Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s just any normal Friday, much like all the Fridays in his life. Lan Wangji hands in his work earlier than he’s supposed to and is dismissed by his boss after getting praises, as is always the case. He would like to think that these praises are genuine and reaped from his own hard work, not given because his surname is Lan.

He bows to his boss and heads back out to his table to gather his belongings and head home.

“Yo, Wangji-xiong! I hear that there’s a new bubble tea shop that's going to open around the corner tomorrow,” Nie Huaisang brings up.

“Tomorrow?”

That’s going to make traffic worse, he thinks.

But it’s only natural that people would want to open up a bubble tea shop here: 1) central location, 2) hype. Lan Wangji will never understand why people love bubble tea. Do people not care about the origin of the tea and its processing method? Are they using blended or flavored tea? Or does the shop just simply use teabags? Tea is meant to be consumed as just tea, poured from a teapot into a teacup.

What even are these bubble tea toppings? They don’t even ‘top’ the drinks; they sink to the bottom. Should they not be called bottoms? Lan Wangji supposes he’s just an old soul. He is an old soul.

“Yep, tomorrow! Say, would you like to check it out? The rest of us are planning to!”

“No, thank you,” Lan Wangji politely rejects the offer.

“Ah, very well. If you ever change your mind, just join us!”

Lan Wangji just nods, knowing full well that he will never do so.

“See you tomorrow, Wangji-xiong!” Nie Huaisang pops his head up and calls out from his own table. At the rate that he’s procrastinating with whatever that he's watching on his phone, Lan Wangji thinks that his colleague won’t be leaving the office anytime soon.

“Bye.”

It’s like any normal day at work. He rarely talks to his colleagues and only does so when it’s necessary or when work requires him to. Does he like being alone? He doesn’t know. All he knows is he’s always been alone and he’s all right with that. He supposes he likes being alone...for now.

The elevator dings open and takes him down to the lobby of his work building. The sun has just begun to set. Sky painted orange and clouds reflected blue on the skyscrapers, it’s a beautiful evening. He puts on his earphones and turns on his favorite classical guqin music. Lan Wangji decides to take a walk and enjoy the breeze. Often, people stare or do a double-take at him. He is the famous Second Jade of Gusu, after all. But since his youth, he has learnt to ignore passing and curious eyes that only see what they want to see—the surface. His surface has been what has kept others away from him and that is what he wants. Lan Wangji’s surface is nothing but cold, indifferent and aloof, very much different from Lan Xichen's—warm, open and friendly.

He continues his walk, only to be stopped in his tracks by an overly-boisterous and borderline annoying laugh that gets under his skin. He increases the volume of the music and still he hears that laugh. It seems like the direction he’s headed in is also the direction of that sound.

How could someone laugh this loudly? Lan Wangji is really curious, but curiosity turns to annoyance as his music enjoyment is yet again interrupted. Someone like that can never and will never be invited to his Jingshi. Feeling slightly frustrated that he has to go through something like this, he takes longer strides so he can walk past the annoying sound as quickly as possible.

“Aiyo, Jiang Cheng! As the head boba barista here—” Lan Wangji hears the voice say. It’s most likely the same one that sounds the loud laugh. It’s only natural for the man to talk as loud, if not louder. Lan Wangji clicks his tongue, still keeping his eyes straight ahead on the walkway.

“Wei Wuxian, you really are shameless! Who even made you the head barista!?” The other man retorts.

“Well, what choice do we have? You suck boba! Hahahahaha!”

“You! Get back here!”

“Hahahaha! Only if you can catc—”

Someone runs into his back, slamming into him. Lan Wangji’s phone falls out from his grip, pulling his earphones out of his ears. He’s sure he hears the screen crack a little. He reminds himself to stay calm, that accidents happen and it’s entirely not the 'shameless' man’s fault.

Lan Wangji repeats that in his head and bends down to grab his phone. As he reaches down, he finds it being handed to him.

“Here!”

As he reaches out his hand to grab his phone, Lan Wangji’s heart drops, even lower than his phone did. Standing, or rather, squatting in front of Lan Wangji is that person.

He’s here, is what Lan Wangji's mind repeats instead now.

He wears a black t-shirt and a red apron, with what looks like a bunny cup cartoon printed on it. He wears a smile so bright, it shines brighter than the sun. He has a pair of eyes so alluring, they draw Lan Wangji out of his shadows. His hair is smooth, stark black and tied in a messy ponytail; Lan Wangji wants to untie it and run his fingers through it. And his lips so perfect, that—

Lan Wangji feels slightly dizzy. Beads of sweat start to form on his forehead. Chills run up his spine. He’s sure he didn’t have any tapioca today, why does he feel like his allergies are acting up?

“I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?” the man reaches out and touches Lan Wangji’s arm. Lan Wangji immediately recedes from where he stands, creating a safe distance between him and this dangerous man.

“I am fine,” Lan Wangji says, hoping that the shakiness of his tone doesn’t give anything away.

“I didn’t see you in front of me! He was chasing me! It’s all your fault, Jiang Cheng!” He points at the other man dressed in the same apron, but in a purple t-shirt instead.

Lan Wangji now knows that the man in purple is the Jiang Cheng from the jokingly accusatory sentence before. But the question remains, who is the man in black? Lan Wangji doesn’t ask. Because he's afraid that if he learns his name, he won’t ever want to stop calling it. He’s even more afraid that he finds himself wanting his name to be called by the man. Oh how would it sound if he called him Lan Zhan.

“Yo, Wei Wuxian! Don’t you go pinning this on me!”

What happens next is the cutest thing Lan Wangji has seen—Wei Wuxian sticks out his tongue at Jiang Cheng, who just rolls his eyes to the Heavens and heads into what Lan Wangji assumes is the back kitchen.

"Wei Wuxian…" Lan Wangji finds himself breathing out.

“Just Wei Ying!” Wei Wuxian introduces. “It’s the least I can offer you since I banged into you,” he emphasises the word “bang” and winks at Lan Wangji.

“Ridiculous,” he manages before his heart gets caught in his throat again.

“Aiyo, you fuddy-duddy! I’m just kidding!”

Lan Wangji puts one of his headphones back into his ear as he decides he should make a move to leave before he listens to his heart and stays.

“Wait! You do know it’s rude to not tell me your name, especially when I’ve told you mine, right? Or would you like me to call you Mr. Handsome Fuddy-Duddy?” Wei Wuxian puts his arms behind him, leans forward and looks Lan Wangji straight in the eyes.

Handsome? Lan Wangji only focuses on that one word and feels his ears start to burn.

“Lan Wangji,” he blinks and says, despite knowing that that is not the name he wants to be called by Wei Wuxian.

“Hm?”

It seems like lady luck is on his side. Lan Wangji isn’t going to waste this chance to fix the mistake of asking to be called Lan Wangji instead of the name he would much prefer.

“Lan Zhan, is my name.”

“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan ah, Lan Zhan! A beautiful name for someone as handsome like you,” Wei Wuxian teases.

“Do not tease,” for if he continues to tease, Lan Wangji’s poor, already-stolen heart may not be able to take it.

“Fine, fine, Mr. Beautiful-and-Handsome Fuddy-Lan-Zhan-Duddy!”

“Good bye,” Lan Wangji puts on his other earphone and walks away.

Wei Wuxian immediately tugs on the wire and again, pulls the earphone off—this time not accidentally.

“Wait, Lan Zhan! As a token of my apologies, come by for a free bubble milk tea tomorrow! We officially open for business tomorrow!” Wei Wuxian raises his arms and motions to the shop sign.

“Such a punny name, right Lan Zhan?”

“You mean lame name!” Jiang Cheng calls from the kitchen.

“Whatever, Jiang Cheng! Go cook the boba!”

“It is punny,” Lan Wangji says truthfully. It really is a good play of words.

“I know, right? Guess who the artist of the signboard is, too?” He leans in close, too close for Lan Wangji’s sanity, “Cute, isn’t it?”

Lan Wangji lets out a huff softly; looking at the smug grin that Wei Wuxian wears on his face, he didn’t need to guess.

“It is cute.”

Wei Ying is cuter, he thinks.

“Ah, Lan Zhan! You’re really nice to me and you have such great tastes too,” Wei Wuxian giggles.

Lan Wangji keeps quiet. He does agree he has great tastes in many forms—clothes, music, food. But Wei Ying...even with all of the works of art he surrounds himself with daily, Wei Ying definitely makes top form.

“So, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian taps his nose.

(If Lan Wangji knew better, he would notice that the man is starting to get shy).

“Will you be coming tomorrow?” Wei Wuxian asks. “I promise you I’ll make you my bestest-best best drink ever; you won't even need to queue up! It’s on the house.”

No, his brain says.

“Yes,” his heart says to Wei Wuxian.

“I see we have a date,” Wei Wuxian elbows him in the arm ever so lightly, sending waves of emotions to Lan Wangji’s still waters.

A date…? No Lan Wangji, he is just being friendly like he probably is to every person he meets.

“So...I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” Wei Wuxian interrupts his trail of thoughts.

“Mn.”

“Can’t wait!” Wei Wuxian smiles at Lan Wangji so widely, it makes him want to reach out and pinch his cheeks.

“Oi, Wei Wuxian! Stop your chit-chat. I need help!”

“Ugh, be right there!” Wei Wuxian waves his brother off. “Dont’t worry Lan Zhan, I swear I’m not that annoying. I’m just his adopted brother, so it’s in his nature to think I am, hahahahaha...”

“I heard that! And you are the most annoying person. Get your ass in here!”

Wei Wuxian scoffs lightly. “I gotta go, Lan Zhan! And sorry about running into you earlier,” he scratches his head apologetically.

“No need for the 'sorry',” he says; he means it. If Wei Wuxian had not, Lan Wangji’s world would not have flipped on its head and taken a better turn.

“You’re right, Lan Zhan. I’m not sorry for banging into you,” Wei Wuxian is at his shamelessness again.

“You—”

“WEI. WU. XIAN!!!” Jiang Cheng thunders from inside the kitchen.

“Okay, I better get going. He’s really going to break my legs now if I don’t move them. See you tomorrow, Lan Zhan! Looking forward to it!” Wei Wuxian waves at him and runs into the back kitchen.

“See you tomorrow, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji says lowly, unsure if the man hears him.

As Wei Wuxian disappears from Lan Wangji’s eyesight, so do all the colors in Lan Wangji’s always-monochrome world.

Wei Ying is looking forward to seeing me? He repeats the sentence that the man has said in his head. Lan Wangji concludes that it’s only because Wei Wuxian feels bad for almost knocking him over and wants to make it up to him. He probably wants nothing to do with Lan Wangji any more after the score has been settled tomorrow. Realising that fact, Lan Wangji starts to feel slightly upset. But if it gives him another chance to see his sun again, he wouldn’t mind getting knocked over another thousand times. Why would it even matter? Wei Wuxian has already swept him off his feet.

Inserting his earphones once again, he falls back into his quiet, lonely bubble, and heads back home.

It’s just a normal Friday night. He takes his shower, prepares his dinner, meditates for a while and picks up a book. He’s always read that all it takes is just one person to change your entire world. Lan Wangji just never knew that it would happen to him today. He knows he won't be able to focus on anything he would usually do tonight. He decides to call it a night earlier than his usual 9 PM bedtime so the next day comes faster.

But who is he kidding? Lan Wangji isn't able to sleep; his head just keeps spinning and spinning, replaying the beautiful sight of the beautiful man in black and red over and over again. Who would’ve known that Lan Wangji would say "yes" to possibly drinking some "tea" that he doesn’t know the origin of? If his Shufu, Lan Qiren, ever found out, he would definitely not let Lan Wangji hear the end of it. He imagines his brother, Lan Xichen, on the side smiling. He does miss his brother.

Lan Wangji is never one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but Lan Xichen has always been able to see through the facade he puts on in front of everyone to his emotions, and ultimately, into his heart. They’ve always had a connection; one could even call it a spiritual one. So it’s only natural that Lan Xichen can sense his giddiness through text. He can only imagine how much he will be teased when he goes over for dinner. Deep down, he knows his brother's actions come from a justified and loving place. After all, he would only tease if he knew it would affect Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji shakes his head at that, trying to suppress the smile forming on his lips.

He looks at his phone screen and notices a little crack on the edge. It’s nothing much; what’s important is that the phone still works. He traces his fingers along the little crack and smiles, thinking about him.

It had been a long day at work, but a fruitful and productive one nonetheless. Finally letting his exhaustion take control of his heavy eyelids, he drifts off to sleep.

The sun has yet to rise and Lan Wangji wakes up at 5 AM sharp the next day, and starts his usual morning routine. He eats his pre-workout meal. He meditates for an hour. He changes into his running gear and goes for at least a 5 kilometer run, as he does every morning. Since it’s the weekend and he’s off from work, he runs twice the distance and does his core-strengthening exercise regime back at home. He never needs to go to a gym because his own apartment has a gym room that has all the equipment he needs.

He checks his phone for the time. It’s only 9 AM and he doubts that Specialtea is already open. But what if it is? He admonishes himself for not finding out what their opening hours are. He doesn’t want to be late. Then again, Wei Wuxian may not even be waiting for him. Why on Earth would he be waiting for an icy, cold, Lan Wangji? Or at least that’s what Lan Wangji himself thinks.

“WEI. WU. XIAN!!!” his annoying shidi bellows from their kitchen.

For fuck’s sake, Jiang Cheng! Way to ruin my happy moment!”

“Okay, I better get going. He’s really going to break my legs now if I don’t move them. See you tomorrow, Lan Zhan! Looking forward to it!” Wei Wuxian says so hurriedly before he does something stupid like drag the handsome man into the kitchen with him to cook boba or shake up some bubble tea.

“What the fuck were you doing outside!?” Jiang Cheng shoots.

“I was talking to the possible love of my life, before you went on and ruined it all for me!” Wei Wuxian throws a wet towel straight at Jiang Cheng’s face.

“I’m probably going to be single for the rest of my life now, Jiang Cheng. And it’s completely your fault, so don’t complain and call me annoying if I decide to just annoy you till the day you die, or I die, whichever comes first!”

“You—!”

“What is this ‘you die I die’ business?” A smiling Jiang Yanli enters the kitchen with a smile and pinches both her brothers' cheeks.

“Shijie! I met the love of my life today and Jiang Cheng totally ruined it for me!”

“Ew. How do you even know that he’s the love of your life? Wait, the better question is, how do you even know that he doesn’t hate you? I bet my life you're the most annoying person he’s ever laid his eyes on!”

“You mean, most dazzling person?” Wei Wuxian flashes a smile as Jiang Cheng makes a puking gesture.

“But anyway, what do you know about love? It’s not like you have a heart!”

“What do you know about that, huh, Wei Wuxian?” Jiang Cheng stops stirring the pot and puts his hands on his waist.

“I just…” Wei Wuxian starts to say, trailing off before he gets cut off by his Shijie.

“You just know,” Jiang Yanli supports.

“Yes!!! Shijie is the best and the most understanding person in the whole, wide world!” Wei Wuxian hugs her.

Jiang Yanli bops his nose lovingly, causing Jiang Cheng to snort. A moment passes before the three laugh in unison.

“I still think he thinks you’re the most annoying person,” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes.

“A-Cheng, be nice. Xianxian is not annoying, he’s always been friendly and transparent,” Jiang Yanli puts forth.

“Exactly! And charming, too. Don’t forget that, Shijie!”

“Yes, our A-Xian is the most charming, the most loved by Jiang Cheng and I,” she bops his nose once more and he giggles.

“A-Jie, keep doing that and he will never grow up!”

“Xianxian is three, forever!” Wei Wuxian puts on his childish tone, just to further rile his shidi up; it proves to be a success. He pulls both his siblings into a hug. Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes, but doesn’t move from the hug.

Wei Ying is not one to care about what others think of him, or how others see him. There are only so many people that matter and mean something to him, only so many that he can count them using his fingers on one hand. His shidi, Jiang Cheng and his Shijie, Jiang Yanli are the two closest people he has in his life. The three promised to stay together and to be there for each other, forever. Ever since their parents died in a car accident, the trio have been closer than ever.

“Did you at least get his name, A-Xian?” Jiang Yanli asks as she starts to taste-test the boba Jiang Cheng has cooked.

“I wouldn't be surprised if he ran away as fast as he could, A-Jie.” “Joke’s on you, Jiang Cheng! He told me both his courtesy and given name!” Wei Wuxian defends.

“Pretty sure you forced him into saying it!” The man in purple retaliates.

“Actually, Jiang Cheng, come to think of it, I thought I would have to!” Wei Wuxian taps his nose in thought. “But no, he just told me his name and was even totally okay about me calling him by his given name!” he says in one breath, just realising that fact.

“Pretty sure he was worried you’d annoy the fuck outta him. That’s why he probably chose to end his own misery as early as possible.”

Wei Wuxian doesn’t say anything because what Jiang Cheng say makes absolutely perfect sense.

“I’m sure it’s not like that, A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli hits Jiang Cheng’s arm as she sees the smile on Wei Wuxian’s face go away.

“I’m just preparing him for the worst case scenario, A-Jie. Otherwise, he’s just going to continue to get his hopes high to just watch them get pulled down!”

“Shijie, Jiang Cheng is right,” Wei Wuxian’s voice trails softer and softer.

“But! That doesn’t mean I can’t still be friends with him, right?” His eyes light up again.

“That’s right, A-Xian!” Jiang Yanli pats his head.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng purses his lips and blinks smugly at his shixiong.

“I’m sure I can charm him to be my friend. Wanna bet?” Wei Wuxian walks up to his brother, resting his elbows on his shoulders.

“Hmmm…” Jiang Cheng squints his eyes, clearly trying to avoid the temptation.

“Loser washes the dishes for an entire fortnight. How about that?” Wei Wuxian holds out his hand.

“Deal,” Jiang Cheng concludes. The two spit in their hands and engage in their brotherly handshake.

Jiang Yanli laughs and passes each of them a handkerchief, “What am I ever going to do with the two of you?”

“Love us, forever!” the two Jiang brothers shout in unison.

“Anyway, A-Xian, this gentleman—” Jiang Yanli doesn’t complete her sentence as she hasn’t been told his name.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian finds himself smiling as his mouth forms those two words.

“Ah yes, Lan-gongzi! What's he like?” Jiang Yanli asks as she knows that it’ll put a smile on her brother’s face. It definitely brings up more than a smile.

“Oh Shijie, let’s have a seat and I’ll tell you all about our fateful encounter just now,” Wei Wuxian takes her hand and leads her to one of the empty tables in their shop. He pulls out a chair for her and she sits down, “Thank you, Xianxian.”

Wei Wuxian flashes her a smile, “Hang on Shijie. Let me make you some brown sugar fresh milk!”

“Oh, you’re making your specialty for me now?” Jiang Yanli clasps her hands together.

“Of course, only for the special people in my life,” Wei Wuxian says as he sees Jiang Cheng’s head popping out from around the corner. “Yes, yes, that includes you too, Jiang Cheng.”

“Hmph, it better! After all, you only met your Lan-gongzi because I chased you. So, you owe it all to me!”

“Whatever, go cook your boba!”

“I’m done, you little shit!”

“Oh, okay! Hahahaha!”

Wei Wuxian takes out his shaking cup and starts to make his drink for his siblings. Once he’s done, he brings the drinks to the table where they’re seated.

“Thank you, Xianxian!” Jiang Yanli says as he hands her the cup.

“Okay, you two enjoy the drink while I tell you how I met the love of my life, all right?”

Jiang Yanli sips on the drink, nods her head and listens intently. Meanwhile Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes...and also listens intently. After all, it makes his shixiong happy, and if he ends up getting hurt by someone, Jiang Cheng will be the first to jump out and break that someone’s legs—no questions asked.

Wei Wuxian spends the next half an hour just telling his siblings how handsome and beautiful Lan Wangji was.

“The sun was setting on us and the orange hues in the sky just made his golden eyes stand out like...the stars. I felt like I could get lost by just looking at them, you know? They’re that captivating,” Wei Wuxian finally pauses and lets himself breathe for a beat.

“Shijie...what does this all mean?”

“It means that, perhaps, our Xianxian has fallen in love,” Jiang Yanli smiles.

“Ugh, like some love-at-first-sight bullshit?” Jiang Cheng coughs.

“A-Cheng, language,” Jiang Yanli reminds him.

“Sorry, A-Jie.”

Although he had said that the man was the love of his life, he was just being the drama queen that he is and was just joking. Or was he really? Even he is unsure of his own feelings.

“I don’t know, it all happened so quickly. I did invite him over tomorrow for a free drink as an apology since I did bump into him and made him drop his phone…” Wei Wuxian has just remembered. “Shit, I wonder if his phone is broken!”

“The only way to find out is to ask him tomorrow. That is...if he comes,” Jiang Cheng stands up from the table as he goes to wash his glass.

“I wonder if he’ll come…” Wei Wuxian places his arms on the table and leans on them.

“Don’t worry, A-Xian. Have some faith. If it’s meant to be, it will be,” Jiang Yanli kisses Wei Wuxian on his head as she too leaves the table to prepare to close the shop up for tomorrow’s opening.

If it’s meant to be, it will be… What happened today is definitely not love at first sight, for it’s not the first time he’s laid his eyes on Lan Wangji. They’ve crossed paths before. It seems that only Wei Wuxian is aware. Or at least that’s what he thinks.

Lan Wangji doesn’t want it to seem like he tried too hard. No one is going to know he spent half an hour rummaging through his closet before deciding to just wear his white hoodie and a pair of washed-out blue jeans. He leaves his Jingshi at exactly 11:00 AM.

He takes his usual train like he does everyday to work and sits in his usual spot, one that is always empty—just the way he has always liked. But today, thoughts of him not alone while taking the train swarm his head. Thoughts of him hand-in-hand with another person, taking the train in any direction he wants, to wherever he wants to go. Thoughts of the man sitting on his lap if there aren’t any vacant seats on the train. The thought of Wei Wuxian just being around Lan Wangji is enough to make the latter smile in his heart, a smile that he’ll only ever keep to himself.

The train comes to a halt at the station closest to his destination and Lan Wangji gets off of the train. From the station, it's about a thirteen minute walk to Specialtea, but somehow, it feels like thirteen years to Lan Wangji. Putting his hands into his hoodie’s front pocket so people don’t actually see how nervous he is as he curls his hand into a fist, he makes his way to the shop—to his sun.

“Lan Zhan!” He hears the familiar voice call out and he looks up.

Wei Ying… Wei Wuxian waves happily at him from over the counter where he stands.

“You really came!” he says.

Will always come for Wei Ying.

His ears start to flush. He's unsure if that’s caused by Wei Ying’s surprise or his own shameless thoughts.

“Mn. You invited me,” Lan Wangji manages.

“I’m glad you’re here, Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian smiles at him and his heart is about to explode.

“I hope you like chocolate mint cookies!” Wei Wuxian removes the lid of the glass cookie jar as he fishes out a cookie, places it on a tissue and hands it over the counter to Lan Wangji.

“I do. Thank you,” Lan Wangji reaches out to take what he’s been offered. Their hands touch for a moment—a moment too short—and Wei Wuxian retracts his hand almost immediately.

“Umm, have a seat, Lan Zhan! I’ll be right with you after I finish this order,” Wei Wuxian holds up an order chit.

“Take your time,” Lan Wangji says as he walks away from the counter to the seating corner. It’s a quaint place, Specialtea. The color theme of it is mostly pastel and revolves around a bunny theme. Lan Wangji has always liked those little creatures. He remembers his late parents never failing to take him and Lan Xichen to a bunny cafe every single weekend. Ever since they left the world and their two children to Lan Qiren’s care, the Lan brothers rarely had the chance to visit anymore as they had to focus on their studies. Not long after that, the bunny cafe ceased its operations. Lan Wangji has always wondered where the bunnies went after that.

They were given a new home, he tells himself and believes so.

His thoughts are interrupted by a sound from the counter.

“Original pearl milk tea, coming right up!” Wei Wuxian exclaims.

Wei Wuxian is holding onto a stainless steel item, which Lan Wangji assumes is the shaker cup. He leaves it aside as he goes to prepare liquid content.

Tea leaves, Lan Wangji muses as he realises that they don’t use powdered tea or tea bags.

Wei Wuxian, not even using a measurement cup, is confidently pouring the right amount of tea into his shaker cup.

“50% sugar and less ice, right?” The smiley Wei Wuxian asks the excited-looking lady who can’t seem to keep her eyes off him. Looks like Lan Wangji isn’t the only one.

“Yes, you’re so attentive!” She exclaims.

“Duly noted,” Wei Wuxian winks as the lady giggles.

Lan Wangji can’t help but feel his guts wrench a little. Why does Lan Wangji want Wei Wuxian to flirt only with him? Why does Lan Wangji want Wei Wuxian to be attentive only to him? Why does Lan Wangji want Wei Wuxian to smile that certain way only at him? He doesn’t have the right to want those...wants. Who is he? He tries to snap away his unreasonable thoughts as he continues to watch the man work his magic.

Wei Wuxian presses the 50% button on the fructose dispenser, dumps a little amount of ice into the shaker cup and begins to shake it to blend everything together.

Lan Wangji himself is toned and muscular. He does workout every single day, after all, and he’s always been content with the way he looks. But he’s never been amazed at how other people look. Lan Wangji swallows, as he sees the curves of Wei Wuxian's arms and biceps as he shakes the cup. He wants to trace his fingers along the outline of his arms. He wants to kiss every inch of his skin...

“Here you go! I hope you enjoy your drink and come back soon!” He places the freshly prepared drink on the counter for the lady to take. Lan Wangji takes comfort in knowing that Wei Wuxian doesn’t hand it directly to her.

“Jiang Cheng! I’m leaving the counter for a bit,” Wei Wuxian pops his head into the kitchen.

“Again!?” Lan Wangji hears the man complain from behind the door.

“Hahahaha, I love you too!” Wei Wuxian laughs in familiarity.

Wei Wuxian approaches Lan Wangji, who’s munching slowly on his cookie.

“How’s the cookie, Lan Zhan? Is it delicious? Do you like it?” Wei Wuxian puts his elbow on the table and his chin on his hand, barraging the man with questions.

“I like it,” Lan Wangji answers.

“It’s not too sweet for your liking?”

Wei Ying is sweeter.

“It is just right,” Lan Wangji refers to the sweetness of the cookie.

“I woke up early in the morning to make that for you, Lan Zhan! Glad my efforts didn’t go to waste,” he winks.

“They did not,” Lan Wangji supports.

“Would you like to claim it now?”

Claim? Claim what?

Lan Wangji doesn’t answer.

“Remember how I said I was going to make you a free drink?”

Oh.

“There is no need.” Lan Wangji doesn’t need the drink and the reason he turned up today is not for the drink. But Wei Wuxian doesn’t know that, does he?

“No, Lan Zhan! I’m pretty sure I may have broken your phone!”

“My phone is fine, Wei Ying.”

“Lemme see it!” Wei Wuxian pouts and opens up his palm.

Lan Wangji lets out a sigh, realising that he cannot say no to this man. He also sighs because he knows it’s dangerous, too dangerous. He takes out his phone from his sling bag and puts it on Wei Wuxian’s palm.

“Oh dear, look!” Wei Wuxian points at the corner of Lan Wangji’s phone that’s chipped. “And you said it was fine! One free drink is not going to cut it, Lan Zhan!!!”

“It is fine, I can still use it,” Lan Wangji openly says. He’s never liked to waste, be it food or anything consumable.

“Lan Zhan, this won’t do! Who do you take me for?”

My soulmate. The love of my life. My everything. My one and only, are words Lan Wangji doesn’t say.

“Wei Ying, it’s just a phone,” Lan Wangji deflects the question.

“It’s not just a phone, it’s your phone, Lan Zhan. I’ve been brought up to always take responsibility for the things I’ve done,” Wei Wuxian says openly.

Lan Wangji knows he cannot argue out of this, “Then what do you have in mind, Wei Ying?”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widen at the answer he’s given, as if he wasn’t ready to hear it.

“Oh…” Wei Wuxian’s voice trails softer as he looks away.

Lan Wangji wants to reach out and tip the man’s chin up to face him, just so he can look at him in the eye and never look away again.

“Well...” He taps his nose.

“There really is no need, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji tries once more.

“I’m thinking, Lan Zhan! The more you talk to me the more I get distracted!” Wei Wuxian whines.

Wei Ying does not like it when I talk, Lan Wangji thinks and hence, stays silent.

A beat passes. Two beats. Three.

“Ah! How about you get any drink you want everyday, for the next two weeks? What say you, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian snaps his fingers.

Two weeks of seeing Wei Ying. Lan Wangji considers giving it another three seconds of thought before answering.

“Mn,” he answers immediately, definitely not waiting three seconds

“Great!” Wei Wuxian stands up and pushes his chair back.

“Now, Lan-gongzi, can I take your order? What drink would you like to have today?” He straightens his apron as he stands upright, pretending he’s a waiter.

“Anything Wei Ying makes.”

“In that case, I have the perfect drink in mind,” Wei Wuxian skedaddles to the counter and into his zone.

Lan Wangji once again watches Wei Wuxian intently, working his magic. He can tell that this is something Wei Wuxian really enjoys—bringing joy to others in the form of their favourite drink. In turn, it makes Lan Wangji happy too.

When Wei Wuxian is at the stage where he's pouring the drink into a cup, he suddenly turns his back to Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji wonders what he’s up to as his phone pings a notification.

As he places his phone back onto the table, Wei Wuxian approaches him.

“Just for you!” he hands Lan Wangji his drink in a bunny-shaped cup that looks like the one on their signboard “I’m not supposed to just give it to anyone but you’re Lan Zhan, so you’re special!” Wei Wuxian smiles brightly.

Lan Wangji reminds himself not to take it the wrong way and that Wei Wuxian is just so friendly and kind that he wants to make up for his mistake the day before.

“Thank you, Wei Ying,” he grabs the cup. It’s perfect, just like the man who handed it to him.

“Oh! I hope you like fresh milk brown sugar boba!” Wei Wuxian's emphasis seems to land on the last word.

Lan Wangji shifts in his seat.

...Boba?

It is safe to say that Lan Wangji’s heart is beating faster than it ever had. Images of him unable to properly rest for three nights in a row thanks to the multitude of toilet trips he had to take plague his head. Remember to take it easy on the boba, you know your allergies. Lan Xichen's calm voice rings through his head.

All Lan Wangji can do for the next short moments is sit still, hoping that his nerves don't give him away. If there's one thing that he absolutely does not "like", it's boba.

...But will his preferences start to change?

Art by J