[ he knows he shouldn't, but he can't help the tender way his thumbs brush his husband's brows, stroke down his temples. he lifts his hands away again before he can give any more of himself away, before he can cause any further distress.

with his highness's throat still covered so thoroughly, it's obvious he'd be testing the boundaries of what the other man knows their relationship to be anyway, so it's best to withdraw for now. instead, he pats xie lian's hand, a friendly gesture, then rises to his feet to clean up the mess from the dropped bowl. ]

Well, it seems to me that gege's only in this state because this one upset him, so.. how about you rest for now, and I'll take care of things until your head feels better?