fated_dance | Open Post

They let me marry one of their daughters. {Now he laughs, the sound harsh.} No, actually, she drugged herself and wanted to sleep with me. When they found us the following morning, they assumed the worst.

{But he hadn't touched her. Just...protected her.}

Can you? If I didn't look like myself, would someone actually care about me?

[ His eyes narrow a little. ]

That doesn't sound like something you wanted. So it's just another freedom they've stolen.

[ His expression softens and he nods. ]

It's a skill my master taught me, and I learned it well. As for could anyone care about you, whoever you look like, yes. It might take you time to find them, but it is possible.

{He shakes his head to indicate that he hadn't wanted the marriage. His wife is horrible to him and the reason he is beaten so frequently.}

...even as a devil? {He finally holds out his frostbitten hands to Zishu.} My nurse said I killed my mother coming into the world. That's why my father hates me. Seeing me just reminded him of how he lost her.

I was born with teeth too. {Tantai Jin hesitates and adds:} I needed blood to live. My nurse gave me hers.

[ Zishu gets to work on those poor hands, gently applying some salve he takes from a sleeve. ]

Sometimes women die during childbirth. It is no fault of the child, or the mother.

[ Needed blood to live? That has him glance up at Tantai Jin, but then he shrugs and returns his attention to fixing up what he's able. ]

That does not mean you're inherently evil. I'm glad your nurse was willing to give you some of her blood. Do you still need it to survive?

{Tantai Jin watches as if detached, not registering any discomfort or pain.}

My birth was different.

{He waits for Zishu to withdraw in disgust, his heart is beating uncomfortably fast against his ribs.}

...no. I have enough of my own. {That's...supposed to be a joke. Maybe.} I do need food. I don't get enough of that and I lose a lot of blood when I'm beaten. But my body heals quickly.

{His childhood was just...sad.}

[ Difficult. Zishu has a feeling that's an understatement. But he doesn't withdraw at all, instead he just keeps working.

The attempt at a joke has him roll his eyes, but there's a faint curl to his lips as he glances up. ]

Then let's get you disguised so I can feed you. I've been told my cooking is inedible and bitter.

[ In the meantime though, he holds out a roll. ]

A friend made this. It's safe, if not the most tasty of bread.

{Getting even a hint of a smile from Zishu pleases him. Tantai Jin isn't blind or stupid; he knows the other man is beautiful. Someone like Zhou Zishu shouldn't pay him a second glance!}

I don't care. {Food is food.} Ah...thank you.

{He takes the roll and sniffs it, cautious in the way an abused dog might be. But he eventually takes a bite and then another one.}

[ Tantai Jin isn't exactly ugly either! He feels his smile widen, though also goes a bit soft, and he lowers his gaze as he sits back. For the moment he's content with what he's done. He recognizes the way the other eats, and it makes him angry. Instead of eating a roll himself, he takes a sip from a drinking flask. ]

There's more, if you want it.

{He has no reason to think he has any attractive features, though, in truth, he takes after his mother. She had been his father's true love, which is why, when she died giving birth to Tantai Jin, he couldn't bear to even look at his son. As if it was somehow a baby's fault.

Glancing up, eyes wild, he finishes the roll.}

Later. {If he eats too much too quickly, he knows it won't stay down.} You're not lying to me, are you?

[ The wild eyes aren't enough to make him back away. He meets them calmly. Then raises a brow and opens the small bag at his side, where he'd pulled out the roll, and reveals a few more rolls.

Oh, he's well aware this isn't what he's being accused of lying about! Still, he's curious to see how Tantai Jin will respond to this simple gesture. ]

{Tantai Jin isn't expecting to be shown...more rolls. He is surprised into laughing, the sound foreign to his ears. Then he grows serious again.}

I'm not talking about rolls. I'm talking about everything else you've said. You could be putting yourself in terrible danger.

[ The reaction delights him into grinning, shoulders shaking a little in silent laughter. He lets the bag fall shut as the seriousness returns, and he leans back against the tree, stretching out a leg casually. ]

I have no reason to lie to you. But, you have no reason to trust me either. It's up to you. I don't care how much danger I'm in, I've lived through plenty.

{He weighs Zishu's words carefully and it isn't difficult for him to make his decision.}

If I end up dead or abandoned because of you, that's a better fate than the one I have right now. At least I can be free.

If it is company you wish. Come home with me. Leave these traitors and abusers behind. None will learn where you are unless you wish it.

If it is revenge, we can mete that out after you have healed and eaten well.

...what if I want both? {Company and revenge.} Revenge doesn't have to happen today or tomorrow. I could grow strong with you and then seek it out.

[ That's even better! Zishu smiles. ]

I like the sound of that. Come, if you are ready. I will bring you home.

[ And teach this brutalized devil how he should have been treated all this time. ]