[Huo Lian]
I bit his ear, a playful punishment, and he shivers in my lap but makes no effort to escape. His warmth is soothing, and his skin beneath my lips is a gentle reminder of his presence.
"Doofus, you need to learn to have more common sense," I chide, a smile playing on my lips.
He laughs softly and nods. I resume caressing his head, feeling the coarse strands of his hair between my fingers. "Sleep more, you must be still tired from that fight."
He nods again, his eyes fluttering closed, and sinks into my lap. Usually he falls asleep immediately once in bed. I curl up around him even more, embracing him with my entire being. His steady breathing lulls me into a deep slumber.
[Zhen Jian]
This is the first time in my life that I am having trouble sleeping. The fear that this is a dream and I will wake up from it haunts me. I stop my trailing thoughts and feel Lian's sweet embrace. Her presence is the only cure to my restless mind.
I open my eyes to darkness, but it's a comforting darkness, one that promises rest and safety. I feel her body curled around my head, her soft breath tickling my skin. I slowly move one hand under her knees and support her back with the other, lifting her gently without disturbing her slumber. I place her as gently as possible on top of myself, straightening her legs and resting her head on my chest.
I sigh contentedly. This is too comfortable. Her warmth, her weight, the steady rhythm of her breathing – it's all too perfect. I can't help myself from falling asleep.
[Huo Lian]
I apparently move a lot in my sleep. Hours pass before I am awoken by the movement beneath me. I don't exactly know how, but I ended up lying on top of him with my head on his chest. His hold on my back is tight, even in his sleep he is worried about me falling.
I look at my own hands, which at some point made their way around his neck, fingers interlaced and locked as if they would never let go. I nod to myself, knowing I would end up doing that even in my sleep. I look up at him, still asleep, and feel a pang of confusion about my next course of action. I need to get up, but I really don't want to.
I end up staring at his face, tracing the lines of his jaw, the curve of his lips, the way his eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. Oh no, wait, I have to clean up the kitchen.
[Zhen Jian]
Finally awake again, I look down and cannot find Lian. I hear noises from the kitchen. Standing up I was about to make my way to the kitchen, but then I remember her warning and stop my feet. She said not to go to the kitchen.
I call out to her, still not used to calling her by her name, "Lian, good morning. Can I come to you?"
The movements in the kitchen stop. She comes back, looking a bit tired, but her presence fills me with warmth. I can't help but ask, "Want to sit down?"
She smiles, and asks me, "Raise your hands in the air". I do as I'm told. And I am instantly rewarded when she embraces me tightly. "Thank you for listening to me. I know your instincts told you to immediately run to the kitchen."
I return her embrace and say, "Of course, I will listen to you."
[Huo Lian]
"Even if I ask something unreasonable?" I don't know why I asked this, but I needed to be sure for the future I see ahead. My hands around him tighten even more.
He laughs and says, "Yes, even if it is unreasonable. Though I doubt anything you ask can be that unreasonable to me."
"Why?" The question slips out. I didn't want to doubt him, but my own insecurity makes itself known. This Huo Lian, who never needed anything but a sword to make her demands, is utterly helpless in front of this man.
He laughs heartily, shaking meihis arms. His voice is clear and soft as if trying to carve the words into my soul, "Because I love you."
Dammit, he won. I am utterly defeated by this man. I revel in his words and in his embrace. If my whole life's hardship has allowed me to come here, I don't mind going through them a couple dozen more times. "Good." A tear escapes, and I try to hide it from him. By trying to leave, but then I notice he hasn't let go.
[Zhen Jian]
"Sorry, Lian, but you need to say it before I let you go."
I can't believe how embarrassed I am, but I want to hear her say it again. Preferably many times in the future, but right now, after waking up, I want to hear it again.
She chuckles, grabbing my right ear and bringing it closer to her mouth. I thought she would say it, but instead, she kisses my ear, making me shiver. She kisses three times. If she kisses my ear again, I think I will lose all my strength and fall down.
"I love you, now more than a second ago. And I will love you even more tomorrow."
I turn into a statue.