"I can't believe all of the tasks are done," Mimi breathes in the night air. It was still a little chilly, but it had not stopped her from breaking the clan leader out of his office and dragging him to the lake.
The clan leader lay next to her on the dock. His eyes were closed, and his hands were over his chest as if he were sleeping. It was rare she saw him like this. His expression is so peaceful. Perhaps it was inspiration from the Gusu clan men that Snow White or Sleeping Beauty had originated from. His light blue robes practically glowed in the moonlight. Smiling to herself, Mimi adjusts her position so that her head is lying upon his stomach. It is only when he starts threading his fingers gently through her hair that Mimi realizes he is still awake.
"It seems unreal to me as well," he says meditatively. He opens his eyes, and Mimi sees love reflecting at her from within those lovely chocolate orbs.
He had not said it in so many words, but he didn't need to. Mimi knew.
"Clan leader?" Mimi turns to her side to face him properly.
He looks down at her and smoothly straightens up so that her head lay in his lap. Mimi is grateful for the night hiding her blush. She had sat in his lap many times as a fox, before and after he had realized her nature. But as a human, it was different.
"What is it?" he asks, and Mimi finds herself mesmerized by his tenderness.
"I . . .," Mimi realizes it had slipped her mind. He waits patiently, gently adjusting her forehead band for her.
"It seems I have forgotten," Mimi reaches up and traces his knuckles with her claws as he continues to stroke the forehead band.
"May I ask you something then?" he asks, finally capturing her hand and bringing it to his lips.
"Of course," Mimi smiles at him encouragingly.
"Will you call me by my name?" his voice is only slightly mischievous.
She bites her lip, "It's going to be difficult. I have been calling you by your title for almost a year now," it would be like losing a friend, the title having so many happy little memories attached to it.
He resumes petting the forehead band and threading his fingers through her hair. Mimi realizes it is similar to how he would put her in her fox form.
"Try, Minori," he requests softly.
Mimi rises and shifts next to him, her knees brushing his hips. He reaches over and touches her cheek with his hand, tucking her loose hair behind her ear. He waits, watching her knowingly.
"Xichen," Mimi finally whispers, and his entire face lights up happily.
He nuzzles their noses together and looks down at her lips for permission. Mimi closes the distance between them and captures his mouth with her own. She licks his bottom lip, asking permission to enter. When he doesn't respond, Mimi pulls away, her cheeks flushing. Had she scared him? Did she misinterpret his signal? Sara had certainly not waited this long for their first kiss.
"I apologize," Lan Xichen closes the distance between them and cups her cheek, "you startled me. I do not have much experience with this."
"You are doing well so far. Just let me know if you feel uncomfortable," Mimi makes an eeping noise as he gently tugs her on to his lap, his hands lingering on her tails.
"Can we try again?" he asks hopefully.
Mimi carefully straddles him, so they are facing each other. She cups his face with her hands, "Is this alright?"
He looks positively adorable framed by her claws; she decides as he nods eagerly. Mimi leans forwards and slowly captures his lips with her own. Wrapping an arm around him, Mimi caresses his face. She licks his bottom lip questioningly. This time, he opens for her, and Mimi slowly allows him to adjust to this new sensation before caressing his tongue with her own. Trying to get him to play. A low moan escapes the clan leader, and Mimi thinks this is possibly the sexiest thing she had ever heard. He wraps his arms around her, clutching her tightly, and Mimi bites back her own moan as she feels him press against her. She didn't want to spook him. Mimi needed to be patient. Changing tactics, she leans back a little prompting him to grope blindly for her lips. Giving in a little to her own desires, Mimi kisses along his jawline, her lips leading to the pulse point behind his ear. She nibbles at his soft skin, and this drags another moan from him. Not wanting to push, Mimi relents and returns to his lips, nuzzling his nose as she did so.
"Must you leave tomorrow?" he asks, bringing their foreheads together.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed in her chest. She caresses Lan Xichen's chest with her hand, resting it over his heart, "Xichen."
He grips her more firmly as if he is afraid she will disappear.
Not having that, Mimi raises her hand from his chest and cups his cheek. "I need to go with Qiaolian to our clan and settle matters there once and for all."
He presses his cheek into her hand, "I will go with you."
Mimi shakes her head sadly, "You are needed here, and if anything should happen, I need to know that my girls are safe."
He opens his eyes and rubs his hands over her arms, "If anything should happen?"
"Qiaolian and I have decided that we need to collect the rest of our family. To keep them safe from our father. Together our strength will be enough to end him."
Pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, Mimi pushes his hair away from his face.
"Marry me tonight," Lan Xichen says suddenly, pressing her against his chest.
Mimi felt her heart race. She had not expected this.
"Just for us," he promises, "Those are my terms. Marry me, and I will be able to let you leave for the unknown."
Pulling away slightly, she stares at Lan Xichen from her spot in his lap, "And give me nothing to look forward to when I return?"
The clan leader blinks in surprise before grinning, "I will marry you a dozen more times if that is what you want," he nuzzles the side of her head with his nose, "Please let us have this."
She pretends to ponder this, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Are you sure it doesn't have anything to do with this?"
Mimi kisses him on the lips. He freezes before pulling her in tightly. They battle for dominance; Mimi gently pushes him down onto the dock.
"It is a benefit," Lan Xichen says eventually, pulling away, so their foreheads touch, "I want us to be married. To say that I belong to you and you belong to me. I want to unite our clans. I want you by my side as the Gusu clan flourishes. I want your sisters to be protected. I . . . want to adopt them if you allow me. I want to watch them grow up and figure out the chicken thing your family seems to be obsessed with. I want to wake up with you in the morning in our bed, fox or woman. I don't care. I want to play for you when you dance," the clan leader was struggling for composure as he buries his hands in her hair, tugging her down to him, his mouth hungry for her.
"I want this. By all that is pure in this world, I want this," Lan Xichen breathes, staring at her, and Mimi could feel her face heating up.
.
"Can we get a move on, please? I thought there was going to be a wedding tonight?"
Mimi physically winces at the sound of Qiaolian's voice but does not move from her spot atop Lan Xichen. She has waited far too long.
"I haven't even said yes, yet, "Mimi shouts into the woods.
There was silence in the woods before a voice says, "Why not? That's what you're here for, isn't it?"
Mimi immediately pales and gets off the clan leader, nearly plunging them into the icy water in her haste.
Lan Xichen laughs and tugs her close so that her face was in his chest. Mimi murmurs, "Please, oh please, tell me that wasn't your uncle."
"My apologies, I planned ahead too thoroughly. Should I tell them to leave?"
Shaking her head, "If my sister hadn't interrupted, I would have . . ." Mimi finally looks up at his nervous expression, "told you that I would marry you with every reincarnation."
Lan Xichen sighs in relief and holds her close. Mimi wraps her arms around him, planning never to let go.
Lord Qiren steps from the trees, as does Qiaolian, Ying, Daiyu, Dumplin, Chen, Master Wei, and Lan Wanji.
She whispers to Lan Xichen, "What would you have done if I had said no and they were standing out there?"
"The only honorable thing would be to jump in the lake," Lan Xichen responds, but his eyes were shining.
Qiaolian immediately rushes up to the couple and yanks them into a hug, "I love weddings! You will let me plan the dozen?"
Wheezing, Mimi manages to extricate her and Lan Xichen from the tight hug.
"Within reason, Qiaolian," Mimi grins as she feels Lan Xichen tighten his arm around her.
She pats his hand and runs over to Chen and Dumplin, "You guys are supposed to keep me informed when there are surprises involving me going on."
"Uncle Xichen promised to teach me how to stab someone mid backflip if I kept silent," Chen shrugs, "How can I argue that?"
Not knowing what to say to that, Mimi tugs both her sisters into a hug.
"Did he mean what he said about us?" Dumplin asks, her eyes wide, "We can stay at Cloud Recesses forever?"
Hearing this, Lan Xichen hesitantly comes over to face the three sisters that had come to mean so much to him in the last year, "Of course I meant what I said. We will all be a family. The documents are in my office right now."
It was surprisingly Chen that made the first move to hug Lan Xichen. Followed swiftly by Dumplin, who hugged him briefly before racing over to Lan Zhan and shouting, "Uncle Wanji!"
Master Wei picks her up and tosses her into the air, "And where is my title?"
When he sets her down, Dumplin stares at him in confusion, "Aunt or Uncle Wei?"
A small laugh as soft as raindrops on petals appears, and everyone in the clearing stares at Lan Zhan with surprise and awe.
"Wanji, we should get married too! Make it a double wedding!"
"I am officiating," Lord Qiren boasts, "so you can forget about it!"
Lord Qiren looks upon Mimi fondly, "When Xichen proposed the idea this morning, I told him that there would be no one to perform such a service on such short notice. But as a clan leader, one can officiate marriages, as can former clan leaders."
"If this is the way to get you and your sisters into our clan at last and see Xichen finally married, then so be it. Be sure there will be a formal ceremony upon your return, but in the meantime."
The wedding is blissfully short, and before Mimi can fully process it, she is married to the clan leader. She is now the Lady Gusu.
Mimi follows the clan leader into his residence, feeling hesitant, despite having been in there on several occasions. Often more undressed than she is now.
"I . . . have a couple of gifts I would like to present to you . . . now . . . that you are my wife," Lan Xichen could hardly believe it.
Mimi leans over and gently kisses his lips; he reluctantly pulls away to fetch something from his rooms. Settling herself down by the table, Mimi suddenly feels awkward. They had just had their first kiss, and now it was their wedding night. She wanted him, there was no doubt about that. But would he expect that they do it? It had also been quite a while since she had made love to anyone but her wife. But . . . this was her wife.
The clan leader finally brings over two boxes, which he sets eagerly in front of her.
"Which one shall I open first?" Mimi grins, enjoying his mood.
He tilts his head from side to side as if pondering this seriously before holding out the larger box.
She carefully undoes the ribbon and opens the box. Pushing away from the tissue paper, Mimi finds herself staring at an exquisite set of robes that were intricately embroidered with the Gusu clan crest. Mimi runs her hands gently over the beautiful detailing. She had been fully embraced into this clan.
"I also commissioned two for Chen and Dumplin," he says quietly, watching her rapt expression with growing happiness.
"I am not quite sure how you will be able to top this," Mimi teases, putting down the robes.
"I will try. This one has terms and conditions," Lan Xichen says, pushing the second box to her.
Smirking a little, Mimi opens the box to discover a guqin with moonstones embedded in the top. What made Mimi smile, however, was that the color of the guqin matches her fur perfectly.
"You said you wanted to learn," Lan Xichen says softly, "I would like to give you lessons, every evening . . . in our home."
"It is stunning, Xichen," Mimi runs her fingers over the silk strings, strumming as she had watched the clan leader and his brother do on several occasions.
The clan leader moves to sit behind her and gently pushes his hand over her own. His breath is on her neck. Mimi shivers but pays close attention to his movements.
"Make sure to keep your hand aloft to produce more resonance with the note," he says, kissing the side of her head affectionately.
She presses into his chest and feels his breath hitch. His arms wrap around her hugging her closer.
"Perhaps we should continue before we were interrupted?"
His voice is nervous, and Mimi can feel him pressing into her back. Trying to look back at him without bonking him in the head, Mimi turns herself around so that she fully faces him.
"Perhaps we should move somewhere more comfortable?" Mimi suggests and is pleased to see his nervous expression slowly ebb.
He helps her to her feet and practically drags her to the other room. Where a couple of candles had already been lit, and a large, very cushy bedroll had been rolled out with several cushions and blankets spread around, making a cozy-looking nest. As a fox, this greatly pleases her, though, at the back of her mind, she wondered exactly who had helped the clan leader set it up. Deciding that she didn't want to know at that particular moment. She smiles widely, and Lan Xichen seems to let go of the worries that had been besieging him.
She wraps her arms around him and holds him close before beckoning him to the bedroll.
"Would you like wine?" he asks hesitantly.
Mimi raises her eyebrows at the possible scenarios of a drunk clan leader.
She shakes her head and makes sure the bottle is pushed as far away from the bedroll as possible. Perhaps she could slip it to Master Wei later.
"Are you comfortable?" Mimi asks, eyeing the many robes he wore.
He still looked like he was ready to bolt. Mimi pats the space beside her and lays down. It was a really comfortable bedroll, she thought, stretching out leisurely. He slowly lays beside her, and Mimi rolls over so that her hand is on his chest.
"We don't have to do anything you are not comfortable with," Mimi says as he runs his hand over hers.
"I . . . want this with my whole being," Lan Xichen says softly against her hair, "I just have never lain with another. I found some . . . books but did not find them helpful."
"What sort of books?" Mimi teases, trying to get them both more comfortable.
His eye twitches, "We do not have such . . .dishonorable texts here in Cloud Recesses. I . . .sought anatomy texts."
Mimi falls in love with her new husband just a little bit more as she witnesses him blush over anatomy texts. Scooting closer to him and shifting onto her side Mimi rubs her hand over his chest. His heart is beating quite rapidly under her palm.
"Minori, do you have experience with this?" he asks quietly, watching her hand make soothing circles.
"I am over two hundred years old," Mimi grins at him, and he frowns, considering this.
"But," Mimi rests her head on his shoulder, "in our old life, you were my first. I . . .didn't interact with anyone else except those I worked with. You were very gentle and understanding with me. I would like to do that with you."
"Can you tell me more?" he asks curiously.
"What do you wish to know?" Mimi closes her eyes and drapes her tails over them both.
His hand immediately springs up to pet her fur, "We . . .were both women. I am confused as to how we could have had a child. How we could have loved this way."
Mimi would never have predicted she would have had to explain woman on woman sex with her . . .male reincarnated wife.
"In the future, you can become pregnant without penetration. And umm, women have sensitive areas on our bodies like men do in the same areas. I will show you, if . . .you like," Mimi is slightly taken aback by the eagerness in his face, "but we had no trouble making love. You liked my tongue."
Mimi demonstrates this by extending a long fox tongue and finds herself amused at his intrigued stare.
"I would like to try what you think I . . .would have liked, and I would like it very much if you could show me what you like. I am at a loss," Lan Xichen flushes, but could only see understanding in his new wife's eyes.
Sitting up, Mimi removes her outer robes and tosses them to the side out of the way.
"Did you like what we were doing on the dock?" Mimi asks and sees him nod.
Mimi wonders what sort of sex education classes were being held at Cloud Recesses and makes a mental note to make detailed sketches for Chen and Dumplin.
"What are you thinking about?" he asks.
"Contemplating if you were given "the talk" by your uncle before our marriage," Mimi quips before straddling his waist.
His hands grasp her hips firmly as she leans down to nip at his nose playfully.
"I am not a complete novice, Minori. My . . .friends were quite descriptive of encounters in our youth," he defends, "I know . . .what is to happen to conceive a child."
Biting her lip to restrain her laughter at his peeved expression, Mimi strokes her fingers gently over his lips. "I merely thought your clan was strict. I am not judging your inexperience. I would also bet your friends were probably exaggerating."
Mimi kisses his face trying to relax him further. His hands experimentally rise from her hips and wander over her back.
Finally, kissing him on the lips, she is rewarded with him parting for her immediately. Mimi teases him with her tongue. He is unsure at first but soon gets the hang of it. His lips are so soft, she thinks, trying not to lose herself entirely as his hips casually thrust against her. Like Sara, he tastes of the mint leaves he enjoyed chewing. Stroking his cheek, Mimi tries to swallow her moan as he returns her kisses with fervor.
Unwillingly pulling away, Mimi shifts her attention to his robes.
"Perhaps I can convince you to disrobe for me?" Mimi asks coquettishly as he attempts to bring her down to him once more.
He blinks at her uncomprehending for a moment with his hand still outstretched before he hesitantly nods.
Pulling herself up, Mimi begins trying to extricate herself from her own robes. She is stopped by his hand on her claws.
"May I?" he asks.
"I am all yours," Mimi sits patiently as he explores.
Hands lingering on her waist and back, he fumbles with some of the ties before carefully pulling her dress over her head. Folding it carefully before setting it aside. Mimi snorts at his annoyed expression as he stares at her layered undergarments.
"Not that easy; is it?" Mimi teases as her hands drift to his tunic.
Catching her intent, he quickly tugs off his tunic leaving his chest bare. Mimi runs her claws over his skin. But he is determined to disrobe her.
"Wife, how can I free you from your undergarments?" he asks evenly as his face flushes.
His eyes drift to her bare shoulders and the briefest glimpse of the tops of her breasts.
"Here," Mimi giggles as she guides his hands to her skirts and shows him how to pull it off her.
Once he has pulled it over her head, Mimi suddenly feels self-conscious as he studies the scars from her claws. Leaning towards him again, he puts his hands on her arms to stop her.
"I needed a lot of practice with my claws," Mimi says a little nervously.
Suddenly taking charge of the situation, he gently presses her down amongst the blankets and pillows.
"Xichen?" Mimi asks as he continues studying her naked torso.
"I think I may paint you like this," he leans down and captures her mouth with his, and Mimi wraps her arms around him.
"Minori, may I touch you?" he asks breathlessly, kissing her face and down her jaw to her neck.
She loved how he said her name like an endearment.
"Yes, please," Mimi feels hesitant fingers trace the scars on her collar bone and her stomach.
Wrapping her leg around one of his. Mimi tries to be patient as his lips travel down to her collarbone and to her breasts. As if bewitched, he experimentally runs his hand over her nipple.
"I would like very much to kiss you here," Lan Xichen breathes, stroking over her shivering skin.
"I won't stop you," Mimi breathes, watching him as he slowly brings his lips down to kiss her breast.
Wriggling, under his ministrations, Mimi buries her hand in his hair as he continues kissing around her breast before moving to the other.
"Do you like this, Minori?" he asks, and Mimi nods as she meets his eyes.
Wanting to do some exploring of her own, Mimi flips him over onto his back. He is surprised by the gesture and almost seems like he is pouting.
"You had your turn. Now it's mine," Mimi kisses over his chest. The scar of the arrow is familiar to her as her own skin. She also knew it is sensitive. Kissing over the scar, she feels his muscles quiver as she kisses over his stomach. Returning to his nipples, Mimi experimentally nips at the skin with her teeth. He shudders beneath her.
Using her claws to gently massage his pectorals, Mimi moves to his neck. Nipping along his adam's apple Mimi slowly makes her way back to his lips. He greets her enthusiastically. The battle for dominance as his hands roams over her hips and sides.
"Do," Mimi pants as she feels his member pressing against her thigh, "you want to remove your trousers?"
He is about to remove her hands from her hips when Mimi stops him, "I have a better idea. Do you trust me?"
"I trust you, wife. But please hurry," the hands-on her hips punctuates his sudden desperation with a squeeze.
Moving down his chest and following the dark trail of hair down to the tent in his trousers. Mimi runs her fingers over the waistband.
Something like a whimper leaves his lips as her fingers dip inside before pulling back out. Since he had already removed his shoes. Mimi gently pulls his trousers from him. He trembles as Mimi kisses up his leg. Moving from one leg to the other. Kissing his ankles, behind his knee, until she finally makes her way up to his thighs. He is gripping the blankets in a tight grip as Mimi begins kissing his thighs. Nipping at the sensitive skin. Mimi curiously studies his member as it smeared a little pre-come on his stomach.
"Minori, please," he murmurs, seeing her intent as her long fox tongue slides from her mouth. His hips buck, and Mimi holds them down as she experimentally takes him in hand and licks up and down his member. A sudden grip on her shoulders stops her from further exploring. Sticking her tongue back in her mouth Mimi looks up in concern as he pulls her towards him.
"Darling wife," he kisses over her face, "I . . .need to feel you."
Wanting to tease him a little, Lie kisses his nose, "Is this what you meant?"
Flipping her over onto his back, he flushes, "I need to be inside of you, Minori. Please."
Opening her legs for him to give him better access, Mimi wraps a leg around his waist.
"I want you there, too," Mimi kisses his face before once more, seeking his lips, "just take it slow at first."
He nods, and Mimi watches avidly as he takes himself in hand and experimentally rubs himself over her opening. His head briefly touches her clit, and Mimi moans. Delighted by this sound he had pulled from his wife, Lan Xichen does it again and sees her squirm.
"Minori, do you like this?" he asks quietly. Watching her arch off the bedroll as he does it once again.
"Yes, please," Mimi pants gripping at the pillows, "use your hand. But I still want you inside me."
Nodding, he very slowly presses into his wife's body. He is immediately consumed with wet heat. Her body gripped him so tightly.
He leans their foreheads together when he fully sheathes himself and struggles to pause.
Cupping her cheek, he kisses her closed eyes.
"I'm fine," Mimi experimentally clenches around him, and he grunts. Curious, he puts his hand on the top of her mound and rubs.
"Xichen," Mimi pants scratching at the bedrolls as he slowly thrusts and rubs at her.
Mimi wraps her other leg around his waist and urges him to go faster. Trying to encourage him to thrust.
"Please, Xichen. You can go faster," she begs as he keeps to his steady pace.
"You are so beautiful like this," he speeds up his rubbing on her core, and Mimi arches off the bedroll as she buries her face in his neck.
Suddenly encompassed by her body, gripping him tightly, his control snaps. Grabbing her hip with his free hand. He thrusts into her body over and over until he finally reaches his pinnacle and spills into her. Collapsing on her chest, Lan Xichen wanted to stay buried within his love forever.
"Minori, are you well?" he asks worriedly, hoping he hadn't hurt her.
"Very well," Mimi practically purrs as he finally pulls her out of her.
Resuming his spot on her chest, he closes his eyes, contentedly, "I will never tire of this. Of being with you like this."
"I'm glad," Mimi pulls the blanket over them as they lay together, "you are good in bed."
A surge of pride flashes through him as he studies his wife's contented smile. He hoped there would be more nights like this in their future.