Chapter Text
Lan Wangji's lips puffed out an unnoticeable breath as his eyes scanned the piece of paper in front of him. Two fingers delicately tugging on one edge, teasing the page stuck in between. A soft hum was in his head as he read down the musical score.
The unmistakeable air of serenity inside his office was ever present as he sat on his chair. All of the lights were flicked on, but was set on a warmer level. Creating a more comfortable atmosphere, perfect for his current mood. Numerous shelves of books lined the wallpapered walls. An elegant, white porcelain tea set was on the coffee table, embellished with streaks of blue and golden vines. A half-filled tea cup, still warm to the touch, was casting soft hints of mint in the delicate air, accompanied by the lingering smell of the sandalwood incense that had long huffed its final breath. The room was exceptionally quiet, the only audible sounds were Lan Wangji's breathing, and his skin grazing on the textured surface of the paper.
Lan Wangji had a calm expression on his face, knowing everything is right where it should be.
But the sudden echoes of minute vibrations coming from his phone, broke the revered silence in the room. Nevertheless, Lan Wangji picked up his phone with the smallest hint of a smile on his lips. His eyes growing brighter as he tapped on the screen to accept the call.
"Wei Ying." He spoke, in a voice so gentle any multicellular being will be able to deduce just how much he genuinely cares for whoever it was on the other line. But alas, much for Lan Wangji's dismay, even the most beautiful of beings can have certain... lackings, at times.
"Lan Zhan,"
With merely two syllables, Lan Wangji's expression shifted from soft to worried. His eyebrows slightly arched as he listened to the distress on the voice of his best friend. "Is there something wrong?" He asked.
There was a few short seconds of silence before Lan Wangji heard a sigh. He could only imagine the bitter smile plastered where a beaming ray of sunshine should have been.
"Can I finally take you up on that vacation you were always talking about?" The words were simple yet Lan Wangji knew the depth they held. His hands turned into fists as his eyebrows furrowed. "What happened, Wei Ying?" He asked, again.
"It's just," Another sigh. "Take me away from here, Lan Zhan." Lan Wangji's breath hitched for a moment as he listened. Silence then took over both ends of the line.
"I mean, of course that's only if you can! If you're busy or if you have any projects going on right now, you could just ignore everything I said and pretend this call never happened and we both can just—"
"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji was quick to cut him off. He knew the lengths the other man's words could reach. And regardless of how unfathomably (and annoyingly) charming it often was, Lan Wangji knew babbling his tongue off wasn't what his best friend needs. "Prepare your things. I will be with you in the next two hours."
Within the next hour, Lan Wangji had already called for a hotel reservation on a province about a hundred and fifty kilometers away from the city. His things were neatly tucked inside a large luggage, organized base on his estimated frequency of use. A small packing bag was leaning on the raised handle bar where his footwear and socks took shelter. And exactly sixty minutes later, he was already driving off the Lan Estate. Not a single word of farewell was breathed out of his lips. Lan Wangji didn't, couldn't, and wouldn't want to find the reason behind the necessity of telling anyone where he would be going, how long he would be gone, and with who was he going to disappear with.
Thrill ran up to his spine as he recalled Wei Ying's response to him when he first brought the offer up. "Lan Zhan, are you asking me to elope with you?"
He felt his ears heating up in memory of the stars in Wei Ying's eyes and the sun between his lips. The soul-saving vision of happiness that so greatly suit the only man that ever mattered this much to him. Lan Wangji didn't notice it, but he was soon driving along the highway with a smile on his lips.
Lan Wangji had his car parked right in front of a small beige apartment tucked in the middle of a long row of townhouses. He got off quickly and almost, almost ran his way to the door. Where he only needed to ring the doorbell once before the door was opened to him. Revealing a smiling image of the very epitome of warmth and beauty. Lan Wangji felt the corners of his lips tugged at the sight of his best friend.
"Lan-er Gege! Why did it take you so long to get here?" A pout was on Wei Ying's lips as he teased on Lan Wangji. And suddenly, Lan Wangji had set his hyperawareness on, towards the pair of pink and jutted soft flesh. Kiss him. He can't. Shouldn't.
"I apologize. I had to make sure some arrangements were done before we leave."
Lan Wangji watched the joy danced around Wei Ying's eyes, mesmerized at the comforting warmth it radiates. And he just knew that if he weren't careful enough, he just might stumble and fall deeper than he already had.
"Oh, so does that mean Lan-er Gege already settled everything for our vacation?" Lan Wangji nodded in response.
Wei Ying scrunched his nose as his fingers reached for both of Lan Wangji's cheeks. Flushing them together, creating a vision that emphasized on the man's now-pursed lips. And if Lan Wangji noticed the momentary glimpse on his lips that caused the sudden stiffness on Wei Ying, he didn't ponder too much about it.
"Lan Wangji ah, Lan Wangji. You really are too good to me. Really deserving of being awarded as the ultimate best friend title holder for 16 consecutive years!" Wei Ying dropped his hands from Lan Wangji's face. "Can you wait here for a bit? I'll just go and grab my stuffs, I brought quite a lot. Oh, oh! I bought some snacks for us to eat on the road as well!" He added before excitedly bouncing off back inside his small abode.
Best friend. Lan Wangji's mind echoed the two words. But he was just as quick to brush it off his thoughts.
A few minutes later, Lan Wangji was done loading the two large luggages in the trunk of his car. Wei Ying had long took reign on the shotgun seat, his legs tucked across each other underneath his thighs as he munched on a large bag of alarmingly red potato chips. Lan Wangji puffed a small breath of satisfaction as he made his way back to his seat. Finally closing the car door, his heart bloomed a gorgeous warmth. Hopeful on the events that will eventually take place.
"So," We Wuxian started as he shifted on his seat. Making sure he has turned his entire body to face Lan Wangji. "Where are we going, Lan Zhan?" He continued.
Lan Wangji took a quick moment of silence before he answered. "Wherever Wei Ying wants."
"Hm? But I thought you already made arrangements for the two of us?"
It took Lan Wangji a good amount of strength to stop himself from taking his eyes off the road and giving Wei Ying a look, when his peripheral vision gave him the image of his best friend slightly tilting his head to the side in the most adorable manner. He cleared his throat.
"Mn. The arrangements made were for our place to stay for the night. It is not safe to travel on the road when it is dark." He answered. "Plus, Wei Ying is probably tired." He added.
"Aww, Lan Zhan my booboo bear. You don't have to be this good to me, you know?" His best friend said, dramatically clutching on his chest. Acting as if something about Lan Wangji's petty little words were going to make his heart burst. "I'm already taking advantage of you so much, at this point I'm starting to fear for the day you start asking me for payback." Wei Ying laughed as he teased.
"Would never ask Wei Ying for anything in return." Lan Wangji quickly replied.
The short yet hearty cackle that escaped Wei Ying's throat filled the car with a bursting feeling of warmth alongside Lan Wangji's heart. A grin lingered on his lips as his laugh died down. Lan Wangji had to grip the steering wheel tighter after being treated to such a feeling. Wei Ying spoils him way too much.
But his unwillingness to spare Wei Ying a single glance made him completely miss the glint of playfulness in the man's eyes, a cunning smile on his lips as he inched forward, bit by bit. Closer and closer to Lan Wangji.
"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji breathed after a few seconds of realizing that Wei Ying had successfully rested his chin on one of Lan Wangji's broad shoulders. Wei Ying tilted his head to the side a little, obviously teasing on his poor, and heavily-smitten, best friend.
"You know..." Wei Ying trailed off, puffing a slow (painfully slow!) breath onto Lan Wangji's neck. "You can always, always, ask for anything from me, Lan Zhan." He whispered. "Anything."
Lan Wangji's eyes were wide as saucers, his ears a heavy shade of red. His grip on the steering wheel is evidently suffocating and Wei Ying could only pray that Lan Wangji wouldn't start pressing on the gas a little harder. Wei Ying erupted into a giant fit of laughter after a few seconds of silence.
"Lan Zhan! Look at how flustered you are!" Wei Ying laughed, wiping tears at the edge of his eyes. "After 16 years of teasing, people would've thought you'd grown immune to it. But looking at you, it still feels like the first time everytime!"
Lan Wangji could only sigh in silence as he bathed in the pleasant sound of Wei Ying's laughter. Shaking his head from side to side a little as he uttered a small "Ridiculous." under his breath. Which only made Wei Ying laugh more.
As his laughter softened, Wei Ying's lips settled for a softer smile. His palm taking rest on the width of Lan Wangji's thigh. Patting it a few times before resting there. "Seriously though, Lan Zhan. If you were to ever need or want anything from me, just tell me okay?" He paused. "I know you promised to give me anything and everything, but I hope you still remember that I also said the same thing to you too. I would be willing to give you just as much, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying smiled as he squeezed Lan Wangji's thigh between his fingers before continuing. "If not more." The silence that followed was almost unnerving, but Wei Ying –being the literal ray of sunshine that he is– giggled his way out of the silence as he retracted his hand from Lan Wangji. Shifting on his seat as he pushed a few pieces of chips in his mouth before starting on with a brand new topic about how frustrating and annoying his most recent clients were.
Lan Wangji felt as though something was stuck in his throat as he listened. The lingering feeling of Wei Ying's touch burned on his clothed skin as he chanted the words like a powerful mantra in his head,
Best friend. Best friend. Best friend. Over, and over again.
"Lan Zhan, look! There's a gas station up ahead. Maybe we could stop by for a quick second? I just really need to pee right now." Wei Ying spoke in the middle of his ceaseless rambling, two hours into the road. Lan Wangji simply nodded his head as he carefully switched lanes.
Lan Wangji parked the car in one empty corner of the gas station. Thoughtful at the possibility of getting in the way of other cars who were there to avail the station's services. Wei Ying was busy shuffling on his seat and gathering the mess of his things that was laid down on his thighs, when Lan Wangji carefully pressed the button of Wei Ying's seatbelt, setting him free.
Noticing the familiar gesture, Wei Ying paused to smile at his best friend. "Thank you Lan Zhan! I'll be back in a jiffy, don't miss me too much!" He said, finally getting himself out of the mess he made of Lan Wangji's shotgun seat and out of the car.
Lan Wangji's nod were no longer noticed as Wei Ying had long been gone when he responded. A few seconds later, he too got off the car as well. The sun was just setting, perfectly casting streaks of orange onto his immaculate skin. He walked the short distance from where he was, to the convenience store on the other side of the station. A picture of the numerous amounts of empty containers of snacks currently in the passenger seats of his car, were on his mind.
He exited the store with two new paperbags hanging from his fingers. It didn't really take him that long to choose the appropriate food and snacks he deemed worth to touch his best friend's palate. His short walk back to the car was uneventful, but his eyes lit up after seeing Wei Ying already back on his former seat.
"What's that, Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying asked as Lan Wangji entered the car. Lan Wangji said nothing, but handed the two bags towards Wei Ying. With greasy fingers, Wei Ying carried the bags to his side and took a peek.
Gasping, "You bought us more snacks?!" Lan Wangji nodded his head as he started the car engine back on. "But, Lan Zhan! I already brought enough!" He reasoned.
Lan Wangji took the opportunity and turned his head to face Wei Ying before he could start driving. His eyes scanned the leisurely seated frame of his best friend, before resting his look on a pair of silver eyes. "Should eat more," He said as his hand reached for Wei Ying's waist, obscured by an oversized maroon hoody. Lan Wangji rested his firm hold on the smallest part of his best friend's waist. Noticing the sudden gasp out of Wei Ying's lips. "Wei Ying is too thin." He said. Unable to identify what he should feel after getting a feel out of his best friend's thin waist.
"Aiya, Lan Zhan! Getting bolder and bolder everyday, I see." Wei Ying reacted, a few seconds too late. Lan Wangji took his hand back from Wei Ying without another word, and finally started driving again.
It didn't take them long to reach the hotel where they would be staying for the night. After being handed two key cards, both Lan Wangji and Wei Ying rode the elevator up and finally got into their respective rooms. Which were conveniently just beside each other's.
They didn't really bring much of their luggage with them, so they didn't have anything to tinker with the moment they settled in. Lan Wangji simply laid down a handy tote bag carrying his laptop and a few change of clothes on the small couch inside the room. He wasn't sure as to what his best friend opted to do in his own hotel room, but Lan Wangji decided to go for a quick shower in the mean time.
Mid-shower, Lan Wangji heard the small buzzing sound of his hotel room door. And despite of still having soap in some places of his body, he quickly grabbed the towel and wrapped it on to his lower half and stepped out.
"Lan Zha–" Lan Wangji's lips automatically tugged on one side more than the other, although it is barely even noticeable in the first place. "Mn." He said to Wei Ying after stepping aside to let the man in.
"I'm sorry, Lan Zhan. I didn't know you were taking a shower." Wei Ying scratched at the back of his head as he spoke apologetically. His bum already seated on the expanse of Lan Wangji's carefully pressed bed.
"Mn. It's okay. But I have not finished yet." Lan Wangji cued. "Oh. Then you should go back inside and finish, Lan Zhan!" Lan Wangji simply nodded.
It only took him a few more minutes before he was back inside his room. "Lan Zhan, you really outdid yourself this time huh?" Wei Ying remarked after hearing the sound of Lan Wangji coming in. His eyes were glued on the complimentary brochure of the hotel they were staying in. "This place not only has a rooftop pool, but a drinking bar and a karaoke room as well!"
Lan Wangji's eyes blinked on the set of clothes neatly laid down on the edge of his bed. An arrangement that was clearly not done by him. His look simultaneously flicked between his unknowing best friend, and the set of clothes the said best friend had prepared for him.
"There's also a night market a few minutes away from here. Maybe we can check that out after you're dressed? What do you say, Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying glanced his eyes up to Lan Wangji just in time as he was looping his arms to wear the shirt. His chest and abdomen, out on the open. With his lower half still simply covered with a piece of flimsy hotel towel. Lan Wangji paused, then continued.
"Mn. But I suggest Wei Ying should take his rest for now. We can visit the market tomorrow night." He said after successfully dragging the clothing to hide his bare top.
"Hmm, okay!" Wei Ying simply responded and just as quickly, went back into reading the brochure.
Lan Wangji finished clothing himself before making his way to the phone hanging on one of the walls. He made a short and quiet exchange with the lady on the other side of the line before he took his seat on the bed as well.
"Who did you talk to on the phone, Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying welcomed him. His attention now fully squared onto Lan Wangji as he placed the brochure down on the planes of the bed.
"Dinner." Lan Wangji answered as he rested his back on the headboard of the bed. His hands tinkering with his phone. It didn't take too long before he heard a whine coming from a hair's breathe away from him.
He looked. And when he looked, he saw how close Wei Ying was from him. A pout on his best friend's silly lips adorning the rather charming frown on his face.
"Lan Zhaaan, come on! We're on a vacation! Stop scrolling through your emails and talk to me!" He whined, again.
One thing to know about Lan Wangji, is that he is an incredibly strong and enduring man. But he is just simply way too weak for... For something like Wei Ying.
He breathed a long breath before placing his phone, screen first on the night stand.
"Is Lan-er Gege's attention only on Wei Ying now?" Wei Ying pouted.
"Mn. All on Wei Ying."
"Good! Because," Wei Ying trailed off as he reached for his phone and shuffled through things on his screen Lan Wangji didn't bother looking at. Afterall, he had all of his attention on and only on Wei Ying. And his gorgeous mouth.
"We have to plan for our vacation!" Wei Ying continued, waving his phone in front of Lan Wangji that was set on an empty page of notes. The title, 'BEST VACATION WITH THE BEST PERSON IN THE WORLD!!!' tugging at the strings on Lan Wangji's heart. Casting a pleasant ache and a surge of warmth all over his body.
"So tell me, for how long did you file your leave Lan Zhan?" His best friend first asked. To which Lan Wangji answered with nothing but a stare and utter silence.
A few seconds of nothing had to pass before Wei Ying squinted his eyes at his best friend. "Lan Zhan... You did tell your brother and your uncle about our vacation," He paused. "Right?" Throwing an interrogative look in his best attempt to intimidate Lan Wangji into telling the truth. But Lan Wangji never lied to Wei Ying before, so there really is no need for such a glance. Plus, it'd be wishful thinking if he could ever intimidate Lan Wangji in the first place.
Lan Wangji shook his head, no.
"Lan Zhan!! Why didn't you tell them?!" Wei Ying exclaimed. "God, Lan Zhan! You'll get them worried sick! And your uncle's definitely gonna kill me!!"
Lan Wangji's brows were furrowed instantly at the remark. "No one can touch Wei Ying." He said with enough firmness and finality on his voice to almost coaxe his best friend into truly believing him with his whole mortal being.
"Yeah, yeah. I know you won't let anyone touch me. But this is you're uncle we're talking about, Lan Zhan! And he WILL kill me if he knew I was with you on a spur-of-the-moment vacation you didn't bother telling them about!"
Lan Wangji still had a firm look on his eyes as he watched Wei Ying animatedly react. "Uncle is not an exception." was his only response to everything Wei Ying said. Which made the said man mum into complete silence for a couple of seconds.
"T-That doesn't matter, Lan Zhan! You have to call your brother now and tell them you're with me! And ask for a formal leave!"
That was how Lan Wangji was forced to contact his brother by his very own best friend. He wasn't sure of the fact, but he could almost feel his lips pursing into a pout. Wei Ying did nothing else but to stare at him, determined to listen and make sure Lan Wangji tells his brother all the important things he needed to know.
Lan Wangji didn't want to admit it, but he was definitely sulking. He thought that nobody tells their family when they are running away, eloping, with someone else. So why should he call his brother to let him know about his and his Wei Ying's whereabouts?
"Brother," Lan Wangji started, his eyes firm on Wei Ying's just as much as Wei Ying's were firm on his.
"Wangji, did you go out? You weren't in your office or in your room. Uncle doesn't want to start dinner without you." Lan Xichen, his brother, said in his infamous ever-gentle tone. Lan Wangji breathed a soft sigh.
"I am not at home." He answered, watching at Wei Ying as he waved his hand at him. Urging him to continue. "I have ran away with Wei Ying and I do not know when I will be coming back."
Lan Wangji knew he did something right the moment he heard nothing but silence on the other line. His face bore the very same expression, yet there was an air of radiance around him. He watched Wei Ying's stiff body as he looked back at him with saucers for eyes.
"... What... What did you say again, Wangji?" Lan Xichen spoke from the other end of the line.
"I have eloped with Wei Ying, and I do not know when we will be coming back." He paused. "Please do not look for us or tell anyone else, brother. We would like to enjoy our time together as peaceful as possible."
And you could call him rude or whatever else, but when Lan Wangji dropped the call on his brother without saying goodbye for the first time in his entire life, he was almost ecstatic.
"Wei Ying?" He nudged at the still frozen frame of his best friend. "I have done what you asked me to do."
"L-Lan Zhan..." Wei Ying whispered. Lan Wangji unwittingly tilted his head a little as a sign of question. Mirroring Wei Ying's familiar gesture whenever he is confused or asking a question. "Did you just... did you just tell Xichen-ge that you— that you... eloped with me?"
"Mn." Lan Wangji said, casually slipping his fingers around Wei Ying phone that was currently tucked inside the other's hands. Lan Wangji typed across his best friend's phone. Then, handed the device back for Wei Ying to read.
And if Wei Ying wasn't evidently shaken out of his own wits as he read what Lan Wangji typed on his phone, Lan Wangji was no longer sure what to describe of his best friend's reaction anymore.
'BEST VACATION ELOPING WITH THE BEST PERSON IN THE WORLD!!!'