cold sands- one shots- fanfiction (boyxboy)

going home

The war had ended 19 years ago and today he made a decision that would be his first selfish act since he was unjustly forced into taking control of the country.

He announced his decision this morning to the court and it struck the officials like a thunderbolt. No one had a thing to say. What could they even say when this was an event that had never happened before. Who had ever heard of a perfectly healthy emperor stepping down before his time to lead a life of a free man?

He named the prince royal as his legitimate heir, retained the right to accept marriages for his daughters as was the right of every father and as his last decree, made it impossible for anyone to endanger the lives of the empress and the other consorts who had borne him children.

As he laid on his bed in the Tai Qing palace, he could hear his faithful servant Liu An trying to ward off everyone who was attempting to obtain an audience with him. and for the first time in 19 years, he smiled. A true smile. Not one filled with pain and sorrow or a bitter smile but a smile that came from his heart and warmed his whole body.

Very soon, he would not be cold anymore. Very soon, he would no wake up from nightmares, shivering and all alone. Very soon, he would no wake up anymore yearning for someone that was miles and miles away. For very soon, he will be with that person.

For 19 years, he had lost all hope of reuniting with him. he had thought it an impossible thing to acquire. He had thought he would finish out his days in the palace, forever wearing an armor forged to prevent anyone from perceiving him as weak.

The idea wasn't of his own but had actually been whispered to him by the same officials who were shocked at his announcement this very morning though they themselves weren't aware of this.

All asking him when he was going to officially name his heir when he was going to secure a bride for the prince royal, and many other things in order to secure his succession. Even though they all knew he was tired of hearing about such things, they still wrote memorials to him every day requesting, pleading and sometimes, they even bargained. As if any of them had anything they could offer to he who rules the world.

"Your Majesty,"

"What is it?" he sighed. He knew that Liu An could not hold off the oncoming flood for him eternally. 'ah,' he was tempted to just pretend he didn't know who was out there but he couldn't.

"Let them in" after all they were his family and even if he never answered to any, he believed he owed it to them to at least provide them with the necessary answers that would calm them down.

Liu An slowly let in the emperor's family. He knew his master was dreading this meeting and tried his best to stall but he was but a servant and his efforts though great in sentiment, were not enough.

One by one, they trickled in. the empress, his consorts, and his children. They all stopped once they had entered his inner chamber. All that separated them was the transparent curtain that surrounded his bed.

Performing the necessary greetings, they waited for him to tell them to rise. All they received was a "stand up" from the man that was still lying in bed. This man was different from the man they had all thought they knew. To his empress and consorts, he was a strong ruler, a cold man except on certain occasions and an excellent husband. To his children, he was a role model and a good father. But to all of them, he was a lonely man.

This was no the man they met in the chamber. This man who had the same face as their emperor was serene. He was smiling a real, warm smile and for the first time since they've all known him, he looked approachable. Maybe that is what gave them the strength to talk.