The Librarian and the Fox Princess: a Donghua Dijun and Bai Fengjiu story, V.I

Chapter 66 - Some Speculation

A/N: The last two chapters particularly hit a chord within me and writing them proved to be emotional experiences. Thank you to all who commented. I really appreciate knowing how it's moved you. The journey continues for our beloved pair as they navigate through some subtle yet significant shifts.

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"Dijun?" she whispered.

Apart from his steady and deep breaths, he had not moved away from her. His eyes were still closed and his forehead rested lightly on hers.

She smiled, taking in the closeness of his face.

"So this is what it feels like to be in a dream with you," he whispered.

She couldn't completely understand what he meant by that, or rather what she thought her subconscious was trying to tell her.

He slowly opened his eyes after taking in a deep breath. He didn't know how long he had stayed connected to her beautiful face. He felt he had been breathing her in for countless moments, yet somehow he knew it would never be enough.

He slowly released her and let his hands caress down the sides of the damp soft skin of her neck. He took his time as he let his hands travel across her small shoulders to slide down her arms and sink into the warm bath soak.

"Tell me little fox. Tell me everything about how it feels."

Her eyes gleamed brightly and she smiled warmly at him. "I found a way to heal myself."

He wrapped his arms around her waist under the water and held back his tears as he returned her warm smile. Her warmth was infectious even to the coldest of hearts.

"You certainly did."

"I can't even believe it happened," she said trying to hold back her own tears. "I feel different. I feel lighter. Like ... my old fur has molted and I'm shedding it so now I have a lighter fur coat. I didn't even know I could feel this way in my immortal form. I feel ... relieved." The last word she spoke was simultaneously an exhale.

The smile left his face as he studied hers. "Are you sad that it wasn't him, that it was just me, Dream Dijun."

She shook her head slowly. She brought her hand to softly caress the side of his face. He leaned into her touch while never taking his eyes off of her.

She smiled again, this time with a relaxed knowing.

"While it would have been wonderful to have made this other reality with him ..."  she smiled and he smiled back at her.

"The fact that all of this happened in my dream means more than I can ever explain or understand. But this I'm certain of. After all the things that have happened, I needed to know I can take care of myself. Healing is an act of self-love and you are my manifestation of that."

Dong Hua immediately dispelled any and all doubts he once held about Dream Dijun's role in her life. It had been complicated for him to navigate but it was what she had needed. He was more than happy to be in the background as a witness to her healing.

"Even though he couldn't be here with me to know that I waited; I know that I did. I will remember it for the both of us because I carry it here," she said as she brought his hand up to her chest. The intimate act of placing his hand over her heart flooded the almighty god with emotion.

He closed his eyes to feel her beating heart for several moments before he pulled her into his embrace. "He knows."

She squeezed her arms up from under the still steaming bath soak to wrap them around his shoulders.