[ It's okay, he does look hot when he is mad. There will also be brownie points won with everyone else for being the one who is unafraid to face him while he's in full wrath mode. Win/win, really.
Hearing Zidian praised does bring a rather sappy smile to his face. Jaskier never fails to leave him all flustered with how open he is in showing his affection. ]
I'm still learning to truly master Zidian to my mother's level of expertise. She had decades of experience on me. One day I will be truly impressive with it and worthy of your praise. [ It's another, more personal incentive to keep working hard. He has been working harder than ever before anyway, wishing to prove himself deserving of his lover's trust and adoration. ]
I know you don't judge me or my people, and I'm grateful for that. You accept us simply as we are. [ More like, he accepts Jiang Cheng as he is, and not only in matters of war and wrath. Maybe he will never find the words to tell him that it means the world to him but... it does.
Never before has he truly felt like being around someone is indeed enough but here and now, there is peace. ]
I still want to do something for you. Gestures, if nothing else. I want to prove myself to you. [ Prove his worth. His earnest intentions. The pagoda is one way to do it, that he doesn't even try to hide their relationship another. ]
[ Damn right he does. It probably helps that Jaskier seems to have traded his survival instinct for an unnatural attraction to grumpy men that can kill him with ease. Win/win for them indeed. Although Jaskier doesn't think Jiang Cheng would be happy if he answers the disciples' question about how he handles a mad Jiang Cheng with 'Boners'.
He's being honest too, he doesn't lie when it comes to praising or laying insults. Zidian really is one of a kind and Jiang Cheng's ability with it unparalleled. ]
She was older so it makes sense she had more time to practice. I'm sure you will be as good as her and even better, you're very determined. [ Family is a touchy subject, Jaskier knows but he also wants to learn more about his lover's parents. ] Would you mind it too much if I asked you about her? Or about your father? I know that they...fought until the end to protect their people. And that sort of sacrifice deserves to be honored and preserved.
[ 'With a song', he doesn't say, but it's what he's hinting at. Something to make people know about those who gave their lives and why, and to help them remember the dangers as well. ]
If should always be like that, if you ask me. And I'll always be honest with you, or try my best.
[ He's only human after all, and he has a tendency to hide when he's been hurt. But about the rest of the things, Jaskier always speaks his mind. It comes naturally with Jiang Cheng, he feels at ease, he feels at home. ]
You already did. Look where I am standing, no one from my land has ever been here and this is thanks to you.
I wouldn't have visited your lands if I hadn't been sent. I never thought of seeking allies beyond the lands we frequent, or. Well. That anything worthwhile could be found there. [ That he could find love and belonging there. And maybe he wouldn't have opened himself up to the possibility if he hadn't been quite ready to escape his worries for a while but still.. ] I'm just glad it was me who was sent. And that I ran into you when I did. I'm grateful things turned out as they did.
[ So many coincidences and unlikely circumstances had been necessary for their paths to cross at the right time in the right place. Maybe this is really going to be their lucky break after far too many disappointments in life. He can only hope so. ]
Are you asking because you want to know more about my family history or because you want to write a song about my parents? I realize one easily leads to the other with you and you can't really say. But still. I just want to know why you will be asking these questions.
I don't mind Well I'm not going to fight against answering questions. You have a right to know my family history. [ And this, in a very roundabout way, may be an acknowledgment of what Jaskier is to him. He has a right to know - Jiang clan concerns him, too. He is no outsider. ] It's just difficult to talk about. Especially the end. But even before. Our family was complicated even before the war.
Anything worthwhile? Jaskier huffs, more amused than offended. I understand why but don't tell that to any kings or Queens you meet in my land if you ever visit again, they are too easily offended. I'm happy to know you no longer think that way, and that we got to met.
[ He's happy for a lot of things that involve Jiang Cheng, even if he can't always express them in a way that's not flirty or overwhelming. Destiny is a tricky thing, Jaskier knows it all too well, and he could have never predicted that he would find love in someone so different from him, someone from so far away. ]
I...ok, it's both? I sincerely want to learn more about your family because I want to get to know you even better. I also think that they should be remembered and honored in song after their sacrifice. But If you rather not be reminded of it, I'd stop asking and I would not compose anything. Don't feel obligated to agree just because I asked.
[ The last thing he wants is to make Cheng think that he needs to agree to something that upsets him just to please Jaskier. Far too many people have hurt the man int eh past, he doesn't want to cause him more pain. ]
I'll listen to anything you're willing to share when you're ready, and I won't pressure you about what you'd rather leave unsaid. I'd like to know why it was complicated before the war but you don't have to tell me now, or never, it's all good. Families have their secrets, god knows mine does too.
Oh please, as if I would tell! I did alright at your royal courts, didn't I? I didn't offend anyone... too much. I didn't start a single war! [ That's peak diplomacy, right? Whatever his diplomatic skills may be, that he has found his partner on the Continent has made this trip a success. ]
Write a song about them if you would like to. I know you will do it in a way that respects their memory. It will be good for their memory to be kept alive. [ It will hurt to be reminded, sure, but maybe this can help it become the old pain of an old injury rather than the gaping wound it still is years after his parents died. ]
Let's find a day when we both have nothing important to do, and we will talk about the past.
You did wonderfully. No one even unsheathed their swords, which is usually what happens during those kinds of meetings. Well I mean, I did pull out your sword in private but that was a much better end of the night than fighting.
[ It is kind of sad that yes, for Jaskier's homeland standards, that is peak diplomacy. His expression softens when Jiang Cheng gives him permission and Jaskier wishes he was there to talk to the man in person. ]
I promise it will be one of my best songs, darling. All right, that sounds good. I think I have bothered you enough today, you must be busy with your disciples. I'll see you later for dinner then? I was thinking about cooking you a dish form my homeland.
[ He's actually a pretty good cook, so Jiang Cheng doesn't have to worry about Jaskier burning the house down. ]
[ That sword pun is so very much Jaskier that Jiang Cheng gives a startled laugh as he reads it. He shakes his head, fondly amused, promising himself to get back at him for this tonight. ]
Then I'll see you at dinner. The kitchen is all yours. I look forward to a taste of your home.
[ He'll indeed be going back to hounding his disciples now, but with mood much improved. Maybe he will even be somewhat easy on them. ]
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givingexposition) wrote2020-02-25 10:08 pm
no subject
Hearing Zidian praised does bring a rather sappy smile to his face. Jaskier never fails to leave him all flustered with how open he is in showing his affection. ]
I'm still learning to truly master Zidian to my mother's level of expertise. She had decades of experience on me. One day I will be truly impressive with it and worthy of your praise. [ It's another, more personal incentive to keep working hard. He has been working harder than ever before anyway, wishing to prove himself deserving of his lover's trust and adoration. ]
I know you don't judge me or my people, and I'm grateful for that. You accept us simply as we are. [ More like, he accepts Jiang Cheng as he is, and not only in matters of war and wrath. Maybe he will never find the words to tell him that it means the world to him but... it does.
Never before has he truly felt like being around someone is indeed enough but here and now, there is peace. ]
I still want to do something for you. Gestures, if nothing else. I want to prove myself to you. [ Prove his worth. His earnest intentions. The pagoda is one way to do it, that he doesn't even try to hide their relationship another. ]
no subject
He's being honest too, he doesn't lie when it comes to praising or laying insults. Zidian really is one of a kind and Jiang Cheng's ability with it unparalleled. ]
She was older so it makes sense she had more time to practice. I'm sure you will be as good as her and even better, you're very determined. [ Family is a touchy subject, Jaskier knows but he also wants to learn more about his lover's parents. ] Would you mind it too much if I asked you about her? Or about your father? I know that they...fought until the end to protect their people. And that sort of sacrifice deserves to be honored and preserved.
[ 'With a song', he doesn't say, but it's what he's hinting at. Something to make people know about those who gave their lives and why, and to help them remember the dangers as well. ]
If should always be like that, if you ask me. And I'll always be honest with you, or try my best.
[ He's only human after all, and he has a tendency to hide when he's been hurt. But about the rest of the things, Jaskier always speaks his mind. It comes naturally with Jiang Cheng, he feels at ease, he feels at home. ]
You already did. Look where I am standing, no one from my land has ever been here and this is thanks to you.
no subject
[ So many coincidences and unlikely circumstances had been necessary for their paths to cross at the right time in the right place. Maybe this is really going to be their lucky break after far too many disappointments in life. He can only hope so. ]
Are you asking because you want to know more about my family history or because you want to write a song about my parents? I realize one easily leads to the other with you and you can't really say. But still. I just want to know why you will be asking these questions.
I don't mind
Well I'm not going to fight against answering questions. You have a right to know my family history. [ And this, in a very roundabout way, may be an acknowledgment of what Jaskier is to him. He has a right to know - Jiang clan concerns him, too. He is no outsider. ] It's just difficult to talk about. Especially the end. But even before. Our family was complicated even before the war.
no subject
[ He's happy for a lot of things that involve Jiang Cheng, even if he can't always express them in a way that's not flirty or overwhelming. Destiny is a tricky thing, Jaskier knows it all too well, and he could have never predicted that he would find love in someone so different from him, someone from so far away. ]
I...ok, it's both? I sincerely want to learn more about your family because I want to get to know you even better. I also think that they should be remembered and honored in song after their sacrifice. But If you rather not be reminded of it, I'd stop asking and I would not compose anything. Don't feel obligated to agree just because I asked.
[ The last thing he wants is to make Cheng think that he needs to agree to something that upsets him just to please Jaskier. Far too many people have hurt the man int eh past, he doesn't want to cause him more pain. ]
I'll listen to anything you're willing to share when you're ready, and I won't pressure you about what you'd rather leave unsaid. I'd like to know why it was complicated before the war but you don't have to tell me now, or never, it's all good. Families have their secrets, god knows mine does too.
no subject
Write a song about them if you would like to. I know you will do it in a way that respects their memory. It will be good for their memory to be kept alive. [ It will hurt to be reminded, sure, but maybe this can help it become the old pain of an old injury rather than the gaping wound it still is years after his parents died. ]
Let's find a day when we both have nothing important to do, and we will talk about the past.
no subject
[ It is kind of sad that yes, for Jaskier's homeland standards, that is peak diplomacy. His expression softens when Jiang Cheng gives him permission and Jaskier wishes he was there to talk to the man in person. ]
I promise it will be one of my best songs, darling. All right, that sounds good. I think I have bothered you enough today, you must be busy with your disciples. I'll see you later for dinner then? I was thinking about cooking you a dish form my homeland.
[ He's actually a pretty good cook, so Jiang Cheng doesn't have to worry about Jaskier burning the house down. ]
no subject
Then I'll see you at dinner. The kitchen is all yours. I look forward to a taste of your home.
[ He'll indeed be going back to hounding his disciples now, but with mood much improved. Maybe he will even be somewhat easy on them. ]
no subject
See you then, Jiang Cheng. You won't be disappointed.
[ Have fun, love, and don't scare them too much ♥ (only the right amount!) ]