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“Fuhu~ nice, work Sinclair,” Hong Lu said with his signature indifferent smile, as if he hadn’t just undergone a rather intense training session. Whereas Sinclair…
“I might need… Dante to turn the clock… everything hurts…”
Hong Lu only chuckled in response, staring blankly towards the scene in front of him. Heathcliff seemed rather delighted, and eager, over the fact that he was able to boss the Sinners around with Hohenheim’s approval.
“Right, you three! You’re next up!” … maybe a bit too eager.
“Faust notices that you seem a bit too ecstatic. You are aware that you will soon be participating in this test, too, right?” Faust muttered this under her breath as Gregor gave out a sigh and Meursault a grunt. Gregor seemed as if this was the most dreaded moment of his life–perhaps worse than the Smoke War itself. You could say he felt like an outcast…
“W-well yeah, but I’m the assistant!”
“An assistant with stupid glasses,” Ishmael grumbled out, causing a look of genuine hurt to wash over Heathcliff’s face. Though this little debacle was rather… amusing, Hong Lu had other motives in his search.
“Glasses are basic apparatuses of all researches…” Hohenheim started, his quieter voice immediately getting muffled out by Ishmael’s and Heathcliff’s yells at each other. “... it also creates personality, too…”
“K.Y.S.” Ryoshu muttered before reaching into her coat to grab a lighter, taking another puff at her cigarette. She must’ve “borrowed” one from Gregor, as the whole ride towards this place consisted of her endless complaints about running out of her dear pack of cigarettes. Dante decided to not share with the fact that they saw Sinclair throw the pack away.
“What she means is for all of you to kill yourselves rather unmercifully–”
“... keep yourselves silent. Though that additional connotation isn’t unappreciated.”
“Though if I may add…” Ah! Hong Lu’s face lit up at the sound of that melancholy voice. “Such barbarity wouldn’t be ideal. Thus may these violent tendencies shan’t bear fruit.”
“Oh, shut up,” Ishmael groaned, completely ignoring Yi Sang’s quips while glaring at Heathcliff with something close enough to loath.
“I won’t shut up until you admit that these glasses are very cool, you little shite–”
As the two of them still managed this argument (which was merely just pettiness at this point), Hong Lu quietly drifted towards Yi Sang, suddenly standing right next to him while bending slightly, whispering into his ear:
“Yi Sang~ would you like to… hang out for a bit? It appears that your turn in combat won’t be for a short while, fuhu.” Hong Lu couldn’t help the small chuckle at the sight of Yi Sang flinching at his sudden proximity.
“Ah, Hong Lu, to what do I owe the pleasure? I have been standing here for what felt like eternity as the day faded into a bickering blur… a short stroll around the building wouldn’t hurt, I suppose.”
“Mmm… I suppose it wouldn’t but…” Hong Lu suddenly stood up straight, grasping Yi Sang’s arm tighter than intended. “I thought I’d help you… practice. As, I don’t know, training buddies? Just until your turn for combat appears. Those peccatulum are stronger than I–and especially Sinclair–first anticipated.”
Yi Sang could sense the ulterior motive in his cheerful tone. Albeit he couldn’t exactly decline the offer. Saying no to a chance of being alone with Hong Lu was equivalent to shattering the mirror in which Sang Yi resided in. Such abhorrent thoughts…
“Then it seems that my elementary lazing shall be postponed. Well, then, lead the way, Hong Lu.” And Hong Lu could’ve sworn those tired eyes lit up just a bit more than usual as they walked off together without any of the other Sinner’s notice.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
“Hmm…” Hong Lu suddenly stopped walking, causing Yi Sang to almost trip on his own feet. To mentally protect his own dignity, he deemed that Hong Lu seemed too distracted to notice. “Would you just like to do this here–”
“It appears we’re in the middle of an empty hallway.”
“–or an empty room?”
“Your rather cryptic wording brings an unwanted feeling of concern…” Yi Sang murmered in candor, “I find myself regretfully curious on what your true intentions seem to be, Hong Lu.”
The hallway was eerily quiet as they stood there, hands still intertwined and eyes connected. Though Hong Lu could’ve sworn he was able to hear the screams of Ishmael and Heathcliff even from this distance. Ignoring these distant ghosts of yells and clamor, Hong Lu cautiously approached Yi Sang with a short step.
“I just, frankly so, wanted some time alone, my Yi Sang,” Hong Lu mumbled under his breath, a rather sheepish expression overriding his normally unchanging (the unchanging?) smile. “I haven’t been able to speak with you all day. I’ve missed you as I had missed my dear Xichun. Unbeknownst to me yet consuming me whole… I couldn’t help but whisk you away at the soonest possible chance given.”
“Since when have you become so sophisticated in your choice of words?” Yi Sang asked quietly, silently noting the fact that Hong Lu was needier than he thought. It was honestly an adorable trait for him to have.
“Since every sentence you’ve muttered has been replaying in my mind for a week straight,” Hong Lu responded, his signature grin coming back as Yi Sang’s hand faltered in his.
“Is that so…” Yi Sang wasn’t used to this form of affection. So silent, yet so loud all at the same time. For someone who supposedly didn’t understand other’s emotions, Hong Lu seemed mighty confident in what he was doing and saying. “It is as if you are serenading me right now. Or is it perhaps seduction? Both usable terminology.”
“Mhm~ perhaps. Now, my Yi Sang,” Hong Lu started, his free hand tangling in Yi Sang’s hair. He would look so pretty if he grew it out… ethereal, even. “May I kiss you? Or shall we go somewhere more private just in case things escalate too soon due to the fact I am already barely restraining myself.”
“Such indecency. I can assure that things will not get out of hand. Though you must assure me that no one shall catch us in such sinful actions or else–”
Yi Sang’s public monologue was quickly interrupted by a sudden yank from Hong Lu, their bodies flush together in a warm embrace, lips meeting together in an instantaneous fashion. The kiss they shared wasn’t rough, though it wasn’t particularly soft either. Hong Lu’s tongue was quick to enter Yi Sang’s mouth, the gasps leaving his mouth being swallowed by Hong Lu’s. Yi Sang felt pitiful under his grasp, hair tangling in hands while slowly reaching down to grip onto the rough fabric of his uniform.
“I missed you, my Yi Sang,” Hong Lu mumbled softly as he pulled back, hands tracing over his back as if engraving the feeling of his spine into his brain. Yi Sang noticed how he was rather good at multi-tasking. Using his fingers to trace deftly over his coat whilst peppering chaste kisses all over his neck and jaw was more impressive (and attractive) than he’d ever dare admit.
“I’ve… missed you too, Hong Lu. Now cease your words and let our fingers intertwine in harmony.” Hong Lu let out a happy hum as Yi Sang muttered this under his breath, lips moving back to his in a soft manner.
“... Hong Lu…”
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
“... where are those two stupid shites? One second Yi Sang is speaking out against our rash decisions, next minute he’s snaked out like some stupid prairie dog.”
“T-thus we must find dear Hong Lu and Yi Sang! I mustn't battle by myself! Ahhh Rocinate, lead me to these two individuals!!!”
Don Quixote and Heathcliff’s mindless blabbering had motivated the Sinners enough to create a “search party” for Hong Lu and Yi Sang, both extremely unknown to this as they were rather… preoccupied.
“Faust will go along with Dante to find them. The rest of you split up,” Faust suddenly announced to the others, Hohenheim looking more confused by the second.
“You bunch operate rather… interestingly.”
“<... Anyways, if anyone finds them–dead or alive– drag them back here and let out your loudest yell that they’re back. I hope they’re ready for the scolding I’ll be giving them..>” Dante ticked out, somehow portraying frustration and annoyance in those sounds.
As the Sinners depart in groups (that Dante could’ve assumed they’d choose without second thought), Faust and Dante walked off themselves, mindlessly searching the hallways that got quieter with each awkward step. To break the silence, Dante initiated some small talk with Faust. If Faust didn’t declare that she’d be going with Dante, they’d probably choose someone that could hold an actual conversation that didn’t involve topics on a history test. Rodion would’ve been a good choice, but she immediately went running off with Gregor. Relationships were a hindrance to the lifestyle on the…
“<So, basically, Faust–>"
“...Faust requires Dante to be silent.”
Dante gave Faust a confused look, but when looking over at what Faust was staring at? They understood why she ordered them to respectfully shut up.
“... Hong Lu…” Yi Sang’s distant voice muttered out, voice echoing ever-so-sightly throughout the hallway. The hallway Faust and Dante were coincidentally at the end of. Dante stared in mortification while Faust’s expression somehow stayed unchanged.
“<... Well I don’t see anything. You?>” Dante ticked this with cautious quiet, finding themself unable to look away from the rather surprising view. Wow. Rodion shamelessly flirting with Gregor was one thing. But seeing two of their Sinners actively kiss each other in private? Whole different universe.
“Faust is.. Appalled by the absolute view of nothingness.” The two of them chose to ignore the… sounds coming from the rather passionate duo. They were sure going at it…
“Whenever we need the Golden Bough from my home land, and we happen to stay in rooms graciously given by my family,” Hong Lu started, murmuring this against Yi Sang’s mouth, “perhaps we could become a bit more… intimate.”
“Ah– Hong Lu… of course.” And their mouths connect once more.
“<Time to go.>”
“Faust… agrees.”
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
“None of you guys found them?” Hohenheim asked as Faust and Dante finally returned (after staring at Hong Lu and Yi Sang for an embarrassing amount of time).
“<... it seems so..!>” Dante ticked nervously, earning a raised eyebrow of suspicion from Ishmael. Dante wasn’t used to whatever this was. Hell, they’ve never even seen anyone kiss before! Nonetheless his own Sinners.
“Dante says that it appears so. Faust hopes the two of them are okay.” Faust was doing better than Dante. She seemed… normal. Even more normal than when they faced the predicament while on the Warp Trains.
‘Y-yeah… I hope they’re fine. Don has been moping the whole time we were searching–”
“Sniff… manager esquire, what if most favorable Hong Lu and Yi Sang are doomed to never return!? Such thoughts of injustice aren't ideal…”
“You called?”
And everyone snapped their heads to the source of that voice. Ah, so they were finally back. Dante gulped (well ticked), immediately noticing the mark on Hong Lu’s neck that was rather badly-hidden with hair. They sure felt observant today…
“Oi, you two shites–”
“Mmm~ apologies, all… I was simply training with Yi Sang and it appears that we’ve lost track of time~ I’m sure whoever was partnered with him is… ah, Don Quixote, are you crying?”
“I- I thought my dearest partner would never return!!”
“<... Hong Lu, Yi Sang. Now.>” Training for combat their ass… they were training each other’s tongues!! Training them to basically do flips and literal tricks against each other.
The two males followed Dante, Hong Lu letting out a soft hum while Yi Sang looked as if he was about to throw up and pass out. When they found a hallway far enough to drown out any noise from the other Sinners (who were either comforting or teasing Don Quixote), Dante turned around on their heel, giving them a stern glare. To the best of their clock-head ability.
“<So… we have some stuff to discuss.>”
“I grant you our deepest apologies… we just lost track of time in an unfavorable manner, is all.”
“<Yeah, got distracted having a rather frivolous moment together in the halls…>”
“Ah, Yi Sang, I think our Dante found out, fuhu…” Hong Lu let out a soft chuckle, quite opposite from the Yi Sang who stilled completely, humiliation washing over him as Hong Lu put his arm around his shoulder.
“<You couldn’t even wait to go somewhere more private?>”
“No, not really.”
“<... at least you’re honest. Just.. don’t let this relationship interfere with your duties with Limbus Company, okay?>”
Hong Lu couldn’t help but laugh. “We’ve been together for over a year, Dante.”
What?
“And you only noticed a couple of minutes ago because we were being intimate in a semi-public area you just so happened to find us at? I thought I was the naive one here.”
Perhaps Dante wasn’t as observant as they originally thought…