yiling.
( He had anticipated silence, nightmarish husking, a slaughter of dust and dreams. A vast, unending emptiness of possibility.
Instead, Yiling surprised him: in the wake of the war that toppled the Yiling Patriarch and his restitution thirteen years after, the village has thrived, a convenient settlement at crossed roads. The markets lack exotic produce or sophisticated offerings, but excel in popularity. Those who must eat will have their fill. The roads accept visitors, bandits still banished by the specter of the Patriarch that is said to still manifest against wrongdoers on his grounds. Yunmeng's commerce is, if not wholly restored, then tentatively rejuvenating.
They arrive on lukewarm morning, Yiling clinging to its suffocating humidity even at the turn of seasons. Begging leave of his retinue, the acting sect leader has entrusted Sizhui and Uncle Qiren to watch over the clan — and now only carries their wares, dragging Little Apple by a soft lead. The donkey trots obediently, sparing unconvinced glances each way as if to transmit that it is an animal debased by these surroundings and prefers a hey of higher quality.
They enter the village, well ahead of Wei Ying's distant cave settlement, on foot &dmash; to vocal offers of carrot, winter melon and... of course he buys a bundle of turnips, paying twice the local going rate, and still not half of what might be charged in Jinlintai. Appeased, the old lady that descended on him withdraws, patting her belly, then her thinning basket of goods, because, ah, what a day.
Lan Wangji, trailing after his husband, is still a little aghast and confused after his ambush. )
I believe they like me here. ( Certainly, they like his silver. )

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( So much so, that his natural taciturnity is exacerbated, driving him to new heights of frustrated futility as mere words fail to convey the scope and ambition of his love play. He thrusts into Wei Ying, so very slowly and yet increasing the depth, replacing ignorant enthusiasm and studied force and precision.
Over the years, they have come to know each other — so much so that Lan Wangji can make weapon of it now, grip gliding down to capture Wei Ying's length again and torture it with tender strokes. )
So good to me. Tighter than a virgin. Than my own fist.
( For all Lan Wangji has only just confessed his recent indifference to self-pleasure. Wei Ying, who fits around him like a glove, whose own quiet thrusts back slot their bodies together, Wei Ying who ruins and rules him, stands above any trick of the hand Lan Wangji might perform on himself. )
At times — ( A pause, as he recovers his breath, voice yet strangled into Wei Ying's ear. ) At times, I think of this, when you sleep. To do it. Lift your robes, and — and only think of my pleasure. Slip inside. Take, take, take, until you wake to it, gasping, unable to claim control.
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Every time we sleep together feels like a first — ah! — like a first time, doesn’t it? [He isn’t expecting the hand around him and a moan catches in his throat. It’s so torturously slow, but it still feels good. When Lan Zhan is done toying with him, they’ll speed up eventually. But he’s being good tonight.
His whole body feels feverish under Lan Zhan’s attention. He wants to do something to help his husband along, so he touches whatever he can reach. Lan Zhan’s arms, mostly. His hip and thigh. Just little, encouraging touches.]
I want to kiss you, Lan Zhan. When we’re done, let’s kiss until we fall asleep. Would you like that?
[He tilts his head, aiming his ear towards Lan Zhan’s warm lips. He shudders again, moaning at the scenario shared with him.] Next time you feel that way, you should do it. I won’t get mad, promise. You don’t have to restrain any part of yourself with me, Lan Zhan. [In fact, the idea of Lan Zhan taking advantage of him like that is a big turn on. He likes the idea of not having any control over what’s happening to him as long as Lan Zhan’s the one doing it. Much like their first kiss taken so many steps further.]
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Beneath Wei Ying's fleeting kiss, his ear flushes, a shiver catching down his limbs and spine. He answers with a deep, punishing thrust, his left hand riding up to drum on the jutting lines of Wei Ying's ribs and snag on his teased nipple, twisting it.
Then, still a slave to his fantasy: )
It would be — selfish. ( But some part of the thought still delights him enough that he pumps himself harder in Wei Ying, finally recalling to start stroking his lover's sweet length. ) But I would. I would. Take you... take... whenever — at our new house.
( So very far away from the world of Cloud Recesses, delightfully intimate. Hiding Lan Wangji's secrets. ) Wherever I see and want you. Only... only turn you onto the first surface. Take.
( All at once, their pace no longer satisfies even him, the hunger to claim Wei Ying all consuming. Releasing his husband in every way, he begins the torture of distancing them, of exiting Wei Ying's body, only to sprawl on his back after. )
Come here. How do you want taken?
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I want you to. I want to be your sheath in every room of the new house. Take me, Lan Zhan. Any time of the day or night. As often as you want. I’m yours, beloved. All yours for whatever you want to do with me.
[Where any of the servants might catch them. For some reason, it excites him further, leading him to squirm more against his husband’s hips.
He whimpers again when Lan Zhan slows to a stop. It feels like torture to go from so much stimulation to nothing. He rolls back immediately just to establish touch as quickly as he can. From there, he rolls in place until he’s facing Lan Zhan. He’s breathless, face flushed, and grinning now that he realizes he can kiss Lan Zhan as much as he wants if they’re facing one another.]
Often. [His grin widens and he pushes himself up so he can crawl his way on top of his husband. He straddles him, his ass resting on his lover’s pelvis. He can feel the entire length of Lan Zhan between his cheeks and he craves to have him inside again.]
I want to kiss while we do it. [He leans down, holding himself up with a hand on either side of Lan Zhan’s head. He brushes his lips over Lan Zhan’s with a pleased sigh before letting the kiss deepen naturally.]
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...hello. ( As if, only heartbeats earlier, they weren't as close as any two men can be. As if they were a world apart and not tenderly connected by savage thrusts and Lan Wangji's enthusiasm for slow, reverent play.
Even now, arms rising to bracket Wei Ying's body and pillar him, he is worshipping, attentive, drawing out their kiss, chasing another whenever Wei Ying finally pulls away from him. There is urgency to a point of discomfort, but he can overcome it. Can overcome anything. )
I missed your beautiful face.
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He laughs a few syllables and kisses Lan Zhan’s nose.] I missed your lovely mouth on mine. And I miss another part of you inside me, too. [It’s crass where Lan Zhan had been romantic, but he’ll be forgiven. He knows that he’s not the only one painfully interested in completion.]
You look good like this, Lan Zhan. So good. [He kisses him again, lifting his butt to stimulate his lover, as if he needs to do anything else to entice him into sleeping with him properly.]
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Even before Wei Ying can settle, he slithers his hand to blindly recapture the pot of salve, fishing for fresh sheen. After, fingers timid despite their all too recent coupling, he wets the rim of his husband's hole, thrusting inside only to test it for yield, before sweetly positioning Wei Ying astride to straddle him. His own length, unforgivably swollen, waits primed and held up to receive its sheath.
Then, softly: ) Bear down, beloved. ( As if it is not Wei Ying who has been urging them to see this through. ) Show me your love.
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He only tenses for a moment when he feels his lover probing his most intimate area, still sensitive from before. Any discomfort at this stage is fine because he knows once they start going at it again, it will be replaced with urgent pleasure.]
Haven’t I been showing you my love all evening? [He lets his husband place him and waits until he feels the tip slide into place before letting his weight do the work for him. It hurts around the perimeter of his entrance, but it doesn’t stop him from taking Lan Zhan into him.]
Feel good? [He holds his front half up so he can watch his husband’s face as he’s engulfed. Once he’s taken him whole, he lifts his hips and bears down on him again. If Lan Zhan doesn’t take over the pacing, Wei Wuxian will probably move too fast for his lover’s preference.]
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He times himself, careful to exhale and inhale and force his body prone and weighted, only inching his touch up to glide up his lover's thighs, then capture his hips. In the end, he directs their pace, slowly guiding Wei Ying up and down, then up and down again, his own hips rising to meet him in quiet pulses.
Belatedly, his hand drips down to catch on Wei Ying's length, strangling and tugging it, starting to milk away his pleasure. )
Careful. Slow. So good. So tight — ( More hissing, choked off. ) My love. My love, I am unworthy. Please. Mercy.
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Love you. So much, Lan Zhan. I feel whole, with you, like this. [He lowers his top half down to kiss Lan Zhan briefly, moaning and bucking his hips when his husband takes him in hand.] You’re so good to me, Zhan. My husband. My everything.
[He can tell Lan Zhan’s getting close, tasting the same frantic urges he is. He grins at him, kissing him a few more times.] That’s it, Lan Zhan. I’ve got you. [He’s not far behind him, either.] Close, Lan Zhan, so close. Let go for me.
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( Only he's feverish, mouthing whatever words snag and are ripped from his treacherous lips, hunting whatever truths Wei Ying wishes to hear, only to earn his lover's mercy, his boon. His hips buck and accelerate, grip on Wei Ying instinctively tighter, while the heat that engulfs him all but chokes out his arousal, at once punishing and rewarding.
Their mouths crash together, meet. The pace of Wei Ying's ride just slow enough that their tongues can tangle without risk of their teeth cutting in between feats of collision. He could lose himself in this, the strained creaking of the modest, humble bed, the rising musk of their coupling, the inching heat of the braziers. Could drown in pure intimacy with his soulmate, the only man destined to ever satisfy him.
But he pulls back, head nearly knocking against the mattress, as he eyes Wei Ying over, taking a full measure of him. Then, he leans in to kiss him again, teeth latching onto the thin, taut stretch of Wei Ying's lower lip. )
I hunger for you. For this. Look how it takes me. Feel it. How can you doubt it? Doubt us. ( Every few hushed, gravelly words, a deep thrust in kind. ) Feel my want for this body.
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Only Lan Zhan pulls back right before they reach the crescendo. He looks down at him blearily, but it doesn’t look like there’s anything wrong. Lan Zhan’s still as hard as ever inside him.]
Lan Zhan… [The words hit him just as hard as each of the thrusts. He doesn’t have time to dwell on it while his body is struggling to keep up with their purpose.] I doubted myself. But I doubted you and us, too. I’m sorry, Lan Zhan. It wont happen again. I’ll never doubt you again. Never doubt us.
[He touches Lan Zhan’s cheek and stares right into his eyes while they continue their love making. How could he have ever doubted this beautiful man’s love for him after everything they’ve been through?]
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( He soothes and needn't say, Do not promise what you cannot deliver. It is in the nature of things, of Wei Ying to devote himself to missions he cannot complete, to pledge the world and his own stability, when he can vanquish any enemy and turn base talismans to sophisticated enchantment — but he cannot subdue his fear. Not truly.
Lan Wangji has not lived beside him for years now to ask it of him. Hand soft over his husband's cheek, he brings him down for another, slow kiss, before simply retaliating in the language in which his husband is prone to accept his answer: colliding their bodies, drawing them violently close, each thrust propelling them closer, deeper, more securely against each other. He feels the precipice within reach, rich pleasure blooming in his veins as if a fresh fount of blood's stream.
Then, it happens, inevitably: one last staggered, jutting push up, his fist nearly forgetting to round around Wei Ying's length until the last few moments, and he spills with a gutting, extended groan that seems as much to relieve as to pain him. Breath harsh, cutting, panting, his chest a tidal flux of heaves. )
...Wei Ying. ( He manages it only too long after, when he feels he has both broken and remade himself, hand resuming its attention on any signs of his husband's lingering arousal. ) My love.
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The thrusts become more frantic and he lifts and drops himself until he starts inching towards his own climax. Then he grinds against his lover instead, moans bubbling up from deep in his chest. He likes it like this where they’re the only thing in each other’s world.
Usually, he’s the one that peaks first, but tonight it’s Lan Zhan. He feels his husband’s shuddering body, the sudden fullness of Lan Zhan’s seed filling him.]
That’s it, Lan Zhan, I’m here. You’re so sexy, Lan Zhan. [His words come out in puffs of heavy breath against Lan Zhan’s open mouth. He writhes, pushing down against Lan Zhan’s hips until he feels the promise of his own impending release. As soon as the hand around him starts to stroke again, it tips him past the point of no return.
His orgasm hits him hard. His arm shakes and struggles to keep him up, so he collapsed on top of his husband, trapping his hand between them while the waves of pure lightning flush through his whole body. He’s still going when Lan Zhan’s is finished and it’s another few blissful seconds before the pleasure goes from a hose to a trickle. He keeps moving, chasing every little spark until he finally stills and drapes himself over Lan Zhan’s chest.]
Hmm? [He doesn’t feel like lifting his head, so he just nestles his face against his husband’s throat. He kisses the skin there lazily while he catches his breath.]
It feels like my blood is humming. You’re amazing, Lan Zhan. Is there anything you’re not good at?
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( All the faults instilled as virtues by an education among the Gusu Lan. He knows, without question, that Wei Ying does not require his answers — that he needs the animal reassurance of Lan Wangji's presence, his voice and the comfort of his body's warmth.
Belatedly, his hand comes up to pat blindly over Wei Ying's shoulders, his neck, to walk down the stairs of his spine. He does not know what his caresses seek, only that Wei Ying's warmth instils in him a feeling of peace, lethargy and relaxation. In this strange, dreary little room — and yet he has never been happier. )
What do you fear? ( Softer, velvety: ) That I will leave you, for this body's faults?
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He slides so that he’s laying on one side of Lan Zhan with an arm and leg thrown over his chest and hip. He kisses Lan Zhan’s shoulder and walks his hand across his skin in a similarly meandering way. He just wants to touch and be touched.
He stills when Lan Zhan brings up his fears, sighing out a slow breath.] I don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense. I can tell you right now with one-hundred percent certainty that you would rather die than leave me, but in the moment, it’s like my brain completely shuts down and all I can think about are… the bad things about me, I guess. And then I think who in their right mind would want to be with me?
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( He murmurs it quietly, less to chide or correct than simply to pledge himself, faithfully and unrelenting. He would. Does, every day and every hour, even when Wei Ying's company is unstrategic, chaotic, inconvenient.
He would, because he aches to be without him, because his husband's arm fettered over his body is still not close enough. Because he turns in to pass his mouth over Wei Ying's forehead and kiss his cheek, and mere moments have passed since they last coupled — and still they are too far and away. )
I would choose the Yiling Patriarch. I would choose Worm Ying. ( One and same and lovely to him, facets of this beautiful person. )
It is, at times, instinct. I breathe, only now, with Wei Ying returned. ( His lungs feel fuller, no longer closer to burst at every timid inhalation. ) Your soul calls to mine. Your brilliance awes me. Your bodies both attract me.
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[He smiles when his face is kissed, squirming as close as he can get. His leg wraps around one of Lan Zhan’s and he squeezes him in a half-bodied hug. He, too, feels like they’re somehow not close enough. Only when they’re connected does he feel whole.
He feels good right now. Sure of his husband’s devotion to him and their family. None of the doubts from earlier in the day plague him. He feels foolish for letting them get the best of him, but the only way through is forward. In the morning, they’ll go back to the cave to eradicate more of the resentment there. He feels… prepared for it in a way he hadn’t been today.]
You’d choose normal, old Wei Ying, too, I hope. [He’s only teasing and he kisses Lan Zhan’s jaw and cheek a handful of times to show it.] Unless you’re saying my natural state is Worm Ying.
[He kisses Lan Zhan’s face more times, just because it’s there and he wants the pleasant afterglow of their shared climaxes to keep making them feel good.] You feel like home, Lan Zhan. For my body and my soul, both. I trust you with parts of me I never thought I’d show anyone. [Namely, his insecurities. He barely acknowledges them himself!]
Tomorrow will be different. We’ll be a united front against everything that lingers in that cave.
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( His pride already bruises at the thought. Wei Ying's must bleed. Yet their strength, a growing and formidable resource, still possesses limitations. They cannot push past the natural barrier of their skill and must resolve to break the whole in parts, even in crumbs, and overcome it. )
We must be at peace with the possibility. ( Even whispering the words, he finds himself sullen and dismissive of its specter, quick to wish it exorcised. ) If we do not succeed, we return. We attempt again. We will always win a war of attrition.
( Even tentatively, taking care to kiss Wei Ying's temple: ) There is no shame in it.
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[He hasn’t forgotten the utter strength of the resentment in that cave. His own power shudders in the face of it. His control of resentment energy isn’t what it was in his first life. He doesn’t have the Yin Tiger Tally bolstering his strength. He’s also not up to snuff with his control of spiritual qi, either. But he won’t back down in the face of a challenge.
He climbs back on top of Lan Zhan, slotting one knee between his husband’s legs. This position is better, closer, than before. He looks down at his husband and grins at him.] Hello, Lan Zhan. [He kisses the tip of his nose.]
We have to be tenacious. I don’t expect to be finished with this work tomorrow. Probably not even in a week, but that’s okay. The important thing is that we do it together.
Next time you want to gaze into the blood pool for a while, I’ll be by your side. I won’t get jealous of myself again!
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( He murmurs, syrupy and slowing, instinctively compelled to answer his husband's greeting, even when it is offered in play. He responds with a kiss in kind, crowning the gentle turn of Wei Ying's nose.
Then, unapologetically, he rolls them over until his body once more shields that of his lover, and he envelops Wei Ying completely at every turn, tirelessly deflecting any squirming. Worm Ying, held this tightly, should struggle.
And gently: ) We had barely washed. How is it my husband has already filthied us?
( As if it is not Lan Wangji who coaxed them into love play, as if he was anything but an aggressively enthusiastic participant. )
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You should have thought of that before kissing me so much. [He wraps his arms around Lan Zhan exploring his back affectionately. He knows his husband sometimes feels shy about his scars, so he doesn’t focus on them in his fingers’ wandering just in case he’s feeling shy now.]
I suppose you want to have another bath before bed? [He’d rather just lay around and fall asleep, but he indulges his husband’s desire to feel clean before falling asleep. Some days he feels more reluctant than others, but tonight he wants to give his husband everything he wants. Maybe they can kiss each other for a while or at least have a good conversation.]
It’s still early. We might have some time to do some preparations for tomorrow once we’re clean again. [If he still has the motivation to do so after their bath. He probably won’t, but he could be convinced.]
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He considers it, at length: on the one hand, cleanliness is the foremost virtue, and the stickiness of seed and sweat will frustrate and discomfort him over the evening. On the other, he is but a man, rigorously seduced, thoroughly debauched, and equally depleted after a day of exhaustive exorcism.
In the end, a compromise: )
Unnecessary. Shall bring a dampened cloth to cleanse us. ( To cleanse Wei Ying, he needn't emphasise, because they both know Lan Wangji could just as readily clean himself by their bathtub and needn't crawl back with the cloth for his own devices.
Slowly, bed creaking, he starts to carefully roll to his side. ) You may be spoiled on this night.
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You must be tired, too, if you’re satisfied with a blanket bath. [Their day had been long and exhausting even before factoring in their fight. He reaches for Lan Zhan lazily, just to touch him for a few moments until he’s up and out of reach.]
After I’m cleaned up, I can hold you while we read or something. You deserve to be spoiled too, Lan Zhan! Oh! I can rub the tension out of your back and shoulders if you want. Or if you’re too tired, I’ll hold you while you fall asleep early. I have a few things I want to prep for tomorrow, but I might take a nap first. That way we can fall asleep together.
[Or, he could just let himself be spoiled. That would be nice, too.]
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Then, coming back to Wei Ying, he loiters at the very rim of the bed, well outside the reach of inquisitive hands and greedy touches, before starting to wipe down his lover's flattened belly and quieted groin of seed and sweat. He is less careful when he removes himself after, claiming and dousing a second cloth to attend to himself by the bathtub, before once more rejoining his husband and falling unquestioningly in his arms.
To hear Wei Ying's heartbeat. To absorb him. )
You have only just been tumbled, yet your mind is already hard at work. ( 'A few things' to prepare is surely a string of tasks, all pillared on solutions only Wei Ying's sharpened mind can devise. )
Did I fail to tire you?
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