things left behind

by darbonara (@darbonara)

M, 17k, Wangxian

Summary: “Would you mind telling me how long it’s been?” Lan Zhan asks. The client meets his gaze. “Um… I— Is it relevant?” he says. “For— for you to do the job, I mean.” Lan Zhan doesn’t answer him, not immediately; for a moment, he watches the man squirm. He really wants to believe he’s not being scammed, not just because it would save him a ton of paperwork or because it wouldn’t be the first time — people seeking a cleaning job that is easier to explain and get away with, but then balking at the price and refusing to pay it, since it’s not just a clean up service —, but because this feels, still, a little weird. He doesn’t seem to be lying, but Lan Zhan doesn’t think he’s getting the full truth. So, he gives him a half-truth too, “Yes.” “Um,” he repeats. “I’d say it’s been a few days. Three. Maybe five.” Lan Zhan nods. He puts down his bag, starting to set up his things. Kay's commenst: BEWARE, there is no happy ending and this story will leave you emotionally destroyed. That being said, I'm into that and absolutely loved this story. Made me bawl my eyes out. In this story, Lan Wangji is a professional cleaner for people who have passed away and here, he's hired to clean up Wei Ying's apartment. The catch: Wei Ying is alive (for now). Despite Wei Ying's approaching death, the two of them quickly become friends and soon lovers and my poor heart. This was beautiful. Excerpt: He resumes working, and Wei Ying stops talking to him. All throughout the morning and as he cleans, filling up the box in the middle of the small apartment, Lan Zhan feels this tightness in his chest. It’s a weird feeling, hard to name or even know. Wei Ying is a complete stranger, but Lan Zhan knows it’s not pity that he feels. It’s not sadness and it’s not sympathy. It’s loss; grief. Lan Zhan is grieving the impending death of a complete stranger. Once he’s done and ready to leave, Lan Zhan hesitates at the doorstep — it’s a bad idea, he’s well aware. “What are you going to do?” Wei Ying tilts his head. “What do you mean?” “I don’t mean to pry or offend you,” Lan Zhan hesitates. “But what are you going to do now? just… wait?” Wei Ying frowns. He doesn’t seem angry or upset, at least; but that vacant look he had the other day shows itself again. “I… I guess I will,” he says. “There’s not really anything I want to do before I die. Or something like that.” Lan Zhan holds his breath. “I can stay.”

modern setting, modern no powers, major character death, pov lan wangji, sick wei wuxian, caring lan wangji, grief/mourning, terminal illness, lung cancer, yunmeng siblings feels, hospitalization, hospitals, strangers to lovers, first kiss

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Follower Recs

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Hi! I literally just finished reading this twoshot but I needed to rec it. It's sad though, so be prepared with tissues! It's a beautiful modern au about Wei Ying having a terminal illness and hiring Lan Zhan to clean out his house before he dies. It's told through Lan Zhan's POV and I definitely teared up while reading it.

Fair warning, Wei Ying Does Die in the second chapter. It's not a happy ending but it is a realistic one. - Anon

things left behind

by darbonara

M, 17k, Wangxian

Summary: “Would you mind telling me how long it’s been?” Lan Zhan asks. The client meets his gaze. “Um… I— Is it relevant?” he says. “For— for you to do the job, I mean.” Lan Zhan doesn’t answer him, not immediately; for a moment, he watches the man squirm. He really wants to believe he’s not being scammed, not just because it would save him a ton of paperwork or because it wouldn’t be the first time — people seeking a cleaning job that is easier to explain and get away with, but then balking at the price and refusing to pay it, since it’s not just a clean up service —, but because this feels, still, a little weird. He doesn’t seem to be lying, but Lan Zhan doesn’t think he’s getting the full truth. So, he gives him a half-truth too, “Yes.” “Um,” he repeats. “I’d say it’s been a few days. Three. Maybe five.” Lan Zhan nods. He puts down his bag, starting to set up his things.

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Follower Recs

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old habits

by darbonara

M, 12k, Wangxian

Summary: So, really, it’s all fine, Wei Ying doesn’t need to worry too much about anything. His phone rings, he picks up.

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