Staring blankly at Chu Nuan's departing figure, for the first time, Duanxian Yu questioned his actions. "Was I wrong?" His dazed expression wavered for a few minutes before adjusting into one filled with resolve.
No. He shook his head slightly to clear the confusion.
It's already too late to turn back. Just one last step is needed, then the stage will be complete.
His thumb traces the outline of the object in his hand. A black tablet carved with the character "Chu" on the back and engraved with a large spider lily on the front rests in his hand. This is the access pass needed to enter the archives. Originally, Chu Nuan planned to have Blackie pass it to Fu Xi in an attempt to investigate his intentions.
But that is not needed now. Since the moment Duanxian Yu appeared in front of her, she understood that every action Fu Xi underwent is only the result of Duanxian Yu's deception.
Clenching tightly onto the pass, Duanxian Yu slowly disperse into a shroud of mist.
__________
Strands of light penetrate through into the darken room from the crevices of the curtains leading to the balcony.
Other than that small indication of life, an empty room greeted Duanxian Yu the moment he returned from the archive. Gloomy with nary an ounce of expected liveliness from the person occupying his mind, urgent footsteps flew towards the carelessly made bed.
Hands slid recklessly over the bed, as his breathing turned erratic. It's cold.
The bedspread does not carry the heat from another's body, only the frigidity of winter air.
"Left..." Did he leave?
Purple pupils instantly constrict into a shade of black streaking with a crimson flare. Frenzied emotions included an element of despair as the tear mark near the corner of his eye also seemed to stain a red hue. A casual glance creates the impression of bloody tears on the verge of falling. His hands clenched tightly on the cold bed sheets as an unsteady aura threatens to explode from within. Trying to calm his volatile outburst, white teeth bit hard on trembling lips to keep himself in check.
Soon, the strong taste of iron flows into his mouth and drips onto the white sheets. Small red flowers bloom among a pure canvas leaves a bewitching mark behind. Closing his eyes in pain, Duanxian Yu hunched his back over the side of the bed and lied there motionlessly.
Overwhelming longing seemed to have caused his ears to hallucinate.
"Hey, how long are you going to stay inside?" An annoyed voice sends itself into Duanxian Yu's muddled ears and induces him to lift his head up. Reddened eyes stare towards the half opened balcony door. If you were to examine that opening closely, a shadow of a person can be seen sitting outside.
Entranced by the voice, Duanxian Yu staggered towards the unfastened door with a bewildered gaze. Like a person blindly wandering until hit with a sudden burst of light, he walks falteringly towards his salvation. Pulling aside the curtains, a bright glare temporarily blocked his sight. Moments later when his eyes opened to see the gratifying view in front of him, the relief welled up inside almost made him shed tears of joy.
"Where have you've been?" A vexed Fu Xi sat alone on the balcony table. Plates filled with different delicacies spread out on the small table before him. On closer inspection, the dishes appeared cold and a little dry on the surface. It must have been sitting out for a while, even the cup of coffee on the side has a thin layer of film over it.
Duanxian Yu stood within inches from the open balcony. Early morning light enveloped the slim figure across from him in a layer of gold. Eyes shining brightly under the warmth of the sun display a sharp contrast to the chill of the darkened room behind him. One person standing in darkness while another bask in the light of the day.
Bangs cover Duanxian Yu's expression from being seen as he took a step back, immersing a step further into the dark.
"Duanxian Yu?" Fu Xi tilted his head in confusion as he sensed the change in mood. He wasn't able to see what Duanxian Yu was doing inside the room due to the heavy curtains cutting off his sight. Only the sound of footsteps gave him an indication of someone's arrival and other than the two of them, no one is aware of this place.
Abandoning the feast he prepared, soft footsteps crossed to where he stood and stopped right at the boundary marking the balcony from the room.
Two pairs of eyes exchange gazes with each other in a short period of time. Pondering for a moment, Fu Xi took a step into the dim room.
Although morning light shone intensely outside, heavy curtains blocked the glare of the sun from shining in. It is precisely because of that, that the inside of the chamber is so dimly light.
Duanxian Yu's dark clothes meld well with the somberness of the space, only vivid purple pupils narrow clearly in his direction. Without the slightest intention to move, his sight trail after the delicate figure approaching, waiting for his next move.
It is as he anticipated but at the same time dreamlike to him, a touch of warmth encased his frozen fingers. "What's wrong with you?" Innocent eyes peer at him with curiosity. Compared to when they first met, this gaze without hostility shook his heart deeply.
He silently grasped the hand around his fingers tightly, "nothing…" This is the warmth he waited so long for...he really...can't bear to part with.
Tilting his head to the side while raising his eyebrows, Fu Xi pulled on Duanxian Yu's hand and led him outside to the balcony. Strong sunlight made him squint for a second before the both of them settled in their seats.
"Eat." Paying no mind to Duanxian Yu's complicated thought process, Fu Xi began to focus on the meal ahead. Cold coffee went down his throat and left a bitter aftertaste that stuck to his mouth. Pangs of hunger left him craving for something more substantial besides a dose of caffeine.
Hardened bread chaffed the inside of his mouth as he chewed slowly with furrowed brows. Regret flashed across his mind for a moment due to this bite of bread. Why did he have to wait for Duanxian Yu to come back before eating? Don't misunderstand though, the only reason he waited was not because he was afraid of him starving. But because they are staying under the same room, Duanxian Yu's roof specifically. As a guest here, not only did he take up the owner's bed and part of the closet. It wouldn't be right to use the items in someone's house and not share a portion as a bribe.
Thus, he set up the table out on the balcony and waited for his return. Who would've thought that it took him two hour later before returning, everything turned cold.
"This." An item was placed near Fu Xi's arm.
"???" Fu Xi removed his hand from the mug and reached out for the black tablet instead. A black polished surface glared against the sunlight overhead and caught his attention. Turning it over with his fingers, a large "Chu," character unveiled in front of his eyes. "This is.."
"The pass you wanted." Duanxian Yu finished the sentence for him, "with this, you can enter the archives effortlessly.
Staring at the pass silently, slender fingers twitched before placing it back on the table. Fu Xi pushed the item a few inches towards Duanxian Yu, "I don't want this." He huffed with a displeased expression, "didn't I tell you that I can handle this myself?"
Duanxian Yu smiled gently at the youth sitting across from him as he poured a fresh cup of coffee in his cup. "You really don't want?"
"Don't want." He looks away in disdain.
"But this is the only pass that can access the archives." He explained while exchanging his cup with Fu Xi's. Sighing with an exaggerated gesture, he shook his head as though in regret. "If you don't want it, I'll just return this back to its owner."
"Wait!"
Just as a hand attempts to retrieve the item, his actions are stopped, "wait." Fu Xi's hand overlaps Duanxian Yu's with haste. "I changed my mind." Pouting, his fingers swept away the tablet and stored it inside his clothes. Ears burned in shame as he refused to meet Duanxian Yu's humored gaze.
Giving out a low chuckle, "there will be a guide leading you in three days." At that time, we will stand on opposite sides.