w3 afterparty

[selfconcept]

Everyone passed! That's great! But Wei Wuxian is gone and you keep getting a weird feeling. Maybe it's the adrenaline that's dying down. Maybe you saw something strange because you're tired? It'll all be uncovered on Sunday. Why not take a breather for now? If you're injured, ask Florence for some medical aid. (can be handwaved) It's around 10 PM when you're released.

Comments

[selfconcept]

Damn right, I am. I learned so much shit about cooking and the cooking scenery in some worlds I went to. It was fucking brutal—only worse because it's largely opinionated and subjective.

[ He twirls more pasta to feed Fai again. ]

[partymagician]

[ He laughs softly before leaning in to take that bite.

After swallowing, he smiles at Hien. ]

You should prove to me how good you are by making me a nice dinner.

[selfconcept]

Sure. Let's eat dinner together some time.

[ He feeds Fai again. ]

[partymagician]

[ He takes that bite. ]

I'd like that a lot... even if we do have to eat it in the cafeteria here.

[ That reminds him, though... ]

You know, on Shizuku's survey, I said that the one thing I'd like to do with you was share a meal.

[selfconcept]

I said that I'd like to eat together too.

[ Huh. ]

We matched somehow.

[ He stuffs more pasta into his mouth like it's a huge revelation or anything. ]

[partymagician]

Really? I kind of like that...

[ Actually, he likes that a lot. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Like it's not*... ]

Why? Because we agree on something?

[partymagician]

[ Fai shakes his head. ]

No, because we both want to do something nice like that. That's all.

[selfconcept]

We can do a lot more nice things like that if you want.

[ ... ]

Or do you think I'll only go along for the ride and it won't be something I really wanna do?

[partymagician]

[ He would like that, but... something about it still bothers him, and it isn't until Hien asks him that he realizes what it is. ]

I know you wouldn't do something if you didn't want to, but would it just be a distraction?

[selfconcept]

It could serve as a distraction, but my primary reason for hanging out with you isn't just to distract myself. I still stand by what I said before: I like hanging out with you and being with you. Do I have to prove that?

[partymagician]

I... no. You don't.

[ But Fai doesn't sound so sure. Honestly, it's hard for him to believe that anyone would want to hang out with him, much less like being around him. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien raises an eyebrow. ]

You sure about that? You don't sound very confident.

[partymagician]

[ Fai stares at Hien for a long moment, wondering if he should answer truthfully. ]

...

[ Hien already knows some of his past. What does it matter anymore? ]

I've spent large portions of my life with no one enjoying my presence. I'm sure you can understand why that would be hard to believe.

[selfconcept]

Well, same here.

[ He still does, but. Yeah. ]

Doesn't mean it's impossible. I'd like to think you have fun hanging out with me.

[partymagician]

I do. I really like being around you. You...

[ Hm.

A complicated look flashes across Fai's face before he smiles at Hien. ]

Give me more of that pasta.

[ He opens his mouth. Ah~ ]

[selfconcept]

You like being with me because I give you pasta?

[ lol

Hien twirls some pasta and holds it out to Fai anyway. ]

[partymagician]

[ Fai makes a face at Hien as he chews. ]

That's... one of the reasons.

[ The actual thing he was going to say is too embarrassing so he's not going to do that! ]

[selfconcept]

Yeah? Tell me more.

[ He says that in a way that Fai should be very familiar with as the fingers lightly tap on Fai's hand, since he's still holding it. ]

[partymagician]

[ Fai just barely manages to suppress a reaction to the way Hien says that, the only evidence that he felt any way about that at all is that his fingers twitch lightly around Hien's hand. ]

Now I'm not going to tell you.

[selfconcept]

[ Oh, wow. A reaction? Amazing. ]

Don't be so rude. I won't feed you any more pasta.

[partymagician]

You're the one who spoke like that.

[ In the middle of the cafeteria, no less!!! ]

[selfconcept]

It's not like anyone can hear us--I was quiet for a reason. If they can, good for them. They get a treat.

[ Though he only says that in the confidence that no one actually heard. ]

[partymagician]

You...

[ Hien's confidence amazes him sometimes. He really will just say whatever he wants. ]

There are a lot of things I like about you.

[selfconcept]

And?

[ He'll be here all night if he doesn't fall asleep first. It's way past grandpa's bedtime. ]