[Video]

[fated_dance]

[ A man wrapped in white is helped to sit in one of the hospital beds, for any who are watching. Visibly strained and weak, but there's a determined set to his features as he pushes helping hands away to study the magitech device he's been handed. A slow blink, then he seems to register he might be 'transmitting' as he's been told this thing does. His gaze flicks to the side, then down, before refocusing on the screen. ]

I am looking for...a few people. I understand this is the best way to find them.

Zhang Chengling, Cao Weining, and Gu Xiang. If these names mean something to you, please speak up.

[ There is another name he could ask after, but he chooses not to. If Kexing is here too...he'll show up. It's one of the few constants still in his life. ]

If not... [ He takes a breath, a little shaky, and shakes his head a little as his gaze drops down again. ] It's fine.

[ Charming public speaker much? ]

Comments

video → action

[soakedinvinegar]

I'll be there shortly.

(( And with that, he cuts the video feed. It doesn't take him long, maybe fifteen or twenty minutes to find the way to his soulmate's door. He doesn't bother knocking. But he does find his way to Zishu's side, sitting beside him on the bed. Kexing's hand reaches out, smoothing over Zishu's forehead and hair. His eyes are soft despite his earlier accusation and filled with relief. ))

I was coming to find you.

(( In their world, after the Window of Heaven had taken him away. ))

action

[fated_dance]

[ Knowing Kexing is on his way, he unlocks the door so the other can simply come in. Then returns to the bed and settles in to meditate, letting his mind wander while he waits.

Zishu hears his soulmate's entrance, how the other moves then settles beside him on the bed. A soft smile appears at the familiar hand moving over his head, and he leans against Kexing, knowing he'll be supported. ]

I know. Others managed to smuggle me out.

[soakedinvinegar]

Mm. (( He nods slowly, taking in Zishu's exhausted countenance. ))

Let me see.

(( There's little chance the Window of Heaven didn't torture him in some way in an effort to get whatever it is they wanted from him. ))

[fated_dance]

[ He rolls his eyes a little and breathes out a sigh before pulling back to untie his robes. Then shrugs out of the top layer to reveal bandages that wrap around his chest - focusing on four specific parts. As if he's been pierced through in two points. ]

The bandages can probably be removed. I think Xiao Xingchen's healing energy closed them up, I just haven't checked yet.

[soakedinvinegar]

(( Kexing sucks in a breath. He can imagine what lies beneath. Xiao Xingchen told him of the wounds. He wants to lash out and claim the Window of Heaven too brutal, but he's sure this sort of thing was probably Zishu's own creation. ))

I'll check them tomorrow. Change them if necessary.

[fated_dance]

[ What better way to torture him, than use his own creations on him? He'd been inventive with punishments and deterrents for any who might think of leaving. Brutal and cruel, as well. ]

Ah. He left tea to help me sleep, and another, green tea, for any possible grogginess in the morning.

[soakedinvinegar]

(( Something sour shows in his eyes and he huffs a little sigh. ))

Well, what do you need me for?

[fated_dance]

[ Too much sourness. There's jealousy, then there's pain. Zishu's expression softens and he focuses on his Kexing's face. ]

Lao Wen. He is not you.

[soakedinvinegar]

Of course not. He's far too good.

[fated_dance]

[ Jealous words. He gives the other man a somewhat amused look. ]

He is not the one who brought life back to me.

[soakedinvinegar]

(( Jealous, but not untrue. Kexing is, after all, hell-bent on revenge. ))

If you want me to stay, I'll stay.

[fated_dance]

[ No, not false. Not long ago, if Kexing had said those words, he'd have leaped on them.

But not now. Now he can't imagine life without this man. He only wants to help him. Even now, here, in this strange new place. So his expression softens again, fixed on only Kexing. ]

I want you to stay with me. If you ask me to see no one else, to spend time only with you, then I will. [ Because Kexing is his everything. ]

[soakedinvinegar]

(( This time his huff is a little more at ease. He runs his hand over Zishu's hair once more and leans in to press his lips to the Zishu's forehead. ))

Don't be ridiculous.

[fated_dance]

[ Better. His eyes flutter closed at the affection and he leans against his soulmate with a quiet little chuckle. ]

Prince Jin wouldn't say so. I was put on those hooks because they didn't like what I did to him.

[soakedinvinegar]

I was under the impression he didn't want to let you go.

[fated_dance]

He didn't. I closed his heart meridians. [ A bitter twist of satisfaction settles on his lips. His relationship with his cousin is...complicated. So he hadn't had the heart to kill the other man.

He'd done the next best thing instead. ] He has to stay in bed for the rest of his life, and so they needed to keep me alive.

[soakedinvinegar]

(( A grin spreads over Kexing's face and he laughs quietly. ))

Serves him right for trying to keep you all to himself.

[fated_dance]

[ He smiles at that laugh. ]

Ah. Only you can.

[soakedinvinegar]

All mine.

[fated_dance]

[ A content little sigh escapes and he settles against Kexing, eyes starting to droop. He's been fighting the effects of the tea Xingchen brewed him, needing to see Kexing before succumbing. ]

I'm glad...you're here.

[soakedinvinegar]

(( Another stroke of his hair and Kexing's expression and tone soften. ))

Rest. I'll stay right here at your side.

[fated_dance]

[ A soft smile sets in and he lets himself drift off with the utter certainty he's safe. ]