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[equivocations]

« Zewu-jun » TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION Lan Xichen ✦ The Untamed
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Hello, this is Lan Xichen. I apologize for being unable to immediately receive your correspondence, and will return your message as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

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[deferences]

[fear not, zewu-jun, sizhui's ears are burning pretty hotly as well; it's flustering to consider his uncle in such a compromising position, but it's worse to imagine accidentally walking in on them instead.

which is exactly why he's glad he asked.]

Okay, I will make myself a bit more presentable then be on my way.

[speaking of, and he very much appreciates lan xichen making it known he should make sure the coast is clear before coming around. (on top of that, he'd be pleased to know jiang cheng would be understanding in a situation such as this!)] Don't worry, Uncle, I will make certain to at least send a message first and confirm that it is alright to visit.

Even if it isn't anything urgent.

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[ Jiang Yanli had already had that unfortunate experience - Lan Xichen would be glad to spare any more of his family members from such a thing. ]

I will see you soon, then. The front door will be unlocked, so please, come right in.

[ There's nothing he needs to straighten up - despite not being in Cloud Recesses, he continues to live neatly, when he is not accidentally destroying things in his monster form - but he busies himself making tea for them in the meantime. ]

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[poor shijie, taking one for the team. seems safe to assume she also won't be making any unannounced visits to see her brother.]

See you soon!

[and it's about fifteen minutes or so after the message that lan sizhui arrives, hesitating at the door to quietly knock despite being told otherwise, and then he enters.] Zewu-jun? [yet he doesn't wait for an answer to start seeking his uncle out, thumbs rubbing nervously over his sweater sleeves. sizhui's expression softens, however, once he finds him making tea and some tension melts away as he smiles.

the gesture is effortless too, regardless of his apprehension; seeing someone so important to him always eases frayed nerves.] Ah, here you are! [then he patiently waits for lan xichen to un-busy himself so he can greet him proper-like.]

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[ Lan Xichen tries not to worry too much while he waits for his nephew to come by. It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong, necessarily, and it could very well be a good kind of important, after all.

Still, he's a little relieved when he looks up at Sizhui's arrival and sees that smile - it immediately pulls one from in return, soft and pleased and fond. Whatever it is that he needs to talk about, it couldn't possibly take away the happiness Lan Xichen always feels at seeing his nephew. He steps away from the tea to come to his side. ]

Sizhui, I'm glad to see you.

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[in sizhui's opinion, he'd like to think it's the good kind! it's only worrisome when he's considering what sort of reaction his uncle might have after he lays everything out; clearly, zhuque's somebody who has become quite significant in his life, it was just a matter of time before the truth was revealed and honestly? he's glad he can be the one to say (even if he should have perhaps mentioned it from the start).

being greeted with such fondness makes him feel a little more ashamed by that fact, but he brightens further in kind as lan xichen moves beside him and wastes no time stepping closer, both arms circling the man's middle in a firm embrace.

his voice holds (mostly) steady,] I... am glad to see you too. [yet he averts his gaze, hoping the mortification isn't too noticeable.]

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[ Oh. His heart melts a little at the same time as his chest tightens, and he honestly can't be quite certain which of it is from his delight at the gesture of affection, his mild concern at that averted gaze, or the low sweep of synchrony.

That last one only grows stronger as Lan Xichen wraps his arms around his nephew's shoulders in return, hugging him back and trying very hard not to reminisce too much about when he was much smaller. ]

Sizhui. [ His voice is gentle and warm, and he doesn't quite let go yet. ] What's troubling you?

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[safe to assume it's a variation of all three somewhere, but there's definitely the stronger sensation of synching, sizhui humming softly when his uncle returns the hug. he relaxes further in lan xichen's hold, forehead against his shoulder then he coaxes himself to straighten.

actually withdrawing would be more tentative, so maybe it's good xichen doesn't let go right away.]

It— it's going to seem silly when I explain, but... [he momentarily drifts off, upturns his attention then lowers it shortly thereafter.] Perhaps we could tend to tea first? [anything that'll distract from his jackhammering heartbeat.]

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[ His hand comes up to cup the back of Sizhui's head, stroking briefly over his hair until he straightens again. Then he smiles at him, soft despite the fact he is a little worried - if nothing else, his nephew is clearly upset by it. ]

Of course. [ He leads them both back to the low table, taking a seat at it, and sets about pouring them both tea. He has been doing this an awful lot lately, he thinks - it is becoming his standard, when there are potentially upsetting things to be discussed. ]

Perhaps it may not be as serious as some problems, but it is not silly if it causes you distress, and it is no less important.

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[for the couple seconds lan xichen strokes his hair, sizhui feels so extremely small; a child again, hardly reaching his uncle's knee, still trying to understand the ways of the world and why they happen how they do. now, he's grown, doing his best to handle the aforementioned ways himself, but the small gesture is still comfort he appreciates. however, after the man guides them toward the table, his trademark smile has returned by the time he sits across from xichen.

he waits patiently, folding his hands together and focusing on keeping his breathing steady. it's still quite nerve-racking, but less so now.]

Thank you, I truly appreciate the reassurance. [deep breath in, slow exhale, he braces himself then continues,] I'm... unsure how else to speak besides straightforwardly. Is that okay?

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[ His smile grows despite himself, fond and just a little bit wry.

Lan Xichen himself had asked the exact same question only recently, when realizing that speaking frankly was the best way to tackle his rather bold suggestion of a partnership for synchrony with Wanyin. It occurs to him now, to wonder if perhaps his nephew had not done the same thing.

If perhaps that might not be what he is here to talk about, and he shifts his thoughts a little, away from the concern about what had upset him and potentially towards an entirely different matter. ]

Please do. It seems as though this may be one of those matters that would benefit from frank discussion.

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[oddly enough, seeing the faint lilt in his uncle's smile sort of further eases sizhui's nervousness, has his own lips upturning momentarily before he purses them again. what will be even weirder is if they decide to discuss their parallels aloud but, given who they are, perhaps it wouldn't seem that strange after all.

(it's not like he doesn't know a strong bond has formed between lan xichen and jiang cheng! but please, spare him any excess details—)

he reaches for his teacup, presses his fingertips firmly against it, swallowing hard then opening his mouth to, as he'd admitted, say in the frankest manner possible:] I met somebody here. Someone I've been— [a beat] —regularly syncing with. [a lot harder to say aloud than he'd been initially expecting but whoomp, there it is!] And I wanted to know if... if you might be interested in meeting him?