Work Text:
None of the remedies worked.
He had tried meditating, pills, even hypnosis. But Shen Zechuan couldn’t sleep at night. He sighed as he walked through the streets with Yao Wenyu and Hua Xiangyi. His two companions stopped their chattering and glanced at him.
“Shen Ge, what’s wrong?”
Although Shen Zechuan had been having trouble sleeping for what one could arguably declare as most of his life, he was what one could call an amazing actor. (It did help that his insomnia problem only started to escalate in college even if he had suffered with the condition for most of his life.) Along with the power of makeup and YouTube, he looked as well rested as any college student could be. He survived off seven cups of tea–coffee was too bitter for him–a day and took frequent naps.
Shen Zechuan shrugged. “Nothing, just life.”
The two made “understandable” nods. They knew their friend was one to keep his secrets to himself and respected that. But sometimes they swore the man needed to get more rest, he was juggling far too many responsibilities at once.
Shen Zechuan was president of multiple clubs and held leadership positions in many others. Besides being a busy man in extracurriculars, he was on dean’s list and was destined to be valedictorian if nothing unexpected occurred.
The three continued to make idle chatter as they wandered the streets of the city’s downtown area. That is until Hua Xiangyi got a call from her aunt, forcing her to bid the two males an early goodbye as she muttered something about “hateful arranged marriages”. Then, Yao Wenyu got a call from his boyfriend to meet up and so Shen Zechuan was now alone on the streets seeking entertainment.
He sighed to himself. His psychiatrist had told him he needed to “Destress. Enjoy life. Wander the world.” A feat difficult for someone like him. Shen Zechuan glanced at the street full of couples who chatted amicably with each other. He took a deep breath and entered the nearest shop.
A little bell rang as he stepped into the dim shop. F*ck . He thought. The shop was one of those voodoo-shaman-spiritual-miscellaneous-magic types of shops. There were decorations of various sized mirrors with colorful borders hanging on one side of the wall, on another there were the heads of different animals like deers or bats. The window display was filled with colorful knick knacks that ranged from rocks to animal skeletons and even what Shen Zechuan suspected to be a cursed doll. The store was filled to the brim with its countless questionable objects that barely left a path for its customers to walk through. Throughout its floor plan, there were tables of books, “magic” items, aura healing crystals, and a few ouija boards. Shen Zechuan definitely made a mistake.
He was about to turn tail and leave when a voice called out to him.
“Wait!”
An older woman with numerous wrinkles wrapped in colorful scarves stretched out her arm. She tilted her head and smiled at him. With every movement she made, the sounds of jewelry clinging together on her ears, neck, and hands could be heard. “Are you having any troubles as of late?”
Shen Zechuan shook his head.
The woman tsk-ed at him, her eyes sparkling. “I know just what you need.”
Shen Zechuan stood in place. Yet out of place in the shop. He had waist-length hair, which he tied into a ponytail that rested neatly on his back. He wore a stylish cream top, a brown blazer over it, and simple black pants with a pair of sneakers. He was too bright for the dark store.
She approached him with a thick brown cover-ed book in hand. “Here.”
Shen Zechuan took the book from her hand and glanced at its title. In the center of the marks, there was a red jewel that seemed to be embedded into the book’s cover. He shifted his attention and stared for a few seconds at the undecipherable symbols.
“Don’t worry dearie.” The woman spoke before Shen Zechuan could say a word. “It will make sense in due time. All you have to do is sleep with the book under your pillow and voila! Your insomnia will be cured.”
“My insomnia?”
The woman let out a gentle laugh, her jewelry sending out a similar giggle. “Don’t worry. You reeked of necessity. I guarantee you, that book will cure all your problems.”
Shen Zechuan leaned against the wall. He placed the book on a nearby table and crossed his arms. “Miss, I don’t have any problems.”
“No one stumbles into my shop without leaving with something.”
“I can just,” Shen Zechuan glanced at the pile of colorful rocks. “Purchase one of those rocks if you insist.”
The woman shook her head. “You need that book. So you will take that book, besides you’ve been having that sleeping problem for far too long, why don’t you try it? If it fails, you can always come back and return it.”
Shen Zechuan glanced at the brown book with its odd symbols and red centerpiece. “Fine. How much do I owe you?”
The woman smiled like a Cheshire cat. “Free of charge. The price has been paid. Just remember to take good care of him. He’s friendly, and doesn't bite for the most part.” She looked at him from head to toe. “On second thought, he might give you a bite or two. But no worries. Sleep well dear!”
The woman walked up to him and shoved the book in his chest before turning him around and escorting him out of her shop. “Enjoy!” She said and pushed him out the door.
Shen Zechuan whirled around and walked back toward the door. He opened it and is greeted by a similar sound of a bell. But instead of the magic shop, there is a bustling cafe. Countless patrons were ordering and dining during the busy morning and employees rushed throughout the dining area. Shen Zechuan blinked. The cafe is still there. He glanced at his hands. The book was still being cradled against his chest. “Maybe I do need some sleep.” He muttered to himself.
He quickly made his way back to his college dorm room. He had been lucky enough to get one of those apartment style dorms where two people had their own bedrooms and then shared a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. His roommate was Yao Wenyu but when he got himself a boyfriend, he had quickly abandoned Shen Zechuan on his journey of love. Occasionally, the former did come back when he got teased–or f*cked–to death and decided he needed to spend some quality time away from his boyfriend. Shen Zechuan personally didn’t care. As long as Yao Wenyu didn’t decide to abuse his poor ears from the thin walls, then he could go crazy for all he cared, just don’t ruin the atmosphere of the dorm room. Yao Wenyu took Shen Zechuan’s threats very seriously, as did his boyfriend, Qiao Tianya–one of Shen Zechuan’s right hand men. Shen Zechuan supposed being president of the student government was quite helpful.
He opened the door of his bedroom. Unlike Yao Wenyu who decorated his bedroom full of cat photos, plants, and with countless banners of poetry. Shen Zechuan’s room was quiet like him. It wasn’t that he had no preferences, but he was far less vocal of them. Many suspected the “Cold Calculating President” to have a monotone room of blacks, whites, and grays along with minimalistic furniture, but Shen Zechuan had a room of color. It was carefully stitched and matched together.
He had the standard bed provided by the university but its comforters and pillows were soft as if made from clouds. The wood floors had a thick maroon rug to keep the cold out. The window had an extra sheet of beads to give him extra privacy. His desk was organized with simple blacks, whites, and grays. It was simple and straightforward as he was with his work. There was no need for extra decorations or impracticalities when he needed easy access. He kept his walls plain, too lazy with the effort of putting something up only to take it down again. But then there was a corner just next to his color-coordinated closet. The corner had a comfy chair that was stacked to the brim with blankets for the winter.
It was no secret to anyone who knew of Shen Zechuan that he had poor health during the winters. It was almost campus protocol to be extra silent and extra miniscule in the presence of their president. When winter arrived, their president became extra frigid, extra glacial. It was said a single glare could make someone immediately begin to pray to their ancestors and Shen Zechuan for forgiveness.
It was a blessing for the students of the university that it was still fall.
Shen Zechuan held the brown book in his hands and sighed. He truthfully didn’t believe in what happened. He was doubtful the interaction even occurred. It was more likely he had hallucinated the entire interaction and randomly picked up the book. But he was truly out of options. Nothing was helping him sleep at night. On lucky nights, he slept four hours. On unlucky nights, he didn’t sleep. It was truly a feat that he was still functioning as well as he was. He supposed ten minute power naps were better than nothing. He stared reluctantly at the book, it was just a book. It didn’t hurt to try.
He walked to the closet, changed into comfortable clothing, and stuck the thick book under his pillow. Without another word, he settled himself into bed and closed his eyes.
A black smoke emitted from below his pillow. It fumed its way off of his bed and piled on the floor. It curled there for about half a minute before forming into the shadow of man. He was tall and broad, and as the smoke receded a handsome face with a sharp jawline was revealed. The man glanced at Shen Zechuan and shook his head, causing his wild slightly curly hair to splay around him like a dog shaking off water after a bath. The man’s sharp gray eyes focused on his prey and he approached him with silent footsteps. He stood at the bedside and placed calloused fingers along his chin and smiled mischievously. He allowed his hands to leave that soft chin and travel to the strands of hair that framed the sleeping beauty’s face. He followed the long black locks until he arrived at the Adam’s apple. His own throat bobbed as he swallowed his voice. He moved his hand so that it was a hair’s length away from grasping the sleeping figure’s neck and choking it. His hand remained there for a few seconds before he moved it up to the space above his head.
Black mist drizzled from his hand as he made a grabbing motion and pulled a myriad of colors from his dreams. He pulled at the colorful slime-like substance and moved it above his own head. “Thank you for the meal.” He whispered and squeezed, sending a liquid-like paste into his fangs.
Shen Zechuan slept longer than his ten minute nap.
When Shen Zechuan awoke, he was aware he wasn’t alone. It was something instinctual, something human nature had silently evolved. It was the sense of being watched by an apex predator. His eyes darted up and he glanced at the shadowy figure who stood by his desk, holding his notebooks.
“You are?” He questioned in the silence of the night.
The room was dark, the only light coming from the windows was of the moon.
The figure didn’t turn around, nor did it respond.
Shen Zechuan traced it with his poor eyesight. Although he could only see its broad back and what he assumed to be a large mass of hair, he could tell it was taller than him, most likely stronger, and anything but human. Even with its back to him, he could feel it watching him, listening to the sound of his breathing or perhaps even his heartbeat. Shen Zechuan kept himself steady. He kept his own movements slow and as quiet as he could, grasping a switchblade he kept hidden beneath his pillow. He doubted it would do much good, but having it in his grasp was more comfortable than no weapon at all.
“Did you sleep well?” A deep voice asked.
Shen Zechuan blanked.
The figure turned around revealing a half-naked man, a handsome half-naked man. Shen Zechuan was correct when he guessed the man had long hair. For someone in the modern era, Shen Zechuan’s own hair length was quite unordinary with how it danced at his waist. But this man’s hair went all the way to his ankles, with his height, it was as if he had his own fur coat. The man’s chest was laid bare, but clear lines of muscle could be seen along with what Shen Zechuan assumed to be the numerous scars. The man wore a pair of loose baggy pants made from a material he had never seen–perhaps it was the same as his mist–overall the man was quite a looker. Especially his face, he had the face of a heartbreaker, with well proportioned features, a chiseled jawline, and searing gray eyes.
Shen Zechuan sat up in bed, his hair pooling behind him. He glanced at the man for a couple more seconds. The man suddenly smiled at him. He took slow steady steps towards him. Shen Zechuan backed himself against the cold wall.
Then, the man kneeled down. He reached one hand forward and placed his hand palm up in front of Shen Zechuan. “Don’t sit against the wall.”
Against his better judgment, as if in a trance, Shen Zechuan extended his hand past that larger hand and did a slight crouch on the bed so that his knees were flat against the mattress but his upper body tilted forward. He used his hand and lifted a finger to caress that figure’s brows and eyes.
The man withdrew his hand and moved it to Shen Zechuan’s. He grabbed his hand and pressed it against his cheek.
“Go ahead and touch.” He leaned in closer to him and laughed in a husky voice, “I’ll let you touch.”
Shen Zechuan’s lips slightly parted as he rubbed his fingers against the man’s cheek. He seemed to be frozen in thought as his fingers gently stroked the same piece of skin. The man nuzzled against his touch until it began to burn up. But neither of them stopped their actions. One was lost in the present. The other lost in the past.
They remained like this for several more minutes. Until the light in Shen Zechuan’s eyes returned. “You are?”
The man smiled a toothy grin. “The devourer of your nightmares. The cause of your dreams. A demon you raised.”
Shen Zechuan pulled his blankets around him as he leaned against his pillows–instead of the wall–and raised an eyebrow. “You’re the book?”
The man shrugged, the shadows flitting around him. “I am many things to many people.”
Shen Zechuan frowned. “What are you then?”
The man stood up and settled himself at the foot of Shen Zechuan’s bed. “I can be anything for Lanzhou.”
They stared at each other in the darkness. Shen Zechuan was huddled in his covers looking faintly puzzled at the self-proclaimed demon, while self-proclaimed demon was trying to squish his nearly two meter long body into a space that could not fit him.
Shen Zechuan sighed. He reached for his phone and checked the time. Eight o'clock, he had slept for more than eight hours. He was lucky he had nothing to do today. He walked past the demon-like creature that allowed him to make his way off the bed. But before his bare feet could touch the chilling wood floors uncovered by the thick rugs, he was swept up into a pair of arms.
Those strong arms held him against a firm chest with no space between them. Shen Zechuan glanced up at the figure who flashed a grin at him. “You’ll feel cold.”
It was odd, how a shadowy wisp of a demon felt like his personal heater. His appearance screamed anything but warmth. He was tall, his eyes gray, and he appeared as if born from darkness. Yet if Shen Zechuan had to compare the man to anything in the mortal realm, he couldn’t help but feel the man to be the embodiment of the sun. There was a biting intensity of the man that screamed for people to watch him, to admire him. But staring at the sun for too long would cause blindness, but Shen Zechuan felt the man would never chase him away, his eyes forever welcome to show unbridled affection. Shen Zechuan lowered his head and couldn’t help but push himself against that broad chest that radiated heat.
The man laughed out a pleased rumble. He felt one hand stroke the top of his head while the other remained firmly placed beneath him to support his weight.
Together they arrived at the kitchen where the shadowy figure layered something akin to a blanket of stormy clouds over the table. He easily placed Shen Zechuan down atop the comfortable surface and stared at him. “What do you want to eat?”
Shen Zechuan’s fingers played with the strange material. He drew small curls from the material before kneading it lightly. Eventually he raised his eyes at the demon, “Something simple.”
The man hummed and a flurry of shadows left his body to grasp at different tools within the kitchen. The man moved fluidly in the kitchen as he turned on the stove as though he had lived with Shen Zechuan for years before. He seemed to know how peculiar and organized he was.
Shen Zechuan hopped off the table and landed onto the man’s smoke-like form. He wiggled his toes in the dark smoke. His pale form a stark contrast to the blackness. He allowed himself to take experimental steps in the cloud-like substance like a child playing in sand for the first time. He looked up at the demon who had a gleam in his eyes. “Comfortable?”
Shen Zechuan nodded.
The demon smiled and shifted his form through the kitchen. The smoke that came off him was similar to a predator staking out its territory. Every move left behind unerasable traces of him, a self-declaration of his status.
The demon placed a bowl of finished plain porridge and a spoon on the table. Shen Zechuan got off the demon’s smoke and sat down at the table, the demon sat across from him.
Shen Zechuan pulled a strand of hair behind his ear, revealing the side of his nape. He gently blew on his spoon. “So what’s your name?”
The demon curled its hands together. “Lanzhou may name me however he wishes.”
Shen Zechuan took a bite of the porridge. He swallowed and placed his spoon into the bowl. “Do you call all your masters Lanzhou?”
The demon stretched itself on the table. “I do.”
“And what exactly is your purpose?”
“I make sure Lanzhou can sleep at night.”
The human stared at the demon in doubt. “How?”
The demon smiled, slowly standing up, his hair beginning to sway wildly behind him. Shadows stretched along the walls as the lights flicked on and off. A fierce wind gushed into the room around the demon. “I eat them.”
Shen Zechuan stared at the demon blankly. “Dramatic.”
The demon’s hair settled back behind its back as if it hadn’t made a show of power. It was like a dejected peacock, showing off its pretty tail, only for its potential mate to not pay it the slightest attention. “Why don’t you try my services for one night?”
Shen Zechuan frowned.
“I won’t hurt my Lanzhou if that’s what you fear.”
Shen Zechuan’s eyes remained stable but within his heart recalculated against the demon who spoke as if he could read every single thought in his mind.
“Would a promise make you feel better?”
“A promise from a demon?” Shen Zechuan laughed. “Is that remotely credible?”
The demon shrugged. “Magic is magic. Is Lanzhou scared?”
Before Shen Zechuan could respond, the demon spoke, his voice deep and grave as if he was a believer uttering a sworn oath to his god. “I promise. Lanzhou will never hurt again.”
Shen Zechuan glanced at the demon who stared back at him. The demon walked so that he could kneel before Shen Zechuan. He cupped his hands and brought them to Shen Zechuan’s lap. In his hands, a red earring with a silver hook sat in his hands. The red stone was clearly carefully polished into the shape of a teardrop, even in the dim lights of the dorm room, he could see a crystal shine emitting from the small stone.
“One?”
Shen Zechuan’s hands lightly brushed over the demon’s hands and its gift as if a dragonfly skimming water.
“One.” The demon answered. “Wear it on the right ear.”
Shen Zechuan picked up the earring and fastened it upon himself as if he had done the motion countless times before. The demon watched the entire action intently, savoring every moment as his priceless jade is decorated by his lost earring.
When Shen Zechuan’s hands lowered, he feels lethargic, overcome by a sleepiness he cannot control. His eyes fell shut and his body slipped from the chair into a pair of welcoming arms. The demon brought Shen Zechuan back into his bedroom, where he settled his jade into bed before placing himself on top of Shen Zechuan. He pushed himself into the crook of Shen Zechuan’s neck and took a deep breath, his own eyes falling shut as he smelled that familiar scent of a lifetime ago.
“Lanzhou.”
Shen Zechuan opened his eyes. His nose crinkled at the smell of the place. It smelled of rot and death, a distinct smell that warded off any who had a weak stomach. In the low brightness, he could tell he was in some type of underground prison, perhaps a catacomb. The sound of water dripping made him cringe until his eyes fell upon the sight in front of him. His breath was stopped by the appearance of the male within the iron barred prison. He was scarred with countless red lashings across his chest and arms. Both of his wrists were held to the wall by heavy iron chains above his head. The man was heavily sweating, his body wet with perspiration.
His own voice slipped from his lips before he could control himself as if speaking on reflex. “Ce’an.”
The man looked up, his eyes focused upon his light. Silver eyes traced over his form so aggressively Shen Zechuan could feel the man physically caressing him, dragging his calloused fingers over his body, memorizing every curve and every mark. Shen Zechuan forced himself to not shudder when the man spoke his name.
“Lanzhou.”
Shen Zechuan couldn’t control himself as he threw himself against the metal, he reached one hand through the metal bars as he tried to touch the man. He couldn’t control himself as tears began to slip down his cheeks when the man looked at him with such a content smile on his face as if he isn’t in a prison cell with more numerous lashings and he isn’t strung up against the wall like a man on slaughter. He couldn’t control himself as he cried the name “Ce’an” over and over again like a broken record player.
Shen Zechuan collapsed on himself as he slid down the iron bars and laid on the floor with his head resting against the opening of the cell. His eyes were sealed shut and he felt as if he couldn’t breathe. He felt his heart clenching upon itself. His scalp felt numb as he sobbed into the metal bars unable to contain his overflowing hate.
He hated Xiao Chiye to death. But he hated those who placed them into this situation even more. Shen Zechuan was going to get even. Every injustice had its perpetrator, and every debt, its debtor.
Shen Zechuan opened his eyes with a start and nearly sat up in bed had a pair of iron-like arms not held him by his waist. His sweaty form met that of the calm demon’s.
“Ce’an.” He whispered.
The demon stared at the figure bathed beneath the sunlight. He was drowsy and lazy from his eventful yet restful sleep. From his appearance, the demon could easily tell that Shen Zechuan couldn’t recall his dream, but he was starting to remember in his consciousness. Whether this was something he was pleased with or hesitant against remained uncertain. He only wanted the best for his Lanzhou.
He licked his canines, although the contents of the dream had been undesirable to say in the least, the memory had been expected. Besides, it wasn’t even the worst that had occurred in their time together. So instead, he tilted his head to the side like an obedient dog. “Is that what my Lanzhou wishes to call me?”
Shen Zechuan furrowed his eyebrows. He remained silent for a slow minute. “Ce’an.” He repeated, testing the name upon his lips. “Ce’an.”
He said the name as many times as he had said it in his sleep, but unlike before the name was unfamiliar and held none of the despair as his voice had carried within the nightmare. He soon stopped to the demon’s disappointment. “Ce’an. Your name is Ce’an.”
The demon, Ce’an, smiled at him. There would be plenty of times for Shen Zechuan to say his name. Plenty of times.
Shen Zechuan rose from bed, he shoo-ed the demon out of his bedroom as he went to change. He had to attend his first class soon and needed to get prepared. He walked out of his bedroom dressed in a large red sweater and jeans. He was about to leave the dorm when he met Ce’an’s waiting form by the kitchen. The demon had made him a cup of hot tea along with an egg custard. Shen Zechuan thanked the demon and took a sip of the mellow tea and a bite of the dessert, a small approving smile across his lips.
Ce’an seemed to perk up at that. The black smoke curled into heart shapes, where Shen Zechuan couldn’t see them. “I won’t need you until later today?”
The demon frowned. “Why don’t you let me accompany you?”
Shen Zechuan frowned at him. He used a pointed gaze to stare at the demon’s bare chest, an undisguised interested stare igniting a flame in the demon. “You can’t walk around like that.”
Ce’an pulled a slight smile upon his lips. “Why can’t I?”
“Proper human decency.” Responded the man looking at the demon in any form but proper. The demon couldn’t help but snicker internally, his warmth overflowing as he tried to entice his prey into his arms.
But alas, Shen Zechuan was a man of responsibility and he wasn’t going to skip his first class over a demon. He gave the demon a discouraging look, then closed the door behind him, a light warning to not leave his dorm.
As any other demon would, Xiao Chiye doesn’t obey him.
Shen Zechuan slid into his usual seat at his first class, it’s in the middle of the room, in the middle of the lecture hall, neither too high nor low, but a good spot that gives him a perfect view of the board. It’s a general class titled “Mythology and Its Truths”, ironic in hindsight. It’s a pretty popular course amongst all the different students from freshmen to seniors. It’s easy, interesting, and a flexible course that was slightly different every year and ever changing–even if the myths had already stopped gaining new stories. To his left, a familiar freshman approached him.
“Shen Ge!” Ding Tao said with a wide smile across his face. He placed down his items and excitedly bounced into his seat. “Good morning!”
Shen Zechuan hummed a good morning to the little tail and raised an eyebrow as Ding Tao sat down and pulled out a small jar with some holes poked through the lid.
“What’s that?”
Ding Tao smiled. He lightly tapped on the jar. “It’s a frog, for my science class.”
Shen Zechuan nodded at the sight of the small green frog placing its webbed hands against the glass. “And you brought it here?”
Ding Tao gave Shen Zechuan a look that spoke of aggrievement, his eyes were slightly watery as he said, “It was croaking all night and I couldn’t bear to leave it outside so my roommates got angry at me.” Ding Tao scratched his head guiltily, “Today my roommates have afternoon classes so I can’t just leave it with them or else they’d surely make it into frog legs.”
He leaped out of his chair, onto his feet, and made a blind grab to try and link his arms around his Shen Gege. Only for a large hand to catch his forehead and push him back into his seat.
“Huh?”
A tall man had somehow unknowingly snuck up behind Shen Zechuan–and quite literally in front of the “observant” Ding Tao–his shadow cast a possessive hold over the lounging male below him.
“Ce’an.” Shen Zechuan raised an eyebrow at the demon.
“Mm.”
Ding Tao glanced at the newcomer warily. “Shen Ge, who is this?”
The demon scanned him from head to toe and revealed a toothy smile. “Xiao Chiye. You can call me Xiao Ge.”
Ding Tao obediently nodded and called out a respectful “Xiao Ge”.
Soon after, the professor stepped into the room, sending everyone into their seats.
Xiao Chiye naturally sat on the right of Shen Zechuan. His presence easily melted into the rest of the students with his modern outfit and cleaned up features. He was wearing a black coat over a white t-shirt and a pair of black pants that highlighted his long legs. Shen Zechuan narrowed his eyes while analyzing the demon.
Xiao Chiye smiled back at him with that loverboy’s stunner of his. When Shen Zechuan turned his head to face the professor, he felt a light breath skim by his ear.
“Are you jealous I told him my name before you knew it?”
Shen Zechuan didn’t respond.
The teasing grew in the demon’s eyes. “Don’t worry Lanzhou, only the name you gave me matters.”
He withdrew but not before spotting a faint redness at the tip of Shen Zechuan’s ears.
The rest of the class passed mostly uneventfully, at least the subject did. However by the end of the lecture, the filled class couldn’t help but direct their stares at Shen Zechuan, the president of their school, and the unknown man who sat too close to him to be someone unfamiliar. Countless students began entering the school forums searching for a hint of an identity to the strange good-looking fellow sitting next to the campus prince but no luck. They were absolutely clueless as to who he was.
This drove a few of the bolder girls to walk up to the demon, unaware of their situation being akin to sheep sending themselves into the wolf’s den.
“Um, hello?” A girl walked up behind Xiao Chiye.
Xiao Chiye turned around and gave her a polite smile. “Can I help you?”
The girl appeared awestruck by his smile. She was absolutely swept off her feet by the man’s facial features that seemed inhumanly handsome. She swallowed and her voice automatically went up a few pitches from her nervousness. “I was wondering, if I could, get your, number?” She shamelessly asked.
Xiao Chiye continued to smile at her but he could hear the clear sounds of someone crisply and coldly packing up his things without saying a single word. “Ah, I’m sorry Miss. I can’t do that. I’m but a henpecked husband who fears my wife.”
The woman blankly stared at him with her jaw dropping. “Wife?” She barely squeaked out the word.
Xiao Chiye nodded confidently. “Wife.”
Without another word, he left her in the dust and quickly walked out of the classroom to catch up to Shen Zechuan who had already stormed off after hearing the word “wife”. Xiao Chiye fought back the urge to smile as he walked through the campus that had accompanied Shen Zechuan for the past four years. He easily tracked down his precious jade who had unknowingly left behind an alluring scent tempting him to use his demonic powers to arrive faster.
Eventually, he caught up to Shen Zechuan who was about to enter the library for his student government meeting.
Shen Zechuan hadn’t noticed Xiao Chiye behind him. He had been too distracted over his thoughts, over that word “wife”. Did demons have wives? Where was Xiao Chiye’s wife then? Why was he following him around instead of chasing after his wife? Not to mention, Shen Zechuan’s eyes brimmed with an annoyance he had yet to notice, the way Xiao Chiye had spoken the word “wife” with such fondness and admiration was exactly the same way, the words “Lanzhou” rolled off his tongue.
Just as his hand touched the door handle, he felt a shadow loom over him. Without looking back, Shen Zechuan pulled open the door, deciding to “silent treatment” the demon behind him for reasons he couldn’t decipher.
“Lanzhou.” That breathy voice spoke. “Why won’t my Lanzhou look at me?”
Shen Zechuan did something uncharacteristic of him. He snorted.
Xiao Chiye smiled at that reaction. “Lanzhou,” his low timber of a voice whispered into Shen Zechuan’s ears, causing them to tint pink. “Won’t Lanzhou offer me a priceless smile worth more than a thousand gold?”
Shen Zechuan shot him a cold glance. “Why are here? Didn’t I tell you to stay in my dorm room?”
“But there’s so many bees and butterflies who covet your beauty. How could I rest easily without being at your side?”
Shen Zechuan rolled his eyes, clearly in no mood to bicker with the demon who only speaks of honey without offering any action. “Leave, I have a meeting.”
The demon tilted his head. He seemed to be listening to the wind and watching the sky before asking, “Will Lanzhou wear something of mine to keep the cold out?”
Shen Zechuan frowned. “It’s only autumn.”
“Entertain me.” The demon took off his long padded jacket and placed it around Shen Zechuan without facing any resistance. The coat created from his smoke and shadows easily fitted around Shen Zechuan’s thinner frame yet looked equally stylish on either of the males. While on Xiao Chiye it hung at his calves, it reached Shen Zechuan’s ankles and its sleeves stretched to cover most of his fingers. “I’ll wait for you when you’re finished.”
Xiao Chiye murmured before edging away and disappearing into the air. Shen Zechuan raised one hand and rubbed at the area around his ear as if he could still feel the man’s phantom touch. Shen Zechuan sighed.
The meeting was boring. Shen Zechuan couldn’t concentrate. His eyes kept staring at the clock, watching the second hand move ever slowly. His hands kept touching the sleeves of the coat, he was almost tempted to take a sniff from it. He was sure it would hold the warm scent of the demon.
With the meeting finally over, Shen Zechuan walked through the doors without a spare glance at his colleagues. He opened the door and was immediately greeted by a gustful wind and a storm of rain. Shen Zechuan stared blankly at the storm-like weather. The weather channel had clearly said it would be a clear day, but currently a wind was flipping over trash cans and rain was creating enormous puddles on the sidewalk.
“President!” Qiao Tianya greeted Shen Zechuan who gave him a nod of acknowledgement. “Do you need an umbrella? I can accompany you to your dorm. Wenyu wants his cat pillow, he’s missing Hunu.”
Shen Zechuan was about to respond when a figure in his peripheral vision caught his attention.
“After we go to your dorm, do you want to join me and the gang at one of the bars downtown? Yao Wenyu and Hua Xiangyi will be there. And knowing Qi Zhuyin, she’ll probably be there if Hua Xiangyi is there.”
It’s a shame Shen Zechuan had stopped paying attention to him.
“Of course, if you go, you won’t be paying for all of us. Maybe just seventy percent, after all, you’re the richest and should treat us all to a meal. So what do you say, President?”
He watched a shadowy figure sweep by his side, causing the Qiao Tianya to be submerged in darkness for a few seconds before returning to the light. When Qiao Tianya looked to his side, the president was gone. Qiao Tianya frowned. “My free drinks.” His complaint heard by none.
Xiao Chiye lifted his coat over Shen Zechuan’s head as if holding the sky above them. Rainwater still dripped onto them, causing their long hair to stick to their foreheads, but Shen Zechuan couldn’t care less of his untidy appearance. He smiled mischievously at the demon. With one hand, he used his fingers to run up from the man’s chest to his wrist, igniting an unquenchable fire. “If a single drop of water falls on me, I win.” He whispered.
“And if I win?” The demon whispered, his fierce eyes daring Shen Zechuan to go wild. “How will Lanzhou reward me?”
Shen Zechuan moved his fingers from the man’s wrist to the corner of his lip. “What does Ce’an want?”
Xiao Chiye lowered his arms and head so that he could wrap himself around Shen Zechuan, creating a little space for them in the darkness of the coat. “How about a kiss for my troubles hm?”
Shen Zechuan blinked at him, the previous rainwater pooling in his eyes. “And if I say no? My lips are chaste and I don’t fancy gifting my first kiss to a hooligan such as yourself.”
“Lanzhou, I’m delighted you even consider gracing your lips upon this one,” he leaned so that their breaths melted together, “But I meant for my lips to touch upon your flesh.”
They stood there for a few moments that felt more of an eternity. Shen Zechuan brought his hands to the demon’s cheeks and gave a gentle caress. Then he pressed his lips against the demon’s for less than a heartbeat and pulled back. He ducked under the demon’s arms and ran into the rain with a childish laugh.
“Ce’an!”
Xiao Chiye had less than a second to savor the taste before he sprinted after his prey. His longer legs easily caught up to the shorter male and he sheltered them under his coat. Shen Zechuan made use of his agility and flexibility, he performed sharp corners and randomized darts to try and escape the demon but to no avail. It was as if they had danced this childish game a thousand times before. Xiao Chiye always managed to keep Shen Zechuan under his protection.
They were not a demon and a human at that moment. They were simply a pair of lovers, playing in the rain.
They ran home together and Shen Zechuan nearly collapsed on the floor from laughter. “Ce’an.” He turned around and stood on his tiptoes to hook his hands around Xiao Chiye’s neck. The named demon placed his hands around Shen Zechuan’s waist and hummed.
Xiao Chiye appreciated seeing himself reflected in those lively eyes. He loved how he was all Shen Zechuan could focus upon. He grinned.
Shen Zechuan was about to speak when a voice interrupted them.
“Shen Zechuan.” Yao Wenyu stood in the hallway, frozen in shock at the smile across Shen Zechuan’s lips. “Who is that?” He barely managed to croak out.
Shen Zechuan shared a look with the demon. But the demon ignored his wishes. “I’m his-”
He was cut off by a slap to his mouth. He licked the hand. Shen Zechuan suppressed a shiver and glared at Xiao Chiye. “A friend.”
Yao Wenyu slowly nodded, clearly in doubt at this “friend”. He picked up his smartphone and inched his way past the pair. “I’m staying with Qiao Tianya tonight, have fun?” He meekly said before dashing out the door.
Shen Zechuan looked at the demon with distaste. “You licked my hand.”
“It was right in front of me.”
“That counts as ‘your lips on my flesh’ then.”
Xiao Chiye’s eyes grew comically wide. “No, no.”
Shen Zechuan shook his head. “It counts.”
“Lanzhou,” he breathed out.
Shen Zechuan didn’t spare him a second glance and walked past him towards the bathroom. “Make me something light to eat.”
Xiao Chiye frowned. The shadows under his feet spread towards the kitchen. He glanced at his coat now stained with Shen Zechuan’s scent. Without a second thought, he pushed the cloth towards his nose and took a deep sniff. That familiar scent.
Dinner was a quiet ordeal since Shen Zechuan had spent most of his energy running with Xiao Chiye, but it was peaceful. When Shen Zechuan finished his meal, Xiao Chiye followed right behind him into his bedroom.
Shen Zechuan stared at Xiao Chiye. “I don’t suppose I should stick you under my pillow.”
Xiao Chiye flashed him a bright smile. “You can use me as your pillow.”
Before Shen Zechuan could retort, strong arms flipped him onto the bed, settling him on top of a warm chest, and a blanket was pulled over him. Together they laid connected from head to toe, Shen Zechuan lying on top of Xiao Chiye.
Shen Zechuan adjusted himself so that his head fell right into the crook between Xiao Chiye’s neck and shoulder. He sniffed the scent that emanated from the demon, while the demon raised one hand and gently stroked Shen Zechuan from his nape to his back to his waist. It was in Xiao Chiye’s comfort that Shen Zechuan fell asleep.
It was hot. A fire burnt from within the palace. Shen Zechuan knew he had to leave but instead of running from the flames, he was heading into that deep inferno. The prison–for particular people who offended specific members of royalty or power–was located underneath the palace, an irony of fate. The kings and advisors of years ago had made the prison their personal torture chamber, they decreed with the blood of their ancestors any man would be willing to spill their deepest darkest secrets. But it had served no purpose other than to force Shen Zechuan to descend into the catacombs in search of his love. They had never been fated in this life. There were too many circumstances out of their control.
In this life, Shen Zechuan was a prince. His father Shen Wei, the king, but a terrible terrible monarch who had forced his own citizens to rebel against him. Shen Wei was the man who had started this flame and it was almost arguable he was its first victim as he burnt the records of the library. He burnt the armory and the tapestries. He ruined art, knowledge, and history in one single fire. Shen Wei had wanted to burn away his love too.
Xiao Chiye was not the son of some famous general. He was not the son of a noble family. He had been a humble farmer’s son. Too attractive. Too young. Too free for a young prince desperate to dig his way from his father’s clutches. They had met when the prince had disguised himself as a commoner in the city. A commoner named Lanzhou who was fond of many animals, including horses–yet couldn’t ride in a straight line. But the farmboy? He was a talented rider. It was unfortunate love at first sight.
They held countless rendezvouses together. They took advantage of the fact that they were both boys to walk too close to be friends, to brush hands, to share food. But the kingdom was crumbling, Shen Wei had no need for his son to be stupid in love. He separated them, but still they wound together like a rose and its thorns.
It was the night they planned to escape together where Xiao Chiye was placed in the dungeons. Fate had not smiled upon them in this life. Shen Zechuan was only able to visit him twice before the war finally arrived in the capital. This was the third time and the last.
The people had turned against royalty. Should they capture Shen Zechuan, his end would be miserable. But the time to flee had passed, all that mattered was freeing Xiao Chiye.
Shen Zechuan stepped into that wretched hall. He held the silver keys in his hand as he approached Xiao Chiye’s cell. “Ce’an.” He called.
Xiao Chiye lifted his head at the fallen prince. “You should have ran! They will kill you if they catch you!”
Shen Zechuan ignored him as he tried different keys to unlock the cell. “Run? Where should I run? There is nowhere for me to hide.”
“Anywhere away from here. You could disguise yourself!”
Shen Zechuan’s brightened when he found the right key. “No.”
Xiao Chiye’s eyes bore into him, a fierce flame gleaming within them. “Even if you free me, can you guarantee we will escape together?”
Shen Zechuan stared at him with full seriousness. He cupped his chin and whispered. “To die together is an honor. We shall be reborn together in a new world where fate shall not be as cruel.”
The chains fell to the ground. “Let’s go.”
The two ran back up heated stairwells, between smokey passageways, past unintelligible screams, but throughout it all, their hands remained clasped together, never apart.
Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye fought their ways out of the depths of hell, until they encountered their final obstacle. A number of commoners surrounded the couple in a loose circle.
“Xiao Ce’an!” A male voice said. “Come here!”
Xiao Chiye pulled Shen Zechuan into his arms. Both of them were sweating greatly. Their clothes stuck to their skin as they clung to each other.
“Xiao Ce’an! Get away from him! He’s a filthy royal!”
Shen Wei had been the first to oppose their love. The commoners last.
No one could tell who it was that shot an arrow at the intertwined couple. It was impossible to tell if it had been purposeful or a misfire. It was impossible to tell if it had been aimed at the prince or the farmboy. It was impossible for no one to get hurt.
Shen Zechuan saw it first. He was less injured than Xiao Chiye who had been rotting in the dungeon. So he was the one who changed their positions. It had been something instinctual, something natural as the arrow went through his heart instead of his lover’s.
He let out a pained gasp, collapsing on Xiao Chiye.
“Shen Zechuan!” Xiao Chiye cried out. “Shen Zechuan!”
Shen Zechuan weakly lifted his hand and placed it on Xiao Chiye’s cheek, his lover’s hand holding it dearly. They both knew Shen Zechuan would not survive. The location of the arrow was unmistakable. A killing blow.
“Ce’an. Oh how I love you so.” His breathing weakened. His hand which had previously brought itself to touch Xiao Chiye’s cheek, loosened and would have fallen to the ground had Xiao Chiye not held it for him.
The common folk around them had already dispersed unwilling to see the end of the tragic tale.
Xiao Chiye cried into Shen Zechuan’s chilling form despite their location so near to the raging inferno. “Shen Zechuan. Shen Zechuan. Shen Zechuan.” He repeated the name like a broken machine.
More than a kingdom had fallen, Xiao Chiye’s heart had fallen with it.
Yet it was at times like these that the sound of bells was clear. Xiao Chiye looked up, his expression savage as a wolf. He had just lost his beloved jade and his mood was at an all time low.
The person who approached them was a strange old woman who wore colors too vibrant for the event. She was decorated in jewels and a sparkling array of gold pieces. “A tragic tale.” She said.
Xiao Chiye held Shen Zechuan in his arms as he glared defensively at the woman.
“Although I can’t reverse fate,” the woman walked a few steps closer. “I can offer you a second chance.”
“A second chance?”
The woman nodded, her jewelry flying with her motion. “At love. I hate to see a tragic tale.”
“And the cost?”
“Your physical form.” The woman said. She pointed her nose at Shen Zechuan. “His ability to rest.”
Xiao Chiye glanced at Shen Zechuan, as if he could communicate with him even in death. “Deal.”
The woman nodded. She waved her hands and Xiao Chiye’s form disappeared into a golden glow before settling into the form of a book. As for Shen Zechuan, she could only sigh as her fingers made several complicated motions before a red earring slowly constructed itself in her palm. She smiled at the book and the earring. On the book’s cover, there was a teardrop-shaped indent. She happily stuck the earring into the cover, so that the book firmly held the jewel.
She looked up at the blank air in front of her. She smiled. “Time to wake up dearie.”
Shen Zechuan awoke, nearly falling off the bed. But once more, Xiao Chiye’s arms were holding him tight. He glanced at the demon. “Ce’an.” He whispered.
“Hm?” A lazy hum replied.
Shen Zechuan’s hands went to his chest, to the spot where his flesh was still intact, where his heart still beat. “I’m alive. You’re alive.”
“My prince?”
Shen Zechuan kissed Xiao Chiye so hard their teeth clashed together. They held one another in complete and utter desperation. Xiao Chiye would briefly free Shen Zechuan so the latter could take a breath of air only to force their lips to meet once more. It was as if they were trying to account for the kisses they never performed from their lives being cut short. It was a tsunami of emotions that poured through both men. A wave that had been allowed to collect grievances through two lives of separation, but never again.
Fate had gifted them a red thread in this life. A string that would never be cut short once more.
It was this reunion that silenced Shen Zechuan’s insomnia.
Shen Zechuan would never have a nightmare again for the cause of it had been dispelled. Or perhaps, Xiao Chiye simply became more ravenous in the nights, eating away all the unhappiness that his precious jade dreamt.