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[bringingdowndisaster]

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[gentledawn]

"Mm I might need that." Xingchen laughs softly at himself, sensing the shift in emotion a split second later. His ears twitch and he turns towards Zichen's footsteps.

"Zichen?" he calls gently, "Is that you?"

The silence feels...heavy. And filled with complicated emotions. He would rather talk than bear it.

[bringingdowndisaster]

I'm here, Song Lan responds through their connection. You should speak to A-Qing. She was worried about you. She, of course, doesn't have the context to why Xingchen and Xue Yang had ran out of the house, and had been very anxious about it.

Xue Yang hates that he can't hear what Song Lan is saying. It just makes him feel anxious and a little insecure, despite all of Xingchen's reassurances.

[gentledawn]

"You're right. Poor girl." Xingchen nods at Zichen's message and feels his way to the other man, gently squeezing his hand as he walks by, "Play nice, you two." he means for the words to be a tease, but there is too much weight behind them.

He knows it's difficult for them and there isn't much he can do about it. So he goes to A-Qing and gently reassures the girl.

"We're all family, A-Qing. If one of us is upset, I want to help them."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Song Lan gives a gentle squeeze back as he watches Xingchen leave. He can feel Xue Yang's eyes on him and turns his head to look at him. They share a tense look, and the only reason Xue Yang doesn't say something derisive is because he'd promised Xiao Xingchen to try.

With a small huff, he decides that he may as well fix that stupid loose floorboard and as he sets about doing so, Song Lan ends up assisting - just to have something to do other than standing around in awkward silence.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen hears the work and smiles at A-Qing. After getting the poor girl something hot to drink - a nice tea to calm her nerves - he seeks out the other two men.

"Working together?" he asks hopefully not bothering to hide the hope in his voice.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Mhm," Xue Yang confirms, "We're fixing the loose floorboard. I don't want you stumbling over it again."

Song Lan gives a hum in response as they finish up. How is A-Qing?

[gentledawn]

"You're both very sweet." Xingchen praises them, touched at the thoughtfulness, "She's doing alright. I'm sure adjusting to...everything...is difficult." and he knows it is doubly hard for her since she can't see too.

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Mm," Xue Yang hums non-committaly. He's definitely got mixed feelings where A-Qing is concerned. He's mad at her for bringing Song Lan here in the first place, but he'd also come to care for her, like an annoying little sister he'd never asked for.

Yes. It must be, Song Lan responds through their connection.

[gentledawn]

"A-Yang, be nice." Xingchen can hear the slight difference in the other man's hum. A-Qing has always been on Xue Yang's bad side - or, at least, his grumpy side. He can't imagine that has improved with...everything.

He smiles at Zichen's sweet voice.

"She's strong."

[bringingdowndisaster]

"I didn't say anything!" Xue Yang huffs. Is Xiao Xingchen some sort of mind reader now?

Song Lan just gives Xue Yang an unimpressed stare before his attention returns to Xingchen. Perhaps we should consider leaving this place, he says through their connection, I don't think it's good for... any of us to stay here. He's including Xue Yang in that.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen winces and sways faintly, feeling tired. He reaches out for Xue Yang and hugs his arm to his chest.

"I agree. We should go." he frowns and shakes his head, "I just don't know where. Away from the sects would be best."

Maybe to a small town. Somewhere that doesn't ask a lot of questions or...judge.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang frowns and immediately wraps an arm around Xiao Xingchen's middle, steadying him. "Daozhang! Are you okay?" Anxiety is clear in his voice.

"Going where?" He realizes that Song Lan must've said something that only Xingchen could hear, and it annoys him a little. At this rate he'll find a way for Song Lan to communicate verbally just so he'll stop having these private conversations with Xiao Xingchen. Ah, the jealousy rearing its ugly head again.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen leans into Xue Yang and rubs over his arms. His head is aching and he feels weak. Both symptoms are probably a product of him having been dead for so long.

"Anywhere. Away from here." he smiles a little, "There are so many bad memories in this town. We should leave the dead to rest."

[bringingdowndisaster]

"Daozhang... you need rest. We can talk about leaving later, okay?" Xue Yang murmurs gently and strokes over Xingchen's cheek before bending down to lift him into his arms.

It's still so strange to see Xue Yang being so tender and gentle with Xingchen. How he cares for him while seeming to loathe everyone else. Song Lan isn't sure he'll ever understand him. Heaving a sigh, he follows the two.

[gentledawn]

There is good in Xue Yang; he is just defensive about it. Xingchen slips his arms around his lover's neck and rests against him, soaking in his warmth. It's good to be alive again - even if he worries for his loves.

"We can go North." he murmurs, "And find a place that is near a town. A-Yang and I can make sure we have what we need."

[bringingdowndisaster]

It's also strange to see Xingchen so readily return the affection. Song Lan tries not to let the jealousy consume him.

Xue Yang is not paying attention to Song Lan at all - his focus firmly on Xiao Xingchen. "Yeah... we'll find a good place," he murmurs as he carries Xingchen into the bedroom and gently puts him on their bed.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen trembles as he is set on the bed. He feels...paper thin. Putting his head down on a pillow, he sighs.

"Zichen will keep us safe." he smiles a little, "A-Qing can go into town too. She can make friends."

He knows she is charming and sweet when she wants to be.

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang nods and sits down at the side of the bed. Xiao Xingchen looks so fragile. Xue Yang wants to wrap him in his arms and never let go. "Do you want me to lay down with you?" he asks, stroking over Xingchen's hair.

It eventually gets too difficult to watch them together, and Song Lan starts to back out of the room.

[gentledawn]

"Zichen... Don't go." Xingchen raises his voice and pats the bed at his side, "Lay here, love." he then nuzzles Xue Yang's hand and tugs on his arm, urging him to lay on his other side, "We can all rest. There is no reason to fight."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Xue Yang tenses a bit, and exchanges a loaded look with Song Lan. They stare at each other for a moment, but then Song Lan starts to walk back into the room.

Xue Yang makes a face, but he doesn't protest. Instead he kicks his shoes off and crawls over to lay behind Xingchen, arms immediately draping tightly and possessively around him.

Song Lan carefully lays down on the other side of Xingchen, but hesitates to touch him, no matter how much he would like to.

[gentledawn]

Xingchen feels the tight grip and smiles a little, squeezing Xue Yang's arm. He knows how much it hurts to lose something...someone...dear. It must hurt to share too. He feels the bed dip as Zichen joins them and he carefully lays a hand on his soulmate's cheek.

"I can't believe you're both here..."

[bringingdowndisaster]

It does. Xue Yang doesn't like it one bit, but if sharing with Song Lan is the only way he can have Xiao Xingchen, then... he'll do it. He has a feeling that Song Lan will come to the same conclusion, if he hasn't already.

For now he presses his face into Xingchen's neck and softly kisses him there.

I am so happy that you're back, Song Lan says through their connection, leaning into the touch to his cheek.

[gentledawn]

He feels the kisses and smiles, pressing back against Xue Yang. Time will surely make this easier and he thinks...he hopes...leaving Yi City behind will also help. They can travel together and get to know each other without a shadow hanging over their every step.

"This is where I want to be." he caresses Zichen's cool cheek, "Get under the covers, loves. We can share our body heat."

[bringingdowndisaster]

Maybe. They do have something in common and that's their love for Xiao Xingchen and want to keep him safe and happy. Maybe they can learn to cooperate and maybe even tolerate each other eventually. Xue Yang doesn't consider the possibility of more than that.

He crawls under the covers and kisses Xingchen's neck again. "Get some rest, Xingchen."

Song Lan hums his agreement as he tentatively crawls under the covers as well, putting a gentle hand on Xingchen's waist.

[gentledawn]

He believes in them. He loves them with everything he has to give. The sweetness in them - the side they show him - will surely bring them together.

Xingchen feels the blanket lift and he nestles under it too, smiling when Zichen's hand rests on his waist. Good. They are both with him. He is already beginning to nod off as Xue Yang encourages him to sleep.

"Mmm sweet dreams..."