Li all realized that this was the first time he had really been alone with Scarlet. He stood up and held out his hand. The blanket dropped from his shoulders. "Come here." Scarlet reached out to him tentatively and Li all quickly dragged him into his arms. He fits there perfectly, Li all thought, snug if not a little small. Scarlet did not respond at first, as if he would pull away, and for a moment Li all believed he had made a huge mistake. Then, surprisingly, Scarlet sighed, and his arms went around Li all's back. Scarlet turned his head to rest his cheek against Li all's bare chest as hey listened to the rain batten on the roof. "Thank you for saving my life." Li all murmured.

The Pedlar and the Bandit King