illicitly | (Reply)

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[He hesitates briefly, expression clouding over a little with doubt. Not in Shi Qingxuan, never in him. Not at this point. It's this world Huaisang doesn't understand anymore, not after going home and finding himself back here again. Is this world all a dream? Some figment of his imagination? Or is it the place he left behind? Because right now, this world feels completely tangible and real to him.

There's no splash of water or even a raised voice, just a very solid hand lowering itself to rest on that messy bedhead, fingers twining timidly into the dark strands.]

I... I don't know if this is all a dream. I don't know if I'm awake or I just passed out at the ceremony. But I'm here again and I really missed you.

[What started out as a murmur, the hand on Shi Qingxuan's hair moving into a tender, intimate caress while speaking, breaks off as his voice cracks suddenly. A tear trickles down his cheeks as the realization of it all sets in.

Whether it's all just a dream or not, he's finally home.

Rather than pull Shi Qingxuan to sit up, Huaisang simply stretches out on the bed beside him, facing him, just like he used to when they were alone. He keeps a hand on him though, letting it fall to rest on his companion's bare shoulder. Is the physical contact meant to reassure Shi Qingxuan or himself that they're in the same world?

Does it even matter so long as they're together once more?]

You feel real, Shi-xiong.