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[goodboyplaydead]

Slightly more reckless. Jim has yet to summon an undead army to fight his enemies. As far as Wen Ning knows.

"Ah, you must have... changed... greatly." He pauses, studying Jim again. "Why... could you not... connect?"

[winscenario]

Yeah no, he's never done that. He wouldn't even know how to do that, honestly.

"I don't know. Just felt like... I couldn't trust people. Couldn't rely on them. For a long time I always thought that if I got close to people, they'd just leave me behind eventually, so it was easier to be on my own."

He shrugs. "Guess I lacked the practice. It was difficult to get used to the fact that I could trust people."

[goodboyplaydead]

That's a good thing, Jim. A very good thing.

Wen Ning nods. Everyone had always told him he was too trusting so that was never the problem. The problem was always the fear of being rejected. Of being thought of as lesser. Wei Wuxian had been the first to assuage that fear.

"Being on your... own. It is difficult. You do not... know. Who to approach." He brushes his fingers against Jim's hand. "You must... take risks."

[winscenario]

Jim looks up with a bit of surprise at that remark, particularly when coupled with the brush of fingers. The touch, minute though it is, makes the Chroma between them flow more easily, and he smiles.

"Yeah. But the rewards far outweigh the risks in these cases, the way I see it." He was always afraid of rejection, of abandonment, of just not being liked or accepted. But it's best to try and just part ways if it doesn't work out than being completely isolated his whole life.

[goodboyplaydead]

"Mm, I agree..." If he hadn't taken the risk of helping Wei Wuxian that day, despite his sister's warnings, who knows what might have happened. Still, something had told him it was the right thing to do.

And here, if he only remained ever at his master's side, he would have never met people like Jim and the others.

"The rewards... are great."

[winscenario]

He smiles softly, looking ahead for a moment. The desert heat doesn't feel as harsh now, and in the distance he can see just the outline of a few trees, signaling that they must be reaching the edge of the desert.

"I like you, Wen Ning," he declares, squeezing his hand, the other free one reaching out to curl around Wen Ning's arm. He wonders if the Chroma's doing anything at all to heal the wound from before, but he figures it's best to just wait until they're out of here to check up on that.

[goodboyplaydead]

It is. The ugly slashes are slowly starting to shrink, although it will take more to close them entirely. But the exchange also has Wen Ning relaxing in Jim's hold, sinking into the comfort and companionship.

He turns more slowly to Jim. "You... like me?" The confession is not new here, but Wen Ning remains taken aback every time he hears it. It just feels like something he wasn't meant to hear anymore. Not after what he's done.

[winscenario]

"Of course," he says with a soft chuckle, squeezing his fingers just a little more. "You're cute, and I like being around you. And given how you risked your own life to save me, I'll go on a limb here and say you like me too."

Fair enough, Jim would still risk his own life to save someone he didn't like, but still. He's got a good feeling about this.

[goodboyplaydead]

Wen Ning isn't sure how to react to being called cute. Has anyone ever called him that before? Even his sister? His ears twitch rapidly.

"Ah, t-thank you. I... l-like being around... you. As well."

[winscenario]

The stuttering's new. Jim makes note of it but he doesn't point it out, lest he might make it worse or make Wen Ning feel bad. His smile just widens at his words instead, practically beaming.

"Good! I figured as much, but it's always nice to hear it."

[goodboyplaydead]

It only happens when he gets especially flustered. It's harder for him to maintain his careful diction during those moments.

Though the return of the subject to Jim eases his nerves again, helping him find his usual even cadence.

"I... do not mind... saying it. As much as... you like."

[winscenario]

"Well, I do like to hear it often," he says, absolutely obvious that he's teasing Wen Ning when he smiles wide at him, then winks. "But I do find that it's good to show that you like someone sometimes, rather than just say it. Don't you think?"

Now, that bit, he does mean it.

[goodboyplaydead]

Now, that flies completely over Wen Ning's head, as he nods, his ears bobbing with his head. "Ah, there are... many ways. To show it. Especially here."

[winscenario]

"Especially here?" Jim's lips curl into an amused smile. "And what different ways do you think there are to show people you like them, here?" Different from any other place, he means.

[goodboyplaydead]

Wen Ning's self-consciousness gets the better of him and he drops his gaze. "Moonlacing... It feels different. When you're with... someone you really... like. You can... tell. It's... stronger."

[winscenario]

"That is true," he nods in easy agreement, then shrugs. "But that's not such a bad thing, the way I see it. We all need Chroma to survive here, and if you can get it with someone you really like, then it's double the perks. You get more Chroma and you get to be with someone you actually like, not just someone doing you a favor or whatever."

[goodboyplaydead]

"Ah, it is not... bad." Just overwhelming at times and a little embarrassing. He keeps his gaze turned away as he continues. "I think... it would be strong. With you."

[winscenario]

"Mm, it might be," he comments a little airily, eyebrows raised and smile wide as he glances over at Wen Ning. Even if he's not currently looking back at him. "Guess we won't know for sure until we try, will we?"

[goodboyplaydead]

Wen Ning fidgets with hands a bit, his ears twitching in tandem with his movements. "What... would you... wish to try?"

[winscenario]

"Mm, I don't know, I'm not picky," he hums, shrugging as he gives that question some actual thought. "Guess we could just hold hands, like this. We could cuddle, too. Or kiss... that tends to generate plenty of Chroma."

Not to mention that it's exciting and fun in its own right.

[goodboyplaydead]

The fidgeting increases tenfold. "Ah... I w-would... like to try. Kissing."

His statement almost surprises himself. It's true that he's kissed Xiao Xingchen more than a few times during heightened moments of Iris or the Triple Moon. But all of those had been upon Xiao Xingchen's request, never his own. Though, he could technically argue that here too since Jim does seem more interested in that approach than any of the others.

Or maybe this is what Jim has been angling for with this conversation topic. And hadn't Wen Ning been going on about wanting to find his own path? That meant making his own decisions once in a while too.

Either way, the comment slips from Wen Ning too quickly for him to take back. But that doesn't mean he doesn't try! "If... y-you would like to."

[winscenario]

The statement was unexpected, maybe, but not surprising, and even then what was most unexpected was how quick and direct Wen Ning was about it. Jim's quick to smile, though, eyebrows raising, and his expression is one of evident amusement but genuine fondness as well.

"Wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't want to, would I," he points out with a faint chuckle, grinning a little lopsidedly. They're just at the edge of the desert now, where a few trees begin to raise from the ground, and Jim stops once they reach the first shade, sure that none of the snakes will have followed them all the way out here.

"Should we wait until we reach Lunatia or would you like to kiss me now?" What? No time like the present, as they say.

[goodboyplaydead]

Part of Wen Ning wants to ask to wait, his anxiety eating at him in the wake of his attempt to be assertive. But Jim seems so cheerful about the idea that it's hard to resist the playful urging. There is also the matter that a delay might give Wen Ning more time to convince himself that he shouldn't have suggested it in the first place. Which might disappoint Jim.

He glances around them, also checking to make sure there will be no harm from distractions. Before he finally turns back, ears partway down. "The present... As you said..."

[winscenario]

Jim certainly wouldn't dream to push Wen Ning into doing anything that might leave him feeling anxious, but then that's why he's leaving it up to him to decide whether or not he's comfortable with the idea right now. Still, he's definitely going to make the offer, because... well, he'd be stupid if he didn't.

He practically beams when Wen Ning agrees, though. Okay, maybe he had some hope riding on this. Anyway, since it looks like Wen Ning won't have it in him to— make the move, so to speak, Jim steps closer himself instead, still holding Wen Ning's hand while his other moves up to cup his cheek, then he tips his head in for a light, gentle kiss over his lips, lingering because that's the only way they'll know if they can feel any difference in the surge of Chroma. (Yeah sure, that's the reason.)

[goodboyplaydead]

Wen Ning remains very still as Jim approaches and stills even more when Jim cups his cheek. But the gentle kiss is returned with slightly more pressure since Wen Ning doesn't always know how to manage his own strength.

While the sensation is not quite as it had been with Xiao Xingchen or even his master's feathery brush against his cheek, it leaves a definite impact on Wen Ning, sending a full body shiver down his back. Chroma exchanges being one of the few times that he can truly experience such palatable sensations. The feeling of being alive again. His hand slowly finds its way to rest on Jim's shoulder.