theafflicted | w3 afterparty

w3 afterparty

Everyone passed! That's great! But Wei Wuxian is gone and you keep getting a weird feeling. Maybe it's the adrenaline that's dying down. Maybe you saw something strange because you're tired? It'll all be uncovered on Sunday. Why not take a breather for now? If you're injured, ask Florence for some medical aid. (can be handwaved) It's around 10 PM when you're released.

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You...

[ Hien's confidence amazes him sometimes. He really will just say whatever he wants. ]

There are a lot of things I like about you.

And?

[ He'll be here all night if he doesn't fall asleep first. It's way past grandpa's bedtime. ]

I think you have a caring side to you. I like that.

[ He looks down so he doesn't have to directly look at Hien. ]

Being on the receiving end of that is... not bad.

Yeah. It feels nice to be cared for. 10 out of 10. I would recommend.

[ He eats more pasta. It's almost gone... ]

You're really good at it.

[ ...

He falls quiet, watching Hien eat his pasta. ]

...All that is to say that I think I'd be a wreck right now if you weren't my partner.

You say that like no one else in our group of misfits would care about you.

[ hello??? ]

I'd never trade you away either.

...

[ He doesn't know if Hien is right, but... ]

I meant that I'm glad that I have you, specifically, as my partner.

Well, good. I'm glad to be doing something right.

[ There's a small, warm smile on his face. ]

Even if all that wasn't enough, I'd try harder.

Really? You wouldn't need to, you know.

[ It's not like Fai is so important that he requires a ton of effort anyway. ]

[ Hien frowns, almost scowling. Fai would be able to tell though, that Hien isn't actually in a bad mood. ]

When I decide to do it, I won't half-ass it. I'd never.

[ He laughs softly. ]

Of course not. You're not that kind of guy, are you?

Yeah, so... don't worry. You're in good hands.

[ In better hands, now. Hien will definitely take care of himself more and be mindful of more of his actions (though some stupid things will still happen sorry fai). ]

[ He smiles softly. This makes him think, though.

... ]

Do you like being taken care of, Hien?

... It's nice once in a while.

[ Which is to say, yeah. Of course he does. ]

Maybe I should try to take care of you more. After all, you take care of me all the time.

[ At least, it certainly feels like that, after Hien let Fai hug out his negative emotions.

He reaches out to gently brush any stray hairs that might be on Hien's face. ]

[ He's about to say something in response, but that gesture is extremely affectionate that it almost catches him off guard. ]

You already take care of me a lot. You just don't realize it.

Really? But... coffee isn't much.

[ He wants to do more, a lot more than just that. ]

It's more than you think. Besides, that's not all you do for me. You told me this yourself, didn't you? That you avoided getting hurt because you saw that I didn't like physical pain.

I did, but...

[ He feels like that's the bare minimum (sorry Hien, he knows you've got to work through that).

There's a moment where it looks like Fai hesitates, but he knows Hien will make him spit it out. ]

I want to take care of you so that your loss doesn't hurt you so much. I want to help you ease some of that pain.

Well, you're... doing a good job of it already.

[ The sessions. ]

But how long does that help really last for you? I want to help you outside of that.

[ He wants to be good for more than just that, is what he thinks deep down. ]

I can sleep peacefully and not get nightmares. It helps a lot. I mean it when I say you've done a lot for me.

Really?

[ He doesn't doubt that Hien is telling the truth, and while he's surprised that he has done so much... ]

...Is it wrong that I want to do more?

No. You can do whatever you want, Fai.

[ He says that with a certain resolution as he finishes up his plate. ]

The only person who can stop you from what you wanna do is yourself.

...

[ Well. Hien isn't wrong, but that doesn't help the weird feelings Fai has right now, manifesting as a nervousness that settles in his stomach. ]

You're right. I'm the only one stopping myself.

[ So... he'll do more, and see where that makes him end up.

When the plate is cleared, Fai takes it and stands up. ]

I'll go get this cleaned up for you.

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selfconcept - 2022-06-13 16:04 (UTC) - Expand

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