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“A-Xu..” Wen Kexing breathed and gazed up at his soulmate.
Zhou Zishu cradled his body, desperately applying pressure to the wound, but nothing seemed to be happening, nothing was stopping the blood. It stained his hands, their clothes, and Lao Wen’s beautiful white hair. “Lao Wen!” He cried. “Lao Wen, you have to stay with me- we promised to live and die together! We promised!”
“A-Xu…” Was all he said. As if it were the only thing he was able to say. His smile never faltered. He slowly raised his hand to cup Zhou Zishu’s cheek and brush away the tears.
The other lifted his hand to place it on top of his. “Lao Wen please, you can’t leave me! I refuse to live without you.”
Wen Kexing opened his mouth to repeat the name, but all that came from his throat was a strangled noise. His eyes dimmed, his head rolled to lay against Zhou Zishu’s chest, and his hand fell limp, only held in place due to his lover clutching it and keeping it there against his skin.
“Lao Wen?” The man whispered tentatively. This couldn’t be happening.
“Lao Wen.” He repeated louder, not hearing the crack in his voice.
“Lao Wen!” He tried again and again, but there was no response. No loving smile or silk voice to respond with the nickname. Zhou Zishu had lost his soulmate before, and it hurt each time. This was no exception.
He leaned down and gently rested his forehead against his lover's. Closing his eyes, Zishu uttered one last word as if begging for the world not to take Wen Kexing away again, "Zhiji."
“A-Xu!”
Zhou Zishu’s eyes shot open. He was breathing quickly and tears clouded his vision. Someone’s hand held one of his while the other lay atop his chest. He knew those smooth fingers anywhere, uncalloused like his from using a sword for so many years.
“Lao Wen?” He asked, afraid there would still be no answer.
He was wrong as a sigh of relief sounded from above him and a kiss was placed on his brow. “A-Xu.” Wen Kexing’s soft response came. “What kind of dream did you have to make you so panicked?”
Zhou Zishu sat up quickly and pulled his soulmate into his arms, one hand wrapped around his shoulders, and the other clutching his head. He ran his fingers through the light locks and held up the ends to inspect them. Still white. No blood to dye it red. Wen Kexing seemed to understand and hooked his arms around Zhou Zishu’s middle. They stayed like that for a long while in each other’s embrace.
“Stay.” Zhou Zishu finally whispered into the crook of Wen Kexing’s neck, his fingers abesent-mindedly combing through his hair.
“And do what? Leave my A-Xu? Perish the thought!” Wen Kexing leaned his head against Zhou Zishu’s. “Who would take care of him when he has a nightmare? Who would style the snow we have to eat to look like real dishes?" He dropped his voice to purr in Zhou Zishu's ear, "Who would fuck him senseless and please him to no end?”
“Shameless.” The other man condemned on instinct, but couldn’t hide the smile from his voice, and he was sure Wen Kexing could feel the heat radiating from his cheeks.
Wen Kexing laughed- and gods if that wasn't the best laugh Zishu had ever heard.
The nightmare was still fresh in his mind and was sure that the image of the lifeless body he'd clung to would be burned into his memory for a couple of days. He couldn't even remember the events that led to him being stabbed, he only remembered the aftermath and how real it felt.
"I promise," Wen Kexing said as he pulled himself out of the hug to look into his eyes. "I will stay."
Zhou Zishu gave a small, grateful smile to the man and held his hands, rubbing his thumb against the knuckles. "Good."
Wen Kexing returned the smile then laid them back down on the bed, wrapping his arms around his lover in a protective manner.
Being close to his soulmate, Zishu listened to the steady heartbeat and breathing. Proof that he was alive and with the spoken promise that he wasn't going anywhere.
"I don't know what I would do if you left, Lao Wen." He said quietly and he pressed his feet against Wen Kexing's warm leg, smiling as he heard the man gasp at the cold limbs. "I mean, who else would keep me warm in this cold mountain we call home?"
"A-Xu!"
Zhou Zishu laughed contently and huddled closer.
"You're lucky you're pretty." Wen Kexing huffed sleepily.
"You're lucky I tolerate your nonsense."
"You love me." He hummed
"I do."
The two of them had a peaceful rest of their night. No nightmares to be found.