yiling.

[shangba]

( 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. )

Comments

[shangba]

( Two times. Truly, the benefits of a youthful, beautiful body. For once, it is Lan Wangji who gazes down, slightly dismayed by his husband's prolific enthusiasm, before nodding in acceptance that such is his fate: to forever soothe insatiable needs of a lustful yaoguai.

Then, piously, breaking their gaze: ) It is strategic we have your second husband to call upon.

( A faithful, unwavering pillar of jade that is unlikely to ever fail to rise to the occasion. It alone can hope to slip in and attend to Wei Ying's needs, when Lan Wangji can no longer meet them. No flesh-born man would be permitted — unless... )

Unless my husband wishes to entertain another round of incense.

[emperorssmile]

The Second Husband of Gusu Lan.

[He smiles fondly, lazily running his fingers through strands of Lan Zhan’s hair that are on this side of his shoulder. It’s true that he probably could go for another couple rounds if he gives himself some time to recover first, but he doesn’t need it to be satisfied. He’s feeling pretty good already.

He never thinks of summoning the jade pillar when they’re together and he feels wrong using it when they’re apart.]

Incense? [He doesn’t think of it right away, but he gets there eventually.] Oh, you mean incense. Or, I guess I should say incense in a particular burner?

[That has him perked up. They’d had a few interesting experiences after using that burner the first time. And to think Lan Zhan would bring it up now.]

You’d share the most secret parts of yourself with me again?

[shangba]

Have I ever closed them off from you?

( It strikes him at times, the difference between his own perception of himself and the quiet gaza of those around him. How he falls often, inevitably short. He watches Wei Ying, tired and slow, nudges him with his nose, then peels back. Was his intimacy so tightly guarded once more that Wei Ying assumed it under lock and key?

The incense burner marked a loosening in the coils of his carefully guarded inhibitions. A point of no return, for all they are unlikely to ever regularly revisit the burner. He is satisfied with their arrangement, more than with thoughts of fiction — but entertaining a rare treat can never hurt. )

We need not proceed, if you have doubts. ( He will not push Wei Ying past any measure of his comfort. Every part of their intimacy has been carefully, choicely curated, that to risk it on a whim would be — destabilizing. )

Neglect my words.

[emperorssmile]

[And has Lan Zhan withheld his secrets before now? He can’t say one way or another because of the nature of secrecy. He trusts that Lan Zhan will share with him anything that he needs to or should know. And so he shakes his head.]

Not since we were young.

[He touches Lan Zhan’s cheek gently, still staring at him with naked admiration. He hadn’t meant to imply that Lan Zhan is keeping things from him, intentionally or otherwise. But he can tell there’s something going on in his husband’s mind now that’s causing him to shrink back.]

No, no, I’m interested. We’d know what we’re getting into this time. I don’t have any doubts. [He smiles when he leans in to steal a quick kiss on the mouth.]

But I can’t guarantee it’ll be fun dreams that we share. [Not when he’s so prone to nightmares. He can only hope his dreams are merciful when they’re sharing. He’s not sure he wants to put Lan Zhan through something unpleasant just for the sake of making love and seeing what sort of perverted scenarios their dreams come up with.]

[shangba]

( ...ah. Of course Wei Ying would have the concern of the sterility of his shared dreams. At his best, he is sweet, mannered, encouraged, tempered — but the illusion of his fragile calm can always burst in ways unpredictable.

He hesitates, then, buttered by a humour he half cultivates, half feigns: )

Shall have to wine, dine, flatter and coax you before sleep. Ensure agreeability.

( For all they both know it is unlikely to prove quite this simple. A year into their marriage, and they still at times wake to find him shivered, prey to nightmares. Worse still are the nights when Wei Ying says nothing, when Lan Wangji sleeps undisturbs while his beloved trashes in agony. )

Will sit Wei Ying's ankles on my shins all night.

[emperorssmile]

I look forward to it.

[At least, he looks forward to being spoiled silly before bed. He likes it when Lan Zhan takes good care of him. He can’t control his dreams, though. Sometimes they come when he falls asleep happier than can be and sometimes he has good dreams after a particularly rough day. Still, he hopes he can show Lan Zhan something pleasant.

Really, he’s more interested in Lan Zhan’s dreams. From what he’d experienced the first time they used the incense burner, his husband’s dreams are delightfully sensual. And maybe he’ll be able to sleep with him with his own - his first - face if it’s in a dream]

Hold me close while we sleep. I always sleep best with your arms around me. [He nuzzles his nose against Lan Zhan’s. He would nestle himself closer to his husband if it were possible to do so.]

[shangba]

( Close, instructs Wei Ying, and how his disciples and the cultivation world whole would laugh to see Hanguang-Jun the trained, obedient creature of his husband, quick to materialize his every whim.

His arms close around Wei Ying, at once mindless and worshipful of his delicacy, drawing him in. His mouth chases the shell of his husband's ear, one hand splayed indelicately over his lover's waist. The warmth of his purring core radiating, infusing Wei Ying's bones, his flank. )

Rest, Patriarch. ( His love. ) Wake stronger.

( So that together they might rest abed whatever still sleeps in that wretched, death-courting cave. )

[emperorssmile]

Yeah, I think I will.

[He sighs his contentment, letting himself relax again, fully like one can only do when they’re safe and protected. He nuzzles his face against Lan Zhan’s shoulder until he finds a good place to rest his head.]

I’m the luckiest man alive to get to be with you like this.

[He wraps one arm around Lan Zhan’s middle and curls the other one under and between them.]

Good night, Lan Zhan. I hope you have some fun dreams we can reenact later.