Even before he sees it, Xie knows the effect that's going to have on him. Between outright statements and hints here and there, it's clear where Kevin's discomfort with the bond lies, and even seeing the much healthier example of Kexing and Zishu doesn't seem to have soothed much of that discomfort.
When the words are out, though, he genuinely isn't sure exactly how it's going to play out. Is he going to get angry? Yell? Hit him? Is he going to be hurt? Wounded as sure as if Xie had picked up a knife?
It seems for a moment as though the answer is both. He sees the shock, sees the way his hand clenches, tenses for an attack... and then he just leaves. And Xie watches him go.
Maybe Tony was right. Maybe Kevin is the frog.
But Xie's the fucking idiot drowning himself because he can't keep from lashing out.
He stays exactly where he is for a long, long moment. Then he leaves as well, going upstairs - mostly because his room is the only space that feels like his own, but it doesn't hurt that it's the furthest possible distance he can put between him and Kevin while they're both still stuck here.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2023-10-26 01:12 pm (UTC)Even before he sees it, Xie knows the effect that's going to have on him. Between outright statements and hints here and there, it's clear where Kevin's discomfort with the bond lies, and even seeing the much healthier example of Kexing and Zishu doesn't seem to have soothed much of that discomfort.
When the words are out, though, he genuinely isn't sure exactly how it's going to play out. Is he going to get angry? Yell? Hit him? Is he going to be hurt? Wounded as sure as if Xie had picked up a knife?
It seems for a moment as though the answer is both. He sees the shock, sees the way his hand clenches, tenses for an attack... and then he just leaves. And Xie watches him go.
Maybe Tony was right. Maybe Kevin is the frog.
But Xie's the fucking idiot drowning himself because he can't keep from lashing out.
He stays exactly where he is for a long, long moment. Then he leaves as well, going upstairs - mostly because his room is the only space that feels like his own, but it doesn't hurt that it's the furthest possible distance he can put between him and Kevin while they're both still stuck here.