--Cultivate--

[eyesofaproxy]

[When Wise was very young, or at least younger than he is now, he'd gotten lost in the forest outside Helios. He was only saved by a passing wandering cultivator, and to this day he's wanted to meet the man again to thank him. It doesn't matter that Helios fell and he and Belle moved to Yunkui Summit, he wants to find that man and thank him for what he did that day. He changed the trajectory of Wise's life, he's pretty sure, and he deserves to know that.

Granted, a wandering cultivator isn't why Wise (and Belle) is now the heir to Yunkui Summit, that is entirely because of Yixuan-shifu and their own unique abilities, but all the same. That man inspired Wise to get with Belle to create Phatheon, a nameless somebody who is able to hire people to handle things the larger temples and sects can't or won't.

Right now, though, Wise is not acting in the guise of Phaetheon. Wise is acting in the guise of a very annoyed older brother being strongarmed into going down the mountain for an annual check up, since apparently the doctors are all afraid of coming up the mountain after last year's run-in with Eous the spiritual monster rabbit. Cowards.]

I don't need to go right now, Belle, really.

Yes you do! And because there's bandits on the road, I even hired you a bodyguard!

Belle...

Comments

[fuegor]

[...

Wait.

The DVD logo is hitting the corner.]

You... You're Phaethon??

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise freezes, eyes wide, and then reaches for the wine.]

How'd you guess?! Shit, did I slip...? I'm not that drunk...

[fuegor]

[?????]

It was kind of a shot in the dark! But the way you said it made it seem like that...

I can't believe I was right!

[Especially being a little tipsy.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Fuck.

[Oh well. He sighs.]

Yeah, I'm one half of Phaethon. Belle is the other half.

[fuegor]

Makes sense that you'd work together with her. Guess it's a little silly, though, that I've been sending letters from here just for them to be sent back to you.

[...]

Don't worry, though. I know how to keep things to myself. But if you've got something for me, you can interrupt my solitude any time.

[eyesofaproxy]

Even if it's just a request for company?

[fuegor]

As long as I'm paid well. I think for that... spending a long time with you will be enough payment.

[LIGHTER.]

[eyesofaproxy]

...how long a time?

[Surely he's flirting.]

[fuegor]

As long as we agree on.

[Maybe a little!]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise moves a little closer.]

All night, maybe?

[fuegor]

[So does Lighter. It's easier to see that he's blushing a little.]

All night it is.

[eyesofaproxy]

Good.

[Wise very carefully reaches out to rest a hand on Lighter's.]

[fuegor]

[When Wise laid his hand on Lighter's he carefully and bashfully began to lace their fingers together. Wise may find that his hands are very warm, as expected of someone whose cultivation involves fire. Warm, scarred, calloused and all Lighter's.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise's hands are delicate and frail in comparison.]

Hey, Lighter?

[fuegor]

[They are. It really just reinforces his desire to keep Wise safe. With or without payment.]

What's up?

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise squeezes Lighter's hand.]

Do you like things slow or fast?

[fuegor]

[He's blushing even more. His pulse is racing.]

I tend to move pretty fast when I'm on my own. You've seen me ride, I'm a real speed demon sometimes.

But if I'm riding with someone else, I try to go at their best pace. Make them feel safe, you know?

[eyesofaproxy]

Yeah, like when you ride with me.

[Wise hesitates, and then moves to sit nearly in Lighter's lap.]

But I'm always safe with you, I think.

[fuegor]

... I'm gonna make sure it stays that way. No matter what.

[He can't fail again.

The idea of losing Wise alone made his heart rip into pieces.

Apparently Lighter liked things faster than he imagined. What with this protective affection he's felt and the way an arm came around Wise's waist to encourage him to sit properly on his lap.

Quite the feeling given they were both in robes fresh out of the baths.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Well then. Wise smiles, resting his head on Lighter's shoulder.]

I know you will. You have since you saved me.

[fuegor]

Heh.

[And Lighter let him relax, holding him close and just letting Wise sit there as long as he wanted. "All night" was the agreement and he would hold onto it.

He would protect Wise. He would...

He had to...]

[eyesofaproxy]

[They don't move much that night, except to cuddle in Lighter's bed.

The next few months are, frankly, amazing. Nothing particularly bad happens, Wise gets to spend time with Lighter, and things are honestly pretty relaxed. It's a nice change, honestly.

It couldn't last. Wise and Belle (and their partners) had gone down the mountain for a shopping trip when the town was attacked by Exaltists. It's a mess, with fire and ghouls and swords clashing. Miyabi and Belle managed to get to safety, but Wise had gone off to get something for Lighter and wasn't near the others.

He's now currently lying severely injured on the ground in front of a pair of Exaltists. A giant black cat is doing his best to protect him, but even poor Inky is looking rough.]

[fuegor]

[He should have anticipated this. He should have anticipated something. Both Lighter, his personal contacts and Phaethon's contacts have felt things were too quiet but dammit.

He was by Wise's side nearly all the damn time and he had to cut through loads of other people, some lesser or injured exaltists, and his own traumatic experiences repeating on loop in his head to find Wise.

And on finding him, he froze. His vision blurred and he was back in the day that his companions were killed. Because of his failure. Because he made the fucking mistake of not being near Wise.

He only stood frozen for a moment just to rush to Wise (and Inky)'s side, checking for signs of life and then immediately administering aid.]

Wise...! Wise, c'mon, you have to stay with me. It's me, I'm here.

[eyesofaproxy]

[The Exaltists look at Lighter in confusion, which is enough for Inky to swipe and kill them (and then eat one of them for energy). Wise just lays there, awake but barely.]

Ligh...ter?

[fuegor]

[There's a quiet sigh of relief. Any severe wounds Wise had were wrapped or mended by Lighter but Wise would still need to see a doctor.]

Yeah, it's me... you have to stay awake for me, alright?

[He laid a hand on Wise's cheek. Feeling that he was still breathing, still warm, still alive even if just barely...

That allowed the fury to set in.]

We're gonna get you taken care of. I'll take you back to Yixuan and the others. Then I'll clear the town of anymore troublemakers.

[The sheer vitriol in his tone was palpable.]