"Wait... you're...you're the p-prince!?" Wei Ying's breathing stopped when he heard the name, Lan Wanji. The Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji, Lan Zhan, The Prince of Gusu.

Just because Wei Ying has lived on the street for most of his life, doesn't mean that he doesn't know the important stuff. He knew that the Lans were the royal rulers of Gusu, he had heard many talk about them as they were the most famous people in Gusu, being the monarchy and all.

"Mmn," Lan Zhan hummed as he picked up a cup of water that had recently been placed on the table by the waiter. He was I bothered about the others surprise, he was used to it by now that he just learnt to ignore it.

Wei Ying was frozen in place. The prince of Gusu was here, buying him food for no reason. The situation felt strange to him, feeling as though it was not something a prince should be doing.

Princes were raised with everything they could possibly want and need, so why was this one going out of his way to feed the homeless kitten? Wei Ying couldn't think of an answer except for the fact that the other probably felt pity for his situation.

Wei Ying didn't like that people felt sorry for him, it wasn't like they could do anything about it, so why pretend that they can. Annoyance slightly bubbles in Wei Ying's chest at the fact that this man in front of him did not wish to be there with the hybrid, he only felt pity for him.

"You don't have to do this. I don't want people's pity. Never have, and never will," Wei Ying stated confidently as he looked the prince in his face. He didn't care that he was a prince, he just wanted to know the other's true intentions.

Lan Zhan's movements stopped when he heard the words that the other spoke, confusion becoming a prominent emotion. His head slowly looked up from the plate that he was eating from, and looked into the grey orbs of the kitten boy. Determination swished around as he stared the the prince down, however the sadness that was hidden was easily seen by Lan Zhan.

"No pity," the prince bluntly spoke as he carries on eating once again. Wei Ying didn't believe the man, he acted like he didn't care which was common when people felt pity for him.

"You're lying. Don't lie to me, I can always tell when people are lying to me," he pouted and looked away, the confidence slowly slipping away as he realised the man didn't even want to speak to him in the first place.

"No lie. Wei Ying's malnourished, needs food," was the simple sentence stated by the snowy man, as pushed forwards Wei Ying's dish of lotus and rib soup.

Wei Ying carefully lifted up the spoon and started to eat the dish, that had gone slightly cold due to how long it was sat there for. He may not believe the other man, but there was free food and no way that he was going to waste this opportunity.

He slurped up the soup quickly like he hadn't eaten in days, because he hadn't. Lan Zhan cringed slightly at the sounds, but soon relaxed as he understood the reason why the other was eating the way he was. Thinking of that fact, made Lan Zhan's heart sink, knowing that the kitten hadn't had a proper meal in such a long time, that he felt the need to eat it all at once.

"Slow down or you will choke," the deep voice said seriously with the hint of concern running through his words. Instantly, Wei Ying's eating slowed and he now ate at a much more suitable and normal pace. Wei Ying smiled up at Lan Zhan brightly, tanking him silently for the advice, and the former couldn't help but stare into those grey eyes.

"Wangji, why are you in here?" a confused voice by the side of the table, broke the two's stare. Wei Ying panicked at the strange man and his ears laid flat on his head, teeth baring in a warning.

He was having a nice time eating when this stranger had interrupted them. His fight or flight instinct kicked in as he glared at the man, every now and then looking at Lan Zhan to make sure the other was okay. Wei Ying still didn't believe that the latter was being fully honest with him, but he had still brought him food and therefore he decided the snowy man was someone worth protecting.

"Who's this feisty little one you've found?" the man smiled softly and looked towards the prince. Wei Ying instantly jumped up and put his arms in front of Lan Zhan, protecting him from the man who could be friend or foe.

Lan Zhan's eyes widened in surprise, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had barely know this boy for more than half a day and he was already protecting him against something he didn't know the danger of.

Lan Zhan's hand reached out carefully and touched Wei Ying's shoulder, silently letting him know that it's okay to stand down. However, Wei Ying didn't trust his judgement and, although he lowered his arms slightly, he was still very much on guard.

"This is Wei Ying, a kitten hybrid," Lan Zhan stared with his usual blank look, his eyes going to meet the strangers.

"I can see that Wangji, but why is he here with you? And why is the poor thing so dirty?" the man's voice was soft and gentle and he cautiously sat down at the table with them, careful not to provoke the kitten.

"Looked hungry, so feeding him," Lan Zhan spoke before looking down at the kitten who was now seated beside him, ears and eyes still on alert.

"Wei Ying," he called out and the said boy turned his head slightly to let him know that he was listening, but his eyes were still fixed on the other man.

"This is my brother, Xichen," his voice was calm and soothing, different from what his brother had ever head before. Wei Ying's ears and eyes immediately relaxed and he turned his face away with a slight blush present.

Wei Ying sunk back a little and looked at the floor, embarrassed and ashamed. He had offended Lan Zhan's, who he had become strangely attached to, brother who just so happens to be another prince.

"My apologies, your royal highness," Wei Ying bowed his head to the floor, almost in the kowtow position. He heard Lan Zhan gasp from beside him before he felt two arms wrap around him and pull him up to his sitting position again. He was pulled into Lan Zhan's chest, making his blush deepen.

Even though he had only know Lan Zhan for a little while, he felt extremely attached to him like he had known him all his life. This feeling was very confusing for him, having felt nothing in particular for years, this new feeling was overwhelming and muddled his mind. Whatever the feeling was, all he knew was that he didn't want to let it go so easily. He would try and prevent it as much as he could.

"No need for apologies, it is quite alright," Xichen smiled genuinely, and moved over Wei Ying's bowl back to him.
"Sorry for interrupting you meal, please continue, I'm sure Wangji would like to see you finish it," he continued to talk, a smirk placed on his lips which went unnoticed by the other two.

Wei Ying smiled, his beautiful teeth showing, and carried on eating his food, feeling much more relaxed now that he knew the man and was sitting in Lan Zhan's lap.

Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen smiled at the cute kitten, before looking up at each other and began talking to each other, Wei Ying too indulged in his food to hear their conversation.

"Wangji, where did you find him, he looks very malnourished and dirtier than a child of your age should ever be," Xichen spoke, looking at the kitten who was happily eating his soup.

"He ran into me. Fell on the floor. I saw how hungry and sad he looked, so decided to take him for food," Lan Zhan's eyes softened as, he too, looked at the boy in his lap.

"You have never acted like this before, is there anything special about this specific boy?" Xichen knew what he was doing be asking and just as he had expected, the tips of his brother's ears were tinged a pinkish colour.

Lan Zhan thought for a while, not sure how to answer the question his brother had just asked. Even he didn't know the reason as to why he had taken this boy and brought him food, he just felt the need to. He slowly shook his head, hesitantly, showing that there was he just didn't know. Seeing his reaction, Xichen didn't press any further and left it.

"What are you going to do after he finishes?" Xichen asked gently, not knowing how his brother would react. Wei Ying's ears moved slightly, he was now listening and the Jade Twins realised this.

"I want to bring him back to the place. Hide him from the pain that he has already experienced," Lan Zhan answered truthfully and glanced away from the two, the hue on his ears darkening.

Xichen's eyes widened at the request, just like Wei Ying's, they were both not expecting these words to come out of the usually blunt man. Wei Ying was quick to stop eating and look up.

"Lan Zhan, it's okay. I don't want to intrude and cause problems. I will be alright, no need to worry," the hybrid smiled again. It would be convincing or anyone else, however the Lans were known for being observant, so Wei Ying's sadness he tried to hide behind his eyes, the Lans saw instantly.

"Wei Ying cannot go back to being hungry and living in pain. He has to come back with us," Lan Zhan's golden orbs held determination as he looked into the grey eyes of the other.

"Wangji is right, Master Wei, it probably would be better for you to come back with us," Lan Xichen saw how much his brother didn't want to let this kitten get away from him, how could he deny such a relatively simple request. Wei Ying's eyes welled his crystals, but he didn't let them fall, he couldn't get his hopes up, just in case.

Lan Zhan couldn't stop staring at the hybrid, he was mesmerised at his beauty. He couldn't comprehend how someone so bright and pretty, could be tossed onto the street as if he was nothing but rubbish. When he thought of Wei Ying suffering in the cold nights, freezing and hungry, and there was no one there to help him, it made anger rise in his chest. From now on though, he would make sure that the boy, he felt deeply connected to, was protected and safe with him.

"It's settled then, Wei Ying will be coming with us!" Xichen beamed and clapped his hands slightly, getting up, prompting the others to follow his lead. Wei Ying was helped to his feet by Lan Zhan, who wrapped his hands around his waist and lifted him up to a standing position. Both their faces flushed a little darker and followed Lan Xichen outside.

"So Master Wei, we will take you back to the palace and you can make yourself at home in a new and cosy room. Wangji, I will tell Uncle about our new addition," Xichen was still smiling, finally happy his brother had gathered a friend.

"He will be staying with me," Lan Zhan stated firmly, causing both Wei Ying and his brother to gasp in surprise.

Lan Zhan wanted Wei Ying to...stay with...him?

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