[ no, he doesn't enjoy being criticized even now, even when he knows that he deserves it; old habits die hard. dragons are not easily changed, eternal as their souls may be. but the squeeze of jing yuan's hands placates him, and dan heng hums, content.
content, until jing yuan continues speaking, at least. ]
Your absence is more painful still, Ah Yuan.
[ dan feng's eyes meet jing yuan's, and he steps in nearer, tipping his brow to touch it lightly to his. the contact is very light, and very bare, yet the bond between them surges for it, warm and comforting. ]
[ the gesture is warm and familiar, jing yuan's eyes instinctively closing the moment their foreheads touch. almost as if his memories are reawakened and he's once more brought back to those days when their worries revolved around campaigns and trainings, around baijiu that tasted terrible and the lines around yingxing's eyes.
he remembers a question someone asked him months ago on how he's able to determine and confirm if he's imprinted on anyone, something he can now effortlessly respond to. ]
You wouldn't have lost me either way, High Elder.
[ even if dan feng decided to distance himself from jing yuan, he would still gladly go to him should he call out to him. at the end of the day, despite the events that tore their friendship apart, he remains someone he cherishes, someone he deeply respects and admires. ]
.. but knowing you are here, and not seeing you, or speaking with you - well.
[ he's made his point well enough, he thinks, and need not extrapolate further. having jing yuan so close and yet so far after all that has happened.. they both know full well that dan feng has nothing left to return to, after karteria, and so he must take advantage of what they have. he squeezes jing yuan's hands. ]
jing yuan knows what words follow that line of thought, understands it well himself. but something he's learned in the years that he's weathered the challenges and calamities of the luofu is that taking a step back and gazing from the shore often gives him a greater sense of appreciation toward others.
distance is, sometimes, the best cure for heartache, for yearning. ]
A proposition?
[ it's not often dan feng is willing to suggest or recommend, the high elder more inclined to getting his way or the highway. jing yuan, of course, is always willing to listen. ] What is it?
[ wtf so he doesn't appreciate gege close up?? ://// ]
Yes. I find myself outgrowing my current lodgings.
[ it's.. fine, i guess. for a hovel. but it's small, and there's more he would like to explore, including hardwood floors. carpeting is awful. it's also lonely, empty, and while dan feng does not mind living alone, he has had quite enough isolation for one lifetime. ]
I have decent savings, but it would be much easier for me to afford somewhere larger if I were to share the space with another.
[ he squeezes jing yuan's hands again, thumbing over the ridges of his knuckles. ]
the proposition is indeed a surprise, though perhaps this is something he should've expected. dan feng had been used to company, even before the events of the sedition, whether it's the preceptors or the high-cloud quintet. he was only isolated after being condemned for an unpardonable sin.
he also should've expected that his current living quarters are small enough for the former high elder, who has lived in opulence for much of his life. but given their circumstances which cannot afford such luxury, it makes sense that "rooming" with another person would alleviate part of the challenge. ]
Only if you're comfortable living with another person, High Elder.
[ they may be friends, but it's an entirely different situation living together. ]
[ he wants to be rich again!! he misses good tea..
jing yuan's surprise is evident, but that is not shocking, all things considered. after a short separation, with dan feng barging into his home, jing yuan surely could not have expected to be asked to room together. ]
I am comfortable with you.
[ he says, earnestly. much as dan feng does not love to be alone after centuries in isolation, he still would not ask just anyone to share space with him. he is particular about close friendships, but jing yuan is jing yuan. ]
That said, I do not mean to force you. "No" is an acceptable answer.
[ no is indeed an acceptable answer here, but jing yuan's aware that dan feng must've swallowed a great deal his pride to even offer this proposition to him. it's not simply an admission that he's outgrown his lodging and is in need of a bigger one, especially not after the past few weeks of being apart. ]
My answer is not a "no", High Elder.
[ as if jing yuan could ever deny dan feng anything he wanted. he's always supported him, always rallied behind his decisions, reckless as they are, having sacrificed so much throughout the centuries.
he was simply concerned that this might be an uncomfortable situation for dan feng. ]
I only wish to be certain of your comfort living with me.
If I were not comfortable with it, I would not have asked.
[ he says simply, clearly. his reasoning is not entirely false - dan feng does wish to have more space, and knows well that he cannot do it so easily alone, but of course that is not his only motive. keeping jing yuan close is more important still. ]
Then, do you accept?
[ even if he does not - though dan feng suspects that he will - he'll still keep him as close as he is able to, will still never relinquish his hold. even after all of this time, the quintet means everything to him, each and every one of them, no matter what they may think of him in return. ]
[ dan feng's expression has jing yuan considering a harmless joke, a lighthearted tease just like old times. but it doesn't seem like the time or place, especially when they're still trying to navigate this rough patch between them.
if it's space that dan feng wants while still keeping his company, he thinks that's something he can offer him. ]
I do ...
[ ... why does it feel as if he's just accepted a proposal after a long-drawn courtship? jing yuan chuckles inwardly, feeling as if he's become a boy once more, trailing after his master and her companions. ]
Though if you decide to your mind, High Elder, it'll be more difficult to avoid me.
[ at jing yuan's answer, dan feng smiles, soft and subdued, but a smile nonetheless. ]
Nonsense. I will not change my mind.
[ he was hardly able to go a month's time - a pittance - without reaching out again. jing yuan is simply too important to him, and putting distance between them to begin with had been a mistake. for however long he has here in this place.. dan feng wants to keep him close. he gives those hands another warm squeeze. ]
There are a few homes I have seen available - "townhouses", they are called. We should visit them, to see what you like.
he's heard about them, seen them, but didn't bother taking a look. mostly because his budget at the time was enough for a small apartment, enough for a place to rest and sleep after a day's work. even his quarters back in the luofu, while certainly more luxurious and spacious than his current accommodations, were only kept as such, time spent more at the seat or elsewhere.
ah, but he can't say that, can he? knowing dan feng, he'd have issues with his habits now that he's a general. ]
I'm happy to go with whatever is to your liking, High Elder. I'll leave it to your choice.
[ knowing dan feng as well, he won't pick anything simple or sparse. ]
All right, well, we should at least tour them together, to be certain that you do not hate the space.
[ dan feng's smile remains, soft and easy, and he is well aware of the fact that their hands are still linked - he simply has no desire to let go.
it's clear that this pleases him. being able to have more space will be lovely enough, let alone being able to see jing yuan more often, and the row homes also offer enough room for them to be able to have their own space, should they desire it. certainly learning to share space with someone will not be without its growing pains, but dan feng desires the company. desires jing yuan's company. ]
[ jing yuan almost argues that he's fine with whatever dan feng chooses, that he's easygoing when it comes to these things anyway as he sees no reason to be so fussy about it. but he supposes that the vidyadhara will be adamant against such insistence and will make him go check the house anyway. ]
Tomorrow morning is fine, yes.
[ he can skip work in the morning and drop by in the afternoon instead when there seems to be more patrons around. ]
Shall I pick you up from your residence?
[ normally, it would be more convenient to meet halfway, but this is the least he can do for dan feng, especially after he's come all the way to his home simply to reconcile. jing yuan wouldn't have it any other way, in any case. ]
[ meeting halfway would be more ideal, yes, but dan feng knows how to choose his battles, especially with jing yuan, who can be even more stubborn than dan feng himself, when push comes to shove. so he will allow this, even if the escort is not entirely necessary.
a mild smile curves dan feng's lips, and he gives jing yuan's hands another affectionate squeeze. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
content, until jing yuan continues speaking, at least. ]
Your absence is more painful still, Ah Yuan.
[ dan feng's eyes meet jing yuan's, and he steps in nearer, tipping his brow to touch it lightly to his. the contact is very light, and very bare, yet the bond between them surges for it, warm and comforting. ]
I will not lose you again. I cannot.
no subject
he remembers a question someone asked him months ago on how he's able to determine and confirm if he's imprinted on anyone, something he can now effortlessly respond to. ]
You wouldn't have lost me either way, High Elder.
[ even if dan feng decided to distance himself from jing yuan, he would still gladly go to him should he call out to him. at the end of the day, despite the events that tore their friendship apart, he remains someone he cherishes, someone he deeply respects and admires. ]
You are still, first and foremost, my friend.
no subject
[ dan feng smiles thinly, ruefully. ]
.. but knowing you are here, and not seeing you, or speaking with you - well.
[ he's made his point well enough, he thinks, and need not extrapolate further. having jing yuan so close and yet so far after all that has happened.. they both know full well that dan feng has nothing left to return to, after karteria, and so he must take advantage of what they have. he squeezes jing yuan's hands. ]
I have a proposition for you.
no subject
jing yuan knows what words follow that line of thought, understands it well himself. but something he's learned in the years that he's weathered the challenges and calamities of the luofu is that taking a step back and gazing from the shore often gives him a greater sense of appreciation toward others.
distance is, sometimes, the best cure for heartache, for yearning. ]
A proposition?
[ it's not often dan feng is willing to suggest or recommend, the high elder more inclined to getting his way or the highway. jing yuan, of course, is always willing to listen. ] What is it?
no subject
Yes. I find myself outgrowing my current lodgings.
[ it's.. fine, i guess. for a hovel. but it's small, and there's more he would like to explore, including hardwood floors. carpeting is awful. it's also lonely, empty, and while dan feng does not mind living alone, he has had quite enough isolation for one lifetime. ]
I have decent savings, but it would be much easier for me to afford somewhere larger if I were to share the space with another.
[ he squeezes jing yuan's hands again, thumbing over the ridges of his knuckles. ]
no subject
the proposition is indeed a surprise, though perhaps this is something he should've expected. dan feng had been used to company, even before the events of the sedition, whether it's the preceptors or the high-cloud quintet. he was only isolated after being condemned for an unpardonable sin.
he also should've expected that his current living quarters are small enough for the former high elder, who has lived in opulence for much of his life. but given their circumstances which cannot afford such luxury, it makes sense that "rooming" with another person would alleviate part of the challenge. ]
Only if you're comfortable living with another person, High Elder.
[ they may be friends, but it's an entirely different situation living together. ]
no subject
jing yuan's surprise is evident, but that is not shocking, all things considered. after a short separation, with dan feng barging into his home, jing yuan surely could not have expected to be asked to room together. ]
I am comfortable with you.
[ he says, earnestly. much as dan feng does not love to be alone after centuries in isolation, he still would not ask just anyone to share space with him. he is particular about close friendships, but jing yuan is jing yuan. ]
That said, I do not mean to force you. "No" is an acceptable answer.
no subject
My answer is not a "no", High Elder.
[ as if jing yuan could ever deny dan feng anything he wanted. he's always supported him, always rallied behind his decisions, reckless as they are, having sacrificed so much throughout the centuries.
he was simply concerned that this might be an uncomfortable situation for dan feng. ]
I only wish to be certain of your comfort living with me.
no subject
[ he says simply, clearly. his reasoning is not entirely false - dan feng does wish to have more space, and knows well that he cannot do it so easily alone, but of course that is not his only motive. keeping jing yuan close is more important still. ]
Then, do you accept?
[ even if he does not - though dan feng suspects that he will - he'll still keep him as close as he is able to, will still never relinquish his hold. even after all of this time, the quintet means everything to him, each and every one of them, no matter what they may think of him in return. ]
no subject
if it's space that dan feng wants while still keeping his company, he thinks that's something he can offer him. ]
I do ...
[ ... why does it feel as if he's just accepted a proposal after a long-drawn courtship? jing yuan chuckles inwardly, feeling as if he's become a boy once more, trailing after his master and her companions. ]
Though if you decide to your mind, High Elder, it'll be more difficult to avoid me.
no subject
Nonsense. I will not change my mind.
[ he was hardly able to go a month's time - a pittance - without reaching out again. jing yuan is simply too important to him, and putting distance between them to begin with had been a mistake. for however long he has here in this place.. dan feng wants to keep him close. he gives those hands another warm squeeze. ]
There are a few homes I have seen available - "townhouses", they are called. We should visit them, to see what you like.
no subject
he's heard about them, seen them, but didn't bother taking a look. mostly because his budget at the time was enough for a small apartment, enough for a place to rest and sleep after a day's work. even his quarters back in the luofu, while certainly more luxurious and spacious than his current accommodations, were only kept as such, time spent more at the seat or elsewhere.
ah, but he can't say that, can he? knowing dan feng, he'd have issues with his habits now that he's a general. ]
I'm happy to go with whatever is to your liking, High Elder. I'll leave it to your choice.
[ knowing dan feng as well, he won't pick anything simple or sparse. ]
no subject
[ dan feng's smile remains, soft and easy, and he is well aware of the fact that their hands are still linked - he simply has no desire to let go.
it's clear that this pleases him. being able to have more space will be lovely enough, let alone being able to see jing yuan more often, and the row homes also offer enough room for them to be able to have their own space, should they desire it. certainly learning to share space with someone will not be without its growing pains, but dan feng desires the company. desires jing yuan's company. ]
Would tomorrow morning be all right with you?
no subject
Tomorrow morning is fine, yes.
[ he can skip work in the morning and drop by in the afternoon instead when there seems to be more patrons around. ]
Shall I pick you up from your residence?
[ normally, it would be more convenient to meet halfway, but this is the least he can do for dan feng, especially after he's come all the way to his home simply to reconcile. jing yuan wouldn't have it any other way, in any case. ]
no subject
Yes, that will do.
[ meeting halfway would be more ideal, yes, but dan feng knows how to choose his battles, especially with jing yuan, who can be even more stubborn than dan feng himself, when push comes to shove. so he will allow this, even if the escort is not entirely necessary.
a mild smile curves dan feng's lips, and he gives jing yuan's hands another affectionate squeeze. ]
Then I shall see you in the morning.