singlelogbridge | Inbox: Ximilia

[Given what he knows of Itachi's past, it doesn't come as much of a surprise, but his heart still sinks with the delivery of it. Wei Wuxian is no stranger to torture. There is no other word to describe what he did to Wen Chao, and even now he doesn't regret a single minute of it. Still, he remembers how young Itachi had been in that memory and wonders if this too was something he took part in as a kid. He shakes his head and takes a sip of his tea, not speaking until he's put it down again.]

I didn't notice. [He was too busy breaking down on the steps of the school to do something like check a clock but he would literally die before admitting that to Itachi.

It occurs to him to wonder just how upset Itachi must have been to resort to a skill like that in the first place. There should be wariness in him now and he knows it. Now that he knows a little more of what the man is capable of and just how violent his past is. There should be, but there isn't. Not of Itachi.]

Honestly, at first I wasn't even sure if it was something you did or if it was that terrible school. The resentful energy there is so thick at night and the things haunting it are so powerful. You were the safer option.

（ you were the safer option, wei wuxian says, as if it isn't the most absurd thing itachi has ever heard from him. the man had proven himself handily able against whatever it was that lurked in the school, it surely was not less dangerous than tsukuyomi.

which means it is less a matter of danger and safety and more one of trust.

sometimes, he thinks he could hold wei wuxian's beating heart in his hand and he would still look at him with that steady, unshakeable belief — but even sasuke learned to look at him in fear before that night.

he closes his eyes, and reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose. ）

That is a matter of opinion, I think.

[Eyes raised to Itachi's, he's quiet for a moment before he nods.]

A matter of discernment is more accurate. You might be more powerful than all of the resentful energy in that school in most of the ways that count, but you aren't the biggest threat. Not to me.

[He glances at his leg, newly healed, and he closes his eyes for a moment on a swell of emotion. When he speaks again, his voice is quiet.]

Even street dogs are a bigger threat to me than you. [He brings his eyes back up.] You won't hurt me.

（ months ago, he may have been tempted to prove the man wrong. even now, something in the twitch of his fingers suggests very much he would like to wrap them around wei wuxian's throat and squeeze. he meets the man's gaze, perilously steady, but is the first to look away. it is not surrender so much as the sheathing of a weapon. ）

I would not wish to. Do not confuse that with won't.

[He considers the distinction for a moment and then acquiesces.]

That's fair. [He's hurt plenty of people he didn't want to after all.]

It still matters to me. I choose to trust in that, Itachi. [I choose to trust you.]

（ he — sighs, tiredly, and then shakes his head as he lifts his tea. it's mostly cooled now, but he isn't about to let it go to waste. ）

You are a very foolish man, Wei Ying.

[Finally, the hint of a smile to accompany the warmth inside of him.]

Maybe. [But not for this, he doesn't say, sensing that both of them can only take so much of this at once. He sips at his own tea and his smile brightens faintly as he lifts the cup to peer inside.]

You didn't answer. Did you bring this from the ship?

Station.

（ he's a pedant, it is Known. ）

Yes. Gyokuro.

（ he sends him a message as well, of the accompanying kanji — 玉露. ）

[Ignoring that with nothing but a soft snort.]

It's good. [A twitch of his lips.] And it's actually tea.

Not, [He starts, holding up one hand defensively before Itachi can give him A Look] that I expected any less from you.

[The herbal mixes are fine and all, but they aren't tea.]

Mm. It was the one thing I made time for, with my work. I visited a tea shop in every country on the continent.

（ with jūzō, and later with kisame. it was an indulgence he could never quite train himself out of, one of the only kindnesses he could stand to accept for himself. ）

[He smiles down into his tea and packs that fact away. This might be the closest he's ever come to Itachi talking about something he likes and he's not going to forget it.]

Then I'll request tea from Yunmeng so that you can try it. The teas in Yunmeng are smooth and not bitter at all. Do you like bitter teas? [He makes a face. Gusu's tea was the worst—or at least some of the tea they served in the Cloud Recesses, but they seemed to like their tea that way.]

Not especially. I do prefer some measure of sweetness.

（ look......... he has a sweet tooth. let him live. ）

Good! [And then] On E23-b you weren't interested in going out drinking, though from what I've heard, the alcohol there was barely consumable.

Do you ever drink liquor at all? [As he speaks, he aimlessly swirls the tea in his cup, a habit he normally subjects his stronger drinks to.] I know my wines much better than my teas, I'll admit.

You might imagine there are reasons it is not especially wise for my inhibitions to be lowered.

（ it's not a no. he has consumed liquor on occasion, and he can forcibly expel it with chakra readily enough if he has such a need. but there is little point when he finds next to no enjoyment in the act. ）

[He nods, having pretty much assumed as much.]

Would you be willing to try a cup of something when we're back on the station? It isn't strong. And if you don't like it, you don't have to drink it. It's smooth and a little sweet. You might enjoy it. [He doesn't intend to do anything at all for his birthday or even speak about it, but it would be nice, he thinks, to share a cup of Emperor's Smile with Itachi and Gwen.]

（ he gives him a rather annoyed look. ）

You don't have to speak as if you are selling me something. If you're asking me to join you, my answer is yes.

[He lets out a nervous laugh and his expression settles into a pleased smile, ignoring that annoyance.]

Good. When we're back on the "station" I'd like to share a drink with you and Gwen. [He snorts and shakes his head.] I'll be glad to see the back of this place. Whatever's here...

[He trails off and frowns, and then continues.] I'm good with ghosts. This is something more. A ghost with the orb or...someone alive using the orb to mess with them. I don't know.

Very well.

（ if it's important enough to him to ask in this way, itachi will not turn him aside. but there's little point in discussing it further, so he carries on after a moment — ）

Being dead or alive doesn't change human nature, in my experience. One who is selfish and cruel in life will persist in death, as much as one can.

（ he cants his head. then — ）

I've never asked. Do your people follow Buddhism or Shintoism at all? You may call it differently.

（ he sends the appropriate kanji over — 佛 and 神道. ）

[He recognizes the first one immediately, but the second takes longer to place before he nods.]

Buddhism is a common practice, though some follow more closely than others. [He pauses again, this time clearly hesitating before he continues.] Zewu-jun and Lan Zhan's Lan clan was founded by a Buddhist monk. It's why they have so many rules. Over three thousand of them. [A month ago, he would complained loudly about that or at least made a joke about it, but the mention of the Lan brothers seems not to sit as lightly as it once did.]

These are both commonly practiced where you're from too?

Yes.

（ he thumbs at the lip of his clay mug, and then looks away. he recalls nothing of jōdo, but that does not mean much, given his death. ）

Some of our religions follow the 'gods' I spoke to you of, but while their followers are devout, they are fewer.

[He hums noncommittally and then turns his attention back to Itachi.]

What makes you ask?

Curiosity.

（ he shakes his head after a moment. ）

It's of no matter. Drink your tea.

[Snickering to himself, Wei Wuxian makes a show of raising his cup and taking a long drink. He gets it, Itachi has met his socializing quota for the day. With a long drag, he finishes his tea in one gulp (like a heathen) and then sets the cup back down.]

I'll be going. Thank you for the tea, Itachi. [As he rises and passes Itachi, he sets a hand on Itachi's shoulder, just for a moment, and then removes it again. It's probably pushing it given everything between them, but there's only so much he can do to resist his own nature.]

I'll see you around.

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