Work Text:
the yellow light of the lamp set on the desk reflected in the silver ring, dancing from one finger to another. yi heng's eyes adorned with glasses were now following the jewelry's graceful movements how it turned to the left and then to the right.
the man was waiting for a respective someone to come back to the room and rescue him from loneliness, which he has never expected, would fear. the more time jiang shuo spent with him, the more this long-forgotten feeling of numbness in his chest surged and yi heng was helpless, becoming a mute witness of how his body, mind, and heart gradually turned into loyal servants, prepared and expecting the moment to prove the devotion towards the rightful owner - jiang shuo.
the doctor's ears perked as the light sound of footsteps, along with the clinking of copper coins loomed from within the corridor. yi heng took the ring off the top of his palm, putting it on one of his fingers, and then the doors opened with a short screech. the newcomer got inside, pushing the wooden door behind him. the sound of coins now distinct, yi heng's eyes watched as the man took several steps closer to lean against the desk where the doctor was sitting.
yi heng raised his gaze, the eyelashes appeared longer than usual, being exposed to the mellow light of the lamp. or at least jiang shuo was influenced by such an impression.
"are they asleep?" he asked in a vibrant tone, genuinely concerned.
the people living in the compound, he got to know them merely a few weeks ago intending to open the clinic under their roof. he came uninvited, yet no one was against the idea. they all agreed to have him here, although he certainly wasn't a part of the family, wasn't a performer, he wasn't even a friend to them. after all, it was only jiang shuo who could say he trusted him. yi heng knew that the rest of the residents didn't trust him - they had trust in jiang shuo.
"they're sleeping." the boy was sitting on the brink of the desk. "just now, I sent mu qing home."
the man nodded his head and looked down. it was a tough day for everyone, and it is not that their days weren't such in general. yet this one was even more than usual. innocent ones got involved, what's worse the ones considered by jiang shuo as the only family he had in this life. that's why only with everybody asleep and mu qing safely escorted to her mansion could yi heng close his eyes with a long, regretful sigh. as his index fingers were brushing his temples, he heard a soft chuckle coming from jiang shuo, who at that moment was watching his man with endearment.
"you should go to sleep, you deserve some rest too."
it was fully quiet in the compound, all the lights in the building were out except for this one lamp, still blazing in the corner of the room they were currently in - yi heng's study. the man let out a few whiny, raspy sounds, which encountered even brighter laughter of jiang shuo, and then the man adjusted the chair to the side, extending his arms.
they have known each other for long enough to express their needs without words. and when yi heng’s hands happened to be so empty, it was a cue for jiang shuo to fill the space.
with agile movements, he leaped off the desk, and seconds later got comfortable on the other’s lap. his body was drew closer in no time, a pair of strong arms coating his waist. they remained silent for a while, yi heng’s face buried in jiang shuo’s chest, drowning in the warmth and fresh scent, indulging in the way the latter’s hands were caressing his head sluggishly.
“qin er…” a low-tone voice kept the other awake. “qin er…”
“hm…?” he murmured, still buried in the other’s ascending and descending torso.
“we can’t fall asleep here. we should move.”
no response this time, but jiang shuo expected such a turn of events. a quaint smile on his face, and not very virtuous thoughts in his head, he scooted closer, uttering a few secretive words.
once again no response, however, the reaction was immediate. the hands which had been previously securing jiang shuo from falling, now lifted him, the right one under his back the other under the knees, and resembling a maiden in distress being rescued by a knight in shining armor – and with slightly tousled hair and awry glasses – yi heng trotted out of the room.
as on the way to the bathroom jiang shuo couldn’t contain his laugh, the other had to hush him countless times.
after all their last wish was to wake all the soundly asleep compound up, being obliged to postpone their plans for some other night.
// ☆ //