Title: all claws and teeth
Fandom: The Story of Kunning Palace
Content notes: none
Challenge: Melt
Length: 100 words

Summary: Rebirth didn't really change her.


Rebirth didn't really change her, Xuening realized. For all that knowing her future changed her decisions, it couldn't affect her heart. She was still a wild thing trapped in a cage, all bright eyes and soft coat and an insatiable desire to claw her way to safety.

Xie Wei fascinated her. His scholar's poise, his wintry calm, standing like a wall around the snarling beast in his heart. The court was no place for either of them.

If she'd known, in her last life, she would've killed him. In this life, it's little wonder that he's willing to do the same.



[Prompt note: There was supposed to be a whole spring-melt metaphor in here, complete with plum blossoms and cold hearts and ermine coats. And then it took a turn!]