Our hearts, two stars, and the sea

Chapter eight- Waiting For My End

Shen Jiu sits on the cushioned window sill, reading a book. It was a book he would always read to Shen Yuan.

It is about a princess stuck in a tower, she gets saved by a random man, her mother gets upset, she achieves her dream but gets kidnapped by mom, hot random guy saves her but dies, evil mom dies, she saves hot guy with her tears and marries him. Happy ending.

He wonders why Shen Yuan loved it so much.

He finishes it and puts it in the pile with all the other books he just read. He doesn't hear the door open and someone come in.

"Xiao Jiu," He hears Yue Qingyuan say in a soft voice. Shen Jiu turns to him.

"Any news?" Shen Jiu asks, getting straight to the point. If they don't find Shen Yuan soon, they'll have to return to the kingdom and leave Zhuzhi Lang and Tianlang-jun to search. If they're away for too long it will be bad.

"Yes, we just received an anonymous letter. It might be from Shang Qinghua judging from the handwriting, we can't be sure though." Yue Qingyuan nods. Shen Jiu immediately sits up, eyes widened with hope.

"Where did it say he was?" Shen Jiu questions.

"Huanhua," Yue Qingyuan answers, walking over to sit beside Shen Jiu. He places his hand over Shen Jiu's. "He is probably safe with them. They saved him from the pirates, we are sailing over there now to bring him home."

"What if he... isn't there?" Shen Jiu murmurs, looking down at where their hands are intertwined. Yue Qingyuan gives his hand a comforting squeeze.

"He will be, and once he gets home he can have the happiest day of his life." Yue Qingyuan reassures with a smile. "On the small chance he isn't there, we will go home and manage the kingdom and Zhuzhi Lang will bring him back to us." Yue Qingyuan brings Shen Jiu's hand to his lips and plants a kiss on the middle knuckle.

"We're his parents, why should we-," Shen Jiu starts, but is cut off.

"He is grown, and engaged. You can't be his overprotective dad forever, its Zhuzhi's job to protect him now. Once he is married, him and Zhuzhi will become the kings of Cang Qiong and we can go into retirement." Yue Qingyuan smiles. Shen Jiu manages a small smile but still has worry on his face.

"Thank you, Qi-ge." Shen Jiu thanks, leaning his head on Yue Qingyuan shoulder. He lets his eyes close, he's barely gotten any sleep and he's exhausted.

He lets himself fall asleep like this, soon he hopes he will see his son again.

-

Shen Yuan is bored out of his mind. That has to be the worst part about being kidnapped. He hasn't touched a book in weeks, the world could be ending and he wouldn't know. Yes, a day is a short time compared to how long he was on Luo Binghe's ship but still!

Shen Yuan turns onto his side and stares at the acid pouring down. He has started to count the tiny cracks on the floor beneath him. So far, he has counted 137...138 now.

They could have at least left him with something to do! He's an innocent man! This is all that Luo Binghe fault...this is what Shen Yuan gets for being nice to people.

For the first time in forever, Shen Yuan thinks about his parents. They must be so worried, it will be so awkward on the rare chance he returns to them. He will probably be married in an iron cage having to speak through a small hole to Zhuzhi Lang!

Maybe if Luo Binghe finds his heart underneath all his impeccable chest muscles, he will return Shen Yuan to Cang Qiong.

...Assuming Shen Yuan doesn't get sacrificed before that happens.