Can You sleep with me?

Back in the Phoenix bedroom.

The bedroom space was silent after Ru Jing stepped away leaving them alone behind the bedroom door. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the two of them breathing in and out. One provides the comfort he can give, the other seeks the comfort she will always get whenever, wherever she needs, whether in Phoenix's past or present life.

To Xuan Ti, nothing was more important than Phoenix. he will devote all his soul, whatever time he can give to her. Other things can wait. Nor could the decree of the emperor of the celestial shake his will. Not when he had found his innermost outpourings.

He could simply relinquish his position as king of the dragons that very second if Phoenix asked him to. He will spend all his time just for herself. What is the meaning of life if she is not by his side. Everything felt empty, as if he was living his life just to fulfill his duties but his own life purpose would not exist at all without her by his side.

The memory of living after he lost her was the worst nightmare he had ever faced. Not for a second her face disappeared from the depths of his mind. While sleeping, eating, walking, doing royal duties, meeting audience with the ministers of the kingdom, all of them did not escape the memories of her. As if every breath he took that always imagined himself was her life.

If he could exchange his life to find Phoenix then he would gladly give it away, but that's not the case. It made his heart hurt so much. Every breath he takes without her by his side is an agony that he goes through every day, from waking up until the night came, and it rolls on every day without stopping. The sufferings of hell that he made for himself.

Right now, his only hope was that Phoenix could live and spend life with him forever, as long as their lives existed. If in the end Phoenix went first, then he would end his life in order to go and accompany her to the afterlife. Nothing mattered to him, not even himself but Phoenix.

And he will make sure she lives happily every day no matter what. He didn't want to be separated from her for even a second. Anything he would do to the extent even beyond his means to make sure she lived happily by his side.

His hand was still rubbing Phoenix's back, so she could sleep after crying hysterically, but unfortunately that didn't happen, because Phoenix was still very awake in his arms. Even though her body had calmed down, her heartbeat was still racing erratically, indicating that her mind was still overwhelmed with whatever she saw in her vision.

After a while he tried to persuade her indirectly so she could sleep but to no avail. He took a long and deep breath. Bracing himself and calling out and asking "Qing-qing…, how are you feeling now, are you feeling well?" his voice sounds soft, very soft if you want to say for an adult level. He was afraid that his question might even make Phoenix sad again, so he asked slowly so that she would feel comfortable.

No reaction or answer. Phoenix's embrace was still the same, neither strengthening nor loosening. He sighed in disappointment, he thought maybe Phoenix was still sad and shut herself up. But beyond expectation. Her little voice sounded "I feel better now"

Xuan Ti closed his eyes tightly and breathed a sigh of relief. And he just realized that he was holding his breath, ever since he asked her and waited for her reaction. His breath felt like a shower of heavenly water pouring down on him, starting from the crown of his head to the tips of his feet. He was very happy. his face softened and a deep smile appeared on his stiff lips.

"Well, you want to lie down on the bed, so you can rest comfortably?" he asked again, still trying to get her to sleep, at least to take her mind off for a moment from whatever she had seen in her vision at the tree of life.

Phoenix didn't answer with a voice but she nods her head in his chest.

Xuan Ti stood with Phoenix still in his arms. He tightened his arms tightly, then turned to face to the bed, he slowly bent his body to lay Phoenix's on the bed. When her hips touched the bed, he loosened his right arm, then slowly lowered Phoenix's upper body and made sure the pillow was in the right position for her head to rest there. He pulled the blanket to cover her body so she could sleep warmly from the cold outside wind.

After that, when he straightened his body, his movement was stopped because the hem of his sleeve was pulled. He lowered his head to see what was blocking his hem, only to see that it was being pulled and held tightly by Phoenix. He looked back at Phoenix, just about to ask but her voice was heard.

"Where are you going?" Phoenix's voice sounded anxious.

Giving a reassuring smile, he replied "I'm not going anywhere, just wanted to pull a chair over here and sit down to accompany you here"

Xuan Ti's answer made Phoenix's heart skip a bit, she felt uncomfortable. At the moment she can sleep comfortably on the bed while he sits on the chair and accompanyr her to sleep. As a result, she said "Can you sleep with me?" at least they can rest together.

"Sure" Xuan Ti replied curtly, of course he would gladly do, it didn't even occur to him that Phoenix would ask to sleep together.

Phoenix shifted her body to the inside of the bed. Without waiting any longer, Xuan Ti climbed onto the bed, laying down beside Phoenix. leans on the left side of his body so that he can sleep facing her. Seconds later he was startled, he felt her body getting closer to him. then Phoenix snuggled against Xuan Ti's chest, tightly gripping the front of his shirt. Hoping he wouldn't go anywhere while she was asleep. Seeing her reaction and getting out of his shock there was nothing else he could do but make her feel safe by wrapping his right arm around her waist securely.

Phoenix's reaction made Xuan Ti's heart skip a beat, because she had never acted that way, not in her life as a Phoenix. this is the first time she has done this. Is it because of the sadness she feels right now, making her feel insecure? As if snuggling against his chest and holding onto his shirt could give her a sense of security. Because it wasn't in Phoenix's nature to act like that.

It wasn't that he wasn't happy with Phoenix's current behaviour, of course he was very happy, and he wouldn't hesitate to give her a sense of security. Who else can provide that sense of security if not him. A big triumphant smile graced his face.

He was afraid that Phoenix wouldn't be able to fall asleep right away, with her tightly snuggled against his chest, she could definitely hear his beating heart. For that he tried to calm himself, hoping his heart could beat calmly at a normal rhythm.

Unbeknownst to him, Xuan Ti's fear was not a problem for Phoenix. because her mind was full of anxiety, so nothing else caught her attention at the moment. The main thing she thought about was to be able to close her eyes and fall asleep. Hoping that when she wakes up, her mind will be clear and she can think clearly, thinking about what is going on with herself. And having her tightly snuggled in Xuan Ti's chest made her feel comfortable and safe. So not long after that she fell fast asleep.

The atmosphere of the bedroom which had felt heavy and stifling, gradually felt light, calm and peaceful. This has been felt since the Phoenix's heartbeat was normal, her inhalation and exhalation were also regular. Indicates that she is asleep. Xuan Ti smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. At least now she can rest in peace and quiet, he thought inwardly.

He deliberately waited for Phoenix to fall asleep just to make sure she really fell asleep and then after a while with a relieved heart he fell asleep too.