&. * 𝕿𝖗𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝕸𝔂 𝕽𝖆𝖌𝖊

@theirtears

“Do my eyes deceive me?” The Chinese language rolled off his tongue, fluent and native. Yet his quicken footsteps were louder. He was overwhelmed with joy for the first time in a very very long time. Had he been away so long? “Zhongli!” He wrapped his arms around his son, lifting him off the floor like he was a child still and twirling him around as he hugged him. “You have grown! I’m sorry I missed your birthday; did you get my present though?” He hoped the nice and expensive car reached him in one peice. “How is your mother? Did she not come with you?”

It was true that it had been many years since he last saw his father. At the very least, physically and face-to-face, but that did not mean that Zhongli had not been allowed to see him through videos or pictures. It wasn’t that he never wanted to visit his father, either. He simply never saw a chance to fly out and visit. Then again, he could have done the same, right? The majority of the time, Zhongli simply assumed there were problems in the marriage of his parents. Perhaps they got into a feud in which they wished not to see each other, or they had both been too wrapped up in their own projects. 

“Oh, you’re not?” That surprised her, that this being his first day in the region. She wondered where he’d come from, and why he’d find himself down in the underbank, of all places. Perhaps he’d gotten lost, and instead of going back home he’d stay for the show. “Welcome, then. Hope the city has been treating you well enough.” Knowing the city that might not always be the case, though from her perspective she isn’t often treated very well. “Not exactly, no. We try to do it on the weekends, but some times it’ll change to a week night depending. Especially if there is a full moon close.” She explained, doing it on the weekends gave them the week to rest and prepare for another set of shows.

Mei was sitting by the window as she poured over one of her notebooks, jotting down formulas and ideas in between sips of her tea when a shadow came over her. “Is there a reason you’re standing so close?” she asked, not even looking up to see who it was.

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“I think mother nature is trying to tell us something with the weather.” She said, hugging at her middle as she leaned up against the building. She had been standing there for no more than ten minutes, and in that time she could have sworn her toes were beginning to freeze over. “Could at least give up proper warm clothes to handle this… crazy weather we’re having. Don’t think I can feel my tits or my toes.” 

@xadlibitumhqstarters​

“Then I’m living life to it’s fullest!” Cosmo grinned at the blonde, only laughing when she took the champagne and began to gulp down the expensive alcohol “I’ll bet those prissy fangers weren’t expecting us to do this with their alcohol?” He laughed, taking the bottle and nodding in approval. “Hm, you know…I think that it does?”

“He is nice, he’s an Eversham- afterall they’re solid allies of us. It’s simply just the way he acts without little care for his well being. It’s not a trait I’ll enjoy in wolves in our small numbers” She sighed “Should we be grateful? Trotted out like charity cases? They have us here to quietly mock us.” she grunted, setting down her glass “I need some air…”

“Hey, it’s not so bad. I’m happy that they’ve had a home for all this time. I just wasn’t expecting two room mates for me to come back to” He chuckled, waving off her concern “Besides, I’m not gonna kick out a pregnant wolf am i?” he added. “Oh hey, I’ll be okay. They at least clean up most of the time and they’re fun to talk to. But I’ll be sure to remember it Sky, so…How are you and Troy?” He tested, unaware of their break up.

He pulled away gently when Draven froze against him. Was his kiss really that much of a shock? *Oh how embarrassing this was.* Perhaps it had been a bit presumptuous to do something like that so suddenly. Afraid to look back at the other, he kept his gaze lowered as he leaned away. “Because I’ve always…sorta wanted to?” Reed, suddenly feeling a bit self conscious returned his feet flat against the ground and let his hands fall to Draven’s shoulders. His heart sunk a bit, knowing his affections might’ve always been misplaced. But he didn’t regret it, any of it. It was still worth it. “I should have asked you first…” he admitted quietly. “I’m so sorry.” 

Verity let out a breath as he finally did as told, pulling her face against his and kissing her- something she happily reciprocated. He was definitely handsome, and so well behaved, so good–for her. And if there was one thing Verity liked, it was devotion. She could feel Draven’s hand move down her spine, searching before both hands moved to grip at her, easily lifting her up and settling her on top of her desk, a move that admittedly, definitely turned her on. She watched him as he settled between her legs, pushing her thighs apart and she let him before she reached down for the flowy material of her dress and she bunched it up a bit, getting it out of the way. All the while she watched him, eyes glued to him and she let out a soft little hum as he nipped at her thigh, prompting her to spread her legs a bit more for him. Verity’s free hand moved down, running it through his hair and giving the nape of his neck a little squeeze. “You can do whatever you want.” She practically purred, giving him free reign. All the while her fingers still sunken into the shorter hairs at the back of his neck. “I told you- please me.”

Realizing he was addressing to Lord Huang’s son, Reed came to be a little embarrassed of his attire–the short sheer red robe he’d been given to wear. His hands clasped together came to rest at his front in order to cover himself modestly. He bowed slightly and kept his gaze low, not sure how formal of a master Zhongli was. “Yes,” he answered. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He’d heard so many things about him from Zufeng, but…perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to start off too familiar. Reed wasn’t entirely sure what he would be like. The mispronunciation of his name was amusing, but he didn’t dare laugh. So instead, he simply offered a friendly smile. “It’s Reed, sir..”

Ever since her run in with the prince she’d been keeping herself busy within the circus, having to give herself some time to heal from that run in. Her arms were still sore, but not unusable so she was able to perform as she normally did. She smelled him before he even spoke, so she wasn’t caught off guard by his presence. No one really stayed behind unless they were part of the staff, “Thank you.” She said, a little unsure of how to act. “Wouldn’t be very smart if you were looking for that, here.” She hummed as she pulled the hair tie out of her hair. “Was this your first time?”

“You certainly put on a good show.” He hadn’t meant to sneak up on her. As it was, he already knew how this came off, most especially since the pair were alone together. The last thing he wanted was to get ganged up on by wolves right now, or cause any sort of commotion. After all, it would be good to make some allies with the enemy. Zhongli leaned against the pole beside him, arms crossed. “And no, I’m not here to hurt you. I’d simply like to commend you on your performance.” 

"You must be my father’s claim.” Zhongli wasted no time to address this to the human the moment he arrived. It seemed there had been no one to receive his presence the moment he arrived with the exception of this human. Not that he did it willingly, it was more like Zhongli happened to spot him as he walked through his father’s estate. All for his scent to lead to this... whatever this was. He was a little bland, and certainly seemed boring. Nonetheless, he managed a smile for now. After all, first impressions were always important, even to slaves. “Um... Reeve.” He tilted his head. “Right?”

“Same to you, Stella.” He said softly, “You know I’d come if you ever needed me, right? If you were ever in trouble, or needed help… I’m always here for you.” His fingers brushed over hers lightly, face earnest.

Troy watched her for a moment, brow twitching – “What are you saying here Skylar?” He asked softly, “I can do more than stare…? You know it could never just be physical for us right – that’s not – what you’re asking me, is it?” Not that he was opposed to anyone having casual sex, but any intimacy between them could never stay casual. “As if there could be anyone else after you.”

“I thought you were gonna say red,” He grinned back at her, “but I bet the grey looks just as good.” Troy chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, “You wanna go now?” He asked softly, tipping his head slightly.

She was surprised at having felt his fingers brush over hers lightly. She shouldn’t have let such an act of intimacy happen, but she did. For a moment, she even glanced down at their hands, managing a small nod as some sort of response. “Yeah.” What was she supposed to say to that? Even she was left a little speechless and unsure on how to respond. It wasn’t that Skylar wasn’t grateful for having heard those words, but she hadn’t been prepared to hear something like that today. She smiled warmly, letting her pinky hook his own. “I’ll be keeping you to your word, mister.”

He seemed taken aback by her comment. It wasn’t necessarily what she had meant, but she understood why it was taken that way (in which she didn’t mind the idea of that herself). “If I wanted something casual, I wouldn’t have decided to start speaking to you again.” The blonde admitted, her expression shifting into one that was more serious. The corners of her lips curved into a small smile shortly after. There was a hint of sadness in it. She hadn’t expected anything to escalate to quick. I guess this is what happens when you ask these questions, huh. 

Never in a million years did Reed ever think he would have to be the strong one in this situation. He’d always felt he had been the emotional one, the overly affectionate one…the one that would be weakest when one of them was claimed again. But seeing someone he’d become so close with so distraught, it made him ache in places that had grown too familiar these past few months. He could barely stand the sight. Gently Reed pulled his hands from Draven’s so that they could wipe the tears from his cheeks and cup his face. “Me too…” For the moment it was all he could offer. He’d only kept the Lord company a handful of times. “But hey, I’ll still get to see you?” he offered, trying to lighten the mood. “Play songs with you, make sure you take care of your hands after a long set…” Reed trailed off, his thumbs brushing over Draven’s cheekbones fondly. Pushing up on his toes he leaned forward to place a soft kiss on the corner of the other’s mouth. Already he knew Lord Huang would be furious with him for this, but it would be worth whatever he’d be put through. “I’d regret not doing that at least once…” Reed admitted shakily.