social media au where wei ying is a singer with an unrequited (?) crush on lan zhan and lan zhan is his manager with a secret...

(1) main accounts

(2) wei ying’s priv and lan zhan’s stan account

(3) :(

(4) it’s what he deserves

(5) tomorrow

(6) seriously, he’s done for

(7) both is good

(8) slander!!!!!!!

(9) good fucking night (also ignore the dates i gave up)

(10) mr manager

(11)

“Hello?”

“Hey, Lan Zhan? It’s me.”

Lan Zhan blinks. He’d just exited the bathroom, but the shudder he experiences just then has nothing to do with the rapidly cooling droplets that still cling to his skin. He puts Wei Ying on speaker, resting the phone on his

nightstand and reaching up to tie his hair into a messy bun.

“You should be asleep.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t.” Wei Ying laughs. The hour has his usually smooth tenor raspy, the grit on ‘you’ rapidly reminding Lan Zhan of the reason for his impromptu 1 am shower.

(12)
He sighs and drops his towel on the bed, stepping into clean boxers.

“Sorry, am I bothering you? Did I wake you up?”

“No.” It comes out more emphatic than he’d intended, eliciting a startled laugh from Wei Ying.

(13)
“I’m glad! I just needed to hear your voice, I guess. Can’t sleep.”

Lan Zhan slips into bed, cradling the phone between a large palm and his ear. He smiles, just a little. It is gratifying that Wei Ying has sought him for comfort.

“That makes us both.”

(14)
Wei Ying hums. “Yeah. I already feel sleepy, though. Just hearing you...”

“Are you calling me boring?”

Another laugh, louder than the last.

“Of course not! You may look serious, but I know that’s not who you truly are, Lan Zhan. You’re so funny.”

(15)

Lan Zhan stares at his ceiling. Wei Ying has no idea.

“Well, what’s on the schedule tomorrow, Mr. Manager?”

Wei Ying always asks him this, even though Lan Zhan is certain he already knows.

“Free day.”

“Thought so! Well, Lan Zhan...I was wondering.”

“Mn?”

(16)

“Would you want to...um. Would you want come ov- come to the gym with me?”

“Wei—“

“I know it’s your off day, and you might not want to waste it spending time with me again, so it’s okay if you—“

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan cuts in firmly, “I would love to.”

A pause.

(17)
“Before I became your manager, Wei Ying, I was your friend. I /am/ your friend.”

“...Right. Right, Lan Zhan, haha! This is the first time I heard you admit that we’re friends out loud! So tomorrow, right? Don’t come for me too early, you won’t be able to wake me up.”

(18)
“I am certain I can.”

“That’s not a challenge, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying whines, and Lan Zhan can picture his pout as though he were right next to him. The fingers of his free hand grips the bedding.

“I will come for you at ten.”

(19)

Wei Ying grumbles, but his smile is palpable. He yawns.

“Okay. Goodnight Lan Zhan. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, Wei Ying.”

(20) gym

(21) invasion of privacy

(22) inconsequential

(23)

(24) trouble abounds

(25) oomf????

(26) blue

(27) blue pt 2

(23) privilege

(24) attention

(****30 man i really can't count) a what

(31) day off

(32) bunny

(33)
Lan Zhan chews his lower lip, an anxious hot and cold sensation working its way up his spine. He’s about to tweet something else to cover up his blunder when a cool hand circles his phone. He looks up, eyes locking with Wei Ying’s.

(34)
The latter’s face is serious - almost too much so. The times Lan Zhan has witnessed such an expression are only in instances where Wei Ying is troubled by something. However, scant seconds after their gazes meet, Wei Ying’s face breaks into an ebullient smile.

(35)
It’s almost too blinding to look at directly.

Lan Zhan’s question must be clear, because Wei Ying’s smile dims and gains a coquettish edge.

“Lan Zhan,” He purrs, using his towel to wipe some sweat off his manager’s face, “You seem very distracted.”

(36)
“My apologies. Do you need more help?”

Wei Ying attempts to take the phone. Lan Zhan’s eyes widen imperceptibly, and he tugs too strongly to counteract the minimal amount of force Wei Ying had applied.

He locks his screen, setting the device next to him on the bench.

(37)
“Sorry,” He says quickly. He’s glad Wei Ying didn’t see the ode he’d been crafting in his honor - ‘his eyes are moonbeams on the ocean, his lips the rubicund of Eden’s apple’ - but he isn’t sure if the frown and suddenly sharp glance Wei Ying is giving him is any better.

(38)
“Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying says again, stepping into the space between Lan Zhan’s casually spread legs. “Could it be…”

Lan Zhan struggles to keep his expression nonchalant as Wei Ying’s glistening chest, then his face, comes in direct line with his line of sight.

(39)
Wei Ying places hands on either side of Lan Zhan, long ponytail spilling over his shoulder.

“Are you cheating on me?”

It seems the very notion is laughable to Wei Ying, because he fails to maintain the even nuance of his voice.

(40)
“Never.” Lan Zhan says. He meant for it to be light and playful, feeding into the banter Wei Ying is striking up, but it’s embarrassingly earnest.

(41)
It’s noticeable to even Wei Ying, because a hot blush blooms beneath his skin almost as soon as the words leave Lan Zhan’s lips.And oh - sweating like that, flushed like /that/ - Lan Zhan feels his own blood gathering somewhere dangerous.

(42)
If he tipped his head up just a few centimetres more, he’d be able to ki-

He looks down abruptly, then moves to stand. To do so, he has to anchor his hands on Wei Ying’s waist. He jerks them away as if scalded.

(43)
“Lan Zhan, I was just joking! You don’t have to-”

“I know.” Lan Zhan cuts in, reaching for his bag. “I will go shower. You can too.”

He doesn’t see the complicated expression Wei Ying gives his departing back, a mixture of disappointment and anger.

(44) nightless city //comeback

(45) nightless city // comeback pt. 2

(46) cry

(47) success

(48) burdened

(49) bullying

(50) workout

(51) heavy

(52) deleted

(53) thoughts?

(54) lying (using whatsapp bc for some reason the messages aren’t generating properly anymore)

(55) lying (2)

(56) disappointing

(57) quiet

(58)
Lan Zhan has been having unprecedented difficulty with maintaining his customary composure.

/It’s just one lie./

One lie, the first he has ever told in approximately ten years. It eats at him like something living, settles in the pit of his stomach like hot coals.

(59)
He’s been feeling vaguely nauseous all day; even his nigh compulsive desire to voice his appreciation for Wei Ying has become something to be ignored.

Honestly, he could not have chosen a worse day to ignore it.

(60)
Wei Ying is /radiant/. His brother, Jiang Cheng, has taken the opportunity to outfit him with articles from their newest collection.

(61)

He wears a black suit with a neckline that plunges to advertise the wine red silk of his inner shirt and a delicate necklace of shimmering gold. He has matching earrings, as well; it’s an interesting design,

(62)

chains attached to what would have otherwise been plain golden studs. They loop gracefully behind his lobes, catching the light everytime he laughs or moves, both of which are as frequent as breaths being drawn.

(63)

The waist is cinched with a thick sash made of the same red silk, and the slacks are plain but well-fitting, cut to emphasise the length and litheness of his legs.

Lan Zhan wishes for death.

It’s been a long time since his thoughts and desires have been like this.

(64)

They’re a constant companion, ever near. Lan Zhan eats. He sleeps. He loves Wei Ying. But these things have been expressed in some way or the other. Now, his thoughts buzz around within his head, tinged with guilt and a disagreeable undercurrent of restlessness.

(65)

Wei Ying’s peculiar /persistence/ only makes matters worse.

He won’t leave Lan Zhan’s side. This, of course, is not a problem by any means. But since they’ve entered the gala, he clings to Lan Zhan’s arm, his body almost possessively angled into Lan Zhan’s.

(66)
When he speaks to Lan Zhan, he rests his hand - prettily adorned with several rings - on his forearm, his shoulder, the small of his back.

It’s almost as if he knows.

(67)
Lan Zhan sighs for the millionth time that evening, absently lifting a glass from one of the waiter’s trays.

/He probably would/, he thinks, /If I had just been honest./
He thinks that he should trust in the solidarity of their relationship.

(68)
They have been constant companions, thoroughly integrating themselves into each other’s lives in almost every sphere. If he admitted his feelings, told Wei Ying his secrets, Wei Ying would probably accept them.

But how does one divulge something so damning?

(69)

How do you say, “I’ve been in love with you since we were 18. It’s been ten years, I know, but there you have it.
By the way, I want to fuck you until you cry. Take care, bye.”

(70)
Even the fact that he wants to fuck Wei Ying is intertwined with a host of other complications. Lan Zhan is not delicate. Nothing about what he wants to do to Wei Ying is delicate.

(71)
His pretty fingers - Lan Zhan wants to take them into his mouth and suck them. His vulnerable throat - Lan Zhan wants to bite it until the skin is bruised and broken, until the evidence that he has claimed Wei Ying as his is a visible story to all he encounters.

(72)

His wrists - Lan Zhan has catalogued the bare breadth of them, knows that both would fit in one of his hands. Knows that it would be easy to pin them to a wall or a bed, with scarcely any effort on his part.

(73)

All of these things, a decade of spiels left unvocalised, require too many words.

Wei Ying laughs loudly at something Nie Huaisang (his labelmate) says, his head tipping back onto Lan Zhan’s collarbone. He’s standing directly in front of him - very close. Too close.

(74)

Lan Zhan can smell him, the expensive notes of floral perfume, the hints of vanilla and spices from his body wash.

He downs his glass in one gulp when Wei Ying cranes his head, seeking Lan Zhan’s eyes.

(75)

His eyelashes feather over twinkling grey, mouth still bearing the remnants of a smirk.

“Right, Lan Zhan?”

Lan Zhan nods. He has no idea what he is agreeing to. Isn’t that a lie by omission? All he does is lie to Wei Ying.

(76)

The latter thought slices through him like a hunter’s arrow, swift and sure.

It is the last thing he manages before his head drops forward.

(77)

“Oh my God.”

Nie Huaisang’s eyes widen over his fan before he nearly stabs both of Wei Ying’s out with the damn thing.

“Is he okay? Should I call an ambulance?”

Wei Ying, admittedly, takes a few seconds to realize what is happening. Lan Zhan is so warm and comforting.

(78)

When he nestles close like this, it makes Wei Ying feel secure...but why is Lan Zhan nestling close?

Why is he so heavy?
“All I do is lie to Wei Ying.”

He turns, the abrupt movement dislodging Lan Zhan.

(79)

Wei Ying has to make a wild grab for the high collar of his blue changshan, barely managing to keep his friend from falling to the floor with dead weight. Wei Ying grips both his shoulders as Lan Zhan’s head lolls. His eyes narrow.

(80)
He’s seen this before, once, in their college days.

…
………

…

“I’m calling an ambulance.” Nie Huaisang declares. Wei Ying waves him off.

“Don’t. It’s okay.”

(81)

“It’s okay?! He doesn’t look very ‘okay’ to me. Unless...Wei Ying, you killed him?! I know he hasn’t made good decisions, but-”

(82)

“What are you talking about?” Wei Ying demands sharply, his features softening almost immediately as he takes in Lan Zhan’s appearance, relaxed in slumber. “Lan Zhan is the best. He makes the best decisions.”

(83)

Nie Huaisang mimes gagging, but as soon as the words finish leaving Wei Ying’s lips, Lan Zhan’s eyes open again and he straightens up.

He looks no worse for the wear, spine straight, visage affecting its usual austere handsomeness.

(84)

The only difference between him right now and him in the throes of sobriety is that he is looking directly - almost devotedly - at Wei Ying. Wei Ying smiles, patting his cheek.

“Alright, I know the drill.”

“You can go find Jiang Cheng.”

(85)

He says to Huaisang, then nods at Lan Zhan. “He’s drunk.”

“...He is?” Huaisang appears as dubious as he sounds. “He doesn’t look drunk.”

“Things are not always as they seem, Huaisang. Shouldn’t you know that?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m carrying him to his room.”

(86)

Lan Zhan tugs at Wei Ying’s sleeve, then. His lower lip is jutted out a tad, lending him an air of petulance.

“You don’t want to go there?”
Lan Zhan shakes his head no.

“What do you want?”

“Want Wei Ying.”

(87)

“Oh, I…” Wei Ying is blushing. He’s blushing hotly and obviously. He has never been able to hide that kind of reaction, no matter how hard he tries. He glances over his shoulder and is met with the sight of Huaisang’s hastily retreating back.

(88)

Some part of him loosens, and he winds an arm around Lan Zhan’s middle.

“I’m right here.”

Lan Zhan is visibly comforted by this. He lets Wei Ying lead him away. Since he’d rejected the notion of his room, Wei Ying attempts to carry him onto the balcony.

(89)

The gala is being held at an upscale hotel - there are plenty of quiet locations where Lan Zhan would be offered some kind of reprieve.

However, he digs in his heels when he sees where Wei Ying is taking them.

“No.”

(90)

Wei Ying sighs, turning to face Lan Zhan. He reaches up to brush some hair away from Lan Zhan’s eyes. He’s braided the length of it, but some wisps are escaping after their long day.

“Then, what do you want?”

Lan Zhan’s mouth opens and suspiciously forms a ‘W’ shape.

(91)

“/Where/ do you want to go?” Wei Ying intercepts hastily, unsure of his heart’s ability to withstand yet another onslaught of affection.

“Room.”

(92)

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying cries, exasperated. He places both hands on his hips. Lan Zhan takes them and puts them on his hips instead. Wei Ying deflates almost immediately, all the air leaving him in a wounded wheeze.

“Wei Ying’s room.”

(93)
“Why mine?” Wei Ying can’t control how loudly he asks this. It’s not as if he has a problem, really, but he’s not sure of how good of an idea that is.

(94)

He himself has had quite a few drinks, and although alcohol has never done anything but relax him, he can't say how complacent he might become with Lan Zhan in such close proximity.

Lan Zhan blinks.

(95)

Although his expression barely shifts, he watches Wei Ying in a way that reminds him very strongly of kicked puppies.
He doesn’t like puppies, but he would never kick one. Their eyes would haunt him for years to come.

(96)

“We can go to mine.” Wei Ying amends, redirecting them in the opposite direction. Down the hallway, they go, Lan Zhan ushered by the wrist like an errant schoolboy. The thought makes Wei Ying smile.

(97)

He certainly has done something bad by his own standards; Lan Zhan never drinks, in part because of his own moral sensibilities and his low tolerance.

Wei Ying is always amused by it, and that takes precedence now, but he can’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

(98)

He wanted to talk to Lan Zhan. Although he believes that there is some truth to the saying “a drunk man is an honest man,” he does not exactly want that breed of honesty.

He wants Lan Zhan to tell him what he’s hiding of his own volition.

(99)

Based on today, he can certainly say that whatever Lan Zhan is keeping from him is related to him. Not some mystery boyfriend, like Huaisang had mischievously insinuated.

Lan Zhan never once pushed Wei Ying away after he’d draped off him like coats off a hanger.

(100)

He even let Wei Ying kiss his cheek.

Wei Ying knows Lan Zhan is incredibly loyal and steadfast, so if he was dating someone, he would never allow Wei Ying to do any of those things - certainly not in the public eye or at an event where anyone could misunderstand.

(101)

The puzzle still lies therein. Why didn’t he push Wei Ying away, when anyone could misunderstand?

Wei Ying halts his musings when he swipes his card to access the room, holding open the door for Lan Zhan to enter. He does, then watches Wei Ying expectantly.

(102)

Wei Ying grins.

“Coming, coming. Impatient, are we?”

“Yes.”

Shutting the door behind them, Wei Ying leans heavily against the cool wood. He tilts his head.

“Lan Zhan, ah, Lan Zhan. You answer the strangest things when you’re like this.”

“Wei Ying.”

(103)

Lan Zhan is interpreting all of his neutral statements negatively, it seems. Alarmed, he says, “Wei Ying, I’m sorry.”

“Lan Zhan? It’s okay, it’s not a bad thing.”

(104)

“I am a bad thing.” Lan Zhan says nonsensically, before he takes one of Wei Ying’s hands between both of his.

“I am sorry.”

(105)

“I don’t know what you’re apologizing for-” Lan Zhan’s eyebrows knit together, such a textbook picture of perfect sorrow that Wei Ying is quick to establish -

“But I accept your apology.”

(106)

Wei Ying frees one of his hands, brushing the underside of Lan Zhan’s jaw with his knuckles.

“I will always accept your apologies, Lan Zhan. Don’t you know? In my eyes, there’ll never be anything to forgive.”

(107)

Lan Zhan clenches his jaw, stubborn out of the blue.

“Now, what’s that look for?”

Wei Ying chuckles, then encourages him to take his shoes off. Lan Zhan does it, but then he’s back to glaring again.

“Would you forgive me if I…”

“Yes.”

(108)

Wei Ying says without hesitation, but Lan Zhan does not take kindly to the interruption. He yanks Wei Ying in by the hand he’s still gripping, then rests it on his cheek.

“Would you forgive me if I do this?”

“Yes.”

(109)

“This?” He turns his head, his lips brushing Wei Ying’s palm. Wei Ying’s breathing shudders, but he manages,

“Yes.”

Lan Zhan hums, releasing him. He sits on the bed.

Wei Ying watches him warily, removing his own shoes.

“Tired?”

(110)

He shrugs off his suit jacket, a movement that Lan Zhan heeds in a manner that can almost be described as /hungry./

Wei Ying inhales, chest lifting. Lan Zhan marks that as well. He thinks back on the notification he’d received last night.

(111)

All of this is coming together to form a tapestry that, now that he has noticed it, is so largely obvious that he wonders that he’d never seen it before.

(112)

As he eddies closer, strides smooth and calculating, he watches the mesmerising shift of Lan Zhan’s body when he tips back to keep Wei Ying in his line of sight.

/Lan Zhan is attracted to me./

(113)

The thought still lacks proper authority. It’s as if he’s stepped out into unfamiliar territory, but the novel expanse is the freefall that comes after a cliff’s edge. His head spins, and he sways before he can properly reach out to Lan Zhan.

(114)

However, Lan Zhan catches him before he falls.

They lock eyes.

Wei Ying’s lips part.

“You…”

Lan Zhan grits, “Forgive me.”

Wei Ying feels what comes next before it even happens.

Lan Zhan grips him by the hair, pulls him down, and crushes their lips together.