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Shaun wasn’t sure how much time had passed since they released the lanterns to bid their loved ones goodbye. What he knew was that Katy and him were the only ones left sitting by the river, she fell asleep with her head still resting on his shoulder. Some time in between people of Ta Lo slowly heading back to their quarters, Xialing tapped on his shoulder lightly and they had a short conversation in mandarin.
“Gege, I am going back to rest. You two should rest soon.”
“Okay, meimei, rest well. We will talk tomorrow.”
They both exchanged a knowing nod before Xialing left them alone for good.
Shaun stared into the dark starry sky for a long time, trying to process the last 48 hours of his life. It went by so quickly and he barely had any time to digest what had happened or the fact that he was officially an orphan. From a normal parking valet boy Shaun to relieving his trained assassin life again, and now holding the ten rings that caused so much pain to his family and the loss of his father. Yes, he reunited with his father in less than 24 hours but to lose him and never seeing him again?
“Shaun?”
The man he was avoiding and running away from is dead for good.
“Shaun?”
His dad whom he had a love-hate relationship with, had sacrificed himself.
“Xu Shang Qi!”
He snapped to reality, finally realising Katy was holding his face worriedly and that he had been crying unknowingly.
“Shaun? It’s okay. I’m here for you.” She started wiping his tears with her thumbs but they just wouldn’t stop.
Shaun bursted into tears and he cried in such an intense sorrow that Katy had never heard before. Her heart ached for him, for her best friend, her Shaun; he is her everything. Katy remembered seeing him again after they beaten the Dweller in Darkness and she was so sure about her feelings. He is not only her best friend but someone that she loves and cares deeply for. With all those emotions in mind, she held him even closer and tighter, letting him cry against her chest. She wasn’t sure how long he cried for, but it was long enough that all the lights in the village were out.
Now, the universe left them in darkness with only the stars staring back at them.
Them being Katy and Shaun again.
Katy made sure to pat him on his back and showered kisses on his face constantly, in hopes that it would calm him down. Maybe it’s the courage of the darkness where he was in grief and couldn’t see her face, she wanted to give him as much physical affection as she could. Shaun was still in the embrace of Katy with their roles switched; his head on her shoulder. They looked out to the dark sky and he finally broke the silence.
“Katy?”
“Yeah?”
She turned to look at him tenderly.
“Thank you.”
And he looked back with gratitude in his eyes.
Their faces were so close and lips inches away from touching.
“Yeah, you better be dude. You woke me up from my nap with your tears and snots on my face. I thought you were drooling from your sleep and I was about to Karate chop you.” Katy got all flustered, animated and gestured with her palms up.
“Well, you end up kissing my “drools” away so…” Shaun protested.
“Shut up Shaun. I’m tired, you have to carry me back to my room.” She folded her arms, flopped onto him with her head on his laps and eyes closed.
“I’m not doing it. I’m dead tired too. If you can recall, I fought a soul sucking asshole and saved the day.” He laid back down onto the grass, exhausted.
“Yeah, guess my arrow that shot that asshole down wasn’t as ‘important’. I’m not moving, Shaun. You will have to carry me.” She groaned.
“Right, fine. I guess I will carry you to my room then.” He suddenly sat up again.
“Huh? What?” Katy reopened her eyes and stared back at him, brows furrowed.
“So… my aunt thought we were a couple and put us in the same room.”
“Right… Hahah- What’s new? It’s not like we haven’t slept together on the same bed before.” They both tried to laugh it off as a joke.
“Alright, Lady Katy, hold tight. Your chamber awaits.” Shaun hoisted Katy up in his arms effortlessly.
“Yes, Sir Shaun. You better hurry. ONWARD!” Katy threw her arms around his shoulder and a punch in the air.
-
They both changed out to whatever clothes they could find in the room and plunged onto the bed as soon as they could. They were turning and tossing on the bed on their sides until Katy got frustrated and sat up, looking over at Shaun.
“Shaun, I can’t sleep. Can we cuddle?”
“Of course Katy,” he turned towards her and smiled.
“Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and back onto the bed again.
“Now, let’s sleep.” He sneaked a little kiss at the top of her head and hugged her tight.
“Shaun?” She paused for a beat, “I will always be here for you, remember that.”
“I know.” They snuggled closer and finally fell asleep to the sound of their heartbeat in sync at last.