, contemplating the beauty of the intricate designs otherwise unnoticeable but when the light hit just so under the shades. The breeze kept him from the warmth of the place, and the servants that had come earlier, carrying trays of tea and snacks, made his wait better. As a centerpiece on the table sat a heavy marble square, a game of go awaiting its other player, pieces laying untouched in their respective round boxes.
Sect Leader Yao was waiting for his opponent, Jin Guangyao. The man was not late. The older man had arrived early with the hope of catching sight of the graceful flutter of Jin Guangyao’s robes as he would walk towards him, a beauty not many heroes carried.
Sect Leader Yao did not have to wait too long to see his wishes granted. Jin Guangyao walked the length of the courtyard at a rapid pace, eyes set on the other man, and stopped a few feet from him to bow as was proper.
“Sect Leader Yao,” he said. “Forgive this one for making you wait long.”
Sect Leader Yao chuckled and bowed as well, as low as the other.
“No need for apologies, it is I who must be forgiven for coming too early and demanding your haste.”
And yet, despite his hurriedness, when Jin Guangyao stood, his face looked as clear as jade, unbothered by the effort.
“Nonsense, it is my pleasure to welcome such an esteemed guest as yourself. This one is humbled that you would spend the afternoon playing together.”
They smiled and invited each other to sit, laughing as they did. This time, Sect Leader Yao noticed the blush on Jin Guangyao’s cheeks.
They set up the game.
“Please, you first,” Sect Leader Yao said, pushing the pieces towards Jin Guangyao.
The man opened his mouth to protest, only to quickly concede. After all, not everyday was he allowed to begin the game. Sect Leader Yao smiled and focused on the board.
The game was further advanced, and the sun was beginning to set when an irritated voice resonated in the courtyard, calling for Jin Guangyao. Sect Leader Jin was marching towards them at an angry pace, staring down at his son. Jin Guangyao stood up quickly, the motion almost sending one of their teacups to the ground. Sect Leader Yao caught it and stood up as well, presenting his respect to Sect Leader Jin. The latter barely spared him a look.
“Guangyao. My daughter-in-law requires your assistance for the organization of Jin Ling’s 100 days ceremony,” Sect Leader Jin spoke, his voice stern.
Jin Guangyao smiled in a way that was different from what he had shown Sect Leader Yao during the day.
“Sect Leader Jin, I believe I already had an arrangement with young Madam Jin for tomorrow for the planification,” Jin Guangyao replied.
Sect Leader Jin’s anger grew louder.
“Go, now,” he yelled. “I will not allow frivolous leisure to replace your duties.”
Jin Guangyao bowed low.
“Yes, Sect Leader Jin.”
The man left with a flourish of sleeve. Sect Leader Yao scowled at his retreating back, feeling disrespected yet unwilling to speak up about it. Jin Guanyao turned towards him and bowed again.
“I apologize for this, Sect Leader Yao. It would be best to continue this game at another time,” he said.
Sect Leader Yao looked at him and noticed for the first time the dark circles underneath his eyes and the weariness in his posture.
“Yes,” he responded. Then, with a touch of hope, “perhaps tonight? In your quarters?”
Jin Guangyao straightened up quickly, the features on his face open in surprise before he smiled again, pink colouring his cheeks once again.
“Yes. I would like that. Tonight.” Jin Guangyao agreed.
He bowed once more and left, following his father’s footsteps back into the palace. Sect Leader Yao sat back down, drinking the last of their tea, eager for the rest of their game.
Jin Guangyao made sure everything in his quarters was pristine before the arrival of Sect Leader Yao. He arranged for another batch of Sect Leader Yao’s favourite tea to be made, and with a quick look in the mirror, made sure his appearance was unblemished. Looking at his hat, he hesitated, then pulled at the knot holding it in place and removed it. “Just this once,” he told himself.
He was still mad at his father for pulling him away from the company of Sect Leader Yao under false pretenses. As it turned out, Jiang Yanli had not required his services at all, but Sect Leader Jin gave him some paperwork to do once the “misunderstanding” was cleared out. Jin Guangyao finished them as quickly and thoroughly as he could, and made an announcement that he was retiring for the night. Not that it would stop his father, if he wanted to make a nuisance of himself, but most of Jinlintai would leave him alone until the next morning at the very least.
Jin Guangyao did not have to wait too long before he heard a soft rasp on his door, five times in a specific pattern. His servant had arrived, towing along Sect Leader Yao who, upon entering, marveled at the room.
“Jin Guangyao is a man of taste as well as strength and efficiency,” he complimented.
Jin Guangyao bowed, pleased beyond measure that this man was able to recognize him for his many talents. He still had many more to show. With a gesture, he invited Sect Leader Yao to take a seat, the pieces of the afternoon game waiting for them on the board exactly where they had been.
“And such a good memory too! I did not see you write the placement down, and yet, every piece is where they belong.”
Jin Guangyao looked up to see Sect Leader Yao pinning him under his gaze.
“You are very impressive, Young Master Jin.”
Jin Guangyao couldn’t ignore the sparkle in Sect Leader Yao’s eyes and demurely lowered his.
“Not as impressive as you, Sect Leader Yao.”
Sect Leader Yao grunted a laugh, and when Jin Guangyao peeked at him, the confirmation that he was not the only one affected in this room was confirmed. He sat straighter, moving an elegant hand forward.
“Please begin.”
And begin, they did. The game was not yet halfway to its completion that the two men were onto each other, breathing heavily in each other’s space, the only sounds making it to their ears being those of the go pieces tinkering onto the floor. No amount of hushes nor thoughts of who might hear were enough to tamp down their desire for each other.
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” Sect Leader Yao groaned, nose buried in Jin Guangyao’s neck.
Jin Guangyao held on tighter. “Then want no longer.”
And the room grew quiet but for the sound of their love.
Jin Guangyao watched with great interest the naked form of his lover as he was squatting to get their fire going, the room having gone colder as the night grew, with summer merging fast into the promise of a cold autumn.
“There is enough wood,” Jin Guangyao said, hiding a yawn behind his hand. “I can add more later in the morning if I need.”
“Nonsense, why be cold later if I can keep you warm now,” replied Sect Leader Yao, smirking briefly in his direction.
Jin Guangyao smirked too before he pouted, pushing away the last clean bed sheet that was covering him.
“I am cold now, you need to warm me up better.”
Sect Leader Yao stood up and stretched, popping a few bones, before making his way to the bed and wrapping himself around Jin Guangyao. The latter hurried to bundle them both under the cover, leaving a kiss on Sect Leader Yao’s forehead.
“This is better,” Jin Guangyao said, smiling at Sect Leader Yao’s hum of agreement. “Now, what was it you were telling me about Sect Leader Ouyang’s son?”
Jin Guangyao’s sated smile never left his face as Sect Leader Yao began anew his tirade about his doubts regarding the next generation of cultivators, regaling him with the minute details of Sect Leader Ouyang’s family life, details he couldn’t wait to spin in a thread he could hold and pull.
Sect Leader Yao kept talking, knowing he would later weave that thread into a tapestry.
The day grew with promises of warmth and sunshine again, pushing the cold away in a mist that disappeared with each step leading to the main entrance of the palace. Jin Guangyao stopped, a distance away from Sect Leader Yao, and bowed low, as was proper of his position.
“This one would be honored if you would allow him to welcome you next week for another match.”
Sect Leader Yao bowed back, and when he stood back up, there was a twinkle in his eyes and a memory etched onto his neck, casually hidden behind the fold of his robes.
“You would be the one doing me the honour of joining such a skilled player again. We shall meet again next week.”
Jin Guangyao smiled, a hint of relief at the corner of his mouth.
“At the same place,” he said, vivid images of the low light of his chambers speeding through his mind.
Sect Leader Yao nodded and turned around, walking with a determined gait at those same thoughts. Jin Guangyao watched him go until he lost sight of his backside.