#Yuanyi

[pastlives-brokendreams]

accurate.

Fangs of Fortune incorrect quotes

[randomingoftherandomness]

fof fic request: zyz as zyc's demon bride (willing or unwilling) pre-canon and how they awkwardly introduce themselves to the new demon hunting bureau team.

Helping his lord husband dress is one of the highlights of his day. The other being, of course, helping him undress but that's only second to helping him through his ablutions and assisting him in his bath. Zhao Yuanzhou is a simple being, you see, easy enough to please and happy enough to wrap his world around his husband.

Slender hands cover his own just as he is smoothing out a fold on Xiao Zhuo's sleeve. Turning his gaze up to his husband, he cocks his head, making a questioning hum around his smile.

"Are you nervous?"

Is he? Xiao Zhuo is carefully neutral when their eyes meet, but Zhao Yuanzhou has been his consort for long enough to decipher the words that he isn't saying. There has been a lingering thread of reluctance about his man for days now, ever since their little team began to carve out their spaces in the Bingyi mansion. While Zhao Yuanzhou hadn't argued against the necessity of keeping their marital ties a secret, had in fact encouraged it and gone as far as to keep himself secluded to the further corners of the compound, his darling Xiao Zhuo-daren had been the one to drag him back to their bed every single night.

Tugging at the hem, he clucks his tongue. "We haven't done anything wrong." Leaning in, he lets his husband fold him into an embrace, warmth glowing in his chest as he giggles under the river of kisses Xiao Zhuo rains on him.

"People will talk." Zhao Yuanzhou sighs, toying with a stray bead on Xiao Zhuo's lapels. He'll need to break out his sewing kit before he sends this off for a wash.

"People always do. But at least me announcing you as my consort will end some of the tongue-wagging once and for all." Pausing for a beat, Xiao Zhuo tugs him closer. "I do so wish you'd have let me marry you with the full pomp and circumstance you deserved."

Smiling against the jump of his pulse point, Zhao Yuanzhou noses at the line of Xiao Zhuo's neck. "And give the people more reasons to doubt the integrity of the Bingyi Clan? No. Your father and brother were right to have us married in front of your family's funeral tablets and then have us keep it a secret for so long."

"No more, alright? I don't want to hide you."

Zhao Yuanzhou laughs a little at the rather put-upon pout, darting in to kiss it away. With more fondness than he would like to feel at such an early hour of the day, he curls a hand to Xiao Zhou's cheek. "As my lord husband wishes it."

When they emerged together for breakfast, the team hadn't even bothered looking up from their meal beyond the brief morning greetings. As they take their seats, Xiao Zhuo attentively ensures that Zhao Yuanzhou's hair isn't snagged anywhere, carefully helping him with his robes and moving to serve him first before loading up his plate. It isn't anything unusual from the way they've had a thousand shared breakfasts before, but he's sure the sight is a little jarring for their new family members when all they've ever known of them both is how Zhao Yuanzhou will poke and prod with glee and mischief, and Xiao Zhuo will respond with annoyance and mild violence.

"Err..."

"Yes?" Zhao Yuanzhou sweetly asks, picking up a slice of meat to place on Xiao Zhuo's plate. Eyeing up Bai Jiu, he smiles serenely.

"Do you wanna... Are you two... Possessed or something?"

Oh, really, possessed? Zhao Yuanzhou readies himself to parry with a quip or two, but none of it matters when Xiao Zhuo huffs impatiently next to him, slamming his chopsticks down on the table before grabbing Zhao Yuanzhou by the nape and pulling him in for a kiss.

Ah well, that's as effective an announcement.

On the scale of their kisses, it's a little too wide, too sloppy. Much too uncoordinated for a precise man like his Xiao Zhuo, but the thrill of being kissed so fully, like a public brand of ownership in front of the people they trust, steals every rhyme or reason from him. And all he can do is melt.

"We're not possessed, we're married." Xiao Zhuo growls, pushing back far enough to haul Zhao Yuanzhou into his arms. "And if that's not clear enough, I'd suggest you stuff your ears with cotton because we're about to be incredibly loud."

Dressing his lord husband may be one of his most favourite things to do, yes. Bathing him, serving him, making sure his day-to-day life is smooth is too. But all of it pales in the way he absolutely surrenders to Xiao Zhuo when he takes control. He can merely laugh breathlessly when being thrown over his lord's shoulder, looking up to catch the disbelieving stares thrown their way.

He wiggles his fingers goodbye, laughing wildly when he feels Xiao Zhuo turn to bite him in the ass.

[hyog-blog]

If You Like It, Put a Ring on It [fic]

I wanted to write one kiss, under some love seductive magic to make it more fun, but then everyone in my head went: but what about the AFTERMATH of a kiss? Aren't we going to explore why they did it and what happens next? And I'm like sure, another dramedy it is :D Because seriously, it's like these characters just have to have that bit of existential crisis first. And, obviously, overcoming it makes everyone (including me) oh-so-happy on various levels.

So I bring you another delicious Zhao Yuanzhou and Zhuo Yichen coming-together fic, with a first kiss and then some more, with ZYZ being a tease and looking staggering in his attempt to impress Zhuo Yichen even more, with a bit of a plot, found family shenanigans, and a variation of a wedding ring trope (is it even a thing? well now it's a thing :D)

If you read it and like it, come celebrate with me to the comments! :D

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61944364/chapters/158397634

Summary:

“Do I have to?” Zhuo Yichen manages to ask in a husky voice looking as if this magic was the only way for him to actually act upon his feelings, whatever they were, and once they get back to normal, if that was still an option, he will have to restrain himself once more and be that carefully composed, slightly uptight leader of the Demon Hunting Bureau, an exemplary fighter, stoic and untainted by humanly desires.

[renshengs]

what if you were a thousand year old demon lord cursed to be a literal walking vessel for all the world's horrors and i was a young upstanding swordsman who lost my family to your uncontrollable violence. what if i inherited the only weapon in the universe that could kill you and you came to me one day and told me you'd help me learn how to do it. what if i promised you, in all my grief and rage, that i'd be the one to kill you someday. what if you were gentle with me despite my hatred for you. what if you looked out for me, cut yourself on my sword to save me from my nightmares, held my hand and healed the bleeding wound and asked for nothing in return. what if you never asked for anything from anyone and loved the world anyway. what if you wanted to die because you thought the world would be better off without you because the only thing you see in yourself is violence. what if they dragged me through the mud and you stood by me and protected me and looked me in the eyes like you'd always done because you understood how it felt.

what if one day i looked at you and realized i didn't want you to die and it tore me apart. what if i'd rather walk into fire, freeze myself for eternity. what if your death by my hand was written in the stars by our ancestors. what if i know how this story ends, know it can't be rewritten. what if i try anyway. what if i try anyway because i love you.

[kandadze]

The sheer intimacy in this little moment. Hope this is what you had in mind, @no-sh1t-sherly

[pastlives-brokendreams]

mentally i am still here.

i could write a whole essay about the meanings hidden behind this scene but their smiles are what really got me. you can see all the love they have for each other and how the single thought of losing the other quite literally shatters them inside.

adding to that the mysterious silent words zyc mouths at zyz when he thinks he is about to die (you know what i’m talking about and you will not change my mind about it. the L-WORD was definitely in there) and i’m pretty sure we can translate this whole scene as being their official and definite love confession.

maybe that’s also the moment that cements it for zyc. no matter what happens, he will not go on without zyz. he’ll find a way for them to be together, no matter how long it takes.

and now. imagine him with the white streaks in his hair, smiling in that exact same way when, after who know how many long years, zyz finally cultivates back to life and lays his eyes on him once again. smiling.

[fiftysevenacademics]

Is there a consensus yet on what Zhuo Yichen says in that one scene where he soundlessly says what appear to be three words to Zhao Yuanzhou through Wen Zongyu's magic barrier.

I watched that part twice today, and it sure looks to me like he's saying 我爱你 Wǒ ài nǐ, I love you. But maybe someone out there has a more definitive answer?

[xiaobaosnoona]

The piece of paper falls out of Zhou Yichen's hand and lands softly on the ground by his feet. The wind has stilled. Everything has stilled. Except for his own beating heart.

A familiar, soft smile greets him. Big dark eyes looks at him, unapologetically shedding tears. Home. He found his way home.

"Your hair is beautiful," the man before him says. "You truly look like a great demon now, Xiao Zhou."

And he reaches out a hand as if he wants to run his fingers through the soft white strands. Zhou Yichen steps forward, takes the hand in his own, and refuses to let it go ever again.

[lost-sheep]

I'm almost me again He's almost you

[zhuoyichenpretty]

Go on, hold his hand then.

[onmyo-jin]

original prompt, i hope you don't mind.

zyz + zyc = kiss, the others see them.

Thank you for the prompt, I don't mind at all :D I hope you enjoy these two being idiots

Zhao Yuanzhou's lips are hot against his own. He can taste the wine the demon had been drinking on his tongue when he licks into Zhuo Yichen's mouth and flushes at the realisation that the demon can probably taste his own tea as well. Zhao Yuanzhou surrounds him, envelops him, seems intent on consuming him and Zhuo Yichen is considering letting him do just that. He pushes ever closer to Zhuo Yichen, forcing him to step back to keep his balance. Then his back hits the wall. He has nowhere to go, and nowhere he'd rather be.

From somewhere off to the side Zhuo Yichen distantly registers a gasp, which seems unimportant. The snort that follows does seem important enough to distract his thoughts from the all-consuming demon in front of him. He knows that sound: that is their little mountain god– oh no.

"We should… ah, leave, Xiao Jiu," Ying Lei's voice sounds. The surprise of it, of the others seeming him–them– like this, makes Zhuo Yichen push the demon away. Zhao Yuanzhou moves without complaint, and follows Zhuo Yichen's shocked look towards their friends. His smile is nothing short of evil.

"Don't look Bai Jiu, this is not a demon hunting technique you are old enough to learn just yet," Zhao Yuanzhou says, his voice filled with laughter. He tries to lean against Zhuo Yichen again, but Yichen steps away. A quick glance at their friends tells him Ying Lei has at least covered Bai Jiu's eyes, though probably too late. Bai Jiu's jaw is practically on the floor, and he's not even trying to remove Ying Lei's hand.

/

Dinner is awful. It is even more awkward than Zhuo Yichen feared it would be, and Zhao Yuanzhou is making everything much worse by being nice. He insisted he wanted to sit next to Zhuo Yichen, something Bai Jiu argues with him about practically every meal. Then he insisted he pour the drinks, and worst of all: he keeps putting food in Zhuo Yichen's bowl. They're his favourite foods as well, none of the soggy vegetables but only the crunchy ones, the slices of meat that are neither all lean meat nor all fat… Zhuo Yichen is forced to ask himself how long the demon has known what his favourite foods are, and how closely the demon has been watching him to find out.

Ying Lei is looking anywhere but at Zhuo Yichen, Bai Jiu is sitting on the far side of the table barricaded behind Pei-daren, and Wen Xiao's attention is fixed very firmly on her food from where she sits opposite them.

Da Yao tries to put another bite of food in his bowl, and this time Zhuo Yichen has had enough of his games. He grabs his bowl before Zhao Yuanzhou's chopsticks get there, and hisses: "Stop making everything worse, you great bloody demon!"

Across the table, Wen Xiao makes a sound that might have been a snort, had she been any less genteel about it. She finally looks at him, for the first time that meal, and Zhuo Yichen immediately knows why she has been looking away for so long. The laughter in her gaze in threatening to spill out of her mouth, mirth drawing adorable lines around her eyes and scrunching her nose the way she used to laugh when they were younger.

"Xiao Zhuo," she is definitely laughing at him, and what is worse is that she's trying to be nice about it. "Xiao Zhuo, what took the two of you so long?"

Ying Lei guffaws a laugh and quickly hides his face in his rice bowl when Yichen looks at him. At the far end of the table even little Bai Jiu is nodding along with Wen Xiao. "Really, the two of you have been so painfully obvious, tiptoeing around each other for weeks–" Pei Sijing plants a heavy hand on his shoulder to stop the incriminating words. "What Xiao Jiu is trying to say is that… well…" She looks at Wen Xiao for aid, and Zhuo Yichen follows her gaze.

Wen Xiao is shaking with quiet laughter. She sits up straight when she notices that everyone has turned to her, and takes a deep breath to quiet her mirth. And then another one, because one was not enough. "What we're trying to say is that the two of you are the last to notice your mutual attraction." 

"Hey! Come now, Zhuo-daren may not be as perceptive, but I–"

"And when did you notice, Da Yao?" "Uhm," the great demon mutters, and mumbles something that sounds an awful lot like yesterday.

[its-a--love-story]

Youtube: MyEdits

[randomingoftherandomness]

Hear me out…

Baby ice dragon demon ZYC losing control over his abilities and going Elsa mode in freezing everything he touches 😭

ZYZ so concerned and trying to help but ZYC terrified he’s gonna freeze him too

"I leave for half a shichen and this is what happens when I'm not around."

Zhao Yuanzhou barely has time to finish his sentence before Xiao Jiu grabs him by the arm and drags him towards Xiao Zhuo's room. Mouth running a mile a minute, the boy genius starts rattling off without pauses or stops about how they'd noticed something wrong when temperatures dropped below freezing even when everything beyond the compound's gates was a comfortable balmy autumnal afternoon gander.

Ying Lei chirps up that no one can go beyond the corridor that leads to Zhuo Yichen's private quarters to check on him, and when Zhao Yuanzhou moves to ask why, he stops.

There could not be any wondering of the 'why', when right at the mouth of the corridor is a thick wall of ice.

"We tried breaking through." Ying Lei says, solemnly. "Some of the men are looking to build a fire strong enough to melt it down, but that'll take ages."

"So this is why you pulled me out of my sojourn?" Zhao Yuanzhou asks the little mountain god. Turning around, he spies the way Xiao Jiu is worrying at the bell in his hair, and opts to be kind about this.

"Stand back." He commands, calling on his power for a spell.

The ice wall shatters easily enough and Zhao Yuanzhou takes the initiative to be the first to walk through the frigid air. Not two steps in, accompanied by a loud lurch and the distressed sound of Xiao Jiu calling out his name, the wall reforms itself 3 feet deep, pushing the demon back.

A trap, then? He wonders. It's no matter in any case because very few things can hurt him. However, there are many things that could harm Zhuo Yichen at this stage. Practically breaking out in a sprint, he runs at full tilt to where his room is.

"Zhuo Yichen!"

"Xiao Zhuo--!"

At every step he takes, the ice that coats the walls go thicker and the air colder. With his senses, the great demon feels out the way just moving through the pulse of energy that beats through the corridor is like moving through thick sludge. Worry prickles in the corner of his mind, but he pushes it back to focus on getting to the mortal.

No. Zhao Yuanzhou has to correct himself. No mere mortal. Not anymore.

When the door to the bedroom won't open, Zhao Yuanzhou batters through with a whispered word. The whole space glows with an icy blue, unnatural but beautiful. If it were any other moment, he might have taken a beat to admire it all, but as it were, his attentions go to the curled-up form on the bed.

"Xiao Zhuo-daren..."

"Don't come close! D-don't come near me!"

Zhao Yuanzhou inhales, consciously relaxing himself. With gentleness in his voice, he takes half a step forward when he asks, "And why is that?"

This makes Zhuo Yichen sob. "Because I'll hurt you. I can't control it. I'll hurt you and everyone else."

A full step. Then another. "You could never hurt me."

"Zhao Yuanzhou, I'm being serious!"

"And so am I." The demon smiles, crossing the last few steps between them. With careful awareness in his gestures, Zhao Yuanzhou takes a seat on the bed. Keeping his body language light, he reaches out to take Xiao Zhuo by the hand.

He resists, but what is resistance in the face of a patient storm?

"Xiao Chen, here."

The first touch of their fingertips is like touching a glacier's surface. The second is the sensation of melting snow. Zhao Yuanzhou lets the icy feeling numb his touch, then bleed a little of his power into how their hands slide together; finger to finger, palm to palm, intertwined.

"There. Just like I told you, you can't hurt me." The demon whispers, reaching out for his other hand. Surprise gives in to delight when Xiao Zhuo does not hesitate to lean into him, letting Zhao Yuanzhou wrap his arms around him. He is freezing, almost a block of ice in his embrace, but the great demon holds on tightly. Uncaring for the almost painful the chill seeps into his own bones.

"I can't control it..." Xiao Zhuo murmurs miserably against his shoulder.

"I know. It's alright."

Xiao Zhuo shakes his head, rubbing his tear-stained cheek against his robe, "I don't want to hurt anyone."

"And I won't let you." Zhao Yuanzhou promises, carding his fingers through his hair. "I promise."

[yooooowhf]

Make Yourself At Home

Reunion! Zhuo Yichen waits for Zhao Yuanzhou to come home at the Peach Blossom House.

*setting this down and running away* very raw and first draft, I don't even know what I'm doing half the time. Sorry if there are holes and mischaracterizations, this is not my stronghold.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

He kept the house clean most of the time. Taking pleasure in the mundane act he never indulged himself in when he was a mere mortal. Never knew the intricate movement of sweeping and wiping the floor. Never knew how serene the act of arranging the house was, usually done by the servant at his home and the hunting bureau. The personal matter was done by Wen Xiao, and he only sometimes accompanied her on the matter before retreating to his own matters. A house after his father and brother's death is barren, nothing but a place.

But Zhao Yuanzhou’s house has become part of his soul, spending a long time at the residence. When he first came back to the place, while the peach blossom tree does not fail to bloom the house was left unattended. The wild grass grew and taken over the clean and serene look he once appreciated on his first visit. He felt his heart stutter when he saw one of the swings ropes had snapped, the swing not being able to use.

So, Zhuo Yichen took it upon himself to fix the house, if- before Zhao Yuanzhao came back, he was sure of it.

Months and years pass, the demonic energy from Zhao Yuanzhao soul slowly cultivate. Its presence became stronger but there were no signs of Zhao Yuanzhao coming back. Zhuo Yichen has long accepted his fate, to wait.

He makes himself home at the peach blossom house. At first, he wanted to fix it and then leave but the house reminded him of Zhao Yuanzhou so much that we could not bear to leave. He wanted to be reminded of him, even if some morning he was shrouded by guilt and regret.

The house was clearly shaped to Zhao Yuanzhou’s liking. The study was simple while the garden was elaborate with decorations clearly showing where Zhao Yuanzhou likes to spend his time at. So, he makes himself home at the study, a place where he has his tea while gazing out at the tree where Zhao Yuanzhou used to lay on. He read the books that Zhao Yuanzhou kept, especially the ones that were worn out from reading too much. The yearn to know what Zhao Yuanzhou likes to eat him at those moment. Zhuo Yichen wants to ask of his insight on those tales he loves so much to read.

The house is filled with parts of Zhao Yuanzhou that he knows but never got the chance to understand. There were trinkets from the human world, properly kept and cared for. Sometime Zhuo Yichen would silently laugh at how much of it are children’s toys and accessories.  There were demons and animal masks hanging carefully on the wall and small trinkets in drawers kept in a box.

After fixing the swings, he would silently sit there for a long time. Reminiscing about their happy moments and filling his head with what if scenario, patiently waiting for Zhao Yuanzhuo. He would not swing the swing by himself, but rather wait for the wind to come and push him. Silently pretending it was Zhao Yuanzhao’s one word spell.  One day, he said in his heart if Zhao Yuanzhao does not hate him after he comes back, he wishes for Zhao Yuanzhao to push the swing.

Zhuo Yichen sometime felt nostalgic, waiting under a tree for his loved one to come home. Loved one… He had a lot of time to ponder his relationship with Zhao Yuanzhou. Does he love Zhao Yuanzhou or was it guilt for killing the only person that seems to understand and share his pain? Can love still be there when he pointed at the sword and thrust it into Zhao Yuanzhou’s heart?

He could ponder all he wants for now; he has all the time in the world to wait.

The first thing Zhao Yuanzhou sensed was the sound of bells, softly swayed by the passing winds before fading out. Then comes breath, as if he has only stopped breathing to take the breeze and not that his heart itself has halted for a long time. Next come his sight, his eyelids fluttering before opening to take the scenery. He was slightly surprised when he realized that he was in the peach blossom house. He long thought this home would be abandoned after his passing, but the house instead looked lived in.

He stood up from under the peach blossom tree, appreciating its bloom. He walked around at the familiar layout of his home, a place that used to confined him to when he lost control of the blood moon. But he finds himself oddly, even if the layout is the same they were adorned with unfamiliar materials. The curtains that he usually wrapped around the beam were not white, but light blue with midnight blue wrapped around it.

There were new decorations and personal belongings that definitely didn’t belong to him laid on the tables. Tea sets sat on the dining area; Zhao Yuanzhao never drank tea. The sound of bells attracts his attention again. Since when does he hand bells in his residence?

He looked outside, near the swing he noticed a pagoda tree he never planted before. Its branches were decorated with small bells and string beads, chiming softly. The tree was still young but slowly reaching its maturity. He hums, liking the addition. He had a small idea of who has graced his humble home with their presence.

That’s when he notices the swing, its ropes have changed. He walks to the swing, grasping the apparent new ropes, realizing someone has tended to its care. The wood seat has been polished and designs were carved. He traces the carve with his fingertips, imagining his visitor sitting on the floor doing many things to abide time while waiting for him.

Feeling a new whole emotion surge his new body, with determination he went on to find the visitor. He could feel a strong pure demonic energy coming from his bedroom, it was steady and humming. He slides through the door quietly, not wanting to startle Zhuo Yichen.

As the door moved away from his view, he felt a small smile creeping up at the sight. It is indeed his Xiao Zhuo Daren that had cared for him and his home and apparently Zhuo Yichen has made himself home.

Zhuo Yichen was sleeping on his bed, his face calm and free of nightmares Zhao Yuanzhou noticed as he crept closer to the bed. Zhao Yuanzhou fell short, stopping to appreciate the view in front of him. It is not often he was able to see Zhuo Yichen this peaceful, free from worries and troubles as the demon hunting bureau commander.

Zhuo Yichen was wearing light cream sleeping robes, which differ from the everyday wear that Zhao Yuanzhou saw before. It reminds him of the young Zhuo Yichen that he saw in his dreams. His hair had changed into midnight blue, resonance of Bingyi’s with white stripes at his temples. It left Zhao Yuanzhou breathless.

he called, “Zhuo Yichen.”

But Zhuo Yichen sleeping figures were unmoved. Zhao Yuanzhou take another step, setting himself down on the bed to call out the young man again.

“Xiao Zhuo daren” again no respond. But he can see the twitch of Zhuo Yichen eyelids.

He slightly huffs before leaning closer to Zhuo Yichen faced.

“A-Chen” he whispered, breath away from Zhuo Yichen face while cupping his cheek with one hand.

Zhuo Yichen eyelids flutter open at the call and touch. His eyes opened and met Zhao Yuanzhou’s, but there was no surprise that Zhao Yuanzhou expected to see. Rather, his Xiao Zhuo gave a small smile, “Why are you here again?”

Zhao Yuanzhou could only hum in question and wait for what the other man would say more.

“You know I can’t bear to see you leave again” Zhuo Yichen snuggled closer to the hand that rested on his cheek. The warmth from the slumber was still wrapped around him.

Zhao Yuanzhou realized what Zhuo Yichen meant and felt the need to tease him. “Does Xiao Zhuo Daren dream of me so often? Does he miss me so much?”

Zhuo Yichen hummed at the questions, agreeing to the statement that Zhao Yuanzhou knew he would never admit in real life. Feeling laughter bubbling up in his chest, he continues

“What dream do you usually have of me? I wonder”

Zhuo Yichen opened his eyes, to look at Zhao Yuanzhou and huffed. Feeling annoyed that this Zhao Yuanzhou kept asking questions, so he just said that. “Why do you keep asking questions?”

“Of you coming back of course” he replied after a silence. Zhuo Yichen took the hand that had settled at his cheek into his own and brought it down. He noticed that this time, the hand seems warmer than before not cold like how he usually felt in previous dreams. “But this one is warmer” he smiled.

Zhao Yuanzhou could only tilt his head a bit at the unfamiliar sight of Zhuo Yichen, soft and unguarded. “You need to stay here until I fall asleep again. You can’t leave me first, not here” With that Zhuo Yichen closed his eyes, readying himself to fall back into slumber.

Zhao Yuanzhou felt amused that the young demon still thought he was a dream. He leaned his body, moving his forehead so it touches Zhuo Yichen,

“But Zhuo Yichen, I am back” moving his lips to touch Zhuo Yichen’s.

The soft peck did not awake the man from his self-made illusions, Zhao Yuanzhou stifled a laugh. Either the young demon is really sleepy or the occurrence of Zhao Yuanzhou kissing him in his sleep isn’t new.

So, he pressed a bit harder, stirring the sleepy man ever more. Zhuo Yichen makes discomfort noise, not wanting to leave the haziness of his sleep. Seeing how the man is determined to not wake, Zhao Yuanzhou do what he good at ‘Don’t blame me for this Xiao Zhuo Daren’

Zhuo Yichen suddenly felt something sharp on his lips, drawing prickly pain. His eyes jolted open and he stood up from his laying position. “You-“He was ready to get angry at the illusion when he realized the pain was too real, too real to be just a dream.

His eyes cleared up, and he finally took a proper look at the man in front of him.

It was Zhao Yuanzhou, but this one is different from all the others that appeared in his dreams so far. The bed felt truly dipped from their shared weights, there was a true warmth presence coming from the body. And this Zhao Yuanzhou looks healthier, like the time he used to cultivate has paid off by the glowing look he had on his face.

This Zhao Yuanzhou has soft looks just like the others, but there were the sadness that he never dare to imagine.

“Zhao Yuanzhou” he hesitantly called.

“I’m here, A-Chen” Zhao Yuanzhou silently respond. He tightens his hold on Zhou Yichen hand, showing comfort. He could see many emotions passing by those ocean-colored eyes. He knows that Zhuo Yichen felt silent at this moment. Who would know how long Zhuo Yichen yearned for this moment, for their reunion.

Felt compelled to break the silence, Zhao Yuanzhou can’t help but tease the man,

“Xiao Zhuo Daren sure make himself comfortable. Especially since there’s only one bed in my house”

Zhuo Yichen felt his throat dried at the sight, the sight he had long yearned to be grace from. The presence of Zhao Yuanzhou to finally came back. He felt his eyes tear up and throat bob at the snide remarks.

“Oh, I thought monkey likes to sleep on trees” his ears redden while saying it back. He really didn’t think through when he decided to make himself comfortable in the house. Didn’t think this moment would come.

“Ape. White ape” Zhao Yuanzhou lightly corrected him, reminiscing their first meet conversation.

He thought that Zhao Yuanzhou would not come back yet, last time he observes Zhao Yuanzhou demonic energy still need more time to cultivate. “How- how are you here?”

Zhao Yuanzhou shrugged “Maybe, because Xiao Zhuo misses me so much, I can’t help but come back sooner” Zhuo Yichen, felt enough embarrassment punch lightly at Zhao Yuanzhou shoulder. The demon obviously dramatically moans in pain, but his hand grasps the hand that had punched him. Pulling the man’s forearm so he would be closer to him.

Zhuo Yichen was startled at the slight manhandling but didn’t say anything. They are now inches apart, both searching each other’s eyes at the delicate moment. “Does this mean you did not miss me?”

“You crazy” was the only thing Zhuo Yichen could utter before he embraced the man. He inserts himself into the crook of Zhao Yuanzhou's neck while wrapping both his arms on the man's shoulder. Zhuo Yichen could feel Zhao Yuanzhou return the hug, grasping his back near the waist.

“Please don’t leave again, Zhao Yuanzhou,” he pleaded, and tears started to fall. He missed him so much; he never thought this moment would finally come. Zhao Yuanzhou was finally in his embrace.

Zhao Yuanzhou humm in promise, taking his right hand and caress the midnight blue hair trying to soothe the now crying man in his arm. “I promise. For real this time, A-Chen” He heard sniffles coming from the young man, before Zhuo Yichen pull himself away but not too far.

“Who gave you the right to call me by such dear name?”

Zhao Yuanzhou lean closer, so their face is breath apart again, his lips right there on Zhuo Yiche’s before whispering,

“Seeing as Xiao Zhuo daren is so comfortable in my bed, there are many more dearer names I could call you A-Chen”

[renshengs]

girl once i’ve climbed out of finals week with my fingers and gums bleeding i will write the “zhao yuanzhou comes back early and deals with The Consequences (read: his unresolved emotional tensions with zhuo yichen)” fic of my dreams and none of you can stop me. the outline is completed and sitting in my docs rn. it’s a ship fic. get ready

[kandadze]

And then there was light. And then there was your smile. (Yannis Ritsos, can't for my life find the collection I've read this in)