Work Text:
Unlikely reflection
It is night time after the whole ordeal in Tiekan Temple. Everyone is tired and all, but Don Quixote finds herself separated from the other Sinners. Faust has told her disagreement, but then Rodion quickly cuts in that it will not be bad.
A huge room similar with Hong Lu, yet spacious and a bit lonely without the presence of others.
As she sits in silence in one of the chairs, the bathroom door opens and reveals the master of this house—but now of the whole Daguanyuan as well.
Current H Corp Head, Jia Xichun.
Yet with the title she currently carries, Xichun still appears like how Don Quixote has known her for the first time.
Xichun looks at Don Quixote.
“I’m done changing. Would you like to get some skincare before going to sleep?”
Nevertheless, Don Quixote has to accept that their relation to one another cannot be even closer yet. Little time to know one another—except seeing the memories from Hong Lu during his resonance with the Golden Bough. She can recall how small of a child Xichun is, yet it seems to be something she shall not have seen. There are memories from each resonance that only belongs to the owner, and each has unspoken rule that they respect each spaces and boundaries. It works and it is also what helps each of them where to support one another, and in turn, Don Quixote has gained something that she does not in the first place and lost at the same time.
Family.
Without Don Quixote’s awareness, Xichun has been staring at her for a minute or two.
She panics.
“I-I’m good, Young Xichun…”
Xichun smirks. Very on brand of her.
“Don’t be nervous. It helps to sleep easier, or you want some help from me?”
Don Quixote blushes in embarrassment.
“A-Ah no, I dare not dream the Hierarch to—”
“Come on, you’re suddenly stiff now? Where’s the valiant knight who keeps yelling about justice and stuff?”
“I mean…”
“Just kidding. I just hope you don’t have to be shy around me. But I have to admit you do look cute that way.”
Don Quixote then reaches a realization.
“Young Xichun… Is it by any chance you called me here in thine personal quarters so we can speak about Bari sub rosa?”
A question so intent. The air turns silent. They stare at each other’s eyes in the meantime when Xichun speaks.
“Hm, probably, but the war is already over. There’s no reason for me to trace her steps anymore. Besides, I am genuinely interested in you. I hope you find no offense on what I’ll say next. You are older than me, but I do feel like we’re just in the same age.”
Don Quixote feels a prick in her chest. It seems the same melancholy she has.
“…Likewise.”
“Can I comb your hair?”
Such sudden request, the blonde finds herself nodding.
Xichun grabs a wooden comb with floral pattern before going behind her guest. Sancho has forgotten when is the last time someone has taken care of her in similiar fashion—Rodion certainly does—but…
“Lady Sancho, please let me fix your hair!”
“It will just end up disheveled. Don’t mind about it.”
“But Lady Sancho!”
“Nicolina, just let her be.”
Sancho feels a gentle brush to her hair, almost having a non-existing memory of a mother taking care of her, and it seems that she is experiencing something new. She merely lets Xichun to have liberty with her hair, with a penchant of regret also blossoming inside her heart.
“I like how bright your hair is. You rarely see anyone here in our Nest with this kind of hair.”
“It’s fairly common in my place…”
Xichun chuckles. “Of course.”
“My nature…is quite interesting. If I will bare some honesty, I am uncertain how to react with others.”
Xichun, confused, gets on with it.
“And why is that? I believe you interact well with your colleagues. Even to my big brother.”
“That’s true…”
Sancho can only stare at the wooden floor. Xichun notices that her shoulders are slumped.
“I also don’t have much opportunity to make friends here in Daguanyuan, without thinking they can kill me anytime. I hope you indulge me with a selfish wish of mine of friendship with you.”
Sancho clenches her fist slyly. Xichun finishes combing Don Quixote’s hair. She sets aside the comb and grabs Don Quixote’s hand.
“Let’s sleep.”
Don Quixote nods and joins Xichun on the bed. She just drapes her foot at the end, so her shoes will not dirtied the covers. As Xichun turns the lights off, the blonde also closes her eyes—only to feel a snuggle on the side.
“Don’t you mind?” Xichun asks.
“It’s fine, Young Xichun.”
Don Quixote senses a sigh of relief coming from her as she snuggles closer. She also leans her head towards Xichun in return.
When Sancho’s eyes sting suddenly.
If…only…we…Dulcinea and I…