[ALSO LET'S SAY that Wei Wuxian has not in fact located Lan Wangji yet to inform him of this, for maximum emoting potential on Lan Wangji's part. He's been forced to keep himself scarce on occasion with all this Thought Sharing nonsense anyway, though it's unlikely Wei Wuxian has noticed.
Essentially, though, it means that this is the first time he's seeing any familiar faces outside of Wei Wuxian, and for it to be Wen Ning, looking as he does... the surprise on his face is equivalent to someone else staring, wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
It takes him so long to recover that it's borderline disrespectful, but he catches himself in time to offer a small bow of his own, his thoughts moving too quickly for anything to slip through.]
You saw Wei Ying? [He's the only person who would be able (and willing) to tell Wen Ning that he's here, since he doubts Wen Ning would've gone around asking after him to strangers. Not to mention, that sweater absolutely screams Wei Wuxian's influence--but he has to confirm it, before anything else. Because if he's wrong, then they're turning around and heading straight for Wei Wuxian.]
[Oh. It's really something else to see Lan Wangji, of all people, caught by surprise; he bows his head a moment, as if in apology for startling him, before he lifts it again at the mention of Wei Wuxian's name.]
I did, in... in that large market.
[The not-Costco, he has no idea what else to call it-- so yes, that definitely explains the sweater, it was 100% Wei Wuxian energy making this disaster outfit happen.]
He told me that the two of you had arrived earlier.
[Yeah, that would explain it. GOD. Lan Wangji relaxes minutely, though; if Wei Wuxian knows he's here, and allowed Wen Ning to go off by himself to seek him out, then he must be at least marginally satisfied with his discoveries. (No doubt they'll have much to discuss later.)]
Mm. We returned from another world recently.
[Wen Ning might already know that, or he might not. The chances are 50/50 with Wei Wuxian, honestly. For now, though, Lan Wangji has a question of his own.]
...I think I remember more than the two of you do. He said you weren't much further ahead than he is, and I may be even further than that?
[It's such a strange concept to think about, and his brow furrows as he speaks. There doesn't seem to be any sense in bringing them here from different times, at different times.
-and then his face falls a little.]
B-but there are things I can't remember, as well. Young master Wei thinks it's something missing.
[Hm. That's... interesting, in a way, but also a little concerning? He has to wonder if there's some purpose behind it all, but so far, he hasn't found any.]
Mm. I remember visiting the temple at Yunping City.
["Visiting", he says, which makes it clear that nothing of import had happened there in the daytime--also he is just. Not going to mention that he let Wei Wuxian talk him into drinking again, because even if he has no idea what he did, nobody in any world needs to know about that.
He doesn't seem surprised by the rest of Wen Ning's words either, though.]
Everyone here is missing something. [The lack of his forehead ribbon and guqin are probably an immediate answer as to what he's lacking, albeit partially.]
[But he doesn't say much more than that, because if the two of them haven't experienced it, should he actually tell them about it...? What are the rules of coming from different times? And really, there are certain things he just can't say to them directly, it's entirely too much.]
It seems that-- we don't only lose things, though, or I wouldn't be...
[A brief glance down at himself, there. He still hasn't really considered his status as a fierce corpse something that would be taken from him, so much as a living body must be something given to him.]
[Hm. Lan Wangji stares at him long enough to make it uncomfortable, though he doesn't mean to--he's mostly thinking the same thing. Wen Ning said he was ahead of them, but how far? Does he know what happened at the temple? Lan Wangji wants to ask, but... perhaps Wei Wuxian already did. And if he did, then he's bound to share any important information as soon as they meet again.
(More than anything, he wants to know if anything... else, had changed. He has faith that despite everything, he and Wei Wuxian will be able to set aside their personal relationship in favor of focusing on the matter at hand, but what about after that? He wants to know, so badly, which is precisely why he can't ask. Especially not Wen Ning, of all people.)
All of this passes through his mind without a flicker across his face, no thoughts seeping out between them. He's getting better at this.]
Mm. Wei Ying gained Chenqing, as well. [Since he still fuckin thinks Wei Wuxian got it out of nowhere. WHY COULDN'T HE HAVE GAINED SOMETHING he just got all his shit yoinked]
[Please do not ask Wen Ning to explain the mess that was that confession, god. He can't do it.
His head tilts at that, though, looking a little confused.]
When he arrived here...?
[Is this place really out here just giving people things they shouldn't have? The Wei Wuxian that he'd last seen did have Chenqing, but a Wei Wuxian from the time he'd said he was from shouldn't...]
[meanwhile he is internally the math lady meme because oh, no, Wei Wuxian might have been right about forgetting more of what happened... literally why does this place have to be this way.
--but he's not sure if Wei Wuxian would want him to say so, so instead he just looks a little troubled.]
[IT SURE DOES. He notices that expression, too, and he could probably make a few guesses about what's causing it, but if Wen Ning doesn't want to mention it then he isn't going to ask.
Which means that they just. Get to stand here in silence for a little while. Awkward.
Lan Wangji doesn't show any indication that he wants to walk away, though--in fact, there's a tightness to his lips, a sort of thoughtful displeasure that isn't directed at anything particular. Eventually, he sighs, very softly.]
[Standing in silence with Lan Wangji is better than being shoved and told to go away, so you know. He'll take it, though it definitely does not make him any less nervous, and he doesn't say anything to try to fill that silence.
-he isn't expecting an apology for anything, though, so his brows rise as he looks up to Lan Wangji.]
I-I'm sure it's all right, but... apologize for what?
[He isn't one to beat around the bush, and-- truthfully, he's not all that sorry. Not for telling Wei Wuxian the truth, anyway, although he wishes he didn't have to break a promise to do it. If anything, he regrets that circumstances forced his hand, but... it's probably for the best, that Wei Wuxian knows he knows.
With all that in mind, his voice and demeanor are as steady as ever when he answers.]
You asked me not to tell him, that you told me the truth about his core. I was unable to keep that promise here.
[It's not his place to tell Wen Ning why, exactly, he had to fess up, which is a little bit unfair, but hey. He's always been pretty obvious about who has his strongest loyalties.]
-oh. He mentioned you had told him s-some things, but not...
[Not that, and his brow furrows, worrying at his lower lip for a moment. Wei Wuxian hadn't said anything about it, so- is he not angry with him for failing to keep his secret? Is he just waiting for the right time to bring it up? Concern...
Wen Ning gives his head a little shake after a moment, though.]
Thank you for telling me. I- didn't expect it to be a secret forever.
[Bless Lan Wangji for knowing exactly what he needed to know... that's a relief, and he exhales a breath, a little tension leaving him that he hadn't realized was there.]
I hoped he might. I-I know it wasn't right of me to share for him, but...
[-but things sure happened, and he couldn't bear it.]
[Lan Wangji doesn't shake his head, but he does make a soft sound of dissent.]
You defended him.
[He probably would've done much worse himself, if Wen Ning hadn't interfered. Whether it was "right" or "wrong", if such things truly exist, is not for him to say, but he is thankful nonetheless.
[This is why Lan Wangji's feelings towards Wen Ning have always been so... complicated. There is some jealousy there, still, something he's aware of at all times, but certainly not proud of, nor anything he'd act on sober. Beyond that, he would never begrudge Wei Wuxian any loyalty or friendship. As much as he wants to be everything that Wei Wuxian could ever possibly want or need, so too does he think that Wei Wuxian deserves all the support in the world, and Lan Wangji can acknowledge, if only to himself, that he cannot have things both ways.
There is a camaraderie there, too. Something about knowing they are, perhaps, the only two people who know and care for Wei Wuxian.
(Get fucked Jiang Cheng.)]
Mm.
[It's not much, but Wen Ning surely already knows that he would do the same. What else needs to be said?]
[He does know, and he appreciates it, giving him a little nod in return. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji may be at a different point now than he remembers them being, but it's a relief to know that Wei Wuxian is safe with him, that he has something in him that Wen Ning wouldn't ever be able to provide-- even if Wen Ning often isn't sure where he stands with Lan Wangji.
(Except when he's drunk. Wen Ning definitely knows not to be around when he's drunk.)
Right now, though, he doesn't feel quite so uncertain, and he also has to admit that it's something of a comfort to be around someone from home instead of someone entirely unfamiliar, even if he wouldn't call the two of them close... so while it's still something of an awkward silence that he falls into, it isn't one that has him on edge.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
PICKS WEN NING UP AND SPINS AROUND
Essentially, though, it means that this is the first time he's seeing any familiar faces outside of Wei Wuxian, and for it to be Wen Ning, looking as he does... the surprise on his face is equivalent to someone else staring, wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
It takes him so long to recover that it's borderline disrespectful, but he catches himself in time to offer a small bow of his own, his thoughts moving too quickly for anything to slip through.]
You saw Wei Ying? [He's the only person who would be able (and willing) to tell Wen Ning that he's here, since he doubts Wen Ning would've gone around asking after him to strangers. Not to mention, that sweater absolutely screams Wei Wuxian's influence--but he has to confirm it, before anything else. Because if he's wrong, then they're turning around and heading straight for Wei Wuxian.]
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I did, in... in that large market.
[The not-Costco, he has no idea what else to call it-- so yes, that definitely explains the sweater, it was 100% Wei Wuxian energy making this disaster outfit happen.]
He told me that the two of you had arrived earlier.
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Mm. We returned from another world recently.
[Wen Ning might already know that, or he might not. The chances are 50/50 with Wei Wuxian, honestly. For now, though, Lan Wangji has a question of his own.]
What do you remember?
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[It's such a strange concept to think about, and his brow furrows as he speaks. There doesn't seem to be any sense in bringing them here from different times, at different times.
-and then his face falls a little.]
B-but there are things I can't remember, as well. Young master Wei thinks it's something missing.
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Mm. I remember visiting the temple at Yunping City.
["Visiting", he says, which makes it clear that nothing of import had happened there in the daytime--also he is just. Not going to mention that he let Wei Wuxian talk him into drinking again, because even if he has no idea what he did, nobody in any world needs to know about that.
He doesn't seem surprised by the rest of Wen Ning's words either, though.]
Everyone here is missing something. [The lack of his forehead ribbon and guqin are probably an immediate answer as to what he's lacking, albeit partially.]
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[But he doesn't say much more than that, because if the two of them haven't experienced it, should he actually tell them about it...? What are the rules of coming from different times? And really, there are certain things he just can't say to them directly, it's entirely too much.]
It seems that-- we don't only lose things, though, or I wouldn't be...
[A brief glance down at himself, there. He still hasn't really considered his status as a fierce corpse something that would be taken from him, so much as a living body must be something given to him.]
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(More than anything, he wants to know if anything... else, had changed. He has faith that despite everything, he and Wei Wuxian will be able to set aside their personal relationship in favor of focusing on the matter at hand, but what about after that? He wants to know, so badly, which is precisely why he can't ask. Especially not Wen Ning, of all people.)
All of this passes through his mind without a flicker across his face, no thoughts seeping out between them. He's getting better at this.]
Mm. Wei Ying gained Chenqing, as well. [Since he still fuckin thinks Wei Wuxian got it out of nowhere. WHY COULDN'T HE HAVE GAINED SOMETHING he just got all his shit yoinked]
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His head tilts at that, though, looking a little confused.]
When he arrived here...?
[Is this place really out here just giving people things they shouldn't have? The Wei Wuxian that he'd last seen did have Chenqing, but a Wei Wuxian from the time he'd said he was from shouldn't...]
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Mm.
[SO HE THINKS.]
He discovered it upon arrival.
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[meanwhile he is internally the math lady meme because oh, no, Wei Wuxian might have been right about forgetting more of what happened... literally why does this place have to be this way.
--but he's not sure if Wei Wuxian would want him to say so, so instead he just looks a little troubled.]
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Which means that they just. Get to stand here in silence for a little while. Awkward.
Lan Wangji doesn't show any indication that he wants to walk away, though--in fact, there's a tightness to his lips, a sort of thoughtful displeasure that isn't directed at anything particular. Eventually, he sighs, very softly.]
I must apologize.
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-he isn't expecting an apology for anything, though, so his brows rise as he looks up to Lan Wangji.]
I-I'm sure it's all right, but... apologize for what?
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With all that in mind, his voice and demeanor are as steady as ever when he answers.]
You asked me not to tell him, that you told me the truth about his core. I was unable to keep that promise here.
[It's not his place to tell Wen Ning why, exactly, he had to fess up, which is a little bit unfair, but hey. He's always been pretty obvious about who has his strongest loyalties.]
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[Not that, and his brow furrows, worrying at his lower lip for a moment. Wei Wuxian hadn't said anything about it, so- is he not angry with him for failing to keep his secret? Is he just waiting for the right time to bring it up? Concern...
Wen Ning gives his head a little shake after a moment, though.]
Thank you for telling me. I- didn't expect it to be a secret forever.
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As if he knows what Wen Ning is thinking--]
He understood. [He wasn't happy about it, but he wasn't angry, either. Wen Ning doesn't need to worry that Wei Wuxian's secretly pissed at him.]
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I hoped he might. I-I know it wasn't right of me to share for him, but...
[-but things sure happened, and he couldn't bear it.]
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You defended him.
[He probably would've done much worse himself, if Wen Ning hadn't interfered. Whether it was "right" or "wrong", if such things truly exist, is not for him to say, but he is thankful nonetheless.
And besides--]
It could not stay a secret forever.
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[Just that he had to break that promise to do it, that he had to put Wei Wuxian in that situation in the process.]
I will, whenever he needs me to.
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There is a camaraderie there, too. Something about knowing they are, perhaps, the only two people who know and care for Wei Wuxian.
(Get fucked Jiang Cheng.)]
Mm.
[It's not much, but Wen Ning surely already knows that he would do the same. What else needs to be said?]
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(Except when he's drunk. Wen Ning definitely knows not to be around when he's drunk.)
Right now, though, he doesn't feel quite so uncertain, and he also has to admit that it's something of a comfort to be around someone from home instead of someone entirely unfamiliar, even if he wouldn't call the two of them close... so while it's still something of an awkward silence that he falls into, it isn't one that has him on edge.]