( Said after a hesitation, and softer, because he isn't sure if it isn't also him being pandered to; and on that level, not sure if he likes it or doesn't like it or, ah. Does it matter?
He does like this. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, and not worried in the same ways as he can be sometimes with thoughts of, when will this end. It's tentative, still, but he's leaning into a belief that when that time comes is far enough away to not... worry about it. Gerd for it.
As it is, he gives the directions to the noodle shop, and more importantly, to alleyway parking nearby, instead of contending with double parking roads and the like. What it means is a street with a side where people trail by in both directions, where cars are close but not deadly nuisances, and the sounds of traffic are more distant by the heavier traveled roads, a sort of susurration of urban reality in the background. Lanterns and lights on buildings and lamps over the street and strings of lights illuminate until they're there, and it being still daylight, most of what hangs overhead is dim to unremarkable. The sign for the noodle place is bright, red on white on gold, with a group of elder folks leaving with loud calls and waving hands and sour faces that are as affected as the grumpiness is, perhaps, true.
Inside they go, Wei Wuxian cheerful calls to the darting folks, a shout to the couple who run the stand, back in their kitchen again in that moment, all the back and forth of friendliness that comes in the guise of garrulous natures and prodigal sons (if prodigal sons came to lunch), and then:
An Auntie. One who takes two looks at them both, wiping her hands with a towel, and nods her head authoritatively. A word from Wei Wuxian, vegetarian, and still she announces: You will be fed. And they, to take seats at the counter, awaiting a meal. )
Auntie makes sure everyone eats well when they're here, flex a muscle or two, let her know you're misleadingly thin! Before she breaks out the desserts... though you'd maybe like those, so hm.
( he grins, and winks, and slides a teacup over while waiting on their tea to finish steeping. )
[It's becoming a whole thing, Wangji following Wei Ying anywhere he wants to go. It's happened before a few times, but never so much at one time.
This is certainly not a part of town where he would have gone on his own. He dislikes bustle at most times. But being there with Wei Ying, because it's place Wei Ying wants to share, makes it different. He'll probably still be tired afterwards, need some time to regroup, but it's fine, still.
Still, even his neighborhood has aunties, because what neighborhood doesn't. And they know him because he helps them carry their shopping. And of course, in true auntie fashion, they try to feed him too. He still remembers that he had to explain to one what vegetarian means and yes, that means, no pork or beef, no, not even chicken, and she was horrified at first but took it in stride.
He catches the teacup, his gaze wandering around the place, trying to take in everything that is so different from what he is used to and always coming to that one, familiar thing, Wei Ying.]
[This truly is a very 'Wei Ying' kind of place, so it would not be surprising for him to be a regular. Although, of course, Wei Ying acts like he is a regular almost at every place he goes to, almost naturally.
The longevity noodles, though...]
My birthday was two days ago.
[He's not actually sure Wei Ying ever knew when his birthday is, and he never thought to mention it, because, well, he's never been very big on celebrating it. Even his family keeps it low key, so he's never really done anything more special than a home-cooked meal with his brother and uncle and one or two thoughtful presents from them.]
( wei wuxian had picked up the condiment bottles on the counter, and at those words, the bottle drops through his fingers, hitting the counter as his eyes widen. )
What?
( he stared, open mouthed, at Lan Zhan. )
Lan Zhan! Why didn't you tell me?!
( it's like watching someone comedically panic in live time, though he doesn't sound angry, or even particularly distressed. just aghast. how could he not have known?! )
Auntie! Auntie! We need longevity noodles! The ones for taking home, I'll cook them later!
( leaning forward and across the counter to call into the back kitchen, attached and not all that deep, to be met with her waving hand of acknowledgement and some comment back lost in the hissing of water as its poured in quantity into a sink.
thus his very serious attention comes back to Lan Zhan. )
You tell me I get to be important for these things, then you do too! Your birthday is important to me, ah!
[he almost says 'There's no need', but he holds it back. It makes Wei Ying happy, Wei Ying wants to do it, so it shall be done. He did have the longevity noodles with his family, but this is a bit special.]
Alright. We'll do it if you want to.
[Almost absentmindedly, he raises a hand to push some of Wei Ying's hair out of his face. he really is fascinating to watch. His expression changes all the time.]
( he breathes out in such a way to likewise blow more lingering tendrils of hair away from his face, partly to distract himself from the apparent ease lan zhan has in reaching out to touch him. all things told, only jiang cheng shares any aspect of it, and it's been tense ever since issues of suitability in performance at uni has meant arguments with his parents, his mother, and her strength of character in demands--because it shakes down to the insecurities wei wuxian cannot fix, and it means one more person who reaches back to him stops doing so, as much as he had before.
he settles back down, leans over, bumps his shoulder against his... well, his boyfriend's, and that's still a mindfuck in a way he's not used to outside of jesting. )
Mah, Lan Zhan, you don't want my noodles? The ones I make you? Or the ones I buy and then boil for you, you don't want the ones I make from scratch, they're a disaster, not even a pig would eat them, and Jiang Cheng and I dared each other to try.
( rambling, because it's easier than thinking hard, and he smiles, reaching over and tapping a finger on the tea cup before lan zhan. )
[It was surprising to Wangji too, how he doesn't mind touching Wei Ying or letting Wei Ying touch him even though he's normally extremely prickly about such things. He doesn't even mind the shoulder bump, doesn't tense weirdly the way he usually does.
And of course, he might not catch the innuendo in that rambling.]
You probably cook just fine, but there's too much spice in what you make for me to try.
[He wouldn't say no to tasting some Wei Ying-made food, but the spice is, indeed, eye-watering for him. And he's even learned to make some of that stuff himself for Wei Ying, but he has to trust the recipes and Wei Ying's comments because he absolutely cannot taste it as he cooks it.
At the tap, he'll pick up his tea cup and sip at it.]
Oh, no, I just made them in a way they... fell apart? Totally fell apart.
( he mimics this with his hands, waggling his fingers. that the innuendo has passed lan zhan is not something he fails to expect this time, but he wants to explain that later.
when it's funnier.
when it's just them. )
Look, we'll do baby spice, such little spice, start you on on the lowest levels, right? Bring you out of always bland to mostly bland but with a little more, what's the term they use... umami? For the broth!
( the auntie from earlier ducking back into the front counter area with two full bowls, milky brothed, and plants them down before each young man with a grin that turns her eyes into happy crescents, highlighting the lines at their corners until her face is wreathed in smiles.
[Maybe a little pouty. There's plenty of tastes in vegetables and you can season with other things than spice, Wei Ying! And also, his things with spice is not just about taste...]
Most spices make me sick. I can't digest them well.
( He likes seasonings, not just spice, Lan Zhan! Spice does however have a certain ability to warm the parts of himself he doesn't know how to address otherwise, and has a nice zing of adrenaline with it to help distract his mind. Like alcohol, only utterly unlike it at all.
Lan Zhan just happens to be allergic to all Wei Wuxian's coping mechanisms. A little saddening, so he doesn't think about it beyond being aware that it's true. )
[When they get older and a bit more spicy, it's harder.
But yes, he gets drunk with one drink and sick with a pinch of baby curry, unfortunately. At least he still can cook the spice for Wei Ying.
And those noodles in vegetarian broth are fine, too. He's not sure he won't get sick later, because a lot depends on the proportion of things, but he's not getting a huge kick of heat from them, and they are tasty.]
Are you sure you still want to cook for me?
[You'd feel awful if you made him sick, he knows.]
( with noodles to eat, and a package of them wrapped up for later if the longevity kind, he reaches over and presses the side of his closed fist to the meat of Lan Zhan's thigh. )
I can handle diet restrictions. I just add more in for me.
( he snorts, but waves a hand, yes yes, he can eat, and then he does indeed tuck in, peppering conversation around spoonfuls of broth and chopsticks full of noodles. delicious, delicious noodles, and he slurps, and it's neither short nor long before he's done and seeing if Lan Zhan is as well, sliding money toward his known auntie and good naturedly sassing with her and taking the comments in return, eat more, put meat on those bones, you're so skinny, too skinny, where's your muscle? where's your fat? one cold, you'll be gone, you're a stick!
before they're up and on feet and away out of the hanging curtains, longevity noodles tucked in their bag, stomachs full, wei wuxian humming to himself and watching lan zhan from the corner of his eyes. )
[This is quite enough of being around people for one day, really. It was made more bearable with Wei Ying being a buffer between himself and the rest of the world, but he's still hitting his limit.
He'll be mostly silent in the car, and not even ask which 'home they're going to before driving back to the Fei Du's building. He doesn't really have more than a change of clothes win his overnight bag that he brought so he'll need to go back to his place at some point.... Not sure when, though. he's reluctant to part from Wei Ying, but also reluctant to ask him to come over.
Wei Ying has been over a lot, that is a fact, but he also did get spooked when Wangji asked him if he would move in, and the space itself seems to make him slightly uncomfortable for now.
For now it's just easier to drive back to this one place that's more Wei Ying's and figure out the rest later.]
( he's not sure he would know how to describe that a space not earned by both of them, or more, neutral to them, starts winding up an awareness and anxiety of time meant to run out, of overstayed welcome, of egg shell walking on ice. so it's easier, calling fei du's owned apartment home, because there's no cost if it changes or leaves or remains. it's not precisely on them.
and he knows that lan zhan is bringing him 'home' to where wuxian is even keel, and that matters.
so gratitude comes once they're inside, when he limpets to lan zhan, nuzzling his neck and by his ear in the contentedness of a feline to say: )
Let me lend you sleep clothes?
( let him boyfriend shirt you, lan zhan, and nevermind what that tells his libido in very Interested terms. )
[It's easy and natural, too, the way Wei Ying clings to him. That's always been one of the reasons that made people believe they were dating way before it happened - or at least way before Wei Ying realized. It's quite well known on campus that Wangji dislikes being touched, and yet for more than a year and half, he hasn't said anything about Wei Ying hanging off of him - something which Fei Du might have mentioned.
And it's even better now, and his own indecision about whether he should stay or go is wiped out when Wei Ying pretty much solves the problem at least for tonight. he'll definitely need to go back to his place at some point tomorrow, though. He managed to text his brother to go feed the bunny today, but he needs to go back for that and clothes.
But that offer does make him raise an eyebrow because he ahs seen what you sleep in, Wei Ying, and it's very far from his own pajamas. And yet...]
( there are ways and reasons to not read deeper than feeling you've managed to worm yourself into better graces. yes, retrospect can educate him now, but not change the reality.
so he moves forward, as he always does. the agreement has him grinning wickedly, and pressing a sloppy kiss to Lan Zhan's jaw before he slides away again, padding down the hall barefoot. )
Great! Can't wait to see you in them!
( oversized shirt and clean boxers, it is going to be a night. )
[For some reason, it hadn't occurred to Wangji that Wei Ying might like to see him in his clothes, even though he remembers quite well how sexy it felt when he found Wei Ying wearing his shirt.
He follows at a more sedate pace, putting his bag down in the entranceway first, and then remembering...]
( there are enough half formed thoughts, but really, when he's handled his libido fine with an imagination and a hand and very few times of quiet to himself (more since here, in essence, but still), sleep doesn't seem a terrible waste of energy or time... as long as he gets to see Lan Zhan dressed to his own shameless pleasure. )
Yes, yes, why you insist on signing up for all the early morning classes is a mystery I'll never understand. Now, here, I've got just what'll fit...
( into the closet, the walk in closet, that isn't even a tenth filled by whatever Wei Wuxian has dragged in. he doesn't own enough clothing for it, partly out of lack of interest, so he's also stored bundles of sketches, notebooks, models built out of balsa wood, 3d printed designs which look like leftovers and also some functional devices to unknown causes, and then: for some reason, a collection 3d printed crows, all in different poses but the simple dark grey of the standard plastic used, and some of them markedly wearing accessories. (if asked, he simply thought it was funny.)
followed in or not, what he liberates from a draw is a rolled up (for storage!) shirt that he shakes out to reveal it's indeed bunny theme, and then he goes for his clean boxers, tugging out an unobjectionable, newer, boxer briefs. )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
( Said after a hesitation, and softer, because he isn't sure if it isn't also him being pandered to; and on that level, not sure if he likes it or doesn't like it or, ah. Does it matter?
He does like this. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, and not worried in the same ways as he can be sometimes with thoughts of, when will this end. It's tentative, still, but he's leaning into a belief that when that time comes is far enough away to not... worry about it. Gerd for it.
As it is, he gives the directions to the noodle shop, and more importantly, to alleyway parking nearby, instead of contending with double parking roads and the like. What it means is a street with a side where people trail by in both directions, where cars are close but not deadly nuisances, and the sounds of traffic are more distant by the heavier traveled roads, a sort of susurration of urban reality in the background. Lanterns and lights on buildings and lamps over the street and strings of lights illuminate until they're there, and it being still daylight, most of what hangs overhead is dim to unremarkable. The sign for the noodle place is bright, red on white on gold, with a group of elder folks leaving with loud calls and waving hands and sour faces that are as affected as the grumpiness is, perhaps, true.
Inside they go, Wei Wuxian cheerful calls to the darting folks, a shout to the couple who run the stand, back in their kitchen again in that moment, all the back and forth of friendliness that comes in the guise of garrulous natures and prodigal sons (if prodigal sons came to lunch), and then:
An Auntie. One who takes two looks at them both, wiping her hands with a towel, and nods her head authoritatively. A word from Wei Wuxian, vegetarian, and still she announces: You will be fed. And they, to take seats at the counter, awaiting a meal. )
Auntie makes sure everyone eats well when they're here, flex a muscle or two, let her know you're misleadingly thin! Before she breaks out the desserts... though you'd maybe like those, so hm.
( he grins, and winks, and slides a teacup over while waiting on their tea to finish steeping. )
no subject
This is certainly not a part of town where he would have gone on his own. He dislikes bustle at most times. But being there with Wei Ying, because it's place Wei Ying wants to share, makes it different. He'll probably still be tired afterwards, need some time to regroup, but it's fine, still.
Still, even his neighborhood has aunties, because what neighborhood doesn't. And they know him because he helps them carry their shopping. And of course, in true auntie fashion, they try to feed him too. He still remembers that he had to explain to one what vegetarian means and yes, that means, no pork or beef, no, not even chicken, and she was horrified at first but took it in stride.
He catches the teacup, his gaze wandering around the place, trying to take in everything that is so different from what he is used to and always coming to that one, familiar thing, Wei Ying.]
no subject
They make great longevity noodles too, ah?
( for birthdays, whenever they get around to them. perhaps also indicative of where wei wuxian has, at some point, been for a birthday or two. )
no subject
[This truly is a very 'Wei Ying' kind of place, so it would not be surprising for him to be a regular. Although, of course, Wei Ying acts like he is a regular almost at every place he goes to, almost naturally.
The longevity noodles, though...]
My birthday was two days ago.
[He's not actually sure Wei Ying ever knew when his birthday is, and he never thought to mention it, because, well, he's never been very big on celebrating it. Even his family keeps it low key, so he's never really done anything more special than a home-cooked meal with his brother and uncle and one or two thoughtful presents from them.]
no subject
What?
( he stared, open mouthed, at Lan Zhan. )
Lan Zhan! Why didn't you tell me?!
( it's like watching someone comedically panic in live time, though he doesn't sound angry, or even particularly distressed. just aghast. how could he not have known?! )
no subject
[He knew Wei Ying would probably be surprised, but that's a bit of an outsized reaction, isn't it?
Unless, as usual, he's the one who's being weird and it's not normal not to make a big deal of your birthday.
And it's not like he expected a present either, so...]
no subject
( leaning forward and across the counter to call into the back kitchen, attached and not all that deep, to be met with her waving hand of acknowledgement and some comment back lost in the hissing of water as its poured in quantity into a sink.
thus his very serious attention comes back to Lan Zhan. )
You tell me I get to be important for these things, then you do too! Your birthday is important to me, ah!
no subject
Alright. We'll do it if you want to.
[Almost absentmindedly, he raises a hand to push some of Wei Ying's hair out of his face. he really is fascinating to watch. His expression changes all the time.]
no subject
he settles back down, leans over, bumps his shoulder against his... well, his boyfriend's, and that's still a mindfuck in a way he's not used to outside of jesting. )
Mah, Lan Zhan, you don't want my noodles? The ones I make you? Or the ones I buy and then boil for you, you don't want the ones I make from scratch, they're a disaster, not even a pig would eat them, and Jiang Cheng and I dared each other to try.
( rambling, because it's easier than thinking hard, and he smiles, reaching over and tapping a finger on the tea cup before lan zhan. )
no subject
And of course, he might not catch the innuendo in that rambling.]
You probably cook just fine, but there's too much spice in what you make for me to try.
[He wouldn't say no to tasting some Wei Ying-made food, but the spice is, indeed, eye-watering for him. And he's even learned to make some of that stuff himself for Wei Ying, but he has to trust the recipes and Wei Ying's comments because he absolutely cannot taste it as he cooks it.
At the tap, he'll pick up his tea cup and sip at it.]
no subject
( he mimics this with his hands, waggling his fingers. that the innuendo has passed lan zhan is not something he fails to expect this time, but he wants to explain that later.
when it's funnier.
when it's just them. )
Look, we'll do baby spice, such little spice, start you on on the lowest levels, right? Bring you out of always bland to mostly bland but with a little more, what's the term they use... umami? For the broth!
( the auntie from earlier ducking back into the front counter area with two full bowls, milky brothed, and plants them down before each young man with a grin that turns her eyes into happy crescents, highlighting the lines at their corners until her face is wreathed in smiles.
time to eat! )
no subject
[Maybe a little pouty. There's plenty of tastes in vegetables and you can season with other things than spice, Wei Ying! And also, his things with spice is not just about taste...]
Most spices make me sick. I can't digest them well.
no subject
Lan Zhan just happens to be allergic to all Wei Wuxian's coping mechanisms. A little saddening, so he doesn't think about it beyond being aware that it's true. )
Bellpeppers?
no subject
[When they get older and a bit more spicy, it's harder.
But yes, he gets drunk with one drink and sick with a pinch of baby curry, unfortunately. At least he still can cook the spice for Wei Ying.
And those noodles in vegetarian broth are fine, too. He's not sure he won't get sick later, because a lot depends on the proportion of things, but he's not getting a huge kick of heat from them, and they are tasty.]
Are you sure you still want to cook for me?
[You'd feel awful if you made him sick, he knows.]
no subject
( with noodles to eat, and a package of them wrapped up for later if the longevity kind, he reaches over and presses the side of his closed fist to the meat of Lan Zhan's thigh. )
I can handle diet restrictions. I just add more in for me.
no subject
[This is, after all one of the many ways he himself has been showing his care for months before Wei Ying really noticed anything.]
But finish those first. They'll go cold otherwise.
[You need to stop talking for two seconds and actually eat.]
no subject
before they're up and on feet and away out of the hanging curtains, longevity noodles tucked in their bag, stomachs full, wei wuxian humming to himself and watching lan zhan from the corner of his eyes. )
Home?
no subject
[This is quite enough of being around people for one day, really. It was made more bearable with Wei Ying being a buffer between himself and the rest of the world, but he's still hitting his limit.
He'll be mostly silent in the car, and not even ask which 'home they're going to before driving back to the Fei Du's building. He doesn't really have more than a change of clothes win his overnight bag that he brought so he'll need to go back to his place at some point.... Not sure when, though. he's reluctant to part from Wei Ying, but also reluctant to ask him to come over.
Wei Ying has been over a lot, that is a fact, but he also did get spooked when Wangji asked him if he would move in, and the space itself seems to make him slightly uncomfortable for now.
For now it's just easier to drive back to this one place that's more Wei Ying's and figure out the rest later.]
no subject
and he knows that lan zhan is bringing him 'home' to where wuxian is even keel, and that matters.
so gratitude comes once they're inside, when he limpets to lan zhan, nuzzling his neck and by his ear in the contentedness of a feline to say: )
Let me lend you sleep clothes?
( let him boyfriend shirt you, lan zhan, and nevermind what that tells his libido in very Interested terms. )
no subject
And it's even better now, and his own indecision about whether he should stay or go is wiped out when Wei Ying pretty much solves the problem at least for tonight. he'll definitely need to go back to his place at some point tomorrow, though. He managed to text his brother to go feed the bunny today, but he needs to go back for that and clothes.
But that offer does make him raise an eyebrow because he ahs seen what you sleep in, Wei Ying, and it's very far from his own pajamas. And yet...]
Hm. Alright.
no subject
so he moves forward, as he always does. the agreement has him grinning wickedly, and pressing a sloppy kiss to Lan Zhan's jaw before he slides away again, padding down the hall barefoot. )
Great! Can't wait to see you in them!
( oversized shirt and clean boxers, it is going to be a night. )
no subject
He follows at a more sedate pace, putting his bag down in the entranceway first, and then remembering...]
Put the noodles in the kitchen.
no subject
Right! No mini-fridges in the bedrooms here.
( none anywhere he's lived, but he knows friends who do, thus the joke behind it all when truly.
... he forgot. )
no subject
And of course Wei Ying forgot.
By the time he's done, Wangji will have caught up with him and follow closely behind to the bedroom.]
I have to get up early tomorrow. I have classes.
no subject
Yes, yes, why you insist on signing up for all the early morning classes is a mystery I'll never understand. Now, here, I've got just what'll fit...
( into the closet, the walk in closet, that isn't even a tenth filled by whatever Wei Wuxian has dragged in. he doesn't own enough clothing for it, partly out of lack of interest, so he's also stored bundles of sketches, notebooks, models built out of balsa wood, 3d printed designs which look like leftovers and also some functional devices to unknown causes, and then: for some reason, a collection 3d printed crows, all in different poses but the simple dark grey of the standard plastic used, and some of them markedly wearing accessories. (if asked, he simply thought it was funny.)
followed in or not, what he liberates from a draw is a rolled up (for storage!) shirt that he shakes out to reveal it's indeed bunny theme, and then he goes for his clean boxers, tugging out an unobjectionable, newer, boxer briefs. )
Here you go, Lan Zhan!
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)