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Wei Ying kicks off his shoes and slides across the polished hallway, high-fiving a watching and clearly impressed A-Yuan from the third step of the stairs going to the first floor, and he pretends like he's on a surfboard by changing his angle to sideways when he glides into the kitchen like a pro. He measures it perfectly so that he stops in time to throw his arms around Lan Zhan’s waist from the back.
“I'm officially on holiday now, Lan Zhan!” He shouts, hugging him tightly and then laughing because A-Yuan has followed him in, and his chubby short arms have wound around his legs. “Oh no! Lan Zhan! You've been caught by the Cuddle Monsters! What are you gonna do now?!” Wei Ying kisses his soft cheek, unable to help himself because he's the luckiest person in the world: he gets to come home to this, to his family, and it's the best dream come true. His cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
The scent of gingerbread bunnies mixed with cinnamon and sandalwood, a strange but still tantalising combination, drifts into his nose, and he catches sight of Lan Zhan’s lovely golden eyes watching him back fondly.
“Oh, dear,” he replies without any kind of emotional inflection on purpose, making Wei Ying cackles with glee, “What ever will I do?”
That's all the warning Wei Ying gets before his impossibly strong husband lifts both him and his son into his arms and spins them all a couple of times before carrying them into the living room.
They've designed this house themselves, right from the foundations to the last tile on their roof, and everything is as they chose it to be. Wei Ying’s architectural skills combined with a flair for the dramatic, and Lan Zhan’s artistic subtle great taste have proved to be a spectacular feast for the eyes of whoever turns up, and Wei Ying won an award for the innovative design of their dream home. He had promptly taken the ironically ugly flame award to a goldsmith and made them add Lan Zhan’s name right next to his. “Together or nothing,” he had said, when Lan Zhan raised a brow at why he'd been gone so long, and Wei Ying had dumped the trophy into his hands and plopped into his lap straight after. They hadn't done much talking after that unless noises counted because then, yes, there was a lot of that…
They'd always planned on having a big family, and then suddenly, A-Yuan had come along, and they fit together so perfectly that it was a no-brainer.
The second advantage to having A Big House, is that everyone likes coming over. Especially for the holiday season. This year, Lan Zhan and Wei Ying are hosting the Christmas holidays for a sleepover, so they're expecting Jiang YanLi, the Peacock, and Jin Ling, Lan XiChen with Nie MingJue and their three year old, Lan JingYi, which is great because he's the same age as A-Yuan and they get along like a house on fire. The siblings are also coming over, so Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng, weirdly everyone's favourite uncle for some bizarre reason, will also be there. Wen Qing and Wen Ning are bringing Wen Popo and Uncle Four, and then the adult adults are joining in during Christmas day itself.
That means, Cangse Sanren’s wild personality and her oppositely quiet but with a lethal sense of humour husband, Wei Changze will be coming too, as well as Uncle Qiren, and Lan Zhan’s Mama, Madam Lan.
Wei Ying is sort of hoping that the six older adults will leave when it's time to actually sleep because that will be a lot of people in the house even for him.
Lan Zhan sits down on the white sofa with his family still in his arms.
“Wow!” Wei Ying pokes at his cheek and then does the same to A-Yuan. “Did you see that, Baby? Your A-Die is so strong that he can carry both of us! I think the Cuddle Monsters have been kidnapped by a Cuddle Dragon!”
“Ba!” A-Yuan's eyes go serious and wide. “What are we gonna do?”
“A better question would be, what am I going to do.” Lan Zhan says, and he grabs A-Yuan's hands to guide them down to Wei Ying’s ribs. “Your Baba is the most ticklish here and on his feet. Go!” And with that, he unleashes a suddenly eager toddler on Wei Ying’s side while he whips off Wei Ying’s socks and grabs his ankles in one large hand, tickling his soles until Wei Ying shrieks for mercy. Lan Zhan smirks at the tears falling like shimmering diamonds on his cheeks, and he's laughing so much that he can't even breathe properly now.
“Yield! I yield!” He finally gasps, and Lan Zhan lets go of his feet and even puts his socks back on.
“Next time, wear the slippers,” he admonishes gently, wiping Wei Ying’s cheeks with his thumb.
“But Lan Zhan! Then I can't be a skater through the hallway!” Wei Ying whines, pouting.
“Only during the winter when it's cold. Do what you like otherwise.” Lan Zhan kisses his forehead.
“Weren't you making gingerbread bunnies?” Wei Ying wonders out loud. His belly hurts from laughing too much.
“Mn. But the Cuddle Monsters were too fierce. Isn't that right, A-Yuan?” Lan Zhan kisses his cheeks too, and then his forehead.
“Mn!” A-Yuan agrees cheerfully, wrapping his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck now. “I love you, A-Die!” And then he applies a slobbery kiss on his cheek and another on his forehead too, making Wei Ying giggle.
“Kids learn by observation,” he murmurs, just before A-Yuan turns his lethal cuteness onto him, and more warm and wet kisses are given.
Both adults discreetly wipe their faces when A-Yuan gets distracted by the lump in Wei Ying’s fleece pocket. He pokes at it. “Baba? What's that?”
“That's a present for our bunnies. Do you wanna go and give it to them?” Wei Ying kisses his cute button nose and pulls out two toy squeakers shaped like carrots.
“One for Noodle and one for Bean?”
“That's right, Little Radish. Then, after you've given these to them, you have to get ready. Your Guma is coming to collect you, and then you're going to her house for a sleepover, remember?” Wei Ying picks him up to put him on his feet.
“Baba, I remember. I'll do it!” A-Yuan gives them a bright smile as he rushes away to go and do what he's been told.
“You know, Lan Zhan, it feels like only yesterday that he became ours, and we became his.” Wei Ying watches him until he disappears, and then he looks at Lan Zhan. His hand moves from Lan Zhan’s shoulder to cup his face.
“Mn. Time goes fast.” Lan Zhan takes his hand and moves so that his lips place a sweet kiss in the centre of his palm.
“As soon as he's gone, we have to jump into action,” Wei Ying whispers conspiratorially. “We're going shopping.”
“Mn. I should be done with the baking by then.” Lan Zhan looks as if he doesn't want to go back into the kitchen just yet.
“You know…” Wei Ying moves to sit on his lap, loving the way Lan Zhan’s hands move to his hips automatically. Keeping him safe and secure. “If we're fast, we'll come back to an emptyish house…that means we can get frisky.”
“We still have to decorate.”
“Yeah, yeah, no problem.” Wei Ying knows he's being blasé about it. "Come on, Gorgeous, hasn't it been too long since we–”
Lan Zhan's ears immediately go pink. “Last night. And this morning. But perhaps I was not thorough enough,” he concedes.
“Yes!” Wei Ying crows, giving him a longer lasting smooch. “I can kiss you for days!” He murmurs, going in for another one.
Lan Zhan loves kissing him too, and everywhere is good, but he likes Wei Ying’s lips the most. His innocent eagerness is refreshing, and such a delight. Lan Zhan likes it when Wei Ying becomes pliant in his arms, accepting the love that Lan Zhan has for him in endless quantities. Still kissing, he melts against Lan Zhan's chest, knowing he's safe.
When the doorbell rings, they break apart, both looking guilty. A-Yuan barrels past the doorway enthusiastically shouting, “Guma! Guma is here! Baba! A-Die! Come open the door!!”
Wei Ying recovers first and climbs off his husband, holding out a hand to help him up. He smirks because he's just made Lan Zhan late. Okay, it wasn't on purpose, but Lan Zhan is an ardent time keeper. Wei Ying will have to find another way to make it up to him.
They all three open the door, and Jiang YanLi is there, dressed in a purple velvet coat and a lilac hat, gloves, and scarf to match.
“Are you ready, A-Yuan?” She says sweetly, picking up the excited little boy after hugging her two younger brothers.
“Yes, Guma!” He then tells her all about the carrot toys Wei Ying brought home and how much he wants to go to her house and play with Baby Jin Ling, who is quite a few months younger than him.
“I see,” she tells him seriously, “then we better get going!” She kisses his round rosy cheek, and A-Yuan is fast because he catches her chin and gives her a wet kiss in return, right in the centre of her cheek.
Jiang YanLi waves as she turns around and goes back towards her car. Wei Ying leans back against Lan Zhan's chest, holding his arm that has wrapped around his slim waist. Once they drive off, with A-Yuan blowing sweet air kisses at them, and Lan Zhan pretending to catch them, which did funny things to Wei Ying’s heart, they do jump into action.
Lan Zhan tidies the kitchen, deciding to finish baking later when they're both at home. It's not safe to leave electrical kitchen appliances on when they're not home, so he will complete the task whilst putting away the groceries with Wei Ying when they come back. Wei Ying begins washing up, and soon the kitchen is much tidier.
“I'll just go to the loo, and then we can go,” Wei Ying says, tossing the light blue bunny themed, washing up gloves on the edge of the sink. He plants another kiss on the back of Lan Zhan’s neck as he passes, just because he can't resist, and anyway, they're already late. A couple more minutes won't make any difference.
Lan Zhan watches him go, feeling the warmth in his chest increasing. Wei Ying has shown him what a loving family looks like, and neither have looked back since. He knows how lucky he is.
Once he's sure everything is switched off, Lan Zhan goes to wait in the hallway, putting on his own coat and scarf. He has the keys to their car in his hands when Wei Ying hops onto the bannister and slides down, shouting, “Catch me, Lan Zhan!”
His heart is beating even faster as his hands capture Wei Ying’s waist, and he's in awe. How beautiful is Wei Ying now? Like this, enjoying life in every single moment, and for a second, Lan Zhan’s eyes become wet. He takes a moment to pull Wei Ying closer and hold onto him.
“I was safe,” Wei Ying says guiltily, mistaking what he's feeling. “I knew you would catch me.”
“Mn.” Still, it's a good few minutes more until Lan Zhan can let go of him. He hadn't been worried that Wei Ying would hurt himself; no matter where he is, if he's in a position to catch his husband, he will, no doubt about it.
Wei Ying takes his hand and brings it up to his lips, loving the way Lan Zhan’s eyes go immediately much darker, from pale shimmering yellow ice to dandelion gold. Intense and probably full of naughty thoughts. Wei Ying giggles as they leave the house, and Lan Zhan locks the door behind them.
“You can do whatever you want to me, later,” he says, getting inside their white Toyota hatchback.
“Mn.” Don't worry, Lan Zhan thinks, I will. Though the blanket permission is great, they seem to share the same tastes in the bedroom, and so far, Lan Zhan hasn't done anything Wei Ying didn’t like. There's a Christmas present coming soon in the mail just for some added spice, and he thinks that'll be a good surprise later on.
“Have you got the list, my love?” Wei Ying asks, putting his seat belt on.
“Mn. Bags?”
“In the boot.”
“Good.”
“Then we're ready to brave the hoards!” Wei Ying lets out a loud whoop as they back out of their driveway.
Hopefully, the supermarket won't be too busy because there's still a few days to go before Christmas Eve. Once they've got all the main groceries, then they're visiting a Christmas market closer to their home. At both of these destinations, there will be huge crowds, and Wei Ying knows how much his boys detest them. Lan Zhan, he can handle, but there's no way he's going to put A-Yuan through that again. They can wait until their son is a little older and maybe get excited about shopping before they make another attempt to navigate large groups of people.
“I think it's nice we have our own traditions at Christmas time,” Wei Ying says, reaching for Lan Zhan’s hand as he looks out of his passenger window. “I think I saw online someone saying that having a tree in the house was a pagan practice and adopted by the church later on.”
“Mn. Regardless of religious beliefs, Christmas is still a time for family and getting together. Human beings evolve and so would the things that are important to them. Ancient practices should move ahead with the times, not stay stuck in the past.” Lan Zhan glances at Wei Ying when they wait for the light to turn green.
“I think so, too. Plus, nothing gets me in the festive mood as much as shopping does. Yeah, I get that the whole present giving thing is more for the children, but I like giving gifts. I like getting them, too.” He grins so happily at Lan Zhan that Lan Zhan’s own lips are turning up before he can stop himself.
“I am also excited. This will be A-Yuan's first holiday season with us. I am grateful we can show him that we're not his only family, that he will never be abandoned again. If anything ever happened to us, he has a huge number of people to fall back on. All of whom would take him in a heartbeat. Even if he never says his fears out loud, this gathering that we are hosting is positive affirmation.”
Wei Ying’s throat is thick with emotion. “Yeah, I guess we've all had ups and downs growing up. You, with your dad passing away, me, left with the Jiangs when my parents went missing in the Amazon rainforest. Luckily, we both had people to step up and look after us.” He grimaces.
“Shufu means well. His delivery could do with adjustments, though.”
“You're telling me,” Wei Ying smiles, despite his reservations. “Do you think when he goes to the loo, rules come out instead of poop?”
“Wei Ying.”
“Sorry, sorry!” Wei Ying giggles. “I promise, I'll get it all out of my system before he comes, okay?”
“No need to apologise. I understand. It would be ambitious to expect everyone to get along. Shufu will have enough on his plate with Mama Wei.” Lan Zhan huffs out a laugh at Wei Ying’s indignation.
“Your Mama Lan is just as bad! Who was it who filled up all those balloons with water last summer? That barbecue was one to remember!”
“Wei Ying, you helped her. Besides, Mama Wei likes shaving people's beards off. Shufu still complains that it hasn't grown back properly.” Lan Zhan pulls into the car park of the supermarket.
“Yeah, we're gonna have our hands full this holiday, aren't we?”
“Mn. Perhaps we can go abroad for the next one.” Lan Zhan tries not to sound too hopeful. He knows just how much Wei Ying thrives with using his social skills, more often than not being the life of the party. Lan Zhan meanwhile, needs regular breaks otherwise his social battery dies a quick flip-flopping death.
Wei Ying takes one look at his face and cackles.
“I'm sure they'll understand, my love. We can do that for a change. To tell you the truth, we've never had this many people in the house altogether either. I think I'm going to need plenty of time-outs too.”
They exit the car and Wei Ying comes over to Lan Zhan’s side as they make their way towards the trolley park. He sticks his hand in Lan Zhan’s back pocket and fishes out the pound coin they need to release a cart, while Lan Zhan tries not to react. They're out in public, he tells himself, liking that move way more than he should. When Wei Ying brings the trolley over, Lan Zhan takes over steering it and they go inside the store.
Loud Christmas pop hits are playing and Wei Ying hums along, his sharp eyes on the lookout for the items they need…and the fun stuff they absolutely shouldn't be buying, but what's Christmas without having fun and eating way too many treats and enjoyable foods? So he starts putting things in their cart, and it's times like this that love for his husband overflows from his poor little heart. Lan Zhan, generous soul that he is, never tells him no.
Wei Ying once tested Lan Zhan by tossing all manner of the unhealthiest snacks he could find, and all Lan Zhan did was to ask him if he didn't want to balance out all the carbs with a few nuts and carrot sticks. Wei Ying was so shocked, he didn't bat an eyelid when Lan Zhan chose a few packets of baked vegetable chips for him in addition to what they were already getting. He's never played a prank like that again.
Today, they have to buy extra food in light of the many people joining them at home. This is just the ordinary things, they haven't even gotten to the festive aisle yet. Wei Ying has to run out and get another shopping cart after things keep falling out of this one, and he finds the whole thing rather amusing.
But then, they find mince pies, Viennese Swirls, chocolate oranges and white twix biscuits. Quadruple chocolate cookies, marshmallows for the hot chocolate Lan Zhan wants to make, the Viennetta ice cream that consists of white vanilla ice cream with layers of crispy milk chocolate in between, and that's just the sweet snacks. For the savouries, Wei Ying buys packets and packets of flaming-hot wotsits, Doritos and Thai sweet chilli crisps. When he finds the popcorn, that's when he goes to town on it.
Lan Zhan just smiles and encourages him.
Then it's time to pay and pack everything into the bags they've brought with them.
“I don't envy the person who has to put all that away,” the cashier laughs when Lan Zhan remains at the back of the queue so that he can continue putting items from the cart onto the conveyor belt.
“Team effort,” Wei Ying grins, putting each item into the bag that Lan Zhan prefers, after coming up with an efficient and time-saving way to deal with the groceries. All the things that are chilled or frozen go into the same bags, and then the rest are sorted according to where they will eventually end up: either in the basement, the pantry or the cupboards.
They load up the car and go home.
***************
The Christmas market is fun because they get to try a wide variety of seasonal foods. Wei Ying tries the mulled wine like he does every year, and after one sip, wrinkles his nose and claims he doesn't like it. He finishes it anyway like a champ. There's stalls selling sugar cookies, festive doughnuts and macaroons, Christmas cake and hot chocolate.
Other vendors are peddling gifts, themed bracelets and charms, necklaces and pendants, brooches and earrings. Some stalls sell table decorations and place mats, themed candles and cushions. They're surrounded by dazzling lights and glass baubles decorating the trees, stars and angels shimmering on tabletops and bunting. Christmas lights are everywhere and the vibes are fun and festive.
This is the part where Wei Ying and Lan Zhan split up to buy each other a surprise gift, one that the other won't have a clue about. Lan Zhan likes this tradition of theirs, but he's in two minds: he hates being away from Wei Ying’s side when there are simply too many people here, and yet he likes thinking about what might bring a special smile to his husband's face. He eventually decides on a pair of boxer shorts with chillies on them, sure that Wei Ying will get the double entendre. Wei Ying will find something cute and bunny themed for him, and both of them will love their presents because their Zhiji found and chose them specifically. They always get the person they're buying from to wrap the gifts so that the suspense builds.
Thirty minutes later, Wei Ying bounces up to where they agreed to meet, seemingly empty-handed. He throws his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck and gives him a quick smooch.
“My, my, my, what have we got here, Hanguang-Jun?” That's a name Wei Ying came up with once, when there was a power outage and Lan Zhan saved the day by bringing torches. “Who's been a busy boy, then? What have you bought?”
“Surprises,” Lan Zhan tells him, hefting the bags into one hand and pulling Wei Ying close with his other.
“I already put a few things in the car,” Wei Ying tells him, looking quite smug about it.
“Mn. Then, shall we go home?”
“Yes! Then it's time for the real fun to begin!” Wei Ying winks at him and takes a few of his bags.
“Some of those gifts are for the children. And Xiongzhang. And YanLi-Jie. And–”
“You bought gifts for everyone, didn't you?” Wei Ying laughs at the look on his face. “I'm a lucky man. My husband has the biggest heart of anyone I know!”
“Wei Ying. It is I who is the lucky one.”
Wei Ying forces himself to look straight ahead, otherwise he knows he'll be a bawling mess at Lan Zhan’s honest sincerity. He's already blinking back tears and hoping no one notices.
They reach home and unload the car. Everything is put away, cold things first and the rest. Lan Zhan arranges the gifts under the tree and smiles at the tiniest boxes - gifts for Noodle and Bean so they won't feel left out.
He's just about to stand up when a warm weight attaches itself to his back and the familiar scent of lotus flowers and vanilla surrounds him. Wei Ying has already been snacking on something covered in white chocolate, he thinks fondly. Wei Ying’s hands cover his eyes and hot breath caresses his ears when Wei Ying says, “Lan Zhan, Xingan, would you like your present now?”
Lan Zhan reaches around to hold onto Wei Ying’s thighs as he effortlessly stands up, but then he realises that Wei Ying’s thighs are bare. Where are his trousers? He was definitely wearing them when they went shopping - Lan Zhan would have noticed if he hadn't been….so?
“Answer the question!” Wei Ying tells him in a naughty breathless sing-song voice.
“Mn. But Wei Ying, we still have to decorate the house.”
“We can do that later. All I want from you is a yes or a no,” he insists.
Anything with Wei Ying and his bare legs means there's only one possible answer Lan Zhan is capable of.
“Yes.”
“Then you have to carry me upstairs to our room. But no peeking. And try not to drop me,” he adds.
As if, Lan Zhan is about to scoff as he makes his way towards the stairs. But then he really does stumble because the naughty little minx has wrapped his generous warm lips around Lan Zhan’s earlobe and is happily sucking away, totally ignorant about the effect it's having on his husband and his seriously tight trousers now.
Or…maybe he isn't ignorant at all, because Lan Zhan hears him chuckle, a deeper laugh than normal. It doesn't help his ‘situation’ at all.
Only by a sheer miracle does Lan Zhan make it up the stairs, deep breaths and thoughts of Shufu keeping his libido in check. Wei Ying licks a stripe up his neck and luckily, they're inside the bedroom. Lan Zhan drops him like a hot potato, pushing him against the back of the door. One hand slams on the light, and then he has to blink a couple of times to make sure his eyes aren't playing tricks on him.
“Wei Ying. What are you wearing?”
“Your present,” Wei Ying grins, full of sass.
Well, it is bunny-themed, so Lan Zhan wasn't wrong, but…???
Wei Ying is mostly naked, that's the first thing. He's got some sort of stretchy leotard costume on, with high leg holes that show off his long limbs. He's got bunny ears and it's this part that makes Lan Zhan’s knees weak. He watches his own hand rise to feel the soft plushness of the pink fur on the inside, and then Wei Ying wriggles and says, “If I'm not careful, I'm going to give myself a wedgie. Wanna see my tail, Zhan Zhan?” He giggles and turns around, a sashay to his delectable hips. And sure enough, there's a white fur cottontail perched on his generous backside.
The ripping sound startles both of them.
Wei Ying starts laughing. “Lan Zhan! I just bought this one?!! It didn't even last ten minutes!”
“I will buy you more!” Lan Zhan vows and picks him up. He's in no mood to wait now, driven wild by this naughtiest of bunnies himself. He drops Wei Ying on their bed and doesn't give him an opportunity to move, following him down. “You asked for this,” Lan Zhan tells him, and then he pounces.
That bunny doesn't have a chance…
THE END
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Dear Beautiful Readers,
If you're reading this on Ao3, carry on! (And thank you so much!)
If you're reading this on Wattpad, then welcome to another book! New cover by my tattoo artist, Xing Almond and please check out her amazing work on Instagram and show her some love!
I had to start a new book because I'm having issues with the chapter count on the one with the blue background and the bunnies, so I may as well use this.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating. I hope everyone gets to enjoy good food and great vibes in the next few weeks. I'm taking a couple of days off and then probably add another new year's day story by next week.
All my love,
Charlie
🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫