Chapter Text
Jing Yuan knows who the Stellaron Hunters are. He can rattle off their names, reputations, and the multitude of offenses that lead to their ever increasing bounties off the top of his head. To him, they are just another possible threat, neither enemy nor ally but something to keep an eye out for. At least, that used to be all they were.
The first time that he started to consider them as anything other than dangerous was when he had slowly woken up from one of the more peaceful nights with Blade, his cool skin a soothing presence by Jing Yuan’s side.
Ever since the man had realized that Dan Feng was well and truly gone, his bouts of mara-caused madness had reduced significantly. Of course, there were still times where it got the best of him, but with the help of Jing Yuan, Bailu, and Kafka, those days were becoming less frequent.
It was nice, being able to finally spend time with someone that knew him for more than just his feats as the Luofu’s general. It reminded him of the days when the High Cloud Quintet was complete and whole, and the weight of leadership didn’t bear down on his shoulders like they do now.
With the mara easing up, Blade had also taken to visiting the Luofu whenever their paths crossed during travel, if the time allowed it. Their relationship had improved with each visit, soon evolving into something new and far more precious than either had ever thought possible. It was then that Jing Yuan finally felt like he could truly relax. He felt so light and airy around the man, as if Jing Yuan’s heart would fly away like the birds that so often visited him.
Soft light filtered through the windows as Jing Yuan read. From the desk beside him, he could hear a buzzing coming from his phone. He had paid it no mind at first, thinking that it was Fu Xuan, but the buzzing continued even as he was attempting to read. He had already informed the Master Diviner that he’d be taking a couple of days off, so this had to be someone else. Curious, Jing Yuan decided to finally open his phone to reply, but he was caught off guard when he saw that the sender was none other than Blade himself.
Glancing at the sleeping figure beside him, he decided to answer the messages, which were all nothing but broken attachments.
Whoever this is, I’m afraid I’m not who you’re looking for. Jing Yuan pressed send and waited for a reply.
To his surprise, what he got were two emojis, one shocked and one scared, of the Astral Express’ conductor, Pom-Pom. Another moment later and there was an emoji of Blade with a message consisting of a singular question mark. Considering Blade’s very short list of both online and personal contacts, Jing Yuan realized that this was most likely one of the Stellaron Hunters.
He did recall Blade telling him that they all shared his account, but he never imagined their texts would be so cute. He sent another message back with a smile.
I’m guessing that you’re a coworker of Blade’s.
I’ll tell him you messaged, don’t worry.
A happy Pom-Pom was sent back before there was a short pause. Then, a short burst of messages appeared, giving Jing Yuan a slight startle. He was almost getting used to the emojis.
Sorry
That was Sam
He sent you those on accident
It happens often
Only Blade can access it though so it’s fine
This is Silver Wolf by the way
Jing Yuan breathed out a laugh. For people with billions of currencies worth on their heads, they seemed much less intimidating compared to what he had imagined. As if sensing his thoughts, Blade stirred beside him, exhaling softly. Jing Yuan rubbed his bare side until he settled back into slumber, and then resumed texting a message back to Silver Wolf.
Nice to meet you, Silver Wolf. Don’t worry, there’s no harm done.
All I ask is that you send your plans a little later in the day, it’s still quite early on the Luofu.
Oh, right
Time zones
It won’t happen again
Probably
Anyways got to go
Bye
Texting a “goodbye” back, Jing Yuan nestled back into the bed and continued his book, thinking about the interaction he had with the two all the while.
That was a few days ago. The next time he hears from them is in the present, when Blade gets a text during an impromptu spar. He abruptly stops midswing, jumping back a few paces before he fishes out his phone from his trousers. Sensing that this will take a while, Jing Yuan eases into a more relaxed stance and watches on in amusement as Blade taps away at his phone.
Blade’s expressions twist in a series of emotions, from mild curiosity to confusion, and ending on begrudging resignation. He finally looks back at Jing Yuan and his expression nearly makes Jing Yuan burst out in laughter, only because it’s one that he knows all too well. Yes, the slightly furrowed brows, pursed mouth, and narrow, half lidded eyes. It’s the look that Jing Yuan gets whenever Yanqing rushes into his office, raving about the newest swords in his collection; swords that Jing Yuan definitely did not agree to buying. All of it is there.
It’s the face of one very tired, very exasperated parent.
“Kid troubles?” Jing Yuan asks with a smile.
“Hn.” Blade crosses his arms. “I suppose that’s one way to put it.”
The two men look at each other for a moment. Then, Jing Yuan tilts his head in inquiry, and Blade sighs and relents.
“Silver Wolf’s decided to accompany me on the Luofu.”
Jing Yuan raises an eyebrow. “So suddenly?”
Blade scoffs, “Apparently, she wouldn’t stop asking questions after Kafka showed her my script, even when our mission was complete. Seems to me like Kafka was finally fed up and sent her for me to deal with instead.”
Jing Yuan contemplates Blade's words. He’s heard about these scripts in passing, during the times when he visited the Trailblazer aboard the Astral Express. From what he understood, the scripts were made by the leader of the Stellaron Hunters in order to take the exact thing that they’re named after. Considering their infamy, he supposes that the scripts have been wildly effective.
After all, it’s what brought Blade back to the Luofu. Back to him. So regardless of their previous actions, he is at least grateful for this.
Perhaps this would be a good chance to see them in a different light, to see how Blade sees them.
With one hand fiddling with his glaive, Jing Yuan clears his throat and says, “I see. Well, as long as she doesn’t cause too much trouble, then I’ll gladly welcome her on the Luofu. How long is she staying? I could arrange a hotel room for her— unless she doesn’t mind staying with us, of course.”
Blade raises an eyebrow and smirks, analyzing him from head to toe and back up again. “I didn’t think you’d care so much, Jing Yuan.” He waves a hand dismissively, but something in his tone seems more subdued when he speaks. “How very considerate, but don’t bother with a hotel. She’ll only stay for as long as I’m here.”
Which means that it’ll only be for a few more days. A shame, really, especially when neither him nor Blade are sure when their next reunion will be. His visit this time was longer than usual, and as a result Jing Yuan had gotten too used to his presence. Eating, sleeping, and simply seeing each other exist had become an intrinsic part of their daily lives.
Being reminded that all of it will end soon makes his stomach drop. It’s like waking up from a dream, only to feel the ground beneath him disappear and leave him flailing. He doesn’t voice it, though. Instead, Jing Yuan hides his disappointment behind his smile.
“Good to know. I’ll start preparing the guest room for her when we get back home. Do you know when she’s coming?”
Of course, Blade sees right through the façade. Walking up to him, he places his free hand on Jing Yuan’s hip and squeezes, eyes narrowed.
“You criticize me for being vague with my emotions, but perhaps you should follow your own advice as well, general.” Then his eyes soften and his tone gentles, an attempt at comfort and encouragement.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, Jing Yuan.”
It works incredibly well. Try as he might, Jing Yuan is not immune to the way Blade looks when he’s like this, the usual blazing fire in him simmering down to something warm and tender. He complies easily.
Taking a deep breath, he says, “I know that I could never stop you from leaving, that the paths we walk are not the same…and yet, I don’t want this to end. I want to stay with you, just like this.” Jing Yuan’s hand reaches out for Blade’s face, thumb caressing his cheek. It leaves Blade feeling unsteady, and his grip on Jing Yuan’s hip tightens as the general continues. “When you leave, it pains me, not knowing when I can hold you again. But how could I make you stay, knowing that it pains you?”
The other man’s face is open and vulnerable in a way that Jing Yuan hasn’t seen in a long, long time. Thinking that he’s overwhelmed him, Jing Yuan shifts as if to move away, but Blade brings his hand from Jing Yuan’s hip to his wrist and stops him from going any further.
Closing his eyes, he presses his face further into the warmth of Jing Yuan’s palm and heaves a relieved sigh.
The gesture leaves Jing Yuan stunned; Blade so rarely initiates affection like this, a sad reminder of how little love he’s received in this life. Silently, Jing Yuan swears to make up for the lost centuries.
The pair basks in each other’s presence before Blade speaks, eyes still shut. “You’re right. With mara still plaguing my mind, I could never promise you the permanence of this kind of life.”
He takes another deep breath before opening his eyes, looking up at the general. It feels like gazing into the molten core of a furnace and knowing of the countless creations just waiting to be made real. Jing Yuan’s incapable of looking away, mesmerized.
“I can’t give you that kind of hope, not when my future is so uncertain,” Blade says. “But what I can tell you is that our destinies are entangled within each other, and they will cross and intertwine for as long as we both are on this mortal plane. That, I can assure you.”
“Mn. I can live with that answer,” says Jing Yuan. It’s not the one that Jing Yuan wants, but it’s the best answer that he could ever hope to have.
With his fears reassured, Jing Yuan brings their discussion back to their previous topic: Silver Wolf.
“Blade?” The man in question makes a noncommittal sound.
“I know I used it as an excuse earlier, but I really do need to know when Silver Wolf’s arriving. And preferably where she’ll arrive as well.”
Blade’s eyes widen a fraction. He blinks, as if he just remembered his colleague’s impending arrival.
“Ah,” he says, “I already gave her your address. For the time…well, Kafka didn’t say.”
Jing Yuan's hand returns back to his side as he raises an eyebrow. “She didn’t?”
“Silver Wolf isn’t one to go outside if she’s given the option not to,” Blade shrugs.
“This is the first time that girl’s visiting someone voluntarily. It’s likely she’ll just text when she’s here.”
Jing Yuan hums, thinking about the current state of his house. From what he remembers, it’s not so dirty that it’s inhospitable. Most of the chores have already been done.
Then he remembers the sheets in his bedroom. The bedroom that he and Blade have been sharing. The bedroom whose sheets need to be routinely changed and washed ever since the two have become more…intimate.
A chill goes down his spine as he realizes that he didn’t wash the sheets this morning. In fact, Jing Yuan hasn’t washed any of the sheets yet.
His smile becomes slightly more strained. “So from what I understand, our esteemed guest could arrive at my house at any moment in time?”
“Is there a problem with that, Jing Yuan?”
“Well, my dear, if you’re able to recall exactly what took place in our bedroom this morning and the condition it was left in, then perhaps you’ll understand my worries for your friend’s impending visit.”
Blade stares at him, staying absolutely still, before there’s a slight spasm in his facial muscles and he’s suddenly taking off in the direction of their house.
With his worry temporarily replaced with amusement, Jing Yuan follows after him, a wide grin on his face all the while.