By the time they returned to the palace, the storm had settled into a steady downpour.
Ningyan didn't think about anything anymore.
Not Yunyi. Not the strange tension curling in his chest.
Only the heat.
The bath had already been prepared, steam rising in soft clouds that wrapped around the chamber. The moment he sank into the water, a low breath escaped him, his entire body going slack.
"Oh yes... that's it." His head tipped back against the edge, eyes closing as the tension melted out of his muscles.
He was never standing in the rain that long again. Ever.
"Ningyan?"
His eyes snapped open.
He turned his head and there was Meishan. Standing behind him, composed as ever, glasses resting neatly on his face.
Meishan crouched beside the pool, fingers brushing lightly against Ningyan's neck, checking him. "You seem fine."
Ningyan's lips curved, a little too pleased. "Who says I'm not?"
