Dammit Dammit! Fu Ran was so tired his thoughts came out no more than a few curses. He had experienced today: total exhaustion.

The pain lingering over his body also didn’t aid his mental process. The cut on his neck hadn’t been more than bandaged, albeit pretty cleanly, because he was putting up an act in front of Tian Han.

The only things that awaited him in his room were the same as always. His bed still lay with light white sheets and soft purple pillows. Everything was made up of darker hardwood, but he kept bright colors in his room to brighten the view. If it weren’t already dark outside, the view of his private garden or bath might have brightened his little tea house home as well.

He did throw the ideas around of a way to pass the night, but decided against each one. “I’m too tired for tea, or a bath,” he sighed. Too much had already happened for him to be thinking about piling more unnecessary tasks onto his to-do list.

However, no matter how tired he felt, or how great the pain, he still did not wish to sleep. Now that Fu Ran had seen the subject in person, he feared the terrors his nightmares could bring.

He settled with sitting at his desk. He pulled out a brush and paper, hoping that something would come to busy his mind. Alas, he wasn’t even given 20 minutes of solitude.

Knock Knock.

Fu Ran’s eyebrows knitted together. The banging sounded far too gentle to belong to Zhi Lao, but who else could it be? There was no other person aside from Zhi Lao or Yi Yang who would visit him in the dead of night! And since Yi Yang never knocked, it was clear that more nagging from his martial brother awaited him when he opened the door. Fu Ran breathed out a sigh and messily slid his chair away from his desk.

Standing, Fu Ran allowed his voice to playfully trail and steadily grow in intensity. “My dear, Shixiong,” he began. Emphasizing that he was drawing closer to the door, he let his feet fall into heavy steps. “What gracious thing do I owe for a second visit of the day?”

Fu Ran grabbed his sliding door and opened it with haste. “Can you not get your mind off of me-?”

Fu Ran froze.

Oh.

That’s not the right person.

Both Fu Ran’s voice and mind had drawn a blank, as an unexpected man stood before him. Dressed in pale colors, the man could have looked almost delicate and harmless, it was the look of innocence. However that innocence was covered by a deep red and black outer robe. It didn’t match at all.

The man who stood before him was Tian Han.

Fu Ran took a scared step back, and the other man stepped after, quickly winding up inside. NO! No no no. Did I invite you in? The words were panicking to get out of his head.

“I wanted to talk to you privately,” Tian Han said.

Of course you did. Save it! You can talk to me from outside the door! Fu Ran felt cold sweat coat the back of his neck as he began to wish he hadn’t left the white blade on his bed. He knew he could will it over with a wave of a hand. However, it was always better to be able to act as soon as needed, rather than a second too late. His mind raced, and he was half tempted to turn right around and dive for Shi Wei Ji.

If he reacted to quickly, this man could easily become the death of him!

Just as Fu Ran began to turn away he froze. Wait, that did not sound right. Would this man really kill me just like that? Fu Ran stopped moving away and borrowed the silence for thought. As of right now, I barely know his name. That’s right… My current state is nothing like the “future.” He isn’t even the emperor, yet. So perhaps right now, he really is harmless?

He didn’t want to jump to conclusions with a situation this serious, however he did feel a touch reassured. Once again, Fu Ran wore his arrogant act and crossed his arms over each other. With a biting tone, he said, “Are you not aware of the current hour? Whatever you need to say, get it over with and leave.” Fu Ran would have likely felt shame for showing his distaste so openly had the situation been different. But the situation was not different at all, and he would not tolerate tyrannical actions in his pavilion.

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Shocked at Fu Ran’s tone, Tian Han’s gaze darted to the right side of the room. It happened to land on thin inner robes hung up on the wall, along with all of Fu Ran’s bath supplies. Tian Han seemed flustered by this simple action, like for even a moment he was frightened to linger too long. When his eyes fell to the ground again, they had no where else to go other than Fu Ran’s feet.

Tian Han spoke clearly, the touch of embarrassment on his cheeks was not evident in his words. “You hadn’t heard me when I spoke with you earlier. I wanted to thank you-”

“Your thanks have been heard now. Is that all?” Fu Ran had turned his body and began walking back towards his desk.

“But you still aren’t listening-”

Feet clambered after Fu Ran. “For Wan Yu? Of course, it is my job to look after would-be disciples. May he find a good Shizun here at An Xian Yun Peak. There are many who would love to train a talented little one like him,” he said, moving his robes beneath him, so that he could sit at his desk. He picked up his brush, and dipped it in the nearby well of pitch black ink. Holding his the sleeves over his wrist to avoid staining, he brought the brush to paper.

Fu Ran’s grip shook. He felt the lingering presence right behind him.

Trying to think of something important to write, drew his mind empty. He had tried so hard to seem like an indignant teacher, that he hadn’t even come up with a reason for sitting at his desk. Maybe I should just write something improper about Shesui Shixiong.

Before he could fully put brush to paper, his wrist was grabbed by a firm hand. The motion knocked over the tray that held ink and coated the corner of his paper. Tian Han loomed over the sitting cultivator, the grip of his fingers intense. “The other masters said you haven’t taken a disciple in three years.”

Fu Ran attempted to free his hand, but Tian Han tightened his grip and leaned inward. With a breathy plea, Tian Han begged, “Please?” Tian Han’s fingers slid down the slender wrist, and pressed their way in between Fu Ran’s digits. He had placed them in such a manner that the fingers gripping onto the brush were held wide apart, causing it to drop to the desk.

Fu Ran’s fingers were spread helplessly, unable to free themselves. He felt a bit of shame creep onto his cheeks. “I am not looking for disciples-”

“Wan Yu wants you to be his Shizun. Desperately.” Tian Han sounded panicked and he had lowered himself onto one knee beside the dark wood desk, and Fu Ran watched in horror. “He is a hard-worker. A bit dumb, but he wont actively do anything to disappoint you. Ever.” He spoke with such intense truthful determination.

“Do you think begging will make me more willing to agree? Because as I see it-”

“I will beg if that is what it takes.” Tian Han released Fu Ran and moved back by about a foot; now he was fully embracing the kowtow position. Fu Ran’s eyes widened. Having another man grovel at his feet and for what? To beg him to watch after his family? Had Shesui Lang been in sitting in this chair instead, he would have planted a foot to the center of Tian Han’s back!

But…

He was not Shesui Lang. Fu Ran didn’t want to do that. His heart ached, even if only a slight pang, at seeing this man plead for his family’s future. It was impossible to guess the circumstances of an unknown household.

Realization slapped Fu Ran right over the head.

Circumstances? Of all people, why am I fretting over the future of this man? He is my doom! In my future, he will cause horrid bruising daily! Yet, he still has the nerve to tell me to cover them up! Fu Ran sized up Tian Han with a disgusted gaze. Besides… regular “circumstances” don’t apply to those that will become a tyrant emperor!

His voice a little muffled from the bowing pose, Tian Han said, “I won't leave until you agree!”

Fu Ran grimaced harder. This teacher is truly meant to have no peace. Please, bring me Zhi Lao, instead! Or can I swap this man at my feet for Shesui Lang?

Fu Ran stood up. Eventually, he gave up with an aggravated groan. “Then goodnight. Prostrate yourself all night, and see if it changes my mind,” he hissed, once again his words coming out much harsher than intended.

Fu Ran didn’t bother changing out of his robes, and settled for only removing the outer one. With even an unwanted guest in his room, it would no doubt be improper. But he did quickly untie his hair and let it fall in long strands. Fu Ran tucked into bed.

His bed was not bringing him relief like it had after every other hard day. His breathing patterns, and how his body laid in bed, had become stressors for his mind. He was… suddenly insecure with the thought of someone else seeing him in his safety. Tian Han showed no signs of moving, but he would certainly be gone by morning. Just a single night. Just sleep through a single night, he internally begged. When will he understand the hints, and leave?

Despite the current lack of comforts, his eyes grew heavy.

Fu Ran did not dream of horrors.

He deserved one night of peaceful rest. However, while he did not dream of Tian Han, he did dream of Wan Yu. He was training him in his very own private garden. That dream held its own set of horrors as well.