"Jin Ling!" Zizhen protests again, wincing as he cries out.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have - I'm sorry," he apologises, to both the servant girl and Jin Ling, though while the girl is getting supplies he whispers "That's Liling, right?" just to be on the safe side, since Jiang Cheng had mentioned only she was allowed to bring him food and drink, and he imagined applying salve was probably included too.
"No, I'll be fine," Zizhen says, taking Jin Ling's hand for a moment and giving it a reassuring squeeze "You can do this, Jin Ling, you're stronger than this, right? Remember that time with the measuring snake?"
He keeps talking, reminiscing about an old nighthunt while he pressed his hand firmly on Jin Ling's chest to hold him down, trying to keep him calm and distracted.
~~~
He's reassured by the promise he won't be whipped, trusting his father to be telling the truth - it feels nice to be able to trust people.
The cold spring was exactly as refreshing as he thought it would be, but he's glad to get out of it and back up to the warmth of the Jingshi. It's a comforting morning ritual to let his father help him get ready and it feels nice.
Wuxian graces them (briefly) with his presence once Yuan is dressed, appearing from the other side of the screen to sleepily fawn over how their son looks like a proper Lan disciple and how he looks so graceful and grown up. There are more tears and he nearly messes up Yuan's hair kissing him on the forehead and giving him a hug.
Then he gives his husband a kiss and stumbles back to bed.
Yuan takes a deep breath, turning to his father after smoothing out his robes again.
no subject
"Jin Ling!" Zizhen protests again, wincing as he cries out.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have - I'm sorry," he apologises, to both the servant girl and Jin Ling, though while the girl is getting supplies he whispers "That's Liling, right?" just to be on the safe side, since Jiang Cheng had mentioned only she was allowed to bring him food and drink, and he imagined applying salve was probably included too.
"No, I'll be fine," Zizhen says, taking Jin Ling's hand for a moment and giving it a reassuring squeeze "You can do this, Jin Ling, you're stronger than this, right? Remember that time with the measuring snake?"
He keeps talking, reminiscing about an old nighthunt while he pressed his hand firmly on Jin Ling's chest to hold him down, trying to keep him calm and distracted.
~~~
He's reassured by the promise he won't be whipped, trusting his father to be telling the truth - it feels nice to be able to trust people.
The cold spring was exactly as refreshing as he thought it would be, but he's glad to get out of it and back up to the warmth of the Jingshi. It's a comforting morning ritual to let his father help him get ready and it feels nice.
Wuxian graces them (briefly) with his presence once Yuan is dressed, appearing from the other side of the screen to sleepily fawn over how their son looks like a proper Lan disciple and how he looks so graceful and grown up. There are more tears and he nearly messes up Yuan's hair kissing him on the forehead and giving him a hug.
Then he gives his husband a kiss and stumbles back to bed.
Yuan takes a deep breath, turning to his father after smoothing out his robes again.
"Do I look ready?"