[if that means they just stand here like this for a while - well, that's alright. for now, jiuqing wants to stay with him. her worries about what might come tomorrow, or how she'll keep in touch with the others... she wants to lay them to rest, because if they really do only have a short amount of time left together, she doesn't want to spend it worrying.
(but the worries are ever-present, in the back of her mind.
quieter, perhaps, but - she wants to know that the promises she and nogiku made to riff would be kept, wants to be able to help bass smile again, wants to see steel enjoying peaceful moments in inazuma, wants to see shale reunited with his friends and family.
and there are so many others here that she's met, that she wants to see safely home. but she wants to be able to see them, to know that they're all doing well, that they're achieving their dreams.
she really, really doesn't want to say goodbye.)
she relaxes somewhat when he kisses the top of her head.]
Chang Geng? I... need to tell you something.
[when he'd returned, she'd asked him -
would it trouble you, if i said that i like you?
she's stayed close to him, she's followed him into danger, she's trusted him to watch her back, and she's come back to his house every night since he returned - but she hasn't outright said it.
she doesn't want to lose the chance to say it now, just in case.]
[ but she has to go back to daxing, and i to great liang, regardless of what the heart wants.
chang geng has been working for years, to better great liang behind the scenes. he has trained, he has made connections, he has twisted his way into the inner workings of what his brother's light does and does not shine upon alike. for all that his heart has shifted its focus, he still loves gu yun - and he still wants to see him grow old, to be happy and alive and boisterous as ever.
his country is a place that needs a great change, more than anything else. and he has already set himself upon the path to do that.
he can't go to daxing.
but jiuqing can't abandon her mother, or her obligations. there is a man that needs treatment, waiting for her. a promise made. there are people who depend on her, that she can't just up and abandon after being gone for so long - they must be worried sick. and what of her studies?
but the heart wants.
and i found a love requited, something i never expected.
both hands come up, to frame her face. his thumbs sweep over the apples of soft cheeks, brushing back stray hair with the gesture, as he stays where he is, just like that. a kiss to the crown of her head, a gentle touch. but then, he pulls back just enough to see her, coaxes her to look up with his fingertips at her jaw, cradling her face delicately. ]
And I love you. For whatever storm we're to weather next - together or apart - I want you to remember that.
[even if they do have to part, tomorrow - and god, but she hopes they don't have to, she hopes there's a way they can still see each other, once all is said and one - she won't forget him, or the moments they've shared together. she won't forget the gentle way he holds her, or the look in his eyes when he tells her that he loves her.
this is a memory that she'll carry on her heart forever.]
...so, promise me the same thing. That no matter what happens, you won't forget that I love you.
[she meets his eyes.]
Whether I'm right there beside you, or praying for your safety from afar - that won't change. And I will always remember you.
[ tipping forward, he taps their foreheads together briefly, although he still looks back at her. a love that was built both quickly but over time, with longing and missing, with the intimate knowledge of loss...
it isn't something that he would forget, even without a promise. ]
You are not someone to forget, Jiuqing. Even without your love, I wouldn't ever forget you - for as long as I lived.
[ a brief kiss follows, but he resists lingering there for longer - it's just a quick moment, like punctuation. ]
But if this is it... if tomorrow is our last day together, and truly that... then I will take that love with me every day. Whatever awaits me in Great Liang, I'll keep you in my heart.
[she returns that kiss, however brief it is, and goes up on her tiptoes to chase it when he pulls back - but then realizes what she's doing, and her cheeks flush as she settles back onto her feet, standing normally.
they can't talk if they're otherwise occupied. and she wants to talk - she wants to hear his voice, after so long apart, and commit it to memory in case they're parted again.]
And you'll be in mine, always.
[...she doesn't want to leave him.
she knows very well why he can't leave great liang, and he knows very well why she can't leave daxing.
if he was the sort of person who would abandon his world to come join her in hers - well, frankly, she's not sure she would respect him as much as she does. part of the draw is his sense of responsibility, and his unwavering determination to move forward and achieve his goals. he has great things to accomplish in his kingdom, and she has no doubt in her mind that he will do them all - it's just a matter of time, and his country will be much better for it.
...she has things she needs to accomplish in her home, too. and she's not the sort of person who could leave her duties behind. he knows this about her, and so he hasn't asked her to.
and she appreciates that, because she doesn't want to have to say, no, i can't.
tears prick at the corners of her eyes, and she leans forward and buries her face in the crook of his neck, because she doesn't want him to see her cry. not on what might be their last night together.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[if that means they just stand here like this for a while - well, that's alright. for now, jiuqing wants to stay with him. her worries about what might come tomorrow, or how she'll keep in touch with the others... she wants to lay them to rest, because if they really do only have a short amount of time left together, she doesn't want to spend it worrying.
(but the worries are ever-present, in the back of her mind.
quieter, perhaps, but - she wants to know that the promises she and nogiku made to riff would be kept, wants to be able to help bass smile again, wants to see steel enjoying peaceful moments in inazuma, wants to see shale reunited with his friends and family.
and there are so many others here that she's met, that she wants to see safely home. but she wants to be able to see them, to know that they're all doing well, that they're achieving their dreams.
she really, really doesn't want to say goodbye.)
she relaxes somewhat when he kisses the top of her head.]
Chang Geng? I... need to tell you something.
[when he'd returned, she'd asked him -
would it trouble you, if i said that i like you?
she's stayed close to him, she's followed him into danger, she's trusted him to watch her back, and she's come back to his house every night since he returned - but she hasn't outright said it.
she doesn't want to lose the chance to say it now, just in case.]
I love you.
no subject
chang geng has been working for years, to better great liang behind the scenes. he has trained, he has made connections, he has twisted his way into the inner workings of what his brother's light does and does not shine upon alike. for all that his heart has shifted its focus, he still loves gu yun - and he still wants to see him grow old, to be happy and alive and boisterous as ever.
his country is a place that needs a great change, more than anything else. and he has already set himself upon the path to do that.
he can't go to daxing.
but jiuqing can't abandon her mother, or her obligations. there is a man that needs treatment, waiting for her. a promise made. there are people who depend on her, that she can't just up and abandon after being gone for so long - they must be worried sick. and what of her studies?
but the heart wants.
and i found a love requited, something i never expected.
both hands come up, to frame her face. his thumbs sweep over the apples of soft cheeks, brushing back stray hair with the gesture, as he stays where he is, just like that. a kiss to the crown of her head, a gentle touch. but then, he pulls back just enough to see her, coaxes her to look up with his fingertips at her jaw, cradling her face delicately. ]
And I love you. For whatever storm we're to weather next - together or apart - I want you to remember that.
no subject
[even if they do have to part, tomorrow - and god, but she hopes they don't have to, she hopes there's a way they can still see each other, once all is said and one - she won't forget him, or the moments they've shared together. she won't forget the gentle way he holds her, or the look in his eyes when he tells her that he loves her.
this is a memory that she'll carry on her heart forever.]
...so, promise me the same thing. That no matter what happens, you won't forget that I love you.
[she meets his eyes.]
Whether I'm right there beside you, or praying for your safety from afar - that won't change. And I will always remember you.
no subject
it isn't something that he would forget, even without a promise. ]
You are not someone to forget, Jiuqing. Even without your love, I wouldn't ever forget you - for as long as I lived.
[ a brief kiss follows, but he resists lingering there for longer - it's just a quick moment, like punctuation. ]
But if this is it... if tomorrow is our last day together, and truly that... then I will take that love with me every day. Whatever awaits me in Great Liang, I'll keep you in my heart.
no subject
they can't talk if they're otherwise occupied. and she wants to talk - she wants to hear his voice, after so long apart, and commit it to memory in case they're parted again.]
And you'll be in mine, always.
[...she doesn't want to leave him.
she knows very well why he can't leave great liang, and he knows very well why she can't leave daxing.
if he was the sort of person who would abandon his world to come join her in hers - well, frankly, she's not sure she would respect him as much as she does. part of the draw is his sense of responsibility, and his unwavering determination to move forward and achieve his goals. he has great things to accomplish in his kingdom, and she has no doubt in her mind that he will do them all - it's just a matter of time, and his country will be much better for it.
...she has things she needs to accomplish in her home, too. and she's not the sort of person who could leave her duties behind. he knows this about her, and so he hasn't asked her to.
and she appreciates that, because she doesn't want to have to say, no, i can't.
tears prick at the corners of her eyes, and she leans forward and buries her face in the crook of his neck, because she doesn't want him to see her cry. not on what might be their last night together.]
...always.
[she repeats the word in a whisper.]