Chapter Text
As he falls through the air, Jing Yuan is thankful that he could at least save Xianzhou one last time, taking Phantylia down with him.
It is an honorable death, better than succumbing to mara and…is there even anything left for him here?
Dan Heng is not Dan Feng.
Yingxing, Ren did not even look back once as he walked away.
He is sorry to leave Yanqing and Fu Xuan so early, but he has long ensured they have sufficient support.
Someone catches him in their warm embrace as his vision fades out, their frantic shouts muffled as if he is underwater. He feels the soothing coolness of Dan Feng, no, Dan Heng’s healing but it is already too late. Strangely, he feels a scarred palm in his own.
He wishes he could see them, his old friends, his first loves, one last time.
But he cannot meet them, even in death.
~
Jing Yuan checks his appearance in the mirror for the third time, straightening a collar that does not need straightening, combing through his hair that already falls pristinely over his shoulders.
He is going to see Yingxing today.
After the battle with Phantylia he had woken up in the large maple tree at the Alchemy Commission Healer’s Market with only the clothes on his back.
Several hundred years in the past, before the High-Cloud Quintet had even formed.
Ren is still Yingxing. Dan Feng is alive. And Jing Yuan...does not exist.
He had slipped into the Realm-Keeping Commission to confirm but could not find the birth and death certificates or any other records of himself or his parents. Strange, but convenient.
The first thing he had wanted to do was run to Yingxing and Dan Feng to see them with his own eyes. He had managed a glimpse of Yingxing from afar, but Dan Feng is the revered High Elder of the Vidyadharas and does not often leave their complex. It is not beyond his ability to sneak in unseen, but he had not wanted to risk it without knowledge of Dan Feng’s current situation and standing. He had settled for gathering news and rumors on the streets about their Yinyue-jun.
Those first few weeks had been rough as he forged his identity as a visiting Outlander. With no credentials and no one to vouch for him, applying for a position in the Cloud Knights was impossible and even if he could have joined, he would not have done so. As an omega in an alpha dominated profession he would not have been able to avoid conflict and he did not want to risk Jingliu’s suspicion if she recognized the bladework she had taught him.
In the past, his ‘first life’ as he now deems it, he had concealed his secondary gender as an omega with suppressants and scent blockers in order to enter the Cloud Knights and rise within their ranks. Xianzhou’s prejudice against omegas being in the military has always existed and had not waned by the time he had...passed.
This second chance, this second life, he does not want to live with anymore regrets. He is not ashamed of being an omega, so he will not hide. He does not have his glaive, but his fists are more than sufficient to deter any unwanted advances. And if he has the occasional daydream about the two strongest and most beautiful alphas he has ever met well, a man is allowed to dream.
After much job searching he had found a position as a lowly paper shuffler, ironically in the Seat of Divine Foresight and has a cramped but serviceable apartment in the Central Starskiff Haven. Armed with an identity and respectably employed, he is now ready to reintroduce himself to his old friends. Meeting Dan Feng remains a dilemma, but Yingxing...he can see Yingxing.
~
The first thing he sees when he walks into the shop is a Xianzhou native ranting at Yingxing for a “defective” product. Two minutes in, he gets the picture. Some fool who did not read the instruction manual explicitly stating the tool was not to be used in water and is now demanding compensation while hurling verbal abuse about Yingxing’s character and competence.
Yingxing’s expression is stony as he explains, probably not for the first time why he will not accept the return. Yingxing has never suffered fools.
Jing Yuan takes in that beloved visage for a second before he turns his attention to this human refuse. An alpha, he notes. When the man points at Yingxing, still yelling vitriol and shoves his finger into his chest he decides that enough is enough.
“Blaming someone else for your own faults. Do you not know shame?”
“Are you deaf? I’ve just been saying—this man is selling defective products! Take my advice, don’t buy any of this Outlander’s shoddy wares. His worksmanship is clearly abysmal.”
“The Aeons gave you eyes to see and ears to hear. A shame they neglected to give you two brain cells to rub together. You only need to take one look around this shop to see the quality of Yingxing xiansheng’s craftsmanship.”
Jing Yuan puts on a placid smile and ambles towards the man. With his height and build, it is not difficult to look intimidating just by drawing himself to his full height. “Yingxing xiansheng has made it clear why he will not be giving you a refund for your mishandling of the item. If you have no further business with him, then I kindly ask this gentleman to leave.”
“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? Stay out of it!” The man snarls aggressively, but swallows as he comes near. His tone changes when Jing Yuan is within five feet of him, throwing his head back and laughing raucously. “You’re an omega. You think you can scare me? What can you even do?” The alpha sneers, “Kneel down and apologize for your disrespect, omega.” The words are delivered with the violent shove of an alpha’s command behind it, to force his submission.
It is beyond rude. Doing something like this is assault, but tragically common when out of the public eye.
Yingxing jerks forward, alarmed but is brought to a halt, eyes wide when the alpha’s command does not even slow Jing Yuan’s steps or strain his light smile, much less bring him to his knees.
Yingxing’s surprise is not unwarranted. This alpha’s pressure is indeed respectable—perhaps even a willful beta would have been pressed down. But Jing Yuan has been shrugging off the influence of alphas for centuries—from the worst of the criminals to the most authoritative commanders.
There are only two alphas who have ever made him falter; one of them is the man he came to see.
Jing Yuan plucks a metal cylinder from the scrap box Yingxing keeps at the back of a shelf as he passes by.
“Such a narrow view of the secondary gender. This gentleman, perhaps you have never left Xianzhou? The galaxy is wide, you should broaden your horizons a little.” His tone is deliberately condescending.
He holds the man’s gaze and incrementally crushes the metal cylinder in one hand, infused with some of Lightning Lord’s power. The man’s face pales at the show of inhuman strength. He stumbles back a step as Jing Yuan approaches, unaffected by the alpha’s suppression.
“What kind of omega—you’re a freak. I should have known someone who frequents such a vulgar store would be just as much of a crass barbarian as its owner,” the man continues to bluster with false bravado.
Insulting Yingxing in his own domain like this. Even Jing Yuan’s composure, tempered by centuries, has its limits.
Jing Yuan memorizes this man’s features as he looms over him, leaning in close. “Shut your mouth. The only reason I have not thrown you out the door and given you a sound thrashing is because I do not wish to show such poor manners in front of Yingxing xiansheng. Kind sir, I suggest you leave before I lose the last of my patience.”
Jing Yuan lets some of his anger leak into his smile and tone as he lets the metal—now crumpled into a small ball—drop from his hand. The man jerks back a step, and another, as the metal clanks against the floor.
“I’ll remember this. You’ll get what’s coming to you sooner or later with that attitude, omega.”
Still not shutting up as he backs out the door.
Alphas like this are the cause of their secondary gender’s stereotype.
Yingxing’s deep, pleasant voice draws his attention. “I appreciate your good intentions, but there was no need to escalate the situation. I had it well in hand.”
Now that his head has cooled, he does feel somewhat sheepish, grandstanding like some adolescent in front of Yingxing.
“I know you did Yingxing xiansheng. I didn’t mean to lose my temper and act so immaturely. I apologize for my unwanted interference in your matters.”
Yingxing is thrown off balance by his show of repentance and prompt apology. He clears his throat. “I have never seen you in my store, yet you defended me so adamantly. Have we met?”
“I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, but I have seen several of Yingxing xiansheng’s works and they were all beyond extraordinary. I came in hopes of meeting their talented creator.”
Yingxing is unimpressed, arms folded. “If there is something you want from me, doing this will not make me more amenable. You would do better to just ask.”
Blunt as always.
“I would not dare to scheme against Yingxing xiansheng in such a way.”
Yingxing is wary of him; his bold actions had only engendered suspicion without a hint of goodwill.
For Yingxing, when in doubt...
Jing Yuan lets out an exaggerated sigh, “Since Yingxing xiansheng is so persistent in questioning my intentions I can only tell the truth—I threatened that man for Yingxing xiansheng because I’ve always wanted to rescue a beauty.”
Yingxing splutters, “You—You—What are you saying?!”
He catches Jing Yuan’s mischievous grin and pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. “...How old are you to be acting like this. Forget it. Come over here, let me see your hand.”
Jing Yuan goes over and hops onto the counter in front of him, obediently holding out his hand.
Yingxing frowns down at the gash where the metal had cut his palm. There is mottled bruising around it from the force he had used.
“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to tease an old man.”
Yingxing, Yingxing, too easy.
“Beauty has no age because any age is beautiful,” he returns, voice saccharine.
And anyways, Yingxing is middle aged.
The hand holding his own spasms. “If you’re going to flirt so atrociously, you should at least give me your name.”
...He forgot that Yingxing does not even know his name here.
“Apologies for my rudeness, it slipped my mind. My name is Jing Yuan. I recently arrived here and have been working in the Seat of Divine Foresight as a glorious paper pusher.”
“Jing Yuan.” Yingxing says slowly as if testing the feel of his name in his mouth.
Standing this close, hearing Yingxing say his name...it takes all his willpower to not to pull him into his arms.
He has missed this man so much.
Yingxing takes out a first aid kit from one of the drawers.
“Jing Yuan, if I had wanted to I am more than capable of throwing that man out myself. Did you consider that acting as you did would spread rumors? A business’s reputation is of paramount importance.”
He has even missed Yingxing’s scolding and has to lower his lids to hide the fondness in his gaze. “A man with so much unjustified pride wouldn’t risk it. He would be too fearful of someone finding out he ran from an omega. I’m sure Yingxing xiansheng has also thought of this.”
Yingxing pauses in the middle of bandaging his hand. “Do you often use your omega status like this?”
Jing Yuan tilts his head inquisitively. “Like this?”
Ah, it is just like Yingxing to fret over a stranger even when Jing Yuan patently does not need anyone’s protection. Coming from someone else it would be patronizing, but from Yingxing it is only sincere concern—the treatment of ‘deviant’ omegas in Xianzhou can be dreadful.
If anyone else had heard this though; their first thought would be that Yingxing is talking about using seduction, even as mistaken as it would be in this context, since that is all omegas are ‘capable’ of.
“No, I don’t mean—anything like—not like that.“ Yingxing stammers, flustered when he realizes how suggestive his question sounds.
Jing Yuan chuckles. “It’s alright Yingxing xiansheng. I know what you mean. The truth is that I only recently revealed my secondary gender; before I had always used suppressants and scent blockers. So the answer is no, I have not. My designation is not something I would use lightly, for convenience; but if I felt it necessary I would not hesitate to do so. Does that make me unscrupulous in Yingxing xiansheng’s eyes?”
Yingxing is looking at him thoughtfully. He seems to have forgotten he has finished dressing Jing Yuan’s hand and is absently holding onto it. Jing Yuan won’t be the one to remind him.
“No. Just practical. You don’t need to be so formal with me—just call me Yingxing. You really came here just to look around the shop?”
“I did.”
“Hm. Was there anything in particular you were looking for?”
Jing Yuan chuckles ruefully. “I am embarrassed to say I can only window shop. I, ah, had an unfortunate accident where I lost all my belongings so my finances are not what they once were.”
“You are free to look around. Though I did not need your help, I do appreciate your efforts. I’ll give you a twenty percent discount on the first item you buy, whenever that happens.”
To be so close to Yingxing with less than a foot between them, yet their hearts are so distant. Perhaps he is being too reckless, but he yearns.
If he could have one small thing.
“Could I trade that discount for something else?”
Yingxing gives him a bewildered look. “Something else?”
“Can I call you…Yingxing gege?” He can feel the flush in his cheeks.
When was the last time he had blushed? A century ago?
Yingxing is gobsmacked, jaw hanging open.
Jing Yuan is torn between heartache and hilarity. Was Yingxing always this easy to tease at this age?
“If it displeases you, then please pretend I didn’t ask.”
“You—Why—Am I even older than you? And I’m too old to be called someone’s gege.”
“Then...I can’t?” He looks at Yingxing with a doleful, pleading gaze. He has not used this since back then and he does not know if would work with his older face, but needs must.
Yingxing’s face goes through some odd contortions before he drops his forehead into his hand in defeat. “Just—do what you want.”
The smile on Jing Yuan’s face is wide and genuine, crinkling the corners of his eyes when he warmly calls him. “Yingxing gege”.
Yingxing looks at him for a long moment. His throat works and he stands abruptly, “...Let me know if you have any questions.” He walks away to fiddle with something on the far side of the counter.
His ears are red.
Too cute.
~
He becomes a regular visitor (nuisance) at Yingxing’s store. The curios on the shelves really are intriguing and Yingxing is always happy to talk about them when he asks, not caring that Jing Yuan never purchases a single one.
After a few weeks, Yingxing lays down his vigilance towards him and will accompany him to chat once in awhile, tolerating his “appalling” flirting with great exasperation. He sometimes thinks that Yingxing looks at him with desire but this alpha is one of the few people he has never been able to read well when it comes to his true feelings.
Most alphas’ and omegas’ emotions are exposed in their scent, but both Yingxing and Dan Feng have always stringently restrained their natures. Their dominance is so overwhelming that most betas and omegas would be compelled to do their bidding unintentionally if they did not tightly control it.
Regardless, it is enough for Jing Yuan that he can see Yingxing, alive and well.
~
One day, he walks into the shop when it is near closing hours to find it empty. He goes straight to the door in the back that leads to the forge. Sure enough it is cracked open, the rhythmic ringing of metal on metal coming through.
Yingxing tends to be oblivious of his surroundings when caught up in his craft, but remains alert to strangers. Jing Yuan is curious to see whether Yingxing still considers him a stranger or...something like a friend now.
He slips into the room.
Yingxing looks to be forging a weapon, hammering away at the smoldering metal. He does not turn when Jing Yuan comes in and he allows himself a small smile. At least a “close acquaintance” then, someone he is willing to leave his back open to.
And a very nice back it is to look at. Yingxing is shirtless only wearing a pair of trousers and his blacksmith’s apron. Jing Yuan watches the ripple of his muscles as he works. The heat of the forge—temperature slightly higher than comfortable—is soothing in its familiarity.
After some time, Yingxing moves on to work on the more delicate elements—the engraving and gilding. When Yingxing reaches behind him, feeling blindly for a tool, Jing Yuan locates the one he needs and places it in his hand.
Yingxing was the one who taught him which tools he would need for each task. ‘You might as well make yourself useful if you’re going to dally here,’ he had grumbled.
With Yingxing so absorbed in his work, Jing Yuan is free to look as much as he likes without having to worry about seeming like a lech. Sitting here, watching Yingxing and lending this small helping hand with his craft, it is the most cozy and content he has felt since arriving in the past.
No...since even before that.
The sun has set by the time Yingxing rouses from his trance-like state, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his forearm. He turns—and freezes in shock when he sees Jing Yuan.
...more than a close acquaintance then, if he had not even noted Jing Yuan’s presence. Is he allowed to hope?
“Jing Yuan? What are you doing here?” Yingxing sweeps his stunned gaze over the neatly organized tools on his worktable and then looks at the one still clutched in his hand. “You even have knowledge about the crafting trade?”
Jing Yuan has refused to lie to Yingxing in their talks, even if his broad knowledge and contrastingly low position of employment make him look suspicious.
“I found Yingxing gege’s shop empty, so I was worried and looked around for you—I locked the shopfront door by the way. I saw the back door cracked open and called you, but you didn’t seem to hear me. I didn’t want to interrupt your work, so I was content to wait. As for crafting...it is just some superficial knowledge.”
When speaking with Yingxing, he has a way of looking at someone that makes one feel special, worthy of his full attention.
“Superficial knowledge is it?” Those crimson eyes are sharp and pensive on Jing Yuan.
It is dangerous, being so truthful, because Yingxing is observant and far too clever but Jing Yuan does not regret it. Yingxing places great value on honesty and Jing Yuan does not wish to deceive him. He will not tell untruths to soften his strangeness, even to win Yingxing’s favor.
This is who he is.
If Yingxing subsequently finds him offputting or untrustworthy it would be unfortunate, but Jing Yuan does not require his good opinion to protect him from the tribulations to come.
“I’ve kept you waiting then. You certainly have a lot of time to waste.”
“No time spent with Yingxing gege is time wasted to me.” He says it teasingly, to hide the sincerity in his words.
There is a trace flush over Yingxing’s high cheekbones “Why does it seem like every other word out of your mouth is gege, ever since I gave you permission to call me that?”
“Naturally, that is impossible. Could it be that Yingxing gege likes it so much, that it is all you hear? If so, I apologize for my negligence and will endeavor to call you gege more often.”
“Stop. Aeons, you are a menace. I don’t know why I put up with you.”
Their conversation is disrupted by the hungry growl from his stomach.
“Ah, it seems I have stayed overlate; this is my usual dinnertime. I am glad I could see you, Yingxing gege. I will take my leave for today.”
Yingxing’s eyes are narrowed at him, not deceived. “Retreating to advance, who taught you such tactics?...Military?”
That contemplative look—perhaps putting together the small clues Jing Yuan has inadvertently let slip. Yingxing had only paused for a moment of thought when making that deduction, as if an omega in the military is not completely unheard of. It makes his lips curve with delight.
“If Yingxing gege would join me for a meal, I can give you a hint. How about it? My treat.”
“…as if I could let someone who calls me gege pay for me.
Jing Yuan perks up. He is agreeing?
It is not a date. Yingxing does not play around with people’s feelings and he would not be ambiguous about this, but it still fills Jing Yuan with happiness, like some lovestruck fool swooning over his first love.
Well, he can’t exactly deny that the shoe fits…
Yingxing takes him to one of his favorite noodle shops.
One whose owners are an ex-military couple with an omega daughter. The pair have never allowed any disrespectful alpha a single step into their establishment and have quite the reputation in the lower districts for tossing anyone with such foul behavior out on their ear.
Jing Yuan would love to say that doing so is unwarranted, but in this era the discrimination and mistreatment of omegas was truly abominable. He can handle such behavior just fine on his own, but it is always nice not to have to do so.
Yingxing has always been like this…not saying a word while taking care of others with such deep consideration.