lightamidchaos | [pfsb] sword forms by the lake

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.

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From:

acrookedpath

When they parted ways -- Wei Wuxian to retrieve a long-delayed meal and some more medicine, Lan Zhan to explore the library -- he expected they would reconvene in a few hours. Considering it's Lan Zhan, he also half-expected he might need to dive into the library himself, eventually, lest the other man get so engrossed in some book on another world's music theory that he not resurface for hours.

What he did not expect, as he watched the grounds from their window, idly finishing the last of his meal, was to see a familiar glint of steel under the lowered sun.

He pauses, chopsticks halfway to his mouth. "Lan Zhan," he groans, dropping them back to his bowl with a clatter.

Correct, Lan Zhan! He would prefer you be resting!

Heaving a sigh, he gathers up the dishes to bring down to Madam Bar, where he exchanges them for a bottle of wine before heading outside. Autumn is on its way in earnest: the air cannot hold the sun's heat for very long anymore, and in its loosened grasp, a cool breeze stirs the hair near Wei Wuxian's temples. He won't demand Lan Zhan stop. He won't even suggest it. But what he will do is sprawl on a nearby rock, crack open his bottle, and keep an eye on Lan Zhan as he moves through his sword forms.

No hardship, really. It's a very nice view.

From:

lightamidchaos

He catches a glimpse of movement from the corner of his eye as Wei Ying settles on the rock and braces himself --

-- then, as he realizes that Wei Ying is not going to say anything, the faintest of smiles touches his mouth for a moment.

(Wei Ying does not have to say anything. His observing presence says it all for him.)

He draws Bichen back through the air as if pulling a bowstring and shifts into the next in the series of forms, precise and deliberate, each motion smooth and steady as the flow of water over rock or wind through mountain trees, the shining blade an extension of his arm and his spirit both.

(He is using only enough spiritual energy to wield the sword, controlled and careful. The purpose of this exercise is a test, not foolishness.)

From:

acrookedpath

Lan Zhan smiles, and Wei Wuxian feels an answering grin spread over his face, far bigger and brighter. How could he react any other way?

He takes a long swig of wine and settles in. Lan Zhan certainly seems to be moving all right -- the slow deliberation such forms require, especially to move so smoothly, can be just as taxing to the muscles as a quick whirlwind of strikes. He studies him closely for any hitch of movement that might speak to deeper pain. So far, there are none.

It is really, truly, deeply unfair how graceful he is, though.

From:

lightamidchaos

He can tell which wounds have split from the way they pull as he moves, but he does not think it is too bad. Whatever bandages and ointments Ford-daifu applied seem to have helped. He will just need to be careful until they heal completely.

The exercise also helps to stretch his stiffened muscles and restore flexibility, despite the steady, lingering aches. None of them seem to be the sort that indicate torn muscles or deeper damage which would need to concern him, and he is glad of it.

He keeps his pace controlled, however, especially now. Eventually, he comes to the end of this series of forms, lowers Bichen, and turns to face Wei Ying.

He says nothing, but raises both eyebrows.

From:

acrookedpath

Wei Wuxian beams and hops to his feet, letting the bottle dangle loosely from his hand.

As he approaches Lan Zhan, he calls, teasing: "I did not know the inn had a library outside as well, Lan Zhan! What a marvelous place."

From:

lightamidchaos

"It has stranger things."

There is a softness in his expression as he looks at Wei Ying, and patient resignation in his glance.

"But no. I was in the library before."

From:

acrookedpath

"Mm."

Apparently, thanks to Lan Zhan, he has begun to appreciate the value of using a single syllable to convey a whole range of emotions. (In this case: skepticism, amusement, and a deep, loving fondness.)

Wei Wuxian pecks him on the lips without hesitation once he's close enough. "Did you find anything interesting?"

From:

lightamidchaos

He keeps Bichen to the side so there is no chance of accidentally injuring Wei Ying and places his other hand on Wei Ying's hip, then leans in for another kiss.

"Mn. A few things. I will make copies of them, if I am allowed."

From:

acrookedpath

"I think as long as you do not submerge them in salt water, you should be fine," he says, wry but still smiling.

(He's been a little afraid to go back to the library since he sheepishly asked Madam Bar to return the water-stained scroll from Harrow's consecration ritual. Someday he will face down the Librarian again, but... not yet.)

He combs his fingers through Lan Zhan's hair, settling them on the back of his neck.

From:

lightamidchaos

"Ah."

He shivers, very slightly, and moves closer.

"If it would help - I could give you a copy of something from our library. You could offer that as replacement and apology."

From:

acrookedpath

The portion of his mind making a pleased note at Lan Zhan's response to the touch collides, rather abruptly, with the rest of what Lan Zhan says. His eyebrows fly up his forehead.

"I hope that won't be necessary," he says with a small laugh. "I cannot imagine that would go unnoticed, Lan Zhan. No, I will make whatever apologies and payment the Librarian wishes."

From:

lightamidchaos

"I can make a copy of it myself, if needed," he insists. "You will tell me, if it will help."

He shifts his grasp on Bichen slightly, as he assesses his spiritual energy reserves, then reluctantly lets go of Wei Ying's hip in order to sheathe the sword manually rather than vanish it.

From:

acrookedpath

"Yes. I will tell you," he reassures him, and punctuates it with another brief kiss.

When he notices what Lan Zhan is trying to do, he steps back enough to give him the space for it -- even as his gaze sharpens slightly, assessing. If he has enough spiritual energy to command Bichen through his sword forms, but none left over to vanish the blade, then his reserves remain far too low. Wei Wuxian sighs inwardly.

Stubborn Lan Zhan, he thinks, but even that is tinged with fondness.

"How do you feel?"

From:

lightamidchaos

"I am all right."

He holds Bichen sheathed at his side and meets Wei Ying's eyes, his own expression bland, now.

From:

acrookedpath

He eyes him a moment longer, eyebrows still raised in a clear lying is forbidden, Lan Zhan.

But he lets it go with a small sigh, forms another smile, and says, "Well, then if you are done, let's go inside and you can tell me more about what you found in the library."

From:

lightamidchaos

"I am all right," he says again, more gently. "And I will be better still, in time."

He moves to Wei Ying's side, clearly intending to walk beside him rather than to lead the way.

From:

acrookedpath

"I know."

As they walk back to the inn, he shifts the wine bottle to his other hand so he can link his fingers with Lan Zhan's.

"If there were a way you could be better now, for the sake of my heart -- " He chuckles, ruefully. "But you have always been more patient than I have."

From:

lightamidchaos

He raises their linked hands and kisses Wei Ying's fingers.

"I will endeavor to heal as swiftly as I can. I promise."

From:

acrookedpath

A small flush of heat spreads through him.

"Good," he says. And then, lightly: "So you will not object if I feed you another meal once we're inside?"

From:

lightamidchaos

"As long as it is not too large a meal."

He sounds a little wry, but accepting enough.

From:

acrookedpath

Did... did Wei Wuxian actually win this battle? Incredible.

"It won't be," he assures him. "More rice and broth, and a little tofu, I think. We will add in vegetables tomorrow morning."

He elbows open the door to the inn.

"And you have enough medicine now to take back with you to Cold Pond Cave."

From:

lightamidchaos

He glances sideways at Wei Ying, at that, but forbears to argue that point.

Medicine can be easily hidden, after all.

"Tea would be welcome," he observes.

From:

acrookedpath

"Tea! Yes! Not too strong, still -- "

He whistles to get the attention of the nearest waitrat, letting go of Lan Zhan's hand long enough to crouch down and relay their order. "If you could bring it upstairs to our room, please? I would be very thankful."

The rat squeaks assent and dashes away.

With a grin, Wei Wuxian takes Lan Zhan's hand again and draws him to the stairs.

From:

lightamidchaos

He allows himself to be drawn after in his wake, remembering other times when Wei Ying has pulled him along through markets and toward one destination or another.

When they reach the room, however, all such thoughts are lost as he stares at the door.

His name is on it, now, in addition to Wei Ying's.

From:

acrookedpath

He had wondered how Lan Zhan might react to the sight. It... seems like he doesn't mind? He thinks?

"I thought..." His smile softens; despite himself, a clutch of nerves tightens in his gut. "If we -- if this. Is it all right?"