#verse: lahl

[antiquecompass]

Hi! Sorry to bother you! I just wanted to thank you for your mdzs series "a long and happy life". In particular, I wanted to thank you for Lax Xichen and Jiang Cheng relationship, i love them immensely and your series helped me through a rough patch. It's beautifully written and amazingly constructed, thank you for real

Thank you so much! I'm so glad it brought you comfort. I love that series and think of going back to it often. There are definitely still some stories to tell (and others to finish!).

#replies #verse: lahl

[pawsnread]

Untamed Fall Fest Day 14: Savor

It’s a gray autumn morning, and Song Lan just wants to savor the moment.

Part of the Where We Come Alive ficlet series.

Song Lan blinked blearily into the grayness of a rainy autumn morning, the sound of raindrops drumming steadily on the rooftop and windows. He stretched beneath the warmth of the covers, the air just beginning to turn chilly as winter tried to sink in. With a yawn, Song Lan made to get out of bed, but a soft sigh and a warm body pressed against his back stopped him.

“Zichen,” came a sleepy sounding mumble.

One corner of his lips tugged upwards as Song Lan turned. Tucked snugly under the quilt was Xingchen, only his head visible above the bedsheets. Dark strands had come loose from his braid, curling about his face. He must have spoken in his sleep as Xingchen made no other sound or movement as Song Lan shifted closer. With slow movements, he wrapped his arms around Xingchen; he pressed a kiss to Xingchen’s brow before tucking that dark crown beneath his chin. With a quiet sigh, Song Lan closed his eyes, absentmindedly combing his fingers through Xingchen’s hair.

He liked mornings like this, lazy mornings with Xingchen curled against him and still half asleep. They rarely had a chance to linger in bed most days; even after the Olympics were over, it had been a whirlwind couple of months moving back to Boston and both house and school space hunting - not to mention that long promised wedding to plan. Song Lan sometimes missed those slow weekend mornings during their academy days, when they had no classes or practice to attend, no obligations. It was just them, alone in their dorm, enjoying the early morning hours and each other’s company.

Another sleepy mumble of his name drew Song Lan out of his thoughts. This time, Xingchen began to shift into wakefulness, lashes fluttering against his cheeks before opening sleepily. A slow, soft smile spread across his face as he caught sight of Song Lan in the gray morning light.

“Hi,” he murmured softly.

“Good morning,” Song Lan replied. Unable to resist, he leaned in to claim a slow, sweet morning kiss. His next words were murmured in a low voice, lips brushing lightly against Xingchen’s as he spoke. “So, what kinds of plans do you have for today?”

“We still have half the house to unpack.” Xingchen’s laughter in answer to the face Song Lan made was a cheerful echo through the room.

“How about option two?”

“What’s option two?”

A sly grin formed on Song Lan’s face as he whispered low into Xingchen’s ear. “You, me, breakfast in bed.”

“And who is going to be the one to make said breakfast in bed?”

“I didn’t mean that kind of breakfast.”

For a moment, Xingchen simply stared at him, eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Song Lan’s face. With one finger, he playfully tapped Zichen’s temple.

“One track mind,” Xingchen teased.

“Just looking to savor the morning,” Song Lan retorted gently.

“I don’t object, but we do have plans to look at some space for the school, remember? And don’t forget that endorsement deal meeting.” Xingchen fell silent at Song Lan’s agonized groan. He didn’t protest as the arms across is back tightened and Song Lan buried his face against Xingchen’s neck.

“Don’t ruin my morning,” he said, voice muffled by Xingchen’s shirt. Song Lan sighed at the feeling of fingers gently combing through his hair.

“We have time, Zichen. We have all the time in the world now.” The kiss was soft, loving, as Xingchen pressed his lips to Song Lan’s temple. “Just us.”

He pulled back just enough to lift his eyes and catch Xingchen’s gaze, slow smiles forming on both their faces.

“Together,” Song Lan said before he captured those lips again. The rain continued on, drumming rhythmically against the window as they traded kisses and savored the moments.

#untamed fall fest #the untamed #the untamed modern au #the untamed fanfic #chen qing ling #cql modern au #cql fanfic #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #modern au #lahl #lahl verse #songxiao #songxiao modern au #song lan #xiao xingchen #song lan x xiao xingchen #writing

[antiquecompass]

hello author!! i was rereading LAHL and was wondering: do any of the characters have "questionable" (lighthearted) takes or hills they'd die on? e.g. jingyi will eat anything but refuses to be within 5 feet of a tomato, WWX lowkey thinks birds aren't real, lan sizhui mint chocolate apologist, SL and XXC like trashy reality tv? cheers!

Hello, Anon!

Thank you for this lovely ask! I've missed writing in general and LAHL especially, so it's fun to dive back into some of the characters. These aren't really any hot takes. Just some random facts:

--When writer's block and insomnia hit WWX he falls into YouTube holes and ends up developing the most bizarre hyper-focuses for weeks at a time. The kitchen at the estate still bares the scars from him trying to re-create all the old recipes he found in a local 1960s cookbook.

--Jiang Cheng will FIGHT anyone who does not agree that 'Blackout' was Britney's best album. He'll fight anyone who besmirches Britney in general.

---actually family feuds break out nearly every Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day when arguments over 'what properly goes on a hot dog' break out.

---Jingyi WILL eat everything except brussel sprouts, which are his sworn enemy. Asparagus is also on notice.

---Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue have watched the original airing and re-runs of every single "Real Housewives" series.

--Meng Yao's comfort show is 'Scrubs' and he will argue until you agree that it's the best medical based show to come out of the 90s-2000s television era.

--Jin Ling actually dislikes most superhero movies, but he'd still rather be called Hawkeye than Green Arrow. The Legolas jokes get a little tiring,

---Sizhui likes to collect the most random things: he likes to go to farmer's markets to find things like interesting buttons and old postcards.

--Zizhen actually can't handle spice in general and both sides of his family lament over this fact.

--Whenever Meng Yao is running low on purple-themed insults he consults his employees at Springfield Security. Becks has an entire spreadsheet going.

#fandom: the untamed #fandom: mdzs #verse: lahl

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Day 2: Family

It felt strange, driving back to the Berkshires after being away for months. Strange in a good way, a punch of nostalgia as they drove familiar roads, past the cities and towns they��d grown up around. Sizhui couldn’t help that wave of bittersweetness that always came with returning home. It would always be home, but then again, it wasn’t his home now; it was his parents’ home. He’d never permanently live under that roof again. When he and Jingyi finally moved back here, it would be into their own house. To start their own family. This place, these people, the Academy, the town, they were his past and they were his future.

Their future.

“Babe?”

Sizhui turned his head away from the trees full of red, orange, and gold leaves to glance at Jingyi. Jingyi’s eyes were on the road, but his right hand grasped Sizhui’s left hand tight, one of his fingers rubbing against Sizhui’s engagement ring.

“You okay?” Jingyi asked.

“Thinking,” Sizhui admitted.

“You always get too much into your head on the first drive back of the semester,” Jingyi said. “Trust the plan.”

Sizhui laughed, instantly feeling better. Only Jingyi. Only this amazing person next to him, he knew him so well, could make everything feel brighter, make it easier to breathe and live; to allow himself to slow down and not feel guilty for taking some time to think, to find some peace. Jingyi and his special sort of magic.

“I love you,” Sizhui said.

“You better,” Jingyi said. “Or else my four-year plan is really screwed.”

“And we can’t have that,” Sizhui teased.

“It would break my heart into little pieces,” Jingyi joked. He quickly glanced at Sizhui before turning back to the road. “But that’s not what’s on your mind. Talk to me, Babe.”

Sizhui gestured to the familiar street they drove past. To Carousel Cafe and their favorite blue bench. To the tiny jewelry store on the corner and the grocery store parking lot.

“I miss it here and then I don’t,” he confessed. “And then I feel horrible for being thankful that I’m away from it all and then even more horrible for being thankful and then I still get homesick and I--” He shook his head in frustration. “I hate feeling like I’m being pulled in five different directions.”

“The Lans never stray too far from home,” Jingyi said after they passed the borders of Lan Academy and the home of the Hill Lans, as they drove deeper into the countryside towards the manor. “And we do all follow this sort of preset pattern. That’s our family. That’s our way. And I know there’s pressure on you--on both of us--to continue that same pattern. But you’re just as much a Wei, and a Wen, as you are a Lan. Wherever you want to go, Sizhui, I’m with you.”

“You always have been,” Sizhui said. “It’s why you're my favorite.”

Because Jingyi knew. Because Jingyi understood the pressure and the burden on Sizhui--on the both of them--on the pride in and sometimes the suffocating restrictions of their position and their future. Jingyi was the heir presumptive before Sizhui came along, and even after, he was raised to be one of the Lan leaders. To take over in Great-Uncle’s role the way Sizhui would for Uncle Xichen. Because they were a team. Because they were becoming their own different sort of family.

“I don’t want to run away. Not yet,” Sizhui said. “There’s just something about coming back. Or going back to Boston. Always back and forth between one childhood home and another and---I just don’t know. I don’t know why I get this way every single time.”

“Because you know one day we’re going to make this drive for the last time. One day, not too far in the future, we’re going to be on our final fall break from Havard, the last one before we move back. Because you’re always aware of that ticking clock. Hit that snooze button, Sizhui, whenever you need to and then hit it again. We’ve got goalposts that can be moved, and timelines that can be changed, and you know Cousin Xichen is never going to pressure you into taking over before you’re ready. We’re probably going to have to force him into retirement as it is; just like we’ve been trying to trick Great-Uncle into it for years.”

“I just don’t want to disappoint them,” Sizhui said, voicing that fear that always lived in the back of his mind.

“You won’t,” Jingyi said. “They’re all so proud of you. I’m so proud of you. And your fathers and uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents will kick the asses of anyone who even dares to imply that you have.”

Sizhui just nodded as they pulled past the gates of the manor house.

Jingyi started laughing as the front of the house came into view.

“Yeah, if you think you could ever disappoint those two, you’re so wrong.”

Sizhui leaned forward and shook his head at the banner hanging over the door.

Welcome Home Little Bun and Paddington!

The door opened and Dad ran out before they even parked. He was still in pajama pants and an old Lan Academy shirt, his black robe open and flying behind him as he hurried towards them.

“I think he missed us,” Jingyi said as he turned off the engine.

“He’s wearing his house slippers still. Papa’s going to give him a lecture again,” Sizhui said.

He felt a happy warmth overcome him even as he unclicked his seatbelt and opened his door, that anticipation of familiar comfort and security that he'd only ever get from his parents.

Sizhui was just out of his seat when Dad grabbed him and held him tight, almost too tight to be comfortable.

“Missed you,” Sizhui said as he hugged his father back.

“Always,” Dad said. He held one of his arms out. “Jingyi, get your ass over here and get in on this. I missed you too.”

“Never would’ve guessed,” Jingyi said, trying to joke, but Sizhui could hear that hint of deeper emotion in his voice.

“Shh,” Dad said as he pulled them both somehow closer. “No sarcasm during family reunion time. We’re bonding.”

#untamed fall fest #verse: lahl #zhuiyi #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #long post #fandom: the untamed #the untamed #cql #day 2

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Day 5: Lantern

The Lans were a family full of traditions. It was part of their brand. Their selling point for the academy, all the connected businesses, and their reputation. Some of it was mere lip service, but most of their traditions still held weight and value and importance.

Jingyi had grown up under the watchful eyes of some of the most traditional and non-traditional Lans. For the most part he’d blossomed even under the various rules and restrictions. The Lan rules had been a guiding, steady force in a childhood that wasn’t always calm and steady. There were times where he didn’t know which relative’s doorstep he’d end up on, but at least he'd always known what standard rules were to follow in their homes.

It wasn’t just about language and behavior and how to dress and what foods to eat and to avoid. It was the other, smaller, more precious things to him in those traditions.

Traditions he now carried to his new life in Boston and his home with Sizhui.

Sizhui who had grown up with various Lan traditions, even though he’d spent his youngest years raised in a completely different manner from Jingyi--from most Lans. His fathers had combined their own values and imparted them on their son. Some Lan traditions were upheld, others were set aside, but all had shaped the glorious, miraculous person who became his Sizhui.

Jingyi was thankful this was one of the Lan traditions Sizhui’s fathers had passed on. It was one of Jingyi’s favorites. They couldn’t go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t have a little ‘home’ with them.

It was already starting to get dark by the time they were both out of class, perfect for tonight’s plans.They’d been invited for the larger ceremonies with the Jins and the Jiangs, and would of course be attending the official family celebrations tomorrow. But tonight, the night before all the food, family, and festivities, they’d have this together.

Jingyi pulled out the paint, paper, wire, glue, LED ‘candle’, and the little boats they’d used to send out their lanterns on the water of the small creek that flowed on the edge of their property. That was a change in traditions. Growing up the Lans had gone with sky lanterns, until the fire code had changed--then they moved to hanging lanterns. Here in Boston, the water lanterns were far more common.

Jingyi smiled as Sizhui joined him, kissing the side of his cheek, before silently starting to work on his own lantern. They didn’t speak while they did this, didn’t need to. They leaned into each other while they worked, just taking comfort in the person beside them.

“Butterfly again this year?” Sizhui asked.

“Always,” Jingyi said. “Rabbit again this year?”

“It’s a family tradition,” Sizhui said.

They held hands as they walked down to the edge of the creek. They both placed their lantern boats into the water, sending them off with silent wishes.

Jingyi kissed the top of Sizhui’s head as he hugged him from behind. He wished the same thing every year, and every year that wish stayed true.

Relationships were hard work--all of them--every kind--and Jingyi gladly put that work in, but there was no harm in asking for a little help from the Moon.

#untamed fall fest #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #zhuiyi #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing #day 5

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Day 9:

“We really don’t need to clean out your old bedroom. There’s a perfectly good master bedroom right down the hall. The headboard is even bolted to the wall!”

Lan Sizhui knew his dad meant well--as he always did--but that statement could only be answered with the biggest hell no. Sizhui loved his parents. He loved how much his parents loved each other. He loved that he grew up around such love, but sometimes firm personal boundaries had to be set. He was not, never, in any life, sleeping in their actual marital bed.

“You and Papa will still need a place to sleep when you come down to visit,” Sizhui said, pulling on every lesson Uncle Xichen had taught him about placating someone and how to diffuse a situation that might get overly dramatic or possibly hostile. “And besides, Jingyi and I are used to sleeping in my old bedroom. It’ll just be a different bed and a different paint color on the wall.”

And less animal posters, though Jingyi was determined to keep the Red Panda poster up from the Franklin Zoo, but Sizhui was going to try and move it to the basement when Jingyi was distracted.

Dad frowned as he ran his fingers over the old bunk beds. “I think they should stay,” he said.

“Dad, Jingyi and I aren’t sleeping in separate beds again and we’re certainly not going to share the bunk beds from when I was a kid.”

Dad’s bottom lip trembled a little bit as he leaned against the old ladder. “But you were both so scared about climbing to the top bunk on your own and so you did it together and it was one of the cutest damn things I’ve ever seen in my life. These bunk beds hold a lifetime of memories. Isn’t that something you want to preserve? Isn’t that something you want to pass down?”

“You want me to preserve bunk beds from JCPenney?”

“The memories,” Dad insisted.

“Do you still have your childhood bed stashed somewhere?” Sizhui asked.

“Absolutely,” Dad said. “It’s still there in the Jiang mansion. My old carvings are still in the headboard and on the bedposts. It’s like a room untouched. Stuck in time. Preserved from the day I left for Harvard.”

Sizhui suspected it was more because Madame Yu didn’t want to stumble across anything hidden in the room that could scar her for this life and all the ones to follow, but it was nice that she hadn’t ordered the room to be cleaned out by their butlers, Gerald and Anderson.

The Jiangs and Yus were sentimental people, even if none of them would ever admit it--save his Aunt Yanli--and that was a trait they’d absolutely passed on to his dad. It was one of those sweet, surprising things that the usual no-nonsense-no-bullshit family had in common. Even Madame Yu had an entire file cabinet in her home office stuffed to the brim with her children’s and grandchildren’s art projects.

“Look at all these Pokemon stickers,” Dad said as he pointed at the bed posts. “And the little glow in the dark star ones.”

“Dad, they haven’t glowed in years,” Sizhui gently explained.

“I know,” Dad said. “But you and Jingyi were so excited when we bought that canister from the Science Museum. And your Papa planned out the actual constellations for your ceiling.”

Sizhui looked up, smiling to himself as he remembered that afternoon. It was a cold and rainy fall day. Dad was determined to make it ‘fun’ for Jingyi, not wanting to waste one of his Boston weekends. The weather had held steady during the morning, but once they left the museum it had turned dark and nasty. They’d spent the afternoon and evening there, Dad and Papa lifting them up to the ceiling so they could put up the stars and planets. Then they’d built a fort and cuddled inside it together while sipping hot chocolate as Dad told the most kid-friendly ghost stories he knew.

Those stickers had come down long ago, but those memories remained.

Even so, the bunk beds had to go.

“Maybe the Jins can take them,” Sizhui suggested. “They certainly have the room. And with all the sleepovers they host, the bunk beds would be put to good use. Passed on to the next generation, but still kept in the family.”

Dad tapped his finger against his cheek in contemplation before finally nodding in agreement.

“As long as the Peacock doesn’t try to gold leaf them,” he said.

“Dad,” Sizhui said. He shook his head. “He’s not that bad.”

“He gold leaf his desserts, what’s to stop him from attacking the bunk beds. Who knows that the Peacock gets up to in his boredom?” Dad cocked his head to the side. “Maybe I should get him a bedazzler.”

#untamed fall fest #day 9 #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #lan sizhui #wei wuxian #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Day Four

Yale was lonely.

Zizhen expected  to be lonely during the first year. That was logical. It made sense. New school. New city. Few friends from Lan Academy. The first time in his life--that he could remember--where he hadn’t spent most of his year in the Berkshires. Of course the first year would leave him feeling lonely and somewhat isolated. He’d adjusted, of course. He’d made friends throughout his freshman year. He’d joined the chess team and a knitting club. He’d attended various sporting events. He’d met with various other young up and coming members of society. He’d dodged all the invitations to the secret fraternities, wanting to be far away from that entire mess as possible while still maintaining a generally pleasant relationship with students who would surely be some of his business partners in the future. He’d established himself here.

And yet he just felt out of place. Still. Always.

The second year almost felt more lonely than the first. Two of his best friends were already engaged, and while he knew Jingyi and Sizhui were a special case, it still felt like everyone around him was figuring things out while he was still struggling, keeping his head just above the water. He missed the days when life felt simpler. When his future wasn’t such a heavy weight on his shoulders.

He had planned to go home for Fall Break, to see his parents and sort his head out. His plans changed, of course, when an invitation to attend an important fundraiser in New York city arrived in Zizhen’s mailbox, in all its gilded ink and heavy card stock glory. Zizhen couldn’t--and wouldn’t--turn it down. His father’s health was holding steady. Neither of his parents needed to go to New York City for the weekend. Zizhen would make the drive down, would stay at the family home in the Upper East Side, and would be the best representative for the Ouyangs he could be. This was his duty. This would be part of his career.

“Going home?”

Zizhen set his suitcase down and shifted the garment bag in his hands as he stood in the hallway of his apartment building. He plastered a smile on his face as he turned to his neighbor, Jay, a fellow sophomore. Jay was nice enough, another pampered son of a wealthy family, but he’d come from California, and they apparently did things differently there--had a different set of priorities. Jay was almost too friendly, overly familiar. Always with a smile and small talk and attempts to appear genuine in humble even as he walked around in thousand dollar outfits. He wasn’t a bad person, not at all, just a little out of touch. He was also the closest thing to a friend in Zizhen’s building, and they both watched out for each other.

“Business dinner,” Zizhen said.

“Still, Autumn in New York,” Jay said. “Can’t be too bad.”

“Yeah,” Zizhen said as he locked his door. “You’re staying here?”

“Not worth it to take the flight back just to turn around,” Jay said. “I’ve got a schedule packed full of gaming.”

“Have fun,” Zizhen said. “Remember to sleep. And eat. And drink. And shower.”

“We’ll see,” Jay joked.

***********

Zizhen was most definitely one of the youngest attendees at this fundraiser. He recognized some of the other guests. Some celebrities, others politicians, and a few he knew as his family’s business associates.

He felt that lonely isolation creeping up on him again. Just now under some glittering lights and surrounded by some truly inane conversations.

“Don’t slouch where they can see you.”

Zizhen nearly dropped his glass of sparkling water in surprise.

“Mr. Jin,” Zizhen said, quickly bowing. “I wasn’t aware you were attending tonight.”

Jin Zixuan looked like a king among a crowd of peasants. There would always be a natural arrogance to him, even if Zizhen knew he was quite kind under that air of superiority. The attitude was its own sort of armor, keeping away the hanger-ons and protecting the real person who existed beyond the reputation. He’d rarely seen this side of Jin Ling’s father--the well-known socialite, the true Peacock King of East Coast Society. He was much more familiar with him in his designer sweatpants, chasing after one of his many children, or in the kitchen baking up masterpieces. Or proudly standing on the sidelines in his ‘Team Jin’ track jacket as he cheered Jin Ling to victory.

“My brother-in-law was supposed to attend, but even the mighty Jiang Cheng falls victim to the occasional cold. So I offered to attend in his place,” Mr. Jin said.

“Madame Jiang made you, didn’t she?” Zizhen asked.

Mr. Jin nodded. “My wife is very convincing, but truly, all she had to do was ask. No, it was another member of my family who insisted to the point of aggravation when we heard you’d also be attending. While I know it’s not good to give into spoilt children, he made a few fair points.”

Zizhen smiled as he perfectly pictured Jin Ling demanding his father attend.

“I am thankful you’re here,” Zizhen said. “You must thank him for me.”

“Thank him yourself,” Mr. Jin said, a smirk on his face, as he glanced somewhere over Zizhen’s shoulder.

Zizhen whipped around to find Jin Ling walking through the crowd. His hair was down, completely loose, and while it should’ve made him look even younger than his soon-to-be seventeen years, it gave him that quiet gravitas the members of his family carried so well.

“You’re too thin,” Jin Ling said as he tugged on Zizhen’s suit. “They’re clearly not feeding you well at Yale.”

“I missed you too,” Zizhen said.

“Obviously,” Jin Ling said. “Who wouldn’t miss me.”

Mr. Jin didn’t bother to hide his amused snort as he watched them.

“And you’ll be staying with us tonight, of course,” Jin Ling said. “You should’ve called one of us the second you accepted the invitation. There’s always someone in the family available. You can’t go to these things by yourself. They’ll devour you.”

“As much as I would like to disagree,” Mr. Jin said, “my son does raise some valid points.” He gripped Zizhen’s shoulder. “Despite what you may think, you’re not alone in any of this. Obviously we can’t and won’t meddle with your family’s business--”

“Unless you ask us to. Uncle Yao probably already is, if we’re being completely transparent here,” Jin Ling said.

“Yes, possibly,” Mr. Jin agreed. “I don’t ask what my brother gets up to in his boredom. Still, we can help you--support you--at these events. Never hesitate to ask, Zizhen. Everyone here, everyone, has a support base. No one needs to or should do this alone. We’re all just a simple call away.”

“Thank you,” Zizhen said. It was all he could say, not willing to show more emotion here. It wasn’t the right time or place. “I didn’t think--just--thank you.”

“Of course,” Mr. Jin said. He smiled at them. “I’ll leave you two for now. I’m sure you have much to catch up on. I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Thank you again, Mr. Jin,” Zizhen said.

“You’re welcome,” Jin Ling answered for him. “Now, what in the hell were you thinking? You’re already pulling that lone wolf bullshit at Yale. It’s New York City. There’s always a reason for one of my uncles to come here. How in the hell do you just not mention it. I had to find out from one of my Jin cousins and that was just embarrassing for all of us.”

Zizhen wanted to laugh as Jin Ling continued on. He couldn’t help but smile at him. He reached out and patted the top of his head.

“I’ve missed you.”

“I will bite your hand off,” Jin Ling threatened.

Zizhen did laugh at that, feeling more content than he had in months. He’d still have to go back to Yale in a few days. Back to the different version of himself that lived there, building up the image he’d uphold for years to come as he grew into his future role. But it was nice to be reminded that he had another family waiting for him--hopefully still waiting for him--even if he knew they had a long way to go before he could truly call them his own.

#untamed fall fest #day four #ouyang zizhen #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest 2020 Day 1

Also on Ao3 here.

Lan Sizhui had grown up surrounded by whispers. They’d followed him as a child and only increased once he’d switched to Lan Academy. He’d never enjoyed it, but he’d grown used to it--one of the costs of being who he was, where he sat in regards to his various family members. He’d been allowed to disappear into the masses at Harvard, something that still held true even now in his Sophomore Year. Whispers still occasionally followed him, but most students here didn’t know or care about his large extended family. There would always be clout-chasers coming after him--he knew that would neve stop--but for the most part, he was left alone at Harvard.

Well--mostly.

The natural laws of everything fell in the face of Jingyi’s Crew Bros and their general chaos. And while Sizhui did generally tolerate and even adore some of them, all of them, Jingyi included, had been testing the absolute bounds of his patience these past two weeks.

“Hey, Sizhui. Sizhui. Psst. Come on, don’t ignore me, Lan.” A deep sigh. “Don’t make me do it to you, bro. You know I will.”

Sizhui rolled his eyes as he kept a steady pace towards the library. He had not agreed to take part in Jingyi's little 'treasure hunt' and he refused to support it. Most of the rowers had backed off when met with Sizhui’s general silence and the indifferent stare he’d learned from his Papa.

But there would always be those fools who tempted fate and most of them were Jingyi’s closest teammates.

“Yo, Little Bun!”

Sizhui froze and turned around, staring Marquis down hard, taking pleasure in the pained smile on the other’s face. It was always nice to see the exact moment someone knew they’d fucked up.

“You did not just yell that out for everyone to hear, Mr. Barton,” Sizhui said.

“Desperate times and desperate measures, oh, Great Snack God,” Marquis said with a bow that looked far too regal for a jackass decked out in Harvard athletic gear.

“You realize you’ve just taken your life into your own hands,” Sizhui said.

“Fortune favors the bold,” Marquis countered.

“And Pliny the Elder died after uttering those words,” Sizhui said.

A small frown crossed Marquis’ face for a second, only to be replaced by a pleading smile. Some would be charmed by the natural charisma that oozed out of Marquis Barton, but Sizhui felt nothing but betrayal now, from the one Crew Bro he thought he could trust.

“Come on, Sizhui. You know I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t so desperate.”

Sizhui had to admit that was true. Clearly Marquis had lost his better sense. All this fuss for the past two weeks over something so simple. Over mooncakes of all things.

“You know, you can just go into Boston, go to one of my aunt’s restaurants, and place an order for her mooncakes. You are aware of this, right? Wouldn’t that be easier? Wouldn’t it be better for your sanity and dignity? Wouldn’t you rather do that, instead of tempting me to absolutely verbally eviscerate right you, right now, for all to see? ”

“I possibly didn’t think this through,” Marquis admitted as he glanced around at the students gathered in small groups under trees and on benches.

“No, you did not,” Sizhui agreed.

“And while I do apologize for yelling out your childhood nickname, in my defense, it was in that write up The Crimson did on the new generation of Lans attending Harvard.”

Sizhui still hadn’t forgiven April for that one. Damn West Coast Lans.

“And your lovely, amazing, talented, goddess of an aunt doesn’t sell the snowskin ones to the public. Jingyi says that’s only for family and he’s the one who got us hooked on them last year and is now holding the entire batch your aunt made for us hostage.”

Hostage was a strong term. He had, in fact, placed them in a treasure chest lunch box he’d found in the basement and then shoved that into their extra freezer. The current treasure hunt was more about Jingyi enjoying a bit of a power trip, but honestly, anyone with half a brain could figure out they were stored at the house.

Of course, hungry Crew Bros and common sense didn’t always go together.

Though, to be fair, Jingyi had set up a booby-trapped obstacle course leading from the garage door to the extra freezer, so maybe it was a good thing none of them had tried to break into the house yet.

“I still fail to see why I should help you win,” Sizhui said.

“Remember last year when you thought they were all joking about dumping you into the Charles as a form of some sort of ritualistic victory celebration?” Marquis asked. "I led the veto on that. And won."

Sizhui knew Jingyi had lied to him when he asked about how Sizhui would react in such a purely hypothetical situation.

Sizhui pulled out his phone and sent Marquis a text with his Dad’s number.

“Look, I don’t know how the traps were set up,” he said. “But Dad helped and if you’re willing to trade him your entire life story, he’ll probably tell you how to disarm everything. No guarantees, it depends on what kind of mood he’s in, but he’s also done some truly idiotic things in order to hoard my aunt’s cooking for himself, so try your best to appeal to his Food Craving Induced Stupidity.”

“I know you just insulted me,” Marquis said as he started tapping away on his phone, “but I love your right now, bro. You sure Jingyi won’t be pissed you’re destroying his power trip?”

Sizhui shrugged. “It’s what he gets for turning our basement into a Rube Goldberg machine without even consulting me first.”

**********

The moon was high in the sky as Sizhui drove home. A blinding bright, waxing moon. Almost full and glorious enough to cause him to pause as he got out of his car.

He was pulled out of his moment of admiration by his phone.

“Papa?” he asked. “Is everything okay?”

“I’ve misplaced your father,” Papa said. “Or rather he’s misplaced himself. He left me a note telling me he was ‘going on an adventure,’ and while that is not uncommon, his adventures usually end before dinnertime.”

“His car isn’t here, but that doesn’t mean he’s not. Let me check the house. One of Jingyi’s teammates asked for his help earlier.”

“On some sort of quest, yes” Papa said. “That was in his added post-script.”

“When is his next draft due?” Sizhui asked. Dad always grabbed on to anything distracting he could find when a draft was post-due.

“Last Tuesday,” Papa said.

They shared a laugh as Sizhui walked into the house. There in the living room was his father and Marquis, both passed out in mooncake induced food comas.

“Found him,” Sizhui said. “At least Marquis shared the treasure with him. Or Dad demanded part of it as a finder’s fee.”

Papa laughed. “I suspected as much. I’m almost there. I just needed to confirm if he was with your or haunting your dear aunt’s kitchen.”

“I’ll see you soon, Papa.”

“Love you, Little Bun,” Papa said before ending the call.

Sizhui barely had time to pocket his phone before Jingyi came barreling through the door.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in class?” Sizhui asked.

“I was, but when I checked the video feed for the basement--”

“--You set up a video feed?”

“I found that I’ve been betrayed. By my own father-in-law!”

“We’re still not married yet,” Sizhui said. “And how did you get out of class?”

“Family emergency,” Jingyi said.

“Jingyi!”

“Don't 'Jingyi' me. This is clearly an emergency. My trust has been broken. The bond has been shattered. The torth has been--”

“I was the one who told Marquis to call Dad,” Sizhui cut him off.

“You?” Jingyi asked. He gasped, with hand held to his chest. “My heart? My soul? Did this to me?”

“Your heart and your soul is very tired of our home being used for your little schemes, especially when you fail to consult him first,” Sizhui said. “But he’s willing to forgive you if you turn your very nicely toned ass around and go pick up something for dinner. Papa’s on his way and will certainly be hungry, even if he won’t admit to it. You know his good manners won't allow him to refuse food we've paid for. It's the least you could do, after causing so much trouble.”

Jingyi shook his head. “Wait,” he said, holding up a hand. “How did the blame for all of this suddenly get shifted on to me?”

“Fried chicken will be good,” Sizhui said as he pushed Jingyi out the door. “Get a large salad for Papa.”

“But--”

“And pick up some Tums for Dad. You know he’s going to need them.”

“Sizhui--”

“Love you,” Sizhui said. He pecked Jingyi’s cheek and then closed the door in his adorably confused face.

#long post #zhuiyi #untamed fall fest #my ridic writing #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #the juniors

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Day 10: Rain

Part of growing up and living on your own was learning the true meaning of ‘just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’ as it applied to personal matters. Such as, just because Jingyi could eat an entire container of peanut butter chocolate ice cream for breakfast--because he was a legal adult now damn it, and no one could stop him--did not mean he should do it.

And despite the many jokes made by his friends and family members, Lan Jingyi was actually quite mature and rational. He had to be, considering the strange way he grew up. He’d always been stubbornly dedicated to his duties and his studies, he just refused to silence all the thoughts in his head. Traditions were traditions and should be respected, but traditions also needed to adapt to a changing world and Jingyi had zero issues telling his teachers and family leaders that to their faces and in writing.

Sizhui was going to lead the family. He would be the figurehead. He would be the face of the Lans. Jingyi would be the power and support behind him. And the one who wouldn’t hesitate to tell someone to just fuck right off.

So, yes, Jingyi understood duty and responsibility and strove to do his best at both.

But not today. No, not today. Not at all. Duty could take the biggest of hikes off a cliff today.

Today it was cold. The first truly cold day of October. And it was pouring down rain. A borderline Nor’easter. They were just lucky a very early-season blizzard hadn’t decided to drop down on them. And he could deal with some bad weather, he could, he was a Lan after all, had done handstands for hours while writing out family runs and reciting them perfect diction, braced outside of school buildings on icy walkways. But still. Cold. Rainy. Perfect weather for napping and cuddling and not leaving the bed for any unnecessary reason. Especially when he knew Sizhui was still asleep, all warm and soft and cuddly in that bed.

It was not a hard decision to tell the world to fuck off and go back to his bedroom.

“You’re supposed to be tutoring right now,” Sizhui mumbled as he shifted next to Jingyi. He was barely awake, his hands reaching out to pull Jingyi closer.

“Canceled it,” Jingyi said. He pressed a kiss to the top of Sizhui’s head and then slid down next to him, practically laying on top of him. “It’d be both cruel and unusual to make anyone leave their home or dorm room in this.”

“Some people don’t have a choice,” Sizhui said.

“Thankfully I do,” Jingyi said.

The wind howled outside, rain pounding on the windows. Jingyi watched it all, content with his arms full of Sizhui.

“Hope the power doesn’t go out,” Sizhui said.

“I already have the flashlights and candles ready,” Jingyi said.

He’d prepared everything after he finished texting with his student and confirmed the cancellation of their session. He loved their home in Boston, but a strong wind tended to knock the power out here and Jingyi was already looking at investing in a whole house generator. The winters seemed to be getting more brutal, and since they also usually housed some of his teammates, they needed more than just the tiny back-up generator in the garage that was probably older than both of them. Their gas bill would go through the roof, and it wouldn’t be a cheap job by any means, but it’s not like Jingyi or Sizhui were hurting in terms of financial success. And this wasn’t a frivolous cost. He’d contact Miss Luo in the morning. Jiang Industries had to know some good contractors for such a job.

“Shh,” Sizhui said. “Thinking too loud.”

“Sorry,” Jingyi said. “I promise. No more thinking.”

“Good,” Sizhui said. “Sleep now.”

He was so damn cute when he got that little pout and was that delightful combination of tired and bossy.

Jingyi loved him. So much.

“Okay,” he whispered, closing his eyes, and letting the sound of the rain and Sizhui’s steady breaths lull him into sleep.

#untamed fall fest #day 10 #zhuiyi #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Days 25-31

Happy Halloween, everyone! Let’s all give a ton of thanks to @fytheuntamed for organizing another one of these amazing fests and a ton more thanks to everyone who participated via art, fic, comments, etc!

25. Ghost, wherein Jin Ling is haunted by other people’s ghosts.

26. Remains, wherein the Yiling Patriarch’s legend strikes again.

27. Fright, wherein Jin Ling discusses Dancing Skeletons with Jesse and gets a fright/surprise of his own later.

28. Decay, wherein Jingyi is done.

29. Carving, wherein we jump some years into the future and there is Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen and pumpkins.

30. Trick or Treat, wherein current timeline Zizhen doesn’t like his trick, and wherein future Zizhen absolutely likes his treat.

31. Wei Wuxian, the man, the myth, the legend.

#untamed fall fest #zhenling #zhuiyi #the juniors #modern!au #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #my ridic writing #fandom: the untamed

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Days 16-24

16. Bundle, wherein Jin Ling is drenched and Zizhen pulls out all the blankets.

17. Falling, where we skip a few years into the future with Jin Ling and Zizhen.

18. Crisp, wherein there is baking for Jingyi and grocery store adventures for Sizhui.

19. Windy, Sizhui’s supportive but very worried thoughts during the Head of the Charles Regatta.

20. Spice, wherein Zizhen comes home to a special delivery from the Berkshires.

21. Rustle, wherein it’s October 21st and that means something to Jingyi and Sizhui.

22. Warmth, father-son bonding time featuring the Jins.

23. Letter, grandmother-grandson bonding time featuring Zizhen and Mamani.

24. Gather, the actual calm aftermath of a Jin-Jiang-Lan-Wei-Yu Thanksgiving.

#untamed fall fest #the juniors #zhuiyi #zhenling #modern!au #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Day 6

Each year tourists flocked to the Berkshires to drive through the countryside and marvel over the fall foliage. Even the most jaded of assholes had to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the leaf colors, the change from green to gold, the bright orange, reds, and yellow everywhere you looked, that crisp hint of cold autumn air, that distinct smell that only came with fall.

It also meant that most small towns in the Berkshires further encouraged those tourists by holding fall foliage festivals and parades throughout the peak leaf viewing season. They definitely played up the small town New England charm for the weekend visitors, but tourism pumped money into the cities and towns--much needed money they relied on during the long, harsh winter months.

Lan Academy was not exempt from the fall foliage madness. They even gave tours to prospective students and their parents/guardians. They also did tours by appointment on the weekends for any other interested parties who wanted a detailed history of the grounds and access to certain parts of the campus that were off-limits to the general public.

Jin Ling still wasn’t sure how he got tricked into becoming a tour guide for the past two years. Probably lured into it by Uncle Xichen’s calm voice and encouraging smile, none of his cousins or Zizhen around to save him from that 'it's for the good of the school and the community' lecture. So here he was, devoting some of his rare non-training time, to this bullshit. Jin Ling adjusted his official Lan Academy blazer and shook out his hair as he waited for his fellow tour guides to arrive.

When he did this, he did it with style. He had a reputation to uphold after all.

“This is somehow your fault,” Song Yating said as she arrived. She playfully shoved him. “I know you’re the one who volunteered me for this.”

He had indeed placed a call to her fathers, explaining how he was so lonely giving these tours by himself last year, and wouldn't it be nice for their daughter to follow in their foosteps. She also wasn't the only one he'd brought along for this torture.  

“Misery loves company,” Jin Ling said. “And it’ll look good on your transcripts or whatever.”

“I suppose that’s why I got roped into this as well,” Una Delaney said. She had forgone the blazer, and instead was in one of the light blue Lan Academy cardigans. “I was lucky to get a ride here.”

“I know for a fact your brother’s boyfriend is coaching the junior varsity archers at this very moment,” Jin Ling said. "And that you got a ride in with him."

“Shut up,” Una said. “My point is, not all of us have servants to cart us around.”

“Hey--they’re staff, not servants,” Jin Ling said. “And I don’t have any here. Next time you need a ride, just text me. One of my uncles will get you.”

“That’s very presumptuous of you,” Una said. “I’m sure they have their own weekend plans.”

“I have a lot of uncles,” Jin Ling said. “One of them is bound to be available.”

“Your family is too much,” Una said. “And that’s coming from me.”

Yating smirked. “Should we tell her?” she asked.

Jin Ling shrugged. “Maybe leave her in the dark. For her own sake.”

Una rolled her eyes. “Stop trying to be all mysterious. I know Wen Ning isn’t related to you.”

“That’s not technically true,” Jin Ling said. “He’s a blood relative of my cousin Sizhui, so--”

“Welcome to the family, cuz,” Yating said. “Because that connection means you’re technically family with me too. As soon as your brother and Wen Ning get married. How is that going?”

“Aidan’s got a plan. Next January. On the anniversary of their first date.”

“That’s so sweet it almost makes me want to cringe,” Yating said.

"Hopeless romantics," Una said with a shrug. "There's a bet going around the fire station that they're probably going to propose at the same time. Either way, Ma says I have to get it on video. Granny Wen too. I have to send her weekly updates on them.

"Cute," Yating said. She rocked back and forth. "Okay, where are they? I have actual plans for today."

Jin Ling checked his watch. “They’re late.”

“Who wears a Rolex to a campus tour?” Una asked, tugging on his arm to give his watch a closer look. “Oh, I’m sorry. You must be slumming it today. This is only a Gucci watch. I didn’t even know they made watches.”

“It was a gift,” Jin Ling said.

“Again. Your family,” Una said.

“Speaking of family,” Yating said, gesturing towards the administration building.

Molly Lan was leading this particular group, directing them forward with a baton that glittered under the bright autumn sun.

“May we all one day be as awesome as Molly Lan,” Una said.

“And this is where I leave you, dear visitors,” Molly said to the group. “These are three of Lan Academy’s brightest. They are some of our best archers, dancers, and all-around talented students. They’ve also been the masterminds behind more than a few of our greatest school pranks. Please, enjoy the tour. Do not pick up any of the bunnies. Do not pick any of the flowers. And do enjoy your time at the school cafe.” She turned to the three of them. “They’re all yours.”

Jin Ling looked over the combined group of wide-eyed young students, baffled parents, and tourists who already had their actual cameras and phones out to take pictures. Mixed bags groups were always a little fun. It was easier to joke with them than groups full of just prospective students.

“Since it’s impossible to tour the entire campus in detail over a two-hour period,” Jin Ling started with his standard spiel, “this will have more of a Choose Your Own Adventure feel. Majority rules. We can either take the path towards the original campus, containing some jewels of architecture and centuries-old buildings, or we can take the forest path and most of you can see what you’re really here for.”

The forest path won. It always did on the weekends during this time of year.

#untamed fall fest #jin ling #verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Days 11-15

Day 11: Layers

Wherein it’s once upon a midnight dreary and Zizhen gets a rapping at his chamber door.

Day 12: Change

Wherein Jin Ling and Lan Xichen have a talk.

Day 13: Fruit

Wherein sometimes apples are deadly weapons.

Day 14: Savor

Sometimes you just need your mom. And her soup.

Day 15: Golden

Wherein there are Crew Babies, the promise of a bunny trail, and the realization that the eldest peachick is growing up.

#untamed fall fest #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #verse: lahl #fandom: the untamed #zhenling #zhuiyi #the juniors #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fall Fest Days 7 and 8

And Ao3 link round-up for the past two days:

Day 7: Reunion, wherein there are Baby Crew Bros and ‘traitors: here

Day 8: Lan Xichen, wherein Jin Ling spends his annual weekend at the Lan-Wei house here.

And a Xicheng ficlet that takes place during that same weekend, also for Day 8, here.

#verse: lahl #fic: now the leaves are falling fast #fic: hold me like you want me #the juniors #xicheng #untamed fall fest #day 7 #day 8 #fandom: the untamed #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Fest Day 12: Rebirth

“Xuanyu? Xuanyu is that you?”

Of all the places Mo Xuanyu expected to run into a former classmate from Lan Academy, an antique shop in the middle of Vermont, cradling two massive tote bags full of little treasures Huasiang just had to buy, was not one of them.

At least out of all his former classmates, David Redwing was one he was glad to see.

After all, if it wasn’t for David---well, Xuanyu didn’t like to think what would’ve happened if David hadn’t found him that fateful night in their dorm room.

“Look at you,” David said with a wide grin and a shake of his head. “Hair like a firebird. You look like a completely different person.”

Xuanyu hadn’t been reborn or had some great epiphany during his recovery before returning to Lan Academy. He hadn’t been reborn so much as he remembered himself; who he was when not on school grounds; who he was when he was just his mama’s Little Sparkle.

He dyed his hair for the first time the day after graduation. It’d been a long process, painful almost, bleaching his dark brown hair to a blonde, but he needed it for the pink hair he eventually settled on. He’d taken his graduation money and had it done professionally, with his mother’s blessing.

The next week he went and got his first ear piercing.

Four weeks later, his first tattoo.

Legal adulthood and a life away from Mos and Jins and rigorous school uniform codes meant Xuanyu was allowed to blossom into the person he always wanted to be.

So, yes, he did sometimes look like the human embodiment of a Lisa Frank print, but trademarks were important in art circles, and that one was his.

He did look worlds away from his senior portraits. He was surprised David even recognized him.

“I saw your picture on the internet the other day. I was checking the news from back home. Congratulations on the engagement!”

“Thank you,” Xuanyu said, happy to see the congratulations was sincere. He’d received a lot of messages since those pictures dropped, many from clout chasers, but it was always nice to receive a genuine congratulations from someone outside their close family circle.

“When’s the wedding?” David asked.

Xuanyu shook his head. “If it was my choice? This winter. Well--I’d marry him tomorrow, if I’m being completely honest. But Huaisang is a planner.” He shifted the tote bags. “David, I know I told you back then, but still, thank you so much.”

David shrugged and suddenly he looked like an awkward fifteen-year-old again, at the end of his hospital bed, Headmaster Lan a strong support standing behind him.

“It was nothing,” David said now like he’d said then.

“It was everything,” Xuanyu said.

“I could’ve--I should’ve done--”

“You were fifteen, a scholarship kid, up against Mos and Jins. You could’ve left me there, but you called 911 and you called the Headmaster, and you told the truth when you were asked over and over and over again. You showed more integrity than most of the kids in our dorm, who damn well knew what my cousins did to me on the regular. So, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” David said. His eyes moved to something over Xuanyu’s shoulder and he smiled. “You’re well-matched.”

“I certainly think so,” Huaisang said as he appeared and wrapped an arm around Xaunyu’s waist. He held up a little bird cage with a tiny metal bird inside. “It’s an automaton,” he said in awe. “It sings.”

“You own an actual living canary,” Xuanyu said.

“But this is for you,” Huaisang insisted. “And your work-shop.”

“Of course it is,” Xuanyu said. He kissed the top of Huaisang’s head. “If it makes you happy.”

“It does,” he said. He turned to David. “And this is?”

“David Redwing,” David said with a nod. “I was one of Xuanyu’s old dorm mates.”

“The only good one, from what I’ve seen, heard, and read,” Huaisang said. He nodded in approval. He dug into Xuanyu’s coat pocket and pulled out an engraved card holder, pulling out one of his Golden Canary Events cards. “You need anything planned--birthday, wedding, extravagant backyard barbecue--I’ll give you the family discount.”

“Thank you,” David said as he took the card.

Xuanyu shook his head and laughed.

“I should go,” David said, pointing to the front of the store where two children waved from the other side, holding up ice cream cones. “Before that all ends up on the sidewalk.” The kids were soon joined by a tall woman who immediately dropped her own ice cream. He sighed. “And there we go.”

“Seems like congratulations should be passed to you as well,” Xuanyu said.

David blushed. “Hopefully, soon. Her kids like me at least.”

Huaisang nodded. “Always important to win the tiny humans over first.”

“Or the pig,” Xuanyu muttered.

“Don’t you dare insult my Lulabelle,” Huaisang warned.

#sangyu #mo xuanyu #verse: lahl #fandom: the untamed #untamed spring fest #fic: i will become what i deserve #my ridic writing

[antiquecompass]

Untamed Spring Fest Day 25: Harmony

Wherein it’s happened to Sizhui again.

Sizhui couldn’t believe it’d happened to him again. Again. Jingyi was absolutely laughing his ass off at him right now.

“Seriously?” Sizhui asked as he sat across from Darryl, a classmate from his Chaucer class.

He knew his voice was loud and indignant in the little coffee shop and that he was being rude and very un-Lan like right now.

But seriously?

He held up his left hand. “This is an engagement ring, not a fashion statement,” he said. “The Crimson did an actual write-up on our engagement party from last summer because so many alumni were there. I’m not trying to be arrogant on mine or Jingyi’s behalf, but we’re known on this campus. So,” Sizhui said, with a disbelieving scoff, “seriously?”

Darryl shrugged. “Look, I figured it was probably just an arranged marriage thing. You people do that right?”

“You people,” Sizhui hissed. “What people? Like? Everyday Massholes? Those people? Because that’s who we are. The Lans have been here since the mid-1800s; the Jiangs since the 1870s. Tell me, when did your people come here?”

“Uh--my family moved here in the 90s,” Darryl said.

“Well, there we go,” Sizhui said. He took a deep, steadying breath, and remembered that he was a prominent member of the student body and that if he threw his cup of hot chocolate in the asshole’s face there would be lawsuits. “And not that it’s any of your business, but even if it was an arranged marriage, it wouldn’t matter. Loyalty means something where I come from.”

“But loyalty doesn’t keep you warm at night,” Darryl said.

“No,” Sizhui said. “But my fiancé does. Warm, happy, and beyond satisfied.”

“Look,” Darryl said, holding his hands up in apology. “Fine. You like him or whatever.”

“Love him,” Sizhui corrected. “I love him. I’ve loved him since we were four and even more when we were fourteen and even more now, when we’re twenty. And even if he called it all off tomorrow, I’d still love him then.” Sizhui stood, gathering up his bag and his hot chocolate. “I hope that one day you know what it’s like to find someone who is your other half. Not your better half, just your other half. Your balance. The person or persons that brings your life into a form of harmony. Hopefully you’ll be worthy of them by then. Until that time, you should stop pursuing unattianble people, stop meddling where neither your interests or your concerns are wanted, and stop making ignornant fucking assumptions about other people.”

He turned with those final words and walked right into a familiar wall of muscle.

“Heard you were tearing someone a new asshole,” Jingyi said as he greeted him with a smile and a kiss to his cheek. “So hot, babe. It’s been so long since you’ve gone Full Wei. I had to see it.”

“Full Wei?” Darryl asked, the idiot still speaking, still poking in where he wasn’t wanted. “Like Full Wei as in Yingling Patriarch Full Wei?”

“Oh,” Jingyi said, his most evil smirk on his face. “Don’t you know Sizhui is his son? His bouncing baby boy. His little bun. His darling butter--ow!” Jingyi said. He pouted at Sizhui as he rubbed his chest where Sizhui had pinched his nipple. “Not outside of the bedroom.”

“Stop calling me that in public,” Sizhui said. “I already have to live with every member of all the Crew teams calling me Little Bun. I will not let that other one take root.”

Jingyi pouted. “But you need to spread your wings and prepare to--”

Sizhui didn’t like to shove food in Jingyi’s mouth to shut him up because of the possible choking hazard, and in this case because it wasn’t even his food, but Darryl hadn’t touched the croissant anyway.

“We’re leaving,” Sizhui said. He dragged Jingyi out into the street, into the hustle and bustle of Harvard Square, and towards the T Station.

“Was I right?” Jingyi asked, half a croissant now in his hand.

“You were,” Sizhui said as he tapped both of their Charlie Cards and headed for the escalator. “I thought I didn’t have to deal with it anymore.”

“You’re an intelligent, kind, loaded, gorgeous man,” Jingyi said.

“So are you,” Sizhui argued.

“Yeah, but I’m not the Lan Heir,” Jingyi said. “Or the son of a famous author.” Jingyi wrapped his arm around Sizhui as they got to the platform, guiding them to one of the benches as they waited for their train. “And no one dares to flirt with anymore. Not after you made that pre-fresh cry at Orientation.”

“I didn’t make him cry,” Sizhui said. “And if he did--allegedly--I’m sorry his little heart got broken. Sue me for not liking strangers going around touching your arms like you’re some piece of meat. It was a total violation of your personal space and just plainly inappropriate. It’s like he had no impulse control.”

“Says the man who likes to bite my forearms at least once a--”

“If you ever want me to bite them again you will not finish that sentence where other people can hear us,” Sizhui warned.

Jingyi’s laugh was soft and warm in his ear as he said nothing.

“Finish your croissant,” Sizhui said.

“My stolen croissant,” Jingyi teased.

“A croissant of justice,” Sizhui said.

“Sad to say that justice is a little stale these days,” Jingyi said.

It was Sizhui’s turn to laugh as he leaned into Jingyi. The fury from earlier had finally left him and now he was relaxed, surrounded by Jingyi’s warmth.

“I love you,” Sizhui said just as their train appeared.

“I love you too,” Jingyi said as he held his hand, one of his fingers resting on Sizhui’s engagement ring. “No takesies-backsies.”

“Not takesies-backsies,” Sizhui agreed as the boarded the train and headed towards home.

#zihuyi #verse: lahl #untamed spring fest #fandom: the untamed #fic: crimson blue and gold #my ridic writing