jikan_rpg | [Closed]

Despite being busy in setting up the new temple, he will always have time for his soulmate. And the building is coming along well, even without his direct presence at all hours. So he is spending this particular day with his Xingchen...trying not to give in to his own nerves at meeting someone his beloved has grown close enough to to ask...

He's not even sure what is being asked. Just that it's important to Xingchen.

So when he hears himself being called, he immediately goes to his beloved and manages not to even hesitate in wrapping his arms around the other man, resting their foreheads together.

"Yes. I am looking forward to meeting him."

Any jealousy is ruthlessly stamped out. There's no need for it. He knows the strength of Xingchen's love for him, even more deeply than he now breathes. Every beat his heart takes is because of this man's love for him.

He relies on Zichen for his strength, for his ability to smile and laugh and, yes, love too. Xingchen would be a different person without his beloved. He had proven that by traveling alone initially after he lost him. There is no one - no one - who can replace Song Zichen.

The contact makes him so proud that his eyes swim with tears. He kisses Zichen's cheeks and then his lips, taking a few moments to just adore him.

"You will like him." and see the desperate need too. To never have love? No. Xingchen won't and can't allow that for anyone.

Taking out his communicator, he writes a short message, sending it to Runyu immediately:

Will you please join Song Zichen and I for tea?

The immortal will know what that means and he will have made the proper preparations. All to make sure Zichen is comfortable.

He settles under soft lips and lets himself enjoy them, even answer the soft pressure to his lips. He tightens his embrace and smiles a little.

"He is important to you. That is all I need to know."

After the message is sent, he snuggles back against Zichen and sighs.

"He has lived without love. Completely. He told me of his past, of his sins and he carries such regrets. I know we can help him."

Runyu had been sitting outside of his new home watch the plants. It was how he spent a good amount of his time honestly. It was a bad habit of his to isolate himself, to forget to reach out to others. He could easily get lost in himself like this for hours until a thought pulled him out or someone came close.

A message was what did it this time and he looked to see it was from Xingchen. And he knew what it meant too.

So he accepted then rose to his feet. Dressed only in simple white robes, he didn't look at all like the emperor he actually was. But, he did have the power to move himself to the door where he was sure the two would be. There would be more privacy here than there would be at the manor, after all.

Softly, he knocked and waited.

Hearing that has him frown, recognizing exactly what would have drawn his beloved to such a person. So he only nods and waits, holding Xingchen close.

The knock comes and he pulls back, though gently encourages his soulmate to welcome their guest in. "I'll take one last look around."

"Thank you, love."

The knock makes him jump a little and he smiles up at Zichen, pulling away to answer the call. He opens the door and bows gracefully, ushering Runyu inside.

"Please come in. I hope you're hungry."

Or they will have a lot of leftovers. Xingchen blushes and laughs softly at himself. After Runyu enters ther apartment, he will properly introduce his soulmate:

"This is Song Zichen, my soulmate. Zichen, this is Runyu."

What his friend decides to share is up to him, of course.

"Did you make so much?"

Naturally he greeted Xingchen with a polite bow. Despite being a much higher status than him, both by being Immortal and an Emperor, Runyu didn't acknowledge that. Since their talk he found that he just couldn't view either of them by the social status they had. Instead, he smiled as he returned to standing, following after the man.

When he saw Song Zichen, he offered him the same bow. "Song Zichen. It's my honor to meet you."

So far, so good. He was grateful for that.

It really is a lot of food! But he's not about to chastise his beloved. Not when he knows it helps those poor nerves.

Zichen makes sure everything is in it's place before moving out to join his soulmate and their guest, lifting his arms in a polite bow and bending a little at the waist in answer before straightening.

"I am pleased to meet you as well, Runyu. It would be my honor if you called me Zichen."

Even if the invitation makes his heart race.

The offer surprises him - pleasantly so and he gazes at Zichen tenderly. All of the ways his soulmate tries, reaching beyond his fear to connect with others fills him with joy. He glances at Runyu and shyly lets him see his happiness.

"Come sit around the table. The cushions should be comfortable."

He has tested all of them. By sitting on them. Everything has to be perfect!

Picking up the teapot, he pours them each a cup of tea.

"Runyu is an immortal, Zichen. He has been good to me and Mingye."

Edited 2021-09-28 05:23 (UTC)

Runyu looked up in surprise at the offer. He could do something so intimate already? At first he seemed lost but then he gave him another bow. "Thank you. You honor me, Zichen."

When he lifted himself back up again, he nodded to accept Xingchen's offer before coming to sit down at the table, sweeping his sleeves out of the way so he wouldn't sit on them.

"Ah. I am an Immortal. Though I try to not see myself as anything to special these days." He lowered his gaze as he settled his hands around the cup he'd been poured. "I hurt too many thinking like that. I don't wish to lose myself that way again."

It's difficult. But a challenge he doesn't face alone. How can he do anything less than his best? He breathes past the clench of unease and uncertainty. "You are important to Xingchen. So you are important to me."

Zichen follows Xingchen to the waiting table and lets Runyu sit first before settling beside his soulmate. Then listens, sipping the tea poured for him. Studying Runyu thoughtfully, though his gaze occasionally flicks to Xingchen to study his expressions as well.

An Immortal. There are many questions he could ask about that - expected. But in the end, they don't matter. What matters is being told this man has hurt too many people because he'd believed himself above and better than them.

But that he's been good to his soulmate. And that Runyu does not wish to lose himself like that again.

"Barring yourself from everyone...is suffering. You can be around others and stay true to righteousness. How can we help you?"

He makes sure to press his leg against Zichen's, giving him silent comfort and encouragement. Any time his soulmate looks his way, he smiles gently. All he wants is for these two to connect and he doesn't think it will be difficult. They both have similarities, he has noticed.

"Runyu has suffered even when he was surrounded by people. I don't think it's right for someone so kind - who has changed and humbled himself - to live bereft." Xingchen tries to make this sound logical, but his cheeks are pink, "Zichen, I care for him. I want to give him some of what we share, which means I would like for you two to spend time together."

Already he could see why Xingchen loved this man. Barely five minutes and he already could tell what a good heart he had. Runyu looked at him as he not only said he was important to him but that he wanted to help him. He felt so unworthy of that open offer that he found himself at a loss for words.

Luckily, Xingchen's words helped him to find himself. "I have tried to close myself off from falling for others because I hurt so many the last time I did. But Xingchen has helped me to open myself up more. However, I know that you two are soulmates and it felt like I would only cause more pain if I didn't meet you."

He took a breath to settle himself then offered a small smile.

"I don't wish for anything that will make you uncomfortable, Zichen. It is more than enough that you will speak to me right now."

Xingchen's endless support gives him strength to not close up. He shakes his head a little, agreeing with his soulmate's words. But blinks at being told Xingchen wants to share some of what they have.

Jealousy gnaws at his heart again before he squashes it again, just looking at his beloved helps with that. And hearing Runyu's thoughts on the matter helps as well.

His gaze is lowered, it's true, but he shakes his head again before lifting it back to Runyu. "I made a horrible mistake before, when I doubted Xingchen and his love. I will not repeat that mistake." They'd lost far too much.

Never again.

He takes a breath just as Runyu does, and can't help the small answering smile. He can see why his soulmate likes this man, beyond just Xingchen's open heart with so much love he can't even fathom it.

"I will not put limits on any future. Let us get to know each other first. See if...anything might grow. But know that nothing can harm the bond Xingchen and I have." He won't be that stupid ever again.

Even if this is hard.

Nothing can shake what he shares with Zichen. This world has been strange and it has opened Xingchen's eyes to this possibility: he can love and be loved, but also always return to his home. Zichen has more to overcome than him and he is sensitive to that - as is Runyu. None of this needs to go fast; it's better if it doesn't.

"Friends first." he murmurs and offers them a plate of fruit cut into cute shapes, "Nothing is being lost; I look at this as a blessing."

As he sets the plate down, he wraps an arm around Zichen's waist, firm and steady.

"We all have experienced jealousy. I too have felt it." he admits, lowering his gaze, ashamed, "But there is no need for it. Caring for each other is how it should be and if more blossoms from that care, we will see it through together."

"Zichen, I have been that man who would do such a thing. I would rather die than be him again." Already, he'd confessed to three crimes of his. It was freeing somehow. Even if he was anxious to how it would all be received. Still, Xingchen had told him to be honest with this man and he planned to be that. No matter how this day ended, he wanted to be honest.

The arm around Zichen made his heart clench but he lowered his gaze to not look at it. This was what he'd wanted, after all. To prove to himself that he could do this. That he could be around these two who were always going to be more important to each other than he ever would be to them. Because he had to know that he could if he wanted to be worthy of loving Xingchen. Or befriending Zichen or whatever became of their time together.

Instead, he focused on the fruit, smiling a little at the sweet shapes. "This looks good. Thank you."

Honesty is best when looking for a relationship. Lies only bite and wound. If not worse.

Kexing had been the first here to open his eyes to the possibility of intimacy of the flesh - then he'd wanted desperately to share that with Xingchen. Being forgiven had him awed. But it is still a challenge most days. Holding his soulmate, kissing him - these things he manages easier than others.

The arm curling around his waist, solid and warm, helps him breathe a little easier and some of his tension eases. It still takes a moment for him to master himself to rest a hand over the one on his side.

But it draws home that this is something Runyu deserves to know, if anything beyond friendship is to have a hope of happening. "Runyu...Xingchen is a very affectionate person. I am not always...able to be as affectionate as he deserves." His heart hammers away but he ignores it. Ignores how his cheeks darken.

"It it easier with him than others, but I do not generally reach out to touch. I hope you can be patient with me." He's trusting this man with this information because of Xingchen, but also because it is not exactly a secret.

The two men before him make his heart ache. He knows what Zichen wrestles with daily, the demons that plague his every step. He also now knows what Runyu has experienced and -

None of it is fair. He longs to make it right for both of them. If he could time travel, he would. It wouldn't even matter if they didn't remember him.

Though he would miss his soulmate sorely.

"I believe Runyu's soulmate exists. I believe he will find them." he states as evenly as possible despite his throat clenching, "We have a big hearth, Zichen. One that keeps us warm and safe. I want Runyu to sit with us before that fire and understand what can - and will - exist for him."

He blinks back tears at the request Zichen makes - and at how Runyu averts his eyes. These two are going to make him cry.

"He has already agreed to that." his smile is soft as he squeezes Zichen's hand, "We are only healing together."

"I have the ability to cleanse myself with my powers. If ever there is need for us to touch, I give you my word that I will always cleanse myself first," Runyu murmured politely without lifting his gaze. The fact that he would even be allowed to touch at all in the future? It was more than he deserved.

But, he wanted to demonstrate as well. So, he summoned water to appear around one of his hands. It shimmered and moved over his skin, bubbling softly before sliding off of him and turning into snow which he gently blew away from them.

"You have all of my patience and more though, Zichen. I don't wish you harm or discomfort. I promise."

Life hasn't been fair or kind to any of them. But now there is a chance for happiness.

They can't fix anything done in the past. Only what is done now. No matter how much they might wish otherwise. Zichen nods. "Our hearth is big enough," he confirms softly and squeezes that hand back.

He looks back to Runyu, noting how the Immortal doesn't look at them still. And watches as power is summoned to demonstrate. His lips part at the beauty of it and he doesn't need to be told that hand is as pure as anything possibly could be.

So he reaches out for that purified hand with the hand not holding Xingchen's, pleased that it doesn't shake.

"Thank you."

Edited 2021-09-28 07:04 (UTC)

The spell is lovely - fitting for Runyu - and Xingchen goes very still. His eyes widen in awe when Zichen reaches out to touch Runyu's cleansed hand. Sucking in a soft breath, he tries to distract himself with a bite of food. Oh is that chicken? How tasty!

No, tears are not running down his cheeks. He really has never been this proud.

Runyu's eyes shot up to look at Zichen. He'd been told to be patient and he'd been told that the man didn't like touch. Honestly he'd just been prepared for that to be a fact of life for some time. To have him touch him already...

Gently, he held the hand that had taken his own, not pushing Zichen to do more than that. This was already so much more than he'd expected.

Everything else they'd been talking about had faded away for a time. It was just this moment between them.

"It's my honor," he murmured finally, touched that he could have had this with Zichen so soon.

Just a simple touch, for anyone else would be nothing. But outside Xingchen, this gnaws at his nerves. Zichen holds Runyu's gaze and light grip for a moment before pulling back.

Not a retreat, he tells himself. That was a victory. And his cheeks are a little pink as he nods at that murmur.

He takes a moment to breathe, then reclaims his tea as he gropes for something to say. Xingchen eating chicken helps slow his racing heart after a moment, and his lips twitch before gesturing a little at the dish Xingchen had taken a small portion from.

"If Xingchen is eating meat, it must be extra delicious. Will you try some?"

He can't bring himself to say a word or move too much. This is such a precious moment and he beams tearfully at Zichen once the contact ends. What can he say? His Zichen knows that this is a victory.

Zichen also knows that he is eating chicken. The flavor occurs to him belatedly and he flushes darkly, laughing at himself as he lowers the piece he had been nibbling on.

"I must be a decent cook."

The spell was broken but somehow... Somehow Runyu felt more at ease. Like there could be something he and Zichen could form together. He didn't know what it was yet but that was meaningful.

Realizing that he and Xingchen had never really eaten together, he looked over at the man. Was meat so surprising?

"Do you not eat meat usually, Xingchen?" he asked. Mainly because he hoped to know so he could make sure he'd always have dishes that the man would like when he was with him.

Little steps. Sometimes frustratingly small for him. But he's not alone in his attempts to move past his fears.

Zichen finds himself smiling softly at his soulmate, relishing in that laugh as it helps him relax faster. "You are. I like everything you have made for us."

He turns a shy little look to Runyu. "We usually only eat vegetarian meals. Sometimes fish."

"The animals on the mountain... I took care of them." Xingchen tries to explain, still flustered at his silly mistake - though, honestly, he wouldn't let the meat go to waste. It just wasn't usually on their menu.

"They were some of my first friends, so I don't like eating meat if I can find enough vegetables." and if not, as Zichen said, they can make do with fish.

After drinking some water to help cool down his burning cheeks, he smiles at the pair.

"Are you cold, Runyu?"

"Oh I see." There was no judgement from him though. Instead, he actually moved to serve himself a portion of the meat, a rather healthy portion of it. "In that case, I will eat more of the meat for my meal. Even if there is plenty of food I can help you both to eat what you're used to this way."

Runyu offered them both a warm smile as he took a bite of the chicken. It was honestly delicious. It seemed that everything that Xingchen would make for him would be delicious though...

Ah what?

"Hm? Me?" he looked up, blinking in surprise. He'd become used to being cold so he hadn't really thought about it. Even if he loathed being cold more than almost anything. "Perhaps some. But you don't have to worry about me."

"What do you usually eat?" He's more curious than anything, and takes a small bite.

And Xingchen draws his attention to that possibility, that Runyu might be cold. The answer to the question has him carefully disengage from his soulmate and stands, moving to where they keep a few extra layers. He returns with a thicker robe of pale blue and offers it to Runyu.

"I do not always think of temperatures anymore," he sighs inwardly at himself. But thankfully, Xingchen does. And helps guide him when he missteps.

The thoughtfulness has him reaching across the table to squeeze Runyu's hand. He can feel the chill of the other's skin - something that perhaps he will never be able to chase away - yet they have blankets and robes. Zichen's movement and the offer of the robe touches his heart.

"Runyu is often cold, I believe." so it doesn't have anything to do with Zichen's perception of temperature, "When Winter comes, I'll warm blankets by a fire for him."

"I... Honestly I haven't really thought about what I usually eat." Runyu was only realizing that now as he thought about it.

But his thoughts were pulled away from food by the two men moving to warm him. Zichen bringing him a robe and Xingchen reaching out to hold one of his hands. Accepting the robe, he looked between the two men in surprise.

"I apologize. When I was a child I was left in the cold so often to hide and often with immense injuries that I don't like to be cold. But my qi is aligned with water and ice so I am not capable of warming myself naturally," he explained as he wrapped the robe around his shoulders.

This, he can do.

He nods a little at the information Xingchen tells him, feeling a little less guilty for not having noticed. He sits back down, listening to Runyu's explanation. "Then we will help keep you warm, presuming it does not harm you?"

Layers. He and Xingchen are used to wearing multiple layers for warmth.

"Let's discover what you like. You didn't mind the pie, I hear." Xingchen grins conspiratorially, "I made a pie for Mingye and I heard he shared it with you, Runyu."

The hand he holds is rubbed to increase friction and warmth. His expression falls and it's too easy for him to imagine a child left out to the elements.

"Never again." he promises, reheating the tea with his golden core, "Drink. If you need a blanket, you know I have plenty."

It was so strange to have both these men taking such care of him. But it also made him feel so welcome and wanted. He almost didn't know what to say as he looked to the hands that were warming one of his own now. Nodding politely, he moved his other hand out so he could take the cup and have a sip of it.

"Thank you. You both don't have to worry. I can live in the cold without harm. It's just a matter of the painful memories it brings to me these days if I dwell on it."

But, Runyu tried to smile to reassure them before he recalled that Xingchen had mentioned the pie. "Yes. He shared some with me. It was very good. I've never eaten something like that before."

[Closed]

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