Chuckling, Zizhen holds up three fingers to indicate a promise - he wouldn't embarrass Yuan by bringing up such a thing anyway.
"It wasn't me!" he protests "Yuan just told a-" he breaks off, wincing suddenly and looking hesitant, but he knew Jin Ling would never let him leave it like that, so he clears his throat awkwardly and carries on.
"Yuan told a story about something bad that happened to him, when he was younger, and Jingyi... he got sad about it, and you, about all the friends we hadn't been able to protect, you know? He calmed down quickly enough, but he just got a little overwhelmed."
He does his best impression of Hanguang Jun's face, hoping to distract Jin Ling with laughter, and then blushes at the comment, ducking his head.
"Were we that obvious?"
~~~
A dip in the cold, refreshing waters is probably just what his (very slight, honestly) hangover needs, it will help him feel awake and ready for the day, and he appreciates the ritual of it as well - as though he can wash away his past before putting on his new Lan robes for the first time.
Not all of his past, though. He looks at the ring he's still wearing, the one that Jin Ling gave him, and rubs a thumb over it with a soft sigh. He'll never let go of that part of his life, even if he has to put it aside for a little while.
He strips off the inner layer of robes and steps slowly into the pond, gasping at the icy water. He moves quickly, and a little ungracefully, to submerge himself a little more before he stops, the water up to his waist, and tries to control his stuttering breaths.
Once he feels ready, he sinks a little further into the water, letting his hair fan out behind him and trying to imagine all the ugly parts of his life floating away.
no subject
Chuckling, Zizhen holds up three fingers to indicate a promise - he wouldn't embarrass Yuan by bringing up such a thing anyway.
"It wasn't me!" he protests "Yuan just told a-" he breaks off, wincing suddenly and looking hesitant, but he knew Jin Ling would never let him leave it like that, so he clears his throat awkwardly and carries on.
"Yuan told a story about something bad that happened to him, when he was younger, and Jingyi... he got sad about it, and you, about all the friends we hadn't been able to protect, you know? He calmed down quickly enough, but he just got a little overwhelmed."
He does his best impression of Hanguang Jun's face, hoping to distract Jin Ling with laughter, and then blushes at the comment, ducking his head.
"Were we that obvious?"
~~~
A dip in the cold, refreshing waters is probably just what his (very slight, honestly) hangover needs, it will help him feel awake and ready for the day, and he appreciates the ritual of it as well - as though he can wash away his past before putting on his new Lan robes for the first time.
Not all of his past, though. He looks at the ring he's still wearing, the one that Jin Ling gave him, and rubs a thumb over it with a soft sigh. He'll never let go of that part of his life, even if he has to put it aside for a little while.
He strips off the inner layer of robes and steps slowly into the pond, gasping at the icy water. He moves quickly, and a little ungracefully, to submerge himself a little more before he stops, the water up to his waist, and tries to control his stuttering breaths.
Once he feels ready, he sinks a little further into the water, letting his hair fan out behind him and trying to imagine all the ugly parts of his life floating away.