In the wake of Qingming’s revelation, the night bleeds out into a sombre quiet.
How many nights has he entertained this very vision of Tang Fan, all lean long lines and li after li of smooth skin? Most, in some shape or another, since Tang Fan first stormed into his life and made his home in what wreckage he found there. Too many, but so few. To have it now, real enough to see, too far from reach to touch— it’s agony.
Their first time is the last time.
Is it him that courts such misfortune, Qingming wonders, neither for the first nor the last time in his long baned life, or is he the misfortune courted?
Following a public display of unity, a private display of unity.
Hickey makes his mark.
Richard likes secrets, and Mowbray likes oaths.
Claudius picks just about the worst possible time to ship his nephew off to England. Hal benefits from the diversion.
Goodsir watches Silna after a long day's work, and Silna watches Goodsir.
It's not so hard, making time for one another, provided you're flexible.