ellipsanet | [Video] un: runyu

[Xingchen is delighted to have an armful of cat! He grins at the Dream Beast and gently - very gently - strokes over Runyu's back. The soft fur demands it!]

You're not in any danger. [And he is fond of hugs, so this works out well for him.] Isn't he a handsome cat?

[That question is posed to the Dream Beast.]

[ To not just be allowed to curl in close like this when not in human form, but encouraged and held close, is incredible for him. The stroke over his back startles a rumbling purr and he arches into the hand.

Only to bury his face against Xingchen's chest at the reassurance and the praise!

The Dream Beast coos in a way that sounds far too much like laughter and Runyu doesn't have to look over at the silly, sweet creature to know it's clearly happy. ]

[The purr is sweet and Xingchen gives Runyu exactly what he wants, rubbing over his back and gently itching behind those cute ears. Then he has a face against his chest and he laughs softly.]

I think he likes you as a cat. [He croons at the Dream Beast and coaxes him to snuggle too. There's room!] Don't be shy. I won't bite.

[ Acceptance. That's what he's finding from this sweet man. It makes his heart ache, but not with pain. Runyu lets his instincts guide him, pressing almost hungrily into the petting and his ears and tails twitch and sway this way and that as the rumble continues.

The Dream Beast leaps up and does a silly little dance before wiggling eagerly into Xingchen's arms, butting gently up against Runyu. ]

He's always been affectionate.

[He knows a happy cat when he sees one! Xingchen lets instinct guide him, showing Runyu affection because it feels right. He had thought seriously about gathering the other man into his arms before now, but like this, at least, Runyu has nothing to be ashamed about.

The dance has him laughing and he welcomes the sweet creature with a kiss on his forehead.]

There is nothing wrong with being affectionate.

[ It's somehow easier to accept like this. To not pull away, so as to punish himself by holding back from something he wants. Xingchen is so giving, so warm. He leans into the affection and rubs his face against the Dream Beast's in answer. ]

I need to be kinder to him.

I suggest you be kinder to yourself, too. [Xingchen snuggles both of his new friends, making sure his lap is as comfortable as possible.] Holding yourself accountable is admirable and right, but torturing yourself for the rest of your days is cruel.

Being kinder to others is...easier than to myself. My desires are too selfish, and I have the power to make them come true. Torturing myself for it makes sense if it saves others from me.

My desires are selfish too. That is entirely normal. [He tilts his head and peers into Runyu's cute face.] Instead of torturing yourself, why not pursue them in small amounts?

[ Anxiety hits him then. He squirms away and focuses on the directions Xingchen had given him in returning to human form...then goes a little further. Mostly human, except for a long, elegant dragon tail that curls hesitantly around them. ]

No one accepts my nature, Xingchen. [ He tells the mortal quietly, not looking at him. ] Not really. I show parts of myself, and they recoil. My younger brother accepted me enough to try to protect me, I know that now. It just never was enough. So I never showed all of myself to him, he's never seen my full form. And Father never liked acknowledging that I'm eldest, because it would get him in trouble with his wife. Which was bad for me.

[Xingchen watches, worried and yet...waiting. The appearance of the dragon tail takes his breath away and he hugs the Dream Beast, his eyes wide. He has never seen a jewel half as lovely!]

Why? [He hesitantly touches the tail, petting the scales softly.] There must be a reason. Is it because they fear you? Dragons are mighty.

[Understanding dawns on him and he murmurs:] Were they afraid of your father? You seem very...gentle...to me. I don't understand the fear.

[ He'd fully expected Xingchen to join in the masses of recoiling at the sight of his tail. Instead, the kind man actually reaches out and strokes gently over some of his scales. It steals his breath away and he has to swallow as his cheeks pink.

Then sigh. ]

They fear me now. For good reason, though I haven't allowed myself to do anything wicked in centuries. I...our true forms follow bloodlines. My brother is a phoenix, after his mother. I am Father's first born, and so only I could be a dragon. Father was the Heavenly Emperor before me, Xiao Xingchen.

[ Congrats on snuggling said Heavenly Emperor! ] But it was Mother, Father's wife, who would cause trouble if I was shown too many favors above her son.

[Who could recoil from such exquisite scales? If they feared a dragon, he could understand such a reaction, but Runyu is...gentle. Xingchen wants to comfort him. His hand rests, warmly, on the scales and he frowns at the sigh.]

You're... [Not only a god, not only a dragon, but...the Heavenly Emperor? He remembers Runyu's earlier request and somehow keeps himself from bowing with his forehead to the floor. But his heart beats wildly against his ribs nonetheless.]

She should have acted as your guardian. If I had one natural son and one adopted son, I would see no difference between them. They would be mine to protect and raise.

[ All his life he's been taught to hide what he is, or be punished. It was an early lesson that's difficult to shake, even more so since it's only been built upon. To still have someone touch his scales so gently...

He hears the hesitation when he reveals just who he is. Hears how that heart races. Can almost feel the effort Xingchen makes to keep from abasing himself. The success of the latter means more to him than he can express. ]

She was a jealous bird. She really did love her son. It just came out in ways that weren't always best for everyone. You are far better and kinder a person, any child that you claim would be blessed.

[Xingchen feels he must be mad to...dare...what he does next, however he can't stop himself. Runyu's story tears at his heart. For all the times Xingchen had wanted a family - maybe a brother or sister - he never imagined abuse in the scenario. The pain that must cause a child is...

It must last a lifetime. Yet he wants to dampen the sting, to smother the loneliness, so he inches closer and then slides his arms around Runyu.]

[ Runyu still loves his brother. Can't help it, Xufeng is genuinely kind and would play with him. But even Xufeng never hugged him.

So feeling Xingchen's arms come around him in this form has him stiffen, eyes going wide before he finds himself shuddering and curling into the selfless affection. He doesn't deserve this man's friendship, no matter how much he's finding he craves it. He holds to this form tightly this time, eventually his arms creep around Xingchen to carefully hold on. ]

[He had left his Master to help people. Why can't that include a Heavenly Emperor? If what he can give comforts Runyu, Xingchen will be generous with his affection. It's not as if he doesn't enjoy the contact too!

He might enjoy it a little too much, but he knows, deep down, he is lonely as well. The arms coming around him make him smile and he touches Runyu's hair softly.]

The world doesn't have to be cold.

[ Right up until he'd met JinMi and then discovered she wanted his brother instead, he wanted only to help people. He'd never wanted more power until he decided being unstoppable was the only way to have her.

He lets himself lean on Xingchen now, to enjoy the warmth the other so easily offers him. ]

My nature is water. Warmth has always been denied to me.

[Love can be intense and dangerous. His Master had warned him against falling in love or having any attachments. But Xingchen can't help loving others and he had felt himself falling for Song Lan before...coming here. Now he senses that he is needed here. With a lonely dragon who has long been abused.]

My nature is wind. I can warm the water.

[ He hears himself laugh for the first time in...he can't remember how long. Not a real, genuine laugh. Not a sound as soft as this. Runyu lets his head rest on Xingchen's shoulder. Lets himself relax in the comforting embrace. ]

You already are.

[What a lovely sound! Xingchen pinks and grins, shifting to hold Runyu against him comfortably. He certainly never thought today would include embracing a handsome Heavenly Emperor dragon and making him laugh!]

If you ever need or want a hug, I have plenty.

[ He smiles at the offer as he relaxes into the new hold. He'd never have expected, or dared to expect, to find someone as kind as Xingchen. Anyone at all who can accept him. His tail curls around the mortal too, clearly enjoying the touches. ]

That could be dangerous.

[ Shyly daring to tease! ]

Are dragon hugs fatal? [Xingchen teases back, smiling when he feels Runyu relaxing. He is beginning to wonder if he should move apartments to be closer to the sweet dragon.] I will take the chance regardless.

[Because it feels too good and...maybe it helps? He hopes so.]

Would you like a silly Cultivator neighbor, by chance?

Mm. I might never let go. [ Yep, he's perfectly comfortable Right Here. And the Dream Beast doesn't seem to mind, though he seems a bit jealous until he wiggles in between them for some snuggles too, which has him chuckling fondly at the silly little creature.

Only to blink up at Xingchen's question. ]

You want to be near me?

[ He shakes his head, lowering his gaze, but there's a shy little smile still. ]

You have been here longer. It makes more sense for me to move closer to you instead.

What a sad fate! [He chuckles, clearly thinking otherwise. Runyu's true nature is much too sweet for him to complain. Just like the little Dream Beast. Xingchen fusses over the adorable creature, nuzzling his fuzzy forehead.]

Mm I do. I'll be honest: I am lonely too. Being near a friend would help me.

[Xingchen blushes and nods enthusiastically.]

I can help you move.

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