#wangjiweek

Happy birthday, Lan Wangji! <3 For this day, I didn’t go with any of the prompts, but wrote something that goes along with this ficlet I wrote for Untamed Fest 2019.

I hope you enjoy it! ^.^

—

Lan Zhan could already hear relatives arriving, their chatter echoing through the house as they took off their coats and moved about the first floor. His uncle’s stern voice rose above the rest, directing them into the sitting room to wait. Lan Zhan sighed. He had a bit before he was expected to join them, but not long enough to get anything productive done. He stood and grabbed his textbooks from his bag, stacking them neatly on the desk. At the least, he would be able to study after the party.

A chime from his computer made him pause. At the corner of the screen was a notification from one of his games. Curious, he sat down and opened it up, finding a message from another player.

Hanguang-Jun, meet me at the lake!

Lan Zhan hesitated and glanced at the clock. It would only take a few minutes, and the party wasn’t set to begin until eight. With a short nod to himself, he pulled on his headset and logged in.

–

Lan Zhan stood on the bank of Tortoise Lake, watching the sun as it dipped towards the horizon. He’d always enjoyed this time of day—he loved the beams breaking through clouds and across the ground, bathing the world in golden light. He never tired of watching the scenery in this world.

“Hanguang-Jun!”

Lan Zhan turned towards the voice. Yiling Laozu waved as he approached, his black robes billowing in the breeze coming off the lake.

“You actually came! I’m surprised.”

“I thought it might be important. You’ve never contacted me directly before.” Lan Zhan inclined his head in greeting, making Yiling Laozu laugh.

“So formal! We’re past that now, aren’t we?” The shorter man grinned. “Aren’t you curious about why I asked you here?”

“Mm.”

“I saw in the registry that it’s Hanguang-Jun’s birthday!” Yiling Laozu declared. “I wanted to give you some well-wishes, but you weren’t here!”

Lan Zhan stared at him for long enough that Yiling Laozu began to chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.

“I know we don’t always get along, but you and I have been through a lot together these past years. I just though it would be rude to not say something.”

Lan Zhan looked away. No one aside from his family had said anything about his birthday—not in real life, and not in the game. He wasn’t sure how he felt about the strange tightness in his chest.

“Thank you.” He glanced back at Yiling Laozu. “I appreciate the thought. You didn’t need to.”

The grin was back on Yiling Laozu’s face, his eyes squinting with the force of it. “Of course I did! We’re friends!”

As Lan Zhan tried to process that statement, Yiling Laozu flashed an icon above his head, asking to speak out of character. Lan Zhan nodded and clicked his own icon.

“So, is it just Hanguang-Jun’s birthday, or is it your birthday, too?” the player asked. His voice was the same as Yiling Laozu’s, but something about the tone was different. It was friendlier, louder, more sincere. Lan Zhan decided that he liked it.

“It’s mine,” Lan Zhan said. “Both.”

Yiling Laozu’s avatar smiled brightly and held out its hands. A small wicker basket appeared, glowing faintly.

“Then happy birthday to you, too!”

Lan Zhan accepted the gift, opening it in his inventory to find a pair of black and white rabbit minions. He immediately summoned them to hop around Hanguang-Jun’s feet, watching their perfectly rendered little selves. His heart tightened more.

“Thank you,” he whispered. The player’s laugh came across his headphones, full and warm and perfect.

“You’re welcome! I hope you have a great birthday. Will you be on later tonight?”

“Ah, no. I’ll be busy.”

“Next time, then!” The avatar waved cheerily and blinked out of existence. Lan Zhan looked down at the bunnies for a few moments, before logging out of the game.

He pulled off his headset and leaned away, pressing his palm to his chest. Yiling Laozu’s player gave him a birthday gift. No one had given him a gift, except for his brother and uncle. Lan Zhan reached up to lay his palms flat against his cheeks, feeling warmth.