Chapter Text
The first time it happened, Jiyan brushed it off as a fluke.
They were all gathered in his tiny apartment. The entirety of the weapons department was crowded around and between any available space in the main areas, rambunctious and joyful after a successful run of tacetite weapons testing. Jiyan was unsure how his place got roped into hosting this impromptu event. Usually he viewed the flat comfortable enough for himself, and easily agreeable when he had his partners over. Currently though, as a young researcher jolted passed his chair for the umpteenth time, Jiyan couldn’t help but admit that maybe the space was small to a degree.
He wondered if he should finally concede and take Mortefi up on the offer to move into his place. They’ve had countless arguments since Jiyan’s lease renewal was brought up. It wasn’t hard to see how much disdain his boyfriend had for his, quote, ‘microscopic excuse of a dwelling’. Mortefi was rather passionate with his pursuit on moving Jiyan out of the ‘drudges of Jinzhou’, but Jiyan was equally as ‘hard headed’ and ‘stubborn as a mule’ on staying put.
Yao didn’t have an opinion on the matter when unwittingly dragged into the crossfire.
As golden eyes took in his surroundings, filled to the brim with researchers lounging on the floor, against walls, or situated on counters, engaged in various conversations that drowned out into incomprehensible noise, Jiyan couldn’t help the tinge of embarrassment that overcame him about the lack of space for hosting. Mortefi’s place wouldn’t have had that issue. Between the larger kitchen and dining area, proper living area, and the small garden out back, there would have been more than enough to properly host an even larger celebration.
“What’s got you so wound up,” came the lazy drawl. Starting, Jiyan turned back toward his companion. Mortefi was lounged in the only other available chair inside. The rest were moved out to the alleyway his place looked into. Yao had disappeared earlier with a few volunteers to cart back more chairs and a longer table to set up outdoors. It wouldn’t be perfect. The alley was a narrow strip and the only way to properly access it was to leave through the front door and walk around. The hoard didn’t seem to care about the inconvenience though. They had already thrown open his dining room window, commendeering his small dinner table to house drinks and snacks easily reachable to any situated outside.
Mortefi and him were seated around a smaller table that was squeezed between the entryway of the kitchen and dining. Predictably, Mortefi had grabbed the better seat, angled in such a way that he didn’t block the walkway. As Jiyan got jostled again, getting a cheerful apology, he pondered if this was payback somehow. He knew a tactical strategy when he saw one. Perhaps it was time to forfeit to the better general.
“Nothing of consequence,” he muttered. Jiyan couldn’t help but retaliate when Mortefi snickered, striking out with a swift kick from his boot under the table, causing the other man to choke on his untimely sip of wine. “You made your point. I’m willing to talk more about a potential relocation.”
Snorting, Mortefi leant forward, chin propped up on his hand. “Stop acting like you’ve surrendered the Wastelands. You’ll live.”
“We’re back!” came the jolly call. A loud chorus of cheers met the friendly greeting, whistles and chortles that the Principle Investigator was finally here drifting over the roar. Perking up, Jiyan turned, trying to catch sight of their wayward boyfriend. The mob unfortunately had ballooned, crowding over in the general direction of the main entryway. Jiyan couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him. Xiangli Yao was a force to be reckoned with, inspiring loyalty and conviction in all that worked under him. It was always a delight to see how loved he was for Jiyan, how much his researchers cared for him.
“Show off,” came the grumbled retort. Turning back, Jiyan chuckled at Mortefi’s pout. He was huddled back in his wine, taking an extra long sip as he glared in the general direction Yao was located. “Don’t even try to say otherwise. He didn’t have to come in that raucous.”
Holding his hands up in a pacifying gesture, Jiyan soothed, “I wasn’t going to. I’m just glad he’s finally back to join us.”
“Who’s finally back?” Starting, Jiyan looked up, seeing the grinning face of Xiangli Yao hovering over the back of his chair. His cheeks had a rosy hue to it, eyes bright with mirth. He was still in his scarf and jacket, gloves shoved haphazardly into his coat pocket. Though spring was creeping in, the weather at night was still cool enough to have one huddled within any warmth that could be found.
Mortefi perked up, holding a hand out expectantly. “Did you bring the wine I requested?”
“Of course.” With a flourish, Yao presented the bottle, placing it gently within a clawed hand’s grasp. “I will admit, I don’t want to partake in what our crew has brought.” With a grimace, Yao leant onto the back of Jiyan’s chair, perching warm hands loosely on-top of the General’s shoulders. “I tried some of it on the way back and it leaves much to be desired.”
“They’re just looking to see who can get drunk the fastest. Quality doesn’t matter.” With a clawed tip, Mortefi shuffled loose the cork. As he placed it to the side Jiyan couldn’t help but wonder what else Mortefi could tear through with his more draconic appendage. Anytime he asked, Mortefi griped he wasn’t a test subject, and that was that. Jiyan was left collecting little bits of data here and there, and so far his hypothesis was that Mortefi’s claws were rather indestructible.
“Excuse us!” With a flinch Yao jerked back, taking the warmth with him. Young researchers were crowded round, arms filled with boxes piled high with snacks and drinks. They were trying to move past to the dining area, to stack and lay out the food and drink that was brought with the extra chairs and table.
“Apologies.”
Jiyan froze. From one moment to the next, his chair was shuffled over with ease, the Principle Investigator waving his fellowmen through. A bright laugh echoed faintly, Yao nodding his head to an inquiry as he re-hooked his calf around the back leg of Jiyan’s chair, sliding him to his previous position with minimal effort.
Jiyan couldn’t focus on the conversation Yao and Mortefi were having with their coworkers. He found himself staring downward, a deep look of concentration furrowing his brows. The space suddenly felt warmer than it did before - then what it was becoming when Yao was previously leant against him, the late winter chill of his clothes counteracting the warmth of his hands as they sunk into his shoulders for support before they were interrupted. Jiyan wondered if he drank too much. Perhaps he was feeling sick and that was why he felt so flushed.
“Jiyan?”
Blinking, Jiyan refocused, eyes locking with concerned hazel. Yao was leant over him, gaze intent as he took in his flushed complexion. Belatedly, Jiyan noticed that Mortefi was gone, his voice drifting in through the open dining room window. An extra chair had been placed near Mortefi’s, Yao’s coat and scarf laid neatly over the back. The wine was poured out into three glasses, lined neatly on the table.
“I think I drank too much,” he laughed, waving his boyfriend away as he cleared his throat. Why wouldn’t the flush go away. He could feel his face burning. “I suppose that’s what I get for trying to keep up with Mortefi. I sometimes forget his forte helps him burn through what he drinks faster.”
“It certainly does.” Shaking his head, Yao stepped back from the General’s space. He gestured toward the overflowing dining area. “I’ll grab you some water. Please don’t feel like you have to keep up with Mortefi. He just goads you for entertainment.”
“I know,” Jiyan murmured. As Yao moved away to hunt down some water for him, Jiyan vowed he would take it slower the rest of the night. As eyes subconsciously tracked his boyfriend, taking in the broad shoulders as they flexed and shifted, digging through the boxes stacked for the wayward water, Jiyan felt himself flush again. He wondered how high the alcohol level was on the previous wine bottle Mortefi and him drank.
He definitely was sticking with water for the rest of the night.