His injuries from the cavern collapse weren’t any better the next day, but that didn’t stop him from planning to sneak into the city. There was a rebellion brewing under their nose and a protagonist who refused to follow the script. He'd die from boredom if he stayed here any longer.

He looked down from where he was standing at his balcony window, assessing the six stories he’d have to descend to reach the ground.

A chilly breeze swept across his face, whipping through his thick layer of clothes, causing him to shiver. 

Come on, he’d done this countless times with Ming Yi. If he couldn’t even do this much on his own, he’d continue to feel like an infant. Perhaps for the sake of his pride, he gathered enough courage, reaching over the railing for the vines growing between the cracks in the wall. 

He yanked the vines to be certain it wouldn’t collapse under his weight. 

When they held, he lifted himself on top of the railing, heart pounding as he stood before the small gap separating him from oblivion. He wobbled on his feet until he found his balance. Wrapping the vines around his wrist to secure his hold, he leaped off the railing, falling some distance. 

His hands tightened their grip, feet frantically searching for a stone to latch onto. He moved his leg around the vine to gain some kind of traction, and with his free leg, he extended his boot towards the wall. When it finally connected, he stopped swinging about. 

He smiled, feeling proud of himself, but his victory was short-lived. 

His grip on the vine became slippery with sweat. He gripped tighter, but slid down faster by the second.

The world suddenly tilted as he lost his hold. 

Fear overwhelmed his senses as he free fell, certain this would be his end. 

A brutal yank of his foot kept him afloat, sending him crashing into the wall upside down. 

The impact left his body numb.

An eruption of laughter occurred from above. “I can’t believe you just did that,” Ming Yi sputtered out between spouts of laughter. “You look ridiculous.”

Zhen Xue twisted slightly and found find Ming Yi sitting on the fifth-floor window, one leg hanging outside, swinging idly as he wiped away the tears in his eyes. “Oh, shut up,” Zhen Xue grumbled, lowering his head back down. “You’re the reason I’m in this mess!”

“Nobody told you to climb down from your window.”

“And what should I have done exactly? If I stayed there any longer, I would’ve become a coat hanger to entertain myself!” His statement warranted another fit of laughter, making him feel even more unpleasant. “Don’t bother helping me anymore! I’ve decided I’ll be staying here.”

“Oh?” Ming Yi replied with interest. “Are you sure about that?”

“I hope you eat shit.”

Ming Yi laughed again. “So, you do want me to help you?”

“What the hell are you two doing?” Xu Yang demanded, staring up at them from his balcony a few stories below. “Do you have any idea how loud you’re being? Not a person in the kingdom isn’t aware you’re there now.” Xu Yang smiled knowingly. “Don’t tell me you were trying to sneak out?”

“I hate you both,” he declared.

“That sounds like a personal problem,” Xu Yang shifted to lean against his hand, getting comfortable. He looked up, smiling again. “Want to talk about it?”

“Xu Yang!” Zhen Xue shouted, catching the glee dancing in his eyes. His resolve shattered, causing him to laugh despite himself. Oh, he was so annoyed right now. Wait until one of them needs his help.

The wind brushed his face, drawing his attention to the bright blue open sky.

He could feel Xu Yang’s assessing gaze, theatrics dropped. “What’s weighing on your mind?”

“Maybe the blood is rushing to my head?”

“Come on,” Xu Yang encouraged, not buying his bullshit response. Zhen Xue probably wouldn’t believe himself either. “You can tell us. Tell us or we won’t let you down.”

“I... I don’t know what I’m doing anymore,” he admitted. His hand reached out towards the sky, reaching for something that wasn’t there. “The answers I’m searching for keep getting further away. And the more I try, people get hurt.”

His foot slipped and suddenly he was plummeting through the air, but oddly, he wasn’t afraid. 

The world blended with colors and shapes as he moved faster then the clouds overhead. He wondered what his life would’ve been like had he stayed in the modern world. Would his goals be any closer?

Ming Yi caught his foot midair, lowering them both to Xu Yang’s balcony. 

Xu Yang sighed. “You know, sometimes I wish the three of us were born in a different world.”

Zhen Xue flopped backwards, snow burying against his neck, but he welcomed the cold, staring up at the vast empty sky. “A different world, huh?” 

“You think I’d still be amazing?” Ming Yi asked with a smug look.

“Annoying, you mean.” Zhen Xue stuck his tongue out at him, but huffed a laugh despite himself. “I can’t believe you were going to leave me up there.”

“That’s what you get for doing something stupid.”

“Ah Yang,” Zhen Xue said with familiarity, tapping his brother’s shoulder. “Do you see how he talks to me? I should have him demoted.” For extra measure, he threw a handful of snow at Ming Yi, who shouted in response.

Xu Yang laughed at the scene, giving Zhen Xue a look that said, “That’s your problem.” 

When things quieted down, Xu Yang nudged Zhen Xue’s shoulder with a smile. 

“Come on, tell me,” Xu Yang said. “If you could do anything, what would you do?”

“Like you don’t already know?”

“Humor me.”

Zhen Xue mulled over the idea, only able to think of avenging his fallen family. “Ming Yi,” he said. “Why don’t you go first?” 

When he remained silent, Zhen Xue turned to him, surprised by what he saw. The look in his gaze was akin to pride as he stared out over the snow-covered city below. “I’m already where I want to be.”

That was… An expected response to be honest. What about himself? What did he want beyond revenge? He never allowed himself to think that far. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’ve never been able to choose what I want.” He winced as Xu Yang slapped him on the leg. “Ow...” he glared at him, discovering Xu Yang tossed him a pointed look.

“That’s why it’s hypothetical and not based on real life,” Xu Yang expression turned softer. “Don’t over think it. Just say whatever comes to mind.”

“Well, I guess…” He paused, considering his time writing stories. “An author.”

Xu Yang’s eyes widened a bit. “You like to write?” 

“A long time ago I did... but now I think maybe I shouldn’t have.”

Xu Yang sighed, shaking his head. “Once again, I have no idea what you’re talking about, but listen, little brother. If you stay this serious, life will pass you by and you won’t enjoy anything.”

“You’re right, but…”

“You shouldn’t let someone else decide what you can achieve for yourself,” he said with a brighter expression. “While you might not be in Cassanova’s favor right now, don’t forget that you are one of us. You’re an Alistair, and that name carries more weight than any crown ever will.”

When Xu Yang smiled at him again, Zhen Xue may have been laying in snow, but his heart hadn’t felt this warm in a long time.