The Visions :((( I Lofe Them So Much - Tumblr Posts

𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 / 剪刀石头布

xiaojun, hendery, yangyang x fem!reader

the most dignified way to settle something is via rock, paper, scissors. even if it's for someone's hand in marriage

1.9k words, historical-ish au but w/ modern language, low-key crack (but tbh these three r crackheads af)

a/n: lmao this was actually really fun to write ngl 🥴

There were a handful of things that society deemed inappropriate for young men to do in public. One of them, god forbid, was fighting for a lady's hand in a barbaric, violent manner outside of a duel. A duel of what, one might ask? Well, a duel of wits was fully acceptable. A duel of… whatever this was? Perhaps not. 

"Okay—" Liu Yangyang gestured for his two friends to come closer as he rolled up the sleeves of his navy blue suit jacket, gold cufflinks discarded. "—We go on shoot."

The other two participating parties were that of Xiao Dejun and Wong Hendery, both of whom seemed just as solemn as the youngest of their trio in what they were about to do. All around them, the debutante ball buzzed with chatter and gossip about all of the young women who had just entered into society. One of whom was you, the young lady rumored to have a pirate father, an affinity for opera, and who apparently "got her hands dirty" by spending time with the servants of your estate. 

For Yangyang, he had heard "pirate father"; Xiaojun heard "opera enthusiast"; and Hendery latched onto the fact that you were an excellent cook. The fact that you were more beautiful than any of the fake dolls in this room made you ten times more irresistible in their eyes. You were just barely clinging onto the legitimacy of your Duchess title, but neither of the young lords cared—they just wanted you. But now, they had to duke it out between the three of them to figure out which of them would get the first shot at your hand. 

The three of them primed their fists in the center of their little cult triangle. 

They chanted, "Rock, paper, scissors—shoot!"

Low curses filled the air around them as they all held out flattened palms for paper. 

They tried again, reciting the same chant, then threw out their weapons: a rock from Hendery, paper from Yangyang, and scissors from Xiaojun. Another round of swears and groans. 

People around them either pretended to not hear, or sent their backs visible expressions of disdain and displeasure. It was not proper for young men such as them to be swearing so often. And in front of ladies, no less. The audacity!

In the third round, when they threw out their hands, Hendery released a sound of guttural pain as his pair of scissors was defeated by Xiaojun and Yangyang's combined rocks. The latter winners then faced each other, eyes narrowed in challenge. 

"I want a redo," Hendery grumbled as he refereed the match. 

"Sucks to suck," Yangyang quipped before going into the next round. He was soon met by Hendery's howls of delight and his own utter, complete disappointment. "Now that's just fucked."

A scandalized scoff from a nearby woman went ignored. 

The three men stared at Xiaojun's winning hand: paper against rock. Smug and victorious, Xiaojun thanked his two juniors for being so easy to win against before disappearing into the crowd to have his go at wooing you. First impressions were everything, after all. 

"Deserved, methinks," Hendery said in a faux ponderous expression with his thumb and forefinger rubbing his chin thoughtfully. 

Yangyang deadpanned at him. "Oh, shut up. We can't just let him get her! Do you wanna be married to some woman you've never met from some country you've never heard of?"

Hendery snatched a flute of champagne from a passing tray. "We didn't know Yn until tonight."

"And?"

"Oh my god. You know what? Nevermind."

Yangyang pursed his lips as he watched Xiaojun waltz up to you, a charming smile on his face as he bowed in greeting. A glorious 90 degrees. None of them would bow 90 degrees even for the Queen of England. In kind, you curtsied low enough that your knees must have touched the floor under that glorious mass of satin, gossamer, and petticoat. Yangyang wanted you to curtsey for him while looking at him like that. 

God, this was unfair. Rock, paper, scissors was the wrong strategy. He had to do something else… 

"What if—wait. Where'd he go?" Yangyang whipped his head around, searching the crowd for where Hendery had suddenly disappeared off to. He had been by Yangyang's side and then suddenly—poof! Gone, as if—oh no, he didn't!

From across the room, Yangyang watched with mouth agape in pure betrayal as Hendery stole the spotlight from Xiaojun and swept you into a conversation that had you lighting up the room with your laugh and smile. Xiaojun seemed to feel the same way as Yangyang as he stood there silently, awkwardly watching the conversation happen right before his eyes. 

The way you giggled behind your lace-covered hand, how you blushed so delicately under the harsh lighting.

Yangyang fumed. First, he lost a child's game. Second, his best friend slid into your sights while slipping out of his. Third… well third… 

The thought lit up his mind as it lit up his face. He scurried over to the orchestra, requesting a specific waltz, the very one he had ingrained in his mind from the torturous ballroom dancing lessons his parents forced him to take. This specific dance would require the changing of partners—twice, to be exact. You would end up dancing with three partners. He just needed to ensure that he got you last, which was the longest segment of the song. He also prayed to god that you weren't yet head over heels for one of his friends. That would screw with his plan quite terribly. 

And so, when the orchestra started up, just as expected, Xiaojun found a way to sweep you onto the dance floor. Yangyang picked a random girl, flashed a pretty smile, and got her to be partners with him. All the while, he kept his eyes on you and his friend, making sure that he was dancing, but still within reach. 

The first switch went just as planned. Hendery had taken the bait, already taking you out of Xiaojun's hold to dance with for the second segment. Xiaojun had to hold in his indignation since he was now commandeering another partnership. Yangyang suppressed his laugh and played it off as a smile toward his new partner. If he had yet to meet you, he would probably be willing to court her. For a night. 

Yangyang felt the sound of the final switch right down to his bones. The telltale trills of the violins had the hair on the nape of his neck stand in anticipation, and he swirled his partner closer to where you and Hendery were.

It was quite simple, really. 

One moment, you were dancing with the young lord Wong Hendery; the next, you were in the arms of his best friend, another young lord, Liu Yangyang. The young lord smiled in greeting, the type of beam that had butterflies fluttering in your stomach. "Hello," you greeted cordially. 

"Good evening," he said back, leading you through the rest of the dance expertly. You bet he could do this with his eyes closed. "Lady Yn, I presume?"

You chuckled. "I'd hope so. My name was announced at the beginning."

To his credit, he wasn't flustered or disheartened by your statement. It only seemed to make him grin wider. "Ah, but they did not announce mine. Would you take a gamble, my lady?"

"Proper ladies do not gamble, sir." You didn't imagine the flash of disappointment in his eyes, and you were swift to add, "Good thing I'm not a proper lady, right?"

Mild appreciation. "So what'll it be? A kiss for every wrong—or right—answer?"

"I do believe that you should take me out to dinner first, my lord."

He pretended to think. "Or perhaps… you'd agree to being courted?"

"Courted," you hummed in amusement. "And who might you be referring to? You?"

"I don't see why not." He puffed out his chest, twirling you around delicately. Your periwinkle blue skirts fanned out around you like a blossoming flower, and you couldn't help the grin that overtook your face. 

"You're quite good at this," you said when you were face to face again. 

The lord smirked. "I know."

"Arrogant much?"

"I give confidence where confidence is due," he replied with his chin held high. In any other man, perhaps this amount of cockiness would have been a massive turn off, but for some reason, it had manifested nicely in Yangyang. 

The waltz came to an end all too soon, and you found yourself curtseying before a bowing Yangyang. He seemed just as disappointed that the song was over, but before he could invite you to a scandalous second dance, two familiar presences filled the gaps beside you on the edge of the dance floor. Xiaojun stood beside Yangyang, and Hendery took up Yangyang's other side with a cupcake in his gloved hand. You recalled him eyeing the cupcakes earlier when he had first introduced himself. 

"Lady Yn! I see you've met my friends," Yangyang said, gesturing to the two men flanking him. "Xiaojun and Hendery. They're my very close brothers in arms. I believe you danced with them as well."

"It was my pleasure," you chirped with a shallow nod and curtsy. 

"The pleasure was truly all ours," Xiaojun said, hand pressed to his chest. The grey suit he wore fit him nicely. "You're a wonderful dancer."

"Why thank you! You're all light on your feet yourselves."

"Dance lessons," Hendery offered between bites of cake. 

Yangyang added with a cough, "Ballroom dance lessons."

"Tap," Hendery said offhandedly, and you let a small huff of a laugh escape your mouth. Imagining Hendery tap dancing? That was a sight. "You doubt me?" He gasped with feigned offense. 

You shook your head. "No, no. But I would like to see you prove it. Show me you've retained something from your lessons."

"I can tango," Xiaojun piped in. 

"Ballroom dance is much more dignified," Yangyang countered. 

Hendery hummed loudly, raising his pointer finger in opposition. "No, tap is clearly the most refined dance form. No one cares about the rest."

Xiaojun sighed, pinching the space between his eyes. "Why do I even try?"

"Dance in general is impressive," you told them, recalling how difficult it had been for your mother to get your two left feet to finally find a beat. 

You were suddenly hyper aware of the stares directed your way, the whispers. Your unconventional upbringing had always been a problem for the high society your mother came from, and the life you were to inherit. When you had been on the dance floor, you had allowed yourself to forget about all of the other people while you danced with three lovely men. Now, reality had crashed back in.

The three men noticed your discomfort, immediately shifting subtly to block you from everyone else's views. Your own wall of protection; you felt gratitude fill your chest. 

Xiaojun frowned slightly. "It's getting a bit stuffy in here, don't you think, Yn?"

You nodded, agreeing. "I hear the promenade is beautiful at night."

"And I hear they serve hot cocoa, too," Hendery added. It was decided then; they would escape the confines of the ballroom to the refreshing world outside. 

As the three of them followed you out, they sent glances to one another. Eyes narrowed in friendly (maybe) competition, it was a silent agreement. 

May the best man win.

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