[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

[He is in a forest, somewhere near the Autumn segment based on the color of the leaves in the distance. Xingchen is usually prompt in speaking to his communicator, but not this time. His eyes are wide, darting from the right to the left and then up as if he sees something others cannot.]

I...don't remember...

Where did you come from?

[An Ice Maiden is following him, a cool smile on her lips as she weaves her magic. Frost clings to Xingchen's white robes and his steps become sluggish. He drops Shuanghua and turns just in time avoid the Maiden's embrace.]

St-Stop! I'm...cold.

[Freezing, actually, as the frost turns to ice and creeps up his body.]

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[nightimmortal]

[ Runyu doesn't bother trying to respond over the network, he simply portals himself to where his lover is - so what if it takes a few turns. Fury licks at his senses and he wraps himself in his power, lashing it out at the Maiden. ]

This one does not belong to you.

[ The dragon steps up beside Xingchen and wraps a protective arm around him, draping a warm cloak around the poor man's shoulders in the process. His power does his attacking for him, lashing out like a whip of crackling energy. Relentless. ]

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[gentledawn]

[The Ice Maiden is immune to Runyu's full power, but that doesn't mean his actions are unnoticed. She releases a scream of fury and focuses on the dragon instead, seeking to cloud his mind with visions.

All Xingchen can do is watch, his various hallucinations blurring his perception of Runyu. Ice has crept its way up to Xingchen's waist and he can no longer move from where his feet are, quite literally, planted. But even if he could move, he wouldn't make any logical choices.]

Master...? [He mumbles and shivers while the Ice Maiden approaches Runyu, step by step.]

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[nightimmortal]

[ Since the energy he throws at her isn't enough, he summons his sword, barring his mind against the cloud gnawing at him. Runyu senses he doesn't have long, no matter how strong he might be.

Eyes narrow and he kicks down at the ice planting his lover to the ground, aiming to break it. ]

No, A-Chen. Hang on just a little longer. Our A-Yang is waiting back home for us with a hot bath.

[ The shivering itches at his heart and he tightens his hold on Xingchen. If he manages to free the man from the ice, he'll forgo further attack in favor of simply flying them away. ]

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[gentledawn]

[She is a being made of Winter itself, an otherworldly beauty carved from crystal bright ice. However Runyu has definitely earned her ire and she lashes out at him, sending a wave of icy daggers at him.

Xingchen blinks slowly, his lips turning an unhealthy blue.]

...fire... [Or...wind? Works against ice. He gives his head a sharp shake and holds out a hand, using a strong gust of wind to knock the Maiden back.]

...go... [He urges Runyu, his legs collapsing under him when the ice holding him breaks.] ...go...home.

[nightimmortal]

[ Ice is water, and Runyu is a dragon whose very nature is water - those icy daggers are stubbornly forced aside. No one will harm this dragon's loved ones.

Xingchen's reaction to protect him makes his chest warm even as he scoops the man up and flies them away. Just far enough that portaling won't risk bringing the Maiden along.

Pressing a kiss to Xingchen's temple, he takes them to their cozy home and flicks the door open. ]

A-Yang, I hope that bath is ready. A-Chen is freezing!

[ Steam wafts from the bathroom though, reassuring him their third is already very ready for warming them up. Carrying Xingchen right to the bathroom, he gently sets him down on the edge of the tub to start removing those frosted layers. ]

[jiangzaid]

[ Runyu's plan to get Xingchen home safe irked him, but Xue Yang is practical enough to know one of them should get the house ready to warm poor Xingchen back up. And Runyu is a god.

So he has the heat up in their home and a warm bath waiting, with plenty of cozy warm robes to change into after. When Runyu arrives with Xingchen, calling out like that, he barks a laugh and closes the bathroom door after the pair before helping the dragon in stripping Xingchen. ]

You're both far too cold, but we're fixing that soon!

[gentledawn]

[He feels dizzy as he is carried away, his hallucinations fading one by one. His Master is the last one to disappear and he makes a soft sound of pain, one of his hands weakly clinging to Runyu's robes.]

...can't feel...my legs...

[Xingchen shudders at the warmth of their home. His robes crack as his lovers set about removing them and even with the heat, he shivers helplessly, his teeth chattering.]

...Run...yu? A-Yang?

[They are real, aren't they?]

[nightimmortal]

[ The Dream Beast will likely have tasty dreams to nibble on tonight. Runyu will make sure the sweet creature is near, just in case. ]

Almost safe, love.

[ Then they are home. The shuddering has him tighten his hold just a little, heart aching at the suffering the poor man has clearly endured. The robes cracking have his lips press in a thin line, and he lets Xue Yang work on those poor legs. The dragon himself is only mildly warmer in temperature than Xingchen. ]

We're here. You haven't lost us, A-Chen.

[jiangzaid]

[ Xue Yang gently sets to work rubbing warmth and feeling back into Xingchen's legs, tamping down on the fury that threatens to have him running out and hunting the Maiden down.

That won't help Xingchen now.

Snickering a little, he forces a smile, tilting his head at Xingchen before leaning in close to claim a warm little kiss. And shares some energy to try and help. ]

A-Yu's right. We're here, A-Chen~

[gentledawn]

[The heat begins to sink into his bones and he smiles ever so slightly when he is able to wiggle his toes. He had thought...]

I was ready to become a flower. [The sort of flower that grows large enough to produce the body of a man. Xingchen's flower is, of course, a Moonflower.]

A-Yu, she's nearing...the settlement. That's why I confronted her.

[He hears the soft singing of metal - of a spirit with a mind of its own - and Shuanghua places itself stubbornly by the door.

Xingchen sinks into the water further at the little kiss, pulling Xue Yang into his arms. Just to hold.]

video; un: iudex

[inexorablejudgment]

[Ah, that is alarming--

It's unfortunate that he isn't close enough to do something about this, but hopefully...]

Are you alone?

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[gentledawn]

Someone else...might come... [He fights against the stiff ice, gritting his teeth.] My Master is here.

[No, she isn't.]