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]

[ 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?

[selfconcept]

Yeah, so... don't worry. You're in good hands.

[ In better hands, now. Hien will definitely take care of himself more and be mindful of more of his actions (though some stupid things will still happen sorry fai). ]

[partymagician]

[ He smiles softly. This makes him think, though.

... ]

Do you like being taken care of, Hien?

[selfconcept]

... It's nice once in a while.

[ Which is to say, yeah. Of course he does. ]

[partymagician]

Maybe I should try to take care of you more. After all, you take care of me all the time.

[ At least, it certainly feels like that, after Hien let Fai hug out his negative emotions.

He reaches out to gently brush any stray hairs that might be on Hien's face. ]

[selfconcept]

[ He's about to say something in response, but that gesture is extremely affectionate that it almost catches him off guard. ]

You already take care of me a lot. You just don't realize it.

[partymagician]

Really? But... coffee isn't much.

[ He wants to do more, a lot more than just that. ]

[selfconcept]

It's more than you think. Besides, that's not all you do for me. You told me this yourself, didn't you? That you avoided getting hurt because you saw that I didn't like physical pain.

[partymagician]

I did, but...

[ He feels like that's the bare minimum (sorry Hien, he knows you've got to work through that).

There's a moment where it looks like Fai hesitates, but he knows Hien will make him spit it out. ]

I want to take care of you so that your loss doesn't hurt you so much. I want to help you ease some of that pain.

[selfconcept]

Well, you're... doing a good job of it already.

[ The sessions. ]

[partymagician]

But how long does that help really last for you? I want to help you outside of that.

[ He wants to be good for more than just that, is what he thinks deep down. ]