[He meets Jin Guangyao's gaze, knowing how dangerous this is, how they are standing right on that ledge and Xichen is teetering.]
As does A-Yao.
[His heart drums in his throat, hand falling from the impossible effort of keeping snow out of his hair and instead to the much more feasible task of cupping his cheek, thumbing the dip of one of his dimples.]
...The very best.
[Something small and melancholy in him whispers that people do not get what they deserve. They simply get what they get. Lan Wangji deserved a life free of pain and heartbreak. Wei Wuxian deserved to not be scapegoated by the cultivation world. Nie Mingjue deserved an opportunity to choose a different cultivation path than one that would consume him mind, body and soul. Nie Huaisang deserved to have a brother who loved, cherished, and understood him. Jin Guangyao deserved a life free of poverty, fear and predjudice.
No one got a single thing that they deserved.]
A-Yao deserved it from the beginning.
[He leans forward, the cool metal clasp of his head ribbon touching Jin Guangyao's forehead. Frost has collected on his own lashes where his eyes had briefly grown damp, and his lips are cold when they touch Jin Guangyao's.]
no subject
As does A-Yao.
[His heart drums in his throat, hand falling from the impossible effort of keeping snow out of his hair and instead to the much more feasible task of cupping his cheek, thumbing the dip of one of his dimples.]
...The very best.
[Something small and melancholy in him whispers that people do not get what they deserve. They simply get what they get. Lan Wangji deserved a life free of pain and heartbreak. Wei Wuxian deserved to not be scapegoated by the cultivation world. Nie Mingjue deserved an opportunity to choose a different cultivation path than one that would consume him mind, body and soul. Nie Huaisang deserved to have a brother who loved, cherished, and understood him. Jin Guangyao deserved a life free of poverty, fear and predjudice.
No one got a single thing that they deserved.]
A-Yao deserved it from the beginning.
[He leans forward, the cool metal clasp of his head ribbon touching Jin Guangyao's forehead. Frost has collected on his own lashes where his eyes had briefly grown damp, and his lips are cold when they touch Jin Guangyao's.]