Closed prompts

[fated_dance]

⌛ Who: Zhou Zishu and Xiao Xingchen (Wen Kexing and Wu Xi welcome)/Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing
⌛ What: Coughing fit ends in cuteness/talk of rings and boundaries
⌛ When: After the event
⌛ Where: Somewhere near the Kanto refugee housing/Their apartment
⌛ Warnings: Blood. Anything else will be updated here./Talk of sex, possibly actual sex, possibly mushy stuffs

Comments

Xingchen

[fated_dance]

A coughing fit was bound to happen at some point, even with all the healing and good that a new friend has done. Sometimes just walking triggered one such fit - especially after being more active than usual, as he has been. Most of the time it's more emotional turmoil or thinking of the past.

This one has him stagger more than usual though, one hand moving to clutch at his chest as his focus fades and turns inward.

Warm liquid comes up - blood, staining his lips despite his best efforts to keep it back. To straighten, and keep going forward. As if nothing was wrong at all. As if he didn't need help. As if it isn't harder to breathe than usual and the ground doesn't threaten to trip him.

But when senses - those he still has - return, he finds he isn't alone.

[gentledawn]

No, he isn't alone. Xiao Xingchen had sensed the distress and arrived, mostly silently, to Zhou Zishu's side. He steadies the man with strong arms and frowns worriedly as he dabs at the blood on Zishu's lips.

What has caused this? Is it connected to the nails? It must be. He bends and lifts the other man as if he weighs no more than a feather, carrying him back to his apartment.

Tonight, until he can contact Wen Kexing, Xingchen will stay by Zishu's side. The poor man shouldn't be alone and he isn't about to force him to endure the clinic's atmosphere. He isn't even sure they could help him.

"Zishu? Can you hear me?"

[fated_dance]

Wariness fades when he recognizes the arms that steady him, at least enough not to shove helping arms away. Even more when they pick him up. He doesn't try to speak, though he manages to open his eyes long enough to double check his guess is right.

He sags against Xingchen, trusting this man to get him to safety - and not the dubious help of the clinic. He feels more than sees the change as they step into his apartment, another cough escapes before he can stop it.

A hard swallow, and he forces himself to move enough to rest a hand on Xingchen's shoulder. "A-Chen," he murmurs, voice a bit raspy and rough. "Can set me down on...the couch."

[gentledawn]

Xingchen is quick, entering the apartment and following Zishu's wishes. He bends down to kneel beside his dear friend once he is resting on the couch's cushions, laying a hand against his forehead.

His meridians are disordered and he is in pain.

Pushing Zishu into a seated position, he presses his hands against the man's back, giving him healing energy freely. As much as he requires to stabilize himself. Then he will ease the lingering pain with tea.

"It's alright. I'm here. In a moment, I will call for Wen Kexing too."

[fated_dance]

Once he feels the couch under him, he straightens and his arms lash out in specific motions even as he feels warm hands at his back, helping speed up stabilizing and slow his panting for breath.

The pain eases a moment later and his chest loosens with a breath of relief. He doesn't move from the meditative pose though, too aware that it's far too soon to chance moving if he can avoid it. Even with Xingchen's special brand of healing.

Another careful breath, then he huffs a bit, clearly reluctant. "You should also call for...Wu Xi. He can cure me. Probably." He'd just been too caught up to make sure his old friend has everything he needs to do so.

[gentledawn]

"Wu Xi?" he makes sure he has the right name, not daring to move his hands from Zishu quite yet. When he does, he will call for the pair and encourage them to surround his dear friend with the strength and support he needs to heal.

"Stay still." he cautions as he begins to pull away, some ten minutes later, "You are more stable than you were."

Out of concerned affection, he pulls Zishu's hair back, keeping it out of the man's face. Then he sends out a message for both Wen Kexing and Wu Xi:

Come to my apartment; it is next door to Zhou Zishu's. He needs your healing.

[fated_dance]

"Mm," he nods slightly in confirmation, but doesn't open his eyes.

His lips quirk slightly at the order and gladly stays put even as he feels that warm healing energy slowly pull back. Hands pulling his hair out of the way are ignored, but not pushed away. Xingchen is safe - even from the beginning he's felt comfortable with this sweet man.

"Your energy is warm," he comments. The rest, until his soulmate and old friend arrive, he can handle on his own.

[gentledawn]

A blanket is wrapped around Zishu's shoulders before Xingchen hurries off to heat water for tea. Once the water is poured into the teapot, he returns to his friend. After a moment, he sits at Zishu's side and offers the man a place to rest while he meditates.

"Rest against me. You can have as much of my energy as you like, A-Shu." he opens his channels for just that purpose. All they need do is touch and the energy will pass between them.

[fated_dance]

He smiles at the weight of a blanket, but doesn't feel the need to move to make any adjustment - Xingchen had wrapped it around him just right. He doesn't feel the need to pay attention to what the other man is doing when Xingchen moves away. Only focuses on what he needs to do to stabilize himself.

The return of that warmth at his side is too alluring, so he leans into Xingchen's side, head coming to rest on a shoulder. A breath escapes as that warm energy returns, wrapping around him.

[gentledawn]

He has some experience tucking others in; he had done so for many on the mountain before he left and when they traveled together, he had made a point of tucking in his Zichen too. Little comforts can mean the difference between life and death at times. He wants to give Zishu as many reasons to hold on as possible.

Curling an arm around the other man, he nuzzles his cheek against the top of his head. Like this, with his channels opened wide, he can sense the exact location of each nail. He wishes he could pry those nasty things out, but that sort of skill is beyond him.

"Wu Xi can help you. If you believe in him, I trust he is powerful."

[wu_xi]

Wu Xi remembers Zishu telling him about the one next door -- the one who had apparently done some healing (which still frustrates Wu Xi some). However, upon receiving the message he comes immediately. This time, his sable is on his shoulder and he hasn't left all his creatures at home -- if only more because of his haste than intentionally bringing them -- although, he doesn't trust a stranger so that might have something to do with it.

With the urgency he felt of the message he didn't even take the formality of knocking and simply let himself in and seeking out his friend immediately. In the back of his mind, he had realized the state of the other had deteriorated again but he hadn't faced it -- he could blame the haze of the heat they'd shared part of together.

There's a cursory look over at Xingchen and a stiff bow. The sable crawled down from his shoulder and dropped nearby Zishu but not too close.

"Zhou Zishu," those two words imbued with so much scolding.

[fated_dance]

"He's protective," he answers wryly. "Jealously so." In some ways, somehow, even more so than Kexing. His eyes slowly blink open when he hears the door open, announcing...

Wu Xi himself. And only one creature today? That says more than Wu Xi might want to announce, but he doesn't comment. Only snickers a little at the scolding, but doesn't budge from the comfortable position against Xingchen. Mostly because he just doesn't feel like it.

"I remembered to ask for you to be called this time," he answers glibly.

[gentledawn]

It doesn't take him long to sense that ah...protectiveness. Xingchen would rise and give Wu Xi a proper bow, but his arms are full with their patient and he hopes the man understands. One does not simply shove an ailing Zhou Zishu to the side!

"Welcome, Master Wu Xi." he cocks his head when he sees the pretty creature, smiling in surprise, "Who is your friend?"

And what does he eat? Zishu's glibness has him tutting, however.

"You should not leave your friends ignorant of your suffering, A-Shu."

Kexing

[fated_dance]

Being handed a box with a pair of rings wasn't exactly something Zishu had expected. But he had it now, and had asked what they could be used for - the answer surprised and delighted him so naturally he heads to what is currently home and, hopefully, where his soulmate is or soon will be. Stepping inside, he listens for the usual sounds the other man makes when around.

"Lao Wen?" See? He does call for his other half!

If Kexing isn't there though, he'll at least get some tea brewing and see what needs done around the tiny apartment while he waits.

[soakedinvinegar]

Kexing arrives shortly before Zishu, back from an exploratory walk. There's much to see and do in this place; some familiar, some not. But as long as his Zishu is here, he can be happy. He didn't bother doing anything useful like getting food or anything, he just went out to see what he could see and is content to return to the small apartment he shares with his soulmate.

He can't help smiling when Zishu calls for him.

"A-Xu?" He calls back, planting himself in the common area of the apartment.

[fated_dance]

They really are two of the same mind. Even if they're the only two people on an entire island, they'd be content if the other were there.

Zishu's expression softens when he sees Kexing and he immediately moves to his side. "Give me your hand. I was given something interesting today." And obviously he wants to share it with his Kexing.

[soakedinvinegar]

Kexing cocks his head to the side, curious. But, he holds out his hand as asked. He half expects Zishu to show him some new amazement (as if this place hasn't brought enough!).

"What is it?"

[fated_dance]

He pulls out the small box and opens it to reveal two matching rings, then pulls one out to slip onto one of those long fingers. He places the other on his own hand before threading their fingers together.

"They're a matching set, spelled to know where the other is. The instructions I was given says all we need to do is say the other's name, and these rings will lead the way."

Not that they really need the guidance, but...it's a way to show their bond.

[soakedinvinegar]

Dark eyes go wide for a fraction of a second before Kexing schools his features. He can't show too much surprise. They're bound soul to soul after all. So what if there's now an outward expression of that bond.

He curls his fingers around Zishu's hand and leans in for a soft, but lingering kiss. "That will save me some time," he teases.

[fated_dance]

No, but this is still special. Zishu tilts his head up to accept and answer the sweet kiss, leaning automatically against his soulmate. The tease makes him laugh, grinning. "And me!" Because they both have the same habit of wandering - though he likes vanishing sometimes just to see how long it takes for his beloved to come running after him.

[soakedinvinegar]

He barely pulls away, lips still close enough that Zishu can feel his breath, when he speaks more seriously.

"A-Xu, I think... we should talk about this place."

[fated_dance]

That change is enough to banish the grin, though there remains a sense of open affection as Zishu stays close, searching his soulmate's eyes.

This place. Right. Understanding sets in with a slight nod.

"Do you want names?" Of those he's slept with. Maybe he should be worried - but he's not.

[soakedinvinegar]

Names, implying more than one. Not that Kexing can judge with as many as he's bedded in his short time in this place. But Kexing does wince subtly at the word. He's a jealous man by nature, greedy about keeping what's his to himself. And yet... There's at least one man other than Zishu that he would happily take to bed again. What right does he have to be jealous?

"No. I want rules."

[fated_dance]

The wince makes him press a soft kiss to familiar lips. He knows how jealous his soulmate is, and often it's a source of amusement. Not at this moment.

"Tell me." He wants to make this bearable for his beloved.

[soakedinvinegar]

"I don't care to know who your lovers are, unless we share them." Which is an opening to something like they did with the Emperor. "Always come back to me by nightfall."