--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]

[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.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[A weak laugh. Inky growls, nudging Lighter with his head. Put Wise on his back.]

I won't...get to see you fight...?

[fuegor]

[He nodded to Inky, trusting him with Wise. He gave the cat a quick pet but then immediately went back to hold Wise's hand.]

It won't exactly be a pretty sight, darling...

[He tried to laugh a bit himself, but it came out as a trembling sigh.]

I'll come back to you, promise.

[eyesofaproxy]

You'd better...

[He reaches into his robes with a pained noise, pulling out a comb with a phoenix motif.]

I got this for you.

[fuegor]

...

[Lighter took a minute to just look at the comb. It was pretty, much moreso than a gruff guy like him ever needed. With all his hair he had been needing a new comb since his last one broke.

So, he took it from Wise gently with an idle thought occurring in his mind: "Wise wouldn't have gotten hurt if I didn't get so close."

Even though he knew logically... that this would have happened anyway, just sooner.

For now, Lighter tucked the comb away. Securely under the red scarf he'd stake his life on.]

You didn't have to get me anything, you know? ... Thank you.

[He wanted to kiss Wise's hand, but he heard more Exaltists approaching.]

Go, now. I'll hold them off.

[eyesofaproxy]

I wanted to.

["I love you."

Inky shifts to make sure Wise is comfortable on his back before taking off. He'll get Wise to safety and then come back to help Lighter.]

[fuegor]

[As Inky rode off a fair distance with Wise:]

I love you.

[Lighter's stand here would not take the Exaltists out. They were way too big. But it would make a fair dent. It would send a message.

As more of them fell in, Lighter stood strong before them. He was massively outnumbered. But he didn't care. He'd tossed his blindfold and bamboo hat aside to be carried off by the wind. Said wind blew his hair to the side just so his anger would be seen by all.

And he approached the enemies, cracking his knuckles and lighting sparks that shot off of his hands.]

Just remember you all started this. You're not going any further. I'll take each and every one of you on.

So, who wants a taste of Hongse Sanren first? Bring it.

[eyesofaproxy]

[It is hours before the fighting dies down. There's an emergency field hospital not far from the town, treating everyone they can.

There is also a very annoyed Belle threatening to tie her brother to the pallet he's on to keep him from going after Lighter.]

I need to find him!

[fuegor]

[He won't need to search far. As a severely exhausted and injured Lighter is being brought in on Inky's back, then on a pallet himself. While doctors are tending to him, he was speaking at least somewhat clearly.]

Hey... if you guys see... the grey-haired gongzi from Yunkui, tell him I'll make it out okay.

[He was mostly coherent if nothing else. Hurt quite badly, sure. But coherent.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Oh thank god. Bring that one over here!

[Belle flags the healers down, moving to let them bring Lighter over by Wise.]

My brother's been going insane, wanting to find him.

[fuegor]

[Well, Lighter spoke coherently anyway. He took enough blows to the head that he was still a little out of it as he was brought next to Wise. He still spoke to the doctors more than Belle or anyone else.]

Yeah... that one, the one delicate one... with the real soft grey hair... and the prettiest damn eyes I've ever seen.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise settles down as Lighter is brought over. He is bruised and bandaged all to hell, but he is alive.

He reaches for Lighter's hand.]

Pretty eyes?

[fuegor]

[Lighter takes it, squeezing tight.]

Yeah... so pretty it feels like a guy like me shouldn't be allowed to look into 'em...