The sound came first
A soft rustle. Stone shifting.
Lin Yue lifted his head just as a familiar presence entered the cave.
Mo Shen returned carrying a bundle of fresh herbs in one hand and the limp body of a small mountain animal slung over his shoulder. The scent of earth, blood, and night air followed him inside.
You went Hunting ," Lin Yue said softly.
Mo Shen nodded. "You'll need strength."
He set the herbs down carefully, then glanced at Lin Yue—really looked at him this time.
Lin Yue was still wrapped in the black shed-skin garments. They clung lightly to his frame, contrasting starkly against his pale skin and silver-white hair.
Mo Shen's gaze lingered.
"…Your skin," he said slowly, voice low, "looks good against my black scales."
Lin Yue froze.
Then—heat rushed to his cheeks.
"That—" He turned his face away quickly. "You shouldn't say things like that."
Mo Shen's lips curved faintly. "Why?"
"It's embarrassing," Lin Yue muttered.
Mo Shen watched the blush spread across Lin Yue's face with quiet interest, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
"Interesting," he murmured.
He knelt beside Lin Yue and began preparing the herbs, crushing them with practiced movements. The sharp, clean scent filled the cave.
"This will reduce swelling," Mo Shen said, applying the paste carefully along Lin Yue's ribs and shoulder. His touch was cool, controlled—surprisingly gentle.
Lin Yue tensed at first, then slowly relaxed.
"…You've done this before," Lin Yue said.
"Yes," Mo Shen replied. "Survival requires many skills."
His fingers paused briefly where the bruising was darkest.
"You should have died from that fall," he added quietly. "Your body resisted."
Lin Yue swallowed. "I didn't want to die."
Mo Shen glanced at him.
"That desire," he said, resuming the treatment, "is very loud in you."
When he finished, Mo Shen hear lin yue stomach rumbling from hunger...
"I know you're hungry," he said. "Let's eat"
They sat close to the fire, the cave quiet except for the soft crackle of flames.
Mo Shen tore a strip of meat cleanly with his teeth—raw, dark and glistening. There was no hesitation, no reaction, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Lin Yue stared.
"…You're eating it like that?"
Mo Shen glanced at him, unbothered. "Yes."
"That's—" Lin Yue swallowed. "That's raw."
Mo Shen what does it mean? Dumbfounded
Lin Yue's face tightened. He looked down at his own portion, then back at Mo Shen.
"I can't," eat like this.he said honestly. "My stomach will revolt."
Mo Shen tilted his head. "You are weak."
"I'm injured," Lin Yue said but not weak.
Mo Shen huffed softly—almost a laugh.
"Then what do you want ."
Lin Yue blinked. "i can roast some meat for me sigh"
Mo Shen how can we if you burn yourself..
Lin yue Lough it's ok this small fire not burn me .
Carefully, Lin Yue skewered his piece of meat and held it over the fire. Fat sizzled. The scent changed—warm, rich, familiar.
Mo Shen watched closely.
The crackle.
The smoke.
The slow browning.
"…Interesting," Mo Shen murmured. "You change flesh with fire."
"It makes it edible," Lin Yue said, turning the meat. "For me, at least."
When it was done, Lin Yue took a cautious bite.
Warm. Savory. Real.
He exhaled in relief. "Much better."
Mo Shen stared at the roasted meat, then at Lin Yue.
"Give me some."
Lin Yue nearly choked. "You want eat ..
Mo Shen replied. yes
"…That's your standard?"
"Yes."
Lin Yue hesitated, then tore off a small piece and held it out.
Mo Shen accepted it between his fingers, studying it as if it were a dangerous artifact. He brought it to his mouth and bit down.
Silence.
Then—
Mo Shen's brows knit slightly.
"…It's softer," he admitted. "And warmer."
Lin Yue smiled despite himself. "See?"
Mo Shen chewed slowly, thoughtfully.
"I still prefer raw," he said. "But this is… acceptable."
Lin Yue laughed quietly, the sound surprising both of them.
For a moment, there was no betrayal.
No cliff.
No searching hawks above.
Just firelight, meat, and a Mo Shan trying roasted food for the first time