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Jin Guangyao ⬤ The Untamed
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[He freezes, surprised and taken aback by the way Jin Ling asks about it. Honestly, he’s a little impressed. It wasn’t like Jin Ling to go the subtle way about things, and it all manages to twist the knife in his heart a little more.

His embrace tightens a little and he presses a kiss to Jin Ling’s hairline, closing his eyes.]

There are things I’m keeping from you, Jin Ling. [He doesn’t know if it helps or not for him to be admitting it out loud, but he hopes Jin Ling is growing a little more and won’t explode on him for this.]

But it’s not because I don’t think you can handle the truth or because I think you too young or any of those kinds of worries. [He rests his cheek against Jin Ling’s head for a moment and closes his eyes, taking a breath.]

It’s because I’m not ready to talk about it just yet. I’m the one not strong enough, but... [He pulls away now, just enough so he can look at his nephew. Ah, when had he grown so tall? It wouldn’t be long before he too was towering over Guangyao.] But I will tell you, Jin Ling. I’ll tell you everything, I promise. Just... give me a little more time? Be patient with your poor uncle.

Edited 2020-02-19 18:34 (UTC)

[ He let his uncle pull back somewhat reluctantly, his face set in a concerned frown.

He wanted to argue. To say that his uncle could tell him anything, that he could take it. But he thought he knew what the secret was. He thought what Jin Guangyao was being secretive about was his own death. He had no concept beyond that.

He wanted to know, badly, but he couldn’t ask his uncle about his own death. Couldn’t ask him to relive it. So he grit his teeth. ]

You can tell me whenever you’re ready. Until then - if I can help, I’ll do it. I don’t need to know why it helps, just - you can rely on me, okay? I know I can’t do as much as the whole Sect could, but I can do a lot!

[He smiles, feeling truly and deeply touched by this show of filial piety he doesn’t feel he’s rightly earned. He doesn’t know what has Jin Ling so shaken, but he knows it mustn’t be the whole truth of what’s happened after Jin Ling’s current memories or else he suspects Jin Ling wouldn’t be quite this cuddly.

He smooths back some of Jin Ling’s hair.] Mm, I know. We’re all that remains of Jin Sect right now—Us and your father. [Father...s... but that’s getting into weird territory.] We’re family. I trust you and know I can count on you. And it’s the same for you.

Back home I... was often too busy, I think, to give you as much of the attention as you deserved. But I’ll do better here. I promise. I’ll be better.

[ His eyebrows furrow a little and his gaze drops. ]

You haven't done me any wrong, [ He points out. ] You've always been a good uncle.

[ Sure, more distant than Jiang Cheng, but that was to be expected, wasn't it? Jin Guangyao had a wife. Had a son, before he died. He had a separate family and separate worries. Jiang Cheng only had him. It made sense. ]

You don't have to promise to be better.

[He pulls Jin Ling back into a hug, a bit fiercer than the last. He presses his cheek to his hair and closes his eyes, remembering a time when Jin Ling fit so easily in his arms, he could carry him around and only worry about the babe teething at his hat strings and yanking at his hair. He didn’t think he’d miss such times, but he truly did like children. If things with Qin Su hadn’t been—what they were, he might’ve had more. More playmates for Jin Ling, more babbling baby talk to distract himself with when the real world of politics and careful words and flattery became a bit too bothersome.]

But I will be more available now. I have no more pressing sect matters to deal with here, after all. Just my wayward family. [He laughs and presses his lips to Jin Ling’s hairline once more, before he loosens his grip to allow Jin Ling to pull away should he want to.] Will you be staying the night too? It’s getting rather late.

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