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Shen Yuan rushed through the crowd as he held his package close to his chest with one hand and his half finished coffee with his other. He'd made a bit of a detour to his favorite bookstore before he had to meet with his family for dinner and he may have gotten a bit lost in the new publication section. It was just that he really could not believe the kind of slop publishers were putting out these days! And people just ate it up too! As if art didn't matter anymore! Terrible! Absurd! Awful!
Distantly he heard the sound of music tripping fast through the air. On any other day he may have stopped to listen. He loved street performers and always made sure to toss the good ones a few coins. Today though he really didn't have the time. He was already anticipating a lecture from his er-ge. It was hard enough to find a time for all the siblings to meet up, only for Shen Yuan to be late.
He swerved around a group of giggling girls all walking in a line, brow furrowing as one shot him a wink. Was this flirting these days? Young lady, please watch where you're going! He shook his head, turning to find a boy on a skateboard right in front of him. The boy tried to stop and Shen Yuan jumped. He stumbled to the side. Everything moved in slow motion as his stomach swooped, foot catching a crack in the side walk. He crashed down, his coffee cup flying, his books scattering across the ground.
He collided not with the solid ground but with a soft silky fabric. A wince came from above him and he blinked up. He'd landed on the lap of a boy sitting to the side of the street. The boy stared at him, pale eyes wide as coffee dripped down his pretty face.
Shen Yuan grimaced, forcing himself back onto his knees.
"Oh— Oh no, I'm so sorry! " He waved his hands back and forth unsure of where to start.
The boy continued to stare. The coffee hadn't just spilled on his face, Shen Yuan realized with a sinking heart. It had splashed across the elegant set of hanfu the boy was wearing. These weren't just some cheap set you might find online. This looked like real embroidered silk! And it was in the palest shade of green, too, now muddied with coffee. The boy's long fingers clutched around a pipa he held out to the side. At least it seemed to have been spared, but he still hadn't spoken.
"You poor thing," Shen Yuan rustled in his pocket looking for anything he could use. He withdrew a rumpled but clean tissue and started to pat the boy's face. "I'm really sorry. Totally my fault alright? Let me pay for the dry cleaning. Actually let me buy you a whole new set of clothes, hm?"
The boy's nose wrinkled as Shen Yuan kept patting him, his lips twisting down into a pout that gave him the distinct look of an angry kitten. After a moment more of patting, he knocked Shen Yuan's hand away.
"Enough!" He spat. "How dare you touch me so familiarly! I may be forced to perform for people on the street but I will not suffer any more disrespect. I—"
"Sorry! Sorry!" Shen Yuan held up his hands. "You're right. Yuan-ge was wrong. But you have to let take care of the mess I made. I'll never forgive myself if I just left you like this."
The boy blinked. "Yuan-ge? I do not know you. Why—"
Shen Yuan didn't catch the rest of what the boy said. He pulled out his phone and sent out a quick message to his sister. She would be the best to break the news to the family that he wasn't coming.
» Meimei, I'm your favorite right? You'd do anything for me? (´˘ -˘ 人)
The reply came a moment later.
« What did you do
» Nothing!
» Well something
» Listen, I spilled coffee all over this boy's robes, I have to take care of it!
« Robes?
«Boy?
« Is this a cosplay thing?
There was a long pause where just the typing bubbles appeared. Then finally:
« Send me a pic and I'll make an excuse for you
» I can't take a pic of a stranger!
» Come on!
» Meimei!
» Hello?
» Fine
"Sorry," Shen Yuan winced. "My sister will only get me out of dinner if I take a picture. So?" He held up his phone. The boy just stared at him, brow furrowing like he didn't know what on earth Shen Yuan was talking about. Well that seemed as good as a yes. He quickly snapped a pic and sent it on.
Again there was another long pause.
« Oh my god
« Ge
«GE!
« Don't fuck this up
« Do. Not. Fuck. This. Up.
«What a catch! Ugh why do you get all the luck.
« Do your best or I'll never forgive you!
He frowned down at his phone but couldn't make heads or tales of what she meant. She was like that a lot though so he decided to ignore it.
"Alright." Shen Yuan shoved his phone back into his pocket. "Do you live far from here?"
"I…" The boy squinted at him. "Yes. This one hails from a great distance."
Was that why this poor thing was playing on the street? Was he all alone out here? Far from home? How sad!
"I'm not far. We can call for a DiDi and its only a fifteen minute ride. I have some clothes you can wear while we figure out yours."
"Didi?" The boy frowned.
"Mn," Shen Yuan got to his feet and held his hand out. "I'll pay for it. This is totally my fault after all."
The boy hesitated, then after a moment he put his hand in Shen Yuan's and Shen Yuan pulled him to his feet. Shen Yuan looked up a little startled. This boy was a few centimeters taller than him. He looked so delicate sitting down, and he still did a bit, but instead of a little flower turned towards the sun, he was more like a tall thin stalk of bamboo. He had an almost ethereal sort of elegance. Shen Yuan's heart fluttered and he quickly pulled out his phone to call up their ride.
The boy frowned. "Yuan…Yuan-gongzi?"
Shen Yuan's lips quirked up. "What?"
The boy's frown deepened. "Yuan-xiong?"
Xiong? This boy with that little furrow between his brows…How cute!
"Sorry, I didn't get your name," he said.
"This one is called Shen Jiu."
"Jiu?"
The boy's cheeks flushed and he darted his head away. "It's written like black jade."
"Ah, I see," Shen Yuan said. His phone chimed to say their ride was almost there. Then something else clicked into place, he smiled, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I'm Shen, too. How funny! Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu. It's like we were meant to meet."
…
Shen Yuan pushed open the door of his apartment and then held it open for Shen Jiu.
"There's a guest bathroom but you can use mine instead. And I'll get you some clothes, too. I'll send yours out while you're in the shower."
Shen Jiu turned in place, his gaze tracking around the apartment. His head was held high, lips set into a thin line as he brushed a strand of his long hair behind his shoulder. Shen Yuan didn't really know why, but despite that cold as ice look, he thought the boy seemed uncomfortable. Well of course, that made perfect sense! Shen Yuan was a total stranger. He had to do his best to make sure Shen Jiu felt comfortable!
"Here come on, it's right this way."
He led Shen Jiu into his bedroom, pausing to shuffle through his drawers. Shen Jiu was taller than him, but definitely thinner. He pondered, then pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt Da-ge had gotten for him. For some reason, Shen Yuan didn't think Shen Jiu would appreciate his collection of graphic tees. Then he took Shen Jiu's arm and led him into the bathroom.
"Luckily my little sister takes hair care very seriously! She chooses all my shampoo and conditioner so it definitely wont mess up your pretty hair." He indicated both to Shen Jiu, then flipped the shower on. "Alright, give me your clothes."
Shen Jiu's ears grew pink. "You wish me to undress?"
"Well yeah? I want to make sure to get your clothes cleaned as soon as possible. So the stain doesn't set."
Shen Jiu's shoulders started to climb towards his ears. "But…"
"Are they hard to take off? There are so many layers…" Shen Yuan hummed. "Here, let Yuan-ge help you."
He reached for the dark green sash. Shen Jiu smacked his hand away with a stinging slap.
"You!"he snapped. "I do not need assistance!"
Shen Yuan pulled his hand to his chest. "Then what's the problem?"
"What's? What's the problem?" Shen Jiu stared. "Are you a complete fool?"
"No," Shen Yuan huffed. "Why are you being like this? I'm trying to help you."
"Help me undress?"
"Yes?"
Shen Jiu stared. Shen Yuan stared back. The silence stretched, as the bathroom began to fill with steam. After a few moments Shen Yuan nodded. He thought he understood. Shen Jiu was just shy! He probably didn't have any brothers. Maybe he didn't even have any close friends! The poor thing!
"It's alright," Shen Yuan plastered on a winning smile. "Gege will help you. You don't need to be shy."
Before Shen Jiu could retort. Shen Yuan spun him around and slid the first layer off his shoulders. Shen Jiu squeaked, but Shen Yuan was finding this easier than expected. He pulled off the sash, and then the next robe and the next, turning Shen Jiu this way and that way until he finally got to the bottom layer. He'd just untied the ribbon on the top when Shen Jiu's hands smacked against his chest. His back hit the wall with a thunk.
"You!" Shen Jiu hissed, fingers clutching his last robe together. "To take such liberties as if you were my hus—" He cut himself off, his cheeks going a brilliant shade of red. This look… why did he look like such a bullied maiden! Shen Yuan swallowed, sweat slicking down the back of his neck. He was just hot from the shower. That was definitely it.
He picked up the robes, curling his arms around them.
"I'll… I'll just take these. The towels are under the sink."
Shen Jiu made no move to reply and so Shen Yuan did what any sane self-respecting man would do. He turned and fled out of the room.
While Shen Jiu was showering, Shen Yuan called the concierge and had Shen Jiu's clothes sent away. Then he ordered something for dinner. That boy seemed so formal so Shen Yuan went with his favorite higher end spot and ordered a little of everything. Then he sat down at his table and waited. After a few minutes he got back up and placed an order to his preferred pastry shop, too. Satisfied, he sat down again. His eyes landed on the pipa, left by the door. Shen Jiu had probably been out all day hadn't he? He'd probably want something to drink. Shen Yuan stood up again and made a pot of tea. Then he sat down again.
He was just thinking that Shen Jiu might want more than one option to change into when his bedroom door swung open and Shen Jiu stepped out. The shirt was baggy on him, near falling off one of his bony shoulders, and the pants hung low on his hips. His long hair lay loose across his shoulders and down his back, framing his face, flushed from the steam and hot water. Shen Yuan shivered, feeling somehow both hot and cold at once, an antsy sort of energy running down to the tips of his toes.
"I ordered dinner," Shen Yuan blurted out.
A little furrow cut between Shen Jiu's knife sharp brows. Then he bowed his head. "Thanking Yuan-xiong for his hospitality."
"And tea," Shen Yuan added. "I made tea, too."
For just a moment, Shen Jiu's lips quirked, then his expression smoothed out.
"This humble Shen wonders what has motivated such kindness from a stranger."
"Well I was the one who messed up your evening wasn't I?" Shen Yuan said. He poured a cup of tea for Shen Jiu then did the same for himself.
"Indeed. But many would not have stopped or bothered to fix their mistakes at all." Shen Jiu raised the cup to his lips as elegantly as if he were still wearing his layers upon layers of robes. "Yuan-xiong is unusual in that."
"Well it's what anyone should do," Shen Yuan grumbled. "So what if people are assholes. That's their problem and they should all be reminded of how you act in society."
Shen Jiu's brow furrowed again. He stared at Shen Yuan for a long moment as, then he took a sip and winced. His pretty face contorted. His cup hit the table hard enough to spill tea over the sides. Shen Yuan watched the liquid start to pool under the cup, frowning.
"You don't like tea?" Shen Yuan asked.
"You think I do not like tea?" Shen Jiu repeated. "I do not like tea? Hardly. I think it is you that does not like tea."
"What?"
"Is this what you drink all the time? It is both somehow bitter and without flavor. You have oversteeped it."
Shen Yuan stared, a spark filling his mind. "Hey! This is good tea! I followed the directions on the box and no one has ever complained." Of course really no one ever came over for him to serve tea to but that wasn't the point!
Shen Jiu scoffed. "Then your guests have as poor taste as you do."
"This is good tea!"
Shen Jiu rolled his pale eyes, the long curve of his lashes fluttering. He made a motion towards his other arm as if he were going to pull something from his sleeve then stopped, his cheeks flushing when he hit nothing but air.
He sputtered for a moment before regaining his composure. "If Yuan-xiong insists, then what can this humble Shen do but defer to the master in his own home."
Shen Yuan scowled. Somehow Shen Jiu capitulating but clearly not agreeing was worse than him outright arguing. He stood up and stomped over to the kitchen then stomped back and slammed the box of tea onto the table.
"See. It's good quality!"
Shen Jiu's delicate fingers wrapped around the box as he held it up to inspect it. He turned it one way and then the other, his frown deepening. Then he set it down and opened it, pulling out one of the satchets.
"What is this?"
"Tea?" Shen Yuan cocked a brow.
"Why is it in this… what is this?" Shen Jiu looked genuinely confused, that haughty look fading from his face as he flipped the satchel around and around.
"It's a tea bag. You put it in the cup and then let it steep. Some are really poor quality but I buy from a brand that puts whole leaves in theirs. It's good!"
Shen Jiu lifted the satchet to his nose and took a careful sniff. His nose wrinkled and he shook his head rapidly back and forth.
"No."
"No?"
Shen Jiu shook his head again. Shen Yuan smacked a hand against his head. Since when was someone who busked on the street so prissy. Shen Jiu pushed the tea away with the tips of his fingers, his lips pulling into a pout. The rest of Shen Yuan's anger faded as fast as it had come as his gut curled in a strange warm slide. Ah, this boy was actually pretty cute when he pouted. How was he supposed to stay mad at someone who looked like a little angry kitten when they were upset?
Besides what was he thinking? He was supposed to be a good host! And here he was picking fights. Da-ge and Er-ge always told him to watch his temper but he never managed it.
"We can go out and get more?" Shen Yuan said.
Shen Jiu's pale eyes lifted to him. He didn't answer, just squinted.
"Yuan-ge has not been a very good host. Let's get more," Shen Yuan said. He held out a hand. "Dinner will probably be here by the time we return."
Shen Jiu continued to stare, then his gaze settled somewhere to the side.
"What's wrong?" Shen Yuan asked.
"You wish me to go on an errand in this?" Shen Jiu waved a hand at the sweat pants.
"Yeah? What's the problem?"
Shen Jiu was quiet for a long moment, then finally mumbled. "I feel as if I am barely dressed."
A laugh bubbled out of Shen Yuan. How old was this boy? He couldn't be more than nineteen? Twenty? "You act like a grandpa," Shen Yuan grinned. "Alright one sec." He disappeared into his room then came out with a hoodie and passed it over. "Here, is this better?"
Shen Jiu held it up in front of him, turning it one way then the other. He frowned.
"What is this?"
Shen Yuan's lips quirked up. "It's a hoodie?"
"A hoodie," Shen Jiu repeated one syllable at a time like he'd never said it before.
"What did you only wear hanfu your whole life?" Shen Yuan cocked a brow. "Come here, come here. Gege will help you."
He pulled Shen Jiu to his feet and slipped the hood over the boy's head. The hood hid his long hair and made his face look rounder. His cheeks flushed darker and his lips curved down. Ah! Really cute! Truly like a little kitten. Shen Jiu went to swat him away and got his arms caught in the sleeve. He flailed, his face growing redder.
"Wait, wait, let me help you!" Shen Yuan laughed. They struggled together for a few minutes before Shen Jiu's hands finally popped out of the sleeves. He huffed and puffed and Shen Yuan had to swallow down a laugh before he made this boy mad again. Shen Jiu grumbled something under his breath and pushed the hood off his head. His silky ink black hair was frizzed at the top, puffing up over the flushed red tips of his ears.
"Ridiculous," he said. "Why is it so hard to put on? Who would make something like this?"
Shen Yuan tightened his jaw, really really trying not to laugh. He lifted his hands and stroked them along the top of Shen Jiu's hair, trying to smooth it out. Shen Jiu jolted, his shoulders climbing towards his ears. After a moment Shen Yuan had managed to return his hair to its smooth silky texture.
"There, see gege fixed it, don't be mad."
"I was not mad," Shen Jiu pouted. "You are simply…"
"Simply what?" Shen Yuan cocked his head.
"You are… very familiar for someone whom I have just met."
Shen Yuan snickered. "You are like a grandpa."
Shen Jiu shot a glare at him.
"How old are you anyway?" Shen Yuan looked the boy over, but still couldn't quite figure it out.
"My nominal age is twenty one."
"Nominal?" Shen Yuan couldn't resist, he patted Shen Jiu's head, ruffling his hair. "Alright, Lao Shen. Let's get you some proper tea alright?"
"Lao—" Shen Jiu cut his self off and crossed his arms. "If Yuan-xiong insists."
…
Shen Yuan watched in amazement as Shen Jiu talked rapid fire back and forth with the tea shop owner. Shen Yuan had walked passed this place several times, a tiny little hole in the wall, barely bigger than a closet with shelves of tea canisters up to the ceiling. It had always seemed a little intimidating and he really thought his tea purchases from the local convenience store were good enough.
"You have such refined taste!" The little old lady said from behind the counter. "What a pleasant surprise from such a young man."
Shen Jiu shuffled his feet. He looked taken aback from where's he'd been confident just a moment ago.
"It was thanks to your guidance." Shen Jiu bowed his head. The old woman smiled looking like she wanted to pat him.
"And so polite. Let me wrap these up for you. The total is on the register when you're ready." She disappeared into the back and Shen Jiu peered at the number on the register, long lashes fluttering as he pursed his lips. Then he turned to Shen Yuan.
"Yuan-xiong," he said. "This number, is it jin?"
Shen Yuan blinked then barked a laugh. "So Lao Shen can make a joke." He gave into the urge to ruffle the boy's hair. "It's a lot but don't worry about it. I said I'd treat you didn't I."
Shen Jiu's eyes cut to the side, the tips of his ears turning pink. "As Yuan-xiong says."
"Ge," Shen yuan said.
"What?" Shen Jiu cocked a brow.
"Call me ge, why are you so formal?"
"Is calling you Yuan-xiong not already less formal? Should you not be Shen-gongzi?"
Shen Yuan snorted then ruffled Shen Jiu's hair again. "Lao Shen, come on. Say gege?"
Shen Jiu's lips thinned. "No."
Shen Yuan stepped closer, tugging on Shen Jiu's hoodie. "Just once. I want to see if you even know how."
"I know how," Shen Jiu huffed.
"Then say it."
Shen Jiu glared but it was hard to take him seriously when he seemed like even a small hug might fluster the boy into exploding. It wasn't Shen Yuan's fault! An overly serious boy with a pretty face? Who wouldn't want to tease them just a little?
"No." Shen Jiu leaned back as Shen Yuan leaned forward.
"Then I won't treat you," Shen Yuan shrugged. "How am I supposed to do all of this for a stranger?"
"You!" Shen Jiu glared. Then he darted his head away, nose in the air. Softly, barely loud enough to hear, he said, "Please buy the tea for me...gege"
Shen Yuan swallowed hard as his brain promptly short-circuited. He let out a nervous laugh, trying to think past the sudden rush of heat flooding his body. It was just that, Shen Jiu had that gap moe! Anyone would think this was too cute! And Shen Yuan had always been very weak to cute things.
"Of course, of course, whatever Jiu-er wants." He yanked his phone out and scanned the QR code to pay.
To his side as he clicked through the payment options, just out of his line of sight, Shen Jiu's head tipped. A spark filled his expression and the smallest corner of his lips quirked up. The expression was sharp, like a hawk who had just sighted the mouse it had been searching for.
…
Outside the sky was quickly darkening, covering the moon in deep purple clouds. Shen Yuan checked his weather app and winced. Looked like the storm that was supposed to come tomorrow night was arriving early.
"Jiu-er," Shen Yuan said. Shen Jiu looked over at him. "You said you traveled far. How far?"
Shen Jiu's face went perfectly blank for a long moment, then his eyes slid away. "Mn. Very far. It is not someplace I might return to without great difficulty."
"I see," Shen Yuan said. This poor thing. That was probably why he'd been busking. He wondered how the boy had gotten here. Had he been tricked to coming to the city for some promise of work, maybe as a musician. That happened a lot. Shen Yuan had read about it! Then they'd probably scammed Shen Jiu out of all his money and just dumped him on the street to fend for himself with no way back! And he was so strangely formal, Shen Yuan was sure he must have led some sheltered life somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
"Do you have family you can contact? Where are you staying?"
Shen Jiu sighed. "This one has no family." His eyes flicked up to Shen Yuan. "Ge, in fact, I have no one at all. I only arrived this very morning and so hoped I would be able to procure accommodations before nightfall." His lashes fluttered and he looked down at his clothes. "Of course I was not very successful."
Shen Yuan's gut twisted. So he'd robbed Shen Jiu of any way to find a place to stay too! Who knew being in a rush and an ill timed fall could have caused so much damage. Luckily Shen Yuan could solve this one.
"Just stay with me! I have plenty of room." He nodded sagely. "This is good actually. Yuan-ge knows best about these sorts of things. Someone like Jiu-er is too easy a target for scammers. And with a storm coming, you'll be even more likely to wind up in a bad position. This city is full of people just waiting to take advantage of you and you could get lost! You don't even have a phone. No, no, I should have offered before. You'll stay with me."
Shen Jiu considered him. There was something in his unwavering gaze that made Shen Yuan swallow hard, a strange warmth filtering through his body. Shen Jiu bowed his head. "If Yuan-ge insists."
Shen Yuan sighed. Ah that was a relief! He didn't know what he'd have done if Shen Jiu didn't agree. He couldn't just set the boy loose in the city. Besides Shen yuan had taken his clothes!
He linked their arms together, steering Shen Jiu back towards his apartment. Dinner would probably have arrived by the time they returned. Then he'd of course have to find some clothes for Shen Jiu to wear to bed.
He glanced over. Shen Jiu walked with his head held high, his shoulders straight, long hair fluttering out behind him in the breeze. Even in a hoodie he looked like he'd just come from a formal dinner. But he'd been so uncomfortable putting it on. Shen Yuan frowned.
"You don't like those clothes do you?"
Shen Jiu turned his head. "They are fine. Yuan-ge has already been more than hospitable."
"But I'm right aren't I? You don't like them." Shen Yuan's frown deepened. "And you don't have any bags at all? Nothing to change into?"
"I have a small bag," Shen Jiu said. "With my pipa. But nothing more than a fresh set of inner robes, no."
Well this was something Shen Yuan could handle, too! "My sister had some custom made for her a few months back for some event she went to. They looked very nice. We'll get you some."
Shen Jiu paused, his arm tugging at Shen Yuan's before he sped back up to match their pace again. Shen Yuan peered up at his face but couldn't discern his expression at all.
"If Yuan-ge insists," Shen Jiu hummed, tipping his head to the side. "This humble Shen can only follow."
…
Shen Jiu watched Shen Yuan set up his bed with more than one strangely fluffy blanket. Everything had been strange since he'd been struck by the ghost at the well as he tried to get that brute out of the way and apparently been flung to this world for his trouble. The only things he'd had with him were his pipa, Xiu Ya, and a pair of inner robes. Luckily his qiankun pouch had made the journey with him. It seemed no one carried swords in this place and he'd been able to tuck Xiu Ya away safely away.
He'd had no money with him though, but as he watched all the people in their strange clothes stare at him over and over, he had reverted to what he had done as a child. Luckily this time he had a skill that wasn't crying. The pipa playing was going well.
Until he'd met Shen Yuan that was.
He cocked his head as he watched Shen Yuan put a large cushion on the bed. Then add another. Then he paused. After a moment he added another. Shen Jiu was almost certain his assessment of this man was correct. Shen Yuan was an idiot. That had calmed a lot of Shen Jiu's nerves over being in the man's quarters. He'd almost had to qi blast Shen Yuan earlier when he'd tried to disrobe him.
Still, Shen Jiu knew attraction when he saw it. The only question was did Shen Yuan know he was attracted?
"There," Shen Yuan clapped his hands after a moment. "Sorry that my other bed had no sheets, Jiu-er. I must have forgotten to pick them up after my sister came over last. You don't mind sleeping with gege though do you?"
Shen Yuan's expression was clear, without guile. Truly, could someone be this much of a fool? They had met just that evening and he already wanted to share a bed with Shen Jiu. There could only be two reasons. Shen Yuan was truly and wholeheartedly one of the dumbest men Shen Jiu had ever met. Dumb, but honorable.
Or Shen Yuan wanted to take advantage of him in his sleep.
Well Shen Jiu didn't plan to find out either way. He had other ideas of what to do this evening. For now he would wait for the right moment.
"I do not mind," Shen Jiu said. He lowered his eyes for a moment, then fluttered his lashes as he shot a shy look at Shen Yuan. As expected Shen Yuan's cheeks turned pink and he cleared his throat. Still, even he could predict a reaction, Shen Jiu couldn't tell what this man was thinking. "Yuan-ge doesn't mind does he?"
"No, no! Of course not. I'm just glad you had something to wear," Shen Yuan tittered out a laugh. "I mean I would have given you one of my tshirts. It's just you're so skinny, It would have um…" He paused. His cheeks turned pinker. "Ah, Jiu-er is very cute, he'd be cute in a tshirt, too. But I'm sure you're more comfortable this way."
Strange. Shen Jiu fought to keep his expression even. What a strange man. Somewhere deep, his gut curled, warm, insistent. He ignored it.
Shen Jiu had retrieved his fresh inner robes from his qiankun pouch when they returned, while Shen Yuan was distracted setting up the wide array of food he'd apparently had made for them and delivered directly to his… to his whatever this place was. Apartment. That's the word he'd used.
Shen Yuan abruptly turned around and with stiff arms and legs, clambered into bed.
"The lanterns?" Shen Jiu said, turning to look at the strange shaped object sitting on Shen Yuan's dresser.
"I can control it with my phone," Shen Yuan said. He paused, then his lips quirked up. "Lantern?"
"Is that not—" Shen Jiu stopped. He really did not understand this world and he was not going to look more out of touch than he already did by asking dumb questions. He stepped over to the bed and carefully lifted the layers of smooth sheets, silky but not silk, then slid underneath them, making sure his robe was fastened tightly. He usually wore more than one to bed but he would have to make due. Better than the large t-shirt Shen Yuan had put on and his tiny pants.
Shen Yuan picked up his phone, another bizarre thing that Shen Jiu was just ignoring for now, and after tapping its surface, the lights went out. Flickers filtered from the city beyond the window danced across the walls, leaving the room in a dim shifting light.
Shen Yuan shifted around, his eyes barely visible in the dark. "Are you comfortable?"
Shen Jiu waited to see if the proximity or the night would push him to act on whatever his desires may be.
"Yes," Shen Jiu said. "Your bed is very… it is very soft."
Shen Yuan smiled. "Isn't it? I had it special ordered. My er-ge says that I'll regret that when I'm older and my back betrays me." Shen Yuan shifted a little closer and Shen Jiu's heart sped up. He was ready. His nails bit into the palm of his hand. He swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat. Even if Shen Yuan had been very kind, even if he was a fool, and even if Shen Jiu perhaps thought that Shen Yuan's smile was maybe, just a little nice, he was not going to be taken advantage of.
Shen Yuan reached between them. Shen Jiu tensed. Then Shen Yuan's fingers slid into Shen Jiu's hair, tucking a strand behind his ear. His hand retreated a moment later, resting in the space between their bodies. He neither moved farther nor closer, staying a perfectly respectable distance away.
"Goodnight Jiu-er," he said.
Shen Jiu stared back at him as he tried to figure out what had just happened. Shen Yuan was attracted to him, of that Shen Jiu was certain. But he hadn't… He hadn't done anything… Shen Jiu's heart fluttered, the tips of his ears growing hot. His hands twisted together under the sheets. He paused, wondering how he should answer before the words slipped out.
"Goodnight…gege?"
Shen Yuan blinked, then his eyes curved, his cheeks darkening in the low light.
"Tomorrow," Shen Yuan whispered, his words slow as he started to drift. "If its not raining too hard, I'll take you to my favorite breakfast spot. You'll love it."
Shen Jiu nodded, watching as Shen Yuan's eyes drifted closed and his breaths evened out. Shen Jiu thought about getting up, slipping into Shen Yuan's side room where he'd seen a few ornate boxes that would have to have something worth selling. He paused, unable to move. He could easily sneak out now, take Shen Yuan's things, use them to get enough money to find a way to survive in this world. He was good at that, surviving.
Shen Yuan began to snore softly. Outside a light patter of rain hit the windows. Shen Jiu pulled the covers closer, raising them up to his nose. He wondered what this breakfast he would supposedly love was. Maybe… maybe it would be alright, just for one day, to stay and find out. Just one day.
He watched Shen Yuan sleep for a long time, the thought swirling through his mind that there was always tomorrow. He could always leave tomorrow.