"*Admit. It*"
"...What is the use?" He sighed again as he looked directly at the alpha. "What then, general? Fine, I admit it. What now?"
The general let out a low groan as the courtesan confessed to it, his hands clenching into a fist, his knuckles going white. He took a breath to calm himself down, but his voice still came out as a low growl. A low, tired and frustrated growl. Like a bound prisoner. "What now? What now. You tell me, have you thought about this? At all? About us? If this... Is ever going to work. Be honest. Because I'm not... I can't accept those prospects. Not when I want you."
"You're...you're misguided." He couldn't look at him in the eye. "People like me...are not meant to be mates or partners."
Luo Xing let out a low huff, he was not having this. He gently used his fingers to lift the omega's chin up, forcing eye contact. The courtesan could see the possessive look in the general's eyes, his expression as serious as ever.
"People like you? You mean, people who are beautiful? Both inside and out? Who have a gentle and soothing presence? People who are caring and comforting? People with a voice of an angel? Is that what you mean? Or do you mean people who actually care about someone with a pure heart without any ulterior motives? Huh? And who says you're not meant to be mates?"
"...You know that's not what I meant. People like me as in...harlots. That was what I meant. Our entanglements are better kept in the shadows. You can't take skeletons out of your closet and expect it will be fine, general."
A low, almost angry noise came from his throat as the general pressed the courtesan against the wall even more, his arms on either side. His fingers were digging into the plaster, leaving small indents.
"Don't.. Don't.. don't you dare call yourself that. I've said it before and I'll say it again. You are not. A harlot. That's not what you are. Not to me, not to anyone else" he let out a frustrated breath. "And to hell with my reputation. I don't care. I don't care about the whispers."
"You don't, but I do." He held the other's hands. "As I've admitted- Yes, I do care for you. Which is why...I care about this."
That comment...as infuriating as it was, it also made the alpha's whole demeanour soften, as the other admitted to caring. He gently brought the courtesan's hands up to his own lips, gently pressing his lips against the smooth, soft skin. The courtesan's hands were slender, delicate, and beautiful. Just like the rest of him.
"You.. You care about me. Is that what you're saying. You.. Care for me. You care about me, even though you're trying to deny this and push me away?"
"It is because I care, general. This... This is not right. I don't want anyone saying anything about you, because of me."
A shaky breath escaped the general's lips. He was a man trained in war and bloodshed. He never blinked, no matter what the situation. Yes this...this infuriating, beautiful, kind hearted idiot...he was going to make him lose it. He brought one hand up, gently wrapping the courtesan's hair around his fingers. The long strands were soft like silk against his rough hands, and he couldn't help but bask in that feeling. The courtesan could see the look of pure, unabashed longing in his eyes.
"What's not right? That I... I desire you? That I want you, have my eyes on no one else. That I wish I was able to hold you, to touch you. To... Cherish you. That I saw my soulmate in you?"
"It's too... We're too different," the courtesan said patiently. "I... Apologise." He lets out a bitter chuckle, "I'm so foolish, aren't I? You just said not to apologise, yet here I am."
Luo Xing let out a low huff, his eyes narrowing. He was getting frustrated. He... He wanted the other so, so much. More than anything else. "How are we too different? You... You're the only person I...I want. You don't... You don't even realize it, don't you. You're not foolish. You're.... You're just being stubborn. Stubborn on denying yourself this."
"No.... I'm not," the omaga made made his voice softer as he continued "It's no stubbornness, general. It's just... Awareness. Of our circumstances."