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[it happens faster than he can stop it: his good tail uncoils from where it was in the process of wriggling under pillows, and snaps out- aiming to whap jing yuan on a thigh, with the fluffy tip.]

[There's a sharp cracking sound when the tail thwacks him, and Jing Yuan jumps -- but he doesn't look upset about it. He's not taking it as an actual attack, just a scolding.]

Ow! I was very angry at you at the time, you know!

[he holds up both hands, palms facing jing yuan:]

Stop. Stop, give me a - give me another moment. [the tail retreats, and obediently drapes over dan feng's lap. he inhales.]

[He goes quiet and still when asked to, of course. Dan Feng can't help the madness, so if Jing Yuan wants to be close to him he's going to have to do his part to help with it. He waits, patiently, just as he's always waited.]

What is the point of this? [he murmurs, bitterly.] I might have to be like this every time we see each other. I may never be able to untangle you from him. I may always have the urge to hurt you. This is folly.

...I know it is.

[Dan Feng is not wrong. This is doomed to be messy at best. It's stupid. Jing Yuan should be staying as far away as possible. But...]

But I am selfish. I watched my Dan Feng die. I stood by and let him go-- It is folly, but I cannot bear to let you go too. Even Dan Heng understands that, and refused to condemn it.

[dan feng looks down at the hands folded over his tail, on his lap. the sigh is exasperated, but now completely devoid of malice.]

Next thing you would tell me is that he has reconciled with Blade.

Not yet.

[His laugh is soft, tired, and tinged with sorrow, but there's a cautious affection in it, too.]

But who knows? There is more reason in him, too, than he's been given credit for.

...Unfortunately, the reasonable part of him is just as infuriating as his old self ever was.

[And the grumpy pout on Jing Yuan's face is exactly the same as when he was a boy, frustrated by being bested by Yingxing.]

[the gauze can't quite hide that pout, and it sends a wave of nostalgia so strong through dan feng that it warms him all the way through his chest.]

Sit next to me?

If you can manage.

[He comes and perches on the edge of the bed, on alert for signs of danger but still very much willing to be close. Despite his better judgement.]

Mm.

[he leans in, reaches into the crumpled bedding, to retrieve a-

hunting knife.

he points it at jing yuan for about two seconds longer than he has to, before flipping it deftly in his hand and holding it, handle out, to him.]

[Sir???

He tenses while the knife is in Dan Feng's hand, ready to flee. But then he flips it, and Jing Yuan takes it with a sigh of relief. Good. No violence just yet.]

What do you want me to do with this?

In case I, you know.

[he shrugs, looking way too comfortable for someone who just gave the love of his life carte blanche to give him grievous injury.]

But do give it back when you leave, I like how it handles.

Alright.

[That's understandable -- giving it to Jing Yuan, anyway. Because this one has no reason or desire to use it.]

I'm glad you have it. I'd rather not see you hurt more than necessary.

[dan feng stops himself from saying bleeding heart, and sighs instead, unfolding himself from his sitting position and leaning on his side with a wince, propping up his head on a hand.]

Anyway. Do not fault little Aphelios for the- meal. He was very shy about it. I heard he spent the night at Sloth?

He did. He's a nice boy...

[But still. Look at that mess of a tail.]

Bailu and Megumi have helped me with treating it. It is a manifestation from the magic this place has lent me, so it is not permanent.

[there is a lingering but floating in the air there.]

But you're stuck with it for now? Why did he have to eat you, though? Does it have to do with that second brand your team has? Given the name...

[He can FIGURE IT OUT. The math is easy.]

[WAIT he has figured out the perfect strategy, which is to

not say anything. and not look at jing yuan. actually what if he just pretended to be a sentient bedsheet.]

...

[this man.

sets the knife on the floor and then reaches over and PINCHES DAN FENG'S CHEEKS]

[he actually squawks in surprise!]

Ah-ah-ah! [swatting at jing yuan's hand hello?????] I did not even say anything!

[swat him all you like he's still going to pinch]

Exactly why I am pinching you. Silence will not deter me, Dan Feng!

You horrid brat!

[it's all muffled, on account of the cheek pinching may lan dropkick you jing yuan]

I don't know! Maybe! I've been hungry since ^{I first ^arrived!}

[UGH, YOU--]

Den Feng.

[He lets go of his cheek, at least!]

Hungry for what? Does it have to be a person's flesh, or shall I hunt you something?

No, it's -

[he covers his face with one of his sleeves. muffled:]

It is craving alcohol.

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