Thread by @bunnyzhannyy

#bjyx #yizhan arranged marriage au where rabbit prince xz gets married to dragon prince yb. he is not expecting a love marriage but a harmonious one at the very least. he does not expect the dragon prince to be so cold to him.

prince xz is getting ready for one of the most important days of his life. it is by all means, the most important day of his life but all he wants to di is run away.

the two kingdoms had been in peace for years but with the tension growing in the other realms and the fears of a war breaking out, a marriage alliance was proposed. a marriage that would solidify their alliance and bring their kingdoms closer together.

but the idea of marrying someone he had never met just to form an alliance had made xz highly uncomfortable. he had not wanted to be tied down to someone he didn't love, and he certainly didn't want to be responsible for maintaining peace between their two kingdoms,

to follow strict protocols and perform his duties as a prince weigh on him. he had longed to be able to travel freely and explore the world without having to worry about the responsibilities that came with his title.

but deep down he knew that the alliance would benefit his people, and he was willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their safety. a threat of a war was no joke, the royal family could survive it alone but the commoners?

they wouldn’t be able to without the support of the fierce dragon kingdom. so, with a heavy heart, xz had said yes to the alliance, sealing away his fate.

xz has never met prince wang yb before, but he has heard from the many gossips that flies to the kingdom or outside the palace when he manages to sneak out, that dragons are his beauty is unparalleled. intelligent and kind-hearted.

xz knows that their marriage is a matter of duty and not love, but he has hopes that they will at least get along and have a harmonious life together. his heart might not be in this marriage, but he is ready to give his all to make it bearable.

they can make it work and be harmonious at the very least. to not be in love but be respectful to each other as long as they lived.

all his plans to be cordial to yb goes out of window the moment they enter the room and yb’s hand holding his leaves at the speed of lightning.

his face does not change, remaining scaringly blank.

“you can stay here. i will go back to my room” yb says, eyes somewhere behind xz.

and before xz can answer back, yb is turning away and walking out of the room.

xz is left staring at his back before the door shuts close.

xz scoffs, closing his eyes to control his anger. he takes a deep breath and tries to calm himself down. this was not the start he had envisioned for his marriage, but he couldn't let his emotions get the better of him.

ofcourse xz wasn’t looking forward to doing whatever happened in a wedding night but to think that prince wang would refuse to even sleep in the same room as him surely irked him.

he opens his eyes and looks around the room. it is decorated with flowers and candles, a perfect setting for a newly wedded couple. but the atmosphere is long been ruined by yb.

as xz sits on the bed, he can't help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration.

despite his initial anger, xz decides to take a more understanding approach. he knows that yb must have her own reasons for behaving this way, and it would be unfair of him to jump to conclusions without knowing the full story.

with this in mind, xz looks at the flowers and candles, trying to find some comfort in the fact that at least someone had put effort into making the room look nice. too bad this does not seem to be a good start.

yb is an attractive prince. fierce eyes and an aura that demanded attention. xz had been unable to look away from him during the ceremony. it had been his first time seeing him in person, having only rumors to go by.

and xz has to admit, yb is truly more attractive then all those rumors. not like xz cared. he will try again tomorrow. he refuses to be in a marriage where his husband refuses to look at him. he can charm the prince.

----

the next day, after the entire kingdom is once again introduced to xz as the prince, he tries to strike up a conversation with yb. asking him about his day, what he is supposed to do next with a polite smile on his face.

to all his efforts, yb will only respond with one or two-word answers, and then he will fall silent again. xz is taken aback by this, but he decides to give yb some space and time to warm up to him.

but days turn into weeks, and xz is still finding it difficult to connect with yb. yb spends most of his time alone, working on his kingdom's affairs. sometimes he is the kingdom, sometimes he is not.

xz tries to join in, but yb always politely declines. or as politely as, "your presence is not needed" can sound.

xz does not understand why yb is so cold to him. he had thought that they would at least be friends, if not something more.

but he does not want to push yb too hard, knowing that they are both in this marriage for the sake of their kingdoms.

knowing all of that, xz is still hurt. everytime yb ignores him with a curt nod or walks past him without even giving him a look.

while xz is trying to make a place for himself in this new kingdom, where everyone to his prey nature is a predator.

xz does not cry when like a millionth time, yb walks past him as xz gives him a smile and tries to talk to him.

tomorrow's night is a big festival in the rabbit kingdom. xz cannot attend it in his but he wants to celebrate it with yb.

so he tries to ask yb to accompany him to fly the lanterns together as a married couple.

it holds great significance for them, to ask for the blessing of the heavens to bless a married couple with a happy life together.

"yb, i was thinking" xz begins, clearing his throat as they are alone in their room.

it is the first time in weeks that yb is in the room with him. xz does not want to lose this chance.

yb is sitting in the attached office, going through some paperwork, reading glasses on. he does not acknowledge xz's presence at all.

"yb, can you please" xz begins again, to get his attention, hands clasped behind him nervously. "there is this-" he tries again, taking a deep breath when suddenly yb's voice stops everything around them.

"can you not see im buy right now, xz? can this not wait?" yb does not yell but his voice is so blank yet hurtful that for a few seconds that xz is left frozen in shock at yb's dismissive response.

he had anticipated a possible rejection, but the coldness in yb's voice catches him off guard once again.

the tears comes unnoticed. it is only when he sees the shock all over yb's face does he realize the tears that are flowing down his cheeks.

xz quickly raises a hand to his face, trying to wipe away the tears before yb can see them and xz can embarrass himself more. he turns away, his body trembling.

he had hoped for some form of connection, some sign that their marriage could evolve into something more than a mere alliance, but yb's continuous rejection stings him deeply.

struggling to regain his composure, xztakes a deep breath and straightens his posture. he refuses to let yb see how much his words have affected him. slowly turning back towards yb, he puts on a brave face, trying to hide the pain in his eyes.

"i apologize for disturbing you," xz says, his voice slightly trembling. "i'll... i'll leave you to your work."

without waiting for yb's response, xz swiftly turns and exits the room, his steps heavy with the weight of disappointment.

once he's outside, he walks briskly towards his own room, a separate room that yb had shown him that is only xz's. the tears still flowing freely down his face. he can't hold them back any longer.

inside his room, xz finally allows himself to collapse onto the bed, burying his face in his hands as he sobs quietly. the realization that his hopes for a harmonious marriage are crumbling around him becomes too overwhelming to bear.

he feels utterly alone and trapped in a marriage devoid of love.

minutes turn into hours as xz lies on the bed, his tears slowly subsiding. he wipes his face with the back of his hand and takes a shuddering breath. he can't keep wallowing in self-pity.

he has a duty to fulfill, and despite the pain, he must find a way to make the best of the situation.

as xz calms himself, he starts thinking about the upcoming festival. it had been his only attempt to bridge the gap between them, to find a moment of shared happiness.

but it seems that even that small gesture has been met with rejection.

----

the next day, xz does not see yb again. but this time he does not let it hurt him, he has cried enough. he goes about his day, preparing for the festival all alone.

it is night time when xz steps into the private garden, carrying a lantern in his hands and takes a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart and steady his trembling hands. so what if he is alone? he will do it all alone. it does not matter.

as he gazes up at the dark sky dotted with twinkling stars, xz's mind drifts to what he wishes. a harmonious marriage, a connection with yb, and a future filled with love. he cannot have that now, but his heart wants what it wants.

with a gentle touch, xz lights the lantern.

he holds it carefully, taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he speaks softly, "may this lantern carry my heartfelt wishes," xz whispers, his voice carrying on the gentle breeze. "may it bring us closer, grant us the strength to navigate the challenges that lie ahead"

with a flick of his wrist, he is about to releases the lantern into the night sky when another voice joins him and another hand comes to envelope his holding the lantern. "may it bring you all the happiness you wish for"

xz is so shocked and frozen as yb's voice tingles his ear. he is here. why is he here? xz does not turn to see him, feels the warmth from yb's body behind him as yb gently raises the lantern and releases it into the sky.

as the lantern joins the others in the night sky, xz finally turns to face yb, his usually cold eyes now filled with gentlesness. yb's presence, unexpected yet welcome, stirs emotions within xz, and he struggles to find his voice.

"yb... you're here," xz murmurs softly, his heart fluttering with a newfound warmth. "i thought... i thought you didn't-" like me, want me, want to be a part of this.

yb's gaze meets xz's, and for a moment, the air between them feels charged with unspoken words, nothing like months of coldness. there's a flicker of vulnerability in yb's eyes, a glimpse into the depths of his feelings that he usually keeps hidden.

"im sorry i made you feel that way. this was important to you and i failed to keep my promises and duty to you, xz" yb says and then to a frozen xz, raises an open box. it is a dragon scale. a dragon scale that no doubt belongs to yb, his husband.

"yb, i cannot take this" xz tries to push it back but yb only pushes it back to him.

"take this as my apology please" he continues and xz flushes from happiness or overwhelming shock so strong that his rabbit ears pops out of his head.

they are both shocked at that, more xz then yb as yb's face for the first time, lights up in amusement.

xz tries to hide his ears back, folding them back quickly. he hears a huff from yb and then word that leaves xz redder as yb leaves with a handsome smile on his face. "cute"

----

from that day something changes between them. yb is still distant and cold and not at the same time. they talk to each other sometimes and see eye to eye now. it is a welcome change.

and from that night, the seed of love starts to bloom in xz's heart as yb keeps doing little things for him. getting him out of uncomfortable meetings if he is feeling odd, leaving him little snacks in his room that he must have seen xz likes and so much more.

and just like that, xz falls in love.

----

despite the progress they have made relationship, however minute it might be, xz cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong.

since the past few days, he has been feeling sick for a few days, with no apparent cause behind it.

like a deep unsated sickness that leaves him exhausted and panting from just one step. he puts it to being in another kingdom and living in the aura of their magic, his body getting used to it.

he has consulted the healers privately, not wanting to bother his husband or the wang rulers but even they can't find anything wrong with him.

xz does his best to hide it, it is his issue and he will solve it on his own. so, he keeps going on with his duties, keeps working and attending official duties with yb as if nothing is wrong. he hides the fatigue, his alarmingly decreasing appetite.

it is one meeting where he is sitting next to yb in the royal hall when xz feels as if someone is clutching his heart and squeezing it.

xz's breath catches in his throat as a sharp pain shoots through his chest, causing him to instinctively clutch at his heart.

he tries to control his breathing, fearing that any sign of weakness would only worry yb and draw attention from others in the room.

but yb sees that immediately, right when xz feels the world around him fading and then yb's concerned voice, "xz, xz?" and then nothing.

----

as xz regains consciousness, he blinks a few times to adjust to his surroundings before focusing on yb's face. he manages a weak smile, trying to alleviate any concerns.

"xz, are you feeling better now?"

"i... i think i'm feeling a little better now," xz replies, his voice still faint. "what happened? did i... pass out?"

yb's worry doesn't fade completely, but there's a hint of relief in his eyes. he reaches out to gently brush a strand of hair away from xz's face.

it is surprising but a welcomes.

"yes, you passed out during the meeting," yb explains softly. "i was worried. we'll have the healers examine you again to ensure everything is alright."

xz nods, feeling something at yb's concern.

xz can't deny the genuine care he sees in yb's eyes. "thank you, yb," xz murmurs.

yb's expression softens further, and he gently clasps xz's hand in his own. the touch sends a comforting warmth through xz's body, easing everything.

"you don't need to say that. we are married" yb replies, so affronted that xz is almost confused.

there is a dazedness in his mind that makes him say the next words he does. because no way xz in his right mind would say them, not like this, not here.

but it is like if he does not say them now, he might never be able to again.

"i love you," xz blurts out. "i know we got married for convenience, but... i can't help how i feel. i needed you to know this before anything happens to me, yb. i love you, yb"

yb's expression changes in an instant. he flinches back, as if xz's words have hurt him. then he gets up abruptly and is ready to leave the room without a word, leaving xz.

"yb? stop!" xz tries but yb keeps walking and walking, ignoring xz once again just as the door slams shut.

xz, hurt and in pain, tries to follow yb. but his legs are so weak, unable to handle his weight. he falls to the ground, crawling to the door to make yb come back.

he wants him. he cannot leave him like this. but so so weak, xz only makes it halfway through the room when he loses conscious once again.

-----

when xz wakes up next, he immediately calls for yb. sitting up with his fragile body and tries to find yb, only to find someone else sitting next to him.

"your majesty" xz bows to her, yb's mother, the queen of the dragons.

"i apologize for my current state. please forgive my intrusion. but may i ask, where is yb? i need to see him."

the queen observes xz with pity? as she reaches out a hand to gently touch his arm, a comforting gesture to his weakned self.

"xz, there is no need to apologize," the queen says, her voice soothing. "yb is... distraught. your confession caught him off guard, and he needed some time to process his emotions"

xz's heart sinks at the queen's words. he hadn't expected his confession to have such a strong impact on yb. the thought of yb being hurt because of him fills him with pain.

"your majesty, please allow me to see him," xz says urgently, "i need to explain myself, to-"

the queen studies xz for a moment, her gaze gentle yet assessing but her next words are so shocking that xz almost fills someone is clenching his heart again.

"xz, it is my fault you are in this situation. i should be the one apologizing" the queen says and xz is confused.

why is she apologizing?

"before you got married, i hoped it would end well, not like the way it ended for everyone else. but i was so wrong" she continues and when xz tries to ask her, she stops him.

taking a deep breath, the queen looks at him and tells him, "the dragons, we are cursed"

xz's eyes widen in disbelief as he listens to the queen's words. a curse. he tries to make sense of it all, his mind racing with questions.

"the dragons... cursed?" xz repeats, "what kind of curse, your majesty? and how does it relate to yb and me?"

the queen's expression is filled with regret. she takes a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking again.

"our family, the dragon lineage, has been burdened with a curse for generations, a curse that affects our ability to truly love and be loved in return. it is a cruel fate that has plagued our bloodline for centuries. anyone who loves us dies from that love"

xz's heart stops when he hears those words. what? does this mean....no.

it explains so many things. the curse explains the tumultuous emotions he witnessed in yb, the constant push and pull, the barriers that prevented them from truly connecting. the hesitation.

"and yb... yb is affected by this curse?" xz asks, voice shaking. "is that why he reacted the way he did? is it the reason he keeps pushing me away?"

the queen nods, her eyes filled with understanding. "yes, xz. yb bears the weight of the curse as well. the fear of causing pain and heartbreak to those he cares about runs deep within him. it is why he struggles to fully accept your love when he has fallen in love with you"

xz's breath catches in his throat. yb? in love with him?

xz's heart breaks for yb, for the pain he must have endured throughout his life. he knows now that his confession of love must have triggered yb's deepest fears and insecurities.

"i never knew... i never knew" xz whispers. "all this time, all this time" xz can only repeat.

the queen places a gentle hand on xz's shoulder. "it is not your fault, xz. if it is anyone's it is mine"

xz looks up at the queen, tears in his eyes. "is there a way to break the curse? to free yb from this?" to free him from this and let him love me and me, him? but xz's world crashes and burns when the queen says no.

------

over the next few weeks, xiao zhan's condition worsens. he is barely able to get out of bed, and the healers seem powerless to help him.

yb does not visit him even once, only the queen does. everytime he asks her about yb, she only gives him a sad smile, tears in her eyes. "he is not letting anyone enter his room"

xz's heart aches at those words. he yearns to see yb, to hold him, to tell him that they can face this curse together. but yb's absence only deepens his pain. he feels abandoned again.

days turn into weeks, and xz's health continues to deteriorate.

he grows weaker with each passing day, his body frail and exhausted. the curse weighs heavily on him, draining his hope, his strengh. but even in his weakened state, his love for yb remains unwavering.

one day, as xz lies in bed, asleep and yet not when he hears the door opening and then silent thuds before someone sits next to him. he does not open his eyes to see who it is, he feels it. yb.

xz keeps his eyes closed, body still to not scare yb away when all he wants to do is hug the dragon prince.

yb reaches out a trembling hand, his fingers brushing against xz's cheek, as if confirming that xz is truly there. "xz... i'm sorry... i'm so sorry," yb's voice quivers.

yb brings his hand to his cheek and holds it there as he whispers, "i was trying to protect you. i knew that i couldn't control the curse, but i could control my own behavior. i thought that if i kept my distance from you, you wouldn't fall in love with me. i was wrong"

his voice breaks before xz feels tears dripping on his hand. "i was so so wrong"

it is right then when xz cannot take it anymore and opens his eyes just as he says, "i don't regret falling in love with you," he says. "yb, even if it means i'm sick, i still love you."

yb, in his shock, drops xz's hand. "you, xz, don't say that" his voice breaks.

xz tries to sit up but his weak body does not let him. he falls back to the bed with a groan. yb immediately rushes to his side, eyes wild.

xz raises his hand to his cheeks and cups his face, bringing it closer and closer to him until they are only inches apart. "no curse can keep me from loving you, wyb. i love you"

tears stream down yb's face as he gazes into xz's eyes, a desperate longing in his eyes. he reaches out, hesitating for a moment, before his trembling hand gently cups xz's cheek, mirroring xz's touch.

"i... i don't want to lose you, xz," yb whispers, his voice filled with raw vulnerability. "but i've seen what this curse does to those who love us. i've witnessed the pain, the tragedy... i can't bear the thought of bringing that upon you. i have brought that upon you"

xz leans into yb's touch, a soft sad smile gracing his lips despite the pain that courses through his weakened body. "yb, im willing to face whatever comes our way, as long as we face it together"

yb's tears fall freely now, mingling with a mixture of hope and trepidation. "i'm scared, xz. scared of a life without you. the thought of living without you is unbearable."

xz's frail body trembles from yb's unwavering devotion "yb, listen to me," xz says, his voice filled with determination. "forget about this curse. just tell me. do you love me?"

yb's breath hitches, his hand trembling against xz's cheek. he shakes his head, scared, so scared. tears falls down his cheeks as he whispers, no, no, no.

but xz does not stop. he raises yb's head and brushes his lips on his cheek and asks him once again. "tell me yb, do you me?" he asks again and again and again until with a loud heaving breath, yb yells.

"i do! i love you xz! the moment i saw you, i was so much in love with you! i love you!" yb yells so loud, tears wetting his face.

and the moment yb says those words, xz kisses him. overwhelming, ferocious and tender. yb kisses him back with equal love until they are both panting for breaths.

they gaze into eachother's eyes, full of love, so overwhelmed that it takes xz too long to feel as if the coils around his heart has come undone. and as yb holds him tightly to his chest, seeing and feeling the shock in xz's body and then breaks into a teary smile, he knows.

and yb kisses him again, whispering i love you, i love you in between like he is finally free to whisper it, unable to stop his smile and those words from his lips and tenderly caresses xz's face.

"i love you, yb"

"and i you, my husband, my xz"

the curse has finally been lifted.

• the end •

this has been a thread in my notes for so long. seeing all of yb pics today finally give me the motivation to finish this angst thread 💚❤️

https://twitter.com/bunnyzhannyy/status/1661057162695819264

in case anyone wants to support me 💚❤️ ko-fi.com/bunnyzhannyy