#Sichen

[thecollectibles]

Catching by SiChen Wang

[eaion]

"What's a sex machine?" Huo Sichen had too many questions.

Fei Tian Ye Xiang: Riverbay Road Men's Dormitory - Chapter 26

[thysia]

Gorgeous Church - SiChen Wang

[heroineimages]

Neat! It also looks cool as my desktop wallpaper!

moon city by SiChen Wang

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: An Indelible Destiny (2024)

Gifs of Intro & Ending of cdrama "An Indelible Destiny"

【Multi-sub】An Indelible Destiny EP01 | Amanda Liu, Wang Tingxu | 妙绝好姻缘 | Fresh Drama

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2hjGSrAJZA

[nuno-draws]

Prompts used:

• Explore how different cultures have different ways of experiencing seasons or have different names for them. • Calendars and timekeeping @yourcubitoyourculture

This is part 2 out of 4 dedicated to Ukrainian names of the months. Check the links below to see other parts!!

Featuring Joel, Skizz and Doc!

autumn || winter || spring || summer

_______________________________

"Грудень" (hruden') - December Comes from the word “груда”(hruda),which means “lump” A reference to the way snow falls to the ground.

"Січень" (sichen') - January The word “сікти”(sikty) means to cut [down] People cut a lot of trees to prepare for the cold, and to prepare land for the new fields to grow crops on.

"Лютий" (lyutyi) - February “Лютий”(lyutyi) means “fierce” or “savage” This month is extremely cold, full of blizzards and storms.

[talk-danmei-to-me]

Letting tumblr rank the pairings of every danmei I’ve read:

(I’m definitely going to regret this)

[fluffywing-e-tarot]

Twins of Separate Paths: Reunion

Shen Qingqiu sighed as he could finally be in his own house. The peak lord meeting was an absolute slog. The sun was already setting despite Yue Qingyuan's attempts at keeping the meeting under two Sichen, but it had just tipped over into the fifth. Liu Qingge the Brute slammed his hands on the table, giving barely an excuse before storming out. Yue Qingyuan deemed the meeting over after that.

“How was your meeting?” the voice was sultry and teasing.

Shen Quinqiu was on alert again. There, sitting at the table, was someone with his face. He looked as if to had been reading. Someone who should be dead. The identical face smiled, knowing exactly what was going on. 

There were a few things Shen QuingQiu was grateful for his horrid master, Wu Yanzi. Demon identification is one of them.

 “Demon.” Qingqiu hissed in venom. Xiu Yan was pulled, pointing to the demon impersonating his dead brother.

“Hold Shen Qingqiu, this demon will explain,” the imposter said, feigning mock surrender as the blade hummed with Spiritual Qi close to the demon.

“Speak, beast,” Qingqiu said, not having time for any lies. He would not hesitate to kill the impostor.

“This Shi-di brought a gift,” the demon said. carefully holding up a token of his late brother in its fingers, as if the demon wasn't a threat. The Demon was even mocking him by using his brother's name. The stupid number the slavers gave them when they were plucked off the street.

“Speak clearly, demon.” Shen Qingqiu hissed. His Qi cut the demon's cheek. Not even looking at the misshapen wood scrap that was only vaguely shaped to look like a chestnut once they got to the Qiu household and strung on a scrap of leather from Jianluo‘s discarded hair ties.

“This one ate a Yao core seed. When this one was known as Shen Shi, a slave of the Qiu Family.” the Demon said. “The same character you now possess in your Courtesy that is branded into our skin.” The demon's voice was calm. The impostor didn’t flinch. Acting as if he hadn't been cut by Shen Jiu's Qi. So annoying. Shen Qingqiu should just run the demon through.

“You Lie. Shen Shi died.” Shen Jiu said, cutting towards the imposter. The impostor expertly dodged.“Demon!

“Shen Jiu never liked Qiu Huitang despite being betrothed.” the imposter said

Shen Qingqiu stopped Xiu Yan. A hair away from the demon’s neck.

Shen Qingqiu glared and wondered how the demon knew that. “Speak.”

The Demon's breathed out. “This one was once, Shen Shi. A disguised Demon gave this one the option of becoming a demon. This one believes that Shen Jiu found this demon in a death-like state. This shi-di appologies for leaving you. Hu Yuanshi believes that Qiu Jiangluo had despicable intentions towards Shen Shi. Having to run to avoid his plot.”

Shen Qingqiu stares into the Demon's eyes. Looking for any signs of a lie.  Shen Qingqui sits across from his twin. Xiu ya sheathed. “You speak the truth.”

Hu Yuanshi's shoulders slouched in relief. “Thank the Gods.”

“You didn’t reveal yourself for just a simple house call.” Shen Qingqiu said. Observing his twin. “How should I call you?”

“You may call me Shi or Yuan,” the Demon said. Yuan pulled a mask that had been on the table closer to him. Fingers playing with the decorations on the mask, “Whichever you prefer, gege.”

Shen Qingqiu placed down his fan. Yuan was trying to be open. Perhaps, he could do the same.

“I will go with Yuan. What did you want?” Qingqiu circled back to figure out why the Demon was here in the first place. Additionally, how the demon got into Chang Quin.

“Do you remember, around seven years ago, when a Demon entered the sect?” Yuan said eyes more focused on his mask. Qingqiu remembered. He hadn’t seen the demon before it slipped away. But it got in. 

“That demon was me,” Yuan confirmed. The borders and demonic defences would need to be examined. Reoccurrences would be looked at as failure. “On that day, amid the alert of my arrival. This didi saw you. This one had no intention of what happened on that day.”

Was Yuan attempting to apologize? There was nothing lost in the alarm. Maybe a few scraps or burses, but there was nothing lost.

“Since that day, you might have noticed you were exceptionally angry or depressed,” Yuan said. “This afternoon, you were irritated.”

Qingqiu’s eyes narrowed. How would Yuan know that? Yuan noticed locking eyes with him.

“Oh. I didn’t explain that.” Yuan said, “This one is a Yi Quin Yao. This one can, on occasion, connect with another person’s emotions without touching them.”

“This Master sees,” Qingqiu said. His hand was twitching for his fan to hide his contemplation.

Yuan's head snapped up. “You don’t have to lie about understanding. This one will explain.”

Shit. Qingqiu thought he felt my confusion. Wait, he felt my confusion. Several other questions were bouncing around.

“On that day, you marked me.” Shen Qingqiu said. Understanding is finally coming together. With all of Yuan’s statements, he’s said so far.

“Yes,” Yuan said, regret deep in his voice. “My instincts told me to look at you. Deciding that you were worth a feast.”

“Yuan di has waited seven years to tell this one?” Qingqiu demanded. “Not only of your new life. But that you see this one as food!”

“I wanted to break it the moment it formed!” Yuan shouted back, “ I didn’t know how.”

Yuan calmed himself. “Feast Marks, act differently from Meal Marks. With Meal Marks, I take the largest proportion of emotion at the time that made the mark in the first place.”

Yuan is looking directly at Qingqiu’s eyes. “Afterward, if a different emotion brushes up against my mark, it snaps or I break it.”

“Feast marks, as I learned after marking yours. Pull on multiple emotions, and all of the emotions need to be broken. Simultaneously.” Yuan said. Taking a deep breath. As if his next words would condemn him. “This demon made a Feast Mark on Qi-ge.”

"When did this happen?” Qingqiu growled, gripping Xiu Ya’s scabbard.

“Three months ago,” Yuan said. Embarrassed that he couldn’t get to it sooner.

“That’s what changed!” Qingqiu said. His face fell into his hands.“ You always do this, Didi. You go off and make a mess. Then come to me when the problem is beyond what you can handle.”

“Actually, I come with a solution this time.” Yuan said, offended, “This is more your problem than mine.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“This one didn’t want to feed off of his brother’s,” Yuan said. “Thus, I needed a solution. This one made observations of when the Marks spiked. Noticing that you each peaked around the same time, and thus deduced you were nearby with the most emotions active.” 

“Why do you believe that?”

“Well, you both had regret and sadness during the peak lord meeting. Yue Qingyuan had a little more desire there, too. You had more anger.” Yaun then clapped his hands together. "Thus, to break my curse of feeding off of you and Qi-ge. You two need to talk out your feelings.”

“Why?” Shen Qingqiu was confused about why talking about feelings is necessary.

“You're connected and regretting the actions of the past. The Qiu household needs to be talked about.” Yuan said

“By the Endless Abyss No.” Shen Qingqiu said. A mask of jade features sliding into place.

“I am incapable of breaking  the Feast Marks.” Yuan said Dryly, pointing at Shen Qingqiu, “So it has to be you. Who figures it out. So stop breaking each other’s Hearts. Your Sect Sibblings and Cultivators. A dangerous profession. Talk it out before it’s too late.”

“I think your time here has expired.” Shen Qingqiu said.

“Fine,” Yuan said. Slamming his shoddy carving on the table. Frustration flowed in every one of his movements. Yuan pulls his mask on, concealing all of the features that made them identical. He appeared like a fox. Yuan stomped towards the door. Then stopped.

Yuan turned towards Shen Qingqiu.  They locked eyes.

“This Hu Yuanshi loves his elder brother very much.” The Demon bowed to him. “ This Yuan thanks the Esteemed Peak Lord, of Qing Jing Peak, of the Cang Qiong Moutan sect, Shen Qingqiu, for hearing this Didi, who walks a different path out. This Didi wishes you to find happiness as” 

Yuan pauses, seeming to try to find his words. “ You were the best part about the Qiu Household.”

Yuan steps out of the bamboo house and is gone. Shen Qingqiu follows after him. Desperate words to keep Yuan here, just a little longer. They touch his heavy tongue, but the moment he steps out of the door. Nothing indicates the presence of a demon or which way he traveled.

Shen Jiu wants to shout and cry. He messed up. He pushed his brother away. Like an idiot.

Shen Shi may not be his name any longer. Shen Jiu’s Didi may never return.

Original & Master Post

Next: Romance plot points

Previous: Mistaken Identity

[grand-theft-carbohydrates]

--Ode to Grief #5--

"My voice wasn't always this deep," the king said, apropos of nothing.

He paused for a moment, confused. He had intended to say something else and did not quite understand why he wanted to tell this particular story or tell it to Gao Jianli of all people. It was not some dangerous secret or a juicy bit of gossip. Yet he wished for it to be heard. 

The musician startled at the sound of the king's voice. The zhu in his lap stuttered and fell silent like a shy maiden. He did not remove the blindfold but the king could not shake the feeling that he was being observed from behind the silk, perhaps on a level deeper than the human eye could penetrate.

"I was not a skilled orator as a boy," the king cleared his throat and resolved to continue. A sovereign should never leave things half-done, he'd learned that at the knee. "I had a weak voice. Shrill. By age nine, it had not improved, and Mother was unsatisfied with me. My father would send for me soon and name me heir. If the future king could not speak with gravitas, he would not be obeyed. So, Mother came up with a plan. One day, I caught a bad cold, and she locked me in my room for four days. During this time, she made me read aloud from The Way and Virtue for two sichen every day. I was not allowed to drink any water. I learned quickly not to cry about it because it only made me thirstier. As you might have guessed, this made me go completely hoarse. In fact, when Mother finally let me out, I went totally mute for half a month. It hurt even to swallow; a spoonful of porridge felt like broken splinters. For a time, I was terrified that I might never speak again. Of course, this proved unwarranted. I made a full recovery, and my voice became much deeper." 

The king had been smiling when he recounted this story. It was one of his fonder memories, like a rare gem that was too fragile to be worn and must be kept tucked away in a silk pouch. It was proof that Mother had truly cared for him once upon a time, despite her harshness and eventual betrayal. Other mothers filled their children's pockets with useless trinkets, hugs and kisses, and gentle, whispered words. He had indelible proof of her love wrought into his flesh. Mother had seen greatness in him before anyone else. She knew he was worthy of being a king. That was why she had put so much effort into improving him. Where nature had failed, she took it into her own hands to correct. 

He expected Gao Jianli to appreciate the story in the same way. But the look on the musician's face made him stop short. He had taken off his blindfold, there was no awe in his eyes, only pity. 

"It must have been very painful," Gao Jianli whispered.

"What's a little pain in the grand scheme of things?" the king replied with a laugh, amused by this girlish sentiment. "One suffers for a brief moment and earns a lifetime of benefits from it. Besides, I hardly remember it now." 

The musician did not answer. He plucked a few notes on the zhu, and they sounded like raindrops falling on a hot terracotta roof. A gentle pitter-patter followed by the hiss of rising steam, like a tiny, sorrowful sigh. King Ying Zheng felt a strange pang answer from within his chest, a tenderness almost bordering on pain, like a hand covering a bruise. 

The king frowned and shook out his sleeves as if to dislodge that strange feeling, "there was something else I've been meaning to tell you." 

The strings fell abruptly silent. Gao Jianli did not raise his head but sat there waiting, still as a stone relief. 

The king continued, "You must have guessed by now that I don't intend to keep you locked up forever." 

"No," Gao Jianli replied, "that would be utterly pointless."

"Good, so you've considered the possibility," the king was pleased. The musician of Yan was proving to be very receptive. He was looking forward to adding another rare talent to his collection. 

"I've long since made peace with the idea," Gao Jianli put aside the zhu and pressed his forehead to the king's stockinged feet. "Mighty King of Qin, if you are as merciful as you are great, I beg you to grant me one last request. Bury me with Jing Ke in the peach orchard outside the city. I don't need any sacrifices or a tomb. Just lay me down by his side, close enough for our hands to touch." 

The king was confused for a moment, then he became amused and slightly insulted. Why did everyone always rush to assume the worst of him? "You are mistaken, Musician of Yan. I don't plan on executing you either." 

Gao Jianli raised his head slowly, like a man emerging from a dream. The news did not seem to please or shock him, "why not?" 

Why not? The king looked down at him sharply, unsure if the musician was ribbing him--because who on earth would quibble over their own death? The expression on the musician's face gave him pause. It was not one of mockery--in fact, it was not an expression he recognized. Gao Jianli's lips were pressed into a thin, bloodless line, and there was a strange light in his eyes, both vacant and feverish at the same time. 

"You are a rare and gifted man," answered the king, disconcerted but concealling it well, "killing you would be an affront to Heaven. The people would curse my name to the Eastern Sea and back."

"So it's the music you want," Gao Jianli said dreamily, "I'm just a pair of hands." 

That remark struck surprisingly close to home. I was right to take these precautions, the king thought to himself. The man was too observant by far. Out loud, he continued, "By your definition, a king would just be a royal seal and a pair of flapping lips. I seek the spirit that animates those hands." 

"What will you have me do?" 

"I want to make you my Court Composer," the king let his voice drop to a warmer timbre. "You will have free reign of the palace, a yearly stipend of three hundred liang in silver, and the opportunity to perform for the greatest men of the realm, not just from Qin but from every kingdom. Once I unite the empire, all under Heaven will be your stage."

"All under Heaven," Gao Jianli repeated dully, "after you conquer it." 

"That's right," let him steep in the idea for a bit; he'll get used to it eventually. They all will. "However, there is one thing you must do first." 

"I accept."

"You've not heard my terms yet," the king chuckled. Don't come crying to me later, saying I hadn't been clear enough. The King of Qin had been called many things in his life; judicious, over-ambitious, cold-blooded… but never underhanded. His deeds, be they harsh or fair, were always conducted in the open, in plain black and white. 

"Nevertheless, I know them," Gao Jianli had started to tremble like a leaf. The king could hear his teeth clattering like a cup full of dice. "You need my hands intact, of course; otherwise, there'd be no point in keeping me around. You said I'd have free reign of the palace so I can keep my feet. That leaves only one thing that could threaten you--or should I say, a pair," his voice had dropped to a hoarse whisper, "I accept these terms. They are as fair as circumstances permit. I can live without my eyes." 

Notes:

Ying Zheng's force masc (am i using this word correctly???) is an inverted mirror to castration. After castration, boys were confined to a room for 4 days where they were not allowed to drink any water. During this time they either healed or died. Both processes result in permanant changes to their voice, but in opposite directions.

i was also inspired by the anecdotal story of Tab Hunter, who was a closeted hollywood icon from the 50s, known for his "beefcake" roles. His agent thought his voice wasn't macho enough, and made him scream himself hoarse when he had a cold. something something masculinity is a performance and a prison.

[shang-qinghuas-naptime]

Is it possible to run a campaign against the Bai Zhan peak lords for nap-tome ban? Nap times are necessary for a functioning disciple and peak lords.

The Naptime Normalcy Campaign will be underway shortly to petition the Powers That Be, a.k.a. the unrighteous gods ruling Cang Qiong with an iron fist, for naptime rights to be evenly distributed on all Cang Qiong Sect Peaks. If it fails as expected, a work strike will be conducted thereafter where all work will cease for an entire sichen for everyone to cry in dismay. Please join An Ding’s protest is solidarity.

[x1uizy]

starting chuang asia because i hate myself i guess but here are my initial picks based on limited information

✩✩✩ main pick: hu yetao

he simply cannot be beat & we all know he deserved to win in 2021 but we move. this is his year!!

✩✩ interested in: tadalee, smart

✩ watching: sichen, david, junhan, kk

others:

sunny

koshin

ninja

lyu

bianura

jiahao

kevin

peat

peanut

omar

shen

xiaonian

weizhi

looking forward to seeing how this list changes when the show starts, as usual :)

edit: just occurred to me that a literal third of the contestants are on this list. so im definitely guaranteed to like some of them, right? and there has to be a vocalist in here somewhere

[kanene-yaaay]

The Intervention (Tickletober Day 11)

Kanene's notes: .....this was NOT supposed to be this long, really kjhgfdfghjkjhgf. Anyway, writing this made me realize how Wei Wuxian would THRIVE with "That's what she said" and "This would be the title of your porn movie". Is that relevant to the story? No, I just thought it while writing kjhgfghjik. I haven't written from day 4 to the last one so idk how the updating will be iuytgthyujuhyg let's see!

Day 11 - "Hug" (Tickletober) and "Favorite Character" (form MXTXtober)

Warnings: Some dirty jokes, comfort and lots of tickles. Ticklish!Jiang Cheng and Ler!Lan Wangji&Ler!Wei Wuxian. Around 5.000 words.

[~*~]

There was a sound of a door opening and in a blink he was standing, there was white and arms that suddenly embraced him. Before he could summon his sword, Zidian already sparking, the scent of sandalwood hit him.

"What do you think you’re doing?!" Jiang Cheng barked, heart still on his throat from the scare, even if his muscles kept trying to relax. “Fuck, Wangji, has knocking suddenly become a foreign concept for you?”

Looking up, golden eyes stared amusedly at him, making his face contort into a frown as he tried to pry himself from the embrace. Unsurprising, he was completely unsuccessful. Damn Lans and their stupid arm strength. "Let me go in this instant. "

Lan Wangji’s face explained him nothing and his arms simply pulled him even further on his chest, a small tilt of the corner of his mouth showing his smugness. "Hugging Wanyin." He ignored completely the other part of his sentence.

"Hugging, my ass!" Quick as lightning there was a pinch in that exact place, making Jiang Cheng yelp and twitch further on the hug. This fucker. Because he wasn’t above retaliation, Jiang Cheng pinched his side, watching with a grin his eyes widen the slight bit before narrowing in his direction. He raised his chin at the challenge. "What is this?"

Lan Wangji didn't answer, but his gaze traveled to somewhere behind him, right as the soft sound of a door being closed quietly stretched in the air. Jiang Wanyin froze.

This was a trap.

Before he could start to trash once more in the hold, another pair of arms encircled him from behind, warmth involving him from every angle and part, making his breath stutter for a moment. He suppressed a shiver and shoved the strong feeling of wanting to melt completely on the embrace even harder down in his chest.

"This is an intervention!" Wei Wuxian shouted way too excited and way too close to his ear. All the questions about Lan Wangji's strange behavior disappeared. Of course Wei Wuxian would be the one responsible for that.

"This is an attack." Jiang Wanyin replied and tried to headbutt the one behind him, who simply snickered in delight and dodged, never letting go of him. Jiang Cheng refused to feel happy about that. "What the fuck are you intervening for? Is Yunmeng's hospitality not good enough for you two?"

"It's more about Yunmeng's leader not showing his hospitality enough." Wei Wuxian twists his head just enough that his pout is visible. "Leaving his two favorite people in the world cold and lonely, abandoned, even! Every single morning without fail or a whisper of mercy. Such a cold heart and demeanor."

"What? Wangji wakes up earlier than both of us! Go trap him!"

"My Lan Zhan would never leave me cold and unattended in the morning." Wei Wuxian sniffed dramaticall. If he was not too preoccupied with securing, caham, I mean, hugging Jiang Cheng, he probably would be gesturing all around the place. "He stays with me for sichens until I wake up too." He sent those golden eyes a loving sigh and adoring gaze above the Wanyin’s shoulder. 

Jiang Cheng groaned in disgust and scoffed. "Your 'Lan Zhan' is a softie who bends down to you every whim."

Wei Wuxian snickered and Jiang Cheng’s mind immediately caught up with the dirty joke before he even opened his mouth. Quickly, he freed an arm and put on his mouth and continued before the other could go. "Besides, I have obligations and chores to attend to. Contrary to my esteemed guests,” only he could say this title with so much sarcasm and still so little heat, “I don't have the luxury to spend hours with nothing to do."

"Only because Wanyin is stubborn." Lan Wangji's face was close, openly staring at him like he could read every corner of his soul. Once, years ago, Wei Wuxian had said that Lan Zhan could look at you like he had all the time in the world to keep doing so and Jiang Wanyin had scoffed at it. Suddenly, he knew exactly what Wei Wuxian meant. "Were he to say this to us before, we would have started to help him sooner." The corner of his eyes crinkled the slightest bit. "Now we need an intervention."

“What you need is- GAH! Wei Wuxian!!” Tearing his arm away with a grimace, the one in purple bristled at Wei Wuxian, who laughed delighted. “Don’t lick me, you child! Jin Ling had better manners when he was three!”

Thankfully Wei Wuxian shoved down the other dirty joke, which was the only reason he was going to live another day, really, but the smug stare at knowing Jiang Cheng also thought it was there. Urg. It was horrible to be attuned to his mind.

“Aiya, A-Cheng, stop being so grumpy!” Impossibly, he squeezed even closer, Jiang Cheng could feel goosebumps spreading on the back of his neck where his breath hit him, his every move as hands and arms rested on his torso, right on his ribs.. 

A deranged thought filled his mind, one filled with warm touches, loud laughter, big grins and having nowhere to run from it. A tiny, quick twitch of lips took over him before he bit it back and turned into his usual frown, ignoring fervently Lan Wangji’s attentive gaze following his every move. 

“Aren’t you happy to have such caring people around you, huh?”

“Wanyin’s face shows his delight.” 

Wei Wuxian blurted in laughter at that and Jiang Cheng turned his full scowl into Wangji’s way, who basked uncaringly, absorbed into his husband’s laughter. Shameless. Why was he the one condemned to be locked with them and their horrible flirting?

“Ah, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, why doesn't anyone believe me when I say you’re the funniest person I’ve ever known?”

“It’s a wonder.” Jiang Cheng hissed through his gritted teeth, trying to subtly get away from Wei Wuxian, who seemed to focus his every single word, breathe and snicker on his neck, making him really regret the choice of styling his hair into a topknot, bearing the patch of sensitive skin to the world.

(It was never a problem, before. They knew better than to try… this with him. No one ever got close enough.)

Those golden eyes continued honed on him like fire.

“I am telling you, Jiang Cheng.” It took everything from him to not jump when the other unannouncedly draped himself on his shoulder. Angling his words just right to hit both his neck and his ear, again. Did he know? Was he even realizing what he was doing? Probably not, Wei Wuxian made getting on other’s nerves such an art that he probably could do it naturally, simply by being there. Jiang Cheng straightened his posture, holding himself tight. “You’re losing so much by being here all the time. Lan Zhan’s incredible humor, my winning charisma…”

There was no helping his snort at that.

“Hey!” Wei Wuxian bristled, jolting on his back and Jiang Cheng could feel him smiling beside the protest, his arm moving and oh no, no, no, no.

 His eyes widened.  He was going to do that. It was only natural, an usual part of Wei Wuxian’s affection, full of draping arms and playful pokes of teasing and pushing your buttons at any opportunity. He looked down with wide eyes and there it was, the offending hand going up and up, stopping a few inches from his face, one finger extended and…

And Jiang Cheng couldn’t help it, at the smallest movement, before he realized it was simply wagging at him, he squirmed away a tiny, almost inaudible squeak on his throat.

Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed on him and he knew.

“A-Cheng?”

This time he covered his shiver by pushing himself away again, but with more purpose, as if this was his intention all along. “Don’t ‘hey’ me as if you didn’t put us all in this situation yourself! Let go, I have more important things to do.”

“Harsh! We can’t just let you go, yet! First you must listen to all of our extremely compelling and irrefutable arguments, then yield to our points and then we can snatch you away and enjoy your new break together.” As the leader of the sect opened his mouth to complain, Wei Wuxian quickly pulled his strongest, most convincing weapon. “Lan Zhan!”

Fingers pressed on his sides and Jiang Cheng froze. The Lan held no particular expression on his face and his voice out smooth and unbothered as always.

“Wei Ying gets displeased by your absence.” Thankfully, Wei Wuxian’s own squawk of protest drowned his own when those fingers began moving methodically, pressing purposefully on the skin and scratching softly, as if there were small spiders, restless vines crawling from each point of touch to his throat, making it fill with embarrassing giggles. Wangji continues as if he heard nothing. “During his tours of Lotus Pier, there is the constant mention of Wanyin’s name and shared childhood memories. At morning, we ask the servants for permission to join your breakfast and hardly succeed, since Wanyin is already working. When Wei Ying goes for our walks, there are plenty of detours to watch the advanced senior disciples classes taught by their sect leader. At night, Wei Ying trains with both Gusu Lan and YunmengJiang forms, growing in each. Partially unsupervised.” 

At this, he starts to pinch lightly his sides with determination, as if each point fuelled him, making Jiang Cheng take a quick breath and hold it in the fear that if he let the smallest thing go, his entire composure would be in scrambles. His entire body trembles with his force of keeping quiet. Wei Wuxian misinterprets it, of course he does. 

(They are one of the same.)

“Ah, Lan Zhan, there is no need to be so worried. I already trained these forms before so it’s only a matter of getting this new body used to it.” He let out a laugh with no humor and the other two immediately knew what kind of conflicting words would come out. “Besides, I am sure that Jiang Cheng already has so much to do, he doesn’t need to give me extra classes. I am quick to catch up, you’ll see! I will be with a fully formed core in no time!”

Jiang Cheng grabbed one of Wangji’s hands at the same time he stopped with his… musings. Good, they share the same objective then. He closed his eyes, the words from the other finally sinking in his head

“If you wanted classes, you should have said it, not lurk around my disciples like a criminal. That is why they have been so distracted lately, then, I should’ve known it was you.” He huffed, ignoring both of their reactions and pressing before he was interrupted. “After dinner, we’re going to spar and I will see in what class I will put you in.”

“Jiang Cheng, you don’t-”

“Shut it! Do you think that just because you died you can escape your responsibilities as their Da-Shixiong?” He scowled and ignored the fragile gasp behind him. “You better give your everything in these classes and then start to teach them. Unless you’re currently so weak that not even the little kids could learn from you.”

Wangji looked at him in both warning and something warmer. The other turned to the other side, refusing to acknowledge it.

“Okay.” Wei Wuxian sounded happy and small. “You’re not scared that I’ll turn all of them into incorrigible little demons?”

“As if they could become more unruly than they are.”

“A-Cheng! Are you doubting my abilities? I will let you know that in Gusu I-”

“Wei Ying.” Wangji lightly reminded.

“That is right, that's right, Lan Zhan. We are already missing the point of this intervention. Do you want me to share my arguments now?” Wei Wuxian rested on Jiang Cheng’s back, one arm extending to lay on Wangji’s cheek., who dutifully turned around and kissed  it tenderly.

Jiang Cheng batted the arm away. If those two wanted to be affectionate they could very well get out and do it in their rooms, very far away from his general existence. 

The good point of his actions: now there was no more shamelessness in front of him. 

The bad point: Lan Wangji’s entire attention was in him, looking much more focused and determined than normal. He didn’t gulp, because he wouldn’t give the other that satisfaction, but all his senses suddenly came to attention.

“Mm. Later.”

Then he went back to his attack, now ranking his nails from his sides to his belly, right below where Wei Wuxian’s arms crossed, and the knowledge that if his stomach trembled even the slightest bit he would be noticed (and the moment Wei Wuxian noticed it… there was no hope left for him) made the urge to laugh much stronger, obliging him to give up any pretense that he wasn’t being affected to press his mouth firmly closed and let out a tiny, uncontrollable smile.

“Wanyin is pleasant to be around.” He wanted to protest, “pleasant” definitely wasn’t a word that is normally used when talking about him, but Wangji must have noticed something because there was immediately a finger scratching and teasing the skin around his bellybutton, instantly erasing any other thought from his mind. “He is knowledgeable in many of the seven arts and cultivation. He is reliable and a comforting presence in conferences, as we often share the same opinion. All of those points would be increased and improved by Wanyin spending more time with us.”

It was too much, Jiang Cheng could think about hundreds of retorts that question each one of those arguments but his brain could focus in none of them, not when the rhythm of those wiggling fingers changed to a quicker pace, actually poking and scribbling on his belly, making him want to jump out of his skin.

Wei Wuxian was suspicious of his silence. “A-Cheng?” His voice was lower, in the fear that the other was truly upset or overwhelmed and his hand came to rest on his shoulder, brushing on his neck by mistake.

This was what broke the barrier.

Wheezing giggles began to fly in the air and it was so out of place, so surprising that Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but laugh too. 

“What is so funny, A-Cheng? Have you finally come to appreciate the refined humor from my husband?”

Jiang Cheng shook his head, his only free hand lowering and making the one in black and red robes look around him to his husband, who seemed to be… tickling him? His fingers were dancing on his belly, prodding at the most ticklish spots that Wei Wuxian knew by heart and tormenting them with fast scratching and poking in a truly unbearable sensation (said from own personal experience) until they were shaking with tickle laughter. 

Wei Wuxian’s eyes twinkled with interest. “What is happening?”

“Convincing.” Lan Zhan answered.

“Torture!” Jiang Cheng replied.

“Aww! Jiang Cheng, I didn’t know you were still ticklish.” Wei Wuxian beamed, snuggled closer, nuzzling the unprotected neck right in front of him and enjoying the way it added squeaks and giggles to the laughter. His hands creeped closer. He clicked his tongue and a positively evil smirk took over his face “Also, if you really think this is torture, then let me remind you a few instances of our childhood.”

“Wei Wuxian!” He tried to fight when a hand gripped his wrist and pulled it upwards. It was for naught, the two of them keeping a strong hold on him, each small touch and tickle making him feel weaker and weaker. Electricity and antecipation fought in his soul, putting his every nerve at attention, making him feel much more ticklish than normal. Wei Wuxian just chuckled which resulted in him giggling in mortification. “Wei Wuxian, don’t you dare!”

A single finger started to circle his unprotected armpit, making his squirms to increase, when the touch came to the center of the spot, it began scraping delicately on the skin. A voice sounded suddenly close to his ear. “Is that a challenge?”

Jiang Cheng wheezed before pressing his ear to his shoulder, a squeal locked in his throat. Still, it didn’t stop the pair of unresting hands from creeping across his sides until they were prodding and spidering on his lower back, so softly, nor the single teasing touch dancing on his pit. Jiang Cheng felt like jumping out of his own skin, like breaking apart, like the only thing holding him still was the grip force he had on his laughter, that loud, crackling one he hadn’t shown no one since he was a teenager. He snorted, huffed and giggled, but held it close, trying to ignore the coaxing touches from the others. 

“Isn’t everything to you?” He bristled with no heat, the giant smile on his face probably wasn’t helping it as well. A double attack on the back of his ribs and nuzzled on the back of his ears made him guffaw, stomping his feet in protest. “S-Stohohop this at once! Whahat are you evehen hoping for.”

“My, I am so glad you asked, A-Cheng!” The finger stilled and disappeared. There were danger signals booming all over his mind as LAn Wangji’s followed the lead and stopped his ministrations as well. 

Quiet. 

“Your laughter.”

A thumb pressed on his armpit and digged and those hands on his ribs drummed, there were raspberries attacking the base of his neck and bodies pressing so close he couldn’t escape and everything else disappeared in a flash with Jiang Cheng’s voice and mind.

Until his control broke and a crackling, squeaky, horribly snorting laughter began leaving his mouth. The tickles only increased then, seeming hunger for each one of his sounds, the fingers on his ribs poked and scratched at every bone, every space between them, not a single inch being left unattended before each one of his weak spot were found so they could rest on them and vibrate, over and over and over again until he was throwing his head back, uncontrollable laughter coming louder, a touch hysterical.

The attack on his armpit, too, hardly felt any more bearable, it drummed and plucked everywhere, with a skill and confidence of someone who had been playing this same instrument for years, who knew that when he changed for drawing circles around the pit with his blunt nails and a light scribbling, squeaks began taking over and if he suddenly changed to a energetic digging in the center of it a loud high pitched squeal would ring in the air again and again, each time he repeated that technique without fail.

Jiang Cheng was lost in laughter, feeling the ticklish sparks take over his every touch, every move, wondering if the years spent without it made him somehow even more vulnerable, wanting to throw them away and pull closer, questioning how could he feel secure when they were playing with his reactions, his expressions. A playful voice refocused his mind.

“Awww, Lan Zhan! Isn’t this cute? I think he got even more ticklish than before. We used to get into all kinds of tickle fights as kids. There isn’t a lot of ‘fight’ right now, though, is there?”

“LEHEHEHET ME GOHOHOHO!” He tried to pull his arm away from his grip, but he could already feel his strength start to falter. His endurance really used to be better. He would be caught dead and cold before he admitted Wei Wuxin was right, though. “I-IHIHI WILL SHOHOHOW YOU THE FIHIGH-HNK!” Three hands tickled him more at it and Jiang Cheng shrieked in protest, wiggling away from one just to fall further on the other.

“Very sensitive.” Wangji mused, sounding half puzzled and half smug, ranking two fingers across his spine to his shoulderblades, skittering there with no mercy. Jiang Cheng jolted and arched his back, falling onto his chest, not being able to put himself back to a standing position. “Extremely ticklish.”

“SHUHUHUHUT UP!” He used his free hand to bat at him, only to have it captured as well, another five fingers drumming on his newly unprotected armpit until he was burrowing his face on the other’s neck in an attempt to hide his hysterical crackles. Lan Wangji hummed in appreciation.

“Ohhh, wait, wait, is he weak already?” His hands were free and he jumped when twin firm touches rested on his sides, making him giggle uncontrollably when the tickling had stopped. “Bring him here, Lan Zhan. I want to show you something!”

“Fuck no.” He tried to pry those strong hands away. Unfortunately, his muscles already felt like wet noodles and those snorting snickers leaving his mouth made him want to use them to hide it. Before he knew it, his back was resting on another chest and there was a stupidly fond smirking face above his.

“Hi, A-Cheng!” He only dodged with an amused chuckle when the one in purple tried to push his smug expression away. “Do you remember the rules?”

A sense of dread took over his veins and his smile became more wobbly and there was a yelp in his words “Don’t.”

“So you do remember!” Their eyes were glued to his two hands, who appeared once more and were slowly approaching his torso, only to freeze dutifully at their gaze. “Do not look away or we will attack!” 

Jaing Cheng groaned at the stupid high pitched voice Wei Wuxian did, already feeling his face heat with such childish antics. “Stohop this! What ahahare we? Children?”

“No!” Wei Wuxian continued, ignoring his protests. “We are the Tickle Hands! Cursed to tickle-tickle-tickle every horribly ticklish human that appears in front of us for the rest of eternity. And we found you!” They clawed the air, making Jiang Cheng instinctively suck his belly in. For a second he looked up, to those pairs of attentive, shining gazes focused on him, but a blur of movement made him quickly go back to watching those offending fingers, now barely inches from his skin. A few snickers escaped him at the scare. 

“Almost. That was so close! We can barely wait to get you!” Wei Wuxian faked a sad tune, then a thoughtful one. “But where must we attack first? Those wiggling hips? They just keep squirming and squirming for our attention. Aw, but this nice belly seems so delicious too, I can feel the ticklishness from here!” Like magic, Jiang Cheng could almost feel the touch in each one of those spots and the heat began spreading from his cheeks to his entire face. “My fingers have been itching lately to play with some sensitive ribs, too. And look at this adorable reddening neck! So many choices, so many choices, how could I choose only one of them?”

“Gohoho awahahay, stupid.”

“Gasp! So harsh, so mean! The choice is made then, I will tickle-tickle-tickle-tickle-tickle all of them! I will claw at that wiggly tummy of yours, squeeze those ticklish hips, dance on each one of your ribs and then burrow myself in this so, so sensitive neck forever and ever, ChengCheng!”

“No!” Jiang Cheng jolted as a nibble hit his neck and only determination was what kept him from sending a scolding scowl to Wei Wuxian, who chuckled behind him, more than pleased that he was participating in the game. There was so many giggles, so many snickering jumping freely from his smile, so many ghost tickles attacking each one of his spots. “Thihihis ridiculohohohous. Stohohop it.”

“He always complains a lot.” Now in his normal voice, Wei Wuxian loudly whispered to Lan Zhan, who was softly smiling for a while now, his own ears prickling with the teases, even if they weren’t directed at him. His husband was truly merciless. “But have you seen him even trying to push me away this entire time?” The one in black robes preens, then, pleased, using his teaching tone. A pity he couldn’t free one of his hands to pretend to have a goatee, but leaving his Jiang Cheng in stitches was more important. “You can only tease him that much when you tired him before or it will not work! He will start fighting and complaining and probably attempt to make a break from it and then get all grumpy and protesting afterward.”

He will kill Wei Wuxian when he is done here, he really will. Wangji hums seriously, as if he would be taking notes if his hands were not busy holding him up. It was a surprise they haven’t fallen on the ground yet, the only good point is that, so focused on their torso, they wouldn’t think about…

Other places.

As if he could read minds, Wei Wuxian’s face brightened, then was taken over by a mischievous, evil look. His next words made electricity shot through his spine. “There is only one exception for this, a single spot that can distract him instantly and make him agree to anything, but it’s… ah, Lan Zhan, can you lower him to the ground? It’s easier to show than to say, really!”

Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened and his legs locked into place, eyes quickly darted to the Wei Wuxian’s face, only realizing his mistake when said face opened into a sharp grin and hands clung to his sides, spidering on them and clawing on his belly until his eyes were closed, squeaky laughter spilling from him once more and his legs were back into wet noodles.

“Wei Ying?”

“Don’t worry, Lan Zhan, just this one spot and then we’re done! It’s going to be fun.”

Jiang Cheng clung to those hands as they started to lower him to the ground, kicking at the playful fingers hiking up his ribs and scribbling on that truly awful spot under his chin until his huffs of laughter and snorts were almost successful in distracting him.

“Get his calves.”

“WEI WUXIAN!” Then those hands left his torso and rested on said spot, making him pull up his leg uu and being stopped by a hand holding his ankle still, locking his leg into that half curled, half extended position. With curiosity, Lan Zhan ran a finger from his ankle to the back of his knee, watching with a pleased surprise as he jolted on the same place, shaking his head as Wei Wuxian’s tickling continued to pry a high kind of snickering from him. “Lan Wahahahangji, you’re gohohohonna rehehehegret it!”

Lan Zhan looked at his face, the red in his skin, the smile in his lips, the melodious sound of his laughter. 

He watched as Wei Wuxian beamed at him, the mirth in his eyes, the expecting grin aimed in his direction. There was not even a choice to be made here. 

“It will be worth it.” 

As a squeeze hit his calf, a shriek left his lips, making Wei Wuxian stop his playful touches to better hug and adjust him, nearly being hit him when he quickly went to hide it on his neck, shoulders shaking with the force of his laughter, being pried from his chest in a uncontrollable, loud and unashamed manner. There was squeals adorning it every time those skilled fingers digged his flesh for a moment, only to disappear and attack another place again, squeezing and taunting and skittering. There were squeaks and guffaws when he suddenly decided to scratch at the ticklish skin under his knee and tittering snickers when he began poking the entirety of his calf, exploring every spot, every inch of skin, drumming on his thighs as a chance to let him breath and then going back to torment his weakest spot. Somewhere during this, his shoe was taken off and there were fingers wiggling and teasing under his toes, making him shriek once more and squirm as the cycle repeated over and over again.

When tears began flowing on his face, Lan Wangji stopped, rubbing on the skin and firmly massaging the muscles until there were only a couple stray giggles floating in the room and Jiang Cheng was jelly on his hands. Wei Wuxian fondly cleaned the tear tracks, snickering. “Aiya, Lan Zhan, it was only one spot more. Such a ruthless attack, how will we even tell Xichen-ge that you killed Sect Leader Jiang?”

“Hm. Wei Ying said ‘one more spot’. I didn’t.”

Wei Wuxian gasped at the smart, smug-sounding words. “When did you start acting so rebellious? Is the influence of the Yilling Patriarch truly corrupting the unmoving Second Jade of Gusu Lan?” 

“Not unmoving. Not with Wei Ying.”

Wei Ying squeaked in embarrassment. “Lan Zhan! Such a smooth talker.”

“Go flirt somewhere else.”

“A-Cheng!”

“Wanyin.”

Jiang Cheng finally opened his eyes, the last remain of his hysterical giggles gone. Unfortunately, the tiny grin on his face didn’t want to disappear so willingly. 

He scoffed, at his mushy feelings, at the relaxation of his muscles and the stupidly soft gazes aimed in his direction. His neck and ears burned and for a moment he almost succumbed to the want of hiding it in his hands or Wei Wuxian’s neck, like before, but since those two were the ones to blame about it, then they would have to deal with their consequences. Another pair of hands began, too, massaging his shoulders and his eyes fluttered close, grin growing bigger, face softer. Wangji came closer, took his hands and began softly massaging each one of his fingers, then his pulse, then his arm. 

Golden and gray eyes found themselves above Jiang Cheng’s head and Wei Wuxian’s crinkled. 

‘My favorite part.’ It said. Wangji nodded in agreement. There was something about how freely Jiang Cheng accepted their touch and care, now, pillant, willingly and smiling. Although having him squirming, answering at each one of their tickles, reacting so strongly at their teases, was an extremely good feeling as well.

“Did you like our intervention, A-Cheng?”

“ ‘m never lett’ ‘u hug me, ag’n”

Wei Wuxian snorted and Wangji fluttered his fingers softly on his palm, pulling sleepy, almost nonexistent titters, then massaging the spot dutifully.

Perhaps they should be making more interventions in the future.

[cecropiacrown]

>:3c for the drabble prompts! courting for fengqing <3

Thank you for the ask! Idk how to write anything short so here's this: 1.7k Words Canonverse Soft and sweet <3 And now on ao3!

The two martial gods of the south descended to the mortal realm late this morning and made their way to the bustling village of Qinyuan that lies squarely along the border of their territories. They descended—of course—to gauge the well-being of their followers by attending a festival celebrating the end of the harvest season.

It's imperative to keep a close watch on such matters, as two gods as experienced as Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen are sure to know. But it's especially important now considering that, in recent months, there has been a shift in the interactions between their followers—a truce of sorts.

As it always has, the relationship between their followers seems to very closely resemble the relationship between the gods themselves—and nowadays, their relationship is more amicable than ever.

Things have improved so much that, at Mu Qing's last count, there are now eight temples that have been erected and dedicated to both generals simultaneously.

And, perhaps, this truce amongst their followers may have coincided with the beginning of general Nan Yang and general Xuan Zhen's... courtship… but who's to say? Regardless, neither god will admit whether either of them had a hand in the whole dual temple business.

It's just a simple observation that every single one of the new statues depicting the gods within these temples are immaculately detailed—down to every last beauty mark on general Xuan Zhen's face and every smile line accentuating general Nan Yang's eyes. But that's neither here nor there.

At this point, the harvest festival must have ended a sichen ago, but the two gods still find themselves in the mortal realm as the purple dusk of evening creeps along the edge of the horizon. A cool breeze sweeps in from across the swaying waters of the nearby lake and brings a light, rosy color to Mu Qing's cheeks.

They are in their Fu Yao and Nan Feng forms tonight—their preferred disguises when visiting the mortal realm—and they walk very closely together, their arms nearly touching as they follow the dirt path that leads away from the village. Mu Qing fills the silence of the night with a quiet recounting of a recent upper court meeting Feng Xin was absent for and Feng Xin dutifully listens, munching on the last of his tanghulu.

They have made many trips such as this one—attending festivals like they've done today, or perusing night markets for unique wares, or simply patroning popular tea houses and restaurants—all on the pretense of 'official heavenly business'.

Ah, but they both know that the time they've been spending together is so much more than just that.

Outings, one could call them.

Romantic ones.

Mu Qing walks with his arms tucked politely within his sleeves and expertly hides the shiver that runs through him as Feng Xin leads them off the path and towards the rocky shore. They step carefully down the gentle incline leading to the beach and their boots begin to sink a little more heavily into the softness of the sand.

While in these forms, Feng Xin is a bit taller and broader than Mu Qing and Mu Qing feels these differences viscerally.

A warm, large palm hovers there at the small of his back as they continue to walk and Mu Qing is suddenly quite thankful for the chilly evening as it's an easy excuse to explain away his flushed cheeks.

Feng Xin slows their pace as they approach an especially rocky section of beach. That large palm finally presses lightly along Mu Qing's lower back and the other hand is offered out to Mu Qing in a clear attempt to steady him. The gesture stokes a fire in Mu Qing's middle—flames curling along his belly and through his chest—molten heat licking its way along his neck until it settles atop his cheeks and the tips of his ears. He clicks his tongue disapprovingly and steadies himself, rolling his eyes even as he turns his burning face away from Feng Xin's view.

"I'm no fragile maiden," he says bitterly, swatting at Feng Xin's offered hand until the other man pulls it back with a sigh. "I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of walking along some rocks without your assistance."

"I know that, Mu Qing."

"And yet you offered your hand anyway," Mu Qing retorts, huffing as if he's annoyed.

In reality he's having, yet another, inner battle with himself about why he has to be so exceedingly obstinate. They have been courting each other for several months now and yet, Mu Qing is still unable to accept a kindness when it is offered to him. Heaven knows it's frustrating for Mu Qing, so he can only imagine how frustrating it must be for Feng Xin. Frustrating enough that Mu Qing is certain their courtship is on the precipice of ruin—if only he could just—

"You're not a burden."

Mu Qing whips his face back in Feng Xin's direction, his eyes narrowed and his brows pinched as he looks up at the other man. Feng Xin stares down at him with a warm smile, expression completely earnest in only the way Feng Xin seems capable of. It makes Mu Qing melt even further and he quickly looks away, speeding up his pace just slightly as they continue to approach the outcropping of rocks lining a good stretch of the shore.

"Of course not," he mutters, earning a soft laugh from Feng Xin who trails close behind him. Where does the man get off saying such a thing? The absolute nerve—

"And you're not delicate."

"Obviously."

"You could pummel my ass into the ground right this moment if you chose to." Feng Xin easily catches up with Mu Qing, their steps quickly falling into rhythm with one another. "And with your fast reflexes, I'd be unable to do much else than simply accept my fate. We both know that, Mu Qing."

Mu Qing is loath to agree with Feng Xin in his current state, but he can't deny the truth so he nods as they shuffle their way along the increasingly uneven beach.

"I admire your fierceness—your tenacity—it's one of the things that first drew me to you back in Xianle."

Mu Qing scoffs, side-stepping around a grouping of rocks that have formed a small crater where a large puddle of rain water has pooled. They have just reached the large, flat-topped boulder they've been trying to get to when Feng Xin's hand gently circles Mu Qing's wrist and prevents him from climbing up onto it.

Mu Qing turns with every intention of arguing, but looking up into those warm, honeyed eyes has him quieting in an instant. That smile—overflowing with loving warmth and devotion—should never be aimed at the likes of Mu Qing. His heart pounds in his chest, rattling incessantly in his ears, and despite his trepidation, he finds he can't possibly tear himself away from Feng Xin again.

The fingers encircling his wrist loosen just enough to ghost over his palm and then his hand is being engulfed in both of Feng Xin's own large ones. He is squeezed firmly as if to remind him he is present in this moment and, unthinkingly, he tries to squeeze back. When Feng Xin speaks again, his voice is lower—hushed like the wind as it coaxes the gentle waves of the lake against the shore.

"The soft and quiet personal attendant of the crown prince out in the training yard after dark, practicing his sword forms with a broom… what a sight he was." Feng Xin laughs fondly, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, and Mu Qing's face goes red in an instant. Well, there goes his ability to save any face; how humiliating.

"All that fire hidden away behind this elegant" Feng Xin leans forward, letting go of Mu Qing's hand so he can brush the backs of his fingers along his cheek instead, "and—frankly—criminally beautiful face." Mu Qing swallows as Feng Xin delicately tucks a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "I was smitten from the very start—I was just fucking stupid about it for several centuries."

They've already talked about such things when Feng Xin originally asked to court Mu Qing all those months ago, so Mu Qing can't possibly understand why such an embarrassing topic needs to brought up yet again—

"So, yes," Feng Xin says decidedly, leading his hand to its rightful place at the small of Mu Qing's back—and Mu Qing lets him—"you are more than capable of walking along a rocky beach all on your own." Mu Qing takes a breath, feeling small and vulnerable in a way that makes him want to run, but he plants his feet firmly in the wet sand and keeps his face tilted up towards the beautiful southern sun.

"But you don't have to. I'm here now."

A sharp breath in through his nose—a shaky exhale puffed out between barely parted lips—Mu Qing is shivering and he can't stop. Feng Xin presses close, offering his other hand to Mu Qing as he grounds the man with a firm touch along his back.

"I offer to help because I care for you, I admire you, and I respect you, Mu Qing—and that's all." Feng Xin's smile widens as Mu Qing tentatively places his shaking hand onto Feng Xin's offered palm.

"No hidden agendas," Feng Xin whispers, giving Mu Qing's hand a reaffirming squeeze as he guides him up onto the rock. "No belief that you're less-than or undeserving. It's just out of love for you—plain and simple."

Mu Qing settles onto his bottom, scooting back a bit further onto the rock as he stares down at his one and only god—his friend—his Feng Xin. He wills his heart to calm, though he knows it's an impossible task, and stretches his hand out to Feng Xin before he can think better of it.

Feng Xin looks at the offered hand and then back up to Mu Qing's face, something tender and reverent shining in his eyes, and takes Mu Qing's hand without question.

"Plain and simple," Mu Qing repeats, pulling Feng Xin up onto the rock with him and finding he doesn't mind the way their hands stay linked even after Feng Xin has settled.

They spend the rest of the evening watching the sky change colors in the reflection of the lake—gentle kisses and soft breaths exchanged between them like a vow—and don't return to heaven until dawn.

[hangelic]

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 001: INTRO ✩ ‧˚ ⊹ ‎

⋆ ┆ Vee is my name on here ^^ but honestly any nicknames are welcome just remember to stop using it if i express any discomfort . I go by she/her pronouns so please respect that!

⋆ ┆ '04 liner➡ so anyone younger than '07 please don't message and I may reblog nsfw works so minors please block the #nsfw tag

⋆ ┆ MBTI - infj-t this really tells about like 60% of my personality & my birthday - December 24th so I'm a Capricorn <3 and this is the other 40%

⋆ ┆ desi➡ I'm from India and I go by IST (Indian standard time) if it helps you !!!

⋆ ┆ work➡ I'm currently pursuing my degree in college so if I don't respond to messages or am late please respect that !!

⋆ ┆ DNI➡ Blank Blogs | Porn bots | Ped0philes | Anyone against the LGBTQ+ community | Fet!shizers (of any kind) | Rac!sts | Disrespectful towards others’ gender, beliefs, religions | Hater of kpop | Krp accounts | Plagiarizer | Other basic criteria.. !!

⋆ ┆ pls interact➡ literally anyone who isn't in the dni criteria but special mentions to animal blogs | kpop writers | fanfic nets | oc creators | moodboard creators | poetry blogs | positivity blogs. etc

⋆ ┆ reminder➡ this blog is a safe space so please make sure to keep it as such. You are welcome to drop in your rants or vents in the askbox but please follow the guidelines and remeber to not hurt or offend anybody. I am free to block you or remove your ask if it violates any of those guidelines after previous warning. Be respectful and kind to everyone here and enjoyy !!!!

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 002: LIKES ✩ ‧˚ ⊹‎ ‎

⋆ ┆big yess ➡ CATS !!!! and other animals too but mainly cats, psychology, music no specific genre and ofcourse recs are always appreciated, reading any genre but especially thriller and fantasy, i love food and drinks, poetry and quotes, the scenery and cosmic elements, watching movies and anime and reading mangas, cooking asmr not eating, the rain and snow, plushies, and taking candid pictures ! don't think twice to drop me pictures or recommendations on any of these topics !!!

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 003: DISLIKES ✩ ‧˚ ⊹

⋆ ┆ major pass ➡ everything in the 'DNI' criteria, peas, overly slow walkers, people who can't take the same energy that they give, unnecessarily rude people, people who shame others based on their lifestyles, people with superiority complexes, partiality, biased judgement, horror movies and stories, insects.

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 004: AT THE MOMENT ✩ ‧˚ ⊹‎ ‎

⋆ ┆reading ➡ one of us is lying

⋆ ┆ watching ➡ brooklyn 99

⋆ ┆ listening ➡ the grudge, olivia rodrigo

⋆ ┆ status ➡ trying to be active

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 005: LOVELIST ✩ ‧˚ ⊹ ‎

⋆ ┆ ultimate groups ➡ stray kids, nct, the boyz, seventeen

⋆ ┆ ultimate biases ➡ Seo Changbin, Lee Taeyong, Na Jaemin, Kim Sunwoo, Xu Minghao (The8), Hwang Yeji, Ha Sooyoung (yves), Lee Yubin (dami).

⋆ ┆ other groups ➡ day6, enhypen, ive, newjeans, txt, dreamcatcher, itzy, one pact, loona, ateez, blackpink, twice, lesserafim, p1harmony, stayc, aespa, gidle, astro, the rose, riize

⋆ ┆other biases ➡ remaining skz members, jeon wonwoo, (haechan), dong sichen (winwin), choi beomgyu, kim bora (sua), lee chaeryeong, shin ryujin, jeong jinsol (jinsoul), jung wooyoung, kim hongjoong, ji changmin (q), yoon keeho, haku shota (soul), park jihyo, myoi mina, huh yunjin, yu jimin (karina), ning yizhuo (ningning), song yuqi, song eunseok, hong sunghan.

⋆ ┆ non kpop ➡ I do listen to a lot of non kpop artist too and in multiple languages as well, currently I'm listening to sings in multiple Indian languages, Japanese, Chinese, German and French. I am always open to new recommendations so feel free to drop in your favourites anytime!!!

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 006: TAGS ✩ ‧˚ ⊹

⋆ ┆Document currently unavailable

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 007: MOOTS ✩ ‧˚ ⊹

⋆ ┆odette🌹 ➡ @anqelws | @svt-rosalie

⋆ ┆mars 🪐 ➡ @stayconnecteed

⋆ ┆mattie 🪼 ➡ @stealanity

⋆ ┆priya 🎀 ➡ @lost-leopard-beanie | @ivy-diaries

‎⊹ ˚‧ ✩ DOC 008: BLOGROLL ✩ ‧˚ ⊹

⋆ ┆click here !!!!

[i-will-cry-you-a-river]

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Day 2 of @sangyaoweek

Birds

“Who's there?” hissed the person, suspiciously looking around. Nie Huaisang debated whether it would be a good idea to show himself, or not, but he decided to do it. Taking a deep breath, he made sure he looked as harmless as he could be (which was a lot. Nobody who looked at him could imagine he was quite adept at hand-to-hand combat. Not Nie good, of course, but… Not going there.), and holding out his hands to show himself unarmed, he stepped out from his hiding place.

“Who are you?” A suspicious question came from the other person. Nie Huaisang smiled, as if it was his da-ge, trying to make him pay attention to the boring meeting with the other clan heads. He was nothing, but a pretty little airhead. Just a silly thing lost in the forest.

“This one is Hua Sang. Could the young master tell this one how to get to the nearest city? It seems this one turned the wrong way somewhere.”

The person eyed Nie Huaisang suspiciously, but it seemed he did not deemed him dangerous.

“Meng Yao,” the person introduced himself. He hesitated, assessing Nie Huaisang, then softened. “This one is going to Lanling. You can come with me.”

Lanling.

Jin Guangshan, eww. But it is as good a place as any to hide. And Nie Mingjue - if he would try to find him - would never think of searching for him at the Jins’.

After a not-so-careful consideration, Nie Huaisang slightly bowed his head in thanks. Out of all the options, this was one. Why not take it?

The first few sichens of their journey was spent quietly. Sometimes Nie Huaisang identified the birds in their vicinity, sometimes Meng Yao advised to take a little break, but overall it was quiet. Calm. Nothing like the night hunts his da-ge forced him to go on.

Slowly, it started to get darker in the dense forest. They had no means to light something, so they had to stop before one of them fell and broke a bone. They settled down in an alcove among the trees, their makeshift camp hidden by the shadows of the forest.

They managed to collect water and berries during their journey, and while they needed to find something more fulfilling for the next day, it was enough for dinner.

They chatted amicable for a while, when Nie Huaisang couldn't hold his question back anymore. “Lanling, huh? Is there any reason for going there, or…?”

Meng Yao was silent for a while. “Just… opportunities. A chance to be something more than what I had been before.”

“I can understand that,” Nie Huaisang nodded in the darkness, allowing the other to keep his secrets. It wasn't like he wanted to talk about his past either. “I'm also looking for opportunities. Except for I don't want to be something more, just something else. No grand plans for me, just to be able to live my life.”

Meng Yao hummed, “Don't you have any dreams or aspirations?”

An involuntary chuckle left Nie Huaisang's mouth. Dreams? Aspirations? Of course he had those! But… whatever happened, he would be fine with it. Anything except for being the Disappointment of Qinghe Nie.

“This lowly one does not have those.” Or, more like, he had too many of those.

Meng Yao stayed silent. Even though it was dark, it felt as if he was studying Nie Huaisang, wanting to see into his soul to know all of his secrets, to unveil the layers of lies or deceptions. Finally, he sighed, accepting Nie Huaisang's words.

And that was that.

Nie Huaisang never met anybody who just left something they wanted to know alone. Not his big brother, not the clan members, not even Lan Xichen and his menace of a brother could leave something alone. It was… it was unique. Refreshing.

Nie Huaisang liked that.

The next few days as they continued walking through the forest, fighting against bandits and searching for water and food, they talked. Well, Nie Huaisang talked, chattering about anything and nothing at all, like his beloved birds tended to do. Sometimes Meng Yao answered, sometimes he did not. Sometimes they exchanged stories - splattered with lies on both sides -, and even though they knew the other was not telling the whole truth, they started to feel something towards each other. Friendship, maybe. Camaraderie, possibly. Sympathy, definitely.

It was absurd. It was madness. Nie Mingjue would have bullied Nie Huaisang for trusting in a lying stranger. But he was not there. Nie Huaisang was.

And he trusted his instincts. Just as he had his own reasons, Meng Yao must have had his own reasons for not telling everything about himself, and Nie Huaisang would honor that. He knew he could rely on his new friend, and that was enough.

Next

[vedimin]

We continue the series of animatronics) Sichen’s turn🙈👉👈

Продолжаем серию аниматронников) Очередь Сиченя🙈👉👈