[UN: swordcandy | Video]

[cultivatingsin]

[For someone who already has a poor view of nobility, this next task...might not go well for him.]

I bet I can find this king in five minutes.

And when I do...

[He makes a fist at the camera, smirking.]

He probably deserves it. What an ass! Getting lost on a train and expecting us to pamper him...

Disgusting!

[With a breath, he calms himself.]

If anyone else is nobility around here, you better keep it to yourself.

Comments

[bright_moon]

[ He lifts a hand to run fingertips over Xue Yang's face, tracing his lips then over those eyes he remembers as being so clever and bright. ]

You are.

[cultivatingsin]

[His eyes close blissfully and he smiles against Xingchen's fingers. He looks like a different man like this - soft and sweet; almost tame. But just for one man.]

We should share a cabin.

[bright_moon]

[ He kisses over those eyes next, treasuring getting to be this close to...anyone. Even more so with someone who has caught his attention and affection and...love. ]

We will.

[cultivatingsin]

That's good. Then if something happens at night, we're safer. [Besides, he worries about Xingchen anyway. The poor man could get tricked or lose his way.]

You're so pretty, Daozhang, someone might try to kidnap you.

[bright_moon]

And I think we both sleep better together. [ He certainly does! Smiling, he shakes his head a little. ]

I wouldn't allow it.

[cultivatingsin]

I definitely do! [Xue Yang plays with Xingchen's hair, twining it around his fingers.]

Even so, I've got your back too.

[bright_moon]

[ He relaxes under that confirmation and the play to his hair. ] Mm. I'm glad to hear it.

[ He curls an arm around Xue Yang, snuggling in closer. ]

Together, we can do anything.

[cultivatingsin]

[He welcomes him and offers Xingchen his shoulder. Is his Daozhang tired?]

Of course we can.

Are you feeling alright?

[bright_moon]

[ He doesn't like to show it, but learning another new layout (and the technology that goes with it!) is exhausting. The concern in that question makes him smile and he nuzzles their heads together. ]

Mm. Are you feeling better? You were upset.

[cultivatingsin]

[Of course it is! That's why Xue Yang had wished for a home of their own; a home where Xingchen would know the layout without difficulty - because he would have someone to take his hand and guide him.

Being here has sort of...ruined...that. But Xue Yang is still here. He takes hold of Xingchen's hand to remind him of that.]

I was. I don't like nobility. They are the reason for most of my scars. But it's alright. We're together.

[bright_moon]

[ And he loves their home. The efforts Xue Yang has gone through to give him a place to relax in, to be comfortable and know where everything is, is more than he'd ever have expected anyone to do for him.

He smiles softly and threads their fingers together, squeezing Xue Yang's hand warmly in silent thanks. ]

We are. I won't let them hurt you again.

[cultivatingsin]

[Even the street he had wished for, attached to their home, is kept safe by Xue Yang. His Daozhang has nothing to worry about there. He is loved and sheltered by a man who realizes, finally, that he is deeply in love for the first time.]

I love you, Daozhang. Anything they do to me doesn't matter.

[bright_moon]

[ Xingchen has come to accept that love is real, and that he loves his wicked gremlin that is also so very sweet and generous with him. Xue Yang is his. He kisses the side of Xue Yang's head, then his cheek. ]

I don't like it when you get hurt. Your health and safety matter to me.

[cultivatingsin]

[It is real! Xue Yang has never been this genuine with anyone. Even Jin Guangyao. He is giving his best self to Xiao Xingchen. He closes his eyes under the kisses and nudges their noses together, breathing deep.]

I won't get hurt. I'm not interesting to those kinds of people anymore.

[bright_moon]

[ That best self is a wonderful person who Xingchen can't help but adore and treasure. He presses their foreheads together at the news and squeezes Xue Yang's hand gently again. ]

I'm glad.

[cultivatingsin]

[He is only wonderful because Xiao Xingchen has given him a chance. Xue Yang tilts his head and kisses his Daozhang fully on the lips.]

Don't you go looking for trouble either.

[bright_moon]

[ The kiss steals his breath away! His cheeks pink but he doesn't pull away. No matter what they've done together, the sweet affection and desire Xue Yang treats him with always surprises and warms him. Of course he answers the soft pressure! ]

I don't. I know you would come for me, so I'm more careful.

[cultivatingsin]

[Xiao Xingchen has the softest lips! Xue Yang loves the shape of them; he loves how warm they feel against his lips. He loves how his Daozhang breathes. He loves the sound of his voice. And then he is kissed too and his heart leaps!]

I would. I would find you and make the person pay.

[bright_moon]

[ Xue Yang gets another kiss for being so sweet! Sharp and prickly to those who threaten Xingchen, but soft and sweet too. ]

We protect each other, A-Yang. That is how we keep going forward.

[cultivatingsin]

[Don't they deserve his sharp and prickly side? Or, rather, his sharp and stabby side? Xue Yang whines quietly, smiling into the second kiss.]

I've never really done that before. Protected someone, I mean.

[bright_moon]

[ The whine has him giggle and he nudges their noses together. ]

You're good at it.

[cultivatingsin]

Am I? [He worries with how badly things had gone... But he hadn't really protected Xingchen back then, had he?]

I'll learn.

[bright_moon]

[ He reaches up and cradles Xue Yang's sweet face in both hands. ]

You've learned. You learn a little more each day. We both made mistakes before, but we're doing better now.

[cultivatingsin]

I... I was the mistake back then. [Xue Yang answers gruffly, rubbing over Xingchen's arms.] You were a victim, A-Chen.

I'm really ashamed of...all of that.