#swordballads

[wineballads]

❛ Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies. ❜

(  WUTHERING HEIGHTS /  SENTENCE PROMPTS. | @swordballads

Was he such a walking contradiction for Xiao Chiye? First, he sprung him between reason and desire but now, it was with duplicity and honesty. Shen Zechuan sat before him now in pristine white robes, looking cold as the moon as he crossed his long legs and kept his elbow propped upon his chair's armest. His seemingly affectionate grey eyes nearly slipped into something darker, heavier upon hearing such an accusation ; for he had worked hard to build a sort of trust with the second son of Libei. Yet try as Shen Zechuan may to retain such serenity when prodded, it rippled out his gaze like a mere reflection of that same moon upon the water. He laothed that at every cornerstone of progress, it seemed as though something always pushed him back behind the finish line. Xiao Chiye was simply put - too clever.

He placed his chin into his hand and calmly opened his new fan ( lovingly crafted not too long before by Xiao Chiye himself ), letting the fragrant scent of orchids fill up the space between them.

❝ True , I did only hurt my own chances by lying to you about my intentions . ❞ He had even gone so far as to construct an entire identity out of a woman who did not exist, just to the fool this man. He didn't waste a beat beyond the slow, seductive blinking of his eyes though as he peered back at Xiao Chiye, ❝ But can the same not be said about you, er-lang ? Weren't we both hiding something from the other ? Or are you admitting that you fear what any violence you may wish to enact upon me now will only wound your family's cause here in Qudu ? ❞

[wineballads]

❛ And you didn’t think that that’s something I should know? ❜

* (  WUTHERING HEIGHTS /  SENTENCE PROMPTS. | @swordballads

He lifted a finger to pull back his inky black hair from his shoulder, then licked the sharp fang of his teeth and smiled placidly up at Xiao Chiye. ❝ I wasn't aware we were on such intimate terms, er-lang . ❞

Shen Zechuan pressed his fan against his chest as if to buffer his approach further, but his deep grey eyes continued to stare up in silent challenge. It was as if they were coaxing him to act first as he continued slowly, oh-so-casually, ❝ Yesterday you were so keen to throw me to the wolves if it meant keeping your name clear , now you want me to share all my secrets and plans ? ❞

❝ If you keep this up, people really will think that the southern judge is selling himself . ❞

[wineballads]

❛ I wasn’t in control back there. ❜ berserker au

* (  LEGACIES 2X04 /  SENTENCE PROMPTS.

The words bring him back to their first excursion out of Libei together. The way Xiao Chiye then was all fury, a hauntingly ferocious beast, fur pelts arcing over his shoulders as he swung his blade and cleaved enemies into smithereens before his eyes. This time he was a bird of prey swooping into the field on Snowcrest, carrying godlike strength against the straining string of his great bow and unleashing a rain of slaughter upon his foes down the hillside. Each one was felled beneath the thundering hooves of his horse, his unending brilliance in power and strategy.

Rightfully, anyone sane or simply not made for a battlefield should be frightened. Shen Zechuan assumedly should be both, raised amongst the schools of Duanzhou and tempered within the courts of Cizhou. And yet there is no greater rush, no higher thrill that consumes him inside like a wildfire when witnessing Xiao Chiye's transformation in war. When he returns to his side, reeking of blood not his own, wiping the sweat beneath the braid across his forehead, a great looming wolf looking to unload his mantle within his arms, Shen Zechuan's palms grow red with the force which his nails dig into them.

Cautiously, perhaps better said discreetly, he crosses his legs and picks up the discarded fan on the table over a warm cup of milk and fans himself.

It's winter outside still, yet Shen Zechuan can't seem to stay cool inside the war tent. It's been hours since the skirmish that threatened their camp yet couldn't even reach it on account of his husband's prowess. And Xiao Chiye is washed and decluttered of his armor, On Horseback in hand. Shen Zechuan is sore, but far from displeased to see him in high spirits around his soldiers. So when he senses an ounce of regret from Xiao Chiye, Shen Zechuan is swift to meet his eyes with a faint smile and reach forward to thumb where a small mark is forming upon his mouth, then slowly reply, ❝ You look cute a little bruised . ❞

❝ Don't worry about me. Er-lang can do anything. Nothing is impossible for him ... Didn't I say so before ? ❞ A flirtatious cant of his head as he twisted the words, ❝ But maybe this wife could learn how to properly combat when my husband doesn't quite feel himself yet, if it would make him happier. ❞ Shen Zechuan laughs and retreats back behind his fan slyly, his knuckles still slightly pink, ❝ Maybe more boxing ? ❞

[wineballads]

What misfortune had Shen Zechuan endured in a past life that after working his ass off to graduate the Hunter's Academy, and shortly after proving himself a valuable asset as a new Hunter, that his first paired assignment would be with his big bully and enemy from the past ? None other than that bullheaded, shameless, beast in human skin known as Xiao Chiye, who had pursued him relentlessly into fights, arguments, and ridiculous competition.

He still remembered their last spar, their graduating tournament. Like an ant shaking a tree, he had said to him infuriatingly. And yet despite Xiao Chiye's great physique and undoubtable strength, he had shown him in the end , with his legs wrapped around his shoulders and pinning him to the floor mat. He had not won, then, but Shen Zechuan had not conceded nor gone out pathetically on account of brawns or by needing to abuse his EVOL (as everyone hoped he would just to oust him ) .

Yet here he stood beside Xiao Chiye again, forced to stomach his company and try to work as one whole unit when all he could think of was that this horrid hound would rather punch him through a busy train track if it meant taking the credit and upperhand. He glanced sidelong at him, rain lingering on the tips of his hair and sticking to his skin in a way that made him look paler, ghastlier. He was sizing him up as their superior guided them through their expectations before starting their first team excursion into a no-hunt zone. Xiao Chiye stood tall, unwavering, but there was undoubtedly a tension in the broad line of his shoulders the longer he watched him.

❝ ... We hope that as two rookies, you two will be mindful of each other's safety tonight ... ❞

Shen Zechuan slid his grey eyes forward, the corners of his lips curling up coldly, ❝ ... Of course. ❞ He pushed his thin glasses up the bridge of his thin nose, acknowledging the creature beside him at last once the officer walked away, ❝ What say you, senior ? Shall we eat somewhere nearby before we get started ? ❞

starter for @swordballads .

[kckuhaku]

— continued from ♡ // @swordballads

IT'S ABSOLUTELY MORTIFYING - MADELEINE has never spoken aloud about... this tumultuous turmoil of feelings, and vocalizing such made them feel... so much more real. an acknowledgement she didn't want to come to - especially not to someone like xiao chiye - someone she thought of an uncle. he's seen her through the most embarrassing peek of the preteen era, and somehow this felt exponentially worse.

she suddenly feels like a child again when she feels the weight of his hand upon her head. it's not a bad feeling, though - it's rather calming, especially as he teases her gently. it diffuses the situation (ever so slightly), and she can't help but snort a laugh at his question. way to jump to extremes - she blinks at him incredulously, the mental image of her shushu taking him for drills would be a sight to see - but ,

« no.. it's not like that. neither you or gugu need to do that, please. » with a pinched eye as he ruffles her hair - madeleine pouts at his coddling. she's still trying to get over herself, that her earlier realization that xiao chiye has seen her through worse, talking about... a crush shouldn't be the worse thing ever. she avoids his gaze again despite leaning into his touch for comfort - unsure of how she should... phrase her words.

« ...i... don't really know. i didn't really want this to happen, y'know. » how eloquent her words are when she's nervous, words are failing her. her brain has taken to the back seat while her heart drives aimlessly, words flowing from her mouth carelessly. « i, um. have this partner i've been working with in the alpha team, and he.. um... »

« he was initially very elusive and at first i was annoyed and kept chasing him down, because what kind of partner was that. but when he... did look my way and worked with me, i, um. » was it possible for her face to flush more? it was time to retreat - madeleine pulls back and tucks her head back into her hands, still crouched into her knees.

« it'ssillybecausewhywouldistarttothinkofhimdifferentlyassoonashestartstreatingmesweetlyandhehasareallysoftsmileitmakesmefeelsomekindofgooeythatireallydon'tlikeandiguessmaybeitisacrush - » words spoken far too quickly, muffled by her hands purposely. just remembering earlier's happenings where he had asked her for lunch after their mission - madeleine's ears that peak out from her cocooned state also seem to redden. suddenly, she lifts her head to look at xiao chiye incredulously, an equally impressive pout on her features.

« do crushes usually happen like this ? i know they're always described as flowers blossoming in romance comics - but did you think of gugu the same - !? » she needed to hear another opinion - another's experience. far too familiar with the love story of her parents that she refused to acknowledge as true, surely, surely her uncles would... a more relatable experience to share, right ?