return from lanling

[shangba]

A full moon, unblinking.

You did not sleep, to see?

Comments

[emperorssmile]

You really think the old way would suit this new body?

[shangba]

Would only wish to see it again.

Will not ask again.

[emperorssmile]

No, no, it’s fine to ask. I was only teasing you.

I’ll wear it the old way. Once you see me, you’ll have to tell me if it makes me look more handsome.

[shangba]

I will appreciate it, come what may.

[emperorssmile]

If you think it looks good, I can wear my hair like this sometimes.

Also, it’s not easy doing my hair mid-flight.

[shangba]

Perhaps await landing.

You yet remember how to bind your hair so?

[emperorssmile]

I wore it that way for a few years, didn’t I? I started doing my hair and my hands just knew what to do.

I can barely remember my reflection from back then, though.

[shangba]

Shall I describe it?

[emperorssmile]

You can if you want.

Or you could style it for me when I get to the inn.

[shangba]

Suitable.

Wei Ying's hair now smoother, flatter. Straighter.

Will fall differently.

[emperorssmile]

I’ll leave it in your hands.

My hair’s pretty windblown, too. But that might give it some volume and help the look.

[shangba]

Wei Ying.

You must know you will bathe. Surely.

[emperorssmile]

You mean before we cultivate or after?

[shangba]

Both.

Do you expect me to bed you with road filth, or share your sheets in sweat after?

[emperorssmile]

Okay, okay, we can bathe both times.

We can bathe together or have you already washed away the road filth?

[shangba]

We may, together.

[emperorssmile]

We can soak in the warmth until the chill leaves us.

[shangba]

One day, it will be Wei Ying who cannot prevail without bathing.

[emperorssmile]

You make it sound like I hate baths. I like them well enough, I just feel like bathing twice in one day is overkill.

Besides, you know I’m fond of the way you smell after we sleep together.

You smell good clean, too.

[shangba]

After lovemaking...

Wei Ying, is it not that you enjoy your own scent upon me then?

[emperorssmile]

It’s not just mine. It’s your scent mixed with mine and I like it. You don’t like me having your scent all over me?

[shangba]

...do.

But obscene. Sticky.

[emperorssmile]

Is it really obscene when it’s just the two of us?

It is pretty sticky though.

[shangba]

It is why I hold you close during bathing.

To catch scent.

[emperorssmile]

I like it when you hold me and now I like it even more.

I’ve been using your oils to bathe with since we’ve been apart. Wearing your used robes to sleep.