--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

[eyesofaproxy]

Of course.

[He kisses the back of Lighter's hand.]

When I'm less tired, though, and after they're sure I'm not hallucinating. I swear I saw Inky grow to the size of a tiger.

[fuegor]

... Did he not?

[Well now Lighter isn't so sure, but he saw Inky carrying Wise on his back to Yunkui again. Was he seeing things after being so worried and mad? Who knows.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Wait, you saw it too?

[fuegor]

Yeah. At least I'm pretty sure I did. I don't think a normal sized Inky would've been able to bring you back to Yunkui...

[eyesofaproxy]

What?

Eh! Nah-eh-en!

[Wise looks at Eous, baffled.]

He's a what?

Nah-eh-en.

A spiritual cat?!

[fuegor]

Wait, seriously?! Even I wasn't able to pick up on that, he just looked like a regular cat.

... He really cares about you though. Before I made it to you he was fending those Exaltists off...

[eyesofaproxy]

Eous said Inky's around here somewhere now, guarding the temple while everyone cleans up the town. I guess I have a spiritual animal now?

[fuegor]

Heh, looks like it.

[Lighter squeezes his hand.]

You've got Inky. And you've got me.

[eyesofaproxy]

I do. And when I'm allowed up and about...maybe we can spend sometime alone? At one of the smaller temples?

[A vacation.]

[fuegor]

Sounds perfect to me. Just the two of us...

[eyesofaproxy]

Just the two of us.

[And Inky, who decides he is never leaving Wise's side, apparently.

It takes a few months before Wise and Lighter are both recovered enough to be allowed on their trip. The Exaltists aren't gone, not entirely, but they've been chased from the region and shouldn't be back for a while. The temple they're going to isn't too far, just a two or three days ride away, but it's private. There's a forest surrounding it and a lake with a waterfall feeding it.

Wise smiles as they approach on their horses.]

I love this place.

[fuegor]

[It's a good thing considering Lighter was getting restless, holding back as much as he could while both of them recovered. He'd gotten used to having his hair up, though a tail still hung a bit past his shoulders.

He smiled as he looked at the temple and its surrounding nature. It was beautiful to be sure, but he looked at Wise and found himself smiling wider.]

Probably should have expected you knew about a place like this. You are Phaethon after all.

[eyesofaproxy]

Believe it or not, this is where Belle and I stayed for a while after the fall of Helios. In fact, this is where we first reached out to you.

[fuegor]

And that was a while ago by my account.

[Lighter moved his horse a little closer, enough to touch Wise's arm for just a minute. Not being able to touch was killing him all day.]

Now it's a space for just the two of us. I'm not gonna lie, I've been waiting to have you to myself for a bit.

[eyesofaproxy]

You and me both, Lighter. Come on, let's get the horses stabled.

[Onward to the stables. There are some works at the temple, but otherwise it'll just be them and Inky, who's been riding in Wise's bag.]

[fuegor]

Right away.

[Even with a few workers in places like the stables and such, that was fine. Lighter still considered it to be just him and Wise. And Inky of course. He did give extra attention to the horses as they were stabled, though. Every ride he's had he's given all the respect in the world. So he spoke to both of them.]

It's been a long ride, but you've got some rest time now. Thanks a ton, I'll see if I can't slip you something extra.

[TREATS FOR HONSE.]

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise catches that and chuckles as he takes Lighter's arm.]

Spoiling the horses again?

[fuegor]

Well, they did come all this way. How could I not?

[Lighter was also just a softie. And a horse guy since he can't be a bike guy here.

But he let Wise take his arm.]

Ready to go in, baobei? Can't wait to have you all to myself...

[eyesofaproxy]

Same, gege~

[He leads Lighter off and into the temple, pointing out some things as they make their way back to where they'll be staying. Inky hops out of Wise's bag and books it.]

Mm, just like I remember it.

[fuegor]

[Much like with Wise's novels, Lighter listened to every word. It was only fair since Lighter spent a lot of time while they were in recovery talking about this oddly shaped tree he came across once or this plant that hadn't seen water in decades but still thrived.

All of them were named.

Once Inky went to find his kitty hidey hole, Lighter immediately went to grope at Wise's ass. He didn't want the animals to see, that's far too lewd for their innocent eyes.

But alone, he'll give it a nice squeeze.]

It's as pretty as you are.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise startles and chuckles when Lighter grabs his ass.]

Uh-huh. You haven't even seen the plum grove yet, and you're saying that?

[fuegor]

There's a plum I'm interested in right here.

[Another squeeze. Horny jail for Huo Laite. Horny jail for a thousand years.]

Haha, but I'd still like to see the grove. I'm sure you'll still be more pretty, but I'll still be impressed by something that comes close.

[He just liked being the one on the guided tour for once.]

[eyesofaproxy]

That line was terrible, gege.

[Just saying.]

Mmm, do you want to see it now?

[He is well aware that if they go out right now, there is sex happening under the trees.]

[fuegor]

Oof. Tough crowd...

[Okay he can admit it was kind of bad. But it was also funny. And true.]

Yeah, I would. Right now.

[eyesofaproxy]

The grove, or the plum?

[Just making sure--]