[if he weren't so endeared by jin ling's insistence, he might be flustered too; people have always thought lan xichen didn't do normal, human things when he's really quite capable of them. which isn't meant in a bad way, not at all, sizhui just doesn't understand how people can revere someone so much, they'll believe they can do no wrong.

let's nevermind how he and lan jingyi were both hanguang-jun's biggest hypemen for a while— they have both grown past their idolization phase, thank goodness.

unwavering determination alongside his boyfriend's huffing only makes him smile, his fingers squeezing momentarily in a gesture of reassurance then loosening again. but when jin ling's hand turns, their palms touch and he interlocks their fingers, that's what makes sizhui's eyes widen, his mouth falling open in the softest, surprised ‘ah!’ he grips those digits with his own, firm yet gentle, beaming outright at their entwined hands. even just hand-holding feels so wonderful, it makes him contemplate what else might feel this nice now that they're allowed.

he softens afterward, dreamy-eyed, cheeks blooming with color while he strokes his thumb over jin ling's hand. though it hesitates as he sits up, sizhui's eyebrows consideringly arch then his head tilts.] Is omitting some details truly lying? [what people don't know won't hurt them, after all.] Because, nearer the end, I don't think it was about us setting them up.

Did you ever think we might have gotten played at our own game?