yiling_laozu | bday ~ dday

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lan wangji

bday ~ dday

It's horrible.

Wei Wuxian pokes the thing that emerges from the oven, watches it jiggle, then pokes it again.

It's varying shades of grey and an ill sort of green, smells of garlic and carrots, and according to the box Wei Wuxian had used it's called a vegetable loaf. It's an awful name, but Lan Wangji will no doubt love it, provided that Wei Wuxian's use of three different types of lentils doesn't prove too flavorful. If it does, Lan Wangji is unlikely to tell him, Wei Wuxian thinks as he busies himself in the kitchen, trying to clean up the worst of the chaos before Lan Wangji returns from town, new sheet music in tow. He's still got a few gluten free oats stuck to his cheek when he hears the door open, and Wei Wuxian tramples over fallen cherry tomatoes to call out -

"You're early! Stay in the front room!"

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It is not yet the correct time to eat dinner but he supposes they have never agreed on any set rule for their own eating time but rather had simply always eaten on a Lan Sect schedule because Lan Wangji tends to do most of the cooking.

"Can eat," he replies as he sits neatly and waits, feeling a strange sense of anticipation. Wei Ying rarely follows anything like a schedule but preparing food seems out of character. He tries to think of any reason Wei Ying would have for it and cannot think of any recent arguments or conversations. The only thing unique about the day is...ah.

He knows that it is only Lan Sect that is so strictly against acknowledging one's birth but he had never expected nor imagined Wei Ying would remember it.

Wei Wuxian picks up the pan, then puts it down again to take off his apron - a funny little thing adorned with frogs holding umbrellas - retrieves the pan once more between two potholders and exits the kitchen in triumph.

"I worked all morning!" he declares, taking in the sight of Lan Wangji's pink, wind-touched cheeks as he sets his creation down before him at the table. "It is a loaf of vegetables."

It looks very strange, unlike anything Lan Wangji has ever seen but it smells enticing, far more aromatic than the cooking of Gusu but less pungent than the spice Wei Ying favors.

"Wei Ying cooked for me," he states softly, knowing he will not care how it tastes when it was Wei Ying who made it. It looks like it was made with far more vegetables than Wei Ying would ever desire, which makes the effort even more touching.

"Is this because of the day? You remembered?"

Wei Wuxian is busy picking a squashed mushroom from his backside before he sits, but he pauses, regarding Lan Wangji in surprise. There is a day? One he ought to remember? Normally he would dismiss such a thought - he forgets so many things, after all - but Lan Wangji looks especially touched.

"I've been thinking about cooking something you'd like for some time," he ventures, seating himself at the table opposite, legs folded under. "You always cook for me, and even with meat. I wanted to do something nice for you, Lan Zhan."

Ah, a coincidence then. He feels a small jab of something like disappointment which is entirely ridiculous. He hardly attributes any significance to the today, himself, and had only mentioned the day of his birth once in relation to Wei Ying's own.

"This is very nice," he murmurs, soft eyes taking in Wei Ying's disheveled appearance. He thinks he sees something like a sliver of carrot in Wei Ying's hair and feels his chest tighten with fondness. "Thank you. It looks remarkably healthy. Impressed with Wei Ying."

It probably is quite healthy. There are at least ten different vegetables pulverized into varying textures in that loaf, so many that Wei Wuxian cannot imagine the taste, but Lan Wangji seems pleased.

And a little sad, somehow, at the same time.

Leaning forward over the table, Wei Wuxian extends both hands, hoping for Lan Wangji's own. "Lan Zhan, what is it? It's true I worked hard, but only because I felt like it. I've forgotten something important, haven't I?"

Lan Wangji ducks his head for a moment, wishing he had not said anything. Wei Ying has made this effort and now Lan Wangji has made it seem wanting.

"No, Wei Ying, not important," he assures as he reaches across to grasp Wei Ying's hands, smiling softly as he squeezes his fingers. "Mentioned once the day of my birth. Thought it was that. But Gusu Lan does not acknowledge the day, it is not a thing to remember or forget."

"But that day is today?" asks Wei Wuxian, mind racing. He himself had a birthday not long ago, didn't he? He'd never celebrated at home, Madam Yu would not allow it, but shijie had always snuck him extra sweets. Lan Wangji must have done something for it...he can almost recall...

"Our home!" Wei Wuxian blurts. Lan Wangji got him an entire home, and Wei Wuxian has made a vegetable loaf. "Lan Zhan," he cries in despair, "You did so much for me, and I didn't remember at all!"

His eyes widen at the outburst and the look of shock and despair on Wei Ying's face. "Wei Ying, it is nothing," he assures, disappointed with himself for having shown any kind of reaction, for caring at all.

"Told you it was not a day I acknowledge, no reason for you to remember or do anything. Would rather Wei Ying make dinner for no reason other than affection than to be told to do something," he says as he tries to pull back to eat. The dinner does truly smell very good.

"I do not do things because I am told to," Wei Wuxian huffs, though he's far more upset with himself. He stares at the table, and then Lan Wangji, who is staring at the loaf.

Wei Wuxian sits up straight, releasing Lan Wangji to cut him a slice oft he loaf. "If you like it," he says, "I will make it every year for your birthday. Then it will be special, Lan Zhan, just like you are."

"I would like that very much," Lan Wangji murmurs, not bothering to stop himself from feeling or looking pleased at the notion. Not in front of Wei Ying and not in their home. Here, he can rest.

The idea of such a thing, a private acknowledgment and tradition for the day is something he finds himself pleased by, very touched by.

He takes a careful bite of the loaf, finding the texture odd but not at all unpleasant and the flavor to be exceedingly pleasing. He smiles and nods at Wei Ying, taking another bite and holding back the impulse to pull Wei Ying into his lap.

Wei Wuxian watches him eagerly, beaming when Lan Wangji both smiles and goes back for more. "Oh!" he says, flying to his feet again. "I purchased something else the other day, I thought you might find it too much, but now that it's a special occasion - "

He darts back into the kitchen, setting a kettle to heat before returning with a flimsy box in hand. "I found lotus blossom tea, Lan Zhan!"

Lan Wangji carefully lowers his cutlery and folds his hands neatly in his lap to properly give Wei Ying his attention.

"Wei Ying is very clever," he says, feeling entirely fond as he lets Wei Ying's enthusiasm wash over him. He is not certain he can stay properly seated throughout their entire dinner. "Would love to have lotus blossom tea. Wei Ying has been busy, today."

"I bought it a few days ago," Wei Wuxian confesses, wondering if it bothers Lan Wangji to have to ferry him to town each time he feels the whim, but he's glad now that he'd slipped away long enough for the surprise.

"I thought it might be too sweet for you," he further adds, then grins once more. "I was going to drink some and see if you could taste it."

"I read there are some flavors that are detectable in places other than one's mouth," he states, noting all the ways that Wei Ying's tea service is improper and finding each of them horribly endearing.

"Wei Ying could test me, someday. Interested to see what I could taste."

Wei Wuxian stares at him, then claps both hands to his mouth to stifle a peal of giggles. "Lan Zhan," he says, delighted, "Do you mean when I come?" It's so scandalous that he can hardly speak it aloud, but the kettle begins to sing in the next moment, and Wei Wuxian springs upright yet again.

He returns with a filled pot and two cups, ears still a little red as he gazes at Lan Wangji. "It might be difficult," he posits. "You might have to make several attempts."

"No proper experiment would ever stop at one attempt," he agrees, face entirely smooth, betrayed only by a slight flush to his ears. He wonders how much of his shamelessness is brought on by Wei Ying and how much was simply there and unknown.

"Perhaps I will try tonight, with Wei Ying's Lotus tea. Would like to celebrate the day of my birth in such a way. Another tradition," he states, waiting with polite hands still folded as he waits for his cup.

Laughing again, Wei Wuxian shakes his head. How had he ever thought he might be the most shameless between them. Even Xue Yang would be impressed with Lan Wangji.

He pours Lan Wangji's cup and then his own, sloshing a little as he reseats himself right at Lan Wangji's side. "We celebrate in such a way every night," he observes, which is not a no. "And sometimes in the mornings, and in the afternoons, if one of us has been at work in the yard."

He is pleased to find Wei Ying at his side and moves just a little closer, taking a sip of his tea before setting it back down carefully. The flavor is far sweeter and brighter than what he is used to but he finds it very much of Wei Ying and therefore very much enjoyable.

"Still many things to explore, regardless," he points out, using his sleeve to dab at the spots of tea on Wei Ying's robes. "What we did outside. Could do more, if Wei Ying wanted."

Wei Wuxian nods, too consumed by the thought to protest Lan Wangji dirtying his robes with his own mess. "I liked that," he says, clutching at his teacup. "I like so many things I didn't know I would," he adds, "But I probably like them all because they're with you."

He lifts the cup and finally drinks, expression going distant. Oh. He does know this taste. "Do you like it, Lan Zhan?"

"I do. Have never had anything quite like it," he says as he rests his free hand on Wei Ying's leg. "Should find more things made with Lotus. Wei Ying can teach me that taste as he has tried to teach me of spice," he offers, thumb sweeping back and forth across Wei Ying's bony knee as Lan Wangji sips at his tea. "Good for me to try such things."

Wei Wuxian takes another shallow sip, resting his head on Lan Wangji's shoulder. "Shijie would make sweets, sometimes," he says. "Lotus scented biscuits and jellies. And of course, her lotus root soup, though that tastes nothing like the blossoms."

He sighs, rubbing his cheek against Lan Wangji's robes. "I wish you might have tried some when we were home. Before Lotus Pier burned."

"If Wei Ying wishes, we could grow lotus here," Lan Wangji offers, dropping a quick kiss to Wei Ying's head before carefully setting his tea down to wrap an arm around his back.

"Diverting water from the river is not difficult. Can make a small pond. Wei Ying could teach me to grow them. Learn together how to cook with them."

Wei Wuxian smiles, lifting his head. "When the snow has melted," he says, looking past their little table to the window where white can still be seen on the ground. It's made the giant outdoor tub seem an all the more scandalous indulgence, to Wei Wuxian's delight, but he wonders if it will hinder the plants.

"Will they grow here, I wonder? Yunmeng rarely ever got snow."

"Mm, there are structures that can be built," Lan Wangji answers, having no real idea of how to reconstruct the houses of glass that he'd seen in Gusu to protect delicate crops. "A covering, at the least. If Wei Ying wants it, we will make it happen. This is our home, Wei Ying, whatever you desire we can make happen." He drops a kiss to Wei Ying's forehead and then between his dark brows.

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