cliche again but consider college wangxian who fall in love due to...

39 views Aug 23, 2024 ~30 min read

                            1
                        
cliche again but consider college wangxian who fall in love due to jgy's ploy: LWJ is completely unaware that WWX is the captain of rival soccer team whom LXC has a tumultuous history with, and WWX is unaware LWJ is the brother of the man he can't stand...

                            2
                        
the feud had started some two years ago when WWX accused jgy of foulplay and got him banned for the season. WWX's role was limited to that, and his accusations weren't unfounded. But for jgy, it was the beginning of his downfall, the first token to fall into his father's hands.

                            3
                        
as to how that incident escalated to jgy's eviction from the team, the withdrawal of his scholarship, and then eventual suspension, WWX has no idea. He had heard about it like any other outsider, through rumours. 

And anyway, happenings of other universities weren't his concern.

                            4
                        
moreover, with what WWX knew of jgy and had seen so far, he wouldn't put it beneath him to have actually messed up on official level. And so, LXC's unbudging support for the man till the end had grated on him as much as his defence against jgy's positive dope test had.

                            5
                        
least to say, the two captains did not see eye to eye at all. Their matches gathered crowds just for how aggressive they tended to get. It was just as well. WWX always liked a bit of a challenge. Nor was he someone to shy away from showing off, especially when he was winning.

                            6
                        
Quite like the challenge that rushes through him when the beautiful boy glares at him for daring to utter a hello in the library. 

He's probably new, if he doesn't know that WWX is a staple here and gets away with most things because his best friend is the library assistant.

                            7
                        
He makes a whole show of winking at Wen Ning, then turns to the guy again. "Tell you what, this library is different. We're allowed to talk here, especially with pretty people." 

The book on the table is shut with a slam before the man gets out and walks away.

                            8
                        
WWX stares at his retreating back for a moment, then shrugs. If nothing else, those intense eyes were worth a try. 

_______

                            9
                        
LWJ finds himself gritting his teeth as he steps into the library for the third consecutive day. If yesterday hadn't been humiliating enough—with that annoying boy constantly insisting LWJ returned for him—then he's sure today would be absolutely unbearable.

                            10
                        
He doesn't understand how his brother keeps requiring books that can be found only at the state library, but with the annual tournaments approaching so quickly, he wouldn't complain about it. If this is the only way he can help, then he will put up with—

He sighs.

                            11
                        
The boy is right where he always is, that breathtaking—infuriating—grin always in place. 

The moment his eyes land on LWJ, the boy whistles and LWJ can hear the teasing in it. He grits harder. "They say third time is a charm, you know?"

                            12
                        
LWJ takes a breath and walks away in the opposite direction, pulling up the list his brother had texted him.

The infuriating boy quickly jogs up and plucks the phone out of his hand—just like last time—and begins walking towards what LWJ knows would be the correct aisle.

                            13
                        
"You read an awful," he teases again as he begins retrieving the books one by one. For someone seemingly flippant, he remembers the library placement really well. 

"They're for my brother," LWJ answers, contrite. "He's busy with practice so I help him out."

                            14
                        
Before LWJ can accept the stack of books from him, the boy pulls it away. "What if I ask for your number in exchange of this?"

LWJ glares, so he rolls his eyes. "Really? I help you and you glare at him?"

"I never asked you for help," LWJ grumbles and snatches the stack anyway.

                            15
                        
"Tsk tsk tsk," he hears the boy walking behind him. "For someone so proper, you sure lack manners cuz where I see it, our score stands at...hmm lemme guess... chivalry 2 and gratitude ZERO." 

LWJ smothers the annoyance that rises in him. Cursedly enough, the boy is right.

                            16
                        
He takes a breath, turns back, then takes another breath and says, "Thankyou." 

"I don't accept thankyous without coffee." The boy grins. LWJ glares again and walks away. 

"Cmmmonnn," he whines when he places the books on the counter. "One coffee won't kill you." 

"No."

                            17
                        
"Alright, not yet," the boy improvises his response on his own. "How about your name instead?" 

"You don't need to know that." LWJ answers tersely.

"Ofcourse I don't /need/ to," the boy rolls his eyes. "If I /needed/ it, I would've simply lifted it from the records."

                            18
                        
In response to LWJ's glare, the boy simply tilts his head, smiling through his big doe eyes. "I want it, and I want it from you." 

The way he says /you/ has LWJ gripping the hem of his shirt. He does not like the warm simmering under his skin.

                            19
                        
Even so, before he leaves, he finds himself uttering. "Lan Zhan." He has no idea why he offers that one. "You may call me Lan Zhan." 

One of the boy's eyebrows raises, but quickly melts away with a shake of head. "The next time you want unpopular books, look for Wei Ying."

                            20
                        
When he reaches home, the redness on his ears hasn't subsided at all, not the thunder in his heart of the gritting of his teeth. His brother, as always, is the first to clock onto the utter disarray of his state. 

It's not everyday someone gets under his brother's skin.

                            21
                        
On being told about an irritating boy at the library, he's beyond interested to enquire more. 

The mention of the name Wei Ying doesn't phase him at all because the only other Wei he knows is Wei Wuxian, who couldn't be farther away from the delightful man LWJ is talking about.

                            22
                        
Popularly known as the red wolf on campus. 

The rival captain who smiles like the sunshine, but is ruthless like a tornado on the field.

                            23
                        
____

"You take that back!" 

WWX is perhaps a little incensed. Okay no, he's definitely a lot incensed. At least, that's what an appropriate reaction would be. He's not new to people who don't like football, but he's never quite met someone who found it... foolish.

                            24
                        
LWJ calmly takes a sip of whatever tea he had ordered. "You act as if I called your child unpleasant." 

Not a bad analogy, if WWX is being honest. He's given a better part of his youth to the sport. Even so, despite the disbelief, he chuckling, somewhat endeared.

                            25
                        
"No, ofcourse not, you only suggested there should be eleven balls on the field for each player to chase," he deadpans, but LWJ sets his cup down with a nod and says, "Indeed." 

This time, WWX laughs out loud. Never in his life had he thought he'd hear a thing like this.

                            26
                        
"Don't you go to Gusu Academy?" He says, shaking his head. "Don't they have like... the second best team in the city?" 

LWJ pauses in the sip he's taking, glances up above the rim of his cup, and says, "I think they have the best team in the city."

                            27
                        
If WWX was confused before how LWJ has never of him, he's all the more certain now. There's no way he's seen his uni's game against them if he still thinks they're the best. This isn't his arrogance speaking, just facts. LXC's team is good, no doubt, but WWX's is better.

                            28
                        
His grin, if possible, widens. "Now now, aren't we being partial?" Leaning closer, he tilts his chin on his knuckles. "You've never seen a game, have you?" 

LWJ frowns into his cup. "I have not," he agrees. "But I have it on good authority our team is excellent."

                            29
                        
He has a barely concealed softness on his face when he says that. It makes WWX smile. He understands this kind of defensiveness. 

"Maybe you should watch me play sometime." 

He watches in real time as the colour drains off LWJ's face. "You... you play?"

                            30
                        
When his only answer is WWX's continued grin, he sighs. "I apologize, I truly did not mean to belittle the sport, I just...," LWJ trails off, growing more and more distressed. "My brother plays too, so it's not that I have something against the players."

                            31
                        
He sounds so genuinely apologetic that WWX doesn't realize when his hand moves and impulsively settles over LWJ's on the table. 

They both blink, startled. 

Striving on, WWX clears his throat. "I'm not offended, you have nothing to worry about."

                            32
                        
Maybe not entirely true, but he wants to wipe his worry off more than anything right now. And for the same reason, he jokes as well. "Besides, I wouldn't want to leave a bad impression on the first date itself." 

The immediate indignation on LWJ's face makes him laugh.

                            33
                        
"You said we were just hanging out," LWJ's lips press into a line, although the colour on his cheeks keeps deepening. 

"I said that the first time," he nods. "This is the third coffee." 

"Three coffees means a date?" LWJ frowns. "You should have told me that in the beginning."

                            34
                        
LWJ looks adorably aghast he has to hold back from reaching across the table and kissing him.

He suppresses a violent urge to laugh. He should perhaps gets a hold of himself. LWJ is still junior to him, even if just by a year. But then, teasing him is almost like a drug.

                            35
                        
Pestering him for a coffee the first time was just for the thrill of chase, to get under his skin. The second one happened because he liked the first one. Today happened coz he couldn't get enough of the second one. And now...

"Oh no, looks like you've been trapped into a date."

                            36
                        
Eyes flashing, LWJ looks away, blush high on his cheeks. "I should have known you had nefarious intentions from the beginning," the anger he wants to project greatly contrasts with the flushed softness marring his face.

                            37
                        
"The library desk I use is somehow always available, you say you're a player yet you spend your evenings harassing me instead of training, and...," his voice grows soft. "Our bus routes seem to converge on days I visit here." 

WWX grins. "So you noticed everything, huh?"

                            38
                        
The flush on his cheekbones instantly travels down to his neck. "I am merely vigilant." 

"Are you?" WWX tilts his head. 

"Yes." 

His finger moves without permission, ghosting over the shell of LWJ's dark red ears, not quite touching but so very close. "I think you're lying."

                            39
                        
LWJ visibly shudders, then bats his hand away. Tucking his lip in so he won't smile, WWX places his face on the table, pouting slightly. "So no date then." 

LWJ nods. "Mn. No more coffees." 

"That's not a no to date." 

LWJ frowns. "That's not a yes either."

                            40
                        
This time when WWX places a hand over LWJ's, it is deliberate. "Meet me at that noodle place near your campus tomorrow." 

LWJ fixes his eyes on his hand, but does not retrieve it. "I have plans tomorrow." 

WWX's eyes are imploring when he says, "Day after tomorrow then."

                            41
                        
"Still not free," LWJ's voice is much quieter. 

WWX smiles, his most sincere one. "I'll take whatever time you give me." 

LWJ's gaze on him is calculative, eyes narrowed. Then, his nose raises in the air, like a challenge. "Morning." 

"Deal." WWX holds his gaze. "What time?"

                            42
                        
The challenging tone persists as LWJ says, "I wake at five." 

He nods. "Rose garden tomorrow morning. 5 am sharp. It's a date."

He feels LWJ's suspicious gaze as he pays for their drinks, and then, as he rolls eyes when LWJ pushes half the money back to pay his own share.

                            43
                        
It's not until they're halfway to the bus stop that LWJ asks, quietly, "What time do you wake up?" 

"Four," he answers nonchalantly. 

LWJ keeps glancing at him as they wait, standing closer than ever before. He asks nothing, not until the bus arrives. "Why?"

                            44
                        
WWX pulls him closer by the waist before he can collide with another passenger. "You said it yourself. I do have to squeeze my training elsewhere if I am to spend my evenings harassing you." 

Just as quickly, he pulls his hand back, putting some distance in between.

                            45
                        
If WWX catches the slightest, the barest ghost of a smile on his face as LWJ climbs up the bus, he does not comment on it. 

He simply follows him inside, and takes the seat beside, their thighs pressing deliberately close.

                            46
                        
He will have to ride all the way back here once LWJ gets off, to take the actual bus home. His only regret will be the absence of sandalwood on the return journey.

[this update was late, life has been below average, but we'll get there, hopefully!]

meanwhile:

grey 🍁@cheerywhiskey

cliche again but consider college wangxian who fall in love due to jgy's ploy: LWJ is completely unaware that WWX is the captain of rival soccer team whom LXC has a tumultuous history with, and WWX is unaware LWJ is the brother of the man he can't stand...

                            48
                        
While LWJ wouldn't say he dislikes cycling, he certainly prefers jogging more. Running is what he does on days he's free of yoga. 

Taking his bicycle to the rose garden early morning two weeks back was more of an anxious choice, made under the stress of uncertainty.

                            49
                        
Would Wei Ying really be there? What if he was just joking? What if he wasn't serious? The questions had churned on and on. In the end, bicycle was his answer. This way, he can tell himself he was just out on a ride and happened to pass by the garden in case he's right.

                            50
                        
Except he had found WWX at the gate, his wide grin warm and bright against the cold morning sir. 

"Really?" WWX had rolled his eyes. "You won't even run with me?" 

"You're the one who has to train," was LWJ's simple response as WWX joined him, jogging beside.

                            51
                        
It had been rather ordinary, as far as dates went. Meandering through the pathway around various patches of roses as WWX jogged beside him—half talking, half panting—while LWJ ideally cycled, humming a response or two here and there, content to just listen his voice.

                            52
                        
But ordinary as it was, it had made him return the next day, even without invitation, caution thrown to winds. WWX was, once again, there by the gate, waiting for him.

A silent agreement had been formed that day, of morning dates on days WWX didn't have field practice.

                            53
                        
"We could see each other everyday," WWX says now, skipping over and starting to jog backwards, right infront of LWJ's bicycle. Two weeks back this action had made his heart stutter, but now, he's used to automatically slowing down. "If only you weren't so averse to the field."

                            54
                        
Right. WWX has been pestering him to join his training sessions. He's unlikely to give up unless he has a good enough reason. 

"I used to watch my brother play when I was a kid," LWJ tells him softly, he should have maybe told him earlier, but it feels intimate to share this.

                            55
                        
"It was at one such match that he was injured, and ended up bedridden for three months." 

He expects some misplaced sympathy, but instead, WWX only grins, "Ahh no wonder the sport is your arch nemesis." 

LWJ smiles. "After that, any time I went to one of his games—

                            56
                        
"I'd be anxious the whole time, to the point that it got hard to watch." 

Even now, he expects WWX to laugh at him, call him soft, or maybe a coward. What he doesn't expect is for WWX to abruptly stop, making him fumble for the break, as the bicycle makes a close screech.

                            57
                        
Placing a hand on the middle of the handle, WWX leans in. "Is xiao Lan afraid of watching me get hurt?" 

The pet name bristles him immediately, giving WWX exactly what he wants. "I see having an extra year over me has also made you extra annoying," he bites out and WWX laughs.

                            58
                        
"Well, that's what you get for taking me on dates where I'm the only one losing breath." 

A knot appears between LWJ's eyebrows. "You want me to run with you?" 

WWX, leans closer over the bicycle. "Running isn't the only way to lose breath zhanzhan, especially on a date."

                            59
                        
His left foot slips off the pedal, making him stagger. When he looks back up, he finds WWX smirking. "I mean laughing ofc," he says innocently. "What did you think?" 

LWJ sidesteps him and pedals off, refusing to slow down until WWX is adequately panting, chasing after him.

                            60
                        
"I give up!" He blares when he finally catches up, bent halfway as he wheezes. "I no longer want to run on dates." 

"What do you want to do then?" LWJ asks, offering him his water bottle. 

WWX gulps down half of it. "Book fair," he says. "There's one in the city currently."

                            61
                        
"Book fair?" 

WWX shrugs. "I saw you looking at its poster at the library." 

LWJ ignores the thud his heart gives. He also tells WWX /he'll see if he's free tomorrow/ and then tells himself he'll NOT look forward to it, and repeats the same when sleep evades him that night.

                            62
                        
The evening next day finds him fretting over his hair infront of the mirror, turning it this way and that. When LXC peeks into the room the third time, he groans. "Ge, stop!" 

Ultimately, LXC gives up the ruse and walks inside, with a sky blue blouse in his hand.

                            63
                        
"While I do know white is you favourite," he says pointedly. "I'd suggest wear this instead, it will accentuate your very lovely waist." 

"My waist is fine as it is," he mutters even as he snatches the shirt away and disappears into the bathroom.

                            64
                        
When he reemerges, LXC makes him sit on the small chair infront of the mirror, like he has been doing in place of mother ever since she passed away. 

"Is he a good man?" LXC asks, gently parting his hair. 

LWJ doesn't have to think about it as he nods, brisk and firm.

                            65
                        
"Is he nice to you?" 

His voice is quiet when he answers, "He's very good to me." 

When LXC is done, he looks over LWJ's shoulder, smiling into the mirror infront. "Maybe he'll make you watch football again."

LWJ's gaze dips down. "I don't know, Ge, I'm not sure."

                            66
                        
Smiling, LXC gives his shoulder a squeeze and picks up the round mirror to show him his hair. One glance, and LWJ's throat closes up. 

It's the river braid, adorned with beads, that mother had taught LXC just for LWJ. Because she used to think LWJ looks the cutest in it.

                            67
                        
LWJ thinks it truly looks pretty. He feels pretty too.

And he feels the prettiest when WWX eyes go wide with wonder. "Oh Lan Zhan, you look beautiful," he says, breathless. "Your hair is so pretty."

LWJ is unable to help the smile on his face, which only intensifies WWX's eyes.

                            68
                        
"It was my mother's creation," he tells him. "She taught it to Ge so he could do it for me." 

Warmth pools into WWX's eyes as they crease up with the most genuine smile LWJ has ever seen. "You brother must really love you." 

LWJ's smile, if possible, widens. "As do I."

                            69
                        
"He's all I have, besides uncle." 

WWX's fingers gently weave through his own, leaving goosebumps all over his hand. Slowly, he raises LWJ's hand and places a kiss on it's back. "You have me too." 

He swallows, at the tenderness, the sincerity of the moment, unable to speak.

                            70
                        
WWX's hand doesn't leave him even for a second. Not when he weaves through the crowd to get to the Shakespeare aisle because he loves it when LWJ disses Shakespeare. Not when he gets excited over a book about peppers. And not even when he buys LWJ a book of love poems as a gift.

                            71
                        
After the fair, and before the dinner, he ducks then both into the adjacent alley and kisses LWJ against the wall. Silken soft, slow and tender, exploring and caressing with his tongue. Their fingers remain entwined even through that, and at the end, WWX kisses his wrist.

                            72
                        
LWJ's heart flutters like a caged bird against his ribs. 

At the restaurant, they sit close to each other, legs tangled together, simply talking & occasionally, feeding each other a bite or two. If WWX sneaks a kiss on LWJ's cheek here and there, it's because he cannot help it.

                            73
                        
It's in the middle of eating and talking that WWX falls quiet and LWJ looks up to find him concentrated on something in the back, face pinched. 

"Wei Ying?" He calls, and WWX startles. 

"Ah it's nothing Lan Zhan, I guess some really unwanted faces live in this area."

                            74
                        
Frowning, LWJ turns to look. Before he can spot anything however, WWX fingers latch on his cheek and turn him back. "You're not allowed to look away from me tonight." 

LWJ huffs with exasperation, but says nothing.

                            75
                        
Before leaving, WWX drags him behind a tree for another kiss. This one is urgent, hard, and a teensy bit rough. "I couldn't help myself at all," WWX gasps between kisses, his warm breath ghosting over LWJ's cool wet lips. LWJ, in response, bites his lower lip hard.

                            76
                        
In the end, LWJ tells him they don't need to take the bus tonight. "My brother's friend lives in this area. Ge told me he'll wait there so we can go home together." 

WWX whines about losing their 'special' bus ride time, then suggests walking him to the place LWJ intends to go.

                            77
                        
Near the gate of JGY's apartment complex, WWX says, "let's just wait here for your brother, this building looks shady as fuck." 

LWJ huffs, and pulls him into a kiss. WWX's hands, frantically motivated by LWJ's initiation, disappear into LWJ's hair, tongue plundering his mouth.

                            78
                        
When they part, LWJ tells him. "You still have to take the bus. It's already late, Wei Ying, please go home. I will be fine." 

WWX puts up some more protest, but in the end, acquiesces. Mostly because it truly is pretty late. He had to wake up early.

                            79
                        
With a firm instruction to text him as soon as LWJ reaches home, and then another quick but very hard makeout session, he finally waves his goodbye and scurries off.

                            80
                        
At JGY's place, when LWJ spots the familiar name on the dinner packaging, he says, "That's where he took me," fondly recalling the way WWX's legs had played with his. 

"Ahh, maybe I should have accompanied A-Yao," LXC sounds amused. "Seen the reason of your smile myself."

                            81
                        
"But I didn't see them there Er-ge," JGY offers quickly. "Maybe they arrived after I left." 

LWJ sends a silent thankyou for that. It's not entirely due to his displeasure with JGY's general disposition. He's just equally glad nobody familiar saw them.

                            82
                        
On the way back when LXC asks him about his evening, all LWJ can think is: Wei Ying is really really easy to fall for.

[ ik my threadfics are usually prone to typos, but this one might have more than normal because I literally drooped on my phone five times while finishing this update GOD I'm so sleepy. Goodnight y'all <3 ]

grey 🍁@cheerywhiskey

                            84
                        
To say WWX loves the rush of the game would be an understatement. 

The field has been like his second home ever since he found his footing here, at the tender age of seven. In some ways, it's more like a home than his actual home is. On the field, WWX is an asset, not a burden.

                            85
                        
He loves the way his feet move by sheer muscle memory of tactics, he loves the wind through his hair, and he absolutely loves adrenaline that rushes through his veins whenever his shot hits the net, escaping the best of attempts from the keepers.

                            86
                        
And ofcourse, he loves the recognition that comes from being good—exceptional—at his thing.

WWX isn't modest enough to deny the attention, or how good it feels. The screaming crowd, cheering flutters of red wolf banners, and ofcourse, the free snacks from secret admirers.

                            87
                        
The same attention, however, can also be a hurdle sometimes.

Like when he has to sneak into Gusu Academy.

He's more popular here than he is at his own university, and not for all the good reasons so being spotted now would definitely cause a commotion. He pulls the hood lower.

                            88
                        
LWJ definitely wouldn't appreciate being overwhelmed because his boyfriend turned out to be some evil hotshot he had no idea about.

Only when he's reached the isolated backside of cafeteria does he inform him, hoping against hope that LWJ shows up before lunch crowd picks up.

                            89
                        
"Wei Wuxian?" 

Fuck okay. So much precaution for nothing. He turns with his widest grin on to find... Gusu's soccer coach staring at him. Ofcourse his luck would be just this good. 

"Coach Shen," he bows, smile intact. "I'm not here to cause trouble if you're worried."

                            90
                        
The coach looks at him warily and WWX resists an eyeroll. He cannot blame the man seeing as WWX's presence here just a week before the annual games kickstart would naturally seem shady.

If anything, WWX respects him. He's probably the least insufferable thing about LXC's team.

                            91
                        
Before the coach can scrutinize him more, he hears LWJ's, "Wei Ying."

"Ahh, Lan Zhan," he's already thanking his stars but another look at the coach catches him off-guard. He's looking at LWJ as if he has two heads. It intensifies when LWJ greets him with a, "Good afternoon."

                            92
                        
"It's not my business but... Is your brother aware?" He asks, gesturing at WWX. 

LWJ blinks, confusedly nodding at the man. The coach scrutinizes them some more before an easy smile unfurls on his face. "I'm glad he's easing up," he says to LWJ, and finally walks away.

                            93
                        
"What the hell was that about?" WWX asks once coach is out of earshot. 

LWJ shakes his head, staring blankly, before he recovers. "What are you doing here anyway?" 

"Spending your lunch with you ofc," WWX rolls his eyes, "since you so cruelly refuse to see me tomorrow."

                            94
                        
LWJ's face falls, even though WWX was half joking. "I'm sorry, you know I'd love to see you off too but I have to help brother." 

"You won't see me for 4 days then," WWX pouts. "And then the events will begin right after the break, we'll get even less time then."

                            95
                        
LWJ sighs, gently grazing his lips. "I'll call you everyday while you're at your sister's." 

"Promise?" WWX smiles. 

"Mn." 

Not that he wasn't already expecting that, but it's good to confirm. "C'mon, let's not waste more time, your coach already ate up so much."

                            96
                        
Once they're comfortably settled at the eatery near LWJ's college, sharing a dish of noodles and milkshake, WWX retrieves the box from his bag. 

"What's this for?" LWJ frowns, opening it. 

WWX shrugs. "A-Qing asked me to hand it to you, she said Xue Yang contributed too—

                            97
                        
"although he kept denying it." 

"Oh they didn't have to," LWJ says, attention focused on opening the box. "I didn't help them for any reward."

"They would have flunked the semester if it wasn't for the key notes you gave them last minute." WWX gazes remains fixed on his face.

                            98
                        
LWJ probably had another refusal to offer, but it gets snubbed as the box reveals the set of highlighter markers, and then there's nothing on LWJ's face but barely concealed glee. 

Looks like WWX was right to suggest stationery for him when A-Qing asked for help with the gift.

                            99
                        
For the whole minute that LWJ shuffles through the coloured markers, he seems to have forgotten WWX is even there. 

The softness on his face and the twinkle in his eyes goads WWX into blurting, "Keep making a face like that and I'll drag you off to another bathroom."

                            100
                        
Without raising his face, LWJ fixes him with a glare, clearly in rememberance of the day he took a bite from WWX's food and the spice swelled up his lips leaving WWX with glazed eyes and an urgent need for some privacy. 

In response to the glare, WWX tilts his head and grins.

                            101
                        
"Or maybe," WWX teases on, "I'll borrow Xingchen's car again to stuff you into it's backseat."

"Stop!"

"What?" He blinks innocently. "You act as if it wasn't you who shoved my buttons open, BOTH the times."

"Can you not be shameless for 2 seconds?" LWJ grits out.

                            102
                        
WWX shakes his head, grinning. "Can't. I still get dreams, y'know, of those shiny lips tightly wrapped around my—

A spoonful of noodles is shoved into his mouth, along with a very glary threat of, "That's enough, you're not getting any kisses today." 

WWX snorts, satisfied.

                            103
                        
But horrifyingly enough, LWJ actually makes good on his threat.

"What do you mean no?!!" WWX squawks, indignant. "I'm not gonna be seeing you for 4 fucking days!! That's how you see me off, by withholding a kiss?"

"Yes," LWJ responds, calmly. "Maybe that'll teach you manners."

                            104
                        
"Look who's talking about manners," WWX whisper-shouts to his retreating back, "as if you haven't straddled me on a fucking park bench...." 

But LWJ has already disappeared into the gate, leaving WWX pouting and blinking at it. He cannot believe LWJ would actually do this.

                            105
                        
Especially when he knows WWX is going away from the city for the remaining week. He sulks about it by not responding to LWJ's goodnight. He sulks more by not wishing him a "good morning, love" either. The more he ignores him, the more irritable he gets on everyone around him.

                            106
                        
He's still sulking when he's told mid-practice the next day that LWJ is waiting for him by the gate. 

It's the last session before the break so he cannot ditch it midway. By the time the drill comes to an end, the impatience is practically rolling off him in waves.

                            107
                        
The coach summons them over for a huddle and once again instructs then to relax during the break and not strain. He listens with half a ear. Adding to his annoyance, Coach asks him to stay back once he's dismissed everyone. 

"Yes Coach?" He asks, mind already away at the gate.

                            108
                        
Coach takes a look at him and sighs. "I'm happy for you, I really am," he says, fondly ruffling his hair. "But I hope you're not letting your focus stray." 

That gets his attention. "Coach...did I make a mistake?" 

"No no," the coach says kindly. "Not at all."

                            109
                        
"I'm just looking out for you." He adds. "You don't have the backing most kids here have. This is your final year, there will be scouts at the games. You understand what I'm saying right?" 

Ofcourse he does. It's a reminder that WWX won't get a second chance of he messes up.

                            110
                        
That his future is entirely in his own hands. Yu-Ayi is not going to spend any more on him. But that's something he has always known, and acted upon accordingly. Still, he nods.

The coach pats his shoulder. "This time is important for your career. Don't forget your priorities."

                            111
                        
While WWX does have an inkling coach was  referring to his relationship, he's also certain there's nothing to worry about. It's Lan Zhan after all. Things only go right when Lan Zhan is around, never wrong. 

Moreover, LWJ cares about WWX's future just as much, he knows that.

                            112
                        
When he finds him by the gate of training complex, LWJ is busy talking to Xue Yang, who's leaning improperly close to WWX's dear boyfriend. Despite knowing this is probably a ploy to rile him up, WWX's eyes narrow. 

"Didn't you ditch practice because you had "stomachache"?

                            113
                        
Xue Yang smirks. "I was only keeping your man company, Xian-ge, don't be mean." 

WWX shakes his head. "You're not leaving before 20 drills, I've already instructed Xingchen, c'mon go in now." 

"Nooooo," XY begins to whine but he's immediately shut off. "Fine!" He scowls.

                            114
                        
Before leaving, however, he turns back to LWJ. "Can I have one more?" He asks, pointing at the tiffin in LWJ's hand. 

LWJ blinks. "Uhm... Alright."

WWX snatches the box. Opening it, he finds rice cakes inside. "I made you some for the train," says LWJ sheepishly.

                            115
                        
"And you gave one to him?" WWX's shrieks, like someone gave away his newborn. 

LWJ looks at him with admonishment in his eyes. "He's your junior, you should be nice." 

"Like I am to you?" WWX grins. 

LWJ promptly looks away, ears burning, at the same time XY opens his mouth.

                            116
                        
"Well, if you're gonna be /that/ kinda nice—

"Go away!" WWX scolds him again. 

XY sniggers but thankfully, also walks away. "Wait," WWX calls him back, thinking something. "Not more than one," he says pointedly and opens the tiffin again to offer him rice cakes. XY takes two.

                            117
                        
"If you ditch any more practice," WWX threatens him, "I'll bench you for the whole of junior league." 

"Yeah yeah I won't," XY mumbles as he runs off, mouth stuffed with both the rice cakes. 

When he turns back, he finds LWJ fondly smiling at him.

                            118
                        
"You're sexier when you go into captain mode," It's not easy for people to fluster WWX but LWJ seems to manage that a lot. 

"I can turn it on you too, if you want," he teases, walking them both hand in hand away to the parking lot where they may have some privacy.

                            119
                        
"Couldn't keep the kisses away, after all, hm?" He loops his arms around LWJ's waist once they're alone. 

In response, LWJ dives straight for his lips, kissing him vehemently, urgently, full of passion and fervour. "I'll miss you," he whispers when he finally steps back.

                            120
                        
WWX is unable to help it when his arms pull LWJ into an embarrassingly tight hug, a strange sort of want clawing in his ribcage. "I'll miss you more."

There aren't many things in the world that give him the courage to call them his own, but he thinks LWJ might be an exception.

                            121
                        
He doesn't really know what to make of this feeling. But when his hands quickly bat away JC's stealing fingers from his precious tiffin box on the train, he thinks he'll call it love.

122

[gifting LWJ highlighters is just to validate my own love for stationery lmao anyway!]

x.com/cheerywhiskey/…

                            123
                        
He watches the scuffle with a clenched jaw but says nothing, focused with one eye on the timer and another on the ball. 

"To the left, Xue Yang!" 

Xue Yang dribbles to the right, passing the ball to Mo Xuanyu who loses it within seconds, heavily marked as he is.

                            124
                        
The tied up score is then maintained only due to Xiao Xingchen, who guards the net as if he's shielding his life.

With the last minute remaining, WWX gives in to autopilot, trusting his instincts more than anyone else. In the end, it's by sheer focus and his wind-light footwork—

                            125
                        
that he's able to re-acquire the ball within the last few seconds and send it flying into the net, earning then the winning goal. 

The force also sends him sliding on the grass, scratching his elbows and knees, but the resounding cheer that follows is well worth it.

                            126
                        
His team comes in running, one top of another, to celebrate, but WWX is not in the mood. If anything, his jaws are clenched even tighter. One look at his face, and they falter back. They likely know what's up, but no one dares to utter a word.

                            127
                        
It's not until they're back at the centre that coach calls him in for a word.

"It will have to be you," Coach tells him solemnly. "You're the only one he won't react badly to."

WWX nods. The whole team is summoned inside for the coach to assign next week's routine.

                            128
                        
"You two stay back," WWX tells Xue Yang and Song Lang once they all are dismissed. 

With a pat on his shoulder, the coach leaves too. 

"What was that today?" WWX jumps straight to the point, directing his question to XY. 

XY somehow still has the audacity to shrug.

                            129
                        
"Cut the crap!" WWX nearly yells, making SL flinch. "Zichen was completely free, why did you not pass him the ball?" 

XY has his teeth gritted, but he responds. "He shoved me into he lockers this morning." 

WWX raises a brow at SL who sighs. "He has been harassing Xingchen."

cliche again but consider college wangxian who fall in love due to...

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