The Silent Guard (mxm)

Chapter 16

The walk back to their pavilion was oddly quiet. His master wasn't one for frivolous talk, but unlike most times they'd walked in peace together, Zen could feel no calmness in the man.

Once they were close to their temporary home Zen hurried ahead and quickly got things ready for his master. He made the bed, got Qi's evening clothing ready, and even made sure that the soap he liked was of ample supply in the tray beside the water. By the time he'd stepped back into the main room, his master was there, removing his outer robes.

Confused that he hadn't been called to assist, Zen hurried forward and quickly helped him take off the clothing and put it where it went. When he turned back around, his master took hold of his belt and calmly began undoing the knot there.

Master?

Qi continued his work, nudging away Zen's one hesitant hand as it tried to relieve his master of the unnecessary work. Resigned and confused, he stood still and did as his master gestured of him. Pretty soon, his outer robes were off as well as his under robe, leaving only his loose pair of pants remaining.

At that point, Qi finally looked up, but it wasn't to meet his eyes. His gaze locked onto his chest instead, scouring the area for something that Zen didn't understand. He hadn't cut himself, and there were no curse marks or anything of that sort.

After seemingly content with his examination, Qi gently guided him until he turned around. He remained that way for a few moments before being turned back around as his master gave out a relieved sigh.

Do not fret, my lord. I am doing fine.

It seemed like Qi could almost read his mind, because he calmly reached up and pressed a warm palm to the side of Zen's face.

"I apologize. I do not know what has gotten into me. Are you well, my Zen?"

Nodding slowly, Zen reached forward and pressed his hand to his master's forehead, worried that he might not be feeling well, himself.

His gesture seemed to have earned him a bit of laughter from the man before him, making him even more unsure.

"I am fine, Zen. Let us forget this little bought as wariness and relax in the hot spring?"

Eager to put the strange situation behind himself, Zen quickly nodded and finished removing his pants before offering his master a warm smile. When Qi returned the expression, Zen turned to head out the back door, but his steps paused when his wrist was caught, drawing his attention back to his master.

"Zen Zen..."

Turning, Zen gave him a curious look. His master definitely wasn't acting normal. Adding to his worry, Qi just ended up shaking his head and tugging Zen outside and right into the warm water. Instead of beginning to wash himself right away, Qi pulled him into his chest once he'd found a rock formation beneath the water to sit on. When he didn't release him after a few moments, Zen let his head settle upon his master's shoulder and closed his eyes.

"You are too obedient, my Zen."

I will always be absolutely loyal and obedient to my master.

"I can feel that mind of yours telling me that you will never change your ways," Qi said with a light laugh.

Grinning, Zen lifted one hand between them and wrote, "Never. I will follow my master until the end."

Qi reached up and gently ran his fingers through Zen's hair, slowly removing it from the tie that had been restricting part of it until all of it flowed softly atop the water.

"There is nothing more beautiful," Qi whispered as he placed a kiss just above Zen's ear.

The praise had him snuggling a little closer, but it also made him uneasy. He wrote against his master's chest again.