Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! I've been receiving many, many PMs asking me to collab on paid artwork. I am not interested so please do not ask me. Enjoy this chapter :)

- Chapter Start –

At the Demon Hunting Bureau…

Zhao Yuanzhou found himself quite alone in the main hall. Pei Sijing & Pei Siheng were carrying Fan Ying to his room with Wen Xiao leading the way. Zhao Yuanzhou was still exhausted from breaking Wen Zongyu's barrier earlier using his demonic energy together with Zhuo Yichen & Li Lun's. Sadly, there was no time to rest and recuperate, only more issues to solve.

Saving the people of Tiandu from turning into demons.

Stabilising Fan Ying since he was already a demon.

Removing Wen Zongyu's poison from Wen Xiao before her heart failed. His own heart gave a pang at that.

Finding a safe place to store – or plant – Li Lun's twig. His heart gave another squeeze.

And why were Zhuo Yichen and Bai Jiu not here yet?

Zhao Yuanzhou whirled around when someone pushed open the heavy door.

"Situ-daren. Bai-daren," he greeted in surprise. "Why are you two here?"

"Zhao Yuanzhou, where is everyone?" Situ Ming looked around. "Where is Xiao Jiu?"

"I felt a terrible burning sensation on my skin earlier so we rushed over here," Bai Yan said. "My Xiao Jiu could be in danger. Where is he?"

Looking into those ancient, worried eyes, Zhao Yuanzhou felt his stomach tighten.

"He's at Chongwu camp," he said, projecting a calm he didn't feel. "Xiao Zhuo has gone to look for him."

"Why is he-" Situ Ming broke off as streams of golden light appeared at the other end of the hall. When it dissipated, Zhuo Yichen stood there with Bai Jiu on his back and Ying Lei beside them. Ying Lei had one hand on Bai Jiu's shoulder and the other holding up an artefact that looked similar to the Shanhaiportal.

"We're back!" He announced with a grin.

Zhao Yuanzhou barely heard him. He was staring in shock at Zhuo Yichen's tearstained face and red-rimmed eyes, and at Bai Jiu's burned arms, white face and closed eyes. His stomach dropped to the floor and a buzzing noise started in his ears. All he could think of was him, Zhuo Yichen and even Li Lun shouting at Bai Jiu to get away as they braced themselves for Wen Zongyu's fiery attack.

"Xiao Jiu." Situ Ming and Bai Yan hurried over to the trio. "Xiao Jiu!"

Bai Jiu stirred and opened his eyes. He lifted his head from Zhuo Yichen's shoulder.

"Niang? Die?"

Oh. He wasalive.

Zhao Yuanzhou's legs gave out from under him and he fell to his knees, not even feeling their impact with the stone floor. Ying Lei was saying something about his Mountain God power numbing Bai Jiu's pain and how he had found another teleportation artefact among his grandfather's belongings, but all Zhao Yuanzhou could focus on was Situ Ming cradling his son in his arms while Bai Yan aimed spiritual energy at his burns.

Then something dark blocked his sight with a rustle of silk.

"Zhao Yuanzhou?"

Zhao Yuanzhou blinked to see Zhuo Yichen crouched before him, smiling through his tears.

"Xiao Jiu is alive. The burns are from Wen Zongyu's barrier – Ying Lei said it had a fire element - but he'll be alright. He succeeded in destroying the Ever-burning ashes."

Zhao Yuanzhou took in the stark relief in Zhuo Yichen's reddened eyes, the same relief he knew was mirrored in his own. He gave a tremulous smile which Zhuo Yichen returned. When Zhuo Yichen once again offered his hand to pull him up, he accepted just as Wen Xiao, Pei Sijing and Pei Siheng returned.

For the next few moments, Zhao Yuanzhou soaked in the happy reunion and committed to memory the tearful smiles on everyone's faces. How he wished he could stay with his found family forever, safe and sound and happy, but there was a different fate awaiting him. Steeling himself, he turned to Zhuo Yichen who was already looking at him and mutely shaking his head.

"Xiao Zhuo-"

"No." Zhuo Yichen's voice cracked. "I know what you're going to say. Don't."

"It's time," Zhao Yuanzhou spoke quietly, not wanting the happy group at the other end of the hall to overhear them. "It's time to fulfil the vow you made when we first met."

"Zhao Yuanzhou. Please."

"The people of Tiandu need you. There's no time to waste if you want to save them."

Grabbing Zhuo Yichen's arm, Zhao Yuanzhou activated the Shanhai portal behind his back, but he couldn't hide the streams of golden light surrounding them. The last thing he heard were the voices of his loved ones, Wen Xiao's in particular, shouting their names.

- o –

They appeared in the front garden of Peach Blossom House.

"We're at your home," Zhuo Yichen stated after looking around.

"Yes. The barriers are still down from… before." Zhao Yuanzhou gave a wry smile. "Animals just want a safe place to sleep, but humans long for a home to return to. For me, it should be the Wilderness, shouldn't it?"

"Except that you have always behaved more like a human than a demon," Zhuo Yichen replied, voice trembling. "Li Lun said that too. More than once."

"Ah. Speaking of him," Zhao Yuanzhou reached in his robes and brought out the black and gold twig. He held it out in a hand that wasn't quite steady. "Will you take care of this for me?"

He had made Zhuo Yichen promise to save Li Lun that time. It wasn't fair to ask him a second time. Zhuo Yichen frowned down at it and then his gaze snapped up, eyes widening.

"Wait. Part of his soul survived?"

The flare of hope in his eyes – wholly unexpected yet genuine - reassured Zhao Yuanzhou more than a promise would.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid this time," Zhuo Yichen gave it anyway and took the stick which gave a sudden spark. "Ow. Stop that."

"Xiao Zhuo is right, Li Lun," Zhao Yuanzhou said. "You're in a very fragile state now so be good, hmm?"

Zhuo Yichen wrapped the stick carefully in a blue silk handkerchief and tucked it inside his robes. When he looked back up, his eyes were wet again.

"Zhao Yuanzhou, there must be-"

"There isn't and you know it. Only with my death will all the malicious energy be released and converted into healing rain by the Baize Token."

"But-"

"The rain will cure the people of Tiandu, stabilise Fan-daren's condition, and remove the poison from Wen Xiao."

"But she's not here now," Zhuo Yichen looked so desperate, like he was grasping at straws.

"She doesn't need to be. We're still in Tiandu. She will know what to do."

Zhuo Yichen exhaled at that, a soft, broken sound of defeat. He closed his eyes, but a tear slipped down his cheek and then another. Zhao Yuanzhou reached out to clasp his shoulder, feeling his heart twist inside him.

Ah, Xiao Zhuo, your heart is still too soft.

"The rain. Will it also cure a broken heart?" Zhuo Yichen's voice was a mere thread of sound.

"Wen Xiao's?"

Zhuo Yichen's eyes opened, eyelashes spiky with tears.

"Not just hers."

Oh.

Oh.

Zhao Yuanzhou gulped, hand tightening on Zhuo Yichen's shoulder before sliding inward to cup a flushed, tear stained cheek. He whisked away the wetness with a gentle thumb. It almost felt like betrayal for Zhuo Yichen to look at him this way, with eyes so wounded and unguarded, and for Zhao Yuanzhou to drink it all in, knowing that they both loved Wen Xiao.

"Ours. I meant all our hearts!" Yet even at such a moment, Zhuo Yichen still chose to glare at him, daring him to refute this.

Zhao Yuanzhou had to chuckle a little, a shaky wet sound. Perhaps denial was best since there was nothing they could do about it.

"Of course," he agreed and let his hand drop. He took two steps back. "Well, let's not waste any more time."

"I will see you again," Zhuo Yichen said suddenly.

Zhao Yuanzhou's eyebrows rose at that, but before he could say anything, Zhuo Yichen drew the Cloud Light Sword and plunged it into his heart.

- Chapter End -

A/N: Thank you for reading! *points to tags* Please don't kill me, I swear I have a plan to fix this!

daren = a title of respect for superiors or an adult
die = father (informal)
niang = mother (informal)