Chapter 38 - I Found You

"Not accepted," he heard Ye Wu replied in a whisper and his silver eyes searched the human like face.

["Are you certain?" He could still here the demon questioned him in his youth.

"Yes," he had said determined with a nod.

"It will mean you will be mine, young king."

"And you will be mine, Ah Wu. You won't have to be lonely anymore."

He could hear the soft laughter from the demon as a finger pressed under his left eye.

"Don't ever regret it," the raven-haired demon whispered before the nail pierced flesh, "Ah Li."]

Silver eyes closed and he looked over to see the back of the demon in black. Turning, he went toward the exit and left Ye Wu alone.

Walking slowly to his palace, he leaned against the wall with his head tilted upward. Staring at the moon, he found himself calming down before a wreck in his chest pushed the blood out of his mouth. Coughing with his body bent over, he stayed that way until he felt better. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he continued to walk slowly to his home. A white butterfly with gold lining looked like a glowing orb in the night. It flew to him and landed on his shoulder.

"You as well my husband. I love you. Come home safely," he heard his wife's message to him and he smiled.

"To be with you Ah Yue," he chuckled to himself, "I will do anything."

When he arrived, he went straight to their room and undressed. Sliding close to his wife, he breathed him in. Closing his silver eyes, he let out a deep breath.

'Almost done,' he felt the blonde moved closer to him and he wrapped his arm around the sleeping body.

"Wait for me Ah Yue," he whispered pressing a kiss on his wife's head, "Just a little longer."

==

Green eyes blinked slowly as sleep faded away. Sitting up with a yawn, he felt his lips stretched.

No dream. No Sheng Shui.

'Maybe he finally left me alone,' he let out a relieved sigh.

He looked beside him to see the sleeping beauty was still lightly snoring. Smile softening, he ran his fingers through long black hair. His finger ran over the mark underneath the left eye and felt the ridges rougher, almost flakey.

'How did you get this and why isn't it healed?' He questioned inwardly seeing the splotches of redness where the skin was attempting to heal.

Ying Yue wasn't stupid. He knew something was wrong with Wang Li. The Ghost King slept longer, was gone more, and was paler. The blonde worried he was sick, but Yun had told him that his husband was fine.

Bending down to kiss the mark, his lips touched the rough patch of skin. He pulled away, but suddenly felt his back on the bed with the king holding him down. Wide emerald eyes blinked at the man who was breathing softly against his ear.

"Ah Li," he playfully nipped his lover's shoulder, "Are we not busy preparing for the festival?"

He felt the body above him tense before Wang Li pulled his head back. His silver eyes were heavy and he blinked at him for a moment. He smiled at his husband and that seemed to wake up the sleepy man.

"I apologize for waking you," he watched the Ghost King slowly moved off him, "Go back to sleep, Ah Li."

"A lot to do still," the man mumbled rubbing his eyes.

"We will have everything prepared for tonight," he pressed his lips onto thin ones, "Sleep, my husband."

Within a few breaths, the man was sleeping again. Ying Yue watched him for a moment, enjoying the soft look on Wang Li. Finally getting up to get ready, he dressed himself and walked out quietly.

Today was the day.

He felt so excited that he was bouncing the entire day. Setting up the stands around the village, helping to prepare the meals, setting up the bamboo shoots for the fireworks, and finding time to bathe and practice his music in between. Before he knew it, the sun was already starting to set. Hien and Chu had pulled him into their room and dressed him for the occasion. Looking presentable, he stepped out only to find Wang Li standing with a decorative fan.

'Red…' his emerald eyes drank in the sight and found his mouth dried, 'So… so beautiful. Just like my dreams all those years. It really is him, my king, my husband. I found you.'

"Uh… Ah Li," he cleared his throat walking toward the king, "I have imagined you in red, but never thought… you would look so…"

'… like the man in my dreams! So perfect! So beautiful!'

"Terrible?" The raven haired male smirked.

"Yes," he stuck out his tongue and lightly slapped the man's chest.

"Standing beside you, I would agree," Wang Li admitted kissing his cheek and he sighed leaning onto the strong body.

"Hopeless," he said and his husband made a questioned noise, "To not love you."

He felt the vibration from the laugh against him and Ying Yue laughed with him.

"No, my love. Hopeful."

He grinned and tucked his head to breath his lover in. He felt soft fur rubbed against his hand and he looked over. He found his mouth stretched into a grin when he saw the big cat was donning a red band around his neck with a hanging bell. He scratched the leopard's ears and neck before reaching for the bell.

'I didn't even hear him come up,' he thought wanting to know if the bell was broken.

"Ah Yue," Wang Li grabbed his wrist and pulled it toward him, "It is a gift for you."

"A gift?" His green eyes sparkled.

"During the fireworks, you can have it," the king smiled and the blonde glanced back at the gift Snow was holding.

"Mm! Okay," Ying Yue nodded with a grin and pecked those lovely lips, "After."

"My wife," the king's voice tickled his ear, "Are you still ready for tonight," he felt Wang Li's hand slid down his back, "When we are in bed together," his body shivered, "I shall please you fully," the king finished with a hand groping his behind.

He jumped; face flushed from the tip of his ears down his chest. Gripping the wrist and pulling it away, Ying Yue banged his forehead lightly against the king's chest.

"Wang Li," he whined with his eyes closed as his body felt too hot, "Stop teasing me."

Hands cupped the side of his head and pulled him back. His head was tilted back as his green eyes looked at mirthful silver ones. He felt himself smiling looking at his husband. He could never be mad at him.

'Don't stop loving me Ah Li,' he thought closing his eyes as the king kissed him.

Wang Li pulled away and kissed his forehead, before wrapping his hand with his. Ying Yue felt his heart so warm and calm. Today was his favorite day.