“So we have to wear this?” Lei Ting’s voice was heavy.
“Is there a problem?” Evenheiler countered.
“Yes,” Lei Ting said coldly. He shook out the garment in his hand; the spliced brocade shimmered with a soft luster, white and brilliant blue flowing before him. From Evenheiler’s perspective, it looked like a flower flickering amidst a dark sea.
A gold-trimmed flower, at that.
“It has zero defensive capability,” he continued in a stiff tone, his expression bordering on disdain. “We could be thrust back into a war at any moment, ‘Starflow.’”
“Yes, ‘Solar Star,’ but at least that moment isn't now,” Evenheiler said.
He held up his own garment—a style similar to Lei Ting’s, but in a white and red color scheme, likewise trimmed with gold.
“Now,” the blonde man asked in a lighthearted tone, “do you need me to help you change?”
“...?”
Lei Ting’s expression darkened. Still holding the clothes, he took a step back.
“Don’t look so surprised.” Evenheiler’s smile carried a subtle edge. His steps were slow and steady as he closed in on Lei Ting, inch by inch. “Is the Speaker of the Federation planning to turn his back on me? Does he still remember he has a boyfriend? Oh... perhaps he really doesn't. In that case, does he remember that he once slept with an Omega ‘Uncle’?”
“Wait... hold on, Even. I’m sorry... I mean...”
Lei Ting grew increasingly embarrassed. He lowered his hands and retreated step by step, soon finding himself backed into a corner against a shelf inlaid with gold and gemstones.
The gold vessels served as a backdrop for him, their exquisite carvings sparkling brilliantly in the candlelight. The reflections traced the lines of Lei Ting’s combat armor, casting fine shadows of his hair onto the sharp, matte surfaces.
Evenheiler swept a seemingly critical gaze up and down the tall man, who looked entirely out of place in this era, though the smile at the corner of his lips grew stranger.
“I know you’re anxious, but don’t be—after all, it won’t do you any good...” As he spoke, he leaned in close to Lei Ting, reaching out to touch that ruggedly handsome face. His fingers slid slowly downward. “...Good boy. Here, you must first learn how to relax properly.”
“……”
Lei Ting’s throat bobbed.
His gaze flickered behind his visor, and a short, muffled sound escaped his throat.
Evenheiler’s fingers had slid onto the soft armor plating at his throat. The calloused pads of his fingertips rubbed against it, exerting a slight pressure through the plate.
This was a pressure Lei Ting had never felt from anyone else. Only Evenheiler Kang could give him something like this... something both startling and craved.
*A favor,* he thought. *What an honor.*
But the man let go and stepped back. Draping his clothes over his shoulder, he turned toward the other side of the partition.
“I’m going to change... don’t you dare peek, kid,” he tossed back over his shoulder. “And don’t dawdle. Behave yourself.”
Lei Ting stared at his back until the black hem of his coat vanished behind the partition. He pursed his lips in silence, looking at the clothes in his hand until the rustling sounds from Evenheiler’s side began and then ceased.
By the time Evenheiler emerged, having quickly donned the accessories that matched the outfit, Lei Ting was already dressed. His clothes were neat, his ornaments shining, and even his hair was meticulously arranged.
At last, he had removed his visor. His dark eyes were calm and steady. The magnificent white and blue robes and the gold jewelry set with gemstones could not diminish his presence in the slightest; they only served to make him look like a statesman or a philosopher who transcended the ages.
Combined with his rigorous and solemn bearing, one might even mistake him for a general or a monarch at first glance.
But Evenheiler saw the anomaly in him with a single look.
“You modified the design of the jewelry?” Evenheiler casually took hold of Lei Ting’s arm, observing the multi-layered gold rings and leather-covered copper bracers on his solid forearm. “It looks much simpler... Honestly, those patterns alone would qualify as antiques.”
*I’m practically an antique myself, just from a slightly different era...*
Lei Ting blinked innocently and said nothing.
While it wasn't unbearable, as someone who had always loved a minimalist style, he truly disliked such complex patterns appearing on his person.
“Fine, I suppose you won’t change them back.”
Evenheiler glanced at Lei Ting and chuckled, reaching out to pat his chest, only for his hand to go slightly numb from the impact. “...Tsk. Is this level of sturdiness a bit ridiculous?”
“I am a soldier, Even. I must set an example for all the soldiers of the Federation.” Lei Ting seemed to have calmed the emotional fluctuations from earlier. His tone was as flat as still water. “I must make them realize the importance of physique and combat techniques. They are as much a part of the art of war as swordsmanship, marksmanship, tactical planning, and precision demolition...”
“Don’t be so tense.” Evenheiler’s expression was equally calm and rigorous. “Do you know you look quite cute like this?”
Lei Ting suddenly went silent.
For a few seconds, he looked more like a statue than he had in the past twenty years.
Evenheiler fell into a long silence. No, both of them did.
Until finally, the former couldn't hold it back anymore and burst into laughter. He laughed while patting Lei Ting’s chest, until Lei Ting himself couldn't endure it any longer. The corner of his mouth twitched helplessly as he looked down at the head buried in his chest from laughter, and that mop of brilliant, soft, mid-length blonde hair.
“...Alright, Mr. Kang.”
He unclasped his hands from behind his back and relaxed his posture, finally making himself look like he wasn't about to head into a hundred-and-fifty-hour Interstellar Union meeting.
“Does it sound like I won?” Evenheiler asked, leaning into his embrace.
“Mm-hmm... You won,” Lei Ting said, his voice like a sigh or a gentle compliment. “Are you happy?”
He raised his arms to hold Evenheiler, bowing his head to kiss the man’s hair. Many years had passed, and he had long since grown unfamiliar with this gesture, but it didn't matter; it was never too late to re-learn.
In this moment, his arms felt heavy, but for once, they weren't stiff.
A sliver of tranquility flowed through his heart—a peace unlike any he had felt before.
“Very nice. You’re finally willing to hold me tight.”
Evenheiler’s voice was light and slow—or rather, languid.
“I thought your sense of smell had failed you,” he chuckled, a hint of irony entering his voice. “My solemn and upright Lord Speaker?”
“No, it is precisely because my sense of smell is still sharp that I must use distance to control myself...” Lei Ting kept his head lowered, savoring the scent of peppermint lingering at the tip of his nose. “...‘Uncle.’”
“?”
Evenheiler’s brow twitched. He took a deep breath, but was nearly knocked backward by the heavy scent of raw iron, causing him to grit his teeth. “What kind of fake decency are you playing at, kid? You’ve practically embedded me into your chest!”
“No.” Lei Ting’s expression was grave, perfectly serious. “I am truly decent, ‘Uncle.’”
Under Evenheiler’s incredulous gaze, he slowly released the man’s shoulders. He even had the leisure to comb through the golden, mid-length hair with his hands, using an iron circlet to save the other from the misery of having his hair blown into a mess by the night wind.
“Let’s go. we have an appointment to keep.” Lei Ting smoothed out the lapels of their clothes—good, neither of them were weaklings who couldn't control their reactions or emotions. From the outside, they both looked perfectly normal. “There must be a reason why Kotares ultimately chose to invite us here.
“Besides, it wasn't easy to visit the Earth of this era. We have more to do... such as recording the true state of this period. It is of great significance.”
“………………………………?”
Evenheiler’s pupils shook. “...Lei Ting, tell me, are you fucking impotent??”
“No, Even,” Lei Ting said.
He leaned down slightly, gazing into those azure eyes that had faint lines at the corners, and softened his voice.
“I know you want me to relax, to be happy... but don’t treat yourself as a tool to soothe anyone’s emotions, ‘Uncle Evenheiler.’”
He finally smiled, gently kissing Evenheiler’s eyelashes.
He could feel the soft, thick lashes brushing against his lips, leaving a trace of an itch.
“It isn't worth it,” he said. “Nothing is worth you doing that.”
Evenheiler was stunned.
He watched Lei Ting walk past him and pull open the door, conversing with the attendants on either side in an Ancient Greek that had somehow become fluent. At the same time, he nodded to comfort the attendants who were terrified by his height and build.
He saw that terror quickly transform into respect and joy. He saw one of the attendants run off to find Kotares and several others in the distance, while the rest eagerly conversed with Lei Ting. Their accents weren't even that different.
He saw the figure outlined by candlelight and torches turn back to beckon him, forcing him to quicken his pace.
“Come, let’s go see Kotares.” Lei Ting shrugged and smiled at him. “I heard them say the people with him are from other regions, and one is a local who established this small city.”
Evenheiler opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing. He simply followed Lei Ting toward the crowd of people drinking and making merry.
One was tall and beautiful, the other tall and handsome; both were knowledgeable and experienced, possessing an air of natural command. The moment they appeared, they drew the gaze of nearly everyone present.
The surroundings fell into a sudden hush. It wasn't until they crossed the open courtyard that small, low whispers began to rise from the corners.
Evenheiler’s brow arched slightly.
With a perception that could cover at least the entire city, even if his mental capacity wasn't at the "Double S" level, he had likewise learned the language of this era. It was only his accent that remained distinct.
Thus, he could understand what those people were saying, even if he didn't yet fully grasp the specific cultural nuances.
He heard a group of people trying to compose an ode to their appearance and presence. Another group thought they were some kind of deities. Yet another group was trying to compare the two to see who was better, eventually concluding that Evenheiler was more beautiful, while Lei Ting was more worthy of admiration.
Well, having experienced the baptism of the Star Net, Evenheiler didn't care about this at all. He even found the simple way these ancient people praised them to be somewhat cute...
Until he heard someone say that if they could invite the two of them to join the "revelry" together, they could die without regrets. Within two seconds, he figured out exactly what "revelry" meant in this context. With a face full of dark lines, he overtook Lei Ting and walked toward Kotares, who was watching them with a smile from a distant terrace.
Kotares was leaning against a structure on the terrace that resembled a battlement. Half of his face was buried in the shadows of a grape trellis, while the other half was illuminated by torchlight.
As the two approached, he raised the golden cup in his hand.
“A perfect look!” he laughed loudly, prompting the four or five people around him to raise their cups as well. “Now, a toast to our friends who also come from the stars!
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask... are you two ‘married’?”
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 古希腊语 | Ancient Greek | The language spoken in the historical setting. |
| 玩闹 | Revelry / Festivities | In context, implies group sexual activities or an orgy. |
| 结婚 | Married | Used by Kotares to ask about their relationship status. |
