The lantern light casts golden shadows across Zhuge Jin's bent head as he studies late into the night. I stand in the doorway, watching the familiar scene that pulls at both my heart and my desire. His hair has started to show white at the temples again - just like in our past life. A reminder of the pain I failed to protect him from.

I push the door open silently and he doesn't look up, too absorbed in his scrolls. "It's late," I say, stepping closer. "You should rest."

He sighs without turning. "I need to finish this before morning." His hand pushes back a strand of hair, revealing that vulnerable curve of his neck that has haunted my dreams for lifetimes.

I move behind him, placing my hands on his shoulders. He tenses briefly before relaxing into my touch, a habit he's trying to break but can't seem to resist. "You work too hard, brother," I murmur, leaning down until my breath brushes his ear. "When will you learn that some things matter more than duty?"

His pen pauses above the paper. "Some of us have responsibilities, A-Dan," he says quietly, but there's no real reproach in his voice. Not anymore.

I lean forward, pressing my chest against his back, wrapping my arms around him until my hands rest on his. The pen clatters to the desk as I turn his face toward mine. Our identical eyes meet in the dim light, and I see it - the same conflict, the same desire, the same love that has bound us across lifetimes.

"I'm not letting you go this time," I whisper, my lips hovering just above his.