farsickness | (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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

"Oh, that's right. We'd need to be married first."

He laughs at himself. How silly of him, it's a pretty big detail to overlook. Xingchen's smile becomes softer, almost shy when the other man takes his hand.

"Those children were whispering about whether we were married or not." He explains. "They were a little confused about it at first, but finally agreed that I must be the wife."

His heart does a funny little leap and his grin only brightens. Xingchen doesn't seem repulsed by it, so he gently squeezes the precious hand he holds.

"Children don't know better. But I would love to marry my Daozhang, if he'll have me."

He could sound flippant, or teasing. But there's an air of seriousness in the quiet words, for Xingchen's ears only.

"If you are the wife, then it must be because I'm good at protecting you!" He doesn't think any less of Xiao Xingchen for 'being the wife'. Nothing could be further from the truth.

He's not repulsed by it. Cultivational partners can be any combination of genders, all that matters is the bond. And he has one with Xue Yang, one that's been tested and remains flawed, but the strength of it can't be denied. Xue Yang will hold his hand for as long as he'll offer it to him, Xingchen knows this.

"Children see things honestly, and they speak the same."

Which means they saw the bond between them too. And in a child's innocence, it could only mean one thing to them.

But not just to them, apparently. Xiao Xingchen stops walking, but he doesn't let go of his hand. He's reminded that after years where he could barely feel his heart beat, it's been Xue Yang who's reminded him that it still does. Like right now, his proposal, light but serious in a way that only he could make it.

Xingchen lowers his head a bit, taking a few breaths to have better control over his emotions. He doesn't want to leave Xue Yang thinking the worst, thinking it of himself. That's only led to tragedy. When he finally responds, it's with a voice that's as soft but as determined as Xiao Xingchen himself is.

"I would have you."

Always watching. Always listening. What would Xiao Xingchen say? How would he react? He thinks, he hopes that all they've said mean more than what they've done to this point. That there's more Xingchen wouldn't mind doing, if he only learns what more there is they can do.

Xingchen had told him that if they're to be together, they'll be together. This. Marriage. Cultivation partners. Just the next step towards that.

Xue Yang still waits, heart beating loud enough he's sure the other man can hear it as he holds onto Xingchen's hand. Carefully gentle. Gentle...gentle...

And then that precious voice answers, speaking the words he'd desperately, suddenly, wanted to hear. His breath huffs out in relief and he doesn't care who sees as he laughs and reaches out to tug Xingchen in close to dance him around in a silly little circle.

It doesn't even occur to him to doubt his Daozhang.

"It's decided!" Just. Not when. But details! "We should celebrate!"

It's decided?

It's decided.

It all happened so quickly, but uncomplicated. And that makes it feel right, for them if for no one else. Xue Yang is kinetic, Xiao Xingchen is simplicity, and this is what happens when you put the two together. Xingchen laughs, fingers curling into the other man's clothing when he spins them around. They haven't decided when, but they've decided. It's as good as done, really.

"I've never known anyone who did this. How do people celebrate?"

He grins at the laugh, heart light enough he wonders if he's floating. Xue Yang stops the spin but doesn't let go of Xingchen, arms curling gently around his waist.

"Do whatever we want. I was thinking, maybe explore another town? I could describe it to you!"

Make the most of the day off. There's still plenty of time in the day to travel to the next town over.