The Pavilion felt quieter that night — though music played, laughter floated, and lantern light swayed as always. Xiao stood by the carved window, red ribbon at his wrist dulled by dusk.
But his smile faltered the moment he saw Yujin enter — not because of him, but because of something behind.
Two strangers, cloaked and hooded, had slipped into the crowd. They watched, silent, their eyes pale as river silt.
Yujin felt the prickle of danger the moment he stepped over the threshold.
He caught Xiao's gaze across the room — a tiny shift of his chin, a warning only Yujin would read.
A few heartbeats later, the strangers vanished — leaving only the faint trace of damp night air and a single fallen black hair on polished wood.
Yujin picked it up, frowning. The strand pulsed faintly with resentful energy — a remnant of a curse.
After midnight, Yujin found Xiao in the small inner courtyard, barefoot on cold stone.
"They were looking at you tonight," he said quietly. "Not me."
Xiao's mask slipped for a breath: "So you saw it too."
"I won't let anything happen to you," Yujin said.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Xiao whispered, voice tight. "I've had enough of those."
For the first time, Xiao reached for him, fingertips brushing Yujin's sleeve.
"Then stay tonight," Xiao murmured, almost a plea. "Just sit. Just breathe the same air. Nothing else."
Yujin hesitated, then nodded. They sat side by side, silent.
In the hush, Xiao spoke, voice rougher than wine:
"I know what it means — to be nothing but bait in someone else's plan. I know."
Yujin closed his eyes. "Not while I still stand."
And for the first time, Xiao believed him.