[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

[lightamidchaos]

“Mn.”

Satisfied, he returns to his own breakfast.

[acrookedpath]

Within two bites, he can recognize that if he had tried to keep eating his congee (largely) plain, he would have caved within days and dumped five pots of chili oil on it. It tastes so much better now!

Perhaps you should simply ask Lan Zhan next time instead of assuming, murmurs a wryly amused voice in the back corner of his mind.

The meal fades into a comfortable, companionable quiet. Wei Wuxian tries to eat slower, as if he could stretch the deadline of Lan Zhan's departure a little longer.

[lightamidchaos]

He finishes his food and pours another cup of tea for each of them, idly considering the day ahead.

(Silence during meals. He does not think to break it, at least not without reason.)

Camellia oil. Incense, for the burner he brought up the other night. A better stock of tea. He sorts through the list of things, considering what else to add to it.

[acrookedpath]

All he can think to say are things Lan Zhan already knows.

I will miss you.

I wish you didn't have to go.

I love you.

It is as if the last day erased all of the three days preceding. If he wants to do something besides pace the floor waiting for Lan Zhan to return, perhaps he ought to re-read his notes and organize them a little better. Or he could give up and abandon thinking altogether for the day: go for a swim, visit the archery range he thought he spotted some weeks ago.

"It has been some time since we explored the forest," he says. "We do not have to hunt, but if you'd like to walk there tonight...?"

[lightamidchaos]

"I would like that. Very much."

He sets his tea aside and leans forward, reaching over the table to take Wei Ying's hand.

"I will come back as soon as I can. Not before yǒu hour, but not long after xū hour at latest--"

[acrookedpath]

Setting down his own cup, he covers their joined hands, quirks another small smile.

"I will look for you then," he says. "And Lan Zhan, if there is ever a time where you are trapped away from here again, where you cannot reach me -- I will find a way to reach you."

[lightamidchaos]

He does not try to convince Wei Ying otherwise. Not only would it do no good, he knows, but he will not dismiss his care, his concern, like that.

"I know," he says, very softly. "All I will ask is that you be careful, should it ever come to that."

He will just have to see to it that it never does.

[acrookedpath]

"I will." He squeezes their clasped hands. "I promise. I doubt I can cross back into our world without becoming a ghost, but our friends can. And Ingress has a skill for Opening -- she could find a path to you."

[lightamidchaos]

All color drains from his face, and Lan Wangji's grip tightens abruptly on his hand.

"Wei Ying. No."

[acrookedpath]

"We would be careful," he insists. "Lan Zhan -- "

He uncovers their hands, reaching to cup Lan Zhan's cheek. He cannot comprehend the sudden flash of fear on the other man's face.

"Only if you cannot find a way back. Only then."

[lightamidchaos]

"You cannot risk it," he insists. "Wei Ying, you must not try to cross. Not you."

His throat is dry with fear.

"Please."

[acrookedpath]

He pulls in a swift breath, comprehension dawning.

But he does not hesitate: "I won't." He runs his thumb along the arc of Lan Zhan's cheekbone, eyes locked on his. "I will send Harrow, or Ingress, or Tom-gongzi. I will not go myself. I swear to you, Lan Zhan. I will be safe."

[lightamidchaos]

He closes his eyes, then nods.

"Thank you," he whispers.

He swallows once, hard, and looks at Wei Ying.

"And I know you - I know you would dare, that you are brave enough, and brilliant, but -- if you became a ghost, if somehow then you could not -- "

A single, ragged breath.

"I cannot lose you. Not again."

[acrookedpath]

"I know," he whispers. "I know. And you will not."

Heedless of the dishes between them, he leans across the table to kiss Lan Zhan.

"I will be here."

[lightamidchaos]

He returns the kiss, and forces himself to relax his desperate grip on Wei Ying's hand.

"And I will come back to you. I will be careful, too. I promise you that."

[acrookedpath]

"So we are in agreement." He presses another kiss to Lan Zhan's forehead, just above the ribbon, and settles back. "Neither of us will do anything foolish. We will hold each other to it, and enjoy many meals together in a strange inn at the end of the world."

[lightamidchaos]

"Yes."

He picks up his tea, and takes a sip to wet his throat before saying, with perfect innocence,

"And other things."

Such as walks in the forest. Of course.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian sputters out a loud laugh, rocking back in his seat and pressing the side of his hand to his mouth.

"Oh yes," he manages, striving for the same innocence. "Long hours in the library. Even longer discussions of talisman theory. Extremely detailed comparisons of musical notation between every world that touches this one. The possibilities are endless, zhiji."

[lightamidchaos]

His heart leaps every time Wei Ying calls him zhiji, and he can feel the slight, warm smile curve his lips.

"Mn," he agrees.

[acrookedpath]

"But," he continues, after draining the last of his tea, "that will all be for another time. This morning, I am content with the meal and your company."

He glances to the window, tracking the position of the sun.

[lightamidchaos]

"Mn."

He finishes his own tea, and puts the cup back on the tray he had placed beside their table.

Lan Wangji does not want to look at the sun. He knows what he will see. Instead, he occupies himself with clearing their dishes onto the tray.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian does not blame him. He wishes --

Well. It was Wei Wuxian who got Lan Zhan into this mess. If he must be the one to keep track of the time, so they may guide Lan Zhan back to safety, he will do so.

He joins Lan Zhan in stacking the dishes, letting their fingertips meet every so often: small gestures, here and there, to reassure they are not yet parted. Soon there is nothing left to be done. He hesitates, gaze lowering to the table, then sighs and pushes himself to standing so he may fetch his outer robes.

[lightamidchaos]

He gets to his feet and follows Wei Ying across the room.

"Let me help," he murmurs, and reaches to take the black outer robe from Wei Ying, to help him into it.

[acrookedpath]

His smile gentles. He relinquishes the robes, turning around to let Lan Zhan slide them over his shoulders, wrap the clothing around him like an embrace. Quiet amazement sings through his chest: we are here.

Together, they fasten the belt in place. Wei Wuxian considers fetching his flute, just in case, but decides against it.

[lightamidchaos]

He remembers to add Ford-daifu's medicine to his bag. Wei Ying went through all the trouble to get it for him, so he will take it.

With an inward, resigned sigh, he lifts the tray, to carry it back downstairs.

He does not ask if Wei Ying will see him off as far as the door. He knows that he will.