open post

[rumination]

Chu Wanning, Yuheng of the Night Sky, Beidou Immortal

general open post | texting/video/mirror/message talismans | overflow
(canon, post-canon, canon-divergent and au are all loved)

Comments

for ~zhanmadao

[rumination]

[ ooc: continued from here ]

[ a regular sleep schedule is not something chu wanning possesses. he works until he passes out, often curling around his laptop or whatever gadget he'd been working on, and wakes when his alarm goes off. he wakes slowly, constantly groggy, but drags himself out of bed no matter what once his alarm goes off the first time, and prepares for the day. on the weekends, his alarm is set a little later than usual, but not so much that it could be seen as indulgent, and, as usual, his alarm goes off, and his eyes blink open, blearily.

but that day is not a typical day for him. there's a heavy arm across his waist, the soft, gentle breathing against his hair, and a firm body pressed against his. for once, chu wanning feels properly warm. almost too warm. for a split second, he snuggles back against that chest, closing his eyes and letting himself indulge in the fantasy that mo ran is in his bed. because that's all it can be, a fantasy.

except this is so much more realistic than any fantasy chu wanning could ever conceive of. sure, maybe he'd thought about mo ran in his bed, but even in those, mo ran wouldn't stay. why would he?

his cheeks burn red as he realizes he's undressed, as is mo ran. he tries to wriggle away without waking up mo ran. he can feel the state of mo ran's morning arousal against him, and indeed he owes it to the younger man to give him some privacy and not acknowledge that. it's a natural bodily function; it happens. it's even happened to chu wanning, much to his shame.

if he can get up, he can find some clothes and make some coffee, and maybe mo ran will stay and talk to him a little before going off to... do whatever it is he does. mo ran doesn't need to wake up with an arm full of his old, stubborn teacher. even if he'd been so—so determined last night, he'll wise up in the light of day.

slowly and carefully, with all the careful skill of an engineer who works with delicate machinery, chu wanning carefully lifts mo ran's arm and wriggles out from under it, replacing it with a pillow. he grabs the first clothes he sees, struggling into his sweats and the shirt mo ran had discarded, blushing furiously when he realizes it is mo ran's. at least he's covered.

(he could take it off and dig out a fresh shirt, but he likes the thought of wearing mo ran's shirt. even if he shouldn't. even if it makes him terrible. maybe he can keep it when mo ran leaves.)

about the sneak out of the room and start on the coffee, he chances another glance at his younger lover. it isn't serious; it can't be, no matter how much he wants it to be. but mo ran is so handsome, especially in the morning light shining through the curtains. he tiptoes closer to the bed, peering down at mo ran, and very gently, runs his fingers over the curve of his cheek, the whisper of a touch, before hastily disappearing.

it's not long after when grumbling can be heard, followed by a thump, and then a muttered curse. a minute later, the smell of fresh coffee fills the air. ]

<3

[zhanmadao]

[mo ran wakes up to noises of the kitchen and the scent of coffee, blinking slowly, and he can't hide his disappointment at not finding his other half in his arms. he was hoping he could wake up first, maybe make him breakfast to show him that he's serious about this, just like he said last night, but sleeping with chu wanning was just perfect and his body indulged. he hadn't slept this deeply in a long time and it's not because of the tiredness that sex brought; it's because he was finally where he should be, hugging chu wanning to his chest.

he looks at the alarm and groans; figures chu wanning would have the willpower to get up at an ungodly hour even on the weekend (and after three orgasms). he looks at the state of himself and sighs, wondering if wanning left because of his hard, while blushing furiously and cursing at mo ran's body. it brings a smile on the younger man's face as he pushes himself up and onto the edge of the bed. he scans the floor for his clothes, but can't find his shirt. he figures he will just wear his briefs then, with how hot he runs that's no problem.

he walks quietly to the kitchen just in those, his long hair loose and grazing against his shoulders and he stops on the doorway for a moment, to admire the sight. he can't say how many times he's dreamt about this, sharing these quiet, intimate moments with chu wanning --and is that his shirt? his heart skips a beat, making his whole chest tighten painfully. good lord, chu wanning will be the death of him.

he hasn't woken up with him, but at least he manages to sneak up on him and steal this moment. mo ran wraps his arms around wanning's waist from behind and presses up against him, buries his face in his shoulder.]

Wanning... [he calls, voice still hoarse from sleep and much deeper than usual.]

It's too early, come back to bed.

[he almost sounds pouty as he presses kisses on his clothed shoulder and then tilts his head to land more on the side of his neck, nuzzling into it, trying not to smile too openly at the marks he left. this should be enough to prove he has no intention to leave, he wants to spend as much time as possible with the older man --but he knows he's so stubborn and it may take more to convince him.]

You must still be tired. [he knows how to tiptoe around his easy-to-anger teacher enough to word it vaguely like that, and it could hint at last night or not at all, depending on how chu wanning wants to read it.]

Let's rest some more and then I'll make us breakfast.

[rumination]

[ it's easy to let his mind drift, especially given the early time and the fact that he's home, where he isn't used to people sneaking up on him. so he doesn't hear mo ran moving around, doesn't catch on to the fact that he's awake and up until two strong arms wrap around his waist. he jumps slightly, going stiff as mo ran presses against him.

after last night, he did not expect mo ran to do something like that. the kisses on his shoulder and up his neck are equally unexpected, making him shiver and relax slightly until he remembers himself, and then he goes stiff again. ]

Who's tired? [ he grumbles, closing his eyes against the lie. he rarely gets enough sleep, up too early for his late nights. but consistency is important, according to everyone, and so he gets up early. it is probably early for mo ran, who also went to bed late and was engaged in strenuous activities last night. he flushes, thinking about those activities.

those thoughts make him pull back, putting enough space between them so he can turn around. on the counter, the coffee pot finishes sputtering, but he ignores it. ignores everything, even the scolding he was about to deliver regarding breakfast when he realizes mo ran is just wearing his briefs and nothing else. his eyes go wide, then narrow to hide his embarrassment, although his cheeks are flushed enough that it's obvious.

mo ran is solid and strong. chu wanning was aware of that much. but the truth of what's beneath his clothes is an entirely different thing. wide shoulders and toned abs, lean legs. the briefs do little to hide how large he is, even soft. he's gorgeous. what the hell is he doing there, in his old teacher's kitchen?

chu wanning once believed himself above earthly desire. now, he has to contend with the fact that he wants nothing more than mo ran to repeat the things they did last night. maybe even more.

it makes him snappish, knowing he won't have that. ] Mo Ran! Have you no shame, walking around like-like that!

[ what a hypocrite he is. mo ran can't put on his shirt, although chu wanning has, for the moment, forgotten that important detail. ]

[zhanmadao]

[ it's always endearing how sometimes chu wanning forgets his act --that one, single moment where he drops the walls around himself and relaxes. mo ran can feel that moment clearly against him, wanning leaning into his frame, and he wishes for it to last longer, he wishes for a day where the older man will naturally melt in his arms and not stiffen anymore.

he loosens his hold when he feels the other shifting, meeting chu wanning's gaze with a dimpled sleepy smile that oozes affection, clearly not something he'd manage to fake -- mo ran has always been very obvious with his likes and dislikes. he can't help laughing, a husky warm sound, seeing chu wanning blush just because he's faced with bare skin and he looks clearly cheeky, his expression silently going, go ahead~ look as much as you wish. ]

I thought we'd already settled that I am indeed shameless.

[ he replies brattily, since he lost count of how many times chu wanning accused him of that last night. his large hands tug at the fabric of the shirt the man is wearing. ]

Someone stole my clothes.

[ there's amusement dancing in his eyes and he inches closer to wanning again, cradles his pretty face in his warm palms and leans closer for a chaste kiss, just the soft pressure of his lips against the other's. ]

But there's nothing you haven't seen already.

[ he reminds him mischievously and his fingers wrap around wanning's thin wrists, to lead his hands on his pectorals, before he presses him up against the counter more firmly with his weight and cups his face again to resume kissing him. ]

[rumination]

[ the easy way mo ran wears his emotions in everything has always made chu wanning flustered, which is not an emotion he handles well. growing up, no one had been so overtly emotional around him, and control had been ingrained. it's caused issues in the past, pushed past tolerance into snapping at mo ran.

seeing him so shameless over this, grinning so cheekily, so blatantly open about it all, makes him sputter and draw himself to his full height— which, to his annoyance, is shorter than mo ran's height— ]

It's morning! [ not that he can say much more than that, or offer to give back the shirt, before mo ran is crowding him against the counter and kissing him. it's the middle of morning! this is especially shameless, doing those things in broad daylight. nevermind that chu wanning's hand curls around that firm pectoral muscle, and he subconsciously parts his legs for mo ran to settle between them.

he only lets it happen for a minute, lost in the kiss, before he pulls back, pushing slightly against mo ran's chest. ] We cannot— it's indecent! We're not even in bed.

For ~zhanmadao

[rumination]

[ Chu Wanning is not a simple man. Despite his nature and the need for blood, he is not in the habit of indulging his baser desires. He is not indolent nor extravagant; he works hard and he keeps his life simple. Mo Ran is the most indulgent he's ever been with anyone, feeding more from him, taking him home, fucking him.

It could be blamed on his need to feed. Chu Wanning often goes longer than he should between feeding on people, disliking everything involved in it, and it made him lax this time. Made him careless. (But, his mind insists, he's gone for longer without eating and never been that careless. Never taken that many risks. No one's had such pretty eyes and strong arms and a charming smile, and wanted to impress him so.

He's never felt so alive after feeding.)

And now Mo Ran is gone, his jacket and a note left behind, and Chu Wanning isn't sure what to do. He lets a few hours go by, refusing to think about any of it.

Chu Wanning is a master at denying himself everything, but the words in the note longer in his head. Mo Ran does want to see him. And he had that jacket to return. It's a nice jacket; he suspects Mo Ran would be sad to lose it. And he deserves to have something to keep him warm, even if he naturally runs hot. Maybe he could just return it the Xue's? But then he wouldn't see Mo Ran again.

Still warring with himself, Chu Wanning texts his friend to ask about his nephew, with a quick reply following, directing him to the university swimming center. Apparently, Mo Ran often trains at night. Another night owl, Xue Zhengyong jokes. Chu Wanning barely refrains from rolling his eyes.

But he's out of the house and heading to the center before he realizes it, at first carrying the jacket, then slipping it on— an easier way to carry it. It still smells like Mo Ran.

Mo Ran is swimming laps when Chu Wanning finds him, and he waits a few feet from the edge, not wanting to disturb the other man while he swims. ]

[zhanmadao]

[ he's the only one crazy enough to train during the night, yet it's a habit he's taken up in the span of years and that is difficult to let go now, to the point he's the only one who got the swimming center's keys --courtesy of the guardian, and not his uncle's influence. noise echoes easily by the pool, awfully distracting, and sometimes it's crowded enough, you can't even have the lane for yourself, but you have to take turns and adapting to someone else's pace is something that always annoys him.

at night he has the place for himself, the sloshing noise of his swimming the only echoing one, just a couple lights on, and the small spotlights lining the pool's bottom and sides, so that it's enough to see but not so much it burns your eyes. swimming gives him a clarity of mind and helps him center himself in ways nothing else has ever managed. it's a little plus that he sometimes even manages to win competitions. but tonight he's not dressed for them; he does sport the long swim pants that hug him like second skin, but otherwise he only has his hair tied back into a bun and no goggles, his eyes slightly rimmed red because of the chlorine.

while usually his mind manages to focus on the motions and empty, tonight all he can think about is chu wanning. it's ridiculous and yet entirely like mo ran, utterly falling for him at once. and yet the way his thoughts keep lingering on the older man is unfamiliar. he generally fancies someone, manages to fuck them and entirely moves on. but chu wanning fills the space of his every breath, his every movement, fills even the bubbles of his exhales into the water. god, he's in trouble.

he wants to see him again, wants to please him, wants to offer his neck if that was enough to keep him interested. the sex was the best he's probably ever had, the knowledge he was the first to claim him driving him crazy whenever he lingers on it; but that's not even the point. he wants to wake up tangled with chu wanning and make him breakfast (would he eat?); he wants to cradle him in his lap until his cold, cold hands have gotten warm.

mo ran has the ominous feeling he's been stupid enough to fall in love --figures that would happen with someone entirely out of his league.

he's been so lost in his musings, that he realizes he hasn't stopped once ever since diving in only when his palm touches the tiles of the lane and he counts it is the fortieth time. he scoffs to himself and halts and only then does he catch something unfamiliar in his water-blurried sight. he wipes his face with a large hand and he finally makes out the one chu wanning, standing there awkwardly, his jacket on.

to say that mo ran beams is almost underestimating the brightness of his expression, the way the realization travels to his eyes and lights them up instantly with adoration. he crosses his bare arms over the edge, biceps tightening, tattoos outlined by water drops, while his chest rises and falls quickly. ]

Hello, senior. [ he greets with the little breath he has left, with polite distance, as if he doesn't know the taste of his mouth, or how he looks when he's flushed and pleasured. it's lucky that the water feels cold, or he would get hard again just seeing his lips still look kiss-swollen. ] How do you find my freestyle technique? [ he asks, a hint of mischief in his eyes. it's obvious chu wanning isn't there to help him train, but mo ran can offer him an excuse. especially since he's overjoyed he's gone and looked for him; he's basking in the feeling and doesn't want to ruin it right away. ]

sorry for my delay!!

[rumination]

[ there's a certain grace to mo ran's movements through the water that has chu wanning frozen, caught in the moment. he refrains from calling for him, content to let mo ran swim until he's done. it occurs to him, as mo ran halts, that it might be weird or vaguely creepy, and mo ran might not even want to see him there or would be startled to see him.

he considers, in the moments before mo ran notices him, making a noise. but then it's too late, the force of mo ran's smile turned on him. his eyes light up as well, which relaxes chu wanning to some extent. he's still not entirely sure of his welcome, but the way in which mo ran looks at him settles something inside him.

(and, chu wanning has to admit, he wouldn't leave unless mo ran told him to, the sight of mo ran far too appealing to be real. for a moment, he wonders if he's dreamt up mo ran, if his ridiculous stubbornness about eating and pushing his limits has finally come back to haunt him and left him this man.)

still, the question makes him frown, and he takes a few steps closer, looking down at mo ran. ] Your form is fine, but I am not your swimming coach. Ask him for an appraisal.

[ he doesn't actually know much about swimming, since he doesn't swim much himself, but he has seen it before, and he knows mo ran's record well enough to understand that he is formidable in the water. ]

np!! <3

[zhanmadao]

[ mo ran laughs at the other's comment, perfectly in-character for someone who's so used to appearing cold and harsh, down to that crease between his brows —he wants to kiss it away, would the man allow him? ] He's heartless, he would just tell me to swim other 50 laps since I still have enough breath to talk. [ he pouts slightly, dramatic, before his lips turn upwards automatically. simply looking at the older man has that effect on him, especially since it didn't go unnoticed he stepped closer. ]

I assume you aren't here to grade my swimming skills then. [ he comments, now that they've broken the ice. he submerges into the water again, just to come out just a moment later thanks to the flick of his long legs, head tilted back and throat bared, both hands slicking back his hair completely. then he grabs the edge again and pushes himself up in a display of tight arm muscles and tensing abs, sitting on it.

the waistband of his swimming pants is particularly low, showing hipbones and the hint of his pubic hair diving into the tight fabric, even the outline of his length. but it's nothing chu wanning hasn't seen already, right? ] Did you want to talk? [ it's so obvious that mo ran shouldn't even ask, but he wants to give the older man the chance to play it off if now he doesn't want to do it anymore. maybe he'll just say he wanted to return his jacket and that'll be fine with mo ran, since it means more time with chu wanning.

he dreads the talk will be what he expected when he woke up, but this time worse —now he knows how chu wanning looks like when he takes off his armor and melts in pleasure, now he knows how beautiful he looks when he's fucked to bliss, how lovely he sounds when he murmurs please, unaware that mo ran would give him anything he wished for anyway.

he really doesn't want to let go of chu wanning now.

so he does what he knows best: he sells his strong points and hopes that'll buy him time. that's why he reaches up for his hair bun, perfectly conscious of how his wet skin and hard nipples and rippling muscles look, and he untangles the hairtie from it, a wave of inky black locks crashing against his wide shoulders. ] I really wanted to see you again, Wanning. [ and his voice is a warm, sticky thing, honey melting into hot milk, especially when savouring his name for the first time after that string of 'senior'. ]

for ~zhanmadao

[rumination]

[ it happens because chu wanning has an entire bottle of wine, and then mo ran breaks out another and it's not like chu wanning can let it go to waste, or let mo ran drink an entire bottle by himself. he can hold his liquor usually, but even that starts to get to him. makes him loose and pliant, easier to talk to, his tone not as sharp and acerbic.

he doesn't know how it comes up, but then it's so easy to talk about shameless things with mo ran, who teases and pokes and prods at him in ways that make chu wanning blush and sputter and then tell him, either because it slips out of him in protest or because he feels confident enough to confide in his boyfriend.

"I've never..." he trails off, awkwardly waving a hand at mo ran. mo ran laughs, points out that they've had sex plenty of times. chu wanning's cheeks heat, and he has to stumble through the most awkward attempt at saying "I've never topped" he thought possible. but mo ran gets it, understanding him in ways chu wanning never thought possible, patient and generous with his advice and words.

which is how chu wanning finds himself here, two weeks later. "here" being stretched over mo ran in bed, with both of them mostly naked, and mo ran's hands warm on his back. he feels awkward, ungainly like this, but it doesn't stop him from leaning down to kiss mo ran again, a gentle press of lips that turns firmer, dirtier, until he's panting against mo ran's mouth as they kiss, his cock stirring in his plain white briefs. ]

We don't have to do this, if you aren't interested. [ chu wanning is hasty to reassure mo ran, as they break the kiss, and he stares down at his boyfriend, face shadowed by the bedside light they'd turned on, rather than the overhead lamp. ] I won't be upset.

[ mo ran's happiness is more important than chu wanning getting to top, in his opinion. ]

[zhanmadao]

[ the scoff he gives at wanning's words is disbelief, the same emotion painting his face, together with desperately thick fondness. he can't believe his man would think he can ever be not interested in anything that regards him.

inky hair spilt on the pillow, large warm hands rub into the other's waist and he can't help wondering already how it'll look once the older is thrusting into him, the way muscles will tighten. wanning is so deliciously lean after all, the lines of his muscles are perfectly attractive without them being ungracefully thick like his own. he's strong and mo ran can't wait to experience just how much.

he laps at the other's mouth just like a possessive wolf. ] I will be upset. It's two weeks I've been thinking nonstop about this moment. [ he reveals, voice low and warm. ] Do you want to take it from me and break my heart? [ he's so shameless he even pouts, eyes getting softer, puppy ones, before he nudges his nose against the older's. ]

I want to know how it feels to be filled up by you. I want to see how you look as you claim me. You don't? [ they wouldn't be here if chu wanning didn't want the same as him, because mo ran would've noticed. but he knows the older man is nervous, anxious even. he must be scared he'll do something wrong or he'll hurt him, always so much in his head that he sometimes gets lost there.

it's mo ran's duty to drag him out of there. ] You should undress me. I want you to look at me laying here, with my legs spread for you.

[rumination]

[ the words pouring out of mo ran's lips are utterly shameless and even if chu wanning knows they're fairly mild as far as dirty talk goes. he's heard worse from mo ran before, even. but it feels different from this side, to think about claiming mo ran— who is someone so confident and assured and brilliant that he can't imagine him wanting to be claimed.

but he does, just like he always knows the best way to motivate and entice chu wanning to do things. knowing that mo ran wants this, that he'd disappoint his lover is enough to keep him going. the doubts still linger, a shadow in the back of his head, but he's able to ignore it for now.

his hands slide up to mo ran's shirt, which has already been pulled out of his pants, and he unbuttons it with hands that only tremble slightly before he mentally scolds himself and steadies them; he's an engineer, unsteady hands would be terrible. ]

I do, [ he admits, a shy moment later. his shirt is nearly undone, and when chu wanning finishes undoing the last button, he slides his hands up mo ran's chest, pushing aside the shirt to expose his firm abdomen and pectorals. ] Want to see you when I am... doing that.

[zhanmadao]

[ he realizes wanning is even more nervous that he thought when he notices the tremble to his hands. that never happens, absolutely not when he works, and not even when they usually make love. his heart twinges and a wave of fondness takes his breath away. chu wanning is so endearing, mo ran wants to dote on him. he wants to spoil him and take care of him. a part of him wants to call this off just to take charge and worship wanning the way he always deserves, protective. mo ran would like to shield him from any negative emotion, even when it's apprehensiveness over doing something he's never done before.

but instead of doting, mo ran decides to push. this night is different and so he should act different as well.

he sighs deeply when his shirt is finally undone and wanning's hands run across his chest. he arches in the feeling, humming from the back of his throat at his words. he grabs his wrists and leads his hands to his pectorals, forcing wanning to sink graceful fingers in their thickness and knead on them in a shameless way the other would never attempt on his own. ]

Ah-Ning... [ he moans softly, head canting back on the pillow. ] You know, I've never wanted to give anyone any power over me. But when it comes to you... god, the thought of being at your mercy drives me crazy. [ his gaze drips lust as he looks at wanning, hips rolling up into the other's to prove him just how aroused he is already. if wanning has any doubts, he wants to turn them all to ash. ]

for ~zhanmadao

[rumination]

[ The woods are dark and deep; Chu Wanning loves that. He can work late into the night without concern about waking his neighbors, especially as the Night Guardians clank together as he experiments with making them walk. Very few people dare to venture into the woods, even in the middle of the day, so he's rarely bothered by people.

Which is why a sudden crash in the woods, the sound of a large body crashing against trees, followed by a pained whimper, surprises him. It's just past dusk; the sun is finally below the horizon, and twilight is quickly fading into night when it happens. It doesn't sound like a villager; indeed, it doesn't sound human, that whimper, and he should reconsider, but Chu Wanning has never been a cautious man when he knows someone is in danger. The fact that it's not human doesn't stop him.

Not too far from his cottage, he stumbles across the creature. The woods are unusually quiet, none of the usual evening creatures making any noise, and even the leaves on the trees themselves were still, afraid to draw attention. The forest respects him, as he respects the forest, and it tends to guide Chu Wanning to anything going on, but that night was different. Not that it was hard to find the creature, even without the forest helping. He's large and imposing, and Chu Wanning can smell blood on him. But he's breathing, each exhale accompanied by a soft sound of pain, and Chu Wanning knows he can't leave the wolf out there.

Getting the creature on his back is a struggle, and the same with getting him back to the cottage, but he manages. He doesn't know how to tend wounds with the skill of a healer, but he's practiced enough on himself, and a wolf can't be that different, right? So he cleans the visible wounds he can see and lets the wolf sleep in front of his fire, unconscious but at least out of the elements and away from whatever was haunting him.

The robes he was wearing were stained, and the cottage left a mess, so by the time he gets it all cleaned, it's past midnight, and Chu Wanning collapses into a heap next to the wolf. Unintentionally—ed he'd meant to retreat to his bed. But it was covered with tools and equipment, as he'd been planning to spend the evening working there. He doesn't think about the potential danger of falling asleep next to a wild animal. ]

[zhanmadao]

[ They never get tired of hunting him down. Their yells, their fire, their weapons; Mo Ran has had to get used to them from a young age. Do humans have any other side besides these, besides the cruelty and violence? He can't help wondering as he rushes into the forest, his only hope to survive. The forest houses the holy tree and he knows humans revere it, so they'd never approach it with fire or weapons in hand. If he can get there...

The plan distracts him and the next thing he knows is that he's bleeding, pain exploding in his hind leg and his tummy. They hit him. He can't slow down in time and he crashes against the trunk of a large tree, the wind knocked out of his lungs. He tries to get up, whining loudly for the pain, his legs giving in. Thankfully, through his hazy sight he sees the men retreating, realizing they ventured too deeply in the woods. The forest god may curse them, he hears their panicked chatter.

Then there's lingering darkness and the pain burning throughout his body. The sweet scent that reaches his nose feels like a dream, a comforting old dream...

--Mo Ran wakes up with a sharp intake of breath, the sight of fire making him startle before he realizes it doesn't come from the men's torches, but a fireplace. His mother used to light up friendly fires like that too and they would sit next to it; it wasn't scary then.

He confirms he's indoor by a quick look around, before his curious eyes settle on the body next to him. A man is sleeping right there, at a paw's distance, and Mo Ran blinks, surprised. He's never been that close to any human. Isn't the stranger scared of him? He sniffs in his direction and finds him utterly familiar.

Mo Ran instinctively matches his shape, transforming himself, fur replaced by golden skin plagued by too many scars, and long inky hair, his muzzle turning into a handsome young man's face with purple eyes. He inches closer, dragging himself on the floor, one of his wounds stinging as it reopens, until he can press up his body and his nose to the other, breathing him in with relief while he offers him his body heat. He yelps softly, nosing at his jaw like a cub, before he dozes off again. ]

[rumination]

[ Chu Wanning doesn't wake when Mo Ran shifts; sleep doesn't often claim him so deeply, but nights of no sleep and physical exertion takes a toll even on a man who doesn't need much sleep. The forest protects him, and the villagers won't get close during the night, so he's not worried about his safety or someone finding the wolf.

He vaguely registers the sounds of something shifty, and he can feel the warmth of someone nearby, but it doesn't do much to wake him. In fact, he sleeps almost a little deeper, with the warmth of Mo Ran against him, his limbs relaxing from their normally tightly curled up ball into something a little more relaxed.

It's dawn when he does wake up, stretching slowly as the sun gets in his face. It makes him cranky, and he scrunches his nose, trying to drag his arm over his eyes so it doesn't get in his eyes. But his sleeve is trapped, and he feels rather warm— warmer even than his bed.

He remembers the wolf then and tries to jolt up, only to be trapped by the other man. Not expecting a man, he inhales sharply, only to catch himself before he can yell. The wounds on the man are familiar, and Chu Wanning is no stranger to mystical creatures that can shapeshift.

And then he sees the blood. His eyes narrow, and he shakes the other man by the shoulder. ] You idiot, what were you thinking, dragging yourself around when you're injured?

[zhanmadao]

[ That familiar scent is so nice that Mo Ran drifts off to comforting, quiet dreams, nobody chasing him and the pain of his wounds not seeping through into his dream world.

The waking is abrupt though. Someone yells at him and, before he even knows what's going on, instinct kicks in. Mo Ran pushes himself up on all fours, bouncing back from the other, sensing danger and thus his furry ears pop up from on top of his head, dark enough that they mold seamlessly with his inky, messy hair, tangled with leaves. They're tucked back, showing his fear. He bares his teeth, sharp canines into view and eyes squinted, while a growl that belongs to no human comes out of his throat.

Does this man want to hurt him too, after all? Mo Ran feels the blood trickling from his inner thigh wound but he keeps moving back anyway, even if it stings. Too bad behind him there's the fireplace so he gets cornered, the realization making his nails turn into claws, while he glances around. This place is so cluttered that he has no idea where's the door, nor what route to take to get far from this man... It's likely he'll trip up if he tries. ]

~daohui

[rumination]

[ from here ]

No, not a fault of the spell. Poor joining. I'll reconsider.

[daohui]

Even shizun can grow.

[rumination]

Such machines do require new knowledge.

[daohui]

Why is it instead of challenged, shizun only sounds inconvenienced?

for ~thehusky

[rumination]

[ from here ]

Are you certain?

[thehusky]

[ ......... does wanning know he's ditching some juniors to fool around with him? oh no ]

i'll double check

[rumination]

[ he knows mo ran is popular but not about any potentially broken promises ]

If you do not, then we can. I am free tomorrow.

[thehusky]

[ phew. but still. ]

that's all i want. more time with shizun.