(Re)Introductions (Meng Yao, Xichen) | Silently Into the Night

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Aug 3, 2020 17:00:39 GMT -8

Post by Nie Mingjue on Aug 3, 2020 17:00:39 GMT -8

Mingjue was never one to linger at work, but he was out the door very punctually that evening, making it to his car and heading on the route to Meng Yao's home that was starting to be quite familiar. He hadn't been there many times from this angle, but he was sure that that number would go up. That was a reassuring feeling. Meng Yao seemed to actively enjoy his company.

He still used the GPS, not wanting to miss the turn offs and take longer to get there than he needed to. He didn't want to keep Meng Yao or Xichen waiting. The only delay that he'd taken was to text both of them when he left work.

Traffic was good, not that it was often horrible as late at night as he got off work, and he was distracted enough with thoughts and worries about Meng Yao meeting his best friend that the drive to Meng Yao's seemed to fly by. Soon enough, he was pulling into the now familiar parking spot. He headed to Meng Yao's door to knock, hoping that the other man was ready to go, and texted Xichen again, "Made it to picking him up, be home pretty soon."

He shifted from foot to foot as he waited to for Meng Yao to make it to the door, definitely a little nervous about introducing the two of them.

Meng Yao Lan Xichen

Meng Yao

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Aug 3, 2020 19:08:05 GMT -8

Post by Meng Yao on Aug 3, 2020 19:08:05 GMT -8

Meng Yao stood in his bedroom looking down at the clothes he had on his bed. The hanging out with Mingjue part of him wanted to wear something comfortable, but the potentially meeting someone new, or more likely someone he'd just given a lap dance to the previous weekend, made him want to look hot. So he was looking for a happy medium.

He chose a pair of black skinny jeans for the hot option and an oversized sweater for comfort. He checked himself in the mirror and realized the sweater was so oversized that it was slipping off his shoulders at times. He put on a tank top beneath it so it wasn't too risqué.

He went into his bathroom and debated makeup. Both men had seen him in makeup before, but it seemed a little much for a friendly dinner party. "A dinner party," he found himself muttering. He decided on some lip gloss that functioned more as chapstick but otherwise leaving his face bare.

He went downstairs, heading to his kitchen when he heard the knock on his door. He quickly opened it, "Mingjue-ge! I just need to grab dessert, did you want to come in for a second?" He left the door open behind him for the other man to decide and continued to the kitchen.

"I'm surprised you knocked. You know you could have texted and I would have come out, right?" Meng Yao said. "I feel like you're coming to the door to take me out all proper like. My daddy sure would approve," he teased in a Southern accent.

"I'm sorry, I'll try to keep the teasing to a minimum, I promise," he said back in his normal voice. He grabbed the container of cookies and returned to the living room.

"How do I look? Decent enough to meet your friend?" He was oddly nervous. He was certain he already knew Mingjue's friend, but something about meeting in this context made his stomach fill with butterflies.

Lan Xichen

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Aug 3, 2020 19:21:25 GMT -8

Post by Lan Xichen on Aug 3, 2020 19:21:25 GMT -8

Xichen was starting to get accustomed to spending time at Mingjue's house. Huaisang didn't bother him too often, though it was nice to occasionally have a break from studying to have a short conversation with the boy. He was a bit anxious about meeting this 'friend' of Mingjue's, but was also looking forward to meeting him. He sipped at some tea, turning the page of his textbook although he wasn't sure he had processed anything on the page. After reading through the first paragraph about three times he gave up and shut the book.

He checked his phone and noticed he had been getting a couple update texts from Mingjue, but didn't send anything in return because if he was driving he wouldn't get to see them until he got home anyway. He fidgeted with his phone for a bit before cleaning up the area, packing his books and notebooks back up and bringing any dishes he used to the kitchen to clean them. He stopped by the bathroom to make sure he looked alright, washing his face to freshen up before returning to the living room to wait for them, figuring they should be there at any moment.

Nie Mingjue

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Aug 3, 2020 20:17:50 GMT -8

Post by Nie Mingjue on Aug 3, 2020 20:17:50 GMT -8

Mingjue shrugged and followed Meng Yao inside, replying, "I would have texted if you'd not answered when I'd knocked. I figured you might need help carrying something since I didn't know what you were bringing, though it looks like you've got it well in hand."

At Meng Yao's question, he actually looked at Meng Yao's outfit. He shrugged and said, "You look comfortable, and like you're wearing clothes for out not work, so I think that you're solid on that front. Xichen is more likely to notice what you're wearing than I am, but he's not going to judge you by it."

Once he was sure that Meng Yao had his things, he led the way back out to the car, and chuckled as his stomach rumbled, "I'm glad that I did the prepwork for food this morning. I have to pop some things in the steamer and pan fry the fish and the greens. The rice should already be ready since I programmed it in for the rice cooker to be finished right about now. I'll probably have food ready about fifteen to twenty minutes after we get back."

He could get home from Meng Yao's without having to really think about it at this point, especially since it only took about ten minutes. He hoped that Xichen hadn't gotten too hungry waiting for them. He was curious to see what the two of them would think of each other.

Meng Yao

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Aug 3, 2020 21:36:25 GMT -8

Post by Meng Yao on Aug 3, 2020 21:36:25 GMT -8

"Or you could just say I look nice," Meng Yao said with a sigh, "but I know I look cute, so it's fine."

He held up the container of cookies, "Yep, I've got everything."

"If you want to do the pan frying I'll be in charge of steaming, I feel like I'm reaping all the benefits of the dinner party without doing any of the work." He said with a frown.

"I did make cookies, I hope you like them. They're oatmeal cranberry," he said, getting in the car and settling down.

Nie Mingjue

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Aug 4, 2020 21:17:57 GMT -8

Post by Nie Mingjue on Aug 4, 2020 21:17:57 GMT -8

The lights seemed to be in their favor as Mingjue drove. He told Meng Yao, "I'll honestly be most efficient if I just go ahead and get food ready. You're my guest, and you did make cookies. I have all the timing down in my head, so it would actually disrupt the process a little bit to take out a step. If you want something to do with your hands, and Xichen hasn't already done it, you can make tea if you feel that you can be trusted with making tea."

Mingjue was happy to cook with others when he was planning to do so, but he had set all this up planning to do it himself, so it seemed harder to change his plans, especially when he was tired after work. He gave Meng Yao a small smile though and added, "Thank you for offering though. I appreciate the sentiment."

He pulled into the garage, and got out, waiting for Meng Yao to join him before heading in and calling out, "Xichen, we're here!" and heading into the kitchen.

Meng Yao

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Aug 4, 2020 21:37:08 GMT -8

Post by Meng Yao on Aug 4, 2020 21:37:08 GMT -8

Meng Yao popped his tongue, "if I can be trusted to make tea? You think I can't make tea?" he could helped but laugh. "I feel like I'm getting all the shade tonight. I'm happy to help, but if you think I'd do better by staying out of your way, I'm happy to comply."

Meng Yao got out of the car, cookies in tow, and followed Mingjue into the house. He remembered it from last time, despite his emotional state thanks to his memory. When he saw Xichen, he couldn't help the smirk and dimples that popped up on his face.

"Hello Xichen, nice to officially meet Mingjue's best friend." He said, extending his hand.

Lan Xichen

edited Aug 4, 2020 21:40:44 GMT -8 by Meng Yao

Lan Xichen

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Aug 5, 2020 11:47:20 GMT -8

Post by Lan Xichen on Aug 5, 2020 11:47:20 GMT -8

Xichen heard the car pull into the driveway and got up, nervous but excited to meet Mingjue's new friend. But as the door opened and he saw a familiar face, his breath seemed to catch in his throat. "Meng Yao. How... unexpected." He moved aside so the two of them could come inside, but his mind was reeling. How odd it was that Meng Yao was the new friend. A moment of panic set in, what if Meng Yao betrayed him this time around, too? He probably wouldn't kill him, but... He shook his head, forcing himself out of his memories, telling himself he was being silly to even think that. There was no evidence Meng Yao had his memories, and even if he did, Xichen was convinced this time would be different. He didn't know how, but it would be.

He directed his attention to Mingjue, figuring his friend would be confused, "This um... I actually already have met Meng Yao, as we... somewhat literally ran into each other on campus. Though it seems you've had more time to get to know him, since you two work together."

Nie Mingjue

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Aug 5, 2020 13:32:35 GMT -8

Post by Nie Mingjue on Aug 5, 2020 13:32:35 GMT -8

Mingjue looked between the two of them, uncertain, and said, "I'm going to start food. I guess I don't have to introduce you, but um, Meng Yao, Xichen has been my best friend since high school, play nice. Xichen, I've told you about working on the car with Meng Yao and cooking stuff, he can be a little prickly, but he's alright."

He looked between the two of them again, hoping that the awkwardness he could tell was there would go away with a few minutes to interact in a safe place and with good food. He wasn't used to being the one to arbitrate an encounter.

He led the way into the kitchen, starting the process of making things, focusing on the food as his stomach grumbled again, but keeping an eye and ear on the other two as much as he could. The entire meal wouldn't take long to put together, and he started the electric kettle set to the right temperature for green tea, figuring that if Meng Yao remembered he could take it from there with tea, and if he didn't Mingjue would just do it when he had a spare moment in the cooking process.

He really hoped that the two of them would be OK with each other.

Meng Yao

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Aug 5, 2020 17:50:59 GMT -8

Post by Meng Yao on Aug 5, 2020 17:50:59 GMT -8

"Good to see you again. I guess I'll shake my own hand," Meng Yao teased, doing as he said he would.

"Wow, Mingjue, how did I get two insults in that?" he said to Mingjue's back as he moved towards the kitchen. "I have to play nice and I'm prickly?" he grinned, turning back to Xichen. "Don't worry, Xichen knows how prickly I am. I was pretty rough with you on our first meeting," he mused, sitting down at the table, "second meeting too," he said with a wink.

He knew he was being a brat but he kind of liked this dynamic, but he knew it couldn't last long or Mingjue would kick him out. It made sense. Xichen was his long time friend. You don't get rid of your pet just because the new one doesn't like it, you just don't get the new pet.

"Sit down, I won't bite," he teased, but was actively trying to make Xichen more comfortable.

Lan Xichen

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Aug 8, 2020 17:26:36 GMT -8

Post by Lan Xichen on Aug 8, 2020 17:26:36 GMT -8

Xichen smiled softly at the way Mingjue handled Meng Yao, and then lowered his head to hide the widening smile at Meng Yao's rebuttal. But the smile faded and he narrowed his eyes at Meng Yao at the mention of their second meeting. He sat down at the table across from Meng Yao, keeping his voice low, "I should have connected the dots when I found out where you worked. But I guess I assumed it a coincidence that you two worked in the same place." He shook his head, "regardless, it's nice to see you again, and also know who Mingjue's been talking about." He said, regaining his formalities.

Nie Mingjue

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Aug 8, 2020 17:36:48 GMT -8

Post by Nie Mingjue on Aug 8, 2020 17:36:48 GMT -8

Mingjue moved efficiently in the kitchen, starting the sauce for the fish sizzling so that it would be ready for the fish shortly, and getting the water going under the bamboo steamer. He was pleased, but also even hungrier, as the smell of the carefully spiced for Xichen's spice tolerance sauce started to fill the kitchen. Dumplings went in the steamer, followed by fish going in the sauce while he got the vegetables and some bowls out.

He heard the sound of the water reaching the right temperature and the electric kettle going into keep warm mode. He said, "Water's ready for tea, the pot and various green teas are over by the kettle," glancing at Meng Yao and Xichen to see if one of them would make it or if he should just start it once he put the vegetables in.

He flipped the fish, and put the green veggies in around it. This meal was definitely starting to smell right, and he popped open the rice cooker, stirring the rice and putting it into bowls and then grabbing down plates, chopsticks, and tea cups.

Meng Yao

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Aug 8, 2020 17:44:50 GMT -8

Post by Meng Yao on Aug 8, 2020 17:44:50 GMT -8

Meng Yao dropped his voice conspiratorially when Xichen did, "too much of a coincidence, though fair point that you wouldn't assume that I'd want to get all greasy working on a car."

"It's nice to see you again too," he said, smiling. He perked up when Mingjue mentioned tea, he'd forgotten his job the instant he'd seen Xichen. "I've got the tea," he said getting up and looking over the options. He chose one and prepared the pot.

As he was bringing the teapot to the table he grinned mischievously. He had an idea and wanted to tease Mingjue, but wanted him to be stuck at the table when he did it, so he schooled his features as he sat back down. "Can I pour you some tea?" he asked Xichen.

Lan Xichen

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Aug 9, 2020 17:17:27 GMT -8

Post by Lan Xichen on Aug 9, 2020 17:17:27 GMT -8

Xichen was about to get up when Mingjue mentioned the water was ready to make tea, a bit surprised when Meng Yao stood up before he could even say anything. He got comfortable again and let out a small laugh as Meng Yao returned with the tea. "Yes, please." He said, gently pushing his mug closer to other man.

"It smells good, Mingjue." He commented.

Nie Mingjue

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Aug 9, 2020 17:27:27 GMT -8

Post by Nie Mingjue on Aug 9, 2020 17:27:27 GMT -8

He nodded his thanks when Meng Yao went to deal with the tea, moving the tea cups to the table so that they'd be easier for him to get at. Just after the tea finished, and he could hear the two of them whispering, but not quite make out what they were saying over the sounds of cooking, everything was ready. He turned off the heat and plated the food, uncovering the dumplings and moving them off the stove to air for a moment. He carried the plates for Meng Yao and Xichen over first, placing them in front of his guests and said, "I'll bring the dumplings over in just a moment, and there's more if you need a second serving."

He grabbed his own plate and the baskets of dumplings, one of them with the garlic sauce that he knew Meng Yao liked nestled in the middle and the other with a delicate plum sauce, which he placed in the middle of the table, and sat down, glancing between the two of them. He said, "I hope that it tastes at least as good as you thought it smelled. You should both eat."