Work Text:
“An An, wake up.”
Zhao Ran’ss voice was a low. With almost infinite patience, his fingertips brushed a stray lock of hair away from Yu An’s forehead. The little human barely stirred. He remained curled up tightly.
His limbs tucked inward like a sleeping cat, he made it very clear that he had absolutely no intention of waking up.
Zhao Ran didn't move. He kept his fingers pressed against the warm skin, his eyes tracking the slow, rhythmic rise and fall of Yu An's shoulders. The time went by slowly, measured only by the soft sound of his breathing. Zhao Ran leaned in closer, refusing to pull away until those eyes finally opened to look at him.
“No… let me sleep a few more minutes,” Yu An grumbled. instead of pulling away, he nudged his face even deeper against Zhao Ran’s bare chest.
“Sigh, what a troublemaker,” Zhao Ran whispered, though his lips curved into a soft, affectionate smile.
He put his arm around Yu An’s frame and began to gently massage his back, his palm tracing slow, soothing circles over him. He looked down with loving eyes, his gaze lingering on the peaceful expression of the human in his arms.
“Alright, sleep a bit more,” he gave in, his voice soft with indulgence for Yu An. He pressed a tender, lingering kiss onto the top of Yu An’s head and began to carefully move to leave the bed.
But before he could even sit up, he felt a faint tug. Yu An’s hand had blindly reached out, his slender fingers catching onto the chain that adorned Zhao Ran’s chest. It was a silent, instinctive protest. A quiet plea for him not to leave just yet.
He really is just like a cat, Zhao Ran thought.
He gently caught Yu An’s hand in his own, carefully loosening the boy's grip on the metal chain. He lifted the small hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss onto the knuckles. “I will be back soon.”
As if hearing the promise through this thick fog of sleep, Yu An’s fingers relaxed. He let go, exhaling a soft sigh, and immediately curled back into the center of the blanket to keep the leftover warmth.
“Good boy,” Zhao Ran murmured. He stole one last protective glance at the sleeping figure before quietly stepping out of bed and disappearing into the next room.
He walked over to the massive walk-in wardrobe, a dedicated space specifically made for one of Yu An's favorite hobby's: matching couple outfits. Scanning the beautifully organized rows, Zhao Ran's eyes settled on a particularly elaborate outfit that Yu An had picked out for him recently.
He put on a white Victorian-style shirt, letting the cascading ruffles frame his collarbones while the delicate lace cuffs fell softly over his wrists. He fastened the high-waisted black trousers, adorned with silver chains and dark, cross-shaped charms dangling down his thigh.
To complete the set, Zhao Ran reached for a tailored black jacket. The coat had ornate silver embroidery along the lapels. Looking at his long, pastel pink hair catching the morning light, he looked exactly like an ethereal prince stepping out of a floral fantasy painting.
Zhao Ran walked into the kitchen, intending to cook a warm, comforting breakfast for his sleeping cat. However, as he opened the cabinets and checked the fridge, he realized a few crucial ingredients were missing. He would have to step out to buy them.
Before heading out the front door, Zhao Ran paused. He lifted his hand, summoning little hands.
"Keep a close watch on Yu An," Zhao Ran instructed them,"If he wakes up before I get back, stay close and keep him company."
The little hands swayed gently, saluting in unison to signal their understanding, before vanishing into the shadows of the hallways to stand guard over Yu An.
The morning breeze rustled the silver embroidery on Zhao Ran’s black jacket as he walked down the bustling street. He noticed the sudden silrnce that fell over the crowd. People stopped and gasped, turning their heads so fast it was a miracle they didn't get whiplash from it.
Maybe this outfit is a bit too eye-catching...
As he neared a small grocery store, a stylish young woman suddenly gasped and hurried toward him, her eyes wide with awe.
"Excuse me! Are you a model? Or maybe an actor?" she asked breathlessly, not even waiting for an answer before waving frantically toward a nearby café. "Minghao! Come here, quickly!"
A sharply dressed middle-aged man rushed over, but froze the moment his eyes landed on Zhao Ran. The young woman turned to her manager, buzzing with excitement. "We just stopped by to grab some food before our next shoot, but I never expected to meet someone so special right on the street!"
The manager snapped out of his trance. Realizing the golden opportunity standing before him, he quickly stepped forward, bowing politely before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a sleek, premium business card and extended it with both hands. with a face and aura like this, this man could bring him true fortune.
"My Name is Wang Minghao, I'm a talent manager," the man said, his voice brimming with excitement. "Please, take my card."
Zhao Ran didn't reach for the card. Instead, he offered a polite gentle smile in return, "Thank you, but I work for the Subway Emergency Order Team. I am just here to buy some food for my little cat at home."
He made a move to step past them, but the manager quickly stepped sideways to block his path, desperate not to let a future superstar slip through his fingers.
"Wait! Don't throw away your potential! You should quit that job and work as my model instead. I can make you big! With your looks, you would have devoted fans everywhere. You’d be featured on the covers of various luxury magazines, be across giant city screens, and maybe even star in major films!"
Hearing the word fans, a sudden, amusingly image popped into Zhao Ran’s head. He envisioned Yu An's intensely possessive and obsessive side flaring up, the thought of Yu An literally burning down the entire entertainment industry just to keep Zhao Ran hidden for himself..
This thought made Zhao Ran’s smile soften with genuine affection. He looked straight at the manager and declined the offer a second time. "My body, and everything on me to admire and cherish... they are only for the one I love."
The manager’s mouth flew open to argue further. But before a single syllable could leave his lips, Zhao Ran's eyes flared with a sudden, eerie glow. For a split second, an otherworldly, dangerous pressure radiated from him, freezing the manager's blood in his veins.
By the time the manager blinked and snapped back to his senses, the oppressive weight was gone. Zhao Ran was already gone too, his regal, pink-haired figure disappearing effortlessly into the crowd.
The young model blinked, looking around in confusion before gently nudging her boss. "Minghao? What's wrong? Why did you suddenly stop talking?"
The manager swallowed hard, a cold sweat breaking out across his neck, "...Nothing," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly as he pocketed his card. "Let's... let's just go."
With the grocery bags secure in his arms, Zhao Ran made his way back to their home. The moment he stepped through the front door, a small cluster of pale, little hands came rushing toward him.
"Nu Nu."
Yu An was still fast asleep..
Zhao Ran couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, his long pink hair swaying with the movement. "This little brat," he murmured affectionately. Setting the grocery bags down, he looked at the little hands. "Take care of these, I'll go check on him."
The little hands bobbed up and down in understanding, quickly carrying the groceries away while Zhao Ran walked down the quiet hallway to their bedroom. Peeking inside, he saw Yu An exactly as he had left him—buried under a heavy blanket.
Smiling warmly, Zhao Ran slipped past the bed into the spacious bathroom. He filled up the large, luxurious bathtub and laid out a fresh set of clothes before walking back over to the bed.
Zhao Ran slid his arms under Yu An's frame and lifted him up into a smooth princess carry. As he pulled him from the mattress, the blanket slid away as Yu An was carried toward the warm bath. Yu An barely grumbled, his head instinctively leaning against Zhao Ran's shoulder.
Zhao Ran carefully settled him into the soothing, warm water of the tub. Sitting down on the edge, Zhao Ran began to help him wash. The heat of the water and the gentle care finally did the trick to wake up his lazy little cat.
Yu An’s eyelids fluttered open. Still hazy with sleep, his gaze slowly traveled upward, staring at the white ruffles of the shirt, the elegant silver embroidery adorning the black coat, and finally stopping at Zhao Ran’s striking pink hair framing his handsome face.
He just stared, completely captivated Zhao Ran. Shifting in the warm water, Yu An leaned forward against the edge of the tub, looking up with loving eyes. "You look so beautiful, Ran-ge," Yu An whispered.
Zhao Ran’s smile widened, a deep warmth feeling settling down in his chest.
Yu An folded his arms against the blue-tiled edge of the tub. He tilted his chin up, his eyes locked onto Zhao Ran.
Zhao Ran shifted slightly, he leaned in close, his long, pastel pink locks cascading over his shoulders as he reached down, his hand tenderly cupping the side of Yu An's jaw.
Zhao Ran leaned down further and pressed a soft, lingering kiss directly to Yu An’s forehead.
"Take your time," Zhao Ran murmured softly, his voice full with indulgence. "I’ll head down to prepare breakfast. Just make sure you don't fall asleep."
Yu An let out a lazy, pleased grin, shifting his weight to make himself comfortable. He closed his eyes half-way. "Mhm, don't worry," Yu An replied, sinking slightly deeper into the warm water.
The warm aroma of freshly cooked breakfast filled the kitchen as Yu An walked in, looking refreshed from his bath.
He wore a loose white shirt with a light pink ribbon draped casually around his neck, a matching light blue jacket pulled low over his shoulder, and fitted blue jeans accented by a delicate silver chain dangling from his waist.
They sat down together, enjoying a delicious meal before preparing to head out to their destination. As they gathered their things, Yu An tilted his head, his eyes locked on Zhao Ran as he asked in a playful tone. "Ran-ge, where did you go earlier?"
Zhao Ran chuckled, leaning back against the counter as he recounted what happend at grocery store.
Hearing the story, Yu An burst out laughing, "He really wanted you to be a model?" Yu An gasped between giggles, shaking his head. "Honestly, if people ever lay their eyes or hands on you like that, I would just have to gouge their eyes out!"
He paused, flashing a bright, innocent grin. "Just kidding, of course."
Zhao Ran snorted softly, "You little brat," reaching out to gently ruffle Yu An's dark hair, totally unfazed by what he said.
But as Zhao Ran's hand left his hair, Yu An’s smile suddenly vanished. The playful light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a sudden, intense depth. "You belong to me," Yu An whispered, his voice dropping into a low, fiercely possessive tone that carried no hint of a joke. "Forever."
"I know," Zhao Ran answered sosoftly. "And you're mine too."
Without another word, he reached out and firmly took Yu An’s hand, intertwining their fingers as they stepped out of their home together.
The cool, crisp air of the New World brushed against their faces as they arrived at their destination. This place was host to a magnificent, rare climatic event—so breathtaking that it drew powerful monsters and their beloved ones from all corners of the world to celebrate their bonds.
High above, the sky had transformed into a deep, shade of violet, casting an ethereal glow over the entire landscape. Directly before them lay a massive lake, its waters frozen completely solid into a smooth, crystalline sheet of ice that mirrored the purple skies. Yet, defying all laws of nature, the surrounding shore remained untouched by winter. The trees retained the vibrant, lush beauty of peak springtime, creating a stunning, surreal contrast of frost and blooming life together.
"Rong Rong Yue," Yu An murmured, looking around in awe.
Stepping closer to the frozen shoreline, a familiar, sight caught their eyes. Delicate, shimmering glass roses adorned the edges of the ice and the surrounding green grass.
"My Sister is already here," Zhao Ran noted with a soft smile, recognizing this signature style of hers immediately.
Zhao Ran looked across the gathering crowds of monsters and their beloveds. "An event like this.. she is probably in her element here. She must be eager to listen to happy stories to feed her glass roses."
They could see her in the distance, a breathtaking figure surrounded by the shimmering frost of her own creations. She was happily chatting with a joyful-looking couple.
"He seems.. familiar.." Yu An murmured under his breath, watching the man interact with the tall, dark-haired partner standing by his side.
Rong Rong Yue caught sight of the two familiar figures approaching through the crowd. Her eyes lit up, waving warmly at Zhao Ran and Yu An. Turning back to the couple with a graceful smile, she offered her final blessings, saying her goodbyes as she pressed a beautiful, shimmering crystal rose into their hands.
The human named Lin Leyi, gripped the crystal rose tightly. His face filled with pure, excitement as he bowed deeply and thanked her. Without wasting another moment, he eagerly grabbed the hand of the man next to him, their fingers tightly intertwined as they walked away.
"I'm so happy to see you both here," Her eyes swept over them, a knowing, affectionate smile gracing her beautiful features. "I knew you would come. Tell me, what do you think of my work today?"
Zhao Ran smiled warmly at his sister, his long pastel pink hair catching the violet reflection of the sky above. "It looks breathtaking, You have outdone yourself."
Rong Rong Yue let out a soft, delighted chuckle. "Thank you, but I have a gift for you two as well."
She extended her elegant hands, presenting them with two items. The first was a flawless glass rose, its petals shimmering with a faint, light. "This rose will record everything you want as a remembrance for this day. Every whisper, every smile, and every moment."
Next to the flower, she placed a brilliantly cut, heart-shaped crystal that pulsed with a warm, gentle glow. "And this...i prepared some truly breathtaking outfits for the both of you for today. It would make me really happy if you could wear them."
"Thank you." Zhao Ran said, accepting the precious gifts with a grateful nod.
"Don't mention it," Rong Rong Yue replied, her smile widening as she stepped back to give them their space. "Have a wonderful time together, you two. I think I’ll head out now—I want to go see Ha Bai and the children as well."
With a final, warm wave, the dazzling gem of the New World turned around to walk away, leaving the couple alone among the glowing roses.
Yu An stared impatiently at the heart-shaped crystal in Zhao Ran's hand, his eyes practically gleaming with excitement.
Seeing that eager, restless look on his face, Zhao Ran's heart melted completely. He let out a soft laugh. "Alright, alright, let's see what my Sister prepared for us," he murmured, he extended his hand to offer the gem.
The very moment Yu An’s fingertips brushed against the smooth surface of the crystal, it flared with a brilliant, blinding light. The warm glow enveloped them both, swirling around their bodies like a gentle, shimmering vortex before slowly dissipating.
Yu An blinked, looking down at himself in surprise. The casual blue jacket and pink ribbon were gone. Instead, he was dressed in an incredibly elegant, modern gothic white suit. A beautiful, dark crystalline brooch rested at his chest, matching the dark gloves covering his hands. He looked remarkably refined, like an enigmatic nobleman from a classic fantasy tale.
Zhao Ran's clothes had been transformed into an ethereal, regal version. He wore a pure white formal coat that flowed gently in the lakeside breeze, paired with a vibrant red vest that perfectly complemented his long, cascading pink hair.
A soft scraping sound caught Zhao Ran's attention. He glanced out across the crystalline surface of the frozen lake and noticed a couple skating across the ice.
Zhao Ran looked down at Yu An, a playful, loving smile at his lips as he extended his gloved hand. "Would you like to go out on the ice and try it as well?"
Yu An blinked, looking from the slippery ice back to Zhao Ran's face, "I don't have any experience with that, Ran-ge. I've never did this before."
Zhao Ran’s smile widened, "You don't need to worry." he murmured softly, stepping closer until his long hair brushed against Yu An's shoulder. I won't let you fall, " "And I promise it will be very... exciting.
Very exciting huh... Yu An grinned at him. "Okay, show me how it's done."
Zhao Ran took his hand, his fingers intertwining firmly with Yu An's dark glove. Before they stepped forward, Zhao Ran gently placed the glass rose into the grasp of one of his little hands to begin recording every single moment.
With a reassuring smile, Zhao Ran guided Yu An onto the smooth, crystalline surface. He started with the basics, moving slowly to help Yu An find a center of gravity. "Keep your knees slightly bent," Zhao Ran instructed, "Don't look down at your feet. Look at me."
Yu An nodded, focus replacing his earlier playfulness. As a remarkably fast learner, Yu An caught on to the rhythm of moving on the slick surface within just a few minutes, movements transitioning from stiff hesitations to smooth, calculated glides.
Whenever his balance slipped for a split second, there would be no impact with the hard ice. Instead, a dark, shadowy hand would manifest instantly from the ground. It would gently but firmly steady Yu An's waist, and bring him safely back towards Zhao Ran.
They started skating faster, the wind whipping through their hair and the long matching outfits. Zhao Ran, moving with effortless grace, would sometimes dash ahead, intentionally leaving Yu An to glide on his own.
Whenever Yu An began to slow down, a dark, shadowy hand would suddenly manifest from the ground, wrapping around his waist. Instead of just stabilizing him, the hand would give him a burst of speed, launching him forward across the ice with an exhilarating rush.
Again and again, in between these high speed dashes, Yu An would glide back toward Zhao Ran to take a breath, resting for a brief moment before Zhao Ran gently let him go to have fun again.
As the excitement grew, the shadows shifted from simple support to a more playful and teasing display. More and more dark hands materialized, they brushed against his shoulders and arms in light, fleeting movements, guiding his posture as if dancing alongside him. Each touch felt like a playful nudge that sent a thrill of excitement straight down Yu An's spine.
Yu An’s cheeks flushed a bright crimson under the sky, the warmth on his face contrasting against the chilling lakeside breeze. He quickly glanced around, realizing that they had become the focus of everyone's attention.
Zhao Ran glided in close, catching Yu An and drawing him nearer.
Noticing the crowd's stares, Yu An mischievously grinned, tilting his face up. "Can they see what you're doing right now?" he whispered playfully.
Zhao Ran let out a low laugh, his long hair swaying as he leaned in to whisper directly into Yu An's ear. "No, not from this distance. All they can see is a black shadow, not exactly.. where it touches you."
He pulled back just enough to look at him, an amused glint in his eyes. "Why? Do you want them to see it?"
Yu An’s expression was full of pride. "I don't care if they see it."
Zhao Ran’s gaze reflected a deep and gentle smile. With a swift motion, he guided Yu An into a quick, elegant spin across the ice before pulling him back towards him. "The most exciting part is still to come. Are you ready, An An?"
Yu An’s breath stopped for a moment. There is even more? Looking at the crowds of people watching them, a sense of pride and possessiveness swelled within him. Yes, yes look all you want. This man belongs to me alone.
"Yes," Yu An answered, his voice filled with anticipation.
Zhao Ran noticed the shift in Yu An’s focus, "Good," he murmured.
Immediately, Zhao Ran initiated an intense and sensual pair dance. He took the lead, pulling Yu An into a dizzying sequence of sharp turns and synchronized glides. Then, with a sudden burst of strength, Zhao Ran lifted Yu An directly upward.
Yu An was caught off guard as he left the ice, but he didn't panic. He fully trusted Zhao Ran, letting himself be guided as he was hoisted into a breathtaking high overhead lift. Suspended under the violet sky, Yu An arched his back, relying entirely on the strong hands supporting him.
They continued their intense ice dance, until Zhao Ran decided to end it with a grand finale. With a sweeping glide that cut a deep arc into the ice, he brought their momentum to a sudden, breathtaking halt and pulled Yu An into a deep, dramatic halt.
They froze in that exact pose, Yu An completely arched back, his body yielding entirely to the unyielding strength of the hands supporting him, while Zhao Ran leaned over him, his long, pastel pink hair cascading down like a curtain. Both of them were breathless, their chests heaving in unison, their eyes locked onto each other in a gaze filled with devotion and still lingering adrenaline.
Zhao Ran smoothly pulled him back up, bringing Yu An securely against his chest.
"That was amazing, Ran-ge," Yu An gasped, a radiant ecstatic smile showing across his face.
Zhao Ran smiled down at him, his thumb tenderly brushing against Yu An's flushed cheek. "I'm glad you liked it."
At that exact moment, their surroundings erupted into deafening applause. The crowd who had been spellbound by their ice dance broke into loud cheers.
Not wanting to stay in the spotlight for too long, Zhao Ran wrapped an arm around Yu An's waist and slowly glided back toward the edge of the lake.
They picked a secluded spot, sitting together nestled against each other, they watched the other couples on the ice. Inspired and excited by the breathtaking performance they had just witnessed, many of the monsters and humans were eagerly rushing out to try it for themselves.
Yu An let out a bright laugh at the sight. Swept up in the lingering adrenaline and joy of the moment, he playfully threw himself forward, tumbling directly into Zhao Ran’s chest. The sudden impact pushed Zhao Ran flat onto the soft grass.
Hovering above him, Yu An reached down, taking a few long strands of Zhao Ran’s pink hair in his fingers, playing with them idly.
Zhao Ran didn't mind the playful push at all. He simply smiled back at him. "What's on your mind?"
Yu An chuckled, his eyes softening as he looked down. "I really didn’t expect how exciting this would be. I had so much fun today... thank you, Ran-ge."
Zhao Ran wrapped his arms round Yu An's waist, pulling him down into a close embrace. "You never have to thank me for making you happy."
Before Yu An could reply, Zhao Ran pulled him down into a deep kiss. It was an intense, dizzying embrace that seemed to make the rest of the world fade away entirely. The cheers of the crowd, the glowing violet sky, and the frozen lake all slowly faded into the background.
Zhao Ran kissed him until Yu An's mind went completely blank,. When they finally separated to breathe, a delicate thread of saliva parted between their lips.
Yu An rested his forehead against Zhao Ran's shoulder, his heart hammering wildly against his ribs, thoroughly feeling cherished. He looked up at Zhao Ran.
"Ran-ge... can we do this again?" Yu An asked, his eyes shimmering with a mix of excitement and pure happiness.
Zhao Ran smiled, his fingers gently tracing the line of Yu An's jaw, "Whatever you wish for, I will make sure it comes true," Zhao Ran answered softly. He leaned up, pressing one last, gentle kiss to Yu An's lips. "I love you, my dear An An."
End