pcs with psyche

[diabolizes]

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[diabolizes]

[ And there are normal reactions to have to this other than laughter, but Wei Wuxian bursts out into it anyway, still holding tightly onto her hand. ]

Pfft! What's with that look?

[chrysaline]

[ Wei Wuxian! She's been so stressed about this! She thwaps his shoulder with the hand he's not holding, even though she laughs too. ]

Stop that! I just... he's so nice, and... have you talked to him about this?

[ Since yesterday? Probably not. ]

[diabolizes]

Hey!

[ That just gets him to break out into another fit of laughter as he continues squeezing her hand. ]

I haven't. Do you want me to? I know you said you weren't afraid of it, but don't put blame on me for asking again.

[ He trusts her to tell him how she feels, at least. ]

[chrysaline]

[ Well, now she's finally relaxed enough to try. She gives him a wholly unrepentant smile and snuggles closer. ]

I think it would be more fair to both of you. If you wanted to. And I think it would make me happy.

[ She pauses a moment in uncertainty. Maybe it's too much to explain this early? But maybe he deserves her honesty. ]

I'm... a little afraid of my own feelings. And I'm afraid of the people around me being hurt because of them. That's what I'm really scared of right now. Two people I... [ too soon, ] care about, caring about each other, that doesn't frighten me.

[diabolizes]

[ He reaches up with his free hand, letting his fingers card through her hair. She really just continues to prove how sweet she is. ]

How I see it is that it's best to let your feelings be known while you can still say them aloud. Let's live with no regrets.

[chrysaline]

[ She leans a little into the caress, smiling back at him. It's a little ridiculous that him looking at her like that is enough to get her heart beating faster. ]

That's another thing I like about you. I think you're right. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, but... we have right now, don't we?

[diabolizes]

That we do. We might not have forever, so right now is the most important thing.

[ The thought of not having forever hurts, but he can't delude himself either.

That will only make everything all the more painful should things go downhill. But he won't think about that and instead focus on how nice her hand feels in his. ]

[chrysaline]

[ She gives a little nod and shifts a little to lace their fingers together, resting her cheek on his shoulder again. "Forever"... even once they find a way out of this place, there's too many open questions there. But she won't let it steal the joy from this moment. ]

I'd been thinking that even before, but this place made it real to me. Is it strange, with everything that's happened, to still be happy about this?

[diabolizes]

I don't think so. We're allowed to feel all sorts of things at once. Our feelings about our situation aren't going to be a constant—other feelingsn are going to fill in the gaps. It's only natural.

[ He squeezes his hand. ]

Pockets of happiness are possible even in the darkest of times.

[chrysaline]

[ Thinking of whatever had come over her on Saturday of all days, she has to laugh softly in agreement at that. Maybe it was running away from everything that had happened, or maybe it was just being able to find those bright moments despite everything. ]

I think that's proof that people are strong. And maybe, it's why we can keep moving forward. You've already come through so much.

[diabolizes]

[ There’s always doubt in the back of his mind when he hears those things, but he tries to push it down. ]

And so have you. You can’t forget that either.

[ After all, she didn’t have much of a chance to spread her wings growing up. That’s hard too. ]

[chrysaline]

[ Does she sense that doubt... she studies his expression a little before giving him an almost defiant kiss on the tip of the nose. ]

I have. [ She knows it, even if she doesn't talk about parts. ] And I'm going to keep going, too. Every time I think I want to give up, I'm going to try to be stronger instead. That's what I've decided. You'll keep up with me, right?

[diabolizes]

Of course I will.

[ He lifts their hands up, giving hers a tight squeeze. ]

I have half a mind to say that you should keep up with me, but I have a feeling I'll need to do some catching up from time to time.

[ After all, he has a lot of faith in her. ]

[chrysaline]

Say it if you want to. Don't think I'll let you leave me behind, either.

[ Is this what it feels like when someone means that? Not "that's too difficult for you, Psyche" or "all you need to do is please His Highness, Psyche." No lies dressed up as concern. Her gaze warms and she squeezes his hand back. ]

[diabolizes]

With how stubborn you are, I'd be shocked if you ever let me.

[ He laughs, leaning close to her so he can rest his head atop of hers. ]

It's a good trait to have.

[chrysaline]

[ She laughs and tucks her head there comfortably, closing her eyes. ]

Are you just saying that because you're so stubborn? But... I'm a little proud of it.

[ She did work hard! It wasn't easy. ]

[diabolizes]

I might be.

[ He laughs. ]

I think it's a good thing, though. It means you're willing to persevere.

[chrysaline]

"Hardships will make you stronger." Someone... [ the pause there is a little hazy, more than half-forgotten ] ...someone told me that once. If I'm strong enough, will you depend on me, too?

[diabolizes]

Wise words.

[ Words that he honestly finds himself agreeing with. He smiles softly, giving her a small nod. ]

Of course I will. It may take work on my part, but that's only because I'm used to doing everything on my own. I hope you don't ever see that as a failing on your part.

[chrysaline]

I can promise that I'll try not to, too. It... might take a little work. We can both keep at it.

[ She knows that she won't hold it against him, anyway. Him saying he'll work on it... she closes her eyes for a second against the warmth of that happiness. ]

[diabolizes]

Work for us both.

[ He smiles a little, his shoulders relaxing. ]

I think I like that better than just me working on it.

[ It's less intimidating that way. There's room to make mistakes. ]

[chrysaline]

Did you think I'd push all of the work onto you?

[ She laughs softly, leaning up to kiss his jaw again. ]

I'm still learning so many things. I'm sure we each have things to overcome that might make it harder, but... as long as you remember that you're not alone, I'm happy. I hope you can get used to that in time.

[ She's not in a position to say so, but it's a little sad to hear him say that, honestly. ]

[diabolizes]

[ Ah... right. Psyche isn't the kind of person who would just push everything onto him in the way that he's so used to. ]

...Before coming here, I subscribed to the philosophy of walking a single-plank bridge on my own into the darkness over the crowded, broad road.

[ ... ]

This won't be easy for me, but I think you're up to the task.

[chrysaline]

[ She lets that sink in a little while she considers that with a slight pang; it's no wonder it's hard for her to ignore the similarities, sometimes. ]

Mm... I think I understand. But the right path is the right path, isn't it? I don't care if it's hard. I can still be there with you. Right behind you, if not beside you. I promise that I'm up to it. [ She pauses again, then shakes her head slightly. ] And if it's a path you wouldn't want me to follow... then, don't expect me to let you go down it without a fight.

[diabolizes]

[ He glances away, looking over at the other couches in the planetarium as he thinks over what she says. ]

…Alright.

[ Is what he’s doing now something he would want Psyche to join him in doing? No, but he can’t backtrack on his decisions either, which is where the problem lies. ]

I’ll believe in your ability to keep up. Where I’m at back home isn’t an easy place to be, so my first inclination is not to allow you to follow me, but I realize that isn’t fair.