January Catch-all

[fated_dance]

⌛ Who: Zhou Zishu (fated_dance), Song Zichen (tobrushawaysnow), Xufeng (firefalling) and you!
⌛ What: Catch-all
⌛ When: January
⌛ Where: All over
⌛ Warnings: Will place in individual threads as needed. PM the journals if you want to plot, or just start a thing!


Zhou Zishu

Song Zichen

Xufeng

Comments

[tobrushawaysnow]

The mental shout makes him dizzy before he shakes himself only to find himself already halfway to the kitchens, responding automatically to the panic he feels in his bond with his husband.

Pain.

His beloved is in pain. It makes his hackles rise and he moves swiftly before pausing at the door to take in the scene. His husband at the sink, struggling with...a towel. He can smell blood. Zichen takes a breath before moving to his side and reaching to take his arm to steady him.

"I'm here," he murmurs soothingly as he focuses on pushing healing energy into his beloved's body.

[gentledawn]

His Zichen is with him! He is aware of the man before he enters the room and Xingchen wraps the towel tighter. The kitchen knives are sharp (for good reason) and this cut is deep. He looks up at his beloved when he is near, flustered, his hand throbbing.

"I'm sorry..." he lets himself be steadied, "I was cutting up some fruit and my hand slipped."

The healing energy is familiar to him; he goes still and lets it sink into his body.

[tobrushawaysnow]

Zichen wraps an arm around his husband's waist, holding him close as he works on healing the worst of the damage. He presses a kiss to Xingchen's temple.

He knows how sharp the knives are. But he also knows how skilled his soulmate is with blades of all kinds, and how keen the other's awareness is of his surroundings.

"Is there something on your mind?" He asks once he's sure the bleeding has stopped.

[gentledawn]

His Zichen. His sweet Zichen. Xingchen's head dips and he gives himself over to his beloved's tender care. Then he looks up at him with tears in his eyes. Hiding anything from his soulmate doesn't appeal to him, so he tells him the truth in a soft, sad voice:

"I visited the animal shelter. There was an accident and...the dog didn't make it. I tried." his throat tightens, "I know it's natural, but it's difficult to see."

[tobrushawaysnow]

He loves how his beloved trusts him like this. So completely. Zichen treasures this time together. Even when his sweet Xingchen looks back up at him, clearly with his heart aching. Zichen listens, and holds his beloved close.

The poor dog didn't make it. His eyes close briefly in understanding before he presses their foreheads together. "You made sure it did not die alone. Sometimes that is all you can do."

[gentledawn]

Zichen is his heart. Xingchen trusts him with everything - even the things that hurt. Today had been difficult and though he knows he did all he could, he still feels like he failed.

Why are animals so fragile?

"Humans are supposed to take care of animals. Dogs and cats especially since they are often in the home." his brow furrows, "Why are so many homeless? We breed them to be less wild and then put them in the wild?"

[tobrushawaysnow]

Just as Xingchen is Zichen's heart. It aches because his poor Xingchen is upset.

He can only hold his sweet soulmate and offer himself as comfort. "Too many over estimate the needs these animals require and are not prepared to care for them. It is wrong to discard them rather than learn to do better."

He strokes a gentle hand over his husband's soft, adorably long ears. "We have a lot of space here. We could care for more of them." An offer, and one he has no problem following through on.

[gentledawn]

"Zichen..." Xingchen snuggles against his soulmate, giving him kisses - softly - over his cheeks and his jawline. His tail wags at the idea of opening their home - their sanctuary - to more animals.

"I know who we could adopt next." his eyes brighten, "Some of those sweet ones have been waiting for years. They're elderly and no one wants them. But I do."

[tobrushawaysnow]

He can't resist that cute little tail! Of course it gets lovingly petted too and he presses a tender kiss over his husband's sweet eyes. And smiles at the kisses he's given!

"I want them too," he answers immediately. Old? They just need more love and care. He's happy to help provide both.

[gentledawn]

Don't resist it! His tail is fluffy and wholly a product of Zichen's love for him. Xingchen closes his eyes and leans into those kisses, pulling his soulmate into a deeper kiss, his arms around his neck.

"Mm I'll start the preparations tomorrow." he beams and his ears twitch excitedly, "They will adore you."

[tobrushawaysnow]

Zichen relaxes into the kisses, eyes sliding closed as he allows himself to enjoy this more tangible form of their love. The reminder that he is completely safe, in all ways, with his Xingchen.

He rests their foreheads together, both arms curling around his husband's waist as he savors holding Xingchen against him. "No, love. We will work on the preparations together."

[gentledawn]

Xingchen would become a defender, a protector if someone demanded this of his Zichen. Frightening his soulmate is unforgivable. His hands are slow as he strokes through soft, silky strands of hair, silently reminding his love that it's just them. All the nights they have shared have left behind good memories; memories they can smile, secretly, about now.

He steals one more kiss before snuggling into the warm hold. One of his ears lays over Zichen's hair as if trying to hug him there too.

"Yes please." he beams, "I was thinking...we could set aside a room or two for them to go when they need quiet. A place they know they won't be bothered."