[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

[zichen]

"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."

[jiangzaid]

"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."

[zichen]

"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!

[jiangzaid]

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."

[zichen]

"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?"

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang only hums in agreement. He loves this position too, be it while eating or just sitting together somewhere. Plus, any time spent snuggling with either of his Daozhangs is time well spent.

He grins at the request. "Of course I will."

[zichen]

He never would have guessed he would reach this point. Contact with Xue Yang and Xingchen has become something he craves and seeks openly. It's as if he is making up for lost time.

"With Xingchen between us?" he smiles softly, brightening at the mere mention of their precious A-Chen.

[jiangzaid]

They all are making up for lost time. Xue Yang craves affection. He delights getting to see how Zichen has blossomed and lets him get away with sprawling on him so much.

And Xingchen is starting to relax around him (again) too, which delights him. He beams at that suggestion. "Of course!" Wherever they are, Xingchen is always welcome.

[zichen]

He plays with Xue Yang's hair, stroking it behind his ear. Not just anyone can sprawl on him, but his dear ones are part of his pack. A-Yang and A-Chen can lay on him all they like and Zichen won't raise a fuss.

"I saw him sitting in the sunshine." he chuckles, "His robes were so warm to the touch!"

[jiangzaid]

He purrs under that hand, nuzzling in just because. He knows well just how particular his Zichen is with who he lets touch him. He shifts up to press a loving kiss to his husband's lips, lingering just for the joy of it. Then smiles, eyes bright at the news.

"Yi City was so cold. He should get to enjoy the sunlight here!"

[zichen]

His eyes flutter shut at the pressure against his lips. He nuzzles and breathes another kiss over his A-Yang's mouth. Zichen has him to thank for learning to enjoy touch and so being exceptionally affectionate is easy. He is with his beloved tutor.

"I love seeing him at peace." yet, "I am still searching for a way to return his sight."

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang hums happily under the next kiss and nuzzles right back with a soft, sweet smile. Zichen is the biggest reason he's so greedy for affection. Xingchen had started him off down that road by being so selflessly kind in healing him and never asking questions. Getting to teach both men the joys of how nice touch can be is pure joy. Better than candy!

"Me too," he murmurs. Then nods a little, serious. "I am too."

[zichen]

Xingchen is a sign of hope and possibility for both of them. Zichen adores the man for accepting him by his side and supporting him endlessly - even when he was a fool. Knowing that such love can exist has opened his eyes to giving Xue Yang a chance. He will never regret doing so. His A-Yang is so dear to him that he too has become part of his hope.

"I love you." Zichen smiles tenderly, "I can't envision my life without you. We will see our Xingchen whole again."

[jiangzaid]

He'd never known such selfless love and joy before Xingchen and Zichen. Xue Yang grins at those precious words then wiggles until he's in his husband's lap, draping his arms around Zichen's shoulders.

"I love you too, my Zichen." He kisses that smile. "I don't want a life without you two in it. Mm, yes, we will!"

[zichen]

Love should be selfless or it isn't pure. Xingchen has taught him that and now he shares that lesson with his A-Yang.

Zichen forgets all about dinner when his lap is full. He rests his hands on Xue Yang's hips and loses himself in that beloved smile...and those kisses.

"We will always be together." he slides his hands up and down Xue Yang's sides, "The three of us. If you're happy with us, A-Yang, it will never change."

[jiangzaid]

He's mostly done eating, anyway. Snuggling his husband is far more important. And he loves feeling those hands run over his body, making him hum and beam at his husband.

"I've never been happier than I am with you two." Or safer. Or...generally just a better person.

[zichen]

Yes, he is in full agreement! Zichen can't say no to his husband when he perches so sweetly in his lap. A smile blooms on his lips and he kisses Xue Yang for so many reasons - not the least of which is that the other man is choosing to stay with them.

"We are whole with you." he rubs his hands down Xue Yang's strong thighs.

[jiangzaid]

All the kisses! And snuggles! Xue Yang tucks his head against his husband's neck and breathes in the familiar clean smell. Those hands bring him no pain. Only pleasure and relief.

"I'm alive because of you." His lips quirk against skin and he kisses Zichen's neck softly. "I was an animated corpse until we all came here. Then I learned how to really live."

[zichen]

"Xingchen brought you back to life." Zichen runs his hands over his lover's back, caressing his hair and nuzzling his nose under Xue Yang's ear, "He showed you love. And when I allowed you into my space, I saw that you returned his love."

Knowing that Xue Yang was capable of such opened his eyes.

"Then working with you... You were so determined. I fell in love with you too."

[jiangzaid]

He purrs happily, relaxing against his beloved. Enjoying how those hands and nose lavish him with affection and love from this strong, good man.

"And now I love you too. When he left, when everyone left, only you stayed and held me together. Showed me I can be strong, as I am, even alone." He doesn't like being alone, but he can handle it better now.

[zichen]

Xue Yang is a good man now too. Zichen believes in that and in him. He knows that if he just holds his husband close, his best side will always prevail.

"You have always been strong." he captures his A-Yang's lips for a searing kiss, his eyes closing briefly, "You're just lonely."

That loneliness had spoken to him when they meditated together.

"A-Yang reminded me of a young fox I healed as a child. He had no one and he tucked himself against me when I was kind to him. But, in time, he found his independence and he proved himself to be wild."

[jiangzaid]

Because of his daozhangs. Xue Yang knows himself too well to believe anything else. He'd done too much evil to come back from it all on his own. But with their support and guidance, with their love...he'd managed to claw his way out of that hole and become a much better person.

That kiss steals his breath away, making him moan happily into his husband's searing kiss and leaning fully against him. Trusting Zichen completely. His lips still tingle when it breaks and he listens to everything else his husband has to say. He loves listening to this man speak, it didn't matter what he said.

"I don't want to be wild anymore. I want to be your pet fox, who you always keep warm and fed."

[zichen]

He is surrounded by Xue Yang. The heat of him. His scent. The taste of his lips and his tongue. Zichen hugs him tightly, wanting him to stay, always stay, and he dares this world or any other to try to pry them apart. The good man his husband has become belongs to him and Xingchen; no one else can intrude.

"Only warm and fed?" he queries, kissing those tempting lips slowly, playfully, tugging on Xue Yang's lower lip, "You want nothing else?"

[jiangzaid]

That question, and that kiss, makes him grin slowly before shifting to straddle Zichen's lap and wiggle pointedly against him with pure mischief written across his face.

"Well...there is something else I want from you." So don't mind him wrapping his legs pointedly around Zichen's waist, arms curling tighter around his shoulders as he presses close.

[zichen]

All of his breath is stolen and Xue Yang wins this round. Zichen's eyes almost close and he presses as tight and flush as he can get against his A-Yang. It takes him a moment to develop a response, his voice lower than usual. Almost husky.

"Name it." he massages that once wounded thigh, "Are you on the top or the bottom?"