Gongsun Ce held tighter, like a child unwilling to let go.
"Just a little longer," he whispered, "please."
Shiyu Ling stopped complaining, and hesitantly extended her arms to embrace her frail lover.
"It's the first time I've seen you cry... Didn't cry when ambushed or nearly died in battle, but cried when mastering a new skill..."
"I rarely cry. Last time I saw you cry, now we're even." Gongsun Ce smiled, "When I was a kid, I liked to keep all my troubles to myself, thinking that a cold face was a sign of maturity and fearing others' mockery... Now I don't care about those things as much, and find that crying when I'm sad is better."
"Oh." Shiyu Ling stroked his gray hair.
"Thank you for being with me, witch sister."
"Hmph."
She wanted to say something lofty and mature, wanted to take this rare opportunity to tease her vulnerable lover, but her tone softened unconsciously as she spoke.
