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Wei Ying has always been extremely friendly to everyone. People like him and he gets along with others. Despite that, he’s not super close with a lot of people. Except Lan Zhan, Wen Qing and Wen Ning, his best friends.
Recently Wei Ying has started living together with the Wen siblings due to family issues. Which is fine except for the rumors that Wei Ying and Wen Qing are dating. Lan Zhan is best friends with them, so he should know better. He knows they aren’t together, but he still gets jealous. Because he has a secret, Lan Zhan is madly in love with his best friend.
Lan Zhan is heartbroken, every time he sees his best friends together, he gets so jealous. And he feels like he doesn’t have the right to be jealous because of course they are allowed to hang out together. And even if they were dating, he should be happy for his friends. But every time he sees them spending time together, his heart breaks.
Lan Zhan has decided he should just give up on Wei Ying. He should be happy that they are friends and that he can still spend time with Wei Ying. He enjoys spending time with Wei Ying, studying together (or more like, Lan Zhan staring at Wei Ying while he studies), reading manga together, watching movies together (with their shoulders touching and Lan Zhan freaking out about that), eating food together (Lan Zhan still has not figured out how Wei Ying is able to handle such insane amounts of spice). Sometimes he even pretends that they’re on a date when they’re hanging out.
Wei Ying is the most beautiful person in Lan Zhan’s eyes. His bright smile always makes his heart flutter. Usually Lan Zhan isn’t a fan of things that aren’t neat, but he can’t help but adore Wei Ying’s messy hair. Some time ago he even casually (or at least he hoped it seemed casual) tucked a strand of his hair behind his ear while they were studying, and Lan Zhan thought he was going to die right then and there.
Giving up on his crush would be a lot harder than he thought.
One evening Lan Zhan was at home playing with his bunnies (he has two, a white one and a black one) when he suddenly heard someone knocking at his door. He never really receives visitors because he likes to be alone and to keep his apartment clean. So, when he opened the door and saw Wei Ying in front of him he was very surprised. Wei Ying was clearly drunk and threw himself at Lan Zhan when he finally fully opened the door.
“Lan Zhaaaaaan,” Wei Ying managed to say while hugging him tightly.
Lan Zhan and Wei Ying don’t hug a lot. Wei Ying is a really touchy person, but he knows Lan Zhan doesn’t like to be touched so they usually don’t hug. Wei Ying gets drunk quite often, but it seems like he’s even drunker than usual.
Lan Zhan just stands there for what feels like hours but what probably are just a few minutes. He lets Wei Ying hug him.
“You are very warm,” Lan Zhan manages to say.
Wei Ying seems to realize what he’s doing and let’s go quickly, he utters a soft sorry and he walks into Lan Zhan’s place.
“I’ll make you some tea,” Lan Zhan announces and leaves to the kitchen.
I have known Wei Ying for many years now, but I have never seen him this drunk. I wonder what’s going on… and why did he hug me like that earlier? When he got back to the couch, Wei Ying was just sitting there, pouting. Oh, how am I ever going to get over him when he looks so adorable, Lan Zhan thought to himself.
He sat next to Wei Ying and handed him the tea, “Did something happen Wei Ying? Why did you drink so much”
Wei Ying looked at him for a moment and just before Lan Zhan was going to say that he didn’t have to tell him, Wei Ying softly spoke. “I’m not brave enough, so I thought maybe the alcohol would help me gather up the courage… but I think I might have drunk a bit too much…”
“Hmm, let’s just go to sleep then, you can stay here tonight.”
Wei Ying had not stayed over at his place before. They have had sleepovers in the past, but they had always been at Wei Ying or one of their other friends’ places. Of course, Wei Ying had been to Lan Zhan’s apartment before but today felt different.
He would let Wei Ying take his bed, he would just stay on the couch tonight, it’s not like he would be able to get much sleep with his crush literally spending the night. He had helped Wei Ying put a pair of his pajamas on. He looks so cute like this; I really shouldn’t stare but Wei Ying is so pretty.
Wei Ying never needed courage for things, and it was also surprising he even thought twice before doing something. It must be something serious if he had gotten this drunk. Wei Ying can hold his liquor well, so how much did he drink to end up like this…
They were both sitting on Lan Zhan’s bed. Wei Ying seemed to be looking everywhere except at Lan Zhan. So, Lan Zhan decided to try and comfort his friend. “No matter what it is you need courage for, I’m sure you can do it, Wei Ying does not need to get this drunk.”
Wei Ying finally looked up at Lan Zhan but didn’t say anything for a while, “I was going to confess…”
Lan Zhan’s heart broke. He was going to confess to Wen Qing, that must be it. So, he must like her after all, he thought to himself. He knew he had to be there for his friend so he put his hand on his shoulder and patted him in an attempt to comfort Wei Ying, “If Wei Ying is going to confess to Wen Qing, I’m sure it will go well, you don’t need to drink that much.”
Wei Ying frowned and was quiet for a few seconds until he managed to mumble “Wen Qing?”
Lan Zhan decided he couldn’t handle it anymore, so he helped Wei Ying lay down, wished him good night and he left the room. Of course, he couldn’t fall asleep on the couch that night. He decided to just hang out with his bunnies until it was time for breakfast.
So, he really does like Wen Qing? He didn’t confirm it but he did say her name so I guess I was right… hmmm.
Wei Ying woke up quite late, as Lan Zhan expected so he just warmed up the breakfast he cooked earlier. “I’m sorry I didn’t have any ingredients to make something spicy for Wei Ying.”
“Oh Lan Zhan don’t worry about it! I love anything you make for me.”
That comment made Lan Zan blush. Is he avoiding eye contact? Does he remember anything from last night? I must act normal. Everything will go back to normal, and he will never find out about my crush on him.
“I also got some medicine for your hangover, you drank a lot last night.”
“Thank you Lan Zhan… about last night,” Wei Ying started, but he seemed to stumble a bit over his words, “did I… did I say anything?”
“Wei Ying mentioned something about confessing to someone, you meant Wen Qing right? Were you really that worried that you drank so much? I bet she will like you too,” Because how could she not like you…
“Lan Zhan that’s not…”
But before Wei Ying could even finish his sentence Lan Zhan’s phone rang and the conversation ended.
“He thinks you like me? I have never seen a gay guy with a worse gaydar than Lan Zhan!” Wen Qing stated after Wei Ying told her the story of his failed confession to Lan Zhan. “You are bi and I am a lesbian, how does he not know that? We’ve known each other for at least two years, and he has known you for even longer!”
Wen Qing sighed, “Why didn’t you just correct him this morning?”
“I wanted to… but if he thinks I like you, doesn’t that mean he for sure does not like me?”
Wen Ning suddenly spoke up from behind his laptop, he was not really part of the conversation but he was always aware of what was going on. “Everyone can see that Lan Zhan is head over heels for you, you’re the only one who doesn’t know, Wei Ying.”
“But what do I do now? Even alcohol didn’t help and how do I face him now?” Wei Ying sulked.
There wasn’t much time for Wei Ying to mope around because there were more important things going on, exams. Even if Wei Ying did not care about getting high grades, he still needed to pass his classes. And usually, the exam period meant study sessions with Lan Zhan. But after the failed confession, the two hadn’t spoken much. Wei Ying has reached out a few times but Lan Zhan was busy, or at least he said he was.
In reality, Lan Zhan wasn’t busy he just did not know how to face Wei Ying after what happened the other day. He didn’t want to know if Wei Ying had confessed to Wen Qing, he didn’t want to see them together and he didn’t want to have to pretend to be happy for them.
But after avoiding him for a week, Lan Zhan ran out of excuses. Wen Ning had invited Lan Zhan to hang out at their place. This was a little odd because Wen Ning was never the one text. But Lan Zhan thought that Wei Ying and Wen Qing were probably just too busy with each other that Wen Ning had to be the one to invite him this time.
So that Friday evening, Lan Zhan arrived at the place where his three friends lived. Here goes nothing, Lan Zhan thought before knocking on the door.
The evening had not been special, they were just hanging out like they did all the time. Except the mood seemed a bit tense.
They don’t seem like they’re together? Did he not confess? Or did she turn him down? Lan Zhan was lost in thought before he finally noticed what the conversation was about. Wait did Wen Qing just talk about having a date this weekend?
“I can’t believe you finally asked my sister out! Took you long enough” Wei Ying laughed at his friend.
“Thank you for being so supportive of me and Yanli but do you really think you’re in the right place to say that to me now Wei Ying.”
Wei Ying punched Wen Qing’s arm before she could say more.
“Wait!” Lan Zhan said. “You are dating Wei Ying’s older sister?”
Wen Qing sighed, “Yes, I have liked her for ages, but I finally asked her out. Did you really not know? I talk about her all the time?”
“Lan Zhan, I thought you were always so observant, how did you miss this,” Wen Ning interfered while laughing.
Lan Zhan looked so lost and confused, “Congratulations Wen Qing, I don't feel well, I think I should leave.”
Lan Zhan had made it to the door and was ready to leave when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. “Lan Zhan, you seem upset, I’ll drive you home.”
“Wei Ying really doesn’t have to,” Lan Zhan said while already making his way outside.
“I will drive you home.”
Lan Zhan was too tired to argue, “hmm.”
Even though Lan Zhan does not live that far away, the car ride seemed to take forever. The two boys just sat there in silence until they finally arrived at Lan Zhan’s apartment complex.
Lan Zhan wanted to say that he will be fine from here but before he could even put into words what he wanted to say, Wei Ying was already walking towards the entrance.
I should let Wei Ying know I really don’t mind that Wen Qing and his sister are dating before he gets the wrong idea…
“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said quietly when they entered his apartment.
“Yes Lan Zhan, what’s wrong? If this is about my sister...”
“No, Wei Ying don’t worry I really am happy for them! I do not mind them dating. I am sorry if I offended you or Wen Qing.”
“I know you would be the last person to have an issue with them dating, but I don’t understand. You’ve been acting strange all week. Did I do something wrong?”
Lan Zhan could not look Wei Ying in his eyes, what could he even say to him. He knows Wei Ying would never believe him if he came up with another random excuse.
“Lan Zhan, last week… I was going to confess to someone, but that someone was not Wen Qing.”
“Wait what?”
“Did you really not know Wen Qing is a lesbian?”
Lan Zhan finally looked in Wei Ying’s eyes and slowly shook his head. “No...”
“Lan Zhan.”
“Hmm.”
“Do you really not know who I like?” Wei Ying looked away. He almost seemed shy.
Lan Zhan did not know what to do in this situation. Who does Wei Ying like? And why is he acting so mysterious?
Wei Ying took a deep breath and stepped forward. They were still standing in the hallway of Lan Zhan’s apartment. Wei Ying couldn’t take it anymore; he did not need the alcohol. It was now or never. Fuck it, Wei Ying thought to himself. Before he could overthink his decision, he planted his lips on Lan Zhan’s.
Lan Zhan froze. What is he doing? Is he kissing me? Wait does this mean I am the one he likes? Oh my God. I need to do something now. What do I do? I have never kissed before.
The kiss was soft and a bit shy. Before Wei Ying could pull back, Lan Zhan finally kissed back. The kiss started out a little clumsy, but it didn’t take long for the kiss to turn from innocent to passionate.
When Wei Ying finally pulled away, the only thing he managed to say was “Oh my God Lan Zhan.”
“Yes Wei Ying, wow...”
The two boys stood there for a moment just smiling at each other foolishly.
“Does this mean I am the one Wei Ying likes?”
“Yes oh my God Lan Zhan. Do you really think I kiss my friends like that?”
“…Well, I don’t hope so”
Wei Ying took a deep breath and this time he finally was able to say what he didn’t get to the last time. “Lan Zhan, I like you, like a lot, like a lot lot. I have a huge crush on you. You were the one I was going to confess to. That’s why I went to you place last week when I was drunk and that’s why I kissed you. Can I… can I do that again?”
Wei Ying didn’t have to ask that twice, Lan Zhan pulled the other boy closer and their lips met again. This time the kiss wasn’t as hurried as the first time. It was lazy and slow.
“Maybe we should go into the living room instead of staying here in the hallway,” Lan Zhan whispered when they finally ended their kiss.
Wei Ying nodded and with a wink he said, “Can we continue our activity in the living room then?”
It didn’t take long for the making out session to become heated. Their kisses were full of want and the two boys did not want to pull apart from each other after finally acknowledging their feelings for each other. This time, Wei Ying ended up in Lan Zhan’s bed again. And Lan Zhan did not get much sleep that night either. But this time it was for a whole different reason than the night of the failed confession.
This would be the first of many times that Wei Ying sleeps over in Lan Zhan's bed, but there won’t be much sleeping happening…