Ten Miles from You (Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms)

Longevity (Zhe Yan & Bai Zhen)

Summary:

It's the first time Zhe Yan has had this happen to him.

—

Zhe Yan is present for the birth of every one of the Fox Queen's children, but he admits a certain fondness for Bai Zhen.

Bai Zhen is a very beautiful child, even in his first year. His lashes are longer than his mother's, and the expressions of his face are wholesome whether he laughs or smiles or frowns.

He is small but he clambers onto Zhe Yan easily, settling into his arms as a soft red nine-tailed fox. Maybe it is because Zhe Yan has guided and even babysat Bai Zhen's older brothers on occasion (though never one that seems not to know private space) that a child's overfamiliarity with him is not at all new. However, now at 300 years old, Bai Zhen is the first one of the sons to demand—

"A kiss?" Zhe Yan repeats, momentarily taken aback. He wonders if the Fox Queen is more tactile with Bai Zhen than she has been with her other three sons in the some years that Zhe Yan has occasionally visited their Fox Den, and so this direct request would not at all unusual for the youngest son of Qian Qiu to an occasional visitor. Of course at first, Bai Zhen's overwhelming willingness to be carried by him during a walk through Peach Blossom Street was also unusual.

Bai Zhen nods, gaze straight. It is an honest expression of a child, without the playings of ulterior motives.

Bai Yi, his older brother, immediately stands, uncertain about Zhe Yan's pause. "Please do not take insult, High God," he says, ever formal and ever serious, even for his odd 10,000 years. His hands clasp before him. "My brother is affectionate, a trait my mother encourages in him."

"A kiss?" Bai Zhen continues, not at all phased. He crawls up on Zhe Yan's lap, intent on taking his attention; he'd been sitting beside Zhe Yan, rubbing the petals of the peach blossom branch idly between his fingers, happy after a day of play at Peach Blossom Street, and completely forgetful of the sweet candy Zhe Yan has brought for him as a present.

Bai Yi's eyebrows furrow: at the impropriety, at the possible offense, at at his own horror. "Bai Zhen—!"

"It is no offense, Bai Yi." Zhe Yan waves his hand and sleeve at him, but his eyes observe the youngest fox prince carefully. Bai Zhen sits there happily; if he had his fox tails out, no doubt they would be wagging. "Our Bai Zhen is quite an opportunist. Did you decide since last year to wait until my visit to ask?"

"No. Bai Zhen just wants one." Large brown nearly black eyes look up at him earnestly. Zhe Yan finds himself somewhat amused at this, though as for why he cannot quite say.

"Now," he questions, "why should I give you a kiss? Should it not be filial to be giving your elders a kiss instead?"

Bai Zhen cheers up. The worry of his expression has given way to a sunny disposition, and he leans up.

"But," Zhe Yan says, and he taps Bai Zhen's forehead with the tip of his closed fan, "I do not let anyone just kiss me."

"Bai Zhen is not anyone!" the little fox prince protests. "Bai Zhen will marry High God."

"Bai Zhen!" By now, Bai Yi looks even more concerned. This will not do; Zhe Yan was entrusted with the company of two of the Nine-tailed Fox Clan's royal sons, and now they are both troubled.

And, Zhe Yan finds himself fond of Bai Zhen's affection, however young it is. Bai Zhen might not remember, but he was one year old when he tried to kiss Zhe Yan. And now at 300 years old, history is repeating itself.

"'Marry'?" Zhe Yan chuckles. "Wait 100,000 more years, and take time to culivate yourself."

"Then can Bai Zhen visit High God's peach blossoms?"

"Little rascal," Zhe Yan scolds lightly. "Is that why you asked?"

But he finds he does not mind this.