[Open + One Closed Prompt]

[zichen]

Who: Song Zichen & Open!
When: Mid-July
What: Working, traveling, making connections.
Where: The markets and then the forest. Plus a closed prompt for Xue Yang and Xiao Xingchen.
Warnings: TBD

[Markets]

He isn't a social man, but Gazin has been good for him. Zichen has made some friends in the market-place and he can be found during the day, helping with various wares and enjoying the company of a variety of animals. (He is fairly sure that goat in particular has been following him since dawn!)

As he sets down a box of pears, he scratches his fuzzy friend on the head and leads her to a trough of water. She drinks thirstily and he shakes his head in amusement.

"You work too hard." he pats her back and walks off to move more fruit, glad that his strength can be put to good use. The owner of the stall in question is always appreciative, though she might not like his new little friend.

Especially when she grabs one of the apples for a mid-morning snack.

[Forest]

Being around so many people is hard on him. So during the evenings, he takes his mare out for a ride, losing himself in the forest greenery. Fuxue is loyal at his side (on his back, actually), so the monsters stand no chance of waylaying him.

He chooses to pause at a lake, letting his horse drink. The day is hot! As he waits for her to have her fill, he pulls out the present Xue Yang had given him in the Winter. A little wolf to keep him company.

[Home; Closed to Xue Yang and Xiao Xingchen.]

The money he earned for his work is set in a wooden cabinet by the kitchen. Zichen leaves it there for his loved ones to use as they see fit. What is his is theirs and he likes being able to provide for their comforts.

Considering the hour, he cleans himself and begins to start dinner, setting out the ingredients beforehand. The wolf pup - now nearly full grown - is given meat.

"I will take you to hunt in a few days." he promises. She deserves that thrill. Thankfully her nature is gentle, but he suspects there might be problems when she goes into heat.

A wild animal deserves to live in the wild. He will speak to his A-Yang on the matter, though he knows it will be difficult. Thus he focuses on making a good dinner to counteract any pain.

Comments

Home

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang does the same with what he brings home. Any food he brings home is either stored in the ice box or pantry, depending what it is and how soon they will use it. Today has him carrying home a sack of rice, which, as he steps inside and sniffs the air, makes him smile. He moves over, setting it down near the pantry but doesn't put it immediately away and bends to greet the sweet young wolf with a playful rub to her ears and some light wrestling.

"I got more rice for us, A-Lan," he greets his husband with and steps around the wolf to give his husband a kiss hello. "Dinner smells good!"

[zichen]

The sound of someone he loves coming home will never stop delighting him. Zichen puts aside his work in the kitchen and steps out to see his A-Yang playing with the sweet wolf. His expression softens and he welcomes his husband into his arms, deepening the kiss shyly.

For just a moment.

"You did well." he praises, soaking in their proximity, "How was your day?"

[jiangzaid]

It will never grow old to come home to someone he loves, and to be greeted so warmly. Xue Yang immediately steps into those arms, wrapping his arms around his husband's waist and leaning up to welcome the deeper kiss. Even when it breaks he stays leaning against his beloved, gazing up at him with a softer smile than one might expect from Xue Yang.

"I like working for her. And the locals seem to like what I make." They pay well! "It was good, though I probably smell bad. Do I smell?" He pouts as if sad he might be too stinky to stay snuggled up with his husband.

[zichen]

Even if his A-Yang smelled to high heaven, Zichen wouldn't let him go. The kiss makes his heart soar and he embraces the smaller man, smiling helplessly when their eyes meet.

"Of course they do. You have many gifts." he brushes back Xue Yang's hair and places a kiss on his forehead, "You smell like you've been working and...overheated." his eyes lid, "I don't mind that scent."

[jiangzaid]

Because their love is strong and unbreakable. Xue Yang laughs and soaks up the affection his husband so willingly gives him. He's greedy for it, always.

Another laugh answers that reply and he leans in for another kiss. "I'll go wash up." But he doesn't immediately pull away.

[zichen]

"A-Yang..." he murmurs, not letting his husband go so easily, "We need to talk. But it can wait until after."

Zichen glances at the wolf, who is at that awkward stage of being more legs than body, and smiles softly. He releases his hold on the man and moves back to the kitchen to finish the meal. A meal which includes dessert.

[jiangzaid]

He tenses at those horrible words, then laughs shakily. "Alright." It takes effort not to retreat or hop into defensive biting. Zichen deserves better, has proven he won't abandon him or toss him away. Not even when Xingchen is with him.

But that glance to the wolf has him blinking. He swallows heavily as he's released, mind and heart in a bit of a jumble but he moves away, up the stairs to quickly bathe. He won't take long, his hair is still damp when he comes down the stairs a bit later, wearing looser clothes, perfect for comfortably lounging.

[zichen]

The defensive reaction saddens him and he watches Xue Yang hurry off to clean up with a frown. Words are difficult for him and even when he is gentle with him, he knows his A-Yang fears rejection. Zichen pulls out the carving of the little wolf again and rubs his thumb over it.

Dinner is cooking when his husband rejoins him and Zichen pulls him immediately into his arms again.

"Are you angry with me, A-Yang?"

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang immediately burrows right back into those arms and breathes out all his fears. They can't control him when Song Lan has him wrapped up so lovingly.

"No. You just startled me."

He nuzzles his husband's neck then leans up for another kiss, wanting to prove he's not upset. "I can't be hurt when you're holding me."

[zichen]

Zichen softens immediately, wrapping Xue Yang up and kissing his temple. He murmurs an apology and finds himself tilting his head just a little to enjoy that nuzzling. The desired kiss is given warmly and he brushes their noses together.

"It's about our wolf." he sighs, "She is growing, love. I am happy to take her hunting, but when she experiences her first heat, she might become violent."

It's only natural. She will be seeking a mate and if that energy can't be focused on...well...mating, then it will quickly turn negative.

"Should we let her choose? Whether she stays with us or..." he glances at a window to indicate the wild outside.

[jiangzaid]

He finds himself able to smile again and peppers that exposed neck with tender little kisses as well. He gazes lovingly, trustingly, into his husband's eyes as their noses nudge together. And listens.

It...makes his heart ache, and his gaze drops to the wolf in clear conflict. His Zichen is right, and using logic. He sighs and tucks himself in against his husband's strength.

"I won't cage her. You're right, she has the right to choose to stay or leave."

[zichen]

His love for his A-Yang makes it easy for him to understand how he feels. The wolf has been a loved part of their family and she has grown strong. Zichen trusts that the bond she shares with Xue Yang won't be broken so easily.

"You've given her a chance. Without you, she would have died in a matter of hours." he rubs over his A-Yang's back in soothing circles, his deep voice pitched to be soothing, "I think, even if she does choose to go outside, she will visit you."

[jiangzaid]

He beams at the praise, and the soothing hand over his back. Zichen's voice is something he could listen to forever. "She has a good chance, I think. She's strong and stubborn and knows how to hunt." And he hopes she does visit.

But he sobers the next moment, chewing over a thought that has to go hand in hand with it.

"A-Lan...should I...let our little squirrel go too...?" He has the strength to bear this, if he has his husband's support. He can do anything with Zichen's faith and love. How else could he have weathered Xingchen's disappearance both times, or even Wen Qing's.

Home

[cantseeyoursin]

He has been meditating outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun and letting the sounds of nature around him create a lovely atmosphere. He doesn't know how long he has been outside but eventually he hears someone inside of the house. He pushes himself to his feet and dusts off his robes.

With a smile he heads back to the house and inside. He can smell the start of food cooking and and feel the energy of his soulmate. "Welcome home."

<3

[zichen]

That voice - that presence - will always earn a smile. Zichen abandons the food - temporarily - to embrace Xingchen, reassuring himself that his soulmate is whole.

"Were you enjoying the sun?" he can feel the warmth radiating from Xingchen's robes, "It is a beautiful day."

Far more so with them able to spend time together.

[cantseeyoursin]

He wraps his arms around Zichen and relaxes into the embrace. "I was and it is." But this is probably even better then the sun was. Being in Zichen's arms is where he feels most comfortable.

"We won't have too many nice days before it starts to get cold again. We should enjoy them as much as we can."

[zichen]

Pressing a kiss to Xingchen's brow, Zichen tucks him close, chest to chest, heart to heart.

"Tomorrow I'll take a walk with you if you like? We could also ride the horses." he doesn't have any bias going on foot or on horseback. As long as he gets to spend some time with the other man.

[cantseeyoursin]

Xingchen enjoys walking. When they are side by side it reminds him of home and when they used to travel all over just like that. Their path unknown but hoping it would lead them in the direction of their desires. The horses are good for long distances or faster travel. A benefit in a lot of ways. But he will always prefer on foot.

"I would like that. A walk would be good. Perhaps a ride to somewhere and then tie them up in a safe spot so we can enjoy a walk as well."

[zichen]

"I know just the place." Zichen likes walking too. The horses are a sweet addition to their lives, but he still spends most of his time walking on foot.

"I've traveled down the forest paths and there is one you will like." he smiles and dares to kiss Xingchen's lips - lightly, softly, "Flowers bloom along it. You will be able to smell them."

[cantseeyoursin]

He reaches up to touch Zichen's cheek lightly with his finger tips as feels that kiss. Such a tender little touch of lips. He gives him another kiss back, just as light.

"It sounds perfect. I'll look forward to it." He looks forward to all his time spend with Zichen. Any moment they get to be together is precious. The fact that he had to be away from him for so long still burned into his heart. But the longer he is on this world, the more those past memories seem to ease and fade.

[zichen]

His heart swells and he grins into the second kiss, leaning into it. No, he isn't afraid. Not with Xingchen. One of his hands rests against his soulmate's back and the other cups his face.

"Are you hungry?" he brushes their noses together, "I'm making dinner. If there is anything special you would like, just tell me."

Yes, as time passes, his pain eases too. Having Xingchen back in his life is all he has ever needed or wanted.

[cantseeyoursin]

"Whatever you are making is fine. You don't have to go to any extra trouble." Xingchen is always content with whatever Zichen cooks for him. He has made some progress with being able to cook meals but it is sometimes just easier to wait until the other two have made something instead. Their meals are far more involved then anything he can prepare himself.

"It already smells good."

[zichen]

"It's no trouble." Zichen reassures, raising Xingchen's hand to kiss his knuckles, "I like making meals that you enjoy."

And that the dear man will eat. It's important for Xingchen to keep his strength up and Zichen isn't a fool: he knows the other man is usually in some degree of pain from his lack of eyes.

"I'm glad." he flushes, pleased.

[cantseeyoursin]

He still feels quite overwhelmed at times by the affections and attention that he gets showered with in Zichen presence. "I enjoy all your meals." He says softly, equally as flushed. It's a pleasure and honor to be able to eat together, to taste the meals that Zichen makes for him. Each one special and important. He will always treasure each one because of everything that they have had to go through.

[zichen]

"Then make yourself comfortable." Zichen rests their heads together for a few beats, soaking in Xingchen's gentle comfort. Then he smiles and pulls away, returning to the kitchen to finish their meal. Once it is prepared, he puts it neatly on a plate and brings it to his sweet soulmate.

"Here, love..."