[open post]

[one_note]

[for meme overflows etc.!]

Comments

[weiyingdown]

A surprisingly tame answer, for all that you didn't want to tell me! But that's just like you.

[he has to hide a smile behind a hand]

Alright, fair's fair. So a secret from me in exchange. Hmm...But what's something that you don't already know about me?

[one_note]

What does Wei Ying want?

[weiyingdown]

...Want?

Besides dinner?

[one_note]

Mm.

[weiyingdown]

There isn't anything in particular that I want. We have what we need right here.

[gestures around them]

There's food, a place to sleep, and good company. Isn't that fine?

[one_note]

Will those make you happy?

[weiyingdown]

Do I look unhappy?

[one_note]

...

[weiyingdown]

I'm not unhappy. Would I still be here if I was?

[shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck]

...A second chance like this was more than I could have asked for. It's already more than enough.

[one_note]

...hm.

[doesn't seem...completely pleased with that answer, but doesn't push further either, only pulling the chickens out of their chili stew with a pair of tongs]

[weiyingdown]

[moves his wok away from the fire and only half paying attention to his cooking as he contemplates it a little more]

If you're looking for a thing, then I'm always happy with a jar of Emperor's Smile.

[one_note]

[nods

he looks cold and remote and sad and frankly ridiculous, all pristine white mourning in the middle of this ordinary kitchen]

[weiyingdown]

[he ALWAYS looks like that

but he sets aside his half-prepared meal and scoots up real close to Lan Wangji, shoulders touching as he bats his eyelashes up at him]

Should I tell you more things that I want that would make me happy? I want to try your cooking. I think it's incredibly fun to tease you and I can't get enough of it. I want Jin Ling to stay safe. I want to see you buried in a pile of rabbits. I want to visit Yunmeng someday. I want to see that look in your eyes when you're furious at me. I want to steal lotus pods with you. I want to...

[he trails off and steps back]

That was already more than one, so the rest are a secret.

[one_note]

[STARES AT HIM]

[weiyingdown]

[GOES BACK TO COOKING HIS MONSTROSITY MEAL WITH A SHIT-EATING GRIN ON HIS FACE]

[one_note]

[airlessly]

...yes.

[weiyingdown]

If you tell me more of your secrets, though, I'll tell you more of mine.

[setting out all of his food on dishes. it's all red and black and you can see the heat coming off of it]

[one_note]

[nods again, transfixed; no longer paying attention to any of the food]

[weiyingdown]

[he did not expect it to be THAT effective; waves his hand in front of Lan Wangji's face]

Lan Zhan, is your food ready?

[one_note]

Mm.

[it is not. as if on cue, the rice in the other pot starts boiling over]

[weiyingdown]

[maybe letting a drunk cook was a bad idea???]

--Lan Zhan, the pot, the pot!

[scrambling to get the pot off the fire]

[one_note]

Wei Ying!

[DON’T BURN YOURSELF]

[weiyingdown]

[TOO LATE

which is to say he made a grab for the pot and only just barely touched it before he snatched his hand back and reached for a cloth to use instead]

It's fine! I'm fine. I'm trying to look out for your wallet, Lan Zhan! You're going to have to pay for too many ruined things in this inn if you aren't careful.

[one_note]

[IGNORES THESE WALLET CONCERNS

only waits until he’s set the rice down safely before grabbing Wei Wuxian’s arm, to have a look at his burnt hand]

[weiyingdown]

[its red and already a little blistery across his palm. he lets Lan Wangji have a look before trying to pull his hand back]

It's fine. I can put a cool cloth on it and it'll fade.