#of all the little brothers on this show jiang cheng is truly the MOST little brother | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

robininthelabyrinth · 3 years

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Prompt: what if jc was lxc's age (and jyl maybe 2 or 3 years older) and wwx was lwj's/nhs' age when he was brought to lotus pier? (Or anything that involves a much bigger age gap bw the jiang sibs and wwx - where wwx is babey)

Untamed

“You know what,” Jiang Cheng said to his sister, who looked at him. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m not marrying a woman.”

Jiang Yanli’s lips started twitching uncontrollably and she hid her smile behind her sleeve. “Oh?”

“Nope. I’m going to marry Chifeng-zun.”

“On the basis of…?”

“If you take two adult men in charge of two Great Sects,” Jiang Cheng said, doing his utmost best to keep a straight face, “with all the power we can generate between us, we might – maybe – have a chance at disciplining our baby brothers.”

Jiang Yanli burst out laughing.

“There, there. It’s all right,” he said, grinning, reaching out to pat her on the shoulder. “You can join us if you’d like. There’s enough room in Qinghe for two wives.”

“We are not both running away to Qinghe,” she said, giggling. “A-Cheng!”

“What? I think it’s a great idea. If our parents want us back, they can negotiate with Chifeng-zun for it – may they have more luck than they had with the whole medicinal herb debacle.”

“A-Cheng, I am officially tabling this idea,” Jiang Yanli said, still snorting. “Older sibling privilege.”

“I let you out of the womb first as a matter of courtesy,” Jiang Cheng sniffed. “And now you use it against me? A-Li, how could you?”

“Call me jiejie! It doesn’t matter how much older, a few shichen or a few years, older is still older.”

“You probably elbowed me with those sharp pointy things you have on your arms. Weapons of war.”

“Older is older!” she sang. “Now tell me, what did A-Xian do this time?”

“Would you like it in chronological order, or in order of severity? I can also group it by theme, if you prefer.”

“Oh no,” Jiang Yanli said, covering her eyes. “Oh no.”

“And the chief-most theme,” Jiang Cheng said, continuing anyway, “is still called Lan Wangji.”

“Oh no!”

“He has the worst crush,” Jiang Cheng said, shaking his head with endless amusement. “And he just – refuses to admit it. ‘Nooooo, shixiong, we’re just friends, he can’t even stand me most of the time, he’s always trying to get me in trouble, but sometimes he lets me sit next to him and spend time with him and he’s so handsome and I really just want to make him laugh –’”

“We have,” Jiang Yanli said thoughtfully, “raised an idiot.”

“He was fine when we got him,” Jiang Cheng disagreed. “We have spoiled an idiot.”

“This is true. Maybe we should go form a mutual complaining society with Chifeng-zun; isn’t his little brother also an idiot?”

“Oh, you have no idea,” Jiang Cheng said. “Worse: they’ve teamed up. Nie Huaisang buys Wei Wuxian porn now.”

“Oh no…”

“In return for help cheating on his tests!”

“Oh no!”

“So that’s why I’m going to marry Chifeng-zun,” Jiang Cheng concluded. “Our parents may be disappointed by my decision, but with our powers combined, we might be able to save the world from our respective younger idiots.”

“Maybe,” she said, and shook her head. “A-Cheng – about our parents…”

Jiang Cheng shook his head as well, echoing her action but more in denial. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that she took after their father and he took after their mother, that she was born a shichen prior to midnight and he a shichen after and their personalities completely different as a result; it was no one’s fault that their parents didn’t get along, with their mother disdaining what she perceived as Jiang Yanli’s passiveness and lack of passion and their father despising Jiang Cheng’ prickly temper and difficulty communicating his affection without scolding.

It certainly wasn’t Wei Wuxian’s fault for being younger and more brilliant, talented at everything he did and with just the sort of personality their father liked best – the combination of his former best friend and the girl he’d once thought of marrying – and that he’d always made that preference very clear to everyone, even to their mother who often worried that her husband would dispossess her children in favor of his foundling and who lashed out at everyone in response.

That had hurt – hurt a lot, even, and Jiang Cheng was soft and sensitive underneath all his defensive layers, but any time he got angry over it he would look at Wei Wuxian, their little A-Xian, baby Xianxian, who adored his older siblings more than anything and was adored in return, and he forced himself to get over it. He was old enough, by the time Wei Wuxian arrived, to know to whom the blame really belonged.

“I spoke with Nie Huaisang while I was at the Cloud Recesses,” Jiang Cheng said in an undertone, one reserved just for his sister. “He’s asked me to pass along a message to his brother, the next time I go night-hunting, about the whole debacle – he’s so terribly apologetic, you understand, he couldn’t wait for the post – if we get to Qinghe by tomorrow, Chifeng-zun will be able to get to Gusu in time to intervene before our father does something wretched like cancel your engagement and take A-Xian home early from his studies.”

“The engagement I wouldn’t mind,” she remarked. “If Jin Zixuan feels so strongly about it that he’d get into a fistfight with A-Xian, it’s better not to marry, no matter what our mother might think. But on no account is A-Xian to be sent home early! He needs his education!”

Unsaid was everything else he needed, things he could get better at the Cloud Recesses than anywhere else.

“Then we go?”

“We go,” she agreed. Between the two of them, Jiang Cheng had more talent at cultivation, but she was steadier, even in her overall mediocrity: when the two of them flew on a sword together, they could make it much further and faster than anyone expected.

Qinghe wasn’t really close enough for a quick jaunt – they flew all night without stopping – but Chifeng-zun was amendable to their scheme, jumping at once onto his saber and making his way straight to Gusu. A waste of spiritual energy all around, really, but far faster than their father would move, with his Sect Leader’s dignity and retinue, rushing to the Cloud Recesses to save his precious little Wei Wuxian from having any connections in life that weren’t to the Jiang sect, and the Jiang sect alone.

And never mind how much he needed those connections: needed to have friends his own age, needed to have more time with that crush of his, needed independence and freedom and everything the Jiang sect supposedly stood for - needed for them to support him and act as the foundation beneath his feet, rather than the chains tying him down to earth.

Chifeng-zun – who was only a few years older than they were – was really a very understanding person, getting the problem at once and immediately agreeing with their view on things. Perhaps there really was something to be said about the difference in generations…

“Let me show you to rooms where you can rest,” Chifeng-zun’s aide said, a slender young man with a polite smile on his face as he saluted. “I’ll arrange for refreshments as well.”

“We hate to trouble you, but in all honesty you are a lifesaver,” Jiang Yanli said to him warmly, and he unexpectedly flushed red at the cheeks. “A-Cheng, let’s follow this handsome young man and rest a while before we return to the Lotus Pier.”

The young man was blushing.

“What’s your name?” Jiang Cheng asked, and the blush faded away at once as the man paled a little: it would be one he expected them to recognize, then, and not in a good way.

“This one is Meng Yao,” he said, and saluted again even though he’d already saluted once before, and Jiang Yanli’s eyes flickered to Jiang Cheng’s very briefly before she caught his arms and raised him up.

“I’ve heard of you. Smart and talented enough to get Chifeng-zun’s attention, even so far as becoming his personal deputy - you must be brilliant. Truly, you deserve a better father,” she told him, and he stared up at her, dumbstruck.

“Don’t mind her,” Jiang Cheng said. “She’s trying out this new thing in which she says everything she feels without thinking first.”

She elbowed him. “And isn’t it your fault?” she asked snappishly. “You’re the one who needs to speak your mind more; I’m just modeling good behavior!”

If she’d been older than him – really older, rather than just a few shichen – maybe she would have held her tongue more and played the role of the peacekeeper, trying to protect him from his father’s indifference the way she had tried to when they were both younger, just as he had tried to distract his mother from her with his hard-fought accomplishments. It wasn’t until they had little Wei Wuxian to spoil and care for, a joint task that required both of their attention, that they realized that splitting their forces like that was pointless and self-defeating: it wasn’t actually helping that Jiang Yanli suppressed so much of her spirit until she felt like little more than a reflective mirror with no content, nor that Jiang Cheng nearly worked himself to death trying to prove that he was worthy of his father’s love and respect that he would never receive, and it never would.

So they stopped.

They were trying very hard to stop, anyway.

“You’re very kind,” Meng Yao murmured, and led them to their rooms.

The moment he closed the door behind him, Jiang Yanli turned to Jiang Cheng and said, “I’ve changed my mind about your plan – we can run away to Qinghe. You marry Chifeng-zun, and I’ll marry that charming boy out there.”

There was an audible thudding sound from the corridor outside, as if someone had accidentally walked into a wall, and they both grinned at each other.

“Mother would kill you,” he warned her in an undertone.

“And being married to someone who disdains me enough to fight over my worthlessness in public wouldn’t?” she retorted, smiling even though her expression was tinged with pain: if she had one ambition in life, it was to never become their mother. “The marriage agreement might have been forged by our mothers, but the text of it says ‘the Jin sect leader’s son to the Jiang sect leader’s daughter’. Why can’t I marry him?”

“He hasn’t been acknowledged.”

“Only technically. Everyone knows he’s the real deal, or else his father wouldn’t have made such a fuss about it.”

“But –”

“Anyway, he must be a good man, or Chifeng-zun wouldn’t have promoted him.”

“I don’t know about that,” Jiang Cheng said. “Chifeng-zun doesn’t have the sense of self-preservation the heavens bestowed on a lemming.”

There was a vaguely audible snort from outside their door. It seemed Meng Yao, at least, had the good sense not to leave guests in his house unattended, and no discrimination against the very useful business of listening at doors.

He also had a sense of humor, which was good given Jiang Yanli’s newfound ambitions in his regard.

“Yes, well, I wasn’t saying I’d elope with him tomorrow or anything,” she sniffed, eyes dancing. “Give him some time to prove himself to me.”

Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but smile back. “That’s true,” he said, raising his voice a little. “At Chifeng-zun’s side, he’ll be able to make a name for himself until the whispers all say that his father was an idiot for keeping him away.”

“And if even that doesn’t work, I’ll marry him in and make him help me run the Jiang sect,” she said cheerfully. “Who needs Lanling Jin?”

“Wait, since when are you inheriting the Jiang sect?”

“I’m older! And anyway, aren’t you marrying Chifeng-zun? That means you’ll be away helping run his sect, and that leaves an opening at home for me.”

“…huh. Good point.”

“Maybe you can just swap places with Meng Yao,” she said, starting to giggle again. “And we can all see how long it takes anyone to notice…”

“Our parents might not,” Jiang Cheng said dryly. “But Chifeng-zun would. If only because I have my sights set on his bed, and I don’t think Meng Yao does.”

“You don’t know that; everyone wants Chifeng-zun. Maybe you have competition.”

“Better to have competition than be oblivious. Do you want to hear the whole story about A-Xian and Lan Wangji’s tragic mutual pining disaster? Xichen-xiong told me all the details he’s been leaving out of his letters.”

“Tell me everything!”

#mdzs #jiang cheng #jiang yanli #meng yao #nie mingjue #my fic #my fics #jiang sect twins #crazycat27 #mingcheng #meng yao/jiang yanli

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jingyismom · 3 years

Text

Currently losing my mind over an AU so pls join me:

Rocky Horror shadowcast modern AU Explicit, wangxian, modern au, rocky horror rom com, no warnings

Is this a thing already? Probably!! But my brain is going brrrrr so hear me out

Lan Wangji gets pressed/dared to fill a last-minute cast vacancy for Nie Huaisang by both their older brothers.

He's a little miffed by how sure Nie Huaisang seems that he wouldn't do it, and it only makes him determined to prove him wrong. He's not that uptight. And when Lan Xichen played Brad last year, it didn't look that horrible—he can manage if his brother can.

Is he apprehensive? Yes. Is he scared of being publicly flirted with by that upsettingly hot guy who plays Dr. Frank-N-Furter every year? Double yes.

But Lan Xichen seems to really want him to do it for some reason, and Nie Huaisang is so sure he won't, even though he's desperate for help.

So Lan Wangji surprises them all and says yes.

The only thing is, when he shows up to the first rehearsal, Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli tell him they're playing Brad and Janet, and ask what part he's doing. He's a little annoyed that his time has been wasted, and starts to tell them he's actually just leaving, when Nie Huaisang breezes past.

"Lan Wangji is playing Rocky," he says, and keeps going.

"Oh!" Jiang Yanli says. "Wow, cool!"

Lan Wangji does not agree.

His first impulse is to refuse. That is not what he signed up for. But Nie Huaisang turns and gives him a Look, and he realizes he's been played.

And he absolutely will not back down.

More people begin to arrive (Wen Qing and MianMian can be Magenta and Columbia bc I love a Gang's All Here approach) and it starts to sink in that he's going to have to stand almost naked in front of crowds and be pawed by the, again, truly upsettingly hot Wei Wuxian whom he has never actually met. He starts to feel like he may have to be the one to back down after all. He gets a little maudlin, realizing he really *is* that uptight.

But then someone new walks in: tight black jeans riddled with holes and safety pins, baggy faded band tee, silver piercings, an undercut, and the sunniest apologetic smile Lan Wangji has ever seen.

"Sorry sorry, had to drop Jiang Cheng off at practice" he says, and drops his bag.

Lan Wangji knows he's staring. What he doesn't understand is how nobody else is staring. This is the most beautiful human being he's ever seen.

He goes through the rehearsal, which is short and only the first part of the show so he's just sitting, watching, rapt, and doesn't realize until he's left that he never actually said he isn't coming back.

Which means now he has to.

Nobody really speaks to him, that first day. He gets the impression nobody knows why he's there, which, well. He shares the sentiment.

He spends the next day distracted and nervous until it's time for rehearsal again, than, when the time comes, sits in his same chair in the auditorium again, waiting to be ignored. But when Nie Huaisang enters through the side door with a hulking, mustachioed Nie cousin, he takes one look at Lan Wangji, widens his eyes, and turns on his heel to shove the cousin back out the way they came.

He returns moments later, alone, and claps his hands.

He starts the rehearsal more formally this time, with introductions, including Lan Wangji. At that point, Lan Wangji realizes two things:

1. Nie Huaisang had really not expected him to come back, and had found a replacement. Lan Wangji does not often feel stupid, but this is definitely one of those times. He's trapped himself; there's nobody else to blame for the mortification sure to follow.

2. The beautiful boy from yesterday is actually Wei Wuxian, and will indeed once again be playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

He does not know how to process that information. He doesn't remember enough of the show to feel anything but Fear.

When it comes time for him to go on stage and learn the blocking for his first scene, it is of course with Wei Wuxian.

They talk him through what he's supposed to do, how it matches up with the movie and how it doesn't. He's sweating, waiting for it to get Worse. Waiting for this stranger to start...pawing at him. And other things. He's never been treated that way before. By anyone, let alone a stranger, let alone...someone like this. He's rarely ever been this nervous in his life.

But Wei Wuxian doesn't do anything of the sort. Instead he waves him off to the side, scratching the back of his head.

"Ah, so, you know. I know they dragged you into this," he says. "So I just wanted to check in? I don't want to like, come at you full force," he laughs. "We can work around your comfort level."

Lan Wangji stares at him for a moment too long, and his smile falls.

"Just, uh...let me know what you're okay with? I guess."

It isn't until he starts to walk away that Lan Wangji finds his voice.

"Thank you," he says.

Wei Wuxian stops. Turns to listen.

"For...understanding."

Another smile, and a nod.

Somehow, they get through it without ever touching at all. Lan Wangji isn't sure how they'll sell it, but nobody seems worried. He's relieved. So very relieved. At first.

But as things go on, and he watches the way Wei Wuxian is, the way he talks, his sharp wit, his unfailing kindness...he starts to notice that bearing Wei Wuxian's flirting without the touch he so easily bestows on everyone else, is actually...horrible.

He knows he asked for this, in a way. But over the course of rehearsals he begins to regret it, at least in part. He still doesn't think he could bear what he saw take place on stage last year. But he starts to feel...hungry. Starved, for just one small physical token of his affection.

Because it seems...it does seem, as if Wei Wuxian likes him. In the way he seems to like most everybody, at least. He jokes with him, and laughs at the things he says, and calls him funny. But true to his word, he never once touches him.

The first dress rehearsal changes things.

He knew his own outfit wouldn't be the hard part, after years of competitive swimming—

(He does not see Wei Wuxian's jaw drop when he comes out wearing the gold speedo. He does not see him turn to Nie Huaisang and say, "You're a monster."

"I'm a genius," Nie Huaisang says back.)

—but he's forgotten, in getting to know Wei Wuxian, just what he looks like on stage. When he sees him make that first entrance in full costume, at full steam, he has to excuse himself out the side door and take a lot of very deep breaths.

It's not about...the makeup. Or the—corset. Fishnets. Heels. Though those things are undeniably making him feel...certain things. As is all the skin suddenly on display.

It's more about the look in his eyes and the way he moves his body. His mind-boggling confidence. It's about the way he looks at him now, under the spotlights. As if he's going to eat him whole and make him enjoy it.

The way he looks at him, and it feels more intimate than a touch, though he still hasn't yet touched him, not even a little bit.

It all makes Lan Wangji desperately, desperately want him to.

The energy of the first performance gets to him. There is a moment wherein he truly thinks Wei Wuxian will run his hand up his chest for real, and he leans forward, heart tripping.

But he doesn't.

And Wei Wuxian sells it. He sells the whole thing, and it doesn't come off even a little bit

weird that there's at least a hand's width of distance between them at all times.

Lan Wangji pushes down the part of himself that wishes it did look weird, or bad, and they'd have to just. Do it all for real. Because he knows, really, that he couldn't handle that. He doesn't know what that would do to him, and the idea makes him uncomfortable. Scared again, as he hasn't been since Wei Wuxian took him aside and listened to him that first day.

Lan Xichen brings him to that first performance with boba for the whole cast, and drives him home after. Lan Wangji can tell from his particular brand of silence in the car that they're about to have a Talk.

"You were very good," Lan Xichen starts.

Lan Wangji knows that isn't true. He was wooden, and awkward. But then, as Nie Huaisang keeps telling him, that's why he's so perfect for the part.

"You all seemed like you were having fun."

And that part is, shockingly, somewhat true. It's unexpectedly freeing to be so silly. To be surrounded by such unselfconscious people. He is not sure it will rub off on him, but he hopes it does. A little bit, at least.

"Like maybe you're making some new friends."

"Mn," Lan Wangji allows. They are good people. Kind, and open-hearted. He especially likes Jiang Yanli.

"Wei Wuxian is very friendly, in particular," Lan Xichen goes on. "And smart. He's some sort of engineer, isn't he?"

"Biomechanical," Lan Wangji supplies. They've all talked plenty about their grad programs.

"Yes, I remember now," says Lan Xichen. "Very smart. And respectful! He knew A-Jue and I were dating last year and didn't want to overstep. We didn't mind, though, of course, and..."

Lan Wangji stops listening at the reminder that his brother played Brad. He runs through the show in his mind, remembering all the ways he watched his brother interact with the mysterious and stunning Frank-N-Furter. Who is Wei Wuxian. Who has never touched Lan Wangji. And who has touched his brother. A lot.

Suddenly he is a unique mix of jealous and ill.

"Wangji?"

He clenches his teeth.

"Are you alright?"

He doesn't like to lie to his brother. He's very bad at it. He says nothing. His brother's voice goes soft.

"You looked as if you enjoy working with him."

Lan Wangji looks out the window, into the night.

"Mn."

Lan Xichen sighs. The rest of the drive passes in silence.

(Lan Wangji has not heard the way the rest of the cast teases Wei Wuxian for being so obviously smitten with him. He has not caught the meaning of Jiang Yanli's gentle pushes. He did not see Jiang Cheng craning his head in to look during one rehearsal, or hear him say, "Oh so that's why you're always on time this year." He did not see Wei Wuxian's triple take the first time Nie Huaisang did the quick Rose Tint My World makeup on Lan Wangji's face, or the way he ran into an actual wall the first time he saw Lan Wangji in his own fishnets and heels.)

Then, one fateful night, one of the stagehands calls out sick, and there is nobody to help Lan Wangji with the finale quick change. And, well, Wei Wuxian is already dressed.

As Nie Huaisang hurriedly paints on Lan Wangji's look, it's Wei Wuxian who kneels at his feet.

"Um," he says, uncertainty foreign on this iteration of his face. "Is it—okay? If I..."

"En," says Lan Wangji, holding his mouth still and open for lipstick application.

Wei Wuxian clears his throat, and gathers up one of Lan Wangji's stockings. He guides it on, up Lan Wangji's calf, and up his thigh. Lan Wangji stares hard at the opposite wall, trying to ignore the subtle touch and the way it's reverberating through his entire body, new and devastating.

There is a tug at his hip, and a click as Wei Wuxian fastens the slings.

He realizes he is not breathing.

He's supposed to be lacing up his own corset, but he can't make his hands move from where they're clutching the table he's leaned against.

Wei Wuxian's fingers brush high on the back of his thigh as he finishes fastening the first side. Then he starts on the second.

Nie Huaisang finishes his job and makes a disgusted noise, then flees.

Startled into action, Lan Wangji fumbles for the ties at his front as Wei Wuxian rolls the second stocking up past his knee.

He forces himself to breathe, but it's not helping.

Especially not when Wei Wuxian stands and pulls the laces himself, close enough for Lan Wangji to feel the heat of his breath, to see individual flakes of glitter on his eyes and mouth.

He still can't move his hands.

But Wei Wuxian finishes the job with brutal efficiency that forces him to gather his feather boa in his hands and clutch it in front of him, willing himself to calm down.

"There," says Wei Wuxian with a grin that pierces him through like an arrow.

He reaches out as if to touch Lan Wangji's arm but falters and gives a playful tug to his laces instead, before turning to go back out on stage.

Lan Wangji has to follow. He has to go back out there. But his mouth is dry, and his legs feel unsteady.

A light touch at his elbow startles him. Jiang Yanli is there in her own matching outfit, a small smile on her painted face.

"Come on," she says. "The show won't wait."

The last night of the show is at midnight on Halloween, which is of course also Wei Wuxian's birthday. The entire cast is invited to the big birthday Halloween party he throws before the show with his siblings every year.

Lan Wangji doesn't want to go. He isn't very good at parties.

But Wei Wuxian asks him personally if he'll be there, as if it will matter. As if seeing his face among the sea of Wei Wuxian's friends will make him happy.

So of course he must go. And he must find a gift.

He borrows a costume from his brother, and makes his way over to the house, praying he's not too early or too late. But the party is in full swing, and Jiang Yanli welcomes him in warmly. She offers to put his gift somewhere safe and he hesitates, but agrees. He wants to see Wei Wuxian's face when he opens it, but, well...he also doesn't want to have to stand there while he does it. He might die.

She and Jin Zixuan look great in their Brad and Janet costumes with their fishnets on the bottom half. Most of the cast wear their show costumes for this, Lan Wangji knows. But there was no way he was coming in only a gold speedo, and the finale outfit...well. He was ambivalent about it until the night Wei Wuxian helped him dress. Now he doesn't want to wear it in public more than necessary. His feelings about it have grown...complex. In a way he has to work very hard not to think about late at night, when he's alone in his bed.

He'd rather not have to think about it at this party, either.

"Nice costume," Wen Qing tells him as she saunters past.

She's dressed in an elaborate Xena cosplay. Lan Wangji can't tell if she means the compliment or not, but in his experience she’s never been one for cruelty. He nods at her as he goes deeper into the house.

His plan is to say hello to Wei Wuxian as quickly as possible and then find somewhere quiet to wait until the whole cast leaves together. But when he sees Wei Wuxian, he's in the middle of the cleared living room, dancing in a thick crowd.

Lan Wangji watches for a moment, heart heavy.

He's effervescent, out there, surrounded by people. He's at home in places Lan Wangji never wants to go. It is so abundantly clear that Lan Wangji is the opposite of what Wei Wuxian might ever want.

Which is fine, Lan Wangji reminds himself. He likes his life. His music, his studies, his quiet. He's never needed anyone else to make himself feel whole. But he's never wanted anyone like this before, either.

He turns away from the dance floor. There has to be something—an unoccupied bedroom, or a small balcony somewhere. He sets himself to the search.

"Lan Wangji!"

He turns at the sound of his name. Wei Wuxian has spotted him and is pushing his way toward him. He waits, skin buzzing. From the loud beat of the music or from the simple fact of being seen, he doesn't know.

"You came!" Wei Wuxian shouts over the noise, looking genuinely happy.

Lan Wangji nods. "Wei Wuxian," he greets.

Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes. "It's Wei Ying," he says. "Come on."

Lan Wangji hesitates. All his friends call him such. It should not feel like overstepping, not when Wei Wuxian himself insists.

"It's my birthday, you know," Wei Wuxian wheedles.

Lan Wangji nods. "Wei Ying. Your sister has your gift."

Wei Wuxian's mouth drops open. "Oh wow...it...it's not that kind of birthday party, you didn't have to!"

Lan Wangji feels his ears heat, and his eyes fall to Wei Wuxian's chest.

"But thanks," Wei Wuxian goes on. "You're always too nice to me, I might get the wrong idea."

Lan Wangji doesn't have anything to say to that.

"You look amazing by the way," Wei Wuxian adds. "I love The Princess Bride."

"So do I," says Lan Wangji, "but my brother insists it's a Zorro costume."

Wei Wuxian throws his head back and laughs, like it's the funniest thing he's ever heard. It takes effort for Lan Wangji to speak again.

"You look amazing, too," he says, carefully using the same adjective so as not to miss the right tone. "Though I admit I don't know what the costume is."

Wei Wuxian smiles wide, showing his teeth. Which Lan Wangji realizes are pointed.

"Michael, from The Lost Boys."

Lan Wangji looks at him blankly, and his liner-smudged eyes go wide.

"Michael? Lost Boys? Maggots, Michael, you're eating maggots, how do they taste?"

Lan Wangji shrugs, and Wei Wuxian shakes his head, his one long earring catching the light.

"You have to see it. We're watching it, no excuses!"

Lan Wangji tries valiantly not to simply demand when, and hold him to it. He's been desperate for a way to know he'll see him again after tonight, but he knows it would be insane to jump on such an abstract suggestion.

"Alright," he says.

Wei Wuxian smiles again, pointed teeth and all, and Lan Wangji feels weak with it.

But before either of them can say anything else, the song changes, and someone shouts and pulls Wei Wuxian back into the crowd.

He waves as he disappears into the sea of bodies, and Lan Wangji makes himself turn away. He's done what he came for. Now, all he has to do is find somewhere quiet he won't feel terribly awkward.

"Hey. Hey! Lan Wangji!"

For the second time, he turns at the sound of his name. But this time, it's Nie Huaisang who calls him, from the kitchen. Lan Wangji follows the voice to a figure in a yellow jumpsuit and blond wig presiding over a group of most of the cast.

"Well look who it is," says Nie Huaisang.

He holds out his palm. MianMian, dressed of course as Gabrielle, slaps what looks like money into it.

"Cool Zorro costume," she says.

"Thank you," Lan Wangji murmurs.

"It's Princess Bride," says Jin Zixuan as he passes by with a bucket of ice.

MianMian sticks her tongue out at him.

"Why argue when it looks like that on him?" Nie Huaisang says. "Ridiculous that those pants should seem more revealing than a fucking speedo. I hate you sometimes, you know."

"Mn," says Lan Wangji.

Everyone laughs. He feels a tug at the corner of his mouth.

"Here." Nie Huaisang offers him a cup.

"I don't drink."

Nie Huaisang rolls his eyes. "I know. It's punch. I made it AYOB, just for you. Add Your Own Booze."

Lan Wangji considers him, surprised. They've known each other for ages, but they've never been close. Lan Wangji just always assumed they were different kinds of people. He always assumed he was a different sort from most people.

But maybe he's beginning to realize that may not matter much.

He takes the cup, and they all toast.

To Wei Ying, and to closing night.

A while later, Lan Wangji is not so certain of the punch. He holds it out to Nie Huaisang.

"Is this...you. Alcohol?"

Nie Huaisang raises an eyebrow and pats his hand.

"For normal humans, no, but for you, sweetie, I guess."

"What is...it?"

"I topped it with boozy cherries. That's all."

Lan Wangji frowns, and Nie Huaisang snorts.

"Drink water," he says. "You have plenty of time to sober up from your .000000000001% blood alcohol concentration."

Just then, Wen Qing falls into the group, sweating and happy, reaching for a water bottle.

"How's the boring corner?" she asks, taking a swig. "Isn't anybody gonna dance? It's really just me and Wei Ying out there holding it down for the whole cast?"

At the mention of Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji perks up. "Dance?"

Wen Qing exchanges a Look with Nie Huaisang. "Yeah but we're all taking a break for a minute," she says. "When we're rested...do you want to dance with WY?"

Lan Wangji has the odd feeling something is happening he can't quite grasp, and it frustrates him. But these...these are his friends?

"No," he says.

Wen Qing makes a complicated face that he also can't understand.

"Don't know how," he finishes.

"Ah..." she says. "Buf if you did, you would."

Lan Wangji nods, glum. He would love to dance with Wei Ying. To be near him, really, in any way he could. Just to see his face, to bask in his glow.

"Poetic, for a drunk," says Nie Huaisang.

Lan Wangji frowns at him.

A chime sounds, and Wen Qing checks her phone.

"Hey, you've been drinking enough water, right?"

Lan Wangji nods.

"Do you know where the bathroom is?"

He thinks, then shakes his head.

"Well," she says, "you need to know that little piece of information don't you?"

Lan Wangji nods. It will become essential at some point.

"Ok. Come on," she says, beckoning. "Come with me, I can show you real quick. Okay?"

Lan Wangji looks around at the others. That sense that something else is happening grows stronger. But Nie Huaisang is shooing him, and everyone else is suddenly staring at their phones, unconcerned. He turns and follows her. She leads him down the hall. They turn, and she stops so suddenly he bumps into her.

"Sor—"

She claps a hand over his mouth. He stares at her with wide eyes. She puts a finger to her lips, then taps her ear and points to the door beside them, open just a crack.

He blinks, and then...listens.

Voices. Quiet but distinct. Just beyond the door.

Wei Wuxian's voice.

Lan Wangji jolts, and tries to run. He doesn't want to overhear anything Wei Wuxian might be doing in a bedroom. But Wen Qing holds him fast, her expression set. She taps her ear again. He can't help but hear.

"...driving me crazy," Wei Wuxian sighs.

Lan Wangji closes his eyes, but Wen Qing's grip on him just tightens.

"It's been weeks," comes another voice. Lan Wangji recognizes it as Wen Ning, Wen Qing's sister and Wei Wuxian's friend. "Why haven't you done anything about it?"

"Because! He doesn't even like me."

"He's here, isn't he?"

An exaggerated, frustrated sound. "Yeah because he's polite and I practically begged him, like the pathetic idiot I am."

"People don't borrow costumes and buy unnecessary birthday gifts and come to parties just to be polite."

"HE does!!! He's—ok fine, it's not just politeness, it's—he's—kind. And sweet. And—"

"This sounds so familiar."

"Stop."

"Almost like I've heard it somewhere before."

"Shut up."

"Oh! I know! It's because I have heard it before! Like, every day since you met him."

This was not what Lan Wangji feared. But he still very much does not want to hear it.

"Fine. I get it! Done talking."

"I'm not trying to stop you talking, I'm trying to get you to do something."

There is a long silence. Lan Wangji glances at Wen Qing, who's watching him with a shrewd look.

"What do you suggest, then," says Wei Wuxian. He sounds tired.

"You're kidding, right? You're asking me? Just—I don't know, do one of your you things. That's never not worked before."

Wei Wuxian makes a defeated noise. "Even you have to admit there's no precedent for this," he says. "There's just...there's nobody else like Lan Wangji."

Lan Wangji flinches at the sound of his name, and he tries to fit it into the rest of the conversation. He doesn't...he doesn't understand. They...it had sounded as if they were talking about someone Wei Wuxian has some sort of hopeless crush on, which was already ridiculous.

But then they were talking about him.

And that. Those two things...they don't...go together.

He looks up at Wen Qing, who is still watching him. Slowly, she takes her hand off of his face. He blinks at her.

"I don't know about that," says Wen Ning, "because I don't know him as well as you do. In fact, it seems like almost nobody knows him as well as you do. And it's only been a few weeks. Do you see what I'm saying? He talks to you. With words! Voluntarily!"

"A-Ning," Wei Wuxian says, suddenly harsh. "He made it clear from the start that he doesn't even want me so much as touching him. Ever, if it can be helped. Please, just. Stop trying to encourage me to push him somewhere he obviously doesn't want to go. Just let me be sad, ok?"

A long silence.

"Alright," says Wen Ning. "I get it."

"Thank you."

"But I'm not gonna let you be sad on your birthday. Plenty of time to mope tomorrow, right? Tonight, we Monster Mash. Up. Let's go. Move it."

There is a sudden rustling, and Wei Wuxian laughs weakly, and then Wen Qing is hustling Lan Wangji back through the living room, to the kitchen.

He doesn't see any of it. Nothing feels real.

"Mission accomplished?" he hears Nie Huaisang say.

"Affirmative," answers Wen Qing. "Hey." She shakes Lan Wangji's shoulder.

He looks up. They're all staring at him.

"Fuck, Huaisang, did you get him too drunk?"

"I tried not to get him ANY drunk!!"

"I'm not drunk," Lan Wangji protests.

"You're a little drunk," says MianMian. "But you...heard what you needed to hear, right?"

Lan Wangji glances around. "Me?"

There is a collective groan.

Lan Wangji needs to sit down. He breaks away from them, and pushes through the crowd to the front door. He goes outside, to the street, and sits on the curb.

He stays there until it is time to leave.

The show that night is electric.

The audience is more responsive, louder, and everyone on stage is having more fun. Even the movie on the screen behind them seems more excited.

Wei Wuxian is in his element. He is powerful, playful, funny, and unbearably sexy.

Lan Wangji feels...alive. But strangely distant. As if none of this is happening to him, but it's more fun than ever to watch.

Until he himself goes on. And then, very suddenly, everything is happening to him at once.

He feels more naked when they pull the shroud off him. He feels warmer when Wei Wuxian praises him, when he almost-touches his thigh, his arm. He feels like the barrier between them is thinner. Less real than it ever has been. Like maybe it's not even there at all.

At the end of that first long scene, somehow, something comes over him. When Rocky and the Dr. go into the honeymoon suite, before the curtain closes, Lan Wangji wraps his arms around Wei Wuxian and picks him up.

He's the only one close enough to hear the shocked sound he makes.

He's the only one who feels Wei Wuxian's legs wrap around his hips.

He's the only one who gets to appreciate how quickly Wei Wuxian recovers, and turns it back into a performance, before the curtain closes.

And then, for about five seconds, he's the only one behind the curtain with him.

They stare at each other in the almost-dark, breathing hard, suddenly touching more than most people do unless in a truly compromising position. Wei Wuxian is searching his face, his mouth almost forming a question. His eyes catch on Lan Wangji's lips.

They both hold their breath.

But then stagehands rush past, and Lan Wangji lets him down so they can both go to their next positions.

The show goes on. And on. And Lan Wangji thinks, maybe, possibly, there's something more in the looks Wei Wuxian sends his way. Something true.

He dares to hope.

When they go back for the quick-change, Nie Huaisang is clapping at him.

"Little did I know, alcohol was the secret all along! You were really shaking your booty out there! What the hell??"

Wei Wuxian whips around to look at him. "You're—you drank?"

"No," Lan Wangji says, as he laces himself in. "Not...on purpose."

Nie Huaisang snorts as he finishes his makeup. "It was literally cherry juice. How do you live?"

"I'm not—"

But their time is up. They all go back out and finish the show. When it's over, and they've taken their bows, Lan Wangji loses track of himself and of time. Everything is so hectic, and euphoric, and bittersweet. But he receives and gives more promises of meals and coffees and movie nights than he's ever had in his life. And he's not mad at it.

Everyone is supposed to change and go back to Nie Huaisang's apartment for the yearly closing night sleepover, but Lan Wangji is stalled before he can get back to the dressing rooms.

Jiang Yanli pulls him aside. She looks worried. "He didn't get a chance to open your gift," she says. "I'm sorry."

"It's no trouble," he says, though his heart does sink a little. If he had opened it, he would probably already know how Lan Wangji feels.

"Are you sure? I could go get it. Bring it to Huaisang's?"

"No, really," he says. "But thank you. It's a very kind offer."

Jiang Yanli nods, though she still looks troubled.

"Please," he says. "Don't worry." He looks up. Jin Zixuan is hovering a ways away, holding their coats. "Someone's waiting for you," he adds.

Jiang Yanli glances back, and grins. "Maybe you'll know the feeling soon."

He blinks at her, and she leans up to kiss him on the cheek.

"Good luck," she says, and leaves with a small wave.

Lan Wangji stares after her until she's gone out the door.

Now that the alcohol has worn off, he's better able to understand the sheer amount of people who seem to not only know about, but be directly involved in his affairs. Affairs which even he was not aware of, until they interfered. Embarassment and gratefulness have a brief battle in his stomach, only to both be beaten down by the sheer power of nerves.

He turns down the hall toward the dressing rooms, and runs almost directly into Wei Wuxian.

"Oh," Wei Wuxian says. "Um, hi."

He's still in costume, too. Almost everyone else has gone.

"Hello."

He doesn't know what else to say. They are standing very close.

"You...were. You were really great," Wei Wuxian says. "Not just tonight! You just did...overall. A great job."

"Thank you," says Lan Wangji. "You are always incredible."

"Ah...ha. Wow. Always so earnest, Lan Wang—"

"Lan Zhan," Lan Wangji interrupts suddenly. "You can...call me Lan Zhan."

Nobody has called him this name since he was small. But he wants Wei Ying to know—wants everyone to know—that he is different. Special.

"Oh," Wei Wuxian breathes. "Alright." He pauses, then speaks softly. "Always so earnest, Lan Zhan."

Lan Wangji lets out a shaky breath. "Do you mind?"

"I—no. I don't...mind."

"Good," says Lan Wangji, and leans in.

"Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian says, leaning away.

Lan Wangji straightens, his heart falling through his stomach. He looks at the floor, certain he's misunderstood the whole night.

"Wei Ying." He’s about to apologize, to say his goodbyes, but—

"You're drunk."

He snaps his eyes up to him just in time to see his hand, hesitant, retreating. He reaches out and takes it.

"I'm not," he says. "I was tipsy earlier. At the party. But not now."

Wei Wuxian is looking at him doubtfully. "If you're not used to it, you may not realize what—"

"Wei Ying. I am not drunk. But I do want to k—"

"Aha, ah, I think, maybe, sometimes, in situations where energy is heightened, maybe if we have any new, ah. Impulses. We should give them, like, a full day before we act on them, or say things we might regret. You know? That's my rule, these days. Wish I would have thought of it when I was 20, am I right?"

Lan Wangji is torn between frustration and horrible fondness.

"I'm not feeling any new impulses," he says.

"You're not," says Wei Wuxian. He looks confused.

Lan Wangji would smile if he weren't so scared. "No."

"Then I...think I may have misinterpreted something. What—what are we talking about?"

"We are talking about the fact that I would like to kiss you," says Lan Wangji. "That I have wanted to kiss you for...quite some time. But if you'd prefer I didn't, then of course—"

Suddenly, Wei Wuxian is kissing him. It is warm, and soft, and entirely too short.

He pulls back just enough to look at him, his fingers light under Lan Wangji's jaw, tipping his face up. They're about the same height, but in these shoes, Wei Wuxian is taller.

Lan Wangji's heart skips several beats.

"Sorry," Wei Wuxian breathes, hot against Lan Wangji's suddenly hyper-sensitive mouth. "You wanted to—"

Lan Wangji interrupts him this time, leaning up, closing the scant distance. He doesn't know how not to be hesitant, all of his anxieties balled up in his chest. But Wei Wuxian matches this hesitance with gentleness, with something unbearable that approaches reverence. When he presses closer, their knees brush, and he startles back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean—I know you don't—I mean, I said I wouldn't—"

Lan Wangji is shaking his head, he can't find the words to tell him that that was before, that he was grateful, but now things have changed, and he wants him close, as close as he can get him. So he steps forward, into his space. Thighs touch, and chests, and he runs his fingertips down the fake tattoo, and then the real ones, on Wei Wuxian's arm. He takes his hand and holds it. Then he looks up, into his darkened, surprised eyes, and away.

He has exhausted his meager supply of boldness. He hopes it is enough for Wei Wuxian to understand.

"I..." Wei Wuxian says. "You want..."

"Anything, with you," Lan Wangji says, ears heating. "Very much."

He wonders if Wei Wuxian can feel the frantic beating of his heart. If it would make a difference. And then Wei Wuxian is kissing him, and kissing him, all gentleness, all hesitance gone. He presses into him, presses him back, into the wall, and kisses him, hard and deep, and just as hungry as Lan Wangji feels.

A door bangs open, somewhere. They both freeze. Wei Wuxian stares at him, makeup smudged, both their shades of lipstick all over his lovely mouth. He takes Lan Wangji’s hand and pulls, dragging him along, down the hall, and Lan Wangji's face burns as he tries for the thousandth time to keep his eyes off how Wei Wuxian's body moves in the costume lingerie.

They stop, and Wei Wuxian opens a door, and pulls him inside. He clicks on the light, revealing a dusty broom closet, before diving back forward, pressing Lan Wangji into the door. It's cold against Lan Wangji's exposed shoulders, against his ass. But Wei Wuxian is warming pretty much everything else.

He forgets very quickly all his anxieties, all his uncertainty, the fact that he doesn't know what this is or what it means. If Wei Wuxian has ever wanted anything more than this. If he even dates. It doesn't matter. If he can have this, he'll take it. His mind goes quiet in the rush.

He holds onto Wei Wuxian's waist as his weight sinks into him, the rough material almost grounding him as Wei Wuxian overwhelms his senses. He does his best to keep up, to meet him beat for beat, but Wei Wuxian is unsurprisingly stellar at this too.

His hands are everywhere, as if all the touch Lan Wangji has been wishing for all this time is coming to him at once. Fingers in his hair, on his neck, a palm firm on his hip. A thigh between his, the strange texture of fishnets against fishnets as he nudges Lan Wangji's legs apart. Lan Wangji's breaths come shorter as the kiss goes on, deepens, multiples, as the lines between their bodies blur, as they tangle together. He breaks away to breathe, and Wei Wuxian apologizes again.

"Sorry," he pants. "Is this too fast? Or even. Too much? We can. Should stop, if—"

"No," Lan Wangji says, vehement, his grip tightening. "No."

He swallows, and has to look away. Wei Wuxian is too beautiful, too perfectly debauched, too close. He's getting ridiculously hard in his stupid skimpy underwear, and he knows Wei Wuxian can feel it. He doesn't know if that's okay or not.

"I don't want to stop if you don't," he says. "But I...am not practiced at this. I apologize if—"

Wei Wuxian kisses him. "Don't apologize," he says. "You're killing me. Do you even know how hot—nevermind. Can I—?"

He reaches down and brushes his hand against cheap stretch satin. Lan Wangji nods, his throat too constricted to respond. His mind has gone blank. He doesn't know what he expects, but it is not for Wei Wuxian to go to his knees.

"Finally," he hears him murmur, as his fingers hook in Lan Wangji's waistband and pull.

The underwear will go no further than the snaps keeping his thigh highs up, but Wei Wuxian doesn't seem bothered.

"Fuck," he breathes, his black-lacquered fingernails digging into Lan Wangji's thigh.

Lan Wangji doesn't have time to wonder if that's a positive reaction before Wei Wuxian's mouth is on him. He has no idea if Wei Wuxian is good at this as well, because as soon as he drags his tongue along his skin, he exits reality entirely. Pleasure shivers out in waves from the wet heat, the pressure, the insistent rhythm.

He thinks he is being quiet, keeping still, but he can't be certain. He's not even sure he's breathing. But then Wei Wuxian sucks, and he jerks forward. He's about to apologize, but Wei Wuxian makes a truly shockingly obscene sound, which in return makes him nearly come. He pushes at Wei Wuxian's shoulder, and Wei Wuxian backs off, and wipes at his ruined mouth with the back of his hand.

"You can do that," he says, hoarse and low. Lan Wangji's stomach tightens, and his cock flexes. "Fuck," Wei Wuxian says, watching. "You can—you can hold on and fuck my—"

Lan Wangji hauls him up and stops him short with another kiss. Wei Wuxian sighs and leans into it, applying the same skill with his tongue as he was using just a moment ago, and Lan Wangji makes a small, wanting sound.

"You don't want that?" Wei Wuxian asks. He smiles. "It looked like you did."

Lan Wangji swallows hard, unsure of what to say.

"I don't not want it," he says. "If that is all you—if that is your preference, then..."

"Lan Zhan," says Wei Wuxian, soothing. "Don't be nervous. What do you want?"

Lan Wangji looks into his kind, serious eyes, and decides to be brave.

"I want you here, where I can hold you," he says, though it embarrasses him terribly. "I want to kiss you, to see your face, to feel...together."

"Oh," says Wei Wuxian, his eyes round and dark. "Oh, I..." he takes a deep breath. And then he kisses him.

Slower, this time. Thorough, and thoughtful. Unhurried. It makes Lan Wangji's fingers dig deeper into Wei Wuxian's waist.

"You would've taken me to dinner first, wouldn't you," Wei Wuxian says when they part.

"Infinite dinners," Lan Wangji says, to be clear. "Just for the privilege of eating with you."

"Oh, fuck," says Wei Wuxian, shutting his eyes and leaning their foreheads together. "I thought you were—that this was just..."

"It can be," says Lan Wangji, hopeless and hopeful at once, "if you'd like."

"No," says Wei Wuxian, taking his face in both hands, and kissing him roughly. "No, I wouldn't. I want infinite dinners."

They kiss again, and it's different. Less measured, less hurried, but more urgent, somehow. Wei Wuxian is kissing him less like he wants to impress him and more like he wants to climb inside him and stay.

Lan Wangji wants nothing more than to let him.

They start to move together, and Wei Wuxian's kisses move down, to Lan Wangji's throat.

"You can touch me too, you know," he says, with a gentle bite. "Pretty please."

Lan Wangji pries his grip from his waist and moves his hands down, underneath Wei Wuxian's glittery underwear.

"Yeah," breathes Wei Wuxian into his ear as he grinds against him.

Lan Wangji squeezes, somewhat involuntarily, and Wei Wuxian makes another one of those sounds that go straight to Lan Wangji's cock. He lets go of Lan Wangji's hip to push the fabric down, out of the way, and the sudden drag of skin on skin has Lan Wangji making a fairly shocking sound of his own.

He can't help but look down, to see them together, but it's a mistake. He has to grit his teeth to hold back from the edge. His head falls back against the door, and Wei Wuxian goes back to thoroughly bruising his throat.

"It's okay," he says between kisses and nips to his skin. "Let me feel you let go, Lan Zhan."

Lan Wangji's labored breaths start to hitch. Wei Wuxian takes hold of Lan Wangji's thigh and lifts it, pulls it against his waist, fingers rough through the netting.

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji breathes, senseless, "you'll rip them."

"Good," says Wei Wuxian, and thrusts against him.

They kiss, and gasp, and move, until Lan Wangji groans into Wei Wuxian's mouth.

"Wei Ying," he warns.

"Yes," Wei Wuxian answers. He pushes a hand between them, and holds them together, firm, as they keep moving.

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji gasps tightly, as he breaks apart.

Wei Wuxian kisses him through it, and then follows him with a soft moan of his name in his ear.

Lan Wangji shudders, his body trying to react again in ways it can't just yet. They stay there, a jumble of limbs against the door, trying to catch their breath, until Wei Wuxian pushes back.

"Fuck, we're a mess," he says. "We should—we should clean up."

"Yes," says Lan Wangji, though he suspects he would agree to anything Wei Wuxian said just now.

"And then..." Wei Wuxian looks around, uncertain. "I guess. To Huaisang's?"

Maybe not anything.

Lan Wangji shakes his head. "I do not want to go to Huaisang's."

Wei Wuxian glances at him, and then away. "Home, then."

Lan Wangji takes another small leap of faith.

"Yours, or mine?"

"Oh, thank god," Wei Wuxian says, and melts against him again. "Thank fucking god."

They clean up, and they go back to Lan Wangji's place. His brother just happens to not be home. Nobody tries to contact either of them until the following day, at which point they receive twin texts from Nie Huaisang:

"staying hydrated, boys?"

Neither of them answer.

But they do thank him, and the entire village of the rest of them, years later at the wedding.

💋The End💋

#mdzsnet #theuntameddaily #lan wangji #wei wuxian #wangxian #yet another twt import #my fic #sharing is caring? hope you guys have fun <3

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shanastoryteller · 3 years

Text

Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren don’t die. Some things change.

Some things don’t.

Lan Xichen had told himself not to worry when he and his brother had been summoned to their uncle’s chambers just as the foreign sect’s children were arrive in Cloud Recesses. Looking at him now, he’s wondering if that was a mistake. Uncle looks moments away from pinching the bridge of his nose to stave off a headache.

“I didn’t tell you earlier because I thought there was a decent chance that he wouldn’t even show up,” he sighs. “But I just received word that he’s passed through the gate. Wei Wuxian is going to be joining the guest disciples.”

It’s unusual for a rogue cultivator to be invited, but not unheard of, especially considering the friendship between Uncle and Cangse Sanren that he’s almost certain actually exists and isn’t just rumors. “Do you foresee a problem? He’s a very accomplished cultivator.”

Despite being Wangji’s age and not being allied with any sect, Wei Wuxian had made quite a name for himself. He learned to cultivate under his parent’s tutelage, had been a guest disciple of the Jiangs, traveled for several years with the famous rogue cultivators Xiao Xingchan and Song Lan, and there were rumors that he’d even somehow snuck up to Baoshan Sanren’s mountain and convinced her take him on as a pupil, although Lan Xichen thought that had to be a just rumor.

While that was all impressive, what truly distinguished him had only happened last year. Yiling had come under near constant attacks from fierce corpses and resentful energy that most cultivators had refused to deal with.

Wei Wuxian had walked into the Burial Mounds, which of course was certain death. Three months later he’s walked out, somehow still alive and only slightly worse for wear and now wearing a flute alongside his sword. He’d gathered his parents, Xiao Xingchen, and Song Lan and they’d erected a barrier of glittering resentful energy around the base of the mountain, containing all the miserable and frightful things that had plagued the area of the Yiling. It harnessed the natural resentful of the energy of the mountain and channeled it through several complicated talismans and arrays.

Copies had been sent to the heads of every sect so to avoid rumors of demonic cultivation, something that reportedly had been Wei Changze’s idea. The arrays were deceptively simply, barely different than what most sects were already using. It’s just that no one had thought to use them quite like that before. Rumors credited everyone but Wei Wuxian, which surely meant he was the one truly responsible.

They called him the Yiling Patriarch and that he was still a teenager hadn’t seemed to matter much to anyone.

“Do you really think he’s here to learn?” Uncle asks, and Lan Xichen has to concede that it’s unlikely. There is little in their cultivation classes that Wei Wuxian would not be able to learn on his own or from his many mentors. “No, that little brat is working on another invention and he wants use of the library without having to go through formal channels. Little hellion. No matter what he pulls or what mischief he starts, you mustn’t get caught up in it, understand?

Even Wangji seemed taken back at Uncle’s vehemence. They hadn’t known that Uncle knew Wei Wuxian personally, but it seems he must, to be this disgruntled. “Disliking Wei Wuxian will not stop us from upholding the Lan practice of courtesy and decorum,” Wangji says.

Uncle stares. Wangji breathes like he wants to shift his weight, but doesn’t. “I never said you’d dislike him.”

Whatever either of them have to say to that is cut off by a loud, boisterous voice outside the door shouting, “UNCLE QIREN!”

Uncle grips the bridge of his nose.

The door slams open and in comes who must be Wei Wuxian, black and white robes with hints of purple along the edge and his hair bound up in purple silk ribbon much finer than anything else he’s wearing. He doesn’t bow or pause, instead crossing the room and throwing his arms around Uncle in a hug.

Lan Xichen wonders if perhaps he hit his head and this all a dream or perhaps a hallucination.

Uncle turns a shade of red he hadn’t previously known him capable of and a vein twitches in his forehead, but he doesn’t push him away. “Wei Wuxian!”

He laughs and steps back, going into a picture perfect, formal bow. “This is from my father,” then he darts forward to yank on Uncle’s beard. Wangji’s eyes have widened in horror. “And that’s from my mother!”

Uncle rubs at his chin and glares. “Who was the hug from then?”

“Me,” Wei Wuxian says shamelessly. “I missed you, Uncle Qiren! We’re going to have so much fun, aren’t we? We should go to Caiyi so I can drink Emperor’s Smile and you can yell at me for being right in ways you don’t like, that always cheers you up.”

Lan Xichen can’t be seeing what he’s seeing. Uncle’s lips are pressed into a firm, tight line, like he does when he’s trying not to smile.

“Hi!” Wei Wuxian says, very loudly and right in front them. “You must be Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji! I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“And us you,” he says, after only a half second’s hesitation.

Wei Wuxian isn’t paying attention to him, instead focused on Wangji. “Aw, don’t look so disapproving, it’s good to keep Uncle Qiren on his toes.” Wangji’s face is in fact almost perfectly neutral. Lan Xichen can’t help but be impressed, since most of the clan elders wouldn’t have been able to pick up on that. His admiration quickly turns to horror when Wei Wuxian reaches out and uses his fingers to push his brother’s lips into a facsimile of a grin. “Don’t be mad, Lan Zhan!”

Lan Xichen has to resist the urge to gape. Using his brother’s given name like that, when they’ve just met! What’s worse is Uncle doesn’t even look surprised, just resigned.

Wangji scowls and he reaches for Wei Wuxian’s wrists, but Wei Wuxian slips away, just out of his reach, still laughing. “You’re going to have to be faster than that to catch me, Lan Zhan!”

He’s then darting out the door, which he hadn’t even closed in the first place, like he actually expects the Second Jade of Lan to go chasing after him.

Wangji takes a stop forward before remembering himself and freezing.

“Wei Wuxian!” Unfamiliar voices are calling the boy’s name. They all step outside to see a crowd of guest disciples grinning and waving.

“A-Cheng!” Wei Wuxian waves back. “A-Sang!”

He runs down the steps toward them, still grinning. “No running!” Uncle barks.

“Okay, Uncle Qiren!” Without skipping a beat, Wei Wuxian tucks his sword into his best and launches himself forward, doing continuous cartwheels down the steps even quicker than he’d been running. The guest disciples are cheering, and even Lan Xichen has to admit that it’s an impressive display of strength and balance.

Technically, there is no rule against cartwheeling in Cloud Recesses.

Uncle sighs. “The problem,” he says mournfully, “is that if I make a rule just for him, he and his mother will be far too pleased with themselves, and then he’ll just put even more effort into not breaking the rules in ways that make me add more rules.”

Lan Xichen notices how Wangji hasn’t taken his eyes off Wei Wuxian and thinks that perhaps they have bigger problems, actually.

#untamed #fandom ficcery #lxc does actually stumble on lqr and wwx drinking and arguing in a bar in caiyi #he nearly qi deviates on the spot

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plan-d-to-i · 2 years

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I've been loving a lot of your posts recently! And I was wondering if you could dive into the parallels between Wen Ning, Wen Qing and Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli. I just think it's really interesting how the Jiang siblings were in a less precarious position politically in comparison to the Wens and did a lot less to protect Wei Wuxian (I mean Jiang Cheng declared him an enemy to the cultivation world, for crying out loud). The Wens were in the line of succession but I doubt Wen Ruohan paid them much mind (didn't he even threaten Wen Qing at one point) so I doubt they had much to their name or leeway to oppose their insane, dictator uncle. Yet they still decided to help Wei Wuxian, someone, who at the time, must have been almost a stranger to them.

On the other hand, Jiang Cheng and Yanli did very little besides visiting him and trying to convince him to come back home (for all the wrong reasons might I add). Even though, Jiang Cheng was a sect leader (sure, of a pretty weak sect at the time but the point still remains) and Yanli was the daughter-in-law of Jin Guangshan (literally the person giving her little brother the most trouble?

So, my question is, why did the Wens not hesitate for someone they'd probably only met once or twice, while the Jiangs all but abandoned someone they've known and "cared" about most of their lives?

Thank you so much (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡. I'm terribly sorry for the incredibly late answer, but I kept trying to think how to phrase it more formally than: because the Jiang sibs suck and the Wen sibs rock... and then I realized it's really answered in these very scenes:

She went out the door as soon as she finished. Wei WuXian spoke, “She… means that we can’t stay for long, but we can still stay for a few days… right?”

Wen Ning nodded, “Thank you, Sister!” A pack of medicinal herbs was tossed in from outside the door. Wen Qing spoke from afar, “If you really are grateful then put in some effort! What a hell kind of medicine did you just make? Brew it again!” Although the pack of herbs smacked right onto Wen Ning, he spoke happily, “The medicine that my sister prepared will definitely turn out good. Hundreds of times better than mine. It’ll be good for sure.”

Wei WuXian finally felt relief, “Thank you.” He understood the fact that one of these siblings deciding to turn a blind eye to them and the other deciding to outright help them meant that they were placing themselves in extreme danger. Just as Wen Qing said, if Wen Chao truly wanted to kill anyone, it was unlikely for Wen Qing to be able to stop him. Perhaps she’d be affected as well. After all, children of others could never compare to children of one’s own. (Chapter 60)

vs.

Before they parted, Jiang Cheng spoke, “We won’t see you off. It wouldn’t be good if someone saw us.”

Wei WuXian nodded. He understood that it wasn’t easy for the Jiang siblings to have come out here. If someone else saw them, all those things they did for the public to believe would be wasted. He spoke, “We’ll go first.” (Chapter 75)

What they did for the public: "Jiang Cheng told the outside that Wei WuXian defected from the sect and was an enemy to the entire cultivation world. The YunmengJiang Sect had already cast him out. From then on, no ties remained between them—a clear line was drawn. Henceforth, no matter what he did, they’d have nothing to do with the YunmengJiang Sect!" (Chapter 73)

The Wen siblings risked grisly torture and death to do the right thing and help save, treat and shelter strangers who were essentially their enemies, meanwhile the Jiang siblings didn't want to risk public opinion to show support for someone they were raised with, someone that YanLi said was like a brother to her- but she did come to show off a dress. I think that speaks volumes about their respective characters and nature and really says all that needs to be said.

#mdzs #answers #jiang cheng #Wen Ning #Wen Qing #Wei Wuxian #jiang YanLi #mdzs meta

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bloody-bee-tea · 3 years

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Beetober 2021 Day 15 - Vent

Jiang Cheng is absolutely ready to fall face first into his couch. Work has been hell that day and there is nothing more he wants to do than relax for the entire rest of the evening.

He blames that on the fact that he doesn’t notice anything strange until a disgruntled “Mreow” reaches his ears. But in truth he only starts to worry when something starts to wriggle under him.

“What the fuck,” he grumbles as he gets up again and he blinks dumbly when he comes face to face with a cat.

A cat that doesn’t belong to him. A cat that someone managed to get into his apartment even though there’s no balcony and he always keeps his windows closed when he’s not at home.

“How the hell did you get in here?” he demands to know, damn well knowing that it’s futile speaking with a cat, and the cat only blinks slowly at him before it hops off the couch.

Jiang Cheng follows the cat, because what else is there to do and he sighs when it stops in front of the door.

“You want to leave?” he asks and the cat makes a sound that Jiang Cheng decides to interpret as a yes.

So he opens the door, and then follows the cat outside, and he keeps following her until he stands in front of the door of his neighbour.

“Is this where you normally live?” he mutters as he knocks at the door and the cat only blinks innocently at him. “I don’t trust you, you know,” he says, right before the door is opened and Jiang Cheng momentarily forgets how to speak.

“Hello?” the most gorgeous man Jiang Cheng has ever met says and Jiang Cheng is pretty sure he makes a sound that can not be interpreted as a greeting.

Thankfully the cat saves him.

“Meow,” it says and immediately goes to rub itself against the man’s legs.

“Baxia?” he asks, looking confusedly from the cat to Jiang Cheng.

“She was in my apartment,” Jiang Cheng says, glad to finally have found his words again. “I’m your next door neighbour and when I came home today she had made herself comfortable on my couch.”

“What the hell,” the man says, and Jiang Cheng nods in agreement.

What the hell, indeed.

“Nie Mingjue,” the guy introduces himself and then shakes his head. “I really have no clue how she got into your apartment. My windows are closed and I didn’t leave the house today.”

“Jiang Cheng. My windows are also closed and if she stole into my apartment when I left for work then she must have been with me all day.”

“I saw her this afternoon when she demanded belly rubs,” Nie Mingjue says with a frown and they both look after Baxia as she walks deeper into the apartment, her tail high up in the air.

“You’re sure she’s real? Not a ghost or anything?” Jiang Cheng can’t help but to ask and his stomach does a dangerous thing when Nie Mingjue laughs at that, showing off his dimples and perfect teeth.

“She seems heavy enough when she sleeps on my chest at night,” Nie Mingjue tells him and Jiang Cheng shrugs.

“Then I’m out of ideas,” he says, and he’s honestly too tired to keep thinking about this strange occurrence. “Anyway, I’m gonna crash now—preferably not on your cat—so see ya!” Jiang Cheng says and then promptly walks away.

He truly is bone-deep tired and talking to Nie Mingjue makes him light-headed on top of everything else, so he gets out of there as fast as he can.

The couch is much more comfortable without a cat on it.

~*~*~

Jiang Cheng just sat down for breakfast when it knocks at his door.

“Coming,” he yells out, and sighs before he gets up again.

He hopes it’s not Wei Wuxian because he was looking forward to a chill morning and if his brother decides to barge in now then it will be anything but.

But instead of Wei Wuxian he’s greeted by Nie Mingjue.

“Good morning,” he says and he looks a little bit sheepish.

“Morning,” Jiang Cheng gives back, frowning a little bit, because he never interacted much with Nie Mingjue and he wonders what he could want now.

It certainly has nothing to do with the fact that Jiang Cheng feels absolutely underdressed in his sweatpants and sweater.

“I’m sorry to disturb you on this Saturday morning, but—” he says and lifts up what he’s holding in his hands.

“My shirt,” Jiang Cheng says and he can’t fight the impulse that makes him snatch the shirt out of Nie Mingjue’s hands. “How did you get this?” he demands to know and all alarm-bells are going off in his head right now.

“Baxia was sleeping on it when I came home,” Nie Mingjue tells him and Jiang Cheng relaxes.

It’s not really an explanation because they still don’t know how the cat ended up in Jiang Cheng’s apartment but since she has already visited him once he is inclined to believe Nie Mingjue.

“Thanks for bringing it back then,” Jiang Cheng says and then—for reasons unknown to him—he adds, “do you want to stay for breakfast?”

Nie Mingjue seems just as surprised by the offer as Jiang Cheng feels for actually asking him, but after a few seconds he nods.

“Sure, that’d be nice.”

“Come in then,” Jiang Cheng says and lets him into the apartment.

Breakfast is surprisingly easy. Nie Mingjue is a relaxing presence in Jiang Cheng’s apartment and he’s interesting to talk with, especially when they both realize that they love venting about their family. It turns out that they should almost be acquainted, because Nie Mingjue’s best friend’s brother is Jiang Cheng’s brother’s boyfriend and from then on they find more and more connections in their lives.

It’s a great talk and Jiang Cheng is almost a little bit wistful when Nie Mingjue leaves after breakfast but they exchanged numbers and it’s not like Nie Mingjue is far away.

Jiang Cheng allows himself to be a little bit giddy once Nie Mingjue left because not only did he manage a coherent talk with him, he also got his number and it seems like Nie Mingjue likes him decently enough and that’s already farther than he normally gets with his crushes.

So he will definitely take it for now.

~*~*~

Jiang Cheng is the first to message Nie Mingjue, just a day later, and the message is only a picture of Baxia asleep on his bed.

Not even two minutes later Nie Mingjue is at his door, coming to collect his wayward cat and Jiang Cheng invites him in again.

They end up eating lunch together, Baxia still fast asleep on the bed.

~*~*~

It goes on like this. Baxia continues to somehow phase right through the walls and Jiang Cheng comes home to a cat in his apartment more days a week than not. Nie Mingjue on the other hand could invest in a second drawer, with how many pieces of clothing Baxia steals out of Jiang Cheng’s apartment.

Every time one of them has to collect either the cat or his clothes, they linger. There are talks, breakfasts, lunches, and eventually it turns into dinner and movies as well.

They get to know each other better and better and Jiang Cheng finds that his crush is slowly turning into more than that.

By the time three months have passed he has to admit that he’s in love with Nie Mingjue.

And he’s ready to do something about it.

~*~*~

Jiang Cheng thought this was a good idea, but when he snaps the photo of the well-laid table and sends it to Nie Mingjue he wonders if he’s making a mistake.

For once Baxia did not make it into his apartment and he’s simply inviting Nie Mingjue over because he wants to and if he read the signs wrong, and if Nie Mingjue is not interested in him like that, then their future will be full of awkward moments, that’s for sure.

But the messenger app helpfully tells Jiang Cheng that Nie Mingjue not only received the message but also read it, so it’s out of his hand now.

Nie Mingjue knocks on his door seconds later and when Jiang Cheng opens it, he is met with a confused look.

“Baxia is in my apartment, I checked,” Nie Mingjue says instead of greeting him properly and Jiang Cheng feels how his cheeks colour just a little bit.

“I know,” he admits and then steps to the side, to let Nie Mingjue in, who reflexively enters his apartment. “I’m asking you out for dinner.”

Nie Mingjue blinks twice because a huge smile breaks out on his face.

“A date dinner?” he clarifies and when Jiang Cheng nods, he steps close and kisses his cheek.

“I’ll gladly accept date dinner,” he declares and then marches right off into the kitchen.

Jiang Cheng stares dumbly after him, raising his hand to lightly touch his cheek and then he chuckles and follows Nie Mingjue.

He wonders what he ever worried about.

~*~*~

“Wanyin!” Nie Mingjue yells from the living-room and Jiang Cheng makes his way over as quickly as he can, because it sounds serious.

They are in the process of packing up all of their things so they can move into their new apartment, together, and Jiang Cheng wonders what could be so important right now.

“What?”

“Look at this?” Nie Mingjue says and points at something in the wall.

Jiang Cheng frowns, because he hopes there’s no mold behind the cabinet that Nie Mingjue just moved but when he comes closer he sees that there’s something like a hole in the wall.

“It’s a vent!” Nie Mingjue declares and then turns around to glare at Baxia. “The little rascal used the vent to get into your apartment.”

“Oh, I see,” Jiang Cheng gives back, and crouches down.

Of course it’s dark so he can’t actually see through it, but he guesses this is the only logical explanation.

“We’ll definitely know for sure when we move my stuff,” Jiang Cheng says, but he knows that this has to be it.

There’s no way Baxia simply phased through the wall after all, especially not with all the stuff she continues to steal from Jiang Cheng.

Not that they still bother to exchange them anymore. Nie Mingjue did get an extra drawer after all.

“Soon enough she won’t have to steal into my apartment anymore,” Jiang Cheng says, his heart still feeling like it’s going to burst when he thinks about the fact that they are going to move in together.

“I’m so thankful she did, though,” Nie Mingjue gives back, not for the first time in their relationship, and he pulls Jiang Cheng in for a kiss. “How else would I have ever gotten to meet you?”

“We did get lucky,” Jiang Cheng agrees and steals two, three more kisses from his boyfriend.

In the living-room, Baxia purrs.

Link to my ko-fi on the sidebar!

#bt writes #the untamed #mdzs #mingcheng #beetober2021 #modern au #fluff #getting together #neighbours #cat!baxia #doing all the work

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canary3d-obsessed · 3 years

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Restless Rewatch: The Untamed, Episode 25, part one

(Masterpost) (Other Canary Stuff)

Warning: Spoilers for All 50 Episodes!

Holy crap, Episode 25! We’re halfway through! *Cue Bon Jovi*

Hunt Invitation

After taking a nice long break to watch Word of Honor pick lotus pods, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli return to stressing over the shitshow that is the post-Sunshot cultivation world. Jin Zixuan has come to invite them to the Phoenix Mountain Hunt, with a special invitation from his mother to Jiang Yanli. Jiang Cheng reacts to this in a mature and reasonable manner, while Wei Wuxian...doesn't.

On the surface, Jiang Cheng has matured in recent months; much more than Wei Wuxian, with his secret burdens, has. But it's only on the surface, as we'll see later in the episode, when Jiang Cheng's insecurity will take the reins.

Jin Zixuan is adorably pleased by Jiang Yanli's acceptance of the invitation. Wei Wuxian is less pleased, but sort of tries to suck it up.

Jin Zixuan kind of undercuts the romance of his errand by asking Wei Wuxian for the Yin tiger amulet as soon as Jiang Yanli is out of earshot.

As always, Jin Zixuan makes an impression by being the best Jin currently in existence, but the Jins are terrible. JZX is working to advance his dad's ambitions, and as such he is currently Wei Wuxian's enemy.

(more after the cut)

Opening Ceremonies

There's a bunch of cultivators arranged for the opening ceremony. Later someone will say that this is more than 5 thousand people. Ok, sure.

As I've said before, it's best to think of it like a theatre production and assume the other 4,900 people are offstage or, you know, painted on the backdrop.

The young lead cultivators from the four main clans are standing together. Nie Huaisang is trying out some new body armor.

The clan leaders are seated up on the stage, along with Jin Furen and Jiang Yanli. Unfortunately Jin Furen doesn't seem to have a personal name that I can discover. Her title Fūrén ( 夫人) means she's the primary wife of the head of the family, according to this excellent meta.

So “Madame Jin” is a decent translation...if you're French? I feel like instead of English subtitles including borrowed words from French (”Marquis” in NIH), Greek (”Water of Lethe” in WOH), and other European languages, we could try borrowing Chinese words instead. Jin Zixuan's mom is titled, not named, Jin Furen. Since we don’t know her actual name, I'll call her that and abbreviate it JFR.

Wei Wuxian's childishness continues at the opening of the hunt, as does Jiang Yanli's encouragement of his childishness. I know she's had a rough couple of years, and it's understandable to want to baby her little brother out of a sense of nostalgia. But it's not good for him, and she shouldn't do it; she should encourage him to be more mature, just as she does with Jiang Cheng.

War Crimes Contest

Jin Guangyao says they're going to have an archery competition, and they're going to liven it up by endangering some prisoners. These prisoners are Wens in Wen cultivator uniforms, meaning they're not the noncombatants that were being hunted down earlier. But they’re still helpless people in chains.

There are three different reactions when the Wen prisoners are brought out. All the Jins are pleased, or neutral. All of the Jiangs, including Wei Wuxian, are upset.

The Nies and the Lans, what we see of them, are a little shocked, but not obviously upset. Based on those reactions, it seems like this is a maneuver that in-world is considered shocking and cruel, but not necessarily unethical or immoral. Shocking, cruel displays of power are pretty normal in this world; remember when Wen Chao lit a Lan cultivator on fire just to say hello, and nobody complained?

This whole scenario, of course, has been designed to provoke Wei Wuxian. One major goal of this event, and the whole reason for wanting Wei Wuxian to come, is to get the Yin Tiger amulet. Making him lose his shit in front of 100 5000 cultivators is a good step toward compelling him to hand the amulet over.

We see Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli both signaling Wei Wuxian to keep it together, and he takes a step back and tries to chill.

Meanwhile, Jin Zixuan seems annoyed by all this, and goes to take a shot at it, making it clear from his demeanor that this is easy and JGY is making a show of nothing.

He hovers in the air and makes a perfect shot, pleasing most of the crowd and impressing Jiang Yanli.

Then his cousin Jin Zixun taunts the crowd, challenging anyone to do better. This presents a bit of a problem for Wei Wuxian. For the sake of the Wen prisoners, Wei Wuxian should just take this taunting and let the contest end, if no-one else is willing to take a shot. But for the sake of the Jiang Clan’s status, and his continued control of the Yin Tiger amulet, he needs to put the Jins in their place.

Every Day is Blindfold Day

This moral dilemma is resolved with an abrupt tonal shift, where the humanitarian concerns of all parties seem to vanish. Wei Wuxian flirts embarrassingly with Lan Wangji and then goes as far over the top in besting Jin Zixuan as it's possible to go.

The flirting hits differently, incidentally, when you edit Jiang Cheng's annoyed reaction out of it:

Lan Wangji doesn't seem embarrassed by Wei Wuxian's request, despite it happening in front of 100 5000 of their fellow cultivators. He looks Wei Wuxian straight in the eye for longer than necessary before turning away; it’s not exactly stern disapproval. We’ll get very used to this look, in Wei Wuxian’s second life.

Fortunately, Wei Wuxian carries a blindfold with him wherever he goes, (gifset here), and he is such a good cultivator he can hit 5 parallel targets simultaneously without even holding his bow straight or tightening the string.

(OP fixed the angle of the bow for this gif, which is why everyone is standing on a hill in the background).

Everyone is pleased by this shot except Jins Guangyao and Zixun; even the Jin cultivators are clapping, and Madame Jin is presumably this happy any time Jin Guangyao’s plans go wrong.

With that they start the hunt. Jin Zixun challenges Wei Wuxian to do the whole hunt blindfolded. Wei Wuxian agrees, but the censorship committee said no, apparently, so we don’t get to see that.

Flute Hunting

We do get to see Wei Wuxian luring monsters into his nets by being too sexy for his robe, too sexy for his robe, and playing the flute.

We also get to see Jiang cultivators looking puzzled while random monster roars happen in the woods around them. We do not get to see any monsters, which is probably just as well.

Jiang Cheng is annoyed and concerned, muttering "I told you not to overdo it" which means he didn't, you know, tell Wei Wuxian NOT to do this, just not to do it quite so well. Jiang Cheng knows what Wei Wuxian’s abilities are and he is making use of him, as he should, but he doesn’t have the courage of his convictions.

Tree Confession

Wei Wuxian sees Lan Wangji and starts to say hi, but then he has a desaturated flashback to Lan Xichen telling him to back off, so he stops himself. But then Lan Wangji comes over to talk to him.

Lan Wangji starts off talking to him about his latest anti-resentment musical discoveries, and Wei Wuxian pushes back, even calling him Lan Wangji, but gently. Wei Wuxian asks "who am I to you?" and Lan Wangji turns the question right back at him, then waits a looooooong time, eyes downcast, while Wei Wuxian thinks of a serious answer.

Wei Wuxian says "I used to treat you as my zhījǐ" --which, as we’ve discussed before, is variously translated soulmate, confidant, intimate friend--with a strong meaning of "the person who truly knows me." Lan Wangji says "I still am." Coming from Lan Wangji, who NEVER says how he feels about Wei Wuxian or about anything, really, this sounds a lot like a confession of love.

It definitely takes the form, visually, of a love confession, as Lan Wangji speaks, then gazes at Wei Wuxian while he waits for a reply. Wei Wuxian's reply is this:

I don't think Wei Wuxian is oblivious (I'm speaking strictly of CQL, not MZDS, as always with these posts; they are different works). I think he loves Lan Wangji back, and knows it. But Chenqing and everything it represents are between them.

Lan Wangji is quite literally NOT his zhījǐ any more, because he doesn't truly know Wei Wuxian right now. He loves him desperately, but he doesn't know about his core, and hasn't accepted his cultivation method. So Wei Wuxian answers his confession by showing him Chenqing, effectively declining to accept his still-conditional love.

Snake Measuring

Next we get terrible hetero courtship in the form of Jin Zixuan finding snake discharge on the ground and talking to Jiang Yanli about comparative snake measuring. Seriously: that is the actual conversation that they are having.

Jin Zixuan boasts for a bit, and then awkwardly tries to ask Jiang Yanli on a date. When she turns him down he gets mad, because he's a typical heterosexual dude even though he's secretly a delightful person...very, very secretly. Jiang Yanli, for her part, can't string a fucking sentence together to save her life whenever he's around, so she's not helping their mutual understanding.

Lan Wangji attempts to hold Wei Wuxian back from beating Jin Zixuan’s ass yet again, but eventually JYL wants to leave, JZX tells her to wait, and WWX intervenes. Why doesn't Jiang Yanli have a maid or Jiang cultivator with her while she's on a date, incidentally? These kids are confused about whether they're doing feudal patriarchy or whether they're doing modern social life.

Jin vs. Jiang

Wei Wuxian jumps in between Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan, which JZX objects to. Jin Zixuan has no fucking business objecting and Wei Wuxian is 100% right, at this point. As soon as WWX shows up JZX should hand her off to her Shidi, bow, and leave her the fuck alone. Instead, he draws his sword on Wei Wuxian, and kind of on Jiang Yanli since she's right behind Wei Wuxian. Fortunately, Lan Wangji blocks him.

This instantly blows up into a Jiang-Jin Clan conflict, with Jiang Cheng unfortunately absent since he let his unmarried sister go off in the woods alone with the son of the Cultivaton world's most famous lecher. It looks like it’s a personal conflict, but since Jin Zixuan already told Wei Wuxian directly that Jin Guangshan wants his amulet, any arguments between them are part of a larger power struggle.

Cousin Jin Zixun comes running up to start shit. Wei Wuxian pretends--I am SURE he's pretending--not to know who he is. The dude hassles Wei Wuxian every time he sees him; Wei Wuxian is a troll, and right now CJXZ is butting in to something that doesn't concern him. Rather than argue, Wei Wuxian insults him by telling him he’s not memorable.

Jin Furen shows up with several maids and cultivator dudes in tow, which is the proper way for a highborn woman to wander around in the woods. She also brings Clan Leader Yao, because if it's Wei Wuxian Blaming Hours, Yao is going to be there.

I initially found the deep friendship between superhot Yi Zuyuan and dumpy Jin Furen implausible, but then I remembered that my lifelong bestie is a smokin' hot redhead with impeccable fashion sense, while I am a roly-poly nerd. Friends don’t always match. Also, Jin Furen's actress, Hu Xiaoting, looks like this:

...so she is actually hot in real life. Not as hot as Zhang Jingtong (who plays Yu Ziyuan) but literally nobody is as hot as Zhang Jingtong. Don't @ me, you know I'm right.

This is a heck of a long scene, so we’ll pick it up in part two!

Soundtrack: Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

Writing prompt: Newly-divorced, cold-hearted CEO Yu Ziyuan buys an apartment next door to newly-divorced, warm-hearted pastry chef ...uhh let's call her Jin Dàngāo (蛋糕), sure. She can name her business after herself.

They discover their daughter & son are in the same college class, and so they meet up over coffee....several times...trying to matchmake their hopeless, hapless kids, while bonding over their own terrible (former) taste in husbands. Who will Cupid strike first, the kids or the moms?

#the untamed #the untamed gifs #wangxian #restless rewatch the untamed #canary3d-original #my gifs

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kurowrites · 3 years

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Soulmate!au + fake dating +you confuse me.” OR “if you’re happy, then so am i.” because I couldn't decide lol. Love everything you write, like somehow your writing style is exactly to my taste, you know? So thank u for sharing your work with us.

They have reached terminal dumbassery, I’m sorry to say.

(Also, thank you!!!)

---

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying cried when he caught sight of Lan Zhan. He was quick to catch up to him, huffing and puffing with the exertion. “You haven’t found your soulmate yet, right?”

Lan Zhan looked at Wei Ying with a frown, wondering what the sudden question was really about. It was a rather personal question. Still, he dutifully answered in the affirmative. The answer was obvious, anyway. Lan Zhan did not have anyone he was particularly close with, other than his brother, and family rarely led to soulmate bonds. Not to mention that his brother already had a soulmate.

“Excellent,” Wei Ying breathed, and beamed up at him. “Wanna date me, then?”

Lan Zhan’s heart stood still for one moment, and then started beating impossibly faster at the words. Had Wei Ying noticed his feelings? Wei Ying hadn’t found his soulmate yet, either, and Lan Zhan had found himself quietly hoping…

“Not date date, of course!” Wei Ying was quick to add, immediately crushing Lan Zhan’s quiet hope. “I just need someone to play my lover and then break up with me in some kind of horrible way, so my family will finally get off my back about finding my soulmate. It’s such an outdated concept, too. Waiting for your soulmate. Mine is probably a hoard of cats, anyway, so there’s nothing much to look forward to.”

It hurt a little to hear Wei Ying talk like that. Lan Zhan had always hoped that he and Wei Ying would turn out to be soulmates, and that romantic hope had sustained him through his teenage years. But it had never turned out to be the case. He and Wei Ying were barely friends, and obviously not meant to be. Still, he thought, it was better if Wei Ying committed himself to a hoard of cats instead of waiting for his soulmate, who would probably turn out to be an abuser or some other kind of ghastly individual.

A hoard of cats and Lan Zhan as his friend sounded like a much, much better option.

But then, Wei Ying’s offer…

It was bad to accept it, underhanded probably, but it would be his one chance at dating Wei Ying. And even though it would be a fake relationship, Lan Zhan found himself wanting to know. How Wei Ying would be, as a partner. As a lover. As a soulmate.

That… that would be enough.

“Hn,” he said, therefore. “I will do it.”

Wei Ying looked at him with evident surprise on his face, as if he had never expected Lan Zhan to actually agree to his request.

A moment later, a big smile spread over his entire face.

“Lan Zhan!!” he cried. “You truly are the best!”

If Wei Ying truly thought that, Lan Zhan thought a little uncharitably, then Lan Zhan would be his soulmate. Alas, he was not.

Still, he accepted the offered hug from Wei Ying, who always was enthusiastic and far, far too tempting to refuse. He listened to Wei Ying’s excited rambling about the things they needed to plan to make it ‘realistic.’

He already regretted his decision. Because now, he wouldn’t have to dream up scenarios any longer. He would actually know how it was to be with Wei Ying. He would know, and he would inevitably lose what he had.

A suitable punishment, probably.

---

If Lan Zhan was honest, nothing much changed after they ‘got together.’ They talked about the same things and went to the same places they always did, only now they were holding hands while they were doing it. When they had a movie night, Wei Ying would cuddle into Lan Zhan’s side and laugh when Lan Zhan went all stiff because he got nervous whenever Wei Ying was in his vicinity. Sometimes, when they were in public, Wei Ying would even lean in and peck him on the lips.

Lan Zhan would never admit it, but it was the best, sweetest torture he had ever had. This was everything he had ever wanted, and he got to experience it, only all of it was fake.

It was a hell of his own making.

He wondered again and again how it could be that Wei Ying and he were not soulmates. Wei Ying was everything that he wanted. He could not imagine how anyone other than Wei Ying could be so exactly what he wanted. Any possible soulmate that came after this would just lose out against Wei Ying.

Which was also unfair, he felt. Towards his potential soulmate as well as towards Wei Ying. He was not required to like Lan Zhan back the same way as Lan Zhan liked him, after all. That was why he decided that after this all ended, there would be no one else. Even if he should one day meet his actual soulmate, he would have to let them down gently and give them another chance at happiness. Because for him, there was no one but Wei Ying, soulmate or not. There was no way he was going to involve another person into this.

When Wei Ying told Jiang Yanli that he was dating Lan Zhan, she was overjoyed by the news. She congratulated them both with tears in her eyes, saying that she was so happy that they both had found each other, and how romantic it was that they had been friends for so long before discovering that they were soulmates.

Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, threatened Lan Zhan physical harm if he were to hurt his ‘asshole of a brother.’ Not that Lan Zhan worried that he wouldn’t be able to take Jiang Cheng on, but he felt terribly guilty about the idea that he would inevitably ‘hurt’ Wei Ying once they ‘broke up.’ That was the last thing he wanted to do. Both break up with and hurt Wei Ying.

But it was all fake. The separation would come eventually.

The more people kept telling him what a good couple they made, the more it hurt. But no wanting of his would ever turn his idle daydreams into reality.

---

When it came, it still felt far too soon.

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying had been out all day, taking a walk in the botanical garden that was full of the most beautiful flowers of spring. They had bought ice cream (or rather, Lan Zhan had bought them ice cream after Wei Ying had pestered him about wanting to eat ice cream for too long) and ate it as they walked around the part hand in hand. All in all, it had been a wonderful day.

He had looked at Wei Ying and thought how much prettier he was than any of the flowers blooming at the wayside. He had been happy.

Which was why it came as a shock when Wei Ying suddenly turned towards him and smiled shakily.

“Lan Zhan. We should probably end this.”

Lan Zhan was brought back to earth with a heavy jolt.

This was it. This was the moment where he needed to say goodbye to Wei Ying.

And then the rest of his life would be the same: just him and the rabbits he was inevitably going to buy in order to combat his heartbreak.

Wei Ying still smiled up at him, shrugging a little helplessly.

“You must be pretty fed up with me by now,” he said. “And you probably want to go back looking for your actual soulmate.”

“There will be no one.”

Suddenly, it seemed very important to Lan Zhan that Wei Ying was aware of that.

Wei Ying looked up at him with big eyes.

“Lan Zhan?”

“There will be no soulmate. Not for me.”

“But, you haven’t-”

“Wei Ying. I have decided that there never will be a soulmate for me.”

Wei Ying was silent for a moment.

Then, with sudden speed and ferocity, he hit Lan Zhan in the chest.

“Goddammit, Lan Zhan, why are you so frustrating? Why would you rather be alone than with your soulmate? Why couldn’t it be me?”

He turned pale, evidently shocked at his own words. Without another word, he turned around and ran away, quick as a deer.

Lan Zhan stood there for far too long, trying to figure out what had just happened, and then ran after Wei Ying with all his might.

Wei Ying would not, could not slip through his fingers now. Even if he was as slippery as an eel when on the run.

When Lan Zhan finally caught him, Wei Ying let out a deep breath that almost sounded like a shudder. He refused to look at Lan Zhan.

“Why?” he asked with a small voice. “Can’t you let me suffer in peace?”

“I wanted it to be Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan found himself saying, desperately. “I always wanted it to be Wei Ying. There will be no one else because I have already decided.”

Wei Ying finally looked at him, his eyes full of unshed tears. And then he started to cry in big, ugly sobs.

“You dumbo,” he blubbered. “It’s always been only you. Just you. I just wanted to see how it is being Lan Zhan’s soulmate.”

Lan Zhan could not remember when exactly Wei Ying ended up in his arms. But it was good. Very good. And Lan Zhan was not going to let go a second time.

---

Two days later, Wei Ying showed him his soul mark. His real one, hidden among the many tattoos on his skin.

It was a little rabbit, perfectly rendered in black and white.

Exactly like the one that stared at him from his own reflection in the mirror sometimes.

#kuro writes #the untamed #wangxian #mdzs #wei wuxian #lan wangji #unofficiallylost

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tangledinmdzs · 3 years

Text

shield - mdzs character hcs

if these mdzs characters were your bodyguards (a modern au)

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Wen Ning

no lie i think he would be the best body guard ever

because no one expects him to be as good as fighting as he is,

with his child-like doe eyes

and cute face

but what’s cuter is his when his fists upper cut anyone that tries to do you harm

which is unfortunately quite a lot

being the rising heir of your parent’s tech empire,

there’s a lot of people that want to get you, one way or another

the physical harming ways, Wen Ning can protect you from

even though it’s part of his job description to take a bullet for you

after he’s been in your company for a little over a year,

he comes to realize that he’d take a bullet for you regardless of the legalities of his contract

which is why

when he sees you crying for the fifth time, over someone that you’ve found out had only been seeing you for money (or fame, or assets, or both)

it absolutely rips his heart in half

he’ll comfort you, because he’s soft like that

and even though he’s a bodyguard, not a bully

he still makes sure to find out the name of your most recently matched date

and show them what happens when they break your heart

overall a great body guard

and an even better friend

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Nie Mingjue

when you mother had first assigned him to watch you,

you thought that he wasn’t even human

with the jaw line,

the constantly solemn face

and how he absolutely never ever smiled

but you realize that your body guard never smiled or engaged in any sort of conversation with you because it was part of his contract not to get personal

and you don’t really blame him for that, you can’t

it’s written in ink, loud and clear

it was his job to protect you and that was the end of it,

there was no reason for protection to be comfortable

but when he’s staying in your apartment (your penthouse, cause you know, mother’s a business tycoon and what not)

and sees you sleepless from nightmares of past kidnappings

Mingjue makes a vow to himself to settle your fears

although protection he was just here for protection,

seeing you in such distraught reminded him of why he got into the business in the first place

you’re so much like his little brother,

and Mingjue wants you to be safe just how he’s kept Huaisang safe

and as you into different meetings,

sometimes feeling like you’re walking into the lion’s den

with Mingjue by your side

you get just a bit more strength

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Jiang Cheng

mister serious man

when he had first started he took his job absolutely seriously

no laughing, no games, no nothing

he’s such an uptight sort of bodyguard

will stay as close to his contract as he can

but will not hold off on the sassing back and forth with you

it’s just so easy to egg him on,

and annoy him

and plus you’re stuck in meetings all day

it’s so boring being a heir to an business empire

and it’s much more fun annoying Jiang Cheng

you both develop this banter between you both

and although you’re not quite friends, you don’t feel like strangers

Jiang Cheng knows you in ways that not many people would know,

like he knows your schedule,

but he also knows how much you despise the meetings with the board executives every week

and other little things etc. etc.

with how organized and super ‘helicopter parent’ he is of you, you really doubt that anything would happen under his protection

but when something does happen

randomly, or planned (you may never know)

when a suspicious person has entered your work premise unknowingly

and a gun shot rings out in a near by conference room

you see that Jiang Cheng takes his job (protecting you) very seriously

and you never thought he’d ever take a bullet for you

with how you guys banter and get on each other’s nerves

but he does

it’s really just a graze on his shoulder, and he’s been in this business long enough for it not to bother him

but when you’re watching a trusted person on the team bandage up his wound for him

you realize how truly protected you are with him by your side

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

#mdzs #mdzs headcanons #mdzs character headcanons #mdzs reaction #mdzs scenarios #mdzs imagines #mdzs bodyguard au #mdzs modern au #mdzs reader insert #mdzs x reader #mdzs jiang cheng x reader #mdzs nie mingjue x reader #mdzs wen ning x reader #cql x reader #the untamed x reader #tangledwriting

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ibijau · 3 years

Text

Futures Past pt13 / on AO3

Nie Huaisang is visited again by his future self, which goes even less pleasantly than before

Nie Huaisang did not enjoy in the least being dragged out of bed in the middle of the night, a hand firmly pressed over his mouth to keep him quiet and avoid waking the other Nie disciples.

His future self really needed to find a better way to visit him. They had to decide on a schedule of some sort, Nie Huaisang ranted when they were outside, hidden away near the cabin he currently inhabited. Or a signal. Or something other than the absolute terror of a stranger taking him out of his bed in the dark.

“Couldn’t you at least have told me when you were planning on coming back?” Nie Huaisang complained, to which his future self shrugged.

“I was supposed to, but I forgot,” the older man muttered from being his fan. “Not that I would have kept to the schedule anyway. I had to know how your time in Yunping City went, so I… pushed hard to come here as early as I could. I probably won’t be able to return again until late fall, or even the bew year.”

He did look tired, and had a slight trembling in his hands, Nie Huaisang noted. Though that could just have been excitement rather than a sign something was wrong with him.

“It went well in Yunping City, I think,” Nie Huaisang announced. “I don’t think that Meng Yao will be going to Lanling Jin now, not if he has even a little bit of brain, and…”

“He’s more stupid than you’d expect,” his older self snapped. “I take it he’s still alive then?”

Nie Huaisang hunched his shoulders and looked down at his feet.

“It’s not like I could actually have killed him! And anyway, he’s nice. Well, I thought he was nice…” The older Nie Huaisang scoffed. “And Lan gongzi thought it too…” Another scoff, and when Nie Huaisang risked a glance, he was met with an expression of disgust. “And Jiang gongzi too had a good opinion of him!”

“You saw Jiang Cheng?” his older self asked, lowering his fan while something shifted in his voice. “How was he? Was Wei Wuxian there too?”

He sounded almost eager to get news, as if he cared about these people.

He sounded almost human.

“I don’t think that other one was there,” Nie Huaisang said, trying to remember. He'd been so nervous about that Meng Yao business, he hadn't paid attention to anything else. “And Jiang gongzi mostly seemed interested in chatting with Lan gongzi. They were getting along just fine. I think they’re writing to each other now? I think Lan gongzi mentioned that the other day.”

Whatever softness had briefly taken over his older self melted in a second, replaced by something dark.

“That’s new,” he said, closing his fan with a flourish before tapping it against his hand. “I knew they would have met briefly in Yunping City, but to my knowledge they didn’t speak at all. We’ll have to be careful. I don’t like the idea of Jiang Cheng siding with that idiot." He sighed. “We’ll see what comes of it in the future. For now, tell me what you’ve done with Meng Yao, since you’re apparently too much of a coward to properly get rid of the man who killed da-ge.”

Nie Huaisang felt breathless at that casual mention of Meng Yao’s true role in his brother’s future death. His older self had said that Meng Yao was involved, that he needed to be dealt with, but Nie Huaisang hadn’t thought…

How could someone like Meng Yao ever kill his brother? Even if he worked day and night, even if he tried as hard as he could, Meng Yao would take years and years to catch up to even a normal cultivator’s level. He would never compare to Nie Mingjue who everyone agreed was a cultivation genius, a force of nature. In a direct confrontation, Meng Yao could never win.

It would have been something more insidious then, Nie Huaisang thought. Poison, or backstabbing, or some other under-handed thing. And since Lan Xichen had appeared so instantly fond of that Meng Yao, since his future self hated him too, maybe he’d accidentally given him the means of coming close to Nie Mingjue. That would certainly explain why that older Nie Huaisang despised both men so intensely.

A little shaken by that theory, Nie Huaisang started recounting what had happened in Yunping City. Or at least, he explained most of it. He was so embarrassed about failing to find the right brothel that he didn’t speak about that, meaning he also didn’t say anything about meeting Lan Xichen in the red district, and that complete breakdown the poor boy had. And while he proudly explained that Meng Yao was now part of Yunmeng Jiang where he appeared to be doing very well according to letters Lan Xichen had received, Nie Huaisang didn’t mention that to obtain that result he’d insulted a sect leader and gotten harshly punished for it. He didn’t think his older self would show much sympathy for his suffering.

Really, talking to that man was like talking to Nie Mingjue when he asked about his brother’s cultivation progress. Except at least Nie Mingjue was only like that some of the time, when the elders had pestered him about Nie Huaisang’s lack of talent for anything one time too many. His older self felt as if he was this way all the time.

“I suppose Yunmeng will have to do,” the older Nie Huaisang sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The Jiangs certainly aren’t going to give him a recommendation to join Lanling Jin. Anything is better than Lanling or Qinghe at this point.”

Nie Huaisang pinched his lips, quite glad he hadn’t mentioned his initial plan of bringing Meng Yao to Qinghe. It had been a stupid plan, he now realised. But he hadn’t known that Meng Yao would be his brother’s actual murderer, and his future self hadn’t said anything, and…

“Now that Meng Yao is dealt with, let’s talk about what you have to do next,” the older Nie Huaisang said.

“About… about S-Su She?” Nie Huaisang quickly asked, trying to sound as indifferent as he could.

His older self opened his fan with an elegant gesture that Nie Huaisang was starting to hate, and shook his head with a cruel smirk.

“No. I’ve given this some thought,” the older man explained, fanning himself slowly. “I’ve reached the conclusion that I don’t care much whether Jin Zixun and him kill each other. Good riddance, neither of them are worth even the dirt used to bury them. These two are just…”

“He’s my friend,” Nie Huaisang squeaked. By which he meant Su She of course, but also…

Jin Zixun and him had exchanged a few glances here and there during particularly boring lessons, and they’d chatted a little when they’d been punished again together, this time over a failed assignment. Jin Zixun wasn’t a friend, but he might have become an acquaintance, and that was probably more than anyone could say about Jin Zixun.

His older self closed his fan with a sharp gesture and glared at him.

“He’s not.”

“But he is!” Nie Huaisang insisted. “I met Su-xiong a while ago, and he’s real nice, and we get along fine, and he even…”

“A man like Su She doesn’t have friends. He’s only using you to get something. What did he make you promise? Support? Help? Money?”

“He’s not like that!” Nie Huaisang cried out, letting his voice rise higher than was truly wise at such an hour of the night.

But he couldn’t let Su She be insulted that way. Maybe it was different where his future self came from, maybe Su She and him hadn’t met over there, but they had met here, and they were true friends.

Su She had amply apologised about not coming to see Nie Huaisang that whole week he’d been punished for his fight with Jin Zixun. He had cited his own punishment, as well as Lan Xichen enrolling him in his book-copying scheme. Both were valid reasons, but Su She still appeared very sorry that he’d let Nie Huaisang deal with that on his own, and shared some candies with him as a way of apology.

Su She was the best friend Nie Huaisang had ever had in his life, and he refused to hear anyone insult him, even himself.

“Su She is no friend of yours,” his older self claimed. “Stop whatever acquaintance you have with him right away. Da-ge wouldn’t approve, anyway.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re at the point of my life where I’m a little idiot who cannot do anything right. If you’re making a decision, it’s always going to be the wrong one, and it will anger Da-ge. So drop Su She immediately.”

"Da-ge isn't like that," Nie Huaisang grumbled.

"I've known him longer than you," his future self retorted. "I know what he thinks of me."

Which might have been true, but it still felt wrong. Nie Huaisang and his brother had their disagreements, of course. Many of them, in fact. They argued over just about anything, but rarely seriously, or about anything really important, and they always made up quickly. Sure, some people misunderstood their relationship and thought they didn't get along. Some had even tried to take advantage of that perceived rift between them, but both brothers knew where they stood.

Nie Huaisang knew his brother would like Su She when he met him. In fact, Nie Mingjue had already promised he could invite his new friend to come to the Unclean Realm, provided he passed his exams.

Maybe it had been too long since his future self had last seen Nie Mingjue, if he could only remember their few disputes and none of the affection.

"The only person you're supposed to pay attention this year to is Lan Xichen," his older self reminded him. "So how are things going on that front? I swear if there's still no progress…"

"No, there is!" Nie Huaisang said, raising his hands in a defensive gesture. "A lot of progress! We spend at least a shichen together every week lately, sometimes more!"

"That's a very precise amount," his older self noted. "How do you know it is that much?"

"Well, see, he gives me music lessons. He says I'm quite good at it actually," Nie Huaisang added with pride.

That pride was met with a dark, angry look. Or perhaps not angry as such, Nie Huaisang thought after a moment. Maybe envious instead. Considering the opinion his future self had of Lan Xichen, it was impossible he'd ever been given those lessons, or surely he wouldn't have hated Lan Xichen so much. And since they were the same person, or at least had been the same person before his future self grew up into an asshole, then they had to have the same tastes, the same aspirations.

"What instrument ?"

"The guqin, of course. You know, I always figured it'd be really hard, but I'm liking it a lot, and it's really fun to practice a little every day, and Lan Xichen is a really nice teacher, and he's actually fun, and…"

"He's not," his future self cut him. "And while I'm glad you're finally remembering the part you have to play in our plan, I don't want you to get distracted. Music isn't your goal. Neither is it to actually befriend Lan Xichen. You only need to make him think you're his friend, getting attached as well would be a mistake."

"But…"

"In fact," his older self continued, slowly fanning himself, "it would be best if you gave up already on the idea of having friends. It's not for the likes of us. If you were a little more charismatic and likeable perhaps… but in the end, none of the 'friends' I made at your age were there for me when I needed them. I had to trick them into helping when the time came to avenge da-ge, or they would have let his murderers live free."

"Well maybe if you weren't such a prick they'd still be yours friends," Nie Huaisang muttered, which earned him a slap.

It didn't immediately register that he'd been hit. He just stood there, staring at his older self, vaguely aware of a noise too loud in the quiet night of the Cloud Recesses, and a rising sensation of heat on his cheek.

"I can't believe nobody has ever done that, with how annoying I am," his future self remarked, shaking his hand as if the blow had hurt him too. "Now listen to me. You are not likeable. You are not charismatic. You're not even particularly clever most of the time. Why would anyone want to be friends with you? At best they're tolerating you because it's impossible to just reject the heir of a great sect, but make no mistake, your only quality is Nie Mingjue. In terms of popularity, you rank about as high as someone like Jin Zixun. Do you understand what it means?"

Nie Huaisang failed to contain a few tears as he brought one hand to his smarting cheek. It felt hot to the touch, and he'd have to expend some spiritual energy into it, or else there might be a mark in the morning that would be difficult to explain.

As for his older self's question, Nie Huaisang shook his head the way he felt might be expected of him.

"It means you have to treat people the way they treat you," his older self said. "Keep your heart closed, and use them for what they're worth. Especially Lan Xichen. Get him to trust you, but don't make the mistake of trusting him back. He is a rather poor friend to those who make that mistake."

Gritting his teeth, Nie Huaisang obediently nodded, fearful of being hit again.

But it didn't sound right. He refused to believe that people were as bad as his future self said. Surely Su She at least was better than that. Nie Huaisang could doubt anyone in the world, but not Su She, so he was absolutely not going to dump his friend just because some old creep with trust issues told him to. Not even if the old creep was himself.

As for Lan Xichen… not so long ago, Nie Huaisang might have accepted that unkind assessment of his brother’s friend. But now that they hung out together more frequently, he thought Lan Xichen wasn’t so bad. Their music lessons really were nice. Lan Xichen was patient and encouraging, something few teachers in Nie Huaisang’s life had ever been. He didn’t mind when Nie Huaisang got too tired to focus, or when he struggled with something that should have been easy. He also didn’t take Nie Huaisang’s moments of easy success as proof that he was faking whenever he struggled, and for this alone Lan Xichen had Nie Huaisang’s gratitude.

Not only that, but Lan Xichen had proven that he wasn’t as stiff and boring as Nie Huaisang used to think. He’d listened about the problems that Su She had, hadn’t he? And not just listened, but he’d done something about it, and he was still doing something about it, and not only for Su She’s sake either.

Su She had told Nie Huaisang that any inner clan disciple who bothered an outer disciple was in serious trouble these days if Lan Xichen heard about it… or worse still, if Lan Wangji got involved. He was a stickler for rules that one. Once his brother had casually mentioned to him that some people were breaking Lan principles behind the teachers’ back, Lan Wangji hunted them down and made sure those people regretted it.

All because Nie Huaisang had told Lan Xichen that he didn’t like how people treated his friend.

How could Nie Huaisang not have started liking him a little after that?

“Speaking of making friends,” his future self said, “you remember you need to fail your classes this year, right? We have big plans for next year.”

Nie Huaisang nodded again, with more sincerity this time. Failing his exams would not be difficult. At all. In fact, he was quite good at failing. Lan Qiren could have testified that when it came to failing, he’d never had a student as great as Nie Huaisang.

“Good, excellent. Now, I don’t have much time left here today but… I have a task for you when the classes end.”

“Another thing?” Nie Huaisang lamented. “That wasn’t the deal!”

“It is for da-ge’s good,” his future self snapped, and once again Nie Huaisang wondered if he really loved his brother enough to bother with all this.

He did love Nie Mingjue, no doubt. But he still wondered.

“In fact, it’s for the good of the whole cultivation world,” his future self continued. “This might be the most selfless thing you’re ever going to do, so don’t mess it up. When the classes end, you’re not going home. You’re going to the city of Kuizhou…”

“Really? Oh, that’d be neat. I’ve always wanted to see…”

“You’re not going there to sightsee and think about poetry,” his older self cut him. “You’re going there to find a young criminal by the name of Xue Yang and ensure he never gets to create trouble for the cultivation world. You’ve disappointed me with Meng Yao, but I think you should manage to do the right thing with Xue Yang. He’s only ten or eleven, and you have a sabre, surely it can’t be too hard to dispose of him.”

“You don’t mean…”

The older man closed his fan, his face devoid of emotion. “I would think my meaning is clear enough, but I’m not letting you mess this up as you’ve done with Meng Yao. Xue Yang must die. He grows into too much of a menace as an adult. Even if we're going to make sure his particular skills never become needed by any sect, letting him live is just too risky. He’s devious enough to come up with demonic cultivation all on his own if given the chance to grow up, and he certainly doesn’t have any ideals of justice to help him keep it under control. Kill him before he harms anyone.”

"I'm not a killer!" Nie Huaisang shouted, too loud, far too loud, but he didn’t care, horrified by the very idea of what he his future self was demanding. He felt sorry when fighting fierce corpses and tended to cry at exorcisms, how could he ever… and to a living person, to a child.

And yet his future self rolled his eyes as if his horror were but another minor annoyance to deal with, and started fanning himself again.

"You'll learn fast. Just find a cat, snap its neck, and you'll see how easy it is. After two or three you stop feeling sorry for them, and people aren't so different from cats."

“I don’t think da-ge would want that,” Nie Huaisang protested in a trembling voice. “I don’t think he’d like that at all. It’s just… it’s a kid! Good people don’t kill kids! Even a lot of bad people don’t kill kids!”

“Be quiet, or we’ll be found by whichever Lan disciple is patrolling tonight!”

Good, Nie Huaisang thought. If they were found he’d be punished, sure, but more importantly he’d be forced to tell someone about everything his older self had told him, from the war that was coming, to Nie Mingjue’s death, to killing children. But of course Nie Huaisang couldn’t be so lucky, and no one appeared to have heard him.

“You’re really too naive,” his older self said. “Everyone kills children, they just don’t speak about it and pretend they’re righteous. Even da-ge is no better. I only realised that after the war with the Wens, but it’ll be good for you to grow out of your illusions earlier than that. Besides, you don’t have to tell da-ge that you’ve killed that boy. Keeping secrets is your only real skill, use it.”

“Da-ge isn’t like that,” Nie Huaisang hissed, and felt he’d started crying again.

His brother wasn’t a murderer. He was a good person, he wouldn’t harm anyone who didn’t deserve it… but he might make an exception when it came to the Wens, who nobody in Qinghe Nie really counted as people anymore.

They were just a disease upon the cultivation world, pests that needed to be eliminated. Nie Huaisang, who had always agreed to that, had never really paused before to think that Qishan Wen also counted a number of children, of elders, of servants, of people who really had nothing to do with his father’s death and maybe didn’t even realise there had ever been such a person in the world.

“Da-ge is only human,” his older self said. “And all humans are ready to kill to get what they want. Da-ge wanted to avenge our father. You want to protect da-ge. It’s not so different. If it helps, Xue Yang really deserves to die, so don’t bother feeling sorry for him. He would kill you for candies, given half a chance.”

“I’m not like that,” Nie Huaisang sobbed.

“Not yet perhaps,” his older self conceded in a softer voice. “But you’ll get there anyway. The world is cruel. We must be worse than it is, if we are to survive, if da-ge is to survive.”

The man raised a hand toward Nie Huaisang's head, wanting perhaps to comfort him by ruffling his hair. It was what Nie Mingjue would have done. But Nie Huaisang flinched, fearing to be struck again, and his older self's hand dropped at his side.

“So remember well,” his older self ordered, his tone dry once more. “An orphan boy named Xue Yang, who lives in Kuizhou. He’s a petty criminal for now, he hasn’t yet switched from theft to violent crimes I think, but it’ll come soon. He would be tall for his age I believe. He has a missing little finger on his left hand, and when he smiles his canines are very prominent. He is a monster, and he cannot be allowed to live. Do you understand?”

Through heavy tears Nie Huaisang nodded. That seemed to satisfy his older self who vanished.

Nie Huaisang understood indeed, but he didn’t agree and was certain he never would.

#xisang #nie huaisang #lan xichen #though this one is really just a double dose of nhs who can't stand himself lol #double time travel #jau writes #mdzs

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flautistsandpeonies · 3 years

Text

Prominence Part 2

Read the Previous Chapter [Here]

Word Length: 3,502

Summary: The aftermath of a ruined banquet.

The floor was covered with blood.

“Wei-Xiong!”

“Young Master Wei!”

“Wei Ying!”

Rushing to his side, the three fluttered about the young man as blood soaked through his clothing.

Yu ZiYuan’s breath came out in rapid huffs as she continued to glare at the men below her. Zidan retracted into its ring form, and the matriarch clenched her fists in anger.

“Does...does it hurt- oh of course it hurts what am I saying!,”Nie Huaisang was pale as he fussed

Kneeling down beside his nephews, Lan Qiren said nothing as he placed a hand on Wei WuXian’s shoulder and started to offer him his spiritual energy. Seeing their uncle’s example, the Twin Jades followed suit.

“Where are your medics, “Nie Mingjue turned to a servant carrying a tray of drinks

“Ah, they’re at the healing pavilion, “the servant stated with an ashen face

“Then go get them!, “Nie Huaisang nearly screamed while fanning his friend

“Ah-ah, right away, ‘the servant jumped

“Wait,”Wei WuXian said with a wet cough

All eyes were on him.

Wei WuXian lifted his other palm, “It’s not that serious; I can go there myself.”

“You will do no such thing, “Lan Qiren grunted

“What, Wei-Xiong, “Nie Huaisang said in disbelief

“Wei Ying, No.,Lan WangJi gripped his arm

“Sit there and ,wait for a medic; don’t aggravate your wounds!, “Nie Mingjue glared

“Young Master Wei, it might be worse than it looks, please just sit still, “Lan XiChen held him fast like his brother

Wei WuXian blinked at all of them. They all stared at him like they would pin him to the ground if he dared moved from his spot.

He tried another approach, “It’ll be easier for me to go to the pavilion so they don’t have to lug their tools here.”

“Wei-Xiong, “Nie Huaisang stopped fanning him, “This isn’t fair”

“I know this isn’t fair, Nie-Xiong, “Wei WuXian grunted at his friend

Nie Huaisaing seemed to frown even more, “Wei-Xiong.”

“I can see to him.”

Eyes turned to a woman in blazing sun robes as she strode through the circling crowd of guests and up to the group on the floor. A pursed look was upon her face, her hands clasped in front of her as she observed the situation in front of her.

“Wen Qing, “Wei WuXian recognized while wiping the blood from his mouth with his sleeve

“Why offer help to another sect’s disciple, “Nie Mingjue gave her a suspicious glance

“I am a doctor. My purpose is to help the sick and injured, and there is a bleeding man in front of me, “Wen Qing’s reply gave no chance of rebuttal

“Wen-guniang, “Wei WuXian’s voice was a bit garbled, “I appreciate the offer, however, our YunmengJiang’s medics will be good enough.”

“Whether you walk out of here Wei WuXian or they take on a stretcher, your whip wounds will reopen, “Wen Qing watched as he used his spiritual powers to slowly stitch the lashes, “You will need better than “good enough.”

Rather reluctant, Wei WuXian seemed ready to protest again.

“Is the healing pavilion close, “Wen Qing questioned

“Ah, no, it is a little ways away, “Wei WuXian answered

“Is their anywhere closer that I can examine you, “Wen Qing seemed to have decided that YunmengJiang’s medics were out of option

“My...rooms are closer, “Wei WuXian shook blood from his hand, “That is...if Wen-guniang is inclined to enter an unmarried man’s room?”

Undeterred, Wen Qing replied, “Then, when the medics arrive, notify them to send supplies to Wei WuXian’s room.”

“Wait!, “a light voice interrupted the surprising calmness of the scene on the floor

Guests made way for the Jiang Sect Leader and his daughter. Jiang Fengmian’s face was set in a hard frown while Jiang Yanli looked like a nervous rabbit. Whispers started up in the farthest corners of the room as Jiang Fengmian tried to pull his wife towards the outer halls.

Jiang Yanli timidly stepped past her fuming mother, “A-Xian, “she started but paused and gave an apprehensive glance at the people around them

“Shijie, “Wei WuXian gave her a bright smile, “Don’t look so wary, it’s not as bad as it looks.”

“Don’t pretend like it’s not serious, “Lan Qiren reprimanded him immediately, “Zidian is no laughing matter.”

Flinching at his tone, Wei WuXian replied, “Lan-Laoshi, Yu-Furen-”

“Has grievously injured you, “Nie MingJue interrupted him while crossing his arms and side-eyeing the Jiang parents as an argument between the two ensued

“Even now, you deny it, Fengmian!, “Yu ZiYuan snatched her arm out of her husband’s grasp

The Jiang matriarch looked ready to attack even her own husband. Manicured nails transformed into beast claws in the guests eyes and sneered lips into venomous snake talons.

“Sanniang, calm down, “Jiang Fengmian’s voice was far too calm in everyone’s opinion, “Don’t make even more of a scene than you already have.”

“Why don’t you just say it right here and now, Fengmian? Say it! Wei WuXian is my bastard, “Yu ZiYuan’s voice grew with each word, “Isn’t that what you want?! For him to be heir and have him replace A-Cheng!”

“Sanniang, that’s enough, why don’t you go rest? You’re obviously stressed and-”

“I’m not going anywhere!”

Whispers from before became a torrent of gossip in seconds. Fingers pointed at the perturbed madam, questions and laughter about her sanity cropping up in the furthest corners of the banquet.

Wen Qing bent on a knee in front of Wei WuXian, spiritual power at her finger tips. With delicate hands, she used her energy to pinpoint the amount of damage to his face. Wei WuXian hissed in slight pain as she prodded his still bleeding nose.

Jiang Yanli tried to step forward once more; however, Lan WangJi shuffled to the side, blocking Wei WuXian and Wen Qing from her view.

Nie Huaisang stood up, “Jiang-guniang, you don’t look all that surprised.”

It was true, while everyone else in the room was still wide-eyed and gaping mouths, members of the Jiang Sect -servants, disciples, and clan- looked at the scene with a solemn familiarity.

Yanli didn’t meet anyone’s eyes, “Mother...mother has been rather upset lately with recent events and a-Cheng’s injury. And a-Xian....a-Xian, you know how she is...and-”

“Are...are blaming him for her assaulting him, “Nie MingJue turned a surprised glance at the Jiang heiress

Yanli shuffled at his tone, “It’s not that..it not. It’s just that a-Xian, you know how mother is.”

Jiang Yanli didn’t seem to be able to say much more, especially under the critical gazes of the guests.

“Young Master Wei, “A quiet looking young man stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Wei WuXian’s other shoulder

“You...you are?, “Wei WuXian seemed to squint

“It’s me, Wen Ning, Wen Qionglin. We met at the archery competition years back, “the young man answered

“Wen Ning? Ah, I...I don’t remember, sorry.”

Wen Qionglin shook his head, “Please, let my a-jie see to you, Young Master Wei”

“He doesn’t have a choice, a-Ning. Either he let’s me see him in his room, or I’ll paralyze him here and work from there, “Wen Qing’s tone was serious and none doubted her words as well

“Ah, well then, I suppose I really don’t have a choice, “Wei WuXian smiled wanly before addressing the whole room, “This one apologizes, but I’ll have to leave for a while”

With Wen Qionglin still holding him by the shoulders, Wei WuXian was slowly helped to stand by him and the Lan brothers. Like Wen Qing said, the whip wounds opened and a fresh bout of blood started dripping to the floor.

“Wei-Xiong!”

“Hurry, a-Ning.”

Quickly, the two Wen siblings ushered Wei WuXian from the room and from everyone’s line of sight as he gave directions to his rooms.

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With the departure of Wei WuXian, the air grew even tenser than when the guests first arrived in Lotus Pier.

“Violet Spider, do you normally whip your disciples or was this something specific to Wei WuXian, “Sect Leader Nie stood straight and gave the purple clad woman a pointed look

Growling, Yu ZiYuan pushed her husband’s arm away once more and turned her fury towards the tall man

“How does Nie Zongzhu have anything to say about how I punish my disciples, “Yu ZiYuan sneered, “Is it not my right to hand down punishments?”

Nie MingJue raised an eyebrow, “Punishment for what? Talking with Lan XiChen?”

The banquet hall was still a sea of whispers. Quips about the Jiang Sect as a whole started up in some small circles. Disciples of the sect started to separate themselves from the crowd, some pressing themselves against the walls of the banquet hall, while others shambled from the room entirely.

“Punishment for his actions against my son, “Yu ZiYuan gritted her teeth, “Surely you see how he’s been trying to depose my a-Cheng. Is it not my right as a mother to protect his rightful place as heir?”

“Depose Jiang WanYin, “Lan XiChen interjected, “he’s the only viable heir to YunmengJiang; it’s impossible to depose him.”

“Not if Jiang Fengmian makes him his heir, “the Violet Spider was close to raging again

“That doesn’t make any sense!, “Nie Huaisang, in a rare show of fearlessness, nearly shouted back in reply

The heir in question was no where to be seen in the hall. Jiang WanYin hadn’t attended the lectures, nor had he made an appearance at the banquet. Some had questioned where he might be, but most concluded that the man must still be too agitated at his da-shixiong’s success to attend.

“If Jiang Zongzhu wanted to depose his own son, he would’ve given Wei WuXian the Jiang name before he published his works, “an amused voice broke through the noise

Wen Ruohan strode up the the group with a haughty look upon his face. Each of his strides were well calculated, eyes sharp as he assessed the people before him.

Many found themselves agreeing with his words. Why let Wei WuXian publish his works in his birth name when your clan could’ve gained recognition instead?

”Madam Jiang, “many guests gasped at his address of her, “Surely you don’t truly believe that Wei WuXian is Jiang Zongzhu’s bastard?”

Seeing his wife about to lash out again, Jiang Fengmian intervened, “Sanniang, I’ve told you countless times that a-Xian isn’t mine.”

“And yet you publish his works, and don’t pay attention to your own heir, “A new voice, Madam Jin stalked to stand beside her best friend, seeing that no one else was siding with her

“You’re mistaken, “the Jiang Sect Leader replied, “Had a-Cheng come to me with anything like a-Xian did, I would have publish it just the same.”

“And where is your son now, “Madam Jin inquired, “I haven’t seen him the entire time I’ve been in Lotus Peir.”

“I asked a-Cheng to come to both the lectures and the banquet multiple times. He declined, “Fengmian revealed, “I even tried to get his sister to convince him. It was his own decision not to come.”

“Madam Jin, a-Cheng is just upset for the moment, “Yanli smiled at her, “Father hasn’t punished him; he just needs time to cool down.”

“Did he at least punish him for attacking his head disciple unprovoked?, “Wen Ruohan questioned, “It seems attacking Wei WuXian with Zidian seems commonplace.”

While most sects didn’t have a spiritual weapon like Zidian, they did have discipline whips. The thought of whipping their disciples for minor infractions - and obviously made up ones - made stones forms in the pit of their stomachs.

Yanli shook her head, “There was nothing to punish. a-Xian and a-Cheng will make up eventually; they always do. A-Xian will apologize for breaking a-Cheng’s arm and the rest will follow.”

“Why does Young Master Wei have to apologize for defending himself, “Lan Xichen joined the conversation, “If they were to truly make up it should be Jiang WanYin asking for forgiveness.”

The three Lans had formed a front with the Nie brothers, staring down the Jiang family. Their disapproval radiated throughout the room.

“If I may interject”

Silence ensued and eyes turned to the doorway; Wen Qing had returned.

Wen Ruohan nodded, “Speak, a-Qing”

Wen Qing bowed at her uncle, “I have thoroughly examined Wei WuXian, and I have come to speak with Jiang Zongzhu”

“How is he, “Jiang FengMian asked

“Other than the whip scars, he is actually mostly healed. By the time we got to his rooms, his core had already healed his broken nose and bruises, “Wen Qing answered

“And the....Zidian lashes, “Lan XiChen frowned as he spoke

“That is what I’ve come to talk about, “she sighed, “Jiang Zongzhu....

Had Wen Qing been a disciple or servant of the YunmengJiang Sect, she would’ve thought twice about speaking about this, especially now when it would reflect badly on the Sect Leader and his wife.

Wen Qing was not a disciple of the YunmengJiang Sect.

“Wei WuXian’s back is covered in whip scars, some years old and some as much as a few weeks old. It is my greatest advice that he be excused from leading next week’s competition and be left to rest, “Wing Qing voice was terse

“Covered, “Lan XiChen voiced everyone’s horror

“How can he be covered in scars? She only lashed him a few times, “a voice, people turned to see Jin ZiXun standing from his table

That wasn’t really a questioned that had to be answered. Everyone’s eyes shifted to the Violet Spider once more.

“And I suppose that his old scars were all punishments from you as well, Violet Spider, “Wen Ruohan sounded amused, “I’m decidedly curious, if your Head Disciple is so unruly and so undisciplined that he needs to be whipped with Zidian multiple times, why have him as your Head Disciple? Why keep him at all?”

“Don’t patronize me, “Yu ZiYuan glared, “How arrogant of Wen Zongzhu to come into my home and decide that I’m being to harsh on my servant after only listening to his rubbish for a week.”

“You consider his work trash, ,”Wen Ruohan was amused, “I see”

“You permit this, Jiang Zongzhu?, “Lan Qiren turned his ire to the sect’s leader, “How long has this been going on? Was Wei WuXian even being whipped during his days at the Cloud Recesses?”

“Lan-Xiansheng, “Jiang Fengmian looked surprised

“Well?, “Lan Qiren nearly glared at the man

Jiang Fengmian replied, “It...wasn’t always this bad. Sanniang usually only hit him two or three times or made him kneel in the ancestral hall. This is an outlier event. She isn’t normally like this.”

“That doesn’t make it better, “Lan XiChen stood with his uncle, “There’s a reason we only use the discipline whip for extreme infractions and treason.”

“And what would you have me do?, “Jiang Fengmian sighed

“Release Wei WuXian from his duties, “Lan Qiren demanded gruffly, “Let him come to the Cloud Recesses to heal physically...and mentally. These events no doubt have disturbed his mind.”

“Lan-Xiansheng, that is truly unnecessary, “Jiang Fengmian tried to placate him

“What is necessary is making sure you haven’t let a disciple be wounded beyond measure, “Lan Qiren countered

“The Unclean Realm opens their doors to Wei WuXian as well, “Nie MingJue stated, “Some time away from this sect will do him good.”

“Yeah,” Nie Huaisang added, “Wei-Xiong has been to the Unclean Realm before and liked it; he should come with us.”

“My niece has already started treating him, “Wen Ruohan replied, “it would be best for her to continue treating him in Nightless City.”

Madam Jin quickly glared back at her husband, as if sensing him about to open his mouth. Jin GuangShan, who had hung back the entire time, said nothing but tipped his head in their direction.

“The Yao will open their sect as well, Jiang Zongzhu.”

“Young Master Wei may be a bit more comfortable in Ouyang, Jiang Zongzhu”

“Lotus Pier is not safe for your head disciple, why risk his health making him stay here?”

“Jiang Zongzhu?”

“Jiang Zongzhu!”

Countless people started hammering Jiang Fengmian at once. Some demanded answers for his inaction, and other were trying to make gains from him. The man couldn’t please them all, nor could he come up with an answer.

Lan, Nie, and Wen watched as both Jiang Sect Leader and Madam were surrounded by troubled and disquieted guests.

“Out of my way, “yu ZiYuan shouted, making many jump away from her in fright

The woman snarled at them and then jerked her head at her best friend. With a nod, both women strode from the room, obviously displeased with how the circumstances turned out.

“Jiang Zongzhu, there is still the matter of restitution for Wei WuXian, “Lan XiChen addressed the man once more, “Either let Wei WuXian come with us to the Cloud Recesses or punish your wife, that’s all we ask. Letting a matter such as this stand is unrighteous.”

“Zewu-jun, “the Jiang Sect Leader sounded defeated, “Very well.”

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Leaving the banquet hall as quickly as possible, Lan WangJi and Wen Qing stalked down the halls toward Wei WuXian rooms. Passing by servants, the two were stone faced and harshly avoided by the staff.

Coming up to a door, Wen Qing knocked and feet shuffled inside. A minute later, Wen Qionglin opened the door and gave his sister a nervous smile.

“a-Jie, I tried to make him rest but..., “he paused as his sister pursed her lips and moved to let her inside

Walking into the room, Wei WuXian was sitting up in bed.

“I told you to lay down and rest, “Wen Qing glared and started toward him

“I need to go back to the banquet hall, “Wei WuXian stated

“You need to rest, “spiritual energy arose once again to assess the damage to his body

Stepping into the room, Lan Wangji gave a courteous nod to Wen Qionglin, who smiled and nodded back.

Looking around the room, he noticed a destroyed desk that hadn’t yet been removed. Scorch marks resembling lightning lined a couple of the walls. Slash marks from sword glares looked down at him from the ceiling.

The only thing that was relatively untouched was the bed that Wei WuXian was using, but Lan Wangji wondered if it was new.

“Lan Zhan, “Wei WuXian called as soon as he noticed the man

Turning from the room to assess Wei WuXian, Lan WangJi’s blood turned to ice as he gazed at his back.

His entire torso was wrapped with bandages, some having been soaked through with blood from his recent movement. his shoulder were bright red in pain, and sweat was running along his neck.

Seeing where his eyes were drawn, Wei WuXian couldn’t come up with anything to say.

“How long have you borne this?, “Lan WangJi demanded

“Lan Zhan, “Wei WuXIan frowned and tried to stand

“Sit still, “Wen Qing quickly pulled a needle out of her sleeve, a silent threat

“How long, “the second heir glared, eyes bright and furious

Wei WuXian sighed, “Lan Zhan....Lan Zhan, it’s unfair I know but-”

“Don’t try and excuse it, “Lan WangJi was furious, “She had no reason to attack you.”

Pursing his lips, Wei WuXian tried to change the topic, “Never the less, I have to return to the banquet hall.”

“No, you don’t, the Lans and Nie are handling the situation, “Wen Qing said while changing a soiled bandage

“And why should the Lan and Nie handle Jiang matters, “Wei WuXian stood despite the protests, “I have to return; I can’t imagine everyone was happy with what happened.”

“Yes, and hopefully Yu-Furen will be punished for what she did, “Wen Qing huffed

Turning away from the men, Wen Qing started to work on a salve for Wei WuXian injury. The smell of alcohol soon filled the room as she mixed medicines.

Frowning at the bitter taste entering his mouth, Wei WuXian said to Lan WangJi, “Look, Lan Zhan, I have to handle this.”

A spark of displeasure lit in Lan Wangji’s eyes, “Wei Ying, “he started

“Shijie and Uncle Jiang need my help putting out the fires, “Wei WuXian shook his head once more

“Jiang Zongzhu can handle this mess himself. You are a patient, the only thing you should be worried about right now is yourself, “Wen Qing said without turning around

“I also have duties to attend to, “Wei WuXian denied, “I can’t just sit around waiting for myself to heal”

Lan WangJi sighed, disgruntled.

“You’re being released from your duties, “he finally revealed

“What, “Wei WuXian ground out through gritted teeth, “Why?!”

“Your wounds needed to be tended to, “Wen Qing stated while griding herbs in a mortal and pestle, “the Lans have opened their doors to you, among other things.”

“I can tend to them just fine here in Lotus Pier, I don’t need to go to Gusu, “Wei WuXian shook his head is disapproval

Grasping Wei WuXIan’s hand, Lan WangJi held it tight and looked into the other man’s eyes.

“Wei Ying, “he started squeezing his hand tight

“Lan Zhan, “Wei WuXian frowned and looked away, “I can’t go.”

Squeezing his hand harder, Lan WangJi brought the man’s hand to his chest. The rapid beating of his heart thumped against Wei WuXian’s hand.

“Please,” Lan WangJi nearly begged

Startled at the action, Wei WuXian stared into the Lan’s eyes, but took his hand away from his chest. The golden orbs held anger in them, blazing like a fire that wanted to consume everything and everyone around it, but they also held something else; and it was directed at him alone. Worry.

Eyes widening, Wei WuXian gaped at the normally inexpressive man, “Lan Zhan....”

“Wei Ying, “Lan WangJi took both of the mans arms in his hand, “Please. Come back to Gusu with me.”

Having only truly known Lan WangJi for a couple of months, Wei WuXian was surprised at the dedication and worry directed at him. His heart thumped as the man focused solely on him, truly worried about his condition.

Giving a small smile, Wei WuXian could only reply in earnest, “Okay....Okay Lan Zhan. I’ll come to Gusu with you.”

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Author’s Notes:

-In the original draft of this, JC was gonna be at the banquet but then I had a better idea. Till then

Read my Prompts and WIPs [Here]

39 notes · View notes

scarletjedi · 3 years

Text

Untitled Untamed Time Travel Fixit AU but make it Mingcheng

@piyo-13

Part 1

Part 2A

PART 2B: GUSU UNLEASHED

Nie Huaisang immediately grabs a piece of blank paper to write a message back to Nie Mingjue, leaving Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian staring at each other. “Well,” Wei Wuxian said after a minute. “Aren’t you going to write to him, too?”

Jiang Cheng startled, he’d been too caught up in Huaisang’s words, “He’s alive!”. He had been prepared to go through the process of meeting Nie Mingjue again, of hopefully catching his attention, of watching A-Jue fall for him the way Jiang Cheng had fallen years ago — that his lover was here, alive, and *knew him* had not had time to process.

Trembling, Jiang Cheng moved from his bed, weak limbs pouring him like water until he was sat up against the table, taking the paper that Huaisang handed him. He stared, blankly. What to *say*?

“Tell him you love him,” Wei Wuxian said from his bed.

“Tsk, he knows that,” Jiang Cheng said with little snap.

“Then tell him you want to fuc—”

“Ah, la la la la!” Nie Huaisang said, covering his ears, and Wei Wuxian fell back laughing. Nie Huaisang winked at him. “Be honest,” he said. “But be short,” he looked down at his own missive. “All of this needs to fit on the bird.”

Nodding, Jiang Cheng picked up his brush. After a moment, he put ink to paper, writing in quick, sure strokes. He fanned the paper back and forth a few times to dry the ink faster, and folded the note to hand to Huaisang. Huaisang took it with a grin and ran from the room to send the message back.

“What did you write?” Wei Wuxian asked.

“None of your business.”

Two days later Nie Zonghui would bring the messages to Nie Mingjue, who would open Huaisang’s note, only to have a smaller note fall free. He would pick it up with a small frown before reading Huaisang’s note, smiling — blinking, then reading the note again. “If he put nearly have the effort into studying...” he muttered and Zongui would hide a smile. Then, Mingjue would open the smaller missive, nearly dropping the paper in shock, scrambling to catch it. “Sect Leader?” Zonghui would ask, and when Nie Mingjue looked up, he would be beaming.

Now, Nie Mingjue, who had fought, lead, and won a war, lead a sect, and died a slow, agonizing descent into his greatest fears, finds himself once more at 19, newly made Section Leader, and the clearest minded he’s been in years, without the damage caused by cultivating a war and...well. He wasn’t actually sure *how* Meng Yao managed to kill him, just that he knew he had.

Which was another problem. By this point, Huaisang was safely in Cloud Recesses, but Meng Yao was on his way back to Qinghe. It would take him most of a week to return, traveling on horseback as he was, and Nie Mingjue wasn’t sure what reception Meng Yao should receive.

Meng Yao, long before he was renamed by his father, had acted in ways that were counter to the values of the Nie sect. Even if Nie Mingjue were to overlook the crimes he committed as Jin Guangyao, or the atrocities he participated in as a torturer for Wen Ruohan, his crimes began in Qinghe.

Crimes that, as far as Nie Mingjue was aware, had not yet happened. Even before Meng Yao had used the chaos of an attack to kill the captain of his guardNie, Mingjue was never sure how much Meng Yao spoke was the truth — just knew that at one point he was sure Meng Yao had never lied to him, and then was never sure Meng Yao was not lying.

In his previous life, Nie Mingjue turned most often to Lan Xichen for council, particularly wher Meng— Jin Guangyao was concerned. Then, as years passed, Xichen would turn ever more towards Jin Guangyao first, and Nie Mingjue found himself turning to Jiang Wanyin as their wartime sparring turned to tent-side comfort, to comraderie to courtship.

A-Cheng.

For all that Mingjue had more years of experience leading a sect, Wanyin’s experience was a similar enough trial by fire to grant him insight, and an outsider enough to the triumvirate to offer an outsider’s clarity.

Truly, his love possessed an uncanny wisdom hidden behind brusque words and toothless threats.

He wished for Wanyin’s council now. He wished for his presence. It had already been too long since they had last seen each other before Mingjue made his last, fateful visit to Jinlintai. It would likely be several months, if not years, before their paths would cross once more.

And— he missed his lover as a lover. Wanyin was a beautiful man, strong and proud and fierce and so sweet in private. A joy and a challenge.

Getting Huaisang’s letter was bittersweet because his didi had already suffered so much: even the first time, Mingjue had wanted Hauisang’s youth to be as worry free as possible, to have the freedom to be careless in a way Mingjue never had. And sweet, because it meant that Mingjue wasn’t alone in this.

Getting Wanyin’s message was a blessing and a curse. He had already resigned himself to wait, to reach out to the Jiang Sect in support to save Wanyin his own heartbreak, to court him properly from the beginning. To know that his love was here, and yet still so far out of reach...

Huaisang’s letter boiled down to “plan in motion. Do not engage.” Which...

“Didi,” Nie Mingjue muttered. “What are you doing?”

Because, the thing is, Mingjue would *like* to listen to Huaisang. Mingjue was tired, and doing the right thing was an increasingly difficult and murky task....but Mingjue was also a just and righteous man. Certain actions he would take no matter what...and certain actions he would not.

The facts were thus:

Meng Yao had killed him in a way that was both intensely malicious and duplicitous. (Nie Mingjue was unsure as to his motive. What did Meng Yao gain aside from petty revenge? No, the method was revenge. The act...the act was something different).

Meng Yao had not, as of yet, committed any crime, nor was he currently capable of the technique that had been used to kill Mingjue.

Nie Mingjue could not in good conscience kill a man who had committed no crime, nor could he stand by and allow another to fall off the righteous path when it was within his power to prevent. (Was it within his power?)

So, Nie Mingjue could neither punish Meng Yao for crimes he had not yet committed, nor could was he able to relax in Meng Yao’s presence the way he had the first time around.

...Maybe Huaisang had ideas.

[later] “I can’t believe this!” Huaisang glared at the letter from his brother. Jiang Cheng’s own letter sat in his pocket to be perused later. It felt almost hot, the way his focus continually drifted towards the folded paper, but he knew better than to read his lover’s letter in front of Huaisang. Not if he wanted to keep any pretense to dignity.

“What is it?” he prompted when Huaisang fell silent, re-reading furiously.

“He wants to rehabilitate Meng Yao! His own murderer!”

“Meng Yao didn’t come back with the rest of us,” Jiang Cheng offered. “He’s not the man who killed your brother. Not yet, anyway.”

“You didn’t see—” Huaisang cut himself off, looking away and biting his lip. Jiang Cheng shifted, focusing on the letter to let the heat of its presence chase away the chill of the reminder that when his lover had died, Jiang Cheng wasn’t there.

“A tiger can not change his stripes,” Nie Huaisang muttered, and hid his face behind his fan.

[The discussion over what happens to Meng Yao plays out thusly:

NHS: I don’t want to kill Meng Yao, Da-ge! I just don’t want him alive. Anymore.

NMJ: Didi, no.

NHS: Didi, yes!

Ultimately, NMJ pulls the big brother/sect leader card and says they have time to deal with Meng Yao, and since Meng Yao was currently NMJ’s problem, he would deal with it. NHS threw a tantrum that reminded everyone that yes, NHS is related to NMJ by blood, but finally went: “fine! It’s not like the *whole reason* we came back wasn’t to fuck up all of his shit!” and adjusted his plans again.]

When he goes back to his room, Jiang Cheng finds himself alone. He can bet that Wei Wuxian will be off with Lan Wangji (and no, Jiang Cheng doesn’t know why Wei Wuxian hasn’t just moved in with his boyfriend, considering how often he comes skittering into the room just on the wrong side of curfew, mussed and bruised in a very specific way that Jiang Cheng a) wants to know no more about and b)isn’t jealous of, fuck off.), so he has time to read his letter.

Cheng-er,

We never were a pair for letters, you and I, preferring to steal time for each other like a pair of romantic thieves. I regret, now, not making more time to woo and court you properly then — though I fear I already had all you could give — not desire, you showed me your hunger for me readily enough, matched only by my hunger for you — but hours of the day.

I think very fondly of our nights.

This second chance makes me desire to do better, to build you a place in my life from the start, as I hope you build a place for me. We are young, yet, and have time to hope.

I miss you, Wanyin. Cheng-er. Please write to me. A letter is a poor substitute for your fire, but I will cherish even these scraps above silence.

Yours,

A-Jue

Jiang Cheng wasn’t sure how long he was there, re-reading the letter, when Wei Wuxian tumbled in, only to stop when he caught sight of Jiang Cheng.

“Jiang Cheng! You’re pink!” Wei Wuxian crowed, pointing a finger and laughing at the way Jiang Cheng startled. “Who wrote to you to make you blush? What did he say?”

“None of your business,” Jaing Cheng snapped, tucking the letter away.

A-Jue,

Who gave you the right to write such a letter? Who would believe the NIe Sect leader to be so shameless? You can take a lesson from your brother in poetry if you are planning to continue!

Building a space — as if I did not rebuild my piers with a place for you. As if you had not already crawled into my heart to live.

I lost you once, A-Jue. I will not lose you again.

I await your next letter,

Yours, always,

Cheng-er

Jiang Cheng hands the folded paper to Nie Huaisang, face burning. For once, Nie Huaisang doesn’t tease, doesn’t give him a knowing smirk. Instead, his eyes are kind, and he takes the letter with little fanfare, tucking it neatly into his own missive to be sent off at once.

When the next letter comes, Jiang Cheng doesn’t even bother waiting, taking the letter and retreating to the sound of Nie Huaisang’s laughter.

Cheng-er

You want poetry, do you?...

Jiang Cheng’s eyes skip over the page and he gasps aloud, face burning as he looks around to see that no one else is near. To write such things! Shameless! But...oh, how it lights a fire in him, and he’s breathless with his, dizzy with sudden, frustrated want that he cannot satisfy.

In the end, Nie Mingjue was right. The words are a poor substitute, but Jiang Cheng would not trade this letter for anything.

The next morning, Jiang Cheng approaches Wei Wuxian with an idea for a long-distance communication array, one that could be personally powered and used. The reasons he gives are all to do with military strategy, but he needn’t have bothered. The challenge to create something new has Wei Wuxian distracted immediately, and he wanders off to the library mid-sentence.

The next free afternoon they have in Caiyi, Jiang Cheng purchases a wooden box, cleverly built with locking compartments and false bottoms. It is perfectly sized for folded letters.

Time passes. Now that Jiang Cheng has thirteen years of lived experience - and hard years of war and cuthroat sect politics and rebuilding his sect - the lessons aren’t easier, per say, but they have context that he missed the first time. HIs understanding is more in depth, which quickly makes him a favorite of Lan Qiren to call on — even if his actual answer (usually “threaten them with Zidian”) wasn’t the answer he provided in class. Wei Wuxian was also a calmer presence in class - still questioning, still pushing limits, but when Lan Qiren calls on Wei Wuxian to answer his questions, Wei Wuxian’s answers are thoughtful, inventive, but within the bounds of conventionality. Surprisingly, it’s Lan Wangji who suggests solutions that boarder on the heretical — solutions that Jiang Cheng knows come to pass, such as the spirit attraction flags.

It’s enough to make Lan Qiren change colors, and judging by the tiny smirk on LWJ’s face, it’s absolutely deliberate. (The one class that Lan Xichen sits in on is, actually, hilarious, as he seems consistently torn between laughter and exasperation at his brother’s small rebellion).

Nie Huaisang, however, seems to be *genuinely struggling* with the material. So much so that Jiang Cheng takes pity and drags him (and Wangxian) into the library one afternoon to actually study rather than their usual spot by the river where they would refine their plan to keep everyone alive that they actually cared about keeping alive, and killing those who needed killing as efficently as possible. (“That’s a rather blunt way of thinning about this, Jaing Cheng,” WWX said to him. JC had just shrugged. He didn’t see the reason to couch the truth in political double speak when he didn’t have to”)

After an hour or so, Nie Huaisang slumped forward over the table, thumping his forehead against he lacquered wood. “It’s no use. I’m going to have to repeat this year again, *again*”

“I don’t understand it,” Jiang Cheng said. He knew that Huaisang was smart; he figured out Jin Guangyao’s plot, he successfully modified the time travel array — Jiang Cheng was pretty sure he ran Qinghe’s spy rin duing the war, though that had never been confirmed. “I know you know things.”

“I don’t,” he wailed. “I don’t know anything. Don’t ask me.”

“I don’t mean to alarm anyone,” Wei Wuxian said, leaning in and keeping his voice low. “But we have a spy in our midst.”

“Those rumors were never proven,” Huaisang said, sniffling.

“Not you,” Wei Wuxian said, and angled his head in a way that he only thought was subtle towards where Jin Zixuan was sitting, stiff and imperious, with an exasperated Luo Qingyang. “He’s been doing that a lot,” he said.

Jiang Cheng watched him for a long moment, trying to remember the frustration he felt with a young Jin Zixuan who hadn’t yet unlearned the smug superiority of Jinlintai...but all he could see was little Jin Ling, awkward from growing up alone and desperately lonely (except Jin Ling had picked up Jiang Cheng’s bad habit of expressing any emotion as anger, and it seemed Zixuan had chosen...smug silence.)

“Aw, crap,” Jiang Cheng muttered, because as soon as he realized it, he knew what he had to do. Pushing himself up, he stalked over to Jin Zixuan, ignoring the hissed complaints of Wei Wuxian, and stared down at him, arms crossed.

“What do you want?” Jin Zixuan sneered. Behind him, Luo Qingyang rolled her eyes, and Jiang Cheng huffed.

“Cute. But you got nothing on my mother.” Jin Zixuan blinked, surprise loosening some of the stiffness in his posture. Rolling his eyes, Jiang Cheng snapped. “Look. You’re not subtle. We see you. So do you want to sit with us or not?” He looked between them. “Both of you.”

Jin Zixuan nodded, then blinked as if surprised at himself. Luo Qingyang stood to salute, but Jiang Cheng waved it off.

“Great, come on,” Jiang Cheng said, and turned around, not waiting to see if they. He sat back in his seat, shifting books to make room. He didn’t really want to sit next to Zixuan, but with Nie Huaisang sprawled over his books and Wei Wuxian practically in Lan Wangji’s lap, it was the only safe place for them.

Nie Huaisang sat back, looking at Jiang Cheng over his fan. “What?” He snapped.

“Softie,” Nie Huaisang said softly, and Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.

“He needs to learn, and Luo Qingyang is the only one at Jinlintai right now that I trust,” he muttered.

Wei Ying squinted at Jiang Cheng, as if trying to figure something out, but when Jin Zixuan and Luo Qingyang appeared, he blinked at her, surprised, and perked up in recognition. “Mianmian!”

Which, of course, was the wrong thing to say. Jin Zixuan puffed up, and Lan Wangji hissed a pained Wei Ying, and Nie Huaisang was being no help. So, Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes again and translated.

“No offense meant, Lady Luo,” he said. “My brother’s memory for names is notoriously bad, but he means no disrespect by his over familiarity.”

Thankfully Luo Qingyang smiled. “No offence taken, Young Master Jiang. If your offer is genuine, and we are to be friends, then you may call me Mianmian.”

Jaing Cheng smiled. “Then please join us, Mianmian. I am Jiang Cheng.”

That caused everyone to look at him, and he glared. “What?! I have manners.”

“Jiang-xiong is quite a gentleman,” Nie Huaisang agreed, mildly, and Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes. That tone always meant mischief.

“And you’re a pain in my—”

“No excess talking in the library,” Lan Wangji interrupted, staring placidly back when Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng both glared at him. Well, Jiang Cheng glared. Nie Huaisang pouted.

After a moment, Jin Zixuan grunted softly, as if someone had elbowed him in his ribs. He cleared his throat. “What are you working on?” he asked woodenly, as if speaking from a poorly rehearsed script. Out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Cheng saw Mianmian nod encouragingly.

“We’re trying to help Nie-xiong pass the next exam,” Wei Wuxian offered.

“Who’s we?” Jiang Cheng muttered, flipping his book open once more. “Unless sitting in Lan Wangji’s lap is a new study method.”

Nie Huaisang giggled behind his fan as Wei Wuxian squawked, reaching out to smack Jiang Cheng’s shoulder, only to be hauled back with apparent ease by Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji who, arms wrapped securely around Wei Wuxian, stared square at Jiang Cheng and said. “It is an advanced technique.”

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian protested, going pink in the face, and Nie Huaisang’s giggles turned to outright laughter.

Jin Zixuan leaned into to Jiang Cheng. “Is it always like this?”

Jiang Cheng shrugged. “Pretty much. Those two decided shame was for other people a long time ago.”

“I...have questions,” Jin Zixuan said.

Jiang Cheng turned and looked at him. “You know, so do I. But mine might involve yelling, so the library probably isn’t the best place for them.”

(It takes a while to build up to the conversation, a few weeks until Jin Zixuan is comfortable enough to sit with them without Mianmian as a social buffer. He’s still insufferable, but more and more Jiang Cheng sees the kid he remembers from childhood visits, and even shades of the proud yet just man that he almost had a chance to fully grow into being.)

Meanwhile, something is shifting between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, the simmering tension between them boiling over, and Jiang Cheng is both sure that they’ve actively started fucking and and sure that he wants *absolutely nothing to do with it.* He does not want to hear it, see it, smell it — which makes it difficult when Wei Wuxian proves that he has no filter, and Lan Wangji proves he has no shame.

What had actually happened was Lan Xichen had approached Lan Wangji and said that he was glad LWJ was making friends, and hey, haven’t you been spending an awful lot of time with that Wei Wuxian kid? Don’t worry, little brother, I’ll keep Uncle off your back.” LWJ was unsure if Xichen knew that LWJ and WWX were together, but was unsure how to clarify. Every time he tried, LXC seemed to double down on his interpretation of their relationship as being the same as his with NMJ (and while NMJ thought LXC was pretty, he was more interested in Xichen’s swordplay than his *swordplay*) - and LWJ decided that the best course of action was to kiss Wei Wuxian as much as possible as often as possible.

For the record, Lan Xichen was well aware of his little brother’s inclinations, and was quite enjoying his own spot of harmless rebellion by encouraging Wangji’s shamelessness. Besides, Wei Wuxian was a good match for Wangji, and it was a relief to see Wangji smiling. Perhaps it was time to begin drafting some marital paperwork. It wouldn’t do to be caught unprepared, afterall.

He hoped they married in the spring. He always loved a spring wedding...

Somewhere, Jiang Cheng felt a chill.

NEXT TIME - THE RETURN OF THE MAIN PLOT

#mingcheng #mingcheng notefic #my fic #the untamed

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robininthelabyrinth · 3 years

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Prompt: JZX is more politically aware, but mostly lonely. When he learns that JGY is his younger brother he's determined to be a good dage. His only examples however, are LXC, who hes not sure is human, WWX who- just- NO, and NMJ, who despite being his sworn brother seems to HATE JGY? So hes on his own. It can't be that hard right? Getting his mom to stop beating JGY is a good start, maybe helping catch up in training? (JGY is about to get so much awkward affection, it mightsave everything.)

ao3

When Jin Zixuan heard for the first time that his father was acknowledging one of his (many) bastards, bringing him home to be recognized as the Jin-er-gongzi, his first reaction was not, as his mother expected, overwhelming rage and disappointment, the way it was for her.

In fact, it was mostly delight – delight, and fear.

He’d known from a young age that he was never going to get any siblings from his mother, and while he’d known in a vague sort of way that his father as a notorious philanderer with bastards aplenty, it hadn’t ever been relevant to his life on account of the fact that none of them were ever acknowledged. He’d assumed that it would always be that way, and for the first twenty years of his life, it was.

Until now.

He was going to have a brother – no, worse. He was going to bea brother, a big brother; that was a position that came with responsibilities. He had to be a good role model, a teacher of all things good and righteous and proper, but also needed to care for them and take care of them – it was, to be perfectly honest, a brand new experience. Through some trick of fate, Jin Zixuan was among the youngest of his cousins and cohorts of his peers; there was something of an age gap between him and the next set of shidi in his sect, and anyway he’d never been expected to care for his shidi in a parental sort of manner – the Jin sect was too concerned with class to allow such closeness without a blood tie to excuse it.

So he was starting, essentially, from scratch.

It might’ve been smoother and more straightforward if he’d met his brother immediately, fresh from the battlefield where all such divisions were blurred and vague; they could have been shield-brothers, that way, and Jin Zixuan might not know much about brothers, but he had fought in a war and knew that much. But his father had whisked Jin Guangyao (and why was it ‘Guangyao’ instead of ‘Ziyao’?) away immediately, insisting that he needed his help with setting up the Phoenix Mountain hunt, so they hadn’t had a chance to meet at that stage. Jin Zixuan realized, of course, that organizing the Phoenix Mountain hunt was a big deal and, probably, a way for his father to show that he trusted his newest son, so he stepped back and kept to himself…well, mostly.

There was that incident with Jiang Yanli.

Either way, though, he didn’t have a chance to get to know Jin Guangyao until they were both back at Jinlin Tower, where the strict rules of etiquette and formality reigned supreme, and when they did Jin Guangyao was perfectly polite and gracious and incredibly fake. It was then that Jin Zixuan realized that he really, truly had no idea how to connect with another person if they weren’t making just about all the effort, and furthermore started to worry that he was being a bad big brother.

Naturally, this called for research.

“Yes, dear,” A-Li said, hiccupping with laughter. She’d agreed to walk in the gardens with him again, and since they were engaged now they could even be left alone – in fact, they were left alone a bit more often than they probably ought to be, which was likely his mother’s hint that children would be better obtained sooner rather than later and little things like marriage dates oughtn’t get in the way of that. “That makes perfect sense. Lots of research. Studious, serious research. What else could you possibly do?”

“You’re laughing at me,” Jin Zixuan said suspiciously. “Definitely at and not with. Have I done something wrong?”

“Not at all! I think it’s quite charming that you think this is the most straightforward way to bond with someone, instead of, say, just going and talking to the person directly – really charming. Delightful. Really! Don’t mind me one bit.” She wiped her eyes. “Now, tell me, who are you planning on talking with first for your ‘research’? Chifeng-zun?”

“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jin Zixuan said. “I mean, I also thought about him first, since his younger brother is a half-brother as well, but they’ve known each other for ages and ages, haven’t they? Chifeng-zun all but raised his younger brother – he’s more of a parent than a brother! And, well, you know, A-Yao and him…”

“They don’t really get along,” Jiang Yanli agreed. “You’re right, he’s probably not the best person to ask. Who else, then? Zewu-jun?”

“I don’t think I could live up to his example even if he sat down and advised me on how to do it,” Jin Zixuan said sincerely. “I mean, he’s just – you know? He’s perfect.”

“Too perfect,” Jiang Yanli agreed, and that was why he loved her quite so desperately. “Almost like a painting – nice to admire from afar, but a little lifeless up close…anyway, you wouldn’t want Jin-er-gongzi to end up like Hanguang-jun, would you?”

Jin Zixuan most certainly did not want an overly rule-abiding, stiff-faced disciplinarian as a younger brother. No thanks!

“So he’s out,” Jiang Yanli mused. “Who else is left?”

Jin Zixuan coughed. “Meaning no offense,” he said. “But, uh…I don’t think it’d be appropriate…”

“Oh, no, definitely don’t use A-Xian as a role model!” Jiang Yanli appeared mildly alarmed at the thought. “He and A-Cheng love each other, but things were always a little complicated – no, definitely don’t do that.”

Jin Zixuan exhaled in relief: crisis averted.

“Is there anyone else you might ask? I don’t think I know any others of your peers that are older siblings.”

“Not in the Great Sects, no. But anyway, I was thinking…well, I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not –” He wasn’t exactly a strategic genius. “But I was thinking of approaching it from the other direction.”

“Oh?”

“A good older brother is judged primarily by the younger brother, right? If you’re a good older brother on paper but your younger brother hates you, there’s no point. So I was going to ask the younger brothers and see what it was about their older brothers that they liked.”

“An interesting strategy,” Jiang Yanli said.

Jin Zixuan frowned. ‘Interesting’ might be the word most often used when he proposed plans, but it usually didn’t actually mean that the other side agreed with the plan. Certainly Chifeng-zun had said several times that several of his proposed battle tactics were ‘interesting’ and he’d never even once used a single one of them. “What’s wrong with the idea?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing…it’s only…”

“Only what?”

“Think about who you’d be asking,” Jiang Yanli said. “What would Nie-gongzi be likely to say?”

“…probably that a good older brother is one that indulges all his whims, never makes him do anything, and buys him stuff.” Jin Zixuan grimaced. “A-Yao is far too talented for such treatment; he’d think I was being condescending and treating him like a child.”

“Mm, likely yes, I’m afraid. And A-Cheng would probably clam up immediately, refuse to answer, and then, if you did manage to get it out of him, say that a good older brother would be one that was there all the time doing his job.”

“But A-Yao already does his job! If anything, he’s overlyconscientious about it!”

“Exactly.”

“And the only other one to ask is Lan Wangji,” Jin Zixuan realized. “And he won’t say anything at all, because he’s a lump of rock that doesn’t speak!”

Jiang Yanli snorted. It sounded involuntary, distinctly resembled the sound of a pig, and she looked momentarily shocked that the sound had come from her, so he pretended not to notice.

“I’m doomed,” he moaned. “I don’t know how I’m going to do this…A-Li, you must have some other suggestion!”

“Well, I might have one,” she said, and he looked eagerly at her. “It involves you actually having a conversation with A-Yao, though.”

“Oh, well, that’s sure to fail,” Jin Zixuan said, and now she was laughing again. “I mean it!”

“We’ll think of something, I’m sure,” she said, giggling. “Don’t worry. With both of us on the task, I’m sure we’ll get things in proper shape!”

#mdzs #jin zixuan #jiang yanli #my fic #my fics

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