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Wei Wuxian had been considering his approach for a week.

His friends had been drinking heavily that day (while it was still daylight, no less), and the conversation had turned to the beauties of campus. Mostly they discussed women, and much of the conversation lingered on the rejections they'd suffered.

Wei Wuxian had been quiet during this conversation, even though he was a shameless flirt with a known reputation. He was always casual in his flirtations, so that he rarely considered anything to be a rejection because he rarely asked for anything (unless it was for food or discounts), and he never lingered on thoughts of anyone in particular. So he had little to contribute to this conversation of yearning and rejection.

He toyed with a tassel as he listened, becoming slightly more curious as they discussed Lan Wangji. His friends were predominantly heterosexual, but they considered Lan Wangji to be both a competitor and an unreachable beauty. Theories flew widely about him, that he was asexual--no but he was surely a hopeless romantic under that cold exterior--perhaps sworn celibate, a monk!--or he was betrothed to someone from his clan and had to remain strictly loyal. In all cases the consensus was that no one could ever get him to go on a date.

"I'll do it," Wei Wuxian said. He surprised himself with the words, since he hadn't actually asked anyone on a date before. His friends stared at him in open-mouthed shock for a moment before they started insisting that Wei Wuxian was only teasing, and anyway he couldn't do it. Lan Wangji would never go out on a date with anyone, and certainly not him.

That cinched the deal. Wei Wuxian was determined to prove them wrong.

Their university campus was large, and Wei Wuxian had no classes in common with Lan Wangji, so it took some time before he found an opportunity. He saw Lan Wangji every few days around campus, but it was usually in passing or from across a quad. His figure in white robes was distinctive, but that didn't actually give Wei Wuxian any reason to talk to him.

In the end, Wei Wuxian decided to be forward.

Sitting on the library steps with a book open in his lap, Wei Wuxian was gazing into space and thinking about the theoretical implications inherent in the topic of the book rather than the book itself. When he spotted Lan Wangji crossing the quad, he wasn't about to let another week go by without results! He hopped up at once, taking his book with him as he went to intercept Lan Wangji's path. Blocking his way, he bowed once in front of him. “Lan Wangji? I am Wei Wuxian.”

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Lan Wangji day is like any other. He wakes up early morning. Set a strict routine. Greets his family members and then peers, then heads off to class. He doesn't think of anything else other than what work needs to be done by the end of the day, then make time for recreation. Not much is known about his personal life. Any quick search about him such as social media brings no results as the man spoke little about himself. In fact, none at all.

On his path toward the library as he sets his mind to find a book and then write a few papers with a deadline on mind, he stops. His expression remains passive and fixed.

At his greeting, he nodded. Being called by his courtesy name. "...Wei Wuxian." Then with a quizzical look as he wonders sort of business he has with him.

“Lan Wangji,” Wei Wuxian said again, with another polite little bow now that introductions had been made. But as soon as this politeness had been offered, his smile turned playful, with a cheerful mischief that could easily be mistaken for insincerity by someone who didn’t know him. “I would like to ask you to go on a coffee date with me. My treat.”

"..." Lan Wangji blinked with mild confusion. The business is a date at the coffee house...? He wanted to open his mouth to speak, but he was surprised, then catch the words, wanting to rephrase again. He heard a bit about Wei Wuxian, but now cannot recall details since he often ignored them and throw himself in his studies and work.

"Huh." That came out bluntly. "You're asking me...? Shouldn't you be asking other girls to go date with you?"

“Why shouldn’t I ask you?” Wei Ying asked, still cheerful in the face of blunt confusion. “You are certainly one of the most beautiful and elegant people on campus. Why should I have to ask a girl?”

He gave another little polite bow in order to persuade. “Go on a date with me, Lan Wangji. It will be fun.”

He must be the most ridiculous person he ever met. Since Lan Zhan wanted coffee at the moment and finally at last, "Just coffee, but it's not a date. If you must date, ask a girl." He said matter-of-factly, not realizing the other boy is flirting with him and didn't quite catch on.

In other words, he's willing to go with him, curious where this may lead. "Where to...?" To get coffee, he meant.

“Why should I have to ask a girl?” Wei Wuxian pouted. He took the opportunity, though, indicating the direction and walking along with Lan Wangji toward a coffee shop he likes. “If I want to ask a boy on a date, I will. I’m not asking anyone out just because you say so, Lan Wangji. Do you not date boys? Do you disapprove?” Wei Wuxian manages to frown and pout at the same time.

He’s determined to get Lan Wangji to go on a real date with him, unless it turns out that Lan Wangji is definitely straight or definitely asexual, in which case it’s not really a loss or a rejection for Wei Ying.

Entering the coffee shop with him, Lan Wangji tilted his head, not quite comprehending what he means.

"A date is between a boy and a girl, is it not?" He answered, completely innocent. "You should ask a girl if you wanted to get married someday."

His question reveals neither straight or asexual, but rather he was raised like most people to think the traditional way. Wei Ying has snagged a real fuddy-duddy. Which explains why he isn't responding to his flirtations as expected.

"I don't disapprove." He answered. But he is curious. "I don't think about dates."

"So old-fashioned, Lan Wangji," Wei Ying pouted. Not that he'd done anything with boys or girls, but he at least knew that it was an option. It wasn't an option that he'd ever thought about, not really, but then he'd gone and insisted that he would be able to persuade Lan Wangji to go on a date with him. "If I loved a boy, I would marry him, and I don't care if anyone says I shouldn't. Dates are with people you like, and marriage is with people you love." That's that, in Wei Ying's opinion.

He stands in line with Lan Wangji, ordering a latte and offering to get Lan Zhan's. But when the drinks are ordered and he pulls out his money pouch, he finds he doesn't even have enough for his own. "Ah," he says, gazing sadly into the pouch and realizing that he's an idiot.

"...Oh. Oh. I see." Lan Wangji simply listens, having no experience at all about dating and socializing. With that stoic look, he looks...very empty and neutral in his eyes with no spark. "There isn't anyone I like, so I don't date. But it's nice to marry someone you love and wanted to spend the rest of your life with." Wei Ying really snagged a real fuddy-duddy with no real preference.

Eyeing the menu, "A latte, please." When Wei Ying doesn't have enough money, he simply paid for the rest and looks pleased with his cup.

Turning to Wei Ying, "Dating and marrying boys is forbidden in my clan." He said, though whether he disapproves or not, he's not sure, he sympathizes with Wei Ying and his interest in him. "But I heard some boys once they found the one, they left the clan to escape the traditions of the sect. We were taught to love the one person only for the rest of our lives, so we choose carefully. That person is special, a fated one, one that lasts forever. A soulmate." He clarifies the traditions of his sect, as his sect were known to be very spiritual people.

"Ah, thank you, Lan Wangji. I am sorry, I really thought I had the money." Wei Wuxian rubs at the back of his head, feeling sheepish, but his cheer returns quickly, because his is grateful for Lan Wangji's generosity and he is pleased by the gift of the coffee.

When their drinks come, he sips at his and walks over to one of the tables, thinking over what Lan Wangji has said. "So, I understand why this cannot be a date," he agrees. And if it were that simple, he would let it go at that. If Lan Wangji does not want to date boys, then fine, that's that and it's no loss on Wei Wuxian's part. But until Wei Wuxian has determined for certain that Lan Wangji doesn't like boys or doesn't want romance at all, then he's going to keep trying. "But how will you find someone you like if you don't date, Lan Wangji?"

Not that Wei Wuxian has any room to talk on this subject. He's never actually been on a date before. It just so happens that he conveniently forgot that fact before taking on this dare.

Lan Zhan is sipping his coffee, looking at him blankly. "...Mn." Only because he doesn't have the answer he's looking for.

His expression is impassive and neutral, lacking emotion as he sips his coffee. "I really don't know the answer, Wei Ying. It's...difficult to get to know me as I don't have anyone in mind. Though I think it would be nice to date and find someone to fall in love with. I'm really focused on studying and career."

It was an honest answer, and Wei Ying is maybe disappointed with this dare, gathering details from this date. Should he return back to his friends, he might as well report being empty-handed.

"Do you like your coffee, Wei Ying?"

“It’s very good coffee,” Wei Ying says with a smile. He doesn’t mind at all that there are difficulties in getting a date with Lan Wangji. He has coffee, and he is enjoying learning about Lan Wangji. His clan’s restrictions sound difficult and old-fashioned.

“What are you studying, Lan Wangji?” He leans in and props his elbows up on the table, genuinely interested in him.

His clan restrictions is well-known to be traditional and old-fashioned like most clans. They're also the strictest with their 3,000 rules carved on the wall.

"Music and art." He answered, didn't mind that he's sharing a space closely with him. Sipping his coffee slowly, looking at him and sees he's paying attention. "What about you? What are you studying?" Equally curious.

“Forensic pathology,” Wei Wuxian replies, very cheerful about it. “I’m interested in the ways that bodies themselves tell us about death, and how we can use that in conjunction with classic cultivation techniques to help solve murders and calm spirits. Modern forensic pathology disdains traditional cultivation, and the other way around. There’s been so little research into combining the disciplines. I think we ought to be seeking the science behind where resentment pools in the body, and why. No one knows anything about the physical processes that result in a fierce corpse.”

He rambles on for a while, talking about scientific discoveries and his own theories. He thinks the whole topic is fascinating and has plenty of ideas about it, and if he has a listening ear, he’s happy to go on about his own cleverness.

As he sips his coffee quietly, Lan Wangji listening, nodding to every theory and ideas he has. Not once interrupting him. "...Mn." He slowly finds Wei Wuxian much more interesting, if anything, perhaps on the talkative side. He didn't find him foolish, not at all. Perceptive to see that he knows a lot more than what is given to him as Lan Wangji is very knowledgeable on the traditional ways of calming spirits. His clan specializes in calming spirits through music. They might have some similarities in that regard.

"A good profession. It's a morbid path you have taken and unusual perhaps, but it's not unheard of."

Coffee gone, an empty cup. Looking at Wei Wuxian when he has no more ideas to share, the short dare date is coming to a close. "I have evening classes to go to, so I best be going."

"Lan Wangji, give me your number so I can text you," Wei Ying insists, handing over his phone so that Lan Wangji can enter his number. "We are friends now, and you should call me by my birth name Wei Ying."

There is no escape from friendship with Wei Ying. He smiles cheerfully, glad to have made friends with Lan Wangji.

"Wei Ying." He said slowly, with a curt nod. "Lan Zhan." Lan Wangji is a bit oblivious at Wei Ying's attempt to be friends with him, so he stares at the phone, contemplating on the decision, and then slowly back at him.

"To call for a study...?"

Lan Wangji eventually made up his mind and entered his number, then hands the phone back to him.

"For study, or for coffee, or for whatever you want." Wei Ying immediately texts him with a string of cheerful emojis: a fox, a cup of coffee, a stack of books. "Friend things. Are you not allowed to have friends? Surely you can't spend all day studying and being serious."

He simply nods again. He has no idea that Wei Ying is triumphant in achieving on obtaining his number. But perhaps part of him is hoping to call him later on.

Lan Zhan gathered his books. "Study and coffee. And I am serious. To pass my exams." As for the friendship part, he simply ignore the question and held his books.

"You study hard too, Wei Ying."

Over the next weeks, Wei Wuxian barely thinks about the unresolved dare. It's still an open thing, and his friends remain very interested in his 'progress' trying to get a date with Lan Wangji, but Wei Wuxian doesn't take any of that seriously. He wants to get a date with Lan Wangji because he finds Lan Wangji interesting and honorable, and he enjoys being teased by his friends, so it doesn't bother him that they still refer to it as a dare.

Nor does he think much about it as he spends more time with Lan Wangji. They bump into each other a few times at a college social event and at a bookstore, and Wei Ying genuinely enjoys the time he spends with his friend. Lan Wangji draws him while Wei Ying reads or naps, and they study together almost every day.

After two weeks of this, Wei Ying's friends are impatient to have an answer as to whether or not they are really friends or if they will start dating. They keep nudging him to resolve the question. If Lan Zhan is just straight and they are just friends, he should know by now!

So Wei Ying decides to finally determine the subject, which he has mostly left untouched since their first conversation about dating.

While he is at Lan Zhan's room on his spare bed, surrounded by the plush rabbits even though there's plenty of room on Lan Zhan's bed without all the rabbits, Wei Ying turns his laptop to show his friend.

"Lan Zhan, they are doing a romantic winter formal dance for the university this Saturday. I've never been to such a thing, I want to go. We could go together, on a date."

At the turn of the season mid-terms exams had already passed in which Lan Zhan has passed with flying colors. His days are quiet. It was filled with books to read, papers to write, projects to prepare in his busy student life. In his pockets of time he could spare for recreation and rest, he spends time with Wei Ying, feeling a magnetic attraction toward him as they're together as friends, studying together or taking unexpected naps. Lan Zhan isn't sure of his feelings for him and he does like him a lot, but couldn't bring to himself to confess yet.

However, admittedly when Wei Ying isn't sharing a space with him in his room, his rabbits do begin to carry his scent when he's absent, smelling faintly of him. He checks his phone constantly for his calls and text. He thinks constantly of him with his voice in his mind. He looks forward to Wei Ying spend time with him as their schedules allowed. When Wei Ying is near, despite his teasing, he even begins to smile a little toward his direction like a flower turning to the sun.

At the desk on the computer, Lan Zhan turns, swiveling his chair around at the mention of the dance. "I have heard of it. Dance with you...? Are you sure you wanted to go with me? Is there anybody else...?" Pressing his lips tightly together. "...Hm."

Lan Zhan is terribly conflicted because traditions were instilled in him, where it was forbidden to date another man. His expression usually stoic is that of uncertainty, not sure if he could go with him. Going on a date with him means breaking the rules of his sect.

"I am certain, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying gives him a sweet smile and then a polite little formal half-bow from where he's sitting on the bed. "I wish only to go with you. But if, now that you know me, you wish only to be friends, I promise I will never ask for a date again. I won't mind, Lan Zhan. But I do want to go on a date with you, and only you. I do not want anyone else."

Sitting forward with crossed legs once he has made his little declaration, Wei Ying props his elbow on his knee and his chin on his hand, watching Lan Zhan closely to see if his request would be granted.

Each day, more and more, despite his seemingly calm, collected exterior, he felt himself being tugged and pulled toward to him like a magnet. There are times his emotions tend to slip and he wondered if he's really falling for him and have feelings for him? Did Wei Ying knew and have a bit of a clue that Lan Zhan really wanted him? Part of him truly believed his words is genuine. Lan Zhan steadily grew certain, so perhaps if he lets go of his self-restraint, if he could break this rule to spend time and be with him...

After much consideration, hesitating since Lan Zhan tends to be shy in social parties. "Mn. All right. Okay. I go with you. But I'm going to need something formal to wear."

Wei Ying smiles brightly when Lan Zhan agrees. He’s never actually been on a date before, but he’s happy to be going with Lan Zhan. He’s always wanted to go to something cheesy and romantic like this dance, and he likes the thought of going with Lan Zhan. It gives him a feeling of coziness like a warm blanket on a cold night.

“We can go shopping, Lan Zhan. It’ll be fun. We can dress you up in different outfits and find one that makes you so handsome that it takes everyone’s breath away.” Getting up, he held out his hand to Lan Zhan. “Do you want to go now?”

Lan Zhan hesitates. He didn't want everyone. He just wanted to dress up just because Wei Ying likes it. So once they go out shopping, Lan Zhan is determined to only pick the outfit that Wei Ying likes to have Wei Ying eyes only on him for the dance, his attraction to him gravitates toward for him for his attention.

With a cheerful upbeat, wanting to spend more time with him now that midterms are over and he finished his studies. It's time for a break, a fun one to relax with him. "Let's go shopping at the store. I'll go with you. I can go now. I'm not busy. I'm done studying."

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