[closed post] aftermath

[protagonisthalo]

More than anything, Luo Binghe wishes this weren't so familiar. He is well accustomed to people drawn in by his beauty and charm, who turn away when they see what he is truly like. It has happened with nearly all of his wives, except Liu Mingyan. (He would love to see Liu Mingyan right now; how she would laugh at the idea that barely a day of torment inflicted on an enemy has caused all this trouble.)

It is still hard to believe Shen Yuan will not someday reach his limit and discover something that repulses him. But so far, no matter how deep he digs into Luo Binghe's darkness, he only fills it with light. Luo Binghe wants that feeling now. He wants to bathe in Shen Yuan's love and forgiveness; to transform under the light of his smile into someone worth loving. (A dose of sharp pain as he remembers the wish he involuntarily expressed to Claudius under the truth spell: I want to be proven wrong. I want someone to see some good in me that I did not recognize, and show me what it is. Shen Yuan has not yet convinced him, but he has come closer than Luo Binghe thought possible.) He is looking for Shen Yuan, following the pull of the blood they share, but if he passes by anyone else he counts as a friend, he will want to see them too.

Comments

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe smiles without mirth. "That is also something I treasure about you."

[ravkanwitch]

"I met his daughter," Nina says suddenly. "In the convent I was staying in right before I was pulled here. Hanne was there for religious training but instead she was dressing up as a male soldier to teach herself how to ride and hunt... Also, she's a Grisha. A Heartrender, just like I was." She laughs a little, almost humorlessly. "Maybe it'd be just enough revenge if he ever found that out."

[protagonisthalo]

This cheers Luo Binghe. "That is satisfying indeed. But you know, Nina, if anyone who has hurt you ever showed up here, your compassion is not all they'd have to worry about."

[ravkanwitch]

"Oh?" Nina asks, raising an eyebrow. "What would you with to the man who trapped me, nearly enslaved me, and tried to kill me twice?" With anyone else, this would be close to flirting.

[protagonisthalo]

"There is an execution method known as lingchi," Luo Binghe says thoughtfully, "where you simply cut off pieces for as long as it takes for the person to die."

[ravkanwitch]

"Seems fitting for him," Nina says brightly.

[protagonisthalo]

"For Shen Qingqiu as well," Luo Binghe says, without directly admitting what he did to Shen Qingqiu. "May they both suffer in the darkest hells."

[ravkanwitch]

"If I had a beverage, I would raise a glass to that," Nina says solemnly. "But instead--" She just gives him another hug.

[protagonisthalo]

Luo Binghe hugs her in return. "Thank you."

[ravkanwitch]

"You'll be fine," Nina reassures him. "You'll always have myself and Shen Yuan."

[protagonisthalo]

It would be nice if Luo Binghe could believe it, but he has lost too many people—and been alone too frequently—to ever feel truly secure. Still, he clutches her tightly, pathetically grateful to have her. "And you'll have me whenever you're in need."