Both AiLin and Jing walked around the streets finding all different things to eat. They had stopped in one of Jing's favorite tea houses. AiLin loved the sight of Ciqikou. Ciqikou was slower than Chongqing and wasn't as bad either. Everyone knew everyone and they were nice as well. AiLin picked up his cup and watched the people as they walked by. Watching the young and old getting along made him smile.
Jing watched AiLin as he watched everything around him. Seeing AiLin reacting to everything made him wonder how he lived in the forest alone for so long.
''So LiYun brought you back here'' Jing said, breaking the silence between them.
AiLin looked at him and nodded ''I'm not sure what I can do though. I don't know anything about martial arts like the three of you. I do know how to cook though'' he said taking a drink of his tea.
''That would be perfect'' Jing said perking up ''A home cooked meal would be way better than always eating out. In fact, instead of getting something, how about we make something to eat. It's been awhile since any of us had a freshly homemade meal.'' Just thinking about it made Jing's eyes lighten up.
AiLin laughed softly ''Guessing none of you know how to cook then'' he asked.
''Sadly no, LiYun tried to cook once'' the look on Jing's face told it all before he could say anything else ''That stupid dragon almost burnt down the place. I never learned how and as for Kong, well we raised him since he was seven so he doesn't know either.''
AiLin thought for a while. Since the three of them didn't know how to cook then this would be perfect. AiLin stood up and grabbed Jing pulling him out to the street. He looked around for a moment then went to one of the food stalls. AiLin still had plenty of money that the old lady had given him. AiLin ran around all the street markets and bought all that he and Jing could carry in their arms. Jing just followed and laughed as he watched how excited the little fox was getting from buying food.
''Hey, I think we got enough. Let's head back. If you stay gone to long that the stupid dragon will come looking for sure'' Jing said.
AiLin stopped and nodded ''Yeah, he is stupid like that'' he teased laughing.
Jing shook his head as they headed back ''Tell me something, Ai. Why did you agree to come back with LiYun anyways'' he asked looking at him confused.
AiLin really didn't know himself how to answer that ''It's just something about him that I'm just drawn to'' AiLin smiled thinking about how LiYun held his hand the whole way here. ''He looks mean but he is soft and kind as well. So, I feel comfortable around him'' AiLin hugged the food he bought close to his chest.
Jing watched his every move and expression. He smiled as he could tell AiLin really meant every word he said about LiYun. Jing laughed a bit.
''What about Kong? What is it about him you like'' AiLin asked.
Jing stopped and looked at him ''Excuse me'' he said confused.
AiLin turned and looked back at him ''Kong, what about him do you like'' he smiled and started to walk again ''He seems like trouble to me but he also seems like he has a kind side as well. Wolfs are known to be troublesome but loyal as well.''
Jing never really gave it any much thought. The only time they were close like that was when they were teaching a class. They had never slept together in the past. In fact, Jing could always remember Kong being kind of stand offish when it came to things like that. It was the first time Kong had embraced anyone.
AiLin looked back at Jing who was lost in thought ''Well'' he said.
Jing shook his head snapping out of it ''To me Kong is still a kid. As you said, he is troublesome but he is kind as well. Very loyal too.'' They reached the door to The White Dragon and peeked in ''Should we cook first or wake them'' he said nodding for AiLin to peek in.
AiLin looked in and laughed ''Let's cook then wake them.''
When they walked in, they could hear both of them snoring. AiLin and Jing laughed softly as they walked quietly upstairs.
After an hour AiLin was finally done cooking. He let a sigh of relief out. Jing wasn't much help after all. AiLin looked over to see Jing sleeping on the couch hugging a pillow. He shook his head and walked down the stairs only to find both Kong and LiYun were still sleeping.
''Kong, hey Kong'' he said softly poking him ''Time to get up.''
Kong groaned and grabbed AiLin pulling him in to hug. AiLin laughed.
''Kong, if you don't let go Li may end up hurting you'' AiLin said
''He is right, Kong. Let go or there will be hell to pay'' LiYun said sitting up.
Kong's eyes popped open as he pulled away from AiLin ''Shit. My bad little fox.''
AiLin laughed and sat up ''If you want to hug on someone Jing is upstairs sleeping on the couch cuddling a pillow'' he teased ''Also I made food.''
''FOOD? YOU MADE IT? THANKS!'' Kong said running up the stairs.
AiLin laughed more as he stood only to get pulled back down onto LiYun's lap. His huge arms wrapped around AiLin's small waist. LiYun laid his head against the back of his shoulder as he held him close. AiLin didn't move. He looked at LiYun then reached back and placed a hand on his head.
''The food you cooked smells good, but you smell even better'' LiYun said in a soft tone. ''And the fact that Kong touched you pissed me off. So, till I feel better you have to sit here and endure it.''
AiLin's eyes widened at his words ''Why would it make you upset'' he asked. To AiLin everything was still so new to him.
They had only met two years ago once. After that they had only really spent one full day together. They never even really talked to each other, yet they held each other's hands and now LiYun was hugging on him. In truth AiLin didn't want him to let go. Being here with him like this felt good, even if he couldn't understand why.
They were both drawn to each other in a way that no one could really explain. AiLin sat there thinking about the first time they meet. The two weeks it took for LiYun to come back to the forest seemed like forever for AiLin. When he said he would no long go to the forest anymore and left something in AiLin seem to had left with LiYun. AiLin wiggled a bit just enough to turn and sit sideways looking at LiYun.
He looked back at him. As LiYun looked at him he could feel his heart start to beat fast in his chest. How was it possible that this little fox could make his stone of a heart move? AiLin wrapped his arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. LiYun hugged him back and held him for what seemed like hours. Even if neither of them could understand what was going on, they didn't care. At this moment in time this was where they wanted to be with whom they wanted to be with.
Kong ran up the stairs and went straight to the table where all the food was laid out. He couldn't believe such a little small fox could make such food. Then again, he was feeding a dragon, a wolf and a tiger. Kong was about to dig in when he heard a noise from the living room just behind him. He walked over and looked to his left. He found Jing laying there hugging a pillow close to his chest. He tossed his head back and forth a bit. Kong was confused. Just what could Jing be dreaming about?
Kong slowly walked over and reached out to wake him only to have Jing grab his wrist and his eyes open. Jing laid there breathing heavily. Kong stood there with worry on his face. Of the hundreds of years, they had spent together this was the first time he had even seen Jing this way. Jing looked over at Kong then sat up. Kong knelt down next to the couch.
''You ok, Jing'' he asked with a worried tone.
''Yeah, sorry I didn't mean to scare you like that'' Jing smiled trying to play it off as if it was nothing.
Kong didn't fall for it for one sec. He knew what it was like to wake from a nightmare. Jing reached over and patted his head, but Kong pulled away.
''You don't have to act strong around me you know'' he said in a low voice.
''I know, but really I'm ok'' Jing said once again.
''BULL SHIT!'' Kong shouted ''If you were ok then you wouldn't still be holding onto me shaking'' he held his arm up for Jing to see.
Jing was surprised and let go. Kong just sat there staring at him. Yeah, sure, Jing treated him like a brother and taught him what he knew, but seeing him this way hurt him more then he would have ever thought. Kong balled up his fist.
Deep inside what he was feeling wasn't that for a brother. He wanted to embrace him and hold him. He wanted to protect him and make sure no one would ever hurt him. He wanted to hold him while he slept so that neither of them would ever have nightmares again.
''Kong'' Jing said softly, reaching out for him.
Kong stood up and backed away. He had to leave. If he didn't, he was going to go wolf right here and now. Jing saw how upset Kong was getting. He jumped up and walked over to him.
''Kong, calm down ok'' He said reaching out grabbing his arms.
Just then both LiYun and AiLin came up the stairs to see what was going on. LiYun took a step forward but Jing raised his hand for him to stop.
''I got this. You two stay back'' he said, his eyes never leaving Kong. ''Kong, look at me please'' he said trying to get his attention.
Kong was breathing heavily but managed to look at Jing. Jing moved a bit closer to him slowly sliding his hands up Kong's arms.
''Just look at me and breath ok'' Jing wrapped his arms around Kong's neck hugging him ''See, I'm right here. I promise I'm ok. If something ever happens, I'll let you know first.''
Kong's eyes slowly started to soften. The warmth of Jing hugging him drew him in. He wrapped his arms around Jing's waist pulling him closer and hid his face in Jing's neck. The scent from Jing ended up helping to calm him down.
LiYun and AiLin watched as Jing helped keep Kong from going off. After sometime, Kong moved back and apologized to everyone. They were all finally able to sit down and enjoy the food AiLin made yet started to wonder if he even made enough. He didn't realize just how much they could eat, but it didn't bother him. He enjoyed being around them very much.