wuding | Date in Lotus Pier

[It’s finally time to relax. They’d spent the early part of the day taking care of notifying a few of the families about their sons’ fates. All four of them had already assumed the worst because the rumors about Jiang Cheng and ‘demonic’ cultivators, but it’s still important work for their closure and for the spirits of their sons and husbands to rest. He feels better having done it, but it sure took a lot out of him while he was doing it!

But he’s hungry and ready to change the trajectory of their day before going to pick up Lan Liang later in the afternoon. They’d spoken the night before about introducing Lan Zhan to more of his childhood haunts and now is as good a time as any.

He wraps his arms around one of Lan Zhan’s and hangs onto him like a young maiden infatuated by her betrothed. Last time they’d been in Lotus Pier, their welcome was tentative at best and they were all worn out from fighting off a an army of undead at the Burial Mounds.]

Should we eat first,

[On second thought, Lan Zhan’s skin is glistening. Maybe being so close isn’t as inviting as he had assumed.]

Or maybe you’d like to go swimming first?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He did cry, didn’t he? He always cries when they get married. It shines a light on how real everything is. Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan’s love for him, his own love for Lan Zhan. It’s all important to him and it still feels overwhelmingly good when he thinks about it too deeply.]

I’m still amazed every day that you love me so much.

[He sits up a little straighter at Lan Zhan’s gentle nudging. Rinsing off is easy other than his hair. He has to bend forward and dip his head under the water to help the process, but when he lifts his head, a curtain of hair hangs in front of his face. He cuts through the center with his fingers and pushes his hair back behind his ears.]

Will you sleep next to me? Just until Sizhui lets us know they’re almost back. I always sleep better when I’m in your arms.

[The safety and warmth lets him fall asleep faster and it seems to ward off some of his nightmares, too. He may as well treasure the feeling of sleeping next to Lan Zhan while he can if he’s to embark on a journey without him.]

( There: Wei Ying restored, from creature of melancholy to one of youth and waters, his hair curtaining prettily down. It's on Lan Wangji to rinse it after, to wrap it around his hand and squeeze out the last few rivulets.

After, he begins the more perfunctory work of bathing his own body, never as enticing or attended a proposition as minding Wei Ying's handsome form. He completes the job within moments, preparing to exit, only to be stalled by his lover's simple request. )

I shall rest beside you. ( Not exactly the commitment Wei Ying request. But then, the people of Gusu Lan often struggle with shifting their sleeping hours so abruptly. )

But sooner, I would watch my husband sleep and memorize his beauty.

( He is not the least bit ashamed to admit his proclivities in this. )

[Laying with him is good enough, so he doesn’t pester Lan Zhan for more than that. If his husband wants to read or compose letters to his family, it’s okay as long as he stays close. Within touching distance, at the very least.]

Lan Zhan, you’ll make me blush saying things like that.

[His face is already flushed from the steam, otherwise Lan Zhan would get proof of his words. He nudges him softly with his elbow, but he’s smiling. True and full of affection. He may as well enjoy the time he has with Lan Zhan now and not spend too long thinking about the time they’ll be apart.]

If you want to see me snoring and drooling, I won’t stop you. I sometimes watch you sleep, too. I don’t know how you’re so elegant and composed even when you’re sleeping, but you are. Never a hair out of place.

[He uses the rim of the tub to help lift himself up to his feet. His knees are a little achy after having them folded for so long. It’s nothing new. This body had come with aches and pains that he tolerates without complaint.

He grabs the drying cloth and holds onto two corners so he can spread it out in invitation.]

( Snoring. Drooling. He wishes he could pretend that Wei Ying has no truth of it, but he has seen his husband at his least artful and graceful, and he is indeed lacking in the contours of mannered sense at that time. Still, he finds it charming to be able to say he is the only person who has witnessed the Yiling Patriarch in a state of such comfort.

Wei Ying descends first, and with a last rinse, he gives chase, heading into his husband's embrace to welcome the folds of the towel surrounding him. More often than not, it is his pleasure to greet Wei Ying so, but now and then, to behold his husband's thoughtfulness is a comfort.

Lingering, he wraps the towel around his body, patiently collecting a second piece to draw and encircle Wei Ying's fair waist, also. )

Perfection is only distance. We are all without grace, up close.

Does that mean you want me to watch you more closely when you sleep? I usually do it from across the room, but sometimes I do it while I’m lying down next to you, too. You’re beautiful when you’re asleep or awake.

[He runs his hands over Lan Zhan to sop up some of the bath water clinging to him before he wraps the towel around his body. He lets Lan Zhan do the same to him and he grins up at him.]

Now should I sleep nude or put on my underclothes? I wouldn’t want to wrinkle my robes.

[He steps over the wall of the tub and bends down to dry his legs. He knows he’d be teasing Lan Zhan to sleep nude, which is why he means it as mostly a joke. If he didn’t have plans for the evening, it wouldn’t be a joke at all.]

You really don’t mind me having my evening meal with Jiang Cheng?

Your underclothes.

( This, whilst flushing, and already strategically making his way to the coffers bearing their silks to recover layers for both of them. Bodies freshly sated and cleansed, and still they'd find a way to stir each other if they linger nude.

He has the decency, slipping in on his garments, to pretend the reasons are far more noble. ) You will not wish to hasten after you stir from sleep.

( Certainly that, and not their own indefatigable libidos, is why. )

Sure, sure.

[He knows exactly why Lan Zhan suggests putting some clothes on. He doesn’t feel amorous right now, but that could easily change with a kiss or wandering hands. Lan Zhan would be even more of a slave to his desires as he is. It’s the one way his respectable husband allows himself be selfish.

He finishes drying himself off around the same time Lan Zhan finds some suitable underclothes for him and the outfit they’d chosen for the evening. He takes the offered clothes and lets their fingers brush as he takes it.]

I won’t want to wake up at all, so you’ll have to remind me to get me out of bed.

[He loves his brother, but his love for Lan Zhan is greater. It’s a good thing one of them is sensible when it comes to this sort of thing

He slips into the undergarments and heads straight for the bed. His hair is still wet and needs to be combed, so he compromises by dragging his fingers through it and twisting it into a low, loose ponytail. It won’t prevent all tangles, but it will help.

He drags his fingers over Lan Zhan’s arm as he walks past him and towards the bed. He drops down to sit on it, stretching his legs out in front of him to get the last bit of ache out of his knees before he lays himself backwards with his arms spread out beside him. He’ll get into the bed properly when Lan Zhan is ready to join.]

( In the end, all roads lead to this: Wei Ying, finally tame enough to descend upon the bed. Lan Wangji joining him, climbing at his side and slowly, imperceptibly melting into his lover's silhouette. So often, he suspects he must come off frigid, entirely uninterested, perhaps even resentful of his husband's affection. Luckily, Wei Ying understands — and these moments, quiet and sincere, when they fit organically, are when Lan Wangji may speak the language of his love.

His arms round around Wei Ying's silhouette, dragging him close, the wide sleeves of Lan Wangji's inner-home robes spread out like spumes that swallow him. He breathes in, and Wei Ying's scent welcomes him. Breathes out, and he still inhabits a world where his bride is bound in his arms. )

Shall wake you. ( He pledges, and for all he plans no sleep, he shutters his eyes to invite meditation. This will do, he supposes, determined to preserve their strength. ) Sleep, beloved.

[Wrapped in Lan Zhan’s arms once more, he lets himself relax at once. He nudges his nose against Lan Zhan’s throat and gives him a chaste, pecking kiss against his skin there because it’s the easiest place to do it.]

You’ll hold me the whole time?

[Loving Lan Zhan like this is everything he needs. He curls one arm between them and wraps the other around Lan Zhan’s middle. After a short squeeze, he loosens his hold and rests his head on his husband’s shoulder. He slips one leg between Lan Zhan’s so they can be that much closer.]

I’m just going to rest my eyes and listen to your heart beating.

[Theres rarely a time when he actually just closes his eyes. Within a few moments of this blissful comfort, he’ll fall asleep peacefully. In Lan Zhan’s arms, maybe he’ll skip the nightmares, too.]

Date in Lotus Pier

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject