farsickness | Winter Fun

Entry tags:

xue yang | the untamed

Winter Fun

WHO: Xue Yang and you!
WHEN: December 15th onward
WHAT: Shenanigans! Winter fun!
WHERE: Gazin!
WARNINGS: N/A but will update as needed.

Riding - Around Gazin, OTA

Xue Yang has a stallion of his own now, and he loves fussing over him and taking him out to ride. He likes cantering along the paths outside of Gazin for a good run, across the fields and trotting through town. He chuckles as he coaxes his horse around certain obstacles, feeling the silly beast prance and toss his head in play and high spirits.

Because of how worried his hip has started to make his husband, he's begun to ride more than walk. And it is easier - not to mention far more fun and a much faster mode to get places! He has saddle packs for food when he grabs what they need while he's out, or delivering purchases to those who need the extra hand for the heavier orders.

Bonfire, Brew, Ice Pond Diving

Xue Yang loves the celebrations going on with the start of the snow. He has warmer clothes, thankfully, and the house he and his husband built is sturdy enough for the cold. Plenty of firewood has been stacked against one side of the house within reach as they come in and need more, and the stables they have mostly built are just as warm and sturdy for their horses.

But in the evenings now, he occasionally drags his Daozhangs out with him to enjoy the bonfires and warmth that comes with those of Gazin. Enjoying the food and drink they offer, and listens avidly to stories as they're told around the fire.

Of course he has to take part of the snowball fights! The very idea delights and amazes him and he's quickly dragged into various games and mock wars with snow and balls of snow. Which leads to the challenge of diving into the icy depths of the pond. Who is he to turn a challenge down?

And he must bring others with him! He'll reach out to fling a snowball at someone he knows and playfully taunt them into racing to see who will dive into the pond first.

Hot Springs

Xue Yang has been around long enough to know about the hot springs here and there. It only makes sense to start dragging certain people off to enjoy them! Especially after daring to dive into the icy pond...forgive him? See? Now you're warm again! All fixed!

Feasts, Gift-Giving - mostly for Zichen and Xingchen, but he can be dragged in for a feast if people want him.

He adores the feasts, too, though he's more likely to snag some food and bring it home to his Daozhangs so they can eat together in peace when not out for some fun. However, he learns of the gift giving - through one being foisted on him and it...stuns him. He's told about what it means, and immediately sets to making a few little gifts. Mostly carved animals. These, he gives to a few people he comes across in town.

But for his Daozhangs...they get something more special. He works away at it in the forge in between orders until he's satisfied with the gifts. He tucks them away in little boxes, each with the name of the recipient tucked in before heading home when done for the day.

Xue Yang steps back, studying where everything has been set a little more out of the way while remaining invitingly cozy. There's space, now, cleared for a very specific thing. The fire is roaring, because it really has become rather chilly, and a good hearty stew is bubbling away. There's no music, but that can't be helped. He doesn't particularly want to drag a third party in for this.

All he has to do now is wait. Wait for his Daozhangs to come home so he can drag them (one more carefully than the other) in and cajole them into dancing with him. He hears footsteps approach and trusts Merlan's wards more than enough to know it can only be those two precious men. He lets the door open before he swoops in with a bright grin and reaches for their hands.

"Welcome home! Come, dance with me!" Yes, Xingchen, you are definitely included in that!

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He picks up the final glass and places his free hand around Xue Yang's elbow so that he can lead him back towards the fire. This is easier..faster. With the furniture moved it makes it a whole new house to him and he doesn't want to accidentally misjudge where he needs to go.

"It feels like snow." The air has that slight dampness to it that most wouldn't even notice. A crispness that means harsh weather could happen at any time.

He moves with Xue Yang back towards the warmth of the fire.

Xue Yang feels a thrill at Xingchen accepting his help and makes sure to guide him well back to Zichen. He lets Xingchen speak up for them and answer, and he hums in agreement.

"We'll stay warm in here though, we're ready for it."

He holds one of the glasses out to his husband when they reach him before taking a seat beside him and tugging gently on Xingchen's sleeve to help him take a seat too.

"The horses will be alright? They have enough feed and water?" Zichen almost rises, but stops himself when the other two join him. He takes the glass of water and sips on it, knowing it will help filter out the alcohol from his body.

"I can go to them now..." he smiles when sees the little tug on Xingchen's sleeve, "You both look beautiful tonight."

Xingchen slowly settles down in front of the fire, making sure not to spill the water. He starts to lift the glass to his lips when he is sitting but then pauses, feeling the heat in his ears at the compliment.

He tries to distract himself from it but going back to what Zichen said initially, "We should check their water in a little bit to make sure it isn't frozen. But you should drink your own water first."

There is an almost teasing tone to his voice.

"I checked on them before I started cooking, but we can check again before going upstairs for the night." Then he also flushes at the compliment and beams happily at Zichen.

Only to lean in to playfully pretend to whisper to Xingchen, "A-Lan always looks handsome, don't you think, A-Chen?"

The gentle care leaves him feeling warm, but then both of them have to tease him. He looks between them, cheeks pink, before glaring at Xue Yang. However the glare is only half-powered. He might enjoy the compliments - if only a little.

"I'm not like Xiao Xingchen or Xue Yang." he tuts, sipping on his water to hide how shy he suddenly feels.

It's been a long time since he has actually seen Song Lan and his head tilts down slightly as he thinks back to the face of his friend. He has to go back even further to remember him before everything happened. Song Lan had always been handsome, even if he hadn't thought about it like that at the time.

His silence is probably a bit too long. He nods his head, a solemn expression on his face even beneath the blindfold.

"He always did and I am sure that hasn't changed."

He grins at that glare, utterly unrepentant! Xue Yang reaches out to brush fingertips over his husband's flushed cheeks. And to give Xingchen a moment or three to picture either of their faces - which...makes him a little sad, that he'd stolen sight from such a precious man.

When Xingchen does answer, he leans in to kiss a cheek. "He hasn't."

"I felt like I was walking by a vision." Zichen murmurs, "All you had to do is smile and the world was set to rights, Xingchen." and he doesn't bother to hide his tender, yet sad smile, "That hasn't changed. I would consider my life worthwhile if I -" he flushes darkly and glances down, taking courage from the fingertips against his hot skin, "I made you smile. Or...laugh. You are the most beautiful when you're happy."

Xue Yang's affections are still a little shocking to him, but he has started to accept them with a bit more ease. And Xingchen does smile as he listens to this. It's small and soft and his whole face seems to light up with it even despite how subtle of it.

"Being here with you..." As odd and unexpected as this all is with Xue Yang now also by their side. "Does make me happy."

He's getting used to the attention from both men even if he isn't entirely sure how to show it yet.

He can't - won't! - hide how he feels about either man. He likes showing little signs of affection and love, or bigger, when and where best displayed. He cups his husband's cheek, thumb rubbing gently over the flushed skin.

Xue Yang nuzzles his lips against Xingchen's cheek before pulling back a little, delighted by even a small smile on the blind man's sweet face. And hearing those words? Makes him grin with open delight.

"We both love hearing you laugh, A-Chen. And smile. Seeing you happy is what matters most to both of us."

"That's true." Zichen murmurs, smiling when Xingchen is kissed, "Wherever we go, you are part of our home. It's not complete without you." he frowns for a moment, considering his words with care, "Not a single day has passed where I don't think about you. I know A-Yang is the same way. We find ways to make each other happy, but there is...a hole. Only you can fill that emptiness."

He busies himself with his water, pressing himself against Xue Yang's side for comfort and stability.

Setting his water down on the floor, hesitant hands come up and reach out. Tentative touches against both their faces. One hand making contact with Xue Yang's lips and feeling that grin upon them with a feather light touch and moving to flatten gently against his cheek.

The other brushing along Zichen's cheek and feeling the warmth and the shape of it beneath his fingertips before cupping it into his hand as well.

"I don't want to ever make you feel incomplete or have that hole ever again."

Xue Yang wraps an arm around Zichen, hugging him close to offer both freely with his love. He presses a cheek against his husband's shoulder, peering at Xingchen. "A-Lan speaks so well! I agree with every word."

Then his breath catches as Xingchen reaches up and traces his face - he doesn't move except to lean into that gentle, warm, strong hand when it cups his cheek. His grin softens to a smile when he watches Xingchen reach for Zichen's face to do the same, and those words! Those sweet, precious words!

"A-Chen...You are here. With us. Every day together is precious, we know that better than any."

He is hungry for that touch; his fear completely overwhelmed by his love for Xingchen. There is simply no room for his usual hesitations - contamination has nothing to do with his A-Yang, with his Xingchen. So Zichen leans into the hand on his cheek, breathing out with a shudder.

"Please stay."

What else can he say? He will beg on his knees if need be. Lifting a hand shakily, he cradles Xingchen's hand - his long fingers - against his cheek.

He smiles, feeling a bit of healing coming over his soul and heart as he lets his hands linger against those faces, not wanting to pull away.

"I'm not going anywhere."

And he means it. As long as he can control that. He knows that this place is unpredictable enough to have him come and leave many times before. He doesn't know if there is a reason for it. But as of this moment he hopes that there is a way to keep himself right there.

Xue Yang will be right beside Zichen in begging if they need to. If it would help at all. But Xingchen makes that sweet promise and he understands this is where Xingchen wants to be. Where he'll stay, as long as he has the chance.

He turns his head to kiss the hand cradling his cheek, nuzzling it with a smile. "I made you two some little gifts...apparently it's a custom here? I thought it cute, so I decided to join in."

Zichen feels something in his chest relax at the promise. Oh. Good. Finally. He presses several kisses to Xingchen's palm, reassuring himself that he is real. He's with them at long last.

The mention of gifts has him blinking. For him, there can be no greater gift than having them with him - and safe. But now that Xue Yang mentions it, he knows what he must do.

"You didn't need to do that, A-Yang." his cheeks flush red and not from the heat of the fire.

Xingchen tilts his head slightly at the discussion of presents. He was not aware of the custom and is caught quite off guard. If he had known he would have figured something out as well. Even though he hasn't quite gotten used to the town and what is available he would have made an effort to do so.

As distracted as he was by those kisses to both his palms, and the heat that rises to his cheeks because of them, he is now drawn into wondering what it is the other man would have gotten for him. He lowers his hands so that Xue Yang can be free to get whatever it is he has obtained for them.

"I feel guilty for not having anything to give in return."

It's a new custom and he likes getting the chance to spoil his Daozhangs! Xue Yang leans in to kiss Zichen's red cheeks before moving to Xingchen's - they're too cute not to be kissed!

"I wanted to!"

He pulls away when Xingchen lets go, and stands, moving to where he'd set the small boxes. He returns quickly, and sets one in Zichen's hands, then the other is gently pressed to Xingchen's.

Xingchen's is a small pendant that can get pinned to his robes if he wants. It's metal delicately formed into a bird - a falcon, to be precise. Zichen's is also a small metal pendant, but it's of a wolf in a noble pose.

"No, Xingchen..." Zichen begins, gasping under the kisses. A-Yang! He can't think when you do that. Pressing his lips together, he takes a moment before he tries again.

"How were you to know about Gazin's customs?" he, on the other hand, has no excuse. But he has a clear idea of what he wants to get his adorably festive husband. Soon. Very soon.

He glances down at the boxes curiously, waiting for Xingchen to open his before he follows suit.

"A bird..." he murmurs, scooting closer to Xingchen, reaching out to guide the other man's fingers over the wings, "You deserve to fly." his expression is warm as he smiles at Xue Yang. Then he opens his box and sucks in a small breath.

"And I have a wolf."

Is that how Xue Yang sees him? Zichen picks up the little pendant tenderly.

Xingchen feels the box in his hands, curious about it's contents but waits until he is sure that they both have their gift. He then slowly opens it, letting Zichen guide his fingers to it.

He listens to the explanation and lets his fingers wrap around the pendant so that he can pull it out of the box. He uses both hands to feel over the details. It's delicate but lovely. He doesn't know if he deserves to fly, feeling like his wings were clipped years ago. But perhaps it is possible to get those feathers back with enough time to heal.

He lifts his head and offers a tender smile in Xue Yang's direction. "Thank you. It is lovely. Did you make it?"

He smiles softly at his husband's reassurance to Xingchen. Xue Yang sets his chin lightly on Xingchen's shoulder, watching the two precious men open their gifts. He loves how delicately they touch the little figures, and their reactions have his cheeks pink in shy pleasure.

"I did." And that tender smile from Xingchen! It makes his heart flutter before melting. "A-Lan is right. You deserve to fly." His gaze turns to his husband and a playful tilt to his lips appears. "And A-Lan, you are a fierce protector. I like hearing you howl~"

Those wings can and will return. Zichen lays a hand on Xingchen's back, right across one of his shoulder-blades. Yes, the wings are still there. They haven't been clipped. He just needs someone to guide him and to watch his back - and he has two men who are more than willing to do that.

"You will fly." he murmurs with conviction. The little comment about him howling leads to him giving Xue Yang a bashful frown.

"I should make you a pendant too, A-Yang. Some beast with a silver tongue." he smiles to soften his tease, leaning forward to kiss the thoughtful delinquent.

He gently places the pendant back in the box, hoping that he won't lose it. He will try to make sure he finds somewhere safe to attach it.

He turns his face to smile at Zichen as that hand rubs his back in such reassuring way. He wants to believe their words. IN this place, before this fire and so close to them both he feels stronger and safer and happier then he has in a very long time. Even in Yi City he had still felt that overwhelming loneliness and guilt. But those feelings are slowly starting to fade.

He stays quiet as he listens to them tease each other.

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