YiJun's POV

"Jun, it's beautiful. What is this place?" Xian points at the Lotus pond with an apple tree floating over its center. The red fruits, of which there are plenty, look inviting.

They call to me. 'Welcome back, 'Prince of Heaven''. I can almost hear them whisper. "Junnn.... " Xian whines pulling me out of my musings.

"Heaven's Garden." I answer, and his beautiful eyes fill with wonder, "It's your home, Jun." He states, it sounds more like a question.

"Mn." I nod, and he lets go of my hand. Stepping into the pond, he looks over his shoulder, "Won't you join me, Jun?"

"Come back." I call out, and he smirks before looking at the apple tree, "Jun, you know you can't stop me. Join me, My love." Xian requests, yet I know it's not a request. It's a command.

I hold myself back with great restrain, "Xian, come back. It's forbidden."

I hear him laugh, but it doesn't sound like him. He ignores my words and walks towards the tree, "Come, Jun." He orders and holds his hand out to me.

I shake my head, but find myself moving closer to him. I try to stop, but my feet don't obey.

Xian plucks the reddest most beautiful fruit from the tree, and offers it to me, "Have a taste, Jun. I know you want to."

I shake my head yet again, "It's forbidden. Throw it away." I snatch the apple from his hand, but before I can throw it, he throws his arms around me and we fall. My instinct to protect that which is most precious to me, kicks in and I wrap my arms around him, and then everything goes dark.

I can't let him get hurt. I won't let him get hurt.

I open my eyes at the familiar feel of my mattress beneath me, and sit up.

Did I dream? But that's not possible. Archangels can't sleep. I feel a hand creep up my naked back, and I look to my side.

"Xian! What the hell are you doing here?" I question my charge, throwing a blanket over his naked form.

He smirks, "Jun, you brought me here. Don't you remember?" He inquires innocently, his eyes moving over me. Lust clear in his almond eyes.

"No. I don't remember. Leave." I bite out, taking another sheet and covering myself.

He pouts and sits up.

Without warning, and at speeds humans are incapable of, he pulls his sheets away, and pushes me. And as soon as my back hits the mattress, and he straddles me.

"Jun, " He whispers, leaning in, "I know you want me. You have always wanted me."

The fact that his voice doesn't shake even once, and the fact that his statements are spoken without hesitation or doubt, scares me.

I open my mouth to refute his statement; to lie, but before I can do so, he holds out his palm, on which, sits the red apple he had plucked previously.

"Throw it away!" I order, trying to grab the forbidden fruit, but he easily foils my attempts at retrieving the forbidden fruit and laughs, "My love, patience is a virtue. I will give it to you...soon." He winks, and before I can stop him, he takes a bite of it.

"Nooooo." I yell, "Spit it out now." I try to grab his face, but he doesn't let me. He resists.

I reverse our position and pin his hands on either side of his face. I notice that he has not yet swallowed it, and I beg, "Please, Xian. Spit it out."

He shakes his head, and a piece of fruit peeks through his ruby lips. He smiles as if daring me to take it from him.

His eyes dance with mischief, drowning me in hunger, and I find myself leaning in. Our eyes meet for a split second, and then mouth closes over his.

I can feel his lips curving upwards, as I try to get at the piece of the damned fruit when unexpectedly, he opens his mouth inviting my tongue in. Thrusting his hips up and making sure we connect where bliss and sin reside, he pulls me towards him. And I to go him, willingly.

I feel myself losing control over my heart; over my body; over my soul. I forget about everything, as my tongue mates with his, and my heart screams 'Mine.'

We kiss, and he moans. Loud. Needy.

His breaths become shallow, as I settle between his legs, and caress his hips.

He squirms, and it sends sparks through my body. I lose myself in the warmth of his embrace and bite his lips hard.

He growls, and I finally look into his eyes.

Bright... Shining...Mine.

He cups my face and tilts his head, "Jun, make me yours." He orders, and my mouth closes over the side of his neck. He pulls me close, and his fingers thread through my hair, "Jun, more... Please." He demands, and I mimic his actions. Moving my fingers through his thick soft waves, I bite him, hard.

"Jun!" He moans. It's different this time... It sounds restrained.

When I open my eyes, I am surrounded by the warmth of Xian's body and a second later, the scent of vanilla, and my arousal hits me.

This has to be a dream, right?

Guilt floods me, and I lean away. I try to control my erratic breathing, but when my eyes land on the angry red bruise at the side of Xian's neck, my heart stills and so does my body.

My entire being fills with regret and shame, and I lean away a little more.

I am sorry, my love.

I blow on the bruise, and curse myself for hurting him. I was supposed to be protecting him, instead, I had hurt him; violated him.

Will you hate me now, Xian?

"I am sorry, " I apologize, and caress his cheek, "How will I explain this?" I question myself.

I am about to move away when a drop of water lands on his cheek, and his face twitches. My breath hitches in my chest.

Is he awake?... When did I start crying?

I know I have crossed a line, and I know I should leave, and I will, any minute now.

I don't leave. I take in his beautiful features, instead. After all, this may be the last time he lets me anywhere near him.

My eyes move to his lips, and they look bitten, almost bruised. I can't help but trace them, and a moment later realization dawns on me.

I had done that!

In the dream, I had kissed him when...

My heart hurts at the thought of what I had done without his knowledge; without his consent. Yet, my fingers betray me and move over his jaw, as if they were compelled to touch him.

I need to stop.

I remember my sister, whose trust I had broken over and over in my heart.

If given a choice, I would have thrown myself at her feet, and I would have begged for mercy. For now, my body had done, what my heart had wanted.

Feeling like the lowest of scum, I mutter, "Forgive me, MeiMei." And leave Xian's side.

Back in my room, I don't understand what to do. I remember the dream. Was it a dream though? As far as I know, Angels are incapable of sleeping, let alone dreaming!

Part of me wishes and hopes that I did nothing more than kissing Xian. No, don't get me wrong. I hate myself for that too. But what if I had done more? What if I...? Had I?

I feel faint, like I have been running for ages. Running from how I am feeling, running from what I want, running from the sin that my soul is pushing me to commit and I want to stop. I want to give up. I want to surrender.

'Take him... He is yours.' I hear someone whisper, and cold sweat runs down the side of my forehead and trickles down the side of my face.

'Take him... I know you want to.' I hear someone whisper again, and shivers run down my spine.

I close my ears.

"Shut up!" I yell, but only a whisper leaves my mouth. My heart thumps, and I find it hard to breathe.

I feel my knees knock together, and I slump down on the bed just before I feel them give way completely.

I sit there feeling scared and disoriented for a minute or two, before I uncover my ears hesitantly. Satisfied that the mocking, challenging voice had stopped, I remember that today is day one. The first of three days that I had promised to spend with Xian.

Will he even want that now, now that I had violated him?

With a heavy heart, I step into the shower, and cold water hits me. I love how it makes me feel like I am back home.

I close my eyes and pretend that I am in heaven; I pretend that I am surrounded by Meimei, Jian, and father; I pretend that Xian is sitting between his mother and me, and I pretend that I am truly happy.

I stop the shower, and my pretend world melts into nothingness. I sigh and prepare to face Xian; prepare to be blamed; prepare to hear stabbing words; prepare to lose, my everything.

I step into the kitchen to set the table, but decide against it and return to my room.

I need to prepare myself for his questions; his accusations.

I small weak voice in the back of my head implores me to tell the truth. To tell that I was not aware of my actions. That it was the first time I had fallen asleep since the time father had created me, but I decide against it. For if I admit it now, he would accuse me of all the times I had told him that I was sleepy, and that he had disturbed me.

I was stuck.

'Lying is a sin, Jun.' The words keep coming back to me.

Yes, my love, I have sinned. I have sinned over and over again, but what I have done today is truly unforgivable. And the worst part is, that I am not even aware of how many lines I have crossed.

Will you forgive me, Xian?

Will you give me a chance to redeem myself?

I feel a headache coming on and put my head between my palms.

I hope he forgives me, I hope he gives me a chance.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves when I hear him.

"Jun?"

He doesn't sound angry or upset. If anything, his voice is hesitant. Why?

I turn and ask him how he is feeling, and he tells me that he is fine. He walks closer, but I step away. Is it possible that he has not noticed it yet?

I decided to distract him by taking him out for breakfast, and somehow I end up taking him to his favorite cake shop instead.

This is better, I guess. Kids love sweets, after all.

I am not a child, Jun.

Xian looks at me with eyes that say, 'are you sure we are at the right place' and I wish him, "Happy birthday." Sounding like a retard.

After I have embarrassed myself a little bit more, we place our orders and sit in awkward silence.

Why hasn't he accused me yet?

Rosa, our waitress, brings out our orders, and after a few polite words of inquiry about her mother, she leaves.

Usually, Xian can't stop himself from blabbering about how much he loves the pies this place serves and how he had fought with Cheng over the last slice of pastry that he had ordered, but today, he remains quiet.

What are you thinking, Xian?

We eat in silence, and soon we are almost done. My heart feels heavy, and the thought of returning home, fills me with dread.

This might be the last time we eat together. I sigh and look up at him. Our eyes meet, but I see no malice in them. Instead, they are warm, like whiskey blended with sun rays.

They fill my soul with hope, and my heart starts racing.

Why?

I almost let my guard down, but just then, he calls my name, and I feel completely unprepared to answer any questions he might throw at me. Thus, I stand, ready to leave but stops me, "No. Not yet."

I am so stupid. He is a growing boy. His needs are greater than mine.

"Are you still hungry?" I ask.

Silence.

"Is there something else you want to have?" I add.

Silence.

He looks at me unblinking, and I can feel the heat from his gaze stirring my most primal desires.

What the hell is wrong with you, Jun!? Haven't you done enough already!?

I look away, and he finally speaks, "Jun, please tell me what's the matter? Are you upset with me?"

"Let's go home," I beg, and he asks, "Will you answer me when we get back?"

I nod, and we leave the joint.

My mind runs in circles trying to come up with excuses, but alas, I still have nothing by the time we are back.

"Tell me." He orders, and I do the only thing I can.

I apologize.

He doesn't understand it first, but when I point at the evidence on his neck, he realizes what I am apologizing for.

Is it possible that he had not noticed it yet? Not likely.

His fingers trace the bruise, and he gasps. I apologize once again and make up my mind to leave him before he has a chance to throw me away. With that in mind, I start, "I don't think it's safe for you..."

"No... It's fine...I mean I don't mind." He blurts out hurriedly, and a light flush colors his cheeks.

He doesn't mind!?

"What?" I enquire to confirm that I had indeed heard him right, and he chuckles, "I mean, it just happened, right? You didn't mean for it to happen, right? It's not like you wanted to do that to me, right?"

Was he awake when I...

No, that's impossible, right? If he were, he would have stopped me, right? Did he perhaps like it?

Of course, he didn't!

What the hell is wrong with me!?

I contemplate his words and conclude that he is giving me a chance and that I should take it. I should treasure it. And I should stop hoping for it to be something more.

Despicable, aren't I?

I nod, but my eyes keep getting drawn to the mark I had left on him and without meaning to, I walk closer. My fingers hover over the swollen area and the words from my dream echo in my mind once again, 'Jun, make me yours.'

Stop it, Jun!

"Does it hurt a lot?" I ask, tracing the bruise, and he winces.

I need to be punished.

Punish me, Xian.

"Jun, if I tell you that it hurts, will you kiss it better for me?" He teases, and I almost lose my control. I almost kiss him.

Thank father that I am still capable of understanding when I am being teased and to hide my true feelings, I bite out, "Xian!"

"Xian what, Jun?" He retorts, fringing innocence, and I realize that I am fighting a losing battle; that if he pushes me any more, I will fall. I will fall lower and deeper than I have ever fallen. Images of our bodies flush against each other flood my mind, and I know that if Xian offers the forbidden fruit again, like he did in my dream, I will accept it. I will claim and cherish it. Damned or not.

I am pulled out of my thoughts a second time when he continues in a serious tone, "Jun, I have decided upon my first wish."

I take a deep breath and prepare for the worse. "Tell me." I request, and his question hit me like a cannonball, "You told me that the women you bed, mean nothing to you, right?"

I nod, and he puts forth his first wish, "I want you to stop sleeping with them."

{Note :- Yes, I am aware that the things that happened were only in Jun's dream, but something is better than nothing, right? 😅😅

On another note, my eyes are still not good, as with TLB, I drafted this chapter in parts as well (little by little ☹️) I hope to update The Fine Print next, but I can't be sure when that will happen.

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Have a nice day.}