farsickness | (no subject)

Entry tags:

xue yang | the untamed

(no subject)

WHO: xiao xingchen + open
WHEN: march
WHAT: a blind cultivator out and about
WHERE: around gazin
WARNINGS: none, will update if necessary

Gazin.

Xiao Xingchen's time since arriving in Gazin has been...turbulent. The change in location hasn't bothered him as much as it might some. He does still worry for A-Qing every day, but reminds himself that she's a clever girl. He can only hope that she doesn't find too much trouble.

The other member of their strange little family had arrived here with him, a great help and a comfort....until Xiao Xingchen finally found out who he really is, a question that he'd never asked. And that's when his heart had truly been unsettled for the first time in his life. His arm is still bandaged from the injury he received during a recent night hunt, bad enough to keep him from going on one since, though it's mostly healed now. It redirected him back to the other task that he needs to accomplish: finding a job.

It's not easy. For the most part people are nicer here, but they still doubt a blind man's abilities. Others are too wary of any man with two swords across his back now to take a chance.

He's discouraged, but he buys a small bit of bread in the marketplace, a piece of fruit. It's cheaper than the tavern nearby, and Xingchen just needs something to fill his stomach to fuel him forward. He finds an out-of-the-way place in the market to eat, listening to the sounds of life around him.

Returning home. (closer to dusk)

There were many days when he did not expect to ever return here, this place that his companion - that Xue Yang found for them. The man had been persistent after he left, making sure that Xingchen was taken care of even when all of his gifts were rejected.

His heart hasn't completely righted itself, but he knows one thing for sure: Xue Yang has killed no one here. He hasn't even attacked, and barely even has the means to do so after surrendering everything over to Xiao Xingchen. He'd like to think that he's been made less naive, but maybe he's not, because he keeps thinking that maybe he can keep the other man on the correct path, one of harmony with this new life. Xingchen's made it clear that he must submit himself to justice if and when they return, because those that he's murdered deserve nothing less. But for now..maybe he can be a sheath for that dangerous blade.

Xingchen steps up onto the small porch, pausing when he hears the first approach of footsteps.

"Is that you?"

He tilts his head a little more, waiting to hear if they're familiar or not.

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He goes completely still when Xingchen cups his face, hearing the quiet request. Listens, eyes searching the other man's face as Xingchen speaks. No hint of deception- and what does this precious man even know of it? Really know? Outside of what Xue Yang himself has taught him by example.

He sits on his impatience, wonder and hope warily beginning to grow again the more Xingchen speaks. Be together.

"You would...be...mine?" He asks in a very small voice. The voice of someone who has had very little to call his own. A dream. Xue Yang knows what he wants that to mean. But...does Xiao Xingchen?

He brings his hand down from the other man's cheek, touch remaining light. Down...then curls his arm around Xingchen's waist. Possessive, but light enough to be easily broken.

"And...you would be mine." At least he's pretty sure that's how it works, even if that's the strangest part of all to him. It isn't strange to Xingchen that hasn't had much, it's strange to him that he actually wants something. But he knows that he can only have it here.

The rest of what he's doesn't know, he's willing to discover. He follows Xue Yang's touch, feels it going around his waist, and his only reaction is a soft smile. Not quite what it was before, but something.

"You actually want to stay with a blind man. I shouldn't chase you away."

Xue Yang shakes his head a little, a smile slowly forming under Xingchen's fingers. "I've been yours for a long time."

So many things he hasn't told Xingchen. Some of which...he's still not sure he should. But seeing that soft smile again loosens the tight knot in his chest and he leans his head forward. Not to kiss this time, but to press their foreheads together as his other arm moves to join the other with more care for the injuries Xingchen is so concerned over.

"I want to be with my Daozhang. I don't see a blind man when I look at you."

Xue Yang falls silent for a moment, thinking on the rest of what Xingchen said. Asked him to trust this angel in his arms. To talk to him. Asked him what he wants, if there was one thing Xingchen could give him.

"Xingchen," he tests it out and knows he's smiling again. "May I have another kiss?" Asking for one small portion of what he wants. He knows this precious man isn't ready for more than kissing, and hopefully cuddling.

He wants to do this the right way.

"Work, I'm afraid."

But Xingchen laughs despite his long morning.

"I understand. Hiring a blind man is a risk for many reasons." He takes a bite of his bread, smile still on his lips. "I'm fortunate that my friend keeps a roof over my head. But I'm not used to being so dependent on another."

Clark considers this.

"What do you know how to do? What are you used to doing?"

Because for Clark, it is as instinctive as drawing in air to help another, so... yes. Welcome to those who have been adopted by Clark, Xingchen.

"Excuse me, sir, can I interest you in some..."

Standing behind the apothecary's stall, selling healing teas and simple remedies, Wen Qing has been addressing people in the hope to lure them to her table all morning, but this is the first time she comes across a familiar face. She falls silent before speaking up again, realizing that of course he wouldn't have taken notice of her.

"Xiao Xingchen! Over here!" she says and fiddles noisily with one of the containers of tea. "How are you?"

"Not long enough."

The words are murmured before Xingchen can think to stop them. But there's no point in thinking about how things might've been, or even how they'll be. There is only how things are, in this present moment.

The corners of his lips quirk when he calls him by his name, unexpected but unexpectedly pleasant. Xingchen nods his head to give him permission. He thinks there will come a time when that's not necessary either, but it's a good practice for Xue Yang to have in these early days.

Three simple words, but they almost burn right through him. Xue Yang closes his eyes tight, fingers curling a little at Xingchen's waist. What would his life have been like, if he'd known to go up the mountain and somehow found Xiao Xingchen?

Better. Much better than the living hell he'd managed on his own.

He breathes out, carefully. "Yours for life," he murmurs.

Then opens his eyes to see the faint smile, to feel the nod. Permission granted, and it lifts his still-too-fragile heart up. He pulls a hand away from Xingchen's waist to rest light fingers on the man's cheek before he leans in.

This kiss isn't the playful, testing little kisses they'd exchanged before. This kiss is firmer, warmer, with an attempt to reign in just how fierce his emotions are for Xingchen.

"I was a cultivator. I protected people from monsters, the undead. I chased criminals. Anything that was for the good of all."

He technically didn't get paid for any of it either, but people were grateful for his help, and through their kindness, he always had all that he needed.

Xingchen smiles at him.

"I'm sorry, I feel like I'm troubling your rest."

There are so many people in the marketplace that their voices tend to run together. He tries to be aware of the crowds, stay out of the way, and so he doesn't recognize her until she calls him by name.

"Wen-guniang?" Xingchen tilts his head to pinpoint her location, then walks over to her stall with a soft smile. "I'm well, thank you. Do you have any new patients today?"

Xingchen's not prepared for that kiss. He thinks he is, after what they exchanged before. But he'd assumed that Xue Yang was someone young and innocent then.

This kiss reminds him of just how wrong he'd been. There's a hunger to it, a kiss that wants a little more of him. It gives him no time to catch his breath, so Xingchen finds himself clinging to him in the wake of it.

He feels warm and dizzy and- Where did Xue Yang even learn such a wicked kiss that leaves his heart racing and the taste of him still on his tongue? He might as well be mute as well as blind, because all he can do is stay there in his proximity, feeling the heat that's behind the color high on his cheekbones.

"You are not at all bothering me." Clark considers what the man has said and nods.

"Maybe you could help form a watch, a group dedicated to protecting the area and the roads, from harm. "

As much of a surprise as the kiss is for Xingchen, it's nothing compared to what Xue Yang wants to give him. But it's enough for now, feeling Xingchen cling to him. Feels his heart race alongside his own as he holds this precious man close.

Lips still tingling and body warm with bliss of having gotten to kiss his angel again. He grins, seeing the color staining pale cheeks and presses his lips tenderly to a cheek. Then leans his forehead against Xingchen's as he hums quietly. He will happily hold the other man as long as Xingchen lets him. Tirelessly.

He slowly pulls himself back together. Steadies his heart, even out his breathing. Xingchen's grip loosens and slides down him gently. And it reminds him-

"You should put a clean shirt on."

Xingchen will do his best with the damaged one.

"And...it might be time to take your sword back."

He could handle a second damaged shirt, but he doesn't think he could handle Xue Yang being damaged again.

Heaven. This is what heaven feels like. Xue Yang feels hope growing, still shy, still hesitant. Still a little fragile.

Being told to put a clean shirt on has him laugh and squeeze Xingchen before starting to pull away. Only to pause at the second statement. What it hints at. Trust. Care.

He slowly reaches up to cup Xingchen's face, careful and gentle. Precious. "If you want me to carry Jiangzai again, I will. I won't use it unless I have to for work, or to protect you."

Because Xingchen matters above all else.

But he remembers what else he's been told. And it's...more of a challenge to remember. "And...if I am attacked by someone here...I will only defend." Promises. For Xiao Xingchen. For his Daozhang.

Anything. Everything, for this precious man.

"Ah... No. No, I do not." She ducks her head, looking down at the market stall, feeling a little chagrined by the selection she is trying to hark. "I'm just here to make some extra income for the apothecary. The owner likes to sell to casual customers here, simple herbal teas and minor pain relievers or poultices, such small things people might want to have at home."

She sighs, looking a little mournful. "I miss working as a proper doctor," she admits quietly, "I spend most of my time as a store clerk right now. But there's no point to that here, is there? I won't be here long enough."

Xingchen listens closely to the sound of his voice, tries not to be distracted by his touch - he's somewhat unsuccessful there, tipping his face more into Xue Yang's touch before he can stop himself.

But he hears sincerity in his voice. It's no act, Xiao Xingchen chooses to believe that.

"I trust you."

Not only to not do harm, but also to not be harmed.

"Pick up your sword again." He smirks gently. "It's too heavy for me anyway."

...Oh that smirk isn't fair. Xue Yang grins and doesn't even try to keep himself from leaning in to steal a quick, playful kiss before laughing again as he pulls away.

"I will be your strength, Xiao Xingchen!"

Xingchen's shield.

Xingchen's weapon.

Anything his daozhang needs, Xue Yang will step up and be.

He digs around in the little chest left in the apartment for clothes and pulls out one of the new shirts he'd managed to buy. A second's pause to remember to be careful of his bandages in dressing, then he's right back in Xingchen's space, reaching for a hand.

"That is something I had not considered."

He considers it now. He's only worked with one other person at a time, never a group. But wasn't that always sort of his dream? To gather together others who had similar thoughts, regardless of bloodline.

He nods.

"I will try that, and do my best to prove myself to them. So they will be less afraid."

"Sometimes such simple things eliminate the need for larger ones. You do Gazin a great service." Xingchen smiles, honest in his feelings but hoping to cheer her at the same time. His smile softens a little at her last words.

"Every day is its own point. Have you had any luck in that area?"

Xingchen laughs at his words. Xue Yang is strange but cute. His heart seems to warm to him despite any effort to the contrary. But there are none of those efforts now. Xingchen is letting himself feel what he feels.

"You are."

He says it quietly. Everything would've been much harder if not for Xue Yang. If not for his willingness to keep Xiao Xingchen by his side. He gives his hand a squeeze.

"Do you feel better?"

That laugh washes over him. Warms him from head to toe. Maybe it's a temporary thing, this bliss, this peace. But he's going to hold onto it with all he is for as long as he can.

Xue Yang feels his breath stolen away when Xingchen tells him he is his strength. Smile bright and careless with his delight. He gives that precious hand a gentle squeeze in answer, standing not quite pressed against the other man. Close enough the heat of their bodies can be felt.

"You laughed." A simple answer.

"I like it here."

"I think that is a good idea. Let me know if I can help. Protecting others is a good thing, and while I do have a job, if there is ever need, I will be there."

Clark grins as he nods, smiling, glad he met this man today.

It's a day that Xiao Xingchen knew was coming, one that filled him with dread. It's a day where there isn't much for him to do. There are no home repairs that need his attention. There's plenty of firewood. He's even started baking, no less than a dozen loaves of bread that he intends to share with friends and neighbors. His last few night-hunts have been uneventful too. Any monsters or trouble around town seem to be keeping their distance.

So when Xue Yang tells him over breakfast that he has the day off, the blind man is visibly relieved. Xiao Xingchen isn't someone who necessarily needs company, but he enjoys the right kind. He enjoys his.

It's mid-morning before the volley of 'let's do what you want to do' finally comes to an end. It's too nice of a day to stay inside, and while they've both explored much of the town separately, reasons have kept them from exploring it together.

Xingchen waits while Xue Yang looks at something, listening to a few village children whispering nearby before they scamper off. It leaves him with a question for when the other cultivator is finished with his browsing.

"Xue Yang, would I be the 'wife'?"

Everything Xingchen cooks or bakes, Xue Yang very happily enjoys. Not even just because Xingchen was the one who made it, but because it tends to taste pretty good too. His arm has healed up well, though there are still scars, slowly smoothing out and fading. Along with the odd other injury that slips past his guard.

None of them bother him, though he's increased his efforts not to let even a scratch get through. And less and less do. He doesn't want to be the reason for Xingchen's laughter and smiles to fade away again.

Xue Yang hears the whispering of children as he browses and treats them to a sharp look that sends them scampering off. He heads back to Xingchen's side only to grin at the question, reaching for his boyfriend's hand.

"You're beautiful enough to be the best wife, but I think we'd need to be married first." And his tone says that isn't a bad idea in his opinion.

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