Oh, oh, oh it's magic (Xie and Kevin)
Oct. 15th, 2023 01:46 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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...
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 12:05 pm (UTC)Xie moves around the room getting ready for bed, comforting himself with the familiar routine - though as he's undoing his own braids he can't help but think about how long it might be before he feels Kevin's fingers running through his hair again.
He pushes the melancholy aside, convincing himself they're going to fix this, and soon, and goes to join Kevin in the bed.
He's careful not to get too close - near enough to be a comforting presence but trying to keep it from being awkward.
It takes him a while to get to sleep as well, Kevin feeling both right next to him and a million miles away, but eventually he does drift off.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 12:11 pm (UTC)He curls up on himself, knees bent and hands tucked against his own chest, but as the night comes on he shifts closer.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 12:24 pm (UTC)Xie is so used to sleeping beside the man he loves that it's hardly surprising he responds to Kevin moving closer by shifting close in turn.
Sometime in the early morning, half awake and not really thinking about it, he moves automatically, cuddling up to Kevin to wrap an arm around him and tangle their legs together, burying his face into Kevin's shoulder with a sigh of contentment before letting himself drift off back to sleep.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 01:03 pm (UTC)Until he wakes up enough to realise that he's next to a man he barely knows, so he disentangles himself as carefully as he can, feeling both the wrongness of being with someone he doesn't know and the guilt because he should know him.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 01:08 pm (UTC)Xie grumbles sleepily as Kevin pulls away, his grip tightening for a moment to try and hold him in bed - just like he does every morning.
Except then enough reality filters in that he realises what he's doing and he lets go abruptly, feeling a rush of guilt. It's not fair to cling to Kevin like that, not when he's already dealing with so much.
"Sorry" he says sheepishly, shuffling away from him and opening his eyes cautiously to give him an apologetic smile "Habit..."
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 01:11 pm (UTC)Kevin uses the link because Xie did, not out of any specific habit, and trying to smile despite his own guilt.
"I'm sorry."
Sorry he can't be who Xie needs, or wants. Sorry he can't just be Kevin.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 01:15 pm (UTC)"You don't need to be sorry, this isn't your fault" Xie tells him firmly - the last thing he wants is for Kevin to feel guilty about how much he's struggling with this.
Even though, really, that's probably the most Kevin thing he's done so far.
"We should get up anyway, Lisa said they were sending a car round" He's awake now, and his usual comfortable lazing while Kevin cooks breakfast just doesn't have the same appeal.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 01:21 pm (UTC)"What do we usually have for breakfast?"
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 01:26 pm (UTC)He laughs lightly at the comment about their clothes - he does laze a little longer, but then gets up to dress himself.
"Whatever you feel like cooking that day..." he admits, slightly sheepishly. He wonders if that's bad, if he should be making more effort to choose or help with the food, but Kevin's never given any indication that he minds deciding what they're going to have for dinner, and Xie will offer up an opinion when he's asked for it.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 01:53 pm (UTC)Well, okay, he thinks. A reason to see if he remembers how to make breakfast.
"Can you show me where everything is?"
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 02:04 pm (UTC)Xie nods, tying his hair into a single braid with deft fingers - he'll come and braid properly later, but for now it seems sensible to help Kevin out in the kitchen.
"Do you know what you want to make or do you want me to pick something?" He offers as he starts downstairs, assuming Kevin will follow.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 02:20 pm (UTC)"I believe I could probably cook eggs and not poison us. And I'm sure I could work a toaster?"
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 03:34 pm (UTC)Xie nods, happy enough with that answer.
"You can definitely normally cook eggs without poisoning anybody, I assume that hasn't changed" he confirms with a faint smile "Eggs and toast sounds good, though"
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 03:38 pm (UTC)"You don't cook at all?"
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 03:44 pm (UTC)Xie shakes his head.
"You've always done all the cooking..." He admits, having settled at the kitchen table out of the way but ready to point Kevin in the right direction for anything he needs.
"I can't cook eggs without poisoning anybody." For some reason it feels easier to admit that to him now, like he's a blank slate, even though it's not like getting his memories back will replace any new memories he gains in the mean time. "Well, maybe I can. I've never tried. I suppose I could guess at how to do it, from watching you"
At least he doesn't make a joke about deliberately poisoning people, which he might have done if Kevin was his normal self.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 04:53 pm (UTC)Not that there's much room for two people to cook in this kitchen. He wonders why the two of them picked it, if he's such a keen chef.
He also thinks there's probably a reason he hasn't already taught Xie, and that might come up later.
"When we've established I do know what I'm doing."
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 05:05 pm (UTC)"Maybe you could," Xie agrees with a soft smile - it would be nice, he thinks, to learn that kind of skill from Kevin. He probably would have already offered if Xie hadn't been too embarrassed to admit to his failings before now.
"But then I wouldn't get to eat your food all the time." He adds with a faintly cheeky smile.
He doesn't have any illusions that Kevin won't know what he's doing, though if it turns out these memory thieves have affected what is, he thinks, one of Kevin's favourite things (and Xie's, to be fair, he loves Kevin's cooking) he's going to be out for blood.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 05:58 pm (UTC)Trying to remember how to cook is surprisingly strange. Kevin can operate a toaster, but 'eggs' is vague. He manages to fry them up, but it's simple and doesn't unlock any amazing cooking skills hidden in his brain.
"Hope this is okay."
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 06:08 pm (UTC)"I'm not sure anybody deserves that" He replies dryly, but Kevin does have a point, it probably is unfair of him to just let Kevin do it all, maybe he'd like to have a meal cooked for him from time to time.
"It's perfect" Xie promises - simple doesn't bother him, he's grateful for everything Kevin cooks, though he can tell Kevin didn't seem to have that same comfort in the kitchen that Xie is used to seeing. He tells himself not to read into it, that he's still getting used to things, but it is a little bit concerning...
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 06:19 pm (UTC)He smiles his gratitude and enjoys his own breakfast, feeling again that it's fine.
He's just finished his tea when Lisa rings the doorbell.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 06:43 pm (UTC)Xie goes to answer it, realising that Kevin probably doesn't feel entirely comfortable that this is his house right now, and smiles at Lisa, stepping aside so she can come in.
"Do I have time to do my hair?" He asks - it's fine if the answer is no, but he'd rather ask the question than not.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 07:09 pm (UTC)She lets Xie head upstairs and moves to help Kevin clear the table. To introduce herself really, but also to check in on him and repeat her reassurance that this is nothing that new for their team and that they'll figure it out.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 07:13 pm (UTC)It's good to get a little breather, to restore his equilibrium and prepare himself for the day ahead. He needs, he thinks, to bring back a little more of his old self. Strong, calm, capable. Adept at potions and ready for anything.
So when he comes back downstairs, not only has he done his braids as normal, but he's also put on his makeup - it's less common these days but not noticeable in itself, as such, except that his eyeliner hasn't been that severe in a while. This is Xie in full scorpion king mode.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 07:23 pm (UTC)Lisa raises her eyebrows and smiles immediately. But when Kevin heads upstairs to wash up and use the loo before going, she takes the opportunity to talk to Xie.
"You doing okay?"
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 07:35 pm (UTC)Xie smiles back, pleased at the reaction - it isn't why he did his makeup like that, but it doesn't hurt.
When Lisa asks him he just tilts his head slightly in a sort of nod.
"I'm fine." He says evenly. It's smooth, but not terribly convincing "but I will be better when we fix this."
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:...
From:Profile
April 2025
Most Popular Tags
Page Summary
Style Credit
Expand Cut Tags