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[bringingdowndisaster]

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[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang brightens up, all jealousy gone for the moment. They have a strong connection too, they're also soulmates! Take that, Zichen!

He grins and leans in to kiss him again. "I love you."

[gentledawn]

Xingchen kisses the bridge of Xue Yang's nose and then his lips, lingering there. He can't get enough of him and, frankly, he doesn't want to get enough of him. Living like this... He can be happy.

"I love you." he sends a warm pulse of love with the words so there is no mistake.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang kisses him deeply and tenderly, holding him close to his own body. He gently strokes his cheek and nudges their foreheads together. "We should probably go back..." he says reluctantly. Or Song Lan might come looking for them. "I'll clean you up." Both the mess he'd left inside of him and the blood that had leaked from his eye sockets.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen melts into him, parting his lips with a soft moan. He smiles into the contact and cups Xue Yang's face between his hands.

"We will have more time together, love." he hears the reluctance and tries to soothe it. Nodding, he takes out a clean piece of cloth from his pouch.

"Use the water from the well. Just pull up the bucket."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang gives Xingchen a final, lingering kiss before letting go and putting his robes back on. Once Xingchen is dressed as well, he takes his hand and leads him back to the house, bringing some water from the well back inside.

Song Lan had followed Xingchen part of the way when he'd ran after Xue Yang, to make sure that Xue Yang in his agitated state didn't hurt Xingchen. When instead he saw the two of the kiss... Well, he'd returned to the house. He's been pacing around ever since, trying not to let jealousy consume him too much.

When they return, he immediately notices the marks on Xingchen's throat and along his jawline and the fact that they're holding hands.

Xingchen, are you alright? he asks through their connection.

[gentledawn]

He dresses as quickly as he is able, still feeling shaky. Having Xue Yang to lean on helps, however, and he smiles as he is led back to the house. Zichen's voice doesn't startle him - he can sense when the other man is near - and he answers, sending the other man a rush of gratitude and warmth:

"Yes. He was just afraid I was abandoning him. I told him the truth about how...important...you are to me. He..." Xingchen smiles to himself, "...might try to know you better."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang watches them both, figuring that they must be communicating mentally. His hold on Xingchen's hand tightens a little, but he doesn't say anything.

Alright. I prepared a bath for you. He figures that they'll both need it... Once again, he tries not to let his jealousy shine through.

[gentledawn]

He feels the tighter hold and he inhales, turning his head towards Xue Yang. It's difficult to not get lost in his thoughts - especially when he is having a conversation there.

"That was very sweet. Thank you, Zichen."

Xingchen lets his soulmate feel his gratitude and then he murmurs out loud:

"Zichen has prepared a bath for us. Let's go enjoy it, A-Yang."

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Alright." Xue Yang exchanges a tense look with Song Lan before leading Xiao Xingchen towards the washroom. He can't help but to feel a little thriumphant. Oh, Song Lan is definitely jealous. Serves you right!

Once in the washroom, Xue Yang quickly strips out of his robes again and puts them in a pile by the tub.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen smiles softly, aware of the tension yet, luckily, unable to see it. He follows Xue Yang and takes off his robes and his trousers, folding them neatly and setting them to the side. Then he feels his way to the tub.

"Will you help me, A-Yang?"

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Of course." Xue Yang takes a moment to let his eyes take in the sight of his lover bared to him again. He then helps Xingchen into the tub, seating himself behind him so he can wrap his arms around his waist and rest his head on his shoulder.

[gentledawn]

He lets down his hair and smiles when Xue Yang guides him into the hot water. He sits down with a sigh, laughing lowly and happily when his lover seats himself behind him.

"You're so cute."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang nuzzles into Xingchen's neck, lips brushing very gently over the bandage. "Does it hurt?" he asks in a low murmur tinged with worry.

[gentledawn]

Lying just...doesn't feel good. Xingchen doesn't want to lie to those he loves. They deserve his best.

"Yes." he answers, "The scar is thick and not as healed as it would be if..." he hadn't died.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang is quiet for a moment, his arms tightening around Xingchen's waist.

"I'm... sorry," he finally murmurs into his neck. "How bad is it?"

[gentledawn]

The tighter hold goes straight to his heart and he rubs Xue Yang's arms.

"Do you want to see?" he asks hesitantly, forcing himself to stay relaxed.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Yes." He should see the damage he had caused. He may not have been the one slicing Xingchen's throat open, but through his actions he may as well have been the one holding the sword.

[gentledawn]

He doesn't see it that way. Xingchen solely blames himself for his wound. He never wants to be in such a dark place again.

Unwinding the bandage, he sets it to the side, revealing the long gash on his neck. The scarring is thick and red.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Meanwhile, Xue Yang only blames himself for pushing Xingchen into such a dark place.

He frowns as the scar is revealed to him. It really should've healed better by now... "We should put some ointment on it," he says in a soft voice, "Something that will speed up healing."

[gentledawn]

Shuanghua is a special blade. It can sever spirits as well as bodies. Xingchen won't emphasize what that means, but it really is a wonder that he is...whole...at all.

"I have some. I will use it." he smiles faintly and dabs at the scar with a wet cloth.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"I'll help you," Xue Yang murmurs against Xingchen's shoulder, giving the skin there a tender kiss.

[gentledawn]

The kiss makes his smile grow and he turns his head, nuzzling his nose against Xue Yang's cheek.

"You do help me."

[bringingdowndisaster]

"I want to help you more," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to Xingchen's cheek. It's the least he can do after everything...

[gentledawn]

"Then take care of yourself." Xingchen brushes their lips together shyly, "I am happiest when you are feeling your best."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang nuzzles their noses together and kisses him back. "Mm, alright. For you."