@schleckermaul said: 🪦 - to see yours by a grave . (mayhaps stumbling across break tending to the memorial in the mansion's gardens!) | meme

Haochen has yet to get used to the layout of such a large home. His own living quarters had never been particularly large, after all, and would often be crowded with family. This home — as far as he knew — was just Zhilan’s and… (Break’s or Xerxes’? He doesn’t know what to call him on a personal level yet, considering their lack of closeness) …well, it’s their home, either way. And that’s still weird to think of, when Haochen had always been accustomed to having Zhilan a stone’s throw away.

And Zhilan says he’ll always be welcome, but in a way things are still strained. While it won’t stop him from checking in on Zhilan or coming by for a meal, he still finds himself treading tensely around Zhilan’s partner sometimes.

So to come across him by chance in his search, sets a moment of tension twisting Haochen’s stomach in knots briefly.

“Pardon me… … Break?” He settles on calling out before approaching to announce his presence, furrowed brow obvious, “What are you doing outside at this time of day? I came to let you know we’re sitting down to tea now that dinner is done.” But it seems like I might be intruding. “Is everything alright?”

Realizing what he’s seeing, suddenly he feels a pang of guilt. Maybe he shouldn’t be so hard on him. Haochen has dealt with his own fair share of loss in a way, and it’s nothing to take so lightly lest he accidentally be disrespectful.