A Shé in the Rose
This is a gift for my sweet friend and inspiration, @ruensroad - who so kindly lets me dabble in her beautiful AU’s! This one is in her PeaceBride AU. I was inspired by this post!
Shé - snake shifter
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Huaisang smiled fondly as he looked down to where his fingers were combing through his husband’s silky black hair. Grateful for the idea of them sharing his study while they were having his husband’s tailoring rooms remodeled. He loved being able to spend his day with his beloved. The study cozily cluttered with his art supplies, fans, Mo Xuanyu’s fabrics, books, and tools.
Huaisang had missed him this morning when he’d had to deal with ambassador Yanbin. The old man was relentless in keeping up with his private appointments. Pushing those thoughts aside he drank in the sight of the other man.
They’d moved over to his window seat. He was sitting up with his husband sprawled out on the seat. His head propped up on his lap with a pillow as he sketched his latest design. One that he could tell was heavily influenced by the bouquet of roses that he’d given Mo Xuanyu this morning. His nose squinched up in thought at his lithe fingers worked the charcoal. His side notes stating that it would be shades of chartreuse and pale gold. The measurements at the bottom let Huaisang let him know that it was for him.
He was about to compliment the design when he was interrupted with a knock to study door. Huaisang let out a sigh, his fingers stilling as Mo Xunayu chuckled, tilting his head back to look up at him. He went to sit up but Huaisang stopped him.
“Stay.”
“I..”
“Don’t care what they think and neither should you. You’re my husband, A-Yu, and this is our home.” Huaisang gently reminded him. It’d been several years and Mo Xuanyu stil felt the need to keep up the propriety that’d been beaten into him. He leaned down pressing a reassuring kiss to his temple.
“Yes?” Huaisang called out to the page.
“Your grace, Ambassador Yanbin has requested your audience.”
“If he had anything left to say he should have done so earlier. “ Huaisang countered feeling prickly. He had no desire to see that shriveled mule.
“I advised him so, your grace. However,” his page continued, “he has also called for his majesties presence as well.”
Huaisang groaned not wanting to have this moment spoiled, but duty was calling. He couldn’t simply ignore the request when his brother was going to be there too. He closed his eyes only to open them at the feel of Mo Xunayu’s hand gently reaching up to cup his cheek.
“You need to go before your brother arrives first.” He stated, a thin understanding smile on his face. Huaisang couldn’t help but feel grateful that the beautiful before him was his husband. Always kind and understanding.
“Alright.” he grumbled before taking a deep breath to prepare himself for seeing that old geezer again on the same day, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.” Mo Xuanyu grinned getting up so that he could go see what was needed.
The promise that his husband would be waiting for him was all that kept him from all but bolting out of the room. Well that and his brother’s firm stare. One that had promised punishment if he dared to leave him alone with the man. So, he’d stayed for what felt like a lifetime but was only about three hours. Now, he was on his way back to his study.
By the time he got back, his blood was buzzing with excitement. All the previous frustrations were forgotten. However, he felt the sting of disappointment when he saw that his husband wasn’t in the room. He was puzzled though because his sketchbook was on the seat, a new design that wasn’t finished.
“Did my husband leave?” He asked to his page when he opened the door to find the men standing there.
“No, your grace.” His page answered, “He didn’t leave and no one but you has entered in since you left.”
“Thank you.” Huaisang replied, shutting the door. A small private smile sweeping over his face as he realized that meant that his husband was currently in his adorable Shé form. Which also meant that he was going to have a fun game of hide and seek. His husband was lithe and petite in his than form.
“Where are you?” Huaisang thought as he sat down on the bench. He’d looked through the bookshelves and even in the fabrics racks. His head resting on his hand. The sun’s rays brightened the room. His gaze shifted when out of his eye he spotted something glimmer near the roses and he tilted his head noticing one of them had something sticking out. The more he tilted his head the more it looked like whatever was sticking out was curling.
“No, he couldn’t be?” Huaisang muttered low before getting up to see if his beautiful husband was sunbathing in his roses. A tender feeling swelled in Huaisang’s chest as he hoped that it was true. He approached the table in front of the window, careful not to make a lot of noise.
He’d chosen these beautiful roses for being larger than normal. He imagined that they would look lovely in his husband’s hair or inspiration for something lovely. Their beautiful bright pink blooms opened to the sun coming through the window. He moved so that he wouldn’t block any of the rays but enough to be able to look inside. It didn’t take him long to find the shiny golden scaled tail sticking out slightly curling and uncurling.
He chuckled softly reaching out to turn the rose towards him. “Found you.” Huaisang thought happily. His eyes following his husband’s delicate body coiled around the shape of the petals in deep sleep. He’d have been completely hidden if not for the golden tail. It’s wiggling nature keeping it from being tucked in too. He loved how adorable his husband looked laying among petals.
An idea took root in his mind and he quickly went for his own sketchbook and charcoal. Quietly he also moved one of the stools so that he could draw the other sleeping in the sun with the blooms. This moment is too stunning to be kept to mere memory.
