Chapter Text
The first thing that Jin Ling woke to was warmth which was so good. The chilly spring air had been getting to him in the mornings. He hummed happily as he went to move but found that he was properly pinned to his bed by said warmth. “Jingyi get off.” He grumbled but then felt the paws moving on his chest and had his moment of morning clarity. It wasn’t Jingyi with him but Storm was.
Jin Ling moved his free leg out from the duvet and regretted it. The main burner must have gone out. Which meant he was staying in bed till Wu Xiang came to get him up. “Sorry, Storm, stay.” Jin Ling said with a scratchy voice from sleeping hard.
Jingyi huffed, but didn’t quite put his head back down, focused more on what Jin Ling had woken with. Jingyi? You thought it was me here? He poked Jin Ling’s face with his nose, remembering a time when he’d woken up Jin Ling by poking his forehead and nose, giggling at the sleepy swatting and pouts. He wanted to know why Jin Ling kept bringing him up, especially when no one had mentioned Jingyi’s name. It made no sense, at least in Jingyi’s mind, why he would do it. Rulan.
Jin Ling huffed at the wet boop to his forehead. He teasingly swatted at the wolf but the wolf didn’t move anymore off of him. He smiled at that because he really didn’t want to be cold. He’d lost the argument with Wu Xiang over his winter duvets. “I am so glad you’re here.” Jin Ling commented scratching Storm’s head. He grinned when he heard Storm’s stomach growling. “Don’t worry, they’ll bring us food soon.”
Jingyi was glad of that, but still the question persisted. He wanted to ask why Jin Ling spoke of him, but he had no voice. He settled for climbing even more on top of him and wagging his tail, bapping his nose with his own and boofing softly. Ru lan.
Jin Ling laughed heartily and pushed back a little after the nose boop. “Okay, okay, I get it. You really must have heard me call you Jingyi.” he chuckled, shifting a little beneath Storm. Not that he could move a whole lot. “He’s my… friend and I was thinking about him before I went to sleep. And when I woke up it reminded me of the last time we slept together. He clinged onto me like a barnacle.”
Jingyi snorted, but couldn’t refuse that. Nor be ashamed. There was no point feeling embarrassed over himself when he was asleep. His body just moved on its own. And it’s not like he could complain much having the prickly man in his arms…
He set his chin on Jin Ling’s chest and sighed, tail wagging on the bed, and hoped Jin Ling would keep talking.
“It’s...if I’m perfectly honest.” Jin Ling continued smiling at how happy the wolf seemed at just listening to him. He moved to softly play with Storm’s ears, scratch, and pet him as he continued to talk. “I don’t mind it at all. When he does that I feel safe and I get the best rest. I shoo him off because…” He was about to spill that it was because he was in love with him and he wasn’t ready to tell him when there was a sharp knock on his door.
“I’m going to open the door to let Master Storm eat if he desires while you bathe the morning away.” Wu Xiang’s voice said through the door. Jin Ling huffed.
“I guess it’s time for us to get out of bed.” Jin Ling chuckled leaning his head up to nose boop Storm this time. When he moved back the door slid open enough for Storm to get out.
Jingyi went, wanting to growl in frustration, but all he’d heard had him more or less running outside. His heart was pounding wildly and he stared up at an old oak in despair, thinking of the ancient spirit. Surely, Jin Ling hadn’t been about to confess feelings? For jingyi himself? The idea was preposterous, but it didn't leave him. He paced circles around the trunk, barely remembering he was meant to be going to the bathroom, and when Wu Xiang appeared in the door to offer the food, it was to the sight of Jingyi frantically trotting circles.
“What is about A-Ling and his weird spirit dogs.” Wu Xiang commented as he sat the tray down and gestured for the servants to start their morning routine. Jin Ling stepped out in his inner robe and crossed his arms.
“Storm is a spirit wolf not a dog.” Jin Ling fussed as he walked towards the bathtub that’d been brought in for him instead of going to the bathing room. Steam rolled off the water like a spring.
“Then don’t treat him like one.” Wu Xiang sighed as he went to the wall to get the pitcher of oils premixed. Then he went to the bath and elegantly poured the mixture into it. “Also, your uncles have not returned yet and Elder Gu is your first meeting this morning.”
“Ngh.” Jin Ling grunted as he heard the news followed by his morning itinerary.
“Don’t pout. I’m sure if you take Master Storm with you that Elder Gu will be more inclined to end early.” Wu Xiang responded as he went to put the pitcher back.
Jingyi listened in some amusement, though his stomach was still tumbling. Especially hearing that Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian, and Lan Wangji had not returned yet. Surely, they had not found… no, the chances of that were so slim. Though he did hope they had come across the shadow creature. It needed dealing with and they were a dream team.
Picking up his empty bowl with his teeth, he carried it back inside and offered it to Wu Xiang by sitting and batting his leg with a paw. He looked to be in good spirits, but still too thin, and Jingyi itched with wanting to help. He needed to know what the man had eaten the night before and if he felt sick. Was it the food, or was it the season?
“Thank you Master Storm.” Wu Xiang said as he leaned down to take the bowl. “Do you want your other one?” The smile on his face was warm but there was an obvious paleness and at being so close one could see the traces of bags under his eyes.
Jin Ling grinned at seeing what Storm was doing. That had him thinking as he let his inner robe fall and he got into the hot water. “So, what did Jin Chan feed you last night?” Jin Ling asked before letting out a pleased groan. The heat was delicious and made him so happy. Oh yes, he was going to be in the water till he pruned or the water went cold.
“Smoke boar and he actually made those sweet carrots. It was perfect.” Wu Xiang responded with a flush as he gestured for the servant to bring in a new bowl of food for Storm.
“Really? I’m actually jealous.” Jin Ling teased moving to the edge of the tub to look his friend over. He was wearing one of Jin Chan’s older robes. The outer robe was made of a pristine white silk with golden brown beads embroidered in the shape of a diamond with a peony in the middle. His inner robe was dark brown with a matching brown sash.
“Yes, he did. I thought he was going to do his scallops.” Wu Xiang commented as he sat down in a comfortable position after setting Storm's second bowl down.
“That would have been good.” Jin Ling responded, “But the roasted boar is better.”
“Yes, it is.” Wu Xiang laughed.
Boar was a step in the right direction, at least. Jingyi ate his second bowl down with a happy noise. Still, the man looked worn out, and he wondered just how spiced the food had been. Finished, he moved to sit with him, flopping over his lap in solidarity, his eyes on Jin Ling who looked rather blissful in his bath.
Jin Ling chuckled at seeing Storm move over to relax with Wu Xiang. He leaned forward so that he could rest his head on his arms. He let his legs stretch out behind him. “You seem better today.”
“I do feel better.” Wu Xiang responded as he softly petted Storm’s head. “And so do you. I’m assuming that you slept well.”
“I did.” Jin Ling said proudly, glancing over at Storm. “And it looks like you got more than usual.”
“It’s always easier when A-Chan comes home early.” Wu Xiang responded with a chuckle.
“I’m sure that it is.” Jin Ling responded, thinking of how he would start making sure to regulate his officers' schedules better. He leaned more over the tub and gently booped Storm’s nose as he laid on Wu Xiang’s lap.
Jingyi huffed at him, but wagged his tail, looking up at Wu Xiang to take stock of him again. He slept, which was good. Maybe it really was the diet. Now, how to tell Jin Ling…?
There was another knock on the door that drew him from his musings, this one far more timid and small, lower on the wood too. Jingyi tilted his head at that and sat up, just it came again. “S-Senior Wu?” a child’s voice called. “Are you with Sect Leader Jin?”
“Yes, I am.” Wu Xiang called. “Yes, Jin Bao?” He recognized the child’s voice.
The door slowly slid open and a wide eyed boy peeked in. “Sect Leader Jiang has returned, Sect Leader Jin,” he said, shaking all over. “H-Hanguang-jun and Senior Wei were with him. They… you have to come! They’re in the greeting hall. S-Senior Wei had a wound on his leg and Sect Leader Jiang hurt his wrist and-and-”
He was rambling so fast he choked on his own air, teary eyed as he stared at Jin Ling. “They fought a beast, Sect Leader! A-and they brought a s-sword back.”
Jingyi went utterly cold and still, staring agape at the boy. No, no, they couldn’t have found Yuyun… Jin Ling would see the blood and… gods, no.
Jin Ling’s eyes widened and he felt his stomach drop. “Jin Bao tell them I will be there shortly.” Jin Ling ling ordered. He didn’t even wait for the young boy to leave before he shifted his gaze to Wu Xiang. “Get the robes I wore last night.”
Wu Xiang nodded and gently moved Storm off of him to follow the instruction. Jin Ling stood up from the tub and got out. He grabbed the towel and was drying himself off when Wu Xiang came out of the room. He quickly pulled on the robes that Jingyi had picked out for him. He quickly tossed his hair up into a bun. His mind was racing at who they could have lost.
“I want the roster of all of our disciples that joined us in the hunt last night.” Jin Ling instructed as he moved to put his boots on.
“I’ll go now.” Wu Xiang nodded before leaving the room promptly.
Jin Ling let out a heavy sigh as he quickly put on his mother’s clarity bell then headed out the meeting hall. All the way there, Jin Ling’s stomach continued to twist into a knot. The doors opened to find his uncles and Wu Xiang there with a ledger in his hand.
For once, Wei Wuxian didn’t scream seeing Jingyi, though that was probably because his lower leg was heavily bandaged and he was using Jiang Cheng as a prop. He couldn’t have run even if he wanted to, though he whimpered pointedly until his brother moved between him and Jingyi.
It was, of all of them, Lan Wangji that spoke first. “Jin Ling,” he said, voice soft, and there was Jingyi’s bundle of bloody robes in his arms, his ribbon, and -
“Yuyun.” Jin Ling finished. It was like he’d been suckerpunched and the ache in his chest made him feel a little light headed. He took a step forward to the sword. His fingers grazing the blooded sheath reverently. He swallowed, taking the blade in his hands. Jin Ling’s gaze shifted to the ribbon and oh how he wanted to take that too but Jingyi hadn’t given to him. So, he didn’t have the right to take it.
“Did you find him?” Jin Ling asked even though he knew he wasn’t prepared for the answer. It was going to hurt even more.
Jingyi stepped back just as Wei Wuxian breathed out a painful, “No, A-Ling. This was… all that was left.”
I’m right here, Jingyi wanted to shout, but his heart felt too painful seeing the way Jin Ling’s expression shattered, and he backed up even more, blind with it. He barely registered bumping into Wu Xiang. Gods, why had that ancient spirit brought him here just to see this?
“Jin Ling,” Lan Wangji said again, somehow even more soft, and covered Jin Ling’s hands over the sheathe in silent permission to keep it.
The horrible feeling in his lungs kept him from being able to speak but the look he gave Hanguang-jun spoke volumes. His eyes burning from the tears he tried to hold them back. Bit his lip as Lan Wangji let go to leave the blade with him. He brought the blade close.
“A-Ling.” Jiang Cheng said taking a step forward but Jin Ling took a step back. He needed to be alone but he didn’t want to be at the same time.
“I need...I need to… breathe.” Jin Ling said before he backed out of the hall. He didn’t stop even at the sound of his uncle’s collectively calling his name. He went straight to his mother’s courtyard. The part of Koi Tower that he kept himself. Yuyun was still in his hands and he could feel that someone...no..som..it was Storm trying to keep up with him. He tried to slow down as he got into the courtyard. He stopped on the pavilion and leaned against the post. The tears that he’d kept to himself started to fall as he slid down to the floor. He couldn’t but think as he looked at the blade how he had another sword instead of the one that owned it.
Jingyi quickly ran to him, though he stopped a moment after seeing Jin Ling falling apart. Jing Ling was a notoriously ugly crier, but this time the tears were silent and his heart nearly broke. He padded carefully up to him, getting his head forcefully between Jin Ling’s arms and pressing in as close as the man would let him. Please, I'm right here. I didn’t leave you. Please… see me, he begged, though it only came out as broken whining.
Jin Ling just broke down further. He let the pain and regret out. He didn’t let go of Yuyun as he let Storm come closer. He heard the whine that Storm let out and he couldn’t help but cry harder. “I can’t believe this is happening again.” He stated sobbingly. Everyone except his jiujiu that he loved dearly always died. “Why do I keep losing the ones I love?” He asked pointlessly. His gaze shifted to Storm and he wrapped his arms around his neck pulling him close for comfort.
You didn’t lose me. You’ll never lose me, Jingyi said, panic and pain starting to set in. He'd been so blind to his own heart and now he was hurting Jin Ling with his own idiocy. He’d died and been brought back, only to mess up this damned second chance?
The thought had a new emotion sweeping through him, making him tremble on the spot and on fire with rage. You lied, he growled, thinking of the ancient spirit. You said I would not be mourned. Why am I here causing him grief? Why -
It was breaking point, and he snarled and lunged for the sword, where the horse pendant Jin Ling had given him swung off the hilt. With a snap , it gave and he broke free of Jin Ling’s arms, running full tilt back to the greeting hall. Fierce with helpless anger, he knew what he had to do to make Jin Ling see, and by the gods he’d do it, even if he had to face down Bichen and Lan Wangji.
“Wait don’t…’ Jin Ling full on panicked for a different reason, “Storm!” He cried out as the wolf ripped off the horse charm then took off. He couldn’t let the wolf take off with it. Jin Ling sniffed and got up quickly to chase after him.
“Storm!” Jin Ling called.
Jingyi didn’t stop, even when Wei Wuxian shrieked. Even Jiang Cheng looked ready to pull his sword, but it was Lan Wangji that had him skidding to a halt, Bichen calmly pointed at his nose. Thankfully, his robes were still in the man’s arms and he could see his ribbon. Standing tall, he stared hard at Lan Wangji and pulsed his core, glaring up at the man.
He heard Jin Ling crash through the doors behind him, but didn’t even blink, just let the horse pendant drop from his mouth as he stepped forward, unafraid, his breath ghosting over Bichen’s blade.
Jin Ling realized quickly that Storm was running back to the meeting hall. He tried to pick up his step before Storm might break the charm. He came to a stop though when Storm lowered charm carefully to the ground. To his horror, Lan Wangji had his blade pointed at Storm.
“Storm!” Jin Ling called the wolf again.
Jingyi’s ear flickered to him, but otherwise there was no reaction. A long conversation passed between the two Lan, before Lan Wangji slowly lowered his sword, eyes a little wide before his brows furrowed in thought.
“The shrine?” he asked and when Jingyi nodded, knelt before the wolf, offering the robes.
Jingyi breathed out in relief, feeling his heart beating fast, and leaned forward to grab his bloodstained ribbon. He boofed softly around it in thanks, then finally turned to Jin Ling and focused hard on his tongue. Even with the ribbon laying over it, he managed two very clear syllables. Ru lan.
Jin Ling’s brows furrowed as he took an uneasy step forward. His mind replaying the night before and how he’d thought that Storm had howled his name. He swallowed and wiped his face with his sleeve. “Jingyi?” He said, voice low and quivering from where he’d been crying so hard.
Hearing that was a sweet feeling and Jingyi quickly rushed to him, pressing hard into his hip. He looked up at him and boofed the affirmative, then carefully laid his ribbon in Jin Ling’s hand. Ru lan, he managed a second time and trembled a little with the joy he felt filling him up. Even if this didn’t turn him back, it was all worth it to erase that grief forever. I’m here, I’m still here.
Jin Ling dropped down to his knee so that he was on eye level with St..no Jingyi. He took the offered ribbon in his hands and all the sad feelings melted away. They were replaced with ones of hope and happiness. “It’s really you.” Jin Ling grinned as he felt the ribbon. His fingers going over their familiar stitching. A thin smile creeped across his face as he leaned into Jingyi’s forehead.
I’m here, Jingyi told him and leaned into the touch. His heart felt like it was about to beat right out of his chest, but he knew he hadn’t made a mistake. Stuck as a wolf or not, his ribbon was where it belonged, and that meant…
I’m in love with Rulan, he thought, awed to feel the truth of it. He wasn’t sure when it’d happened, only that it had, and it’d been alive inside him long enough it didn’t feel new. He wanted to laugh, and cry, and kiss the man stupid, but settled for licking softly over his mouth. This second chance at life had made its point. He was still here, with Jin Ling, and he would always be. He was certain now of where he belonged and as the last of the anger fled, he felt a new warmth come over him, desire and love and joy, as well as gratitude to the spirit for this chance. I'm never leaving your side again, he promised and licked him one more time, before pressing his face into Jin Ling’s chest, breathing deep.
Jin Ling wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Only Jingyi would kiss him as a wolf. He couldn’t help but be happy that Jingyi was alive. That no he hadn’t lost him. He didn’t know how they were going to get him back into his body. Jin Ling was just grateful that whatever deity that’d blessed him would continue to be generous in giving Jingyi back to him in his human body.
As Jingyi burrowed into his chest, Jin Ling wrapped his arms around Jingyi’s neck. Jingyi’s ribbon in his hand as he kissed Jingyi’s head.
“I love you.” Jin Ling whispered into Jingyi’s fur.
Jingyi did laugh at that, joyful and full, and leaned into him more just as his body glowed with light. He felt his qi spreading through his body again more than the physical shift, and he sent one final prayer of thanks to the spirit once the light went out and he was back in his human skin. It tingled, and he felt cold, and he knew he looked a mess with his unbound hair his only cover. Immediately, he looked at his hands, then his arm and shoulder where the beast had gotten him. Jagged, deep scars were all that remained and he swallowed to feel them before meeting Jin Ling’s stunned gaze.
“I’m alive,” he breathed, awed and low. He reached out to touch Jin Ling’s cheek, uncaring of their audience or that he was naked. “Rulan…”
Jin Ling had fallen off balance when Jingyi transformed back into his human form. He was stunned at first but then he smiled happily and threw his arms around Jingyi’s neck making the man fall backwards. It was nice to hear the soft laughter from the other once more. When Jingyi touched his cheek, Jin Ling gleefully leaned into it. He didn’t care about the scars or how he’d gotten the man he loved back. Jin Ling was genuinely grateful to have this chance.
“I know, Jingyi.” He responded back when Jingyi spoke. Jin Ling knew that he probably could have said more but his heart was pounding in his chest.
Jingyi grinned at him before blinking as a white robe was laid over him, and he looked up gratefully to Lan Wangji, who was watching them with a soft, but expectant face. “Ah… thank you Hanguang-jun,” he said and tucked into the robes as he and Jin Ling sat back upright. He wiped his eyes and laughed a little, unable to stop himself from touching Jin Ling again. “I’m here,” he said, still amazed at that. The spirit had been right all along and he closed his eyes a moment to just soak that in.
Jin Ling laughed at that before taking off the sash beneath his belt so thatJingyi could close the robe. He didn’t mind that Jingyi was being hands on. It was something that he was glad he’d get to experience again. He pulled Jingyi closer once the man got his robes situated.
“And that will be my cue to postpone any meetings today.” Wu Xiang commented as he moved away from Jin Ling’s throne back towards the doorway. He moved around Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng. “Glad to have you back Master Lan.” he said before slipping out the door to ensure that Elder Gu didn’t pop in.
“Yeah, and it would be ours. I’m sure your...Lan can explain what happened to us. Come on Hanguang-jun.” Jiang Cheng stated tiredly. He’d been holding up Wei Wuxian and despite his small form now, Jiang Cheng was exhausted from the fight with spirit.
Lan Wangji nodded and, after setting down the bloody robes, moved to help Jiang Cheng with Wei Wuxian, who was still slightly gushing over them, though he did whine about ghosts and wolves as the three men staggered out through the doors.
“I can explain that,” Jingyi said softly, watching them go. A bit of hair fell over the side of his face and he pushed it back behind his ear, before he once more gripped his heavily scarred shoulder. “It was a shadow beast. A very strong and very angry one.”
“And how did you get turned into a wolf?” Jin Ling asked as he reached over to cover Jingyi’s hand. His gaze was soft.
“There’s a shrine,” Jingyi told him, his smile going a little wobbly. “I was called from Qinghe by the local village to protect the shrine. Something had been trying to break past the anicet wards. Nearly got in and I resealed it when…”
He winced, remembering the attack, how sudden it’d been, how bloody. How he’d crumpled against the foot of the shrine and the tree. “It… killed me.”
Jin Ling’s heart sank at hearing that and to give them both comfort he pulled Jingyi into his lap. “And the spirit of the shrine saved you.” He said softly. Tears still threatened to spill over. He didn’t want to think about Jingyi dying nor the image of how. The scars told the story well enough. Jin Ling leaned down pressing a kiss to the scar peeking out the collar on his neck.
Jingyi shivered to feel it and returned the kiss to the top of Jin Ling’s head. “I’m alive,” he said again, really feeling that sink in, and looked down at his hands, his fingers rubbing together in awe. “I… I was dying but then the shrine spirit spoke to me. It told me that its magic lay in animals, so that’s why it turned me into a wolf. Then, I woke up and I was where you found me.”
Jin Ling nodded as he continued to listen. Clearly, Jingyi needed to let it all out and he didn’t mind listening even though it hurt to hear what happened. He moved his arms around him.
Jingyi breathed out shakily, before he started to laugh. “You are an idiot ,” he said, all fondness, and cupped Jin Ling’s face. “Trying to get you to understand who I was was just painful. But i guess it’s what I deserve. I’m also an idiot. We are definitely well matched, aren’t we?”
“To be fair though you were a wolf and you weren’t practicing your howls.” Jin Ling teased before grinning. He leaned into Jingyi’s touch, “Heavens yes, we are well matched.” His lips brushed the pad of Jingyi’s hand.
Jingyi shivered again, this time in warmth and pleasure. “And just when were you going to tell me?” he asked. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
“Were you ever going to tell me, is the better question?” Jin Ling asked in return before moving his hands up to bring jingyi’s down. He could see where the bruising had been on the paw. It was dark and ugly. He pressed a soft kiss surrounding it.
“I… didn’t really realize it, until…” Until he was dying and his final thoughts had lingered on Jin Ling. He flushed in shame and ducked his head in embarrassment, remembering the moment. It seemed so obvious now. “You were all I could think of when I died. The spirit was very cross with me and also called me an idiot, so i guess it’s true.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to say anything. I may be Jin Zixuan’s son but it’s my jiujiu that raised me. So much like him we tend not to reach for things personally.” Jin Ling responded because to be fair he wasn’t going to say anything at all. He felt like Jingyi deserved someone who could be free like Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-jun. His love story would be a lot like Zewu-jun and his jiujiu’s . Besides, Jingyi was just as willful as Wei Wuxian. He didn’t want to hold him back. It would only hurt them in the end.
“Because you’re an idiot,” Jingyi huffed before pulling him into a soft kiss. He didn't pull back far when it ended, eyes still closed in the soft bliss that had filled him to do it. “I’d like to think we would have gotten here eventually,” he murmured and looked up at him, grinning wide. “But I’m so glad to be here right now.”
“I am too.” Jin Ling said gently cupping Jingyi’s neck and pulled him into another kiss. This one was firmer and Jin Ling’s fingers on the nape of Jingyi’s neck flexed a bit, feeling the soft hair there. As much as he wanted to kiss him more they were in his meeting hall. For Jin Ling it was way too close to being like his grandfather to do anything further here. “As much as I want to continue having this conversation here. I’d rather us have it in my rooms.” He said after ending the kiss. His heart was still pounding but for a different reason.
“Yeah, my legs are falling asleep,” Jingyi laughed and stumbled to his feet. He pulled his borrowed robes more tight to himself and adjusted the sash, before offering his hand down to Jin Ling. “We’ve got some things we need to catch up on.”
Jingyi’s laugh was insidious and he couldn’t help but laugh too. He stood up more stable than Jingyi. Jin Ling gladly took Jingyi’s hand that had been offered. “Yes, we can talk about them the rest of the day.” He said shamelessly leading Jingyi to the servants hallway because through the door he could hear Elder Gu still fussing at Wu Xiang about not getting his way in seeing Jin Ling today.
Jingyi heard it too and snickered. “Oh my mistress Jin, do be gentle with me,” he couldn’t stop the tease, given they were sneaking into Jin Ling’s bedroom like a couple of young lovers in the night, holding hands and grinning at one another like fools. “It’s my first time~”
“Oh please, don’t try that coyness with me. All of you are demons and I have the uncle’s to prove it.” Jin Ling flushed despite his words. He’d stopped counting how many times his jiujiu and Wei Wuxian would arrive with marks upon their necks or arms. To be fair though, Wei Wuxian was more shameless and openly revealed his marks. Jiang Cheng was more reserved but that was true to his nature. He loved passionately but he didn’t flaunt it to others. Jiang Cheng kept it to himself. Jin Ling felt that he would be similar in that regard.
“I mean it though,” Jingyi murmured once they’d made it to the door. He looked up at him with his own cheeks red, but fearless as always, he just grinned. “You’re the only one I’ve ever… it’s only been you.”
“Then that’s another thing that the two of us share.” Jin Ling confessed as they finally made it back to his quarters. He shut the gate door behind them and guided Jingyi to his room.
“True,” Jingyi laughed and pulled him in close to get his arms around him, hugging him tightly. Gods, to think he’d almost lost this. He buried his face into Jin Ling’s chest the way he’d done as a wolf and smiled because it felt nearly the same. Jin Ling’s smell was sharp in his nose and he breathed him in, tears in his eyes. “Two sides of a coin should never be severed apart,” he said softly, sniffling. “I’m going back to that shrine and thanking the spirit for giving me another chance.”
“We’ll both go.” Jin Ling smiled warmly, his arms tightening around Jingyi. The warmth breath on his chest through the thin inner robe was giving him goosebumps. “We can give tribute as well.”
Jingyi smiled and lifted his head to kiss him, tears falling free down his cheeks. He moved his arms up to slide over Jin Ling’s shoulders and lifted onto his tiptoes to kiss him better. “Rulan,” he breathed, then laughed in joy all over again. “I’m alive.”
“I know.” Jin Ling laughed, returning the kisses happily. He was grateful that Jingyi was alive and well with him here. He wouldn’t waste this chance with him.
Jingyi would not either, he vowed it to himself, and as he giggled against Jin Ling’s mouth, holding him close, he thanked the spirit one more time, and swore he’d love to his fullest. They’d both waited long enough, after all. He was here, he was home, and that was all that mattered.