[all things sizhui's unsure he could give jiang cheng and more reasons for him doubt his feelings despite knowing otherwise; adopting is always an option – just look at him, after all! – and perhaps he can't exactly be the wife jiang cheng's looking for, they could marry and he'd be a partner, someone ready and willing to be there for him whenever needed.
(but only with feelings being reciprocated, never forced on anyone!)
while he hasn't realized yet, his breath catches once jiang cheng reaches out for him, eyebrows arching in a mixture of apprehension and fleeting interest, though sizhui softens after the distance between them lessens further then he loosens his vice-like grip on both the mortar and pestle. here come those petals again, fluttering up his throat, some coating his tongue, which he's able to somewhat swallow back down following his momentarily distressed expression.
at least he looks mostly normal before the other man might look, tight-lipped and steady, if not a bit overly stiff. oh no, does that make him look uncomfortable? not that it or anything else matters once jiang cheng reaches toward his neck. immediately, sizhui sets his tools aside, stalling long enough for jiang cheng's fingers to cup his mouth, for him to lean back, those same digits to curl into themselves after a cough and then move away in an attempt to deposit something behind himself.] Ordinarily, [he answers, calm and collected, tamping down the worry threatening to creep into his voice.] But we're currently not in Gusu, are we?
[precisely why he has no problem breaking just the tiniest rule of going against his senior. and a sect leader, furthermore? what would others think?! it's disregarded though so he can instead reach out, catch jiang cheng's sleeve and tug that same hand back around he'd used to throw flower petals with.] We are also taught not to lie in Gusu. [yes, he knows what he'd said just moments ago, but after the remark, his empty hand lifts, palm upturned, and he huffs a sigh which expels a small purple lotus petal.
—okay, that's a bit odder now that it's done, he tries ignoring any awkwardness by rolling the blossom in his hand, pinching it between his thumb and forefinger then letting it drift into jiang cheng's palm.] ...there are some rules I don't break, regardless.
no subject
(but only with feelings being reciprocated, never forced on anyone!)
while he hasn't realized yet, his breath catches once jiang cheng reaches out for him, eyebrows arching in a mixture of apprehension and fleeting interest, though sizhui softens after the distance between them lessens further then he loosens his vice-like grip on both the mortar and pestle. here come those petals again, fluttering up his throat, some coating his tongue, which he's able to somewhat swallow back down following his momentarily distressed expression.
at least he looks mostly normal before the other man might look, tight-lipped and steady, if not a bit overly stiff. oh no, does that make him look uncomfortable? not that it or anything else matters once jiang cheng reaches toward his neck. immediately, sizhui sets his tools aside, stalling long enough for jiang cheng's fingers to cup his mouth, for him to lean back, those same digits to curl into themselves after a cough and then move away in an attempt to deposit something behind himself.] Ordinarily, [he answers, calm and collected, tamping down the worry threatening to creep into his voice.] But we're currently not in Gusu, are we?
[precisely why he has no problem breaking just the tiniest rule of going against his senior. and a sect leader, furthermore? what would others think?! it's disregarded though so he can instead reach out, catch jiang cheng's sleeve and tug that same hand back around he'd used to throw flower petals with.] We are also taught not to lie in Gusu. [yes, he knows what he'd said just moments ago, but after the remark, his empty hand lifts, palm upturned, and he huffs a sigh which expels a small purple lotus petal.
—okay, that's a bit odder now that it's done, he tries ignoring any awkwardness by rolling the blossom in his hand, pinching it between his thumb and forefinger then letting it drift into jiang cheng's palm.] ...there are some rules I don't break, regardless.
[telling the truth is one of those.]