Wedding Crasher

[jiangzaid]

WHO: Xue Yang, Xiao Xingchen, Song Zichen
WHEN: Soon after Zichen arrives
WHAT: Wedding plans and intrusions
WHERE: Marketplace
WARNINGS: Usual cast warnings (violence, trauma, etc)


It's not been all that long since his proposal had slipped out and accepted, but Xue Yang is still bouncing with joy. Steps light, smile bright and more honest than most are used to seeing from the man. It's a challenge to keep even a modicum of restraint, restraining himself to just stealing a few kisses every now and then and cuddling at night.

But it's more than enough for now, and reassures Xingchen he means to do right by him, to be better. He'll do anything for Xiao Xingchen.

Which leads them in the market today, Xue Yang giving Xingchen's hand a playful little tug as if it's needed to keep the sweet man moving between the stalls. "It doesn't have to be extravagant, Xingchen, it could even just be the two of us and whoever we want to witness. Maybe Wen Qing?" Because she's an ally of his and he thinks she might even be getting fond of him.

"But the food should be better than what we've been having. What should we get?"

Comments

[inwhite]

"A-Qing?" Xingchen latches onto that bit of information, the small tea pot clattering on the tray in his haste to put it down. "Was she well? Have you seen her here?" After all, if he and Xue Yang arrived together, perhaps Zichen and A-Qing did too.

But no...no, she would've stuck to Zichen, or him to her. She would be here right now. Xingchen sighs and continues sliding cups of tea to the both of them. He purses his lips for a moment to consider what if, what could've been if he'd known Xue Yang's identity back then.

"When I found him, he was near death. It would have made no difference." Xingchen would've taken him back, would've treated him. Would've saved him. Knowing Xingchen, that probably isn't much of a surprise. "But what happened after that would surely have been different. I doubt I would've shown him any kindness. I would've chased him away, or we would have fought. Perhaps one of us would've killed the other. Perhaps Xue Yang would've killed more than what he did." He shakes his head after a moment. He's calmer now. Clear-headed. "All things happened the way they were meant to. Otherwise we wouldn't be together, here and now."

[zichen]

If Xue Yang must be that close to Xingchen then Zichen will simply be on his soulmate's other side. He is all too aware of where they touch, if they touch, how they touch, but he isn't afraid to try with Xingchen. Anyone else would be a different story and they might see a new side to a man who rarely emoted.

"Yes, that was her name." he curls his fingers around the tea cup after thanking Xingchen with a small squeeze to his hand, "She seemed well enough to me. She was protective of you and I...liked that."

Zichen would have kept her with him in a place like this, that's true. Have they left her alone? The thought worries him and his brow furrows. The shift in topic doesn't help his unease and he sips on the tea to keep himself peacefully occupied.

"So he has...behaved...all this time? Not once has he killed or maimed?" he keeps his eyes looking forward - not at Xue Yang. That is the only way he can keep his voice calm.

"That really is a miraculous change." and he doesn't believe it.

[jiangzaid]

There's the usual flash of jealousy at the mention of the girl, but he squashes it. He's gotten better at squashing such impulses - for Xiao Xingchen.

Xue Yang goes quiet while Xingchen speaks, sips his tea as he moves his gaze between the two. He listens to Xingchen's thoughts on what might have happened had he given his name way back then. It makes him a little glad he hadn't, but if he had...would Xingchen have lived?

With Xingchen's conclusion though, he smiles again and nudges their shoulders together. Because he can. Zichen is ignored for a moment, until those questions are asked. He scoffs a little.

"Here, in Gazin, yes. I have killed no one. I've barely even threatened anyone." He tilts his head, thinking, before laughing and shakes his head. "I haven't even done that in weeks though." Since Xingchen had moved back in with him. "There are beasts I hunt, it's part of my job."

He can't say the same for back in their world though, and won't even try.

"You can ask anyone in the village."

[inwhite]

"You don't believe him. I understand." It's nothing for a murderer to be a liar as well, and Xue Yang has always been a clever trickster. "But believe me. He hasn't shed innocent blood here. And he won't."

Xingchen has faith in him. Maybe one day the man on his other side will prove him wrong. But until that day, he's choosing to believe that he's making changes for the better.

"I still can't believe you're here. I've missed you so much, Zichen."

His voice is as soft and as fond as the smile on his lips. To be at Zichen's side again makes him so incredibly happy. As happy as the moment Xue Yang asked him to marry him.

Ah. Xingchen takes a sip of his tea. No amount of meditation is going to help him with this one.

[zichen]

"Your crimes don't cease to matter because you traveled." Zichen finally looks at the murderer, the trickster and Xingchen is entirely correct. He doesn't trust him and he doesn't know if that can or will change. He isn't as loving of a person as his soulmate.

Setting the teacup down, he touches Xingchen's cheek, holding his breath as if he is doing something that leaves him in awe. But those poor empty sockets. He brushes his thumb against the bandage, feather-light and brings his lips to his soulmate's forehead. A tear slips down his cheek and doesn't try to stop it.

"I missed you more, Xingchen. I won't leave you defenseless ever again."

[jiangzaid]

Xingchen's faith. Xue Yang feels it wash away at his jealousy, take the edge off just enough to allow him to still breath, despite the obvious joy Xingchen feels just at having Song Zichen around again.

But that man hates him- rightfully so, but it might make it difficult for Xingchen. Which means he has to try and get on Zichen's good side.

He meets Zichen's gaze seriously. "I'm not saying they don't. I have done terrible things to both of you, and many others. I can't change that, Daozhang Song. I can only change what I do here."

His gaze drops before moving to Xingchen, though his words are still mostly for Zichen.

"I give myself to Xingchen." He will say it as many times as he needs to. He flicks his eyes back to Zichen and tilts his head, almost a challenge, almost a question. "Shall I disarm myself for you too, Daozhang?"

[inwhite]

He feels like he can't breathe. Zichen's touch, the gentle brush of his lips against his forehead. It's like a dream...he's sure he had similar dreams back in Yi City, dreams that he would wake from and discover that the tear sliding down his cheek was his own.

One does now, but it's not alone. Xingchen touches his fingertips to the other man's face, shaking his head as he brushes it away. And then, his own at the sound of Xue Yang's voice behind him.

His breath doesn't return at his words. Xue Yang is offering to give up his blade again, to leave himself defenseless. And Song Lan might ask him to do it, with little care for the danger it leaves him in.

[zichen]

Pretty words, but are they backed by substance? Or are they just air? Zichen can't take the risk without much, much, forethought. Xingchen has a loving, open heart, but his is...less so.

Xue Yang has damaged him on numerous levels, but it isn't his safety (or sanity) that concerns him. Since his soulmate - the love of his life - cannot always see the danger lying ahead, he must do so for him.

And he will.

"One action cannot persuade me. What am I to do with your blade anyway?" he caresses Xingchen's neck as he speaks, taking strength from his presence, "Use it to defend Xingchen. Use it to ensure he suffers no more pain."

[jiangzaid]

He doesn't like that look, Xingchen. Concern has him rest a gentle hand to his love's back, pressing close. Xue Yang rests his chin on Xingchen's shoulder while he waits for Zichen's decision. His lips quirk when it comes, though his gaze is steady when he looks at Zichen.

"You could stab me with it. Others here beat you to it though." Casual.

But then he gently squeezes Xingchen around the waist in silent apology, eyes dropping briefly. "But it hurts Xingchen. I haven't let myself get hurt in a while, much less him. I won't let that change."

[inwhite]

"No."

The word is past Xingchen's lips before he can stop it, before he feels Xue Yang's unspoken apology.

"I don't want either of you to be hurt. I don't want you hurting each other. You're at odds with one another now, I understand. But you are both so precious to me."

Xingchen feels around until he finds a hand for each of them, squeezing it

"Please be patient with each other. I will be in your debt forever if you grant me this."

[zichen]

"What -" he flinches at the idea of stabbing another without a strong reason to do so - and, in the case of Xue Yang, he technically has one. However he will never disregard the stance of Xiao Xingchen. If he asks him to stay his hand, he will without question.

"Xingchen." Zichen feels the warm hand and he has no defense, his fingers curling instantly to hold tight, "I will do anything for you. But I will be watching, Xue Yang."

Every step and every breath most likely - until he understands Xingchen's point of view.

[jiangzaid]

He nuzzles Xingchen's shoulder, letting his hand be taken and immediately squeezes back. "I'm not going to hurt Daozhang," he tells Xingchen. "That would only hurt you, and I've promised not to do that." Hurting Xingchen hasn't been acceptable since that horrible day when everything set in and he finally realized how he felt.

Xue Yang peers at Song Lan across Xingchen's lovely face, lips quirked in some amusement. "Then I hope you enjoy a boring show. I just work, sleep, and cook with Xingchen. Occasionally visit Wen Qing and the horses."