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Luocha wasn’t a stranger to festivities; as a merchant, his daily life involves showing face to different people and laying down his best cards on the table to get what he wants. It’s a hit-and-miss trade, for most that is.
But to Luocha, a master of being one step ahead even from the wisest men in the farther reaches of the galaxy, it’s a 95% guaranteed success. This means there’s a small margin of error, and very rarely does he allow himself to be caught up in anyone’s mess (unless there’s an opportunity to exploit).
Last night falls into the latter category. He has been trapped in the Xianzhou Fleet for quite some time now, and after getting the coffin that has been strapped on his back securely to its destination, he finally gives in to his new friend Su Shang’s peer pressure in attending a banquet hosted by the Cloud Knights.
It's an open market, anyway. As they say, credits flow freely where the wine does.
After emptying some bottles of baijiu and light-hearted bantering, Sushang was nowhere to be found. She probably went with the trailblazer’s group, leaving Luocha to deal with the last few functioning minds in the dining hall and a slightly blurry vision.
“If you’re wondering about something, don’t you think it’s better to ask them outright?” Jing Yuan finally stirs, discerning Luocha with one open eye and a small smile. “Definitely better than you sitting there speechless.”
“Ah, I didn’t intend to be rude, general.” He takes a swig from his cup, not shying away from the man’s firm gaze. “It’s just natural that a man of your stature would demand attention.”
Jing Yuan raises a brow, obviously humored by his response. “Are you trying to pull my leg?”
“Am I?” Luocha leans forward with his head propped in an elbow. A little bit braver, but nothing unusual. “Maybe, maybe not. You ought to know. I assume lots of people do.”
“I do know most of the time. But you’re a hard read since earlier.”
“No need to read me then. In your own words, if you’re wondering about me, then just ask them outright. General .”
Jing Yuan raises his own cup, tipping it slightly in Luocha’s direction. It wasn’t a surprise that the man has taken notice of Luocha’s discreet scrutiny. Despite Jing Yuan appearing to be a mirror-like surface of a calm lake, Luocha just senses the strong undercurrent. One can be indiscriminately swept away when they’re not being careful.
“There are some bottles left. Liquor eases the nerves, no? Maybe I can learn a thing or two from you as much as you’d like to know about me. Only if you can keep your wits about you.”
The merchant nods and lets the rim of their glasses touch, a tiny but pleasant clink punctuating their mutual interest bubbling at the surface.
“Who am I to refuse?”
Indeed it was a fruitful exchange.
Luocha finds out that the rumors floating around weren’t entirely true. Jing Yuan does not like lifting a finger unless absolutely necessary, weeks of paperwork grow in piles on his desk, and he likes sleeping when he’s not weeding out his garden. Correct.
However, the battle-hardened general is rather deliberate in everything that he does, which can be misconstrued by the innate charm that he wears well. Luocha had encountered powerful men like him in the past, and to him, they’re the most dangerous. All the more he has to strike up a bond with him, after all.
Jing Yuan was taken by his small anecdotes from his travels, too. By the time they were on their third and last bottle, Luocha has lost track of how many tidbits of his exploits were shared already, but the glint in his companion's eyes haven't faltered one bit.
“That’s the last of it, I’m afraid.” A single drop of liquor fell to the bottom of his cup. The corners of Jing Yuan’s mouth minutely fell too at the same time. “I would love to keep you company, general, but I’d have to save enough consciousness to walk upright to the inn.”
“Regrettable. It has been a long time since someone went head to head with me while drinking and not keel over.” His expression suddenly changes, golden irises glowing a bit brighter. “Don’t fret about it. You’re a guest I’d love to keep on a strict watch, and my residence is nearby. Spend the night over. It’s a win-win situation.”
The phrase strict watch doesn’t escape a partly sober Luocha. The Luofu is a lively place but it was still under martial law, and anyone who stands out from the crowd would warrant a form of surveillance one way or the other. But Jing Yuan had a point too. He hasn’t done anything suspicious nor he was guilty of anything. Besides, whether it’s for the good or the bad, it wouldn’t be for naught He can surely come up with something to spin this positively for him.
“Lead the way, please.” It takes a good minute for him to fully stand up before can extend a hand to the general. “It’ll be an honor, and we could also use the change of scenery.”
The general’s residence was nothing short of grandiose. It’s a sprawling estate with multiple gardens, but instead of an uptight atmosphere, it feels like a retreat: a place where one could forget the outside world and just listen to the water trickling through the bamboo fountains. Even the guest room he was given was spacious but homey. If Luocha didn’t have to travel for trade, he could see himself settling in such a place.
“Is it up to your standards?”
Luocha shifts his gaze from the carp pond outside to the familiar voice. When he turns, it’s Jing Yuan sans the armor. The man still carries the air of regency around, except it’s more lenient, warmer. There was a slight churn in Luocha’s stomach, and he was sure it wasn’t out of nerves nor withdrawal from the liquor.
“You have fine tastes, but not over the top. Certainly up my alley, general.”
"Is that so? Some of my advisers prefer a more modern look." Jing Yuan steps closer and hands him a small pile of fabrics, traditional satin robes similar in color to what Luocha was wearing. "Change of clothes. It would be unpleasant to retire with the stench of liquor all over. Feel free to use the bath too."
"These aren't bugged, right? I won't mind, but there's nothing to worry about. A hangover when the morning comes is a more pressing concern."
It was a jest, but Loucha won't be surprised if the first part of his statement was true. But then again, a man who allegedly can summon a lord on the battlefield might not consider him as much of a threat at all.
"If they are, then it's a moot point to tell." Jing Yuan chuckles, his velvety baritone echoing in the chamber. "Well, I'd leave you to have a good night's rest. You're in the safest place in the entirety of the Luofu."
"Thank you for being gracious. I hope you have a pleasant sleep too."
Luocha affords to give his companion a small smile; he was genuinely feeling grateful for the hospitality. Jing Yuan inhales deeply before smiling back, but he doesn't step away either. They stay that way for a few moments, and the deadlock is shattered when Luocha speaks again, sensing something simmering in the air between them.
"I'd have to get changed now."
To which Jing Yuan nods. "Of course. I am aware."
Luocha watches the general's expressions as he unhooks his brooch, and then his belt. As soon as the coat slides off his frame and falls to the polished floor, Jing Yuan was so close that Luocha could see how thick his eyelashes actually were.
Tasting the baijiu in the general's mouth was a whole new experience, a road untraveled. Sharing a bath and the bed with him wasn't in Loucha's ledger either, but not entirely unwelcome too.
Daytime comes quickly, and out of habit, Luocha always makes sure to be up and about before the sun is fully up on the horizon no matter what warp zone he was in. Only this time, he was woken up by a slight headache, the soft breaths against his nape, and an arm draped over his naked frame.
Too far?
He didn’t exactly plan to get intimately entangled with Jing Yuan, but he knows it doesn’t bear any weight either. Just two adults who made certain choices and ended up together in bed. At least for him. If Jing Yuan changes his mind and deems their actions to have crossed too many lines, where will he end up then?
Yaoshi be damned.
Luocha carefully maneuvers himself, attempting to get the heavy limb out of his way. No fuss. He can just simply leave a thank you note, and maybe depart for Yaoqing the soonest he can. Technically he will still be in the general’s jurisdiction, but at least he’s far from the epicenter already.
Jing Yuan was making it difficult, however. Despite Luocha’s precautions, the arm only tightened around his waist. He finds Jing Yuan staring down at him as if passing down judgment when he peers over his shoulder but it only lasts for a second. Upon full consciousness, Jing Yuan’s gaze softens once more, and a corner of his lips was turned up ever so slightly.
“You don’t need to escape that way. Besides, even if you do, I have eyes and ears all over the fleet.” He sighs as his hold relaxes. “But if you have some business to attend to, then forgive me for keeping you up all night.”
Luocha turns at the seemingly brazen remark, only to be confronted with the proximity of Jing Yuan’s lips. He can’t help but be reminded of where that pair was— all over him . The marks they left still stung, and yet the culprit was just lying carefreely with his messy mane and piercing gaze. This is the same man who made his toes curl, made him tremble shamelessly in pleasure. Loucha couldn’t pinpoint what it is, but it lights up something in him.
“You aren’t troubled at all.” He says matter-of-factly, fingers prodding the crisscrossing scars in Jing Yuan’s chest unconsciously.
“Why would I be? I was under the impression we both had an enjoyable excursion. But if you’re referring to the unapproved requests in my office, then yes.”
Luocha prods him again for emphasis. “That’s not what I mean, general. You know what I’m referring to.”
The whole notion of the Cloud Knight’s leader spending a night with an outlander might not be too scandalous as it should be, but it wouldn’t help Jing Yuan either. The fact that he was following the path of Yaoshi yet he slept with one of Lan’s charioteers was another thing to unpack altogether.
Maybe this just happens too frequently to be bothered. A man of Jing Yuan’s stature puts him in a position wherein he could get whatever and whoever he wants, although he doesn’t really be a character to take advantage of others.
Whatever the case is, Loucha’s train of thought was interrupted when Jing Yuan nuzzles the side of his neck. The hot breath fires off Luocha’s synapses especially when the general murmurs against his skin.
“It’s still too early. Headache. If you’re not going, then please stay still. I’m not exactly a morning person either.”
He tries to run through his options in his head; the budding migraine makes him want to just lay in bed until the afternoon comes. Luocha’s quick on his toes but this time, the benefits seem to outweigh the apparent repercussions.
He can consider this as another transaction. It’s the wisest thing to do. Nothing too dramatic. Good old crossing of paths for the books. Maybe.
“You’re in luck, general. I have the perfect cure for hangovers.”
It doesn’t take long before the general dozes off again, lips pressed against the merchant’s skin. Luocha’s fingers get lost in Jing Yuan’s hair as he holds him closer, too.