[He isn't sure what to expect - had Huaisang seen? Part of him is embarrassed, but his anger far outweighs that emotion. He has no intention of letting it go.
When the door opens, he stumbles inside, guided by the hand on his arm. The hood of his cloak falls back and reveals the tapestry of bruises and gashes on his face. He swallows with difficulty under the hands. Kindness is still...something so foreign for him.]
[Huaisang darts away for the kitchen, hurrying back with both the promised items. He gives Xue Yang the plate and fork with cake, then pours wine for him, holding the cup for when he's ready.]
He is. As a submissive. Wangji contracted him in order to keep an eye on him. Wangji and I monitor and control him now.
What will the two of you do? Surely they won't let you keep living together after being punished for it like that? Won't the punishment just be worse next time?
Mm thanks. [He stares at the cake, not taking a bite right away. His mind feels like it's too full and so, for a few moments, he sets it aside and drinks the wine instead.]
I have a feeling you're more than a match for him, A-Sang. Still... Don't give him too much leeway. He's a good actor.
[He looks around as if to confirm they are alone.]
We just won't make it public. I can have my place and he his.
I do too. [He mutters, his shoulders sagging only for them to tense up a split second later. Damn gashes.] I think he knows what I would do to him if I were his Dominant.
[Wangji and Huaisang are kinder.]
I wouldn't have asked you to interfere. [He licks his cut lip.] My mouth got me in more trouble. A-Chen was so stoic about it all.
Yes. The fear of you is likely one of the things that keeps him cooperative and obedient with me.
[Huaisang rests his cheek very lightly against Xue Yang's shoulder, alert to any tension that might indicate he's picked a painful spot.] The more you resist them, the worse things get.
I'm... lucky. My role suits my personality and it's easy for me to comply and accept the things this place requires.
[It's harder for Xue Yang and Xiao Xingchen, he knows. Their love for each other means that any compliance will always be a lie. Unless...
Huaisang sits up straight as he gets an idea, then leans over to murmur it very quietly in Xue Yang's ear.]
[He sighs at the gentle pressure, drinking some more wine to dim his emotions. Huaisang is probably right and his plan will keep Xingchen much safer. Besides, it's not as if either of them have to sleep with anyone else. They just have to play their roles.
And he is good at being a delinquent.]
I don't know what to do with half the stuff I've acquired. Me being a dominant is funny and I've made it useful, but I would give it up for him.
[Huaisang nods, just sitting beside Xue Yang and keeping him company. He's offered his idea and it will be up to Xue Yang and Xingchen whether they want to try it. Huaisang wants no further involvement with the risks and any punishments that Xue Yang might earn.]
I know you can't, really, but ... be careful. This place could punish you in any number of awful ways for defying them. This first time may just have been a warning.
[Huaisang has no business in this plan and Xue Yang will not involve him. But it is nice to have a friend he can go to now and then. He has never had that before.]
I don't mind dying, A-Sang. That's my destiny anyway.
[He picks up the cake and starts to enjoy it, leaning against Huaisang as he chews.]
I can just keep murdering him! [He chirps as if the deed is of no consequence at all! Then he tries to feed a piece of the cake to Huaisang.] You'll let me know if you feel threatened? Little clues that something isn't right coming from him say...a lot. I know you won't ignore them.
[Huaisang laughs cheerfully at the murder offer. What good friends he has!] Don't worry. Wangji watches him alertly and I have a very strong hand in his training.
He's a whore by birth and by nature, and it's only right that he should learn to accept that.
Training! [He laughs and takes a big bite of cake, finishing it off with a swig of wine.] You're too sweet to him, A-Sang. I would pull his hair out and keep him locked in some dreadfully small room!
[But the whore idea is good!]
I can't really talk. Did you know I'm related to Xue Chonghai?
Oh, I very much considered it! Such a small cage so that he would never be able to stand up straight, with daily torture.
But I am concerned that it would make me cruel, and I do not want to become that cruel and hard. I trust Wangji to help me follow a path with Meng Yao that does not stray too far from justice.
[He rubs his cheek against Xue Yang's shoulder.] I had wondered it, yes.
Tie his neck to his hands and ankles! [He tucks his head close to his wrists and pretends they are bound together.] Like this~ It can drive a man insane.
[Xue Yang taps Huaisang's nose with his finger.]
Leave the cruelty to others. There was a time none of that would've bothered me.
[But he has changed.]
He didn't pass anything down - and even if he had, it's not like my parents survived long enough to tell me about it.
[Huaisang hugs his arms around Xue Yang's waist to comfort him.] Meng Yao is under control and this place is cruel enough. Neither of us need to be cruel.
He doesn't matter, A-Yang. You have someone you belong with and people who care about you. Forget the past.
We'll see~ [He lifts his arm and cuddles Huaisang against his side. Who could think about someone they hate while having a cute little friend to snuggle?]
[Those are words that he will never get accustomed to hearing. His cheeks flush and he lets out a tired sigh, resting his cheek against Huaisang's shoulder.]
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When the door opens, he stumbles inside, guided by the hand on his arm. The hood of his cloak falls back and reveals the tapestry of bruises and gashes on his face. He swallows with difficulty under the hands. Kindness is still...something so foreign for him.]
No one knows I'm here.
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Come and sit. Do you want alcohol? Cake?
[His house is still very much in-progress so there aren't chairs on the main floor. He leads Xue Yang gently over to the stairs to sit.]
Where is daozhang?
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I'm not sorry for the reason behind it.
[And he never will be. Lowering himself onto a step, he loosens his cloak and lets it fall, pooling around him.]
Both sound nice...if you have them? I know you're moving.
[His expression gentles at the last question and he smiles.]
Resting. He needs it. It could've been a whole lot worse for him if they hadn't let me...take him without his permission.
I...
I heard Meng Yao is here.
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[Huaisang darts away for the kitchen, hurrying back with both the promised items. He gives Xue Yang the plate and fork with cake, then pours wine for him, holding the cup for when he's ready.]
He is. As a submissive. Wangji contracted him in order to keep an eye on him. Wangji and I monitor and control him now.
What will the two of you do? Surely they won't let you keep living together after being punished for it like that? Won't the punishment just be worse next time?
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I have a feeling you're more than a match for him, A-Sang. Still... Don't give him too much leeway. He's a good actor.
[He looks around as if to confirm they are alone.]
We just won't make it public. I can have my place and he his.
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[Huaisang combs gentle hands through Xue Yang's hair, just trying to soothe him as much as possible.]
That sounds like a good idea. I'm sorry this happened, A-Yang. I saw a little of it on the network. I... I didn't think there was anything I could do.
[He wasn't willing to be seen or heard in opposition to the LIES program, and any comfort he could have offered would be that.]
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[Wangji and Huaisang are kinder.]
I wouldn't have asked you to interfere. [He licks his cut lip.] My mouth got me in more trouble. A-Chen was so stoic about it all.
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[Huaisang rests his cheek very lightly against Xue Yang's shoulder, alert to any tension that might indicate he's picked a painful spot.] The more you resist them, the worse things get.
I'm... lucky. My role suits my personality and it's easy for me to comply and accept the things this place requires.
[It's harder for Xue Yang and Xiao Xingchen, he knows. Their love for each other means that any compliance will always be a lie. Unless...
Huaisang sits up straight as he gets an idea, then leans over to murmur it very quietly in Xue Yang's ear.]
I have an idea but it's very risky.
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[He sighs at the gentle pressure, drinking some more wine to dim his emotions. Huaisang is probably right and his plan will keep Xingchen much safer. Besides, it's not as if either of them have to sleep with anyone else. They just have to play their roles.
And he is good at being a delinquent.]
I don't know what to do with half the stuff I've acquired. Me being a dominant is funny and I've made it useful, but I would give it up for him.
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I know you can't, really, but ... be careful. This place could punish you in any number of awful ways for defying them. This first time may just have been a warning.
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I don't mind dying, A-Sang. That's my destiny anyway.
[He picks up the cake and starts to enjoy it, leaning against Huaisang as he chews.]
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Which is the only reason I haven't had you murder Meng Yao for me. [He smiles cheerfully and kisses Xue Yang's cheek.] He'd just come back.
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He's a whore by birth and by nature, and it's only right that he should learn to accept that.
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[But the whore idea is good!]
I can't really talk. Did you know I'm related to Xue Chonghai?
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But I am concerned that it would make me cruel, and I do not want to become that cruel and hard. I trust Wangji to help me follow a path with Meng Yao that does not stray too far from justice.
[He rubs his cheek against Xue Yang's shoulder.] I had wondered it, yes.
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[Xue Yang taps Huaisang's nose with his finger.]
Leave the cruelty to others. There was a time none of that would've bothered me.
[But he has changed.]
He didn't pass anything down - and even if he had, it's not like my parents survived long enough to tell me about it.
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He doesn't matter, A-Yang. You have someone you belong with and people who care about you. Forget the past.
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Meaning you're protecting me? Just a little bit?
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I'll help you too. You know that.