Huaisang nods, though he lightly brushes off Dorian's caressing hand, guiding it back down to his waist. His emotions are a muddle right now, but he doesn't want to be soothed, just held. "I agree. I didn't expect you to act so quickly, but I didn't think of it as anything amiss at the time. It would have been better if you'd taken a moment to assess. Perhaps then you would have chosen a different course of action, but I know absolutely that you would have acted in my best interests whatever you decided. I didn't mean to doubt you when you said that you'd take more care in the future--I thought you meant something like listening to both sides because you didn't trust my word. You meant taking a moment to assess so that you could choose the most appropriate course of action. And because you didn't, it's put you in a difficult position in regards to the Iron Bull's doubts."
Huaisang lowers his eyes to Dorian's chest, chewing softly on his lower lip. He's so tired. He just wants to be loved, not doubted. He wants a reprieve from this week of having to tiptoe so carefully through situations and still having them blow up in his face. He just wants to be surface-level and pleasant, a pretty face without a thought in his head. "I'll do everything I can to help you track down more answers regarding the situation, whatever you need."
"Bull doesn't like magic. Regardless of the fact that I didn't harm Charlotte, I did use my magic on someone." If Huaisang wants to be held, then that's what Dorian does, hand resting on his waist.
"I acted and put myself in this situation. This is my mess to clean up. I don't care if Bull's opinion of you is dependent on those accusations, baseless or not, I couldn't just hear him say such things and not get your word on it. For disturbing your evening and causing you such distress- I apologize. It was not my intention."
"You didn't disturb my evening. You're important to me. I'm always going to make time if you need me for any reason."
Huaisang hesitates, studying Dorian's expression warily. It feels like he's wrapping this conversation up so that he can leave, and that makes Huaisang dread that maybe he's not forgiven after all. "Are you... are you leaving?"
For the first time this evening, Dorian's expression softens and he holds Huaisang close, hands looping behind the small of his back, fingers interlocking. "No. I do have plans to drink myself into a stupor, but they aren't at all time-sensitive." A playful smile touches his lips and he leans in close enough to kiss, but doesn't do so yet. "Would you care to join me?"
Huaisang nods softly, smile hesitantly appearing as it seems like Dorian will stay a while longer. He hated the thought of letting him go while they were both in such a mood, having been through so much. "You pick the room. I have liquor in all of them. And in my pouch. You know. The usual."
This time as he bites his lip, there's a slight twitch in the opposite side, knowing how much they both appreciate quality liquor.
"Whichever has the strongest liquor in it; better to numb my mind and throat." In other words, he wants to get fucked up and throw back drinks until he leaves in a questionable state. "I care very little for the hangover that I'll suffer." And he finally steals that smooch.
"Come, lets drown away these terrible feelings and maybe more if the mood strikes us."
"If you have any magical defenses or healing for hangovers, I can boost that for you." He can't heal ordinary humans, but cultivators boost each other's healing abilities all the time. Their magical styles are different, but Huaisang doesn't think that spiritual energy can be all that different when it comes to the pure energy standpoint of things.
Nudging Dorian through the right-hand door, Huaisang leads him into the living room. He doesn't use it nearly as much as his French parlor, and often treats it as nothing more than the hallway to pass through. It's also the only room that has a television set in it, so Huaisang tends to think of it as his porn-watching room.
Letting go as they enter the room, Huaisang goes to the side cabinet. "Have I made you try baijiu yet? I also have jin." He means gin, of course, but this is one of those words where his accent defaults to the Chinese homonym.
"I've healing potions that stave it off, but any help wouldn't be opposed. Drinking until I'm practically unconscious is the only way for me to get a decent night's rest." It's a normal problem, not something he complains about and there's a laugh to his voice.
"I can't recall. I'm not in the mood to be picky, honestly. Gin. It's alright, not my favorite."
"If you're.. interested in pursuing other ways, the Lan brothers have a variety of ways to soothe the spirit." Not that Huaisang uses them. His spirit doesn't need soothing. He may be hot-tempered, vengeful, and jealous, but he doesn't think any of those traits need fixing.
Pouring a glass of gin and a glass of baijiu, Huaisang holds them both out. Both glasses are clear, so he lifts one of them slightly higher. "This is the baijiu. Do you want me to go and fetch some ice cubes from the kitchen? I don't mind."
"Mmh... it's more or less assistance with quieting the mind. Every person from my world is tied to the Fade, mages, however subconsciously dream in it. I've chatted with demon, staved off possession and been haunted with nightmares. It's... a normal occurrence I'm accustomed to. Real sleep is something I've experienced here once and before my arrival... my childhood. Let's just say I'm more spiritually attuned than most, but I could seek assistance from Xichen if you think it will help." A chuckle and a twinkle in his eye. "Provided I don't have to drink tea, of course."
Dorian reaches for the glass of baijiu and sniffs at it curiously. "No ice, thank you. I can chill it-water it down to preference with magic."
"Xichen and Wangji are both experts at such things. Everything you've described--well, not me, but... you're not the only one. Please do speak to Xichen. He'd be glad to help, though you..." Hesitating, Huaisang's faint smile grows very tense and cold. "I'd prefer you went to Wangji for this. If you go to Xichen, then please mind my fervent insistence that Meng Yao not be involved in any way, not even to touch or prepare anything Xichen may use for the quieting."
Huaisang knocks back a large gulp of the gin, and his expression has gotten very cold and hard now. "Better on my nerves if you just go to Wangji. You'll remember how Meng Yao spoke of his crimes."
He's not going to say anything more on that topic, but he sits down hard on the couch, expression still tense.
Dorian is left speechless and stares down into his glass before joining Huaisang on the couch.
"I've met Wangji in passing, during events, but we've not been introduced. Not formally. To be quite honest, I trust Xichen more and don't see the relevance concerning Meng Yao or his crimes, but for you... I guess I'll visit the temple." That and he's been curious if they would allow him to train with his staff.
"Thank you. Xichen is trustworthy on most matters. Meng Yao is not, and Xichen's judgement is ... compromised when it comes to him."
Huaisang nestles close, legs hooked over Dorian's lap in his habitual way. "You might talk to Xichen if you have any questions about Meng Yao and my ... hesitation over having Xichen treat you. I'm bound to silence about Meng Yao, but he is not.
"All of us trust Wangji. He is steadfast in all matters."
"I might... he's spoken to me about your brother. We got off on the wrong foot, so to speak and Xichen insisted I try to give him a chance." Because Dorian had every intention of being himself, even if it irritated Mingjue.
"He also revealed some particularly disturbing information to me; concerning your brother. I'm well aware that Meng Yao is not as he seems, he even told me that he has been thoroughly de-fanged. It will be a conversation for another time- I believe I've met my quota for difficult and tense conversations for the month." A shake of his head. Yes, he is curious, but he likes Xichen and he also likes Meng Yao, but it's obvious there is a lot here.
"Oh, da ge and I are on the wrong foot more often than we get along," Huaisang assures him, cheering up a little as he says it. "Fortunately he has no choice but to forgive me for things."
Snuggling close, Huaisang nods at the line about the quota for difficult conversations. "Me too. I want very much for the next month to hold nothing but pleasantness and fun. I'm planning to hold a solstice party, you know. It's traditional back home, our Dongzhi festival."
"I'd like to make peace with him, if at all possible. I know you care deeply for him. I can't promise it will be anytime soon, but one of these days I would like to sit down with him and share more wine." Dorian leans in just as close, truly snuggling him. "You always throw such wonderful parties."
"Maybe not wine. He doesn't drink wine. You could drink tea to demonstrate that you're serious about gaining his regard, or... well, there's always fruit juice."
Happy to snuggle, Huaisang knocks back the rest of his glass and then sets it aside. Reaching for Dorian's face, Huaisang guides him into a soft kiss, sweet at first and then increasingly needy.
"For health reasons, I don't drink tea." Even though he's fairly certain the popular stuff from Minrathous isn't likely what he'll be serving or drinking. Mingjue had shared wine with him when he first came over, but Dorian doesn't argue the point, not when Huaisang is guiding him in for a kiss.
Dorian visibly relaxes into the other man's grasp and presses into the kiss with a vaguely subdued passion.
"Most people drink tea for health reasons," Huaisang states, amused at Dorian's reasoning. Tea is considered medicinal where he comes from, and essential. It's one of the great pleasures of life.
Glad for the respite of the kiss, Huaisang hooks his legs tighter over Dorian's lap, winding his arms around Dorian's neck in order to cling to him while their lips exchange caresses. He whimpers, desperate for affection and reassurance, and needing every second of this kiss.
“Most people aren’t allergic to the leaves.” Dorian whispers and keeps his lips just enough out of reach to talk. “And you should know, Huaisang. I’m not most people.”
It’s nice, just sitting close, kissing and talking. There’s not a lot of room for thought or debate, not when Huaisang is so warm and willing against him.
"You're much better than most people," Huaisang agrees the next time their lips part. He giggles delightedly, quickly starting to cheer up again as they cuddle and kiss. Dorian always soothes him, and right now he's more grateful than ever to be soothed.
“Mmh... and don’t forget handsome- you can’t leave that out.” Dorian smirks, lips curling even as they fall to Huaisang’s once more.
He curls his arm around the other man and leans forward so he can grab his drink. Priorities. Good drink, even better company, things are looking better already.
"So handsome," Huaisang agrees, nestling close while Dorian sips at his drink. "Dizzyingly handsome. It's why you have to carry me everywhere, I can't help but swoon at the sight of you."
Dorian exhales a soft laugh when Huaisang not only acknowledges his good looks, but elaborates on them.
“I’ll be happy to carry you.” The drink is set aside once more and he cradled Huaisang’s chin, looking him in the eyes with all the affection he can muster. He holds that gaze for a short while and then swoops back in to claim those lips and kiss the other man breathless.
Sighing happily as he's kissed, Huaisang hugs close, shifting to fully straddle Dorian's lap so that he can loop his arms around his lover's neck and they can kiss ever more deeply. He wants to be as close to Dorian as he can get, so that he won't have to worry about ever letting him go.
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Huaisang lowers his eyes to Dorian's chest, chewing softly on his lower lip. He's so tired. He just wants to be loved, not doubted. He wants a reprieve from this week of having to tiptoe so carefully through situations and still having them blow up in his face. He just wants to be surface-level and pleasant, a pretty face without a thought in his head. "I'll do everything I can to help you track down more answers regarding the situation, whatever you need."
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"I acted and put myself in this situation. This is my mess to clean up. I don't care if Bull's opinion of you is dependent on those accusations, baseless or not, I couldn't just hear him say such things and not get your word on it. For disturbing your evening and causing you such distress- I apologize. It was not my intention."
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Huaisang hesitates, studying Dorian's expression warily. It feels like he's wrapping this conversation up so that he can leave, and that makes Huaisang dread that maybe he's not forgiven after all. "Are you... are you leaving?"
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This time as he bites his lip, there's a slight twitch in the opposite side, knowing how much they both appreciate quality liquor.
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"Come, lets drown away these terrible feelings and maybe more if the mood strikes us."
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Nudging Dorian through the right-hand door, Huaisang leads him into the living room. He doesn't use it nearly as much as his French parlor, and often treats it as nothing more than the hallway to pass through. It's also the only room that has a television set in it, so Huaisang tends to think of it as his porn-watching room.
Letting go as they enter the room, Huaisang goes to the side cabinet. "Have I made you try baijiu yet? I also have jin." He means gin, of course, but this is one of those words where his accent defaults to the Chinese homonym.
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"I can't recall. I'm not in the mood to be picky, honestly. Gin. It's alright, not my favorite."
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Pouring a glass of gin and a glass of baijiu, Huaisang holds them both out. Both glasses are clear, so he lifts one of them slightly higher. "This is the baijiu. Do you want me to go and fetch some ice cubes from the kitchen? I don't mind."
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Dorian reaches for the glass of baijiu and sniffs at it curiously. "No ice, thank you. I can chill it-water it down to preference with magic."
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Huaisang knocks back a large gulp of the gin, and his expression has gotten very cold and hard now. "Better on my nerves if you just go to Wangji. You'll remember how Meng Yao spoke of his crimes."
He's not going to say anything more on that topic, but he sits down hard on the couch, expression still tense.
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"I've met Wangji in passing, during events, but we've not been introduced. Not formally. To be quite honest, I trust Xichen more and don't see the relevance concerning Meng Yao or his crimes, but for you... I guess I'll visit the temple." That and he's been curious if they would allow him to train with his staff.
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Huaisang nestles close, legs hooked over Dorian's lap in his habitual way. "You might talk to Xichen if you have any questions about Meng Yao and my ... hesitation over having Xichen treat you. I'm bound to silence about Meng Yao, but he is not.
"All of us trust Wangji. He is steadfast in all matters."
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"He also revealed some particularly disturbing information to me; concerning your brother. I'm well aware that Meng Yao is not as he seems, he even told me that he has been thoroughly de-fanged. It will be a conversation for another time- I believe I've met my quota for difficult and tense conversations for the month." A shake of his head. Yes, he is curious, but he likes Xichen and he also likes Meng Yao, but it's obvious there is a lot here.
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Snuggling close, Huaisang nods at the line about the quota for difficult conversations. "Me too. I want very much for the next month to hold nothing but pleasantness and fun. I'm planning to hold a solstice party, you know. It's traditional back home, our Dongzhi festival."
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Happy to snuggle, Huaisang knocks back the rest of his glass and then sets it aside. Reaching for Dorian's face, Huaisang guides him into a soft kiss, sweet at first and then increasingly needy.
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Dorian visibly relaxes into the other man's grasp and presses into the kiss with a vaguely subdued passion.
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Glad for the respite of the kiss, Huaisang hooks his legs tighter over Dorian's lap, winding his arms around Dorian's neck in order to cling to him while their lips exchange caresses. He whimpers, desperate for affection and reassurance, and needing every second of this kiss.
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It’s nice, just sitting close, kissing and talking. There’s not a lot of room for thought or debate, not when Huaisang is so warm and willing against him.
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He curls his arm around the other man and leans forward so he can grab his drink. Priorities. Good drink, even better company, things are looking better already.
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“I’ll be happy to carry you.” The drink is set aside once more and he cradled Huaisang’s chin, looking him in the eyes with all the affection he can muster. He holds that gaze for a short while and then swoops back in to claim those lips and kiss the other man breathless.
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