To Love & To Loathe (Jingliu X Fem Reader)

Prologue

"Y/n, don't hesitate to draw your blade."

Jingliu, Y/n's mentor. Even with her gaze pierce through her lover's eyes, her strictness on her student remains.

"Mentor... do... I really have to?" Y/n asked sounding a bit unsure.

"And did my words become unclear while I was out? I will not repeat myself, Y/n, unsheathe your blade and face me, don't make me wait again."

The mentor's tone becomes icy cold. She didn't sound nice when she's being strict.

"...But I couldn't draw my blade against you..." Y/n whispered that only she can hear.

Although Jingliu somehow managed to hear it that made her lips curled. She has always hated when that sentence was uttered, and this was no exception.

"That doesn't change anything, don't use our relationship as an excuse to undermine my authority, Y/n. I expect you to follow my words without question, do I make myself perfectly clear, or do I need to repeat myself a third time?"

Y/n sighed, "Mentor, don't be harsh on me..."

"Then don't behave like a child, you're far beyond that age now, and this is no time to be weak."

The woman scolds her student. She has been her mentor for many years now and the woman never gets used to her strict attitude and tone.

The fact that Y/n always makes a small comment that annoys Jingliu doesn't help matters either.

"...Fine..."

"...Good." Jingliu pauses for a moment. The woman's body seems to relax ever so slightly.

"You know the drill by now, we'll start with a few warm-up sessions first, then we'll get to the proper training. Got it?"

With Jingliu's words, Y/n didn't respond after that, so the sword master sighed as her expression softens a little. She hates it when her student is silent like this, because she knows she'd done something to offend her.

A slight pang of guilt fills her heart as a result, one that she tries to hide as best as she can.

In an attempt to comfort her lover, the woman places a soft hand on Y/n's shoulder.

"...We will take it slow today. There's no need to push yourself too hard, okay?"

Y/n just hummed silently while Jingliu sighs before her own lips meet Y/n's for a quick kiss to motivate her.

There's a sense of comfort in the touch, no matter how brief it was. The woman hopes this will be enough to brighten her lover's mood today.

Although their relationship remains a secret from the outside world, Jingliu is determined to treat Y/n as affectionately as possible when they're alone together.

Noticing Y/n's smirk, Jingliu sighs as she feels her lover's lip brushes against hers. She's no fool, she knows her student is trying to make her feel guilty so Y/n will end up kissing her back as a way to apologize as well. Despite this, she's not immune to it, and it almost always works every time.

She pulls away after a while, then reaches down to stroke Y/n's hair.

"Ready to begin now?"

Y/n nodded with a grin.

"Of course, I'm now motivated to duel with you, mentor since I already got what I wanted after all~"

Jingliu rolls her eyes as a slight smile emerges on her lips. The mentor knows her student all too well, even the small hints of teasing that Y/n is capable of.