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Lan Xichen frowned as he looked out through the window blinds at the extravagantly decorated house across the street and read the sign posted in the yard. "He made an entire Christmas light show timed to music, Wangji. He's going to broadcast the song every night over short distance radio." Thousands of festive, colorful lights blinked merrily in fantastic patterns in an obvious test run. It was beautifully done.
Xichen did not like it. Not one bit.
"Hot Neighbor?" Wangji asked as he peered over Xichen's shoulder.
Ugh, he was never going to live that comment down no matter how many looks he gave his younger brother. It was one time, before he learned how much of a jerk that guy was, even if he was absolutely gorgeous and had the most enchanting storm-grey eyes.
"Yes," Xichen sighed, knowing better than to pick an argument he'd definitely lose. "I knew he'd try to top my life-size Santa Sled and Reindeer roof display but this is too much."
A moment of thick silence passed as Xichen contemplated how on earth he was supposed to beat a musically timed Christmas light show. Simply adding more amazing decorations would not do, plus his yard was packed already with multiple fully decked out trees and a nativity scene, and he could not copy the idea and create a light show of his own. That would be akin to admitting defeat.
When in doubt, fall back on basic principles. Reconsider the approach, re-strategize, and attack the problem in different way. An unexpected way.
Kill him with kindness.
With renewed determination, Xichen finally turned to find Wangji staring flatly at him with a slightly raised eyebrow, quite the unusual sight on his brother's normally inexpressive face. Replying to Wangji's silent question, Xichen squared his shoulders and said, "No, I'm not giving up. I'm going to bake some cookies. The best damn Christmas cookies he'll ever have in his whole entire life."
With that, he marched off to the kitchen, like a soldier to war. Wangji watched him go until he was out of sight, then took out his phone to fire off a text.
Today 11:03 AM: Brother will be bringing over cookies later.
Across the street, Wei Wuxian's phone vibrated with the notification of a received text. He pulled it out of his pocket to check, and sent off a reply with a sly smile.
Today 11:05 AM: gotcha! i'll handle things ;)
After putting away his phone to hide the secret intel, Wei Wuxian located his brother in the living room. Jiang Cheng was glaring out the window at the house across the street. A pair of binoculars rested on a nearby table.
It took a lot of effort to hold back a laugh, but Wei Wuxian succeeded. With a quick roll of his eyes, he said, "I know you're mad about Halloween but a full light show is a bit much, don't you think? The test went fine, by the way."
Jiang Cheng's scowl intensified. "That asshole won't win this time."
Wei Wuxian flopped into a chair and pointed out the truth. "You're obsessed."
"Fuck off. I'm not," Jiang Cheng almost spat, turning to direct the full force of his glare at his teasing brother.
"Sounds like denial," Wei Wuxian cooed in a sing-song voice. "I think you actually like the guy."
That did it. "Shut the fuck up!" Jiang Cheng roared, getting up in Wei Wuxian's personal space. "I hate that bastard!"
"Uh-huh, and what do you hate about him exactly?" Wei Wuxian asked with a wide grin.
"His face! His dumb ass face!" Jiang Cheng ranted in a rage. "His dumb face is always smiling! And he has stupid lips and-" He sputtered to a stop, realizing what he'd just said as Wei Wuxian started howling with laughter.
Red-faced, Jiang Cheng hauled Wei Wuxian bodily out of the chair and dragged him to the door. "Get the fuck out and do something useful you piece of shit!" he yelled as he kicked his cackling brother out of the room, slamming the door closed behind him.
After catching his breath, Wei Wuxian gleefully whispered, "Oh I will, Jiang Cheng." With a cheshire grin, he proceeded to hang a secret bundle of mistletoe above the front door for when Lan Xichen would come knocking.