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Yi Sang only served Miss Ishmael, defending the flower that stood with its pride.
Even so, his pride felt unsteady when he met the taller figure before him. It started with a piece of paper that said, 'I want to see you alone. There's no need to worry about Ishmael, though you'll need to worry about her if I don't see you alone tonight.'
“It seems like your wound hasn’t fully healed yet. I can bring you some Bolus for that.”
“That's not required, Young Master Baoyu. Time shall mend this wound, in a mere day or two.”
“Hehe, I know~ I just wanted to give you something~”
The smile looks cunning, yet hollow. Because Yi Sang himself never really understood Jia Baoyu. Yi Sang never felt good nor evil from Jia Baoyu, even though he fought him last night to protect Miss Ishmael. Yi Sang knew that Jia Baoyu was different from the others, and the current Jia Baoyu was different from the little Jia Baoyu.
“...Do you seek aught from me?”
Yi Sang finally asked the question that should have been asked in the first place. Although he was wary, Yi Sang still tried to respond to Jia Baoyu with respect. Even though the wounds on his body were from Jia Baoyu, Yi Sang still did not place any hatred or anger towards the Young Lord.
“Was my letter not clear enough? I want to see you, Yi Sang.” That answer brought confusion to Yi Sang's face, and before Yi Sang could reply, Baoyu added, "You haven't changed much since we last met. Although it feels a little strange because now you're smaller than me."
“Because you blossom in the short passage of time, Young Master. And when we last met, I could not grow any taller.”
“Aah, is that so? What a shame. With a bigger body, you could be stronger to protect Ishmael.”
Yi Sang's brows furrowed. Was Jia Baoyu mocking him just now? However, Yi Sang did not really feel offended. Because there were times when he was happy to see Jia Baoyu's growth. There was a moment when the young Baoyu asked him to be taught martial arts, in exchange for teaching Yi Sang how to style Ishmael's hair. Although the current Jia Baoyu grew tall like a blooming plum tree, Yi Sang somehow missed the Jia Baoyu who was like a sprig of peony. Beautiful on its own, with petals that never seemed to run out.
“Yi Sang,” Baoyu speaks as he extends his hand to Yi Sang, “would you like to join my faction? I think I can also return the favor for your kindness in training me back then.”
“Kindly refrain from jesting upon this matter, Young Master.” Neither about asking him to switch factions nor about their past. “I shall not betray Miss Ishmael.”
“Hmm... is that so? I'm disappointed that you rejected me, but I'm also happy that you stayed by Ishmael's side. Ishmael is still my sister, after all.”
It's strange because Yi Sang felt a soft throb in his chest from Baoyu's reply just now. Is it because Baoyu was disappointed in him? Or is it because he still cares for Ishmael? Either way, Yi Sang wanted to believe that Jia Baoyu was still a good person. It was the kindness of the young Baoyu that made Yi Sang cultivate a flower in his heart, watered as Baoyu grew, but drying up in his absence. And now, that jade eyes shining under the moon seemed to reflect light for the flowers, as if giving a glimmer of hope to his feelings.
That's why Yi Sang closed his eyes. Because he doesn't want his feelings to make him waver.
“Even so, don't close your eyes to me, Yi Sang.”
It was unknown when Jia Baoyu started moving, but now the tall figure had already wrapped one arm around Yi Sang's waist, and the other was holding Yi Sang's hand. There was not a single inch of distance between them, and every time Yi Sang tried to use his strength to escape, Baoyu would tighten his arm around his waist. Yi Sang knew Jia Baoyu had grown bigger and stronger than him, but Yi Sang had only realized that Jia Baoyu was this big and strong.
“The me now may be different from the Baoyu you once knew, Yi Sang. Therefore, I will make you know me better. Perhaps someday, you will know more about me than Ishmael who knows me as his brother. So don't close your eyes to me, because I won't either. Because I miss you too .”
Yi Sang could feel his heart racing, but the lack of distance between their bodies was not the reason. It was the look in Baoyu's eyes, with the jade shining even more, that made his heart race. Baoyu, who also seemed to feel Yi Sang's heartbeat, rubbed his hand on Yi Sang's waist and traced his back slowly.
And in that moment Yi Sang exerted his strength to step back and release his body from Baoyu's embrace. Baoyu kept smiling, making Yi Sang's gaze even more alert.
“I... I have no intention of turning a blind eye or avoiding you, Young Master. Because I have my duty to protect Miss Ishmael, nothing more than that.”
“No more than that, eh?” Baoyu snorted. “In that case, I'll see you at the war. Give my regards to Ishmael~”
Baoyu turned around and stepped away from Yi Sang. As Baoyu's body became smaller from his gaze, Yi Sang pressed his chest to calm down. The wound did not hurt, but he was disturbed by this pounding heart. So Yi Sang exhales, before finally returning to Ishmael's residence.
And sure enough, a few days later they finally meet again. With his and Ishmael's poor condition, Jia Baoyu and Faust stood there as if they were unharmed. Baoyu's smile and gaze reminded Yi Sang of their meeting that night, and Yi Sang did not close his eyes. He was looking at Baoyu to protect his Master, nothing more than that.
Yi Sang only protected Miss Ishmael, even if it meant letting the flower in his heart wither.