@anaphoricae: I can't stop thinking about lo...

I can't stop thinking about lonely model!LWJ who's always seen as a piece of meat. People go out with him for his looks only. No one ever listens to a word he says.
One day, he sees a "Rent-A-Boyfriend" ad
At first it seems ridiculous. But as time goes on, he decides to try.

I think at first he'd go on their website just to scoff. He doesn't have time for this, and he can get anyone he wants.
But the slogan on the site says "For people who want to be truly seen." and it hits something inside him.
So he clicks on.

He knows it's fake, but... If he feels like someone is really talking to him, instead of the model version of him... Maybe that would be good.

And the dates he has are already all fake, anyway. Fake attention. Fake interest. At least like this, it would be his own choice.

The site says
“Hello, we are Rent-A-Boyfriend, an escort-service that provides company and so much more! Before proceeding with your request, please pay attention to the rules. Thank you for choosing us! Have fun!”

LWJ thinks about clicking away. This is ridiculous, and it's probably an excuse for sexual services, anyway, and that he /really/ doesn't need.
He will look at the rules, just once. And then he'll decide.

“Rent-A-Boyfriend rules
You may:
- Go on dates in public locations, such as amusement parks, restaurants, theatres, concerts
- Go on dates in private locations, such as work events, family parties and friendly gatherings
- Reasonable touching (specified in each boyfriend profile)

You may not:
-Ask for any of the boyfriend’s private information, such as real name or address.
-Take the boyfriend to an undisclosed location
-Touching beyond what each of the boyfriend’s profile allows
-Take the boyfriend to your personal living place or to any kind of hotel

It's the last one that has LWJ blinking at his screen. He doesn't know how they would control that, if an ill-intentioned person really wanted to do someone harm.
But so far, this business seems... legit.
He puts in his credit card information before he can change his mind.

It feels like he scrolls on for hours. None of the boyfriend profiles interests him. They all seem catered to a specific kind of lonely middle aged person, and that's not who he is.

And then he seems him.

His picture is different from the rest. He's not trying to seem extremely gentle, or sexy, like the others are. He's just... Smiling. His eyes are nearly closed with it, and the sun shining on his face somehow doesn't seem bright enough.
LWJ clicks on him immediately.

His profile is... not what LWJ expects.
"Name: Wuxian
Age: 25
Height: 1,86 (real!)
Hobbies: Reading, blacksmithing, and taking care of pets (not dogs)
I will: Be the best boyfriend your family could ever ask for, tease you, probably make you laugh
I will not: Go to dog parks!

Touching allowed: hand-holding, hugging, kissing hands, cheeks, and the top of your head since I am probably taller."

LWJ feels a little disappointed. Probably taller? Is he not expecting to go on dates with men?
He almost clicks away.

And then his eyes fall on the preferred genders category, and he sees Wuxian has written "all ;)". Winky face and everything.
LWJ realizes the man is just assuming he'll always be the taller one. Arrogant.

Before he can even realize what he's doing, LWJ clicks "I want you"

He thinks he'll set a date and pay right away, but that's not what happens. He's taken to a chat room, where they say he'll talk to the boyfriend so he can understand what's expected from the date.
LWJ's hands start to sweat. He wasn't expecting to talk to him today.

Almost immediately, his phone buzzes with a text.
WWX: Hey! This is Wuxian. What should I call you?"
LWJ: Wangji
Only after sending the message he thinks he maybe should give a fake name. It's not like he uses Wangji anymore, but...

WWX: Wangji! did you have a specific date in mind?
LWJ: Not yet.
WWX: alright. Can you describe your perfect date for me?

LWJ hesitates. Now that he thinks about it, he really never thought about his perfect date at all.
He doesn't think anyone has ever even asked him that.

The other man was always the one choosing, imposing, his choices. And LWJ went along, because, well... He never really cared enough about any of the dates he had.

LWJ: I'm not sure.
WWX: that's ok! can you tell me a few of your hobbies?

LWJ: I like music. I also like pets. And I enjoy reading.
WWX: omg we already match so well
what kind of pets do you like? please don't say dogs 😭
LWJ: Dogs are fine, but I prefer rabbits.
WWX: RABBITS? that's so cute. I can already tell you're a cute person

LWJ isn't sure why he blushes. People have used a lot of words to describe him, but cute isn't one of them.

LWJ: I am not.
WWX: I'll be the judge of that
do you have anything you really don't like?
LWJ: Noise.
WWX: ok, I can work with that!

WWX: should I surprise u with a date, or do u wanna know before?
LWJ: I would like to know.
WWX: oops, tricky question! I'm not telling you!
when can we meet?

LWJ frowns at his phone. He doesn't like not knowing things.
But he came this far. It would be a shame to stop now.

LWJ: This Friday.
WWX: ok. I'll text you the address
and don't worry ok? we'll have fun, I promise
LWJ: I'll be the judge of that.
WWX: omg
joke's on you, using my words against me is the quickest way to make me like you
wear something comfortable!
LWJ: I will.

After their conversation is done, LWJ locks his phone and decides it's time to go to bed.
He's doing this. He's really actually doing this.
There's a weird feeling in his stomach, something like anxiety, but it can't be. He never felt anxious about dating before.

Maybe it's because this date is fake, and he's never done this before. Yes, that's definitely the reason why he's nervous.
It probably won't even be a good date, anyway. Wuxian didn't even say where they were going.
LWJ will go, because he's not the man to back down.

But he already knows it probably won't work. It's fine if it doesn't.
At least he tried.

(omg quick break because I have to actually eat lunch but I'll be back in like, half an hour)

The day of the date comes, and LWJ, as always, overthinks it.
He overthinks his clothes, his hair, his makeup. He even overthinks his shoes, knowing that most of the ones he owns have some kind of low heel, and who knows? Maybe Wuxian really is sensitive about his height.

In the end, he decides to dress as nicely and as comfortably as he can, and leaves his hair down. On the way to the chosen location, he sees a flower shop, and stops for way too long, wondering if he should bring flowers or not.

He knows the date isn't real. He knows WWX isn't expecting him to bring anything. Still, if he's doing this, he's gonna do it the right way.
He decides to compromise, and buys a single rose. Pink, because red would probably be too much. He's ready.

And then he sees WWX.

LWJ is a model. He knows pictures are heavily edited, and that in person, no one actually looks as good as they do on camera.

WWX, leaning against a wall on the street they decided to meet, casually scrolling through his phone, is somehow the exact opposite.

LWJ walks to him, already feeling nervous. The man doesn't look up from his phone as he approaches.
"Wuxian," he says, but the man seems to be wearing earphones.
Sighing, LWJ takes another step closer, getting a little bit into his personal space.

WWX lifts his eyes at him, and freezes.
There's a mole on his bottom lip, is the first thing LWJ notices. In the few seconds it takes WWX to move, LWJ feels like he has the time to register every single line of his face.
"Hi," WWX says, removing his earphones. "Hi, sorry."

"Hello," LWJ answers. He feels a little more dry-mouthed than usual. He hands him the rose.
WWX looks down at it, lips parted, and then back at him.
"I'm... what?"
"It's for you," LWJ says. This isn't good. Maybe flowers were out of limit.

"I can't..." WWX looks around them, and then back at LWJ. "You're giving me a rose? Out of nowhere?"
"It's pink," LWJ says. He can already feel his ears heating up.
WWX simply stares. After a few seconds, he seems to focus, and opens the most beautiful smile LWJ has ever seen.

"You're super gorgeous, and I'm very flattered, but I'm actually... Uh," WWX looks around them again. "I'm working."
"I know," LWJ says. "I'm Wangji."
WWX's eyes go wide.
"You?" he almost yells. "You're Wangji?"
"Yes. Did we not agree to meet at this time?"
WWX snaps out of it.

"Yes! Fuck, no, yeah, we absolutely did," he says. "You brought me a rose?"
"Is that not allowed?" LWJ frowns.
"It is!" WWX takes it from his hand. "I think it is. I haven't actually- Well. Anyway, hi. Hi! You actually came!" he puts his hand on LWJ's arm. "I'm glad you're here."

"Mn. Me too."
"Alright, okay, wow," WWX's eyes flutter closed as he smells the rose. His eyelashes are really long. LWJ thinks he could be a model, too. "Thank you. Are you ready for our date?"
LWJ's eyebrows wrinkle. "How can I be ready, if you didn't tell me what is was?"

"Ay, don't be like that," WWX smiles. "You'll love it. I'm sure."
He locks arms with LWJ and guides them down the street.
"You're actually taller than me," he says it like he's mad about it, but the smile still plays on his lips.
"I'm 1,90."

"Wow. Pretty and tall like that, you could probably be a model."
LWJ averts his eyes. He doesn't usually hide what he does, but for some reason, he doesn't feel like talking about it.
WWX looks at him, waiting for an answer, and LWJ decides to drop his embarrassment.
"You too."

"Flirting already?" WWX asks, delighted. "I didn't take you for the type."
"It wasn't flirting. It was the truth."
WWX bumps their shoulders together. "That's also flirting. Stop. You can't be better at this than I am."
LWJ feels himself smiling, despite everything else.

"We're here," WWX says when they arrive at the right location. One look inside tells LWJ it's a bookstore, and he immediately feels relief. This isn't so bad, after all.

They step inside, and LWJ notices there's a grid on the floor around them, as high as their waist. An employee helps them through it and quickly closes it again.
"Hey A-Ning. Where are they?"
The employee looks around. "Mystery section, as always."
"Great!" WWX tugs on LWJ's arm.

He guides LWJ inside a really cozy bookstore, all the way to the mystery section.
And then he does something... strange.
He squats down to the floor and starts making weird noises.
"What-"
WWX turns to him with one finger on his lips and makes an exaggerated "Shhh!"

Something white and furry starts moving from under the bookshelf, and LWJ tilts his head to see.
"There you are!" WWX picks it up in his hand and gets up, turning to LWJ with delight.
It's a bunny.
LWJ's eyes go wide.

"You're smiling," WWX says, handing the bunny to him. LWJ picks it up like it's the most precious thing he's ever held. It probably is. "You said you liked reading and bunnies, so..."
"I do" LWJ looks at him. He doesn't know what to say. The bunny squirms and settles in his hand.

"We have to walk," WWX says. "He likes being held, but only if you're walking around."
LWJ nods, not knowing exactly where to go. WWX giggles at him.
"Wangji. Are you ok with touching?"
LWJ isn't.
"Yes," he says.
"Then I'll guide you, and you just pay attention to the bunny."

WWX curls his arm around his waist and snuggles his body close to him. LWJ almost freezes, but manages to act normal as he feels WWX's warm hand through his clothes.
They start walking around the bookstore, WWX pausing every once in a while to comment on a book he sees and ask-

for LWJ's opinion. Their tastes don't align at all, but WWX seems to have read a wide range of novels and is able to talk about nearly everything.
The bunny falls asleep in LWJs hand, and WWX coos and fusses over it, reaching out to pet him.

He seems very comfortable getting close, his face so near LWJs that it almost feels like he's going to close the distance between them. LWJ has to remind himself, several times over, that this is his job. He's paid to look like he wants to kiss you.

There are three more bunnies in the bookstore, and LWJ squats down to talk to them, but he feels attached to the one in his hands. WWX agrees that he's the cutest one, and approves of his decision to keep him in his lap.

After they've walked around the bookstore twice, WWX says it's time to go. LWJ looks at his watch and notices it's been more than 3 hours since the start of their date. The limit is 4.

He nods, but his chest feels weird. He doesn't think he ever lost track of time like that.

He buys a book, just because he'll feel guilty if he doesn't, and they leave.
As soon as they're out of the bookstore, WWX takes his hand.
"Did you have fun?" he asks with a smile, but LWJ can't answer. He's looking down at their interlocked fingers.

hmmmm should WWX break the rules?

Okay, WWX breaking the rules it is! Y'all want him to get fired. But it's ok, LWJ won't report him. Let's continue!

- bop to the top - since it's getting a bit long.

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"Hey," WWX squeezes his fingers. "Are you ok?"
"Yes," LWJ hurries to say. "I'm having a lot of fun."
It shocks him to say it. It shocks him even more to know it's the truth.
WWX smiles at him, and something about it this time seems a little more contained.

"Well, we should..." he says, shifting the weight on his legs.
LWJ knows what's coming. Their date is over. He braces himself to hear the words.
"We should get some coffee," WWX says suddenly. "You know, since I made you walk this long."
LWJ ignores the way his heart jumps.

"But the time" he forces himself to say. "You have to go."
"Uh, there's a.." WWX clears his throat. "There's a bonus if.. If it's your first time. Which this is."
LWJ tilts his head. "I wasn't informed of that."
"It's a hidden bonus." WWX says fast. "Only for the nicest people."

"Are you sure?"
"Only if you want to, of course!" WWX's grip loosens on his hand, and LWJ tightens it again.
"I want to."
"Okay," the smile comes back full force, and LWJ feels like it could burn him. "I know a place."

The coffeeshop WWX takes him too is cozy and secluded, almost like a secret. LWJ feels comfortable in it as soon as he sits down.
He's expecting WWX to sit right across from him, as is customary.
He doesn't.
"Here's the menu," WWX says as he throws himself by LWJs side.

He rests his entire weight on LWJ's body and laces their fingers again. "Do you like coffee or tea?"
"Tea," LWJ says, and hopes WWX doesn't notice the way his voice sounds strained.
He doesn't usually like this much touching. So why doesn't it feel wrong?

They order drinks, and WWX snuggles even closer to him. He smells good. Like rain, and... cinnamon, maybe. LWJ closes his eyes.
"What do you do for a living?" WWX asks.
"I'm a model," LWJ says, because he doesn't lie, and that was a direct question.
WWX's eyes widen, delighted.

"I was right! I knew it. You look like a model."
"Mn," LWJ keeps his expression as neutral as he can.
WWX frowns. "You don't like modeling?"
"I do."
"Hmm," WWX tilts his head at him. "But there's something about it you don't like, right? I can see it in your face."

'How?' LWJ wants to ask. Nobody can ever see anything on his face.
"Every job has its downsides," he says. "I'm sure yours does, too."
WWX lowers his eyes. "Right," he swallows. "My job."
He lifts his body slightly, getting a little of his weight off of him.
LWJ hates it.

Unintentionally, or maybe a little bit intentionally, LWJ finds himself leaning to the side. WWX seems to hold his breath, looking at him intently, but LWJ decided today isn't a day for feeling embarrassed.

"It isn't that bad," WWX smiles, then wraps an arm over LWJ's shoulder.

"I was worried about something," LWJ says.
"Tell me."
"About you," he says. "I mean, the boyfriends. The job seems a little dangerous."
"Hmm. I guess it can be, if you don't know how to take care of yourself," WWX smirks.
"Wuxian," LWJ scolds. For some reason, WWX flinches.

"I have a system," he says. "There's always someone I know at the beginning of each date. Today, it was A-Ning."
"Oh," LWJ doesn't know why, but that doesn't soothe him at all. "But then they'll know you always go to that bookstore."
"You're the first person I took there."

LWJ pulls back a little to stare at him, and WWX smiles.
"Don't look so shocked. First dates are usually in restaurants, or malls. You were the first person I-" WWX hesitates. "Well, I never felt the urge to do anything different for anyone else before."

LWJ blinks at him, wondering how much of what he's saying he should actually believe. He's a professional at this. At making people fall in love with him.
It's a little unsettling that, even knowing all of that, LWJ still wants to believe it.

"What?" WWX asks when he won't stop staring. "Do I look good?"
"Mn," LWJ says. It's not a lie. "Very."
WWX laughs a little, tilting his head even closer. LWJ can feel the huff of breath on his cheek.

"Wangji," he says slowly, lifting a hand to rest on LWJ's jaw. "You know you bought... every service."
"Mn," LWJ says. He can't take his eyes away.
"Do you remember what they are?"
"I'm not sure," he says. "Perhaps you should tell me again."

"Well," WWX clears his throat. "There are... hand kisses."
WWX brings their interlaced fingers up, and presses a kiss on each of LWJ's fingers.
"Hand kisses," LWJ repeats in a low voice, watching him closely. "What else?"

And then," he says, bringing LWJ's face a little bit closer. "There are forehead kisses."
LWJ watches as he tilts his chin up, and kisses the top of his forehead.
WWXs lips are warm. Pretty, like the rest of him. LWJ holds his breath.
"What else?" he whispers.

WWX brushes his thumb on LWJ's jaw, his face so close their noses are almost touching.
"You can also have... cheek-"
LWJ leans in and kisses his cheek, softly, just once. When he pulls back, WWX's eyes are closed.
"Yeah," WWX says. He sounds as out of breath as LWJ feels.

"Except, maybe, a little more..." WWX licks his lips. "Like this."
He leans in first, catching LWJ's lips in a warm, wet kiss. LWJ responds immediately, wrapping his arms around him, trying to hold him closer, opening his lips for him.

They kiss for what feels like too long, or not enough. LWJ feels dizzy with it. He never thought kissing could actually feel like... like-

WWX breaks the kiss abruptly, pulling his head away. LWJ tries to follow him, kiss him again, but his head is held back by strong hands.

"I'm sorry," he says, eyes wide, already pulling away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't- I have to-"
"Wuxian," LWJ says as he gets up from the his seat.
"I have to go. I can't- The date's over."
"You don't have to-"
"I'm really sorry."
"It was my fault," LWJ tries.

"I have to go. I'll- I'll give you your money back," WWX says, halfway out of the coffeeshop already. "You don't have to see me again."
"Wuxian. There's no-"
"If you want to report me, that's... That's fine," WWX says.
Before LWJ can have a chance to say he won't, WWX leaves.

-

LWJ goes home with a sinking feeling in his chest.
He tries sending WWX messages through the app, because it's the only way he can think of.
LWJ: It wasn't your fault.
I would never report you.
Can we see each other again?
I won't push this time.
Wuxian?

WWX never responds.

LWJ waits for a week. Two weeks. He sends WWX another message, trying to get him to say something.
LWJ: I have an event on the first day of the next month. It's a gala. Would you accompany me? I do not have a date.

No answer.
LWJ tries to move on. It's the only thing he can do.

It's awful how a single day, a few hours, with a person LWJ had never met before, have completely changed his world. He does his work for the next week on autopilot, without even feeling it.

On the day right before the gala, LWJ thinks about inviting WWX again.
He opens the app, but can't find their conversation. He goes through the boyfriend profiles again, wanting, at least, to see his smiling face.

He doesn't find it.

WWX's profile was deleted.

LWJ goes to the event the next day only because his contract demands it. In his heart, he wants to stay home and curl underneath a blanket.
He will never see WWX again.
He nods at the people he needs to nod at, and takes the pictures he has to take. He can't wait for this to end.

"Look here!" the photographers call him, and he turns, because he has to.
"Here! Look over here!"
"Wangji!"
LWJ snaps his neck in the direction of the sound. He hasn't used that name in ages. In this industry, he is known only as Hanguang Jun.

"Wangji!" the voice calls again, and LWJ finally finds him in the crowd.
Before he can stop himself, LWJ jumps over the line to where WWX is.
"Wuxian," he says. "You-"
"Who is that?" a photographer asks, turning to them.
"Is he famous? Hey, smile for us!"

WWX's eyes go wide, looking around them. LWJ grabs his wrist and pulls him away, not caring about how many pictures are being taken.
He walks WWX inside the venue and finds a secluded room. Using his access car to get inside, he makes sure it's empty before turning to him.

"I'm sorry," WWX speaks first, seeming out of breath. "I know I disappeared on you. And that I came here out of nowhere. I wasn't-"
LWJ isn't even listening.
"It's fine," he says, taking one step closer. WWX is here. That's what matters right now.

"I'm also sorry about the mob," WWX says. "I didn't know how else to get your attention. They didn't let me in."
"I asked you to come," LWJ says.
WWX bites his lip. "Right. I know. But I couldn't accept it. We can't do it anymore."
LWJ freezes in his step.
"Oh."

Of course. WWX is not a terrible person. He's here to tell him they can't see each other, and give this a definitive ending. It's... the right thing to do. Otherwise, LWJ would've waited for longer.
"I mean, we can't go on dates anymore," WWX says when he sees his face. LWJ nods.

"No, fuck, that's not what I mean," WWX closes the distance between them and grabs him by the arms. "I want us to-"
"It's alright. I understand," LWJ says, trying to avoid his eyes. WWX squeezes him harder.
"You don't. I just mean we have to-"
"Wuxian. It's fine. I won't bother-"

WWX pulls him in and crashes their lips together, angling his head up to fit exactly right against LWJ's lips. LWJ is shocked, but not enough not to answer, and his body responds before his mind can. He curls his arms around WWX's waist, holding him tight, and kisses him deep.

He's breathless when he pulls away, lightheaded with how good kissing Wuxian feels. He wasn't crazy before. It never felt like this with anyone else.
"I want us to go on a real date" WWX says, his lips kissed red. LWJ wants to lean in again.
"Wait, fuck," WWX pulls away from him.

He puts a hand on the inside of his jacket and brings out a single rose stem.
"For you."
LWJ blinks. "It's red."
"Yeah," WWX laughs. "I figured red fit better with what I wanted to say."
LWJ smiles. "I think so, too."
"So," WWX cups his jaw. "Will you go on a real date with me?"

"Nothing would make me happier," LWJ tightens his arms around him. "Wuxian."
"Oh, about that," WWX says. "You should call me Wei Ying."
"Wei Ying," LWJ repeats. What a beautiful name. "I'm Lan Zhan."

"Lan Zhan," WWX smiles again, brighter than LWJ has ever seen before. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, Wei Ying."

LWJ leans down, and kisses him again. He doesn't stop for a very long time.

- END -

Well that got a little bit huge didn't it? I hope everyone liked it! Thanks for reading ♥️♥️🥺🥺
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(also yes I have used the bookstore bunnies idea in another fic before. And I'll probably use it again hahaha I just love the idea SO MUCH)

oh and I do have a kofi page if you want to support me 🥺🥰✨
no pressure of course! I do this for fun and I won't stop

ko-fi.com/ana_cp