#ok now I'll start munching on those prompts I got but I wanted to finish this first!

[ibijau]

Worst engagement AU // on AO3

Set after lxc first saw that bunny painting and accidentally complimented it

I was not planning to spend so long on that painting, and in fact it wasn't even part of the original plan for this story but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

It’s not that Lan Xichen wants to talk to Nie Huaisang. He’s tried before, and all he’s ever gotten out of his attempts is the other boy looking at him with big, frightened eyes and refusing to say more than two words. There’s a reason he doesn’t like his fiancé, as he’s told Lan Wangji quite a few times lately, and that reason is Nie Huaisang’s absolute lack of anything to make him interesting.

Lan Wangji, each time, just gives him that look. He doesn’t bother saying anything. Doesn’t need to. His silences carry entire conversations. In this case, the silence speaks of a painting of rabbits on which, even weeks later, Lan Xichen’s eyes still linger whenever he sees it.

And he sees it often.

Lan Wangji made sure of it. 

He asked his uncle to help him display it in his room, where it is visible by any guest he might have. Which mostly means Lan Qiren, who doesn’t care, and Lan Xichen, who knows this is a personal attack against him. All because he tried to be nice to his brother by complimenting a painting that’s just…

A painting which is…

It’s just so…

But that’s the problem, of course. Lan Xichen can’t even bring himself to think that the painting is mediocre, because it’s not. It’s better than anything he’s ever managed to paint. The style shows a certain lack of formal learning, and it is obvious that it was made quickly, but somehow that’s part of what makes it so good. There’s a freedom to the lines that Lan Xichen could only dream to achieve.

He knows. He’s tried to reproduce the painting, in vain. His own attempts aren’t bad, but they feel stiff and heavy compared to the original.

Of course, it’s normal for Lan Xichen to find his own work lacking. He’s only just seventeen, and humble enough to accept there are great masters in this world whose level he will only reach after decades of hard work. It gives him something to strive for, and he rather enjoys the challenge of it all.

But being inferior to Nie Huaisang stings.

Everyone knows that Qinghe Nie isn't a sect for artists. Nie Mingjue shows polite interest when Lan Xichen speaks about painting or music, and he knows just enough to say if something is generally good or bad, but that's it. He doesn't get colours and lines, he can rarely tell one melody from another unless they're different enough, and he clearly doesn't care. So when Nie Mingjue has mentioned in the past that his little brother fancies himself an artist, Lan Xichen has assumed that just means a few childish doodles in the margin of his studies. It's the most anyone would expect from a disciple if Qinghe Nie. 

And Lan Xichen likes Qinghe Nie and respects it and he would scold anyone who would call them a butcher's sect, but… but it makes no sense for Nie Huaisang to come from there and be capable of making a painting like that. 

So that's what motivates Lan Xichen to give his crybaby of a fiancé another chance. Not his uncle's increasingly stern looks, not Lan Wangji's petulant attitude. No, it's just plain old curiosity. 

That and something he won't admit in a thousand years, not even to himself. The hope that maybe, just maybe, he has more to look forward to than a lifetime tied to a blubbering idiot who acts terrified of him. If there is any chance that Nie Huaisang is more than he appears… 

But hope is a dangerous thing, so Lan Xichen guards himself against it. In a world such as the one they live in, marriages are rarely happy, arranged ones even less, those of rulers of sects least of all. Of the leaders of the Five Great Sect, which hasn’t had a problematic marriage?

Still, a chance must be given, for the sake of fairness. So when one day Lan Xichen spots Nie Huaisang alone (he's always alone) in one of the gardens, a pile of papers at his side and a brush on his hand… He has to seize the occasion. 

After taking his leave from the boys he was walking with, Lan Xichen directly goes to Nie Huaisang. His fiancé is so entranced in whatever he's doing that he doesn't notice him until Lan Xichen stops right next to his bench. In a second, Nie Huaisang gathers all the papers around him and gathers them against his chest, trying to hide them.

"May I sit with you?" Lan Xichen inquires, as if he doesn’t notice the other boy’s panic.

As always, Nie Huaisang looks up at him with the pitiful air of a startled rabbit, clutching his paper tight against his chest. Whatever he's been drawing must have smudged, which annoys Lan Xichen. To be so careless with one's work… 

"Lan gongzi may do as he pleases," he mutters, quickly looking down. "This is his garden." 

Lan Xichen sat down, careful to leave as much distance as possible between them, for propriety. He tries to peek at the sheets, but Nie Huaisang only holds them closer, wrinkling them and finishing to ruin everything. 

"Were you drawing, Nie gongzi ?" 

"I wasn't!" Nie Huaisang blatantly lies. "I swear I wasn't. I have far too much homework to be painting!" he claims with an awkward laugh. 

And if he has to lie, can't he at least be good at it? 

"That's too bad," Lan Xichen says, pretending he believes that. "I've been curious about Nie gongzi's art. Wangji showed me the piece Nie gongzi gifted him." 

"Oh, that," Nie Huaisang mutters, his eyes widening. "I'm surprised he didn't throw it away. It was silly, and it's not very good. The rabbits were too fat, and I should have placed them better on the paper. It's really bad, I'm ashamed I gave it as a gift. Lan er-gonzi must think I'm too bold, giving him something this bad."

Past the shock of hearing that painting so easily dismissed, Lan Xichen can't help a slight thrill that Nie Huaisang noticed the same problems as he did. It's easy to see that a piece of art is good. Slightly less so to know why it's good. But it takes an expert eye to find what can still be improved, even in something excellent. It speaks of real skill and good taste, rather than the simple stroke of luck he sometimes told himself the painting might have been.

"Wangji is actually very happy with it," Lan Xichen announces. "He had it hung in his bedroom." 

Nie Huaisang looks up at him, gaping in shock and mild horror rather than showing any of the pride Lan Xichen would have expected. It makes his usual annoyance flare up, but he forces it aside for once. 

"It is a good painting," he insists instead, hoping his tone is complimentary enough, while also not showing just how much he likes that painting. 

"Lan gongzi doesn't need to lie," Nie Huaisang mumbles. "I enjoy painting, but I'm not good, I know that. Father always said it was a waste of time and I should work harder on my cultivation." 

"Are you calling me a liar?" Lan Xichen remarks, still fighting to keep his annoyance in check. 

Nie Huaisang startles and throws him a terrified look. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean… Lan gongzi didn't lie of course, Lan gongzi was just trying to be kind. It's, it's not necessary though. I know it's a silly hobby. I'm sorry I wasted time on this. I'll stop now and work harder so I don't bring more shame to Lan gongzi."

For a second, Lan Xichen hesitates. It's true that Nie Huaisang should focus more on his studies, especially since his grades are so bad and everyone knows he still doesn't have a golden core, which is shameful at his age. In fact, Lan Xichen half suspects that Nie Huaisang must have skipped classes of some sort to go paint those rabbits, for which he probably ought to be punished. 

But no matter what he's saying, Nie Huaisang is a good artist, if that piece with the rabbits is any indication. In any sect but Qinghe Nie, his skill would have been noticed, encouraged and nurtured. In fact, even for his sect it's odd that he hasn't received more attention. If his cultivation were better, his lack of skill there didn’t outweigh other accomplishments of his... It feels unfair, for lack of a better word. 

And so Lan Xichen is tempted to do something bad, and encourage Nie Huaisang’s talent. If he could produce a painting like that with nothing but his own taste and determination to guide him, Lan Xichen can't help but feel slightly eager to see what he might do with a few proper lessons. If he offers to teach Nie Huaisang, maybe he can learn in return how the other boy keeps his lines so light and pure.

But that's selfish of him, he figures. Lan Xichen only wants that because if they have this common ground, it will make their future marriage less painful. What's actually good for Nie Huaisang, he knows, is to improve his cultivation and work hard to catch up to others their age. It's just too shameful for a young master to be so bad he doesn't have a golden core. For the good of both their sects' reputation, Nie Huaisang needs to be more serious. 

"It might be best if Nie gongzi focused on what's important," Lan Xichen reluctantly agrees. “When your cultivation reaches an acceptable level, you can see about diverting your attention again to other occupations.”

Nie Huaisang sighs, deep and heartfelt, then nods miserably. He really is a pathetic boy, but force once Lan Xichen feels sorry for him rather than angry at his weakness. It’s a little sad that even when finally Nie Huaisang turns out to have some talent, it’s at something that he cannot pursue freely.

“I’ll let you be now,” Lan Xichen announces, quickly rising from the bench, uncomfortable with that newfound pity for this fiancé he still doesn’t want. “Do work hard in the future, or your brother will be disappointed.”

The other boy flinches at that, but Lan Xichen chooses to ignore it and leaves. All in all, it was a disappointing conversation that managed to do little but making him even more frustrated about Nie Huaisang.

And yet, maybe in the future, if Nie Huaisang gets his act together and finally achieves a decent level of cultivation…

Only time will tell, but Lan Xichen wouldn’t hate having someone to paint with.

[mankaisimp]

Nice going, Asshole

Juza Hyodo x Banri Settsu

A/N: so, this is apart of the user @/juzasmanju (on ig) 500 followers special! The given prompt radiates Banju/Juban energy and I thought,"why not make a fanfic?" So here it goes.

When Juza came back from School, he expected to be able to relax and eat all the sweets he wanted, but Juza can never have nice things,now can he?

"Oi settsu, the hell are you doing with the pudding?" Juza scorned.

"Eating it,dumbass." Banri replied, narrowing his eyes.

"Well, I was planning to eat it,smartass" Juza replied,grinding his teeth.

"Well too bad, I got to it first."

"You asshole." Juza growled as he got Banri by the shirt.

"Hey, what's going on in here."

Both Banri and Juza looked towards the kitchen entrance to find Omi,looking concerned.

"This asshole ate my pudding." Juza complained

"And that asshole is about to catch these hands." Banri said as he shoved Juza away from him.

"You mother fucke-" Juza was about to launch himself towards Banri, but Omi hugged Juza from behind.

"Hey,hey,hey." Omi said pacely.

"Juza, how about you and Banri stop fighting, and I'll make you strawberry filled scones? I'll buy strawberry milk too! Just please stop fighting with Banri."

"Fine..." Juza agreed, as Omi released him from his grip.

"I'll call you when the scones are done."

" 'K thanks." Juza then left the kitchen

"Juza really loves his pudding,huh?" Omi said not expecting a reply from Banri.

"Yeah man, I got this cup of pudding from the counter and next thing I know, Hyodo was all up'n my face bitching."

"Wait, did you say you got that pudding from the counter?" Omi asked, bewildered.

"Yeah,why?"

"Banri, that cup of pudding is expired."

"Oh, well I mean no biggie. It's probably expired a few days ago."

"Banri, that pudding expired a year ago."

When Banri heard that, he choked on his own spit.

"Hey, are you ok?" Omi asked as he lightly pat Banri's back

"Y-yeah, I think I'm just gonna sleep now."

"Wait, are you sure? It's still sunny outsid-"

But before omi could've finished his sentence, Banri was already down the hallway.

"Stupid Hyodo gotta give me food poisoning." Banri mumbled to himself.

Banri laid down for what felt hours, he couldn't sleep due to the anxiety of having food poison.

"Oi,Settsu."

Banri looked up to find Juza standing in the bedroom doorway.

"Whad'dya want?"

"Dinner's ready."

"Ok. I'll be there in a sec."

Banri sighed as he stood up from his bed, immediately feeling as if he had to vomit.

"Shit." Banri thought.

"Eh, whatever. I probably don't actually need to vomit." Banri reassured himself as he started walking towards the kitchen.

"Thanks for the meal,Omi!" Taichi said excitedly as he sat down.

"Yeah, thanks." Banri added.

As soon as Banri took a bite out of his food, he immediately felt nauseous.

"Banri, are you sure you're fine?" Omi said with a concern face.

"Yeah..." banri averted omi's eyes.

"Banri, you look more pale than usual, are you sure you're ok?"

"Ugh." Banri balled up his fists.

"No, not really. If it wasnt for that stupid hyodo and the stupid pudding, I wouldn't feel as if I have to puke my brains out." Banri admitted.

"Here, I'll take you to the hospital, they'll know how to help." Omi responded.

"Here, you can take my car, but if you dare so scratch it, it's the end of you." Sakyo said as he threw his keys at Omi.

"Haha, we wouldn't want that, now would we?" Omi grinned.

Seconds passed... then minutes... then hours. But with every passing second, the entire mankai company, especially the Autumn Troupe, were on edge.

"Hopefully Banri comes home well." Sskuya said.

"Yeah, I'd never forgive Banri if he doesn't show up on time for our daily gaming session." Itaru added.

"Oi, Chigasaki, Settsu is literally in the hospital right now. Your idiotic games should be the least of your concern-"

The front door to the dorm suddenly opened.

"Hey we're back."

Everyone looked towards the dorm's front door and saw Banri and Omi standing there.

"Welcome back, Banri and Mom!" Taichi yelled.

"Hey Nanao, you're gonna tackle both Settsu and Fushimi!" Sakyo yelled.

"Gahh I'm so sorry Sakyo!"

"How did it go?"

"Do you feel better?"

"Is Banri gonna die?"

"Woah there, guys! Questions can be answered later! Right now Banri just needs to rest!" Omi chuckled.

"Geez, and Banri went to the hospital over some pudding, huh Juza." Tsumugi turnt his head towards Juza's direction.

"Huh? Where's Hyodo? I thought I told him to wait with us." Sakyo gritted his teeth.

"Come down, hes probably just using the restroom." Tasuku responded.

"Eh who gives a damn where Hyodo is, I'm gonna go back to my room, I'm tired." Banri declared as he walked down the hallway.

Banri opened the door to find cups of pudding on the floor.

"What the hell?" Banri said outloud.

"Whaddya want?"

Banri turned towards the direction of the voice only to find Juza munching down on an 8 pudding pack.

"Why the hell are you eating all those damn puddings?"

"Well, you went to the hospital because your greedy ass ate my pudding, so now I'm doing both of us a favor by eating all the pudding."

"What the hell man. I think there's something wrong with you AND your taste buds." Banri sighed

"What? You want one?" Juza said, with a mouth full of pudding, while offering Banri a cup of pudding.

"Oh fuck you." Banri replied.

"Fuck you too." Juza said, with a smile.