Chapter Text
Zhao Yunlan hated Ye Zun. Not because of all the damage he’d done now a little over a year ago. Not because he’d prevented Zhao Yunlan to buy a house and move in with Shen Wei after the Incident, as they now called the entire disaster that was Ye Zun’s attempt to take over both Dixing and Haixing. No, he hated Ye Zun because the man had the wretched habit of using his powers to break into Zhao Yunlan’s apartment whenever he damn well pleased, without knocking or any other warning whatsoever.
Zhao Yunlan had complained to Shen Wei which had led to Shen Wei trying to persuade Ye Zun to stop, but it had been of no use. In fact, it seemed he’d started barging in even more because of it. And now again, after a well-needed shower after a long day, he found Ye Zun on his couch.
“Fuck you,” he cursed. It had become a habit, an alternate greeting almost. “Get out.”
“Aww, I love you too,” Ye Zun needled. Then, “I’m hungry.”
“Didn’t Xiao Wei leave food behind for you to eat before he left?”
“I ate it all,” Ye Zun sulked, his legs stretched out in front of him and his hands in his pockets. The pose was elegant. Whether it was deliberate or not, Zhao Yunlan did not know. “I want to eat Lao Sheng’s noodles.”
“Then go get them.”
“What are you going to eat?”
Zhao Yunlan ground his teeth, turning his back on Ye Zun and unceremoniously dropping his towel to put on fresh underwear. He refused to become self-conscious around Ye Zun. If the man didn’t want to see, he should damn well stay away.
Behind him, Ye Zun spoke again. “Ah, you’ve eaten all of gege’s food as well, haven’t you?”
“I’ve eaten at the bureau,” Zhao Yunlan evaded. Sadly enough, just his luck, his stomach growled as soon as he’d finished his sentence.
Ye Zun laughed. And oh how Zhao Yunlan hated him, and hated how happy it made him feel that he’d managed to make Ye Zun laugh. It was still too rare an occurrence.
“Fine,” Zhao Yunlan snapped, “I ate it all. Happy now?”
“Yes. Because now you can go get us noodles.”
“We can order in,” Zhao Yunlan countered, dropping down on his bed in his pyjamas. “I’m not getting changed again.”
“I can illusion different clothing on you, problem solved.”
“No.”
“A-Lan,” Ye Zun whined, using Shen Wei’s nickname for him.
“Don’t use that name,” Zhao Yunlan snapped again.
“Lan’er?”
“Oh, fuck you.”
“Come on, you know you want those noodles too. Think about them, how tasty they are, how perfectly cooked.”
Zhao Yunlan inwardly cursed. He was hungry, no matter what he’d tried to tell Ye Zun. And those noodles did sound really, really good. In fact, they were his favourite but they were across town and he would have to drive there. With Shen Wei gone for a conference until the next day, they would have to fend for themselves though.
Ye Zun leaned forward, sensing he could go in for the kill. “Think of how proud gege would be if you chose something semi-healthy instead of greasy take-out.”
“I hate you,” Zhao Yunlan said, standing from the bed.
“I love you too,” Ye Zun singsonged.
Zhao Yunlan reached for a discarded jeans and flinched when he felt the sudden touch of dark energy.
“Oh relax, it’s only an illusion,” Ye Zun said, sounding peeved. “I’m trying to be kind here and you flinch away? Pff.”
Not trusting Ye Zun, Zhao Yunlan looked himself over. Much to his surprise, he was dressed in his usual garb of jeans, T-shirt and a trench coat.
“If you drop this while I’m out, I’ll throw your noodles in the trash,” Zhao Yunlan grumbled before grabbing the car keys and heading out.
The drive through the city was an easy one that late at night. Luckily Old Sheng’s was still open. He bought two take-away noodles and returned home about half an hour after he’d left.
He put the keys in the door and opened it. “I hope at least you’ve-” He stopped mid-sentence. Ye Zun was spread out on the couch, sound asleep.
Zhao Yunlan couldn’t believe his eyes. For all Ye Zun’s barging in and needling and what not, he’d always remained somewhat jittery in Zhao Yunlan’s apartment. He’d never been fully at ease, much to Zhao Yunlan’s regret. After softly closing the door, Zhao Yunlan put the noodles on the kitchen table. Then, he moved to crouch besides Ye Zun’s sleeping form.
He looked so innocent asleep. So much more like Shen Wei as well, but that wasn’t what made Zhao Yunlan reach out. He hated Ye Zun, because the man had managed to make Zhao Yunlan fall in love with him, and Zhao Yunlan did not know what to do about it.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, could trump his love for Shen Wei. But somehow, Ye Zun had wormed his way into Zhao Yunlan’s heart and had taken up a spot next to Shen Wei. It made Zhao Yunlan feel guilty. It made him fight Ye Zun harder and harsher than he probably should, even though it made Shen Wei unhappy.
Gently, he brushed some hair away from Ye Zun’s face. “Ah, A-Ye, what am I supposed to do with you?” he muttered. He cupped Ye Zun’s cheek. “I’m in love with your precious gege. I can’t betray him.”
Ye Zun opened his eyes. Zhao Yunlan wanted to snatch his hand away but Ye Zun was faster, pressing it into his face and closing his eyes again. His expression turned into something both pained and hopeful.
“Then pretend that I’m him,” he whispered. “Pretend you were mistaken. Just for one night I can be gege for you.”
Zhao Yunlan wrenched his had away and stood, staggering backwards into the coffee table. No words needed to be spoken, the rejection was more than clear. Zhao Yunlan was horrified. Horrified that Ye Zun would make that offer. Horrified that for a split second, he’d considered it. Horrified that Ye Zun would think so little of himself.
“Fine,” Ye Zun spat, sitting up. “I get it. Glorious, wonderful gege, how could I ever even compare? I’m not even good enough to pretend with.” He stood and marched to the door. “Fine! I’ll leave you the fuck alone, just like you wanted.”
Before Zhao Yunlan could say a word, the door slammed shut behind Ye Zun’s retreating figure. Groaning, Zhao Yunlan sat down on the couch, head in his hands, noodles forgotten on the kitchen table.