Author Notes: Hello again and enjoy this next chapter :)

- Chapter Start -

Despite his anguish, the dreams that invaded ZiShu's sleep were recollections of happier times with Wen KeXing. The two of them sparring among the cherry trees at the Mirror Lake Sect grounds, on the boats at the lake, even the brief tussle at the abandoned temple with Gu Xiang and ChengLing looking on.

In hindsight, they weren't so much sparring as flirting, something Wen KeXing must have already known at that time even if ZiShu hadn't. Smiling in his sleep, ZiShu let his dreams turn to the many times they had shared smiles and laughter and wine; traded banter, quips and more wine, sometimes from the same flask. He dreamed of the times they argued over disciplining ChengLing and discussed A-Xiang's future, the times they tentatively voiced the possibility of sharing a quiet future together once everything was settled.

Sharing.

ZiShu went from asleep to awake in a heartbeat, mind lucid, and eyes springing open.

Wait.

Why did it have to be this way?

Why did it have to be all or nothing?

Why couldn't it be... shared?

The best things he had found in life were shared! Smiles. Laughter. Wine. Food. Taking care of sassy younger sisters and sweet orphaned disciples!

"That's it," ZiShu breathed.

Looking at the silver hair so close to him, he pressed his lips to the silky tresses and carefully turned Wen KeXing onto his back, ignoring the tiny sound of protest and shiver, one hand reaching for him.

"I know you're cold, Lao Wen," ZiShu said softly. "Just bear with me for a bit. I want to try something."

The newfound knowledge he had gained was prodding at him, prompting him to see on a much deeper level. Sitting up, he pulled his legs in to sit cross legged and closed his eyes. He took a deep, grounding breath and focused his thoughts, picturing very clearly in his mind's eye what he wanted to see.

When he opened his eyes, there it was - the spiritual pathways inside Wen KeXing's body, now visible through his skin and the layers of robes he wore. A network of golden lines that stretched everywhere, branching up his neck and down into his arms and legs. Wherever they intersected was a slightly brighter spot which marked his meridian points, and all the lines were connected to the central core in his dantian.

Wen KeXing's pathways were faint, as was his core. His meridian points were flickering. Burned out. Fading.

The sight made ZiShu's chest contract and his eyes burn. Driving the nails into his own meridians had felt like pressing hot coals into his flesh.

How much had Wen KeXing suffered, using his own body like a furnace and burning his energy reserves to heal his soulmate?

"Lao Wen," ZiShu whispered, humbled anew. He curled his hands into shaking fists, chest heaving.

Why did - how could Wen KeXing-

No.

He knew why and how because he would have done the exact same thing. He had expelled all seven nails from his body for the sole purpose of seeking revenge when he believed Wen KeXing had died.

He still wished Wen KeXing had told him of his plan beforehand, but if their roles were reversed, ZiShu couldn't say with absolute certainty that he wouldn't have done the same. He would have withheld information from Wen KeXing if it meant not letting him worry or not giving him the chance to stop him from executing his plan.

Even after all they had been through, they still had issues opening up to each other and trusting each other. Not physically as in a fight, but emotionally.

Lips turning down, ZiShu looked at his arms and saw his own spiritual pathways glowing bright and strong. He was healed, he could feel it. His core was brimming with energy and life. Right this minute, he wanted nothing more than to pour it all into Wen KeXing to heal him in turn, to see him energetic and radiant once more.

But first, Wen KeXing needed rest so he could take in his qi. They still had some time. Lying down again, ZiShu gathered his shivering soulmate into his arms.

"Sleep now, Lao Wen. When we wake up, I'm going to heal you. I promise."

- o -

When ZiShu next opened his eyes, the skylight above him was alight with the soft gold of a sunrise over snow. He was lying on his back and Wen KeXing was lying beside him, chin propped on one hand and gazing down at him with soft eyes.

"A-Xu, you're awake."

"Lao Wen. How're you feeling?"

Wen KeXing's gaze fell in what looked like an unexpected bout of shyness - really? - which made ZiShu sit up at once, reaching out to hold the other's chin.

"What's this? Regretting your heroic act now?" ZiShu couldn't resist asking in amusement.

Wen KeXing's gaze snapped up at once.

"No. Never. Just that..."

Despite the firm grip on his chin, he wrenched his head away, but not before ZiShu caught a glimpse of something so soft, so unguarded he had to see it again. He exerted enough strength, not quite hard enough to bruise, but enough that Wen KeXing faced him again, eyes still downcast.

It reminded ZiShu of the time Ye BaiYi had dealt them both a humiliating defeat without trying too hard. After he left, Wen KeXing had avoided looking at ZiShu, dreading his reaction to learning who he really was.

"I don't believe this," ZiShu said. "You've been sticking to me all this while, proclaiming we're soulmates, coming to my rescue time and again, burning your body to save mine, so why..."

Wen KeXing jerked his chin from his grasp and twisted away again.

"You can't possibly be shy about this. About us," ZiShu continued, watching him like a hawk. "About loving me enough to die for me."

Wen KeXing dipped his head, a swathe of silver hair falling forward to act like a shield, but ZiShu knew he was still being peeked at. It blew away the growing exasperation he felt, and made something giddy and ticklish bubble up inside him. He let it out in a shaky laugh.

Was it because Wen KeXing was weakened now and felt vulnerable?

"Who'd have thought," ZiShu said lightly, placing a hand on the shoulder nearest to him- so stiff and tense - and kneading it with care. "The formidable ex-chief of the Ghost Valley in love with little old me, hmm?"

When Wen KeXing's whole body stiffened, ZiShu fought down a grin.

"You said you're my zhiji," he reminded, now grasping that shoulder and purposefully turning it towards him. "You know I'm yours too, don't you?"

Dark eyes flashed up to his.

"I know. Just that-"

"I love you." The words came out of nowhere, slipping past ZiShu's lips before he knew what he had said. But now that he had... he cupped that precious face between his hands, feeling the cool skin against his warm palms.

"I've been wanting to say that," he admitted. "I love you, Lao Wen."

Wen KeXing's eyes gleamed with unshed tears. He nodded.

"Love you, A-Xu," he said. "Love you more than I should. Than I dare to. Than I can say."

ZiShu gave another shaky laugh. It just made Wen KeXing more bashful than ever.

Why hadn't he realised this before?

That Wen KeXing had no qualms flirting with him openly and brazenly, even in public, but when push came to shove, he retreated like a tortoise into its shell. In fact, the few times they had embraced, it was ZiShu who had initiated it.

Their first hug was in the cave at Longyuan Pavilion. Wen KeXing allowed it and then pulled away, his world shattered with the revelations from Uncle Long.

Their second hug was around that vicinity. Again, Wen KeXing allowed it before pulling away, unable or unwilling to face his past.

Their third hug was at Four Seasons Manor. ZiShu couldn't help himself after Wen KeXing promised to restore the treasured painting of eighty one blossoms. Wen KeXing returned the hug that time, and ChengLing had joined in.

Still framing Wen KeXing's face with his hands, ZiShu rose onto his knees and leaned in to touch their foreheads together before pulling back.

"There we go," he said with a smile. "Was that so difficult to say?"

Wen KeXing blushed. He. Actually. Blushed.

"Someone like me," he began, lifting his hands in turn to clutch the front of ZiShu's robes. "How could someone like me deserve someone as beautiful and honourable and upright as you?"

It wasn't the first time he had said such boldfaced lies to ZiShu's face.

It was the first time ZiShu laughed at him for it, hands dropping from Wen KeXing's shoulders to his own lap, dislodging Wen KeXing's hands along the way, and paying no mind to the storm brewing on his zhiji's face.

"Are you describing a maiden or the ex-leader of the Window of Heaven?" He gasped out.

"Zhou ZiShu!"

"Ahaha... ah, sorry, Lao Wen," ZiShu sobered up. "You are worthier than you think. I sound like a sentimental fool, but I mean it."

He leaned in again, this time touching their lips together. Wen KeXing didn't move save to utter a very soft 'Oh' when their lips parted. ZiShu drew back and eyed him in concern.

"Are you mad because I laughed?"

Wen KeXing shook his head.

ZiShu stared at him.

"I imagine you'd have kissed quite a few persons by now," he said slowly. "Ghosts and humans."

Wen KeXing shook his head.

"No?" ZiShu breathed.

"A kiss involves trust," Wen KeXing said simply.

"And you never trusted anyone," ZiShu finished for him. "Except for A-Xiang who's like a younger sister to you."

Wen KeXing nodded. ZiShu raised his eyebrows.

"Does that mean...?"

"Yes," Wen KeXing said before half turning aside.

ZiShu gulped, thought of making a confession of his own and then decided he wasn't as courageous as his zhiji in this matter.

"Well then, Lao Wen, may I kiss you again?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

He was given a quick glance over a swathe of silver hair before Wen KeXing turned back to him again with a small smile.

"My A-Xu of all people needn't ask."

"Good." ZiShu smiled back. "Because that's the first and last time I will ask."

He kissed him again. With his senses restored, he could smell as well as he could feel and taste. Wen KeXing was exquisite and ZiShu told him so in between light touches of their lips.

"You smell good."

A kiss.

"Your hair smells good too."

Another kiss.

"Your lips are so soft."

Another kiss, this time open mouthed.

"You taste like plum wine."

Wen KeXing just made a series of tiny sounds. Whether they were in protest at his soulmate's horrible attempts at prose or in agreement with them all, ZiShu didn't know nor care to know.

All he knew was that he would never tire of the simple act of kissing this man.

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment if you enjoyed it :)