Chapter Text
It started with little things.
The medical book that usually never left Bai Yutang’s side went missing before mysteriously returned to his table the day after, the long ribbon Huo Linglong used to tie her hair nowhere in her wardrobe before suddenly reappearing right where it was like it was never gone…
Zhan Zhao might have thought he hid it well, but his scent sweetens just so after the items were returned, as sweet and light as the osmanthus tea he so adored, and Bai Yutang and Huo Linglong would share a quick glance the next morning before pretending they didn’t notice a thing.
The man was many things—patient, kind, articulate, and far too smart for his own good—but knowing how to ask anything for himself was something they’ve been trying to teach him for months now to no avail.
Every time he caught himself clinging onto their sleeves even more than usual, his scent would turn slightly bitter in embarrassment before it returned to normal as if nothing had happened, his smile ever present as he moved away, claiming that Zhao Hu had asked for his assistance for a new case he was assigned to.
The two of them shared a small smile as he walked away. This sneaky cat of theirs just needed a little coaxing, that’s all.
And so Bai Yutang, with all his bravado would come up to him with his limbs sprawled out, spewing any nonsense that came to mind- “Could you believe my Er-ge?! He borrowed my favorite comb to brush his dog—his pet dog, Zhan Zhao!” and their thighs would be squished against each other as they sat talking, Zhan Zhao’s smile deepening as he listened to Bai Yutang’s woes.
“Bai Xiaowu is magnanimous and well-provided for…surely that wasn’t your only favorite brush?”
“Bah. What would you know? The only brush you use is the one Zhuzi brings with him!”
Linglong was more direct in that she simply gave Zhan Zhao a little bunny doll that kept her company since she was but a babe, its fabric faded and edges worn from all the love bestowed upon it, yet the numerous patches sown showed just how much care was put into keeping it in shape.
Zhan Zhao stared at her, his heart in turmoil.
“This…Linglong…”
“I can’t give you the pendant my Aunt left me, but I can give you this,” said Linglong, gently covering his hands, making sure the little fabric doll stayed safely nestled within them. She smiled.
“Keep her safe for me, Zhan-dage.”
What else could Zhan Zhao do but accept this precious gift?
The following weeks were filled with little gestures interwoven with a touch so fleeting Zhan Zhao wondered for the first few times if he was reading too much into it. But by the third day he had no doubt whatsoever that these two had seen through his innocent thefts.
A worn off-white hairband left conspicuously on his bed, a chipped golden hairpin missing its pearls suddenly on his nightstand, an ornate hair brush that looked out of place amidst his papers, old clothes too torn to be repaired laying innocently on his chair…
Zhan Zhao can’t bring himself to say a word, but he could also never meet their eyes the following day, a faint flush rising up his cheeks as they sidled up to him, smiles wide and innocent.
Ah…how fun it was to tease their cat like this.