Dijun was getting ready to undress and go to bed. Xiaobai woke up at that time. She opened her eyes and as they slowly gained focus realized that he was undressing. She blushed peach pink and recalled a time in Fanyin valley when she had walked in on him undressing. And she blushed some more.

He turned to see her awake and walked to her bed, his robe gone, collar loose, and hair slightly unkempt. 'He is just so gorgeous', Xiaobai thought and smiled a shy smile. He smiled back and extended his hand to touch her forehead. He asked very gently, "You are awake. Are you feeling better now?".

She nodded, took his hand, and tried to sit up. He helped her up and adjusted the cushions behind her. She smelled a fresh smell of sandalwood and was completely enthralled for a moment. Compared to him she must look very shabby, she thought and realized that she wanted to clean herself up.

"Dijun, I feel very stuffy and sore from sleeping too much. Could you help me get up, get cleaned, and change my clothes?", she asked. Something flickered for just a moment in his eyes. He seemed to have controlled it quickly and she decided to let it go. She really should focus and get cleaned up, she decided.

"Sure, let's try to do that. But let's be very careful and take it slow, ok?", Dijun said with something dark, mischievous but controlled in his tone. She understood what she had seen in his eyes had been very real. "Don't get distracted! Focus, Bai Feng Jiu!", she ordered herself in her head.

Dijun brought a basin of water and a clean white towel. With a wave of his hand, he warmed the water and tested it. Then he dipped the towel in, rinsed it, and slowly, very carefully began wiping her face, her hands, fingers, and palms.

Somehow that wasn't enough for her. She loosened her robe and let it fall down. She loosened all her clothes a little bit gingerly. She was still very sore. Taking the towel from Dijun she started wiping herself down.

Dijun watched intently. He was trying his hardest to control himself. She could feel his gaze on her, on her skin, on the fresh scars and bruises on her body from her recent battle. That made her blush all over again. But the icky sweaty feeling from being in bed for so long was something she was anxious to get rid of, so she continued.

For once Dijun felt very uneasy. He had missed this woman. He wanted her desperately. He had a burning need in his heart to touch and feel her. But the scars and bruises on her milky white skin were very real. He could not wait to hold her in his arms, but he was anxious to get her healed completely. He had never felt so helpless. So out of his depth. The physical trauma of many many bloody battles he had fought over the last couple million years, seemed nothing compared to the emotional turmoil going on in his head right now.

When she tried to reach her back, her wounds hurt and a tiny cry of pain escaped her. She closed her eyes tightly to let the pain pass. Dijun groaned, pressed his lips shut tight, and took the towel from her hand. He carefully moved her hair away and wiped her neck and back himself. Even the slight brush of his fingers on her skin was torturous for him. He did feel her tremor slightly and almost gave up. Somehow, summoning all his willpower, he completed the job.

When he was done, he rinsed the towel with fresh water and handed it back to her. As she started working down her long and shapely legs, he stepped away. Even a deity who was said to have been born of rock had his limits.

He turned away and went to the cabinet to pull up fresh clothes for her compelling himself to concentrate fully on that task. She was somewhat miffed, somewhat relieved with his stepping away. Forcing herself to wipe down her feet, she wanted to make quick work of it. She was hurting everywhere though, so bending to reach her toes was a struggle. She decided not to push it for now. When she was done enough, she dropped the towel in the water basin and sighed. A fresh, cool breeze touched her skin and brought goosebumps. She hugged herself.

When he turned to face her, they could both feel the room temperature go up significantly. Strong currents of raw desire simmered between them. They both knew it would be foolish to give in to it, so they just avoided eye contact as he helped her get dressed.

She had exerted herself too much with just that much work though. As she stood up to wear her clothes, she suddenly found the entire room turning pitch back and started to collapse down. Realizing what was going on, Dijun supported her and quickly lifted her in his arms.

He changed the sheets and cushions on the bed for fresh ones with magic. Then he laid her down extremely carefully. As he was about to back off, she fought against the darkness engulfing her mind, gathered all her strength, and tugged at his sleeve. Being half-dressed and in his arms, smelling his white sandalwood scent so close, and seeing the hunger in his gaze had obliterated the last of her restraints. She opened her eyes and pleaded to him, "Don't go. Stay. Please."

Dong Hua gave in at that instant. Yes, even a deity born up of rock had his limits. He hugged her and pulled her close, struggling to be very very careful. His lips closed on hers. Hungry, needy to the brink of combustion. She trembled ever so slightly and answered his need with a torrent of her own. They both got completely lost in each other. But her physical strength was waning away. Even if her heart was wanting, her body was not yet ready.

She had exerted herself way too much. She started to feel faint again. Dijun figured what was happening and released her. He caressed her face and said apologetically, "Duìbùqǐ, Xiaobai. I should not have rushed you." "It wasn't only you... who was rushing... I have missed you so....", she replied faintly and gave in to the sleep overpowering her mind without even finishing her sentence.

Dijun slowly calmed his own breathing. She had tried to stop him from feeling guilty about kissing her. She had missed him. She did love him so much. She had wanted him just as much as he had wanted her. He smiled a somewhat smug, somewhat guilty smile, and brushed his fingers on her nose.

Xiaobai.
Xiaobai was incredible.
Xiaobai was his. All his. Only his.
And Dong Hua was hers. All hers. Only hers.

He waved his hand to put the room in order and dimmed the candles. Then he pulled the quilt over Xiaobai and himself. Slowly, he moved an errant strand of hair away from her face. Then he took her small hand into one of his own and put his other hand on her waist. Satisfied, he closed his eyes.

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