{One Closed Prompt & One Open Prompt}

[thescorpionking]

⌛ Who: Xie, Baiyi & then Open~
⌛ What: Kizuna has changed him. Literally. (Except his fur is black.)
⌛ When: Early December.
⌛ Where: Their home and then roaming.
⌛ Warnings: One scary manticore.

{Agony Frees Us}

The fur, the ears and the tail are fun, but when he wakes, early one morning, to a sudden, breath-stealing pain, he knows his body is shifting. He writhes against it, crying out until those sounds become rumbling growls. A strange creature soon lays beside Baiyi - a black lion with red feather wings and a scorpion barbed tail. Oh and he has horns. But this too is clearly Xie because his mane is braided and ornamented with rings of silver.

He looks at his lover in a panic, tail lashing and breathing fast. The pain is hard to forget, but this...

"Baiyi."

{Test Your Wings}

Later, he leaves to explore, following his nose and, yes, testing his wings. Anywhere he goes, he causes a stir, people pointing and gasping. So eventually Xie takes to rooftops, beating his wings against the cool air as he leaps to his next target.

Whether you encounter him on the ground or peeking over the roof of a building - like a massive gargoyle - he is a new sight. Is he a danger or simply curious?

Comments

[thescorpionking]

For a man who grew up in an environment of lies, Baiyi's blunt honesty is refreshing. His humor never fails to surprise a smile or a laugh out of Xie because, usually, it mirrors what he is thinking. Baiyi just has the guts to say it!

Rumbling a purr, he nuzzles his lover's hands as if he hasn't noticed he is being pushed away.

"I don't care what I look like. I'm still me." Xie lays his head down and blinks at Baiyi affectionately, "I know I'm safe with you. I could be weak or sick, but I would still be safe."

[yeoldmonster]

Some have decided he's rude and a poor houseguest because of this fact. After all this time, Baiyi doubts he'll ever be able to learn how to hold his tongue again. He's very fortunate he has found someone who can appreciate his candor.

The purr just about makes the old man giddy, it's so cute. He had no idea he was going to enjoy having a manticore so much. Turns out it's like having a cat/ bat that's the size of a horse.

"Good, then don't hide your pain from me," he requests. "I already know how strong you are." He summons a bit more energy to share and then pets a furry paw.

"You should fly when you feel stable enough, Xie'er. You should enjoy what this new body can do."

[thescorpionking]

He doesn't need to hold his tongue. If Baiyi senses a problem, why shouldn't he face it head on? Xie has never felt offended about Baiyi's conclusions about his life, for example. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the older man had been spot on. And if he is ever not right, Xie has no fear in facing him with evidence.

Not once has Baiyi shut him out or decided he wasn't worth listening to. Not once.

Which is partially why he has a purring manticore beside him.

"The same applies to you." he covers Baiyi's hand with his big paw, "I think I can carry you...if you're ever interested." he lays his head down and looks extra cute.

[yeoldmonster]

Despite some people's beliefs about him lately, he will listen and learn. His relationship with Xie is an excellent example of how capable he is of growth too. On the other hand, he can be stubborn and slow to change.

And who could shut out such a sweet voice? Not Baiyi!

He leans down and kisses the paw over his. He rubs his cheek against it too, enjoying the softness. His gaze shifts to Xie's face and he chuckles. Was Xie doing that on purpose or can he not help being adorable? Both most likely.

"We could try that sometime. I'm not the lightest man though."

[thescorpionking]

Give Xie an inch and he is quite willing and happy to work with it. Baiyi has given him more than an inch and been true to his word. Not once has Xie awoken confused or depressed or worried that Baiyi would hit or abuse him. He is safe with this man and he can feel himself changing for the better.

Purring under the kisses, Xie tilts his head, looking irresistible. Or so he hopes. He has yet to see himself in a mirror!

"I can carry you, A-Yi." he lays a paw on Baiyi's chest, "You're safe with me if we fly."

[yeoldmonster]

Baiyi's heart melts as he watches his lover's antics. That has to be what this is! The old man feels the finger wrapped around him and it should make him balk, but it does nothing of the sort. He's happy in his former assassin's paws. He's well aware of how insane that sounds to anyone who is from their world and he doesn't care.

"Alright." What is he supposed to do? Say no? By the gods, it'd be easier to make this earth turn in the opposite direction. "Are you wanting to go now or are you enjoying showing off how cute you look?" He pokes lightly Xie's nose with a chuckle.

[thescorpionking]

The agreement - given immediately! - surprises him, his ears perking up and his golden eyes widening. Love washes over him and Xie knows that he will protect his lover with every atom in his body. He gives a grumpy huff and raises himself, extending his wings one by one.

"I can do both." Xie shakes his mane and hops out of bed, jingling thanks to the rings in his hair, "I promise I won't drop you."

[yeoldmonster]

He laughs and reluctantly stretches. Slipping out of bed finally, he goes to where he hung up his robe. As he starts to dress, he looks back and smiles at the younger man. "Do you suppose whenever you change back you'll be as nude as you were when you went to sleep?"

He has witnessed Zishu changing to a fox and back without becoming bare, but then he also saw the daozhang over the network as a rabbit ending up without his robes when he transformed. He wonders how this works. "Don't do it, but do you feel like you can change back?"

[thescorpionking]

The question is...oh. He hadn't thought about it. Xie cocks his head and turns to face Baiyi, genuinely puzzled. If he turns back - that is painful enough! - and he isn't wearing anything, what will they do?

"There must be a trick to it." like remembering yourself clothed?

"I think I might be nude."

Oops...? He tries to find a way to "clothe" himself with his wings. Maybe if he keeps them...?

[yeoldmonster]

The look on his love's face makes him laugh. He steps closer and presses a kiss to that puzzled lion's face.

"We'll figure it out," he promises. Whenever Xie feels ready to return to his other form, Baiyi would be there to help him cope with the pain and wrap him up safe and sound.

He finishes tying his robes and finds his boots. "Shall we test those wings of yours?" He offers.

[thescorpionking]

All of his worries melt away and Xie shamelessly leans into the kiss, his ears fluttering. Yes, they will be fine. If Baiyi is with him, he doesn't fear anything.

"Of course." he purrs and manages to give Baiyi a sultry look before he prances out the door. Once outside, he stretches his wings and waits eagerly for his A-Yi to join him.

[yeoldmonster]

Baiyi breathes a laugh and watches a manticore prance out his door. Life could certainly be full of surprises. Also, he really wants to know just how Xie pulled off looking coy as a mighty beast. His lover had some hidden talents!

He cinches his belt and then follows. He admires Xie's new physique and his mighty wings a few moments before- cautiously!- slipping onto his back. "Please, Xie'er tell me if this hurts or puts a strain on you."

[thescorpionking]

His tail beckons to Baiyi - somehow - the poisoned tip shining. Of course said tip poses no danger! Xie is well-aware of how to curl it so it never comes close to his A-Yi.

He waits outside, the breeze ruffling his fur. Then he feels the new weight on his back as Baiyi settles into place. He peeks back and smiles toothily.

"I can handle you."

In more ways than one. Bounding forward, he spreads his wings and gives them a powerful flap, leaping into the air.

[yeoldmonster]

"That isn't a yes!" he complains, but there's a laugh in his tone. He reaches out and grips some of Xie's mane to stay balanced as they move. He's experienced flying before, but it's a very new feeling to be riding something else that's flying.

He looks down to admire the view but his gaze returns to the creature underneath him. He pets Xie's back affectionately as he relaxes. This is how it was going to be, wasn't it? He no longer has to be the one holding the other up. He has someone who will support him as well. The concept is every bit as dazzling as the bright skyline.

He leans forward and asks, "How does it feel, Xie'er?"

[thescorpionking]

"Do I need to say it?" Xie teases, arching a little when his mane is grabbed. That's...nice. Nicer than it should be. Giving his head a shake, he focuses on flying, which is, thankfully, almost second nature.

For a manticore. Xie runs on the air, taking them higher to enjoy the fresh breeze. And the clouds. Everything is beautiful and radiant in the eyes of a scorpion. He has left his shadows and rocks behind - perhaps for good. Now he can proudly be himself and share this paradise with his A-Yi.

"I feel like I've never seen the sky before."

[yeoldmonster]

"Brat," he mutters in a grumpy tone that he doesn't feel at all. No, he's a far cry from any negative emotion. Experiencing this with Xie, especially being the first, is exhilarating. He knows no matter how long he lives in this strange place, he'll never forget this ride.

His smile grows hearing the joy in his love's voice. How much harder can this young man make Baiyi fall for him? It seems every time he thinks he has become 'completely' smitten there comes a new step beyond that. This one just might be more of a leap than simply a step. Gazing around, he finds himself agreeing with that sentiment too.

"It has never belonged to you before. From this moment on, Xie Wang is lord of the sky."

[thescorpionking]

"Your brat." he states proudly, ignoring the grumpy tone entirely. His A-Yi is happy or he wouldn't waste time on him. Xie trusts the other man's honesty and he adores his bluntness. With his A-Yi, he will always have the truth without filters or masks; others might take that for granted, but he can't.

His powerful wings keep them steady and he ends up curling his paws underneath him, soaring through the clouds and then peeking above them. Having Baiyi warm on his back is all the encouragement he needs to see what his new form can do. There isn't any place for fear or hesitation.

"Now you're teasing me!" he growls playfully, the rumble pleasantly vibrating his body, "Since you're riding me, doesn't that make you the lord?"