[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]

"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.

[acrookedpath]

Indeed, Wei Wuxian is a mere step behind Lan Zhan as they exit the room. He slides the door shut. The talisman shimmers.

Lan Zhan will be back tonight, he tells himself firmly. They will send no visitors beyond Zewu-jun; Lan Qiren cannot stand guard in Cold Pond Cave every hour. Today he will sift through his notes to find everything he can about warning talismans, and communication through barriers, and Harrow's experiments with controlling bone beyond the inn's closed door. He will find a way to keep Lan Zhan safe.

Once the dishes are returned, and Lan Zhan's hands are free again, he takes hold of one of them as they walk to the front door.

[lightamidchaos]

He stops beside the front door and draws Wei Ying to him, into an embrace, then kisses him.

“I love you,” he says. “Do not worry. I will be all right. And I will come back this evening.”

[acrookedpath]

He hugs him back as tightly as he dares; leans into the kiss, catching his face in both hands.

"My Lan Zhan." Soft. "I love you."

He runs his fingertips over Lan Zhan's forehead ribbon, ensuring it is perfectly straight.

"I will see you tonight."

[lightamidchaos]

“My Wei Ying.”

He kisses him once more, then carefully steps back and opens the front door before he can delay any further.

Cold Pond Cave gleams icily from the other side. Lan Wangji steps across the threshold and braces the door with his hand for a moment, listening.

He does not hear anything unusual, and he nods to confirm that all is well.

“Until tonight.”

[acrookedpath]

"Until then." He rocks forward a little onto his toes as he waves farewell, his smile warm and shining. "Goodbye."

Wei Wuxian folds his hands in front of him as Lan Zhan lets the door close. The seam of its frame smudges away like ink washed clean under a stream; the doorknob is next, sinking into the rest of the wall as if it was never there. Soon he faces a blank wall. Still, he cannot help but keep smiling.

My Lan Zhan. My zhiji.

They will be reunited soon.