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" am i not free to walk around wugui sea, or is it's master a cruel overlord who forbids it?" she taunts, a brow raised, the hands on his chest no longer pushing, but resting against his chest.
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𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑚
" you .." she squeaks, unable to look away now that he was so close. " .. i just wanted to clear my mind- that's all."
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touch that never fails to stun her into silence, lips parted around a soundless gasp. palms brace against his chest to pry for an inch of space that may spare her from the inevitable.
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raise of eyebrows,⠀before a shrug follows;⠀lips curled into a smile.⠀he could lie of his reasoning for being awake or he could just simply not disclose.⠀perhaps the latter.
“ i was on my way to go to bed, ”⠀feigned yawn,⠀“ but now i don’t think i am,⠀not until i get to
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as he draws nearer, her heart seems to climb within her throat. her mind begs her to step back, to pry for more distance between them. however, she doesn't move, not an inch.
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his feet moved before he could think;⠀closing the distance ———⠀close enough yet also an arm’s length away for it was how he felt.⠀𝐲̶𝐞̶𝐚̶𝐫̶𝐧̶𝐞̶𝐝̶⠀for closeness but could only keep an arm’s distance.
a humoured huff escaped him before he could stop himself.
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her lips part around a petulant whine, nose scrunching in faux distaste while her arms cross. " ji bozai~" she mewls. " how cruel of you."
she pouts, but can't hide the slight smile that begins . . .
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" lord ji thinks so low of me," her own voice carries a teasing, albeit tired, lilt.
" and to think i was being courteous of my lords sleeping habits. i'll remember for next time to do the opposite ."
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something eases within, then, visibly tense shoulders sagging with what could only be relief. yet, she remained just far enough to feel as estranged as they had been as of late.
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something akin to guilt seeps its way into his eyes before just as quick as it appeared,⠀it was gone.⠀a huff,⠀followed by small curl of lips ——⠀teasing.
“ you thought i was asleep and didn’t want to wake me ?⠀now i truly think you are plotting something,⠀mingyi .”
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wincing, her gaze finally draws back to him. 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅, she thinks—— the accusation. her hands bunch into the fabric of her robes.
" i thought you may have been asleep. i didn't want to wake you."
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a fraction ——⠀ perhaps more ——⠀of his expression shifted;⠀softened.⠀despite so,⠀his eyes remain on ming yi.
“ so you’re acting all cautious and restless ?⠀i would’ve thought you were plotting something in secret and got careless . ”
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you love him despite the burden of atlas resting on his shoulders. and he loves you despite the death still clinging to your lips, and the blood drying at its corners. what a pair you make.