( that prods him into laughing, and he does swipe at the tears that manage to overflow at that. )

Maaah, Lan Zhan, since when do you call me pretty? It's handsome, handsome! I was third most handsome of our generation, once.

( it's words to fill in spaces, no actual heat or caring behind it but for the performance of it, and to distract, detract, from the warmth of these tears. )