Chapter Text

I.

Jiyan would call himself a patient person. A very patient person if he were to go by the comments his colleagues made about him on a daily basis. Nonetheless, even someone like him had their limits – especially when there was a certain nuisance dumping work on him all day long.

Sometimes, Jiyan really craved to get a look in his head, just to see if there was anything in there – apart from bloodshed and battle of course.

No, Jiyan shouldn’t be childish. He was very much aware – even if he hated to admit it – that the great General Geshu Lin didn’t hold his title for nothing. Although he had more brawn than anybody Jiyan had ever known, he also had the brains. Which was why he couldn’t for the life of him understand how someone as sharp-witted as him could be so ignorant to lead his men straight into a Tacet Discord nest, in a cave no less, and then have the audacity to laugh in his face when he returned with so many injured soldiers that Jiyan had to work overtime. And if it hadn’t been enough, they were later forced to relocate because some nearby Tacet Discords had been altered by all the ruckus he had caused.

Jiyan still wanted to die from cringe when he remembered his general’s hand right above him, flames blazing as they fended off a large chunk of ice that had fallen on him just as they passed the ravine.
…He shouldn’t interpret too much into it. Just a general saving his subordinate. But General Geshu Lin wasn’t exactly known for saving people – especially not a medic who had stayed behind because an injured vanguard hadn’t been able to move as quickly as the general would have liked.

But strangely enough, General Geshu Lin hadn’t said anything. Not even a reprimand. Just a quick glance and then… then he had brushed over Jiyan’s head, almost as if he were checking it if it was still intact. Just a single touch and yet it haunted Jiyan until now, late in the evening when he should do nothing but relax and prepare for bed.

Curse those golden eyes flashing before his mind every time he looked away from the book in his hands, the warmth prickling on his scalp although the touch was long gone. With a annoyed groan, he sat up from the mattress ruffling his hair as if it could wipe away the traces – and this despicable yearning right along – and took a quick glance at the terminal. 10 pm. He should go to bed soon.

And so should the other soldiers as well. Emphasis on … should.

Confused, Jiyan looked at the tent’s entrance which was firmly shut, listening as the chatter outside grew louder, frantic whispers which were then followed by a short squeak and ultimately abrupt silence.

What on earth were they doing? Any more ruckus and General Geshu Lin would deck all of them.

For a moment, Jiyan imagined to catch the familiar whiff of fire, but he decided that it was once again just his pining mind playing tricks on him. With a sigh, he turned back to his book, deciding that he wasn’t ready for yet another headache on this terrible day.

Little did he know, he would be faced with one anyways – and not just a small one.

No, in fact not even two minutes after he had started reading again he heard the zipper of his tent getting pulled open. He barely had any time to brace himself, grabbing his sword in alarm at the sudden intruder. There hadn’t even been any footsteps – who could-

“Drawing your sword on your general, medic? Bold move.” A familiar grin stretching a scar that irked Jiyan every single time. For he had not been there to treat it in time.

“Or have you been training?”

In just two quick strides, General Geshu Lin was already at his side, plopping down right next to him before grabbing his wrist and examining it with an amused smile. Then, without warning he let go only to then strike the side, right where the nerves ran without the trusted protection of muscles. It hurt like hell – and it disarmed Jiyan in an instant.

“If so, we’ll have to work on your posture. You handle your doctor duties always with such precision – but your swordplay is shit.”

“I… I didn’t plan on spontaneous attacks at this time of the day, Sir.” With a frown, Jiyan rubbed his wrist, knowing that he would be greeted by a beautiful bruise the next morning. And the general would sure as hell inspect it with glee.

Even now he was grinning. Smug bastard.

“You should always be prepared, medic.”, he leaned in, his breath prickling at Jiyan’s nape. “Especially for me.”

Jiyan was very glad that he was wearing the baggy sleeping pants today and not his usual work uniform. Because dear Sentinels, he did not want to explain what these few words paired with this smug, teasing, but oh so addicting grin did to him.

Instead, he quickly looked away, gritting his teeth in silent protest as he picked up his book again. Even when Geshu Lin was still sitting so awfully close, lingering behind him with his chest so close to Jiyan’s back that he could feel the warmth radiating from it, he was not indulging this man any further. Both for his sanity and… well, there was only so much baggy pants could conceal.

As expected, it didn’t take long for General Geshu Lin to realize that he was currently getting properly ignored. And also as expected, the man was not okay with this turn of events.

“What are you doing?”

Jiyan could barely suppress a smile when the other grumbled into his ear. If he had been under Geshu Lin’s command longer or had held at least some kind of power, he would have probably now teased him for whining like a little child, the need for attention awfully obvious in his demeanor. But they weren’t that close, and Jiyan wasn’t that confident. In fact, he wasn’t confident at all – a painful realization that hit him full force when he felt a sudden warmth on his shoulder. Geshu Lin had decided to rest his chin right on there. No hesitation.

This man was a certified maniac. Or someone who really, really had no shame when it came to personal space.

“Reading a book, Sir.”, Jiyan pressed out between tight lips, trying to keep his cool – which was quite the feat, considering Geshu Lin was breathing right up his neck.

“How boring.”

“It’s a pleasant pastime activity. Especially after such an…. exhausting day.”, Jiyan glanced down at the other, only to feel his general chuckle against him.

“What? I thought you liked spending time in the infirmary.”

“I like-“

Before Jiyan could finish his sentence, General Geshu Lin used his distraction to launch his attack. And before Jiyan knew it, a warm weight was already in his lap. Something tickled his wrist. Hair. White hair.

… General Geshu Lin was lying in his lap.

1. HIS. LAP.

Jiyan recited the Midnight Ranger’s oath three full times in his mind before he found himself able to speak again.

“What… are you doing, Sir?”, Jiyan weakly questioned him, only for the man to shrug nonchalantly.

“Getting comfortable.”

“…In my lap?”, Jiyan contemplated knocking himself out with the book right this instant.

“Got a problem? I’m cold.”

“Cold?! You, of all people…”, Jiyan raised his eyebrows at him, pausing as another realization hit him. “Wait, why did you even come here in the first place?”

“Cai Tao and Ma He burned down my tent.”

“Ah I see.”

Jiyan flipped the next page of the book.

Silence.

And then his brain finally kicked in.

“Wait what the fuck do you mean?! They burned down your tent-“, Jiyan flinched when he realized the disrespectful tone in his voice and quickly paddled back, looking away in embarrassment as he mumbled: “G…. General.”

Thankfully, General Geshu Lin seemed to be – even with a burned tent – in a good mood. Instead of reprimanding him for the slip-up he only chuckled, observing his face in mild amusement. “Yep. Nothing but ashes. Such idiots, right?”

“I… I think that would be putting it mildly.”, Jiyan stammered, still barely able to come to terms that his general was in fact not joking. So the fire scent from earlier and the nosy chatter had been not as trivial as he expected, huh.

…Wait a moment.

“Sir, did you come here to inform me I’ll be needed at the infirmary at this hour?”, Jiyan shuddered only to then freeze when Geshu Lin laughed out loud, the sound sending shivers down Jiyan’s spine. And not out of fear.

Fuck.

“Nah, no need for that.”

“Did… Did you kill them?”

“Hah?”, this time it was General Geshu Lin’s turn to look offended, the pout on his face so misplaced to his usual sternness. “I should have. But not this late into the night. Do I look like I want to bury corpses after fighting all day long?”

“N… Not really, Sir.”

“Absolutely not, Sir.”, Geshu Lin mimicked his title, rolling his eyes dramatically before he snuggled into Jiyan’s lap with a sigh – and Jiyan nearly passed out on the spot.

“So yeah anyways, I need a place to crash. Didn’t bring a spare tent with me, y’know.”

It took Jiyan way longer than he liked to until he realized what nuke his general had just dropped on him. But who could blame him when the damned man was nuzzling his face right in his lap, just centimeters, very scary centimeters away from his crotch.

“You want to take my tent, Sir?”, Jiyan swallowed hard as his mind raced, trying to figure out how he could quickly escape this situation and find someone to take him in. “Alright, I’ll pack up and go ask Peng Xing if-“

“No need for that.”

“Sir, I don’t unde-“

“Medic, do you think I’m fat?”

“…What?!” Flabbergasted Jiyan shook his head, his mind a sputtering mess beneath the glare of those golden suns, scorching him mercilessly.

But General Geshu Lin seemed completely oblivious to his nervous breakdown. Instead, he continued to glare at him, muttering in an offended tone: “There’s more than enough space for both of us in here. I’ve been a common soldier before, too, y’know? Actually, I’ve slept with four people in one tent, so don’t be so stingy.”

“S…Sir, this is not about being stingy.”, Jiyan let out an incredulous laugh, nervously fiddling with the pages of his book, “You’re my superior. You ought to have your own tent. As your combat medic, I-“

“Then I command you to stay here.”

“Pardon?”

Geshu Lin frowned at him – one glance at his expression enough to make Jiyan certain that there was no way he was getting out of this mess any time soon.

“You heard me.”, the older man grumbled, being so bold to sling his arms around Jiyan’s torso as he nuzzled against his stomach, “You won’t kick me out. I forbid you.”

“I… I abide.”

Awkwardly, Jiyan let Geshu Lin do as he pleased, mustering his superior in both awe and shock. Never in his wildest dreams would he have expected to see this fluff of white hair sprawled against his stomach.

Sentinels, this sight would never leave his mind again, would it?

He was so screwed.

“C…Can I do something for you, General?”, he asked finally, his words slow as if he had just awakened from a daze. It was an innocent offer and yet his hands clutched his book so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.

“Always so kind, huh…”, Geshu Lin just huffed against his shirt, not even bothering to look up. For a moment, they stayed in awkward silence and Jiyan would have almost thought that Geshu Lin had fallen asleep, hadn’t it been for the hot breath hitting his stomach again and again.

“Just let me rest here. I really am cold. And tired. Day’s been rough.”

“Of course.” Jiyan swallowed hard, staring at the white hair as he wondered if it would feel as fluffy as it looked. “Anything you want.”

At this, General Geshu Lin froze. Jiyan could feel his breath hitch, his hands, buried in Jiyan’s shirt at the back twitching, clenching up for a moment before the man relaxed again.

“Anything I want, huh…?”, he heard his superior whisper, the tone in his voice so strange, so off, that Jiyan felt …. queasy. As if he were missing something important.

He did miss something important.

“Then read me that book of yours.”

“My book? But…. That’s just  an essay on the standard methods in routine laboratory diagnostics-“

“Whatever.”, Geshu Lin’s arms hugged him even tighter while the man let out a sigh against Jiyan’s thin shirt, the skin below it right below his navel stinging in longing and pleasure. “Just let me hear your voice.”

Just… let me hear your voice?

Jiyan shivered at these strange words. It was hard not to read something into them –something inappropriate that should never see the light of day. But how was he supposed to deal with this softness, so foreign on a man he only knew as brazen, barking out commands and wading knee-deep in the blood of friend and foe alike?

And now he was here, laying in his lap, nuzzled against him as if he were a stuffed animal.

Jiyan held onto the book for dear life. His first words came out shaky, but over time, his voice grew calm and steady. It almost felt like the presentations he used to give at the clinic – only, in those, his colleagues usually didn’t end up snoring. It was just one tiny sound, but it made Jiyan freeze up in place. Wide-eyed, he looked down at his superior. And yes – he was asleep. Dead-fast sleep.

…And his arms were still snaked around Jiyan.

Shit.

Now what was he supposed to do?!

Jiyan’s mind raced to find a possible solution. But in the end, he had no chance but to succumb to his fate and let Geshu Lin stay there. After all, there was no way he could get these strong arms off him – even if he even wanted to. If anyone were to ask him, he would claim he didn’t want to wake the man. And maybe this was true.

But deep down, Jiyan knew that there was a far more shameful reason, one that became painfully obvious when he reached out and tenderly touched the white hair.

It really was as fluffy as he had thought.

“Good Night, General. Sleep well.”, Jiyan smiled as he gently brushed the bangs out of the other’s face, adoring it with a warm, fuzzy heart. “You need it.”

Jiyan didn’t know when he fell asleep as well, but it did take some time,. Initially, he had planned on staying awake the whole night, regardless of how stupid this might be considering they were about to head in active war territory. But letting such a chance go to waste, giving up on watching General Geshu Lin shed all his masks and just be this soft young man of merely twenty-three years – Jiyan would, have skipped several nights of sleep for such a sight. But in the end, nature was not on his side and he fell asleep, still sitting upright like when Geshu Lin had first entered his tent. Not a comfortable position – there was no doubt he would wake up stiff and sore.

Or so he thought.

Jiyan did not wake up stiff. In fact, when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find he felt more refreshed than he had in a long time. Confused, he sat up. Something fell off his torso. A… blanket. His blanket. He had been lying on the mattress, perfectly covered by it. And rarely had he ever felt this warm. A wave of nervousness washed over him as he realized that there was something else severely amiss.

General Geshu Lin was gone.

He had woken up before him.

No wonder, his lap surely couldn’t have been comfortable, especially for a whole night.

“Well, let’s hope that apart from being stiff, he’s at least not cold anymore…”