Xian's POV

"Jun, what I want is a promise." I say, removing myself from Jun's lap and wearing the shirt he had handed to me a few minutes ago.

His body visibly relaxes and he leaves out a deep breath.

"Mn?" He asks, wearing his shirt as well.

I wish I could tell him to not do that.

I wish to look at you some more, Jun.

"My college starts from next week. I want you to promise me that you will spend these seven days with me." I say confidently. I know he will never agree. I know he can't go without his women for more than a couple of days.

"No." He replies.

"Ten days." I say, smirking.

"What!?" He exclaims.

"Thirteen days."

"Xian, stop being so stubborn. You know I can't.... " He gulps and trails off.

I feel sad and hurt. I feel angry as well, but I don't want him to see what I am feeling, so I smile and leave the bed.

"Where do you think you are going, young man?" He asks sternly, when I head towards my backpack.

"I am eighteen, Jun. Do you know what that means?" I ask, picking up my backpack, and opening my wardrobe.

I hear him leave the bed and walk towards me, "What are you trying to say?" He asks, turning me to face him.

I cup his face and look into his eyes. "I am an adult now, Jun. And I can see that I am just a burden to you.... a constant nuisance, in your otherwise perfect life."

"No, you are wrong... "

"Jun, " I say softly, stepping closer, "It's okay, I am not a selfish person. From the time I can remember, you have been the one constant in my life. And you have always provided for me..taken care of me..."

"A Xian, what are you.... "

I let go of his face and hug him. I bury my face in his neck, and breath him in. I turn my face towards him, "Jun, you are free." I say, my lips trailing the side of his neck.... as if by accident...as if by chance.

Sorry my love, but you left me no choice.

What he does next shocks me.

"No. Mine!" He bites out, and hugs me tight, "You can not leave me. I will not let you leave me." He adds.

His hands roam over my back, as if to check if I am still here...still with him. His hand comes to rest at the nape of my neck.

I want to give in. I want to stop this pretence. But I know, that if I stop now, he will win. I can't let that happen.

I try to pull away from his embrace but he holds me tighter, "Jun, it's okay, really. I know that you are duty bound and that your love for my mother is the reason you are stuck with me... Jun.." I whisper once more and place my lips on his neck.

His breath hitches in his chest.

"Xian.... " He says breathlessly, and let's go of me.

There are tears in his eyes.

Did I go too far!?

He cups my face, "Xian, what made you think that you are a nuisance in my life? Is it those women? They are fake. Is it my work, that keeps me locked up in my study? It's a necessity. Tell me Xian, what made you doubt your importance in my life?" He asks and leans in, making our foreheads touch, "Xian, do you really think that you are a burden...a nuisance?"

I nod.

He shakes his head and kisses my forehead.

Cool... Soft... Mine.

He smiles giving me a once over. His eyes glisten with tears, as he touches my cheeks, "You have indeed grown up, my bo..my Xian...Xian." He kisses my cheek.

I lean into the kiss.

"Xian, you never were and never will be a burden. You are my life. Everything else is fake. Do you understand?" He asks, kissing my other cheek, and cupping the side of my face.

I hold his wrist, "But Jun, you can't even give me a few days."

"I have my reasons, Xian. Trust me." He says with so much sincerity that my resolve breaks.

"Ok." I say in a small voice and nod.

Looks like I lost again.

I turn away, and after putting away my backpack, I climb into the bed.

I close my eyes, and tears make their way down my face. Not only had I failed in making Jun agree with me, I had made him cry too.

Nice going, Xian!

I feel the bed dip, and the next moment I feel Jun's body press snugly against mine.

He turns me around to face him, and wraps his arms around me.

"Jun, what are you doing?" I ask, when he smiles mischievously.

I know this smile. I haven't seen it in ages, and I have missed it.

It's the smile which Jun used to direct at me when I used to come home crying, after having arguments with my friends.

This smile means only one thing....Tickle fest!

His hands creep under my arms and he starts tickling me.

I giggle and try to hold his wrists, just like I used to, when I was a kid.

"Jun, I am not a child anymore. You can't make me happy like this!" I say, giggling.

"Yet, you look much happier now, than you did seconds ago." He says, continuing to tickle me.

I struggle, continuing to laugh till I finally am able to grab hold of his wrists. I turn our position, and push him into the sheets by straddling him.

He looks taken aback and blinks. I take this opportunity to pin his hands on either side of his face and hover over him.

How do you like it now, Jun?

I notice that he is out of breath and beads of sweat appear on the side of his forehead. Our eyes meet and I hold his gaze, wondering what he will do next.

"I let you win." He says.

It's a lie. I don't know how I know, but I know Jun is lying.

"Really?" I challenge him.

And he nods.

"Then why don't you push me off and free yourself." I ask, leaning in, daring him to do something... anything.

He parts his lips, as if wanting to say something but then closes them.

He looks away.

"Jun, answer me." I ask... I command.

He purses his lips tight, as if he is really struggling to keep mum.

But a second later he speaks and it moves me to the core.

"I don't want to." He answers in a small voice, tips of his ears turning red.

I lean closer still, and our eyes meet once again.

"Why don't you want to?" I ask feeling intrigued.

"Because.... I like it." He answers and close his eyes.

"What do you like, Jun? Tell me."

"I like being close to you.... Like this." He says looking at our bodies.

I lean in closer, "How about now?" I ask bravely.

"I like it." He answers and a tear leaves his eyes and rolls down to my pillow.

Why does it pain him so to admit it?

I realize that what I had done was wrong. Maybe he was just trying to make me feel better... Or maybe his words meant something different than what I thought they meant.

"Jun, do you like me?" I ask hesitantly.

He looks at me with eyes full of affection, "Of course I do. I don't just try to make everyone I meet happy.... Xian, your happiness matters to me. It matters a great deal."

Is that all, Jun...is that all that matters to you?

My eyes fall on his parted lips, and I want more than anything, to taste them.

Keeping my eyes on his lips, I lean in. I almost claim his mouth, but he turns his head away.

"Xian.... stop." He says, his voice barely over a whisper. Once again I can sense the desperation in his voice.

What was I thinking!!??

I am so stupid.

Of course he was playing along... Of course he doesn't love me...at least not the way I want him to!

How could I even think that he actually likes me that way!?

"Ok." I say, and unpin his arms. But before I can do anything more, he sits up, pulls me in his lap and hugs me.

"Are you happy now?" He asks.

"Mn?" I ask, trying to get off his lap.

"Xian," He says, holding me tighter, "How about this, you can have me for three days, and I will allow you four things....That makes it seven in total."

Did he just partially agree to my birthday wish!?

His hold on me loosens and I catch his eyes, "Are you sure?" I ask to confirm whether I had heard correct.

"Mn. I will be yours, for three days and will give you four things." He repeats, cupping my face, and kissing the tip of my nose.

"Now, smile for me." He requests and I oblige.

"Let's sleep." He says, and proceeds to take his former position, with his front, firmly pressed against my back and wraps his arm around my waist.

I hum and he kisses my shoulder. "Happy birthday, A Xian." He says, stroking my hair and I drift off to a dreamless sleep, in the arms of the angel that belongs to me... At least for the next three days.

Considerate... Caring... Mine.

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