Archive of Our Own

Wei Wuxian had never been so far from his home — and everywhere else he knew — before. When he began his travels, he knew he wanted to search the land, find new places, and still he never thought he would actually discover so much.

He only realized what he was doing around the fourth or fifth night on the ship, looking around to see nothing but the endless sea, and he had to collect himself for some time to avoid a panic attack.

He was really doing this. Not even Little Apple with him, as it would be impossible to fit a whole donkey in the small space he was given, not to mention prohibited. She was better off anyway, waiting for his return at a farm near the port and keeping company for the owner’s kids, who apparently loved her, even if she clearly did not love them back. It was a favor he asked after saving the family on a regular night hunt. He hoped the donkey would behave and not eat up the entire family’s apple’s supply.

So, yeah. He was going away. Not forever, but- what if he encountered danger on this new land? What if it was too different than what he was used to? He didn’t want to die far from every place and every person he loved.

It was a terrifying moment, to think of that. However, he pushed those fears aside once he disembarked and felt the cool air swish through his hair and robes. The people around him were busy, but pleasant, smiling back to him whenever he did it first, and he got the thrill of adventure in a way he hadn’t felt for a long time. He couldn’t wait to write about his tales in this new land to Lan Zhan once he returned.

He did send a letter before the got on the ship, announcing he payed some silver to find a way into the cargo vessel, and that Lan Zhan shouldn’t write back as he would be already gone by the time the reply got there. In reality, he mostly didn’t want to give any chance for Lan Zhan to dissuade him from his quest, nor did he want to read between whatever lines he would receive, finding obvious concern and making him feel guilty. More than he already did on a regular basis, that is.

Wei Wuxian constantly thought about the look on Lan Wangji’s face when they parted ways. Constantly thought about going back to Gusu and updating that last memory with laughter and wine and his own babbling about all that he has seen over the last eight months.

But he wasn’t done yet.

Now, walking amongst people in clothes he wasn’t familiar with, smelling the new food from tents around him and wondering how he could get some with as little silver as possible — after all, he had to save for his return —, he was almost overwhelmed with everything. Maybe, especially, with the fact that absolutely no one there knew who he is, who he was.

He was fairly content with this new found anonymity while he began his journey. It didn’t matter if he stumbled across important sect members of whatever sects there were around this place — no one would look twice, whisper to one another, make sure they weren’t being followed by him.

He could enjoy himself in a way he hadn’t for years.

At least, until the day he would, in fact, be recognized.

---

He didn’t mean to get attention upon himself. He really didn’t!

But it was hard to know what, exactly, was enough for people to make a fuss about, and what wasn’t. Wei Wuxian was used to common people being a bit worked up on cultivator’s business, but never like this .

It was the beginning of the second week wandering around that jianghu and he already knew people were not cultivators. He made sure to keep talks about spiritual energy to a limited extent, not sure how much would be considered strange, but he did not realize there was another technique unfamiliar to that part of the world: his trusted talismans.

It was so natural that it never occurred to him, sincerely. He payed for a cheap room that was more than a little cold, and decided to warm up the place with a quick paper work. Nothing much; he had done it countless times before, every time he slept out in the open or in other cheap places to save his hard earned money from helping a family here, a village there.

But, well, it didn’t seem simple to the maidens who were up cleaning up the room during his lunch downstairs. At first, he could only hear whispers, and his ears were trained on gossip, so he listened closely. When he realized the servants were talking about how a single room was at a different temperature than the whole inn, he cursed himself for forgetting the talisman above the door frame.

When he made his way back, smiling culpably and picking his talisman from where it was glued, he had to deal with quite a lot of questions from the workers, the inn’s owner and eventually some curious visitors walking by the corridor.

“It’s, ah- it’s just an old technique, nothing for you guys to be concerned about-“

“But can you teach us?”, the owner urged, his eyes popped out while he fondled with his long bear, apparently only to have something to do with his anxious hands. “This would make our humble inn into a respectable place- no, more than that, it would grant us a unique repute! Renown as no other!”.

Wei Wuxian really, really didn’t want the attention. Not like that, at least.

The only way he managed to flee was to draw a few more of that precious work — a warming talisman being called precious, who would’ve thought — and teach the old man to just put on the walls to heat up the rooms. He knew that was going to be charged from the guests, but hey, it wasn’t his problem once he got out of there.

The next day, after walking considerably far from that whole mess, he finally decided it was all good. It was just some new harmless trick to a poor working man.

He made sure to keep his talismans well hidden from now on, though.

---

It was the third week and Wei Wuxian was being followed.

He wasn’t sure if the man was poorly hiding his tracks or if he meant it for Wei Wuxian to notice. Probably the latest.

Wei Wuxian was fairly confident it wasn’t going to be a big deal, but his skin tingled with anticipation nonetheless. A fight with someone who had entirely different combat skills? It could go very, very bad, but he was also morbidly curious about it.

He didn’t let it show. He chose a jar of wine from a vendor at a busy street and carefully made his way to somewhere quieter, the outskirts of the village, but not too far.

He sat down and immediately downed a gulp of liquor. It was good. Not the best.

He wasn’t fazed when he felt a presence by his side. Glancing up, he took a few moments to take in the view.

The man had a pale skin, dark eyes and brows, a small somewhat devious smile on full, pretty lips, and a long white hair lightly swaying with the wind. He wore a dark blue robe lazily placed on top of a white undershirt.

He was beautiful.

Wei Wuxian was not prepared for that particular sight. When the man chuckled, he briefly shook his head and smiled brightly in return.

“So, I’m guessing you are the flash of white hair I keep seeing at every corner the whole day?”

“As you should”, the man replies, still smiling. With no prompt, he landed on the ground, close enough to Wei Wuxian to feel friendly, but not close enough to feel intimate.

“I’m Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian”, he says, nodding and offering the wine he got precisely for this moment. “May I know the name of my sentinel?”

The man accepted the bottle, drinking right away and cleaning a bit of liquid that streamed down his chin. He looked over at Wei Wuxian for a moment, liquor still in his hand, before answering: “Sentinel? No sense! You can call me Wen Kexing. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Wei Wuxian”. Then, narrowing his eyes a tiny bit, he continued, “Or would you prefer I called you by a different name? Something to do with a place- what was it- Yiling, I believe?”

Wei Wuxian stilled for just a second, but it was obvious enough.

The surname was probably a coincidence, had to be, but to be recognized to this extent was absolutely what he had not expected.

He forcefully laughed and waved his hand. “I don’t go by that name in a long time. Wei Wuxian is fine”.

Wen Kexing nodded and watched Wei Wuxian a few moments more before handing him the jar back.

“I heard about this new thing going around”, he began, “Some call it magic. Paper magic”.

“Talismans”, Wei Wuxian said, choosing to get it over with. No reason to hide what had evidently started some commotion.

“Ah, I see”, Wen Kexing said, looking interested, and perhaps happy that Wei Wuxian was letting it out so easily. “I assume there are other uses to them, besides heating up bedrooms and being miserably replicated by merchants?”

Wei Wuxian laughed, genuinely this time.

“Yes, there can be a lot of uses to them. From simple to complicated. That was, as you may have realized, very simple — which is why I had no idea it would cause any kind of inconvenience.”

“I believe you”, Wen Kexing replied instantly. The smile never left his face, and it occurred to Wei Wuxian that neither did his own; maybe that was a bit disorienting for other people as it was for him right now? He couldn’t tell. “It is just a matter of skill where you come from, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

Wei Wuxian was anxious to ask, how did he know him, how did he know anything about his homeland, but it felt like that would be falling for the bait. So he waited.

Wen Kexing sighed and glanced forward, away from Wei Wuxian for the first time. “I know so little about those places. Overseas, I mean. Probably not much more than you know about here”.

Wei Wuxian drank, if only to keep from having to speak. Still waiting, but not for long.

“I’m sensing you as an adventurer”, Wen Kexing said. “If you are like myself, knowledge can be a great part of adventuring, can it not?”

“Mn”, Wei Wuxian replied, also staring at the distance and measuring his words. “Most certainly”.

“So”, Wen Kexing’s tone changed abruptly, from smooth to eager in a heartbeat. It made Wei Wuxian look back at him, finding the dark eyes also back in his direction. “I have a proposal”.

“I’m listening.”

“You are, from what I’ve gathered so far, one of the most famous legends from where you came from”, Wen Kexing said with not an ounce of wonder in his voice, matter-of-factly. “I happen to have a tumultuous background, so to speak”, he winked quickly, “and also a husband who enjoys way too much sending me off to deal with the city’s matters, and I think he would be delighted if I showed him just what I found this time. What do you think about being my guest for sharing stories over food and wine, from one legend to another? Of course we would be pleased to treat you a place to bathe and rest, as well as anything else you need”.

Wei Wuxian was baffled, even though he tried his best to conceal it. That was not what he had in mind when the conversation started.

It was a good proposal. Free food, free drinks, free roof. And all he had to do was talk? Seemed almost too good to be true. Especially because there was something about the man that made Wei Wuxian feel like it was less of an invitation and more of a demand.

But what was the worst that could happen?

---

They strolled calmly over the next hour. Wen Kexing informed that the Four Seasons Mountain Manor was somewhat distant from the city and they could use the time to get to know each other in a simpler manner than what he had in mind for the near future.

Mainly, it was Wen Kexing talking, a curious variation from the usual in Wei Wuxian’s perspective. He had a feeling that it was purposefully to make him more at ease, and damn him if it wasn’t working.

Still, Wei Wuxian could tell the man had a way with words and knew exactly how much he was disclosing. He said he had been living in the manor for a while — didn’t say how long. He said Wei Wuxian would love to meet his husband and joyfully described “his A-Xu” — but didn’t specify his husband’s position in the manor, nor his own.

Wei Wuxian told him about growing up in a place surrounded by water, about the huge difference between the lakes and the sea, about his travels and the few weeks he’d just spent wandering and drinking.

When they arrived, the jar of wine in Wei Wuxian’s hand was empty, and the smiles on both men’s faces were effortless.

“Lao Wen, how many times have I told you to warn me before bringing guests?”, a stern voice reached them as soon as they entered the courtyard, but when Wei Wuxian glanced over, the expression looking back at them was gentle.

“Pardon my sudden entrance. I’m Wei Wuxian”, he said, bowing quickly and flashing a moderate smile. “You must be the famous A-Xu my friend here won’t stop talking about”.

Wen Kexing laughs, and the man smiles while shaking his head. He bows back.

“I am Zhou Zishu, leader of the Siji Manor. You are welcome here, as my husband’s friend, even though he failed to mention you before”.

“I’m afraid we just met”, Wei Wuxian replied, eyeing Wen Kexing, who had crossed his arms and positioned himself against a pillar. “Your husband insisted I came along to meet his home and converse some more, and I couldn’t say no to such a pleasant invitation”.

“I’m sure he did”, Zhou Zishu narrowed his eyes at Wen Kexing, who merely widened his grin. “Well, you are just in time for supper. Please, come inside”.

Wei Wuxian followed the couple and watched the movement around the place. He spotted a few disciples finishing up their training, one or two already on their way to their rooms, probably, and a low chatter coming from different locations. He instantly liked it there, as so much of the routine reminded him of his childhood. He knew it was just like any other sect, in theory, but it felt like an actual home. Something carefree and unrestrained that made him go back to the early days in Jiang Sect, when the training was not about preparing for a war, when he was part of a family, when he laughed everyday and watched the future unfold with brightful eyes.

His chest grew warm with the memories and his eyes burned a little. He suddenly realized how much he missed this — the familiar manners, the young boys and girls gathering everywhere, the simple repetition of exercises and learning, or teaching. In his youth, he would frequently find it boring and always discovered a way to spice the days up, but now, it seemed like the kind of peace he was not allowed to have, not since... well.

If Wen Kexing or Zhou Zishu noted his brief overwhelming, they didn’t say a thing.

They all gathered for dinner alongside a few people who were cheerfully introduced as Zhou Zishu’s head disciple, Zhang Chengling, his wife, Gao Xiaolian, and their daughter Zhang Nianxiang. The kid was about six years old and very talkative, quickly growing fond of their guest. Wei Wuxian was happy to indulge in the child’s blather. He was always good with children, after all.

He commented on how close Zhou Zishu and Zhang Chengling looked in age, as a compliment to the first, and for some reason everyone laughed. He joined in even not understanding what was so funny.

The food was particularly good and he made no runarounds to compliment it, even more when he found out that it was Wen Kexing’s recipe thoroughly taught to the kitchen’s staff.

As the encounter continued, the conversation went back to his feats over the past weeks and some explanation about the mechanics of the talismans. Everyone was quite interested and Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but feel a bit smug. However, when they were getting to specifics about his homeland, Wen Kexing suddenly stood up and cut it short.

“I’m sure our guest has a lot to talk about, but he’s probably tired. Wei Wuxian, follow me, I’ll show you to your room”.

Chengling seemed bummed out, but nodded. Zhou Zishu merely watched as his husband led Wei Wuxian out of the dining room.

“I thought you wanted to hear stories?” Wei Wuxian asked as soon as they were out of the others’ hearing zone.

“I do”, the man replied with a smile. “But that doesn’t mean everyone needs to bother with my extravagances”.

“Chengling and Xiaolian appeared interested as well.”

Wen Kexing waved it off.

“I can tell them the important parts later.”

Wei Wuxian sensed that something was awry, but dropped it. For now.

He was shown to a very nice guest room, with clear white and light pink adornments and a few embroidery flowers he only saw after a closer look to the curtains. There was also a tub with hot water, just prepared.

“I will leave you to your privacy. You can call anyone whether you need something. Please don’t hesitate to look for me or Zhou Zishu if anything is wrong”, Wen Kexing said with an easy tone, a perfectly polite host. “I didn’t realize it was already so late, so I think it will be best if we begin our talks tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“Sure”, Wei Wuxian responded, knowing full well it wasn’t his choice. But he was, in fact, tired. “I really do need a bath and sleep. Thank you for your hospitality”, he finished with a bow, or at least tried to.

Wen Kexing touched his elbow lightly and his smile grew wider, but also softer.

“There is no need for so much formality. I already see us as friends! Do you not?”

Wei Wuxian gave a small laugh.

“I think by the end of my stay here, we will either be good friends or not want to see each other ever again.”

Wen Kexing laughed back.

“Let us hope for the best outcome, then!”

They uttered goodnight and Wei Wuxian closed the door, immediately sighing with relief. He didn’t know why all the conversations with that man felt like a competition of sorts. And he always felt he was losing.

But there was absolutely nothing wrong so far. The place, the people, the food, the cordiality... everything was on point. Maybe he was too skeptical. It could actually be that he was making a new friend. Was that not part of the adventures? Meeting new people, even getting close?

He wanted to tell all about this weird day to Lan Zhan. He could almost see his worried eyes and the way he would say he was being reckless. It made him smile to himself.

During his bath, he had an idea. After his bath, the idea seemed brilliant and flawless, as most of them do.

He placed himself on the bed, readied for slumber, and carefully slided a paperman to the ground as he closed his eyes. If anyone were to walk in, he would look peacefully asleep.

He knew his way around this. The paperman walked around the manor, discreet, always finding the right spots to slip and turn and go and wait. Eventually, he listened to the voices he was looking for.

The paperman went under the door to the main room and placed itself behind a small shelf. It could see most of the place, including the bed, where Zhou Zishu was sitting, looking up to Wen Kexing, who was close by and brushing his own hair. They were both in their underwear, white shirts and gray trousers.

Wei Wuxian promised himself he had good reasons to invade his hosts’ privacy. He would just have to think about it later to make sure.

“Chengling told me he wants to participate in the conversation with our guest tomorrow”, Zhou Zishu said, still watching his husband. His eyes were gentle, but also a little narrowed. “I’m guessing that’s not your plan?”

“Not yet”, Wen Kexing answered. “I don’t want the boy getting all excited and in my way while I’m trying to talk. You know he would”. 

He finished with his hair and turned to look at Zhou Zishu, then motioned for him to get closer. The other man promptly did, placing himself on a chair next to Wen Kexing that Wei Wuxian hadn’t seen before. Wen Kexing proceeded to undo his lover’s hair.

Ok, Wei Wuxian was feeling strange about seeing what was obviously an intimate routine. Maybe he should just listen.

He didn’t.

“Well, are you going to tell me what that is all about, at least? Or doesn’t your husband have the right to know about the men you bring home?”, Zhou Zishu said, looking at Wen Kexing through a small mirror on the table in front of them.

Wen Kexing laughed. He was so at ease. Wei Wuxian thought he was before, but now he could see how he looked with absolutely no tension on his body or his expression. Pretty.

“Why, are you interested?”

“Lao Wen”.

“Right, right, I’ll be serious”, Wen Kexing kept smiling as he took off the last pin from Zhou Zishu’s hair and picked up the brush he used on himself. “You remember the handscroll we bought about the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation? Yiling Laozu?”

“I do. Wasn’t that just a bunch of tales?”

“We couldn’t be sure, could we? But now we can.”

Zhou Zishu placed his hand on Wen Kexing’s one, on the top of his head, and slowly turned to look at him.

“Are you telling me the man sleeping in my manor...”

Wen Kexing was silent, and Wei Wuxian couldn’t see his face from where the paperman was standing, but he could bet he was amused.

”... is the demonic cultivator that wiped out thousands of lives and raised an army of corpses? That Yiling Laozu?”

“Perhaps.”

Zhou Zishu stiffed for a moment and then shook his head, turning back to the position he was in before.

“You’re a madman, you know that?”

“But A-Xu”, Wen Kexing moved a little, and it took a second for Wei Wuxian to realize he was silently laughing. “We don’t know how much of that book was true. Aren’t you curious about it? I mean, what are the chances! Directly from the source!”

“Assuming he’s going to tell the truth.”

“You know how good I am at seeing through people. I’ll know if he’s lying.”

“Will you? And what if he knows when you’re lying, too? If I understood correctly, he’s expecting some stories back.”

“I don’t have anything to hide, my love.”

“Right.”

They grew quiet for a while. Wen Kexing finished his job and extended his hand to Zhou Zishu, who rolled his eyes, but took it, and allowed himself to be led to the bed.

As they were laying down, Zhou Zishu resumed the topic.

“It’s still very stupid of you to bring home a man who is apparently known for being powerful and evil.”

“Aren’t we, as well? Besides, it doesn’t really matter how powerful he is. He seems to understand that things are different here, that the way we fight is not the same, that he would be at a disadvantage”.

Wen Kexing inclined himself on top of his husband, after they were both lying underneath the covers, and stared at him very closely.

“I know you’re not scared.”

Zhou Zishu puffed.

“I don’t want a mess in my manor if you two decide to get off for some reason.”

“A-Xu, A-Xu...”, Wen Kexing hums as he kisses Zhou Zishu very quickly. “All this time, and you still don’t trust me?”

Zhou Zishu suddenly grasped the man’s jaw and pushed him, turning their positions until he was on top and the covers were feebly around them.

“Always have. Always will.”

They kissed again, for real this time, and Wei Wuxian knew it was time to go. He let the paperman travel back to his room before disappearing, for safekeeping, and stared at the ceiling for some time.

This was going to be fun.

-----

After breakfast, which was brought to his room, Wei Wuxian scanned through the manor until he found Zhou Zishu at the courtyard, observing his disciples’ training. He smiled when the guest arrived.

“Good morning. Had a nice sleep?”

“Very much, thank you!”, Wei Wuxian replied, and it was true. The spying from the night before brushed off some worry from his shoulders, even more because he knew the masters of the sect were pretty busy , and so he ended up sleeping deeply. His flute was, of course, by the side of the bed, in easy access, but he didn’t really feel he would need it.

“We let you sleep late, that is why we didn’t call you for breakfast. Lao Wen is waiting for you in the back, whenever you’re ready.”

Wei Wuxian nodded and excused himself. He wandered a bit around the place, preparing himself for what would probably be a day full of that weird not-really-a-competition with Wen Kexing.

When he got to the back of the manor, his mind was cleared of all that. He might have sighed with the view: countless cherry blossom trees, all full and vivid, moving slowly with the wind.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Wen Kexing’s voice caught his attention. The man was sitting under one of the many trees, wearing robes that could almost disguise him, as they were pink like the flowers around him, with red details and white under robes. His white hair was halfway secured behind his head, but otherwise free to move the same way the plants did.

Wei Wuxian had to take a moment before smiling and moving towards him.

“It is”, he said, still looking around as he sat in front of Wen Kexing. He held a bunch of the tiny petals that covered the ground, chuckling to himself as he did. “The manor is very nice and all, but this is- wow”.

“I know. I really enjoy spending time here, alone or with A-Xu.”

Wei Wuxian forced himself to focus on his acquaintance and laughed when he noticed a bottle sitting just beside him, along with two cups.

“I thought I was the only one who didn’t mind drinking early.”

“Well, it’s not that early”, Wen Kexing said, winking and then laughing himself. “But I don’t think there has to be a time for that, no”.

He then proceeded to pour wine into both cups and hand one to Wei Wuxian, who gladly accepted it.

After drinking for a moment, Wei Wuxian motioned with his free hand to indicate he was ready. “Well, ask away!”

“I have to start with the obvious. When I found you and mentioned Yiling, I was fishing. Based on your reaction, I have to assume it really is you?”

Wei Wuxian silently cursed himself for being baited so easily, but nodded.

 “Demonic cultivation, huh?” Wen Kexing said like it was a snarky comment about the weather, instead of a snarky comment about the most dangerous form of cultivation there is. “How does that work?”

“You know the basics of cultivation? I couldn’t help but notice you don’t deal much with spiritual energy around here.”

“Oh, we do, but probably not in the way you’re familiar with. We canalize spiritual energy to fight and to heal, but only ever our own. I think you work with outside sources?”

Wei Wuxian nodded again, pleased with how intelligent Wen Kexing seemed to be. He talked about resentful energy and explained the principles, because it was not anything the man couldn’t find out easily if he searched enough, and because theory and practice are two entirely different things.

When Wen Kexing asked how he started doing it in the first place, Wei Wuxian tilted his head and drank some more.

“That is a long story.”

“We have all day.”

“We do”, he smiled with more than a bit of a setback. “But before that, may I ask how you know about The Yiling Patriarch?”

Wen Kexing’s expression changed entirely, as if he just remembered something. He searched inside his clothes, pulled out a worn out handscroll and handed it over.

Wei Wuxian opened it, masterfully conceiving his satisfaction in knowing that Wen Kexing was being honest.

He examined the piece. It was probably nearly twenty years old, which meant it was written when he was still at his first life and rumors were flying around like forest fire. He couldn’t recognize any indicators as to where it came from, a region or a sect, but it was poorly made, so it was most likely a merchant’s item that somehow found its way to the other side of the world.

He saw some accurate information, like how Yiling Laozu dealt with demonic energy and how his army of dead helped — that was an understatement — the sects win the Sunshot Campaign, even though there were no details about the war.

He also saw some severe bullshit like how Yiling Laozu has “deceived innocent young maidens” and “was possessed by demons” and- barbecued babies?

“Where did you find this?” he asked, laughing with disbelief.

The smile and the way Wen Kexing shook his head showed he knew not to believe everything he read.

“That is also a long story.”

Wei Wuxian put the scroll down. Then, when he registered the other’s words, his eyes flickered.

“We have all day.”

Wen Kexing’s eyes glinted back.

“We do.”

They stared at each other for what felt like a whole minute. Wen Kexing sighed, relaxing back against the tree, and drank from his cup.

“Why don’t we start by our homelands?” he offered. “Not just how they look, but how they work. Politics, sects, all that”.

“Sounds good!”

And so they did. Wei Wuxian talked about Lanling, Qishan, Yunmeng; about Gusu and Lotus Pier; about the major sects; and what else he set his mind to.

Wen Kexing talked about Mount Hua, Mount Tai, Mount Duan; about the Imperial Court and about the Alliance Sects, the latest with unhidden disdain.

They both noticed when the other was circling a subject, but they were also increasingly drunk throughout the day, as Wen Kexing asked for more jars to be brought, and caring less and less about what they sounded like.

“Wait, wait- so he poisoned the guy, which then caused the alliance to deteriorate for twenty years, and then he found a way to become the new head?” Wei Wuxian laughed and Wen Kexing followed. “That is one stupid, greedy man”.

“You have no idea! The Ghost Valley rose during this whole time and-“

“Ghost Valley? That’s a cool name, you didn’t mention it before.”

Wen Kexing stopped moving. Wei Wuxian did the same, cup on his hand, his widened eyes moving back and forth, waiting to understand what happened. When he opened his mouth to ask, a new voice came along.

“I think that’s enough wine for today”, Zhou Zishu said, approaching them. Wen Kexing’s face immediately went from startled to smooth and loving. “Unless you two plan to end our stock”.

“A-Xu!” Wen Kexing tugged on his husband’s robes, receiving a plain stare in response. “Come sit with us! Drink with us!”

Zhou Zishu rolled his eyes, but complied.

“I brought some food. Local fruits, I hope you enjoy, Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian only now realized the sun was setting. They hadn’t eaten since morning, and his stomach suddenly complained audibly. The three of them laughed at this.

They resumed talking while eating, but Ghost Valley was not mentioned again.

“So you didn’t eat babies?” Zhou Zishu asked at some point, amused at how that induced a burst of laughter from the other two men.

“No! Really, while that thing was being written, I was trying to grow turnips and lotus seeds so that we wouldn’t starve to death. There weren’t even babies around. I mean, except for A-Yuan, but he was already a toddler, that cute little bantling.”

“What I’m picturing so far is nothing like what the stories made it seem, huh?” Zhou Zishu said, glancing meaningfully to his lover for a moment.

“Yeah, there were a lot of rumors going around. People still talk a lot, actually. It was one of the reasons for me to travel.”

Zhou Zishu nodded, drinking slowly.

“Sects and their bullshit”, Wen Kexing spoke up, waving his cup around. “They’re the same anywhere in the world, apparently”.

“May I remind you where you are, brat?” Zhou Zishu answered, poking at Wen Kexing’s ribs.

“A-Xu, but this is different! We’re just a big old family. I bet most of the other leaders can’t even remember all their disciples’ names.”

Jiang Fengmian could , Wei Wuxian thought. He wondered if Jiang Cheng could as well.

“Some sects are like families”, he said, more to himself than to his companions. “Others are more worried about power, or rules and tradition. But they can all change and move from one thing to the other. It’s hard to tell, even if it’s happening right in front of us”.

Wen Kexing eyed him with a funny, yet indistinguishable look, and said nothing.

They talked some more frivolities before Zhou Zishu made them get up and sent them to clean themselves for supper. That night, the whole family reunited again and Wei Wuxian felt even more at ease, joking around with everyone, playing with Nianxiang, enjoying the delicious food.

When they withdrew to their rooms, Wei Wuxian grew restless. He was mostly sober now, and that one moment with the Ghost Valley mention kept nagging at him.

As he knew his way around the manor now, at least the basics, he knew where the library was. So, when everyone was asleep, he slipped away to go and find whatever information he could on that name.

It wasn’t very easy. Most of the scrolls and books he found were about martial arts techniques or medicine. Eventually, though, he got to a small history section.

The Ghost Valley is a notorious, public enemy to the martial arts’ world and society in general. It is where criminals go when they quit trying to be humans and become demons, the worst kinds, where murder and torture and all types of mischiefs are allowed. They live in Mount Qingya, a place where the sun doesn’t shine and the air only smells of death.

It is every grand sect’s duty to exile and kill Ghost Valley’s members whenever possible.

Hm. Wei Wuxian could see some familiarity in the way that place and the people were described.

He wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

----

The next day followed the same pattern. Late breakfast, slow pace, Wen Kexing waiting amongst the cherry trees. This time, they wasted no time jumping back to where they left, babbling about sects’ history and the places they used to visit.

Wei Wuxian spoke about Lotus Pier again, more in depth now. He made no effort in hiding how much he loved it and missed it. He mentioned his brother and sister.

When he asked about Wen Kexing’s childhood, the man hesitated. Wei Wuxian decided to be bolder than the day before.

“Does it have anything to do with... Ghost Valley?”

Wen Kexing swallowed visibly and put out a smile that didn’t reflect in his eyes.

“Yes. It is where I grew up, mostly. It wasn’t... a nice place. Not at all.”

Wei Wuxian didn’t push it, not now. He went back to his own tales, and shortly after everything was going smoothly again.

At some point, he talked about going to the Cloud Recesses for the lectures, and Wen Kexing must have noticed it was the beginning of a larger story, because he suddenly paid more attention, placing his elbows on his knees, cupping his face and listening closely.

Wei Wuxian spoke freely of the first few months. How he was bored, but also the best student there, but also the worst teen the Lans ever had to deal with.

He spoke of Lan Zhan.

“I see”, Wen Kexing said, smiling largely this time, with a knowing look.

“See what?”

“That Lan Wangji. You love him.”

Wei Wuxian gasped, partly out of drama, partly out of honesty.

“What- why-“

“You should see your face!” Wen Kexing laughed, his head going way back and almost hitting the tree, then coming back. “I know that look. I do it all the time, or so I’m told”.

At Wei Wuxian’s confused face, Wen Kexing was baffled.

“You’re telling me you and him are not together?”

“Together? No! I-”, he was fumbling with words, “He is- ok. I do love Lan Zhan, of course, he is my zhiji. But we don’t... it’s not like that”.

“Hmmm” is the only response he gets.

But the way Wen Kexing is watching him makes it sound so, so much worse.

“I mean it! You don’t know Lan Zhan, he wouldn’t... he’s a role model, he doesn’t break rules... mostly... except, uhn...”

“Except when it comes to you?” Wen Kexing guessed, and Wei Wuxian could feel his own face heating up.

What the hell .

“Anyway!”

He guided the conversation away from the topic for a while, until he thought it was safe to mention Lan Zhan again without it becoming a whole thing. Wen Kexing allowed him, luckily.

Once again, Zhou Zishu showed up with a basket of fruits when the sun was starting to disappear behind the pink flowers. He sat and drank with them and they all kept talking like it was the most familiar habit.

When the stars were visible, Zhou Zishu surprised both of them.

“Did you tell him about A-Xiang?”

Wei Wuxian looked at the careful expression Zhou Zishu carried, staring at his husband with the kindest eyes he saw until now. It was obviously a sensitive topic. He wasn’t sure why Zhou Zishu was pushing it- but he knew the man better than anyone. Maybe this was something he needed.

Wen Kexing didn’t seem bothered by the question. He looked up at the sky before replying.

“A-Xiang. She was as bright as the brightest star. Sometimes shining too strong for her own good”, he chuckled to himself, then brought his eyes to Wei Wuxian. “She was my sister, my daughter, like A-Yuan was your son. By chance. She made my days better just by existing”.

He and Zhou Zishu talked more about the girl, Gu Xiang, and the reminiscing was light and warm. Wei Wuxian could sense how much she was loved — and missed. It made him like his hosts even more.

Love was something he understood. Grief was something he understood better.

The Ghost Valley was mentioned again, with less caution this time. He found out Wen Kexing and Gu Xiang both grew up there, and that it was dangerous, but he protected her and taught her to protect herself the best he could. He didn’t say it, but Wei Wuxian could hear what was left unsaid; it wasn’t enough, in the end.

Wei Wuxian shared his own relationship with his sister. How much she cared for him and the whole family. How she always got him out of trouble even knowing he would just jump back at it again. How much he missed her, everyday, and would until he was also gone.

They didn’t say how their sisters were taken away from them. That was for another day.

That night, before going to bed, Wei Wuxian was interrupted by Zhou Zishu.

“Hey. Is everything to your liking?” he asked, just to be polite; as soon as he got a nod from Wei Wuxian, he continued. “Listen, I want to thank you. For doing this. I know you were dragged up here, you didn’t have to be so honest and upfront, but I really appreciate that you are”.

Wei Wuxian was a bit perplexed. He was being very cooperative, sure, but so was Wen Kexing.

“Lao Wen doesn’t usually talk so openly about himself, you know. He’s good at riddles and poems and circling around instead of just saying what he means, but he’s been fairly direct to you, and I think it is because you are to him.”

Oh. So that was it.

Wei Wuxian smiled, just a little.

“I’m glad. I know there are a lot of things left unsaid, for him and me both. But I can sense when I’m making a friend. Or two”, he finished with a wink, and Zhou Zishu laughed, patting him on the shoulder.

“You two really are similar. Goodnight, Wei Wuxian.”

“Goodnight, Zhou Zishu.”

Wei Wuxian went to sleep thinking of Jiang Yanli, Jiang Cheng, and Lan Zhan.

He missed his home.

---

The third day was different.

Wei Wuxian woke up early enough to join in the family breakfast, for once. Nianxiang was head over heels happy with Uncle Wei — that was a thing now — showing up so soon, and he volunteered to keep her company for some time after they ate. He now knew where the xiang part of the girl’s name came from, and it made him feel like he was somehow closer to the entire family, not just Wen Kexing. Chengling and Xiaolian were also very good at making him feel welcomed.

Later on, they didn’t go to the back, instead finding a quiet space at the courtyard, or at least as quiet as possible with the disciples’ training around the corner. It didn’t bother Wei Wuxian, although he was getting used to the cherry trees.

He was most surprised, in fact, by Zhou Zishu coming with them.

They all sat on actual chairs around a stone-made table, with the customary wine and fruits, this time from the get-go. After they settled and watched the sunny sky for a moment, Wen Kexing turned to him with a calm, unreadable face.

“You mentioned a war a few times these days. I get you participated?”

Wei Wuxian sighed. Yes, it was time they were clear about that. He also wanted to know about the battles in the men’s past, because it was clear they happened, probably the reason Gu Xiang was dead.

So he began. He explained the ambition and cruelty of the Wen Clan, the power they held, the events leading up to the Sunshot Campaign.

When he recounted the massacre of Lotus Pier, he knew his fingers were pale as he tightened them around the table’s edge. He wasn’t looking at the others, but he could hear their silent breathing, and was grateful that they didn’t say anything.

He didn’t tell them about the Golden Core. It wouldn’t matter, but it still felt wrong to talk about it, like he was telling a secret that wasn’t his to tell.

But he said he was captured, tortured, and thrown in a place from where no one else had come out alive before. He shivered as he remembered it; the screams, the hurt, the corpses, the smell, oh my god, the smell-

“That’s when it started, wasn’t it?” Zhou Zishu asked quietly. “Demonic cultivation”.

Wei Wuxian nodded.

“No one understood how it worked, even I was figuring it out as I went, but it was- the power was too much. And I needed it. I wasn’t thinking of war when I got out, I was thinking only of revenge.”

He glanced up from the ground and saw Wen Kexing looking down himself, lost in his mind. He noticed Zhou Zishu’s hand coming up to grasp at his husband’s, and suddenly he knew why they were both here, this time.

Wen Kexing was going to do his part, and Zhou Zishu didn’t want to let him do it unattended.

Wei Wuxian suddenly felt so, so alone. He wanted someone’s hand over his, too. He knew which hand, and he knew exactly how it would feel.

He smiled sadly to himself, watching the couple looking at each other, a bittersweet mix of empathy and sorrow.

Then he shook his head and continued; he had his revenge and the sects counted on him to help win the war. It was hard, long, awful, as wars always were. But they won.

He stopped, because that was all he could do today. It was early afternoon and he was already tired. He realized they weren’t drinking like before, barely sipping on their cups. Suddenly very thirsty, he picked up the jar and gulped down what was left, not bothering to use the cup. No one said anything about it.

He stared at Wen Kexing for a few minutes, who kept looking down, his hands crossed over the table and topped by Zhou Zishu’s. With a deep breath, the white-haired man began his tale.

He made sure Wei Wuxian remembered some of the politics they discussed before and went from there. The bitter tone never left his voice as he talked about the Five Lakes Alliance, the armory, the Scorpions and the Ghost Valley. He didn’t shy away from his involvement and it took Wei Wuxian all of his will to not gasp when he discovered the man was Ghost Valley’s master. Wen Kexing said it unthinkingly, in the middle of a sentence, and only Zhou Zishu seemed to notice it was news to their guest. But there weren't many more particulars on it, only the clear way Wen Kexing used his position to find revenge on the major sects and, specifically, on Zhao Jing.

“It took me a long time to figure out his part in my parent’s death”, Wen Kexing said, never looking away from his own hands. “When I did, I felt like even more was taken away from me. Not just my family or my memories, but my time- time I could’ve used to put an end to his life before. But I knew what I had to do then, and I did”.

He started telling of his plan to unmask the villain, and for the first time he sounded more like himself; cheerful, even. Zhou Zishu retreated his hand and let his husband gesture freely as he told his shenanigans and Wei Wuxian asked about this or that detail.

That was the end of the workday for them, Zhou Zishu decided. Probably to wrap it up on a good note, as much as it was possible this time. They all finished up the night as usual, although both Wen Kexing and Wei Wuxian were decidedly quieter and wearier.

Before bed, Chengling approached Wei Wuxian to ask him for company in the city the next day. He had to run some errands and would be delighted to show him to the best restaurants, if he pleased. Wei Wuxian looked over at Wen Kexing, who smiled and gestured at him to go.

It didn’t really dawn on him that he had just asked for permission until much later.

----

The next day was off the clock and very much needed. He felt invigorated at not having to dwell on his past. Chengling brought Nianxiang and the kid made Wei Wuxian carry her a few times, which was not very good for his back, but he was terrible at saying no to kids, especially ones with wide smiles and fat cute cheeks.

Chengling asked how the conversations were going. It was clear that he was interested, but it wasn’t really Wei Wuxian’s place to go beyond whatever Wen Kexing wanted him to know. Besides, this was the day where he didn’t have to be all truthful, so he merely said:

“It’s been great! I’m just tired of describing every one of my thousands of murders in gruesome details. That Wen Kexing is a bit of a lunatic, isn’t he?”

At Chengling’s wide eyes, Wei Wuxian laughed loudly, and Chengling decided to not ask again.

By the time they were back, there was a commotion in the courtyard. Tables were arranged together outside, food all over them, and suddenly dozens of disciples were up and screaming:

“Happy birthday, Nianxiang!”

The kid ran, smiling all the way to her ears, and was immediately passed from one person to the other as if she weighed nothing. She was laughing and being thrown in the air, and everyone laughed along, including Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing at the very end of the long improvised table.

“What!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, looking at a beaming Chengling. “Why didn’t you tell me it was her birthday! I would’ve got something!”

“Precisely”, the man replied. He patted Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. “If you ever come back to visit us, that will be the only gift she really wants”.

He went to join his wife. For a moment, Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure what to do. Should he stay and celebrate? It was a family’s moment, after all, and-

“Wei Wuxian! If you don’t come here right now I will have you be the punchbag for Nianxiang to start his training!”

And with that, he followed Wen Kexing’s voice and participated in every party activity he could until he was passed out in his room.

----

The fifth day was also unlike the others, mostly because Wen Kexing didn’t feel like talking yet, and the whole manor was enclouded in a collective hangover. It was bound to be a quiet day.

After reading a few things in the library, Wei Wuxian met up with Gao Xiaolian, who admitted she was still very interested in the talismans. He didn’t mind teaching her a few tricks, even some that would only bring humor and nothing really useful. She enjoyed them just as much as the helpful ones.

The conversations resumed on the sixth day, one more time at the courtyard. This time, they jumped right into the personal matters, starting slowly but rapidly evolving. Zhou Zishu was with them one more time, and looked surprised as to how quick it was.

Wen Kexing mentionied Gu Xiang again, from the days she was an infant to how she was the one to see Zhou Zishu for the first time. That led to the sect’s leader having to explain why he was dressed as a beggar, which he didn’t seem very inclined to do.

“I never agreed to this whole thing”, he said, arching his brows to Wen Kexing, who was the one to push him to speak.

“But you are part of my story, my love”, his husband answered with unashamed puppy eyes. “And our guest can’t possibly understand what I had to go through unless you talk of your terrible decisions”.

Zhou Zishu rolled his eyes, but told his part of the story. Wei Wuxian smiled slightly, noticing how Wen Kexing could get away with anything if he played his cards right.

He imagined how he could also get away with anything he asked Lan Zhan, but he pushed those thoughts away.

When he understood how the Seven Nails worked, he was frightened. Both in thinking how it felt like to go through it, and how it must have felt like for Wen Kexing to watch the love of his life going through it.

Zhou Zishu didn’t give much explanation as to why he left the organization that required that punishment, but Wei Wuxian knew he wouldn’t. As the man said himself, he never agreed to what they were doing. Although it was kind of unfair how he was getting all the information from Wei Wuxian anyway, but that was what happened when one had to support one’s traumatized husband.

With that new level of trust, Wei Wuxian told them about the Wen remnants. How he couldn’t stand and watch the injustice, how Wen Qing and Wen Ning were so very good to him and his family.

When he told them about separating himself from the Jiang Sect in order to keep his brother politically preserved, he nearly jumped with the touch of a hand squeezing his shoulder.

“You did the right thing”, Zhou Zishu said, sounding like he was a thousand years old.

Wei Wuxian felt incredibly thankful for those simple words.

The back and forth of their stories started intertwining. There were a lot of common topics to their backgrounds — betrayal; righteousness; anger; revenge (again); hope; love.

At the end of the day, Wen Kexing and Wei Wuxian knew each other in a way neither of them thought possible a week before. Not entirely, no, that was never the point. But enough.

Laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, Wei Wuxian was washed away by a feeling of accomplishment.

He didn’t know what he was looking for when he got on that ship, but now, he knew he had found it.

---

Wen Kexing didn’t look surprised when he was told his guest was about to leave.

He invited Wei Wuxian to walk at the cherry tree field for the last time. They had no wine and the wind was chilly, but it was still pleasant.

“What do you plan on doing once you get back?”

“Gusu”, Wei Wuxian responded immediately. “I want to meet Lan Zhan”.

Wen Kexing chuckled. “Sure you do”.

“Hey! Stop that!”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“I know what you were thinking, you pervert.”

Wen Kexing threw his arms up.

“I just think you shouldn’t wait to get what you want. I know I couldn’t, even with me and A-Xu having eternity at our feet, I much rather spend that time skin to skin than swallowing my yearning.”

“You- wait, eternity?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention that. We’re technically immortals now.”

He said it like it was nothing, but Wei Wuxian put the pieces together.

“Like the old monster you talked about?”

“Yeah. He was the one to teach me how to do it, to save A-Xu’s life once and for all. But we’re not, really... I mean”, he sighed, bored of having to explain the mechanics. “We weren’t supposed to eat or drink anything but ice. Whenever we do it, a few years are taken from us. We kept the sacrifice until about a year ago, but then we figured, what are a few years less from forever?”

“Makes sense”, Wei Wuxian replied, and suddenly, with a dramatic wave of his hand, “Ah! So this is why you two look younger than your head disciple!”

“Congratulations, Wei Wuxian! So very intelligent of you to figure it out.”

“Oh, shut up.”

They bickered at each other for a moment, in a way that reminded Wei Wuxian of his early days with Jiang Cheng, and possibly reminded Wen Kexing of his days with Gu Xiang, considering how Zhou Zishu said their relationship used to be.

“But seriously”, Wen Kexing returned to the first topic at hand. “It’s a good decision, to go find him. He’s probably worried”.

“Yeah. I know. I feel bad, but... I don’t know. I had to do this. I had to live my life for myself, even if just for a year. I think he understands that. He probably wants to do it too, to some extent. Maybe not traveling to the other side of the world, but I know being Chief Cultivator must be taking its toll on him.”

Wen Kexing nodded.

“If he is your zhiji, he understands. Just like you understand him now.”

The one who knows and understands me.

“It’s different, though”, Wei Wuxian said. “What you Zhou Zishu have. You are lovers as well”.

“And you think you and Lan Wangji can’t be that?”

“I-”, he closed his eyes and freezed, massaging his forehead with his fingers. This whole talk gave him a headache, but he wanted to do it, for some reason. “I don’t know. I’m afraid to try. We’ve been through a lot. He mourned my death for sixteen years. He is the same Lan Zhan, in some ways, but he’s also very different. He is so much stronger than me, and somehow I fear I could break him if I merely say the wrong words or do the wrong thing. It feels like it’s what I keep doing, and he deserves better, he deserves so much better-“

“Wei Wuxian.”

Wen Kexing turned to look at him, with both hands at his shoulders. Wei Wuxian noticed he was starting to cry, and was surprised at himself.

“I know what it is to feel undeserving”, Wen Kexing continued. “More than you think. You made some bad decisions, but not like I have. I never thought I was good. I still don’t”.

“I’ve killed hundreds, maybe thousands ”, Wei Wuxian whispered, as if it was a secret, as if it wasn’t written in books shipped to the entire planet. “The whole Yiling Laozu thing didn’t begin out of nothing. I knew I had the right motives, but I... I...”

“I’ve killed thousands, too”, Wen Kexing said, dropping his hands and shrugging. “And I don’t regret it. Not most, anyway”.

Wei Wuxian knew that. He could tell by the way their stories were told to one another; the repentance they felt weren’t directed at the same things.

He felt weird at how that didn’t seem to matter to him like it should. It should, right?

“That is a difference between us”, Wen Kexing proceeded. “I was driven by hatred for a long time, and I murdered people who weren’t doing any good in this world, but there was a fair share of innocents in my way. I am sorry they were there, but I don’t regret what I had to do to be where I am today. I can’t regret it. It’s because I made those choices that I survived and was able to protect the people I loved”.

Wei Wuxian dried the tears from his face and looked up, letting the cool wind clash with his barely wet cheeks. He let out a short laugh.

“I don’t know how I trusted you so easily. Here you are, telling me about your body count, and I still don’t feel a single bad thing towards you.”

“It’s my charm”, Wen Kexing replied and laughed along, before sobering up. “To be honest, I don’t know what it is about you, either. This is new to me. I think... your story felt so similar, you felt so familiar, in a sense. And A-Xu made sure to tell me everyday I could follow my instincts and trust you, because he felt the same”.

“You have a wise husband.”

“The wiser, I know.”

Wei Wuxian suddenly remembered something and looked at Wen Kexing with a guilty expression. The man narrowed his eyes.

“What?”

“Ah, I... ok, please don’t be mad, it was the first day and I wasn’t sure yet if you were planning on kidnapping me or murdering me or what, and you know how I have to be cautious, so far from my home, you know-“

“Wei Wuxian. What did you do?”

“Well, uhn. You know how I said there was a trick I used to spy on people? Heh.”

“Oh?” Wen Kexing sounded a bit offended, but mostly amused. “So you spied on your host? Who was doing nothing but keeping you cozy and fed all day long?”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t hear much, I promise, only what you were saying about me to Zhou Zishu, and it was only that night-“

“So in our bedroom?” Wen Kexing interrupted, stepping closer to Wei Wuxian.

He realized only then that Wen Kexing had his fan on his hand, and he knew from the stories that it was his favorite weapon.

Shit , he thought, but Wen Kexing laughed and stepped back, quickly fanning himself and walking away.

“I have to say I’m surprised. I know you ventured into our library, but I really didn’t notice anything else. Good job, good job.”

Wei Wuxian sighed and resumed walking to keep up the pace.

“Didn’t happen again after that, I swear. Hey, I can teach you how to do it before I leave! Would that make us even?”

Wen Kexing merely hummed, before closing his fan with a snap and turning back. His eyes were suddenly sparking with interest.

“Tell me”, he began, sliding himself closer to Wei Wuxian again. “Did you like what you see?”

Wei Wuxian had to take a moment to understand what that tone meant.

“Oh! No! I mean- I didn’t- I stopped it before you guys were, uhn, into it. I wasn’t going to invade your privacy like that .”

“Shame”, Wen Kexing smiled teasingly. “We could definitely arrange something. A-Xu thinks you’re pretty”.

He got even closer, talking to Wei Wuxian directly into his ear.

“And I am a man of many tricks myself, if you ever care to find out”.

When he receded, he laughed at the sight of Wei Wuxian’s blushing face and wide eyes.

“I thought people called you shameless?”

“That’s because they never met you!”

Wei Wuxian may have said that a little more loudly than he intended.

“Don’t worry”, Wen Kexing spoke, turning away to walk one more time. “I know you only have eyes for your Lan Zhan right now. Just remember our doors are always open, especially if he is as beautiful as you said”.

“You- ugh! ”

They roamed just a bit more before going back to the manor. Wei Wuxian collected his few belongings and said his goodbyes. Chengling and Xiaolian hugged him and thanked him for all the time spent with their daughter, who hugged him even tighter and ran away for a few minutes before coming back with a gift she made herself. It was a drawing of Wei Wuxian and Wen Kexing, apparently, since it was just two figures sitting under numerous trees.

He thanked Nianxiang deeply and placed the drawing carefully within his robes, close to his chest.

The disciples bowed to him as he walked the courtyard. When he, Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu reached the gates, he turned with a big smile.

“So, this is it. It’s only been a week, but I feel like I spent months here!”

“I have the same feeling”, Zhou Zishu said, with a smaller smile. He picked a small pouch and handed it over. “Here. For the trip back”.

Wei Wuxian could hear the silver inside and began rejecting it, but Zhou Zishu grasped his arm and placed it in his hand, closing his fingers forcefully.

“I wasn’t asking.”

Wen Kexing laughed, shouldering his husband.

“You can’t say no to him, Wei Wuxian. I’ve tried many times before.”

“Not really. Lao Wen wants to do everything I command.”

“A-Xu! Such shamelessness in front of our guest!”

“That’s not what I- ah, forget it.”

Wei Wuxian smiled fondly at the interaction. He saved the pouch up his sleeve and bowed in gratitude, before any of them could stop him.

“Thank you for this, both of you. I wasn’t expecting to make such good friends. I’m glad I did.”

They both nodded.

“You are welcome to come back whenever you want”, Zhou Zishu said.

“I will! And you should visit us, too, there are so many places I can take you! I’m told I make an amazing tourist guide, you know.”

“I’ll have to see it in person, one day”, Wen Kexing replies. Then he adds: “Really, Wei Wuxian. Come back someday. We don’t have to go through our past again. And you certainly don’t have to spy on us again.”

“He doesn’t have to what? ” Zhou Zishu exclaimed, looking from one to the other.

That was Wei Wuxian’s cue.

“Will do! Bye, Wen Kexing! Bye, Zhou Zishu!” he shouted as he turned and walked away fast.

“Don’t forget to enjoy your life, Wei Wuxian! You earned it!”

Wen Kexing’s laughter seemed to reach him even when he was miles away.

----

Little Apple was somewhat far, eating grass from the top of the mountain where Wei Wuxian stood, watching over Gusu with his flute in his hand.

When he first got home, he picked up Little Apple and departed very soon, after writing a quick letter to let Lan Zhan know he was back and on his way.

He hadn’t played anything in weeks. A part of him wanted to keep his music here, where he belonged. Still, he thought he should perform to his new friends someday. Maybe accompanied by a guqin.

He was playing now. The sound drifted off with the breeze, and he was still midway into the song when he heard it-

“Wei Ying.”

He missed this voice so much.

When he turned, he smiled with relief, love, longing, all at once.

He didn’t know if it was because of Wen Kexing’s last words to him echoing in his head, or because he wouldn’t be able to contain himself either way, but he ran . Right into Lan Zhan’s arms, who caught him — of course — easily, swaying a little and looking surprised, but happy.

“Lan Zhan”, Wei Ying said, his hands around the other man’s neck, his faces so very close to each other. “I missed you”.

“Me too”, Lan Zhan answered, swallowing hard at the proximity.

Wei Wuxian giggled and, with no other thought, brushed their lips together. The gasp on Lan Zhan’s mouth was quickly covered by his eager kiss.

Wei Wuxian had no clue why he thought this could ever be a bad idea. How he could ever not have this.

For the first time in a very long time, the first time in this life, actually, he felt that it was true.

He earned it.