Chapter Text
"And we are done!" Wei WuXian exclaimed, happily as he and Lan WangJi had just finished editing their latest video for their YouTube channel. They had been editing all afternoon and were completely exhausted. The video in question was a makeup review on the latest collection that Wei WuXian had received has PR and the look had come out stunning.
"Ah, Lan Zhan, we did a good job!" Wei Ying smiled, tiredly. "We should go out to celebrate, but I am waaaay to tired."
"We can order in," Lan Zhan suggested, his eyes fixed on the computer's screen, reviewing their edition.
"Good idea!" Wei WuXian threw his arms around Lan WangJi's shoulders. After living together for almost two years now, Lan WangJi was used to Wei Wuxian's sudden spurs of touchiness.
They had met in the first year of high school when Lan WangJi's uncle had received a job offer and they moved to the city. Wei WuXian was a troublemaker, full of smiles and energy and soon enough they had become best friends. Inseparable best friends had Wei WuXian said when he introduced Lan WangJi to his adopted family.
After finishing high school, they both went to the same college, Wei WuXian studying fashion design and Lan WangJi studying Chinese literature. Soon after that, Wei WuXian proposed started making videos together. He had helped his older sister, Jiang YanLi, doing a cooking video for her channel that she had alongside her husband, Jin ZiXuan. The experience had completely fascinated Wei WuXian that his eyes glinted that day as he told Lan WangJi all about it.
"We should start our channel, Lan Zhan! I am the face and you are the man behind the camera, Lan Zhan! I think we would be a powerful duo!"
Besides, Wei WuXian knew that Lan WangJi had a secret passion for film making since the latter had attended an a-month course in the summer between high school and university on the matter.
And Lan WangJi could not deny his best friend anything. They created the channel a week later, calling it SpicyBunnies. After three years, they rapidly amounted a humble number of 4.8 million subscribers. Their videos mainly consisted of reviews (makeup, food, clothes, etc) and vlogs. Sometimes they did some music videos, with Wei WuXian playing the flute and Lan WangJi playing the violin. Besides Jiang YanLi, they also did a lot of collaborations with Wei Wuxian's younger brother, Jiang Cheng, who was a gamer and commentary channel and Nie HuaiSang, who was a drama and beauty channel. Their group of friends had attracted a lot of attention on all social media for their chemistry on camera. The fact that they had previously all been good friends and didn't force interactions for content that also garnered a loyal fan base.
Even with the first hesitation, Lan WangJi couldn't have felt any happier with his decision. Even if he loved taking his degree, it was when he was planning and filming videos with Wei WuXian that he felt the proudest and accomplished.
"I already ordered! Are you uploading the video?"
Right from the beginning, they created a consistent upload schedule: Tuesday for reviews and Saturdays for vlogs. Moreover, they always stayed the first hour the video was up checking the comments. With all the craziness that revolves around the life of university student, Lan WangJi decided that it would be most helpful to follow a strict schedule even if he was working with the tornado that was Wei Wuxian.
"It's uploading," Lan WangJi answered, drinking his tea, and as he was putting the mug down, a pain shot through his muscles.
Bringing his hands up, he started to massage his shoulders, to ease the stiffness. A moment later his hands were replaced with a new pair.
"If you need a massage, you should ask, Lan Zhan."
Massages were normal between them since they spent way too many hours sitting, thus their muscles were always stiff. Even if was a regular practice for them, it always did... things to Lan Wangji's heart. With a sigh, he relaxed against his roommate's hands. "Thank you, Wei Ying."
"Aish, Lan Zhan! No need for that between us! It was a long day." After being friends for so long, Lan WangJi could picture the pouty face that Wei WuXian was making. "By the way, Lan Zhan! You should help me remove the makeup!"
"Mn," Lan WangJi turned his chair around suddenly catching Wei WuXian by surprise. Their heads were so close that Lan WangJi could feel the other's warm breathing against his face. Everything froze for a second and Lan WangJi was only aware of his loud and rampant heartbeat and Wei Wuxian's grey eyes. They were so close that he could see his reflection on them. Lan WangJi had always liked them.
"I will go get a towel and the products," Wei WuXian whispered, his voice in an unusual low tone, and he almost ran away from Lan Wangji, leaving a blinking man behind.
Lan WangJi didn't have time to process what had happened before Wei WuXian came back with the removing products. The tension hadn't subsided and from Lan Wangji's experience, it wouldn't. Last months, they had found themselves hyper-aware of each other’s bodies and presences. A tingling sensation in his skin. An urge to touch.
Lan WangJi stopped that line of thoughts and entered in autopilot mode, as he started removing Wei Wuxian's makeup. They had done this countless times that Lan WangJi was sure he could do this with his eyes closed.
"Did you like my eye look today?" Wei WuXian looked at him expectantly, as he normally did during the removing process. Today, Wei WuXian had settled for a soft pastel blue and yellow look. Lan WangJi wasn't the most knowledgeable person on makeup, but, after countless makeup videos he had filmed, he had acquired some experience on the field.
"Mn. Wei Ying is always good on eye looks," His tone was serious and honest, making Wei WuXian giggle.
"You always say that!" Wei WuXian protested, getting away from Lan Wangji's hold to throw him a playful glared.
"Stop moving," Lan WangJi grabbed his chin again and continued his actions, unfazed by the other boy antics, too familiar with them. "Wei Ying has good skills and taste so the looks are always good."
That made Wei WuXian quiet, smiling softly and contentedly until his face was free from any trace of makeup. After examining meticulously his roommate face, Lan WangJi was satisfied with his work.
"All done."
"You are an angel, Lan Zhan. I don't if my skin would survive if it wasn't you removing it."
That statement was true. After the first makeup tutorial for their channel, Wei WuXian had been too tired - or more correct would be too lazy - to take off the makeup properly and his skin had reacted negatively. Afterwards, the job had passed to Lan Wangji, who secretly enjoyed it more than he thought was acceptable.
As they sat on their dining table, the food already delivered, they started discussing their schedule. "Since university ended yesterday, I only have the final presentation for that one class. But that assignment is almost done and the presentation will only happen a month from now. So, I was thinking we should plan out the vlog tomorrow and film Thursday because Shijie invited us to dinner on Friday." Wei WuXian glanced at Lan WangJi waiting for an answer, chewing his food quickly.
"Mn," Was the only answer he received which made Wei WuXian pout.
"Lan Zhan! I want a proper answer!"
"No talking while eating," Lan WangJi simply retorted as he continued to chew at his slow rhythm.
"Your uncle isn't here, and we have been living together for almost two years now! You know I like talking while eating," Wei WuXian whined, his pout more prominent, making Lan WangJi shake his head, holding a smile.
"Finish your food, don't you want to check the comments? The video will upload soon," That convinced Wei WuXian to eat quietly and quickly.
Soon they were in front of the screen, reading through the comments. Some users were already familiar with and those constant comments were everything to them. "Ah, Lan Zhan, I love this support. They love us so much!"
"They love you," Lan WangJi said, the corner of his lips going up.
"No, no, no! They love us! Us!" Wei WuXian corrected, a frown forming between his eyebrows in annoyance. "Look look! Someone commented on how your voice makes them want your babies!"
Wei WuXian laughed so hard as the tips of Lan WangJi's ears were coloured red. "Don't get shy, my Lan Zhan! I agree! Your voice is so serious and deep! Sexy!" Wei WuXian continued to tease until he noticed the icy glare from Lan WangJi. "Just teasing you. Don't mind me."
As they continue to skim over the comments, Lan WangJi noticed a comment that made him stop on his tracks.
Littlebunny13: Can't wait to get for our babies to get 5 million subscribers! I want to finally see the face of the man behind the camera!
The whole man behind the camera had started because Lan WangJi didn't feel comfortable to be exposed to the spotlight, but Wei WuXian had insisted that they should do the videos together. Consequently, their conversations were recorded, and their subscribers knew his voice, but not his face.
The memory of Wei WuXian asking was something Lan WangJi could never forget.
"I can't do the videos without you, Lan Zhan! Please! You don't have to appear! You only have to stay behind the camera and talk to me as we usually do!" Lan WangJi could still picture the desperation in Wei Wuxian's eyes as he begged. Lan WangJi couldn't resist those eyes or Wei WuXian in general. "Please, Lan Zhan, I can't do it without you... the camera is less scary if you are behind it. I will feel more comfortable."
And Lan WangJi was sold to the idea.
When they reached half million subscribers, Lan WangJi had promised that at 5 million he would reveal his face. That number seemed so far and unreachable. But Wei WuXian told him they would get there and wanted to make sure Lan WangJi was comfortable with the decision. Which he was and still is as they are so close to the milestone.
"Lan Zhan, you saw that comment, right? Don't try to deny it! I can see on your face!"
Ever since they hit the 4 million subscribers, Wei WuXian had been on edge and anxious. He was the type of person who was more concerned about other’s feelings than his own. The type of person who would put a smile on their face and playful attitude, but underneath that was supporting all the burdens for other people. Too caring, Lan WangJi thought. He knew Wei WuXian felt that he had pressure Lan WangJi into a corner and all the assurance Lan WangJi tried to give wasn't enough to soothe Wei Wuxian's worries.
"I have been having some ideas for the video. I saw some predictions and they say we might get to the 5-million-mark next week," Lan WangJi pointed to the graph on the screen that their fans had made on Twitter that showed that they would hit the milestone.
"Already?! Next week?!" Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in shock. "Ideas? For the video? Oh. OH. But, Lan Zhan, are you sure you are okay doing this?"
The look Lan WangJi was giving him was in exasperation and translated in how many times are you asking that. It was a broken record at this point. "Wei Ying, I already told you I am comfortable. Stop asking," He paused for a second, his lips lifting slightly in an evil grin. "If you continue to ask, I will hide the spicy oils indefinitely."
A gasp escaped Wei WuXian and soon after his hands were around Lan Wangji's arms. "That's too mean, Lan Zhan! How can you say something like that! That's pure evil!"
"Then, stop asking." A small feeling of victory settled in, as his eyes turned to Wei Wuxian.
"Fine, Lan Zhan!" The man nodded vigorously, before returning his attention to their fan’s comments.
The hands didn't leave his arm though.