Fic: Take Only What You Need & In the Gathering Shadows

[no_detective]

i recently realized that i never posted links to these two tie-in stories to bonibaru's soon-to-be-completed epic, so... better late than never?

Take Only What You Need (4836 words) by no_detective
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Shěn Wēi, Yè Zūn, Chǔ Shùzhī, Jiājiā, Original Female Character(s)
Additional Tags: Childhood, References to Illness, Gardens & Gardening, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - No Powers
Series: Part 7 of The Crimson Lotus
Summary:

There were once upon a time two brothers, at a glance as like each other as two drops of water.

(Accompanies Chapter 16 of the series, but is non-spoilery for any of it.)

teaser:

On the Shen family estate, in the farthest part of the gardens, beyond the pond and the meditation pavilion, there was a large scholar’s rock. It rose into the sky like a massive lumpy tower of limestone, twice as tall as Father, taller even than the nearby pear trees. Its gray surface was covered in bumps, traversed by milky-white veins, and pocked with mysterious hollows. It looked like a storm cloud had magically solidified in their orchard, and was now forever trapped and surly-looking amidst the greenery.

The rock was a gift from a warlord from eastern Dixing. It had been sent to the Shens with her best wishes for Ye Zun’s recovery and an invitation to visit the Tomorrow Mountains someday. (Shen Wei’s twin had fallen ill after a coughing fit during the Dongzhi Festival, and gifts, advice, remedies, and good luck charms kept arriving in the following weeks. This one was by far the largest.)

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In the Gathering Shadows (10141 words) by no_detective
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Lǐ Qiàn/Zhù Hóng
Characters: Lǐ Qiàn, Zhù Hóng, Shěn Wēi, Chǔ Shùzhī, Zhào Yúnlán, Dà Qìng
Additional Tags: Non-Graphic Violence, Non-Graphic Attempted Sexual Assault, Drinking & Talking, Okay the violence is a tiny bit graphic, but it's justified, Slightly tipsy but totally consensual hand-holding, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Rebels
Series: Part 5 of The Crimson Lotus
Summary:

White Fox and Red Snake have some dinner, drink some wine, flirt a lot, and talk about their old crushes.

(Takes place between Chapters 10 and 11 of the series.)

teaser:

And now they are sitting at the table and trading funny stories about missions and alliance members. There are empty dishes pushed to the side, and a half-drunk bottle of wine - their second, Li Qian realizes with some surprise - between them, and she is having a wonderful time.

“Ah, it’s nice to talk to you without anyone bleeding in the next room, for a change,” Zhu Hong says, as if echoing her thoughts.

Li Qian smiles in agreement. This was an excellent idea. She can’t believe she almost said no to spending the evening with this brilliant, confident woman who throws her head back as she laughs. The red ribbons in her hair shimmer with her every movement to an almost hypnotizing effect. Li Qian could watch her all night, even if it means revealing Shen Wei’s various faux pas from his early days with the alliance.