WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 10 Bonding

SiZhui held hands with the boy he had known for most of his young life, the boy he had ended up marrying, as they walked down to the Jingshi.

Light snowfall had solidified into crunchy ice beneath their feet and it added to the magic that was Cloud Recesses incarnate. Icicles hung precariously off branches still bare, the buds of new leaves unable to leave hibernation yet. A robin flew past them chirping happily, and SiZhui lifted his face up, smiling towards the sound.

Jin Ling couldn't resist, and pulled him in closer for a kiss on those cold lips, enjoying the way he could still surprise his husband. It was still a novelty for him, to know that he had married pure and wholesome sunshine. A warmth that blazed with passion in the cold winter nights, and cool relief like marble under hot bare feet in the summertime.

He still didn't understand how he had missed the loving way SiZhui had been around him before they were married.

This kiss warmed them from the inside like sweet hot milk at night. It was comforting. Pulling away from the need to breathe, SiZhui stared into his burgundy eyes full of hope.

Jin Ling could drown in those chocolate eyes, dancing with love and joy.

He tried to accompany SiZhui as much as he could whenever the chance came to visit Cloud Recesses again.

SiZhui would never admit it, but he was different here than when they were in JinLinTai.

This was the place he had grown up, missing one father and gaining another. And, gaining friends and family, as the Lan Clan embraced this sweet child with his open smile and charming personality. SiZhui was as open as a window looking out upon a garden of flowers. And he was as beautiful as the rarest blooms.

Reluctantly, Jin Ling kissed his cold hand, grinning at the darkening of those beguiling beautiful eyes.

"I should go see my uncle."

As it was said with torn enthusiasm, SiZhui smiled back.

"I'll be right here when you come back." He watched Jin Ling walk away towards the Hanshi, admiring his stronger, broader shoulders.

All those hours practising sword forms and strengthening his core were proving to be beneficial not only to the one doing the hard work, but to his husband too. SiZhui knew Jin Ling made sincere attempts to honour not only his father, but both of his uncles too, and he was luckier he thought, because he got to enjoy the results.

And Jin Ling had matured too, in a weird way. SiZhui wasn't sure if it was at attempt to gain the confidence of his elders in LanLing or because of their marriage and consequent addition of his responsibilities, but Jin Ling was no longer overthinking his every move, needing approval at every stage, in short being a teenager.

He was learning to put other people in front of him in a healthy way that balanced his own mental growth, and SiZhui was so proud of him.

When he could no longer see even his shadow, SiZhui turned towards the Jingshi. His fingers caressed the old mahogany wood, as strong and dependable as his father. This place was an embodiment of Lan WangJi, a home that shouted Hanguang-Jun, like he and his fellow disciples often had, when they needed help.

The comfort and the relief that lived within these four walls was immeasurable, and SiZhui knew it was dependant upon the two people who lived here.

There was something infinitely satisfying...like a physical hug without the actual action, of coming here. SiZhui knew that his parents were here right now, and even if they weren't physically here, they were immortal now and would forever be around him. That thought alone was like a warm, thick fluffy blanket, like the snowy cotton-tail bunnies that used to cover him whenever he felt inexplicably sad.