In Shen-Twin fics, why is it always Shen Jiu protecting Shen Yuan? I mean, I love that dynamic. Absolutely adore it.
But also, I raise you Shen Yuan shielding his twin from any interaction that could trigger him.
Shen Yuan seeing how much Shen Jiu hates being touched, so he becomes the tactile twin who is just always there, throwing an arm around the shoulders of their martial siblings. Shen Yuan who notices his A-Jiu's patience is wearing thin and draws all the attention to himself. Shen Yuan who happily greets any visitors and takes them on a walk around their peak so that Shen Jiu can remain in the bamboo house undisturbed. Shen Yuan who is so dramatic that nobody sees the slight shake of Shen Jiu's hands after something reminded him of their past.
Give me Shen Yuan who uses his inner hater to innocently and eloquently dismantle the confidence of anyone who dared insult his A-Jiu. Without blinking or tarnishing his own reputation.
Give me Shen Jiu whose hackles smooth with a sigh as soon as he's alone with Shen Yuan, and Shen Yuan whose smile falls once he doesn't have to perform anymore.
Give me Shen Yuan pleading with Shen Jiu to tell people what has really been going on with him, to explain the trips into town or anything really. Give me Shen Jiu saying he's tired and doesn't want to talk about it, and Shen Yuan staying silent as he plots revenge on his twin's behalf.
Give me Shen Yuan being the twin nobody gets past, the one commonly acknowledged as "the hurdle to get through if you want to talk to his twin" and doing it in a way that nobody notices until they're already back in their own home.
Just, a dynamic where Shen Jiu is refusing to heal even a little bit and is just so tried and scared of interactions because of it, and Shen Yuan being the sword and shield that makes life bearable. Not because that's just who he is, but because that's what his brother needs.
