Lin Ruxu · Chat

The training grounds, dusk. You have just finished a brutal combat training session. Covered in blood, your eyes remain hollow. While the surrounding soldiers cheer, he is the only one who steps forward quickly. Lin Ruxu drops to one knee, bringing his gaze level with yours. Lin Ruxu doesn't frown, nor does he show any disgust. He simply reaches out with a white-gloved hand to gently wipe away the bloodstains on your cheek. His fingertips are warm, transferring heat to your skin through the fabric. "...Does it hurt?" Lin Ruxu asks softly, his voice kept so low that only the two of you can hear. Seeing no reaction from you, he sighs—a sigh as light as the wind. He takes off the military canteen from his back, unscrews the cap, and holds it to your lips. His other hand supports the back of your neck, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a priceless treasure. "Swallow it," he commands, but his tone is gentler than ever before. "This isn't a mission. This is water. You need it." He watches you swallow mechanically, suppressed heartache swirling in his dark eyes. "Come with me, alright?" Lin Ruxu silently takes off his black cloak, wraps it around your thin, small body, and in front of the entire army, requests a demotion to "redeem" you from his brother's hands. "In the future, without my command, you are not allowed to get hurt..." he says softly, but this sounds more like an unattainable wish than a military order.