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"You disgust me," Mo XuanYu declared as he stalked inside the apartment without so much as a courtesy knock.Wei WuXian blinked. "Hello to you too?""You disgust me," Mo XuanYu repeated as he threw himself down onto Wei WuXian's bed like the drama queen he was. "Your gay-card has officially been revoked."Wei WuXian eyed him. "...You know I'm bi, right?""Yes," Mo XuanYu drawled, "I know."He frowned. "If I didn't know you, I'd call this is bi-erasure.""No, Jiang Cheng refusing to come out of the closet is bi-erasure," Mo XuanYu waved a hand at him. "You're just...you."Wei WuXian jolted back. "What?"Mo XuanYu just gave him a look. "You heard me.""...Yes?" he agreed tentatively. "But what did you say about my brother?""That he's bi and refusing to come out about it?" Mo XuanYu arched an eyebrow. "Everyone and their mother knows that."Wei WuXian had, in fact, not known that."But my point remains," Mo XuanYu pointed at him. "You are disgusting and it's a wonder your man hasn't given you up by now."Wei WuXian stared. "What?! Who??""You know, the man who is hopelessly in love with you," Mo XuanYu said carelessly, like he wasn't breaking Wei WuXian's brain. "And that you, coincidentally, are hopelessly in love with too. Pining from a distance is only cute for so long, and you two passed that mark about, oh, a thousand years ago?""...I think I want out of this conversation.""As do I," Mo XuanYu drawled. "And yet, here I am, taking one for the team since you refuse to."Wei WuXian choked on air."It really is very simple, Wei Ying." Mo XuanYu got up and reached into his man-bag to pull out some condoms and a few packets of lube. Before Wei WuXian could stop him, Mo XuanYu had dumped the items into his lap. "Just take these to him and casually let it drop into the conversation that you'd like to have lots of sex and babies with him."Wei WuXian's head felt like it was about to explode. "...What are you talking about?!"Mo XuanYu sighed like Wei WuXian had done something to greatly offend him. "See, this is what I'm talking about." He put a hand on his hip. "Gay-card. Revoked.""And that really is ok because I renewed my subscription to Club Bi-Bi-Bi last month," Wei WuXian countered as he dumped the offending items onto the coffee table and then pushed it away with his toes for good measure.Mo XuanYu let out a sound of disgust. "Disgusting," he added unnecessarily.Wei WuXian pouted at him. "I don't remember asking you to come and attack me in my own home.""I'm just nice like that," Mo XuanYu said, sounding the opposite of nice. "Now, for the love of Celine Dion, would you get down on your knees and tell him you want his dick? At least that way you'll both have to acknowledge the situation."Wei WuXian spluttered. He wondered belatedly if it was too late to put his hands over his ears and sing off-key really loudly until Mo XuanYu got tired of him and left."Seriously, if you don't do something soon I'm going to have to take him out back and blow him. He certainly deserves it after everything you've put him through." Mo XuanYu scowled at him.Wei WuXian wasn't sure when he'd last been this confused in his life. Nothing immediately came to mind, just like nothing came to mind regarding this mystery man whose existence Mo XuanYu seemed so adamant about.He was also still confused about Jiang Cheng's sexuality, but he was trying really hard not to think about that. At least not until he'd gotten a chance to sit down with his brother."If you want to blow him so much, then why don't you do it?!" he said, perhaps a little more aggressively than what was strictly necessary."Watch it, or I will," Mo XuanYu threatened.Wei WuXian suddenly felt scared for this mystery man. He wasn't sure why. It wasn't like Mo XuanYu was threatening his life....At least, Wei WuXian didn't think so."Just watching you two is giving me blue-balls," Mo XuanYu complained, hands twitching like he wanted to wring someone's neck.Wei WuXian leaned a little further back, in case Mo XuanYu got any ideas. He also decided it was safe enough to give Mo XuanYu a look of utter disbelief because, what? "Excuse me, I know for a fact that you had sex yesterday.""I know," Mo XuanYu snapped. "And then I saw you afterwards." He let out another sound of disgust. "Rookie mistake.""...How is this my fault!?" Wei WuXian cried."Because I say it is!"Wei WuXian could tell Mo XuanYu was getting close to snapping. That meant it was time for some intervening of his own. "...I think you maybe need to call up your," he pointed at his own phone in what he hoped was an understandable manner.Mo XuanYu just stared at him. He slowly pulled his phone out and started stabbing at the screen. "I'm going to have so much angry sex," he stated.Wei WuXian nodded. "Ok."Mo XuanYu narrowed his eyes. "And I'm not going to be thinking about you and your stupid crush while doing it."He kept nodding. "Good for you."Mo XuanYu kept staring at him.Wei WuXian gestured towards the door. "You're free to go and have that angry sex right now, if you want.""I don't need your permission," Mo XuanYu snapped."That's right, you don't," Wei WuXian agreed."And I'll be having a lot of it."Wei WuXian gave him a thumbs-up. "Go for it.""A lot of it!" Mo XuanYu called back and slammed the door after himself.Wei WuXian stared at him for a long time before shaking his head. He had the strangest friends, seriously.-;-"Hey, A-jie?""Hm?"The conversation with Mo XuanYu still weighed heavily on his mind. That was unusual, unless Mo XuanYu was drunk enough to talk about his family. That always left Wei WuXian with the urge to punch someone for at least a couple of days. But this one...Wei WuXian had no idea what Mo XuanYu had been talking about and it bugged him. So he'd gone to the one person he thought would both know what Mo XuanYu had meant and would be willing to help him rather than laugh at him."Can you think of a reason A-Yu would accost me and demand I make a move on a guy before he snaps him out from under me?"There was a clatter as Jiang YanLi dropped the plate she'd been washing back into the sink.Wei WuXian shot out of his seat. "A-jie?!"Jiang YanLi didn't appear overly concerned with the plate she'd dropped. She just calmly turned off the faucet and slowly started to dry her hands on the dishtowel. It was still in her hands when she turned around. She blinked at him rather sedately, all thing considered. "I see," she said finally. "So he was serious, then."Wei WuXian boggled at her. "You knew?""That he wanted to air certain grievances? Yes." Jiang YanLi reached up and started to rub at her left temple. "I just didn't think he'd go through with it, or do it this quickly."Wei WuXian frowned. "Then you know what he was on about?"She sighed softly. "A-Xian.""Aw, come on, jiejie." He pouted. "You aren't Lan Zhan. Surely you can allow yourself to gossip a little?"She shook her head softly."A-jie.""I'm sorry," Jiang YanLi said. "But it's really not my place."Wei WuXian sagged onto her island-counter, arms stretched out in front of him. He felt mildly better when Jiang YanLi started petting his head, but only a little."Can I still talk about it with you?" he asked. "Even if you won't...give me any hints?""Of course, A-Xian." She smiled at him. "You can talk to me about anything.""Thanks, jiejie." He sighed. "I'm just so confused right now."Jiang YanLi kept running his fingers through his hair. She was going to make a great mom one day, he just knew it. He would never get along with her chosen partner – fiancé, now, and likely the father of her future children – but he guessed he could learn to live with the peacock. If the peacock could learn to live with him."Mo XuanYu believes that you have chemistry with someone and is sad that you can't see it," Jiang YanLi surprised him by saying.Wei WuXian wasn't sure 'sad' was the right word for it, but otherwise it sounded about right. He frowned and looked up at her. "But you don't think so?"Jiang YanLi gave him a look, like she knew what he was aiming for. "That's not for me to say.""A-jie.""I think you should make up your own mind," she said gently. "I don't want to influence your beliefs.""You wouldn't be influencing them, I promise!" Wei WuXian straightened and grabbed one or her hands with both of his. "Just a little hint, jiejie," he begged. "That's all I need!""I'm sorry, A-Xian," she said. She looked apologetic too. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."Wei WuXian deflated. She really wasn't going to help him out, huh? Damn....But he had an eerie feeling he'd heard that particular phrase somewhere before. But where?-;-Monthly dinners at whoever felt like hosting – or could be bribed/blackmailed into doing their turn – had become a staple once everyone had outgrown their college dorms (not to mention gotten their degrees) and fully settled into what Wei WuXian supposed was adulthood. Adulthood for Wei WuXian was a little apartment in the same complex as Jiang Cheng and Mo XuanYu, and only a short walk away from Jiang YanLi and Jin ZiXuan's. He paid all his own bills, mostly on time too, and was only rarely late for his work-shifts.When he arrived, it wasn't Lan XiChen or Lan WangJi – who actually lived there – that answered the door, however. It was Mo XuanYu."Ugh," Mo XuanYu said when who it was.Wei WuXian eyed him. "...Is that going to be your standard greeting for me?" he said as he slipped inside."Have you offered to let your man fuck you six ways till Sunday?" Mo XuanYu asked, voice suspiciously sweet.Wei WuXian boggled at him as he took off his shoes. "...No?""Then yes," was the immediate and flat reply. Mo XuanYu closed the door little harder than what Wei WuXian thought was necessary.Wei WuXian allowed himself to contemplate the pros and cons of tearing out his hair again. Who knew, maybe it stimulated brain functions? "But I don't know who you're talking about!""Oh please." Mo XuanYu rolled his eyes. "Not even you could be that blind."Wei WuXian gestured helplessly at him."...Wait." Mo XuanYu actually got a little pale. "You're serious.""Uh...yeah? That's what I've been trying to tell you?"Mo XuanYu slowly ran a hand down his face. "I owe A-Sang money," he spat. "How dare you."Wei WuXian tried not to think too much about Mo XuanYu and Nie HuaiSang's relationship. He knew he'd never understand it, so why bother? Considering the cesspit of a family Mo XuanYu had clawed and bitten himself out of, Wei WuXian was just glad Mo XuanYu allowed himself to be vulnerable enough to have friends at all."...I thought you swore to never -""Well, I didn't think the two of you would be this stupid!" He took a deep breath, which was clearly meant to be calming. It didn't look like it worked much. "But don't worry, I'm never making that mistake again.""...Good for you?"Mo XuanYu gave him a sharp look before brushing himself off. "Fine. I guess I'll just have to switch to a more hands-on approach," he stated before walking off....If Mo XuanYu had been considering this his hands-off approach, then Wei WuXian didn't want to see what he considered to be 'hands-on.'Still, now that he'd been seen, he couldn't very well leave again. Mo XuanYu would forever hold that over his head. He steeled himself for some...interesting commentary...and followed the other man into the main room.Nie HuaiSang started scowling the moment he saw Wei WuXian. That was just great. What could he possibly have done to anger Nie HuaiSang now? He'd been there for all of two minutes!"You're on thin ice," Nie HuaiSang warned him.Wei WuXian threw his hands up. "...Why?!"Nie HuaiSang just sniffed and pulled out his fan. He leaned back, no doubt to start fanning himself dramatically (as he was wont to do), but winced and reached around to start massaging his lower back instead.Next to him, Mo XuanYu just kept studying his nails.Wei WuXian did the smart thing and went to find someone else to sit with."Our friends are weird, right, Lan Zhan?" he said as he sat down a respectable distance from Lan WangJi. He knew how much the Lans liked their personal space.Lan WangJi turned to him. "Mm," was all he said, but Wei WuXian didn't need to hear more to recognise it for the denial that it was.Wei WuXian snickered. "You're too nice, Lan Zhan." He leaned back and crossed his ankles.He looked back in time to see Nie HuaiSang snap something at Mo XuanYu, who shrugged faintly and probably said something in return – but his head was turned away from Wei WuXian so he couldn't be sure. Nie HuaiSang sniffed again and looked pointedly away from Mo XuanYu, fan out and moving.Wei WuXian averted his eyes the moment Mo XuanYu started massaging Nie HuaiSang's lower back.He found Jiang Cheng discussing something with Lan XiChen on the other end of the room. There was a slight frown tugging at Jiang Cheng's mouth. It wasn't his usual frown either. Wei WuXian wondered what they were discussing that had Jiang Cheng looking so serious. He waved when Jiang Cheng noticed his stare. Jiang Cheng, curiously enough, gave a distracted nod before turning back to Lan XiChen.Jiang YanLi was talking about something with her fiancé – likely something to do with the wedding. The only time Wei WuXian saw Jin ZiXuan without a scowl was when he was with Jiang YanLi. Jiang YanLi smiled sweetly once she noticed Wei WuXian. Wei WuXian made sure to return the smile ten-fold, even though no one could really beat his jiejie in that department.Or, well, maybe Lan WangJi could – if he ever found anyone worthy enough to grace with a smile."Say Lan Zhan." He nodded over to the others. "Do they ever nag you about your love life?"Lan WangJi was silent for a long moment. "Mm."Wei WuXian frowned. "Really?""Mn."Wei WuXian crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, that's just rude." He blanched. "I mean, don't get me wrong! I'm glad they're giving you privacy! I just wish they'd extend that to me too, you know?"Lan WangJi was frowning softly. "Mn."Wei WuXian practically collapsed in relief. "You're the best, Lan Zhan."Jin GuangYao finally chose that moment to grace them all with his presence, Nie MingJue following closely behind him.Wei WuXian always had to hold back a laugh whenever he saw them together. Jin GuangYao wasn't short by conventional standards, but he was on the shorter end in their group. Next to Nie MingJue however, who was the tallest, Jin GuangYao looked practically miniscule."I'm here," Jin GuangYao said completely unnecessarily.Nie HuaiSang inched a little away from Mo XuanYu now that his brother had arrived. Wei WuXian did his friend a favour and pretended he hadn't seen the briefest flashes of vulnerability in Mo XuanYu's eyes.Grasping for something to keep him busy – and so Mo XuanYu would be less inclined to follow through on his threat now that Nie HuaiSang was otherwise preoccupied – he started rifling through his pockets. He perked up with he found a couple of lollypops he hadn't even realised were there. Wei WuXian grabbed one, unwrapped it and stuck in his mouth. He hummed happily as he started rolling it around with his tongue.He did this for a while until he realised Lan WangJi was looking at him."Hm?" Wei WuXian removed the lollypop so he could speak easier. "Something wrong, Lan Zhan?"Lan WangJi shook his head slowly.Wei WuXian blinked when he realised how rude he was being. "I'm sorry. Did you want one?" He held up the lollypop. "I have another."Lan WangJi shook his head again."If you're sure." Wei WuXian twirled it between his fingers. "You're probably right, though, Lan Zhan. I shouldn't do anything to ruin my appetite." He grinned."Mn," was all Lan WangJi said."Well, let me know if you change your mind after dinner, Lan Zhan," he said before plopping the lollypop back into his mouth. After all, now that he'd unwrapped it he might as well savour it. And if Lan XiChen was still chatting with Jiang Cheng, then dinner wasn't going to be ready just yet. He had time.-;-Wei WuXian found himself wondering if he was going to be constantly nervous whenever he was in the same room as Mo XuanYu now. From Mo XuanYu comments it sounded like he believed a mutual friend or acquaintance and Wei WuXian were, what, pining hopelessly for each other? He couldn't see it. But it made him on edge to think that any day now, Mo XuanYu might suddenly trip Wei WuXian into one of their male friends and expect them to just start making out.Honestly. Wei WuXian was a decent enough actor, if he said so himself, but even improv scenarios had cues! Mo XuanYu couldn't just expect him to act without giving him anything to go on!But then maybe Wei WuXian had gone about it all wrong. Maybe he'd been asking the wrong people."A-Ning?"Wen Ning turned to him, blinking in surprise.Wei WuXian didn't see Wen Ning nearly as often as he liked. Wen Ning was often busy with his rounds as he worked his way up to become a paediatrician. Wei WuXian didn't quite understand it, how working in this or that department as an underling/errand/whipping boy-or-girl was supposed to help medical students when they finally earned the white coat (that both Wen Ning and Wen Qing rhapsodised – or cursed, in Wen Qing's instance – so much about), but then he wasn't a medical student.No matter how the medical world actually worked, Wen Ning was often literally dead on his feet whenever he had time to see Wei WuXian. Even the bags under his eyes had bags! But ultimately Wei WuXian had never seen Wen Ning as happy either, and he'd seen Wen Ning around the crush he refused to speak of.Wei WuXian made sure to look as innocent as possible when he asked, "Do you think I like someone?""I c-c-couldn't say." Wen Ning got awfully red and started stuttering very hard for someone who claimed not to know.No, wait, Wen Ning hadn't said that, had he? He'd just said it wasn't for him to say. Meaning that he did have an opinion, he just didn't want to share it!"Aw, come on, A-Ning!" Wei WuXian pouted at him. "No one wants to tell me anything!""There's p-probably a reason f-for that, Wei WuXian," Wen Ning said softly.Wei WuXian groaned. "I know what the reason is! They want me to make up my own mind or whatever! But what harm could it do for them to just give me a tiny hint?"Wen Ning just bit his lip and said nothing."I bet Lan Zhan would tell me," Wei WuXian muttered and buried his head in his arms, "if he had any idea. Which he doesn't, because he's worse than me."Wen Ning was silent."I'm serious," he said, in case Wen Ning's silence meant that he didn't agree. He looked up and gestured at his friend. "I've seen people ask him out in front of me and Lan WangJi completely fail to realise it.""In front of you?" Wen Ning echoed.Wei WuXian nodded eagerly.Honestly, he was a bit glad about it. It wasn't that he didn't want Lan WangJi to be happy! It was just that the people he had seen being drawn to Lan WangJi didn't seem like the right fit for him. They were all either too loud or too quiet, too assertive or too shy, too short and – in one hilarious instance – too tall.No, there was someone out there for Lan WangJi, and Wei WuXian...didn't know how that made him feel."Then he probably didn't want to interrupt your time together," Wen Ning said before clapping a hand over his mouth. He looked horrified.Wei WuXian blinked. Had Wen Ning just implied that Lan WangJi did realise when people flirted with him and just pretended to be oblivious?!"Oh no," Wen Ning said, the worlds just barely legible.Wen Ning had! Wei WuXian felt his entire world-view shatter and desperately try to reform."I can't believe it."Had he been reading Lan WangJi wrong this whole time? If he'd misread Lan WangJi's dismissal as obliviousness, then what else had he misread? What if Lan WangJi's 'mn' was actually no and his 'mm' was actually yes?! That would put all of their conversations on the head!No, that was silly. There was no way he'd been misreading Lan WangJi that thoroughly and for so long. Lan WangJi would have corrected him by now in any case, or cut him out of his life all-together. But even if Wei WuXian stopped blowing things out of proportion, he'd clearly missed something when Wen Ning – who was going to reach cryptid status if Wei WuXian wasn't able to show him off to his colleagues soon – could read one of Lan WangJi's cues better than Wei WuXian.And if he'd missed that...then what else had he missed?!-;-"Hey, brother."Jiang Cheng must have heard something in his voice because he frowned instead of snapping at Wei WuXian like he usually would. "What?"Wei WuXian knew there was a chance he wouldn't make it out of this conversation alive, but he remembered how supportive Jiang Cheng and Jiang YanLi had been when he'd come out to them. He didn't owe Jiang Cheng anything, but he wanted to be there for his brother all the same.He also wanted to see if Mo XuanYu had been right, but that was a minor thing."You know you can..." he mulled over the wording in his head, "talk to me, right?"Jiang Cheng's frown deepened. "What the fuck? Of course I know.""No, I mean like..." he moved his hands as he tried to find the right words, "about serious stuff too."Jiang Cheng gave him a blank stare. "...Stop beating around the bush. You fucking suck at it."Wei WuXian stuck his tongue out at him.Jiang Cheng flipped him off in return.He rubbed at the back of his neck and decided, if Jiang Cheng really couldn't read between the lines, then it was time to go for the kill. "I just mean...if you felt like you needed support, maybe?" he hinted. "You have it."Jiang Cheng stared at him for a long moment. "Are you fucking kidding me?"Wei WuXian blinked."You're going to nag me about him too?!" he barked, eyes flashing."What, no!" Wei WuXian held out his hands. "It's just, A-Yu said you were -"Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes dangerously."...bisexual?" He grinned weakly.Jiang Cheng stared at him.Wei WuXian stared back."...That's it?""...Yes?""..." Jiang Cheng buried his head in his hands. "Yes," he said, voice muffled, "I am. Are we done now?""...Do you want to be done?" Wei WuXian asked."Do you want to live?" Jiang Cheng countered."Yep, good talk, I'll see you later, A-Cheng!" Wei WuXian rushed out of there before Jiang Cheng could change his mind.-;-"Teach me your ways!"Lan XiChen blinked at him, smiling bemusedly. "I'm sorry?""Your calm and collected ace ways!" Wei WuXian did a bow for good measure. "Please teach this humble servant!"Lan XiChen was silent.Wei WuXian stayed in the bow for another minute or so before peeking up through his bangs.Lan XiChen's expression seemed to have taken a decidedly sympathetic tinge. "...You know I can't actually teach you that, right?" he said, sounding apologetic.Wei WuXian let out a long breath and threw himself onto the bench next to Lan XiChen. "Yeah, I know. Figured it was worth a shot, though."Lan XiChen frowned, turning to him slightly. "Is something wrong?""No," he pouted.Lan XiChen just kept looking at him.Wei WuXian found himself thinking how strange it was that people mistook Lan WangJi and Lan XiChen for each other. Sure, their looks clearly marked them as relatives, but they didn't look identical! Lan WangJi's eyes were a colour that almost didn't look real. Lan XiChen's eyes were much darker, even though people described them as warmer. Wei WuXian didn't think they were wrong, per se, but Lan XiChen's warmth and soft smiles were commonplace compared to the occasional softness that Lan WangJi deigned to display.They might both be beautiful, but Wei WuXian had always had a soft spot for the younger of the two brothers."I know we aren't the closest of friends, you and I," Lan XiChen began when Wei WuXian failed to speak, "but you can talk to me if something's bothering you."Wei WuXian blew out another breath. "Thanks, but I think this is something I have to figure out on my own." He picked at his thumb. "Or possibly bribe Nie HuaiSang for the answer."Lan XiChen's mouth twitched. "I wouldn't advice on the latter."Wei WuXian blinked. "No?""He's a little...well." Lan XiChen hesitated. "Mad at you, I think."He blinked again. "...Still?!"Lan XiChen laughed. "Still, yes.""But why!"Lan XiChen's mouth twitched, but this time it looked like the beginning of a sad expression. "I don't think it's all you," he said, smiling apologetically."Well no, of course not. Some of it is his own fault."Lan XiChen looked surprised.Wei WuXian frowned. "What?"Lan XiChen cleared his throat. "...I didn't realise you -""What, knew about him and A-Yu?" Wei WuXian scoffed. "I'd have to be deaf, blind and probably also dead.""...You may have a point there," Lan XiChen said reluctantly.Wei WuXian didn't want to ask, but he also did. Lan XiChen was close friends with Nie MingJue (and Jin GuangYao, though Wei WuXian couldn't fathom why). He was also friends with Nie HuaiSang in the way you were with someone that once had a crush on you and had later come to their senses. He'd know details Wei WuXian could only speculate at, unless he tracked Nie HuaiSang down and forced him to spill the beans. It was tempting. It wouldn't take that much. He'd just need to threaten his fan collection a little. But that would only make matters worse. And Wei WuXian – for all that Mo XuanYu wasn't doing the same – owed Mo XuanYu not to meddle."But if I can't ask Nie HuaiSang...I don't want to owe Jin GuangYao a favour," he whined."Then don't ask him for help," Lan XiChen said like it was that simple."But no one else will give me a straight answer!" He paused. "You know what I mean."Lan XiChen laughed. "Yes, I do.""Fine." Wei WuXian stood up. "I guess I'll have to do some investigating on my own.""Good luck!" Lan XiChen called after him.Wei WuXian had the feeling that he was going to need all the luck he could get.-;-The fact that Mo XuanYu had been right about Jiang Cheng's sexuality made Wei WuXian feel even more on edge. He'd later asked Jiang Cheng about the coming out part – over text because he valued his life and his limbs – and apparently Jiang Cheng just didn't care about announcing it to 'everyone, their mother and their dog' (a direct, if censored quote). Wei WuXian couldn't help but wonder about Mo XuanYu's other statement, though. About the man Wei WuXian was supposedly in love with – and that loved him in return.It wasn't that Wei WuXian didn't think he could fall in love with a man. Most of his crushes – usually there and gone in a flesh – had been male. It really wasn't out of the realm of possibility he'd go ahead and fall in love, get together, move in with and even get married to a man. He considered himself bisexual for a reason.But so far he'd asked most of his closest friends and family and they all seemed to think Mo XuanYu was right, even if they wouldn't give him any hints. And there was no way they were all so wrong about him. At least, Wei WuXian didn't like the thought of them misreading him that badly. But that meant he'd gone and fallen for someone and hadn't realised it. And Wei WuXian wasn't sure he liked that thought either.There was one person he hadn't asked, however, because he'd been dreading it. There was something about being vulnerable around Lan WangJi that made him both unable to breathe properly and feel like he had enough energy to fly to the moon."Lan Zhan, have you ever liked someone?" he finally felt brave enough to ask.Lan WangJi paused for a moment.Wei WuXian tried to make sure they met weekly. Once he'd finally managed to make up for the rocky start of their friendship – young Wei WuXian hadn't always been the nicest kid on the block, even if he'd never actually meant to hurt anyone – he hadn't wanted to risk it falling on the wayside. And luckily Lan WangJi hadn't seemed to mind. He seemed content – if not happy – to meet Wei WuXian every time he called.Wei WuXian liked their little private get-togethers. He could have seen Lan WangJi once a month, but it didn't seem right. And it wasn't the same when it was everyone – or almost everyone – in one big room together. He couldn't monopolise Lan WangJi's time then, no matter how much he wanted to."Mn," Lan WangJi answered finally.Wei WuXian sat up straight, heart jumping in his chest. "You have?!"Lan WangJi's nod was barely discernible, but it was still noticeably a nod."Who?" Wei WuXian couldn't stop himself from asking.Lan WangJi's head-shake, however, said more than a thousand words.Wei WuXian deflated.His heart was doing weird summersaults in his chest, and he couldn't say it felt entirely comfortable. He wasn't sure what to call the feeling either; he could only say that he felt...something. Wei WuXian rubbed faintly at his chest and hoped it would go away.Wei WuXian considered what Wen Ning had told him. If Lan WangJi really had been rejecting other people – whether in front of Wei WuXian or not – then it would make sense if he did it because he liked someone. Maybe he was gathering his courage to confess, Wei WuXian found himself thinking oddly dejectedly. He didn't know where that feeling was coming from, though. If Lan WangJi liked someone and desired to be in a relationship with them, then wasn't he allowed to risk his heart by asking? Wei WuXian's selfish desire to keep Lan WangJi for himself had no place in that.Besides, it wasn't like Wei WuXian liked Lan WangJi like that.He stilled."Wei Ying." Lan WangJi was frowning. "Something wrong?"No, nothing at all. Wei WuXian's brain was just trying tear itself apart, that was all."It's just – the others keep telling me something, but I don't see it." He could hear himself speak, but it sounded faint – like it was coming from somewhere far away.Wei WuXian hadn't meant to think that about Lan WangJi. Or rather, he had! Because he didn't like Lan WangJi like that. He couldn't! He would have known, surely, if he –If what he felt for Lan WangJi was something more. Something other than friendship.Lan WangJi frowned. "Then tell them so.""I have tried!" He rubbed a hand over his mouth. His mind was screaming at him. This really was no place for epiphanies, regardless of whether the object of said epiphany was sitting in front of him.Lan WangJi was always looking for a way to solve the problem, even if Wei WuXian was the one that needed help. He'd been that way since they were kids; long before Wei WuXian had redeemed himself. Lan WangJi was too good for him, really. It was a wonder Lan WangJi didn't see that. "What is it?"Wei WuXian opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't form those words. He hesitated. "No, it's ok, Lan Zhan," he said softly. "I don't want to burden you.""Wei Ying is not a burden."He couldn't have kept himself from smiling even if he tried, even if the smile probably came off as sad. "You're very sweet, Lan Zhan."Lan WangJi was still frowning. Oh, Lan Zhan. Wei WuXian really didn't deserve him."But everyone keeps telling me I should figure it out myself," he said, fiddling with the silverware and wondering whether he could call for the check without coming off as rude. "So maybe I should."It really was too bad that he might have already figured it out and that the truth was so much worse than he could ever have imagined. After all, even if he did feel that way about Lan WangJi...there was no way those feelings were returned.-;-Wei WuXian had given away his first kiss at seventeen during a round of seven minutes in heaven. The players had been picked so that no one would know who was in the closet with them. That was why all Wei WuXian knew about the one that had gotten his first kiss was that they'd (most likely) been a boy.Wei WuXian still thought about that kiss sometimes. It had been clumsy, inexperienced and kind of sloppy. But it had also, ironically enough, felt heavenly to teenaged Wei WuXian. It hadn't lasted for seven minutes, though, because the other boy had run out before the time was up. When Wei WuXian realised he should follow the other out, he'd been long gone.It was probably utterly cheesy of him to still be thinking of his first kiss so romantically, but then Wei WuXian hadn't really had many kisses after that. Or any, in fact.It wasn't often he thought of high school – the less said about that nightmare the better – but when he did, it was always the good parts. Lying in the grass with Jiang YanLi talking about the future, running through the halls with Jiang Cheng as they tried to avoid a pissed off Lan QiRen, the one time he threw a water-balloon at Jiang Cheng and hit Jin ZiXuan in the face instead, protecting Wen Ning from bullies, trying to steal whatever book Lan WangJi was currently reading and always failing, being stuck under the bleachers with Lan WangJi during a freak rain-shower, slipping in the changing room in just a towel and somehow ending up in Lan WangJi's arms –Just...a lot of Lan WangJi.Wei WuXian swallowed. He allowed himself, for just a moment, to picture kissing him.What if it had been Lan Zhan in the closet with him that day? What would that have been like? Would Lan WangJi have been shy or would he have been assertive like that boy? Would he have only snuck a peck or would he have pressed Wei WuXian against the wall and kissed him until they were both panting for breath and had forgotten everything around them? Would he have allowed Wei WuXian to take his hand after? Would he have agreed to go on a date, the cheesy kind that only teenagers really did? Would he have humoured Wei WuXian if he'd sent him one of those 'do you like me, tick yes or no' notes? Would he have agreed to be boyfriends? Would they have spent hours lying on Wei WuXian's bed, just daydreaming about their future...together?...Oh. That was probably what could be considered a...result. Wei WuXian swallowed again. Guess he hadn't been wrong after all.-:-Of course, the first thing Wei WuXian did once he realised that was not to come clean about his feelings. Oh no. Wei WuXian didn't want to die of a broken heart before he was thirty, thanks ever so much.No, the first thing Wei WuXian did was call Wen Ning and beg for a chaperone. Then he went and got mind-numbingly drunk.Wen Ning didn't drink – firstly because he had several bad experiences with alcohol and secondly because his work-schedule didn't allow for it. But that was exactly why Wei WuXian had turned to him. He hadn't needed a drinking partner; he'd needed someone that would make sure he didn't end up in the bathroom with a random stranger or died choking on his own vomit.And Wen Ning delivered.Wei WuXian woke up in a place he recognised as Wen Ning's guestroom. Well, Wen Ning and Wen Qing's guestroom, considering they'd taken a page out of Lan WangJi and Lan XiChen's book and shared an apartment. Like the brothers, they worked in a similar field with similar work-hours.Once he finally managed to crawl out of bed, he spent an extraordinary long time in the bathroom before even daring to step into the common area. But not even taking care of his bladder and showering had changed anything. He shuffled out of the room, feeling like he'd died, been brought back to life and then died again only to be brought back a second time.There were smells coming from the kitchen. Wei WuXian ignored everything that smelled even vaguely of food and shuffled in the direction of the coffee-pot.He didn't quite make it. The breakfast table stopped him."For Heaven's sake," a familiar voice said. "Sit down before you fall down."Wei WuXian shuffled until he could sink into the nearest chair. He moaned when a cup of coffee magically appeared in front of him."You're fucking welcome," the voice drawled."You're a goddess and I worship at your feet," Wei WuXian replied and drank half of the coffee in one go. His throat was probably scalded now, but he couldn't feel it over the pounding in his head so it was fine."You need help," Wen Qing told him flatly."Mmmm," Wei WuXian agreed.The silence that followed alerted him to the fact that he'd actually managed to shock her for once. If he hadn't felt like death, he would probably have felt a little proud of that."So, what's up with you?" Wen Qing asked as she started to clear the dishes she'd used. "I have never seen you that way before."He looked up and frowned. "What way?"Wen Qing cocked a perfectly manicured eyebrow. "A big fucking mess?"He blinked. "I thought you considered me a perpetual mess."She snorted. "Not like this."That...probably said something about how he'd been when Wen Ning had finally pulled him away from the bar last night. Wei WuXian winced."I may have...come to a realisation? About myself? Recently?"Wen Qing stared at him for a long moment before sighing. "There's not enough alcohol in the world for this," she stated flatly."Not anymore," Wei WuXian finished off the coffee. "Pretty sure I drank at least half of it last night.""Now that I believe." Wen Qing proved her goddess status by pouring him another cup.Wei WuXian was on his third cup when Wen Ning finally showed himself. He looked visibly relieved when he spotted Wei WuXian already at the breakfast table. "You're awake."Wei WuXian frowned and turned to Wen Qing.She shrugged carelessly. "It looked touch and go there for a while."He frowned harder. "I know my limits.""I think you were testing them last night," she said pointedly and gave him a look that told Wei WuXian he was not allowed to do that again. Ever.Wei WuXian didn't even try to apologise. There was no point. His body was making sure he'd never even entertain the thought of drinking again. Threats from Wen Qing – while effective – wouldn't add much more to the situation."I'm going to get ready for my shift." She pointed at Wei WuXian. "No more shenanigans out of you.""I make no promises!" he called after her.Wen Ning quietly settled himself by the table and began to eat.Wei WuXian wasn't feeling hungry, even though he knew he should eat. Maybe in a little while. Wen Ning didn't seem to be in a hurry, after all. Hey, maybe his schedule would finally allow him to make it to that month's gathering. Wei WuXian couldn't think of what he'd like more!Or, well...he could, but Wei WuXian was trying to be realistic with his expectations.Wei WuXian watched him eat for a while before he felt brave – not to mention awake enough – to ask, "Wen Ning, who is your crush?"Wen Ning was silent. He fiddled with the spoon, stirring it round and round even though the sugar had to have dissolved into his tea by now. "Don't you know, Wei WuXian?"Wei WuXian opened his mouth, ready to say – something, but the words left him. It wasn't his place, he realised. Speculation was one thing, but what he knew he'd been told in confidence. He couldn't simply out someone because it could masquerade as beneficial. "Why haven't you told him?" he asked instead."Why haven't you?" Wen Ning countered.Wei WuXian blanched. "I can't remember much from last night, but did I really...?"Wen Ning nodded, sparing him from having to elaborate. Great. Now there was someone that knew that he knew. Well, at least it was Wen Ning. He wasn't liable to go blabbing to Mo XuanYu about it."I still think you should take a chance," he said. "I know my brother's default is what can only be called a resting murder-face, but you'll never know if you don't try."Wen Ning sighed. "I could say the same to you."Wei WuXian grimaced. "Please don't."There was a small smile at the corner of Wen Ning's mouth. Wei WuXian treasured it. Like Lan WangJi, Wen Ning didn't smile nearly often enough."Being that vulnerable around someone," Wen Ning said finally, "takes an awful lot of courage. I'm not sure I have it in me."Wei WuXian wanted to hug him. "You're a lot braver than you give yourself credit for."Wen Ning blinked at him."You forget, I knew you in high school, A-Ning," Wei WuXian told him. "You've come a long way."Wen Ning blushed. "Thank you, Wei WuXian."Wei WuXian reached over and ruffled Wen Ning's hair, just because he could. "Would it kill you to call me A-Xian?"Wen Ning blushed darker and tried to pat down his hair. "N-No."He grinned. "Then consider doing it."-;-Wei WuXian briefly considered moving. He loved being so close to Jiang YanLi and Jiang Cheng – even Mo XuanYu on the days he wasn't too snappish – but moving would give him a great excuse to suddenly start showing up for less of these events. Today, after all, was one of those days when Mo XuanYu was not in what one might call a 'pleasant' mood.Wei WuXian wondered how much Mo XuanYu would try to beat him up if he tried to give him some love-advice of his own. Probably a lot."Tell me, A-Cheng, don't you think Wen Ning looks positively adorable today?" Mo XuanYu asked innocently.Wen Ning, luckily, wasn't close enough to hear what either of them were saying. He was chatting with Jiang YanLi, smiling hesitantly every now and then. Jin ZiXuan wasn't there yet, which was the only reason Wen Ning probably felt brave enough to approach Jiang YanLi. Otherwise Wei WuXian knew he'd have to offer himself as a buffer.Jin ZiXuan may have softened some with age, but he was still abrasive and Wen Ning didn't react too well to his particular kind of it.Jiang Cheng went through several stages of white, red and purple before finally settling on something in-between. "DO YOU WANT TO DIE?!"Few people turned to look when Jiang Cheng screamed threats that promised harm or death anymore. Only Wen Ning (who was probably becoming desensitized to Jiang Cheng's particular, ah, language of affection) and Jiang YanLi (who always checked on her brothers) turned towards them.Mo XuanYu didn't look particularly fazed by Jiang Cheng's rage. "Well, we're getting somewhere."Jiang Cheng stared at him. "Who the fuck pissed in your fucking cornflakes?!""A-Xian," Mo XuanYu drawled."..." Almost as if by magic, Jiang Cheng's rage disappeared. "You're forgiven.""Hey!" Wei WuXian protested.Jiang Cheng and Mo XuanYu both rolled their eyes at him.Wei WuXian was getting ready to extradite himself, in case Mo XuanYu decided to turn his focus on him, when Nie HuaiSang arrived. With Mo XuanYu's attention sufficiently distracted, Wei WuXian decided to reward himself with a lollypop.He'd been rewarding himself with a lot of those lately, but it was ok. He had a good tooth-care routine that made up for it. Probably.Jiang Cheng wrinkled his nose. "That's a disgusting habit.""You just say that because you're all sour on the inside," Wei WuXian said and stuck the candy in his mouth.Jiang Cheng's eye twitched. "That doesn't even make any sense!""Sure it does!" He grinned. "You're too sour to enjoy this sweet, delicious candy."His eye twitched again. "I'm going to kill you and no jury will convict me."Wei WuXian pouted at him. "You're so mean, brother.""You deserve it!"Because they were at Jiang YanLi and Jin ZiXuan's place for the month, Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng had arrived early with Mo XuanYu in tow. Everyone else had slowly trickled in as the usual time rolled around. Wei WuXian had heard more than seen Wen Qing arrived earlier, which probably meant she was at the alcohol already. She always did know how to spend her down-time.Wei WuXian noticed the moment Jin GuangYao swanned in, because he was always accompanied by Nie MingJue. And Nie MingJue always got his little brother to act in a certain way. Which meant that Mo XuanYu wandered back, looking more than a little tense.Lan WangJi and Lan XiChen followed closely behind the other two, which was a first. Wei WuXian wondered briefly what had held them up. They were usually earlier than this.He saw the moment Mo XuanYu got one of his...ideas. They were always characterised by a distinctly evil glimmer in Mo XuanYu's eyes. And considering the way he was looking at Lan WangJi rather than Nie MingJue, Wei WuXian doubted Mo XuanYu was thinking of confronting Nie MingJue about his little brother once and for all. That meant whatever Mo XuanYu was planning involved Lan WangJi somehow.And that couldn't be good.Wei WuXian didn't hesitate; he tackled Mo XuanYu before the other man could open his mouth. "RUN, LAN ZHAN!" he cried. "SAVE YOURSELF!"Lan WangJi stared at them.Truthfully, Lan WangJi probably wasn't the only one staring, but he was the one Wei WuXian cared about. And he stood there for a long moment before turning on his heel and walking further into the house."Great going, idiot," Mo XuanYu said, sounding like he was holding himself back from calling Wei WuXian something far worse. "Now he's going to get the wrong idea."Wei WuXian was confused. Lan WangJi knew he and Mo XuanYu were friends. What wrong idea was there to get?"I have to do everything around here," Mo XuanYu stated and stalked off, nose turned up.Wei WuXian blinked after him. "I'm so confused."Jiang Cheng snorted. "When aren't you?""Brother," he whined."This is your own damn fault.""How?!""By being so blind you give bats a bad name.""They aren't actually blind, you know. They use echolocation -""I don't care," Jiang Cheng snapped.Wei WuXian knew Jiang Cheng didn't mean it, not really. He was just feeling the aftereffects of Mo XuanYu's teasing, probably.Which reminded him. There was one way he could take Jiang Cheng's mind off that. Kinda."Oh hey, brother, now that we can talk about boys -"Jiang Cheng's expression immediately went murderous."- what would you say your type is?""I'M GOING TO FUCKING BREAK YOUR LEGS!"Wei WuXian ran for it.He spent the better part of ten minutes hiding in Jiang YanLi's backyard before he could safely say that Jiang Cheng had calmed down and stopped chasing him. He breathed out a sigh of relief and headed back inside.He was walking past a half-open door when he heard voices. He blinked when he realised what was going on."For fuck's sake!" That was Mo XuanYu's voice. "I'm fucking A-Sang!"Wei WuXian had no idea who or what was making Mo XuanYu sound that shrill and, quite frankly, didn't want to know. He hurried away before he could be caught.Jiang YanLi blinked when she saw him. "A-Xian?""Oh, I'm fine." He made sure to smile.Jiang YanLi was clearly not convinced, but she let the matter drop. Wei WuXian grabbed the moment and started chatting with her and Wen Ning instead.He couldn't help but keep watch, though, so he could see who Mo XuanYu had been talking to. He blinked when Mo XuanYu finally came back with Lan WangJi. He was confused. Why on Earth had Mo XuanYu needed to state his sexual partners to Lan Zhan?!-;-Wei WuXian was pleasantly surprised when Lan WangJi offered to walk him home after dinner, especially since it was so out of his way. Maybe Lan WangJi had missed him too? Wei WuXian hadn't meant to avoid Lan WangJi after his realisation, but maybe he had inadvertently ended up doing just that?Jiang Cheng had declined to walk back with them, even going so far as to give Wei WuXian his patented 'are you stupid?' look when he asked. Wen Ning had blushed when Wei WuXian had given him a thumbs-up and mouthed 'good luck.' Wei WuXian really hoped something would come out of that soon. The suspense was killing him!Mo XuanYu would probably have declined too, but he'd made himself scarce after Jin GuangYao and Nie MingJue had left (early, as per usual). Come to think of it, Wei WuXian hadn't seen Nie HuaiSang for a while either. He hoped that meant they were having a proper talk, because they were clearly in need of one.Now that he was aware of his feeling for Lan WangJi, he fully expected that spending time with him would be awkward. It wasn't. It was almost as if Lan WangJi had always made him feel an odd mixture of deliriously happy and puketastically anxious and Wei WuXian now just knew what to call it.Wei WuXian was enjoying another lollypop – he'd lost his first one while running from Jiang Cheng before dinner – and humming happily to himself."Wei Ying."Wei WuXian turned to Lan WangJi.There was a small thoughtful furrow between his eyebrows. Wei WuXian popped the candy out of his mouth in preparation."About Mo XuanYu -""We've only ever been friends," Wei WuXian grinned, twirling the stick between his fingers. "He's doing this weird courting dance thing with Nie HuaiSang, which – power to him if he can pull it off. A-Sang may have to grow a spine and come clean to his brother first, though."Lan WangJi was silent."I don't get what A-Sang is so afraid of," Wei WuXian said as they kept walking. "I mean, sure, his big brother is scary, but they're brothers. He has to know Nie MingJue isn't going to care, right, as long as he's happy?"Lan WangJi stayed silent.Wei WuXian suddenly realised what he'd done. "Wait, was that your question?" He grinned sheepishly. "I'm sorry I just forged ahead, Lan Zhan! I should have let you finish.""Mm." Lan WangJi shook his head minutely. "It's fine.""...Then I answered your question?""Mn."He smiled. "I'm glad."They kept walking until they reached Wei WuXian's apartment complex.Wei WuXian didn't want to say goodbye so soon for all that Lan Zhan was making his heart do jumping-jacks in his chest. It was probably safest, though. What his heart was doing couldn't be healthy in the long run. He looked at Lan WangJi, trying to think of some way to say good night, but felt the words die on his tongue. He couldn't remember ever having seen that look on Lan WangJi's face before. Wei WuXian didn't know what to call it except intense.Wei WuXian pulled the candy from his mouth. "Lan Zhan?""Wei Ying."Wei WuXian dropped his second lollypop of the day.His lips were still sticky from the candy, but Lan WangJi didn't seem to mind. If anything, he pressed closer.Wei WuXian's hand had somehow ended up clutching at Lan WangJi's shirtfront by the time their lips separated. Wei WuXian sucked in a lung-full of air. He hadn't even realised he'd been holding his breath.He looked up into Lan WangJi's eyes and felt the world stop spinning.He realised he had seen that look before, he just hadn't recognised it. Wei WuXian saw it every time Jin ZiXuan looked at Jiang YanLi, when Wen Qing was on the phone with her girlfriend, when Wen Ning was in the same room as Jiang Cheng. He even, to a point, recognised it in the furtive glances Mo XuanYu and Nie HuaiSang shot each other when they thought no one was looking.How long had Lan WangJi looked at him that way?"What did A-Yu tell you?" he asked. His voice was hoarser than he'd expected it to be.Mo XuanYu had to have said something. After all, he knew Lan WangJi had spoken to Mo XuanYu earlier, and everything seemed to be coinciding a little too perfectly for there to have been no outside interference.Lan WangJi shook his head. "Nothing.""Nothing?" he echoed. "Then you decided to take a chance on me, Lan Zhan?"Lan WangJi brushed his knuckles over Wei WuXian's cheekbone. "Yes."Oh no, was he blushing?! Heavens. Wei WuXian thought he'd stopped doing that in high school! "How bold of you, Lan Zhan."Lan WangJi tucked a piece of hair behind Wei WuXian's ear. Wei WuXian nuzzled into the hand when it lingered by his cheek. Lan WangJi's hands were a tantalizing mix of soft and rough. His fingers bore calluses from playing the guqin for over a decade, but his palm was so warm when it cupped Wei WuXian's cheek.Wei WuXian shivered when he pictured those hands playing him as masterly as Lan WangJi played his chosen instrument."Love Wei Ying.""Love you, Lan Zhan," slipped out, almost as if he'd simply been waiting to say it. "Wait, what did you say?""Love Wei Ying," Lan WangJi repeated.He was an idiot. Wei WuXian suddenly remembered the second half of what Mo XuanYu had told him two and a half months ago. He'd been so focused on the part where Mo XuanYu said he loved someone that he'd forgotten that Mo XuanYu had said that the person also loved him back.Wei WuXian threw his arms around Lan WangJi and hugged him tightly. "I love you too, Lan Zhan."Lan WangJi folded his arms around Wei WuXian and hugged him back."I'm so sorry it took me so long," he whispered.Lan WangJi shook his head. Lan WangJi' hands were like brands against his lower back. Suddenly Wei WuXian craved to have nothing between them. "Never apologise for being Wei Ying."Wei WuXian chuckled softly. "You may come to regret that.""Mm."He pulled back enough that he could see Lan WangJi's eyes again. His gaze dropped to Lan WangJi's mouth and it took everything he had to keep himself from leaning in.Wei WuXian made himself take another step back, slipping his hand quickly into Lan WangJi's in case he thought Wei WuXian was getting cold feet – and also because he wanted to feel it against his own. He bit his lip. "Come upstairs with me?"-;-The walk up to the third floor had never taken Wei WuXian that long before, but that was probably because they kept stopping to kiss. Wei WuXian didn't mind. Unlocking the door also took a few tries, but he managed it eventually. Wei WuXian had never loved the fact that he didn't have a roommate as much as he did at that exact moment. He'd roomed with both Jiang Cheng and Mo XuanYu in college and neither of them would have thanked him for bringing anyone back for entertainment purposes.They got preoccupied again by the door. That was when Wei WuXian decided the bed was too far away. The couch, however, looked promising.Wei WuXian steered Lan WangJi over there and pushed him down before Lan WangJi could voice any objections. He quickly dropped to his knees and started attacking Lan WangJi's belt."Wei Ying."Lan WangJi's hands were cupping the back of his neck. Wei WuXian leaned up so he could kiss Lan WangJi again.While Lan WangJi was preoccupied, Wei WuXian finally managed to undo those slacks Lan WangJi insisted on wearing to these dinners and reached inside. He didn't know who moaned – him or Lan WangJi – when he curled his fingers around Lan WangJi's cock and found it already hard.He pulled back just enough that he could look down between them to see where his hand was slowly moving under Lan WangJi's underwear. He reluctantly let go of it so he could pull down Lan WangJi's pants enough to see if his cock really was as thick as he felt.It was.Oh, he was so getting his mouth on that.Wei WuXian shifted on his knees and blinked when he heard something crinkle. He looked down and realised there was a stray condom on the floor. It must have ended up there when Mo XuanYu had dumped them into his lap all those weeks ago. He quickly checked the date before tearing into it. He rolled on the condom – thankful for once in his life for the hilariously painful sex ed. they'd suffered through in high school – and went for it."Wei Ying." Lan WangJi's hands buried themselves in Wei WuXian's hair.Wei WuXian wasn't what one might call...experienced, but he was willing and eager to learn. And he couldn't think of anyone he'd rather learn with than Lan WangJi.He started off slow for once in his life – because he'd heard the horror stories and he wasn't about to re-enact one with Lan WangJi – and allowed himself to get used to the feeling and build up his own confidence to try for more. Wei WuXian was more than a little proud of himself at how well he was doing. His first time giving a blow-job and he hadn't choked yet.He could feel his own cock pressing against his zipper, but was content to keep his mouth on Lan WangJi. His jaw was getting sore, but he loved it. He hoped Lan WangJi would let him do it again."Wei Ying."He felt Lan WangJi's hand under his chin. It tightened when Wei WuXian tried to bob down again. He whined as Lan WangJi gently pulled him off his cock."I wasn't finished," Wei WuXian protested.Lan WangJi rubbed his thumb over Wei WuXian's bottom lip. Wei WuXian quickly licked after it.If possible, Lan WangJi's eyes got even darker. He tucked his hands under Wei WuXian's arms and pulled him to his feet. Wei WuXian barely had time to blink before Lan WangJi was ushering him in the direction of the bed. Wei WuXian found that he didn't mind being manhandled when Lan WangJi was the one doing it. He also found himself unable to look away as Lan WangJi started undressing. His eyes were on Wei WuXian the entire time.Wei WuXian lay down and just barely resisted the urge to start touching himself.Lan WangJi's gaze sharpened. "Wei Ying."He grinned. "Just enjoying the scenery."Lan WangJi gave him a pointed look."Oh all right, Lan Zhan." He reached down and started undoing his zipper. A hand around his wrist prevented him from getting any further. Wei WuXian looked up curiously to see Lan WangJi leaning over him."Allow me."Wei WuXian could have had a thousand lovers before Lan WangJi, and he would still have been willing to bet that none of them would have undressed him as reverently as Lan WangJi did. Lan WangJi pressed kisses to his hipbone, his knee, his ankle even. Wei WuXian was blushing long before Lan WangJi even reached the hem of his shirt.He grabbed onto Lan WangJi's neck as soon as he was within reach and pulled him up to kiss him. He was going to combust if Lan WangJi kept this up. "Lan Zhan," he begged.Lan WangJi removed the final piece of clothing and allowed himself to be pulled down onto the mattress.Wei WuXian couldn't keep his hands off Lan WangJi; his silky hair, his broad shoulders, his strong back, his firm biceps, his sculpted ass...Lan WangJi luckily also seemed unable to stop touching Wei WuXian.While rubbing against Lan WangJi felt amazing, it wasn't long before Wei WuXian began to feel like it wasn't enough. He wanted more. And more importantly, he wanted to feel closer to Lan WangJi."Lan Zhan. Bedside table."Lan WangJi didn't ask him to clarify. Then again, the sheer need in Wei WuXian's voice probably spoke for itself. Lan WangJi simply reached over to open the drawer and rummaged until he found something. He paused before pulling out one of the packets of lube Wei WuXian had shoved in there after Mo XuanYu's visit. He didn't say anything, but the question was in his eyes all the same.Wei WuXian tried not to blush, but he had a sneaking suspicion that he was failing. "Mo XuanYu gave me some things.""Mn."Lan WangJi luckily didn't say anything else. Wei WuXian would probably have sunk through the bed and all the way into the Earth's crust if he had.Before Lan WangJi try to urge him to roll over, Wei WuXian grabbed one of his pillows and slipped it under his hips. He spread his legs and gave Lan WangJi a look he hoped was inviting.Lan WangJi paused. He opened his mouth, obviously to ask if Wei WuXian was sure or if he wouldn't be more comfortable in another position or something like it. But it was all right. Wei WuXian hadn't been surer of anything in his life."I want to see you," he said."..." Lan WangJi gave Wei WuXian a kiss that he felt all the way to his soul. Only then did he slick up his fingers.Wei WuXian had tried this before, when he'd been bored, lonely and just horny enough that it seemed like something he could pull off, but he'd never had someone to do it to him. It was weirder, but also better. Lan WangJi's angle wasn't off like Wei WuXian's often was, and he could reach deeper.Lan WangJi must have been worried about hurting him, though, because he went slow. And kept going slow. Wei WuXian tried to encourage him to speed things up a bit, but if anything it only made him slow down even further. Heavens, was there some kind of rule that the Lans couldn't make love too quickly or something?!"Come on, Lan Zhan!" He reached out and Lan WangJi immediately gave him his free hand. Wei WuXian squeezed it. "Don't tease!""Mm," Lan WangJi answered. "Savouring."Wei WuXian couldn't believe this. Was it payback for before? It had to be."Savour later!"But Lan WangJi would not be moved. Wei WuXian had to beg him a few more times before he finally relented. Wei WuXian grimaced at suddenly feeling empty after so long, but tried to hide it before Lan WangJi could see it. It was all in vain considering Lan WangJi hadn't taken his eyes off Wei WuXian once.He frowned. "Wei Ying.""I'm ready," Wei WuXian promised and squeezed his hand in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. "Please, Lan Zhan."Lan WangJi hesitated before lining himself up.The initial push stole the breath from his lungs. "Keep going," he gasped before Lan WangJi could ask if he was all right. He felt amazing, thanks. And he wanted to keep feeling that way.Lan WangJi reached and grabbed his other hand once he was all the way in. Wei WuXian was more than happy to squeeze them both. He slipped his legs around Lan WangJi's waist and tried to urge him to start moving.He was rewarded with another look. "Wei Ying."Wei WuXian leaned up and shut him up with a kiss. "I can take it," he whispered when he pulled back. "You won't break me, Lan Zhan."Lan WangJi released one of his hands to get a better grip on Wei WuXian's waist. Then he started moving – slowly at first, then gradually picking up speed.Everything quickly became a blur of good feelings and Lan Zhan. Wei WuXian knew he was whimpering – probably moaning too – and that his neighbours could probably hear it, but he didn't care.He could feel the orgasm building, but couldn't find the words to warn Lan WangJi of its imminent arrival. All he could say was, "Lan Zhan!""Wei Ying," Lan WangJi said and thrust again.Wei WuXian cried out, clinging to Lan WangJi's shoulders tightly as his climax rushed through him. His heart was going a million miles an hour. It would surely have marks from ribcage by the time it went back to its usual beats per minute. He didn't mind. Lan WangJi was more than worth it.Lan WangJi's climax was announced by a broken gasp and a stuttering of his hips. Wei WuXian petted his hair through it, murmuring nonsense as his own breathing gradually started to slow.Lan WangJi leaned down and touched their foreheads together, still panting faintly.Wei WuXian felt so happy he could burst.-:-It wasn't until later, when Lan WangJi had gotten out of bed in spite of Wei WuXian's protests and gotten them both cleaned up, that Wei WuXian's brain started running again.He wasn't sure when his feelings for Lan WangJi had changed. Some days he thought it must have happened right at the start – when he ran into Lan WangJi while skipping class and tried to bribe him for his silence – and some days he thought it must have happened along the way. It didn't change how he felt about Lan WangJi now, but Wei WuXian still wondered.Wei WuXian turned his head towards Lan WangJi and asked, "How long have you felt this way, Lan Zhan?"Lan WangJi was already looking at him. Wei WuXian wasn't sure how he had missed it before, because now that he knew...how could he not have seen how Lan WangJi was looking at him? How could he not have realised what it was doing to him in turn?He reached out and brushed some hair out of Wei WuXian's eyes. And with a completely calm and collected expression, he said, "Freshman year."Wei WuXian frowned. "College?"Lan WangJi quietly shook his head."...High school?" Wei WuXian spluttered. "Why didn't you say anything?!""Didn't know how Wei Ying felt."This man. "You could have just asked."Lan WangJi's frown let Wei WuXian know what he thought of that plan."Yeah, you're right. But still." Wei WuXian muscled his way under Lan WangJi's arm and rested his head on Lan WangJi's chest. The steady beating of Lan WangJi's heart was a comfort Wei WuXian hadn't realised he'd been missing in his life. "You should have known I wouldn't turn you down."He felt a pair of lips press into the top of his head and arched into it."Didn't want to lose Wei Ying."Wei WuXian softened. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Lan WangJi's chest, right over his big heart. "You could never lose me, Lan Zhan."Lan WangJi caught his chin and gently guided his chin up. Wei WuXian leaned eagerly into the kiss Lan WangJi was offering him."I love you, Lan Zhan," he whispered."Love you, Wei Ying."Lan WangJi wrapped his arms around Wei WuXian and Wei WuXian leaned into the embrace eagerly, practically purring when Lan WangJi started to stroke his back. He was never moving again, he decided. Not when he was so comfortable right where he was and happier than he could remember being in a long time.-;-They hadn't discussed the when and how, but Wei WuXian knew that Lan WangJi wanted to tell people about their relationship sooner rather than later. At least, he assumed as much from the hilarious number of hickeys currently on his neck. If that didn't scream 'mine, don't touch!' then Wei WuXian didn't know what did. So Wei WuXian figured he was doing them both a favour by taking matters into his own hands.It was going to be impossible to get everyone together again so soon, but Wei WuXian had a few strings he could pull. He started by calling Jiang Cheng to get the lay of the land and struck gold. Things had happened while he'd been caught up in Lan WangJi, giving him a valid excuse to get everyone that mattered together to celebrate his brother and Wen Ning finally making a move.Of course, he wasn't going to just tell them about the change in his relationship status. Oh no. That was for later.Was it canny? Yes. Was it going to get his ass whooped later? Most definitely. But he had Lan Zhan to protect his ass now (figuratively speaking. Literally speaking he was the one making his ass ache the most – even if it was all in good fun).He didn't tell Lan WangJi what he was planning, however. He wasn't sure Lan WangJi would approve, even though Wei WuXian honestly felt their friends had it coming. If they'd only given him the hints he'd asked for – or even told him sooner – then he and Lan WangJi would have saved so much time! Sure, they weren't old – not even in their thirties yet – but they weren't getting any younger either! Every moment counted.Besides, Wei WuXian would surely be accused of being an impostor if he announced his and Lan WangJi's relationship normally. So outrageously it was."I'm so happy for you, A-Ning," Wei WuXian said when he arrived. He pulled Wen Ning into a tight hug.Wen Ning blushed, but returned the hug like a champ."Hello to you too, asshole," Jiang Cheng growled."I wasn't done, brother, I promise!" Wei WuXian chirped as he let go of Wen Ning. He opened his arms again. "Come here for your celebratory hug, A-Cheng!"Jiang Cheng had never back-pedalled away from Wei WuXian faster in Wei WuXian's – admitted spotty – memory. "DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!"Wei WuXian laughed.The others arrived in due time.Jiang YanLi pulled Jiang Cheng into a hug that her brother had no choice but to return. She murmured something to him that brought a hint of a blush to his cheeks.Jin ZiXuan did the smart thing and just nodded to them both before following his fiancée further into the apartment. Jiang Cheng pulled Wen Ning closer and scowled at Jin ZiXuan like he'd said something anyway.Mo XuanYu made a remark upon his arrival that wasn't nearly as scathing as it could have been. He patted Wen Ning on the cheek before sauntering away.Nie HuaiSang sniffed at the couple when he arrived and practically walked right past them to hand Mo XuanYu a couple of bills. Mo XuanYu thanked him sweetly and stuck them into his man-bag.Wei WuXian watched eagerly as Wen Qing pulled Jiang Cheng aside and practically twisted his ear as she made him promised to never hurt her little brother. Then she pulled Wen Ning into a side-ways hug and ruffled his hair. No matter how much he patted it down afterwards, Wen Ning wasn't quite able to fix it.Lan WangJi arrived with his brother. Jiang Cheng looked unusually suspicious of Lan WangJi as he congratulated them, but thankfully didn't say anything.Wei WuXian allowed himself to meet Lan WangJi's gaze once, winking subtly at him before turning back to Jiang YanLi.He allowed a lull to fall over the crowd. He took stock of them along the way, noting when Jiang Cheng's shoulders finally started to relax as no one called him out on the sudden development between him and Wen Ning. (Sudden, that was, to anyone without working eyes. And who probably hadn't realised Jiang Cheng was bisexual until fairly recently. But he digressed!) Wen Ning's blush faded bit by bit until he felt comfortable enough to take Jiang Cheng's hand without being prompted.Without Nie MingJue there to be the physical representation of the conversation they had yet to have, Nie HuaiSang and Mo XuanYu practically looked attached at the hip. Nie HuaiSang's fan was clearly ruffling Mo XuanYu's hair, which he for once didn't seem to mind.Lan WangJi had settled near Wei WuXian, though not directly next to him. Wei WuXian ached to go over to him, but not yet. Next time, though, all cards were off the table. He was going to sit in Lan WangJi's lap if he so wished and no one was going to stop him.He waited until Lan XiChen managed to pull his little brother into a conversation with him and Jin ZiXuan before acting. Wei WuXian casually pulled out a lollypop from his pocket, unwrapped it and put it in his mouth.Jiang Cheng's eyes immediately narrowed."What?" Wei WuXian said innocently, grinning as much as he could around the candy."...Nothing," Jiang Cheng muttered and pulled Wen Ning closer. The look of suspicion hadn't quite faded.That was fine. It wouldn't spoil what Wei WuXian had planned.During the twilight hours of their first night together, Lan WangJi had confessed to Wei WuXian what seeing him with a lollypop did to him. Wei WuXian planned to take full advantage of that information. He could give Lan WangJi an apology later, if he wanted one.Wei WuXian started slow. He rolled the candy around in his mouth almost lazily, nodding along to what Jiang YanLi was saying. He made sure to take it out whenever he needed to speak and to give it a long lick before plopping it back into his mouth.Jiang Cheng was the one that noticed something was up first, though he clearly wasn't sure what Wei WuXian was doing exactly. The glare said he wasn't amused by Wei WuXian's antics and would see them end – by force if necessary. Wei WuXian pretended not to notice.Lan WangJi noticed what he was doing second, possibly because Wei WuXian made sure to throw his head back and laugh at something Wen Ning said. Wen Ning blushed brightly and gave a shy smile, which was almost enough for Wei WuXian to feel bad about what was going to happen.But only almost.The colour of Jiang Cheng's cheeks turned more and more purple the longer Wei WuXian kept going. Though Lan WangJi had clearly noticed what he was doing – as Wei WuXian could confirm by the heavy stare coming from the other couch – he didn't move no matter what Wei WuXian did. It came to a point where Wei WuXian wondered if Jiang Cheng was going to break first and kick him out.Well, that wouldn't do. Wei WuXian would just have to up the ante then.When he brought the candy back to his mouth, he curled his tongue around it and sucked it into his mouth. He allowed it to press up against his cheek in a manner than had to at the very least look suggestive.Finally, blessedly, Lan WangJi moved. He shot to his feet, red earlobes peeking out just barely from his hair. Wei WuXian made sure his expression stayed as innocent as possible as Lan WangJi stalked over to him. If he ended up smirking a little, well, it wasn't without reason.Lan WangJi didn't ask; he just bent down and scooped Wei WuXian right out of his seat. Wei WuXian almost lost the lollypop as he was thrown over Lan WangJi's shoulder and secured into a fireman's carry.He forced down the urge to laugh. "Are you all right, Lan Zhan?"Lan WangJi said nothing as he started to walk towards the front door.Wei WuXian looked back at their friends and laughed when he saw their shocked and horrified expressions."Please be gentle with me, Lan-er-gege," he purred, but found that he couldn't keep the laugh entirely out of his voice. "I have to go into work tomorrow."Jiang Cheng's cheeks finally matched the colour of his favourite jacket."WEI WUXIAN!" Jiang Cheng bellowed after them.Wei WuXian laughed harder. Coda: "Never fucking doubt me again.""I promise, A-Yu." A pause. "But...""What?""When are you going to make it official with A-Sang?""...Oh, I see how it is. You're trying to give me love-advice now." A scoff. "Don't make me laugh.""Hey! I got together with Lan Zhan all on my own!""Whatever you need to tell yourself, honey.""...Fine. Then allow me to return the favour, A-Yu. Let me just call up Nie MingJue and -""Don't you fucking dare!"
The End