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 Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:15 pm
"Meditation... Sure, that would be nice.. Anything to help me get through these times.." He sounded desperate.. But.. With Xiulong in this condition, and the time for the auction slowly becoming closer and closer, he needed a way to calm down. And it wasn't as if it were drugs or anything, right? He trusted Po Zei... He was kind, just like the cook at the shop..
A tired smile reached his lips, and he took off his top robe, leaving him in his under garments of just a soft, but thin slip-like dress. Folding it up neatly, he slipped in beside his dragon, taking his hand into his own. Atleast.. This hadn't changed. It was still the hand he remembered, slightly rough due to the tools and such he worked with.. The hands of a worker.. His own hands were smooth, and he couldn't help but love the contrast..
His eyes watched Po Zei clean up the room, and gave a small wave as he left the room, before laying back down beside the injured one.
"I don't care what it takes, Xiulong.. I'll make sure we succeed at our goals..." He whispered, to the boy, running a finger gently down his cheek, pressing a soft kiss to it. His voice dropped even softer, as if trying to hid it from himself. "My dragon... I... I love you..."
Qiu Shui Pulled the hand against his chest, curling up, falling asleep.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:53 pm
The next few hours passed without anything terribly eventful happening, both Qiu Shui and Xiulong seeming as though they desperately needed the rest that they were getting in each others arms. A good thing for them both at the moment, both suffering from wounds though for one it was physical wounds and the other it was mental ones. Both exhausted.
After a time Xiulong started to stir, feeling slightly sore in his chest area from where he'd been kicked and there was a slight throbbing in his face, but nothing like the pain that had work him last time. He starred up at the ceiling with his good eyes then sighed when he realized that he was unable to see anything to one side of him... it would take a lot of getting used to, a lot of retraining himself. It was something he would need to overcome though it were wanting to continue to strive forward on the path that he'd chosen. That his Master seemed to be alright with him doing just that was what had him feeling good about things despite this life altering wound.
The bluenette relaxed a little as he looked over at the one curled up with him, giving a little smile when he saw him there, "Ahh, still here." He murmured, sounding quite happy about what he saw there. He had been worried that when he woke again he would be gone. He knew that Qiu Shui had another home, knew that he always had to go back to it, couldn't stay here with him as much as he wanted it... he sighed a little as he shifted slightly so that he could press a kiss to the top of the boy's head, smiling a little, though maybe sadly. He couldn't let his injury slow him down in becoming what he was striving to be, not even by a day he thought to himself. He would keep moving forward, become strong, he would fight, and he would win.
When the day was right and he was strong enough he was going to find the swordsman that did this to him and return the favor he thought to himself. It would seem the dragon was tasting his fist desire for revenge...
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:06 pm
Sleep came easy to the exhausted child, every fibre of his being simply shut down, drifiting in a hollow blackness that blocked out everything except for the warmth of the boy beside him, and the sweet scent that overpowered any other scent in the room. There was something rather comforting about losing consciousness, especially when one knows you're safe. Worries ebbed away, getting washed away in the darkness in his mind, leaving him with the sensation of simply floating on air.
A shift beside him caused Qiu Shui to slowly return to the world of the living, abandoning the sleepy universe he had been engulfed within. His eyes remained closed as the boy beside him murmured a few words, before bending down to press his warm lips against his forehead. Happiness swelled up within him, and he moved closer to Xiulong, trying to still appear to sleep, so that he could just enjoy this a few moments longer.
A rather sweet thought crossed his minds as he laid there, his arms draped around the other's waist loosely. He was excited.. This would become his life someday. Not the whole injury part, but waking beside Xiulong, holding him while they slept, waking up to sweetness every morning.. It just seemed to make everything just a little more worth while. No, not just a little more.. Completely worth while...
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Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:32 am
Shifting slightly, not wanting to wake up his friend as he hadn't realized that Qiu Shui was awake but not having opened his eyes yet, he carefully moved himself out of his companion's arms so that he could sit up. He lifted a hand to let his fingers tips momentarily brush against his stitches before he heard a throat clearing... it caused him to jerk his head up, looking toward the door.
"You shouldn't tough them, it would dirty the wound, such a child if you don't even know that." Tian Mi said, stepping into the room after giving the doctor who was sleeping at the door a glance. She shook her head before walking in, a tray in hand, "You have both Po Zei and Master Di all out of sorts, not to mention that the rest of the gang keeps asking the same questions over and over again about your health. All so foolish, as if Po Zei can magically make you better over night. Such a feat is beyond even him." The woman lowered herself down, setting the tray on the floor.
She looked Xiulong over as well as Qiu Shui before she gave a smile, "As much as I hate children I figured that I could help out in the healing process. After all you really do need to get better so that everyone will return to normal." She told Xiulong, pushing the food closer so that he could take what he wanted of it, "Its nothing much, your going to be on a diet of broth and tea that has your medicine added to it according to Po Zei. The real food on the tray is for Qiu Shui, keep that in mind." She told him, starring at Xiulong in a serious manner before giving a nod of her head, "Now, eat."
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Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:49 pm
As soon as Xiulong moved out of his grip, the let him readjust himself before curling up a bit tighter, whining from the slight loss of heat.
The scent of food wafted through the air, and near instantly, Qiu Shui's stomach let out a loud rumble. His eyes slowly opened, and he feigned just waking up, so that he would not worry the other two in the room.
"Good Morning.." He murmured to them both, though he had no clue as to what time it was. He had been in and out of consciousness for so long, he wasn't sure if it was morning, noon, or night. The Light in the room did not help either..
"Thank you Tian Mi~" Qiu Shui was grateful for the woman, for she knew what was best for them, right? Just like.. A mother...
The boy's expression dropped just a bit, and he began to eat quietly, trying to ignore the pain that was welling up in his chest, and to stop himself from wringing his hands again.
"Thank you Tian Mi.. It's Delicious.."
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 3:49 am
Xiulong turned quickly to look over at Qiu Shui to give him a smile, "Good morning." He greeted the boy with the pretty eyes as he woke up in time from breakfast, happy to see that he was awake. He leaned over to bump into him in a friendly manner before he turned back to his food. He looked between what was marked as belonging to Qiu Shui and the food that was his... such a difference in the two dishes but as much as he wanted to snag a bit of what his companion go he instead picked up the bowl of hot broth to sip out of it instead. It wasn't bad, a little bland, but still not bad. He just hoped that he wouldn't have to deal with it forever.
"Its not bad for just broth." He commented between sips, a comment that got a roll of Tian Mi's eyes. As though the brat were some sort of food critic she thought to herself before her attention went to Qiu Shui.
"I am glad that someone appreciates it." She said, as though Xiulong had said something terrible about the food, not that she cared. It was a simple meal and not one that took any sort of overwhelming amount of skill to prepare, even a beginner could make what the half blind dragon was eating. She leaned back on her hands for a moment, watching the pair closely, "Po Zei was talking about cleaning up Xiulong today, likely a good idea since he is looking terrible." She commented, he could use a good if careful scrubbing to clean away the old, dried blood that was staining his hair an odd color... as though anything could be stranger then blue hair she thought to herself with a slight grin.
"Cleaned up? That would be nice." He said, his hair was a bit crusty and a little itchy as well, he would be more then happy to get a bath so long as he was permitted one. The way that he kind of dozed at random due to his current weakness he didn't know if bathing in one of the deep tubs would be the best of ideas, he supposed he would see soon enough.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 12:38 pm
"Well, I'll take that as It's pretty good, especially since it's concealing that bitter medicine Po Zei is giving you." There was a lightness to Qiu Shui's voice that hadn't been heard at all since his arrival here. The fact that Xiulong was sitting up on his own, and not groaning in pain seemed to ease his worries just a bit. Not to mention that the bit of meditation worked wonders on his heavy heart.
A bath? Qiu Shui hadn't paid much attention to the physical appearance of the other boy, er, the astetically pleasing part to it. He had been too worried on whether or not the child would wake up! But now that he had a moment to study him, he did come to realize the other was filthy. Dried blood, dirt, Caked on medicine. Yes, he did look a little bit worse for wear.
"If he needs help, I'll do it. I've given people baths before~!" He was rather proud of this for a moment, before he realized how that sounded. "U-uh, I meant little ones! Children, yes, Children! One of my duties is to take care of the kids while their mother's work. A-and that included giving them baths and getting them ready for bed!"
He was sure they would understand, but.. It was still embarrassing as heck. He cast his eyes down, shutting up for the moment by placing another bit of food into his mouth.
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:41 am
Xiulong paused, looking down into his food for a long moment then nodded, "I guess your right." He hadn't even considered the fact that medicine would be slipped into his food, that meant that it might very well that the broth might actually taste rather good if it weren't for the medicine that was mixed into it. He gave a half shrug then set to drinking from it again. The medicine was an added bonus, it would in easing the ache he could feel on the left side of his face that was slowly threatening to spread... not that he gave any indication of what he was feeling, not wanting to worry Qiu Shui. He doubted very highly that his Master let on when he wasn't doing well... aside from maybe telling Po Zei since that man was in charge of keeping him in one piece. Perhaps that meant that he would need a Doctor of similar skill to serve him? An interesting thought for certain.
He would worry about finding himself a personal physician later though, for now he was still under the care of Po Zei after all who was in charge of the health of the gang but first and foremost was Qiang Di... until today he realized, pausing before he looked over at Tian Mi, "Why is it that Po Zei is staying at my side? Even you are, Tian Mi, I mean... you two are normally right at Master Di's side..."
The woman blinked a couple times looking very much like someone who had been caught red handed doing something that they weren't supposed to. She recovered rather quickly though, giving a cough and looked to the side, "Its unimportant, brat, we are merely doing what we were ordered to do and nothing more." At least to a point, not as though she would admit that she was in anyway worried about the little blue haired brat. More likely later, after he was healed, she would tell him he deserved the wound for being such an arrogant little pain. For the moment she was keeping her insults to a minimum. It just seemed wrong to taunt someone with an injury even to her.
"Now, instead of worry about us how about you finish you meal so Qiu Shui can get you cleaned up, he seems well versed in the bathing of others from what he says so I am sure he will take good care of you." She said, looking over at the rather embarrassed looking Qiu Shui and couldn't help but to give a little grin, finding his shyness refreshing given who all she spent her time around.
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:50 pm
"Don't worry, Xiulong, I'm sure you'll get to eat normal food in no time!" He was so very glad that he boy was able to move a bit without flinching in pain. He leaned over, giving the other boy a playful nudge, just as he was given, but a bit softer, so that he wouldn't cause him any sudden pain.
While the two talked, Qiu Shui simply studied the mannerisms that Tian Mi was displaying. Even if she hated to realize this, He was sure that she was worried about him. Atleast, it was a nice thought to at least pretend existed.
"Well, I like to think that they all want to make sure you get better, even the people outside, er, your master's 'men'. No one expected you to get hurt, they probably saw you as a 'spoiled child' who always hid behind his master. I think.. More than not, you've convinced everyone you were serious, and you're not just mooching off the fact that you are one of the ones closest to Quang Di." There was a doubt that what he said didn't make sense at all, but it did in his head.
He went quiet for a while, finishing eating, Until Tian Mi mentioned once more the way he bathed people. Why did she have to say it that way?! Her words simply caused Qiu Shui to turn a shade darker, Nearly choking on the meal.
"I-I would be more then happy to help, whenever you are finished.. "
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:19 pm
Xiulong gave a smile as is companion gave him a nudge back, causing him to relax. He finished up his broth and set the dish down, "I look forward to normal food, never realized how much I like what I usually eat until now." It wasn't really something thought about until they no longer had it. He lifted up his tea to sip from it before he looked over Qiu Shui, "I am glad to hear that they are respecting me more, I hope it means things will go smoother for me once I am healed up."
He knew that paying with blood was a worthy way to obtain something but at the same time he couldn't say that he was upset about it. While he wished he could have fought better that night at least something good had come from it, "Alright, I'm done." He said, pushing up to his feet. He stood there for a moment, having to get his barrings before he looked over at Qiu Shui, holding a hand out to him, "Come on, lets go." While it wasn't going out for a walk or a festival like he wished it was but this was at least something, so long as he was allowed to be with the boy with the pretty eyes Xiulong was happy. He would gladly trade his eye, a limb, and more if it meant making Qiu Shui his so that he could protect him.
Tian Mi picked up the dishes before rising to her feet as well, "If you want to head to the private bath that Master Di uses I will warn Po Zei and Master Di where your going, I would rather they didn't worry after all." She said, giving them a nod of her head before heading to the door, "There should be towels and wash cloths as well as soap all already in the bath. Nothing has been added to the water as I didn't Po Zei would want anything but water near your wounds." No extra scents along with what came off the two lotus kids naturally.
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:30 pm
"No, I don't think things will ever go smoothly. That's not how life is, Xiulong. But then again, what would life be if all it was was smooth sailing? If anything else, it makes life an adventure, right? And... And as long as I know I have you, the world can do all it wants to me." Sure, it was cheesy, but he meant every last word, twirling a strand of his hair around his fingers, instead of wringing his hands. Po Zei did say he had to stop it.. Perhaps this could be a better solution, as long as he didn't start pulling hair out, then he'd end up with a bald spot in some random place in his head.
As soon as Xiulong rose to his feet, Qiu Shu made to get up as well, wanting to make sure that the other didn't loose his footing and fall onto the rather hard floor below them. To his surprise, the boy barely fumbled, and he turned offering a hand to him, which he more than happily took into his own.
"Of course! Thank you Tian Mi." He bowed to the woman, gently tugging Xiulong forward, towards the private baths. He didn't live here, exactly, but he felt so at home now, and the way to the bath was so bright in his mind. Normally, it wouldn't have been, but today, he had a goal in mind, to bathe his dragon and make him well once more.
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Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:51 pm
The bath was filled and warm, a bit of steal rising up into the air which was just as nice, just as warm. Xiulong stepped insdie, giving a happy sound in his throat as he looked from side to side, seeing where the towels and cloths were laying, then over to the water once more, "Looks really inviting." He said, noticing that it was more shallow then the last time that the pair of them had shared a bath, probably to keep him from going under he thought to himself.
He looked over to Qiu Shui and then gave him a smile, "Thank you." He murmured, now that they were alone, "Thank you... for staying with me despite... this." He lifted a hand to motion at his face. He could only imagine what it might look like from the way that it felt when he touched it. Just considering it he walked over to the bath, leaning over it slightly to try to catch sight of his reflection... then starred, "Huh..." Not as bad as he'd first thought. The stitches weren't exactly attractive but for some reason he'd been expecting it to be worse. He lifted his hand toward the stitched up wound for a moment before he paused before touching it, shook his head then stepped back.
"Going to join me in the water?" He asked as he set to undressing, not sure if the other boy would want to, "I am sure that I will dirty the water... so if you would rather wait we can see if a fresh one can be made for you after?" He suggested, not wanting to make Qiu Shui sit with him in water that would soon be tainted as the dried blood was washed from his hair.
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:00 am
It was really warm in the room.. Like a comforting hug by someone you love. Warm and inviting and simply soft. Yes, soft was the best way to describe the way the room was. The air, the towels, the sounds.. They were all.. Soft.. and even now, so were Xiulong's words, soft murmured things that caused Qiu Shui's heart to throb just a bit. Did he really think he wouldn't stay? Naw, that's not it. Maybe his dragon was just feeling venerable.. He knew he would if something like that happened to him.
"Of course.. Besides... I think it makes you look a bit rugged. I don't know if that's what you were going for, but.. " His words trailed off, turning away as the other began to undress. He felt just a bit shy about watching the other undress. He, too, began to undress, stripping all the way down, tying his hair back into a ponytail, and wrapping a towel around his waist.
"Actually.. You won't be getting in just yet..." He went to the corner, pulling out a bucket that was near by, and turned it upside down. It was close to the tub, close enough that he could still reach the water with a smaller bucket he found.
"This is what we're going to do.. Um.. I'm going to give you a wet cloth bath, with a little bit of soap, and.. Uh.. Um.. Was your hair very gently.. Then you'll be rinsed off, so that all the blood gone.. Uhm.. When that's done, then you can get into the tub, so you'll be nice and clean and not worry about sitting in dirt and such.. Is that alright..?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 12:22 am
"Rugged, huh?" He asked, then gave a bit of a smile as he was asked if it were what he was going for. The young lotus boy couldn't help but to give a grin and a nod, "Ahh, yeah... its totally what I was going for, an attempt to look a bit more manly." As though it were actually the plan he'd had in mind but it did sound amusing... and it help to ease his worries a bit as well. He didn't want this loss of an eye hinder his plans and his goals, he wouldn't allow it to. It was a stumble, it wasn't a failure, it wasn't something that would end his quest.
He moved in closer to Qiu Shui, lifting a hand to rest it on his shoulder, "Its not gonna stop me, you know that right?" He asked of him, "Your already mine, Qiu Shui, its just a matter of me proving that to the rest of the world." He gave a nod before he found himself going from serious to confused, the emotion showing in his good eye, "Huh? I'm not getting in yet?" He asked, heat cocking to one side.
After the dark haired boy explained he gave a slow nod, "Ahh, I see. Alright." That was a good plan he thought to himself, better then what he'd been thinking for certain. He moved to get a couple towels, laying one out on the ground so he could sit on it. This way the dirty water would be caught by the cloth instead of getting everywhere he thought to himself. He let his eye sink closed, "Thanks for this." A man should be able to take care of such things for themselves but he could feel it, that if he pushed himself to hard he was going to end up exhausted all over again and he didn't want that, he wanted to spend his waking hours with his companion before he had to leave... not that he thought to hard on that the inevitable, instead shoved the fact aside that Qiu Shui would be leaving.
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:23 pm
"Yes, Rugged~ Like you're a big, tough man that commands all attention! No one can look down on you anymore!" He enjoyed making his dragon feel smile. A smile, in his mind, could make anyone feel better. Atleast, when it's an earnest one. The hand on his should left him in a puzzled position.
"Xiulong.. I've never doubted that you would never give up. Sure.. I've doubted myself, my worth.. But I know that I belong to you, and that keeps me going every day. I.. I'm so very proud to belong to you.. You're my master, and nothing will ever change that." With that being said, he moved around in a rather quite manner, kneeling behind his dragon.
"Of course.. Anything to help.."
He worked swiftly and silently, his touches gentle, but firm at the same time. Enough pressure to get the filth off, but with a tenderness behind it so that no pain would be caused. He had started from the bottoms of Xiulong, washing his feet in the most humbling of ways, slowly working up (though skipping the area that was rather.. Private. He found it far too.. Embarrassing to wash there!).
When he reached the other's chest, all pressure was let up, and his touches became like a feather, for that area was sensitive, and still bruised. He was glad that his idea to wash him first was a good one, since the warm water would help sooth the pain away, he was sure!
Then was the arms, and as he washed them, he placed a soft kiss to his fingertips, whispering words of get well to him, then continuing upwards.
Upon reaching Xiulong's face, he hesitated just a bit. He wanted, in no way, to cause the boy any sort of pain.. So.. When approaching this, extra precautions would have to be made.
"Close your eyes.." He murmured, and as soon as the other did, he placed a cloth over the bandage, before setting to work. There was no scrubbing here, not, there was only dabbing. It was slow, but it was safe, and little to no pain would surface. With each dab, Qiu Shui's chest tightened, biting his lip with a bit of concern, and a large sigh of relief escaped him as he finished up.
All that was left was to wash the other's hair. Using his fingertips as a comb, he did just as he did back during the autumn festival, running them through his blood stained locks, untangling each strand, and washing away any blood.
With a nice, clean, and soapy Xiulong left, all that remained was to rinse the boy off. He used a finger tip to tilt Xiulong's head back, rinsing of his hair first, then rinsing off the rest of him.
"Y-you're all finished now..." It had just hit him what he had done. He had basically touched every part of his 'master', and it sent a happy thrill through him, as if he had reached a higher level in his relationship with the dragon. Though, he wasn't quite sure what this had meant, it pleased him.
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