How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 84 - Dreaming (2)

Author's Notes:

There should be less angst and more action in the upcoming chapters. Enjoy!

⊂ (▀▿▀) つ

Turning to his right, Wen Ke Xing looks at the man that is sleeping next to him. The man he had just conjured up as a teenage boy in his bizarre dream. Wen Ke Xing watches his man sleep on his back having kicked the blanket off with only his left leg still under the comforting warmth.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm the turmoil inside as the cold returns, Wen Ke Xing observes Zhou Zi Shu sleep. Zhou Zi Shu's eyes seems to be moving behind the eyelids at a rapid pace, his fingers twitching sporadically, his lips mumbling incoherent words.

Moving his left hand to slowly caress and smooth out the furrow between Zhou Zi Shu's eyebrows with his thumb, his right hand moves to take Zhou Zi Shu's in his. His hand doesn't feel as warm as it usually does.

Wen Ke Xing lies back down and slowly pulls Zhou Zi Shu towards his chest without waking him up. When his man is nestled safely in his arms, he pulls the blanket up around the both of them. Not even his body feels as warm as it usually does. I wonder if he is sick? Gently caressing the man snuggled in his arms, Wen Ke Xing soon drifts back to sleep.

(– ,- ) (-, – )

It had been almost a week since Ah-Xiang and the rest of the ghosts had left Wuming for Wu Ying. Wen Ke Xing and Zhou Zi Shu had spent most of their time out riding and exploring the area. They had relaxed in the hot spring in the evenings, that were colder now that winter was fully upon them. They had spent the nights, and some of the days, in each other arms, their naked and sweaty skin making lewd noises as they either fucked or made love−sometimes both at the same time.

It had been surprisingly relaxing and normal, being just the two of them, this far away from the eyes and responsibilities. Though, this far away from the central core of where the Ghosts were ruled, almost everything appeared normal. Well, with the exception of some of the guests here, including some of the things they saw and heard.

They had only had to attend two formal dinners and one lunch, due to the nature of the Ghost that was 'visiting'. They were, after all, the Guigu Guzhu and Nu Zhuren. Zhou Zi Shu had to admit that he had come to enjoy watching his man transform into the Guzhu. He somehow looked even taller, his whole being exuding power and strength as the ghosts around him either coward in fear or tried to win favors by praising Wen Ke Xing or himself.

Part of Zhou Zi Shu could even understand why Wen Ke Xing would snap necks. Especially when Zhou Zi Shu was faced with a particularly revolting ghost or someone that just made his skin crawl. He just knew that they were likely already, or soon would be, scheming behind their backs. Thus was the nature of Ghost Valley and he had been forced to hold himself back on several occasions during these dinners, to not snap and cut someone to the ground. Has Ghost Valley changed me or am I becoming the former me bit by bit?

He did, however, feel very protective over Wen Ke Xing and at moments like those, it made Zhou Zi Shu think about their future. At some point they would have to have the conversation about staying here or leaving this place. He knew what he wanted, what he hoped, but it seemed that they would have to take care of this Hongtao Huanghou first−a subject that they had ignored with abundance to enjoy this impulsive, and a bit reckless, honeymoon.