Ah, except what Xingchen did, at least meant to do, is accept the proposal by agreeing to forever. The last thing he means is a rejection, or even stringing him along.
Xingchen is a gentle person with a firm heart, he would not be willingly cruel. And to this person least of all.
So he doesn't realize there is sadness in the smile he can't see, but the words are a reminder that they have been apart for a long time still, that they have grown apart from the rapport they used to have, half a word enough for the other to understand. His only uncertainty was whether it was the right thing for A-Lan, but that was answered, and at length.
"A-Lan. I did promise forever." His hand caresses the cheek he was touching. "There are things I'm still learning, things that we both will work on, but the my answer will not become less favorable. I know I want you, all the ways and for always." He just maybe has not gotten far enough to consider what some of those ways are, not because he would dislike or disapprove of them but because they never seemed an option, before.
The smile is still tentative, but it does return with a gentle tease. "What happened to a whole day with me, hmm?" But then, to sootte even that as he curls in closer. "Anything. About you, too, if you want. It... it has been a long time since we wandered together. But we will again, some day." It's hesitant, the last part, but while he still doesn't trust himself enough to hope, he cannot doubt Song Lan.
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Xingchen is a gentle person with a firm heart, he would not be willingly cruel. And to this person least of all.
So he doesn't realize there is sadness in the smile he can't see, but the words are a reminder that they have been apart for a long time still, that they have grown apart from the rapport they used to have, half a word enough for the other to understand. His only uncertainty was whether it was the right thing for A-Lan, but that was answered, and at length.
"A-Lan. I did promise forever." His hand caresses the cheek he was touching. "There are things I'm still learning, things that we both will work on, but the my answer will not become less favorable. I know I want you, all the ways and for always." He just maybe has not gotten far enough to consider what some of those ways are, not because he would dislike or disapprove of them but because they never seemed an option, before.
The smile is still tentative, but it does return with a gentle tease. "What happened to a whole day with me, hmm?" But then, to sootte even that as he curls in closer. "Anything. About you, too, if you want. It... it has been a long time since we wandered together. But we will again, some day." It's hesitant, the last part, but while he still doesn't trust himself enough to hope, he cannot doubt Song Lan.