Zhi Yu was a busy man, most of the time. After all running a city had its ups and downs and most of the time it was up to him to ensure that all was well and everything remained as it should. It would do no good for things to get out of hand. 

Today was not one of those days, he had time. So he decided to go to his gardens. They were private, nobody entered the area, it was off limits to anyone but him. Well him and his special person, not that they were yet aware of such a place existing. It did, after all exist solely for the purpose of giving the other a safe space. A place to nurture and grow, to love and to finally have what they should have had previously.

“It should have never been taken from him,” Zhi Yu muttered with a huff, bitter in regards to anything negative surrounding the other. He moved to take a seat on a nearby bench, front and centre to the garden. This perch allowed him a view of all that was there. 

It truly was a beautiful sight, apple trees lined the far corners, creating a closed off and private feel to the area. Rows of rose bushes in bloom of all different colours covered the left side, shades of pinks and whites, reds and blues blooming beautifully amongst the thorns and bright green stems. Daisies could be seen covering the places where there was space, for the area was looked after enough that they would sprout wherever they pleased. Nothing was allowed to die here. This place was sacred, to be looked after and nurtured as it had been for years by Zhi Yu. 

His eyes shifted even further, taking in the rows of lavender. The scent was heavenly and the colour majestic, standing out amongst the various other flowers. Keeping this garden in full bloom was the one thing Zhi Yu didn’t use his spiritual power for. He did not wish to tarnish them; instead he used hard work and his own hands to ensure everything was happy and healthy no matter the cost.

A few paces down from where he sat laid a fountain with glistening waves of water pouring over the white marble. Arches twisting into an intricate base where koi fish could be seen lightly swimming throughout the water. Their shades of white, orange, and black flicked around under the surface, creating ripples anytime they surfaced. They were fed each day by Zhi Yu and looked after to ensure they thrived as much as the flowers and plants had. 

None of this, however, was his favourite part of the gardens. In a circle, surrounding the fountain lay beds of rainbow lilies. The colours were bright and stunning against the white marble of the fountain. These were his pride and joy, for these were his special person's favourite flower. He treasured it as he wished to have treasured the other all these years.

He sighed, allowing his mind to drift back to when he first met the boy, though it seemed disgraceful to call him such when he held such a status now. But while he was a God now, he once had been a boy.

~~~

It was raining. The loud pitter patter surrounded the young, shivering boy. Cold and numb, he had nowhere left to go after his parents’ deaths. Parent…he refused to see the man who he once called father as one of his parents. That man was nothing but a coward. The bitter thoughts ran through his head, the gaping wound on his face stinging. It had been a few days, but he had yet to find cover, and it’s not like he had anyone to ask for help. He had torn off his belt, dipping it in a nearby river to try to clean the area in the reflection of the water the best he could. 

He was a monster. The person who looked back at him from the water was nothing like the person he used to see. He had changed; his pallor lessened and although his eyes had reverted back to how they used to appear, the gaping wound made him appear broken, torn and ugly. His robes, covered in dirt from sleeping on the floor, stuck to his skin. It was cold and uncomfortable but there was not much else he could do. He was huddled beneath a large oak tree, enough to give partial cover from the rain, but not enough to stop it from falling upon him.

With eyes screwed shut he was cursing his luck, wishing for once that he wouldn’t have to remain alive. It was too much for the little boy, having lived for nine years happily, when everything had broken apart in front of his eyes. He did not wish to have to live through the pain and suffering anymore, and besides, with his mother gone, he had nobody left to live for.

A loud crash of thunder made the boy curl even further into himself. He was not afraid of the noise, but afraid of what may come if a storm truly was to break out. 

“This is it…” he thinks to himself, mentally prepared to die tonight, cold and wet and alone. His only peace of mind came from knowing he’d soon see his mother again.

The sound of a snapping stick could be heard through the rain. The boy's head looked up at the sound, eyes glancing around to catch what may have caused it. His eyes landed on a figure dressed in white. A young man stood there, probably in his early teens, if his appearance was anything to go by. He was wrapped in a coat, arms slightly pulled together with what looked like wood gathered in them. His eyes were kind, his hair white as snow. He was quite pretty.

Zhi Yu’s eyes narrowed in suspicion; he was suspicious of everyone these days. As he pushed himself to his feet, his back remained against the tree, not taking his eyes off of the other.

“Why are you out in this storm?” The soft almost melodic voice spoke loud enough to carry across the wooded area. 

“You’ll freeze to death.” the man continued, worry shining in his eyes.

“That was the plan.” Zhi Yu muttered bitterly to himself, small fists clenched, legs ready in case he needed to run. 

“Leave me alone,” he insisted.

“Absolutely not.” the man responded, a furrow now apparent in his brow. He moved slowly, placing the wood on the ground before walking toward the other. “I’m not going to harm you. Where is your family? Are you lost?”

Zhi Yu huffed, rolling his eyes, showing his age as he crossed his arms. Maybe this guy would kill him? That would be quicker than dying in the cold or of starvation. The thought lessened his fear, coming to terms with the fact that it wouldn’t be all bad. 

“Ain’t got none,” he replied gruffly. “Now leave me alone. I’m fine.” 

The man's frown seemed to deepen as he appeared to ponder something before taking the thick winter coat off of his shoulders and moving closely to the boy. 

“We should get you in the warmth,” he said, as he placed the coat over the shivering boy’s shoulders. 

“We can discuss more inside.” He glanced at the wound he could now see more clearly on the boy's face and wondered how such a thing had come to pass. If the boy did not receive medical attention, he would almost surely get an infection.

The boy froze as the coat was placed over his shoulders. The smell of lavender rushed over him in waves. He wasn’t sure why this man would do such if he was just going to kill him anyway. 

The man moved to pick up some wood then walked closely by the boy, leading the way into what appeared to be a small cabin. Once inside, the man placed the wood next to something resembling a fireplace before turning to face the child. 

“My name is Jiehong. I shall get you some clothes and return promptly.” After speaking, he moved gracefully to find a towel and one of the small inner robes he owned before heading back downstairs. 

“I shall make some tea to help warm you,” he told the boy, handing him the towel and clothing. 

“Please do get changed. The clothing may be too large; I apologise but please try to make do.” He turned and exited to the kitchen area, leaving the young one to gather himself and change.

“What a strange man.” Zhi Yu thought to himself. He roughly took off his clothes and put on the underobe the other had left him. The man had guessed right–it was too big. The sleeves hung off of him, and he had to double tie the belt just to keep it secure. Zhi Yu let out a chuckle at the ridiculous sight before hissing, brows pulling together in a wince as the movement of laughter pulled at the wound on his face.

It was at that moment Jiehong returned. He held a bowl of water and what looked like a pouch of herbs in one hand and items for tea placed neatly on a tray in the other. A frown of concern covered his face as he placed the items on the table, gesturing for the other to sit. “Please, let me look at your wound.” 

Zhi Yu didn’t speak, but he did sit, mouth pulled tightly as he faced the other. The next few minutes passed in silence, with the sound of water and cotton against skin being the only things heard. The other man numbed the area with slender and steady fingers. The smell of the tea calmed Zhi Yu as the man began to stitch the wound together. He was quick and efficient, but still gentle with every touch. 

The boy tried not to move or make a sound. He did not wish to appear weak and was truly baffled by why the other was helping him. It was during the silence that he realised perhaps the man may have kinder intentions than he’d first assumed. Guilt chewed at him; the first genuine emotion he had felt since the incident. 

“Zhi Yu,” the boy said as the man moved to clear away the medical supplies.“My name is Zhi Yu.”

Jiehong smiled softly toward the boy before moving to pour the two some tea. 

“It’s nice to meet you Zhi Yu.” He spoke softly, earnest with his words as he placed one of the cups in front of the boy. 

~~~

Zhi Yu sighed, rubbing his temple and unable to help the smile that graced his face as the memory washed over him, much like the running water of the fountain in the garden. The first meeting of the two had been strange, but he would always be thankful for the man. He had, after all, helped Zhi Yu feel again. Even back then, he remembered Jiehong was beautiful, in every way one could be.