#my eyebags are beautifully hidden here

[naughtystiel]

i surely be feeling like evil kermit today

[wolferals]

🇪🇸champaña y flores🇪🇸

finally fallin' chapter 8 / FINAL CHAPTER

arón piper x reader

(The spanish is all google translate, i wont take responsibility for mistakes)

chapter 8 / (this is it guys⭐️)

Your last encounter with Arón was now exactly one week ago. It was Friday night and your actual plan had been to stay in, watch some tv and snack meanwhile.

As you put on your sweatshirt, your phone rang.

Arón. Again.

He had called you about 10 times the past 6 days. He wasnt lying about that he'd annoy the shit out of you.

You had never picked up but you did this time.

„Arón." you spoke and tried to sound annoyed but started chuckling right after.

You heard him laugh as well.

„Good evening, y/n." His choice of words made you grin.

„Whats up?" you asked and sat down on your bed.

„Well, its Friday night. What are you up to, can I maybe join?"

You rolled your eyes.

„No you can not join, im just home too. Watching tv."

-„Can I come over, I wanna see your place. Por favor?"

Immediately you shook your head after looking at this mess of a room. Clothes everywhere. Dirty dishes on your desk and a thick layer of dust on the floor.

„Arón." you started but got interrupted by him right away.

„Come on. I wanna do something and you got nothing to do either, I wanna show you some things you havent seen before."

You lied back on your bed and stared at the ceiling with the call on speakerphone, resting your phone on your chest.

„I dont wanna dress up now." you groaned as you thought of going to the bathroom, doing your makeup, picking a cute outfit and ACTUALLY leaving the house.

„Please y/n, i really want you to see something."

He sounded frustrated almost. You sighed.

„Also you dont have to dress up or anything, just come outside, I'm in front of the building."

Quickly you jumped off the bed and ran to the nearest window that was facing the street. You tiled your head out the window and couldnt believe it.

„You fucker." you spoke and looked down at him as he was standing at your door in his usual black jeans and a loose band shirt.

He grinned at you and then waved.

„Come outside. Ill be waiting here."

Then he hung up.

Your first reaction to this was by giving him the middle finger and then going back inside.

Since you looked like absolutely trash, you rushed to apply some concealer because girl, we need to cover them eyebags. As well as brushing your hair out and quickly moisturizing your face.

Then you threw on a top and a cozy little jacket on top, making your sweatpants look a little better.

This whole look didnt even take 5 minutes and you were off to go downstairs to meet this dude.

„I cant believe you." you spoke and hit him in the chest as you walked past him on the sidewalk.

„Nice to see you too." he laughed and caught up with you, now walking beside you.

He was wearing a strong cologne. But you liked it. It always reminded you of him.

„I promise you're gonna like this place."

You tried to play this „annoyed little girl" but you were just too bad at it.

The laughters slipped through everytime you tried to say something mean to him.

„Be honest, how much do you like me on a scale from one to ten." He suddenly asked and you could feel his eyes on you.

You smiled a bit and looked up to him.

„Ill tell you later."

He just laughed.

And then he did something unexpected.

He took your hand. He was holding your hand. And you didnt pull away. It felt good though, it was warm and comforting somehow.

„We're almost there." he broke the comfortable silence at some point as you turned a corner.

„You keep walking, I'm behind you, I just want you to see it first." He smiled at you and eventually let go of your hand.

And this comforting feeling was gone. The one you already missed.

But you did as he said and walked through the little alley somewhere inbetween people's houses.

And then you saw it.

In the middle of 4 small houses was a hidden location, with a small white table in the middle and two baby blue chairs.

There was fairy lights everywhere and it smelled like flowers due to the beautifully decorated balconies over your heads.

„Wow." was all you could say as you felt Arón's chest hit your back.

„Come."

He took your hand and lead you to one of the chairs.

„I even got food." He smiled and grabbed a brown basket from close to the bushes.

You were in awe. Had he set all this up for you? And you had the fucking audacity to reject him first and now sit in this beautiful little garden with your black dirty sweatpants on? Girl you need to step up your game a bit if you want this boy to stay this nice.

„Arón, you." you started but he just smiled at you, hypnotizing you with his beautiful eyes.

„I know you're not sure what you feel and all but I wanted to do this because you said that no guy has ever properly taken you out. And I know its not a fancy restaurant or a nice bar but i figured you'd like this more."

You couldnt help but be speechless.

He seemed to notice and grinned.

„Here, Itzan said you always stole his strawberries at lunch so I got you some."

You intentionally grabbed a strawberry and bit into the sweet little fruit.

Spanish strawberries did taste different than what you were used to. They were a lot sweeter than the ones you had at home.

„You want some champagne as well?" He asked and held up a nice bottle of „Veuve Clicquot".

You just nodded. He poured you a glass, then one for himself and you just looked at each other for a little while before happily speaking a „cheers".

It tasted like magic. Not only the champagne, this entire moment was magical to you. No guy had even remembered how much you loved strawberries and Arón had bought what looked like an entire bucket full.

This felt too good to be true.

„Y/n?" Arón asked you after a while of you just stuffing your mouth with strawberries since they were just too delicious.

„Hm?" you asked with half your mouth full. He laughed.

„You're so fucking cute, do you know that?"

There it was again, the blushing.

„Thank you." you then spoke and looked around before looking back at him.

„De nada, of course." Arón smiled again and took another sip of the champagne.

You then got up to walk around the rather small table to observe the scenery. You could feel Arón's eyes following your every step as you were looking at the different kinds of flowers, even smelling them.

„You're so beautiful." you heard him say behind you. It made you smile brightly but you were glad he didnt see that.

You continued looking at everything for a couple of minutes until you then heard Arón get up and he walked closer to you, hitting your back again.

„You dont know how happy I am right now." he whispered and placed his chin on your right shoulder.

„I'm happier." you whispered almost inaudible only for him to hear.

Out of reflex you turned around to him, his eyes were lit by the lights above your head. He smiled at you again.

„Y/n, I dont even..."

You cut him off by softly pressing your lips to his.

He immediately reacted and cupped your face to deepen the kiss.

This guy did have deeper feelings for you and he made you genuinely happy, you knew that now.

The kiss lasted a few moments before you needed to take a breath. You slowly opened your eyes and looked into his beautiful brown eyes.

He was brightly smiling, showing off his tooth gap.

You had noticed it right away and it made you remember him immediately. It was just cute and unique.

There was this silence again, his hands were still holding your face and your left hand was placed on his side.

The warm air was moving your hair, some bees were buzzing in the flowers around you.

Aróns breathing was just as heavy as yours, you could feel it.

You had to smile again, you were just too bubbly inside right now. And excited. You finally had a guy who loved you for who you were and even kissed you in a beautiful yard with your damn sweatpants on.

The next thing you did was running your fingers through his short hairs on the back of his head. They were slowly growing back from when he had to shave it off for Élite.

You noticed little curls forming already.

He leaned his head back, fully enjoying your movements.

„Hm y/n?" he spoke quietly and looked back down at you.

„Hm?" you replied but were too concentrated scanning every part of his beautiful face.

„I dont know if they still do this. This is probably dumb. But do you want to be my girlfriend?"

It made you chuckle. You werent sure either if it was still a thing to officially ask since you figured it was just a state to be in. „Dating".

You looked at him once again before replying with a short little „yes".

And this boy smiled brightly again. And just looking up at this man made you realize how much you missed in your life so far. Love wasnt about feeling you have to tell someone what you actually feel. Love was a lot more than that and you had never had the chance to experience it.

No guy ever gave you the feeling you were worth more than sex, making him happy and occasionally getting a compliment.

But Arón, he was treating you like the queen you are.

You were important to him, and he was important to you.

He loved you. Someone finally loved you the way you deserved it.

And you were sure it was that love too what you felt growing inside you.

You had fallen for him.

And you were still falling for him.

You were finally fallin'.

*

*

☀️thank you guys so much for commenting and complimenting me on this story, this is it. thank you☀️

[schmuwuwu]

Let Me Love You - XiCheng FF

Pairing: Jiang Cheng|Jiang Wanyin x Lan Huan|Lan Xichen

There’s not really any spoilers to the novel/drama/donghua/manhua so please enjoy! For my friend who showed me a pic of Jiang Wanyin with puppies and so I used it as a prompt for this fanfiction.

Jiang Wanyin entered the room where he was directed from the front desk clerk. She had said that due to it being the busy tourist period, there was too little personnel working on the current production that featured him and thus there wasn’t anyone available to guide him there. He didn’t mind as he was tired at having prepared Yunmeng Jiang and the whole of Lotus Pier for the upcoming New Year’s celebrations. He was only here as his council and his right-hand man literally pushed him out of the gates of his sect before sending him off with good wishes on relaxing. At first, he couldn’t grasp how coming to an interview would help him relax. Even now, he couldn’t relax. Just by the busy atmosphere around him, he couldn’t help but worry about the preparations back home. What’s more, he was even more worried about who was going to interview him today. He had been blacklisted one too many times with the reason that he was too serious, too angry, too… frowny.

His scowl deepened as he remembered those dates. It wasn’t his fault he couldn’t change his personality. In fact, if the other party couldn’t accept his personality, there was no reason for them to marry at all. After all, he wouldn’t want a loveless marriage like his parents had and the constant disappointment that maybe he wasn’t what his wife always thought he was. That made him scowl even more. Women were such complicated beings, he concluded. He entered the room in deep thought and looked around. It wasn’t beautifully decorated like the lotus lakes back in Yunmeng, wasn’t pristinely pictured like the Cloud Recesses in Gusu, nor was it as extravagant as Koi Tower in Lanling. Of course, it wasn’t as moody and boring as the Unclean Realm in Qinghe. It was beautiful in its own right and even someone who was not talented in the arts such as Lan Xichen or Nie Huaisang could appreciate its unique beauty. Untalented in anything overall, he added on bitterly.

He glanced around. The furniture was simple, a table and a few seats, a few cabinets and some shelves lining the walls. The walls themselves were painted with faint motifs of the four great cultivational sects. The head of a beast for the Qinghe Nie, the white peony for the Lanling Jin, the cloud for the Gusu Lan and finally the nine-petalled lotus for the Yunmeng Jiang. He noticed that there were other sects’ motifs that were hidden between the spaces of the more dominant sects and realised that all four walls were representing different areas of the cultivation world; where each of the four dominant sects had conquered and the smaller sects that hid under their protection. He had also noticed there was no imagery of the Qishan Wen sect, which he wasn’t complaining off. In fact, his scowl lightened quite a few degrees after discovering this fact. None could blame him, seeing as how Yunmeng Jiang had one of the more devastating losses during Qishan Wen’s dominance over the whole entire country. He could still smell the flames as they rose up from the ground and suddenly they were all around him, burning the once-beautifully standing Lotus Pier. He could only watch in anger and resent, vision blurred through the curtain of tears and red, as the Yunmeng Jiang sect flags were torn from their flag poles, still half burnt, stomped to the ground and even trampled upon in disrespect.

He shook his head. He shouldn’t dwell on the past anymore. What mattered more was the present. And at present, he needed to worry about the interview. He went to seat on one of the provided seats at the table where tea and refreshments had been laid out. It was simple china but it was polished till he could see his own reflection on his face. Tilting his head from side to side, he couldn’t help but praise the maids for their effort in hiding the traces of long nights and lack of food in his face, Though his cheeks and eyes were still more hollow than ever before, the heavy eyebags had gone and there was slight colouring to his cheeks. Even his usually dry lips were moisturised and preserved so that they wouldn’t suddenly turn dry and crack in the middle of the interview. Though he originally felt uncomfortable at the thought of applying make-up on a male such as him, it didn’t feel unnatural to wear it on his face. In fact, he had taken a newfound liking to it and even newfound respect to maids or noblewomen for putting on such thick make-up every single day. He was already weary at having to sit still for more than 30 minutes in front of a mirror just to be told that his makeup was not even half the time of most women’s make-up regime. Even doing his hair took less than 10 minutes!

He poured himself a cup of tea and enjoyed the light refreshments that were served in variations. He had recognised them as the portrayed images of the four great sects. Lotus-flavoured obviously for Yunmeng Jiang-though he preferred desserts made back at Yunmeng; desserts made anywhere else were under-par with those served back home! A slightly herbal taste while refreshing for the Gusu Lan; he was more surprised that it wasn’t plain bitter or just tasteless. Unexpectedly, the tea complemented with this dessert the most. A fairly rich taste of expensive for Lanling Jin and a more impactful and forceful taste for Qinghe Nie. They were rotated with sour, bitter, salty, sweet and sometimes even spicy, acidic or even tasteless! Really, did they have to invent a tasteless flavour too? 

Time passed and by the time the interviewer had come, he was busy playing a game he made up to try and differentiate the different tastes. He even managed to play a game similar to bingo! It just showed how bored he really was.

“Uhm, Sect Leader Jiang?” a voice called out hesitantly.

He looked up from his small game and saw a young boy around the age of twenty. He had a tired face and looked as though he had pulled through as many nights as he did as a sect leader. He immediately felt pity for the boy; he wasn’t in any important positions in the whole world, even in the country, and yet he had to pull on as many hours working as him.

Seeing as Jiang Wanyin didn’t reply, he hesitantly said, “I sincerely apologise for having you wait for such a long time. I can only hope I can repay it with something if it’s within my abilities.”

He shook off the boy’s offer and said gently, “It is fine. It is not like I could make you wait in return.”

The boy was immediately relieved as he broke into a small smile. Sect Leader Jiang wasn’t as fearful as he had thought. Contrarily, however, the boy reminded Jiang Wanyin much of his sister for some odd reason. He couldn’t put his finger on it and he wasn’t in the mood to try. He merely took another dessert and drank another sip from his third cup of tea; he must admit it was quite good.

“Would you like to indulge yourself with more sweets?” the boy peeked at him.

“Oh, no,” Jiang Wanyin fumbled, draining the remaining tea. “They are quite enjoyable, however.”

The boy smiled, free of tension. “Then, if you would, please follow me to the next room where we will begin your interview.”

Jiang Wanyin nodded and stood up to follow the surprisingly brisk boy. The other room was a little ways from his waiting room but it was relatively a replica, albeit smaller. The same walls adorned the different motifs of different sects and it was furnished relatively the same way. Pasted on the walls were different talismans. He peeked at them and could guess they’re vaguely for enclosing the sounds within these four walls and a few other spells scrawled to record their voices for future references. There was also another spell scrawled in the middle of the table on a white cloth with the exact same purpose. He went ahead to sit down on the table where there was already the interviewer seated. He was looking up and down a large stack of notes and occasionally looked up to see if a new communication talisman had arrived. He looked stressed and even to Jiang Wanyin, he looked way overworked, though he wasn’t in any position to judge himself. As he seated himself, the interviewer in front of him suddenly looked at his direction dumbfounded. A look of realisation dawned when he finally remembered why the esteemed Sandu Shengshou would come to their humble offices.

“Sandu Shengshou, sir! I apologise for being unable to meet you in person and for having you wait for a long time!” he squawked.

Jiang Wanyin raised an eyebrow.

The interviewer stumbled, “If—if it is alright with you, we can start whenever you are ready. The preparations have been done…”

Jiang Wanyin, though he understood the poor interviewer’s position, was starting to get annoyed. Was he really that feared? It wasn’t as if he was going to raise a hand on unarmed people. Well, he wouldn’t spare anyone of his sharp tongue though.

“But.”

The interviewer startled, “But something is holding up the last party and so we will need to wait for them…”

Jiang Wanyin stared at him dubiously. “Them?”

“Uh, yes, sir. Them.”

The interviewer answered just as a communication talisman entered the room and stopped in front of him. Jiang Wanyin could care less of what was about to happen. Though he was grateful for the extra time to eat more snacks. He poured tea in his newly given cup and stayed oblivious to the conspicuous sneaking around of the interviewer. Well, it was more of he couldn’t give a shit. When he finally looked at the interviewer after finishing his short but very much relaxing teatime, suspicion was written all over his body. His demeanour changed fully. He was no longer nervous or glancing around the room but was now smiling widely and was even sitting closer to the table right to his face. He even had his hands on the table as though anticipating something from Jiang Wanyin. He was staring at Jiang Wanyin with eyes full of adoration and worship. Jiang Wanyin could feel a chill down his back. Somehow, he felt that they were familiar. Too familiar.

He cleared his throat. “Are we going to start? I’d appreciate if my time is not wasted much more than this already has.”

The interviewer nodded and pulled out his notes, the movement looking very elegant. Too elegant. Jiang Wanyin stared down on him and reaffirmed the tugging feeling in the back of his mind. He cautiously watched as the interviewer asked the questions.

“Alright, sir. If you could, please introduce yourself, your name and titles, if you would?”

Jiang Wanyin gave him a long stare but the interviewer didn’t even quake, it even looked as though his smile grew bigger. That smile was unsettling. Too unsettling. As though Jiang Wanyin should be anticipating something very detestable after this interview was over. Or maybe even during.

“Jiang Cheng, courtesy name Jiang Wanyin. Sect leader of Yunmeng Jiang and holder of title Sandu Shengshou,” he said slowly.

He expected another intimidatingly familiar reaction but all he got out of the other person was a nod and him writing a few lines in his notes.

“Next question, do you like dogs?”

Jiang Wanyin, “Yes, I do.”

The interviewer beamed at him before opening the door to the room. Jiang Wanyin could only look on curiously as a trail of people entered the room, carrying something in their arms. The first person went up to him and deposited a round white object into his lap. He looked at the unknown object with curious eyes. The object moved and a pair of curious eyes met with his. He only then realised that it was a puppy. He was pleasantly surprised as he was quickly surrounded by multiple puppies that were brought in by the staff. His clothes were quickly dishevelled and his hair was mussed out of its usual tight bun. He was quickly caught up in the puppies’ tireless energy and was overwhelmed. He could barely keep a grin off his face and would occasionally be attacked by a barrage of small but sloppy tongues. He happily accepted the sudden bombardment of the small and cute puppies. His shoulders immediately lost their usual tension and his signature frown on his face had completely disappeared. He had a relaxed face and constantly moved his upper body to account for every single puppy who demanded his attention. 

Everyone in the room held their breaths at this moment of weakness. The Sandu Shengshou had his guard down. And it was so easily accomplished by the appearance of dogs. There was a warm and fluffy atmosphere surround Jiang Wanyin, as though encompassing him in this very joyous haven that he could enjoy alone. They could see the small but innocent smile of his face and even the slight tint of pink in his cheeks. His eyes were soft and were looking at the puppies with tenderness. They could not believe at this blessing to see a side of the notoriously infamous Sandu Shengshou. A man who was ruthless and merciless towards his enemies and could make one’s blood run cold at a mere glance. They could only savour this rare, if not once in a blue moon, side of Jiang Wanyin.

Suddenly, it had felt as though the room chilled. A murderous intent lurked into the four walls of the room. The staff members could only look towards the only other involved person in the room; the interviewer. He was glaring intensely at the small puppies that hang off Jiang Wanyin’s arms and occasionally looked at the staff members, harbouring a stiff smile and cold, lifeless eyes. They could only gulp in fear and quickly shuffled out of the room, afraid of their lives. Once outside, they quickly ran away as far as they could, informing every personnel not to enter the room until further notice before collapsing and thanking the Gods that they made it out alive.

Inside, Jiang Wanyin was fully oblivious to the on-goings of possible murder. Even more, his guard was fully down. He had put aside Zidian and Sandu for fear of harming the puppies due to their playfulness and his inability to occupy every single one of them. He was constantly kept busy by switching between multiple puppies who lay around his body as though they were worshipping him. Being in such a blissful situation, he didn’t realise when a certain someone snuck up from behind him, only realising when he was finally encased in someone’s warm embrace.

“Wanyin.”

Jiang Wanyin turned around, expecting it to be the interviewer but was met with the familiar dazzling smile of Lan Xichen.

“Sect leader Lan?” he squawked in surprise. “What are you doing here? Where are the rest of the people?”

He looked around quickly only to realise now that they were the only ones in the room. His sight landed back onto Lan Xichen.

“I am unsure of what happened to those pitiful people. However, I don’t assume that you have something for me?”

Jiang Wanyin stared at him dubiously. “I don’t recall having anything to give you.” He frowned.

Lan Xichen only looked at him expectantly and seeing his serious eyes, he proceeded to bait him.

“See, I heard you liked dogs…”

Jiang Wanyin nodded in agreement.

“But you are also notorious for not liking people…”

Jiang Wanyin impatiently snapped. “So, what is your point, Sect leader Lan?”

Lan Xichen sighed. “Now, now, Wanyin. Have we not agreed just the other day to drop formalities? Call me Lan Huan.”

The pink in Jiang Wanyin’s cheeks grew deeper. “We never agreed to! You went ahead and made it up yourself!”

He tutted. “But you didn’t complain about it, so I had taken it upon myself to call you so.”

Jiang Wanyin couldn’t retort. It was true; he didn’t really hate it when Lan Xichen called him by his name. Although… He shook his head. No, no! He wasn’t just trying to imagine Lan Xichen calling him by his birth name. Not at all!

Seeing as he didn’t answer, Lan Xichen proceeded to pout. “Well, if you dislike it this much, I will immediately cease calling—”

“No, no! You can!” Jiang Wanyin was flustered and refused to meet Lan Xichen’s eyes. “I—I mean, you can call me however you wish to.”

Lan Xichen’s face immediately brightened. “Then, I shall take up your offer, A-Cheng!”

Jiang Wanyin’s heart stilled before beating at Mach 20 speed. A-Cheng! Lan Xichen’s voice was looping in his head and he couldn’t stop the heat that spread from his cheeks all the way to his ears. He didn’t even notice when Lan Xichen’s arms circled around his waist and were snuggled comfortably at the nook of his hips. He sat closer to him, his chest now coming into contact with his back. At the sudden contact of warmth, Jiang Wanyin was immediately snapped out of his daze.

“A-Cheng, do you like me?” Lan Xichen breathed into his ear. Jiang Wanyin couldn’t help but shiver, his nerves tingling at the low rumble.

“O—Of course, I mean, Sect leader Lan is very likeable…”

“Not like that, A-Cheng.” His mouth was dangerously close to Jiang Wanyin’s neck now and he couldn’t stop his trembling and the feeling of longing. He unconsciously leaned back towards that inviting warmth but was quickly dragged to reality when Lan Xichen immediately drew back and stood up. He stared up at him dumbfoundedly.

“There is no need to think so seriously, Wanyin. After all, I have no obligation to rush for an answer right now.”

Jiang Wanyin stared after him as Lan Xichen walked dejectedly towards the door. Jiang Wanyin could have sworn he saw a pair of ears and a long tail droop down in accordance. He couldn’t ignore his demand now and hesitantly opened his mouth.

“Y—Yes…l—like…” he whispered softly.

Lan Xichen immediately perked up. “I’m sorry, would you care to repeat that?”

“Yes! I like you, Lan Xichen!”

Jiang Wanyin’s face was on fire and he immediately avoided Lan Xichen’s gaze when he turned to look at him. In all honesty, Lan Xichen didn’t need him to repeat his answer as his trained ear could pick out any of Jiang Wanyin’s clear voice, brimming with emotion. His uncut anger when he spouts out complains, his curt responses when he brutally gives his opinion, his sorrow-filled whispers as he voices out his regrets, the carefree laughter as he let go of his restraints and smiled freely, the shy and embarrassing responses to his words of love… Lan Xichen loved it all. His open and direct character drew him in. He who could only wear a smile through thick and thin could only watch in wonder at this rare gem that had coincidentally been sent to his doorstep. A gem laden with pain and longing, hurt by what he lacked but scorned the idea of weakness. He was attracted to that strength. An imperfection with an obvious flaw.

And despite Jiang Wanyin’s constant criticisms to his self, Lan Xichen, a man who was born to be perfect, born raised to be perfect, expected to be perfect, could only find this imperfection beautiful. That someone who was so self-deprecating about his flaw was this powerful and successful. 

“Thank you, A-Cheng.”

Jiang Wanyin startled as Lan Xichen held him to his chest.

“F—For what? I didn’t do anything,” he said.

“No, you did.” But I’ll save the explanation for later.

Jiang Wanyin stilled, unused to being embraced, before surrendering and leaned into Lan Xichen. Lan Xichen could feel a smile spread and tightened his hold on Jiang Wanyin, forcing them to press even closer. Jiang Wanyin was flustered and tried to push with his hands on Lan Xichen’s chest. He stopped his futile attempt when he felt Lan Xichen’s lips back on his neck.

“W-w-w-w-what are you doing?!”

Lan Xichen sighed, his hot breath making Jiang Wanyin unable to resist the shiver down his back and his rapid heartbeat. “Well, it seems as though my A-Cheng is being needy so I wanted to pamper him…”

He sighed again. “Alas, it seems that I was merely speculating…”

He trailed off dramatically. Jiang Wanyin could never get used to his antics and thus it caused his anger to spike up. “Who said I needed pampering?!”

“Hmm… I am unsure of that myself but I heard you were going to celebrate the New Year by yourself, since Young Master Jin — oh, should I be saying Sect Leader Jin, now? — has gone off to celebrate with some of my disciples.”

Jiang Wanyin impatiently replied. “Well, yes. That has been happening since recent years so I am used to celebrating alone. It doesn’t seem like a big deal to me.”

Lan Xichen turned his head and looked at Jiang Wanyin, resting it on his shoulder.

“I am merely upset that you didn’t feel that it was necessary to invite me to celebrate with you.”

Jiang Wanyin opened his mouth to retort only to stop when he met Lan Xichen’s eyes. Oh God, the eyes. He could even swear that the dog ears were back, drooping down flat onto the sides of his head. It wouldn’t be presumptuous for him to assume that the tail was also back.

“It—It wasn’t as though I didn’t want to…” he looked away from Lan Xichen.

“But you’re not looking at me… so you really don’t want to celebrate with me…” he could hear the sadness in his voice.

He was quite certain that it was feigned but he really couldn’t bring himself to push away the older sect leader.

“… Fine. You can celebrate it with me.”

Lan Xichen immediately lit up and released his hold on Jiang Wanyin, sliding his hand into his and pulling him towards the exit.

“W—wait, where are we going??” Jiang Wanyin exclaimed in bewilderment.

“First things first, we are going to be a family!” Lan Xichen excitedly replied.

Although he was at the mercy of the Lan superhuman, even for cultivators, strength, he still stubbornly resisted being dragged across the room to the door. “What do you mean family?? Aren’t we technically already?”

Lan Xichen stopped and turned to face him. “You… Don’t want to be family?”

Oh, for fuck sakes! “Alright, alright, yes, I do! Happy now?”

Lan Xichen smiled again and before Jiang Wanyin could retaliate, he was picked up into Lan Xichen’s arms who proceeded to exit the building merrily. Jiang Wanyin knew there was no use in fighting a Lan and could only hide the growing embarrassment he felt with anger.

“Can you at least tell me where we are going and what we are going to be doing?”

Lan Xichen merely looked straight ahead and smiled. “Lotus Pier should be empty due to the New Year, so we shall be going there and become family!”

There was a slight tone of pride as though he was patting himself on the back for thinking of such a smart idea. Jiang Wanyin immediately picked up on it and his face darkened when he realised what Lan Xichen had been hinting at.

“Don’t tell me.”

“That’s right! We shall make love, my dear A-Cheng!”

“Lan Xichen, you—”

“Lan Huan.” 

He sighed, exasperated. “L—Lan Huan, we don’t have to rush into it, do we? You already told your uncle that you would abstain!”

Lan Xichen nodded. “Indeed. Abstain till you agreed to it. Which you did.”

His scowl deepened. “You planned for this, didn’t you?!”

Lan Xichen only chuckled lightly.

With nothing else to entertain him during the journey back home, he decided to provoke the Lan.

“Were you in the room when I got there?” Lan Xichen hummed in agreement.

“Were you the one who organised the interview?” A shake of his head.

“How did I not notice you when I entered the room?” His smile grew wider. He was certainly playing hard to get that’s for sure.

“Was the whole interview just a sham?” A hum.

“Did you switch places with the interviewer?” A hum.

“Did you— Wait… You switched places with the interviewer?”

Lan Xichen nodded and finally looked down at him. “Yes, I did, A-Cheng.”

Jiang Wanyin finally realised as to why the interviewer was questionably familiar. “You… Did you use that new spell that you constructed just recently?”

Lan Xichen beamed at him despite his ploy being out in the open. “Yes, I did! A-Cheng, you’re very smart!”

Jiang Wanyin snorted. “I’m not smart. I didn’t even realise that you were in the room at all until now.”

Lan Xichen frowned and chided, “Of course you’re smart. How else have you maintained Yunmeng Jiang sect as one of the top cultivation sects without any guidance? You even denied any help offered to you.”

“That’s different.”

“And how is it different?”

“No one would do it. So, of course, I’d take it up upon myself to do it. After all, I am the only son of the previous Sect leader Jiang.”

Lan Xichen went quiet. There was truth to his words but…

“If it were anyone else in your position, do you think they’d do it?”

“…Of course,” Jiang Wanyin said hesitantly, his confidence slipping.

Lan Xichen shook his head. “No, A-Cheng. Even I wouldn’t.”

Jiang Wanyin disagreed in disbelief. “The esteemed and obedient Zewu-Jun wouldn’t save his clan and sect from the brink of destruction?”

Lan Xichen smiled at him, with a hint of sadness. “Do you think I would? If the Cloud Recesses sat atop ashes, no signs of life, or any traces of the previous Gusu Lan?” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t. There wouldn’t have been any point. Even if I managed to rebuild the Cloud Recesses, what about the recruitment of disciples? What about the lost techniques that were lost in the destruction? And what about being left alone again?”

Jiang Wanyin could only stare at him. He didn’t have the answers to them. He only knew that he should regain Yunmeng Jiang’s and his former glory. He wasn’t about to let the Wens think they had brought down a strong sect with their petty ways. He wasn’t going to let the other cultivators think of what they wished about how Lotus Pier fell. And he wasn’t going to let the world think that he was that much of a coward to listen to all those whispers.

“It’s all my selfishness. Only that,” he muttered finally.

“Then,” Lan Xichen replied firmly. “let me be selfish just this once and say that I want to spend time with you.”

Jiang Wanyin pursed his lips. “Fine, have it your way.”

Lan Xichen gave him a small smile and they travelled the rest of the way in silence. After dismounting from Shuoyue, Jiang Wanyin immediately marched to the direction of the kitchens. Lan Xichen followed him, shutting his mouth when he saw the stubborn expression on the younger man. Jiang Wanyin approached the stove, sleeves rolled up, and began to prepare the food. Lan Xichen could not hold it in anymore and opened his mouth to ask when Jiang Wanyin spoke first.

“If you want to spend time together, then make yourself useful,” he said, his back towards Lan Xichen.

Lan Xichen stared at him and processed his words before getting the hint. He beamed as he noticed the familiar pink tint that climbed up his neck. “Of course, A-Cheng!”

Lan Xichen immediately busied himself with the preparation of the ingredients, falling into step with Jiang Wanyin easily. They worked in silence, easily coordinating with one another as easily as breathing, having spent too long on the same battlefield.

The day quickly passed and the sun quickly fell from its mighty position. The food, now completed, was laid out in front of them where they were sitting at one of Jiang Wanyin’s favourite spots that looked out over the lotus lakes. They ate in silence as they were both not too keen on conversing while eating, unlike a certain male whose mouth and words were as abundant as the rabbits back in the Cloud Recesses. And unlike that same certain person, they settled comfortably in the silence, especially Jiang Wanyin.

The entire Lotus Pier was empty, including all of his attendants and there was only him staying there for the next few days. He didn’t know how comfortable he felt with another person intruding into his personal space but Lan Xichen was tolerable, if not comfortable, to be around. Lan Xichen held his questions back and perfectly assisted him as though he was his right-hand man currently.

Ending up back in his study, he finally asked Lan Xichen the question that had bothered him since that afternoon—no, since he confessed three months ago.

“… Why me?”

Lan Xichen looked up from the scroll he was reading right into Jiang Wanyin’s questioning eyes.

“… Do I need a reason to love someone?” Jiang Wanyin didn’t answer. “Love needs no rhyme or reason. It just is.”

Jiang Wanyin became exasperated. Sure, he could agree that love was an unreasonable feeling. But it didn’t explain why it was him.

“It’s because it’s you.” Jiang Wanyin looked up at Lan Xichen who was now standing right in front of him, a serious expression on his face rid of the usual polite smile.

“Hah?” Jiang Wanyin could only reply dumbfoundedly.

“I love you because it’s you.” Lan Xichen was now behind the desk and stepping even closer to Jiang Wanyin. Unused to close contact, Jiang Wanyin unconsciously took a step back to which Lan Xichen covered the distance with a step of his own. That was until Jiang Wanyin’s back hit the wall. He was trapped in Lan Xichen’s gaze and he couldn’t help but swallow stiffly. He wasn’t worthy… He didn’t deserve him…

“If you’re thinking of how I can easily find someone like you, then you’re wrong. Where am I going to find someone who decided to do something as grand as reviving a dead sect and rebuilding their burnt home from the ground up and went through with it? Where am I going to find someone who although is finicky when it comes to standards but so entertaining when he tries to make an expression?” Lan Xichen continued. He cupped Jiang Wanyin’s face and made him look up to meet his eyes. This pitiful man could only look at him helplessly, unable to refute. He wanted to say that there were millions of other people in the world, and even if they didn’t meet his standards now, what about in the future? There was bound to be someone. Even his family. Even though his father had him, he was more satisfied with someone else’s son. Even though his mother had him, she was more satisfied pampering his older sister. Even though his siblings loved him, in the end, they chose to stay with their beloved who would keep them safe. Because he couldn’t give them that safety. That warm comfort of love that he never learnt to reciprocate.

“Then, what if it isn’t me? Someone totally different from me. Not a stubborn, annoying and hard to please person. But a kind, caring and patient person?” Jiang Wanyin blinked hard. The image of Jin Guangyao entered his mind to which he furiously pushed out of his mind. He was going to be second again. The alternative. The silence settled around them again, this time stifling. He could hardly breathe now, thinking that Lan Xichen’s silence was affirmation. Lan Xichen looked at him, re-evaluating him, maybe even regretting ever saying he fell in love with him, Jiang Wanyin thought. By the time he noticed, tears had already left a trail on his cheeks, falling silently to the ground, just as silently as his heart broke. He never wanted to realise, never wanted to acknowledge. Because he couldn’t bear another slipping out of his hands. Slipping through his fingers as though they were just sand and them being beside him was just an illusion. That all he could do was chase around after their backs, hoping something would change. But it never did. Because—

“—Because they never had the chance to look at you.”

Jiang Wanyin blinked. It finally clicked that it was Lan Xichen who said that. “They ran out of time, A-Cheng. It wasn’t because they didn’t bother to look at you properly but because they never realised how much time they had to do so.” Jiang Wanyin found himself leaning away from Lan Xichen’s hands, trying to slip away, but failed when Lan Xichen’s hands moved from his cheeks to his back, pulling him close to his chest.

“Then, what about you? Are you going to run out of time too?” Jiang Wanyin muffled from his chest.

“I won’t,” Lan Xichen replied and chuckled when Jiang Wanyin looked up with incredulity. “Not until I hear you saying that you are glad I fell in love with you and believe that I love you.”

Jiang Wanyin immediately buried his head further into his chest, feeling the now familiar feeling of warmth spread through his face. Lan Xichen laughed softly at his act of shyness and could only think of how adorable his Jiang Wanyin was. When it was obvious that Jiang Wanyin had no intentions of moving from his chest, Lan Xichen made a sound something of a sigh and a hum. Jiang Wanyin looked up puzzled before feeling himself being lifted off the ground. Lan Xichen effortless carried him in his arms and sat him on his lap as he took a seat on the chair behind the desk. Jiang Wanyin turned to Lan Xichen, bewildered, while the other merely gave him a large smile.

“What are you doing?” he asked, still shocked at his bewitching manoeuvre. Only Lan Xichen could make such a movement so beautiful, he thought as he sighed to himself. “Showering you with love, of course!” Lan Xichen replied, delighted at his reaction. Jiang Wanyin choked at that unexpected comment. As expected, only Lan Xichen could find his reactions entertaining, he continued thinking. 

“Is there anything else you would like to entertain me with?” Jiang Wanyin snorted. Lan Xichen smiled even brighter. Really, if he was going to smile any wider or brighter, Jiang Wanyin felt he might really go blind, and not only because of love. “There are a million things, of course,” Lan Xichen said, holding Jiang Wanyin closer. “But I know if I don’t follow your pace, we’d go backwards instead of forwards. So, what would you like me to do?”

Jiang Wanyin looked up at him, marvelling at how this Jade of Lan shone under the cover of moonlight. He rested his chin on his chest and pondered for a moment. Every single thought that went through his mind made him blush more. “U—Uh, what are my options?” he coughed. Lan Xichen struggled to keep his laughter from bubbling but that didn’t stop his shoulders from shaking. His eyes filled with adoration at the young man in his arms before him as Jiang Wanyin’s face formed a pout. His eyes twinkled. “Well, we could start off easy. Pick a number from one to ten,” he grinned mischievously. Jiang Wanyin racked his brains. There was definitely a catch here. But maybe there wasn’t. Lan Xichen wouldn’t do anything he wouldn’t like, would he? Maybe the numbers represent the comfort level? Maybe his confidence level? Maybe speed? Jiang Wanyin felt his temples throbbed and thought, Screw it! 

“Then, eight!” he said confidently. The higher the better, right? I won’t regret it, surely!

Lan Xichen grinned widely and proceeded to pick him up.

“W-w-w-w-wait, where are we going?!” Jiang Wanyin flailed as he was adjusted comfortably again in the bridal carry. 

Lan Xichen opened the door to Jiang Wanyin’s room adjacent to the study and proceeded to lay him on the bed. Was he going to tuck him to bed, Jiang Wanyin wondered. But his relief would slowly turn into dread and, although Jiang Wanyin strongly and stubbornly denied the idea, pleasure. For the number eight was the number of hours Lan Xichen proceeded to whisper words of love and affection whilst pampering the uncomfortable man with kisses.

The next day when Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had come with the preparations of the New Year, uninvited of course, they found Jiang Wanyin with swollen and full lips and a Lan Xichen whose smile seemed to put the sun to shame. The couple dreaded to think what had happened and instead kept their mouth shut when the two sect leaders greeted them at the gate.

Well, Wei Wuxian thought, at least now he isn’t second anymore. He watched as his younger brother busied himself with cleaning the hallways while being spoiled rotten by the older Lan. And that was the start of Jiang Wanyin’s fall from being alone and scarred to being helpless, in love and helplessly in love.

End.

[equal-shipping]

When the Dance AU hits

I HAVE HAD THIS AU STUCK IN MY HEAD SINCE @kinnme​ drew it and that is why they are so amazing. Now listen...this isn’t going to be very good. I am very very sick and have got the flu so bad but when a dance AU calls I will forever be there to answer. Who knows if I will write more...who knows if I will even remember writing this.  BUT HERE YOU GO. ONE MORE TIME:  @kinnme​ <--- this is THEIR IDEA. NOT MIND THEIRS. 

Also kinnme if you are watching this I love you and everything you do. Take this as a token of my appreciation. 

“Oh fucking sick! How did she do that!?”

“Look look! Look how she’s turning! Izuku zoom in!”

“She should be looking how to land. You could break a leg like that.”

Green eyes watched through the screen on his phone at the boy dancing in front of him. It was like poetry watching him move. Who knew that a human being could do such strict like dance moves but making them seem like they flowed perfectly together? Every twist and turn elicited a chorus of hollers at how one human being could move like that.

Watching the street dancers outside certainly beat having to practice their positions for the upcoming recital.

The students of the UA Ballet Academy had recently received a visit from some rather unexpected people. It seemed that the park where most of the street dancers used to perform was going through some renovations so they decided to migrate over to one of the open areas of the academy. A beautifully paved, half-moon shaped area that acted as an entrance onto the offices of the prestigious ballet school. At first the dancers were chased out by the police several times but after talking with Toshinori Yagi, the owner and superintendent of the academy, the dancers were allowed to stay under one condition: They were not to distract the students of the academy.

In the end, it didn’t work out so well. The ballet dancers were curious about the muffled music they heard whenever the usual piano and flutes were not playing and soon plenty of students would flock to the first floor offices of the academy and watch in fascination as those outside performed dances that were far different from the ones they were taught.

“OH MY GOD SHE LANDED IT!” a familiar voice rang out.

Cheers and applause broke Izuku out of his stupor by as he paused the video. The current dancer, a pink haired girl with a white tank top that read ‘Alien-Queen’ in all pink letters, had just finished landed a move that she had been working on for months. Izuku would not have known this if it wasn’t for Kirishima telling him every single time they watched her dance.

Kirishima waved at the dancer excitedly, the girl waving back just as happily before she was mobbed by her other friends.

“I helped Mina practice that!” Kirishima shouted excitedly, “It looked really complicated up close but when she showed it to me it was just like the move we did for the Swan Lake recital!”

“But you couldn’t even land that, Kiri!” Uraraka added with a chuckle.

The group bursted out with laughter as the boy tried to defend himself, only to laugh along with them as they tried to decipher how such an unlikely friendship had blossomed between the two of them. Izuku had only heard the bits of pieces of it but it seemed that Kirishima had tried to impress Mina with some of his own dance moves only for him to fail miserably. It was already more than Izuku could do…

“Yo Izuku...look who’s coming up.” Todoroki’s pointed a finger at the figure making its way towards the center.

His phone is immediately pressed against the glass and recording in what he hoped was the highest quality he could have as piercing red eyes and a black and orange cap sitting atop messy blonde hair stepped into the center of the ‘dance floor’. Izuku couldn’t possibly count the times he had dreamt about Katsuki Bakugou and his almost terrifying dance moves. He was one of the first people who had shown up to dance in front of UA and that day Izuku had a front row seat to watch the dancer put down anyone who tried to stand up to him.

Guess that is why they called him King of the Street.

Uraraka quickly opened up the window in order to let more of the sound in. This was going to be a good show after all.  

“WHAT IS UP MY DUDES! IT’S YO BOI KAMINARI COMING AT YOU FROM THE UA ACADEMY!!!!!”

Cheers increased in volume as some students inside the offices joined in. Thank goodness the workers were taking a break or else they would be complaining about all the yelling

“The one and only Katsuki Bakugou has decided to ‘grace’ us with his presence and show us plebs how it is done! ” the blonde haired boy cupped one side of his mouth“Although between you and me I think he’s using it as an excuse to show everyone up.”

“JUST PLAY THE FUCKING MUSIC, DUNCE FACE.”

“YOU HEARD HIM LADIES AND GENTS! MAKE WAY FOR OUR KING!”

Izuku really couldn’t help the smile on his face as the music started. With all the practices that he had to take part of he hadn’t really gotten a chance to truly sit down and watch Katsuki dance. It would either be passing glances or whatever video Uraraka could get for him. This was like a prized opportunity and he wasn’t about to let it go to waste!

Katsuki bounced on his heels as he felt the music come up. He had worked on this set for months now and he knew that the ballet brats were watching so...why not show them who was really superior? He immediately dipped down and planted his hands firmly on the ground, his legs going up and crossing over one another. Cross once, twice, three times and go down. He points to the crowd to rile them up before immediately sliding to the other side of the ‘stage’ and dropping down, his hands helping him twist both his torso and his legs as the crowd started to get louder and louder. Katsuki ended that move by twisting his torso around and his legs spread wide open in the air, his knees bending twice before jumping up and giving a middle finger to the UA.

“I don’t know what you see in him Izuku...he looks terryfing. ” Izuku barely heard Uraraka talking about his idol as he tried to zoom in, getting ready for the next part of the routine.

The music quickly changed beats, going from a simple rap song to something a bit more techno. He grinned as he jumped before doing a forward roll, using his arms to lift him up and taking advantage of the synchronized beats of the song to move his legs. HIs legs started joined together and bent before pointing straight up, his right leg stretching outwards as his left leg bent in the same direction and followed along with the beat. Each note of the song helped him move his legs in different ways, bending his right leg and left leg to make him look like a upside down crossing sign before pointing his left leg straight up while his right leg crossed around it. Katsuki’s arms helped him twist twice before dropping down and getting back up. His hips pumped in the air twice as his hands moved intricately, a smile quickly growing on his face as he remembered all the times he hadn’t been able to get these moves.

He just needed a crowd, that is all.

Beats came one after another before finally the song ended with a loud boom, the people in the crowd cheering and shouting for their king. Izuku immediately stopping the video to clap along with them as he tried to meet the eyes of the amazing dancer. Was it so bad that he just wanted to talk to him...just once?It did seem impossible when the whole crowd was chanting Katsuki’s name all of a sudden, but maybe he could just sneak in another photo. He was about to try and take another picture for his personal album before Kirishima spoke up. “Yo Todoroki...isn’t that your brother?”

All of the students eyes fell on the figure walking among the crowd, easily recognizing the several stitches that framed heavy eyebags. “What does he think he’s doing?” Todoroki tried to make eye contact with his older brother but to no avail, it seemed that the older was only focused on one thing only.

Old sneakers reached the end of the crowd as Dabi stood face to face with Katsuki, a small smile on his face as he clapped along with everybody. Red eyes scanned him up and down before chuckling.

“What?” Katsuki asked as his hands dismissed the crowd, shushing them to quiet whispers, “You a fan?”

The older shrugged, “Of sorts. Just...thought you could use a little help with your moves.”

Some random person in the crowd booed him and soon the rest followed, leaving the ballet students to frown as they tried to hold Todoroki back. They couldn’t go outside...it was one of the rules!

“You? Help me?” the blonde snorted as he tried to hold back a laugh, “I don’t know what kind of help you would give me, stitches, but I certainly don’t want it.”

Katsuki starts to walk away but the other’s voice calls him back, “So you won’t even face a challenger?”

The crowd ‘oooh’d’ as red eyes turned back to meet ice blue, a grin spreading on the younger’s face as he walked back into the man made half-moon. “Well that’s different. Always up for showing someone up.” his knuckles crack as he stretches them, Dabi merely staring at him with his hands firmly hidden in his pockets, “Show me what you can do.” he teased.

Dabi looked around before catching the lens of Izuku’s phone, giving the boy a half smile as he took his jacket off and dropped it on the ground. Kirishima started up the conversation, “What the hell is he thinking? Only three people have challenged Bakugou and one of them just recently got back into dancing!”

“Todo...does your brother even know how to dance?” Uraraka chimed in.

Izuku wanted to ask a similar question but his camera remained glued on the glass. This wasn’t going to end well. Katsuki was known for acting even more unhinged during dancing battles. Yet the boy barely managed to catch Todoroki pulling out his own phone and recording as something akin to a record scratch made a sound outside.

Worn out sneakers were already bouncing as Dabi got into the song, his head down low as his hands remained very still in his pockets.

Nobody pray for me!/ Even a day for me!/ Waaaay!

It wasn’t unusual to hear that someone in Todoroki’s family was into dancing. All of his siblings had graduated from the academy with outstanding recommendations. One black sheep, however, stood out and that was Dabi. Izuku had heard that he had quit dancing to do something else...but what followed next didn’t necessarily follow that truth.

Dabi’s hands shot out of his pockets and in front of him, pressing downwards before putting his right hand in front followed by his left. His hands then uncrossed and opened up, moving to settle at his sides, the older’s shoulders locking and popping for a moment before he extended his right arm and bent his left bending down to make it look like he was crossing somewhere. All of these movements were being performed the same time as the words, mimicking what Katsuki had done earlier but with an almost laser like precision.

 It was...undeniably better.

The beat finally kicked in as Dabi slid forward and raised his leg, the bass dropping the moment his foot hit the ground. He grinned at Katsuki as the crowd started to join in the hype, his movements synchronized to the music as he raised his leg before stomping it down and bending the other one, helping move closer and closer to his supposed challenger. Everything was being done so perfectly...every movement seemed robotic but the older was performing them so perfectly that they just flowed together so well!

“Did...did you know your brother could do this?” Izuku asked as his camera zoomed in on Dabi’s feet, trying to focus on them.   Todoroki remained silent, his fingers mimicking Izuku’s as he tapped away on his phone.

Who the fuck did this dude think he was? Katsuki was glaring so hard that he could almost feel a vein popping off in his head. Where did this guy get off with such...fuck he couldn’t even diss his dance moves! He had been trying to be that precise for months and this dude comes in and kills it in a day?

At this point, Dabi had gotten close enough to be looking down at the younger, his fist raising before looking down and his feet pointing inwards, immediately raising himself back up and breaking it down in front of him. A grin appeared on the man’s face as he turned sideways with his head still facing him, his hand extended toward Katsuki. “You should probably be a bit more humble, kid.”

Hol' up lil' bitch, hol' up lil' bitch be humble

The older popped his body thrice before a finger came up to draw a circle in front of the blonde’s face before flicking off the cap he was wearing, the crowd going wild at the one person who seemed to have beat the infamous king. Dabi merely danced back, his hands extended on his sides as he reversed, one foot following the other before standing up straight and performing the rest of the moves flawlessly and giving a little bow, the crowd immediately going wild as they surrounded the man.

A finger tapped on the pause button as Izuku looked at the boy standing on the outside of the newly formed crowd, a look of disbelief on his face as Todoroki’s older brother started walking off.

“OH MY FUCKING GOD. TODOROKI YOUR BROTHER JUST RUINED HIM!”

“D-Do you know how to dance like that? Will you teach us?”

Izuku felt the rest of his questions being directed at his friend and mentor as he started getting up. Dabi was good, yes, but he wasn’t that good. Anyone could move like that with a little bit of practice! He had been working on a choreography like that for months now...even if he hadn’t even gotten the first step right.

Katsuki shouldn’t have to feel bad… Determined hands grabbed at his bag as he ran to the doors of the offices, his friends questioning his motives as he got past the sliding glass doors and ran up to the now retreating dancer. “KA-KATSUKI!”

His heart almost stopped as the boy turned back to meet him, hands grasping at his cap as he glared at Izuku. “What?”

Hands immediately went up to defend himself, realizing the situation he had stupidly put himself into. He wasn’t even supposed to be talking to the dancer and yet here he was about to say his first words to his second idol. “I-I can teach you how to dance like that!” -------------------------------------- EDIT: These are the videos I based the dances off!  Kacchan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmXFMUGpH94  / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk_SwunyEck&t=143s Dabi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkJX4fC0w68

[superaus10]

24 months: December

First of all, thanks to @bills-pokedex, @shadowshrike, @melohax and @littletoughpuff for making this AU possible. Enjoy! ---

En la puerta del Sol, como el año que fue

Seriously, Xander didn’t knew what was wrong with him. It was the second time they celebrated New Year’s Eve in that hotel and he was being late again. He just hoped it wouldn’t become a tradition, as surely Odin, no, Owain, would say. And everything because he couldn’t find his watch. The one he got at Christmas from Ángel, he still needed to improve his pronunciation, and Celine decided that it was shiny enough to take it as a treasure. And then it was getting Celine in the transport. How much he wished for get Celine there like Angel’s Midori in her pokeball. But of course, he always had to dance with the ugliest.

Finally, he reached the Tide Song Hotel and Celine wasn’t so bothered. But of course everyone were there already, including his little sister, Elise. When Laslow, Íñigo, tried to explain him how parallel realms worked and how many different versions of one self could exist, he just got a big headache and decided that it didn’t matter in the end, his family was his family even from other realms.

-There you are big brother! The others are in the dinner hall by now! -exclaimed Elise from the reception, ready to throw herself into his arms. He grab her and give her a spin in his arms. By the Dusk Dragon, how much he missed those moments two years ago. When everything ended, when everything started.

otra vez el champagne y las uvas y el alquitrán, de alfombra están. Los petardos que borran sonidos de ayer y acaloran el ánimo para aceptar que ya, pasó uno más.

After leaving Celine and the birthday present, trying to get Elise not to squeal and disturb it. They went to the dining hall.

-By the way Xander… There is someone in the table that I haven’t met before

-Really? Who is it? -he asked, not expecting anyone except some friends and the Reyes family.

-I don’t know, but he is very cute with his black eyes and green hair and…

-Uncle Xander!

-Huh? -he turned his head to the voice’s direction. He felt tears on his eyes -Jordan! Wha-What are you doing here?

The teenager run towards him and they hugged each other. Xander could hear the kid trying no to cry. He wasn’t in a different situation.

-I missed you a lot Xander

-Me too, little sprout. But tell me, what are doing here?

-Oh! Don’t worry about it! Ms. Schiller allowed me to come and I’ve been in the hotel since noon with Mr. Reyes

-You should have told me, Jordan -he scolded, patting his shoulder.

-But then it wouldn’t be a surprise! Ángel and I were preparing these since November

Xander eyed the table, looking for the accomplice, but his frown couldn’t last too long after seeing them.

He was beautiful tonight, wearing an elegant beige robe, with long sleeves and embroidered with chrysanthemums, roses, peonies and other flowers Xander couldn’t recognize with different colours and shapes. He also had an decorated obi, which rested at his chest, with a decorative, bow at the end. The light brown bangs were styled a bit at his side, with a big peony working as a hair clip, the usual pixie cut was neatly styled too, in contrast of its usual way. He wore a bit of makeup too, so his eye bags weren’t noticeable, and a sharp brown eyeliner. Most of their friends complained that Ángel was wasting his talent to make a winged eyeliner with such simple forms, but he couldn’t care less. He was beautiful with or without makeup.

-Hey! What’s up Xander? Did you went to the moon or what? -said the other holding a laugh. Xander couldn’t help but sigh at the light tease, but decided to play a bit more.

-I’m sorry, but I was admired at how much do you look like my boyfriend, though he usually has eyebags for working at night.

The other couldn’t help but laugh. -Oh really? Well maybe can you tell me why is Nohr’s sky cloudy tonight? I can’t see the stars -that was really smooth even coming from him, and Xander hoped the concealer hid his blush as it hid his freckles when he kissed the other. He wouldn’t stand another compliment like dad or he would melt. The other guests rolled their eyes at the scene.

-But seriously Ángel, you look wonderful tonight

-It’s all Gabriel’s fault. He was so heartbroken I had to work on Christmas so I couldn’t go to Mexico that he got a Johtonian Kimono as a present. An actual Johtonian Kimono! Do you know how expensive is this? I’m going to get married with this for The Guardians’ sake

At the mention of marriage, Xander suppressed a shiver.

Y en el reloj de antaño como de año en año cinco minutos más para la cuenta atrás. hacemos el balance de lo bueno y malo cinco minutos antes de la cuenta atrás.

After greeting everyone, he sat in front of Ángel, because both Elise and Jordan wanted to be with him. Jordan told him everything he did in Japan after they arrested the former director of his orphanage, and how he passed last year’s subjects with a notable. It wasn’t like Xander didn’t knew already, he was always in touch with the teenager since he found him by himself, but he was so proud of that green haired teen. Xander told them different tales of his work at Aether Foundation, winning the table’s laughs and Ángel’s ever loving look. It was so hard for him to not just lose himself in those sharp, violet eyes and loving smile.

Marineros, soldados, solteros, casados, amantes, andantes y alguno que otro cura despistao. entre gritos y pitos los españolitos enormes, bajitos hacemos por una vez, algo a la vez.

And there they were, eating together and remembering this past year’s events, hearing Owain’s jokes, Íñigo’s travels stories, Lucio and Angel’s experiences at the hospital, Elise’s Island Challenge, she nearly defeated Alolan Champion! And so on. It was so nice to see everyone enjoying an evening together. It was surprising how many different people could be there, in peace. So different from anything he was used to live.

Y en el reloj de antaño como de año en año cinco minutos más para la cuenta atrás. hacemos el balance de lo bueno y malo cinco minutos antes de la cuenta atrás.

They finished the delicious menu the hotel served them, and they left to the room, better said hall, they rented for the night, where Ángel’s birthday presents waited for him. It wasn’t his real birthday, he didn’t remember it, but it was the day when Gabriel found him, and he decided to adopt that date as his birthday, or as Jordan proposed to called it, rebirthday. That kid was a ball of sunshine, and he and Elise rapidly became friends. Even Elise’s Eevee, Michaela, liked him.

They entered the hall, beautifully decorated for a Christmas party. There was a counter where they could get drinks, a sound mixer, he could see Lucio’s eyes lighting up, some sofas and coffee tables for those who wouldn’t want to dance, and a big Christmas tree where the presents were placed underneath.

-Oh my-! There are so much presents! What were you thinking when you bought me these!-he breathed, putting his hands on his face in embarrassment.

-You deserve every single one of them, little angel -his tutor interrupted. -So please, don’t be ashamed and open them before this year ends

All laughed, including the birthday boy. Lucio got the idea to sit Ángel, even though he was already sat on his wheelchair, in the center on the room and each one giving him their present, as it wasn’t enough embarrassment for the poor man. Xander wanted to be the last, and so everybody gave their gifts: a shiny bracelet Íñigo bought in Kalos, a grooming set from Severa, one of the limited editions of “The Silmarillion” Owain knew he would love, a new set of wheelchair modifications from Lucio, they were deep purple and green, and a silver pendant from Gabriel, Ángel said that the kimono and the pendant was too much but Gabriel dissed him saying he bought it for Christmas, before de kimono. When it was Xander’s turn, he box began to move, surprising everyone but Elise and Gabriel.

-Well, you know. I know you and the girls -Xander began signaling Midori, Ángel’s phantump, and Sweetie, Gabriel’s Mimikyu. They were properly dressed for the occasion. -were heartbroken after you couldn’t keep the sneasel you found. And you have recently made a friend in Aether Foundation. And since that little rascal wouldn’t want to go back in the wild…

-Xander, what did you? -Ángel asked, seeing three holes at the box said, opening it. Inside, an Alolan vulpix looked at Kaze with its wide eyes partially hidden by a hood. When the tiny pokemon recognized him, it jumped at him, howling in excitement. Ángel petted the little creature’s soft hair, in awe.

-Xander, why? It’s so small, I don’t know I can take care of it properly

-I know you can, Ángel. And it likes you more than any other trainer. And I’m the one watching over it every day at the Foundation! So please, let it be with you

Ángel watched Xander, then Sweetie, Midori and finally the vulpix. All of them wore that abandoned puppy look. He then looked at Gabriel, who instead had a knowing smile. Ángel was sure his tutor had something to do with all of this.

-You are a troublemaker Xander -he sighed, but with a smile underneath- don’t worry little thing, you’re coming with me tonight! -he laughed, lifting her. The room broke in applauses and hails while the tiny vulpix curled itself in Ángel’s lap. He would have to clean the kimono after, but he didn’t care.

Y aunque para las uvas hay algunos nuevos a los que ya no están le echaremos de menos y a ver si espabilamos los que estamos vivos y en el año que viene nos reímos. 1, 2, 3 y 4 y empieza otra vez que la quinta es la una y la sexta es la dos y así el siete es tres. Y decimos adiós y pedimos a dios que en el año que viene, a ver si en vez de un millón pueden ser dos.

After all the presents were given, the moved to the balcony. Severa and Owain prepared the champagne and non alcoholic drinks for the kids and Íñigo brought some party poppers and blowers. Lucio took photos of all of them. And in the balcony they were waiting and counting for the new year.

10!

All the pokemon stopped playing and came to the balcony.

9!

Neither Jordan nor Elise could hide their excitement, and began to bounce.

7!

The atmosphere was tense with the anticipation.

6!

Xander looked at Ángel, which smiled at him.

5!

Even at that moment, he couldn’t get past of how beautiful the other’s eyes were.

4!

So full of determination and strength. So familiar…

3!

Just like his.

2!

It didn’t mattered how much time it passed, he seemed always stuck in the past.

1!

But he was living a new life now. And how much grateful he was

Happy New Year everyone!

The fireworks began, and both Íñigo and Owain used the party poppers, filling the air with confetti. Xander bend down and kissed Ángel.

He couldn’t believe how much his life changed in the short span of two years. He still remembered how it began, very far away from there, when he actually had the duties of a Crown Prince on his shoulders.

En la puerta del sol como el año que fue otra vez el champagne y las uvas y el alquitrán, de alfombra están.