[It is a quaint way of putting it, considering the position Zhao Yunlan has inherited, and Shen Wei's entire existence.
Perhaps in a kinder, less turmoil-filled world, they could have peaceably worked side by side. This is as good as it gets, and for Shen Wei, it's good enough.]
We should be finding a way back. [First things first, and as much as he aches to just exist with Zhao Yunlan here, the need burrowing a hole into him.] But I am afraid I have to bring this up, first. Have you heard of Moonlacing yet?
And we will. Or that's what I'm gonna think to keep forward.
[ He doesn't want to lose confidence. He doesn't want Shen Wei to carry him, so he'll hold onto his playful arrogance. It's the best for this situation. ]
[He can't help but feel by suggesting this, he's taking advantage of the other man, somehow, even if it's detrimental to their quality of life here, if not their immediate survival. His fists clench between his knees, thighs tense on his seat.]
My abilities are greatly diminished here, which seems to be the norm for everyone who has powers, so to speak. We are going to have to be careful about depleting what energy we have for the time being. It would not be amiss to--
[Oh, he might as well come out with it, inevitable teasing be damned.]
[ Shen Wei looks so tense it's almost making him tense. He sits up to consider him seriously, watching him shift with discomfort. ]
Diminished? How much?
[ he leans forward. He doesn't need Shen Wei to have any abilities for him to have value to him. He's still a mystery in many ways, but he can't deny their friendship or uncanny connection.
He hears Shen Wei's suggestion and he's not Not excited about it. That's something favorable he'd never dreamed would come out of his mouth.
But Shen Wei looks uncomfortable. ]
You sure that's something you wanna do? You don't look it.
[There's no helping the pointed look Shen Wei gives him, laced with long-suffering. He omits the fact that he's already done this with someone out of necessity, once. If he looks pained at the prospect of trying with Zhao Yunlan, it's simply because he doesn't know how to look.
Then again, the detective probably has something far more suggestive in mind.
Without further ado, Shen Wei rises to his full height, long legs crossing the meager distance between them to kneel in a perfect show of effortless gracefulness. Zhao Yunlan has performed this gesture before, even if he's been too busy freaking out to appreciate it at the time.
With the same determination he's applied to wiping off any of the man's bloody scratches, Shen Wei lifts one of his hands to his lips, fingers nestled in his own as a tingling current of Chroma flows from his body to Zhao's. Unlike his previous efforts, this doesn't seem to be depleting his own energy at all.]
[ There's a feeling of intimidation when Shen Wei approaches with authority. He feels his head and back straighten by reflex. All the same, it's not unwelcome. He feels a rush when Shen Wei gets too wound up and manhandles him in frustration.
He remembers in an instant that Shen Wei isn't a Normal Guy from Dragon City. He's as old fashioned as his look. A kiss on the hand, how gentlemanly. More contact that he's come to expect, but less contact that he ultimately wants.
He's not complaining, though. Zhao Yunlan will take what he can get. Even if he can feel the odd energy flowing into his arm all the way up to his elbow. It's different than when he's been healed by him. He can't explain that difference, but the sensation is distinct, subtle as it is. ]
[Once again, there's no depletion of his own life force once transfer's been made. If anything, it's as if both of their energy levels have been renewed at once. For some reason, Shen Wei is more attuned to his partner's body as he makes contact.
He's loathe to let go of Zhao Yunlan's hand even as he lifts his lips off his skin. His eyes remain closed before they look elsewhere.]
...Like coming back to the surface after being underground for so long.
[ Maybe that's offensive, but he never got the idea that anyone wanted to live down there. Why would so many of their cases deal with Dingxian emerging from the underground if it was a desirable home? It's part of why he felt bad for those he was trying to arrest and send back. He could understand wanting a better life in spite of his position as the leader of SID.
With his unheld hand, he matches touch for touch by brushing his thumb over Shen Wei's jawline. ]
[The caress sends a jolt of warmth down his neck, and Shen Wei suspects it might not have to do with Chroma. He's about to do the extremely unadvised action of tilting his face just so that lips met palm when Zhao Yunlan's words stutter him back to reality.]
A ruse? I would never take advantage of you like that! What kind of an excuse--
[his voice thins slightly, and realizing he's bordering on sounding a touch unhinged, Shen Wei clamps his lips shut. dropping Zhao's hand in his haste to put a respectable distance between them.]
[ The reaction's favorable. More than he expected. Shen Wei didn't even flinch.
Good!
But he's clearly disappointed when Shen Wei breaks the connection between them. He sets his hands back on his thighs and clicks his tongue, letting out a short laugh. ]
Ah. I didn't mean from you. I meant from this place.
[Would it honestly be too bad to allow himself this intimacy under the pretext of survival, when it is an action integral to both of their survival? It doesn't ease the scandalized look on Shen Wei's face, tinged with a fair measure of hurt.
Shen Wei knows on some level what is quite eating at him is just how Zhao Yunlan sees him, a person above this kind of underhandedness.
He's held himself back for so long.]
My apologies. I have overreacted, but I do assure you that it works. I've tested it before.
[ He doesn't look totally displeased by Shen Wei's slip in composure, even if it meant losing that contact. He's looking more and more into watching Shen Wei stumble. Now he's more curious than anything. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-11-15 08:50 pm (UTC)Wait.
He did walk right into that one, didn't he.]
Probably, since I'm not getting paid for this.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-15 08:56 pm (UTC)Well, I'll gladly accept. I'll have to figure out how to return the favor well.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-15 09:03 pm (UTC)[even as Shen Wei panics occasionally, maintaining that consistent arms length distance between them, he is at least honest with this.]
After all, I imagine there will be many incidents like this one in this city, if my observations are anything to go by.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-15 09:38 pm (UTC)At least we're used to it by now, right? This line of work.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-16 03:17 pm (UTC)Perhaps in a kinder, less turmoil-filled world, they could have peaceably worked side by side. This is as good as it gets, and for Shen Wei, it's good enough.]
We should be finding a way back. [First things first, and as much as he aches to just exist with Zhao Yunlan here, the need burrowing a hole into him.] But I am afraid I have to bring this up, first. Have you heard of Moonlacing yet?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-16 07:11 pm (UTC)[ He doesn't want to lose confidence. He doesn't want Shen Wei to carry him, so he'll hold onto his playful arrogance. It's the best for this situation. ]
I've heard talk of it.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-17 03:10 pm (UTC)My abilities are greatly diminished here, which seems to be the norm for everyone who has powers, so to speak. We are going to have to be careful about depleting what energy we have for the time being. It would not be amiss to--
[Oh, he might as well come out with it, inevitable teasing be damned.]
Would you want to try it?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-17 04:56 pm (UTC)Diminished? How much?
[ he leans forward. He doesn't need Shen Wei to have any abilities for him to have value to him. He's still a mystery in many ways, but he can't deny their friendship or uncanny connection.
He hears Shen Wei's suggestion and he's not Not excited about it. That's something favorable he'd never dreamed would come out of his mouth.
But Shen Wei looks uncomfortable. ]
You sure that's something you wanna do? You don't look it.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-17 05:14 pm (UTC)Then again, the detective probably has something far more suggestive in mind.
Without further ado, Shen Wei rises to his full height, long legs crossing the meager distance between them to kneel in a perfect show of effortless gracefulness. Zhao Yunlan has performed this gesture before, even if he's been too busy freaking out to appreciate it at the time.
With the same determination he's applied to wiping off any of the man's bloody scratches, Shen Wei lifts one of his hands to his lips, fingers nestled in his own as a tingling current of Chroma flows from his body to Zhao's. Unlike his previous efforts, this doesn't seem to be depleting his own energy at all.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-17 07:21 pm (UTC)He remembers in an instant that Shen Wei isn't a Normal Guy from Dragon City. He's as old fashioned as his look. A kiss on the hand, how gentlemanly. More contact that he's come to expect, but less contact that he ultimately wants.
He's not complaining, though. Zhao Yunlan will take what he can get. Even if he can feel the odd energy flowing into his arm all the way up to his elbow. It's different than when he's been healed by him. He can't explain that difference, but the sensation is distinct, subtle as it is. ]
So, how is it?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-18 05:51 pm (UTC)He's loathe to let go of Zhao Yunlan's hand even as he lifts his lips off his skin. His eyes remain closed before they look elsewhere.]
...Like coming back to the surface after being underground for so long.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-25 04:02 pm (UTC)[ Maybe that's offensive, but he never got the idea that anyone wanted to live down there. Why would so many of their cases deal with Dingxian emerging from the underground if it was a desirable home? It's part of why he felt bad for those he was trying to arrest and send back. He could understand wanting a better life in spite of his position as the leader of SID.
With his unheld hand, he matches touch for touch by brushing his thumb over Shen Wei's jawline. ]
Guess it might not be a ruse after all.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-26 05:46 pm (UTC)A ruse? I would never take advantage of you like that! What kind of an excuse--
[his voice thins slightly, and realizing he's bordering on sounding a touch unhinged, Shen Wei clamps his lips shut. dropping Zhao's hand in his haste to put a respectable distance between them.]
no subject
Date: 2019-12-01 06:35 pm (UTC)Good!
But he's clearly disappointed when Shen Wei breaks the connection between them. He sets his hands back on his thighs and clicks his tongue, letting out a short laugh. ]
Ah. I didn't mean from you. I meant from this place.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-06 09:38 pm (UTC)Shen Wei knows on some level what is quite eating at him is just how Zhao Yunlan sees him, a person above this kind of underhandedness.
He's held himself back for so long.]
My apologies. I have overreacted, but I do assure you that it works. I've tested it before.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-18 03:07 am (UTC)You have? Really? You? With who?