Yushi hesitated to step out of the study. He needed a moment to gather himself after Riluo left. He was still feeling out of sorts, especially considering he admitted his affectionate feelings towards Xueye out loud for once.

They’d only known each other a short amount of time but he couldn’t deny how incredibly drawn he was to Xueye. Yushi had fleeting lovers in the past but this was different. It wasn’t just about the passion he was struggling to ignore. Yushi wanted to steal him away, protect him, spoil him, cherish him, give him everything he deserves and more. Yushi enjoyed the sweet domestic life that he’s had a taste of. He didn’t even realize it was something he wanted until taking care of Xueye, sharing a home cooked meal, and the calm moments of simply being in each other’s presence.

However the greedy dragon within wanted more. He wanted to hoard Xueye away in the palace, treasure him, protect him from all hardships. Even more than that, the desire to claim him, to explore every inch of his body and leave marks so everyone knows who he belongs to.

“Fuck,” Yushi cursed under his breath. The more he was left alone with his thoughts the worse it got. Yet at the same time If he got too close to Xueye again he wasn’t sure he’d be able to restrain himself. If it weren’t for Riluo’s arrival, he likely wouldn’t have stopped at stealing a kiss.

Yushi finally rose from his seat. His desire to be near Xueye was winning. He also couldn’t just avoid Xueye in a time like this.

Yushi leaned against the wall at the end of the hallway to the main room. He watched as Xueye finished the cleaning Yushi barely touched earlier. The young man was humming a soft tune as he was finishing up in the kitchen. Yushi noticed he’d even picked up all the shards and splinters from the table.

“Ah, Shujing!” Xueye beamed once he noticed Yushi standing against the wall, watching him with a fond smile. “I was just thinking of checking in on you but I also didn’t want to distract you if you were working on something.”

“You are a welcome distraction anytime,” Yushi moved over to the table, tracing the crack he made. “You didn’t have to clean this up.”

“Well I finished the work I brought home,” Xueye shrugged.

Yushi was taken by the word “home.” It stirred those whirling emotions and caused a warm and light feeling to spread. It was almost dizzying how delightful it was Xueye was referring to this place as home, so much so Yushii had to sit down.

“Are you alright?” Xueye noticed the slight sway before Yushi sat down. He moved over to Yushi’s side rather quickly with worry eating away at him.

“Just a little light headed,” Yushi glanced up at Xueye. “Was that just a term of phrase or do you really feel at home here?”

Xueye blinked, caught off guard by the question, “I… Well, yeah I think I do. You’ve made it quite easy to get comfortable here. I feel more at home here than at my own house. Is that strange?”

“I don’t think so,” Yushi reached out and grabbed Xueye’s slender hand in his. “It makes me so happy you think so. I want you to feel safe here.”

“Just being with you makes me feel safe,” Xueye smiled. It started to shift back into worry when he realized Yushi’s hand felt much warmer than usual, alongside the pale complexion. Xueye reached his free hand up and pressed it to Yushi’s forehead, who leaned into the touch. Xueye’s concern deepened, “Shujing, I think you have a fever.”

“Do I?” Yushi closed his eyes, savoring the cool touch of the young man’s skin. “It happens sometimes during the rain. I got used to them over the years. I don't always notice.”

“Come on,” Xueye pulled him to his feet and started leading him down the hall. “I insist you rest.”

“Only if you rest with me,” Yushi voiced softly with a mischievous smirk.

“Not if you put it like that,” Xueye pouted at the teasing. Yushi stopped dead in his tracks and pouted back like a disappointed child. Xueye sighed in defeat, “I’ll sit with you, maybe sing you something to help you fall asleep.”

“Will you? That sounds lovely!” Yushi beamed as he in turn pulled Xueye along with him. He’d wanted to hear Xueye sing since he brought it up some time ago. If the soft little melodies he would hum were anything to go by, Yushi was in for a real treat. He was so giddy over the prospect that the fact he’d have Xueye alone with him in his room was practically lost on him until he pulled the young man down on the bed next to him.

“So eager,” Xueye giggled. “If you wanted to hear me sing that badly, all you had to do was ask.”

“I-I admit I have been curious since you brought it up,” Yushi layed down, half burying his face into the pillow trying to ignore the creeping desire that demanded for him to pin the young man to the bed.

“Aren’t you the one who always wants me to voice my desires? Take your own advice,” Xueye voiced softly with a warm smile.

“Now’s not the time…” Yushi mumbled into the pillow. He let out a long sigh and glanced up at Xueye again who looked a little confused and concerned having not really heard him. While he had to restrain himself from his true desire in the moment, hearing Xueye sing was at least something he could indulge in. Yushi reached out and intertwined his fingers with Xueye’s. “Please sing for me.”

“Of course,” Xueye started off by humming softly as he rubbed soothing circles in the back of Yushi’s hand with his thumb. Xueye began to sing the lullaby his mother used to sing to him. With his free hand he carded through Yushi’s dark hair.

Yushi’s heart melted in the comforting melody and the soft touch. He felt tension slipping away and the exhaustion of his guarded state was catching up to him. All his chaotic thoughts and worries were quickly fading to a pleasant haze. He’d never felt more at ease. He didn’t want to let go of this content feeling or the precious person who brought it about.

“My treasure…” Yushi voiced softly as he began to drift, also squeezing Xueye’s hand, pulling it closer to him.

Xueye froze. Only one other person had ever referred to him in such a sweet manner but he never got used to it. He wasn’t even sure it was directed towards him in Yushi’s half asleep, fever-addled state. Yushi’s breathing had mellowed out to steady and deep breaths. He was most certainly asleep so Xueye didn’t want to disturb him over such a simple question.

image [https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fe655c_45bfcb8ba41145f8959fbbe19980a5bf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1249,h_2221,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/fe655c_45bfcb8ba41145f8959fbbe19980a5bf~mv2.jpg]

Xueye was at a loss, Yushi’s behavior kept catching him by surprise. Earlier, when Yushi was so close behind him hadn’t left his mind. He still was uncertain about what happened there. His heart pounded just thinking about it. Was he just teasing again? Would something have happened if there wasn’t a knock at the door? Did Xueye want something else to happen? He wasn’t sure.

Xueye glanced down at Yushi’s sleeping face. His normally fierce and handsome features were so soft and delicate like this. Xueye found him rather adorable like this.

As loath he was to part from this serene sight, Xueye was starting to get rather fidgety with his roaming thoughts. He slipped his hand from Yushi’s loosened grip and snuck out of the room. He quietly closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a sigh trying to calm his pounding heart. After a moment, Xueye wandered back into the sitting room, lying face down on the divan.

“Surely I’m imagining things…” Xueye mumbled to himself. “Why would he be interested in someone like me?” Xueye couldn’t help but think of how anyone who did express an interest in him romantically or otherwise usually just wanted to take advantage of his family status. Even though he could tell Yushi wasn’t like that he still couldn’t bring himself to think anyone would truly care for him in that way.

Xueye almost felt disappointed, talking himself out of thinking like that. He had no idea why. He was starting to feel torn up inside.

“Argh! This is what happens when you don’t work,” Xueye grumbled to himself. “Too much time to think…”

Just then a quiet yet chipper knock was at the front door. Xueye sat up rather quickly. He recalled the man he knew as Luoshi mentioned he’d be back. He moved to answer the door. Upon opening it he was quite surprised to see a familiar petite young woman clad in pink and purple smiling brightly from under her umbrella.

“Lady Guangming?” Xueye blinked in surprise. He thought the knock sounded a little too cheerful to be the one he expected to see.

“Good day, Young Master!” Shizhe waved with her free hand. “I come with a delivery in Luoshi’s stead.”

“Oh, did something happen?” Xueye stepped aside to let her inside.

“He had other business to attend to,” Shizhe shook her umbrella as she closed it and set it in the corner near the door. “He mentioned you were here as well so I offered to stop by. Where’s Lord Shujing?”

“He just fell asleep,” Xueye glanced towards the hallway.

“Ah, he must really need the rest,” Shizhe looked a little worried. “Come, come, Young Master. Let’s make some tea and chat in the meantime.”

“Lady Guangming, you can just call me Xueye,” Xueye mentioned as he followed her into the kitchen.

“Only if you call me Shizhe!” She placed her hands on her hips resolutely, but she was rather glad. The formal, prim and proper maiden of the court was really only to add to the allure of her role as Master Diviner and Minister of Rites. She grew up on the streets and while she did enjoy pretending to be a proper lady of the court, she still enjoyed a more lax attitude with the right company.

“Very well, Shizhe,” Xueye smiled warmly. She was certainly a welcome distraction from the tumultuous thoughts that were running through his head,

“So Xueye, I hope Shujing has been treating you well,” Shizhe voiced with delight as she set the medicine on the table.

“Mn, I feel quite at home here,” Xueye went about making tea for them both. So much for a distraction…

“How wonderful!” Shizhe clapped her hands together.

“How is it you know Shujing?” Xueye hoped she’d spare him this shift in subject.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Ah, well he and I met what, eleven or twelve years ago?” Shizhe crossed her arms as she attempted to think of a way to not give Yushi’s identity away but not sound like a blatant lie. “He helped me out of a tight spot, saved my life even. We’ve been good friends over the years.”

“Seems he has a habit of doing that,” Xueye smiled fondly.

“He has quite the kind heart,” Shizhe beamed. “He’s quite the catch don’t you think?”

“And here I thought you were interested in my sister,” Xueye teased.

“How’d you know!” Shizhe wasn’t prepared for Xueye to turn the tables on her. She did have quite the weakness for Xinhua. “Did she tell you?”

“No, it was just a guess,” Xueye smirked. He’d never heard it directly from either of them but he suspected. “You just confirmed it for me.”

“I… well… yes,” Shizhe shifted nervously in her seat. “I hope it doesn’t bother you…”

“Not at all,” Xueye shook his head. “As long as she is happy.”

“I hope she comes back soon,” Shizhe sighed.

“I do too, she’s been out east for a while,” Xueye always felt more at ease when she was in the capital. He was certain if Xinhua knew about what happened she would stop at nothing to hunt down the ones behind the assault and attempted kidnapping.

“When she comes back we all ought to have tea together!” Shizhe lit up at the prospect.

“I’d love to,” Xueye nodded.

“If you’d like, perhaps you should bring Shujing,” Shizhe smirked.

“I suppose so, he is our mutual friend after all,” Xueye hummed thoughtfully.

Shizhe crossed her arms and tapped her chin. She had almost expected that with the recent development in Yushi’s condition and their close proximity she’d thought her comments to draw more of a rise out of Xueye. She had hoped while Riluo was away something would have happened to them. She even took her time walking over. What little foresight she was able to gleam indicated a shift in their relationship would occur that day but she was unable to see the specifics.

“Something the matter?” Xueye looked worried as Shizhe was lost in thought.

“Oh, no! I was just thinking,” Shizhe waved her hands. She had more than one reason why she wanted to read Xueye’s stars now. “Luoshi only briefly mentioned what happened to you. I don’t know the details, I was thinking I could read your fortune again. I should have been able to see this when we met the other day but things do change sometimes but also as a moon-touched it makes it difficult without you present. The moon shines brightly upon you after all.”

“If you think it would help,” Xueye shrugged. “I still don’t know what it is you mean about moon-touched though. What is it that makes you think I’m moon-touched anyways?” Xueye was rather curious about it after hearing what Dr. Jingji said.

“A few things,” Shizhe started digging around in her small pouch. “You were born with white hair and unique eyes not common to Meihua, they often reflect the sky in some way. Yours remind me of the clouds at sunset. When I try to read your stars, there is a distinct glow of the moon that shrouds them, making it difficult to read. It’s odd you are unaware of an ability.”

“Yes, as far as I’m aware I don’t,” Xueye tried to think of anything out of the ordinary. Whatever it might be, it was something subtle that escaped his notice.

“When the new moon arrives we should meet again,” Shizhe smiled softly. “Unlike most moon-touched, whose abilities are stronger with the full moon, mine are more powerful with the new moon. I see someone’s stars most clearly with no moonlight to obscure them. Perhaps then I’ll be able to see your stars clearly enough to be able to identify your ability.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Xueye chuckled. She seemed so passionate and proud about being moon-touched. She seemed so certain about it, he was more than a bit curious about it now.

“In any case let’s find out what we can see now,” Shizhe held out a small round crystal. It was translucent with a faint iridescent sheen to it.

“What is that?” Xueye tilted his head curiously.

“A moon crystal,” Shizhe explained. ”It helps me see the stars during the day or the rain.” She held out her other hand. “If you don’t mind.”

Xueye reached out his hand. She closed both hands around his and pressed the crystal into his palm. “If you don’t mind, it would help me with clarity. I'd like to know the date of your birth and the time if you know it.”

“Twelfth day of the first month of the two hundred eighteenth year of Hongse Dynasty. It was late at night, there was a snowstorm so the exact time seemed to escape the midwife.”

“Ah, how quaint, your name makes sense,” Shizhe giggled. Xueye’s name means snowy night. It became clear why she would often see visions of snow whenever she tried to read anything of Xueye’s past.

Shizhe released Xueye’s hand and tilted her head back. She held the crystal up to her eye as she looked up, seeing the stars through the beautiful crystal. Xueye noticed the darkened appearance of the crystal with glittering light shifting as she moved it. It was enthralling to watch.

With the crystal, knowledge of Xueye’s four pillars and his presence, the moonlight that shrouded Xueye’s stars was significantly easier to see through. She was hoping to see some delightful news but quickly darkness swallowed the light and surrounded her. She watched as many flickering images of despair and pain surged in an overwhelming rush. One in particular of snow turned crimson came to the surface. A frigid feeling came over her. A faint ember of golden flame descended from above. She reached out to touch it and the light surrounded her.

“Be careful where you pry, Master Diviner,” a rich and unfamiliar voice echoed in her mind. Her heart was racing. She’d never had something in a vision speak to her directly. A laugh with a beastly rumble surrounded her briefly. She caught a glimpse of golden fur and thick fluffy tails flickering back and forth just out of her vision. “He needs to return to me, lest the darkness consume him once more.”

Suddenly the light vanished and darkness surrounded her once more. She saw Xueye wrapped in bandages, curled in on himself crying. A wretched scream slipping from him.

“Help me keep him from his wretched fate…” The voice sounded just as pained as she felt.

Shizhe felt her heart breaking. She knew Xueye’s past was dreadful just from the feeling she’d gotten the first time she read his stars. Seeing all the terrible things at once filled her with dread and sorrow.

Tears began streaming down Shizhe’s cheeks and she dropped the crystal. It clattered to the floor and rolled away.

“Shizhe?!” Xueye firmly gripped her hand.

The moment she came to her senses she quickly rose and closed the distance between her and Xueye. She embraced him tightly. He was tense at first but eased up, relaxing in her comforting hug.

“Xueye…” Shizhe’s voice was shaky. “You don’t deserve it…”

“I see,” Xueye realized she must have seen something terrible and returned her embrace. “It’s that bad is it?”

“I won’t let any of it happen again…” Shizhe whimpered.

“My past then… I’m sorry you had to see that…” Xueye felt a little guilty that he was the reason she was crying.

“Don’t apologize!” Shizhe leaned back and pinched his cheek. “It’s not like you could control it.” She sighed and stroked the spot she just assaulted rather soothingly, feeling a sense of calm beginning to set in. Xueye didn’t deserve all the misery he’d gone through. She truly wanted to help that voice protect Xueye. She would find out more about the source of the voice later. She had to help protect his future while she was still able to see it.

Shizhe glanced around looking for her crystal. When she turned she saw Yushi picking it up and bringing it over.

“You’re awake!” Shizhe smiled, trying to hide her previous unease.

“I heard your voices,” Yushi held out the crystal for her. “Is everything alright, Lady Guangming?”

“I’m still working on it,” Shizhe shifted nervously as she tightly gripped the moon crystal. “Sorry for waking you. I did bring a couple remedies for you. The pouch is your usual and the bottle should help as well.”

“Thank you,” Yushi walked over to the table intending to grab the medicine but he noticed Xueye looking rather glum. “Xueye? Are you alright?”

“Oh, yes, just something on my mind,” Xueye quickly shifted to his practiced smile, not wanting to worry Yushi.

“You can tell us,” Yushi brushed a stray strand behind Xueye’s ear before cupping his cheek.

“It’s okay, just thinking about the past a bit,” Xueye shrugged.

“Sorry, Xueye,” Shizhe sighed as she sat back down.

“Honestly, it was on my mind a bit before you arrived,” Xueye gave her a sympathetic look. It seemed they both felt a little guilty about the subject.

Yushi looked a little somber upon hearing of the heavy subject. That creeping desire to keep Xueye locked away and safe from the world was quickly returning. Yushi glanced down at Shizhe. He really hoped she would be able to help shed some light on the situation. He grabbed the medicine, taking it and the teapot over to the kitchen to make a fresh pot.

Shizhe held the crystal up again and peered through it once more. She wondered if that voice would call out to her again or if it was only linked to Xueye’s past. She was fascinated by this guardian. Regardless, she had other answers to prioritize. Focusing her intent of Xueye’s future the stars glittered before her eyes, two in particular stood out as she thought of the current topic at hand.

The first one shone brightest and she saw Xueye speaking with the golden flame from before, much brighter. Xueye started glowing, being bathed in that golden light as their voiceless conversion continued on. She focused on the surroundings, curious to know where this meeting with the guardian was. She noticed a bar right away but nearby tables looked a little different. She recognized this was a gambling den, but wasn’t sure which. She filed the information away for later when she was able to go out and hunt down this guardian to have a chat.

The second star revealed Xueye and the golden flame surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Shizhe was actually quite confused as to why Yushi didn’t seem to be present. However, with the mysterious guardian by Xueye’s side she didn’t feel worried.

Xueye sat across from a distinguished older man. They seemed to be negotiating. The golden flame seemed rather agitated behind Xueye.

“I see Jianhong will pay for his transgressions,” The guardian’s voice growled furiously. “Thank you, Master Diviner.”

“Wait!” Shizhe called out but the vision around her vanished as though she were forcibly cut off from seeing anymore. When she tried to return to seeing more, the crystal was aglow with that very golden light, blocking her view of the stars completely.

“What is it?” Yushi had never seen her so stunned following a reading.

“I…” Shizhe hesitated. She wasn’t sure she should tell them. After all, the appearance of this guardian was hidden even from her foresight. “Give me a second to think. This is a unique one. It might resolve itself but I’m uncertain of exactly how.”

“How can that be?” Yushi’s brow furrowed.

“His future is still not entirely clear to me. I only caught a couple glimpses before the light washed it away,” Shizhe explained, not specifying which light, they both knew of the moonlight so she knew they wouldn’t likely suspect otherwise. She figured she could give a hint and see if Xueye recognizes it since it was unclear if Xueye actually knew. “As the dragon sleeps, the snow drifts amidst golden light. Sun blesses the frost.”

“A little more vague than usual,” Yushi was turning over her words thoughtfully. He knew the first line meant he wasn’t present, which worried him, but the rest was unclear to him aside from the fact it involved Xueye.

“Is the riddle normal?” Xueye blinked in confusion.

“Ah, yes I can’t be direct,” Shizhe explained. “The down side to this ability is if I tell what I see exactly, pain overtakes me for a few days or more. The moon may be bright at times but it has it’s darkside after all.”

“Interesting,” Xueye tapped his chin as he thought about it.

“Do any of the words resonate with you?” Yushi asked Xueye.

“I can’t say it brings anything to mind,” Xueye shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it,” Shizhe smiled. “You’re safe here in Shujing’s care in the meantime. That’s what matters.”

“Indeed I am,” Xueye smiled up at Yushi.

“I promise I won’t let anything happen to you,” Yushi’s eyes softened.

Shizhe was practically kicking her feet under the table as she watched them. She found them adorable, she could watch them all day, however she had a new curiosity to fill and knew her presence wouldn’t progress their bond.

“I’ll leave you two be,” Shizhe hopped off the chair. “Please take care.”

“Thank you for taking the time to stop by,” Yushi smiled. “Please, do inform Luoshi. He might be able to make sense of your words with the information he might have gathered.”

“Of course,” Shizhe offered a polite bow to Yushi. She turned to Xueye with a gentle smile, “Xueye, if this matter isn’t resolved don’t worry about our scheduled get together. I’d rather you remain safe. Besides, it was delightful to see you today.”

“Yes, I quite enjoyed our time together, all things considered.” Xueye nodded. “Perhaps I’ll stop by once everything is resolved.”

“Yes, please do!” Shizhe voiced quickly. “It would be a load off my mind.”

“It’s a deal,” Xueye flashed a sweet smile.

Shizhe melted at the sight, she desperately wanted to help everyone protect that smile. She suspected the best way to do that was to find this guardian.

“I’ll see myself out,” Shizhe waved as she dashed towards the door. “Until next time.”