hideawayparadise | IC Inbox

Yeah.

[It's so good to hear his voice so he switches to video as well. He looks tired but otherwise alright. He's had good people taking care of him.]

I... I thought I lost you too.

{The switch is easy to do - just the touch of a button - but Xie's hand shakes nonetheless. He softens when he sees Riley, running his thumb over the image.}

No, you haven't. I'm not angry at you and my feelings for you haven't changed.

[That gets a little smile from him.]

Will said he met you and you called me your boyfriend still. It's really nice to hear it from you though.

[So very nice.]

Could we still have baths together? I mean I guess it'll have to be here but this place has a nice tub too.

I wanted to make sure he wasn't one of the Fae pursuing you. {But Will had been so like Riley that he had ended up offering him cake.}

Of course. We're together, aren't we? I want to take care of you and your scales.

When I talked to him I realized pretty fast that he's not like them. I don't know everything yet but I know we're definitely close friends at least in his time.

[He relaxes a little more and leans against the wall of room he's in.]

I like how you take care of them. They shine so pretty when you're done.

That's all that matters to me. I want your friends to take care of you.

{And if they hurt Riley, he will strike them with all the might he has acquired in this world.}

I'll bring everything we need if you don't mind a visitor? The scorpions have molted again. They are getting bigger.

[He really appreciates having his instincts trusted on this. So much.]

I don't mind. And I'll be glad to see our babies again too. I was also missing them.

They have been looking for you. {The little scorpions stop eating right before they molt - the process is tiring for them - and he had felt especially bad for them this time since Riley often supports them.} I'm sure they will eat for you.

I'll make sure they get their favorites and lots of them since they're getting bigger. [Hopefully he can be there to encourage them during their next molt. Even if he's sure the next one won't be for awhile.]

I will bring them with me. {He is gathering what they will need besides the scorpions and their terrarium. Oil, lotions and, of course, treats for Riley.} Where am I going?

[He hesitates a second then gives the address. Because it's definitely the mafia place. Their temporary one anyway since the new one isn't ready yet.]

I can meet you outside so I show you where the bathhouse is.

{He is cautious of the mafia members - he wants to know what they intend to do in the city - but he has no reason to quarrel with them. Xie smiles faintly when he is given the address and nods.}

I won't keep you waiting long.

{Carrying a bag over one shoulder and the terrarium under his arm, he sets out. When he gets close, the scorpions skitter to the front of their enclosure as if looking for Riley too.}

[Riley is chewing on his lip as he stands outside the entrance. He doesn't mean to be nervous but this whole situation has been so stressful. But he feels like he'll feel better once he can see and touch Xie again. When they can find a rhythm that works for them so they can fall into that happy bubble again.

When he sees him, he smiles and trots over to meet him. Unable to stop himself, he throws his arms around Xie's neck to kiss him.

Don't worry, babies. He'll love you so much very soon. He just needs this really quick.]

{The sudden affection warms him from head to toe. His breath catches and he wraps his free arm around Riley, nuzzling their faces together. The kiss is the best greeting he could receive and he returns the pressure, wanting Riley to know and feel his love.}

A-Ley, I missed you.

I missed you too.

[It's only been a few days but it's felt like forever since he's been worried about losing him. But now he knows they're going to figure this out and it makes him so happy. He smiles at him, pulling back enough so he can offer to take the terrarium.]

Hi babies. Mommy missed you too...

{Xie places extra kisses over Riley's face as he hands over the terrarium. The now slightly bigger scorpions hurry around their enclosure excitedly.}

They missed you too. They were so proud when they shed. See? Their bodies are shining like polished stone.

Look how beautiful they are...

[He smiles at them while he leads Xie inside with him towards the bathhouse. Already he's feeling more relaxed as he settles into knowing that things will find their normal.]

We're just staying here at the doctor's house until we finish repairing our new place. But I'm going to get to have my own room there and it'll be even easier for us to spend time together there.

[Right now he's sharing a room, and bed, with his brother, after all.]

But the bath is this way.

[Also yes. Riley has still never taken off the ring Xie gave him all those weeks ago.]

So I told them. {Xie praises the tiny creatures, obviously fond of them...and the Fae who holds them. He caresses Riley's cheek and then follows him.}

They are treating you well? {He has no room to judge anyone considering his past, but that fact remains important.} If you don't feel safe, I can help you make other accommodations.

{Xie won't stand for Riley to be anywhere he can't be himself.}

I feel very safe here. They take really good care of me. P'Kinn is even sharing his room with me so I have a warm place to sleep. I know that Baiyi senses darkness in them but they can be trusted. They've just had to live darker lives because of the world they were brought up in. Does that make sense?

[It's what he wanted to explain but hadn't been allowed to. It feels good to be able to do so now. He offers him a reassuring smile.]

They're all very good to me.

Yes, it does. {Xie nods and returns Riley's smile, relieved. And it's not as if he questions Riley's loyalty, either. There will be nights they can sleep together. This is just...an adjustment, that's all.}

I have darkness in me. A-Yi forgives me because I have been honest and because, in the end, what I did wasn't entirely my fault. But, even so, I take credit for everything I did. I am guilty of murder and torture. If I am allowed to love and be loved, why should I bar anyone else?

[He feels so grateful for the words and nods.]

I think you'll really like all of them. I know you met Vegas but I hope you can meet the others sometime too. But take your time, I know you're still getting used to the world again.

[In the bathhouse, he goes to get a stool to position it just right so that way their little scorpion babies will be able to happily watch them the whole time without getting wet. He even reaches in to give them both a stroke with his fingers and some treats he brought before going over to Xie.]

We can get cleaned off and then we'll be able to soak in the water longer. I almost wish that's how baths worked all over the world. It's a pretty nice system!

I do want to get to know them. {If for no other reason than to protect Riley. He can't help being cautious with someone so dear to him. Like others, Xie has known too much loss.}

Vegas and I need to have tea. We could even train together if he feels up to it.

{Bodies are difficult to restrengthen, but Xie is determined to see his back in the shape it was before the avalanche. The bathhouse earns a smile and Xie makes sure the scorpions have some water to pair with their treats before he joins Riley.}

There are hot springs like this where I'm from, but they are usually crowded or in big cities.

{He begins to undress, cheeks pinking.}

I'll find a hot spring for us too.

I bet he'd like that.

[He hasn't been to a hot spring before but it sounds magical. It almost distracts him from getting naked too. Almost! He manages to remember to get his clothes off and goes to sit on one of the other stools while he watches his boyfriend.

He'll never get tired of watching him. It's probably the reason why the scales have trickled down his spin to his tailbone now.]

Yes please. I would love to go to a hot spring with you!

He seems like the active type. I sensed he was frustrated.

{Who wouldn't be in that position? And hot springs are magical. Xie wants to take Riley at night and let him enjoy the stars overhead.

Each layer of his clothing is taken off and set to the side. Then Xie walks to his boyfriend with a small smile and slips his arms around him.}

I'll find one for us. We can sip sweet tea and eat cakes while we soak.

He's been doing a lot better. P'Vegas and P'Pete even eloped. They're going to run a bar together named Pete's.

[Riley's eyes light up at that. A hot spring with sweet tea and cakes? It sounds amazing. Like a romantic vacation.]

Do you scrub down before you get in the water for those like we're going to do now?

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