farsickness | Celebratory Dinner

Entry tags:

xue yang | the untamed

Celebratory Dinner

WHO: Xue Yang, Song Lan, Xiao Xingchen, Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian
WHEN: January 30, evening
WHAT: Xue Yang's celebrating being in Gazin for a year with his family! And...extended family that he knows about. Something of a mingle!
WHERE: His house at the edge of Gazin
WARNINGS: Shouldn't be any but will update as needed!

Prep time!
Xue Yang has barely been aware of the passage of time, it's true. And he's not entirely sure when he first arrived, only that it looks around this time. And so much has happened! He knows he's amusing his Daozhangs with his extra energy, but he only grins and keeps going. So much to cook! So much to bake!

Including a couple vegetarian options, with a thought to the rumored diet of the GusuLan, that they do not eat meat. Not that it's difficult, for Xingchen rarely does too - he thinks. He doesn't mind making sure everyone will have something to eat. There are mild flavored dishes and spicy ones, as well as a stew. And of course there is a tasty fruit tart that mingles sweet and tart, as well as an assortment of candies - sweet, tart, or with a nice kick of spice.

General bouncing around
In between prep sessions, Xue Yang is working on making sure the cabin and immediate surroundings are clean and tidy, and the horses are tucked away, cozy in their stable with plenty of hay, oats, and fresh water that is in a trough magicked to not freeze courtesy of Merlan. He'd sent a messenger the day before to invite his Senior and Hanguang-Jun - Lan Sizhui would have been invited too if he knew the boy was in Gazin.

And there's a nice fire roaring away, keeping the cabin nice and toasty. There's no sign of Jiangzai, or any weapon at all on the gremlin, and there are pretty little decorations scattered here and there, arranged just so to not appear cluttered. But to personalize the warm home he and Song Lan have made for the three of them.

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Preparation

Xingchen doesn't necessarily know at first what has Xue Yang so full of energy. But he quietly listens to him scurrying around to make preparations. He doesn't know what he can do to assist and so for the most part he stays out of the way. When he finally figures out that this is a kind of anniversary for him, he realizes just how different things are.

When he arrived there hadn't been a break in time when he wasn't in Xue Yang's presence. So it is still a little surprising to hear that he has been in this place for a year. Of course he is also aware that he has been here a few times himself even if he doesn't remember it...but that just makes this whole world that much more peculiar.

And so he settles into helping with what he can. Either cutting vegetables or simply staying out of the way.

Dinner

The lovely smells of the meal have been filling the house through the day and so when it is finally time to eat, his stomach is ready. He feels grateful to finally be able to fill it as well as enjoy the company of so many in one place. He has slowly been getting more accustomed to living in this place and although it still seems like he just got here, in reality it is going onto two months and it is surprising how quickly the time has been passing.

He settles at the table, quietly listening to the chatter among them all. Smiling softly at the warm feeling this gives him. It has been a very long time since he has been a part of such a large gatherings. Even though just five or six people isn't that big...when one is used to eating alone or with the small group they had at Yi city...this almost feels massive. Especially when people are feeling lively.

He eats, happy to converse with anyone wanting to do so but also content to simply listen to the enthusiastic hum of all the other conversations.

Silly Xue Yang! Not making it clear to his poor Xingchen what he intends! He tries to slow down sometimes to step up to the sweet man and show him something he could help with. And of course steals a kiss or three.

A year ago, he got Xiao Xingchen back. For a few months, then he was gone. But he had Song Lan. Then they had Xingchen again, for far too short a time.

Now Xingchen is back. Warm. Beautiful. Kind. And he wants to make sure Xingchen knows his presence makes this celebration better. "Thank you for helping, A-Chen~ It's always more fun this way!"

He tries not to let him get too distracted from his preparations, knowing there is a lot to be done. Or at least guessing so by the speed in which Xue Yang has been moving around the kitchen. But he accepts those kisses even if he does shoo him away after to get back to work.

"It wouldn't be fair for you to do all the work when you are trying to celebrate." One wouldn't be making their own cake on their birthday or wrapping their own gifts. But Xue Yang insists on going to all this trouble so that they can celebrate this anniversary.

"Simply place things in front of me and let me know what you need me to do."

Xingchen is the perfect distraction though! Xue Yang laughs when he gets shoo'd back to work. He obeys though, spirits far too light to be dampened.

"I like cooking for others, and you're all family now."

It's completely true now, too. Enjoying doing things...for other people. Especially his Daozhangs, yes, but also his Senior. He hopes to wear Wangji down too.

Xue Yang happily places various fruits and vegetables before Xingchen, and reaches for a hand to bring it to the pot to put the vegetables in, and the bowl for the fruits. "You're doing great!"

Once he is guided to where the finished food should go he begins the work he can handle, slicing and peeling what has been laid out in front of him. He feels over the fruit carefully before cutting to make sure he knows what he has and to make sure he doesn't do anything that will leave seeds in the bowl. And doing much the same with the vegetables so that no skins or stems will be consumed unless they are supposed to be.

"How domestic you have become in a year." He is teasing, but it is remarkable the change from the person he used to know. He has only been able to encounter the finished product and now the process that changed Xue Yang into this. But he can respect the effort that changing in such a way must have taken.

"Do not hesitate to push me out of the kitchen if I slow you down."

He grins at the tease, utterly delighted by it and how true it is. "I started when we were living together in Yi City. You showed me how to...be kinder." Even if he'd still done horrible things back then. "I've just built on it, and A-Lan has helped guide me."

Meditation has done wonders. Along with Zichen's stubborn refusal to let him fail.

He wiggles up to Xingchen again to wrap gentle arms around the blind man's waist and leaning in to press a fond kiss to a pale cheek. "You're not in the way, A-Chen."

Xingchen hardly feels like he is capable of helping anyone change who they are. He might have had hopes at one time that he might have been able to guide people down a good path or help them have a place they could feel welcome. But so much of his life changed very quickly. To think he might have had a hand in Xue Yang's development gives him a pleasant feeling.

He pauses in his chopping as once again Xue Yang places himself against him. "You say that but then you keep getting distracted." Being a distraction is just as bad as being in the way.

But he is smiling and clearly intends to let him hold on for as long as he chooses as he resumes his chopping.

He chuckles softly as he gives himself a moment to just hold onto Xingchen, soak up his warmth and the reality of him. Of being allowed to hug him like this again.

"Only when there's a lull in what else I can do. And I set aside plenty of time to get ready, just so I can snuggle my Daozhangs!"

Xue Yang rests his chin on Xingchen's shoulder a little longer, content to watch this marvelous man work just as well as anyone with eyes. And to watch that sweet smile, too.

"Is it warm enough?"

"When you are attached to their back, how could anyone be cold?" His gentle teasing of the other man is going to be non-stop, his good mood rather infectious as it trickles it's way into Xingchen's bones.

He is certainly warm enough considering how much heat the various things being cooked are generating. But it is a comfortable warmth and so he is content with it.

He holds up a piece of apple for Xue Yang as he finishes chopping it.

He loves it. He basks in it! Xue Yang laughs with his delight and tightens his warm embrace just a little. He'd have pulled away then except Xingchen holds up something to nibble on - of course he accepts it!

He hums at the subtle sweetness of it. "Tasty! You can nibble on some fruits too, if you want, A-Chen. You don't need to go hungry!"

One more fond squeeze and he pulls away to get back to setting things up.

He picks up a piece of apple as well and takes a bite of it, "I wouldn't want to ruin my appetite and see any of the food you are working so hard on, go to waste."

But he will enjoy this one slice of apple before continuing on with his own task. He still has quite a few things laid out for him to work on.

"Is everything else progressing well?"

Xingchen can't see the soft look Xue Yang throws his way at those words, but it's there. It's there in the quiet moment, how he even moves. Xingchen and Zichen are two precious people who can settle Xue Yang right down.

"Yes! I checked on the horses this morning, we should do that again just before dinner though. Other than the last bit of cooking and baking the tart, we just have the table to set up."

Not alone. None of them are, even in this strange world.

Xingchen feel the next item in his hand and begins to chop, just as careful and with as much attention as he gives to everything he does. Even a small job like cutting vegetables is important and must be done with care, particularly since he has to rely on his hand to be able to tell what he is doing.

"Should I set the table?" There is clearly teasing again in his voice, knowing that any table that he places items are is going to be done quite haphazardly. He might be able to line up the plates and things based on the placement of the chairs but it would be a slow process to make it look good.

He grins at that added tease, loving getting to see the playful side of his A-Chen shine so bright. And he has no doubt Xingchen could manage a decent setting of the table. It would just take time.

"I'm sure the horses would love to see you when you're done with cutting, I can set the table up and make sure nothing will trip you up."

Though there might be something else Xingchen can do...closer to when they can expect their guests. "Merlan set up that spell to tell you when a part of the stove is on, right? So you can make tea for us all in a little bit! That'll be a nice welcome for Senior and Hanguang-Jun, don't you think?"

"I will take out one of the apples as a treat for them as well." If they are celebrating then the horses should be a part of it.

He listens to what Xue Yang says about his next task and then nods. That is certainly something he can handle. It might not seem like much but Xingchen does know how to make tea and now that there is a little bit of a safety net included with the stove, he is able to use it fairly well.

"Alright. Once done with the horses I can do that." He is happy to take on any task that will help to make sure Xue Yang's evening goes nicely.

Can he love this man even more? "You're so sweet, A-Chen! This is why they love you!"

Xue Yang doesn't care what Xingchen does, but he can make suggestions on things that should be done that are easier for the blind man to do and still be helpful. He knows what it is to be idle and feel useless, and he does not want Xingchen to feel useless or a burden.

He adjusts a chair before returning to the kitchen and presses a kiss to Xingchen's cheek again - he can't always help himself! "Thank you," he murmurs softly. "I'm really happy you're here." But then he's moving away to gather up the table settings for five, not just their happy three.

He smiles and begins cutting up the apple for the horses now that the ones for them are done. "I'm glad I get to celebrate with you." It is good to have something to celebrate when there has been so little of that in his lifetime as of late. There has been more in the two months he has been here then he has experienced in years back home. It is easy to feel at east when there is so much happiness to be had.

He hears him collecting the plates and wraps the apple up in a towel to make it easier to transport outside and then goes to collect his boots and something warmer for going outside in the cold.

There's been more joy and happiness in the last year than Xue Yang can remember. He has two wonderful men he loves. Even got married and built an actual house! And a good job, that doesn't strike terror in his Daozhangs' hearts at the prospect of him getting hurt, with an employer who cares and does what she can to help and make their lives easier.

He watches to make sure Xingchen bundles up for going outside, then returns to his latest task and sets the table as best he knows how. He wasn't raised in a sect. Everything he's learned has been through observation, or from Zichen's careful instruction. He knows just having one table for multiple people isn't like what they have back home, but he likes this better. It feels much more cozy!

Xingchen collects the apple and heads towards the door, "I'll return shortly." At least he will be out of Xue Yang's way in case there are other things he needs to do and still be useful himself.

He shuts the door behind him and makes his way to where the horses are kept, having gotten well acquainted with the directions he has to go by now. The first thing he did was figure out his way around the house and surrounding areas.

He makes sure all the horses have everything they need for the rest of the night and then reveals their treat. He keeps the apple on the palm of his hand as he feeds each horse a few pieces of the cut apple. They seem to enjoy the treat and he wipes his hands clean with the towel before making sure they are locked in and safe for the evening.

He then makes his way back towards the house, stepping into it and shivering from the temperature change between the outdoors and inside. "They are content."

"I'll be here," he chirps playfully. Once the table is set, he returns to the kitchen to use the time alone to get the last dish cooking - with the vegetables Xingchen had chopped up, and the fruit tart made and in the oven.

Xue Yang wipes off the flour he'd managed to get dusted with, and is chuckling at himself when Xingchen comes back inside. He catches sight of that shiver and moves to Xingchen's side to coax him over to the fire to warm up.

"Good! There's time for you to warm up, and the last couple dishes are cooking away anyway." A thought makes him grin then. "Did they tickle your fingers, nibbling on the treats?"

"More like slobbered on them." He says in amusement as he holds up the towel he used to wipe his hands clean after carrying the apple in it. He had been careful to not let his fingers get too close to teeth that wouldn't know the difference between them and a carrot. But they still suffered the consequences of very messy eaters.

The fire is a good treat for himself though to chase away some of the remaining chill that tries to clutch to his bones. "You can really smell the food cooking once you leave the house and then return to it. It smells very good."

Once doesn't always notice when they are in the middle of it and cooking through the whole process. But it is definitely noticeable the minute one walks away and comes back.

His grin turns to a chuckle as he makes a great show of checking each finger, as if afraid one has been nibbled off! But also to help warm them back up by following up the check over with rubbing each hand between his palms.

The grin softens to a smile as he listens to Xingchen talk about how good the food smells, especially after coming back in from being outside. He could listen to this man talk for hours, just soaking up the peace of his presence.

"I hope it tastes as good as it all smells."

"I'm sure it will." After all the care and time that xue Yang has put into the cooking, Xingchen is sure that the meal will be delicious and he won't say anything but that once they are eating.

He lets him assist in regaining the heat in his fingers and then closes his fingers around the other man's hand to hold it. "I'm not once again being a distraction am I?" He believes that the dinner is almost done and that it isn't quite his time to put on the tea but he can't help but make sure that he isn't the reason Xue Yang might be neglecting something else.

Because Xingchen is a precious and pure man.

Xue Yang beams as Xingchen holds his hand, and he happily threads their fingers together. "No, A-Chen. I don't need to stand over the stove right now. We can just sit here for a few minutes."

But also because of the reason behind the celebration. Family. Even if Xingchen doesn't remember the previous times, Xue Yang has enough memories for both of them.

He nods and settles, relaxing a little to let the fire warm him. "You deserve to take a little break since you've been working so hard." If there is no more reason for him to push himself then he might as well sit and enjoy a little bit of the day. Although he doesn't sense any displeasure about having to do all of this cooking.

"Relax now so that you can be rested for when the rest of the guests arrive." And start the bustle of activity anew.

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Celebratory Dinner

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Prep!

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