You pressed at the heavy door with all your might making it move slowly. Although, picnic basket hung on your arm gave you no aid on your mission. Your father, a powerful heavenly warrior had offered your service to the heavenly hosts as you were a wonderful cook taught by chang'e.

You were to bring meals to the lotus prince as he guarded the map to the samadhi fire. And while your dear father had so graciously offered your services, you had not wanted to agree.

But you had been much too shy to say anything contrary so here you were. The door finally opened enough for you to slip through and you stumbled forward nearly falling on your face.

You righted yourself only be met with the business end of a spear. You jumped and froze as the Lotus prince addressed you with a glare.

"You are not authorized to be here. Who are you?"

You held up the basket slowly.

Which only made him raise an eyebrow.

"I- I was tasked with bringing you food." You explained quickly staring at the floor. "Here." You offered the basket without meeting his gaze.

The lotus prince lowered his spear.

"I apologize. I was not aware. Forgive me." He bowed and you felt your cheeks ignite. He really did have good manners and he wasn't unattractive.

In an instant he stood straight.

"You must leave now, but I thank you for your service."

You nodded and stumbled back before leaving hurriedly. Once you had escaped the threshold you let your back lean against the door. Your heart beat sounded in your ears and your cheeks burned.

Maybe this duty wouldn't be so bad after all. And maybe tomarrow you could bring him a baked good for being so kind...after he put down the spear that was. So you rushed down the hill to go back to your home.

The next day was difficult. More so than you expected it to be. As when you went to push open the door fear and anxiety overtook you. What if he attacked you this time? Or what if he was annoyed that it was you again?

You hesitated as these thoughts swirled around your head unsure of what to do. Then the door opened.

"Oh, it's you." The lotus prince observed.

You jumped a bit then offered him his food without a word. With a slightly bewildered look, he received the basket.

You turned to walk away when he spoke once again.

"You neglected to tell me your name yesterday."

You froze midstep and looked over your shoulder.

You responded with your name quietly.

"I'm afraid I couldn't quite hear you." The prince mentioned stepping closer.

Your heart skipped a beat. And you forced yourself to breathe.

"My name is Y/n."

The prince smirked and nodded.

"It's nice to meet you, y/n." Then he turned and allowed the door to close.

Still your heart beat erratically. His smirk haunting your thoughts as you walked home.

The next day came swiftly and you brought him his food, this time forcing yourself to push the door open before your thoughts could conjure up your anxiety.

And there he stood waiting for you with a small smile.

"It's good to see you again, y/n."

Somehow the way he spoke your name made it sound so good to hear. Like a melody.

You offered him a shy wave. To which he smiled as you offered him his food.

"You're quite skilled with cooking." He mentioned. "And I thank you for the cookies you gave me yesterday. They were very good."

You felt your heart might burst at the compliments and your face was likely the shade of a tomato.

"Th-thank you." You whispered keeping your eyes on the floor. He nodded and you left quickly hoping your heart wouldn't explode.

The fourth day you entered as you had the day before. Just as before the prince stood a few paces off with folded arms and a small smile.

"Good afternoon." He addressed.

You offered him a shy smile then handed him the basket. He gave a nod of thanks and you turned to leave then paused.

"What's your name?"

The lotus prince looked up from the basket.

"I am Nezha the lotus prince."

You nodded then left promptly. Weeks passed and each exchange was similar if not a little awkward. But you treasured them. Recounting each detail as you cooked his meal for the next day.

About six weeks in you came to the door once again and entered as usual. Nezha stood in his usual place with a grin.

"Nice to see you again." He initiated as you offered him the food

You nodded and went to leave when he spoke once again.

"Y/n?"

You paused glancing over your shoulder.

"Would you care to join me?"

You turned back to him.

"What about your duties?"

Nezha twirled his spear.

"The map is within my sight and I have measures taken to ensure no one even gets close." He gestured to a small sitting space.

You walked over and sat down feeling heat creep up your cheeks as he sat next to you and offered you some of the food.

You ate about the same amount as he did speaking only when spoken to and keeping your eyes on the floor.

Nezha didn't pester you about keeping eye contact, but from the corner of your eye you could see him studying you.

You both talked for about an hour before you had to leave. Each day after that you would bring extra and talk with him as you both ate.

Eventually, you began to look at him more and speak more too. One such time you both laughed at a story you had told.

Nezha laughs died out as he stared at you realization sparking in his eyes.

"You know y/n, I never noticed how beautiful your eyes are." He moved your hair out of your face and hooked it behind your ear.

Your face exploded into a red hue, making Nezha chuckle.

"You're adorable when you blush."

You stared at him with a dropped jaw before burying your face into your hands.

"You- you mean that?"

Nezha smiled.

"I am a heavenly warrior, I never lie."

Slowly a smile slipped over your lips and you pressed a kiss to his cheek. Now it was Nezha's turn to blush though it was only slightly.

With that you said a quick goodbye and took your things before leaving. After all he still had work to do.

The next morning you were ecstatic to see him again as you got ready. Memories of the day prior flitted through your mind as you filled your basket.

That was when a knock sounded on your door. You looked up and froze. Your father always told you when he had visitors, and he had mentioned nothing of that sort of today. You didn't have too many friends other than the maidens who cared for the stone fruit but they never came unannounced.

Slowly you walked towards the door and opened it as you did so you froze as your gaze fell on a black monkey.

You barely had a moment to scream before the very shadows around you grabbed you.

Meanwhile

Nezha twirled his spear as he made his rounds. Y/n would be here any moment. Then he would finally confess his feelings for her. She needed to know, and frankly he needed it off his chest.

Just then his thoughts were interrupted by the door to the shrine slamming open.

"Oh Nezha!" Macaque's voice filled the room. "Brought you a little present."

Y/n squirmed against two shadow clones of the dark monkey. She was tied up and had a gag over her mouth.

Nezha's blood boiled and his spear ignited into pink flames at the tip.

You flinched as Nezha slammed into the floor just Infront of the black monkey cracking the stone easily.

"You will release her or suffer my wrath." Nezha warned advancing quickly.

"Ooh can't quite do that bud." The monkey mocked. You released a muffled yelp as you were dragged back into the shadows. "See, I need that map. And you're going to hand it over, or-"

An unbearable pain ripped through your gut at that moment and your gag seemed to vanish as you screamed in pain.

"No! Release her!" Nezha growled.

"Give me the map and she's all yours."

The words seemed to slur together in your mind as you fell unconscious.

"Y/n, Y/N!" Someone just beyond your consciousness urged you to awake with gentle shaking.

Slowly you opened your eyes only to see Nezha looking frantic and worried, but then he seemed to be flooded with relief.

"You're alright!"

"I guess so....what happened?" You murmured allowing him to pull you up.

"You were taken and used as leverage against me." Nezha explained. "Are you sure you're alright?"

You nodded allowing the fog to clear from your mind. Still you felt as though you might faint, so you leaned into his chest.

Nezha stiffened but then slowly relaxed.

"Y/n I was planning on informing you of something today."

"Oh yeah?" You asked glancing up at him."

"I think that I may...that is I-.....I have feelings for you."

Your heart swelled at the news as your cheeks burned at the same time.

"I- I love you too!"