♚

Leaning over to curl his arms about the woman’s slender body, he laughed a little awkwardly at first, but joyously nonetheless. He couldn’t say no, not when she asked for a hug to so politely. His back bent uncomfortably, though the warm embrace was well-worth it. Especially when it was reciprocated so warmly.

♯

“I find her eyes to be very pretty,” he grinned, “her hair also looks… Similar to someone I used to know. I find that sort of appealing, I guess. She should braid it sometime. I think so anyway!”

♥

“Look, this might sound kind of strange, but I feel like I really know you. Or could come to know you well. We’ve all got our skeletons in our closet, believe me I know, so if you ever need or want to talk or a shoulder to lean on, I’m here alright?”

♫

“I don’t know much about lady Mayu, but from what I can tell she’s very pleasant and very kind. At the same time she sort of gives off a bit of an air of superiority—I mean, it just feels like she should be respected. I think she reminds me of Lord Liu Bei in that way.”

♫

“Yinping is one of the bright lights of Shu. Without a doubt she can lift your spirits up, no matter what it is you’re facing. She’s always got a solution for everything, though whether it works or not doesn’t really matter; it’s the thought that counts. 

♚

Curling his fingers around her hand to draw her attention, Ma Dai flashed a bright beam down at her before lifting her arm and twirling her so that she faced him. With hardly any notice following, he hoisted her up onto his shoulders. She was light and pretty dainty, after all, so wherever she wanted to go, her trust steed would guide her. 

♦

What do you put in your hair? Nothing I can do will keep the hair out of my eyes

♫

“Gan Ning is… Well, Gan Ning. I see him around occasionally whenever I head east. He’s a little loud, but he doesn’t come close to rivalling young master Ma Chao. I’ve always wondered why he’s wandered around without a shirt on though. Doesn’t that make you more vulnerable? Does he not own any shirts, or something?”

♯

His, uh. His hair is nice. He talks about how smooth and silky his meatbuns are, but I think his hair is smoother and silkier than whatever he’s eating. If I could touch it without having my hand chopped off I would—what? I like textures!

♫

“Zhao Chun is… Honestly? There are very few words to describe her. She’s all over the place—in a good way I mean! The people she cares about are lucky, you know. She makes known and it’s kind of a bond for life. She’s a gem, you know; she makes young master Ma Chao happy, and that’s pretty difficult to do.”

♚

Ma Dai grinned at the sight of her. With careful footing, he moved as silently as possible before curling his arms beneath hers to lift her up off the ground in a tight embrace, though considering her lack of eyesight and the sudden jump attack (of affection), he earned himself a bloody nose when her hand flung back in defense of himself. Needless to say, he learned his lesson well; sneaking up on her was a bad idea.

♥

“Okay, look. I don’t think I’ve actually told you this before, but I’m really glad my cousin met you. I mean, if he didn’t, then I probably wouldn’t have. But really! I think you’re really great, and even if I could, I don’t think I could pick out anyone better for him than you. Meaning I wouldn’t choose anyone over you. For my cousin, I mean—that I would choose you! Gah, you know what I mean!”

♦

Are you pregnant?

I mean can you be?  Taohua needs a cousin.

I didn’t mean that you looked pregnant!

✉

Calloused fingertips found Xu Shu’s slumped shoulders, to which his thumbs bit into in attempt to calm him down. Dai’s digits worked at the muscles for a short time until his arms slumped over the front of his body, one hand intertwining with Xu Shu’s, the other laying flat against the top of the table as he leaned over him, head angled to plant a kiss against his jaw before mumbling against his skin: 

“If you are in need of help Yuanzhi, I’m always here to offer it. Whatever you may need.”

♥

“There are only a few things that have really scared me—I mean really scared me, and losing you is one of them. I won’t let that happen. I refuse to. And no matter what happens, you can always depend on me. For anything. I’ll be there.

♦

I know I don’t say this enough, but I love you and—