𝐀 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝐇𝐒𝐑 | 𝐉𝐢𝐚𝐨𝐪𝐢𝐮

8 ~ Stricken

"Get the operating room ready!"

"Stop it from bleeding!"

"We're losing it!"

~ 1 week ago

"Beneath your gaze, the moonlight stays. In your grace, the sun's warm rays." Jiaoqiu recited a poem he thought of, each flowery word representing me.

Flowers bloomed perfectly, considering the sun out reflecting the colors making it vibrant. Arms around his own, guiding him for a stroll in the lotus filled lakeside of Rainsoar Lake. The yellow floating heart foliage basked in the heat, as blossoms decorated the calm lake as fishes leaped out of the water from time to time. I find myself staring at him again, watching those closed eyes wishing he'd open them and so I could admire his own golden hues in both morning and night. My tail wagging, finding excitement over such a simple thing, makes my stomach feel fuzzy inside listening to him.

"Are there any more poems you have in mind?" I asked, looking at him as he gently moved his fan to create a subtle air on his face.

He gave me a soft chuckle, "When I'm around you, I can't help but want to express 'us' with words similar to what my senses could perceive in the environment, and what else my mind could remember of everything delightful in the world." He stopped walking, hovering the fan over his face like he was trying to hide his red tints.

"By I mean delightful in the world, points to you, my sweetest."

I felt my cheeks burn, his words lacing through me like threads of silk, tying my heart to his. Jiaoqiu always had a way with words, and no matter how many times he spoke like this, it never failed to make me flustered. The subtle flutter of his fan only added to his charm, as if he were shielding the vulnerability he so openly shared.

"Sweetest?" I teased, trying to mask my own shyness with a laugh. "You make it sound as if I've been dipped in honey."

Jiaoqiu tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a soft smile. "Perhaps you have. Sweetness like yours doesn't come from mere happenstance. It must be nurtured, cultivated. Maybe the universe itself worked a little harder on you."

I was silent for a moment, stunned by the sincerity in his voice. The golden light reflected off the lotus-studded lake, and I noticed how peaceful he looked, how serene. His blindness never seemed like a limitation; instead, it felt as though he saw the world in ways no one else could. I reached out, placing my hand over his, feeling the warmth of his skin. His fingers tightened slightly around mine, and I could sense his quiet relief in the gesture.

"Well then," I managed to say, trying to regain some composure, "Perhaps I should come up with a poem of my own."

Jiaoqiu's laugh was light and airy, like the breeze teasing the lotus petals. "Oh? I'd be delighted to lend an ear."

I stepped closer to him, my arm brushing his gently. The contact sent another wave of warmth through me. "Let me think for a moment..."

He waited patiently, the fan moving slowly in his hand, as though creating a rhythm for my thoughts. My tail swayed in time with the beats, and I closed my eyes briefly, letting the sounds of the lake and the scent of the blossoms guide me.

Finally, I opened my eyes and smiled at him, even though I knew he wouldn't see it. "Here goes," I said softly.

"By your side, the world finds peace. In your voice, all worries cease. Though eyes are closed, you light my skies. With you, my love, the heart never lies."

I finished with a nervous laugh, unsure if my impromptu poem held any merit compared to his beautiful verses.

Jiaoqiu stood still for a moment, then gave me a cute little smile as I gazed in adoration, he was so genuine and full of joy that it made my knees weak. "You surprise me indeed, my sweetest," he said, his voice low and filled with something I couldn't quite name but knew I'd cherish forever.