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[threedontknows]

 

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[threedontknows]

[They're bad friends -- but he gets it. Actual friends are hard to come by. He nods and tucks the blanket around Aaron's arms.]

Until I get bored.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Don't be an ass. What if I wake up and need some water, huh? You just gonna leave me here? Read a fucking book.

[He smirks as he says it, though, and turns to bury his face in his pillow.]

[threedontknows]

[He shrugs and settles back against a chair, fanning himself in a less-than-amused fashion.]

And what are you doing for me, huh? How do I know these books are any good?

[creeksidealtarboy]

[His voice is muffled from the pillow as he struggles to stay awake.]

Guess you'll have to trust me.

[threedontknows]

[Whether he does or doesn't trust him isn't outright said, but as Huaisang settles in for the long evening with one of Aaron's books it's clear that he intends to stay.]

[creeksidealtarboy]

[Aaron grows used to having him around. As he gets stronger, less miserable and more able to sit up and do things for himself, he enjoys having him there.

But then he spots the network and, when it's a quiet evening of them reading silently beside each other, he can't stand the waiting.]

Was that - really your brother?

[threedontknows]

[Huaisang is quiet following his conversation with his brother. It’s clear he’s shaken right down to his golden core about it, and unsure how to process getting something he’d daydreamed about for over a decade now.

His da-ge, alive and well, speaking to him as a peer.

He raises his head and, not trusting himself to speak, nods softly.]

[creeksidealtarboy]

[Aaron frowns, sitting up straighter at that reaction. Or rather, that lack of a reaction.]

That's a little fucked. But he didn't seem - upset.

[threedontknows]

[Why, why does this wound still feel so fresh?

Huaisang sets down his book and takes out his fan, just fiddling with it while he thinks about his brother.]

He knew he was dying. It just happened too soon.

[creeksidealtarboy]

[Aaron tilts his head a little.]

He seemed proud of you.

[threedontknows]

[Don’t cry, Huaisang, don’t cry.

He did, didn’t he?]

It was so good to see him again. [Not half-crazed and covered in blood.]

[creeksidealtarboy]

Hey man, that's gonna be your deal, ain't it? To get him back?

[threedontknows]

[Huaisang nods.

That’s a long way off, even for a man who’d waited ten years to take his revenge.]

I can’t remember the last time I saw Da-ge be so lucid. That’s how I want to remember him.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Yeah?

[He reaches over and places a hand on Huaisang's knee - the closest thing he can reach.]

Sorry, man.

[threedontknows]

[His eyes drift down to Aaron’s hand, gentle but steady on his knee.

This is all is hitting a little too close to Huaisang. He’s a little too real, too vulnerable.]

When I leave here I can see him in the next life.

[creeksidealtarboy]

That what you want?

Good thing you got paired, huh?

[A change in subject. Easy and quick.]

[threedontknows]

[ugh, paired.]

I was fond of my new warden before we were paired. I’m not sure this is going to end well for either of us.

[creeksidealtarboy]

Told you not to get close to any of 'em. [But he thinks of Brooklyn. He thinks of how he has to dodge this particular bullet.]

Did he read your file?

[threedontknows]

It’s not my fault, not really. He reminds me of him, you know? [Big, kind, a little blind to certain things. That disarmed him.]

No, he said he’d wait and we’d read it together. [He sighs quietly.] He needn’t bother. I’ll tell him sooner or later.

[creeksidealtarboy]

[Aaron bites the inside of his cheek a bit nervously. This is all well and good for Huaisang, but he worries for his own self at this point. For his own game.]

You should. Best way to start out is through honestly, I guess. Ain't worth dragging out when it's just gonna be exposed.

[threedontknows]

I don’t know how long I’ll keep up the ruse. [Some of the Headshaker persona hadn’t been an act - he was indecisive while he assembled his plan. But what was the plan here? His aim?

Did he really want to act helpless again, foolish?]

I was a powerful man before I died, and here I’ve reverted to old habits. Doesn’t make it any better than Jin Guangyao and Xue Yang are here, but I’ve had my revenge.

[He looks down at his hands.]

I feel empty. Seeing da-ge again reminded me how hollow a victory it was to begin with — I didn’t get him back. And now I’m here.

[creeksidealtarboy]

[Aaron tilts his head.]

You didn't get him back, but they deserved it. They deserved every fucking thing you did. It's not about the results, it's about the justice of it. You think carving ip that priest took back his little private collection? No.

But he sure as fuck regretted it.

[threedontknows]

I don’t regret anything. Jin Guangyao broke his oath to my da-ge, stole him from me - he had to die.

[He frowns softly.]

I wouldn’t regret carving up that priest either.

[creeksidealtarboy]

I don't. Not one fucking second of the goddamn day.

So don't think like that, yeah?

[He rests his head back down.]

But if you don't want to play the game, then don't play the game.

[threedontknows]

I haven’t decided yet.

[Sometimes it’s fun to play stupid.]

Come here. Put your head in my lap.