#lan wangji's kitty blink

[limitbreaker23]

A WIP game, I can do that, @fistfuloflightning <3 Let me annoy you with my Jiang Cheng/Lan Wangji post-canon wip. cql verse, because it gives me the great opportunity to have older Jiang Zongzhu deal with Xiandu Lan Wangji. To give Jin Ling an opportunity to attend the studies in the Cloud Recesses, Jiang Cheng takes on some clan leading duties for Lanling-Jin, supervised by the Chief Cultivator, most annoying esteemed Hanguang-Jun. Have an excerpt of Jiang Cheng trying to rail rile Lan Wangji up from the second chapter:

“This position requires a particular way of thinking.” “This position requires you,” Jiang Cheng said, looked steadily at Lan Wangji, not letting that glance slip away, leaning closer to feel those eyes on him, the tingle down his spine. Lan Wangji’s ears seemed red from this close. “Someone perfect, proper and particular. Someone setting an example.” In annoying others. “No one’s afraid you’ll ever go mad with power like some of your predecessors.” “Hmph.” “I keep a close eye on you, just in case,” Jiang Cheng said, voice quiet, distance between them too small to dare for more volume. Almost a whisper. Lan Wangji blinked and cocked his head to the side, watching him as if Jiang Cheng was about to slam his balled fist into his face. His ears red, his throat exposed like this, a vein pulsing invitingly. Perhaps he kept too close of an eye. “Don’t think I’m praising you. Gusu-Lan needs to hold some more competitions and conferences for you to keep up with your predecessors. I assume with Zewu-Jun in seclusion it’s too time consuming to organise anything and continue splitting his duties between you and your uncle.” Jiang Cheng grabbed the folded paper and pulled it out of Lan Wangji’s unexpectantly loose grip, stashed it within his sleeve. Nothing to waste time on here anymore now. He should bow and leave. “Competitions?” And Lan Wangji didn’t let him, pinned him straight to the spot with his stare. “Like?” Jiang Cheng leant back in towards those eyes. Fear was something for juniors after all. “Why ask for my opinion, Hanguang-Jun? Yunmeng-Jiang is not known for its hospitality, if I need to remind you.” Lan Wangji didn’t flinch away from his breath, didn’t blink for once. “I would not decline your opinion.” No one should suffer from goosebumps at such indifferent, cold words, and here Jiang Cheng was, being a fool. “We’d be here all night if the two of us discuss socialising.” A flutter of lashes. There it was, as hateable as always. “If only there were more hours in one day,” Jiang Cheng said. “If only.” Jiang Cheng smirked right at Lan Wangji, instead of bowing and leaving. “Clan Leader Jiang.” Lan Wangji turned further towards him, seemed almost hesitant for a moment. “Cultivation should not be neglected. Has your training suffered since you’ve taken on Clan Leader Jin’s duties?” Jiang Cheng closed his tired eyes for a moment, probably too long, and Lan Wangji looked at him with that softly furrowed brow again. Fucking strange question out of the blue. “Would you like a duel to test me?” “Meditate with me,” Lan Wangji said. “I was preparing to. Join me.” Jiang Cheng’s heart almost drowned that quiet, deep voice. He breathed out something akin to a laugh. Watched his breath leaving goosebumps on Lan Wangji’s pale throat. “I didn’t know Gusu-Lan practiced Dual –” He bit his tongue, Lan Wangji’s eyes growing wide, ears flaring crimson. Jiang Cheng almost jumped back, forced his body into a simple step, craving more and more distance, wishing those eyes to close. Rarely had he seen Lan Wangji’s eyes this large and open, never a better opportunity to judge their colour, and he really had no need to do that. “My cultivation is not yours to worry about. Xiandu.” He bowed deeper than necessary and couldn’t escape that wide-eyed look. Carved into his mind even with his eyes open. He forced his spine straight again and stared through Lan Wangji, who lowered his head into a bow in return. And Jiang Cheng turned before Lan Wangji could look at him again. Judge him. Blush at him. Fuck this. He dashed outside, hurried through the garden as fast as Gusu-Lan allowed and dodged those beds of blue flowers in his way. Felt like some stupid rabbit hopping through them. The cool evening breeze burning in his lungs, heart slamming into them, not allowing him to breath. Like some dumb fucking teenager. Embarrassing himself to his core that wasn’t even his and beyond. Jiang Cheng kicked the first pebble in his way down this mountain.

Who knows if this makes sense, it's a beloved moment to me. I love middle-aged cultivators being dorks. I have no writer friends in fandom, feel yourself tagged if you want to share beloved wips. *hides*

[isozyme]

i can't believe i never crossposted this - here's lan wangji in love

[restingdomface]

Wei Wuxian: *bursts into the Jingshi, looking delighted* Lan Zhan! Our bunny is just the cutest little radish in the whole world!

Lan Wangji: *without missing a beat* Mm.

Wei Wuxian: We cuddled outside the bunny field and he gave me kitty kisses!

Lan Wangji: *thinking of cats grooming* ??? Kitty kisses?

Wei Wuxian: Yeah! When they look right into your eyes and give long slow blinks? Kitty kisses!

Lan Wangji: Hm. Might have just been blinking?

Wei Wuxian: *grabs LWJ’s chin, looks him in the eyes, gives a long slow blink of contentment*

Lan Wangji: *melts, blinks back* Oh.

[weiying-lanzhan-fics]

Can we keep him? by Sweetlittlevampire

Very cute story! Cat LWJ and sad WWX. Happy ending!

Quotes:

“Are you thirsty?” he calls again. “You must be, it’s hot out. How long have you been here? How did you get in? Ah, but you’re a pretty one! Let’s get you some water.”

Wei Wuxian knows he’s rambling, but he’s slightly nervous. He doesn’t know why; it’s a cat, not some kind of eldritch abomination—and talking occupies his brain. If he doesn’t talk, he might do something stupid instead, like try to catch the cat and get all scratched up in the process.  

————

Wei Wuxian nods, takes A-Yuan’s hand, and teaches him how to give kitty-appropriate pets. The cat purrs louder, slowly blinks at A-Yuan, then closes its eyes.

“I’ve read that slow blinking is cat speech for smiling,” Mianmian pipes up. She puts all the crayons back in their container and rearranges the colouring books. “Lan Wangji does it sometimes when he feels at ease. I like to tease him with my random cat knowledge.” 

————

Wei Wuxian is grasping at straws. He doesn’t know how to console his weeping child when he feels like crying himself. A-Yuan can’t possibly know that he just played right into one of Wei Wuxian’s biggest fears: that Lan Wangji eventually will grow tired of them, of their seemingly boundless energy, and choose to leave them behind.

G, 15400

Summary:

Single dad Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan find a cat in their flat. They do not have a cat.

At the same time, Lan Wangji goes missing.

Turns out those two things might not be unrelated.

@sweetlittlevampire

[sweetlittlevampire]

#wipwednesday: A new friend

In which Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan make friends with a furry creature.

Wei Wuxian silently gasps but stays quiet as the cat climbs into his lap, proceeds to shape itself into a loaf, and starts to purr.

“Oh my god,” he whispers.

At that, A-Yuan perks up. “Mianmian-jiejie, look! Baba made a friend!”

He gets up and approaches his father and the cat, who turns its head to look at A-Yuan. He clearly wants to pet it, but he’s unsure, and so he looks at Wei Wuxian, eyes all big and hesitant.

“You can, darling, but first extend your hand slowly and carefully so it can sniff you,” Wei Wuxian advises. “That way you will say ‘hello’, and the cat will know that you don’t mean any harm.”

A-Yuan nods and extends a chubby arm towards the cat. It sniffs on A-Yuan’s fingers, then boops them with its pink nose. A-Yuan giggles.

“Can I pet it, Baba?” he asks. “Can you show me how?”

Wei Wuxian nods, takes A-Yuan’s hand, and teaches him how to give kitty-appropriated pets. The cat purrs louder, slow blinks at A-Yuan, then closes its eyes.

“I’ve read that slow blinking is cat speech for smiling,” Mianmian pipes up. She puts all the crayons back in their container and rearranges the colouring books. “Lan Wangji does it sometimes when he feels at ease. I like to tease him with my random cat knowledge.” 

Another snippet from Cat Fic! I frankly cannot wait to post this baby.

[starshinegoblin]

The Games We Play

Featured AU: You’re My Muse AU -  Jingyi is a personal assistant to Lan Wangji and Jin Ling is a Youtube Game Vlogger. Notes: This originally was supposed to be for the prompt "kiss of suggestion" and I think I totally missed the mark but here's what happened XD Also, Buttons aka Snowdrop is a munchkin and here is what she looks like! So cute! FYI, if your an Overwatch person. I'm sorry for butchering your game. My knowledge comes from peering occasionally over my roommates shoulder while she plays. @ruensroad - Here’s the spice and thanks for the help with choosing what type of kitty that Buttons aka Snowdrop is.

Jingyi groaned as he woke up. The feel of too warm feline toe beans walking up his bare back. He shivered, starting to wiggle attempting to dislodge his cat. When she wouldn’t stop. He rolled on his side dislodging her. Reaching out for Jin Ling, he found that he was alone in their bed. He blearily opened his eyes, blinking them to get the sleep out of his eyes. He noticed the soft grey light coming out from underneath the curtains that were still drawn. 

Which meant that Jin Ling had wanted him to get some actual sleep. Working as a personal assistant for his older cousin, Lan Wangji is a lot of work. The last project was a little overwhelming too with them traveling there much. Thankfully, New York had been the last stop for a while. He’d come home from the United States last night jet lagged and starving. Jin Ling had been amazing last night. He was already there at the airport ready for him, bringing him home to a hot meal, and a bath before bed.  

He let out a sigh rolling on his back so that he could stretch out lazily across the center of their bed. A smile sweeping across his face at how blessed he was. Buttons tried again to lay on him but he sat up tossing back the sheets. He untangled his legs getting up. His stomach growled making him chuckle. Jingyi checked the time seeing that it was a little after twelve. 

“Come on let’s go see if A-Ling can be persuaded into taking us to lunch.” Jingyi said to Buttons as he put on the first clean shirt that he saw on the chaise at the foot of the bed. That earned him a soft trilling meow as a response, which of course meant she agreed. He picked her up, taking her with him. Clad in his boxers, Jin Ling’s T-shirt, and finger combed bed hair, he set out to find where his boyfriend was in their apartment. 

It didn’t take him long to find out. The moment he stepped into the hallway, he was able to hear the sounds of Jin Ling’s game and him smack talking with his friends coming from the living room. Knowing that he didn’t have to be quiet. He continued on into the living room. He smiled fondly seeing Jin Ling sitting on the floor in front of their sectional couch. His long hair down wearing a blue tank that was Jingyi’s and a pair of heather grey sweats. He looked really good, reminding him how much he’d missed him this past week in New York. 

Jingyi turned his head to check the wall. Their television actually being a projector. So the whole wall was nothing but the game in HD. It only took him a second to recognize the game. He was playing Overwatch. His team was winning and he bet it was because A-Qing was there being silent but deadly playing D.Va. 

Jin Ling saw his boyfriend standing in the doorway holding Buttons out of the corner of his eye. He smiled quickly tapping his mute button on his headset. 

“Hey, baby.” He called out to him letting him know that he knew he was there. A happy snort was the response he got. 

“You tricked me.” Jingyi playfully scolded, as he padded over to him. Jin Ling didn’t need to look up to know the other was smiling. He could hear it in his voice. 

“You needed the rest.” Jin Ling countered as Jingyi decided to set Buttons down on the floor. Buttons wandered over to sniff Jin Ling’s hands before going in search of her true love, Fairy. The rainy weather outside making it a perfect day for staying in and being cozy which is what Jin Ling has planned. No need to leave their home today. 

“I probably would have slept more but someone had to get up.” Jingyi whined, his fingers itching to mess with Jin Ling’s hair. It looks so soft from being air dried. Something he’d found himself doing while Jin Ling played his games.  

“I don’t think you would have.” Jin Ling disagreed, remembering how he’d woken up with Jingyi practically laying on top of him. The shirt the older man had put on when they went to bed was gone, leaving him in his boxers. An arm had curled up around his neck with Jingyi’s face tucked into the crook of his neck. The warm breath causing goosebumps. One of his lean legs hiked up over Jin Ling’s hip. It’d been a good way to wake up but he knew Jingyi needed the rest. So he’d slowly untangled himself from his boyfriend letting him sleep in.  

“Oh?” Jingyi chuckled as he grabbed the spare hair brush and two hair ties from the end table drawer. A stash they kept for these occasions. Jingyi noticed the blush creeping up his boyfriend’s neck. He chuckled leaning forward, “Scoot up.” 

Jin Ling complied easily letting Jingyi get situated behind him. He laughed hearing Jingyi’s stomach rumble. “I just ordered us some pizza and that shrimp salad you like. It should be here in a bit.” 

“Sounds good to me.” Jingyi grinned happily. 

He didn’t flinch when his boyfriend slipped the headset off his head. Quick skilled fingers gently worked his roots with the brush before putting the headset back on. He even tapped the unmute button for him. The moment they heard him whisper thanks to Jingyi, his two close friends started in on him. 

“Where did you go A-Ling?” Zizhen cooed when he started chatting with them. 

“Saying sweet nothings to your pretty boyfriend?” Jin Chan asked sachrinnely. 

“No and he just woke up.” Jin Ling answered rolling his eyes at the teasing continued in his ears.

“Awww, so kisses instead of sweet nothings then.”

“Oh, the spiciness of love.” 

“Did you mean sweetness? Because did you see his instagram post?”

“Oh shut up the both of you. Some of us are actually playing a game here.” He laughed knowing that he was blushing, hoping that Jingyi couldn’t hear what they’d said from where he was so close to him. 

Jingyi bit his bottom lip as he braided his boyfriend’s silky soft black hair. He had heard what they’d said to Jin Ling. It was funny and made him like them even more. Besides, Jin Ling was fun to tease. Like right now, Jingyi grinned mischievously, not that his boyfriend could see it. While braiding the other’s hair he brushed his fingers against the other’s sun kissed neck. Pleased when he noticed the other shiver. Jin Ling quickly tapped his knee that was beside his hip in warning. 

Jingyi merely chuckled at his antics. He continued working the silky hair into the fishtail braid that he’d learned over the summer. His gaze flickering past the other’s shoulder at the wall. He could tell that Jin Ling was back to focusing on his game and waited for the right time to retaliate. 

Jin Ling knew it was too good to be true that Jingyi had just stopped with a love tap. He should have stayed on guard but those fingers in his hair and the game had distracted him. He was just about to deliver a death blow when he felt a kiss being pressed to his shoulder. Jin Ling so did not jump despite what the giggling from his boyfriend behind him meant. 

“What the hell man?” Jin Chan called Jin Ling out over the headset. 

“Stop your whining.” A-Qing piped in as her D.Va popped into save him. 

“Thanks.” Jin Ling bit out as he glared over his shoulder at his boyfriend.

“No Problem.” A-Qing said before her mic went silent again. 

Jin Ling huffed purposefully leaning back to pin Jinyi to the couch. However, with Jin Ling’s hands occupied with the controller. It really wasn’t a smart plan, because that left Jinyi free to do what he wants with his hands. And since he’s just decided that he wants Jin Ling all to himself now. Hello roaming hands. 

The moment he felt his boyfriend’s hands slide underneath the hem of his tank top he knew that Jingyi wasn't going to behave and let him finish this session.  In fact, he’s a hundred percent sure of it, but like the stubborn person he is Jin Ling is determined to complete the session. So he lets him get away with running his hands over his hips and stomach. He’s almost to round three when he feels a kiss to the side of his neck as well as Jingyi pressing pointedly into one of Jin Ling’s sensitive spots. 

“Shit.” Jin Ling gasped, feeling a shot of heat flare down his spine, pooling in his gut.  The controller slipped from his hands as he sharply turned to scold his boyfriend. Except Jingyi had anticipated that, using the moment to man handle Jin Ling so that he was laying on his back beneath him. 

“Jin Ling?” Jin Chan called through his headset. 

“You alright?” Zizhen asked. 

“Jin Ling’s fine but he’s done for the day.” Jingyi grinned, pressing the power button on the headset before tossing it off somewhere passed the coffee table. Not giving Jin Ling the opportunity to fuss about his headset, the game, or cutting off his friend. He leaned down capturing his boyfriend’s lips in a hungry kiss. He heard the plop of the head set still landing on the carpet somewhere. But he didn’t care and apparently neither did Jin Ling with the way he was gripping the front of his shirt pulling him closer. 

“Dinner.” Jin Ling panted when they parted for much needed air. 

“Isn’t here yet. So we can stay right here.” Jingyi replied, claiming those lips again. His plan to keep Jin Ling right where he is till the food comes. Then after they eat, have his boyfriend for dessert.

[enbyleighlines]

Modern mzds prompt (if youre still doing them?) I would love to see a wangxian/ningxian family road trip?

Can do! Two otps in one, how can I refuse?

(And yes, I am still taking prompts for my mdzs modern au! I still have many aspects of the timeline I want to flesh out)

—

There really was no good reason for them to go on a road trip. Their destination is a shopping mall. They will have to pass many shopping malls on their way there, and there isn’t really anything special about the specific shopping mall they plan on driving a day and a half to visit. It has an indoor playground, which is cool, but it isn’t like A-Yuan hasn’t been on plenty of outdoor playgrounds.

But ever since Wei Wuxian had read an online article rating it #4 on the country’s most popular mall attractions, he had been determined to make the trek out to visit it.

Of course, Wen Ning and Lan Wangji both knew that Wei Wuxian had been just looking for an excuse to go on a road trip. Their shared partner loved them. He even had multiple playlists prepared “just in case” they ever went on one.

So yes, it really is more about the journey in this case.

Even four hours into the venture, neither Lan Wangji nor Wen Ning regret anything. It’s clear that Wei Wuxian is having the time of his life. Plus, A-Yuan is being remarkably well behaved, especially for a kid his age. He has no problem falling asleep in his carseat.

At the moment, though, A-Yuan is wide awake. Wen Ning, who is sitting in the back with him, is responsible for entertaining his second cousin.

Thankfully, Wen Ning is well prepared. Right now, he’s explaining how Mad Libs work.

A-Yuan listens diligently, while also fiddling with his favorite stuffed bunny.

“Okay, so first, I need a noun,” Wen Ning says, “A noun is a person, place, or thing. For example, ‘cat’ is a noun.”

“Or ‘car’,” Wei Wuxian chimes in helpfully. He’s up in the passenger seat while Lan Wangji drives. He’s turned around, looking at A-Yuan, who is placed diagonally from him.

A-Yuan’s face twists as he thinks very, very hard. “Car,” he decides.

“Okay,” Wen Ning says, and writes that down over the blank line. “Now, I need a verb. A verb is something you can do. Like... run, jump, play, sleep, eat...”

“Eat.”

Wen Ning writes that down, also.

“Are you just choosing whatever one of us says last?” Wei Wuxian teases his son.

“No,” A-Yuan argues. He looks offended.

“Another noun,” Wen Ning prompts.

There is a small bit of silence, when no one gives A-Yuan any examples.

Then Lan Wangji speaks up. “Another person, place, or thing,” he explains, “Think for yourself this time.”

Wen Ning bites his lip, to hold himself back from helping his cousin. He understands the reason behind Lan Wangji’s tough love approach.

The three men in the car wait patiently for A-Yuan to think.

A-Yuan looks out the window, pouting. However, his soured mood is short-lived. His eyes suddenly light up. “Tree,” he says, “Is ‘tree’ a noun?”

“A tree is a thing, yes,” Lan Wangji confirms, proud, “Good job.”

Wei Wuxian beams, bright as early sunrise. He reaches over to boop A-Yuan’s nose. “That’s my boy,” he coos, “So smart.”

Wen Ning nods, agreeing, and writes down ‘tree’.

They manage to fill out the rest of the page without too much trouble. A-Yuan is a quick study, which continues to delight — but not surprise — all three of his guardians.

Wen Ning puts the pencil aside and begins to read. It’s silly, of course, and makes absolutely no sense.

A-Yuan laughs like it’s the funniest thing he has ever heard.

—

Eventually A-Yuan gets bored of both Mad Libs and returns to playing number games on Wen Ning’s tablet. The car becomes a lot more quiet.

And, as everyone knows, Wei Wuxian hates silence. Within minutes, he reaches to grab his phone, and plugs into into the car’s dashboard. “Okay, I think it’s time for some Traveling Wilburys,” he says.

“The who?” Wen Ning asks.

“It’s a band,” Wei Wuxian answers, which says very little, “Jiang-shushu used to play them every time we went on a road trip. I bet you I still remember all of the lyrics.”

“Mn,” says Lan Wangji, “What do you bet?”

This is a new game that the two of them play. Wei Wuxian says “I bet” so often that Lan Wangji has started to take it literally, as if to tease his fiancé. The stakes are never high. It’s usually pretty cute, actually.

Wen Ning keeps his ears open, intrigued.

“Hmmm...” Wei Wuxian thinks aloud, “How about, if I do remember all the lyrics, you have to wear your shirt backwards all day tomorrow.”

Wen Ning holds his fist to his mouth, hiding a smile.

Lan Wangji huffs out some air through his nose. It sounds like it might be one of his amused snorts, instead of one of his annoyed snorts. Wen Ning is still trying to learn the difference.

But whether amused or annoyed, Lan Wangji says, “Okay. And if you forget?”

Wei Wuxian grins. “What do you want?”

Wen Ning tenses. He almost expects the conversation to take on a non kid-friendly turn. The two recently betrothed men are usually good about keeping things PG in front of their son, but no one is perfect. In any case, Wen Ning is ready to cover A-Yuan’s ears if need be.

But Lan Wangji replies, “If you forget, you will drink tomorrow’s coffee black.”

Wei Wuxian grimaces. “Eww, Lan Zhan, that’s so mean,” he complains, “I’d rather not drink coffee at all!”

“Then you surrender the bet?”

The bait hooks Wei Wuxian in like a charm. “Of course not,” he scoffs, “I’ll just have to win the bet!”

And so he turns the album on shuffle, and begins to sing.

“Well, it’s all right~”

—

The sky is starting to darken just as they reach their hotel for the night.

A-Yuan is asleep again, but he perks up when he feels the car’s engine shut off. He blinks wearily, and then asks, “Can we eat soon? I’m hungry...”

“This hotel has room service,” Lan Wangji answers, “We’ll eat after we unpack.”

Satisfied with that, A-Yuan gives a small smile which is immediately overtaken by a huge yawn.

“Cover your mouth when you yawn,” Wen Ning reminds him.

They climb out of the car and grab their belongings from the trunk. They wouldn’t have brought much if it wasn’t for A-Yuan. As it is, their luggage is full to bursting.

Wen Ning carries A-Yuan to the front desk.

Check-in is somewhat of a slow process, but they’re all a little too tired to mind. Then the receptionist hands them the key cards to two rooms, along with a booklet full of helpful information about tv channels and menu items.

Though Lan Wangji booked two rooms, they all crowd in one of them for dinner. They let A-Yuan press the buttons to ring room service, and then unpack while they wait for their food to arrive.

Though the night is relatively young, there’s relatively little conversation. After eight hours in a car, they’re just happy to stretch their limbs.

There’s two beds, but they all wind up sitting on the same one.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are instantly entangled in one another. It’s very cute, how they’re even more tactile than usual now that they’re engaged. Wen Ning sits close to Wei Wuxian, with enough space between them for A-Yuan to curl up.

“So, are you enjoying the road trip so far?” Wei Wuxian asks A-Yuan.

The boy nods, and rests his chin on Wei Wuxian’s knee. “But I do miss Kitty, and Cabbage, and Carrot,” he adds.

“Yes, well, your Li-guma* is going to take very good care of them while we’re gone,” Wei Wuxian assures A-Yuan, “But if you’re worried, I can ask her to send us some pictures of them.”

[*Guma = father’s older sister]

A-Yuan probably isn’t all that worried, but the offer makes him perk right up. “Can she?” He asks, “I want to see them.”

“Sure, I’ll text her after dinner,” Wei Wuxian says.

Lan Wangji presses a tender kiss to Wei Wuxian’s temple. “I have my laptop,” he points out, “We can FaceTime them.”

Wen Ning smiles. He loves how interconnected their family is.

Growing up, Wen Ning had a large, close-knit family. He had his parents, his Jiejie, Granny Wen, and a whole gaggle of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Over the years, though, a deadly combination of illness and poverty had dwindled down their numbers. Many had died. Many more had moved far away, out of desperation.

Wen Ning is so very thankful. He looks at Wei Wuxian, and at A-Yuan, and he feels his heart swell.

(He also can’t wait to see Wei Wuxian try to drink an entire cup of black coffee.)

[enbyleighlines]

Okay since I've established I'm a sucker for qpr Ningxian, and since you mentioned A-Yuan's adoption going through in the last drabble, what about Wen Ning and Wei Wuxian taking A-Yuan to pick out their first family pet (just, not a dog, obviously 😅)?

Ahhhh!! Another queerplatonic ningxian prompt!! I’m so happy you requested this, thank you!

—

When Wen Ning first moves into the apartment with Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian, and their newly adopted son A-Yuan, it’s the first time that he lives someplace that allows pets. He’s absolutely over the moon about it, though he tries not to be too annoying about it.

Lan Wangji already owns a pair of rabbits: Cabbage and Carrot. Wen Ning cannot deny that they’re cute.

There’s only one problem, though. They’re also kind of boring.

Of course, Wen Ning would never say such a thing aloud. It’s mean, first of all. But more importantly, Lan Wangji would probably never forgive him. Wen Ning already feels bad enough wiggling his way into their family.

It’s A-Yuan who first suggests they get a cat, though that’s likely Wen Ning’s fault, too. He has been showing his now four year old second cousin cute cat videos every evening when they hang out before bedtime. Though, it’s less of a suggestion and more of a persistent whining.

“I want a kitty, Xian-gege,” A-Yuan pleads at least once a day.

Wen Ning winces whenever he hears it, hoping that no one pins the blame on him. His love of cats is well known, and for A-Yuan to start asking for a cat right after Wen Ning moves in... well, it’s not hard to connect the dots.

Lan Wangji is the one who surprises Wen Ning by suggesting Wei Wuxian and him take A-Yuan to adopt a cat as a surprise for his fifth birthday.

And so Wen Ning is, with a blind-folded A-Yuan in his arms. Wei Wuxian and him stand before the Leling Cat Cafe, which their friends Qin Su and Zhao Zhiruo own. It doubles as an adoption center. Wen Ning has been here many times before, to play with the cats. The day has finally come for him to take one of them home.

“Ning-gege, Xian-gege,” A-Yuan whines, when the two men stop walking, “Can I take my blindfold off now?”

Wei Wuxian nods excitedly at Wen Ning.

“Yes,” Wen Ning murmurs, “You can take it off now.”

All too eager to get his sight back, A-Yuan fusses with the fabric around his eyes. It was knotted firmly by Lan Wangji earlier, so A-Yuan struggles with it a bit.

“Tsk, tsk, did your Ji-gege tie your blindfold too tightly?” Wei Wuxian reaches over to help his son.

“Too tight,” A-Yuan complains.

The two of them manage to get it off together. The sudden sunlight causes A-Yuan to squint.

Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning share a meaningful glance, and then say in unpracticed but surprisingly perfect unison, “Happy birthday, A-Yuan!”

A-Yuan takes a second to process what he’s seeing. He can’t read yet, so the sign means nothing to him. But then he catches sight of a white Persian preening in the window, and that tells A-Yuan everything he needs to know.

“Kitty!” A-Yuan cries out, “Ning-gege, look! There’s a kitty in the window!”

“This is a cat cafe,” Wei Wuxian explains, “but it also doubles as an adoption center. When we go inside, you can pick one cat to take home with us.”

This seems to absolutely blow the young child’s mind.

His eyes get all watery. “Xian-gege,” A-Yuan says, “Do you mean it? I can have a kitty cat?”

“Yes, but only one,” Wei Wuxian repeats, like he’s genuinely afraid that his son will try to bring home all of them, “So chose wisely.”

Wen Ning is just as excited as A-Yuan, so he rushes forward without any other preamble.

Qin Su has been waiting for them, and she opens the door for them. “Wen Ning,” she greets then, “A-Yuan! Happy birthday. How old are you now?”

“Five!” A-Yuan chirps, but he isn’t looking at her. He is twisting, looking every which way. “So many kitties!”

Afraid he’s going to end up dropping the wiggling rugrat, Wen Ning gently puts his cousin down on the ground, though he doesn’t immediately release his waist. “Remember what I told you about petting animals,” he says.

“Pet head to tail, flat palm, and don’t tug on anything,” A-Yuan recites.

“Good boy,” Wei Wuxian commends him, coming up behind Wen Ning. He turns to Qin Su and waves. “Hey, Qin Su! Long time, no see. How’s the wife?”

They make idle chit-chat with Qin Su, allowing A-Yuan to explore the cafe on his own at first. As they talk, Qin Su sets Wen Ning and Wei Wuxian up at Wen Ning’s usual table in the corner, right beside to the tallest cat tree. She gives them each a menu, then sits down with them at the table.

“So...” Qin Su starts, during a lull in conversation, “I hear the two of you are... a thing now? But Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are still dating? Are you a threesome now? Or would that be called a polycule?”

Wen Ning looks to Wei Wuxian. Usually Wei Wuxian takes care of the explaining bit, since he’s better with words.

“Lan Wangji is my boyfriend,” Wei Wuxian explains, sounding remarkably unembarrassed even when he’s discussing such personal matters, “Wen Ning is my queerplatonic partner. It’s something between a romantic relationship and a platonic one. Something completely unique to us.”

Warmth blooms in Wen Ning’s heart. He loves how Wei Wuxian always says that: “Something completely unique to us.”

Qin Su doesn’t quite look like she understands, but not many people do. But there’s no judgement in her voice when she says, “That sounds nice. All that matters is that you’re happy.”

Wei Wuxian’s face splits into a huge, sunny grin. “We are happy,” he says, “All four of us.”

“Five when we add the cat,” Wen Ning chips in. He doesn’t mean to say it, but it just slips out. He’s really, really excited to finally have a cat of his own.

Wei Wuxian laughs loudly. “Yes, yes, five with the cat. Seven if you count Cabbage and Carrot.”

“Lan Wangji’s rabbits,” Wen Ning explains before Qin Su asks.

She smiles. “So... do you two want anything to eat or drink while you wait? It looks like A-Yuan might take a while to settle on a cat.”

Wen Ning orders a salted caramel hot chocolate, while Wei Wuxian asks for “whatever drink has the most caffeine.”

Qin Su leaves to prepare their drinks.

Wen Ning turns his attention over to A-Yuan, who is now half-buried in a sea of cats. He’s gotten a hold of a toy mouse on a string, and waving it above their heads. He giggles in delight whenever one raises up on their hind paws to swat at it.

After a minute, Wei Wuxian nudges Wen Ning.

Wen Ning blinks and looks over.

“Hey,” Wei Wuxian whispers in a conspiratorial tone, “A-Ning. Go ahead and play with the kitties. I know you want to.”

Wen Ning flushes at the affectionate nickname. He’s still getting used to it. “Okay,” he replies, “...A-Xian.”

And then, too embarrassed to continue looking Wei Wuxian in the face, Wen Ning gets up to join A-Yuan. The worst thing is, it’s not even the first time Wen Ning has called him that. Somehow, it doesn’t get easier.

—

In the end, they end up spending three more hours at the cat cafe. A-Yuan does try to convince Wei Wuxian to let him take them all, but they manage to explain why they can’t do that without inciting a temper tantrum.

Surprisingly, A-Yuan choses the shyest of all the cats. It’s an orange tabby, a girl, and she sounds like a distressed baby when she meows.

A-Yuan shows that he has all the creativity of his Lan father when he names her Kitty.

They take their time properly introducing Kitty to her new home, one room at a time. Lan Wangji frets over how she’ll get along with the rabbits, but thankfully, there doesn’t seem to be any issues. Still, Lan Wangji makes it a rule that the animals are only allowed to interact under his supervision, until he’s completely ruled out Kitty as a threat to the safety of his rabbits.

Wei Wuxian, Wen Ning, and A-Yuan snuggle on the couch that evening. Lan Wangji is in his office doing some last minute edits to his newest article for The Pavillion Review. Kitty is curled up on Wen Ning’s lap, purring up a storm.

It’s so peaceful. Wen Ning may still feel a little out of place at times, but this apartment is feeling more and more like home each and every day.

They may be an unconventional family, but they have built something completely unique to them. It makes all of them happy, and really, that’s the only thing that should matter.