Chapter 167: Evening Rest
As they lived together, they would keep realizing the little things they needed, and little by little, their home would fill with belongings that belonged only to the two of them.
After all, this was the home of himself and Shiao Yi.
Dominic lit the wood in the fireplace that was set between the two connected rooms.
The flames flickered, filling the once-chilly space with a warm glow.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he let himself be wrapped in that gentle warmth as he waited quietly for Shiao Yi to return.
Shiao Yi peeked through the door.
When his eyes met Dominic’s eyes, he flushed bright red.
Dominic beckoned him closer and Shiao Yi stepped in hesitantly while clutching the bathrobe at his chest as he drew up to the bed.
They had been intimate many times before; it should have felt normal. Yet watching this oddly nervous Shiao Yi made Dominic’s own heart start to flutter.
—What is this? Is this like a newlywed’s first night?
The thought made Dominic feel awkward too.
The bed sank under their weight as Shiao Yi sat beside him.
The warm water’s steam left a soft scent on Shiao Yi and that alone stirred Dominic’s desire sharply.
He slipped an arm around Shiao Yi and Shiao Yi leaned his weight into him.
While holding him close, Dominic felt wrapped in the warmth of Shiao Yi’s body.
When Dominic glanced at him, Shiao Yi looked up at him.
His cheeks were a pale blossom of pink; the embarrassed expression made him look both tender and enticing.
Those large, dark eyes, usually calm and clear even in battle, now shone with sweetness.
Dominic had always been drawn to that steady gaze, but the melted, gentle look now was unbearable.
He didn’t want anyone else to see it.
Shiao Yi’s mouth that was firm with a strong will opened slightly as if waiting for Dominic’s kiss.
Its small and delicate, yet brave and manly—Shiao Yi was lovely and suddenly exuded a strange sensual beauty.
Dominic trembled with the pride and joy of having this wonderful person all to himself.
Kissing the lips that had been waiting, Dominic stripped the bathrobe away.
Shiao Yi had been wearing nothing underneath.
How fragile and dear he was. Dominic loved him so much he felt he might go mad.
"Shiao Yi. I love you," Dominic whispered into his ear, then pressed him down onto the bed.
"Dominic. I do too. I love you," Shiao Yi answered in a hoarse voice, giving Dominic the words he wanted to hear.
He wrapped his arms around Dominic’s neck and then spoke on, voice earnest.
"Dominic, will you take me?"
Taken aback, Dominic looked at him.
Shiao Yi’s face was unexpectedly serious.
"I’m not a woman. I can’t give you children. If you take a man as your partner, your position will become difficult. People will point fingers and mock you. If I think of you, I know I shouldn’t be by your side. This is my ego. My selfish desire."
Dominic opened his mouth to argue, but Shiao Yi silenced him with his words.
"I know your feelings. That’s why I’m going to be brave and honest. I want you to need me, and I need you. I want you. I don’t want to give you to anyone. Give me all of you. I will give you all of me. Together, until we die."
Then Shiao Yi clung tightly to Dominic, holding him as if he would never let go.
Dominic trembled with emotion.
His chest ached with such joy that for a moment he could not even move.
Shiao Yi had chosen this night, the night they settled into their new home, to declare and vow his feelings as if it were their wedding night.
Dominic slowly sat up in bed and pulled Shiao Yi up with him.
He let his own bathrobe fall away, baring himself completely, nothing hidden, nothing disguised.
While naked, he faced Shiao Yi, took his right hand and pressed a kiss onto the back of it.
"Shiao Yi, I vow this as well. For my life, and even after death, for as long as this world endures, I will love only you. All of me belongs to you, and all of you belongs to me. We will share every joy and every sorrow together."
It was not a in the church, nor was there a priest or friends to witness, yet Dominic felt the same solemnity as if they had spoken before the gods themselves.
With clear words, they had pledged their lives.
From this moment on, Shiao Yi had become his partner.
Shiao Yi reached up and lightly touched the ear cuff on Dominic’s left ear, smiling with joy.
It was the pair they had chosen together just the other day at the jeweler’s: a golden cuff with Dominic’s blue stone beside Shiao Yi’s black one.
Seeing Shiao Yi’s radiant smile made Dominic smile as well.
He kissed the cuff on Shiao Yi’s right ear, then pressed a gentle kiss onto Shiao Yi’s lips.
A soft kiss, a vow sealed with tenderness. Shiao Yi returned the kiss.
"I love you, Dominic. Will you take me?"
How happy he sounded as he said it. And yet, how much he stirred Dominic’s desire.
"Yes, I will take you."
Dominic’s passion broke through like a dam bursting, unstoppable, overflowing.
"Shiao Yi... you’d better take responsibility for this."
...
The first night of his new life with Dominic had begun. It was their first night in the new house.
In the brand-new bath, with the smell of fresh wood still clinging to the walls, Shiao Yi had soaked in the warm water, restless, his heart pounding too fast to calm down.
—Was he a newlywed bride? Like a blushing maiden?
He clicked his tongue in irritation at the thought, but his heart thudded on, betraying him. Damn it! He had never realized he could be this innocent, this unguarded.