return from lanling

[shangba]

A full moon, unblinking.

You did not sleep, to see?

Comments

[emperorssmile]

Yeah, that’s fair. The finger biting might be my fault. When he first started teething, I thought it was cute when he tried to gnaw on my finger after applying the numbing agent to his gums. Now that some of his teeth are growing in, it’s not so cute.

[shangba]

Did Yuan not also first bully Wei Ying?

Perhaps family habit.

[emperorssmile]

He was moody sometimes, sure. He used to punch my chest with his little fists when he was upset.

Did he do that to you, too? Or was I just lucky?

[Then again, Lan Zhan probably never bullied A-Yuan and Wei Wuxian is guilty of bullying both of their sons.]

[shangba]

He was mannered by the time I exited seclusion.

Sedate during visits.

[emperorssmile]

Yeah, your uncle does have a reputation for shaping kids into good little Lans.

I’m glad Sizhui’s defiant in his own little ways.

[shangba]

Perhaps, after tumult, our peace and structure suited him.

[emperorssmile]

Maybe so.

He’s such a great kid. He’s got a strong sense of justice and he’s more mature than most of the adults I know.

[shangba]

But embodies Wei Ying's flexibility.

[emperorssmile]

You raised him well, Lan Zhan. He’s got all our good parts.

[shangba]

And Wei Ying's bad taste in men.

[emperorssmile]

I have great taste in men!

I was going to say he likes guys his elders would disapprove of. Doesn’t that mean his taste in men is inherited from you?

[shangba]

Once, Wei Ying excelled in everything. And Jin Rulan?

[emperorssmile]

But you excelled at everything, too.

Jin Ling is a work in progress.

[shangba]

What of Wei Ying's road progress?

[emperorssmile]

I love you, Lan Zhan! I have the best taste in men and you’ll never convince me otherwise!

We just passed that abandoned well we saw on the way.

[shangba]

Where lovers seek the reflections of their fated?

[emperorssmile]

That’s the one!

I know who it would show if I looked.

[shangba]

A jug of wine?

[emperorssmile]

You got it.

But you missed a part. A tall, handsome, distinguished cultivator in white holding a jug of wine.

[shangba]

Flatterer.

[emperorssmile]

Just stating the truth.

Ah, I get to see my fated one today! Are you as excited as I am?

It’s been a long time since it’s been just the two of us. You should hold A-Liang until we part ways with the others. He misses his father.

[shangba]

As I miss my sons. Sizhui, also.

Elder but sensitive.

[emperorssmile]

I don’t think he would appreciate being cuddled by his dad while he’s trying to eat.

As cute as it would be to see you holding both kids at once.

[shangba]

Wei Ying's talismans should revert Sizhui to youth at will.

[emperorssmile]

Whose will?

Sizhui misses you too, you know. He asked me about you this morning. Has he written you?