prompts / continuations.

[fennu]

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[fennu]

I can’t remember what I wanted to talk about.

[ It’s an honest confession. He’s a little overwhelmed by how he feels, suddenly, feeling flushed and embarrassed and wanting all at once. He almost crosses his arms, hesitating for a moment before he glances up at the sky.

The stars are beautiful here. There’s no denying it. ]

I am happy right now, a-Huan.

[lanclan]

[ A wash of contentment runs through him like a newly lit hearth inside his ribs, catching himself admiring the line of a jaw and drape of long hair on a shoulder as a cool breeze stirs. His name is a fishing hook that snags, seemingly invisibly pulling him closer until he stands beside Jiang Cheng without noticing when he moved.

Being taller, when he lifts his hand it curls around Jiang Cheng's elbow easily. ]

How long will you stay with us?

[fennu]

[ The touch surprises him, and Jiang Cheng glances down at the hold on his elbow, not sure what to do with himself. It’s soft, almost too soft, and he slows his pace a little to make it more comfortable, his own hand lifting to rest over Xichen’s. ]

It cannot be long, as I’ll be needed home. But a few days.

[lanclan]

[ It is more human contact than he has had in weeks, let alone months. His fingers slip between Jiang Cheng's, cold as they seek out his heat. ]

I wonder how long we can hide you away for.

[ It's going to be an intense game of Hide and Seek to avoid Wei Wuxian and Wangji if they decide they've had enough of each other. Xichen hums, tipping his chin up to watch the moon. ]

At least until tomorrow night.

[fennu]

Hopefully, long enough.

[ He needs at least a few hours warning before he has to deal with the tornado that is Wei Wuxian, after all.

His fingers, slowly, cautiously, sink around Xichen's. ]

Preparation will be necessary.

[lanclan]

[ His attention darts to the touch on his hand as it lingers, a smile deepening in the corners of his lips as they walk. ]

You speak as if fortifying battlements.

[fennu]

That is how it can feel sometimes. You've met him.

[ And that's without the layers of odd relationship. ]

[lanclan]

I find it is easier to let him exhaust himself, then compromise.

[ Wei Wuxian is quite the fox among the rabbits, after all. He always means well, which is what counts with Xichen. ]

He will be thrilled to discover you are here, that much I also know, and why I am guarding your peace.

[fennu]

You are more tolerant of him than I am lately.

[ Old scars, salt in the wounds, the kind of poetry that makes Jiang Cheng sting. ]

He can know, only later.

[lanclan]

Once I was not so tolerant, I even scolded him when he seemed to be taking Wangji's feelings as a joke. [ A soft snort meets the night air. ] But he simply knew nothing of them.

Since then, I have known him better.

[fennu]

He likely deserved the scolding.

[ Not quite as repaired in relationships as some might hope. ]

He loves honestly, at least.

[lanclan]

You will too, when you find the right wife.

[ Which seems ... like a hard thing to remind himself of, but he does for Jiang Cheng's sake. ]

[fennu]

If. Perhaps there isn't a wife for me.

[ His hand squeezes Xichen's absently. ]

[lanclan]

[ His thumb runs over Jiang Cheng's knuckles to keep them warm as a cool breeze blows through the garden, rustling robes and leaves alike. His gaze tracks the path ahead. ]

That would be a shame, you would make a wonderful father.

[fennu]

I did the best that I could with what I had.

[ He did raise a-Ling alongside the riches of the Jin sect, after all. Of course the boy was spoiled, and Jiang Cheng didn't always help with that, but he tried.

The touch to his hand softens him a little, and he sighs. ]

I think I would like it. To have a child of my own.

[lanclan]

You should.

[ He means it, smiling at the imagery of a sassy little version of Jiang Cheng racing around waving a sword and telling people off. Chuckling, Xichen wonders about himself. ]

I would have liked a boy and a girl, so they would always have a friend who could teach them how to be kind to someone different.

[fennu]

It is good to have an older sister.

[ An old grief, but one that aches less with the time between it. Different to his grief around Wei Wuxian, returned to his life so suddenly and sharply. ]

I think two, at least, as well. Three, perhaps.

[lanclan]

[ In an attempt to dispel any sadness, he hums thoughtfully and decides, ]

Five.

[fennu]

I would have thought that was too many when I was younger.

[ If all his kids are like a-Jie though… ]

[lanclan]

You wouldn't want three Wei Wuxians?

[ Three would topple any city. ]

[fennu]

I would never have children if I thought it possible.

[ One is enough. ]

[lanclan]

[ His laughter fills the garden, sliding his arm further through Jiang Cheng's to loop them closer, side-to-side as they pass over a low bridge. ]

Fortunately children come later, after ... practice.

[ It must be the cool night air skimming his hot cheeks, but he isn't ashamed of going there. ]

[fennu]

A-Huan!

[ He’s a little shocked by the response, that familiar flaring of his cheeks happening all over again. ]

I don’t know if that is…

[lanclan]

It is perfectly natural.

[ He is going to try and keep his smile as subtle as he can, though it's rather difficult with Jiang Cheng looking scandalised. ]

[fennu]

I would not know!

[ Surely he should’ve expected that! ]