Two hours after midnight, Mei Changsu was tired of holding his eyes closed when sleep wouldn't come. Lin Chen left medicine for him, but the bitter liquid often left him drenched in sweat and feeling hopelessly lost when he woke up in the morning. Right now, Mei Changsu felt as if he was being driven to the brink of somewhere he couldn't return from.
After walking several houses over to Lin Chen's room, Mei Changsu opened the doors and walked in. He knew there were servants, spies and guards around the building, but they were not visible. After his self-extended invitation, Mei Changsu tentatively took a seat on the edge of Lin Chen's bed, uncertain of what he wanted, except he knew he would go mad if he was alone for another second despite …show more content…
Then he mumbled, "'m 'fraid of you."
"Why is that?"
"I don't appreciate men the way you do," said Lin Chen. He began to sound a bit more awake, and with that, came his natural playfulness. Despite the low volume of his voice, there was something grandiose in his proclamation: "There's a part of me that wonders - worries - what will I ever do with you if you misinterpret my kindness."
The comment was so unexpected that, for as long as it took for more placid and coherent thoughts to form, Mei Changsu felt deeply insulted. He was aware of his unnaturalness, as Healer Yan had phrased it. How Lin Chen, like "normal" men, rightfully sought the attention of women - dainty, doe-eyed young girls that he could rescue and seduce.
His preference for men was something Mei Changsu assumed they both accepted at face value.
"I wouldn't know how to explain to you," said Mei Changsu. Shifting the blankets aside, Mei Changsu pulled out of Lin Chen's arms and pushed himself up into a sitting position. The stir of chilly air made the hair on his skin rise in tiny bumps. "That I cannot possibly be attracted to …show more content…
Whatever left of his heart was so full of someone else that the proposition was preposterous at best and mocking at worst. Mei Changsu thought: this was exactly why he was never able to hold any conversation with Lin Chen that didn't degenerate into aloof correspondence or polite mockery.
"I know," said Lin Chen. He chided, "You're blocking my moonlight again."
Mei Changsu pressed his lips together and bit back a tart response. He was pretty sure it was a waning crescent moon tonight and the moonlight was so dim it barely shone through the cloth-covered windows. Besides, the concept made absolutely no sense. Irritation and exasperation manifested like a piece of coal burning in a numbingly chill room, searing his conscious mind.
Glaring a silent dagger at Lin Chen, Mei Changsu swung his legs over the bed.
"Look," said Lin Chen. The playfulness was gone in his voice. His eyes were finally opened and he sat up. Mei Changsu felt his hand press down on his shoulder. "You're finally getting some of your bite back. Vexation makes you feel a little more alive, doesn't it? Now, let's really go to sleep,
After walking several houses over to Lin Chen's room, Mei Changsu opened the doors and walked in. He knew there were servants, spies and guards around the building, but they were not visible. After his self-extended invitation, Mei Changsu tentatively took a seat on the edge of Lin Chen's bed, uncertain of what he wanted, except he knew he would go mad if he was alone for another second despite …show more content…
Then he mumbled, "'m 'fraid of you."
"Why is that?"
"I don't appreciate men the way you do," said Lin Chen. He began to sound a bit more awake, and with that, came his natural playfulness. Despite the low volume of his voice, there was something grandiose in his proclamation: "There's a part of me that wonders - worries - what will I ever do with you if you misinterpret my kindness."
The comment was so unexpected that, for as long as it took for more placid and coherent thoughts to form, Mei Changsu felt deeply insulted. He was aware of his unnaturalness, as Healer Yan had phrased it. How Lin Chen, like "normal" men, rightfully sought the attention of women - dainty, doe-eyed young girls that he could rescue and seduce.
His preference for men was something Mei Changsu assumed they both accepted at face value.
"I wouldn't know how to explain to you," said Mei Changsu. Shifting the blankets aside, Mei Changsu pulled out of Lin Chen's arms and pushed himself up into a sitting position. The stir of chilly air made the hair on his skin rise in tiny bumps. "That I cannot possibly be attracted to …show more content…
Whatever left of his heart was so full of someone else that the proposition was preposterous at best and mocking at worst. Mei Changsu thought: this was exactly why he was never able to hold any conversation with Lin Chen that didn't degenerate into aloof correspondence or polite mockery.
"I know," said Lin Chen. He chided, "You're blocking my moonlight again."
Mei Changsu pressed his lips together and bit back a tart response. He was pretty sure it was a waning crescent moon tonight and the moonlight was so dim it barely shone through the cloth-covered windows. Besides, the concept made absolutely no sense. Irritation and exasperation manifested like a piece of coal burning in a numbingly chill room, searing his conscious mind.
Glaring a silent dagger at Lin Chen, Mei Changsu swung his legs over the bed.
"Look," said Lin Chen. The playfulness was gone in his voice. His eyes were finally opened and he sat up. Mei Changsu felt his hand press down on his shoulder. "You're finally getting some of your bite back. Vexation makes you feel a little more alive, doesn't it? Now, let's really go to sleep,