"I don't care about your past, dammit. I don't care. I don't care about things like social standing. I don't care what you've done until now. I don't care," there was convintion in the general's eyes. Pure, unabashed conviction and promise. An unspoken vow. 

The courtesan laughs a humorless laugh. Such words were a waste on the likes of him.  "You... You don't understand. You don't. Can't you see- that's not my past? It's my present! And future!" 

The alpha wanted to scream. He wanted to hit something. But he did neither, just firmly holding the shorter males narrow shoulders as he buried his face in the courtesan's nape, his arms wrapping around the other's slim waist, his grip on the delicate figure tight. The courtesan words were making the alpha angrier and angry. Why couldn't he see it, damn it all. 

"I can. I do. I understand completely. I know about your... Your work, your occupation, your..." He clenched his fist tightly, as the words left a bitter taste on his lips. "... Clients"

"And yet you don't understand. This was my destiny the moment I was born, general," the man's voice was still gentle, but there was an intensity in his eyes. "Don't you understand?! I was born on these streets as an illegitimate child. And- I- I tried so hard to escape. But no one can fight destiny. I tried to be a musician, but you know what that lead to. I was pushed back into these very streets. I was born here, I will probably die here. That's just... That's just a fitting end for someone like me."

The general tensed, as the courtesan spoke of his past. His grip on the other tightened, as he listened to the others words. Destiny. There was that word again. The single most word he hated with passion. This...was not his destiny. Never. And these words gave him all the more reason to show this beautiful, beautiful man that he... Didn't have to be tied down to his so called destiny. "Destiny. Fate. Fate is... Not set. And I don't care about your past. You may have been born here, but you don't.... You don't have to die here. Dammit. You... deserve... So, so much more than this. To be more than this."

"...Let us not talk about what I deserve. That is not for you to decide," He shifted uncomfortably, genuine hurt and...heartbreak flashing in his eyes. 

"What about you? You deserve a partner who can stand proudly beside you. You deserve someone who's...well, not a person like me." 

Luo Xing let out a low growl, as his fingers dug harder into the soft flesh of the courtesan's waist. He... No. Just the thought of anyone else, standing beside him, made him feel sick. He was angry, the fact the omega, *his* omega was pushing him away, and the fact the other was putting himself in a light that just wasn't him. He said with a bitter, forlorn chuckle. "I must have committed a great sin in my last life for you to decide I don't deserve you, my love."

"That... Is not what I meant, and you know it."

The alpha leaned even more, his grip on the other's waist still tight, yet the touch gentle enough to not hurt the fragile man, yet strong enough to keep him in place. He gently tilted the courtesan's face up, as he looked down on the smaller, slender man.