wuding | Date in Lotus Pier

[He stands by, watching Lan Zhan talk with the vendor and resisting the urge to jump in. Between their expensive clothes and his declarations about spiced meat, he can forgive Lan Zhan for being unable to negotiate successfully. He reminds himself that they’re well off financially and that they can afford to pay a little extra because it’s what they really want.

His eyebrows lift when Lan Zhan offers him his skewer this way. Is it accidentally suggestive or purposefully, he wonders. Either way, he opens his mouth and uses his tongue to guide the meat into his mouth for the first bite. It’s heavenly. The burst of spice makes his lips tingle pleasantly.]

Easier here than anywhere else I’ve been. The food’s rich and it makes me feel nostalgic to eat it. We should get some fish, next. The desserts here are great, too.

[He offers to take his skewers, but he’d let Lan Zhan feed him instead if he doesn’t hand them over right away.]

After we eat, you can choose what we do next. We can either swim in my spot or we can shop first.

[Even if they swim first, he wouldn’t stop Lan Zhan from swimming again after shopping. The sun is close to its zenith currently, so they aren’t short on time.]

( Easier here, and it shouldn't sting, shouldn't invite the brief harsh drawdown of Lan Wangji's brows. Simpler to thrive in the confines of a nearly hostile Yunmeng than in the loving arms of Cloud Recesses, no matter how hard the clan Gusu Lan courts Wei Ying. No matter the extent of Lan Wangji's own efforts.

He mustn't think of it so. Mustn't linger. Only carefully feeds Wei Ying off his skewers, strategically inclined to provoke Wei Ying's slivers of interest at every gleaming turn of meat. In the end, Lan Wangji remembers to also test his own skewer of vegetables with his teeth, intrigued when the bloom of spice flatters the flavor, sooner than overwhelming it. A fine choice. )

Swim. ( A pause. ) Unless Wei Ying wishes to first buy a lake.

( After all, all the waters in Yunmeng have a master. Even the ones Wei Ying plans to infiltrate are unlikely to be intended for public use. It should startle Lan Wangji that he, the honorable Hanguang-Jun, sets out to encroach on another man's property — but it doesn't, somehow. )

[He takes note of Lan Zhan’s reaction to his commentary about Yunmeng cuisine. He doesn’t know why it’s upset him momentarily, but he can make an educated guess. He can’t help it if he’s missed all the excess oils and spices from his childhood home. Lan fare, even with the additions of fish and the occasional bird meat, tends to be leaner.

He keeps taking bites of the skewered meat, smiling the longer Lan Zhan keeps feeding him. If he’s not careful, he really will go home noticeably fat! Well, not if they keep up their daily exercises.]

My own lake?

[He laughs at the idea. If they were on better terms with Jiang Cheng, maybe he’d consider it, but as things stand he takes it as a jest.]

If you’re uncomfortable swimming in someone else’s lake, we could always ask permission beforehand? [Something he’s never actually done. Asking for forgiveness is easier than permission. As it stands, he’s not sure who would want two grown men swimming around in their property. Though they could offer a bit of coin to negotiate it in their favor.

After finishing off the first skewer, he wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand in case there’s any stray grease on his face.]

How are your vegetables?

Palatable.

( The highest of praise from a man physically and perennially assaulted by all manners of spice, included and suggested. Even now, despite multiple mouthfuls, he regards the skewer in hand with something like wonder, still distrustful that it means him no offense.

He considers, fleetingly, to offer Wei Ying a taste — before viciously, greedily safe-keeping it, throwing his husband a molten glare. )

Seek out your own. ( A man of gold and endless fortune is Hanguang-Jun, yet he cannot for the life of himself bear to part with his vegetable skewer. Will wonders never cease.

He is more content pondering the acquisition of an entire lake than sharing a morsel of his tender delight. )

Perhaps Yunmeng has learned to hide its poisons. ( Though he is determined that they lie still in wait. )

[He laughs again when Lan Zhan covets his vegetable skewer. It makes him want to bat his eyelashes and pout to get a taste just because he knows his husband doesn’t want to share. But he has mercy on his husband and pilfers his coin purse. Instead of getting himself a vegetable skewer, he takes a look at the other vendors close by.]

You’re cute when you make that face, Lan Zhan. It makes me want to pinch your cheeks like I do with Lan Liang.

[With a wink, he starts walking towards his next target. Spiced meat buns. Luckily they also sell plain steamed bread with optional toppings. He goes into the negotiation cool and almost disinterested. With a little haggling, he gets the vendor to cut the price for them just so he can show Lan Zhan how it’s done. He comes back with a smile, tossing his next snack up and catching it a few times.]

Want a bite? There’s meat in the middle, so watch out for that.

( More snacks, more smiles. If every coin in his possession were to go to waste for the gain of a lick of Wei Ying's humor, it'd be well done. They'd live long and heartily as paupers, and he would begrudge his lover nothing.

But the bun, no. Shake of his head, resistance futile, because they both know he'll concede glad and willing, if Wei Ying insists. But there's no natural appetite to taste what meat's tainted.

Still he's smiling in kind, barely an echo of Wei Ying's laughter, but spread. Maybe this is the true power of Lotus Pier, settling them both at ease, pushing Lan Wangji to hold out his arm spread widely in a gesture of rare public affection he'd typically avoid.

He is only made merrier when he spots a gaggle of children nearby, toying with makeshift paper boats, making the last folds, squabbling over whose is likeliest to float on the nearby lake water. Lan Wangji's smile is incandescent. )

Were you ever this happy with the Jiang? ( He prays so, for all he suspects the answer is no where so simple. )

[He raises both eyebrows when Lan Zhan spreads his arms, surprised but pleased. There’s no hesitation before he wraps one arm around Lan Zhan’s middle, curling the other between them to keep the meat bun safe. As safe as any tender morsel of meat is this close to his mouth, anyway.]

Let me know if you change your mind, but you’ll have to be quick because it’s not going to last long.

[He couldn’t be happier in this moment and he doesn’t care that they’re making people walk around them because they’d been inspired to hug each other. He hasn’t seen Lan Zhan this happy since the last time they’d wed. He turns to look over his shoulder to see what’s gotten Lan Zhan’s attention.]

Sometimes, sure. I was always having fun with the other disciples when we had free time. [And when they were supposed to be training, too.] Jiang Cheng was always so competitive whenever we did something like this and he’d always get quiet and grumpy when I won.

[He stands up on his toes to kiss Lan Zhan’s cheek. He turns in the embrace so they can keep moving and if Lan Zhan keeps his arms around him, then that’s all the better.

His life with the Jiang was complicated. Madame Yu hated him from day one and made sure he and everyone else knew it. And even when she wasn’t around, he was still usually the one to take the blame and punishment when they got caught horsing around. But it wasn’t all bad. He had his uncle to praise him and his sister to make sure he knew he was loved.]

What about you, Lan Zhan? Did you feel happy when you were that age?

( They're obstructive, bulky, an inconvenience. Hanguang-Jun should be ashamed of himself, but instead only summons the energy to at long last release his husband, clinging to his arm as they resume their walk. His cheek still blossoms with inklings of pleasure long after Wei Ying has shed his kiss.

But he listens, always listens. And some part of him also tenuously obeys, holding off from rioting against Jiang Cheng for the host of unacknowledged injustices once cast upon his martial brother. Truly, these were the faults of children, but Wei Ying deserved endlessly better. )

Mother had only passed. Father, in seclusion. ( It is an improvement, he suspects, that he volunteers knowledge, sooner than gatekeping it with a 'no.' ) Forgive me. I have only sorrow to share. This is a happy day.

( And so, sooner than dwell, he begins to steer them toward the nearest stall of toys and entertainment wares, where a parade of paper crafts and boats and kites linger on display. He nudges Wei Ying forward. )

Think of Sizhui, also. ( Because of course Lan Liang will be the first thought, in the face of toys. )

[He isn’t exactly surprised by Lan Zhan’s answer. He’d known about his mother’s passing and he feels like he should have known better than to ask. The only reason he doesn’t apologize is because he doesn’t want to put too much emphasis on it when Lan Zhan clearly wants to focus on the current day and mood.

He leans towards Lan Zhan briefly while they continue walking, looking at the toy craft shop he’s being led to. Of course, Lan Zhan is correct that his first thought is to get something for Lan Liang.]

I had a happy childhood. Even when I was being punished for something, I didn’t let it get me down. [Lan Zhan got to see evidence of that after he’d fought with Jin Zixuan during his studies in Cloud Recesses.] I’m happy we can give our kids a good childhood. They deserve this time of peace.

[He leans over the table, looking at the different toys on display. Lan Liang is easy to shop for at his age because he’s not so picky about aesthetics, but Sizhui knows what he likes.]

Do you think Sizhui would want to fly a kite? There’s one in the back shaped and painted like a butterfly. [Upon his words, the vendor glances their way and says they’ll be helped in just a moment. He waves his hand and tells him that they’re not in a hurry.]

Should we get one for Jin Ling, too? He should be coming in a couple more days. Oh look! There’s one with a rabbit on it, too! [He nudges Lan Zhan’s side.] Have you ever flown a kite?

( He is pleased to oooh and aaaah and linger by Wei Ying, absorbing the wares and what they can offer, to take his pleasure from imagining that of his children — until Wei Ying brings up Jin Ling, and his mouth sours, preparing to reject the proposition...

Before even more craftily, his husband brings up the rabbit. And, oh. Of course Lan Wangji must gawk and stare and delight in the spread of the cute creature grinning down from folded paper. He's all but immune to Wei Ying's questions and already breaking custom by leaning in to touch the wares without asking permission.

At the last moment, he remembers himself, pulling back abashedly. )

...have not. May we? ( He is too old for this, he knows. However charitable his husband, they have both long abandoned the years of innocent play. )

[He laughs when he sees Lan Zhan reaching for the rabbit kite. He doubts the vendor would scold them for touching the products because they clearly have the coin to make a purchase.] Lan Liang is too little to fly a kite, but he can share mine. Let’s get enough that we can all have fun. There’s a field we can use and we can get archery kites too for later. None of these pretty decorated ones for that, though.

[When the vendor finishes his transaction, he turns to the happy couple. Wei Wuxian points out three kites; the butterfly, the rabbit, and a phoenix because he’s feeling clever. He also points out a few wooden toys for Lan Liang’s collection after he gets the guarantee it’s a soft wood and won’t splinter in case Lan Liang inevitably puts them in his mouth. That kid has more of an oral fixation than he does!

With the items in hand, he looks up at Lan Zhan with a grin. He can imagine his husband flying his first kite and the thought is just too adorable for words.]

I can teach you how to fish later too, if you want. You can throw them back in the water if we don’t plan on eating them.

[He stays close to Lan Zhan as he looks down the aisle of stalls they can visit. They’ll get to the lakes for swimming soon enough, but another stall captures his attention first. Of course, it’s a stall selling wine that he’s noticed.]

I’m going to get some refreshments for our swim!

[Like a moth to flame, he leads the way to talk to the next merchant about the various fruits he used for his brews. He chooses one that was made from sweet plums and lotus flower that promises a unique flavor. Between the kites and the jar of wine, his hands have become quite full and they haven’t even looked at any of the silks!]

( A treasure trove of gifts, some more practical than sentimental — an inevitable improvement on what would have been Lan Wangji's own more nostalgic picks. He gives chase in the wake of his husband, beautiful flame drawing all the moths toward him.

Wei Ying makes merchants laugh, delights children, starts the maidens' gossip. He is wholly, irrevocably enticing — and he is inturn enthralled by wine in ways Lan Wangji has witnessed already too often to begrudge.

Following once more, he neatly settles behind his husband, making to capture some of the purchases to carry. His part in all of this is as ever to produce kernels of silver and ensure transportation — he knows this lesson well.

And so, whispering in Wei Ying's ear as he finalizes his acquisitions: )

Purchase fresh red silks and a veil. ( They are overdue another marriage. )

[When Lan Zhan moves to take some of his burden, he helps by piling the items into his arms. He’d planned to carry something but finds his hands have been emptied. Including the wine. He starts to turn, pausing as soon as he feels Lan Zhan’s breath against his ear. He feels that fluttering in his chest that reminds him of how his crush on Lan Zhan felt leading up to, and including, his blatant confession.

Lan Zhan wants to marry him again!]

Lan Zhan! You mean it?

[He turns around and almost throws himself into Lan Zhan’s arms. If only he weren’t carrying so many of their things! He works around the kites when he lifts himself up onto his toes again to give his husband a series of little kisses all over his face.]

I will! Do you want to be surprised or do you want to help me pick out the silk?

( He is a feat of strength and balance, navigating both his load and the excesses of Wei Ying's affection with an utmost lack of stoicism. His eyes crinkle, his mouth threatens a smile. Truly, Uncle would not know his face.

In the end, he breaks apart, nuzzling Wei Ying's cheek in passing, then sparing a few moments to reset his balance between his bags. )

Before, we chose together. ( And the seamstress certainly blessed them for their doubled commission. ) Perhaps now, a surprise.

( Wei Ying knows the land better, their habits. And his clothes naturally incorporate more red, besides, meaning the marriage robes will see some use after.

Gently, he recovers a few handfuls of proper gold coin for Wei Ying's consumption, to avoid the unpleasantness of creating an account. And after: )

We need not hasten, if you require time for the cloth to be made ready.

[He touches Lan Zhan’s cheek, taking in the gentle, happy look on his husband’s face. He’d bottle it up and take it with him everywhere he goes if he could. Instead, he’ll have to rely on his sometimes faulty memory.]

I’ll go check a couple of the stalls that might have what I’m looking for. I don’t want to separate for too long, so if I don’t find something at those two shops, I’ll come back and buy something later.

[He takes the gold coins into his hands. A few passersby look at them curiously when they hear the jingling of coin. He doesn’t pay them any more mind than a quick glance over. Holding the coins to his chest he turns to go, but changes his mind at the last moment. Lan Zhan needs another quick kiss on the mouth first! Once he successfully kisses him, then he runs off with a bounce in his step towards the first shop he has in mind.

It doesn’t take too long for him to fall in love with a couple of options. He already has some wedding robes with a phoenix pattern, but the idea of a large singular phoenix passes through his mind. After talking with the seamstress a bit, he decides to ask about something even better. He gets the okay for his custom embroidery on a vivid red backdrop. Not a Phoenix after all, but rabbits. It’s a little untraditional, but the seamstress loves the idea and he pays part of the cost in advance before running back over to his waiting husband.]

Lan Zhan!!! It’ll be ready in three days!

[He starts calling out when he’s still several paces away, but he’s too excited to wait the extra few moments until he’s close.]

You’re going to be the happiest groom when you see your pretty betrothed in his wedding reds!

( He waits patiently, unceremoniously, making no effort to conceal that he is only another husband dutifully expectant to see his wife's efforts through. Some of the other husbands sympathize, murmuring condolences for Lan Wangji's coin purse as they come, they go, and he lingers. Surely his wife must have exquisitely expensive taste and a demanding order.

It's all worthwhile when Wei Ying presents himself again, laughing and clearly pleased, entirely radiant. On instinct, Lan Wangji holds out a hand to recover goods that never present themselves. Three days, says Wei Ying.

He nods in response, smile waning, timid and boyish and impossibly in love. )

I am already the happiest. ( And then, waving Wei Ying along. ) Shall we respect tradition? Maintain distance until we wed?

( ...certainly not, but it humors him to offer Wei Ying the possibility. )

[He practically glows when Lan Zhan says he’s the happiest right now. Lan Zhan deserves all the happiness the world has to offer and he’s glad he gets to be the one to bring it to him. If only he hadn’t bought those kites, he would be hugging Lan Zhan tightly. He pinches one of Lan Zhan’s sleeves and holds it close.]

You wouldn’t be able to stay away from me for at least three days and nights. I’d wake up to see your back when you’re jumping out of the bedroom window.

[He keeps his hold on Lan Zhan’s robe, tugging him along so they don’t get separated.]

I’d be lonely, too, with no husband there to hold me. I don’t want to be lonely, Lan Zhan! You have to stay with me the whole time, okay?

[Somehow, he doubts Lan Zhan would like to separate any more than he does, so he isn’t taking too seriously. Though, he does wonder about their eventual clan wedding. Would they be expected to separate leading up to the marriage or would they be allowed to stay together since they’re already married?

They could always pretend to be separated. He doesn’t mind the idea of sneaking out well past curfew to climb into Lan Zhan’s window. It could be fun. He smiles at the thought, looking over his shoulder to see Lan Zhan’s face for a moment. He trusts that Lan Zhan would steer him another direction if any obstacles found themselves in his path.]

( Of course he will not permit them parted for longer than a few hours, unless work and duties require it — not after thirteen years unfairly divided. Ever since Wei Ying returned to him, Lan Wangji has been unfailingly covetous of his time, jealously guarding this precious resource to a point of even, at times, demanding his due ahead of his children.

The farce of their separation for the sake of convention can hardly be maintained, even in jest. With a patient nod, he confirms that they will continue to live in sin no matter the good example their elders would wish them to observe — particularly for a clandestine wedding that only Lan Wangji and Wei Ying will know takes place in Lotus Pier. )

Could not aggrieve my soulmate so.

( They are still walking together, Lan Wangji satisfied to keep pace with his husband while subtly allowing him to take lead, given his more intimate knowledge of the lay of the land. They have robes planned, then, and wine purchased. They will have candles and rice on hand. All that is missing is - )

Shall we bow once more before your uncle and aunt?

[His smile widens when Lan Zhan confirms what they both already knew. There would be no separation except for the moments when he changes his clothes to present himself as a gift once more to the man he loves most in the world. If he were holding Lan Zhan’s hand, he would kiss his knuckles.

He turns back around in time to side step a group of children chasing each other through the market. He watches them for a moment, hoping that Lan Liang will find friends he can play with when he’s that age.]

I’d like that.

[It’s something he’s been wanting to finish for a while now but they’re only just getting the opportunity. He hadn’t planned on the when but right now is as good a time as any. They’re already walking in that direction.]

We should drop off our spoils in our room, too. Unless you want to carry those around all afternoon?

( The risk, if they reroute through their chambers to drop off their wares, is always that they will prolong their distraction. The hour is closing on midday, heat rising. Best to take cover now, perhaps persuade each other with lovemaking —

No. No, he walks dutifully behind his husband, yet carrying his goods, neither tempting nor dissuading him. Better for Wei Ying to reach his own conclusions. )

If we alight, you will wish to dally. ( To enjoy the fineries of dragging his husband abed and retaining him there for the better part of a few hours. A healthy proposition, one Lan Wangji cannot begrudge him.

He does not laugh, but his smile lingers faint and breezy, standing. )

Can I trust you with my honor?

[He knows himself well enough to agree with Lan Zhan. He would be tempted to take Lan Zhan to bed if they so much as start kissing a little too deeply. Judging by the look on his husband’s face, it doesn’t look like the idea bothers him. But should they risk it? They can’t just leave Sizhui to care for his brother the whole trip and they don’t want to take Lan Liang swimming with them.

Can he behave himself? Surely, he has the fortitude to resist his beautiful husband’s charm for a handful of moments.]

You can trust me. Lan Zhan! [Probably.] Let’s go back to the room and drop things off first. If you think you can peel yourself away from the cooling talismans, I can keep my hands to myself.

[And if they end up dallying, would it be so bad? They have most of the afternoon clear from responsibilities. Then again, they’ll probably end up messing around in the lake if they go there right away.]

( Ah, the cooling talisman, the only rival for which he thinks he might consider betraying Wei Ying in love. Truly, it presents a great deal of allure, as sweat beads accrue down Lan Wangji's nape.

He still takes care to follow, rather than assuming lead, walking behind Wei Ying as they begin to steer toward the main Jiang house of Lotus Pier, where battalions of disciples are performing their forms, while the laughter of children — his own son, he suspects, attended by his nursemaid — spreads from the shaded garden yonder.

It isn't the only sight that paralyzes him, and he must make a picture, stranded mid-road, blinking slowly and summoning the last of his patience as Jin Ling trades words of greeting with his uncle. )

What... a coincidence. ( He says it briskly, gaze shifting sharply toward Wei Ying, as if to accuse him. Truly, only two people might have told Jin Ling that Sizhui was present in the Jiang household. )

[He notices Jin Ling at the same moment as his husband. His reaction couldn’t be more different. He waves enthusiastically and calls out to them. He only freezes when he looks over and sees the expression on Lan Zhan’s face.]

I wasn’t the one who invited him! [No, but he would have done if Sizhui hadn’t beaten him to it. He likes seeing how happy they are when they get together and he loves them both, but he knows Lan Zhan feels quite differently. He’s usually better about preparing Lan Zhan for things like this.]

I meant to tell you about it before. Sizhui invited him, but he’s only going to be here for a few days, not our entire stay.

[He glances back over at Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling, who have gone back to talking. He knows he’s family, but he somehow feels like he’d be intruding if he goes to them now. And besides, he has a husband he wants to soothe. He turns back to said husband and stands between him and his in-laws.]

Want to just go swimming? We can use a boat and leave our stuff in the boat while we swim.

( Only a few days, Wei Ying says, as if the true hurt isn't his son's betrayal of alerting Jin Ling without so much as forewarning his father. He eyes Wei Ying briefly incredulous, as if to signal greater concerns are afoot — but he is presented with his husband's alarm, and he hasn't the heart to deny Wei Ying the possibility of succor.

With a sigh, he nods along to approve the suggestion, wordlessly cutting past him and a pallid Lan Sizhui, who surely expects scolding. To think it has come to this, that his husband and son must conspire in secret.

In their borrowed quarters, he drops off their wares, abandoning further refreshment to instead drop in where their youngest child keeps company with a heat-flushed nursemaid that has been clearly embracing the blessing of Wei Ying's cooling talismans. Here, Lan Wangji takes the infant in hands, nuzzling his cheek against Liang's fondly round own, and pointedly littering a wealth of kisses on it. )

You alone love me.

[He follows after Lan Zhan like a puppy at his heels. He gives Sizhui an awkward half-smile a they pass him, holding off on his verbal pandering until they are out of earshot. Once they’re safe from being overheard, he hurries along and touches Lan Zhan’s back.]

I really did mean to tell you, but it slipped my mind. We can arrange for a chaperone if you want? Jiang Cheng will probably take up a lot of Jin Ling’s time and attention. Do you want to plan a meal with everyone?

[He follows Lan Zhan into their rooms and is only a little frantic and sulky that Lan Zhan is focusing on Lan Liang instead of him. So much for their fun date!

He shares a few words with the nursemaid, taking a moment to take in her account of the last half a shi with Lan Liang while he watches Lan Zhan pick him up and cradle him close.]

Lan Zhan, I love you too! I just forgot! It’s not like I was trying to keep it a secret. [But that isn’t what’s bothering him, is it? He’d assumed it was given that Sizhui and Jin Ling would take the opportunity to see each other when a convenient opportunity arose to do so. Lan Zhan had probably assumed it, too. But there was a failure of communication and that’s on him and Sizhui.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject