Work Text:
“Don’t stay here too late. It’s another early start tomorrow.”
Lan Zhan nods and watches his coworker leave down the hall. He files a few papers away into an archive box and places it back on the shelf. He collapses into his rolling chair, rubbing his palms over his eyes.
It’s hard to make an effort to act okay. He knows his coworkers can see the worsening dark circles under his eyes and the slower pace he’s been working at for the past three months. He’s blamed it on the stress from the new exhibition they’re preparing for, but he knows that they know better.
Lan Zhan has always been the least stressed under pressure. He holds one of the highest positions as one of the curators at The Met. His promotion of ideas and management of collections earned him this spot at his dream job… but now every day feels empty.
He finishes the last bit of paperwork on his computer and calls it a day. He locks up and leaves through the staff exit. New York at night is just as alive as it is during the day. The sounds of horns honking and people milling about on the sidewalks is a familiar greeting. He decides to walk home.
He passes the flickering street lamps of Central Park. The carousel, although closed for the night, is all lit up. People take photos in front of the multicolored horses and twinkling lights. It makes Lan Zhan smile for a moment. It had been one of Wei Ying’s favorite spots. They would meet there on the days when they’d get off work early and get a few spins in before it stopped allowing rides at 6:00.
Wei Ying would act like a child, whooping and cheering every time his horse would go up and down. He would undo his high ponytail, allowing his hair to flow freely down his back in untamed waves. He always insisted on getting the horse with the red details. Lan Zhan’s was the one behind him with the golden and blue paint.
Lan Zhan never cared too much about the ride itself, instead relishing the view of his boyfriend being his goofy, childlike self.
Well… ex-boyfriend.
He tears his eyes away from the carousel and ambles home to his apartment with pain tugging at his broken heart.
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”I’m such a dumbass!” Wei Ying slams his glass onto the table, garnering concerned looks from strangers around him.
“Are you sure you should be drinking in this state?” The bartender eyes Wei Ying, concerned. “You’ve been looking more and more glum each time you come in here. Did something go wrong on one of the tours you were leading?”
“Just give me another sweet heat and don’t judge me, Wen Ning.” Wei Ying plants his forehead onto the bar counter and sighs.
Wen Ning prepares another drink and hesitates to set it down. He gently places his hand on Wei Ying’s shoulder. “Why did you call yourself that?”
Wei Ying can’t bring himself to look up. He feels awful. He’s the actual worst. It’s all his fault. “A dumbass?”
“Mhm.” Wen Ning leans onto the counter. “You haven’t told me why you’ve been looking so down. It’s been months.”
Wei Ying groans. He sits up and takes a sip of his cocktail, allowing the spice to flow through him. “I fucked up… like, majorly fucked up.”
Wen Ning exhales. “How? Talk to me.”
It’s tough putting into words exactly what Wei Ying did. Where does he start? Does he spill the fact that he doubted his boyfriend’s loyalty? That he let his own insecurities get the better of him? That his hateful coworkers fed on his vulnerable heart and turned him against the love of his life? How do you even begin to explain all of that?
But he needs to vent. He has to. Keeping this all inside just makes him…
“...hate myself.” Wei Ying grumbles.
“You shouldn’t say things like that.” Wen Ning stares at him, shaking his head. “That kind of self-talk will get you nowhere.”
Wei Ying feels tears threatening to fall. The alcohol must have loosened up the emotions he had bottled up. It’s not that he’s fragile and ready to break at any moment. No, not at all.
“I.. uh…” He hasn’t admitted aloud what he did. He had messaged his sister about it via text, but that was it. Even his innocent coworkers at The Met Cloisters knew something had happened. They had all been too nervous to ask, though. Wei Ying clears his throat. Wen Ning had been his friend in college, and now he is his favorite bartender in all of New York. He’s always been a good listener, but this was hard to admit.
“You know I’m not going to judge you.”
Wei Ying knew that. It was just that saying it aloud made it that much more real… but it was never going to get easier. “I broke up with Lan Zhan.”
Wen Ning’s eyes go wide. “You… what? What happened?”
“I was told he cheated on me.” Wei Ying’s voice cracks. He tries to hide it by clearing his throat and taking another sip of his drink.
“Cheated? He wouldn’t-”
“I know he wouldn’t! That’s the point!” Wei Ying can’t hold in his anger at himself. He hates every inch of himself so much that it takes everything he has just to get up in the morning. He slumps. “He was getting off work later than usual and I made a stupid joke to a few of my coworkers about him seeing someone… and they…” This was stupid. Saying it out loud like this made it even more clear just how naive Wei Ying had been. “They said he had been sleeping with one of the other archivists at the primary Met. I… I got so angry that I called and yelled at him over the phone.”
Wen Ning listens. His expression is a mix of shock and sadness. It’s obvious he cares, but Wei Ying still feels so isolated.
“Lan Zhan was crying. He begged me to meet him in person. But… I told him we were over. It’s been three months since the last time we spoke. I know now that he was wanting to meet in person so that he could tell me face to face that he didn’t do anything. I mistook his insistence on meeting in person as a red flag. He definitely didn’t cheat.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.” Usually, Wen Ning has amazing advice. He does his best to ensure that Wei Ying stays on the right path and always has his back. The look on his face now is uncharacteristically twisted with defeat. “So… Lan Wangji hasn’t called you since?”
Wei Ying shakes his head. “No. He messaged me only once right after I hung up. The coworkers that lied to me about Lan Zhan cheating said a week later that it was just a prank and that they hadn’t meant for me to get all upset so quickly. They thought that it was obvious that they were joking and apologized for what happened. It… it wasn’t even their fault. They didn’t know how much of a vulnerable piece of shit I am. I can’t even be angry at them anymore. What they did was fucked up, but it was even more fucked up for me to believe them so easily and throw away an almost five-year relationship so quickly like that over nothing.”
Wen Ning clears his throat and speaks softly. “It was their fault. They shouldn’t have made a joke about that. It’s not funny.” He doesn’t want to make Wei Ying feel any worse. “You said he messaged you right after the phone call, right? What did it say?”
Wei Ying pulls out his phone. He unlocks it and opens up the text conversation. He shows it to Wen Ning.
Wen Ning leans in and reads it aloud. “Still, I’m here.”
Wei Ying nods, no longer able to fight back his tears. “He would always say that after our arguments. We didn’t argue a lot. If we did they were always stupid and petty… and always my fault.” He bends over, his body racked with sobs. “But now I don’t know how to fix this.”
The patrons of the bar start to leave as closing time approaches. Soon, Wen Ning and Wei Ying are the only two left. Wen Ning cleans the last few glasses and takes off his apron.
Wei Ying sobs into a thick cloth napkin that Wen Ning gave him. He can’t fix this mess. It was his fault. He doesn’t even deserve to feel guilty. He had been the one to doubt and hurt Lan Zhan. He can only imagine how Lan Zhan must have felt. He had sounded so devastated on the phone. It still hurts Wei Ying to think about the way Lan Zhan’s voice had cracked and how desperate he had sounded when he begged for them to meet in person.
Had Lan Zhan moved on? Was he still thinking about him? Wei Ying would often visit Lan Zhan at the primary Met when he went there for meetings about upcoming events he would be coordinating for The Met Cloisters. He’d sneak in and bring Lan Zhan his favorite order of a London Fog and cinnamon raisin bagel.
Now, he avoids the primary Met as much as possible. He sneaks by the back archive office doors when he has no choice but to have meetings. He does everything he can to avoid places he knows Lan Zhan frequents. He had even missed the exhibit Lan Zhan had been working so hard to curate for over a year just because he couldn’t bring himself to see him in person again.
He had and still was acting like a child. Lan Zhan had told him how he liked how innocent Wei Ying acted… but look where that got them. Wei Ying had never truly grown up. He still so easily believed the words of others. So, why didn’t he believe the words coming from his soulmate when it counted the most?
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Filing… documenting… completing walk-arounds… contacting funders…
The list on his phone of today’s tasks is nothing out of the ordinary. Just a typical day in his life as a curator, really… but Lan Zhan isn’t absorbing any of it. The light of dawn is barely creeping over the skyline and the morning air is freezing against his nose.
The museum isn’t open yet since he’s starting early today, so he skipped his usual order from the cafe. He walks with a homemade green tea in hand and arrives at the back entrance to the archives.
Wei Ying is standing there, shivering in a much-too-light jacket. He looks tired, dark circles apparent on his usually glowing skin.
Lan Zhan ignores the way his heart leaps, happy despite everything to see Wei Ying again. He clears his throat and fumbles for his keys, unlocking the door. He looks down, motioning for Wei Ying to come in.
Wei Ying doesn’t move. Lan Zhan sighs and enters first. When he doesn’t hear any footsteps following him he turns back around. Wei Ying stands glued to the spot, still shaking.
Is he shaking with anger because he’s still mad at me? Or is he cold?
Suddenly breaking the silence, Wei Ying takes a step forward. “M-morning.”
Lan Zhan turns, placing his set of keys in his bookbag. “It’s cold. Bring a warmer jacket next time you come this early.” It’s all he can manage to say without his voice breaking. It hurts to know that Wei Ying stopped trusting him for no good reason. He doesn’t have the energy to talk to him right now.
Wei Ying hurries inside. He hovers in the hallway as the door shuts closed behind him. The motion-activated lights come on as Lan Zhan makes his way around the archival room.
“I was just…” Wei Ying’s voice is small. It’s very unlike him. “I’m here for a meeting. There’s gonna be a… a new exhibit debuting today, so I need a refresher on the new info before I start the tours this afternoon.”
Lan Zhan ignores him and takes a seat at his computer. He takes out his planner and reads through his ideas for community involvement on the next display. “I don’t see why you need to tell me.”
Wei Ying laughs nervously. He continues to stand in the hallway. “It’s just… I forgot my key, so I was waiting for someone to open the door. I wanted to get here bright and early for the meeting before anyone else and-”
“Then go to the meeting room and leave me alone. I have work to do.” Lan Zhan’s heart breaks as he snaps at Wei Ying, but having a conversation like this is too much. He can’t stand how much he still loves him despite being cast aside so frivolously. He keeps his eyes glued to his computer screen.
“Oh… okay.” Wei Ying’s voice cracks and he sinks into the shadow of the doorway. “It’s just…” Lan Zhan shoots him a look, meeting Wei Ying’s gaze for the first time since before their breakup.
Wei Ying’s lip visibly trembles. “Thanks for letting me in. I’ll be going now.” With that, he scurries down the hall to the meeting room.
His entire body deflates as Lan Zhan rests his head in his hands. The pressure is too much… it feels like his skin is cracking. He might have to clock out of work early. He’s not sure how much longer he wants to stay awake today. Being awake meant having to miss Wei Ying.
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~SIX YEARS AGO~
“Shit! I’m gonna be late!” Wei Ying, in a very ungraceful manner, runs up the stairs of the Brooklyn Museum.
It was his first time being invited to assist with a panel at the Art Curator’s Conference and he was late. Look, it’s not his fault that his taxi man clearly had no idea what he was doing.
Just as he reaches the front entrance, he runs into someone and drops all of his files and notes. He had come plenty prepared, despite being late, but now all of the hours of labor he completed to organize everything was blowing away in the wind onto the streets of Brooklyn.
He collapses in a defeated heap on the top of the stairs, too helpless to chase after the pieces of paper. Sighing, he turns to look up at the person.
It was a man. No, not a man. This right here must be a part of the museum because there’s no way that someone is just walking around looking like that on a daily basis. Not possible.
Wei Ying rubs his eyes as the sculpture of a man bends down and places a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Okay, maybe a little possible.
“I’m so sorry. Are you all right?” The man looks straight into Wei Ying’s eyes.
Wei Ying can only nod. Forget the conference. Well, okay… he couldn’t completely forget about it. He has to give his speech and meet with people, but he suddenly didn’t mind being late and unprepared anymore.
The man, who he found out was named Lan Wangji, had helped him collect as many papers as possible and guided him inside. He had slipped Wei Ying his number into the files. Thank god, Wei Ying thought. I was too taken aback by his… well, everything to ask for it.
A week later, they were having brunch at a cafe near Central Park.
Lan Zhan takes a sip of his peach tea. “So, yes. That’s how I managed to become a curator at the Met a few months ago. I was visiting the conference briefly to hear a coworker speak at a panel. How about yourself?”
“That makes sense why I didn’t see you before, then! You always work in the back. I’m more of a people person. I was an intern at a local museum during college. I graduated last year and am now a junior educator. I give tours at the Met Cloisters.” He dramatically throws his hands up in the air, his smile beaming. “I make history come alive with stories!”
Lan Zhan snorts. “History does indeed come alive in museums, but you seem a bit immature to be giving tours.”
“That’s how you view me?” Wei Ying crosses his arms and wiggles his eyebrows. “That’s your observation, Mr. Curator?”
“Mn.”
“Well, perhaps you need a bit of immaturity. Seems to me that you’re just as dusty as the archives you frequent.” Wei Ying holds out his hands to Lan Zhan. He tilts his head. “History isn’t meant to be boring, yes?”
“History isn’t boring,” Lan Zhan agreed.
Wei Ying smiles and takes Lan Zhan’s hands in his. “And I can assure you that I’m not boring, either!”
Wei Ying’s statement had been right. No waking moment was dull when they were together. Over the next year, they got to know each other. Lan Zhan found joy in learning about Wei Ying’s passion for the rare, imported flowers located in the Met Cloisters garden and listened to him rave on and on about the various meanings of the stained glass art in the Gothic chapel. Wei Ying would listen to Lan Zhan’s plans for new exhibits as they strolled through the Met galleries.
It took a year for Lan Zhan to confess. Wei Ying had ordered him far too many lattes with hearts drawn in the foam that he had to say something.
“I like tea. Not coffee.”
Wei Ying giggles. “But you let me order for you every time and you’ve never said anything. Besides…” He points to the cup. “They only make this design on the lattes, not the teas.”
The way Wei Ying smiled at him was far too endearing. His chest felt like it was always ready to burst when he was around him.
And he could no longer stand the taste of lattes, even with the detailed artwork.
“I love you.”
Wei Ying grinned. He was quick to answer. “Took you long enough, love. Haven’t we been dating since the day we met?”
Lan Zhan had to prove to Wei Ying that they had, in fact, not been dating. That night he made sure to show Wei Ying the privileges only his boyfriend could have.
For the next almost five years of dating, they would text and talk for hours about the happenings at their respective jobs in the museums, go on so many cafe dates that they became regulars at a whopping 15 different restaurants, and create a collage of polaroid pictures on the wall of Lan Zhan’s apartment. Most of the photos were of Wei Ying at different museums they went to visit. They had traveled a lot over the years. It was the most beautiful work of art Lan Zhan had ever seen.
Now the wall goes ignored, the gummy smiles and faces alight with laughter hidden underneath a white bedsheet.
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~PRESENT DAY~
Wei Ying knows better than to blame Lan Zhan for speaking so curtly this morning. He didn’t owe Wei Ying any pleasantries after how horribly Wei Ying had betrayed his trust and love like that.
Frankly, Wei Ying was shocked that Lan Zhan had let him inside. The meeting at the Met had gone by quickly and he was back to his usual routine of giving tours. It just hurt to know that he wouldn’t be sneaking into the archives to surprise Lan Zhan after he gets off work. Or meeting up in Central Park and walking to Lan Zhan’s apartment together.
He will be taking the taxi home alone again.
Things can’t stay this way. It was easier said than done, but there was only one way Wei Ying could think of to try and make amends. He walks out to the gardens to take his break and pulls out his phone. He takes a deep breath and calls Lan Zhan.
To Wei Ying’s surprise, he answers.
“Hello?”
“Um.. hi.” Wei Ying’s confidence wavers. No, he thinks, I decided I’d ask.
“I’m in the middle of something important.” Lan Zhan’s voice sounds pained. His heartbreak is obvious over the phone. He never had been very good at faking his emotions.
“Ahem… well. I was wondering if you’re free tonight?” Wei Ying’s question hangs in the air.
A few moments pass with no answer.
“Lan Zhan? I don’t know where to start…” Wei Ying wipes a tear threatening to fall. He has to return to work after this. He can’t become a crying mess before his next tour. He was guiding a high school field trip and the last thing he wanted was a bunch of teenagers mocking his puffy eyes. “I would just rather talk over dinner than over the phone.”
On the other end, Lan Zhan clears his throat. “Fine, but I choose the place.”
A wave of relief washes over Wei Ying. It wasn’t forgiveness just yet, but he was more determined now that he was given a chance. “Yes! Sure, you can choose.” Wei Ying tries to calm his voice. I shouldn’t be feeling this happy, I was the one who caused this whole issue in the first place.
“But I can’t tonight.”
Wei Ying’s heart drops. He had been so close. Had Lan Zhan just been teasing him?
“How does next Tuesday sound, instead?”
Wei Ying doesn’t know how much more his heart can handle. He may look like just some guy sitting on a bench in the gardens of the Cloisters, but inside of him felt like there was a rollercoaster going off the rails. He could barely contain himself. “Next Tuesday sounds great. So, where and when should we-?”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Hey! Lan Zhan!” No answer came. Lan Zhan had hung up. Wei Ying dropped his phone down onto his lap, dumbfounded. So, did they have a make-up date or not?
All Wei Ying could do was wait.
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Lan Zhan stretches his arms up above his head. Ignoring Wei Ying was not something he had ever wanted to do. He’s glad it will be over soon. He’s scared of what Wei Ying’s state of mind is going to be… and he doesn’t really want to hear about how Wei Ying had come to the conclusion that Lan Zhan was cheating on him.
Why on Earth would he ever cheat on him? Ever since he met him, there hasn’t been anyone that holds a candle to the beauty and glow that was Wei Ying.
That gives me an idea. Lan Zhan’s lips quirk into a side smile. One of his fellow curators walks by with a quizzical look on her face.
Next Tuesday couldn’t come soon enough. Lan Zhan was glad that he hadn’t canceled any of the reservations. He wonders how long it will take Wei Ying to remember.
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“It’s our fifth anniversary next Tuesday.” Wei Ying takes a sip of his cocktail. “How could I forget?”
Wen Ning nods. “That’s probably why he asked you out on that day.”
“But why? I broke up with him. Besides, wouldn’t that just hurt him more? I’m going into this not expecting him to forgive me. I just want to clear the air as to why it all happened, you know?” Wei Ying traces his finger along the edge of the glass. “I don’t expect him to get back with someone who just dumped him like that.”
“He loves you. I think he’ll-”
“I just hate how much of a child I am!” Wei Ying’s outburst surprises even himself. Wen Ning just blinks at him and sighs. He cuts off Wei Ying’s drinks and sends him home after wishing him luck.
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The last thing Wei Ying expected on Tuesday morning was a large package waiting for him on his doorstep. He had Tuesdays off, so he usually sleeps in. The sound of his doorbell had woken him up. No deliveryman is in sight and the only definite proof that the package is for him is that it’s wrapped in crimson paper with the initials WY written on a small card.
Wei Ying brings the package inside and takes a seat on his couch. He opens up the card. It reads:
Wear this tonight and spare no accessories.
Meet me at the address listed below at 6 pm.
See you soon.
LZ
Wei Ying sets the card aside and opens up the package. His eyes go wide. “Oh… Lan Zhan. You didn’t…”
Inside the package is the most gorgeous grecian gown Wei Ying had ever seen. It is amethyst with silver detailing. The soft chiffon trails down to the floor and the gemstone one-strap glitters in the morning light streaming through the apartment windows. He realizes that it will match perfectly with the silver heels Lan Zhan had gifted to him on their last anniversary.
Tears well up in Wei Ying’s eyes. He didn’t deserve this. What was Lan Zhan thinking buying him this?
He notices that there is more in the package. A necklace, earrings, and a bracelet with a matching silver blossom motif sparkle brilliantly. He has known Lan Zhan for six years now and he still can’t seem to figure out all of his mysteries. Overwhelmed with emotion, Wei Ying decides to do what he does best.
“It’s time to make some mouths drop.” He makes his way over to the bathroom to get ready.
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Lan Zhan checks his watch for the tenth time in a minute. He hopes his gift didn’t overwhelm Wei Ying. He couldn’t bring himself to return it once he had bought it. He had had this night completely planned out for months in advance and had held out hope that things could work out for them again.
Was he still hurt? Yes. Did his eyes sting from the constant threat of him feeling like he was going to cry? Absolutely. But he wasn’t going to let that ruin tonight. He knows his Wei Ying better than anyone else. It was a misunderstanding. He wanted… no, needed to assure Wei Ying that he didn’t cheat. He hopes tonight can prove to one another that they're meant to-
His thoughts come to a halting crash.
Wei Ying steps out of a taxi, reflecting the streetlights in a myriad of silver glitter. The purple evening dress perfectly compliments Wei Ying’s tan skin just like Lan Zhan thought it would.
No, better than I thought it would.
It takes a moment for Wei Ying to notice him. Lan Zhan makes no moves to call out to him, basking in the vision that’s his Wei Ying. Tonight was all about reminding Wei Ying who he belongs to… and who Lan Zhan, in return, belongs to. What better way to do that than to spoil him and treat him to a night at The Plaza?
“Lan Zhan! I cannot believe you.” Wei Ying finally sees him and makes his way over. The flowing fabric cascades elegantly over Wei Ying’s long legs. Perhaps the dress was a mistake… Lan Zhan might be far too distracted to eat dinner.
“Hello.” Lan Zhan smiles. It’s effortless. He hated having to hide his smile and feel nothing but pain these past few months. Seeing Wei Ying like this reminded him how much of a light he is in his life.
“We are at the fucking Plaza and I’m dressed like this and all you say is hello? I’m freaking out over here!” Wei Ying adjusts his hair behind his ears and looks up at the hotel. He clears his throat. “Um… sorry.”
Lan Zhan beams. “Don’t be. You look stunning.” He loves it when Wei Ying gets flustered.
“Thank you for-”
“The gratitude stops there, Wei Ying. There’s no need.” Lan Zhan holds his arm out, still grinning.
Wei Ying hesitates. “What?”
“Shall we?”
Wei Ying nods and takes Lan Zhan’s arm. “Y-You look great in that white suit. Like, really great.”
The two of them are greeted inside and seated at a booth at the Palm Court. The room is abuzz with laughter and smartly-dressed diners. Every detail of the space is posh and refined. The large white columns bring Wei Ying’s eyes up to the arched ceiling. He looks like a child with his curious eyes and wandering gaze.
A waiter arrives at their table and hands them each a menu. “Welcome, gentlemen. Tonight you will be dining with us during our evening cocktail and lite fare menu hours. Please, take your time and enjoy.” The waiter leaves and the two of them to peruse the menu.
After a few minutes of silence, Wei Ying peers over the menu. “Lan Zhan?”
“Mn.” Lan Zhan doesn’t look up from the menu even though he has already decided what he will order.
“This place is too expensive.”
“No, it’s not.” Lan Zhan flips over the menu to look at the next page. “Order whatever you want with no worries. It’s my treat, after all.”
“That’s the problem!” Wei Ying sets the menu down and points. “Scallops for $49?! A burger for $32?! I can’t have you pay this much. This is crazy and you know it.”
“You’re crazy.” Lan Zhan continues to avoid Wei Ying’s gaze, but can’t fight the smile that lifts the corner of his lip. “Order and eat to your heart’s content. Pay no mind to the price.”
Wei Ying huffs in defeat. “Fine. I’ll make it random then.” He sits up and closes his eyes. He waves his finger in the air and randomly points to a spot on the menu.
The waiter arrives and looks at Wei Ying first. “May I take your order?”
Lan Zhan peers at where Wei Ying is pointing at the menu and smiles. Wei Ying opens his eyes and stares at the words, dumbfounded.
Lan Zhan grins at the waiter. “He’ll have the $107 T-bone steak please. I’ll have the scallops.”
The waiter smiles and takes the menus away. Wei Ying facepalms. “Why am I like this?”
Lan Zhan breaks into laughter far too loud for an establishment like this, but he doesn’t care. It feels natural between them again.
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They’re finishing up their dessert course when Wei Ying decides it’s finally time. This whole night has been a wonderful blur of delicious food and wonderful conversation, but he knows that he can’t just ignore the elephant in the room.
He takes a bite of his blood orange sorbet to try and cool himself down. His face feels hot with nerves. He doesn’t know how to bring this up.
As always, Lan Zhan can read his mind. “Should we talk about it?” He takes a bite of his mousse.
“Yes. Can… can I speak without you interrupting me? I feel like if I don’t keep talking that I might not get a chance to say everything.” Wei Ying’s leg starts bouncing up and down. He can’t seem to calm his nerves.
Lan Zhan reaches underneath the table and places his hand on Wei Ying’s knee to still the bouncing. “Of course.”
Wei Ying explains everything. He tells Lan Zhan about the stupid joke his coworkers made. He talks about how he had been worried about how late Lan Zhan had been getting off of work, despite also knowing he was staying late to prepare for the huge upcoming exhibit.
Wei Ying takes a deep breath. He looks down at the table, trying to distract himself with the waving vine pattern. “I’m sorry… for everything. I was stupid and a coward. I believed such an idiotic lie. I’m not expecting forgiveness.” He sips on his white cosmo that had replaced his empty dessert bowl halfway through his explanation. “Tonight has been…” He sighs and motions around the room. “It’s been so wonderful, but I have a feeling you just wanted to make the most out of a reservation you weren’t able to cancel. For that, I’m sorry as well. I’ll pay for my meal-.”
Lan Zhan shakes his head. Up until this point, he had only listened and occasionally nodded his head. “May I speak now?”
Wei Ying nods. His throat is sore from the strain it took to keep his voice level. He clings to his white cosmo to calm him down.
Lan Zhan clears his throat. “To start, I do forgive you. You can call me stupid or whatever you would like, but I disagree. I will always forgive you no matter what. I said I was still here for you, right? Second, I would like to apologize for possibly making you feel like I was anything less than loyal.”
Wei Ying shakes his head. He can’t have Lan Zhan thinking that he did anything wrong when-
“Let me finish. Please.” Lan Zhan looks at him with pleading eyes.
Wei Ying realizes this is also hard for Lan Zhan to say. He nods, allowing him to continue.
Lan Zhan reaches over the table and squeezes Wei Ying’s hand. “I was getting off work really late and sometimes forgot to text you when I was on my way to my apartment. I was late responding to calls because I was busy. I’m sorry if I made you feel insecure. I can’t promise going forward that I’ll be the quickest person to respond, but I’ll try my best. I’ll do anything in my power to ensure that you-”
Wei Ying almost spits out his drink. “What?” He looks at Lan Zhan, puzzled. “What do you mean, ‘going forward?’”
Lan Zhan raises an eyebrow. “When you called me wanting to have dinner, did you not have us getting back together in mind?”
Wei Ying couldn’t believe it. Even after all of this juvenile drama on his part and his poor excuse for an explanation, Lan Zhan still wants to date him?
“Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan’s voice nearly breaks with worry. His eyes look genuinely scared.
Wei Ying doesn’t know what to say. “Lan Zhan… you… you don’t hate me for what I said? For what I did to you? To us?”
Lan Zhan shakes his head. “I was angry at first, but I realized you were just scared. You told me that when you grew up abandonment was commonplace for you. I can’t blame you for feeling insecure or worried at times.”
Wei Ying can hear in Lan Zhan’s voice that he doesn’t pity him. He likes that Lan Zhan doesn’t. He appreciates how Lan Zhan sees him as a whole person, not just as a bunch of broken parts and emotional fragments.
Lan Zhan takes a sip of his sugar maple cocktail. “That doesn’t completely excuse your lack of communication with me if you were worried. You should have said something to me rather than making a baseless joke to your coworkers.”
Wei Ying nods. He completely agrees. It should have never gotten to that point.. What a dumb thing to joke about… Wei Ying knows that now.
“But yes. Of course I forgive you.” Lan Zhan grins hopefully. “And if you’ll still have me, I’d love to be your boyfriend again.”
Wei Ying can’t hold back the tears anymore. They well up and fall down his face freely. They’re probably ruining the makeup he took hours trying to perfect, but he doesn’t care. All that matters are the warm arms that come immediately to wrap him close. A soft kiss is planted on the top his head.
“I love you, Wei Ying.”
In between sobs, Wei Ying manages a nod and buries his head into Lan Zhan’s chest. “I love you… I love you so much, Lan Zhan.”
༛༛ ༛ ༛༺༻༛ ༛ ༛༛
They make their way out of the elevator and are escorted by a butler down the hallway of the hotel.
“You can’t be serious, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying nearly trips over his feet as they make their way down perhaps one of the fanciest hotel hallways in existence.
“I’m afraid I am, my Wei Ying.” His heart is swelling with the delight of having Wei Ying hanging off his arm. Not only did they clear the air, but they have the whole night to themselves in the room Lan Zhan had been saving up for for so long now. He’s so glad he didn’t cancel the reservation.
They arrive at the end of the hallway and the butler bows and opens the door. “Enjoy your stay.”
Lan Zhan motions for Wei Ying to enter the room first. He got this suite just to see Wei Ying’s reaction. Nothing made him happier than seeing his love happy, after all.
Wei Ying steps inside and immediately drops his silver clutch. He clasps his hands over his mouth in disbelief. “Holy-”
“This is a classy room, love.” Lan Zhan closes the door behind them and takes off his suit jacket, hanging it up on the coat rack. He picks up Wei Ying’s clutch and sets it aside on the small table by the door.
“The Royal Suite, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying scrambles to take off his heels, leaving them in the foyer. He runs from room to room like a child exploring a new house. “You got us three whole bedrooms?! How long are we staying?!” He says all this while popping in and out of rooms faster than Lan Zhan can keep up with.
Lan Zhan chuckles. “Just the one night, love. But don’t worry…” He takes a seat on the edge of the master bedroom bed. “We’ll make use of every room and all the preparations I’ve made.”
The pattering of Wei Ying’s feet running around comes to a halt.
Lan Zhan starts to loosen his necktie. “Come here.”
Wei Ying peeks his head in the doorway. Lan Zhan beckons him forward, eyeing him up and down.
Wei Ying saunters across the mosaic floor over to the bed. He leans forward, slowly reaching out to pull at Lan Zhan’s loose collar. He whispers in his ear. “Every room, you said?”
“Mn.” Lan Zhan’s reply is a low sound, nearly a growl. He looks at Wei Ying through lowered lashes, drinking him in.
Wei Ying pulls back from Lan Zhan’s ear, and brings his hands to his waist to play with the purple chiffon pooling around his legs. “You know how to pick a dress, don’t you?” He pulls up on one side, revealing a silver garter on his thigh. “Lucky for you, I know how to pick accessories.”
Lan Zhan’s eyes are hungry as they fall to the glittering ring around Wei Ying’s toned thigh. He hooks his finger around it and pulls Wei Ying onto his lap. He runs his fingers across Wei Ying’s lips, teasing them as Wei Ying desperately leans in for a kiss. “You expecting attention from someone tonight?”
Wei Ying lowers himself fully onto Lan Zhan’s lap. “Yes. I need it so badly, you see.” He wraps his arms around Lan Zhan’s waist and grinds down. “I’m starved and desperate.” He leans in and bites at Lan Zhan’s ear. “And it can only be you.”
“Is that so?” Lan Zhan can’t hold it in. He turns and kisses Wei Ying with fierce passion, tangling his fingers in Wei Ying’s hair. He bites at Wei Ying’s lips and sucks on his tongue, craving each and every sensation. He lifts Wei Ying off his lap and pushes him back onto the bed.
He towers and leans over him, pressing his knee in between Wei Ying’s legs. He pushes down. Wei Ying gasps, reaching above his head and gripping the silk sheets. “Ah… Lan Zhan…” He arches his back when Lan Zhan pushes down again, digging his knee into Wei Ying’s soft flesh.
Lan Zhan runs his hands across Wei Ying’s dress, messing up the fabric and pulling it up above his waist. He leans down and buries his head in Wei Ying’s dark hair, breathing in the sweet, musky scent. He licks up Wei Ying’s thigh, but stops short of giving into Wei Ying’s immediate pleasure.
Wei Ying huffs in frustration and bucks his hips up. He grips Lan Zhan’s hair. “Pl-please… Please, Lan Zhan…. I ne-need you to…”
“Shhh, baby. We have all the time in the world.” Lan Zhan presses a kiss on Wei Ying’s lower stomach. “Besides…” He sits up and leans over Wei Ying to reach into the top drawer of the bedside table. “We need to teach you a lesson.”
Wei Ying’s breath hitches as Lan Zhan pulls out a blindfold and a soy candle. “A lesson?”
“Mn. A lesson to teach you…” Lan Zhan places the red silk blindfold on Wei Ying and plants a kiss on his forehead when he finishes tying it. “...who you belong to.”
“I belong to-”
“Shhh, pet. Let me guide you.” Lan Zhan takes ahold of both of Wei Ying’s wrists. He presses them down onto the sheets. Wei Ying stays in that position as Lan Zhan reaches for a lighter out of the drawer. He gets back into position, straddling above Wei Ying and sitting down on his thighs.
Wei Ying’s breaths are ragged and he whimpers, needy with anticipation. Lan Zhan begins to light the candle. He speaks with a low voice. “Do you remember our trip to the Louvre?”
Wei Ying slowly nods. Lan Zhan grinds down into the heat between Wei Ying’s legs. “Use your words, pet.”
Wei Ying whines. He nods quickly. “Yes. Yes, I r-remember.”
Lan Zhan smiles greedily, brushing one of his hands against Wei Ying’s cheek. “And do you remember my favorite work of art there?”
“Me.” Wei Ying may be trembling with need underneath Lan Zhan’s weight, but he was still Wei Ying through and through.
Lan Zhan hums. “You know I love it when you act like a brat, but I’m looking for another answer.”
“P-Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova.”
Lan Zhan nods. “Last question before we begin, pet.” He smooths his hand over Wei Ying’s chest, exposed now after pulling the one dress strap to the side. He plants a few kisses on his warm skin. “You remember the story of how Venus made Psyche complete trials to prove her love, passion, and devotion to Cupid?”
Lan Zhan sets down the lighter. Wei Ying nods in response to the question. “Y-yes, after she burned Cupid with the candle after falsely mistrusting him and spying on him at night.”
“Correct.” Lan Zhan tilts the candle, dropping some wax on the back of his own hand to test it. Warm, not too hot. He hovers the candle above Wei Ying’s wrists. He tilts it and allows for a few drops of wax to fall onto Wei Ying’s soft skin. He trails it down his inner arms and stops just above the elbow.
Wei Ying moans with each drop, leaning into the heat and sighing as it solidifies and cools against his skin. The feeling of Lan Zhan’s hands on him burns just as hot as the wax, his lack of sight amplifying each and every sensation. He is helpless to Lan Zhan’s touch.
Lan Zhan takes off the dress slowly and carefully, taking the time to paint across Wei Ying’s skin with the wax each time more is exposed to the air.
Lan Zhan finally takes off his clothes, splashing wax down his own chest and pressing himself against Wei Ying’s front. The smell of sweat, wax, and Lan Zhan’s cologne fills the room as their lips press together once again. The candle with its dying wick is soon forgotten as the two of them come together in a tangle of limbs and desperate kisses.
Lan Zhan takes off Wei Ying’s blindfold before pushing two fingers inside Wei Ying’s entrance. “You’re mine, pet.”
“Yours… all yours.” Wei Ying moans, biting down on his lip. He leans into the sweet pressure from Lan Zhan’s fingers pushing inside him. “Pl-please fuck me.”
Lan Zhan looks directly into Wei Ying’s eyes and grinds down, mixing their lust together. He enjoys feeling just how needy and leaking Wei Ying is beneath him.
Because of him. Only him.
“All right, pet.”
He loosens up Wei Ying a bit more with his fingers before pulling him into his lap. Wei Ying sinks down onto him, taking him in completely. Breathless moans erupt as they desperately scratch at each other’s shoulders for closeness.
Lan Zhan thrusts quickly and deeply inside of Wei Ying, desperate for release.
“Lan Zhan! Ah…!” Wei Ying spills against Lan Zhan’s stomach, coating his sweaty skin as Lan Zhan continues thrusting. Chasing his own release, Lan Zhan bites down onto Wei Ying’s neck. The mark starts to form immediately, a reminder of who he belongs to.
He finishes inside Wei Ying and the two stay connected for a while after that, drinking in the presence of one another. Their lips press lazily against each other as they try to catch their breath.
Lan Zhan kisses Wei Ying’s nose and eyelids. “I love you.”
“I love you. Always.” Wei Ying smiles.
༛༛ ༛ ༛༺༻༛ ༛ ༛༛
The two of them sit together in the clawfoot tub. The bathroom is dim, lit only by candlelight and the moonlight streaming in from the window. Lan Zhan hums as he puts some shampoo onto his palms. He lathers it and gets to work on massaging Wei Ying’s scalp.
Wei Ying closes his eyes and tilts his head so Lan Zhan can massage him better. “I have a question about tonight.”
“What’s that, love?”
Wei Ying adjusts himself to lean farther back onto Lan Zhan’s chest. “Cupid was Psyche’s husband.”
“Yes.”
Wei Ying sinks down into the water, blowing bubbles.
“What?” Lan Zhan continues washing Wei Ying’s hair, making sure to fully lather the strands in peach-smelling suds.
Wei Ying pouts. “Do I need to spell it out?”
Heat rises to Lan Zhan’s face. He knows his cheeks and ears are probably bright red. “Oh.” Wei Ying tries to turn around, but Lan Zhan keeps a firm grip on his head. Lan Zhan clears his throat. “Well… before the whole situation happened I was actually planning to propose to you tonight at dinner.” His hands stop lathering. “But since everything happened I wasn’t sure if it would seem too desperate or rushed or…”
Wei Ying turns around in a burst of flying bubbles and grins in delight. “Please don’t feel like it’s too rushed.” He looks up at Lan Zhan with wide eyes full of anticipation.
Lan Zhan isn’t going to make it very long if his heart keeps doing cartwheels like this. Wei Ying is truly dangerous. He smiles and plants a kiss on Wei Ying’s forehead. He takes Wei Ying’s hands in his and places them over his heart. “Well then, Wei Ying.” He grins, unable to keep a straight face as Wei Ying looks up at him in delight. “Will you marry me?”
Wei Ying squeals with happiness, pulling Lan Zhan against him. Bathwater sprays and sloshes over the side of the tub and onto the floor. “Yes! A million times yes!”
They spend the rest of the early morning making use of the other two bedrooms before finally checking out and crashing at Lan Zhan’s apartment.
Waking up with Lan Zhan in his arms is all that Wei Ying could have ever wished for. As it turns out, Cupid can really be forgiving. Wei Ying might not have deserved such wholehearted forgiveness so quickly, but he wasn’t complaining. After all, history wasn’t boring… and this was a love story for the ages.