"Mm..." Liu Qingyuan furrowed his brow, tilting his head away to escape that tickling feeling. But it continued to follow him, ghosting over his cheek and neck before biting lightly on his earlobe. He cracked open his eyes, voice mellow from sleep, completely unguarded in a way he could only be with one person. "What are you doing?"
"You're awake."
The sun shone through the tent's entrance in gentle streams, warming the simple rugs placed over the dirt floors. Jiang Zhilan rolled over in the bed, his long hair scattering behind him. He leaned over Liu Qingyuan, looking at his face for a while. Liu Qingyuan, seeing nothing was seriously wrong, lazily closed his eyes again, reaching up to hook Jiang Zhilan around the neck.
"You should rest more. Your injuries haven't healed yet." Jiang Zhilan put a hand out, preventing himself from being pressed into his chest.
"Don't worry, they're healing well. Look," Jiang Zhilan reached out, tugging at the bandages on his wrists. They fell away, crusted in blood, to reveal smooth skin marred by bruises. Even so, the wounds themselves had already healed. "You just want to sleep in a bit, don't you?" He teased. Liu Qingyuan's hold around his waist tightened, drawing him closer. The king leaned down quickly, planting a fleeting kiss on those thin lips. Liu Qingyuan's half-lidded eyes immediately opened, the tops of his ears flushing pink. "What?" Jiang Zhilan raised a hand, pressing a finger over his lips. "You're already my person, am I not allowed?"
"I-" Liu Qingyuan tried to rise, but Jiang Zhilan pushed him back down and raised an eyebrow.
"Who said you could get up?"
"Your majesty...," Liu Qingyuan said helplessly.
"What did you call me?"
"I..." A rare embarrassment flashed across his gaze but he still moved to give him a gentle, placating kiss, calling out at the same time, "...Zhilan." A silence fell, a suppressed smile curving the king's lips. Liu Qingyuan held his gaze, raising an eyebrow in turn. "What? You wanted me to call you, but now that I've said it, you don't want to hear it?"
"It's...it's not that..." Jiang Zhilan averted his gaze. It had truly been too long since someone called him by his name instead of 'your majesty', 'your highness', or some other title. "Can you...call me again? I-!" In a flurry of motion, Jiang Zhilan's vision spun and he found himself looking up at Liu Qingyuan, his hands pressed to the mattress beneath him.
"Zhilan," His name fell from those lips in a magnetic tone and Jiang Zhilan's face flushed red. "Behave yourself, hm?" Liu Qingyuan's gaze was sultry. "Otherwise..."
"Im-impudence! You dare threaten me?" Jiang Zhilan bit his lip, squirming a little. But Liu Qingyuan's grip didn't lessen. Fine, if you want to play, I can only play along! A gleam entered the king's eye and his brow furrowed slightly. "Be a bit gentler..."
Fearful of his injuries, Liu Qingyuan loosened his grip. "Sorry I-" Before he could speak further, a warm touch reached into his clothes, pressing against his chest.
Liu Qingyuan, "!!!"
"Wow~ Captain Liu, you've really been working hard."
"Where are you touching!" Liu Qingyuan grabbed the king's wandering hand, but Jiang Zhilan just pulled his other hand free, acting mischievous and tugging Liu Qingyuan's drooping collar open further. "Ai-you really-!" In a deft movement, Liu Qingyuan pinned Jiang Zhilan's hand under his knees, straightening to fix his collar. Jiang Zhilan bucked his hips, barely moving at all.
"You're too heavy!" Liu Qingyuan leaned over, kissing the king's face.
"You shouldn't have provoked me."
"You-! Guards-mmf!" Liu Qingyuan covered his mouth, turning his head as movement sounded by the entrance.
"Captain? Is everything alright?"
"Mm. You can go back now."
"...yes, Captain." The guard shot a curious glance at the tent flap but he still obediently retreated.
"You see?" Liu Qingyuan raised an eyebrow. "Here, I'm the boss."
"What boss? Let me go-ngh! Liu Qingyuan!" Jiang Zhilan's face turned red. "Have mercy! Have mercy!"
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In the middle of the night, Liu Qingyuan jolted awake, a burning pain spreading from his dantian to the rest of his body. A dull ache in his chest flared in response. Half-sitting up, he pulled his arm from under Jiang Zhilan's sleeping figure, trying not to wake him. "Ugh..." His brow furrowed as he lightly stepped into his shoes, pressing a hand to his chest. Over the past few months, he'd gradually gotten used to the nauseating feeling of the poison moving like a live creature in his meridians, but the pain that accompanied it was always raw. Liu Qingyuan swallowed, a sweet, fishy taste in the back of his throat.
In the dark space, the sound of ragged breathing eventually worsened. Liu Qingyuan hunched over, struggling to suppress his voice. Pressing his lips together, he quietly got up and exited the tent. He walked around the small camp with slow steps, letting the cool spring breeze dry the sweat at his temples. His loosely bound hair swayed slightly. Liu Qingyuan stopped at the East edge of the camp, resting a hand on the gnarled wood of a young tree and gazing into the distance. The thin branches bore tiny, fresh buds, tender growth on its wizened wood. Across the border in that direction, several thousand li forward, was the capital of Qiangda; the city that woke up his heart. Liu Qingyuan let out a sigh, closing his eyes and concentrating on circulating his qi. After a few cycles, the pain slowly ebbed away. Liu Qingyuan opened his eyes, gaze dark and unreadable. He wiped the blood from his mouth. The shuffle of rocks sounded behind him.
"Who!" Turning abruptly, Liu Qingyuan reached for the spot at his waist, only to remember he hadn't brought his sword. It didn't matter though. His hand paused, fingers slowly curling at his side. "It's you."
In front of him stood a woman, her blank, unseeing eyes familiar to him. As was the scar that ran across her face and twisted the skin into a hideous shape. He knew her voice too; despite the deep lines at the corners of her eyes and the grey streaks in her hair, she had the voice of a girl. It was the woman who'd saved him when his master had pushed him off that cliff. Previously, she'd worn a set of common cotton robes, but now, silk robes of dark blue blended her figure into the night.
"Why are you here? Last time, where did you go? This one wasn't able to thank Benefactor for your kindness." But whatever he said or inquired, the woman didn't answer, merely looking at him with blank eyes. Liu Qingyuan narrowed his eyes, a trace of confusion and wariness flitting across his gaze. He lowered the hand on his chest and took a step forward. With that small movement, the woman finally reacted, slightly tilting her head as if snapped into motion. She looked up and Liu Qingyuan frowned slightly, a feeling of unease settling in his gut. Although her eyes were blinded, it seemed as if she was staring right into his gaze. To make it worse, her stoic face slowly morphed into an expression of sadness. Liu Qingyuan didn't move, watching her. The pair faced off like that for a while.
"Quickly leave here." That young girl's voice was grating in the silence, inconsistent with her appearance. It was marred with anxiety, and twisted with warning.
"What do you m-"
"Quickly go!" She stepped forward, her words exploding out of her like a cannon. Liu Qingyuan tensed when she grabbed him, only to raise a hand to support her as she staggered.
"Miss-"
"You must leave here quickly." Her hands tightened around his arms, fingers digging almost painfully into his arm. "Oh, oh," She moaned, "Only one of you...only one of you..." Her words trailed off into low sobs.
Liu Qingyuan's scalp went numb but he still opened his mouth to ask, "Could you tell me why? What do you mean by 'only one of you'?" The woman's sobs tapered off. "Who are you? Why do you want us to leave this place?" He was anxious, leaning over to peer into her wizened face. She raised her head, staring at him in an uncanny manner.
"The king rides East," she murmured, suddenly sighing lowly. "The guard walks West. What a shame, what a shame. The Phoenix falls and the mortal ascends."
"What did you say?' Liu Qingyuan's brows were furrowed. He leaned closer, trying to hear her musings. She suddenly raised her head again, nearly knocking the top of her head into his chin. The woman's eyes opened wide, twisting the scar on her face even more.
"Leave! Leave! He's coming! He's coming!"
"Who? Who's coming here?"
"The king! The king!" She jerked in his arms, her neat hair on the verge of collapse, just like her mentality. Like the silent face she arrived with was about to disappear, and the turmoil beneath would be revealed like a thick blade slashing into blood and flesh to reveal the bones beneath.
"What?"
"Qingyuan? What are you doing?" Liu Qingyuan jerked his head around, still confused. Jiang Zhilan's figure was revealed under the moonlight, Liu Qingyuan's loose outer robe draped on his shoulders. Those delicate eyebrows were furrowed, a hint of sharp caution entering that peach blossom gaze. "Who were you talking to?"
"I...' Liu Qingyuan looked down, only to find that his arms were still bent in front of him, as if supporting an invisible figure. But that woman was gone. He was silent. When had she left? Or, was she never here in the first place? Had he hit his head when he'd fallen? Who had healed him then?
After checking that there was nothing suspicious in the surroundings, Jiang Zhilan turned, only to find Liu Qingyuan still frozen with his arms raised staring at his hands blankly. "Qingyuan?" His tone became worried. "Qingyuan?"
"Hm?" Liu Qingyuan snapped out of his daze, lowering his arms as Jiang Zhilan hurriedly walked up to him.
"Are you feeling okay?" He raised a hand and pressed a palm onto his forehead. "Why are you so confused? And why did you come out? It's still cold. You didn't even wear an extra robe."
"I..." Liu Qingyuan furrowed his brow. "Just now, did you see anyone?"
"Huh? No I didn't. I just think...the blossoms this year are more fragrant." Liu Qingyuan smiled slightly, reaching out to tuck a piece of hair behind the king's ear.
"Of course. Your majesty is here." Jiang Zhilan huffed.
"What did I say about calling me that? Here, I'm just Jiang Zhilan." He leaned forward, attempting to kiss Liu Qingyuan. His lips landed lightly on the side of his mouth. Jiang Zhilan frowned faintly. Had he just...avoided him? Liu Qingyuan coughed lightly, the taste of blood still rampant in his mouth. He pulled the king into a hug to prevent him from attempting again. "Wait a minute-" Jiang Zhilan pushed at his chest.
"Stay still."
"No-Liu Qingyuan! What are you hiding from me?" Freeing himself from his grasp, Jiang Zhilan narrowed his eyes, searching Liu Qingyuan's face until he lowered his gaze from guilt.
"It's...nothing."
"Liu Qingyuan," Jiang Zhilan warned, "Don't go hiding things from me again." her
"I'm just worried you-" He broke off, coughing. Liu Qingyuan turned his face away, eyes closing.
"What's wrong with you? Liu Qingyuan!"
"It's just," Liu Qingyuan paused, his hand coming away flecked with blood. Jiang Zhilan grabbed his hand before he could wipe it on his sleeve. A myriad of emotions flashed across his face before he settled on frosty anger.
"Speak."
"...it's been uncomfortable." Liu Qingyuan hesitated, swallowing the blood in his mouth and organizing his words in his head. Jiang Zhilan's perceptive gaze bore into him. In a sudden motion, he reached out, grabbing Liu Qingyuan by the collar and pulling his robes apart. Liu Qingyuan went to stop him on instinct but paused, his hands dropping back down to his side. Jiang Zhilan gazed at that ugly feather mark, twisted and marred. Thin lines of dark blood raced under his skin, defining his condition better than his sparse words could.
"You..." Jiang Zhilan raised his head, teeth gritted, the corners of his eyes red. "When did this happen?" Liu Qingyuan lowered his gaze, gently holding Jiang Zhilan's hands in his own as if that would placate him.
"Four months ago...I visited mas-the Great General. We fought," Liu Qingyuan furrowed his brow, "After that, I don't...quite...remember."
"Your condition?" The words were forced through gritted teeth. Liu Qingyuan took a breath, feeling the weakness in his own body. He lowered his gaze without saying anything. But that silence was enough. After a beat, Jiang Zhilan pushed him away, raising a hand and wanting to slap some sense into him. In the end, he could only lower his hand, turning away with a hand over his face. Despair and hopelessness engulfed him. In his mind, the memories of their interactions six months prior flashed by, each detail picked apart. That night when he'd been stabbed by the Qiangda flower, he should have died; his own father had succumbed to that same poison, unable to recover even with the phoenix mark. Originally, he'd thought it was because he himself hadn't been stabbed anywhere fatal; it was only the thigh, but now, each suspicion was magnified countless times. And the strange feather mark on Liu Qingyuan's chest. He'd first glimpsed it what seemed like ages ago, when the assassins had chased them off the cliff and into the water below. Since then, had he been affected? Or was it even earlier?
Jiang Zhilan's mind spun, panic forcing tears to his eyes. Liu Qingyuan, an ordinary person who also seemed to receive heaven's blessing; since he'd been affected by the poison, did it mean he would die...just like his father?
He was shocked out of his stupor by a warm embrace on his back. That familiar figure enveloped him, a chin resting on his shoulder. "Jiang Zhilan," That voice was uncharacteristically soft, a foreign emotion evident in his tone, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hide it but...you definitely wouldn't have let me."
Jiang Zhilan closed his eyes, a single teardrop running from the fan of his lashes. "What did you do?" Liu Qingyuan shifted. He could feel him press his cheek on the back of his neck, his breath brushing past his ear as he spoke.
"That night...you-" Liu Qingyuan paused, recollecting himself, "That night, I felt you-" He swallowed, pressing his face into sweet scented skin. "You weren't breathing."
Jiang Zhilan's breath caught in his throat. Those four days he was unconscious, he didn't remember anything. Only when he woke up, Liu Qingyuan was by his side, his face haggard and holding an incomparable relief.
"Your lips were purple. I didn't understand. The night before, you were only a little feverish but your vitals were stable. Your pulse was so weak I-Jiang Zhilan, do you understand?" The king reached down, grasping the arm that wrapped around his waist. His fingers tightened, nails digging into the fabric. "To me, you're worth much more than myself." Liu Qingyuan raised his head, stepping in front of him and cupping his world in his hands. His thumbs caressed the king's fair cheeks, eyes slightly shiny. "I went to the netherworld and took you back," He gently kissed him, "I don't regret it."
Jiang Zhilan trembled, grabbing his sleeve. "Liu Qingyuan!" But his voice was thick with tears. "You dare decide for this king! Impudent! You-you...you...Idiot!" He punched his chest, tears streaming freely down his face. "The heavens are fair; you take from King Yama, he takes back. How could you be so stupid! You-!" Hitting Liu Qingyuan again, he could only repeat that one word, his brain stuck in an overwhelming panic. He didn't want it. If the price was his Qingyuan, he didn't want this free pass. If his condition was so bad back then, how had these six months fared? He paused, letting go of Liu Qingyuan's wrinkled robes. Liu Qingyuan stood there, watching him quietly and reaching out a hand as he tottered to the side. Sadness simmered in his gaze, backdropped by the ever persistent haze of pain. After letting go, Jiang Zhilan suddenly reached out again, pulling him into a hug. "Let's go back, it's cold." He said that, but he didn't move.
Liu Qingyuan just held him, knowing that apologies wouldn't fix everything.
"I'm tired." They both tactfully avoided the problem at hand.
"En." Liu Qingyuan leaned down, kissing his forehead. Jiang Zhilan closed his eyes, face pressed against him, his lip trembling. "The sky's still dark, we can still sleep a little more."