middaeg | [semi-open] Lay me down let the only sound be the overflow

Who: Lan Xichen, cultivators, and friends!
When: Around mid-month
Where: Lakeside out beyond the Wall (near the forge)
What: swimming, sitting, sighing, and shedding
Warnings: F is for friends who do stuff together.

Everyone probably has their own reasons for being at the lake. For Lan Xichen, working in the forge tends to lead to overheating (especially when he's been fighting off certain stress levels) and the nearby water provides a good way to politely cool off. Maybe you met him on his way and decided to join in or maybe you were already there. After several days this becomes a regular pattern of work followed by an afternoon soak, so it's possibly just a nice diversion when things are a bit too much to handle.

Whether it is swimming, meditating, having a snack, or just enjoying the fresh air along the bank, there are plenty of ways to share time with friends. The only possible warning will come from Lan Xichen himself if it looks like an argument is brewing--he will intervene. He came explicitly for some quiet time, so if anyone starts a fight, they'll probably have a half-naked Lan there to break them up. Maybe that's your thing.

[ooc: This log is a free for all for swimming and lake side games. All our friends are invited to tag in and tag each other. Basically, make up whatever you would like as a starter and cut in wherever if people agree! Non-cultivator friends and 4th wallers also welcome. If you need a specific prompt added, poke me at

teaandreveries.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Lan Xichen hums softly and runs his fingers lightly along the top of Jin Guangyao's shoulder blades, stroking the base of his neck thoughtfully.]

If you come over in the mornings, I can help you clean them off.

[Maybe just soak for a while and share company with him. That wouldn't be so bad.]

[Head still bent, Jin Guangyao closes his eyes while Lan Xichen's fingers run along the back of his neck, relaxing somewhat under that touch.]

I would like that. At the same time, even if it isn't such a big thing, I feel as though I'm still causing you trouble.

It isn't any trouble.

[He brushes at more patches of shed, but beyond that, Lan Xichen also tries to smooth over some of the muscle of his back with relaxing circles.]

Knowing that there is something I can offer to make these changes even a little easier on you brings me relief as well. If I can see you for myself and know you are not in too much pain, then I will feel much better.

[It's a nice feeling, especially with the contrast of warm hands and cool water. Jin Guangyao is content to sit there and let himself relax into that light massage.]

Yet there's nothing I can do to help you with your studies, is there? Or at the forge, for that matter.

[The motion soothes Lan Xichen as well, giving him the comfort of familiarity and an opportunity to share a moment without one or both of them dissolving into panic.]

You are more clever than I am. I think even without magic you could help me study if you wanted to... I haven't asked because I worried that you were already going through too much, but I miss your advice. Some of the spells here are unfamiliar.

[Jin Guangyao turns his head, half looking over his shoulder.]

You know I would always be willing to offer my assistance. If there's any way I can help, it would assuage my concerns as well.

I've heard that the Bond helps with magic too. I suppose I was hesitant to bring it up before, [with how complicated things have been about other aspects of the Bond...] but have you noticed any change in your own abilities?

[When Jin Guangyao turns, Lan Xichen smiles and brings his hand up from his bondmate's shoulders to his cheek, one finger brushing down it as if to catch a stray drop of water.]

I used to be very tired after using any magic, but since our bond, I have felt stronger. When I do spells, it is as if my spiritual power has gained more to draw from. Perhaps... if you feel well enough, we can practice together some time in the future?

[Even though in some ways he felt more constrained in a way he normally wouldn't tolerate, there were still some benefits. He'd felt resigned to a certain balance between comfort and politeness, for a long time. Even if it was just this much more, that was still something to be pleased with; more so than even he had really realized before.]

I'd be more than happy to accompany you. Just let me know when, and I will be sure to be there.

[No matter what state his legs were in.]

[Lan Xichen had wanted to meet more often with Jin Guangyao, feeling that connection that was mostly good across their bond, but with the uneasy way they kept stumbling against each other, he hadn't wanted to cause things to fall apart. Once he hears that agreement, though, Lan Xichen leans in closer, not touching, but still smiling just out of sight.]

Perhaps in the morning, then? Some of the spells do not require anything special, and it would be a good opportunity to help us both. Would you allow me to help with this dry skin? Some of it seems to require more attention.

[Even if he can't quite see him, he can feel the warmth -- figurative and literal - there.]

Midmorning, if it's all right with you. It's difficult to rise as early as you any more, I'm afraid. If you can see anything that needs tending to, I can only leave myself in your hands.

Should I come to you, then?

[And there is a little, gentle teasing in his voice. Of course he knows that Jin Guangyao is working hard and that he wakes up earlier than most others. That might be fine for the Lan sect, but usually people keep different hours. If Jin Guangyao is staying up late, he probably needs that extra sleep.]

I will be sure you are treated well. And it will be quiet in my room, so you don't have to worry about any disturbances.

[semi-open] Lay me down let the only sound be the overflow

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