Chapter Text
Lan Zhan sighed as he wiped down the bar again, sparing a pained glance at the small clock by the cash register - barely past 1am. He grimaced a little, already regretting his decision to take night shifts at his local nightclub. The music was far too loud, pulsating with the room and drilling into his brain and he’d had a total of three drinks spilled on him already despite only clocking in an hour ago. With a heavy sigh, he dragged a hand through his already messed up hair and surveyed the dance floor.
Hundreds of bodies, all glistening with sweat and pressed together, gyrating with the heavy thud thud thud of the bass. All of them drunk out their minds and probably high. Lan Zhan had seen a few things passed around - but it was well above his pay grade, and he knew that Nie Mingjue would have his neck if he did something so foolish as make people aware of the illegal drug trade in the club.
Sighing once more, Lan Zhan contemplated taking his break super early, Huaisang could easily cover the bar for a while, but froze when a man sauntered up to the bar.
Dressed in deliciously tight black jeans, a shirt open to reveal the lithe figure underneath, and chained necklaces sparkling against a sweaty chest, the man leant forwards with an easy grin. Lan Zhan’s heart began to beat furiously as he scanned his face; sharp features, floppy black hair and ears that were lined with piercings.
“Hey, cutie.” The man drawled. “What do you recommend?”
“I- what?” Lan Zhan said stupidly, his brain very much occupied with trying not to stare at the man’s open chest.
“Drink. What drink do you recommend?”
“Oh..” Lan Zhan flustered for a moment. “A Margarita?”
The man’s mouth curved into a gorgeous smile that lit up his whole face and he slid a note across the bar.
“I’ll take two.” With a wink, he added, “One for me and one for the sexy bartender who’s making it.”
Fighting his furious blush, Lan Zhan forced himself to speak,
“I’m still on shift. And I don’t drink.”
The man raised an eyebrow and laughed loudly.
“Seriously? You’re a bartender but you don’t drink? Isn’t that ironic.”
He laughed again and Lan Zhan found it difficult to look away, instead focusing on making the drink.
“I don’t work here because I like alcohol.” He replied instead.
“Oh?”
Lan Zhan didn’t humour him anymore, instead pouring the drink into a cocktail glass and adding a small umbrella before pushing it across to the man and picking up the money, putting it into the register.
“I’m Wei Ying by the way.” The man said casually, holding his head in his palm and watching as Lan Zhan calmly went around and took other orders.
“That’s nice.” He said distractedly, quickly pouring the tequila shots one girl had ordered. She was staring at him almost hungrily and it made him jumpy.
“Hey,” Lan Zhan looked over to see Wei Ying pouting. “No fair! I told you my name.”
“Do we get you for free with the drinks?” The girl shouted loudly over the music, her and her friends collapsing into giggles afterwards.
“No.” Wangji said awkwardly. “That’s $20 dollars please.”
“$20?” The girl glanced up and leant over the bar, caressing Lan Zhan’s hand. “You couldn’t give me this on the house?”
Wangji tried to pull his hand away but her grip tightened slightly and he let out a quiet, panicky breath, leaning back as far as he could and shaking his head firmly. “No.”
“Lady,” Wei Ying intercepted, grabbing her hand and pulling it off Wangji’s. “Just pay the $20 or fuck off. If you couldn’t tell, he isn’t interested.”
The girl scowled furiously at him and thrust the note at Lan Zhan, who stiffly caught it and watched as she stormed off with her drinks.
“Thanks.” He said quietly and Wei Ying offered a side smile.
“Drunk people can be a lot to deal with sometimes. You should be tougher with them. Don’t you guys have security here?”
“Mn.” Lan Zhan said, spotting Huaisang approaching from the other side of the circular bar.
“Wangji, I’m taking a smoke break. You’ll be alright alone for 30 minutes, won’t you?” He called over.
“Yeah, I got it.”
Huaisang looked at Lan Zhan and then his eyes glazed over Wei Ying, whistling appreciatively. Turning back to Wangji, he wiggled his eyebrows and said,
“Yeah you do!” Before winking and leaving.
Not for the first time, Wangji was filled with the urge to strangle Nie Huaisang.
“Wangji, huh? You got a surname Wangji?” Wei Ying asked.
“Lan.” He replied. “Lan Wangji.”
“Well Lan Wangji, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Wangji didn’t respond and instead moved to the other side of the bar to take the orders Huaisang had neglected. Yet his cursed curiosity meant that he would peek over his shoulder every now and then to see what the man, Wei Ying, was up to. Usually, sipping his drink whilst his dark, glazed eyes bore holes into Wangji’s back. In fact, he didn’t move from the bar for most of the night and would chat animatedly to Wangji whenever he was close, happy to fill the silence when Lan Zhan struggled to come up with a response.
It was ... nice.
Though Lan Zhan felt reluctant to say that about an interaction with a stranger he met in a club - yet, with the way Wei Ying launched into another story about the time he studied abroad in London during college, Wangji felt an odd feeling settle in his chest. Nostalgia, perhaps? Or a longing. Moving to America to pursue his degree in Medicine meant leaving his brother, and only friend, behind in China. Wangji couldn’t actually recall the last time someone had taken the time to sit down and speak to him; drunk and overly chatty stranger or not.
Huaisang’s awkward attempts at friendship didn’t count - he never understood Wangji’s way of life though had never held it against him either. Both Wangji and Huaisang knew their friendship was born from convenience more than anything. Lan Zhan tutored Huaisang during his last year of college so that he could pass his classes and Huaisang got Wangji a job at his big brothers club.
“Hey, where are you going?” Wei Ying’s voice pulled Wangji from his thoughts and he turned to the man, who was frowning cutely at the young bartender.
Wangji looked at his hands and realised his body had been acting on a subconscious autopilot - at some point during his deep thinking, he’d checked the time, realised his shift had finished, and had collected his things from behind the bar and was about to head out and grab his coat and bag.
“Going home.”
“So soon?”
“It’s 5am.” Wangji deadpanned and Wei Ying huffed.
“Boring, Wangji! You should stay out all night and party~” He sang the last word, a small smirk creeping across his face.
Wangji’s pulse quickened and he forced himself to take a deep breath.
“Shameless.” He said before walking out of the bar and pushing through the crowd to get to the staff room.
Vaguely, he was aware that Wei Ying had scrambled off the bar stool and was stumbling across the dancefloor following him. Wangji crossed to his locker, pulling the key out of his pocket and quickly opened the door, yanking his coat and bag out before locking it again. Laying the coat across one arm, he checked all his belongings were in his bag still before hooking it over one shoulder and heading back out.
“Wangji!” Wei Ying shouted from where he was stood just outside the door, pushing himself off the wall and grabbing Wangji’s wrist. “When are you next back in work?”
“Why?”
“Am I not allowed to want to see you again? You’re the only bartender who’s ever made me a decent Margarita.” He said, lifting his chin up a little.
“Don’t joke.” Lan Zhan scolded.
“I’m not! Really I’m being serious!” He moved his hand down to Wangi’s and linked their pinkies together, lifting their joined hands to show Wangji. “I even pinky promise!”
“Mn.” Lan Zhan hummed noncommittally, desperately ignoring the red flush spreading across his ears whilst thanking god that it was dark in the club. “I need to go.”
As if sensing Lan Zhan’s discomfort, Wei Ying released his hand and took a step back.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon, Wangji!” Wei Ying offered a bright smile. “I had a good night.”
Wangji bowed his head politely before moving to the exit, pretending to not notice Wei Ying’s eyes following him all the way out.
///
Wangji stared blankly at the message from his brother, his brain hardly able to process what it said.
Brother ☃️: Uncle has fallen ill again. Doctors aren’t sure if he’ll make it this time. Don’t worry about money, dad’s inheritance is covering the hospital bills still. Study hard. ❤️
Wangji felt bile rise in his throat as his chest clenched tight and he forced himself to swallow thickly. Uncle Qiren had raised Wangji and Lan Huan after their father died and despite being incredibly strict, he was the reason Wangji had made it to his dream university halfway across the world.
His Uncle’s dementia set in early, considering his age. They first noticed it when Wangji was 17, still in high school, and his genius Uncle began to forget little things. Then it gradually grew worse, until he struggled to recognise his nephews. Wangji had moved away at that point, urged by his brother to live a little, and left Lan Huan to deal with their dying Uncle - that was almost 4 years ago, and Wangji was in his second year of Med school having completed his pre-Med undergraduate.
His father’s job as the wealthy CEO of a huge technology company meant that Wangji didn’t have to worry about his huge tuition fees, nor did he and his brother have to concern themselves with their Uncle’s hospital bills. However, they both knew that money wouldn’t last forever.
So, Wangji hadn’t told his brother about his dodgy job at the nightclub he had to make ends meet. He hadn’t told his brother that he had a saving account he was funnelling all his bursary money into so that, when he graduated, he could give his brother the money to get his own degree. Lan Huan had given up on his dreams of becoming a lawyer so that Wangji could study to become a doctor. It never settled well with Wangji but his brother insisted that it was for the best and that as the eldest, he had the duty to look after their Uncle.
Wangji’s phone pinged again, and he pulled himself from his spiralling thoughts, noting the unknown number.
Unknown: Hey Lan Wangji ~ 😍 Wangji frowned.
Lan Wangji: Who is this?
Unknown: It’s Wei Ying!!!!!! From the other night? You weren’t at the club yesterday I missed you ☹️
Lan Wangji: How did you get my number?
Unknown: Ohh, the other bartender gave it to me
Unknown: Huaisang?
Unknown: I think that’s his name lmfao i’ll be honest idr much of what happened
Oh, Wangji was going to murder Nie Huaisang when he saw him next, whether he was the son of his boss and only friend or not. He also couldn’t believe that the very attractive man who had talked Wangji’s ear off 3 nights ago had actively sought out Wangji’s number. With his heart thumping loudly in his ears, Wangji typed a reply.
Lan Wangji: I don’t work every night. I have classes.
He then saved Wei Ying as a contact, spending a tedious amount of time on deciding an appropriate emoji to next to his name.
Wei Ying 🍸: Wow you go to university!!??? WANGJI IS SO SMART ~ I bet you study STEM heheh 😈🔬🧪🧬
Lan Wangji: Yes, I am studying medicine. I wish to be a doctor. I am in my second year of Med school now.
Wei Ying 🍸: Dude that’s so fucking cool :O Kinda sexy too 😈
Lan Wangji: Thank you.
Wangji’s phone went silent then and he sighed, unsure why he was even humouring a man who was effectively a stranger, and went to shower instead. When he was out, he found another message.
Wei Ying 🍸: When are you next in work? 🥺
It reminded Wangji of their conversation in the club before he had come home; Wei Ying’s insistence in wanting to see Wangji again. He couldn’t understand it, especially with his company as dull and cold as it is, just as he couldn’t understand why Wei Ying was bothering giving Wangji any attention at all. Really it seemed like such a fuss for someone as boring as Wangji.
Lan Wangji: Friday night. I have exams this week.
Wei Ying 🍸: Ohhh ~ good luck! I don’t know if i’ll survive not seeing you until Friday though 😔😔😔
Lan Zhan frowned as he took in the sad emojis. Surely Wei Ying wasn’t that upset he couldn’t see him? Wangji was quite convinced this was a joke.
Lan Wangji: You barely know me.
Wei Ying 🍸: But I’d like to.
Wei Ying 🍸: ...
Wei Ying 🍸: Is that okay?
Wei Ying 🍸: Wangji..?
Wangji stared at his screen, leaving Wei Ying’s messages on read. His heart was beating heavily and he couldn’t help but think about how messaging this stranger was the riskiest thing he’d done since applying for his job. Wei Ying seemed ... genuine. Perhaps he really did want to see Wangji. And ... maybe Wangji didn’t need to justify it. After all, his brother had always insisted that there was more to Wangji than he showed the world, it was just a shame no one had bothered to try and see that. Was Wei Ying the first? Did he really care?
Confusion swarmed through Wangji and he sighed, the overwhelming emotion rather exhausting. After a few more moments of anxiously stewing, Wangji typed a reply.
Lan Wangji: Sure. I’ll see you Friday.
And then, before he could decide against it,
Lan Wangji: And call me Lan Zhan.
Wei Ying 🍸: LAN ZHAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wei Ying 🍸: Omg I knew you couldn’t always hide behind your stuffy courtesy name
Wei Ying 🍸: I’ll see you friday pretty boy !!!! ~ 💘
Lan Wangji: See you.
Perhaps having a friend in his life, (an actual friend that was as his brother almost certainly didn’t count), wouldn’t be such a bad thing. In fact, Wangji was quite sure Lan Huan would pass out from excitement when he told him about it. With a deep sigh, and enormous willpower, Wangji switched off his phone before he could see Wei Ying’s reply and returned to his studying.
It was only a couple of hours later, when he turned his phone back on to set his alarm for the next day, that he risked a look at Wei Ying’s reply and rushed to smother the smile that passed over his lips upon reading it.
Wei Ying 🍸: Can’t wait 🥺🥰😚