All Things The Untamed

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[equivocations]

I have not exactly been subtle, Huaisang. He knows.

[eternalgrief]

Wait. What? How???

[equivocations]

He is my best friend. Do you think he does not know me well enough to tell?

[eternalgrief]

He can be dense sometimes...

...have you talked about it with him??

[equivocations]

[ Does insisting that there is nothing to talk about while Mingjue gives him increasingly exasperated looks count as talking with him about it? ]

In a manner of speaking.

I am already aware of what fate may befall anyone who dares to hurt you.

[eternalgrief]

😶

[equivocations]

A-Sang. Will you not tell me what you want?

[eternalgrief]

[ Man...it's hard to keep pretending he doesn't know what's going on when the other is being so forward about it. ]

I've wanted you okay!

[equivocations]

[ Being subtle had gotten him no where - and despite his apparent confidence, he was, in fact, nervous that Huaisang did not actually want him and was trying to let him down without saying so. ]

You can have me, in any way you want.

I've wanted you, too.

[eternalgrief]

Okay. What if we do but it doesn’t work out?

[equivocations]

Why would it not work out, in this hypothetical scenario?

[eternalgrief]

I don’t know.

[equivocations]

Then I will counter with: what if we do and it does work out?

[eternalgrief]

I don't know!

[ It's not like he's ever let himself be in a relationship where real risk was involved before, where he actually really, really cares if it works. ]

[equivocations]

If I am being honest - I don't, either. But I would like to find out with you.

[eternalgrief]

So... what next? You wanna take me to bed?

[equivocations]

[ ...well he was going to suggest that when they meet for coffee they make it an official date instead of a thinly veiled excuse, but now he's wondering. ]

Would you like me to take you to bed? I did offer.

[eternalgrief]

Yeah.

[equivocations]

Are you home now?

[eternalgrief]

Of course.

[equivocations]

Then I will see you soon.

[eternalgrief]

Okay. I'll be ready.

[ And sex is easier for Huaisang than a date but for the first time in a very long time he's actually kind of nervous. This is why he sticks to people that don't matter. ]

[equivocations]

[ Lan Xichen is determined to make it into something of a date anyway, considering he... shows up with tea and a bag of groceries. Is it presumptuous to be prepared to make breakfast for Huaisang in the morning? Probably, but it's a little too late to make dinner, and he wants to do something.

His heart is beating far too loudly when he knocks on Huaisang's door, and he resists the urge to nervously twist the handles of the bag. ]

[eternalgrief]

[ Huaisang is nervous about this, nervous because he actually really, really cares about Xichen and he's wanted him practically his entire life and his feelings have always been more than they should be -- so of course he had run the other way entirely, had got quite the reputation for being kind of a slut.

It's a wonder that Xichen would be interested in him, he doesn't know why.

He's dressed down, in a white t-shirt that has random holes in it and a pair of black lounge pants as he answers the door.. ]

Hey. Come in.

[equivocations]

[ There is a not insignificant list of why, as far as Lan Xichen is concerned. Perhaps not tonight, when he had first had to work up the courage to ask and then convince Huaisang to take this chance, but some time he hopes very much that he'll be able to tell Huaisang all of them.

His stomach clenches briefly when Huaisang opens the door, an odd counterpoint to the fluttering it'd already been doing, but oddly enough it settles when he sees him. Lan Xichen hadn't dressed up, either, still wearing the white jeans and soft blue sweater he'd had on all day, and the familiarity relaxes him.

It's Huaisang. Lan Xichen had never felt anything but comfortable in his presence, aside from a few years ago when he first started noticing how attractive Huaisang was and had to figure out what to do with the panicked realization that he was interested in his best friend's little brother. ]

Hi.

[ His smile is soft, expression as fond as ever as he heads inside, holding up the bag. ]

I wasn't sure what you had, and I thought I might... cook something for you, later. [ The tips of his ears go a little bit red at that. ]