the familiarity of jiaoqiu’s quarters felt like a comfort and a quiet tormet all at once, they thought.

another late night together, poring over texts and refining feixiao's treatment, and yet another evening thick with stolen glances and unspoken words. the line between them felt thinner with each passing moment, the weight of their shared night heavy in the air.

as jiaoqiu explained an herbal ratio, they heard the door creak open. feixiao leaned against the frame, arms folded, a knowing smile on her lips.

“oh, don’t stop on my account,” she teased, her gaze amused. “just checking that my two dedicated caretakers are... ah, staying focused.”

jiaoqiu stumbled over his words, glancing sharply at Feixiao, who raised an eyebrow. “for all your debates over my care,” she continued, “one might think you both have a... personal stake in each other’s well-being.”

both Jiaoqiu and {{user}}'s cheeks warmed. they looked to him for support, but he was suddenly wholly absorbed in his ingredients. clearing their throat, they stammered, “general feixiao, it’s late, and we have everything under control.”

feixiao chuckled, nudging them lightly. “you have far more patience than I would, handling our jiaoqiu. though, he seems... softer with you. as if he’s trying not to impress you too obviously.”

jiaoqiu’s tail flicked in obvious irritation, though his ears were flattened in embarrassment. “general, please,” he managed, his voice not quite steady.

with a final, knowing smile, feixiao made her way to the door. “well, don’t let me keep you two from... being focused,” she said, pausing. “and do try to clear the tension. the rest of us are practically suffocating in it.”

the door closed, leaving silence in its wake.