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[prxpxsxtxm]

cont. @maetda-renasci )

It takes all the strength in her not to gather him up in her arms the moment he shows a sliver of the softness. Her whole heart yearns to wash away his darkest thoughts of himself, the ones he scarcely shares with his friends, the ones she's only been able to coax out of him with care and time. It's unfair for such a wonderful man to be viewed so poorly by those unfamiliar with his woes.

"Being by your side is as easy as breathing. As necessary as it, too." Elise curls her fingers between his, threading them enough so that she can still feel the warmth of his grasp through her gloves. Her head tips to the side, pressing her cheek flush against his dark hair and closing her eyes. It's a struggle to hold back the unyielding desires in her own heart from flowing free through the points of contact. But just a trickle wouldn't be so bad, would it?

There's so much love inside her heart for him that even a fraction of that love is surely enough to soothe his soul. Her lips skate along his temple, sending a soft flutter of love. It's a feeling akin to a warm embrace, the safety and security of knowing all is well; a glittering sunlit feeling. "Even when you have trouble loving yourself, please remember that I will always love you. Every part of you."

[prxpxsxtxm]

There had been no discussion about the usage of Ji rather than his courtesy name or any other name for that matter. He would rather cringe each time he heard Jianying rather than endure the punishment of being called Ji even a single time more. And while a hotel had been rented with the purpose of the two having a full night's sleep, Shui had hardly found himself tired, instead choosing to roam around once the other had slipped under for the night. The world had certainly changed. And he didn't like it.

The bar scene gave him the same sensations of being in a brothel: scantily clad women, handsy men, an overabundance of alcohol, and a voice calling over all of it. Well, at the very least, the voice was pleasant. He hadn't imagined the other man's voice to be so majestic, but the cadence of it drew him into the energy. And wow, the energy. Nothing could have prepared him for the screams and chants of fans who had followed Xóchitl from something called "the web" for years and had only just now gotten a chance to see him in person. Somehow, the eagerness was nostalgic. Funny. Once upon a time, people had called for him with such joy, spoken of him with such pride. Makes a person a little jealous.

When Xóchitl joins him, Shui eases his posture slightly, uncrossing his arms to simply rest them atop his crossed legs. He gives a soft hum paired with a shrug. "A touch loud for my tastes, but your followers seemed to enjoy it." His eye traces a bead of sweat rolling down along the curve of Xóchitl's throat, narrowing when it falls beneath his turtleneck. After a blink, the darkness leaves his eyes, replaced with a somewhat playful spark as he slips the towel from the other, instead replacing his hands just behind the other's ears, thumbs snug at his jawline. The heat is pulsing off of Xóchitl in waves, and while his skin is damp with sweat, Shui can hardly help himself. A part of him considers pulling himself nearer, wrapping the whole of himself around the other, anything to absorb that heat—before a bright flash temporarily blinds him, one followed by giggling.

The shock of it makes his head snap toward the offending girls who had just taken a picture, and without releasing Xóchitl, his lips start to curl back in a low growl, the hint of those too sharp teeth staring to creep out.

@prxpxsxtxm

It's been a day since Xóchitl had accidentally released a thousand year old (probably?) dragon from his seal. Well, more like a few hours. After being heavily scolded by Shui to not call him 'Ji', he apologized and the two of them went back into town. It was soon to be nighttime so there wasn't much for Xóchitl to explain and teach the other. So instead, he took Shui to a hotel, renting a room with two beds, and proceeded to sleep through the night.

The large expense did take a toll on his wallet but luckily for him, he already had a gig at the local bar planned for the next day. He had tried to have Shui stay in the room until he got back but the dragon refused. So now, here they both are in a crowded bar. One sitting on an open couch and the other up on stage singing his heart out.

Xóchitl's voice rings through the crowd, earning shouts of praise and some dancing to the beat of the music. Some patrons were a little too comfortable and tried to reach out when Xóchitl got too close too the edge of the stage but he handled it with great ease, like he was all too used to it. And he was.

As soon as his performance was done, he thanked the crowd and jumped off, taking a towel that someone handed him, to wipe away his sweat. Making a beeline towards Shui, who unfortunately looks super uncomfortable, he takes a seat. "Hey, did you.. like it? Sorry, I wasn't expecting a full house today."

[prxpxsxtxm]

Now, it's his turn to be a touch surprised. Eyes widen at the implication then that smile sparks up again. It makes sense considering Xóchitl isn't human either, so surely, he might find a fellow supernatural being attractive even in a more monstrous form. It begs the question how he might view his actual form that he had taken on once he absolved his humanity and ascended to godhood. But, whether thankfully or not so much, this cavern isn't large enough for him to expose that form.

"I suppose it only makes sense. A form such as this is meant to put one at ease. It's hardly fit for battle, but to appease humans, it should do well enough. I appreciate your approval." Not that he can help himself from laughing lowly again, only to halt that laughter once he reaches the mouth of the cavern and feels the heat of the sun on his skin again. At that, he remains still, breathing in the salt-soaked air, feeling the warmth of the summer through his dark robes.

"Xóchitl..." Shui turns slowly, "If I am to accompany you, I must make you aware of one thing." This smile, this one doesn't reach his eyes. It hardly matches any other portion of his expression, as if it's all wrong to exist in the first place. He speaks casually, gently, as if saying something sweet and soothing, "I despise humans, and as such, I may not hesitate to kill them if I find them a bother. I haven't seen another soul in eons, so I cannot say with certainty what I might do."

"Please, do remember, I warned you."

Pouting, he mumbles at being called out on his hypocrisy. Damn dragon. Because yeah, he can't really deny that. So when Shui comes closer, he just stands there, tail swishing back and forth before he feels both his cheeks being held. It feels so cool against his hot cheeks but he's not going to admit that it feels somewhat.. nice.

And that smile.. Oh that smile... The embarrassment melts into something else. 'He should smile like that more often.' But.. that bastard. He's enjoying this isn't he?! Huffing, he strides to follow and crosses his arms, daring to look the other straight in the eyes.

"What if I do? What if I said I found both forms attractive, hm?" Challenge accepted. A part of him should warn him about the potential almost inevitable scenario where he's surrounded by fans due to his appearance but you know what? He can find out on his own.

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The wash of heat is near instantaneous. He feels it at all the points their bodies connect, from the tips of his fingers to the palm flush against his wrist. It's the warmest he's felt in eons. Eyes trace the length of his extended forearm up to the similar marking on his shoulder. A permanent marking of the skin. A scar with color. Interesting.

"So you can touch me, but I must refrain from doing the same to you?" And rather than listening to that request, he shifts nearer, lifting his opposite hand to press his opened palm against the other's cheek, feeling the fire beneath that bronzed skin. There's a small pleasant trill that comes from his throat at the sensation. "Endure it for a moment more, won't you?" He sneaks his other hand free to simply cup both of the other's cheeks, indulging in the heat, before giving a little smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes. "You may think me unaware of other beings, but I know what that look of yours means." His hands slip away as he tucks them into his robes, walking toward the exit of the cavern, tipping his head back so his hair cascades over his shoulder, a wash of darkness fading into a lighter near transparent color at the tips. "You find this form attractive, do you not?"

Green eyes watch as the monstrous man inspects his arm. Yeah, those hands could definitely break or tear his arm right off if he wanted to. And yet, Xóchitl doesn't have any fear. Here in this cavern, two monsters exist and that's that. His ears twitch at the mention of them. Pity? What's so pitiful about it??

His thoughts quiet as he watches the transformation happen before his eyes. It's beautiful and fascinating. Xóchitl's own transformation is nothing like it. It's quick. No wonder this being was worshipped back in the day.. he looked so... handsome. Ethereal might be the more correct term. Yes, Shui still towers over him but there's nothing wrong with that.

"Actually, your clothes are fine. You can dress however you want and honestly, I doubt people will judge. They might mistake you for a cosplayer." He nods along, unknowing of the gaze that the other has on him. "Oh, that's a good thing by the way. You see, a-" Xóchitl stops when he feels a cold finger press against his tattoo.

"W-W-Wait a minute! Hold on!" Quickly, with his face going entirely red, he grabs a hold of Shui's wrist and moves it away. "I-It's not a sigil! It's a tattoo!" He then points to the one on his shoulder. "See? It's drawn on my skin by my request. It's like.. a.. decoration!"

Oh he's in for it.. There's a lot that this dragon needs to be taught. Like NO TOUCHING. "Also, please refrain from touching me so easily.." He casts his eyes down but the redness in his cheeks never fades. "I don't like being touched."

[prxpxsxtxm]

The hand in his own is warm, warmer than any hand he's known; there's something uncomfortably human to the being before him, something he isn't familiar with anymore, something that once upon a time lead to his undoing. Humanity is unkind, unyielding, unforgiving. And if the man before him is more human than anything else, he, too, like all others, will be a betrayer. But if he is forced to exist within this world once more, the least Shui can do is indulge in what drove him to rise to the heavens when he, himself, had only been but a man: vengeance. If he has to use this person to go about his desires, so be it. It's the price Xóchitl can pay for daring to resurrect him.

"Ah... is this appearance unbecoming of humans now days? How unfortunate." Shui looks over the other, taking in his clothing with a small frown, turning over the wrist in his grip to examine his smooth skin and jewelry. Though, he raises a brow at the visible ears and tail. "I suppose you have your own talents for hiding away your true nature. Pity." But he plays along all the same, closing his eyes as the glittering scales on his cheeks and throat meld away into unblemished porcelain skin. The lengthy, dragging tail behind him slowly slithers away into his robes. His height drops only slightly, bare feet resting against the cave tiles rather than the hulking hindlegs of a reptilian creature. And finally, his claws retract just as the scales and bulk of his monster-esque forearms reshape into the soft, fair skin of just an average man. By all accounts, he looks more akin to a cosplayer rather than an ancient god. A damn good cosplayer.

"Does this appearance suit your tastes or is there issue with... perhaps, hair? No, I suppose my clothing should be more akin to yours?" It's only then that he finally takes a step back, fair eyes scanning along the other's form. Xóchitl is near a head shorter than him, perhaps more, and seems very comfortable with exposing himself. The bare middrift makes him pause, eyeing the marking just above his hip. His hand drops from the others, instead pressing a fingertip along one of the flower petals. "Is this a sigil of some sort? Are you marked for some reason?"

"Wait, what?" That's what makes him decide to come with? Xóchitl looks up at the other with confusion because that was not the answer he expected either. He thinks for a moment to answer the question. Is the anger he has enough? Is his hatred enough? What will happen when he comes face to face with the culprit?

At that, he imagines the blurry figure surrounded by the blood of his family. To sink his teeth and claws in them is the first thing that he believes he will do and wants to do. But it's easier to think than to act. Regardless, he nods and puts his hand in the other's much larger one and grins.

"You can witness my hatred first hand... but first," He reaches up poking at the many scales and chuckles. "We have to do something about your appearance. The people of today aren't very accepting to beings like us."

[prxpxsxtxm]

Now that is unexpected. Consider his interest piqued. It's difficult to say, if for a moment, he feels the urge to smile, a familiar sensation crackling just beyond his reach, like the air singing before a lightning strike. This is something he understands: hatred. It eases his tension. If he can be of use, even to one person, than perhaps, that will be enough. In a world of peace, his kind is seen as a hinderance, a stain of remembrance to what it costs to achieve. But if that drive still exists, then there's purpose.

"Curious. You may have come to me without a conscious will, but certainly, a will brought you to me." Shui rises from his seat, taking slow strides back toward Xóchitl.

"I will accompany you in your pursuit."

Shui pauses, standing before the other; his form towering above Xóchitl. "Will you sustain me with your desire for vengeance? Do you think it to be enough to quell the hunger of a forsaken god?" And while he had been the one to shy away from touch before, he is now the one reaching out, extending a hand, palm up toward the man in front of him. "If so, then I will venture into this new world with you."

So no longer saying that name. Got it. "So.. what do I call you then if not your name?" He tilts his head slightly, pondering. Xóchitl takes no offense at the sudden distance. Things are slowly starting to come together on why the man acted this way. At the next question, he simply shrugs.

"It depends on religion. Some are strong believers, some not. But for me, I have no thoughts or place in any of it." Why would he when every god, goddess, angel, whatever is out there; did nothing to protect his own family. And then, a bit ironic, that Xóchitl is meant to pick up their messes if they fail to protect humans.

Green eyes watch the creature sit back down. The second question throws him off guard. It takes him a solid moment to deliver a response and even then, it is with hesitation.

"Well.." He sighs, tail twitching with anxiety. "Actually there is someone.. I don't know their name or what they currently look like but I do want to see them rot." And the smell of cigarettes. That is a scent that will never leave him to this day.

[prxpxsxtxm]

The murmuring doesn't go unnoticed, but it does go unspoken of. Shui remains quiet in the face of the indignation this time. However, it's the initial touch that draws a response, especially with accompanied by the name his worshippers had spoken with such reverence. The reaction comes just the same as before: a sudden twist in his expression as if he's been struck. His brow draws, lips thinning, eyes closing as he takes a ragged breath.

"You needn't call me so often..." It's the only verbal indication he gives to his own discomfort, saying no more of the fact. Yet he is very clear of his physical boundaries with the other's touch, drawing away without a moment's hesitation. The distance between them increases to near twice it had been prior. The hand Xóchitl had been touching is half cradled against his chest, eyes narrowing. It's as if he might begin to emit steam again, but instead, he opts for a middle ground. "Refrain from touching me so casually. It is..." Instead of finishing, he simply shakes his head, as if that should be enough.

"You speak too casually as well. Do you not understand the weight of devotion? Or is it simply that gods hold no value in your world?" At that, he finally gives into the weight of the whole ordeal, simply letting himself sit back on the rubble that housed him for so long. "Is there someone beyond this place that you wish to see dead? Someone who has wronged you in such a way that it only seems fit to massacre them and then some?" The words are spoken in a hollow tone. Those ghostly eyes tracking his every breath, searching for some indication that he might be of use. "If not, your prayers would do me no good."

Xóchitl mumbles a 'wow you are pitiful and depressed arent you' before he clears his throat again. Now he feels a little bad. Just a little bit. Jianying still insulted him so he's not completely forgiven. However, he does understand a little more so he makes an effort to push away the negative emotion.

So, he just wants to waste away and see if he'll, die? Cease to exist? Nope. Xóchitl is going to take some responsibility. He grabs the other's hand and gives a slight tug back to him. "Jianying. Come with me."

The look that the other had when the name was spoken does not go unnoticed and he repeated it again to get a better understanding. Was it a bad name? Had it just been too long? Was it something else?

"What do you have to lose? I don't know what it was like for you when you were last awake but... Why not give it a chance? If you don't try to kill me, I can... be your first believer?" He's not even sure what he's offering but he does want Jianying to give a chance to a potential new life.

[prxpxsxtxm]

The sound of his title being given life again makes his skin crawl; a look of visible torment crossing his face at the mere utterance. It's unlikely Xóchitl would understand what torture it is to hear in such a way after so long having it lost to the silence of his own psyche. He half considers giving his birthname, if only to ease his own wounded heart, but surely he deserves to hear his courtesy name spoken again. It's a punishment. "A foreign name. You traveled far to come here." But any further hospitality stalls at the question.

His footsteps begin to retreat slowly, nearer the seal. Only once he's standing before the marker again, back to it, eyes trained on the man before him, does he shake his head. "I have no place outside. Gods with no believers are scarcely gods at all, are they not? Such beings should not exist. Leave me, Xóchitl. Time will do as time does to this form, hopefully... should it be so merciful."

Damn dragons and this one in particular for being so damn beautiful. But like hell is he going to let any of that show. He's then about to ask what the man means but surprisingly, he answered the question. "Jianying?" He says the name to get a feel for it. "I'd say it's nice to meet you but..." He clears his throat, not finishing the sentence. They're already at the edge of this tension and he's already been threatened with far less pleasant measures.

Humanity's triumphs? It's an odd thing to say. "Xóchitl. My name is Xóchitl." Taking a deep breath, he tries to calm himself. Fur slowly going back to normal but not fully. "Since I woke you up and everything... Do you.. wanna see outside?" It's such a dumb question but what else could he say? If he left now, Jianying would win and Xóchitl refuses to let that happen. He had planned to leave the cavern earlier but NOW? Nah. Not unless the other comes with him.

[prxpxsxtxm]

He says he hardly understands where the insults spawn from yet continues to act just the same. Humanity at it's finest. But Shui humors him, letting his arms relax, tattered sleeves concealing the graphic display of his bare forearms. If not for the twin horns curving toward the sky or the additional scaling on his cheeks, he might simply look like a proud nobleman from a far gone era. Oh, and of course, the tail.

"As if you have the power to return me to my former state..." The creature sighs, as if disappointed in his assessment of the other's abilities, resigning himself to his fate. "Jianying." The name is uttered casually, even with the immense weight it carries. It's spoken as if it has none in the modern world, as if it hardly exists, and a part of him knows it no longer does. He is a relic of time meant to be lost in its progression, a being unfit for this world. What sort of monster would bring him back so carelessly?

His eyes follow the one before him, and perhaps, the resentment shows somewhere in their fairness, a white hot anger just simmering beneath the surface. Still, he asks all the same, "And what name does the one who awoke me go by? Surely, I should know what to call the one who undid one of humanity's triumphs."

"I've told you before. It wasn't my intention. It just happened. So, I don't see a reason that you keep insulting me."

He never asked for this. It was just some letters he decided to try and read and feel. Not his fault it reacted to his own powers. Now that the seal has been broken, there's really no way to go back, is there? Shouldn't he be happy? But if it was Xóchitl suddenly waking up in a whole new world, would he also be so prickly? Maybe... This does nothing to lighten his mood though.

"Want to go back to sleep? Be my guest!" He huffs, still growling lowly. He kicks at a pebble in irritation. "Who even are you?" He acts all high and mighty so he apparently has to.. or had to be some big shot back in the day. Whenever that was. Fuckin dragons.

[prxpxsxtxm]

Teeth so small they might belong to a babe hardly convey any threat to a multi-millennium dragon, if anything those wimpy fangs only bolster his claims. If he had the heart for it, he might laugh. Unfortunately for Xóchitl, a heart is something he lacks.

"It seems your education is lacking." While his hand had been cast away, he pays it no mind, instead side stepping only enough to extend the same clawed hand back toward the shattered remnants of the seal he had come from. The etching is horribly degraded, near worn away entirely, but some of the embossed carvings remain. Likely, the other isn't well-versed in the dialect of his time even if he's familiar with the language. The engravings had been done by the people of his era, eons ago. The language itself may well be gone in present day; Shui wouldn't know. "This was to be my final resting place... before your disturbance." It's a sad thing to be aware of your own grave and a sadder thing still to have gone into it so willingly. He had been so at peace with the end, felt so deserving of his punishment. And now... "What is it you hope to accomplish with your continued impudence? Do you seek death? Or perhaps, you simply lack the mental fortitude to recognize your situation. Well, child, which is it?"

"Your domain? I fail to see your name on it. You were sleeping."

A low growl rumbles at the back of his throat. No threats? Then what does he think he's doing putting his claw to Xóchitl's throat and saying he should leave or else? He's parsing words of course. Who cares if this guy was 1000 years old or 30! Anyone would react this way. Right?!

"If not a threat, is this a test?"

And there's that stupid word again. Sure, if he thought clearly, he would know that the man is now just trying to get a rouse out of him. It's working, unfortunately. Xóchitl did not like being treated like a child that doesn't know any better and coming from someone he literally just met? It pisses him off. Out of anger, he roughly grabs the large hand and shoves it away. Now it is his turn to bares his teeth. They're not as big but hey, they can still be deadly!

"I'd rather be human-like than a monster that just finished their hibernation."

[prxpxsxtxm]

While most might find the tonal whiplash overwhelming, nothing about it particularly surprises the creature. Rather, he finds it almost...well, comical. The other's responses practically beg the question of how he honestly thinks he is anything but a child when compared to the ancient being before him.

"I make no threats." He flexes his fingers, as if still unaccustomed to the physical form, feeling the coating of blood on his claws flake off and fall to dust. "You may not look human, but you certainly act as one. What do you hope to accomplish by disobeying me in my domain?" The creature, accurately identified as a dragon, leans nearer, sliding a claw beneath one of the necklaces laced around Xóchitl's throat. Another claw glides back against the hollow of that same throat, tauntingly. "You really are a foolish boy."

Instead of being afraid, Xóchitl finds it.. interesting. He's met many creatures but none such as this. His eyes flicker to the man's tail in the dark. Scaley. A water creature? Not a fish. Steam? Could he be...? He stops his thoughts when the man's eyes show brighter in the peeking light. Beautiful. But, the creature's next words confuse the man. Odd? What did he mean? Before he can ask for him to say it again, the man is closer, dangerously close. His instincts tell him to draw his own claws out and get on the defense but he wills it away. When he sees the other completely, it dawns on him what a rare being he is. A dragon. So rare... Has anyone ever seen them outside of storybooks? The claws caked in old blood should have made it clear that this man isn't someone to piss off.

However, all of that goes right out the window when the creature INSULTS him.

"Child? I don't fuckin' know who you think you are.." He scoffs and doesn't back away; instead gets even closer, tail puffing up and flicking even more. "But threatening me won't get you anywhere. I will do as I please."

[prxpxsxtxm]

When the other dares to disobey, facing him as if he has the right to do so, the creature's expression sours, lips drawing back to reveal rows of far too sharp teeth, more than should fit in what appears to be a human mouth. Light whisps of steam filter free, a prelude to his words, a sign of his irritation. His own tail sloshes the puddling beneath him. But at the words that follow, he goes deathly still. Unnaturally fair eyes widening, just enough so that the light bleeding into the cavern catches in them; they're near stark white, like fresh seafoam.

He falls quiet, head lowering. "I see."

"I thought it odd that one would willingly free me." But he fails to elaborate, instead advancing again. There's no preamble, no hesitation. A hand draws out once more, claw lingering at the throat of the man before him. He's drawn near enough now that the light fully illuminates his form. The scales on his exposed forearm glisten in an array of blues, transparent in the direct light. His claws are murky color, aged blood visible from the tips to his exposed wrist: a warning. "You have no place here. Leave or I may do as my nature intends, child."

Maybe it's the smell of the ocean that makes him feel calm and not so afraid of such an unknown presence. Plus, he's not weak. He can hold out on his own regardless of some lack of experience. The footsteps sound even closer and he has half a mind to turn around right at that second but he doesn't. Not yet.

Foolish? Maybe. But hey, it's not like he was expecting anything to be here... He just.. stumbled into the cavern because it looked pretty. Xóchitl stays in a relaxed standing posture, arms now crossed. Though, his ears perk at the question. Purpose?

He then turns around, looking up at the other. Surprise is shown in his eyes for just a moment, taking the figure in. Oh.

"Listen, there may have been a misunderstanding. I didn't intentionally set you free. It just... happened?" His tail flicks behind him, not backing down from whatever this is.

[prxpxsxtxm]

cont. @maetda)

The cocky attitude does nothing to dissuade him. His advance continues, a figure pouring itself from the remains of a broken seal: the seal the one before him had so carelessly destroyed. The intent behind the act means little, only the act itself is what draws him nearer, clawing his way through the salt-soaked air. The scent of the sea permeates the cavern accompanied by a swath of cool water pooling beneath their feet.

"You were foolish to come here." The enclosed space only furthers the depth of his voice, echoing. His clamoring steps still behind the other, a hand stretching outward to bridge the distance. "And you are foolish still to remain." The creature lowers said hand, not allowing himself to touch, claws curling in the space between. "For what purpose do you believe you freed me?"

[prxpxsxtxm]

i got mine.