[pfsb] sword forms by the lake

[lightamidchaos]

It is late afternoon by the time he makes his way outside.

Lan Wangji is well aware that Wei Ying would probably very much prefer him to be resting again at present, and in truth he likely should be, especially given what had just come to pass in the library not long before.

But. But. It has been three days, and he needs to know how much strength he can regain, how quickly, before he returns to Cold Pond Cave and faces his brother, tomorrow.

(He is fairly certain Shufu did not intend the injuries to be quite as severe this time, either. Fairly certain.)

Bichen flashes into his hand, gleaming along the blade with a faint, icy blue-white shine. Lan Wangji draws a deep breath, and begins to move through each of the Lan sword forms in a slow motion routine, his concentration absolute.

Comments

[acrookedpath]

"It was a good song."

He pulls Lan Zhan's free hand closer so he can lay a kiss on his fingertips. By now, he is slightly less red than he was at the end of the melody.

"And a comfort. Perhaps I should have realized when I noticed how comforting."

[lightamidchaos]

"Perhaps. But I am very glad," he murmurs, as he turns his hand to cup Wei Ying's face, brushing his thumb over his cheekbone.

"That you did realize. Eventually."

[acrookedpath]

His smile is small, and warm, and could light the entire sky.

"So am I," he whispers, before he draws Lan Zhan into another gentle kiss.

[lightamidchaos]

He kisses him back, just as sweetly, then curves his hand around the back of Wei Ying's neck again, rubbing back and forth in a gentle massage.

[acrookedpath]

And as before, that is all it takes for Wei Wuxian to melt against him with a pleased sigh. He shifts a little so he does not pin Lan Zhan with his full weight; they are back where they were before, Wei Wuxian half draped over him, his head tucked against Lan Zhan's shoulder.

We are here, he thinks to himself. We are here.

You do not have to be afraid of this.

Gradually, his eyelids droop closed. He rouses himself when he realizes he's begun to doze off; moments later, though, his eyes have shut again. The cycle continues several times more, and each time Wei Wuxian takes a little longer to open his eyes.

Soon enough, he is fast asleep.

[lightamidchaos]

He does not stop the slow, gentle petting until he is sure that Wei Ying is asleep, his breathing deep and even.

Only then does he stretch one arm enough to snag the edge of the coverlet, just barely in reach. He drags it back up and over them both, hoping to ward off any chill.

That accomplished, Lan Wangji puts both arms around Wei Ying, holding him close, and allows himself to drift back into slumber once more.

[acrookedpath]

When he wakes, it is still dark outside, though with the silvery edge that promises sunrise will not be far away.

He cannot remember if he dreamt during the night. He doesn't think he did; there are vague, shadowy impressions upon his mind, but no faces that he can recall, no smell of smoke or taste of blood. No pain. No death. He hopes that means he did not accidentally wake Lan Zhan without even realizing it.

Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan is still here, arms snug around him. Somehow they are buried underneath the coverlet, which Wei Wuxian is fairly sure they weren't when he fell asleep. Two blankets, he thinks sleepily, and almost laughs aloud at how ridiculous he sounds.

As he tilts his head just enough to look up at Lan Zhan, he feels an unthinking smile form on his lips.

[lightamidchaos]

He is still asleep, looking peaceful and somehow younger in contented repose. Even as Wei Ying stirs, he does not move.

[acrookedpath]

He actually woke up first.

Wei Wuxian has to smother another laugh as he returns his head to Lan Zhan's shoulder. Poor, exhausted Lan Zhan; hopefully the sleep will do him good as he heals.

But should he wake him before mao hour to ensure he gets back in time? His smile fades a little as he contemplates it. Lan Zhan did not say what time Zewu-jun would check on him, only that it would be in the morning -- but it will take time for his brother to do his own morning preparations, he thinks. He hopes.

Surely they can spare a little more time.

[lightamidchaos]

The sky slowly brightens as night gives way to the encroaching dawn. Star after star vanishes into a field of blue.

Mao hour approaches, and as it does, Lan Wangji shifts. His arms tighten around Wei Ying.

He blinks slowly, once, twice -- and then smiles down at him.

"You are awake," he marvels.

[acrookedpath]

He breaks into a grin, nose scrunching up. "I am," he says. "I hope you enjoy it, for I will never wake this early again."

He presses a light kiss to the underside of Lan Zhan's jaw.

"Good morning."

[lightamidchaos]

"Good morning."

He holds him a little closer, just for a moment.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian hums, softly pleased, and snuggles deeper into the embrace without complaint.

"Did you rest well?"

[lightamidchaos]

"Yes."

He tilts his head to look down at Wei Ying.

"Did you?"

[acrookedpath]

"I think so."

He sounds a bit awed by such a simple thing: a full night's sleep, with no nightmares rising to haunt him.

"I didn't wake you, did I?"

[lightamidchaos]

“You did not.”

He is glad, very glad, that Wei Ying’s sleep was undisturbed.

[acrookedpath]

"Good," he sighs. "Then I did sleep well."

Gently, he squeezes Lan Zhan.

"It is almost as if I was so worn out and happy that I could not dream at all. Who knows why?"

[lightamidchaos]

“It is a mystery,” he says, perfectly bland, and leans down to kiss him.

[acrookedpath]

"Mm."

He stretches up into the kiss, slow and sleepy; reaches to tangle his fingers in Lan Zhan's hair. They will both need time with a comb, he thinks with another inward laugh. He can only imagine how his own hair looks after their exertions the night before.

They break apart, Wei Wuxian with a reluctant sigh. "I do not want to ask this," he murmurs. "But how early will Zewu-jun be visiting you?"

[lightamidchaos]

“He will come during wǔ hour.”

He says it with certainty, without hesitation.

“At the usual time, he said. I suspect it was a warning.”

[acrookedpath]

A warning. Because he suspected Lan Zhan would sneak away again, or because they plan to dole out more punishment?

He makes himself nod, but cannot stop from tightening his hold on Lan Zhan. "We have time, then," he says. "Good."

[lightamidchaos]

“We do.”

A moment’s silence, as he strokes his hand down Wei Ying’s back, trying to soothe.

“I expect that they will have placed at least one guard outside, to see if I would try to leave. I do not think Shufu truly thinks I would, after this, but this way everything will seem above reproach.”

“Xichen... knows me better.”

[acrookedpath]

He huffs out a humorless breath. "Then it was kind of him to warn you, I suppose."

Lan Xichen is not as terrible as Lan Qiren. He knows this. Zewu-jun guides firmly when needed, but is not as rigid and unbending in everything as their uncle; he was even capable of tolerant amusement toward Wei Wuxian's antics, at times.

Still.

"I cannot imagine he suspects the full truth of -- all this." He tips his head to indicate the room, the inn, the two of them curled up together in bed. "But do you think he believes you found another way out of Cold Pond Cave?"

[lightamidchaos]

“He will have questions.”

Lan Wangji says this very quietly.

[acrookedpath]

He swallows.

Quieter: "Will you be punished again if you do not answer?"