Winter Fun

[jiangzaid]

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!

Comments

[jiangzaid]

"And they're all beautiful, just like you, Daozhang," he adds, just as lovingly. Xue Yang basks in the company of these two.

He grins at Xingchen's promise to never fly too far, just so they can always find him. How can he possibly avoid pressing a soft kiss to a cheek? He can't! So he doesn't! Xingchen gets a nuzzling kiss just because Xue Yang likes kissing him.

"You are so sweet, A-Chen!"

[zichen]

"He has always been that way." Zichen remarks, resting his head against Xingchen's, completely at peace. The kisses make him chuckle, softly, pleased. Xue Yang is a good guide for him. By watching him, he can understand the joy of touch - of contact. It doesn't always have to hurt or be terrifying.

"Are you warm, A-Chen?" he whispers shyly, glancing at Xingchen's face curiously, "What about you, A-Yang?"

He can easily grab a blanket for all of them, but that would require moving and their current position feels too nice.

[cantseeyoursin]

He hardly knows how to deal with all this contact and love that he is currently basking in between the two of them. Or the compliments as they talk about him being beautiful and sweet. Xingchen hardly thinks he deserves so much praise.

"I am quite comfortable. It is very warm enveloped by all this love."

It seems a shame to have it end but if either of the others require warmth then they should have it.

[jiangzaid]

Zichen is a very good student~ And teacher, for Xue Yang also watches him when they're meditating or his husband is helping him with Cultivation and working on his Core.

He shakes his head at the question and just snuggles closer to Xingchen with a happy smile. "A-Chen is nice and warm and being sweet in sharing his heat." Plus he doesn't want to move, and doesn't want either of his Daozhangs to feel the need to either.

"If you're cold, A-Lan, just snuggle closer!"

[zichen]

"I'm not cold." he brushes his lips against Xingchen's temple - right above the line of his blindfold, "I could never be cold with both of you near."

This is a waking dream and his heart is full. There is one way they can make this better and he hasn't given up on finding a way. He doesn't think Xue Yang has given up either.

"We do love you, A-Chen." he feels the need to drive that point home, "If you need anything, tell us. You should never go without."

[cantseeyoursin]

Xingchen is silent for a moment. They have both said those words so many times and when wrapped up like this perhaps it really hits home that what they say is the truth. He wasn't sure he could simply open up his heart given the things they have gone through but his heart has healed just enough that perhaps there is one gift that he can give them on this night.

"I...I know that you will do anything for me." A hesitation, not wanting to mess this up. "I love you both as well."

How could it be anything else? Feeling this comfortable wrapped up in their arms like this simply feels right...like he belongs there.

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang grins at his sweet husband. "Exactly~" A dream he doesn't want to wake from either. They will always find a way, somehow. He nods, agreeing with Zichen's statement that Xingchen can come to them for any need. No matter how small.

And then stares at Xingchen, eyes wide and lips parted in awe. Then he shudders and curls around him, pressing his face against Xingchen's shoulder. He has to swallow a few times before he trusts his voice.

"We love you. So so much."

[zichen]

To give love is a wonderful feeling, but nothing can quite match receiving it. Zichen feels just as much awe as Xue Yang and he too presses himself against Xingchen, being sure not to impede his husband in the process. He just...wants to be right here with them. Nothing else matters.

He eventually raises a shaky hand to card through Xue Yang's hair, soothing himself that he doesn't have to let go of one to have the other. Such a choice would be devastating and he knows they wouldn't survive it.

Like this, however, they can conquer anything.

"Thank you." he whispers, his gratitude making him tremble.

[cantseeyoursin]

"You do not have to say thank you...it is I that should be saying those words after all these promises and warm feelings."

He knows that he doesn't have the same memories as they do. He has no idea what it was like during those times he was in this place before. And he can't try to make up for the time that was lost. But he does know what he feels right now and it is something that he would fight to protect.

He brings his hands up to wrap his arms around Zichen, feeling that trembling.

[jiangzaid]

Love is a much more powerful motivator than hate or pain. Xue Yang knows how lucky he is to have the love of even one of these men, let alone both. It warms him right up and makes him melt happily, reaching for his husband's hand, holding it to his face to nuzzle it, so the three of them can hold onto each other. No. They don't have to lose one just to have the other.

"And I should be saying those words for giving me this chance." He knows he won't abuse it. He won't abuse either of these men ever again.

[zichen]

"Why do you think the love exists in the first place? You deserve it. You deserve our loyalty, A-Chen." always. Forever. No matter what separates them or what they endure. Zichen won't let go or push him away ever again.

And the same goes for Xue Yang - who once infuriated him and frightened him. Now he feels nothing but peace and love for the man.

"You've proven yourself worthy of a chance." Zichen caresses first Xue Yang's cheek and then Xingchen's.

[cantseeyoursin]

Xingchen lets out a breath, shaky from the feelings inside of him and trying not to let tears ruin this moment. He would be shedding the tears of happiness from the overwhelming feeling bursting inside of him. But unfortunately, they would be tears of blood, the only option he has and one beyond his control. And he doesn't want to worry these two men that cling to him so tightly. Even still those dark marks appear on his bandage despite his efforts, fighting to hold it back.

He had long since given up feeling like he deserved anyone's loyalty, love, trust. Even giving it to someone seemed like a far away dream. To finally let go of all those negative feelings that had been bottled up inside of him is like a huge weight off his soul.

He stays quiet again, afraid that if he spoke he wouldn't be able to hold back the emotions any longer.

[jiangzaid]

"A-Chen," he whispers, seeing the dark spots appear on the bandage. Xue Yang presses a gentle kiss to a pale cheek, just under the edge of that blindfold.

"You don't have to hold anything back. You're not alone."

At least, he hopes those emotions are of release! Xue Yang snuggles closer to both of them.

[zichen]

The dark spots worry him too and it isn't until Xue Yang urges Xingchen to let go that he understands. Those are tears. Shifting just enough to wrap his arms fully around Xingchen, holding him, he makes a mental note to help change that bandage later.

"You never have to be alone again." he promises - to both men, "I will track you and find you no matter how long it takes."

Because he is the wolf, isn't he?

[cantseeyoursin]

He nods, understanding that he won't ever have to feel alone again. That all his fears are being washed away by these two men. He feels complete for the first time in a very long time.

He doesn't want to cry. He doesn't want to make the two men that have him wrapped in their embraces worry and fret over him. He wants them to only know happiness. But he can't stop those dark tears from straining his bandage, feeling just a small amount getting past it.

"I'll leave a trail of feathers behind so you can find me."