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For a small public library, it was truly blessed to have such a sprawling garden. Not just a sprawling garden, but one so well thought out and cared for! And Lan Zhan was truly blessed that the library had such large windows that he could see them from.
"Staring at your dream man again?" MianMian's voice cut through Lan Zhan's daydream. Lan Zhan's eyes dropped to the desk, his ears flaming hot red.
"I was admiring the gardens," Lan Zhan replied.
"Uh huh," MianMian huMianMian ed. "And the gardens happen to be in their late twenties and prone to wearing tank tops as he very sexily tends to the plants."
"That would be the gardener," Lan Zhan replied. "You're a librarian, you should know the difference between garden and gardener." He volleyed back.
"So have you talked to him yet?" MianMian grinned.
Lan Zhan glared at her as he continued to check in books. His eyes flickered out to the gardener in question as he used the front of his shirt to wipe at his sweat, revealing the tattooed and well-toned abs under it. He couldn't resist a sigh. MianMian had honed in on his crush a week after she started.
Her needling didn't start until after she'd found out that in the year Lan Zhan worked here, he'd never actually talked to him. She seemed to think that a crush required action. Apparently, she'd never gone through finding out her crush was straight. An experience Lan Zhan was not eager to repeat. Besides, Lan Zhan liked being able to have his fantasies. This way, the gardener could be as charming as a prince or a rebel with a heart of gold.
"Come on, I hear he's single!" MianMian pressed.
“He is outside working,” Lan Zhan deflects. “And I have duties here, inside. There’s no time to chat.”
"Uh huh," MianMian eyed Lan Zhan. “And that’s not the third time you’ve checked that book in.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Lan Zhan felt his ears burn even brighter red.
“I mean that you’re pretending to have more books to check in just so you can watch him! Just take a few minutes to go out and chat. Bring him some water! Or ask if he could add some flowers by the children's library window!"
“That's,” Lan Zhan struggled to find an excuse, before it hit him. "What if he doesn't read?"
“What?” MianMian blinked, truly thrown by Lan Zhan's change of logic.
“He never comes in to check out books. What if he doesn’t read?” Lan Zhan elaborated. “I dated a non-reader once, and we had nothing to talk about.”
“You know you could go ask him if he reads,” MianMian rolled her eyes.
“But if he says no, the damage is done,” Lan Zhan replied with a huff. “This way, he can remain a perfect fantasy.”
“You are hopeless,” MianMian rolled her eyes.
“And you are putting the wrong barcode on that book.”
“Shit, give me the razor.”
“You know you could just look him up in the system,” MianMian pushed.
“That is a misuse of library property and privacy.” Lan Zhan checked in his last book, perfectly timed as the gardener straightened and wiped the sweat from his brow. He moved to grab his tools next, before disappearing out of the window's sight.
"It's time for my break," Lan Zhan curtly offered MianMian as he stood.
And he thinks that’s the end of it.
Until he was working the front desk, and the gardener came strolling in through the front door.
“Hi!” He gave a heart-melting smile and a little wave. “I’m Wei Ying, you’ve probably seen me mucking around out there.”
He's even more stunning up close. Strands of his long dark hair escape his little ponytail in a messy halo. Lan Wangji had admired his sun-kissed skin, but now he knew the man even smelled like sunshine. Like sunshine and plants.
It's only as the man continues to stare at him with those silver eyes that he realized he had yet to reply to the man's greeting. It's all he can do to let out a strangled 'mn'.
"Ah well," Wei Ying's hand went to rub the back of his neck. The muscles in his arm shifted, still painted with a thin sheen of sweat. Lan Zhan wanted to lick it, or bite it, or both. Both was good. "I got the message you wanted to talk to me?"
"Message?" Lan Zhan's mind was truly a blue screen at this point.
"Ah, Wei Ying !" MianMian 's voice broke through Lan Zhan's confusion like a lifeline. He turned to her, hoping his eyes were crying for help. "Sorry about that, I didn't realize you'd be so gun-ho about it!"
Lan Zhan's cry for help turned into a glare. He shouldn't expect help from the woman who pushed him in.
"Well, there's a section to the south that needs repaving, and once I heard the idea I just couldn't get it out of my head!" Wei Ying laughed. It sounded like pure music.
"What is the idea?" Lan Zhan questioned.
"Ah, Lan Zhan, it's the one you were telling me about last night!" MianMian patted his shoulder.
Lan Zhan felt his ears nearly combust. Please, heavens above, let this not be connected to the memes about monster fucking.
"Remember, it was those bricks painted to look like books." MianMian threw him a bone. Lan Zhan 's eyes widened, remembering he had seen a reel to her on that
"Yeah, I was thinking it could be a good community project!" Wei Ying beamed, brimming with excitement. "The kids for sure would love it. We had some help on that mural, and they still come by to show everyone what part they did. But I think the adults would be interested too!"
"Right?" MianMian grinned. "We could do a day event! Encourage people to come in and paint their favorite book cover!"
"Someone would have to run it," Lan Zhan's mind was already considering what would need to be done. "We could also do community-voted titles for those unable to attend."
"I knew you'd volunteer!" MianMian clapped him on the shoulder. "Why don't you and Wei Ying organize it together?"
"I already went ahead and calculated how many bricks we need," Wei Ying beamed as he pulled out a sheet of paper. He laid it out, showing off an immaculate drawing of the space.
"That is a lot," Lan Zhan eyed the noted number of bricks marked to the side of the drawing.
"One step ahead of you," Wei Ying pulled out another piece of paper. It was the same space, but with different patterns based off of different amounts of book bricks. "I mean, it would be great if we could get all of them to be books but there is a charm to fewer of them too."
"We'll have to get funding approved."
"The garden can cover it," Wei Ying assured Lan Zhan. "I know the guy who funds it, and he loves this stuff."
"I'm sure he does," MianMian smiled. "I'll leave the fine details for you two to hash out. Why don't you go back to your desk?" She gave Lan Zhan a wink.
"Do you have time now?" Wei Ying smiled at Lan Zhan.
"I'm just covering the front desk-"
"Go on, I can take it." MianMian waves him off. "Not like we're slammed or anything."
Lan Zhan can only glare at her, the traitor, as he leads Wei Ying back to his desk. His very decorated desk, something he only considers once they've arrived. He supposed it was too late to do anything about it now.
"Wow, so this is where the librarians sleep for the night," Wei Ying gave Lan Zhan a wink as his eyes roved over the office. Only for his face to light up at the sight of Lan Zhan 's desk, leaning over to peer at the art and trinkets.
"If you'd like to-"
"No way, is this the tapestry from Redwall?" Wei Ying gasped.
"You know Redwall?" Lan Zhan's eyes widened.
"Yeah, I love the audiobooks! Especially the ones Brian Jacques did himself," Wei Ying beamed. "Ah, I know this one too! Ok, lay it on me, what Cabin are you?"
"Ah," Lan Zhan flushed. "It's a bit obvious."
"Athena?" Wei Ying grinned. Lan Zhan nodded. "I couldn't decide between Demeter, Hades or Hephaestus, but my man Leo won me over." He winked. "I mean, I love Nico, but Leo has a dragon."
"You like Percy Jackson, too?"
"It was one of the few series I actually sat down and read, I mean I have the dyslexia and ADHD, so it was my job to be informed for when the monsters popped out to get me, right?" He laughed. "Wish I'd known about audiobooks then. I just started Mistborn, and wow, that magic system is something else."
"There," Lan Zhan moved forward, pointing to an art print. "That's from his later series."
"So cool, I can't wait to know who that is!" Wei Ying gasped taking a closer look at the art. "Who are these guys?" He pointed to the acrylic standees on Lan Zhan's desk.
He instantly felt his ears flush.
"They're from a Chinese novel."
"They look so cool, what's it called?" Wei Ying crouched to get a better look.
"Ah, Zhen Hun? It's also called the Guardian." Lan Zhan felt his nervousness rise. "Should we start on the project?"
"Oh sure," Wei Ying said absent-mindedly as he eyed the little figures.
"Does it have an audiobook?"
"I think someone did one on Patreon," Lan Zhan was torn between wanting to spread the word and well...spreading the word.
"What's it about?"
"A department that does supernatural cases."
"That sounds so cool?! Are these guys the main characters?"
"No, they're a side pairing." The words were out of his mouth before Lan Zhan could think twice.
"Pairing?" Wei Ying's eyes seemed to light up. "Like shipping or like real canon?"
"They're shipped," Lan Zhan explained.
"Oh," Wei Ying exhaled. Lan Wangji's eyes widened. Did he seem crestfallen?
"But the main pair is gay," Lan Zhan tested the waters. His own heart skipped a beat as he saw Wei Ying light up.
"Really?"
"That's them," Lan Zhan pointed to another set of standees further back.
"Aw, they're even in little robes!" Wei Ying gasped. "Though I like this dude." He pointed back to one of the first he'd noticed
"Chu Shuzhi," Lan Zhan explained. "He's a necromancer."
"Wicked," Wei Ying breathed. "I've so gotta check it out now. Always looking for more rep."
"Are you?"
"Bi."
"So is one of the main characters."
"Sweet!" Wei Ying grinned. "Are you..?" He trailed off.
"Gay."
"Cool, cool," Wei Ying hummed, bobbing his head. An awkward silence fell between them. Was Lan Zhan imagining a flush to his cheeks? "That's cool."
"About the project," Lan Zhan pulled his chair back. "Is there a day that would work for painting?"
"I've got a pretty open schedule," Wei Ying hummed, planting his hand on the desk as he leaned over Lan Zhan's shoulder to watch him on the computer. Lan Zhan could practically feel the heat coming off Wei Ying's chest, making it very hard to focus on the computer screen in front of him.
"We don't have any events on this day. Do you think we can get materials by then?" Lan Zhan scanned through their event calendar.
"Yeah, I've already got the bricks, so I'll just have to do a run for paint and sealant. It is in the middle of the week, though. Will we get a good turnout?"
"We could leave it up all day, but we could do another one on the weekend," Lan Zhan scanned for an opening. "Here. Plus, we could use photos from the first to promote the second. I can run it if you don't want to come in on the weekend."
"No, I'd love to help," Wei Ying smiled.
They chatted about books as Lan Wangji worked up the graphics for the flyers and the social media posts. It wasn't until MianMian came back and started getting her things that Lan Zhan realized how late it had gotten.
"Ah, I won't keep you." Wei Ying laughed as he noticed MianMian as well. "I'm sure you had better things to do than let me talk your ear off."
Lan Zhan wanted to protest, to ask Wei Ying to dinner. But MianMian was over there with a smirking grin.
"I'm sure you have plans as well," Lan Zhan nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Wei Ying smiled. Lan Zhan couldn't resist his own in return, watching the man see himself out.
"So, he reads." MianMian grinned. Lan Zhan glared at her. "Come on, am I not the best wing woman?"
"He could have been straight."
"Could have," MianMian waggled her eyebrow. "I take it he's not?"
"Bi," Lan Zhan admitted, his ears flushing. Though he had a feeling MianMian already knew.
"You know, we do weddings in the library. You want to do a winter or spring wedding?"
Lan Zhan only glares as he stalks out of the library.
"At least let me be Best Woman!" MianMian was impossible.
Clearly, they'd get married in the gardens and not in the actual library.
Lan Zhan spent a good deal of the night trying to think of a way to start a conversation with Wei Ying the next day. Maybe he could ask some more questions about the event? How many tables, if they want to do it inside or out? He arranges the whole script in his head.
Only for it to be blown out of the water the moment he steps outside on his lunch break.
"Lan Zhan !" Wei Ying waved from the hedge he was trimming into a kangaroo. He's got the sheers in one hand as the other pulls an earbud out. "I downloaded that audiobook last night! I'm loving it so far!"
"How far are you?" Lan Zhan couldn't resist. He's surprised at the progress, but the hint of the shadows under Wei Ying's eyes explains it.
He spends his whole break listening to Wei Ying animatedly chat about the book, and could have spent all day. Unfortunately, his alarm to go back to work sounds, and he has to leave.
He's an hour into working the front desk when he hears a shout from outside. His heart jumps to his throat as he jerks out of his chair. He's halfway out when Wei Ying came barreling in.
"What do you mean that's where the book ends!" He all but shakes Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan can't resist smiling.
"It's good, isn't it?"
"Utterly fantastic, but I don't have the second one downloaded! How could you do this to me!?" Wei Ying all but sobs.
"Guess you'll just have to take a break and download it."
"Well, you see," Wei Ying laughed.
"I'm a little old school?" He pulls out his device. Lan Wangji can only stare.
"Is that a Zune?"
"Yeah."
"Not an iPod, but a Zune."
"Are you judging my Zune?"
"I am."
"It was a gift back in the day, okay?" Wei Ying rolled his eyes. "And it still works, and there's less to distract me than on a phone."
"Lucky for you, this is a library," Lan Zhan hummed.
"Oh?"
"We're full of decrepit technology, I'm sure we have cables for a Zune around. You can download it onto my computer and transfer it over."
"You are the best Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying all but tackles him. All Lan Wangji can focus on is the toned muscle of Wei Wuxian flush against him. His lungs fill with the sweet scent of plants, sunshine and a hint of sweat.
Lan Zhan decides on a summer wedding, it is when the garden looks best. Maybe they'd forgo suits, go with vests instead. Maybe Lan Zhan could wear sleeve garters like Shen Wei.
He gets the audiobooks transferred to Wei Ying's Zune, smiling at the fading stickers that still decorate the back. He enjoys the way Wei Ying sputters when he asks about them, loudly proclaiming he was allowed to have an angsty teen phase, ok. He sees him off at the front door with a smile.
Only to turn and see MianMian, a shit eating grin on her face. Lan Zhan can only sigh.
"I didn't say anything!" MianMian all but squeals.
"We're librarians; communicating silently is our forte." Lan Zhan scoffs back.
"Uh-huh," MianMian smiled. "Ask him on a date yet?"
"We're merely enjoying the same book," Lan Zhan protested.
"That looked like a lot more than enjoying the same book," MianMian shoots back.
"Have you asked that doctor who comes in on a date yet?"
With narrowed eyes, the two are at a standstill. A silent agreement to let it lie....for now.
He's surprised the next day at the progress Wei Ying has made in the audio book, though the dark circles under his eyes were deeper. As his animated chatter is interrupted by yawns, Lan Zhan has to draw the line
"Wei Ying, you need to sleep."
"I know," He yawns. "But it's so good! And I only get to talk to you here about it." He pauses, a grin pulling his lips. "Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. I promise to get some sleep tonight, and in return, you give me your phone number."
Lan Zhan's heartbeat fluttered. He reaches out for Wei Ying's hand, pulling a pen from his pocket to write his number on the back of it.
"Lan Zhan, I have a phone!" Wei Ying howled with laughter.
"From the Zune, I assumed it would be a Nokia with 500 mb of memory space." Lan Zhan replies drily.
"Come on, I'm not Shen Wei, I know how to use a phone." Wei Ying teased.
"I guess we'll find out when you text me later." Lan Zhan stands, heading back inside as his break was over.
Lan Zhan has to laugh when he sees a call light up his phone later that evening.
"I said text," He answered the phone.
"Save my precious fingers, Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying whined. "I'd be stuck typing for hours to get all this out." Lan Zhan only smiled as Wei Ying went off on his latest thoughts about the book
"Okay," Wei Ying yawned. "This is your proof. I'm going to bed."
"Still not a text," Lan Zhan hums. "My theory about your phone being an old Nokia stands." He heard tapping on the other side before his phone buzzed.
"There, I'd like to see an old Nokia do that." Wei Ying sniped back. "Goodnight, Lan Zhan."
Lan Zhan hung up, smiling at a GIF of a Nokia being exploded that was waiting in his messages.
Thus starts their constant barrage of texts. Wei Ying sends them at the drop of a hat, so Lan Zhan gets texted a mix of reactions on the book and Wei Ying's daily life. Lan Zhan sends updates on the polls for the book bricks.
"Got a date set yet?" MianMian asks as Lan Zhan's phone buzzes yet again.
Lan Zhan ignores her, instead agreeing with Wei Ying that yes, the library should definitely get a fat cat and name it Da Qing. Before they realize it, the first book brick event day is upon them.
It's not until Lan Zhan is helping Wei Ying set up the tables that he realizes that he gets to spend the whole day with him. Not over texts, not staring through a window, but next to him. Receiving those heart-fluttering smiles and hearing that laugh.
Of course, the children flinging paint around put a bit of a damper on it, but Lan Zhan's run children's events before. It also turns out that Wei Ying is a dream to work with when it comes to kids. Lan Zhan finds himself staring in awe and arousal several times. From the looks on the other parents' faces, he isn't alone.
They have their biggest influx just after school, and the two of them barely get a word with each other as they try to keep everything orderly. But by the time 6 pm comes around, they're down to one elderly patron.
"I printed out the poll winners," Lan Zhan pulls the sheet out as he and Wei Ying sit. It's the first time they've had a chance to work on it.
"Ah, should have known Maas would have been on it."
"I'm just glad there's no Patterson," Lan Zhan huffs. No reason for him to take up four bookshelves AND a brick.
Lan Zhan shouldn't have been surprised, as the man makes hedges and topiaries look like dragons and Winnie the Pooh characters, but Wei Ying is talented at painting. And fast. He has three book bricks done before Lan Zhan can produce one, and they look far better. By the time they have to clean up, they've got a hefty amount of book bricks done and drying.
"This is going to look so cool," Wei Ying beamed. "Don't worry, I'm saving us each a brick! We can do them this weekend."
"That requires making a decision," Lan Zhan paled. It pulls a laugh from Wei Ying.
"I'm sure you can think of something."
As Lan Zhan continues to get barrages of texts about fat cats, necromancers, and reincarnated gods over the next few days, Lan Zhan realizes he can think of something. The weekend day is even more hectic than the first, and it begins to look like they won't even have time to make their own
But then Wei Ying whisper asked Lan Zhan if he had the keys so they could stay late.
Lan Zhan is happy to oblige, even running out to pick them up dinner while Wei Ying said he'd do a quick seal of the first day's bricks. When he comes back, he's surprised to find a table set up just for them, but with a divider down the middle.
"I thought we could make it a surprise!" Wei Ying beamed.
Lan Zhan only smiles at Wei Ying's antics, hurriedly covering his work whenever Lan Zhan stands or goes to wash his brushes. It takes time, but eventually Lan Zhan produces something he's proud of. (Well, at least the title is legible...the faces could certainly be better)
"Done?" Wei Ying questioned.
Lan Zhan nods, watching as Wei Ying quickly put the finishing touches on his.
"Reveal on three?"
"1, 2, 3!"
Lan Zhan's eyes widen as he hoists his brick up, only to see a much better version of it across from him.
"You picked Zhen Hun!" Wei Ying beamed. "Why? I know you like it, but didn't you say another one was your favorite?"
"Because it connected me with you," Lan Zhan feels his ears heat as he confesses.
"Lan Zhan, you can't steal my reason, too!" Wei Ying gasped, only to give way to a beaming grin. "I demand a date in apology."
Lan Zhan can only blush at that as he puts his brick down.
"Come on, don't leave a guy hanging!" Wei Ying's tone had a nervous lilt to it as Lan Zhan stood without saying anything. "I didn't get the signals-"
Lan Zhan cuts him off with a kiss.
A year later, they get married standing over the matching brick stones of Zhen Hun.
Lan Zhan's wedding gift to Wei Ying is a Zune filled with audiobooks of their favorite books, all read by Lan Zhan.