[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]

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.

[jiangzaid]

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."

[zichen]

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."

[jiangzaid]

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."

[zichen]

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.

[jiangzaid]

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."

[zichen]

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."

[jiangzaid]

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.

[zichen]

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."

[jiangzaid]

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."

[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."