~
the 8th of February, 2026
- Master... You're back... - Stella said weakly, totally forgetting all about the outrage she had been keeping in store for Lan Xichen on the question of cheap take-away food. – Where's the...
Lan Wangji's pout intensified.
Well, it seemed that he wasn't the only one who was expecting his Ge to have the magical solution to everything. His eyes wandered, as he was avoiding meeting A-Huan's gaze, and he now chose to sulk, and rather watch Wei Wuxian try to swiftly swallow, and cough a little, choking on his breakfast in the hurry.
- Don't you worry, my star! – Lan Xichen chirped, throwing his jacket nonchalantly onto a free chair, and relaxing into another. – I've got the----
Well.
Most people in the world would have expected his next words to be: "...the police working on it", but the people in this room did not count.
- ...the mob working on it! It will all be over soon!
Brent afforded a blink. The lack of good coffee on a day as crucial as today, was a possible excuse, but he rather had to admire the sharp – sharp!!! – change of mood in his employer's demeanor.
Was this really how sociopaths worked?!
Truly grateful, he heard the blessed words:
- Coffee! Please, my star! Fresh coffee!!! I need to wake up more!
The young man just had to wonder now: was Mister Lan just ready to devour everything and anything when it came to food and drinks?!? Indiscriminately? The coffee at the diner, an hour ago, had been insufferable, but he himself seemed to be the only one affected!
Silently, he joined the table, missing his strict routine of a morning coffee, and today's newspaper. He hadn't decided on a fixed location for his retirement yet, but now he quietly swore to himself to choose a place where there was a newsagent's nearby, and a great coffee shop too. Today he learned that those two things were essential.
Miss Stella was making more tea for Master Wangji – she knew him well, and also – quickly brewed fresh coffee for the newcomers, and the homely sight, and the lack of comments, thankfully, made him more relaxed, and more sure. His life was tense right now, due to his job, but it was also falling into place, almost miraculously, and it was, strangely enough!, due to his stay at this weird household. He now was sure what make of car he would buy, this was his task number one on his checklist. He also had a good idea about the new house he was going to buy, first thing on the first morning of the rest of his life, when his engagement here was over and done.
Coffee was served, more tea too, and somehow no one protested about the word "mob". Wei Ying was sheepishly chewing slowlier now, not daring to interfere, and curious about the upcoming exchange between the brothers, and the new news. He, though, was pleasantly surprised, when, just seconds after Lan Xichen joined them at the table, Lan Zhan moved his chair a little closer to his own, and slid his warm palm over his thigh. He just had to shudder. That familiar hand was different now: one of the fine fingers wore the beautiful ring that meant so much.
He blushed.
His lover's eyes were on him all the time now, and he felt too self-conscious! Why wasn't the silly Wangji talking to his Ge? He usually would!!!
