The passion of a cutsleeve

Chapter 12, Lonely mouse lost in dread

  Dong Xian sits down on his bed, running a hand through his hair as he grimaces at the upcoming deadline. Dong Xian didnt think Liu Xin should try to fight back against Consort Fu, if they just ignored her then maybe she'd just leave them alone. Dong Xian also had his sister to worry about. He knew she'd be coming soon enough, but he was more focused on his wife, and his emperor, and not getting beaten up by the court for being favored by the emperor. Sure, Liu Xin was pretty, but Dong Xian didnt know if he could ever love him. Hong Yan might be upset or something, Dong Xian didnt want to upset her, he'd feel too guilty. Dong Xian sighs, conflicted by this almost comical harem drama. Hong Yan, like always, takes this moment to slowly sit next to him, and quickly poked his sides. Dong Xian lets out a loud yelp and turns around, ready to fight someone. He quickly puts down his arms when he realizes it was just the women he vowed to spend the rest of his life with. "Oh no! My darling Baobei is thinking of another women is he! Must be why he has such a serious look on his face." Hong Yan dramatically whines, leaning up against Dong Xian, faining upsetness. Dong Xian roles his eyes, and wraps an arm around her shoulder. "My wife is far too dramatic! Of course i'd think of another, when my wife is so reckless and consently getting in trouble!" Dong Xian returns the dramatic complants. Well, Liu Xin was definitely less dramatic then Hong Yan, more playful then anything. Dong Xian mentaly shakes his head in defeat, he needs to stop thinking of Emperor Ai in such ways. Dong Xian sqeezes Hong Yan before pulling her to lay down on the bed, cuddling close to her body. "Oh well, my wife is the prettiest of them all. So i'll stay stuck to her." Dong Xian says, as if giving into Hong Yan's 'bagering'. Hong Yan giggles softly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Oh well, could be worst hm?" She kisses the crown of Dong Xian's head, the two allowed themselfs to relax from a day of drama, and quickly fall into slumber. Dong Xian wasnt use to allowing his body to fully relax like this, it was nice, it was so nice knowing that he didnt have to act strong all the time. His wife could handle herself, he could handle himself, and the two could take care of eachother so easly. It was nice.

  Liu Xin pulls on his over robe, the cold night air nipped at his skin through the thin summer robes. The days were hot and tireding, the night cold and dreadful. Liu Xin didnt care. They werent going to have another incident like what happened with the crown prince. Liu Xin didnt need too add more guards for portection, he could handle himself well enough even in his current weaken state. Liu Xin just wanted to visit the empress. The two never got along, even when younger. Liu Xin was only 20, Empress Wu was the same age, they got married at 15 for an alliance between the two families. They hated eachother since then, the two already had people they loved but they couldnt be with them anymore insted they had to be with eachother. Liu Xin never wanted to hurt her though, he's given her permission to be with others as she pleased, he did what he could to keep her happy and well without forcing her to see his face. Empress Wu didnt really have to do the same, since Liu Xin was a man and he could do whatever he wanted. Which Empress Wu always found dumb and activly complaned about. 

   Liu Xin knew if she was struggling with sonething right now, he was the last person she'd want to see. But he couldnt help it. 

 Dong Xian lets out a low yawn, he eyelashes fluttering open. Vision blurred for a moment, eyebrows furrowed at the unfamiliar movement under his head. He shifts his head slightly, before freezing, face flushed bright red. He wasnt familiar having his face smooshed against the soft supple flesh of Hong Yan's breasts, infact, the only breast he was use to having his face in was Emperor Ai's! A dificult thing to say at the very least, he's only done that twice. The point still stands, this was quite a shock. Dong Xian gently rises, careful not to wake his wife. He sits there, dark curly hair cascades over his shoulders. The humidity was rather high, he could feel the sweat trickle down his body. He wondered how Hong Yan could handle this heat so easly. Actually, he wondered why she put up with him at all. He was rumored to be messing around with another man of all things! Why did she deside to put up with it? Dong Xian knew Emperor's didnt care, they were the sons of the heavens, so of course he'd flirt with a married man. Hong Yan on the other hand. Dong Xian realizes he barely knew anything about Hong Yan. Dong Xian brushes a strand of hair from her face, soft slender finger brushing against her warm cheek. He felt his heart drop. He was in love, yes, but thinking about Liu Xin right now...made his mind wander. He slowly rises from the bed, creeping towards the door, careful not to make too much noise. It was far too hot anyways to wear an over coat, so he didnt have to do much. 

  Liu Xin scoffs softly as he storms through the cordoors, he felt silly trying to look after someone who hated him. Maybe it was the humidity? Maybe he could chop it all up to his mind just being a little fuzzy, or maybe it was his falt. Everyone hated him. He was a tyrant, that much was clear to the struggling population of commoners. He taxed them heavly, all for his little pleasure. The silk road: the court officals clamed as they took away the poormen gold and silver. An excuse. Consort Fu clamed that only the Emperor was worthy enough for such luxeries as money, and how fun it was to watch as beggers fought in the street for the tinyiest of bread scraps. Liu Xin pauses, shaking his head. He presses his hands to his ears, and slowly falls to his knees. No..Its not right. None of that is right. The commeners were no better then him, hungry savages just trying to make it through life. He wasnt special. Liu Xin couldnt blame it on Consort Fu, was it her falt he listened? No. It was his own choice to listen to such things, he had to deal with this himself. Dong Xian smiles softly as he walks through the cordoor. He glanced around towards the flowers, a cold harsh winter somehow quickly turned into a humid summer. Everything seemed to move by so fast. It wasnt that long ago when Liu Xin was sick and bedridden, and it wasnt that long ago when Dong Xian first met the man. Everything seemed to go by in a flash. Dong Xian didnt mind. It made him happy actually. Maybe if time was changing so fast, he'd be able to figure out his thoughts and process everything going on. 

 A sudden loud yelp, and a crash sounded out through the halls. Guards somehow not alerted to the sound however.

 How unprofessional.

 Liu Xin groans softly against the hanfu pressed against his face. Dong Xian cringes as he lifts his face from the wooden ground. 

 Liu Xin gently puts a hand against Dong Xian's chest, the other on the man's hip as he slowly helps him up. Dong Xian was horrified, and he quickly got up, helping the Emperor to his feet. "Your majesty! Forgive this humble on-" His words trail off as he remembers he no longer has to use such words anymore. He sniffs softly, trying to hold back tears. His forehead was bright red from coliding against the ground, the pain took a minute to register, but when it did he couldnt help the tears. It hurt worst then ever. For Dong Xian, pain always hurt more when in a good mood. He could be sadder then a widowed lover and not feel the prick of a needle, but when happy it was like the pain multipled tenfold. "Shhshh, its okay." Liu Xin slowly reatches out, pulling Dong Xian close, craddling his head against his chest. He gently runs his fingers through Dong Xian's tangled hair, trying to sooth the other man. Dong Xian blinks a couple of times, before tightly clutching the back of Liu Xin's hanfu. "I-im sorry." Liu Xin shakes his head, and burries his face into the crown of Dong Xian's head, breathing in his scent. "Its my falt for sitting in the middle of the walkway. Everyone here should be lucky im a forgiving man." Dong Xian just burries his face into Liu Xin's lapels, hoping the soft fabric will sooth his aching head. "W-why were you out here anyways." Dong Xian asks softly. Liu Xin frowns, feeling reluctent to tell the truth, for some dumb reason. "Nothing, nothing you should worry about. Come, return to my bedchamber with me, let me help with your head." Even at theses words, the two were reluctent to pull away from eachother.

 Dong Xian swore he felt his heart skip a beat, but he just tried his best to ignore it.