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[one_note]

[ TEXT | ACTION | IDK FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS ]

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[one_note]

Mm.

[doesn't say anything more pressuring than that, only strokes his fingers through his hair and soothingly over the back of his neck: shhh]

[weiyingdown]

[relaxes again by inches, but keeps his head buried]

...The places I go are places I choose to go. I'm afraid you couldn't trap me if you tried. If I'm caught, it's only because I want to be. Don't mistake it for anything else.

[one_note]

[his heart skips a beat; his tiny acknowledging noise is very faint this time, like he can't get enough air.]

[weiyingdown]

[peeks up at him; dares to brush a hand across his empty forehead, where his ribbon would normally be]

Were you worried? Coming and going doesn't mean I won't come back. I'll go wherever you go.

[one_note]

[leans so heavily into that it's almost like a cat headbutting his hand, demanding touch]

Only wish to be where you are.

[weiyingdown]

[runs his hand up into his hair, massaging the crown with the tips of his fingers]

That's a difficult task when there are two of me wandering around doing as we please.

[one_note]

Yes.

[said without rancor]

[weiyingdown]

[his hand slows for a moment; that isn't a problem he can fix on his own]

I never met your father. I don't know if what he did was right or wrong given the situation. So maybe I can't really say--but I'll say it anyways. I don't think you're like him at all. You aren't the kind of person who would lock away the people he cares about. I can't stop you from worrying about it. But I'm not worried at all, because I know you.

[one_note]

[soft, unable to ask him to stay, only able to say what he knows is true for himself:]

Would never.

[weiyingdown]

[kisses his chin, a quick little peck as he resumes massaging his head again]

You would never! And you would never need to. At least not with me. I'm right here.

[one_note]

You are here.

[repeats it like he's reassuring himself, arms steady around him...]

[weiyingdown]

I'm here. No need to worry.

[one_note]

[looks down at his face, eyes serious and soft]

No?

[weiyingdown]

No.

[equally quiet and serious as he gazes back]

What does staying with someone mean to you?

[one_note]

Something desired.

...

To face life beside them.

Partnership.

[weiyingdown]

[the way he says it makes it sound like it has some deeper meaning, but he can't pinpoint exactly what]

That's already what this is. Isn't it?

[one_note]

Is it?

[it is not a rhetorical question. they have not defined this in so many words, between themselves.]

[weiyingdown]

[weakly,]

Er-gege, a few days ago you wouldn't even say you wanted to go on a date with me. I can say whatever I want, but it doesn't matter if you don't agree with it.

[one_note]

...

Wanted to. If you did.

[weiyingdown]

I wanted to. But I wanted you to say that you wanted to. If you only say yes because I say yes, it makes it seem like you're just going with whatever I want.

[one_note]

[shakes his head]

Want to, even when you do not say yes.

[weiyingdown]

[his voice is low, nearly a whisper]

It's...hard to say yes if I don't know you want to.

[one_note]

[also low]

Always want to.

[weiyingdown]

Always?

[he already said it once, so it feels redundant to make him repeat himself. but he's anxious; it's too hard to believe]

[one_note]

Always want you.