Chen Ming wandered the dark paths of the Demon King's domain, his mind still heavy with thoughts of his past. The cold wind swept around him, carrying with it the faint echoes of whispers, as though the land itself mourned his pain. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching until a familiar voice cut through the stillness.
"You're reckless, walking out here alone."
Chen Ming turned sharply, finding the Demon King standing a few feet away, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. His expression was unreadable, but there was a tension in his posture that Chen Ming hadn't noticed before.
"I needed space," Chen Ming replied curtly, though his voice lacked its usual bite.
The Demon King stepped closer, his presence commanding yet strangely comforting. "Running from your thoughts won't help. Believe me, I know."
Chen Ming scoffed, crossing his arms. "And what would a demon like you know about regret?"
The Demon King's gaze darkened, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "More than you think."
The weight of those words hung between them, silencing Chen Ming's retort. He looked away, his eyes tracing the jagged horizon as the ache in his chest grew heavier. To his surprise, the Demon King reached out, gently tilting Chen Ming's chin to face him.
"You're too hard on yourself," the Demon King said, his voice softer now. "The past is a wound that doesn't heal easily. But carrying it alone will only break you."
Chen Ming's breath hitched. The sincerity in the Demon King's eyes was disarming, stripping away the walls he'd so carefully built. For a moment, he saw not the ruthless ruler he'd feared, but someone who understood his pain.
"Why do you care?" Chen Ming whispered, his voice barely audible.
The Demon King's hand lingered for a moment before dropping to his side. "Perhaps because I see a reflection of myself in you," he admitted. "Or perhaps because you intrigue me, human."
Chen Ming's heart raced, confusion and something else—something unfamiliar—twisting inside him. Before he could overthink it, the Demon King closed the distance between them, his movements deliberate yet cautious, as though giving Chen Ming the chance to pull away.
But Chen Ming didn't move. He held his ground, his breath catching as the Demon King's hand brushed against his cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle. The world seemed to still as the Demon King leaned in, his lips brushing softly against Chen Ming's.
It was tentative at first, a question rather than a demand. But as Chen Ming's hesitation melted away, he found himself leaning into the kiss, his hands clutching the fabric of the Demon King's cloak as if anchoring himself. The warmth of the Demon King's lips chased away the cold, filling the empty spaces inside him with something he couldn't name.
When they finally pulled apart, Chen Ming's cheeks were flushed, his breathing uneven. The Demon King studied him, his crimson eyes searching for any sign of regret.
"You're not what I expected," Chen Ming murmured, his voice trembling but honest.
The Demon King's lips curved into a faint smile, one that held none of his usual arrogance. "Neither are you."
For a moment, they simply stood there, the weight of their shared pain and newfound connection settling between them. Then the Demon King held out his hand.
"Come. The night is cold, and you need rest."
Chen Ming hesitated but eventually placed his hand in the Demon King's, allowing himself to be led back to the fortress. The chambers were warm, the flickering torches casting soft light against the stone walls. The Demon King didn't say a word as he guided Chen Ming to a seat by the hearth, pouring him a glass of wine before settling in across from him.
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable. For the first time in a long time, Chen Ming felt a strange sense of peace, as though the heavy burden he'd carried was just a little lighter.
As the fire crackled and the night deepened, Chen Ming allowed himself to close his eyes, his heart still racing but steadier now. The Demon King watched over him, a quiet resolve settling in his gaze.
Whatever battles lay ahead, they would face them together. For now, the shadows of their pasts could wait.