Work Text:
"Come on, Lan Zhan. When life gives us lemons, we ought to make the lemonade."
Lan Zhan gives Wei Ying a dark glare. He's not sure how one could make the lemonade out of the situation they're in. They had flown all the way from Beijing to Birmingham for a meeting with their new overseas partners. Of course, it was another success. Next year Lan Enterprises will be opening its first branch in the UK. The meeting was originally planned to take place in London, but due to most offices being closed at this time of year, they were forced to travel to Birmingham. The luck was on their side – until this morning when they got to the airport to catch their flight back to London before flying back to Beijing tomorrow. But instead, they were met with endless rows of cancelled flights due to severe weather.
Lan Zhan came from a cold place where heavy snowfall was nothing surprising and was expected every year. But here, it seemed that even a little flurry would stop the whole infrastructure. Flights and trains were cancelled. Shops closed. The whole world just stopped. They called it the Storm of The Century.
Of course Lan Zhan's assistant - Wei Ying - would want to turn it all into an adventure.
That's okay, Lan Zhan, he had said. We can rent a car and drive back to London. Make it a road trip!
Although reluctant, Lan Zhan had agreed, while Wei Ying was bursting with excitement. So, they drove down instead. But the closer they got to London, the worse was the storm. With no visibility at all they were forced to stop in the middle of nowhere – no more than an hour and a half away from the capital.
Luckily, there was a pub - a single building on the roadside in the middle of white nothingness.
Lan Zhan sighs as he watches the snow hitting the window with revenge.
The snow has been piling on quickly. His hope of it to let up a little has been slowly dying. Their rented car was being erased from the sight together with the outline of the road. The pub owner had said they were waiting for the gritters and plowers, but no one knew when they would arrive.
So, they are stuck here - a small countryside pub with nowhere to go. They've been here for two hours now, and to Lan Zhan, it already feels like the longest two hours of his life. The chatter of a few other customers, who are just as stuck here, mixes with annoying Christmas music in the background. The whole pub is decorated with garland and Christmas lights. There's a tree sitting in the corner, and a crooked elf is perched above the fireplace. All this holiday cheer being shoved right into Lan Zhan's face… He cannot wait to get back to Beijing, where he can at least ignore this nonsense in the comfort of his own home.
"Listen, it really could be worse," Wei Ying interrupts his thoughts again as they both sit at the bar. "It's pretty outside. And it's pretty in here. It's Christmas, Lan Zhan! Loosen up a little!"
Lan Zhan just glares at him before returning to his cup of horrible, horrible tea. Of course, Wei Ying would get excited about such a nonsensical Western holiday. His assistant seemed to get excited about literally everything. Sometimes, Lan Zhan wonders if he has hired a child instead of a man. Wei Ying was way too lively and loud for his taste. He was constantly in Lan Zhan's personal space, always bothering him, always trying to pull a reaction out of him. The fact that Lan Zhan was his boss did not seem to hold Wei Ying back at all. He'd tease and ignore Lan Zhan's glares until Lan Zhan would eventually give in and agree to his ridiculous ideas.
So, if Lan Zhan was so annoyed by this man, how come Wei Ying still had his job?
Simple. Wei Ying was brilliant. Lan Zhan had never met anyone so smart and quick-witted. His natural charm and ability to make friends wherever he went, proved itself useful many times. If the meeting with a new client started in cold silence, then by the end of it everyone was laughing at Wei Ying's jokes. His easy-going attitude made other people lower their guard, and his charm was irresistible, and the meeting would often end with a deal – heavily in favour of Lan Enterprises. And Wei Ying would give Lan Zhan a little wink afterwards. Everyone fell under Wei Ying's charm, unaware that those sparkling silver-grey eyes had been reading every smallest detail and gesture, making careful calculations in his mind and weighing all the risks.
So yes, Wei Ying was too brilliant to be fired. And he looked devastatingly good in a suit, which is something Lan Zhan forbade himself to think about. Of course, Wei Ying was gorgeous. Tall and slender, with his coquettish ponytail always swinging behind, with upturned lips and big doe eyes hidden under long dark lashes…
Lan Zhan forces his thoughts to a halt. He is not attracted to Wei Ying. His brother, who, of course, absolutely adored his assistant, for some reason was under the impression that something was going on between the two. There wasn't, and Lan Zhan assured his brother many times, that he could never fall for someone who annoys him to almost a molecular level, but Lan Huan would just give him one of those cryptic smiles and nod.
"Your friend is a bit of a Grinch isn't he?" Lan Zhan hears the bartender ask.
He frowns. It's always like this. People expect him to be open and funny and jump into conversations. But that's not how Lan Zhan was raised. When you've spent most of your life controlling and subduing your emotions, it's hard to stop doing it later in your life as well. His brother had managed to break that cycle. Lan Zhan had yet to find his way out. Besides, he didn’t want to change who he was just to please people who meant absolutely nothing to him.
"He's just a little tired," Wei Ying replies in flawless English.
Of course, he would. Wei Ying moved abroad to study as soon as he finished high school and remained there - until he moved back to China three years ago. Wei Ying spoke six languages, and his English was more than perfect.
"It's been a couple of very stressful and busy days," Wei Ying adds. "And now this storm."
The bartender nods sympathetically. "I hear you. Everyone's been preparing for tomorrow. I was supposed to close today and drive to my daughter's for Christmas. But if they don't clear the road tonight I may end up stuck here."
He's just a little tired – the words echo in Lan Zhan's head. A strange feeling crawls up from his stomach. Now that he thinks about it, Wei Ying has always made excuses for his aloofness, assuring people that Lan Zhan is a very nice and reliable person. Even more than that – Wei Ying would take over the conversation when he felt that Lan Zhan was struggling, and he'd carry it to the end, still somehow including Lan Zhan in it.
Lan Zhan steals a little side glance at Wei Ying. The man is laughing and chatting away with the bartender. His eyes sparkle, and his ponytail sways as he moves his head. Maybe it is that horrible tea messing with his brain, but Lan Zhan finds himself fully immersed in how Wei Ying's features change along with the conversation, how he gestures all over the place while using English. Was Wei Ying always this mesmerizing?
He doesn't realise he's been staring until those silver eyes turn to him. They shine brighter than all the Christmas lights in the pub, and Wei Ying smiles at him. Lan Zhan is a little tempted to smile back. It takes a lot to keep his expression indifferent, but he succeeds.
Wei Ying scoots closer, his shoulder now brushing against Lan Zhan's. "Come on, er-gege. Give me a little smile, please."
"Ridiculous," Lan Zhan mutters and turns his head away.
Wei Ying sighs. "Aiya, Lan er-gege. What does this lowly one have to do to get on your good graces, hm?"
"Stop bothering me for once," it slips out before Lan Zhan can bite his tongue, his tone sharper than he intended.
Something makes Lan Zhan turn his head and meet Wei Ying's eyes again. And for the first time, he notices something different. Something of a hurt in that silver. But Wei Ying recovers quickly and smiles – even if that smile has dimmed a little.
"Fine, fine, fine," he admits defeat and removes himself from the bar stool. "I'll leave you be."
Lan Zhan watches how Wei Ying plops at one of the tables where an elderly couple is sipping on their pints. He immediately jumps into a lively conversation with them, making them laugh. Meanwhile, Lan Zhan orders another cup of horrible tea and returns to watch the window, hoping that maybe, if he glares hard enough, the snow will stop.
Of course, an hour later the storm is still going. The time slips by and Lan Zhan has buried himself in the book he took with him. It's a dry and rather boring piece, but this way, he does not have to deal with the bartender's occasional stares or some drunk idiot wanting to start a conversation. He checks his watch after a while and realises it's almost 8 PM – an hour away from his bedtime. It now makes sense why his eyes are beginning to feel so heavy.
The world outside has turned to darkness - only faint lights of the streetlamps seep through. And it's still snowing. But something's different. Lan Zhan frowns, his golden eyes travelling around the room, looking for a certain someone.
But he's not here. And Lan Zhan feels a sudden worry in his heart. He considers asking the bartender, but before he can turn his head, Wei Ying emerges from the direction of the toilets. He comes and sits down at the bar again, but this time, he keeps his distance and strikes up a conversation with the bartender again.
The door opens, and a new customer comes in, bringing a cold breeze and a bunch of flurries. They take off their coat and, hanging it up, walk up to the bar. It's a young and rather good-looking man – if the looks are anything to judge by – and Lan Zhan watches them sit down next to Wei Ying.
In the last few hours, Wei Ying had made a friend of everyone in the room. So, naturally, he immediately jumps to introduce himself. Lan Zhan also hears his own name mentioned but doesn't give the man more than a light nod. He can see how the stranger quirks an eyebrow, clearly expecting a warmer welcome. But Wei Ying immediately drags the man into a conversation, taking the focus off Lan Zhan and allowing him to return to his reading.
A few minutes later, Lan Zhan closes his book and steals a glance towards them. Wei Ying is still talking, and the other man is smiling. The gestures and the little touches they exchange make something bare its teeth and growl inside Lan Zhan's chest. Wei Ying is clearly flirting, and the other man is flirting back. There's nothing wrong with it. It's understandable. Wei Ying is gorgeous. Beautiful even. And bright. Anyone would like him. Anyone would want to flirt with him and bask in his affections.
But then, why is it making Lan Zhan so irritated? Why does it make Lan Zhan's blood boil when this stranger touches Wei Ying's arm or back?
"Can I have another pint?" he hears Wei Ying's voice as he addresses the bartender.
"Maybe you have enough," Lan Zhan speaks before he can even register what his saying.
Wei Ying's head snaps to him immediately, and his silver eyes are wide and surprised for a moment. But then he recovers again.
"Aiya, er-gege," he laughs, but there's a little hint of nervousness to his usually bright laughter. "You know I can handle a lot."
"Can you?" irritation and something else is waking up in Lan Zhan like an ugly beast. "You're at work, after all. You should not be drinking."
Wei Ying raises an eyebrow at him. "Lan Zhan, our working hours have ended. Besides, we're not working."
The stranger next to Wei Ying senses the growing tension and shifts a little. "I think I should go."
Wei Ying turns towards him to apologise, but Lan Zhan is faster. "Mn. You should."
He can hear Wei Ying gasp, but he's too busy glaring at the other man. The stranger flinches at the golden glare and, bidding a quick goodbye to Wei Ying, leaves the pub in a hurry, forced back out in the storm. Strangely, as soon as the stranger is gone, the tightness in Lan Zhan's chest eases. But then Wei Ying's eyes turn to him, and they are stormy and dark – a complete contrast to his playful gaze.
"What's your problem?" he asks – even his voice is devoid of his usual carelessness.
"I don't have a problem," Lan Zhan replies. "I just don't want my company to fall into an ill repute because my assistant cannot handle his drink."
Wei Ying looks shocked. "What?"
He waits for an explanation, and Lan Zhan feels irritated enough to explain. "You can flirt with whomever you want once we get back to Beijing. But while we are seen together here, I'd suggest you reign in your desires and lay off the drink."
Usually, it's a sharp-tongued response, or Wei Ying just laughs it off. But this time, Wei Ying says nothing. He stares at Lan Zhan with big eyes that are suddenly glistening with more than just light.
Oh. Has he gone too far? He doesn't like it. He doesn't like the expression of hurt on Wei Ying's beautiful face.
Wei Ying turns away to collect himself, but he's obviously struggling.
"You didn't have to be an ass about it," he says quietly, staring at the row of bottles behind the bar.
"I was not," he replies, and Wei Ying snorts. "I am just concerned."
Wei Ying stares ahead with a blank expression - as if he hadn't heard what Lan Zhan had just said. "I've made every excuse for you. I know you're tired. And annoyed. Stuck here with me. But it does not give you the right to be so horrible."
Something glistens on Wei Ying's cheek, and in horror, Lan Zhan realises that those are tears. He clenches his fists to resist the sudden and ridiculous need to wrap his arms around the other man and hold him.
"What do you want me to be then?" Lan Zhan asks, and he considers smashing his head against the bar and knocking himself out before he says something that hurts Wei Ying even further – but his tongue is now out of control.
"Do you want me to be like you? Flirt and give my affections away as easily - without care about other people's feelings?"
Wei Ying makes a small noise that sounds like a broken sob, and it feels like a stab right to Lan Zhan's heart. But he cannot stop the words now breaking out of his chest.
"I am not like you, Wei Ying. I can control myself. I do not lead people on. It is indecent and-"
Lan Zhan doesn't get to finish as Wei Ying throws his drink in his face and storms off. He meets the bartender's amused look as the man pushes a bunch of napkins towards him.
Meanwhile, Wei Ying runs to the door. He needs to get out of here. He needs to hide somewhere where no one can see him crying – as he has done for most of his life. He needs to be alone. So, he runs outside.
The wind is sharp and immediately throws a handful of snowflakes into his face, making his breath hitch. He lingers at the door. He cannot go back inside, not in this state. He squints his eyes and finds a little shed next to the pub. Wei Ying drags himself over there and draws into the doorway as small as he can - trying to hide from the wind. And then he allows his tears to flow.
Wei Ying never once thought of Lan Zhan being a bad person. Yes, he was a little aloof and strict, but deep down he was good. The thing is that Wei Ying really, really likes Lan Zhan. It was love at first sight. The moment he walked into that conference room for his interview, Wei Ying was doomed. Lan Zhan was the most beautiful man he had ever seen, and even if he came across as cold and a little scary sometimes, he was still treating everyone with kindness.
The more time passed, the more Wei Ying fell. The way Lan Zhan's ears blushed, the way he got flustered when Wei Ying took his teasing a little too far… Oh, he loved all of it. He thought it was their silly little game, and Lan Zhan enjoyed it. He didn’t like Wei Ying the same way Wei Ying liked him, but Wei Ying still thought that maybe Lan Zhan didn't mind him - at least as a friend.
But tonight, Lan Zhan finally showed what he really thinks of Wei Ying. And it hurts a lot. It hurts to find out that the one person you like thinks so low of you. To Lan Zhan, he was nothing but a little flirt who could not control himself around others. Who played with people's feelings. Lan Zhan basically called him a whore. And Wei Ying hates how it makes him feel. How it fills his throat with bitterness. He was none of these things. He was just being nice. Lan Zhan had no right to say these things. Wei Ying had made excuses for him the whole day, apologising to people for him. Wei Ying always told himself and others how nice Lan Zhan actually is. How kind-hearted and smart he is. People just needed to be patient and get to know him better before judging him.
But tonight, for the first time, Wei Ying thinks that maybe he's been wrong all this time. Maybe Lan Zhan isn't so good. If he can say such things… Perhaps he hates Wei Ying. Perhaps he doesn't enjoy all this teasing, this little game they've been playing for the last year. And tonight, Lan Zhan finally snapped, telling Wei Ying what he really thinks about him.
Wei Ying shouldn't care. He should let Lan Zhan's mean comment go. He had other people saying terrible things to him all his life, and he didn't even bat an eye. Then why should he suddenly start to care about it now?
But he cannot help the horrible hurt in his chest. He cannot help the tears that are flowing with revenge. He cannot hold back the quiet sobs. So, he wraps his arms around himself and cries. He hasn't felt this small and invisible since he was a child – living with the Jiangs.
Lan Zhan throws the bunch of used paper towels in the bin. He stares in the mirror, standing in the dimly lit toilet. His hair no longer smells of beer, but it's now wet, so he's forced to pull it up in a bun. He had managed to get a new shirt and a cardigan out of his luggage and clean himself up after Wei Ying's little tantrum.
Perhaps he went a bit too far. Said things that he didn't mean. But sometimes Wei Ying would do it to him. Bring out the worst. Make him speak sharply and without a thought. But he also knows that Wei Ying never took it seriously. Lan Zhan knows that, the moment he walks out of the toilet and returns to the bar, Wei Ying will once again smile and tease him, and their little quarrel will be forgotten. Somehow, Wei Ying managed to forget and forgive all those little dark parts that Lan Zhan didn't like about himself.
He decides that this time, he will apologize to Wei Ying.
But when Lan Zhan returns to the bar, Wei Ying is nowhere to be found. The barman gives him a look that borders between open dislike and concern.
"Your friend has been gone for a while," he says.
Lan Zhan frowns - something small begins to prick in his chest. "Do you know where he went?"
"Outside."
Lan Zhan looks at the black blazer wrapped around the back of the stool and then at the window. It's still snowing. And it's been at least half an hour since Wei Ying stormed off. So, he stands up and heads towards the door. Once he steps outside, he realises the weather is worse than it looks. The snow is ankle-deep, and the visibility is almost zero. He blinks furiously, raising his hand to protect his eyes from the snow being blown in his eyes.
He cannot see anything.
"Wei Ying!" he shouts through the storm. "Wei Ying! Where are you?"
The wind calms down for a single moment, and he hears a sob from nearby. His golden eyes feverishly search around until they stop at the shed next to the pub. There curled up in the doorway is Wei Ying, face hidden between his knees. He's wearing only his shirt and must be freezing by now.
Lan Zhan rushes to him and kneels.
"Wei Ying, come inside," he grabs the man by his arms, but Wei Ying doesn't budge.
"G-get lost," he cries. "L-leave me alone, Lan Zhan!"
"Wei Ying, it's cold," he doesn’t relent. "Please. Come inside. You'll freeze."
Wei Ying lifts his head and Lan Zhan is met with a tear-drenched face, the silver eyes red and filled with hurt. "And why would you care? You hate me anyway."
Lan Zhan frowns. "Wei Ying, I don't hate you."
"Sure!" Wei Ying shouts before he is consumed by another sob, his shoulders trembling. "Y-you wouldn't say… such horrible things… if you didn't hate me."
Lan Zhan sighs. "Wei Ying, please come inside. And then we can talk."
Wei Ying buries his face in his knees again. "I don't want to talk to you."
"You don't have to. Just come inside. Wei Ying, do you really want to freeze to death in the middle of nowhere?"
That gets Wei Ying's attention a little. He shifts to get up, but he's frozen and unstable. In the end, he allows Lan Zhan to drag him up and push him through the door – back into the warmth of the pub. He immediately slips out of Lan Zhan's grip and heads to the bar.
"D-do you ha-have a piece of paper and a pen?" he asks the bartender, wiping his dripping nose on the sleeve.
The bartender gives him a strange look but proceeds to summon a pen and a piece of paper from beneath his bar, and Wei Ying accepts it with a weak smile.
"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan begins as he comes up to him.
But the smaller man doesn't even give him a look, starting to scribble furiously on the paper – his fingers are frozen numb, so the strokes are all crooked and wrong.
"H-honourable…CEO of L-Lan E-e-enterprises," his shaking mixes with hiccups, but determination burns in those silver eyes. "I, W-Wei Ying, h-h-herby resign f-f-from…"
Lan Zhan grabs his hand and wrestles the pen out of Wei Ying's blue fingers. "Wei Ying, you are not resigning."
"I-I am!" Wei Ying protests. "Y-you cannot f-force me…"
Wei Ying yelps, when he's dragged off the bar stool and to the table - right next to the fireplace. Lan Zhan moves one of the chairs as close to the fire as he can and forces Wei Ying down on it. Wei Ying would be absolutely outraged about Lan Zhan manhandling him like that if he wasn't so frozen and if the fire didn't feel so warm.
And then he's enveloped by Lan Zhan's baby blue cardigan. It smells so nice. Of sandalwood. Of Lan Zhan.
He doesn't want to smell like Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan hurt him. Lan Zhan hates him.
"Wei Ying, you are being childish," Lan Zhan points out as he fights against Wei Ying trying to rip the cardigan off his shoulders. "You need to calm down. People are staring."
Wei Ying snarls. "I-is that all y-you care about? I am t-the one who-who a-acts childish, you say. And what w-were you d-doing earlier on? B-being so rude to that man? W-weren't you childish, t-too?"
There's some truth to that.
"You need to calm down-"
"I d-don't want to calm down! You-you hurt me, Lan Zhan! You… Just b-because you come from a better fa-family, doesn't make you b-better than me! It doesn't g-give you the right to talk to me like that!"
"Wei Ying-"
"No! Shut up! You've b-been acting like an ass the whole day. It's not my-my fault there's a storm outside. It's not my fault our f-flight was cancelled. It's not my d-damn fault YOU ARE STUCK HERE WITH SOMEONE LIKE ME!"
Wei Ying's voice breaks. New tears begin to stream down, and he hides his face in the blue sleeves of Lan Zhan's cardigan – they're too long, pooling over his frozen fingertips.
He doesn't even feel the cold anymore. Just anger and hurt.
"It's not my fault," he repeats between his sobs. "It's not."
Lan Zhan can feel the curious looks around them, he can hear the whispers. He has always cared about proper behaviour and appearance. But right now, he doesn't. Because right now, all he cares about is Wei Ying. It hurts to his very core to see Wei Ying like this, and it hurts even more knowing that he is the cause of Wei Ying's pain.
So, he does the only thing he can think of and draws the crying man in a tight embrace against his chest. Luckily, Wei Ying doesn't resist – he goes willingly. And then it finally dawns on Lan Zhan.
It's surprising how well Wei Ying fits in his arms, how his trembling body melts against his. It's like Lan Zhan was born to hold him. And somewhere at the back of his mind, Lan Zhan realises that he'd like to do it for the rest of his life. He's tempted, tempted to bury his face in Wei Ying's dishevelled hair and press warm kisses into his scalp until the crying stops.
It does stop eventually. Wei Ying grows quiet in his arms, only panting a little.
"It's not my fault," Wei Ying repeats, his voice almost gone.
"Mn. I know," Lan Zhan replies, tightening his arms around the smaller man.
"You hurt me, Lan Zhan. A lot."
Lan Zhan swallows. "I'm sorry, Wei Ying. I didn't mean to."
Wei Ying draws back just a little to look up – he looks so exhausted it hurts Lan Zhan physically. "Why do you hate me, Lan Zhan?"
What a horrible question. He cannot help but stare down into those silver eyes, and he realises that Wei Ying fully believes the idea of Lan Zhan hating him. He fights the desire to wipe Wei Ying's tears away and kiss him – to assure him that's not the case.
"Wei Ying," he begins, determined. "I don't hate you. And I don't blame you for today. Or for any other day, for that matter."
Wei Ying blinks tiredly at him, but then his gaze wanders off to the lights strung up above the bar. His expression is now blank – as if he's being somewhere else right now. It's a strange expression. One that Lan Zhan has never seen on Wei Ying's face before, and it's rather unsettling.
"Do you know why I like Christmas, Lan Zhan?" even his voice sounds somewhat distant.
Lan Zhan shakes his head a little, curious and genuinely concerned.
"When I was studying abroad, everyone made such a big deal out of it. That's when I met A-Sang. I was a little lonely back then. And he kinda took me in and forced me into celebrating Christmas. We'd stay up late, order food and watch Christmas movies. We even decorated a tree and baked gingerbread cookies. There were lights and good food and presents – just because. For the first time in my life, I felt like I almost had a family. Like it was okay to be happy for once."
Lan Zhan frowns. He didn't know much about Wei Ying's past. He knew he was taken in by the Jiangs, but he had no idea how they treated him. Lan Zhan heard a few things back at school, but people loved to spread rumours, and the Lans were strictly against both – spreading and listening to rumours. But maybe those rumours about Wei Ying being forced to study abroad instead of leaving on his own accord were not entirely untrue.
He regrets it all now. He regrets telling Wei Ying that he should stop making such a fuss about this silly holiday. He regrets refusing Wei Ying's idea about decorating the office and getting a tree. Lan Zhan regrets every no he has ever said to him.
"I'm sorry," Wei Ying apologises and slips out of Lan Zhan's hold before he can register it. "I'm too sentimental tonight. I-"
He grows silent. His silver eyes now fall on the floor, avoiding Lan Zhan's gaze. Wei Ying seems so different now. No sign of that brash and brazen tease. Nor the soft and caring Wei Ying, who brought him medicine when Lan Zhan was plagued with a headache after a particularly long meeting. This Wei Ying seems somewhat… small. Fragile even. Nothing about Wei Ying is really fragile – Lan Zhan knows that – but at this moment he seems… unmasked. Like he's bared himself for the first time. And Lan Zhan realises with horror that this might be the true Wei Ying. The one behind those smiles and flirting. The one, who's been giving and giving and giving until there's nothing left. And he's given so much to Lan Zhan. Hours of his life. Hours that gnawed into his personal life and sleep. Nearly impossible schedules and complicated deals that most people would deem impossible. How many times did Wei Ying walk away from a negotiation exhausted and stressed, only to be asked to stay well into the night to finish the reports? How many times had he skipped his lunch to do something Lan Zhan had asked for? How much has he given without a single complaint, and how much would Lan Zhan keep taking until he finally noticed that it was too much?
And now Wei Ying is here, sitting in front of the fire wrapped in Lan Zhan's blue cardigan - looking completely depleted.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Ying begins, and although his voice is now strangely serene, he still avoids looking up. "I'd like to resign. If you allow me."
The idea of letting Wei Ying go hurts more than Lan Zhan thought it would. Yes, Wei Ying was a brilliant employee, but he was more than that. Only now Lan Zhan realises that every day he went to the office, he wasn't looking forward to the job itself. He was looking forward to the tea that was prepared just right. To the meetings where Wei Ying would take the focus away from him and give him an assuring smile. The way everything around seemed to light up when Wei Ying walked into the room with that sunny smile.
Lan Zhan had taken the most, unaware of his selfishness and his own feelings. He had taken too much. He cannot take anymore. He cannot ask Wei Ying for more.
"Wei Ying," he begins and takes the man's still-cold hands in his. "I know I've been asking a lot from you. I promise I'll be better. But if you really want to go, if resigning is what you need, then I won't hold you back."
The silver eyes finally look up - filled with confusion at first - but then Wei Ying frowns.
"Why do you think I'm resigning, Lan Zhan?"
Now it's Lan Zhan's turn to frown. "I put too much workload on you and-"
Wei Ying's lips twitch in a small and ironic smile, but his silver eyes shimmer with new hurt. "It's not because you make me work too much, Lan Zhan. I like working with you. I don't mind that other stuff. I'm resigning because of what you said to me earlier on."
Lan Zhan closes his eyes for a moment as the guilt slaps him right in the face. So, it's him. Not a surprise, though. He's always been good at scaring people away.
"People say things about me," Wei Ying continues, and Lan Zhan opens his eyes again, meeting the sad silver. "They love to talk and make up lies about me. But I just brush it off. Because it doesn't matter. They don't matter. But you… what you said to me today…"
Wei Ying withdraws his hands from Lan Zhan's and hides them back in his sleeves. "It matters. It matters because it's you."
Lan Zhan does not know how to fix it. He wants to fix it. He wants to wipe away that hurt from Wei Ying's face. He cannot bear seeing Wei Ying so devasted.
"I can't," Wei Ying continues, and his throat is getting tight again. "I can't work with someone who thinks about me in such a way. I can't stay if the one I like thinks such horrible things about me."
"Wei Ying, I-" Lan Zhan begins to apologise, but then his breath catches in his throat. "You- what?"
"I like you," Wei Ying repeats and shrugs. "I guess I have nothing to lose now that I don't work for you anymore. I love you, Lan Zhan. I've been in love with you since the day I walked into your office. Or maybe before that. Had quite a massive crush on you back at school, too. So, yeah. I love you, and it hurts a lot when the one person that matters thinks of me as a useless flirt who cannot control himself around others."
Lan Zhan is trying to process what he's hearing, his brain still stuck on the I love you loop for quite a while. Wei Ying likes him. Wei Ying loves him. How? Why? But then a noise draws his attention back and he sees Wei Ying standing up.
"I'm sorry for dumping this all on you tonight," he says and removes the blue cardigan off his shoulders, offering it to Lan Zhan. "Once we get back to Beijing, I'll make myself scarce. You'll never have to see me again."
Wei Ying is about to leave, and Lan Zhan stands up, too, but instead of taking the cardigan, he grabs Wei Ying's wrist and pulls him in with almost no effort at all - slotting their lips together. A surprised and muffled noise leaves Wei Ying, only to be swallowed by Lan Zhan's mouth. Wei Ying struggles a little in his grip, but it's clear he's not putting much effort into his resistance.
The smaller man draws in a big breath once Lan Zhan finally pulls back, but his hold on Wei Ying remains strong.
The silver eyes are wide. "What the hell, Lan Zhan?"
Lan Zhan shrugs. "Wei Ying said he likes me. So, I wanted to kiss him."
It is rather amusing to watch Wei Ying splutter and blush, while attempting to put together a coherent sentence. For all the teasing he did to others, Wei Ying could not take one himself. It makes Lan Zhan feel rather smug, and he wonders how far he could take it before Wei Ying is reduced to a complete and cute mess.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Ying whines. "Let me go."
"No."
"No? What do you mean – no? Lan Zhan, what are-"
"No means no," Lan Zhan deadpans, tightening his grip so Wei Ying is literally smashed between his arms and his chest. "If you want to resign, be my guest. But I won't let you go."
Wei Ying is confused as fuck. He has no idea what is going on. He expected Lan Zhan to turn away in disgust after his little confession. He already considered hiding in the toilet until the storm eases and they can get back on the road - that way Lan Zhan wouldn't have to suffer his presence for longer than necessary.
This is not what Wei Ying had expected. Lan Zhan is strong, and Wei Ying's bones hurt a little, but his little treacherous heart revels in it. The kiss – even if one-sided – still burns on his lips, and he cannot help but stare into those golden eyes that suddenly seem so different. There is a previously unseen warmth in that gaze, and Lan Zhan's beautiful but usually indifferent features have softened.
But then it dawns on him.
"Have you lost your mind?" Wei Ying finally snaps out of it. "Do you really think you can do with me as you please? Do you really think I'm that easy?"
Lan Zhan's gaze darkens. "I didn't mean it."
"Right," there's a hint of deep hurt in Wei Ying's voice once more. "You basically called me a bitch in heat."
Wei Ying isn't ready for what happens next either. Lan Zhan's hands come to frame his face, and he presses their foreheads together.
"I didn't mean it, Wei Ying," he repeats, his voice barely above the whisper. "I didn't realise why I was so annoyed. So angry. But now I know. I could not stand seeing him look at you like that. I could not bear him touching you. I could not stand you giving your smiles to him. I wanted... I wanted your smiles, your touches, your attention. I was… jealous."
Wei Ying is once again rendered speechless, thoughts racing in his head faster than he can follow.
"You were jealous? Of that guy?" he croaks out at last.
"Mn."
"But… but if you were jealous, that means-"
There's a puff of air leaving Lan Zhan's lips – something almost resembling a laugh – and his breath caresses Wei Ying's face. "Wei Ying, I think you know what it means."
It is Wei Ying who pulls back this time, his silver eyes staring up at Lan Zhan. "It can't be."
"Why not?"
"You hate me. I've been annoying you all the time."
Lan Zhan's gaze travels over Wei Ying's face as if he's seeing it for the very first time and there's a small smile adorning the corners of his lips.
"I have never hated you. And yes, you annoy me all the time. And I want you to keep annoying me for the rest of my life. Wei Ying, I like you. A lot."
Wei Ying seems to be frozen. It would be rather comical if not for the glint of tears in his eyes.
"You're messing with me," he says. "You cannot-"
He does not get to finish his sentence as Lan Zhan places a heavy palm on his lips, his expression deadly serious. "Wei Ying, be silent for once and listen. I know I've been harsh on you. I know I've been telling you to get lost and leave me alone. But every time you go, it feels wrong. I should feel relief when you finally leave, but I don't. I know I'm too late to tell you my true feelings, but I know them now. I know that I want you even if you cannot forgive me. I know that you're wonderful, and I don't deserve you after being such an ass to you."
Wei Ying almost laughs behind Lan Zhan's hand – he has never heard the proper CEO of Lan Enterprises saying ass before.
Lan Zhan isn't sure where all the words are coming from. He has never been the one to talk much. But they are gushing out of him with force, and he means every single one of them.
"There are so many things I don’t know about you yet. But I know Wei Ying is beautiful, kind and hardworking. I know you put six spoons of coffee in your cup every morning, and it's frankly concerning. I know you stubbornly refuse to write with any other coloured pen but black. I know you prefer the pink sticky notes over the green ones, although you wish we were allowed to use the red ones. But it’s too difficult to read the ink, so you never bring it up."
Lan Zhan pauses for a moment, staring into the glistening silver and he removes his hand from Wei Ying's mouth to catch a single tear gathering in the corner of Wei Ying's lashes. "I know your eyes light up every time you talk about your nephew Jin Ling. Your favourite Christmas film is "Wonderful Life" and this…"
He pauses so they can hear the song being played in the background – a slow and sweet rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".
"My favourite Christmas song," Wei Ying finishes in half a whisper.
"Mn."
Lan Zhan is just as stricken. He never imagined he'd know all these things or that he'd notice. But somewhere unconsciously, he had noticed a lot about Wei Ying - more than he ever allowed himself to admit before.
A few more tears escape Wei Ying's eyes, but he smiles. He smiles so brightly that all the Christmas lights in the world would pale in comparison, and Lan Zhan's heart fills with warmth. None of them say anything more. Instead, they reach towards each other, and their lips meet again – a little shy and tender at first. The kiss is sweet and warm, and Wei Ying melts into it, greedily drinking Lan Zhan's lips, allowing Lan Zhan's arms to encircle his waist and hold him close, warm and safe. Wei Ying has never felt this whole in his entire life as right now. All his thoughts have quieted down, and he no longer feels like a leaf whirling in the wind. Lan Zhan's arms root him to this moment, and he prays it would never end.
Lan Zhan's lips become more aggressive, and soon Wei Ying gives in, the kiss growing from tender to heated. It feels so right to kiss Wei Ying. His warm, soft lips between Lan Zhan's teeth, and he nips at the bottom one before licking into Wei Ying's hot mouth greedily, luring out small whimpers and soft moans from the other man. Lan Zhan loves it. He loves how pliant Wei Ying is. He loves the little noises Wei Ying makes. He loves kissing him. He loves Wei Ying.
Damn, he has really been an absolute and oblivious idiot.
"I love you," Lan Zhan breaks the kiss, whispering the words that he never thought he'd say to anyone.
Wei Ying's whole being smiles – from his shimmering eyes to his now bruised and red lips – and he throws his arms around Lan Zhan's neck.
"Love you too, you ass," his voice is thick with emotion, and he holds on to Lan Zhan as tight as he can.
Only then does a sound of clapping and cheering reach their ears. Wei Ying blushes and expects Lan Zhan to draw back, but the arms around his waist only tighten.
"Lan Zhan," he begins and hides his face in the crook of Lan Zhan's neck. "People are watching us."
"Mn," Lan Zhan replies, unbothered, nuzzling into Wei Ying's hair. "Let them. Let them know Wei Ying is mine."
Wei Ying cannot help but let out a small giggle, and his breath tickles Lan Zhan's skin. "Lan er-gege is being silly."
"Only for you," Lan Zhan replies, forcing Wei Ying to groan.
"Lan Zhaaaaan! Go back to being an ass, please! My poor heart cannot handle you being so sincere and sweet."
A soft kiss lands on Wei Ying's hair.
"Wei Ying's heart will have to get used to it."
Wei Ying pouts at that. "Meanie."
"Mn."
They do not let go of each other. Somehow, they have begun to sway slowly along the soft music playing. There's a clink of glasses and quiet conversations, interrupted only by the joyful cracking of the fire next to them. Only when the old clock on the wall begins to strike a new hour does Wei Ying pull back a little.
The storm has stopped raging outside the window. It still snows, though. Large, soft snowflakes dance graciously down from the sky. The clock keeps chiming until the last strike of midnight reverberates in the air, and Wei Ying meets Lan Zhan's eyes again – eyes that look at him as if he's the most beautiful and cherished thing in the whole world.
"It's Christmas Day," Wei Ying says with a soft smile.
Lan Zhan smiles too - a bright and happy smile – and Wei Ying forgets how to breathe for a moment.
"Mn. Merry Christmas, my love."
When Wei Ying finally remembers how to breathe again, he places a quick peck on Lan Zhan's lips and then grins, his silver eyes turning into two happy half-moons.
"Merry Christmas, boyfriend."
Something changes in Lan Zhan's eyes, and he pulls Wei Ying flush against him. "How about – husband?"
"Lan Zhan!"
THE END