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A-Yuan takes determined little steps to his older brother's room. He is on a mission tonight. He quietly opens the door to his brother's room, careful not to make any noise that might wake up his parents. They put him in bed awhile ago but A-Yuan needs to speak to his older brother tonight. It cannot wait until morning.
He rushes inside as quietly as he can and whispers to his brother. “Yu-ge” but of course his older brother is a heavy sleeper. Much like his A-die.”Yu-ge.” he tries again, patting his brother's shoulder. His brother let's out a tired moan but does not open his eyes.A-Yuan let's out a sigh.
“Yu-ge wake up” he says more determinedly, shaking his brother a bit. It seems to do the trick because he watches his brother blink up at him confused.
“A-Yuan?” his brother whispers. “Did you have a nightmare?”
“Noo” he says quickly. He’s six years old now. He only has nightmares sometimes now.
Xuanyu starts to sit up letting out a big yawn “Did you have an accident?”
A-Yuan feels his face grow warm “No!” he says a little loudly and quickly covers his mouth with his hands hoping he didn't wake up his parents. His older brother let's out a chuckle.
“So then what is it?”
“I need Yu-ges help.”
“With?”
“Surprise party for baba” A-Yuan says so seriously Xuanyu can’t help but pinch his cheeks. A-Yuan of course immediately smacks his hand away.
Xuanyu chuckles at his little brothers quick reflexes. “Babas birthday is in a week and he doesn’t really like parties.”
“I know but baba can have a small party. Just you, me and A-die” A-Yuan explains. Xuanyu can’t think of any reason to say no. If the party is just their little family his baba will definitely enjoy it.
“Okay A-Yuan, how can I help you?” Xuanyu says and he feels his heart warm as his little brother gives him the biggest smile.
A-Yuan launches into full detail about what he thinks is required for a party. He’s got most of the things down right. They will need a cake, some decorations, yummy food, soda (“ A-Yuan you know baba doesn’t like soda. “ Xuanyu reminds his little brother who sighs “Okaaay we can have juice”) , and of course gifts.
“I think you have this all figured out, little brother,” Xuanyu says, patting the younger boy's head. Yuan of course squirms away.He’s a big boy. He doesn’t need head pats.
“A-Yuan knows. But I still need help with the cake and the decorations.”
“Well I can definitely help with that part. But don’t you think it would be helpful to also tell A-die about this?” Xuanyu asks
“Hmmm… Okay!” A-Yuan says “A-die can also help”
“Aww I’m honored my boys still want my help” they hear their father say before the light in the room turns on.
Both boys instantly jump causing their father to laugh.
“Alright my little party planners, I hate to end this very important meeting but even party planners need to rest.”
“But A-die we haven’t told you all our ideas” A-yuan says
“And I would love to hear them my sweet little bun, but my brain doesn’t work very well at night. What if I forget anything important?”
“A-dies right A-Yuan, his brain doesn’t work at night.” Xuanyu takes the chance to tease his dad but regrets it when he sees the stern look his dad gives him. He knows his dad loves him very much but he also knows when not to push.
“Right. So let's all go to sleep before baba comes looking for me and he starts asking why he wasn’t invited to the meeting”
“Oh noo baba can’t know A-die!” A-Yuan says with genuine fear in his eyes. Wei Ying chuckles “Yes yes it has to be a surprise. So come on little bun. It's time to go to bed.”
A-Yuan nods and shuffles out of Xuanyus room. Wei Ying watches from the doorway as A-Yuan makes it to his own room. “I’ll be right over to tuck you in little bun” he calls out before he turns to look back at his oldest son.
Xuanyu gulps.
“Lay back down A-Yu” Wei Ying says walking into the room and helping his son get under the covers. “It was very nice of you to want to help your little brother” he starts making sure his son is tucked in “ I think with my help everything will go perfectly” he says “I know teasing is fun. Trust me I love teasing your baba and your uncle Cheng” he continues with the lecture Xuanyu knew was coming “But you also have to know when teasing is mean.”
“I’m sorry a-die”
“I know, little bun. Just be careful. You know A-Yuan looks up to you a lot.”
“I know.” Xuanyu mumbles
“Good. Now go to sleep.We’ll plan everything out tomorrow”
“Good night A-die”
“Good night my sweet bun” Wei Ying says before kissing his sons forehead and heading out of his room.
When Wei Ying is done he heads back to his room. He isn’t even surprised to see that his husband is sitting up waiting for him.
“Are the boys okay?”
“Yup both are snuggled up in their own beds.” Wei Ying replies as he gets into bed ready to be cuddled up by his husband. Lan Zhan immediately wraps his arms around his husband and pulls him closer as they start to get comfortable.
“Did A-Yuan have another nightmare?”
“No he just couldn’t fall asleep so he wanted to talk to his gege” Wei Ying lies smoothly. Of course he couldn’t spoil his little buns plans.
“They are very fond of each other.” Lan Zhan comments “I am glad”
“Yeah they love each other very much” Wei Ying replies kissing his husbands cheek before sighing contendly “Time to sleep for all the Lans in the house”
“Good night Wei Ying”
“Good night Lan Zhan”
Wei Wuxian sends his husband off to work with a loud kiss and a quick pat on his behind. His husband gives him a disapproving look when both their boys groan but Wei Wuxian knows his husband loves it. Once his husband has driven off, Wei Wuxian turns to his two boys.
“Alright my little buns, what's the plan for your babas surprise party?” he asks and can't help the smile that forms on his lips when he sees his little A-Yuan light up and pull out a list. The paper is covered in crayon scribbles that he can’t even begin to comprehend. Luckily, he doesn’t have to as his little bun starts to rattle off all the things on his list.
“We need cake, yummy food, tea, juice, and decorations” he says then looks up at Wei Wuxian expectantly.
“That's quite the list there A-Yuan “ Wei Wuxian says while ruffling his son's hair. He looks over at his oldest and asks “Anything you think we should add A-Yu?”
A-Yu thinks about it for a moment before saying “Presents?”
“YES!” A-Yuan agrees instantly”Baba needs lots of presents”
“Well I guess my smart boys have thought of everything” Wei Wuxian says smiling proudly at his two boys before cleaning up their breakfast dishes.
“Go ahead and finish ready to go to school.” He says placing the dirty dishes in the sink. “I’ll go get some stuff today for the party”
“Okay!” Both of his boys reply before they go off to find their backpacks and shoes.
As soon as the boys are ready they head out for school. Wei Wuxian used to be able to kiss his boy's faces before driving off but A-Yu didn't like that anymore and of course A-Yuan followed his lead.
He was told very firmly that kisses could only be given at home. It broke his heart that his boys were growing up but he also respected their wishes. And if he maybe smothered them with hugs and kisses at home who could stop him?
Wei Wuxian is able to get all his errands done before the boys are done with school including getting the supplies for their surprise party. He bought all of his husband's favorite snacks and of course tea to go with it. He bought all the decorations and even some games they could all play together. He hadn’t really thought about having a party for his husband, knowing how much his husband disliked large gatherings. But knowing this party was planned specifically by their youngest son he knows Lan Zhan will appreciate it. He can’t help but feel excited for his husband. He knows his husband doesn't need a big celebration but that doesn't mean he doesnt deserve one. Wei Wuxian has always tried to do something special for his husbands birthday but this time he is happy to let his boys plan. He can’t wait to see his Lan Zhans reaction.
Lan Zhan is the absolute best husband and an amazing father. It is no surprise to him that his boys want to do this for him. He’s always put their family first and has taken his role of being a father very seriously. Playing silly games the boys come up with, picking them up from school when they don't feel good, staying home from work if either of the boys are just not feeling school (mental health is very important), showing up to all their competitions and recitals, helping them with their homework, planning family outings, the list is truly endless. Wei Wuxian can’t help but fall in love a little bit more with his perfect husband.
Even when Lan Zhan is busy with his work and juggling spending time with their family he always makes it a point to check in with Wei Wuxian. He is always ready to help and give support when needed. Wei Wuxian always feels like the luckiest man alive. Of course it's a no-brainer to him that this surprise party has to be perfect.
He knows his boys would like to keep the party small but he sees no reason to not involve the rest of their family. He’s sure Xichen-ge would love to be part of the surprise even if he isn’t part of the actual party. He also needs his older sister to make the cake. He would have had the boys make the cake but hes been banned from baking ever since he tried to bake a cake for A-Yuans birthday two years ago. To be fair he had been prepared with two cakes just in case disasters happened. The problem was the back up cake had also been a disaster. Thank god he had told his sister he was going to bake a cake and her ever wise self thought to make back up to the back up cake. Plus if Yanli makes the cake it will give him time to help the boys decorate their home. It was all really turning out perfectly.
There was only one thing the three party planners had not thought of. And that was how absolutely stubborn Lan Zhan could be. The day of his birthday had finally arrived and they had everything for the party ready. Wei Wuxian had talked to Lan Xichen already about taking Lan Zhan out to breakfast in order for him and the boys to get the house ready for the party. Lan Zhan had even confirmed with his older brother that he would be going. But when the day came and he was getting ready he noticed that Wei Wuxian and the boys were not getting ready with him.
“Are we not all going?” he asked Wei Wuxian, genuinely confused.
“Isn’t it just going to be you and Xichen-ge?” Wei Wuxian asked.
“I thought the invitation was for all of us.” Lan Zhan replied looking conflicted.
“I’m sorry hun I thought it was a brother's only breakfast. But don't worry you’re still on time. Don’t worry about us” Wei Wuxian said with a smile, not moving from his spot on the bed.
“I do not want to go.” his husband says very seriously. Wei Wuxian tries his best to hold back his giggles. He sometimes forgets how silly and stubborn his husband can be. It warms his heart to know his husband wants the whole family at his birthday breakfast but he really needs time to get the house ready with the boys. They would be so disappointed if they weren’t able to surprise their precious baba.
“Lan Zhan, sweetie you already said yes to Xichen-ge” Wei Wuxian tries to reason.
“When I thought we would all be going” his husband replies
“Yes but you can’t just cancel now” Wei Wuxian says, unable to hold back a fond smile.
“Mn.” Lan Zhan says taking out his phone “I will tell brother to delay the reservation so we may all go”
Wei Wuxian really can’t help but giggle this time “Sweetie it's okay the boys and I will just wait for you here”
“I want you all to come, '' his husband replied firmly. Wei Wuxian just knows that his husband is pouting on the inside.
Wei Wuxian lets out a genuine chuckle “Babe let your brother take you out for your birthday.”
“I will. I will just tell him we are all going.” his husband says typing quickly on his phone. Wei Wuxian jumps out of bed to stop him.
“Lan Zhan, sweetie, it will take too long to get the boys ready and myself ready.”
“I can wait.” Lan Zhan says like it's no problem at all. Which truthfully it isn’t. But that would definitely ruin the surprise
“Yes, but it's rude to keep your brother waiting.” Wei Wuxian says resorting to reminding his husband about rules and proper etiquette.
Lan Zhan hesitates before replying “Brother will also understand”
Wei Wuxian really wishes his husband hadn’t chosen today of all days to be so stubborn. Thinking quickly he says “Okay Lan Zhan, you see… the thing is your brother has a surprise for you. And he asked me to help him out.”
Lan Zhan just blinks at him unsure.
“See and now you’ve made me spoil the surprise partially.” he says pouting up at his husband for good measure.
It works! Wei Wuxian has to throw in some kisses and promises that the boys and him will not feel left out but he gets his husband out of the house. The boys of course wish their baba a happy birthday and give him hugs and kisses and also promise they do not mind not being part of the birthday breakfast. Once his husband is reassured and out the door Wei Wuxian sends a quick text to his brother in law apologizing for his husband's lateness and for the fact that now Lan Xichen has to come up with an extra special surprise.
Once that is all settled Wei Wuxian and the boys set about getting the house ready for the party. They put up decorations that they had secretly made when Lan Zhan was at work. They put the food out that both boys had helped prepare. Their aunty Yanli of course supervised the whole process and paid close attention to Wei Wuxian not being allowed in the kitchen. They set their gifts out. Each one wrapped by the giver and with home made cards. Wei Wuxians heart had melted watching his boys work so hard on their fathers gifts. When everything was finally set up the little family got themselves ready to wait for Lan Zhan.
“Surprise!” Wei Wuxian and the boys yell as soon as Lan Zhan steps in through the front door.
The look on his husband's face is all Wei Wuxian needs to know that their little morning delay was worth it. He watches his sons race to their father to wish him a happy birthday. Lan Zhan is all too happy to open his arms up for the boys. He leans down and hugs them tight making both boys squeal. Wei Wuxian takes it all in a second longer before he joins in the family hug.
They have a wonderful time. They play games, open presents, eat yummy food, drink tea, and of course cut the cake. Through it all Wei Wuxian sees the way his husband glows with happiness. He may not be smiling but Wei Wuxian can see it in his relaxed shoulders, slight raise in the corner of his lips and the extra sparkle in his eyes.
Soon it is time to put the boys to bed. A-Yuan of course tries to protest but all it takes is Lan Zhan humming his lullaby before the little boy is out like a light. A-Yu on the other hand just kisses both his parents goodnight before heading out to bed on his own, completely wiped out. Both Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan can’t help but smile at each other fondly over their oldest being so independent.
With the boys in bed both Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian also head off to their room.
“Did you like your surprise?” Wei Wuxian asks, snuggling close to his husband.
“Mn.” Lan Zhan says giving the top of Wei Wuxians head a kiss “Thank you”
Wei Wuxian smiles up at his husband “Now Lan Zhan, you know there is no thank yous between us” and then adds “Plus it wasn’t even my idea. It was the boys”
“Then I will thank them properly tomorrow.” Lan Zhan says simply.
Wei Wuxian giggles before looking over at the clock then looking back up at his husband with mischief in his eyes. “So Lan Zhan, it's still your birthday for another hour. Is there anything you want to do?”
Lan Zhan meets his gaze and Wei Wuxian feels a thrill shoot up his spine “I can think of one thing” his husband says before kissing Wei Wuxian passionately.
It goes without saying that Lan Zhan has a very special birthday. One of the best if he is to be very honest.