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[equivocations]

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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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[equivocations]

[ 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?

[deferences]

[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.]

[equivocations]

[ 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.

[deferences]

[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?

[equivocations]

[ 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.

[deferences]

[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?