Han Xin’s gaze was intense, his eyes darkening with unspoken desire. He wanted to touch Xiang Yu, to explore every inch of his skin. His fingers itched to trace the lines of the dagger, to feel the texture of Xiang Yu’s skin under his touch. As his fingers lingered on Xiang Yu’s neck, he imagined how it would feel to run his thumb along the length of the tattoo, feeling the soft hair at the nape, and then down to the sensitive skin of his spine.
Xiang Yu, unaware of Han Xin’s inner turmoil, tensed slightly at the touch, his body responding to the subtle caress. Han Xin’s fingers were like an electric current, sending shivers throughout his body.
Han Xin, lost in his fantasies, pictured Xiang Yu’s reaction to his touch. He imagined Xiang Yu’s head tilting back, exposing the graceful line of his throat, and the soft skin of his neck. He envisioned his own hand cupping Xiang Yu’s jaw, tilting his face upwards, their eyes locking in a moment of intense desire. Han Xin’s heart raced at the thought of leaning down, capturing Xiang Yu’s lips in a passionate kiss, and tasting the sweetness of his mouth.
As if waking from a trance, Han Xin realised his fingers had drifted to Xiang Yu’s ear, his touch sending a shiver through Xiang Yu’s body. He quickly withdrew his hand, his face flushing with embarrassment. "All done, it’s dry," he said abruptly, turning off the hairdryer and setting it aside.
Xiang Yu turned to face Han Xin. He wanted to thank him for his help, but the other man had already gotten off the bed, his footsteps hurried and purposeful as he headed for the door.
Xiang Yu couldn’t help but smile with a hint of amusement in his eyes. He was the one who was taken advantage of, so why was Han Xin running? ’Old man, I will stay away from him, but I don’t think he would be able to stay away from me,’ he thought. He had just been sulking just now thinking that Han Xin in this world wouldn’t like him. It turns out he was thinking too much. His actions just now showed that he was interested in him. If the Divine Emperor was here to witness their little interaction he would have been pulling out his hair already in stress.
Xiang Yu slipped the soft cotton t-shirt over his head, the fabric brushing against his skin like a whisper. As he adjusted the hem, a familiar fragrance wafted up, enveloping him in a comforting embrace. He paused, burying his nose in the collar, inhaling deeply. It was Han Xin’s scent. It was a clean scent, with a hint of sandalwood and something uniquely him. The aroma was a balm to Xiang Yu’s restless mind, grounding him in the present moment.
He straightened the bed he had been sitting on, smoothing out the creases with meticulous care. The room was a sanctuary of order amidst the chaos of his thoughts. With a final glance around, he left the bedroom, his footsteps soft on the carpet.
Descending the stairs, he found Han Xin at the dining table, his face illuminated by the glow of his laptop screen. His expression was serious, eyes flicking across the screen with intense focus. Nearby, Han Zhan lounged on the couch, eyes glued to the television, absorbed in whatever was playing.
Xiang Yu cleared his throat softly. "I’m leaving," he announced, his voice steady.
Han Xin glanced up briefly, his gaze cool and detached. "Mn," he replied, the sound barely more than a hum before his attention returned to the laptop.
Han Zhan turned, his expression half attentive. "Why not stay for dinner? We can hang out together," he suggested, his tone hopeful.
Xiang Yu shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "I have to go home. Little Bai won’t be able to handle the twins for long."
Han Zhan’s eyes flicked to Han Xin, a silent plea in his gaze. "Cousin, make him stay, please."
Han Xin’s response was a sharp glare, his eyes narrowing before he looked back at his screen. The tension in the room was palpable, a silent battle of wills.
Xiang Yu chuckled softly, the sound light and nonchalant. "Thanks for the clothes. I take it you’ll want them back?"
Without looking up, Han Xin replied, "No need."
Xiang Yu waved at Han Zhan, who returned the gesture with a distracted smile, his attention already drifting back to the television. As Xiang Yu walked out of the house, the door closing softly behind him.
After a few moments, Han Zhan sighed, turning to Han Xin. "If only he could live here with us. It would be more lively."
Han Xin’s fingers paused on the keyboard, the silence stretching out before he resumed typing, the clack of keys the only sound in the room.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing a scene of utter chaos. Xiang Yu stepped into his apartment, his eyes widening at the sight before him. Lian and Mei were darting around the living room like two miniature tornadoes, their laughter echoing off the walls. The normally pristine apartment was in disarray, with cushions strewn across the floor, toys scattered everywhere, and a trail of what looked like ice cream drips leading from the kitchen to the couch.
Little Bai, looking frazzled and on the verge of tears, rushed towards Xiang Yu. "Yu-ge, thankfully you are here! The girls said you told them they could have ice cream. I bought it for them, but they said it wasn’t enough."
Xiang Yu raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the two girls who were now attempting to climb the back of the couch. "I see," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Little Bai continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. "In the afternoon, I decided to buy ice cream since they love it so much. When we got home, I scooped a healthy serving for them in a bowl, but they glared at me and said it wasn’t enough. I added another scoop, but they still weren’t satisfied. The next thing I knew, they had taken the entire tub and were eating it in front of the TV. I tried to tell them they would get a tummy ache, but they wouldn’t listen. They ate the whole thing, and now they are on a sugar rush!"
As if on cue, Mei grabbed a cushion and hurled it in Little Bai’s direction. Before it could hit him, Xiang Yu’s hand shot out, catching it effortlessly. He turned his gaze to the girls, his expression stern. "Mei, Lian, upstairs. Now."
The girls froze, their heads lowering in unison. "Yes, master," they mumbled, shuffling towards the stairs with a mix of guilt and reluctance.
Little Bai let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging. "How do they listen to you so easily?" he asked, incredulous.
Xiang Yu smiled a hint of amusement in his eyes. "They smell fear," he said simply, tossing the cushion back onto the couch. He then turned and followed the girls upstairs, leaving Little Bai standing in the middle of the chaotic living room, speechless.