hideawayparadise | IC Inbox

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?

I might have to visit Pete's. {Marriage. Ah! A dream of a dream for him.

However he does have a sweet Fae in his arms and he kisses Riley before answering him, lingering to taste those lips.}

Mmhm. The springs are kept clean that way.

I can let you know when it's ready if they don't announce it first. P'Vegas is having me design it for him actually. [Which makes him happy because it makes him feel so included in the process. And he adores getting to put his art skills to work.

Leaning into that kiss, he smiles so happily. Then gives a cute little wiggle on his stool.]

Well then let's practice here. You can show me how to do it right here and then when we go I'll be an expert on the proper way we scrub.

You are designing it? A-Ley! {He brightens and kisses Riley again. Because he can.} I want to see your plans. No matter what they sell, their bar will be my favorite because it will remind me of you.

{The wiggle earns a broader smile and Xie grabs a red mitt, tugging it on over his dominant hand.}

All you have to do is stand still. I'll make sure you're clean and then you can see to me.

Yeah. P'Vegas shares his ideas with me and I sketch them out. I'm even going to paint the mural he wants on one of the walls. P'Pete is going to hate it because it's going to be a bunch of his face but I have a feeling he'll let it stay because it's going to make P'Vegas so happy. [He can't help but giggle a little into the kiss as he shares that playful bit. He still finds it really funny.]

Okay. I can sit still.

[He even makes a show of being good and sitting up straighter for him!]

He shouldn't have married someone madly in love with him. {Xie teases, soaping up the glove and beginning with Riley's neck and back. He scrubs, gently exfoliating the skin, and gives his Fae a cheeky wink.}

I see what he gave you. {He shifts his attention briefly to a happy scorpion holding up his treat for them to see.}

They're cute together. We all went out to celebrate their elopement and they slipped away a few times to the bathroom when they thought everyone was too drunk to notice. I bet they forgot I was the only one sober the whole night.

[He notices the little scorpion showing off his treat. Riley laughs and wiggles his fingers at the baby but otherwise stays still so Xie can keep cleaning him.]

Will told me that my natural affinity with animals, even dangerous ones, is because I'm Fae. Apparently none of them will want to hurt me unless I'm actively threatening them.

{Riley...abstained. Xie pauses in his cleaning and kisses his Fae harder, grateful to him for being safe.}

Thank you for not drinking, A-Ley. At least you had something funny to watch as they disappeared and then reappeared in a...ah...less neat state?

{The scorpion makes him laugh too and he grins when the insect seems to wiggle in time with Riley's fingers.}

That makes sense. I can't see you threatening an animal.

{He bends down to get Riley's shapely backside and legs, sneakily slipping his hand between them.}

[Oh. That's a really nice kiss. He blinks and then smiles so happily at the praise.]

I'm pretty sure they told every bar I wasn't allowed alcohol honestly. Which I was grateful for. But yeah. P'Pete would be walking funny and with extra marks on his neck and P'Vegas would look like a cat who was given a dish of cream.

[He hasn't told them he noticed every time but he sure did! Now don't mind him while he plays a little wiggle game with the scorpion. With just his fingers, of course. He knows he's still getting a full scrub down!]

Of course not. I love anim...ah!

[Excuse him for getting distracted for a second by that sneaky hand!]

{More will follow when they are soaking. Xie is doing his best to refrain from pouncing, but the need is growing within him.}

I imagine we would look similar. {He grins and makes sure Riley is fully scrubbed everywhere. Then he works over Riley's stomach, chest and then he uses his bare hands to rub soap over his face. Some soap bubbles are placed on the tip of Riley's nose.}

I know you do. Why do you think baby scorpions dance for you?

[Riley gives his boyfriend a little pout. Because he wants to be pounced too but he hasn't even had his turn to scrub Xie yet!]

You're a tease! [It sounds like a complaint but they both know Riley loves it.]

Only a little. {He happily dunks water - warm water - over Riley's head, washing off the soap.} You have more scales on your back, A-Ley.

Yeah. I saw them the other day in the mirror. They're pretty, right? [He shakes his hair out after getting soaked like that!]

Do you need to get my hair too or is my turn to do you?

Very pretty. {He runs his fingers over them before slipping said fingers into Riley's hair.} Do you trust me with your hair? I would be happy to wash it for you.

I trust you. [In all senses of those words. He tilts his head into his hands and smiles at him and releases the illusion to let his hair run dark.]

So it'll be easier for you to see what you're doing instead of having to feel through the illusion.

Thank you. {He kisses Riley's cheek and then uses a different soap - one meant for delicate strands of hair - gently lathering up the dark hair from root to tip. His fingers massage Riley's scalp in the meantime.}

[Oh the Fae just melts under the attention, letting out such a happy sigh and making sure to note that he needs to give Xie the same attention in return.]

You're so good with your hands...

I like to be good with my hands. I would be a poor musician and boyfriend otherwise.

{Xie is only half-teasing. He loves making music and helping his loved ones relax. Using a sprayer this time, he removes the lather from Riley's hair until it shines.}

[For fun, and also just because he thinks it'll look pretty, he lets the water from the spray seem to turn his hair back to blond waves until all of the suds are gone. Eyes opening, he tilts his head back with a smile to see if Xie liked his trick.]

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