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It is only when the two of them are alone that Wei Wuxian allows the smallest of grimaces to cross his face for just a moment before settling into his usual, easy-going smile once more.
Internally, he’s warring with himself over whether he wants Lan Wangji to notice his suffering. However, externally he’s prodding and irritating the other like usual, speaking over the quiet growling of his stomach easily enough. He probably should’ve eaten his own share of breakfast that morning rather than give it to the child he had seen on the street, considering how he’s been unable to stop for lunch or dinner today, but ah well — it’s not like he can go back in time.
His stomach growls louder during his short, thoughtful silence, though Wei Wuxian doesn’t really acknowledge it, simply laughing in intentional ignorance of the sharp ache in his abdomen that accompanies the aforementioned noise.
He’s not as lucky with Lan Wangji this time, though, as the other sharply turns to Wei Wuxian — sternly staring him down as if he already knows what’s happening with the former Yiling Patriarch before him.
As if to further accentuate that point, he turns right back around and leaves the room. Wei Wuxian simply sighs, plopping down onto the floor as he just waits for that travel partner of his to return.
Meanwhile, his stomach grumbles hungrily once again, leading Wei Wuxian to absentmindedly wrap his arms around his abdomen, curling over himself quietly as he falls into a mostly-quiet contemplation of their possible future movements — all the while, his stomach continues its protesting aches and growls, emboldened by the slight acknowledgement it had received before.
What a sight he was, for when Lan Wangji returned — this time with a few dishes of hot food in hand — all that he saw was the former seemingly curled pathetically over his vocal stomach. His lips curl slightly in disapproval, striding forward and setting the dishes in front of him.
“Eat.”
Wei Wuxian lifts his head slightly, brought out of his drifting thoughts easily by a combination of Lan Wangji’s singular word and the aroma of the food. His stomach grumbles needily, and he doesn’t even waste a second in snatching up the first plate he can, scooping it into himself at such a rapid pace that the other ends up stopping him to eat slower several times.
Though it’s been a few decades since the related time, Wei Wuxian still retains a few memories of his little periods of hunger from when he was younger, so he at least has the sensibility to eat carefully, despite his speed.
Still though, the frequent growls from his stomach are quelled swiftly and replaced with the much quieter sounds of digestion. It may have been the slightest bit awkward with Lan Wangji simply staring at him so sternly, but Wei Wuxian has long since gotten used to the other’s mannerisms.
Nodding slightly as if thanking the other, Wei Wuxian returns to curling where he sits, oddly quiet despite himself.
Frowning slightly yet again, Lan Wangji approaches to sit closely by him, using that stern expression of his until he swiftly realizes that the other has fallen asleep, already.
Exasperated, he gently picks him up, easily carrying him over to the bed so that he may rest far more easily than any spot on the floor. As he pulls away, Wei Wuxian latches onto one of his sleeves, and he resigns himself to what will likely be at least a couple hours of sitting by the bed — though, of course, when hai arrives, he will be right asleep.
