Chapter Text
Xie Lian could really only think one thing: Man, this is rough.
It was later into the night, and both Wei Wuxian and Hua Cheng picked up on Shen Qingqui’s weakness. He wouldn’t do any dare that included being romantic with Luo Binghe. So the two of them silently agreed to put away their petty fighting and make a joint coalition to prey upon this awkwardness. They just kept giving all their dares to Shen Qingqui, and the man would just continue to swig back more and more alcohol. It was rather concerning, to be honest.
“I dare you to hug Luo Binghe” → Takes a shot
“I dare you to kiss Luo Binghe on the cheek” → Takes a shot
“I dare you to tell Luo Binghe you love him” → TAKES ANOTHER SHOT
And oh, Luo Binghe just looked like a shell of a man as this went on. Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel sympathy, but the man’s pain seemed to only fuel Hua Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s passion. Xie Lian would do what he could to give easier dares or fun truths to other members of the group. But Lan Zhan did not seem to be processing much of anything with how tired he seemed and Luo Binghe wasn’t much better.
Also, Shen Qingqui, being very drunk at this point, became much more talkative. However, everything he was saying was not making much sense.
“When I teelll you that originall was bad =, I god damn mena it was absolutley terrible. Like sure, they gave extra time for the show runnners to develp Hughes as a character,,and like Berry the chopper, I GUESS,,, but they just went off script. Didn’t follow the manga at all after a crtain point” Shen Qingqui slurred his words in Xie Lian’s direction, but he didn’t think Shen Qingqui was trying to hold a conversation with anyone specifically.
“AND THEN, TheY made thatt movei.. GOD, do not get me startedd on that movie. Edward beingg trapped in Worldd War TWOO? Whyy, Why wouuld they do that?? Thank Godd they made brotherhoood, now that is sume qualit-a television”
Luo Binghe, seeming to regain some form of consciousness, tugged on Shen Qingqui’s sleeve, “Uhh, Shizun?”
Shen Qingqui swung around and pointed his finger into Luo Binghe face, just narrowly missing his nose “SHUT UP YOU! I HAD A BODY PILLOW OF YOU! YOU!!!! FOR SUCHA S TUPID NOVEL!!!! GOd,,, whhat is my life?”
“Hmm, that's tough” Hua Cheng feigned sympathy, clearly eating this up, “but let's keep this moving”
Shen Qingqui, having been the last one to be dared, swung his pointer finger out and it landed in Lan Zhan’s direction, “Truuthh or dares?”, his head flopping back a little
Lan Zhan did not answer.
“Lambkin, Sweetcheeks, you okay?” Wei Wuxian waved his hand in front of Lan Zhan’s face.
Lan Zhan was still not answering. Wei Wuxian seemed to get more and more worried as his continued silence went on. That was until Lan Zhan reached out, grabbed a shot, and swung it back. And Wei Wuxian’s face went from worried to horrified.
“Oh no,” Wei Wuxian’s harrowed voice croaked out.
Suddenly, Lan Zhan’s whole body fell forward and he face-planted the table.
“IS HE OKAY?” Xie Lian questioned, scooching forward to be ready to help.
“Uuhhhhhhh” Wei Wuxian still trying to process what to do.
It was at this moment that the door was jarringly kicked open, and every person still conscious swung their head around to look.
A man wearing all grays and whites stomped into the room, sword out, ponytail swaying behind him.
Wei Wuxian jumped to his feet, “WOAH WOAH” his hands facing outward, trying to placate the stranger.
“Ha HA, thank go youree heree, this wass geting boring” Shen Qingqui slurred
“YOU KNOW HIM?!” Wei Wuxian hollered as the stranger leveled his sword in Luo Binghe’s direction.
“YOU! WHAT DEMON GHOST INVESTED HELL PIT DID YOU WISK SHEN-SHIDI TO THIS TIME?!”
“HEY!” Hua Cheng and Wei Wuxian both called out and then made confused eye contact over.
Luo Binghe, trying to process his shitty night, just gapped his mouth open, closing it, and re-opening it. He looked very fish-like.
Xie Lian got up from his seat, hoping to mediate some sort of peaceful outcome to this.
But that was when Lan Zhan rose up next to him.