#lanuary2025

So, suffice it to say, Lan Zhan has managed to avoid having birthday parties for the vast majority of his life. He takes time to himself and goes to a museum or aquarium or concert hall. Blessedly alone.

His brother, thankfully, respects his wishes to be alone on his birthday.

Then, Lan Zhan met Wei Ying and he knew things were bound to change. Wei Ying is a force of nature, all things beautiful and terrifying. He knew he was done for early on and resigned himself to that fact. Whatever way their relationship goes, he knows Wei Ying is here to stay.

Wei Ying is lounging on his bed one day, head hanging off the edge, ponytail brushing the ground, when he suddenly sits up and stares at Lan Zhan with a burning intensity.

"Lan Zhan," he begins, his tone making Lan Zhan shift in his desk chair. "How long have we been friends?"

"Almost two years," he supplies, uncertain.

Wei Ying nods. "That's what I thought. And I'm your best friend, correct?"

Lan Zhan blinks. "Yes, Wei Ying."

"Good. You're mine too, by the way," he adds quickly. "But seeing as we're best friends, we ought to know each other."

"We know each other, Wei Ying."

"Ah! But do we? I just realized I have no idea when your birthday is! Almost two years we've been friends and we never celebrated it once? Are you a monster pretending to be Lan Zhan and therefore have no need for these silly human conventions?"

Lan Zhan huffs a quiet laugh at that. "Perchance."

"You can't just say perchance," Wei Ying replies automatically. "And don't distract me with internet references I taught you! Why don't I know your birthday?"

"You never asked, I suppose?" He cringes at how that sounds.

Wei Ying pouts. "So, does that make me a bad friend?"

"No!"

"Hm... Well, I'm asking now then. When's your birthday?"

Something uncomfortable squirms within him at the prospect of telling Wei Ying. Wei Ying is loud and bright and loves parties. It's dangerous.

"January 23."

Wei Ying gasps. "That's in three days!"

Lan Zhan nods.

"Well, I'm going to sincerely hope that you don't have any sort of party planned otherwise I will be very hurt that I wasn't invited," Wei Ying responds, tone light but Lan Zhan hears an undercurrent of hurt.

Lan Zhan's eyes widen ever so slightly in alarm. "Wei Ying, no. Of course not. I... I do not like to celebrate my birthday, the attention is overwhelming."

He watches as Wei Ying settles at that. "Good. Okay. That makes sense. I mean, I kinda figured but, well... You know."

"Mn," Lan Zhan agrees.

"So. Um. You can say no, that's totally fine, but did you uh... Maybe want to do something? With me? Doesn't have to be on the day, but like... Something a little special to celebrate you, just a little. Because I mean, you're special and I would like—"

"Okay," Lan Zhan interrupts. "What did you have in mind?"

"You—oh! Really? Okay, well I mean, I heard there's a new exhibit on musical instruments at the museum going on. So we could check that out and then maybe we could go get dinner somewhere?"

Lan Zhan's chest blooms with warmth at Wei Ying's thoughtfulness. He shouldn't have worried, he knows and trusts Wei Ying. Lan Zhan feels a small smile pull at his lips. "See, you do know me."

Wei Ying blushes, wide-eyed. "Uh, so is that a yes, or...?"

"Yes," Lan Zhan replies.

He's graced with the sight of Wei Ying's full smile, warm and bright.

Perhaps celebrating his birthday with someone else won't be so bad.

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