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From deep within the Cloud Recesses, an uncharacteristically loud BOOM could be heard disrupting the silence and serenity. Almost everyone in the Lan Sect paused for a moment from their daily duties and tasks, and—
"SORRY! MY BAD!" a voice that does not sound apologetic nor guilty but rather cheery and amused echoes.
—and collectively sigh (the Lan Sect Elders), shake their heads (the Senior Lan disciples), hold in their snickers (the Junior Lan disciples), or recite the Lan Sect Rules like a mantra to avoid qi deviation (Grandmaster Lan Qiren) before continuing on with their day as if nothing happened.
Of course, it was just another one of Wei Wuxian's experiments gone wrong. Nothing out of the ordinary for the residents of the Cloud Recesses.
Lan Wangji who was on his way to the jingshi, to his husband, could only shake his head and smile fondly while he diligently carries the tray of breakfast he cooked for his beloved. "Wei Ying." he utters ever so lovingly to himself, picking up his pace to see him quicker and help fix the mess.
As he rounds the corner and begins to descend down the stone path to their home, Lan Wangji spots his Wei Ying sitting on the porch with that bright, beautiful smile he loves despite all the soot on his face and robes. "Lan Zhan!" he calls out with a big wave over his head.
Lan Wangji swiftly makes his way over to his husband with breakfast as warm as the feeling in his chest whenever his Wei Ying called his name. "Wei Ying." he places the tray beside his husband before greeting him. He takes out a clean handkerchief from within his sleeve pocket and begins to gently clean his husband's face from any soot.
Wei Wuxian, for once, stays quiet as he is being cleaned up by his Lan Zhan. Perhaps, taking the opportunity to gaze at his darling jade, to take in his pristine features and every minute detail that Wei Wuxian has long since memorized but will never get enough of.
As Lan Wangji tucks the handkerchief back, he holds his gaze with Wei Wuxian then proceeds to place a chaste kiss on his forehead, down to his eyelids, then nose, on both of his plump cheeks, and lastly, his soft lips. "Good morning, Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian laughs, that beautiful smile on full display again, as he returns the gesture then wraps his arms around his husband's neck while Lan Wangji places his own hands on his husband's waist to keep him steady. "Lan Zhan, my dearest Lan Zhan, such a good husband you are to this poor soul. How did I get so lucky with you?"
Although it was rhetorical, Lan Wangji will always step at any chance to sing his songs of praise, recite his ode of love, "I am the one who's lucky."
"Lan Zhan!!" Wei Wuxian whines, pushing himself slightly away but his hands remain on Lan Wangji's shoulders, "Tell me when you're about to say something romantic next time!! My heart just can't take it!!" he says, slapping him gently.
Lan Wangji could only huff in amusement, a slight curve of his lips that would have gone unnoticed if Wei Wuxian wasn't looking for it after every antic of his, "Mn." he takes Wei Wuxian's hand into his own, kissing each knuckle.
"Lan Zhan!!"
They eventually detach themselves from one another but remain close to each other's sides. Lan Wangji passes the breakfast tray over for Wei Wuxian to consume, his husband giving his thanks with another kiss before he began to eat.
It was well around nine o'clock in the morning, his Wei Ying's usual time of rising, but with the commotion earlier, Lan Wangji could only spare a glance towards the empty lot of land a little ways away from the jingshi. It was where Wei Wuxian performed most of his experimental arrays and talismans because "I don't want to blow up our precious home, Lan Zhan!" after an experimental talisman had sparked a little flame on one of the wooden blinds inside the jingshi.
Lan Wangji didn't have to voice his question as Wei Wuxian begins talking while he eats his meal. It was something Lan Wangji has always loved about them, the way his husband and him were very in tune with one another as if connected by a special bond that only they share. No wonder they were soulmates.
"The teleportation talisman I've been working on needs a bit more tinkering." Wei Wuxian states, chuckling as he recounts the moment he activated it. "I thought I had it this time, too! I guess you'll have to wait a little longer before I can just appear by your side, Lan Zhan." he mused, a pout on his face along with a grain of rice at the bottom of his lips.
Lan Wangji nods in understanding as he gingerly picks off the rice for his husband, "You will get it right next time."
"If Lan Zhan says so, then it surely will! I'll start revising right now." Wei Wuxian beams, making a move to get up but a hand on his shoulder stops him.
"Finish eating first." Lan Wangji admonishes. As much as he loves his husband's passion for his work and making the cultivation world better, he has to take care of himself. Wei Wuxian should prioritize his health first and foremost the way Lan Wangji prioritizes his husband.
"Yes yes, how could I possibly leave any food on my tray when my dearest husband slaved himself in the kitchens just for me? That'd be ridiculous!" Wei Wuxian shakes his head, as though just the thought of it were a sin. He proceeds to happily munch the remaining food on his breakfast while chattering away at his husband who is content in listening.
Lan Wangji was in the middle of sorting the many letters and correspondence from various sects, both major and minor, when a knock on his office door disrupts him from his work.
He briefly stops and places his brush down when the door slides open without his permission. But, of course, his husband did not need such permissions. Lan Wangji lets him do whatever he wants, after all, spoiling him rotten as the other cultivators liked to call it.
"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!!" Wei Wuxian practically shines as he enters the room that even the sun should be ashamed of itself. Lan Wangji couldn't help but awe no matter how many times he's seen the love of his life. "Guess what, guess what!"
Lan Wangji knows he'd get an answer out from his Wei Ying even if he'd kept his mouth shut but he gives his husband the deserved attention by asking, "What?"
"I love you!" Wei Wuxian exclaims with his blinding, perfect smile before making his exit, shutting the door behind him and leaving Lan Wangji to calm his erratic heart.
"Love you, Wei Ying." he whispers under his breath after he has calmed down, knowing full well that his beloved knows of his love.
That's another thing Lan Wangji loves about his husband. Where he lacks the words to express and fully convey his thoughts, Wei Wuxian would scream to the heavens above unabashed. It still warms Lan Wangji's heart how his silent love is well received and reciprocated.
As he attempts to get back to work with a new sense of vigor, he spots a paper man dancing on his desk. When had his Wei Ying left it there?
He opens his palm and the paper man flies towards him, making his way up his arm then deposits a swift, paper kiss on his cheek before it unfurls itself into a heart-shaped letter. There were only five words on it and along with them his husband's voice.
"Lan Zhan, I love you!" the letter screams before folding itself up.
Lan Wangji's eyes glinted, so his husband finally made that other project of his work out. Wei Wuxian's paper man invention could deliver letters anywhere and everywhere with just a bit of spiritual energy, but what he wanted was for them to send voice letters, too.
It worked. Lan Wangji smiles as he keeps the voice letter safely inside his lapels, right where his heart should be. "Love you." he utters as he begins to work again with a warm heart and light smile.
It was nearing the hour for lunch and Lan Wangji decides to continue his work as Chief Cultivator later, in favor of spending some quality time with his Wei Ying as Lan Zhan. He puts everything in order first before taking his leave; the brush in its holder, the inkwell plugged, the letters and correspondence neatly stacked between finished and to-read.
Lan Wangji shuts the door to his office and swiftly makes his way to the kitchens to bring back their lunch to the jingshi. On his way, he hears a boisterous laugh and haults. He knows that laugh anywhere. Lan Wangji turns to another direction, opposite to the kitchens and towards the classrooms.
As he slowly approaches the only loud classroom in the hallway— it was a miracle that not one Lan Elder nor a certain Grandmaster came to scold the class, especially mentor yet— Lan Wangji can hear his husband's sweet-sounding laughter echo and thrum his heart. Oh, it was music to Lan Wangji's ears.
That was another thing Lan Wangji loves about his husband. His Wei Ying's hearty laughter, loud and happy. His beloved so full of life when he laughs unrestrained like that.
Lan Wangji wishes always for his husband's sweet laughter to never lull, wishes always for happiness to attach itself on his Wei Ying wherever he goes, wishes always that he can live a life without restraint this time. He deserves as much after what he's been through in his previous life.
He listens in for a moment— not eavesdropping at all since the class was quite loud to begin with. Lan Wangji smiles to himself, hearing the enthusiastic junior disciples ask question after question about talismans to fierce corpses to Senior Wei's favorite food.
The smile on Lan Wangji's face widens even more when he hears his husband answer each question with as much enthusiasm, not bothering to hide his excitement when he explains certain concepts and retells his latest nighthunts. He can feel his husband buzzing with passion from here.
Lan Wangji is always grateful for at least the young disciples, both Lan and those of other sects, have warmed up to his Wei Ying unlike some indignant cultivators. Lan Wangji smiles gratuitously at how the young disciples are very much fond of Wei Wuxian and his antics, very much eager to learn from the Yiling Laozu, very much not afraid nor uncomfortable being in the same room as the once-enemy of the whole cultivation world.
He is pulled out of his thoughts when the classroom's doors slide and rattle open. "Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asks, a bit shocked to actually find him just outside the hallway.
The shock immediately fades away as a knowing smirk makes its way to Wei Wuxian's lips, "What're you doing just standing outside my classroom, Er-gege? Eavesdropping and snooping on others is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses." he says teasingly, while one hand twirls the end of Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon and the other providing support as Wei Wuxian leans languidly on the door frame.
The disciples who were watching the interaction flush red the instance Wei Wuxian takes hold of their esteemed Hanguang Jun's forehead ribbon. They quickly face front out of respect and embarrassment, their backs to their seniors, and studiously review their notes from today's lesson as an attempt to wipe the intimate scene from their minds.
Lan Wangji remains silent as he stares at his beloved husband who stares right back. No words were exchanged, just loving gazes that held everything, and that was enough for both of them.
It's silent for a few minutes before Wei Wuxian laughs aloud. "Aiya, if my Lan Zhan misses me so much, I guess I can let class off early today..." he suggests, sweetly patting his husband's cheeks. "What do you think, hm?"
"Teacher Wei, there's only a few minutes left before the lunch bell rings." a Lan disciple answers with a bow.
Wei Wuxian hums, his mischievous eyes not leaving Lan Wangji's calm ones, "Letting you kids off early every now and then isn't so bad. You're all free to go then." he absent-mindedly waves his forehead ribbon wrapped hand towards the class as a form of dismissal. "Don't forget your nighthunt later with your Senior Wen and to hand me your reports tomorrow, alright?"
"Yes, Teacher Wei." they answer in unison, quickly picking up their things and leaving the room one by one. Each disciple bows respectively to their two seniors as they exit, quietly making their way to the dining hall for lunch.
The youngest in the class is the last to leave, he makes his bows, but does not make his exit. Wei Wuxian cocks his head, waiting for the disciple to talk.
"Um, Teacher Wei did not answer my question earlier..." he utters shyly before quickly adding, "If you don't mind entertaining this one's query!"
"Oh? Well..." Wei Wuxian thinks for a moment, humming a tune as he does so. His eyes land on his husband again, a silly smile takes over his features when he finds his answer. Lan Wangji raises a brow conspicuously, wondering what this young disciple asked.
"I like nibbling on my cabbage." Wei Wuxian smiles at the disciple, patting his little head, before knowingly glancing at his Lan Zhan. "Other than that, anything overly spicy and filled with chili is my favorite food."
The young disciple beams when he gets his answer, "Thank you, Teacher Wei!". With a smile on his face, he bows at them both once more and leaves to follow the rest of his class.
Lan Wangji watches the disciple walk down the hallway quietly and when he's out of sight does he turn to his husband, "Your cabbage?"
Wei Wuxian barks a laugh before he grins widely. He takes a step forward toward Lan Wangji and leans in to peck his chin, not lips to Lan Wangji's silent displeasure. His Wei Ying can be a tease when he wants to be.
"My cabbage." Wei Wuxian smirks, pulling the forehead ribbon mischievously. "Shall I nibble a bit before lunch, hm?"
And if they turn up to the dining hall for lunch a tad bit later with swollen lips and flushed cheeks, it was no one's business. At least their robes were in order this time.
A chorus of "Senior Wei!" could be heard from outside Lan Wangji's office. He could distinctly make out a few of the disciples' voices — Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, Ouyang Zizhen, and surprisingly Jin Ling.
A hearty laugh from his husband can be heard right after the calls, "Aiya, what do you gremlins want from this ancestor, hm? You looking for trouble?"
Lan Wangji smiles to himself, he could already picture his Wei Ying in that moment. Wei Ying's head would be tilted to the side along with a questioning brow, his eyes narrowing because his playful grin would be taking up too much space.
Their voices persist a little too loudly for the Lan Sect Rules but Lan Wangji will let them have this — of all the disciples, it's this junior quartet that love Wei Wuxian the most, after all.
It's Lan Sizhui's voice that speaks, quite softly and more quiet than the rest. "Senior Wei, we're off to a nighthunt later. If you're-"
"Come with us, Senior Wei!" Lan Jingyi interrupts, not bothering to lower his volume. He's broken a couple of rules by now but he'll leave the punishment to Lan Sizhui.
"I'd love to! Let me get ready first." Wei Wuxian cheers and Lan Wangji couldn't restrain himself any longer.
He's making his way to the door, abandoning the remaining work for a few minutes wouldn't hurt anyone. He's the Chief Cultivator anyway, these cultivators' concerns can wait — they were all trivial and very much not part of his job description.
He slides the door open to find his husband ruffling the hairs of Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling fondly. "Wei Ying."
His beloved turns upon his call and grins even wider. "Lan Zhan! You done working? I was just about to bring you some tea." Wei Wuxian beams, making his way to Lan Sizhui who was carrying a tray. He quickly pours some warm tea from the teapot into the teacup he'd brought and hands it to Lan Wangji before he could answer.
"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji smiles at him before sipping his tea. "Do not forget to bring extra signal flares this time." he states eyeing the juniors one by one.
The juniors straighten their postures upon eye contact before bowing in unison, "We won't, Hanguang Jun."
Lan Wangji nods before turning back to his husband and addressing the next sentence to him. "Be careful this time."
Wei Wuxian waves a hand dismissively and laughs, "Do I look like a careless cultivator to you, my husband?"
Lan Wangji shakes his head, "Not careless. But do not put yourself in danger when there could be a safer alternative."
"Lan Zhan, if it comes down to it, you know I won't just stand by." Wei Wuxian smiles sadly but his eyes are determined.
"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji looks at his husband and pleads with his eyes. Of course, he knows he can't stop his husband from being a tad bit reckless, he can't make his husband stop being selfless.
Maybe he worries a little too much but he cannot help it. Wei Wuxian had been cursed, stabbed, and harmed too many times than he could count ever since his resurrection— with most injuries obtained because his Wei Ying was selfless like that.
Lan Wangji loves that about him, after all. His selflessness, his putting himself at risk for the sake of everyone else, his self-sacrificing for a cause that's greater than his own life. His Wei Ying is just too good for this world.
As Wei Wuxian is now, Lan Wangji just can't let that happen, can't let his husband risk his life again, can't lose him again to the cruel world. "Please."
Wei Wuxian purses his lips at this before relenting, "Okay. I promise I won't unless there really is no other choice, alright? Bear with me on that, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji's eyes soften at this and he nods. He knows he can't stop Wei Wuxian from putting himself out there completely, especially when there are lives at stake, but he trusts his husband knows his own limits to these things. This promise signifies as a reminder for the both of them.
"Besides, you can trust the kids will protect their frail Senior Wei, hm?" Wei Wuxian smiles innocently, eyes wide as he bats his lashes profusely. Lan Wangji could only huff a laugh.
"Yes, Hanguang Jun. We'll protect Senior Wei with our lives!" Lan Jingyi nods along with a determined Ouyang Zizhen. Jin Ling does not utter a word but his eyes also held the determination to protect and Lan Sizhui smiles reassuringly as a promise. Lan Wangji knows he can count on them, time and time again. Yes, his Wei Ying will be safe in their hands.
"Mn." Lan Wangji nods. "Be safe." he directs this to both his husband and the juniors.
Wei Wuxian grins before placing a kiss on his husband's cheek. "Anything for you, my love!"
They all leave Lan Wangji by his office and head to the jingshi to let Wei Wuxian prepare for the nighthunt, the juniors all flushed red while Wei Wuxian teases them for it. "Such prudes! Why, back in my day..."
"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji internally sighs in relief, his shoulders losing their tension when he sees the sight of his husband, unharmed and safe from a nighthunt.
"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian jumps into his husband's arms, a bit of dead grass and mud staining Lan Wangji's own robes but he does not mind it one bit. Better a mud stained robe than his husband's life, right?
"You are back." Lan Wangji utters, caressing his Wei Ying's cheek and passing him a bit of his spiritual energy.
Wei Wuxian leans into the touch and sighs away the tension in his own body. "I am back." he responds, his eyes meeting his husband's to deliver the rest of the unspoken words.
I am here, I am well, I am alive. My zhiji, I am fine. Do not worry anymore.
Another thing to love about his Wei Ying.
Lan Wangji smiles and holds their gazes for a little while longer, basking in his husband's warm, reassuring presence. "Wei Ying."
A deep and painfully irritated sigh breaks their moment much to Lan Wangji's displeasure. Of course, it was by his brother-in-law, Sandu Shengshou, Jiang Wanyin, Jiang Cheng.
"Hanguang Jun." he gruffs, a nod of acknowledgement sent his way.
"Jiang Wanyin. You are here." Lan Wangji says with a nod. To the untrained eye, Lan Wangji's face was as expressionless as a rock's, but to Wei Wuxian and anyone who is adept at catching Hanguang Jun's minute changes in his features, they could all tell Lan Wangji was frowning, very much displeased at his brother-in-law.
It was no secret. They both held their grudges and resentment towards each other. If it weren't for Wei Wuxian being alive and making sure they all got along, they would have drawn their swords and slit each other's throats, pierced each other's hearts, stabbed each other's stomachs by now. Ironically, Wei Wuxian was also the reason for their eternal feud.
Jiang Cheng sneers, "Of course, Hanguang Jun. Someone has to look out for my brother, my nephew, and the junior disciples." he huffs, looking off to the side with arms crossed over his chest.
"Mn." Lan Wangji leaves the conversation there and opens a new one. "It is late. I will have someone prepare the guest quarters. In the mean time, do join us for dinner at the dining hall."
Jiang Cheng yields and bows at him, the fatigue from the nighthunt far greater than their petty fight, "Thank you for your hospitality."
Wei Wuxian and the junior disciples silently watch the interaction with initial worry. But seeing as there was no one-sided yelling nor silence spells laid out, they all relax and fall into a brief recount of the events that occurred in their nighthunt.
"Senior Wei was so cool! His eyes were blood red and all the resentful energy just thrusted into that fierce corpse and it exploded!!" Lan Jingyi gushes, his eyes sparkling at the wonder of demonic cultivation.
Lan Sizhui sighs, reminding his friend about his volume. "Jingyi, indoor voices now."
Jin Ling rolls his eyes, "With that big mouth, even his indoor voice can't be considered quiet."
"But Senior Wei really was amazing earlier! You can't blame Jingyi for being an admirer, can't you?" Ouyang Zizhen laughs lightly.
Lan Jingyi continues on, ignoring his friends in favor of retelling his favorite events.
Wei Wuxian laughs as he listens to the juniors rather than run his mouth with his own storytelling. He walks by his husband's side, a light brush of hands before they intertwine tightly.
"Lan Zhan, my Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian whispers for only him to hear. Lan Wangji turns to him at the call but his husband does not say anything else.
"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji whispers in the silence of their home. They both lay on their bed but Lan Wangji is still awake despite the curfew being hours ago. Their limbs entangled under the sheets, sharing each other's warmth which spreads in every place their skin touches.
His husband fell asleep the moment he lay his head over Lan Wangji's chest right above his heart that beats as one with his beloved. He smiles to himself as he watches his Wei Ying sleep peacefully in his arms, gently caressing his cheek before lightly combing his husband's hair.
"Lan Zhan..." Wei Wuxian mumbles under his breath before snuggling a little closer to the crook of Lan Wangji's neck. "Love you... See you... tomorrow..."
Lan Wangji holds him a little closer and breathes in deeply before he closes his eyes to rest for the night. He loves these moments with his Wei Ying the most, loves the promise of tomorrow with his Wei Ying the most. Lan Wangji loves his Wei Ying the most.
"Love you. See you tomorrow."