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Zhou Zishu

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[ Zishu chuckles, stepping into those arms and nudges their noses together. ]

If I was any other way, you'd worry.

[Kexing dares to kiss the tip of Zishu's nose!]

I worry about you anyway. Did you rest today? It looks like things are quieting down.

[ His grin softens to a rather sweet smile as he leans against his Lao Wen. ]

I did. Ah, it does. Have you been keeping safe?

I've been watching over my A-Xu. [Where else would he be?] I found A-Sang, too. He's doing well. Did I tell you about his brother?

[ He doesn't deserve this man's love and devotion. He knows it. Yet he has it. He claims another soft kiss just because. ]

Good. Mm, no, you didn't.

[He blinks, pleased and gives Zishu a shy smile. For all his confidence, Zishu is the one who can make him feel innocent again.]

His name was Nie Mingjue. Someone named Jin Guangyao obliterated his meridians. I don't know how, but it drove Mingjue mad and he tried to kill his little brother. Then he collapsed and died from the blood loss.

Edited Date: 2024-10-13 01:53 am (UTC)

[ Just as Kexing is the one who brings Zishu peace, simply by gazing into his eyes. He brushes fingertips over his love's cheek, this time his touch is gentle as he listens. ]

If this Jin Guangyao ever comes here, we must deal with him. If Nie Mingjue comes instead, or in addition, we must help him however we can.

[Kexing smiles helplessly at Zishu's decision and he kisses his soulmate's lips tenderly.]

I knew you would feel that way. If he's at the end of his rope, I don't know what we can do, but we have to try. As for Guangyao, let's help Huaisang kill him, hm? That seems like justice to me.

[ They are both vicious when they choose to be. Zishu hums quietly into the kiss, then nips Kexing's lips playfully. ]

I felt at the end of my rope when you flounced back into my path, Lao Wen. Of course we will try.

And Guangyao will die horribly.

You're not. You're far from it. [Kexing reassures immediately, his voice is a little husky.] I've got your back, A-Xu. I mean it. I'm not letting you go.

[His eyes glow happily.]

I believe that. A-Sang is quiet, but from what I understand, he has been biding his time.

[ His chest aches at that instant reassurance and he claims a fiercer kiss. ]

You pulled me back.

[ He strokes loving fingers over his Kexing's hair. ]

He's a thinker.

[His poor A-Xu. Kexing shifts them to a comfortable place to sit down, his steps a little clumsy thanks to the kiss. His cheeks are redder by the time it finishes and his smile is broader!]

You gave me the courage to do what I needed to do too.

[He snuggles against Zishu with a sigh.]

He loves his brother and seeing him like that... It made me want to crush Guangyao like a bug.

[ He likes being able to affect his Lao Wen like this~ Zishu settles down, stubbornly remaining pressed against his love as he catches his breath. ]

It needed done. You did it.

[ Frowning faintly, his gaze drops as he thinks about the other man he's really only briefly spoken with - but had enjoyed the conversation. ]

If either of us meet Guangyao, he will be.

[He keeps one arm wrapped around Zishu, his fan right at his fingertips. No harm will come to his soulmate. None.]

Because of you.

[The frown has him kissing Zishu again, trying to chase the expression away.]

It's just that he reminds me of...me, actually. After I lost my parents.

[ Baiyi is at Zishu's waist, just as determined to protect them both.

The kiss softens the frown and he nuzzles their noses together at the end of it. ]

If I'd known, I would have come for you. I would have brought you back home with me.

I know that. [Kexing catches Zishu's hand and laces their fingers together.] I never doubted you, A-Xu. It was everyone else that failed them...and me. No one came. No one cared.

[ He squeezes those elegant fingers, pulling their joined hands to rest over his heart. ]

Never again, Lao Wen. I will never fail you again.

You never failed me. [It's so like Zishu to blame himself! Kexing laughs softly and kisses Zishu's cheeks.] You were just a kid too. I missed you...every day.

[ Of course he blames himself! His poor little junior had been left to the wolves. Or ghosts, in this case. And tormented throughout his childhood.

He clicks his tongue with a huff at the cheek kisses but leans absurdly against Kexing, resting his head on his love's shoulder. ]

I missed you too.

[Zishu had been in little better circumstances! At least his Ghosts don't hide their cruelty and malice behind a princely veneer!

Oh the things he would do to Prince Jin. Kexing captures his A-Xu and runs his fingers through his hair.]

What happened...after we left? I mean, what happened to you, A-Xu?

[ The fingers through his hair have his eyes close, enjoying this easy affection. Even with the question that comes next. ]

Nothing really changed until Master died when I was sixteen. You remember he chose me as his heir, over his own son? I failed him. I wasn't strong enough to keep our brothers safe on my own. So I went to my cousin for help. He agreed if we served him, if we helped him towards becoming Emperor.

I created the Window of Heaven. An army. The numbers grew...but one by one, the brothers who followed me died. After that...there seemed no point in my staying alive but in a cage.

[He continues the soft touches, his attention fixed solely on his A-Xu. It's fairly easy for him to imagine his love trying his best and doing what he thought right. Only to be betrayed.]

You were the perfect choice. Sixteen is too young to run a sect on your own. I don't blame you for looking for help.

[He was older when he took control of the Ghost Valley.]

A-Xu... The problem was never you. You should have been able to trust your family.

[ Zishu has always been someone who gives all of himself to what he believes in. Kexing's steady attention and support is all that keeps him going now though. This one precious person he cannot abandon again.

The laugh is still bitter. ]

I should have let them leave if they wanted. Our brothers deserved better.

Did it ever occur to you that they stayed because they loved you?

[Kexing lays a hand over Zishu's chest, right over his heart.]

I would fight and die for A-Xu. Leaving him would break my heart. What sort of life could I live then?

[ A wounded heart, but one that beats only for Wen Kexing now. He has no answer to that, only holds to that hand as he wrestles with his pain.

Then he gasps at the very idea of Kexing being dead, for him. Because of him. And he shakes his head hard. ]

If you die, I would only follow after avenging you.