#ok i'll stop there but there's more i'll post them in the thread soon i promise... | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lemonlushff · 3 years ago

Text

A-Yuan has a favorite scientist youtuber. He's fun and funny and makes science exciting. What he doesn't realize is that this youtuber and his baba share a past. At least not until his uncle gifts him con tickets to meet him in person.

(originally posted to twitter. Still being threaded there. Also being cleaned up on AO3)

LZ can hear A-Yuan on his laptop. Or more exactly - he can hear "WWX" on A-Yuan's laptop. A-Yuan isn't making any sound, aside from munching on a bowl of spicy crayfish potato chips.

He only buys them for A-Yuan, and only after a kid from school gave them to him.

'WOAH THAT'S SO COOL', he hears WWX say - his voice a little tinny through the old and small speakers. 'LET'S TRY IT AND SEE IF IT WORKS...Now kids, remember - if you're doing this at home, make sure you have an adult there to help you.'

LZ smiles, slicing through a napa cabbage

"What is WWX doing?"

"Borax crystals - it's an old video," A-Yuan explained. "I wanted to make some when Bofu comes for my birthday."

"You have discussed this with him already?" LZ replied, arching a brow. He's unsurprised that this is what A-Yuan wants to do for his birthday.

LH is always very accommodating of A-Yuan's desire to experiment. LZ doesn't mind, so long as his house remains intact. He's always preferred to be the one behind the camera documenting the process.

He's rather pleased, really, that A-Yuan shares such a deep connection with him.

A-Yuan had such a hard life, prior to his adoption - LZ would do anything for him.

"...No," A-Yuan smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to ask you first?"

"Is this you asking me?"

"...Yes?"

LZ pinned him with a look and A-Yuan straightened in his seat.

"Baba, may I make crystals with Bofu?"

"Mm...You may. Let me know what you need and I'll get it."

A-Yuan's shoulders visibly relaxed as he eagerly nodded yes, before grabbing another chip and popping it into his mouth.

He unpaused the video, and WWX's voice filled their kitchen as LZ returned to his cabbage.

This man's voice had become the backdrop of their lives - a soft yet vibrant sound that was always around.

The first time LZ had heard it, there was an air of familiarity to it that made his heart twist into a knot. It made him remember someone from his past. Someone with bright eyes and a brighter smile. It had taken a long time for him to convince himself that WWX was not WY.

After all, what were the odds? It was merely a coincidence. One in a million, at best.

His heart was just grasping straws against his better judgment.

'OK! Now it's time to wait...' the video continued, and LZ focused on tossing the cabbage into the pan.

LH was the one who had introduced A-Yuan to WWX, back when his adoption was still fresh. LZ hadn't approved of the computer use at the time, but LH had insisted that a little screen time wouldn't hurt anyone. And WWX was fun and educational. A Bill Nye for a new generation.

His steadfast insistence turned WWX into a them thing, curled up on the couch together until A-Yuan was old enough for LZ to allow him to use a computer without someone there.

Parental restrictions in place, of course.

'...And 24 hours later, you have this! WOAH!! It really works! Isn't that awesome?! Let's try it again with some food coloring!'

"Dinner will be ready soon," LZ reminded A-Yuan as the chip bag crinkled, tossing the stir fry he was making in the air.

The crinkling stopped.

"Is the video almost over?"

"Yeah, but I can finish it later," A-Yuan promised, pausing WWX midsentence to set the table.

"After homework."

"After homework," he agreed. "Can I call Bofu first?"

LZ already knew his brother would say yes, but that didn't matter.

This was a teaching moment, and LZ prided himself on those.

"Yes. Wash up - dinner is ready."

***

LZ was wiping down the counter when the doorbell rang.

*"Xiao Tuzi guaiguai, bamen er kai kai! Kuai dian er kai kai, wo yao jinlai!"

Ah. NMJ was here.

*"Good little rabbit, open the door. Open it quickly I want to come in!"

Part of a Chinese nursery rhymehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/Tkjs_O2Xj5U

"I'll get it!" A-Yuan announced, not quite running down the hall to the front door...but it was a close thing. "Bobo!"

"Xiao tuzi!" NMJ boisterously greeted, throwing A-Yuan over his shoulder as he entered. The house filled with A-Yuan's squeals of delight.

"Careful, Mingjue," LH cautioned, trailing after them with a wide grin on his face. "You'll never be forgiven if something happens to that boy..."

"Boy? What boy? There aren't any boys here - just my xiao tuzi!" NMJ corrected mischievously, earning a giggle from A-Yuan.

"Isn't he getting a bit too big to be your xiao tuzi?"

"Don't be ridiculous - so long as I can pick him up, he's my xiao tuzi."

"Given what you lift, I don't think he'll ever outgrow the name," LZ greeted, coming around the island to shake NMJ's free hand.

"Figured out my master plan, did you?" NMJ grinned cheekily.

"At least they don't play airplane anymore," LH chuckled, giving LZ's shoulders a squeeze.

"Mm...I was worried about holes in my ceiling for a long time," LZ agreed.

"I miss airplane," A-Yuan pouted.

"I bet I can still do it..."

It, being toss his son into the air like he weighed nothing. LZ had made him stop when A-Yuan turned 7 out of a fear of injury. He wasn't as small as he used to be, even if NMJ could deadlift 4 times A-Yuan's current weight.

"Perhaps we don't throw my son into the air like a stuffed animal?"

"Not a stuffed animal," NMJ corrected before spinning around in circles. "A xiao tuzi!"

Peels of A-Yuan's laughter bounced off the walls around them, and LZ snuck a glance at LH as NMJ ran with A-Yuan to throw him onto the couch and attack his sides with tickles.

LH's face was soft and filled with longing.

"He will make a good father," LZ commented quietly.

"One day...For now, he makes for a good uncle."

"Mm...A-Yuan is fortunate to have two good uncles in his life," LZ replied, and LH bumped his hip into LZ's.

"Do you need help in the kitchen?"

"Everything is prepared already," LZ replied with the shake of his head.

"I wanted those two to get out some of their energy first."

"Well. That could take some time...I suppose now would be a good time to talk about our present to him?"

LZ arched a brow inquisitively.

"There's this comic con coming up in a few weeks."

LZ's other brow arched.

"Did you buy him tickets to a comic con?"

"There's a science section," LH explained. "And they have a special guest. WWX."

Oh...A-Yuan would love that. Seeing his favorite youtuber in person was like a dream come true for him.

"That's very generous of yo—"

—The loud sound of NMJ blowing raspberries into A-Yuan's stomach, followed by squeals of delight interrupted LZ. LH released a deep exhale, and LZ squeezed his shoulder.

"Soon."

"Soon," LH agreed. "Water?"

"Of course."

LH followed LZ behind the island and accepted the glass LZ handed him.

"This comic con," LZ continued, picking up the thread. "When is it?"

"The weekend of the 29th. But Mingjue and I already discussed it and you don't need to go, if you don't want to."

They knew about LZ's great dislike of crowds.

"We're more than happy to, and I'd love to see this guy in person too," LH confessed.

"Mm..." LZ pondered, watching LH fill the glass with water. LH *should* be the one to go. WWX was his special thing with A-Yuan.

NMJ had sports and using him as a free weight.

LH had WWX...

...And he had him as a son.

"Take him," LZ decided, and LH paused, glass inches from his lips.

"Really? You don't mind?"

"You're Bofu. Of course I don't mind."

"Thank you, didi," LH replied, taking a sip of his water as A-Yuan escaped NMJ's clutches, barreling head-first into LH's side for protection.

"Bofu save me! Save me from Bobo!"

"Save you from Bobo?" LH echoed, a sly smile slowly spreading across his face. "But then who's going to save you from me?"

LZ watched as LH and NMJ chased A-Yuan around the room, a warm happiness curling in his stomach. The sound of his family's laughter filling the room.

He watched as NMJ cornered A-Yuan on one side of the couch, while LH took the other side, the two of them teaming up to stock A-Yuan like he was prey. A-Yuan knew there was no escape - it was hard not to. Still, he did his best to hide his smile, biting down on his lower lip.

He was going to go down fighting.

NMJ was the first to make a move, pouncing on A-Yuan and tackling him to the couch. He cradled his head and kept most of his body weight off of him, careful to not crush the boy.

Pinned to the couch, NMJ began blowing raspberries into his neck, while LH seized the opportunity to descend on A-Yuan and press kisses to his cheeks.

They *would* make such great parents one day. The two of them, working together to raise a child...He was...

LZ was envious.

The way they complimented each other. The way they worked as a team...The way they so clearly loved each other...He wanted that.

LZ loved his life, he did. A-Yuan was his light, and he had accepted that it would probably be just the two of them when he adopted him.

That didn't change the fact that there was a part of him - a very real part - that wished he had a partner in this.

Someone to help *him* chase his son around the couch. Someone to help *him* press his son down and cover him in kisses...Someone who would take care of his own needs as well. Emotionally.

...Physically.

LZ knew he was lonely (romantically). Sometimes, when his brother and his husband were around, he was just more sharply reminded of that.

It was fine though! He wouldn't trade this life - his happiness with his son - for anything...

And if someone wanted him, they would need to want them both. LZ turned away from the scene on the couch and busied himself with rooting through his fridge, taking out all of the vegetables he had sliced earlier for dinner. It would give him something to do.

Something else to focus on.

The laughter never died down. It filled the air all through dinner, carried in the edges of their voices and behind the words they said.

It made the food that much better, and the smiles that much wider.

"Mingjue," LH began once the plates were cleared. "Do you think we should perhaps give Xiao Tuzi his present?"

"Present? What present?" NMJ blinked innocently. "Were we supposed to bring a present?"

"Well, it *is* his birthday..."

A-Yuan was squirming in his seat, eyes darting back and forth between his uncles like he was watching the most fascinating tennis match, eager to know who would win - what the outcome would be.

"It is? I completely forgot! Xiao Tuzi, is it your birthday?"

A-Yuan vigorously nodded, "Yes, Bobo!"

"It is? That can't be right...didn't you just turn 9?"

"That was last year!"

"Are you telling me you're already 10?? A-Huan, are you hearing this? LZ, surely you got the dates wrong!"

"Mm. A-Yuan is telling the truth."

"10 years old...Well...I suppose he should have a gift, shouldn't he..." NMJ agreed, patting down his pockets. "I think I have something somewhere..."

LZ hid a smile behind his glass as NMJ took out a stick of gum from his pocket and handed it to A-Yuan.

"There! Happy birthday!" NMJ grinned widely. "It's from Bofu too, so don't rush through it."

"T-thank you, Bobo," A-Yuan replied, doing his best to look appreciative.

"Da-Ge," LH cautioned with a teasing smile.

"Alright, alright, I'll look again," he relented, "I may have something else in one of these pockets..."

"Perhaps the left one?" LH suggested in amusement, and NMJ shoved his large hand inside. The sound of paper crinkling made A-Yuan sit up straighter.

"Oh? What's this? I think LH may have been right! I think there might be something in here after all!"

A-Yuan's eyes went wide as NMJ pulled a bright red envelope out of his pocket.

"Now I wonder how that got in there!"

"A true mystery," LH agreed, as NMJ handed it to A-Yuan.

"Happy birthday, Xiao Tuzi."

LZ watched A-Yuan bow to both of his uncles before they urged him to open the envelope.

"Bobo...Bofu...Thank you..."

"You're welcome, Xiao Tuzi," NMJ grinned. "We thought you might like some spending money for the other part of your gift."

"The gum?" LZ asked, despite himself, earning a low baritone chuckle from NMJ.

"Something else," LH corrected with a slight shake of his head as he reached into his own pocket. "Happy birthday, A-Yuan."

It was another envelope in pale blue this time, and A-Yuan tilted his head curiously.

"Open it up," LH encouraged, and A-Yuan tilted his head to the side.

"Tickets?"

"To the Gusu Comic Con. We thought you might want to go. Keep reading," LH encouraged.

"...No way," came A-Yuan's whispered shock. "WWX is going to be there? I'm going to meet WWX?!"

"And get his autograph!"

"Bofu!" A-Yuan cried, leaping off his chair to run around the table and wrap his small arms around his uncle's neck. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou both!"

"You're welcome," LH replied into A-Yuan's hair as NMJ leaned down to join the group hug.

"Can I call Lan Jingyi?" A-Yuan asked when they broke apart, and LH gave him a little nod. "Go ahead."

"Thank you Bofu! Thank you Bobo!" A-Yuan exclaimed, running to his iPad in his room

"Well," NMJ began with a chuckle, running his fingers through his hair. "I think that gift was a success."

"Mm...It will be hard to top," LZ agreed. "Thank you - it made his night."

"Don't mention it, I'm glad we could do it. I just wish Huaisang would have told me he knew WWX sooner."

"NHS knows WWX?"

"I know right? I was surprised too," NMJ laughed. "My brother? Friends with the science guy? But apparently they've been tight for years."

"I didn't know that," LH blinked. "Ah...well. I suppose your brother has friends everywhere. How did they meet? I'm curious now."

"School? I think? He was a little vague on the details, but WWX is his internet name. Like a stage name."

A stage name.

WWX was a stage name.

"Really? How interesting...I wonder why..."

"Probably to keep people from finding him. But...I don't know, I feel like WWX is much easier to google than WY."

Loud ringing. There was a loud ringing sound filling the house. Or at least LZ's head.

"Did you," he swallowed. "Did you say WY?"

"Yeah...Why?"

All LZ could do was stare at his water and ignore the meaningful look from LH across the table.

"I should get the cake ready. Excuse me," LZ replied as LH placed a hand over NMJ's wrist.

"Was it something I said?" NMJ whispered (if you could call it that) to LH. "He looks..."

"I know," he heard LH reply. They weren't doing as good a job of staying quiet as they thought.

"I'll tell you in the car."

There was nothing to tell. WY was...A friend from his past. If he could even call him a friend. He wanted to. Or, had wanted to, at the time.

He'd wanted to call him more than a friend.

But right when LZ had worked up the nerve to do something about it, WY had moved, along with his siblings. It wouldn't have mattered. WY didn't see him that way. That's what LZ always told himself.

WY was a bright boy with a brighter smile, and he shared it with everyone.

He had the power to make you feel special to him, even if you weren't.

And LZ wasn't. He was just someone WY enjoyed to fluster. He flirted with everyone. LZ wasn't unique, in that regard.

Still, there had been a time when he'd hoped...That if he just asked...

"LJY is so jealous!" A-Yuan announced, putting an end to LZ's thoughts on the past. "He wants to meet WWX too!"

"Really? Well - maybe we can find a few more tickets," LH mused, and LZ nearly shoved his fist into the cake along with the candle. His brother knew what he was doing.

Taking a steadying breath, LZ replied as evenly as he could, "I'm sure LJY would appreciate that, brother. Who's ready for cake?"

***

LZ's phone chimed beside him in bed, and he flipped it over so it was face down against the mattress.

he knew what it was going to say. He didn't need to read it.

*"And as always, if you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like and subscribe. Now let's get started!"*

It shouldn't have surprised LZ, in retrospect. The signs were all there. The voice. The child-like antics. The jokes.

Maybe a part of him had always known and he just hadn’t wanted to face it. The real mystery was how he hasn’t seen WY until he looked for him in his videos.

Then again, that should have been obvious too.

Most of WYs videos were focused on his hands and the project. The introductions had him looking at the camera, but otherwise on screen appearances weren't a gaurentee…and he had never been the one actively watching WY’s videos.

LZ only listened to them in the background. A-Yuan and LH were the ones in front of the screen, and LH never knew what WY looked. He was already in college by the time LZ met WY.

LZ clicked onto the next video about magnets.

WY looked…

Good.

Older. No less handsome than the last time he had seen him.

His face was more angular, having lost the round softness of his youth. Otherwise, he was the same. Same laughing eyes. Same smile that made his heart skip a beat.

Shorter shoulder-length hair though. When he had last seen WY it brushed against his rather shapely bottom.

LZ could only assume that the change was due to either his chosen profession, or the desire to mix up his personal style.

He looked well, though. It was hard to stop scrolling through his videos now that he knew.

LZ's phone vibrated in a call pattern from its place on the bed.

He couldn’t avoid him forever, no matter how much he wanted to.

“Ge,” LZ greeted, picking up the phone.

“Didi…” LZ steeled himself. “Come to the con with us. We can get you a ticket.”

LZ inhaled, counted to 10, and exhaled.

“I think A-Yuan would enjoy himself more with you.”

“And I think you would enjoy yourself more if you came instead of moping around at home wondering what we're doing and if we've seen him yet.”

“I have plenty to do to keep myself occupied.” He didn’t mean for it to sound as petulant as it had.

“LZ…” LH sighed into the phone. “Meal prep for the week won’t distract you from thinking about WY. Wouldn’t you rather reconnect with him? Find out what he’s up to?”

‘Yes, yes, yes…’

His heart was a traitorous thing.

But…

“…What if he doesn’t want to see me?”

They hadn’t left things on bad terms but…it had been well over a decade - nearing two - since he had seen WY last. “What if he doesn’t even remember me?”

His soft confession perhaps bared more than he had been willing to show.

WY had been popular in high school - he knew so many people...who was to say he would even remember LZ? Especially now that he was internet famous. He didn't know if his heart could take it.

He could live with pretending their...acquaintance meant something to WY. Knowing what their...relationship had meant to him in actually, however, was a pain he wasn't sure he was prepared for.

"Oh...Didi..."

"It's been a long time, Ge. It's possible."

LH was silent for a long moment.

"It is," he finally agreed. "But...wouldn't you rather find out you're wrong than always wonder?"

He really hated his brother, sometimes.

It would gnaw at him and fester. Knowing he had been so close to WY again, and he had said no...

In time, it would crush him and they both knew it.

His heart was already betraying him.

Showing him a vision of standing in line, waiting for A-Yuan to meet WY...Then he would look up. Their eyes would catch. WY's bottom lip would drop ever so slightly in delight and surprise.

He could practically hear WY's high-pitched exclamation of "LZ!"

He released a long slow exhale, as butterflies fluttered their little wings in his stomach.

"...You said it was the weekend of the 29th?"

He could feel his brother's smugness from the other side of the phone.

***

LZ hated cons. He had hypothesized this prior to attending his first one. But now that he was here, he knew that he was right.

There were. *So* many people. The line to get in wrapped the block. And it was *loud*, as was expected when in a crowd.

Still, LZ has to admit there was magic here. He could feel the excitement in the air. The prickly hum of anticipation beneath his own skin.

He hadn’t stopped thinking about WWX in the last few weeks. Not since he learned who he was. He just hoped coming here wasn’t a mistake.

As the line slowly inched forward, LZ tried to do his best to distract himself. They played games. Made arrangements for dinner that night.

Still, it was hard when his heart kept beating “WY, WY, WY…”

When they finally made it past the first security checkpoint, LZ felt like he was about to vibrate out of his skin.

“So,” LH began innocently. “Where should we start? There’s a danmei panel that sounded rather interesting…or we could head down to the main hall and walk around. Check out WWX’s table times?”

He knew what he was doing.

LZ hoped he was pleased with himself.

“Perhaps A-Yuan should decide?” He was deflecting. He knew it. LH knew it.

It backfired.

“Can we walk around the hall first?”

“Yeah I want to see WWX!”

Children were terrors.

"A-Yuan and I have it all planned out," LJY continued, darting ahead of the group to lead them toward a pair of escalators. "We want to walk around for a bit and see WWX, then we want to go to the Star Trek panel, then the one with the guy who voices all those superheroes..."

LJY's voice faded as LZ stepped onto the escalator, and tried to ignore his suddenly very clammy palms.

It was fine. They were just going to walk past WY's table. There was no guarantee he was even going to be there.

He was nervous for nothing.

The hall was buzzing with life when they entered. The air was heavy with laughter and the music playing from different booths. LZ could smell popcorn and something fried coming from somewhere. It was an odd combination that vaguely reminded him of an amusement part.

Only he didn't find people dressed as a bottle of Ajax walking around saying "What's my name?" at the amusement park.

"Booth 395 is here, so that means...The autograph area is this way!" LH pointed, looking comparing their location to a map.

"He isn't in Science Valley?"

"Baba, he's a *celebrity*," explained, like it was obvious, and LZ realized it should be.

LZ knew that WY was internet famous, but somehow, hearing it so plainly made him feel off-kilter.

"Come on!" A-Yuan grabbed LZ's hand, pulling him forward, and LZ tried not to trip over his own feet as A-Yuan led him through the crowd - LH's amused chuckle trailing behind them as he watched over LJY.

LZ could barely hear it above the thundering in his chest.

He squeezed A-Yuan's hand tighter in his, telling himself it was so he wouldn't lose his son in the crowd. It wasn't a feeble attempt to calm himself in the slightest.

"LY, this way!" LJY called, grabbing A-Yuan's other hand and pulling them towards a corner in the back. "I see his table!"

"Is there anyone at it," LH asked as they approached, weaving their way past a group of storm troupers. "I can't tell - are all those people waiting in line to see him?"

There was a small crowd weaving it's way well into the aisle, all leading towards WY's booth.

"It looks like it," LZ agreed. There were a few people standing behind WY's table, but he wasn't among them. He couldn't decide if the feeling in his chest was relief or despair. "Perhaps we should come back later?"

"Hm..." LH mused, eyeing the line. "Or we could split up?"

"Never split the party!" a man wearing a gremlin mask and a black hoodie advised from behind them. "You never want to give the dungeon master the upper hand."

"Ah...Thank you for that advice," LH grinned. "We were just weighing our options."

"It's quite the line," the gremlin agreed. "Are you on a tight schedule?"

"We want to go to a Star Trek panel," LZ confirmed, trying to place why the gremlin seemed familiar.

"But we want to see WWX first!" A-Yuan interjected.

"You do?" the gremlin replied, shoving his hands into his back pockets. "Are you a fan?"

"Yes," A-Yuan nodded vigorously. "Bofu and I watch his videos all the time."

"Really? And is Bofu a fan?" the gremlin pressed, looking LZ in the eye with eyes that he thought he recognized.

"I am," LH replied, and the gremlin released a surprised sound.

"Really? And what about...Baba?" he asked, as if he weren't sure LZ was A-Yuan's father.

"I think WWX does the world a lot of good with his videos. I admire the way he's inspired my son to take an interest in the sciences over the years."

The gremlin squeaked and bashfully toed the ground with his shoe.

"Ah...Ha...You think so highly of him, huh?"

LZ could only nod.

"Well...it only makes sense that such esteemed, dedicated fans should get to meet him," the gremlin nodded. "Perhaps we should cut everyone in line then?"

"That doesn't seem very fair..."

"LY," LJY hissed.

"But...They were waiting for longer..."

"Ah! No...Your friend is right. It wouldn't be very fair to everyone else," the gremlin laughed, gently reprimanding himself.

"But it would be a shame for you to miss your panel. Alright...How about this..." he mused, tapping his chin through his mask. "What if we get dinner tonight instead?"

A-Yuan and LJY tilted their heads to the side in confusion as it hit LZ why the gremlin seemed so familiar.

"That is, if you have time for an old friend?"

"WY..."

The gremlin tilted his head back and laughed, the sound muffled slightly by the rubbery plastic mask.

"Ah...figured me out, did you?" he grinned, removing the mask. "Hello, LZ. It's been a while..."

"Baba...Baba it's him," A-Yuan whisper yelled, tugging on LZ's hand. His little eyes were round saucers as he gazed up at WY in disbelief.

WY just threw his head back, laughing and—oh...oh LZ's memories and WY's videos paled in comparison to the real thing.

"It is! I hope I didn't give you too much of a shock," he grinned, running his fingers through his hair to smooth the strands back into place after walking around with the mask on. "It's easier to go where I want with one of these on," he winked.

"Mm..." LZ swallowed, utterly captivated by WY's smile. "I can imagine..."

"Well? What do you say? Dinner? I'm sure I can move some things around!"

Could he handle dinner with WY? It had taken so much mental preparation just to work up the nerve to come today...And if he had plans...A selfish part wanted WY to cancel and spend time with them, but he also didn't want him bending over backwards to spend time with them either.

"Or lunch, if you already have plans?" WY rushed to suggest, as if he could sense LZ thinking about telling him no.

"Baba," A-Yuan whispered, tugging LZ's hand. "Please?"

"Please?" LJY joined, taking LZ's other hand. "We'll be so good!"

"Were you not going to be?" LH asked in amusement.

"We'll be even better!" LJY corrected, making LZ huff a small laugh.

"Aiyo! LZ! Was that a laugh? Do you still laugh the same? I need to know - I want to know everything you've been up to! You can't say no - we won't let you. I have a break around 1:30. Will that work with your schedule? Say you can meet me?"

"Please Baba?"

A-Yuan's voice was so small and filled with so much hope and longing. Regardless of his own nerves, he had to say yes.

For A-Yuan, if nothing else.

And if he was using his son as an excuse, that was his business and no one else's.

"Mm..." LZ relented, tilting his head. "We can meet you for lunch."

"Ah! That's great! Alright...lunch it is. Can you meet me here? Just come up to the booth! I'll tell security to let the most handsome man in the world pass with his son and brother and...nephew?"

LZ felt the tips of his ears burn bright red as LH replied "Distant cousin," on his behalf. Which he appreciated since he seemed to have lost his tongue.

"Right! I'll tell them to let the most handsome man in the world pass with his son and brother and distant cousin then."

"That would be appreciated - thank you for joining us! We are looking forward to it," LH smiled, still speaking on LZ's behalf. He could probably tell he needed the help.

"Ah," WY grinned, catching LZ's eye meaningfully. "Me too."

The panel passed by in a blur. If you asked LZ who spoke and what it was about, he wouldn’t be able to tell you. He wouldn’t be able to tell you where they went after or what they did.

All he could focus on was the erratic beating of his heart and the anticipation of getting lunch with WY.

WY…

He remembered him. He wanted to *see* him again and catch up.

He looked good. Better in person than in the videos. He had been so shocked when WY has removed the mask that he hadn’t been able to appreciate being with him in person.

All he was left with now was the fresh memory of his features tinted by surprise.

The bow of his mouth curving up in a delighted smile when he had agreed to lunch. The dancing light in his eyes…and LZ was going to see him again. They had *plans*. He’s be able to appreciate him better and not be overwhelmed by shock.

As bad as the anticipation from before had been - the not knowing if WY remembered him - it was even worse now that he had plans with him.

By the time 1:20 rolled around, he was practically vibrating out of his skin while leading them back towards WY’s booth.

"In a rush?" LH teased as they made their way across the main aisle, dodging past a wild group of pokemon.

"To be early is to be on time." One of the many principles they had been raised on as children by their shufu.

If they just so happened to be early to a lunch with WY...Well.

Was that really the worst thing in the world?

"Ah...Yes...Of course. My apologies," LH replied in that all knowing way of his that made LZ's ears heat.

He loved that his brother could read him like a book. He had never realized how much of a double-edged sword it could be until now.

If LZ had thought the line to see WY was bad before, it was worse now. It had only been a few hours, but somehow the line had doubled in size, splitting in half to continue on the other side of the aisle so people could still walk down the row.

Con Volunteers ushered a few people from line two into line one as WY waved goodbye to a few fans. It was interesting to watch them patrol the area like they were WY's personal body guards.

LZ he known WY was internet famous - of course he had.

It just didn't hit him until now exactly *how* famous he was. At least in this setting.

"Baba, can we go see WWX now?"

LZ glanced at his watch. 1:28. It was a little early still, but...It's what they had come here for. And WY had been talking to Mario and Peach for a while.

"Mm," he inclined his head, taking A-Yuan's hand and leading them around the thick crowd to come up the side.

A man wearing a black shirt with "SECURITY" written across his chest in thick block letters quickly cut in front of their path.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"We're here to see WWX."

"Of course," the man smiled, gesturing to the side in a way to draw his attention to the other side of the aisle. "The line starts back there."

"It does," LZ agreed. "However we're friends of his."

Friends.

The word still made him feel giddy. "He told us to meet him at the booth for his lunch break. He mentioned speaking with security to let us through?"

"No one told me anything about this. I'm sorry sir, but I'm going to need you to take your group to the back of the line."

LZ released a slow exhale. He didn't want to start a scene, but WY wanted to see them. His instructions had been pretty clear.

"Could you perhaps speak with someone? Perhaps another member of your team? Or tell WY that LZ is here?"

The man's face turned stony.

"Sir, as I said before - if you would like to see—"

"—LZ! Lan er gege!" WY called, waving his arms in large wide sweeps.

LZ wasn't a vindictive person, exactly, but he had to admit that there was a certain amount of warm satisfaction curling in his belly when he saw the shocked expression on the security man's face.

"LZ!" WY called. "Come here! I'm almost ready!"

"If you'll excuse us," LZ cooly smirked, trying to not feel too self-satisfied at the security guard's expression as they walked past him to WY.

"You see that man right there?" he heard WY tell Wonder Woman as she stepped up to the booth. "Isn't he so handsome? Can you believe he agreed to have lunch with me? Aiyo, you have no idea how hard it was to get him to say yes! You would think he didn't want to see me."

WY's over-dramatization made her blush as WY accepted her phone. "I—yeah!" It was sweet how her hands shook as she turned around for a selfie with him.

LZ watched WY wrap things up with Wonder Woman, talking with her about where she was from...how many siblings she had...and even graciously accepted a fan art she had drawn of him as a gift.

WY's world was drastically different from his.

He was grateful he could spare a moment away from the chaos for them - even if it was just one lunch.

“Have a great con!” WY waved as she left before turning the full force of his smile onto LZ. “Come back behind the booth - let’s leave this way!”

WY pushed the curtain back, holding it open for the small party to pass through before dropping it back into place. Hidden from the public’s prying eyes, he reached for the hem of his hoodie and lifted it.

LZ felt his breath catch in his throat as the hem of his T-shirt caught on the fabric of the hoodie, pulling up to expose the edge of a tattoo across his ribs. He wanted to ask WY what it was.

And if he could press his mouth against it to find out if it was a different texture.

WY balled his hoodie up and dropped to the floor to shove it into a gym bag.

"So how was that Star Trek panel?" WY asked, riffing through his bag for something.

"It was *so* cool," LJY burst, and soon he and A-Yuan were talking over each other as they told WY all about it.

"It sounds like you guys had a great time—Ah ha! here they are!" WY announced, pulling out a pair of oversized fake glasses with a giant nose and put them on. "What do you think? Totally inconspicuous right?"

It made both the boys giggle, and LZ couldn't help his own small smile.

"Mm...WY is a master of disguise."

"One might even say the grandmaster of disguise," he teased, waggling his eyebrows. "So...Where are we headed?"

***

They ended up at a little hot pot place 20 minutes from the convention center. They could have stayed closer - perhaps it made sense to, from a time standpoint - but WY could be recognized, and selfishly…LZ wanted him all to himself. No interruptions.

Or as to himself as he could get with two preteen boys, and his brother in tow. They had spent the whole lunch talking about science with WY.

“We want to cast animal tracks next,” A-Yuan told him.

“Then make a carbon sugar snake,” LJY nodded. “It’s so cool!”

“You just want to make things explode…”

“That’s because it’s *cool*!” LJY replied, his cheeks turning red.

“It is!” Wei Ying nodded, leaning forward to prop his chin up on an arm. “You know what really got me into science?”

The boys shook their heads, silent and wide-eyed.

“Baking soda volcanos. I made one for a science fair when I was your age and it was a *mess*. I added too much of everything and it went *everywhere*...and I wanted to do it again. So I did. And this time I went even *bigger* with it.”

The boys were hanging off of WY’s every word. It was precious. They had been the whole meal.

“How did you become a youtuber?” LZ found himself asking - perhaps the first question he’d had for WY since entering the restaurant.

“Oh…well…I was just messing around in college, filming experiments and documenting the results…And then one day I realized ‘oh wow, people actually kind of like me??’

and…I dunno…I just started focusing on that more. Especially when I realized that most of the people watching were kids in school. I decided I wanted to teach them something, you know?”

“Mm,” LZ nodded. “It’s very admirable.”

“Ah…Lan Zhaaan,” WY blushed, rubbing the back of his neck and glancing down at the table sheepishly. “You can’t say those things so sincerely! Don’t you know what it does to my poor fragile heart?”

No.

But he wanted to.

“Boys…Why don’t you come with me to the bathroom,” LH suggested, shooting LZ a knowing smile. It made him want to squirm in his seat.

“But—”

“—No buts. We should use the bathroom before we leave - it’s been a while and they’re cleaner here than at the con. You’ll thank me later when the line is wrapped around the side like it was earlier.”

“...Yes, Bofu,” A-Yuan deflated, taking LJY’s hand and following his uncle to the bathroom.

“He will make a good dad one day, won’t he?”

“Mm…A-Yuan is looking forward to having a niece or nephew.”

“And you? Aiya…I feel like I’ve been talking this whole time and haven’t been able to ask you anything. What a horrible friend I am…”

“WY is not horrible - you were indulging my family. I’m grateful for your generosity.”

“My generosity,” WY replied slowly, blinking at him.

“Offering to have lunch with us.”

“Oh…Oh that,” WY laughed, threading his fingers into the roots of his hair and shaking it.

“It was nothing, LZ. Selfish, really. I just wanted…” he trailed off, glancing down at the table and grabbing his water. He took several large gulps of it, and LZ watched the knot of WY's throat bob with each swallow, clenching his hands together to keep from doing something...

Foolish.

He couldn’t forget himself.

Pressing his teeth too it wouldn’t do him any good.

WY placed the glass back down onto the table, running his fingers up the side - dragging them through the beads of condensation on the sides. “I just wanted to catch up with an old friend,” WY finally said. “I guess that hasn’t really worked out, huh?”

LZ remained silent. He didn’t really care what the reason was, or what they were doing. He was just glad that he was able to see WY again.

“Well - I guess we have a few minutes before they get back for me to fix that, right? Tell me - how’s Mianmian?”

“MM?” LZ replied slowly, wondering why she would come up in conversation. “She is well. Pregnant again - motherhood looks good on her.” He just attended her baby shower the other week.

“Ah! That’s wonderful! How amazing! Truly…I couldn’t be happier,” WY swallowed. “Is it a boy or girl?”

“I don’t know - she wanted it to be a surprise,” he replied truthfully.

“That’s always fun. The mystery of it all. Maybe it will be a girl this time!”

She had a girl last time, and was hoping for a boy, not that she would be upset with another girl.

“Hey…Listen. This might be…Well…I have an idea…Since we couldn’t really talk and all…But. I’m going to be in town for a few more days after the Con. I was planning on checking out some old haunts and stuff. Would you maybe…”

WY rubbed the side of his nose, looking off to the side. “You don’t have to say yes but…Would you want to…Would A-Yuan want to help me record a video?” he asked hesitantly - like he was about to ask LZ something else, and changed his mind at the last second.

“Yes - he would love that.”

“Great! Cool! Wonderful! MM won’t mind, right? Maybe she can help!”

LZ blinked slowly.

“I can ask if she would like to come.”

He wasn’t sure why she would mind. She may be busy with the nursery though.

“Yeah! Great - Wonderful! Perfect! Ask! I’d love to see you again. If that’s. I mean. If you guys don’t mind…”

“WY,” LZ said in a way that made WY stop fidgeting in his chair and give LZ his full attention.”We would love to see you again.”

“Oh,” WY exhaled shakily. “Ok then. We should…You should give me your phone. So we can exchange info.”

It didn't take more than a few minutes for LZ to enter his number into WY's phone, and within seconds he was looking at a text from him.

He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so giddy.

"Come here, LZ. We should take a photo together! For contact pictures," WY decided, wrapping his arm around LZ's shoulders.

He felt himself stiffen as WY pressed against his side, tilting his head toward LZ's.

He smelled so good. Clean, but manly. He wanted to turn his head and press it into the crook of WY's neck.

"Ah...Sorry. I guess you still don't like to be touched."

"No," LZ rushed to say, forcing himself to relax. "You caught me by surprise. I don't mind you touching me."

"Really?" WY blinked in surprise, and LZ realized his mistake. "Well - maybe I should do it more then, hm?"

"Shameless," LZ blushed, the tips of his ears turning bright red. WY laughed and—

—Oh...Oh he really missed that sound...

"Always," he grinned cheekily. "Teasing a married man..."

Married man? Did he...

Did WY think...

MM...

"Smile for the camera, LZ!"

"WY," LZ said as WY snapped a picture. "I'm not—"

"Ah! No talking, you'll ruin the photos."

"But—"

"Just a second! Smile, ok?"

"I'm gay!" LZ blurted.

"Are we...Interrupting?" LH asked, holding A-Yuan and LJY's hands. LZ hadn't even noticed them return.

"Ah...Ha...No...sorry..." WY replied, pulling away from LZ and licking his lips. "We were just...You're gay?"

"Why don't we...go and ask for the check?" LH suggested.

"And a car," LZ nodded.

"And take your time," WY added, not looking away from LZ's face. It was like he was trying to puzzle LZ out.

"I'll call?"

"Or not," LZ replied.

"Why don't we meet you back at the Con?"

"Yes. That," WY agreed. "Best idea I heard all day. Truly brilliant, LH. Top marks. 10/10."

"Mm, Gege has always been wise."

"Bofu," A-Yuan whispered loudly. "What's going on?"

"Oh...Nothing..." LH replied, leading them out "You're just going to have some Bofu time for a while

"So..." WY began, once they had made it far enough away from the table.

"You're gay?"

"The last time I checked," LZ replied wryly.

"Yeah? And when was that?"

It was a risk, but...

"This morning, when I saw you again."

“Oh…” WY swallowed, wide-eyed. “Oh that’s…ok...yeah that’s great! Gay is wonderful. Fantastic. I’m also…Oh…Oh no…Does MM know? LZ…LZ you need to tell your wife!”

“My…wife…” LZ exhaled. Either WY was being intentionally obtuse, or he simply wasn’t grasping this. “WY,” LZ began again, “I adopted A-Yuan. By myself.”

“By yourself…” WY repeated slowly, blinking at LZ like he couldn’t grasp what he was telling him. “You’re a single father?”

Yes. He was.

“Mm.”

"Like...Single single?"

"WY..."

“I’m sorry but…” WY tilted his head to the side. “How? How are you single? I just…I’m sorry, I don’t understand…Do you not want…I just…Do you not want to be in a relationship? Did something happen to make you swear off men? Oh my god I’m being so rude...”

WY blustered, covering his face with his hands. “You can’t just ask people why they’re single. I just. I don’t understand. You’re so perfect…I don’t understand how someone hasn’t like, married you on the spot. How are you still on the market?

Unless you don’t want to be on the market. LZ. Lan Zhaaaaaaaan…Please say something and shut me up. I need you to say something or else I’m going to do something even stupider like ask you if I can change your relationship status—”

“—Yes.”

“...Yes?”

“Yes, you should personally change my relationship status.”

“Oh…Personally, huh?” WY replied, a smile slowly spreading across his face. “LZ…did you just ask me out?”

“I believe you asked first,” LZ pointed out, and WY buried his bright red face into his hands.

“Aiya…You can’t accept that as a real…” he mumbled into his palms, voice muffled. “LZ, it was horrible…You shouldn’t accept that! LZ! You deserve to be properly asked out!”

“Then you should do it. Properly this time.”

WY spread his fingers apart to peek up at him through the gaps.

“...Really? You want me to try again? But what if you say no? I have you committed right now, you know.”

“I’ll say yes again.”

A wide grin spread across his face as WY sat up. Hopeful silver eyes flit across his face as he bit his lip in an attempt to make his smile smaller. LZ wanted to smooth his thumb across it and tell WY that he shouldn’t ever feel like he couldn’t smile.

“Ok - there’s no taking it back now, LZ! You promised!”

“Mm.”

“Ok…Alright…Are you ready? You’re about to be wowed.”

“I am ready.”

“Are you sure? This is serious business you know.”

“It’s a good thing I’m serious, then.”

“LZ!! And people call *me* a flirt…”

“WY…”

“Alright, alright, alright,” he nodded, composing himself and taking a calming breath. “LZ…I’d like to take you to the movies, but they don’t let you bring in your own snacks…So…Want to Netflix and chill at my place instead?”

“WY…”

“Yes?”

“...That was terrible.”

“Ah - yes. But is it? Because I totally managed to slip calling you a snack in there, and you aren’t saying no…”

LZ blinked slowly at WY.

“Oh my god tell me you got that…”

“I did, but I did not think it warranted a response.”

WY burst out laughing.

“Ah…LZ…Way to let a guy down gently…”

“I don’t plan on doing anything gently,” LZ replied, taking a sip from his water as WY started sputtering and turned bright red.

Oh, this was going to be *fun*…

***

“Baba, I don’t want to be late!”

“We won’t be late,” LZ reassured, turning to look at his profile in the mirror.

LH had said causal. He hoped this was casual. It was just a cuffed pair of jeans and a white button down he’d rolled up past his elbows. He’d left a few of the top buttons undone and paired it with some white tennis shoes.

They were headed for a beach after all.

He had no idea what WY’s elephant toothpaste would entail, but comfortable shoes seemed like a safe bet.

A-Yuan shifted nervously on LZ’s bed, gnawing at his bottom lip. LZ wasn’t sure who was more excited about seeing WY again. Him or A-Yuan.

A-Yuan had positively lit up when LZ had told him that WY had invited him for a video, and LZ had plans with him alone after. It was going going to be a full day of WY.

He couldn’t wait.

He was glad LH had dragged him to the con. Even if he had been insufferable after.

LZ smoothed his hands over his jeans, wondering if they were perhaps a bit too tight. He used to love the way they hugged his ass and his thighs but he had switched up his workout routine and now they looked a bit...Like he had been poured into them.

"...Baba?" A-Yuan pressed again, fidgeting with the hem of his pants leg.

LZ glanced at the time and mentally winced. He was going to stick with these pants if they wanted to be there on time. He couldn't spend all day preening.

"I'm ready," he reassured A-Yuan, grabbing his watch from the nightstand. "Let's go."

***

It was a short drive to the beach, and a short walk to the shore. It's a beautiful day - the sun shimmered off the waves and every time LZ inhaled, his lungs filled with salty air.

The most beautiful part though, is WY.

He's already there when they arrive, and a part of LZ is surprised. He used to be late to everything in school. He doesn't want to read into him being here now.

When they arrive, he's sitting on a blanket, legs stretched out towards the ocean as he plays on his phone.

He's pulled his shoulder-length hair back so it's half up, and he's wearing a pair of jeans and a witty science shirt - "let's TaCo 'bout science", using the table of elements to spell out taco.

It's perfectly WY, and LZ loves it.

"WY!" A-Yuan calls as soon as he spots him, and LZ can tell he is barely restraining himself from running over.

WY glances up from his phone to the pair, a smile spreading across his face when his eyes meet A-Yuan...Then slips off his face when he sees LZ.

"Hey," WY greets when they get close enough and pushes himself to stand. "You're right on time! I wasn't too hard to find, was I?"

The beach is nearly deserted, due to the time of year and location. WY was very easy to spot.

"No, not at all," LZ reassured, and WY exhales, shoving his hands into his back pockets.

"Good! That's great! I was a bit worried about that...But I guess I should have been more worried about what you'd wear. LZ. *LZ.* What is this?" WY demanded, gesturing at LZ's outfit.

"Are you trying to distract me? Aiyo...You don't wear this to make elephant toothpaste! I need to make sure the measurements are right and this won't help...and now you can't help!

You look too good! I'm going to need you to stand far away from this, LZ. What happens if it gets on your nice white shirt, eh?"

He had a reply for that, but he didn't think his son should suffer through hearing his father talking about removing his shirt.

He didn't want to scar A-Yuan, after all.

"I'm sure we can find a solution for that, should it happen," he said instead, drawing his eyes down WY's body, allowing his eyes to display a fraction of the want he felt for WY.

It had the desired effect on WY - he sharply inhaled and bit the side of his cheek.

"Right...Right...well then...A-Yuan, do you want to help me set up? I'll explain the experiment!"

"Yeah!"

The experiment in question, apparently, was to figure out what produced the largest and fastest growing elephant toothpaste by alternating the chemical reacting with the hydrogen peroxide…And then using that formula to create a giant sand volcano.

A-Yuan was beyond excited to help. WY had done most of the setup prior to their arrival - the chemicals were premeasured in containers on a table. He mostly needed help constructing the volcano, which A-Yuan very enthusiastically agreed to.

“Now LZ,” WY guided, handing him a second camera. This one is so you can follow us around, alright? I need you to film my intro first, and then A-Yuan and I will start experimenting like the mad scientists we are.

Once we have our recipe, we will make the volcano, and then it’s time for an outro. Easy enough, right?”

“Mm,” he nodded, taking the camera WY handed him and allowing his fingers to brush against WY’s. “You’re making it very easy.”

His words lingered in the air in just the right way, making WY’s whole face turn bright red.

“LZ! Lan er-gege! You can’t say those things to me when I’m supposed to go on camera! You aren’t supposed to distract me like this! Ayio…How am I supposed to film when you say these things? Do I need to send you away?

Should I appoint A-Yuan as my official cameraman and assistant? LZ - I need you to behave yourself!”

“Do you?”

WY began sputtering.

“A-Yuan,” he said very seriously, once he could form words again and was no longer doing an excellent impersonation of a kettle. “Tell your father to behave himself.”

“Baba…Stop being weird.”

LZ could only huff out a laugh, and turn on the camera.

“Mm…I’ll stop being weird. Are you ready, WY?”

“Yeah…Yeah ok,” he exhaled, jumping in place a few times and shaking out his arms. “Now don’t say anything…And count me off.”

“In three…” LZ nodded, holding up his fingers, lowering them as he silently counted down.

“Helloooo friends! Today is a very special day - the sun is out, the birds are chirping and—Oh…did you notice that? There are wave in the behind me. Why you ask?

Because I’m here with my new friend to experiment with elephant toothpaste, and see if we can’t make the biggest, baddest explosion we can to create a sand volcano. Now before we get started, don’t forget to like and subscribe. Let’s get started.”

***

"Xiao Tuzi!"

"Bobo!" A-Yuan laughed as NMJ swept him over his shoulder, spinning him around. A high-pitched squeal of delight cut through the air as A-Yuan's legs and arms flailed about.

"Da-Ge," LZ greeted, watching the pair in amusement. "Ge."

"Brother...WY...Did you have fun today?" LH asked as NMJ tossed A-Yuan into the air. "Careful, Mingjue - LZ won't let you near him again if you hurt him."

"Hurt my Xiao Tuzi?" gasped, blowing a raspberry into the side of A-Yuan's neck, making him shriek.

"Never! A-Yuan, tell them I'm not hurting you," he demanded, blowing another into his skin.

"No! Bobo!" he laughed, "Not in front of WY!!"

"Oh I see - am I not cool enough for Xiao Tuzi now?"

"Bobo!" he shrieked in delight, and LZ chanced a glance to WY.

His gaze was soft and...if LZ was reading his expression correctly...Filled with longing. Maybe he was seeing what he wanted. Superimposing his own wants and desires onto a fleeting expression.

There one moment, gone the next - his smile shuttered back into place as if WY could feel LZ's eyes on him, successfully concealing whatever it had been.

"Don't you know A-Yuan?" WY demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's an uncle's sacred duty to embarrass their nephews. I do it to mine all the time!"

"You have a nephew?"

"Ah - yeah. He's only a few years younger than your son," WY nodded, shoving his hands into his back pockets and rolling back onto his heels. "He's a good kid - even if he does have a peacock as a father," he continued, muttering the last part under his breath.

A-Yuan released another high-pitched shriek as NMJ positioned him onto his shoulders, earning a few questioning looks from people walking past them on the boardwalk.

The plan, as arranged with LH, was that they would take A-Yuan for the evening.

It had been LH's suggestion. He had gone on and on about how it had been so long since they'd had a proper sleepover with A-Yuan, and didn't LZ know what he was doing to NMJ by withholding his son from Da-Ge? Did LZ want LH to suffer?

Really, LZ would be doing him a favor if he said they could take A-Yuan for the night.

His brother was not subtle.

All the same...he appreciated what LH was doing for him.

"Perhaps you can catch up now when we take A-Yuan," LH suggested, drawing A-Yuan's attention at the mention of his name.

"I'm going with you? Where are we going?"

"I don't know," NMJ hummed dramatically. "I was thinking...maybe we could go furniture shopping..."

"Oh," A-Yuan wilted, and NMJ barked out a laugh.

"What's wrong? You don't want to help Bofu and me pick out a new couch?"

"No, I'll do it," A-Yuan reassured, putting on his most serious face, and WY choked down a noise LZ couldn't identify.

"Mingjue," LH smiled, warning him gently.

"Alright, alright...we thought we would take you go-karting and go from there - But only if you behave yourself!"

"Aiya, behave himself...it's like they don't realize he's your son, LZ," WY teased.

"Mm...I have wondered more than once if they would kidnap him."

"I'm sure it's tempted them - I'm half tempted myself. Not that he needs another father. Lucky kid has three!"

LZ had to bite the tip of his tongue to keep from saying that WY needn't resort to kidnapping to become his father.

Marriage was far easier.

ending it here for the night!

“Mingjue may beat you to it,” LH replied, almost wistfully. “We should go if we want to have enough time for everything. You’ll text me if you need anything?”

“Mm,” LZ nodded, feeling his ears heat at the pointed look his brother gave him. “Enjoy your evening with him.”

“You too,” NMJ smirked, and LZ reminded himself that his brother and son would kill him if he killed NMJ.

“So,” WY began, shoving his hands into his back pockets after they bid farewell to everyone. “Do you mind if we go back to my hotel first?”

"Not for that!" he rushed as LZ's eyes widened - the flush from his ears spreading down his neck. "Oh my god...I'm sorry. I just heard it how you heard it...I think I did at least...and I just...I'm dirty and gross and really need a shower after the beach...

I won't make you wait in the lobby - promise! You can come watch TV and hang out in my room. It shouldn't take long. If you don't mind, that is? We don't have to though. If that make you uncomfortable or anything. You know what, why don't we forget tha—"

"—Alright."

"...Alright?"

"You feel uncomfortable. I don't mind waiting for you."

He had waited 16 years for this date. He would wait another 16, if he had to.

Giving WY time to take a shower so he was more comfortable didn't bother him in the least.

"You're sure?"

"Mm."

***

WY's room somehow surpassed all of LZ's expectations. He expected it to be a chaotic whirlwind.

He didn't expect it to look like WY had exploded everywhere. Why was there a sock on the lamp? How did it get there?

And why did he find it endearing?

"Sorry about the...ah...well...I'd call it a mess but this is a bit more of a mess, isn't it?" WY chuckled nervously, grabbing the sock and hiding it behind his back...And LZ did the courteous thing and pretended he had never seen it.

"It's lived in," LZ smiled wryly, assessing the room for a clean place to sit.

"Ah...Ha...Yeah...that's one way of looking at it..." WY chuckled humorlessly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You'd think with as much as I travel, I'd learn to not spread out as much..."

"You travel a lot, then?"

"Yeah...for work, mostly. Not really for pleasure. It's always a nice surprise when the two can overlap. Like this trip! The convention was work, but you're pleasure."

"I'm...Pleasure..." LZ repeated slowly, and WY released a high-pitched...something. He did an excellent teapot impersonation. He hoped A-Yuan never learned how.

"Ah! Ha...sorry...that sounds...Ah...No...You're not pleasure...I mean you are!" he rushed to correct.

"I've been looking forward to this ever since I saw you! I just...Ayio...I sound like NHS...I just mean...you know. You're. This is. Personal. You know? It's nice. I don't get that often."

"Mm," LZ agreed, inclining his head. "I'm glad I could be pleasure, then."

LZ watched with delight as the blush on WY's face spread down towards his neck.

"Yeah...Yeah me too," WY laughed nervously. "Do you maybe...How about I...You need a place do sit, don't you?"

WY glanced around the room. Everything was covered, except, miraculously, the bed.

If housecleaning hadn't come by, it may not have been much better.

"Do you mind sitting on the bed? Or I can throw things around..."

"The bed is sufficient."

LZ normally didn't like to wear outside clothing on a bed. He supposed this time, he would have to make an exception. If it was fine with WY, it would be fine with him.

"Great! Perfect! Wonderful! You're the best, gege...Do want to watch TV? Oh! Or, you know what? If you want...I can pull up the footage we shot earlier? If you want to have a peek at that? I always love watching everything after shooting."

"I would like that."

"Great! Perfect! Fantastic! Sit down and I'll just...Get that set up...Let me just..." WY laughed nervously, grabbing his computer off his desk while LZ sat as requested.

The mattress shook as WY plopped down next to him, rooting through the bag he'd dropped on the floor at the foot of the bed for the camera.

"Here," WY said, handing LZ his computer as he wrangled a mess of wires. "Would you mind opening up iMovie for me?"

"Mm," LZ nodded, and opened the lid to his laptop...

...only to be greeted by a photo of himself from five years ago on his Instagram page.

Ending it here for tonight!

....Nothing to see here. As we were.

It was his first family vacation with A-Yuan. A gift from LH and NMJ so they could all spend some time together, bonding as a new family in a tropical resort.

It had been...terrible.

LZ had spent the majority of it stressing over A-Yuan. The flight had been a nightmare - the change in altitude making A-Yuan cry when his ears refused to pop. The time change was horrible, throwing off his sleep schedule and snack times.

Then there were the mosquitoes…The sun burn despite the ample and liberal use of sunblock. The seasickness on the boat for snorkeling.

He’d even pulled back the sheets to reveal a lizard lounging in bed.

When the last day rolled around LZ was ready to go home, and the very one agreed they’d just spend the day by the pool.

They didn’t leave it once. Not for food. Not for drinks. Not for the ocean. They’d just claimed a few chairs by the edge of the pool and swam.

Just before sunset, LZ felt the strain of the trip and of being a new parent get the best of him. For the first time in his adult life - save for illness - LZ took a nap.

There were two hammocks tucked off to the side of the pool, crowded by plants and covered by a large white swath of fabric. LH and NMJ had encouraged him to go - saying they would be happy to look after A-Yuan for an hour or so.

When LZ woke up, it was to the swaying of his hammock as a small A-Yuan climbed, wrapping his flushed body tightly around LZ's torso - using his shoulder as a pillow.

That was the first time it had really sunk in that A-Yuan...this small, tiny person, was his son.

That this child wanted him as much as LZ had wanted A-Yuan. He could have gone to the other hammock - it had been empty...But A-Yuan had chosen to be with him.

LZ didn't move for a long time, almost too afraid to breathe.

…and when A-Yuan snuggled just a little closer to LZ, burying his face into LZs damp skin, breathing out, “Baba” for the first time…LZ was sure that breathing wouldn’t have mattered because he had forgotten how.

That’s when LH had taken the photo. With LZ’s lips pressed to A-Yuan’s head, holding him tight.

In the end, that vacation had been...

Wonderful.

Simply wonderful.

"Ah ha! Ok - here it is. Let me just—Oh..." WY said, his voice swinging from triumphant to nervous. "I...ah...I can explain that..."

LZ's eyes flicked to WY as he squirmed next to him, making the bed shift beneath them.

"I...Ah...So...Would you believe me if I said I fell asleep on the keys? And then woke up and realized the time and that I was running late and then bolted for the door and called a car?"

He would not, and he thought that this was adorable.

"Mm..." LZ replied noncommittally, his lips quirking up into the smallest of smiles. "And you were on my Instagram page because..."

WY squeaked and somehow turned redder.

"LZ. Lan Zhaaan...Can't you let a guy save some face? Alright. Look. If you must know, I just...I missed you guys. After the con and everything. And I was hoping...Ah...well...It doesn't matter."

"It does to me."

WY shifted on the bed beside him, nervously winding the chord around his fingers.

"I just thought...maybe if I scrolled through your pictures, I could learn more about you guys. And if I could do that, maybe I wouldn't miss you as much. But...I'm not a very smart man, you see,"

WY explained, taking a deep breath and turning to meet LZ's gaze finally. WY's eyes were so open. So sincere...Silver pools of raw longing. It made LZ's heart ache that much more.

"It just made things worse."

"Worse," LZ whispered, the knot of his throat bobbing as he swallowed around what had to be his heart.

"Yeah," WY replied, his eyes dropping to LZ's lips. "Worse."

"Why?"

"Ah...gege...Don't you know?" WY smiled in wry amusement, twisting the cable between his fingers.

It seemed to draw his attention back to the task at hand.

"I should set this up and shower, hm? Look at me, wasting all this time..."

"Time spent with you is not a waste."

WY huffed a laugh and took his computer back from LZ, connecting it to his camera.

"LZ, you're dangerous. Do you know that? When did you become so smooth, hm? You should be careful or you'll give a guy the wrong impression."

"What if it's the right one?"

WY huffed a laugh and refocused on his computer.

"Dangerous. I should have written my will before this date."

"Worried I'll kill you?"

"Worried I won't survive tonight, yes..." WY nodded, opening the footage - adamantly keeping his eyes on the screen.

"Ah ha!" WY cried triumphantly, as his intro began playing through the small speakers. "Success! This is for you," WY said, sliding the computer into LZ's lap, "And I'll just go and shower quickly and then we can...Ah..." he paused catching LZ's eye. Swallowing.

"Yeah. Right. Right! Showering."

This time, it was as if he needed to firmly remind himself.

"Mm...hurry back," LZ encouraged, making WY swallow and scramble off the bed.

"Dangerous, gege! I hope you know that," he teased, disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door behind himself.

LZ heard a loud thump against the bathroom door and smiled to himself before trying to turn his attention back to the screen.

It was hard though. Knowing that he was affecting WY - who had flirted with anyone and everyone - like this...It was powerful.

He wondered if he made WY blush hard enough, if it would spread to his shoulders too.

Maybe, if he tried, he could get that blush to spread down to his chest.

...Or perhaps, if he couldn't make him blush, he could make his chest flush all the same. He wondered what that would take. What he would have to do.

The rush of water from the shower started, drifting out from behind the closed door, and LZ was suddenly struck by the thought that he was here.

Alone with WY...Who was completely naked in the next room. Vulnerable. He could surprise him right now, if he wanted to. Abandon the laptop on the bed. Push open the bathroom door. Pull back the curtain...

He wondered what WY would do.

He wondered what WY would look like, completely wet.

Shoulder-length hair clinging to his skin. His neck. Water beading on his skin...shimmering in the dimly lit bathroom. Steam swirling around him. His body warm and soft—

—A-Yuan's high-pitched shriek of laughter brought LZ back to the computer he was grasping in a white-knuckled grip on his lap, and he shifted uncomfortably on WY's bed, trying to not think about the implications of where he sat.

This was a fantasy he would wrap in a bow and tuck away for later. At a time when he was more alone and less likely to find himself in an embarrassing situation later.

LZ counted to ten, exhaled slowly, and watched the delight bloom across A-Yuan's face as they moved from the first experiment to the second.

LZ loved this part.

WY was reaching down below to grab the bottle of soap, only instead, he scooped up a small handful of sand and flicked it over at A-Yuan's shins.

The next five minutes had been A-Yuan chasing WY down the beach until WY had let A-Yuan catch him.

He allowed A-Yuan to tackle him, falling to the sand and taking A-Yuan with him.

The ease of the whole interaction...Of how WY protected A-Yuan's small form as they fell...Of how they teased one another...

LZ exhaled shakily, closing his eyes.

This was what LH and NMJ had.

This was what LZ had thought he could never have. This was what LZ wanted.

More than anything.

LZ heard the shower turn off as A-Yuan and WY had returned to the table, shaking out their clothes from the sand, and noticed again the hint of a tattoo peeking out across WY's side.

LZ, so absorbed in the scene, hadn't realized he'd zoomed in when WY had lifted his shirt - like he was trying to get a better look at the art.

"Alright, alright...let's be serious now," WY had reprimanded, a bright twinkle in his eye as he winked and bent over to pick up the soap.

He didn't remember zooming in on WY's ass either...And he was mortified...and glad that he had.

It was so.

*Round.*

And.

*Firm.*

"See something you like, gege?" WY teased, startling LZ into snapping the laptop shut and straightening his neck, putting a kink in it.

He didn't remember tilting it.

"LZ!! It's ok - I don't mind," WY laughed. "I think it's one of my better features."

LZ exhaled slowly, turning to apologize to WY and felt all the air get punched out of his lungs.

WY was standing there. In his hotel room. Soaking wet and rubbing one towel through his hair...while only a second one was wrapped dangerously low on his hips.

LZ couldn't stop himself from dragging his eyes over WY's body - watching as a drop of water journeyed down from his wet hair across his chest. Skipped past a dusky nipple. Rolled down the planes of his abdomen, disappearing into his towel.

"Sorry, I...ah...Kinda forgot to grab some clean clothes before I showered. I hope you don't mind," WY continued, and LZ had to tear his eyes away from the towel to meet WY's gaze again.

"No."

"Good! That's great then. That's like. The last thing I want to do. Make you uncomfortable, I mean."

"I'm...Fine."

If one could call this fine. It was taking every ounce of his willpower to behave himself - not do something he was sure he would later regret.

"Great! Wonderful! Love that," WY grinned, dropping the towel he had been using to the floor...and revealing the tattoo across his side in full.

LZ froze at the sight of it.

A rabbit wrapped in peonies.

"I won't take long," WY continued, walking around to rifle through the pile of clothes on the chair.

"WY," LZ croaked, and WY looked over his shoulder at LZ.

"What's wrong?" he asked, straightening and giving LZ his full attention. "Are you ok?"

"I," LZ swallowed, looking for the words. "Your tattoo."

"My...Oh..." WY blushed, covering a small portion of it with his hand. "That..."

"That," LZ repeated, frozen in place - wanting to go to him and peel his fingers from his side. Look at it better, Touch it.

"I forgot it was...that you would...See it. When I came out. I guess I wasn't thinking," he chuckled nervously. "Do you...remember?" WY whispered, rubbing his thumb along the length of the tattoo. "You probably don't. It was such a...It was so meaningless. To you, I mean."

Meaningless.

How could he think that?

"It was in school - Do you remember how I used draw on myself all the time? And then I started to let all of my friends do it too. It started with NHS saying he could do a better job and he drew these lotus flowers all over my arm..."

"And then JC started doing it. And then it just sort of snowballed from there...But one time I...Ah...I bullied you into it. I told you that all of my friends were doing it, so since you were my friend—"

"—I had to do it too," LZ finished. "It was just before spring break. We did it on the field by the track team."

"Yeah," WY chuckled, releasing his side. "You...ah...You remember..."

"Mm..." he nodded, eyes combing over the tattoo - just as he remembered drawing it.

"I remember."

He didn't think he'd ever be able to forget it. WY had been doing homework with LZ at the time - working on a group project for history class together. His arms had been littered in drawings from people, but he insisted that LZ do one too.

"Where would it go?" he'd asked. "There's no room."

He'd thought that argument would get him out of it. Instead, WY had just lifted his shirt and pointed to his side.

"How about here?"

In the presence of that smile...of all that *skin*...LZ had been helpless to say no.

He'd tried to be so careful when he did it - tried to make sure his hands weren't shaking. That WY wouldn't see how overwhelmed he'd felt being allowed to touch him like this.

He was rather proud of his ability to keep himself together, at the time.

"Why?"

"Eh? Why what?"

"Why did you tattoo it?" he clarified, and WY shifted his eyes to the side.

"Ah...It's stupid, really...Not all that important..."

"It is to me," he said for a second time, and WY released a breathy chuckle.

"Cruel, LZ. You're a cruel man. Everyone thinks you're so kind and just and a virtuous pillar of all that's good in this world, but it's all to hide how cruel you are, isn't it?"

He was trying to be aloof. Teasing.

He was coming off as scared. Nervous.

"The worst," LZ agreed. "WY...please?"

WY gnawed at his lip for a moment before sighing, "Alright. But it's...it's stupid. And you can't make fun of me, alright? Promise me you won't make fun of me?"

"Never."

"Yeah. Yeah...Ok..." WY whispered to himself, then, steeling his nerves said, "Most people, when they drew on me, they were quick about it. They rushed through it and drug the pen into my skin which - it's not like I minded or anything...But when you did it...The way you..."

A sigh. A steadying breath.

"The way you did it was soft and gentle. And you were so careful about it. You really took your time with it and it...It just...You made me feel...special," he whispered.

"Like you didn't want to rush through it, because you really wanted me to like it. It just...I...I felt special. Like I was worth..." he drifted off, looking down at the hotel room floor. "Anyway...You said you wouldn't make fun of me, so you can't make fun of me, alright?"

"You promised."

"Never..." LZ whispered, rising from the bed and moving to stand in front of WY. "I'd never make fun of you."

"Oh..." WY exhaled shakily. "That's...yeah. That's good, then. Good. I'm glad. Thanks, gege..."

"You still haven't told me why," LZ pressed, eyes glued to the tattoo.

"Ah..." WY chuckled nervously, "I suppose I haven't...I just...Don't laugh but, I just wanted to remember feeling that...that special," he admitted. "And I guess I...I wanted something to remember you by."

"You were really important to me, you know. But you never told me why you picked this - don't I deserve an explanation, gege? After all this time?"

Ending it here for the night - it's 12:30 am. Back to top!

"You tattooed it on your body, and you don't remember what it means?" LZ exhaled, swallowing down the small hurt that bubbled up from the pit of his stomach.

So what if he didn't.

WY had done this for other reasons - reasons that made LZ feel like WY had cracked open his chest cavity, carefully scooped his heart out, and tenderly wrapped it in soft blankets.

"Remind me, gege," WY whispered, the knot of his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

"I had a violin recital...Do you recall it?"

WY exhaled slowly, "Yeah...Yeah it was so hard to get you to tell me about it...You didn't want me to come at first."

"I didn't want to be distracted."

"Afraid I was going to start yelling in the middle of your performance?"

"I was afraid I'd see how beautiful you were and I wouldn't be able to focus."

WY inhaled sharply, his face looking like LZ had just knocked the air from his lungs.

"Oh...LZ...LZ you can't say those things and look like at me like that," WY replied, voice trembling. "What's a man supposed to do with that much sincerity?"

"Listen to it," LZ replied, reaching out and tucking a strand of damp hair behind WY's ear.

"Why did you tell me to come, then? If I was going to be such a distraction?"

"Knowing you wanted to be there and weren't would have been equally distracting," LZ replied, running his knuckles down along the edge of WY's cheek.

"Ah...I...I see..."

"Mm," LZ replied, not sure if WY did see. "You have always been very good at distracting me, just by existing. I couldn't stop thinking about you..."

"LZ...You'll give a man a complex..."

"You should have it."

WY's eyes scanned LZ's, lips slightly parted.

"And...ah...What...ah...Does this have to do with...Oh..." WY breathed. "Oh the peonies..."

"Mm," LZ nodded, his hand drifting from WY's cheek to his side, hovering lightly above WY's skin. Close enough that he could feel the heat of WY's body, but not close enough to touch. "The peonies...And the rabbit."

WY had been standing at the back of the crowd after, hopping from foot to foot, waiting for everyone to finish shaking LZ's hand, with a bouquet of peonies and a stuffed rabbit.

"I can't believe you remember that," WY murmured, leaning forward just a hair, making LZ's hand brush his skin.

"Why wouldn't I? You made me feel special."

"LZ..." WY exhaled shakily. "I don't care if this is a first date - if you don't kiss me right now, I swear I'll never forgiv—MM!"

LZ gripped the side of WY's waist tighter, pulling WY's body to his and crashing their lips together before he could finish the thought.

LZ felt WY's body tense against him in surprise before relaxing, allowing LZ to pull him closer. WY's lips were soft against his. Pliant.

He allowed LZ to take the lead - allowed LZ to work his lips open before pulling back, drawing a whimper from WY.

The feeling of WY's lips lingered against his as he rest his forehead on WY's. It felt so sureal. It felt...

Good.

"Oh," WY breathed. "Oh, you should do that again. Like. Right now."

LZ huffed a laugh and kissed WY again. This time it was softer. More tender, but no less invigorating. LZ felt WY wrap his arms around his neck, pulling him closer until their bodies were pressed flush.

WY's finger's trailed up the back of his neck, making him shiver.

It felt like his every nerve ending was waking at WY's touch - the slide of his fingers along his skin exquisitely sharp.

It made him shudder and walk WY backwards until his back hit the wall a few steps away.

It made him shiver which only made LZ's heart pound that much harder in his chest cavity. It was a wild creature - ready to burst free of its cage.

LZ's fingers dug deeper into WY's side, while his other hand wound through his wet tresses - tugging.

WY's mouth parted in a near-silent gasp, allowing LZ's tongue to slip inside and LZ moaned. Distantly, he was in disbelief. Distantly, this felt like a dream.

Presently, he felt WY's fingers tugging his hair, trying to kiss LZ back as hard as he was being kissed.

LZ felt like he was melting - boiling from the inside out wherever WY touched him. Absently, he wondered if WY felt the same way. If he was as overcome with arousal as LZ was.

If he craved more of LZ's touch the way LZ craved more of WY's.

LZ pushed further into WY - needing to be closer. Needing to touch more of him. He wedged a leg between WY's thighs, and WY's hips thrust up against LZ of their own volition, allowing him to feel that he wasn't the only one who had become hard.

"LZ," WY breathed as LZ kissed the corner of his mouth when WY pulled away to breathe. "We should...Fuck, LZ..."

"Yes. We should," LZ agreed, mouthing at WY's neck.

"I..." WY blinked through the fog, his breath hitching as LZ pulled his earlobe between his teeth, lightly nipping it. WY shivered in his arms, and LZ couldn't stop the groan of approval even if he wanted to.

"Oh..." he breathed, "Oh but I can't...LZ..."

LZ paused, lightly holding WY's earlobe between his teeth until WY turned his face. It was the first time LZ had really looked at WY since they had started, and - oh...Oh he looked...

Debauched.

His damp hair was wild from LZ's fingers pulling at it. His lips were spit-slick and full from when LZ had licked his way into WY's mouth. His pupils were dilated, making the silver of his irises appear pewter. His face was completely flushed.

If WY hadn't just said "I can't", LZ wouldn't have been able to keep from kissing him again.

"Ah LZ...Didn't I tell you? I have a date tonight with the most handsome man in the world. A true, rare beauty...What will he think of me? Spreading my legs so fast..."

"What happens if he just wants to fuck me and leave, and then I don't see him again for another 16 years, hm? I don't think my poor heart is strong enough for that, LZ..."

Oh...Oh WY...

"Never," LZ reassured, allowing his eyes to express just a small fraction what he felt show.

"Oh..." WY breathed, trembling.

"I wonder what my date must think of me," LZ murmured, allowing his hand to drift over WY's tattoo again. "Throwing myself at him...Taking anything he's willing to offer...Wanting him so much I can't control myself...What must he think..."

"Maybe he wants that," WY swallowed. "Maybe he wants you to lose control."

He slowly drew his hand up the side of LZ's neck, cupping it to hold him in place.

"Maybe...He wants you to take what's always been yours."

LZ crashed his lips back into WY's - teeth and tongues clashing together as he worked WY's mouth back open. WY moaned and trembled beneath him, and LZ greedily drank every sound - every gasp and whimper - like he needed them to survive.

Absently, LZ was aware of WY's foot running up along the line of his calf - too distracted by the feeling of WY's warm, pliant body pressed against his until WY's leg wrapped around his waist.

Suddenly, the damp towel that had once been wrapped around WY dropped to the floor as LZ found his hands under WY's bare thighs, helping hold him up.

"I promise," WY said between kisses - hands tugging LZ's head back, "it's normally much harder to get me naked."

"I look forward to the challenge."

"Fuck, gege," WY whimpered as LZ's fingertips pressed further into WY's thighs digging little crescents from his nails into his skin. "You too. Too many clothes."

"Then get rid of them," LZ managed between fevered kisses, sucking a mark into WY's neck, just below his jaw.

"So wise. So smart. Ah! LZ...*yes*," WY mewled as LZ sunk his teeth into his skin. "Fuck, why is that so good?"

LZ didn't have an answer for him. He didn't think he could formulate a coherent reply as WY's talented fingers somehow wormed their way between their bodies and pulled at the buttons of LZ's shirt.

"Come'on...Off, off, off..." WY chanted, hips spasming forward as LZ scraped his teeth against the knot of WY's throat.

"Rip it."

"What?"

"Rip it off," LZ repeated, kneading the muscle of WY's thighs. He needed WY on a bed.

Now.

(More to come! This post is a back up of the original thread, and will be continued in conjunction with the original thread to ensure I don't lose my work and people can still follow and get updates of the very very rough draft!)

#mdzs #mdzs fanfiction #lwj x wwx #wangxian #dadji #scientist wwx #modern au

96 notes · View notes

chromium7sky · 5 years ago

Text

The Devil Wears Armani| chapter 11

A/n: amg, finally updated this one 😭😭😭💖💖💖💖💖 you guys can follow this story with #damirae , #devilwearsarmani and #fashionistaau tag

2 weeks. It's been two weeks since the last video call. Raven have been pouring her attention on working the suit that she has planned for Damian Wayne to wear for the Gala.

She had done the cutting, the sewing and all, and what's left is doing the embroidery. She chosen the gold thread selectively which give the vivid glow and bring out the majestic value to the wearer.

The embroidery are complete within 95% thanks to a specified sewing machine which she bought with the price money she won before during the her first fashion competition. It helps alot.

The date of Gala approaching like crawling on the thread of time and for the final touch, she combined all the pieces into a handsome looking suit.

As she put the wardrobe on the mannequin, she took a step back and see it as a whole picture. With her both hands, she makes the photograph gesture to capture the feels of how Damian would look like if he wears them.

Contemplating and satisfied she felt after she iron the suit and store in special cover suit. She looked at the calendar and looks like she has extra two weeks before Gala.

Speaking of Gala, she wondered what would the dress look like since it was Damian who made for her? Would it be shoulder bare? Would it be one piece dress? Raven rubbed her chin as she wonder then she noticed herself on standing mirror. Slowly she spin to the left then to right as she look her body shape contour. If she was designing her own dress she probably went with thick fabric drape style. Simple, elegant and exclusive.

Her eyes glanced at the clock that's shows 10.30pm.

Wait.

She blink her eyes. How come she didn't thought of it. What would his design for herself? She did shown her sketches to Damian but won't he shown his? Curious, curious.

Raven imagine what if she asked, Damian would probably say, ' you don't trust me? Tsk tsk.' Raven sighed as her hand run down her face thinking about that. "Maybe I'll try to ask tomorrow."

Suddenly, a bleep sound indicate a message comes in. Raven blink then looked at her phone screen.

"Girl, You busy today?"

- Karen

It's been a while. Raven smiled then diligently answered the question.

"Not quite. Just finished designing a suit. What's up?"

She hit send.

Then came up another message on her inbox.

"We got party tomorrow at Viva La coast at Riverside. Wanna come?"

Raven narrowed her eyes then humming. Should she go or not? Perhaps she need a time off after that intense week. A little entertainment doesn't hurt.

"Sure. You pick me up?"

" For course, sis. 😘 See you at 8pm, tomorrow."

"On it.👌"

Raven smiled then landed on her bed. As she let out her relief sigh she put her phone at table nearby.

As she sleep, she dreamt of something pleasant. She's at fountain garden where surrounded by fragrance flowers and palm-like trees.

She notice her dress has gold accent along with silky texture clothes. Slowly her hands touched the dress she wear, felt it's smooth surface.

Her heart stop as she felt a hand holding her waist. Slowly she turn her head over her shoulder and -

BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP

Her eyes wide open as soon as she heard her phone alarm. She blink once then twice, trying to process her thoughts. When a sprinkle of dream remembrance filled in her her head, her cheeks start to blushed. Her hand quickly grab her pillow beside her and buried her face beneath it.

"O dear, don't tell me it's him that I'm dreaming about last night." She let out her sighed. She had fallen for him.

A message bleep chiming in her phone makes her peek under the pillow and quickly she reached for her phone.

A message from him.

'OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG' Raven's heart start racing. "Wh-Wha...H-How...." She tried to question reality, how on earth he's messaging her. Right now?

"You're awake?"

Raven bit her bottom lips as she look at her phone screen. Her finger diligently working on touch screen pad.

"Just awake. Can't sleep?"

She hit send button. Then for a few second she received his reply.

"I just had dream about you...

You look beautiful."

A dream? She blinked. Then another message comes in.

"Still busy working on the suit?"

Raven biting her lips to keep it as a secret but it's almost 25th like in 5 days away, so....why not? Her finger tapping the keyword on screen replying him.

"Actually I've finish the suit."

She replied. Another thought hit her and she quickly tapped it on the phone.

"I did promise making for dinner right? Maybe tomorrow?"

Again she send the text.

Interval in 2-3 second, her phone bleep it back.

"That would be great. I'll bring something as surprise."

Surprise? Raven mind start racing, mostly to that forbidden thoughts. What kind of surprise? She bit her lips and start typing.

"Well uh, I hope it's not a refrigerator you're bringing."

She shaked off those thought and try keep the conversation as innocent as possible.

"No. It's not. It's something, you probably would like it. 😏"

Raven looked at the emoji face he send. Did he send an emoji? Damian Wayne doesn't use emoji while texting or emailing.

"Well, alright then. See you tomorrow?"

She hit the send button.

Then a message came in.

"Can't wait to see you.♥️"

Raven flopped to her bed and her face now are red tinted. What is this? Why is this feeling so intense? She closed her eyes retracing her memory between them. Those bickering and end up with hot make out along intimate session in his office.

"I guess we should discuss about this terms of relationship." She talked in her pillow.

---------------

She has complete all the order that has been request by some local boutique and some are from online website. She's quite amazed with things that happens after the talk show incident where Damian said about Raven going to Wayne Gala this week.

People start to shift their attention to her especially her design clothes. Does Damian intend to promote her? She rubbed her chin then sudden, Mona, her assistant knock her door.

"Come in."

Mona peek behind the door, she smiled and slowly walk to her boss. " You have received a gift!" The assistant handled to her a parcel.

"A gift?" Raven whisper under her breath. Could it be Damian? Her eyebrows furrowed. She took out knife letter and slowly cut , unwrapped the parcel and she saw an apparel, black with velvet felt. There is the tag at the collar says Draco.

Her eyes widen. Draco? You mean Melchior Draco?

"Who is it? Your lover?" Mona feeling excited.

"No. This is from my competitor." Raven cover the box and push it away. Her head suddenly filled with painful memories about her and Melchior encounter. The way he flirt her before her first joining competition, the betrayal, and stolen her design to built his empire.

Her heart boiled with anger which in result she crumpled her paper nearby which made Mona a bit fall back by her intimidation.

"I'm sorry about that, Miss." Mona bow her head quickly apologize for not realise what is going on.

Raven snapped back from those memory and quickly look at the paper . " Oh!" She's surprise and quickly she try to straighten up the paper she crumbled. " No, no, it's okay, Mona. It's nothing." She smiled. " You can go now."

" Ah, alright then." She nod and walked to the door and-

" By the way, boss, there's a caller said he's from metropolis daily planet wanted to interview you about being guest at the gala." Mona turned to her as she spite out another appointment.

" Well, set it tomorrow then." Raven tidy up her table and throw the parcel to the bin nearby.

"Uh, you threw that?" Mona pointed at the parcel inside the dustbin.

"You want it?"

"Ummm...it looks beautiful." Her assistant fidgeting.

Raven smiled and took the parcel. She dust a bit. "Take it and wear where I don't see it. Or else I end up burn them with hellfire." Raven eyes shown deep hatred and anger.

"Ok boss." She smiled, quickly snatched the parcel and run to the exit.

As she was alone in her office, she slump in her chair and sigh heavily. "I guess he's also in town too." Her finger tapping on her table creating random melodies.

-------

Its 7.55pm, Raven now waiti g for Karen to pick her up as she lingers in her living room. She's wearing a one piece black dress decorated with golden and black labuci make it more fabulous looks.

She look at her phone to kill her waiting time until she stumbled on a post by E fashion news.

"Top trending designer DRACO are in town for launching their latest collection 'BLAK MAJIK' "

As raven read the article, she felt upset as she remember Melchior stole her ideas in doing a line fashion about magic before she presented the ideas at her first fashion show competition.

As she read the article, the sound of the car honking makes her jolt and quickly look at the window. It seems Karen has reached at her apartment block, quickly she goes out and greet Karen who parked at the entrance.

*********

"I heard that bastard Melchior are in town." Karen slowly stirred her cocktail as her and Raven where sitting on a table outside of the Viva La Coast restaurant.

"Yeah, I did read the article about it." said Raven as she drink her pina colada. " So, who are we waiting for again?"

"I forgot to tell you, Kory won't be able to join us. She has to come with her boyfriend meet with his family at Wayne Mansion."

"Wayne Mansion?" Raven's eyes jump out. Wayne, wasn't Damian last name is Wayne too?

" Yeah, but she's dating with Wayne's older adopted son, Richard Grayson. A high profile detective , probably will be promoted as soon. " Karen updating the status of their friend.

"I see." Raven looked at her drink. It's been a long time she hasn't talk to Kori because of her business setting up her small company.

"How about you then? You and Mal?" Raven raised her eyebrows.

"Well we've been planning for a wedding maybe in next year. " Karen smiled.

"Wait, I thought you're still in doctorate?" Raven eyes wide open as she remember Karen used to be a student in mechanical and atomic engineering.

"Will be graduated in two months." Karen smiled widely as she let out the fantastic news.

Raven goes all tears as she heard the good news. "Oh my god, Karen! I'm so happy!" She tried to hug Karen across the table.

Karen laughed with Raven's sudden behaviour. "That's why we celebrate it!"

"We should buy a cake. Wait, I know! Waiter!" Raven call up the waiter to get some dessert as celebration.

"And..."

Raven turns her head to Karen.

"I wanted you to design our wedding dress and suits." Karen faces flushes as she speak her request. " I really, really adore your work , Rachel. I wanted you to design it."

"Damn it , Karen. You make me all teary." Raven wiped her tears as she smiled sheepishly. " Of course I will."

"Karen, do you know anything about the youngest Wayne?"

"You mean Damian Wayne?"

"Yeah."

"I heard that he just back from middle east after doing charity project between the Wayne Enterprise and Leviathan Industries."

"I think everyone knows about that, Karen." Raven smiled as she drink up.

"I am very speculate that both of you have met." Karen with her mischievous smile now painted on her lips. " Is that the same guy who become your muse in your long lost sketch book?"

Raven clutches her hand on her drink, almost breaking it but she keep with her calm face. " I don't think so." She tried to denied it following with Karen's giggle.

"Plus, when he said there will be Raven in Wayne's Gala, I was like 'Raven?!' to the tv screen and I swear there's something going on between both of you." Karen crossed her armed with one eyebrow raised as she looked as Raven like she's a suspect.

"Well..." Raven averted her sight to the table and nervously tug her hair behind her ears. " There is."

BAM!

Raven jolted as Karen slammed the table with her drink. "TELL ME."

She swallowed her saliva as she seen Karen being over eager. She sighed as she adjust her seating, leaning towards the table.

"It start with that day, the day when he show up out of nowhere with that deal." Raven start to spilled what happen recently.

124 notes · View notes