Kryptonite

As he reached the two guards in front of Kuai’s door, they both straightened their posture and held their fist in front of their hearts.

“At ease,” he commanded, and the two guards placed their hands behind their backs instead. “What is the problem this time?”

“We are sorry to disturb you Grandmaster, but…” The guards exchanged a look. “He is refusing to eat again.”

So it was Kuai Liang being difficult again. Of course it was. He rubbed his forehead with one hand. Why is Kuai still insisting on resisting me at every opportunity? He’d figured his rebellious spark had been contempt for the old Grandmaster, but given it seemed to be continuing with Bi-Han’s ascension, it was clearly something deeper.

“Have the kitchens make some Xiaolongbao,” Bi-Han said with a wave of his hand. Maybe he could coax his little brother into eating with his favourite food. “Until then, I will speak with him, see if I can get to the roots of his disobedience.”

“As you wish Grandmaster,” the one guard replied, before turning and walking off towards the kitchens. The remaining guard bowed to him, before reaching to unlock the door and opening it for him.

Bi-Han stepped inside the small room, and then he heard the door being shut behind him. Kuai was sitting at the table, staring at the wood and not looking up. The skin under the metal collar around his neck, keeping him chained to the wall, was looking extremely red and Bi-Han had no doubt it was the same for the skin under the cuffs on his wrists and ankles. Evidence he’d once more been trying to get them off.

It hurt Bi-Han to see Kuai injured, but he couldn’t risk not having him chained up anymore. Not since his last escape attempt.

By the Elder Gods, does Kuai Liang just not want to acknowledge I am doing all this for his own good?

His eyes landed on the wall behind Kuai, the tally on the wall had gotten larger since Bi-Han had last been in here. Kuai refused to elaborate on the tally, but Bi-Han wasn’t an idiot, he could tell it was Kuai keeping track of how long he’d been kept in the room. From a glance, Bi-Han estimated there were around 300 little lines carved into the stone. Has it really been that long? It’s been almost a year, how has he not stopped fighting this by now?

“Kuai Liang,” he growled in a low tone, frowning when Kuai flinched. “The guard’s said you are refusing to eat again.”

“You can’t keep doing this,” Kuai whispered so quietly Bi-Han almost missed it. “You can’t keep me locked in here like a prisoner.”

“You are not a prisoner,” Bi-Han spat. He despised that Kuai Liang thought so little of him. Once upon a time, Kuai had treated Bi-Han like he could do no wrong. So why had he changed his tune so suddenly? “I am keeping you safe Kuai Liang, I am doing this to help you!”

“This isn’t helping me,” Kuai argued, and if anyone other than his brother talked back to him like this he’d have broken their neck. “You’re just hurting me Bi-Han.”

“I am not hurting you!” Bi-Han jerked forward, storming towards Kuai. His brother seemed to realise how much he’d fucked up, as he got up from his seat and stumbled backwards. As he hit the wall, Bi-Han reached to grab his throat. “You are really this ungrateful for everything I’ve done for you?” He snarled, fingers squeezing at Kuai’s throat. “If it weren’t for me, you’d be dead! Do you not get that! There is so much in the world that could hurt you. This is all for your own good.”

“Please,” Kuai croaked, hands reaching to hold Bi-Han’s wrist and pull it away from his throat. “Please let me out of here.”

“I can’t,” Bi-Han replied, fingers digging into Kuai’s neck. The collar moved to show just how raw and chafed the skin was underneath. “I can’t, do you know how many enemies I have now? How many are honourless scum who would hurt you to get to me?” Poor little brother’s face was turning red. How easily he was taken down was all the proof Bi-Han needed that this room was the best place for him. “You just won’t survive out there. So you need to stay here, where I can keep you safe.”

Bi-Han finally let go of Kuai’s throat, and he fell forward. Catching him before he could fall onto the floor, Bi-Han let his brother lean against him while he desperately tried to catch his breath. He held Kuai close as he gasped in his arms.

“See. You can’t look after yourself, you need me to take care of you.” He rubbed circles in Kuai’s back as the other man began sobbing into his shoulder. “Now, will you stop fighting me? Will you let big brother protect you?”

Kuai didn’t reply, just continued to cry.

There was a knock on the door, and Bi-Han turned around just in time to see the guard who had gone to the kitchens come in with some xiaolongbao. Bi-Han gestured for him to put it on the table. The guard did so, knowing better than to pass any judgement of what he was witnessing, before quickly making his exit.

Bi-Han pulled Kuai over to the table, sitting him back in the chair. Once convinced Kuai wouldn’t fall off, he moved to the other side of the table and took his own seat. He pushed the dish closer to Kuai.

“Eat, Dìdì, it’s your favourite,” he said gently. Kuai just stared at the food, he didn’t attempt to eat it. Bi-Han’s eyes narrowed as he more harshly said “Kuai Liang.” Kuai looked up at him, eyes wide. “Eat. Or I will make you.”

Kuai studied him for a few seconds, clearly trying to look for any signs that Bi-Han was bluffing. Bi-Han put both his hands on the table, slowly lifting himself up to stand, trying to seem as menacing as possible. Kuai quickly got the message, and reached for the chopsticks and shoving one of the dumplings into his mouth.

Bi-Han sat back down. Good, Kuai was finally starting to accept this. Of course, he had a feeling this wouldn’t be the end of Kuai’s rebellion. That was okay. Bi-Han could continue to guide Kuai for as long as it took for him to accept this was for the best.

Even if it took the rest of his life.

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