Chapter Text
It never occurred to Lan Wangji that his entire life was so monotonous that it could be altered in just a single moment. For so long, stability was a staple part of his growth the same way ballet was. Consistency was in all things, from their 5am waking time, to rehearsals, to keeping the walls of the Cloud Recesses never dulled, never stained, always the same color- always strong.
Of course, this last one was due to his uncle’s insistence that GusuLan’s Cloud Recesses ballet studio be kept in utmost condition, never belying just how hard its occupants worked, or that they were ever even there. The two-story building was full of light blue and pristine white walls, forming a perimeter around large mirrors, a sturdy barre, and light brown wooden floors inside of the studios. The first floor was for younger and more amateur students to practice, with disciples working hard to provide proper levelled teachings for all ages and all commitment levels. The second floor was reserved for the more learned, practiced students, as well as the professionals of the company. Right now, that included Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen, the apples of Lan Qiren’s eye, the money makers of his company, and more famously referred to as the ‘Twin Jades of Lan’.
Lan Xichen, the elder, was always the more amenable and popular of the two, achieving his first breakout role at age 18 in Don Quixote. Known for his sweet demeanor yet cutthroat competitiveness, and his magnificent range, critics lauded his ability to “bring a sort of playful romance to any role, his movements fluid, natural as breathing, yet perfect every time”. Lan Wangji took only a little longer, landing Siegfried in Swan Lake by age 19. While critics were intimidated by his coolly efficient demeanor, they adored Lan Wangji’s technique. “His sharpness of motion was crisp, yet evoked such passion- he is untouchable, and makes the audience yearn for him with every step”.
While Lan Wangji still has a low burning passion for performance, at age 30 he has found that he is surprisingly more content giving private lessons to the older students. Part of this may be due to the ease of teaching Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi, his latest protégés and the Cloud Recesses’ up and coming superstars. While he has always been cordial to the students in his past, he has found that the dynamic between these two inspires him to keep on his toes- literally. Still, even with teaching, Lan Wangji’s life is…constant.
Stable.
Unchanging.
Dull.
Squashing that last thought down, he is leading extra stretches when a small knock echoes into the room. Lan Xichen smiles, entering.
“Didi, I hope class is going well. I hate to interrupt, but Uncle is waiting in his office. He has something to tell us before he leaves.”
Nodding, Lan Wangji turns to the two students. “Take a short break after the stretches, and then return to the choreography.”
He follows Lan Xichen back into the gleaming blue office, large windows overlooking the rolling hills in the back of the studio. His uncle is still sitting, dwarfed behind a large, Victorian black desk. Everything else in the room is austere and minimal, so it’s clear to see that Lan Qiren indulged a little in this gargantuan piece of furniture.
“Xichen. Wangji.” The curt greeting is followed by the snapping shut of a briefcase. “As you are aware, I will be leaving right after this conversation to make my flight.” This is not news, Lan Wangji thinks. Lan Qiren will be on a two-month excursion out of the country, studying other ballet companies and their tours as a respected critic and historian in the field. They’ve known this for months. His uncle never minces words, so surely this isn’t the point of the conversation.
“What I am just now able to confirm to you,” he says, disdain at the lateness clear, “is that one of the upstairs studios has been rented for the next few weeks. An old associate of mine, Jiang Fengmian, needs somewhere for his son’s dance troupe to practice while Lotus Pier Dance Hall is being rebuilt.”
Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji both frown. Lotus Pier Dance Hall, amongst other studios, had been vandalized before being set ablaze. While it was fortunate that no one had been inside, the entire place was no longer safe or usable. The only good part was that, while the fire spread, the building hadn’t collapsed- allowing for investigation of the arson.
“While I do not necessarily approve of their style- street, hip hop, and pop, that sort of thing- Jiang Fengmian is a respected associate of mine, a true patron of the arts. It is gracious of us to offer him what aid we can in this trying time.”
Lan Wangji can’t help but think that another reason for the quick acquiescence is that he will conveniently be gone the entirety of the visit.
“If there are any problems, I am leaving judgment in both of your capable hands. If any of the other students’ classes and learning are disrupted and you cannot handle it, I will have no issue contacting Jiang Fengmian myself. I hope it does not get to that point.”
Lan Xichen bows slightly, placating the budding anxiety. “It is no worry, Uncle. We will be gracious hosts. Now, let’s get you to your car so that you aren’t late.”
Grumbling any leftover rules, Lan Qiren allows Lan Xichen to lead him down the stairs and out of the building. Lan Wangji goes to the bathrooms, and a few minutes later is washing his hands when he hears bickering outside in the hall. Jingyi? He’d left his pupils to practice- why were they in the hall?
Jingyi has a finger pointed in the reddened face of another teenager in yellow t-shirt and workout tights, Sizhui trying to placate them both.
“I don’t know who you are, but you can’t come practice ballet in that!”
“First of all, these are designer leggings- this dump should be honored I’d step inside wearing them!”
“Dump?! I ought to strangle you-”
Before Jingyi and the yellow-shirted teenager can jump at each other’s throats, another man steps in between them, quickly tossing the teen to the side.
“Now, Jin Ling! Play nice!” His silver eyes sparkle with mischief as Jin Ling gawks in indignation. “Besides, you wanted people to check you out in your outfit, and this young man did! It’s a win-win!”
Lan Jingyi looks like he’s going to die and ascend he’s so furious at this stranger’s words, and Lan Wangji is not far behind him. Whoever he was, it was clear that this stranger was not a good influence. He approaches quickly, frowning. The stranger double takes when he sees him, his jaw dropping momentarily, before he gathers himself and smiles flirtatiously.
“Well, hello, you.”
Lan Wangji only glares disdainfully at the hand being held out. “If you are here to inquire about classes for your son, I must ask that-”
“Son? Oh! Jin Ling?” The stranger tosses his head back, cackling. “Oh no, that’s not what this is at all! We’re practicing here, for a few weeks?”
Lan Wangji blanches as ‘Wei Wuxian!’ is shouted from down the stairs, followed by an angry faced man holding equipment.
“We need your help, stop playing games! Get down here and grab something!”
The stranger- Wei Wuxian- rolls his eyes and pouts obnoxiously, slouching. “But Jiang Cheng, look at me. I’m busy making political relations with our host! This is…” he trails off, turning back to an appalled Lan Wangji.
“Our teacher, Hanguang Jun, a Twin Jade of Lan, Lan Wangji,” answers Lan Sizhui proudly. To Sizhui’s shock and Jingyi’s anguish, the stranger seems unfazed by the titles.
“A Twin Jade of Lan, huh! A lofty title for a handsome man, I’m sure. Well, Lan Wangji, it’s nice to meet you- I look forward to seeing you everyday!” With a wink, he turns and sashays back down the stairs. It’s just as well as Lan Xichen returns, amused at the choked look on Lan Wangji’s face.
“Wangji, this is the YunmengJiang dance crew that Uncle just told us about? They plan to have later practices in the day, which works to not interrupt the other classes, and they’re moving things in today to prepare.”
Brother, no. Not this. The pleading in Lan Wangji’s eyes was almost so noticeable someone else might have been able to see it if they looked closely. Still, Lan Xichen only grinned.
“It’s okay, Wangji. This place could use some liveliness.” His words were punctuated by something large falling in the stairway, followed by a deluge of curses. Lan Xichen only closed his eyes, inhaled, and cleared his face. “Let’s get out of their way for now, and when they’re finished, we can go properly introduce ourselves, hm?”
Lan Wangji didn’t want to introduce himself. If it was anything like meeting ‘Jin Ling’ and ‘Wei Wuxian’, he wanted them far away from his studio. They made too much noise.
“No excessive noise in the Cloud Recesses,” Lan Wangji mumbles petulantly, and Lan Xichen sighs.
“Oh, didi. We must try. It’s only been a few minutes, give it a chance.”
Half an hour later, after Lan Wangji forced Sizhui and Jingyi to join him in ‘required meditations’, there was no more chaos happening in the halls. Instead, the studio down the hall is alive with discussion, noise ricocheting down to them. When he finally dismisses the class, Lan Xichen is there and ready with more information about their ‘guests’.
They were the YunmengJiang dance crew, formerly located at Lotus Pier Dance Hall. Their focuses were hip hop, pop, hiplet (a combination of hip hop and ballet), and an eclectic mix of anything else that they wanted to dance to. They were relatively new to the dance world but were taking it by storm with their bold choreography, fervent dedication, and a very well-rounded team crafted for success.
“Let’s go introduce ourselves. The boys can come too- perhaps we can make a better impression than the first time.” Jingyi quails at Lan Xichen’s purposefully raised eyebrow- it was clear he expected better behavior from both his student and his little brother. Begrudgingly, he follows as they make their way back to Studio B, knocking lightly before entering. Even the familiar studio looked completely transformed- multi-colored mats were all over the floor, with jackets, clothes, shoes, chairs, and other equipment laid haphazardly around the room. The only space untouched by anything was the space in the middle, which must have been wide enough for their routines.
When they entered the room, the talking died down a little, everyone facing them with interest. Lan Wangji tried not to feel uncomfortable- he was a master ballet danseur, he was used to eyes on him, dealing with these strangers should not be this difficult.
“Hello, everyone!” Lan Xichen’s smooth voice is met with quiet greetings. “I just wanted to make proper introductions now that you all are moved in. My name is Lan Xichen, I am the elder nephew of Lan Qiren, and will be running the Cloud Recesses ballet studio while he’s traveling. This is my younger brother, Lan Wangji- both of us teach the professional classes here, as well as practice for our own performances. Our pupils here are Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui. We are all truly happy to make your acquaintance.”
The angry man from earlier steps forward, shaking hands with Lan Xichen. He is wearing clothes like Jin Ling, only they are purple and more properly fit the well-built man.
“My father, and all of us, thank you and your Uncle for his hospitality. My name is Jiang Wanyin, though you can call me Jiang Cheng. I am the leader of the YunmengJiang crew, and eventual owner of the Lotus Pier Dance Hall.”
Jiang Cheng makes the rounds in the room. He starts with the professional dancers. Luo Qingyang (‘call me Mianmian!’) sits on her yellow and pink floral mat, stretching. Wen Qing and Wen Ning, the siblings, sit on red and white mats. Wen Qing’s greeting is succinct, noting that while she was a dancer, she was also their resident physical therapist. Wen Ning softly bumbles through his greeting, almost so shy it seems like it hurts. Lan Wangji wonders at how such a soft voice could come out of such a large man, and how someone so shy could be on such a bold team.
In the corner near the speakers and aux cord primly sits Jiang Yanli, Jiang Cheng’s jiejie. While she is an artist in her own right as a singer, she chooses to oversee music and aids her brother in the logistics of running the hall. Her husband, Jin Zixuan, isn’t a part of the team at all- he’s just there to support Jiang Yanli, and to pay for the snacks she provides. Their 13-year-old son, Jin Ling, is a younger ‘unofficial’ member of the team. They hope to extend to teaching classes and such, so he’s a guinea pig right now. Nie Huaisang, sitting in a green hoodie and gray leg cast matching his green and gray sitting chair, is their social media guru and style coordinator. His knowing eyes flit dramatically back and forth behind his phone, which is always in his hand.
The shameless one from earlier- Wei Wuxian- is missing from the group. Lan Wangji is saved from having to say anything when Lan Xichen speaks up.
“Wasn’t there one more of you? I swore I saw him earlier-”
“I’m here!”
Standing in a bright red t-shirt, some joggers, and blood red platform heels, beams Wei Wuxian. He dashes over in the shoes, ponytail bobbing and undaunted, to Lan Xichen.
“I met you both earlier! Sorry, I had to go to the bathroom. It’s a little difficult in these sometimes-”
“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng looks apoplectic, that earlier calm completely gone. He grabs Wei Wuxian’s ear, yanking it.
“Ow, A-Cheng! You’re so mean to your older brother!”
“You’re no brother of mine! How dare you miss introductions with our hosts! Do you even know who we’re dealing with? Have you no shame!?”
“Well, I can’t control having to pee, Jiang Cheng-”
While they bicker, Nie Huaisang speaks up. “Wei Wuxian is also one of the dancers and is the adopted sibling of Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli. They’re the ones that design the choreography. He’s a little shameless, for sure, but is smart and incredibly talented. So, you don’t have to worry too much about him.”
Wei Wuxian coos from under Jiang Cheng’s headlock. “Aw, A-Sang! You truly love me!”
“I do, I do!”
“But,” Wei Wuxian continues, eyes locking with Lan Wangji’s, “I don’t think I’m as incredibly talented as the Twin Jades of Lan! I looked you both up, really quickly in the bathroom- Lan Wangji, you dance as gorgeous as you look!”
Jiang Cheng groans outwardly, Lan Wangji only glaring back coldly as he willed his ears to cool down at once. Lan Xichen places a calming hand on Lan Wangji, before thanking Wei Wuxian for the sentiments. It can’t possibly be over any sooner as they all depart, allowing the noise in the room to pick up behind them. Lan Wangji only wants to go home as soon as possible. Surely, he’s only flushed due to fury at the shamelessness of the dancer. Not his flirtatious compliment. Not the intelligent silver eyes behind the grinning goofiness. And certainly not the tempting image of what Wei Wuxian looked like with those heels-
No, he was fine, and it couldn’t be too soon before the YunmengJiang crew went back home, and he could get back to his peaceful daily life. How could he have ever questioned against it?
Wei Wuxian absolutely refused to let him have any peace.
A little over a week later, Lan Wangji is finishing up a late practice with Sizhui and Jingyi. Despite their strong talents and commitment, it was clear that they were becoming curious about what was happening in the other studio, whispering when they thought Lan Wangji couldn’t hear. Multiple times he had to remind them that there was no gossip in the Cloud Recesses from their students. Of course, every time it seemed like they were getting into a flow, bright eyes would poke into the room, watching their every move. Every now and then, in between sets, Wei Wuxian would ask a question or comment, and it took everything in Lan Wangji not to collar the man. For days it had been:
“You dance very well, Lan Wangji!”
“How long have you been practicing? Your body control is amazing!”
“Wow! That’s awesome!”
“What is that jump called? It looks easy enough, kind of fun! I’d love to put it in a routine!”
(It was called a grand jeté en tournant, not that Lan Wangji replied, and he sincerely doubted this undisciplined wretch understood the amount of practice and technique that went behind ballet in general to call it ‘easy enough’. That had been a bad day.)
Finally, he’s summoned to his own practice, and Lan Wangji lets out a minute sigh.
“Hanguang Jun?” Sizhui gently asks. Lan Wangji nods. “He seemed very sad that you weren’t answering his questions.”
“He was also staring,” Jingyi adds. “It was a little weird, but I think he was impressed!”
“He was interrupting class. No distractions. If it means so much to him, I will answer him later.” Lan Wangji doesn’t consider himself a liar, but he finds himself trying to rationalize these words. Wei Wuxian never actually returns for an answer, so it can’t mean so much to him that Lan Wangji must reply. Besides, he’s not blind- he could feel those curious, impertinent eyes burning into him. It’s strange- he’s used to stares, used to critiques, but he’s not sure what it is he’s feeling from Wei Wuxian, and it irritates him.
He ends their class, and is ready to pack his things when Lan Xichen offers to show the boys what is happening in Studio B. “I figured you both were curious?”
Sizhui and Jingyi immediately perk up, accepting the invitation.
“Oh, and Wangji? I need you to follow me.”
The betrayal stinging in Lan Wangji’s heart is like that of walking through a thousand rose bushes. His brother knew he wouldn’t leave if he thought there was a duty to be fulfilled- of course he used that, instead of offering Lan Wangji the option to see (and decline) the YunmengJiang crew perform. He knows his little brother too well. They all pause at the one-way mirror, peering inside.
Once again, the room is full of mats, bags, water bottles and chairs. Chaotic and full of color, laughter, and teasing, it’s so far off from the Cloud Recesses aesthetic that Lan Wangji begins to wonder if he’d honestly ever seen the world in any colors other than blue, white, and gray. Lan Xichen kindly points out everyone again. Jiang Yanli is at the aux cord, holding the phone with their playlists. Jin Zixuan and Jin Ling are next to her, Jin Zixuan looking at some business on his phone. The dancers are in various states of dress, already stretched, so everyone is limbered up and ready to go. Jiang Cheng is in full leggings and a tight purple compression shirt, clearly well paid for. Wen Ning and Wen Qing are both in crimson red, though Wen Ning is wearing baggy sweats while Wen Qing is in red shorts. Mianmian is in her pastels again, and Nie Huaisang also looks the same, perched in his chair.
They all begin to make way, and when Lan Wangji turns around, he almost wants to race away from the room. Wei Wuxian struts forward into the middle of the room, wearing those same five-inch red platform heels from the first time they’d met. It’s followed by black tight shorts that reach midthigh, and a loose red V-neck shirt that shows off strong collarbones and arms. The man is gorgeous, and he knows it, hair swaying this way and that as he stretches in the middle. Lan Wangji swallows- he much preferred the rage in his heart, rather than whatever is occurring right now.
“Xichen, the boys-”
“Ah! Wangji, you’re right.”
Lan Xichen turns to Sizhui and Jingyi, whose minds are already blown by the culture difference in the room. “Boys, remember. Look respectfully. Appreciate the art, culture and technique.”
Lan Wangji could scream.
“We can’t see clear enough, though. I’m going in.” Lan Jingyi goes to open the door, and Lan Wangji is too late to grab him. Everyone stares at the door, and Lan Xichen gracefully enters behind Jingyi.
“I apologize for the interruption; we have some students who’d love to see some of your work. They’ve never seen anything like this practiced at the Cloud Recesses.”
They all giggle in understanding. When Lan Wangji enters the room behind Sizhui, Wei Wuxian’s eyes widen, and his light smile deepens. Lan Wangji could almost consider the expression bashful, and he looks up from under his lashes, Lan Wangji turns away.
“You chose quite the one to walk in on today, but okay.” Wen Qing capitulates, biting her lip to hide the smile. Nie Huaisang, clapping in his hands with glee, gestures next to him for them to sit down.
Jin Zixuan raises his hand. “Um, does no one think this one is a little inappropriate for kids? My baby boy is here.”
Jin Ling squawks, flushing red as Jingyi snickers behind his hand. “I’ve seen it before, Dad! It’s fine, gosh!” He waves Sizhui and Jingyi over. “They can sit next to me.”
“Aw, he’s trying to make friends. Good for him, he needs some.” Mianmian coos as both boys dash over to sit with Jin Ling.
Jiang Cheng glares at Wei Wuxian, who is now glancing away nonchalantly. “I don’t know what you’re thinking right now in that shithead of yours, but you better not get us kicked out of here!”
“Oh, boo Jiang Cheng.” Nie Huaisang waves his hands. “Yass, Wei Wuxian! Everybody back up, don’t lose an eye when he puts those shoes on!”
Wei Wuxian seems to snap out of whatever thoughts he’s having and turns to Jiang Yanli. “Shijie, I’m ready!”
“Of course, A-Xian.” Wei Wuxian walks to the center of the room and poses, one arm hung behind his head and the other placed lightly and suggestively on his stomach, his entire body going still. The room hushes, all previous energy centering on him. Lan Wangji’s heart is pounding with an anticipation he hasn’t felt watching someone else in a long time.
The opening beats of Ariana Grande’s Hands on Me come on and he begins to sway his hips to a 2/4 beat, slower than the upbeat pop rhythm would suggest.
Keep your hands on me
Don't take them off until I say so
Let me break you off
We'll be taking off
Or maybe making love
You just keep your eyes on my you know what
Just before the beat drops, he sends a flirtatious wink Lan Wangji’s way, before his face clears, focused on his art. The beginning steps of his dance are simultaneously sharp and fluid, and in that moment, Lan Wangji can see why Wei Wuxian respected his body control- his own is almost perfect, the moves seeming effortless. During the first verse, he stays in one spot on the floor, yet he takes advantage of the space he’s in with his entire body, kicking, stepping, body-rolling. The chorus kicks in, and they all look on as his movements seamlessly transition from following the bottom beat to incorporating the melody.
Eyes on me, dance on me tonight
You're all, all on me
Keep your hands on me
Don't take them off
Put your hands on it
Wei Wuxian struts across the floor as ‘put your hands on it’ repeats, his body writhing this way and that, being touched by an entire crowd of desirous people though the only hands on his body are his own. It’s crazed, suggestive, seductive-
Look respectfully, he reminds himself. Eyes on the art!
Lan Wangji is fighting that unfamiliar feeling from before again- that feeling that came with those unnecessary, gorgeous blood red heels. He tries to identify it, to critique it in an objective way. He’s used to classical movements, the danseur or ballerina being lofty, idealized and untouchable, providing something to watch and a story to translate. But this- Wei Wuxian’s passionate dancing manages to draw out something palpable from the viewer, a raw, feral side that yearns to join despite knowing nothing of the skill.
Skirt off keep da high heels on
Might be a little thing but I like that long yeah
Don't let these eyes fool ya
I can take it home, nothing back, give it to me
He places jazz hands over his face, mischievous eyes sparkling through his fingers at ‘don’t let these eyes fool ya’, and Lan Wangji firmly avoids glancing around the room to make sure no one else felt a little tight- otherwise he’d have to admit it was just him. All four of the Lans watching are flabbergasted when, at the next chorus, Wei Wuxian does a pirouette before blithely sliding down onto his knees to the middle. It’s messy, and the lack of technique would have given Lan Qiren a heart attack. However, it’s unmistakable, and when Wei Wuxian simultaneously pulls out the hairband in his ponytail to shake it out while on the floor as he falls into a grind on the floor, any negative comment blanks from Lan Wangji’s mind. At times, his eyes aren’t even open, his body moving on its own. It seems like he’s lost, consumed by the dance, but his eyes flash every time they open, and Lan Wangji can practically hear the whiplash when they lock onto him.
When the song slows before the last chorus he’s standing, running his hand through his loose hair, slowly swaying his hips again. His skin is covered in a sheen of sweat, and for a small moment Lan Wangji imagines himself behind him, hands moving up his hips and wrapping around him possessively. What must it be like to share a Pas de Deux with someone like Wei Wuxian? He’s never had the honor of finding out. The fact that there’s no one there with him seems criminal- but, to his shock and disbelief, Lan Wangji finds he doesn’t want anyone else up there with him.
When the choreography ends, Lan Wangji is relieved to know that he is not the only one staring red faced at the shameless man now breathing heavily in the middle.
“So, how was it?” he asked, smiling innocently. A towel whips across his face and hurtles him onto his butt, thrown by his furious younger brother who now looms menacingly over him. Even Jiang Yanli sounds reproachful as she begins “Now, A-Xian-”.
“Well, if you must know,” Nie Huaisang gleefully whispers to Lan Wangji, “that was not the version we have seen prior to today, and even that one was a bit adult. I think A-Xian showed out a little for a certain someone today.” When Lan Wangji turns to the small man, he hides his knowing grin behind his smartphone.
“Ahem. Well, that was interesting. Thank you.” Lan Xichen, cheeks only mildly red, likely regretting the decision. However, they’d gratefully underestimated their pupils.
“How is it even possible to move in those?!” Impressed, Jingyi is pointing frantically to the heels, still intact. “They didn’t snap, I was waiting the whole time for you to bust your- to fall!”
“It was so fluid! Full of energy, the whole time!” Lan Sizhui is much calmer in his views, but impressed nonetheless.
Everyone seems to be waiting for Lan Wangji to speak. He feels unworthy, as it is evident his students have more self control than he. In the end, all he can manage is “Mn”. That seems to work because the room returns to its previous state, everyone readying for the next routine. Soon the sky is dark, and Sizhui and Jingyi are receiving a ride home from Lan Xichen while Lan Wangji waits for the YunmengJiang practice to end. He’s vacuuming in the hallway when a hand grabs onto his arm. He turns and inhales sharply when Wei Wuxian stands excitedly in front of him. The other members head down the stairs without him, though Wen Ning and Nie Huaisang exchange glances as they pass.
“Lan Wangji! I wanted to catch you earlier, but my silly little shidi was interrupting me. Anyway, um… did you have any more feedback on the performance?” His eyes are wide with anticipation. “In theory, it’s supposed to be recorded, a moving camera sort of deal so that I’m always in the center, that’s why I move so much during, but I can imagine that it’s hard to watch when-”
The flood of words leaves Lan Wangji’s head spinning, so he’s staring in silence when Wei Wuxian finishes and is waiting expectantly.
It was stunning.
I was enraptured.
It was wild and yet disciplined.
The likes never before seen in the Cloud Recesses.
Nothing I’ve ever seen before.
That is not a bad thing?
Why did I feel that way when I can’t stand you?
When an even more awkward amount of time passes, the smile on Wei Wuxian’s face begins to crumple with a struggling disappointment.
“If you didn’t like it… that’s okay too…” he mumbles, eyes downcast as he turns to leave, and Lan Wangji rushes to soothe the hurt in his voice.
“It was different. I do not understand enough of your style of dance to speak objectively, but I think you did very well. Your pirouette could use some work.” If he wasn’t so properly raised, Lan Wangji might have imitated Jingyi and ‘facepalmed’. Of all the things that he could have said.
Wei Wuxian licks his lips, grinning as he bites his lip to hold in a laugh. “You noticed my little tribute to you, huh?” Tribute? To me? “Of course, it would never be as good as yours, you’re amazing and properly trained at what you do. But if you want it to look good, you’ll have to help me fix it, won’t you er-gege?”
Lan Wangji stills as Wei Wuxian seems to flush at his own words, takes a step back, and then leaps around him. “I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Er-gege?
Wei Wuxian vanishes as Lan Xichen’s knowing smile appears from the stairway. One glance, and Lan Wangji’s ears are furiously red as he shoves past his brother, gathering his things.
“You left the vacuum, Wangji,” he comments lightly.
Head high, refusing to face a smug Lan Xichen, Lan Wangji quickly returns to put the vacuum away in the storage closet. Waiting to strike, Lan Xichen is still blessedly quiet as he drives Lan Wangji home. They’ve pulled up at Lan Wangji’s townhouse when he finally speaks up.
“So. Er-gege, hm?”
“Brother, please.”
But Lan Xichen is merciless. Everyone always thought he was so sweet, but he knew just how to lovingly needle his brother. “He seemed to genuinely want your feedback. Maybe you ought to stay for another performance?”
Knowing he’d seen all of Lan Wangji’s uncharacteristic fumbling only made it worse, and Lan Wangji gave him a pained glance.
“I’m just saying, I haven’t seen you watch something so aptly since Mother’s old videos.”
The pained glance becomes a look of outright horror, and Lan Xichen begins to laugh. “Don’t worry, Wangji. It’s not showing on your face to anyone else. I just know you.”
With Nie Huaisang’s words from earlier, Lan Wangji could possibly beg to differ.
“He’s also been watching you just as aptly all week. Studying, or perhaps pining is probably a better word. Surely you could answer a question or two of his. Especially after tonight when he was practically making l-”
“Good night, brother.”
Lan Wangji quickly opened the car door and rushed inside the townhouse, scarfing down his pre-packed dinner (he can practically hear Lan Qiren’s disapproval), and jumped into an ice-cold shower.
None of it matters- the moment he closes his eyes under his soft comforter, his dreams are in shades of gray. A lithe, writhing body with a familiar shape and glowing eyes emerges from the watercolor mass, entering his arms. He’s lost to the pleasure, the body holding him to the ground and grinding down passionately, hair now loose and hanging down low onto Lan Wangji’s shoulders. With just a little extra pressure, Lan Wangji wakes up gasping and cringes, slamming his hands over his eyes. Ashamed, he goes to the bathroom to clean himself up.
How sordid, how shameless of him. He hardly even knows anything about Wei Wuxian. He’s spent about a week thinking that other man was just loud, shameless, and obnoxiously persistent, disdained even at the sight of him. But after tonight, he sees someone that is wild, graceful, hardworking, beautiful, passionate-
In a single dance performance, he’s awakened something in Lan Wangji that he was sure he hadn’t felt in years. It can’t possibly be fair to Wei Wuxian that he’s being thought of in this manner- Lan Wangji needs to do better, be better.
Of course, it would never be as good as yours, you’re amazing and properly trained at what you do. But if you want it to look good, you’ll have to help me fix it, won’t you er-gege?
Wei Wuxian might be flirtatious, but it was clear that he still saw Lan Wangji as a fellow professional, and they were only hosting them while Lotus Pier was rebuilt. He needed to get himself together now, even if that meant humming the loudest, longest overtures he could remember to wash the low, tempting ‘er-gege’ out of his mind.