Archive of Our Own ^beta

It’s a quiet morning in the kindergarten, and Lan Wangji observes his classroom with pride.

In truth, it’s not really his classroom; the main teacher is Luo Qingyang. She was due to go on maternity leave later in the year but has run into complications with her pregnancy, so now she’s on bedrest, and Lan Wangji gets to substitute for her much earlier than he’d initially thought he would.

Becoming a preschool teacher has not been his first choice of career. In his youth, he did toy with the idea of joining his uncle’s law firm, like his brother ended up doing, but something in him had always pushed him towards teaching. An inner voice that sounded not unlike his mother’s, who had been a music teacher herself. So, during his studies, Lan Wangji volunteered at the community centre to teach music to less financially fortunate people and discovered that he liked teaching children of any age, particularly children young enough to still go to preschool. Something about the way they saw the world, how inquisitive and honest they were, spoke to Lan Wangji, to his own inner child, and still does to this day. He decided that music would stay his favourite hobby and that becoming a kindergarten teacher was his true vocation. He still stands by it and finds joy in it every day, even though some days can be more taxing than others.

Lan Wangji might not be the warmest person out there, but the kids appreciate his calm demeanour, and the fact that he takes them seriously. Moreover, they get his sense of humour, something so far only his brother has been capable of. 

Many of the children also appreciate that he speaks both Mandarin and English, which Lan Wangji is sure landed him this job as a substitute teacher in this international kindergarten. The kids he teaches are from everywhere around the globe, ranging from natives to immigrants to children who came here with their parents on a work visa. Lan Wangji has already prepared his application for a permanent position at this school for when his time as a substitute is up. They are always in need of good teachers, and he would miss the flurry of ‘Mr. Lan’s, and ‘Lan-laoshi’s he is greeted with every day.

Right now, the children are drawing, and Lan Wangji’s classroom is mostly quiet, except for the scratching sounds of crayons on paper, the children softly speaking amongst themselves, and the gentle music he put on as background noise. He’s very proud of his class - of course, there are tantrums and meltdowns, now and then, and small accidents sometimes happen, as they are prone to do with children of this age, but Lan Wangji has so far always been able to calm them down and dry their tears easily enough, only needing to call a parent in once. The kids do show their tendency for mischief during playtime, but for the most part, they are very well-behaved.

The other day, Lan Wangji read them a story about wishes. Today, he asked them to draw a picture of some of their own wishes. He loves to see what their little minds come up with, and while some of his pupils show a greater affinity towards the arts than their peers, Lan Wangji enjoys looking at every single drawing and loves to hear what the children’s thought processes behind their illustration are.

He gets up and wanders through the classroom. Most of the wishes are rather innocent - one of the boys is drawing a boat because he would like to visit his grandfather, who lives by the sea. The girl next to him is drawing herself with her father, and upon Lan Wangji’s request, she tells him that she wishes for him to spend more time with her. He is aware that many of the parents, if not all, are hard-working people who would do anything for their children, but that work schedules aren’t always kind to them. He wonders if he should contact the father, and see if they can talk about him adjusting his schedule a bit, and decides to talk about it with his colleagues first since he isn’t sure if this wouldn’t be too invasive.

Lan Wangji then walks over to the next boy, who calmly sits at his table, legs softly swinging and the tip of his tongue stuck between his lips as he draws. The piece of paper shows two rudimentary stick-figure-like people, a green triangle with colourful dots on it, and another smaller figure, a ball with two long appendages growing from what he assumes must be the head.

“That’s really pretty, A-Yuan,” Lan Wangji says softly so he doesn’t startle the boy, then points at the smaller of the two stick figures. “Is that you?”

“Yes, Lan-laoshi,” A-Yuan confirms, then goes to point at the other figures on the drawing. “That is Baba, and this is our Christmas tree, and that is the bnuuy I want for Christmas!”

It’s not unheard of for Chinese people to celebrate Christmas, though Lan Wangji knows it’s a relatively new trend, and it’s being celebrated more as a commercial holiday. Yet another opportunity for people to spend time with their loved ones and exchange gifts, but without the religious meaning attached to it.

“Bun-ny,” Lan Wangji corrects gently. “You have a Christmas tree?”

A-Yuan nods. “I like Christmas trees! I think they are really pretty, and Baba likes them too, so we have one. He says they make the house cosy when it’s dark out. We had one last year, and we will have one this year too!”

Lan Wangji can see that. While he isn’t a fan of the gaudier sort of decorations, he does like when the streets get adorned with string lights in the darker months of the year and can picture how a tastefully decorated tree could up the cosiness of a home, even though he does not own a tree himself.

Maybe he should try this winter, and see whether he likes it.

“A-Yuan, you know it’s still a while until Christmas, right?” Lan Wangji asks. “It’s only October.”

“I know,” the boy replies, “but Baba needs time to find a bunny for me, so it’s okay.”

Lan Wangji lets out a small sigh. Lan Wangji knows how fond A-Yuan is of rabbits. It’s something he and the child have in common, but he also knows that getting a pet as a gift is often an unfortunate and not too well-thought-out choice. This could get difficult.

“A-Yuan…I am sure your baba has told you that getting a bunny for Christmas is not the best idea, right?”

A-Yuan pouts.  

“Pets don’t make good gifts in general,” Lan Wangji says.

“Why?” A-Yuan asks, the rabbit plush that has previously been sitting on the small drawing table pressed firmly to his chest. “I really want a bnu - bu-bunny…”

“I know,” Lan Wangji replies. “When I was your age, I wanted a bunny too, but my uncle said no.”

A-Yuan gasps. “Really?”

Lan Wangji nods. “I didn’t understand how much work bunnies are. You have to make sure that they have the right amount of space to live in, that there is nothing dangerous around them that could harm them. Some bunnies are very cuddly, others don’t like to be touched by humans all that much. You regularly have to take them to the vet to make sure they stay healthy. You have to clean up after them, buy them food and toys and anything else they might need. That takes time, and it can become expensive.”

“Oh.” A-Yuan goes and hangs his head. “Baba says we don’t have that much money….”

Lan Wangji frowns. The fee for attending this preschool isn’t exactly cheap, so if A-Yuan’s father finds himself in financial difficulties, he should talk to him. A-Yuan’s sad face brings him back to reality; seeing the child so distraught breaks Lan Wangji’s heart. With the palm of his hand, he gently smoothes down a few stray locks of A-Yuan’s hair.

“Maybe talk to your baba to see if you can save up to get a bunny in the future?” he suggests. “In the meantime, there are places you can visit where you can see how rabbits live, and what it takes to take proper care of them. That way, you can learn everything about them and decide later if you’re still up to getting one. Pets are life-long friends, they deserve the best care only. We must prepare and learn as much as we can before we get one. That’s why they should not be given as gifts.”

A-Yuan listens to all of this with wide eyes. “Can you tell Baba about the bunny place when he comes to pick me up?”

“I can,” Lan Wangji agrees. “We still have an hour to go, why don’t you go and draw another picture for your baba? And when it’s time to go home, please tell him to come see him for a minute.”

A-Yuan nods before taking the sheet of paper Lan Wangji hands him and turns his attention back to his crayons.

He keeps the rest of the hour wondering what kind of person A-Yuan’s father might be. Sure, they’ve seen each other whenever Wei Wuxian arrives at the kindergarten to either drop his child off or pick him up, but so far they’ve only exchanged pleasantries. Up until now, they’ve only communicated via e-mail when Lan Wangji announced that Luo Qingyang had to go on maternity leave earlier than planned and that he would be now teaching the children alongside Mrs Waters. A few parents requested in-person meetings with him to get to know him better, but most parents kept their communication with him to a minimum, occasionally phoning him to tell him their child was sick and wouldn’t attend school that day.

Wei Wuxian isn’t an exception. From their e-mail exchanges, Lan Wangji could tell that he seemed to be a good-natured person, with a quick wit and a charm that irritated Lan Wangji at first, but the man never stepped out of line, so Lan Wangji didn't comment on it. He only hopes that talking to him about his son’s desire to get a rabbit, and the advice he’d like to share on the topic, will not be unwelcome. He doesn’t think so, but he’s heard many stories about Karens of any gender in the parenting field.

Sooner than anticipated, the bell signalling that the school day is over, rings, and Lan Wangji helps the children put their things away and slip on their shoes and coats. Various parents are already waiting by the door to collect their children, and Lan Wangji cannot help but scan them to see if he can spot A-Yuan’s father somewhere - tall, hair often in a ponytail or a messy bun, often clad in a leather jacket, and with a smile that could power a small village. He blinks himself out of it when a little girl with blonde pigtails tugs on his trouser leg and hands him a piece of paper.

“For you, Mr. Lan!” she says with a toothy grin, proudly showcasing a drawing of what vaguely resembles a bunch of pink flowers.

“Thank you, Laura,” Lan Wangji says as he takes the drawing and looks at it. “It’s beautiful. I will hang it up in the classroom so I will always be able to see it when I work, and the others can enjoy it too.” 

Laura beams at him, then turns around and runs off to an equally blonde woman upon hearing her name being called. Once most of his little students have been picked up by their guardians, he heads back to his classroom to tidy up, all while keeping an eye on A-Yuan who is hovering at the door to wait for his father.

It doesn’t take long before an excited “Baba! Lan-laoshi wants to see you!” rings through the hallway, and A-Yuan takes off, only to be caught by a pair of arms that lift him up easily.

“Oh, does he now?” Wei Wuxian says. “Has my son been a naughty radish?”

“Not in the slightest,” Lan Wangji replies, drawing Wei Wuxian’s attention to him as the man enters the classroom with his son on his arm, “A-Yuan has been very well-behaved. Hello, Wei Wuxian.”

“Lan-laoshi!” Wei Wuxian exclaims, a hint of good-natured teasing in his voice, his eyes sparkling as he turns his megawatt smile fully onto Lan Wangji. “Hello! What can I do for you?”

“I would like to show you something,” Lan Wangji says as he goes to retrieve A-Yuan’s drawing from the neat pile of artwork on his desk. Wei Wuxian sets A-Yuan back down, and the boy waddles over to the reading corner where he plops down on one of the cushions and busies himself with his rabbit plush.

Lan Wangji beckons Wei Wuxian over to the teacher’s desk and lays out the drawing for Wei Wuxian to see. “A-Yuan drew this today,” he says.

“Oh, that’s -” Wei Wuxian begins, then lets out a sigh that sounds weirdly like relief. “That’s not as bad as I assumed it would be.”

Lan Wangji looks at him quizzically.

Wei Wuxian sighs. “I don’t know what it says on his school form, but I’m not A-Yuan’s biological father. I’ve adopted him. He’s aware of it, but…I know there’s some pretty heavy stuff he went through before he and I met, and sometimes he still has nightmares about it, even though therapy really helps. I thought that maybe he had drawn something about that.”

Lan Wangji looks over to where A-Yuan is peacefully talking to his bunny stuffie, and his heart breaks. The child is five years old; he doesn’t wish to think about what he might have already gone through at such a young age.

“Nothing of the sort,” Lan Wangji tells him. “He never showed any kind of distress hinting at some past trauma, and it never reflected in his artwork either. No, I was more concerned about him wanting a rabbit for Christmas.”

Lan Wangji sees how Wei Wuxian is trying his best not to roll his eyes.

“Really? Is he still going on about this? Look, I’ve explained several times that we cannot adopt a rabbit at this point. Not only do we not have the space right now, but also am I too busy to teach him how to take care of one. I am more than open to getting one down the line, once things have calmed down a bit, and he still wants one, but right now? It’s not the right time. I don’t want to get a pet and then only have time for it on the weekends.”

Lan Wangji hums. “I also explained to him that rabbit care can become expensive, and he expressed concern about your financial situation.”

Wei Wuxian blinks at him, then erupts into laughter. “What? Did my radish claim that his baba is poor and has to go beg the streets? Don’t worry about it. I quit my previous job and founded my own software start-up, and so far it’s going very well! We’re not making that much money yet, but it’s still enough to have us living comfortably. Besides I do have savings; I just don’t wanna spend that much right mow.”

“That is sensible,” Lan Wangji agrees, “but if you ever find yourself in a financially difficult situation, please do not hesitate to reach out. We do have programs you could benefit from.”

“Noted,” Wei Wuxian says. “Is there anything else?”

Lan Wangji clears his throat. “Actually yes. A-Yuan asked me to talk to you a bit more about rabbits.”

Wei Wuxian glances over at his son, then back at Lan Wangji. “Rabbits?” he asks.

“Yes. I am fond of them myself, and I told A-Yuan about my own desire to get a pet rabbit as a child. I am still thinking about acquiring one, although I would probably adopt a pair of rescue rabbits rather than buy them. However, if A-Yuan would like to learn more about rabbits, some sanctuaries offer opportunities to safely interact with them and learn what it takes to care for them. I frequent some of these sanctuaries, as they offer opportunities to adopt, so I thought if you wish, I could pass on some information to you. If you want, you could take A-Yuan.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes grow wide. “Really? That would be amazing, thank you! I had no idea there was such a thing! And you go there too?”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji says. “There is one place I am especially fond of. If you like, and if you have time…I will be there on Saturday afternoon. We could go together.”

Lan Wangji blinks. He has no idea where that just came from. Sure, Wei Wuxian is very attractive, and Lan Wangji feels drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Not to mention that A-Yuan is adorable and Lan Wangji really likes him, and technically there are no rules against preschool teachers and parents dating, but -

It’s for A-Yuan, he decides. For the child. Not for me.

And who knows? Maybe he and Wei Wuxian will become friends. He’d like that, Lan Wangji thinks.

Wei Wuxian, for his part, really seems to like the idea.

“Radish!” he calls, “what would you say if Lan-laoshi were to take us to see some bunnies this weekend? Would you like that?”

A-Yuan’s eyes light up. “Really? I can go see bunnies with you and Lan-laoshi?”

Lan Wangji nods. “I will email you my number so we can fix a time to meet.”

“Yay!” A-Yuan cries and runs to hug Lan Wangji’s leg. “Thank you, Lan-laoshi!”

“You are welcome,” Lan Wangji tells him, “but you have to thank your baba too. He’s the one who agreed to it.”

As if on cue, A-Yuan detaches himself from Lan Wangji and barrels into Wei Wuxian’s legs.

“Thank you, Baba! You’re the best Baba!”

Wei Wuxian laughs. “I’m your only baba.”

“Still the best one!” A-Yuan insists.

“Alright alright, the very best, then. Do you have all of your things? It’s time to go home.”

A-Yuan runs back to the reading corner to pick up his plushie before waddling back to take Wei Wuxian’s waiting hand.

“I will be hearing from you, then?” Wei Wuxian says as he bends down to adjust the zipper on A-Yuan’s coat.

“Yes, I will send out the email as soon as I am home.”

“Fantastic. Thank you, Lan Wangji. A-Yuan, say goodbye to Lan-laoshi!”

“Bye Lan-laoshi!” A-Yuan exclaims as he waves his bunny plush about, mirroring his father’s waving hand.

Lan Wangji waves back and watches them leave the school building. He stays there for a while, staring at the spot on which father and son had been standing, before he turns back to his classroom to give it a final tidy and clean.

***

They exchange phone numbers and set up a time on which to meet up. Lan Wangji offers to drive them to the rabbit café a town over that he likes to frequent. The café itself is warm and clean and gets lots of sunlight, and the pastries and beverages are served with a warm smile. The rabbit sanctuary is walkable so everyone who goes in can see how the bunnies live. The enclosures are large and clean, with lots of hiding spots and places to nap and play, and various toys for enrichment. The sanctuary also features an outdoor enclosure the rabbits can visit when the weather allows for it, and a few staff members are always nearby to supervise them. 

Then there’s an area in which people can sit down and meet the bunnies, with strict rules that ensure the rabbits’ safety and wellbeing. Lan Wangji has visited many rabbit sanctuaries and shelters, and this is by far one of his favourites. 

He offers to pick Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan up in his own car so only one of them will have to drive, and he finds them already waiting in front of their apartment complex as he pulls up. He cuts the engine and gets out of the car to greet both of them.

“Hi Lan-laoshi!” A-Yuan exclaims from atop Wei Wuxian’s arm, who greets him with one of his sunny smiles.

“Hi Lan Wangji,” he says. “Could you watch this little monster for a second? I’ll get his booster seat from my car.”

“Hello, A-Yuan, Wei Wuxian, and no need,” Lan Wangji replies, inclining his head towards his back seat, where a colourful car seat is already waiting. “It should be the right size for A-Yuan, too.”

“Oh,” Wei Wuxian says, eyeing the seat with interest and…something else in his eyes that Lan Wangji cannot quite read. “A space pattern? Does your kid want to become an astronaut?”

“This week? Yes,” Lan Wangji replies, “although he’s not my kid but my nephew, and last week he still wanted to become a firefighter. I wonder what his dream profession will be next week.”

Wei Wuxian laughs at that. “I have a young nephew too! His father has one of those overly expensive luxury-brand booster seats and insists that I use it, even though the one that I use has better reviews.”

“My brother picked out the car seat for his son, so we didn’t run into those kinds of discussions. Shall we?”

Wei Wuxian nods and straps A-Yuan into the car seat. 

“Feels funny, Baba,” he says as he wriggles a bit.

“Is it uncomfortable?” Lan Wangji asks.

A-Yuan shakes his head. “No, just different. Can we go see the bunnies now, please?”

Lan Wangji huffs a laugh, then opens the passenger door for Wei Wuxian, who looks at him with a slight blush on his cheeks and a smile that seems almost shy.

“Such a gentleman, Lan Wangji. Thank you!”

Lan Wangji says nothing. Instead, he closes the door and rounds the car so he can slide into the driver’s seat, the image of a blushing Wei Wuxian still vivid in his mind.

The drive to the bunny café is filled with idle conversation. Lan Wangji doesn’t say much as he is concentrating on the road but does reply here and there to indicate that he is listening and interested in whatever Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan have to say. He learns more about Wei Wuxian’s profession, and about his family, and is surprised to learn that Wei Wuxian’s brother-in-law is none other than Jin Zixuan.

“We went to university together,” Lan Wangji says, “and still meet up for tea when time allows.”

“Wait. Really? Then you might have met Jin Ling too?”

“I have,” Lan Wangji confirms, “and I’ve even met your sister a couple of times. She’s a lovely woman.”

“That she is,” Wei Wuxian says with pride. “But now I am curious. How many people do you know that I know too? Nie Huaisang, for example? I feel like everyone knows Huaisang.”

Lan Wangji gives him a look. “I indeed know Nie Huaisang.”

Wei Wuxian stares at him. “How?!”

“Nie Mingjue happens to be my brother-in-law.”

Wei Wuxian blinks, then stares at the booster seat. “Oooh, so that’s Jingyi’s car seat, then? And that means Lan Xichen is your brother? No wonder you looked so familiar to me! I can’t believe I was too dense to connect the dots!”

“It is,” Lan Wangji confirms, “and you must be the Wei-xiong Huaisang keeps talking about.”

Wei Wuxian laughs. “Sure am! Hey Radish, we just found out that Sangsang and Lan-laoshi know each other!”

“I know,” A-Yuan replies.

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian exchange a brief look.

“And how do you know that, Radish?”

“Babaaaa,” A-Yuan says with an exasperated sigh. “Sangsang knows everyone, and everyone means he also knows Lan-laoshi.”

Lan Wangji lets out a small chuckle. “A sound logic,” he says. “I can see no fault in it. Your son is very wise.”   

“Very wise indeed!” Wei Wuxian replies. “He makes me really proud.”

“You make a very sweet father-son-duo,” Lan Wangji says, and Wei Wuxian preens.

The rest of the drive is spent in silence, and soon they arrive at the café. It’s still before noon; Lan Wangji knows that many customers won’t arrive until the afternoon, so he suggested going in early and having lunch at the café, which both Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan agreed to. 

They are greeted by a staff member who shows them around so they can have a look at the entire facility, and A-Yuan gets to ask as many questions about rabbits and their care as his little heart desires.

The staff member is patient but jovial, taking her time to reply in detail to everything the boy wants to know. At the end of it all, he looks at Wei Wuxian, a bit unsure.

“Baba, Lan-laoshi told me it would be much work, but this sounds like very very very much work,” he comments.

“I know,” Wei Wuxian replies. “That’s why I’ve said that you should think about it a while longer. Once I make a bit more money and I can plan my time better, we can still adopt one, and I will help you take care of it.”

“I would suggest adopting a pair,” the staff member says. “Rabbits prefer not to be alone.”

“Ah, good point!” Wei Wuxian says. “Look, what do you think about coming here more often so you can see the bunnies and how they are being taken care of? And if you still want a pair in a few months and feel ready for them, we can prepare together. Save up, get a proper enclosure for them to live in, and make sure we do everything right so they will live their best life with us. What do you say?”

A-Yuan thinks about it, but then he nods, a smile on his face. “Baba, I still want to pet the bnuuys though.”

Lan Wangji doesn’t have the heart to correct him this time around, it’s too adorable, even for him. He leads him and Wei Wuxian to the enclosed area in which customers can interact with the rabbits.

“There are a few rules we must follow to be allowed to interact with the bunnies,” Lan Wangji explains. “Listen carefully. First, we need to take off our shoes and wear the slippers the staff give us. Then, we must wash and sanitise our hands and wear a mask, so that the bunnies don’t get sick.”

A-Yuan nods.

“Speak quietly when you are in there. Rabbits don’t like it when one is too loud. You also shouldn’t move too hastily. Those rabbits do not know you, and quick movements might startle them. Don’t try to grab them, and never pull their ears and tails. Let them come to you and sniff you before you try to pet them, and don’t be sad if they don’t come to play or don’t wish to be petted. They are like you; sometimes you don’t feel like playing either. And when they come to you, only feed them the snacks the sanctuary provides you with.”

A-Yuan considers this, then nods again. “Okay, Lan-laoshi. Will you and Baba help when I get confused?”

“Of course we will,” Lan Wangji replies, then looks up at Wei Wuxian for confirmation, only to find him already looking back with a soft smile on his face.

“...Wei Wuxian?”

“Hmm? Oh, of course we will help, Radish, don’t worry,” Wei Wuxian is quick to say. “Shall we go in?”

They put on slippers and masks and sanitise their hands, then carefully enter the room and sit down on some of the floor cushions laid out for the customers. Some of the rabbits are already out, snoozing and cuddling up against each other. Others seem far more interested in their food bowls than in the humans around them.

A-Yuan looks at all of them with big eyes but begins to grow restless after a while.

“Patience,” Lan Wangji says. “It sometimes takes a bit for them to get curious.”

Sure enough, a few rabbits soon hop up to them and sniff on their feet and legs.

“Hold out your hand,” Lan Wangji prompts and A-Yuan does as he’s told. 

One particularly fluffy rabbit sniffs on his fingers before rising on its hind legs.

Lan Wangji takes a piece of lettuce from one of the bowls situated on the floor and hands it to A-Yuan, who holds it out to the rabbit. The bunny happily munches on the leaf, and A-Yuan cannot help but giggle.

This interaction seems to prompt a few other rabbits to join in, and soon Lan Wangji and A-Yuan find themselves with one rabbit each on their laps, while Wei Wuxian fills a few stacking cups with treats and observes as one small grey rabbit tries to get to said treats by aggressively flinging cup after cup through the entire room.

“That’s a feisty one,” Wei Wuxian comments. “I like that one.”

“She has quite the personality,” Lan Wangji agrees, “but if you wish to adopt her, you’ll have to adopt her mate as well. It’s the lop over there.”

He points at a white lop with tan and black spots scattered across his fur. The rabbit is almost double the size of the grey one.

“Wow,” Wei Wuxian comments. “She sure likes big buns.”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji deadpans, “and she certainly cannot lie about it.”

Wei Wuxian stares at him, then makes a choked sound, as if he was trying to stifle a laugh.

“Oh, Lan Wangji, you are so funny!”

Lan Wangji doesn’t reply. He’s glad for the mask because he cannot help the smile that is forming on his face.

The rabbit on A-Yuan’s lap soon leaves, having collected its daily pet toll, and another one comes up. A-Yuan plays with it, rolling a ball in its direction, which the rabbit then pushes around and back to him.

“Look at that, Radish, it really likes you!” Wei Wuxian says.

“I like it too,” A-Yuan admits. “Can I play with it again when we come back?”

Wei Wuxian nods. “If no one has adopted it by then and it wants to play? Sure!”

They stay with the rabbits a little while longer, until Wei Wuxian’s stomach grumbles so loudly that some of the buns zoom away.

“Oops,” he says. “Guess it’s lunchtime soon.”

Lan Wangji looks at his watch. “It is,” he confirms. “We should get something to eat.”

The café does offer warm meals around noon, and so they find themselves sitting at the same table, each of them a tray with steaming food in front of them. They eat in companionable silence; even Wei Wuxian is quiet for once and only starts talking again once their plates are empty.

They pay, then walk back to the car, where Wei Wuxian straps A-Yuan back into his booster seat. The boy is fast asleep by the time Lan Wangji starts the engine.

“I’m surprised he didn’t ask for a souvenir,” Wei Wuxian says softly. “That was a great day, thank you for suggesting it.”

“You’re welcome,” Lan Wangji replies as they pull onto the road. “I’m very fond of this place myself; I am here almost every Saturday. Interacting with the rabbits calms me down immensely, and now that I am looking for a pair of rabbits to adopt, I like taking my time while I am there.”

“Why haven’t you got some rabbits yet?” Wei Wuxian asks.

“I’m still on a substitute teacher schedule,” Lan Wangji says, “and I want to wait until my contract is permanent and I know how much time I will have to properly take care of them. Besides, I don’t wish to rush my decision. Pets are forever friends, after all.”

“Hmmm, very true,” Wei Wuxian agrees. “Say…would it bother you much if we would run into each other at the bunny café on Saturdays? It happens to be the day on which I have least to do myself, and I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Not a bother,” Lan Wangji replies. “I greatly enjoyed this day with both of you. I wouldn’t mind a repeat.”

Wei Wuxian smiles, then, and it takes Lan Wangji all of his willpower to concentrate on the road again.

“I wouldn’t mind that either.”

***

It becomes a routine, after that. Each Thursday, they exchange a text on whether they want to meet at the bunny café, and each Saturday, Lan Wangji drives over to pick them up.

On the third Saturday, Lan Wangji buys Wei Wuxian a piece of red velvet cake. Wei Wuxian stares at the cake, bewildered.

“Lan Wangji…?”

“A little bunny told me that it’s his baba’s birthday today,” Lan Wangji explains, and Wei Wuxian laughs, delighted.

“You two plotted against me?!” he exclaims as he pinches A-Yuan’s dumpling cheek. “That’s so sweet of you two, thank you! I wasn’t expecting this at all! And my favourite cake too, how did you know?”

“You forget that I know Jin Zixuan, and that he happens to be married to your sister. I asked her.”

“Jiejie was in on it?” Wei Wuxian sputters. “I can’t believe the lot of you!”

Lan Wangji smiles. “It’s just a humble piece of cake. I wish I could have gifted you something else, but I found out about your birthday yesterday at school.”

Wei Wuxian waves him off with a hand gesture. “Listen, I wasn’t expecting anything. This actually means so much to me. Thank you, Lan Wangji.”

“...Lan Zhan.”

“Hm?”

“I…please call me Lan Zhan.”

“Oooh true, your family still does the whole courtesy name thing,” Wei Wuxian says. “Huaisang explained it to me after I overheard his brother calling your brother by a different name.”

Lan Wangji nods. “It’s a bit old-fashioned, but my father and my uncle both have given and courtesy names. They grew up with them and continued the tradition, although no one has called me by my given name since…”

Lan Wangji puts down his own fork as he has to think about it.

“I believe the last person who called me by my given name was my mother, actually. Both my brother and my uncle call me Wangji.”

“Oh,” Wei Wuxian goes. “I happen to know that you lost your mother a long time ago, so…is it really alright if I call you by your given name?”

“Please,” Lan Wangji says. “I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t comfortable with it.”

“Alright then,” Wei Wuxian replies. “But please call me Wei Ying in that case! It’s the name I was given at birth. Not sure if my parents had a courtesy name in mind for me, but Wei Wuxian is the name Uncle Fengmian gave me when he adopted me. Not sure if it was his idea, or what his thought process behind it was, but I don’t mind it at all. I think it’s kinda cool - a name everyone uses, and a name only special people get to use.”

Lan Wangji hums. “Does that mean I am special?”

A-Yuan, who has been silent up until now, pipes up: “Of course you are! You are special because you are you!”

Wei Wuxian laughs. “He’s not wrong, you know? You are special. Truly.”

“If I am special, then both of you are extra special,” Lan Wangji retorts, earning a giggle from both Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan.

“A-Yuan, you still need to call Lan-laoshi Lan-laoshi though, you understand? He’s still your teacher.”

“At least when we are at school,” Lan Wangji tells him. “When we meet outside of school, you may call me Zhan-gege, if you like.”

“...Zhan-gege!” A-Yuan says and giggles. Lan Wangji feels as if someone wrapped his heart in a soft warm blanket.

“You two will be the death of me with how cute you are,” Wei Wuxian moans theatrically, but still with a smile on his face.

“Please do not perish, Wei Ying. A-Yuan and I would miss you too much.”

Wei Wuxian buries his face in his hands and groans.

Lan Wangji and A-Yuan exchange a look, smiling. 

***

From: Wei Ying

Say Lan Zhan, what are your plans for next weekend?

Lan Wangji frowns. While they have taken to texting each other regularly, they haven’t met up outside of their usual bunny café outings. They still ask each Thursday if they can still meet up on Saturday, but that’s it.

Not that Lan Wangji would mind seeing Wei Wuxian more often. On the contrary. He’s grown so fond of the man that he sometimes feels like his heart might burst with it, and if his brother is to be believed, Wei Wuxian doesn’t fare any better.

“He told Huaisang about you the other day when he came to visit,” Lan Xichen had told him, an amused glint in his eyes. “I’ve rarely seen someone as besotted as him.”

Lan Wangji has been wondering about the nature of Wei Wuxian’s feelings for him. It’s undeniable that they both like each other in a friendly manner and that Lan Wangji would be content with staying Wei Wuxian’s friend if nothing more was to come of it.

But lately, Wei Wuxian leaned against him while playing with the rabbits more than once, and their hands brushed against each other more than once while they were out, and when Lan Wangji couldn’t take it anymore and laced their pinkies together, Wei Wuxian let him.

More than once.

Lan Wangji had not planned to fall in love. He had not been opposed to the general idea, but he had not expected to fall so fast, and so hard. It’s exhilarating, but also somewhat frightening, because the possibility of rejection, however kind-hearted, is always looming around the corner.

Besides, Wei Wuxian has a son, and Lan Wangji knows that A-Yuan always comes first. Lan Wangji wouldn’t have it any other way either. He knows that A-Yuan likes him, as a teacher and as his father’s friend….if he would accept him as his father’s partner is something he cannot know for sure, even though he hopes.

Oh, how he hopes. 

Lately, he’s been thinking much about A-Yuan too. Seeing him outside of the classroom setting has offered him the chance to see whole new facets of the boy, and while Lan Wangji was fond of him before, A-Yuan has fully taken over his heart too. He regularly catches himself looking at a toy in a shop window, thinking that A-Yuan might like it, or wondering whether the boy would enjoy listening to him play the guqin, maybe ask to be taught how to play it even, with the child sitting on Lan Wangji’s lap…

Lan Wangji shakes his head. He’s getting ahead of himself, and he should probably reply to that text.

To: Wei Ying

I was planning to visit the bunny café on Saturday, like I always do. Won’t you come along?

From: Wei Ying

Of course I will! I was just thinking about Sunday- and Monday, but you are working on Monday.

To: Wei Ying

Only in the afternoon. You know I share classes with Mrs Waters. I am free in the morning.

From: Wei Ying

Oh cool! So, what would you say about celebrating Christmas with us? Like, not as in a religious holiday, of course. Some of my friends are overseas and do have a company Christmas party, but my company currently only has one employee, who happens to be me, though that might potentially change next year - exciting! - so I thought, what if we hung out? Like, no real party, just you, me, the Radish, a good meal, nice music, some real cheesy Christmas movies, and a well-lit Christmas tree? 

From: Wei Ying

I mean only the lights being lit, not the tree itself. Though i wouldn’t put it past myself to achieve that as well, hahahaha!

From: Wei Ying

You totally don’t have to if you dont want to!!! Its cool! I get it! We can be a handful sometimes.

To: Wei Ying

You are never too much. I’d love to come over and spend the evening with you, if you would have me. What should I bring as gifts?

From: Wei Ying

Oh actually if its not too much trouble? Theres that one book A-Yuan likes so much that just got a sequel. I can send you the link if you want?

To: Wei Ying

That would be ideal, thank you. What about you?

From: Wei Ying

Me? Hahahahahaha Lan Zhan.

I dont need anything. I have you!

Srsly you have been the biggest gift I couldve asked for this year. Just be here and Ill be the happiest man in the world.

What about u?

To: Wei Ying

Likewise

From: Wei Ying

LAN ZHAAAAAAAAN

♥

To: Wei Ying

♥

And so, Lan Wangji keeps on hoping.

***

Lan Wangji arrives at Wei Wuxian’s house around six pm on December 24th. Somewhere in the world, it’s Christmas Eve, To Lan Wangji that doesn’t really matter, although he enjoys the lights and decorations he spots in some windows on his drive to Wei Wuxian’s place, paired with the flurry of snow that keeps on falling, muffling his footsteps as he walks up to the door.

He doesn’t need to wait for long after he rings the doorbell for Wei Wuxian to open. He’s in the most hideous jumper Lan Wangji has ever seen, a green monstrosity with sewn-on green tinsel garlands and tiny baubles.

Wei Wuxian looks like a sentient Christmas tree, and yet, to Lan Wangji, he’s the most beautiful man he has ever seen.

“Hi,” Wei Wuxian says, then leans in to place a kiss on his cheeks before stepping aside so that Lan Wangji can enter.

Lan Wangji blinks until his brain reboots, then walks into the flat before he takes Wei Wuxian’s hand and kisses his knuckles. He watches with a smile as Wei Wuxian’s cheeks turn a lovely pink, then takes off his coat and shoes.

“Right. Slippers,” Wei Wuxian mumbles and retrieves a pair from an inconspicuous cupboard by the door. “Bathroom is over there if you wanna wash your hands. A-Yuan is in the living room. Go say hello while I go tinker around in the kitchen.”

Lan Wangji does wash his hands but doesn’t get the chance to enter the living room because A-Yuan beats him to it by barreling into his legs at full speed.

“Zhan-gege! You really came!” he exclaims as Lan Wangji lifts him up and rests him on his hip as if it were the most natural thing to do.

“Hello, A-Yuan. Did you think I would not come, even though I promised that I would do so yesterday?”

“Baba was worried you would not come,” A-Yuan mumbles.

Lan Wangji frowns. “Why would I do that?”

“Because -”

“Because of the weather, Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian interjects from the kitchen. “I-I wasn’t sure how much snow we were gonna get, so I thought maybe you would not want to make the drive.”

Lan Wangji stands in teh doorway, A-Yuan still on his arm, and gives him a look. “Wei Ying. That out there is barely a dusting of snow. I drive up into the Gusu mountains every winter to visit my family, I am used to driving in much worse weather conditions.”

“True, but sometimes...what feels normal for one might be too much for someone else. You know?”

Lan Wangji thinks about it, then nods. “I think I know. And it’s not too much for me, Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian looks at him, then, a shy smile on his lips, his eyes bearing a hopeful question. Lan Wangji smiles back at him, and something inside him...settles.

A-Yuan starts wiggling on his arm, then, breaking the spell, and Lan Wangji sets him down again.

“Baba, can I show Zhan-gege my room, please?” A-Yuan pleads.

Wei Wuxian laughs. “Lan Zhan, beware, if you agree he will tell you the detailed history of every single toy he owns!”

Lan Wangji considers it. “A-Yuan, do you own many bunny plushies?”

“A million thousand hundreds!” A-Yuan replies.

Lan Wangji holds out his hand for the child to take. “Then lead the way,” he says, leaving a giggling Wei Wuxian behind in the kitchen.

Lan Wangji makes a whole lot of new bunny plushie friends that evening. Once A-Yuan has finished giving him the tour, Lan Wangji walks back to the kitchen, where Wei Wuxian has just finished preparing their meal.

“So, what is the protocol?” he asks.

“Weeeell it depends,” Wei Wuxian says. “In some countries, it’s Christmas dinner and religious service one evening and gifts the following morning, or gifts the same evening after the religious service, but since we’ve thrown the religious stuff out of the window anyway, I thought we might do meal, then gifts, then movie together? Have a good time and enjoy the impeccable aesthetics of my Christmas decorations.”

“The vibes, as Huaisang says,” Lan Wangji confirms. “Sounds good to me. Can I help?”

“Nope! The table is set, and the food is done, so we can sit down and eat if you want to? I made sure to cook something without meat for you.”

Lan Wangji nods and collects A-Yuan, who directs him towards a festively decorated dining table. Dinner this time around is not as silent, with Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan happily chatting away, but…if Lan Wangji is honest? He wouldn’t have it any other way. They feel like a family, and it feels so right that he almost aches with it. He wishes he could remain in this moment forever, but alas the meal is over too soon.

Lan Wangji does insist on helping with loading the dishwasher before Wei Wuxian shoos A-Yuan away.

“In your room you go,” he says, “and don’t come out until I call you, okay? We want your presents to be a surprise!”

A-Yuan giggles and scampers away, closing his door just enough so he can still hear his father when he calls

“Do you have his present?” Wei Wuxian asks. “Can you put it under the tree?”

Lan Wangji walks into the hallway to retrieve the two wrapped parcels he brought with him: the book Wei Wuxian has requested for A-Yuan, and a second one, a blood-red scarf that was so soft and reminded Lan Wangji so much of Wei Wuxian that he just had to get it as a gift for him.

He turns to return to the living room and stops dead in his tracks as his eyes land on Wei Wuxian, standing by the tree, a band with two long black rabbit ears attached to it on his head.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Wangji asks. “What kind of Christmas tradition is this…?”

“No Christmas tradition,” Wei Wuxian says. Lan Wangji can tell that he’s nervous by how he worries his fingers.

“Unless potentially making an absolute fool out of myself is the newest trend among Christmas traditions.”

“You could never,” Lan Wangji says and means it.

“You don’t know that.” Wei Wuxian says, then takes a deep breath. “Anyways, uhhh…well. I do have a physical gift for you too, it’s wrapped and all, but - I know how much you want rabbits, and I know you haven’t found the right ones yet, so I thought I’d go ahead and…gift you one.”

He awkwardly points at his headband.

“If you want said rabbit, that is. Totally cool if not, if that’s the case I won’t mention it ever again and we’ll be fine, haha, but…Lan Zhan - during the last few weeks. I’ve got the feeling that we grew close and that we not only became very good friends, but…something more. Something bigger and meaningful. I feel whole when I am with you, in a way I’ve never felt with someone else. It’s actually all kinds of crazy. And just - the way you are with A-Yuan? It’s so amazing. He absolutely adores you, and - I might have gone ahead and talked to him about this, but he knows that there’s the possibility of nothing coming out of this and the two of us just staying friends, but - Lan Zhan, I meant it when I said you are the greatest gift I could have asked for. You mean - I cannot even explain how much you mean to me. Everything? I feel like that’s not a big enough word. I just -”

“Yes,” Lan Wangji says.

“What?” Wei Wuxian replies.

“Yes,” Lan Wangji repeats. “I am against gifting pets as gifts, but this rabbit? This is one I’d gladly accept.”

Wei Wuxian stares at him with an open mouth before he shuts it with a click. “I - really?”

“Really,” Lan Wangji confirms. “You are not mistaken. I have felt us growing closer too, and I didn’t know how to talk about it, but I hoped - you are also everything to me. You and A-Yuan. I want you in my life, as my friends, yes, but also -”

Lan Wangji stops talking, then, tosses the gifts onto the couch and walks over to Wei Wuxian before he takes his face between his hands and guides their lips together.

Lan Wangji doesn’t claim to have that much experience when it comes to kissing, but even if he did - every single kiss he’s ever shared with someone would pale in comparison to how this one makes him feel. It’s like he’s coming home, and he drowns in it, floats with it, as Wei Wuxian’s arms come up around him to hold him even closer.

They stay like this for a while, trading soft kisses, only interrupted by their equally soft giggling. If anyone had told him that kissing someone would bring tears to his eyes - the good kind of tears - Lan Wangji would have told them off. Now he finds himself unable to hold them back.

“Aiyah Lan Zhan, is kissing me so bad that I’m making you cry?” Wei Wuxian asks while wiping away one of Lan Wangji’s tears. 

“No,” Lan Wangji says as he catches Wei Wuxian’s hand in his own and kisses his fingers. “I am just so happy I cannot help it.”

“Lan Zhaaaaan,” Wei Wuxian whines, “you are going to make me cry too! And then I’ll look all splotchy and gross.”

“I am sure you would look beautiful even after a full-blown meltdown,” Lan Wangji tells him.

“Sweet talker,” Wei Wuxian replies. “But, Lan Zhan, didn’t you tell me that it’s better to keep rabbits in pairs?”

“I believe that was the staff member at the bunny café who did, but yes.”

“Well, then - A-Yuan?”

A-Yuan’s bedroom door creaks open to reveal the boy clad in a rabbit onesie, with ears sewn onto the hood, a carrot plush in his arms, and a wide toothy grin on his face.

“Zhan-gege,” he calls. “Can Baba and I be your bunnies for Christmas?”

Lan Wangji lets go of Wei Wuxian, only to scoop A-Yuan up into his arms once more.

“How could I say no to the most beautiful rabbits I have ever laid eyes on?” he tells the boy, who erupts into laughter and cuddles close to him.

Lan Wangji adjusts the child on his arm so he can wrap his other arm around Wei Wuxian once more.

Wei Wuxian rests his head against Lan Wangji’s shoulder with a content sigh.

“You know what? Tacky commercial holiday or not, I love Christmas.”

“And I love you,” Lan Wangji whispers. 

Wei Wuxian looks up at him then, with big eyes full of wonder.

“Lan Zhan…”

“Too soon?”

Wei Wuxian shakes his head and smiles. “If you know, you know. And I know that I love you, too.”

“And I love you too!” A-Yuan exclaims, stretching out his arms to hug both of the adults before him.

They open their presents and watch a Christmas movie before Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji tuck A-Yuan in together. Lan Wangji ends up spending the night, and many more nights, at Wei Wuxian’s flat, and Wei Wuxian stays over at Lan Wangji’s house, sometimes with A-Yuan, sometimes on his own when the boy has a sleepover at auntie Yanli’s house.

They don’t exactly hide their relationship but keep it on the down low until the school year is over, mostly to avoid gossip among the parents. By the end of summer, Wei Wuxian and A-Yuan have moved in with Lan Wangji, whose house is larger and has a nice garden. Their family is joined by two fluffy bunnies who bring joy and wreak havoc in equal measures.

And if the following year there’s a wedding celebrated on December 24th? According to both grooms and their son, that’s the magic of Christmas at work.