Welcome to Gaia! ::

He hefted the package again, a simple white box marked in silver clouds from the craftsman. He’d been the one to add the ribbon, a soft blue with silver stars and a golden moon at random intervals. That, of course, was just the dressing. It was what was inside the box, though, the thing that was bringing the grin to his face though he tried hard to suppress it.

He walked with a spring in his step, a hurried gate of wanting to see the reaction on Qingcheng’s face when he opened it.

Most people would have laughed to know that Laojun, known best for his darker sense of humor, sharp temper, and rough ways, had purchased such a sentimental gift.


“Qingchen!” He shouted in greeting the second he caught sight of the fluttering white robes and trailing translucent rainbow smattered with stars.

“Qingchen! Here!” He called. “I brought something!”

“It’s us.” He grinned “so it’s not a surprise, but I’ll use the ribbon in your hair if you’ll agree to open it.

He pinched a corner of the ribbon and waved a hand towards a bench. “Sit! I’ll put your hair up, you can open your gift, and then I’ll treat you to some of the food from my glorious misadventures.”

“I’m going to have the next craftsman make you the longest and prettiest hair sticks so that you can twist it up and pin it into place easier. He reached out his free hand and teased slender fingers though the long silvery sweep.

His own hair was a darker shade, like a faded black just touched by blue.

It was held back by black metal ornately shaped at the ends into black spirals and curls.

He took the comb and started carefully separating the long hair into sections, half to either side so that he could gently and carefully begin to put it into a fishtail braid. It would take more than enough time for Qingcheng to open the box and explore the contents but it would hold well, and it could be curled back and pinned with the comb.

The box slid open and revealed carefully folded paper, dark purple and little silver clock designs. Folding it back however reveled a pair of dolls, one with hair like tarnished silver, the other as pale as cobwebs. One dressed in purples and greys - the other in white and pastels.

“See? It’s us!” He said peering over your shoulder. “Now, even when we’re apart, we’re together. They are designed so if anything happens the other will know, it’ll reflect on the doll! Since I’m forever wandering about, I thought it would be an excellent gift.” He laughed.

“Sadly it can’t tell you when I find food.”

“The location of the food is only part of my evil plan to lure you closer to my chambers. After all, if anyone caught wind that I am so gentle with hair, my reputation would be utterly ruined.” He teased, leaning close enough that the words feathered against the curve of Qingcheng’s ear.

“… I will admit they are not quite as cute as I imagined; it’s a little too recognizable as me; I’m not trying to inflict nightmares on you.” He chuckled.

“But I do wish you could put me into your bag and take me with you, pull me out to do your hair, and surprise anyone who dares try and flirt with you. I’m sure it must happen so often you’re quite immune, but that won’t make me an ounce less jealous of your time and company.”

“Mmm… but My starlight, you’re so beautiful. I know they all dream about you.” He teased in turn. “But they can’t catch you, none of them know that secret, and I will never tell. I’m too sharp and too angry for them; I need someone as perfect as you to temper me.”

He slid his arms around Qingchen’s waist and murmured. “This scoundrel will have to find the enchantments that will let me hug you through a doll, then it will be me, even if my arms are terribly small. I will just have to love you enough to reach; I’m sure I must be close to that already.”

He placed a kiss on the man’s face and drew back enough to tie the ribbon carefully in place before gently lifting and twisting the braid to pin it carefully with the comb so it would stay.

“A blessing perhaps that we are each assigned the wonder that we are; if I had yours, I’d have broken the tradition ages ago; I’ve only patience for your hair, and little enough for my own.”

“I can think of a few things to do with all that hair.” Murmured Laojun, a wicked glint in his eyes.
“It might be a bit tangled when I was done though, some…terrible knots. You’re not the only one who can be clever with them.”

he took a deep breath and let it out. “Well… I am on call, though it’s been quiet enough. So I think I can offer at least tonight, after that… well. It’s like catching starlight.”

He paused and thought for a moment. “I keep meaning to ask… What happens if something were to happen to your hair, an accident… sparring say.”

He was on the verge of some joke, some tease about possibly engaging in the fine art of shaping hedges so he could cause some … terrible ‘accident’ to sheer off a few of those deeply beautiful inches.

The mention of marriage though, that clearly stole his breath away. He froze, fingers closing possessively over fine shoulders.

“… I suppose, I am… I am far too degenerate to apply, I … am not pure enough after all to touch you.” His breath shuddered out in a sigh.


“… How long?” He whispered, and then with determination. “And… please, let me know because I will fight them for you.”

He let out a low snarl. “What an outdated ideal, so barbaric for such a beautiful line.”

His fingers squeezed before he caught himself at risk of bruising the beautiful skin.

“How dare they… what kind of …” He gritted his teeth and let out a breath.
“I can still fight them.” He said after a tense moment.
“What could they do if we got married despite them mmm? It’s not as though you lack family all together.”