#OH MY JINMAO HEART

[shiroselia]

Just finished the first light novel volume.

I think I have vocivd.

[harleyquilt]

JinMao ficlet:

Some time in the future, when they become a fully fledged couple, it's not uncommon for the two of them to take a bath together. Jinshi was actually much more flustered about this than Maomao was the first time they tried this, but after the more intimate times they have spent together, sharing a bath isn't as embarrassing as it once was.

Jinshi, being the pampered boy he is, expects Maomao to help him wash his hair, and though she grumbles, she does do it. She lathers soap and oil into his long strands, and it actually reminds her of how she would help wash her older sisters' hair back at the brothel. She thinks about when she should next visit them.

Jinshi, meanwhile, finds her touches to be especially soothing, and he leans back, tilting his head up to look at her. He has this boyish charm to him, a small smile on his lips and eyes that seek out hers, quietly asking her to coddle him. Maomao, however, is not one to spoil, and she instead responds by dumping a damp cloth over his face.

"I don't want the soap to get into your eyes." She says, while he splutters and leans forward again, pouting.

She moves his washed hair over his shoulder and goes on to scrub his back. She moves her hand over his broad shoulders, before going down the length of his back, observing his toned muscles. She remarks that they're stiff, and she wonders if she should suggest an oiled massage. Not from her, of course, but from the eager courtesans back in the Verdigris House. No no, he would just have Maomao do that, too, she thinks, keeping the thought to herself.

"You've been working too hard again." Maomao then says, both of her hands resting on his shoulders. "It's not good for your health."

"Says the girl who enjoys digesting poisons." He retorts, turning and taking her hands. Maomao looks away, pursing her lips. "This is plenty replenishment, anyway."

He pulls her forward, embracing her, and wide-eyed, she looks up to Jinshi, her body pressed against his. He kisses her forehead, the tips of her ears growing warm, and pulling away, he gives her that cheeky smile, like he has just won something. Maomao tuts, turning her back to him.

"Please wash my back, master Jinshi." She says, holding out the cloth for him.

"You know I don't like being called that when it's just us two." He grumbles, dunking the cloth into soapy water. "It's just Jinshi here."

Maomao doesn't respond, but the thought does make her heart clench. Even after all this time, even while bathing together, there was something far too intimate about addressing him without any honorifics. Perhaps in doing so, it would be acknowledging the true depth of their relationship, and it's in moments like these that Maomao is reminded that she still hasn't completely accepted this reality yet.

Maybe a part of her expects him to move on, marrying some noble and focusing his energy on creating an heir. Except, as time goes on, Jinshi's focus only ever remains on her, and she's forced to accept that she really is the only one he wants. Wasn't that strange? Wasn't it wrong? She's not sure, not anymore. Though she would rather not admit it, his attention wasn't completely off-putting.

"What're you thinking?" Jinshi asks, moving aside the towel from her back and swiping the cloth gently over her skin.

"Nothing, really."

"Hm?" Jinshi continues to scrub her back, shuffling forward. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Jinshi frowns, dumping the cloth back into the water. "Turn around."

"...no." Maomao looks over her shoulder. "I can wash the rest of my body myself."

"I wasn't--" His cheeks grow red. "I just wanted..." He turns his face away, clearly embarrassed.

Maomao sighs and shuffles around. "What is it...Jinshi?"

His blush deepens in colour. "Oh, well..." He straightens, taking a deep breath. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" He takes her hand and holds it between his. "I will always be on your side, Maomao."

Her eyes widen momentarily. "I really wasn't thinking of anything..." Maomao mumbles, lowering her eyes.

He holds her hand so tenderly, and it's hard for her to understand why, even now. But whatever the reason, it's clear that he cares for her, always doing gestures like these to convey to her the importance she holds in his mind. Truly, their relationship is not something she thinks she will ever fully comprehend.

"Maomao..."

"Yes?" She lifts her eyes.

"I'm...cold." Jinshi confesses. Whatever firmness he held moments before gave way to a rather pathetic expression, knocking Maomao back down to reality.

She sighs. "I'll fetch your robes, master Jinshi."