"…Huh?" Tao Hua could only stare as Shan Si made himself look utterly foolish, looking like a monk practising some new type of breathing exercises. If this was his way of trying to calm Tao Hua down, it was certainly working in the least ordinary way possible.
And as if it made no difference whether he looked foolish, nor did he seem to care whatsoever about his appearance. Shan Si merely continued this charade of his, treating it like another normal morning.
None of it looked normal.
"This," he said, repeating each sway up and down. Tao Hua's jaw nearly dropped the longer he kept going. "This is how you get off your ass and onto your feet. See? Wolves lurk around here, y'know. Everywhere—some hunting, some sleeping, many hidden, all hungrier than the next. I heard they enjoy feasting on exceptionally beautiful-looking men."
"…" Tao Hua tried, and he tried desperately hard, to understand Shan Si. Alas, he simply couldn't make sense of the nonsense, nor did he catch the compliment.
Instead, he thought, This can't be the same man who laughed and mocked me. What is he doing…? Is this some kind of signal…?
Books often had signals used by villains, so that certainly had to be it. Tao Hua darted his head around, trying to find the source of whatever it was Shan Si was trying to hint at.
"No—NO. Over here!" Quickening the motions, Shan Si urged more aggressively just as Tao Hua returned to look at him, straightening his shoulders and lifting his head up high. He was no different from a soldier adhering to a general's command.
"What are you do—oh, nevermind. You're worse at this friend thing than I realized," said Shan Si, waving his hand in the air, annoyed. "Do you want to be eaten by one or something? Get up! Being eaten alive isn't any way to die, Tao Hua!"
"…"
Tao Hua blinked a few times, just as Shan Si stopped, his expression flattening, and arms falling to his sides.
To make friends…they need to be in danger? Is that how this works? What an odd way to make a friend. Tao Hua sooner thought this was how most romances blossomed, good or bad, from what he'd read.
But friendships?
Strange.
This man before him, acting in quirky ways, was simply astonishing. So much so that he even surprised the weirdest person Tao Hua had ever met; himself.
But…in a way, it made his chest flutter slightly and limbs feel light. He looked down at his hands, watching as they clawed onto his knees, and ever-so-desperately, he tried to mask the emotions that began to pour out naively.
Was Shan Si actually trying to keep his word this time? Though wary, his head remained; nothing could cage that small heart of his in shoving aside all rationality at the touch of affection. Even if that affection was poorly plated and served by monsters.
When he looked back up at Shan Si, Tao Hua noticed how he acted as if he hadn't done something so utterly embarrassing, if written, it could have ignited second-hand-embarrassment to the reader.
However, that was fine with Tao Hua and he kind of liked it, truth be told. He'd never been a formulaic person in the slightest, living a life often mocked by many surrounding him. To all those people, he was overly eccentric, weird, theatrical, and just downright childish. People didn't like different, and for the first time he realized it was okay if they didn't.
Why?
The answer was quite simple, actually. The more people denounced these curious souls and avoided them, the more there was for Tao Hua to enjoy. At first, it was a hopeless belief, but now he could actually relish finally having someone on a similar wavelength to him.
And so, the mask fell entirely. Tao Hua had unknowingly smiled that familiar, goofy smile of his, making way for the first break of morning light.
The two exchanged what was their first genuine and tender moment since meeting. For a moment, Shan Si's own complexion softened upon witnessing Tao Hua relax, and the hint of a smile peeked, but it wasn't long before he had washed it away without a trace surviving.
It was getting ridiculous and out of hand; therefore, Shan Si awkwardly coughed and looked away. This had made Tao Hua recognize his own behaviour, and thus, he also looked away, his ears flushing red.
Tender moments shouldn't exist between kidnapper and princess. That should be left for the prince and princess. Tsk.
"I'm serious; we should go. There's no way you'd survive out here, especially in your condition."
And he was right, so Tao Hua shook his head and pushed against his knees. However, it was as if the entire night had washed over him thoroughly, and those limp legs trembled against he attempt.
Why…? he thought, just when things were finally working out between the two. Am I still scared or something?
"Well?" Shan Si looked back down at him the moment he caught his composure.
Tao Hua hastily replied, "I-I can't. Er—I mean, I don't think I can? Um…no."
"What do you mean you can't?" Shan Si lifted an eyebrow, moving a foot closer to Tao Hua. This caused Tao Hua to shrink into his own stature, his shoulders nearly pressed against his blushing ears. "You've got my outer robe, the snow's stopped, and we've made up…and stuff. What's the holdup?"
"I…um." Tao Hua leaned into his legs, his stiffened body shaking ever-so-slightly. For some reason, he didn't want to admit it loudly, so he just said, "I'll catch up."
Shan Si laughed aloud, almost mockingly. "Yeah, sure. Need my sword too?"
Pouting, Tao hua's lips crinkled toward the left of his mouth, and he tried to hide his flushed exterior behind each tangled strand of muck-filled hair.
"See this?" Shan Si unsheathed his sword. Holding it up, the fabric bookmark dangled lightly against the breeze that heavily lessened. "Good luck carrying it with those arms of yours. You'd be as good as dead if you tried to swing it."
And he wasn't wrong. Tao Hua had never once used a sword in his life, and the very thought of him trying to use one was a rather sad picture. But he also didn't want to touch the sword either and held little desire to learn it.
"No, I wouldn't dare do that. If you want to be useful, you'd be better off learning cultivation." With a shink! Shan Si tucked the sword neatly into his scabbard. "Get up, Tao Hua, I'm not leaving you here."
But Tao Hua didn't listen; he just remained as still as a statue. So, Shan Si sighed. After a few taps of his foot, he finally came to a decision, and one that would make Tao Hua regret his hesitation. In good-ol-kidnapper fashion, he bent forward and grabbed Tao Hua's arm, lifting it up high.
Now, Tao Hua was shocked, more than he had been from Shan Si's moment of absurdity. He tried to rip his hand away, but there was simply no time for him to attempt. Shan Si had overtaken his entire view, wrapping his other arm around Tao Hua's waist. As if dragging him into a hug, he held the smaller man uncomfortably close.
Too close.
Waaaaaaay too close, actually! Tao Hua simply forgot how to breathe at the heightened scent of an intoxicating pine. This was enough to fog his senses momentarily, and enough to not make him realize that his body was no longer on the ground.
"W-What are you doing?!" Tao Hua cried as his body and feet dangled. It was an oddly familiar situation, done twice already. Except this time was exceptionally invasive, and it wasn't a pair of black leather boots, nor a slew of golden patterns he was staring at this time.
It was the woods ahead—the path left untravelled. Now that he got a better look at it, he noticed just out the trees gradually lessened, and sparkled against the rising sun.
It was kind of beautiful, admittedly. However, this wasn't the place nor time for Tao Hua to admire beauty. Reality would slam into him at the words, "Oh, it's not like you're not used to this already. Calm down."
Once again, Tao Hua was lifted by Shan Si and carried. His hands dangled, swaying left and right. Lifting them, he patted them against whatever he could to figure out what had just happened. Regardless of Shan Si's words, he was still rather disorientated.
It was warm—well, most of everything pressed against Tao Hua was warm. Enough to make him sweat, actually! Something pushed into Tao Hua's stomach, as he hung bent; Tao Hua couldn't tell as he was kept locked in place by what felt like hands against his back and his legs.
When he looked down, he saw black, and next to what he was patting, he saw the scabbard of s sword. That's when it finally hit him, and he realized that he wasn't patting something, but someone. Right in a place he shouldn't be touching at all, in a position that made him a welcome treat to any nefarious person.
To be exact…Shan Si had shamelessly slung him over his shoulder.
"If you're so insistent, I can return the favour," Shan Si jested, his voice indifferent. "I don't mind at all."
Immediately tugging his hands up, his face twisted with embarrassment. He held them away from Shan Si's backside and yelled, "Shan Si?!"
Shan Si didn't seem bothered in the slightest by Tao Hua's actions; in fact, he used it to his advantage. Given he was already a touchy person himself, it seemed Tao Hua's accidental indecency was welcomed.
It was certainly a terrible way to quell an already tense and awkward situation. How could Tao Hua overthink about THAT when he now had THIS to overthink?!
Genius, truly.
In response, Shan Si brought the hand that was holding Tao Hua's legs in place up to that very same area and patted it. Tao Hua slapped his back and cried, "P-Put me down! Why do you keep doing this?! You said things would be different!"
Shan Si ignored him, his hand firmly resting on Tao Hua's rear.
"Two options," Shan Si said as Tao Hua's hair whipped like a twirling ribbon. Shaking his head and steadying his eyesight, Tao Hua found that now he was staring at the forest they had emerged from before Tao Hua's breakdown. "Front or back?"
What did that EVEN MEAN?! If this was the definition of trying to be friends, Tao Hua almost felt relieved he hadn't a single one ever in his life.
His head nearly steamed with humiliation, just as he gave up trying to retaliate.
"I'll walk…"
"Wrong answer, try again." Shan Si proceed to tease him, causing Tao Hua to squeeze his eyes shut.
"I don't get it," Tao Hua replied in a small voice.
"That's neither front nor back. Choose, and I'll stop. Maybe."
"I don't know what that means!" Tao Hua pleaded, gripping his shoulder and trying to twist himself to look at Shan Si. All for naught, he just couldn't seem to budge. "What's the difference?!"
"Oh, there's plenty difference, Tao Hua," Shan Si said just as Tao Hua could feel the broadened shoulders jolt, vibrating subtly. However, the joke ended too soon, and in a quickened action, he readjusted Tao Hua. Lowering him back to the ground, the black and gold robe slowly fell back into place, though still wrinkled.
Tao Hua immediately took a few steps away from Shan Si, holding his hands up and together.
"Thank you…"
What an embarrassing situation.
"Look, I said I would work with you." Shan Si turned around and crouched to the ground. He lowered his head and shoulders, holding out his hands behind him. They wiggled, inviting Tao Hua closer—Tao Hua wasn't intrigued by the invitation any and just watched. With a roll of his eyes, Shan Si said, "You're exhausted. Just get on."
"…" Pressing his fingers together, and nearly breaking off his own index, Tao Hua hesitated before saying, "You're not…?"
"Hah, funny. That's not important. Don't think about it," Shan Si replied, shaking his hands more. He didn't give Tao Hua even a second to consider anything before ordering, "On. Before I feed you to the wolves myself."
But Tao Hua just stood there, looking absolutely bashful. The idea wasn't bad—actually; it was preferable. Tao Hua actually liked not having to walk the rest of this terrible forest, especially when he felt the probability of crashing into the snow was more likely despite there being less of it.
However, admitting that was like ripping off any guise that was "masculinity." Something Tao Hua had very little of to begin with; therefore, he couldn't tarnish that smidgen of hope.
"…" Tao Hua twirled a few of his fingers around his other hand, swaying a bit. "I—"
"One."
Oh, the countdown—the FUCKING countdowns. He HATED the countdowns! It was like a newly founded fear dug out by Shan Si, and proudly held up for any and all things to see.
"Two."
With a hop, Tao Hua darted forward, the black, gold, and blue flowing behind as he dove onto Shan Si's back. Embracing his shoulders, Tao Hua held his breath as Shan Si wrapped his arms around Tao Hua's thighs, easily rising to his feet.
"Much better, right?" he said. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I like it when you listen."
Chapter end.