Inside the cave, the fire crackled softly.
Feng Lihan returned from the inner chamber holding a garment unlike anything Lin Yue had seen before.
It was woven from fine sky-silk and edged with soft hawk feathers—light, elegant, carrying the faint scent of wind and sun.
"This is a wing-dress," Feng Lihan said quietly. "Only those acknowledged by the Hawk Clan's leader may wear it."
Lin Yue's eyes widened. "You're giving this… to me?"
Feng Lihan stepped closer and draped it over Lin Yue's shoulders himself, adjusting it carefully, almost reverently. The feathers brushed Lin Yue's collarbone, warm and protective.
"You don't belong to anyone else," Feng Lihan said, voice low. "And I don't intend to share you."
Lin Yue's face flushed bright red. "Lihan… you sound like a jealous husband."
Feng Lihan's lips curved faintly. "I am jealous."
Then, softer—dangerously gentle—
"Of course I don't want to share you. You're mine. Do you understand, baby?"
Something in Lin Yue's chest tightened.
After everything he had lost… after being pushed off a cliff, betrayed, abandoned by his family
These words landed like shelter.
He smiled, eyes shining, and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Feng Lihan's waist.
"And you're my world too," Lin Yue whispered. "You're the only one who's ever protected me like this."
For a moment, Feng Lihan didn't breathe.
Then he pulled Lin Yue closer, wings folding around them as if shutting out the entire sky.
Their lips met—slow at first, then deeper, full of pent-up fear and relief and longing. Feng Lihan's hands slid to Lin Yue's back, holding him as though afraid he might disappear again.
Just as the air grew heavy—
Grrr.
Lin Yue froze.
The sound echoed embarrassingly between them.
His ears burned. "…I'm sorry. I think I'm hungry."
Feng Lihan stared at him for half a second.
Then he sighed, pressing his forehead to Lin Yue's with helpless affection.
"Really," he muttered. "Timing."
Lin Yue laughed softly, hiding his face against Feng Lihan's chest.
"I'll hunt," Feng Lihan said. "Stay here. Don't move."
Outside, the Hawk Clan territory was already dimming as Feng Lihan took to the sky. He returned swiftly with fresh prey, building a fire near the cliff edge and roasting the meat until the scent drifted warmly through the air.
When he brought the food back, Lin Yue hesitated.
"…Lihan?"
"Yes?"
Lin Yue glanced toward the cave farther down the ridge, where darkness pooled quietly. "Mo Shan is alone. He helped me survive when I fell. Could we… give him some food too?"
Feng Lihan's jaw tightened—just slightly.
He followed Lin Yue's gaze, eyes sharp and unreadable.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"…I don't like it," Feng Lihan admitted. "But you're kind. Too kind."
He tore off a portion of the meat and wrapped it neatly.
"I'll allow it," he said firmly. "Because you asked. Not because I trust him."
Lin Yue smiled with relief and leaned in to kiss Feng Lihan's cheek. "Thank you."
Feng Lihan stiffened—then muttered, "You're dangerous when you smile like that."
As Feng Lihan stepped out to deliver the food, Lin Yue remained inside the cave, fingers brushing the feathers of his wing-dress.
Warm.
Safe.
Chosen.
And in the shadows beyond the firelight, a snake waited—watching, calculating, and smiling quietly to himself