Past

At first, the boys run around the room, and then the whole palace becomes their playground as they chase each other. Not even the King's council room spared.

Though YiJun still insists on sending Xian back home before sunset, things once again revert to how they were two years ago, before YiJun had started distancing himself from Xian. The palace starts buzzing with happiness as the Prince laughs and smiles once again.

'It's all because of Xian.' Everyone knows it.

Another year passes, during which Xian starts working more closely with the royal physician and starts attending council meetings with YiJun as ordered by the King.

On the evening of Xian's sixteenth birthday, the boys take permission from their tutors to skip the evening classes. They had heard about a new travelling market that had come to their kingdom for a limited time, and both of them were curious to visit it.

When YiJun had asked what Xian wanted as his birthday gift, the younger boy had suggested that they visit the market. So, as the evening draws closer, the two of them leave the palace and head to the evening market.

As they stroll down the busy streets, Xian points at various things and goes to observe them closely while Jun follows close behind.

Xian seems happy looking at the multitude of items on display.

"Xian, does nothing catch your eye?" YiJun asks when they have toured almost the entire market.

"I already have what I need. These things are all beautiful, but nothing matches you. If you are with me, why would I need anything else?" Xian says, looking at a hair ornament before putting it back and thanking the owner of the stall.

YiJun gets stunned once again at the meaning behind such deep words, so casually spoken, 'How can he just say such things?'

When Xian notices that YiJun is not next to him, he turns and returns to YiJun, "Jun, what do you want to do next?"

YiJun looks at the sky and notices that the light will be gone soon. He holds Xian's hand and starts running. When the boys arrive at the beach, it's a little chilly. Xian lets go of YiJun's hand and runs towards the water.

"Jun, come! The water's warm!" he calls, and YiJun joins him.

"Jun, do you know why it's cold outside, yet the water is warm?" Xian questions. YiJun knows the reason, but he also loves to hear Xian talk, "I know, but why don't you tell me what you think? I will tell you if you are right." YiJun encourages.

"When the sun rays fall on the water, the water welcomes it into its heart and then keeps it safe so that when the fishes feel cold, it can release the rays back. The water becomes warm again, and fish become happy."

YiJun blinks several times. Xian tilts his head cutely. His face falls a little, "Jun, is that not why the water is warm? Am I stupid?"

YiJun can't take it anymore. He hugs the younger boy tight. "You are not wrong, nor are you stupid. Don't ever change."

"Jun... Ouch! You are squishing me again! Let go!"

YiJun lets go reluctantly, "Sorry."

Xian doesn't hear Jun. His eyes fall on an object lying half-buried under the sand. He runs to it and picks it up before the waves can carry it away.

It's an oyster shell.

YiJun looks at the setting sun that is bathing the sky in beautiful shades of red and peach. Xian waves the shell in the air gesturing YiJun to come and have a look. With YiJun by his side, he tries to open it, but instead, cuts his finger on its sharp edges. He winces, and the shell slips through his fingers.

"Xian!" YiJun exclaims and immediately puts Xian bleeding finger in his mouth and sucks.

"Aa. Aaa! Jun, please be gentle. It hurts." Xian winces again.

YiJun removes the finger from his mouth and sways on the spot.

"Jun, what's wrong?" Xian supports him with one hand and picks up the shell with the other, pocketing it. Xian helps him walk towards the nearest boulder and makes him sit on it, "What happened, Jun? Please say something." When YiJun keeps looking down without speaking, he panics, "Stay right here. I will go get help." But before Xian can move, YiJun holds his wrist and pulls him on his lap.

Xian yelps, "Jun! It is not funny! You scared me." YiJun finally looks up. His eyes are glowing red. Instead of getting scared, however, Xian cups YiJun's face within his palms, "Jun, what happened? Do your eyes hurt?"

YiJun buries his face in Xian's neck and breaths him in before nuzzling into the younger boy's neck. Xian winces.

The wound that Xian had received almost a year ago curiously hadn't healed. That was something that had worried the old physician immensely. But since it had not gotten worse either, they had decided to treat the injury as a skin wound and dress it afresh everyday.

YiJun looks at the bandaged wound on Xian's neck and removes it roughly, exposing the wound to cool evening air.

"Ahhhhh... Jun! That hurt," the younger boy winces again, but before he can say or do anything, he feels YiJun's tongue on his wound.

Xian starts feeling cold and pulls YiJun closer, and at once, YiJun starts licking and kissing the wound repeatedly, making shivers run down Xian's spine; Xian's breaths become heavy.

YiJun finally stops licking Xian's wound and looks up. His eyes are not red anymore, but they hold a dazed look when he looks at Xian, "Does it still hurt a lot?" he asks, and their eyes meet.

A possessive look crosses Xian's usually calm face, "Mine!" he says loud and clear, before cupping YiJun's face and kissing it all over. Meanwhile, YiJun holds the younger boy closer and lets him do what he wants.

Minutes pass, and Xian finally stops. He looks into YiJun's eyes, confused, "Jun, what just happened?"

YiJun reluctantly breaks the embrace and dresses the wound as best as he can while Xian remains still and lets YiJun do what needs done.

YiJun's face flushes, "I am sorry for taking off the bandage and.... and..."

Xian leans towards YiJun and asks in a low voice, "Jun, my wound doesn't hurt anymore. Why?"

YiJun doesn't know what to say. He has no idea why he did what he did. He doesn't understand the need to hold Xian close. And he doesn't know why Xian's wound doesn't hurt anymore.

"I don't know."

Xian looks down and bites his lips feeling uncertain, "Jun...I... I.."

YiJun gets worried, 'Did I scare him?'

"Xian, if you want me to leave... "

"No. You can't. Jun, I want to go back. I want to hold you and sleep."

Present

"Mine."

YiJun is too far gone to hear the word so clearly spoken. He continues to mouth at the sleeping boy's clothed member. He feels Xian's fingers tug at his hair, and he lifts his head to look at the moaning boy. He moves up once more and kisses Xian's lips. The sleeping boy responds by opening his mouth and accepting the tongue that begs entrance into his mouth. 'Xian...Xian... Xian.'

YiJun's hand once again moves between their bodies and unzips Xian's pants. His hand moves to the elastic band holding Xian's underwear, and he hooks his finger in it. He is about to pull Xian's underwear off when he hears someone knocking the door. He closes his eyes and concentrates on the sound."YiJun, I know you can hear me."

"Uncle!" YiJun's mind clears up, and he looks at the sight in front of him, 'What was I thinking of doing!?' He stumbles back and falls off the bed. "Open the door right now!"

YiJun's face reddens at what he had intended to do. He feels embarrassed and guilty. He fixes Xian's pants and zips himself up before making his way down the stairs and opening the door. He comes face to face with Shen, who looks very angry and disappointed. "Uncle, I was..." YiJun starts, but before he can say more, Shen slaps him hard right across his face. YiJun's eyes turn red just for a fraction of a second before going back to normal. He gulps, 'I deserved it.'

"What the hell were you about to do? Mark him? Fuck him? Persuade him to sleep with you and then make him forget?" Shen growls.

YiJun remains silent. He doesn't dare to meet Shen's eyes.

"What is wrong with you, YiJun?" Shen finally asks.

When YiJun finally meets his uncle's eyes, there are red tear strains on his face. Shen walks into the house and takes his nephew into his arms, embracing him. "I know you miss him. I know you want him back. And it breaks my heart to see you suffer like this. But YiJun, this is not the right way. If this boy really is your Xian, then you should respect him. Taking what you want without consent is not what Xian would want you to do." Shen lets go of his nephew and sighs. "Did you get what you were looking for?"

"Mn." YiJun takes out the locket and hands it over to Shen.

"So, is he, Xian?"

"He smells and tastes like him... His blood calls to me just like Xian's did. Dammit!"

YiJun buries his face in his hands, and Shen hugs him again, "Give it time. Test him."

"But Uncle, my power works on him... If it's really him, then it shouldn't work on him."

"YiJun, are you sure your powers worked on him?"

"I think so. He has not brought up anything that happened to him last night. It's like last night never happened!"

"Maybe he is not the talkative kind..." Shen interrupts. YiJun chuckles subconsciously," Oh uncle, he talks.....he talks a lot... He doesn't shut up at all. He named me Dawn. Uncle, Xian used to love that time of day most, and so does this boy." YiJun zones out a little, and a small smile plays on his lips. Shen gives a knowing smile," YiJun, you need to be sure, or else it may end up like the first time."

YiJun nods. "Uncle, he got attacked again. I am not sure, but I think they were not human. I.. I want to stay with him." YiJun pauses and looks at Shen before continuing, "I will not disappoint you again. I promise."

"Ok. What is that you want to do next?"

A mischievous smile plays on YiJun's lips, "I think I want to be Dawn for a bit longer."

{Note:- Word Count 1623

Please Vote to support this update if you have enjoyed it.

Thank you for reading.

Have a nice day.}