(no subject)

[shangba]

( Midday, past lunch observed with Xichen: )


How fared the children this morning?

Comments

[shangba]

You speak of physical harm.

[emperorssmile]

You protect my spirit, too. You encourage me to do better even when I complain about it.

[shangba]

At times, I wound your heart.

[emperorssmile]

Misunderstandings.

I’m guilty of doing the same to you.

[shangba]

At times we wound with purpose, stubbornly. Pettily.

[emperorssmile]

You’re right, we do that sometimes. I always feel bad about it as soon as the words leave my mouth.

There’s room for us to grow up.

[shangba]

...unfair. You speak so sweetly before a duel.

[emperorssmile]

I need all the edge I can get!

Would you rather have fighting words?

[shangba]

Would not survive them.

[emperorssmile]

And I wouldn’t survive you not surviving.

Do you want to duel me because you want to see how far my cultivation’s come or is it because it reminds you of when we first met?

[shangba]

Wei Ying.

It thrills me to match against you.

I do not think of you as a creature to protected. You are my soulmate, my equal. I compete with you.

[emperorssmile]

I know. It’s getting easier for me to believe it as I get stronger.

A little competition can push us both to be better.

[shangba]

At times, you speak as if I only love the man I lost.

[emperorssmile]

I compare myself to me too much, I think. I know you love me as I am.

[shangba]

But you do not trust.

[emperorssmile]

I didn’t think of it as a trust issue… my own hangups shouldn’t affect how much I trust you.

[shangba]

One day, Wei Ying will learn to love himself as much as he loves our children.

[emperorssmile]

I do. Sometimes.

Other times, I remember some of the things I’ve done.

[shangba]

Perhaps this is a matter to discuss with the immortal hermit.

How to reconcile with a life long lived.

[emperorssmile]

It couldn't hurt.

Sometimes I wonder if I deserve to be happy.

[shangba]

You must be happy now, for all those who would wish you so.

[emperorssmile]

You’re right. You and the kids make me happy.

The life we have together makes me happy, too.

[shangba]

...too quiet?

[emperorssmile]

Sometimes. Loving you makes up for it!

[shangba]

Have said before: I need not be the whole of Wei Ying's life.