( He eventually emerges like an invisible Aphrodite from the waves (hah, if only he were so beautiful), shower turned off and door opening and the aggressive towel patting and rubbing that follows. Not singing anymore, since that's a shower alone activity, but asking instead: )
Hey, did you want to come over tonight?
( Is the question that's been winding to the forefront of his mind, taking advantage of being less on guard right now to slip out, asked casually and immediately followed with an unseen look of surprise at himself in the mirror. )
Hahaha, not for any weird reason! Or cooking reason? Anyway, nevermind, you've got a paper to finish and I need to get undressed—re-dressed, hahahaaaa...
( He's shutting up now, hair damp and falling around his face and shoulders when he names the phone and glances at the screen, then off again, walking right on out of the bathroom with the lights and fan still running. )
[Well, those sounds are not helping either. As is not the glimpses of Wei Ying with damp hair and bare shoulders with droplets of water still on his skin. Hopefully, Wei Ying himself won't glance too hard and notice how red Wangji's ears are.
And then the invitation comes, and Wangji's hands freeze on the keyboard. Pull back. Clench his fist for a second, take a deep breath.
It'll be alright. I'll be like it always is. He'll come, and he'll make dinner, and he'll get to exist around Wei Ying for a while, care for him a little for a while. I'll be alright.]
I'll be finished by tonight. I can come.
[It is a bit surprising, though. Usually, Wei Ying crashes with him after he's gone out partying. But this is an actual invitation to come spend time with him...]
( Don't point it out. He's surprised at himself because this makes it deliberate, rather than something he can write off as being tolerated in his wilder behaviour swings. It's weird, it's novel, it's butterflies making him want to throw up, trapped birds fluttering wings in the cage of his chest, and none of that is comfortable or comforting. )
Ai, great! Great. That's great. Then I'll see you tonight?
( Confirmation, like that wasn't already confirmation. Can is not will! He tells himself that's why, looking down at his phone and holding it further from his body when droplets of water strike the screen. Lan Zhan's getting more of his chest than perhaps is sane, but at least there's no deep indecency going on. )
( Half naked in the way of anyone in a locker room! Lan Zhan, he knows you've been in those! Anyway, he... also doesn't hang up, just flashes a smile and sets the phone down again on his dresser. It ends up flopping forward as he walks away, partly propped up on a rolled sock, getting an interesting angle of the floor.
The sound pulls Wei Wuxian back, and with the towel visible pooling by his feet as the knot at his hip comes lose, feet appear in camera: calves, knees, and then, horror of horrors, above the knee. Not high enough to reveal what does or doesn't nestle at the apex, but there, the flash of jade-white inner thigh as the phone is recollected, turned away, and set back to rights, showing chest and shoulders and head and the uttered: )
Sorry, it slipped.
( And the tease who is not, in this case, trying, turns around and steps into the light coming from the walk in closet that's not even a fraction full of anything like clothing. )
[Lord Almighty, someone here is trying to kill Wangji.
He is rooted to the spot as the camera spans the length of a leg, mercifully stopping before anything actually indecent flashes - but it's still more than Wangji ever needed for his brain to helpfully supply what's not being shown.
The laptop is now thoroughly abandoned, and the fists definitely clenched, and his ears feel like they're burning.
Thank god nothing was said that requires an actual answer, and that Wei Ying can babble at him for a long time without him answering.]
( Which does resume as he's dressing himself, a stream of words easier to hear than when he'd been in the shower, now moved on to whatever topic is flitting through his head while he tries, also, to avoid thinking of anything that might slip out and be too telling of what's actually going on in the muddle of his mind. )
Stands to reason they'd be following up in a few days either way. Aah, I'll be glad when this whole thing's over!
( At last! He reappears, scooping up his phone to give it the first proper look he has since before the shower, to be honest. Which is how for finally he catches sight of... )
... Lan Zhan, are you blushing?
( Either that or he shows he has a fever in the strangest place. )
[Wangji would protest that he is not, but 1) he very much is, and 2) he does not lie.
So he does what he always does when he doesn't want to answer a question or he can't answer it properly without lying : he just ignores the question entirely, and goes to start typing again.]
[Wei Ying, this is a man who wears long-sleeved shirt in summer and goes to the gym at 5.30am so no one will be there. Seeing your collarbone gives him palpitations. This was almost literally a peep show.]
All right, I'll bring what's needed.
[He knows Wei Ying won't have money to go buy ingredients in the kinds of stores he favors anyway.]
( Yes because he's always self assured in everything that doesn't have certain personal impacts.
Smiles. )
What, live on camera? That, my friend, I'm going to have to deprive you of the sight, though I will, promise! The microwave will be sparkling when you arrive.
( Subtle emphasis on arrive, and there's a sort of quick smile and a wave and a wink? No, that's just him blinking. )
[Does Wei Ying hanging up first means he won this round? Was here even anything to be won? Can what happened be considered as winning? What was even at stake here? All questions that will remain without answers.
Wangji finishes his essay and poofreads it twice just because he is very likely to have have slippery fingers due to circumstances. He submits it, and then, as promised, e-mails a copy to Wei Ying. Then goes to get changed, and to gather a few things to take with him. He'll stop on the way to buy what he doesn't have at home.
The sky is starting to get dark when he makes it to Wei Ying's new building, carrying a canvas bag and a supermarket bag. Fei Du gave him a card key and apparently programmed his fingerprint into the lock - Wangji doesn't know how Fei du got his finger prints and doesn't want to know. So usually, he will let himself into the building and up in the elevator, but when he gets to that last door, the door of the apartment, he always rings the bell, and he does so again now.
He did dress up just a little - nice slacks and a white shirt, although of course, that's how he dresses a lot so it might not be entirely visible that it took him a long time to choose which white shirt to wear.]
( Only they would end up in unstated video call contests to unknown ends related to who sensibly hangs up first, but really, what can you do?
He does clean the microwave, and ends up heading to the one outside session he needs to attend before heading home, picking up a potted plant on the way home. He's not questioning why, but he's obscurely glad rabbits cannot jump on counters, and that bright little flowers can be grown on potted plants trimmed to look like tiny bushy trees.
... He leaves that near the door, rather than on a table. When he answers, dressed like he had been earlier but with only the top button of his shirt undone, he smiles, waves Lan Zhan in, and immediately starts chattering, nervous in an unnamed way. )
Lan Zhan! You're here! Obviously, come in, you can trust me about the microwave being cleaned. I haven't had a chance to read your essay, but I can while keeping you company in the kitchen after helping hands for cutting aren't needed anymore?
( Usher him inside, don't comment on the visibly new plant. )
[Wei Ying chattering away as soon as he arrives is nothing new, but there's some... nervous energy around him. Like his skin is vibrating and barely containing him.
And of course he will comment on the new plant. But because he is Lan Wangji the comment will be staring at the plant for a few seconds and then raising an eyebrow at Wei Ying, because why use words when they are not needed?
At least he's come here often enough that he knows where the kitchen is without being shown, and he'll start opening the bags.
The vegetables are fresh and just bought, from the supermarket bag, and those he sets aside on the counter. From the canvas bag come tofu - not the supermarket kind - and a glass tupperware containing, apparently, homemade kimchi that he goes to put in the fridge.]
I thought it was something you might like? It's for you, if you want it.
( A quick hand wave to the potted flowering plant and he's also gone, ahead into the kitchen and then left to hover around and watch Lan Zhan put everything away. The kimchi gives him pause; he gets to the fridge first to open it, and openly stares at what Lan Zhan is carrying. )
( Washing the rice is the guidance that comes as he's absolutely reaching for that container. Why wait to try? Her looks between the kimchi and where Lan Zhan keeps the rice.
... Then grabs the container and sets it on the counter away from where Lan Zhan is working, while heading for the rice. Who accepts limits? )
[Wangji gives Wei Ying a side eye at the kimchi being filched, but says nothing. It's not like it'll spoil if it stays outside, and they're going to use it to cook soon anyway.]
Enough for four bowls so you can have leftovers.
[And then he thiks again about how much Wei Ying eats, and...]/small>
( He has to taste test it okay? He starts measuring out the rice, laughing at the shift in amount. )
Just how much do you think I eat?
( But he gets it measured into a bowl and plops it into the sink, turning the faucet on low to start the rinsing process. He steps away quickly to pull out a pair of chopsticks, snatch the container of kimchi, and crack it open to both smell and capture some to eat. Er, taste test. Which he does immediately, reaching down with his free hand to stir through the rice as he chews and makes that pleased moaning sound of mouthy pleasure. )
[Maybe one day, Wangji will get used to those sounds Wei Ying makes when he eats his cooking.
Maybe one day, he will linger on how they make his chest feel warm. How, not why, because he knows why. He is, in this, he thinks, marginally a bit more self-aware than Wei Ying. But not less afraid of rejection or hurt. Also more prone to expression in feelings in actions than in words, which he has done plenty.]
I followed the recipe and then added about fifty percent more spice than what was written down.
( He laughs a little at that, but grins, putting the lid back on after snatching another sample. Just to double check. Still making noises of contentment as he saunters back to the fridge to put the kimchi in, he wags a finger at Lan Zhan: )
You, you know me too well. And yes, it could be hotter, but this way you still taste the kimchi too, which is nice.
( In goes the kimchi, and back to properly rinsing the rice goes Wei Wuxian, who stirs it up by hand, then in the bowl, and works on pouring it out before rinsing it again. )
[Still making a mental note to add a bit more spice newt time, just to see. He really cannot taste him himself to gauge if it's correct, so he has to make do with hoping the recipes are good.
He has had no complaints so far, but then, Wei Ying might not have known the other Kimchi was homemade too.]
Get the tofu out when you're done.
[Wangji occasionally cooks meat for Wei Ying, if Wei Ying has meat to cook, he doesn't buy it himself. So today it will be fried tofu since he was pretty sure the fridge was empty and he brought the ingredients.
At least the kitchen in Fei Du's apartment has the same kind of high end appliances he's used to.]
( He pauses in his rice rinsing, then mentally shrugs, stirring through the rice grains and noting what's floating to net that out too with his hand. )
To cube or...?
( What's Lan Zhan want him to do with the tofu. Just hold it. Make use of it? Also try to eat it. One never knows, Wei Wuxian is only as kitchen useful as he's directed to be.
He does get the rice finally going once it rinses clear, rice cooker ON and READY, because it's the only reason he doesn't burn rice. That, and he once couldn't find a rice cooker and made rice.
Then had to throw out the pan.
Being distractible is not a benefit when cooking. )
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Hey, did you want to come over tonight?
( Is the question that's been winding to the forefront of his mind, taking advantage of being less on guard right now to slip out, asked casually and immediately followed with an unseen look of surprise at himself in the mirror. )
Hahaha, not for any weird reason! Or cooking reason? Anyway, nevermind, you've got a paper to finish and I need to get undressed—re-dressed, hahahaaaa...
( He's shutting up now, hair damp and falling around his face and shoulders when he names the phone and glances at the screen, then off again, walking right on out of the bathroom with the lights and fan still running. )
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And then the invitation comes, and Wangji's hands freeze on the keyboard. Pull back. Clench his fist for a second, take a deep breath.
It'll be alright. I'll be like it always is. He'll come, and he'll make dinner, and he'll get to exist around Wei Ying for a while, care for him a little for a while. I'll be alright.]
I'll be finished by tonight. I can come.
[It is a bit surprising, though. Usually, Wei Ying crashes with him after he's gone out partying. But this is an actual invitation to come spend time with him...]
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Ai, great! Great. That's great. Then I'll see you tonight?
( Confirmation, like that wasn't already confirmation. Can is not will! He tells himself that's why, looking down at his phone and holding it further from his body when droplets of water strike the screen. Lan Zhan's getting more of his chest than perhaps is sane, but at least there's no deep indecency going on. )
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And Wei Ying sounds nervous as he confirms it yet again. Wangji nods.]
Hm.
[He still hasn't resumed typing. He's still not hanging up.
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The sound pulls Wei Wuxian back, and with the towel visible pooling by his feet as the knot at his hip comes lose, feet appear in camera: calves, knees, and then, horror of horrors, above the knee. Not high enough to reveal what does or doesn't nestle at the apex, but there, the flash of jade-white inner thigh as the phone is recollected, turned away, and set back to rights, showing chest and shoulders and head and the uttered: )
Sorry, it slipped.
( And the tease who is not, in this case, trying, turns around and steps into the light coming from the walk in closet that's not even a fraction full of anything like clothing. )
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He is rooted to the spot as the camera spans the length of a leg, mercifully stopping before anything actually indecent flashes - but it's still more than Wangji ever needed for his brain to helpfully supply what's not being shown.
The laptop is now thoroughly abandoned, and the fists definitely clenched, and his ears feel like they're burning.
Thank god nothing was said that requires an actual answer, and that Wei Ying can babble at him for a long time without him answering.]
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Stands to reason they'd be following up in a few days either way. Aah, I'll be glad when this whole thing's over!
( At last! He reappears, scooping up his phone to give it the first proper look he has since before the shower, to be honest. Which is how for finally he catches sight of... )
... Lan Zhan, are you blushing?
( Either that or he shows he has a fever in the strangest place. )
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So he does what he always does when he doesn't want to answer a question or he can't answer it properly without lying : he just ignores the question entirely, and goes to start typing again.]
What do you want to eat for dinner?
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You were! You absolutely were.
( He does let go of it after that exclamation, not wanting to track along to realise...
... just why Lan Zhan might have been blushing. Locker room levels of indecency isn't explanation enough. )
You, ah, you choose! I don't have anything in mind one way or another.
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All right, I'll bring what's needed.
[He knows Wei Ying won't have money to go buy ingredients in the kinds of stores he favors anyway.]
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Great! I'll see you then?
( He keeps asking. It's sad, he needs to not keep asking. )
Right, I'll make sure the kitchen's ready to go!
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Hm. Clean the microwave.
[He won't be using the microwave, but clean you don't need to know that.]
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Smiles. )
What, live on camera? That, my friend, I'm going to have to deprive you of the sight, though I will, promise! The microwave will be sparkling when you arrive.
( Subtle emphasis on arrive, and there's a sort of quick smile and a wave and a wink? No, that's just him blinking. )
See you then, Lan Zhan!
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Wangji finishes his essay and poofreads it twice just because he is very likely to have have slippery fingers due to circumstances. He submits it, and then, as promised, e-mails a copy to Wei Ying. Then goes to get changed, and to gather a few things to take with him. He'll stop on the way to buy what he doesn't have at home.
The sky is starting to get dark when he makes it to Wei Ying's new building, carrying a canvas bag and a supermarket bag. Fei Du gave him a card key and apparently programmed his fingerprint into the lock - Wangji doesn't know how Fei du got his finger prints and doesn't want to know. So usually, he will let himself into the building and up in the elevator, but when he gets to that last door, the door of the apartment, he always rings the bell, and he does so again now.
He did dress up just a little - nice slacks and a white shirt, although of course, that's how he dresses a lot so it might not be entirely visible that it took him a long time to choose which white shirt to wear.]
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He does clean the microwave, and ends up heading to the one outside session he needs to attend before heading home, picking up a potted plant on the way home. He's not questioning why, but he's obscurely glad rabbits cannot jump on counters, and that bright little flowers can be grown on potted plants trimmed to look like tiny bushy trees.
... He leaves that near the door, rather than on a table. When he answers, dressed like he had been earlier but with only the top button of his shirt undone, he smiles, waves Lan Zhan in, and immediately starts chattering, nervous in an unnamed way. )
Lan Zhan! You're here! Obviously, come in, you can trust me about the microwave being cleaned. I haven't had a chance to read your essay, but I can while keeping you company in the kitchen after helping hands for cutting aren't needed anymore?
( Usher him inside, don't comment on the visibly new plant. )
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And of course he will comment on the new plant. But because he is Lan Wangji the comment will be staring at the plant for a few seconds and then raising an eyebrow at Wei Ying, because why use words when they are not needed?
At least he's come here often enough that he knows where the kitchen is without being shown, and he'll start opening the bags.
The vegetables are fresh and just bought, from the supermarket bag, and those he sets aside on the counter. From the canvas bag come tofu - not the supermarket kind - and a glass tupperware containing, apparently, homemade kimchi that he goes to put in the fridge.]
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I thought it was something you might like? It's for you, if you want it.
( A quick hand wave to the potted flowering plant and he's also gone, ahead into the kitchen and then left to hover around and watch Lan Zhan put everything away. The kimchi gives him pause; he gets to the fridge first to open it, and openly stares at what Lan Zhan is carrying. )
Is that homemade?
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This is a gift for him. That Wei Ying bought. Wei Ying went somewhere and thought about what he might like and bought him something.
This is... a lot to process, and Wangji is happy he has something to do with his hands, even if his ears are red.
He looks at the container before he puts it inside the fridge.]
Hm. I tried a new recipe. You'll have to tell me if it's good.
[Because he could't exactly test-taste it, nor ask anyone he knows.]
You should wash some rice.
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... Then grabs the container and sets it on the counter away from where Lan Zhan is working, while heading for the rice. Who accepts limits? )
How much did you want?
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Enough for four bowls so you can have leftovers.
[And then he thiks again about how much Wei Ying eats, and...]/small>
Six bowls.
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Just how much do you think I eat?
( But he gets it measured into a bowl and plops it into the sink, turning the faucet on low to start the rinsing process. He steps away quickly to pull out a pair of chopsticks, snatch the container of kimchi, and crack it open to both smell and capture some to eat. Er, taste test. Which he does immediately, reaching down with his free hand to stir through the rice as he chews and makes that pleased moaning sound of mouthy pleasure. )
Mmm, this is delicious!
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Maybe one day, he will linger on how they make his chest feel warm. How, not why, because he knows why. He is, in this, he thinks, marginally a bit more self-aware than Wei Ying. But not less afraid of rejection or hurt. Also more prone to expression in feelings in actions than in words, which he has done plenty.]
I followed the recipe and then added about fifty percent more spice than what was written down.
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You, you know me too well. And yes, it could be hotter, but this way you still taste the kimchi too, which is nice.
( In goes the kimchi, and back to properly rinsing the rice goes Wei Wuxian, who stirs it up by hand, then in the bowl, and works on pouring it out before rinsing it again. )
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He has had no complaints so far, but then, Wei Ying might not have known the other Kimchi was homemade too.]
Get the tofu out when you're done.
[Wangji occasionally cooks meat for Wei Ying, if Wei Ying has meat to cook, he doesn't buy it himself. So today it will be fried tofu since he was pretty sure the fridge was empty and he brought the ingredients.
At least the kitchen in Fei Du's apartment has the same kind of high end appliances he's used to.]
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To cube or...?
( What's Lan Zhan want him to do with the tofu. Just hold it. Make use of it? Also try to eat it. One never knows, Wei Wuxian is only as kitchen useful as he's directed to be.
He does get the rice finally going once it rinses clear, rice cooker ON and READY, because it's the only reason he doesn't burn rice. That, and he once couldn't find a rice cooker and made rice.
Then had to throw out the pan.
Being distractible is not a benefit when cooking. )
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