[Incorporating these new steps to their comfortable and familiar dance has become a pleasant sort of routine that Xichen doesn't think he can bear to live without, and so he moves comfortably into his husband's space, greeting him with a kiss to the brow.
And then he sees the hat amidst Nie Huaisang's things, the one that's been missing for months and his stomach drops.
He is and is not surprised by what that means. Indeed, Huaisang must have found out far, far sooner than Lan Xichen initially suspected. Exactly when and how will, likely, always remain a mystery. But knowing now that Haisang was aware of what Jin Guangyao had done... well. He's not surprised to see the peculiar souvenir.
He pulls his husband close, something fierce and protective welling in him.]
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And then he sees the hat amidst Nie Huaisang's things, the one that's been missing for months and his stomach drops.
He is and is not surprised by what that means. Indeed, Huaisang must have found out far, far sooner than Lan Xichen initially suspected. Exactly when and how will, likely, always remain a mystery. But knowing now that Haisang was aware of what Jin Guangyao had done... well. He's not surprised to see the peculiar souvenir.
He pulls his husband close, something fierce and protective welling in him.]
...He knew already.