How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 50 - Clinging

Raising his right hand, Wen Ke Xing traces the collarbones with his cold fingertips until he reaches the necklace, almost whispering, "You look absolutely incredible dressed in nothing but pearls."

Zhou Xu tries to ignore the stirring emotions that are rippling through his core faster than the earthquake just now, his voice a little bit hoarse as he responds, "I know." Turning towards the bed, he is grateful that his flushed cheeks are hidden under the cover of the few candles within the bed chamber. Forcing a casual voice, he continues, "If you're going to stay here, you keep your hands to yourself. I want to sleep."

Before Zhou Xu can get into the bed, he is grabbed from behind and caught in a cold embrace. Those strong arms circling his waist as Wen Ke Xing snuggles in as close as he can, his face between Zhou Xu's shoulders breathing in his scent. Whispering into Zhou Xu's ear as he gently moves his hands down that waist searching for his hands, "Ah-Xu, I just want to hold your hand."

"Just hold my hand?"

"Oh my Ah-Xu, I want to do so much more, but holding your hand will do for now."

"You have held my hand for a week now, how long are you going to keep this up?"

"I will never let go."

Not really sure if he should take the man seriously, a crease appears between Zhou Xu's eyebrows. His voice filled with part humor and part disbelief, he responds, "Never?"

"Never."

Struggling to ignore how touched he feels by that simple promise, he wiggles out of Wen Ke Xing's embrace and with a smirk responds, "Suit yourself", as he shrugs his shoulders.

Slipping in between the sheets ready for the herbs to work their magic whilst he sleeps, he turns on to his side and pulls the blanket up under his chin. Whether he wants to admit it or not, he actually does sleep better with that man next to him. At least he knew where he was and for now, he was relatively under control.

Wen Ke Xing glides in between the sheets and moves close like he has done for over a week. Zhou Xu is expecting the now familiar cold body tight against his and for the even colder hand to come searching for his. However, today is different. Wen Ke Xing's movement are different. He wedges his arm in under Zhou Xu's neck and gently curls it to both embrace and pull him closer.

Allowing himself to be turned and pulled close until his head is resting on a cold shoulder, Zhou Xu almost holds his breath. Feeling those cold and slender fingers interlace with his and then lifted. The tingling from those lips spreads outwards over his hands and up his arms when they skim over his fingertips, whilst Wen Ke Xing mumbles, "I love your hands."

Attempting to suppress all the feelings simmering inside him, he puts on a scolding voice and says, "Lao Wen, let's sleep."

"Ah-Xu, don't get upset. It was just a kiss."

Without looking up at the man, he knows that Wen Ke Xing has those puppy eyes he has been pulling out lately, possibly even matching it with that pouting lip. Focused on the insense, he doesn't have time for this right now. "Lao Wen!"

Giving up, way too easily, he moves to rest their interlaced fingers on his chest as he snuggles Zhou Xu close. "Okay, okay. Let's sleep."

Unexpectantly, finding this position comfortable Zhou Xu remains snuggled against the cold body and soon drifts to a deep sleep.

(ᴗ˳ᴗ) (-˳ – )...zzzZZZ

Zhou Xu is still partially in his dream when he is woken up by fingertips tracing down his forehead, over the bridge of his nose and then linger on his lips. Brushing them back and forth so gently it tickles, before moving on down his chin and neck to trace along the pearls.

He is still in the same position as when he had fallen asleep. His neck feels a bit stiff from apparently sleeping on Wen Ke Xing's shoulder all night with those arms embracing him. Taking a deep breath, he wiggles his body a bit to stretch his stiff muscles as he opens his eyes and looks up into those black ones. Is it me or does his body feel warmer today?

With a smile that reaches his eyes, Wen Ke Xing asks with a sleepy and a far too seductive voice, "Ah-Xu, surely it was me and not the insense that made you sleep on me all night?"

Scoffing, more out of reflex than intent, he mumbles, "Like you'd let me roll away. So clingy."

"Actually, you were the one clinging on to me all night."

This time it is Zhou Xu's turn to be rolled on to his back, his man heavy on top burrowing his face into his neck to sniff, kiss and nibble. "Ah-Xu, just let me be clingy for a bit and then I will go away."

Propping himself up on one arm, Wen Ke Xing looks deep into those walnut-colored ones and smiles.

Not sure why he is uncomfortable with the quiet, soft, smile, Zhou Xu asks after a while, "What?"

"You were smiling in your sleep. I was hoping you might smile again when you woke up."

"..." Smiling? What is he talking about? What did I dream?

Like he can read Zhou Xu's mind, Wen Ke Xing asks with curiosity in his eyes, "What did you dream of?"

Zhou Xu thinks for a moment and then answers honestly, and a bit disappointed, "I don't know." Nothing feels different. It didn't work? How long will this take?

"I bet you dreamed of me."

"..."

Lowering down Wen Ke Xing's place a soft kiss on his man's lips. It's not long. It's not forced. It's not passionate. It's just right. Sighing, he pulls back and says, "Okay, I will leave you now."

What was that? What, he's just leaving now? What is up with this man??

"Nu Zhuren?" Daiyu's bright and happy voice echoes from the front room.

Wen Ke Xing's eyes immediately transforms into those murderous black ones, "Actually, I think I will stay for breakfast before I head out."

Smiling at this little vinegar pot of his that is very cute when he is fuming, Zhou Xu asks through smiling lips, "Where are you going?"

"I need to go and inspect the far valleys where the aftershock hit the hardest yesterday."

Not really sure if it is because he wants to know how long he will have to roam free around the manor and do whatever he wants, or if it is because he is wondering how long he will be sleeping alone, Zhou Xu asks, "For how long?"

Looking down at his man, frustratingly not able to read what is going on behind those walnut-colored eyes, he responds, "It will probably be a two to three day journey."

Surprising them both, Zhou Xu asks, "Can I come?"

(O.O)

Author's Notes:

(1) Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the mainshock. Aftershocks can continue over a period of weeks, months, or years. In general, the larger the mainshock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks, and the longer they will continue.

(2) 'Thoughts during the day will become dreams at night', pretty self-explanatory Chinese idiom.

(3) The original Chinese idiom is 'Dream different dreams on the same bed', which is a Chinese idiom that describes a relationship of two people whose lives are intimately intertwined, but who do not fundamentally communicate with each other. I changed it, well Wen Ke Xing did, to be that they will live intimately and communicate with each other.