Work Text:
Laid sprawled on the makeshift couch made of boxes and knick-knacks, Wei Wuxian stares at the dryer, spinning circles and circles. There were still three more loads to go, four total, one in the washing machine, and another in the dryer that he continues to stare at. Circles and circles, like a never ending loop.
Wei Wuxian had left work tired, another corporate day at the office, far from his husband and child-more-teenage son. Commute was as long as it usually takes, twenty minutes there, forty minutes back, thirty-five if he was lucky. The same busted up cd kept playing, always skipping over the fifth song which so happens to be his son’s favorite.
When Wei Wuxian went home, he threw everything on the floor. His tie was loosened, work bag forgotten, and shoes and coat were flying. Lan Wangji worked until 5 and Lan Yuan had swim practice until 6. There was no need to worry about the clutter, it would hopefully be cleaned up eventually. Wei Wuxian dragged himself to the fridge, scouring for items that weren’t there.
Almond milk, cabbage, and eggs , Wei Wuxian noted mentally. He grabbed a bag of shrimp chips and started to munch on it when the calendar caught his eyes. Right there, December 4th, LAUNDRY DAY in big blue letters right next to December 5th, work meeting (Jins ://) and **A-Yuan’s swim meet** :)). “Shittt”, a dragged groan left Wei Wuxian’s lips. He had completely forgotten this week was his week on laundry duty. Slip of the mind as some say.
He left his bag on the table, more of a throw as some shrimp chips flew out, and ran upstairs to grab the laundry baskets. One after another and many trips later, all the baskets were placed in the dingy little basement of the house. The light barely turned on when Wei Wuxian flipped the switch. Even though they may have moved over a decade ago, there were still old items and boxes, covered in dust and begging to be found and opened. However, it takes only one single track mind to completely discard the items mentally, forever trapped in their dust prisons. That and also a lack of time from Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Lan Yuan (he only has laundry duty once every three months).
After putting one full laundry basket’s worth of clothing into the washing machine, another bell rang in Wei Wuxian’s head and the name of that bell was the bathroom mats and kitchen towels. He let out a loud sigh as he poured in the right amount of laundry detergent (the first line), slamming the door shut as he raced upstairs to gather up the remaining unwashed items. This led to a peek into the pantry where he noted more missing foods. Whole wheat bread, gross crackers to give out to guests, silly shaped pasta for A-Yuan. The shrimp chips still lay there, becoming stale by the minute.
The washing machine alarm rang as Wei Wuxian descended to the basement once more. Out the load, into the dryer, and in a new load. The cycle continues.
Wei Wuxian was beyond exhausted by the multiple trips up and down the stairs, choosing to lay down by the laundry baskets so as to not forget about doing laundry in the first place. Makeshift couch will have to do , Wei Wuxian thought, so much more to do and I haven’t even cleaned up my mess by the door, ughh. Why do I make more work for myself?
Complaint after complaint started to pile through, overflowing in Wei Wuxian’s head. I can’t do anything right and I’m tired circled his mind. He twists and turns, hitting his legs and arm against multiple boxes and ceramic figurines. He tries to drift his mind elsewhere, his therapist’s lecturing voice echoing in a distant corner. Memories of a younger Lan Yuan and a younger Lan Wangji emerge. My little A-Yuan , Wei Wuxian reminisces.
Before moving into their current house, they had lived in a small and crappy apartment complex in the big city which was closer to work. They needed that closeness as they were still saving for a car. The apartment may have smelled a bit, the wallpaper was definitely tearing in some places, and the air conditioning only worked on rare occasions, but it was home for the three of them. A couple of months before moving out after buying a mostly working 2008 Honda Accord, 5 year old Lan Yuan had brought a cd player gifted by one of the neighbors, Granny Wen, as a sending off gift. It was the last day Lan Yuan was babysat by Granny Wen as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had decided to take leave off work until they moved all their items into the new home. Laughing and giggling up the stairs and into his home, Lan Yuan proudly showed his fathers the new item he had acquired.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji smiled at one another as Lan Wangji walked to a box, shuffling through the carefully packed items as Wei Wuxian lifted Lan Yuan into the air and proclaimed, “What an amazing discovery my son! I knew you had my brains!”. Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Wangji who was now plugging in the cd player. A slight smile graced his face, almost invisible to the untrained eye. Wei Wuxian placed Lan Yuan back down as a click sound was heard from Lan Wangji’s direction. Music poured into the atmosphere as Wei Wuxian took both Lan Wangji and Lan Yuan’s hands and hopped and danced all around the home.
Song after song played, constant changing of cds. The apartment felt like a home for one last time as floor thumps and laughter bounced off the walls. By the time the three got tired, the sun had retreated and barely a dusk was seen. Lan Yuan was sleeping as soon as his head hit the pillow on the couch. Wei Wuxian chuckled at the sight, picking up his son and carrying him to the family room which was mostly composed of boxes at that point.
By the time he tucked in Lan Yuan, a melody echoed around the home.
Your kisses were recreated, here in my mouth…
Wei Wuxian paused, smiling to himself as he got up and slightly shut the door. He walked closer and closer to the living room where his husband waited for him at the coffee table, with two plastic cups and a gallon of apple juice in hand.
Filled with memories and passion, my crazy life…
“Care for a drink?” Lan Wangji offers.
“Why yes, my dear Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian responded cheekily as he sat down next to Lan Wangji.
The happiest hours of my love…
“...were with you,” Lan Wangji mumbled as he poured two cups.
“That's why my soul always misses the sweet relief,” Wei Wuxian responded as he took his cup from Lan Wangji.
The gaze in both of their eyes could not be replicated by any being on Earth. Lan Wangji placed his cup down and extended his hand to Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian gladly took it as he too placed his cup down and stood up. Away from the coffee table (realistically only a foot away), both embraced each other arms, swaying back and forth.
I can swear to you before an altar, my sincere love…
The world was silent for only a few moments as it admired the love of true lovers.
Wei Wuxian nuzzled his head into Lan Wangji’s shoulder. “Lan Zhan, let us stay like this until we are old and gray, please,” Wei Wuxian said, his voice almost pleading.
“Only with you, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji responded, squeezing Wei Wuxian tighter.
You can tell everyone that I do love you…
Unbeknownst to the two lovebirds waltzing around, Lan Yuan had awoken from his short lived slumber. He too heard the soft melody of music playing but didn’t question it as his number one priority at the moment was water for his dry throat. He drooped out of his warm bed, opened the door, and wandered into the small hallway as he headed to the kitchen. With small steps, he peeked into the living room where he saw his parents. Dancing back and forth and sharing pecks across each other’s faces, Lan Yuan stared in awe. The song engraved itself into little Lan Yuan’s memory even as the years flew by.
“Baba,” the pair jumped, hearing their son’s voice. They turned to see him timidly standing behind a wall, peeking out. The pair separated, Lan Wangji pausing the cd player and Wei Wuxian walking toward Lan Yuan.
“What’s wrong A-Yuan? Did we wake you?” Wei Wuxian’s hands holding Lan Yuan, kneeled in front of him.
“Nothin’ Baba, just thirsty,” Lan Yuan responded, rubbing his eyes.
At the speed of light, Lan Wangji retreated to the kitchen and returned with a cup of water in hand. Wei Wuxian sat Lan Yuan at the dining table as Lan Wangji placed the cup on the table. In record time, Lan Yuan finished his water. The kid sure was quick. Placing the cup down, Lan Wangji picked up his son and the three proceeded to go to Lan Yuan’s room. Tucking him in, Lan Yuan kissed both of his fathers on the cheek.
“Good night Baba, good night A-Die,” Lan Yuan yawned. Just as fast as he drank the water, as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.
“Good night A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji responded.
I miss them , Wei Wuxian thought, feeling the stiffness of the cardboard.
A loud alarm had awoken Wei Wuxian. The laundry, of course , Wei Wuxian thought. Groggily, he got up, taking the clothes out of the dryer, more clothes out of the washer into the dryer and new clothes into the washing machine. It would take an hour or two for everything to finally be washed and, neatly as possible, folded up to Wei Wuxian’s best of abilities.
Trudging, Wei Wuxian carried laundry basket after laundry basket upstairs once more. However, something he didn’t notice and didn’t account for was the time and arrival of his husband. He was sitting at the dining table, pouring himself what looked to be the second cup of tea. Seems like he hadn’t just arrived as the mess he had created earlier was mysteriously put away in their respective places, even the shrimp chips were neatly folded up and had a clip in place preventing it from spilling.
“Ah my Lan Zhan, always too good for me, too kind,” Wei Wuxian boasted, “You didn’t have to clean up my mess for me, I was going to do it eventually.”
“I should spoil my husband every once in a while, shouldn’t I?” Lan Wangji responded, still focused on his tea.
“My husband, my husband!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, “You will make A-Ying’s little heart explode!!”
Lan Wangji placed his teacup on the table and got up, walking in Wei Wuxian’s direction. He tightly embraced his spouse, lifting his chin ever so slightly to plant a kiss on his lips.
“I missed you today,” Lan Wangji said.
“As did I an awful lot,” Wei Wuxian responded.
The hug that seemed to last an eternity was interrupted by a text alert sent to both phones set on the kitchen counter. Wei Wuxian separated first as he went to retrieve both phones. His phone lit up with the message:
A-Yuan 5:32pm
Practice ended early, coming home soon
Miss you Baba, A-Die
Don’t eat without me