"You did all of this to him?" Dr.Jingji glared at Jinse who was leaning against the wall ever so casually. Yushi had shrugged his robes off and revealed a mixture of small scratches and bruises all over but an especially dark bruise blossomed across his shoulder where Jinse had forced Yushi to the ground.
"It could be worse," Jinse shrugged with a smirk, but he dared not look the doctor in the eye.
"I think this is the first time since training under Master Zan that I've actually felt sore," Yushi closed his eyes briefly, he dared not do so for too long lest he fall asleep once more. Even if Xueye was still asleep upstairs, he felt the effects of that calming aura the moment he stepped into the shop.
"I have that effect on people," Jinse teased. "It's usually a different manner though."
"You're shameless," Yushi rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Aside from all this, how do you feel?" Dr.Jingji asked. "It's raining, yet you seem more lively than usual."
"I'm tired, but it's more because of the lack of sleep," Yushi looked down at his palm. "I don't feel as restless now that I'm here. None of the usual issues at all really."
"Hmm, almost like appeasing those pesky instincts helped a bit, huh?" Jinse jabbed.
"What about getting tossed around by you all night speaks to my instincts?" Yushi shook his head.
"You tell me?" Jinse raised a brow with a coy smirk on his face.
"Stop trying to get on my nerves and just explain it," Yushi glared at him. His eyes were looking especially more serpentine. The narrow pupils intensified that glare, for once Jinse did feel a little intimidated.
"Sorry, you make it so easy that I can't help it sometimes," Jinse shrugged it off. "You haven't had a worthy opponent in a while, right? To a degree you scratched the itch to hunt even if it wasn't the most successful in the proper sense. If you let that urge get out of hand, well, it's not unlike what you experienced this morning. For now, sparing with me should do the trick. Honestly I feel like it helped take the edge off for me more than I expected as well."
"That makes sense…" Dr.Jingji placed a hand on his chin as he started to digest the information. "I never considered nearly as much the internal aspect of it. Even for humans, suppressing oneself entirely can take a toll on the mind. If you don't have a place to be yourself it can be disastrous both mentally and physically. You've spent so long trying to suppress it when you needed to give into it, even if just a little."
"In moderation it will help you keep your wits," Jinse waved his finger. "For now, use me when the need arises. You'll figure out other ways to take the edge off in the future. Reminds me, I need to ask Maque about the barrier he used." Jinse shoved off the wall, "When Xueye wakes up tell him I'll stop by later. It's a relief knowing he's been resting well enough to sleep in for once."
"Indeed," Dr.Jingji nodded. "Thankfully, that charm did the trick. Please thank Maque for me. If it weren't for him, I don't know what I could have even done."
"You are doing plenty for Xueye now, just as you always have," Jinse reassured. "But don't worry, I'll tell him. He's very into all the praise and gratitude. Try not to miss me too much," Jinse waved as he stepped out.
"That guy…" Yushi shook his head.
"Sir…" Dr.Jingji drew Yushi's attention. The doctor's expression was quite worried as his attention was focused on the dark bruising on his shoulder.
"I'm fine, they look worse than they are," Yushi smiled, trying to reassure him even if Yushi knew it wouldn't help much.
"Even this one?" Dr.Jingji softly poked the one on Yushi's shoulder and received a wince in response. "That's what I thought." Dr.Jingji sighed and went to grab a balm to help relieve the pain and promote healing. He started carefully applying it to the worst of the bruising. "Seeing you in this shape makes me even more hesitant to leave."
"This much can be taken care of by the palace physicians," Yushi was already starting to feel some relief. "We have been getting by without you long enough by now."
"Even so, I'm going to worry," Dr.Jingji huffed. "What happens when he pushes you past your limit again?"
"He'll stop me, just as he did today," Yushi stated with a dismal expression. Yushi knew instantly it was Jinse the moment he regained control of himself. There was no way that the other half of him didn't know. Yet it was enough of a pause that Yushi could snap back to the surface of the torrential waters once more.
Even now, having left to ensure he had the means to make a barrier to contain him while Maque was away, Jinse's intentions were clear. He wasn't going to let Yushi hurt anyone but him. That also worried him. How would Xueye look at Yushi in the off chance Yushi killed Jinse? Fear? Hatred? Yushi couldn't bear that thought.
Now a part of him wanted the doctor to stay in case anything like that went horribly wrong. However, even if Maque was quite knowledgeable about the situation Yushi still felt more comfortable letting the doctor go with the one he cared about most. Yushi would just have to learn to value Jinse just enough that the dragon didn't want to kill him. Despite annoying the hell out of him, Jinse was already proving himself far more trustworthy than he ever expected, which was certainly a step in the right direction.
"I think you should go, if that's what you were leaning towards," Yushi smiled tenderly. "I know it would put my mind at ease if you did."
"Just be careful," Dr.Jingji started applying bandages to keep the balm from getting on anything. "If I come back and something happened that needed my expertise specifically I will be quite cross with you."
"I promise all will be well," Yushi chuckled.
"Given your current state, can you blame me for doubting you?" Dr.Jingji pinched his brow. "At least let these fade before you go getting more. I'll make you more of this before I go. It's one that Lingyao knows how to make as well so if for some reason you run out you can request that she make more."
Yushi heard someone shuffling upstairs. He glanced behind the doctor and to the stairs and nodded in its direction. Dr.Jingji understood and fortunately they hadn't been speaking much on Yushi's identity in any detail since Jinse left. He had been hoping Yushi would notice when either of the young men upstairs woke up.
The slow shuffling reached the stairs relatively quickly despite his drowsy state. Yushi already knew it was Xueye after having noticed the way he dragged his feet around the Crystal Estate upon first waking. He couldn't help but smile.
"Doctor?" Xueye called out, his voice a little gravely compared to his usual melodious and soft tone.
"I'll be right up, Xueye. Take it easy, okay?" The doctor responded and leveled an expectant look to Yushi, which was completely ignored as Yushi's eyes were glued to the stairwell. Dr.Jingji shook his head and gently patted his arm. "Your robes," he whispered, snapping him out of it.
"Right," Yushi couldn't help but shake his head as he reached for his robes and winced a little at the movement. The doctor reached out to help him at least shrug on his inner robe.
"What happened?" Xueye stood there eyes wide, seeing Yushi all bandaged up and catching a glimpse of what few light bruises weren't covered up. "Are you all right?" Xueye rushed over the remaining gap. He held out his hand but then retracted, almost afraid to touch Yushi in fear of causing him pain.
"I was going to ask you that," Yushi reached out and took his hand. The last remaining tension left Yushi's body upon feeling the warmth of Xueye's skin. "Don't worry about this. Just a little sparring that went a little overboard. It's just bruising."
"So you admit it was over kill," Dr.Jingji raised a brow.
"I never said it wasn't," Yushi closed his eyes. Being this close to Xueye the exhaustion really was settling in. He could fall asleep sitting on the edge of the table. "All things considered, I strangely enjoyed it. I haven't had anyone match me in a long while."
"You can do it without the bruising," Dr.Jingji rolled his eyes and walked off in a huff. "Help him out if he needs it, Xueye. I'll go prepare breakfast."
"Oh, s-sure!" Xueye snapped out of his daze upon hearing his name. He glanced back at Yushi who smirked at him. He knew full well that Xueye was staring and not just out of concern. "W-What?"
"Nothing," Yushi let out a little breathy laugh. "Are you feeling warm enough this morning?"
"I am plenty warm," Xueye nodded quickly, trying to look away but Yushi caught his chin. Xueye tensed and he refused to look. That hand gently moved up along Xueye's jaw to run along his cheek that was definitely very flushed by now.
"You sure are," Yushi hummed delightedly and all too soon for Xueye was that touch gone. He closed up his inner robe the rest of the way, rather than leaving it hanging open, even if Xueye's attention on his body filled Yushi with a sense of pride. Even though the bandages mostly covered the dragon shaped birthmark on his chest, he couldn't risk Xueye noticing the bit that did peek out. It was the biggest giveaway for his true identity as it was what fueled the legitimacy to his claim to the throne, so it was well known in the empire. "Did you sleep well?"
"Very," Xueye nodded with a smile. "Seems that charm Maque gave me worked. I feel so much better." Xueye yawned and stretched, "Just a bit tired still."
"Be sure to not push yourself today," Yushi started pulling on his outer robe but couldn't contain the slight wince. Jinse really did a number on his shoulder to keep him in place and Yushi suspected he was still holding back.
"You're one to talk," Xueye reached out and helped him pull it over his shoulders. It was such a simple gesture but Xueye doing it made Yushi's heart sing.
"I'll be better in no time," Yushi held out the belt for Xueye to help him with. He wanted to feel that euphoric emotion once more. Xueye smiled sweetly and took it from him. Yushi held his arms out, though the one on the more bruised shoulder he couldn't raise as high. The briefest of contact in fleeting moments was lighting a fire in Yushi. He wanted this young man so badly, he had to bite his tongue in order to keep that a secret.
Even over all the medicinal herbs, Yushi could pick up the soft scent of Xueye's hair. It was always a gentle floral scent that Yushi would always associate with Xueye. It was difficult to not bury his nose into those soft white locks and take a deep breath. Then again, considering he wouldn't get to see him for a while, what was the harm in indulging a little?
So, when Xueye finished securing Yushi's belt into place, Yushi wrapped his arms around Xueye before he could step back. The embrace took Xueye by surprise but he melted into it all the same, wrapping his arms around Yushi gently.
"I'll miss you too," Xueye whispered into Yushi's chest.
"I wish there was a better solution here for you," Yushi sighed softly. He was truly savoring that soft scent that was filling his lungs. "Even better, I wish I could come with you…"
"It's okay. I told you that already," Xueye felt a little disappointed as well but he suspected Yushi wouldn't be able to in the end even if he could bring himself to ask.
"I'm sending Luoshi with you at least," Yushi admitted in a gentle yet firm tone. Enough that Xueye could tell there was no point in arguing against it. "We trained together as kids, so he'll protect you in my stead."
"We'll be traveling by ship, surely it won't have to resort to that," Xueye chuckled softly. "I appreciate it all the same. In truth, the idea of returning alone is what had me so wary at first, aside from my father's reaction to the news."
"How soon do you want to leave?" Yushi was hesitant to ask, he really didn't want to part with him.
"I'm not sure just yet…" Xueye was feeling similarly. "I feel fine now but I know you told Dr.Jingji that I should go sooner rather than later."
"I just worry. Given what happened after speaking with your father, it became clear distress had been triggering it." Yushi let out a breath, "As much as I'd prefer to have you around a while longer, didn't you want to visit Vual again?"
"That was before I had people in my life that I don't want to leave," Xueye smiled up at Yushi.
"You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that," Yushi's eyes softened, his affection shining through.
"Well you have affected me greatly," Xueye giggled. "I know you have some responsibilities beyond even what I'm aware of, but, I have to admit it would have been nice to have you with me."
"I so desperately wish I could," Yushi whispered almost brokenly as he caressed Xueye's cheek once more. He was gently stroking back and forth with his thumb. He hated that he didn't have the freedom to take care of Xueye entirely. "I hope one day I can take care of you the way I want to."
"Shujing, you'll give someone the wrong impression if you say that," Xueye flushed rather quickly. His eyes wandered away, unable to keep looking at the loving gaze that made him feel so hopeful for something more. Parting would just be that much more difficult if he caved. In any case, he still wasn't sure he was ready to admit it to him. Even so, the thought of being taken care of by Shujing just like when they were at the Crystal Estate filled Xueye with warmth. While normally Xueye was used to being independent and rarely accepted help, Yushi just made it feel so natural to want to be taken care of.
"I'll get you to believe I'm serious one day," Yushi laughed, placing a hand on top of Xueye's head.
"You sound just like Jinse," Xueye closed his eyes and huffed.
"I'm starting to understand why you two have such unresolved feelings," Yushi raised a brow. "Do me a favor and lose your denial in Vual."
"What? I'm not-!" Xueye stopped when Yushi smirked with an arched brow. He looked away in a pout.
"You are just making my point," Yushi chuckled softly. "It's okay, I can wait. When you are ready to face the truth in my words, just know, your happiness is what I cherish most."
"You really are just trying to make sure I'm warm today, huh?" Xueye placed his hands over his rosy cheeks with a childish pout.
"So glad it's helping," Yushi couldn't help but find the sight adorable. Xueye looked like he was about to escape back upstairs but he grabbed Xueye's wrist to stop him. "Not so fast. I brought you something." Yushi gestured to a small box on the table. He'd thought to pick it up on the way over. At the very least he needed to sate the little craving to spoil Xueye a bit more before the young man had to depart for an unknown amount of time. It also seemed fitting since Xueye didn't exactly prepare anything to stay elsewhere for the night.
Xueye eyed the box carefully, a hint of curiosity but also hesitation. He'd yet to repay Yushi for his kindness and all the other gifts he'd received. Xueye looked up at Yushi with a slight pout, "I still haven't gotten you anything and here you are giving me another."
"And I'll keep doing it until you don't feel the need to repay me," Yushi chuckled. "I know in Meihua it's customary to repay the kindness you are shown, but you aren't one for the old customs, right?"
"I still…" Xueye huffed, trying to tamper the faint bitterness welling up. "There's very few I actually want to do it for. Normally it's just something small I don't put much thought into so I don't give the wrong idea to those more traditional. It's less hassle if father finds out. You are different. I actually want to give you something in return. You and I, everything is supposed to be fair trade, right? You still haven't told me something you want in return for your assistance either. Don't think I've forgotten!"
"I know what I want," Yushi leaned in closely, gently tilting Xueye's chin up so he would look him in the eye. "You aren't ready to give it."
"How do you know?" Xueye scowled defiantly.
"Ask me again when you return, maybe, and I mean maybe, I'll tell you," Yushi stepped aside and pushed the box closer to Xueye. "Until then you have to accept my gifts. It's non-negotiable."
"I'm going to pay you back…" Xueye grumbled, placing a hand on the box. It was short and rectangular with a lacquered, decorative paper. Xueye recognized the logo on top as one of the local stores he worked with. So he had an idea of what was inside, even so, lifting the lid he hadn't expected at all the quality of the garment on top. Xueye slapped the lid closed and his glare towards Yushi intensified once more. "Shujing!"
"You know you are kinda cute when you are upset with me over something so trivial," Yushi was trying his best to stifle a laugh trying to creep out.
"You call three million trivial?!" Xueye scoffed. He had to sit in one of the chairs near the table. "That is a Fire Wolf Mantle! We supplied Hua-bei Tailor Shop with the fire weave for those." Fire weave was made from a rare divine beast's fur and woven into fabric. It emanated a warmth greater than that of a regular animal fur, ensuring the wearer shouldn't ever be cold even in the harshest of snows in Vual. Not many of the fire wolves appeared and when they did they were rarely amenable to brushing. They were usually vicious, so they were often killed for their pelts. So it was a very expensive commodity Xueye was never certain it would sell when they received a bundle, nor was he sure how his father got his hands on some. "They aren't just something anyone can buy!"
"I'm not just anyone," Yushi crossed his arms with a wide smirk. "Honestly that wasn't why I stopped there. There are some clothes for you to wear beneath it, but considering your current plight and where you are heading, I had to get it for you the moment I saw it."
"This isn't something I can easily repay you for," Xueye grumbled into his hands as he covered his face. "It's not like the company's money is mine. This is too much. I can't accept this."
"Snowdrop," Yushi knelt and pulled his hands away from his face. Xueye just stared at him in utter disbelief. "There you are."
"Shujing…" Xueye whined pathetically. How could he be so weak for such a bold man? "I'll never be able to give you anything in return for this…"
"You will," Yushi smiled warmly. So much affection burning behind those narrow amber eyes. It was a fire that Xueye felt would turn him to ash, he couldn't look at it any longer. "As I said you aren't ready to give what I wish to ask for just yet. I have faith you will be one day. Maybe it's after you return or maybe it's years in the future. I will tell you what I want one day, but at the very least it's not until you return."
"Why not now?" Xueye pouted. "I don't get it!"
"I think you do," Yushi tilted his head. "If you were ready to pay my price, you wouldn't have looked away."
"I just-!" Xueye was interrupted when Yushi put his finger to his lips to silence him.
"No need for excuses," Yushi brought that same finger to his own lips just briefly, enjoying how red Xueye was getting over the most fleeting of indirect kisses. Yushi then put his hand on the box. "If you are going to pay me back one day, I need you to make it back safe and sound. Consider it an investment, since you are so fond of making everything between us a transaction."
"It's not like that… I'm just used to everyone wanting something in return, it's weird to me that you don't. You can try to fool me but I know you don't want anything at all, you're just deflecting…" Xueye mumbled grumpily as he snatched up the box and started storming upstairs.
"That's not entirely true," Yushi voiced softly with a fond smile once Xueye was out of sight. He pressed the finger that touched Xueye's lips to his own once more, savoring the lingering warmth. Quietly thinking of his greatest desire so Xueye didn't overhear his musings, I want your heart.