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It started as a fairly routine visit to the Unclean Realm. Lan Xichen came early, greeted Nie Huaisang with a lingering kiss, and joined him in his study to go over plans for an upcoming discussion conference. It was a bitterly cold day, but even Nie Huaisang’s golden core was strong enough to fend off most discomfort from the temperature. When it began to snow around midday, they took a short break to watch it fall, but otherwise paid it no mind.
They were interrupted after a few hours by a disciple bringing news of a disturbance in a nearby forest—a tree had fallen from the heavy snow, destroying an array that repelled resentful energy in the area.
“I’d better go myself,” Nie Huaisang sighed, surprising Lan Xichen. “I could get a disciple to take care of it, but there’s a pair of rare owls wintering in that part of the woods, and I don’t trust anyone else not to disturb them. Miserable day to go out, though.”
“I’ll come too,” Lan Xichen offered, which made Nie Huaisang perk up a bit and give him a kiss on the cheek in thanks.
They wrapped up in warm travel furs and flew the fairly short distance to the forest with the ruined array. Lan Xichen helped Nie Huaisang move the fallen tree, and they used spiritual energy to melt enough of the snow so Nie Huaisang could redraw the array. Both of them worked and conversed as quietly and carefully as possible, per Nie Huaisang’s insistence. When they were finished, Nie Huaisang slipped his hand into Lan Xichen’s and took him over to see the hollow tree where his owls were roosting, pointing out the hole high up in the trunk. The snow continued to drift down in gentle blankets, transforming the barren trees into silver sculptures, and they took a few minutes afterwards to walk through the forest and admire the blank newness of the freshly fallen snow.
The day was so bitterly cold that neither of them wanted to stay out long, though, and they soon mounted their blades and flew back to the Unclean Realm.
“It’s been snowing for hours now,” Nie Huaisang observed as he changed out of his wet travel furs into a warm, padded robe. “I wonder how long it will go. It’s going to be dark soon, Xichen-ge. I don’t think you should travel this evening.”
“That’s probably true,” Lan Xichen agreed, amused. He had a suspicion that safety wasn’t the only thing on Nie Huaisang’s mind.
He wasn’t disappointed. “Besides, it may be colder in Qinghe than in Gusu, but I have all sorts of ways to keep you warm later tonight,” Nie Huaisang teased, letting down his hair to towel it dry. He looked radiant like this—cheeks still flushed from the trip, hair mussed and wavy with moisture, looking up at Lan Xichen through his lashes. “But for now, let’s get you into some dry clothes, hmm?”
Lan Xichen was helpless to obey, stripping down to his underwear as fast as he could despite the cold, and Nie Huaisang’s gaze lingered appreciatively over his form. He showed uncharacteristic self-restraint by retrieving another padded robe from his wardrobe for Lan Xichen to wear. It was a bit snug about shoulders and rode high around Lan Xichen’s ankles, but it was warm and smelled of Nie Huaisang’s perfume, so he wasn’t about to complain.
They hung their wet clothes near the stove to dry, then Nie Huaisang dragged blankets and cushions over so they could warm themselves up at the stove, too. Lan Xichen sat down and let Nie Huaisang drape a blanket over him, kissing his fingers when they came within reach. He nuzzled up against Nie Huaisang’s palm and would have continued pressing kisses farther up his wrist, but before he could get too far, Nie Huaisang pulled away to start unpinning his hair.
“Take your ribbon off for me?” Nie Huaisang asked. His voice was a little unsteady, and Lan Xichen felt a shiver—not from the cold, but from the knowledge that he’d had an effect on Nie Huaisang.
“But I’m so warm, and I don’t want to move,” Lan Xichen told him. “Could you do it for me, please?” He felt Nie Huaisang’s hands hesitate, heard his breath catch.
“Of course,” he murmured after a pause, and Lan Xichen felt careful fingers work the knot in his ribbon free. It wasn’t the first time he’d touched it, but Nie Huaisang treated the permission with reverence every time, like he couldn’t believe he was allowed. One day he’d realize the permission wasn’t going to be revoked. It didn’t work like that, not after everything they’d been through. Lan Xichen was his.
“I think it’s time for a hot drink,” Nie Huaisang decided when he was finished, his tone carefully light. He stepped around Lan Xichen and trotted over to a shelf stocked with jars of wine. “If you’re staying the night, we can finish up work tomorrow morning. Right, gege? Don’t we deserve a treat after having to go out in that awful weather?” He fluttered his eyelashes, posing prettily with a hand on one of the jars.
Lan Xichen couldn’t help laughing. “Could I stop you even if I wanted to?” he asked fondly.
“How rude of you,” Nie Huaisang pouted. “I can listen to reason. Sometimes. When I feel like it.” He put the wine on the stove to heat, and started rummaging through the cupboard where he kept his supply of tea. “Any preference on what tea you want?”
“Hmm. Well, if we’re treating ourselves tonight… maybe I won’t have tea,” Lan Xichen said, flushing a little at his own daring. Nie Huaisang turned to him in astonishment.
“Really? Are you really my Xichen-ge?” he asked. “You want to join me in day-drinking?”
“It’s hardly still day,” Lan Xichen pointed out. “It’s already getting dark. And it really is cold.”
“Well, if you’re sure, who am I to be the voice of reason?” Nie Huaisang retrieved a pair of drinking bowls, then he finally joined Lan Xichen under the blanket while they waited for the wine to finish warming up. He was clingy, snuggling up and wrapping an arm around Lan Xichen’s waist. “You have to promise to play nice with me once you’re drunk, Xichen-ge. Last time, the marks on my neck didn’t heal for a week.”
“I’m very sorry about that,” Lan Xichen told him, knowing full well that Nie Huaisang’s core was perfectly strong enough to heal some bruises if he wanted. “I’ll be good, I promise.”
“But not too good.” Nie Huaisang turned to face him, his eyes lingering on Lan Xichen’s lips. “Actually, forget what I said. Do whatever you want to me.”
And Lan Xichen did, leaning down to claim a kiss, then another and another. The wind still rattled the windows and the snow showed no sign of stopping, but Lan Xichen had never felt so warm in his life.