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On any other day, if someone were to ask Baili Hongyi how he had become such close friends with Xie Yun, he would have offered a dry remark along the lines of ‘he is like a leech who latched onto my elbow’. But today, as Baili Hongyi stared at his dearest friend, behind whom stood two men, he would have responded with ‘Xie Yun who? I do not know him.’
Not only had Xie Yun brought two utter strangers to Baili Hongyi’s doorstep knowing how much he abhorred interacting with most people, but he had done so on their annual get together. It was supposed to be just them! Catching up on their year apart! Sharing their woes and laughing over their follies! Talking about handsome men. Not sitting with them in Hongyi’s dining room.
And yet.
“Er-lang…” Xie Yun said in that saccharine sweet tone that made Baili Hongyi shudder and bristle, “this is Ji Chong,” he pointed to the rugged looking man first who nodded at Hongyi and eyed him from head to toe with a hint of cocky amusement on his face.
Intolerable brute.
“And this…is Beitang Moran,” Xie Yun gestured to the other man who looked more refined and elegant as he bowed to Baili Hongyi respectfully, his long, silky locks falling forward over his shoulder as he did, even as an arrogant smirk lingered at the corner of his lips.
Tolerable brute.
“And this,” Xie Yun hopped to Baili Hongyi’s side and interlocked their arms as he looked at the two men, “is my best friend in the whole wide world, Baili Hongyi!” He leaned against Hongyi’s shoulder, a privilege only afforded to him (and one he had snatched shamelessly the first time they had met).
Incorrigible brat.
“At least greet them, er-lang,” Xie Yun whispered through his smiling lips as he nudged Hongyi’s waist with his elbow lightly.
“Welcome to Luoyang,” Baili Hongyi nodded brusquely. “Which inn will you be staying at during your stay?” He ignored the way Xie Yun’s fingers dug into his arm on hearing the question.
“Anzhi has told us so much about you and your wonderful hospitality!” Ji Chong replied with a bright grin, looking absolutely unfazed by Hongyi’s behavior. “Especially about the food you serve here,” he leaned forward and winked. “What better way to spend time in Luoyang?” He chuckled as he walked past Hongyi, straight into his home.
Baili Hongyi stiffened at the man’s audacity but before he could respond, Beitang Moran stepped towards him with a charming smile.
“Baili-gongzi,” Beitang Moran’s gaze was deep and intense as if he was looking into Hongyi’s soul, “I apologize for the intrusion and for our…companion’s poor manners,” he added with a low sigh. “It would be an honor to bring in the new year with you. Xie Yun has told us many remarkable things about you and your projects.”
Baili Hongyi found himself unable to respond to such words curtly and could only clear his throat and nod as he gestured for the man to enter his home as well.
“Give them a chance, I promise you’ll have fun,” Xie Yun turned to Baili Hongyi with big, pleading eyes as the two men admired the paintings in the main hall.
“A little heads up would have been nice,” Baili Hongyi huffed and pulled his arm free, adjusting his cuff and smoothening the sleeve.
“You’re the best!” Xie Yun simply giggled and hugged Hongyi tightly, nearly suffocating him with the embrace.
Baili Hongyi’s entire body relaxed against his will as his friend’s warmth enveloped him, finally putting his heart at ease after the weariness of the past three months’ upheaval.
“Okay, okay, enough!” Baili Hongyi shoved Xie Yun away half heartedly and rolled his eyes as he fixed his clothes and hair. “Let me inform Shen-Fei that we have two extra uninvited and unexpected guests,” he looked at Xie Yun pointedly.
“I love you too, er-lang,” Xie Yun winked and pinched Hongyi’s cheek quickly before dashing away in the direction of the two men, not letting Hongyi slap him in return.
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When Hongyi brought Ji Chong and Beitang Moran to their shared guest quarters, he couldn’t help but glance at both the tall men, wondering what exactly their relationship with Xie Yun was. Knowing Xie Yun and his past escapades, Baili Hongyi even pondered what their relationship with each other was. But he schooled his expression before his thoughts showed on his face; he would have enough time to grill Xie Yun later who would spend the night in his private chamber with him as always.
Dinner ended up being a much more satisfactory and enjoyable affair than Hongyi expected. Beitang Moran proved to be quite an amicable and knowledgeable conversationalist and Ji Chong, contrary to Baili Hongyi’s initial assessment, was quite engaging and well mannered too. Hongyi had the sneaking suspicion that just like Xie Yun, both men also had royal blood, or at the very least hailed from noble families as well. Baili Hongyi would never forget the day he found out Xie Yun was an exiled prince. If it weren’t for the assassins who came after Xie Yun, attacking him in Hongyi’s own home, he probably would have never found out.
After the meal ended, Hongyi expected that the two men would retire to their room. Surely they were exhausted after their travels? But all his hopes for finally having some alone time with Xie Yun so they could catch up like they always did were dashed into a million pieces when Ji Chong suggested that the group soak in the hot springs behind Hongyi’s home. Baili Hongyi clenched his fists under the table as Xie Yun nodded excitedly, intentionally avoiding Hongyi’s glare as he led the two men to his favorite spot as he put it.
It was supposed to be only their favorite spot.
With a grunt, Hongyi ordered the servants to provide the guests with everything they required and took his leave with the excuse of urgent, unfinished work. But before he could stomp away, Xie Yun grabbed his wrist and tugged him towards the hot spring, not letting Hongyi have a moment alone to sulk in peace.
“Come on, Hongyi-gege,” Xie Yun whined, knowing how much Baili Hongyi hated being addressed that way, they were the same age after all. “Don’t you want to soak in the hot, fragrant water and relax with us?”
No, Hongyi had no intention of sitting half naked with strange men.
“I have so much to tell you!” Xie Yun added, a little too sincerely. “And I want to hear everything that has happened since we last met too,” he smiled and squeezed Hongyi’s hand.
Hongyi glanced at the two men who were too engrossed in the preparations for the hot spring, apparently entirely uninterested in Xie Yun and Hongyi’s chit-chat. His eyes widened as Ji Chong suddenly shrugged off his robes and Moran’s silky robes slipped off one shoulder as well. He averted his eyes with a muted gasp, his entire body suddenly warm and sweaty. But try as he did, Hongyi couldn’t resist taking another peak, nearly breaking into a coughing fit when he saw Ji Chong clad in nothing but his pale white lower garment stepping into the hot spring. Beitang Moran, on the other hand, was still standing at the edge, wearing just his dark lower garment that clung to his hips and legs as if it were already wet, leaving nothing to the imagination.
“Hongyi, ah-Hongyi,” Xie Yun sighed and chuckled as he leaned in and whispered. “Why do you think I brought them along, huh?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Let’s have some fun this year!” He said with a suggestive smirk. “The last few months must have been terrible,” Xie Yun added softly.
“And your solution for that is…being bedded?” Baili Hongyi glowered at his friend, his entire face burning a hot red.
“Bedded?!” Xie Yun burst into a crazed laughter as Hongyi slapped a hand on his mouth to silence him, lest the men overhear and get the wrong idea. “Who says that?!” Xie Yun cackled but thankfully lowered his voice again.
“I have no interest in either of those men,” Hongyi looked away with a haughty frown.
“Well one of those men definitely has an interest in you,” Xie Yun said with a giddy smile. “But suit yourself!” He shrugged and jogged to the hot spring, tearing his robes off as he joined Beitang Moran in entering the simmering water.
Baili Hongyi blinked in confusion and watched the trio, trying to make sense of Xie Yun’s words. Ji Chong seemed like the man who would enjoy someone adventurous and mischievous like Xie Yun, not Hongyi. Beitang Moran seemed like someone who was above such matters altogether. Baili Hongyi suspected this to be Xie Yun’s ploy but, nevertheless, his curiosity won and he made his way to the hot springs, ignoring Xie Yun’s triumphant smile. After a moment of hesitation, Baili Hongyi decided to remove only his outer robe but just as he began stepping into the pool, Xie Yun crawled towards him.
“Ay, er-lang,” Xie Yun puffed his cheeks. “This is unfair! Here we are, laid bare before you but you are still completely clothed. That’s not right!” He argued nonsensically.
Baili Hongyi was about to kick his friend when Beitang Moran chimed in.
“The natural springs in Luoyang have many benefits,” Moran said as he scooped the water with his cupped hands and poured it over his bare shoulders and chest. “But you won’t be able to enjoy them with such regal robes as a barrier,” he looked up at Hongyi and smiled.
Something in his gaze made Hongyi’s toes curl and he cleared his throat, looking away as he removed his inner robe as well. He quickly walked to the deeper end and sat in the corner, submerged till his neck, resting against one of the rocks as he stared at the water and not the man who was across from him. Xie Yun and Ji Chong resumed their conversation and Hongyi found himself relaxing slowly, his muscles unclenching, his shoulders sagging, his breaths evening out as the steam enveloped him. All at once, he felt Xie Yun shift closer, his foot brushing against his underwater. Hongyi looked down and smiled to himself as his friend grinned at him sweetly.
“So you must know all of Xie Yun’s secrets,” Ji Chong said suddenly, prompting Baili Hongyi to look up.
“Of course, he does!” Xie Yun wrapped an arm around Hongyi with a proud smirk. “We’re best friends, after all!”
“So spill!” Ji Chong exclaimed. “What’s his most embarrassing secret? He tortures me everyday. I want to be able to shut him up!” He laughed.
Xie Yun glanced at Hongyi, his grin still wide as ever. But Hongyi knew him well enough to see past the smile.
“Xie Yun is very annoying,” Baili Hongyi conceded, not missing the way Xie Yun stiffened subtly. “But nothing can make me reveal any of his secrets,” he said calmly, meeting Ji Chong’s gaze evenly.
Xie Yun let out an inaudible sigh and giggled as he poked his tongue at Ji Chong who was pretending to pout.
“I respect that,” Beitang Moran said, eyeing Baili Hongyi with barely concealed interest now.
Baili Hongyi flustered and looked away again, his fingers digging into his thighs underwater, clutching the fabric of his pants tightly.
As they continued drinking, Baili Hongyi couldn’t help but admire the way Xie Yun engaged with people so effortlessly. And the way he brought Hongyi into the fold easily as well, never letting him feel like the odd one out. Xie Yun had always let Hongyi be himself and still somehow managed to blend their worlds together as if they weren’t polar opposites. He had hugged Hongyi for hours after the untimely death of his father, letting him weep silently for as long as he needed, long after his relatives had left, long after the tears had emptied. Xie Yun had sent him presents from faraway lands, especially on his birthday, never once forgetting Baili Hongyi even on his most thrilling adventures.
Hongyi, for his part, had always provided Xie Yun with the solid ground he could land on after flying like a wild kite and the intimate veil behind which Xie Yun could finally pause and let his smile drop once in a while, admit to his fears every now and then, stop taking care of others for a bit. Hongyi considered it his privilege that Xie Yun allowed him to see the other side of him, to treat him like family, to guard and protect Xie Yun’s soft heart even as Xie Yun chipped away at the wall Baili Hongyi had built around his own. To any outsider, their friendship might seem unlikely and impossible. But to Baili Hongyi and Xie Yun, they were simply each other’s anchors, a home away from home, a warm escape from life’s brutal storms.
With each drink, Hongyi could feel his inhibitions drop away until he decided to put all his trust in Xie Yun and gulped the last drops from the now empty bottle, letting the pleasant buzz lead the way.
“No, I did not!” Xie Yun exclaimed at Ji Chong. “I was not the one who pursued you first! You made the first move,” he swept his hair back and raised his chin snobbishly.
“So you both are a couple then?” Baili Hongyi asked bluntly before he could think, catching the duo off-guard. “In a romantic relationship?” He blinked at the rugged man who was looking at him in amusement.
“Well…yes,” Ji Chong nodded, suppressing his grin. “We are in a romantic relationship,” he glanced at Xie Yun.
“And is Beitang-gongzi a part of your relationship?” Baili Hongyi couldn’t hide the hiccup that followed his question, now feeling quite free and relaxed.
“Hongyi!” Xie Yun laughed and splashed some water on his face. “Moran is single and ready to mingle,” he winked.
“Oh,” Baili Hongyi peeked at Beitang Moran who was looking at him as well.
“I would never want to be in a throuple with these two brutes,” Beitang Moran said easily, unbothered by Hongyi’s question. “I prefer men who are more…restrained and poised,” his eyes trailed down Hongyi’s body before stopping on his lips and then back up to meet his gaze.
“Hongyi-gege is always poised…he has so much restraint,” Xie Yun fluttered his eyelashes and nudged him coyly.
“Xie Yun, don’t call me that!” Baili Hongyi snapped at his friend even as he blushed furiously.
“But you are-” Xie Yun began but suddenly everything fell silent.
Hongyi looked up to see a frown creasing Xie Yun’s otherwise carefree face. He looked at the other two men who were also stiff and alert. Just as Baili Hongyi began looking around, there was a flurry of movement and, one after one, figures clad in black descended all around them. Hongyi’s eyes widened as the shadowy figures zipped towards the hot springs and accosted them from every side. All he heard was the loud splashes of the pool water as Xie Yun, Ji Chong, and Beitang Moran all jumped to action. He stood up hurriedly, grabbing his robes as he tried to make sense of the situation and be of help.
“Hongyi! Watch out!” Xie Yun yelled. “Behind you!”
Baili Hongyi spun around just as two figures leapt at him, daggers in hand. But before they could lay a finger on him, the two people were yanked far away as if an invisible rope had grabbed them. Hongyi looked up to see Beitang Moran glowering at the figures that were now writhing on the ground, blood spurting out of them. He slashed at them with his weapon once more, his neck and chest still glistening with water even as his outer robe billowed around as he spun and fought. The silky robe remained untied and loose as Moran fought their assailants, leaving Hongyi spellbound for a long moment.
Suddenly, he felt himself being pushed as a thick arm choked him. Hongyi croaked and hit the arm, trying to claw himself free but to no avail. Just as his vision began growing blurry, a familiar face appeared in front of him and, in the blink of an eye, Hongyi felt the arm go slack and the figure behind him slunk to the ground lifelessly.
“Are you alright?” Xie Yun asked worriedly, rubbing Hongyi’s back as he coughed and tried to catch his breath. “Go inside! We will handle-”
Baili Hongyi gasped and shoved Xie Yun out of the way as another assassin lunged at him from behind. His body reacted on instinct and used his robe as a whip to lash at the masked figure, momentarily stunning him. Ji Chong jumped on the person instantly, breaking his neck with practiced ease before moving on to the handful of attackers that were left. Hongyi looked around helplessly, bewildered by the sudden attack, angry that his own guards were nowhere in sight, and confused about the motive of the assassins. It didn’t seem that they were here for Xie Yun. In fact, the target of their attacks seemed to be someone else entirely. Baili Hongyi stared as Beitang Moran fended off five assailants at once before Ji Chong and Xie Yun rushed to his aid.
Just then, he heard Xie Yun scream at him, horror filling his face as he began running towards Baili Hongyi. And then everything went dark.
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Baili Hongyi opened his eyes groggily, groaning when his head pounded as if someone were hammering it on the inside. He tried moving but the pain in his head only worsened.
“Don’t move,” a gentle voice said as gentler hands held Hongyi’s shoulder to keep him laying down. “You were hit pretty hard on the head. It will take some time,” the man explained as Hongyi blinked many times to clear his vision.
“Wh-what hap-happened?” Hongyi said, his voice gravelly and tired.
“I apologize for bringing assassins to your doorstep,” Beitang Moran’s face came into view when Hongyi’s eyes focussed. “I was careless and now…because of me…” he sighed as he placed another cold towel on the right side of Hongyi’s head.
“You’re some kind of prince or emperor, right? Just like Xie Yun?” Baili Hongyi winced and closed his eyes as the cold stung his skin.
Beitang Moran laughed and Hongyi felt his hand caress his head ever so lightly. He opened his eyes and looked at the man, his slender neck, his bright eyes, his shapely nose.
“Something like that,” Moran said with a bemused smile. “But I do apologize for causing…all of this,” his smile faded away. “I’ll inform the others that you’re conscious now,” he took Hongyi’s hand carefully and placed it on the ice pack to hold it in place. “I truly am sorry, Baili Hongyi,” Beitang Moran said with a small laugh. “Maybe in another universe, I could have stayed here longer and gotten to know you some more,” he grinned.
Hongyi watched the man leave the room, dazed by his words before grunting under the pain again. Within seconds, Xie Yun’s figure came flying in through the door and crashed into Hongyi on the bed, nearly crawling on top of him and clinging to him like a monkey.
“Ah, Hongyi-aah!! You’re awake!! Thank the stars!!” Xie Yun’s screams were muffled in Hongyi’s robes. “I was soooo scared. If anything had happened to you, I would have killed everyone! Even Moran-ge and Chong-ge!!” He declared angrily.
“The assassins didn’t kill me but your hugging and screaming will,” Hongyi said dryly, grimacing as the headache worsened with Xie Yun’s loud words.
“Oh! Sorry, sorry,” Xie Yun pulled back and sat up with a sheepish smile. “You’re okay, right?” He touched Hongyi’s head to feel the swelling, looking pitiful and ashamed like a kicked puppy.
“Yes,” Hongyi sighed and rolled his eyes. “Are you? And them?” He glanced at the open door.
“We’re all fine,” Xie Yun looked at him with a relieved smile. “Just some cuts and scrapes,” he shrugged. “As soon as that asshole hit you on your head, I ran to you! But before I could even get to you, Beitang-gongzi was already there, picking you up and slamming that moron away.”
“Oh,” Baili Hongyi lowered his gaze, flushing at the thought of being carried by the man.
“I…really am sorry,” Xie Yun said softly, sounding hesitant and worried.
Hongyi looked at him, surprised to find guilt on his face.
“Don’t look so sincere, it doesn’t suit you,” Hongyi quipped, relaxing when Xie Yun smiled again. “So are you all princes then?” He grunted as he tried sitting up.
“Something like that,” Xie Yun smirked and helped him.
Just as he was upright again, Beitang Moran entered Hongyi’s bed chambers and frowned on seeing him up.
“Xie Yun,” Beitang Moran looked at him with a stern face. “Go to Ji Chong. Baili-gongzi needs rest.”
“Ah, okay, okay,” Xie Yun got up and left obediently, much to Hongyi’s surprise. “I’ll check on you in the morning!”
“Wait, what?” Hongyi asked in alarm. “Where are you sleeping?”
“In the guest chamber,” Xie Yun shrugged. “With Chong-ge,” he added with a mischievous smile.
“But…then…” Hongyi looked at Beitang Moran, “the…guest quarters don’t have a bed for a third person…” he said tightly.
“Oh, yeah, Moran-ge can sleep here since someone needs to take care of you anyway!” Xie Yun replied before dashing away quickly, leaving behind a stunned Hongyi.
“Don’t worry,” Beitang Moran laughed. “I can sleep on the diwan outside.”
“But you’re a prince!” Hongyi blurted. “I mean…”
“It really isn’t a problem,” Beitang Moran shrugged. “I came to give you some medicine,” he stood by the edge of the bed and opened a pouch, handing Hongyi a pill and some water.
Baili Hongyi took the medicine and nodded at Beitang Moran who gazed at him silently for a long moment before nodding and walking away.
“Wait!” Hongyi called out, surprising even himself. “You…don’t need to sleep on the sofa. Please,” he looked at him with pleading eyes. “I cannot let a guest…” Hongyi groaned and rubbed his temples before making up his mind. “This bed is large enough for us to share,” Hongyi said finally, his gaze still lowered, unable to meet Moran’s eyes.
“Oh, are you sure?” Beitang Moran asked, to which Hongyi could only nod in response. “Well, alright then. I thank you for your hospitality, Baili-gongzi,” the man’s voice was warm and soothing.
“Hongyi,” Baili Hongyi cleared his throat. “You can call me…just Hongyi…” he glanced at Beitang Moran.
“Hongyi…” Beitang Moran grinned before walking to the window. “I have instructed all your guards and secured the perimeter. We can sleep in peace,” he drew the curtains and turned to Hongyi again.
Baili Hongyi averted his eyes as Beitang Moran removed his outer robe and slipped under the sheets, his heart thundering in his chest. With great difficulty, Hongyi managed to close his eyes and fall asleep, painfully aware of how close Beitang Moran was beside him.
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When Baili Hongyi’s eyes opened next, it was still dark around him. Panicked, he sat up abruptly, worried that he had been captured or there had been another attack.
“Hey, it’s alright, you’re in your room,” Beitang Moran’s steady voice spoke slowly as his arms held Baili Hongyi securely.
A sudden knock startled Hongyi again but when the door opened, Xie Yun and Ji Chong walked in unexpectedly.
“Why are you awake?!” Baili Hongyi asked Xie Yun when they turned the lamps on.
“Why are you awake?” Xie Yun retorted, smirking at how close Bietang Moran was to Baili Hongyi on the bed.
“Anzhi…” Ji Chong laughed and wrapped his arm around Xie Yun’s waist, “stop teasing him.”
“It’s almost time,” Xie Yun relented and tugged on Hongyi’s arm.
“Time for what?” Baili Hongyi asked as Beitang Moran helped him stand up and they all walked to the large window across the bed.
The group stood at the sill, leaning against it as the curtains opened, revealing the beautiful night sky with a million stars and no moon.
“Time to welcome the new year,” Xie Yun whispered as he stood beside Hongyi, leaning against Ji Chong and holding Baili Hongyi’s hand.
“Oh,” Baili Hongyi blinked at the sky that suddenly lit up with fireworks and a warmth enclosed his other hand as well.
He turned to see Beitang Moran gazing at him as the fireworks grew brighter and louder.
“Happy new year,” Xie Yun hugged Baili Hongyi’s side and planted a chaste kiss on his cheek. “May we greet every new year together, Hongyi,” he smiled before pulling away and leaning in for a kiss with Ji Chong.
“Happy new year,” Hongyi mumbled in embarrassment before turning to Beitang Moran, “to you as well,” he added.
“Happy new year, Baili Hongyi,” Bietang Moran lifted his hand and planted a kiss on the back of it, caressing his fingers delicately. “May this year bring new friends, new stories, and new love.”
Hongyi flustered and looked outside again, his hand still tingling, ignoring the way Xie Yun’s elbow nudged him subtly.
As the four men gazed at the bright stars and glowing fireworks, Baili Hongyi had the distinct feeling that their light would remain long after the display ended. Life had once brought Xie Yun into his life and everything had become brighter. And now Xie Yun had brought another into his life and maybe, just maybe, everything would become lighter.