Up All Night

Cooking always took some time, especially without Qiān’s help, but he had become quite comfortable in doing so. Without a job on his hands, Míngzé had a whole day to prepare his dinner and all he had to do in the evening was heat it up. Which was exactly what he was doing. Carefully he was cutting his vegetables.

Dai was sleeping on the couch, with Wěi somewhere near him. The two had bonded a great deal, although the same thing could not be said for Míngzé and Wěi. But it was fine this way. He would not force the pokémon, maybe in time she would come to trust him.

A knock sounded, instantly followed by Dai’s loud barking and the scratching of Wěi’s claws over the ground as she ran for safety. There was a soft frown on Míngzé’s face as he gazed towards the door. He did not expect anyone, at least not that he was aware of. Maybe a surprise visit of his parents or even Lányù?

“Coming!” Míngzé safely put the knife away, making sure he would not cut him accidentally later on. Quickly he used a towel to clean his hands and then went towards the door. His hand rested on the doorknob, ready to open the door. “Who’s there?” It was out of safety as he could not look through the small hole in the door. Not that people could not lie, but he would not just open the door for anyone. Dai stood at his feet, a low growl rolling in his throat.

Míngzé did not know who to expect, but this came as a surprise even to him. A few days ago he’d talked to Sāng about this person and it helped somewhat. Enough to give the other another chance, albeit a small one, but it was more than before.

However, things did not start too great. “I think I’d know if it was me,” he muttered as he opened the door, more to himself than to the one actually knocking. Even before Vince confirmed it, Míngzé had immediately recognized the voice and was already opening the door. He took a deep breath, reminding him again that he was going to be nice and give him a chance.

That one time had all been a misunderstanding. Or something. Míngzé was glad he did not need to ask the other what brought him here, Vince took the initiative himself, prompting him to raise an eyebrow at the first question. “Can you believe I have not?” Immediately after he cleared his throat. Right, be nice. Not that the other was making it easy. He might need to— no, nice. “Last time I saw him was a couple of days ago,” he finally answered honestly with a short shrug.

Sāng being gone for a few hours, his phone turned off. So far it all did not sound very concerning. “Maybe his phone died or he’s somewhere with a bad connection.” Míngzé knew the other would seek out places like the forest, and phone service was not that great over there. “I know you two are—” he started only to come to the realization that he had no idea what they were exactly. “Whatever. I’m sure you can survive a few hours without him. I don't see any reason for concern.” After their last talk, it would not surprise him if Sang just needed a few hours to himself, away from everything.

Vince managed to get him absolutely speechless. It was not everyday someone told him people had tried to take his life, and not once, but multiple times .His frown deepened, and he let go of the doorknob, crossing his arms loosely over his chest. “Right,” Míngzé said slowly. That Sāng would leave his pokémon at home, sure, but everything else sounded rather exaggerated. For a moment he felt like this was one big joke.

The other continued his explanation, trying to explain why he was worried. Again Míngzé was reminded of how young the other sounded. His tone resembled that of a lovesick teenager, fearful that his boyfriend might leave him. Míngzé had to hold back a deep sigh and let the other continue.

Then came the confession about the strange feeling Vince felt and a lump formed in his throat. Míngzé knew the other had an affinity of his own, although he had no idea which one. Perhaps one that could sense the change in Sāng, as he had also one now. One he acquired recently after a deal with some devil. Míngzé assumed that was what Vince was feeling.

A sigh eventually escaped and Míngzé rubbed his eyes. “If it's any consolation, although it's not great, I believe what you're feeling now is an improvement compared to before.” He knew very well that he was speaking in riddles and that it made no sense at all. “There was— fuck.” Was he really going to do this? And to Vince of all people. “For a while I— I sensed death around him. Constantly. That’s gone now. It might be replaced by something cold, but at least for now, that is better than the alternative.” Who was the crazy one now? Míngzé absolutely hated the words coming out of his mouth, the silent confession behind them.