Chapter Text
Lan Wangji sits quietly on the roof, legs crossed, straight-backed. He plays the Song of Peace quietly, thanking the spirits who aided them in the war. They disperse in the evening light, letting the setting sun shine a little brighter on the Qinghe courtyard below.
He has to admit, sitting on a roof has grown on him. It is not proper, but it is quiet and few people will try to talk to you on a roof. In fact, only one person will try.
“Lan Zhan!”
He opens his eyes and allows himself a small smile, waving away his guqin.
“Wei Ying.”
“If you sit there any longer, you’ll start growing moss. Are we leaving tonight or not?”
I was waiting for you. He does not say this, because Wei Ying already knows it.
“Ridiculous.” He replies instead, floating down to the courtyard to press a kiss to his partner’s teasing mouth. Wei Ying smiles into their kiss.
“Ridiculous to leave? Or ridiculous to grow moss?” Improbably, he manages to continue kissing Lan Zhan through his waffling. “Because you know, I heard of an ancient woman who lives in a cave and-” Lan Zhan pulls away from the kiss.
“You.”
Wei Ying paints wide-eyed innocence across his face.
“Me what?” Then he huffs faux-outrage. “Hanguang Jun, did you just call your esteemed and respected cultivation partner ridiculous? Surely you’ve forgotten the three-hundred-and-twenty-seventh rule of the Lan Sect; Do not cast aspersions against-”
Lan Zhan is close to laughter, and turns away, heading towards the main gate of Qinghe. Wei Ying laughs too and jogs a couple of steps to catch up, sliding a hand into Lan Zhan’s. He chats away, spinning a fantastical tale of a little old woman covered in moss. Wei Ying’s face is lit by the setting sun, looking brighter and happier than Lan Zhan has ever seen him. Once Wei Ying’s story ends, Lan Zhan lets the quiet settle and then gathers himself to speak.
“Your family. Do they approve?”
They pass through the shadow of the Qinghe gate and into the gloaming light. Wei Ying looks down and nods.
“Shi-jie said she thought it was for the best, that Jiang Cheng would grow from living without someone to compare himself to.” Lan Zhan squeezes Wei Ying’s hand, knowing he can provide more comfort that way than with words. “Jiang Cheng seemed hurt, but almost relieved too. I think he’s ready to be a Sect Leader now, to stand on his own. I made Wen Qing promise to keep an eye on him.”
“Made?” Lan Zhan cannot imagine anyone making the Wen Sect Leader to anything.
“Well, alright, I asked her very, very nicely.” Wei Ying laughs but it slides away into silence and he looks down at his feet again.
“I will gladly live in Yunmeng, if it is your wish.” Lan Zhan has said it before, but he wants to make it clear.
“It’s not!” Wei Ying looks up with his sun-bright smile already back in place. “I only have one wish, Lan Zhan, and that is to be with you and take our time figuring out our place in the world.”
Lan Zhan nods. They continue to walk hand-in-hand, Bichen and Suibian strapped across their backs in a mirror of the cultivators that first gave them an idea of the life they wanted to live.
“We will visit your family often.” Lan Zhan says evenly, meaning it with all his heart. Wei Ying smiles and leans over to kiss him on the cheek.
“And we can visit Gusu as often as Lan-shushu allows me through the gate!”
Lan Zhan huffs a small, amused breath. “I do not believe my uncle will physically prevent your entry.”
Wei Ying cackles, swinging their hands and skipping slightly. “Oh, but wouldn’t it be fun if he tried to?!”
The mental image is too much for Lan Zhan and he covers his mouth with his free hand, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Wei Ying skips around until they are face to face. He gently removes the hand, kisses Lan Zhan’s palm and holds both his hands.
“Where shall we go first?”
Lan Zhan pauses to consider.
“I wish to find Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan. To ask for their guidance and advice on life as wandering cultivation partners.”
Wei Ying nods seriously and squeezes his hands.
“And then?”
Lan Zhan considers again, but not for long, because his answer is simple.
“And then I will follow whichever path you take.”
Wei Ying breathes in slightly, opens his mouth as if about to speak, then swallows. He looks up, blinking and smiles.
“What if that path is dark and narrow? Lan Zhan, what if that path goes somewhere no one else thinks is worth going?”
“If you are walking it, then it is worth taking.”
Wei Ying tilts his head, face unreadable for a moment as a faraway look creeps into his eyes.
“There is a place, Lan Zhan. It is a terrible place, full of suffering, full of resentful spirits with no hope of redemption.”
Concern flits through Lan Zhan’s mind, but Wei Ying looks back at him and suddenly he understands.
“You wish to liberate the spirits of the Burial Mounds.”
“We can do it together, you and I. Lan Zhan, we can bring them peace.” Wei Ying laughs, “I had a dream last night. A single lotus flower, growing untouched through the bones and dirt and the cold air.”
A sudden intensity shines in Wei Ying’s eyes. The same light shone in them back in Cloud Recesses, every time he heard a rule that begged Wei Ying to be broken. Lan Zhan leans in, pressing their foreheads together.
“We will bring them peace. I shall plant the first seed with you.”