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The little kitten looked at him with bright golden eyes as it purred in contentment. Its eyes were cresents as delicate fingers caressed its cute stomach. “Mrow.” It purred. Luo Hanying smiled and tickled the kitten some more, earning a few meows from the kitten. The white kitten helf Luo Hanying’s fingers as its tail swished happily. “You’re a cute one aren’t you?” He cooed as he bopped its little nose. “Meow.” It purred. Luo Hanying stuck his tongue out at the cat.
The astrologer was having such a great day today. The sun was shining. The sky was clear and blue. The stars were in a wonderful position. There were no death threats, assasination attempts, evil kings, evil concubines and curses and blah blah blah towards the emperor and empress today. There was barely any work. Oh and his friend gave him a kitten.
Yes, a kitten.
“Hanying!” Xiao Jinming exclaimed as he ran over to the astrologist with a box. Luo Hanying looked up from the book he was reading and peered at the prince. “Your highness, what brings you here?” He asked as he put down the book he was reading. Xiao Jinming grinned and plopped down beside him, box in hand. He showed the astrologer the box while he was beaming. “For you!” He exclaimed. Luo Hanying took the box. For him? How strange. Xiao Jinming played with his hair. “I-I- you seemed lonely to me so.. I brought you a friend.” He muttered. A friend? Luo Hanying held the box in his pale hands and examined it. The box was a beautiful mahogany box with gold sides. Strangely enough, there were holes on top of the box. Puzzled, the astrologer opened the box. And inside was.. a kitten.
It had white kitten golden eyes. And it was adorable. It was looking at him with bright and big eyes. “Meow?” It purred. Luo Hanying gaped at the cat. For years he wanted a cat but he wasn’t allowed to have one. He picked it up, its fur felt like clouds. “Meow.” It meowed. Luo Hanying’s heart melted. It was so cute!! “Hello xiao mao.” He greeted. The kitten purred and licked his nose. The almighty astrologer froze. Xiao Jinming smiled softly. He scooted beside the white haired man. “Her name is Yue, she’s a good little kitty. I hope you like her.” He said. Luo Hanying put the kitten back on the box and turned to face Xiao Jinming. His eyes were wide and a pink blush was spread on his face. “Like?? I love her!” He said with sparkling eyes. Xie Jinming sighed, relieved. “I’m glad you do. Yue is a very lonely kitten just like you so I figured you’d want a friend.” He replied. Luo Hanying tilted his head. “I know how much you yearned for a cat when you were younger and we’ve been friends for a loong time.. And you always seem .. sad and lonely ever since you became the grandmaster.I want you to have company” He muttered, “Lonely? You come to me everyday. How could I be lonely? You’re like the sun in my life. No matter how dark or lonely things get, you'll always be here making me feel loved.” Luo Hanying smiled softly as he caressed the kitten. Xiao Jinming’s eyes widened. “Your highness, ever since we were children you were the only one who stood by me and kept me company. You’re like summer, melting away the harsh and freezing snow. I’ve always admired you.” Xiao Jinming flushed madly as he looked at the astrologer. “I-i..” Xiao Jinming looked down and flushed red. He twirled his fingers together as he tried to comprehend what the astrologer was saying. Luo Hanying patted his head. “Prince, why are you so flustered? Are we not men?” He teased.
Jinming looked at the astrologer with a red face. “You can’t say that! After you serenade me with your enchanting words!” He humphed and looked away. Luo Hanying laughed softly. “Don’t you frequent brothels? You are fawned over so many women yet you show no reaction. And yet here I am ‘serenading’ you with my words and you look as if you have a high fever.” He grinned. Xiao Jinming glared at him. He hugged the astrologer and buried his face into the grandmaster’s robes. “Mghh.. Stop teasing mee!” He complained. Luo Hanying held the prince closer and patted his head. “Hanying.. you’re so bold.” He muttered. Luo Hanying cupped the prince’s face and made him look at him. Blue eyes met lavender ones. “Bold? I’m not the one who asked his best friend to marry him as a child.” He said. Xiao Jinming gaped.
[Years ago…]
It was a cool summer day. The wind was cool and the grass was swaying. The flowers gave off a wonderful aroma as the butterflies danced around them. Two children were playing in the clearing, laughing as they chased each other. The little prince and his friend were smiling and laughing merrily as they ran around the field, running along the stream. The boy with the white hair chased after the prince as his lavender eyes were shining with delight. The prince on the other hand, was grinning so wide his cheeks were a rosy red. “Hehe! You can’t catch me Luo Hanying!!” Xiao Jinming squealed. “I will catch you Ming’er!” Luo Hanying exclaimed as he picked up the pace. Xiao Jinming noticed this and laughed. “Ahh!! He’s gonna catch me!” He cried overdramatically. Luo Hanying sighed. Then, Luo Hanying caught Xiao Jinming and the both tumbled to the ground, laughing with glee.
Both of the children were exhausted and red faced from playing so much. They held hands as they laid on the soft grass that was as soft as a cloud. The boys looked at the bright cloudless blue sky. They chatted aimlessly about nothing in particular, they were simply basking in each other's company. “Luo Hanying do you know my Ge is gonna be emperor soon? Mama said that he’ll rule the country and have so much money and wives!” Xiao Jinming said. Luo Hanying gasped. “Really? Wow! That’s so cool!” He exclaimed in awe. Xiao Jinming grinned.”I know right?” He said with pride. Luo Hanying smiled softly at his friend. The nine year old really liked his friend. They always spent their time together. Seeing him happy was like a reward sent from the heavens. “Ming’er, what’s it like being a prince?” He asked quietly. Xiao Jinming looked at him and grinned. “It’s awesome!” He exclaimed. “You get so many toys, you barely have to do anything yourself, you always get to play, everyone likes you and it’s generally just awesome!” He laughed. Luo Hanying sighed. “That sounds amazing. When I grow up I want to work in the palace as the astrologer so I can read the stars and the heavens.” He declared. Xiao Jinming stuck his tongue out. “You’re always talking about stars and the heavens.” He said dramatically. Luo Hanying smacked him. “Astrology is cool! And god’s are super duper interesting!” He argued. “Yeah, yeah.” Xiao Jinming snorted. Luo Hanying glared at him and pounced on him. Xiao Jinming screeched as they both tumbled on the grass giggling.
Xiao Jinming sighed as he collapsed on top of Luo Hanying. Both of the nine year olds were exhausted. Luo Hanying combed Xiao Jinming’s hair with his fingers. Delicate fingers combed through the blond’s hair as the prince nuzzled into his friend’s chest like good bros. Because they were best friends, they snuggled on the grass like normal friends who are not homo of sexual and were very straight. Simple moments like this were pure bliss for the two. It was like laying in a soft bed near a hearth on a rainy day. It was perfect. Both of them wished it could last forever. But nothing lasts forever. Luo Hanying frowned as he wordlessly caressed Xiao Jinming’s hair. “You know, we won’t stay together forever.” He muttered. Xiao Jinming smiled, the smile he wore was devoid of emotion. “I know. A-Niang says that good relationships might seem like they last forever but, unless you two are devoted to each other enough then you might fall apart and never see eachother again. ” He said sadly. Luo Hanying furrowed his brows and glared at no one in particular.
Xiao Jinming looked at Luo Hanying and pouted. “Hey! Don’t sulk!” He whined. Xiao Jinming pondered for a while and sat up. “Aha! I know how we’ll be together forever!” He exclaimed. Luo Hanying also sat up. “How?” He asked. Xiao Jinming grinned slyly at his friend. “Marriage.” He replied.
..
THWACK!
“OWH!” Xiao Jinming cried as he rubbed his head. Luo Hanying smacked him in the head after he commented that.. shameless idea. “M-marriage! How bold are you?! We’re both men. I will not be your bride!!” He screeched. Xiao Jinming frowned. “Why?? I read about men who married other men! Plus don’t you love me?”
He whimpered. Luo Hanying flushed. “I-I do! But marriage?!” Xiao Jinming sighed. “Don’t you want to be together forever?” He asked. Luo Hanying looked away awkwardly. “I do want to be together forever. To be with you every waking moment and to wake up and see your face..” He whispered. Xiao Jinming took the boy’s hands and grinned. Luo Hanying looked at him as the prince smiled, his cheeks tinted red. “Well, Luo Hanying! When we grow up, promise me that we’ll get married!”
Luo Hanying laughed as he recalled the memory. He wiped a tear as he giggled. “You were so adorable back then, your highness.” He smiled. Xiao Jinming glared at him. “Meanie!” He pouted. Luo Hanying stuck his tongue out at him. Xiao Jinming cried and hit the man. Luo Hanying laughed as he was slapped by the prince. “YOU’RE SO MEAN!” He sobbed. “Alright, alright! I’m sorry!” Luo Hanying exclaimed. Xiao Jinming smiled triumphantly and smiled. “Good.”
A few hours passed. The two idly chatted and petted the kitten from time to time. It was an enjoyable afternoon, it was slow and sweet like honey. The sun shined and the birds sang. It felt magical. “Hey, Jinming.” “Yes?” Xiao Jinming said. Luo Hanying looked at him with his lavender eyes. “Aren’t you already twenty? Why don’t you have a wife yet?” He asked. Xiao Jinming’s eyes widened and he blushed. “A-ah well- I don’t have a wife yet yes, but I do want to marry someone but haha I’m too afraid to ask them. I fear rejection, and rejection from them would be heartbreaking.” He confessed sadly. Luo Hanying’s eyes narrowed. “I see. Why won’t you confess? I’m sure a lot of women would love to have you as a husband.” He states. Xiao Jinming smiled. “I’ve actually been sort of flirting with them but they seem so cold and it seems like they don’t acknowledge it. To me they look like an untouchable immortal and I will only stain them.” He muttered. “And, we promised each other we’d marry each other in the future but h- they might’ve changed their mind haha.” He said sadly. Luo Hanying cupped the prince’s face. “Oh? But I haven’t changed my mind.” He grinned.
Xiao Jinming’s heart skipped a beat. “Your highness I truly meant it when I said I wanted to be with you forever, to see your face every morning when I wake up. It would truly be a blessing if I got to marry you.” He declared. Xiao Jinming spluttered. “I-i- A-Ying!! Y-you really mean it??” He asked with glassy eyes. “Of course I do.” He said and pressed his lips against the prince’s lips.
The kiss was…magical. It was clear that both of them were inexperienced but it was still great nonetheless. It wasn’t rushed nor slow. It was simply a kiss full of affection, no lust or evil intentions behind it, it was just a show of affection. Luo Hanying hugged Xiao Jinming’s waist as Xiao Jinming threw his arms around the astrologer's neck. When they pulled away, they were both red as E̶l̶m̶o̶ strawberries. “I-i- I’M SORRY!” Luo Hanying exclaimed and fricking teleported five feet away. “No wait!” Xiao Jinming exclaimed and scrambled towards his ‘friend’. Xiao Jinming held on to his shoulders and looked at him dead in the eye. “Do you want to get married??”
Silence.
“What?”
“What??”
They both looked at eachother. The silence was so awkward. Luo Hanying cleared his throat and looked away. “Your highness y-you shouldn’t joke about that.” He muttered. Xiao Jinming pouted. “BUT I’M NOT!” He cried. Luo Hanying looked at him, surprised. “I SWEAR TO YOU THAT I DO LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT’S UNBELIEVABLE! I DON’T WANT TO MARRY ANYONE ELSE! I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN OR MAN! PLEASE ACCEPT ME!” He confessed. He waited for rejection. He would be crushed but he would understand. “Your highness, I would love to marry you.” Luo Hanying said with a smile. Xiao Jinming was shocked. Then that shock faded away and was replaced by pure giddiness. He tackled the astrologer to the ground and kissed him. “I love you I love you I love youu!” He exclaimed. Luo Hanying smiled and embraced the prince.
The next day..
“Mama! Look, I found a husband!” Xiao Jinming announced. The empress dowager spit out her tea. “WHAT?! JINMING WHY IS THE GRANDMASTER WEARING WEDDING ROBES??”