[Worldly Experience - Open]

[zichen]

WHO: Song Zichen & Open
WHEN: 07/04 and onward.
WHAT: Tentative exploration.
WHERE: In and around Gazin.
WARNINGS: TBD?

[Road]

He is a quiet, generally patient man who likes to keep to himself. However since he is not alone in this world and since he is genuinely curious about everything, Zichen leaves the home he shares with Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang early one morning. Setting his feet on a path that will take him through the town's center, he walks at an easy pace, expression neutral.

Should he encounter anyone on the road, he will pause and bow before addressing them. Furthermore, should he spy any sign of trouble, he will draw Fuxue, his sword, and seek to intervene until the truth is discovered. He is a man who believes, fervently, in justice.

[Tavern]

The sound of voices and music will lure many to a tavern, however Zichen would much rather move in the opposite direction. He has to force himself to step into the establishment, his hands balled into tight fists at his sides. Avoiding contact with anyone - and even going so far as to not sit down unless he absolutely must - he looks around the place cautiously.

What sort of people inhabit Gazin? There is a light tug on his robe and he turns to find himself face to face with a woman. A...well-endowed...woman. Flushing darkly, he bows his head and focuses his eyes on his feet.

"I am only here to learn." he steps back to give her a proper bow, yet his luck has abandoned him. Someone chooses to walk behind him at that moment, knocking him forward. His head comes to rest, for a split second, against said woman's breasts. Zichen straightens immediately, flushing darker than ever.

But then he pales instead. He looks like he wants to flee; shock is all that holds him so stiffly in place.

Comments

[zichen]

The answer is more of an expelled breath than a spoken word. Zichen forms his lips and tongue into the single syllable, passing the message onto Xue Yang via a kiss. He cradles the back of the other man's head, fingers twining and twisting around the long black strands of his hair. His other arm keeps Xue Yang from falling, pressing him firmly against his side.

Yes. Zichen's soul answered; his heart answered. Happy tears roll down his cheeks and he breaks the kiss with supreme reluctance, drawing Xue Yang into his arms. He should be ashamed of showing so much emotion, but there isn't room for anything but love and gratitude.

"Y-Yes." he chokes out in case the message wasn't received.

[jiangzaid]

The kiss - this kiss - steals his breath away but he doesn't care. He presses into it with a wordless desperate sound, arms curling tight around Zichen as he accepts, takes all that the other man gives him.

The kiss ending draws a mewl of dismay even as he pants for breath and burrows into Zichen's arms. He'd almost forgotten he'd asked a question - the question - because of the force of emotion that almost swept him away. Then the verbal answer both startles him, then makes him laugh, though the laugh is a bit shaky.

Then he laughs again and frees one hand to brush tears from Zichen's handsome face. "I'll be a good husband to you and A-Chen!"

[zichen]

He groans upon hearing that mewl, a burst of pure sensation shooting through him - like the finest, most pleasurable arrow - and settling in the pit of his stomach. If this is one of love's wounds, he will bear it gladly! Zichen tightens his arms around Xue Yang, lips swollen and parted.

A laugh bubbles up inside of him too, but it has been too long since he let go of his control that much. The sound never leaves his lips, yet his eyes shine and his smile is tender.

"A-Yang, I will be a good husband to you and Xingchen." he leans into the hand, "Whether Xingchen is ready or not, you know my answer. The ceremony is for the world to know of our bond. You and I already understand one another."

[jiangzaid]

Ooooooh, but Xue Yang is determined to eventually earn this man's laughter! For now it's enough to bask in his smile and tenderly kiss swollen lips. Simply because he can.

Because he feels like maybe...he's getting something he wants. Without more bloodshed.

He grins, and maybe there's a bit of an impish edge to it, but there's only affection in his eyes. Well. Affection and desire. "You are already very good to us. He would be silly to refuse you."

[zichen]

He will! Zichen can't deny him anything at this point; he just needs to be caught off-guard in order to allow himself the luxury of laughter. He makes a low sound when their lips touch and he feels himself growing hotter and...harder. Flushing, he puts a hand on his lap to make sure the...effect...is hidden.

"He has been through a great deal. As have you." he gazes at Xue Yang protectively, "What time I have been given is yours...and his. We won't live in regret."

[jiangzaid]

No more than Xue Yang can deny Xingchen or Zichen. He hums at the sweet kiss, then grins at the obvious (to him) display but...says nothing. Only nudges his nose to Zichen's flushed cheek. It makes him feel oddly good to know the effect he has on this valiant man. But that Zichen holds himself back.

For now.

That protection in Zichen's gaze is mirrored as he grows serious again. "I'm tired of regret. I like it here because I have this chance. I'm taking it. You and Xingchen have done so much, despite what I did to you. I won't let harm come to either of you ever again." Not while he lives. "Even if neither of you agreed to marrying me, I would protect you."

[zichen]

Soon, he thinks, he will show Xue Yang everything; how he feels, what he desires, what the other man does to him... All of it. But he wants to tell Xingchen the truth first. As it stands, he isn't sure, even if Xingchen rejects them, that he can stop what he feels for Xue Yang.

If he can make someone else happy, shouldn't he? If he can be happy in return, isn't that as things should be?

Smiling softly, he turns and brings up a bucket of water, filling a simple wooden cup. He holds it out to Xue Yang first.

"I believe you." he presses his lips to Xue Yang's cheek, "I understand that you were a man in pain. Pain made me do something horrible too. I can't imagine feeling a lifetime of it and not acting on it. The man you are under that pain is good, A-Yang. If Xingchen is a gentle breeze and I am like frost, you are like the first ray of sunshine after Winter's chill."