... in all honesty, Xichen hasn't expected quite this configuration of things - when Jin Rulan said that neither of them should meet Meng Yao alone, he had expected the supervision of one of those whose judgment is... more impartial. But this is also fair, in its way.
"Thank you." He doesn't look his best, but neither is he unsightly. Not as bad as when Wangji first found him in the streets, on his first job. "You are... afraid. I don't believe you need to be. I just... do not think it is right for others, even one of us, to try to set your course. The three of us are those who remember... all. It would probably be right to see what our expectations are. And if there are limitations that make sense. In any direction."
Because at this point they all know that there is plenty of danger, from many sides. But living in fear will not do any good.
And if Xichen is clutching the insides of his sleeves, uncertain if he makes sense at all, well. He is pretty sure neither of them will really notice.
no subject
"Thank you." He doesn't look his best, but neither is he unsightly. Not as bad as when Wangji first found him in the streets, on his first job. "You are... afraid. I don't believe you need to be. I just... do not think it is right for others, even one of us, to try to set your course. The three of us are those who remember... all. It would probably be right to see what our expectations are. And if there are limitations that make sense. In any direction."
Because at this point they all know that there is plenty of danger, from many sides. But living in fear will not do any good.
And if Xichen is clutching the insides of his sleeves, uncertain if he makes sense at all, well. He is pretty sure neither of them will really notice.