#you messed with jiang cheng when he was in the middle of something important to him and made him and our sect lose face hdy

[salemaesthetic]

Ｍｏ Ｄａｏ Ｚｕ Ｓｈｉ

~ 𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽  𝓞𝓷𝓬𝓮  𝓦𝓪𝓼 ~

Earlier that afternoon, Wei Ying was finally able to convince Lan Zhan he would be fine traveling on his own without Jiang Cheng nagging him without second master Lan knowing or getting recklessly hurt again on his own.

It was always a common thing when to came to the foxy man but after some kisses and “being on his best behaviour” , Lan Zhan reluctantly agreed.

He’s always been a protective husband and Wei Ying knows that will never change despite his reassurance and teasing.

“If anything happens, please come back.”

“I will!”

~

For the past couple of hours, the demonic cultivator felt…a little strange…

It started late last night when the couple was in the middle of their passionate “Everyday Means Everyday” .

All of a sudden and just when the night was about to heat up more than it already has, Wei Ying had gasped and begged Lan Zhan to stop so he could sit up and take a few deep breaths.

Being able to read his husband so well just by the simplest of changes, second master Lan quickly moved away and expertly calmed his lover, hugging him and asking if he had done something wrong.

The last thing he wants is to hurt Wei Ying and if he had, it was always clear he would never forgive himself for hurting the one he loves most.

But the shorter cultivator reassured him and smiled once he felt “normal” again, kissing him on the cheek and letting him know they could continue their fun.

But the night ended with Lan Zhan wrapping Wei Ying up with the blanket like a bun and called it a night.

“We’ll talk in the morning.” Lan Zhan said with a clearly concerned tone despite his husband’s cute protests before eventually falling asleep.

Obviously Lan Zhan was worried for the grandmaster and needed to ask what had happened so he could help him but…Wei Ying couldn’t exactly give him a clear answer that day during breakfast.

The only way to describe what he was feeling was…it felt like…something was pulling him.

Calling to him.

Not tugging him by his robes in a harsh manner or pushing him out of the home with such force like Jiang Cheng would if he was messing around.

More like…holding his hand like a child would if they wanted you to see what they wanted you to or how Yanli would pull him in for a hug if he was upset or scared.

How gentle she would be when he would start getting angry like the time with Jin Zixuan.

It..it was like a voice.

A soft voice calmly telling him to venture out and find 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔.

It was strange and confusing when it first started happening but Wei Ying didn’t think too much of it since he was currently looking after the Lan juniors while his husband worked on his next teachings.

And when it came to kids— he knew better than to get sidetracked and leave (especially with the equally and n̴o̴t̴ surprisingly reckless Lan Jingyi) .

Sure— Lan Sizhui could easily tame the other junior just by smiling a certain way that scared both his parents and fellow disciples but the grandmaster didn’t want his hubby punishing him for leaving the juniors during their training.

So he thought it’d be best to leave after dinner instead and receive the punishing later. Whatever Lan Zhan would have in mind— Wei Ying would take if he knew he deserved it.

And so he did.

Later that night and after the “bland” meal, Wei Ying left Gusu with Little Apple in case the trip was long and quickly ventured out to follow what had been calling him since the other day.

Not forgetting to tell Lan Zhan and kiss him, promising he’d be back before sunrise.

He needed to know what had been trying to force him to leave Gusu for nearly two days. If he doesn’t, he may have missed an important message.

What that message was? Who knows.

It was still a very strange feeling that only grew stronger when the cultivator finally left his new home but it wasn’t anything too unfamiliar to him.

He’s had countless moments of being aware of things that were usually threatening to him and the people he cared about. Sensing before anyone else could without much concentration.

Though most of those memories weren’t the fondest and Wei Ying would rather have most of them be forgotten due to the such events that occurred.

Regretful events. Traumatizing events.

.

.

.

But this feeling wasn’t threatening to him or anyone in Gusu nor was it malicious.

It was definitely some kind of leading call. A call to regain what once was.

~

Wei Ying and Little Apple had traveled far from Gusu since they left but now with the moon above their heads, the call oddly became louder to the cultivator.

It kind of gave him a headache— like the annoying ringing in your ears would but he had to 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 what was making him come all the way out here if it was so important.

There had to be some kind of important reason to make him leave his home and travel somewhere far from his family in such a rush.

~

As they slowly got closer to the destination with a few breaks for snacks and water, and the “voice” slowly becoming softer as they approached—

There wasn’t anything dangerous happening around them.

No fierce corpses, no evil spirits— nothing was happening other than a merchant or a group of villagers wandering around for a late night stroll.

At first, Wei Ying thought it was a small task he might’ve forgotten to finish or if it was a desperate cry for help, whether it be Jin Ling getting in trouble again, another but weak cultivator getting stuck in a net—  but that was unlikely.

One: Wei Ying is a perfectionist despite his poor memory. Two: Why would the voice be so loud to the point it gave him a headache and force him away for so long?

And lastly…why did it make him think he needed to do this alone?

He and Lan Zhan are a team. They always have been since the events of Xuanwu Cave and 13 years after he came back to him.

He knew it hadn’t felt right once he realized this and the pit in his stomach started to make him feel a little sick due to the worry.

This was something he 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 to do alone. Him and him only.

But why…?

~

The demonic cultivator couldn’t understand why he had left in such a hurry after dinner and why he couldn’t bring Lan Zhan or Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi. The voice 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 him to be alone.

I mean— he has Little Apple but she’s usually there to look pretty and eat.

What if it was something serious?

What if it was something he couldn’t take on alone and needed someone like Lan Zhan with him?

What if it already happened and if it’s bad— what if it’s already reached Gusu and he’s not there to help!?

The thoughts with the same calling voice continued for a long while— almost driving Wei Ying insane with Little Apple resisting to flip him off her back.

He felt scared.

He needed to go back back to Gusu.

…

Until suddenly..the voice had stopped it’s soft, almost melody-like speech, snapping Wei Ying out of his worried trance and was forced to look at where they finally were.

The Burial Mounds.

The former home he had once abandoned since coming back.

With widened eyes and a dry throat, Wei Ying stared in disbelief before getting off Little Apple’s back— thinking if they went any further she would get scared and run off.

Much like the second time returning, Wei Ying remembered all the memories that had happened here as he walked through the foggy mountain.

Many bones had scattered across the land- both fresh and old, dried stained blood in the dirt and the remains of the houses he built alongside the Wens.

Everything was still there…

While he walks through while holding himself tightly with an uneasy expression, Wei Ying remembers the many fortunate and unfortunate events that had happened since he resided here.

Being thrown by Wen Chao, inventing Demonic Cultivation and becoming the Grandmaster, bringing the Wens here to protect them, burying A-Yuan with the radishes, how Granny Wen use to comb his hair for him.

He still remembers Everything…

.

.

.

.

He felt cold..

It hurts…

It only hurt more when he saw his own former residence in the near distance.

The Demon-Slaughtering Cave.

It looked just as dark, threatening and sharp as it ever did, though maybe a little less welcoming since the second siege and his death had happened.

Though he was hesitant as he stood at the entrance of the cave with his arms tightly wrapped around his shivering body due to the painful memories— the same gentle voice called for him inside once again.

Unlike the hours before, the voice had become more clear to his ears instead of soft echoes

as it gently began to sing a beautiful melody.

A voice that sounded so familiar to him…

It sounded like the lullaby his mother would sing to him if he had a bad dream when he was a child.

He 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹 to know why it brought him back to this haunting place.

Gripping the sleeves of his robes and taking a few deep breaths, Wei Ying walked into the cave once he knew it was safe—

Once he was somewhat calm and started looking around to find what had brought him here in the first place.

He could still see the pool of blood that had sucked him in when he became the Yiling Patriarch, the same dull and heavy scent that fogged up his nose whenever he slept.

All of the yin energy that never left still clouding his mind.

It was all so familiar to him…

.

.

.

While shakily walking through the cave with all the darkened memories slowly flooding in, Wei Ying lightly jumped when the voice to his left grew softer once again.

This time, the voice felt more present and clear like it was in the cave with him.

Standing right beside him.

.

Quickly looking to his left with a slight fearful look on his face and a trembling body, Wei Ying’s eyes widened again at the sight before he could grab Chenqing.

.

.

.

It was a figure of a young woman standing before where the firm bed Wei Ying use to sleep on every night had been while he stayed in the Burial Mounds.

A vague, familiar figure.

A figure Wei Ying knew of from his past.

.

.

.

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Mother…?

In disbelief at the sight of a glowing spirit, Wei Ying reaches out his hand once he got closer to the light figure who had her back facing him.

“Who are you…?” He asks softly, as if not wanting to scare the angelic being.

A restless spirit, perhaps? A lone corpse who must’ve been unaware of his presence?

The latter was an odd option given the woman is more ghostly and somewhat more angelic compared to the rotting corpses the cultivator has gotten use to spending time with.

“You wanted me to see something, didn’t you…? Why are you being so silent all of a sudden?”

He asks with a more softer but stern tone, putting his hand on his chest to grip the collar of his robes.

It felt like his heart had skipped a few beats when he asked with such a tone.

…

….

…..

Still no response from the woman.

The soulful melody had died down once the grandmaster had seen the glowing body and reached out to her. She didn’t move, however. She stood completely still.

Peaceful.

Instead of giving the man any kind of response to help him understand what she wanted, the ghostly woman faded with light glitter particles being the only thing left behind, not allowing the man to see her face.

Was she an illusion…?

A dream…?

Wei Ying— obviously confused about what just happened, walked a little closer to where the ghost had been standing, opened his mouth to call to her for answers before looking down.

Wei Ying’s eyes widened in awe, feeling his throat become bone dry. He felt his body freeze up as his heartbeat grew heavier and fast.

He felt cold.

He couldn’t move…

.

.

.

.

He 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 his answer

And there it was.

The thing that strange, soulful voice had wanted him to see.

Wei Ying found his body.

His original body had been laid on the dark, rocky ground with such care, still clothed in the Yiling Patriarch robes— though more torn and stained with old blood,

His skin was scathed head to toe, equally as bloody with gashes left by the spirits and corpses relentlessly ripping him to shreds,

His short black hair still tied somewhat half way but had become even messier than the first few seconds he cut it before fighting back against the clans.

A small portion of the roof of the cave must’ve fallen in— probably caused by the second siege but it allowed the moonlight in the sky to shine on the frail corpse to give him some sort of color.

~

Even in death, Wei Ying could see just how exhausted he had become because of the subtle light shining from the moon and onto the lifeless body.

How frail and malnourished he had become since getting thrown into the Burial Mounds by Wen Chao a few long years ago.

Since taking in the Wens, the old and young needed more fill and rest than he did, so he allowed and trained himself to survive and be satisfied with very little portions of every meal.

No matter how many times Granny Wen and A-Yuan would hold a spoonful of food to his mouth and encourage him to eat— he would simply smile, pat A-Yuan’s head and tell them he wasn’t hungry.

He’s 𝓁𝑒𝓉 himself become this.

Using the trick he practiced, Wei Ying’s vision allowed him to see what he had looked like in death before becoming bones. Allowing him to see what once was.

Even before his death, the Yiling Patriarch had always looked more like a dead ghost in limbo than a living person with bright blood in their cheeks.

But things had changed.

It changed him.

He was no longer a boy with naive ideals. A boy who believed he could protect whom he cared for so much. Everyone he loved and kept so close.

A naive boy with a bunny-tooth smile, blood in his cheeks and a fit figure to show just how healthy he became since being adopted into the Jiang family.

.

.

.

.

.

Now…

His cheeks held no blood, his collarbone and ribs evident, his skin deathly pale— almost blue toned and frozen like water in the winter, and the shade under his eyes shows just how much rest he didn’t have.

It was definitely a sight that made Wei Ying wonder after taking in everything…if he could’ve done something different to keep the Wens and himself safe once the rumours had started.

He wouldn’t need Demonic Cultivation. He was strong all on his own.

He could’ve used a spiritual flute or a new sword even without a Golden Core.

He probably couldn’t do much with it like he use to but it was still a Spirit meant to protect.

He could’ve prevented the deaths that happened without going down such a dangerous, demonic path…

But Demonic Cultivation is what made him stronger. He always had Chenqing by his side.

It’s what kept Wen Ning “living” for his sister.  It’s what kept the Wens well protected under his care.

It’s what kept him safe throughout his time since returning from the Burial Mounds after he was thrown.

It’s what brought him back to Lan Zhan.

But it’s also what lead him to become 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈.

A sickly pale corpse with deep gashes spread all over his body and his robes torn apart by the beings he was supposed to be able to control with ease with Chenqing.

.

.

.

He killed his Shijie.

He killed Jin Zixuan.

He killed many other innocents and bystanders— all because he lost the control he begged for.

The control he desperately needed.

He lost his own sanity, causing harm to himself and others who didn’t need to die.

He had lost everything so dear to him because of Demonic Cultivation.

.

.

.

He couldn’t hide the pain anymore.

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Wei Ying, now on his knees with his heart that had been beating rapidly now shallow, gently grabbed his old hand and held it in both palms- as if to keep it warm.

He jumped at the bitter cold from the corpse’s skin, examining his original body once more before feeling something warm trickle down his cheek as he held the hand ever so tightly.

“I was a fool…thinking I could save myself…”

He said with a quivering voice and a devastated smile, looking down at his original face and used one of his hands to gently cup the corpse’s cheek.

So hungry…so tired…

.

.

.

.

It was too much…

He couldn’t handle it.

He couldn’t handle the pain he caused A-Yuan and Lan Zhan after his death.

His son continuously begging him not to leave him alone as his Gege held him in his arms with tears running down his chubby red cheeks.

Of course Wei Ying knew he wasn’t going to make it to find his baby but he wanted to give the little one hope. Something to keep the boy at ease and smile for him.

“Be good for Xian-Gege. I’ll come find you. I promise.”

He had said with a tired but gentle smile, kissing the little boy on the forehead to soothe his tears.

How his husband had held him so tightly in his arms after the death of his Shijie, trying to talk to him with his soothing voice and holding his hand in his own with such care—

Only to be told,

“ＧＥＴ ＬＯＳＴ！”

He is what caused not only his own pain and earth but the pain and deaths of do many other people he cared for and loved so much.

Some that didn’t deserve it.

Some that were so unnecessary.

Some that broke him into madness.

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He couldn’t bare it any longer.

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.

.

But…

He came back.

He has his own family now. A loving son, a tender and benevolent husband, a silly nephew.

He came back to them.

He has a home.

A place where he finally belongs.

~

When Wei Ying returned to Gusu, finally getting his answer after two days of the sweet, familiar voice beckoning him, he didn’t return to Lan Zhan right away.

He didn’t want to trouble his certainly tired husband after a long day of teaching the Lan juniors— especially ones who dared to break some of the many rules.

So instead, he silently walked into the bedroom and grabbed something that laid on the shelf by the bed before quickly leaving for the next room, leaving his husband an empty bedside.

He didn’t want to make it messy and trouble his husband nor the clan leader.

He knew he would get his punishment for many other reasons and he didn’t want to pile them up.

Once in the next room and after closing the door behind him, Wei Ying knelt on the floor in his own warm Lan robes that Lan Zhan had sewed for him after their marriage.

It was a little big on him but it made him feel safe whenever he wore it.

It made him feel loved.

It made him happy.

Smiling at the robes he wore and lightly gripping the sleeves to hold himself, Wei Ying then slowly picked up the sharp blade that sat next to him.

He looked at himself in the blade’s silver reflection for a few long minutes, taking a deep breath before untying and grabbing his long hair, leaving the red ribbon to fall on it’s own behind him.

~

Memories can hurt.

The unfortunate ones will always plague the mind, no matter how hard you desperately try to erase them.

Cry and beg for them to stop.

But there will always be the memories to look back on and keep them dearly.

The ones you want to remember with a gentle smile on your face.

~

That early morning, Lan Zhan quickly got out of the empty bed and rushed out of the somewhat cold bedroom. It was certainly a strange morning for him.

He would always be the one to wake up first before his husband and cover him in good morning kisses before leaving to teach the juniors in Cloud Recesses.

But this morning…was something Lan Zhan had feared for a long time.

He woke up to an empty, cold bedside.

The knife he would use to trim paper and carve wood or bamboo was gone.

Chenqing was still in the bedroom beside Bichen. There was no familiar ruckus outside caused by Lan Jingyi and Wei Ying.

First, he went to check on Little Apple in case Wei Ying had rarely woken up before him to feed the donkey some of the best freshly picked apples.

But the demonic cultivator wasn’t there alongside the donkey as she ate the apples in the basket left by Lan Sizhui that morning before studying and going to class.

“Wei Ying!”

Lan Zhan— though 𝒸𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓁𝓎 aware noise was prohibited— shouted as he looked all over Cloud Recesses for his foxy husband.

When he saw him, he had asked Lan Xichen if he’d seen his the grandmaster around that morning, most of the juniors not having a clue either nor his own watchful uncle.

Wei Ying was nowhere to be found earlier that morning like he promised.

He wasn’t in bed, he wasn’t with Little Apple and feeding her, wasn’t goofing off with the juniors, wasn’t begging his hubby for attention and cuddles.

He was gone.

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That is until his eye caught something familiar in the far distance where he stood.

A red silky ribbon.

In a hurry, Lan Zhan ran towards the hill far from the Cloud Recesses to chase after the familiar red and…slowly stopped in his tracks at the sight in front of him.

It was a sight so familiar to him. A sight so devastating…but…softer.

Welcoming. Loving.

“Wei Ying…?” He softly stutters, staring in disbelief.

~

The young man standing on top of the hill jumped at the sudden voice before turning his head to the side, seeing his husband for the first time that morning.

“Lan Zhan!”

Wei Ying turns his entire body to smile brightly at his husband with a small bouquet of red and white flowers hugged into his arm. Flowers he was gifted by the younger juniors that had started studying.

His long, flowing hair now cut just above his shoulders, a little messy due to the wind as he tucks some of it behind his ear caused by the soft autumn breeze.

His red ribbon now tied around his right wrist and his silver eyes shining brightly as he watched his husband run up and pull him into his tight, warm embrace.

Wei Ying laughed at the sudden affection and held his worried husband with a bunny-like smile painting his lips, kissing the taller’s cheek to reassure him.

“I’m home.”

________________________________________

ＩＮＫＹ－ＮＯＩＲ

𝓢𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓶𝓐𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓬  𝓸𝓷  𝓣𝓾𝓶𝓫𝓵𝓻

Mo Dao Zu Shi Belongs To Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

~

Hi everyone!

This is just a fanfic based on an idea I’ve had for a long time since I started watching the Donghua in the beginning of the year and recently reading the manhua—

So if anything is inaccurate please forgive me!

This is a repost of the fic I wrote a few weeks ago since there were little things I wanted to change and wasn’t really satisfied with so here you go! Here’s the new (sort of) one!

Also (because I have very bad memory / maybe dementia who knows) I’ve headcannon WWX to have the ability to see what a person looked like seconds / minutes before they died since he can gather 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 they died.

And originally I had planned Yanli to be the voice calling to WWX for him to travel back to the Burial Mounds but the idea of the voice actually being Cangse Sanren just fit so much better.

Wei Ying obviously doesn’t remember much about his past and has vague memories of his parents so I thought if CSSR was the voice and ghostly being would make more sense in this context of WWX not having a clear vision.

Also cause I love her so much.

ALSO ALSO this fic is based off my headcannons (more so AUs) about “What if Wei Ying had cut his hair (shoulder length or so and maybe a little messy / unkept since I picture him doing it Mulan style) before he died and sometime in the future after he and LWJ get married”

&

“What if Wei Ying finds his original body hidden in the Burial Mounds and reminiscence the past when he was the Yiling Patriarch” .

So I wanted to put that in this little fic of mine cause I’m very soft for the au.

Idk— I just like WWX with short hair cause it’s cute but also depressing given what I my au is about.

ANYWAYS I hope you enjoyed this fic I wrote through many tears!

#My AU #Mo Dao Zu Shi #MDZS #Wei Wuxian #Wei Ying #Lan Zhan #Lan Wangji #Cangse Sanren #As I said before I wanted to repost this since there was something I wasn’t exactly satisfied with and it didn’t really make sense to- #me personally so I had to edit it but hopefully you still enjoyed reading my emotional mess! #MDZS Spoilers just in case

[coquelicoq]

i bet jiang cheng, like, studied for the cloud recesses salute ceremony. this earnest little teen sect heir who just wants his daddy to love him was probably like, "i am going to get a good grade in saying hello to lan-xiansheng, something that is both normal to want and possible to achieve," and i bet he practiced what he was going to say in front of a mirror, complete with choreography, for fucking weeks before they came to gusu. and then after all that hard work, what happens during the actual salute ceremony? he goes last, and who should stroll in just when he's getting started but wen fucking chao, who immediately steals the spotlight, insults his shige, and provokes everyone to draw their swords, in a hall of learning, on the first day of school. like some kind of hooligan! then after lan xichen calms everybody down with his sword-charming, does jiang cheng get to resume his salute? no he does not! wen qing jumps in with her own salute and gift, after which lan xichen declares the ceremony over. but jiang cheng never got a turn! nobody accepted his gift!! how is he supposed to know if authority figures approve of him if the other children don't let him show off the authority-figure-pleasing skills he has worked so hard to acquire???

#we never even got to see the jiang clan gift :( i would like to see it :((( #i fucking LOVE that wwx is like 'hey. you interrupted my shidi. what's your fucking problem?' like HELLOOOOOOOOOO #you messed with jiang cheng when he was in the middle of something important to him and made him and our sect lose face hdy #it is the only time in the entire series that wwx uses the word 'shidi' for jiang cheng and it's a great moment for that one 'shidi' #but anyway i noticed that jiang cheng never even gets to give his gift over and i was very mad on his behalf about it #idk maybe they continued after the wens left? maybe lan xichen just meant 'wen qing completed the ceremony'? #but the scene ends there so the fact remains we never see jiang cheng get to do the ceremony #and therefore i have decided he doesn't get to do it because that fits very well into my view of his character and you can't stop me #the untamed #jiang cheng #cql watch #my posts #f #the funny thing is that getting a good grade in saying hello to lan-xiansheng IS a normal thing to want and a possible thing to achieve #but because we're talking jiang 'i'm gonna stop in the middle of the street in caiyi to sternly remind my disciples to be on their best #behavior because everything they do reflects on yunmeng jiang' cheng here just ratchet it all up to 11 #EDIT: wait i forgot wwx does use 'shidi' for jc another time...when they're kids and he's first come to live at lotus pier #and he's knocking on the door like shidi let me innnnnn and jc is like who are you calling shidi #but i think maybe this is the only time he says 'my shidi' when talking about jc to someone else? #yes i checked my notes and this is correct #in guanyin temple jgy refers to jc as wwx's shidi but then wwx immediately refers to jc as something way more formal #jiang-zongzhu i think #like ouchhh #but that's for another day #that's a DIFFERENT way for jc to get his lil heart stomped on

[difeisheng]

Scattered thoughts on if Jiang Cheng was a musical protagonist (and really MDZS musical thoughts in general):

Disclaimer: it was 1am when I wrote these up. They are a mess. I apologize.

The first song does act like the novel prologue, but for Jiang Cheng-- he doesn't sing but other various characters of the Jianghu tell of his fearsome reputation and his tragic past. This is followed up by his first appearance, a slice of life in Lotus Pier which establishes his relationships with his disciples and Jin Ling. He's not perfect, no, but what you see of him completely subverts what other folk said about him immediately before. Jiang Cheng's first song is about his family and the life he's managed to build for himself, but also quietly about the people he still wishes were here

I have it in my head that MDZS should be a split stage, with the present day playing out on one side and the past on the other. Songs and scenes alternate between the two time periods, and typically when something is playing out on one side the other is frozen. Each major character then has one actor for past and one for present

In important/meaningful moments the past and present selves of characters can see and interact with each other, and possibly sing together as well. Example: In his first song, present-day Jiang Cheng looks at and sings to past Jiang Yanli on the other side of the stage

While the adults are aware of the past side of the stage, and can watch their younger selves and their actions play out, the juniors do not. They cannot see what came before them

When Wei Wuxian is resurrected, his past actor steps over to the present side of the stage, where his present actor takes his place

The Yunmeng siblings have a song together and that melody connects them throughout the show. At Nightless City, that song is reprised toward the end of the battle, and Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian's voices fade out as they die, leaving gaps of silence where their voices should be. Jiang Cheng finishes the song by himself

Wen Qing and Wen Ning have a song when they're introduced, a lighter, more hopeful version of the tune that otherwise symbolizes the Qishan Wen. Sizhui's theme is a mix of this and Wangxian.mp3

Chengqing has a duet. It's sung by present Jiang Cheng and past Wen Qing, and it ends with them reaching for each other's hands in the middle of the stage but the lights dim on Wen Qing just before they can touch

Songxiao have a song together at their first appearance. During Yi City Xiao Xingchen sings it again, and at first there is only quiet in Song Lan's parts but halfway through Xue Yang slides in to sing them instead

The golden transfer reveal is its own song. As Wen Ning sings the truth to Jiang Cheng, the past versions of Wei Wuxian, Wen Qing and Wen Ning echo his words and act out the core transfer on the mountain. Present Jiang Cheng screams 'no' just before they begin the procedure, and past Wei Wuxian just looks at him and smiles before lying down beside an unconscious past Jiang Cheng

Everything Jin Guangyao sings is pulled from songs other characters already sung. The only person he doesn't mimic is Nie Huaisang

Nie Huaisang, meanwhile, never has a large part in any song but with each appearance slips in a line here and there. He only has a solo after Guanyin, in which every line he had throughout the show is brought back together as one full song. It's not a happy one

Past Wei Wuxian and present Lan Wangji are always looking at each other while the other doesn't notice, and vice versa. The same goes for present Wei Wuxian and past Lan Wangji. Only when they get together do their past and present selves all acknowledge each other directly

Double casting: Wen Ruohan and Jin Guangshan are played by the same person. Also I'm not sure if this could work with the split stage, but if possible then Jin Zixuan and Jin Ling should also be the same actor

#might have more thoughts later but uhh that's what i have to throw on the page for now #mdzs #cql #jiang cheng #ashton's aus #ashton originals

[vrishchikawrites]

Post-post-post cannon Wangxian being completely in love in the cloud recessess as teenagers who time travelled back to their own 16-17 year old bodies on accident.

In love. Wangxian are in love. In love. Just smooph and fluff.

Like they're effortlessly in love. (No matter how much Jiang Cheng yells and ties to control Wei Wuxian, Wei Wuxian casually refuses to hear any of it, as he'd been ignoring Jiang Cheng's homophobia and hate forever by the time they both came back by accident. )

Also wwx doesn't hide his genius and every one around him is like senpai *heart eyes* (honestly he's almost forgotten how to hide his effortless genius.)

(Just FYI, don't have to include this: this Wei Wuxian has long since come to terms with all his war and Sunshot and Shiji related trauma— just FYI.)

I just want to read as much of the smooph, smushy fluff and love you can stomach writing please.

Extra points if you can show them both just effortlessly and absentmindedly flirting.

(You don't have to incude this, but: They just take like a weekend off and go raze the main Wen family to the ground casually— back late with Starbucks— "We were night hunting. What do you mean the Wen family died? So sad. We feel so bad. Don't we feel bad?" " Mm. Feel bad.")

Thank you so much for existing in this fandom. I love your fics. I love you. 💖

Xichen is proud of his brother but he can't deny that he is sometimes concerned for him as well. Wangji is a dedicated and accomplished disciple but he is isolated from his peers. Xichen has friends and confidants but Wangji is simply content to be by himself.

That is concerning, even for a Lan.

He had hopes that incoming disciples would manage to shake him up a little but that hope didn't last long. Year after year, Wangji continued to remain aloof, not expressing any interest in the disciples.

But something has changed this year. Xichen didn't even know what was going on until a few weeks into the introduction of the guest disciples.

He spots them by chance. Young Master Wei is cheerfully waving at a vendor, his smile wide and bright, ensnaring the old woman's entire attention.

Wangji is right by him, Bichen in one hand but the other…

The other is placed on the small of Wei-gongzi's back.

Xichen watches as they move on from the vendor. He sees how Wangji seems to shield Wei-gongzi from the crowd, angling his body slightly to ensure his companion can walk freely.

It is a gesture of protectiveness. It is a gesture of possession.

Xichen studies their body language carefully. Wangji seems content to follow Wei-gongzi around, his expression closed but gentle. There are no frosty glares or pursed lips. His brother, for once, looks entirely relaxed. Everything about him is loose and easy underneath all of his Lan elegance. His shoulders slope gently, his spine isn't as rigid, and his walk is steady.

The First Jade has never seen his brother look so settled.

Wei Wuxian seems happy too, his smile incandescent and lovely. Almost as tall as Wangji, the boy is the very antithesis of his brother. While Wangji is sedate and content, Wei Wuxian is nearly bursting with energy and joy. His silver eyes sparkle in the sunlight and his long hair sways with every movement of his body.

Xichen's heart softens at the glimpse of such open beauty. There's certainly something alluring about Young Master Wei. He seems to suffuse his surroundings with happiness.

There's something in the air around them.

Despite his lively mind wandering from one stall to another, Wei-gongzi always finds his way back to Wangji, looking at him with a hopeful smile and a cheerful comment.

His brother's expression is unfamiliar to him. Wangji looks like his entire world is smiling up at him.

'Is this love?' He wonders to himself as he watches his brother gently pull Wei-gongzi out of a running child's way. He doesn't miss how the touch lingers, fingers curling slightly around the slender wrist before pulling away.

There are many eyes following Wangji and his friend, and all of them have indulgent expressions. The people of Caiyi town have seen Wangji since he was a child. They know him and his nature well enough.

Xichen suspects they're just as happy to see Wangji roaming the markets leisurely as a pretty butterfly flutters around him.

"Is that Lan Wangji?" Nei Mingjue observes, stepping up beside him.

Xichen nods, "And his friend, Wei Wuxian."

"Hm," his friend says, "I've been hearing that name a lot recently. They say the only reason Jin Zuxian beat him in the rankings is because of his looks."

Xichen chuckles at Mingjue's tone, "Ah, Da-ge, you must hate that."

His friend rolls his eyes, taking a sip of his tea. "How do looks matter when you're facing down Fierce Corpses?"

"From what shufu says, Young Master Wei is Wangji's equal in many ways." Shufu had been wary at first, wondering what sort of chaos the son of Cangse Sanren would bring to Cloud Recesses. So far, Wei Wuxian has proven to be a mischievous but brilliant student. "He challenges shufu in class. They end up having loud, angry debates," Xichen chuckles because he knows his uncle, despite all appearances, loves being stimulated, "He mentions the boy often." There's a comment about Wei Wuxian almost every time he has tea with his uncle.

He looks at the two younger master's thoughtfully, "I didn't expect this."

"Are they courting?" Nei Mingjue asks bluntly, "Because your little brother is acting like a husband already."

Xichen stills and looks at the pair again. That is what's off about their body language. They move around each other confidently, not like a young couple in fresh blooms of love.

There are no tentative glances, awkward touches, and hyperawareness. Wangji touches Wei Wuxian like it is his right. Like he is confident that his touch is welcome and desired.

For a moment, he feels a pang of worry. Xichen looks at Wei Wuxian, studying him carefully to see if there's any sign of strain or distress.

He finds nothing. Wei-gongzi responds to every gesture of affection like a flower blooming under the Sun.

"Ah." He realizes, "You think…?"

"Strong bonds form quickly between cultivators with matching potential." Nei Mingjue observes, "It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility. Your brother looks a little too enamored for this to be a teenage fancy."

Well, isn't this an interesting development?

---

"Your hair looks nice," Nie Huaisang says, hiding a smile behind his fan. Wei-xiong always looks good but there's something particularly radiant about him now. He seems to stand a bit taller, carry himself with a bit more confidence. His gestures seem stronger, somehow carrying more authority than before.

But the hair intrigues him. There's a glittering silver hairpiece in it and the strands of ebony are tied up in a neat style.

Neater than Wei-xiong's usual style. While Huaisang is certain Wei-xiong is perfectly capable of making himself as elegant as the Jades of Lan, he usually doesn't bother.

This was done by someone else's careful, loving, hand.

Jiang Yanli isn't at Cloud Recesses and Jiang Cheng would rather burn his own hands than show even an ounce of love towards his shixiong - something pricks when he thinks about that.

So there's someone else, someone willing to comb Wei-xiong's hair until every strand is glossy and straight, before tying it up with a silver and jade pin that looks expensive.

Wei-xiong is courting- no, he corrects himself, watching his friend wave enthusiastically at Lan Wangji, 'Wei-xiong is being courted.'

Wangji-xiong bows to his brother and walks towards Wei-xiong, his gaze softer than usual. His friend is smiling widely and immediately dissolves into excited chatter. Wangji-xiong doesn't seem bothered, just nodding occasionally and watching with indulgent patience.

There's something entirely lovely about the way Wangji-xiong's eyes remain fixed on Wei Wuxian's face. It is like nothing else is more important to him than Wei-xiong's smile and cheerful voice.

Standing together in the courtyard, both clad in white and glowing under the warm light of the morning sun, they look stunning. Huaisang's romantic heart sighs at the sight.

"What is he doing?" Jiang Wanyin hisses and Huaisang looks at him, startled by his icy tone, "I can't believe he's making a nuisance of himself again!"

"Jiang-gongzi-"

"Wei Wuxian! What are you doing, messing around?"

The loud voice catches almost everyone's attention. Wei-xiong looks over his shoulder and Wangji-xiong's expression turns frosty, all warmth draining from it immediately.

"Aiya, Jiang Cheng," Wei-xiong grins but it doesn't have that sheepish, placating quality that Huaisang had seen before, on those rare occasions he visited Lotus Pier with his da-ge. This grin was full of confidence and almost... dismissal. "Why are you angry now?"

Was that tone... mocking?

Huaisang's lips twitch as Jiang-gongzi swells further with rage, "Wei Wuxian! How can you be so shameless? Imposing yourself on Lan Wangji, always trying to distract him. Think of our sect's reputation for once!"

"Do not speak for me." Wangji-xiong's voice is icy and it cuts Jiang-gongzi's rant short immediately, "Wei Ying is free to seek me out whenever he wishes. No one may stop him."

And that seems to be that. Wei-xiong laughs and Wangji-xiong guides him away gently like he's someone delicate and not the strongest cultivator of their generation.

But, Huaisang muses, even strong people deserve gentleness.

---

"Da-shixiong! Show us that one again," A Jiang disciple demands and Wangji looks up from his work. He has clear sight of the training ground from where he's sitting. Wei Ying is standing in the middle, surrounded by a few Jiang and Lan disciples.

They're all looking at him in adoration.

Wangji feels a flood of amusement and sets his work aside, content to take a small break. It is always a treat to see his husband in his element; teaching people and nurturing young minds. They may be back in their teenage bodies, but their soul is much older.

Wei Ying, with his natural ability to charm juniors and his hard-earned wisdom, is the perfect teacher.

"It is amusing to see you so smitten," Wangji looks up to see his brother smiling at him, "Wei-gongzi must be very special, yes?"

His brother probably aims to fluster him, he is so fond of teasing Wangji. But Wangji had been Wei Ying's husband for more than a decade before an accident sent them back in time. He is no longer flustered or overwhelmed by his feelings. "Very special," He agrees, unable to help glancing back at his beloved, "Very lovely."

Xichen chuckles, "He is indeed lovely." His expression turns sly, "Do I need to speak with Uncle? Betrothal negotiations may be complicated in this case."

Wangji remains unphased, "You may," He says calmly, much to his brother's surprise, "Wei Ying will marry into the Lans. Give no concession to the Jiangs. He is just their Head Disciple, not the part of the family."

"Wangji," His brother breathes, "You're that invested?"

"Un. Will marry Wei Ying. Give him a better life. A life of dignity, freedom, and respect. Free of unnecessary debt that no one should foist on a child."

That is enough for Xichen to understand. His gaze turns solemn and he looks at Wei Ying carefully, "If that is what you wish, brother, you will have it."

---

Wangji feels his heart still when he steps into the library pavilion. He gazes at the scene before him, feeling the stiff formality of his expression melt away.

Wei Ying is beautiful, sitting there and reading peacefully. The evening sunlight envelopes him, giving him an ethereal glow. He traces his husband's features, feeling something akin to desperate love. It has been so since he saw this face and this body. Mo Xuanyu didn't lack beauty and Wei Ying's radiant personality had only added to it.

But this is Wei Ying's true body.

Helplessly drawn, he steps forward. "Xingan."

Wei Ying looks up, startled to hear such an endearment aloud. Immediately, his face is aglow with a pretty blush even as he laughs teasingly, "Lan Zhan! Don't be so bold!"

He walks towards Wei Ying and settles down by him, closer than truly appropriate but this is his husband. "Research?"

Wei Ying smiles, drawing Wangji's attention to his lips. There's no one in the library so Wangji permits himself the touch, reaching forward to gently caress them, "Such beauty." He whispers.

Wei Ying blushes again, "Er-gege," He protests, "Have mercy on my heart."

His fingers slide under Wei Ying's jaw, drawing him in gently. His husband is sweet and compliant as Wangji kisses him, an innocent brush of lips and nothing more. "My Wei Ying." His voice is low, heated in ways Wei Ying recognizes. He watches as those enchanting silver eyes brighten with passion.

His Wei Ying buries his warm face in his neck with a moan of protest, "Mercy, husband. You're so cruel to tease me like this when you can't take me to bed."

It is indeed a challenge to not have their 'everyday' but Wangji can be patient. Xiongzhang is already working on it.

For now, he is content.

They sit like that for a long time, Wei Ying leaning against him, trusting and calm. No one disturbs them and Xichen only stops by once, smiling knowingly in their direction and pointedly ignoring Wangji's restraining hand around Wei Ying's waist, stopping him from pulling away.

They spend the rest of the evening exchanging soft murmurs and softer kisses.

Nothing will stand in their way this time.

#short prompts #wangxian #wei wuixan #lan wangji #lan xichen #nie huaisang #anti jiang cheng

[kurowrites]

Five Times Lan Zhan (Kind Of) Proposed to Wei Ying

Oh, so you thought they wouldn’t be a disaster until the very end? Well, you thought wrong!

Find the earlier posts here.

---

+1

By the time Wei Ying woke up the next morning, Lan Zhan had predictably been awake for some time and was ready to ‘reward’ Wei Ying for his help the previous night with a delicious breakfast. How Lan Zhan managed to get all this food ready without waking Wei Ying he had no idea, but he did appreciate the gesture, nonetheless.

As he said before, Lan Zhan and delicious food was the opposite of a hardship.

Wei Ying let himself be momentarily distracted by some tasty steamed buns, but it was superficially only. He knew that Mianmian had been right when she had told him to talk to Lan Zhan. Unfortunately.

“Lan Zhan,” he spoke up once he had finished his first steamed bun. “I think you need to be a little more careful. Do you remember what happened last night?”

Lan Zhan was quiet for a long time, and elected to stare down at the steamed bun in front of him rather than at Wei Ying.

“Did I cause trouble for Wei Ying?” he asked eventually, quietly.

So contrite! Wei Ying couldn’t handle it.

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying sighed. “If this is you causing trouble, then I really don’t want to know my own performance rating.”

He took a bite of a second steamed bun and chewed, thoughtful.

“Not gonna lie, it was pretty funny to see you get drunk the first few times. But now, I’m getting kind of worried, actually. It’s not like you, is what I’m thinking. Especially after that whole Jin Zixun debacle.”

He looked up and found Lan Zhan gazing at him, his eyes unreadable.

“Come on, Lan Zhan,” he wheedled. “Give me something to work with. Is this a late teenage rebellion? Do you need counselling? A fire and brimstone lecture that alcohol is bad for you? Don’t laugh! Lan Zhan, I’m trying to be serious here!”

But Lan Zhan only looked faintly amused with Wei Ying’s suggestions and didn’t reply.

Wei Ying pouted. He was trying to be helpful! Why was Lan Zhan suddenly uncooperative?

“Lan Zhaaaan,” he whined, and that brought Lan Zhan’s attention back to him, the amusement disappearing from his face.

“I am fine, Wei Ying,” he said. “I will stop attending parties if that is what you want.”

“I didn’t say you can’t come to parties!” Wei Ying exclaimed. “I just think we should keep you from getting drunk.”

He paused for one moment, considering.

“I think I just don’t like it when you do things and I have no idea what’s going on in your brain,” he eventually confessed. “It’s cute, don’t get me wrong, but –”

He fell silent, not sure how to tell Lan Zhan about the times when Lan Zhan had snuggled up to Wei Ying. Or gave him presents. Or told him he was going to marry Wei Ying before having his way with him.

“Lan Zhan, do you like me?” he asked abruptly.

Lan Zhan looked a little confused at the sudden question, but he nodded his head and hummed in agreement.

“Oh.”

Wei Ying felt himself blush. Of course he’d known that Lan Zhan must like him a little bit, but it was very different to hear it confirmed by a Lan Zhan that was completely sober.

“I like you too, Lan Zhan, just so we’re clear,” he assured his friend. “More than Jiang Cheng, actually, but don’t tell him that. He’ll be sooo mad.”

He smiled, remembering the first time he had said the same thing to a drunk Lan Zhan.

“And you, Lan Zhan?” he teased. “Do you like me more than… rabbits?”

He didn’t ask if Lan Zhan liked him more than Lan Huan, because he wasn’t quite that hubristic.

Lan Zhan’s eyes strayed towards the little rabbit plush toy on his nightstand.

“Hn,” he eventually agreed.

“Ayooo,” Wei Ying exclaimed. “I’m above rabbits? What an honour!”

Lan Zhan nodded, opened his lips as if to say something, and then closed them again.

Wei Ying took notice of the little motion and perked up, his interest piqued.

“Lan Zhan? What is it? No taking it back! I’ve heard it with my own to ears.”

“Not taking it back,” Lan Zhan replied. “But –”

Quite uncharacteristically, he fell silent in the middle of his speech, and seemed to be searching for the right words.

Wei Ying was willing to wait him out, because Lan Zhan never said anything before he was ready to say it. But Lan Zhan didn’t speak up again. Instead, he stood in one abrupt motion, and walked over to the nightstand. He bypassed the rabbit and opened the top drawer of the nightstand. He took something out, and returned to Wei Ying’s side.

He held out a little box to Wei Ying.

“It is not meant as a commitment,” he said. “I do not wish to… trap you. But these have been my feelings for a long time.”

Wei Ying took the little box with shaky fingers. Of course he knew the shape of the box that Lan Zhan presented to him. It was a jewellery box. And jewellery meant…

He opened the little box, his heart nearly thundering out of his chest.

Inside was a beautiful ring, rather delicate, with the tiniest little ruby heart set into it.

Wei Ying gasped.

It was so small and delicate, it almost didn’t seem as if it was meant for him. And yet, it was somehow… perfect.

“Lan Zhan,” he asked with a shaky voice, “is that an engagement ring?”

“It is whatever Wei Ying wants it to be,” Lan Zhan replied, and to his credit, his voice sounded perfectly calm and steady.

But when Wei Ying peeled his eyes away from the ring box and looked up at Lan Zhan, he could clearly see how nervous Lan Zhan was. It showed all too plainly on his face.

Wei Ying had never seen him like this. He’d never seen Lan Zhan want something so openly.

Lan Zhan was a mess.

And that, more than anything else, did Wei Ying in.

His own emotions hadn’t quite caught up with him yet, but that didn’t matter. They would have ample time to catch up later. All that mattered was Lan Zhan, right now.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying cried out, abandoning the little box and throwing himself at Lan Zhan, nearly taking down their breakfast with him. He wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan’s neck and clung to him, not planning to let go anytime soon.

“You should be more careful,” he warned once he had remembered that he was capable of speech. “When you say things like that too often, you might end up with me stuck to you for good.”

“Hn,” Lan Zhan agreed, and unless Wei Ying was completely wrong, he sounded suspiciously satisfied with the idea.

Which, honestly, suited Wei Ying just fine. If Lan Zhan was willing to put up with him, Wei Ying was going to stick to him forever. Not even Lan Zhan’s uncle would be able to peel him off.

“Oh!” He suddenly remembered, righting himself and wriggling around, until he properly sat in Lan Zhan’s lap. “Put it on, put it on! You have to put it on me!”

He eagerly fished for the abandoned box and pushed it at Lan Zhan.

“It’s an engagement ring,” he pompously decided. “I’m going to marry you and we’ll be so happy that everybody will be jealous.”

Lan Zhan didn’t say anything, but when he put the ring on Wei Ying’s finger – of course it was a perfect fit – he did so with an air of distinct satisfaction.

---

Later, when Wei Ying was snuggled into Lan Zhan’s bed with Lan Zhan as his cushion, he studied the ring on his finger as Lan Zhan carded his fingers through Wei Ying’s hair.

He was liar, probably. Lan Zhan had been trying to tell him something important for a while now, and Wei Ying had been too afraid to listen. Because… why, exactly? He didn’t know.

He’d just desperately clung to ignorance. Probably because he hadn’t thought this possible.

He turned his face and smiled at Lan Zhan, and Lan Zhan returned it with a small, but equally happy smile.

“I really, really like you Lan Zhan, you know that?” Wei Ying asked. “Even without the ring.”

“Hn,” Lan Zhan replied. “But I like the ring.”

“Me too,” Wei Ying confessed, and raised his hand again, to look at the ring on his finger again. “I don’t have one for you, though.”

“When we marry,” Lan Zhan said. All matter of fact.

It struck Wei Ying, then.

Engagement.

They were engaged. Which meant they would get married. And then have many cute babies and they would grow old together and…

“Aaaaaah,” Wei Ying cried, burying his face into Lan Zhan’s chest because he wasn’t able to bear the feeling of happiness rising in his chest.

“Graduation first,” Lan Zhan added.

“No illicit elopement?” Wei Ying asked with a grin, only the tiniest bit serious. After all, getting to boast that Lan Zhan was going to marry him was half the fun of a big wedding ceremony.

“No,” Lan Zhan decided. “When I marry Wei Ying, I will do it right.”

And that was that.

So simple.

“Hn,” Wei Ying replied, and then he laughed before he kissed Lan Zhan’s nose, wrinkled in offence.

A big wedding ceremony would be a disaster, and it would be perfect.

For them.

---

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, Lan Zhan, but I think there should be absolutely no alcohol allowed at our wedding. Ouch, why did you bite me? I’m just looking out for you!”

#kuro writes #the untamed #mdzs #wangxian #wei wuxian #lan wangji #five times AU

[elliethefroggy]

Jiang Cheng's (many) Unintentional Courting Gifts

Sangchengmonth2020 (on ao3)

Day 17: Fans

Jiang Cheng has been collecting fans. Despite not using them, he now owned over a dozen fans that he kept in a chest under his bed. This was a problem.

The fans weren’t for himself; they were for Nie Huaisang. Not that Nie Huaisang knew about his collection of fans, not that anyone knew.

The first time he bought a fan was at the market in Caiyi Town during his days in Gusu. He'd seen the fan, a lovely green one depicting a spring landscape with blooming flowers scattered on the paper, and he’d thought Nie Huaisang would like it. He'd paid the vendor before he knew what he was doing.

The real problem was that he never actually gave the fan to Nie Huaisang. The fan had been quite expensive and was of high quality, and was definitely not a gift for someone who was just a friend. Had he given it to him, Nie Huaisang would have (rightly) guessed Jiang Cheng wanted more than friendship. But at the time, Jiang Cheng had not been ready to deal with any of those warm, fuzzy feelings Nie Huaisang invoked within him.

So he didn’t give him the fan and kept his feelings to himself.

Back home, when he’d been walking among the more familiar stalls of Yunmeng, he bought another fan, this one a subtle purple with painted lotuses dotting a lake. The fan’s colouring and artwork implied an even bigger message than he was comfortable with. It was one thing to buy Nie Huaisang a fan he thought Nie Huaisang would like; it was a completely different thing to gift him a fan with Jiang Cheng’s sect colours on it.

He still bought it though, furiously blushing as he handed over the money.

That fan found a place next to the first one, at the bottom of a chest hidden under as many clothes as he could stuff in there.

Then he brought another fan and another one, and with every fan bought, he dug himself into a hole, digging deeper and deeper until the hole was so deep he wasn’t sure how he would get out of it.

It got so bad, he’d had to buy a bigger chest.

This was a problem he didn’t know how to fix.

Asking for Wei Wuxian’s help was admittedly an act of desperation.

He would have asked Ajie, but she had her own romantic problems, and Wei Wuxian had somehow managed to bag Lan Wangji of all people (he didn’t know how Wei Wuxian had managed it but when he’d asked, Wei Wuxian had stuttered an incomprehensible mess of words and turned such an alarming shade of red that Jiang Cheng was certain he didn’t want to know the answer to his question).

When Jiang Cheng showed him the chest, Wei Wuxian didn’t speak, he didn’t even laugh; he just stared down at the many fans with an open mouth and wide eyes. The look of pity he sent Jiang Cheng was worse than the laughter would have been.

“You really like him, don’t you?��� Wei Wuxian asked. Jiang Cheng was too embarrassed to say anything, but he was sure his deep blush spoke for him.

“Don’t worry,” Wei Wuxian threw his arm over Jiang Cheng’s shoulder with a worryingly chipper smile on his face, “Your Gege’s here to help!”

Jiang Cheng didn’t push his arm off, but only because he needed all the help he could get.

A few weeks later, Nie Huaisang came to Lotus Pier at Wei Wuxian’s invitation.

Wei Wuxian had yet to reveal any part of his apparently great plan to Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng was suspicious.

His suspicions grew as the days went by, and still Wei Wuxian did nothing. Then, one afternoon, Wei Wuxian invited Nie Huaisang on a boat ride over the lake, dragging Jiang Cheng along with them.

Jiang Cheng’s suspicions reached an all-time high.

The boat ride started out fine, with Wei Wuxian chatting non-stop about one of his weird inventions.

Then they got to the middle of the lake and Wei Wuxian stood up.

“I just remembered I have something super important to do,” he said and winked at Jiang Cheng as though Jiang Cheng was meant to parse some meaning from the action. Then Wei Wuxian dived into the water and swam away.

Jiang Cheng covered his face with hands and wondered why he’d thought asking Wei Wuxian for help was ever a viable option.

When Wei Wuxian was far enough away that Jiang Cheng definitely couldn’t strangle him without jumping in himself, Wei Wuxian looked back at them.

“Ask him about the fans!” He shouted to Nie Huaisang and then continued swimming back to the docks.

And Jiang Cheng was left in the boat, face still pressed in hands, seated next to Nie Huaisang. He promised himself Wei Wuxian wouldn’t live to see another sunrise; he would make sure of that.

Nie Huaisang was smiling when he glanced up, no doubt taking delight in Jiang Cheng's misery.

“Should I even ask?” Nie Huaisang questioned, mirth colouring every word.

Jiang Cheng put his head back in his hands and groaned.

Once they were back at the pier, Jiang Cheng brought Nie Huaisang to see the chest because his day was already going terribly, he might as well make it worse.

Nie Huaisang stared at the chest full of fans, letting out the smallest of gasps that Jiang Cheng still found adorable despite the dreadful situation

Nie Huaisang turned towards him and gave Jiang Cheng the most formal bow Jiang Cheng had ever seen from him.

“I accept your courtship,” Nie Huaisang said, the biggest grin on his face.

Jiang Cheng, having only thought of a courtship in his most secretive of fantasies, and therefore bewildered beyond belief, could only nod.

"Also think I'm in love with you," Nie Hausiang added, and Jiang Cheng may have blacked out for a moment.

Jiang Cheng magnanimously let Wei Wuxian live another day.

#sangcheng #sangchengmonth2020 #sangchengber #jiang cheng #nie huaisang #the untamed #mdzs #jiang wanyin #wei ying #wei wuxian #fic #Jiang Cheng is in love #and he has no idea how to declare said love #Wei Wuxian tries to be helpful #with marginal success #Nie Huaisang is surprisingly agreeable to the whole thing #Unintentional Courting #courting gift #Developing Relationship #Declarations Of Love #All in all Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng are very happy how it turned out #mine #my fic #day 17 #fans #Jiang Cheng's (many) Unintentional Courting Gifts

[spaceskam]

rest in my arms, sleep in my bed

Summary: Jiang Cheng goes to Qinghe before a snow storm.

Tags: post-canon, fluff, implied sexual content, morning after

ao3

Nie Huaisang was a selfish man and he was willing to admit it.

Many things he’d done in his life were born of selfish desires and he was happiest at his most selfish. His disciples seemed to understand that and seemed to be content with it, though a part of that selfishness was making sure they were good, taken care of disciples and therefore it worked in their benefit. He couldn’t risk having shitty people that he was required to trust and rely on‒that would not be happening again.

Still, that selfishness had also led to him doing exhiliratingly dumb things like dragging Sandu Shengshou into his bed. It was absolutely a dangerous prospect and could’ve very easily gotten him killed or at least a few broken bones, but Nie Huaisang apparently had caught him at a good‒or bad, depending on how you looked at it‒time and he needed someone to go a little wild on who would also pet his head and call him embarrassing pet names just to see how red he could get.

That was a while ago now, though, and they’d fallen into a nice pattern of not seeing each other for months on end and then showing up when they needed a day of pretending they weren’t sect leaders with someone who was just as fucked up and unqualified as they were. It was pretty effective and gave Nie Huaisang a large amount of time and space to wallow in self-loathing. Granted, he was pretty sure Jiang Cheng did something like that too, so they were basically fated at this point.

Last night, however, the idiot himself had flown to Qinghe and stupidly misunderstood how weather worked. Nie Huaisang’s functioning theory was that he was so angry that he didn’t feel the cold because as soon as they banged it out and he got some fucking rest for what was probably the first time in a week, he was freezing. Nie Huaisang had wrapped him up in the thickest blankets he could find and cooed at the way he burrowed into them like an adorably angry baby.

Sometime during the night it only escalated and snowed so hard Nie Huaisang was beginning to think they might have to send a quick letter to Lotus Pier to let them know their fearless and highly feared sect leader was incapacitated by way of being scared of the weather.

“Fuck this fucking white shit,” Jiang Cheng grumbled in his heap of blankets on Nie Huaisang’s bed. It was usually made by now so it was slightly annoying that it wasn’t, but he could excuse it. For today, at least. Extenuating circumstances.

“Does it not snow in Lotus Pier?” Nie Huaisang mused from where he sat cross-legged on the other side of the bed. He had ink grinded and was working his way through a painting, one of a pretty tree in the snow. Part of him wanted to paint in Jiang Cheng pouting under said tree, but he assumed that would go as well as that time he painted Da-ge smiling with a flower. “Does it not get cold?”

“It does,” Jiang Cheng said, sounding like an absolute child from inside his pile, “But not like this! This is torture. Inhumane. Wrong. Lotus Pier gets, like, windy. A bit snowy, sometimes, yes, but fuck all of this shit.”

“You’re such a baby.”

“You are not allowed to talk to me like that!” Jiang Cheng snapped, but he didn’t move from his blankets and therefore it meant nothing. Truthfully, even if he had, it wouldn’t have meant anything. Jiang Cheng was just like that. It was part of why Nie Huaisang liked him so much.

“Seriously, this is nothing. You should come when it gets too cold to snow.”

“ Too cold to snow?” Jiang Cheng repeated, absolute disbelief and horror in his voice. Nie Huaisang found himself smiling.

“Darling, you’re adorable when you don’t know things.”

“Says the Headshaker,” he grumbled.

Nie Huaisang huffed a laugh and carefully put his ink and painting on his bedside table that existed solely for a place to put nightly paintings and ink. Once it was settled, he crawled back over to the lump of blankets and draped himself over it.

“If you’re truly that cold, I can think of a few ways to warm you up,” he said. Jiang Cheng grunted in disdain because he thought he needed to be manly and Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes.

“No offense, but I’m too cold for that. I’m pretty sure my dick has climbed into my body,” he said. Nie Huaisang rolled onto the other side of the mass of blankets, sliding his hand beneath them. “If your hand is cold, I’m going to fucking‒ Fuck! Why do you feel like ice?! What is wrong with you?! Are you even human?!”

Nie Huaisang laughed and dug under the blankets more to press his cold fingers into his skin. That was another reason that he liked Jiang Cheng so much. He made him laugh. That was something he hadn’t done earnestly in well over a decade.

“ Stop, ” Jiang Cheng whined, finally letting his stupid facade drop. Nie Huaisang felt motivated by it and started to make his way into Jiang Cheng’s blanket heap. “You’re so cold, what the fuck, you’re letting the cold air in!”

“You’re a cultivator, aren’t you warm naturally? Your core is so strong, can't you just get over it?” Nie Huaisang asked, easily slipping his foot to press against the back of Jiang Cheng’s thighs. He jumped and half-assed swatting at his leg. Nie Huaisang hooked his leg around him and pulled himself in. “Here, you big baby, I’ll tuck you in.”

He took a second to seal off any passageways into the blanket heap, closing them in together. Once he settled, he got a good look at Jiang Cheng’s pouty little face in the darkness of the blankets. Somehow, he still seemed to be glowing. As much as Nie Huaisang never cared to grow his own core, he couldn’t deny that it helped create some breathtaking men. That in itself was a gift.

“Do I need to get one of my disciples to take you back to Lotus Pier?” he asked. Jiang Cheng’s eyes slowly slipped across his face and then down between them where they were pressed together, more or less. Nie Huaisang raised an eyebrow and waited for him to meet his eyes again. “Well? Do I?”

“I don’t need help. ”

“Yes, but it isn’t safe to fly on your sword in this,” he pointed out, “And it definitely isn’t safe to travel on foot alone. I don’t care how known and powerful you are.”

“What,” Jiang Cheng said, voice a bit quiet, “Are you actually worried about me?”

Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes again. “Imagine the kind of attention we’d get if you died in the middle of nowhere from exposure and the last place you’d been was the Unclean Realm. I do not want to deal with your brother or either of your nephews, thank you very much.”

Jiang Cheng stared at him, eyes still squinted like he was trying to read him. Fortunately, that was something he’d been notoriously bad at for his entire life. It was a good thing that he was pretty and strong.

“You know, you’ve gotten pretty lucky that you’ve basically got your foot in every other major sect. You’re running YunmengJiang, your nephew runs LanlingJin, your other nephew is the last living QishanWen, your brother is shacking up with an important member of GusuLan, and you’re shacking up with the man running QingheNie. Look at you, making connections by chance,” Nie Huaisang said, patting him on the chest. Jiang Cheng blinked three times in succession.

“How did you know about Lan Sizhui being a Wen?” he asked, “I didn’t tell you that and surely Wei Wuxian didn’t.”

Nie Huaisang huffed a laugh and pushed further into Jiang Cheng’s space until they were nose to nose, twirling his hair around his finger. He was so dumb and so, so cute. Nie Huaisang should've taken advantage of him when they were young.

“Darling, when will you learn I know everything?”

Jiang Cheng scoffed, but he didn’t push him away. Instead, his hand pressed against his back and pulled him in tightly.

“No wonder you and Wei Wuxian get on so well. You’re both know-it-all assholes,” he said. 

Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes and poked him in the chest, deciding not to comment. He and Wei Wuxian got on so well because they knew different, complementary things. But it was less that they got along and more that they could respect each other for that‒and that they both knew what the other was capable of even if they didn’t know the specifics. That was enough to keep distance.

Jiang Cheng didn’t need to know that if he didn’t already.

“Ah, would you like me to get him to come here and lead you back? I bet he’d love that,” Nie Huaisang said. Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes at him all over again.

“Asshole.”

“Mm, quite.”

Jiang Cheng made a little mocking noise and paired it with his hand carefully combing back Nie Huaisang’s hair. He was sure he looked a mess with all the blankets, but he could handle that later.

“How long will it snow for?” Jiang Cheng asked.

“Alright, when I said I knew everything, I didn’t mean I could predict the weather,” Nie Huaisang scoffed. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and gently flicked the base of his spine. Chills shot all the way up to his neck. “My guess would be it’ll stop by this evening, probably.”

“Then I will stay until the morning,” Jiang Cheng decided. Nie Huaisang raised an eyebrow.

“Really? You’re just going to invite yourself to stay another night? How hospitable of you, Jiang Wanyin,” he said. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and then gripped him a bit tighter before rolling him onto his back and placing himself on top of him. Nie Huaisang gave a mocking, “Stop it, you’ll let the cold air in!” 

“Didn’t you offer to warm me up earlier? Has that offer been retracted?” he asked, lowering himself down until Nie Huaisang could feel his breath on his lips. 

“Of course not, I have no intention to let my guest suffer.”

“Asshole,” Jiang Cheng said, but his voice was soft and he was smiling.

“Baby,” Nie Huaisang accused right back, but he was grinning all the same.

Jiang Cheng kissed him then, a way to silence him and a way to get warm all the same. And he would be staying another night, officially the longest they’d spent time together since this whole tryst began.

And perhaps Nie Huaisang wouldn’t be able to wait another handful of months before doing this again.

#sangcheng #sangcheng fic #nie huaisang #jiang cheng #the untamed #mdzs #my fic

[bettydice]

the intrinsic intimacy of staring at your opponent through the net and wanting her to absolutely rail you

wlw Wangxian, E-Rated, Modern AU - Volleyball Rivals, cisswap

Read on AO3

“I think Lan Zhan could rip the ball in half, if she wanted to.”

“Mhmmrmmm mhhnannm,” Jiang Cheng groaned into his pillow. Wei Ying knew he was disagreeing with her but chose to ignore it.

“If she’s really angry… she could… just grab it and…” Wei Ying shuddered and pressed her hands against her flushed cheeks. The Yiling Demons were playing against the Gusu Clouds the next day and she was unreasonably nervous. It certainly would not be the first time they’d play against each other, nor would it be the last. No reason to be nervous, right? “Just absolutely destroy it.”

Jiang Cheng groaned again, then sat up in his bed and glared at her, hair sticking out in all directions. “Why? It’s in the middle of the fucking night! Go to bed and leave me alone!”

Wei Ying ignored him, just stared at him from where she was sitting cross-legged on the bed next to him, gnawing her thumb. “She could rip me in half. Have you seen how mad she was last game? I bet she wanted to…” Wei Ying swallowed thickly as she remembered the furious look Lan Zhan had sent her way through the net. Not just a look. Looks. Plural. The entire game. “Annihilate me.”

“And why is this a problem now, at 2 a.m.? She always looks at you that way.” Jiang Cheng threw his pillow at her, but Wei Ying caught it easily, then threw it back at him, hitting him in the face.

“Cute that you thought you could catch me, star volleyball player Wei Ying of the Yiling Demons, by surprise,” Wei Ying cackled while Jiang Cheng cursed under his breath and slammed the pillow down next to him.

“Exactly,” he grumbled. “Then why are you so worried you have to disturb my hard-earned sleep?”

“It’s just… an important game. That’s all.” Wei Ying was gnawing on her thumb again.

“Stop that, do you want it to bleed again?” Jiang Cheng slapped her hand away. “And it’s a friendly match for charity. Just go the fuck to sleep.”

“I need to play well so we raise a lot of money! I don’t want to be responsible for the library not being able to expand! Can you imagine the shame? Lan Zhan really would rip me in half then, she loves books.”

“How do you even know that? ... Don’t tell me. I know you’re obsessed with her.” Jiang Cheng snorted, adjusted his pillow and lied back down. “Now fuck off. Go to bed. You’ll play well tomorrow, you always do.”

“I’m not obsessed with Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying yelled indignantly, but Jiang Cheng only pulled his blanket over his head. Wei Ying stared at his back for a few seconds, outraged. Then, when he made no sign of saying anything else, she huffed and went back to her room, grumbling under her breath.

She wasn’t obsessed! She had a normal amount of interest in Lan Zhan! They had an intense athletic rivalry, and because Lan Zhan was the most dangerous player, she had to be aware of what she was doing at all times! Also, it was physically impossible to ignore Lan Zhan, she was so tall and imposing! Nobody could take their eyes off her and her strong arms and thighs and… Nobody! Nothing wrong with admiring the female form in peak physical perfection. Obsessed? Jiang Cheng didn’t know what he was talking about.

In bed, Wei Ying kept turning and tossing, so annoyed was she with her brother. Annoyed with him for talking nonsense. Annoyed that he didn’t help distract her from her thoughts. Because she had reason to be anxious, didn’t she? Because something happened last game… Well, nothing happened, but… After the game, Lan Zhan had been waiting for her in front of the locker room. Wen Qing had only rolled her eyes and left, leaving Wei Ying cruelly behind. Alone and defenceless in front of Lan Zhan, who wanted to rip her in half! Lan Zhan had stared at her, fiercely, while Wei Ying clutched the strap of her bag, face growing hot. Then Lan Zhan had said: “I’d like to talk to you.”

She’d said it so politely, almost shyly. Usually, Wei Ying would be thrilled to be the sole focus of Lan Zhan’s attention, but…

Wei Ying had fled. Had mumbled something about having to help Wen Qing with A Thing and had literally run away.

What had Lan Zhan wanted to talk about? Lan Zhan didn’t just talk to people… Would she try again after tomorrow’s game? Or had Wei Ying messed it up and now Lan Zhan will never talk to her again. Maybe she won’t even allow Wei Ying chatting at her during parties anymore, won’t endure her tipsy ramblings, won’t let her crowd into her personal space anymore.

Wei Ying couldn’t decide what’d be worse – Lan Zhan waiting for her tomorrow after the game or Lan Zhan never looking at her again.

No. She knew.

She wanted Lan Zhan to keep looking at her.

When she finally fell asleep, her sleep was restless, and she woke up with quickly dissipating memories of dreams of Lan Zhan’s piercing gaze.

As soon as Wei Ying entered the gym, she saw Lan Zhan, warming up on court. As though she could sense her presence, Lan Zhan turned her head and stared directly at Wei Ying. And frowned.

Okay, so she was still looking at her. Good. Good, good. The frowning… well, a lot of people frowned at her daily, nothing to worry about. In fact, Jiang Cheng was frowning at her right now.

“This is that ref again, isn’t it?” Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes and looked across the court where the ref was chatting with Lan Yi, the trainer of the Gusu Clouds. Wei Ying really didn’t have time for his bullshit right now.

“If you embarrass me again, you’re banned from watching my games for a whole season,” Wei Ying hissed at him, eyes searching out Lan Zhan again, who was doing lunges now. Her legs were looking especially powerful today.

“How is demanding a fair ref embarrassing you? She clearly had it out against the Demons, your fingers did not touch that ball!”

“You were yelling at the ref and they probably would’ve thrown you out if Jiejie hadn’t charmed them with her presence and promised she’d keep you in check.”

Before Jiang Cheng could open his mouth to counter with even more bullshit, Wen Qing joined them, putting her arms around both their shoulders, effectively shutting Jiang Cheng up.

“Ready? I’m in the mood to crush some skulls today. Let’s go warm up.”

“Yeah, be right there!”

Wen Qing nodded, then gave them both a slap on their butts. Jiang Cheng turned bright red and decidedly did not watch Wen Qing walk away.

“You’re so fucking embarrassing,” Wei Ying murmured at him under her breath, dragging her eyes forcefully away from Lan Zhan and her glutes, and turning towards the locker rooms. “You know she has a girlfriend, right?”

“Shut the fuck up.” Jiang Cheng elbowed her, but very half-heartedly. Probably, because it was game day, and he didn’t want to risk actually hurting her. Ugh, he was such a sap. “Go get changed.”

“I will! You should go outside and wait for Jiejie, I’m sure she brought way too many snacks again.”

“Fine, I will!” Jiang Cheng turned around and stomped off, but not before yelling: “Warm up properly!”

Ah, her sweet little baby brother. This was why she couldn’t be mad at him for long, even if he said nonsensical things like Wei Ying being obsessed with Lan Zhan.

The game was… intense, for a charity game. Well, maybe it wasn’t. Her teammates seemed to be having fun. But Wei Ying wasn’t having fun. She couldn’t focus on the game, couldn’t stop thinking about whether Lan Zhan would want to talk again. And what it was she wanted to talk about. She couldn’t… it wouldn’t…

It probably didn’t have anything to do with how Wei Ying had gotten drunk at the last party they both had attended and had… said things. She couldn’t really remember what she had said, but she remembered clinging to Lan Zhan’s strong arm and looking up at her, at her lips, feeling hot all over. And maybe this had been the party after the game where Wei Ying had realised she wanted Lan Zhan to press her against a flat surface and make out with her.

So. Lan Zhan probably just wanted to let her down gently, right? Because she was actually a nice person, even if she’d gained the reputation of being an Ice Queen. Wei Ying didn’t want to hear it though; she already knew Lan Zhan would never want to do those things to her. Even though she could, Wei Ying would let her do anything.

She shook her head and tried to focus on the game. Gusu Clouds were 2:1 in the lead and currently two points ahead of them in this set, so they really had to get their shit together. With newfound determination, Wei Ying managed to land a spike right in front of Lan Zhan. As her team huddled together to cheer, Wei Ying couldn’t help herself. She looked at Lan Zhan, who was already looking back at her, and grinned. Lan Zhan… smiled? Was that really a smile? What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fucking fuck? Fuck.

Was this some kind of evil tactic from Lan Zhan? Because there was no way Wei Ying could focus now. She just stared at Lan Zhan through the net, across the field. Lan Zhan was actually concentrating on the ball now and not looking back. Well, good for her.

Wei Ying tried to focus, she really did. But then Lan Zhan jumped in the air to hit the ball and her shirt rode up a little, showing a hint of her abs. She was so strong and graceful, she –

The ball hit Wei Ying in the face with the full force of Lan Zhan’s infamous spike. She blinked and when she opened her eyes again, she was lying on the ground. She blinked again - now her teammates were crowded around her, yelling. At her?

“I’m fine,” she said, but no one seemed to hear her. Her face hurt, of course, but a numb kind of pain, not a ‘broke my nose’ kind of pain. And Wei Ying knew what that felt like!

Somebody helped her up and off the field, and five minutes later she was sitting there with a giant ice pack pressed to her face. It had taken one minute to convince the paramedic she was fine and four minutes to convince Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli that they could go back to the stands.

She was fine, but she wasn’t allowed back on the field, so she could spend the rest of the match being eaten up by embarrassment. She’d just stood there and let the ball hit her, because… because she was too horny for Lan Zhan! What the fuck was wrong with her?

Wei Ying had to watch her team lose the set and the game and knew it was her fault. She needed to get over this… whatever this was. She should allow Lan Zhan to say her piece, tell her ‘Wei Ying, I’m really not interested in you like that or at all’ and then maybe Wei Ying could get over… whatever this was… and be able to focus again when they were playing the Clouds.

Either that, or she’d have to stop playing volleyball and also maybe move to a different country. Which she didn’t have any money for.

She was the last one in the locker room, everyone eager to shower and change quickly to go stuff their faces at the picnic slash barbecue the teams organized in the little park next to the gym to hopefully collect a lot of donations. Everyone had been so nice to her, making sure she really was okay, getting her a new ice pack, when all she wanted was just to crawl in a hole and die.

But she couldn’t. She couldn’t even just keep lying here on the bench, ice pack on her face, hair drying slowly, until it got dark and everyone had left, because Jiang Cheng had already sent her five worried messages. Lan Zhan was probably at the picnic too, right? It was for a good cause, even she wouldn’t skip a social gathering that was for a good cause.

Okay, Wei Ying was going. She was.

Right now.

Okay.

Five more minutes. The ice pack was still a little cold; she needed to use it a bit longer if she wanted to ensure a minimum amount of swelling. There would be a bruise, maybe even a full black eye, but so far there was no swelling.

Suddenly, the door opened. Maybe it was Wen Qing coming to get her and/or to yell at her because Jiang Cheng was yelling.

She turned her head with a weary sigh, then sucked all the air back in, because… Lan Zhan. Was here. Walking over to her. Crouching down next to the bench Wei Ying was lying on. And… and… carefully lifting the ice pack from Wei Ying’s face and looking at her.

“Does it hurt?” Lan Zhan stroked her thumb over Wei Ying’s cheek, just under her bruise. She’d never…

“Uh… n-no?” Wei Ying stuttered, because she was a mess and Lan Zhan was touching her face very gently.

“You’re not sure?” Lan Zhan sounded amused, her thumb still stroking Wei Ying’s cheek.

“It doesn’t hurt badly. Just a little.” Wei Ying hoped that her voice sounded normal, but it was hard to tell because she currently couldn’t remember what her voice usually sounded like. It was always this high, right?

“Good.” Lan Zhan nodded her approval. Then, she moved her hand, so it rested on Wei Ying’s neck, thumb stroking her jaw now. Wei Ying swallowed hard, which Lan Zhan would be able to feel. “Why didn’t you move?”

Lan Zhan’s gaze was hot on her face and oh… she knew. Whatever Wei Ying had told her… She knew and this was her way of…

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Ying pleaded. She already knew, why did she want Wei Ying to confess to her horny obsession?

Lan Zhan watched the flush spread out on Wei Ying’s face, travel down her neck and chest. But the look in her eyes told Wei Ying that she wouldn’t back down. “Tell me.”

Wei Ying let out a shaky breath, then stared at the ceiling. “I had trouble… focusing.”

“Why?” Lan Zhan’s thumb was now resting right underneath her lower lip, which was horribly unfair.

“Lan Zhannnn, please. You know why.” Wei Ying squeezed her eyes shut, which she immediately regretted because the bruised side of her face hurt, so she opened them again, accidentally meeting Lan Zhan’s eyes. Lan Zhan was smiling at her. She looked… still intense, but her features were much softer than what Wei Ying’s heart could handle.

“Tell me.” She was still smiling; the same secret smile Wei Ying had seen on the court earlier. Was it just for her?

“Because… I… You’re… really hot.” Wei Ying had never been this in embarrassed in her life, and when she was embarrassed, she started babbling. That’s why she said, while staring straight at Lan Zhan’s amused face: “I could see your abs when you jumped.”

“Mhm. Is that all?”

“Huh?” What else did Lan Zhan want her to say? Wasn’t this enough???

“You weren’t thinking of kneeling between my strong thighs or how my long fingers would feel inside of you?” Lan Zhan said with an almost completely straight face. Her ears were a little red, her mouth twitching a little, but otherwise… how could she just…

“What… why… oh fuck is that what I…” Wei Ying tried to hide her mortified face behind her hands, but Lan Zhan didn’t let her, pulling her hands back down with just one – just one! – of her large hands. Fuck. “I was really drunk. Lan Zhan, you can’t hold me accountable for my drunk ramblings.”

“So, you don’t want that?” Suddenly, Lan Zhan’s hand was resting on Wei Ying’s stomach, not very far from her boobs. Rather close to them, actually. Wei Ying was only wearing a ratty old tank top over her sports bra. A really thin top. Lan Zhan’s hand was very warm.

“Uhm… “ It seemed like if Wei Ying were to say yes, then these things would actually come true. She didn’t know why she was so scared to admit it, this was what she wanted. “I… Please.”

Lan Zhan put her hand right across Wei Ying’s heart. And her boob, as a side-effect. Or was it the other way round? Her left eyebrow twitched a miniscule amount, another question. Wei Ying bit her lip and nodded and hope it was enough, that Lan Zhan would finally –

Lan Zhan kissed her.

This kiss wasn’t a quick peck or a shy first meeting of lips. Lan Zhan wasn’t asking anymore; she had heard Wei Ying’s pleas, and this was her answer.

Wei Ying tried to be an enthusiastic participant of the kiss, but it was very difficult, because she also had to figure out where to put her hands: Desperately clinging to the bench? Buried in Lan Zhan’s hair? Gripping her strong shoulders? Additionally, there were loud moans seeking to escape her throat and she really tried to hold them back. However, Wei Ying quickly found out that she was incapable of holding back moans when Lan Zhan was squeezing her tit. And Lan Zhan seemed to like it, because whenever Wei Ying moaned, Lan Zhan squeezed harder – a vicious, delicious cycle.

The only problem was that Lan Zhan’s touch was so good that all the parts of Wei Ying that weren’t being touched were complaining about it. She tried to tell Lan Zhan this but trying to talk around a tongue in her mouth just sounded like more moaning, meaning more squeezing, meaning more actual moaning. Since Wei Ying wasn’t willing to break the kiss just yet, she tried to shimmy so Lan Zhan’s hand would move lower, or at least under her shirt.

Lan Zhan’s hand did move. To her stomach, pressing down to stop her squirming. Oh. Yeah, okay. That was. Mhm.

Lan Zhan also stopped kissing her, which was not okay at all, and Wei Ying wasn’t too proud to pout and try to pull her back down. But Lan Zhan didn’t budge, because she was very tall and ridiculously strong.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan looked down at her with a frown. Why was she frowning again? Wei Ying had already stopped squirming!

“Why aren’t you kissing meeeee?” Wei Ying whined, but with a lot of dignity. She wasn’t desperate or anything.

“Your phone.” Lan Zhan’s eyes flicked towards Wei Ying’s phone she’d at some point dropped into one of her trainers.

The phone was ringing. Oh!

Wei Ying scrambled into a sitting position and fished her phone out of her shoe. Lan Zhan didn’t move at all during this, so Wei Ying had to spread her legs to accommodate her. Lan Zhan’s hand was now resting high, very high, on her thigh instead of her stomach.

She answered the phone without looking at the screen, because she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight of Lan Zhan crouching between her legs, looking up at her with dark eyes and well-kissed lips. Fuck.

“Yes?”, Wei Ying barked into the phone.

“Where the fuck are you?” Ugh, of course it was Jiang Cheng. Of fucking course! “Jiejie is worried you fainted in the locker room! I texted you like three times! Do you need to go to the fucking hospital or something?”

“Aw, you care so much! That’s so sweet, A-Cheng.” Wei Ying had to look away from Lan Zhan’s face after all, because it was just… a lot to handle, while trying to annoy her brother.

“Don’t be gross! Anyway, you’re okay? Because I’m taking A-Jie home, the heat is getting to her.”

“Is she okay? Do you need help?” No matter how horny Wei Ying was, she would walk away from Lan Zhan’s everything right now, if her sister needed her. She’d probably cry about it later, but she would do it.

“She’s fine, just a little dizzy. Anyway, are you coming, too? I’m not gonna drive back later to pick you up, okay, no matter how many crying emojis you send me.”

This was a lie and they both knew it; Jiang Cheng would totally come pick her up. But Wei Ying had, uh, different plans. “No, I’ll stay here and… “ A hand squeezed her thigh. “Uhm, I’ll see you tonight.”

“You’re really okay? No nausea or anything? Because I can-”

Jiang Cheng’s worry was sweet and all, but Wei Ying really needed this phone call to end ASAP. Luckily, she knew how to accomplish that. “Ooooh, my sweet little A-Cheng is so worried, because he loves me soooo much, how touching! I want to squish your cheeks and-“

Jiang Cheng hung up. Wei Ying dropped the phone back in her shoe, and finally dared to look at Lan Zhan again.

Lan Zhan still looked so put together in her shorts and sleeveless blouse, her hair in a braid, only slightly ruffled by Wei Ying’s searching hands. Didn’t look even half as sweaty and flushed as Wei Ying felt. Wei Ying wanted to change that.

Lan Zhan wouldn’t be here, wouldn’t have done all that if she didn’t want this. If she didn’t want Wei Ying. So…

Wei Ying took off her top under Lan Zhan’s intense gaze and dropped it on top of her phone. Lan Zhan only quirked one eyebrow, slid one finger under the waistband of Wei Ying’s sweatpants. She didn’t tug on it, but the command was clear: Off.

Wei Ying took those off as well, so she was sitting in front of Lan Zhan in only her sports bra and her yellow panties with little cartoon ghosts saying ‘BOO’ on them.

Lan Zhan looked up at her and smirked. “Boo.”

Fuck, why was Lan Zhan so cute? Wei Ying had no choice but to take her face between her hands and drag her up, so she could kiss her. Lan Zhan let herself be dragged, half kneeling on the bench between Wei Ying’s thighs. Because she was so tall, Wei Ying now had to tilt her head back to be able to still kiss her. It was a very awkward and uncomfortable position, but they were kissing again, so Wei Ying counted it as a win.

Lan Zhan had always been extremely competitive, so of course she wouldn’t content herself with staying like this. A few seconds and some manhandling later, Wei Ying found herself sitting on Lan Zhan’s lap, back to Lan Zhan’s chest.

Wei Ying started squirming again, trying to turn around so she could look at Lan Zhan’s beautiful face and to receive more kisses. But Lan Zhan had other things in mind. Namely, pulling Wei Ying’s bra up and her panties down, so she could grab Wei Ying’s left tit with one hand and her pussy with the other.

“Lan Zhan, you…” Wei Ying said. Well, moaned.

“Mhm,” Lan Zhan murmured against Wei Ying’s neck.

Wei Ying didn’t actually know how she’d wanted to finish that sentence, and then Lan Zhan started pinching and rubbing, so she finished it with: “Fuck.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan agreed and bit her shoulder.

Wei Ying’s whole existence melted down to three things: her shoulder, her throbbing clit, and her nipple. Lan Zhan was the only thing keeping her together, while she was thoroughly taking her apart. It didn’t make any sense, but Wei Ying had never paid much attention to ‘sense’ anyway.

“Lan Zhan… ah… Can’t I… Can’t I look at you?” Wei Ying tried to turn around again, but her body didn’t listen, too busy undulating and chasing Lan Zhan’s touch.

“Yes. After you’ve come.” Lan Zhan said and dipped one, no, two fingers into Wei Ying’s hole, then went back to rubbing her clit, the slide much smoother now because Wei Ying was so fucking wet.

“I… So mean… Lan… Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying came while moaning Lan Zhan’s name, her orgasm rolling over her so quickly and so strongly, she was afraid she’d fall off Lan Zhan’s lap. She put her hands over Lan Zhan’s to make sure she didn’t let her go while Wei Ying’s body was still twitching with aftershocks.

Lan Zhan held her, kept holding her, kept pressing kisses to her shoulder and her neck, murmuring her name, until Wei Ying finally felt like she had control over her body again.

This time, when she tried to turn around, Lan Zhan let her and even helped her pull up her panties, so she could comfortably sit on Lan Zhan’s thighs, Lan Zhan’s arms securely around her waist.

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Ying began, but then had to kiss her first, before she could continue. “You’re really pretty.”

“Wei Ying is pretty.” A smile tugged at the corner of Lan Zhan’s mouth and Wei Ying had to kiss the smile. And Lan Zhan’s cheek, because that was an important part of smiling. And her forehead, because Lan Zhan’s brain was behind there, and it had to work for the smile to happen. And her nose, simply because it was a good nose. And her other cheek, she didn’t want it to feel left out.

After her work was done, Wei Ying leaned back to look at Lan Zhan’s face again. She should do this again while wearing lipstick. If Lan Zhan would allow it. If she even wanted this again… Oh wait, were they even done yet?! Because… “Lan Zhan, you haven’t come yet!”

Wei Ying moved her hand down to Lan Zhan’s waistband but was once again stopped by one of Lan Zhan’s strong hands.

“Later.”

“What do you mean ‘later’?” Wei Ying pouted, trying to hide her anxiety. What if there was no later? She wanted to give Lan Zhan the best orgasm now, so she would not be able to forget this ever happened. Because Wei Ying certainly wouldn’t be able to. “When will that be? Don’t you want to come now? I’ll eat you out, Lan Zhan, please, you know how good I am with my mouth.”

Lan Zhan’s grip tightened, Wei Ying’s words clearly affecting her in some way. But still she said: “Later.”

Wei Ying whined, but Lan Zhan smiled so beautifully, it shut her up again.

“Later will be in about 15 minutes, if you walk fast.” Lan Zhan let her gaze drag over Wei Ying’s flushed face, her still exposed tits, down to her soaked panties and back up to her face. She smirked. “Let’s say twenty minutes, because I don’t think you’ll be able to.”

“Wow, okay, I’ll have you know I’m a superstar athlete! I can walk very fast, under any circumstances!” Wei Ying didn’t really want to leave Lan Zhan’s lap, but proving her point was more important. Though her legs did prove to be a little wobbly still. She put her hand on Lan Zhan’s shoulder to steady herself, ignoring Lan Zhan’s smug expression. Well, not ignore it completely. It was kinda hot actually.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Or do you need some time to recover? I understand, I’m a very good kisser and-“

Lan Zhan, it turned out, did not need to recover, but Wei Ying did, after Lan Zhan pressed her against the wall and kissed her until she was dizzy.

“Well… You proved your… Anyway… As I was saying… In conclusion, I was right,” Wei Ying panted against Lan Zhan’s smiling mouth. She really was smiling a lot today. It did dangerous things to Wei Ying’s heart.

“Thirty minutes,” Lan Zhan said, because she was a menace.

“Fuck you,” Wei Ying sighed weakly, pulled down her bra and began collecting her clothes.

“Mhm, later.”

Wei Ying chose to ignore that comment, because getting dressed required all her attention, since Lan Zhan’s hands were still holding her hips and refusing to let go.

It took a few minutes, but eventually, Wei Ying was finally ready to leave the locker room, not bothering to look in the mirror, because her face was a mess anyway, no need to confirm that.

She turned to Lan Zhan and held out her hand, smiling. They were going to have sex and it was going to be so amazing, Lan Zhan would want to do it again! And again. And-

“Wei Ying… before we…” Lan Zhan suddenly hesitated and avoided her eyes. Which… ever since Wei Ying had finally annoyed Lan Zhan enough to look at her, she’d never stopped doing that.

“What’s wrong? Did you change your mind? Do you want to go to the fundraiser instead? I understand, it’s more important than me, haha.”

At that, Lan Zhan looked back at her, frowning, took her hand and pulled her close. “Nothing is more important than Wei Ying.”

“Uh…” Wei Ying swallowed, mouth suddenly dry.

“Nothing.” Lan Zhan pressed a kiss to the back of Wei Ying’s hand and Wei Ying was going to combust or melt into a puddle or just plain explode.

“Uh… then… what did you want to say?”

“When you were drunk…”

“Oh no, what else did I… listen, if I said… like kinky shit you’re not comfortable with, or…” There were so many things she wanted Lan Zhan to do to her, if she talked even just about a fraction of those…

“You said, you wanted to watch me while I made breakfast for you,” Lan Zhan said quietly, eyes now locked with Wei Ying’s. “That you want to hold my hand while we’re sitting on your couch, watching a movie.”

“Oh. Lan Zhan, I can explain!” Wei Ying said, then squeezed her eyes shut and wished to disappear, because she actually couldn’t explain. This sounded as though she wasn’t just horny, this sounded as though she was in love with Lan Zhan or something. Which… was true. Fuck. Of course, she was in love with Lan Zhan! Well, who could blame her???

She slowly opened one eye, risking a glance. Lan Zahn was still there, looking at her. Waiting. Wei Ying closed her eye again, so she could think.

“Wei Ying.”

“Just a second!”

“I also want that.”

“What?” Wei Ying’s eyes flew open, so she could confirm with her eyes that her ears hadn’t heard that wrong.

The tips of Lan Zhan’s ears were flushed, but her eyes and the set of her jaw were determined. “I also want that, Wei Ying. With you.”

“Oh… So like… you’d want to be… I don’t know… “ Wei Ying swallowed hard, then looked at Lan Zhan’s cheekbone instead of her eyes. She wanted to kiss that cheekbone. “Like girlfriends? Gal Pals? Les-bee-anz? Gaaaaaaayyyyy-“

Lan Zhan had mercy on her and shut her up with a kiss.

It took them 45 minutes to get to Lan Zhan’s apartment. Wei Ying didn’t leave until noon the next day, 10 angry messages from Jiang Cheng, and many orgasms later.

#wangxian #the untamed #mdzs #lan wangji #wei wuxian #modern au #I never posted this to tumblr #betty drabbles

[ibijau]

jin ling / oyzz 32 pls!! :3c ❤️ u!!

so blocked on other things that I’m finally getting back to my prompts yay

If there was one thing Jin Ling had learned early on, it’s that fate hates him. His familial situation is good proof of this, though it is his love life that makes it the most obvious.

At twelve, he developed a crush on a girl from another sect who was staying in Jinlin Tai as a guest disciple. She was about two years older than him, pretty as the sunrise on Yunmeng’s lake, and strong enough to break a fierce corpse’s neck with her bare hands. It took Jin Ling weeks to decide how to talk to her, and when he finally did, an enormous pimple appeared right in the middle of his nose, disfiguring him. Jin Ling tried every remedy he could buy to bring his face back to normal, but only managed to make things worse. He never had a chance to talk to that girl, and she soon returned to her own sect, leaving Jin Ling completely heartbroken and ready to swear he would never love again.

A few months later, at thirteen, Jin Ling fell in love with a Yunmeng Jiang disciple. He tried to impress the older boy by showing off his diving skills. It was a common game for his uncle’s disciples, and Jin Ling had played it often enough as well. He liked to think he was good at it. His uncle had said he was good at it! And yet when he tried to dive in a very cool way to impress that one Jiang disciple, Jin Ling hit his head against something and nearly drowned. After that, he refused to come again to the Lotus Piers for ages, not until his uncle dragged him away from Jinlin Tai and forced him to go to a rather ill fated Night Hunt that changed his life.

If Jiang Cheng hadn’t taken Jin Ling to Dafan Mountain, he wouldn’t have met Mo Xuanyu. If he hadn’t met Mo Xuanyu and been rescued by him, he wouldn’t have had a debt toward him and helped him run away from Jiang Cheng in Qinghe. If he hadn’t angered his uncle like that, Jin Ling wouldn’t have needed to lay low for a while, and he wouldn’t have stumbled upon a group of juniors from various sects. And then…

Then he wouldn’t have met Ouyang Zizhen.

Meeting Ouyang Zizhen had been both a blessing and a curse. Well. Mostly a curse, actually.

Jin Ling, fourteen, with a bad ego, an even worse temper, and about to be hit in the face by more family secrets than any fourteen years old boy ought to have dealt with, just didn’t need the added horror of being in love again. It really was unfair and needlessly cruel of Ouyang Zizhen to be just that perfect, and handsome, and eloquent, and kind, and…

For a good while, Jin Ling managed to keep himself under control. He had bigger things to worry about, such as not getting killed by Xue Yang, or not getting killed by fierce corpses, or not getting killed by his uncle, and also discovering that his family was an even bigger mess than he’d ever realised, which was really saying something. And yet even with all those much more important things to keep him busy, Jin Ling couldn’t stop thinking about Ouyang Zizhen’s smile, his heartfelt tears for that ghost girl in Yi-City, the fierce way he’d fought in the Burial Mounds, how he hadn’t hesitated to stand up for Wei Wuxian… and also how he had firmly sided with the Ghost General against Jin Ling.

It really was Jin Ling’s fate to be eternally unlucky in love, he’d thought after that. And then, when he’d learned what kind of men his uncle and grandfather were, he’d figured that maybe his bad luck was just so his family would end with him, and stop making a mess of things.

And yet, in spite of being clearly cursed with the worst luck in the world, a few weeks after suddenly becoming sect leader, Jin Ling had received a letter. Not just any letter, either, but an invitation to join some other boys on a Night Hunt, among which Ouyang Zizhen who had been the one writing that invitation. Jin Ling’s broken heart had mended on the spot, delighted to find that Ouyang Zizhen had thought of him for this. Considering their last interaction hadn’t been too great, it had to mean something if he was invited, right?

It took some effort to convince the Jin elders, but in the end Jin Ling was sect leader now, and so nobody could really stop him from going wherever he pleased. He flew as fast as he could after leaving Jinlin Tai, and arrived less than a day later at the residence of the Baling Ouyang sect where Ouyang Zizhen welcomed him with that beautiful smile of his.

“You arrived a little early,” Zizhen said as he guided Jin Ling inside. The Baling Ouyang sect wasn’t very big, nor was it very rich, so the place they lived in was not much when compared to Jinlin Tai. Yet because Zizhen was there, Jin Ling found that simplicity charming, and that smallness cozy. “My father has a guest with him,” Zizhen explained, “but they’ll be leaving to their own Night Hunt soon enough. Well, they say Night Hunt… mostly Yao zongzhu and him like to head out and find a nice place to drink without my mother and auntie Yao bothering them.”

Jin Ling grimaced. Sect Leader Yao wasn’t very high on the list of people he liked to deal with. Zizhen noticed his expression of course, and laughed.

“I know, I know,” he said, leading Jin Ling inside a reception room decorated with rustic charm. Or at least, so Jin Ling chose to call it. “Jin zongzhu, just wait here and…”

“You can call me Jin Ling.”

“Wouldn’t that be disrespectful?” Zizhen asked. “I imagine people already give you a hard time for being so young, I don’t want to be too familiar and undermine your authority.”

Jin Ling’s poor heart started beating faster in his chest. Ouyang Zizhen really was too perfect, kind, courteous, clever… Even other kids in Lanling Jin were sometimes making a fuss about using Jin Ling’s title, especially those older than him, but here was Ouyang Zizhen, worrying about his image!

“I don’t care what others think,” Jin Ling said with all the haughtiness of a teenager with too much power. “You are my friend, so you can call me as you like.”

“Then maybe Jin Rulan?” Zizhen suggested. “It would be less…”

“You can call me anything you like, except that,” Jin Ling promptly corrected.

“Ah. Well, Jin Ling it is then,” Zizhen said, giving in. “Listen, I do have to tell my father that you’re here, or he’ll be cross later. He’ll probably want to drop by, but I’ll do my best to make sure it’s short. And then… it’s still early, and I don’t expect anyone else to arrive until tomorrow, so we could try to have some fun in town together?”

Jin Ling eagerly nodded at that proposition. Time alone with Zizhen sounded like the best thing ever. If he played this right…

While Zizhen left to go see his father, Jin Ling started pacing the room, trying to plan a course of action for the evening. He didn’t know what they might end up doing, since he’d never spent any time in Baling before, but surely he could hazard a few guesses. They’d have to eat, for example, and Jin Ling would of course offer to pay. Zizhen might protest, being the host, but Jin Ling would use the rank card and treat the other boy to any and all delicacies could be found in these parts. And surely there were interesting sights to see, or a scenic place perhaps? If they could go walk somewhere pretty, then Jin Ling would just have to take Zizhen’s hand and…

Or would it be better to talk about his feelings before? Jiang Cheng always said it was better to be direct in those things, so there could be no misunderstandings. Of course Jiang Cheng was terminally single, so perhaps not the best example to follow. But directness had seemed to work pretty well for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji in that temple in Yunping, so clearly there was a merit to that idea. But how to confess? Zizhen was an eloquent person with a poetic turn of mind, whereas Jin Ling… well, Jin Ling knew where his strength laid, and it definitely wasn’t in eloquence. It ran in the family, apparently.

On both sides.

It was fine though. There was no shame in having a practical turn of mind. When they were married, Zizhen would be eloquent in his stead, and Jin Ling would do the accounting, and they’d be a perfect team. For that reason, it made sense that his declaration should be a reflection of his personality: direct and to the point. He just needed to stay calm, find the right words, politely express his intentions, and everything would be fine.

Jin Ling just needed to keep his cool.

All things considered, he should have remembered that this was not something he’d ever been good at.

So when he saw the door start to open again, when he caught a first glimpse of Zizhen’s beautiful smile, of his elegant eyes, Jin Ling panicked.

“Zizhen, I like you a lot!” he shouted. “Please allow me to court you!”

Ouyang Zizhen froze on the spot, while the door finished opening, revealing sect leader Ouyang and sect leader Yao behind the teenager, both of them staring at Jin Ling in shock.

Realising what he’d done, Jin Ling nearly fainted.

This time his reputation was ruined for ever, and he was never going to live it down.

#ouyang zizhen #jin ling #no idea the ship name sorry #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #jau writes #Anonymous

[jiangwanyinscatmom]

I just found a chengxian blog and checked out a fanfic - just to see how they worked around wangxian - I’m always curious and sometimes this kind of thing gives me insight I didn’t realise was present - but jfc, the delusion is real.

Now I know, it’s bad form to go look for this stuff and shit on a ship, and I’m not shitting on the very concept of chengxian. Hell, before the fall of LP, I could even see something? Something unhealthy and all sorts of unbalanced but okay sure. And AUs of course. Either way, to each their own.

But these post-resurrection or even worse, post canon fics are hilarious.

Because suddenly we’re all forgetting just how gone WWX is for LWJ because they have similar interests (music and literature), morals (you know, being good) and have always been equals (in talent) - and instead we have WWX being a miserable drunk and hating CR because LWJ gives in too easily, he doesn’t have enough pushback to stimulate him (are we forgetting how this relationship started?) and it just baffles me.

Why it baffles me is the lack of awareness. Do they actually believe this? I mean, I’ve read some XiYao fics and some of those shippers are very well aware of the effed up dynamics at play. Sure, they mess around with it, give Yao some benefit of the doubt, make a lot of canon divergences, but these guys just see everything through opaque rose coloured glasses and somehow try to justify it and I don’t really know how they function...

Btw I’m a CQL only but with a healthy respect for the other forms but CQL really did mess with minds when you see JC clapping for WWX during the archery thing (albeit with a constipated smile and he didn’t even participate) while the donghua which is closer to the novel clearly shows us that he was upset at not winning himself - this is apparently a very clear sign of his adoration and of course justifies how he basically led to WWX throwing himself off a cliff because the irrational grape would have led to both wangxian falling.

Just🤦🏼‍♀️

I'm dealing with a migraine so hopefully what I put here isn't too mean in regards to this ship.

I don't in anyway care what others ship given that I myself lowkey ship ridiculous things that have no romantic basis in the material (and given I respect the author I see exactly what she means that none other than the purely romantic pairs shown in MDZS are meant to be seriously interpreted as romantic in canon). But hey, I like shallow, I like the effed up dynamic in NieYao and XueXiao and like the shallowness of X!cheng for fun what if's. But you (general you but for the stans specifically) have got to admit when something is just for shallow fun without demeaning the real work itself and hate the main core of it and changing the dynamics to be so wildly OOC because you are personally salty (You look like a major Karen doing this shit and are fucking adults sounding like those middle school shit heads).

I also have a whole fanon conspiracy that Jiang Cheng works as a false love interest and as an unrequited fucked up crush/obsession since I personally feel it adds more to Jiang Cheng's depths in terms of exploration for FAN works.

"Do they actually believe this?"

Yes, they honestly do believe, in all their tiny galaxy brained power that this ship is somehow superior and has romantic chemisty along with needing to have been the focused CP. I will point out it is really not even what I would consider a popular pair given it has just under 2k on AO3 alone for the Western base along with the Untamed/MDZS having the largest audience for Danmei works there. Lofter itself has it's own top 100 ships with Jiang Cheng's most popular being X!cheng by a large margin similar to it's Western stats.

If we breakdown it's rankings for both

AO3: Rank 2 of overall ship works 2020: Wangx!an

Rank 55: X!cheng

with ChengX!an being too low in numbers to rank in.

Lofter overall ship works 2020: Rank 1: Wangx!an (with X!anwang ranking again at 66)

Rank 13: X!cheng

Rank 48: Xiancheng (and yes this is a very important distinction as it denotes the "dominate" one in the pair)

If we were to mesh these together with tumblr stats in a similar way the overall would still be Wangxian ranking high as Rank 1 in the Untamed/MDZS tag, overall ships Rank 13 and the only MXTX pair to be featured.

After that digression, regardless of the interpretations, even with Wang ZhouCheng he himself only played up the sibling aspect of the relationship as was in script, it does not have the supposed chemistry they speak of when they slap the Wangx!an one on it. God damn if I have to see this Cuckji shit from these shippers one more time my eyes will roll on the floor and melt from the stupid, which is ironic since Jiang Cheng himself was the canon Cuck who's bro got swept off his feet by the canon Chad. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jiang Cheng through several passages in the book shows that his downfall was his jealousy of Wei Wuxian as his own person that did not listen to him specifically but it was never in terms of romance at the base of what MXTX was showing simple as that. This was shown with Wei Wuxian's interest in Lan Wangji, him saving Lan Wangji and to a point MianMian, as well as the Wen Remnants because it simply left Jiang Cheng what he considered more work and trouble. He cared about Wei Wuxian in so much as Wei Wuxian didn't make a splash for the reputation of Yunmeng Jiang while hypocritically having made use of Wei Wuxian during the war and turning around to be jealous of the devotion Wei Wuxian had during that time due to the attention Wei Wuxian garnered. Jiang Cheng simply did not think he had to extend some sort of actual good will to Wei Wuxian since he felt he had given enough of that just by the sake of Jiang Fengmian taking him in as a disciple and raising him. HOW you get Wei Wuxian having romantic inclination out of this, I can't say as I am not enlightened enough for the wonders of ChengX!an and apparently want to fuck MXTX who I have never met or know, or, want to fuck the very gay leads (who do not exist) despite being a lesbian.

#major wank #salt? salt #god damn I hate this pair as much as Asr!an thanks to the stans of them

[tangledinmdzs]

Hii! I would like to request a scenario with the prompts please! With Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang, Lan Xichen, and Jiang Cheng. The prompt I chose it's: “don’t give me that look! it wasn’t my fault!”. I don't know if I have to choose au ¿? But if I have to do it. I would like arranged marriage au please. The scenario I will leave you to your imagination! Thanks c:

hi there my friend!  an au is definitely not mandatory if you have already picked a dialogue prompt; so you’ve already chosen what you need to to choose, （＾－＾✿）

this is to your request!

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

don’t give me that look! it wasn’t my fault!

Nie Mingjue ✫彡

you never would have imagined your taller, bigger, boyfriend to be pouty

but well

here we are

you watch in quiet humor as Mingjue opens and closes his mouth in an attempt to explain why he was trying to hide away the shards of a broken soup spoon

“i was just washing the dishes and it fell, and i didn’t think it would break this easily...”

you shake your head at him and go up to the sink, helping him to collect the fragments of the broken spoon

“did you think i was going to be mad?” you ask him

he doesn’t answer, still feeling bad that he had broken something

“honestly it’s okay,”

“this is the first time you’re washing dishes at all, i was expecting more things to be broken,”

Mingjue huffs a breath at you and you laugh

though it gets cut short when another sharp crack interrupts you from the sink

and there goes the second spoon, you think

Mingjue had dropped the spoon he was holding while he was talking to you

“let me do the rest before we don’t have any more spoons,” you tell him

Mingjue begrudgingly listens

Nie Huaisang ✫彡

you feel grateful that the waiter’s left, because then he doesn’t have to be there to see the face that you make at Huaisang

“i thought you bought enough!” he tells you, sat across the lavish meal that he had ordered

“yea, enough for me,” you answer, because you thought that catching up with Nie Huaisang over brunch would be a bit more casual than your current situation now

Huaisang, sighs, leaning back in his large plush chair forlorning 

“well, eat up bro,” you say and begin to dig into your portion

he sits up quickly, looking at you for a moment before smacking the small fancy appetizer out of your hand

“hey!”

“how do you have an appetite now? how are we going to pay for our order?’

“well, you better eat well so you can spend the next few hours washing dishes for this place,” you reply 

from the look on Huaisang’s face, he is not pleased with your words

but well, you had already come in here asked to be separately checked

so you smile around your delicious meal

“ahh,” you tell Huaisang, lifting the bite of food up to his mouth

and even though he eats it grumpily

he can’t deny that the food here tastes good

Lan Xichen ✫彡

you said what you said, because how could it be your fault that the gown was as nice as it was

you couldn’t not buy it

and since you happened to have been gifted Xichen’s black card for the day

what better use of your purchase

Xichen looks at you, then at the rest of the bill that had come from your single day of owning his card

and Xichen’s a business tycoon

so spending wasn’t a problem for him

it was good spending that was important

but when you showed him the gown that you had bought later that night

he can’t help but agree with the purchase that you made

Jiang Cheng ✫彡

it’s a mess

a complete an utter mess

one that a human couldn’t have made but definitely one that a human was going to have to clean

“i left for one minute” Jiang Cheng helplessly adds when you spare him a look, 

because two of your throw pillows are completely ripped

the couch cushions are thrown god knows where

there’s also dog pellets, e v e r y w h e r e

and in the middle of it all is his very young and very happy puppy

your apartment was a mess

and even though he didn’t do anything to make the mess

Jiang Cheng still let his little pupper out of his sight long enough to make the accident

“you’re lucky i’m a dog person,” you tell him before turning and crouching so the doggy can bound up to you

Fairy wags her tail as she comes over, nuzzling into your arms as you stand up

she’s getting bigger now, you notice to yourself 

“you’re still cleaning this up, while i take Fairy out” you tell Jiang Cheng once the puppy is snug in your arms

Jiang Cheng splutters

the puppy’s tongue lolls out of its mouth as it pants, almost as if to make fun of him

#mdzs headcanons #mdzs requests #mdzs request list #mdzs scenario request #mdzs imagine request #mdzs reaction request #mdzs scenarios #mdzs scenario #mdzs imagine #mdzs imagines #mdzs reaction #mdzs reactions #mdzs request me to write #mdzs request #mdzs fic request #mdzs fandom #mdzs reader insert #mdzs reader inserts #mdzs fanfic #mdzs jiang cheng #mdzs lan xichen #mdzs nie huaisang #mdzs nie mingjue #jiang cheng x reader #mdzs lan xichen x reader #lan xichen x reader #nie huaisang #nie huaisang x reader #nie mingjue x reader #nie mingjue

[oneiriad]

For the crossovers: how would the leverage gang get along with the mdzs fam?

Hmmm.

1. The target of the week is some sort of big hotel owner asshole. I have absolutely no idea what a capitalist hotel owner of bad repute, possibly in Las Vegas, might have done to earn the ire of Leverage. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter.

2. What matters is that there is a big conference - private event, lasts several days, workshops and shared meals and networking time - scheduled at the hotel and the Leverage crew decide that this “Bidecennial Cultivation Conference” is the perfect infiltration spot. So, Hardison hacks the hotel and inserts an extra “sect” - farmers really have some weird organization concepts these days - in the list.

3. A few details become very apparent very quickly when they actually arrive at the conference. Like the fact that whatever these guys are, farmers are - probably not it (though there is this fellow, Mr. Wei, who will happily chat with Elliot about radishes and potatoes for half an hour). Or the fact that, while it’s not like they are the only white or black faces, about 80% of the attendants are definitely of Asian extraction. Dress code leans toward very old school, and Hardison is convinced they’ve stumbled upon an hitherto unknown to him nerd subculture (he - is not entirely wrong?)

4. They soldier on, because they are good at improvising when required. The conference is very varied, and some of the lectures are downright - weird? And the hotel gym, which has martial arts facilities, is getting used for demonstration sword fighting like something out of certain Chinese monasteries (Elliot: “It’s a very distinctive style, but I can’t put my finger on it.”), and the food is delicious, even if Elliot’s new friend Mr. Wei complains that it’s too bland and talks a waiter into bringing an entire bowl of extra chili sauce.

5. The musical entertainment of the evening is a Chinese gentleman in white playing an antique string instrument and Parker might be about to choke, because a guqin in that condiition? Extremely valuable.

6. Of course, then there’s the detail the Leverage crew miss: that the cultivation world knows its own and nobody’s really fooled by this “Portland sect”. They are curious, though, and not particularly threatened, especially as several Immortals - including the famous Hanguang-Jun, the notorious Yiling Laozu, why even the Ghost General and Sandu Shengshou and others - have decided to attend this particular conference.

7. I am not saying that said Immortal cultivators deduce that the Leverage crew are Robin Hood conmen and decide to help them out. Okay, so NHS is still around somehow and deduce it. Everybody knows that that Nie is the sneakiest person anywhere he goes.

8. Wei Wuxian somehow makes friends with Elliot, despite his atrocious, downright offensive opinions about spices. Lan Wangji allows Parker to approach him, while Jiang Cheng pulls a “very important sect leader” to have Sophie attach herself to his arm, while Wen Ning sits down next to Hardison and asks about whatever nerdy merchandise he brought along, because you know. NHS, of course, is an utterly useless good-for-nothing spilling his drink all over Nate.

9. The cultivators observe and deduce and eventually realize the team’s actual target. They might even help out a little or let themselves get conveniently distracted.

10. Alas, the target of the week turns out to have considerably more resources and wherewithal than most targets, and possibly extremely unpleasant friends. As in, he turns the tables on the Leverage crew for real and things are looking very bleak - for them and the couple of poor, innocent cultivators that’s gotten stuck in the middle. There are guns and probably somebody has already died - some poor third party people.

11. “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Jiang Cheng interrupts halfway through the villain monologuing his way towards a gangster style mass execution, because one massive hostage situation with a pscyho is enough for several millennia, thank you. And then Zidian comes out, and sweet, harmless, nerdy Wen Ning’s eyes go black and he roars to freeze the blood in everybody’s veins.

12. A bit later, a couple of Lans - don’t you just love those nice, strong arms - rip a door off its hinges, and in walks the Yiling Laozu, lowering Chenqing and blinking sheepishly. “What took you so long?” Jiang Cheng barks as he sweeps out.

13. (Wei Wuxian had been making out with his husband in a cupboard, on the general principle that a hotel conference requires at least one round of making out in a cupboard. He is not the least bit embarrassed about that, but he still gets stuck with clean-up duty.)

14. Clean-up duty mostly involves the bad guys getting back up and walking out to a cheery tune. Possibly a Disney tune.

15. Leverage crew are - mildly put shocked and definitely not used to their cases devolving into quite as much bloodshed. Also Elliot is standing in front of the lot of them in defensive posture, because he just saw Wen Ning take an unknown number of bullets without even slowing down and throw a desk that should have taken four men to lift, but he’ll be damned if he’s going to let these people - who obviously have secrets, big secrets, and no hesitation in killing - get to his friends without a fight.

16. “So,” says Nie Huaisang, walking in and daintily sidestepping a blood pool, “this is an awful mess, isn’t it?”

“Yes...”

(Possibly, very politely phrased mutual blackmail ensues. Well, mostly NHS basically threatening to have the entire mess pinned on the group of known felons hanging around at the hotel, infiltrating a cultural conference, and oh, he’s got this particular Interpol fellow on speed dial, funny that. Unless, that is, I mean, we’re all friends here, and it’s already such a terrible mess, nobody’d want any of this to get messier, would they? What happens in Vegas and all that, yes?)

#leverage #mo dao zu shi

[anotherseptborn]

1. In the recent years the Wens have emerged to become a powerful family due to their connections to with underground world and other illegal activities. Wens consider Lans as their only rival since the other families, though powerful can by no means compete either of them. Lans and Wens compete for almost every project which results into a lot glaring, shared clients, projects and did I mention glaring.

2. But once Lan Wanji ends up running into Wei Wuxian in the Wen estate, inside Wen Chao’s manor to be specific (which includes dogs, panic, surprise reunion and lwj saving wwx and a lot of drama). One look at Lan Wanji and Wei Wuxian together, Wen Chao knows how the Lans can be controlled.

3. Background: Lan Wanji and Wei Wuxian know each other since middle school and briefly dated till their second last year of college. They broke up cause of a misunderstanding created by one of Jin Zixuan’s cousins. As soon as Lan Wanji finds out he wants to correct his mistake but it’s too late. Wei Wuxian had volunteered to be summoned by the Wens instead of either of his siblings. The Jaings had expected him to be sent back within few months but by the Lan Wanji ended up knocking on the door of Jiang mansion it had been almost around 13 months since Wei Wuxian had left for Nightlesscity. Jaing Fengmian told him that Wen Ruohan had himself promised that Wei Wuxian was alive but both Jiang Cheng and Yanli worried about his well being and as far as Madam Yu is considered he might as well be death if even after so many months he couldn’t find a way to contact them.

4. Within no time Wen Chao found out about Lan Wanji and Wie Wuxian’s past. Apparently everyone knew about them and was too shocked to see their relation their end, even though barely anyone had voiced any support towards their relation. So the next time Lan Wanji rans into Wen Chao before an international conference, he wanted Lan Wanji tell him how Lan Wanji had managed to take Wei Wuxian to bed. “Don’t you already have a wife?” questioned Su She, one of Lan Wanji’s secretary to which Wen Chao laughed and with a smirk he leaned into whisper something in Lan Wanji’s ears. Immediately Lan Wanji’s fists were around Wen Chao’s shirt color. “I would stop right here, if I were you, he lives at my manor”.

5. That was the first international conference by the end of which Lans and Wens had once again ended up with a shared project, which made Wen Chao even sure of his plan. By the end of the conference Lan Wanji also got a clue on why Wens had wanted Wei Wuxian, they were using his unique ideas for their business.

6. The next time Lan Wanji visits Wen Chao’s manor to discuss the details of the same international project, he made sure to meet up with Wie Wuxian and start with an apology but the moment he saw Wei Wuxian’s arms covered in bruises he could not only stare at disbelief and wish he had taken Wen Chao’s words more seriously. Once Wei Wuxian and Lan Wanji are alone, the former informs the latter that it is not so bad here and just as Lan Wanji opens his mouth to protests Wei Wuxian interrupts with, “You can’t expect it to be all flowers with Wen Chao, Lan Zhan”.

7. Then on Lan Wanji did not leave a single chanced to visit Wen Chao’s manor so that he could visit Wei Wuxian. The housekeeper there who Wei Wuxian addressed as Granny, on Lan Wanji’s second visit informed him about the timing and days on which Wen Chao or is not around. Lan Wanji became a regular visitor and within no time the ice between him and Wie Wuxian broke but due to the plot of this story, Lan Wanji misses or rather forgets to inform Wei Wuxian that he knows they broke up due to a misunderstanding. It did not take Lan Wanji to realize that Wen Chao had been drugging Wei Wuxian to keep him weak so that Wei Wuxian cannot even attempt to leave the house. Lan Wanji was also sure that drugs were not the only thing that Wei Wuxian had to deal with.

8. A month later just as Lan Wanji was skimming a plan to get WeI Wuxian out of the manor without any harm coming towards Jiang family. He receives an email from Wen Chao, which has a video attached to it. In the video Lan Wanji is clearly visiting Wei Wuxian at Wen Chao’s manor. The email, quite formally read that if Lan Wanji wanted to continue meeting Wei Wuxian, the Lan Enterprises had to back down from the international project they shared with the Wens currently and if Lan Wanji would come up with alternative method to Wei Wuxian, then Wen Chao would have no other choice than to Wei Wuxian hold responsible for it.

9. After several similar incidents and a lot of drama, angst further misunderstanding, hurt, comfort. By the time Meng Yo and Lan Xichen are able to gather proof against the Wen family and send them to jail but to ensure that Wei Wuxian is not dragged into the mess with the Wens he has to flew and Lan Wanji obviously accompanies him.

10. When Wen Enterprises is handed to Wen Qing and Wen Ning, Wie Wuxian joins them to make sure that no employee from the company losses their job due to the wrongs done by the previous owner of the company. This also leads a lot of drama and chaos but ultimately Lan Wanji taking up an important position to help and stay alongside Wie Wuxin, in Wen Enterprises.

11. Followed by a lot of fluff and all misunderstandings being cleared with the help of angst and fluff. It is a happy ending. Almost all our favorite characters do make an appearance and have an important role to play. Too many scenes are missing obviously and also because I don’t write in the traditional chronological manner because I get these sudden inspiration to write scene that are nowhere near the scenes I am writing or plotting. I know weird.

This turned to be an AU where Wen Chao is able to locate Lan Wanji’s weakness and uses it for his personal and business gains more than whatever I hinted before. As I said before promots, suggestions, series are more than welcome and appreciated. I know I need them, lol. So which scene would you like to read take place first?????????????.

#mdzs #the untamed #cdrama #wangxian #lan wangji #wei wuxian #lan zhan #wei ying #lan wangji x wei wuxian #modern au #mdzs fanfiction #mdzs headcanons #mdzs donghua #mdzsart #mdzsedit #fic rec #ficlet #fiction #my fic #fan fic

[butterflydm]

The Untamed Rewatch (ep 6)

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aka in which WWX as a friend comes with many benefits *winky-face*

Yeah, this is definitely the episode where WWX goes from thinking of LWJ as an uptight person to poke fun at and try to provoke and starts thinking of him as a person with deep emotions hidden under lock and key. This is also the episode when WWX decides he actually wants to be LWJ's friend and starts working towards that goal. He does still provoke LWJ after this, but that's more due to his natural personality rather than intentional poking to get a reaction.

We learn more about schooldays WWX here, as we see that he and Nie Huaisang have a simple knock code for afterhours hangouts. The three bros are hanging out drinking and eating peanuts. They're all fairly drunk, judging their behavior. Jiang Cheng and WWX needle each other about their potential marriage prospects. Jiang Cheng apparently has QUITE a laundry list of requirements for his future marriage partner. Maybe. Jiang Cheng. Babe. Maybe this is why you don't have one in the future. Maybe your standards aren't realistic. So, we've got: beautiful, tender, diligent, can run a household, good family, quiet, frugal, not too high a cultivation level. It does seem like Jiang Cheng wants someone who will run everything behind the scenes but never challenge him — possibly because his parents' marriage is so contentious? 

We don't see many healthy & happy marriages on-screen in the drama overall — Madame Yu and Jiang Fengmian argue in front of their children (among other issues), Jin Guangshan and Madame Jin don't need elaboration, the parents of Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji have a very messed up story even if you look at it as generously as possible, the Mo family don't seem terribly happy either tbh and also raised a bully and continued to cosset him into adulthood, Jin Guangyao and Qin Su, well…

Two of the happy marriages we see end in the early death of both spouses, who leave behind a small child who needs to be raised by others — WWX's parents, and Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan. The only real exception is MianMian and her husband, who do appear to be happy and are also still alive by the end of the series, but obviously that can't serve as an example to any of our characters in the flashback episodes. Am I missing any examples of good marriages?

All of which is to say… if Jiang Cheng does have issues with marriage and maybe even sets his standards so high because he's hesitant to get married at all, I can understand why.

Lan Wangji comes in and breaks up the… party, and WWX takes advantage of him turning his back to place a talisman on him that forces him to act under WWX's control, which is definitely not a good thing for WWX to do. WWX does seem surprised that it worked but this ties into one of the main things that the… eh, evil, I suppose, characters do, which is turn other people into puppets to act through. I do think WWX learns his lesson here with this talisman, not because he himself was punished over the event, but because it meant LWJ got punished when he didn't deserve it. WWX, for all his trickster tendencies, does have a strong sense of fair play.

But, imo, the main reason of this choice on the part of the drama is because they need WWX to see through some of LWJ's emotional walls and start to see him as a person rather than a rulebook now, in the flashback, because they want to make sure to establish a mutual bond in the past as well (which I feel is related to their attempts to sidle around censorship rules since they know they won't be able to do the kisses or the "I really wanted to sleep with you back then" type moments). 

It's also about the rule of unintended consequences — WWX wants LWJ to relax and stop being so fussy over the rules, and instead he gets something completely unexpected that throws him for a loop and makes him reconsider who LWJ is as a person. He learns about the importance of the forehead ribbon, and he sees LWJ's loneliness and sadness.

There are a couple of different ways I can take LWJ going "yeah, that's fine" to WWX telling him no woman is gonna want to marry him: first, that he's not attracted to women and he knows and accepts it or, second, that having seen what happened with his parents, the idea of staying single seems more attractive than the idea of being married. Going back up to 'not a lot of examples of happy marriages in CQL' (there might be more in the novel), again, and LWJ would know about even fewer. His only real example of marriage is a set of matched cages, his and hers.

The moment when WWX realizes that LWJ's mom is dead is beautifully-played, I think.

He realizes they have something in common and confides to LWJ. Now, since we know LWJ is a black-out drunk in present-day, he probably doesn't remember anything that happened after WWX had him take a drink (which is why he doesn't already know why WWX is afraid of dogs when they talk again about it in the present-day), but WWX doesn't know that when he tells LWJ about his parents and about living on the street. 

We do also get WWX talking about his bad memory here — he says that he thinks he should be able to remember his parents, but mostly he remembers is the trauma that happened afterwards. From what I've read of people's posts about the novel, WWX's bad memory is used differently there but, in the drama, it seems to be tied to trauma overwhelming other things. And we get the flashback to tiniest bb!WWX with his parents and I die. It's so cute. He confides in LWJ and essentially begins the process of adopting him as a friend.

So, the Lan Qiren & Lan Xichen scene makes me wonder, and this might be answered later but, Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue must already be friends at this point, yeah? They're both young sect leaders and Lan Xichen speaks highly of NMJ's integrity to Meng Yao. It's either implied or said flat-out, I think, that Nie Mingjue has sent Nie Huaisang to Gusu to study for multiple years, so obviously Nie Mingjue thinks highly of Lan sect's teachings as well. So, like, they had this established friendship going on that Jin Guangyao gets in the middle of and ultimately taints in a way by using Lan Xichen's teachings as the way he learns how to kill Nie Mingjue.

That's really sad!

Anyway, the bros (plus poor innocent LWJ) get busted for sneaking alcohol into the Cloud Recesses and other shenanigans and we learn that WWX's mom acted the way same when Lan Qiren knew her. They never talk about it on-screen during the time of the drama, but I like to think at some point, post-canon, WWX is able to weedle stories about his mom about Lan Qiren. Let me have my dreams! I'm not sure if Lan Xichen also met her at some point — he would have been pretty young since she died when WWX was a kidlet and he doesn't say anything about it, so probably not — or he's just amused because he thinks WWX is amusing.

Lan Xichen's face is so shocked when he learns Wangji (apparently) took part in WWX's secret drinking party. Like, he wanted WWX to be friends with his brother and maybe teach him to have fun, but this result was not expected! And since LWJ doesn't tell them what really happened and WWX gets cut off before he can explain, does LXC continue to think that WWX talked his brother into drinking with him or does he assume something more along the lines of what really happened?

So, I'm not sure if I need to say this or not but: I'm not a fan of violent punishments; I don't think they teach anything useful. But since the show doesn't really depict them as successful in that way, I don't necessarily have an issue with them being part of the narrative any more than I have issues with other violent choices by characters, if that makes sense? But just to make my own position on it clear, I guess! I don't think an authority figure hurting someone under their care is justified because that person broke their rules.

Anyway, Lan Xichen obviously doesn't hold WWX's apparent influence over LWJ's actions against him, because he points WWX in the direction of the cold springs, where he already knows his brother is chilling. 

We get the first scene between WWX and LWJ after WWX has decided they shall Now Be Friends. I've gotta say, this scene has the same energy as Darcy's first proposal to Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice: I'm about to insult you (/your family) and don't realize at all this might be off-putting when I ask for a deeper emotional bond between us. And, much like with Elizabeth, I don't blame LWJ for being… 'no'. Like, WWX literally just said "hey, I thought you were boring but have now decided to give you the honor of being my friend". He's basically trying to neg LWJ into a friendship, it's a terrible approach.

I think we also get our first Gay Panic moment from poor LWJ here as his annoying, arrogant, stubborn-as-hell crush looks like he might strip in front of him. And then talks about the pretty girls back home. Poor LWJ.

They get yoinked into the cave where Lan Yi is holding the Yin Metal. I'm guessing this is all added since the Yin Metal wasn't a plotline in the novel, but it's a fun time (I mean, not really for the boys; they're pretty cold and wet). The show uses it as an excuse to put in some things they probably couldn't have otherwise sneaked in like WWX and LWJ getting tied together with the sacred forehead ribbon, plus it's also used to jumpstart the extra flashback stuff related to the drama-only Yin Metal plot. It's used to give us exposition in a way that's interesting for both us and the characters, plus there are bunnies.

Oh, they mention here that playing Spirit Inquiry is passed down through the family, and I remember I think that Lan Sizhui says that he's been learning it when we get to the future? That's so cute. If my memory is correct, hah.

Meeting Lan Yi and all the stuff with her is great. I understand (from what I've read of them) why some people have issues with the Yin Metal storyline in general. Obviously, as I was watching it without knowing it was drama-only, it did really work for me and it still does so far. WWX is less of an absolute genius, as he doesn't invent the discipline of demonic cultivation, but he does end up being the only person who is able to practice it large-scale without getting eaten up by it (... on his second try, but still). 

Instead, what the drama does is set up several cautionary tales/parallels for WWX. The sects joining forces to destroy the current master of demonic cultivation becomes a reoccuring theme — first with Xue Chonghai in the distant past, then Wen Rouhan in the early/middle flashback sequence, then Wei Wuxian at the end of the flashback sequence. 

Lan Yi was, apparently, the only female head of Lan Sect, but she did invent the cool musical technique that gets passed down from generation to generation. Lan Yi is a very likable character. She's polite and helpful and she raises bunnies and she readily admits to her mistakes of the past. She also has been working hard to try to mitigate the damage caused by her big mistake. She's a good person, but not perfect.

We also see the contrast here between Lan Yi and Lan Qiren — WWX essentially makes the same kind of suggestion here that he does in Lan Qiren's classroom but where LQR got angry and indignant over the idea, Lan Yi is sympathetic because she'd wondered the same thing. And one main difference between them that Lan Yi brings up is that she felt like she needed the edge because of the sexism she had to face as a female sect leader.

The first of our WWX-LWJ relationship parallels pops up here too — Lan Yi's one true friend was Baoshan. Lan Yi was young and aggressive, needed an edge, wouldn't listen to other people telling her that resentful energy was too much to handle, thought she could handle it all on her own. Baoshan was worried that the resentful energy would end up controlling and damaging her instead. It's a fairly blatant parallel. I really like that LWJ's parallel is the teacher of WWX's mom and WWX's parallel is LWJ's ancestor. Much like the other parallels we will run across, the story of Lan Yi and Baoshan ends more sadly than WWX and LWJ will; it's a cautionary tale. But even their endings do echo what happens at the end of the flashbacks — after Baoshan fails to stop Lan Yi from using the Yin Metal, she goes into seclusion and separates herself from the world emotionally, while Lan Yi is wounded and unleashed something dangerous she can't control.

So.... Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji go missing together. For hours. When they get found (in the next episode), obviously Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen find out where they really were but… what exactly does everyone else think happened to them? When they were missing together. For hours. And come back soaking wet with LWJ's sacred forehead ribbon wrapped around their wrists and unharmed (...and shoeless). 

*gazes off into the distance*

*thinks about how all the disciples learn about the forehead ribbon in lessons*

*thinks about Jiang Cheng's reactions in the future when WWX ditches him for LWJ*

*gazes off into the distance again*

In the search scene, we get another moment when Jiang Yanli is Feeling Poorly. I swear, that girl is sick every time we turn around. I want to give her a warm blanket and have someone else feed her soup for a change. Ah, we get Jiang Cheng's first empty threat about breaking someone's legs here (chronologically-speaking). Honestly, Jin Ling is such a reckless kiddo. Despite having literally zero of WWX's genes, I feel like he gives Jiang Cheng WWX flashbacks all the time.

Speaking of Jin Ling, Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan get a classic romantic trope when she slips and he catches her in his arms (a romantic trope that WWX enjoys with LWJ many times in the future, bless). I've been wanting to keep an eye on him and his assumptions and his reactions to her. They do quite a bit of staring before they break away, and it does look like he's feeling something too. But then he immediately flees. It's a miracle he ever managed to marry her.

Next time: Lan Wangji falls in love; Wei Wuxian gets himself kicked out of the Cloud Recesses.

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#mdzs meta #the untamed #wangxian #the untamed | chen qing ling #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wei wuxian | wei ying #lan wangji | lan zhan #cql rewatch

[ibijau]

sangyao 31 👀

modern AU

Whatever else might be wrong with the Jin, they certainly knew how to throw a party. This little masquerade they had thrown together for young Jin Ling’s birthday was truly extraordinary. The food was both abundant and of the highest quality, the room was illuminated by magical flying lanterns, and the band hired to play for the dancers was one just on the verge of becoming famous enough that in only a few months, everyone present at the party would gloat about having heard them in person.

If he hadn’t been so preoccupied with other problems, Nie Huaisang would have been delighted to have secured an invitation to such an event. As it were though, the delicate canapés tasted like ash in his mouth, and the music was at best helping him spy on conversations -or hindering him by drowning some of them.

It didn’t help that the masks everyone wore muffled their voices. Of course the point of a masquerade was to wear masks, but many people were taking it too far, having covered their entire face into animal heads, after hearing that Jin Guangshan himself would be buying his mask from a trendy designer who had used that idea on his last runway. Huaisang supposed he couldn’t complain. He was after all doing the same, and using this be present as someone’s plus one. He doubted the Jins would have let him wander around so easily, if not for the rabbit head he was hiding under. They couldn’t have refused to let him in, not when he was there as Jiang Cheng’s date, but they would probably have tasked someone with following him.

Enjoying the freedom to walk among enemies, Huaisang observed carefully everyone wearing Jin colours, trying to recognise the one person he was looking for. He had never met the man in person, but he had found pictures and was sure he would recognise him if they ended up face to face. If he could just find him…

“My oh my, what an anxious bunny you are, hopping this way and that,” someone said nearby. “Do you need help with something?”

Huaisang had been about to open a small door from which he had seen waiters come and go for a while. After being ignored since he had arrived, he was so startled to be addressed that he jumped in surprise. He turned to see who was speaking to him, and discovered a man wearing a wolf mask, though of a lesser quality than that used by the Jin family and their more prominent guests. There was no doubt that the man was at least somewhat tied to the Jins, though, or he wouldn’t have dared to wear a peony on his breast.

“Bunnies are made for hopping,” Huaisang retorted boldly, his heart fluttering in his chest while he tried to recover from the surprise. “Please mister wolf, don’t attack this little rabbit, he’s just trying to make his way to the restroom, but this place is too easy to get lost in.”

“Guard dog, not wolf,” the other man sighed, pointing at his mask. “So don’t you worry, I have been well trained to leave bunnies alone. I must however tell you that this isn’t the direction of the restroom. But I can tell you where they are, or else…” he hesitated, and even through the mask, Huaisang felt the man look him over. “If this little rabbit is scared to get lost, I can be his guide for a moment?”

Huaisang hesitated. On one hand, he really didn’t want to be hindered by company. On the other hand, he could probably turn this to his advantage, if he tried.

“Aren’t you busy?” Huaisang asked, letting his voice shift to something a little whinier, flirty almost. “I don’t want to get you in trouble, mister guard dog. If you really are that. You look and sound more like a wolf to me.”

The other man only barely hesitated before glancing at the crowd around and leaning toward Huaisang.

“You’d better hope I am a dog and not a wolf. Don’t you know what wolves do to little rabbits?”

In spite of himself, Huaisang shivered, which the other man surely noticed. It wasn’t his fault though. Mister wolf’s voice was just very nice, and in spite of being roughly Huaisang’s size, the man had a presence to him that made him seem more than he was.

“Mister wolf, if you say this then I’ll be scared of following you anywhere!” Huaisang gasped with overacted fear. “After all, aren’t you threatening to eat me now?”

The man glanced behind again, then stepped closer, tilting his head to the side.

“Little bunny, who’s to say you won’t enjoy being eaten?”

Again Huaisang shivered, though this time he didn’t even try to stop himself. This too he could play to his advantage anyway.

“Mister wolf, why don’t you help me to the restroom instead of making such scary threats?” he whined, leaning forward to playfully tap on the wolf’s nose. “This poor little bunny is scared to go alone when there are such dangerous predators around that might harm it.”

Mister wolf chuckled, and nodded.

“Just give me a second to warn that I’ll be gone a moment, and then you’ll have all my attention for a bit, little bunny.”

Huaisang watched as the man went to find the head of the catering team, a middle aged woman wearing the same uninspired domino mask as all the waiters. Mister wolf told her a few words, then quickly returned to Huaisang’s side and started leading him through the crowded room.

“Are you actually working for the Jins?” Huaisang asked, dropping the flirting voice for a bit.

Mister wolf hesitated, but nodded.

“I am. I’m sorry if you thought you were chatting with someone important. I’m actually just an employee.”

There was surprising bitterness to his voice, which Huaisang decided not to remark on, though he might use it later, once the man was a little more relaxed.

“That’s no problem at all. I just don’t want to get you in trouble, mister wolf. You might have better things to do than take care of this little bunny.”

“Don’t worry, I’m just working for them, but not at such a low level that I can’t disappear for a little bit, as long as they know where to find me.”

“And do you often disappear with little bunnies during parties, mister wolf?” Huaisang asked in a low voice, pressing himself against the man’s side while pretending to avoid coming too close to another guest.

“Normally not,” the man admitted. “But since this little bunny seems so eager to meet his fate, who am I to deny it? Ah, this way,” he encouraged, taking the chance to put his hand on Huaisang’s back to guide him.

He did not remove it even when they reached a long, straight corridor, and there was no need for guidance anymore. Huaisang didn’t complain. Even if he hadn’t come here for fun, even if he didn’t know what the man looked like, it was rather nice to be flirted with. He hadn’t had time for it in a while, and he had quite missed it.

They reached the toilet quickly enough. Once there, Huaisang removed his mask, for the pleasure of breathing some fresh air… and also to show mister wolf what he’d been flirting with, in case he stopped being interested. He thought the man startled upon seeing his face, but of course he couldn’t exactly read his expression at the moment.

“Oh, you’re quite pretty,” mister wolf said. “But I don’t think you’re on the list of guests?”

“I’m someone’s last minute plus one,” Huaisang explained, dropping his mask on the side of the lavatory’s counter and bending over to splash some water on his face, angling his body so his ass would be slightly on display without quite being vulgar. “And what, are you saying you know who all the guests are, mister wolf? That doesn’t sound possible.”

“And yet it’s true,” mister wolf chuckled, fiddling with the ties of his own mask to remove it. “It’s part of my job.”

Huaisang had been watching him in the mirror, and almost stopped breathing upon discovering the handsome face of that man. He quickly splashed more cold water on his face, then turned around and leaned back against the counter in an inviting manner.

“So you’re someone a little important then, mister wolf?” he teased, running one hand in his hair to put it back in place after the mask and the water had messed it up. “Ah, I hope I’m not in trouble, since I’m apparently not supposed to be here. Are you going to punish me, mister wolf?”

The other man’s smile turned predatory, though his eyes were not without warmth as he stared a second at Huaisang’s face.

“I don’t know, little bunny, it depends on you,” he said in a low voice.

“Really? How so?” Huaisang asked, batting his eyes innocently, leaning more languorously against the lavatory in silent invitation.

Mister wolf took that invitation, crossing the distance between them and pressing himself against Huaisang. His arms found their way around Huaisang’s waist, who in return threw his own around mister wolf’s neck who smiled at him.

“Do you want to be punished, little bunny?” mister wolf growled.

Instead of answering, Huaisang laughed and pressed their lips together, quickly opening his mouth to let mister wolf devour him.

It hadn’t been his plan at all, but he was glad to have met this handsome wolf.

And now that he’d found him, Huaisang only needed to figure out how he would kill his brother’s murderer without getting caught.

#sangyao #nie huaisang #jin guangyao #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #jau writes #I don't know why nhs knows jgy's face but not his voice #let's assume they've never met in person for whatever reason #Anonymous

[spaceskam]

i will follow you into the dark

Summary: Lan Xichen invites Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian on a special night hunt.

Warnings: modern cultivation au, sexual content, fight scene where there’s blood but nothing too graphic, happy ending for the most part if you don’t think too hard

ao3

For all that Lan Wangji was, strong and stoic, all it really took was getting him alone.

“Your nails would look so pretty painted,” Wei Wuxian said, a small pout on his face. There was no need for the pout‒he knew his Lan Zhan. If he asked, Lan Zhan would let his whole body become Wei Wuxian’s canvas. Which, honestly wasn’t a bad idea…

“Wei Ying can do as he pleases.”

A smile lit up Wei Wuxian’s face which he knew was effective by the way Lan Zhan’s ears tinted pink in response. He was so cute. How did he deserve someone so cute?

“You really don’t mind?”

Lan Zhan didn’t give a verbal response, but he stared and breathed in that way that answered enough. Wei Wuxian grinned and reached into his qiankun bag to retrieve the black nail polish he definitely didn’t have stashed there waiting for an opportunity. He could already imagine‒his Lan Zhan in all white with black painted nails that pressed into his skin. He felt outright giddy.

Wei Wuxian moved closer, grabbing his hand. He held it for a moment and then placed it on his knee and then picked it up again, trying to decide what would be the best way to go about painting them. Lan Zhan just stared at him, his back straight against the tree trunk from where they sat in the grass. They technically were supposed to be creating a practice plan to show how they would handle a nighthunt with water demons for when they eventually got their own set of juniors in the fall, but plans were boring and Lan Zhan was too pretty to not steal away into the more secluded part of the Cloud Recesses for more fun things.

Lan Wangji had grown up heavily involved in the cultivation world whereas Wei Wuxian had lived comfortably in both the normal world and the cultivation world, going to normal school with non-cultivators until he turned 14, got a special courtesy name, and started taking his summers in the ellusive Cloud Recesses alongside Jiang Cheng.

Now, at 20, he was praised as one of the greatest cultivators in his generation and he wasn’t really given an option on whether he wanted to dedicate his life to cultivating or not. Lucky for all those elders, he didn’t mind. Lan Zhan being there and open to a bit of outside-world corruption definitely made it feel less like an obligation.

Especially when he let him do things like this.

“You know what,” Wei Wuxian grumbled, grabbing Lan Zhan’s ankles and pulling them out of his pristine lotus position. He blinked and looked up at him, lips parted just a little. Wei Wuxian was too distracted to really appreciate it and his tongue jutted past his lips as made himself comfortable on his outstretched thighs, his knees bracketing either side of his hips. “This is okay, right?”

Lan Wangji, proper, traditional, overly strict Lan Wangji, nodded in slow motion. Wei Wuxian smiled until his eyes were squinted and Lan Zhan breathed out like a man trying his best to keep his composure. He decided not to comment on it as he grabbed his hand more comfortably now.

“See, this is good,” Wei Wuxian said firmly, unscrewing the top off the little bottle of black nail polish, “This stuff is cool. It has spiritual energy mixed into it to make it both last longer, dries faster, and keep your nails and fingertips super healthy and strong. Good for musicians, Lan Zhan, like yourself.”

“Mn.”

“My sister gave it to me for my birthday because I kept messing them up. Cultivation is hard on the nails, did you know that, Lan Zhan?”

“Mn.”

“Are you just agreeing or did you really know that? Because I’ve never seen you look less than absolutely put together.”

“Wei Ying’s cultivation is hard on his nails,” Lan Zhan answered. Wei Wuxian snorted and rolled his eyes, but he kept his smile. He knew that was probably true. 

While the Lan Sect was all fairy-like and the Jiang Sect was very clinical and the Nie Sect was very brutal and the Jin Sect was very showy, Wei Wuxian disregarded all of their styles and just had fun with whatever worked or felt right in the moment. It was how he got so good at it in the first place. If that meant ending up with chipped nail polish and messy hair, it seemed worth it.

After a few moments of pseudo-concentration, Lan Zhan’s hand that wasn’t occupied by Wei Wuxian clearly decided to have a mind of it’s own and he could feel it slowly start to slide over his thigh. He smiled and looked up to Lan Zhan’s eyes for a moment to let him know he didn’t mind. That little bit of confirmation seemed to be the best mistake Wei Wuxian ever made.

That hand, big and strong, went past his thigh and up to his side. His thumb got caught in the hem of his shirt in what was played off as an accident, but was so distinctly not an accident when it pushed into Wei Wuxian’s bare hip with absolute purpose. He shook his head as he continued to slowly paint his nails, taking his time so Lan Zhan could take his.

His hand started to travel up and Wei Wuxian lowered his arms to give him free reign. Lan Zhan’s face was rather blank still, but his head was tilted just a little bit and Wei Wuxian knew him well enough to feel excitement brewing in his stomach in response. He grazed over Wei Wuxian’s chest mindlessly even as his thumb seemed to seek out his scars beneath his shirt just to press a little on them. Maybe he was a little foolish to think maybe that meant he had something to look forward to, but he did anyway.

When he started moving to his neck, Wei Wuxian was fully prepared to have his whole hand around his throat. He lifted his chin a little, even, to let him know he absolutely didn’t mind. Except his hand lifted up onto his fingertips and started at the base of his throat. Slowly, his index finger traced up the length of his neck with a feather-light touch and Wei Wuxian followed it until his head was tilted back. His eyes fell closed at the strange, overwhelming sensation that came with Lan Zhan’s penetrating stare on his neck. He’d almost forgotten what he was doing.

“Mn,” Lan Zhan said, gently grabbing his chin to urge him to look him in the eyes again. It was rare that he made eye contact, rare that he willingly touched someone, and Wei Wuxian had never been more aware of those two things until that moment. “Beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Wei Wuxian said, voice softer than usual and a little confused. 

Lan Zhan’s fingers grazed over his jaw, his cheek bones, his ears. He dragged his middle finger over his chapped lips and his index finger down the length of his nose. His thumb gently slid across the skin beneath his eyes. Each touch felt sacred and overwhelming. That excitement in his stomach tightened into desire. Lan Zhan never stopped staring.

“So beautiful,” Lan Zhan repeated, his gaze somehow even more intense.

Wei Wuxian felt trapped in it for all of 5 seconds before he laughed nervously.

“Someone woke up extra shameless today,” he teased. Lan Zhan didn’t even blush. “Ah, stop looking at me like that! What am I supposed to do with that?”

Lan Zhan just blinked all slow and the corner of his lips pulled up. Wei Wuxian took a dramatic breath and he looked over to the side to make it seem like he was just playing. But, honestly, he felt like he was going to explode. Which was not at all helped by Lan Zhan touching his jaw and making him look at him again.

“You know, I’m really struggling to see your motives here, Lan Zhan, truly,” Wei Wuxian said, though he very much enjoyed the way he was being touched. 

It’d taken years of pestering him to get him to act on it because of all the rules in the Cloud Recesses. He’d stayed perfectly pristine until last summer when he was tasked with taking the Jiangs and Wei Ying to the city so they could head back to Yunmeng. It was late, they were getting a room at an inn, and suddenly he had Lan Zhan willing to break a few rules. Even now, with Wei Wuxian finished with regular schooling and willing and able to spend all his time training at the Cloud Recesses, this was the first time he’d been so bold while still in the confines of it.

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian sighed sweetly, “You expect me to just go to dinner and back to my room after this? Have you decided to be a giant tease? Isn’t that my job?”

Lan Zhan’s hand slowly slipped from his jaw, tracing down his chest and securing his grip on his hip. Wei Wuxian watched him with nothing short of intrigue as he leaned forward and stole a short kiss. Before he even had a moment to fully process the fact that he’d kissed him inside the Cloud Recesses in the middle of the day, Lan Zhan got even more bold and Wei Wuxian was on his back in the grass.

“And to think someone once called you an ascetic,” Wei Wuxian laughed, smiling helpless at the man who hovered above him. His long, traditional hair that had never seen a pair of scissors and that ribbon that was an age old custom suddenly seemed to make him look even more untamed as he looked over Wei Wuxian, eyes trying to decide what he wanted to do first. Wei Wuxian wished he could peer into his mind and see his ideas‒but, perhaps the element of surprise was also fun. “It was me. I once called you an ascetic. Never again, Lan Zhan! No, you’re not one to avoid pleasures in life. At least, not when I’m the pleasu‒”

Lan Zhan moved down in that moment, kissing him like he’d been waiting the whole week to do so. And maybe he had. Wei Wuxian had been back in the confines of the Cloud Recess for a week and they hadn’t once gotten the chance to really sneak away.

And, well, if they couldn’t sneak away outside of the Cloud Recesses, they would just have to sneak away within them.

Wei Ying watched as Lan Zhan kissed over his clothed chest, slow and patient and like it was important. It had him feeling both insecure and ungodly overwhelmed with adoration all at the same time. His stomach was so tense, like he was seconds away from exploding. And how fitting was it that it was at Lan Zhan’s hand?

“Ah, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, what the hell are you doing to me?” he said. Lan Zhan lifted his head and tilted it to the side, long hair cascading down in a way that was borderline obscene. 

“I’ll stop.”

“What? No, if you stop, I will literally cry,” he said hurriedly. Lan Zhan smiled that little smile of his and blinked all slow with nothing but pure fondness. “Why are you looking at me like that?! Do you want to kill me?”

And without another word, because he typically didn’t have many, Lan Zhan bowed his head again. He kissed down his chest until he lifted the hem of his shirt. Wei Wuxian sighed in approval and closed his eyes, his hands gripping the grass beneath him as Lan Zhan kissed his bare hip. His hands squeezed his thighs for extra measure as his tongue pressed into his skin. 

“Beautiful,” he whispered. Or, Wei Wuxian assumed that’s what he said. He could feel his lips moving like he said something, but it was too quiet and he was too far away from his ears. But that’s what he said before so it seemed like a safe guess.

Lan Zhan kissed up, up, up, his head all but being buried under his shirt. It was all slow, full of teeth and tongue and wet, needy kisses as his hands seemed to touch every inch they could. Wei Wuxian couldn’t make sense of what had gotten into him. Sure, they hooked up sometimes, but that was all in the darkness and it never felt like this. Never…

“Have you ever looked at yourself?” Lan Zhan asked, voice still soft, but he’d kissed all the way up to Wei Wuxian’s heart. His hand splayed across his bare stomach, his thumb tracing from his sternum down to his navel in a slow and deliberate motion. Wei Wuxian’s head spun. “You’re so…”

He trailed off, not finishing his sentence as he kissed back down. He left Wei Ying’s shirt all bunched up five inches above his jeans, kissing over it until he got to the crook of his neck. His long, skilled fingertips trailed over Wei Wuxian’s arms until they got to his hands. He slowly plucked them from where they’d dug into the grass and kissed him harder as he brought his hands over his head.

“I’m so what?” Wei Wuxian asked, his voice more breathy than he would’ve liked, “Go on, Lan Zhan, don’t leave me wondering.”

Lan Zhan breathed him in, a small little groan emitting from his throat as he bit into the skin where his neck met his shoulder. Wei Wuxian’s lips parted in something between shock and absolute pleasure, a moan infiltrated with giggles. Lan Zhan squeezed his hands and dragged his mouth to the other side of his neck.

“Beautiful.”

“You need a bigger vocabulary.”

“Mn.”

“See? Proof that Lan Zhan’s vocabulary is so, so small for someone so smart.”

He wasn’t sure why the hell he was still talking. It didn’t seem like he should be teasing him like that, but he couldn’t stop. Maybe Jiang Cheng was right in saying his mouth was a curse.

Lan Zhan, however, didn’t seem bothered or even minutely phased as he kissed over his clothed shoulder and then up his bare arm. Technically, they were supposed to wear either long sleeves and slacks or traditional robes while in the Cloud Recesses, but they’d given up trying to get him to do that years ago after many, many destroyed articles of clothing. And it all benefited this moment.

Wei Wuxian turned to watch him, adoration bubbling in him as Lan Zhan’s cute little nose smushed against his arm. That same cute little nose got caught in the crook of his elbow as Lan Zhan pressed a wet, open-mouthed kiss to his bicep that was honestly more tongue than anything. Wei Wuxian‒cursed, truly‒let out a laugh that was somewhere between awe and desire and not at all appropriate for the tone Lan Zhan was setting. Still, Lan Zhan smiled in that very tiny way of his and rubbed his nose against his arm just a little.

“You’re so good,” Lan Zhan offered this time, his words quiet and said into the skin of his arm. Wei Ying swallowed, shifting a little as if that would help him get closer than they already were.

“I’m just me,” he said. Honestly, he thought he was pretty average in all aspects on a good day. Lan Zhan, ever the charmer, nodded and moved to kiss his lips.

“I know,” he said into his mouth, “And you’re good.”

Wei Wuxian, for once in his life, found the effort to shut the fuck up for a minute. He let himself be kissed and gave as good as he got. That is, until Lan Zhan moved his kisses over his cheek, over his nose, his forehead, and placed gentle little pecks on his eyelids. Wei Wuxian smiled.

“So, beautiful and good,” he echoed, unable to keep his mouth shut anymore, “I can think of a few more words to describe Lan Zhan.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan hummed, idle fingertips dragging down his sides. They traveled a more interesting path on their way up, tracing all the scars that he had on his chest and his stomach from years of being inherently accident prone and reckless. He wasn’t quite sure how he’d memorized them like that‒Wei Wuxian hadn’t even remembered all of them and they were on his body. “Perfect.”

“Okay, well, that’s‒” Wei Wuxian cut himself off with involuntary giggles as Lan Zhan tucked his face back into his neck, kissing with such fervor that his whole body seemed to rock back into the grass. Those strong, calloused fingers gripped his thighs in the same instant and hiked them up onto his hips. “Lan Zhan.”

“Mn.”

“You’re, you’re‒You’re,” Wei Wuxian gasped, his mind scrambling with the instinct to speak when he couldn’t make sense of why he was being handled like this. Handled like he was something to be taken care of and wanted and not just someone. As if he was liked and wanted because he was Wei Ying, not because he was Wei Wuxian, cultivation prodigy, golden core “suspiciously strong” for a man of 20 who only began training at 14. He was typically only liked because of that.

Lan Zhan lifted his head, eyes dragging up his face in a way that certainly did not feel real. Once they locked on his eyes, Wei Wuxian’s mouth was too dry to speak.

“I’m?” Lan Zhan asked, voice deep and smooth and dear god.

Wei Wuxian let out a breath of disbelief as he took in his face. Sweet, reserved Lan Zhan had just been casually hiding what felt like a goddamn seductress inside him.

“Unfair,” Wei Ying eventually said. Lan Zhan’s face faltered just a little.

“Unfair?” he repeated. Wei Wuxian reached out to touch his lips, damp and a little swollen from kissing him all over. He wouldn’t be able to hide that in the time they had before they had to go take dinner with his uncle. It would just be on display.

“How come you didn’t tell me you could be like this? You little minx!”

Lan Zhan made that face that was the equivalent of a full body eye roll for someone on his level of expression and Wei Wuxian instantly started laughing. Lan Zhan signed, but the fondness was obvious on his pretty features. He moved down more, his lips hovering over Wei Wuxian’s and his long hair creating a wall around them. He’d teased him a lot for never having had a haircut in his life, but he was suddenly grateful for it. He didn’t want his Lan Zhan to be any different.

He pressed a kiss to Wei Wuxian’s lips, slow and careful. Wei Wxian put his arms around his neck to hold him there, cautious of the ribbon that didn’t hold as much weight as it once did. Wei Wuxian had touched it before, but only when he was teasing. It felt different to touch it when he was serious.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan breathed against his lips. Wei Wuxian nearly melted into the ground.

He considered making a joke about how he was so charmed that they would have to get a shovel to remove the pile of Wei Wuxian goo he’d reduced him to, but, instead, he just said, “Yeah?”

Lan Zhan repeated a careful, “Wei Ying.”

He was going to respond, but then Lan Zhan’s hand laid over his golden core. He breathed a soft, shaky breath as he felt just the tiniest pulse of spiritual energy being transferred to him. It was strange because he wasn’t hurt or drained in anyway. All it did was make it feel like a momentary high. He made him feel powerful in a way that was just theirs.

Wei Ying chased his lips for a kiss in response, feeling more than a little overwhelmed and breathless and he was met with the same enthusiasm. He traced his fingers down the length of Lan Zhan’s back in that stupidly expensive dress shirt and gave a little bit of his own spiritual energy right back. Lan Zhan, Lan Wangji, Hanguang-Jun, moaned quiet and low in the back of his throat and had Wei Ying feeling thoroughly fucked. How had life ever felt complete without that noise?

Lan Zhan’s hand slid down, finding itself tucked between where their hips met. Wei Wuxian squeezed his thighs around his waist a little tighter in a mix of anticipation and approval. As that big hand palmed him over his jeans, he smiled.

“You’re such a rebel,” Wei Wuxian said, unable to keep his mouth shut even when he knew he probably should. Or maybe not. He wasn’t quite sure how sound traveled in the Cloud Recesses. He knew it was quiet, but they were also relatively secluded. “Never imagined the pristine Lan Wangji would be feeling me up‒outside of all places. I can hear your uncle blaming me for this. You’re such a bad, bad bo‒wow, okay, wow, wow. Ah, what was your fancy title? The, the dumb one that‒ah, holy fu‒Hanguang-Jun! Is that a superficial title they gave you like a courtesy name or, or is there a‒fuck.”

Lan Zhan just listened contently as he kissed his jaw, pushing his hand down a little harder before he moved to unbutton his jeans. Wei Ying breathed in, giving him small words of approval all the while. His hand slid inside his briefs, warm skin against skin.

“Beautiful,” Lan Zhan said again, fingers curling around him in a way that had his heart pounding. Wei Ying took a shaky breath and nodded his head. He never liked hearing a word more in his life.

“Wei Wuxian?! Lan Wangji?!”

“Oh my god,” Wei Wuxian whined, genuinely almost brought to tears as Lan Zhan removed himself and fixed his jeans with a simple hand movement. He returned to his spot against the tree, unaffected, and barely sparing Wei Wuxian a second glance as he laid there. “This is it. This is where I die. This is hell. I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.”

“There you are,” Jiang Cheng said as he appeared. He looked between them like he suspected something was off, but couldn’t quite place it. Sweet, innocent, horrible Jiang Cheng. “Why do you look like you just ran? I thought there was no running in the Cloud Recesses.”

“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian said, “I mean this in the most loving way possible: I hate you.”

Jiang Cheng glared at him, clearly still not catching on. Wei Wuxian would’ve thought it was adorable if he wasn’t frustrated or if he had as much self-restraint as Lan Zhan clearly did. He looked completely fine‒even his hair was perfect!

“I was trying to help you both not get in trouble, but fine, get punished for all I care,” Jiang Cheng said, his eyebrows all furrowed and angry. Wei Wuxian slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. His body felt awkward and tense and simultaneously over and understimulated, but he clearly didn’t have a choice but to power through.

“Why would we get in trouble? We aren’t due to dinner until sundown,” Wei Wuxian, pointing to the sun that was still high in the sky and making Lan Zhan look like a goddamn painting, “Sun is still very up.”

“Lan Xichen has just arrived,” Jiang Cheng said, looking to Lan Wangji before looking back to Wei Wuxian more pointedly, “Early.”

That was enough to get their attention.

“Okay, we’ll be there,” he said, pushing himself to his feet. He held out his hand to Lan Zhan to help him up, but he disregarded it completely as he grabbed Bichen on his way up. Wei Wuxian still smiled at him and his overly red lips. “Did he say anything to you about coming back early?”

“No,” Lan Zhan said.

“Then I guess we’ll have to go see for ourselves,” Wei Wuxian decided, swiftly turning on his heels and grabbing his bag and Suibian. 

He made it two steps before he remembered that he’d been painting his nails before all of that. He quickly looked around and saw not a stray drop of it anywhere and Lan Zhan’s singular painted hand wasn’t even smudged. The little bottle was closed securely and had found its home in Lan Zhan’s hand. He’d clearly used a bit of spiritual energy when he’d pushed him into the grass to prevent a disaster from happening.

“You clever boy,” Wei Wuxian teased quietly, elbowing him lightly as they followed Jiang Cheng through the trees. Lan Zhan didn’t respond, but he didn’t miss the smile threatening his lips.

Wei Wuxian stared for a moment, taking in that adorable little expression before he jogged up to be beside Jiang Cheng. His brother was still glaring so he shoved him a little.

“Stop pouting.”

“I’m not pouting.”

“Sure,” he said, grinning, “Did Sect Leader Lan say anything about why he showed up early?”

“No, he just did and I was tasked with going to find you,” Jiang Cheng said, “A thankless act, really.”

“Well, thank you, Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian offered, a little more exaggerated than necessary if only to bother him. He rolled his eyes.

“If I’d known you were just distracting Lan Wangji from getting any work down, I might’ve found you prevent us being thrown out of the Cloud Recesses because of your bullshit,” he said. Wei Wuxian snorted, ruffling his clueless brother’s hair.

“Ah, Jiang Cheng, trust me, you’ve misunderstood. Lan Zhan and I are very close, I don’t annoy him one bit. Isn’t that right, Lan Zhan?” he said, looking over his shoulder.

“Mn.”

“See!”

“Yeah, that was real convincing,” Jiang Cheng grumbled. Wei Wuxian smiled and pinched his cheek.

“Don’t be so hateful, Jiang Cheng,” he cooed. Jiang Cheng shoved him off and Wei Wuxian just laughed.

He managed to regain composure by the time they got to the Yashi, the very traditional and very old meeting room. Wei Wuxian almost felt bad for entering it in jeans and a t-shirt. Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren were both waiting for them in their business-esque clothes‒which was honestly a relief considering they usually broke out the formal robes for serious meetings‒and they all bowed in greeting.

“Brother,” Lan Zhan said, stepping closer, “Has something happened?”

“Must there be a reason to return home? This is my Sect,” Lan Xichen said, casual enough, but something about it sounded off. Lan Xichen was always a portrait of what a cultivator was expected to be‒smart, kind, and humble. But even that was too friendly for Lan Xichen.

Lan Zhan seemed to notice that as well, eyeing him slightly even as he nodded. They all seemed to disregard that though as they all sat and spoke of their training to eventually lead juniors in nighthunts. Lan Qiren was, as always, reluctant to praise Wei Wuxian, but even he couldn’t deny that he had some level of talent. The spite was definitely a driving factor in what kept Wei Wuxian on track.

Eventually, they took dinner in silence‒all silent except for when Lan Qiren nearly choked at the sight of Lan Zhan’s nails. Wei Wuxian’s eyes kept drifting back to Lan Zhan, body still craving him from their unfinished encounter. Well, he would still stare at him without that. He was hard not to stare at. But then being rudely interrupted didn’t help sway him. He found himself shifting in discomfort just from watching the way he used his chopsticks with those goddamn fingers and the way his lips wrapped around, well, everything. Literally what the fuck.

“Stop fidgeting,” Jiang Cheng hissed as they finished their meal. 

Wei Wuxian looked at him with pleading eyes, willing him to understand that it really wasn’t his fault that he was being tortured. Even worse knowing that he couldn’t even meet up with Lan Zhan after this. He would probably be with Lan Xichen until curfew and if there was one thing Lan Zhan refused to break, it was curfew in the Cloud Recesses. Stupid Lans and their stupid ability to pass out immediately after nine.

“Young Master Wei,” Lan Xichen, regal as ever, said. Wei Wuxian perked up. “I understand your cultivation levels are rather impressive. Wangji has told me you’ve created a few new talismans.”

“Yes, Sect Leader Lan,” he said. Outside of the Cloud Recesses, Lan Xichen easily blended in and requested that they call him by his courtesy name rather than any other titles. But, still, in the Cloud Recesses, he had to be formal. As annoying as that way. “I can show you a few.”

“Later, yes, please. I am particularly interested in the way you’ve updated a few older ones, though. Wangji spoke of one you used on your last nighthunt. He said it’s some sort of reusable talisman?” Lan Xichen said. Wei Wuxian nodded and smiled, stealing a glance at Lan Zhan whose eyes were downcast as they usually were. It was even cuter when he realized he was bragging about him.

“Yes, I’ve found if you use a more durable item, not paper, but plastic or even a softer cloth, then it’s easier to sort of load more talismans and spiritual energy within them. They don’t last forever, of course, and I still have a lot of tinkering to do, but it came in handy! I was able to send multiple flame talismans in a row without needing to rewrite them. I still haven’t figured out how to put multiple different talismans on one of them, but I want to,” he explained. Lan Xichen was smiling at him in that way that seemed a lot deeper than just a smile, but that’s how his smiles always seemed. Wei Wuxian had long since accepted them as just the exact same thing as Lan Zhan’s blank stares.

“You’ll have to show me, that sounds very interesting.”

He then turned to Jiang Cheng and asked about his own cultivation progress along with a soft question about his inheritance of Zidian. Yu Ziyuan had given it to him after her own cultivation had begun to blend with her pre-existing anger and she’d made the right decision to retire from it before it killed her. As cool as Zidian was to have, it was still a touchy subject.

“But you’re handling it well? It’s not too much?” Lan Xichen clarified, “A spiritual tool often takes a lot of discipline, if you need any help, just ask.”

“It’s going alright,” Jiang Cheng said honestly, “But thank you. If I have any questions, I’ll be sure to ask them.”

They spoke a bit more about the logistics of it and how it was very unique and Wei Wuxian began to tune out. His eyes drifted to Lan Zhan who was staring forward, still as a rock. Wei Wuxian had a theory that he simply went into a meditative state every time he didn’t feel like being involved in a conversation. He liked to think he sunk into daydreams of doing things that were very Lan Zhan like making spreadsheets of different talismans or taking a nap in a field surrounded by bunnies that wake him up with little licks to his face. The idea alone was too adorable to handle and he was smiling at him across the table.

Lan Wangji looked at him from the corner of his eye and raised his eyebrow a bit in question. Wei Wuxian just smiled even more, his eyes squinting into crescents from the force of it. He was so cute. How was one person so cute?

All of it was ruined by Jiang Cheng elbowing him and Wei Wuxian turned his head to him in confusion. Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren were both looking at him, one with a very fond smile and one with something that could be classified as well contained rage. Wei Wuxian felt his cheeks turn a bit hot and he let out a fun laugh.

“Sorry, sorry, was there a question?” he asked. Lan Xichen breathed out of his nose in something akin to a laugh.

“I had asked if you’ve found a spiritual tool,” he said. Wei Wuxian’s mouth formed an ‘o’ in acknowledgement and he nodded before quickly shaking his head.

“No, I haven’t. I only have Suibian and I can only carry that around sometimes, you know,” Wei Wuxian explained, patting the sword that rested beside him. Lan Xichen nodded with a smile.

“I know,” he said, “Your cultivation is unique, you might not have one at all.”

“Who knows.”

Lan Xichen eventually suggested they retire to their rooms and that they would meet in the morning to go over their plans they’d made for their mock water demon hunt. Wei Wuxian hoped he wouldn’t need paper and that Lan Xichen would accept his rambling. He probably would, Lan Xichen was nice like that.

“I thought Lan Qiren was going to murder you,” Jiang Cheng said as they walked to the dormitory. They were the oldest there at the moment and some of the only non-Lans since the younger cultivators from other Sects weren’t coming for a few more weeks. They just so happened to be the only competent ones from their year next to Lan Zhan that were eligible to learn to teach. “You’ve got to stop bothering Lan Wangji or he’s going to throw you out.”

“I’m really not bothering him,” Wei Wuxian insisted, “I promise.”

“Look,” Jiang Cheng sighed, turning to him with the utmost brotherly face. It looked like he genuinely cared. Wei Wuxian almost pinched his little cheek. “I know you have a crush on him‒which is fine, no judgment from me‒but he’s one of the most traditional cultivators alive. If he was interested in you back, I think it would be more complicated than just casually dating.”

“Why would it be complicated?” Wei Wuxian asked. There was absolutely nothing complicated about it in his mind.

“Well, wouldn’t he expect you to court him? I mean, the Lans all still court properly,” Jiang Cheng said. Which, honestly, was the first time Wei Wuxian ever thought about it. “I’m just looking out for you, but do whatever you want. If Lan Qiren murders you for it, it’s not my fault.”

“Ah, Jiang Cheng! There’s no courting happening,” he said. The idea alone was scary. He was 20 and had the whole world ahead of him. Besides, Lan Zhan hadn’t said anything about it. They were fine. “And he won’t kill me, Lan Zhan won’t let him.”

Jiang Cheng sighed and rolled his eyes, shoving him a little. Wei Wuxian just grinned as they stepped into their rooms. Wei Wuxian stayed on one side while Jiang Cheng stayed on the other, both of their own spaces had doors and in between had a little common area for them to take dinner. He quite liked the whole set up, it made it feel very quaint and homey in a way staying with the Jiangs never really felt. Not to say that it didn’t feel like home there, just that he didn’t have to walk on as many eggshells in his own space.

He closed the door to his space behind him, reveling at the disordered mess it was. It felt nice to be a bit messy. As long as Lan Qiren didn’t know about it then he could be as messy as possible and he’d stop having mandatory room inspections when he turned 18. It made him smile.

Wei Wuxian waded through his mess to get to his bed and took his hair out of the messy bun he’d had it in, sighing in relief as he flung his red ribbon to the side. He’d kept it short back when he was younger, but he’d started to grow it out once he got the lecture that cultivators usually kept their hair long. Something about helping them stay in tune with their ancestors and their own spiritual energy‒Wei Wuxian was pretty sure it was more about the aesthetic. That being said, it sat at his shoulders and he was still learning how to work with it.

He fell onto his bed and dug underneath his pillow for where his phone sat on the charger. It was technically forbidden to have phones inside the Cloud Recesses, but that usually just meant when they were out and about. Even Lan Zhan had one‒that he barely used, but it existed.

He checked it, only seeing a message from his sister saying she hoped he had a good day because she sent him that every day and he might actually get it in the morning if the Cloud Recesses weren’t so ridiculous about waking up at five in the morning. He replied saying he did and asked her how hers went before he pushed himself up to contemplate a shower.

He’d resigned to forgoing it until the morning after realizing it was already two minutes away from 9 and was already stepping into his sweatpants when his phone lit up. He expected another text from his sister, but it wasn’t.

Lan Zhan: Jingshi.

Wei Wuxian found himself blinking far too many times as well as closing and reopening his messages. Jingshi. Lan Zhan wanted him to go to his personal rooms after curfew. His skin slowly started to feel warm again and that desire he’d spent hours trying to ignore came back without any trouble. He’d never been inside the Jingshi at all before.

“You little rebel,” Wei Wuxian whispered to himself, unable to hide his smile as he quickly put his shoes on and started to tiptoe out of the building so Jiang Cheng wouldn’t notice.

If he ran to the Jingshi, no one was awake to witness.

When he got to the secluded room, the lights were still on and Wei Wuxian was straight giddy. He didn’t bother knocking since Lan Zhan had asked him to come, just pushing open the door and eager to pick up where they left off.

“Ah, Lan Zhan, dinner was torture! All I could picture was your hand on my‒” 

Wei Wuxian paused as he rounded the corner and saw Lan Xichen kneeling at the table, a pleasant smile in full swing. Lan Zhan knelt beside him, a glare in his eyes as his ears burned bright red. Wei Wuxian let out an awkward laugh.

“Sect Leader Lan,” he greeted, bowing as well as he could, “Funny meeting you here.”

“Young Master Wei,” Lan Xichen said, nodding to him, “Glad you could make it.”

“Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat, “Uh, what’s going on?”

“Come, sit,” he urged. Wei Wuxian did so, feeling out of place in his sweats and t-shirt when they were both still prim and proper. He looked at Lan Zhan, but he was looking down at the table and not a trace of what was going on was obvious on his face. “I needed to speak to you two.”

“I take full responsibility and I apologize and accept punishment, Lan Wangji had nothing to do with it,” Wei Wuxian said quickly. It wasn’t the first time he’d given that speech and he figured he’d say it a few hundred more before he died. Lan Xichen, however, just smiled a bit brighter.

“You aren’t in trouble,” Lan Xichen promised. Wei Wuxian nodded slowly. “I actually came back early for a reason, but it needs to be kept a secret. I presume I can trust you both to keep a secret?”

“Yes, of course,” Wei Wuxian said. Lan Zhan nodded in tandem.

“When I was in Qinghe, Sect Leader Nie and I traveled a bit after hearing a few stories of a clearing of sorts with a mythical beast residing in it. It was a large burnt space in the middle of the woods that it was using as housing, but the creature we saw was rather unconventional,” he said. Wei Wuxian, interest already more than piqued, leaned forward. 

“Unconventional how?”

“When we got near it, as much as it would allow, but it seemed to be very similar to the Vermilion Bird,” Lan Xichen said. Wei Wuxian smiled and looked to Lan Zhan who didn’t seem excited at all.  Boring. “Obviously, it needs to be taken care of if it’s able to burn entire sections of trees like that, but I don’t want to worry the cultivation world. I was hoping you both could come up to Qinghe and the four of us could try to eliminate the situation.”

“Yes, absolutely, when do we leave?” Wei Wuxian said. Lan Xichen laughed a little.

“I appreciate the enthusiasm, Young Master Wei. Tomorrow evening is when I’m planning to leave.”

“Perfect. I can’t wait. Did you gather any more information on the creature, or just that it resembles the Vermilion Bird? Does that mean it’s wings are made of fire? Are they aflame at all times? Should I bring pre-made talismans for things? Lan Zhan, do you think I could make a reverse flame talisman that snuffed flames‒or maybe even water itself? We should work on that tonight or in the morning because I know you like your sleep. Xichen, eh, Sect Leader Lan, do you think it’ll be in the same place or will it have moved?” Wei Wuxian rambled, already picturing it in his mind. Lan Xichen laughed softly.

“We’ll talk about all of the details when we meet up with Sect Leader Nie, but, yes, as far as we could tell, it’s wings were flames. And, please, work on talismans and bring whatever you think might be useful. There’s a reason I’m coming to you both,” he said. Wei Wuxian nodded his excitement and then turned fully to Lan Zhan to get excited with him. Only he was still looking down with that faraway look in his eye.

“Lan Zhan, what do you think? You wanna make some magic with me?” Wei Wuxian said suggestively, nudging his arm. He just stared blankly.

“Wangji,” Lan Xichen said softly, “Is something wrong? Do you not want to?”

Lan Zhan stayed silent for a long while and they both waited for him to find his words. Sometimes it took him a bit longer than others. Wei Wuxian glanced over to Lan Xichen again and the smile he gave him was one of the most forced ones he’d ever seen. So Wei Wuxian scooted a bit closer to Lan Zhan.

“What’s going on up there?” he asked, tapping his forehead above his ribbon. Lan Zhan’s eyes formed a glare and Wei Wuxian smiled bright right back. 

“Is it safe?” Lan Zhan asked, looking to his brother, “To go without a formal report and with only four cultivators?”

“Ah, who cares? Cultivation isn’t safe! I could go alone and it’d be fine,” Wei Wuxian insisted. Lan Zhan’s jaw clenched. It took a lot of willpower not to touch it until he relaxed.

“I think it would be safer with three men I trusted than an army of people I couldn’t keep a proper eye on,” Lan Xichen explained, “And, truly, I would’ve taken it on with only Nie Mingjue, but I felt this would be very good experience for the two of you. If you aren’t comfortable, you don’t have to come.”

“But I can still come, right?” Wei Wuxian clarified. Lan Xichen nodded. 

“I’ll come,” Lan Zhan said. Wei Wuxian smiled even brighter and turned his gaze to Lan Xichen.

“Perfect. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

They all said their goodnights and gave respectful bows before Lan Xichen left with that knowing smile on his lips. It didn’t bother Wei Wuxian one bit. At least one of them had a brother that wasn’t completely clueless. Wei Wuxian leaned to make sure the door was closed all the way before he scooted even closer to Lan Wangji.

“Since when do you ask if something is safe?” he asked, reaching out to pull all of Lan Zhan’s hair off his shoulder. Lan Zhan was watching him from the corner of his eye despite his stony glare, so Wei Wuxian smirked and pressed a kiss to his bare neck. “Lan Wangji fears nothing, I thought.”

Lan Zhan kept his breathing annoyingly even  as Wei Wuxian pressed slow kisses on every empty space he could. He was even more eager than before to pick up where they’d left off. Something about a super fucking cool nighthunt had his adrenaline pumping and there was truly only one way to put that to good use at this time of night.

“Is Hanguang-Jun worried about failing?” Wei Wuxian teased, finally dragging his fingers over that perfect jaw, “Or, maybe, Hanguang-Jun is scared of someone getting hurt.”

Lan Zhan swiftly stood up after that, leaving Wei Wuxian on the ground as he walked over to his little vanity and started to unpin his hair. Wei Wuxian didn’t bother to be offended as he laughed, leaning back and watching how pretty he looked with all of his hair down.

“I’m messing with you, I know you’re just as curious as I am,” he said, tilting his head. Lan Zhan ran a comb through his hair despite the fact he was still fully dressed. Well, aside from his shoes which had been left at the door. His socked feet, however, were adorable. “I think you’re just scared you’re going to get in trouble because we aren’t giving a formal report, but we’re doing this with two Sect Leaders. Two really powerful and badass Sect Leaders. It’s fine.”

“I do not care.”

“Seems like you do,” Wei Wuxian pointed out. Lan Zhan said nothing and Wei Wuxian just sighed and laid on the floor. “You know, I’ve never been in your room before, Lan Zhan, it looks like you. Very white and blue, pretty, put together, fancy. I would say I’d be scared to touch anything, but I like touching your things.”

He lifted his head a little to see what Lan Zhan’s reaction was and was pleased to see his cheeks were a bit red. Wei Wuxian huffed a laugh and let his head fall back to the ground.

“Come on, Lan Zhan! Don’t be boring! Let’s be productive tonight, I have so many ideas of things we can create! Help me play with some talismans or invent something or, or anything. Come play with me,” he pouted. When he looked over at him this time, he was significantly more red. He smiled to himself.

“Go to bed,” Lan Zhan said simply. Wei Wuxian gave an admittedly obnoxious whine.

“I came all the way here and you’re going to make me go back? Are you trying to torture me?”

“Wei Ying.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll go to bed,” Wei Wuxian said, pushing himself up. He watched Lan Zhan carefully as he just walked right over to his bed, throwing himself down. Lan Zhan’s face turned into something truly scandalized and he whipped around to face him, glaring. Wei Wuxian just laughed. “What? Why are you acting like you didn’t just have you hand down my pants a few hours ago? Are you that worried about this hunt? It’s going to be fun!”

Lan Zhan didn’t answer, he just sighed and turned back to his mirror. He put his comb down and carefully grabbed his nightclothes from a drawer, walking away and into the bathroom to change. Wei Wuxian grabbed his pillow and tucked it under his head. A few minutes later, Lan Zhan emerged looking all soft and cozy with his forehead ribbon retired for the night. Wei Wuxian patted the space beside him on the bed.

It took a few moments of thinking which Wei Wuxian gave to him without judgement before he actually sat on the bed. Wei Wuxian pushed himself up and reached out, putting his hand on his cheek and leaning in to rest his forehead against his. Lan Zhan’s eyes stayed firmly downcast.

“Lan Zhan,” he said softly, softer than he ever usually was because he knew that’s how he got his way when it came to this man, “What are you worried about?”

A long, long stretch of silence sat between them before Lan Zhan’s eyes flickered up to meet his. They were so pretty, all pale and golden and perfect. 

“If the bird is staying in place, it’s guarding something. If it’s what the Vermilion Bird was modeled after, it’s old and it’s fierce. How are we sure unleashing what it’s protecting is the best option?” he said. A pulse of complete and utter adoration clenched around Wei Wuxian’s heart. He was so pretty and smart. Unfair.

“We don’t know and we can’t know until we find out. But if you help me create some spells and talismans, we could be prepared to deal with it. I’m sure your brother is fully aware of what we could be walking onto. Do you honestly think Nie Mingjue would back off from something just because it could be a teaching lesson? No, they both think it’s something bigger than just that,” Wei Wuxian said, rubbing his thumb over his cheekbone. Lan Zhan’s eyes half-heartedly followed it. “It’s going to be fine. And, well, if it’s not, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Lan Zhan looked at him like that was the worst question to ask which, granted, it probably was. Still, Wei Ying laughed and nudged his nose against his. 

“It’s going to be fine and fun. Let me do the overthinking, I’m better at it,” he insisted. Lan Zhan blinked slowly and reluctantly nodded once. Wei Wuxian smiled and kissed his lips, finally. His free hand slid up his chest, taking a fistful of his shirt beneath his collar. It wasn’t hard to twist and push him into the mattress, carefully moving to straddle his hips. “Now, tell me, what were you saying about me earlier?”

Lan Zhan’s hand squeezed his thigh with a small pulse of spiritual energy and Wei Ying was barely on top for a moment before he flipped them, settling comfortably between his thighs. Wei Ying laughed and held him closer as Lan Zhan bit into the skin of his neck.

“Perfect.”

-

“I get to go because I’m a trustworthy and reliable student, that’s why.”

“Bullshit.”

Wei Wuxian grinned as he leaned into Jiang Cheng, prodding him in the stomach and laughing when it earned him a harsh shove. If he earned a few concerned looks from Lan disciples, it didn’t matter. 

Lan Xichen had decided to tell Lan Qiren that they were going on a much different, much less interesting nighthunt. Water demons, he’d said, and it was perfect because their current project was about water demons! It took a little more explaining to Jiang Cheng, however, and he was still not happy about it. As much as he wouldn’t admit it, Wei Wuxian could see that he just felt left out.

“Look, as soon as I’m back, we’ll find a much cooler nighthunt to go, just you and me,” Wei Wuxian promised. 

“Why, so you can just annoy me the whole time?” he complained. Wei Wuxian threw his arm around his shoulders all over again.

“Don’t be like that, we’ll have fun.”

“I honestly don’t think you were even asked to go on this nighthunt,” Jiang Cheng said, a little bit of bite in his tone, “I think you’re just following your little boyfriend because you can’t be alone for five minutes.”

Wei Wuxian bit the inside of his cheek, his free hand mindlessly rubbing over his neck that had thankfully been free of any bruising by the time he woke up in his own bed. Thank god for golden cores.

“I was invited! And you can play all you want, but you know I’m good enough to be personally invited by Sect Leader Lan,” Wei Wuxian said. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes so hard it looked like it probably hurt.

“Shut up, stop bragging.”

“Is it bragging if it’s simply honest?”

“Yes.”

“Listen, Jiang Wanyin,” Wei Wuxian said, getting a brand new eye roll, “Don’t think too hard. Lan Zhan and I just fight very well together. He’s my zhiji.”

“He’s my zhiji,” Jiang Cheng mocked and Wei Wuxian smiled.

“See, you get it!”

“Fuck off. Go fight your little water demon and I’m holding you to finding something cooler,” Jiang Cheng said.

“Ah, you know I will! Don’t underestimate me!”

Eventually, they found their way to the Yashi where they planned to take lunch before the three of them would be off to meet up with Nie Mingjue. They walked in and bowed, respectful as always. Lan Zhan was already sitting there, eyes downcast and his hair half pulled back along with his forehead ribbon to show he was in his formal state. Wei Wuxian wanted nothing more than to kiss his cheek until he turned so red he looked like he was covered in rouge.

He didn’t, though. Instead, he sat down beside him and spared him nothing but a small smile. Lan Zhan reached out to pour his tea, his nails still only painted on one hand. He adored it more than he should. So much that he didn’t even notice Lan Qiren staring at them like he was about to pop until he was already taking a sip.

“We should be back within two days time,” Lan Xichen said somewhere along the line, after Wei Wuxian had given Lan Qiren a smile and Jiang Cheng had poured both of their superiors’ tea because he was a good little Jiang Cheng.

“And you think it’s wise to bring both of them?” Lan Qiren clarified. Lan Xichen gave his overly polite smile and nodded.

“Wangji and Young Master Wei have been very impressive and are both incredible swordsmen and cultivators. They’ve worked very well together since they were young, you know this. I think it’s very wise to bring them both,” Lan Xichen said. 

It was true, after all. Wei Wuxian didn’t even have to brag to know that. They’d barely known each other and, when they went on their first nighthunt at just fifteen, they’d been nearly flawless at covering for each other while fighting. They were each other’s zhiji, after all. And their bond had only gotten better. His current working theory for why it only got stronger as they aged was that they were now sharing spiritual energy without necessity‒Wei Wuxian’s golden core was just becoming very familiar with Lan Wangji’s.

But, that was only theory.

Lan Qiren eyed them and reluctantly nodded. Lan Zhan’s eyes stayed down.

Their meal was doled out and eaten in silence. Wei Wuxian kept himself as still and respectable as possible, but it was hard when he was excited to see what they were going to be encountering. He’d tried to refrain from coming up with ideas in his mind about what it would look like, but it was difficult. He spent a lot of the morning rambling about nonsense to both Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan while making a supply of talismans, trying to think of anything but getting too excited about this bird.

But, fuck, it was going to be so cool.

They agreed to write up a report when they got back and had a few more words before standing up to be on their way. Wei Wuxian was already ready to go and on his feet, standing by the door with Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen. Lan Zhan, however, stayed in the main room with Lan Qiren for a moment. So, like a responsible adult, he listened a bit closer.

“Remember the talk we had,” Lan Qiren said quietly, “Because I will not have you repeating your father’s mistakes.”

Lan Zhan didn’t respond, but the two of them walked closer looking stern and irritated. Wei Wuxian thought about asking what exactly that was about, but it wasn’t his place so he didn’t. Instead, he put on a big smile and had every intention of having fun. Besides, once they got outside of the Cloud Recesses, he could be more lenient.

“Be good, little Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian said, patting his head. Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes at him, but he didn’t dare actually hit him while Grandmaster Lan of all people was right there.

“Don’t die, I don’t feel like having to explain that to anyone that you’re that stupid,” Jiang Cheng said in response. Wei Wuxian smiled as bright as the sun.

“Aw, you do care.”

Lan Qiren didn’t really give any sort of loving goodbye to either of his nephews, simply bowing and walking off to go teach his afternoon lesson. Neither of them looked particularly surprised.

“Wangji,” Lan Xichen said, but Lan Zhan just walked past them and started heading towards the front entrance. Lan Xichen stared after his brother for a moment before he sighed. “Uncle, he’s just…”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me,” Wei Wuxian said, a playful lilt in his tone but it was true. Lan Qiren didn’t like him and that wasn’t a secret to anyone. Too unpredictable and experimental, he said. As if that was a bad thing!

“Let’s go,” Lan Xichen said. Wei Wuxian gave Jiang Cheng one last salute goodbye before the two of them followed after Lan Zhan. 

The moment they exited the Cloud Recesses, Lan Xichen started to make himself look less like the regal cultivator and esteemed Sect Leader he was. He pulled off his forehead ribbon and held it between his lips before he wrapped his hair around itself in a bun and tied it securely in place with the ribbon. Wei Wuxian didn’t miss the way he unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt, nor did he miss the way Lan Zhan did nothing to make himself look more casual. As much as Lan Xichen was the pillar of what a cultivator should be, Lan Zhan was the poster child of everything Lan. Sort of. Wei Wuxian personally thought he was much better than them, regardless of how much he was a product of them.

“We’re going to scout this evening and then get a couple rooms at an inn nearby. Tomorrow, we’ll take care of it.”

They all drew their swords and hopped on, flying into the sky as a much more convenient way of transportation to get to the Qinghe border. Wei Wuxian spent much of it stealing glances at Lan Zhan, wondering what exactly about him would make him follow in his father’s footsteps. He had limited knowledge of the past Sect Leader, only that he died when Lan Zhan was 15 and had spent most of those 15 years in seclusion. Nothing about Hanguang-Jun said seclusion for 13 years and forcing his brother and son to take on his duties.

He tried to distract himself from those thoughts with more enjoyable ones like what his sister might be doing while on her summer trip to Lanling. He liked to imagine her bossing around the Jin Clan heir and him just having to accept it because how could he tell someone as perfect as her no? He then thought about how Jiang Cheng was probably pouting by himself or practicing his control over Zidian‒he was getting better each day, it was impressive.

Wei Wuxian even let his thoughts drift to the night before, to Lan Zhan taking him apart with careful precision and making use of all the time they never usually had. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel his breath on the back of his neck and his excessive praise that was definitely forbidden in the Cloud Recesses. He wasn’t sure why Lan Zhan, the Lannest of all Lans, was so eager to break rules when it came to him. He was sure that it thrilled him every time.

They arrived in Qinghe before sundown, landing with well-practiced ease. Lan Xichen grinned like the sun itself as he sheathed his sword, eyes on Sect Leader Nie and nothing else. He stood tall and broad, his distinct Nie Clan braids pulled into a low ponytail at the base of his neck. He didn’t really offer a smile, but his eyes still landed on Lan Xichen.

“Mingjue,” Lan Xichen greeted, a fond tone in his voice as if they hadn’t just seen each other yesterday morning.

“Xichen,” he said back. Wei Wuxian held back all the teasing words that filled his mind as he stepped up and bowed respectfully.

“Sect Leader Nie,” he said for both him and Lan Zhan who bowed beside him. Nie Mingjue bowed his head in response.

“Young Master Wei, Wangji,” Nie Mingjue said, “I trust Xichen told you what we’re dealing with?”

“The basics! A big fire bird,” Wei Wuxian stated. He nodded slowly, his chest raising with a heavy breath as he clutched Baxia at his side. “Wangji and I were talking about it and we think it’s guarding something.”

Lan Zhan was glaring at the side of his face at this point, he didn’t even have to look over to know that. So he smiled and nudged him, never taking his eyes off of Nie Mingjue’s.

“Yes,” Nie Mingjue agreed, “It seems to be. I’m unsure of why else it’d be staying in place. But I’m also more concerned on why it’s suddenly resurfaced. This thing is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, but it has to be old.”

“Very old,” Lan Xichen added, “But perhaps whatever it’s guarding is causing it to resurface.”

“Do you think whatever it’s guarding is actually trying to resurface and it’s just forcing the bird to?” Wei Wuxian asked, “Because if it’s something that old, that powerful, it’s bound to come around eventually. The balance of things.”

Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue shared a look before turning back to him. It seemed they were already there. Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Zhan as if to say “see?”. He just blinked and turned his eyes to the distance, his chin still raised high. 

“Whenever we recover what it is, we’ll need to be extremely careful. No blood or wounds near it. The person with the least depleted spiritual energy will contain it and we’ll try to deal with it without having to involve anyone else,” Lan Xichen said. It was the most stern and adult he’d ever sounded. Wei Wuxian almost felt proud of him even though there was no reason for him to be proud. It wasn’t his brother. But, still. 

“Even if it isn’t anything, we’ll still need to be careful. It could easily be extremely misleading,” Nie Mingjue said. They both nodded.

“We’re definitely careful. Right, Lan Zhan?” he said. Lan Zhan just stared blankly towards nowhere. He took that as confirmation. “Besides, I was working on some talismans this morning that might possibly put out flames, but I haven’t gotten the chance to try them out yet. I’ll try them tonight.”

“I can’t wait to see what you come up with,” Lan Xichen said. Wei Wuxian grinned. “Right, let’s go.”

Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan let the two older men walk ahead of them, all four of them clutching their swords as they started to make their way into the woods that would lead them to the Vermilion Bird. Excitement was again beginning to show face inside Wei Wuxian and he couldn’t help the skip in his step. Lan Zhan looked over him and sighed an inaudible sigh, shaking his head slightly.

“What?” Wei Wuxian asked quietly, leaning closer to him. He didn’t smile, but he didn’t not smile. “Hey,” he continued, resisting the urge to move Lan Zhan’s hair off his shoulder, “Do you think your brother is trying to get with Nie Mingjue?”

Lan Zhan snapped his head to face him, eyes completely and utterly scandalized. Whether that be from the accusation or from that fact that they were in earshot, he wasn’t sure. Either way, Wei Wuxian laughed and nudged him.

“I’m kidding,” he said, though he really wasn’t. The two older men were talking to each other in hushed tones, far too interested in each other to hear anything Wei Wuxian was saying. “I would never assume anything about a Sect Leader’s love life. Your love life, however…”

Lan Zhan watched him, eyes narrowed as if just waiting to see what he was going to say. There were a lot of things he could’ve said. Wei Wuxian plucked the fabric of his sleeve and nudged his shoulder into his.

“Jiang Cheng said the Lans still court formally,” he said, smirking as he kept his eyes forward, “Got anyone in mind?”

There was a long, bated silence with nothing but the crunch of leaves and sticks beneath their feet before Lan Zhan gave his staple, “Mn.”

“You do?” Wei Wuxian asked, jumping over a tree root, “Is she pretty?” He laughed when Lan Zhan sighed. “I simply want the best for you, as I want the best for my sister and my brother, so she must be pretty. Oh, and kind.”

Lan Zhan didn’t entertain his teasing, walking a bit faster to be closer behind his brother. Wei Wuxian hid his wide smile to the best of his ability as he caught up with him. He didn’t have much more time for teasing, though, because it wasn’t long before Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen stopped in their tracks. Lan Xichen held up a hand to ask for complete silence.

And then he saw it.

For a moment, Wei Wuxian felt frozen in place. The Vermilion Bird‒because, honestly, calling it anything less sounded like an insult‒was even bigger than he imagined, bigger than he could properly conceptualize even when he was looking at it. It seemed to be the size of a house‒maybe larger‒and was indeed covered in flames and sharp edges. The large field of space surrounding it was all burnt to the ground, but somehow the trees that circled the charred area were unharmed. The only thing not painted black with ash and soot was the bird itself and it’s makeshift nest. Maybe it had babies and that was why it’d resurfaced after all this time. Or maybe it was something much more complicated.

Either way, Wei Wuxian was in awe. Jiang Cheng was truly missing out, he would really have to sell it to pretend whatever hunt they went on next was as cool as this. How the hell was he supposed to wait until tomorrow?

“You’ll need darker clothes,” Wei Wuxian said instead of any of the other thoughts running rampant in his mind, “As handsome as you both are in white and blue, it’ll be too obvious. You’ll be targets.”

Both Lan men looked at him as if that was a distinctly uncharacteristic thing for him to start with. He ignored them and started walking around the perimeter with a cultivator’s lightness, hardly touching the ground so he didn’t garner any unwanted attention. 

“We’ll go at it from four different directions,” he said, “I’ll perfect the talisman tonight as we’ll each send a few to tamper down it’s flames or, at the very least, disorient it. The rest… is too difficult to predict. I say we hold off on breaking out the guqins unless absolutely necessary because there aren’t any bird-specific songs, are there? We’ll just have to wing it‒ha, get it, it’s a bird.”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said, voice carefully quiet so as not to alert the Vermilion Bird. He grabbed Wei Wuxian’s wrist and pulled him to a stop, forcing him to remember that he wasn’t with juniors or even with Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang. He was with two Sect Leaders who knew what they were doing. He gave an awkward little laugh as both of the older men stared at him with unreadable expressions.

“If you think that’s a good idea, of course,” he offered. Lan Xichen gave his polite smile and nodded.

“Continue,” he urged. Wei Wuxian smiled and pulled his hand out of Lan Zhan’s grasp to walk a step forward and point through the trees. “I think it would be best if I go at it from the front, Lan Zhan attacks from behind, and you two come in at the sides. I’ll be an effective distraction and I can keep throwing and creating talismans quicker since they’re my designs. And we’ll be coming at it from all directions so it will really need to choose which one of us it deems the biggest threat. I don’t mind if it’s me.”

“That sounds like it could work,” Nie Mingjue said, “If you can keep the flames away, then it’ll work.”

“And I’ll make sure that I can. And, well, if I can’t, I’ll just go for it anyway,” Wei Wuxian said, shrugging, “Suibian isn’t scared of a little fire.”

The three of them looked at him like they were beginning to second guess bringing him along if he was just going to be reckless, so he smiled wide and laughed a little to ease their worries. He wasn’t going to get himself killed. People could call him reckless all they wanted, but they could never say he wasn’t resourceful.

Besides, he was intrigued as hell. 

“What if it tries to fly away?” Lan Xichen said. 

“Talismans,” Nie Mingue answered.

“Ah, Lan Zhan can handle that, can’t you? Get it around its neck like a leash, take it for a walk,” Wei Wuxian suggested. Lan Zhan blinked slowly and nodded. “Great, great. Should we walk the circumference to choose spots?”

They ended up circling the area until the sun went down and then they retreated into the small town to find an inn to stay at for the night. The man behind the desk bowed all respectfully when he realized he was speaking to cultivators, thanking them for all they do, and offering a discount on both the rooms and meals. Lan Xichen was far too polite to agree to that.

“Two rooms, two beds in each, please,” he requested before looking over his shoulder to his brother, “That’s alright, Wangji, isn’t it?”

Lan Zhan nodded solemnly and Lan Xichen seemed pleased, sharing that knowing smile with Wei Wuxian for a moment before looking back to the man behind the desk. Leave it to Lan Xichen to be the most effective wingman. Wei Wuxian had to bite his lips closed to keep himself from saying something he really shouldn’t. 

He kept his mouth shut all the way until they got into their room. It had two small beds with only a nightstand between them, a privacy screen towards the far corner, a small table, and a door that he assumed led to a bathroom. Wei Wuxian fell onto the bed closest to the door and leaned back on his hands, looking up at Lan Wangji.

“You think we can both fit in one?” Wei Wuxian asked, “I promise to keep you warm.” 

Lan Zhan didn’t give him a moment of his attention, instead placing Bichen on the table. He reached into the qiankun bag that was strapped on his hip and pulled out a few sets of clothes that all fit inside. All of the clothes were white and pale blue and none of them would do well to camouflage himself. Wei Wuxian laughed softly and grabbed his own bag that was on his hip, standing up and walking closer. 

He laid Suibian beside Bichen, the elegant white scabbard making Suibian look worse for wear. Still, it seemed fitting. Wei Wuxian pulled out his own clothes, all black or dark enough to seem that way. He grinned.

“Go try them on, see how they fit,” he said. Lan Zhan stared at him for a moment as if he didn’t understand. Which in itself was stupid because they were both well aware of the fact Lan Zhan was always three steps ahead of everyone else. “You need something darker and we don’t have time to go on a shopping spree. Go, I’ll start playing with the talisman.”

Reluctantly, Lan Zhan accepted them with an annoyingly formal bow that Wei Wuxian shoved him a little for. Lan Zhan tried to glare, but a smile was playing on his lips and Wei Wuxian was struck by how much he adored him. He had to wait until he’d disappeared behind the privacy screen to remember what he said he’d do.

Wei Wuxian knelt by the table and pulled out some paper, doodling a few different things that were either direct opposites to fire talismans or just them flipped or changed a little. He’d had about three different ideas written out by the time Lan Zhan knelt beside him.

He glanced up to ask him what he thought only for his words to die in his throat. There were very few things that could render Wei Wuxian speechless, but apparently his pristine and proper Lan Zhan in a black t-shirt and his sweatpants was enough to do it. It didn’t help that his nails were still painted and that his ribbon was still in place, nor did it distract him that his hair was already all pulled over one shoulder and leaving the side of his neck closest to Wei Wuxian completely exposed.

He took a shaky breath and tapped the table, trying to clear his mind of anything inappropriate. It was very inefficient to think of him like that instead of focusing on the hunt. Even more so to instead imagine him fighting while dressed in all black and being completely and utterly badass while wearing Wei Wuxian’s clothes like he was meant to. That was definitely not what he should be doing.

“Wow, okay,” Wei Ying breathed, swallowing hard as he blinked and shook his head. The more he tried to get rid of any impure thoughts, the more he was simply erasing the Hanguang-Jun and Young Master Wei Wuxian of it all and replacing it with Lan Zhan and Wei Ying. It was significantly worse. So he decided to just try and focus on the talismans. “Lan Zhan, start a fire for me real quick.”

Lan Zhan looked over at him, eyebrows tugged together in confusion and far more expressive than he’d been all day. It had Wei Wuxian giggling like an overwhelmed child. It seemed the more comfortable Lan Zhan got with him, the more Wei Wuxian had no idea how to deal with it. Was this how people felt around him?

“Just do it! So I can see if it works, I’m not going to burn the building down,” Wei Wuxian said. Lan Zhan tilted his head as if to ask if he was sure and Wei Wuxian found himself laughing to himself even harder, his heart clenching in his chest. 

Lan Zhan’s expression softened into that soft little smile and he lit a fire talisman, laying the flame in the middle of the table. Wei Wuxian gathered his composure as quickly as he could and grabbed the first talisman, casting it forward. The flame ignited even bigger and they both lunged forward to path the flame until it was out. And then Lan Zhan was back to glaring and Wei Wuxian was back to laughing.

"My bad," he said, sliding his hand off the table, "Take two?"

And, because Lan Zhan was nothing but indulgent, he lit another one. 

They tried the following two with much more success and the one that was simply the fire talisman flipped proved to be the most effective. They tried it a few more times to make sure and then settled on it, getting to work making a solid supply of them including some of Wei Wuxian’s more reusable ones. They created until their dinner for the night was brought to their door.

“Thank you,” Wei Wuxian said, flashing a smile to the girl who flushed a bright red in response. If he was Lan Xichen, he would’ve said it was unnecessary for her to bring it to them, that they could’ve gotten it themselves, and to thank her sincerely for her kindness. 

But he wasn’t Lan Xichen. 

So, instead, he kept his smile and his eyes on her as he bowed in thanks and she bowed her goodbye. He let his eyes follow her down the hall if only because he enjoyed the way her ears and neck turned bright red as she all but ran. Once he closed the door, he let himself laugh. 

“Ah, Lan Zhan, she turned so red. Like you do, sometimes, when I’m lucky,” he teased, handing Lan Zhan his takeout container of fried rice, “Let’s eat.”

Wei Wuxian barely made it a step forward, however, before Lan Zhan put his free hand and pushed him back into the door. His eyebrows furrowed and he was about to ask why the hell he was pushing him, but his question was quickly answered when Lan Zhan came in with a biting kiss, somehow not disturbing the food they both held. Wei Wuxian made a noise of surprise, but he managed to keep a hold on his food as he reached up to put his free hand on his cheek. His thumb traced the shell of his ear and deliberately kept away from the forehead ribbon, wishing he didn’t have food in the way. And then Lan Zhan sent a rather overwhelming stream of spiritual energy into him, so clearly a possessive little claim and Wei Ying’s knees very nearly gave out on him.

Then Lan Zhan pulled away and walked to the table like nothing happened.

Wei Wuxian rested his head back against the door and caught his breath, his hand layering over where Lan Zhan’s had been on his chest. He could still feel his presence, his energy in his system, his body adjusting to the influx of it. He pushed himself off the door.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Lan Zhan.”

“Mn.”

Disbelieving laughter filled the air as Wei Wuxian knelt back at the table. Lan Zhan neatly put the talismans to the far end for safekeeping before they started eating. It was simple fried rice with vegetables and chicken‒which very easily became a problem because Lan Zhan didn’t eat meat and his wasn’t supposed to have any in it. Wei Wuxian reached over, using his chopsticks to pick out the biggest piece that sat on top.

“There. I know it still touched, but let’s pretend it didn’t,” he said, shoving the piece in his mouth and smiling around it. Somehow, for some reason, Lan Zhan just looked at him with those unrelentingly fond eyes. Wei Wuxian liked that too much.

They ate in silence and Wei Wuxian would lean over every once in a while to steal a piece of chicken, that fond look on Lan Zhan’s face never leaving. It was becoming overwhelming, honestly, and, not for the first time, he found himself getting distracted from the hunt he should’ve been overthinking. And, truly, he was‒Lan Zhan was just unbearably attractive and he couldn’t be blamed for it. 

And, well, if he slipped and smeared a bit of soy sauce on his neck, he couldn’t be blamed for that either.

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian scolded, the man already staring at him like he’d completely lost it and frozen despite the mess on his neck being such a thin layer that he could barely even see it, “You’re making a mess! You really have to be more careful. Here, I’ll clean it for you.”

Wei Wuxian’s smile was entirely conniving as he leaned over and licked him clean. He felt Lan Zhan swallow and heard his breathing change, all of which were very nice signs because he had self-control like no other. If he didn’t want to be affected, he wouldn’t be. But he was because he wanted to and that felt like a challenge.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said as the simple clean-up job turned into sloppy, neverending kisses. He couldn’t help himself. Not only was Lan Zhan attractive, but Wei Wuxian had seen something incredible today and tomorrow he was going to fight something incredible. He was pulsing with adrenaline the more he tried to sit still.

“Ah, that’s the only thing you’ve said all evening, do you know how nice it sounds?” Wei Wuxian asked softly against his neck, sliding closer and abandoning his food all together for something that tasted so much better. He reached his hand up to hold the other side of his neck, his thumb resting at the base of his throat. When he bit down, he could feel the soft hum it earned. “You’re so hot, what the fuck.”

That, of all things, was what got Lan Zhan's skin to grow warm. Wei Wuxian smiled easily and nudged his nose against his jaw.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said again and Wei Wuxian was obsessed.

He slid his hand down a bit to grab the collar of the shirt he was wearing and tugged on it. He really just wanted him closer than he was. Lan Zhan, however, never did things in halves and he had Wei Ying on his back in seconds with his hand behind his head to make sure he didn’t hit it against the floor. The action was such a tender one that when Lan Zhan kissed him in his typical rough fashion, Wei Ying started laughing.

Lan Zhan just moved away from his lips to let him, tucking his face in the crook of his neck to kiss and bite harder than Wei Wuxian had to him. He had no complaints, a moan breaking up his giddy laughter. He took the time to feel over his bare arms and pushed his hands up his shirt to feel his ridiculously strong back. It all convinced him to get Lan Zhan in t-shirts more often. There was infinitely more access than his fitted, tucked in button-ups.

“You’re so hot,” Wei Wuxian groaned, tracing over the muscles beneath his shoulders that were all flexed from holding himself up, “And strong. And smart. Ah, there’s more words, Lan Zhan, I promise! I have them.” Lan Zhan hummed against his neck, an amused smile so evident on his face that Wei Wuxian could feel it. That was new. “You’re so good, Lan Zhan, so, so good. Sometimes I’m sure I’m nothing but your plaything and I enjoy every second of it because you’re just so good.”

Lan Zhan pulled up a little bit, looking down at him. His expression was a bit of a complex one and it was one that Wei Wuxian’s brain was moving too fast to read properly. So, instead, he reached up to touch those lips that he was growing more and more fond of by the hour.

“You are utterly perfect,” Wei Wuxian said, his eyes following his finger as he traced over his face and his neck and his arms to avoid his intense eyes, “Ah, Lan Zhan, excessive praise is breaking the rules, isn’t it? Will you be mad if I give it to you anyway? Eh, well, I like when you get mad, so I feel inclined to do it anyway. Because you are honestly the best person in the world, did you know that? You’re all fair and such a talented cultivator in every sense of the world. I can’t even imagine having to learn to fight beside someone else‒I know you far too well for that and no one will ever compare. You are my match, Lan Zhan, my opposite and my equal‒as a cultivator, I mean, obviously. Because you’re selfless and‒”

“No,” Lan Zhan said suddenly. Wei Wuxian startled to a stop, his hand dropping and eyes finally settling on his.

“No?”

“Not selfless.”

Wei Wuxian laughed a bit, “Lan Zhan, you really are. I can look up the definition for you and we can read it together because‒”

“No,” he said, but he didn’t elaborate. He usually didn’t. It was simply left for Wei Wuxian to decide what about him could be deemed selfish. He came up empty handed.

“Well, you call me beautiful and perfect and I listen to you, so shut your pretty mouth and let me be nice for once,”  he said, raising his hand to cover Lan Zhan’s mouth. 

He didn’t feel like trying to dissect his thought process even further when he really didn’t have the brain power to do so. He was too excited and too pent up with energy of all sorts. He wanted to be kissed and he wanted to theorize and he wanted to go after the Vermilion Bird as soon as the sun rose. Lan Zhan smiled softly and tilted his head to kiss his fingers before moving down to kiss his lips.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, “Perfect.”

“You think you’re so clever,” Wei Wuxian teased, smiling again as Lan Zhan settled a little more weight on him. He was, though. He was clever. It was one of the reasons Wei Wuxian liked him so much.

They kissed for a while in silence, Lan Zhan keeping his mouth occupied. Wei Wuxian dealt with his restless energy by playing with his hair or stroking his back or pinching his hip or kicking any part of him his legs could reach. However, that only kept him content for so long before Wei Wuxian was beginning to bubble over with the need to do something other than just lay on the floor and be kissed. Kissing Lan Zhan was very nice, but kissing could sometimes get boring if his brain was too active. Not that he’d ever tell anyone that. That would be so very rude.

“Lan Zhan,” he said, “We should save our energy for tomorrow.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan agreed, but he simply moved down to kiss his neck and his hand slid past the waistband of his pants to press his palm against his bare hip. 

“That is not what I meant!” Wei Wuxian laughed, half-heartedly pushing him away so he’d stop feeding him spiritual energy. “I said save it, not waste it.”

“Mn.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, pinching his cheek lightly in adoration. He gave him one last peck beore he pushed him to sit up and Wei Wuxian instantly got to his feet. Lan Zhan’s eyes followed him, never rising from his kneeling position as Wei Wuxian started to wander around the room.

“What do you think it could be guarding?” he asked, tapping his fingers against the wall as he walked the longest length of it he could, “Obviously, if it’s something, it’s something ancient. Are there any ancient myths or anything? Well, there are, but are there any that could possibly apply? Something that would make sense.”

Lan Zhan didn’t answer him, but that was fine. He didn’t really expect an answer and it seemed Lan Zhan knew that. Wei Wuxian pressed his back against the wall and pursed his lips. He kept himself pressed against it in thought as he rolled onto his stomach and then onto his back again. When he got an idea, he shoved himself off it and looked at Lan Zhan who was already watching him with the same eyes he’d watched him when he shoved a whole piece of chicken in his mouth.

“The Yin Iron, could it be that? That would be powerful enough to require a giant flaming bird to protect it, wouldn’t it? A bird of myths and legends‒that could be a worthy guard.”

Lan Zhan tilted his head. “It was destroyed.”

“Yes, but all of it?” Wei Wuxian prodded, walking closer. He circled Lan Zhan, patting the top of his head as he ordered his thoughts. “There were four known pieces of the Yin Iron, that’s what the story was, and they were all destroyed when all the major Sects finally agreed on something for once. But they never tried to fit it together‒for good reason. Maybe there was a missing piece and they just couldn’t know. Or maybe they didn’t destroy it well enough and the Vermilion Bird is guarding the remnants?”

“It is possible,” Lan Zhan said slowly, eyes staying forward probably so he didn’t get dizzy as Wei Wuxian kept walking around him, “Unlikely.”

“What if it’s an egg? When I saw the nest, that was the first thing I thought. It could be a,” he paused, kneeling behind Lan Zhan and resting his chin on his shoulder, “A new era of beasts. Ah, if it is, can you imagine the Nie Sect?! Maybe that’s why Nie Mingjue is so involved. Maybe he’s not fucking your brother, maybe he just thinks a new beast is about to be born.”

Lan Zhan looked at him again in alarm and Wei Wuxian just laughed, leaning back and grabbing his hair. Lan Zhan hesitantly moved the ends of the ribbon over his shoulder so he wouldn’t disturb it and Wei Wuxian started running his fingers through the long, ridiculously healthy hair. It reached his hips. 

"I'm kidding, you're so cute," he said, "Well, kidding about your brother. It is possibly a new beast. Which would be super cool, right? We could be there when it's born. Ah, Lan Zhan, can you imagine? We could rescue it and raise a giant fire monster together.”

“Mn.”

“Or what if it’s a new mythical object? We think it’s ancient because the bird is ancient, but the bird has just reemerged. It could be something new, something we have no knowledge on,” Wei Wuxian rambled, finding himself giddy at the idea. He would love to play with something so new that there was no text on it. He could write all of them. Then they would make sense instead of being written in an annoying pretentious way that made it hard to grasp on the first read. “I want that, Lan Zhan, I want to have something new that I can spend my life studying. I hope it’s new. Do you think your brother will mind if I take it if it is new? He likes me enough. I could agree to only study it in a secluded area so no one gets hurt. Ah, I hope it’s new.”

Lan Zhan didn’t say anything, staring forward. His shoulders were rigidly straight and his chin was held high. Wei Wuxian thought he was gorgeous. He hummed and separated his long hair into three strands, braiding it to the best of his ability.

“You could help me, of course. I think the best when I can bounce my ideas off your brain,” Wei Wuxian said, shrugging, “I think if it’s new, I could have a lot of fun with it. I want to live with no regrets and I want to be helpful. If I spend all my time making accessible notes‒ones that could go through you as a filter to make sure they’re making sense‒I would be so helpful. I think I could do that even if it isn’t new. Do you think your brother and Uncle would let me start officially detailing my ideas? I have notes all over, but I could have them done in a more official manner. He said he was interested, but does that mean he wants to put them into effect? I want that. It feels good to make something useful, Lan Zhan. It feels good to make something at all.”

Wei Wuxian was rambling, he knew it, but Lan Zhan didn’t interrupt or seem bothered. He was simply listening because that’s what he did.  Wei Wuxian leaned forward to kiss the back of his neck before he rested his chin on his shoulder again.

“What do you think, Lan Zhan? Do you want to spend your life studying and creating with me?” he asked. 

He could easily see a life inside the Cloud Recesses, teaching and reading and creating and being a cultivator like they were long before his time. He could have a garden and be productive with his hands as he thought through ideas. He could lead juniors on nighthunts and show them how to think for themselves instead of just abiding by the sect that they learned from. He could roam and he could cultivate and he could theorize and create. And he could be where he could see Lan Zhan in all his glory whenever he missed him most.

“I will study with Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said simply, his voice tight and rigid like he’d been overwhelmed by such a simple question. Wei Wuxian laughed.

“Ah, Lan Zhan, you sound so excited by that idea,” he teased, but he no longer wanted to talk about that far into the future. Clearly Lan Zhan wasn’t excited about the prospects of being stuck with him for that long. Which was fair enough. 

Wei Wuxian tilted his head to the side and let his body weight and gravity work together and let him fall onto the floor beside Lan Zhan. He looked down at him with slightly concerned eyes, but Wei Wuxian just grinned and wiggled a bit to get comfortable as he pillowed his head on his arms. 

“I spoke too much, my mouth is dry, I’m going to need a saliva donation before I die,” Wei Wuxian decided, opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue. Lan Zhan just stared down at him with a completely serious expression before Wei Wuxian laughed. “I’m kidding.”

Lan Zhan looked up for a moment and stared at the wall as if making a decision. And then he carefully untied his forehead ribbon and placed it on the table. Wei Wuxian watched with intrigued as he did it, not for the first time wishing he could see what he was thinking. Was he thinking about the Vermilion bird? About the fight tomorrow? About a life being stuck with Wei Wuxian? About how they should really go to sleep so they’d be well rested?

Except then Lan Zhan turned to him and put his hand on his chest, still kneeling beside him and looking completely and utterly regal. His hand slid up slowly and rendered Wei Wuxian speechless for once. His hand grazed over his neck and then his thumb pressed into his bottom lip, opening his mouth. Wei Wuxian's heart was thudding in his chest and his stomach twisted into knots while his pants became impossibly tight. His ears were ringing and he suddenly felt the need to give an expansive speech on how dual cultivation was very good for keeping two people in sync during battle–but Lan Zhan really didn't need convincing on that.

An involuntary shaky breath escaped from his lungs as Lan Zhan leaned over him, lips parting just enough to comply with Wei Wuxian’s silly little request.

He found himself again wondering how he always forgot who he was dealing with.

-

Wei Wuxian slept unnaturally sound that night.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said the next morning, voice stern as he summoned him back to the world of the living. Wei Wuxian groaned and tried to pull the pillow over his head. “The Vermilion Bird.”

The mention of their task for the day woke up Wei Wuxian quicker than anything else would’ve. He sat up and his head spun from the quick movement causing him to grip the edge of the bed. On top of that, his body seemed to buzz with a sea of different aches‒none of them bad enough to hinder his ability to fight or even last long enough for him to remember by the time they left the inn, but all there nonetheless.

“Fuck, you really did a number on me,” he laughed, voice rough from sleep. Lan Zhan’s brow creased with concern and he started to reach out, but Wei Wuxian caught his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. “I’m teasing, I’m fine. Save your energy, you little nymphet.”

Lan Zhan’s concern easily bled into vague annoyance and Wei Wuxian laughed, pushing himself to his feet. He stretched up, up, up and let his arms fall onto Lan Zhan’s shoulders when he was done. He stole a kiss and then tilted his head back to take him in. He was already made up for the day, all of Wei Wuxian’s dark clothing to keep the bird from spotting him as easily and he looked good. He always looked good. Wei Wuxian wanted to see him look this good every morning. Could he get away with that?

But then he quickly remembered why they were up and a smile broke out onto his face, pulling away to pull his clothes on as fast as he could. He threw his hair up as securely as he could and shoved everything into his qiankun bag, quickly grabbing Suibian and looking to Lan Zhan.

“Are they up? Can we go?”

Lan Zhan had that look on his face that wasn’t too different from the distant look he’d had the first night Lan Xichen mentioned the whole hunt. Wei Ying wandered closer, tapping Suibian against his thigh to make him focus.

“What are you so worried about?” Wei Wuxian asked, “Very unlike you, Lan Zhan, I have to say.”

Lan Zhan stared blankly past him for a moment, ordering his thoughts and Wei Wuxian gave him all the time he needed despite feeling restless. Eventually, he made eye contact.

“Let me help you,” Lan Zhan said slowly, serious and stoic. Wei Wuxian stared at him for a moment, trying to piece together what exactly he meant. Eventually a smile slowly found his face.

“With what, the bird? Obviously I’m letting you help me,” he said. It didn’t stop Lan Zhan from staring at him. “Ah, you mean because I’m being the main distraction. I’ll be fine! I’m very good at getting attacked.”

“Wei Ying.” 

“Ah, Lan Zhan, I’m not that irresponsible! I’m not going to die, do you know how embarrassing it would be to die in front of two Sect Leaders? Too embarrassing! I just won’t do it,” Wei Wuxian teased, taking a step closer and placing his hand on Lan Zhan’s cheek. He felt incredibly fond. Maybe he had no interest in dealing with Wei Wuxian every day for the rest of his life, but he at least cared enough to want him to live.

“Mn.”

“I’ll be careful,” Wei Wuxian promised, patting his cheek for emphasis even though they both knew he probably wouldn’t be as careful as Lan Zhan might like, “Ah, Lan Zhan, I can’t believe you’re worrying about me! I feel so special.”

Lan Zhan still just stared at him. It didn’t take a genius to know that Lan Zhan didn’t mind when he fought, probably enjoyed watching him do it because that’s how one felt towards the person that was their zhiji, but he didn’t like Wei Wuxian’s willingness to get hurt. They’d been on many nighthunts where he’d thrown Jiang Cheng out of the way and received a new scar or broke a rib or something akin to that. But it was the way he had to be growing up with Yu Ziyuan as an adoptive mother. He had no intention to stop now.

“Sweet, precious little Hanguang-Jun,” Wei Wuxian cooed, scrunching up his nose as he pinched Lan Zhan’s cheek. Lan Zhan’s eyes narrowed into a glare. “Relax.”

He didn’t have much more time to do any extra consoling because there was a soft knock at the door that could really only belong to Lan Xichen. Wei Wuxian slid his hand over his chest and went to the door, opening it up with an excited grin.

“I figured out a talisman that will work, I can show you on the way there, let’s go,” he said instantly. Lan Xichen smiled softly, wearing Nie Mingjue’s darker clothes instead of his pretty blue ones. They were a little bit big considering Nie Mingjue was debatably 90% muscle, but it was amusing nonetheless.

“Alright, I can’t wait to see. How did the two of you sleep?” he asked, taking a step back into smalltalk. It was one of the things that reminded Wei Wuxian why he was such a good sect leader. You had to be good at smalltalk. It was extremely boring. 

“Fantastic, right, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian, looking over his shoulder. Lan Zhan had gone back to his blank face‒which, in reality, wasn’t that much different from his annoyed or worried or excited face. Wei Wuxian had just gotten very good at noticing them and he was sure Lan Xichen was also talented at it.

“Mn.”

“Good, that’s good. Are we ready?”

“So ready, never been more ready in my life,” Wei Wuxian insisted. Lan Xichen breathed a laugh and nodded, moving to the side so they could get going.

Wei Wuxian unintentionally led the way, a skip in his step as he started to show his talismans and rambled about how he’d wait until everyone was in place and he would send the first one. He doled them out, giving himself the least because he could always make more. Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue tried one each to test them out so they’d be ready. It made him even more excited.

And it all led up to when they got to the clearing again.

Wei Wuxian was excited in a big way, but he managed to keep it contained. He wasn’t going to be reckless in a way that got anyone else hurt. Still, he watched the Vermilion Bird with complete and utter fascination. Its eyes were closed and its head was bowed, still in its nest. In all honesty, it looked beautiful. It was almost upsetting that they had to kill it before it did anymore damage.

“And we’re ready?” Lan Xichen clarified.

“If not now, then we never will be, so let’s stop waiting,” Wei Wuxian insisted. Lan Xichen put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a nod of good luck.

“I’m sure you won’t fuck this up,” Nie Mingjue said which, truly, was one of the more loving things he’d ever heard the man say.

Lan Zhan gave him one last look before leaving to go to the spot behind the bird they’d decided the day before while Lan Xichen headed to the right and Nie Mingjue went to the left. The fact that all three of them were trusting him to be at the forefront didn’t surpass Wei Wuxian. In fact, he was sure Lan Xichen had to talk Nie Mingjue into it. Otherwise, he wasn’t sure how he’d be okay with it. He decided not to think too hard about it.

Wei Wuxian stared at the bird as he waited. It was hard to stay still and his fingers tapped excitedly against Suibian. The last time he’d been so excited over a nighthunt was when he and Nie Huaisang had stumbled upon a handful of ghosts when they were only 15 which, at the time, had felt like such a major challenge. This, however, was a major challenge. So major that two of the most powerful cultivators alive, two men who had already stopped aging, asked for assistance.

And Wei Wuxian got to be a part of it.

He waited until he got the subtle confirmation from all three of them that they were in place. He took one last breath and allowed himself to appreciate the beauty of it one last time before readying his first talisman and sending it.

Directly after he sent his, the others sent theirs and they all hit the bird in rapid succession. It woke up immediately after the impact of the first one, an ear-piercing screech ripping through the air. The flames seemed to ignite even further in response, trying to overcompensate like the lack of flames was in itself burning. Wei Wuxian found himself even more in awe at the pure magnitude of it.

He sent one after the other, using his reusable ones to give the impact of multiple and keeping its focus on him as the others moved in. It only stayed down for so long before it tried to fly up, leaving its nest open. Lan Zhan, already on top of his game, managed to get a binding talisman around its leg and then another around it’s other leg. He kept himself on the ground so that it couldn’t get far. Wei Wuxian smiled and sent a few more fire extinguishing talismans.

He moved as much as he could so he wouldn’t exactly be an easy target if the bird did manage to get close, but that only helped so much as they irritated it more. Nie Mingjue sent Baxia flying and piercing the bird which caused it to violently jolt to the right, sending Lan Zhan to the ground as he focused on never letting go. That just wasn’t an option.

Wei Wuxian unsheathed Suibian and stepped on, raising himself to be on par with the bird. He sent a few more fire extinguishing talismans as well as a body-locking spell that only worked so well on a beast of that size. 

Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue sent their swords at the perfect time, both piercing the bird in the neck from opposite sides. For any other beast, that would be it. For this one, it seemed to only irritate it more.

It screeched and shook itself, flames bursting from it as it threw Lan Xichen’s sword out of its body. Wei Wuxian, for the first time, felt a little out of his depth. However, he wasn’t going to let that stop him. He cast another body-locking spell and it seemed to work for a moment, the bird dipping in the air so it wasn’t flying as high. But then, the moment it wore off, it seemed to send Nie Mingjue’s saber flying straight towards him. Wei Wuxian didn’t have enough time to react as it sent him flying off of Suibian and threw him halfway across the field.

He landed with a thud and his body rolled, aching and bleeding a few different places. But Wei Wuxian didn’t stay down for long, instead pushing himself up as he caught his breath. He looked up at the bird and to the others and then to the nest. He needed to figure something out.

So, he started running.

“Wei Ying!” Lan Zhan yelled once he realized what he was doing, but he never let go of his grip on the bird. Wei Wuxian chose to ignore him, chose to accept scolding for his recklessness later.

He reached the nest with far too much ease, the bird above him focusing on trying to get away from the other three. Lan Xichen spared him a few concerned looks, but he and Nie Mingjue focused on continuously impaling it. Wei Wuxian looked up and found that the underside of the bird wasn’t on fire. Meaning it was much more vulnerable.

With a heavy breath, he launched Suibian towards it and wished he’d thought about bringing his bow and arrows. The bird screeched again at the feeling and Wei Wuxian summoned Subian back to his hand just as the bird came careening down. He braced for impact, waited for the bird to land on him. 

It didn’t crush him though, instead landing a few steps away and bleeding. It’s beak came for Wei Wuxian and he did the only thing he knew how, drawing Suibian and acting like this was a normal way to spar. It screeched at him and threw him and treated him like a ragdoll, but Wei Wuxian was right‒he was a very effective distraction.

On the side of him, as he kept the bird distracted and Lan Zhan kept the bird in place despite himself, Lan Xichen pulled out his guqin. Music poured out of it, attacking the beast and successfully subduing it as Wei Wuxian started sending fire extinguishing talismans again and Nie Mingjue attacked it. Once it was weak enough, Lan Zhan pulled out his own guqin and the brothers effectively waited until Nie Mingjue and Wei Wuxian both hit the ground before executing the chord assissnation technique. 

The energy that it sent slammed together against the bird between the brothers, effectively destroying the bird in one fell swoop.

They all laid in waiting for a moment, waiting for it to come back. It was only then that Wei Wuxian fully allowed himself to realize that he was in the nest and bleeding, something he really, really wasn’t supposed to do. Not when they didn’t know what it was guarding or where it was.

He slowly pushed himself up onto all fours and looked around, seeing if anything stood out. It was all a bunch of pebbles and stones and ash, all grey and black and stained red. He moved to where he was sitting, taking a few deep breaths as he looked around.

Wei Wuxian had read quite a lot about the Yin Iron. It’d been destroyed by the Sects long before he was around and any rumors about it still being around had died over a century ago. Because of that, there was no one really alive that had felt the power of being in the same room as it. 

Still, as his eyes fell on one particular little stone, one that was covered in his blood and one that seemed to be calling to him, he could only imagine it felt something like that. But he didn’t know. He did know that if he said he thought he found something like the Yin Iron, it would be taken away from him and he’d never get to do any experimenting. So he grabbed it, shoving it in his pocket with the same motion that he used to sheath his sword and shakily brought himself to his feet. 

When he turned to the others, they were all already staring at him with varying degrees of worry.

“Wei Wuxian,” Nie Mingjue said first, his voice commanding as ever. Wei Wuxian looked to him with furrowed eyebrows. “What did you find?”

“I didn’t find anything,” he lied, looking around the nest again even though it made him so dizzy he had to steady himself by using Suibian, “Guess it’s a good thing too, I got blood everywhere.”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said, taking a step forward. He looked somehow unscathed and Wei Wuxian managed a smile, though he felt a little lightheaded.

“Ah, Lan Zhan! It’s so good you wore my clothes, you would’ve gotten yours dirty,” he said, laughing a little despite needing to take a deep breath. He blinked a few times and looked down at himself. Dark smoke seemed to hover around his feet, probably due to the bird. Or maybe he was just that lightheaded. How much blood had he lost? 

“Young Master Wei,” Lan Xichen’s soft voice said next, “You’ve found something.”

“I can look through the rocks, but it’s all just rocks,” he said, keeping his voice tame and not at all defensive. His voice must’ve given something away, however, because Lan Zhan was at his side just in time to catch him when his legs gave out. “I’ll look, I promise, just-just give me a second.”

“Brother,” Lan Zhan said sternly. Wei Wuxian tried to look up at his face to read it so he could understand what he didn’t say, but it was too hazy and his eyes were falling.

Even as he tried to stay awake, the fatigue and the blood loss won over and he managed to rest his head on Lan Zhan’s shoulder right before everything went black.

-

When Wei Wuxian opened his eyes, he found himself, of all places, inside the Jingshi.

It took him a few seconds to really gather his surroundings, but, once he did, he was just fucking confused. He tried to recount the last things he remembered and none of them made sense to how he ended up back in the Cloud Recesses or in Lan Zhan’s bed. Had he dreamt the whole thing?

But, no. He was far too sore to have dreamt that.

“Drink.”

His eyes then moved to see that Lan Zhan was standing over him with a glass of water. He managed a tired smile and slowly pushed himself to sit despite the fact his body ached and he was still tired. 

“You’re too good,” Wei Wuxian said, accepting the glass and drinking it slowly. He finished it even though it made him feel a little sick, but he had no intention to stress him out even more. “So, did you bring me here to have your wicked way with me?”

“Brother searched the nest and saw nothing that seemed to have any negative energy. Your spiritual energy was depleted, you were bleeding, and you broke two ribs,” Lan Zhan answered in an awful clinical way. Wei Wuxian smiled up at him despite the guilt that filled his system. Lan Zhan didn’t typically stay clinical when they were alone, not anymore. He was mad and not in a fun way.

“Good thing there was nothing in the nest then.”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said. Wei Wuxian shook his head and opened his mouth to tell him it wasn’t that big of a deal. People got hurt all the time and most didn’t have the healing capabilities that he did with his golden core, he would be fine. However, Lan Zhan wasn’t done talking. “You came into contact with something negative. You had resentful energy around you.”

“Yeah because of the fucking bird,” he sighed, lowering himself down again, “You both exploded it and I was in it’s nest, whatever was left of it probably just came near before it was gone entirely. I didn’t find anything.”

Lan Zhan stared at him like he didn’t quite believe him, but he also seemed like he wasn’t going to argue either. Instead, he reached out and let his fingers hover over his forehead, sending a steady stream of spiritual energy into his system to heal him a little faster. Wei Wuxian offered him a thankful smile.

After a few minutes of that, however, he had enough energy to get up and walk himself to the bathroom. When he was finally alone, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the rock that had thankfully stayed there. It was small, hardly the size of the nail on his thumb, but it was powerful. It was probably what they were feeling. He wondered if Lan Zhan could feel it now.

He shoved it back into his pocket, deciding that it was none of their business. If they couldn’t tell where it was coming from then that meant it wasn’t for them. Wei Wuxian finally had something that he could study. He was fine. 

He splashed a bit of water on his face and took his hair down, instantly feeling a little bit better. He needed a shower more than anything, but that could be done after he got rid of all of Lan Zhan’s worrying.

Wei Wuxian went back into the room and saw Lan Zhan sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor with his blank face. Wei Wuxian took the opportunity to reach out and touch his chin. He looked up at him, making eye contact instantly and Wei Wuxian had to smile.

“You’re very cute when you worry, but there’s no need for it. I’m fine, thanks to your powerful spiritual energy,” he said, grinning as he sat on the bed beside him. Lan Zhan never broke eye contact. “Ah, why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something in mind?”

“Wei Ying.”

“I’m teasing,” Wei Wuxian said softly, leaning forward to rub his nose against his cheek.

“You said you would let me help you,” Lan Zhan said, voice quiet and significantly less controlled. Wei Wuxian froze for a second, letting himself look confused as he leaned back.

“I did. You used the chord assassination technique,” Wei Wuxian pointed out, but Lan Zhan’s expression became a little more open, a little more desperate for him to understand what he was actualy saying. Wei Wuxian swallowed hard. “Can’t get anything past you, can I?”

“Please,” Lan Zhan added. It was impossible to lie to and impossible to even put off. Wei Wuxian sighed and closed his eyes, shaking his head.

“Ah, Lan Zhan, don’t make things difficult, alright? Lying is against the rules, but if I say nothing, you never have to lie,” he tried. Lan Zhan didn’t back down. “It’s not that serious. I’m simply going to study it, just like I said, remember? I’ll do it outside of the Cloud Recesses and no one will be hurt.”

“Let me help.”

“Okay,” Wei Wuxian conceded. Lan Zhan nodded, but it was all still so tense. Wei Wuxian wasn’t having any of it, so he leaned in again. “We won’t need to court properly if I whisk you away, will we?”

Lan Zhan let out a breath at that and, in seconds, he closed the space between them. Wei Wuxian welcomed him and put his hand on his cheek, kissing him slowly and trying to ignore all the aches that seemed to stem all to his ribs. He pulled away once he couldn’t anymore, taking a breath and laying himself down. Lan Zhan followed, his hand sliding beneath his shirt and hovering over his ribcage as if just knowing what was happening without needing to be told.

“You’re too good, Lan Zhan, far too good,” Wei Wuxian praised him, looking at him. His eyes drifted to the hand that was pressed against the bed as to hold him up just a little while he helped heal him and saw that his nails were still very nicely done despite the fight. “Ah, see, I told you, very good for your fingers.”

“Mn.”

He still kept his face stoic. Wei Wuxian waited for a solid ten minutes, thinking and debating and folding over things in his mind. And Lan Zhan still looked uncomfortable. Because, no matter what Wei Wuxian said or did, he always would be if he kept this between them. Wei Wuxian didn’t want that. He could handle a lot of things, but not that.

“I’ll tell your brother,” Wei Wuxian said softly, “I’ll show it to him, but you have to promise me you’ll help me convince him to let me study it. It’s all I want. Please.”

Lan Zhan relaxed a bit and looked at him again, nodding once. He probably wouldn’t fully relax until they actually told him, but it was a step. Besides, Wei Wuxian was charming and Lan Xichen was overly lenient‒he would get to study it. Hopefully. 

But, for now, he needed not to think.

“Okay, okay, come here,” Wei Wuxian said, reaching up to grab the back of his neck and pull him down. He kissed him desperately and this time was able to effectively ignore his ribs, even when Lan Zhan eventually stopped giving him spiritual energy and simply touched him.

And it was all fine until Wei Wuxian tried to pass him spiritual energy back like they always did.

Lan Zhan gasped, audibly, and pushed his hand away faster than he’d really reacted around Wei Wuxian. He was looking at him with wide eyes that Wei Wuxian was probably mirroring due to the shock that Lan Zhan had pushed him away.

“What?” Wei Wuxian asked. Lan Zhan swallowed and looked over him, his hand hesitantly reaching to touch the spot Wei Wuxian had tried to pass him energy at. “What’s wrong? What just happened?”

Lan Zhan’s eyes lingered at Wei Wuxian’s chest for a moment‒or, more specifically, where his golden core was. All that did was confuse him more.

“Lan Zhan,” he said seriously, “Did that hurt?”

Lan Zhan’s eyes traveled back to meet his with an uncharacteristic wariness to them. Wei Wuxian stared at him for a long moment, trying to read his mind because he clearly wasn’t going to vocalize it. Eventually, Wei Wuxian reached into his pocket and pulled out the rock. Earlier, in the bathroom, it’d been fine. Now, however, it had a dark smoke hovering around it. Wei Wuxian blinked twice before looking to Lan Zhan.

He was about to apologize, about to say he didn’t really understand what just happened, about to ramble until he couldn’t ramble anymore because he didn’t know what else to do. Studying was one thing. Using it was another. Accidentally putting it into Lan Zhan’s body was something else entirely.

But, before he could, Lan Zhan reached out and took it from his hands. Part of Wei Wuxian expected him to march it over to Lan Xichen right then and there. Instead, he sat up and placed it on the little side table. Then he laid back beside Wei Wuxian.

“I might still draw on it even if it’s not on me, I don’t know how it works,” Wei Wuxian admitted. Lan Zhan took a deep breath and reached up to his forehead ribbon.

He said nothing with his words, but his actions said everything as he took it off of his head and proceeded to wrap it around one of Wei Wuxian’s wrists. He watched Lan Zhan intently in awe and, when he came back down to kiss him and made sure to be cautious of his ribs, he had no intention to ever let him go.

They were in this together, good or bad, and Wei Wuxian just had to hope this wasn’t the start of something bad.

#the untamed #the untamed fic #wangxian #wei wuxian #lan wangji #lan xichen #mdzs #mdsz fic #my fic