Temple of Truth

Chapter 44

Wu Xi was quite relaxed again. But when earlier he would have easily been able to just fall asleep like this now his body was telling him that this was no time to fall asleep.

But at least his face had a normal colour again, well it felt normal again.

And his thoughts again circling back to Zhang who was still sitting at his back. Wu Xi hadn't heard him move at all. He was listening, trying to find out what he was doing. But he couldn't hear anything. So, he was probably still sitting where he had been, leaning on the tree. – wearing only that thin pullover.

Wu Xi really wanted to turn around, look again. Remembering what he was seeing and keeping the memory save – treasure it. It was extremely seldom, that he had a chance of seeing Zhang without his jacked on.

But, - wasn't it weird if he now turned around again? Wasn't he the one who had just turned away? What would Zhang think if he now, so soon after turned back around?

Damn, Wu Xi though, why was he pondering about this like a virgin to embarrassed to talk to her crush?

Then he remembered, he still was one – but he only wanted to peak a bit, he didn't even need to talk. And for looking, Zhang was still fully clothed – there is nothing to be worried about. Wu Xi told himself – he could also just turn around again at any time.

After giving himself a mental pep-talk Wu Xi finally turned around again. Only for worry to hit him again.

Sure, Zhang was still sitting there leaning on the tree – but it seemed like he didn't even notice Wu Xi turning and now staring at him. No, Zhang only stared at the bandage on his hand.

He had gently placed the bandaged hand in his other hand as if stabilizing it. Sometimes slowly stretching his fingers and then relaxing them again.

With Zhang staring at his hand like this, Wu Xi couldn't see – couldn't read his expression. Was he in pain – uncomfortable, irritated?

Having his full attention on Zhang he didn't even notice himself sitting up.

Did he make any mistakes while bandaging him? Did he pull too much or to less? Are there any creases that were pressing into his skin, was it too ridged and he couldn't move – did it shift when Zhang helped him just now, did the wound open?

"Zhang" Wu Xi called out to him, worry apparent in his voice. "Is your hand, I mean the bandage, okay?"

Only then Zhang looked at him. Weirdly looking almost surprised at the question and Wu Xi speaking to him.

"It's fine", was the replied. His face showing he had been really caught off guard by the question – as if the idea alone was astonishing.

Zhangs answer didn't really ease his worry. Wu Xi knew that Zhang used a different standard then others to judge things. He knew that wandering though forests without proper food or water was – fine – for him. He knew that it was – fine – if he had no one to talk to, he was – just fine – on his own and loosing his memory now and then was – totally normal.

It's fine by Zhangs scale was what ever the situation was, he was able to deal with it.

But Wu Xi didn't want him to just deal with it or be ok – he wanted him to be happy and comfortable.

"Are you sure, if there is anything that doesn't feel right – I can redo it." He only needed Zhang to tell him what was wrong, Wu Xi thought. He knew well that Zhang didn't have the habit of talking about – well anything but he hoped that he would just speak up when there was something going on.

"It's perfect." Zhang said, gifting Wu Xi a rare smile.

He wanted to ask again – just to be sure, that he was really not uncomfortable. But he was afraid, that he might annoy Zhang, if he asked again. So, he pushed the urge down and laid back on the ground, placing hid head on Zhangs jacked.

He thought, that it might be a good idea to keep an eye on him a bit more, to make sure, that he really wasn't uncomfortable with the bandage. Keep watching, and trying not to get too distracted.

"Really, Wu Xi. You worry too much."

Zhang assured him. But he was still holding his bandaged hand in his other hand. Now leaned back looking relatively relaxed while holding his hand on his chest.

Wu Xi really wanted to tell him that sometimes it felt like he didn't worry to much, but that he, Zhang himself and everyone else, even more so, worried too little about him. And Zhang had just gotten used to that – which was no excuse for all of them.

"So mean, - I was working while you were having an vacation? You didn't even invite me."