[If Rin weren't so worked up, he might try to distract Hua Cheng from his memories with something else entirely. Rin knows he's a very private person, so he tries not to intrude on anything too personal unless Hua Cheng shares it willingly. After today he probably won't bring up this memory either, though he will definitely remember it. Just like he remembers Xie Lian's memory from the last time memories were shared.
'Why're you angry?'
Rin doesn't answer, he doesn't know how to even begin to explain. He's beyond words at this point, and only frustrated noises escape him as he tries to match Hua Cheng's blows. If he were calmer, he would be able to keep up easily. But as he is now, he's easily bested even when Hua Cheng is going easy on him like this.
He keeps pushing back though. Strike after strike, each less coordinated than the last, like he's trying to carve some meaning out of his anger and grief.
[ there isn't anything he can say to this memory. not right away. he's spent each one so far just assessing, then speaking, and either moving on or learning more about the person who had the memory. but he can't do anything here except live through the loss of a mother a second time.
that's personal, too.
and rin got to see the happy what if, even if everything about his mother was a memory given to him.
he keeps going, keeps pressing on rin, doesn't seem to show any signs of mercy.
but between one attack and the next, hua cheng snatches his arm out, hooking it around the back of rin's head, and crushes him into his chest. ]
[Well. That's a quick way to stop an angry half-demon teenager on a borderline-rampage.
Rin is so shocked by the sudden change that he drops his sword entirely. He tenses, expecting some kind of follow-up which involves pinning him to the ground or throwing him across the room, either scenario likely being followed up by a lecture on losing his temper and losing the fight because of it. But that doesn't come right away, and all the emotions and feelings of the last day finally catches up to him and he just...crumples. He presses his face against Hua Cheng's chest and just screams, his voice equal parts frustration, loneliness, and mourning.
As tough as Rin tries to be, sometimes he needs to be reminded of the fact that he's still a child, and life is hard. His life especially so. And sometimes you need a cathartic cry.]
[ there are a lot of things that rin has in common with xie lian.
but there are even more that he has in common with hua cheng. sometimes, you're the monster that parents warn their children about. sometimes, you find yourself standing in a war that is not your own but is yours all at the same time. sometimes, you try and try and try and try, but it isn't enough.
sometimes, you just want a happy ending.
sometimes, you just want your mother back.
hua cheng lets rin scream and cry. his hand cups the back of his head, holding him there, letting him release the emotions that are pent up in him.
xie lian held him once when he wailed and wailed like a wounded thing. he can pay that kindness forward. ]
[Interestingly, that's the memory Rin saw in the past, when he had a moment like this with Xie Lian.
But Rin cries and he cries, letting out all of the anguish that's been stewing in his gut. The pain over being reminded of his mistakes last week, combined with the terrible knowledge he gained this week, all combining into one heavy weight that Rin has tried to shoulder. A weight that is coming out slowly now, as he curls his hands into fists against Hua Cheng's chest. He pulls a fist back and hits Hua Cheng's chest once, but no further blows follow. Even in a moment like this, he can't truly hurt someone he cares for and respects so much.
It does help though, and before too long Rin's screams die down to quiet sobs. Rin's rage is like a fire: it burns hot, but it doesn't burn for long. And soon enough he's emotionally spent and is left sniffling and shaking just a little bit.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 01:16 am (UTC)'Why're you angry?'
Rin doesn't answer, he doesn't know how to even begin to explain. He's beyond words at this point, and only frustrated noises escape him as he tries to match Hua Cheng's blows. If he were calmer, he would be able to keep up easily. But as he is now, he's easily bested even when Hua Cheng is going easy on him like this.
He keeps pushing back though. Strike after strike, each less coordinated than the last, like he's trying to carve some meaning out of his anger and grief.
At some point starglitter showers over him, showing off memories of what could have been, but which never became reality. A future stolen away by a cruel world that couldn't accept a mother's love for her half-demon children.
The starglitter barely slows Rin down, but when he strikes at Hua Cheng next, there are tears at the corners of his eyes.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 01:36 am (UTC)that's personal, too.
and rin got to see the happy what if, even if everything about his mother was a memory given to him.
he keeps going, keeps pressing on rin, doesn't seem to show any signs of mercy.
but between one attack and the next, hua cheng snatches his arm out, hooking it around the back of rin's head, and crushes him into his chest. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 01:56 am (UTC)Rin is so shocked by the sudden change that he drops his sword entirely. He tenses, expecting some kind of follow-up which involves pinning him to the ground or throwing him across the room, either scenario likely being followed up by a lecture on losing his temper and losing the fight because of it. But that doesn't come right away, and all the emotions and feelings of the last day finally catches up to him and he just...crumples. He presses his face against Hua Cheng's chest and just screams, his voice equal parts frustration, loneliness, and mourning.
As tough as Rin tries to be, sometimes he needs to be reminded of the fact that he's still a child, and life is hard. His life especially so. And sometimes you need a cathartic cry.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 02:05 am (UTC)but there are even more that he has in common with hua cheng. sometimes, you're the monster that parents warn their children about. sometimes, you find yourself standing in a war that is not your own but is yours all at the same time. sometimes, you try and try and try and try, but it isn't enough.
sometimes, you just want a happy ending.
sometimes, you just want your mother back.
hua cheng lets rin scream and cry. his hand cups the back of his head, holding him there, letting him release the emotions that are pent up in him.
xie lian held him once when he wailed and wailed like a wounded thing. he can pay that kindness forward. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-05 02:17 am (UTC)But Rin cries and he cries, letting out all of the anguish that's been stewing in his gut. The pain over being reminded of his mistakes last week, combined with the terrible knowledge he gained this week, all combining into one heavy weight that Rin has tried to shoulder. A weight that is coming out slowly now, as he curls his hands into fists against Hua Cheng's chest. He pulls a fist back and hits Hua Cheng's chest once, but no further blows follow. Even in a moment like this, he can't truly hurt someone he cares for and respects so much.
It does help though, and before too long Rin's screams die down to quiet sobs. Rin's rage is like a fire: it burns hot, but it doesn't burn for long. And soon enough he's emotionally spent and is left sniffling and shaking just a little bit.]