voidtreckernet | [Video] Imagination 10

[He is a man desperate for acceptance - for love. Meng Yao has fought to find his place in the world - a place where he won't be mocked or pitied. Despite his upbringing - or maybe because of it - his pride is brittle, likely to fracture at the smallest slight.

And it obviously had fractured. Mingjue is a man who believes in justice; of course he couldn't accept what Meng Yao was doing. To him, it would be abominable. But for Meng Yao, it was necessary.

It was a desperate cry for love.]

I am ashamed of my weakness. [He looks away from the books, biting his lip.] It hurts me even more to know it was that very weakness that led to you -

[His throat closes on perishing.]

If you see the warning signs, I trust you to do what is necessary. I don't wish to harm you or Huaisang or Xichen or anyone else.

[ In Mingjue's mind, love is exactly what Meng Yao had had. Before Xue Yang had been captured and the two had met.

He still has it. Just, uncertain. Unsteady. Fragile, just as Meng Yao's pride. But they're working on it. ]

That led to my death.

[ He'll say it, since Meng Yao can't. His voice is even perfectly steady, as is his gaze. ]

I will not allow you to harm others. Nor will I allow harm come needlessly to you. [ Because fair is fair. ]

You are to come to me if you feel unsteady. Or Xichen or Huaisang if you cannot find me.

[He flinches at the truth, but he doesn't run and hide. He doesn't argue or close his ears to hearing it. To understanding the weight of it. He lifts his gaze, so sharp, so cunning, and lifts a hand, gently tracing his thumb along Mingjue's neck.]

Does it haunt you? You have returned from death. I do not want to solely take from you.

[How can he help? He feels like a monster and a burden.]

I do not feel well knowing this. But I believe it to be true.

[ He's proud of that lack of running from it. No, it's not an easy thing to speak of. But it's not in Mingjue's nature to deny what happened to himself.

But it's testament to their hard work that he doesn't flinch from the gentle touch to his neck. ]

You do more than you seem to think. Grant yourself the earned credit to ensuring my rest is peaceful, for that is precisely what you do.

Bringing you tea and helping you undress is hardly suitable repayment.

[He isn't sure what else he can do except... It might seem silly, given his size, but Meng Yao is quite serious as he continues:]

I will shield your life. I'm not afraid of swords or arrows.

[ There's something suddenly, oddly, fond and amused about the twitch of lips. ]

That is not what I was referring to. I speak of the nights when we share a bed and wake early to avoid being parted unnaturally.

[ He's...not ashamed, nor embarrassed, by saying that matters.

But the serious tone when Meng Yao vows to shield him...and why... ]

I do not fear a second death. I fear...losing myself. Swords and arrows are nothing.

[His face heats and he glances around warily, wanting to protect Mingjue's good name.]

I would not be parted from you at all if it were my choice.

[The audacity of that statement makes him flush harder and he feels like he is losing control of his usually silver tongue.]

How can you lose yourself? Look at what you have overcome. There is much I can - and will - learn from you.

[ Mingjue is the sort who speaks his mind when it is important, regardless of what others might think. He's not ashamed to admit he holds little attraction for women. Add on to the fact he never married even to conceive an heir...

No. He's not ashamed to be a cut-sleeve. It simply is not advertised, which suits him just as well.

But it is rather amusing to see those cheeks flush when Meng Yao makes his own admission - in a sweet kind of way. ]

I overcame it because much of what was driving me insane seems to have been expelled with my death. Along with meditation, and speaking at length with you to work through as much as we can.

I continue to wield Baxia. A repeat is bound to happen, if I am here long enough. That is my legacy - my future.

No. [He speaks suddenly and recklessly, yet, unlike what he said before, he is not blushing now.] There won't be a repeat of that. You are not alone. We can...and will...find a way to silence Baxia.

[Or to, at least, keep it contained. His fingers curl on his thigh, the nails scratching the fabric.]

I give you my spiritual energy freely. The odds are surely in our favor if it is three against one.

[ Is it really a wonder how he can love this man, when Meng Yao says such things?

There is no question who the third would be.

It's still a moment before he gathers himself enough to answer. ]

Neither are you. Combining our abilities and knowledge together, we will help you, A-Yao.

[He isn't alone. Since the death of Meng Shi, he has felt, constantly, alone. Yet here, on this strange train, he is made aware of how deep his connection with the Nie goes. How could he have been so blind?]

I will not let go of your hand or his.

[ Not even a little. Mingjue will remind him as often as he needs it. ]

I would give you my name if you wish it. A reminder of where you belong.

[ And it's been on his mind. ]

Of who you can be, now that you have chosen to renounce Jin Guangshan.

[Everything grinds to a halt and Meng Yao questions his hearing. His name...? He would give him...his name?

Blinking several times, he scoots his chair closer and peers into Mingjue's handsome face.]

Nie...Yao? Is that who I would be?

[ It's not something to rush into - and he isn't. Mingjue is silent, watching the other man while his words and what they mean sink in.

When Meng Yao scoots closer, he raises a hand to brush the back of fingertips over the other's cheek, gaze just as steady as before. ]

Yes. We could also come up with an appropriate courtesy name for you, should you wish one.

[ So many ways in which Jin Guangshan was lacking! ]

[He melts under the touch, at last allowing himself the luxury of trusting someone. His heart hammers in his chest, but he ignores it, concentrating instead on the warm strength of Mingjue's hand. There is kindness behind that touch.

No, not just kindness. The other man cares for him. Meng Yao smiles gently, the expression wobbling.]

If you chose one for me, I would be proud to call it mine.

[ He does. More than he should, perhaps. But let him be cursed to eternity if he doesn't try one last time to save this man.

His lips purse a little as he thinks, gaze resting on his hand as he flattens it, cupping Meng Yao's face. ]

The one I choose for you is what I wish for you.

Nie Zhongqing.

[ Loyalty. Integrity. A morally noble person. ]

[His joy isn't expressed with words; the syllables catch in his throat when he attempts to speak. He thinks that perhaps this is the time anyway to show Mingjue the truth of how he feels about him. The future...what Xue Yang told him...hasn't dampened his love. If anything, it has made the emotion more desperate to be acknowledged.

So he finally acknowledges it, leaning across the small space of table between them and taking advantage of the fact that Mingjue is seated. His kiss isn't clumsy - he has too much experience for that - but it is warm and insistent. If this is the moment he becomes Nie Zhongqing, he wants to mark it in a special way.]

[ Mingjue's own feelings really should be obvious! And they are, in his opinion. But showing it is less obvious, unless one looks at the simple fact he hasn't killed A-Yao, they frequently end up snuggled in bed together (with clothes...so far) and A-Yao helps him dress and undress on a regular basis. Right up to his hair.

And now, giving this man a name. Something that should have been done earlier - but that has been fixed. He watches the emotions and responses play over the other's face. Watches how A-Yao is struck speechless.

He gives as much time as - then lips press to his as all the answer he needs. And Mingjue shows he is not innocent, nor inexperienced. His answering kiss is just as warm, bordering on hot. Seeking to imprint who it is he now holds, for his arms move to wrap around the other man. ]

[Mingjue does have his own way of communicating his...interest. Meng Yao finally feels like he is understanding him. The eldest Nie doesn't hate him, doesn't despise him. He should. That would make sense. Yet something prevents Mingjue from entertaining such negativity.

When the arms come around him and the lips under his respond, his final, dearest question is answered. There is room in Mingjue's heart for him. Still. The library is ignored while Meng Yao kisses the other man thoroughly.

He never does anything halfway. Not for the Nie. His heart hammers for a different reason now - a far more pleasant one - and he gives Mingjue a happy grin when they part.]

[ He should. He did. But they've worked too hard, and A-Yao is still the sweet, competent person Mingjue had fallen for before. So he's fallen for him a second time - the last time. Sense or not. Logic or not. Justice or not...

He sees no other path he can take. And so he walks this path with his eyes open.

Mingjue answers that passion in kind, not letting up until they need to breathe only because of the burn of lungs. Even then he doesn't pull back all that far, just enough to catch their breath. He presses their foreheads together, a quiet little chuckle answering that grin, and a quirky little grin of his own. ]

Never doubt me, A-Yao.

[There won't need to be a third chance. Meng Yao knows that all the love and support he has been searching for - thinking it was somehow beyond his reach - has been right in front of him. And the reason Mingjue...and Xichen...and Huaisang...care for him is because of him. Not because of his name or birthright or parents.

The urge to crawl into Mingjue's lap is almost too difficult to resist. Tingles race over his body and the heat of the other man's kiss won't soon be forgotten. How can he not smile? In turn, how can he not love the grin he receives?

He slips his arms around Mingjue's neck and nuzzles in close.]

I'm sorry I ever did. I won't doubt you for any reason.

[Video] Imagination 10

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject