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[Being on guard duty for the sword shrine is usually boring. Not one normally tries to break into it because 1) it's nigh impossible anyway and 2) being inside is admittedly a lot more dangerous than being outside and no one who has managed to actually get into the inner part has come out. So really, most people leave it alone.
But it is an ancestral grave, so it is still guarded. And because it is an ancestral grave, it means Huaisang gets to take shifts there because beside her brother she is one of the few who can actually move around here mostly safely due to being able to use the runes and passwords.
But also that means uninterrupted reading time, which is always good if you don't mind reading in a dark place by candlelight.
So when the runes actually sound the alarm, Huaisang actually curses. Who here is coming to disturb her me time?
She gets up, brushes the dirt off her clothing, and brushes her fingers against the closest stone beast.]
Where?
[A small ball of light comes out of the beast statue's mouth and she follows it. She is holding her saber, but in a loose grip, because honestly in an emergency, her spells are much better. She makes sure both her fan and brush are tucked in safely in her belt as she rounds the corner to the antechamber.]
Please get out right now, I don't want to have to kill anyone today.
But it is an ancestral grave, so it is still guarded. And because it is an ancestral grave, it means Huaisang gets to take shifts there because beside her brother she is one of the few who can actually move around here mostly safely due to being able to use the runes and passwords.
But also that means uninterrupted reading time, which is always good if you don't mind reading in a dark place by candlelight.
So when the runes actually sound the alarm, Huaisang actually curses. Who here is coming to disturb her me time?
She gets up, brushes the dirt off her clothing, and brushes her fingers against the closest stone beast.]
Where?
[A small ball of light comes out of the beast statue's mouth and she follows it. She is holding her saber, but in a loose grip, because honestly in an emergency, her spells are much better. She makes sure both her fan and brush are tucked in safely in her belt as she rounds the corner to the antechamber.]
Please get out right now, I don't want to have to kill anyone today.
[ This is where she finds one (1) silly wizard sitting on the floor with his backpack open, his pencil case on the floor next to him and his sketchbook in his lap. He would look utterly unremarkable and out of place if not for the spectral silver form of a large fox curling around him protectively, and the white glow of magic in his eyes when he looks up at the intruder.
Or. Well. Owner. He’s the intruder, technically.
He scrambled upright, shoving everything in his bag as quickly as he possibly could, the ethereal fox placing itself between them. ]
Ah—! No need for killing anyone!! I, Ah—
[ Was really regretting he hadn’t done a more thorough sweep when putting up his proximity warning spell. ]
This, uh, this your ancient ancestral shrine?
[ Just gonna slowly back towards the door now, thanks. ]
Or. Well. Owner. He’s the intruder, technically.
He scrambled upright, shoving everything in his bag as quickly as he possibly could, the ethereal fox placing itself between them. ]
Ah—! No need for killing anyone!! I, Ah—
[ Was really regretting he hadn’t done a more thorough sweep when putting up his proximity warning spell. ]
This, uh, this your ancient ancestral shrine?
[ Just gonna slowly back towards the door now, thanks. ]
[She spares a glance for the white fox, and his sketchbook. he managed to be in here a while before she noticed anything, or the runes reacted to the presence of an intruder.]
... That's some impressive cloaking you've got there. They almost didn't notice you. But they always notice. Believe me, you don't want to be in here if what is behind those doors wakes up.
[Just then, an ominous gust of wind that sounds almost like a human voice shrieking slams through the room, making the candlelight tremble, and Huaisang pinches her lips. Why did this have to happen on her shift.]
Listen, they've noticed you're here, and now the balance is tipped. They won't stop until it's restored, so either you scram out now, or you wait here for them to kill you. I vote for scram because I don't want to have clean up blood from here.
[Another look at his sketchbook and she shakes her head.]
You know it's no use copying them like that, don't you? They're scrambled. Only a Clan member can move the stones in the correct order. Now come on. I'll let you out. Did you even notice the door locked behind you?
... That's some impressive cloaking you've got there. They almost didn't notice you. But they always notice. Believe me, you don't want to be in here if what is behind those doors wakes up.
[Just then, an ominous gust of wind that sounds almost like a human voice shrieking slams through the room, making the candlelight tremble, and Huaisang pinches her lips. Why did this have to happen on her shift.]
Listen, they've noticed you're here, and now the balance is tipped. They won't stop until it's restored, so either you scram out now, or you wait here for them to kill you. I vote for scram because I don't want to have clean up blood from here.
[Another look at his sketchbook and she shakes her head.]
You know it's no use copying them like that, don't you? They're scrambled. Only a Clan member can move the stones in the correct order. Now come on. I'll let you out. Did you even notice the door locked behind you?
[ Ah. Ominous wind. Yes, it was time to make a swift retreat.
He offered her an apologetic grin and then skipped over to her, clutching his bag. She didn’t seem like she was going to hurt him, so everything was fine!! ]
I, ah, figured that I would work out how to open it once I was done.
And I wasn’t trying to unscramble them- I was trying to see the scrambling mechanism, it’s actually an incredibly intricate lock. I’m pretty sure basically everything in here is illegal, though. [ He said that surprisingly aimiably. ]
Is there a special guard spell on the door?
He offered her an apologetic grin and then skipped over to her, clutching his bag. She didn’t seem like she was going to hurt him, so everything was fine!! ]
I, ah, figured that I would work out how to open it once I was done.
And I wasn’t trying to unscramble them- I was trying to see the scrambling mechanism, it’s actually an incredibly intricate lock. I’m pretty sure basically everything in here is illegal, though. [ He said that surprisingly aimiably. ]
Is there a special guard spell on the door?
.... You figured you'd work it out after you were done?
[Who is this guy? Does he even know where he is?]
... You have no idea how this place is built, do you?
[Well, it's built well so on a good day with not sword spirits going 'grrr', you can't really feel the resentful energy because it's being suppressed. But anyway the point is...]
This place is made so that what comes in never comes out, unless a Clan member authorizes it. So I guess today is your lucky day, you're not dying just yet.
And you know that when a Great Family is doing stuff like that, it's not called 'illegal', it's called 'family traditions'.
[But then, he did break in and that's actually pretty impressive, even if of course the lock functioned and locked down after him.
She leads the way down the dark corridors he must have gone through to get there, occasionally brushing her fingers against some of the stone sigils on the walls. When she does, there is a soft blue green glow, there for a second and disappearing. Once she reaches the main gate - which is, indeed, solidly locked, she suddenly holds out her saber to him.]
Hold this.
[She holds up her hand in front of her to gather Qi, and then points her fingers towards the beast statues in the corners of the room. The blueish energy seems to grab them, and drags them across the floor, making them change positions, and she finishes by placing her palm on the wall in the center. The heavy stone then slowly moves up, to show the way out.]
Come on, it won't stay open long.
Anyway, follow me.
[Who is this guy? Does he even know where he is?]
... You have no idea how this place is built, do you?
[Well, it's built well so on a good day with not sword spirits going 'grrr', you can't really feel the resentful energy because it's being suppressed. But anyway the point is...]
This place is made so that what comes in never comes out, unless a Clan member authorizes it. So I guess today is your lucky day, you're not dying just yet.
And you know that when a Great Family is doing stuff like that, it's not called 'illegal', it's called 'family traditions'.
[But then, he did break in and that's actually pretty impressive, even if of course the lock functioned and locked down after him.
She leads the way down the dark corridors he must have gone through to get there, occasionally brushing her fingers against some of the stone sigils on the walls. When she does, there is a soft blue green glow, there for a second and disappearing. Once she reaches the main gate - which is, indeed, solidly locked, she suddenly holds out her saber to him.]
Hold this.
[She holds up her hand in front of her to gather Qi, and then points her fingers towards the beast statues in the corners of the room. The blueish energy seems to grab them, and drags them across the floor, making them change positions, and she finishes by placing her palm on the wall in the center. The heavy stone then slowly moves up, to show the way out.]
Come on, it won't stay open long.
Anyway, follow me.
[ He takes the blade with a slightly wide-eyed look, glancing at her then back down at it then back at her again, baffled as to why she would even let him touch it. Unfortunately he was torn between examining the sword and watching what she was doing, and ended up watching her instead.
He didn’t say anything, trying to memorize everything he’d seen before she strode our, and he followed hot on her heels. ]
Look, great family or not, if your shrine eats people that’s kind of cause for concern.
[ He could stand to sound a little more concerned, though, rather than fascinated. ]
So you’re in the Nie family then, yeah? You must be Huaisang. [ The family was small, and she certainly wasn’t her brother. ]
He didn’t say anything, trying to memorize everything he’d seen before she strode our, and he followed hot on her heels. ]
Look, great family or not, if your shrine eats people that’s kind of cause for concern.
[ He could stand to sound a little more concerned, though, rather than fascinated. ]
So you’re in the Nie family then, yeah? You must be Huaisang. [ The family was small, and she certainly wasn’t her brother. ]
[She's letting it hold you because to her brother's greatest fury, it just so happens the saber is not her spiritual weapon, Fox. Try to touch the fan though, if you want to lose a hand.
His words bring a frown to her face.]
... I don't like it either. I hate it. But that's how the place was made two hundred years ago and there's nothing I can do about it.
[She looks a bit surprised that he knows her name - but with the clue he has, why would he not know? Indeed, the family was small, and pretty famous for their unorthodox use of magic.]
What gave me away? The braids, or the saber?
[Belatedly, she holds out her hand to get the blade back as she finally leads the way out completely into the forest.]
What's your name? How did you even find this place? And do you often break into other people's ancestral shrines without asking?
... You know I'll have to tell my brother someone broke in, right?
His words bring a frown to her face.]
... I don't like it either. I hate it. But that's how the place was made two hundred years ago and there's nothing I can do about it.
[She looks a bit surprised that he knows her name - but with the clue he has, why would he not know? Indeed, the family was small, and pretty famous for their unorthodox use of magic.]
What gave me away? The braids, or the saber?
[Belatedly, she holds out her hand to get the blade back as she finally leads the way out completely into the forest.]
What's your name? How did you even find this place? And do you often break into other people's ancestral shrines without asking?
... You know I'll have to tell my brother someone broke in, right?
The fact that you’re here. But yeah, the sabre helps.
[ He holds it out to her willingly, then slides his hands into his pockets and hums. ]
I’m Fox.
[ He said it casually, well aware that plenty of people claimed to be him on a regular basis, so there was no need to pretend to be anyone else. He’d never been a good liar anyway. ]
And I found it because the title deeds for this strip of land didn’t exist, according to the archives, and there was a protection spell on it strong enough to confuse satellites. Would keep out basically anyone else but to me it’s like dousing something in catnip.
[ He paused, considering. ] Is there an equivalent of catnip for foxes...? Anyway.
[ He shrugged. ]
I didn’t break anything, by the way. I was careful. I just confused the protection spell into thinking I was supposed to be there, and then my guardian spirit - [ The silver fox was starting to fade a little as it trotted along beside them. ] - kept an eye out for anything nasty.
[ He hummed. ]
I guess you could say I broke in, but that implies I was going to steal something. And contrary to popular belief, I don’t steal anything. I just study.
[ He glanced at her. ]
Does your brother really have to know? Maybe some kind of animal got in.
[ He holds it out to her willingly, then slides his hands into his pockets and hums. ]
I’m Fox.
[ He said it casually, well aware that plenty of people claimed to be him on a regular basis, so there was no need to pretend to be anyone else. He’d never been a good liar anyway. ]
And I found it because the title deeds for this strip of land didn’t exist, according to the archives, and there was a protection spell on it strong enough to confuse satellites. Would keep out basically anyone else but to me it’s like dousing something in catnip.
[ He paused, considering. ] Is there an equivalent of catnip for foxes...? Anyway.
[ He shrugged. ]
I didn’t break anything, by the way. I was careful. I just confused the protection spell into thinking I was supposed to be there, and then my guardian spirit - [ The silver fox was starting to fade a little as it trotted along beside them. ] - kept an eye out for anything nasty.
[ He hummed. ]
I guess you could say I broke in, but that implies I was going to steal something. And contrary to popular belief, I don’t steal anything. I just study.
[ He glanced at her. ]
Does your brother really have to know? Maybe some kind of animal got in.
... You're Fox? Seriously?
[Her eyes widen, going from him to the fox guardian spirit.]
Well, I guess it's no wonder you managed to get in then. Most people wouldn't even notice the place, and the few that do usually get lost in the maze array and never make it to the door.
[But if he was Fox, 'the' Fox that even the Sect Leaders spoke of with a mix of exasperation and respect, then it made more sense that he'd managed to sneak in and remain undetected for a time.
His question makes her shake her head.]
The protection charms are being remotely monitored. Once they got tripped inside the shrine, it alerted someone back home. They're not going to come here since I didn't send a flare, but they'll know someone was in and I let them out.
I don't have to tell him it's you if you don't want me to but... I'm already going to get yelled at for just letting you out. If I say it was you, I'd have a good excuse as to why I just let you go. I could just say you slipped away once we were out. They'd believe me.
[Everyone always underestimates Huaisang's abilities because of her low proficiency with the saber. And honestly, she prefers it that way. She can use her actual abilities in silence, when needed, and live a more quiet and carefree life the rest of the time.]
Anyway, it's not like my brother can just look for you and find you, right? Just go and don't come back here.
[She's about to turn away, but then faces him again.]
I'm serious about that. You got really, really lucky. If the sword spirits had actually woken up, I probably wouldn't have been able to do anything.
[Her eyes widen, going from him to the fox guardian spirit.]
Well, I guess it's no wonder you managed to get in then. Most people wouldn't even notice the place, and the few that do usually get lost in the maze array and never make it to the door.
[But if he was Fox, 'the' Fox that even the Sect Leaders spoke of with a mix of exasperation and respect, then it made more sense that he'd managed to sneak in and remain undetected for a time.
His question makes her shake her head.]
The protection charms are being remotely monitored. Once they got tripped inside the shrine, it alerted someone back home. They're not going to come here since I didn't send a flare, but they'll know someone was in and I let them out.
I don't have to tell him it's you if you don't want me to but... I'm already going to get yelled at for just letting you out. If I say it was you, I'd have a good excuse as to why I just let you go. I could just say you slipped away once we were out. They'd believe me.
[Everyone always underestimates Huaisang's abilities because of her low proficiency with the saber. And honestly, she prefers it that way. She can use her actual abilities in silence, when needed, and live a more quiet and carefree life the rest of the time.]
Anyway, it's not like my brother can just look for you and find you, right? Just go and don't come back here.
[She's about to turn away, but then faces him again.]
I'm serious about that. You got really, really lucky. If the sword spirits had actually woken up, I probably wouldn't have been able to do anything.
Edited 2020-05-13 16:56 (UTC)
[ He just kind of shrugged at the question, an amused smile on her lips. She could believe it or not, he didn't really mind. But it seemed like she quickly convinced herself anyway. ]
He could try to find me. Not one's quite managed it yet.
[ He tilted his head as she turned back. ]
All magic is dangerous. [ Said in the charming way of the utterly relentless with zero self preservation instinct. ]
But alright, alright, as thanks for letting me go, I won't go back.
[ He paused, then wet his fingers with his lips, turned to look at his arms and snapped his fingers. A fire burst from his finger tips and he quickly drew a line of it around his arm. It burned through the fabric before extinguishing, and then he pulled the cuff right off his jacket, burnt edges and all. ]
Here. You grabbed me but I used a flame spell to escape, and you only got the edge of my sleeve.
[ He tapped the fabric with a finger and it shimmered, a tell-tale sign of the Queen West's specialty: textile magic. ]
Should be proof enough, I think.
He could try to find me. Not one's quite managed it yet.
[ He tilted his head as she turned back. ]
All magic is dangerous. [ Said in the charming way of the utterly relentless with zero self preservation instinct. ]
But alright, alright, as thanks for letting me go, I won't go back.
[ He paused, then wet his fingers with his lips, turned to look at his arms and snapped his fingers. A fire burst from his finger tips and he quickly drew a line of it around his arm. It burned through the fabric before extinguishing, and then he pulled the cuff right off his jacket, burnt edges and all. ]
Here. You grabbed me but I used a flame spell to escape, and you only got the edge of my sleeve.
[ He tapped the fabric with a finger and it shimmered, a tell-tale sign of the Queen West's specialty: textile magic. ]
Should be proof enough, I think.
He could try, but I don't think he'd bother.
[Most of the Sect Leaders know about Fox, but they tend to just leave him alone unless he gets too nosy into their business. There used to be efforts to try and find him before, until they collectively decided he wasn't a threat and more of a slightly irritating annoyance most of the time. the Sects themselves tend to be a bit removed from traditional wizarding circles, and it's not like there aren't any rogues among them anyway.
But it'd be easier for them to let him go if he didn't insist on coming to see stuff just for curiosity's sake. Like the Nie saber shrine, or the Lan Forbidden library - she heard that one from Xichen.
She looks surprised as she takes the bit of sleeve and listens to his explanation, and then smiles, holding it up.]
Thanks. I guess with this I can call us even.
[You're still alive, and she won't get yelled at too badly. Definitely even.]
Now go. I have to stay here for the rest of the night, and it'll be more believable too if I finish my shift rather than rush home now.
[Most of the Sect Leaders know about Fox, but they tend to just leave him alone unless he gets too nosy into their business. There used to be efforts to try and find him before, until they collectively decided he wasn't a threat and more of a slightly irritating annoyance most of the time. the Sects themselves tend to be a bit removed from traditional wizarding circles, and it's not like there aren't any rogues among them anyway.
But it'd be easier for them to let him go if he didn't insist on coming to see stuff just for curiosity's sake. Like the Nie saber shrine, or the Lan Forbidden library - she heard that one from Xichen.
She looks surprised as she takes the bit of sleeve and listens to his explanation, and then smiles, holding it up.]
Thanks. I guess with this I can call us even.
[You're still alive, and she won't get yelled at too badly. Definitely even.]
Now go. I have to stay here for the rest of the night, and it'll be more believable too if I finish my shift rather than rush home now.
Alright, alright, I’m off.
[ He flashed her a grin as he pulled the hood of the jacket up, his face sudden far more obscured than it should be in that small amount of shadow, two little twinkling green flecks of light where his eyes should be. He turned to start to jog away, before abruptly turning around. ]
We should hang out sometime.
[ But before she could reply, he had turned around again and was off like a shot, leaping over the nearest log and disappearing into the woods. ]
[ He flashed her a grin as he pulled the hood of the jacket up, his face sudden far more obscured than it should be in that small amount of shadow, two little twinkling green flecks of light where his eyes should be. He turned to start to jog away, before abruptly turning around. ]
We should hang out sometime.
[ But before she could reply, he had turned around again and was off like a shot, leaping over the nearest log and disappearing into the woods. ]
[And another cloaking spell. She's not quite sure exactly how many he has on him, but yes, no wonder he somehow managed to slip inside.
But then he's like 'We should hang out' and she doesn't have time to answer and....
Hang out with Fox? The Fox? Her? Well, first she'd have to know where to find him and that in itself is not easily done, as she mentioned... although of course, she is much better at tracking things than anyone else she knows, but...
But it doesn't feel right running after him. She trusts he'll hold to his word and not come back. That's enough trouble for now. If their paths cross again, then they'll see...
She goes home at the end of the night, gets yelled at as she predicted although the burnt sleeve and take help stop that pretty quickly. And then, she's back to slacking at saber practice, skipping classes when she can, practicing her talisman magic in secret instead and training with her fan when no one is looking.
And clubbing, of course.]
But then he's like 'We should hang out' and she doesn't have time to answer and....
Hang out with Fox? The Fox? Her? Well, first she'd have to know where to find him and that in itself is not easily done, as she mentioned... although of course, she is much better at tracking things than anyone else she knows, but...
But it doesn't feel right running after him. She trusts he'll hold to his word and not come back. That's enough trouble for now. If their paths cross again, then they'll see...
She goes home at the end of the night, gets yelled at as she predicted although the burnt sleeve and take help stop that pretty quickly. And then, she's back to slacking at saber practice, skipping classes when she can, practicing her talisman magic in secret instead and training with her fan when no one is looking.
And clubbing, of course.]
Edited (suddenly finding typos orz) 2020-05-19 07:02 (UTC)
[ That weekend, during one of Huaisang’s usual party hours and at her favourite club, the place is absolutely packed. The music is loud enough to barely be able to hear voices over it, and the crowds dense enough that you have to brush people to get past them.
And yet, as Huaisang dances, the crowd seems to part a little next to her, instinctively all turning their back on the same point, pulling apart like the Red Sea. It’s hard to actually look at where the crowd parts - or it would be - until suddenly it’s easy to look straight at the man who has walked in between them as he lowers his hood and deactivates the attention avoidance spell he was wearing. He flashes Huaisang a cheeky grin, the music around them quieter than it had been a minute ago, so he doesn’t even have to yell. ]
You wanna dance?
And yet, as Huaisang dances, the crowd seems to part a little next to her, instinctively all turning their back on the same point, pulling apart like the Red Sea. It’s hard to actually look at where the crowd parts - or it would be - until suddenly it’s easy to look straight at the man who has walked in between them as he lowers his hood and deactivates the attention avoidance spell he was wearing. He flashes Huaisang a cheeky grin, the music around them quieter than it had been a minute ago, so he doesn’t even have to yell. ]
You wanna dance?
[She is personable and sociable, so Huaisang likes the crowds, and the noise, and the drinking.
She likes the annoying guys a bit less, but they come with the territory, and if she doesn't have Zonghui staring at people menacingly somewhere around, she has people gently reminding them that her last name is Nie and her older brother literally flattens people who look at her too long before breakfast, so usually it works out.
In a throng like this one, though, there's often a few hands that fray, but she's good with the pinching, and she has her fans in case things get real handsy.
It takes a her a little bit to realize the movement of the crowd near her is not natural, and she barely has the time to think, her mind racing, there's someone here with a cloaking spell on, why, when suddenly he appears and she ends up in a pool of quiet, blinking with her mouth open.
Okay, so he did say they should hang out, but she'd figured he was just being polite after she saved him and she hadn't bothered looking for him because int he aftermath of the shrine being broken into it's been a flurry of activity to re-secure it properly.
And now he's here, standing right in front of her and asking her to dance?
She closes her mouth and smiles.]
Sure, okay.
... you give a whole new dimension to the concept of ghosting, you know that?
She likes the annoying guys a bit less, but they come with the territory, and if she doesn't have Zonghui staring at people menacingly somewhere around, she has people gently reminding them that her last name is Nie and her older brother literally flattens people who look at her too long before breakfast, so usually it works out.
In a throng like this one, though, there's often a few hands that fray, but she's good with the pinching, and she has her fans in case things get real handsy.
It takes a her a little bit to realize the movement of the crowd near her is not natural, and she barely has the time to think, her mind racing, there's someone here with a cloaking spell on, why, when suddenly he appears and she ends up in a pool of quiet, blinking with her mouth open.
Okay, so he did say they should hang out, but she'd figured he was just being polite after she saved him and she hadn't bothered looking for him because int he aftermath of the shrine being broken into it's been a flurry of activity to re-secure it properly.
And now he's here, standing right in front of her and asking her to dance?
She closes her mouth and smiles.]
Sure, okay.
... you give a whole new dimension to the concept of ghosting, you know that?
He had made it look like a spur of the moment decision. Mentioning it casually the Thursday night before, telling Mingyu he was going out of the city for a long weekend to see his aunt at the nursing home she lived at. Then casually asking him if he wanted to come.
It wasn't a casual question. He'd never even brought Jade with him, before, let alone anyone else. Fox was extremely careful about the pieces of his life that could be used to identify him, and even those that knew him best knew nearly nothing about his family or his upbringing, let alone that he had any left alive. His Aunt was his family - though by adoption and not by birth. She was the last thing that remained from his past and someone he protected fiercely.
And he badly, badly wanted her to meet Mingyu.
He knew she wouldn't really retain it. There were days where she didn't even seem to recognize Fox. But it was still important to him. But he approached it casually just so that he wouldn't be too crushed about it if Mingyu said no. He almost expected him to, though he wouldn't be able to explain why. It wasn't anything to do with Mingyu, exactly. The man had never been anything less than supportive. But it was hard for Fox to think that anyone would be interested enough (in a pleasant way rather than a malicious one) to go to all the trouble of actually coming out with him. Especially someone like Mingyu who would have to make arrangements for his absence.
So he still couldn't quite believe it even after they had checked into the bed and breakfast down the street from her facility. Even after they had a really intense night together, and even when he waited lounging in bed as Mingyu fetched the breakfast they were promised. It all seemed a bit like a dream, if he was honest, and he didn't really want to wake up.
He smiled warmly when Mingyu came back, pulling the blankets down to make it easier for him to slide into bed and holding his arms out for the tray.
"Doesn't look quite as good as your cooking, but you know what, I'll take it."
It wasn't a casual question. He'd never even brought Jade with him, before, let alone anyone else. Fox was extremely careful about the pieces of his life that could be used to identify him, and even those that knew him best knew nearly nothing about his family or his upbringing, let alone that he had any left alive. His Aunt was his family - though by adoption and not by birth. She was the last thing that remained from his past and someone he protected fiercely.
And he badly, badly wanted her to meet Mingyu.
He knew she wouldn't really retain it. There were days where she didn't even seem to recognize Fox. But it was still important to him. But he approached it casually just so that he wouldn't be too crushed about it if Mingyu said no. He almost expected him to, though he wouldn't be able to explain why. It wasn't anything to do with Mingyu, exactly. The man had never been anything less than supportive. But it was hard for Fox to think that anyone would be interested enough (in a pleasant way rather than a malicious one) to go to all the trouble of actually coming out with him. Especially someone like Mingyu who would have to make arrangements for his absence.
So he still couldn't quite believe it even after they had checked into the bed and breakfast down the street from her facility. Even after they had a really intense night together, and even when he waited lounging in bed as Mingyu fetched the breakfast they were promised. It all seemed a bit like a dream, if he was honest, and he didn't really want to wake up.
He smiled warmly when Mingyu came back, pulling the blankets down to make it easier for him to slide into bed and holding his arms out for the tray.
"Doesn't look quite as good as your cooking, but you know what, I'll take it."
It was a bright, unexpected joy for Mingyu, being able to slip away for a weekend. With his... boyfriend, his lover, though neither of those words seemed to quite encompass what Fox was to him. Getting to be the one to fetch breakfast for them, too— Granted, his father's jade bangle sat heavily upon his wrist, stealing him a certain amount of anonymity. Still.
Mingyu couldn't remember a time he felt happier, not since he was a child. Even the concept of being this happy had eluded him before Fox, and he marveled at the wonder of it all as he returned to the room where Fox was waiting, tray in hand. Fox wasn't the only one who felt like this had to be a dream.
Handing over the tray into Fox's lap, Mingyu slid in next to him immediately, an arm going around Fox's waist as he snuggled in as close as possible, nosing playfully into Fox's neck before kissing him on the cheek, then the lips.
"Spoiled you for eating out already, huh? Next time we can get a place with a kitchen," he mused cheerfully, reaching to pluck up a strawberry from the tray to hold up to Fox's mouth. "—though, maybe you've lost rights to my cooking for a bit. I didn't forget about you making me burn my sourdough."
Mingyu couldn't remember a time he felt happier, not since he was a child. Even the concept of being this happy had eluded him before Fox, and he marveled at the wonder of it all as he returned to the room where Fox was waiting, tray in hand. Fox wasn't the only one who felt like this had to be a dream.
Handing over the tray into Fox's lap, Mingyu slid in next to him immediately, an arm going around Fox's waist as he snuggled in as close as possible, nosing playfully into Fox's neck before kissing him on the cheek, then the lips.
"Spoiled you for eating out already, huh? Next time we can get a place with a kitchen," he mused cheerfully, reaching to pluck up a strawberry from the tray to hold up to Fox's mouth. "—though, maybe you've lost rights to my cooking for a bit. I didn't forget about you making me burn my sourdough."
Fox chuckled as he turned his face to accept the kisses as they were offered, careful to keep his hands still as they balanced the tray on his lap, even as he tried to lean closer to grab another kiss and got a strawberry instead.
"Mffhg--" He started, then chewed, chuckled, and grinned as he swallowed. "In my defence, you were very happy to be distracted," he pointed out in a tease.
He settled the tray a little more solidly and then offered a strawberry to Mingyu.
"Don't cut me off, I'd be devastated. I've been getting used to regular meals."
"Mffhg--" He started, then chewed, chuckled, and grinned as he swallowed. "In my defence, you were very happy to be distracted," he pointed out in a tease.
He settled the tray a little more solidly and then offered a strawberry to Mingyu.
"Don't cut me off, I'd be devastated. I've been getting used to regular meals."
"You say that like I'd starve you!" Mingyu laughed readily, still in that phase where every burst of laughter from him left him startled, half in awe and half in wonder that he was even still the same person.
But then, maybe he wasn't the same person anymore. Just like he wasn't the same before his parents died, Fox made him someone new. Someone better. Someone who faced life with a little less fear and a great deal less loneliness, and the joy—
Mingyu hadn't known there was joy like this to be had in this world. Not by anyone, least of all by him.
"I'd just make you survive off... regular takeout. From mid range restaurants. The kind with prices on the menu and everything. The horror," he went on to tease, expression playful and cheeky as he went for the strawberry he was offered in return.
"Anyway, ruining sourdough is a crime. That's art, Huli. Wild yeast died for that bread."
But then, maybe he wasn't the same person anymore. Just like he wasn't the same before his parents died, Fox made him someone new. Someone better. Someone who faced life with a little less fear and a great deal less loneliness, and the joy—
Mingyu hadn't known there was joy like this to be had in this world. Not by anyone, least of all by him.
"I'd just make you survive off... regular takeout. From mid range restaurants. The kind with prices on the menu and everything. The horror," he went on to tease, expression playful and cheeky as he went for the strawberry he was offered in return.
"Anyway, ruining sourdough is a crime. That's art, Huli. Wild yeast died for that bread."
Edited 2020-05-20 23:15 (UTC)
"And their sacrifice was definitely not in vain," Fox quipped in reply, shifting a little closer and feeling the orange juice wobble dangerously. He pulled back, picking up the juice and taking a sip before setting it safely on the bedside table instead. There. Better. He turned his attention back to Mingyu.
"Do I need to give you a reminder of just how thoroughly I distracted you?" He asked with a wicked grin. "I'm sure I could give a demonstration--"
"Do I need to give you a reminder of just how thoroughly I distracted you?" He asked with a wicked grin. "I'm sure I could give a demonstration--"
"Oh, we're gonna make a mockery of the loss of my sourdough and waste the breakfast I just spent time fetching from downstairs?" Mingyu demanded, and even as he said this he helped nudge the tray out of Fox's lap off to the safety of the end table as well, because, well. Fox had a point. That lap was far better occupied by him.
Draping arms over Fox's shoulders, he leaned in to claim another kiss from those criminally sweet lips.
"Well...? I'm waiting."
Draping arms over Fox's shoulders, he leaned in to claim another kiss from those criminally sweet lips.
"Well...? I'm waiting."
"The waffles will keep even if they're a little cold," he teased, threading his arms around Mingyu's waist and pulling him more firmly onto his lap. Like this, Mingyu looked framed by the east facing window behind him, the early morning sun blooming around his head and through his hair like a halo.
Fox's expression flickered for a moment from amusement to something softer.
"Mmm, give me a moment, I'm basking." He leaned up to press a warm kiss to Mingyu's throat, and then another, a little lower.
"Kind of wish I could take photographs with my eyes," He added as he leaned back, grinning. "You have a literal halo, like this. Haha- my very own angel."
Fox's expression flickered for a moment from amusement to something softer.
"Mmm, give me a moment, I'm basking." He leaned up to press a warm kiss to Mingyu's throat, and then another, a little lower.
"Kind of wish I could take photographs with my eyes," He added as he leaned back, grinning. "You have a literal halo, like this. Haha- my very own angel."
Mingyu was starting to melt into those kisses as he always did, eyes shutting, the beginnings of a moan on his lips— And then Fox pulled back, said those words, and Mingyu sat up with a little start, eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
"Was— Was that a play on my name, Huli?" he asked with a delighted breath of a laugh, so tickled by the very idea of it that he wriggled a bit right there in Fox's lap. He knew that Fox knew his English name was Gabriel—it was what most of the world called him, and even with as scatterbrained as Fox could be with the news, it was also his Instagram handle. But he flushed a pretty shade of pink and tangled his hands in the hair at the nape of Fox's neck the way he liked to do, stroking the short-cropped strands as he spoke.
"...I meant Gabriel, but actually— Did I ever tell you? 'Mingyu' means 'bright feather'."
"Was— Was that a play on my name, Huli?" he asked with a delighted breath of a laugh, so tickled by the very idea of it that he wriggled a bit right there in Fox's lap. He knew that Fox knew his English name was Gabriel—it was what most of the world called him, and even with as scatterbrained as Fox could be with the news, it was also his Instagram handle. But he flushed a pretty shade of pink and tangled his hands in the hair at the nape of Fox's neck the way he liked to do, stroking the short-cropped strands as he spoke.
"...I meant Gabriel, but actually— Did I ever tell you? 'Mingyu' means 'bright feather'."
It was a stupid, cheesy joke, and he was all too happy to immediately brush past it with a chuckle when Mingyu inevitably rolled his eyes. But when that didn't happen, when instead Mingyu stuttered and flushed and laughed, an impossible fondness gripped Fox's chest and he grinned all the wider.
"I've been known to make a pun or two," He admitted, chuckling, leaning his head to the side to press a kiss to Mingy's wrist.
"But no, I didn't know that. Bright feather, huh. Your parents really kept to theme." He leaned in again, stealing a kiss from those perfect cupid-bow lips.
"It's kind of a romantic idea though. Like I lured an Angel right down from heaven..." He pressed another kiss to the side of Mingyu's mouth, then his jaw. Then he chuckled against his ear. "Too bad I fully plan on absolutely ruining him with sin."
"I've been known to make a pun or two," He admitted, chuckling, leaning his head to the side to press a kiss to Mingy's wrist.
"But no, I didn't know that. Bright feather, huh. Your parents really kept to theme." He leaned in again, stealing a kiss from those perfect cupid-bow lips.
"It's kind of a romantic idea though. Like I lured an Angel right down from heaven..." He pressed another kiss to the side of Mingyu's mouth, then his jaw. Then he chuckled against his ear. "Too bad I fully plan on absolutely ruining him with sin."
Edited 2020-05-21 00:01 (UTC)
Mingyu didn't talk about his parents, not to anyone, and he began to move past the topic like he always did when it struck him what they were here for. That Fox invited him here to meet his aunt, the only real family Mingyu understood fox to have ever had. So Mingyu paused, shivered a little at those suggestive words off Fox's lips, but then—
He leaned in until he could rest his face against Fox's shoulder, arms wrapping around him in a way that was needy, half clinging, a noticeable anxiety in the way he clutched onto his partner.
"My mother used to say that," he whispered, voice thin as spun glass and just as fragile. "When I was little, she'd hold me in her lap in her rocking chair, and we'd sway and way and I'd imagine I was up in the clouds and she'd tell me I was her gift to this world. That I would be someone's angel someday. Not her's, but someone's. That was her gift."
He paused, smiling tightly there against Fox's neck, speaking so softly he could barely be heard.
"...maybe she meant you all along. Maybe it was always you, Huli."
He leaned in until he could rest his face against Fox's shoulder, arms wrapping around him in a way that was needy, half clinging, a noticeable anxiety in the way he clutched onto his partner.
"My mother used to say that," he whispered, voice thin as spun glass and just as fragile. "When I was little, she'd hold me in her lap in her rocking chair, and we'd sway and way and I'd imagine I was up in the clouds and she'd tell me I was her gift to this world. That I would be someone's angel someday. Not her's, but someone's. That was her gift."
He paused, smiling tightly there against Fox's neck, speaking so softly he could barely be heard.
"...maybe she meant you all along. Maybe it was always you, Huli."
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