jikan_network | [Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

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[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

This month, I will be turning twenty. [It feels like a momentous age; a shift into something new. But he has no idea how to celebrate the occasion and thus he brings his questions to the network:]

How would you celebrate a birthday? We didn't make much of a fuss about them with my Master, yet this world is different. I want to try making the day special.

Just know that I am not fond of overindulging in alcohol. Sweet wines are my favorite if I need to choose, but I have my fill of them quickly.

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You're welcome. It's the least I can do for you and I will certainly try to do more.

[Anyway, he now smiles gently while he listens to see what day Xingchen will pick.]

Mm. I have heard the stories of things like this, yes.

[And then the rest of what he said catches up with him.]

Xingchen. That is your day. You do not have to share that with me.

No, no, I only want to dine with you. Your presence is all I desire.

[Only stories? Xingchen will have to build a nice merry fire for A-Yu and maybe make some hot chocolate.]

What if I want to share it with you? Celebrating with those I love is the best gift. Why shouldn't we make it doubly joyful by remembering your birth too?

Is that all? Then shall I not give the pictures?

[He's only teasing. Xingchen will have so many pictures.]

Xingchen...

[How can he be so kind to him? It still astounds him.]

I don't want to take this special moment from you. I have often just left my birthday behind because it was forgotten and left in the dust. You don't have to go so far as to replace it like this. That day should be yours...

[He's so moved. So overwhelmed by the tender gesture.]

Ah...! I...would like the pictures. [He is torn! His memories! But he doesn't want to burden his friend.] Are they difficult to produce?

Sharing is not taking, my friend. Tell me, how do you wish to spend such a special day?

[He has some time to consider a proper present for his A-Yu, too.]

I will not forget you.

[He wants to answer that question but he's so distracted by how moved Xingchen has made him with his thoughtful gesture. His eyes fall and it looks like there are tears that he is simply refusing to let fall.]

I don't know. I was never allowed to have feasts for my birthday. I would only ever receive a gift from my brother and that was all. There are even feast days I was never invited to...

[He falls quiet.]

So I don't know what I would want.

[His heart clenches at the sight and he touches Runyu's picture tenderly.]

Sit beside me? Drink with me? I promise you will enjoy the day. Our Winter won't be cold; we will have friends surrounding us, celebrating that we exist, A-Yu.

[Could he recreate his life even for this one day? Share a birthday with another rather than recall the pain of his own? Runyu hesitates but he slowly looks up.]

I...I would like that. To sit beside you and share the day with you. If you will not mind.

[He looks delighted at the answer - and he is. Xingchen loves sharing and his birthdays have always been rather...bleak. Through the fault of no one. Late January is often a difficult time for everyone.]

I don't mind, A-Yu. January twenty-fifth is your new birthday.

January twenty-fifth. I can remember that.

[He laughs softly, taking a breath to gather himself.]

To answer your question earlier...it won't be difficult for me to get you those pictures.

I will remind you.

[Excitedly. Happily. With plenty of affection.]

I hope not. I would like to see our memories each day, but I don't wish to trouble you.

You are never a trouble to me. You do so much good in my life and are constantly reminding me that there is so much hope still out there for me.

You're a treasure in my life. I love you and I want to do this for you.

[It hasn't even occurred to him that he'd be getting gifts this day too. Even after agreeing to share the day his mind is still associating it as Xingchen's day.]

There is hope! For everyone. Meeting you and everyone else has made that plain to me. We should never give up and if you need help, ask for it. Kind souls are everywhere.

I love you too. I want a picture of you, A-Yu.

[Oh he will be given gifts. Xingchen will see to that!]

Edited 2022-01-03 10:58 (UTC)

A picture of me? Like a painting?

Yes! A painting. Either as a dragon or a man.

That's right...you've never seen what my real body looks like.

I'm not sure what I will be able to manage but I'll think of something for you.

I haven't, but... I don't mean to force you to show me.

If you are not comfortable, I will love a portrait of you as a man.

I confess that so far only Ye'er has seen my body.

But I will come up with something special for you. I promise.

That is how it should be. [He won't interfere with that bond. It's too lovely.]

Anything you give me will be cherished, A-Yu.

What would you like?

Like? What do you mean?

For your birthday. You need gifts.

[His eyes widen in surprise.]

I...I'm not sure...

Think about it. [How can an immortal dragon be so sweet?] I will ask you again later.

I'm not even sure what I could want. I keep being given everything like that. Friends, people who love me, people who want me, warmth, affection...

I don't even know what I could ask for.

Think of something fun. Or something useful. You will always have friends and those who love you - myself included - so a gift should be something that makes you happy or makes you laugh.