[ He blinks in surprise at the offer, drawing in a quick breath. He senses no deception or doubt from the Elf. And the hand placed on his arm is alluringly warm. ]
You honor me with your trust and offer. I will not forget it. And I would allow no harm to come to you, either.
[ The last thing Thranduil mentions has him curious, but his smile returns and remains gently as he shakes his head a little. ]
We will find out, but later. The craving is merely an itch right now, easily ignored. [ Easy, that is, for someone used to dismissing certain discomforts. ]
[ It itches, but he recognizes Thranduil may feel the same regarding quota. So he sets it aside and focuses on the warm concern in the question. ]
My Sire told us that because of the level of power he has, and the fact he passed that power on to us, once our change was complete, we do not need to feed. It is only our ability to control the craving.
[ He pauses, then reaches for the hand on his arm to give it a gentle squeeze. ]
I would feel best in taking you up on your generous offer when I expect to be around larger groups of people.
{To be frank, Thranduil hasn't been ignoring his itch much at all. If he thinks about that overmuch, he might begin to feel guilty. He hasn't been this intent on sex since he was much younger.}
This Lestat must be powerful indeed. I wonder if he and I should meet?
{If he appears suddenly in the house, it might be best. He returns the gesture, his hand warm and gentle, and then he takes a seat on a sofa.}
I can see the wisdom of that, though my offer wasn't only to keep you safe; it was also to keep you comfortable.
{Well that is entirely understandable between newlyweds. Xue Yang will probably be like that for the rest of time, however.
The comfort is kind and Thranduil relaxes into it as much as he is able. He will always have metaphorical armor and speaking of this subject is not easy.}
If I showed you the effects, you would be disturbed. I hide them under a spell.
[ So will Xingchen. He has learned much since waking in Duplicity.
He will never hold such a protection against another. And he realizes, distantly, that he's being honored just by Thranduil telling him. ]
But I would not break, should you decide to show me. I want you to be comfortable around me. This is your home while we are here and contracted, as much as it is mine. Even should we end our contract, should you wish to visit you would be welcome.
{His expression is sad, wistful, his smile fading to Winter sunlight.}
I am comfortable. {But he has no intention of burdening his host.} The only reason I tell you is so you feel safe with me. By the standards of Men, I am ancient. If I had not suffered some woe, I would be absurdly lucky.
{That protectiveness earns another kiss - this time to Xingchen's cheek.}
I would rather you save yourself, Xingchen. But since you now know...
{He lets the Glamor fall, purposefully preparing himself to move away if Xingchen shows any sign of discomfort or horror. He can easily understand both!}
It happened when I fought the Wyrms...or Dragons...of the North.
And he watches as the spell falls, awed at the trust Thranduil shows, in the honor given. But there's sympathy too, in seeing the horrendous damage the Elf has received. He doesn't pull away, only studies the other, brows knit in concern. ]
You survived. [ His voice is hushed. ] That speaks far greater of your will to live than anything I can imagine.
{As he is blind in the eye closest to Xingchen, he must turn more to look at the Man properly. He quickly brings the Glamor back into place, the horrible wounds - they will never be scars - disappearing under seemingly perfect skin.}
I did not want to at first. {The pain had been all-consuming.} But time showed me that I had a purpose.
[ Xingchen tugs Thranduil's hand up to press a kiss to the palm. ]
I understand some of that.
[ He remembers - vividly - his first few days in Duplicity. And again, after Huaisang had dunked far more brutal truth over him than he could handle. ]
[ No. Not disgusted. Not even a little. Xingchen dares to settle against Thranduil, ready to pull away if his assumption is wrong that when the glamour is in place, the wounds do not trouble him. ]
You're right. Every day I find something new to live for. When I came here, I had no desire to live. Now, I do not want to die.
{With the Glamor in place, Xingchen's assumption is correct: Thranduil feels no pain, but he cannot see, still, out of that one eye. The soft weight of the Man against him has him lifting his arm to accommodate him.}
Your husband would not be alone in mourning you. But I am relieved you have found your own reasons for living. Those are crucial.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
You honor me with your trust and offer. I will not forget it. And I would allow no harm to come to you, either.
[ The last thing Thranduil mentions has him curious, but his smile returns and remains gently as he shakes his head a little. ]
We will find out, but later. The craving is merely an itch right now, easily ignored. [ Easy, that is, for someone used to dismissing certain discomforts. ]
no subject
{Xingchen has given him a safe home, plenty to read, pleasant company... Thranduil might be a pampered king, but he knows nothing is free.}
Should you ignore it? I do not know what will become of you if you ignore it overmuch.
no subject
My Sire told us that because of the level of power he has, and the fact he passed that power on to us, once our change was complete, we do not need to feed. It is only our ability to control the craving.
[ He pauses, then reaches for the hand on his arm to give it a gentle squeeze. ]
I would feel best in taking you up on your generous offer when I expect to be around larger groups of people.
no subject
This Lestat must be powerful indeed. I wonder if he and I should meet?
{If he appears suddenly in the house, it might be best. He returns the gesture, his hand warm and gentle, and then he takes a seat on a sofa.}
I can see the wisdom of that, though my offer wasn't only to keep you safe; it was also to keep you comfortable.
no subject
I would like that. I could introduce you, if you wish?
[ Xingchen follows and curls a leg under him to remain facing the other. ]
I know. And I am grateful to you for it.
no subject
That would be best. Let me know what time would be suitable for him.
{He smiles faintly.}
I may not look it, but my fĂŤa is in tatters too.
no subject
I will.
[ He gently rubs at the hand he still holds, knowing his skin is cooler than a human's. ]
I wish I could help you heal.
no subject
Xue Yang will probably be like that for the rest of time, however.The comfort is kind and Thranduil relaxes into it as much as he is able. He will always have metaphorical armor and speaking of this subject is not easy.}
If I showed you the effects, you would be disturbed. I hide them under a spell.
no subject
So will Xingchen.He has learned much since waking in Duplicity.He will never hold such a protection against another. And he realizes, distantly, that he's being honored just by Thranduil telling him. ]
But I would not break, should you decide to show me. I want you to be comfortable around me. This is your home while we are here and contracted, as much as it is mine. Even should we end our contract, should you wish to visit you would be welcome.
no subject
I am comfortable. {But he has no intention of burdening his host.} The only reason I tell you is so you feel safe with me. By the standards of Men, I am ancient. If I had not suffered some woe, I would be absurdly lucky.
no subject
I do. Even now, I believe I am safe with you. I like knowing you are near - is that disturbing?
no subject
{He is not so free with his emotions or affection.}
no subject
I am glad to have your friendship and affection.
no subject
{He hesitates, his head tilting.}
Do not trust Dragons.
no subject
Should any be brought here, I will be cautious should I meet them.
no subject
no subject
[ There's a hint of a growl, finally, in his promise. ]
no subject
I would rather you save yourself, Xingchen. But since you now know...
{He lets the Glamor fall, purposefully preparing himself to move away if Xingchen shows any sign of discomfort or horror. He can easily understand both!}
It happened when I fought the Wyrms...or Dragons...of the North.
no subject
And he watches as the spell falls, awed at the trust Thranduil shows, in the honor given. But there's sympathy too, in seeing the horrendous damage the Elf has received. He doesn't pull away, only studies the other, brows knit in concern. ]
You survived. [ His voice is hushed. ] That speaks far greater of your will to live than anything I can imagine.
no subject
I did not want to at first. {The pain had been all-consuming.} But time showed me that I had a purpose.
no subject
I understand some of that.
[ He remembers - vividly - his first few days in Duplicity. And again, after Huaisang had dunked far more brutal truth over him than he could handle. ]
I am grateful to know you.
no subject
What you have endured and overcome is only the beginning. Each day you will see new reasons to live and it won't feel like such a struggle.
{He bows his head, pleased.}
Thank you for finding me.
no subject
You're right. Every day I find something new to live for. When I came here, I had no desire to live. Now, I do not want to die.
[ He smiles gently. ]
no subject
Your husband would not be alone in mourning you. But I am relieved you have found your own reasons for living. Those are crucial.
no subject
It is easier now, with this certain chance to stay with A-Yang, to look forward instead of just in the moment.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)