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[bringingdowndisaster]

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[bringingdowndisaster]

As they are sent back home, Xue Yang makes sure to cling tightly to Song Lan while holding their cats. He's terrified that they're going to end up separated somehow, but thankfully, that doesn't happen.

Xue Yang, of course, immediately recognizes Yi City. He makes a face and presses close to Song Lan's comforting presence. He's not surprised this is where they've been sent to, and well, this means he can say his goodbyes right away and be done with this place for good.

He turns his head and smiles up at Song Lan, his heart beating faster seeing his husband looking so healthy. Alive. "We made it," he murmurs warmly as he leans up to kiss his cheek.

<3 <3 <3

[zichen]

The journey is jarring - a literal return from death to life for them. Zichen keeps their animals safe, but his tightest grip is on Xue Yang. They will not be separated. And then they land in the very place they presumed they would.

It's desolate and filled with sad memories. Their bird chirps unsurely in his cage and even their snake peeks out of Zichen's pocket, tongue flicking out to taste the heavy air.

"We did." his voice is choked and he nudges their heads together, remembering to breathe deep. He is alive. So is Xue Yang. And they can put this damn city behind them.

"A-Yang, do what you need to."

<3 <3 <3

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang nods and lets their cats down on the ground. He clasps Song Lan's face between his hands and kisses him deeply. "I love you," he murmurs. "Do you want to come too?" This place carries a lot of memories for them both, after all.

They're not far from the coffin home. Xue Yang can see it when he looks in that direction and it makes his stomach feel funny. Yi City looks much the same, minus the thick fog and the shambling corpses.

[zichen]

Muyang yowls and stretches, shaking his orange fur. Xiuying looks up at them with big bright eyes. Daddies, what is this place?

Zichen shudders into the kiss and welcomes it, clinging to Xue Yang's robes with his free hand.

"I will be with you." every step of the way. Like he promised on the Barge.

"Go where you need to, love. Say goodbye. We both know he isn't here."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang smiles at the cats and then he takes Song Lan's hand and slowly starts walking towards the coffin home.

"Mm... Is it weird that I'm still kind of expecting to see him in that coffin?" he asks in a low murmur.

[zichen]

Zichen squeezes Xue Yang's hand and walks with him, looking around cautiously.

"I do too." he whispers and peers into the coffin, sighing, "If he is reborn... If we see him again... We will be good to him."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang nods. "I hope he's happy, with Crozier." He leads the way into the coffin home itself, his stomach clenching at the sight of it. Dusty, dark and run-down, just like how it had been when he'd last been here.

He sighs as he looks around. "I was really happy here..." he murmurs as he leans into Song Lan.

[zichen]

"I don't know." Zichen admits softly, "He wasn't happy. He was just...running, I think." he slips his arms around Xue Yang and kisses the side of his head.

"You will be happier with me." he flushes, "I hope."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang shakes his head. "They love each other. I'm sure of that." He slips his arms around Song Lan's middle and gives him a gentle squeeze.

"Of course I will," he says with a smile, "I don't have to hide with you."

[zichen]

"Maybe... Maybe he was just scared of being around me." Zichen nods slowly and looks away from the coffin, "No. You never have to hide from me."

He embraces Xue Yang to his chest and kisses his neck.

"Let's start our life together. Let's get married."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang melts into the embrace and leans up to kiss Song Lan on the mouth. "Mm... let's." Another kiss before he speaks again. "But first... do you know where A-Qing is buried?" His voice comes out in a low murmur, his gaze lowering.

[zichen]

"Here." Zichen murmurs against Xue Yang's lips, "Come with me." he keeps hold of his lover's hand and guides him to the plot he had picked out for A-Qing.

"She's here." he then blinks and pulls out the spiritual pouch, "And here."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang follows in silence. Once they reach the plot, he kneels down by it. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, "I hope... I hope the next life is kinder to you."

He glances up at Song Lan. "Is her soul still shattered?" he asks.

[zichen]

Zichen softens and lays a hand on Xue Yang's soft hair. Then he kneels beside him.

"It will be. She has earned a much easier life." he then examines the spiritual pouch and frowns, "Less so. We should keep her with us." he glances at Xue Yang, "I want you to talk to her, too. Tell her about yourself, A-Yang."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang nods. "We'll fix her soul... so we can release her." A-Qing deserves to move on into the next reincarnation cycle, to have a chance at a better life.

He reaches into his qiankun pouch and pulls out some candy that he leaves on A-Qing's grave before standing up.

[zichen]

The offering brings tears to his eyes and he lays one of his ribbons beside the piece of candy.

"She'll get there." he rises and tilts his head back, looking up at the sky, "I can't believe we're back."

Muyang toddles up to them and rubs against their legs.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang nods and embraces Song Lan again. "Yeah... feels weird. Where do you want to go? I'd like to at least get out of the Shudong area, but I don't care where else we go."

He looks down when Muyang rubs against them and smiles as he reaches down to stroke over his back.

[zichen]

"I know where to go." Zichen responds softly, firmly, "I've thought about it a lot. We just need to walk a good distance."

He nods to a cart nearby.

"Let's take that. I can pull it easily."

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Oh? Where?" Xue Yang asks. He's surprised, but he trusts that whatever place Song Lan wants to go is going to be good.

He nods and lifts up Muyang and Xiuying and puts them both on the cart.

[zichen]

"You'll see." Zichen kisses Xue Yang's cheek and sets the bird cage on the cart too, "Be nice to him." he cautions the cats.

The owlfinch doesn't seem to see the cats as foes and he sings before drinking from his water bowl.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang chuckles a little. "Now I'm even more curious," he playfully whines as he loops an arm around Song Lan's and gently clings.

"That bird has no survival instincts. Probably for the best that we keep him with us," he says, amused.

[zichen]

"And you will stay curious." Zichen teases and pulls the little black snake from his pocket, "Look after your little girl."

The serpent wiggles and sticks out her tongue.

"I've got what she needs..." he reaches into his qiankun pouch and pulls out...her terrarium.

All of it. With fresh water.

"Set her by our silly bird."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang pouts playfully but he dutifully takes the terrarium and gently puts the snake down in it before placing it on the cart.

He then returns to Song Lan's side. "Alright. Let's go then."

[zichen]

"She is cute. I never thought I would like a snake." Zichen remarks, rubbing under Xiuying's chin, "Stay with us, sweet one."

Smiling at Xue Yang, he pulls the cart down a path leading out of Yi City and heading North. A rush of cool air makes him smile.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Mm, she is. She's so little." And that definitely makes her cuter!

Xue Yang walks in step with Song Lan and smiles. "Will you at least tell me how long it'll take to get there?" he asks.