wuding | Date in Lotus Pier

[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.]

( Ah, there the traitor is, a pretty vision in his Yunmeng silks but still hereby the enemy. For his part, Lan Wangji continues coddling the child in his arms, who, sensing the chance to leverage his other parent's attention to extort a deluge of affection from his mother later, presses his cheek against his father's and puffs

They are a united front, solidified against the world. )

Liang and I require our moment. ( Get lost, peasant, would be the pedestrian parlance that Hanguang-Jun is simply too polished and educated to bring up. Hell hath no fury like Lan Wangji scorned. )

We have said nothing of Wei Ying. ( Namely, Wangji and Liang, who can barely say anything to anyone. The pettiness is far, deep and wide. )

I get it. I can tell when I’m not wanted.

[He frowns a bit when he’s dismissed. He’s not used to Lan Zhan wanting to be away from him other than to when they need to cool down their tempers after a fight and that’s usually because of him instead of Lan Zhan. With a big sigh, he turns around and goes back to their bedroom where he can organize their new purchases.

He spreads the kites out on the bed and thinks he should go get another for Jin Ling. Would that make things worse? Probably.

The room is comfortably cool with the talisman activated, so he might as well sulk in here until Lan Zhan’s finishes punishing him.

In the meantime, he starts to poke at his talisman design to improve it and make it more efficient. He still needs to pass out some of these to Sizhui, Jiang Cheng, and Jin Ling. Between the three of them, he’s sure someone will get excited and share the idea with someone else, but he doesn’t care too much about that.

It’s not as easy to concentrate when he’s feeling moody, so he makes a few talismans to hand out and then he flops face first into the bed to pout instead. The worst part is that he knows he’s in the wrong for not telling Lan Zhan about Jin Ling’s visit sooner.]

( ...ah. He has grown too self-indulgent, too spoiled. Too accustomed to being courted and pursued whenever he declines Wei Ying. For a change, his husband's grown tired of his whims, and Lan Wangji cannot fault him.

With a sigh, he lingers orbiting his child a few minutes longer, before finally, tail between his legs, returning to their quarters. Wei Ying is a pulse of restlessness, a spear of discontent. Lan Wangji can hardly fault him, hesitating at the door leading to their bed before betraying his presence with a harder, louder step. )

Shall we swim? ( Awkward, boyish. He shouldn't feel as if he must apologize. Does, inevitably, mouth slack and gaze diffuse. He owes Wei Ying more patience, he supposes. More faith. )

You had planned us to.

[He’s laying flat on his stomach with his legs below the knee hanging off the edge of the mattress by the time he hears Lan Zhan’s approach. He rolls onto his side and pushes himself up into a sitting position. As soon as he sees the look on Lan Zhan’s face, his heart feels heavy with guilt about having his pout. Maybe it’s the heat getting to him and making him so moody.]

You still want to?

[He hadn’t been sure if their date was going to continue after witnessing Jin Ling’s arrival. He scoots to the edge of the bed, but he doesn’t stand up. Instead, he holds a hand out to Lan Zhan’s like he’s a delicate maiden needing to be helped to her feet.]

I should have told you as soon as I found out about Jin Ling coming while we’re staying here. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but obviously you don’t feel the same way. [He leaves the apology unspoken.]

( Gently, soft-handed, he grasps Wei Ying's hand, starting to tug him upward and call him close. At the end, just before relinquishing him, he brings his husband's fingers to brush his mouth over Wei Ying's knuckles. Beautiful, whatever their quarrel.

In the end, he can't bear to part — drags him into the comforting breadth of his chest, to cushion him. He starts, still far too tender, to brush the back of Wei Ying's long, already tangling tresses. The heat, claiming another prisoner. His hair will want unknotting and attendance later.

And finally, it's ripped from him: )

I wish I could love him.

( He had thought, more fool he, that life would be simple now that Wei Ying has returned, his name largely cleansed. That they could delight in their family, in love and in peace.

But it terrifies him to understand he might never forgive Jin Ling, and that this branch of their family will always be distant to him. That he might come to be estranged from Sizhui as a result. )

[He stands, only using Lan Zhan’s hand a little to help lift him up. He doesn’t need to use it at all, but he wants to. It’s a little way that they can be together instead of pushing themselves apart with prolonging their little spat. A smile tugs at his lips as he watches his husband kiss his knuckles and he steps into the embrace at the same time Lan Zhan pulls him close.

He sighs and nudges his nose against Lan Zhan’s chest. He smells of sandalwood and sweat, but he doesn’t mind it one bit.]

I understand why you don’t. Between him stabbing me and winning the heart of our eldest son, it makes sense for it to be hard for you to tolerate him.

[He leans back just enough to be able to look up at Lan Zhan’s face. All he can offer is an understanding smile.]

I wish you could love him, too. He doesn’t make it easy, does he?

[He pries his hand out from the embrace so he can touch Lan Zhan’s cheek. It would be so much easier if Lan Zhan could forgive Jin Ling for his faults, but he knows hearts don’t mend easily with wishes as the only medicine.]

Sorry for storming off like that. I wasn’t upset at you as much as I was upset at myself for forgetting and I figured if I stayed in there for long, I’d take it out on you.

( His husband, his poison, his salvation. The only man capable of bringing Hanguang-Jun to his knees with a smile, sooner than a word. They take their time nuzzling, scenting one another, absorbing their warmth until they reach the point of near-intolerability.

Still, Lan Wangji endures, dipping his cheek to fit into Wei Ying's palm, basking in his affection. He all but purrs, a contented cat. )

Apologies unnecessary. ( They are both the creatures of instinct and whims — as swordsmen are so often wont to be. ) Should not have ignored Wei Ying.

( A pause, then reaching in to brush his lips over his husband's forehead - ) He has never done well neglected.

( Even in their youth, Wei Ying would only become more restless and stubbornly set in his ways, if Lan Wangji failed to pay him attention. )

[It’s dangerous lingering so close like this. Lan Zhan had warned him that he might want to dally if they came back to their room. A few more moments couldn’t hurt. As long as they don’t start kissing, they’ll eventually peel themselves off of each other.]

You never could ignore me for long. I bet you were only pretending to back then, too.

[He squeezes Lan Zhan close for a few heartbeats and then lets him go, stepping back. As nice as it would be to spend the rest of the afternoon in each other’s arms, they may not get another chance to go swimming. Lan Zhan’s been so overheated since mid-morning which is the perfect time for it. The waters aren’t as cold as they are in Cloud Recesses, but they’re cool enough to be refreshing. Especially during spring before the lakes warm up.]

Think you can walk away from the cool air in here long enough to take a dip in the lakes?

I can.

( He will be valiant, heroic. A credit to Cloud Recesses and a fond example to his sons. He will, and does, arm himself with patience, strength and perseverance as he takes his distance from Wei Ying to smoothly step behind his husband as he is no better than a dutiful concubine who knows his place.

He must, after all, if they mean to get there. In an effort to create more shade, Yunmeng's architectures are practically labyrinthine. He depends on Wei Ying to direct him at every step. )

Will two layers suffice for bathing? ( Somehow, he doubts Lotus Pier demands more modesty from its swimmers than does the entirety of Gusu Lan. )

[One more look around the room to make sure he isn’t forgetting anything before he leads the way to… Lan Liang’s room. He hadn’t had an opportunity to greet their beautiful boy yet and he can still hear him babbling and playing with his nursemaid. When Lan Liang notices his mother has come to see him, he reaches out as far as he can.

Who is he to deny his son’s wishes? Wei Wuxian steps close and picks the toddler up so he can give him some quick kisses and lingering hugs.]

We’ll be back soon, okay? [No, separation is never okay. Does Lan Liang recognize the words or is he picking up on his mother’s mood? Whatever the reason, Lan Liang’s little fist clutches a handful of Wei Wuxian’s hair and jerks it meanly.] If you’re trying to get me to want to stay, you’re doing a bad job of convincing me.

[He still kisses his son’s forehead before extracting himself. He bows gratefully to the nursemaid before taking Lan Zhan’s hand.] Ready?

( This cheeky little huli jing, their youngest son, already a heartbreaker. Liang spares no effort to woo Wei Ying close and into his grubby little hands, desperate for affection that Wei Ying likewise would never refuse him. Truly, a cunning pair.

Throughout this shocking display of innocent affection, Lan Wangji stoically weathers without a word, only lightly raising a brow to signal he is perfectly aware of the games young master Liang plays and likes them not. For his part, the toddler puffs his cheeks even rounder, hiding in the nook of his mother's shoulder.

Their son surrendered back to his nursemaid, Wangji drifts after Wei Ying, determined to make himself a devoted shadow. Ready, he needn't say, but steals Wei Ying's hand into his own. )

Your son has become crafty.

[He smiles, squeezing Lan Zhan’s hand softly and leading him the way to the main door. Maybe he’d been too quick to dismiss naughty behavior instead of punishing it, but he doesn’t want to be like Madame Yu. Sometimes he gets moody, but he loves his kids too much to want them to feel like he doesn’t.]

Yeah, he has, hasn’t he? I’ll work with him on it.

[He stops at the door, turning to face Lan Zhan before leaving their rooms.]

Oh, right! You were asking about what to wear, weren’t you? You’re overdressed, if anything. Guys around here usually just wear their pants when they’re swimming. You could get away with wearing more because your clothes go translucent when they’re wet. But if you want to change or take something off, now’s your last chance.

( ...overdressed, yet he looks down on his dwindled modesty and shudders to think of reducing it further. No, let Wei Ying attempt the lion's brunt of their audacity. Lan Wangji is satisfied.

If anything, his husband should ne the one to don further layers, and Lan Wangji's measuring glance conveys exactly his thoughts on half of Yunmeng glimpsing his soulmate. Local mores, he knows. Local... mores... )

I relinquish my last chance. ( And softened, nudging Wei Ying along with a palm to the arc of his lower back - )

You must be good. Demure. Not tempting.

What difference does it make? You’ll be tempted even if I behave myself.

[He’s only teasing, but there’s some truth to it. They tend to come close together and flirt when there’s even a pretense of privacy. The thing that will save his husband’s honor is the water’s temperature. It’s easier to resist each other when the coolness will keep their bodies from reacting too much to each other.

He leads the way out of their rooms and towards the docks. On the way there, he talks over his shoulder about how he used to go swimming in different places and how he found a secluded little cove when he’d gotten bored of the same scenery he’d seen every day.

The ancestral hall isn’t far from their path and seeing it reminds him that they were going to do their third bows in front of his adopted family. He squeezes Lan Zhan’s hand and looks over his shoulder again to smile when he brings it up.]

Let’s stop by the Ancestral Hall first. I want to share my good fortune with them and introduce you properly as my husband.

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