#᛭ — [RELATION] when the flames grow nearer catch me in your arms [LW & PM]

[deathfavor]

@diivineray said: "May I sit here?" the general asked, raising an eyebrow as he made himself comfortable beside Ling Wen. It was obvious that he had some hidden agenda. In matters of war, his strategies were ruthless, cunning, and unpredictable. However, when it came to romantic advances, he was far from discreet. Ling Wen was well aware of his intentions.

As he moved, he resembled a young schoolboy attempting to execute the oldest and most tired trick in the book: stretching his arm behind her. Even though it was a cliche move, it didn't matter to him. It was all deliberate. Leaning in towards her, he resembled a massive dog unaware of the fact that he was no longer the size of a puppy. He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh, completely lost in the moment. After a long and tiring day, he noticed the exhaustion evident in the heavy bags under her eyes. Both of them were in desperate need of some tranquility, if only for a brief moment.

" One generally waits for confirmation before acting on a question, Ol' Pei. " Ling Wen replies with a lift of her own brow. But she doesn't chastise him or otherwise make any effort to tell him off or dismiss him. Because he already knows the answer. The times that the goddess genuinely did not want any other around were far and few between, especially when it came to him. If one such occasion occurred, it would be clear as soon as one stepped through her temple doors by how frigid the atmosphere was. More often than not it would have nothing to do with him; it would merely be her own irritation at something baring its fangs behind closed doors. The Heavens had no idea how dangerous she was - not only because of the venom she held, but the fact that she KNEW to hide it where it wouldn't be seen by others. A calculating creature rather than a rabid animal. At least, it wasn't known by anyone other than Pei Ming at least. So the calm atmosphere carried her answer without her needing to say a word. She didn't mind.

Even in the case that he WAS up to something, like now. He was almost obnoxiously obvious with it. Still, curiosity means she'll entertain his attempts. He knows better than anyone how lackluster her reception was to such gestures most of the time.

He was not seriously trying that. He was. Her nose wrinkles slightly before it relaxes again with a tired sigh. Had it been anyone else, they would have regretted such an act. Her gaze rests on his face, tracing over long memorized features while his eyes are closed. All these centuries and he still looks as lively as ever. " If you fall asleep like that, I hope you're not planning on me catching you. " She murmurs softly, teasing heavy in her voice even in the peace that settles around them. It wouldn't be Ling Wen if she didn't give a light tease, even when she leans against him slightly in turn.

There's another reason. Her pride is too great to often ask for what she wants; too used to war to willingly shed her armor when it is the very thing that has let her get so far against every odd. The world wanted to pin her down but she kept soldiering on. Things like this are easier to accept when Pei Ming initiates them for her, where her pride doesn't have to bow its head into the dirt. She knows he would never use it against her, but it's not easy or natural to her. ( The times she does are all the more special for their rarity. ) Her ink-stained brush lays still discarded on her desk, her hands in her lap as she contemplates what to do despite what she wants to do. After a moment of debate, she finally lets her eyes close and lets herself sink more fully against him under the reassuring weight of his arm around her shoulders.

[deathfavor]

@diivineray said: WOUNDED // peiwen !!

KNOCK-KNOCK PROMPTS [ WOUNDED ]: sender arrives at the receiver's door with considerable injuries, in dire need of help and emergency care that only the receiver is either trusted enough or convenient enough to provide.

There's a distinct THUD at the palace doors that breaks Ling Wen's focus and draws her eyes upwards. It's odd because she isn't expecting anyone nor has she received notice of anyone suddenly dropping by. She presses her lips together but curiosity is enough to draw her up and to open the doors to see who or what has come to her doors at this moment.

She doesn't expect to nearly get crushed under the weight of a body the moment her doors open. Ling Wen manages to half catch Pei Ming with a strained groan ; supports him enough to be able to slowly lower him to the ground rather than letting GRAVITY pull him down full force. She'd almost chide him for getting too drunk. But he's not drunk, and something warm covers her hands. ( She knows what it is even without breathing life into the thought. She knows. )

" Ol' Pei? " Ling Wen whispers as she strains to get him onto his back, strands of steel-blue hair slipping from her careful hairstyle while her forehead beads with sweat at the effort. But she succeeds and she doesn't care about the blood that smears on her cheek as she wipes at her face and takes in the sight. He looks terrible. He's pale, his strength fleeing, and there's too much blood. Her hands are soaked in it and even she is left helpless and uncertain for the briefest of moments. She needs to do something. NOW.

" Ol' Pei, you idiot! " Ling Wen hisses as she unceremoniously yanks away the silk belt and pushes his bloody robes open to find the worst wound. There's several bad ones but- there. Her hands firmly press against the wound, trying to slow the bleeding while her eyes narrow with stress. She's killed men, she doesn't save them. His skin is burning beneath her freezing cold fingers, but maybe the shock will help. " You absolute fool. Why did you come here? You should have called for the medical gods or gone there. " She scolds him, forcing her voice to be firm despite how much she wants to tremble. " Men, you're all idiots. " She adds with a click of her tongue while she snaps at the medical gods in the communication array to get to her now.

Blood has never bothered her. His does. Ling Wen doesn't want Pei Ming's blood on her hands in ANY sense of the phrase but it is. Her throat tightens as she glances up from the wound to look towards his face. Ignores how her hair starts to unravel like she feels like she is. " Keep your eyes open, or I'll never forgive you. " She warns, lifting her hands off of him only long enough to yank off her outer jacket and press it to the wound, hoping the fabric will help along with the pressure. She doesn't know what to do beyond this. Breathe. ( It's funny. She feels more panicked now than she did when she was mortal and given the death sentence for her act of treason in her literary prose. )

" The medical team will be here shortly. " Ling Wen informs him, her voice strained to sound normally. No one else would notice it with how subtle it is ; she knows if Pei Ming's conscious he'll notice it. He always is able to. Her hands can't afford to shake and they don't, but her eyes squeeze shut briefly as she exhales slowly and tries to shove away all her thoughts. " Seriously. I don't know anything about healing. Helping answer prayers for students doesn't mean I know all that information. " She whisper-hisses at him, an attempt at vague humor while time drags on. " Just a bit longer, Ol' Pei. " He'll be fine. She's confident of that. It does nothing for her here and now when she's covered in his blood.

[deathfavor]

@piscesiawave said: [ admire ] - peiwen <3

prompts for ordinary things that feel intimate [ admire ] sender stares at receiver across a room, silently admiring and appreciating them from afar

Few gazes tend to linger on the winter-hearted goddess. Unlike so many others, Ling Wen meets all gazes with a steeled strength and expectation. If they wish to indulge in springtime gentleness and demure attitudes, they can look elsewhere. And they do. Most of the time at least. They prefer to watch graceful dancing and sweet singing and artistry over resilient upkeep of the communications array or a swipe of her brush over official documents. It is fine by her; she has never needed the eyes of many on her. In fact, to be unobserved is her greatest weapon against them all.

A gaze that lingers then is bound to draw her notice. Ling Wen doesn't immediately look though; she's far too busy with chewing out two of the newer gods for falling behind on paperwork. Did you think I wouldn't notice? I was generous and gave you an extra day without a word. I expect it all properly done by tomorrow morning. Her steel gaze is ruthless and domineering as the unfortunate victims lower their heads and slink away like scolded puppies; tails between their legs and pride temporary wounded. Unfortunately it won't be long before it rebounds and their arrogance swells. For now she watches them leave the steps of her palace before turning towards the source of the gaze.

Ah. She should have known. Who else would look at her with anything other than contempt? Much less something as lightweight and soothing as appreciation.

Ling Wen rubs her temples for a moment to ease the inevitable headache that is coming ; not from him but just about everything else from the day. She hands off the scroll to one of her decent middle officials before she decides a brief break is in order. At least long enough for her to descend the steps of her palace and make her way across the courtyard to where a familiar face is.

" Ol' Pei. I'm surprised you're not frolicking below with springtime in full swing. " Ling Wen teases him with an elfin smile on her lips when she stops beside him. " Careful now. You're going to feed the rumors if someone catches you gawking. " She adds, lips pressed tight to hide her smile even as her shoulders lower and relax in a way they often only do around him.

[deathfavor]

@piscesiawave said: ❛ i’m here for you. don’t forget that. ❜ // peiwen !!

soft & sweet sentence starters

Ling Wen has long lost any ability to feel in her hand, numb from the amount of work she's been working through as her punishment for her role in everything. She's not even sure how long it's been - whether it's been three days or three months. It's all blurred together between fixing the communication arrays and presiding over them, and hundreds of thousands of scrolls and other tasks to do. She's pretty sure every god except the arts gods has dumped their paperwork onto her, and they only hadn't because they had none. Sometimes she thinks execution would have been a far kinder ending. She still half expects it for when she's caught up. If she ever does.

A wounded noise leaves her throat when she feels Pei Ming grab her hand and slowly uncurl her fingers from her brush. He's being gentle, but she's been holding the brush for so long that it feels like her hand has lost memory of doing anything else. It's like something frozen in ice that still only remembers that shape once the ice thaws. Her eyes squeeze shut, head bowed while he uncurls each one of her slender fingers one at a time, his thumb pressing into her palm and slowly massaging the muscles. It hurts but she knows it's probably best he does this. She does not retract her hand even when the pain feels agonizing. She also can't bring herself to look him in the eye right now.

" I know. " Ling Wen manages to murmur, head bowed and her forehead pressed against her wrist. He's stubborn and persistent despite everything she's done and everything that is said to him from others. He's always been the best of the three of them, the least deserving of being lumped in as the Three Tumors. Two now. " You're very adamant on reminding me. You always have been. " She chuckles, a barely present sound when she lifts her head to look towards him. Ah, he's worried. She can see it in the furrow of his brow.

Her gaze turns to watching him try to coax her hand into a more relaxed state, like it's the first time she's noticed how bad it is. It probably is, and if her hand is this bad, she doesn't even want to imagine her shoulders or back or legs. She moves her thumb to brush over the back of his hand, a small gesture that holds weight to it.

Her lips part to remind him there's a banquet starting soon that he should probably attend - all the martial gods sans Xie Lian are going to be present after all. But he probably knows that. He doesn't look like he has any intention of moving any time soon either. Instead her lips tremble, an act so small that anyone who didn't know her wouldn't even notice it. Even those who did wouldn't see it - only those closest to her would be able to perceive the break of character.

Ling Wen stays still for a moment longer before she sinks forward until her forehead rests against his shoulder. The way her muscles protest the change in position draws out another low noise of pain for a split second before she quiets again, shoulders slumped and pretense of the unyielding Ling Wen evaporated. He's so warm compared to the cold air, and his familiar scent offers an amount of comfort. It's a level of vulnerability she supposes they haven't had since before Shi Wudu's passing among the chaos that ensued after. She doesn't say anything, she doesn't cry and she doesn't complain, but the simple act of letting her facade fall is more telling than anything else of her trust in him, and her acceptance of his reminder that he's here for her.

[deathfavor]

@heaxrtinparadise​​​​ said: let's just cancel our plans for the day. what do you think? //peiwen

intimate pillow talk starters

   His words are far from unfamiliar to her ears. Yet, he persists onwards with asking every time, as though he does not know she’ll cut the idea down the same way a farmer does to newborn calves for veal. Some days though...some days it is harder than others to blatantly reject it. Especially when she’d like to do nothing more than that.

   “  Ol’ Pei.  “  Ling Wen sighs but makes no effort to try to avoid when she feels him wrap around her. It’s as pathetic as it is endearing.  “  You know very well that I cannot afford it so easily.  “  Her freest days were always those days which were closest to death. Like her wait before execution or time on the run.  

   She’s not the weaving goddess or fauna goddess, or those of song and dance, those that can spend vast majorities of their timing doing whatever it is that their hearts desired. They probably spent more time doing nothing than they did doing anything. Nor is she a martial god, who can gain vast popularity and hold it for a long time because people simply need it when it counts most - that, and having tons of younger officials also helped. They both know without her, the Heavens will end up crumbling into chaos till she’s inevitably drawn back to sort it out. 

   Her slender hand lifts to idly brush her fingers through his loose hair. At least she’d told them all she’d be back a little later than usual. It afforded them this time now, or else she would have been long gone without hesitation. He might be able to charm and sway others, but such methods had an astronomical chance of complete failure when it came to her. ( She’s rather inclined to the belief it’s something he LIKES despite how much he complains. )

   “  Or do you want to see the Heaven’s fall into utter mayhem? Then again - “ She hushes him before he can say anything.  “  You also aren’t the one who has to clean it up every time. “ Ling Wen stifles a yawn. Between his body heat and the blankets, she was half tempted to sink back down and curl up  for a while. That feels like a trap though, so she simply rests with the blankets pooled at her bare waist and an amused expression as Pei Ming lounges on her. 

   “  We still have some time Ol’ Pei. I told them I’d be back up a bit later than I normally am.  “ Not that there was any particular reason. She wonders if he’ll panic to try and recall a reason she might tell someone that - it’d be hilarious if he did.

[deathfavor]

@aknightwithnosword said: Pei Ming is bursting through her temple doors in his best pj's, and his most comfortable pillow. Yes. Its time for a temple sleepover party.

Ling Wen shouldn't be surprised by Pei Ming's antics. But somehow she still is after all this time. ( Maybe because any other sane person would have learned their lesson through her harsh punishments or lectures. ) But Pei Ming is Pei Ming. Perhaps not the sharpest, though by no means dull, but...certainly the best of them. Persistently stubborn when it came to her as well.

Her brush hovers in the air, but her expression otherwise doesn't betray how she feels beyond the slight widening of her eyes. A second passes, then two, and then she slowly lowers the brush to rest against the table. Still, she says nothing as he approaches the stairs that lead up to where she sits. Her eyes look him up and down for a moment.

" I'm impressed. " Ling Wen finally says, her voice composed and calm. " I didn't think you had proper sleepwear. " She flashes a sharp grin, unable to resist the jab at him. He should expect it by now and it was funny. Albeit the alternative was slightly horrifying to contemplate. " Is it that late already? "

[deathfavor]

@heaxrtinparadise​​​​​​ said: they think we'd make a good couple. // peiwen ! 

will they won’t they starters

   Ling Wen pauses in surprise, cup lifted to her lips but stopped before she could take a sip of the waiting drink. A good couple? She was used to the comments people made about her. She was used to the accusations of her sleeping around, with the martial gods, with the emperor, with anyone who would give her something. It was all false; they were simply so insecure they couldn’t handle a woman being in power by her own efforts. They had to reduce it down to something else for the sake of their own delicate egos. 

   But a couple? That was new. She lowers her cup to turn towards the people Pei Ming had been talking to. Even if they were humans and had no reason to suspect any of the political complexity of her life, people tended to not make such comments. There was something too sharp about her even with a disguise. Something about her threatened to spill blood like grabbing a sword by the blade unlike the graceful, flower-like delicateness of other women. Not that there was anything wrong with that. But it wasn’t how Ling Wen was. She’s not sure quite what to make of the encouraging smiles they offer her and she turns back to Pei Ming instead.

   “  I take it that is why we got the complimentary dessert.  “  She muses with the new information that has been revealed to her.

    Her gaze lifts back to Pei Ming as a guileful smile spreads over her lips and she raises from her seat to move and sit down beside him with careful poise. A poise he might be more familiar with from times spent alone together. A hand lifts so just one finger rests under his chin, her eyes alone the one thing to hold him captive and obedient as she leans daringly close.

   “  A good couple, hm? I think you’d have a lot to learn.  “  She murmurs to him, quiet enough no one else could overhear. Her gaze lowers for a moment, concealed beneath her lashes before her gaze lifts back to him.

   And promptly withdraws her hand and drops the commanding poise with a teasing smile.  “  Only teasing, Ol’ Pei.  “ 

[deathfavor]

@kaiibacorp​ said: a flirtatious kiss on the back of the hand . // peiwen 

kiss & tell prompts

   “  Ol’ Pei, what are you up to?  “

   She knows Pei Ming well enough to know the fact there’s intent in his movement when he comes towards where she’s seated. But what he is up to in this case is not so clear. He’d already dragged her down from the Heavens as it was, and she was merciful enough to stay close so he didn’t have to make sure she wouldn’t slip away at the first opportunity. Or, admittedly, a book seller had managed to do that with some enticing looking pieces of literature. It was rare she got the chance to get any literature and she almost certainly wouldn’t have time to read it. But it was nice to pretend for a bit. 

   So Ling Wen had indulged in buying one of the books and sat herself on a bench beneath one of the flowering trees. Despite minor changes in her appearance, there was no changing her. It was like a winter snow in late spring wrapped into a human form. She might play mortal, but that did not mean she’d lower her eyes and be something passive like the sweet, doe-eyed women. If they were songbirds, then she was the eagle above, sharp eyed and proud. 

   But for Pei Ming, disguise or not, she allows his approach when others dare only observe from afar. The last thing she expects though is for him to take her hand and press a kiss to the back of her hand with that charming air of his. She much prefers his real face, but this one has its own charm. Still. The mere fact he’d done this! 

   .....She has to hand it to him though. He still shows her even after centuries that he can surprise her. No one had ever acted in such a way. Probably for the best for the other’s sake, lest her sharp tongue slaughter them like lambs. 

   Ling Wen’s blinks, and her slightly wide-eyed expression shifts back to something more sly even as she permits his act, standing up to draw herself closer to his height. Her lips curve up and she leans closer to his ear while allowing her hand to rest in his.  “  I do hope you don’t think the disguises change things, hm? I’m a snake, not a mouse, pretty boy.  “  Though a book is held in her free hand, she lifts it so one finger rests under his chin, blue eyes bright with a challenge.  “  Think you can handle that?  “

   She gives him a wolfish smile, daring him on as she pulls away. If he wanted to play, then she’d play. 

[deathfavor]

@kaiibacorp​​ said:  1 - for peiwen

Various Nonverbal Prompts ∗ o1﹕ sender  tucks  hair  out  of  receiver’s  face .

   Ling Wen stifles a yawn as she sits up from the bed, long steel-blue hair free and loose around her as she rubs her eyes. Right now in the early morning she was just her. Not the goddess always fighting to defend her seat at the top with unyielding ferocity, not working yet. Just...her. Her eyes crack open to look beside her at Pei Ming,  surprised to see his eyes were actually open.

   She leans over him with a relaxed chuckle, peering down at him with a small smile.  “  It’s still early Ol’ Pei. You can probably get another hour, hour and a half, of sleep if you want.  “  She murmurs quietly, careful not to disturb the lull between awake and asleep if he wanted to go back to sleep with ease.

   She never could have predicted his next move. It takes all her energy to bite back the sound that threatens to leave her lips. She can feel the warmth of his hand brushing against her cheek, traveling up to tuck some of the loose strands of hair back behind her ear. It makes her chest feel strange in response. Like some rhythm was just disrupted and now her beating heart had to make up for it. How absurd. Yet it was a gesture that felt extremely intimate despite the fact they’d certainly done many more physically intimate acts the night prior. Something as simple as touching her hair throwing her off? Ling Wen almost wanted to laugh, if she wasn’t frozen with wide eyes and biting back whatever might escape her mouth.

   The difference was that usually she wasn’t unprepared like this. Even Pei Ming rarely saw her with her hair down and natural, not pinned and carefully structured for her image or all pinned up to avoid getting wet in the hot springs. He was normally asleep still when she got up in the mornings with only the rare exception. It was utterly illogical for something as simple as her hair being up or down to cause such a reaction. But it felt far more vulnerable like this. Not the nudity, not some words, but just the simple gesture of her hair tucked back.

   Would he even remember this? Maybe, maybe not.

   She puts effort into making her expression relax as she leans into his hand. This felt like a bad idea. This felt like playing with something dangerous. And yet, she still leans down to press a soft kiss to his lips. Gentler than usually granted, one that soaks into memories before she straightens up. 

   “  I have to get ready you know.  “  She reminds him quietly, but there’s a part of her reluctant to withdraw despite how she also wishes to hide away the unshared vulnerability.