翠色不归 -- Green never returns.
Yet even after the masked men had vanished into smoke, the words clung to Yujin's mind like thorned vines.
That night, Yujin half‑dragged, half‑guided Xiao back into the Pavilion. He looked embarrassed for what he was about to do, but took Xiao into the same chamber where they'd first truly met...that awkward, humiliating night still vivid in his mind.
Xiao, despite the pain in his waist, felt his heart pound wildly. Was Yujin… really going to "borrow a night" at last? His breath quickened; he almost forgot the sting of the wound. Maybe I've won, he dared to hope. Thought Maybe Yujin is finally fallen for him…
But Yujin, catching the heated look in Xiao's half‑lidded eyes, felt a rush of alarm... and something else that made his face redden.
"D‑Don't give me that look while you're injured!" he scolded, voice rough with nerves. "You're unpredictable enough as you are… And I'm not here to do what you're thinking!"
"You're… not going to be intimate with me?" Xiao's voice cracked with disappointment, raw and needy.
"Of course not, you fool Lotus Seed!" Yujin barked, face flushing deeper. "First, I'm not even into men... keep that in your stubborn head! And second, you're bleeding. Stay still and stop dreaming of impossible things."
With a deep breath, Yujin reached to remove Xiao's blood‑stained outer robes, leaving only the thin, white under‑robe. His fingers hesitated when he saw the pale skin and fresh wound at Xiao's waist.
But Xiao shivered under the touch, letting out a sharp whimper...part pain, part something shamelessly softer. His parted lips trembled; desire burned through exhaustion. His body had learned too well to answer a stranger's hand.
Yujin's breath caught. His eyes widened, heat rising to his ears. Why is he like this? He bit his lower lip, trying to stay focused... but Xiao's gaze slid to that lip, pupils darkening, lips parting as if to kiss.
"Xiao… stop that," Yujin growled, voice low, fingers still trembling against the wound. "It's annoying. I'm trying to heal you...not… that."
"Then… k‑keep touching me and I'll feel better in seconds," Xiao whispered, his voice husky and trembling. His hand caught Yujin's and guided it lower, toward the curve of his thigh.
"Wh‑ What--?!" Yujin jerked back, face flushed crimson, heart pounding painfully. "Can't you behave like a normal person for even a minute?! I'm trying to help you, not—"
He exhaled hard, hands hovering near his throat as if strangled by words. "If you keep this up, I'll have to bind you."
Xiao shifted closer despite the pain, chest rising and falling with heated breaths. He pressed his neck into Yujin's waiting palm, soft whimper escaping, eyelids fluttering.
" here , grab my throat then...your..hands feels good..and warm..." Xiao said softly..
"You--! You left me no choice!" Yujin snapped, flustered beyond words. In one swift motion, he pinned Xiao to the bed, heart racing, breath hot in his chest.
Then, with a sweep of spiritual energy, he bound Xiao's wrists to the headboard and his legs to keep him from moving. A silencing charm sealed away the teasing moans.
"Finally… some peace," Yujin muttered, breath shaky. His palms hovered over the wound. Perple light bloomed under his fingertips as he guided spiritual energy into torn flesh.
Xiao's eyes glared and softened all at once; his mouth moved against the invisible seal, cursing or begging, Yujin couldn't tell.
At last, the bleeding slowed, pain easing from Xiao's face. Yujin released the bindings, stepping back, breath ragged. But before he could fully retreat, Xiao lunged, arms wrapping around him...nearly sending them both tumbling from the bed.
Before Xiao could capture his lips, Yujin caught him by the hair, gentle enough not to hurt but firm enough to stop him.
"Release my hair, Han Yujin!" Xiao's voice trembled, half‑pleading, half‑angry.
"No. Never. You're dangerous even half‑dead, so who knows what you'd do fully healed!" Yujin scolded, exasperation mixed with something warmer. "Just… stay still. I have work to do."
"Where are you going without telling me?!" Xiao demanded, breathless.
"Work means work. And who are we to each other, that I owe you every detail?" Yujin shot back...words sharper than he meant them.
Xiao froze. The retort cut deeper than any blade.
Yes… who are we, really? The realization left an ache in his chest.
Seeing the hurt flash in Xiao's eyes, Yujin hesitated. His voice softened. "Just… rest. Heal properly. I'll be back."
Without another word, Yujin slipped from the chamber, robes rustling behind him...leaving only lantern light and silence.
Xiao's thoughts, alone in the dark:
He didn't even look back…
The bitterness burned in his throat, sharp and familiar.
Almost funny... if it didn't hurt so much.
[ End of Chapter 07 ]