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[fanoperator]

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[video]

[fanoperator]

Yes, of course. I'm at home. Do you want to come to me or should I come to you?

[He assumes that's a given, unless something is very wrong.]

[Action]

[cultivatingsin]

[Five minutes later, he lets him into Huaisang's apartment, closing the door quietly behind him.]

I didn't tell you... I wasn't sure how you would take it...

I asked A-Chen to marry me. My original idea was to bind us all together with...our own contract. That way we wouldn't feel so bad about contracts between Dominants and Submissives.

He...said he needed more time. To think. Originally. I thought that was a nice no so I didn't bring it up again.

But he surprised me a few days ago by saying yes. After what happened with the...orgy and everything...I thought he might have second thoughts. He didn't.

[He fully understands the strange position this puts Huaisang in.]

You can do whatever you like, SangSang. I was going to ask you too, but you don't like being bound. Marriage is more about love to me -

[Even so it usually involves some sort of contract.]

And I know it hasn't been long for you. I think A-Chen and I are just...aware...of our time running out. So wasting a day or a month doesn't seem right.

[fanoperator]

[Huaisang has been in the middle of work, and since his new job got him a burst of new clients, he has boxes and bags of recent purchases all over the main room of his apartment, sorted into various sections and piles. He heads to the door with a smile to let his lover in, blinking in surprise when they go straight into a topic that he really isn't expecting.

His brow furrows, watching Xue Yang's expression with confusion. He has a lot of conflicted emotions, not understanding why he hadn't been asked or told at the same time. He's not sure that such a thing is allowed between dominants--they're allowed to have lovers with whoever they want, but the city is so determined to have dominant and submissives as the only true contracts.

Unable to resolve anything on the spot, Huaisang gently takes Xue Yang's hands and draws him deeper into the apartment. He grabs wine and a couple of glasses, loading those into Xue Yang's hands so he can get out a box of pastries that he'd bought that day, then takes all that into the bedroom, sitting on the bed with him so that they can cuddle and enjoy the indulgences Huaisang got.]

Okay. Please understand that, to me, marriage is a public political alliance, with a woman, to produce heirs. Not particularly appealing. Can you tell me more about what marriage means to you, and what it is that you want it to involve here?

[cultivatingsin]

[He takes the glasses, partially in a daze of confusion. Of course he isn't going to say no to cuddling and once he is on the bed, he helps pour the wine and wrap an arm around Huaisang's shoulders. For the moment, his wine glass is set aside and he even ignores the pastries. The question deserves a good answer and, thankfully, he has thought about the topic a lot lately.]

Not if you're like us. [Xue Yang nods and bites his lip.] Love...and family. A way for people to declare their feelings publicly or privately and to know that no matter what happens, their hearts are tied together.

[The next part is less clear for him and he frowns.]

A home. A place of safety for us; someone to go to no matter the time of day or night. We become the most important to one another.

[fanoperator]

[Huaisang nestles against him, knees tucked up and leaning against Xue Yang's lap. Taking the box of pastries and a fork, he takes a bite while he listens, then offers the next bite to Xue Yang's lips.] All right. But I thought that's what we already have. I love you, I've declared those feelings publicly and privately, and I've said more than once that, whatever happens, our hearts are tied together.

I've told you you're my home. You are my place of safety, and I do go to you for help no matter the time of day or night. You and Xingchen are the most important people in the universe to me, excepting only my brother. [He takes another bite of pastry for himself, relaxed about discussing this now that he can do it with cuddles and pastry.]

[cultivatingsin]

[He tilts his head towards Huaisang, cheeks pinking at every admission. But there is more to a marriage - a sense of stability, perhaps - and that is what draws him most. It's easy to say all of those wonderful things for a day or a week, yet he wants to spend what life he has left with this man and Xingchen.]

It's easier for you, A-Sang. In a way. You can go back and if there is something you don't like, you can work on changing it. I also sincerely hope you find love there too. It's not like A-Chen and I will haunt you.

[His lips quirk upward.]

But I want to spend the time I have left with you and him. I guess I want it to be as official as it can be, though I know Duplicity won't approve. It will matter to us, however, and that is all I want.

[fanoperator]

I thought we'd promised reincarnation. [Huaisang nudges him, gently teasing.] When I go home, I will do everything I can to ease your soul to find reincarnation. We already have this place. Perhaps there will be others.

[He continues exchanging bites of pastry as they talk.]

As for official, we've already learned how dangerous this place can be when we've done nothing to offend it. I think it is best that we do not draw its attention. Nothing official.

[cultivatingsin]

I'll try. [But he isn't sure his soul...will. After everything. And Daozhang's had been stubbornly against it after losing Song Lan.]

So what about something just between us? You get to wear red.

[And there will be a wedding night?]

And we can have a nice honeymoon too...

[fanoperator]

[Huaisang also isn't at all sure whether Xue Yang and Xingchen can be reincarnated from the state they were in. And yet... they're... here. So clearly their souls can be obtained, somehow.

He looks very pleased and flattered about wearing red and being a bride. Groom? Bride. He can be a male bride if he perfectly well wants. Nodding with pleasure, he lifts his chin with a little grin.] Okay. [He puts a finger to Xue Yang's nose before he gets too excited.] Not for a few months, okay? And no talking about it to anyone who isn't us. Not until we know more about this place. I don't want to take risks or draw attention.

[cultivatingsin]

[There is some hope, definitely, however Xue Yang knows better than to live on hopes. It's best to work with what exists and leave dreams to...dreams.

He finally takes a bite of pastry, chewing it with a grin.]

Red will look great on you. [The tap makes him blink and laugh. He embraces his lover enthusiastically, nuzzling against his shoulder.]

Alright. A few months. And who am I going to tell? Almost everyone I've spoken to thinks I'm extremely calloused or unhinged.

[fanoperator]

That's not true. You're friends with Connor. [Huaisang's friends with him too, now.] And there's Wuxian and Wangji. No telling them, either.

[Huaisang cuddles happily, enjoying his pastries and wine.]

[cultivatingsin]

Still. [They tend to take him with a grain of salt. He picks up a piece of pastry and nudges it against Huaisang's lips.]

It's our secret. The only way they'll know is if they watch us around one another.

[fanoperator]

They know we're committed lovers, so it's still not much of a secret. [Huaisang gladly takes the bite, licking at Xue Yang's fingers before he pulls away to chew.]

[cultivatingsin]

It's a secret. [He pecks Huaisang's sugary lips, curving a hand against his lover's cheek.] Committed lovers doesn't mean I adore every inch of you, but I do. Committed lovers doesn't mean I would kill and die for you, but I would.

[fanoperator]

I know. [Huaisang smiles happily back at him, hopelessly infatuated.] No dying for me, though. Live for me.

[Pouncing, Huaisang slides into his lap to straddle him.] I love you.

[cultivatingsin]

I would miss your lips if I died, that's true.

[He groans at the sudden pressure against his groin, arching against Huaisang.]

I love you. [Rubbing along those beautiful legs, he smiles in relief.] We're family.

[fanoperator]

You're my home. [Huaisang smiles back at him, happy and adoring.] This is where I belong.

[cultivatingsin]

This isn't just about comfort, though. [He whispers huskily, flipping them suddenly and rubbing their hips together seductively.]

[fanoperator]

[Huaisang squeals at being flipped, laughing happily.] Ah! Xue Yang! I've been captured. Whatever shall I do?

[cultivatingsin]

Give in. [He breathes against his lover's ear.] There is no use in hiding how you feel. I will find out.

[Xue Yang's hands are busy undressing Huaisang as he speaks.]

[fanoperator]

[Fortunately there's not much to undress, since Huaisang wears mostly lingerie around his apartment these days, unless he's planning to go out. He gasps at the promising whispers, chills spilling down his spine.] Ah! So frightening. [Huaisang laughs breathlessly, happy to play.] Please ravish me, Xue-gongzi.

[cultivatingsin]

[Lucky him! Xue Yang tosses the light, silky pieces aside, smirking in pure, unfettered desire. He bends his head to bite the inside of his lover's thigh, sucking on the skin, hard, for a moment.]

Nie-gongzi, you taste like your pastries! I might have to lick all of you.

[fanoperator]

[Squealing and giggling, Huaisang squirms beneath him, arching at the bite and the sucking on his sensitive inner thigh.] Ah! Yes, yes please.

[He can't resist the urge to play, however, so when Xue Yang's mouth releases for a moment, he tries to bolt, scrabbling for the edge of the bed in complete confidence that he won't make it before he's captured.]

[cultivatingsin]

[He starts with that thigh, nibbling a line on the inside. But then Huaisang is moving and his work is interrupted! How dare.]

A-Sang! [He pounces like a playful fox and straddles whichever side his lover lands on. The view is so nice either way.] Where do you think you're going? I've only just started.

[fanoperator]

[Landing on his belly, Huaisang squirms beneath him, laughing breathlessly but still trying to twist around so he can tickle at Xue Yang's sides.] Guess you'll just have to pin me down...