farsickness | [Open + One Closed Prompt]

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[Open + One Closed Prompt]

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.

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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.

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."

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."

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.

"She will be fine." he reassures him, confident in the skills they have taught her since she was a pup. However the squirrel is a different story and he shakes his head gently.

"No, A-Yang. She must stay with you." Zichen has a feeling that isn't a cause for grief for his husband, "Wolves are independent - even training them from the beginning won't make them less wild. They have needs and I want her to have a good life. Your little squirrel will have her best life with you, being cared for and loved."

It would be cruel to place her outside. She has never had the chance to learn from her mother or another adult squirrel.

He can't help the relieved breath that he doesn't have to let go of both of the sweet creatures. Not even just because that sweet little squirrel was a gift from his husband. Xue Yang snuggles deeper into Zichen's arms.

"That's why you are my wolf. Independent, brave, gorgeous." And such a fierce protector. He loves seeing the little carving he'd made for his husband. Knowing it's enjoyed is a great joy.

A kiss will follow that relieved breath. The sweeter side of his husband will always awaken Zichen's desire for affection; for contact. He nuzzles those soft lips and grins.

"And I come home to you, do I not?" he gives Xue Yang a squeeze around his waist, "Don't be sad, A-Yang. This is something to celebrate - and we needn't let her go immediately. She is content."

He melts under that kiss, pressing into it, deepening it for a moment - then lets it soften. Only to smile at the silly nuzzling and brightens at that grin. Xue Yang relaxes under that squeeze.

"You do. Always. As I always will come home to you, and to A-Chen." For as long as they want him. He's learned to rely on that. He tilts his head up to kiss the tip of his husband's nose. "It's starting to get warm, even at night it isn't that cold. Maybe we could help her get used to sleeping outside...? I'm sure we can set up something all of us can enjoy and feel comfortable out there together."

He feels a shiver race through him and he can still sense the imprint of Xue Yang's lips on his when they part. The urge to lift him and carry him straight to bed is...overwhelming. But he is logical and he knows they are both hungry.

"I would go looking for you if you didn't." Zichen is quite serious - even the kiss on his nose doesn't distract him. Well, not much anyway. He does flush.

"A tent?" he suggests, "I know how to build a temporary shelter. She would enjoy the company, I think."

Edited 2021-07-13 07:55 (UTC)

One type of hunger should be met...before the other. He smirks knowingly at his precious husband, a thrill running through his body to know this man wants him. Scars and all.

"You have. Every single time I have needed you," he murmurs, just as serious. There's lingering awe in his expression at the memory. He remembers struggling to get home after one particularly bad job and realizing he didn't have the strength to make it before his wounds knocked him out. Then finding Zichen running to rescue him and carry him to safety, and healing. He will never forget the loyalty, support, guidance, and love Zichen has shown him.

"Mm. Yes, to start. It could be fun!"

Love burns in his eyes and he brushes his lips over his A-Yang's handsome face. Why should scars prevent him from falling for the sweet, generous man Xue Yang has become? That would be silly. The only downside to them is the pain they continue to cause, but he is more than willing to massage his husband nightly.

"You have done likewise for me." he has a scar from where he was stabbed, however it doesn't bother him when he sees it. On the contrary, it reminds him of Xue Yang helping him.

"Would you like that?" he directs the question at the wolf, who is happily chewing on a bone. She wags her tail at the sound of their voices and flashes them a toothy grin.

He flushes happily under those kisses and he keeps his face turned up to accept every one of them. He doesn't even mind his scars aching, not when they get his beloved A-Lan to give him such amazing massages!

Xue Yang gives him a squeeze around the waist in answer, knowing where those thoughts had gone. He rests his cheek against Zichen's chest, peering down at their sweet wolf as the question is asked of her, and laughs softly.

"A few more days to make sure we have everything. Then we'll give it a try."

How can he stop kissing that face, then? Zichen makes a soft, low sound, nuzzling their cheeks and brushing a kiss against his A-Yang's neck. In his mind, he is the one who benefits from those massages. His husband is adorable when he is fully relaxed.

Like right now. He rubs his cheek against Xue Yang's hair and poses the question to their wolf. She yips at them and hurries over to join in on the hug!

"A good plan. This isn't farewell, A-Yang. We are merely giving her a wider world."

How indeed! Xue Yang ends up leaning against him with a low hum of pure contentment as those kisses and nuzzles continue. No. There is nothing to fear when he's with his Zichen. This man has his loyalty and his heart, no matter what happens. Even if the worst happens and Zichen vanishes, he won't change who he has become. It would only upset him.

Their sweet wolf joining in makes him laugh and he kneels down to wrap her up in a hug.

"You're right. And she deserves the world! She'll always have a safe place to come to with us."

He sighs in regret as he sniffs the air. If he doesn't pull away, their meal is going to burn! But he makes the parting sweet, kissing his husband's lips lovingly, his hands cupping both cheeks. No, he trusts Xue Yang now. No matter what happens or where he goes, he won't change. Happiness has ensured that.

"Good girl." he compliments the wolf as he slips off to finish preparing the food. She licks Xue Yang's face and rubs her face against his chest.

"And if she wants to visit, we will leave the door open for her."

Zichen plates the food and carries it to the table, chuckling.

He pouts just a little, but accepts that loving kiss and smiles adoringly up at his husband, those hands help hold him at peace. So he doesn't hold onto Zichen when the other pulls away to rescue their dinner.

Xue Yang turns his attention to their wolf, laughing under her kisses and plays with her while he waits. "We could make a door just for her."

That smile leaves him flushed, his heart racing as he sets the plates of food on the table. After filling two glasses of water - and setting them on the table too - he motions for Xue Yang to join him as he sits down. When Xingchen joins them, he will serve him too.

"We could. She knows where to go for safety." he watches the graceful animal protectively, "And, think, A-Yang, in a few seasons, she could return with pups."

Xue Yang loves making his husband blush like that~ He immediately rolls to his feet and plops down beside him, leaning in to steal a kiss for the simple joy of it.

"She does," he agrees. Then brightens with a delighted smile. "Pups! That wouldn't surprise me. She'll be a wonderful mother." He beams down at their wolf.

A kiss that is returned with a contented hum. Zichen gives his husband a loving smile before beginning to eat.

"She will be." he smiles a little wider when the wolf pounces on her bone again and begins to chew, "We are part of her pack. I doubt she will stray far. But sleeping under the stars and meeting her own kind will be good for her."

He digs in as well, enjoying each bite and not rushing - there's no threat of his meal being stolen. Not with his husband here.

Their wolf's antics make him grin. "I know it will. I hope she finds a wolf pack to accept her and help her. She'll be safer that way."

"I can track her." Zichen offers, "I know there are packs in the area. They are territorial, but the food is good. They shouldn't be aggressive."

Which means she stands a decent chance of being accepted.

"If she spends more time outside, our scent will fade from her. That will improve her chances."

"We should, at first. Just to make sure she finds a second family. And we should check for more traps." Because that had been how he'd found her in the first place.

Xue Yang leans against Zichen's side, gaze darting between the wolf, his food, and his husband. "All the more reason for her to spend more time outside."

"I keep watch for them." Zichen turns his head after he sips on some water, kissing Xue Yang's temple, "We will do all we can for her."

As they have done since she was a small, hurt pup. Lifting an arm, he holds his husband close.

"Tomorrow evening, we will introduce her to sleeping outside." and they will join her!

He beams, hearing that. "We will!" He snuggles in closer when that arm moves to accommodate him.

"It'll be nice to sleep outside just for fun."

"The weather is pleasant for it." Zichen nuzzles his cheek against the side of his A-Yang's head, eating slowly. This is one of his favorite positions for dinner and his husband likely knows it.

"Will you share a tent with me?"

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