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The weather was perfect for a picnic. One of those spring days where it's warm but not yet carrying the promise of summer's heat. The forest surrounding the trail they walked upon was flush with new growth and rang with birdsong.
Wei Ying danced around, darting towards anything that caught his attention with unwavering vigor. “Look there, Lan Zhan! Looks like they're having a picnic of their own today!” The observation was punctuated with a bout of carefree laughter, the beloved sound never failing to warm his heart.
He obligingly lifted his gaze to the branch Wei Ying had indicated. A pair of small birds were perched there, and one was offering a fresh plucked berry to the other. “Mn,” he agreed, feeling the corner of his lips twitching upward in a fond smile.
A pleased squeal from Wei Ying indicated the expression had not gone unnoticed.
The path before them opened out into a small clearing bordering a tumbling stream, the intended destination for their picnic. He crossed to a clear, level spot fairly near the bank, set down the basket, and began unfurling the blanket.
As the blanket, a gingham print in blue and white, settled to the grass, Wei Ying hopped to the basket. He lifted the lid just enough to slip a hand in, and drew out a piece of black cloth. His boyfriend flashed a mischievous grin and gestured for him to take a seat upon the blanket.
He complied with the request, arching one eyebrow in question.
“It's a blindfold, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying relocated the basket to the middle of the blanket before moving behind him in order to place and secure the blindfold. & ldquo;How's that? Not too tight? Can you see? Be honest, Lan Zhan! It would defeat the purpose if you can see!”
A huff of quiet laughter escapes at his boyfriend's enthusiasm. “Not too tight. I can see nothing. You tied it well.”
Sputtered laughter and a pleased clap of hands greets his response, then the sounds of the basket being emptied of their meal. Packed in its entirety by Wei Ying, he himself has no certainty for any item contained therein.
The slight creak of the basket's wicker handle, presumably as the basket was set to the side now devoid of contents, then the sound of lids being removed from storage bowls. A pause. “Open up, Lan Zhan!”
He feels something round graze against his lips as he does as directed and opens his mouth. When the movement halts, he bites down – a tea egg. The remaining half withdraws and a happy little hum from Wei Ying informs him the destination of that other half.
After the tea egg is a vegetable spring roll dipped in a mild sauce. No doubt Wei Ying treats his half to an extra spicy hoisin and peanut dip. The meal continues in this manner, shared bites throughout – baozi with a mushroom filling or pickled vegetables or red bean paste, stuffed lychee, slices of loquat, tanghulu strawberries. The occasional hitch in Wei Ying’s breathing when he darts his tongue out to stroke an administering finger.
When the last morsel has been consumed, he feels little tugs on the blindfold as Wei Ying unties it. As soon as his boyfriend’s face is once more visible, he pulls the other man in for a kiss. Wei Ying emits a happy little moan as his lower lip gets nipped, then quickly soothed.
As the kiss comes to an end, he reaches up to tie the blindfold he’d taken from Wei Ying around his boyfriend’s eyes. “Lan Zhan! What are you up to? The food is already all gone!”
“It is a surprise.” He presses kisses to the blindfold over each eye, then the tip of his boyfriend’s nose, and finally the mouth before drawing back. A bracing inhale, then he reaches into his pocket to draw out the small box that has taken up residence in each pocket he’s worn in the past weeks, waiting for the right moment.
The hinges of the box are silent as he opens the box. Wei Ying is fidgeting in the silence. The man gives a minute jump, startled when his hand is grasped. The ring fits perfectly on Wei Ying’s finger.
Wei Ying gasps in a breath, released from the frozen position that had taken over him when he felt the ring being slid on. “L-lan Zhan!? Can… can I take off the blindfold now?”
“Mn,” he affirms, beginning to reach to assist with untying it. Wei Ying beats him to it, recklessly ripping the blindfold off his head. His eyes are wide as stares at the glimmering ring gracing his hand. “Lan Zhan…”
Wei Ying’s fingers curl in and the fist is pulled in tight to his chest, eyes lifting up, bottom lip caught in his teeth. “Lan Zhan, you have to say it. You have to ask.”
He can feel the smile that grows on his face at the words, at the anticipation in Wei Ying’s expression. It is not a small smile, not this time. “Wei Ying, will you marry me?”
He finds himself with his arms full of this man, the love of his life. “Yes! Yes!” Wei Ying is half laughing, half crying, but his joy shines bright as he draws back just enough that they can see each other. The man cups Lan Zhan’s face in his hands. “Yes, I’ll marry you. It couldn’t be anyone but you for me. Ahh, Lan Zhan, I’m so happy!”
He is happy, too. The warmth this man – his fiancé – always stirs in his heart swells so that it feels overflowing.
It really is a perfect day today.