[ by the time claude stops speaking, xie lian's expression looks... almost vaguely surprised.
it's not that xie lian doesn't believe that he might be worth care. he knows that he probably is, but, rather - he has learned the hard lessons of what happens to someone when they get too close. it's not even that he doesn't believe claude, because he does.
...it's just been a while.
besides san lang, who has ever talked so candidly about such things in recent memory? no one. (because there has been no one.)
slowly, that expression shifts into a soft smile. it's a heavy look, but it is one surrounded in his care. xie lian's touched. ]
...Thank you, Claude. [ he says, and that warmth fills his every word and softens the cadence of his mellow voice. ] That means the world to me. I feel the same.
[ he is a dear person, isn't he? a young man with big dreams, with a path to walk that he can see clearly, from beginning to end. the kind of prince that xie lian once was, but one - one who he hopes (and gods, does he hope) will flourish where xie lian failed. a cheeky young man who's friendly (but not so friendly), who has a real smile that's warm, that xie lian felt he may have been quite lucky to see. claude is a good man, and xie lian sees a world of potential for him.
he smiles a little, gentle, and shifts, watching a bubble go by. ]
I cannot promise you that what I will share with you will be sad, and I cannot promise you that it will not hurt. I cannot promise you that I will even remember what you might see.
...But if you want to understand, then I will not defy you of that. [ a quiet huff, then, and amusement flickers across xie lian's face. ] Clever and curious as you are.
[ and then he reaches out.
and listening to the gentle determination in claude's voice, xie lian brushes his fingers against a bubble.
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1/2
it's not that xie lian doesn't believe that he might be worth care. he knows that he probably is, but, rather - he has learned the hard lessons of what happens to someone when they get too close. it's not even that he doesn't believe claude, because he does.
...it's just been a while.
besides san lang, who has ever talked so candidly about such things in recent memory? no one. (because there has been no one.)
slowly, that expression shifts into a soft smile. it's a heavy look, but it is one surrounded in his care. xie lian's touched. ]
...Thank you, Claude. [ he says, and that warmth fills his every word and softens the cadence of his mellow voice. ] That means the world to me. I feel the same.
[ he is a dear person, isn't he? a young man with big dreams, with a path to walk that he can see clearly, from beginning to end. the kind of prince that xie lian once was, but one - one who he hopes (and gods, does he hope) will flourish where xie lian failed. a cheeky young man who's friendly (but not so friendly), who has a real smile that's warm, that xie lian felt he may have been quite lucky to see. claude is a good man, and xie lian sees a world of potential for him.
he smiles a little, gentle, and shifts, watching a bubble go by. ]
I cannot promise you that what I will share with you will be sad, and I cannot promise you that it will not hurt. I cannot promise you that I will even remember what you might see.
...But if you want to understand, then I will not defy you of that. [ a quiet huff, then, and amusement flickers across xie lian's face. ] Clever and curious as you are.
[ and then he reaches out.
and listening to the gentle determination in claude's voice, xie lian brushes his fingers against a bubble.
pop. ]