Work Text:
The air is alive with a gentle hum, echoing the bustling life aboard the colossal ship navigating through the cosmos. Colorful banners flutter against an azure backdrop, framed by the shining stars that twinkle like distant lanterns.
The rhythmic metal clanking mingles with the distant echoes of laughter and conversation. She pauses to listen, captivated by the melodic symphony that envelops her. A merchant’s chant draws her attention, inviting her to explore wares that vary from exotic spices to intricately handcrafted trinkets. Around her, people bustle about, their faces animated with excitement and purpose. Each step she takes resonates with the energy of countless souls pursuing their paths.
The scent of freshly cooked street food wafts through the air, mingling with the crisp, cool breeze that flows endlessly from the depths of space. She catches the fragrance of sweet pasties, their warmth, and richness wrapping her in a blanket of nostalgia. As she meanders through the lively markets, her fingers brush against the vibrant fabrics on display, their textures soft yet intricately woven, each telling a unique story of Xianzhou’s craftsmanship.
“Stelle?”
She gasps, not expecting to come across any acquaintances or friends at the moment. When she saw those piercing blue eyes, reminiscent of the clear sky at dawn, she panicked and hung her head in a bow.
“General! I wasn’t expecting to run into you of all people here, sorry if I hadn’t hear your call earlier.”
The Arbiter-General of the Luofu lets out a calm chuckle and shakes his head. “Why not forego the formalities? We’re well acquainted already, aren’t we? I’ve told you time and time again, Jing Yuan is fine by me.”
She laughs nervously and scratches her neck. “Sorry, Jing Yuan. You just… always have a commanding presence. It’s hard not to turn respect mode around you… in public… I’ll try my best, though!”
“That’s what I like to hear, so… what brings you to the Exalting Sanctum? You seemed quite preoccupied with your thoughts, is everything going well with the Astral Express?”
She nods and gives the general a small smile, albeit with a hint of force. “We’re all alive and well, there’s that.”
If she squints any further, she can barely read the worry in his eyes as he searches through hers in an attempt to understand what is going on in her troubled mind, but he’s careful with his words and doesn’t press for any more information out of her.
“I’m glad to hear you’re here safe and sound now, any reason for coming back here unannounced? I would’ve made some preparations to welcome back our Nameless heroes,”
“That’s unnecessary, we were just doing our job…” She looked away, eyes looking for any random starskiffs that passed by.
There was something about those eyes of his that made her heart skip a beat, but for what, though? Was it Jing Yuan’s stature marked by an air of quiet authority? Or was it because his very presence reminded her of the last time she saw him – in her dream?
She and her fellow companions of the Express were almost done for under the influence of Sunday’s plans and aspirations to revive the deceased Aeon of Order, Ena, and utilize their power to establish a world from which no one would awake. Dan Heng, in his dragon form, and Jing Yuan had appeared right before them. She thought they would be saved, but the turn of events that led to the happy ending they thought would be proved too good to be true for her to think the crisis in Penacony had finally been resolved.
If she hadn’t woken up and realized they were still stuck in a dream, they would’ve… Penacony… everyone would remain vulnerable to the ongoing manipulation and threats… The Order would’ve…
“…I received word that the Nameless has once again saved another planet from a crisis,” Jing Yuan’s voice snaps her back to reality. I’m in the real world, she reminds herself.
She can tell from the corner of her eyes that the man beside her shifts to face where the starskiffs pass by as he places his arms behind him. “Your feats remain astonishing as always, you never cease to amaze me. I wish I could’ve seen such heroic deeds of yours for myself, I would find that more thrilling than the never-ending stack of paperwork on my desk.” He sighs and chuckles, “One individual can only do this much in one day, you know?”
She tries to be sincere about her laugh, but the tremble in her voice proves too obvious to be missed by the general as he glances in her direction. She wears a frown on her face, and that alone tugs the corners of his mouth downwards in the same way.
“Why don’t we talk somewhere else? If you’re not occupied with anything urgent at the moment, we may reconvene in the Set of Divine Foresight, my presence here can only attract several eyes.”
She has nothing to do anyway, she thought that maybe having familiar company would help her clear her thoughts.
“Okay,” she nods slowly, and he smiles, walking by her side as they stroll along the local streets.
…
Jing Yuan had dismissed the Cloud Knights from the office to give them both some privacy as he set aside his paperwork in one of his drawers. He’ll remember to pick them back up… probably. At the moment, he wants to subdue any thoughts of work for a while.
Stelle stares at the tea in the delicate porcelain teacup that he offered to her, the ivory-white surface adorned with intricate cobalt blue designs. The aroma has a delicate, floral aroma with subtle notes of jasmine and osmanthus. It shimmered in the sky’s artificial morning light through the office’s windows, its color reminiscent of liquid sunlight.
Like those golden irises that reeked of his cunning and prideful nature. The amber liquid holds a stark contrast to his sharp demeanor. As she touches the teacup, its warmth seems to mock his cold exterior. It reeks of Order, of chaos, of Sunday… Sunday. Her reflection in the drink is replaced with him, his piercing eyes glare at her, a smirk plastered across his arrogant face. What is he doing here? Is she in a dream? Is it not over yet?
Big, warm hands cup the other small pair that trembles, almost spilling the tea had she not been stopped. Jing Yuan, his hands are warm. He’s real. She’s here. She’s real.
He takes the cup and gently places it down the saucer, his eyes now fixated on her with genuine worry as he holds both hands together in his. His thumb slowly rubs the skin of her trembling fingers. She doesn’t even register until a few moments later that he’s right in front of her.
“Stelle, hey… I’m here,” he whispered, a voice no one outside the Seat of Divine Foresight would imagine him using around the trailblazer or anyone else.
This is the Jing Yuan she finally recognizes, the one who hides behind a façade of indifference. Behind the curtains, away from the prying eyes of anyone else, this is the Jing Yuan who laughs freely, cries without shame, and simply is, around her, in secret.
And he’s here, he’s real. He’s in reality with her, and she’s in reality with him. She’s not dreaming. She’s real. They’re real.
She didn’t notice the stream of tears flowing down her cheeks until Jing Yuan brought a thumb to wipe them off gently.
“My poor little bird…” the gentleness in his voice holds her in place as he frowns in concern, “What did the Planet of Festivities ever do to you?”
She sobs, and he pulls her to his chest. He strokes her silver, slightly messy silver hair as he allows her to let go of her emotions. It’s a very rare occurrence to witness her in such a state, given her sarcastic undertones and laid-back nature, one that truly catches him off guard. It melts his heart with both fondness, for she remains comfortable being this vulnerable with him despite months of separation, and sympathy, for a member of the Astral Express such as her can only do so much for something so vast as the cosmos. A hero and a Nameless, but all the same, she is but a human still.
He presses a soft kiss on her head, ignoring the tears that stain areas of his clothes that were not protected by his plating and armor. He waits patiently for her to relax, even though it takes long.
When she finally does, he feels her breathing slow to a steady rhythm. It wasn’t until he looked down to find that the trailblazer had fallen asleep. Amused, the general tries to stifle a chuckle at the adorable sight and gently carries her, careful not to disturb the momentary peace on her tear-stained face. He sets her down on his chair, silently apologizing for the lack of comfortable cushions to support her sleeping form.
For a few moments, he kneels beside her and stares at her face, his fingers tucking strands of her hair behind her air. He smiles and leans in to plant a soft kiss on her forehead, an act of assurance that he will not be leaving her side until she feels better.
Looks like his paperwork will have to wait a little longer.
