With the two pouches, one loaned and new cauldron and a whole mess of herbs to hand, Leon felt that he really should not procrastinate and attempt to fix some of the mess his home was in. Admittedly, he felt uncomfortable returning, but he would simply have to make do. He had survived through a beating (well partially), hunger and Jin Li, this would simply be another trial to him.
As his thoughts turned to his difficult house guest, he wondered if Jin Li had returned or if he had finally gone on his way. He also wondered how he felt about that. Just this morning, he wished him away as Jin Li was arrogant, rude, spoilt and enjoyed tormenting him. But he could not deny that there were a few brief moments where the man had his interests in mind, such as at the apothecary and ensuring he purchased clothes (for he likely would not have bothered and placed food and utensils above all else). He was also very angry about the destruction of Leon's property on Leon's behalf, even though he had made it blatantly clear that he did not care for it. And deep down, Leon quietly admitted to himself, when he glanced at Jin Li during those brief moments that he was not being his horrible self, Leon did find him attractive. His own thoughts caused him to blush.
Ah, had it really only been a few days since Jin Li came into his life like an angry tornado? It felt like so much longer! Leon found himself sniggering, his quiet laughter lightening the heavy burden he had felt upon his shoulders since first transmigrating here, the burden he hadn't even realised he had been carrying. But then, he supposed, trying to survive in an unfamiliar environment with the odds stacked against you since the beginning was a burden to even the hardest of men. And let's face it, in this world or the last, Leon had such small shoulders.
As he neared the clearing, he collected the broken talismans, saving them for the fire. It would not do to waste wood and these silly charms were just pitiful decorations. He could create more, better ones too since he had improved over the weeks. As he pottered along, feeling more cheerful, he came to see the hut in the distance. From this angle, it appeared as it normally did, it would not be until he moved to the front of his little home that he would be reminded. With a sigh, he took those steps.
Only... his garden was not quite the wreck it had become. Granted, the plants still looked rather pitiful, as if they had been thrust into the ground with some tremendous force, then soaked under a bucketful of water. Leon glanced around to see a heaped pile of pottery, jade glass and wood splinters to one side of the door, which while it still had one less hinge, had been placed shut into the door frame. He knocked upon it, knowing if he opened it himself, it would simply fall to one side once more. Instead, Jin Li, who occupied the small hut, caused this to occur instead.
The man looked disgruntled as the door fell, but stepped to the side to allow Leon entry. Inside had been somewhat tidied, though he could still see sparkling fragments missed from the haphazard cleaning in the corners and beneath the bed. The few jade bottles had been placed upon the shelf that was still fixed to the wall and upon the table lie a pile of shredded paper and the remnant cheap leather bindings.
Leon turned to Jin Lin and glanced up into a face that seemed to declare that he didn't want any acknowledgement while his eyes flickered about Leon's, seeking something. Leon did not let him down. "Thank you," he said with a genuine smile.
"Well, it's not like this Lord did this for you," Jin Li muttered, despite seeming quite pleased by Leon's words. "I simply did not wish to sleep in such a sty." His stomach loudly rumbled. Leon swallowed any laughter and handed him the large piece of bread he had retained from lunch.
"I'll g-go ahead and m-make s-something to eat," Leon said, softly.
Just a short chapter.. almost out of prewritten chapters & this is one of four books I am writing.
Leon made a something like a mushroom risotto, but without oil nor seasoning as he had neither. He did, however, have an edible herb with a slightly peppery tang to it, so chopped a couple of leaves finely to give the rice more flavour. Jin Li did not compliment it, in fact he claimed it was "just about edible," but he ate every mouthful, even seeking a second helping from the pot.
After the sunset beyond the horizon, Leon settled down to cultivate, placing his glasses onto the table, assuming that he would not gain access to the bed, not that the mattress had covers anymore and the rushes that filled it were spilling out of one side as it had been slashed with the covers. Jin Li glanced at him for a moment as he lay upon the bed.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Oh," Leon replied, "I d-didn't want t-to disturb your r-rest, so I sh-should c-cultivate tonight."
"Tch," Jin Li muttered, then said aloud; "This bed is far too large for one person, I don't like this much... space." Leon stared at him wide eyed for a moment. He was certain that his bed was actually narrower than that which they had slept in at Mino's place. "And you should not cultivate when your mind is so unbalanced. Or do you wish for an entirely white head."
"Wh-what unbalance?" Leon wondered aloud, but was pulled to his feet and thrown onto the bed. A few dry grasses from the mattress fell out onto the floor.
Satisfied, Jin Li settled beside him. "Don't fidget," he told him, sternly, before falling asleep with a snore. Leon lie still upon his back, his face flushed red for a long while before his eyes grew heavy and he too drifted into his dreams.
While wrestling with the door, the following day, both men knew that fixing this would need to be a priority, however while Leon could carve ornamental things, his skills were not practical and Jin Li was a 'noble' warrior of great lineage, not a common blacksmith. For a blacksmith, they required money. Granted, Leon had the option of turning to the school, but he did not wish for them to know of his current circumstances and who knew how long it might take? Even then, they might just move him to a hut like Leo's first place, close to the main alchemy pavilion and surrounded by neighbours.
Leon, however, first decided to treat Jin Li, who had decided to cultivate for a while, to a warm bath. It took several trips to the lake, carrying a lone filled barrel to the large cooking pot, kettle and even his cauldron over three separate fires before the bath was filled with steaming water. Jin Li timed his emergence well as Leon shyly indicated the tub. Jin Li appeared startled at first, a warm smile even crept upon his face for a moment, stunning Leon that he could look so handsome. But naturally, this fell to an expression that seemed to say that it was clearly his due. As he stripped, he threw both outer and inner robes over Leon's head, but that did not stop him from viewing Jin Li in all his glory causing him to redden greatly and look away. Did they really come in that size? He had been a bit of a loner after his one relationship ended, so how would he compare? Or was his own in both lives less than the average he had always assumed.
He thought it best to not deliberate further on the subject and took the silk robes to clean, leaving the new hemp robes for Jin Li to wear.
While he was at the lake, he set up the fishing rod, but still there were no bites. He failed to attract a single fish despite washing the clothes some way down current. He decided to dig up a few tubers and edible roots on route back to the hut and came back to notice that Jin Li was no longer in the tub, in fact he was no where to be seen.
Leon placed the vegetables to one side before throwing off his own robes and sinking into the tub. The water was tepid now, but still a few degrees above what he had become accustomed to. He sighed as he pulled his knees closer to his chest trying to get comfortable before washing away the any dirt from his skin.
"So brazen, sneaking into my tub," Jin Li teased from behind him, enjoying as Leon visibly flinched in surprise. Leon did not think it was worth pointing out that he had paid for it and continued splashing about for a moment, before getting out of the tub. He didn't care that Jin Li saw him undressed, he had likely seen it all before at the lake and his body was not that interesting to look at unlike the other man.
He used his old robes to wipe away the excess water before wrapping over his body with the newly purchased ones. They swamped his frame a little, but they were warm, so he had no real complaints. Jin Li was wearing the blue, once-marital robe over his new under robes and trousers. The colour suited him very well, more regal than rogue, unlike his slightly tattered silks. Leon blushed to look upon him, before complimenting him. "You w-w-wear those r-robes well," he offered, shyly.
Jin Li raised a lone eyebrow, wondering what Leon's reaction meant, before responding; "but the fabric is still harsh and itchy."
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