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You always liked to watch the birds when you were alone in the Elixir Research Terrace in the Alchemy Commission. Since there were barely any crowds that would bother you to ask for help, you always felt at ease being here as the area had a lookout over the sea towards Scalegorge Waterscape. The gentle breeze carried the salty scent of the ocean, and the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to the peaceful tranquility of the moment. As you watched the birds soar through the sky, their wings catching the sunlight, you felt a sense of calm wash over you, a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the Central Starskiff Haven where you were moments ago.
You sat on a weathered wooden bench, and as she watched the world awaken, a small, feathered creature caught your attention.
A delicate bird, its plumage shimmering in the sunlight, flitted from tree to tree, its song a cheerful melody that filled the air. Intrigued, you watched as the bird approached you, its small beady eyes fixed on you with curiosity.
With a gentle smile, you extended your hand, palm open. The bird hesitated for a moment, then hopped onto your finger, its tiny feet clutching the soft skin. A thrill of excitement ran through you as you ran a finger through its soft, downy feathers. The bird chirped happily in response, its tiny chest rising and falling with each sweet note.
A shadowy broad figure stood at the edge of the clearing, his gaze fixed on you and the bird. He watched with a mixture of admiration and longing, his heart aching with a desire he could not name. The scene before him was a tableau of serenity, a moment frozen in time. You, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, exuded a quiet grace that captivated him, despite the humorous and bold nature of your demeanor. The bird, perched on your finger, seemed to trust you implicitly.
His eyes traced the contours of your face, the delicate lines of your features, the soft gleam in your bright yellow eyes. He had watched you from afar for many days, drawn to you in ways he cannot describe in words. He yearned to be near you, to speak with you, to share in your world. But fear held him back, a fear of reciprocation, fear of leaving behind another beloved short-life species should time take you away from him.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the clearing in a golden hue, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, his heart heavy with longing. He would continue to watch you from afar, content to admire you from a distance.
——————
The warm glow of the lanterns cast a soft, inviting light over Aurum Alley as March 7th hosted a gathering of friends. Seated around a table laden with steaming bowls of Chili Oil Beef Offal Stew, you, Jing Yuan, Yanqing, and March shared stories and laughter.
Jing Yuan, ever the stoic man, leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. His gaze was fixed on you as you animatedly recounted your latest adventures, gesticulating wildly to emphasize your points. Yanqing, ever the observant and supportive one, nudged March playfully, signaling her to quiet down and let you take the spotlight, the general’s spotlight.
March, ever the drama queen, pouted but complied, her laughter fading into a contented hum, but when she saw why as she looked at the general, her eyes sparkled with excitement and thrill. You continued your tale, your voice filled with enthusiasm as you brought the characters to life. Jing Yuan listened intently, his expression shifting subtly as you shared your experiences.
Jing Yuan leaned forward, his gaze fixed on you as you recounted your latest adventures in Penacony… the more lively ones at least. A gentle smile played on his lips, a reflection of the warmth he felt for you. He listened intently, every word you spoke etching itself into his memory.
In the quiet moments between your stories, his mind would wander. He thought of your courage, your resilience, your unwavering spirit. He admired your passion, your zest for life, your ability to find joy even in the face of adversity.
A pang of longing tugged at his heart. He wished he could be there for you, to share in your adventures, to protect you from harm. But he knew his place. He was a general, a guardian of the Luofu. His duty was to protect the people, not to indulge in personal desires.
Yet, as he watched you, a part of him yearned for something more. He yearned for the simple pleasure of companionship, of sharing laughter and dreams with someone he cared about deeply. He yearned for the foreign concept of love he had already forgotten for far too long.
And as he listened to your stories, he realized that perhaps he had already found it.
—————
This was the first time Jing Yuan ever saw you cry.
Countless times he’s seen you empathize with the natives of Xianzhou that you offered to help in your free time, but not once did he ever expect one to bring you such pain and sadness.
This was the first time Jing Yuan had ever seen you cry. Countless times he'd witnessed your empathy for the natives of Xianzhou, your willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. But never had he imagined that a simple act of kindness would bring you such profound sorrow.
You had spent several days accompanying an elderly woman, her eyes filled with the weight of years and the pain of loss. She had shared stories of her life with her husband, a victim of Mara. Though her tale was far from the most tragic he'd heard, it had struck a chord within you, a deep resonance that echoed in your soul.
At night, alone in your room, you would find yourself lost in thought, replaying the woman's words in your mind. Tears would stream down your face. You tried to hide your emotions in public, but in the privacy of Jing Yuan’s office in the Seat of Divine Foresight, your walls came crumbling down.
During a seemingly ordinary conversation, your voice faltered, and tears began to flow. Jing Yuan, taken aback by your sudden distress, reached out to comfort you. The sight of you so vulnerable pierced his heart, a pang of sorrow mingling with his concern.
As you wept, he held you close, his embrace offering a sense of security and solace. In that moment, you realized how deeply you trusted him, how comfortable you felt in his presence. And as the tears subsided, you found yourself looking up at him, your eyes filled with gratitude and a newfound vulnerability.
As he held you, he knew that he would do anything to protect you, to make you happy.
—-------
Your stomach groaned in protest as you leaned back against the bench, the remnants of the Berrypheasant Skewers you'd devoured with Yunli still lingering. You made a mental note to exercise more restraint around your gluttonous friend next time.
Feeling sufficiently satiated, you stood and continued your stroll back to your accommodations. As you wandered through the bustling streets, your gaze fell upon a familiar figure. Jing Yuan was engaged in a conversation with the Cloud Knights.
He noticed your approach, his stern expression softening into the warm smile you had grown accustomed to. The Cloud Knights, having received his dismissal, took their leave, leaving you alone with him and that smile he loved so much.
As you approached him with that thought subconsciously formed in your mind, a wave of unfamiliar emotions washed over you. Love? The word felt foreign on your tongue, a concept you had never fully understood. Yet, there was something about his smile, his presence, that drew you in, that made your heart flutter.
Jing Yuan extended a hand, his warm smile a beacon in the bustling crowd. You returned his greeting, a sense of comfort washing over you. Despite his imposing stature, you had come to appreciate the kind man beneath the stern facade.
As you chatted, you mentioned your intention to return to your accommodations. Being the gentleman that he was, Jing Yuan offered to escort you. Initially hesitant, you found yourself drawn to his company like you always loved and accepted his offer.
There you went again with that love .
As you walked side by side, you shared more of your stories, it was as if you never ran out of any. Your adventures, both mundane and extraordinary, captivated Jing Yuan's attention like they always did. He listened intently, his eyes sparkling with interest. In contrast, his life seemed relatively uneventful, a cycle of desk work that he described with a hint of resignation.
You regaled him with even the most trivial tales of internet scams and the absurdity of human behavior, your voice filled with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Before you knew it, you had reached your destination. A frown creased your brow as you took in the familiar sight of your building. Jing Yuan noticed the subtle change in your expression and asked if he could accompany you to your door.
Caught off guard, you stammered, your words stumbling over each other. Jing Yuan, ever the stubborn man, insisted, his persistence melting away your hesitation.
As you walked towards your room, you couldn't help but notice the curious glances cast in his direction. He, however, remained unfazed, his focus solely on you. Finally, you reached your door, a sigh escaping your lips. Jing Yuan's gaze lingered on you for a moment longer, a soft smile playing on his lips.
“Well, this is me. Don’t tell me you’ll have to escort me inside my own room, now.”
Jing Yuan laughed and shook his head, smiling. “I could not possibly enter your room without your consent,” and you laughed back as you inserted the key to open the door.
A moment of awkward silence stretched between you, the lingering warmth of your shared conversation fading. You stood by the doorway, your mind racing, searching for a way to prolong this moment. The thought of it ending so soon filled you with a strange sense of dread.
Your eyes then widened, and your shoulders jerked up as you remembered something.
“There’s something I almost forgot to give you! Please wait for a moment while I go get it,”
His head tilted slightly as curiosity piqued his interest. He watched as you rummaged through your belongings, a mischievous glint in your eye. Finally, you emerged with a handcrafted cycrane, its neutral colors blending seamlessly with your attire. The tiny creature moved in a slow circular motion and bobbed rhythmically, its wings fluttering.
Amused, Jing Yuan took the cycrane from your hand, holding it up to examine its intricate details. His gaze softened as he watched the creature's graceful movements. “Did you make this?”
“Well… a kind man I met a few weeks ago taught me how to make one, I wanted it customized to match me so you could place it on your desk. That way, when you see it at work, you’ll remember me! And also to remind you to send me a message when I’m away and you wanna talk…” You sheepishly smiled at him.
A sense of unease crept into your heart as Jing Yuan fell silent. Had you said something wrong? Was the gift you'd given him not to his liking? You searched his face for clues, your anxiety growing with each passing moment.
Then, suddenly, his face was inches away from yours, his gaze intense. A wave of warmth washed over you as his lips brushed against yours. Your eyes widened in surprise, your mind reeling from the unexpected gesture.
His lips were warm and soft, a sensation that sent a shiver down your spine. You felt a flutter in your chest, a strange and unfamiliar sensation that you couldn't quite explain as he slid a hand down your waist.
He pulled away, his breath coming in short gasps. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. You stared at him, your heart pounding in your chest, your mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
“Uh… thank you, for this very valuable gift.” He cleared his throat and stood back up straight. “I will treasure it dearly, and it shall earn a place on my desk as you suggest. Unfortunately I don't have much to give back to you so… I hope my momentary display of affection was enough… and I apologize if its suddenness were too inappropriate to your liking.”
You were too stunned to speak, not knowing what to say.
“I should head back to my office–”
“J-Jing Yuan, wait!”
You did not give him a chance to fully turn his back on you as he stopped, his hopeful and longing eyes gazing and searching through yours.
“If you don’t mind, c-can you do that… one more time?”
Your voice was barely a whisper as you spoke, your fingers brushing against your lips as if to silence any sound that might escape. The intensity of the moment had you feeling exposed, vulnerable.
He paused, swallowing down his nervousness. He stepped closer, his heart pounding in his chest.
He brought a hand to hold your trembling fingers and move them away from your lips, your eyes locked with his. He leaned in, his lips brushing against yours. A wave of euphoria washed over you as you slightly tiptoed to return the kiss, your body trembling with the intensity of the moment.
His touch ignited a fire within you, a passion you had never experienced before. You clung to him, your fingers tracing patterns on his back. He groaned, a low rumble that sent shivers down your spine.
Too soon, he pulled away, his breath ragged. You gasped, your desire unfulfilled. The thought of asking for more filled you with embarrassment, so you tried your best to resist the urge.
He placed a gentle kiss on your fingers before setting them down, and a bashful smile crept across your face, your cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. His gaze softened, a tender smile mirroring your own.
“Take care on your journey,” he said in a soft voice, “and don’t forget to tell me all your adventures when you come back.”
“I will…!”
A knot formed in your throat as you forced a response, your voice barely a whisper. You and Jing Yuan exchanged one last lingering glance, the intensity of the moment still lingering in the air.
As he turned to leave, you heard the faint buzz of your phone. You glanced down, your brow raising as you saw March's name flashing on the screen.
O. M. G???
You raised a brow and typed a response.
S: What’s wrong with you this time?
M: I’M IN MY ROOM, YOU KNOW! I HEARD E V E R Y T H I N G ! ! !
You could feel your cheeks and ears burning as you read your friend’s message over and over again.