A good dream, despite the reason behind their flight. Xichen has very little to actually complain about, though he wishes he had more information on what was happening back home. And he wishes he didn't have to rely quite so much on Meng Yao doing so much for them, but his lack of knowledge or experience on most of what is needed on this venture requires it.
He still does his best, even if that ends up being...a rather pathetic end. Though he is able, when Meng Yao returns with the laundry, to help spread the sheets over the straw. The temptation of a bath is too strong, and he smiles gratefully at the other man.
"You have worked so hard, A-Yao," he answers just as softly. "Yes. We should bathe and let our muscles relax with the heat."
"No trouble at all." He smiled and nodded, blushing softly.
"I can grab the tub, I have already cleaned it out. If you wanted to get hot water that will be very helpful. A-Huan." he wanted to give him things to do and he was so much stronger than him. And didn't want him to feel useless he wasn't at all. He had a different skill set and is amazing at the kind of things he can do.
"I think that will be nice, and a nap after. Enjoy a few quiet days like this before we have to move again."
And as ever, Meng Yao knows how to use his strengths. Xichen nods without a second's hesitation. "Of course." Being beneath his station doesn't mean a thing to him. Mistreating those who work so hard to better the lives of others makes no sense to him, and so he never does. He does his best to treat everyone with respect.
"May I help put the clothes away before we get the tub and water?"
He nods again, agreeing about the nap after a nice bath. "Rest is needed for any body's recovery." He's just glad he's recovered enough to be less of a burden on his dear friend.
"Of course! Many hands make light work after all." it was one of the things he loved about his friend. The thing that he couldn't stop the swelling feeling that rose in his chest whenever he saw him. That kindness and respect for everyone no matter who they are.
He knelt down on the bed and began to show him how to fold them properly, before letting him have half.
His eyes darted to his face, wondering why he had such a strong urge to kiss him. He had never felt this way before, about anyone.
He loves how readily the other agrees, and how patiently Meng Yao begins to show him how to fold things. Xichen watches intently, kneeling beside him. And so when the half is set before him, he smiles his thanks before getting to work.
His attempts are...well. Functional. But with each garment, he improves just a little. Xichen can't help enjoy the work, though more because of the company and being able to help. He feels that glance and it threatens to make him flush, but he doesn't allow himself to show...how very much he likes the thought of lips being pressed to his - this kind young man's lips, to be precise.
He smiled as he watched Xichen work. He was lovely and hardworking, willing to learn. As he finished he set it with the ones he did, all of them set and ready to be out away. They will feel good freshly bathed and in clean clothes.
He looked away flushing deeper. It was easy to forget their identities in this place. They weren't whoreson Meng Yao and Sect Heir Lan Xichen, they were just A-Yao and A-Huan.
This simple life that one could pretend they weren't in a war, that A-Huan wasn't in danger. it was such a nice fantasy to fall into.
He stands up, knees creaking a little bit as he did, and stretched his arms out.
"You should go first, in the bath. I have some fermented rice water we can put in your hair as well. Mama used to do it and it made it so shiny."
He'd admit to looking forward to being freshly bathed and clothed. This isn't the Cloud Recesses, or the Unclean Realm. But A-Yao is with him. So they are making do with what little they have. It's enough for now.
Xichen blinks at the words, but hears the cracks of those knees and shakes his head a little, gaze still lowered.
"You have been working hard. You should go first, while the water is warmest." He's used to cold water. But he smiles at the glimpse at Meng Yao's mother, how she'd cared for her son. "Is there enough for both of us?"
"No no no, I couldn't." he blushed. He knew that he didn't mind but how could Meng Yao subject him to bathe in used water. For him he was used to things like that but to ask gentry to... Never.
"Yes. I do. And when we make dinner I can set aside the rice water we wash the rice with to ferment for more." He squeezed his shoulder gently and walked over to get the tub ready. It was already scrubbed clean. It just had to be moved into the middle of the room.
"Does vegetable soup and rice sound good to you tonight?"
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He still does his best, even if that ends up being...a rather pathetic end. Though he is able, when Meng Yao returns with the laundry, to help spread the sheets over the straw. The temptation of a bath is too strong, and he smiles gratefully at the other man.
"You have worked so hard, A-Yao," he answers just as softly. "Yes. We should bathe and let our muscles relax with the heat."
no subject
"I can grab the tub, I have already cleaned it out. If you wanted to get hot water that will be very helpful. A-Huan." he wanted to give him things to do and he was so much stronger than him. And didn't want him to feel useless he wasn't at all. He had a different skill set and is amazing at the kind of things he can do.
"I think that will be nice, and a nap after. Enjoy a few quiet days like this before we have to move again."
no subject
"May I help put the clothes away before we get the tub and water?"
He nods again, agreeing about the nap after a nice bath. "Rest is needed for any body's recovery." He's just glad he's recovered enough to be less of a burden on his dear friend.
no subject
He knelt down on the bed and began to show him how to fold them properly, before letting him have half.
His eyes darted to his face, wondering why he had such a strong urge to kiss him. He had never felt this way before, about anyone.
no subject
His attempts are...well. Functional. But with each garment, he improves just a little. Xichen can't help enjoy the work, though more because of the company and being able to help. He feels that glance and it threatens to make him flush, but he doesn't allow himself to show...how very much he likes the thought of lips being pressed to his - this kind young man's lips, to be precise.
It would be too easy to get carried away.
no subject
He looked away flushing deeper. It was easy to forget their identities in this place. They weren't whoreson Meng Yao and Sect Heir Lan Xichen, they were just A-Yao and A-Huan.
This simple life that one could pretend they weren't in a war, that A-Huan wasn't in danger. it was such a nice fantasy to fall into.
He stands up, knees creaking a little bit as he did, and stretched his arms out.
"You should go first, in the bath. I have some fermented rice water we can put in your hair as well. Mama used to do it and it made it so shiny."
no subject
Xichen blinks at the words, but hears the cracks of those knees and shakes his head a little, gaze still lowered.
"You have been working hard. You should go first, while the water is warmest." He's used to cold water. But he smiles at the glimpse at Meng Yao's mother, how she'd cared for her son. "Is there enough for both of us?"
no subject
"Yes. I do. And when we make dinner I can set aside the rice water we wash the rice with to ferment for more." He squeezed his shoulder gently and walked over to get the tub ready. It was already scrubbed clean. It just had to be moved into the middle of the room.
"Does vegetable soup and rice sound good to you tonight?"