[ The words hit like a blow. If only because He Xuan never wanted to make Tartaglia feel like this. Never. ]
I'd never intended to hide it. That it didn't come up before now...it doesn't mean I think so little of you.
[ He Xuan doesn't think he can keep himself away for so long, even if in retrospect those steps aren't exactly truly the distance of mountains. Tartaglia is still within distance, can't even look at him. But, he feels the ache grow with each sound of sorrow that escapes from the other man. If Crimson Rain knew that he would have allowed himself to be so affected by someone else like this, be unable to keep away despite the fact he had no intention of getting so close to anyone, even he who kept someone close to his heart would likely think him weak.
But where He Xuan might have looked with disdain upon someone else who wanted to know more from him getting upset over it, he doesn't with Tartaglia. It's because despite everything, despite all that's happened...he's always wanted for the other man to know more. To be close to him. To know him more than anyone else here.
So, perhaps, that's why he inadvisably steps closer, when he wouldn't normally. He wonders, idly, if he should be upset that the man put him on a bit of a pedestal. But in the end, for something like this, he can't. He Xuan wonders what that says about himself. Maybe it's just irrevocable proof he's been the ultimate fool all along, but in all honesty, he thinks that enough anger and hurt feelings have transpired between them. So he simply asks one question, quietly: ]
Are you, Tartaglia?
[ Though all the same, he doesn't exactly reach out, even upon stepping closer. ]
You also claim that I know nothing about you, but I hardly think that's true. Someone can tell another their entire life story and still know them little in the end. And even if what you said is true, I see no reason to continue keeping each other in the dark.
no subject
I'd never intended to hide it. That it didn't come up before now...it doesn't mean I think so little of you.
[ He Xuan doesn't think he can keep himself away for so long, even if in retrospect those steps aren't exactly truly the distance of mountains. Tartaglia is still within distance, can't even look at him. But, he feels the ache grow with each sound of sorrow that escapes from the other man. If Crimson Rain knew that he would have allowed himself to be so affected by someone else like this, be unable to keep away despite the fact he had no intention of getting so close to anyone, even he who kept someone close to his heart would likely think him weak.
But where He Xuan might have looked with disdain upon someone else who wanted to know more from him getting upset over it, he doesn't with Tartaglia. It's because despite everything, despite all that's happened...he's always wanted for the other man to know more. To be close to him. To know him more than anyone else here.
So, perhaps, that's why he inadvisably steps closer, when he wouldn't normally. He wonders, idly, if he should be upset that the man put him on a bit of a pedestal. But in the end, for something like this, he can't. He Xuan wonders what that says about himself. Maybe it's just irrevocable proof he's been the ultimate fool all along, but in all honesty, he thinks that enough anger and hurt feelings have transpired between them. So he simply asks one question, quietly: ]
Are you, Tartaglia?
[ Though all the same, he doesn't exactly reach out, even upon stepping closer. ]
You also claim that I know nothing about you, but I hardly think that's true. Someone can tell another their entire life story and still know them little in the end. And even if what you said is true, I see no reason to continue keeping each other in the dark.