[The instant Dan Feng pulls away, the mara starts to creep back in along the edges. He won't have much time to process that though, because Jing Yuan practically stumbles over himself in his frantic rush to get hold of him again.
If he can cling onto Dan Feng's arm, the wisps of Abundance will fade again.]
[He tries to pull away, but he freezes at Jing Yuan's words, at least, letting him cling. He inhales. Exhales. He hasn't been able to breathe without the ginkgo physically growing in his ribcage in several centuries. Hasn't been able to think so clearly even longer, unimpeded by the mental vertigo the Plagues Author suspended him in.
He can't even convey what it feels like so he just stares at Jing Yuan, blinking back tears.]
[With his transformation, Jing Yuan is now a scant few centimeters shorter than Dan Feng, which makes it all the easier to tuck his face against the dragon's shoulder. He's trembling slightly, overwhelmed by the relief of seeing the necklace work and the fear of Dan Feng being angry at him for using it.]
...The jewelry. I got it from the theatre. I can use it to suppress the influence of the Abundance for an hour or two, so long as we're in physical contact. I have to pay to recharge it between uses.
[Dan Feng knew firsthand what miraculous boons cost and he was not going to let Jing Yuan pay anything on his behalf.
He sounds halfway through a lecture, but he's already trying to hold Jing Yuan closer, tighter, tail curling around his waist, less in possession and more in the simple intimacy of an embrace between loved ones.]
This body is a payment. And a few small tasks. Nothing too unpleasant.
[He sounds preemptively petulant, fully expecting to be lectured. Still, he shifts from holding Dan Feng's arms to clinging to him fully -- even he hasn't really understood how badly he's needed to be held this way. Not even an Aeon could pry him lose now.]
[He chokes out, shifting them so that Dan Feng is sitting against the wealth of pillows and Jing Yuan is basically a tangle of limbs with him. He doesn't seem to be able to not cling, either, shifting back just enough so he can
Pinch Jing Yuan's cheek gently, exasperated. There is the feeling of he should be more angry, explosively angry, he should be hurting him so he remembers but there is nothing of that now except the well of love and gratitude and worry.]
You can either tell me the entirety of it now or later when I pry it out of you and likely to lock you in this room because I am upset. Your choice.
[He's helping so it's fine! He honestly doesn't even know why Dan Feng would get angry about this one, and that shows on his face.]
Buying required me to help other people with their objectives, share a memory, and take a potion to temporarily look like this. Recharging it should be only one such thing, though the details will vary.
Dan Heng & Yingxing helped me with everything, this time.
And what if more is demanded of you? What if - something else happens? Don't give me that look. I can already tell you'd do it again.
[Shaking him a little, but he's smiling helplessly. How could he not? Does he have any idea how good Dan Feng feels right now?]
I'm grateful for it, my dear, thank you. [That's the first time he's said anything even approaching sincere gratitude.] But I need you to think of yourself for once in your life, Yuan'er.
[The shaking earns a whiny groan, but seeing Dan Feng happy vastly outweighs any complaints he might have. Being treated kindly by him makes Jing Yuan want to burrow into his chest and stay there forever.]
I am thinking of myself. I wanted to see you this way. I want to spend time with Yingxing without my very presence causing him to suffer. Those are my own selfish desires.
[His face twists at the thought of a Yingxing who was not clouded by mara. Who was the same man who left him at Yaoshi's altar, the same man he'd lost everything for. He's not actually sure what he'd do if they meet like this, with both their sanity intact.]
If it also works on Yingxing, then... [He pauses. Angles Jing Yuan's face up with a finger, threading hands through his fluff of hair and kneading at his scalp.] Why are you here? You should be with him.
[Dan Feng takes that at face value, at least, relaxing just that little further at knowing he's had his fill of Yingxing.]
Well, I shall be in your care.
[He takes several moments marveling at Jing Yuan's hair, taking it out of its braid gently and efficiently, so he can work his hands down into the base of his neck, and then he realizes all at once that Jing Yuan is leaning against him on his lap and in his arms and he's very warm and--
He freezes. Wills himself to think about other things than the softness lying against him; a feat that he hasn't had to do in centuries, mostly because the mara was always a thing to think about.]
[Unfortunately for Dan Feng, the sound Jing Yuan makes at the hands on his neck is likely unhelpful. The same could be said of the way pink dusts his cheeks as he sees Dan Feng's troubled expression, or the smile that follows.
There are a thousand reasons he should never want to flirt with this man, but he's Jing Yuan and Dan Feng is in his right mind and he simply cannot help himself.]
I did not say I wanted anything. [But he's petting down the nape of Jing Yuan's neck, and his tail is still around Jing Yuan's waist. He's starting to flush red.] We should not do anything you may regret later, once my mara returns. And I do not want to risk infecting you.
[He wasn't sure it would go this way, but Jing Yuan will always be the type to cover his bases.
He's also the type to, should Dan Feng's tail allow, adjust to press his rather voluminous soft bits harder against him and lean up to attempt a kiss.]
[He doesn't even need to do anything, but there's no space between them for Dan Feng to hide the kick of his hips. But at least he manages to slide a hand between their mouths, covering Jing Yuan's treacherous lips with a palm.
His heart's pounding. Why is Jing Yuan moving like that? Moreover why is his tail uncurling and just draping possessively over the other man?]
Yuan'er, I have loved you for centuries, but I've never - we've never - I - [He makes a faint dying noise.]
[The effect of the endearment is as obvious as ever; Dan Feng has to physically close his eyes and inhale, before opening them, pupils dilating and focusing on Jing Yuan entirely.]
Don't think I don't know about the tawdry poetry you and Yingxing were bandying about. [He cups Jing Yuan's cheek, self-control rapidly fraying with the promise of I won't infect him, I won't....] I want to be gentle with you for once but you are making it very hard.
[Jing Yuan rests his face against Dan Feng's hand, looking back into his eyes with a myriad of conflicting emotions. There is, of course, a part of him that's afraid of Dan Feng even now -- a part that coils deep in his gut and tells him not to trust this no matter how much he wants it. But there's also desire, and hope, and a love as deep and wide as the ancestral sea itself.
Perhaps with sanity intact, it'll be easier to see why Jing Yuan keeps coming back even when he's been torn down and stomped on so much. He looks at Dan Feng like the most wonderful and most terrible thing in the cosmos. Like one might look at a god.]
Then don't be gentle. Either way, all I want is you.
[Even Dan Feng didn't look at the Plagues Author like that.
But perhaps Jing Yuan would notice how the same expression is reflected at him, without the edge of malice in it, before Dan Feng finally leans in and closes the gap between them.
It's a close-mouthed kiss. Dan Feng's trembling against him, a hand still in his hair, the other one blindly finding Jing Yuan's, trying to lace their fingers together.]
I'm scared. [Confessed, whispered against his mouth, as he presses a kiss against the corner of it. Against his cheek, on his mole, lingering on his forehead.] Can I just... can you lie down? In the pillows.
[That awkward kiss means more than a hundred more passionate ones. It feels like Dan Feng. Like the man who still lives behind the madness and the tragedy of both this version of him and the one back home. Jing Yuan softens at the feeling, closing his eyes to soak up the fragile affection contained in the brushes of Dan Feng's lips against his face.
He lets out a slow breath as their fingers tangle, then holds on tight as he obediently slides off of Dan Feng and onto his back. His unbound hair splays over the sheets like rushing waterfall, and his nervousness shows in the way his deep and shaky breaths make his chest rise and fall.]
You don't have to be afraid. I'm not going anywhere.
[He hesitates, and then settles between his legs, mindful of keeping his tail curled behind one of Jing Yuan's knees. They won't have time for what he wants but Dan Feng would take what he can get.
Dan Feng chances a look down Jing Yuan's chest and looks back up at his face, wetting his lips. He lifts a hand - fiddles with the hem of Jing Yuan's shirt.]
[The shirt in question is a light turtleneck, worn with loose knit pants. He dressed appropriately before taking the transformation potion -- in things that could handle the stretching and shrinking in various places. There are underwear, but no bra. It's much easier to unwrap than his usual layers.
If Dan Feng looks, though, he's going to find marks. Like "Jing Yuan fucked someone else an hour ago" levels of marks. He did a quick shower before coming back, but there's probably a faint smell of Blade, too.]
It won't be just this time. I'll bring you back again. I swear it.
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Re: Day 18 2am
[The instant Dan Feng pulls away, the mara starts to creep back in along the edges. He won't have much time to process that though, because Jing Yuan practically stumbles over himself in his frantic rush to get hold of him again.
If he can cling onto Dan Feng's arm, the wisps of Abundance will fade again.]
Don't move! It only works if I'm touching you!
Re: Day 18 2am
He can't even convey what it feels like so he just stares at Jing Yuan, blinking back tears.]
What, exactly, is it?
Re: Day 18 2am
...The jewelry. I got it from the theatre. I can use it to suppress the influence of the Abundance for an hour or two, so long as we're in physical contact. I have to pay to recharge it between uses.
Re: Day 18 2am
[Dan Feng knew firsthand what miraculous boons cost and he was not going to let Jing Yuan pay anything on his behalf.
He sounds halfway through a lecture, but he's already trying to hold Jing Yuan closer, tighter, tail curling around his waist, less in possession and more in the simple intimacy of an embrace between loved ones.]
Re: Day 18 2am
[He sounds preemptively petulant, fully expecting to be lectured. Still, he shifts from holding Dan Feng's arms to clinging to him fully -- even he hasn't really understood how badly he's needed to be held this way. Not even an Aeon could pry him lose now.]
Re: Day 18 2am
[He chokes out, shifting them so that Dan Feng is sitting against the wealth of pillows and Jing Yuan is basically a tangle of limbs with him. He doesn't seem to be able to not cling, either, shifting back just enough so he can
Pinch Jing Yuan's cheek gently, exasperated. There is the feeling of he should be more angry, explosively angry, he should be hurting him so he remembers but there is nothing of that now except the well of love and gratitude and worry.]
You can either tell me the entirety of it now or later when I pry it out of you and likely to lock you in this room because I am upset. Your choice.
Re: Day 18 2am
[He's helping so it's fine! He honestly doesn't even know why Dan Feng would get angry about this one, and that shows on his face.]
Buying required me to help other people with their objectives, share a memory, and take a potion to temporarily look like this. Recharging it should be only one such thing, though the details will vary.
Dan Heng & Yingxing helped me with everything, this time.
Re: Day 18 2am
[Shaking him a little, but he's smiling helplessly. How could he not? Does he have any idea how good Dan Feng feels right now?]
I'm grateful for it, my dear, thank you. [That's the first time he's said anything even approaching sincere gratitude.] But I need you to think of yourself for once in your life, Yuan'er.
Re: Day 18 2am
I am thinking of myself. I wanted to see you this way. I want to spend time with Yingxing without my very presence causing him to suffer. Those are my own selfish desires.
Re: Day 18 2am
If it also works on Yingxing, then... [He pauses. Angles Jing Yuan's face up with a finger, threading hands through his fluff of hair and kneading at his scalp.] Why are you here? You should be with him.
Re: Day 18 2am
[But whether he ran off with the necklace as soon as he got it or has already recharged it once is a mystery of that unfinished thread.
Regardless, he leans into Dan Feng's hands like a content cat, relishing the comfort of that affection.]
I want to be with you now.
Re: Day 18 2am
Well, I shall be in your care.
[He takes several moments marveling at Jing Yuan's hair, taking it out of its braid gently and efficiently, so he can work his hands down into the base of his neck, and then he realizes all at once that Jing Yuan is leaning against him on his lap and in his arms and he's very warm and--
He freezes. Wills himself to think about other things than the softness lying against him; a feat that he hasn't had to do in centuries, mostly because the mara was always a thing to think about.]
If you- want to doze off...?
Re: Day 18 2am
There are a thousand reasons he should never want to flirt with this man, but he's Jing Yuan and Dan Feng is in his right mind and he simply cannot help himself.]
You don't look like you want to.
Re: Day 18 2am
I did not say I wanted anything. [But he's petting down the nape of Jing Yuan's neck, and his tail is still around Jing Yuan's waist. He's starting to flush red.] We should not do anything you may regret later, once my mara returns. And I do not want to risk infecting you.
Re: Day 18 2am
[He wasn't sure it would go this way, but Jing Yuan will always be the type to cover his bases.
He's also the type to, should Dan Feng's tail allow, adjust to press his rather voluminous soft bits harder against him and lean up to attempt a kiss.]
Re: Day 18 2am
His heart's pounding. Why is Jing Yuan moving like that? Moreover why is his tail uncurling and just draping possessively over the other man?]
Yuan'er, I have loved you for centuries, but I've never - we've never - I - [He makes a faint dying noise.]
Re: Day 18 2am
Better nip Dan Feng's hand about it -- while adjusting so Dan Feng's hips are between his knees.]
In my world, I've had you hundreds of times. Do you not trust me?
Re: Day 18 2am
I trust you with my life, with or without the Abundance, but I - I wanted. Is this not supposed to be romantic?
Re: Day 18 2am
[He has no regrets. Those faces are worth any potential consequences when the necklace stops working.]
Re: Day 18 2am
Don't think I don't know about the tawdry poetry you and Yingxing were bandying about. [He cups Jing Yuan's cheek, self-control rapidly fraying with the promise of I won't infect him, I won't....] I want to be gentle with you for once but you are making it very hard.
Re: Day 18 2am
Perhaps with sanity intact, it'll be easier to see why Jing Yuan keeps coming back even when he's been torn down and stomped on so much. He looks at Dan Feng like the most wonderful and most terrible thing in the cosmos. Like one might look at a god.]
Then don't be gentle. Either way, all I want is you.
Re: Day 18 2am
But perhaps Jing Yuan would notice how the same expression is reflected at him, without the edge of malice in it, before Dan Feng finally leans in and closes the gap between them.
It's a close-mouthed kiss. Dan Feng's trembling against him, a hand still in his hair, the other one blindly finding Jing Yuan's, trying to lace their fingers together.]
I'm scared. [Confessed, whispered against his mouth, as he presses a kiss against the corner of it. Against his cheek, on his mole, lingering on his forehead.] Can I just... can you lie down? In the pillows.
Re: Day 18 2am
He lets out a slow breath as their fingers tangle, then holds on tight as he obediently slides off of Dan Feng and onto his back. His unbound hair splays over the sheets like rushing waterfall, and his nervousness shows in the way his deep and shaky breaths make his chest rise and fall.]
You don't have to be afraid. I'm not going anywhere.
Re: Day 18 2am
[He hesitates, and then settles between his legs, mindful of keeping his tail curled behind one of Jing Yuan's knees. They won't have time for what he wants but Dan Feng would take what he can get.
Dan Feng chances a look down Jing Yuan's chest and looks back up at his face, wetting his lips. He lifts a hand - fiddles with the hem of Jing Yuan's shirt.]
Can I touch you?
Re: Day 18 2am
[The shirt in question is a light turtleneck, worn with loose knit pants. He dressed appropriately before taking the transformation potion -- in things that could handle the stretching and shrinking in various places. There are underwear, but no bra. It's much easier to unwrap than his usual layers.
If Dan Feng looks, though, he's going to find marks. Like "Jing Yuan fucked someone else an hour ago" levels of marks. He did a quick shower before coming back, but there's probably a faint smell of Blade, too.]
It won't be just this time. I'll bring you back again. I swear it.
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