"Sunday" Six

[extrapenguin]

Easter Monday counts as a Sunday, right? *g* I'm finally picking my way through the Space Swap collection that revealed (I know, bad mod), and I have some writing updates to share. I do not quite have six fics to share updates from, but ideas count as things, right?

1. That WIP? Now 41.9k according to gedit! AO3's wordcount is slightly lower than gedit's, always, but as I will have to fill in the sections that have [finish scene], it'll definitely be over 40k. It's the longest thing I've written, and it's novel-length! Woohoo! Posting will hopefully start during the first week of May.

"The art of cultivation requires a mind open to the world. How can your mind be open if you close your eyes to duty and fill your heart with hubris?" Wei Wuxian asked. "Now, let us sweep the training field. Hurry up and take a broom!"

2. My 520 Day Reverse Exchange Fic has quadrupled in wordcount! \o/ It is over the minimum already. Now I can just sail at the plot points I've planned. In an emergency, such as the plot growing into a 40k monster I cannot finish in time, the first scene sort of stands alone. (There's also another flexion point that could be rewritten into an ending a few scenes further in.) I really want to write the rest of the fic, though, and since this is now my biggest writing priority, it should be doable.

No quotes because this is exchange fic.

3. I've had a blast doing porny Storytime on the Guardian Discord. Live writing for an audience is surprisingly doable for me; it's how I wrote Alas for him, so beautiful when tied! (in another fandom, on another Discord) and What Makes the Blood Run. I do need to clean up the drafts later and elaborate upon stuff, though. There are three things in my queue – the first one is the collar porn, which needs a start and a wrap-up, plus characterization read-through. (ETA: posted!)

Zhao Yunlan kept a hand at the collar, against Shen Wei's jugular where his rushing heartrate was obvious, planted his legs on the bed, and rolled his hips into Shen Wei's delicious heat. This wonderful man was madly powerful and could shed the collar by a myriad means, from teleporting out of it to working the latch at the nape of his neck, but he wanted it – wanted to wear it because Zhao Yunlan had given it to him, just like he proudly wore the name Zhao Yunlan had bestowed on him.

4. The second one is omegaverse breeding kink, which I was somehow enticed into writing (it seemed like a good idea at the time, okay); my secondhand embarrassment is quite a block to editing this, and the start is just a whole lot of summary, but there's porn in there, and I might be persuadable to edit it into something. And because much like Zhao Yunlan, I have no shame, I'd then post it onto AO3 and not even make it anon... (ETA: posted!

Shen Wei looked at the rended sheets with embarrassment, then turned to Zhao Yunlan. Like in their cat and mouse games, he seemed to be considering his next words carefully, though with a more dazed expression than usual. One of his hands went down to where they were joined together and pressed his finger in at the rim. They both shivered.

5. The third one is Zhao Yunlan getting very possessive after seeing his boyfriend get flirted with all night and not being allowed to go stand next to him because that might affect the fundraising. This one only needs tweaking of flow and characterization, plus maybe some elaborating. (They all do, but this one doesn't need anything else.) (ETA: posted!)

Shen Wei blinked slowly. "You know I can't turn off my healing powers," he gently said.

"Oh, but *I* can," Zhao Yunlan said, and brought out the spare Dixing power suppressing handcuffs from the bedside table. "Do you think I pay Lin Jing for nothing? With these, I can handcuff you to the bed and you can't do anything about it."

6. In with a stretch, but the The Goblin Emperor fandom is organizing a filth fest. I'll see if I can write a suitably dodgy PWP! I have some ideas already. Csoru will likely end up being orgasmic in a very unhappy way...

Comments

[firestar]

It's an excellent reason! XD (also, kids plural? i would like to subscribe to this newsletter please) And hey, at least Yunlan knows that communication is a thing and would probably be a pretty decent parent for talking things through with?

Oooh, though. Are they upfront about it, like 'hey, here's your grandkids, congrats, they're half Dixingren' or 'he is never coming them ever' and so doesn't even find out until they're, like, toddlers or something? XD

[extrapenguin]

kids plural?
Between the tendency for twins being hereditary and China's kid policy relaxing from one to two kids, I imagine they'd manage to create two little troublemakers. There are also the angstier scenarios where Zhao Yunlan woos single parent Shen Wei with the aim of maybe eventually adding another child to the family, only to discover that the ass who abandoned a pregnant Shen Wei was none other than himself as Kunlun...

I think they'd tell Zhao Xinci that his grandkids will be half-Dixing and thus Dixingian, based on Shen Wei's research, then make decisions based on his reaction. I imagine he'd come around somewhat under Zhang Shi's influence, but more "we are taking the kids to visit grampa" than "grampa will babysit the kids". Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are disillusioned enough about him to not trust him too much, but on the other hand, filial loyalty. He'll know the kids exist.

[firestar]

Yeah, I thought about the twins-run-in-families thing after I hit send. XD

Oh, that angsty scenario hurts but is also so good?? You have so. much. to make up for in that scenario, Zhao Yunlan. Unintentional it may have been, but ouch. XD

Hm, yeah, that's true. I keep forgetting filial loyalty is a much bigger thing in China than it is here. *facepalms*

[extrapenguin]

Further googling revealed that *fraternal* twins (ovulating with both ovaries) runs in families, while Shen Wei and Ye Zun are identical, so maybe less risk of twins?

Zhao Yunlan would feel super duper guilty in that scenario! Their teenage OC kid would just be very eye-roll-y at the whole thing, since Shen Wei would forbid the kid from telling Yunlan anything. Or maybe rebellious kid would tell dad all the things, significantly altering the plot progression due to Zhao Yunlan having more pieces of the puzzle? Hmm. There would be groveling and pampering by Zhao Yunlan, though, and he'd really quickly do his best to become The Best Father.

[firestar]

*nods* Maybe. But from a fic POV why not? XD Go all out.

Hm, maybe *some* of the things, but not all of the things? Depending on how said teenager feels about Yunlan's initial reactions to, say, the Envoy, or his early suspicions regarding people from Dixing who aren't Chu Shuzhi. Or about said ~abandonment~.

But yes, once Yunlan knows that particular information he would absolutely work his ass off to be a great parent/husband/wife/whatever and make up for everything as much as he can.

[extrapenguin]

Ah yes, from a fic perspective I can have Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan responsibly starting with one child - except it's quadruplets! Sorry, guys. :P

Hmm, the teen would probably not be there for a lot of Shen Wei's initial conversations with Zhao Yunlan, and I doubt Shen Wei would paint a negative image of Kunlun, so it'd be more about whether or not Zhao Yunlan lived up to expectations?

Yunlan would go out being an excellent spouse and good parent to woo Shen Wei, but yes, he would magically discover extra skills and effort when told that the kid is his and he abandoned his family, albeit unwittingly. Poor Zhao Yunlan, he thinks he has something nice and then the universe tosses some extra complications at him. At least he has a nice xiao-Wei to fall asleep with at the end of the day.

[firestar]

*laughs* Okay, maybe not so much all out. XD But twins would definitely work. >.>

*nods* This is true. And also, a feeling Zhao Yunlan is probably very familiar with from personal experience, albeit in a slightly different way. (unrelated, but gdi, just went to write way and started with wei instead, ffffff.)

Poor Zhao Yunlan, he thinks he has something nice and then the universe tosses some extra complications at him.

This is, unfortunately, his life. Poor bb. :(

[extrapenguin]

Quadruplets would be only the realm of crackfic, yes. Twins are much more probable, and would confront Shen Wei's issues in a delightful manner. (Ye Zun! I hope they'd have reconciled so the uncle could babysit.)

True, Zhao Yunlan would have a bunch of experience between his mom dying and his dad being, uh, emotionally absent. So he'd have some idea of where to start, and what sorts of father-child bonding sessions would be less bad ideas than others.

just went to write way and started with wei instead
Ha! Your fingers only want to give Zhao Yunlan a Shen Wei, not any issues. :P

[firestar]

Well, hopefully they would have reconciled by then, yes. It would be awkward if they were still trying to kill each other. Also, hopefully Ye Zun doesn't have too much of a snit about them being half Haixingren so they have at least some extended family outside of Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan.

*sulks* It's not my fault they sound the same. :( But also, he can have both. Both is good. >.>

[extrapenguin]

Given Ye Zun's massive, weapons-grade Issues, he would hopefully be in therapy, which would give him the toolkit for dealing with niblings, eventually. I don't think his prejudices against Haixingians are of the same caliber as Zhao Xinci's against Dixingians; it'd be more brother issues à la "Gege has EVEN MORE people he cares about more than he cares about me .____." I'd imagine that he'd also be at risk of becoming overly attached to the little things that like him. Then they'd have a much too indulgent and overprotective extra parent to shoo off.

[firestar]

Well, given that those prejudices were at least partially the result of brainwashing he might be able to let go of those more easily. The brother issues, though. No lie, I kinda want them in a joint session where everything's all out in the open, even if they have to pry Shen Wei's feelings out of him in increments.

Hah, yes. If they thought the parents were bad enough in dangerous situations, Uncle 'I will inhale anyone who even *thinks* about touching them' Ye Zun, would be even worse.

[extrapenguin]

I kinda want them in a joint session where everything's all out in the open, even if they have to pry Shen Wei's feelings out of him in increments.
!!! Me too! I want the fic from the psychologist's POV, trying to convince both of them to take off their metaphorical masks and not clam up/fall into threats. At least Zhao Yunlan has an Olympic gold medal in communication. *g*

Hah, yes. If they thought the parents were bad enough in dangerous situations, Uncle 'I will inhale anyone who even *thinks* about touching them' Ye Zun, would be even worse.
It's wrong, but now I want a Ye Zun vs Zhao Xinci showdown over the kids. "Please don't snort my dad" isn't exactly a phrase Zhao Yunlan expected he'd ever need to say.

[firestar]

God, I hope that psychologist is getting hazard pay on top of their regular fees. >.> I would say Zhao Yunlan might be needed to facilitate communication but that would so not help Ye Zun's issues with his brother loving someone more than him.

*cackles* That would be a thing of beauty, though. XD

[extrapenguin]

Let's go ahead and say that the psychologist is someone whose Dixing power is dodging. :P

Zhao Yunlan's presence might help coax some things out of Shen Wei, and Ye Zun would be reminded of and air his issues, so maybe one or two sessions with Zhao Yunlan? Then he can go wrangle the SID while the twins are busy. And obviously the solution to Ye Zun's jealousy is a threesome, so he can receive love from Zhao Yunlan as well, and gege will love him in all the ways!

[firestar]

*laughs* I'm so tempted to throw He Kaixin at them, as he's a psychologist specialising in hypnosis therapy, but that might be one Zhu Yilong face too many and the twins would be confused. XD

Heh, those sessions might need extra dodging powers before Ye Zun calms down. 'You'll talk for him, but not for me? raaaagh'. And so on. Before the jealousy is resolved in whichever manners suits all parties. XD

[extrapenguin]

He Kaixin can also wear a mask! He'd fit right in! :D (He's the secret cousin, right?)

Didi just wants hugs and attention! Why is gege getting all the attention???? If nothing else, Zhao Yunlan would be glad for it all being the therapist's problem and being able to relax a bit and just be Shen Wei's emotional support human.

[firestar]

Heh, maybe. Maybe several generations removed, or else what's his excuse for still being around 10,000 years later? XD

Gege always gets all the attention! It's not fair! He will make this *everyone's* problem.

[extrapenguin]

Uhh... his parents hid in the meteor shelter stasis pods! He was only born 10 000 years later!

Ye Zun you poor little bb. The therapist needs to hire someone to give him headpats. Ya Qing might not be that keen if it's post-canon, but perhaps there'll be some enthusiastic little minion who's recruitable. Or Zhao Yunlan could be sweet-talked into it.

[firestar]

...gdi, that would be an awesome idea for Guardian fic, though. Not with Kaixin necessarily but just in general. Statis pods and time dilation fields and stuff combining to hide a whole bunch of original planet survivors or something.

*laughs* Xiao Guo can take him to an orphanage he volunteers at and let small children climb all over him and cuddle him. >.>

[extrapenguin]

Ye Zun's mom comes out of stasis and scolds him for being an idiot! (Shen Wei shows off his boyfriend.) They arrived on a spaceship, surely there'd be some technology left behind?

Xiao Guo can take him to an orphanage he volunteers at and let small children climb all over him and cuddle him.
Aww, that would be adorable! Even Ye Zun's heart might melt a bit after it was done panicking about the things crawling on him. He even has the power of making his clothes clean instantly! Perfect fit for grimy kids!

[firestar]

Yesssss. Might take some finding/getting out of, because a lot of stuff probably got buried a bit in 10k plus years, but both twins could probably do with a bit of maternal terror in their lives again. >.> (And while we're at it, in a 'verse where Yunlan's mom is alive, the two of them can be terrifying together. XD)

Right? Tidy the clothes and the hair, all good as new. And they're so tiny! Clearly not a threat and MUST PROTECT FROM THREATS AT ALL COSTS.

[extrapenguin]

If they have stasis tech, they probably have "remove all the soil" tech, too. And yes, they deserve some parents and other loved ones. Yunlan, too, deserves some extra in-laws who'll scrutinize him.

I actually imagine Ye Zun would be terrified of the tots and their tantrums for a long while! After all, they're small, unpredictable, like screaming, and likely tried to eat him at least once. Eventually, however, he'd grow to like his collection of ducklings and grow (overly) protective of them.

[firestar]

Yeah, Yunlan needs some family that's not terrible at communicating. XD

He's getting a taste of his own medicine then. XD At least in terms of unpredictable, eating people and emotional outbursts anyway.

[extrapenguin]

But what if ... the family is even worse at communication than Shen Wei is? :DDDD Zhao Yunlan would be so depressed. But maybe Shen Wei might be enticeable into learning how to communicate better when faced with such negative examples?

How dare, Ye Zun's unpredictable noms and emotional outburts are completely logical and artisanal, unlike those of the human larvae who stain his white robes! Stop laughing, Yunlan!

[firestar]

Is it even possible to be worse at communication? XD

...Nope, Yunlan is just gonna laugh and laugh. And possibly throw Da Qing to the wolves into the mix as well, because who doesn't love cats? XD >.>