[And then it all clicks. Tradition versus new ways of thinking on top of this conflict?]
Oh A-Yi.
[Grabbing a towel, he pulls his little brother back to him and places a towel at Jingyi's back so he can rest his hands there. So he won't touch the ribbon on accident and also so he won't get his dirty hands on his clothes or hair. But he wants to give him a hug. So he knows he has a safe place to discuss this.]
Are you alright? This must have weighed so heavily on you...
[He doesn't know what it is about Gaura that always leads to them touching, but when he's offered a hug he doesn't hesitate for a second. He feels guilty even phrasing it how he did, but it was the crux of the issue regardless of intent or outcome.]
I don't know. It wasn't on purpose. He was actually saving it from going down one of those big drains at the waterworks park when it slipped off my head. He talked me into going and I had to wear this um.. this really tight outfit? I mean, everyone else was wearing even less but I never dreamed of going in public like that before.
But I didn't think about tying my ribbon more carefully and it.. if this was back home, the scandal of him having it would've resulted in me having to marry him. Now, I kind of don't know what it means.
[There was nothing in the oven for now so he just lets the cookies sit on the trays for now. Jingyi is more important than all of that. Nodding in understanding, after all he remembers what he was told about the ribbon, he keeps holding him and even gives him a bit of a squeeze.]
[Belatedly, his arms slip around Gaura to hold him back. He eventually does pull back though.]
Yeah, he did. My mentor didn't punish me either. I just.. only my fated one is supposed to touch it. Does this mean my uncle is my fated one or if he's not, then what do I tell my fated one when I meet him? He won't be the only one who's touched it!
[Taking Jingyi's hand, he brings him over to the table nearby and has him sit with him.]
You tell him the truth. If he can't handle it then he wasn't meant to be your fated one anyway. Someone who is fated to you will want you no matter what. And no matter who has touched your ribbon. Who will still think that you are wonderful and intelligent and funny...
[He smiles warmly at him.]
My little brother may not have found his fated one yet but I know he will. Because he's quite the catch.
[He blushes at the flattery and feels even worse he ever thought his gege could do any wrong. He is truly perfect! No one has ever been so generous with words and compliments as his gege.. well, and maybe Sizhui.]
I do like him.. my uncle. And if we were back home, I don't know that I'd be opposed to a marriage with him.
But..
One of the other juniors from my clan has arrived. He's been my closest friend and we grew up together. His name is Lan Sizhui. I'm sure he'd love to meet you and Henry sometime. He's a lot sweeter and follows our clan's example better than I do. Everyone loves him.
[Uh.. where is he going with this? He doesn't know. He shakes his head.]
I mean, thank you gege. You're really sweet and supportive even after what I said about your profession.
[The shouting really answers things before the soft admittance. He laughs gently and rests a hand on Jingyi's arm.]
While I think you wouldn't mind marrying your uncle if you were home I think right now the one you'd actually like to marry is your friend. At least based on how I've heard you talk about both of them.
[He blinks and peeks between his hands at his friend. How had he managed to let his secret slip out to two people?
He runs his hand upward to brush through his hair nervously. However, as his hand draws away he leaves behind a thin streak of pink strands. It starts from just above his right temple.]
I don't know. I don't think his parents would approve. I've mentioned them before to you, Wei Wuxian and Hanguang Jun.
[He pauses and locks his gaze on his hair. That's a change he can see. Because it's why he colors his own hair. It's a startling feature he can remember. Reaching out, he draws the pink strands over his fingers.]
[Jingyi stares at Gaura trying to fathom how this could happen to him. He had been told this might happen but that's different from experiencing it by a lot!]
B- but I don't want to be changed like this!
[He remembers Wuxian scolding him about that earlier and his frown deepens.]
But I also don't want to be alone and not have friends.
[Turning back to him, Gaura gives him a gentle smile and takes one of his hands.]
Our friends are always changing us. The people around us always are. This one is more physical but you're not alone in this. It's more a badge of honor to show how much the people around us mean to us.
[He lets out a soft laugh.]
At least that's how I like to think about it. A gift to share with others that shows how much the ones I love mean to me.
[Well.. that was a really nice way of thinking about the kizuna effects. He mulls that over for a few moments and then slowly nods with a smile growing.]
I do like your pretty pink feathers. Do you think my hair color is pink because of you?
[He initiates the hug this time. Gaura has been so very sweet today and helpful with all of the crazy things floating around in Jingyi's head. He feels better getting more support about the unintentional violation and even that there's someone to talk to about Sizhui.]
I'm feeling better. We should go finish those cookies!
[He smiles brightly then leads the way so they can finish their day together, thrilled that his little brother is feeling better now. And certainly loving that Jingyi initiated the hug this time!]
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[And then it all clicks. Tradition versus new ways of thinking on top of this conflict?]
Oh A-Yi.
[Grabbing a towel, he pulls his little brother back to him and places a towel at Jingyi's back so he can rest his hands there. So he won't touch the ribbon on accident and also so he won't get his dirty hands on his clothes or hair. But he wants to give him a hug. So he knows he has a safe place to discuss this.]
Are you alright? This must have weighed so heavily on you...
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I don't know. It wasn't on purpose. He was actually saving it from going down one of those big drains at the waterworks park when it slipped off my head. He talked me into going and I had to wear this um.. this really tight outfit? I mean, everyone else was wearing even less but I never dreamed of going in public like that before.
But I didn't think about tying my ribbon more carefully and it.. if this was back home, the scandal of him having it would've resulted in me having to marry him. Now, I kind of don't know what it means.
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Did he apologize? For touching it?
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Yeah, he did. My mentor didn't punish me either. I just.. only my fated one is supposed to touch it. Does this mean my uncle is my fated one or if he's not, then what do I tell my fated one when I meet him? He won't be the only one who's touched it!
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You tell him the truth. If he can't handle it then he wasn't meant to be your fated one anyway. Someone who is fated to you will want you no matter what. And no matter who has touched your ribbon. Who will still think that you are wonderful and intelligent and funny...
[He smiles warmly at him.]
My little brother may not have found his fated one yet but I know he will. Because he's quite the catch.
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I do like him.. my uncle. And if we were back home, I don't know that I'd be opposed to a marriage with him.
But..
One of the other juniors from my clan has arrived. He's been my closest friend and we grew up together. His name is Lan Sizhui. I'm sure he'd love to meet you and Henry sometime. He's a lot sweeter and follows our clan's example better than I do. Everyone loves him.
[Uh.. where is he going with this? He doesn't know. He shakes his head.]
I mean, thank you gege. You're really sweet and supportive even after what I said about your profession.
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Gaura smiles.]
Everyone loves him. Including you?
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[He yelps like Gaura just pinched him.]
No! I uh.. well..
[It's forbidden to lie.]
Um.. I.. we're friends?... Yes.
[He reaches up and rubs his eyes that had suddenly started feeling a little weird. He chalks it up to how emotional this visit has been.]
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While I think you wouldn't mind marrying your uncle if you were home I think right now the one you'd actually like to marry is your friend. At least based on how I've heard you talk about both of them.
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He runs his hand upward to brush through his hair nervously. However, as his hand draws away he leaves behind a thin streak of pink strands. It starts from just above his right temple.]
I don't know. I don't think his parents would approve. I've mentioned them before to you, Wei Wuxian and Hanguang Jun.
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[He pauses and locks his gaze on his hair. That's a change he can see. Because it's why he colors his own hair. It's a startling feature he can remember. Reaching out, he draws the pink strands over his fingers.]
Pink...
[Cute.]
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[He blinks confused and then follows Gaura's hand with his eyes. The flash of color has his jaw dropping open.]
W- what is that? Where'd that come from?
[He looks at Gaura's hand, trying to see what his friend just used to stain his hair.]
How'd you do that?
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[Turning around, he tilts his head forward and runs his hands upward through his hair to show pink feathery down hiding in his hair.]
I have some too.
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B- but I don't want to be changed like this!
[He remembers Wuxian scolding him about that earlier and his frown deepens.]
But I also don't want to be alone and not have friends.
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Our friends are always changing us. The people around us always are. This one is more physical but you're not alone in this. It's more a badge of honor to show how much the people around us mean to us.
[He lets out a soft laugh.]
At least that's how I like to think about it. A gift to share with others that shows how much the ones I love mean to me.
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I do like your pretty pink feathers. Do you think my hair color is pink because of you?
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[He knows he won't mind if it is!]
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If it's because of our friendship.. then I guess it's okay. It'll go with my tassel.
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It will! It goes really well with it.
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I'm feeling better. We should go finish those cookies!
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[He smiles brightly then leads the way so they can finish their day together, thrilled that his little brother is feeling better now. And certainly loving that Jingyi initiated the hug this time!]