Chapter Text
Huo Daofu hadn’t known what to expect when he walked into Wushanju. Before he’d left with them for Thunder City, Wu Xie had suggested he meet Xiaoge if he survived the trip. After an eventful journey, and being separated from Wu Xie, he later learned the man had been miraculously healed. When asked, Wu Xie had said it was by some type of Golden Water. Honestly, he thought Wu Xie was messing with him. But, after a thorough examination, he found the cracking a bubbling sounds were gone from his lungs. When Huo Daofu struck his chest, the dull thudding he’d heard before had vanished.
If he hadn’t known about Wu Xie’s condition before they had set off; Huo Daofu would have never guessed Wu Xie had been sick in the first place.
So he made his way through the gates of Wushanju as planned, crossing the courtyard full of larger antiques and into the store itself. Wang Meng looked up from his computer screen, nodded, and then looked back down as he cleared his throat. Wu Xie, who’d been looking over a stack of papers, glanced up and broke into a smile. The papers couldn’t have been extremely important since the man flung them into the seat beside him and made his way over.
“You’re on time.” The smile grew broader, and Wu Xie reminded him of a puppy excited to discover he had company.
“I am never late.” He replied as Wu Xie stopped in front of him. It was, honestly, unfair how cute Wu Xie looked. However, he pushed down his ever-growing fondness for the man. Huo Daofu had no clue how this meeting would go, or what type of person Xiaoge was. So, he refused to get his hopes up. “When we spoke, you said this was important to you. Why would I make you wait?”
He felt Wu Xie seize his arm, pulling him closer as he whispered, “to torture me?” The words held a teasing tone, and it still annoyed Huo Daofu that the man knew how to get under his skin. “Anyway, you’re important to me too. You and Xiaoge. I really want you both to get along, so promise me you’ll try?”
Adjusting his glasses with his free hand, Huo Daofu met Wu Xie’s eyes. “You cannot force two people to get along. I agreed to meet him, and we will see where it goes from here.”
Huo Daofu felt Wu Xie move closer, the warmth of his body working its way through the suit he wore and into his skin. It felt good, Wu Xie always felt good. Even when he wanted to kill the man for being so stupid, he couldn’t help but like Wu Xie being near. A light hum reached his ear, feeling Wu Xie’s breath fan across his neck and Huo Daofu moved to greet his eyes again.
“I’m not terribly worried about Xiaoge liking you.” He whispered, eyes dropping as Wu Xie moved his lips closer to Huo Daofu’s ear. “If I trust you, he will like you.” There was a pause, and then the man spoke once more. “What worries me is you being a sarcastic little shit, per normal.”
Huo Daofu’s eyes narrowed at those words and he elbowed Wu Xie in the stomach, hard. It didn’t seem to have much of an effect on him, seeing that Wu Xie just laughed as he pulled away. “Who exactly is the little shit here?” He snapped, but the words didn’t deliver the same bite they might have held a few years ago. But, it was loud enough to make Wang Meng jump in his chair, looking over at the two men before quickly looking away again. “Why are you doing this?” He finally asked. “Why are you trying to get Xiaoge and me to accept one another? I know you, Wu Xie. You’re the type that invariably has some hidden agenda up your sleeve.”
“What do you think?”
Naturally, he would turn this back on Huo Daofu. So, since Wu Xie thought he was a sarcastic shit, Huo Daofu looked him dead in the eyes and said, “It’s because I’m a doctor, isn’t it? You are looking for free health care in your old age?”
That made Wu Xie laugh, an enormous smile breaking out as he tugged him towards the back of the building. He followed without much complaint as Wu Xie walked him through a storage room and out into a small private courtyard that seemed to connect the rest of Wushanju’s compound to the store. “Maybe I like you keeping me on my toes.” He ultimately said, then paused and looked back at him. “But, now that you mention it... free health care is very appealing at my age.”
How did Huo Daofu ever think that he’d take this seriously? “You’re such an asshole, Wu Xie.”
“Mm, well enough people have informed me that over the last few years. So I guess I am.”
Somehow those words didn’t surprise him. If he had been the first person to tell Wu Xie that, it would have been more of a shock. Wu Xie was definitely the type of person that you either tolerated or wanted to murder. Moreover, Huo Daofu was sure if he mentioned that, Wu Xie would tell him he wasn’t the first person to make that comparison either. Instead, he held his tongue and allowed Wu Xie to pull him through the complicated mess that was Wushanju.
They crossed the small courtyard, before turning down a narrow hall that seemed to run through a building but contained no doors. Once on the other side, Wu Xie hauled him onto a small winding path that made its way across a traditional Chinese garden and exited through a circular archway. This took them out into a tiny courtyard, if he could indeed call it that, with a high wall on one side and a single stone bench. The opposite end had a covered archway that had been built at the corner of two buildings. This lead to a larger, yet more private courtyard near Wu Xie’s private residence.
Lofty trees shaded half of the area, which was paved in stone slabs of multiple colors. A large koi pond took up a majority of the area, ripples disturbing the water’s surface as the fish darted back and forth. As they walked past, Huo Daofu could see the massive body of a red and white koi swimming slowly, as if regarding him. He couldn’t help but wonder what the hell Wu Xie had been feeding the thing for it to get that big. But his thoughts were cut off as they came to a stop, Huo Daofu’s attention turning to the young man who stood as they arrived.
Huo Daofu had not been expecting this in any way. Seeing his family was part of the Mystic Nine, he’d heard rumors of the Zhang. He’d even met Zhang Rishan once, very briefly. He knew about their odd blood and the slowed aging - but he hadn’t been expecting Xiaoge.
The man looked as if he couldn’t be older than his early twenties, and even that could be questioned. Xiaoge was almost as tall as Wu Xie was, but unlike the muscular build Wu Xie carried, he had a lithe figure. One that Huo Daofu knew was deceiving and concealed a strong body. His eyes moved up, meeting Xiaoge’s and he could scarcely call the man handsome. He was more so, pretty and soft, with dark hair that swept to one side just falling into his eyes that were almost black.
He now fully grasped why Wu Xie had been obsessed with this man.
“Xiaoge, this is Huo Daofu.” That hauled him from his thoughts as Wu Xie said his name, looking up. Wu Xie met his eyes a moment later, a gentle smile on his lips. “Huo Daofu, this… is Xiaoge.”
Prying his eyes away from Wu Xie, Huo Daofu glanced back to the young man… who he needed to remember was not that young. “Ah,” He wanted to be polite, but all of the years Xiaoge had been gone made sense and he couldn’t stop himself from being brutally honest instead. “So, you’re the one Wu Xie almost died for multiple times.” Wu Xie must have made a face because he watched as Xiaoge look at the man beside him briefly before encountering his eyes again. “I am certain you realize that Wu Xie is an idiot.”
Wu Xie balked at his words, trying to wave off the comment as he attempted to placate Xiaoge with his words. How it hadn’t been as bad as he was making it out to be. As if he hadn’t stitched up or cared for Wu Xie more times than he could count. Huo Daofu rolled his eyes and swore he saw a slight tick of a smile near the corner of Xiaoge’s mouth. Ah, so he had known.
Huo Daofu was well aware of the rumors, that this particular Zhang was a cold man. Never showing emotion, never allowing himself to have a weakness. Maybe, once upon a time, it had been true but something had changed; and that something was Wu Xie. He seemed to be the only person Xiaoge had gotten close to, would listen to. Wu Xie was fiercely protective of the man, and it seemed that Xiaoge was just as protective of Wu Xie.
Pangzi had blabbed enough during their road trip. It was easy to get information about the relationship between Wu Xie and Xiaoge when prodded with the right bribes. Not like there was anything else to do while he was helping care for Pangzi and his busted leg. The man had been decent company over the months Huo Daofu had checked in on him. Three words stood out among all those the man has said.
Quiet. Fierce. Protective.
Now that he’d properly met the man, he could see how the words described him. But Pangzi had also called him their friend, companion, and family. Which left him with a genuinely interesting take on Xiaoge. It seemed the man wasn’t really that different from Wu Xie, protecting those he considered his family. Ignoring or outright killing anyone who threatened it in any way. Xiaoge’s family seemed to be Wu Xie, and by extension, Pangzi as well. The two men who’d stood by him, cared for him, and had helped him find his memories. What the three men had couldn’t be broken or easily duplicated. Which made him wonder how Xiaoge would accept him.
So, he was surprised when Xiaoge nodded lightly to Wu Xie being called an idiot. Huo Daofu smirked. This merely set off Wu Xie again, trying to defend his good name by pointing out all he’d done had been out of necessity.
Huo Daofu sighed, pushing his glasses back up his nose. “Necessity, my ass.” He muttered as Wu Xie gasped, then opened and closed his mouth a few times - looking very much like the koi he kept in the nearby pond. “Did he tell you he used me as his personal doctor for years? Wu Xie would have died from his own stupidity if I hadn’t taken care of him.”
Wu Xie was about to defend himself again when Xiaoge reached out and barely touched the man’s arm. It was enough to silence Wu Xie, and Xiaoge looked back over at him. “Yes.”
Wu Xie gave Xiaoge the most pitiful look at that single word. As if that one word has spoken volumes to him, and considering their relationship, maybe it had. “How could you!” There was no anger in his voice, instead, he acted like a kicked puppy. Cuddling up to Xiaoge, Wu Xie wrapped his arms around the man like an octopus and nuzzled him. Xiaoge seemed to humor this by patting his arms a few times, which seemed to speak Wu Xie. “Don’t be so cruel to me, Xiaoge. Everything I did was for you.”
Xiaoge simply hummed, looking back at Huo Daofu. He was observing him, his dark eyes wandering over his body and Wu Xie glanced at Xiaoge before looking back at him as well. For some reason the scrutiny made him feel uncomfortable.
He crossed his arms, shaking his head. “It’s not cruel if it’s true, Wu Xie.” Tired of the conversation being dragged out and made about Wu Xie, even though this was about him and what Wu Xie wanted; Huo Daofu looked back at Xiaoge. “I took care of him off and on over the years. Kept him alive, and despite knowing my life might be easier without him complicating it, I started to care about Wu Xie.” Xiaoge said nothing, and Huo Daofu wished he could read the man better. “I know I should have used better judgment, but he has a way of luring people in. Making them feel,” he paused, and then finally said, “needed.”
Seeming to agree with the statement, Xiaoge nodded again. Huo Daofu watched as the silent man tilted his head, muttering something to Wu Xie who had pushed his face back into Xiaoge’s neck. Wu Xie pulled back, looking at Xiaoge for a moment, who simply nodded again. Huo Daofu wasn’t sure what this was about and knew he would have to wait until they decided to make him part of the conversation once again.
Huo Daofu’s eyes strayed back over to the koi pond for a few moments until a soft, “thank you,” captured his attention. “You took care of him. Loved him.” Xiaoge’s voice was deep and gentle as he spoke, with underlying warmth. A warmth that Huo Daofu suspected was due to the conversation being about Wu Xie.
Said man looked away from Xiaoge and over him, a smile on his face at Xiaoge’s words. Huo Daofu wasn’t sure how to respond. While they were true, it wasn’t something that he’d ever openly admitted since walking away from Wu Xie. Even when they had been together, it had more so been due to Wu Xie constantly needing to push himself more and more into Huo Daofu's life. Therefore, he had just stopped fighting it.
Did he love Wu Xie? Yes.
Could he say those words? Not out loud. Not again.
Instead, he released a deep, drawn-out breath; and broke eye contact with Wu Xie’s lover. “I put up with him.” When he looked back up, Wu Xie was grinning at him. “What?”
Wu Xie shook his head, and Huo Daofu watched as he placed his chin on Xiaoge’s shoulder. His arms wrapped around the silent man’s chest, pulling him back. Xiaoge relaxed into Wu Xie’s hold, tilting his head slightly to capture any words that Wu Xie might say. The obvious intimacy and trust between the two men stirred something up within him. A feeling he hated to admit, something that felt suspiciously like jealousy. These two had something that he’d always wanted in his life and had never found.
Well, had thought he found… but the situation was complicated, which was why he’d agreed to meet Xiaoge in the first place.
“So, what do you think?” Wu Xie whispered, looking at the man in his arms.
Huo Daofu observed them, noting that Xiaoge hadn’t taken his eyes off him for some time. Something about his eyes unnerved Huo Daofu, he couldn’t read them. They were empty, emotionless… at least to him.
“Are you happy?” Xiaoge finally asked, his eyes dropping to look at Wu Xie who nodded. Huo Daofu heard Xiaoge hum lightly and then give him a soft nod in return.
Whatever they had decided, it seemed to make Wu Xie happy. He kissed Xiaoge on the corner of his mouth. “Thank you.”
While Huo Daofu felt he understood the gist of the conversation, he hated being out of the loop. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he finally said, “What the hell are you two talking about? Or, not saying?”
Wu Xie hugged Xiaoge closer, kissing his cheek before pulling away. “You saved my life, and Xiaoge appreciates that you kept me alive. He also likes that you’re a doctor because it’s useful when it comes to us.” Xiaoge glanced at Wu Xie, who laughed. “He also likes that you’re blunt. I think he is secretly hoping you might keep me out of trouble by reminding me how stupid I am daily.” Xiaoge nodded, seeming to confirm Wu Xie’s words. “So, he likes you. He wants to know if you are willing to join us?”
Huo Daofu was dumbfounded. He blinked, looking between the two, and then blinked again. “You got all of that from a nod and a look?”
“I am really good at reading him.” Wu Xie said with a smirk. “You made him smile, and you amused him. Xiaoge liked it. No one talks to me the way you do, they are usually too frightened of me to try.”
Huo Daofu could see that, considering Wu Xie’s reputation among those who didn’t know him well. Wu Xie was like a light switch, seeming to be charming and easygoing until you pissed him off. Who knew how many people Wu Xie had killed during the years he’d been taking care of him.
“I see.” He muttered, watching as Wu Xie closed the few steps between them. Xiaoge continued to watch but maintained his distance.
“I care about you, Huo Daofu. Xiaoge understands, and he’s fine with it.” He felt Wu Xie take his hand, his thumb gently caressing his skin as he took on an unusually serious expression. “I am sorry. Sorry for before, when I couldn’t give you an answer. I regretted it, allowing you to walk away but you had every right to.”
“Wu Xie,”
It seemed that was all he needed to say because the man let out a tisk. “Always so impatient, wanting everything straight to the point. I’m asking for a second chance. To try once more but with Xiaoge this time. Will you join us?”
Huo Daofu knew Wu Xie, and nothing was ever simple. He also barely knew Xiaoge and had no idea how anything would work between the three of them. Also, how could he compete against Xiaoge for Wu Xie’s affection? It was obvious they had a long history, a good history, which he and Wu Xie didn’t have. He’d spent half of their time together hating Wu Xie and the other half hating that he’d fallen in love with him.
“Huo Daofu,” He blinked when he heard his name and looked at Wu Xie. “You’re overthinking, I can tell.”
He had been, and if he was smart he would run. Yet, Huo Daofu couldn’t do it. Maybe he was selfish, stubborn, and holding out for something that might blow up in their face. But, he wanted this. As much as he hated admitting it, he wanted Wu Xie. Wanted him in his life. So, he closed his eyes and nodded.
“Yes.”