Welcome Back Home

When would she come back? Xue huddled on her bed, holding her pillow in his chest. He really shouldn't worry too much, she would be alright. He had already asked for help so she would be fine. Glancing out the window, the sun was beginning its descent. There was nothing about it to make him uncomfortable, he was used to her coming home during late hours.

But today was different.

He felt jumpy.

"I'm fine, this is too much—er, thank you." She had returned, her voice clear as crystal despite the walls between them.

She was back.

He bolted towards the door and swung it open, "Welcome home Chan—" 

"Xue!" She turned to him, surprise crossing her features. He faltered at the sight of that, more so than the sight of the people with her. She was accompanied by Hua Zhao and Liu Guiren.

"Oh, I didn't know that you were staying with someone." Liu Guiren was first to break the silence. "It has been awhile, Xue wasn't it?" A smile on their face.

Chan Lee blinked and turned to Liu Guiren, "Huh, the two of you—"

Maybe it was the situation on hand, the sight of the people in their home or the spring air. He moved forward and pulled her into his arms, burying his face into her hair. The scent of bamboo and plum blossoms tickled his nose. A comforting fragrance that eased his nerves.

"Xue?" Chan Lee's voice called out to him but she hadn't made a move to squirm out of his arms. He relished the moment of having her in his arms.

He raised his head up and smiled at the people they were with. "Thank you for bringing her home. Not much time has passed but it's good to see you, Liu Guiren and Hua Zhao."

"Well actually, there was something—" Hua Zhao started.

He began to bring Chan Lee inside, "If you'll excuse us, I'm sure that Miss Chan Lee would like to rest. Have a safe trip back!"

He closed the door after that.

"I don't think that was very nice of you." It was a reproachful tone that made him wince. He looked back—Chan Lee was shaking her head with a light smile on her face. "Though, I suppose I owe you for being able to get the two off my back." She stretched a bit and walked over to her closet. "Thanks Xue. How did your day go? Did Han Jing come over today as usual? Shall we order something if you're hungry? Let's have an early dinner together."

He blinked at that, the second question throwing him out for a moment. Though this had become a routine by now. "I'm good… I was surprised when I woke up without you here. You left without saying anything nor a note." Did he really need to say that? He didn't need to put too much pressure on a person who had just gotten home.

She was working too hard.

"…I didn't manage to tell you, did I?" Chan Lee looked at him, a flicker of pain in her eyes. "I took over a shift for a friend, it may have crossed my mind last night to let you know but I…" She fumbled with her words, twisting the towel she had gotten. "I wasn't able to. I'm sorry."

It didn't sit too well with him that she was acting this way due to his thoughtless words. He made his way to her and patted her head. 

"You were too tired last night, I think that was why you weren't able to tell me, and you must have rushed early in the morning too." He managed a smile. "I shouldn't have bothered bringing it up, I only wanted to tease you a bit. I apologize for making you worry. After all, I'm only staying here out of your kindness. You have no obligations to tell me of where you'll be going."

That made sense. He really shouldn't be expecting anything.

Chan Lee and everyone else were already doing a lot for him, for someone like him who couldn't find his way back home.

Her hand gently reached for his wrist,  "I should be the one apologizing." She then held his hand, squeezing it. "Don't think like that, Xue—you're here, because this place is yours as much as mine. I should have told you immediately that I was going out for work." Her gaze locked with his, a seriousness within them, never letting his hand go. "You never have to apologize for telling me what's on your mind, Xue. It's much better if we're both honest and upfront with everything. Let's do that from now on, shall we?"

He would.

Xue raised her hand up to his face, softly brushing his lips on her wrist. He looked at her, hoping for a reaction. But she was frozen solid like an ice statue if not for the redness searing her face.

"Xue, why did you—"

He smiled brightly and released her hand. "I wanted to be honest about my feelings."

All it took was that moment for her to regain her senses, she narrowed her eyes at him and pointed at him accusingly. "You just turned my words against me, did you? That's not fair!"

She had a pout amidst all that.

"Miss Chan Lee, I did what you asked. Is there anything wrong with what I did?" He tilted his head at her, holding back a chuckle.

Honesty. Truth.

They were wondrous things.

She stared at him for a moment before she turned away, stepping away from him. She slung her towel over her shoulder and looked back at him. "...No. I suppose not, but you have to ask permission for these kinds of actions. You just can't hug or kiss a person out of nowhere—"

"Can I kiss you?" The words were actually easy to blurt now that he started.

Chan Lee gaped at him like a carp for a moment. She shook her head, and began to step in the bathroom. She was muttering underneath her breath. "I need to have a word with Han Jing about the—"

"Do you not like me?"

She looked at him, chewing on her lip. "Xue I—" 

"I like you, a whole lot." He stared at her, his face felt warm. Was this what a fever felt like? It had been far too long since he had one. "I know you probably think that I'm a good for nothing freeloader—

All I've ever been is a caretaker to—

"I mean you didn't tell me that but, Miss Chan Lee I probably burden you and I have nothing to show for.

I've only been someone who made the medicines—

"I really just want to say what's been in my heart and I hope to hear your honest feelings as well."

An eternity passed in a moment.

"...I do. I do—I like you too." She cleared her throat. She adopted a lecturing tone and wagged a finger at him. "Now I'm going to take a shower, let's order dinner after this, okay?"

She said yes.

He smiled and nodded, "Yeah! I have money too, let's order something nice."

"Money?" She raised a brow at him.

He gave her a grin. "Hua Zhao came over earlier."

She slapped a hand over her face, stifling her laughter. "I see, I should thank him later."

He pouted for a moment before smiling once more. He couldn't help it, she liked him too. "Miss Chan Lee, do you want to go out on a date?"

"...You're doing the entire dating cycle wrong." She muttered.

"Oh, is that a no?" He asked.

She scratched her cheek. "Let's talk after I take my shower, okay?"

"Oh! How about I join you in the shower?"

She blinked at him, "You're a pervert." Chan Lee closed the door after that. "Let's talk after this, Xue." She answered, her voice still clear despite the door in between them.  "Okay?"

Despite her not being able to see, he smiled and nodded. "Alright!"