title: catspaw
fandom: Guardian
length: ~700 words
pairing: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
contents: no spoilers, hand-wavey future fic, humor, deception for humorous purposes, SID team, Cat Tribe

summary: It's Prank Week.

Zhao Yunlan watches the video clip again and chortles at the expression of horror on Da Qing's face. He's just clicking the button to post it to the SID chat when Shen Wei storms into the office and closes the door behind him with a wave of his hand.

Zhao Yunlan is on his feet before conscious thought has even happened.

"I can explain." The words tumble out, more a response to the cloud of fury around Shen Wei than an actual plan. Sadly, he doesn't have anything to follow them up with. Or possibly too many things, come to think of it...

Shen Wei's eyes narrow as the silence stretches. "I'm waiting."

"Ah." Zhao Yunlan really should have warned him. His palms are sweating despite the sudden drop in temperature. "It's Prank Week. I lost track of the calendar, and honestly, I didn't think anyone would try anything on you--"

"Prank. Week." The sense of imminent doom softens slightly, but doesn't dissipate. "Is this supposed to explain why all the teacups have been glued to the table?"

"Um. Probably?" Zhao Yunlan grips the edge of the desk. "Sounds like something Zhu Hong would do."

"All of the photos on the evidence board have been replaced with pictures of puppies." Shen Wei's expression softens, too, and Zhao Yunlan is starting to think this might be okay.

"Puppies? That's--" Zhao Yunlan shakes his head. "I'm gonna have to talk to xiao-Guo again, aren't I? I don't think he understands Prank Week."

"Zhao Yunlan," Shen Wei says his name slowly, and Zhao Yunlan starts to worry again. "Why do you choose a week to play tricks on your team? Is this some strange modern custom, or is it just... you?"

"What do you mean? It's Prank Week!"

Shen Wei blinks at him. "You keep saying that."

"Prank Week! Da Qing's birthday!" Zhao Yunlan blinks back. How could Shen Wei possibly not know? "Cat Yashou celebrate their birthdays with a week of trickery and jokes to show off their cleverness. It's a huge tradition!"

Shen Wei shakes his head slowly. "Cat Yashou celebrate their birthdays like everyone else, Zhao Yunlan. Tricking your friends is... not a tradition, for them or anyone else."

Zhao Yunlan gapes at him. Years, he's been doing this for years, and he'd think Zhu Hong would've told him-- no, wait, of course she wouldn't.

None of them would, damn it.

"Prank Week isn't a thing?" The words come out weakly.

"I'm sorry, Zhao Yunlan." Shen Wei puts a comforting hand on his shoulder.

... but the very corner of Shen Wei's mouth twitches as he does so, and something sparks fast as lightning through Zhao Yunlan's mind. He thinks about where they're standing in the office, the fact that Shen Wei is reaching with his off hand, so the camera would need to be--

Zhao Yunlan twists his head up to catch Wang Zheng peering down the fire-pole from the library, cell phone in hand. Filming the prank.

Goddammit, he's been had!

"You!" Zhao Yunlan tries to make a stern face, but he can't help laughing even as he shakes a finger at her. "No pranking when you're supposed to be working, or I'll dock your pay!"

Wang Zheng just giggles at him and tucks the phone away, unrepentant.

Zhao Yunlan turns back to Shen Wei, whose smile is wide and sunny and worth all the embarrassment Zhao Yunlan is going to feel when this video gets posted on the SID chat.

"And you! To think I actually believed you for a moment!" But Zhao Yunlan pulls him closer, to feel Shen Wei's body shake against his as he laughs.

"Da Qing has been celebrating Prank Week for a very long time." Shen Wei leans into him. "I couldn't resist."

There is just the slightest amount of hesitation, as if Shen Wei is wondering if he should apologize. As if this thing between them is still fragile enough to be shaken by a friendly game, and Zhao Yunlan cannot let that stand for even a moment.

"Well, now that I know you play," Zhao Yunlan drops a quick kiss on Shen Wei's cheek in forgiveness. "We should team up. I could use your help tricking lao-Chu..."