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“Caelus, could you please come over for a moment?”
Jing Yuan’s voice called out to the Trailblazer, who finished wearing back his white T-shirt. He turned around to watch the last Foxian maid finishing dressing the said man in his armor, bowing respectfully to the General before taking her leave.
Heading towards the older man, Caelus wondered. “What is it, Jing Yuan?”
The General turned to him with a soft smile beckoning him over; beside him, the white lion resting beside her master woke up from the approaching footsteps. “Could you please help me to do my hair instead?”
Caelus’s face immediately colored with surprise at the unexpected request. While he had always admired from afar how beautiful the General’s long hair was, he had never styled his hair before. Sure, he did assist March from time to time whenever she asked for his opinions on how she looked before an important meeting.
But he was always up for new challenges. With a nod, he stepped closer and stood behind the General. “Of course, Jing Yuan. I’d be happy to help.”
The Trailblazer’s warm voice answered as he gently combed the hairbrush he picked up through the General’s long, white locks. Any knots found while combing, Caelus would use his fingers to carefully untangle and smooth the strands. He couldn’t help but marvel even more at the softness and silkiness of his hair. “Your hair is so soft and beautiful…. You must have taken care of it very well, Jing Yuan.”
Jing Yuan leaned into his beloved’s touch, a contented smile gracing his lips. The sensation of the brush and Caelus’s gentle touch sent a shiver of delight down his spine. “Thank you, Caelus. Taking care of one’s appearance is an extension of self-care. It allows us to present ourselves with confidence and pride.”
“I can see you put great care into your appearance, Jing Yuan.” Caelus nodded. He set the brush down to gather a lock of white hair to make the high ponytail. His fingers continued their gentle caress through the General’s hair. “It reflects the discipline and attention to detail you bring to everything you do.”
The General chuckled softly. “You have a way with words, my dear Trailblazer. Your ability to see and appreciate the little things is one of the things I love about you.”
If Caelus didn’t have a firm grip on his gathered lock of hair, he would have dropped it and needed to redo styling the General’s hair again. The unexpected compliment made him blush a deep shade of red on his cheek, his fingers momentarily pausing in their movements. “Your words mean a lot to me, Jing Yuan… Thank you….”
Picking up the brush to smooth the hair to the back, Caelus set the brush down as a satisfied grin curled at his handiwork, muttering. “Alright, time to tie it up.”
Just as he was to reach for the red ribbon on the tray, Jing Yuan’s voice called out to him, and his hand handed over a familiar object in his hold. “Use this instead, Caelus.”
“That’s my ribbon, Jing Yuan… Are you sure?” Caelus’s face once again colored with surprise. Yet, the General only chuckled knowingly at the reaction he earned.
He turned his head slightly; his golden left eye showed approval, amusement, and affection. “You will be away for a while again. I’d like a piece of you to keep with me until you return safely from your trailblazing journey, Caelus.”
The white lion beside the General also let out a purr, making the latter smile wider to acknowledge. “Mimi would also love the idea of having something of you to remind her. She will be missing you very dearly.”
Caelus’s gaze moved between Jing Yuan’s and Mimi’s, and he understood the sentiment behind the gesture. He then replied to the two, his voice filled with warmth and affection for them. “In that case, I can give it to you for safekeeping.”
With a soft smile, he accepted his ribbon, wrapping it around the lock of hair to tie it into a firm ribbon for the ponytail. He stepped back to admire his handiwork. The General’s hair, now secured with the yellow ribbon, looked striking against the white strands.
Jing Yuan turned to face Caelus, his gaze filled with tenderness. “Thank you, my dear Caelus. This ribbon will serve as a constant reminder of you, even when you’re far away. Now, allow me to return the favor.”
Taking hold of the younger man’s right wrist gently, the General picked up his long silk red ribbon to wrap it around. His movements were careful and deliberate, and touches were gentle yet firm as he tied the ribbon securely. Caelus watched in awe as his wrist was adorned with the vibrant red ribbon, mirroring the one that now adorned Jing Yuan’s hair.
They gaze at each other, Jing Yuan’s golden eyes shimmering affectionately. “In the culture of Luofu, the color red symbolizes a lucky and joyous color. Tying around the wrist would ward off misfortune in your journey. But, it also represents a connection of fate. This ribbon represents my commitment to you, Caelus. It signifies that a part of me will always be with you, no matter where your trailblazing journey takes you. Will you accept it?”
The Trailblazer marveled at the symbolism of the exchanged ribbons. A tangible reminder of their connection, a relationship that transcended physical distance and time. Caelus could feel the weight of Jing Yuan’s love and trust as he looked down at his wrist, the ribbon constantly reminding them of their devotion.
His heart was overwhelmed with the warmth and love he received. He raised his other hand to touch the ribbon wrapped around his wrist, turning towards his beloved General. Caelus reached out both his arms to wrap around Jing Yuan. “Of… O-Of course, Jing Yuan. I will gladly receive your ribbon. It will remind me that you are always with me in my mind and heart.”
As Mimi let out a loud purr to show her joy between the two lovebirds, she quietly watched them leaning towards each other and their lips sealed together in a tender kiss. The exchanged ribbons became a cherished symbol of their unbreakable bond, a token of connection that would accompany them on their respective journeys.