Past

On the morning of the eighth day, Xian is finally allowed to leave his room. He is excited to go to the palace. He is more excited, however, to be meeting YiJun after almost seven days.

Xi Xi is happy for her son, but she knows that he is no shape to resume his daily activities as an apprentice to the royal physician just yet. The thought of how Xian might feel if he can't stay away from YiJun, worries her as well.

Xian waves his parents goodbye, but before he can step out, Xi Xi hugs him, "Son, can't you go tomorrow instead? Your body is still recovering from the effects of the potion."

Xian hugs her back. In the past few days, the excruciating pain he had gone through had changed him. He was no more the innocent naive boy he was, barely seven days ago, "Mother, you and I both know that I can't stay away from him any longer. And as far as my work is concerned, I am sure father will come up with an excuse for me not to run errands for Senior Wu Tao."

Xiao Cong gently squeezes Xian's shoulder, "Son, you need to remember all that I have told you. You can not have or do what you want just yet. For both your sakes, you need to stay strong."

Xian nods, "Father, if it's what I have to do to protect him, I will do it."

As the father and son leave for the palace, Xi Xi's eyes finally release the tears she had held back for the past seven days. She already missed her son's carefree smile.

Cong and Xian had first met the King and given reasons for their absence. Xian's appearance, a testimony to the suffering he had endured.

"Cong, you should have let him rest for a few more days." The King says, walking over to take care closer look at the young boy. His brows knit together, "YiJun will be most displeased to see his friend's condition."

"Your Majesty, you are already aware that the prince has spent past seven nights outside our humble dwelling. We couldn't possibly delay Xian's return." Cong replies, looking directly at the King.

'They will never forgive me.' The King tells himself for the millionth time.

"Xian is excused from his apprenticeship duties until his health doesn't improve." The King declares, giving a small pat on the young boy's shoulder before leaving the council room.

The first thing Xian does after bidding farewell to his father is rushing to YiJun's chamber and entering without knocking.

He finds YiJun slumped over his study table with what appears to be a small blade in his hands, 'He is sleeping.' Xian notices, walking closer.

But the closer he gets to YiJun, the more uncomfortable his chest feels. He ignores the discomfort and slowly removes the small blade from YiJun's hand. YiJun stirs in his sleep and turns his face towards Xian.

Xian's heart breaks at the sight of dark circles under his Jun's eyes. His eyes roam all over YiJun's sleeping form, and tears make their way down his cheeks, 'Jun, you didn't take care of yourself at all. Look at how weak you have let yourself get.' Xian thinks, running his fingers over the sleeping boy's cheek.

"I said I am not hungry," YiJun mumbles and turns his face the other way, making Xian smile. He bends down and kisses his cheek lightly.

Xian gasps and steps back at the small yet sharp pain that he feels in his chest.

He shakes his head, 'If father and mother think that something like pain can keep me away from My Jun, they thought wrong.'

Wiping his tears, Xian once again takes his face next to YiJun, "It is way past dawn, and yet, my Jun is sleeping." He whispers and smiles before lightly nipping at YiJun's ear.

YiJun slowly lifts his head and blinks, and his eyes fall on Xian.

Once again, Xian's heart hurts, but his pain drowns in the warmth that spreads through his body when he sees Jun smiling brightly.

"Jun... " Xian mouths and YiJun whispers the words Xian had been longing to hear for what feels like ages, "Xian, you are back."

Present

Wangji walks closer and hugs the boy from behind, pressing their bodies closer; Xian sighs, satisfied.

"Kiss me." Xian orders, and Wangji starts placing wet kisses all over his neck. Xian leans back, offering more of his neck to him, "Harder!"

Wangji starts sucking on Xian's neck, "Yes... Ah..." Xian moans. Wangji's hands travel under his shirt, caressing his chest and abdomen.

"Mnnnn... " Xian sighs appreciatively before asking something that had been on his mind, "Hey.."

'Mn?'

Xian tries to turn, but Wangji holds him in place. Xian realizes his mistake, "Sorry... I forgot for a moment. Tell me, did you take the locket?"

Wangji nods into Xian's neck, 'Mn.'

Xian moves his hand under his shirt and places them over Wangji's, "Why?"

Wangji starts placing a feather-light kiss on Xian's neck, 'Mine.'

"It was yours?" Xian asks to confirm.

Wangji nuzzles into Xian's neck, 'Mn.'

Xian giggles, "Ok."

Wangji removes his hands from under Xian's clothes and moves them to his waist, 'You believe me? Just like that!?'

"Yes." Xian nods.

Wangji buries his face in Xian's neck, 'Why?'

Xian's hands once again land on Wangji's. He pushes his body back, leaning more into him, "Something tells me that you can't lie to me."

Wangji growls, and blood starts to pool under Xian's belly at the sound of Wangji's rough voice.

'I can smell your desire; it's not good for my control. Order me to stop, or I will mark you right now, whether you like it or not!'

Xian giggles, "But what if I want to be marked... Ah!" Xian's words end with a moan as Wangji's grip on his waist tightens, and he lightly bites Xian's jaw.

'I shouldn't.....It would be wrong. Not till I know...' Wangji's thoughts become disjointed and unclear as his need to get closer to Xian increases.

'What does he want to know.' Xian wonders, but doesn't voice his thoughts. He pulls a bathrobe belt and hands it over to Wangji, "Tie it around my eyes."

'Why?' Wangji wonders.

"Just do it!" Xian orders. Wangji does as told.

As soon as Xian's eyes are tied, he turns and throws his arms around Wangji. He sinks his teeth into the nape of Wangji's neck.

"Ahhhhh. Xiaannn..." Wangji moans.

Xian looks up, "So that is how I can hear your voice." He chuckles; Wangji stiffens, but returns the embrace, 'You should be scared of me. I can hurt you.'

Xian runs his fingers over Wangji's arms, "That is a lie. You don't have it in you to hurt me." He says confidently. His hands cradle Wangji's face, and his thumbs trace the immortal's lips, "They are beautiful... I can tell. I can tell that you are gorgeous."

Wangji's hands caress Xian's waist, 'You don't know that.'

"I do..." Xian whispers in Wangji's ears, as his hands travel over the immortal's back.

Wangji's breath hitches, 'What do you want?'

Wangji urges. He wants to give the boy in his arms anything the boy desires.

Wangji nuzzles into Xian's neck, making him giggle, "Right now, I know you can't give me what I want," he nips Wangji's ears lobe, "and I am not going to ask you to do something you are not comfortable doing. So how about you give me your name. What should I call you?" Xian asks, kissing Wangji's lower lip.

Wangji forgets for a second that Xian can read his thoughts. His eyes land on Xian's beautiful face, and without realizing he thinks, 'Jun.'

Xian gasps. He remembers the words, 'I love you, Xian...Jun loves you. Always.' he realizes that it's the same man. 'It was him; he is Jun... He said that he loves me? But how? Why am I offering myself to him so willingly? I don't even know him! Why does he not want to be seen?'

'No...I shouldn't have revealed it. I shouldn't have... ' Wangji thinks, stepping away, 'What did I do!? I can't even use my powers. I promised uncle I won't- I should leave!'

Xian pulls the bathrobe belt away from his eyes, but finds himself all alone. He runs to the open window, but he can't see anyone, "He left again." Xian whispers dejectedly. Just then, he hears a whine and turns. He finds Dawn on his bed once again.

Xian's face erupts into a big smile, "You are back." He hugs Dawn.

His alarm goes off, "Oh my! Dawn, I need to get ready. I told you I have an audition, right. Wish me luck."

Dawn excitedly jumps on Xian and licks his face.

"I love you too," Xian says, before picking up his clothes and heading to get dressed for the day.

When he returns, he finds the bed empty.

He goes downstairs to join Yanli in the kitchen and helps her prepare breakfast, which the trio eats before Xian heads out to The Lan Hall.

Xian doesn't mention anything about Jun to his siblings.

*A couple of blocks away from Jiang Residence*

"YiJun, have you lost your mind? Even after I told you to stay away from him. Not only did you go there, you touched him as well! What happened to my mature level headed nephew? Damn it, YiJun, if anything- " Shen trails off, handing over Wangji's locket to him.

Wangji puts it around his neck, "Uncle, calm down. I didn't break my promise. I didn't touch him. At least not at first." Wangji pauses and pulls a T-shirt over his head before continuing, "Uncle, I know you probably won't believe me, but I think that boy is special."

"Of course you would say that. You are obsessed with him." Shen says, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Uncle, you misunderstand. Xian- he doesn't seem human.. I mean, he admitted to me that he is capable of influencing moods."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Wangji gets out of the backseat and joins Shen in the front seat, "Uncle, I will tell you the rest later. But first, tell me, how did you not realize that you were being followed?"

Shen looks at Wangji as if he can't believe what nonsense his nephew just sprouted.

"The black jeep followed you. I can sense that man's intent." Wangji elaborates.

Shen concentrates, "Now that you mentioned it, I can indeed sense him...but how did I miss it in the first place." He feels baffled at his negligence.

"Uncle, he is the same officer who came for me the day before," Wangji informs.

Shen hits the steering wheel, "Dammit! He called me early in the morning. He wants to meet you at the station."

"If we go over to him now, he will know that we knew that we were followed. Let's go home and from there, to the station." Wangji suggests.

Shen shakes his head, "He is too smart for that."

"What do you suggest?"

"I suggest we confront him. Don't talk. Just agree with whatever I say. Then pretend that you have a prior engagement and leave. I will take care of him. I mean, this situation." Shen's face heats up.

"Uncle, is there something you are hiding from me?" Wangji asks, confused.

"No. I have nothing to hide." Shen barks out, and both men walk over to the jeep parked behind them.

{Note:- Word count 1930

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