[Video] Kazoo 16

[ayao]

Forgive me for being...selfish...

And I warn you, the subject matter of my question might be sensitive...

[But why not make this inquiry here rather than in his world where it would surely bring negative repercussions.]

What are your thoughts on two men being in a relationship? [He doesn't dare say married, but he is drawn to the idea.] Do you perceive it as...wrong? Should the men instead continue their respective lines with wives?

[Heirs are important. Yet can they not be had in other ways? Of course said ways are illegal and immoral in the land he knows.]

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[ayao]

[This... Hearing of da ge's death, of how he drove him mad and beheaded him had been heartbreaking. But this... This is worse. By far. Meng Yao has desired a family of his own, a child of his own, and to know, in the future, he will have both and treat them so abysmally does more than break his heart: it fractures his soul.

He teeters on the bench, just on the edge of fainting before he grips onto Xichen tighter. He uses the other man as an anchor, focusing on his pain instead of the horror and hopelessness he feels.]

Jin...Rusong? [His breath catches on a sob and tears run unchecked down his face, soaking his hair.] My little boy...?

[Forget the title. Forget the fact that he marries his half-sister! His son comes into the world and only lives five years? And all because he can't let go of his fear of being judged? Rising from the bench, he walks a few paces away, shaking with anger and pain.]

I hate him. [His future self.] If I could strangle him...Guangyao... [The name is said bitterly.] I would. I would put him in the ground and pile rocks on top of him!

[He covers his face with his hands, ashamed and broken, crumbling to his knees in the flowers.]

Why do I stray so far from what I've always wanted? I don't understand.

[lanxichen]

[ Xichen doesn't let go of his hands until Meng Yao tears himself away, then unfolds and follows, slipping off the hoodie to wrap it around the young man's shoulders, his arm staying over it as he crouches next to him. ]

I... don't hate him. I can't. [ He has tried. ] But the love... hurts. All the time. Especially knowing...

Especially knowing that when he died, I had run him through with Shuoyue.

[ There is something dead in his voice, empty. But it also needs to be said. ]

[ayao]

[He can't help turning towards Xichen and embracing the dear man. If he could simply bury himself against his chest and hide from what he knows, he would be tempted.]

You did...what was right. [Meng Yao shudders at the thought of being pierced by that sword. Shuoyue is nearly as coveted by him as Xichen himself. But hadn't he earned it? Oh yes.]

You carry that with you and I'm sorry, Zewu-Jun. [He tips his head back at the dead quality of that voice.] I become a monster. You had to stop me.

[lanxichen]

[ Xichen does shift to hold him against him, his own tears falling silently for a long moment before he finds words again. ]

Shh.

What was... was. You cannot change it. Just let it sink in, and think on it a little? No changes can happen all at once, but I think - to know what to change, what to avoid, you need to know where small things that are off can lead to much, much bigger ones.

[ayao]

[He tries to wipe away those tears with gentle fingers, but they are as numerous as his own. So instead he rises on his toes to press their foreheads together.]

I will think...hard...on everything. All I know is I want to support you. [Wuxian had been right about that.] Thank you for telling me. I know it wasn't easy.

[lanxichen]

[ There is a sound which is... a not-laugh that really doesn't suit Xichen at all, but it tears out of him helplessly. Support him... ]

After Jin Guangyao, the one who made the most wrong choices was me. Not out of want for power, or insecurity, but because I thought I knew better. Because I was in fact blind.

The only who were not fooled were da ge, who listened to me, [ because da ge always cared, always, beyond almost anyone else, ] and Huaisang, who kept me in the dark. Because he thought I would choose Jin Guangyao over him - and I can't even say he was wrong, no matter how much I may want to defend myself, or think I would choose the righteous instead.

[ With difficulty, Xichen bites off the flow of useless words. It is not what Meng Yao needs. ]

I am sorry, this...

All I wanted to say is that asking strangers for how you should act - that will not lead to anything good. If you need to ask, ask the people whose opinion matters. Nobody else.

[ayao]

[He rests his hands on Xichen's chest, taking in everything he says - and some of what he doesn't say. Despite his nausea and his disgust over who he becomes, he finds his face heating. Lan Xichen loves him that much? His head ducks and he tucks himself against the other man again.]

How should I act? What do you need from me? I heed only your voice, Xichen.

[The name is whispered intimately, lovingly.]

You are hurting and I want to help. The loyalty you have shown me... I'm honored.

And I'm so sorry I proved myself unworthy of it.

[lanxichen]

[ Xichen... wants to scream in frustration. With himself, mostly. With everyone thinking so well of him, and he knows he doesn't deserve it. Doesn't deserve any of it.

But his hold remains gentle, and steady. Screaming is unbecoming. He can't do that. As long as there are eyes on him and he is in possession of his capacities, he will not
show himself less than he should be. Even if the people who know who he should be are so few here.

Anyway... ]

If you are unsure, always choose what you know would make Mingjue-xiong proud of you. I have no better guide than that. You know him almost as well as I do. That should be guide enough.

[ayao]

...yes. [Even if Xichen screams and throws various items at walls, his opinion is the one Meng Yao values most. It isn't about his public image; it's about how much Meng Yao loves him.]

Then... [Mingjue would be selfless about this - and protective. Meng Yao wraps an arm around Xichen's waist and tries to lead him back to the bench.] The tea is cold, Zewu-Jun. I'll have to warm it up.

[Which is easy enough. He uses his spiritual energy for the task, heating the teapot before he pours the brew into a cup.]

Here. Your favorite.

[lanxichen]

[ Probably not, but Xichen has never, ever been allowed to be anything less than perfectly mannered and polite, since a very, very young age. Proper, according to all the rules of the sect. On days when he is already weak and vulnerable, attempting to break that training is an insurmountable task.

However, the attending from Meng Yao is both soothing and alarming. How many times has he done something like this over the years?

How many times has it meant different things for them...

He almost chokes on the tea, too. Meng Yao has always been this solicitous... had Xichen taken him for granted, too? He never asked for much at all, so all given, he has been grateful but, but but but--

Closing his eyes, he takes a sip, then gently motions towards the rest of it. His voice is steadier, and color begins to return to his lips, even while his thoughts spin and spin in their barbed ways. ]

You as well. Did it ... did it cost too much to get this specific tea...?

[ His fingers reach to touch his ribbon; having it back is good, and it is not as though he wants for so much more. But Meng Yao might want other things, too. ]

[ayao]

[The question surprises him - like Xichen, he doesn't ask for much. He has some robes and his sword; of course he will spend any of his funds on items he can easily share. Since the handsome Lan before him owns his heart, requesting the herbs to make the tea he likes best had been an easy decision.]

No, of course not. I wanted something we could enjoy together.

[He catches the motion and smiles softly. Those ribbons mean so much to the Lan and he is glad Xichen has his again.]

I have everything I need. [Just sitting here, like this, he finds that statement to be entirely true.]

[lanxichen]

It...

[ Xichen considers the statement, eyes on the younger man. Not hard, if still a little sadder than they used to be. After a moment, he nods. ]

It is peaceful, [ beat, but while it is still teasing rather than as though he is ignoring or misunderstanding, he adds, ] too.

Thank you, Meng Yao.

[ayao]

[His cheeks flare, dark red, and there is a hunger in his eyes that, in the future, turns quite dark. For now, it is innocent - for the most part anyway - and solely directed at Lan Xichen.]

Rest. [He lays a hand on Xichen's arm.] I wish I could gather Little Carrot and Little Radish for you. They are incredibly soft and sweet.

[lanxichen]

[ Xichen's breath catches. Why... why couldn't things be simple. Why couldn't he and Meng Yao and Mingjue live with their love, rather than betrayal and murder and so, so much blood among them. His heart, barely more than ashes, gives a tired twitch at that look, but that is all it can manage.

Then he breathes out, the hint of teasing fading back down again. ]

I think Wangji needs them more. But thank you.

[ayao]

[He hears that catch and he shifts closer, stubbornly taking hold of Xichen's hand. Meng Yao is young with the weight of his horrible future on his shoulders, but they are alone, together. Wasting the time in regret is just that...a waste.]

I am happy to take their place. I am told my hair is soft.

[Please... Just a tiny smile?]

[lanxichen]

[ Maybe... not a smile, he's not whole enough for those yet, but Xichen's expression softens after an initial widening of the eyes.

He tilts his head a bit. ]

You need not take anyone's place, or be other than you are, to be enough.

[ The choices Meng Yao makes determine enough for what, but he truly need not stand in place of anyone or anything. Simply being is enough. ]