Who are you talking to, old man. No one's here.

Glubglubglub—

“That's not what I meant.” A sigh. He stepped behind Jiaoqiu, careful to allow the fabric of his glove to make noise against the counter, that way he wouldn't jumpscare him. His forehead pressed lightly into the other's back. “Don't be dramatic.”

“He's bored. Wouldn't you be?”

Is he not invited then? I thought you liked him.

“Perhaps I am.” He watches him. Clean and confident movements even with no sight. A proof of skill, yet his heart throbs painfully for him.

“Your hand.” He places it over the cutting board. Carrots on the left, knife turned with the sharp edge away from the board. “Here. Make them into small pieces.”

What would he need?

?? ( He looks down at her, head tilted in a silent question. )

“Not at all. Come here and help me then.”

He looks at him, then at the knife, then at him again. “Are you sure?”

( He feels like he doesn't need to say anything else. They will persist as always. That's how the general taught them. He lightly pats her hair. )

Making breakfast for @jiaoqiudearest.bsky.social.

( He stares at her in silence, used to her antics. ..And then he winks at her. )

Sure. Clank, clank.

Not nobody. ( He squeezes her hand back, his metal claws clanking. )

Learning from the foxian himself.

( He offers her a hand in silence. )

Mhm. So?

Not your body, We. People are especially tense about borisin after what just happened.

He would much rather simply sit with him instead, how is he meant to protect Jiaoqiu if he is asleep? Yet his head slowly tilts, his slow and peaceful breathing indicating Moze is already asleep. Must have been really tired.

Watching from the shadows.

Mhm.

Are you fine?

Trying to sacrifice himself again? Wasn't he the one to preach speaking instead of suffering in silence.

“In an hour.” Feeling the movements, he blushes once again, reminded of their proximity. It's slightly embarrassing. It is also sending tingles down his back.

What about you?

He simply shrugged. “This is my job.” What else was there to say? He simply watched the man, no longer invisible, but still very intense in his presence.

Our healers know what they are doing. I'm fine.

“Mhm. For a bit.” And yet he sounds as if he's ready to doze off.

What about his own comfort.

...

‍ ‍ ‍‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ My victory is a foregone 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣. ‍ ‍ ‍‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ ‍

He looks at her. “Putting on a brave face.”

Why not?

..Does that scare Jiaoqiu? Should he make small noises for his comfort?

It takes an enormous amount of effort to respond, his body too relaxed, not following orders from his mind. His lips aren't listening, muscles refusing to move. But eventually... “Yes?”

Maybe it's just a wind. Or was this a quiet chuckle? Alright, he will not mock someone who just used the word "please". Stepping out from the shadow he is no longer hidden. Looking at the other in silence, as if waiting to hear what he wants from him.

Who knows. Maybe he's gone already. Or maybe he is behind their backs.

... Soft exhale. It really is hard to fight this, and he knows Jiaoqiu won't stop until he gets what he wants either. He closes his eyes again, but tries to stay awake.

Invisible.

Feeling a familiar touch and hearing the humming he indeed closes his eyes only to open them wide again. How did he know? Sly fox. He doesn't answer for a moment or two, but finally, “Not anymore. ... I need to stay vigilant.”

...Was him sitting next to Jiaoqiu not enough? Despite knowing the other can't see him, he tilts head down, so that the shadow of the hood could hide his slight blush as he reluctantly changes place once again, this time humouring Jiaoqiu with his request.

His lashes flatter in uncertainty, but he moves closer in silence, taking the place next to Jiaoqiu, their sides touching.

ᅠ ᅠᅠ᳝ᅠlove &&. death——their presence is a whispered promise， a chilling caress guiding us through the twilight of our most forbidden dreams and the stark reality of our inevitable demise.ᅠ𝄒 ᅠ

“A while.”

“Yes.”

Silently observing @jiaoqiudearest.bsky.social.

he has become 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱 to not speaking, but also to having people speak on his 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳.