Was he doing it correctly?

Zen was so nervous that he felt nauseous. He'd never truly kissed another person. Sure, he'd seen it done plenty of times, and when Qi was sealing his mouth with his spell, perhaps he could consider that one... but that didn't feel like this. He wasn't even sure what he was feeling, but his heart seemed to misunderstand the situation, because it was pulsing in his chest as if he were about to fight for his life.

When he couldn't figure out how to calm it, he pushed that bit of worry aside in his mind and refocused his attention on his master. He'd requested to share his bed, and from what he'd understood, that meant that he wanted physical attention.

Wait. That could go both ways. He could want m—Before he could finish his thought Zen felt his master's hands move from his face down to his shoulders, then guide him backwards until he felt the bed beneath his back. Qi had moved with him, refusing to break the kiss as he swung one leg over him after nudging him enough for Zen to realize that he wanted his legs up on the bed, too.

It wasn't a position he thought that he could ever get used to, and it was taking a lot of effort to focus on breathing through his nose, but if his master wished him to do such a thing, he would not go against him.

Qi slowly began to move his lips against his own after a short time. Zen tried to copy him, but it was quite evident that he had no experience in such a thing. His master, however, didn't seem to mind at all as he reached up to tangle his fingers in Zen's hair. It hurt a little, but at the same time, he couldn't say that he minded the slight pain. He was managing his breathing a little better by that time, too, allowing him to actually take stock of the situation. He would need to get better at such things, so it was best to start paying attention.

Qi seemed to be enjoying tugging at his hair, and his other hand was quite close by, settled upon his cheek as his thumb gently brushed back and forth there. Focusing on that, Zen realized that his master was actually moving his thumb to the tempo of their heating kiss.

His thoughts quickly turned from that, to the warmth that was growing between them. His mouth had long-since grown hot from the mixture of their breaths, but he could also feel both of their temperatures rising as their chests moved together in unison. It was definitely an interesting experience, and would take some practice, but he was more than willing to work on it if Qi enjoyed it so much.

At that moment his master moved from his lips and began kissing from his jaw, downward. Zen squirmed as he got to the crook of his neck, the unfamiliar tingling sensation making it impossible to not try to jerk his shoulder or laugh. He managed to not hit his master with the awkward movements, but it took a lot of effort.

He felt Qi's chuckle vibrate against his collarbone as he traveled just a little lower, nudging his robe with his nose until he found his target and began nipping at the skin there. Zen thought that he might wander more, but when he seemed content to stay and work at that particular spot just above one of his nipples, he slowly allowed his body to relax and closed his eyes.

Qi took his time on his task, but eventually, Zen felt him shift atop him and opened his eyes. His master was sitting on his torso, staring down at him with dark eyes as he leaned forward the slightest amount on the hands he had just placed on Zen's bare chest. His thumb, he noticed, was slowly caressing the spot he'd been tending to.

"I believe we have quite a bit to talk about now, my Zen," he said, his voice deeper than he remembered it ever being.

Had I done it wrong?

When Qi carefully got off of him and sat back on the edge of the bed, Zen slowly pushed himself up, then moved over to sit beside his master. His heart, which had calmed down towards the end of their odd activity, returned to banging around in his chest. Even the smile Qi gave him before he began to speak didn't calm him.

"Why did you think I wanted to be kissed?"

He wanted to dig a hole and bury himself in it.

Instead, he forced himself to straighten his shoulders and reach for his master's hand. It was given after Qi reached over and fixed Zen's robe so that it was settled over the mark he'd left on his chest. Zen held his hand for a few quiet moments before reaching up with his free one to began writing.

"You requested that I share your bed. I am truly sorry, but I thought that saying such a thing meant that you were requesting physical attention..."

He couldn't look up to meet his master's eyes after writing such a thing, but he was at least glad that he'd managed to write what he'd needed to. He waited until he felt his master's hand settle over his own before allowing his eyes to rise again.

"You kissed me because you thought that I had requested it?" Qi asked to confirm what Zen had written.

Zen nodded, making his master finally smile.

"I am sorry that I confused you with what I said."

Shaking his head quickly, Zen began to write on his master's palm again.

"I understand now, but master, you seemed like you really enjoyed that kind of attention. I can do such things for you, if you'd like."

Qi's smile faltered the slightest amount as he sighed and reached up, rustling Zen's hair before shaking his head.

"That is not something that should ever be done when only one of the participants wants it. I know that it is quite common, especially in nobility, but I refuse to do such things."

Zen didn't understand. He began writing again.

"I am more than willing to participate. I want to make my master happy."

Qi's finger pressed against Zen's lips, effectively ending the conversation.

"There will be no more talk of such things," he said before getting up.

I don't understand again...

"Would you like to go for a quick walk?" Qi asked, making Zen perk up immediately. He could definitely use some fresh air, but when Qi set the box of incense sticks in his hand, then gestured toward the door, Zen frowned.

"Would you please bring these to the empress? I'm sure she would be delighted to see you again," he said honestly.

He didn't want to leave his master, but at the same time, he knew that the man could take care of himself and he needed a chance to get his mind straight again. So, with a formal bow he tucked the little box away and headed for the door.

"Hang on," Qi said, catching him outside.

As soon as Zen turned his master's hands were all over him, fixing his robe more and also making sure that his hair wasn't as messy. He even tied up part of the back portion before stepping away, looking like a proud husband.

"Alright, on your way now."

Feeling a little odd with the extra primping, Zen stuck his tongue out... then remembered that he no longer had his mask on.

I really need to stop forgetting that.

His master lunged forward in response, reaching toward his mouth with a grin. Zen reflexively darted away, easily jumping down the small set of steps leading up to their pavilion. When he looked back up to where Qi still stood, he noticed that the man was smiling widely.

"I wonder how many other cute gestures I've been missing all these years while that silly mask has been covering your beautiful mouth."

Zen immediately licked his lips and felt his face warm.

"Be on your way, troublemaker."

With that, Zen hurried down the path and out of sight. Prince Yuen's little bird, Xiao niao, darted from a nearby tree as he stepped out onto the cobblestone walkway heading toward the bridge.

Hello, little friend. We meet again.

"Indeed we do," came a familiar, unwanted voice to his left.

Tucked away in a little clearing was a beautiful fountain with a dragon centerpiece. Water flowed from its mouth as it roared downward, seemingly upset with the young man who was sitting on the edge of its structure. Zen wanted to ignore him, but the little bird on his shoulder was suddenly adamant about getting in his face when he started trying to walk away.

"What's that beside my seal on your belt?" the prince asked, ignoring his frustrating feathered friend completely.

The little bird was lucky that he had a soft spot for animals. Sighing, Zen turned and walked over to the prince, stopping just far enough out of range to have some reaction time if he tried to grab for him.

"Smart, but it doesn't help you if you don't truly know your enemy," prince Yuen said as he held up Zen's prized fan that Qi had just purchased for him.

His eyes jerked down to his belt, but to his terror, the seal sat by itself. The fan was missing.

"I must admit, it is a beautiful item."

Zen knew that it was beautiful! And it was his!

He didn't hold back as he channeled his wind ability and darted forward. To his surprise, the other man jumped up onto the edge of the fountain and easily stepped out of the way of his attack. He nearly lost his own balance after having misjudged how much energy he'd pulled from the seal while angry.

He turned as soon as he was able to, then aimed a punch straight for the man's face. Of course, the other prince had no trouble dodging, even when he wasn't looking where he was stepping as they sparred atop the circular fountain.

"I did not give you that seal so that you could continuously try to fight me," prince Yuen said calmly as he ducked a particularly strong punch toward his chest, then stepped to the side, directly into the fountain!

Wait... why isn't he sinking?

Zen stood, dumbfounded, as the man calmly walked on top of the water with his arms neatly held behind his back until he stepped up onto part of the concrete to Zen's left.

"I prefer not to get my shoes wet," prince Yuen said with a half shrug as he lifted Zen's fan and unfurled it, then began lightly fanning himself.

Return my fan and leave me be! I have something I need to deliver to the empress from my master.

He wasn't sure if the prince would even bother acknowledging his words, but when he didn't dodge his next attack, but instead caught his fist, then swung him around so that his back was pressed firmly against his chest, Zen realized that he'd at least caught his attention. He hadn't intended to get caught, himself, though.

Let go!

Of course, the other man's hold was firm and unyielding, making Zen just mess up his robe as he struggled to free himself.

"Stop."

No!

He was considering trying to jerk his head backward to hit the other man in the mouth when his jaw was suddenly grabbed and painfully yanked upward. He saw prince Yuen look over his shoulder once he was immobilized, but couldn't do anything besides clench his teeth in anger.

"You're going to tell me that the person who left that mark was not your master," the man said beside his ear, his tone acidic.

The hiss in his words actually sent a shiver down Zen's spine, but he refused to be intimidated, and he also refused to lie.

I misunderstood my master. It is not going to happen again.

He knew that the prince liked his master, to some extent, because he'd requested a kiss from him as a reward previously, but he wasn't telling him the truth to placate him, but because it was the right thing to do. Either way, the man's grip on him eventually relaxed enough to allow Zen to jerk himself free of his hold, then spin around.

Return my fan.

Prince Yuen stared at him for a few more silent moments before sitting down and crossing his legs instead of putting them over the edge again.

"You said that you were bringing my mother something that your master had purchased... let me see it."

He was about to ask why he should when the other prince began fanning himself with his fan. The thought to try another attack on him rose to his mind, but at the same time, he knew that it would be fruitless. They'd sparred seriously before, and the man had spent that time easily dodging most of his attacks while he focused on carving a stupid word into his shoulder.

Huffing, Zen carefully lowered himself to sit, too, but let one leg hang off the edge of the side of the fountain as he crossed the other on the concrete. After a few moments he presented the little box, hoping that the man wouldn't go against their good wishes to his mother.

He watched intently as the prince examined the gift, then smelled the scent with an approving expression.

"She will love these," he said honestly as he offered the box back with a rare genuine smile.

Who are you and what did you do with that vulture prince?

Prince Yuen laughed heartily at Zen's words but was quick to reign himself in when Zen tried to reach for his fan. The man easily leaned out of his way, but he would not be deterred. He would never forgive himself if he returned to his master without the gift he'd bought just for him.

Pressing forward, he grabbed the man's shoulder with one hand as the other reached for the fan that was being stretched over the prince's head even as he was pushed onto his back on the cement. The man's hair dipped into the rippling water as he was lowered, but he paid it no mind. It floated on the surface like a fallen feather.

Stop teasing me, Zen growled as his fingers barely brushed the edge of his fan, but couldn't grip it.

The prince simply chuckled instead of responding to his thoughts.

Zen paused, leaning over the other man as he balanced on the hand he had holding the edge beside prince Yuen's head while his other, that had been reaching for his fan, lowered slightly. He hadn't even realized that he'd practically climbed overtop of the man. Thankfully, he was still able to hold himself off of him with his knees and arm.

When prince Yuen lifted one hand to press against the side of Zen's face, he didn't know how to react. Then the other man tilted his head against the cold concrete and looked up at him with a quizzical grin.

"Did you two get me a gift, too?"

Zen frowned at that, then shook the man's hand from his face as he glanced away.

We could find nothing that we thought appropriate.

His words got another quiet chuckle from the man, though he wasn't sure why.

"What about something inappropriate?" prince Yuen whispered as he began to lean up far too close for his comfort.

Zen was off and away from the man in a blur after he realized what he was about to try and do! He also used a burst of his wind ability to hasten his retreat. He'd managed to snag his fan during his escape, too, and unfurled it as he skidded to a stop a short distance away.

He was absolutely livid, and before the prince could even sit up fully, Zen was swinging his fan with, unfortunately, only a small bit of his remaining spiritual energy his seal possessed. He knew that he'd be in trouble if he truly hurt the man, but...

The harsh gust of wind generated from his spiritual device hit the other prince before he could put up enough of his own defenses to stop it. The attack didn't do much, but it did do just enough to shove him off of the spot he was sitting on and right into the frigid fountain.

I suppose I shouldn't have do that, but I can't say that I wouldn't do it again.

Zen hurried away before the prince could recover, thankful that the little bird that had returned to his shoulder didn't bother him about him leaving its master this time.