Chapter Text
Evidence - Xiao Jingyan/Lin Shu
Xiao Jingyan had always believed that he was a man of facts and logic. That was until the Chiyan case. It didn't matter what motives or evidence were presented, he refused to accept them. He believed in the integrity, the royalty and the innocence of those dear to him.
In his dreams, Lin Shu smiled at him like he knew something Jingyan did not. There was much he wanted to tell this Lin Shu, but every time he opened his mouth to speak, he could only say:
'I'm sorry.'
'I'm sorry I wasn't there.’
‘I'm sorry I couldn't save you.'
Magic - Xiao Jingyan/Mei Changsu
He could have sworn the bottle had been an ordinary wine bottle. Apparently not.
‘Master, name three wishes of your choosing and I shall grant them.’
The tall man with delicate features waited patiently for his answer. Jingyan was momentarily distracted by the contrast between his long dark hair and the white fur collar of his robes.
The man coughed.
‘Are you ill?’
‘Genies cannot get ill, but I am a little cold.’
If Genies could not get ill, why would they get cold? It didn’t make any sense.
‘You’d better come home with me then. I have a heater.’
Taxi - Xiao Jingyan/Mei Changsu
The taxi comes to a stop mere meters in front of him. Jingyan blinks the rain out of his eyes and runs to it.
He is about to reach the door when a cold hand encloses over his.
‘Oh,’ says a male voice. The hand pulls away.
The man is tall with a slim build. His pale lips stretch into a small smile.
‘My apologies,’ the man says, ‘I didn’t realise you were waiting for the taxi too.’
The rain continues to pour. Jingyan shifts awkwardly.
‘I’m going North, if you are headed the same direction perhaps we could share?’
Storm - Xiao Jingyan/Lin Shu
When they were younger, when he was a different person, they used to run out into the rain and fight. He loved the way Jingyan was so competitive; nothing short of a blizzard could make him back down.
Jingyan used to accuse him of not taking these fights seriously, because he often lost. The truth was, Lin Shu was almost always distracted by the way Jingyan’s dark hair stuck to his face when wet, the way he could see the rain drops on his long eyelashes when they struggled close, the way Jingyan licked the rain drops from his lips.
Secret - Xiao Jingyan/Lin Shu (Mei Changsu)
Lin Shu has kept secrets from Jingyan all his life.
Some of them were small – once he went to a less respective establishment with his father’s men out of pure curiosity.
Some of them were big – the first time he took off the bandages and looked at his own foreign reflection he wondered what Jingyan would say when they saw each other again.
Some of them, some of them were buried deep – only when they stood too close, when their shoulders brushed, was he reminded that his chest ached because it was a secret etched onto his heart long ago.
Strawberries - Xiao Jingrui/Yan Yu Jin
Jingrui likes to eat strawberries. Yu Jin likes the way Jingrui’s lips are stained red after he eats strawberries.
‘Stop watching me eat,’ Jingrui says self-consciously. ‘You’re creeping me out.’
Yu Jin thinks he is kind of creeping himself out.
Jingrui takes another bite from the strawberry in his hands, the red juices spill from where his lips meet the fruit and roll down his long fingers. Jingrui quickly stops the flow of juices with his tongue, catching each stray droplet before they reach his shirt cuff.
‘Are you sure you don’t want one?’ Jingrui asks.
‘No thanks, I’m fine.’
Blood - Xiao Jingyan/Mei Changsu
The scent of Jingyan’s blood was irresistible – musky, with a hint of cinnamon; so strong and so alive. Mei Changsu licked his lips.
‘If we make this deal today, I will do everything in my power to help you obtain the throne, my prince.’
He bowed deeply.
Jingyan narrowed his eyes.
‘What is the price?’ Jingyan asked. ‘I will have to pay a price right?’
Mei Changsu smiled.
‘You may pay in blood.’
‘How?’
Mei Changsu eyed Jingyan’s exposed neck, but reached instead for Jingyan’s left wrist. His eyes glowed red as his fangs lengthened.
‘Like this.’
Then he drank.