CHIRRUT FELT AS IF HE WAS BREATHING A NEW KIND OF AIR. After just days in the temple ( and getting his ass kicked by Baze, who was currently by his side ), the streets felt different.
Perhaps it was the garbs that he was wearing -- the standard red Guardian trainee robes -- or, for the first time in his life, he was the one standing up while the streets where filled with people grovelling on their knees. Baze was bristling, his back ramrod straight as he stalked through the crowds, on full alert.
Chirrut wasn't sure if he liked different.
"Chirrut," a person called, and he practically glows, a smile spreading on his face. He'd recognize that voice in any rocky current of sound.
"Mei," Chirrut turns around, and before him, stands an old lady, her cane wobbling in front of her, as she looked up, peering at Chirrut's face in the sunlight.
"I haven't seen you in so long, boy, come here," Mei gestured for Chirrut to lean down, and he got down on his knees. Mei's hands went to his face, gently brushing over the planes of his features, flattening his hair as she gave him a warm smile. "It's been forever."
Chirrut laughs. "I saw you on Tuesday, Mei."
"It's eons at my age," Mei chortled, "Just you wait."
Baze reappeared by Chirrut's side, almost panicked. "Chirrut, I thought I lost you -- " Baze's voice fell as he noticed Mei standing by Chirrut. The lady squints at Baze and then grins, elbowing Chirrut and waggling her eyebrows.
"他很帅," Mei commented, rubbing a hand down Baze's arm, almost flirtatiously. Baze smiled, amused.
"谢谢," Baze replied smoothly, and Mei grinned even wider.
"A handsome man in Jedha who speaks Mandarin," Mei chirped, "When are you two getting married?"
Chirrut's face turned bright red, and Baze broke out into a fit of coughs.
"Mei," Chirrut attempted to explain, "he's my teacher."
"Whatever you say," Mei singsonged, and eventually she disappeared back into the crowd of people.
Chirrut sighed, shaking his head, a smile crossing his face. "Baze?"
"Yes?"
"Check your pockets," Chirrut stood up, dusting off his pants, "She just pickpocketed you."
His eyes widened, Baze quickly rummaging through his things. "Kriff! She's -- "
"Yeah," Chirrut said, "I know. Come on, let's go." He tugged at Baze's sleeve, pulling him in the direction of the hot springs.
"Okay," Baze followed his lead, "But tell your friend I want my money back."
Chirrut laughed. "I doubt she'd listen."
"So, she's like you then?"
Chirrut barked out a noise feigning laughter. "Look who's talking, Mr. I-Won't-Take-My-Medicine."
And suddenly, everything fell silent. Baze was hushed beside him, frozen. Did he do something wrong?
"Baze?"
"I'm here," Baze's hand gripped reassuringly around Chirrut's forearm. "Just not used to it."
"To what?"
"I believe you're the second person who knows that I have . . . that."
"Baze," Chirrut curled a finger around Baze's hand. "It's fine."
"No," he snapped, startling Chirrut. Chirrut let his hand fall. "No," Baze repeated, softer. "It's not like that."
"Well," he egged Baze further, "what is it like?"
"I, it's — ah, forget it."
"Baze," Chirrut sighed.
"I just, it's just," Baze inhaled. "I always have to be strong. That's who I am. Even when I was young, when I had to protect my sisters from everyone, it was always me. Always the strong boy who saves everyone and gets the girl. Or whatever. But like—"
"You think that having that makes people think of you differently? That you're not as strong?"
Baze's head hung. "Yes."
"Baze," Chirrut smiled. "For what it's worth, I think you're the strongest person I've ever met."
Even blind, Chirrut could tell that Baze's eyes were on him.
It's a flash, but Baze's arm is around his shoulders for a second. Just a second of being wrapped in his heat and his scent and everything.
Baze's arm was muscular, and warm.
Chirrut wondered if the rest of him bore the same quality.
But Baze's voice was soft, as he murmured, "thank you," and oh —
That was even warmer.
~
BAZE FELT AS IF HE WAS BREATHING A NEW KIND OF FRESH AIR. He settled down into the water, sighing deeply.
Chirrut stood by the edge of the bath, contemplating its surface with a hesitant toe.
"Relax, Chirrut, come," Baze gestured for Chirrut to join him and stops, realizing what he's doing.
He can't see that.
Idiot.
Chirrut drew in a sharp breath. "I left something in the changing quarters. I'll be right back," and then he was gone.
Baze blinked. "Okay?"
There was a single thought running through his mind as he ran towards the changing quarters.
This is insane. This is insane. This is insane.
And it was. Luxuries were something Chirrut could never afford. The beds were one thing, but this—
This just made his skin crawl.
This is insane.
The soft laughter of women — completely unlike Mei — knocked him out of his stupor. He came around the bend to sense three women lounging on chairs by the entrance of the springs.
"Baze Malbus! In my hot spring!" chirped one.
"Hush, Yue," another whispered harshly. "We have a visitor." The woman turned to Chirrut, a huge faux smile plastered on her face—which he, clearly, didn't notice. "May I help you?"
"You," Chirrut inhaled, drawing in courage. "You were talking about Baze Malbus?"
"Only the most attractive Guardian of the Whills in all its history."
"Don't spread untruths, Xing!"
"Well, it should be in history! That man is handsomer than the stars themselves and built like a tree."
"A tree I'd be willing to climb any sol of the week," said another and they collapsed into a fit of giggles.
"You wish, Tai," snorted one. "That man has never laid with a woman once."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because," cackled Xing, "if someone had bed him, they would tell someone. And that someone would have told me."
"I can't believe you still believe that rumor that he's gay. And if he is," Xing smacked her lips together. "Pity."
Chirrut's head was beginning to hurt. The women sounded mostly similar, especially when they laughed, it just blended into a huge indecipherable mesh of voices.
Chirrut pressed a finger to his temple. "Okay, perhaps you should—"
"Chirrut?"
Chirrut turned to the sound of his voice. The women immediately hushed, falling silent.
"Who are you talking to?"
In response, the sliding door shut with a resounding click. Baze chuckled heartily. A muffled shriek came from indoors.
"Apparently," he said, "you have fans."
Baze sounded like a confused pup. "I—what?"
Chirrut raised an eyebrow. "Even I don't need eyes to know that you look attractive."
Baze thanked the heavens that the man in front of him was blind — for he could not see the tips of his ears burn red at the thought of Chirrut finding him handsome.
In Baze's silence, Chirrut finally understood the error of his words. Baze was his superior in every way possible — and he just called him attractive. How would Baze be able to respond to that?
Chirrut swallowed, as he spoke, trying to amend his mistake. "Come on," Chirrut reached out and tugged at his arm. "You promised me a bath — and I intend to get one."
~
他很帅 - he's very handsome
谢谢 - thank you
( also i might be putting the translations into the inline comments very soon so that it's easier for you guys. stay tuned! )