A/N: My last chapter of the year. This chapter will have tender moments between Iroh and LuXian. There will be erotic tension within this chapter to be warned.
Chapter Thirteen - The Obscure Spider Lily In Haping House:
The dining hall of Haping House was bustling, with the smells of savoury flavours in the hall. Jen LuXian's stomach rumbled, hours after visiting Aunt Meng's salon in the afternoon. He had not eaten, since the steamed buns because he kept his hunger at bay, because he was used to fasting for certain times parts of the year. The man experienced what true hunger was, when he was expelled from Bao Yun, when he had not eaten for days and almost starved, had it not been for kind bystanders giving him food. Jen LuXian was used to hunger, as it was a surprise when there was food available to him, during his stay at the Qian family manor and had treatment he had not received in years.
There was a food spread across the table, but Jen LuXian realised General Iroh spent money on this meal. His humility allowed the prince to treat him to a meal, but such kindness wasn't for free and he had to pay his debt to Iroh some other time. The food across the table was colourful and wetted the appetite, with savoury wantons soaked in a chicken and vegetable broth with diced spring onions and grilled mushrooms, a rack of charred sweet and sour ribs, bowls of dark green seaweed noodles and a side dish of fried shrimps in a dark chilli and pepper sauce. It was enough food for a noble banquet, but Jen LuXian knew seafood was common in Makapu dishes, and Water Tribe fusion foods were entrenched into the cuisine of the United Republic. He was nervous, taking the ivory coloured chopsticks and wondering what to eat first and if refusing will bring out General Iroh's fiery side.
Jen LuXian had his cheek against his hand, leaning on the table, whilst he and General Iroh were in a private booth. He liked the ambience of the place, with cloud shaped lights illuminating the hall in the evening. The innkeeper of Haping House came in and out of the hall, to see if the guests were having a good experience, while waving around that dark blue fan with the white spider lily flowers on it. Jen LuXian found it strange, for a common innkeeper to have a fan like that and wondered who gave it to him. He knew the white spider lily was the insignia of the Ning family from Omashu, which meant a member of the family could be in this hall.
Eyes wondering, as molten gold eyes were fixed on the earth master. The general ate the fried shrimps, with a smile on his face, as spicy food in the Fire Nation was common. There was a modest spread of food and Jen LuXian went for the wantons filled with minced pork and vegetables, because it wetted his appetite and the warm broth reminded him of home cooking. His heart was warmed by the meal, but there was a jar of red blossom wine, which was a staple in Makapu Village. The red blossom wine was mild, in comparison to jade wine in terms of alcoholic content and Jen LuXian didn't drink like he used to, after swearing his vows of priesthood.
General Iroh raised his eyebrow, at Jen LuXian slouching in the booth. "Don't slouch, Your Grace. It's bad manners."
"I sit how I please. I'm not a nobleman anymore." Jen LuXian replied.
"I had no idea Haping House had seaweed noodles."
"Fusion foods are common in this part of the world."
A smile appeared between General Iroh's lips, whilst his eyes never left Jen LuXian, even amidst the hustle and bustle of the hall. "The innkeeper has a nice fan, it's similar to the Zou family symbol but white. I know no one from the Zou family gave the fan to him."
"Someone from the Ning family is here."
"Who do you think it is?"
"I'm not sure. It's not Minister Ning because he never travels far from home, unless he is looking for a husband for his daughters or is attempting to push a wife on his tongzhi son." The earth master mused, as Jen LuXian knew the only son of Minister Ning liked men and liked the beautiful ones like himself.
"I thought Omashu was the beacon of freedom for nobles."
"Those freedoms come at a price, Your Highness. It's an old saying, obey and be filial or lose the freedoms your are allowed. Ning Renshu is a filial son, but he will never marry a woman, which greatly disappoints his father. He is the third child of the Ning family behind two sisters and before two other sisters."
"Is this the reason, why you left Bao Yun."
"It was a mutual agreement between my uncle and myself. I could live for myself and my family will be free from the shame I brought them."
The few bowls and entrees were finished, but General Iroh wrinkled his nose and closed his eyes for a moment. "Do you miss home?" The general said, his hand hovering over Jen LuXian's hand, index finger close to the touch and he pulled away and looked downwards.
"I miss home, but I don't miss the people in it."
"What do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is...the elders, the rules and Great Aunt Ruyi being as harsh as she usually is. I cannot be in that environment anymore." Jen LuXian said, in a saddened tone. His mind wondering elsewhere other than his homesickness and it never went away after five years.
The earth master felt sick inside, lying to the Avatar and her companions about returning to Bao Yun. The ties between family were broken and can never be repaired, because of the events of what happened. Jen LuXian was finishing his meal, despite the taste of seaweed noodles not being foreign to him, because he got used to southern tribe cuisine and liked how homely the meals were. He sensed the prince's hand hovering over his, with the hairs of Jen LuXian's fingers standing up. There was no Kumi to push anyone away and Jen LuXian never wanted anyone else, but General Iroh having contact with him, because his touch was familiar and safe. Nothing suggested the firebender had dubious intentions towards Jen LuXian, when it could be the contrary because what general would leave his post for an exiled nobleman.
The whiff of grilled foods reminded him of the sinister things he saw. After the burning of Gu Village, Jen LuXian never liked the smell or the sight of burnt things, since that day because it was engraved in his senses and he woke up in cold sweats some nights because of what he saw. His slender hand was grasped gently, from the other side of the booth and the goosebumps rose on Jen LuXian's arm. His eyes widened, as they were in a public dining hall, and that mystery Ning noble could witness the Fire Nation prince holding his hand. The earth master's head lowered, as his face reddened by the contact between them. It was not the only time, because General Iroh held onto Jen LuXian's wrist out in the market square. It was in a protective manner, but there was no danger in Makapu Village, unless the mountain volcano erupted again.
"I like village life. I would like to live in the countryside someday." Jen LuXian affirmed.
General Iroh leaned backwards against the blush leather seats, glancing at the man before him. "I missed you." He replied solemnly, knowing no deceit was heard in his tone.
"Don't you have your southern tribe friend for comfort?"
"Tarrick is like a brother, but he is not you."
"How so."
"Our grandparents introduced Tarrick and I we and would have been friends otherwise. With you, I thought you hated me through the months in Omashu."
"I did dislike you. You were a spoiled prince, a master firebender and the grandson of a war hero. Rumours and talk have followed you, since the day you were born."
"I'm living less royal these days."
"You fight for the United Republic, but balk at the thought of being loyal to your family."
There is a bristle in General Iroh's expression, since that was a subject, which touched a sore spot. "I wanted to leave of the Fire Nation, explore the world and see more than what my royal status allowed. I would have had a miserable life, with a wife I didn't want, had the United Forces not been an option for me."
"You left."
"Do you resent me for leaving?" General Iroh asked.
"No...like you said choices were made at a time of grief. I never thought I would go back to my clan broken." Jen LuXian replied darkly.
"We had to go back to our lives."
The touch between their hands made Jen LuXian comfortable. He was enjoying Zhu Iroh's company and didn't mind him holding his hand. It felt nice to have his hand held and be treated gently, unlike the harshness Jen LuXian experienced after leaving Bao Yun. The man let out a slight cough to break the tension in the room. He let go of the prince's hand and tucked his hands in the sleeves of his robes and looked away from him. Jen LuXian was used to people wanting to touch him, but he was shy as a youth to reject their interest. He had grown bolder and insisted on breaking boundaries, but only Su Yong had been allowed to touch him, because he was his servant. It had been Su Yong's duty to take care of Jen LuXian, when they were outside of Bao Yun and he did his job with diligence and took his post too seriously, to the point of scaring potential suitors away.
"From all the friends I made, I knew you were different." General Iroh said, with a firm tone.
"How? I'm just like your noble friends without firebending." Jen LuXian replied.
"You gave everything up to live your life."
"I wanted to be like the Avatar, when I was younger."
"You were never going to save the world, under your clan's control."
"It was a mutual departure, Your Highness."
"I see you are pained from leaving, Your Grace."
"Don't say that in public, I want to remain hidden from the world. My travelling name is Zhu Xian and I hope you respect that."
The prince swallowed his pride, wanting to respect Jen LuXian's wishes not to be called his title in a public hall. "I will respect it, but why are you travelling the Earth Kingdom with my surname." Zhu Iroh said, with a smile between his lips.
"Zhu is a common surname in the Earth Kingdom and no one will bat an eye."
"Less common in the Fire Nation."
"What is the most common surname in the Fire Nation."
"Qin is the most common, but there are others that filter through the rankings."
Jen LuXian's heart was beating against his chest, he held his head up and placed a hand over his heart. "I enjoyed the meal, how did you know I liked seaweed noodles." Jen LuXian exclaimed, to the point where no one heard him and his cheeks beamed at the sight of his preferred foods.
"I remember you spat out seal jerky, when you tasted it for the first time. I assumed water tribe food was too assaulting to your Earth Kingdom palette."
"It's an acquired taste, I never grew to like it like I did other foods. I prefer meat foods with flavour and spices, not dried out and turned into a snack food." Jen LuXian explained.
"...My fortune is good, I asked around the village and Aunt Meng is more popular than her predecessor. She said I have a bright future, even though I suffered too much."
"I'm glad, your experience with Aunt Meng was good."
The table Zhu Iroh and Jen LuXian had in the booth was decorated with sunset orange chrysanthemum flowers. Jen LuXian leaned against his hand again, eyes wondering towards the profile of Zhu Iroh and liked what he saw. He did this multiple times, because Jen LuXian appreciated beauty no matter the gender, staring at boys and girls during his fostering in Omashu and wondering about romantic poetry and the naive delusions of love. The man knew the beauty of Fire Nation nobility and where he was in the world, he never saw them unless they were of mixed heritage. He glanced at Zhu Iroh's jaw, reminiscing about the times he used to stare at the prince, during Kong Laoshi's lessons. The Second Young Master of the Jen Clan was curious, having not met a Fire Nation person before at that time. His heart quickened, whilst he took another sip of red blossom wine to steady himself.
"He does so much for me, I don't deserve it. I shouldn't be wined and dined, as if he was my husband. I don't deserve someone this loyal and brave at my side, because my hands are stained with red and a blade plunged into the eyes of those I slew. His Highness shouldn't look at me, as if I am the sun that brightens his sky. I am just a man. A fallen man without a clan and a fallen man with nothing. I'm just like anyone else in the dining hall, unless my identity is revealed and people start treating me like a king. I left the Jen Clan, because I wanted more for my life than what was predated to me and helping the common people."
This kind of outing was normal for Jen LuXian, because he used to go out with Su Yong and see him outside his duty. Something was different this time, because Jen LuXian was more comfortable around General Iroh than Su Yong, because of the rules of protocol because Su Yong was his bodyguard. There was a sense of homeliness, as the casual touches between the two men were normal and something within the intimacies of sworn brotherhood. Jen LuXian had been lonely for years and wanted that casual intimacy, without crossing the boundaries he crossed with Su Yong and Kumi, because they were sworn to protect him. The earth master liked the sounds of the flute that radiated the hall, as musicians would regularly play in dining halls and restaurants and it was nice to see traditional music still being appreciated in the world.
Jen LuXian smiled inside, his stomach full of butterflies ready to escape his lips. He didn't care about whoever was in the dining hall, in his mind it was just him and Iroh. The earth master's fingers traced the pattern of the chrysanthemum flowers engraved on the table. Jen LuXian enjoyed the meal, since it will be a long time before he will have a meal this descent again, because he only ate for sustenance and not for anything else. He looked at General Iroh and the other man looked back, without saying a word but there was a quiet meaning in what they were not saying. The bustle in the dining hall was what made the atmosphere feel like one of the communal shelters Jen LuXian stayed in. The earth master never forgot, what it was like to be around so many people in one place and the feeling of belonging in the world.
In the evening, Jen LuXian entered the room, which belonged to General Iroh, but he offered to share the room. The earth master slept next to Su Yong years ago and he was comfortable with sleeping next to another person. The man liked the minimalistic space in the room, as it was not lavish but homely to his eye. Jen LuXian wasn't particular in the kind of room he slept in because he was used to less than ideal circumstances. There was a quiet breeze outside, which felt nice on Jen LuXian's skin, from the open window because the lapels of his robes were loose from his upper body and the golden butterfly pendant was easy to see. He hung his weimao hat on the wooden rack, that was on the other side of the room. The young master's hair was loose from his topknot being lopsided and he didn't mind it.
There was a silence in the room, as the general sat on the king sized bed, decorated with flying cranes over mountains on the bed sheets. General Iroh's eyes turned to Jen LuXian, but the other man ignored him. The general had a dejected look on his face, but his molten gold stare was on Jen LuXian's feet, knowing the man walked barefooted. There was dirt on the earth master's feet and the prince said nothing. The earthbending master glanced, at the prince removing his red outer tunic and was left in a white undershirt with a part of his chest exposed. Jen LuXian realised Prince Zhu never cut his hair in two years, because he spoke briefly about retirement from the United Forces, because he couldn't tolerate world politics and wants to figure out what to do with his life.
Jen LuXian's feet smoothed over the floor, after removing his boots. He spent time walking around the village barefooted to explore, after leaving Aunt Meng's salon and away from the sweetened smell of the fortune-teller's incense. Jen LuXian yawned, knowing how tired he was from his journey and the exploring he did in the afternoon. Seeing the general beginning to lie down on the bed was amusing, because Jen LuXian saw General Iroh at his most vulnerable state before and now. Jen LuXian tucked his hands in the sleeves of his robes, turning towards the window with the village lanterns lighting up the streets.
"...Your Grace, are your feet normally like this." said General Iroh thoughtfully.
"When I walk around without my boots." Jen LuXian replied.
"Why."
"For spiritual reasons, to feel the earth between my toes."
"I can wash your feet, if you like."
Jen LuXian's eyebrow was raised, and he cocked a wayward smile. "Are you offering, Your Highness?" He was astonished that someone, as noble as him would offer to do such a thing, that usually servants did. Iroh had been in the United Forces for years and branched away from royal life since.
"I don't mind doing it."
"I'm not sure, if I am comfortable."
Before General Iroh could reply, a flicker of a fan was heard from behind. The nightlight in the room dimmed, as Jen LuXian turned around to see a figure moving in the dark and he grabbed the end of the light to point it at whomever was moving around. As the light shined brightly, Jen LuXian's eyes widened to see a white spider lily fan covering the person's face, but the earth master was not foolish enough to approach the person because they might be dangerous. Then, the earth master had an idea, of who it might and stood to the far side of the room. There was a chance this person could fight back, but Jen LuXian knew the person behind the fan will not hurt him.
Jen LuXian had a stern stare in his eyes. "Young Master Ning, what a nice evening we are having."
From the dark blue fan with the white spider lily flowers decorated. It was removed to see the face of a moderately handsome man with a twinkle in his grey eyes. The man's smile was haughty, reminding Jen LuXian that all spoiled young masters smiled like that. Ning Renshu was handsome in his own right, but he was not as attractive as his second eldest sister Ning Peijing. The young master of the Ning family had a softened face, with widened eyes and a stubby nose. Ning Renshu's hair was firmly in a common ponytail, in contrast to his dark blue and white robes, which were made by the best robemakers and seamstresses in Omashu.
"It's nice to see a beautiful face around here. I'm bored of the average ones." Ning Renshu said suggestively, waving his fan across his face.
"Watch whom you speak to." General Iroh replied.
Jen LuXian's face went red, he never thought it would be like this. "Young Master Ning...you say too much." He smiled, knowing that he and Ning Renshu were familiar to each other and knew each other, since their teenage years and became close friends.
"See...he likes it, flesh burner."
There was a creeping snarl on the face of the general, when those words were uttered out of Ning Renshu's lips. Jen LuXian knew what the other young master said and meant it. The people of Omashu used the words flesh burner or the commonly used coloniser, when addressing anyone of Fire Nation descent, to make their feelings known about them. Jen LuXian never uttered flesh burner himself, but knew why the people of Omashu and other places in the Earth Kingdom did. It was generational trauma caused by the Fire Nation's imperial quest for domination, passed down from forbearers to the current generation. A nervousness ran through Jen LuXian's stomach, because he was uncomfortable with the thought of Iroh and Renshu getting into a fight in this small room.
"Renshu...be nice...he is royalty." Jen LuXian said firmly, with his eyes glaring at the young master sat on the wooden chair.
Ning Renshu humphed, under a cold breath and folded his arms across his chest. "I don't have to be nice, if I don't want to. I am an Omashu citizen with respect for my king." The young master said bluntly, he was forever in his loyalty to the King of Omashu, Fu Huang.
"Be civil, isn't it what your family is known for. "
"Your Grace, he shouldn't be trusted. Sneaking into our room late at night." General Iroh exclaimed.
Jen LuXian looked at the prince, and the earth master looked at the other young master. "Young Master Ning, why are you here?"
Ning Renshu smiled sheepishly; waving his fan across his face, while General Iroh rolled his eyes in a way the nightlight in the room couldn't reflect the deep scowl the other man had on his face. Jen LuXian exhaled in exasperation, he couldn't have the two men argue in the middle of the night. He had to keep things civil, but most Omashu nobles disliked the Fire Nation, but were sympathetic to Omashu citizens of Fire Nation descent because of the implications of how they got there. A lot of pain and suffering was caused by the brief occupation and the people of Omashu were not the forgiving kind. Especially when, King Bumi led the call for healing and rebuilding once the people were freed on the Day of the Black Sun.
The earth master shivered, because of the draft through the window. Jen LuXian could handle the cold, because he grew up in a cold climate. He had his eye on Ning Renshu, because he had not seen the other young master in five years and avoided him, whenever Jen LuXian snuck into Omashu to visit his uncle Xizuan. The man felt ashamed, knowing he and Young Master Ning used to be friends, but LuXian saw Renshu as a little brother, because of the age difference. His heart sank, when Ning Renshu's eyes would widen, alike to a puppy needing affection and love and LuXian was not going to give it to him.
"I needed a break, too much trouble surrounding the Daojings lately. Two household guards were killed and had their hands cut off." Ning Renshu answered.
Jen LuXian turned, not wanting to face either General Iroh or Ning Renshu. "Must be infighting. It happens between guards in the Daojing household. I heard two concubines poisoned each other, to be the last one standing and be the one in Master Daojing's favour."
"Young Master Jen, you are intrusive about the internal affairs of other clans, maybe you could help me."
"What can I help you with."
"Why did your uncle give Old Daojing two new earthbender guards in place of the ones, who died?" Ning Renshu said, flickering the fan across his face with a stern look.
General Iroh, on the other hand didn't like how intrusive Minister Ning's son was. "It doesn't concern you, you don't live in Gaoling unless you have relatives there."
"Not your business either, flesh burner." Ning Renshu spat out, and then turned to Jen LuXian. "The matter with the Daojings is solved, but knowing Old Kuei will nurse his hatred for the Jen family until his deathbed."
There was a smile on Jen LuXian's face, with a blush of colour on his cheeks. He missed talking to Ning Renshu, after being exiled from his home and from noble society. Ning Renshu was one of the only people, who didn't turn against him. Young Master Ning was younger than Jen LuXian, but he always considered the other man wiser and more worldly than him because of his experiences being a tongzhi man in Omashu. The earth master envied the fact that Ning Renshu was comfortable in his sexuality and the way he presented himself. Ning Renshu was a pretty boy, but was stuck in the position of the middle child in a household of four sisters, which meant Minister Ning's expectations were on the shoulders of the wrong child.
Jen LuXian looked back at His Highness, seeing he was uncomfortable with how casual Ning Renshu was towards him. General Iroh always prided himself in treating Jen LuXian with respect and being the person, who never turned on him.
"How long will you be here?" General Iroh asked.
Ning Renshu chuckled, under a shallow breath and flicked his fan again. "You want me gone, flesh burner. Why can't I have a chat with a friend, I haven't seen in months?"
"How do I know, you will not turn on him like the others did?"
"My father wasn't happy with my choice, but it wasn't his to make. Brother Duan and Brother Guo felt the same way I did, there is no shame in mourning for a lover."
"I'm grateful for what you did for me."
"Young Master Jen, those robes are ugly. They ruin your beauty, why not wear something lovely to the eye."
"I left my belongings behind, when I took the path of an earth priest."
The young master from Omashu started laughing, in a mocking manner and covered his face with his fan. "I'm sorry for you. May Tienhai save you from your predicament." Ning Renshu had a look of dread on his face, but it didn't not stop General Iroh from sneering at him.
"Why?"
"To swear the vows of a priest, with your beauty is a tragedy."
"I made the choice myself, serving the people of the Earth Kingdom, something you know little about."
"I did my fair share of charitable deeds, helping resettle the people, who returned to Omashu, after the Crimson Matron's disciples kidnapped them."
"Did you come all the way from Omashu to judge me and my life choices?"
"No...the idea of you swearing off sex is a crime. It's why most earth sages are ugly, because they are not attractive enough."
"Waxing again, Renshu. Did you learn nothing from the Si Wong Desert experience."
"I almost died, no thanks to you and Guo Yufei. A man like me is not suited for such rigorous journeys."
"Spoiled brat." General Iroh muttered.
The young master of the Ning family glared at General Iroh. The earth master knew it was true, because Ning Renshu was the only son in a household of four unmarried daughters, which meant he was spoiled by his parents because of no other sons. Years ago in Omashu, Jen LuXian listened to the conversations between the nobles of how Minister Ning envied Minister Guo for his three sons and Omashu's Minister of War was stuck with a spoiled tongzhi son, who will never carry on his family name. The young master of the Jen family saw Ning Renshu's lip tremble, and hid his saddened face behind his fan again, because he was uncomfortable with anyone judging his lifestyle, especially a Fire Nation royal.
The man knew Renshu had a point. All the nobles in the Earth Kingdom were shocked, when Jen LuXian took the path of an earth priest, because of how beautiful he was. A ruined reputation was the reason why Jen LuXian took that path, because as a priest he could start over and redemption was possible. He had been expelled from the Southern Water Tribe for daring to teach Avatar Korra things against what the White Lotus wanted for her and to keep her trapped and under their thumb. Jen LuXian smiled at Ning Renshu, much to the cold glare of General Iroh, but he never cared because Young Master Ning was one of his oldest friends.
"I would appreciate it, if His Royal Highness stuck his nose elsewhere." Ning Renshu said bitterly.
"He left his post for me, be nice Renshu." Jen LuXian replied.
"He's been like this, since you saved his life from the desert python's poison."
"I will save lives no matter what."
"You would swear your life away to priesthood, but not be courteous towards an old friend."
"The vows of a priest would do Qiuyao some good. Having a whoremonger for a son is not good for Minister Guo's reputation."
"Old Guo warned his second son to stop being a drunkard and whoring, or else he would send him to the Northern Air Temple."
General Iroh smirked, "Are all Earth Kingdom young masters afraid of the Northern Air Temple, what cowards."
"The Northern Air Temple always had the reputation, for being the strictest and harshest air temple out of the fours. The nobles of the Earth Kingdom did great business with the airbenders back in the day, paying them to discipline misbehaving noblemen. A soft soul like myself would not survive in such a strict environment. I barely listen to my father as it is and I don't like the idea of the husk airbenders and acolytes telling me how to live my life."
"Lian...he is over exaggerating. Trying to put fear into you."
"Young Master Jen...you allow this flesh burner to call you by your given name. I thought only Fu Cheng had that privilege."
"We have known each other for fifteen years."
"It's too intimate...to know someone by their given name. It's what my mother always told me." Ning Renshu said.
The earth master was perplexed, but laughed out of concern for Ning Renshu's temperament. "Renshu...there is nothing for you to worry about."
"Tagging along with a firebender may be acceptable in Omashu, but elsewhere it's seen as dishonourable and you will be called a traitor if anyone from Taku saw you two together."
"What Master Jen and I do is none of your business?" General Iroh said, in a stern tone.
Ning Renshu waved his fan over his face, not caring for what seemed an empty threat. "Are you threatening me? I expected so...the royal dynasty of the Fire Nation hasn't cleared out the rot and disease from the bloodline. You see, Master Jen, it has to take another generation for them to be normal like the rest of us."
A spark of fire appeared between the general's fingers. The yellow-orange flame danced between Prince Iroh's fingers. "You should treasure your good looks, Young Master Ning. You will never know what it's like to live without them."
Jen LuXian had enough, grasping his hand above the prince's wrist and look at him straight in the eye. "Your Highness, you shouldn't threaten him. He is my friend and I don't want to lose one of the remaining ones I have left...please...let it go. I don't want Renshu to go home hurt." The earth master was not a pleading man, but he pleaded for Ning Renshu's safety, despite the terrible things he said about the prince's family and for the son of the King of Omashu's War Minister, it was terrible manners.
"I will allow many things, Lian. I will not allow this spoiled urchin to insult my family." General Iroh replied, gritting his teeth and seeing the saddened look on Jen LuXian' face. His fire disappeared from his fingers, not wanting to see Jen Lian cry or have the indignity of begging for his friend's life.
The earth master glared at Ning Renshu, with his hands clenched into fists. It was normal to hear Earth Kingdom nobles slander the Fire Nation's royal family, but it was something Jen LuXian will not allow to go on because he knew firebenders were most dangerous, when defending the honour of their country and their family. The young master of the Ning family was a non-bender; he couldn't fight and General Iroh would kill him with one strike. Jen LuXian didn't want Renshu hurt, because he was his friend and didn't want anyone else to die on his watch. If Ning Renshu was harmed in any way, then it would cause a diplomatic incident between Omashu and the Fire Nation. Despite Ning Renshu loving men, his father Minister Ning still loved him. The twinkle in Jen LuXian's obsidian eyes had the Fire Nation prince subdued and quiet, which was rare for anyone to do.
"How is your family these days, Renshu?" Jen LuXian asked out of nowhere.
"Miserable...imagine finding husbands for four daughters." Ning Renshu replied.
"I would have volunteered years ago."
"Peijing...it's impossible for my parents to find a husband for her. Spends most of her time holding court in the royal palace and sleeping with whomever she wants."
"I thank your sister for giving me my first kiss."
"Do me favour and marry her. My father doesn't care about your ruined reputation, as long as she has a decent husband."
"Remember the look on Governor Te's face, when I rejected his daughter." Jen LuXian said, in a haughty manner.
"I don't know why Madam Te threw a fit, her daughter was no beauty. Just above average, the kind that Guo Yufei would marry and not you."
"Why wouldn't Eldest Lady Te, suit the young master?" General Iroh interjected.
"No disrespect to the Te family, but a man of Young Master Jen's status is meant for a princess or a girl from a respectable family. Not a family, whom should have perished long ago, if not for Avatar Kyoshi's mercy."
The earth master knew what Ning Renshu said was rude, but he wasn't lying. Jen LuXian preferred to be kind than cruel, but it was easier said than done because most Earth Kingdom nobles slander each other all the time and it was normal for people's appearances to be scrutinised in detail. He couldn't believe the subject of the mangled Te family would stop Ning Renshu from being threatened by General Iroh subtly, because of how he was towards Jen LuXian and talked about his beauty openly. Jen LuXian had no idea the general was so sensitive about it, maybe it was because Zhu Iroh respected him so much not to speak filth in front of him. His heart was racing, because of the breeze from the window and having General Iroh so close to him, to the point of making Jen Lian look like a fool in front of him and Ning Renshu, who could immediately spot he was almost red in the face.
Jen LuXian shook his head, it was the worst time for Ning Renshu to visit him inside a bedroom. A private space like a bedchamber wasn't private anymore to Jen LuXian, especially when he was almost assaulted by the Daojing household guards. It was something he will keep close to his chest. Jen LuXian turned away, knowing Ning Renshu had an idea of what happened in the manor of the serpent, but said it in a vague manner that His Highness will never know the man next to him caused the murders. The decapitated hands had to be done, to show that dirty rapers deserve worse than death for not keeping their hands to themselves. There was thickness within the room, because Prince Iroh had a dislike for Ning Renshu, and it was the same for the other man. Jen LuXian didn't know how long Ning Renshu will be in Makapu Village, but it was going to be a short visit, because the other man was not a fan of being around General Iroh, who made him uncomfortable.
The friendship Jen LuXian held for Young Master Ning was the reason why fire never touched him. The man from Omashu was one of the most loyal people in the world, and it was something Jen LuXian cherished, whilst the other nobles turned on him. For a while, Jen LuXian thought he was alone in the world, but that was not the case. Other than the young master of the Ning family, Jen LuXian had General Iroh, someone who has always been there for him, since they first met in Omashu's classroom. The light from the candle reflected Prince Iroh's face, even though the other man never called himself beautiful, because he was a soldier with a ruthless reputation to uphold.
Jen LuXian wasn't afraid of His Highness, because he had no reason to be scared of him. The general was one of the only people, willing to listen to Jen Lian's boring talk of politics and gossip in the Earth Kingdom's high society and enjoy it. The prince from the edge of the candle light smiled at him, away from the pouty sight of Ning Renshu, which was fine for Jen LuXian because he hadn't had that kind of levity in a long time and he was going to make the most of it.
The room was quiet, since Ning Renshu made his dramatic exit. Jen LuXian was folding his outer robes, careful not to get them dirty. He sighed, once Young Master Ning exited the room, like a pouty child. It was sweet and almost made Jen LuXian want to dote on Renshu. It was the flaw of being the only son in a household of four sisters, Ning Renshu was spoiled and never had a sworn brother to hold him accountable and teach him about being a man. Jen LuXian's hair lifted with the breeze that came through the window, whilst twiddling his long fingers and pushing a part of his hair behind his ear. His hair was never this loose in front of someone else, because of the rule of always keeping hair in a topknot. Jen Lian's hair grew to waist-length, because cutting it was shameful and in the Earth Kingdom, longer hair meant you were blessed by the heavens.
On the other side, General Iroh brought a basin of water and was careful not to spill it. The earth master realised Prince Zhu was in one of his moods again. Jen LuXian's heart was not weighted by previous torments, since Ning Renshu entered the room and spoke with him, like they were teenagers in Omashu again. The basin of water was beside the bed, even though Jen Lian had no problems sharing a bed with someone else, because he and Iroh knew each other. Offering to wash his feet, Jen LuXian thought General Iroh had been japing and not serious about it, but he was not japing and the basin of water was proof of what he said.
Jen LuXian sat on the bed, in his white undergarments. He wasn't uncomfortable in front of the Fire Nation prince, but was relieved because they had shared a bed before. At the time, they shared a bed, Jen Lian was in a relationship with Su Yong and couldn't allow his heart to betray himself. It was in the thralls of the hell that was the Crimson Matron and her cult. Jen LuXian would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid, because the Xieye Sect's disciples were cruel, kidnapping waterbenders all over the Earth Kingdom and women from the Zhulu Mountain Tribe. In the disguise as a red cult wife, Jen LuXian unknowingly gave comfort to the tribeswomen, who were taken from their home and forced to be the wives of sadistic bloodbenders. He helped the Zhulu Mountain Tribe's women escape from the Crimson Matron's manor, when the United Forces invaded Gu Village.
The general was on his knees, whilst taking hold of Jen LuXian's right foot, slight contact with Prince Zhu's hand sent a shiver down Jen LuXian's spine. It was not the first time, Jen LuXian's feet being washed turned into an erotic experience, since Su Yong regularly washed his feet and bathed him. With the water coated over his soil covered feet, it dawned on Jen Lian how gentle the ritual was and not the forceful way Daiya used to wash his feet. The general's fingers were cleansing the dirt between the earthbender's toes with warm water, his hands wrapped on the sole of his right foot and Jen LuXian shifted himself on the bed. His hands were clenched, in attempt to suppress his reaction to being touched like this. The basin of water changed colour, as soon as His Highness began scrubbing Jen LuXian's feet and he balked at the idea of a royal doing a servant's job.
Jen LuXian closed his eyes, taking in the touch of the prince washing the soil off his feet, increasing warmth around his feet and wondered if foot fetish was a thing in the United Republic. The earth master was in a state of bliss to the point of his feet being on clouds, but his hands flexed out and was more relaxed. The long days of travelling made Jen LuXian tired, he never expected for his feet to ache as soon as Ning Renshu left the room. He was an old traveller at heart, never wanting to take a carriage unless he was travelling a long distance. Jen Lian was a priest and swore vows to keep his purity, which was a stricter form of faith than what the Air Nomads practiced.
General Iroh smirked, as he finished washing the young master's feet and wiped his hands clean. "Your nose is almost red, Lian. Is this the first time someone touched you tenderly." The fire prince pointed to the small blush on Jen LuXian's nose and it was infectious to the point of his earlobes being red too.
"No...I received a tender hug from Fu Cheng, when I told him what happened in Gu Village. He threw propriety to the side and held me the entire night." Jen LuXian replied.
"What we saw...what happened, no one will understand but us."
"We...had tender times in the Southern Water Tribe. Everything changed when Su Yong confessed how he felt about me."
The prince was not amused, his eyes were lowered. "I loved your rendition of The Tortoise and The Crane. I always thought it was a silly children's rhyme, but you sing it like a tragic love story."
"The song was first created in Bao Yun, which travelled to Omashu and became a popular court song there. The King of Omashu commands that song to be played at every diplomatic visit to the royal palace, because it's his favourite and try telling Fu Huang that song is a children's rhyme."
"I'm glad."
"What are you glad of, Your Highness."
There was a loving expression on Zhu Iroh's face, which was not normally there. He was a military general, which meant he had to hide his feelings and be a leader. Jen LuXian sensed the left side of his ankle being caressed gently, between the prince's calloused fingers. A smile appeared on the earth master's face, turning himself away and not wanting the other man to see him blushing. He was ticklish in that area and his right hand when people kissed his right hand at noble occasions, biting his lip to prevent a pleasurable sound exiting his lips. Jen LuXian would only hum a rhyme to stop himself from reacting to the general caressing his ankle and the other man enjoyed trying to get a reaction from a young master, who was not used to such contact.
The United Forces general grinned, at the sound of humming coming from Jen LuXian. "If you are trying to sing, then the humming is a cheap way of amusing yourself."
"I thought your female friend hated my singing." Jen LuXian replied.
"Setsuko hates traditional music, finds it boring but I have appreciation for it."
"At Fu Meifen's wedding, Madam Ning and female members of the Cao family saw your tears, when I sang The Dragontamer and the Orchid Prince. Is it true, Your Highness or was it just noblewomen gossiping as usual."
"I did cry...it was beautiful and I had distaste watching Second Lady Ning perform alongside you on the pipa."
Jen LuXian chuckled, ignoring the sensation that came from having his ankle touched. "Are you envious of her or do you want to bed her?"
"No...it's not what I mean." General Iroh replied.
"You were crying in front of world leaders and the Earth Kingdom's most important clan leaders, Your Highness."
As the basin of now brown water was removed from the room, General Iroh returned to sit on the bed beside Jen LuXian, a few feet away from him to give the resemblance of personal space. The earth master laid backwards on the bed, with his clean feet dangling from the edge of the bed. He laid back, in the area of the bed were people's feet were laid, when they slept at night. Jen LuXian relaxed himself and was at peace with laying there and being vulnerable in front of someone he felt safe with. The earthbending master turned to his left side, leaving General Iroh facing with a head of black hair on Jen Lian's head, and maybe staring at him at his most raw. Jen Lian knew trusting General Iroh led to good things for him, because the other man wouldn't take advantage of him in a vulnerable position. The general was trustworthy, no matter what the likes of Ning Renshu and others say about him.
"Why would I be jealous of a woman, Your Grace?" General Iroh asked, leaning back against the headboard of the bed.
"You always stiffen, as soon as I mention Ning Renshu's second eldest sister, Your Highness." Jen LuXian suggested.
"Remember the letter I sent you and you will know why."
The earth master's eyes widened, knowing what General Iroh meant. "You don't like competition."
"Only when I am guaranteed to win."
"Unless it's an Agni Kai involved."
"Agni Kais are banned, Your Grace. It was the first law my grandfather had written into stone and scroll. The nobility didn't like that because it was how nobles settled their differences."
"It's barbaric in my eyes, to kill someone else over a minor insult."
The Fire Nation prince trailed his fingers towards Jen LuXian's loosened hair, splayed out across the bed like a black river. General Iroh's thumb and index fingers grasped a part of Jen Lian's hair and played with the strands between his fingers. Jen LuXian sensed the other man touching his hair, but he didn't mind because he didn't do anything wrong. There were strict rules, when it came to touching the hair of an Earth Kingdom noble and only a certain group of people could touch his hair. General Iroh was someone Jen LuXian allowed to touch his hair, way before they met again. The other man laying down was humming to himself, as he laid there. Jen LuXian wasn't unkind, but he was used to Su Yong touching his hair and combing it. When Su Yong died, it was Shai, who was responsible for taking care of the young master's hair.
There was a sense of gentleness within the moment, with Jen LuXian being in a vulnerable position to the point of relaxing like there was nothing to worry about. There was no way His Highness would take advantage of Jen LuXian in his vulnerable state. The United Forces general wasn't like other men and he wasn't like the ones who would take advantage of him. The idea of sleep was relative, but the calm of the candlelight shining in the room, when it's just the young master and the prince against the world.
PS: It's normal for nobles in the Earth Kingdom to snip and slander the Te family, because most of them believed this family should have been wiped out, had it not been Avatar Kyoshi's mercy on a young governor.
- The pipa is a traditional Chinese four string lute instrument.
- The Tortoise and The Crane and The Dragontamer and the Orchid Prince are traditional stories and songs in the Earth Kingdom.
- Flesh burner is something people in the Earth Kingdom called Fire Nation people and firebenders, because of how people in the Earth Kingdom were killed in the Hundred Years War by the firebenders burning the flesh of their victims before they died. It's a slur elsewhere, but Ning Renshu uses it to demonstrate how his elders taught him to hate firebenders and the Fire Nation royal family.
- Ning Renshu finally has a face. He has been a character that was always mentioned in the story. Renshu is the type ot be the little brother figure in a group of older boys and he has always had a crush on Jen LuXian, since he was fifteen. Jen LuXian treats Ning Renshu like a brother, because it's how their relationship is. Young Master Ning's crush on Jen LuXian made him realise he was a gay and liked men.