aires | oh n

[ unfortunately for therion jiaoqiu finds this endlessly endearing. it's been so long since he's felt like this, smiling because he's happy, because he can't stop the warmth threatening to rise up out of him. there's a bit of gremlin energy to it just because therion's ears are so red, but mostly, it's just affection. ]

Mm, yes. You'll have to suffer me.

[ he says cheerfully.

and when therion pulls his scarf free, jiaoqiu pauses. if therion wanted to see him brighten again, this was the right move - he seems so very pleased, gently bringing up the scarf off the rack and tucking it around therion, arranging it. once it's all set, he moves back just a little to take it in. and then, soft, just a little teasing but not loud enough for the little old lady to hear: ]

It makes you look handsome.

[ this is just -it's just so embarrassingly intimate, so kind and sweet. it's the kind of affectionate little kindness you'd see out of any couple on the street, and therion's briefly at a loss for words, having to look at the ground so as not to be burned to a crisp by the brightness and warmth on jiaoqiu's face.

jesus. his heartbeat skips like three times as he's arranging the scarf, and he doesn't really realize he's holding his breath - he absolutely cannot look up at jiaoqiu's face or he's going to perish. the scarf itself is soft and warm, the material not too scratchy, a reminder of what his used to be like once upon a time. it's sweet, a thoughtful choice, placed thoughtfully, in a gesture of closeness he'd allow literally no one else.

the comment makes therion scoff, but it's clearly because he's flustered, and he adjusts it a little himself too, shoulders hunching up by his ears. his whole face is turning red. ]

's just a scarf. [ bluster, bluster. for someone who is always awfully confident, he's actually a big baby, and these very sincere gestures of affection, complete with that just slight edge of teasing in his compliment, are lot for one little therion. not in a bad way, but everything feels so sticky warm that he'd forgotten what it felt like to have a crush on some on--oh god. oh god, that's what this is. oh god.

he swallows, hard, and then gestures with his head to the nice shopkeeper, who is smiling with her hands clasped together. like, go on, if you're gonna get it. he's gonna stand here with this scarf around his neck and die, maybe. ]

[ it's okay - he started this out by teasing, but therion is so flustered and bright red that jiaoqiu is a little overwhelmed, himself. it's like, cuteness aggression. he wants to bite him? he wants to bite him.

but like, nicely. sweetly, because therion is rough because he has to be, because therion has been taught over and over that kindness is something that gets you killed, and jiaoqiu wants to give him something soft to fall back on. he has a big heart, something that jiaoqiu has seen over and over in the way that therion treats him and other people. the gruffness and snark is a fragile wall, and jiaoqiu likes to climb right over it, likes to hold out his hands and wait for therion to eventually make his way there, and it's stupid because he didn't really understand how much therion relied on jiaoqiu coaxing him until they curled up together a week ago in lingsha's house. that he had to meet him, that he couldn't just always wait until the words came.

just like jiaoqiu trusts therion to watch his back, therion trusts him to arrange his scarf, and jiaoqiu feels overwhelmingly bright, like he could open his mouth and light would spill out instead of the abyss that's normally there. silly, that such a simple action makes him feel this way, but he's not going to argue it.

jiaoqiu will not PDA in public, but he gently slides his hand down therion's arm, and then goes to give the nice shopkeeper money. ]

[ well this was very embarrassing. he's got nothing to say now, no snarky commentary, and he wants to skitter away from this booth at mach fuck, but he does not. he stands there, brand new scarf that he is letting jiaoqiu pay for with real money wrapped around his neck, and is hit with the gamut of human emotion, particularly in the form of positives.

the "oh god, oh fuck, oh god" feeling does not go away as he watches jiaoqiu go off to pay the nice shopkeeper. in retrospect, this should be very obvious, considering the extremely emotional events of the last week. therion has felt these warm, squiggly feelings around jiaoqiu a few times before, but this is the first time it's actually starting to hit. the last time he felt this way he was young and stupid and following darius around like a puppy, and he saw how that ended for him. (extremely poorly.) and if it weren't for said events of the last week, therion might have cut and run.

but the debacle of this entire thing means he won't do that. the tentative trust they have built is not pillars upon sand, but something small and steady. so instead, he just curls his hand very, very gently in the fabric of the scarf when jiaoqiu isn't looking, and buries his nose in it, and processes his embarrassing emotions, wills the fluster off of his face. god. you look like an idiot. he has goosebumps from where his arm was. this is deeply uncool.

be steps back a little, so when jiaoqiu is all done, he's there, standing a little off to the side. he looks at the skystone merchant, who is looking at him with the stinkiest face of mischief you could possibly imagine, and he flips her off, and she blows a raspberry at him, and by the time jiaoqiu's done the interaction is over and he looks like he's back to normal, giving jiaoqiu a little sup nod of acknowledgement. he's still wearing the little scarf. ]

Happy now?

[ jiaoqiu pays, and the lady keeps making little comments about how cute they are and jiaoqiu actually also! wants to ascend! he does fine when it's just them, when he's teasing therion, but having other people in his business makes his tail fur poof out. when he comes back to therion, he looks vaguely embarrassed, but! the scarf is paid for. ]

Yes, very much so.

[ his ear flicks. ]

... Let's keep moving.

[ please god get him away from well meaning grannies. he missed the whole back and forth between the skystone merchant and therion, but he'd be so amused if he saw. therion just attracting women who want to noogie him across the country. anyway, they scoot, and jiaoqiu huffs once they're out in the crowd again. his nose is slightly pink. ]

I suppose we should find supplies rather than trinkets.

[ therion also does not catch the granny conversation because he's nonverbally bickering with tressa, but the poof of jiaoqiu's tail immediately catches his attention out of the corner of his eye and he looks. and honestly, the sight of it makes him feel better, or at least like, slightly less off kilter. god.

he snorts, though its mostly just at the situation, adjusts himself, remembers he's wearing the little scarf, gets more embarrassed, and then scoffs to himself and shakes his head, starting to head back into the crowd. despite wanting to stomp away in embarrassment, he does not leave jiaoqiu behind. his ears are still red, but he refuses to let himself think about it for another second or he will die. ]

You want stuff to cook with. [ not a question, he's kind of expecting that. ] What else?

Oh, yes.

[ right. food. wheeze. ]

That depends on what the tavern has to offer. I assume blankets, or toothpaste, or anything like that can be found easily enough.

[ he carefully reaches to hold onto therion's arm as they move their way through the crowd, because he doesn't want to get separated. ]

Bandages, I think. Painkillers. And maybe a brace.

[ for his leggy. ]

Mn.

[ the noise is agreeing and he is just as relieved. moving on!!! sheesh!!! ]

Better to hit a pharmacy. [ which is kind of ironic, honestly. that's where all this started, after all. therion huffs, glancing at him as they make their way down the aisle, towards the endcap where it's a little less full. ] I'm not carrying you if you collapse before then.

[ from his baby pain tolerance. therion says this, but as jiaoqiu comes to hold onto his arm, he slows down enough to let him take it properly, especially at the reminder of the brace - making sure they avoid anyone in the too crowded market, too, so as not to agitate his healing injury any further. ]

The basic stuff'll already be there. You need anything to keep that doctor's magic working, or what?

I'm sure we can find something.

[ at least he'll know where to go! pharmacies are his favored terrain. as for therion ribbing him, it doesn't bother him, as usual. he knows that if he actually did collapse therion would, in fact, carry him, because he did before, and also, because he's slowing down here to make sure jiaoqiu doesn't hurt. as they get out of the worst of the crowd, jiaoqiu straightens a little. he doesn't want... well, he doesn't want to be a burden. ]

And I won't collapse. It doesn't hurt too badly, but if I'm standing on it for long periods of time it might set wrong, in the last few days of recovery.

[ he's like 95% healed, he's just being careful. not for himself, but because one, therion would stab him, two, lingsha would stab him, and a distant three - he wants to be able to run as soon as he can, if he has to. ]

The magic is already doing its work. I just have to help it along. Walking is fine, as are other... forms of activity. [ his ear flicks, and he keeps a little smile to himself. ] Just no running, for now.

Ohhhh.

[ the noise is recognizing, as if he suddenly understands. there's a smirk on his face, and he does not bother trying to hide it. ]

That's convenient. Did the doctor write you a note for that one?

[ he laughs, and glances over at therion a little lazily. ]

Oh, I write all my own notes.

[ HELP that gets a short, sharp laugh in return. ]

Shady doctor. [ lol!!! lmao!!!!! ] Were those the kind of supplies you meant, medicine man? My bad for assuming.

[ his dumb body betrays him because his tail wags when therion laughs. ]

I don't mind a little shade. [ he teases, head tilted. a little more quietly, because he is not shameless enough to allow people to overhear him with this, he'd die: ] And - were those not a given? Surely you don't expect to keep your hands to yourself for however long we're here.

[ lol. he doesn't mind the quieter tone - therion doesn't talk loudly, anyway, really, when he's talking at all, but he sideeyes jiaoqiu from under his fringe, and then looks back out in front of them. all confident, little smirk on his face. ]

It's taken care of.

[ wow? presumptive? or maybe he just already had it. (he already had it.) or more embarrassingly and more likely, it's probably already in the suite, considering what primrose said to him quietly earlier, which was mortifyingly embarrassing but now can be used to flirt with jiaoqiu? it's fine. ]

[ this is so funny primrose actually did go points rainbow flag

as much as he wants to bite therion when he gets all smug, it unfortunately does it for him. he huffs, nose a little pink, and then whaps therion with his tail on the ass. subtle. ]

Then we'll have something to look forward to later. [ he hums. ] Let's get our supplies, and then eat. I'm starving, and I'd like out of these crowds.

[ she had a 50/50 shot of being correct and unfortunately, therion's overly flustered reaction was all the answer in the world, which he realized about the second it was out of his mouth, but. whatever. he will never live this down from primrose, so at least he can bullshit and pretend he was the one who was totally so prepared.

the whap on the ass has him jump a second too late to avoid it, and the smirk breaks into a little grin as he swats back at it. it feels light. it feels like the whole borisin fiasco is lightyears away, in this star-dappled market, watching jiaoqiu get huffy, and though he, like always, is never truly relaxed, there's a brief moment here where he could find a little peace.

so, through the market they go - off to a pharmacy, to pick up a leg brace, some stronger painkillers. some basic groceries. therion steals an apple from this pharmacy too, just because it's practically habit at this point, and they're able to make their way back towards the main inn. purposefully, he leads them down a new aisle of the market, past large drums full of richly ground spices, a stand full of nothing but increasingly heinous varieties of hot peppers, and off to the edge of the market where the food stalls are for whatever incredibly spicy monstrosity jiaoqiu wants to eat. the cuisine here leans towards desert food, flavorful curries and breads and dips and a thousand other different easy to eat things.

he keeps his eyes on him the entire time, watching the way he walks, watching the crowd, and as they're picking up food, therion's the one to suggest: ] 's just take it back to the room.

[ it is getting late, and it's been a long day. jiaoqiu can probably tell, the way the jitter starts, the way he's a little twitchier than before. he's tired of the crowds, too - no matter how open sunshade is, it still gets him feeling itchy. therion also has yet to realize it, but over by the chili stand, he dragged jiaoqiu away by the hand - and standing in front of this little food stand, he hasn't let go. ]

[ purposefully, therion leads him through the stands, and it's such a wild difference between this jiaoqiu and the one curled up in an office chair. he's radiating content, curiosity, happiness. he could spend all day coaxing his nose into working enough to find the best spices, find the hottest peppers. he'll come back to look tomorrow, he thinks. right now, he doesn't want to be distracted. he doesn't want this emotion to stop.

when therion takes his hand, he is so, so like, casual about it. he does not call attention to it, he doesn't try to cling or make much more move to hold it more tightly because he's afraid if he does, therion will let go. he's a little nervous about it himself - again, the public eye has him twitchy - but he likes it. it makes his whole body warm, makes his nose a little pink to match his hair.

he decides on curry and naan and orders enough that they'll have leftovers. and therion's suggestion is just fine with him, because he's starting to flag a bit himself. he's tired after the drive, and this much walking means that his leg is actually starting to ache. there's a general sense of relief on his face when therion says they should go back to the room. ]

Yes. I'd like some quiet.

[ he says, a little ruefully. he can see that the crowds are stressing therion out a bit too, so. ]

... Lead the way?

[ you don't have to let go, he thinks. ]

[ it's just because he's leading him somewhere. that's the only reason. he likes having his arm more free - he needs to be able to move as much of his body as possible at any given time, so just having his hand is a necessity. it's faster this way. it's easier.

their fingers aren't interlaced - it's a pull along. that's all. it is absolutely not making him fluster any further, except where it is. jiaoqiu's hand is softer than his, because therion is all callouses, dextrous little fingers, and he is definitely not thinking about that, either, as jiaoqiu retrieves the food from the stand. he's got his face tucked back into the scarf, just kind of watching him - expression calm, neutral.

and at 'lead the way', he makes a little noise, a grunt of affirmation and... turns, and will start to pull him along back towards the tavern, too. saying anything about it will make it worse - the back of his neck and ears are visibly red as he walks a little in front of him this time, sweeping the area and looking to make sure there's nothing strange going on as an excellent distraction.

therion does let go by the time they reach the front of the tavern, but that's probably not that surprising. the actual last thing he wants is to give primrose the satisfaction of seeing this - not that they are holding hands for any reason except for the fact that he thought jiaoqiu was just going to wander off, because that's definitely a thing that could happen right now, or anything - but. beyond that, he ushers jiaoqiu up a side staircase, a secret entrance that he is aware of (and so is primrose, thus the no more definitely not hand holding), and opens the door back to the room.

there is of course, only one bed, but that's honestly not that strange - he usually stays here by himself, so. he nudges the door open with his hip and holds it open, then gestures at the room. ]

[ honestly, if their fingers were interlaced he might crawl up a wall, so this is okay. he lets therion guide him back to the tavern, keeping up just fine, biting his lip to stop himself from grinning. he's a little disappointed when therion lets go, but it's okay.

maybe he can take his hand again later. maybe when they're safe and alone, it'll be okay to do.

anyway - they go up the side stairs, and jiaoqiu heads into the room. he puts their food down on the counter of the kitchenette, and then wanders further into the room to give it a better look. the bed gets him to sigh in relief - there's a lot he'd like to use it for but first he's just going to kind of collapse down onto it. he sinks very heavily down, and winces a bit as he rubs at his knee. he really hopes this is not going to be a forever thing, this pain. ugh.

he glances up at therion, and smiles a little. ]

... Much better. [ he flexes his hands, missing the warmth. ] It was much less busy at night, before. Less noisy.

[ it's sort of an out of body experience to be in this room with another person, though it's not necessarily a bad one. therion rarely stays in sunshade longer than a couple of days, but it is one of the few places where he rests his head in majority safety. it is a place where someone has his back. which - if he was smart, he would realize that having someone to have his back is in fact a good thing that makes him feel better most of the time, but haki in chat voice is correct.

therion busies himself for the moment - he sets his old, familiar scarf into his little backpack he keeps, puts the bag full of bandages somewhere they'll be accessible and refills his own tiny first aid kit just to keep his hands busy, to give himself a second to properly absorb the evening's events and push away any lingering embarrassment. his hand is warm, and he wars with himself briefly about how he feels about this, somewhere between fluttery and ready to jump off a bridge at himself. god.

when jiaoqiu speaks up, he glances over his shoulder. the knee rubbing doesn't go unnoticed - he grunts in acknowledgement, at first, never much of a talker. but, eventually: ]

Used to be worse. [ back when it was a brothel. but, well, you know. sometimes horrible men get murked and badass women take over the business and transform it into something incredible, instead.

a pause, and with a little smirk, a glimmer of smartassery as ever - ] No trains.

[ cause the noise at his old safehouse was, you know. terrible for poor jiaoqiu and his ears. ]

[ he watches therion idly, watches him fix up his backpack. thinks about that little box he saw before, but still doesn't ask, because he doesn't want to admit he went through therion's stuff in the first place. his ear flicks as he peeks, like somehow he could spot it and just off the cuff ask.

but therion looks over his shoulder at him and jiaoqiu wrinkles his nose in his direction. ]

No trains, though your constant reminders mean I'll never forget the sound.

[ teases!! a beat, and he pulls himself up to stand with another little wince. he's going to go unpackage the food, because he actually is hungry now. ]

Do you want some of this? You should eat.

[ there's no sight of whatever that was... weird.... ]

And I'll never forget the sound of you nagging me about that.

[ therion mutters, sassy as always, because it's true - jiaoqiu nags him constantly about eating, which he rightfully should. the only time he ever actually eats real meals is when he is with jiaoqiu.

therion says this, but pokes around in the drawers in the little kitchen and eventually produces a couple packages of plastic cutlery, sliding them over and then hopping up to sit on the counter. this never changes. he likes to be tall! he'll let jiaoqiu unpack the food, poking around, and eventually takes a piece of naan, tearing off a bit and popping it into his mouth. ]

[ nyeh

he looks disgruntled at the counter sitting but he doesn't protest, this time. he's given up, therion refuses to not sit on the counter. so instead, jiaoqiu is obnoxious, sliding closer to lean against the counter between therion's legs with his food in hand. if you're gonna sit up there he's gonna take advantage. he eases right there and eats his curry while leaning basically in therion's lap.

this is better for his leg, anyway, obviously. he's not putting his weight on it like this. hehe. ]

Eat more than bread.

[ obnoxious!!!!! actually, this is fine. he just kind of shifts his leg over so there's enough space for him to slide between his thighs. it's a little point of contact, and secretly, he really likes the sudden increase of affectionate physical contact in his life - talk about touch starved - so he just gives him a reprimand squish with his thighs for the pleased look on his face and lets him stay there.

in response to the continued nagging, he leans back a little, resting his weight on his hands. ]

What are you going to do, make me?

[ the squish only makes him more pleased. he has so much power. but he settles there, because he's also touch-starved, and now that he doesn't have to be afraid about touching therion so much anymore, he's happy to just soak it in as much as possible. ]

Hm. I'm tempted. [ he jokes, peering up at therion. ] I could threaten you, but I feel as though any punishment I'd give, you would just ignore.

[ still teasing: ]

For instance, if I said I wouldn't kiss you until you ate, you'd make a face at me and say something like, good, I didn't want your mouth near me anyway.

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