Chapter Text
It happened so suddenly before Endmin could react.
The press of warm lips to his own, the slide of Ardashir’s tongue as it tastes and prods, the odd sense of familiarity yet somehow displaced at the same time.
He hadn’t expected to be caught off guard, seconds passing by before he finally pushed Ardashir off him, much to the other’s amusement.
“Endmin!”
He heard Perlica and Chen rushing over to him quickly, witnessing the whole ordeal.
Seeing their concerned looks brought him back down to the reality of what happened, rubbing his lips with his sleeve as he glared at Ardashir who just stood there, calm and poised as ever.
Not like the man could see half his face, but he tried nonetheless.
“What was that for?” Endmin hissed.
Ardashir simply shrugged his shoulders, smiling as if he hadn’t just stolen a kiss off of the ever-important Endministrator.
“Just a greeting.” He replies coolly.
Perlica checked him all over, making sure nothing else happened then sighed in relief before turning her darkened gaze towards Ardashir with Chen drawing her sword towards him.
This hardly fazed him, merely bringing his hands up in feign surrender, his eyes never leaving the man standing between the two girls.
Endmin, on his side, just narrowed his eyes more.
“A greeting?” He scoffed, “Do you kiss everyone you meet, then?”
“No.” Ardashir answers.
He steps closer, unperturbed by the girls with weapons drawn at him.
“Just you, Endmin.”
This left him baffled, a cool hand reaching to tuck strands of dark hair behind his ear then chuckling to himself before turning to walk away.
“This has been most fun, but I shall take my leave now.”
And he did.
Ardashir left as quick as he came, appearing only to cause a ruckus of taking a kiss as if it had belonged to him. To take what was rightfully his, though Endmin wasn’t sure why he had that thought. The problem with his lack of memories aside, the kiss lingered in his mind.
As the girls escorted him back somewhere safe, Endmin wondered what the other man’s thoughts were.
His lips were still warm, a reminder of who had reclaimed them again.
Life surely had a way of turning things into a comedy.
Or was it a tragedy if Endmin would find himself running into Ardashir again at Wuling, being eyed up and down by him with that subtle smirk.
“Pleasure to see you again, dear Endmin.” Ardashir greets.
Endmin was ready to draw his blade, hands itching to fight only for Ardashir to walk past him without another thought, leaving him confused.
“Now, now, did you think I was planning another sneak attack on you?” The man chuckled, glancing back.
“Or maybe,” He pauses for dramatic effect, corners of his lips curling up more, “you were expecting something from me?”
The Endministrator clicked his tongue, dropping his stance since the other was clearly messing around with him. No point in putting up his guard when the other wasn’t taking him seriously.
“Why are you here?” Asked Endmin.
Ardashir shrugged, nonchalant.
“Can’t a person just simply take a walk?”
“While there’s Landbreakers and Aggeloi around? You expect me to believe that?”
The man only smiled wider, leaving his question unanswered.
It was always like this – their conversations were never a straightforward affair, a struggle to even get a simple answer out of Ardashir no matter how often he tried. Yet he continuously appeared in front of him, always within the range of Endmin stabbing him with the sharp end of his blade.
Maybe he knew the Endministrator wouldn’t, the hint of hesitation because of unknown familiarity.
Raising his head, Endmin hadn’t expected for Ardashir to be just inches away from him and stumbled back, tripping on his feet.
“...!”
Closing his eyes to brace himself, instead he was pulled back just as he heard the sound of something zooming right past behind him. His face was buried on something soft and warm, the side of his head tickled by strands of hair.
“You’re alright now, Endmin.” A voice spoke to his ear, shuddering at the hot breath.
Raising his head, Endmin finds himself pressed flush against Ardashir, an arm wrapped tightly around his waist as he smiles down at him. Blinking, he glances aside to see a couple of large barrels had rolled down from a hill and crashed onto a bunch of crates.
A few people came by with a hurried apology before running over to recover all the fallen items, leaving Endmin at a loss to what had just happened.
“Now, now,” Ardashir pats his head, fingers combing through his hair, “thankfully you weren’t hurt, so let’s count your blessings I was here, yes?”
“Really, what would you do without me?”
There was amusement in his tone, yet a hint of something else that he hides within that placid smile.
Whether he was frazzled by almost being run over by heavy barrels or being so close to Ardashir, he had no resistance to the man leaning in to plant kisses all over his face. His mask slipped, just enough to uncover a pale-colored eye, wide in bewilderment from how close their faces were.
There was a shared look, right before the light-haired man leaned in only to stop short an inch with a curl of his lips, breathing so teasingly to his own.
“You’re expecting something. I can see it.” He notes, amused.
Instead, Ardashir adjusts his mask to properly cover his face again.
“But this distance,” He continues, craning his head down, “will be closed by you.”
Endmin let out a soft gasp, body flinching at lips pressed to his shoulder, trailing up to his neck and a puff of air to his blushing ear. This finally woke him up, pushing Ardashir back as his cheeks flushed red and catching his breath, not realizing he’d been holding it the entire time.
“You…!”
Hardly offended, Ardashir merely stepped back, head tilted and ever smiling.
With the slight laugh in his voice, he touches the peak of Endmin’s cheek, fingertips caressing it gently.
“You shouldn’t quickly show people that kind of expression.” He scolded, as if he hadn’t been the root cause of it.
“Anyone would presume you to be a delectable treat waiting to be feasted on.”
Fingers slide down to tilt his chin up, thumb stroking his bottom lip.
“Let’s not give others a taste, is that clear?”
Endmin swatted his hand away then pushed him further away, thoroughly displeased and ashamed for letting it get this far. He’d had enough of this nonsense, glaring from beyond the mask that hides him.
“And who are you to tell me what to do?” He challenged.
Ardashir shrugged his shoulders, the slight smugness seeping out from his usual nonchalance. His smirk was detestable, wanting to wipe it off his face when he had the chance.
“Please, Endmin, do you really see yourself seeking this sort of companionship in others?”
“I could try.”
“You could,” Ardashir said, “but will you?”
The confidence was astounding, in more ways than one. So self-assured Endmin wouldn’t go anywhere else, placing himself in a position where he would be sought after for such affections and comfort all while he was the epitome of the opposite.
Even when Endmin brought his guarded stance back up, sword drawn and pointed at the other, Ardashir walked closer until he had the tip pointed at his neck, close enough to draw blood if he moved just slightly.
“Try as you might, you know that I’m correct to say even in our last breaths…”
Ardashir grabs that bladed edge with his hand, moving it down to his heart.
“... it will be me who shall be at your side.”
Faltering, Endmin soon found himself alone again, the man disappearing before he could speak another word.
Left without a trace, other than the blood that stains the tip of his sword.
A distress signal from UWST workers had been picked up by Fiona, citing attacks from Landbreakers attempting to steal materials from them and sending the Endministrator near the Woodland Fringes to aid in the crisis.
Perlica had gone back to Dijiang momentarily to handle certain affairs and Chen was helping out at Wuling, leaving Endmin alone to face the Landbreakers.
Rain poured down heavily, leaving the ground beneath his feet wet and muddy. Yet with another slash, he cuts one down and their body flops to the dirt with a splash, lifeless. The UWST workers thankfully managed to flee with no casualties, security awaiting somewhere nearby to escort them somewhere safe.
Figuring all threats in the area had been disposed of for now, Endmin put away his sword to send his report, maybe head back to Dijiang to clean himself off right after.
With his guard lowered and the sound of the rain deafening, he had been too late in sensing the presence of a towering figure approaching him from behind until their shadow engulfed him completely, their weapon already poised to slam down on him.
“Diiiiiieeeee!!”
Endmin turned, unable to react fast enough as all he could do was take the hit and be struck down to an inch of his life.
Eyes closed, he braced himself for impact.
“Don’t touch him.”
CLANG!
Raising his head, Endmin lowered his arms to see a familiar back in dark blue and silver hair, holding back the Bonekrusher scum with his cane as it sparks from heavy friction. Effortlessly, he pushes them back and blasts them away, their huge body sent tumbling with audible cracks and squelches.
Ardashir huffs in satisfaction at the brutality, turning back to Endmin who stares at him in disbelief.
“You saved me.”
The man shrugs, irritatingly good-looking even in the rain.
“That I did.”
“Why are you here?” Endmin questioned, confused and wary.
He adjusts the cuffs of his already wet shirt and approaches the stunned Endministrator, flipping the hood of his jacket over his head in a vague effort to cover him.
“Now, while I would like to have a conversation with you,” Ardashir walks past him, “let’s find a better place to chat that isn’t surrounded by dead bodies and the pouring rain.” He glances back, smiling, “Shall we, Endmin?”
Though he didn’t trust him, begrudgingly Ardashir was right and he soon followed the man down to an unoccupied station surrounded by blue flowers nearby.
Once sheltered, both stood drenched wet by the closed door, clothes sticking uncomfortably to their skins and droplets hanging from the ends of their hair strands. Each step they took inside was followed by the squelching of their shoes, leaving wet footprints behind them.
Now safe and secure, with a roof over their heads, there was one thing they needed to address.
“Are you following me?” Endmin asked, turning to the other person present.
Ardashir pushed his hair back, eyes trailing over to the Endministrator.
“And if I say yes?”
Endmin narrowed his eyes – again, knowing the man wouldn’t be able to see it.
“Why?”
“Does everything need an answer?” Ardashir teased.
“When it comes to you, yes.”
“Why, I’m flattered.”
Endmin was ruffled, huffing.
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
Ardashir laughed, slipping off his coat and folding it over the nearest chair. It was hardly a laughing matter to Endmin, however.
“Answer me.” Endmin persisted, fists clenched, “Why are you stalking me to this extent? Going out of your way to save me, even.”
“Stalking is such a dreadful way of putting it, Endmin.” Ardashir chuckles.
When he began approaching him, Endmin backed away until he hit the edge of a desk, trapped between it and Ardashir who settled between his legs, hands flat on the surface of the desk.
Endmin tries to keep him at a distance, pushing him back best he could but finds his strength failing him.
“I prefer to call it as being invested in your survival.”
Endmin hesitated, “For what reason?”
He yelps when Ardashir suddenly lifts him up and settles him on top of the desk, now sat and further trapped. Their damp clothes still clung to their skin, bodies uncomfortably flushed against each other which made him shudder then glared at him.
As if sensing his irritation, Ardashir smirked and slipped a hand over Endmin’s shoulder, his long jacket slipping off.
“Must I share?” He teased, his smirk growing, “I didn’t think you’d be interested to know so much about me.”
“I don’t, but you keep hovering near me and it gets annoying.”
Ardashir laughed softly, highly amused and unserious as ever. He caresses Endmin on the cheek, the highest peaks blushing red from the cold rain before he leans in to plant a kiss on supple skin. When those lips get closer to his own, Endmin was quick to block Ardashir, covering his mouth with his hand.
To his credit, Ardashir hardly seems offended and instead chose to hold his hand, kissing the palm presented to him. His smirk never goes away, piercing eyes unwavering.
“I told you, didn’t I?” He leans back in close, bringing Endmin’s hand up, “This distance,” He plants a kiss on his fingers, “will be closed by you.”
There had to be a limit on how shameless a person could be, the confidence he held being to such astounding levels that made Endmin’s head spin.
Trying to push him away again, he caught sight of something.
“You’re hurt.” Endmin notes.
Almost hidden, he sees the bruise from under Ardashir’s glove and quickly takes it off to see his whole wrist was injured.
Ardashir only shrugs, “Is it so surprising I can get hurt too?”
“Well, it’s just… you don’t seem the type to get hurt easily.” Endmin had to admit, having a certain image in his head.
“I’m not so weak that this would hinder me, Endmin.”
Endmin holds his hand, observing the injury.
“Was it from earlier?”
Ardashir shrugs again, becoming quieter.
“Does it bother you?” He asks, voice soft.
“No, it doesn’t.” Endmin answers too quickly.
The man laughs at that, shaking his head, “You’re a terrible liar, Endmin”
He holds Endmin by his cheek and slowly slides his hand up, slipping the mask hiding Endmin’s face off him and placing it aside carefully. Ardashir smiled, pressing their foreheads together.
“You wouldn’t look at me with such worry if it didn’t.”
True to his word, whatever he might feel for Ardashir, his expression betrayed him as his eyes scanned him all over for any other sign of injury, brows furrowed with genuine concern and a hand that clung to him, pulling at his shirt. Endmin wanted to face him with contempt, truly he did, but there was this part inside of him that messes it all up to where he just couldn’t, especially not with the man before him.
“Don’t worry so much about it.” Ardashir tries to reassure him.
He kisses his forehead, mood shifting from earlier.
“I’m fine.”
It was almost unfair how unbothered Ardashir often was, never letting himself slip even just for a moment. Always so cool and composed, hardly a crack in his facade.
Pursing his lips, Endmin took out the buck capsules from his stash and pushed it to the other’s chest.
“Now we’re even.” Endmin tells him, his voice shaking as he breaks his gaze away.
Handed medicine, Ardashir could only laugh in response before he passed it back to Endmin, eyes widened in surprise.
“I don’t need it, I’ll be fine.” Ardashir insisted.
Not wanting to keep owing him however, Endmin held the capsules in his hand then popped one in his mouth. Ardashir hummed curiously, head tilted like a puppy, watching him closely.
Endmin slid his arms around the other man’s neck, bringing him close till their lips were inches apart.
Ardashir’s words resound in his head, begrudging at the inevitability of it.
“This distance… will be closed by you.”
And so he kisses Ardashir, finally closing the gap that’s hovered between them for so long. Endmin pulled him in, enough to almost fall back on the desk but just as quickly had an arm wrapped around his waist, keeping him upright and steady.
This meant nothing, Endmin tried to convince himself. This was just to repay Ardashir for saving him earlier, to not be owed something.
That the way their tongues wrapped around each other didn’t feel good. Their bodies, pressed so tightly together it was almost like their skins touched underneath layers of clothes, didn’t feel warm and inviting. How he tried to ignore the heat pooling downwards, flushed against the other’s own growing arousal.
And when he passes the capsule, from one tongue to the other, he feigns ignorance at a faint chuckle as he hears the sound of it being swallowed.
With one, and two, and three more kisses later, Ardashir pulls away from him with a wipe of saliva off the corners of Endmin’s lips.
Catching his breath, hands clung to the front of Ardashir’s shirt, he shivered as cold hands snuck under his shirt. Fingers tease his waist, grazing his skin with ghost-like touches.
“Now, we’re even.” Endmin states, though the need in his voice betrayed his attempts at aloofness.
Ardashir tilts his head up, seeing his eyes softened and his smile bittersweet, “Really now?” He questioned, gaze flickering downwards then back up at him, “I would say there is a more pressing matter at hand.”
Endmin knew what he meant, his breath hitching with every slight movement, the barest of friction sending waves of pleasure he didn’t want to admit he was experiencing.
Yet he didn’t pull away, instead burying his face into the other man’s shoulder, tugging his shirt like it was a signal.
“As I expected.” He mutters, muffled.
“I really don’t like you.”
He felt the shake of Ardashir’s body as he laughed, now working to slip his damp and heavy coat off his body to toss it aside. The press of lips to his cheek, his jaw and down to his neck.
“That’s fine, that means I’m in your thoughts always.” Ardashir says.
Brought into a full embrace, a soft and shaky gasp escaping him, there was nothing else the Endministrator could do but let himself go.
“That makes me happy.”
Surely, this was a bad idea. They were on the opposite ends of the equation, both sides contentious and at war. With each slip of their clothes and every kiss shared, it was mistake after mistake. He wouldn’t even be able to explain it should others see the bruises left behind on his body later.
The mix of pain and pleasure that leaves his mind a wretched mess, the bites on every smooth surface of his skin imaginable, his nails trailing red on the man’s back as a smooth voice whispers sweet nothings to him.
All of this would be difficult to forget.
Even so, no one would be able to find them here nor would they be able to hear anything, all of it drowned out by the heavy pouring rain.
And later, washing away anything that could leave traces behind.