🐰🔞Max🔥☠️

He just needs another adult to spoil him so he doesn't always have to ask baba. Lol

LXC: If my brother can get a date, HE IS DAMN WELL GONNA GO ON THAT DATE.

LQR *has* agreed to pinch hit in the event LXC really just cannot get away from whatever he's doing. He does enjoy his great nephew's company. Lol

Is not tomorrow, boy, the ides of March?

//Honestly not sure what to write after this. I might call it here. I just had the thought of a funny meet-cute in sign language turning into a dumbass misunderstanding because neither of them is actually deaf, they just learned sign language for various other reasons. lol We'll see, tho.

WY almost looks more excited than LY when he looks back at him. "We still need to shop, and I will need to call my brother to pick up A-Yuan, but I am free tonight..." He paused and glanced down at his son watching happily before signing, [Would you like to join us?]

WY beams. [I would love that!]

LZ taps his son on the shoulder. [Would you like to see your uncle tonight?] (He has a long-standing agreement with his brother that if he ever has a chance to go out, LH will drop just about anything to be available to watch LY... LH insisted.)

LY claps his hands together excitedly in response.

When LZ looks up, it's just in time to see WY sign, [Stop that!] at LY with a crooked grin. LY giggles beside him.

"Do you think you can free yourself up for some grown-up time?" WY asks brightly. "I'm free tomorrow night... I'm also free tonight, but I understand it's short notice."

The first outgoing text reads, ~My name is Lan Zhan, and I am a crazy attractive DILF. It would take way more than a week of radio silence for anyone to give up the chance to shoot their shot.~

Then in reply: ~Wow, Lan Zhan! So forward! You're absolutely right, tho. Let's go out.~

LZ expects the phone to be promptly returned, but instead, it's tucked under WY's arm as he spends another moment doing something on his own phone. LZ's phone vibrates under his arm before it's handed back.

Curious, LZ opens his phone to look at what WY put in it, and heat rushes to his face.

"Open an empty text on your phone and give it to me."

Puzzled, LZ does as he is asked and places the phone in WY's palm.

"What's your name?"

"Lan Zhan."

WY's tongue pokes out just a little in the middle of his impish smirk as he spends a minute typing on LZ's phone before turning off the screen.

WY's lips quirk to the side as he glances down appraisingly at LY, who is gazing back up at him with big doe eyes, then looks back at LZ. "I assume he is the one who can't hear?"

"That is correct."

"Can he read lips?"

"He is learning."

"Hmm..." Looking back down at LY, he holds out his hand.

With those 2 words, LZ can feel tension begin to slip from his shoulders.

"My feelings *were* a little hurt," he continues, with just a hint of mischief glimmering in his silver eyes. "But the good news is I already know how you can make it up to me."

"How?" LZ asks, feeling somewhat apprehensive.

WY looks up in mild confusion, then freezes. "Oh!" he says aloud. "Hi-"

"I'm sorry," LZ says before he can stop himself. "I was going to text you, but... It's a long story-"

"Let me stop you right there," WY interrupts in his warm tenor. An easy smile curls his lips. "It's okay."

👀👀👀

Tugging on his sleeve brings LZ's attention back to his son, who continues to emphatically point.

[GO. Talk to him!]

LZ's eyes squeeze closed in a nervous grimace as he musters up his courage. He takes LY by the hand and they walk toward the man leaning against the wall.

"Wei Ying," he says.

A long, dark ponytail presses against white stucco, and those broad shoulders taper off into a narrow waist. He almost gives the impression of a charming, but aloof, anime character, with one long leg curled up and braced against the wall as he looks at his phone.

LZ has never seen WY out from behind the tall meat counter in his white apron and hair net. He knew he was tall and fit, and he could recreate his handsome, naturally cheery face in his sleep... He should have known that he could only look better in any other context.

🐺 (Please let him have gone home for the day.)

🐺 (PLEASE let him still be there.)

They are walking up to the storefront when LY pokes him hard in the ribs and points.

Wincing as he rubs the new bruise forming on his side, he follows his son's gesture to a man leaning casually against the wall.

For the next week, LY continues to ask him if he's texted the "boy [he] likes", frowning disapprovingly when the answer is still no.

The next time they go to the grocery store, it's later than usual, and there are, as they say, 2 wolves inside of him.

He probably should tell him if they are going to communicate, but what should he even say?

It is this admittedly absurd hang up that makes him completely unable to even draft a single text.

Despite the small voice inside him trying to convince him that it's not a big deal, he finds himself paralyzed. At what point after having an impromptu conversation with a hearing person in sign language do you tell them that you actually can also hear and communicate verbally?

It's not until after LZ has finished putting away the groceries—while LY occupies himself with a book—that he pulls out his phone and the note to send the promised text and realizes....

(Oh, gods. He probably thinks I'm deaf.)

WE’LL BE LESS ACTIVIST IF YOU BE LESS SHIT

Heart seizing in his chest, he looks up at WY, who is giving him an encouraging double thumbs up. He can't help but give a small smile back. He nods, sliding the note into his pocket.

[I will.]

Tentatively, he accepts the paper, acutely aware of his son staring intently, and opens it.

~You’re quite handsome yourself. Text me anytime. I'm free most evenings and weekends. -Wei Ying~

A phone number was written underneath.

The man grins so widely it almost looks painful. He holds up a figure, indicating for LZ to wait as prints up a small piece of receipt paper, pulls a pen from the pocket of his apron, and writes something down.

Folding the slip of paper, the clerk holds it over the counter toward LZ.

This child...

He turns back to the meat clerk. He doesn't seem offended or uncomfortable… What harm can it do? He at least owes it to his caring, if a bit impetuous, son to be honest.

[It is true. I do.]

LZ blinks, anxiety clutching his chest. [What did he say?]

Smile broadening (gods have mercy on LZ's poor heart), the man replies, [You think I'm ✨beautiful✨.]

Frozen like a deer in headlights, LZ nearly perishes on the spot. He stares at LY, who is grinning proudly, and takes a deep breath.

finally plucks up the courage to talk to the handsome meat clerk, but none of them involved Lan Yuan taking it upon himself to out him.

For a moment, he forgets that he can hear and speak. [He is too smart,] he signs, feeling faint.

The clerk smiles wryly. [Was he telling the truth?]

LZ blanches, and heat colors his ears. He turns to look at the man behind the counter who is observing them with an amused smile, a hint of embarrassment dusting his cheeks. He waves.

[Your son is very smart.]

Something in LZ's brain short-circuits. He has imagined dozens of scenarios in which he