[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]

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.