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

[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. ]

[partymagician]

I think you have a caring side to you. I like that.

[ He looks down so he doesn't have to directly look at Hien. ]

Being on the receiving end of that is... not bad.

[selfconcept]

Yeah. It feels nice to be cared for. 10 out of 10. I would recommend.

[ He eats more pasta. It's almost gone... ]

[partymagician]

You're really good at it.

[ ...

He falls quiet, watching Hien eat his pasta. ]

...All that is to say that I think I'd be a wreck right now if you weren't my partner.

[selfconcept]

You say that like no one else in our group of misfits would care about you.

[ hello??? ]

I'd never trade you away either.

[partymagician]

...

[ He doesn't know if Hien is right, but... ]

I meant that I'm glad that I have you, specifically, as my partner.

[selfconcept]

Well, good. I'm glad to be doing something right.

[ There's a small, warm smile on his face. ]

Even if all that wasn't enough, I'd try harder.

[partymagician]

Really? You wouldn't need to, you know.

[ It's not like Fai is so important that he requires a ton of effort anyway. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien frowns, almost scowling. Fai would be able to tell though, that Hien isn't actually in a bad mood. ]

When I decide to do it, I won't half-ass it. I'd never.

[partymagician]

[ He laughs softly. ]

Of course not. You're not that kind of guy, are you?