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poorlittlesange) wrote2022-10-06 02:52 pm
poorlittlesange) wrote2022-10-06 02:52 pm
Entry tags:
jgy's terrible, awful, no good, very bad qi deviation scare | threads;
poorlittlesange
2022-10-30 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[It doesn't take Lan Xichen long to get to the Red, nor to sweep his way up the stairwell in a flurry of pale silk (he hasn't yet learned what an elevator is). He takes the stairs two at a time, and exits the landing in a rush, and only pauses outside the door to confirm with Nie Huaisang that this is the room Jin Guangyao is in.
It is rare the First Jade of Lan is so single-minded. But circumstances of the past few weeks have been, to put it lightly, strenuous.
When he enters, things are better than he initially expected. Jin Guangyao is seated upright, conscious, and drinking water.
He still looks like someone ran him through a woodchipper (whatever that is) but this is miles better than anything he ever dealt with when it came to Nie Mingjue.]
A-Yao.
[He manages a smile that somehow is able to convey a mix of worry and relief (so rather more of a grimace), before stepping towards the bedside. He's seen Jin Guangyao in worse shape. He doesn't mention this.]
How did this happen...?
[He holds out his hands palm up so Jin Guangyao can rest his wrists there, and Lan Xichen can begin the transfer of energy.]
It is rare the First Jade of Lan is so single-minded. But circumstances of the past few weeks have been, to put it lightly, strenuous.
When he enters, things are better than he initially expected. Jin Guangyao is seated upright, conscious, and drinking water.
He still looks like someone ran him through a woodchipper (whatever that is) but this is miles better than anything he ever dealt with when it came to Nie Mingjue.]
A-Yao.
[He manages a smile that somehow is able to convey a mix of worry and relief (so rather more of a grimace), before stepping towards the bedside. He's seen Jin Guangyao in worse shape. He doesn't mention this.]
How did this happen...?
[He holds out his hands palm up so Jin Guangyao can rest his wrists there, and Lan Xichen can begin the transfer of energy.]
Edited 2022-10-30 03:05 (UTC)
[Unfortunately, he looks a fair sight shittier up close, where the faded redness in the whites of his eyes makes clear how bloodshot they had been not so long ago. He's sallow-faced and weak, and though he smiles with undisguised, shining affection in his eyes when Lan Xichen comes through the door and to his bedside, it takes him far more effort than necessary simply to set the glass of water aside on the ostentatious bedside table (Huaisang would set him up in the most luxurious suite in this venue, wouldn't he). His hands are still trembling a little when he places them in Lan Xichen's grasp.
His golden core is a dim, guttering candle at the end of its wick, but it lurches nevertheless at the first cool, quenching taste of Lan Xichen's qi. Jin Guangyao exhales with relief, as though it took having the edges of that pain softened for him to realize just how much agony he was in.]
I found Huaisang while trapped in--[a faint flinch, recalling the staircases, so many fucking staircases,] an... in-between place, in the city... [It takes him some time to describe the broad strokes of their desperate escape from the hostile architecture that began to collapse in on them as they tried to find their way out; he has to stop frequently to catch his breath and reach for the water glass. There's still dried blood on his nose, his chin, the corners of his eyes. A bit near one of his ears.]
Thank you, Er-ge, for coming so quickly. [He closes his eyes again and sinks back against the pillow behind him.] I apologize for worrying you.
His golden core is a dim, guttering candle at the end of its wick, but it lurches nevertheless at the first cool, quenching taste of Lan Xichen's qi. Jin Guangyao exhales with relief, as though it took having the edges of that pain softened for him to realize just how much agony he was in.]
I found Huaisang while trapped in--[a faint flinch, recalling the staircases, so many fucking staircases,] an... in-between place, in the city... [It takes him some time to describe the broad strokes of their desperate escape from the hostile architecture that began to collapse in on them as they tried to find their way out; he has to stop frequently to catch his breath and reach for the water glass. There's still dried blood on his nose, his chin, the corners of his eyes. A bit near one of his ears.]
Thank you, Er-ge, for coming so quickly. [He closes his eyes again and sinks back against the pillow behind him.] I apologize for worrying you.
((Continued from here))
...And I for you.
[There is no grand ceremony, they do not stand before an audience to pledge brotherly devotion. They are alone, in a modest home, and the oath rings like a great brass bell, shaking him down to his bones.
He doesn't know how long they sit like that, curled up in each other, but at some point both must have drifted off. The cups of tea on the table are stone cold, and the faint gray light filtering through the windows is dawn, not dusk.
It must be five in the morning, Lan Xichen thinks, and does not move despite the numb ache in his lower back. This was probably not a good idea for a man creeping dangerously close to 40.]
...And I for you.
[There is no grand ceremony, they do not stand before an audience to pledge brotherly devotion. They are alone, in a modest home, and the oath rings like a great brass bell, shaking him down to his bones.
He doesn't know how long they sit like that, curled up in each other, but at some point both must have drifted off. The cups of tea on the table are stone cold, and the faint gray light filtering through the windows is dawn, not dusk.
It must be five in the morning, Lan Xichen thinks, and does not move despite the numb ache in his lower back. This was probably not a good idea for a man creeping dangerously close to 40.]
[It isn't an especially good idea for Jin Guangyao either, though he still possesses all the vigour of youth (and can probably turn his head all the way to the left without throwing his back out). At some point during the night, he shifted in such a way that his head now rests against both Lan Xichen's thigh and the soft cushion of the chaise lounge. He frowns in his sleep, as though even when at rest his mind is still engaged with problem solving. His fingers have kept their firm grip in the blue silk skirt of his robes.
This is a perfectly normal way for two friends who have perfectly normal and ordinary feelings for each other to both fall asleep and wake up together in the morning. Though presently, it looks like only Lan Xichen has actually woken up. Jin Guangyao continues to breathe steadily, eyes closed.]
This is a perfectly normal way for two friends who have perfectly normal and ordinary feelings for each other to both fall asleep and wake up together in the morning. Though presently, it looks like only Lan Xichen has actually woken up. Jin Guangyao continues to breathe steadily, eyes closed.]
[He didn't pay the room's dΓ©cor much mind; his thoughts had been entirely his injured friend. But now that he had a chance to look around, it was hard not to see how Nie Huaisang had gravitated to the area. The room is opulent in ways that suit the other man's tastes perfectly, and Lan Xichen is surprised he hasn't come back in to flitter about and pass his criticisms upon the various decorative trinkets. Lan Xichen thought it might lighten things some.
He checks Jin Guangyao's vitals as he drip feeds his qi into his friend; a slow process so as not to send him into shock. And these days, Lan Xichen's energy has been... chillier. He's not sure why.]
There is no need for any apology. You saved Huaisang's life. I'm sure he's...
[There is a pained flicker behind Lan Xichen's eyes, gone almost as soon as it's there.]
...grateful. And it doesn't seem like you'll face any permanent damage.
He checks Jin Guangyao's vitals as he drip feeds his qi into his friend; a slow process so as not to send him into shock. And these days, Lan Xichen's energy has been... chillier. He's not sure why.]
There is no need for any apology. You saved Huaisang's life. I'm sure he's...
[There is a pained flicker behind Lan Xichen's eyes, gone almost as soon as it's there.]
...grateful. And it doesn't seem like you'll face any permanent damage.
[That flicker behind his eyes is subtle, but Jin Guangyao is astute. He sees it, and completely misunderstands it.]
Er-ge.
[He's lowered his voice to a near whisper and looks past Lan Xichen's shoulder towards the door to the suite. Huaisang isn't in the room with them, perhaps he's gone down to the bar to grab himself something to drink to soothe his nerves. Jin Guangyao speaks as though he isn't, because he has to play it safe.]
He can never find out about Da-ge. He can't. It will kill him.
[The narrator: this is called dramatic irony.]
Er-ge.
[He's lowered his voice to a near whisper and looks past Lan Xichen's shoulder towards the door to the suite. Huaisang isn't in the room with them, perhaps he's gone down to the bar to grab himself something to drink to soothe his nerves. Jin Guangyao speaks as though he isn't, because he has to play it safe.]
He can never find out about Da-ge. He can't. It will kill him.
[The narrator: this is called dramatic irony.]
[Reflexively, he brushes a few strands of Jin Guangyao's hair from his face, before slowly sitting up. Something in his back cracks, painfully at first, and then there is that sweet relief of released tension.
He should sleep normally, but this is a strange occasion, and it's not like there isn't some comfort in opening his eyes and seeing Jin Guangyao partially asleep in his lap. It drives it home further that this, all of it, is real.
Something in him that isn't his lower lumbar aches at it all, and he tilts his head back, humming the same answering melody he'd played when they reunited.]
He should sleep normally, but this is a strange occasion, and it's not like there isn't some comfort in opening his eyes and seeing Jin Guangyao partially asleep in his lap. It drives it home further that this, all of it, is real.
Something in him that isn't his lower lumbar aches at it all, and he tilts his head back, humming the same answering melody he'd played when they reunited.]
[...It will kill a lot of people, actually, Jin Guangyao included.
Lan Xichen's head turns to the door. This is presupposing Nie Huaisang does not already know, he thinks. When had he found out? How had he found out...?
He looks back to Jin Guangyao, and nods. If the matter can rest here, it should. He hates it, but some things should never bear repeating.]
If it ever reaches him, it won't be from either of us telling him.
[His gaze falls back to Jin Guangyao's sword-hand, his thumb grazing the other man's wrist.]
A-Yao will need rest for a few days and regular meals of healthy foods. But this will heal.
Lan Xichen's head turns to the door. This is presupposing Nie Huaisang does not already know, he thinks. When had he found out? How had he found out...?
He looks back to Jin Guangyao, and nods. If the matter can rest here, it should. He hates it, but some things should never bear repeating.]
If it ever reaches him, it won't be from either of us telling him.
[His gaze falls back to Jin Guangyao's sword-hand, his thumb grazing the other man's wrist.]
A-Yao will need rest for a few days and regular meals of healthy foods. But this will heal.
[He stirs gradually, first at the muted 'pop' that poor Lan Xichen's spine makes as he straightens himself up out of the uncomfortable curl he'd maintained all night, and then when he hears the strains of that familiar melody. Jin Guangyao's eyes blink open drowsily, and it takes him a full moment to realize that the comfortable warmth he has been resting against the entire night is actually Lan Xichen's leg.
Oh. Heat blooms in his cheeks.
He slowly sits up and self-consciously lifts a hand to smooth some of his hair back. When he sneaks a discreet glance up at Lan Xichen's face, he has to look away quickly, his mouth dry.]
Forgive me, I--can't believe I made Zewu-jun sleep in a chair.
[It's an attempt at humour to dispel his sudden, real awareness of having crossed some kind of event horizon in their friendship, but not yet understanding the nature of the shift.]
Oh. Heat blooms in his cheeks.
He slowly sits up and self-consciously lifts a hand to smooth some of his hair back. When he sneaks a discreet glance up at Lan Xichen's face, he has to look away quickly, his mouth dry.]
Forgive me, I--can't believe I made Zewu-jun sleep in a chair.
[It's an attempt at humour to dispel his sudden, real awareness of having crossed some kind of event horizon in their friendship, but not yet understanding the nature of the shift.]
With his reduced cultivation, it was only naturally that Shen Yuan would arrive several minutes after Lan Xichen, even though they'd both presumably seen Jin Guangyao's message and set out at roughly the same time. But he still feels stressed and guilty about it, to the point that the first thing that comes out of his mouth when he's finally shown into Jin-ge's room is, "Sorry I couldn't get here sooner."
He walks round to the other side of the bed, otherwise ignoring Lan Xichen entirely in his focus on Jin Guangyao. "How are you feeling?" he asks, reaching for his friend's wrist to check his pulse. "What happened?"
He walks round to the other side of the bed, otherwise ignoring Lan Xichen entirely in his focus on Jin Guangyao. "How are you feeling?" he asks, reaching for his friend's wrist to check his pulse. "What happened?"
Jin Guangyao's relief at Lan Xichen's agreement is almost palpable. He breathes out and some of the latent tension in his body goes out with it, and he nods a few times as though to confirm to himself that no, this situation had not yet spiralled out of control, that the damage could still be contained.
(The narrator: It would never be contained.)
He drops his eyes to Lan Xichen's thumb on his wrist; that's not the first time his er-ge has performed such a gesture. The touch makes him feel--something--but he chooses not to let his thoughts follow the obvious line of inquiry that opens up before him. Instead he opens his mouth to say something bland and inoffensive about his recommendations, when Shen Yuan is shown into the room and blurts out his apologies.
"Ah, shidi--Shen-gongzi, please, don't apologize. Thank you for coming." Suddenly the centre of attention in this room--something he's never particularly enjoyed even when he didn't look like garbage--he drops his eyes self-consciously and dutifully offers one of his wrists out to Shen Yuan for his inspection. Verdict: it's bad, y'all, but the damage isn't permanent. And, as he had with Lan Xichen, he tiredly hits the high points of his and Nie Huaisang's reunion, and the escape that landed him in this condition.
He recalls his manners too late to be truly forgivable, but there's nothing for it now. "Shen-gongzi, you once asked to know who my guqin tutor was." He glances back at Lan Xichen withabject longing a normal amount of affection for a close pal shining in his eyes. "Lan Xichen, Er-ge, Shen Yuan was among the first friends I made upon arriving in Trench."
(The narrator: It would never be contained.)
He drops his eyes to Lan Xichen's thumb on his wrist; that's not the first time his er-ge has performed such a gesture. The touch makes him feel--something--but he chooses not to let his thoughts follow the obvious line of inquiry that opens up before him. Instead he opens his mouth to say something bland and inoffensive about his recommendations, when Shen Yuan is shown into the room and blurts out his apologies.
"Ah, shidi--Shen-gongzi, please, don't apologize. Thank you for coming." Suddenly the centre of attention in this room--something he's never particularly enjoyed even when he didn't look like garbage--he drops his eyes self-consciously and dutifully offers one of his wrists out to Shen Yuan for his inspection. Verdict: it's bad, y'all, but the damage isn't permanent. And, as he had with Lan Xichen, he tiredly hits the high points of his and Nie Huaisang's reunion, and the escape that landed him in this condition.
He recalls his manners too late to be truly forgivable, but there's nothing for it now. "Shen-gongzi, you once asked to know who my guqin tutor was." He glances back at Lan Xichen with
When a familiar face enters, Lan Xichen actually brightens. He sits quietly however, only nodding to the other man in greeting; the niceties can wait, and he and Shen Yuan are already well-enough acquainted.
Once Shen Yuan has ascertained the information he needs, once the situation is not so immediately dire, Lan Xichen offers a proper bow of greeting (and if he is smiling, it's only because he feels a rush of warmth that Shen Yuan has befriended hisdearest sworn brother, and treated him well enough that Jin Guangyao would slip up and call him so informally).
"Shen-gongzi and I have already met, in similar circumstances to how you found Huaisang," he explains as he straightens. "But it fills me with joy to see him here to help."
He glances out the window, the city beyond looking as normal and innocuous as it can.
"The way the world suddenly changes is ...disorienting to say the least. Does either Shen-gongzi or A-Yao have any idea what may be causing it...?"
Once Shen Yuan has ascertained the information he needs, once the situation is not so immediately dire, Lan Xichen offers a proper bow of greeting (and if he is smiling, it's only because he feels a rush of warmth that Shen Yuan has befriended his
"Shen-gongzi and I have already met, in similar circumstances to how you found Huaisang," he explains as he straightens. "But it fills me with joy to see him here to help."
He glances out the window, the city beyond looking as normal and innocuous as it can.
"The way the world suddenly changes is ...disorienting to say the least. Does either Shen-gongzi or A-Yao have any idea what may be causing it...?"
[A small smile and a soft exhale is usually what passes for a laugh from Lan Xichen.]
I too must beg pardon -- I was the one who made Lianfang-zun sleep partially on the floor.
[It's easy to fall into their old back-and-forth. There is trepidation in his voice, but there is an echo of familiar affection, a flicker of a thought that he would like to wake up every morning under these circumstances and he does not dare examine the that part too closely, because he already has questions upon questions piling up.]
...I'm afraid the tea you so carefully made has gone a bit cold.
I too must beg pardon -- I was the one who made Lianfang-zun sleep partially on the floor.
[It's easy to fall into their old back-and-forth. There is trepidation in his voice, but there is an echo of familiar affection, a flicker of a thought that he would like to wake up every morning under these circumstances and he does not dare examine the that part too closely, because he already has questions upon questions piling up.]
...I'm afraid the tea you so carefully made has gone a bit cold.
I can prepare a fresh pot if Zewu-jun wishes.
[It's still too early for the light seen through the windows to suggest anything more than the idea of morning, but Jin Guangyao rises early out of long established habit--a habit developed over the course of years to match Lan Xichen's, where possible, when their responsibilities allowed them to visit each other--though he is lucky if he ever gets more than a few hours of sleep each night when back in Jinlintai. He is tired, but he is always tired, and now he is awake.
He unfolds himself from where he'd fallen asleep on the floor and rises to his feet, allows himself to give his arms and each leg a stretch to work some of the tightness from muscle and sinew.] Let me show you to the spare bedroom first. I regret I haven't done more with it, but I did dust out the closet and the linens are clean.
[It's still too early for the light seen through the windows to suggest anything more than the idea of morning, but Jin Guangyao rises early out of long established habit--a habit developed over the course of years to match Lan Xichen's, where possible, when their responsibilities allowed them to visit each other--though he is lucky if he ever gets more than a few hours of sleep each night when back in Jinlintai. He is tired, but he is always tired, and now he is awake.
He unfolds himself from where he'd fallen asleep on the floor and rises to his feet, allows himself to give his arms and each leg a stretch to work some of the tightness from muscle and sinew.] Let me show you to the spare bedroom first. I regret I haven't done more with it, but I did dust out the closet and the linens are clean.
Shen Yuan gives Lan Xichen an apologetic look and bows back, though he doesn't move from his place by Jin Guangyao's side or stopper the gentle flow of qi he'd been feeding into his wrist while he explained the circumstances under which he'd been hurt. Shen Yuan will be having words with Nie Huaisang later, if the situation seems warranted. Right now he has another relationship to shore up.
"Lan-gongzi is very kind," he says, "But this one must still offer his apologies for not greeting him properly just now. I'm afraid my only thoughts were for Jin-gongzi, just then the rest of the world might not have existed." He gives Jin Guangyao a soft, anxious smile, still worried over him in an entirely platonic, heterosexual way. "I've only known Jin-gongzi a short time, but his welfare is dear to me."
He looks up again when Lan Xichen changes the subject, following his gaze to the window. "Some of the locals say that the city itself is the body of the Pthumerian called Tower. But they refuse to speak on it any further." He turns back to Jin Guangyao, softly stroking his knuckles. "Perhaps his sleep is troubled? I'm afraid I know nothing more than that. But what I do know," he adds with an awkward, trying-too-hard laugh. "Is that cultivators seem to have especially bad luck here. First I had a qi deviation in my second month here, and now Jin-ge -- Jin-gongzi?" (You heard nothing, Lan Xichen.) "We'll have to keep a careful eye on Lan-gongzi and Nie-gongzi when December comes. Perhaps wrap them both in cotton wool and lock them into a closet?"
Yes, this is definitely a funny and gentle way to present a potential future problem to his dear friend, with no unpleasant or traumatic triggers whatsoever.
"Lan-gongzi is very kind," he says, "But this one must still offer his apologies for not greeting him properly just now. I'm afraid my only thoughts were for Jin-gongzi, just then the rest of the world might not have existed." He gives Jin Guangyao a soft, anxious smile, still worried over him in an entirely platonic, heterosexual way. "I've only known Jin-gongzi a short time, but his welfare is dear to me."
He looks up again when Lan Xichen changes the subject, following his gaze to the window. "Some of the locals say that the city itself is the body of the Pthumerian called Tower. But they refuse to speak on it any further." He turns back to Jin Guangyao, softly stroking his knuckles. "Perhaps his sleep is troubled? I'm afraid I know nothing more than that. But what I do know," he adds with an awkward, trying-too-hard laugh. "Is that cultivators seem to have especially bad luck here. First I had a qi deviation in my second month here, and now Jin-ge -- Jin-gongzi?" (You heard nothing, Lan Xichen.) "We'll have to keep a careful eye on Lan-gongzi and Nie-gongzi when December comes. Perhaps wrap them both in cotton wool and lock them into a closet?"
Yes, this is definitely a funny and gentle way to present a potential future problem to his dear friend, with no unpleasant or traumatic triggers whatsoever.
Edited (corrected a typo.) 2022-10-30 22:10 (UTC)
For a moment Jin Guangyao rather wishes that Nie Huaisang had been the one to suffer a near qi deviation, since he would undoubtedly enjoy being fussed over far more than Jin Guangyao does. But then he remembers precisely why that thought should be anathema to him, and banishes it to the corner of his mind reserved for all other unthinkable thoughts that have since been sentenced to thought jail.
He looks at Shen Yuan's fingers stroking his knuckles, then at Lan Xichen's thumb stroking his wrist, and again decides to just. Put a pin in this particular moment. And come back to it later, when his golden core feels less like it's just been ripped out of him, kicked around like a child's toy, and then stuffed back into his midsection.
"Shen-gongzi makes a good point," he admits, frowning, and then even finds it in his bitter black heart to add, "Perhaps we should be concerned even for Wei-gongzi as well--"
He cuts himself off abruptly and all the colour drains from his face. Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian knows about--
"Er-ge," he starts, suddenly urgent, and grabs his sleeve. He looks into his Lan Xichen's eyes and wills him to understand his fear, his jaw working like he wants to speak, but no, he can't bring himself to voice his fears, not with Shen Yuan here, he can't risk it.
He looks at Shen Yuan's fingers stroking his knuckles, then at Lan Xichen's thumb stroking his wrist, and again decides to just. Put a pin in this particular moment. And come back to it later, when his golden core feels less like it's just been ripped out of him, kicked around like a child's toy, and then stuffed back into his midsection.
"Shen-gongzi makes a good point," he admits, frowning, and then even finds it in his bitter black heart to add, "Perhaps we should be concerned even for Wei-gongzi as well--"
He cuts himself off abruptly and all the colour drains from his face. Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian knows about--
"Er-ge," he starts, suddenly urgent, and grabs his sleeve. He looks into his Lan Xichen's eyes and wills him to understand his fear, his jaw working like he wants to speak, but no, he can't bring himself to voice his fears, not with Shen Yuan here, he can't risk it.
Lan Xichen's smile is warm, even if his hand is chilly (and is that frost gathering on his clothes or do these particular silks just carry a sort of sheen to them...?)
"There is no need to apologize, Shen-gongzi. My own mindset was the same until I knew for sure how he was doing."
He would have to apologize for his brusqueness later; he's sure Nie Huaisang will understand the situation, but nonetheless, it wouldn't hurt to assuage any unintended rudeness with free lunch.
The mention of getting wrapped in wool and stuffed in a closet with Nie Huaisang doesn't make him chuckle so much as Shen Yuan's own slip in formality. They are being very proper, indeed.
The relief is broken by Jin Guangyao's urgent tone, and searching expression, begging the other man to catch on to... something?
It takes him a moment.
"I will speak to my brother-in-law, do not worry," he assures. He cannot make any guarantees beyond that; Wei Wuxian is a contrarian by nature. He may even tell Nie Huaisang the details simply because he was asked not to do that very thing.
"There is no need to apologize, Shen-gongzi. My own mindset was the same until I knew for sure how he was doing."
He would have to apologize for his brusqueness later; he's sure Nie Huaisang will understand the situation, but nonetheless, it wouldn't hurt to assuage any unintended rudeness with free lunch.
The mention of getting wrapped in wool and stuffed in a closet with Nie Huaisang doesn't make him chuckle so much as Shen Yuan's own slip in formality. They are being very proper, indeed.
The relief is broken by Jin Guangyao's urgent tone, and searching expression, begging the other man to catch on to... something?
It takes him a moment.
"I will speak to my brother-in-law, do not worry," he assures. He cannot make any guarantees beyond that; Wei Wuxian is a contrarian by nature. He may even tell Nie Huaisang the details simply because he was asked not to do that very thing.
Edited 2022-10-30 23:04 (UTC)
Oh right, Wei Wuxian mentioned something about having a husband he hadn't seen for a year, didn't he? So Lan Xichen must be that husband's brother.
More importantly, Shen Yuan has no idea what Jin Guangyao's suddenly so upset about, and that worries him. He ups the flow of qi leaving his body for Jin Guangyao's and gently chafes his wrist with the opposite hand, murmuring, "Jin-gongzi must try not to let himself get too worked up. His core's in a delicate state right now."
He's aware that no man would like to hear that about himself, but it's true! Maybe they should get him a sleeping draught or something, so he can switch his brain off for a while?
More importantly, Shen Yuan has no idea what Jin Guangyao's suddenly so upset about, and that worries him. He ups the flow of qi leaving his body for Jin Guangyao's and gently chafes his wrist with the opposite hand, murmuring, "Jin-gongzi must try not to let himself get too worked up. His core's in a delicate state right now."
He's aware that no man would like to hear that about himself, but it's true! Maybe they should get him a sleeping draught or something, so he can switch his brain off for a while?
Switching off Jin Guangyao's brain? ...yeah, good luck with that one.
He is neither reassured by Lan Xichen's promise to speak to the Yiling Patriarch nor soothed by Shen Yuan's reminder regarding the state of his golden core. If anything, both seem to render him more agitated, as a veritable legion of indecipherable micro-expressions flicker in and out of existence across his features in a matter of seconds. Jin Guangyao realizes he's been staring a hard, relentless hole through the blankets that cover his legs, and so squeezes his eyes shut. He draws in a breath and marshals his composure. There's no point in snapping at either of them; they aren't to blame for the consequences of his own actions coming home to roost, both the good and the bad.
He legitimately hates this ostentatious bedroom though.
"I would like to return home," he says, carefully enunciating his words as he works to maintain his chill. "There is no good reason for me to occupy this--" an uncomfortable glance around, "--suite for longer than necessary."
He is neither reassured by Lan Xichen's promise to speak to the Yiling Patriarch nor soothed by Shen Yuan's reminder regarding the state of his golden core. If anything, both seem to render him more agitated, as a veritable legion of indecipherable micro-expressions flicker in and out of existence across his features in a matter of seconds. Jin Guangyao realizes he's been staring a hard, relentless hole through the blankets that cover his legs, and so squeezes his eyes shut. He draws in a breath and marshals his composure. There's no point in snapping at either of them; they aren't to blame for the consequences of his own actions coming home to roost, both the good and the bad.
He legitimately hates this ostentatious bedroom though.
"I would like to return home," he says, carefully enunciating his words as he works to maintain his chill. "There is no good reason for me to occupy this--" an uncomfortable glance around, "--suite for longer than necessary."
Jin Guangyao's tension is palpable, even if Lan Xichen cannot feel his vitals, or the way his muscles are tightening.
He gives his wrist a light squeeze, slowing the flow of qi into his body. There's a worried furrow to his brow, but little more to indicate he's noticed Jin Guangyao's turn in mood.
He follows Jin Guangyao's look around the room, and frowns. The dΓ©cor would not be entirely out of place in one of Jin Guangshan's fancier suites.
"It may be more beneficial to rest at home," he says. "Can you walk...?"
He gives his wrist a light squeeze, slowing the flow of qi into his body. There's a worried furrow to his brow, but little more to indicate he's noticed Jin Guangyao's turn in mood.
He follows Jin Guangyao's look around the room, and frowns. The dΓ©cor would not be entirely out of place in one of Jin Guangshan's fancier suites.
"It may be more beneficial to rest at home," he says. "Can you walk...?"
If it would not trouble Lianfang-zun.
[Lan Xichen tries not to pay too much mind to how the more technical formalities they used in speaking to each other, the less formal they sounded - as though one is trying to get the other to laugh first.
It's better than thinking about the lines they stepped over last night, the way they can never go back.
...And yet forward doesn't seem like such a terrible way to go either. There is certainly more they must work through; one conversation is not going to solve all their troubles. But it feels like a beginning.]
Perhaps after, this one may help with breakfast...?
[Lan Xichen tries not to pay too much mind to how the more technical formalities they used in speaking to each other, the less formal they sounded - as though one is trying to get the other to laugh first.
It's better than thinking about the lines they stepped over last night, the way they can never go back.
...And yet forward doesn't seem like such a terrible way to go either. There is certainly more they must work through; one conversation is not going to solve all their troubles. But it feels like a beginning.]
Perhaps after, this one may help with breakfast...?
[The knowing look that Jin Guangyao gives Lan Xichen at his offer to help with breakfast is rather pointed, but he's smiling a little, too. A faint laugh follows.] If Zewu-jun wishes, of course.
Come, [a barely-there touch to his arm,] let me show you the room.
[He picks up a little portable lantern, still glowing with lunar energy, and leads the way through the modest house to the bay on the opposite side of the courtyard. There, he slides open a door and reaches in to activate one of the lights. He wasn't kidding when he described it as a small spare bedroom; this is quite a step down from Lan Xichen's years in the Cloud Recesses' Hanshi, and Jin Guangyao knows it. Still, the canopied bed looks comfortable and does indeed sport clean linens, and there is a desk for writing, a pleasantly appointed armoire for robes, and a window that opens out onto the courtyard.
He looks to Lan Xichen with a clear expression of apology on his face, like he's trying to figure out what he could possibly have been thinking, offering something so inadequate for Lan Xichen's use.]
I know it is too small. If Zewu-jun wishes, this one will gladly let you take his room instead. Or perhaps we can repurpose the parlour.
Come, [a barely-there touch to his arm,] let me show you the room.
[He picks up a little portable lantern, still glowing with lunar energy, and leads the way through the modest house to the bay on the opposite side of the courtyard. There, he slides open a door and reaches in to activate one of the lights. He wasn't kidding when he described it as a small spare bedroom; this is quite a step down from Lan Xichen's years in the Cloud Recesses' Hanshi, and Jin Guangyao knows it. Still, the canopied bed looks comfortable and does indeed sport clean linens, and there is a desk for writing, a pleasantly appointed armoire for robes, and a window that opens out onto the courtyard.
He looks to Lan Xichen with a clear expression of apology on his face, like he's trying to figure out what he could possibly have been thinking, offering something so inadequate for Lan Xichen's use.]
I know it is too small. If Zewu-jun wishes, this one will gladly let you take his room instead. Or perhaps we can repurpose the parlour.
Shen Yuan also agrees, albeit for the more basic reason that 'home' is always preferable to convalescing in strange surroundings. "If you aren't comfortable with walking, I'm sure Lan-gongzi would be happy to carry you," he says, throwing Lan Xichen a challenging look over Jin Guangyao's head where he hopefully won't see. He remembers those biceps from the other day, sir. Jin Guangyao shouldn't have to force himself to walk when there's another option.
"I can walk," Jin Guangyao asserts abruptly before Shen Yuan's well-intentioned and mortifying suggestion has even finished leaving his mouth. It is Lan Xichen who receives a discreetly delivered, 'don't you even think about picking me up,' warning glance that could cut glass.
...Now he gets to find out whether his legs will make a liar out of him or not.
He pushes himself up from the nest of pillows that Huaisang had unnecessarily arranged around him at some point, then carefully slips his legs out from under the bedspread. First his left foot, then his right foot; the carpet feels more expensive against the soles of his feet than some silks he's worn, why is that even necessary? (Keyed up as he is, even the carpet is pissing him off, apparently.)
He takes a breath and pushes himself into a standing position, and though there is a moment where he does need to reach out and steady himself on Lan Xichen's shoulder, he stays upright.
...Now he gets to find out whether his legs will make a liar out of him or not.
He pushes himself up from the nest of pillows that Huaisang had unnecessarily arranged around him at some point, then carefully slips his legs out from under the bedspread. First his left foot, then his right foot; the carpet feels more expensive against the soles of his feet than some silks he's worn, why is that even necessary? (Keyed up as he is, even the carpet is pissing him off, apparently.)
He takes a breath and pushes himself into a standing position, and though there is a moment where he does need to reach out and steady himself on Lan Xichen's shoulder, he stays upright.
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