[ Mo Ran must've lost consciousness at some point, darkness siphoned into his body the moment the demon failed to absorb his own soul, like a balancing act gone wrong. It whispers curses into his ears from voices he knows all too well, familiar pained screams raising in volume, until something touches his hair and he twitches faintly. A hand settles on his forehead and the darkness clears at once, Mo Ran inhaling deeply as he comes to, like a man who almost drowned.
He doesn't quite care he's bleeding. It's honestly happened too many times before, was it accident or exorcism, and he's not number one on the self-preservation list. After his original sin, he probably shouldn't be alive at all, so he's always considered all his time borrowed. The guilt he carries makes it hard to forget.
What Mo Ran cares about right now is the blurry vision before him, to the point he stretches his hand out in a surprising show of reflexes for an injured man on the floor, grasping the other's wrist bruisingly. He's always been a little too strong, a little too perceptive. There's something inside his chest that knows this vision surrounded by a golden aura is true, even if he can't quite put it into focus. It's like his soul is ringing, catching the same sound coming from another, identical bell.
Mo Ran gathers his thoughts, burning fingers clutching onto ice cold, smooth skin like he fears this familiar sight will fade away once again; he closes his eyes for a moment and adjusts his breathing. When he opens them again, a clear purple hue, he recognizes instantly the man who escaped from him more than once in his church and his whole face brightens, at odds with his condition. His hand unconsciously holds more tightly. ]
...you're here. Finally. [ He smiles, wide and sweet, all too fitting on a big, excited dog. Nevermind his face is splattered with blood and paler than usual, he's still happy. He presses his forearm against his stomach, his black outfit hiding how much blood has already oozed out. ]
I knew you were real. You had to be. [ As he says that, he finally looks past those charmingly kind eyes to the man's whole appearance and his heart stutters. It was clear even from a distance, but up close, goodness, this man is just... beautiful. Pale skin, determined eyebrows and a whole air of power and candor about him. Mo Ran wouldn't have minded getting beat up by him instead of the demons. ]
Ah-- it's dangerous here! You should leave...! [ Not knowing who it is he's talking to and how he's just been rescued, he instinctively tries to sit up and look around, to protect the stranger from threat. ]
[ Chu Wanning doesn't expect him to stir when he presses his hand to Mo Ran's forehead, and he certainly doesn't expect Mo Ran to grab his arm with a surprising amount of strength for someone who had so recently encountered demons. They're long gone, and even the energy the demon had been feeding Mo Ran has dissipated, but that doesn't mean he isn't without injury.
It's impossible to tell where he is injured, and Chu Wanning is loath to leave him like this, but the touch makes him freeze. He's been seen too many times by this man, from the early days of his youth to now, and Chu Wanning has made too many mistakes with him. Drawn the demons to him, probably. And he just keeps making more and more mistakes.
He could break the grip, for although Mo Ran's fingers are tight around his wrist, Chu Wanning is stronger still. But he looks so happy, that big, wide smile. No one has smiled at Chu Wanning in all his years, and it makes his heart flutter. A weakness, his mentor would say, and Chu Wanning knows he's right, because the decision to stay is easy in light of that smile. He doesn't deserve it, but he wants to bask in it. ]
There is no danger. Those things attacking you are gone. [ Chu Wanning places his other hand on Mo Ran's torso, trying to feel where he is injured. He's no healer, never learned the skills, because they are not meant to do this, unless they could take the form of a doctor or nurse. And he can't do that now. ] Don't talk, you're still injured. I do not have any bandages.
Oh. They're gone. That's nice. [ He comments with a sigh, light-headed. Absent-mindedly he brings that hand he's holding to his face, places it on his cheek and nuzzles into it like an eager dog, before leaning entirely against that firm palm, eyes fluttering shut.
Mo Ran is always a little too touchy-feely, he's been scolded about it one too many times, as it gives the wrong impression (though, really, can a priest give a wrong impression?) but this goes beyond it. There's a relief to touching this man that pools in the depth of his chest, fills his lungs and his heart. It's like he needs to be close to him and he's never quite felt something like it. In his current condition, he doesn't even realize it's inappropriate as he doesn't even know the other's name and yet he's acting like a puppy towards him.
He exhales shakily when his torso is touched, not quite because it hurts, he's used to that, but because he's suddenly realizing how touch-starved he is. All these years it's gone completely unnoticed and yet now it seems so blatant. ]
It's okay... I heal quickly. My room is right past that door... can you help me get there? [ He wonders softly, his lips still stretched into a smile as he opens his eyes again and looks at the stranger a little dazed. He nods towards a door to the right of the altar, leading to absolutely humble chambers. He sleeps there so he'll hear if someone gets into the church late at night, generally looking for help.
He tries to push himself up to his feet, his stained hand leaving a red print on the ground. Ah, he'll need to clean this up real good before sunrise. ]
Why have you never let me greet you? Have I done something to offend you...? [ He wonders idly, apparently not quite minding his state. If he had pointy ears, they'd be drooping now. He's not the most perceptive, he's accidentally offended people before. He has no memory of ever having the chance to do that towards this man though, even if he can't shake off the feeling he's entirely familiar. ]
[ Used to silence, and people talking but never talking to him, Chu Wanning isn't quite sure what to say to Mo Ran rambling like that. Nor is he sure what to say about Mo Ran nuzzling into his hand like an eager child or cute puppy. Chu Wanning is cold and distant and terrifying, and yet here this man is, leaning into him, trusting him.
He should say something about that. And he should pull back and scold Mo Ran, warn him away from being so familiar with him. It serves no purpose. He should be more careful. Chu Wanning frowns down at him, the expression growing even more fierce when Mo Ran struggles to get up. ]
Stay still, stop moving. [ He sounds harsher than he means to, but with Mo Ran still bleeding, there's no need for him to try to walk to his room or do something stupid. ] You'll just make your injuries worse.
[ Chu Wanning is strong enough that he thinks nothing of picking up Mo Ran in a princess hold, one arm around his back and the other beneath his knees and carrying him to the bedroom. It is a simple room, but Chu Wanning pays no attention to that as he sets Mo Ran down on the bed. He's going to stain the blankets, he realizes, and makes a little sound of discontent. ]
Your blankets will be bloody. I apologize.
[ All of this gives him an easy way to avoid answering Mo Ran's question. ]
[ Mo Ran doesn't quite see how he can get away from here if he doesn't get up-- but, well, that's all too easily solved by his savior. Mo Ran's eyes widen and he even makes a weird, squeaky noise upon being picked up so easily. He's a really tall man and quite heavy at that: how in the world is this man able to just carry him? Surprise eclipses even pain and he can only feel his heart beating too fast and his whole face getting warm as he stares at the man's face while the world moves. Oh, this is bad. Very bad. This feeling in his chest is entirely inappropriate.
Even as he's laid down, he's still boggled, that nagging sensation in the back of his mind getting more insistent. This stranger isn't a human at all, is he? He had that very same impression when he laid eyes on him during mass before. There's something uncanny about him, that the perfection of his looks and his strength just make more obvious.
Mo Ran doesn't really care about his bloody blankets. ]
Were you... sent from above? [ It sounds entirely ridiculous even to a man of faith. But there are demons, after all... why couldn't there be angels? A glimpse of golden light keeps appearing in his memories. ]
My name is Mo Ran. How should I address you? [ He reaches out again to try and grab the other's forearm, trying to tug him forward, towards him. ]
[ Chu Wanning goes still, eyes darting all over the room, looking anywhere but at Mo Ran when he asks about being sent from above. Technically, he's right, but Chu Wanning can't confirm that, but he also doesn't want to outright lie to his charge. So he settles for saying nothing, lips just pressing into a thin line.
He just wasn't sent down this time to protect Mo Ran from the demons, so maybe that's the way he can get around it. Chu Wanning is so busy thinking up what to say, and how to continue this conversation that he doesn't realize it when Mo Ran grabs his arm until he's being yanked forward.
He yelps, landing with his hand on Mo Ran's chest as he falls forward. Chu Wanning turns his eyes toward Mo Ran, frowning at him. ] Stay still, you'll aggravate your bleeding. Foolish child. [ Never mind that Mo Ran isn't a child, and probably knows more about this bleeding stuff than Chu Wanning does. He gingerly pulls away, looking at his chest for any more bleeding. He can't tell if there's any fresh blood, and where it's coming from, but he knows enough to be concerned. ] Where are your bandages? You can call me Chu Wanning.
[ If anything, silence settles it more than any answer. Mo Ran observes the other's apparent discomfort as he glances around and presses his lips together, as if debating how to reply, or whether to at all. It almost looks like he doesn't want to give him any half-truth and Mo Ran appreciates that. Not to mention that this man, who isn't a man at all is he, looks entirely endearing when he seems wronged like that-- goodness, he keeps having troubling thoughts.
He can't help a chuckle when he gets scolded, his dimples bracketing his earnest smile. He's way too big to be considered a child by now. He supposes they consider age very differently, him and this celestial creature. ]
It's not as bad as it seems. For some reason, I heal way more quickly than I'm supposed to... [ It's been like that ever since he was a teenager and he doesn't quite know why. To show the other, he slips the white band that denotes his role out of his collar and then he quickly unbuttons his black shirt, peeling away the two halves from his damp wounds.
He has two series of scratches on his lower abdomen, right above his pants, across golden skin and tight abs. They're already healing at the edges, no matter black veins trying to branch out, as if to taint him. Blood seems to be drying quickly. ]
If you could get some water to clean it up, that'd be more than enough, hm, Wanning gege. [ He assures, trying to push aside some long stray locks that have been sticking to his temples, only to unwittingly leave a bloody stain behind. ]
[ Chu Wanning knows why Mo Ran heals faster, but he says nothing about it, as though he can just ignore everything that might out him, or make him seem more interesting to Mo Ran. Or lead him to realize Chu Wanning has been around a lot longer than he suspects.
He watches as Mo Ran strips off his shirt, eyes going a little wide with panic. Mo Ran is incredibly handsome, even with the scratches as bloody trails across his skin. Chu Wanning hopes they won't scar; it would be a pity to mar that perfect, golden skin.
The thought makes him flush, and he looks away, gaze cutting across the rest of the room. It's simple and neat, and Chu Wanning wonders if that's just because of who Mo Ran is, or if it's because he has very little. The bed surely isn't that comfortable, but he seems to be okay with it.
When he brushes Chu Wanning's hair out of his face, the man starts, and looks at him again. He really isn't used to people touching him like that. Or even seeing him. He feels exposed with Mo Ran, though he knows there's no danger. It's been so long since he's had anything like this, and Chu Wanning is so lonely. ]
I'll be right back.
[ He scoots away, still looking at Mo Ran, and then ducks out of his room to find a bowl and some water. It takes him a few minutes, especially since the water he finds doesn't seem clean, and blessing it to cleanse makes it shine; he tries to hide that, but it's impossible, and he struggles with what to do.
Mo Ran has already assumed he's an angel. Perhaps he'll just put this down as a fever dream the next day, and Chu Wanning can safely hide again. He doesn't want to linger too much longer away from him. He returns with the bowl of water, and lengths of cloth ripped from the hem of his inner robes. ]
[ It feels suddenly colder when Wanning leaves, albeit shortly, and Mo Ran doesn't know what to do himself. There's a tingling under his skin, like his every cell is begging for the other to be back as soon as possible, like he can't do without him. It's a peculiar feeling he's never had before --or maybe he has, a long time ago, vaguely, in a dream.
Mo Ran claims to be well but he drifts into a sticky, uncomfortable light sleep while he's alone, much like a feverish one. He still feels the demon's clutches, the pain ripping his skin apart, the effort of the exorcism that burns him from the inside out. Cold sweat rolls like pearls on his skin and he only wakes with a startle when he senses a light, more than seeing it.
Bleary eyes search the room and land on the bowl of water, the holy sheen of it, on which he doesn't comment. He only smiles at Wanning, sweet and earnest, dimples deep. He shifts on the small bed to try and make more room for him. ]
Gege... it stops hurting when you're around. [ He rambles and it's not quite his wounds that he's talking about. ] Right here... [ He catches the other's hand and presses it to his chest, holding it in place above his heart. He exhales shakily, the relief overwhelming. ] It always aches for something, someone... sometimes it's hard to breathe.
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He doesn't quite care he's bleeding. It's honestly happened too many times before, was it accident or exorcism, and he's not number one on the self-preservation list. After his original sin, he probably shouldn't be alive at all, so he's always considered all his time borrowed. The guilt he carries makes it hard to forget.
What Mo Ran cares about right now is the blurry vision before him, to the point he stretches his hand out in a surprising show of reflexes for an injured man on the floor, grasping the other's wrist bruisingly. He's always been a little too strong, a little too perceptive. There's something inside his chest that knows this vision surrounded by a golden aura is true, even if he can't quite put it into focus. It's like his soul is ringing, catching the same sound coming from another, identical bell.
Mo Ran gathers his thoughts, burning fingers clutching onto ice cold, smooth skin like he fears this familiar sight will fade away once again; he closes his eyes for a moment and adjusts his breathing. When he opens them again, a clear purple hue, he recognizes instantly the man who escaped from him more than once in his church and his whole face brightens, at odds with his condition. His hand unconsciously holds more tightly. ]
...you're here. Finally. [ He smiles, wide and sweet, all too fitting on a big, excited dog. Nevermind his face is splattered with blood and paler than usual, he's still happy. He presses his forearm against his stomach, his black outfit hiding how much blood has already oozed out. ]
I knew you were real. You had to be. [ As he says that, he finally looks past those charmingly kind eyes to the man's whole appearance and his heart stutters. It was clear even from a distance, but up close, goodness, this man is just... beautiful. Pale skin, determined eyebrows and a whole air of power and candor about him. Mo Ran wouldn't have minded getting beat up by him instead of the demons. ]
Ah-- it's dangerous here! You should leave...! [ Not knowing who it is he's talking to and how he's just been rescued, he instinctively tries to sit up and look around, to protect the stranger from threat. ]
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It's impossible to tell where he is injured, and Chu Wanning is loath to leave him like this, but the touch makes him freeze. He's been seen too many times by this man, from the early days of his youth to now, and Chu Wanning has made too many mistakes with him. Drawn the demons to him, probably. And he just keeps making more and more mistakes.
He could break the grip, for although Mo Ran's fingers are tight around his wrist, Chu Wanning is stronger still. But he looks so happy, that big, wide smile. No one has smiled at Chu Wanning in all his years, and it makes his heart flutter. A weakness, his mentor would say, and Chu Wanning knows he's right, because the decision to stay is easy in light of that smile. He doesn't deserve it, but he wants to bask in it. ]
There is no danger. Those things attacking you are gone. [ Chu Wanning places his other hand on Mo Ran's torso, trying to feel where he is injured. He's no healer, never learned the skills, because they are not meant to do this, unless they could take the form of a doctor or nurse. And he can't do that now. ] Don't talk, you're still injured. I do not have any bandages.
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Mo Ran is always a little too touchy-feely, he's been scolded about it one too many times, as it gives the wrong impression (though, really, can a priest give a wrong impression?) but this goes beyond it. There's a relief to touching this man that pools in the depth of his chest, fills his lungs and his heart. It's like he needs to be close to him and he's never quite felt something like it. In his current condition, he doesn't even realize it's inappropriate as he doesn't even know the other's name and yet he's acting like a puppy towards him.
He exhales shakily when his torso is touched, not quite because it hurts, he's used to that, but because he's suddenly realizing how touch-starved he is. All these years it's gone completely unnoticed and yet now it seems so blatant. ]
It's okay... I heal quickly. My room is right past that door... can you help me get there? [ He wonders softly, his lips still stretched into a smile as he opens his eyes again and looks at the stranger a little dazed. He nods towards a door to the right of the altar, leading to absolutely humble chambers. He sleeps there so he'll hear if someone gets into the church late at night, generally looking for help.
He tries to push himself up to his feet, his stained hand leaving a red print on the ground. Ah, he'll need to clean this up real good before sunrise. ]
Why have you never let me greet you? Have I done something to offend you...? [ He wonders idly, apparently not quite minding his state. If he had pointy ears, they'd be drooping now. He's not the most perceptive, he's accidentally offended people before. He has no memory of ever having the chance to do that towards this man though, even if he can't shake off the feeling he's entirely familiar. ]
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He should say something about that. And he should pull back and scold Mo Ran, warn him away from being so familiar with him. It serves no purpose. He should be more careful. Chu Wanning frowns down at him, the expression growing even more fierce when Mo Ran struggles to get up. ]
Stay still, stop moving. [ He sounds harsher than he means to, but with Mo Ran still bleeding, there's no need for him to try to walk to his room or do something stupid. ] You'll just make your injuries worse.
[ Chu Wanning is strong enough that he thinks nothing of picking up Mo Ran in a princess hold, one arm around his back and the other beneath his knees and carrying him to the bedroom. It is a simple room, but Chu Wanning pays no attention to that as he sets Mo Ran down on the bed. He's going to stain the blankets, he realizes, and makes a little sound of discontent. ]
Your blankets will be bloody. I apologize.
[ All of this gives him an easy way to avoid answering Mo Ran's question. ]
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Even as he's laid down, he's still boggled, that nagging sensation in the back of his mind getting more insistent. This stranger isn't a human at all, is he? He had that very same impression when he laid eyes on him during mass before. There's something uncanny about him, that the perfection of his looks and his strength just make more obvious.
Mo Ran doesn't really care about his bloody blankets. ]
Were you... sent from above? [ It sounds entirely ridiculous even to a man of faith. But there are demons, after all... why couldn't there be angels? A glimpse of golden light keeps appearing in his memories. ]
My name is Mo Ran. How should I address you? [ He reaches out again to try and grab the other's forearm, trying to tug him forward, towards him. ]
Please, sit here on the bed, sir.
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He just wasn't sent down this time to protect Mo Ran from the demons, so maybe that's the way he can get around it. Chu Wanning is so busy thinking up what to say, and how to continue this conversation that he doesn't realize it when Mo Ran grabs his arm until he's being yanked forward.
He yelps, landing with his hand on Mo Ran's chest as he falls forward. Chu Wanning turns his eyes toward Mo Ran, frowning at him. ] Stay still, you'll aggravate your bleeding. Foolish child. [ Never mind that Mo Ran isn't a child, and probably knows more about this bleeding stuff than Chu Wanning does. He gingerly pulls away, looking at his chest for any more bleeding. He can't tell if there's any fresh blood, and where it's coming from, but he knows enough to be concerned. ] Where are your bandages? You can call me Chu Wanning.
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He can't help a chuckle when he gets scolded, his dimples bracketing his earnest smile. He's way too big to be considered a child by now. He supposes they consider age very differently, him and this celestial creature. ]
It's not as bad as it seems. For some reason, I heal way more quickly than I'm supposed to... [ It's been like that ever since he was a teenager and he doesn't quite know why. To show the other, he slips the white band that denotes his role out of his collar and then he quickly unbuttons his black shirt, peeling away the two halves from his damp wounds.
He has two series of scratches on his lower abdomen, right above his pants, across golden skin and tight abs. They're already healing at the edges, no matter black veins trying to branch out, as if to taint him. Blood seems to be drying quickly. ]
If you could get some water to clean it up, that'd be more than enough, hm, Wanning gege. [ He assures, trying to push aside some long stray locks that have been sticking to his temples, only to unwittingly leave a bloody stain behind. ]
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He watches as Mo Ran strips off his shirt, eyes going a little wide with panic. Mo Ran is incredibly handsome, even with the scratches as bloody trails across his skin. Chu Wanning hopes they won't scar; it would be a pity to mar that perfect, golden skin.
The thought makes him flush, and he looks away, gaze cutting across the rest of the room. It's simple and neat, and Chu Wanning wonders if that's just because of who Mo Ran is, or if it's because he has very little. The bed surely isn't that comfortable, but he seems to be okay with it.
When he brushes Chu Wanning's hair out of his face, the man starts, and looks at him again. He really isn't used to people touching him like that. Or even seeing him. He feels exposed with Mo Ran, though he knows there's no danger. It's been so long since he's had anything like this, and Chu Wanning is so lonely. ]
I'll be right back.
[ He scoots away, still looking at Mo Ran, and then ducks out of his room to find a bowl and some water. It takes him a few minutes, especially since the water he finds doesn't seem clean, and blessing it to cleanse makes it shine; he tries to hide that, but it's impossible, and he struggles with what to do.
Mo Ran has already assumed he's an angel. Perhaps he'll just put this down as a fever dream the next day, and Chu Wanning can safely hide again. He doesn't want to linger too much longer away from him. He returns with the bowl of water, and lengths of cloth ripped from the hem of his inner robes. ]
no subject
Mo Ran claims to be well but he drifts into a sticky, uncomfortable light sleep while he's alone, much like a feverish one. He still feels the demon's clutches, the pain ripping his skin apart, the effort of the exorcism that burns him from the inside out. Cold sweat rolls like pearls on his skin and he only wakes with a startle when he senses a light, more than seeing it.
Bleary eyes search the room and land on the bowl of water, the holy sheen of it, on which he doesn't comment. He only smiles at Wanning, sweet and earnest, dimples deep. He shifts on the small bed to try and make more room for him. ]
Gege... it stops hurting when you're around. [ He rambles and it's not quite his wounds that he's talking about. ] Right here... [ He catches the other's hand and presses it to his chest, holding it in place above his heart. He exhales shakily, the relief overwhelming. ] It always aches for something, someone... sometimes it's hard to breathe.