Chapter Text
Jiyan entered Mortefi's lab with a stoic expression.
– how's the work? – he asked – another prototype or—
– no, the final model is ready, take it to your rangers, commander – Mortefi cut him in the middle of his words, with a hint of irritation in his voice.
Jiyan nodded, he didn't let his reaction show on his face, instead he just thanked him and left. Why was he unable to talk to him the way he wanted to? Why being in his presence yet so far from him was so utterly heartbreaking for him?
It's been a week since one of Mortefi's colleagues came to him before his break and gave him a strawberry cheesecake with a little note with his name on it telling him that he must accidentally put it in his part of the fridge. He didn't. He haven't even get anything to eat today yet.
It's been a week and Mortefi didn't really question it. The cheesecake was delicious, the next day caramel cake he found in fridge with his name was also delicious, as well as any sweet treat he found any other day. So why would he deny himself such delicious treats with his name on it? After all it saved him a good worth of time he would use to prepare anything himself.
It's been two weeks since Jiyan has been doing favors for scientists at the academy for informations about Mortefi's break schedules, taste preferences and general preferences. He could've just talked to him. No, he couldn't. It's been two weeks since Jiyan started waking up three hours earlier than he usually would, just to bring anything he'd bake before anyone could see him.
It's been a month since they've been functioning in this unknown symbiosis. It's been a month since Mortefi didn't question anything. Everytime he found anything in the fridge with his name on it, he just smiled to himself, savoring every bite, getting back to work in a slightly better mood. It's been a month since Jiyan started learning new and new recipes. He even begin to learn to cook, hoping he could eventually invite Mortefi for dinner. He still wished he could just talk to him but he was happy enough just doing anything for him.
As well it was six months since he and Rover defeated the threnodian. Everything was quite peaceful since then. The six month anniversary marked today. Chixia invited everyone, Jiyan, Rover, Yangyang, Taoqi, Lingyang, the midnight rangers and everyone who fought alongside for drinks at her place. Jiyan was uncertain at first if he'd go but Rover insisted.
He arrived as one of the firsts actually. Only Yangyang and Lingyang came before him. He helped them out with last preparations and eventually all the others started coming too. It quickly became all cheerful and lively. He had a few shots and drinks with his fellow soldiers, until someone brought up how 'that academy buffoon was actually very helpful' and suddenly it all became too much for him. Everything seemed too loud, like he was being ambushed. He grabbed his glass and excused himself.
He sat on the terrace and looked at the moon. When did it get so late? He sighed and downed his glass in one gulp. He should've stayed home, at least he wouldn't be such a buzz kill. He wondered what Mortefi was doing right now. Did he like parties? Was he ever invited and if so did he attend any? Why was he thinking about that man constantly? He couldn't get that red hair, that piercing flameish sight, those scales on his chest from his mind since the day he rescued him from wilderness. Did those scales covered more of his body? He wanted to know. But why? He couldn't pinpoint where all those questions and desires were coming from.
Suddenly he heard footsteps. He turned back as if someone woke him up.
– didn't mean to startle you, sorry – Rover said sitting down next to him – are you alright, Jiyan?
– why? – Jiyan looked at him slightly confused.
– you've been sitting there alone and staring into abyss for an hour – he frowned.
– ah... well – he cleared his throat – ...I don't really know – he eventually said, his voice barely above a whisper.
– you don't know?
– no.
– hm... so maybe this way, what were you thinking about? – Rover continued.
– nothing in particular – he said quickly, a little too quickly.
– oh yeah? – Rover tilted his head with a smirk.
– stop looking at me like that – he sighed.
– then tell me.
– Mortefi.
– Mortefi what? – now Rover looked confused.
– I was thinking about Mortefi – he kept looking at the ground.
Now Rover started to connect the dots. Jiyan left the room when Mortefi was mentioned. Jiyan's been running around asking everyone about what Mortefi likes, what and when he does. Jiyan's been offering Rover testing the results of his baking. He told him he just started learning. He was browsing books about New Federation. He wanted to impress Mortefi?
– do the two of you even talk?
The question struck Jiyan like lightning.
– n-no... not really, aside from work, no – his gaze came back to the ground.
– why's that if you like him?
– if I... like him? – he looked at Rover – what do you mean?
– well, you're thinking about him, you've been doing stuff to, as I assume, impress him, so there I see it, you like him – Rover chuckled, amused.
Was he right? Obviously, Jiyan liked him, but did he like like him? Perhaps he did. That would explained why he felt this strange warmth while baking for him. Why he put so much effort in doing that. Why he put so much effort into finding out what he likes. He wished he could find out from him personally but he always was so nervous around him. He never forgot their first and last dish together. It was that night when Jiyan rescued him. He had only some supplies left in his tent but he managed to make some skewers out of it. But still he felt like it wasn't enough, so he offered Mortefi some candies he usually carried with himself for the children of Jinzhou. He never forgot how the man's eyes lit up. He never forgot how beautifully they shined in moonlight. How beautiful he looked in the moonlight. They were both exhausted that night but Jiyan still couldn't sleep. He kept guard the entire night. He couldn't let anything happen to Mortefi. Perhaps he did like him a little more than a regular liking. Perhaps.
– even if, what can I do about it? there's nothing I can do.
– of course there is! you could just talk to him? – Rover said as it was the most obvious thing in the world. Perhaps it was.
– no, that won't do.
– why?
– I... I can't – he sighed – I can't talk to him, I get too nervous to even look at him and... I think he doesn't even like me.
– that's not true, after we defeated the threnodian, he was the one who kept on coming in to check on you, he took care of your wounds, he didn't want anyone else near you, god forbid, touch you, he was really scary honestly – Rover looked dead serious.
– he... I think I remember him talking to me... I... must go, thank you, Rover – he suddenly got up – apologize to Chixia from me for leaving so early – he said with a hint of a smile on his face and rushed to leave.
Mortefi couldn't sleep that night. He actually started wondering who was getting him all those treats and why did they kept it up for so long? Who would want to do it for him? He sat on the edge of his bed. He knew he shouldn't eat so much sweets especially with a sedantery job like his but he couldn't help himself as those treats were making him feel cared for even if he didn't know who the caring one was. Not to mention that absurdly amazing taste and the fact that they made all of his favorite sweets. He didn't even know anyone knew him well enough to know them. But apparently someone did and that felt strangely nice.
He got up and poured himself a glass of wine, sitting on his balcony, he lit up a cigarette. Maybe he should try finding out who it was? He shook his head. He should go to sleep or he'll be a dead man walking tomorrow.
Jiyan woke up with a terrible hangover. He didn't drink a lot so when he did it hit him like a truck. He sighed and turned to the other side. Suddenly the realization hit him. He was late. He reached out for his terminal to check the time. 12pm. Fuck. He was so late. Mortefi's break was in an hour. Fuck.
He got up as if struck by lightning and started getting dressed. He knew he risked getting caught coming this late but he still didn't want to miss a day of this ritual. He left his flat in a rush with a little box.
Just as he was opening the fridge at the academy with a little plate in hand, he heard a familiar voice.
– Jiyan? – Mortefi stood there, eyes wide open.
Jiyan didn't want to turn around but he knew he had to.
– I brought you tea too, I noticed yesterday you had only one teabag left – he said handing out a tea box.
– I... – Mortefi stood frozen.
– what? wrong flavor?
– n-no... it's my favorite but... how did you know? – he whispered looking him in the eyes.
– is it important? I just did – he smiled a little.
– so it's been you? that entire month?
– perhaps— no, I mean, yeah, it was me – he sighed and looked at him – listen, Mortefi, would let me invite you to my place for dinner tonight? – since he got caught he might as well make the most of it.
– I... I'd love to, Jiyan – he looked up smiling, a slight blush burning on his cheeks – would you... would you like to join me for tea?
– I better start preparing since you agreed to my invitation – he chuckled, he couldn't tell why he suddenly felt less tense around him. Was it because of that sweet smile or because Rover made him realize what was going on in his mind this entire time? – but thank you – he smiled warmly and handed him the plate as he was passing by him – come to me as soon as you're done with work, you know the address.
Mortefi was a little stunned, his usual demeanor nowhere to be seen.
– I... I will – he smiled eventually – until then.