The warm steam curled lazily in the air, softening the edges of the bathing chamber as the two of you sank deeper into the fragrant water. Jing Yuan reclined against the smooth stone edge, his long white hair spilling loose over his shoulders, damp strands clinging to his skin. His usual armor and robes were absent, leaving only the quiet intimacy of shared stillness.

You settled against him, your back resting against his chest as his arms draped loosely around your waist. His fingers traced idle patterns along your skin, slow and unhurried, as if time itself had slowed to match his languid pace. The water lapped gently around you both, and his chin came to rest atop your head with a contented sigh.

His golden eyes were half-lidded, the usual sharpness softened into something warm and indulgent. The faintest smile played at his lips—not the clever smirk he wore when outmaneuvering opponents in starchess, but something quieter, more private.

"Mm. This is better than paperwork," he murmured, voice thick with drowsy amusement.