bringingdowndisaster

bringingdowndisaster

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From:

gentledawn

He softens at those words and kisses Zichen's forehead again. Who could be cruel to his soulmate? Zichen is much too precious and Xingchen will look after him from here forward.

"Let me go get her." he slips off to alert A-Qing. She surprises him, only coming into the room because he and Zichen are present. Then she hurries to Zichen's side.

"Everyone is safe." he promises, moving to Xue Yang and resting a hand on his soft hair, "I'll sleep on the outside." so he will know if Xue Yang gets up.

From:

bringingdowndisaster

Song Lan gives A-Qing what he hopes is a reassuring smile and gently strokes her hair. He'll power through the touch aversion to offer her some comfort.

Xue Yang barely looks at A-Qing as she enters the room, not wanting to see those - probably - accusing eyes. "Okay," he murmurs in response to Xingchen, moving closer to him.

From:

gentledawn

A-Qing smiles back and wiggles under the covers of the bed. She isn't afraid to sleep with one of the Daozhangs. She knows Zichen isn't...alive...exactly, but so? Everyone is different and at least he's kind.

Xingchen lays down beside Xue Yang and strokes over the man's hair.

"You need rest. We all do. We'll think clearer with sleep."

From:

bringingdowndisaster

It helps that A-Qing had kept him company, even when he wasn't able to respond to her, so he already feels comfortable around her. He gets into bed and lays down next to her, as a shield to protect if needed. He doubts he'll get much sleep. He doesn't exactly need it, but laying down still feels nice.

Xue Yang lets out a soft little sound and nuzzles into Xingchen's neck, arms wrapping around him. "Mm..."

From:

gentledawn

Xingchen lays back and tries the trick he used, years ago, to contact Zichen even if they weren't side by side. After murmuring a spell, he reaches out to his soulmate's mind.

"Are you comfortable?" his arms curl around Xue Yang, promising to keep the man safe while he sleeps. A-Qing is already yawning and curling up.

From:

bringingdowndisaster

Xue Yang curls up in Xingchen's arms, snuggling into him as he quickly drifts off to sleep.

Song Lan had forgotten about the communication spell, and even if he had remembered - he would've assumed it wouldn't work on a dead thing like himself. So, imagine his surprise when he suddenly hears Xingchen's voice in his head.

So it does work on him... That's a relief. Now they can actually communicate with one another. Xingchen... Yes.

From:

gentledawn

Xingchen kisses Xue Yang's head and rubs over his back. His heart swells at how much trust he is given and he promises himself and his A-Yang that he won't abuse it.

Then he discovers something else that is wonderful.

He can hear Zichen's voice. In his mind, at least. Smiling, he speaks to his love freely:

"You came back for me. How long have you been searching?"

From:

bringingdowndisaster

It's such a great relief to be able to talk to Xingchen, even if it is only like this. At least now there is a line of communication, and he won't have to rely on writing in Xingchen's palm.

I did. I was searching since I left your Master's mountain. I wished to leave as soon as I woke up, but your Master insisted I stay until I had healed.

From:

gentledawn

That was his thinking too! Poor Zichen deserves a better line of communication and this one is just their own. Maybe he is being selfish, but he likes not being overheard.

His Zichen belongs to him. Or...he did.

"You needed to heal. I don't want anyone to be like me, Zichen. I left the mountain too soon."

From:

bringingdowndisaster

Song Lan frowns, guilt blooming in his chest. The fault is mine. I should have never told you to leave. I lashed out at the wrong person. I'm sorry, Xingchen. And he'll never stop being sorry. He hadn't meant what he'd said, not truly, but he had been so angry and in so much pain that he'd needed someone to take it out on. Poor Xingchen had been the only available target at the time.

From:

gentledawn

"I made the choice, my Zichen. Don't blame yourself for being in pain. I've thought about that day a lot. I really should have stayed near you. I'm sorry." Xingchen bites his lip, feeling a rush of guilt too. Though the emotion does no good.

"I'm with you now. If you'll have me."

From:

bringingdowndisaster

You have nothing to apologize for. You did nothing wrong. Song Lan hurts looking at that blindfold, knowing that Xingchen had done that for him. Sacrificed so much... He doesn't feel deserving of it, but he knows that Xingchen - selfless as he is - would disagree.

I'm not going anywhere.

From:

gentledawn

"I'm so glad you're back." even his mental voice is sounding sleepy. Xue Yang is warm in his arms and he is exhausted. His body isn't strong yet.

"I feel like I'm dreaming..."

From:

bringingdowndisaster

I am too. He notices the sleepiness and smiles a little. Sleep, Xingchen. You need it. And he will keep watch, to make sure nothing happens in the night.

From:

gentledawn

"I love you..." the words slip out as he drifts into a dreamless slumber. His exhaustion has made denying the truth impossible - especially when he hears Zichen's voice after so long.

From:

bringingdowndisaster

Song Lan lets out a shocked little breath hearing that. He's so take aback that he doesn't manage to respond until after Xingchen has already drifted off. I love you too... he whispers through their connection.

From:

gentledawn

A little smile tugs at Xingchen's lips even in his sleep. He has wanted to hear those words for years. Ages it feels like.

Some hours pass before he stirs, kissing Xue Yang's forehead.

From:

bringingdowndisaster

Xue Yang stirs slightly when he feels those lips against his forehead. He lets out a soft noise and burrows deeper into Xingchen's arms. Oh, what a wonderful way to wake up... Enveloped in his lover's arms, warm and safe. He even manages to forget about Song Lan and A-Qing, and just focus on the two of them for the moment.

From:

gentledawn

The sound is cute and Xingchen smiles sleepily, hugging his lover to his chest. There. Nice and safe. He stretches his legs under the covers and sighs.

Across the room, A-Qing peeks out of her blanket burrow and frowns. No. No waking up yet!

From:

bringingdowndisaster

Another pleased noise escapes. Being hugged closer makes him melt. He peeks up at Xingchen's pretty face and feels so lucky to have him. He'd almost completely fucked it all up, but he won't make the same mistake again.

Song Lan begins to stir as well, but he doesn't move much, nor does he open his eyes yet.

From:

gentledawn

Xingchen bends his head and nuzzles their noses together; he can feel Xue Yang watching him. Not that it bothers him. Quite the opposite!

"Mm good morning." he laughs a little, "Is it morning?"

A-Qing thinks Song Lan has the right idea and wiggles closer to him.

From:

bringingdowndisaster

Xue Yang smiles warmly. "Yeah, it is. Good morning, Daozhang."

It is mostly because he doesn't want to see Xue Yang in Xingchen's arms that's keeping Song Lan from opening his eyes. Despite what Xingchen had told him last night, the jealousy is there. Xue Yang is, after all, the one who has the kind of relationship with Xingchen that Song Lan himself wishes that he could have.

From:

gentledawn

"Zichen? Are you awake?" Xingchen calls mentally before smiling at Xue Yang's greeting, "How did you sleep? I don't think you moved much at all." which has to be a good sign?

He tries to sense the room around them, stretching out his senses. Yes, it is morning. He can feel the light.

From:

bringingdowndisaster

"Mm, I slept well," Xue Yang says softly. It had been the best sleep he's had in over a year, honestly. "Did you?" He hopes so. Xiao Xingchen needs his rest too, and he wants the other man to feel safe and comfortable sleeping with him.

Hearing Xingchen's voice in his head, Song Lan slowly opens his eyes. Mm. I am awake.

From:

gentledawn

Xingchen smiles softly at the answer, kissing Xue Yang's nose and lips. He can't resist!

"I did. You kept me warm." he is the sort of person who doesn't mind being held and cuddled while he sleeps. He prefers it, in fact!

Then he hears Zichen's voice, his ears twitching. "Did you sleep well? I'm sorry I couldn't be with you."