[That's the response he expected. He probably would have wondered what shapeshifting being had replaced his brother if Huaisang had turned down the opportunity to go shopping for delicate, artistic things. He certainly doesn't have to; Mingjue does not offer that which he is not willing to give, and for his younger brother, he would give him the world if he asked.] You will. Tomorrow I will start searching for a larger residence so you will have room. [As it is, he's going to have to give Huaisang the bedroom and sleep on the floor, but he doesn't mind, because he'd sacrifice a lot more than a soft bed to have his brother here with him.
He finishes pouring their tea and takes the pot to the table. They may make slow progress from the kitchen to the sitting room, because Nie Mingjue doesn't want to let Huaisang out of his sight either, and boy, aren't they a pair? It's been too long, though. A month for Mingjue, ten years for Huaisang. He could not have survived it if their situations were reversed, if a month has felt so desolate already.
Sitting across from him, leaning forward a little, because even the short distance of a small table is a chasm he wants to bridge, he watches his younger brother's face. His expressions. He has never cared to read anyone for political reasons, preferring to be blunt and straight-forward and push for his own way, but he could always read his didi. Not that it had been hard, once upon a time. He had been softer then, sheltered under Mingjue's wing, living life as the spoiled Second Young Master of Qinghe. He will wonder for the rest of his life if he did Huaisang any favors, if he could have set him up for success in life better. That had been his job and from all he's heard, he failed at it.
Who could Huaisang have even turned to, after his death? There must have been a reason he didn't try to tell Lan Xichen, and Mingjue can guess that he wouldn't have been believed. It was him against the man who killed his older brother, and he had to spend ten years pretending to be that same sheltered boy.
His heart aches in his chest. Mingjue lets him speak, and then reaches across the table to clasp his hand tightly.] I do not approve of deception as a tactic, but I am proud of you for surviving, Huaisang. He would have killed you if he'd known. [He has seen the burning hatred in Jin Guangyao's eyes when he spoke of Huaisang, and he knows this in his heart. He would have claimed his brother as a victim as well.]
...He still wishes to. He is here in this city as well, and he is angry about how you outsmarted him. [His expression is fierce determination, protective love.] I will not let him harm you, but I need you to promise me that you will be cautious if I am not with you.
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He finishes pouring their tea and takes the pot to the table. They may make slow progress from the kitchen to the sitting room, because Nie Mingjue doesn't want to let Huaisang out of his sight either, and boy, aren't they a pair? It's been too long, though. A month for Mingjue, ten years for Huaisang. He could not have survived it if their situations were reversed, if a month has felt so desolate already.
Sitting across from him, leaning forward a little, because even the short distance of a small table is a chasm he wants to bridge, he watches his younger brother's face. His expressions. He has never cared to read anyone for political reasons, preferring to be blunt and straight-forward and push for his own way, but he could always read his didi. Not that it had been hard, once upon a time. He had been softer then, sheltered under Mingjue's wing, living life as the spoiled Second Young Master of Qinghe. He will wonder for the rest of his life if he did Huaisang any favors, if he could have set him up for success in life better. That had been his job and from all he's heard, he failed at it.
Who could Huaisang have even turned to, after his death? There must have been a reason he didn't try to tell Lan Xichen, and Mingjue can guess that he wouldn't have been believed. It was him against the man who killed his older brother, and he had to spend ten years pretending to be that same sheltered boy.
His heart aches in his chest. Mingjue lets him speak, and then reaches across the table to clasp his hand tightly.] I do not approve of deception as a tactic, but I am proud of you for surviving, Huaisang. He would have killed you if he'd known. [He has seen the burning hatred in Jin Guangyao's eyes when he spoke of Huaisang, and he knows this in his heart. He would have claimed his brother as a victim as well.]
...He still wishes to. He is here in this city as well, and he is angry about how you outsmarted him. [His expression is fierce determination, protective love.] I will not let him harm you, but I need you to promise me that you will be cautious if I am not with you.