Xichen's brow furrows in concern, but he doesn't press the matter yet. He's more worried about getting Shen Yuan inside, warm, safe and dry.
(As he takes in the sight of Shen Yuan shivering and miserable, a lurch of fierce protectiveness overcomes him, and his fingers clench around Liebing, knuckles as white as the jade she's carved from. The feeling passes quickly, but it's no less startling for its brevity, and he is momentarily bewildered before he catches his husband's eye.)
He wonders if it's the years spent in proximity to his brother that has left him primed for the sort of communication he and Jin Guangyao have cultivated - speaking little but leaving much between the lines, able to read the other easily. It had certainly made them a formidable pair in battle and even moreso in political maneuvering. Even in these small, domestic moments, their dance is - well, not flawless - but still graceful and full of knowing.
A-Yao gets a small nod and as soon as they cross the threshold, Lan Xichen breaks off to get out the hot water bottle, put the kettle on, and collect fluffy towels, a thick, soft blanket, and a set of his own inner robes from the clean laundry basket. Each are unfolded and laid out on the back of the sofa for Shen Yuan while Lan Xichen returns to wrap the towel around his shoulders.
"We'll have tea ready shortly. Shen-gongzi can take as much time as he needs to get his bearings."
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Xichen's brow furrows in concern, but he doesn't press the matter yet. He's more worried about getting Shen Yuan inside, warm, safe and dry.
(As he takes in the sight of Shen Yuan shivering and miserable, a lurch of fierce protectiveness overcomes him, and his fingers clench around Liebing, knuckles as white as the jade she's carved from. The feeling passes quickly, but it's no less startling for its brevity, and he is momentarily bewildered before he catches his husband's eye.)
He wonders if it's the years spent in proximity to his brother that has left him primed for the sort of communication he and Jin Guangyao have cultivated - speaking little but leaving much between the lines, able to read the other easily. It had certainly made them a formidable pair in battle and even moreso in political maneuvering. Even in these small, domestic moments, their dance is - well, not flawless - but still graceful and full of knowing.
A-Yao gets a small nod and as soon as they cross the threshold, Lan Xichen breaks off to get out the hot water bottle, put the kettle on, and collect fluffy towels, a thick, soft blanket, and a set of his own inner robes from the clean laundry basket. Each are unfolded and laid out on the back of the sofa for Shen Yuan while Lan Xichen returns to wrap the towel around his shoulders.
"We'll have tea ready shortly. Shen-gongzi can take as much time as he needs to get his bearings."