oneshoot [FourthGemini/GeminiFourth]

LimingHeart (English)

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the countryside, filtering through the lush canopies of Thailand's dense jungles. Prince Liming sat back in his royal carriage, the rhythmic clatter of hooves a soothing contrast to the loud silence in his mind. This visit to a remote village wasn't planned; in fact, it was his escape from the endless formalities of palace life-a brief rebellion against his royal duties.

As the carriage rolled to a stop at the edge of the village, Liming stepped out, shedding his royal identity as best he could. Dressed in plain clothes, he looked like any other traveler, though his quiet confidence and noble bearing were hard to hide.

As he wandered the village paths, he passed stalls selling fresh fruit, children playing, and farmers chatting. It was then he noticed a young man, sitting beneath a large Banyan tree, fingers lightly grazing the grass. He seemed around Liming's age, with striking features-smooth skin, soft lips, and dark hair falling to his shoulders. But what held Liming's attention was the serene smile on the man's face, one that looked like it had nothing to prove to anyone. He was... different.

Liming observed him quietly, until an elderly woman carrying a basket called out to the man, "Heart, your plants need tending!"

The man, Heart, turned his head, his movements gentle yet precise. He gave the woman a nod and replied, "I'll take care of them right away, Auntie."

Heart rose, using a slender stick to guide him to a small patch of herbs and flowers by the edge of the path. As Liming watched, he realized Heart's gaze was unfocused; his actions were careful, deliberate, almost as though he were seeing with senses other than sight.

Drawn by curiosity, Liming approached him. "Excuse me," he called softly, not wanting to startle him.

Heart paused, tilting his head slightly in Liming's direction. "Yes?" he asked with a gentle smile. His eyes were a shade of deep brown, almost black, and though they didn't focus on Liming, they seemed to see far more than anyone else's ever could.

Liming hesitated, at a loss for words. He had spent his life surrounded by people who knew exactly who he was, bowing and scraping before him. This was the first time he'd been able to just be himself. "I... I wanted to ask about your plants. They look healthy and vibrant."

Heart's face lit up, his fingers brushing over the leaves. "Thank you. It's all about feeling them grow, sensing their needs. You don't have to see them to care for them, you just have to listen."

Intrigued, Liming knelt down beside him. "How do you listen to plants?"

Heart chuckled, a soft sound that seemed to carry warmth and peace. "You listen with more than your ears. With your hands, your heart. The plants will tell you if you're patient."

Their conversation drifted into comfortable silence as Heart continued tending to the herbs, teaching Liming the gentle art of "listening" through touch. Liming's fingers brushed against Heart's occasionally, sending sparks up his arm, though he quickly drew back, pretending it hadn't happened.

Finally, as Heart finished his work, he turned back to Liming. "You're not from here, are you?"

Liming paused, unsure if he should reveal his identity. But something about Heart made him want to be honest. "No... I'm just passing through. I needed a break from my life in the city."

Heart smiled, a knowing smile. "Sometimes, we need to step away to remember what matters most." He extended a hand in Liming's direction, palm up, inviting. "It was good meeting you, friend."

Liming took Heart's hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grasp. "It was good meeting you, too. I hope I'll see you again."

As Liming walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that, for the first time, he had met someone who saw him for who he was-not as a prince, but as Liming. And with that thought, a sense of longing he had never felt before began to stir within him.