kitten
The person in his arms was still a little stiff, like a frightened little animal that still hadn't let down its guard. Jiang Yibai could clearly feel the slight warmth coming from Lin Xiyan's forehead against his shoulder, as well as the subtle, suppressed trembling.
He didn't push her, nor did he say those blunt, unnerving words again. He simply maintained this gentle embrace, one hand patiently stroking Lin Xiyan's thin back over and over again, his movements as gentle as if he were soothing a livid cat.
The vibration of the guitar strings and the lingering sound of "I only sing for you" still lingered in the air, silently enveloping the two of them.
A long time passed, so long that the sun outside the window had sunk even lower, and the light in the room had grown softer and more hazy. Only then did Lin Xiyan's tense shoulders and back slowly and gradually relax. Her fingers, clutching the bed sheet, loosened, trembling slightly as she tentatively and cautiously grasped the fabric at Jiang Yibai's waist.
Like a silent response, or like the only piece of driftwood a drowning man grabs.
Jiang Yibai felt the softest spot in his heart being pinched again. He lowered his head, his lips almost touching Lin Xiyan's hair, and asked in a whisper, "Are you hungry? I brought some food."
The person in his arms shook his head gently, and his hair rubbed against his chin, bringing a slight itch.
"Are you thirsty?" Jiang Yibai was very patient, his voice still soft enough to drip water. "Drink some water? Hmm?"
This time, Lin Xiyan was silent for a few seconds and nodded very lightly.
Jiang Yibai then carefully loosened his arms, helped him back to the headboard, and carefully placed a pillow behind him. As he did so, his fingertips inevitably touched the skin on the back of Lin Xiyan's neck, feeling the warmth that still lingered there.
He stood up to pour some water and tested the temperature. It was just right. Instead of handing the cup over directly, he sat down on the bed and held the cup to Lin Xiyan's lips.
Lin Xiyan looked at him, her amber eyes still moist and dazed. He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head slightly, taking small sips of water from Jiang Yibai's hand. His Adam's apple rolled slightly as he swallowed.
Jiang Yibai's gaze fell on his slightly trembling eyelashes and his wet lips, and his eyes deepened a little.
After drinking half a cup, Lin Xiyan tilted his head slightly to indicate that it was enough.
Jiang Yibai put the cup aside, took a tissue, and wiped the corner of his mouth very naturally.
Lin Xiyan's eyelashes trembled violently as his fingertips touched his skin through the tissue, as if struck by a weak electric current. His cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and the temperature that had just subsided soared again. He subconsciously tried to hide, but Jiang Yibai's gaze fixed him.
The look was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable focus.
"Have you taken the medicine?" Jiang Yibai asked, and rolled up the tissue and threw it into the trash can next to him.
Lin Xiyan shook her head, her voice still a little hoarse: "...Not yet."
"I knew it." Jiang Yibai's tone didn't contain any blame, but rather a hint of helplessness and indulgence, "As expected." He took the medicine bag from the table, carefully separated the pills according to the instructions, and handed over the water cup, "Take the medicine first."
Lin Xiyan obediently took the pill and swallowed it with water. The slightly bitter taste of the medicine spread across the tip of her tongue.
After taking the medicine, a subtle silence fell between the two of them. The sunset light moved slowly across the floor, and tiny dust particles floated in the air.
Lin Xiyan lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously picking at the edge of the quilt. The song had been such a shock, and now that she was quiet, the belated embarrassment and confusion flooded over her. Her heartbeat was still rapid, and her ears were burning.
Jiang Yibai remained silent, simply sitting by the bed and watching him. His gaze seemed glued to him, tracing every inch of his downcast brows, flushed cheeks, and slightly pursed lips. His gaze held no aggression, merely focused, gentle gaze, as if he could never get enough.
Being stared at so openly, Lin Xiyan felt uneasy and fidgety. He mustered up his courage, raised his eyes, glanced quickly at Jiang Yibai, then immediately lowered them again, his voice as thin as a mosquito: "You... don't you need to go home?"
"Kick me away?" Jiang Yibai raised his eyebrows, his tone carrying a hint of exaggerated grievance, but he leaned forward, closing the distance between them.
"No!" Lin Xiyan hurriedly denied. She raised her head and met Jiang Yibai's smiling purple eyes. Only then did she realize that he was teasing her again. Her cheeks turned even redder. "I... I mean... it's getting dark..."
"Yeah," Jiang Yibai responded, his eyes still locked on his face, and he said slowly, "So?"
"So..." Lin Xi was at a loss for words, her fingers clutching the quilt tightly, "Your family...will be worried..."
"I've already told them," Jiang Yibai said in a relaxed tone, "I won't be going back tonight."
"Ah?" Lin Xiyan was stunned, his eyes slightly widened, "...Why?"
Jiang Yibai looked at him in a daze, and his heart itched fiercely. He suddenly reached out his hand, not to touch him, but to lightly brush away the messy hair on his forehead with his fingers, and his fingertips brushed his skin lightly.
"Because here," he lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret, but his eyes were extremely serious, "there is an injured kitten that needs someone to take care of it."
The touch of her fingertips was fleeting, but the itch she left behind lingered. Lin Xiyan's heart seemed to be struck simultaneously by these words and the gentle gesture. It skipped a beat, then began to beat wildly again.
"I... I'm not..." He spoke incoherently, not sure whether he wanted to deny the name "kitten" or the fact that "needs care".
"You are." Jiang Yibai interrupted him, his tone firm and with a bit of unreasonable gentleness, "Until your injury is healed, you have to listen to me."
He stood up as he spoke. Lin Xiyan thought he was going to do something, but he simply walked to the window and pulled the old curtains, blocking out the gradually falling night outside and any possible sight. The light in the room dimmed instantly, becoming more private and quiet.
Then he walked back, put the guitar aside very naturally, took off his shoes, and lay on the bed sideways. The bed was not big, and when he lay down, the distance between them was instantly shortened to the point where they could almost hear each other's breath.
Lin Xiyan froze, her breath suddenly caught, and she stared at Jiang Yibai, who was so close to her. She subconsciously tried to shrink back, but the headboard was already behind her.
"You...what are you doing..." His voice trembled, and he frantically tried to pull the quilt between them.
"Go to sleep." Jiang Yibai answered as a matter of course. He stretched out his arm, but not to hug him. Instead, he walked over him and turned off the dim little table lamp on the bedside.
The room was completely dark, with only a tiny ray of light leaking in through the gaps in the curtains, barely outlining the vague outlines of objects.
Deprived of vision, other senses instantly become sharper.
Lin Xiyan could clearly hear the steady breathing of the person beside him, could feel the warmth emanating from his body, could smell his clean scent mixed with a hint of guitar wood. That scent enveloped him pervasively, carrying a strong sense of presence.
He lay there stiffly, not daring to move, even breathing very lightly, for fear of bumping into the person next to him.
In the darkness, Jiang Yibai's voice sounded again, low and a little sleepy and hoarse, right next to his ear: "Don't be afraid, I won't touch your wound."
He paused, turned over, and faced Lin Xiyan. His warm breath brushed against Lin Xiyan's ear.
"I just want to be closer to you." The voice was as soft as a dream talk, but it was filled with an unquestionable dependence. "Otherwise I can't sleep."
Lin Xiyan's heart felt like it was being rubbed hard by these words. A wave of sour and soft emotions flooded out, dispelling the tension and helplessness. In the darkness, he slowly relaxed his tense body.
After a long time, so long that the breathing of the person next to me became even and long, as if he was really asleep.
Lin Xiyan turned her head very slowly and carefully, trying to make out Jiang Yibai's vague outline in the thick darkness.
My heart was still beating fast, but it was no longer just panic.
A strange, warm current, accompanied by the reassuring breath of the people around me, slowly flows through my limbs and bones, dispelling the chill of the long lonely night.
He took a very light breath and slowly closed his eyes.
The eyelashes trembled, and finally calmed down.
The world outside the window fell completely silent. In the small, shabby room, two young faces slept facing each other in the darkness, their breathing gradually blending and becoming synchronized.
No one is alone tonight.
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