etraya | [UN: philanthropist

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[UN: philanthropist | Text]

It's good to return to my former splendor. I know not to bite the hand that feeds me, but being treated as less than an honest Lord plucked at my ego.

[Is he being honest or just overly dramatic? It's hard to tell over text!]

Now, children, I want you to return to your studies. Read everything you can get your hands on, listen, listen to even the must mundane things and share. I know you will do your best and make your father proud.

[...father? Is that him? The drama continues!]

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[The pinch sends a shiver up his spine and Kexing gasps playfully. He rubs his backside and steals a kiss from his A-Xu's perfect lips, nibbling on them for good measure.]

It is useless! I will keep following you. You thought I was trying to trick you or use you, but it's actually because I can't live without you.

[ He grins at that gasp and hums into the kiss. Then it's his turn to shiver at the nibbling! Zishu's arms curl tighter around his love and he leans trustingly against him, eyes bright as he gazes into Kexing's precious face. ]

You don't need to live without me. You saved me, my Lao Wen. You reminded me what it means to want to live.

Someone needed to. [He purses his lips into a pout and shudders for a different reason, his face paling.] I don't want to live in a world without you. Now that I remember everything, you have to live, A-Xu. That's all there is to it.

[He presses his lips to Zishu's cheek and finally looks around.]

What have you been doing today?

Edited 2025-02-23 02:53 (UTC)

[ The grin fades and he presses their foreheads together, nudging their noses gently together. ]

I'm here, with you. Forever. As long as you live, I will be beside you.

[ He strokes gentle hands over his soulmate's bare back, trying to sooth him.

Then drops a kiss to a shoulder. ]

I've been looking for fresh herbs for medicines. And been listening to the reactions of everyone as we...returned.

[He settles and peers into Zishu's eyes, unwilling to look away. They are so beautiful and kind. This man is his home.]

Then I'll live forever and grow a really long beard!

[His eyes close, a softer smile crossing his lips.]

Mm I'll help you. [Lifting one of Zishu's hands to his lips, he kisses his knuckles.] They are funny, aren't they? Like fussy chicks.

[ Just as Kexing is Zishu's home. He smiles softly and kisses the tip of his silly love's cute nose. ]

I'll help you take care of it.

[ He beams and traces over Kexing's lips. ]

It takes so little to disturb them.

[Kexing pinks and hugs Zishu a little tighter. Just for a few moments. Then he lets him go.]

You'll brush it and use oil on it?

[He kisses his love's fingers tenderly.]

Mm it does. Speaking of which, our silly child is sleeping in our bed. I think the shift wore him out.

[ The tight hold earns a soft breath of a laugh and Zishu tightens his embrace in answer. ]

Of course. I'll even tend the rest of the hair on your head with just as much care.

[ He beams, even as his ears turn a bit pink! ]

Aah? And my Lao Wen isn't tired?

[He loves that laughter. His smile refuses to dim and he gently plays with Zishu's hair.]

Likewise, A-Xu. I'll wash and oil and style your hair for you.

[To do so is a pleasure and he brings Zishu's hand to the center of his chest.]

No, I'll be alright. Let's find what we can and protect it from the weather.

[ That smile has no reason to dim! Zishu hums happily at the play to his hair and nudges their noses together again. ]

See that you do.

[ His fingers splay out possessively across where his beloved's heart beats. ]

Mm. The sooner we begin, the sooner we will finish and can enjoy being in this home of ours here.

[ So even though he's reluctant, he pulls back to straighten those robes so that perfect body isn't quite so...distracting. ]

I won't fail you. [Kexing laughs as his attire is fixed. He steals a few more kisses from his beloved and carefully looks over him. It's always a relief to see Zishu whole and uninjured.]

Our little monster will begin to look for us if we take too long.

[And he has no doubt that baby will find them!]

Of course you won't.

[ He grins into the kisses, happily answering each one. He has no doubts at all in his love's abilities. With one last admiring stroke over the front of Kexing's robes, he tugs on a hand and leads him away. ]

All the more reason to hurry up!

[He is Zishu's shadow, falling into step with him, their fingers threading together. This is a dream - a wonderful dream - and he watches Zishu intently until he realizes, oh, they need to find herbs. Right.]

Is that ginkgo?

[ Zishu loves his shadow. Treasures him. He squeezes those fingers gently, content with the quiet intimacy as they walk. But his gaze is also on their surroundings, hunting for herbs as well as any danger.

Still, of course his Lao Wen notices the ginkgo before he does, and he pauses before nodding and kneeling to check the roots, then leaves and branches for damage. ]

It's still in decent shape. [ He takes care in what he gathers and tucks the leaves away. ]

I'm hoping to find some Huang Qi. What I have is getting thin.

[ But he hasn't seen any sign of the astragalus root in a while. ]

[He is the son of two healers. He has an eye for herbs! At the mention of Huang Qi, he narrows his focus, biting his lip as he combs around the surrounding area.]

Depending on the variety, it might be time for some early blooms.

[Brushing away some debris, he kneels down and sighs.]

Poor thing. We might need to replant you.

[There is an astragalus before him, but it needs care.]

What can we use for a pot?

[ All the more reason he'd voiced his wish! He knows how skilled his beloved is as a healer, no matter how humble Kexing claims to be. Zishu is, after all, living proof of that skill and determination.

He pauses after setting the delicate blooms away and watches Kexing with interest and pleasure, then draws in a sharp breath at that concern and hurries over. ]

We can wrap it in cloth while we move it and find a better home for it.

[ Pulling out another small bag, he holds it out for inspection. ]

Yeah, that should do. I'll make sure to get plenty of soil so we don't leave roots behind.

[Kexing might seem silly at times - and he is! - but when it comes to his work, he is dedicated and unyielding. Taking out a small knife, he digs around the little plant. Then he uses his fingers to locate the roots. If he feels any, he digs a wider circle. Finally, he lifts the blooming plants into the bag and dusts off his hands.]

I can tend to it, A-Xu. I don't trust the climate around here.

[ He loves how silly Kexing can be. But also how seriously he takes what should be taken seriously. Healing is important. Love is important. Zishu holds the bag open until Kexing tucks the planets away safely in it, then leans in to kiss the sweet man's cheek. ]

You'll get it healthy.

I'm also hoping for Bai Shao or some Jin Yin Hua. And Suan Zao Ren - people have been having trouble sleeping and I don't have access to my usual remedy for that.

[ White Peony, Honeysuckle, and Jujube are very useful things! ]

What about Xie Cao? [He pinks under the confidence and memorizes what his A-Xu is looking for - and why. He truly is bonded to the sweetest man!]

Even Danshen would be helpful for that. Hm...let's see...

[Rising onto his feet, he inspects the trees first.]

If all else fails, there are techniques to ease the mind and relax the body.

Aah. Those would both be good too.

[ He grins at that flush, delighting in it. But it's true, he trusts his Lao Wen's skill completely. Zishu follows, ready to carry anything more that's picked as what they can either use immediately or that needs uprooted and replanted somewhere safer. ]

We should have better acupuncture needles made.

[Kexing shoots Zishu a bright grin and bends down, searching for more hidden gems. He finds several surprises and the stalks look healthy and strong! So he plucks some leaves and hands them to Zishu.]

If we can generate enough heat to melt metal, I can probably cobble some forms together.

[ He laughs, helpless against that grin. Then beams in delight at the discoveries and happily tucks each group in more little pouches with care not to squish them. ]

We'll see what we can manage.

Shattering a sword might give us what we're looking for~ [Kexing smirks at his silly suggestion - as if he is very proud of it!]

We can do anything, my A-Xu.

[He finds some little fruits and croons:] Ah ha! Wu wei zi! That'll help sleep~

[ He schools his expression to one of affront. ]

You are not destroying Baiyi.

[ As if they would even try! The smile is quick to return at his love's adorable antics and he leans over his shoulder to peek at the little fruits. ]

We should gather a good amount of that, Lao Wen.

[ But he also goes back to where Kexing had found the strong stalks and carefully harvests a few of the roots, seeds, flowers, and more leaves. ]

I wouldn't mind testing his breaking point.

[Grumble, grumble. No, no, he loves Baiyi the sword. Baiyi the man is a different story!]

I'll take as many as I can.

[He pulls out a pouch by his waist and plucks the berries, the stems and the leaves.]

A-Xu? Guess what.

[Peeking over his shoulder, he whispers conspiratorially:]

I love you.

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