The Silent Guard (mxm)

Chapter 44

(I had to split up the fight. It was getting too long, so here is part one. Hope you guys like it, cause dang it's kinda crazy XD) 

"Zen." 

Hearing his name, Zen turned at the same time his master, who had been walking at his side, looked over his shoulder. 

Huang calmly stepped up to him as he reached into his sleeve, retrieving something before holding it out to him. 

My fan!

Zen snatched the item out of his hands immediately, but then realized his rudeness and felt his face warm slightly. 

"You left it behind by mistake when we suddenly had to flee my pavilion and head south. I found it when Lee Shaan and I briefly searched for anything that could be of use against my father before heading your way. It seemed to have fallen from the table," Huang said, making Zen nod in response. 

"I thank you for returning it to me," he said, then paused. 

When prince Yuen raised an eyebrow at the sudden awkward silence between them, Zen licked his lips and slowly lowered himself down to one knee as he lifted his arms so that his left hand could grasp his right one after tilting his fan downward. He then bowed his head respectfully. 

"This humble servant also thanks his highness, Yuen Huang, for all of his help in keeping my master safe, and for returning this important gift to me." 

Their entire group was silent as Zen felt Qi gently settle a hand atop his head and sift his fingers through his soft hair. When he finally looked up, prince Yuen lifted his own arms and bowed his head with a half-smirk upon his face. 

"You are welcome, little guard. Now then, let's finish this so that this tired curse master may finally rest in peace," he said before reaching down and helping Zen back to his feet. 

He was about to respond, but Zen slowly closed his mouth as Lee Shaan walked over and grabbed one of prince Yuen's arms and began tugging him forward at an uncomfortable pace as he grumbled, "like hell I'd ever let you rest in peace." 

Zen watched them disappear around a corner as he awkwardly tucked his fan into his sleeve. He was just glancing sideways at his master when he was promptly turned, then tugged into a surprisingly-strong hug. 

"My sweet love, please be safe during this fight. I will do everything within my power to protect you until the end," Qi said as Zen blushed and pressed his forehead against his master's warm chest, then, feeling a little more courageous than he normally did, likely thanks to Xisheng's fusion within him, he tilted his head upward and pressed a kiss his master's neck. 

Qi jumped the slightest bit, making Zen snicker abruptly as he leaned back with a knowing grin. His master's face was tinted pink as he rubbed at the spot he'd just kissed, seemingly in a slight daze. 

"Let us go, love," Zen said with a wink that immediately snapped the confused look from his master's face. 

Zen tugged Qi forward as he continued to walk sidewalks, unwilling to let the man's embarrassed expression leave his line of sight. 

"L-love...?" Qi whispered after a few moments of stunned silence. 

Widening his grin, Zen squeezed the hand he'd taken gently, then stopped and lifted it to his lips for a soft kiss as his eyes watched the man before him. 

"I will free my master from his life of stress and worry with this final, decisive battle... then I will take him to his bed and—" his lips were abruptly sealed by two of Qi's fingers pressing against them.