[Video; UN: heavenly four seasons]

[eternallywandering]

[Climbing lighthouses is just...beyond him. Unless someone wants to carry him on their back? So he is resting in the garden with the chickens. What? They're cute. Except when they try to steal his food.]

Tell me what you've found, hm? I'm ready to help. [Thus the sword that rests across his lap.] I can get you free even if I pay for it later.

[Rolling his shoulders, he pushes himself onto his feet and takes hold of aforementioned sword. He moves in a blur - like a dancer - striking out at invisible foes. Why? Because he can and because he needs to strengthen his stamina.]

Comments

[flirtatiousdancer]

[ Always. Kexing would never hurt his soulmate. Even when hurt himself, he'll never actually strike his A-Xu.

Strain loosens in his chest at the immediate claim and he presses against Zishu. ]

Absolutely nothing. I like belonging to A-Xu.

[eternallywandering]

[Laughing freely, he stands up straighter, making himself seem...stronger. He wants to be a place where his Lao Wen can rest and he has missed being whole. Nuzzling Kexing's temple, breathing deep, trying to catch a hint of his soulmate's scent, Zishu murmurs:]

I won't fail you. I won't leave you.

Now shall we investigate this...lighthouse?

cw: suicidal ideation hint

[flirtatiousdancer]

[ He loves hearing Zishu's laugh. He snuggles in with a happy little hum, nose pressed to his soulmate's neck to breathe in as well. He hears those promises and wills himself to believe them. To drown out the voice telling him he'll only be betrayed and disappointed again. That he deserves to be alone.

He holds on tighter instead and presses a soft kiss to his love's neck. ]

Without you, I die.

[ Simple fact. Then he brushes it away with the next breath and smiles, straightening before pulling his fan back out from where he stashes it when not in use. ]

One level to start.

[eternallywandering]

[Zhou Zishu is incredibly stubborn. Most people in his position would already be long dead. But his soul clings to his body for the sake of his Lao Wen. He has found him again; he isn't going to let him go.

The kiss helps him to breathe deeper and the sore muscles in his chest loosen. Kexing has that effect on him too. His beloved is a healer in every way and that is why the past, the violence, the Ghost Valley doesn't faze him. Wen Kexing was only trying to survive.]

You're not going to die.

[Zishu gazes into those hauntingly beautiful eyes - eyes that express emotion so vividly - and smiles reassuringly.]

I'm right here. [Bringing out Baiyi, he nods towards the lighthouse's entrance.] After you, Lao Wen.

[flirtatiousdancer]

[ They're both stubborn and strong-willed. Cruel when they need to be. But also kind and generous, when they so choose. Kexing knows how strong his A-Xu is, and that Zishu only grows stronger by the day.

He presses another kiss to that sweet neck, feeling the deeper breaths and treasuring he can help his beloved. This man accepts him. It still stuns him, even when he knows himself. He knows how he'd let himself go insane, to lash out just for fun. For revenge too, but mostly fun and entertainment.

Now, he wants to try and be better. He can't finish his revenge here anyway. He can only devote himself to loving his soulmate the way Zishu should be loved. He laughs a little and beams at his love. ]

Neither will you.

[ He kisses those smiling lips before pulling away so they can see what they need to tackle. Even if it means losing contact with Zishu, they both know it's only temporary. He grins as he saunters ahead of Zishu, fan snapping out to waft up lazily, as if this isn't at all dangerous, and clicks his tongue playfully at his love. ]

Always making me go first, A-Xu. You are so much better at leading.

[eternallywandering]

[Love has that effect; give him something to fight for and Zishu will scale mountains and decimate armies of foes. His foe is death this time, but his ambition is no less fierce. Eyesight might dim, hearing might fade, his sense of taste and touch could disappear, but his focus remains on his Lao Wen.

Tipping his head back, he allows himself the luxury of pleasure. His eyes close and he clings to his lover, his fingers curling into the fabric of Kexing's robes. Then he shudders and meets that smile with one of his own, warm and sure.

Yes, he believes in him. Always.]

I have to look after you.

[Zishu groans and knows exactly how he wants to spend their night. Even if all they have is a garden. Smirking, he follows his beloved, his dark brows rising, amused.]

Are you scared? Why didn't you tell me?

[flirtatiousdancer]

[ This man's love is everything to Wen Kexing. For Zhou Zishu, he'll do anything. Destroy anything, to keep him safe, to free him, to save him...anything. Nothing is out of reach.

Kexing takes his time, enjoying rubbing lips over that sweet expanse of skin, enjoying those arms clinging to him. Then beams as he earns that shudder and claims a kiss. Just because. Then laughs and grins. ]

Is that why you have me go first? So you can watch me from behind? [ His eyes sparkle as he teases his beloved. ] Why didn't you tell me?

[ A teasing echo, really. And he wiggles his hips just a little as he leads the way to the lighthouse, anticipation for the night's activities already thrumming through him despite the looming danger. He casts a playful pout over his shoulder. ]

What's there to be scared of, A-Xu? You're here to protect me.

[eternallywandering]

[Zishu would do the same for him. He tore out those pesky nails for his Lao Wen, to get revenge for him before joining him in the afterlife. Now he must undo that damage.

And he will.

He feels like melting, but they have business to attend to, so he shudders and returns his lover's pout.]

I do like the view. [Laughing at the wiggle, Zishu hurries forward to press against Kexing's back as they walk, his voice husky and playful:] You're mine tonight.

[He smirks and steps to the side so he can see around his Lao Wen. Baiyi is gripped tightly in his hand, ready to attack at a split second's notice.]

If you need me, where else would I be?