westwhere | March Open post

Even Kexing has barely explored the roofs since they'd arrived and the bands' restrictions started to make themselves felt. The part of him struggling to hold to his sense of self cared enough about Zishu to coax him down, and he's attentively close enough to steady his soulmate if the other man starts to collapse - just as he would normally.

Just as he shoves away the fact he doesn't care about the child's needs. Not really. Not right now, when so many other things gnaw at his attention. Like his A-Xu, so clearly (to his eyes) struggling that he barely refrains from reaching for him until they get inside and the damn door is closed.

"He almost fell into a well. I think he's hungry, but there are also probably scrapes that should be tended."

Giving his head a sharp shake to rid himself of the ringing in his ears, Zishu frowns and tries to focus on what Kexing is saying. A well. The child almost fell in. Hungry. Scrapes. He moves in a fog and gathers what materials he can - including a bowl of water. He kneels to tend to the boy, cleaning the scrapes with gentle hands.

Gentle, too heavy hands.

"Let's get you fed." he murmurs, pitching his voice to be comforting even if the boy can't understand him. He gathers a light meal and encourages the child to eat. Only then does he look at his Lao Wen.

Those bands...

They are the same. His forehead furrows and he reaches for Kexing's hands, wondering if he can heal them.

That effort is almost painful just observing. Kexing knows his expressions lack the full force of his usual mask, even the worried frown he manages and the smile he gives his beloved.

He forces himself to keep moving, knowing the healing part itself is being taken care of. So he makes sure the food Zishu pulls out is suitable for a hungry child, doing his best not to gag on the smell that would normally tantalize his senses.

What matters is the child eats, and drinks the water given.

He blinks when Zishu reaches for his hands, and in almost a parody of how their relationship had started, smacks lightly at them, clicking his tongue. "A-Xu, others need us more. I'm fine." Just cursed. But when has that been a new thing?

They work together, seamlessly and yet there is something very wrong. Zishu had presumed it was just with him, but now he sees Kexing similarly marked and burdened. Anger burns under the indifference and when his hands are smacked away, he rises, suddenly, his vision swimming from the shift. Staggering a few steps, he catches himself on a table.

"You're not." he gasps, "Did I -" do this to us?

The child is with them, eating and drinking quietly, so he tries...he fights to be calm. But all he has is either rage or indifference. The emotions feel like they are going to crack him in two!

"I won't be able to handle it getting worse."

That gasp sinks through the chill that's wrapped around his emotions, enough that he blinks and tilts his head. "A-Xu? No." Even if that were why he's cursed...he wouldn't care.

Kexing runs a purposefully gentle hand over the child's hair, soothing him with another emotionless smile. The grin he sends at his soulmate next is rather crooked, but he forces himself back to his feet. Forces himself to head for Zishu's side - it's easier a little ways from that stench.

"I'm here." And definitely won't let on that food is...something of a challenge for him right now. That's been his A-Xu's difficulty for so long, even he knows that admission would be a very bad thing.

The food doesn't bother him - his senses are rather weak to that sort of thing anyway. However the closer he gets to Kexing, the more aware he becomes of feeling...nauseous. Something burns on his thigh and he reaches down to ease the sensation only to find blood on his robes.

"We need to break...the curses." he closes his eyes and breathes deep, taking a seat at the table he had stumbled into earlier, "The story...I was told...was about a priestess who ignored her duties and instead took numerous lovers. The gods caused a long draught to...punish her and the villagers. Their crops died."

So it seems...obvious...what he must do.

"I must make amends at the temples and help plant new crops."

With what energy he has left.

"Tell me your story, Lao Wen. I'll help you make amends for it."

He hisses when he sees the blood staining his beloved's robes, anger finally seeping in to lick at this new insult. No one gets to wound his A-Xu!

Kexing manages not to collapse into the chair beside Zishu, leaning forward as if to press against the other - but refrains. Just stays close enough that speaking loudly isn't necessary. And listens to his beloved's tale, before closing his eyes as he thinks.

He...normally wouldn't doubt Zishu's strength, his ability to handle that task. But he can see how much trouble the other is having just walking, even just in breathing.

"Let me help you, A-Xu." At least Kexing hadn't started this with only a fraction of his strength.

He takes a breath, forcing it to be deep and slow, then nods. "Mine is...a drunk let a child fall into a well. He fell asleep and the child drowned. He wouldn't let anyone help him."

He finds an actual smile there, and turns it to the child he'd successfully battled exhaustion to save and feed.

If he wasn't so ridiculously in love with Kexing, there wouldn't be any blood. Zishu always wants his soulmate and now those feelings are being turned against him and used like knives or claws. And all because of an amorous priestess who forsook her vows.

"I must do it." he whispers, aching for contact and yet knowing it will only hurt. A small smile crosses his lips at the good news - one curse has been broken at least - and he fights his own curses long enough to kiss Kexing's forehead, lingering tenderly.

"He is safe with you, love. No children will drown." more marks appear on his back and he hisses, pulling away, "I must go."

Edited 2022-03-23 13:06 (UTC)

"A-Xu," he murmurs, finally sounding genuinely upset. Because the love he feels for his A-Xu is just as fierce. Just as all-encompassing.

The lingering kiss to his forehead has him sigh, eyes closing briefly before he can almost feel Zishu's skin split. A sound of distress gets dragged from his throat when Zishu pulls away, but he doesn't argue, only stares at him with furrowed brow and his hands clench at his thighs.

"A-Xu..." Then anger licks at him again and he almost growls. "Don't let me hurt you. If I'm...making you bleed, go. Make amends then come back to me."

It doesn't matter if his skin splits. Hurting Kexing is worse than any physical blow and they both know Zishu can handle much more than this. Stubbornly, he wraps his soulmate in his arms and presses his face against his neck, ignoring how his insides writhe.

"Stay here." he pushes himself onto his feet and heads to the door, the back of his robes now stained with blood too. He doesn't dare to look back or to stop moving. The villagers direct him from temple to temple, they teach him the proper rituals and prayers. He makes repairs and does his best to fill the shoes of a proper priest...or priestess.

Then he travels to the fields, limping heavily, the bands on him stronger than iron. He kneels in the dirt and plants the tiny seeds, working until he feels the bands loosening.

Somehow he makes it back to where Kexing is staying.

Somehow. And then he collapses.

They know it, but it doesn't change how little Kexing likes hurting his poor Zishu. Or being the cause of his pain. But he can't deny how those arms feel, wrapped around him, and so allows them this last embrace.

Kexing stares after Zishu, looking rather lost for a moment before pushing himself to his feet with a stubborn glint in his eyes. He also has a curse to break.

By the time Zishu returns to him, he's rescued and fed a number of people, bandaged their wounds. He's made the sad decision to leave off drinking until he's certain he's free of this curse.

And he can feel a little more strength sink in. It's a little easier to breathe. To move. He has a little more energy to cook a much better meal, helped along by the fact the food doesn't make his stomach churn quite so badly.

It's simmering away to avoid being ruined, and he gasps when Zishu collapses at his feet. "A-Xu!" The cold band that had wrapped around his emotions eases, and he reaches to scoop his poor soulmate up and moves him to the fire. Settling the poor man into a seated position, he settles behind him and presses his hands to his back, pushing energy carefully into that wounded body.

It isn't his fault and Zishu certainly doesn't blame him. He loves him. With all that he is. No curse can ruin that or take that from them. That's why he hurries from Kexing's side - to see the curses broken - so he can comfort his beloved like he deserves.

But his strength gives out and he barely sets eyes on Kexing before he hits the floor. The blackness is comforting in a way - he has pushed himself beyond his limits and his body needs time to sort itself out. He remains slumbering even as Kexing knits his body back together, the claw marks on his thigh and back sealing until they are nothing more than scars.

An hour passes before he gasps back to consciousness, grabbing the chair until his knuckles are white.

"Lao Wen..."

Kexing keeps up the healing until he's reassured the cuts have all healed, then shifts to place his back against Zishu's and pulls out his xiao to play. Seeking to ease that poor stressed mind and strengthen the energy in his soulmate's body in another way. And he can keep up playing for hours far more easily than the focus it takes to maintain a flow of energy that won't overwhelm Zishu's meridians for all that long.

The music breaks off when he feels his beloved wake, easing his heart with a rush of a breath, and turns to smile hopefully at Zishu.

"A-Xu?"

He wakes in a better state by far, his body less taxed, less sore. His Lao Wen has been busy and Zishu smiles to himself as his awareness returns to him. The curses might not be fully broken after a day, but the progress they have made is comforting. At least he doesn't feel like he is on the verge of death anymore.

And his heart is warm again.

"I'm here." he echoes Kexing's earlier words, turning carefully to nuzzle and kiss that smile, "Like hell will I let them take you from me."

Kexing can tell his beloved feels better, and that alone does wonders for him. Maybe their curses aren't fully lifted, so they still have work ahead of them, but they're better. They can feel again. And his A-Xu looks better, aside from all that.

He sighs under the nuzzles and kiss, happily pressing into them. Only to smirk.

"Nothing can part us, A-Xu." Not where it matters. Zhou Zishu had promised.

Zishu lifts Kexing's wrists and kisses them, one at a time, his head bowed. There is no one else he will bow to or show this level of loyalty. His Lao Wen is his reason for fighting; for living; for laughing and loving. Anything that comes between them will be solved or fixed immediately.

"Will you help me wash up?" he knows he doesn't look the best or smell the best, but it doesn't matter. He has made progress today; they both have.

"I want to stay with you, love, but I'll have to return to that damn house. I suspect we will be woken the same way tomorrow."

Edited 2022-03-24 03:49 (UTC)

This time Kexing doesn't protest as his hands are caught and brought up to those soft lips. A shiver runs through him at the gesture his beloved makes and it strips away all his defenses and masks.

At the request, he simply stands then helps Zishu up before wrapping an arm around his waist. Only partially to make sure Zishu doesn't stumble along the way to the bathroom. "We'll clean up, then eat...then you will leave just for the night."

It's a horrible way to wake, and Kexing hasn't been sleeping all that great without his soulmate beside him. But he won't complain. It has to be worse for Zishu. "Will you come back to me when you're done for the day?"

Wen Kexing without his masks and his defenses is the man Zhou Zishu loves best. When he raises his head, he smiles with open love, nudging their foreheads together before he rises onto his feet. The room sways, but not badly enough that he falls again. Still he relies on his beloved to guide him.

"Just for the night." he promises. This is another problem that he will be seeking to solve. They are two parts of one whole; they should rest beside each other.

Even if they must do so under the stars.

"Love, this is where I want to be." Zishu begins to loosen his robes, "We do what we must and then we return to each other. If I don't come to you - which I don't foresee happening - then you come to me."

Wen Kexing is helpless against his Zishu. He flushes at that open expression, then smiles shyly and rubs their heads together. He's happy to support his beloved! In all ways.

Closing the bathroom door behind them, he hums at the promise as he helps undress his beloved. He'll follow suit once done, and starts the water filling in the tub.

"You know I will find you anywhere you go. We're Fated." Even when they'd tried to stay apart after an argument, they'd just ended up bumping into each other within days.

The help is appreciated and Zishu sighs in relief as he is freed of his robes. The day has been long and difficult and he wants nothing more than to soak in a tub with his Lao Wen. Which is why his hands find the tie on Kexing's robes and pull on it.

"We are and that's why I... I know where you are. I can find you even if you are taken miles from me. The distance doesn't matter." he eases the robes off of his lover's shoulders, "Let me care for you too."

Edited 2022-03-24 04:35 (UTC)

He grins at that sigh, knowing it intimately. His poor love has been hard at work! And so dusty! The grin softens to a warm smile and he gives himself over to Zishu's tender care.

"I like that sense, A-Xu. I like always knowing where you are."

He loves having this one person he doesn't have to hide from.

Dirty and dusty and sore! But he doesn't regret any of it. If nothing else, he has helped the villagers. They both know he has a difficult time telling people in need no.

"I'm with you right now." he bends to slip off Kexing's trousers, "I love being with you best."

Even if their earlier affection has left him with new scars.

Even he isn't that annoyed at his chosen way to ease the curse on him. He's always had a soft spot for kids in need. And while he loves to drink...and enjoys food and cooking...giving up the former and easing up on the latter is a small price to pay.

He steps out of his trousers, unashamedly bare before his lover and studies these new scars on Zishu's beautiful back. His fingers itch to learn them, knowing they're the price for a moment of love.

"You broke enough of your curse that I don't hurt you," he murmurs with a happy breath.

"It would hurt me far more to be denied you." Zishu lifts himself slowly, obviously enjoying the sight Kexing makes, standing there so proud. Then he offers his lover his hand, stepping into the bath and carefully lowering himself until he is seated in the water.

"I can ignore it now. But, to be honest, I would take gashes all over my skin to claim one of your kisses." his lips twitch, amused and yet...

It is the truth. To let Kexing know of his love... That is worth everything.

Only for his A-Xu's enjoyment. No one else gets to see Kexing like this now. He grins at those words and that gaze on him. Of course he takes that hand and helps his beloved into the tub, then steps in and sinks in with a long sigh.

Then tugs on that hand to hopefully coax Zishu to press against him. He laughs at those words and leans in to claim a deep, lingering kiss.

"I'm yours, A-Xu~"

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw: nudity

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject