Archive of Our Own ^beta

Two days ago, a loud commotion broke the peaceful atmosphere of the Cloud Recesses, and it’s all thanks to the one and only Wei Wuxian. It’s no surprise that he would be the cause of all the trouble, Lan Wangji thinks to himself as his husband mourns sadly on the floor. At a distance, a broken jar of Emperor’s Smile lays on the floor of the Jingshi.

“Lan Zhaaaaaaan!” Wei Wuxian cries out.

“Lan Zhaaaaaaaaaaaan.”

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji puts down his brush on his study table. He has almost gone through all the juniors’ reports for the night and he knows that Wei Wuxian has been patient throughout the night without saying much—and that is saying much.

Lan Wangji gets up from his seated position and strides gracefully to his devastated husband. He wraps his arms around his husband, tightening his hold as the other cling to him closely. He feels his husband shamelessly grope around his body—arms, back, legs (a much more shameless hand grazes Lan Wangji’s ass at some point).

“Aiyo, all the Emperor Smile is gone!” Wei Wuxian complains with a pout which happens to be one of the very few weaknesses of the great Hanguang-jun.

Lan Wangji spoils his husband rotten and thinks that he deserves the best and only the best in the world. It’s odd that Wei Wuxian is always the one that says that Lan Wangji is so great and that he doesn’t know what he did in his previous lifetime and the current lifetime to deserve him.

Does Wei Wuxian not know Lan Wangji is the one to call himself blessed to be able to be beside Wei Wuxian through it all? Probably not, as Wei Wuxian has always been one to put others first before himself. It hurts Lan Wangji sometimes, to know that his Wei Ying thinks he doesn’t deserve all the goodness in life. Other people may not know, but Lan Wangji knows that his husband will go to the ends of the world, the top of Qishan to the bottom of Luanzang Gang to protect the ones he loves. And yet, his husband still thinks he doesn’t deserve Lan Wangji’s kindness and love. But that’s all right, for the Lan will spend his whole life just to show how much of it his husband deserves.

He always tells Wei Wuxian, “Ask me and see if I’d refuse you anything.”

Most times Wei Wuxian doesn’t even need to ask for anything because Lan Wangji just… gets it. Furthermore, he doesn’t take advantage of how nice his husband treats him. His requests are harmless except for one time where he told Lan Wangji to stand back when they were exorcising a mountain ghoul which was still relatively stronger than the new body Wei Wuxian is in.

“That was the last jar left. Shouldn’t have given the other two to Jiang Cheng the other day!” His husband laments as he snuggles into Lan Wangji’s chest.

“Will buy more for Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji says, kissing the top of his head. Wei Wuxian smells of sandalwood and magnolia—his favorite scent.

“I wonder what I did in my previous life to be able to call you my husband now.”

“By just being yourself,” Lan Wangji establishes with another kiss, but on his forehead this time. “Wei Ying deserves only the best.”

“Are you referring to yourself, Hanguang-jun?”

Lan Wangji has never thought of himself as anything, but he supposes it’s the same for Wei Wuxian, who also never thought of himself as anything too. There is a world of difference between the two of them on the surface, on the outside. But on the inside, they beat as one.

He doesn’t respond to his husband’s compliment with words, but instead, with a kiss which he’s held on to since they had finished dinner. Wei Wuxian’s shameless antics underneath their table will now be returned in kind.

“So impatient, Lan Er-gege…” Wei Wuxian moans into his mouth.

“Mn,” Lan Wangji doesn’t lie.

“Did tell Wei Ying to stop teasing just now,” he warns with an intense golden gaze that would be strong enough to illuminate the entire Jingshi.

“B-But that was just now!”

“Too late,” he lands a bite on Wei Wuxian’s bottom lip.

“Lan Zhan… I don’t think I need the Emperor’s Smile now,” Wei Wuxian’s voice low and seductive.

“You do not,” Lan Wangji finalises as he carries his husband in his arms to their bed.

Wei Wuxian’s giggles fill up their bedroom and that’s Lan Wangji’s favorite sound.

The next day, Lan Wangji wakes up first as usual. The distant shuffling of feet can be heard from where he lay next to Wei wuxian, who is still sound asleep in his arms. Gazing down, his beloved is covered by (Lan Wangji’s) white robes, burying his face deeper into Lan Wangji’s chest and humming a small yet satisfied sigh. He presses a gentle kiss on Wei Wuxian’s forehead before pulling him off of his body, which is easy since the other seemed to be not responding to anyone at the moment.

His routine then starts—getting up from bed, tucking Wei Wuxian back in and giving him another kiss, going to the bath, wearing his usual robes, walking out of the Jingshi. Breakfast comes around 7:00 A.M., and everyone is already settled on their seats except for Wei Wuxian who continues to sleep without a care in the world.

Lan Wangji carries out his normal lessons in the morning and usually by the time he’s done, his husband would be awake. But still, he always opens the doors to his Jingshi silently in case his husband decides to steal another five minutes in bed.

“Lan Er-gege!” Wei Wuxian runs towards Lan Wangji with open arms.

“Wei Ying,” he pecks his husband on the cheeks.

“Lan Zhan, are you done for the day?” Wei Wuxian asks as he eyes on the parchment that Lan Wangji holds in his hands.

“Mn.”

Wei Wuxian hums in acknowledgement as he taps his nose.

“What is it, Wei Ying?”

“How is it that you know when there’s something in my head? Actually, don’t answer that because I know you’re going to say something romantic and it’s still too early in the day for my heart to take!”

Lan Wangji lets out a chuckle so soft that only Wei Wuxian can hear. Of course, that’s also because only he’s meant to hear.

“Wen Ning told me that Sizhui and Jingyi did well on their nighthunt the other night. I was thinking I could cook them a meal this weekend when they get back home. So, I was thinking if we could take a trip to Caiyi Town?”

“Anything Wei Ying wants.”

“See, that’s exactly what I meant when I said you’d be romantic! Oh, my poor heart!” Wei Wuxian clutches onto his chest dramatically, as usual.

“Not poor heart. Beautiful heart,” he corrects.

“Lan Wangji, at the rate you’re spewing such sweet words, we are never going to leave the Jingshi today! Usually I wouldn’t mind but the kitchen here in the Cloud Recesses has run out of my ingredients. And maybe a new bathtub…” Wei Wuxian tries to hide his smirk. “That’s your fault, Hanguang-jun!”

“Mn. My fault,” Lan Wangji says, resigned to it.

“So if you’ll excuse me, my overly romantic and strong husband, I’ll need to get changed and we can make a move,” Wei Wuxian huffs.

Lan Wangji can’t help but take in the sight. His husband always says that the things Lan Wangji does is too much for his weak (self-proclaimed) heart. But little does he know that Lan Wangji’s heart also reacts the same way to him.

Ensuring that they have their jade token and (Lan Wangji’s) money pouch, they leave the Cloud Recesses and head for Caiyi Town.

The walk to the town is not and never a quiet one with Wei Wuxian playing Wangxian on Chenqing. Too many a time, Lan Wangji feels that his husband steals a few glances at him and an ever mischievous smile will always grace his face. How he never gets tired of doing so, Lan Wangji fails to fathom. Wei Wuxian seems to continuously admire his husband and how he is the greatest man in the whole world. Each comment he hears Wei Wuxian throw would result in a look, stare or wink that aims to try to create an expression out of him. Most times, Lan Wangji would remain quiet or once in a blue moon nod in response when, in fact, he really is feeling embarrassed.

Hearing the same comments almost every day never fails to make Lan Wangji feel embarrassed regardless if Wei Wuxian jokes around or is being serious; it will always result in very red ears. Bystanders can only watch from a distance while inwardly laughing and fawning over the mismatched pair who are walking side by side down the street—a man clothed in white and blue, single-handedly carrying a bathtub and another man in black and red, fluttering around the other like a butterfly attracted to a pretty peony, while spinning a dizi using his right hand and holding a white sword with his left.

Together, they spend the rest of the day gathering ingredients for Wei Wuxian to prepare his “specialty” dishes, or so he says. Most of the ingredients he got were paprika, chilli, pepper, and more paprika, chilli, and more pepper. Since most of the ingredients are spices, Lan Wangji takes upon himself to buy mundane ingredients that could try and balance out the amount of spice his husband has bought. Despite everything they bought, Lan Wangji still sends a quiet prayer to the poor unsuspecting juniors who will surely fall victim, again, to all of Wei Wuxian’s infamous spicy dishes.

“Lan Zhan! How about some Emperor’s Smile?” Wei Wuxian shouts as he walks towards their usual stall, dragging Lan Wangji in tow. “We need to celebrate with the juniors for a job well-done. But if it happens to be a job not-well-done, then they can drown themselves in sorrow, hahahaha! I always do that, it really helps!”

Lan Wangji, being the indulging husband he is, caves in and buys ten jars of wine, despite Gusu Lan's “alcohol is prohibited" rule and replying with his usual monotone “Mn.”

As the sun starts to set, the two start to head home when something catches the corner of Wei Wuxian's eyes, causing them to light up suspiciously brighter than they did with Emperor’s Smile.

“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! Look!” He calls out, causing his husband to turn around to see what has happened. He spots Wei Wuxian already running to a stall. “Lan Zhan! Do you remember the kind sister who gifted us loquats after we returned from our water ghoul adventure in Biling Lake? That was one of the best loquats I have ever tasted! And I have tasted many from many places!"

After getting married, Wei Wuxian has relentlessly requested Lan Wangji to teach him some Gusu dialect. He is married to a Gusu man, after all. So it's rather safe to say that Wei Wuxian knows how to converse with it, at least with words he deems may come in handy. Lan Wangji is a great teacher, in many things and Wei Wuxian is undoubtedly a fast learner too.

“Sister! Sister!” Wei Wuxian waves. “You are still here! Do you remember me and this handsome young Gong-zi?” Wei Wuxian asks the loquat seller, flashing his signature smile to her.

“Of course I do, young beaus! How can I ever forget these two handsome faces?” the Gusu woman returns with a smile.

“Hahaha, sister! You are still as sweet as ever and you have an impressive sense of memory! I wish I could say the same myself," Wei Wuxian admits while scratching his nose, “but I do remember telling you that the next time I come here, I’m going to buy a whole basket and also bring this then-young lord with me! Doesn’t he still look as handsome as before?”

Wei Wuxian stretches out his hand to Lan Wangji, who stands idly behind him, indicating that he is asking for their money pouch. The look Lan Wangji throws at Wei Wuxian went unnoticed as he is too focused on picking a basket of loquat.

Hands remaining still at his side (with a handful of goods), Lan Wangji doesn't respond but only stands still. Wei Wuxian takes the initiative to take the pouch from Lan Wangi’s inner robe and proceeds to pay the Gusu woman, who thanks both him and Lan Wangji, who is apparently still remaining as aloof as ever. The slight facial movement of discomfort replaces his usual stoic expression before going to normal—this also goes unnoticed by Wei Wuxian. Once Wei Wuxian is handed a fresh basket of loquats, he bids the woman adieu with the biggest smile he has, “Sister! We will definitely come back again, don't forget us ne—!"

Before Wei Wuxian can finish his farewell properly, his eyes catch Lan Wangji already striding in the other direction. Lan Wangji really deserves his title of being one of the Twin Jades of Lan as he elegantly strides; the sunset at the back gives his husband an ethereal figure as he moves himself with such purpose. Lan Wangji’s soft, stark black hair dances to the breeze of the wind, his white and blue robes flutter against the beautiful orange hued dusk. If Wei Wuxian had a paint brush, ink and paper in hand, he definitely would have asked his husband to just stand still so he can immortalize this view on paper. The thoughts continue to trail on as he drinks in the beauty of his husband before realizing he had been idling too long.

Catching up to his husband, Wei Wuxian reaches out his hand to tug Lan Wangji’s sleeves. He smiles cheekily at his husband once the attention is caught as the two start their way home with their fruits of labour in Caiyi Town. As clueless as Wei Wuxian naturally is, he doesn’t realize what’s wrong with his husband as he was content with their shopping.

The jars in his arms clink and clank together as Lan Wangji walks up the many stairs to Cloud Recesses. Hidden in the lofty white robes of the great Hanguang-Jun, two jars of Emperor Smile make its way up to the very place it is forbidden to be. As his husband puts it, his robes are “so flowy, he could hide a little child in it,” so a jar or two of Wei Wuxian’s favorite drink isn’t a problem for him to (smuggle) bring in.

Either the disciples that dutifully guard the entrance of Cloud Recesses turn an intentional blind eye to Hanguang-Jun’s actions or Lan Wangji is that good at hiding the jars because he managed to enter with no fuss at all. They only greet him with a, “Hanguang-jun,” bowing with their hands cupped in front of them, and Lan Wangji only nods in acknowledgment. Lan Wangji and his husband make it back home before 7 :00 P.M., just in time for dinner.

During their dinner in the Jingshi, Wei Wuxian notices that Lan Wangji has been awfully quiet—not his usual quiet, either. This worries him as he doesn't know how to approach and ask what's wrong.

As Wei Wuxian opens his mouth to start a conversation, Lan Wangji has poured Emperor’s Smile into his own cup and into Wei Wuxian’s. But as usual, he takes only a sip, never more.

With the moon high above the Jingshi and gusts of wind rustling the Magnolia leaves, Wei Wuxian lets out a yawn as he gets up from the side of the bed and drags himself to the messy table. Grabbing Emperor’s Smile, he shrugs as he gulps down the remaining drops. He should've known that the Great (and Drunk) Hanguang-jun was, in his own ways, unstoppable. It has always been like this: what Wei Wuxian wants—no matter what he asked for—Lan Wangji would not refuse.

Despite the rule of prohibiting alcohol within Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji always brings back Emperor’s Smile and indulges him by drinking with him when requested. Back then, it would've taken Lan Wangji eight seconds to fall asleep. But now, it’s increased to nine seconds. It still is a wonder that someone can skip the part of being drunk, and straight to falling asleep. Wei Wuxian chuckled to himself at that thought. Lan Zhan will forever and always be his Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian watches in amusement as his husband’s head drops onto the table unceremoniously, the table jumping at the sudden force. He could almost cringe at the sound of how it must actually hurt. He wants to laugh, really. It would've been funny if it wasn't for the fact that his back might be receiving (one of) its worst injuries from their nightly acvitities. He should've known his husband would always indulge him no matter how stupid or ridiculous his requests may be (or often are). But this time, he hadn’t asked Lan Wangji to drink. Perhaps Wei Wuxian will ask what’s wrong the next day because taking care of his drunken husband now is his priority.

"Lan Zhan," he starts, throwing the beautiful drunk man's arm over his shoulders as he manoeuvres them to bed with much difficulty. Wei Wuxian can't help but wonder if his own drunken self has ever looked as good as Lan Wangji. "You really know when to be difficult, don't you? Making your poor husband carry you when I'm still aching from yesterday? It’s your doing, anyway! You're supposed to be the one taking care of weak and poor me!"

But all teasing aside, Wei Wuxian undeniably feels blessed to be able to take care of his husband despite any given situation; because he knows that if the roles were switched, Lan Wangji would feel and do the same.

True to his icy, jade-like nature that everybody respects and avoids, Lan Wangji whispers his "Mn," which Wei Wuxian has learned over the many years that such a simple tone could carry so many meanings. He’s also convinced that only he, Zewu-Jun, and (undoubtedly) Old Man Lan are the only people that are able to decipher the façade that Lan Er-gongzi puts on in front of the world.

Lan Wangji lazily props and nuzzles his head onto Wei Wuxian’s shoulders, sending breaths and shivers down Wei Wuxian’s neck involuntarily. The strong smell of sandalwood envelopes the two as they enjoy the presence of each other. “So eager already, Lan Er-gege? As much as I’d love to, I wouldn’t take advantage of the Second Jade of Lan in such a debauched state.

"Lan Zhan, ah~ be good and let me be the one to take care of you tonight. It's not every day that the notorious Yiling Laozu gets to do this with the esteemed Second Jade of Lan!"

Huffing his way from the table to their bed, Wei Wuxian half-drags and half-carries Lan Wangji’s body onto the bed. He’s more than sure he has consumed more than half of his energy to do that. A gentle smile graces his face as he lifts up the slim but strong and sturdy legs of his beloved husband. Wei Wuxian, to the best of his ability, carefully removes Lan Wangji headband ribbon and takes off Lan Wangji’s shoes before quietly pulling the blanket to cover Lan Wangji; his hands brush Lan Wangji’s lap while doing so.

Thoughts of them fighting for their lives in the Xuanwu Cave fill Wei Wuxian’s head, making him smile. It was his first time listening to Lan Wangji sing, sing theirsong. It took sixteen years for Wei Wuxian to find out the name of the song—Wangxian.

“Still can’t believe that the Great Hanguang-jun would've let me lie on his lap, as well as massage my head and shoulders! To think he even sang to me! Lan Wangji, ah, Lan Wangji… What could I have done back then to deserve such kindness?" Wei Ying wonders to himself and smiles once more while at it.

He’s always wondered when Lan Wangji started to compose the music. He makes a mental note to ask his husband the next day, along with the other question as to why he’s behaving rather oddly today.

Snapping out of his down-the-memory-lane trance, he reluctantly turns away from his unconscious husband after settling him down and tucking him in. Trinkets lie here and there on the messy table, while their dinner utensils are left untouched after the wine was brought out. Bichen and Chenqing lie on the table, unattended by their owners who had other important matters to attend to. A big mess indeed, looking nothing like what the Jingshi was meant to look like. Lan Qiren would scoff at this and Lan Xichen would just smile.

As Wei Wuxian is about to clean up the table, which he should already have if he didn’t walk down the memory lane again, he hears quiet footsteps behind him. Lo and behold, the Great (and Drunk) Hanguang-jun is now making his way toward his husband. Though with his eyes three quarter-closed, he seems to know which direction he was headed to—his husband. It seems like he will always find a way back to Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian secretly prays and hopes that this would always be the case.

But still, things seem to be amiss and it’s driving Wei Wuxian up the wall.

In his defense, Wei Wuxian’s usually very apt at deciphering his husband’s mood; but this time around, it seems to be a bit challenging even though they've been living with each other for months now. Racking through his brain, he tries to come up with reasons why Lan Wangji is so quiet but to no avail. Giving up, Wei Wuxian boldly steps in front of his husband and cups Lan Wangji’s face in his hands.

He asks, “Lan Er-gege, mind telling your beloved husband what’s wro—”

In that instance, Wei Wuxian finds himself being pushed against the wall; his hands restrained above his head. Sometimes, Wei Wuxian still finds Lan Wangji’s strength very alarming, though he is fully aware. Lan Wangji’s lips finds his husband’s, and he nibbles on the corner, causing Wei Wuxian to let out a noise of surprise. The sudden force and kiss still whirling in his head, trying to comprehend what just happened.

“Hanguang-jun…”

“Only me,” Lan Wangji says sternly.

"..."

"..."

Like alarm bells going off, Wei Wuxian finally realizes what was eating away at his husband; his husband is jealous of the loquat lady!

“Aiya, Lan Zhan! Is this what this is about? If I had known that doing so will make you do this to me, I would gladly do it.” Wei Wuxian teases his husband, trying to wiggle his way out of the other man's grip. It bears little to no fruit as it only results in Lan Wangji tightening his hold on his bound hands. Lan Wangji gives him the look again, demanding Wei Wuxian to stop teasing.

“Do not joke around."

“Lan Er-gongzi, you’re drinking too much vinegar, aren’t you? Now be good and tell your husband, how long have you been drinking from this bottle? I wonder why I can never get a whiff of it, but just sandalwood!” Wei Wuxian continues to taunt as he is now tugging on Lan Wangji’s headband ribbon with the hand he is able to free from his husband’s grip. He pulls Lan Wangji closer—his face close to his ears—and hot breath filled Lan Wangji’s ears.

He can feel Lan Wangji flushing from his ears to his cheeks. With every heartbeat, Lan Wangji’s breath hitches. He laughs under his breath as he blows at the other's exposed ear (and Lan Wangji swears that his husband is definitely teasing him). Playing around with trying to rile Lan Wangji up is a typical sight to see; Wei Wuxian whispering teasing words to make his husband lose his composure while feeling up his husband.

Finally deciding that he has tortured his poor husband enough, Wei Wuxian declares, “I belong to you—my heart and soul belong to you, my Lan Wangji, my Lan Zhan, my Hanguang-jun, my Lan Er-gege...”

With words spoken so true—so dear that hit home and straight to his heart—Lan Wangji scoops Wei Wuxian and makes a beeline to their bed and tosses him there. Wei Wuxian lets out a yelp. Lan Wangji moves quickly and makes sure that his tease of a husband remains still by tying both of Wei Wixian’s hands to the bedpost with his headband ribbon. Wei Wuxian doesn't seem to fight back and even grins playfully at his own gremlin actions. It actually looks like he's… enjoying himself getting treated like this.

“So impatient, Lan Er-gege. Now tell me, how would you like me to flirt with you?”

With words spoken so shamelessly (with truth held in them), Lan Wangji pulls their blanket with one hand to the side, leaving it forgotten as the two indulge in each other in a sweet caress into the sweet night. The two had set their priorities aside and are in desperate need of wanting to be closer to each other—wanting nothing more than to yield their restraint and let it go.

“Wait, Lan Zhan! We haven’t bathed! And the food is still on the tabl—” Wei Wuxian exclaims, knowing how much his husband prioritizes cleanliness.

“No need.” Lan Wangji establishes.

Understanding the implication all too well, Wei Wuxian laughs and kisses Lan Wangji, trying to lean as high as possible with his hands bound. He manages to maneuver under Lan Wangji and hooks his ankles around his waist, trapping the other between his legs.

Breathless. Wanton. Wanting. Craving. Needing. They part from the heated and messy kiss.

"Alright, Lan Zhan. I'm yours now."

Hearing that, Lan Wangji shows Wei Wuxian just how much he belongs to him, only him—not just now. But forever. Wei Wuxian doesn’t need to hear those words come out of Lan Wangji’s mouth—never needs to. He knows his husband’s way of showing all too well. No words can describe how much Lan Wangji means to him and everything he is to Lan Wangji is shown through his husband's actions.

“Lan Zhan, I’m yours forever.”

A Day In Caiyi Town by Kikki