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[brushoff]

"You've reached the inbox of one Dorian Gray. Don't forget to leave me a message. If you're interesting, I'll get back to you."

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Comments

[riseunparalleled]

I'm not sure where to start on what to say. [He rubs his neck.] I don't even know if I should say something...

[brushoff]

Oh you absolutely should say something, [ Dorian points out. ] Even if it's just 'I'm sorry I can't fill these needs, tell me what you like and we'll find the next best thing or something that works, I love you and want to make you happy.' That sort of conversation is a part of every relationship.

[riseunparalleled]

Mm. [Xie Lian pauses. Those are... definitely words. They sound like the right words, at that. He's less sure of his ability to say them. He imagines trying to say them specifically to Crozier, and it somehow manages to get worse.] Definitely something to say. [It's not that he doesn't want to, he asked for Dorian's help because he wants to be able to do something, but he has to admit to himself that he may have one or two hangups.]

[brushoff]

Look, [ Dorian sighs. ] I've got faith in you. If anyone can sort out this mess and get their shit in gear, it's you. You just need to stop being so in your own head. Say what you mean.

[riseunparalleled]

[Xie Lian sighs, too.] That's very kind of you to say. I've never been very good at that. I can fail a thousand times without stopping, but it's different when it can hurt someone else.

[brushoff]

Then stop worrying so much. You're your own worst enemy here, Xie Lian. Besides, every couple has their spats. What matters is how you manage them.

[riseunparalleled]

Do they? [Well, he trusts Dorian's experience, if not in his own ability not to be his worst enemy.] Though I don't think I'd call that part a spat...

[brushoff]

That is absolutely a spat, [ he points out. ] Unless, I don't know, you actually do break his arm or something. But you're far too cautious for that.

[riseunparalleled]

Isn't that a type of argument? [He spreads a hand, but not quite in disagreement.] I'm cautious for a reason.

[brushoff]

And I still say you should be less so. That's why we have these conversations in the first place: because you're so cautious and so wrapped up in your own head that you never make the big impulsive decisions that every relationship needs.

[riseunparalleled]

[Xie Lian counts these conversations as pretty big and impulsive, especially on his personal scale.] Perhaps. I can't say making big... moves in relationships has ended well for me before.

[brushoff]

Then you're overdue it actually ending well, [ Dorian points out, with a little shrug. ] That's another thing. If you worry and fret that this will end up poorly then guess what: it will end up poorly.

[riseunparalleled]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't work that way. [That you can be overdue for something ending well; he doesn't disagree with how to make sure things end up poorly. He smiles at Dorian.] Thank you for your advice, both your words and your time are deeply appreciated.

[brushoff]

I've always got time for you, [ Dorian says with a smile and a small nod. ] Hell, next time my room will be back and we can have some tea.

[riseunparalleled]

That will be nice. It's good to have food, but I have missed tea. [A cup of tea might be the last step needed to feel properly settled again. He gives a more serious, if still gentle, look.] I hope you know the same is true of me. I might lack useful advice, in most regards, but I can always offer what I have.

[brushoff]

Oh hush, [ Dorian grins. ] You're more useful than you realize.

[riseunparalleled]

With age can come experience of what you can't do... [Thoughtful, but also a little teasing when he says 'age'.]

[brushoff]

And with youth comes the ability to realize when those old fucks are stuck in their ways. [ because Dorian is well aware he's younger than Xie Lian. ]

[riseunparalleled]

Such disrespectful to your elders. Always a sign of good sense.

[brushoff]

What can I say, I'm a bit of a brat.

[riseunparalleled]

As long as you don't grow out of that too much, you'll be fine.

[brushoff]

Fortunately, I'm not the sort of man who's good at 'changing'.

[riseunparalleled]

Now, you shouldn't say something like that until your third century.

[brushoff]

Alas, I'm jaded already.

[riseunparalleled]

[That manages to get Xie Lian to actually look slightly skeptical.]

You’re many things, Dorian, but I would have to go down quite a ways before picking jaded.