It was only supposed to be a visit, a temporary thing but that had been months ago, Xichen's contact with the outside world restricted save for letters that were delivered when he asked. But as for stepping outside the Unclean realm?
He didn't. After the tomb, after the qi deviation, his focus had shifted, had turned to trying to help undo the already done damage, and it was succeeding to a degree. There were longer periods of sanity, but his own mind was...
He shifted slightly, stretching on the bed before he slid to his feed to pad across the room, pressing a small indentation to open the garden door. It was enclosed, but a concession nonetheless.
And if he could stabilize Mingjue enough, he'd be able to at least visit Gusu, if not return home entirely. Because he missed it, missed his sect but if it was between the two parts of his heart, he had to do what he could to try and fix what was broken.
Even if his smiles were more token than bright like they had been before his confinement.
Temporary at first, but the days had stretched on, and in the end, Mingjue hadn't been able or willing to let Xichen go. Most days he functions purely on instinct, but he would calm under Xichen's hand. Under his lips. Under his music.
It had taken one of those months before he had enough consciousness to be aware Xichen needed somewhere he could go that was green and alive. Another couple weeks before the garden was revealed. That had been a good day.
Much as today, except for when Mingjue returns to his room to find his little bird no where in sight. The flash of fury and fear staggers him before a hint of reason, one hope, to look in the garden. He moves as quiet as ever, a tremor slides down his spine, and opens the garden.
One step inside and he spies Xichen. Relief releases him to stalk across and grab for the other man, to pull him close and reassure the irrational majority of his spirit.
Quiet or not, Xichen is on his feet as soon as he catches movement, stepping away from where he'd been working before Mingjue reaches him, one hand moving to settle against the back of his neck, fingers just tracing over the skin there.
"Da Ge." His voice is quiet, meant only for Mingjue's ears, even if they're alone, Xichen not resisting the embrace.
"Did you finish everything Huaisang needed your help with?"
So attuned. A part of him is ashamed for how desperate he needs this man. The old part of him. The part they're trying to bring back for more than a few minutes at a time.
Mingjue's grip is tight as his arms wrap around Xichen. He presses his face to the other's neck to breathe in with an absent hum of an answer. "Spoke," a single, rough word. But there's a flicker of delight he'd managed even that much. Most days he can't, yet. But there's hope for the future.
His breath catches at the press of lips, his fingers curling into fabric as he makes a soft sound, his eyes closing. "Good. You're doing better." But it's going to take time to build him up, to get him able to do more and function for longer periods.
Xichen settles easily, letting Mingjue's weight pin him down against the cushion, fingers curling in his hair as his head tips back, resting against the cushion.
"Da Ge." It's soft, fingers smoothing through the other man's hair.
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chiming
caged-bird.
Date: 2020-09-19 01:21 pm (UTC)From:He didn't. After the tomb, after the qi deviation, his focus had shifted, had turned to trying to help undo the already done damage, and it was succeeding to a degree. There were longer periods of sanity, but his own mind was...
He shifted slightly, stretching on the bed before he slid to his feed to pad across the room, pressing a small indentation to open the garden door. It was enclosed, but a concession nonetheless.
And if he could stabilize Mingjue enough, he'd be able to at least visit Gusu, if not return home entirely. Because he missed it, missed his sect but if it was between the two parts of his heart, he had to do what he could to try and fix what was broken.
Even if his smiles were more token than bright like they had been before his confinement.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 05:38 pm (UTC)From:It had taken one of those months before he had enough consciousness to be aware Xichen needed somewhere he could go that was green and alive. Another couple weeks before the garden was revealed. That had been a good day.
Much as today, except for when Mingjue returns to his room to find his little bird no where in sight. The flash of fury and fear staggers him before a hint of reason, one hope, to look in the garden. He moves as quiet as ever, a tremor slides down his spine, and opens the garden.
One step inside and he spies Xichen. Relief releases him to stalk across and grab for the other man, to pull him close and reassure the irrational majority of his spirit.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 06:00 pm (UTC)From:"Da Ge." His voice is quiet, meant only for Mingjue's ears, even if they're alone, Xichen not resisting the embrace.
"Did you finish everything Huaisang needed your help with?"
no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 06:47 pm (UTC)From:Mingjue's grip is tight as his arms wrap around Xichen. He presses his face to the other's neck to breathe in with an absent hum of an answer. "Spoke," a single, rough word. But there's a flicker of delight he'd managed even that much. Most days he can't, yet. But there's hope for the future.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 06:53 pm (UTC)From:"Come and sit. You need to rest."
no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 07:39 pm (UTC)From:Sit.
Rest.
Hm.
Without releasing his hold on his lover, he guides them to the nearest cushion before pressing Xichen down and following.
no subject
Date: 2020-09-20 07:42 pm (UTC)From:"Da Ge." It's soft, fingers smoothing through the other man's hair.