( Wen Kexing is hovering. He knows he is hovering. It has been hours since Hermoine came to them and offered them her aid, it is perhaps even a new day, and he has not been able to take a single step away from Zhou Zishu's side since. He sits on a chair at the head of the bed they share, one hand moving his fingers fitfully through the length of Zhou Zishu's hair, the other keeping a permanent hold of his wrist. He has been like this since he put his zhiji there, imagines there might be an impression left with how long he's been feeling his pulse, Wen Kexing's fingerprints in pale skin. It wouldn't be so bad to leave a lasting mark, he thinks, shifting his thumb to press a little deeper.
They still have so very far to go.
Panic rises, falls, he keeps stealing looks down at the sleeping man, seized by fear. There is a part of him so sure he might be dreaming that he wants to dig his fingers into his own skin and claw himself awake. Another reason then that he busies his hands with more gentle work, smoothing a fringe aside to lay his palm across a clammy forehead. The anxiety will not fade, he doesn't think it can. They have fixed what they were able to but there will still be work ahead of them, and so the joy must be tempered. But still, but still.
He brings Zhou Zishu's hand up to his mouth, lips against the knuckles. They look frail, up close, and Wen Kexing sighs, a gust of breath. )
Ah-Xu.
( It's fine, he's fine. )
Do I really get to keep you? You'll have to wake up soon and tell me so.
/ action.
They still have so very far to go.
Panic rises, falls, he keeps stealing looks down at the sleeping man, seized by fear. There is a part of him so sure he might be dreaming that he wants to dig his fingers into his own skin and claw himself awake. Another reason then that he busies his hands with more gentle work, smoothing a fringe aside to lay his palm across a clammy forehead. The anxiety will not fade, he doesn't think it can. They have fixed what they were able to but there will still be work ahead of them, and so the joy must be tempered. But still, but still.
He brings Zhou Zishu's hand up to his mouth, lips against the knuckles. They look frail, up close, and Wen Kexing sighs, a gust of breath. )
Ah-Xu.
( It's fine, he's fine. )
Do I really get to keep you? You'll have to wake up soon and tell me so.