Chapter Text
Wei Wuxian's face still hurts from smiling as he and Lan Zhan walk up the stairs to the Cloud Recesses together. He is fairly certain he only stopped smiling once they've passed through Caiyi Town and even then, whenever Lan Zhan speaks, he smiles again. Coming back here is his choice as much as leaving was. His life, both his first and this one, was an extension of someone else's whim, someone else's gain, someone else's. All his choices, even those to expose Jin Guangyao were constructed, pieced together, and directed toward the inevitable. Leaving was his only option to experience his life unrestrained. And Lan Zhan wrote to him all this time, an unspoken bond between them no matter how far Wei Wuxian's journey took him from Gusu. He replied as often as he found himself able to in turn, happily living his life. As time passed, his heart yearned for Gusu once more. Oh, to have a drop of Emperor's Smile, he wrote in the letter he sent but a week ago. Only now, walking by Lan Zhan's side, Wei Wuxian knows it was not Gusu for which he yearned. Still, He does hope Lan Zhan has stashed away some Emperor's Smile for him, he announced his return days ahead of time after all!
By the time they finally are in the Jingshi, the sun has long set.
"Do you wish to have a bath?" Lan Zhan asks and Wei Wuxian considers the time.
"It's almost nine,” he says because he cannot bring himself to make the decision. He knows he is not an inconvenience, and Lan Zhan would not have offered if he did not mean it. But frankly, Wei Wuxian is exhausted and is perfectly fine curling up on the floor even before Lan Zhan goes to bed.
"Bath," Lan Zhan says and looks at Wei Wuxian. "I thought it was the donkey, but it turns out to be you."
"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian clutches his hand to his chest, trying his hardest not to laugh and his best to look shocked and outraged. "I travel day and night for three days to come home and you accuse me of smelling."
"Bath. Leave your clothes, the ones you left behind are clean."
The ones Wei Wuxian left behind... and the ones Lan Zhan must have bought in the months he has been gone because he does not remember leaving behind so many clothes. Or owning so many clothes for that matter. He has brought back some from Lotus Pier, which Jiang Cheng held onto for him, but that is a story he will tell Lan Zhan another time. Now, he steps out of his clothes and drops them on the floor in a heap. It's not the way Lan Zhan neatly folds his clothes but he thinks that having them in a single pile rather than strewn around the place is a vast improvement and shows what he has learned in his time away.
Sinking into the water a short few moments later, Wei Wuxian cannot help the soft whimper which escapes his throat. A hot bath was not a luxury he could often afford. His last one was at Lotus Pier where he stopped just before coming back. Seeing Jiang Cheng again reminded him of how much he missed a face that looked at him with the warmth he finds in Lan Zhan's eyes. Jin Ling did an admirable job trying to facilitate, but in the end, it became apparent that both of them need more time before they can be something other than civil with each other. Wei Wuxian understands that. And right now, he happily lets himself dip lower into the water until all but his nose is submerged.
The hands which dip beneath the surface of the water to gather his hair surprise him but they feel so much like home that he relaxes again. Of course, they are Lan Zhan's hands, he simply does not expect the mighty Hanguang-jun to just- oh that is very nice. He smiles when he can feel Lan Zhan's fingers press against his scalp. His hair has been a mess of tangles and a few twigs which Lan Zhan pulls from his hair and places them on the edge of the tub. Wei Wuxian picks them up and plays with them while Lan Zhan gently works through the tangles with a sandalwood comb. The scent doesn't stand out since all of Lan Zhan smells like sandalwood, but Wei Wuxian knows that when he is on his own and catches the scent of his hair, he will smile. He missed Lan Zhan, he missed baths, he missed this smell. He didn't miss the rules but now that Lan Zhan is Chief Cultivator, he knows he will be indulged a whole lot more.
Once Wei Wuxian is dressed in clean underclothes and inner garment, he sits down on the other side of the table from Lan Zhan, who pours him tea and places a bowl of soup in front of him. This is so soft and tender that Wei Wuxian for once cannot find words and simply allows himself to just smile and accept both. His words come back to him when he tastes the soup.
"Lan Zhan!" He exclaims and almost chokes because he tries to drink soup at the same time. "Lan Zhan, it's so good! Spicy! Flavour!"
"I'm glad you like it." Lan Zhan says in the soft and indulgent voice he tends to have around Wei Wuxian, and Wei Wuxian preens.
"Where did you get the chili oil? So flavourful! Not from Yunmeng though." He tastes a bit more. It's well-rounded, rich against his tongue, and deep with flavour and spice.
"I made it." Lan Zhan says, and this time Wei Wuxian does cough.
"Lan Zhan...," Wei Wuxian takes a few moments as he tries to figure out just what his feelings are. "Thank you," is all he manages and Lan Zhan, ever so kind, indulges him with a soft smile.
Wei Wuxian raises an eyebrow and opens his mouth to ask that if Lan Zhan has made chili oil, does he also have hidden away some Emperor's Smile for Wei Wuxian? But instead of words, he yawns embarrassingly loud. It's barely nine! He wants to protest, but exhaustion settles into his bones and he simply nods when Lan Zhan asks if he wishes to go to bed. He doesn't even protest when Lan Zhan simply picks him up off the floor and gently deposits him in bed before getting ready for bed himself. Wei Wuxian watches him with half-closed eyes and drifts off before Lan Zhan is even finished combing his hair.
***
Wei Wuxian wakes the day after his bath sometime around the noon hour, perhaps even later. He is not entirely sure. What he is sure of is that he is warm under the blankets, and Lan Zhan must have put fresh coal into the brazier to keep him warm. His spiritual power has increased exponentially from the extremely weak and feeble man he was when he left, but it still is nowhere near where it was. He does not yet have a golden core back, so he still gets cold a lot faster than Lan Zhan does. Does Lan Zhan even get cold anymore? He is not entirely sure. Winter still isn't close but the nights are growing longer and the first snow will fall at this altitude much sooner than it would at the bottom of the mountain.
Wei Wuxian stretches and slowly sits up. Lan Zhan is of course no longer here. He has meetings to attend, paperwork to look over and all that. Whatever it is that a Chief Cultivator has to do. Wei Wuxian only encountered Jin Guangshan who made being Chief Cultivator a sport in debauchery and he is fairly certain that Lan Zhan is not particularly into debauchery. He laughs when he remembers what he found under the floorboards last time he was here. In fact- he hops out of bed and checks. Sure enough! Full bottles of Emperor's Smile and even better, the books he found last time are still there. He picks one up and- no these are not the same books. He gasps and holds his hand to his chest, pretending to be shocked. And maybe he is a little bit because those books are more scandalous than what Lan Zhan previously kept. He puts them back together with the wine. He wants food. No need to look at naughty things on an empty stomach.
He finds food with a note from Lan Zhan, kept warm with a talisman, and Wei Wuxian smiles as he scarfs down the pancakes, slathering them thoroughly with the chili oil Lan Zhan made. He can't believe that Lan Zhan learned to make that just for him. Feeling warm both in his belly and his heart, Wei Wuxian cleans up after himself and washes his face before slipping into fresh clothes. He opts to wear some of Lan Zhan's under things like he had when Lan Zhan brought him here after Jin Ling stabbed him. He smiles brightly at the thought, at how scandalized Lan Qiren was when he'd seen him. He tries on the new clothes which Lan Zhan bought him.
He marvels at how soft the silks are against his skin. And maybe, just maybe, he buries his face in the under shirt and inhales the sandalwood scent which reminds him so much of Lan Zhan. He gets dressed, properly fastening his closures, even! It is probably bad form to spend his first day back with his clothes only held shut with his belt. Shameless, he can hear Lan Zhan scoff inside his head. Though these days the voice sounds a lot more indulgent than it has in his previous life. He smiles and fastens his leather hair piece after brushing his hair again. Now, he smells like Lan Zhan and looks presentable. Tucking Chenqing into his belt, he steps out of the door and stretches. The air is clear and crisp and it's promising to be a beautiful day. He jogs down the stairs and along the path but before he walks out onto the main pathways, he slows down. No need to get Lan Zhan into unnecessary trouble even if he is Chief Cultivator. Wei Wuxian knows that his actions will reflect back upon him and he does not want to give Lan Zhan more trouble than he already has.
It is surprisingly not busy as Wei Wuxian walks along the paths he knows so well still. He can see some of the juniors soaking in the cold springs after having returned from the night hunt likely early this morning. He knows Lan Xichen is still in seclusion which... he supposes that he understands why but he also has opinions which he knows may be unwelcome. It has all been something, though to be honest, he does not understand the need to dwell on things. Maybe it's best that he is not part of the Lan sect and only here as a guest. It would reflect even worse upon Lan Zhan if his thoughts ever became known. He stops by the library pavilion but Lan Zhan is not there either. Mhm. Wei Wuxian realizes that his wanderings have really been more to see if he can find Lan Zhan rather than becoming familiar with the Cloud Recesses again.
So, he makes his way back to the cold springs to ask the juniors outright whether they have seen Lan Zhan- err Hanguang-jun, and if they perhaps know his current whereabouts because Wei Wuxian has things to discuss. Yes, things. He isn't feeling a little lonely after having come back from nearly a year on his own. No, not at all. Lan Jingyi tells him Lan Zhan has a meeting with Sect Leader Yao with the same tone that he uses when he talks about having to face an army of puppets. And Wei Wuxian is inclined to agree. Poor Lan Zhan having to deal with being nice to Sect Leader Yao. He is given detailed directions and times when he asks when Lan Zhan might be done. Interrupt, he can and will most certainly do. Sect Leader Yao, to this day- Wei Wuxian has put the past behind him but if Sect Leader Yao is bothering his Lan Zhan while he is just trying to do a job that he has not necessarily signed up for, well... he will save his Lan Zhan from such a terrible fate.
He finds them quickly. They are exactly where Lan Jingyi described them to be but he also can hear Sect Leader Yao from many paces away. The man truly is too self absorbed and self important to even understand what it means to use his indoor voice. Even Wei Wuxian understands the distinction now. How can a fully grown Sect Leader with so much experience not have learned by now that the Lan sect does very much appreciate when one does not speak with such self importance. Wei Wuxian is not sure whether he should throw himself off the nearest cliff when he realizes that at least seven rules pertaining to this kind of conduct come to mind. He was dead for 16 years, surely he would be allowed to forget such things but apparently not. He still has to catch up with the thousand new rules they put in place during his absence. No one talking to Wei Wuxian is easy, he can't talk to himself, haha. Also oops, he hopes that Lan Jingyi does not get into trouble. Though if he has learned anything it is that Lan Qiren most definitely favours Lan Jingyi. Maybe he does not outright say that Lan Jingyi is his favourite, but Wei Wuxian remembers how he spoke in the cave and Lan Jingyi is definitely his favourite.
He pulls Chenqing from his belt as he flies to the top of a nearby roof and begins to play. The sounds coming from Sect Leader Yao as their meeting is unceremoniously, but still very properly and full of manners, ended to investigate the sounds. One can never be too safe when it comes to these kinds of matters, Lan Zhan tells Sect Leader Yao and Wei Wuxian isn't entirely sure if he means his flute playing or whatever it is they were discussing, but Sect Leader Yao seems disgruntled and not at all appeased.
"Please allow us to lodge you until the discussion conference in a few days. It would be a shame for you to have come all this way only to leave and have to return." Lan Zhan's voice sounds like he is in physical pain offering such great hospitality, but it appears to smooth over Sect Leader Yao's mood.
"Very well, but we will speak first thing in the morning!"
"Of course," Wei Wuxian hears Lan Zhan say with nearly panicked exasperation, "I look forward to it."
The note he plays shrieks off-key as he laughs into the blow-hole and Lan Zhan looks after Sect Leader Yao before flying to join Wei Wuxian. Lan Zhan looks surprisingly tired. For a cultivator as strong and unmatched as he is, he should not exhibit such exhaustion. Wei Wuxian smiles brightly before playing a naughty flow of notes before finding their song.
He grabs Wei Wuxian's wrist with a huff,"you could have sent for me."
"Ah yes Lan Zhan, but then I would not get to see your face when you scold me."
Another huff, this one is a laugh, but it quickly vanishes from Lan Zhan's face. That fills Wei Wuxian with unease. Lan Zhan was not this stressed when they were on the run from the cultivation world, what could possibly stress him like this now?
"I still have work to do." Lan Zhan's voice is filled with regret. "Will you be all right for two more shi?"
"Two whole shi? Lan Zhan you work too hard!" The look in Lan Zhan's eyes tells him that Lan Zhan does agree with that assessment, but also that he cannot break that commitment "Okay, new plan: instead of whisking you away now, I will let you do your work and you let me worry about dinner- don't make that face! I won't kill you with spice, I promise. Big strong cultivator like you afraid of a little spice-"
"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan says, his voice so very fond it makes Wei Wuxian melt a little, "I would like that very much."
Wei Wuxian smiles brightly and nods, "work hard my Lan Zhan, I will have the best dinner ready for you." And perhaps a few bottles of Emperor's Smile for them both. A single cup for Lan Zhan and the rest for Wei Wuxian. He plays a soft note and jumps off the roof to run along the path. Somewhere, he surely can hear Lan Qiren huff with irritation.
Lan Zhan walks close beside him, though he does not reach out to touch Wei Wuxian. Probably because he can sense Sect Leader Yao's eyes on them. Wei Wuxian is quite certain the man lingers to see what interrupted them. No matter, the most important part now is Lan Zhan doing his work while Wei Wuxian prepares for the evening. Dinner, but they have dinner in the Jingshi every night, he needs a better place. He taps Chenqing against his lips as they walk before he skips ahead of Lan Zhan to get tea ready for him. Lan Zhan still seems bemused when he joins him and closes the Jingshi doors. Often Lan Zhan works with the doors open, but nights are still cooler some days and both of them have learned that Wei Wuxian's spiritual energy isn't strong enough yet to keep him warm when his clothes no longer will.
For now, he does not have to worry about this. His only worry right now has to be how to help Lan Zhan feel a little bit better. And drinking his tea, he has a perfect idea.
***
Wei Wuxian returns to the Cloud Recesses with a skip in his step and two bottles of Emperor's Smile on his belt. He could have brought more but he doesn't exactly want Lan Zhan to have to defend him bringing half the region's supply of alcohol into the Cloud Recesses. He laughs at the thought of Lan Qiren discovering hidden jars everywhere he goes. However, Lan Zhan would have to deal with that fall out and the poor man is already way too stressed. Wei Wuxian is not going to add to that so soon after arriving back here. He is also not going to add to it later. He has already vowed to himself that he is going to be exceptionally good for Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan deserves peace and Lan Zhan deserves what Wei Wuxian cannot form into thoughts yet, definitely not words. He simply feels it in his chest and belly every time Lan Zhan looks at him and he can tell that Lan Zhan can feel it, too. No matter, though, right now he has to smuggle some alcohol into the Cloud Recesses and prepare a great spot for them both.
Lan Zhan is grading papers, because his hardship will never end. A Chief Cultivator and having to grade papers? There should at least be one or two perks to the job. Though now that the Chief Cultivator no longer operates on money and power alone, all interest in the position appears to have been lost. And well Lan Zhan is the fairest man he knows! Who else is better for the job? He just wants to see him happier. He was so happy when they were on the road together and all that warmth and happiness dampened. There is light in Lan Zhan's eyes when he sees Wei Wuxian enter the Jingshi but his smile is subdued. Wei Wuxian smiles brightly at him and takes a blanket because he has a great idea. Lan Zhan looks at him with questions but he says nothing and when Wei Wuxian puts his finger to his lips because this is a surprise Lan Zhan only nods and returns to his work. The best surprise. He also takes a couple of cups when Lan Zhan isn't paying attention.
He takes the blanket and the food parcel and Emperor's Smile he left outside, Lan Zhan doesn't need to know that part yet. He briefly contemplates blindfolding him later but the idea of leading Hanguang-jun, Chief Cultivator, blindfolded around the Cloud Recesses just before curfew perhaps is not the best idea. He has really learned to regulate his impulses during his time away. And his time spent dead but that's an entirely different matter he tries to think about as little as possible. He is back and that is that, nothing to think about there. Surely eventually it will come back to him and he will have to deal with it but right now, he is happy and safe and not in danger of perishing from a curse wound. That is all which matters to him right now as he carries the things he has in his arms, still careful to avoid anyone.
"Wei-qianbei!" He hears Lan Jingyi's voice behind him and he briefly closes his eyes. So much for avoiding everyone.
"Don't get yourself in trouble." He says with a laugh as he turns around.
"It's one of those rules we can interpret in many wa- what are you doing?" Lan Jingyi narrows his eyes and looks him up and down.
"That's a surprise." Wei Wuxian says because it is. Can't have everyone running around knowing his business, especially when said business involves a surprise for Lan Zhan.
"Let me help!"
Wei Wuxian should say no. Wei Wuxian should be telling him to tend to his studies. However Lan Sizhui is off on an extended night hunt with Wen Ning; and Lan Jingyi has stayed behind because even though he is the least Lan that Wei Wuxian has ever encountered, his sense of duty to his sect is the same as that of his peers. He respects the rules. He lives and breathes them in his actions. Really as admirable a child as Lan Sizhui. So, he allows him to take the food parcels and the cups as they walk together toward where the rabbits live.
The rabbit patch is near the garden which is kept for vegetables and this time of night everyone is already getting ready for the evening. The rabbits are still grazing amongst the grass, happy little white clouds and quite a few more than there had been before Wei Wuxian left. Like rabbits, he supposes. He wonders how Lan Zhan would-
"Is this a surprise for Hanguang-jun?" Lan Jingyi says when the rabbit patch comes into sight and Wei Wuxian has to smile. The boy is very observant. He hopes Lan Jingyi doesn’t observe the flush he feels rise in his cheeks.
"Lan Jingyi, Lan Jingyi, are you supposed to be asking such questions?"
"I... I apologize, Wei-qianbei!" He bows a little awkwardly holding the things and Wei Wuxian laughs happily.
"It is a surprise for Hanguang-jun," and if Lan Jingyi is so devoted to Hanguang-jun, "and perhaps you can help me a little with the surprise."
"Anything you need!"
"Perhaps if you could turn an eye from certain talismans which may appear near the path later."
"What kind of talismans." Lan Jingyi isn't asking and it's cute how he narrows his eyes trying to figure out Wei Wuxian's intentions. They have taught them well in their travels together. There is a healthy amount of suspicion in his words and where before it would have broken his heart a little, Wei Wuxian feels a lot of pride instead. It is good to question things sometimes. People may not always have the best of intentions in mind but he's pretty sure Lan Jingyi is only trying to protect Hanguang-jun from any sort of embarrassment.
"Just a little whisper which will keep people from coming to the rabbit patch."
Lan Jingyi processes that for a moment, the consideration written plainly on his face before he nods, "yes. Hanguang-jun... has not been himself for a while. He would very much like a private dinner with you in the rabbit patch. It is his favourite place and that is a blanket he likes very much. I am sure your choice of food will please him greatly as well, but above all, he will be most happy to be able to spend time with you again. He missed you very much."
The honesty is endearing and it makes Wei Wuxian smile to hear that Lan Zhan missed him. He knows this because he read it in his letters but to hear that others have noticed the same thing, that makes it feel all the more real. That helps him feel as though whatever he thinks there is between them may not be entirely one-sided. He certainly does not say that out loud. Lan Jingyi does not need to be burdened with his internal monologues. He is already helping a lot, like finding the perfect place for the blanket.
"I will bring a brazier while you prepare the rest." Lan Jingyi nods and the consideration makes Wei Wuxian feel more welcome in the Cloud Recesses than any invitation ever could. With that Lan Jingyi flies off and returns a few minutes later with the delightful warmth and places it beside the blanket.
Wei Wuxian has laid out everything and used a talisman to warm the pancakes once more. It is a very simple layout, just scallion pancakes, some buns, and a few sweets. He is definitely keeping the jars of Emperor's Smile hidden in his qiankun bag for the time being. Lan Jingyi does not need to know exactly what he has planned. Though truthfully his plans are rather innocent. He simply wishes to have dinner with Lan Zhan and if Lan Zhan wishes to indulge in a cup of Emperor' Smile he will not tell him no. Maybe Lan Zhan would even enjoy it, to be free of all his responsibilities even if it is just for a few hours. Wei Wuxian thinks that it may be just what his Lan Zhan needs. However, only if he wishes. To this day, Wei Wuxian thinks back to the time he put that talisman on Lan Zhan's back and made him drink. It wasn't the punishment but the fact that Lan Zhan accepted it without hesitation that imbued a lesson into Wei Wuxian. A lesson he has conveniently forgotten later on but he is working on making sure he has people's consent before he does anything. He knows he didn't act that way with Jiang Cheng back when-
Not the time to dwell on things of the past he cannot fix. He looks around everything and nods at Lan Jingyi who is as astute as Wei Wuxian thinks him to be, because he bows and excuses himself wishing Wei Wuxian a pleasant evening. And Wei Wuxian thinks about returning to the Jingshi to get Lan Zhan, but he doesn't want to leave here and this will be more fun. He sits down on the blanket and pulls a little paper-man from his sleeve, imbues it with a tiny fraction of his soul and allows it to glide on the breeze. He glides past Lan Jingyi's feet who he is fairly certain has spotted the paper man but feigns ignorance and distracts his companions with questions about dinner. He manages not to be spotted or end up in the water before he glides into the Jingshi on a gust of wind and lands almost gracefully on the desk. He does almost knock over the brush holder but Lan Zhan catches it without opening his eyes. It is then that Wei Wuxian notices he has already taken down his hair.
Lan Zhan still sits still with his eyes closed, the paperwork finished. Oh, Lan Zhan has been waiting for him! Best to make sure he knows it's time to come along. He hops onto Lan Zhan's arm and notices a soft smile quirk at the corners of his lips. Lan Zhan doesn't open his eyes or turn his head when he speaks, "Wei Ying."
The tone is the kind he uses just before he tells Wei Wuxian to stop fooling around but the paper man tugs at his sleeve until Lan Zhan opens his eyes to look. Perhaps Wei Wuxian imagines the glint of excitement in Lan Zhan's eyes when he beckons him to follow. Either way, Lan Zhan stands up and follows the paper man as it glides along the breeze until it nearly ends up blown to the other side of the Cloud Recesses if not for Lan Zhan's quick reflexes. It ends with the paper man sitting in Lan Zhan's hand and pointing to where he needs to go next. The soft breath of surprise when Lan Zhan must see Wei Wuxian for the first time, makes Wei Wuxian on the blanket smile.
"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan says softly and with a soft transfer of spiritual energy the paper man becomes an inanimate object once more.
With a smile, Wei Wuxian tucks the paper man back into his sleeve and gestures for Lan Zhan to join him. And Lan Zhan with a nod sits down across from him. He looks at everything, a silent curiosity. There is a tiny, tiny frown when he looks at the blanket but if there is any genuine concern, he does not voice it. On second thought, maybe he didn't look at the blanket but at the bottles of Emperor's Smile.
"Don't worry Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian laughs as he draws two talisman's into the air and sends them to the edges of the path leading to the gardens and the bunny patch. "Anyone who comes near will realize they've forgotten something and turn around." He smiles so bright he closes his eyes and all he hears is a soft hum from Lan Zhan.
"You have thought of many things." He says.
"I have!" Wei Wuxian shuffles and shows Lan Zhan all the food they have tonight: "Scallion pancakes, no chili oil if you notice, peanuts, sweets, and of course, to go with it all, some Emperor's Smile. But you don't have to drink, that's up to you. If you want to after we're done eating, I'll take the best care of you that I can but if not, it will be no hardship for me to finish two little bottles."
Lan Zhan seems to weigh the offer but instead of giving an answer, he pours Wei Wuxian a cup. Ah, Lan Zhan always takes such good care of him, but this is supposed to be him taking care of Lan Zhan. So, he presents Lan Zhan with food.
"You work so hard, Hanguang-jun, Chief Cultivator, teacher, the best at everything, please accept this humble food."
"Thank you, Wei Ying."
They eat in silence. Wei Wuxian has long since learned that silence isn't the looming danger it was in his youth, at least not with Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan is silent to be mindful of the food, to give it proper attention and gratitude. His silence is not borne out of resentment or of anticipation for the next argument.
Wei Wuxian chatters away happily after he has finished his food, drinking straight from the bottle but Lan Zhan doesn't chastise or scold him for it. Instead, he listens and offers his input when he has any to give. It isn't until Wei Wuxian begins to ask about how things have been going, especially with Sect Leader Yao that Lan Zhan falls silent again. Wei Wuxian tries to prod a little but Lan Zhan takes his cup with a "too much talking" and downs its contents in a single swig. Wei Wuxian supposes that perhaps talking is not what Lan Zhan needs.
"Just like in Qinghe then," he nods and pours Lan Zhan a second cup, "I'll make sure you're okay."
His smile is bright and genuine. He now knows what to expect when Lan Zhan gets drunk which does not exactly make it easier to deal with but it allows him to be fully prepared and catch Lan Zhan when the man slumps forward as he reaches for the second cup. So much for building up his tolerance, Wei Wuxian thinks with a soft chuckle and gently pulls Lan Zhan against his shoulder and continues to drink. His belly is full and his chest is warm. Whether it is from alcohol or something else he will not yet examine. Not while he has to keep Lan Zhan safe. Only he is so happily warm and Lan Zhan is so close and his breath even and slow. The days leading up to their reunion pushed him to the edge of his energy. He pushed so hard to get home faster than he normally would. Even Little Apple eventually rebelled and he left her with a lovely farming couple before running off and using everything he left to get back to Gusu to get back to his Lan Zhan. Wei Wuxian drifts off just a few moments after Lan Zhan and sleeps until he wakes up when he falls over to his side.
He is cold and Lan Zhan is not by his side. He sits up like he has been shocked with Zidian. Lan Zhan is not by his side. Lan Zhan is drunk.
"Lan Zhan!" He scrambles up and looks around. Lan Zhan is not near him. He is not on the blanket though the rest of the food is gone and the second bottle of Emperor's Smile is definitely empty. Oh no, did Lan Zhan drink all of that? Wei Wuxian is pretty certain that if Lan Zhan drank that much he would have found him passed out on the floor next to the blanket but Lan Zhan is not there passed out next to the blanket. He is nowhere in the clearing and neither are the rabbits. He is not there. Wei Wuxian jumps to his feet and looks around. He jogs toward the path and the talismans are undisturbed. He hears something from the vegetable garden. A curse word. Someone is cursing and it is definitely Lan Zhan.
Wei Wuxian smiles to himself when he makes his way through the little gate to see Lan Zhan gently pluck the leaves off a cabbage and lovingly place them over ... radishes?
Yup-, that sure is most certainly the mighty Hanguang-jun crouching beside a cabbage whilst plucking leaves from it trying to keep curious- and probably hungry- rabbits from sneaking a bite with the gentlest of pushes with his hand and shoe . The man is surrounded by cotton-tailed fluffy bunnies who want some of his cabbage. That alone is enough to make Wei Wuxian laugh, but then he spots something behind Lan Zhan, something that gives him a moment's pause because what is happening there? He sees three small mounds of dirt. How long has he been asleep because he is sure that these were not present when he came here the first time this evening and there is absolutely no way that anyone has snuck past his talismans.
Yet here there are three little mounds and inside each mound there is a sizable radish, no doubt taken from the harvest basket which has a lid and is relatively inaccessible to the rabbits. The little radishes in the... beds? Are they beds? Lan Zhan shoos the bunnies out of the way enough to gently place a lettuce leaf on each of the radishes and -
"Lan Zhan?" He asks because this definitely looks as if Lan Zhan is putting radishes into dirt beds and covering them with little cabbage leaf blankets, not just covering them but lovingly covering them. All that is missing is a gentle kiss good night and Wei Wuxian would be convinced that Lan Zhan has adopted these radishes as his children. It makes him think of A-Yuan and now Lan Sizhui and he feels a pang of something in his chest. Lan Zhan however has not yet heard him so Wei Wuxian repeats himself "Lan Zhan!"
Lan Zhan spins backwards, protectively crouching in front of the little dirty beds holding his little radish babies and Wei Wuxian is deeply delighted by the vision before him. He has heard many stories of how great a parental figure Lan Zhan has been to little Lan Sizhui but this is something else, this is a side Wei Wuxian has never even dared to imagine because it is just perfectly adorable and domestic. Like dreams he has ha- he cuts off his thoughts.
"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan realizes that it is Wei Wuxian and not some threat. "The rabbits got into the garden." He says with a grave voice as he scoops up one of them, gentle as ever and places it on his knee. The rabbit looks confused but accepting of its fate.
"I can see that Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian isn't laughing. He can't laugh, not when Lan Zhan's face is so genuinely distressed by what is happening around him. "Why did the rabbits get into the garden?" He is pretty sure he knows how and it involves a very drunken Hanguang-jun.
"Someone must have left the gate open. They usually are not this... misbehaving." He says and pats the rabbit with two fingers like receiving affection is an adequate punishment for the little creature.
"Oh they are not?" Wei Wuxian picks up a single rabbit. "Ah I believe you don't look at me like that Lan Zhan! But... what are you doing?" He nods toward the dirt beds and the radish children.
"I can provide." Lan Zhan says simply and Wei Wuxian tilts his head and walks closer to see what is going on. "I take care of the children. I took care of Sizhui, A-Yuan... but he is grown now and-"
Lan Zhan breaks off mid sentence and lets out a noise which Wei Wuxian has never encountered from the man before, a barely suppressed... squeak of outrage when he sees one of the rabbits having climbed into one of the dirt beds and nibbling on the radish looking deeply content and unconcerned by the face Lan Zhan is making. Wei Wuxian can't help but laugh so hard that tears begin to roll down his cheeks as he holds the bunny close. He has definitely gotten better with them because he isn't being nipped for his sudden noise or movement.
"They are," Lan Zhan picks up the rabbit and pats his butt, before handing it to Wei Wuxian, "very naughty today." He says and picks up another rabbit and ushers Wei Wuxian back to the blanket before commanding him to sit and plops a third rabbit on him. "Please hold the rabbits while I save the children."
Wei Wuxian bursts out with renewed laughter and does his best to keep the rabbits close. This would be easier if he had a radish but he assumes that would definitely be beyond the point here so he just pets them and accepts each new rabbit with a smile, more laughter and a soft smooch once Lan Zhan has turned his back again because this is hilarious and Wei Wuxian does not remember a time when he has laughed this thoroughly or this hard. His belly and cheeks hurt when rabbit after rabbit arrives until Lan Zhan kneels down in front of him with the final rabbit and hands it to him.
"Thank you, Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian says but he is pretty sure half the rabbits have already made it back into the garden to be little bouncy tailed menaces and Wei Wuxian feels deeply fond.
Lan Zhan is flushed, his ears deepen pink when they fingers brush as he takes the final rabbit and places it in his lap. Lan Zhan does not look at him and wherever it is he is looking, he is definitely not focused on it. But he isn't trying to get back up. Instead he pulls a radish from his sleeve, but it's the look on his face which stops Wei Wuxian from laughing once more. Lan Zhan looks not sad, not exactly, but wistful perhaps, melancholy. It is difficult to say for certain because Lan Zhan is also very drunk.
"We planted them," he says and looks at Wei Wuxian finally, "we planted the radishes together. The boy didn't know why he wanted radishes so much but he remembered them."
Wei Wuxian can see little A-Yuan in crisp white robes among the vegetable patch looking at everything with curiosity. He can see him be careful looking at the seedling sprouting and asking questions about everything. He can see him smile and laugh as he helps Lan Zhan water the plants and make sure the weeds are not suffocating them. He looks at Lan Zhan with a tender smile and nods.
"You raised him so well." There is nothing else Wei Wuxian can say, so he does not.
"And now he is grown." Lan Zhan says and brushes some dirt of the very thoroughly nibbled radish with his thumb. "And you are back." It is unclear whether he means the first return of the fact that Wei Wuxian has just gotten back a couple of days ago.
"He is a very strong young man finding his way in the world, all thanks to you Lan Zhan."
"You came back." Lan Zhan says again and hands Wei Wuxian the radish. "That means something."
"What does it mean Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian holds the radish with a soft smile.
The kiss is a surprise. He did not expect Lan Zhan to lean to cross the distance between them and kiss him. He doesn't know what to do. Lan Zhan is drunk and he's holding a radish and several rabbits. What he wants to do is allow himself to sink into the kiss and indulge in a fantasy he has held dear for so very long during his travels when he was all alone in the middle of nowhere camped out and allowed his mind to wander to finding Lan Zhan in the cold springs upon his return and not just kissing him-.
"I-," Lan Zhan pulls away and looks anywhere but Wei Wuxian's eyes as he tries to find the words but they never come.
"It's all right Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian smiles and reaches to pat his arm. "You are drunk and tomorrow you won't remember a thing."
"I want to remember." Lan Zhan says with surprising conviction and Wei Wuxian feels hope sprout and grow inside his heart. "Do- do you want me to remember?"
"Oh my Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian says with a smile as he gently puts the rabbit remaining in his lap onto the blanket, "I want you to remember."
There is a silence between them but it isn't awkward. It cannot be awkward. The confession hangs between them, quiet and strong. There is no shock in it, no surprise. Wei Wuxian has felt this way for Lan Zhan for perhaps longer than he can remember, maybe from the first day they met, he is unsure. It does not matter because that was the past and now is now.
Wei Wuxian drinks from his bottle and pets the rabbits as they hop around and Lan Zhan is doing the same, except he is drinking tea. Wei Wuxian isn't sure where the tea came from but who is he to question the nice warm pot near him? He picks a little at the bowl of peanuts left, but he isn't particularly hungry because Lan Zhan looks preoccupied. However, he is drunk and well, he is not going to sober up any time soon. Unlike previous times, instead of continuing his mischief, he seems to have settled down a lot more. He does eventually lie down with his head on Wei Wuxian's thigh and Wei Wuxian runs his fingers over the ribbon still holding Lan Zhan's soft hair in place.
"Wei Ying." Lan Zhan says with a soft sigh after a while.
"Yes, Lan Zhan?"
"I don't want to be Chief Cultivator."
"No?" It must be the alcohol, but even drunk Lan Zhan has never lied to him.
That's... new and different. Of course Wei Wuxian has not been here in many months but from what he has heard many people love Lan Zhan as Chief Cultivator, something about him being exceptionally fair and never allowing for any discourse outside of fairness and-, ohhh. Wei Wuxian realizes that Lan Zhan only exists as Chief Cultivator and then Lan Zhan right before bed.
"No." Lan Zhan shakes his head and furrows his brow as he tries to find the words. "No, I... I don't like it. No, that is incorrect. I hate it. I hate being Chief Cultivator."
Wei Wuxian has never heard Lan Zhan express hatred for anyone or anything. Sure, he sometimes feels deep disdain toward people, but until now Wei Wuxian did not think him capable of actively hating anything, let alone a duty that seemed to be perfect for him after all that happened. Only it isn't perfect for Lan Zhan. Of course it isn't. The happiest he has seen Lan Zhan is always when they are helping people, even when they slept outside in the dirt, he found himself deeply content. Now trapped here with politics, politics which Lan Zhan always despised.
"Want to run away with me?" Wei Wuxian offers.
"Yes, yes I would like that very much." Lan Zhan responds without so much as a moment's hesitation. That terrible then. Wei Wuxian taps his nose before shimmying closer until their shoulders touch and he leans against him a bit to offer his support, both physical and emotional.
“What's going on, Lan Zhan?”
Lan Zhan shakes his head and then, slowly, Wei Wuxian manages to coax out of him how much he dislikes politics, how much he hates all of it and only ever endured it for Wei Wuxian's benefit. Too much paperwork, and nothing but listening to people complain and be ungrateful for what they have. He circles back to politics being the worst twice, before he leans against Wei Wuxian with a heavy sigh.
"Who should be the Chief Cultivator instead of you? Your brother?" Wei Wuxian asks and gently nudges Lan Zhan's shoulder. It must have been terrible for him all this time to be stuck here while Wei Wuxian happily roamed along the lands.
"No he is..., the sect is enough for him once he returns from seclusion." There is something akin to regret in Lan Zhan's voice, and Wei Wuxian cannot have him fall into being a sad drunk tonight.
"Mianmian?"
That earns him a huff, "she lives a life she loves. I would not burden her with a world to which she elected to turn her back."
"You're jealous of her, hm?"
"Jealousy is forbidden." Lan Zhan says and pauses a moment before he adds, "very much."
Wei Wuxian can picture it now, the two of them living on a little farm away from the cities and the cultivation world. Wei Wuxian can work the land while Lan Zhan weaves at home and whenever someone is in need, they will answer the call without hesitation and help. They can live off selling produce and talismans unbothered by sect businesses.
Mhm, Wei Wuxian taps his nose as he tries to think who would make a better Chief Cultivator than Lan Zhan. Someone who doesn't place self importance over the greater good of the people. Someone who cares enough about politics to play the game, someone who can play the game. The game. Wei Wuxian smiles and presses a kiss against Lan Zhan's forehead. He has a very good idea. His ideas are always brilliant when he's with Lan Zhan, though Lan Zhan just looks at him with unfocused eyes.
"Oh Lan Zhan, you have no idea what I'm saying."
Wei Wuxian laughs when Lan Zhan shakes his head and tells him, "no."
“Ah Lan Zhan, let’s get you to bed.” Wei Wuxian says and pushes himself standing to extend his hands to Lan Zhan in order to help him up. Lan Zhan waves his hands away and stands up, pauses for a moment, and then sheepishly takes both of Wei Wuxian’s hands in his with a mumbled apology. Wei Wuxian smiles brightly and nods. Lan Zhan has done nothing to warrant his apology, but it is too cute to deny. Eventually, he does need to extract his hands- well, hand, Lan Zhan only lets go of one of his hands as though Wei Wuxian will slip away the moment he lets go.
It takes a little negotiation because Wei Wuxian needs to close the gate to the garden and carry out the last bunny who made a home among the turnips to happily munch away. Once there are no rabbits left, Wei Wuxian closes the gate. He leaves the cabbage babies in their dirt beds so Lan Zhan doesn’t have to wait any longer. Pliable as only a drunken Lan Zhan is, he allows Wei Wuxian to clear the evidence of their little picnic without more than a few impatient huffs. With a smile, Wei Wuxian leads him down the paths back to the Jingshi where he pours tea for Lan Zhan and digs a bottle of Emperor’s Smile from under the floorboards for himself.
***
When Lan Wangji wakes the next morning, his head throbs, and his mouth tastes of... Wei Ying? He sits up with great care as he uses spiritual energy to subdue the wave of nausea trying to crest in his insides. He cannot prevent the burning flush rising in his ears when he sees Wei Ying in just his innermost clothes sprawled on the bed beside him. Sharing a bed with Wei Ying is not new to Lan Wangji, but what is new is the faint taste of Wei Ying on his lips. He does not remember what happened the night before, but he knows the taste can only be Wei Ying. Wei Ying, who rolls over and loses half the cloth covering him as he smiles at Lan Wangji before he even opens his eyes.
“I hoped,” he says trying to suppress a yawn, “that maybe you would sleep longer.”
Lan Wangji does not point out that he has already slept well past the mao shi, but Wei Ying rubs his eyes and sits up, looking almost shy as he leans closer. At first Lan Wangji is unsure what Wei Ying’s intentions are, but then he realizes that he is asking for permission. So, he does the only thing he can: nod and lean to close the space between them and capture Wei Ying’s lips in a tender kiss. He tastes even more exquisite than the faint taste he left in Lan Wangji’s mouth. He pulls him closer, the kiss less chaste and tender now as he slides his hands beneath the fabric, clinging to Wei Ying’s shoulder, and pauses when he feels the familiar crinkle of paper beneath his fingers.
“Wei Ying?” He has questions when he turns the crinkled and stained paper over to reveal a single name.
“Haha, Lan Zhan! You found my idea!” Wei Ying laughs and smoothes the paper a little and looks at him with a smile.
fin.