Oh, oh, oh it's magic (Xie and Kevin)

[xie_er]

Zhao Jing used to be a nobody, born into influence and wealth but always in the shadow of those around him. In magical circles he was even worse, a barely-remembered witch that didn't have enough power for any familiar to even consider looking twice at him.

Somehow, though, after many years (and a few suspicious deaths), he's managed to climb his way to the CEO of Five Lakes, his power - of both kinds - growing exponentially.

The previous CEO was surrounded by some unfortunate rumorus before his death, so Zhao Jing has been focused on repairing the reputation of he company and solidifying his support, mundane and magical, which means it is far too delicate a moment for Xie to be in the spotlight, even if he was promised he'd be allowed to stop hiding when the position was in Zhao Jing's hands.

He just has to wait a little longer, that's all, and it's not like it's difficult to only appear in his animal form whenever Zhao Jing is in public, just uncomfortable, and the last thing they need is for somebody to recognise Xie for any of the things he's done to help his witch get where he is today, when his position is still so precarious...

He tells himself all the excuses he's heard from Yifu, repeats them in his head like a mantra as he sits through all the meetings and negotiations, a little black cat and Zhao Jing's feet, watching the men and women he's speaking to for anything Yifu can use. He hangs around when Zhao Jing steps out the room, listens to what they say behind his back - that's his job with normal people, to be a pair of ears they don't realise are there. Even paranoid types who scan for bugs would miss him, which he finds funny, privately, because he is a bug of a sort.

Not that he's allowed to take his original animal form - a scorpion would be out of place if anybody caught sight of him, and Yifu doesn't like the idea of him hiding in pockets or anything like that. He says it's dangerous, that something could happen to him, but Xie privately thinks he just finds the form creepy. Even around other magical people, the cat is preferred - his job with them is to be a reminder that Zhao Jing has a familiar, and a relatively powerful one at that.

It's hard for familiars to change the form they can take, but he did it, for Yifu.

He tells people the cat is called Scorpion, and that somebody else named him - which is technically true, Xie does mean scorpion, and his parents named him - and that he's vaguely embarrassed to have such a fiercely named cat.

(He doesn't tell magical people anything at all, they know Xie isn't a pet so they're less likely to ask, at most they will wonder why his familiar always stays in animal form. Zhao Jing just tells them he's shy. He isn't, he doesn't care about people seeing him, but it's easier to do the things Yifu wants him to do when nobody knows what he looks like)

Xie hadn't always known he was powerful - when Yifu had taken him in he'd been told he wasn't much, but that maybe he could be useful. Later, when some witch had made an offhand comment about it, the story had become that Yifu recognised his power and took him in before anybody else could steal him away, that he just wanted to protect Xie from the people who would use him for his power. Xie was already so far gone by that point that he accepted it, that he told himself he was lucky he had Yifu to protect him, to guide him.

It's funny how easy it is to lie to yourself.

When the meetings are over for the day he finally shifts back to human form, spending a few minutes stretching out the kinks that come from forcing himself into a form that isn't quite his, especially with how much he's had to do it over the last few weeks, and then going in search of something to eat. He could probably just head back to his own apartment since he doesn't think Yifu needs anything else from him, not today, but the outsiders have all left and everybody in Yifu's manor at least knows Xie, even if they don't know that Xie and Scorpion are one and the same, so it's safe to be around them.

He likes to spend as much time here as he can get away with, likes to remind Yifu he can be useful in other ways... and maybe he likes to keep an eye on this new apprentice Yifu has taken on. He doesn't understand why he needs anybody else when he has Xie, but the last time he'd questioned somebody new in the house Yifu hadn't spoken to him for a week, so he doesn't voice that thought out loud - he just watches the guy suspiciously every chance he gets, and wonders how easy he would be to get rid of.

He's halfway to the kitchen when something makes him stop. A tug of power, the vague echo of chanting, there's a ritual happening and something about it is drawing him close. He frowns, confused, and follows the pull...

Comments

[xie_er]

Xie breaks the silence with a laugh, and he tries not to be self-conscious about it as soon as he does.

"So you've given up on winning, you just don't want to lose too badly?" He asks, amused. There's a pause and then he smiles a little, predator-like.

"If it's a bet, what are the stakes?"

[weird_cop]

"Hey, I'm a realist."

And not afraid to face defeat if it's inevitable.

The suggestion of a real bet makes Kevin pause. Makes him wonder what there is to bet with.

"What do you suggest?"

[xie_er]

Xie considers it for a moment, what does he want? There's plenty of things he can get just by asking for them, so it has to be something a little special, but also not so big that he's got no chance...

"If I win in less than ten moves... that gallery exhibit they advertised on the radio the other day, the ancient Chinese fashion one? I want to go." He knows he'll have to be accompanied, and that he might be pushing his luck, but he'd just really like to get out of the house for a bit and that exhibition had sounded really interesting...

He might even be able to get another call in to Du Pusa, but he figures he can negotiate that later.

"If you hold me off for ten moves, I'll.... Oh, I'll let you watch an entire football match without bothering you, complaining or insulting any of the players' hair."

[weird_cop]

Joke's on you, Xie. Kevin likes galleries.

He sits back in his chair, giving the familiar a very serious appraising look.

On the one hand - he knows the risks. Xie is a flight risk, he doesn't seem to have really grasped the danger he was in (Kevin hasn't broached that subject fully) and he's still obviously loyal.

On the other- Xie has also seemed to be adapting to being bonded to Kevin. He's warmed to the team - even Costain - and must know somewhere in there that they're working in his best interest. And there's the bond, if necessary.

On a third, magic hand, there's been no evidence that the location of the safe house is compromised, the gallery isn't far away, and under normal circumstances Kevin can usually at least leave sometimes. And Quill did say recently that he'd think about permission if Kevin can vouch for him.

He shakes his head.

"If I make it ten more moves, you come with me to the straight pub on the high street to watch the Lionesses at the weekend. You wear no makeup and a ponytail, and you show the ladies some respect.."

He thinks, and adds:

"And in both situations you do what I say the whole time."

[xie_er]

On the one hand, Xie wins either way because he gets out of the house. On the other hand... he absolutely does not win if Kevin does, because that sounds like a horrible way to spend the afternoon.

Watching football in a pub is bad enough, but being seen in public with his hair in a ponytail? He practically shudders at the thought.

Still, stakes like that make it interesting... or, they would, if he wasn't fairly confident he can actually win in about three moves, so he nods.

"Deal."

Having to do what Kevin says even if he wins does dampen his enthusiasm somewhat, but he also sort of expected as much anyway, so he can live with it.

[weird_cop]

Kevin smirks at Xie's reaction and adds:

"I'll need to get permission but I think we can manage it."

He does not lose in three moves. He rides it out for at least five before he notices his mistake and realises...

He makes it to eight.

"Okay," he says aloud, "but I'm still getting Tone to tape the game and we're watching it."

[xie_er]

"That wasn't the deal." He says, unable to keep the smile from his face. He will still probably watch the game, though he will not do it without complaining, but he's not going to tell Kevin that now.

He really hopes Kevin can get permission, because he's actually a little bit excited now. It's a testament to how pathetic his life has become that he's excited to leave the house for a single afternoon to see some hanfu, with a police escort no less, but he decides not to let reality get in the way of him actually enjoying something he wants to do.

"As though I'd leave the house in a ponytail." he sniffs disdainfully, as though his entire motivation to win was based on avoiding that fate.

[weird_cop]

"That was about safety not about a personal torture," Kevin says. "When I go to a pub I like to leave it again.

"The fact that it would be painful for you is just a bonus."

He stands, deciding that's enough chess and it's time to start on dinner.

"Still going to need to be rules though. You can afford to be less conspicuous."

Xie's style is... distinctive.

[xie_er]

That, Xie thinks, is his fault for choosing pubs where anything other than a ponytail would be a risk.

(He knows that's not fair, which is why he doesn't voice it, but he also privately thinks that a ponytail probably wouldn't even help that much)

He leans back in his chair, raising an eyebrow.

"I can't help being this pretty." He smirks.

[weird_cop]

"You could try," Kevin mock-grouches, more of a flirt in his tone than he intended. It's not that he's having trouble controlling himself around Xie or anything it's just... it's been a long time and he misses being able to be himself.

Maybe if this goes well the next time will be the other kind of pub.

"What do you want to eat? I was thinking of steaming up some dumplings."

[xie_er]

Xie just smirks, pleased because he didn't deny he was pretty (of course he wouldn't, but still), and slightly enjoying that hint of flirtation.

He shouldn't, he really shouldn't, but he likes the attention, even if it's coming from Kevin.

(That's what he tells himself)

"Dumplings sound good." He agrees.

[weird_cop]

Kevin gets that on, enjoying the opportunity still to try his hand at food he's been wanting to try but never dared when undercover.

He still doesn't have any work to get on with immediately so spends most of the rest of the day playing games, and then finally retiring into the living room, possibly to rewatch last night's Queer Eye.

[xie_er]

Xie actually moves through to the kitchen to keep him company while he cooks. He was intending on judging, but actually Kevin doesn't really make any mistakes he can call him on, so he just sits quietly and enjoys the companionship, and tries not to think too hard about enjoying the companionship.

Since they do spend the rest of the day playing games, by the time they retire to the living room, Xie hasn't had a chance to watch last night's episode. He doesn't actually say anything, and even if Kevin just puts on the next one he won't complain (though he'll be slightly miffed at the reminder) and he'll just watch the missed episode when he gets a chance.

He will be obviously satisfied, however, if Kevin does put on the episode he watched the night before.

[weird_cop]

Kevin looks over at Xie even as he selects the episode, and though he doesn't say anything he does mean it as an apology.

No spoilers though. No more than he got already.

He is free with the comments though, especially about the decor.

[xie_er]

Xie just nods slightly, a quiet acceptance of the apology even though he's wary about opening up that can of worms again. The wariness lasts until he's drawn into the episode - which doesn't take long.

He can absolutely see what Kevin is doing when he focuses on the decor, even though he absolutely doesn't understand why. He decides to continue his strategy for the day and just let himself enjoy it - he can tie himself up in knots about betrayal and stupidity later.

Later ends up being that night after he goes to bed, and he tosses and turns half the night trying to get to sleep while he runs through circular arguments in his head about why what he's doing is alternately the best and most terrible idea. He's tired and grumpy the next morning, which almost jeopardises Kevin getting permission to take him to the exhibition, which almost just makes him more grumpy in turn, but it softens significantly when Kevin finally wins the argument.

When the day comes, he does his hair in the usual braids but foregoes any of his hair jewellery, even though it would go so well with the exhibit theme. His makeup is less dramatic than usual and he wears jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. He'd much rather go all out, but he's at least trying to tone it down as per Kevin's request.

He just hopes he isn't going to get told to change anything.

Still, he's clearly in a good mood as he heads downstairs to look for Kevin - not that he really needs to look when he knows exactly where he is thanks to the bond.

[weird_cop]

Kevin's sweatpants and Chelsea shirt are very much what he's been wearing about the house but very much not what he'd wear at Zhao's, so he wouldn't stand out that much.

He's still pleased he got this excursion approved - it had taken a lot of wheadling and arguing, and Quill had scowled as he'd delivered the news that Lofthouse had approved it.

("You're lucky you're her golden boy.")

But they acknowledged it was tough being in the house and that this should be safe. Lisa had researched the gallery - it was an old courthouse, drenched in local history. They'd driven there and scoped it out and there was local power there Kevin might be able to use so he wasn't totally defenseless.

And now he's glowing in this little victory, waiting in the hall for Xie to come down.

"Did you take your necklace off?"

That had been one of the terms and conditions.

[xie_er]

Xie gives him a disapproving once over, wishing he had some authority in the situation to make Kevin go and change because they were going to an exhibition, would it kill him to dress a little smarter?

He supposes, on reflection, that it's just going to look like Xie dragged him there against his will (ironically) and nobody's going to look twice at them. They'll probably think they're a couple, as though Xie would ever go on a date with someone wearing sweatpants.

He has to immediately cut off that train of thought before it gets any weirder than it already is. Luckily the necklace question is a distraction.

"Yes."

It's a lie, though. It took him effort, it really did, he found himself moving to lift the cord at least half a dozen times as he was dressing, but he always stopped himself. He just couldn't do it. He hadn't taken it off for longer than the space of a shower or a swim since Yifu gave it to him, the idea of just leaving it behind for a few hours is too much. He feels like he's betraying Yifu enough already, he can't bring himself to do that.

[weird_cop]

Kevin beams defiantly under the disapproving glare, content to be the brat for once. Its only an exhibition right? Not out for dinner or anything.

He trusts Xie's word and the magic of the bond a little more than he should, really. But he's got no reason to mistrust him, and surely Xie's not so stupid as to wear something that powerful out where someone could find it.

He grabs his phone and the car keys from where they've been sitting unused and heads out, leaving the safe house with only the yale locked.





The old courthouse isn't busy, and Kevin finds it comforting in a way - the building does have a thread of power running through it, and as they show their tickets and are shown in, he takes a moment to step back and scan the room, using both cop sight and actual Sight to appraise the space.

[xie_er]

Xie honestly expected more push back, he's genuinely surprised he's gotten away with it - and he staunchly ignores the wriggle of guilt in his stomach as he follows Kevin out the house with the necklace still on. It's the bond, he tells himself, he doesn't actually feel bad about lying.

Xie does a similar scan when they arrive, though less magical in nature, taking in the exits and even letting his gaze run over the people casually, checking for any familiar faces. At first, he doesn't see anything that sets his alarm bells ringing, so he's content to just enjoy the exhibition. He's not going to entirely relax, he knows there's a hit out on him, on both of them, but Yifu doesn't even know they're here, he can enjoy himself a little and still keep an eye out just in case, right?

He'd called Du Pusa on the way, she told him she'd tried to talk to Yifu and he'd done the kindly old benefactor routine, acting all concerned (her words, Xie doesn't call her on her mistrust of him, even though he wants to) but refusing to withdaw the hit on Xie because he 'had to be careful'. She did, begrudgingly, admit that he'd said if Xie could break the bond and get back to him, of course he'd be welcomed back, no hard feelings.

(She'd scoffed at that, as though she didn't think Yifu should be the one with hard feelings, Xie hadn't called her on that, either)

He'd have to kill Kevin, of course, so there weren't any loose ends. Du Pusa actually didn't have a problem with that, but Xie... it made sense, logically, but it left a bad taste in his mouth.

Her suggestion was just to let whoever might come after them kill Kevin and then kill them and come home. A couple of weeks ago he would have agreed with her. Now... he'd just made a noncommittal noise and told her he'll call her again when he can and to stay out of trouble.

(He was pointedly vague about whether he meant Yifu or the law)

He isn't sure how to feel about the conversation, so instead he just makes a beeline to the nearest hanfu and puts it out of his mind.

[weird_cop]

Kevin trails behind Xie, hands in his pockets, looking for all the world like an indulgent boyfriend who's out to tolerate an afternoon with someone way more enthusiastic than he is.

The indifference means he can hang back and gives him an excuse to be looking around as they proceed. And they do get to see a few interesting pieces before things get interesting.

It's not even the Sight that helps him, just sheer old fashioned copper instinct.

[xie_er]

It's one of the more secluded corners of the courthouse where they have, according to the exhibition brochure, a display of ancient musical instruments, including a pipa.

Xie should have fucking known. The exhibition was sponsored by one of the shell corporations he knows Yifu has ties to, it was practically hand-fucking-picked to appeal to him - right down to that display in the conveniently quiet part of the building.

That all occurs to him later, though, right now he's already enamoured by the pipa by the time he notices that they're, somehow, the only ones in this space - until they're not. Until a familiar (to him) figure steps out of the shadows and the first knife-like blast of magical energy is already shooting towards Kevin.

[weird_cop]

Kevin's instinct kicks in immediately and he throws himself - not towards the attacker or away from the magic knife - but in front of Xie, whom he still thinks of as his charge to protect. His training from Zhao comes next as he throws his own power out to deflect and counter the attack.

Only he doesn't have to hold back now, doesn't need to pretend to be a promising apprentice; he can use every ounce of the power he's been cultivating in secret, at least come partway to matching what they have.

[xie_er]

Xie's eyes widen in surprise as Kevin moves to cover him - does he think they're going to try and take him? Is that it? Surely it can't be to try and protect him, surely...

(Not when it's his stupid fault they're even here)

The attacker clearly isn't expecting the level of power that comes his way and it knocks him off his feet, though he manages to catch himself and flip back up, his next attack coming stronger, responding to the power being shown. Xie knows him, knows he's a formidable opponent and is just getting started, he just wasn't expecting Kevin to wield that kind of power based on what Zhao knew about him. Xie wasn't expecting that kind of power, but despite the obvious strength he's still expecting the familiar pull, the drain of his power as the fight goes on.

But it doesn't seem to be coming...

"You're a brave man putting that one at your back." the assassin hisses, trying to distract, to sew doubt.

"Zhao Jing wants him alive, you know..." He adds. He has no intention of actually taking him alive, Xie can see it all over his face, he'll claim it's an accident but he's killing Xie today if he can manage it. It's just another mind game, another way to make Kevin think he's still loyal to Zhao Jing.

...which he is. Obviously. Of course he is. He's loyal to his Yifu.

He is.

[weird_cop]

"You don't have to say anything, mate."

He knows this trick, was taught it at Zhao's feet. Words as a weapon as sharp as knives. A verbal hit is still a hit. What the people who utilise this technique don't realise, is he's had worse than that every night since he was in uniform.

"But it may harm your defence if you do not say, when questioned, something you later rely on in court."

He draws one hand back, bending at the elbow and reaching into his pocket. The assassin, obviously thinking he's going for a throwing weapon, launches another burst of magic which Kevin mostly blocks. Mostly.

It practically burns his other hand off but he grits his teeth and pulls out his warrant card, which he holds up in front of him like a talisman.

"Anything you do say may be given in frigging evidence, you idiot."

Then he spins and throws himself bodily at Xie, wraps his injured hand under one arm and across his body, and with the warrant card in front of him he makes two sweeps of a gesture as he barrels forward and pushes Xie up against...

...through the wall.

And then he brings his mouth to Xie's ear and murmurs:

"Scorpion."

It's not an order. It's more like a plea.

[xie_er]

Xie reaches for knives that aren't there and winces at the sizzle of flesh and why the fuck isn't Kevin using his power right now. He almost wants to shove it at him but he doesn't know how and that's ridiculous, it's stupid, he should be standing back and letting this happen just like Du Pusa suggested, except...

Suddenly he's being shoved backwards against the wall, or where the wall should be and Kevin is murmuring in his ear and if he wasn't in shock right now it would certainly be doing something.

The thing it does instead is cause his higher brain functions to basically step aside and his usual ability to even think about resisting an order all but disappears. It might have been more of a plea, but it shoots straight to the heart of him and he's shifting form practically before he's even registered that's what he's being asked.