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Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian must be getting something wrong here.

“They want me to what?” he says, trailing after Wen Qing as she seems determined to flit through the entirety of Burial Mounds and subject Wei Wuxian to having this kind of embarrassing conversation in front of everyone. “Wen Qing. Qing-jie. Tell me you are kidding.”

Wen Qing sighs. “Why would I be kidding, Wei Wuxian? I am not fond of making jokes.”

“A fucking war prize?” says Wei Wuxian, dropping his voice. “What do they think I am? Some sort of… Sect leader or something?”

“Yes.”

“Wen Qing!”

“No, sorry, they don’t think you are a legitimate Sect leader. It's worse. They call you the Yiling Patriarch. Surely, you have heard of that little term?”

“Please don’t joke about this."

Wen Qing finally turns to face Wei Wuxian. “I am not. You are Yiling Laozu. Brutal, savage, conqueror–”

“All I did was–”

“And the Sect leaders are worried that you are going to conquer their lands through unseemly and violent means. Hence–”

“BUT–”

“Stop interrupting me. Hence, they are offering you a war prize. You have no spouse, no concubines, nothing. You must be dying of sexual frustration.”

Wei Wuxian is pretty sure he is turning bright red. “Wen Qing!” he hisses.

Wen Qing shrugs. “Not my words. Their letter was polite but not subtle. They are offering you a war prize. Take it.”

“Take it?!” exclaims Wei Wuxian. When Wen Qing first told Wei Wuxian about the letter collectively composed by the Sects which was delivered at Burial Mounds, Wei Wuxian expected her to talk about how to compose a reply letter of rejection. He did not expect her to tell him to accept it.

“Obviously,” says Wen Qing, much to Wei Wuxian’s consternation.

“What do you mean obviously? I don’t want a war prize!”

“It doesn't matter if you want a war prize. You need one anyway.”

Wei Wuxian gapes at her. “I am perfectly…” He clears his throat. “Wen Qing, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Wen Qing wrinkles her nose. “Ew. Don’t tell me about that. I didn’t mean that. I mean… strategically.”

“What possible strategy is there in accepting a war prize?”

“Think about it,” snaps Wen Qing. “You are not so stupid, Wei Wuxian. You know exactly how this could benefit us. It’s a safeguard handed to us on a fucking silver platter. You accept the war prize, the Sects believe you are satisfied and will not attack any of them ever in order to take over and they never bother us ever again.”

“It is not that simple.”

“Of course not. They might try to send more war prizes. The war prize will possibly act as a spy. The war prize might even try to kill you. But we aren’t doing anything wrong for the spy to report and you are more than capable of defending yourself against any possible assassin. You don’t even need to sleep with them. They will just stay here with the rest of us. Just think of this person or... persons as additional members of our small settlement.”

“B-but–”

“And of course, if you want, you can sleep with them. I have seen some of the books in your cave, Wei Wuxian. Not to mention that your proposition to me will haunt me forever. You might be a little sexually frustrated.”

“I told you, I was drunk!” says Wei Wuxian. He didn’t even want to sleep with Wen Qing, like ever! He just got really drunk and he was alone with Wen Qing and then he started thinking about how lonely he was and how lovely Lan Zhan looked that day when he visited the Burial Mounds and–

Anyway. Wei Wuxian didn’t want to sleep with Wen Qing. That proposition just kinda slipped out of his mouth. To his drunk addled mind, it seemed like a great way to deal with things.

Wen Qing yelled the shit out of him for that and nearly gave him deep needle inflicted wounds.

“Regardless, maybe you are not all that good at taking care of yourself.” Before Wei Wuxian can retaliate, Wen Qing places a placating hand on his arm. “It’s okay, admit defeat. We will send a-Ning with an acceptance letter by tomorrow.”

Wei Wuxian scowls fiercely but admits defeat. He knows Wen Qing’s reasoning is solid and also he doesn’t want to incur her wrath anymore than he already has. The radishes are bad enough.

“Who will they send as a war prize though?” says Wei Wuxian. He sighs and looks skyward. “Would it be some poor unwilling disciple? Or someone I know?”

“How about both?” offers Wen Qing unhelpfully and then walks away before Wei Wuxian can say anything.

Well. He guesses he will find out soon enough.

Dear god, he hopes it's not someone he knows.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian thinks this is the first time this has happened. In reality, this is just the first time Wen Qing gave up.

She knows the scrutiny and distrust of their little found family in the Burial Mounds is only growing by the day. The day the first letter requesting for ‘negotiations’ came Wen Qing was torn between rolling her eyes and intense terror.

‘Negotiations’ as in ‘do as we say or we come after you.’

Wen Qing didn’t show that letter to Wei Wuxian or even mention it to him because she foolishly hoped that the lack of response would turn the Sects off. Besides she knew what Wei Wuxian’s reaction to being thinly threatened into taking in a disciple of one of the main Sects in exchange for being left alone might have been. She told her brother to not mention the existence of the letter and threw it out with garbage somewhere in the uninhabited parts of the Burial Mounds.

But then they just kept coming.

Wen Ning didn’t know the contents of the letters for sure but he kind of figured it out by the fourth time. “They are trying to bribe or threaten Wei-gongzi into doing something, aren’t they?” he asked timidly after handing in yet another letter a random Jin disciple harassed him into taking.

Wen Qing pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Sometimes it baffles her, how little the Sects truly know Wei Wuxian. They really think a war prize would be the deal he would be most inclined to make. They really thought that forcing someone to stay with him, robbing them of their freedom is something he would be into.

But then, maybe all they want to do is send in a spy.

The very idea rankled Wen Qing but she turned it over in her head and realised it was not so bad. There is no way to completely convince the Sects that they are innocent. A spy cannot possibly make them distrust them anymore. If anything, a spy might let them know that the most prominent conversation in the Burial Mounds is Wei Wuxian badgering everyone to convince Wen Qing to buy potatoes from the market.

So when the seventh letter came, she told Wei Wuxian.

She did not show him the letter. Wei Wuxian’s temper is an erratic thing; he might laugh off the undertones of threats in the letter or he might fly off into a rage and march to Lanling, demanding to speak to the Chief Cultivator. Also it would be clear from the wording of the letter that this was far from the first letter sent and ignored. Wen Qing didn’t want to take any risks.

Somehow convincing Wei Wuxian to accept the war prize went easier than expected. Maybe he saw the reason in her logic. Maybe he thought he could scare off the war prize within a day. Who knows what goes on in that boy’s head? Wen Qing is just glad that part was easy.

The hard part is yet to come. Negotiations.

Wen Qing shudders. The Sects sent back a letter in record time after their acceptance letter; they want to discuss terms within a week. At Yiling itself. Wen Qing wonders how many of them are already at Yiling as of right now.

She knows Wei Wuxian is excited, however. He hopes to be able to meet Jin Zixuan or better yet his sister, Jiang Yanli. Jiang Yanli is a long shot but hopefully Jin Zixuan would be there for Wei Wuxian to make stink faces at and then grudgingly ask about how his sister is doing. God forbid if Jin Zixuan implies he is treating his sister with anything less than absolute servitude. Wen Qing is half scared a fist fight would break out at this negotiation, just like in their old days at Cloud Recesses.

Wei Wuxian wants to see his brother too, despite their rocky relationship right now. Wen Qing supposes it’s natural. She does not look forward to having to face Jiang Cheng again, inevitable as it may be since he is the leader of Jiang Sect. The last time she met him, she returned his gift to him. They both know there is no future for them. Wen Qing doesn’t even harbour any feelings for him. Yet heartbreak is a powerful thing and Jiang Cheng has gone through many courtesy of both Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian.

No, courtesy of the Sects and their inability to see the Wen remnants as humans. That is what has caused all this heartbreak. Wen Qing has to remind herself of that. She is not the one at blame here, neither is any of her extended family. She just hopes to be able to keep them, and Wei Wuxian, safe.

She loves Wei Wuxian after all, just like she loves Wen Ning. She has tended to Wei Wuxian, stuck needles in him when he got sick and refused to stop working and go to sleep. She has made him eat solid food, she has snatched alcohol away from him to let his body recover. She has scolded him and she has held him as he drunkenly cried his heart out. Nothing happens to Wei Wuxian under Wen Qing's charge, annoying as he might be.

Wen Qing tries not to snicker when Wei Wuxian brushes down the best black robes he owns as he gets ready. He wants to impress, he wants to look his very best. She knows there is one other person that Wei Wuxian looks forward to seeing immensely yet won’t admit to.

Maybe this would be the last time they both have to meet these people from their past. Hopefully. Because after the war prize transaction gets done with, all Wen Qing wants is to be left completely alone.

And thus Wei Wuxian, Wen Qing and Wen Ning set off for Yiling on the date decided.

Chapter Text

Hanguang-jun is not present at the meeting.

Wen Ning has not talked with the cultivator much, if at all, but he is well aware of the relationship between him and Wei Wuxian. Try as he might, Wei Wuxian could not hide the fact that he is looking around the room furtively for any sign of Lan Wangji. He had been pleased to see Jin Zixuan and Jiang Cheng but the conspicuous absence of Lan Wangji has definitely discouraged him a bit.

On the other hand, it has put Wen Ning’s sister on high alert.

“Something is wrong,” she mutters, mostly to herself. When Wen Ning turns to look at her questioningly, she looks at him with something akin to panic. “Hanguang-jun is the most noble and righteous out of all of these cultivators. If he is not here for this important negotiation then he must have opposed it. And if he opposed it, that means this may be a trap. I may have convinced Wei Wuxian to lead us all to our demise.”

“Wen Qing, chill,” says Wei Wuxian, abruptly. Apparently he has been listening to the whole conversation despite looking like he is focused on doing a headcount. “Maybe Lan Zhan just had some important business to deal with. Maybe the Lan Sect is just above lowly things such as offering war prizes. Look, the entire Lan Sect is missing.”

“That only makes me worry more,” says Wen Qing but she goes quiet.

Wen Ning doesn’t know what to think. He can see several members of the Jin Sect looking at them, and especially him, the 'Ghost General', with disgusted sneers. Jiang Cheng also doesn’t look particularly pleased with anything, but then he generally never looks pleased. Nie Sect seems intent on glaring and a few disciples of the Jiang Sect are the only ones who are smiling at Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian smiles back at them and waves.

“Let’s not waste time, shall we?” drawls Jin Zixun. Wen Ning knows he tends to be a little timid but the very sound of Jin Zixun’s voice is so grating, it makes him want to do something violent. “Wei Wuxian–”

“Yiling Laozu,” corrects Wei Wuxian, with lazy arrogance.

It’s like the entire room full of cultivators snaps to attention at that. Wen Qing sighs quietly beside Wen Ning.

“You–!”

“That’s who the letter was addressed to, right?” says Wei Wuxian. He twirls Chenqing and steps forward towards the glaring cultivators, pacing right in front of them. One might call the act brave. Or they might call it stupid.

Wen Ning knows which one his sister is inclined to call it.

“If you are going to offer me war prizes, at the very least you can do it with the required courtesy,” goes on Wei Wuxian. He has an easy smile on his face but the look in his eyes alone can out glare everyone else. “And no one can demand that I hand over any Wens in ‘exchange’ for the war prize. This is an offer you are making to me. You are not going to impose any conditions on me.”

From the looks on the faces of Jin Zixun and Jin Guangshan, that was exactly what they were planning to do. Wen Qing tenses. Even Wen Ning prepares for an impromptu fight to break out.

Wei Wuxian continues to prowl. Relaxed.

“So let’s not waste any time,” says Wei Wuxian. He comes to a stop and claps his hands. “Who is this supposed war prize? Let me talk to them.”

“Why?” says Jin Zixun, with a sneer. “You don’t–”

Jin Guangshan places a hand on Jin Zixun’s shoulder and quiets him. He comes forward, with all the air of a wise Xiandu. Wen Ning knows it is all a pretence. “Wei– Yiling Laozu. We have a small request before you take home your war prize.”

Wei Wuxian says nothing.

“You see, it might be a little inappropriate if you just kept someone with you for," Jin Guangshan pauses deliberately, “companionship without marrying them first.”

Wei Wuxian's eyes go wide. Wen Ning has a feeling that if he was not in front of so many important people, he might even have squeaked a little.

“You can of course talk to them,” says Jin Guangshan. He smiles. “And then make your decision. However, we feel like this person is the only proper candidate for being your spouse.”

“This was supposed to be a war prize, not a marriage proposal,” says Wei Wuxian. He actually sounds more flustered than mad.

“We just want to make sure you will not discard them after–”

Jin Guangshan stops. Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes.

“After I am done using them?” he says, contempt evident in every syllable he speaks. “Do not worry, Xiandu. I may be a rebel, but I have more morals than most of the honourable people present in this room.”

Jin Zixun clearly wants to say something to that. Jin Zixuan just heaves a hefty sigh from the back of the room.

“The Lan Sect only agreed upon it on these terms, I’m afraid,” says Jin Guangshan. He doesn’t look the least bit apologetic. He looks like he is enjoying everything immensely.

“Lan Sect? This person is from the Lan Sect?” says Wei Wuxian. He turns to look at Wen Qing suddenly, eyes wide. “I am getting married off to the Lan Sect?”

Wen Qing takes a deep breath, which indicates she is praying for patience. “You are not getting married off to the Lan Sect, someone from the Lan Sect is getting married off to you. Remember the little war prize situation?”

“Ohh. Oh okay, thank god. I cannot handle the Lan Sect’s bedtimes. Shit’s crazy.”

“Gongzi,” says Wen Ning, quietly.

“Oh right,” says Wei Wuxian, turning back to the cultivators. “So the Lan Sect did not agree to send a war prize without the promise of a marriage?”

Jin Guangshan, who looked a little confused at the conversation that took place between Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing, just nods before gathering his bearings. “That is right. We wanted to ensure that you would be able to sire heirs–”

Wei Wuxian outright snorts. “Right. Heirs. For the magnificent and opulent territory I have back in the Burial Mounds.”

“Wei Wuxian,” says Wen Qing, quite loudly.

“We– uh–” Jin Guangshan looks lost again. “We wanted to ensure… heirs, yes and, um– So the Lan Sect was the best choice–”

“Obviously,” says Wei Wuxian with heavy sarcasm. “There was no other choice than to send a man from the Lan Sect to the Burial Mounds for the purpose of bearing my children. Because women would be too weak to handle my savage, barbaric treatment.”

“No, it’s–” Jin Guangshan briefly glares at Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian flashes him a bright smile. “It’s because no one would be noble enough for this task other than Hanguang-jun.”

Absolute silence follows that sentence. Wei Wuxian has fully frozen in his tracks. Wen Qing has gripped Wen Ning’s arm hard enough that it would have hurt if he was still fully alive.

“I’m sorry?” says Wei Wuxian, voice shaky. “Repeat that please?”

“Hanguang-jun.” Jin Guangshan takes great pleasure in enunciating the title. Clearly, he thinks Wei Wuxian has finally been intimidated. Well, he has been intimidated but not for the reasons Jin Guangshan is thinking of.

Wen Ning wants to laugh a little.

“He has agreed to be your spouse. I am sure you cannot find a better match for yourself than him.” Jian Guangshan's words are mocking, like he does not deem Wei Wuxian worthy of Lan Wangji. His smile has a nasty curl to it when he speaks again. “Lan Wangji is certainly pretty enough for your liking, isn’t he?”

Wei Wuxian stares for a long while. Then he snaps his mouth shut. “Please speak of my future husband with more respect, Jin Guangshan,” he says, voice cold and strained. The look on Jin Guangshan’s face is priceless. “Now, if you will excuse me, I want to speak to Lan Wangji in private. Where is he?”

Chapter Text

Wei Ying clearly has questions. But he halts in the middle of a loud iteration of Lan Wangji’s name to stare at him instead, looking absolutely gobsmacked.

“Why–” he begins and just. Stops.

Lan Wangji quietly shuts the doors of the room, so as to not let anyone in the adjacent room of the inn hear their conversation. Wei Ying wished to speak privately after all.

“Why are you dressed like that?” says Wei Ying, eventually.

Lan Wangji takes a moment to look down at his robes one last time. Simplicity and modesty are encouraged by the Lan Disciplines but Lan Wangji has always held a secret fancy for dressing with a bit of flair. He will never admit it to anyone but his sheer, lace-patterned over-robes and elaborate ornaments probably convey the story just as well. And today, dressed in tailored robes of vibrant reds and expensive fabrics, Lan Wangji can admit to himself that he feels good.

But he can also admit to himself that knowing who he is getting married to is why he truly feels good.

“Do you not like it?” asks Lan Wangji.

Wei Ying stumbles over his words. “No– I– Yes… I mean, not that. I– I was talking about all the… red.” He gestures at Lan Wangji’s attire with both hands, a little frantic.

“You will have to dress in red soon as well. If you say yes to the marriage.”

Wei Ying's voice gets unnaturally shrill. “We are getting married right now?”

“The Sects want this ceremony to take place as soon as possible."

Wei Ying stares at Lan Wangji with wide eyes before he walks over to the cot in the room and sits down. He buries his face in his hands. Lan Wangji silently watches. Hopes.

“And you, Lan Zhan?” says Wei Ying, finally. It’s a bit muffled but then he lifts his head and looks Lan Wangji in the eye. “What about you? What do you want?”

The list of things Lan Wangji wants are inexhaustible. He wants to marry Wei Ying, he wants to be Wei Ying’s husband, he wants to stay with Wei Ying- he wants to live with Wei Ying, form a family. He wants to see Wei Ying play with a-Yuan again, he wants to see Wei Ying laugh as he teases the child. He wants to be teased by Wei Ying himself, he wants Wei Ying to hold him, touch him, kiss him, lie with him…

But above all he wants Wei Ying’s safety. That’s what this has always been about. Lan Wangji’s happiness at their (still unconfirmed) future marriage is tempered by anxiety over what would happen if Wei Ying rejects this transaction.

“Do you really think I would come after the Sects, Lan Zhan?” says Wei Ying when Lan Wangji fails to say anything. He gets up and stands right in front of Lan Wangji, challenging. “Do you really think I have ambitions of ruling over everyone? I don't. You don’t need to do this, Lan Zhan. I won’t do anything, I just–”

“I know,” says Lan Wangji. “But the Sects don’t believe that.”

Wei Ying throws his hands up. “Fuck the Sects! Do you believe me?”

“I do,” says Lan Wangji, honestly.

“Then why are you doing this?”

Lan Wangji breaks eye contact. He has to keep in mind that this marriage is not something Wei Ying desires. “Because this is the easiest way to ensure everyone’s safety,” he says.

“Easy? I don’t care about–”

“But the people under your care might,” says Lan Wangji. “I know this is not what you want. But you came here for a reason. You want to ensure the safety of the Wen remnants. Your decision shouldn’t be affected by who the candidate for your war prize is.”

There is a brief silence from Wei Ying. Lan Wangji risks a look. Wei Ying is frowning but he is not saying anything, which means Lan Wangji’s reasoning must be sound enough that he cannot poke holes at it yet. Lan Wangji gives him a moment and then speaks again.

“If you are worried I am being forced into this, do not worry. I made this choice of my own free will.”

Wei Ying’s eyes widen. “You what?”

“Jin Guangshan hinted that he wanted a Lan to be sent as the war prize. He said that our rules and disciplines are revered and unyielding, and thus only one of us can be fit enough to… accompany you.”

“Control me, you mean,” scoffs Wei Ying.

“It’s what they believe,” says Lan Wangji. “Shufu agreed to send a Lan war prize but I was the one to volunteer for it. Both shufu and xiongzhang tried to convince me not to do it. But I had already made my decision. Jin Guangshan was only too happy to agree since he believes my presence would help control you better.”

“Do you think that too?” asks Wei Ying, tone sharp enough to draw blood. “Do you also think that you will be the only one who can control me? Can you not trust anyone else to be my spouse? Is that why you want to come with me to the Burial Mounds; a place where no one should want to come to willingly?”

“Wei Ying,” says Lan Wangji, firmly. “Do not presume on my behalf. I have visited your home before. I have seen the people there and how much you have cleansed the area in the settlement. I have seen the bonds and the relationships and while I had my doubts, I know you always do the best for the people under your care. I do not seek to control you, Wei Ying. I seek to take care of you and safeguard you from the rest of the Sects. So do not tell me what I am doing. Just tell me if you agree to take me as your spouse.”

Wei Ying has frozen in his place. His eyes dart away from Lan Wangji's face. “You– you wish to take care of me.”

It’s not a question but Lan Wangji decides to answer it anyway. This may be the closest to a confession he can ever get to in his life. “Yes.”

“Why?” Wei Ying's question is nearly a whisper.

“Because I am your zhiji.”

And at long last, just when Lan Wangji begins to think Wei Ying is going to reject the marriage and the war prize and storm away, Wei Ying meets his gaze.

“Okay, Lan Zhan,” he says. His voice is impossibly soft. Goosebumps rise along Lan Wangji’s skin. “Okay. I will marry you.”

Chapter Text

The ceremony is impossibly rushed yet it takes up the better half of the day. No cultivator from the Lan Sect shows up for the wedding (which is honestly a generous term for whatever this is) except for a couple of attendants present for Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji does not seem surprised or bothered by this but then Wen Qing has rarely ever seen that man make more than one and a half facial expressions in total.

By the time the entire ceremony is over and Lan Wangji is officially Wei Wuxian’s husband, the sun has set. The Sects ostentatiously congratulate Wei Wuxian on his war prize and Wei Wuxian mostly rolls his eyes at them. He gets a little teeth-bare-y and Chenqing-grabby when one cultivator says something a little out of line about Lan Wangji’s fertility and ability to be impregnated though. Lan Wangji places a hand on Wei Wuxian’s wrist to hold him back.

“You are from a reputable Sect,” says Lan Wangji to the offending cultivator. “Please only speak while keeping that reputation in mind.”

The cultivator says nothing else after that.

Wen Qing can practically read the glee off of that despicable Jin Guangshan’s face. No doubt he thinks that this is the start of Wei Wuxian’s misery at the hands of Lan Wangji, especially when Wei Wuxian tears his wrist out of Lan Wangji’s grasp rather swiftly. Wen Qing doesn’t know how anyone can miss the literal stars in Wei Wuxian’s eyes whenever he looks at Lan Wangji however.

Jin Zixuan congratulates them both on the marriage and even expresses remorse over the fact that Wei Wuxian could not attend his sister’s wedding too. Wei Wuxian almost looks surprised at Jin Zixuan’s cordiality. “That peacock finally learned how to be nice and less stuck-up,” whispers Wei Wuxian to both Wen Qing and Lan Wangji. “Oh, of course he did. Shijie is a good influence on anyone, even someone as hopeless as him.”

Wen Qing is pretty sure Jin Zixuan heard that because his face does several interesting things but eventually he doesn’t look too mad.

Jiang Cheng gives the couple a gruff congratulations. Neither he or Wei Wuxian make more effort at conversation, not with so many people around. But Jiang Cheng gives Wei Wuxian a brisk nod that Wei Wuxian returns. Then Jiang Cheng’s eyes fall on Wen Qing and Wen Qing looks away.

Wen Ning was banished outside for the entire ceremony which he didn’t complain about at all. But he was definitely a bit sad about it. He rejoins the little group on their way back to the Burial Mounds, taking his place beside Wen Qing behind Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji walking in front of them.

They must make a strange picture as they trudge their way up the hill. The Yiling Laozu, in simple but vibrant reds instead of his usual black and red combinations. His spouse, none other than Hanguang-jun himself, in beautiful red wedding robes. The feared Ghost General, tagging along behind them like a puppy and his sister beside him.

The oddest wedding party returning home with a new addition to the family.

Wei Wuxian gives Lan Wangji several nervous sidelong glances and Wen Qing has half a mind to drag Wen Ning away with her somewhere so that the married couple can have a talk. But they are going to be in the Burial Mounds soon enough and will have an entire cave to themselves. They can bear to part with privacy for a little bit. Besides, Wei Wuxian looks more skittish than anticipatory.

Eventually, he opens his mouth. And says precisely the wrong thing one should say to their new husband.

“Okay but didn’t you like Mianmian?” he says, like it's part of an ongoing conversation and not something he said out of the blue.

The cold air practically wafts off of Lan Wangji. Wen Qing doesn’t blame him.

Wei Wuxian laughs weakly. “Ah, Lan Zhan, don’t look at me like that. You are my husband now, you have to treat me with respect.” He stops speaking and then looks down and mumbles, “Holy shit Lan Zhan is now my husband.”

“Yes, I am,” says Lan Wangji. He sounds a little frosty. “So do not bring up other people in regard to our relationship.”

Wei Wuxian trips over a rock and nearly falls on his face if not for Lan Wangji’s arm catching him on time.

“If you ever ask me about her again,” says Lan Wangji, not letting go, “I will use the silencing spell on you indefinitely.”

Wei Wuxian looks alarmed. “That can be applied indefinitely?”

Lan Wangji simply lets go and walks ahead with his head held high. Wen Qing is sure there are no visible twitches in his expression but she also has a feeling that he is enjoying himself.

“But that is unfair!” exclaims Wei Wuxian. He runs ahead furiously to overtake Lan Wangji, then turns around to face him. “You cannot do that to your… husband. Anymore.”

Lan Wangji pauses while walking so as to not bump into Wei Wuxian. Wen Ning and Wen Qing stop as well.

“On the contrary, Wei Ying,” begins Lan Wangji, “I can do many things to you as your husband now.”

Okay, nope. That is definitely Wei Wuxian’s turned on face. Wen Qing hates that she knows what it looks like now. “Hey, Wei Wuxian!” she yells. “Keep it moving! I want to reach home before it’s dinner time, you idiot.”

Wei Wuxian shakes himself out of it and turns around, quietly walking now and Lan Wangji resumes walking as well.

The Wens welcome the returning bunch warmly right up until the energy changes into something significantly more confused on seeing Hanguang-jun. One of Wen Qing’s cousins looks between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji multiple times before turning to look at Wen Qing.

“Is he the–”

“Yes.”

“And they are–”

“Married. Yep.”

Wei Wuxian laughs his stupid shaky laugh and grabs Granny’s hands gently. “Hey, Granny! Nice to see you again! How are you?” Without waiting for an answer he plows on. “Lan Zhan had a long journey haha. Why don’t you feed him a little? He needs some rest haha.”

“We all need rest,” says Lan Wangji. “We all had a long journey. You should eat too.”

“Oh, hah, I’m not hungry right now. I will join you in a while, don’t worry!” Wei Wuxian hurriedly pushes Granny towards Lan Wangji. “I need to– do something first.”

Lan Wangji looks at Wei Wuxian rather intently and then his gaze flicks to Wen Qing. He nods when he looks at Wei Wuxian. “Very well. Do join. Don’t skip meals.”

“You have been my husband for only a few hours and you are already ordering me around,” teases Wei Wuxian but he seems more focused on trying to drag Wen Qing off somewhere. Wen Qing sighs as Wei Wuxian not-so-subtly ushers her towards a corner. “That’s how it’s going to be like, huh?”

“Mn,” says Lan Wangji and leaves with Granny. Wei Wuxian freezes a little but then shakes back to focus when Wen Qing shoves at his arm.

“What?” demands Wen Qing.

“So, uhm, I had a question,” says Wei Wuxian in hushed tones. “It’s– um– Can you tell me what the actual fuck I’m supposed to do now?" At Wen Qing's silence, he adds, "Please?”

“What do you mean? The Sects gave you a war prize. We can hope that means they would leave us alone. At least for a while. In fact, with Hanguang-jun here, we can hope that they would be inclined to trust us more. And Hanguang-jun is a good person as far as I know so–”

“He is a great person but that’s not what I was asking!” says Wei Wuxian. He buries both of his hands in his hair, looking ridiculous. “Listen, I have never gotten married before.”

“Well, thank god for that otherwise this war prize thing would have been a lot more difficult,” deadpans Wen Qing.

“No, I mean… I haven’t– The most I have done is flirt with ladies in Yunmeng!”

“Are you having a sexuality crisis right now?” asks Wen Qing. “Is that what this is? Because I can’t help you with that at all. You better ask someone else.”

“No, no! It’s not that. I always knew I liked men too,” admits Wei Wuxian. “It’s just that flirting with women was generally more acceptable in society. The point is, I have never done anything beyond flirting!”

“Why are you telling me this again?”

“Because I need help! What is the… etiquette here? Does he share a bed with me? Do we… consummate our marriage or something? Is that required? Is that what he wants? What does he want?! What does he expect me to–”

“Hey, hey, hey,” says Wen Qing. She needs to disengage the fuck out of this conversation before Wei Wuxian says something scarring. That face he made earlier was more than enough to haunt Wen Qing a lifetime. Ghosts, spirits, resentful energy... who? Wei Wuxian’s lustful expression trumps them all. “I think the person you should be asking these questions is your husband. Remember, Lan Wangji, Hanguang-jun? Yeah, he has a mouth.”

“What?”

“He can answer your questions by himself.”

“Oh, you meant mouth like that.”

So much for not getting scarred. Wen Qing regrets not having her extra sharp needles with herself right now.

“Now let’s go and eat,” says Wen Qing. “It’s late already. Then you can talk with your husband properly and clear up things.”

“Also what did he mean by he can do many things to me as–”

“Let’s GO!” says Wen Qing and practically runs away.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian didn’t start the day thinking he would be married to Lan Zhan!!! by the end of it.

Well. Life certainly takes turns, huh?

He dithers after dinner, not sure how to approach Lan Zhan with his questions. Wen Qing keeps sending him meaningful looks accompanied with glances at Lan Zhan which are easy enough to decipher but not exactly helpful.

So he procrastinates by drinking wine instead.

Lan Zhan says nothing, just quietly sits as Wei Wuxian keeps drinking. When he picks up a third jar however, Lan Zhan gets up, grabs him, jar and all, and drags him all the way over to Wei Wuxian’s cave. Wei Wuxian squeaks but ultimately lets himself be pulled along, face burning at the knowing looks they meet on the way.

“Ahaha, Lan Zhan, are you that impatient, huh?” he jokes. “Want me to take my clothes off right away?”

“I wished to speak to you,” says Lan Zhan, letting go. The tips of his ears look a little red. He stands there in Wei Wuxian’s messy cave with his hand formally placed behind his back like he always stands. The posture and the grand reds of his attire make him look like the real owner of the cave.

“What is it?” he says. He takes another swig of wine to avoid looking Lan Zhan in the eye.

“Firstly, I want to apologise for the lack of courtesy from my family,” says Lan Zhan. “They should have come to the wedding. But shufu refused to attend or send any elders in his place.”

Wei Wuxian grimaces as he swallows the wine. “Your shufu always did hate me, Lan Zhan. I can’t imagine he was thrilled about having his most brilliant student and younger nephew getting married off to the most disappointing student in his class who also happens to be the Yiling Laozu.” Before Lan Zhan can say anything more, however, Wei Wuxian launches into a tirade. “Which, by the way, is such a ridiculous name? Isn’t it? At first I thought it was cool but it makes me sound like some sort of tyrant! Like I torture people in here! I mean who even came up with these useless title?”

“I think it sounds impressive,” says Lan Zhan quietly and Wei Wuxian’s eyes snap to him.

“You what?”

“Regardless, shufu should have attended the wedding,” goes on Lan Zhan, like he didn’t just drop a shocking piece of information on Wei Wuxian. What does he mean he thinks it sounds impressive? Does he like it? An image of Lan Zhan calling himself Yiling Laozu’s husband fills Wei Wuxian’s mind and he nearly chokes despite having put his jar of wine down in the middle of his rant.

“Xiongzhang wanted to attend but couldn’t due to sect matters,” says Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian snorts. “Right. Do you believe that?”

There is a brief silence.

“He sent a letter saying–”

“That’s not what I asked, Lan Zhan.”

Lan Zhan exhales. “I… am skeptical.”

Wei Wuxian nods bitterly. “Right. Lan Zhan, are you sure you did the right thing by marrying me? Your entire family is against it. Jin Guangshan basically just used you… to what? Keep me under control? At the cost of your entire life? You should have married someone you wanted to, not–”

“And I wanted to marry you,” says Lan Zhan and his tone allows no argument. “I already told you. This is my will. I understand my family is not in favour of it. But I am already your spouse.”

“We can… annul the marriage or something,” says Wei Wuxian. He feels a little desperate. Lan Zhan hasn’t yet fully grasped what it means to be his spouse. “Come on, Lan Zhan, you cannot possibly want to live here for the rest of your life? These are the Burial Mounds. Filled with corpses and heavy resentful energy. It will be miserable.”

Lan Zhan looks at him silently for a moment. Then he looks at the entrance of the cave, from where they just came in. “It did not seem miserable. Everyone treated me warmly.”

“You–”

“You are assuming that this is a hardship for me. But it is not. Sharing your home is not a hardship for me, neither is living with these people. I would have preferred if you and everyone else here didn’t have to live on the edge of civilization and were considered respected members of society. But that is not your fault, Wei Ying and neither is it the remnants’ fault. I am not ashamed to join you here. I think it is honourable. I feel proud to be married to you.”

Wei Wuxian feels a little breathless. “Oh.”

“My belongings will be sent from Gusu in a few days. This is my home now. Unless you have an objection.”

How can Wei Wuxian? “I don’t.”

Lan Zhan nods. “Now about what I wanted to ask. Where should I keep my belongings?”

“Ahh…”

“Should I keep them here? Or would you rather I live in a different room?”

“I’m not sure we have that many rooms,” says Wei Wuxian with a nervous chuckle. “And you are my husband so, um, maybe it will be best if– sorry to bother you–”

“It is not a bother,” says Lan Zhan easily. Wei Wuxian prays his heart would stop thumping like that. He is almost certain Lan Zhan can hear it. “Can I borrow one set of your robes?”

Wei Wuxian gapes. “What for?”

“Do you expect me to go to sleep in these robes?”

“Oh!” says Wei Wuxian and immediately rushes to get some of his robes out. “Who knew Lan Zhan can be sarcastic, huh? Here, this is the lightest coloured set of robes I own. Will this do?”

Lan Zhan takes the light grey robes. “Yes. Thank you. Do we sleep on the same bed then?”

Wei Wuxian trips for like the millionth time.

“I– um–” Glancing at Lan Zhan’s impeccable, unperturbed face does nothing to help his speech and neither does looking at the bed.

“Wei Ying? Are you okay?”

“Yeah!” Wei Wuxian says in a high pitched voice. “Yeah, I’m just… great. Peachy. You– I– We can sleep on the same bed, no problem.”

Lan Zhan nods, politely asks where he can change and then walks off to the corner of the cave which is secluded from the rest of it.

Wei Wuxian sits down in stunned silence. What the fuck just happened?

Seeing Lan Zhan come back is almost worse. He looks completely out of place in the dark cave wearing Wei Wuxian’s robes but he also looks relaxed and comfortable in a way Wei Wuxian would never expect anyone to be here in this cave apart from himself. He observes the cave keenly, like he is taking in all the details with genuine interest. The way Bichen’s shine gets highlighted by Lan Zhan’s now darker and duller robes is eye arresting.

“Lan Zhan,” rasps Wei Wuxian, despite himself.

Lan Zhan’s eyes stop wandering and rest on him.

“Wei Ying,” he says. His voice is gentle and filled with something Wei Wuxian cannot put his finger on. They look at each other in silence for a while; Wei Wuxian sitting on his ‘bed’ which is really just a tiny cot (how will two people fit here comfortably?) and Lan Zhan standing in front of him, headpieces absurdly still in place and pale forehead ribbon contrasting with his new attire.

“Can I… sit down?”

Wei Wuxian wordlessly makes space for Lan Zhan and nods. He wants to have Lan Zhan close, even if they don’t talk. Wei Wuxian always did enjoy his company despite the fact that Lan Zhan speaks ten times less than Wei Wuxian. He is thoughtful and amusing, intelligent in a way that makes Wei Wuxian’s mouth go dry. His face rarely ever betrays his emotions but looking at his eyes is like looking at a treasure trove of feelings; so many and so huge that it is difficult to process and understand them all.

“Why do you keep those posters in the cave?” asks Lan Zhan, after sitting down. Wei Wuxian turns to see Lan Zhan already looking at him.

“Which ones?”

“The Yiling Laozu ones.”

Wei Wuxian smiles and leans in. “Why, are you impressed?” he says, making a callback to earlier.

He can see Lan Zhan’s eyes widen. Then he almost rolls his eyes. Wei Wuxian snickers. He missed teasing his friend.

“No. The paintings are… inaccurate.”

Wei Wuxian bursts out laughing. “Ah, Lan Zhan. Thank you for saying that. Wen Qing is so mean, she just says they look exactly like me. Look at me! The Yiling Laozu is so much more handsome than they give him credit for.”

“I didn’t say handsome.”

Wei Wuxian gasps and clutches his chest. “Lan Zhan! You wound me! How could you… My own husband? Here I was, hoping to bond with my new spouse and he hurts my feelings like this?”

“You did not answer my question.”

“Aiyah! Alright, alright, if I answer your question, do you promise to tell me how handsome I am?”

Lan Zhan doesn’t answer. He, in fact, looks away. Wei Wuxian gasps again and then laughs. He shoulder-bumps Lan Zhan, a thrill going up his spine at the sight of his own robes on Lan Zhan’s shoulder. “Lan Zhan! How mean. Okay, okay. I will answer your question. Look how generous I am.”

Lan Zhan turns back to look at him expectantly.

“Well, when I saw the first Yiling Laozu painting, I was offended. It was awful, Lan Zhan! I sto– um, bought it. I bought it so that I can have a symbolic burning of it. Only, I ended up sketching talismans on the back of it and then stuck it up on the wall near the entrance.”

Lan Zhan glances at the entrance where many bad paintings are stuck to the walls.

“After that I guess it just became a habit? I would buy whichever new version of the monstrosity I saw and use it for making talismans so jokes on YOU artists, because the actual Yiling Laozu is using your horrible paintings and heating up his cave to be comfortable. Hah!”

“You didn’t buy them.”

“Ahaha Lan Zhan, I don’t know what you mean.”

Lan Zhan smiles.

He actually fucking smiles.

Wei Wuxian would have spluttered if he had been still speaking.

“So all the paintings have talismans etched on their back?” asks Lan Zhan, eyes still trained on the paintings.

“Y-yeah,” says Wei Wuxian, barely thinking. It’s so rare to see Lan Zhan smile, yet alone like this. “Well, no, not all of them. Most of them. Some of them I just put up as a joke. Sometimes a-Yuan comes in and plays with them and I chase him around, pretending to be as hideous looking as the paintings make me out to be.”

“Where is a-Yuan?” asks Lan Zhan. He looks at Wei Wuxian again and maybe Wei Wuxian is delusional or maybe Lan Zhan just shifted closer. “I have not seen him yet.”

“I think he already went to sleep by the time we arrived,” says Wei Wuxian apologetically. Lan Zhan is not a man of many words, but it is obvious to anyone with eyes just how fond of a-Yuan he is. It simply emanates off of him… did from the moment Lan Zhan bought him a whole store worth of toys, from the moment a-Yuan sat down on his new favourite gege’s lap during their meal that day. Even the mention of a-Yuan’s name on Lan Zhan’s lips is soft and loving.

“Mn. I will greet him tomorrow,” says Lan Zhan and oh, he could hug him right about now. The way Lan Zhan speaks, the way he sounds completely sombre and serious about greeting a child who doesn’t even understand what it means to greet someone because he rarely ever meets anyone new, rarely ever gets to go outside and…

Wei Wuxian’s eyes flick up to the forehead ribbon and the sudden urge to reach out and touch it nearly overwhelms him. He catches himself on time and tries to sway back but Lan Zhan’s touch on his forearm stops him.

“It’s nine. We should go to sleep,” says Lan Zhan.

“Uh huh.”

“Help me take down my hair.”

“Oh.”

“And my ribbon.”

Wei Wuxian is shocked into brief silence.

“Am I–”

Lan Zhan merely waits.

“Are we– Are you–”

“Yes?”

“– expecting something?” says Wei Wuxian.

There is a breathless silence between them, anticipation curling thick in Wei Wuxian’s veins.

“I expect you to take off my ribbon,” he says finally. His voice is steady but his eyes have gone a little wide. “As my spouse.”

Oh lord. Oh lord.

“So I have to do this for you every night?” jokes Wei Wuxian but his voice has gotten so hoarse and so serious, it doesn’t sound like a joke.

Lan Zhan nods. “Every night. Only you can take it off.”

Wei Wuxian places a hand on Lan Zhan’s thigh. A tremor runs through his husband’s body, almost too tiny to notice. Wei Wuxian draws closer, his touch on Lan Zhan an anchor. “I used to take off your ribbon before too, you know?”

“Perhaps,” says Lan Zhan, mirroring the action. Wei Wuxian skin burns where Lan Zhan places his hand, even through the layers. “Perhaps this was always destined to be.”

Wei Wuxian wants to kiss his husband. He wants to kiss his husband badly, right now, right this very instant.

“After all,” Lan Zhan’s lips quirk briefly, and it’s almost a smirk. Wei Wuxian would have keeled over from shock if the need to keep touching his husband wasn’t stronger. “Wei Ying has always been handsome.”

Wei Wuxian’s breath stutters, right as Lan Zhan’s hand comes up to cup his cheek softly, engulfing half of his face in his broad palm.

He gulps. Lan Zhan’s thumb moves, stroking his cheekbone.

“Take it off,” whispers Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian’s hand knows what to do before he does. One tug on the knot on the back of Lan Zhan’s head and the ribbon is slipping loose, tumbling down between them. It drops on the cot, the trailing ends of the ribbons sliding down Lan Zhan’s beautiful neck and catching on his robes. “Good.”

None of the praise Wei Wuxian has ever received till tonight has ever had an effect like this on him. He feels heated up, he feels like his blood itself is about to catch fire.

He leans into Lan Zhan’s touch until their foreheads are nearly touching, until they are practically breathing the same air. And that's when a shrill voice pierces the air.

“Xian-gege! Rich gege!”

Chapter Text

Wei Ying springs away immediately and casts wild eyes to where a-Yuan is standing a few metres away from them, looking eager and incandescently happy. Lan Wangji’s heart warms immediately upon seeing him.

“A-Yuan!” says Wei Ying, laughing and beckoning him closer. “How wonderful! Rich-gege wanted to see you! Come here!”

A-Yuan quickly runs up to them. “Rich-gege is married to Xian-gege?” he asks, his words holding the childish enunciation that Lan Wangji so adores.

“Mn,” says Lan Wangji. He picks up the ribbon and starts folding it up, meeting Wei Ying’s eyes. “We are married.”

“Y-yeah,” says Wei Ying, flashing a bright smile at a-Yuan. “He is now part of the family, a-Yuan. Isn’t that exciting?”

A-Yuan nods enthusiastically and latches himself to Lan Wangji’s leg. “So you will live here forever?”

“A-Yuan–” begins Wei Ying, a hint of reproval in his tone that Lan Wangji detests.

“Yes,” replies Lan Wangji. “I will.” He looks at Wei Ying and closes his fist around his ribbon tightly. “I will.”

Wei Ying’s gaze drops to the ribbon in his hand. It is a long agonising moment before he does something, slowly reaching out to tap on Lan Wangji’s fist. Lan Wangji opens his fist instantly and Wei Ying inhales deeply before sliding his hand into Lan Wangji’s, the ribbon held between their palms, the metal piece still warm.

“He insists,” says Wei Ying, “on living here forever.” Then he smiles at a-Yuan. “I could not dissuade him.”

“But Xian-gege wants Rich-gege to live here!” says a-Yuan and reaches out with one stubby arm to tug at Wei Ying’s robes. “Auntie Qing told me! She said you are–”

“Ahhhh- ahhhHHHHH,” yells Wei Ying, cutting a-Yuan off, which is too bad. Lan Wangji was interested in what Lady Wen apparently had to say. It has not slipped his notice that Wei Ying is rather close with her. He wonders if his marriage to Wei Ying brought any bitterness to their relationship. He wonders if Wei Ying–

Well, in that case Lan Wangji should not interfere between them. He slides his hand and ribbon out of Wei Ying’s grasp, missing the touch already but making himself stand up.

“A-Yuan,” he says patiently. “Will you let go? I need to take off my headpieces before going to sleep.”

A-Yuan proves to be very obedient, something Wei Ying grumbles about for quite a while as Lan Wangji takes off his headpieces with a-Yuan ‘helping’. Lan Wangji mostly tunes it out but hears the occasional “spoils” and “rich-gege” and “betrayal” and cannot help but smile to himself.

A-Yuan begs to sleep with them for the night and Lan Wangji cannot refuse. He turns these really big, pleading eyes on them and Lan Wangji has always been particularly weak for his antics. Wei Ying doesn’t seem to fare any better and when he catches Lan Wangji’s eye, they both nod and bring him up into the cot. It is a tight fit but they manage and Lan Wangji makes sure a-Yuan doesn’t fall by placing him in the middle, wrapping his arms around him protectively.

“He will be fine, Lan Zhan!” laughs Wei Ying, spotting Lan Wangji’s fretting. “Chill out.”

Lan Wangji simply throws him a look that makes Wei Ying sigh.

“Fine, fine,” he says. “You are so protective of this little rascal, huh? Do you see, a-Yuan? Rich-gege likes you so much.”

A-Yuan beams. “Of course he does,” he says and makes Wei Ying splutter and Lan Wangji hide a smile. A-Yuan then takes both of their hands in his tiny ones and puts them together over his chest. It only takes seconds before he falls asleep.

Lan Wangji stares at Wei Ying over their overlapping hands until sleep overtakes him as well. The last thing he remembers is Wei Ying’s gaze on him, quiet and tender in a way he has rarely seen it be. He doesn’t know if it was real or a dream.

“Lan Zhan.” A soft touch on his shoulder, warm breath fanning across his face. “Lan Zhan, wake up.”

“Mmm,” mumbles Lan Wangji, not quite as elegant as he would like to be but there is warmth encasing him and he cannot remember the last time he felt so satisfied in bed. It is usually no trouble getting up from bed in the mornings but today he is clinging onto sleep like a lost friend.

“Lan Zhan,” says the voice again. There is a hint of amusement in it. “It’s so late. Do you want to sleep in?”

“Mn,” agrees Lan Wangji, holding on fast to– to–

Lan Wangji’s eyes fly open and he stares at Wei Ying’s gorgeous face up close.

“Hi,” says Wei Ying. “Good morning. I thought Lans woke up at five.”

Lan Wangji belatedly realises that his leg is flung over Wei Ying’s. A-Yuan is nowhere to be seen and Wei Ying is… he is holding Lan Wangji close, hand curving over to his lower back in a manner which is…

Lan Wangji forces himself to turn away from that line of thought, lest something embarrassing happens. He is pressed up close to Wei Ying. He would really like to be subtle right now.

“My apologies,” says Lan Wangji, trying to pull himself free. Only, he is unable to do so, because Wei Ying does not let go. Lan Wangji can break free, he absolutely can, but the way Wei Ying’s grasp tightens on him makes him shiver with want.

“Don’t apologise,” says Wei Ying. “It was quite pleasant to wake up with you wrapped around me.”

Lan Wangji knows what he means but the wording of that sentence still sends heat rushing through him. He is not a stranger to desire, neither is he restrained enough to never have thought about that before. Sometimes he even had dreams; dreams which left him panting and covered in sweat, waking up to blurry images of himself wrapped around Wei Ying, only in far, far less innocent ways.

“Where is a-Yuan?” manages Lan Wangji. Wei Ying smiles.

“He was taken away by Granny sometime in the night,” says Wei Ying. “I think she said something about not disturbing us.”

Well, that is… mortifying. Lan Wangji’s face must have done something, for Wei Ying chuckles.

“It’s okay, Lan Zhan. After all, you are my husband now. Isn’t that right?”

Lan Wangji remembers everything he said last night. The ribbon, the handsome comment… Dear lord. Was Lan Wangji thinking straight?

“Is Granny… just her name?” Try as he might, he cannot recall anyone calling that old woman by anything another than ‘Granny’ even by Wei Ying himself.

Wei Ying laughs. “We all call her Granny, regardless of what relation we have with her. She is everyone’s Granny. She is the universal Granny.”

Lan Wangji smiles at that. “Alright. I will ask Granny to let a-Yuan sleep with us.”

Wei Ying pouts. “Why, do you not want to spend time with your handsome Wei Ying alone?”

Lan Wangji inhales sharply. Before he can even begin to figure out how to reply to that, a throat loudly clears itself nearby.

They both shoot upright, disentangling themselves. Wen Qing stands at the entrance of the cave, looking stern. Lan Wangji’s stomach drops a little.

“I know you both would like to loiter around in bed for longer,” says Wen Qing, cutting off the protests Wei Ying immediately starts to pronounce at the statement, “but Wei Wuxian, you need to do laundry. I’m sure you can get back to… canoodling with your new husband later.”

“Wen Qing!” splutters Wei Ying. “I just got married yesterday!”

“So?” says Wen Qing. “We gave you enough time alone. It’s nearly noon. Surely, you can bear to part for a while?”

“I– you– he–” Wei Ying doesn’t seem to be able to finish any of those sentences. Lan Wangji himself feels the undignified need to bury his face in his hands so he cannot judge. “Fine! Give me a moment, I will be right out.”

Wei Ying gives Lan Wangji a quick kiss on his forehead which makes him freeze. Then he gets off the cot with startling speed. He disappears to presumably make himself presentable.

It leaves Lan Wangji alone with Wen Qing. The spot Wei Ying kissed tingles. Lan Wangji resists the urge to touch it in front of Wen Qing.

Wen Qing smiles at Lan Wangji. “Hanguang-jun. There is a letter from your family. I did not think it would be polite of me to open it, so…”

Lan Wangji is getting off the cot in an instant. His uncle and his brother might not have attended his wedding, but they might have sent their congratulations at least. It makes him eager to read it.

“I will be outside shortly.”

“Oh, I brought it with me,” says Wen Qing and takes out a letter. She comes just close enough to hand Lan Wangji the sealed letter and then backs away again. “Join us outside anytime you wish. There are many gifts from many sects waiting for the new couple. You can have breakfast and check them at your leisure.” She pauses. “With Wei Wuxian, if you so wish.”

Lan Wangji makes a mental note to never sleep this late again. He has seen how few people are there on this mountain and how few of them are fit enough to work as hard as they have to. He should ease their burdens, now that he is here. He thinks he should handle breakfast at the very least, since he wakes up at five and knows the rest of the people here likely sleep in well beyond that.

“Thank you,” he says. Wei Ying materialises out of nowhere and practically shoots out of the cave, dragging Wen Qing out with him. Lan Wangji still does not quite know what to make of their relationship.

“You look stunning like this, Lan Zhan!” calls out Wei Ying as he leaves. “You can wear anything from my wardrobe that you wish!”

Lan Wangji feels his ears flushing red and distracts himself by opening the letter.

Chapter Text

“Did you talk to him?” says Wen Qing.

“I– Sort of? I think?”

Wen Qing rolls her eyes at him. “What do you mean by sort of? Did you talk to him or not?”

“Well, we will be sharing a bed?”

“Yes, as I clearly saw,” deadpans Wen Qing.

“And he told me I have to take off his ribbon every night?”

Wen Qing’s eyes go a little wide. “That– Um. That sounds like an euphemism.”

Wei Wuxian nearly drops his flute. “What?”

“‘Take off my ribbon every night’... You know what the Lan ribbon symbolises, right?”

“I, I–”

“You are such an idiot,” says Wen Qing. “I think you are finally going to get some.”

“Wen Qing!”

“Don’t yell at me. A-Yuan told Granny how he found the two of you last night. Please tell me the two of you kissed.”

“ What? What did that rascal even say?”

“He said ‘Rich-gege was stroking Xian-gege’s face and called him handsome.’”

Wei Wuxian drops his flute.

“I have to find that gremlin,” grumbles Wei Wuxian, picking up Chenqing. “And teach him a lesson.”

“You will do no such thing. The damage is already done. Most of us voted to let you two sleep in for the entire day after listening to that little story.”

“A-Yuan told that to everyone?”

“No. But Granny did.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” says Wei Wuxian and drags a hand down his face, feeling quite haggard. “Why did you come and disturb us then, if everyone voted for us to stay in bed and do unspeakable things? Which we were not doing, by the way.”

“I wanted to confirm,” says Wen Qing. “And also, you have received a lot of wedding gifts from all the Sects. There are letters from your sister and brother too. I thought you would be interested in those.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes light up. “Yeah? Where are they? Show me! And what did every Sect send?”

“Yes, yes, I will give you the letters,” says Wen Qing. “Lanling Jin sent the most expensive gifts to congratulate you two. Lots of thick garments for the winter and blankets and quilts.”

“Wow,” Wei Wuxian blinks. “That is generous. I am surprised.”

Wen Qing snorts. “I think your sister had something to do with that.”

Wei Wuxian swells with pride. “She is indeed the best. She is my shijie after all.”

Wen Qing smiles and it looks fond. “We haven’t opened the gifts properly yet. We assumed it would be best for you and Hanguang-jun to do that together. It’s just obvious what Lanling Jin has sent.”

“And what about Yunmeng Jiang?” asks Wei Wuxian eagerly.

“Appears to have sent a lot of wine.”

Wei Wuxian throws his head back and laughs. “Ah, that's Jiang Cheng! Did Gusu Lan send something?”

Wen Qing’s brow furrows. “Mostly they sent over Hanguang-jun’s belongings. And two letters. One is for you and the other is for him.”

Wei Wuxian is a little taken aback. “A letter for me too?”

“Yes,” says Wen Qing. “I handed over his letter to him a while ago. I don’t know if he has read it yet. Wei Wuxian,” says Wen Qing suddenly, “didn’t Hanguang-jun have a guqin?”

“Uh, yeah. Named Wangji.”

Wen Qing looks troubled. "He didn’t bring it with him yesterday, did he?”

“Well, he didn’t have it with him while he was getting married so no? I think?”

“It’s not there in his belongings either. At least, it does not seem like it. They mostly seem to be clothes and a little jewellery.”

“Ah, I’m sure they will send it over in a few days. Lan Zhan told me his belongings will be here in a few days anyway. Maybe they need to be more careful with the guqin so it’s taking time.”

Wen Qing doesn’t look convinced. “Maybe…” She shakes her head. “Anyway, here are your letters. Hanguang-jun said he will come out shortly. You can read these in the meantime.”

“So no laundry for me,” says Wei Wuxian, gleefully.

Wen Qing rolls her eyes. “Not yet. Maybe I will spare you for today, Yiling Laozu.”

“Hey–”

Wen Qing leaves before Wei Wuxian can finish his whining so he just sighs and opens shijie’s letter first. It evidently came with Lanling Jin’s wedding gifts because she references it at the very beginning. The letter is signed by both her and that peacock unfortunately, but the handwriting is obviously shijie’s so Wei Wuxian reads it happily.

“Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian jumps a little. He was standing under a nearly barren tree, leaning against the bark, and did not expect to get approached by anyone. But Lan Zhan stands tall in front of him and he looks…

Wei Wuxian frowns. Lan Zhan looks troubled.

“Lan Zhan? What’s the matter? Did you not sleep properly last night? I’m so sorry, Lan Zhan, I will–”

“No,” says Lan Zhan. “Not that. I just read the letter from my family. It appears to have been written by shufu under the guidance of the elders.”

“Okay,” says Wei Wuxian slowly. “What’s wrong then?”

Lan Zhan fidgets. He fidgets. “Have you received a letter from Gusu Lan?”

“Uhh, Wen Qing said…” Wei Wuxian looks through the letters in his hands and realises Wen Qing has handed him three. The third one is from Gusu Lan. “Yeah. Here.”

“Read it, please.”

Wei Wuxian raises his eyebrows but does as told. Evidently whatever is troubling Lan Zhan will be clear from the contents of his letter as well.

Wei Wuxian starts reading it.

Greetings to Yiling Laozu, Wei Wuxian. (Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes.) We congratulate you on your marriage with our disciple and cultivator, Lan Wangji. All his belongings have been sent along with this letter. (That is not true, apparently, since his guqin is not here. Wei Wuxian frowns.) As you may be aware, this union has to be complete in order for it to be considered legitimate. Lan Sect has taken the decision to only consider their disciple to be married if his relationship has been–

Wei Wuxian squeaks. “If his relationship has been consummated?!”

Lan Zhan’s expression is grim. “Keep reading.”

–consummated within a month of the marriage. If a month has passed and such is not found to be the case, Lan Wangji will be within his rights to return safely and have his marriage to the Yiling Patriarch annulled. The Yiling Patriarch cannot force himself upon any unwilling party. Gusu Lan has appropriate methods to determine the truth.

Lan Qiren

“What the fuck?” says Wei Wuxian. He has too many questions but mainly the word ‘consummate’ is blasting in his head, full volume. Also the idea of him forcing himself upon Lan Zhan sexually is laughable. How bad do they think– Wait, no. Nevermind. Wei Wuxian doesn’t want to know.

“They do have methods to determine the truth,” says Lan Zhan. “However, I never expected them to use these methods. They are highly risky.”

Lan Zhan referring to his own Sect as ‘they’ is interesting but Wei Wuxian has more pressing matters at hand.

“Lan Zhan. There is no reason to do this.”

Lan Zhan meets his eyes. “You read the letter, Wei Ying.”

“Yeah, but–” Wei Wuxian halts. He cannot offer Lan Zhan to annul the marriage again, he has already done so last night. It is clear Lan Zhan intends to stay here. “You can still stay here even if we haven’t consummated.”

Lan Zhan shakes his head. “The legitimacy of our relationship being questioned would not benefit us and the people living here.”

“So what… What do you intend to do?”

Lan Zhan looks miserable. “I do not know.”

Wei Wuxian wants to laugh. Of course Lan Zhan does not actually want to consummate their relationship. He is staying here out of the sheer kindness of his heart. Whatever bond he and Lan Zhan share… it is not romantic and it is definitely not sexual.

Wei Wuxian knows that but after last night, he had hoped. It is cruel that his hopes are getting destroyed so soon.

“What did your letter say?” asks Wei Wuxian. “The same thing?”

“With some additional urging for me to resist your advances,” says Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian’s ears burn. “Shufu also mentioned that he has not sent some of my most prized possessions including my guqin.”

Ah. “So that when this marriage is annulled, you can return as soon as possible with as little hassle as possible. Why move your stuff if you are going to return within a month anyway?”

Lan Zhan opens his mouth but Wei Wuxian turns away. “Well then, Lan Zhan, I suppose you should get ready to return,” he says. His voice clogs up. “Your Sect is waiting.”

“We can… lie.”

Wei Wuxian turns back with a shocked scoff. “You want to lie. You?”

“It is unfair for outsiders to impose such conditions on our relationship,” says Lan Zhan. “If lying is the way to safeguard this relationship…”

“What about these supposed methods that the Lan Sect has to ‘determine the truth’?”

Lan Zhan doesn’t meet Wei Wuxian’s eyes anymore. “They are effective.”

“What are they, exactly? Lock your spiritual powers and force you to drink wine? With your low tolerance…”

“No,” says Lan Zhan. Wei Wuxian had only been joking but the joke clearly fell flat. “Enquiry.”

For a brief moment all Wei Wuxian can do is stare at Lan Zhan.

“Enquiry? Isn’t that used to communicate with spirits?”

“Yes. But it can be modified. There are music scores in the forbidden part of the Lan library which can alter a composition’s objective to serve a new purpose.”

“So Enquiry will be altered to be applied on real, living human beings?” says Wei Wuxian. “And my cultivation is the heretical and harmful one?”

Lan Zhan looks at him. “I do not endorse the use of Enquiry in such a way.”

“No, but your Sect clearly does.” Wei Wuxian does laugh now, loud and bitter. “And to think they sent you here to keep me in line or whatever.”

“They–” Lan Zhan steps back a little, eyes wide and… Is that hurt in his eyes? Wei Wuxian looks away. “I came here–”

“Of your own volition, yes, I know,” says Wei Wuxian. “And you will have to leave too, given the circumstances. I advise you not to lie about the status of our marriage and simply go back home. No harm, no foul. No use of Enquiry in such a disgusting, invasive manner. My cultivation is unorthodox, Lan Zhan, but that does not mean I do it unnecessarily. I have never–”

“I know that, Wei Ying.”

“Do you?” asks Wei Wuxian. He is aware his voice is too loud, too accusatory. “Can you say, with complete certainty, that you are only here to protect us? Only for that reason? And not to make sure that I don’t go insane and kill everyone?”

“Wei Ying–”

“Is that why you wanted to take me back to Gusu back then?”

There is silence. Wei Wuxian doesn’t look at Lan Zhan. He has gone too far. He has absolutely gone too far and he is scared. Scared that he has just destroyed whatever little remained of their friendship after…

He is also hurt in a way which makes him want to lash out at Lan Zhan, whose only fault is that he cannot reasonably trust Wei Wuxian fully in these circumstances. Hell, Wei Wuxian wouldn’t fully trust himself right now. The spirits, the voices… they clamour in his head everyday. The longer he stays here, the worse they get.

Can he really blame Lan Zhan for not wanting a monster on the loose?

“I wanted to take you back to Gusu,” says Lan Zhan quietly, “because I wanted you safe.”

Wei Wuxian looks at him then, startled. Lan Zhan is looking straight at him, determined and a little pissed off and oh. Wei Wuxian has missed this Lan Zhan. The Lan Zhan with steely eyes and just enough fire to draw Wei Wuxian in like a moth, urging him to poke at it and see how strong it can blaze.

“Lan Zhan…” He trails off, not knowing how to follow that up. What is there left to say?

“Wei-gongzi, Hanguang-jun,” says a meek voice and they both turn towards the voice. Wen Ning stands a few feet away from them. It is difficult to tell whether he has overheard any of their conversation. “Jiejie is calling you both for breakfast and then opening the wedding gifts.”

Wei Wuxian looks at Lan Zhan. He tentatively reaches for his hand, waiting to see if Lan Zhan pulls away.

Lan Zhan doesn’t. Wei Wuxian holds his hand gingerly, making sure Lan Zhan cannot feel his stagnant spiritual energy at his pulse point. Maybe… maybe one day Wei Wuxian can tell him the truth.

“Let’s go, Lan Zhan,” says Wei Wuxian. “Don’t worry, we still have a month to think about it.”

Chapter Text

Breakfast is a tense affair.

As soon as they have to let go of their hands to sit down and eat, it’s like Lan Wangji’s worries come rushing back to him. He does not see a way out of this problem.

He does not see a way out of this problem that Wei Ying would agree to. Because there is a solution. The very idea of which makes Lan Wangji’s skin burn hot.

“Are you okay?” asks Wei Ying quietly.

Lan Wangji nods, keeping his eyes on the food. If he asks Wei Ying to consummate the marriage for real, would Wei Ying agree to it?

Would Wen Qing be amenable to that?

“Okay, I can hear you thinking,” says Wei Ying. He is still speaking quietly, possibly so that no one can overhear them, but he sounds mildly amused. “What is it? Spit it out.”

Lan Wangji shakes his head. He is too much of a coward to be able to voice his thoughts and besides, all his thoughts simply come spinning back to the image of himself perched on Wei Ying’s lap, their bodies sweaty and conjugated.

He clears his throat before taking his next mouthful of rice.

This is unacceptable. He should not be thinking of such thoughts while they are eating. He should not be thinking of such thoughts at all. His contemplation to consummate their marriage should be based solely on how it will benefit their situation right now and nothing else. Not- not pleasures of the flesh, not the way Wei Ying would feel inside Lan Wangji, the weight of him grounding Lan Wangji down, carving out a place for himself in Lan Wangji, dragging along his-

Lan Wangji slams his chopsticks down on the table. Nearly everyone startles around him.

“I apologise,” he says, before picking up the water and drinking all of it in one go.

Wei Ying looks knowing when Lan Wangji lowers the cup and Lan Wangji is suddenly struck with the awful thought that Wei Ying somehow knows. Knows how far Lan Wangji’s desire for him goes, knows that no matter what Lan Wangji tells himself, the truth is that he does indulge in pleasures of the flesh, that he does hold himself to thoughts of Wei Ying connected with him in the most intimate of ways.

“Bet you wish that was wine,” is all Wei Ying says and Lan Wangji can relax through the tiny prick of disappointment. “It’s okay, Lan Zhan. Don’t worry so much. We will find a way. As long as no one actually makes you drink wine, I bet you could lie too. Haha.”

Lan Wangji can’t help it; he rolls his eyes. “They will not make me drink wine. This is the Lan Sect.”

Wei Ying laughs loudly, drawing the attention of several people nearby. The two of them are the only ones on their table but the tables are so close together, that Lan Wangji is certain most of the Wens have already figured out they have a problem.

“You are right about that, Lan Zhan,” says Wei Ying, grinning. “But your Sect is not as innocent as you may think.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say that if Zewu-jun is the one being interrogated under the influence of alcohol,” says Wei Ying, “he would definitely be able to lie if he wished to.”

Lan Wangji stares at him.

“You don’t know?” asks Wei Ying, looking surprised.

“I know that xiongzhang can use his golden core to regulate the effects of alcohol,” says Lan Wangji. “And I know he has done it a couple of times under unavoidable circumstances.”

“Well,” says Wei Ying, dragging out the word a little. “I wouldn’t call convincing me to give up the use of resentful energy while on a trip to Yunmeng an unavoidable circumstance to drink wine with me, but yeah.”

Lan Wangji stares some more.

He remembers when he was not allowed to step out of Cloud Recesses shortly after the Sunshot Campaign by shufu, who was worried about his closeness with Wei Ying. Shufu suspected Lan Wangji of holding affections for Wei Ying- and he wasn’t wrong since Lan Wangji only proved him right when he volunteered to be the war prize. Lan Wangji remembers his brother promising him that he will talk with Wei Ying while on his visit to Yunmeng, that he will try to make Wei Ying see reason and precaution. Lan Wangji remembers knowing already that it will not work but still hoping for a miracle, even telling his brother that he has been learning new music scores.

Lan Wangji does not remember his brother mentioning anything about drinking with Wei Ying.

“You look shocked,” says Wei Ying, half-laughing through his meal. Lan Wangji would have said something about table manners but his mind is reeling. “Don’t worry, Lan Zhan. I joked a little about how you certainly don’t seem to have the capability to hold your liquor like that. Maybe I even insinuated that Zewu-jun must be drinking pretty often to be so unaffected by wine? But I apologised for that, trust me!”

There is a strange emotion Lan Wangji is feeling, alongside the shock of learning that his brother apparently drinks willingly when given the chance. Lan Wangji does not know what it is, but it makes his gut churn a little unpleasantly. He recalls his one and only encounter with alcohol, even though most of it is blank or blurry. That was the one and only time he got to let loose with Wei Ying like that.

“-and by any chance if they do try to make you drink, I will step in and refuse to let my husband be forced,” Wei Ying is saying. “I did it once, remember? The only difference is I wasn’t your husband then.”

Lan Wangji remembers very well. He remembers the shock of pleasure that had sent through his entire being, remembers the way he noted that it was a good thing he was not standing, because his knees would have buckled noticeably. It was all he could do to not look at Wei Ying with too much obvious awe, wanting to dismiss the rules and taste the wine right out of Wei Ying’s mouth, wanting to thank Wei Ying by-

“Seriously, are you okay?” says Wei Ying, waving a hand in front of him and Lan Wangji abruptly realises that he is feeling jealous of his own brother. Jealous that he got to experience something which is such a simple, easy pleasure to Wei Ying, though it is so monumental to Lan Wangji. Every moment with Wei Ying is monumental to Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji wonders if Wei Ying would ever realise that.

“I am,” he says and resumes eating.

He can feel Wei Ying’s gaze on his face. He wishes a-Yuan was here, so that he could place him on his lap and distract himself. The thoughts he is getting are not feasible, he should stop himself before it’s too late.

“Anyway,” sighs Wei Ying. “Let’s see what happens, I guess. Just no wine for you.”

He laughs after that and resumes eating as well, smiling as if he was never worried about this whole situation at all. Lan Wangji used to envy that skill but now he knows it’s just a mask. Wei Ying is just as worried about this situation but he will smile through his worries until the last possible moment.

Lan Wangji is so in love with his husband and he cannot even express that.

It has been several hours. The gifts have been opened and distributed. Wei Ying excitedly read out parts of the letter he received from his sister to Lan Wangji, who was only too happy to listen. It is heart-warming to know that Wei Ying still has some family who love him so much.

And now Lan Wangji is here.

“You want what?”

“Wine,” says Lan Wangji.

Wen Qing makes a disbelieving noise. Wen Qionglin, standing two steps behind his sister, looks just as bewildered.

“Why on earth?” asks Wen Qing.

“Hanguang-jun are you quite certain?” asks Wen Qionglin and, even though it is timid, it feels a little insulting.

“Yes,” he says. He proceeds to stand there silently, waiting to be handed over a jar of wine.

“We- uh-” says Wen Qing, fumbling over her words. Lan Wangji has never seen her like this before. “We don’t… have…”

“I saw you put two jars over there. Were they not wine?”

“Um yes,” says Wen Qing, looking flustered. She is probably worried about having to handle Lan Wangji if he gets drunk… when he gets drunk. It is a reasonable worry. But Lan Wangji has already made up his mind.

There are few ways in which he can express himself to his own husband. And one of them is wine.

Lan Wangji does not know what Wen Qing and Wei Ying’s relationship is exactly, but he does know that Wei Ying is his lawful husband. All he needs to do is to put his thoughts and feelings forward properly, so that Wei Ying knows. What he chooses to do with them is entirely up to him. But Lan Wangji needs to take the first step.

Lan Wangji needs to tell his husband that consummating their relationship is the only solution to their problem.

“Should I get… Wei-gongzi?” asks Wen Qionglin, looking terrified as if Lan Wangji has Bichen drawn at them.

“I am going to him with the wine,” says Lan Wangji. “So no need.”

“Oh,” says Wen Qing. “He asked you to get him wine, didn’t he? He knew I would refuse to give him more so he sent you. That Wei Wuxian…”

Lan Wangji says nothing.

“Um,” says Wen Qing. “It is for Wei Wuxian, isn’t it?”

No, it’s not. Well, maybe some of it. Lan Wangji is under no illusions of his tolerance; he knows it will not take much to get him inebriated. Which is the point. In order to express himself properly, Lan Wangji needs to do what he does worst: drink alcohol. So perhaps, the rest of the wine will be drunk by Wei Ying.

Lan Wangji does not say all that.

He simply says, “Wei Ying might drink it.”

Wen Qing has an uncertain look on her face. She slowly brings a jar of wine over and hands it to Lan Wangji.

“Can I get a cup?” he asks.

“Uh, sure,” says Wen Qing. She picks up a fresh cup and gives it to him.

“Thank you,” says Lan Wangji and puts the jar and cup down on a nearby table.

“Hanguang-jun?” says Wen Qing.

Lan Wangji pours a cup of wine. Then he closes the jar again and straightens. He bows at Wen Qing and Wen Qionglin one last time before setting off for Wei Ying’s cave.

He brings the cup to his lips as he walks.

This might be the most embarrassing moment of his life but he is sure whatever he will do after drinking will be even more embarrassing.

He tilts his head back and the liquid burns down his throat.

“Hanguang-jun!?!?”

“Wei Ying.”

Wei Ying looks up from his papers, an intent look on his face lingering as looks at Lan Wangji.

It is a delight to see the exact moment Wei Ying realises something is different. Lan Wangji has always deeply admired his husband’s intellect. Sometimes he wishes he could kiss him about it. Praise his talent and press his mouth against those beautiful lips.

“Lan Zhan…” says Wei Ying, slowly. “Is that… wine?”

Lan Wangji stumbles in and slams the jar and cup down on Wei Ying’s table, nearly disbalancing himself and the jar. Wei Ying yelps and gets up in an instant, steadying him.

“Lan Zhan! Be careful!” Wei Ying sweeps the papers away and then his hands are on Lan Wangji. How nice. “What is happening? How much did you drink?”

Lan Wangji blinks. He picks up the cup again and shows it to Wei Ying. He shows one then two fingers with his other hand.

Wei Ying’s eyes nearly fall out of his head. “Two cups?!”

Lan Wangji nods, pleased. Wei Ying is so intelligent.

“I, uh, thank you. I guess I am,” says Wei Ying, gently prying the cup away from his hand and making him sit down on the cot. Their bed. Where they should consummate soon. “We should do what?”

Oh. His job is done. That was simple.

“It’s the easiest solution,” he tells his husband.

“But-”

“It’s the only solution.”

Wei Ying’s face hardens. “I will not force you into-”

“You will not be forcing,” says Lan Wangji. He clutches the front of Wei Ying’s robes and pulls him down into the cot. Wei Ying goes down with a flurry of limbs and curses. “You have my full consent.”

“You are drunk, Lan Zhan.”

“Ask me again when I am not,” he says. “Then fuck me.”

Wei Ying makes a high-pitched, interesting noise. “Lan Zhan! How crass! I didn’t know you talked like that.”

“You know now.” Wei Ying is so, so close. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss him. Lan Wangji’s whole body yearns. “I would not mind being fucked, Wei Ying.”

Wei Ying inhales sharply. “Lan Zhan-”

“Just do it,” says Lan Wangji and lets go of Wei Ying, letting his head drop down. He is so dizzy. “This is stupid. That letter is stupid. That ultimatum is stupid. But fucking is not stupid. Fucking is okay.”

Wei Ying laughs. “I feel like you are trying to get away with as much cursing as possible while you are drunk.” He looms over Lan Wangji, so close. Then he ducks and lies down beside Lan Wangji. “I don’t know why you got drunk, Lan Zhan, but maybe we should be making these decisions when you are- Lan Zhan! Hey! Where are you-!”

Lan Wangji gets up from the cot with a new purpose in life. How can he have been so stupid? Everyone gave them wedding gifts but Lan Wangji bought Wei Ying nothing! Unacceptable! Impermissible! Deplorable!

He needs to find something suitable to gift Wei Ying right now.

“I swear to- Who even gave you the wine? And why? Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying grabs him by the sleeve and tugs him in. Lan Wangji tries to resist. Does Wei Ying not realise the importance of wedding gifts? Or maybe he does. He did gift Lan Wangji his robes to wear. The robes Lan Wangji is currently wearing, Wei Ying’s claim on him. It is good, it is right.

Lan Wangji will not be outdone.

“Lan Zhaaan,” whines Wei Ying and oh, that’s a pretty sound. Lan Wangji would like to hear more of it. Later. Step one, get Wei Ying a wedding gift. Step two, kiss Wei Ying. Step three, ride Wei Ying in their matrimonial bed. Step four, go to sleep with Wei Ying’s cock inside him.

This is the best plan he has ever made.

He is walking in circles and he realises it’s due to Wei Ying’s hold on him. He stops and Wei Ying heaves a sigh of relief and lets go.

“Thank god you tired yourself out. Now let’s sleep it off, okay?”

Lan Wangji makes a run for it.

“Wha- Lan Zhan! Come back!”

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian is having the weirdest night of his life.

Up until this moment of his life, he believed nothing would top the drunk-Lan-Zhan moment from their days spent in Cloud Recesses together as the weirdest night of his life.

But now drunk-Lan-Zhan from their just married days is giving past drunk-Lan-Zhan a run for his money.

“Lan Zhan!” he hisses, all too aware of the eyes on them. They haven’t yet had dinner. Who the fuck gave Lan Zhan wine? That too on an empty stomach! Wei Wuxian would like to have a few words with them.

“Wei-gongzi!” Wen Ning comes running. “We didn’t know–”

“You did this?! Why?”

“We didn’t know, Wei Wuxian,” says Wen Qing, also running in. It’s a bit funny to see Wen Qing look this flustered. “We thought he was going to give it to you.”

“Did him drinking the wine not tip you both off?”

“It was already too late by then!” says Wen Qing. “And also we figured that he knew what he was doing.”

They all turn their heads to where Lan Zhan is terrorising the poultry.

“...Maybe not,” says Wen Qing with a sigh.

Wei Wuxian sighs too. “Look, I will handle him. Can you take the rest of Wens inside or something? They don’t need to see this. Lan Zhan would be really embarrassed tomorrow.”

“Can you handle him alone?” asks Wen Qing skeptically.

“I’ve done it before. Now go.” Wei Wuxian turns, only to come face to face with Lan Zhan standing in front of him. “Uhhh…”

Lan Zhan takes a step forward and promptly trips. Wei Wuxian steadies him with hands on his shoulders. He tries not to focus on how he can feel the shape of Lan Zhan’s shoulders from over his robes. He can have those thoughts later. “Lan Zhan! Careful, please.”

A look behind him tells him that the Wen siblings have gone. Most of the other Wens have left too. Just as well. Meanwhile Lan Zhan stares at him unblinkingly and then lifts his hands. He has one wriggling chicken in each hand.

Wei Wuxian stares.

“Are they fat?” asks Lan Zhan, solemnly.

“Ah?” says Wei Wuxian, dumbfounded.

“Are they fat?” insists Lan Zhan.

“Uhhh.” Wei Wuxian reaches out to pat the chickens. “Yes, yes. Very fat. Good job…?” He gives Lan Zhan a thumbs up.

Lan Zhan shoves the chickens at him. “Take them. Yours. All yours.”

Wei Wuxian yelps as the flapping chickens nearly hit his face. What the fuck. By the time he has managed to keep the angry chickens down, Lan Zhan is heading towards the edge of their living quarters.

“Hey, Lan Zhan, not there!” says Wei Wuxian and sprints to catch Lan Zhan on time. He is lucky that Lan Zhan is currently walking at the speed of a newborn fawn. “Hey. Not there. It’s dangerous outside of the settlement.”

“Why?”

Wei Wuxian huffs a laugh. “Because this is the Burial Mounds. I have only been able to cleanse the resentful energy in one part of it. The rest of it is still dangerous.

Lan Zhan looks at him for a long moment. He looks– He looks–

“Those three months,” says Lan Zhan, his voice a little odd and raw. “Were you here, Wei Ying?”

Wei Wuxian’s voice catches in his throat. There is no mistaking which three months Lan Zhan is referring to. He tries not to think much about those three months which is easy because he doesn’t even recall most of it clearly but difficult because whatever little he does recall…

“You know the answer, Lan Zhan,” says Wei Wuxian. He pulls Lan Zhan in. Lan Zhan is pliant and obedient now. Wei Wuxian can’t help but smile at him. Lan Zhan is so prim and proper and dignified but when he gets drunk he is simultaneously the most unruly troublemaker and the most coaxable child.

Lan Zhan is quiet now, like he often is. But this time the silence is a little tense, like he is about to say something. Wei Wuxian prays he does not try to follow up on the questions about the three months.

“Why did you do it?” asks Lan Zhan, finally.

It’s so… straight to the point. Wei Wuxian doesn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. At least they have reached his cave now, where Wei Wuxian intends to keep his husband safe and secure until he sleeps this off. “Why did I do what? Be so handsome? Ah, Lan Zhan, what can I say… good looks, I always had them, was born with–”

Lan Zhan turns abruptly and grabs his face with both hands. Wei Wuxian blinks in surprise. For someone so drunk and uncoordinated, Lan Zhan’s flashes of speed and coordination are a bit disconcerting.

“Wei Ying is handsome,” says Lan Zhan, as if stating a fact. “Wei Ying is talented. Wei Ying is good.”

“Lan Zhan,” mutters Wei Wuxian, sure that his face resembles a tomato right now.

“Wei Ying is also smart,” says Lan Zhan. “Wei Ying knows what I asked.”

It almost sounds like an admonishment. Wei Wuxian smiles.

“I did it,” says Wei Wuxian, looking down at Chenqing safely tucked in his belt, “because I had no other choice.”

He cannot elaborate further than that, but it seems to be enough because Lan Zhan drops his hands and takes a step back. There is no mistake about it now. Lan Zhan looks sad.

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” says Wei Wuxian, grabbing his hands before Lan Zhan can escape and chase more chickens for whatever reason. “Don’t worry about all that.”

“You are my husband,” says Lan Zhan, mulishly and entirely too adorable. He is pouting for fuck’s sake!

Wei Wuxian nods. “That I am. And your husband is now,” his breath catches, “going to take off your ribbon and put you to bed. Okay?”

Lan Zhan looks expectant. “My husband is going to take me to bed?”

“Yes.”

“My husband is going to consummate our–”

Wei Wuxian slaps a hand over his mouth. “Lan Zhan!”

Lan Zhan’s eyes are wide and innocent.

How is this Wei Wuxian’s life? Lan Wangji is his husband and he keeps asking him to consummate their marriage. How?

“Come on,” says Wei Wuxian, tugging his husband in after dropping his mouth. “Take off your robes. I mean–” adds Wei Wuxian hurriedly, “to go to sleep! Nothing else! No consummation.”

“No fucking,” says Lan Zhan and if Wei Wuxian didn’t know any better he would have said Lan Zhan sounded disappointed.

“No– um– no fucking, no.” Wei Wuxian is definitely overheating. “Not tonight.”

“Some other time, then?” asks Lan Zhan, perking up.

Wei Wuxian does not know what to do with his hands. Or his burning face. Or his weak knees. Or his entire body. “M-maybe. Lan Zhan! It’s time for bed! Take off your outer robe.”

Lan Zhan looks down at his robes. They are the robes Wei Wuxian let him wear from his own robes. “My clothes have been sent from Gusu. Tomorrow I will wear my good robes.”

“Your good robes?”

“Mn. The ones I wore the last time I came to visit you. Good robes.”

Wei Wuxian remembers those robes. The light blue ones with tight sleeves that Lan Zhan rarely ever wears. Most of the time he wears flowing sleeves. That one time was different. The lines of the robes had hugged his body irresistibly. Wei Wuxian gulps just thinking about how good and radiant he looked that day. No wonder those are his good robes.

“Is tomorrow special?” he teases, as he reaches up to loosen Lan Zhan’s headpiece before he can slide it off. “Why the good robes tomorrow?”

“To entice Wei Ying into consummating our marriage.”

Wei Wuxian starts coughing. “What. WHAT.”

“Good robes. Make me look good. Can be used to–”

“Oh my god,” says Wei Wuxian, managing to get the headpiece out. Lan Zhan’s hairdo immediately looks softer and less structured. “Then why did you wear your good robes that day when you came to visit me?”

Lan Zhan blushes. He blushes.

Oh holy fuck.

“Lan Zhan,” says Wei Wuxian, slowly. “Did you wear your good robes that day on purpose?”

Lan Zhan looks away. He can say ‘fucking’ over and over again while drunk but now he is blushing.

“Okay,” says Wei Wuxian, shakily. He turns Lan Zhan around by the shoulders to get at the knot of his forehead ribbon. Steady hands, Wei Wuxian, steady hands, you can do this…

“I missed you,” says Lan Zhan, without preamble. “I wanted you to see me at my best.”

Fuck. Fuck.

“That’s really sweet, Lan Zhan,” he says. He accidentally pulls at the knot of the ribbon too hard and Lan Zhan makes a small sound of distress. Wei Wuxian apologises hurriedly, trying to gently take off the ribbon.

“I dreamt of you doing this for a long time too.”

Wei Wuxian pauses. “Doing what?

“Taking off my ribbon. Ever since you drank for me in front of everyone,” says Lan Zhan, because he is not done finishing Wei Wuxian apparently. “When you showed Jin Zixun his place and drank on my behalf.”

Wei Wuxian can barely breathe. “I– I did that because– You were being forced into an unfair–”

“Yes,” says Lan Zhan and he sounds a little dreamy. The ribbon loosens enough to fall down his face down to his neck, like a necklace. “And I liked that you did that. For me.”

Wei Wuxian lets his head fall forward into the nape of Lan Zhan’s neck. God. God. How is he meant to react to that? What can he even say?

“And this morning you said you would do it for me again, if you had to,” says Lan Zhan. “Did you mean it?”

Yes. Yes. “Yes.”

“You would defend my honour?”

“Yes, Lan Zhan, always. You are my–” Wei Wuxian gulps. My husband. My best friend. My– “zhiji.”

“Then let's go,” says Lan Zhan, quickly turning around. His eyes are droopy but his expression is determined. His ribbon is still in Wei Wuxian’s grasp so the movement makes it come off entirely and Wei Wuxian has to catch it hurriedly. “Let’s go, Wei Ying.”

“Go where?”

“To Gusu,” says Lan Zhan. “We will defend each other’s honour.”

Chapter Text

When Wen Ning peeps into the cave, he can hear voices… arguing?

“Where is your sword?” comes Hanguang-jun’s distinct question and Wen Ning winces.

“Hahaha, Lan Zhan,” comes Wei Wuxian’s voice. Wen Ning can hear the edge of a strain in it. “You are way too drunk to be sword-riding right now. Didn’t they teach you how to safely fly swords in Gusu? No drinking and sword-riding.”

“They did not.”

“Well, that makes sense given they just straight up say no drinking.”

“Oh, let’s just go in,” says Wen Qing. “He clearly cannot handle him alone.”

Wen Ning steps in with his sister at the exact moment Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji tumble into the cot, with Lan Wangji perched on Wei Wuxian’s lap.

Wen Qing groans. “Why do I keep having to keep seeing them in these situations?”

“Wen Qing!” says Wei Wuxian with obvious relief. “Do you have like… something? Needles or something to–”

“Yes, that’s why I came,” says Wen Qing briskly, stepping forward. “Although now I wish I hadn’t.”

“Don’t leave,” pleads Wei Wuxian. “Wen Ning! Help!”

Wen Ning rushes forward but then his hands hover in the air awkwardly. He has no idea what to do. Touching Lan Wangji anywhere seems like a vaguely dangerous thing to do.

“Wen Qionglin,” says Lan Wangji, looking at him with glassy eyes. He is really drunk. Wen Ning only heard about the incident of Lan Wangji getting drunk during their teenage years at Cloud Recesses but he never saw it in person. It is… hilarious, if Wen Ning admits it to himself.

“You can call me Wen Ning,” says Wen Ning, bowing a little.

“My husband calls you Wen Ning,” says Lan Wangji, as if doing some great mental calculation before he nods, having found the answer. “I shall call you Wen Ning.”

“Speaking of husbands,” says Wei Wuxian, from below Lan Wangji. “Can you let this one up?”

Lan Wangji bites Wei Wuxian.

He bites him.

“Ah! Lan Zhan! What the hell!”

“That is enough,” says Wen Qing decisively, right before striking Lan Wangji with two needles on his back.

“Most harrowing experience of my life,” says Wei Wuxian. He looks at the bite mark on his hand sorrowfully. “Is there anything for this, Qing-jie?”

“No. You get to live with the consequences,” says Wen Qing.

“What did I do?!”

“You kept wanting us to stock up on wine. Now look what happened.”

“How was I supposed to know Lan Zhan would want to drink out of nowhere?” says Wei Wuxian. He rubs his back as he sits up. Lan Wangji is peacefully sleeping on the other side of the cot, looking dead to the world. “Ow. If it’s not for sex, it’s not worth feeling back pain like this.”

“Says the virgin.”

“Wen Qing!”

“Wei-gongzi,” says Wen Ning quietly, after his sister and Wei Wuxian stop bickering. “I think you should tell Hanguang-jun about your…”

He trails off but by the sharp looks he receives from two pairs of eyes, he is sure his meaning is more than clear.

“Wen Ning,” says Wei Wuxian, displeased. “You know I can’t–”

“He has a point,” says Wen Qing. Wei Wuxian only looks more annoyed. “He is your husband now, Wei Wuxian. And I don’t know what your relationship is like exactly but it is clear he cares for you. There are many reasons why you should just tell–”

“Shut up,” says Wei Wuxian. His tone is no longer light. “Get out. Both of you.”

Wen Qing rolls her eyes. “Being mad at us won’t solve anything, Wei Wuxian. We heard part of your conversation. Do you think he will stop asking you about your sword? What if he holds your wrist and realises the flow of your spiritual energy is completely stagnant? What if he figures out how and why you took up this form of cultivation? You should tell him before he finds out in some other way.”

Wei Wuxian looks away. “The deal was only for a war prize in exchange for leaving us the fuck alone,” he says darkly. “But they won’t. They will never leave us alone. Do you expect me to tell every single war prize they send our way about this?”

“No,” says Wen Qing. “Only the ones you love.”

Wei Wuxian looks up with a sharp inhale. “What?”

“You heard me. I am not stupid, neither is anyone else. Even a-Ning knows you are in love with your husband.” Wei Wuxian’s eyes snap to Wen Ning and Wen Ning is sure his guilty agreement is visible all over his face. “A-Yuan, a child, knows. Even Granny knows. Everyone with eyes knows, Wei Wuxian.”

“Maybe he knows too,” says Wen Ning, nodding at Lan Wangji’s sleeping form.

Wei Wuxian splutters. “Wha– I– That’s not–”

“Wei Wuxian,” says Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian immediately falls silent. “Trust me. And trust your husband. That’s all I will say.”

Wen Qing begins to walk away. “Let’s go, a-Ning.”

Wen Ning spares one last glance at Wei Wuxian’s bewildered face and follows his sister out.

Chapter Text

“You’re awake! How are you feeling now?”

Lan Wangji blinks through the last remnants of his dream, which involved… stealing chickens? Why would he do that? Dreams are strange.

Wei Ying’s face is peering at him, looking concerned. He waves a hand in Lan Wangji’s face. “Hello. Are you okay? How many fingers am I holding up?”

Lan Wangji nearly answers two but stops himself, feeling somewhat patronised. “What are you doing?”

“Ah!” Wei Ying scoots back. He is kneeling on the cot, right beside Lan Wangji. “Not drunk anymore I suppose. Hi. Nice to meet you.”

Lan Wangji sits up just as a throbbing headache hits him so hard that it feels like a physical blow. He staggers a bit and Wei Ying immediately holds his arm to steady him. “Hey, hey. Still feeling woozy?”

“I- yes. A little.” Then Wei Ying’s words register.

He was drunk.

“What– Last night–” he begins, almost scared to hear the answer. Wei Ying looks confused and tilts his head. Lan Wangji actively avoids meeting his eyes. “What did I do?”

“Oh not much! You just talked a lot.”

He? Talked? A lot?

Maybe getting drunk wasn’t the best decision.

“What did I–”

“And tried to give me chickens? I didn’t quite get that.”

Lan Wangji feels his eyes widen. So that wasn’t a dream. Oh lord. Why did he even… Oh. Wedding gift. He wanted to give Wei Ying a wedding gift.

Bits and pieces of the previous night come back to him, and all of it is ignominious. His eyes drop to Wei Ying’s hand where he can see the imprint of his own teeth. Wei Ying quickly hides his hand when he sees Lan Wangji staring.

“Ah, don’t worry about that. I will consider it a token of your affection,” says Wei Ying and winks. Lan Wangji is sure he is getting a fever. There is no other reason for his entire body to feel so hot and uncomfortable.

“And what did I say to you?” asks Lan Wangji, dreading the answer. He knows why he drank in the first place, hoping to be able to communicate that consummating their relationship is the easiest way to solve this problem. Unfortunately, he might have also expressed his eagerness at the prospect.

Wei Ying looks at him quietly for a second, as if appraising him. Then he shakes his head. “Something about a solution to our problem? I wasn’t quite sure what you were saying though, you were very… mumbly.”

Lan Wangji nods, stupefied. So the one and only thing he was supposed to do after getting drunk, he had… not. All of that was in vain. This is terrible. He is never touching that awful thing called alcohol again. His headache has only gotten worse as they talked and his mouth is drier than a bone. Why does anyone even like doing this to themself?

“Ah, just ask Wen Qing for a hangover remedy,” says Wei Ying, correctly interpreting his face. “It tastes horrible but at least it will make you feel better. And Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying grabs his arm again as Lan Wangji is about to get off the bed, making him stop and look at Wei Ying. Suddenly Wei Ying’s face is too close. Lan Wangji can feel his breaths coming up short, either from their proximity or from the raging headache. He can’t be sure. “Don’t ever drink again, yeah? I don’t think I can handle drunk you. You are even more chaotic than me!”

There is laughter in his words but also a touch of genuine concern. It warms Lan Wangji’s heart and instantly makes him feel several times better. “Mn. I will keep that in mind.”

Wei Ying laughs and lets him go.

“Aren’t you going to wear your good robes?” says Wei Ying, in a teasing tone. Lan Wangji pauses in the middle of positioning his headpiece and glances at him.

“My good robes?”

Wei Ying nods and twirls Chenqing as he comes closer. Lan Wangji’s skin begins to prickle, but in a nice, anticipatory way. “You mentioned them last night. Said you wore them when you visited me here last time.”

Lan Wangji’s good robes. The ones he specifically wore that day because he was coming to see Wei Ying. Because he wanted…

“Because you wanted me you see you at your best,” says Wei Ying. He grins. “That was really sweet of you, you know?”

Lan Wangji clears his throat and looks away. “I shall wear them tomorrow.”

“Why? Do you want to entice me into something?”

Lan Wangji looks back at Wei Ying quickly. There is a knowing yet curious expression on his face. Something about it…

“I… I told you,” realises Lan Wangji. “I told you last night. You are just pretending I didn’t.”

Wei Ying blinks. “Huh? Told me what?”

“Told you how we can solve our problem. Told you that it is the only solution.”

Wei Ying looks panicked now. “What? Haha, Lan Zhan, you must have had a strange dream or something, what are you–”

Lan Wangji is sure now. He told Wei Ying. About consummating their marriage and about his good robes too. He might as well have confessed, if he mentioned those robes in that context. He can recall Wei Ying and Wen Qing arguing about something, most of the words unclear and muddled in his head but he remembers hearing…

‘Everyone knows.’

Everyone knows.

Wei Ying knows.

“Excuse me,” says Lan Wangji and hurries out before Wei Ying can stop acting and proceed to let him down kindly.

“I’m not giving you wine again,” says Wen Qing as soon as she sees Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji can feel his ears flush. “No, I came here to apologise.”

Wen Qing raises her eyebrows. “Apologise? For what?”

“For giving everyone trouble last night by getting drunk.”

Wen Qing smiles. “Oh, don’t worry about that. Wei Wuxian had to deal with most of it. I just stuck two needles in your back so that you slept off the rest of it.”

Lan Wangji nods. After a moment, he speaks again.

“I also apologise for any issues I may have caused between you and Wei Ying.”

“What issues? What do you mean?”

“I remember you two arguing last night. You were probably… displeased that I asked Wei Ying to consummate our marriage.”

Wen Qing does a double take. “You asked him to… I’m sorry, what?”

Oh. Oh, so it’s not… Lan Wangji feels confused now. And extremely mortified.

“You didn’t know?”

“No? What– How–”

“I thought you must know,” says Lan Wangji. “You said that everyone knows about my feelings for him.”

Wen Qing starts coughing. “You– I– No, I didn’t say that.”

“I see.”

“I said everyone knows about his feelings for you. Except, apparently, you.”

There is a faint ringing in Lan Wangji’s ears. He wonders if this is still the after-effects of getting drunk.

“And why would I be displeased that… No. Oh no. You don’t think that… Do you?”

Lan Wangji stares at her, speechless.

“You do! You think that he and I… No! Ew! I see him as my little brother! Why would you– You are both idiots! Why would you even think that!”

“You two seemed close,” says Lan Wangji. He can no longer meet her eyes. He has never in his life felt this small before someone he towers over in height. “So I thought–”

Wen Qing pulls out no less than five needles from thin air.

“I know you are one of the greatest cultivators of our time,” she says through gritted teeth. “But I am a doctor. If you ever imply something like that again, I will put you to sleep forever.”

Lan Wangji blinks. He steps back politely, still feeling numb. “I will not.”

“Good. Since I have already said this much, I might as well tell you that that idiot in that stupid cave is in love with you. And I am tired of his pining and denial. So put us all out of our misery and just kiss him!”

Lan Wangji opens his mouth. He says nothing. He closes his mouth.

Then he bows, because he doesn’t know what else to do. “Wei Ying told me to ask you for a hangover cure.”

He doesn’t lift from his bow. He just hears Wen Qing sigh and then walk away, telling him to wait for a while.

Maybe after he has wrestled this hangover into submission, he can begin to ponder over what just happened.

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian fucked up.

He fucked up, he fucked up, he fucked up.

He should not have been teasing Lan Zhan like that. So what if Lan Zhan said some… suggestive things the night before? He was fucking drunk. Even the most proper and sensible people have weird thoughts, right? It didn’t mean anything. It cannot–

“Lan Zhan! You’re here!” says Wei Wuxian, nervously as Lan Zhan steps into the cave. He looks oddly stiff. Fuck. “Listen, I was just teasing you earlier, haha.”

Lan Zhan stands unmoving in the middle of the cave. He is looking at Wei Wuxian with this incredibly intense look that makes him want to run away.

“Um, Lan Zhan?” says Wei Wuxian. Fuck. Lan Zhan must be thinking he was making fun of him for saying all those things. “Look, I am sorry for what I said, alright? I didn’t mean to–”

“I propositioned you last night,” says Lan Zhan, cutting him off. After a slight pause, he adds, “While drunk.”

Silence rings for a few long moments.

“Um,” begins Wei Wuxian, trying to fill in the silence. Is he supposed to say something? He is supposed to say something, right? “Ummm…”

“Are you rejecting me?” says Lan Zhan. Wei Wuxian nearly snaps his neck to look at him. “Do you wish to– Are you not–”

“Lan Zhan,” says Wei Wuxian, getting up and approaching him slowly, almost afraid he might pull out Bichen and start a fight right here with how flushed he looks. “You were drunk. You didn’t– People don’t mean the things they say while drunk! We can forget about it.”

Lan Zhan blinks.

“Now let me tell you about the new talisman I made this morning!” says Wei Wuxian hurriedly, trying to change the subject to ease some of the awkwardness in the cave. He gingerly holds Lan Zhan by the elbow and drags him over to his makeshift desk. He only lets go to shift through the papers on the desk. “Look. This one. No, no, sorry. This one. I apologise for the mess. It’s just that once I start working, I–”

There is an abrupt pull on both of Wei Wuxian’s arms, until he is made to bodily turn towards Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan’s eyes are wild for the split second Wei Wuxian sees them before he is leaning forward and crashing their lips together.

It’s not a good kiss by any measure. Wei Wuxian freezes as Lan Zhan all but smushes their lips together. The pressure feels all wrong, he is pretty sure Lan Zhan’s teeth dug into his lips in an unpleasant manner and worst of all is the shaking. Lan Zhan is shaking. He shakes as he holds himself against Wei Wuxian’s lips and his eyes are screwed shut like he is in pain and his grip on Wei Wuxian’s arms is anything but gentle. Wei Wuxian has never had kisses before, but he is pretty sure they are not meant to feel like this.

But no, the worst part isn’t the shaking. The worst part is Lan Zhan pulling away after barely any time has passed, like it was less of a kiss and more of a smack on Wei Wuxian’s lips with Lan Zhan’s lips. The worst part is Lan Zhan letting go completely, stepping back a few steps hurriedly, face ashen like he has seen a ghost and then straight up bolting.

Wei Wuxian is pretty sure Lan Zhan trips a couple times as he runs away but even still he is out of the cave before Wei Wuxian can get his mind to start working again. He gapes as the flurry of white leaves in a manner that is practically ungraceful by Lan Zhan’s standards and stays standing there for a long time, blinking out the haziness in his eyes.

“Lan Zhan?” he says, lips tingling. There is no answer, because of course Lan Zhan has already left.

Lan Zhan is gone but as Wei Wuxian touches his lips with his fingers, a jolt goes through him. Holy fuck. They just… They just kissed. Sort of. Yeah. They kissed!

Suddenly, his mind starts working again. “Wait! Lan Zhan! Come back, you can’t just–!”

Wen Ning pops his head in. “Wei-gongzi, what happened? Hanguang-jun just… ran out of here. Is everything–”

Wei Wuxian starts running too and nearly knocks Wen Ning over in his haste to chase after Lan Zhan. “LAN ZHAN!!”

Chapter Text

Wei Ying chases Lan Wangji down. Literally chases him down.

But Lan Wangji is fast.

His legs are strong.

His embarrassment is all-consuming.

He can easily outrun Wei Ying. It is no trouble. Then he will find the nearest grave (should not be difficult considering where they are) and bury himself in it and never come out again.

Yes. Seems like a reasonable plan.

Wen Qionglin looms in front of him like a large, undead boulder.

Lan Wangji nearly, nearly screams but manages to swerve and change directions. Unfortunately there is a lot of shrubbery to get through. Wen Qionglin is fast. He catches up, probably owing to his inhuman strength and speed.

“Hanguang-jun!” calls out Wen Qionglin. “Please wait, Wei-qongzi wants to–”

Probably wants to tell Lan Wangji he never wants to see his face again.

Lan Wangji wonders if there is any such thing as feeling drunk on panic. If not, then he must be the singular specimen on earth to experience it so acutely.

“Hanguang-jun,” says Wen Qionglin and grabs his arm, stopping him short. Wen Qionglin is irritatingly strong. Lan Wangji should draw Bichen right now. “Please stop running. I am sorry for–”

“Lan Zhan!” comes Wei Ying’s voice. Loud over the distance. “Wen Ning, did you catch him?”

“Yes, gongzi,” replies Wen Qionglin, looking sufficiently cowed by Lan Wangji’s glare but not letting go either. “He’s here.”

“Great!” There is a great deal of cursing and shoving branches out of the way before Wei Ying appears, looking as out of breath as Lan Wangji feels. His face is pink, his eyes are bright and his hair has seen better days. “There you are!”

Lan Wangji turns to Wen Qionglin. “Wen–” He stops, feeling a memory niggle at the back of his head. Didn’t he…?

“Wen Ning,” he says. He agreed to call him Wen Ning by his birth name. He remembers that vaguely. “Wen Ning, let go of me.”

Wen Ning drops Lan Wangji’s arm like it’s on fire. He looks a little shocked. “You– You remembered.”

A quick look passes between Wen Ning and Wei Ying, who both look a little nervous now.

“What?” asks Lan Wangji.

“Nothing!” says Wei Ying. “Well, you know, apart from the fact that you kissed me on the mouth and then ran away.”

“I should leave,” mumbles Wen Ning, trying to shuffle out of the way.

“No, stay here, Wen Ning,” says Lan Wangji. He can be dignified about this. “Wei Ying, I apologise for engaging in–”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Lan Zhan!” says Wei Ying, stalking forward. Lan Wangji’s mind blanks. “Just call it kissing. You know what it was?”

“Kissing?” says Lan Wangji, dazed, just as Wei Ying reaches him, grabs him by the waist and crashes their mouths together.

There is a squeak and a hurried “I should leave” before the footsteps peter out but all Lan Wangji can focus on is the hot, wet, fierce slide of their lips. An involuntary sound escapes him which makes Wei Ying press closer and deepen the kiss.

“It was this,” says Wei Ying roughly, breaking the kiss. “It was the best moment of my life.”

He really does like me.

Lan Wangji gasps and pushes their mouths together again. He does not know how to kiss, not really, but the press of their lips together turns from exciting but slightly awkward to scorching wet heat. Lan Wangji moans when their tongues touch. He drops whatever he was holding to slide his hands up Wei Ying’s arms and shoulders, before grabbing his face with both hands and pushing him back. Wei Ying groans when his back hits the bark of a tree and it gives Lan Wangji ample chance to press their bodies together as close as possible and devour Wei Ying’s mouth. Lord.

Lord, if this is what kissing is meant to be like then Lan Wangji regrets not doing it much, much earlier.

When they finally break apart, they are both panting heavily, faces close and hands still clutching each other. Wei Ying meets his eyes and gives a soft smile.

“Hey,” he says breathlessly. “You dropped Bichen.”

Lan Wangji briefly glances back and then he moves back in to kiss Wei Ying again. “I don’t care.”

“You care to explain why you ran away, by the way?”

Wei Ying whispers the question into Lan Wangji’s hair, his hands stroking along the sash of Lan Wangji’s robes. Lan Wangji can feel the cool breeze on his spit-slicked lips. He shivers from the onslaught of sensation.

“I… got scared,” admits Lan Wangji. “I thought I made a mistake.”

“A mistake about what?”

Lan Wangji shuts his eyes. “A mistake about believing that you like me. As a husband.”

Wei Ying pulls back a little to look at Lan Wangji just as he opens his eyes again.

“Lady Wen told me,” says Lan Wangji. “I remembered her saying something about everyone knowing while I was drunk. I assumed she was talking about my feelings for you.”

“Your feelings for me,” repeats Wei Ying. He seems to consider it for a moment. “And what feelings are those?”

Lan Wangji can feel his ears burning. “Wei Ying must have figured it out by now.”

“Maybe,” says Wei Ying, smiling as he leans in again. “I want to hear you say it, though.”

Lan Wangji screws his eyes shut and blindly reaches forward with his lips. The kiss is a little off the mark but Wei Ying tilts his head and the angle is just right. They kiss languidly for a moment and then Lan Wangji pulls back.

“My feelings for you,” he says, referring to the kiss they just shared.

Wei Ying laughs. “Oh, Lan Zhan. Such a romantic.”

Lan Wangji’s heart leaps.

“And then what? She told on me that she was actually talking about my feelings for you?”

Lan Wangji sighs. “Yes.”

“How mean of her,” says Wei Ying but he is smiling. Then he frowns. “Wait, what else do you remember?”

Lan Wangji tries to recall. “Not much. The memories are hazy. I remember chasing chickens.” He averts his eyes at that. “And I remember you and Lady Wen arguing about something and her saying that everyone knows. And I remember Wen Ning telling me to call him by his birth name.”

“I see,” says Wei Ying. His voice is a little odd. “That’s good.”

“Why?”

Wei Ying coughs. “No reason. You probably would have been embarrassed to recall just everything you did while drunk, that’s all. Pity you didn’t try to kiss me then, huh?”

Wei Ying laughs again and pecks Lan Wangji on the lips, finally stepping back enough for them to untangle themselves. Lan Wangji has lost track of how long they have been out here, kissing. It felt like days and yet too short. He wants more.

He catches Wei Ying’s hand. “Wei Ying.” Wei Ying looks at him questioningly. “Can we– Can we kiss some more?”

Wei Ying’s lips part with surprise, which only draws Lan Wangji’s eyes to how red and kissed they look. How utterly alluring. He almost sways forward but reigns himself in. Wei Ying’s lips have morphed into a smile.

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” says Wei Ying. He presses their foreheads together. It is heady and intoxicating to be finally allowed to be so close to Wei Ying, to be so intimate with him. “We have established that we both like each other as husbands, right?”

“Mn.”

“And that we are married?”

“Mn.”

“And that we will be sharing a bed every night?”

Fuck. “Mn.”

“And that,” Wei Ying reaches up to trace Lan Wangji’s forehead ribbon with his fingers. Lan Wangji bites back a moan. Wei Ying grins like he heard it anyway. “And that I will be taking off your ribbon every night, Lan Zhan?”

“Yes,” breathes Lan Wangji. Perhaps telling Wei Ying that he is supposed to take off his ribbon every night as his spouse had been a mistake. Lan Wangji feels slow, thick arousal take hold of his entire being at Wei Ying’s words.

“Then we have plenty of time to kiss, my dear husband,” says Wei Ying. He kisses Lan Wangji’s forehead. “And we will. Let’s go back.”

Chapter Text

There are things Wei Wuxian needs to tell his husband.

Things that Lan Zhan would have figured out if he remembered the entire conversation Wei Wuxian had with the Wen siblings. Things that he thankfully seems to have forgotten.

Things that might change everything between them; for good or for bad, Wei Wuxian can’t yet tell.

Things that Lan Zhan deserves to know, being married to Wei Wuxian.

Things that Wei Wuxian absolutely cannot afford for anyone to know because what if… what if…

“Wei Ying,” says Lan Zhan and suddenly Wei Wuxian’s entire attention is drawn to his husband. Who is in bed with him, stretched out beneath him, looking up at him with eyes that are… “Wei Ying, you said we would kiss.”

Holy fuck.

Wei Wuxian was not built to resist this.

Lan Zhan’s lips have not lost their just-got-kissed shine yet, but Wei Wuxian has to replenish it anyway. He bends down to let their mouths join, unable to stop the blissed sound of relief that escapes him at the contact. Lan Zhan’s moan is muffled by the kiss. He kisses back with more surety now, like someone who has finally had their first kiss and already figured out everything that he likes. He is so hot.

“Lan Zhan,” gasps Wei Wuxian, breaking the kiss to breathe, and lets out an embarrassing sound when his husband neatly rolls them over so that Lan Zhan is on top. Their bodies press together and oh fuck, Wei Wuxian is getting hard and if Lan Zhan feels it–

“Yes?” asks Lan Zhan, lips hovering close and panting. He looks so flushed and there is sweat beading at his hairline.

“I am glad you are my husband,” says Wei Wuxian, honestly. “I am glad you are here.”

Lan Zhan makes a wounded noise and kisses Wei Wuxian fiercely again. Everyone thinks Lan Zhan is calm, composed and placid. Placid, hah. The way Lan Zhan is pressing Wei Wuxian down like he is afraid he would try to escape, kissing Wei Wuxian with an insistence that is leaving him entirely breathless — is anything but placid. His hands are wrapped around Wei Wuxian’s wrists like a brand and oh oh …

No. Oh no.

Wei Wuxian wrenches away from the kiss abruptly. He pushes Lan Zhan up and away, freeing himself. His heart is beating fast and not just from the kiss. He sits up with his back to Lan Zhan and swings his legs over the edge to put his feet on the ground.

He tries not to rub his fingers over his wrists instinctually.

“Wei Ying?” comes Lan Zhan’s voice behind him. Wei Wuxian has never heard his voice like this before. Breathless, on the edge of a moan, so open and vulnerable and… hurt?

Wei Wuxian turns to look over his shoulder and gives Lan Zhan a quick smile. “I think we should go and have dinner. We can’t skip dinner or Wen Qing will be after us like the annoying doctor she is.”

Lan Zhan is still panting, his chest heaving with it. He slowly nods and sits up properly as well, adjusting his robes which had come askew while they were making out. Wei Wuxian has to avert his eyes. He wants to fall upon Lan Zhan and pull those robes apart, reveal the flesh beneath, dig his nails and teeth into it, trace his tongue over every contour. But he can’t. Not yet. Lan Zhan may be ready to consummate their marriage, but Wei Wuxian… Wei Wuxian knows what it means for him. There is no way he can hide that there is no core inside him to keep his spiritual energy flowing while they are– Wei Wuxian blushes to even think about it.

“Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian looks back again and Lan Zhan has already stood up on the other side of the cot. He looks as put together as always but those flushed ears and cheeks are quite a giveaway. Not to mention the fact that his lips are bruised. “Yes, husband?”

Lan Zhan blushes immediately. It is so cute. Wei Wuxian always knew Lan Zhan was far from unshakeable, but this side of him that blushes and stutters is still a delight.

“Tonight,” says Lan Zhan, gaze trained somewhere on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. Wei Wuxian bites back a laugh. “If I- Will you- Will we–”

“What?” asks Wei Wuxian, a little confused. “Kiss more?”

Lan Zhan looks slightly frustrated. “That and… Will we consummate our marriage?”

“Ah,” says Wei Wuxian. “Ah. You, uh. You sure jumped from kissing to sex really quick.”

Lan Zhan cannot physically stop blushing, apparently. “It’s– The letter–”

Oh, right. The letter from Gusu Lan. Wei Wuxian had forgotten about that.

He stands up and goes around the cot to stand in front of Lan Zhan. He holds Lan Zhan’s beautiful face in both his hands; his wretched hands with no spiritual flow that are no match for Lan Zhan’s brilliant, strong golden core. Wei Wuxian fancies he can feel the strength of it even with just his palms pressed to Lan Zhan’s cheeks. He caresses his cheekbones with his thumbs.

“We will talk about that later, alright?” he says. “If we are going to consummate our marriage, I want it to be because we both are ready for it and want it, not because a letter gave us an ultimatum to do so. There are things that I need to do… before. Will you give me some time, please?”

Lan Zhan’s eyes are so clear. He looks back at Wei Wuxian for an interminable period of time. Then he nods.

“As much time as Wei Ying needs,” says Lan Zhan. Wei Wuxian lets the truth and comfort of it soothe him. It has been a long time since he has been soothed like this. “Can we still kiss?”

Wei Wuxian laughs. “Careful, I will begin to think that the venerated Hanguang-jun has become a slut for making out.”

“He has,” returns Lan Zhan, so swift and assured that Wei Wuxian feels his heart give a little kick. “I enjoy kissing my husband very much.”

Wei Wuxian groans and falls forward into a hug. “You are killing me.”

“I would rather be kissing you,” says Lan Zhan. His hands on Wei Wuxian’s back are nice. Soothing. Wei Wuxian lets himself shake with amusement at Lan Zhan’s forward speech.

There are things that Wei Wuxian needs to do. He does not know if he can do them.

But maybe he can dare to hope.

Chapter Text

The thing about Wei Wuxian’s core is, it is an open secret among the Wens that he has none.

The only people who know for sure that Wei Wuxian does not have a golden core are Wei Wuxian, Wen Qing and Wen Ning. And they never said it to anyone else. But that does not mean that their little settlement has not picked up hints of it by now. They know, but no one says anything. No one brings attention to it. Not even Wen Qing herself refers to it directly unless she absolutely has to.

Wei Wuxian gave away his core willingly but that does not mean his eyes don’t look hollow and empty when he is reminded of it. It’s not a good look on him at all. So Wen Qing just lets it be.

But she did tell Wei Wuxian to tell Lan Wangji about his missing core. Wei Wuxian did not want to but if she is right about their developing relationship, she has to imagine it would be better if Wei Wuxian comes clean to his husband as soon as possible. Lan Wangji will pick up hints just like the rest of them soon enough. He is smart, he will figure it out. The no core, the no flow of spiritual energy in his meridians, only relying on the power of talismans and resentful energy, he will figure it all out.

Wen Qing looks at Lan Wangji now, crouched in the middle of a freshly dug out field, planting radishes with the other Wens. He has dressed down to his inner cotton robes, which are also white and therefore impractical for the job but he is getting his hands and clothes dirty anyway. He could not be persuaded to leave, not when he believes there is something he can do to help. Wen Qing already heard from an auntie in the kitchen that he offered to help cook breakfast everyday and only gave in when it was pointed out to him that he has been waking up quite late every morning. He must have been embarrassed by that and Wen Qing allows herself to feel some amusement. He is good for their little family. He has made everyone here happier by simply existing. And Wei Wuxian is the biggest example of it. Wen Qing did not miss what their lips looked like last night when they joined everyone for dinner (quite late).

“Is that Lan Zhan?” says Wei Wuxian, eyes wide at the sight.

“Good morning to you too,” says Wen Qing. “Finally decided to join the land of the waking?”

“Ugh, shut up. I am too sleepy to process anything right now. Why is Lan Zhan farming?”

“Because he wanted to.”

“His clothes are getting dirty!”

Wen Qing sighs. “He wanted to feel helpful among us, Wei Wuxian. And we can’t stop him. Why don’t you go and work with him too? I am sure you both would enjoy it.”

When she looks away from Lan Wangji to turn to Wei Wuxian, she sees his eyes are fixed on his husband, a fond smile on his lips. He is holding his own wrist as well and his thumb runs back and forth over it.

“And maybe,” says Wen Qing, as pointedly as possible, “you should tell him what you desperately want to tell him while you are at it.”

When Wei Wuxian meets her eyes, he doesn’t look angry. He looks a little lost, and a lot nervous.

“I– I want to,” he says. His voice is low and timid. Wen Qing has never heard him sound like this before. “I really want to. But… I am… what if…”

Wen Qing sighs. She understands his fear even if she feels they are unfounded. “Look, no one is trying to force you to do it. I just think that Hanguang-jun is… not that kind of person. Can you imagine him shaming anyone for not having a core?”

Wei Wuxian shakes his head and looks down at his hands.

“Take your time, Wei Wuxian,” says Wen Qing. “But… he will figure it out soon enough. You don’t stay here, at the Burial Mounds, for too long without figuring out what really happened to Yiling Laozu’s core.”

Wei Wuxian gives a weak huff of laughter. “I suppose that’s a fair point. I hate it but it’s a fair point. How many know already?”

Wen Qing looks at him meaningfully.

Wei Wuxian shakes his head and sighs. “Great.”

He walks away without further ado. He heads straight for Lan Wangji, walking with purpose. Wen Qing wonders if he is going to confess right now.

“Lan Zhan, can I borrow you for a while?”

Lan Wangji looks up from his dirtied hands. “No.”

Wei Wuxian gapes. Wen Qing suppresses a laugh.

“Okay, um,” begins Wei Wuxian. “May I borrow you for a while?”

“You may not.”

“Lan Zhan, come on!”

Fourth uncle nudges at Lan Wangji, though it is less of a nudge and more of a light brush against the fabric of his robes. Everyone is still, after all, a little intimidated by Lan Wangji. “Go on! Your husband needs you.” He accompanies it with a broad, suggestive grin.

Wen Qing thinks she can see Lan Wangji’s ears turn a little bright, but it is hard to tell from this distance. “I am sure he can manage for a while. I am working.”

Wei Wuxian pouts as he kneels down. “Lan Zhan. Come on. I need to have a talk with you.”

“We can talk here. But do not distract me while I am working.”

“Well… it is a distracting sort of conversation.”

“Then we can have it later.”

“Lan Zhan, I swear to god–”

Lan Wangji doesn’t even look at Wei Wuxian as he continues to work diligently.

Wen Qing can see the mischievous grin bloom on Wei Wuxian’s face just a moment before he turns Lan Wangji’s face with one hand and draws him into a kiss.

Wen Qing coughs. There are quite a few gasps all around them. Wen Ning, passing by, drops a whole tray and looks extremely pained. Then he flees, muttering something that sounds like “not again.”

Lan Wangji shoves Wei Wuxian back after a few moments, and this time there is no mistaking the way his entire face is bright red. “Wei Ying!”

Wei Wuxian just grins and leans in again.

Lan Wangji fends him off with a glare. “Wei Ying. We are in public.”

“I don’t care,” says Wen Wuxian. He sends an obnoxious wink that somehow seems to fluster Lan Wangji even more. Wen Qing sometimes questions Lan Wangji’s taste. Privately, of course.

“Shameless,” says Lan Wangji and abruptly stands up. Wei Wuxian, straining towards Lan Wangji, falls forward like a puppet with his strings cut and just barely balances himself on his arms. Lan Wangji pointedly avoids eye contact with everyone as he stands tall.

“You may borrow me for a private talk,” says Lan Wangji. He brushes his robes down nominally and straightens his sleeves as he speaks. “Only for a short while.”

Wei Wuxian bounces up with a smile. “A private talk and maybe a few kisses?”

Lan Wangji visibly swallows but levels Wei Wuxian another glare anyway. “We will see what can be done.”

“Hmm.” Wen Qing looks away when Wei Wuxian runs his fingers down Lan Wangji’s spine and settles his hand on his lower back. Wei Wuxian indeed is shameless.

As Wei Wuxian leads Lan Wangji away, Wen Qing only hopes he can hold on to this brazenness and tell his husband the truth.

Chapter Text

“What did you want to talk about?” says Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian needs to do this now. He will lose his nerve if he draws this out anymore, so he opens his mouth and lets the words fall out of them as they want.

“I have no golden core,” he says. Just says it. Like that. Without turning around to gauge Lan Zhan’s reaction. His heart beating fast and his palms sweating. He just says it.

There is silence behind him.

Wei Wuxian’s heart starts to sink, but he tells himself to go on. “I– I told you last night that there are things I need to do. I needed to tell you the whole truth. My golden core, it’s– It’s not there. I don’t have a golden core anymore.”

He cannot summon up the courage to turn around yet.

“When?” asks Lan Zhan, finally. He has always been on the quieter side, of course, but Wei Wuxian has never heard him like this before, like he is unsure and terrified of the answer.

Wei Wuxian shuts his eyes. “A while. That’s why I– You know.” He holds up Chenqing in his hand.

Silence stretches around them until Wei Wuxian cannot take it anymore. He whirls around, blindly seesawing between panic and frustration. “Well? What do you say, Lan Zhan? Would you still like to be married to a– a– you know. To me. Would you still like to be married to me, now that you know?”

Lan Zhan meets his eyes. He steps forward until they are nearly touching. Until Lan Zhan can softly wrap his own hand around Wei Wuxian’s hand which is holding on to Chenqing tightly. “You are still Wei Ying.”

Time seems to slow down.

Somehow, Wei Wuxian didn’t expect that as an answer. He expected many things; for Lan Zhan to turn away in disgust, for Lan Zhan to be too shocked to say anything, for Lan Zhan to insist that he will still stay here for the protection of the Wens just like Wei Wuxian is, because Lan Zhan is good like that. But this…

“You are still Wei Ying,” says Lan Zhan again, after a pause. “You are still the person I love and married, the person I will always want to protect, the one I fell in love with when I was seventeen. I barely knew what love was until you stood there in front of me and made a promise to always protect the weak.”

“Lan Zhan–”

“I wanted to hide you away to keep you safe. I frantically searched for you when you were missing for three months. I– I composed Wangxian for you. For us.”

Wei Wuxian’s breath catches in his throat. “Wangxian?”

“Our song,” says Lan Zhan, his grip on Wei Wuxian’s hand tightening. “Do you not remember?”

“I– uh…”

“You had a high fever and fainted immediately afterwards,” says Lan Zhan. “But I sang it for you. I told you its name.”

Now that Lan Zhan mentions it, Wei Wuxian does vaguely remember him singing a song when he was in that wretched cave, barely able to sit upright, eyes blurry with fever and head throbbing with the screams of the resentful.

“Wangxian?” whispers Wei Wuxian. “You named it Wangxian?” Does it mean what Wei Wuxian thinks it means?

“What else could I name it?” says Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian’s entire world shatters. He clutches at Lan Zhan and Lan Zhan lets him.

“I know you have doubts,” says Lan Zhan, after a moment. His eyes look bright and his lips are trembling a little. “And I will not shame you for having them. But I cannot ever want to not be married to you. You are my– You are Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian makes a sound, sharp and painful, and buries his face in Lan Zhan’s neck. Tears seep into Lan Zhan’s robes.

“You mean that?” says Wei Wuxian, muffled. Can I be your Wei Ying forever?

Lan Zhan doesn’t say anything for a while. Then, slowly, he begins to hum. Wei Wuxian can feel the vibrations through his chest. A familiar, well-loved memory. Wei Wuxian gasps into Lan Zhan’s neck.

“Oh,” he says. “That– That song.”

Lan Zhan hums for a few more notes before his voice fades out. Then he speaks. “You remember.” It is both a statement and a question.

Wei Wuxian hugs Lan Zhan tighter. “Yes, I remember.”

“How did you lose your core?”

Wei Wuxian knew the question was coming, but that does not make the impact hurt any less. He squashes down his customary irritation at being asked the question. After all, it is a pretty logical question to ask.

“Oh you know,” says Wei Wuxian, waving his hand. “Wen Zhuliu and all that.”

Lan Zhan narrows his eyes. “Did he destroy your core before Wen Chao threw you into the Burial Mounds?”

Wei Wuxian smiles through his lie. “Yeah. Something like that.”

Lan Zhan eyes him for a long moment. Then finally, with a sigh, he speaks.

“If that was the case then you would not have kept it a secret from the entire cultivation world.”

Wei Wuxian inhales sharply. “I–”

“It is alright,” says Lan Zhan. He doesn’t quite look alright, in fact he is staring Wei Wuxian down with an almost scary intensity, like he can make him divulge his secrets by his gaze alone. “You are not ready to tell me the whole truth yet and I will not force you to. But hopefully you will tell me someday.”

Lan Zhan stands up gracefully. They had moved to the cot to sit down after Wei Wuxian’s crying fit was over. Lan Zhan looks as composed as ever as he turns to face Wei Wuxian still sitting on the cot. He seems to hesitate for a moment but then he places a hand on Wei Wuxian’s cheek gently. Oh.

“Thank you for trusting me with this,” says Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian cannot take it. Cannot take lying to Lan Zhan when he looks so sincere, so open, so… loving. Wei Wuxian hates himself for it. But he has to lie. For the sake of… for the sake of.

He stands up abruptly and pulls Lan Zhan towards himself, kissing him deeply. Lan Zhan makes a small, surprised noise but it melts into a sweet moan that makes Wei Wuxian shiver. Their lips slide against each other in a heavenly dance.

Lan Zhan breaks the kiss, chest heaving. Suddenly, all Wei Wuxian wants to do is tumble him into the cot and–

“I have to get back to work,” announces Lan Zhan firmly, even though his face is significantly pinker than usual. He steps out of Wei Wuxian’s reach. “That will be all.”

He turns on his heels and leaves briskly. Wei Wuxian stares after him, open-mouthed and effectively dismissed by his own husband.

Then he laughs. He falls back into the cot, lying on his back with his arms flung out, and laughs and laughs and laughs and feels finally, for the first time, the phantom pain of his missing golden core ease up.

Chapter Text

Wei Ying plays Wangxian every night.

Every night, without fail, the strains of Wangxian would fill their little settlement. Every night Lan Wangji would fall further in love with his husband. Every night, Wei Ying would return to their cave and Lan Wangji would fall upon him and kiss him vigorously, unable to express with words just how much Wei Ying playing Wangxian on his flute means to him.

In retrospect, a lot of Wei Ying’s behaviour during the Sunshot Campaign can be explained by the lack of his core. It makes sense as much as it hurts. Lan Wangji thinks about how he berated Wei Ying when he first realised that he had changed his cultivation path and his entire chest aches with pain at it, wishing he could go back in time and take it back.

He cannot, so he kisses Wei Ying and afterwards lays his head on his chest.

Everyone loves Wangxian, especially a-Yuan. Wei Ying usually finds some branch high up to perch on magnificently (Lan Wangji’s husband has a flair for the dramatic) and play Wangxian while the rest of them have dinner. A-Yuan, whose customary position during dinner has become Lan Wangji’s lap, always listens with rapt attention, even forgetting to eat sometimes until Lan Wangji has to gently nudge his mouth with the spoon again.

And then Lan Wangji would be in his husband’s cave, lying in the same bed as him and hum the song as they both fall asleep.

Lan Wangji wishes he had his guqin so that he could play the song in tandem with Wei Ying.

One night, Wei Ying lets him touch Chenqing.

It is the best night of Lan Wangji’s marriage so far. Chenqing is the tool that allowed Wei Ying to live once he lost his core and thus, needs to be cherished and respected. Wei Ying looks almost scared as he holds out the flute for Lan Wangji’s inspection but his clear trepidation turns into a gasp when Lan Wangji’s fingertips touch it.

“Is something amiss?” asks Lan Wangji, immediately retracting his hand.

“No,” says Wei Ying, quickly. “Nothing. Just. That was new. I never felt like that before.”

Lan Wangji does not quite understand what that means, and neither does Wei Ying it seems, so he touches Chenqing again. Wei Ying does not gasp this time but his lips are pursed together tightly like he is holding himself back.

“Does it hurt?” asks Lan Wangji, just to be sure.

Wei Ying shakes his head and so Lan Wangji takes Chenqing from Wei Ying.

He focuses on examining the engraving on the flute which says ‘Chenqing’ before brushing a finger over it reverently.

“Chenqing,” he says, low. “Thank you for looking after my husband.”

Coils of resentment emerge and curl lovingly around Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji does not feel threatened. He feels safe.

That night, Chenqing thanks him back, deathly whispers of gratitude filling Lan Wangji’s mind as he holds his husband’s most valuable possession.

“Tomorrow you have to visit your home,” says Lady Wen, as a way of greeting.

“My home?” enquires Lan Wangji.

Lady Wen rolls her eyes. Sometimes she reminds Lan Wangji of Jiang Wanyin. “Your home. Gusu. Cloud Recesses. Remember? Honestly, you have not been married that long.”

Lan Wangji feels slightly embarrassed. He had truly forgotten all about Gusu for a moment. In his defence, Wei Ying made out with him for hours last night and they were very close to desecrating Lan Wangji’s ribbon.

Lan Wangji feels good about their chances of consummating their marriage soon.

“I do not want to know what you were thinking about right now,” says Wen Qing, looking disturbed. How? Lan Wangji knows and prides in his ability to keep a straight face no matter what he is thinking about. “But as you must be aware, tomorrow marks two weeks of your marriage and as per Lan custom, you are required to visit for a day or two.”

Lan Wangji had, in fact, forgotten to keep count. But Lady Wen is correct. He needs to visit Gusu. Maybe he can take the opportunity to bring his guqin back with him. He desperately needs it. Not just to play Wangxian with Wei Ying, but also for his own relaxation. Playing his guqin was one of his favourite ways to relax. He feels bereft without it.

He nods at Wen Qing. “I will set out early tomorrow at dawn.”

Wen Qing bites her lip, as if in contemplation, looks around and then leans in slightly. “I think… you should take Wei Wuxian with you.”

Lan Wangji is surprised. “But our custom–”

“I know, I know, that is not in the custom. But nothing in the custom says not to bring your spouse along, does it? Just take Wei Wuxian with you.”

Lan Wangji considers her. “Why do you want that?”

Wen Qing looks surprised to be asked the question. Then she sighs. “Well, mostly to get him out of here for a while. How long has it been since he saw the sun? His bones will get all brittle. And besides, he is annoying. Give us all a break from him. Also, that way you both get to spend more time together. Without a-Yuan interrupting you.”

Lan Wangji blushes a bit, remembering the many times a-Yuan has stumbled upon them kissing, but thankfully doing nothing more. Then he frowns. “We do not mind a-Yuan.”

Wen Qing laughs. “Yeah, I know, you both love him. But it is not like he will be allowed to enter Cloud Recesses. Wei Wuxian will have to be allowed, as your lawful husband.”

“I can ask if–”

“No,” says Wen Qing, her expression losing the good humour and growing more serious. “They won’t let a-Yuan in. I know. He is a Wen. That is enough.”

Lan Wangji’s heart grows cold at the thought but Lady Wen is right. A-Yuan will most probably not be allowed entry into Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji is going to think of a way to grant him entry for future visits. He wants to show a-Yuan the home he grew up in.

“Very well. I will take Wei Ying with me.”

Wen Qing smiles. “You know, you also get to flaunt your husband in front of all the elders who probably sneered at the idea of attending your marriage to Wei Wuxian.”

That sounds very appealing indeed.

“You want me to face your uncle?” asks Wei Ying, aghast. “Me? His most despised ex-student?”

“Mn,” says Lan Wangji, sedately. “You are my lawful husband. There is nothing stopping you from coming with me.”

“Wow, am I your arm candy or something?” exclaims Wei Ying. Lan Wangji does not know what ‘arm candy’ here means but from context he can gather some clues. “Your brother will also be there!”

“He is the Sect leader, so I do hope so,” says Lan Wangji.

“Do not joke with me, Lan Zhan! How am I supposed to face your family in their own turf while having defiled their baby precious?”

Lan Wangji feels a little affronted. “I am not a baby precious. Furthermore–”

“Yes you are! You are your uncle’s beloved, smartest, brightest nephew–”

“That inadvertently insults my brother, Wei Ying.”

“–and your brother’s favourite family member!”

“And that insults my uncle.”

“See!” says Wei Ying, waving his hands around like he is doing a mime show. “I am so bad at this! I am so bad at meeting families–”

“Why do you sound like you have done this before?”

“–and I am going to be utter shit at this and then Zewu-jun will not let his baby brother return with me and I will lose my husband!”

Lan Wangji sighs. “Once again, I am not baby anything.”

Wei Ying simply paces around the cave in dramatic anguish.

“Also, as I was saying earlier, there has been no defilement between us, since you are yet to bed me.”

Wei Ying pauses in his pacing to start coughing violently. Lan Wangji swiftly walks up to him to rub his back soothingly.

“You cannot just say things like that!” Wei Ying whisper-shouts once he recovers. “I nearly died. What do you mean bed you? What sort of language! Also we have kissed and gotten handsy plenty of times!”

“Does not count,” states Lan Wangji. “And even if it did, it was all consensual and you are my spouse.”

“Lan Zhan!”

“Do you think that no one in Gusu knows about the concept of matrimonial activities?”

Wei Ying gapes at him. “Please tell me there weren’t books or something to educate you Lans on… that.”

“There most certainly were,” says Lan Wangji, enjoying himself now. “As there should be. It is essential to every individual’s education. They were descriptive and contained diagrams.”

“ Diagrams? And yet you threw away and tore up that book when I pranked you with it?!”

“That was pornography. Different and scandalous.”

Wei Ying slaps a hand over his face. “How did we get here?”

“I asked you to come to Gusu with me,” Lan Wangji reminds him. When Wei Ying lowers his hand and gives him a look, Lan Wangji adds, “Temporarily.”

Wei Ying sighs and goes over to his cot to flop down on it. “Fine. On one condition.”

“What is it?”

“Come here and make out with me.”

Lan Wangji smiles.

Condition met, Wei Ying gets ready to depart with Lan Wangji the following morning, although he seems significantly sleepy about it.

“What do you Lans have to wake up so early for?” grumbles Wei Ying. When Lan Wangji opens his mouth, Wei Ying holds up his hands hastily. “Please do not answer that. Say, they are not going to bring up the whole consummation thing they talked about in the letters, are they?”

Lan Wangji lets the silence hang there for a moment. “Am I supposed to answer that?”

“Yes!”

“Well, it has not been one month yet so it’s highly likely that you will not be asked anything like that directly. But I might be… in private, at least.”

Wei Ying looks simultaneously sympathetic and mad on his behalf. Which is attractive for reasons that Lan Wangji is going to reflect upon later. “And how will you deal with that, if it happens?”

“My current plan is to stare into the distance without reply.”

Wei Ying bursts into laughter. “Ah, you are getting funnier every day. My dear husband.” He comes closer and Lan Wangji smooths down the front of Wei Ying’s robes, hands going down to tighten his sash properly. Wei Ying’s breath hitches.

Maybe Lan Wangji leaning into a kiss was not the smartest decision, considering it ended up making them a little late. But Lan Wangji does not regret it.

Chapter Text

Lan Xichen is eagerly waiting for his baby brother’s arrival as soon as the sun rises.

They received a letter the previous day, written by Wangji, which stated that he would come to visit Gusu as per Lan custom. The letter contained no further details or niceties. It was cold, even by Wangji’s standards.

Xichen can understand why, given the kind of letters sent to him and Wei Wuxian barely a day into their marriage.

Shufu is waiting eagerly for Wangji’s arrival, no doubt to immediately accost him with questions of how quickly he is going to leave the Burial Mounds. Xichen can only sigh internally. He knows well enough that Wangji is too in love with Wei Wuxian to ever consider leaving him, now that they are actually married. He knows that shufu knows this as well, but turns a blind eye to it, as if he can will Wangji’s love out of existence.

Lan Xichen fancies there is a higher likelihood of the entire cultivation world perishing before that happening.

A disciple knocks on the door and enters the room where Xichen is sitting with his shufu.

The disciple bows to them both deeply before straightening. He hesitates for a second.

“What is it?” asks Xichen gently.

“Hanguang-jun is here,” says the disciple. He looks a little uneasy. “But…”

“Why didn’t you say so sooner?” says shufu, getting up. “Finally, Wangji is no longer under the influence of that man. Now that he is here, I can talk to him and make sure he sees reason–”

“The Yiling Laozu is also with him,” says the disciple and immediately backs away a few steps as if shufu will throw the nearest thing at him.

Xichen bites his lip surreptitiously.

“What?” demands shufu.

“Wangji’s husband has come to visit his home with him,” says Xichen, getting to his feet gracefully. “I hope they were received warmly by us?”

The disciple stares at him wide eyed.

Xichen sighs. “I see. I think I will have to welcome them in personally. Where are they?”

“At the gate,” stammers the disciple.

“Why didn’t you let Wangji enter?” says shufu, steadily growing more red in the face. “It is fine to keep others out, but Wangji belongs to the Lan Sect.”

“Hanguang-jun refused to enter without his husband.”

Shufu turns even redder and Xichen dismisses the disciple. He turns towards shufu, unsure if shufu will be able to keep a level head while welcoming Wangji and Wei Wuxian. If he starts insulting Wei Wuxian, Xichen is certain Wangji would not be persuaded to enter any sooner.

“I will be fine,” says shufu, already striding out of the room, as if he can read Xichen’s thoughts. “I will welcome Wangji in.”

“And his husband,” adds Xichen, as cautiously as possible while following shufu.

Shufu is quiet for a moment as they both make their way to the gates. Then he sighs. “And Wangji’s husband.”

Wangji drops into a deep bow as soon as he spots their shufu, and then an identical bow for Lan Xichen. Xichen smiles at his brother. It is good to see him.

“Welcome Wangji,” says shufu. Then he gives Wei Wuxian, who has dropped into an identical bow for them both, a certain look. “Welcome, Yiling Laozu.”

“He is here as my husband today,” says Wangji immediately. “He would prefer to be called by his courtesy name, please.”

Judging by the shocked expression on Wei Wuxian’s face, he did not tell Wangji to say that. Xichen inhales deeply, dreading shufu’s reaction.

“Welcome, Wei Wuxian,” says Lan Xichen before anyone can explode. “We are very happy to welcome Wangji’s spouse into our home today.”

Wei Wuxian gives a hesitant, nervous smile. Xichen has never in his life seen Wei Wuxian look so nervous. Not even during Sunshot Campaign. Especially not during Sunshot Campaign. Apparently facing mind-controlled creatures is less terrifying to Wei Wuxian than meeting his in-laws.

That does make Xichen smile in amusement.

“Please feel comfortable here, Wei-gongzi,” says Xichen warmly. He gestures with his hands for Wangji and Wei Wuxian to follow his lead as he starts walking. “Would you like some tea?”

“Er–”

“Can I borrow you for a private talk, Wangji?” says shufu, apparently having recovered from his shock to immediately get to the point. Xichen briefly shuts his eyes. “I have something important to discuss with you.”

Wei Wuxian grimaces but looks away as he keeps walking with Xichen. Wangji’s expression is impenetrable. For a long moment, he does not reply.

Xichen sighs. “Wangji, please talk with shufu in private.” Better get this over with quickly.

“Yeah,” says Wei Wuxian, chirping up, giving Wangji a smile. “It must be something to do with the Lan Sect–”

“It is,” says shufu, grimly.

“So…” trails off Wei Wuxian weakly. “Have some quality bonding time with your uncle, Lan Zhan!”

“You do not need to give permission to my nephew to talk to me,” snaps shufu.

Wei Wuxian immediately shuts his mouth and looks away hastily.

“Shufu,” says Wangji, sounding extremely frosty. “Wei Ying was not doing that. He was simply encouraging me.”

Shufu does not reply to that.

After a few moments, Wangji relents. “Where should we talk, shufu?”

“Are you treating Wangji well?”

Wei Wuxian blinks with the tea halfway to his lips. He puts the cup down before taking a sip and eyes Lan Xichen.

“If I said yes, would you believe me?” asks Wei Wuxian.

Xichen smiles. “Why not?”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes flick to the door as if trying to see through it. Probably thinking about Wangji talking to shufu privately right now.

“I know no one likes me here. Lan Zhan got married to me anyway, but no one from his family or sect showed up at the ceremony. You can forgive me for getting the impression that no matter what I say or do, I will have everyone’s biases working against me. There is no reason for you to trust me.”

Xichen winces. “I apologise for not coming to the wedding, Wei-gongzi. I will not lie to you, I insisted that Wangji not marry you. He did not listen to me and it… stung. I did not make an effort to make time to attend the wedding.”

Wei Wuxian nods, looking down. He picks up the cup again and finally takes a sip. “I am treating Lan Zhan the best I can. I cannot provide him with good beds and luxurious clothing, I am too poor for that. We will have to suffice with the wedding gifts we received for that.” At that, Wei Wuxian smiles wryly to himself. “But he is… happy. He has familiarised with everyone back at the Burial Mounds very well. Surprisingly well. He even got dr– uhhh. He just seems to have enjoyed his time there so far.”

Xichen tries to not smile too obviously at Wei-gongzi’s slip-up. Wangji had gotten intoxicated in the Cloud Recesses once before and of course it was Wei Wuxian’s influence. It seems that Wei Wuxian’s influence is still strong, as if Wangji never grew out of his childhood affections. Xichen knows he should feel offended that Wangji is so easily flouting rules as soon as he is near Wei Wuxian again but he cannot bring himself to be too angry at the prospect of Wangji letting loose and enjoying himself now and then.

“What about you?” he asks.

Wei Wuxian blinks. “Me?”

“Has Wangji familiarised himself with you?”

A blush of incredible proportions spreads over Wei Wuxian’s face, staining his cheeks and ears.

“He– I– It’s–” Wei Wuxian stops and coughs. Then he coughs again.

Xichen watches in muted shock. He always assumed that Wei Wuxian is too thick-skinned for things like shyness and embarrassment to affect him.

“Are you okay?” asks Xichen.

“Yes. It’s– um. Tea,” he says, putting the cup down. Xichen has no idea what he means by that and by the looks of it neither does Wei Wuxian himself. “Nothing. I’m good. We are good. Familiar. With each other. Yes. Something like that.”

Huh.

“I see,” says Xichen. He did not think Wangji would… so quickly…

Maybe he needs to give his baby brother more credit than he is due. Maybe he is not as prudent as Xichen assumed. This line of thought is beginning to distress Xichen even though he is weirdly proud of his brother.

“I am glad you are both happy in your married life,” offers Xichen. Wei Wuxian nods hurriedly and resumes drinking his tea only to fail. Apparently his tea has run out. Xichen silently pours him another cup.

After dinner, Lan Xichen seeks out Wangji to talk with him and Wei Wuxian takes that as his cue to wander around Cloud Recesses, shufu’s glowering face somewhere in the background.

They talk a little about matters of the Lan Sect but Wangji is practically absent in the entire conversation. The talk with shufu does not seem to have left him in a good mood. Xichen does not bother asking Wangji about how things are with Wei Wuxian; if Wei Wuxian’s reaction is anything to go by, he does not want to embarrass Wangji so thoroughly as well. Besides, thinking about his brother’s intimate life is extremely detrimental to Xichen’s peace of mind.

“We have prepared a guest room for Wei-gongzi,” says Xichen and that is when Wangji’s attention snaps back to him.

“Why?” he asks, shortly.

Xichen has to take a moment to figure out how to answer that. “Because… he needs a place to sleep in?”

“He is my husband,” says Wangji. “He will be sleeping with me.”

Xichen stares.

“I meant,” begins Wangji, beginning to look a little flustered, “that he will be sharing a room with me. There is no need for a guest room. He can sleep in my room as my husband.”

“Alright,” says Xichen. “Do you require anything else then?”

Wangji stays silent for a few moments. Then he says, “No.”

Xichen frowns a little. It seemed like he was going to ask for something. “Wangji, there is no need to hesitate. If there is anything you or… your husband require, let me know.”

Wangji inclines his head deferentially. “I will keep that in mind, xiongzhang.”

Xichen nods. “It is late, so you both can retire to your room. I will see you tomorrow morning.”

“Can you send a disciple to us in a few moments?” says Wangji, out of nowhere.

Xichen blinks. “Whatever it is, you can just ask me.”

Wangji’s gaze goes shifty. “I understand.”

Xichen shakes his head, amused at Wangji’s sudden skittishness. He leaves for his own room.

Upon reaching his room, he beckons his best disciple forward. “Go to Wangji’s room and ask him if he needs anything,” he tells him.

The disciple returns quite a while later. Xichen cannot hold in his curiosity and asks him what Wangji needed.

The disciple blanches.

“Are you alright?” asks Xichen, touching the back of his hand to his forehead in concern. “You look quite sickly. Do you need some rest?”

“I– I am fine, Zewu-jun.”

“Are you sure?”

The disciple simply nods and looks away.

Lan Xichen is very confused by everything that has been happening lately. “So, what did Wangji require?”

The disciple coughs violently, much to Xichen’s alarm. “It’s not– Nothing. Nothing of concern. Just some things. Here and there. Actually, I think I am a little sick, Zewu-jun. Can I please take a day off?”

Xichen nods mutely.

“Thank you very much, Zewu-jun,” says the disciple, sounding genuinely relieved. He hurries away before Xichen can utter another word.

“What just…” muses Xichen absently as he retires to his room.

Chapter Text

Lan Wangji opens his closet.

Some of his clothes are still here in his room at the Cloud Recesses, no doubt because of the many reasons his uncle detailed out to him in their talk earlier. He is still feeling jittery from all the anger and nervous energy. If shufu had been anyone else, Lan Wangji would not have shown the restraint to not draw Bichen.

The robes left in his closet look no different but these are not the ones he is looking for. There are many clothes of his which are untouched. He reaches into a drawer to take the special robes out. Most of these are in white but he is pretty sure he acquired some black ones as well. He remembers getting them with Wei Ying in mind, even though he had no idea when he could wear these back then.

Apparently the time has come.

He quickly changes before Wei Ying comes back. Then he opens the book he got from the library secretly.

Men cannot usually get pregnant but the Lan Sect is different. Out of all the major sects, only Lan Sect’s male cultivators are capable of being impregnated. There are two conditions for a Lan male to be able to carry: they need to be direct male descendents of the Lan Sect and they need to have a strong cultivation.

As a result, while marriage books of other sects might not focus on homosexual intercourse or male penetration much, the Lan Sect’s marriage books very much do. Lan Wangji is thankful for that currently because it means he has easy reference points to draw from.

The Lan Sect takes everything very seriously. The more than 3000 rules, the practices to hone cultivation skills to perfection, the music to enhance their cultivation… everything. So it is not surprising that the Lan Sect marriage and sexual education books are also extremely detailed. There is a no-nonsense, blunt approach to everything. Lan Wangji has these things memorised, as he does most of his past curriculum, but a little revision never hurts. The book mentions they will need oil, which Lan Wangji already had delivered to his room by a disciple who looked like he would rather be anywhere else.

Lan Wangji’s ears burn as he skims his eyes over the diagrams. Some of them look remarkably similar to the illicit book Wei Ying had shown him long ago and that is not helping matters currently. He discovers, much to his mortification, that he is aroused as much as he is nervous. He cannot stop staring at some of the illustrations and has to force himself to read the accompanying text. By the time he is done reading, he feels short of breath and wound up tight.

This is fine. This is good. This will help matters. If he is already feeling like he might jump out of his skin with lust, he might be able to…

Lan Wangji coughs. He might be able to come onto Wei Ying more easily.

No. He cannot do this. He looks at the black sheer inner robes he has donned on, robes that barely anyone knows that he even owns. Robes that have undeniably only one purpose because it is definitely not the most comfortable thing to wear. Lan Wangji is accustomed to wearing sheer robes over his regular robes all the time. But these robes… these robes are clearly only meant to be worn over bare skin. There is a veneer of modesty covering his crotch but that is it. Everything else is exposed. It is too much. It is far too much. What was he thinking?

“Lan Zhan~” calls out Wei Ying’s voice at the door. Oh no. Oh fuck. “I’m back!” The door starts to slide open.

“Wait!”

The door pauses, open just a sliver. Wei Ying is thankfully not looking in but he sounds confused when he speaks from outside. “Is everything alright?”

Lan Wangji looks around hurriedly for his discarded, modest white robes. He pulls them over the sheer ones.

“I am fine,” he says, after doing the sash. “You can enter.”

The door hesitates but eventually slides open and Wei Ying slowly steps in, looking at Lan Wangji carefully.

“You seem a little flushed,” notes Wei Ying. “Are you sure you are alright?”

“Yes,” says Lan Wangji, quickly. “Let’s go to sleep.”

“Woah, woah, hang on.” Wei Ying reaches out to hold Lan Wangji by the elbows, deliberately gentle. “What’s the hurry? I thought we would chat for a while and you could play your guqin. How long has it been since you played?”

Two weeks. It has been two weeks since he played his guqin, Wangji. Thinking about it makes him miss it even more.

“It would be nice to hear you play Wangxian on your guqin,” says Wei Ying. His words almost sound like a question, his eyes holding a certain shyness to them. “And then afterwards I can undo your ribbon. I can also… braid your hair before we go to bed. That would be nice.”

Wei Ying wants to braid his hair. He wants to talk to Lan Wangji, hear him play their song, take off his ribbon, braid his hair and help him get ready for bed. He was the one who pranked Lan Wangji with inappropriate books (and has a whole stash in his cave that Lan Wangji discovered on accident one day and immediately put down again, pulse jumping all over the place). He is also the one who flushes anytime Lan Wangji mentions consummating their marriage or gets embarrassed to even talk about how they make out to sleep on most nights, tangled around each other.

He is so much and so lovely. And here Lan Wangji was about to– God. He cannot even think about it. When did he become like this? A few remarks from shufu about his marriage to Wei Ying and suddenly he wants to consummate their marriage immediately to spite his uncle? As if this is going to prove anything? He loves Wei Ying. He will always love Wei Ying. Being intimate with him is not going to change that.

“Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji snaps his attention back to Wei Ying. “Yes. I am listening. I would like that too.”

Wei Ying smiles. “So… will you play?”

Lan Wangji nods. He turns away from Wei Ying only to make his way over to Wangji, still placed where he left it last he was here. He makes his way around the table and sits down behind his guqin, crossing his legs.

He looks up expectantly when his fingers are poised over the strings but Wei Ying’s gaze is south of where he expected it to be.

“What is that?” he says, brows furrowed and looking somewhere around Lan Wangji’s feet.

Lan Wangji looks under the table and is filled with horror. The black lace bordering his sheer robes are visible from under Lan Wangji’s regular white robes, probably because of the shift of fabric when he sat down.

“Just,” says Lan Wangji weakly, “new robes.” They are not new strictly speaking, but they aren’t old either and he has never worn them before anyway.

Wei Ying’s gaze snaps up to his face. He does not look confused anymore but he does seem to be calculating something, eyes trained on Lan Wangji intently. It makes Lan Wangji want to squirm but he holds himself resolutely still.

Just as Lan Wangji is about to state that he is going to start playing, Wei Ying takes a step towards him.

And then another.

Lan Wangji’s breath shortens just like the distance between them. He swallows when Wei Ying sits down right in front of him, facing him over his table and guqin.

“Lan Zhan,” he murmurs as he slowly reaches to tuck a strand of hair behind Lan Wangji’s ear. The touch feels like pure thrill. “You look a little flustered over here.”

Lan Wangji stares at him, his words leaving him.

“Is this what you were doing when you didn’t let me enter?” Wei Ying asks. His lips are starting to pull up a little and the knowledge that Lan Wangji is being teased does not help his swirling arousal. He has always liked Wei Ying for being himself. And there is nothing more Wei Ying than Wei Ying realising what Lan Wangji was up to and teasing him about it.

Lan Wangji averts his eyes by looking down at his hands resting on Wangji but Wei Ying is never going to make things easy for him. He gently picks up Lan Wangji’s hands from his guqin, holding them in his own hands, thumb brushing softly on the sharp point of his wrists. Lan Wangji suppresses a shiver.

“You don’t wear black, my husband,” says Wei Ying’s voice. He lifts Lan Wangji’s hands and Lan Wangji simply shuts his eyes. He feels the soft press of his husband’s lips on his left hand and then Wei Ying turns that hand over to expose his palm and kiss it too. “You wear whites and light blues. Why are you dressed in my colour underneath, Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji sucks in a sharp breath, the words dressed in my colour making something crack open and spill hot and fiery deep inside him, which spreads to his very extremities. His fingers are tingling. His toes curl helplessly. He thought he was aroused before. He cannot even describe what he is feeling now.

Wei Ying lets go of his left hand after kissing his palm a few times and then with his free hand reaches under the table to shift the layer of Lan Wangji’s outer robe. Lan Wangji can feel him pushing the robe aside to expose the black material underneath.

Then he hears Wei Ying’s soft gasp.

“It’s… it’s sheer,” he says. Lan Wangji opens his eyes to meet Wei Ying’s eyes then.

And he is surging forward to meet Wei Ying halfway over the table.

Wei Ying moans into his mouth as they kiss furiously, all tongue and heat and slick between them. Lan Wangji’s right hand is still in Wei Ying’s hand and Wei Ying adjusts his grip to intertwine his fingers with Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji holds on tightly as the kiss somehow gets deeper. They need to breathe sometime soon but it seems secondary to glueing his lips to Wei Ying as tightly as humanly possible.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” says Wei Ying when they finally break apart. He doesn’t let go of Lan Wangji’s hand as he begins to stand up, pulling Lan Wangji along with himself. Once they are able to press their whole bodies against each other, no tables and obstructions but their clothes in between, Lan Wangji feels an itch soothed even as his arousal only gets stoked further. Wei Ying’s hands on him are eager and desperate, one hand still intertwined with his and another sneaking behind to press into the small of Lan Wangji’s back, pulling him in as close as possible. It puts Wei Ying’s mouth somewhere around Lan Wangji’s ear.

“Lan Zhan,” says Wei Ying, lips skimming Lan Wangji’s skin as he talks, light brushes against his sensitive earlobe. “Won’t you let me see in your new robes?”

Lan Wangji’s mouth falls open as he clings to Wei Ying even tighter.

“In just your new robes?” Wei Ying continues and the low cadence of his voice has Lan Wangji detaching himself from Wei Ying and taking a few steps back, maintaining eye contact with him.

Wei Ying can tease him, he always has. It’s time for Lan Wangji to tease back. He tugs on the sash with one hand until it flutters to the floor. The front of his white robes gape open, letting Wei Ying have a glimpse of what is inside.

Wei Ying’s eyes rove up and down his body with a hunger that Lan Wangji has seen and felt a tempered version of before, but today is a raging inferno.

He eases the white robes off his shoulders slowly and eventually it falls behind him. Wei Ying’s gasp is a beautiful thing. Lan Wangji wants to drink it down.

He knows how sinful he looks, clad in nothing but a sheer, black robe with lace borders all over. His chest heaves under the attention, his nipples having hardened with lust. While the area between his legs might be nominally covered, one wrong move could expose Lan Wangji’s desire.

He feels wanted and powerful.

“Lan Zhan,” rasps Wei Ying, taking a step forward but Lan Wangji renders it useless by taking a step backwards.

The surprise and anticipation that fills Wei Ying’s expression nearly makes Lan Wangji want to laugh. Instead he bites his lip and then speaks.

“Will you just look at me and touch me, Wei Ying?” He brings both his hands behind himself. “Or will you give me something more too?” He latches onto his wrist with his other hand, which pushes out his chest a little. It seems to be enough to drive Wei Ying crazy.

“You,” begins Wei Ying, looking a little beside himself with want. He licks his lips and swallows hard. “What do you want, Lan Zhan?”

“You,” says Lan Wangji. “I want you close. I want you inside.”

“Oh fuck.” Wei Ying steps forward again but Lan Wangji steps back with him, like a dance. “Lan Zhan!”

“Tell me. Will I have you inside? Completely mine?”

“Anything, Lan Zhan, my husband, my love, you can have anything. Now please let me touch you.”

Lan Wangji smiles, pleased. “You may touch me as you please,” he says and Wei Ying falls upon him with hands and mouth and a desire that burns against Lan Wangji’s thigh alongside Lan Wangji’s own desire.

Chapter Text

If anyone had told Wei Wuxian that his husband is a damn tease, he might not have believed them.

But here he is, letting his hand run down Wei Wuxian’s chest, brushing over a nipple, kissing down the side of his neck as he gets pushed down into the bed. When Wei Wuxian rears back to take a good look at his husband, lying on his back on his bed, arms thrown over his head in a rare display of abandon from him and looking up at Wei Wuxian with those eyes, Wei Wuxian comes very close to combusting on the spot.

His husband is too hot. He is too much. Wei Wuxian is not going to survive this.

“Lan Zhan,” he says, hushed. “Are you sure you want this?”

Lan Zhan blinks. Then something in his gaze sharpens and he brings a hand up to card through Wei Wuxian’s hair, making him close his eyes in bliss. Lan Zhan’s fingers find his hair tie and pull it off, letting down Wei Wuxian’s hair and making it fall down in a curtain around their faces. Then his hand rests on the back of Wei Wuxian’s neck.

“Wei Ying,” says Lan Zhan with surety and purpose but also something almost sultry lurking beneath the surface. “Fuck me.”

Oh god. Wei Wuxian lets himself down to bury his face in Lan Zhan’s neck and Lan Zhan shifts to bare more of it for his benefit. Wei Wuxian wants to leave an array of love bites until no one in the whole Cloud Recesses has any doubt about who Lan Zhan belongs to.

It is a terrifying, possessive thought that Wei Wuxian never expected himself to blaze with.

“Do we have…?” asks Wei Wuxian into Lan Zhan’s neck.

Lan Zhan hums. “There is oil under the bed.”

Wei Wuxian pulls back again to look at him incredulously. “You have… How? When?”

Lan Zhan wouldn’t meet his eyes, his cheeks flushing a pretty pink. “I had some delivered to my room earlier.”

Wei Wuxian takes a moment to understand the implications there. “Oh. I see. So the venerated Hanguang-jun really just sat here in his sexy robes and oil hidden under the bed in plans to seduce his husband, huh?”

“Wei Ying,” says Lan Zhan, hand curling around Wei Wuxian’s neck tighter and trying to pull him down again. “Do not tease me. Please. You promised…”

Wei Wuxian did, he did and he would hate to disappoint. He gently pries himself away first, relishing the whine that elicits from Lan Zhan. He has never heard him sound like this before. If he isn’t careful, he will get addicted to making Lan Zhan sound like this all the time.

“Just getting the oil, Lan Zhan,” says Wei Wuxian, placing the jar on the bed, tucked into a corner against the wall so that it doesn’t fall and spill its contents. “We will need it to stretch you open, right sweetheart?”

Lan Zhan’s breath hitches and Wei Wuxian despairs how he will never go back to not knowing what Lan Zhan looks and sounds like when he is hungry to get defiled on their bed. He is ruined forever. He loves it.

Wei Wuxian runs his hands up Lan Zhan’s legs, rucking up the robes as he goes. The robes have already shifted enough that Lan Zhan’s erection is clearly visible. The drag of the robes over it is clearly making him sensitive because his legs try to close in and fold up at the knees.

Wei Wuxian doesn’t let them.

He carefully undoes the sash of the sheer robes. It is just one knot so it unravels easily with one tug. When Wei Wuxian parts the two sections of the robes aside, Lan Zhan, naked and gasping and writhing, emerges like a feast from within.

“Fuck,” says Wei Wuxian, ragged. “I– I need to–” He shuts himself up by bending down and taking one of Lan Zhan’s nipples into his mouth. He knows he probably should have built up to that but Lan Zhan is right here and ready for the taking and Wei Wuxian cannot wait a moment longer.

Neither can Lan Zhan, it seems, because he grabs at Wei Wuxian’s hair to pull him off his chest, breathing so heavily that he barely seems like the same calm and composed Hanguang-jun anymore. The sharp pain that shoots up Wei Wuxian’s scalp somehow makes arousal throb harder between his legs and he moans. He definitely left marks behind on Lan Zhan’s chest.

“Enough,” says Lan Zhan and he would sound formidable if not for the way he sounds breathless. “Enough. The oil is here. Use it.”

Wow, Wei Wuxian can get used to being ordered around like this. He wonders how it will feel to be told what to do and how to do even as he is deep inside his husband and fucking him. He wonders if Lan Zhan will flip them over to ride Wei Wuxian himself, using those strong thighs that will surely leave Wei Wuxian begging.

Wei Wuxian shivers at the thought. He reaches for the jar and coats two of his fingers with oil. Then he brings them between Lan Zhan’s legs.

Lan Zhan parts his legs without prompting and gasps breathlessly when Wei Wuxian’s fingers touch his entrance.

“Keep… ah, going,” moans Lan Zhan. His head is thrown back and his eyes are shut tight as Wei Wuxian pushes in with his fingers. He is a vision. Wei Wuxian can’t quite breathe.

His forehead ribbon is absurdly still on but neither of them seem inclined to stop to pull it off. Maybe Wei Wuxian will fuck his husband with his ribbon of restraint still on, a contradiction that feels near blasphemous.

Fingering Lan Zhan makes him produce some more, wonderful sounds until Wei Wuxian loses patience and gets between his legs. Sinking into him nearly tips him over the edge because fuck his husband feels so good, it is maddening. Lan Zhan’s gaze is now fixed down where they are joining, intent even though it can’t possibly be the best angle to see anything. When Wei Wuxian pushes in deeper, Lan Zhan’s jaw drops open and his eyes get a hazy sheen.

“Ah, ah, oh.” Lan Zhan clenches around Wei Wuxian and wiggles his hips, almost as if involuntarily, and makes Wei Wuxian choke on his own spit. He pauses to take in a deep, settling breath, trying not to blow instantly at the sensation. Lan Zhan’s legs wrap around his waist and try to pull him in deeper. “Wei Ying. Wei Ying. Don’t stop.”

“Give me a moment,” gasps Wei Wuxian. He collapses on Lan Zhan and buries his face in his neck again. “Give me a moment, my love. You feel too good. This might be over too quickly.”

“It’s alright,” says Lan Zhan, between heavy exhales. “We can do it again then. Please move now.”

Wei Wuxian huffs a short laugh and bites on Lan Zhan’s earlobe in reprimand. “Let me give you a good time, won’t you?” He continues to leave a trail of bites down his neck, marking him like a man possessed. He is going to cover his whole neck in love bites.

“Have you done this before?”

At that, Wei Wuxian snaps up and looks at his husband. “What?”

Lan Zhan looks a touch sheepish. “I wondered… since you are so…”

Wei Wuxian purses his lips. “I am so?”

Lan Zhan speaks after a pause. “Forward.”

Wei Wuxian keeps his stern expression up until the count of three and then breaks into a chuckle. “Ah, Lan Zhan. I was only all bark and not bite. I would flirt with the ladies in Yunmeng, sure, but I never did this with anyone. Man or woman.”

Lan Zhan relaxes minutely and then he smiles. “How does it feel?”

Wei Wuxian pulls his hips back slightly and thrusts and Lan Zhan instantly arches up a little, lips parting as if awaiting a kiss. “I had to pause in the middle of fucking to not come too soon, so I am sure you can tell. You just want to hear me say it, don’t you? Didn’t know you were so vain, Lan Zhan.”

Lan Zhan is still smiling and it is a woozy, gone kind of smile. “I want to know that I feel good for you.”

“You do. You do so much.” Lan Zhan has no idea.

“You feel good inside me,” Lan Zhan continues as Wei Wuxian picks up his speed and aims to make his words break up as much as possible. “It’s, ah, nothing like I have ever felt before. I– I have thought about this, ahh, ahhh oh fuck Wei Ying! I have…hnnnhh– fantasised. But those fantasies don’t come close to this.”

Wei Wuxian whines and kisses Lan Zhan furiously. “Stop talking,” he says. “Stop talking, you are gonna make me come.”

Of course, it doesn’t seem like Lan Zhan minds that and when he does come, he has to squeeze Lan Zhan’s waist tightly to hold on for dear life. He has had orgasms before, by his own hand (and maybe one or two of his secret inventions he is never going to mention a word of to anyone hush), but nothing compares to the heat and pressure of his husband’s body swallowing him in.

Lan Zhan is still hard when Wei Wuxian gets a hand between them to jerk him off. He has leaked so much onto his stomach that it briefly looks and feels like he has already come. But when Lan Zhan does come, there is no mistake about it. Wei Wuxian has to clamp his mouth over Lan Zhan’s to muffle the sounds coming out of him. It is filthy the way Lan Zhan moans in release.

The incense sticks are still burning and their scent mixes with the scent of sex that permeates the entire room. Wei Wuxian appreciates the ambience, not least of all because he always expected that their first time would end up happening in his cave back at the Burial Mounds. The cave is a large, nice space but it is not the first place you would want to have sex in.

Wei Wuxian pulls out and collapses beside Lan Zhan, both of them panting as they come down their high. Lan Zhan’s robe really should have been removed properly first because it is now hopelessly dirty. Wei Wuxian, however, can only summon up smugness for the fact.

“So,” he says. “How was your first time, Lan Zhan?”

Lan Zhan turns his head sideways to look at him. “I never said this was my first time.”

Wei Wuxian sits up straight immediately. “What?”

“But it is.”

Wei Wuxian grumbles as he lies back down. “You have learned how to tease, Lan Zhan. I’m not sure I enjoy that.”

Lan Zhan simply smiles softly.

“How was your first time then?” Wei Wuxian asks again.

Lan Zhan’s lips part and he stares at Wei Wuxian for a few moments. Then he slowly slithers down to where Wei Wuxian is soft and spent against his thigh.

“Lan Zhan?” asks Wei Wuxian, propping himself up on his elbows to look at him.

“We need more observations to come to a conclusion, Wei Ying,” says Lan Zhan primly as he unties his forehead ribbon. “And you had reservations about not lasting long enough.” He touches the ribbon to the base of Wei Wuxian’s length and Wei Wuxian looks on with shock, his traitorous dick starting to harden again. Lan Zhan loops the ribbon around the base many times before he looks up to meet Wei Wuxian's eyes. The angle is devastating, making Lan Zhan look up through his eyelashes. “Maybe this will help.”

That is all he says before he lowers his mouth and Wei Wuxian resigns himself to a long night ahead.

Chapter Text

Lan Wangji sighs with contentment as he relaxes in the cold water. He has always liked soaking himself in the Cold Pond, especially after a lot of exertion. And last night was certainly a lot of exertion.

Lan Wangji can feel himself heat up as he thinks about last night. They didn’t get much sleep but Lan Wangji woke up at his usual five. He was waking up a little later in Burial Mounds but being in Cloud Recesses is like falling back into old habits.

Not for the first time, he wishes he could bring a-Yuan here and show him around. Show him his room, show him where lectures are held, show him the library where his husband used to prank him. Show him this very pond where Wei Ying once–

“Wow, Lan Zhan!” comes a mischievous voice from behind Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji smiles to himself. History repeats itself. “Hanging around naked all by yourself, husband?”

Lan Wangji schools his expression into neutrality again before turning around. He narrows his eyes just a little.

But he makes no move to dress himself quickly, unlike last time.

Wei Ying laughs. He pulls his shoes off and begins to wade into the water. “Ah, ah, Lan Zhan. Don’t glare at me. I just came here to soothe my aches. Like you did!”

The Cold Pond is rich with spiritual energy so Lan Wangji often used to come here. Wei Ying, however, has no golden core anymore. Lan Wangji doubts he can feel energised the way Lan Wangji himself does here. Still, he doesn’t mention it, not wanting to ruin Wei Ying’s good mood.

“What aches?” he says instead.

Wei Ying’s eyes light up, just like Lan Wangji knew they would. “Ah, you see. Someone really showed me no mercy last night. Just… kept going. My entire body aches.”

Lan Wangji hums. “Maybe that someone is also tired today.”

“Indeed,” says Wei Ying, voice dropping lower as he comes close to Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji is, in fact, pretty naked. He is only wearing his thin underpants. Wei Ying, in contrast, is almost fully dressed. “Maybe that someone is also here, not dressed enough and being indecent. Who’s to know?”

Lan Wangji places his hands on the sash on Wei Ying’s robes to help fix the problem of their unbalanced states of undress. Wei Ying inhales sharply when he realises what Lan Wangji is doing. “Maybe that someone wanted his husband to arrive at the scene,” says Lan Wangji, stepping closer still and nuzzling at Wei Ying’s cheek. “Wanted to be seen by his husband in his indecency. Maybe he knew his husband would come looking for him here.”

“Fuck.” Wei Ying’s voice sounds rough. “Lan Zhan. You are tempting me.”

Lan Wangji meets his eyes when Wei Ying turns his head to look at him.

Wei Ying huffs, clearly amused. “And that was entirely your intention, I see. I did not know my husband would become so bold so quickly. Would it be alright to do anything here, though?”

Lan Wangji kisses him, soft and slow but not exactly chaste. “I do not think there are any rules against it.”

“I am pretty sure there is something about not being indecent in public.”

“No one is going to come here this early. And also, we are covered by the water from the waist down. It will not count as indecency in public.”

“I cannot believe you are finding loopholes.” Wei Ying sounds delighted. “From the waist down, hm?” When Wei Ying touches him through his pants, a shock runs through Lan Wangji. “Like this?”

Lan Wangji takes a deep breath and then gets to work. Wei Ying’s sash and robes come off. All his clothing comes off until he is left in just his pants, like Lan Wangji.

Then Lan Wangji shifts forward and is rewarded by the sweet gasp of his name falling from his husband’s lips. Wei Ying’s hands rest on the swell of Lan Wangji’s biceps, squeezing appreciatively.

“Like this,” says Lan Wangji and then they are too lost in moans to talk further.

“Your mother used to live here?” asks Wei Ying when they make their way back to the Jingshi.

Lan Wangji glances at him.

“Zewu-jun told me that this is where your mother apparently used to live,” says Wei Ying. “You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

Lan Wangji shakes his head. “No, it is fine. After my mother passed away, I used to…” Lan Wangji pauses. It is hard to talk about old wounds, but he feels like he wants to share with Wei Ying however much he can. “I used to sit outside for hours. I understood after a while that she was not going to meet me anymore but I would still hope my mother would open the doors.”

Wei Ying smiles and it is a sad, wistful sort of smile. “Must have been a painful time.”

When Lan Wangji thinks about it, he remembers the numbness more than the pain. After a while the pain faded away. Even as a child, he was unable to stir up any more energy for active pain once he really understood what was happening.

But recalling his mother, even now, sends a sharp pang through him. He misses her so much. He wishes she was still around, back when Wei Ying first came into his life so that he could go to her and complain about the new, beautiful, mischievous boy. He wishes she was around now, so that he could tell her that he married the beautiful, mischievous boy and he is very happy about it.

Lan Wangji holds Wei Ying’s hand. Wei Ying looks up with surprise.

“Sometimes I wish to tell her about you,” says Lan Wangji. He does not look at Wei Ying’s face as he says it, focusing instead on walking into what used to be his mother’s residence. “I am thankful I was given the Jingshi to live in because I feel connected to her here. All my memories of her are from this place. But sometimes I wish she would still be sitting behind that table and coax out of me every emotion that I felt. She would have been happy to learn how much love I feel for you.”

Wei Ying squeezes his hand. “Ah, Lan Zhan. Didn’t know you were such a sweet talker.” He sounds like he is smiling. “Did you… Did you ever compose a song for her? After she passed away?”

Lan Wangji looks at him and nods. “It has been a long time since I played it, however.”

“Can you play it now, if you wish?”

Lan Wangji smiles. “And tell her about you?”

“And tell her about me,” laughs Wei Ying. “Tell her how much I used to annoy you years ago. Tell her how much you fell for my irresistible charms anyway and begged to marry–”

“Excuse me?”

“–and begged to marry me because you are just so gone for my handsome looks and–”

“And how much he still teases me.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Lan Wangji would like nothing more.

After a whole hour of playing his guqin and Wei Ying listening with rapt attention (Lan Wangji played multiple songs, including Wangxian), they have breakfast. It would be time for them to leave shortly for Yiling but before that Lan Wangji needs to talk to someone.

“Oh my god, Wangji,” says Lan Wangji’s brother, looking flustered. He looks around surreptitiously and then drags Lan Wangji into a corner in a way that he has never done before, not even as kids. “Don’t let shufu see you like this, he will have a qi deviation.”

“Like what?” says Lan Wangji, looking down at his robes. They seem clean and decent enough.

Lan Xichen sighs and nods at Lan Wangji’s neck and with a start he remembers the marks Wei Ying left there. His hand comes up to his neck immediately and he averts his eyes. Wei Ying must have left the mark really high on his neck last night for it to be visible above his high collars.

“I think I might have something,” says Lan Xichen and pats some powder he acquired from somewhere on his neck. Lan Wangji stiffens but lets his brother do it. While he personally wouldn’t mind having the evidence of his lovemaking with his husband out there for everyone to see, he does think that it would be best that shufu not see it. They really do not want any qi deviations.

“So what did you want to talk about?” asks Lan Xichen.

“There is a child,” says Lan Wangji. Lan Xichen nods to show he is listening. “His name is Wen Yuan.”

Lan Xichen immediately goes still. Then he sighs, looking resigned.

“You want to bring him here,” says Lan Xichen.

Lan Wangji nods.

“Can I ask why?”

“He… means a lot to me,” says Lan Wangji, sincerely. “He is almost like my son. Our son.”

Lan Xichen nods. “I suppose that is understandable. But, Wangji, I really don’t know if the elders will…”

Lan Wangji nods. “I know. I wanted to ask if you can find a way.”

Lan Xichen thinks about it. “Shufu might not object to it, even though children are prone to be noisy,” he says, with a little smile. They all know of their uncle’s soft spot for children. “But some of the elders… They will definitely take issue with the fact that he is a Wen. However…” Lan Xichen’s face clears, “since you consider him a son, there is something you can do…”

Lan Wangji and Wei Ying leave shortly afterwards, after bidding the elders and Lan Xichen a polite goodbye. Shufu does not look thrilled that Lan Wangji is taking his guqin with him. Lan Wangji is actually also taking more things with him but no one needs to know what those things are. (Wei Ying knows, of course, and he looked ready to drool over the sheer, white robes.)

Lan Wangji’s mind is however occupied by his conversation with his brother. Xiongzhang’s solution is not perfect but it certainly seems to be the only solution.

Lan Wangji needs to talk to Wei Ying about it.

“You okay?” asks Wei Ying. Lan Wangji nods.

“Hey,” says Wei Ying suddenly, as they make their way down the mountains. Lan Wangji looks at him. “I know I didn’t say this before properly but you know I love you, right?”

Lan Wangji smiles. “Mn.”

Chapter Text

“Welcome back,” says Wen Qing warmly as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji return from Gusu. It is quite late actually and judging by the merchandise in their hands, they stopped at the market in Yiling to buy things for everyone.

And judging by the fact that Wei Wuxian is rolling his eyes and sighing while Lan Wangji looks serene, it was Lan Wangji’s idea. That certainly makes Wen Qing want to giggle a bit.

“Thank you,” says Lan Wangji, ever polite. “We bought everyone some essential items from Caiyi Town and Yiling. Will you help me distribute them?”

“In a moment,” says Wen Qing. “A-Ning, take these things from Hanguang-jun.”

“What about me?” complains Wei Wuxian as he struggles with about five bags.

“You can keep carrying them and suffer.”

Wei Wuxian makes a sound of outrage. Wen Qing purses her lips to not laugh. Even Lan Wangji is trying not to smile, it seems, as he takes the bags from Wei Wuxian himself once his hands are free.

Wen Ning does come to take the remaining bags. “Be careful with that one,” says Lan Wangji. “It has toys for a-Yuan.”

“Correction: it has an entire shop for a-Yuan,” says Wei Wuxian. “Oh, no no. My mistake. It has three entire shops for a-Yuan.”

“They are just toys, Wei Ying.”

“You are spoiling him! He already has the toys from the last time you bought an entire shop for him!”

“If he has a variety of toys, he will find the ones he enjoys playing with. Children deserve the mental exercise and stimulation that toys provide.”

“Oh please. You just want to spoil him rotten.”

Lan Wangji looks affronted at such an accusation. “I do not.” Before Wei Wuxian can open his mouth again, he continues. “Maybe I should have let you struggle with the bags by yourself.”

There is a smattering of laughter from the others around them as Wei Wuxian gawks. Lan Wangji simply turns away.

Wen Qing has to cover her mouth for a brief moment.

“Right, so, please come with me, both of you,” she says. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian look a little confused but do as she asks. She leads them through the settlement. “I thought that when you return, we should give you a surprise. Wei Wuxian, remember the room we gave you when we first came here?”

“Ah, yes. Not very memorable.”

“Yes, you didn’t spend much time there and slept in your cave itself. However, since you are married and we believe that cot is too small for one person, not to mention the cave is really no place to sleep in, we cleaned up the hut and renovated it a little. You received a lot of wedding gifts so it was easy to do. We also fixed the door so that it closes properly.” Wen Qing pushes on the handle to open the door to the small but cozy hut. “It’s not big but I hope you like it.”

“But I like my cave,” whines Wei Wuxian.

Wen Qing rolls her eyes. “You still have your cave. Use it as your study. You can use this room as your sleeping quarters with Hanguang-jun. Once again, I reiterate,” Wen Qing enunciates properly, “the door closes properly.”

“Wen Qing!”

Wen Qing shrugs.

Lan Wangji looks at her. “This is why you really wanted me to take Wei Ying with me to Gusu.”

Wen Qing laughs. “Yes. But you must have enjoyed the trip with your husband regardless, didn’t you?”

For some reason that makes Lan Wangji blush furiously and Wei Wuxian cough and look at the ceiling with extreme interest. “Yes, I did,” replies Lan Wangji. Wen Qing doesn’t even want to know.

“Anyway, this is your bedroom now. Settle in and take some rest, if you want. Dinner will be served in a while.” Wen Qing makes to leave immediately.

“Lady Wen,” says Lan Wangji, halting her. “We wished to speak to you about something.”

Wei Wuxian nods. “Yeah.”

“Alright. What is it?”

“It is about Wen Yuan,” says Lan Wangji. “His parents are…”

“Dead, yes,” sighs Wen Qing.

“Wei Ying told me that you and Granny are his closest guardians. So if you, and Granny, don’t have any objection, I have an offer.”

Wen Qing raises her eyebrows.

“I want to name him Lan Yuan,” says Lan Wangji. He actually seems a little nervous to be saying this. “I have noticed that a-Yuan does not get any proper education here and I understand why. I don’t blame anyone but I do think it would be best if he started learning at this age. Xiongzhang told me that if I call him my own son and name him as a Lan, he can go to Cloud Recesses periodically to receive education.”

“Ah.”

“It is obviously a delicate decision,” says Wei Wuxian. “When Lan Zhan first told me, I thought it wasn’t great, honestly. The idea of changing his identity just so he can gain access to Cloud Recesses. But I figured that Gusu Lan has one of the finest schools of education. A-Yuan is still young and he can learn a lot. We can take him to Gusu now and then and the rest of his education will be handled by Lan Zhan and me here. Also, I think it will give him additional security as he grows up.”

“So you two will be his official parents in a sense.”

Lan Wangji nods. “Gusu Lan will see it that way. We will still consider him Wen Yuan here but he will also have another name and perhaps a courtesy name bestowed by the Lan Sect. Of course, feel free to refuse if it seems insensitive–”

“Do it.”

Lan Wangji pauses for a moment, clearly taken aback. “You have no objections?”

“No and I don’t believe anyone else will either. We Dafan Wen are done for. We will never be able to go back into society and the cultivation world. But if there is any future for a-Yuan, I want him to have it. He is still a child. I don’t want him to spend his entire life confined to creepy, haunted mountains.” Wen Qing looks at Wei Wuxian. “No offence.”

Wei Wuxian shrugs as if to say none taken.

Lan Wangji inclines his head respectfully. “Thank you, Lady Wen.”

Wen Qing doesn’t say that he need not thank Wen Qing at all. It is not exactly an unselfish decision on her part. Besides, a-Yuan should probably have proper parents. Wen Qing thinks Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian would be good at it. Lan Wangji is obviously a great parent already and for all his hijinks, Wei Wuxian is a very good teacher and guide, playful but knowledgeable. A-Yuan needs that. A-Yuan needs parents, protection and a freedom to go wherever he wants in the cultivation world in the future.

Wen Qing doesn’t want to think about it, but sometimes she feels that she and the rest of Wens are living on borrowed time. That a day will come when death will be knocking on their door and even Wei Wuxian wouldn’t be able to save them all. But if a-Yuan is spared, she thinks, it will be worth it. All this pain and adversity will pay its due.

“Now I will take my leave. You have until dinner to celebrate your newly acquired privacy.”

“And then the whole night after dinner,” says Wei Wuxian, receiving a glare from Lan Wangji for his cheek. Wei Wuxian, supremely unbothered, simply takes Lan Wangji’s hand and kisses it elegantly.

Wen Qing leaves quickly but she does hear Lan Wangji’s very audible gulp. She shakes her head. Lovebirds. Disgusting.

She hopes they never change.

Chapter Text

Today is the day the Lan Sect will come to the Burial Mounds.

It has been a month since the wedding and the deadline imposed by the Lan Sect has come to an end. Wen Ning only came to know of it when Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-jun let him and Wen Qing know a while ago. Apparently the Lan Sect wants to make sure that their marriage is ‘legitimate’.

Wen Ning is not entirely certain why the consummation of a marriage renders it legitimate. But things being the way they are, the Lan Sect is on their way to the Burial Mounds right now.

“They are here,” announces Wei Wuxian, entering the clearing. “I removed the talisman barriers at one spot for them. Lan Zhan, are you sure you are okay?”

Hanguang-jun nods stiffly. He has been a little pale since the morning. Wen Ning cannot tell if he is nervous or sick. Hanguang-jun remains tight-lipped, so it is hard to tell.

Wen Ning knows that both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are not comfortable with the idea of being forced to speak the truth under the effect of a spell. Even his sister doesn’t look too happy. She demanded to know why they had not told her of this before. Neither of them gave a clear answer to that.

When the Lan Sect enters the clearing, a hush falls over everyone. A-Yuan clings to Wen Ning, clearly unnerved by the severe expression on Lan Qiren’s face. Zewu-jun looks a little troubled but he smiles at everyone, including Wen Ning. Lan Qiren’s frown just deepens on seeing Wen Ning but he makes no comments. Hanguang-jun bows dutifully to his uncle and older brother. “Shufu. Xiongzhang.”

“Wangji,” says Zewu-jun, warmly. He touches Lan Wangji’s folded arm to lift him from the bow gently. Wen Ning can see just how much worse Lan Wangji looks when the light hits his face harshly. Zewu-jun seems to notice it too because he looks concerned. “Are you alright, Wangji?”

“I am fine,” says Lan Wangji, giving the exact same answer he has been giving all morning. Clearly, he is less than fine but he is not going to admit it. Wen Ning wonders if he should make a quick tonic for Lan Wangji, in case he is coming down with a cold.

“Wangji,” begins Lan Qiren. Lan Wangji stiffens. “I need to talk to you about something in private.”

“No,” says Lan Wangji, so coldly that it shocks everyone. “Whatever you need to ask me, please ask it in front of my husband.”

Wei Wuxian winces. “Lan Zhan…”

“You can proceed with the interrogation so that we can move past this,” says Lan Wangji. He gestures with a hand towards the setup of a table and two chairs in the courtyard that Wen Ning prepared early in the morning. “Please be seated.”

Lan Qiren looks at him and then looks at Wei Wuxian. “I can see what just a month of influence has done to you, Wangji.”

“Please,” says Lan Wangji, his voice going colder somehow, “do not disrespect my husband, shufu.”

Lan Qiren honestly looks like he is going to explode. Zewu-jun steps in.

“Wangji just wishes for it to be done quickly,” he says, placatingly. “We can get the process started right away. Shufu, please sit down. Wangji, come here.” Zewu-jun grabs hold of Lan Wangji’s arm rather abruptly and steers him gently towards the other side of the table. He speaks in a low voice that Wen Ning only catches because the brothers move past him. “Remember that you still need to be able to give a-Yuan the Lan name.”

Lan Wangji nods and sits down gracefully. Lan Qiren produces his guqin and places it on the table between them. Zewu-jun steps back.

Wei Wuxian restlessly shifts on the heels of his feet. Maybe he wants to stand near Lan Wangji and hold his hand. They have gotten quite comfortable with casual touching in front of the Wens but he clearly dares do nothing of the sort in front of the Lan Sect. There are about a dozen more Lans inside the settlement apart from Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen. They look like a mini army. Wen Ning fights the urge to grimace.

If it really comes down to it, he can fight them all easily. But the issue is not winning a sudden fight. The issue is avoiding a fight at all. Wen Ning hopes that Lan Wangji being practically a part of their Burial Mounds family means they will not do any such thing.

Lan Wangji coughs as Lan Qiren poises his hands over the guqin strings.

“Wangji?” asks Lan Qiren. “Are you sick?”

Wei Wuxian looks ready to drag Lan Wangji indoors. Lan Wangji simply shakes his head and takes a deep breath.

“Please carry on,” he says, his voice certainly a bit strained now.

Lan Qiren looks unsure but after a few moments, he brings his hands down and a couple of notes ring out.

Wen Ning knows Enquiry is generally used to communicate with spirits and the question is embedded in the guqin notes. But Lan Qiren states his question out loud anyway. Lan Wangji is not supposed to be able to lie when the questions are being asked through Enquiry.

“What is your name?”

“Lan Zhan, courtesy Wangji.”

Lan Qiren plays the guqin again. “Which Sect were you born in?”

“The Lan Sect.”

“Are you feeling physically ill in some way?”

“Yes.” Lan Wangji looks rather petulant at being forced to admit his unwell state.

Wei Wuxian sighs out loud and Wen Qing shakes her head. Lan Qiren just looks grim.

“In what way do you feel unwell?”

It is clear Lan Wangji wants to interrupt but he is forced to answer. “I have felt nauseous and a little dizzy since the morning.”

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” mutters Wei Wuxian under his breath, clearly annoyed. “You…”

“Is it because of bad food?”

Wen Ning wants to sigh. Of course Lan Qiren is going there.

“I do not believe so. No one else is sick and I was served the same food as everyone else. I suspect my golden core has weakened.”

Zewu-jun makes a pained face at that and Wei Wuxian looks stricken. It would make sense for Lan Wangji’s golden core to have weakened, since he does not get much of a chance to flex it here on the Burial Mounds, stifled under so much resentful energy. Wen Qing looks like she is already making plans to cure Lan Wangji.

“Do you truly consider Wei Wuxian to be your spouse?”

“Yes, I do.”

Lan Qiren sighs. Before he can say another word, Lan Wangji abruptly bends over to one side and retches.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian is already by Lan Wangji’s side, supporting him as Lan Wangji vomits. Wen Ning hurriedly tells a-Yuan to go inside and Wen Qing disperses the little crowd of Wens that has formed before marching towards Lan Wangji with purpose. However, one of the Lans, clearly a physician, beats her to it.

“Let me,” he says. Wen Qing looks like she wants to argue but she steps back. Wei Wuxian is holding Lan Wangji’s hair behind his back as he vomits. When the bout passes, he slumps back towards Wei Wuxian, clearly spent and terribly sick. Wei Wuxian rubs his back.

“I apologise,” says Lan Wangji, “for creating a mess.”

“Ah, don’t worry about that, Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian obediently makes space for the Lan physician to check Lan Wangji’s pulse. Lan Wangji sits there listlessly, mostly held up by Wei Wuxian.

The physician frowns and checks Lan Wangji’s pulse again. Then his eyes widen.

“What’s wrong?” says Zewu-jun anxiously.

“I would like to consult with Hanguang-jun privately, if he is open to that,” says the physician. Wen Qing looks confused. Wen Ning feels confused. Wei Wuxian looks at Lan Wangji questioningly.

Lan Wangji nods after a moment.

“Okay, then go to our room,” says Wei Wuxian. He helps Lan Wangji stand up carefully but Lan Wangji seems to have regained most of his strength back. Wei Wuxian lets go after a few moments and the door shuts behind Lan Wangji and the Lan physician.

Wen Ning moves towards his sister. “What do you think is wrong, jiejie?” Wen Ning asks in a low voice.

Wen Qing shakes her head. “I am not sure. He was fine yesterday. This seems sudden and no one else is sick. By all means, he should be the last one to get sick among us, given how much stronger his golden core is.” Or the fact that he has a golden core at all. Wei Wuxian doesn’t have one. Wen Ning lost his core to death. Wen Qing’s is fairly developed but never enhanced much. The rest of the Dafan Wens never trained their cores. A-Yuan might grow up to have a strong golden core just like Hanguang-jun if he can be properly adopted by the Lan Sect.

After a few moments, Lan Wangji comes out of the room, looking rather shocked, which is shocking in itself because Wen Ning has rarely ever seen him make an expression so obvious before. The physician trails after him and he seems to be avoiding putting himself in the direct line of sight of Lan Qiren. He is literally cowering behind Lan Wangji.

“Well?” asks Lan Qiren. “What is the matter? Why is Wangji sick?”

Lan Wangji turns slightly to look at the physician. “Please tell them what you told me.”

“Ah,” says the physician. He makes himself more visible by stepping out of Lan Wangji’s shadow. “I asked Hanguang-jun some questions, checked his vitals properly and…”

“And?” asks Wei Wuxian, tapping his foot impatiently.

“Hanguang-jun is carrying a child. He is pregnant.”