Xie Yi-jun

1302 years after The Long Night

Wúmeng

Passing through the edge of town, the forest beginning to overtake him, Xie Yi-jun stopped suddenly at a small clearing where a single figure stood. It was clearly Jin Songcai, but Yi-jun was confused when he noticed the sword in the man's hand...

He watched, speechless, as Songcai began moving. With his normal white robes laid folded on a nearby stone, he could easily see the man's muscles, the graceful lines of his arms and shoulders as he practiced.

Xie Yi-jun's mind was conflicted. The soldier and King inside him was impressed, approving of Songcai's skill. He was no beginner. That being said, Yi-jun was also very confused. Songcai was a healer, what reason would the man have to ever pick up a weapon like that?

As the sword moved, an extension of the man's arm, Yi-jun could only stare. Of course, Songcai was effortlessly graceful in this too. Xie Yi-jun was sure that even his skills would be put to the test... the idea of crossing blades with Jin Songcai excited him much more than he thought.

Seeing this new side of the man, the side of him that was strong, practiced and measured, it made the young King smile to himself, realising that Songcai must be like that in every aspect of his life.

Yi-jun blinked, startled as he found he'd been staring at Jin Songcai's arms and shoulders, his muscles tightening and releasing repetitively, like a dance. Graceful, strong, enchanting-

A sense of impishness and glee slid through Yi-jun now, a feeling that never seemed to be far behind when he met the man. Frankly, he was pleased to be allowed to witness such a raw form of Songcai at all.

Clearing his throat, he said; "Your form is excellent. May I ask who taught you?"

Jin Songcai clearly didn't know he was here, but he only lowered his sword and tilted his head slightly. Yi-jun saw the man's profile in the light coming through the trees, as symmetrical and annoyingly handsome as always.

Songcai was breathing quite hard, though he remained composed as he answered...

"A Master from Zueshan lived here and taught some of us, several years ago."

"And you still practice?"

Xie Yi-jun only realised he had moved closer when Songcai was looking directly at him, sword still facing the ground. From here, not only could Yi-jun see Songcai's chest rising and falling as he breathed, but also the sweat that was beading off his pale skin, running down in rivulets across a toned and well-sculpted body.

Find me one single thing about the man that isn't perfect and I will weep with joy!

Yi-jun's eyes darted away, jaw tightening as he tried not to think about how probably beautiful the rest of him was... no one's collarbones should be that flawless, it isn't fair!

Songcai still watched him, his reply coming with a gentle shrug that left Yi-jun weak at the knees.

"It clears my mind."

Always a sucker for punishment, and maybe also just eager to pester him, the King smiled.

"What do you need to clear your mind of?"

If the question had been asked in reverse, Yi-jun's answer would have been a simple and heartfelt; you.

Alas, it wasn't just him that enjoyed Songcai's company. And Yi-jun knew he wasn't the only one who found the man attractive...

The real question is, am I truly only irritating him and wasting his time? And if so, can I ever move on from what my heart keeps saying it wants?

Yi-jun swallowed as he raised his eyes again to Songcai's gem-like blue ones.

The man seemed to think about his question for a moment, gaze never straying. Then he said; "The future."

Xie Yi-jun had to laugh.

"An optimist... okay."

Songcai tilted his head, "How do you mean?"

"Nothing," Yi-jun shrugged. "Just... people who look towards the future tend to be those that see a bright one."

"And you don't look towards the future?"

"Hmmph! I'm definitely more of an in-the-moment, plan as I go type of person. The future is undecided until I'm in it."

Xie Yi-jun spent the next few moments staring at Songcai's sword, admiring the perfection of the glass-like blade, the etched lines and silver hilt. It looked like it had been made for Songcai. Like his twin...

"It's beautiful," he gestured. "What's its name?"

The healer glanced at his weapon. It seemed to shine slightly brighter as he stared at it.

"Zhēnjiǔ Zhēn," he said.

The King crossed his arms as his eyebrows raised, "Acupuncture needle? Why that?"

Songcai thought, then slowly lifted the sword. Yi-jun thought it was reasonable, given his knowledge of Songcai, that the man would name his blade after something medical.

"When used properly, on the correct individual, Zhēnjiǔ Zhēn can cure pain and stress, replenish Qi* and restore balance."

Xie Yi-jun shrugged, "An acupuncture needle may do those things, but a sword?"

Songcai nodded and lowered his blade with a sigh. "Yes, it will do these things for me, by striking down my enemies."

The King was momentarily speechless, having never expected Jin Songcai to express such a thing.

Stunned, he said the first thing he could think of to reply; "You have enemies?"

To which the young healer responded, "My King's enemies are naturally my own."

Before Yi-jun could think of something else to say, Jin Songcai was resheathing his sword suddenly and nodding at the King's own weapon. It hung from his belt, always within arms reach. After one too many attempts on his life he'd learned to never let the thing stray too far.

"And yours?" Songcai nodded, "What is yours called?"

Yi-jun wished silently that he could lie. Maybe come up with something clever and cutthroat like; acupuncture needle. Something with a nice story that would make him look like less of an idiot. Sadly he was not much of a liar. Moreover, he was indeed an idiot around this man.

Running his hand along the hilt, the King smiled from all the memories. Gifted to him by his mother when he turned twelve, Xie Yi-jun had trained and fought with it in his hand for half his life. He had never wished to draw it in a real war, yet it seemed that old saying was true; when justice draws your sword, throw the sheath away...

The King patted the thing gently and gave Songcai an awkward laugh.

"I named it when I was a child. It's Hóng Zuî,"

Songcai immediately recognized the name, "The volcano in Hêi'àn City?"

Yi-jun nodded sheepishly. "As a teenager, having a sword called that seemed very manly."

When Yi-jun raised his eyes he noticed Songcai smiling softly. The King suddenly wished to rid himself of the blush rising on his face, the jumpiness he felt. He could think of only one way.

"Shall we see who wins?" He smiled, "Hóng Zuî or Zhēnjiǔ Zhēn..."

Jin Songcai lowered his eyes then, seeming hesitant to say. Finally, the man shook his head.

"I will not fight unless there is no other choice. Practicing alone is one thing, besides... I would worry about injuries this far from town."

Yi-jun wanted to laugh, "I would not hurt you-"

"You misunderstand." Songcai said quickly, bending down to pick up his shirt.

The King watched silently as the man redressed, Yi-jun's soul practically weeping as every gorgeous inch of Songcai's skin was covered. Once he had everything set neatly and tied in place, the healer gave Yi-jun a simple, shy smile.

"I fear of harming you."

Then with a soft bow, he left, leaving the perplexed King all to himself.

Hmm... Yi-jun rubbed the back of his neck, a feeling of warmth growing outward in his chest until it encased his whole body.

I suppose I'll just add that to the list of things to dream about-

Besotted, Xie Yi-jun stayed there for several minutes, wondering to himself just how perfect it would be to be wounded by Jin Songcai, be it heart, body or soul.

*Qi - in traditional Chinese culture, Qi or Chi is believed to be a vital force existing within every living thing... it is often translated as "vital energy" or "life force"