*Quick Life update- Sorry about the long wait between chapters, I wish I could say it's going to get better, but I'm going through an extended and ongoing family crises. I will update when I can but I am now the main caretaker for an older relative and I can't promise these updates will come quickly. This story is not abandoned but wait times may be long depending on the condition of my relative.
On a happier note this fic has gotten a few fanarts that will be posted on my writing blog neverticklethissleepingdragon
Wangji had retrieved his phone from Wei Ying last week to find that Instagram had been downloaded and an account had been named for him with the handle hanguang_jun. Wei Ying has also added his own face to face id, put his phone on easy mode for old people (?), and followed all of their classmates (except the Jins and Su She), Jiang Yanli, the official school account, Xichen, Britney Spears, Kylie Jenner, and thirty-three different bunny accounts.
Wangji had unfollowed Kylie Jenner.
All of this having been done for him, he couldn't help but wonder if the first post Wei Ying had made since creating Wangji's account had been directed at him. He was curled up on his side in bed, mouth dry, staring at the black and white photo of Wei Ying.
"Thirst trap provided by Nie Huaisang. See his profile for the thirst traps I took of him, tell us whose is better!" The caption read.
Wangji had googled what thirst trap meant, then if pictures from instagram could be saved to your camera roll, then he'd screen shotted the image, feeling a little creepy but unable to resist. He couldn't deny that it had worked on him, he'd been staring at the image for over thirty minutes, eyes glued to the slight part of Wei Ying's lips, and his exposed collar bone. All in all it wasn't obscene in any way, but it still made Wangji's ear heat up and his heart race.
I think about Wei Ying's collar bones a normal amount.
Wei Ying was a streak of black and red in the courtyard when Wangji and Xichen pulled into the parking lot. He appeared to catch sight of them and changed courses, barreling out the door and colliding with the hood of Xichen's car before either of them had even unbuckled. Xichen looked a touch more annoyed than he usually would.
"It's a little early for this," he muttered as he shut off the engine.
"You're right, Headmaster Lan, it is a little early for this! So you should just tell me what I want to know! I learned how to read lips on youtube," he finished when he saw the confused look on Xichen's face.
"And what is it you want to know?" Xichen sighed.
"Are there really new student's today? One in Yanli's grade, two in ours, and one in the grade below?"
By the look on Xichen's face Wangji thought it was not only true but not supposed to be public knowledge.
"How did you know about that?"
"I be knowing things," Wei Ying replied succinctly, taking Wangji by the arm and dragging him away. "It's true!" He cried out when he stepped into the courtyard, Wangji pressed (uncomplainingly) against his side.
Wangji noticed Wei Ying was wearing a v-neck t-shirt today and forced himself not to stare at his collar bones.
"What do you think they're going to be like? Do you think they'll be nice?" Xiao Xingchen asked, approaching arm in arm with his boyfriend, being trailed by A-Qing and a very sullen looking Xue Yang.
"They're siblings?" Wei Ying said suddenly, eyes locked on Xichen who was talking to their homeroom teacher across the schoolyard, "and they won't be here until just before lunch?"
Xichen shot him a definitely annoyed look this time, which seemed to make Wei Wuxian swell with pride. He only turned to fully face the group when Xichen raised a hand to cover his mouth so Wei Ying couldn't see it.
"You're going to get detention if you're not careful," Song Lan said. "He's already stressed out from our teachers sudden resignation and having to combine our classes, and now we're getting even more new students?"
"Ah, it's all in good fun, what would he do without me to break the tension?"
"Actually live into old age?" Xiao Xingchen suggested as Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.
"You said it! Headmaster Lan probably fucking hates you, Wei Wuxian!"
"That's not true! Lan Zhan, does Headmaster Lan hate me?"
"No," he began. Wei Ying whooped and Wangji suddenly felt the need to deter Wei Ying from causing more trouble, for Xichen's sake. "But sometimes you do add unnecessary stress onto his day when he is already stretched thin. Please behave today."
Wei Ying, looking sufficiently scolded, sighed sadly and scuffed his feet sullenly on the floor.
"Do you think any of the new students are cute girls? I hope so!"
Wangji ignored the irrational flare of anger he felt at the words.
"It's such a big day today! New students and voting on the new Kids Plus Weather Girl! I hope Mirelle wins!" Nie Huaisang said, pulling out his phone. "Voting is set to begin while we're on lunch, so everyone remember to call in and vote for her!"
"No way! I like Aurore Boreal," Song Lan said. "I like that she carries a prop, it's fun."
"It's corny! She carries an umbrella and she wants to be a weather girl!" Huaisang protested.
"It's not basic it's on brand!"
"Mirelle is the best! She's got charisma!"
"Aurore does too!" Song Lan shot back. "Babe, what do you think?" Song Lan asked, looking to Xiao Xingchen.
"Actually, I don't have an opinion, I don't really watch the weather," Xiao Xingchen said, chuckling like he was caught between the teeth of two tigers.
"That explains why you're never dressed for the weather," Xue Yang put in.
"Last week you had to borrow my jacket," A-Qing said, rolling her eyes.
Xiao Xingchen laughed. "Maybe I should start watching the weather."
"As I'm sure you're all aware, thanks to Wei Wuxian, our class will be receiving two new students today," Professor Ouyang said, leveling Wei Wuxian with a flat look.
The door opened and the two students walked inside, a beautiful and stern looking girl with her hair pulled away from her face, and an arrogant and unattractive boy who swaggered in like he owned the place.
"Class, meet Wen Qing and Wen Chao, transfers from a private school north of Paris."
"Hi Wen Qing, Hi Wen Chao!" Wei Ying said loudly, waving. Both of them fixed him with looks, Wen Qing one of quiet appraise, and Wen Chao with a sneer down his nose. For all that he appeared carefree and casual, Lan Wangji knew he was appraising the two in return.
"Wen Qing, please take your seat next to Luo Qingyang, and Wen Chao, there is room in the back row for you."
"No, I don't think so, I think I'd rather sit in the front, one of these chumps will have to move out of the way for me," Wen Chao sneered.
Wangji watched him cooly, thinking this was likely some sort of effort to assert dominance over the class on his first day, but unfortunately for him he turned directly to the Jin, who were equally as arrogant and a good deal more attractive (not that he'd ever say that where the Jiang brothers could hear him.)
When his stalking advance on the Jin's was met with cool and unimpressed looks Wen Chao turned to Lan Wangji, who felt Nie Huaisang, (who had far weaker resolve than Wangji or the Jins) tense beside him and gave Wen Chao the frostiest look he could muster. The look that had, on occasion, made small children cry with fear. He felt a small thrill of petty satisfaction when Wen Chao almost immediately backed down and scoffed arrogantly, not making an attempt to intimidate Nie Huaisang, who let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Wen Chao, you will take your seat in the back of the class now or your first hour here will be spent in the headmaster's office."
Wen Chao huffed and stormed up the stairs, pretending to be unbothered. He was followed by the much more subdued Wen Qing, who looked put out by his behavior.
"She really is pretty," Wei Wuxian whispered triumphantly to his brother. "You know, Valentine's Day is next week, I wonder if she's got one?"
"I doubt she'll want it to be you," Jiang Cheng whispered back.
Lan Wangji swallowed his flash of jealousy.
"Alright, everyone start voting on your phones now!" Nie Huaisang announced during their lunch break once their tabel was seated. "EXCEPT if you're going to vote for Aurore Boreal, Song Lan."
Song Lan pulled out his phone then quickly and spitefully dialed a number, maintaining eye contact with Nie Huaisang, who looked disgusted.
"Lan Zhan, are you going to vote?" Wei Ying asked, texting in his vote for Mirelle, lest he be eviscerated by Nie Huaisang, who was peering over his shoulder.
"Mn," he said. He did not reach for his phone.
He happened to know that Tikki was practically feral for Aurore Boreal to win this competition. Tikki had been following the competition closely since it's inception, and three weeks ago Mirelle had beaten out her favorite and Tikki hadn't forgiven her for it.
"Ah, I guess you don't care about things like that, you probably watch boring adult weather by responsible and boring weather men."
Wangji said nothing, as this was, in fact, the case.
"Well if he doesn't care then he can vote for Mirelle!" Nie Huaisang snapped, pointing at him angrily.
"Why are you so desperate for Mirelle to win?" Luo Qingyang asked.
"I made a bet with Nie Mingue. He's certain Aurore is going to win and if she loses I get to get a belly button ring this weekend.
"Oh my God," Jiang Cheng said, rolling his eyes.
"What? I love you and your brother, but this is one piercing that I'd rather have done professionally."
"That would be wise," Luo Qingyang advised. "It's a miracle none of you lost an ear."
"No way we were totally-"
"Give me your lunch money," Wen Chao said, drawing the attention of the cafeteria's loudest table by way of saying the most cliche movie bullying line known to mankind.
Several heads turned, all wearing expressions of varied confusion and concern. Together they saw a young and unfamiliar boy (another of the new students?) cowering in front of Wen Chao, eyes on the floor.
"S-sure thing, cousin," the boy said, rummaging quickly in his pockets and pulling out a small bundle of money."
"Oh hell no," Wei Wuxian muttered, on his feet and crossing the room before anyone else could stop him.
"Now get out of my way," Wen Chao said, shoulder checking the boy out of his way.
"Hey, what the hell?" Wei Wuxian snapped, sliding in Wen Chao's path, and Lan Wangji couldn't help but lean slightly forward in his seat, entranced by the way Wei Wuxian stood tall, chin lifted in defiance, head tilted haughtily. "If you forgot your lunch money then you should be the one to go hungry, not him. Maybe next time you should keep better track of your shit!"
"That's rich, coming from him," Jiang Wanyin muttered to himself.
"Who the hell are you to interfere in my family matters?" Wen Chao asked. That seemed to give Wei Ying a moment's pause. He glanced over his shoulder at the wide eyed boy behind him, then rounded back on Wen Chao.
"Who the hell are you to steal from one of your younger relatives? It's lunch time, everyone is hungry, him included. Now give him back his lunch money or I'll take it from you by force."
Wangji was just starting to think hazily that he should intervene and prevent this from escalating into violence when Wen Chao's body tensed, showing all the signs of readying for attack. Wei Wuxian, and several of the people at their table were trained fencers and all made a move to intervene, but no one got there as fast as Lan Wangji, who spanned the distance quick enough to catch Wen Chao's fist in his hand.
"Fighting is prohibited," Wangji said sternly, glaring at Wen Chao, whose eyes had widened in rage.
"Ah, and who are you to tell me what to do?"
"Lan Wangji."
"Ah, Lan, I bet you think you're some big shot because you're related to the Headmaster."
"You seem to have that opinion of yourself based on a connection to a low level politician," Lan Wangji replied coolly, earning a round of laughter from the students within ear shot.
"I told you he was funny, Jiang Cheng," Wei Ying called.
Jiang Cheng looked rather annoyed to have laughed at something Lan Wangji said. Lan Wangji did not allow himself to be distracted by the implication that Wei Ying had had discussions about him with his brother.
"What's going on here?" Lan Xichen's voice suddenly rang out.
Wangji blinked in surprise, turning to see his brother standing in the doorway, face quickly shifting from shocked to upset, Wangji's lunch box clutched in his hand. Evidently he had left it in the car when Wei Ying had dragged him bodily into the school.
"Wangji. What's going on."
"Wen Chao attempted to assault Wei Ying," he said simply, releasing Wen Chao's fist but stepping bodily between him and Wei Ying. Xichen noted this action and pursed his lips.
"He started it!" Wen Chao said.
"That's a lie," Luo Qingyang put in, standing up. "Wen Chao was bullying that boy out of his lunch money! Wei Wuxian was trying to defend him, then Wen Chao threw a punch!"
Lan Xichen looked from the boy, to Wen Chao, to Wei Ying, and then to Wangji."
"All of you come with me," he said, turning and striding out the door, Wangji's lunch box still clutched in his hand.
They followed him in a line, the boy went first, followed by Wei Ying, followed by Lan Wangji, followed by Wen Chao, and as they entered the office Wei Ying made a point to keep himself in between Wen Chao and the boy, and Lan Wangji did the same with Wei Ying. Lan Xichen looked like he wanted to be amused but was too annoyed and stressed to manage it.
"Wangji, tell me what happened," he said, once everyone was seated.
"Wen Chao tried to force this boy to give him his lunch money and Wei Ying intervened. Wen Chao attempted to hit him and I intervened."
"What a load of bullshit," Wen Chao said, "of course you're going to believe everything your brother says! What a load of nepotism."
"The assistant principal is currently collecting witness statements from the other students in the cafeteria. Miss Luo, who runs our school blog and has the unfortunate habit of recording and posting everything that happens ever, caught the whole thing on video and has volunteered her footage. I'm sure that that will provide sufficient evidence of the events today."
Wen Chao looked put off by that, at least.
"Wei Wuxian, tell me what happened according to you?"
"It happened exactly how Lan Zhan said it did." Xichen nodded.
"Wen Ning?"
"Um, uh- it was nothing, it's fine, he said, looking timidly at Wen Chao."
"Why don't the three of you step outside of the room? And if anything happens out there, all three of you will have detention for a month."
Wangji nodded and strode to the door, opening it and waiting for Wen Chao, who was trying to glare down Wen Ning, but wasn't having much luck as Wei Ying was pointedly standing in his line of sight.
"Why do you keep staring at me? Am I that handsome?" Wen Chao snarled, making forward like he was going to attack Wei Ying again, Lan Zhan started forward to stop him, but Xichen got to his feet, slamming his hands down on the desk and raising his voice in what was probably the only show of temper Wangji had seen from the man in his entire life.
"That's enough," He shouted, startling Wangji so badly he took two steps back, eyes wide. The look on Wei Wuxian's face was enough to tell him that Wei Ying had also never seen such a display from him.
"You three step outside, I'm calling another teacher to stand outside and watch you. I would like a private word with Wen Ning."
Wen Chao strode out of the room, Wei Ying following after him, walking in the opposite direction as Wen Chao. Lan Wangji followed him.
"You look even more shocked than I was," Wei Ying said, chuckling nervously.
"I have never heard Xichen yell. Ever."
"Really? Never? Not even when you were both snot nosed brats?"
"I was never snot nosed," Lan Wangji protested.
"But you were a brat?"
"Ridiculous."
Wei Ying chuckled and leaned up against the railing casually as the aforementioned teacher appeared in the hallway, glaring at all of them equally.
"Headmaster Lan has gotten pretty stern with me before, but he's never shouted. That was insane. Jiang Cheng and Huaisang and I were starting to think he was physically incapable of raising his voice."
"He is normally very level headed, even when we were little. I must have underestimated the amount of stress that he's been under recently."
"I bet it's something to do with that guys dad. Seeing what his kid is like I bet he's been a nightmare for Headmaster Lan. Maybe we should buy him cookies or something."
"Snickerdoodles."
"What?"
"Snickerdoodles are Xichen's favorite."
"Really? That's good to know."
"He uses a recipe he found on pinterest to make them."
"He bakes, oh my God Lan Zhan I need to know everything about this. How often does he bake?"
"At least once a week. He's been trying sourdough bread lately but hasn't been able to get it right," said Wangji, who was confused by Wei Ying's sudden interest in his brother's baking habits but used to his random obsessions enough by now that he simply humored him.
"Does he wear an apron? Does it have words on it? What does it say?"
"He has an apron, it's white, it doesn't say anything," Wangji replied.
"Is he any good or do you lie to protect his feelings?"
"Lying is forbidden," Wangji said sternly. Wei Wuxian cackled. "Of course, of course. How could I forget? So then I'll know you're telling the truth, is Headmaster Lan any good at baking?"
"Mn, he is. He can cook as well. He likes to meal prep and make food in advance. He makes both of our lunches."
"Are you telling me that I've been sitting next to you while you were eating Headmaster Lan originals and you never told me?"
"Mn," Wangji replied, wondering just who exactly Wei Ying had thought was making his food. Certainly not uncle of all people? (He had nearly burned down their kitchen once, then forbidden the boys from speaking of it ever again.)
The door opened and Xichen stepped out, accompanied by Wen Ning.
"All of you may return to your classrooms, lunch is nearly over," Xichen said.
Wen Ning scurried away and Wei Ying looked like he wanted to chase after him, but was distracted when Lan Xichen held out the lunchbox to Wangji.
"Sorry, Wangji, you only have a few more minutes of lunch, Wangji," he said. Wangji nodded and accepted the lunchbox.
"Thank you, Xichen," he took the lunch, ignoring the way that Wei Wuxian was fairly climbing up his back to gain access to it.
"Is this one of the famous Headmaster Lan original lunches? You have to let me try it, I have to know if he's any good- oh my God we should do a tasting for the school blog, I'm going to tell Mianmian!"
"I would appreciate it if you let my brother eat his food, Wei Wuxian," Xichen said gently.
"Well of course he's going to eat most of it! I just want a bite or two! He can trade a few bites of the lunch Yanli made me!"
"I'll bring you something tomorrow, then," Xichen said, " i was planning to make a casserole tonight, and we always have leftovers."
"Really?" Wei Wuxian exclaimed, like Xichen had just promised him the moon. "Thank you so much, you're the best!" Wei Ying scampered off, draggin Lan Wangji behind him as Lan Xichen shook his head, smiling despite the weariness weighing down on him.
"Guess I'm making a casserole tonight," he muttered to himself before stepping back into his office.
"If you don't believe me then ask Lan Zhan! He never lies! Headmaster Lan totally offered to bring me lunch tomorrow! I didn't blackmail him or anything!"
"Yeah, right, he was just trying to get you to agree not to eat Lan Wangji's entire lunch!" Jiang Cheng said.
"You should do an article about it on the school blog, Mianmian! 'Is Lan Xichen really a good cook or is his brother biased because he loves him' or something."
"That video sounds more like it should be applied to you two," she said, evidently unafraid of either God or death.
"What's that supposed to mean," Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian asked together.
Luo Qingyang, either very brave or very foolish, went on, "the two of you are always going on and on about how wonderful your sister's cooking is, but you never let anyone else try it! You always gobble it all up! If I didn't know any better I'd say it was terrible and you just didn't want people to know about it."
"Take that back!" Jiang Cheng snapped.
"Those are fighting words, Mianmian!"
"Well then how about Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli duke it out in the kitchen? I propose a cooking battle between the two of them to see who really is the superior chef! Now that would be an interesting video!"
"Of course our sister is the superior chef!" Jiang Cheng said nastily. "She'll blow Headmaster Lan out of the water!"
"So she'll agree to participate to the match?"
"Of course she will!" Wei Wuxian cried.
Mianmian looked very pleased with herself to have incensed the brothers into signing the famously non-competitive Jiang Yanli up for a competition.
"And what about Headmaster Lan, Lan Wangji? Do you think he would be willing?"
"Probably, as long as you find a day when he's free."
"Yes!" She said triumphantly, punching the air. "It'll be the event of the year!"
Aurore stood on the kids plus tv stage, waving and blowing kisses at the camera, quite certain that her nerves weren't showing. She had this in the bag she was certain.
"And the winner of the Kids Plus Television weather girl contest is… MIRELLE!"
Automated cheering played over the speakers as an overhead spotlight shined down on Mirelle, acting all surprised and shy in the limelight.
"Heh, wow, she really creamed you," Alec said off handedly, glancing up when Aurore stormed off. "What's the big deal? She only beat you by half a million votes!"
She had wanted this so badly, she'd never wanted anything more. Aurore had the face, the charm, the flare and it was all for nothing! And that stupid Mirelle had beaten her!
Her head was thrown back and she looked into the face of Hawkmoth.
"Stormy Weather, my name is Hawkmoth, and I want to help you get revenge on all those who undervalue you. All I need in return are the Miraculouses of Mister Bug and Chat Noir."
"You got it, Hawkmoth," she replied, her vision briefly overtaken by a bubbling mass of black light.
"WOOHOO!" Nie Huaisang cheered, leaping up into the air. "Mirelle is the winner! Take that Mingue! Alright, everyone gather round, let's commence the voting on which belly button ring I should get!"
Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian, and Luo Qingyang all huddled around Nie Huaisang and began a heated debate on which belly button ring was best while Lan Wangji sat serenely by and read ahead in his book. Jin Zixuan was roped in by Luo Qingyang then the Jiang's proceeded to drag Jin Zixuan's taste to filth even after he agreed with Wei Wuxian on which jewelry Nie Huaisang should get.
Lan Wangji glanced up to see Xiao Xingchen very seriously considering the images being shoved in his face. He scanned the courtyard and saw Wen Qing sitting alone, seeming very deeply invested in what appeared to be a medical textbook.
"Hey, hey you! Wen Ning!" Wei Wuxian called out, jogging forward to catch up to Wen Qing and Wen Ning where they were trying to exit the building.
Wen Qing leveled him with a stern look, but remained in place and allowed him to catch up to them, eyes resting on the delighted expression her brother was wearing. Her expression remained entirely unchanged beside the small quirk at the edge of her mouth.
"Um, h-hi," Wen Ning said shyly.
"I'm Wei Wuxian! That asshole Wen Chao is your cousin, right?"
"Yes."
"Tough luck. If he ever tries to bother you again just let me know, okay?"
"Oh, it's fine, I don't want to get you in trouble."
Wei Wuxian waved a hand dismissively. "Ah don't worry about it, I'm in trouble all the time anyway! I don't mind a little extra detention for standing up to a pretentious asshole."
"You could get more than detention," Wen Qing said suddenly. "Our Uncle is an influential politician. He could cause problems for you and your family."
"My uncle is the founder and CEO of Lotus Security, he has the monopoly on private security in the city. He's not afraid of any politician." Wen Qing nodded.
"Do you guys want to hang out after school? I could show you around my favorite places!"
Wen Qing looked on the verge of denying him when Wen Ning shot her a hopeful look.
"We have to babysit A-Yuan today," Wen Qing reminded him gently.
"Babysit, I love kids! Why don't we go to the park near my house, I'll show you all the best spots for hanging out with kids!"
Wei Wuxian fairly melted when Wen Ning gave his sister another hopeful look. It seemed she did as well.
"Alright, fine, you can come," she said, pulling out her phone. "Here is my number, text me the address of the park and we will meet you there."
"Awesome!" Wei Ying typed her number into his phone and texted her a long string of emojis.
Wen Qing nodded and strode away, her brother close behind her as Wei Wuxian stood alone in the doorway, looking supremely impressed with himself.
"Oh, Lan Zhan, look! The pretty new girl gave me her number!" Lan Zhan, for some reason, looked very annoyed and only nodded once before turning on his heels and striding toward his brother's office.
"What the hell did you do to him?" Jiang Cheng asked.
"I don't know? He got really mad when I told him the new girl gave me her number, do you think he liked her?"
"How the hell did you get her to give you her number?"
"I'm helping her and her brother babysit today!" He said proudly.
"How the hell did you get her to trust you with a little kid! You've spoken to her twice!"
"I told her about the park! And I almost took a punch for her younger brother!"
"Again! Again!" A-Yuan cheered after their third time on the carousel.
"Okay, okay, but how about this time you go with Wen Qing? I'm getting dizzy!"
"But I want to ride with you!"
"You did! Three times! If you don't pay better attention to your Auntie Qing she'll start to feel neglected! You don't want to hurt Auntie Qing's feelings do you?"
"...no," A-Yuan said after some hesitation. "Okay, I can ride with Auntie Qing and Uncle Ning."
"Ah, thank you, A-Yuan," Wen Qing said, looking a measure softer than Wei Ying had seen her yet. She took A-Yuan from Wei Wuxian and stepped up onto the carousel.
It's a good thing these rides are free because all I've got on me is a rubber band and charcoal dust.
He stood off to the side and waved at A-Yuan every time he came past on the carousel.
A flash of cold air rushed past him and the carousel was engulfed in a dome of ice.
"What the hell?" He said, spinning on the spot to look for the akuma.
"I'll show all of you! I should have won the position of weather girl!" She called, drawing Wei Wuxian's eyes to the sky to see the akuma floating there, looking down at him with an umbrella clutched in her hand.
"Aurore Boreal?" Wei Ying asked, taking in her changed appearance.
"Aurore is gone! I'm Stormy Weather now!"
"Well, Stormy Weather, how about you stop attacking random civilians!"
"No! I'm going to punish all of Paris for not choosing me to be their new weather girl!"
"How do you know if the people you're attacking voted for her or you? A-Yuan can't even read! He didn't vote for anyone!" Wei Ying flung an arm out to indicate the Wens where they were huddling close to the ice, looking frightened.
"What about you?" Stormy Weather asked, pointing the end of her umbrella at him threateningly.
"Me? I don't even watch kids plus! I get the weather on an app on my phone!" He lied.
Without speaking she opened her umbrella and blasted him with a strong gust of cold air, knocking him off his street and sending him flying. He impacted with something warm and firm and found himself to be cradled in the arms of Mister Bug.
He felt all the blood in his body rush to his face as Mister Bug flipped them away to danger and carried him Bridal Style onto a nearby roof.
"Oh, uh, hi. Thanks for saving me," he said, pressing close and trying for his usual demeanor.
"Hello," Mister Bug said.
Wei Wuxian couldn't help but notice that Mister Bug didn't pull away the same way he usually did from other civilians. A small thrill ran through his middle and he pressed closer. If he didn't know any better he'd say that Mister Bug's ears were glowing red, but it was probably just the color of his suit reflecting off his pale skin.
"I'm really glad you were here to protect this distressed damsel!" he said, batting his eyelashes.
"Ridiculous," Mister Bug said, still not pulling away.
"Yup, that's me!"
Stormy Weather shouted something unintelligible and a chorus of frightened cries snapped them both out of the moment.
"I must go," Mister Bug said.
"Yeah, go ahead and save the world," Wei Wuxian said, desperately wanting to keep him there, but knowing that he had to protect the city. They both had to protect the city, but Wei Wuxian couldn't transform with Mister Bug right here.
Wei Wuxian watched Mister Bug fly away and sighed, before ducking behind an outcropping and opening his shirt to allow Plagg to fly out.
"Plagg, claws out!"
A green flash of light and Chat Noir bounded out into the world, only to be blown back into Mister Bug's arms for the second time in ten minutes.
"Chat Noir," Mister Bug said simply, setting him down gently.
"Mister Bug, my savior, as always!"
"Ridiculous," he said simply, and Chat Noir grinned.
"That's Aurore Boreal, the girl that lost the Kids Plus TV weather girl competition today!"
"Mn. My kwami voted for her."
"Your kwami did?" Chat Noir asked, delighted.
"Yes. She has been following the competition quite closely. She was very bitter Aurore lost."
Chat Noir cackled. "That's amazing! I voted for Mirelle myself, but to be fair it was under duress." Mister Bug nodded and grabbed Chat Noir and dragged the two of them out of the way of her next attack.
"I think the akuma is in her parasol," Chat Noir said as he was set on his feet again.
"It seems likely."
Mister Bug swung his yoyo toward Stormy Weather but she swept it away in another blast of cold air. The two of them leapt after her and face a similar problem. Her parasol popped open and blasted them with a powerful current of air, throwing them violently back into the street.
Mister Bug hit the street hard on his shoulder, crying out through gritted teeth as the wind was knocked out of him. Chat Noir was thrown into a nearby car, then bounced off it and ping ponged between several more cars before landing in a crumpled heap in the shadow of an equally crumpled sedan.
"Ugh," he grumbled, struggling to get his limbs out from under him.
"Chat Noir, are you okay?" Mister Bug asked, hefting himself to his feet and struggling over to Chat Noir.
"I fine feel," he joked, then glanced up to see Mister Bug's concerned expression. "Sorry, that was a joke, I'm okay." Mister Bug hooked his elbow under Chat Noir's shoulder and helped him to his feet.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I can finish this fight, and then the magical ladybugs will fix me right up. What about you? I thought I heard your shoulder crunch."
"I can still use it. You might have to transport yourself."
"Got it, I think I can manage that."
As they took stock of their injuries and got their limbs working again, the sky above them was darkening steadily as a foreboding storm descended upon them. The clouds above were starting to rotate ominously above the top of the Kids Plus TV building. Lightning flashed, arching from cloud to cloud and illuminating the slight figure of Stormy Weather.
"It's time to go," Chat Noir said, clicking the button on his staff and vaulting himself up toward the roof of the tower.
They landed together on the roof, drawing the attention of Stormy Weather.
"Give me your miraculous!" She cried, a purple butterfly outline appearing before her face.
"Lucky Charm!" Mister Bug called.
Mister Bug threw his you into the air and reached up to catch a large beach towel.
"What's that for?" Chat Noir asked, looking at it.
"I'll figure it out later," he said, wrapping the towel around his wrist as Stormy Weather lifted her parasol above her head, lit from behind by another strike of lightning.
Stormy Weather summoned a whirlwind of hail to rain down upon them, pelting them with solid chunks of ice. Chat Noir extended his stick and stretched his arms over his head, spinning his staff so fast the hail was pulverized before it had the chance to cause any further damage to them as Mister Bug stepped forward and knelt down under the shelter of Chat Noir's protection.
He surveyed the roof carefully, looking for something to use in conjunction with the beach towel he'd been given. To his left he noticed the hail being blown off it's trajectory by the powerful fans of the air conditioning system. Suddenly his plan was all laid out before him and he got to his feet.
"Chat Noir, use your Cataclysm there!" He indicated the support beam holding up the large billboards and ran for the wind turbines at the same time Chat Noir made for the support beam, unwrapping the towel from his wrist.
"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir cried, running along the support beam, dragging his claws to spread the destruction. The Billboards teetered under the intense winds of Stormy Weather's cyclone and fell back toward the roof.
Mister Bug waited, timing it just right so when he threw his yoyo and wrapped it around Stormy Weather's ankle to be caught under the falling billboard. He then grabbed the towel by the corners and jumped onto the air conditioning unit, forcing his cry of pain to stay between his teeth as he was lifted into the air by the ballooning bath towel.
Stormy Weather screamed as she was suddenly yanked by to the ground, only seeming to realize what was going on when the two of them briefly made eye contact as they passed in the air and Mister Bug kicked the parasol out of her hand and into the waiting palm of Chat Noir.
Without hesitation Chat Noir snapped the parasol over his knee and released the little black akuma. Mister Bug released Stormy Weather and Slashed his yoyo through the air, capturing the akuma before hitting the ground painfully. He groaned through gritted teeth and remained on his knees to release the purified akuma.
"Bye-bye little butterfly," Mister Bug said as the butterfly flew away. "Miraculous Ladybug!"
The magical ladybugs swarmed Mister Bug and Chat Noir, healing their injuries before swarming off to repair the rest of the city. Chat Noir let out an audible groan of relief and flexed his joints happily as he helped Aurore Boreal to her feet.
"Pound it!" He said gleefully when Mister Bug extended his fist toward him.
"Oh my gosh are you guys okay?" Wei Wuxian called out, sprinting across the park to where the Wens were being looked over by a couple of paramedics. A group of firemen stood nearby getting ready to leave.
"We're fine. The firemen showed up a few minutes after Mister Bug took you away to try and get us out but we were stuck until the magical ladybugs put everything back," Wen Qing said.
"How is A-Yuan? Was this your first time with an akuma attack in the city?"
"I'm alright! Mister Bug came by and said hello! He said I was very brave and he gave me a high five!"
"He did?" Wei Wuxian asked, placing his hands on his hips. "Well, if a super hero said it then it must be true! You know they say Mister Bug never lies!" Warmth spread through his chest as he imagined Mister Bug carefully reaching out for a high five from A-Yuan. He felt himself come to a decision about Valentine's Day next week.
Mister Bug stood on a nearby roof, smiling softly as Wei Wuxian exclaimed over the character reading skills of Mister Bug, having obviously selected the bestest of boys in Paris to grant a high five too. He turned to go as his earrings chirped out their final warning, having cut things close enough as it was.
Mister Bug tucked away an image of Wei Ying playing with A-Yuan close to his heart, and made his mind up about Valentine's Day.
Wangji sat patiently through his family meal, enjoying the easy quiet. Tensions between himself and his uncle had finally eased and it was a weight off his shoulders. As the last of their dishes were cleared away Wangji figured out a way to broach the subject with his brother.
"Xichen?"
"Yes, Wangji?"
"The others want you to participate in a cooking competition with Jiang Yanli for the school blog."
Xichen sighed, the corners of his mouth quirking upwards. "I suppose I should have seen this coming."
"I already told them you would."
"Wangji, you should have asked your brother first," Uncle scolded, but it didn't have any of the bite it did when he was truly displeased.
"It's alright, Uncle. I should have known this would happen when I offered to bring Wei Wuxian's lunch tomorrow. Alright, Wangji, tell your friends I will do it."
"Thank you, Xichen."
He vaguely considered asking Xichen how to ask someone to be your Valentine, but then decided that he would rather do literally anything else in the world, ever.