- Chapter Start –

He XiaoFeng looks up at the almost silent footsteps approaching her. Zhan YunFei still looks alert, but there's a notable lag in his steps and a tired slump to his shoulders.

He's exhausted. They all are.

"XiaoFeng, I thought you'd be resting by now." He takes her outstretched hands in his own.

"I can now that you're here," she says, smiling. "You've been so busy coordinating everything and making sure our guests are taken care of."

Zhan YunFei smiles, his tiredness lifting for a moment.

"Well, I will be marrying into this family. Can't have Fang-daren and He-tangzhu having second thoughts about me."

"Oh, they're grateful that you're here, that you've been here with us all this while," she assures him. "Honestly, how did I not realise this before?"

"Realise what?"

"You're known as the Dragon of the Martial Arts world. I'm named after the phoenix. We're meant to be together!"

When his smile turns amused, she finds herself blushing. It had sounded so romantic in her mind, but rather obvious once spoken aloud.

"Right. You've thought of this already."

"I knew we would be husband and wife one day," he says simply.

Oh. It's one of the most romantic things anyone's ever said to her.

"But having a crush on Li-shenyi and then Fairy LiangYi… you must think me so silly."

Shaking his head, Zhan YunFei gives her hands a squeeze.

"You're a talented cultivator, but your heart is too soft." He gives her a mock frown. "But please, no other man – or woman – from now on."

He XiaoFeng can't help laughing a little even though her face feels like it's on fire.

"Don't forget that Fairy LiangYi disguised herself as a man and fooled everyone, even you! But from now on, you're the only man for me," she promises and yawns, hastily pulling a hand free to cover her mouth. "I'm about to fall asleep standing up. Let's go inside."

He glances at the door and back at her.

"Together? We're not married yet."

She blinks sleepily at him.

"We're engaged."

"I know, but-"

"YunFei, you've stayed on my rooftop for the past ten years, watching over me and keeping me safe. It's time to come in."

He beams at that and even presses a quick kiss to her lips. Unfortunately, once they're inside and sitting on the bed, it appears he doesn't plan to do anything… more. Not that she expects him to, of course. They're not married yet! It's just that… well…

Zhan YunFei removes his boots and sets them neatly to one side before turning to her, sitting so primly with her hands in her lap and her face tipped up, eyes half closed.

"Go on, lie down," he says and helps her to do so, even tucking her under the covers. Then he lies down beside her… on top of said covers.

Sticking out her lower lip, she searches for his hand and nudges it. When he turns to face her and takes her hand in his, she smiles at him and closes her eyes.

- o -

"I gave you fair warning," Di FeiSheng says quickly. "I said I was going to bathe and eat first, and if you're still not awake by then, I would give you a sponge bath."

"I didn't hear a word of any of that," Li LianHua protests at once.

"Well then," Di FeiSheng leans in closer. "Now that you have, which do you prefer – a proper bath or a wipe down?"

Li LianHua stares at him blankly. His body is aching and hypersensitive from the invasive detoxification earlier while his mind is clouded with exhaustion and on the verge of shutting down.

All he knows is that choosing either option will grant Di FeiSheng the opportunity to see him naked. He doesn't really mind, not after all they've been through and not after what they're going to be.

It's just that a couple of days ago, there wasn't even a cure in sight. Now, he's healed and has a future again. A life to look forward to and savour, not alone in Lotus Tower with only Hulijing for company, but with a significant someone by his side.

It's just a little overwhelming to take in all at once.

"Does choosing between a tub and a sponge require this much thinking?" Di FeiSheng asks with a quizzical half smile.

Li LianHua huffs and shakes his head, wincing as it threatens to start a headache.

"Bath," he decides with a sudden longing for the sluicing action of water against his skin rather than a simple wipe down.

"Right."

Before he can do more than blink, he's lifted from the bed and cradled against Di FeiSheng's chest with no visible effort.

"Just – just help me to the tub, I can manage the rest." He tries not to cringe at his hasty return to shyness.

"I doubt you can manage anything." Di FeiSheng carries him across the room and around the screen. "I've already used the bathwater. I'll get someone to change-"

"No. No, it's fine." Li LianHua has bathed in far dirtier water before and knows he'll change his mind if he has to wait even a minute longer. "Just put me in."

Di FeiSheng gives him a look.

"Without removing your clothes?"

Li LianHua nods, studiously avoiding his gaze.

"How will you bathe like this?"

Li LianHua glares at him – obtuse man!

"You and I aren't strangers," Di FeiSheng points out, now starting to look perplexed.

"I know."

A heavy pause in which Li LianHua tries not to bite his lip.

"Would you rather I call someone else? A male servant?"

Li LianHua can hear the pout in that voice even if he can't see it. The thought of Di FeiSheng being annoyed or disappointed that he might prefer to seek assistance from someone else is… ahh, it's cute.

Li LianHua decides he can be benevolent in this matter.

"A-Fei," he grumbles with a deliberate frown. "You must know I'm not in the greatest shape by now."

He regrets it when the bright gleam returns to Di FeiSheng's eyes along with a smile that's almost blinding. Li LianHua drops his gaze again and wrinkles his nose at his bloodstained fingers.

"Can you stand?"

When he nods, Di FeiSheng lowers him to his feet.

"Hold onto me."

From one second to the next, his unbelted inner robe and trousers are whisked off and dropped on the floor, leaving him clinging to Di FeiSheng's shoulders and covered in nothing more than a rash of goose bumps. It's augmented with a hot blush when Di FeiSheng takes a good, long look at his naked body.

Evil, evil man.

"Stop staring and help me inside the tub!"

- o -

The bathwater isn't hot anymore. Di FeiSheng adds another bucket which helps to warm it up a bit as well as ensure that it comes up to Li LianHua's armpits when he leans back against the side.

"Anyone would avert their gaze," Li LianHua mutters just for the sake of complaining. He didn't really expect Di FeiSheng to.

"They might if they're not interested in you."

Li LianHua peers up at him through his eyelashes.

"And you are, Di-mengzhu?"

"Very much so," Di FeiSheng says solemnly, with no attempt at pretence or ignoring the question.

It's not the right time to initiate such a conversation, of course, soaking in tepid water and so tired he can barely sit up straight. Li LianHua knows this, but nothing can keep him from continuing it for as long as Di FeiSheng indulges him.

After two separate almost-confessions, one interrupted by Fang DuoBing to announce Yang YunChun and Princess ZhaoLing's arrival, and the other by Li LianHua bleeding from his qiqiao, having a confirmation would be nice.

"In what way?" Li LianHua asks.

Di FeiSheng blinks in surprise or maybe disconcertment.

"You can't say you don't know about this. About us."

Li LianHua meets his gaze squarely.

"Of course I know."

"And you feel the same way?" Di FeiSheng isn't one to miss an opportunity.

"And what way is that, Lao Di?" Li LianHua isn't one to answer first, not if he can help it. His heartrate picks up, turning his breath shallow.

Di FeiSheng's sharp cheekbones turn a faint pink. He doesn't look away even though he has a white knuckled grip on the edge of the tub.

"Do you remember what I told you after we came back here with the Styx Flowers? I don't want a life without you in it."

"Neither do I." Li LianHua's heart is beating so fast it's almost painful.

They stare at each other, waiting, wanting…

It's Di FeiSheng who breaks first, pulling Li LianHua into his arms with a groan, heedless of his sleeves getting soaked in the water.

"Di-mengzhu!"

"A-Fei."

"A-Fei, what're you-"

"I love you."

Li LianHua exhales against Di FeiSheng's shoulder; surprised, relieved and happy.

"Now isn't the time for such sweet nothings," he mumbles.

"You asked."

"So I did." Li LianHua pulls back, just in time to see the flash of uncertainty in Di FeiSheng's eyes. "I love you too."

Di FeiSheng breathes out in turn, eyes briefly closing, before he glares at Li LianHua.

"You were determined to make me say it first."

Li LianHua doesn't bother holding back his smile.

"I wasn't sure if you… meant…" A yawn catches him unawares.

"Right. The water's getting cold," Di FeiSheng says. "I'll wash you up and leave your hair for tomorrow."

Li LianHua nods. Exhaustion is sweeping over him like a tidal wave, trying to drag him under.

Di FeiSheng makes good on his promise, twisting Li LianHua's damp hair into a bun on top of his head and securing it with one of his lotus hairpins. Then he dunks a clean washcloth in the soapy water and –

Oh, he's thorough and he doesn't miss a spot.

Being also ticklish behind his knees and between his toes, Li LianHua blushes, squirms and blushes some more when that washcloth eventually finds its way between his thighs. Then he's helped to his feet, rinsed clean and enveloped in a large, fluffy towel.

"Bed," he mumbles between two more yawns. "Sleep first, eat later."

"Bed," Di FeiSheng agrees and sweeps him into his arms again.

Li LianHua rests his head against his shoulder and falls asleep before they even reach the bed.

- Chapter End -

daren = respecful title for superior
mengzhu = alliance leader
qiqiao = the seven apertures of the head (eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth)
shenyi = doctor
tangzhu - hall master