A Peacemaker's Sorrow

Chapter XVII

They both were caught by surprise, Yue Qi held him out at near arm's length, still holding onto him tightly while Shen Yuan kept a grip on the front of his robes, the older of the two inspected him, removing one hand to cup Shen Yuan's cheek as he broke down again, pulling the boy into his chest.

"Qi-ge..." Shen Yuan mumbled, muffled by the fabric, though the young man only tightened his hug, unwilling to let go.

"I'm so sorry, A-Yuan." He was still sobbing. "I...I promise I-I didn't mean to...I wanted to come get you, t-to find you." He was petting Shen Yuan's hair, a comfort that worked for the both of them.

"I know Qi-ge...I know." There was nothing else he could say, everything felt so surreal. He was terrified that this was just another cruel dream.

When the body in his arms started shaking, Yue Qi wasted not a second in scooping Shen Yuan into his arms, cradling him like a baby to his chest while he raised his head to meet Madam Nuo's tearful eyes. "Ah...Madam, I-."

"Oh thank the gods, I was so worried this poor boy was on his own." Madam Nuo sighed in relief, a hand over her heart as she motioned for Yue Qi to follow her. The young man did so without hesitation, but he couldn't help but wonder how long his poor Didi had been here.

Had he been here the last time he was?
Did he know that they were here the last time?

What all had he missed in his baby brother's life? What moments happened without him there to protect him? Was he still too late?

When they climbed the stairs to the private rooms that Yue Qi was somewhat familiar with, he looked down at the curled-up boy in his arms. It seemed that his little Didi hadn't changed too much, he still let Yue Qi carry him. But when he inspected further, he saw the painful splotch of frosted and red skin on his neck—frostbite—not too severe, thank the heavens, but why did his Didi have frostbite in the first place?

Madam Nuo led them into a smaller room, closer to the back, and well hidden. If there was one thing Yue Qi was thankful for when it came to these women, they were protective—especially of children and Omegas—so he could at least rest assured that for however long his A-Yuan was here, he was safe.

"Shen Yuan," Madam Nuo called, the boy barely raised his head to acknowledge her. Now that was unlike his Didi, his A-Yuan was always polite, even to the most unruly of strangers.

The woman however was not offended, merely patting his shoulder to gain his full attention. "Little one, sit down on the bed, your brother should know what has happened to you." At this, Shen Yuan froze up worse, and Yue Qi felt his blood freeze.

What happened!?

Reluctantly, the two let go of each other, Madam Nuo being the border between them as she sat Shen Yuan on the bed. "Little one, please take off your upper robes."

"What!?" Yue Qi shouted without meaning to, startling Shen Yuan who had already been slipping them off without much hesitation. Though the brothel Madam only waved her hand at him, a silent command to remain silent.

"He has to see them, Shen Yuan." Shen Yuan nodded at the Madam, though he was unable to look away from his lap as his torso and arms were left bare.

Yue Qi, completely unabashed; bound forward, checking over the splotches of healing frostbite on his baby brother's chest and neck, a sharp inhale through his clenched teeth when he saw the myriad of small lash scars trailing from the boy's knuckles up to his elbows.

"A-Yuan..." He sounded pained, though in truth he was. "Who did this? Do they still hurt? Qi-ge will make it better." Holding the boy's wrists, he channeled a gentle flow of qi into his meridians, startling slightly when he found that they were healthy, a bit shaken and fractured, but still rather healthy and strong.