Lán Huàn | Xīchén | Zéwú-jūn (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
equivocations) wrote2020-05-24 01:18 am
equivocations) wrote2020-05-24 01:18 am
open rp post
open rp post | general permissions here
open rp post | general permissions here
[ He doesn't know where he's going. He cannot remember the last time he didn't - no. No, that isn't strictly true. There were many times in Cloud Recesses that he set out without a clear direction, only intending to take the time of the walk to allow his mind to calm, to let himself be led wherever he might end up.
But this is no meditative walk through the trees, where the purpose was the lack of direction, and he can't allow himself to think of it now. If he does, he will only wonder about his uncle, his brother, his disciples, and he can't allow himself to become compromised. He can't give in to the feeling that he should be back there, protecting them. He must remind himself that what he is currently safeguarding is no less important.
At first he has no thought but moving swiftly and without detection, staying hidden and getting as far from what's left of his home as he can. He must find somewhere safe, to hide the treasures he carries and regroup. By the time that thought begins to crystallize, he realizes he is on his way to the Unclean Realm. Despite everything, the realization sparks the tiniest hint of a smile.
Of course. Where else would he go, what other ally could he trust aside from Nie Mingjue to -
No. The Wen clan has already attacked Qinghe once and will surely come back. He cannot risk bringing more trouble to his friend's door at this moment any more than he can risk going there expecting help and finding the very people he is hiding from.
He shifts course, and finds himself moving through a village whose name he doesn't yet know, when he spots a very familiar figure.
And he knows that he shouldn't draw attention to himself in any way, and yet - yet he moves closer. ]
Meng Yao?
But this is no meditative walk through the trees, where the purpose was the lack of direction, and he can't allow himself to think of it now. If he does, he will only wonder about his uncle, his brother, his disciples, and he can't allow himself to become compromised. He can't give in to the feeling that he should be back there, protecting them. He must remind himself that what he is currently safeguarding is no less important.
At first he has no thought but moving swiftly and without detection, staying hidden and getting as far from what's left of his home as he can. He must find somewhere safe, to hide the treasures he carries and regroup. By the time that thought begins to crystallize, he realizes he is on his way to the Unclean Realm. Despite everything, the realization sparks the tiniest hint of a smile.
Of course. Where else would he go, what other ally could he trust aside from Nie Mingjue to -
No. The Wen clan has already attacked Qinghe once and will surely come back. He cannot risk bringing more trouble to his friend's door at this moment any more than he can risk going there expecting help and finding the very people he is hiding from.
He shifts course, and finds himself moving through a village whose name he doesn't yet know, when he spots a very familiar figure.
And he knows that he shouldn't draw attention to himself in any way, and yet - yet he moves closer. ]
Meng Yao?
Edited 2020-05-24 08:53 (UTC)
❰ meng yao was lucky to escape from the unclean realm with his life. chifeng zun is many things, but permissive is not anywhere near the list — how could it be, when he has all of qishan wen bearing down his neck every other year? to be permissive is to invite insubordination is to invite the ruin of the clan, and all the other clans besides. the correct thing to do, according to qinghe nie precepts, would have been to take his life as justice for the life he took.
but nie mingjue has a heart, beneath all that rigid black and white thinking, and he couldn't bear to kill his trusted assistant.
meng yao is very, very lucky.
this is what he tells himself as he makes his way across the lands, trying to stave off infection in his wounded shoulder and figure out where to go next. who else might take him, what connections does he have, what contacts — not many that chifeng zun wouldn't admonish not to help him, and fewer still that he could come to without anything in return. there are no favours he can offer, no tokens — he needs to think fast, stay ahead of the wen, and come up with a strategy.
a strategy that doesn't involve running right into another of the wen clan's temper tantrums, preferably, except that he just keeps thinking of zewu jun. zewu jun whose cloud recesses are in ruins, zewu jun who might not even be alive —
no, he's ranked number one in the cultivation world for a reason. zewu jun is still alive, he must be. but his clan, his uncle, his brother — they may not be alive, and that would hurt zewu jun so much more than anything else.
still. it's foolish to run into gusu with no plan but "find zewu jun". meng yao isn't generally a foolish man.
he's stopped in a village at the border of lanling and gusu, trying to convince himself to just keep going, to find somewhere the wen haven't yet reached — maybe lotus pier, wei gongzi and jiang gongzi can vouch for his capability, he could make himself useful there —
when he hears his own name, and he looks up, wary, only to feel his heart jump into his throat. he opens his mouth to call out his title and begins to raise his arms for a bow, but — if there are wen spies here —
he switches tacks quickly, waves one hand and smiles and beckons zewu jun closer. forgive him for his impudence and play along, please! ❱
My friend! It's been too long. How have you been since we last met?
❰ are you injured? do you need healing? ❱
but nie mingjue has a heart, beneath all that rigid black and white thinking, and he couldn't bear to kill his trusted assistant.
meng yao is very, very lucky.
this is what he tells himself as he makes his way across the lands, trying to stave off infection in his wounded shoulder and figure out where to go next. who else might take him, what connections does he have, what contacts — not many that chifeng zun wouldn't admonish not to help him, and fewer still that he could come to without anything in return. there are no favours he can offer, no tokens — he needs to think fast, stay ahead of the wen, and come up with a strategy.
a strategy that doesn't involve running right into another of the wen clan's temper tantrums, preferably, except that he just keeps thinking of zewu jun. zewu jun whose cloud recesses are in ruins, zewu jun who might not even be alive —
no, he's ranked number one in the cultivation world for a reason. zewu jun is still alive, he must be. but his clan, his uncle, his brother — they may not be alive, and that would hurt zewu jun so much more than anything else.
still. it's foolish to run into gusu with no plan but "find zewu jun". meng yao isn't generally a foolish man.
he's stopped in a village at the border of lanling and gusu, trying to convince himself to just keep going, to find somewhere the wen haven't yet reached — maybe lotus pier, wei gongzi and jiang gongzi can vouch for his capability, he could make himself useful there —
when he hears his own name, and he looks up, wary, only to feel his heart jump into his throat. he opens his mouth to call out his title and begins to raise his arms for a bow, but — if there are wen spies here —
he switches tacks quickly, waves one hand and smiles and beckons zewu jun closer. forgive him for his impudence and play along, please! ❱
My friend! It's been too long. How have you been since we last met?
❰ are you injured? do you need healing? ❱
[ It's easily forgiven, in part because Lan Xichen was already moving towards him - to catch his bow, of course, though for different reasons than because there could be spies about. His hand lowers when Meng Yao catches himself, though he keeps moving forward to join his side.
He barely knows Meng Yao, aside from the praises that Nie Mingjue shared with him and their brief moments in Cloud Recesses, but he believes he knows him well enough to understand that it isn't their previous conversation that makes him stop his bow. Even as he'd watched him leave, Lan Xichen had known that once wouldn't be enough to change Meng Yao's mind. He'd wondered if - hoped - he would get the chance to try to convince him again.
It's unfortunate that it's like this.
His small smile at the familiar greeting is just a touch grateful - of course Meng Yao already thought of it, what calling his title might do to draw attention to them, and took pangs to circumvent it. ]
I have missed you, since we last met.
[ And though he's playing a part - he's not, because his words are genuine. He stands closer than he might allow himself to back in Cloud Recesses, eyes flicking down and then back up Meng Yao's form to silently ask him those same questions. Only - well. It's less of a question, since Meng Yao doesn't look to be at full strength. ]
Shall we find a place to rest? I think we have much to catch up on.
He barely knows Meng Yao, aside from the praises that Nie Mingjue shared with him and their brief moments in Cloud Recesses, but he believes he knows him well enough to understand that it isn't their previous conversation that makes him stop his bow. Even as he'd watched him leave, Lan Xichen had known that once wouldn't be enough to change Meng Yao's mind. He'd wondered if - hoped - he would get the chance to try to convince him again.
It's unfortunate that it's like this.
His small smile at the familiar greeting is just a touch grateful - of course Meng Yao already thought of it, what calling his title might do to draw attention to them, and took pangs to circumvent it. ]
I have missed you, since we last met.
[ And though he's playing a part - he's not, because his words are genuine. He stands closer than he might allow himself to back in Cloud Recesses, eyes flicking down and then back up Meng Yao's form to silently ask him those same questions. Only - well. It's less of a question, since Meng Yao doesn't look to be at full strength. ]
Shall we find a place to rest? I think we have much to catch up on.
❰ he had been worried that zewu jun wouldn't understand what he was attempting to do would balk at the casual familiarity in meng yao's words, or insist he complete his bow — but meng yao should have known better. zewu jun is not ranked number one just because he's attractive and strong, he's also intelligent. when he responds to meng yao's greeting in kind, with fond remembrance and informality, meng yao's smile relaxes a fraction, and he stops his careful glancing about for spies — what a good actor is zewu jun, that he can make such silly words sound so genuine.
the way zewu jun's eyes flick over meng yao in assessment does not go unnoticed, but meng yao just keeps smiling, giving away nothing. ❱
Yes, I would like that. I wasn't planning on staying here for very long so I didn't look for an inn — do you have a room somewhere? I can try to find one. Or if you are amenable to a walk, I passed a forest on my way into town.
❰ passed through one, more accurately, and found a nice, sizable cave that could serve two fugitives well enough, at least for a night. ❱
the way zewu jun's eyes flick over meng yao in assessment does not go unnoticed, but meng yao just keeps smiling, giving away nothing. ❱
Yes, I would like that. I wasn't planning on staying here for very long so I didn't look for an inn — do you have a room somewhere? I can try to find one. Or if you are amenable to a walk, I passed a forest on my way into town.
❰ passed through one, more accurately, and found a nice, sizable cave that could serve two fugitives well enough, at least for a night. ❱
[ Lan Xichan is surely intelligent - it would be impossible to be the Lan Sect Leader if he were not - but as to the type of intelligence, well. His doesn't lend itself to artificial acting skills. In this case, they are fortunate that his burgeoning fondness for Meng Yao is genuine.
He knows well enough not to press further for an answer to the question he didn't ask - he had hardly answered Meng Yao's as to the state of his own health, after all, for this is not the place.
He has enough money with him for an inn, if they so chose, along with the scrolls and unbound books that are secreted away amongst his robes, but - they can't trust that he won't be recognized, if not personally then as a member of the Lan clan, and they couldn't truly talk without fear of being overheard. It's a quick decision. ]
I have not traveled very far yet. [ Much closer to a lie, and though he says it with a small smile and a neutral expression, it's not nearly as genuine. It feels as though he has traveled very far, indeed. ] I would appreciate the opportunity to walk a little further into the forest.
He knows well enough not to press further for an answer to the question he didn't ask - he had hardly answered Meng Yao's as to the state of his own health, after all, for this is not the place.
He has enough money with him for an inn, if they so chose, along with the scrolls and unbound books that are secreted away amongst his robes, but - they can't trust that he won't be recognized, if not personally then as a member of the Lan clan, and they couldn't truly talk without fear of being overheard. It's a quick decision. ]
I have not traveled very far yet. [ Much closer to a lie, and though he says it with a small smile and a neutral expression, it's not nearly as genuine. It feels as though he has traveled very far, indeed. ] I would appreciate the opportunity to walk a little further into the forest.
It did look very tranquil. Shall we go? ❰ meng yao sweep his arm out to invite zewu jun to join him in walking, and then they're on their way out of the city. it doesn't appear as though they're being followed, but meng yao keeps his eyes peeled for any suspicious people as they exit the village, positioning himself just a few steps behind zewu jun so that he can get between him and any attackers that may follow — not that he could provide much use except as a human shield, but it would at least give zewu jun enough warning that someone was upon them that he might be able to put up a better fight than if he was surprised.
thankfully, there's no trouble as they make their way into the forest. either the wen haven't caught up to zewu jun yet — unlikely, but possible — or they didn't consider this one small village worth sending spies to — more likely, but not likely enough for meng yao to stake both his and zewu jun's life on it. he keeps his eyes and ears sharp while they wend through the forest, leading zewu jun with quiet directions.
when they arrive at the cave he had found, he wastes no time in dropping into a deep bow. ❱
This one offers his most humble apologies for disrespecting Zewu Jun.
❰ please don't be mad! you didn't seem mad but PLEASE DON'T BE MAD!!! ❱
thankfully, there's no trouble as they make their way into the forest. either the wen haven't caught up to zewu jun yet — unlikely, but possible — or they didn't consider this one small village worth sending spies to — more likely, but not likely enough for meng yao to stake both his and zewu jun's life on it. he keeps his eyes and ears sharp while they wend through the forest, leading zewu jun with quiet directions.
when they arrive at the cave he had found, he wastes no time in dropping into a deep bow. ❱
This one offers his most humble apologies for disrespecting Zewu Jun.
❰ please don't be mad! you didn't seem mad but PLEASE DON'T BE MAD!!! ❱
[ Similarly, Lan Xichen keeps himself angled just a little bit in front of Meng Yao, putting himself between him and any danger that may come as they moved towards the forest. He doesn't quite clutch the hilt of Shuoyue, but the hand that he would normally keep at the small of his back is much closer to where it rests on his hip.
Though of course, if he knew of Meng Yao's willingness to use himself as a human shield to protect another, he would - well. It speaks very highly of him, that he is willing to sacrifice himself to protect another, at the same time as he would fear it came from a place of not viewing himself as worthy as the one he saved.
But they reach the cave undisturbed, and although Lan Xichen knows that the Wen are still out there looking for him - for a moment, he allows himself to breath a sigh of relief at something like a place of safety.
In retrospect, he should have been expecting that - and perhaps he was, somewhat, because he reaction on instinct to catch Meng Yao's arms. ]
How could protecting my life be any disrespect? You must know who I am hiding from. [ His touch lingers, as it had the last times they'd come into contact, and allows himself to not pull away just yet. ] There's no need for that between us, most especially not now.
Though of course, if he knew of Meng Yao's willingness to use himself as a human shield to protect another, he would - well. It speaks very highly of him, that he is willing to sacrifice himself to protect another, at the same time as he would fear it came from a place of not viewing himself as worthy as the one he saved.
But they reach the cave undisturbed, and although Lan Xichen knows that the Wen are still out there looking for him - for a moment, he allows himself to breath a sigh of relief at something like a place of safety.
In retrospect, he should have been expecting that - and perhaps he was, somewhat, because he reaction on instinct to catch Meng Yao's arms. ]
How could protecting my life be any disrespect? You must know who I am hiding from. [ His touch lingers, as it had the last times they'd come into contact, and allows himself to not pull away just yet. ] There's no need for that between us, most especially not now.
[ cont from here ]
The next morning does not quite bring the ability to focus and long stretches of clarity that Lan Xichen had hoped. He wakes up to Wanyin smelling as irresistible as the day before, and it's all he can do to make sure they take breaks for them to eat and drink, for them both to rest. He cannot seem to bring himself to spend too long on practical plans for the future.
The third day is different, slower. More settled. Although the idea of leaving Wanyin's side still makes him want to growl, his mind is clearer.
He still holds Wanyin's hand at breakfast, though, using his non-domninant hand to eat so he doesn't let go.
"A-Cheng," he says, running his thumb over the back of Wanyin's knuckles. "I thought to assure you that your secret would not leave this room. It may be more complicated now, but I still will. If you do not want a single soul to know, then they will not."
They will have to figure out a plan if Wanyin is pregnant, but Lan Xichen is more than willing to do what he needs to in order to make that happen.
The next morning does not quite bring the ability to focus and long stretches of clarity that Lan Xichen had hoped. He wakes up to Wanyin smelling as irresistible as the day before, and it's all he can do to make sure they take breaks for them to eat and drink, for them both to rest. He cannot seem to bring himself to spend too long on practical plans for the future.
The third day is different, slower. More settled. Although the idea of leaving Wanyin's side still makes him want to growl, his mind is clearer.
He still holds Wanyin's hand at breakfast, though, using his non-domninant hand to eat so he doesn't let go.
"A-Cheng," he says, running his thumb over the back of Wanyin's knuckles. "I thought to assure you that your secret would not leave this room. It may be more complicated now, but I still will. If you do not want a single soul to know, then they will not."
They will have to figure out a plan if Wanyin is pregnant, but Lan Xichen is more than willing to do what he needs to in order to make that happen.
The second morning brought more of the same from the night before with actual breaks for water and food. By the third day, Jiang Cheng feels more satisfied and loved and whole than he had in...well, probably his entire life. He's languid as he awakens and holds onto Xichen's hand through breakfast. His mind is a lot more clear than it had been just a few days ago.
It isn't unheard of for an omega to be a cultivator. It was just rare. Rarer still for such an omega to be a Sect Leader. But it can be done. It's happened before. The caveat was that such omegas were set up early on with an alpha cultivation partner so that the omega would not be taken advantage of. He had worried that would be the case for Jin Ling. Luckily, the boy turned out to be a beta.
"How would we court? How would we support the bond? A marriage?" he asks. Now that his mind is clear, he sounds so much more like himself, a frown creases his brow. After what they had been through the last few days, he can't stand to go back to the way things were.
It isn't unheard of for an omega to be a cultivator. It was just rare. Rarer still for such an omega to be a Sect Leader. But it can be done. It's happened before. The caveat was that such omegas were set up early on with an alpha cultivation partner so that the omega would not be taken advantage of. He had worried that would be the case for Jin Ling. Luckily, the boy turned out to be a beta.
"How would we court? How would we support the bond? A marriage?" he asks. Now that his mind is clear, he sounds so much more like himself, a frown creases his brow. After what they had been through the last few days, he can't stand to go back to the way things were.
It is a little ridiculous, to immediately melt when Wanyin brings up marriage - they are already bonded, of course marriage would be in the picture - and yet he does anyway. Lan Xichen can't quite help himself, and he leans in to press a kiss to the crease in Wanyin's brow.
"I had already intended to court you as an alpha, I could simply continue to do so. Initially, I planned to ask if you would allow me to spend one week a month with you at Lotus Pier."
He suspects they are quite past the need to ease into a courtship, however.
"For the longer term, I had considered proposing a rotating schedule. One month in Lotus Pier and one in Cloud Recesses, perhaps, or half a year in each. If others wonder how two alphas could marry, could be bonded so closely-" He raises and lowers one shoulder, rolling it back in as close as he ever gets to such a careless gesture as a shrug. "Let them speculate that I am an omega, if they choose. It would not be the first time."
His reputation has protected him from such insinuations that his pacifying nature may have normally brought, but he has occasionally heard it before from those unsavory enough.
"I had already intended to court you as an alpha, I could simply continue to do so. Initially, I planned to ask if you would allow me to spend one week a month with you at Lotus Pier."
He suspects they are quite past the need to ease into a courtship, however.
"For the longer term, I had considered proposing a rotating schedule. One month in Lotus Pier and one in Cloud Recesses, perhaps, or half a year in each. If others wonder how two alphas could marry, could be bonded so closely-" He raises and lowers one shoulder, rolling it back in as close as he ever gets to such a careless gesture as a shrug. "Let them speculate that I am an omega, if they choose. It would not be the first time."
His reputation has protected him from such insinuations that his pacifying nature may have normally brought, but he has occasionally heard it before from those unsavory enough.
It was strange to see Lan Xichen shrug but, indeed, the Lan Sect Leader had truly shrugged in Jiang Cheng's presence as to how their world would react to their pairing. There has to be an easier way to go back and forth.
"...if a door through a mirror to another room could be created, then a door to either place could be created, couldn't it?" he asks quietly.
He is not one for wicked tricks. But this trick is hardly wicked, now was it? Jiang Cheng was careful not to mention Jin Guangyao by name, not wishing to bring up the pains of the past with Xichen.
How the world may perceive them, at least, is something that Lan Xichen had given some thought to. When faced with Jiang Wanyin and Lan Xichen in a partnership, for those who would be inclined to think no such bond could exist between two alphas and assume one must be an omega, Lan Xichen would be the natural assumption.
He doesn't care.
But he does still, for a moment, as he considers the suggestion.
"It is easy to seal or disguise an entrance. We have such a thing in the Library Pavillion, and behind our wards in the back mountains."
Well. Not easy, but easy enough for a cultivator like Wanyin or Lan Xichen.
He feels no hesitation in revealing the location of their forbidden texts, or their safe chambers in the back mountains. As far as he is concerned, Waynin is already his spouse, and has as much right to that information as he does.
"But... yes, I suppose it could, with the correct modifications. It would be a perfect solution."
He doesn't care.
But he does still, for a moment, as he considers the suggestion.
"It is easy to seal or disguise an entrance. We have such a thing in the Library Pavillion, and behind our wards in the back mountains."
Well. Not easy, but easy enough for a cultivator like Wanyin or Lan Xichen.
He feels no hesitation in revealing the location of their forbidden texts, or their safe chambers in the back mountains. As far as he is concerned, Waynin is already his spouse, and has as much right to that information as he does.
"But... yes, I suppose it could, with the correct modifications. It would be a perfect solution."
He swallows.
"Would you truly be all right with people thinking that you are the omega? I can't think anyone who would think so." In truth, he would think that people assumed that he was the omega, figure his secret out quickly. That would mean potential challengers to take down and away Jiang Sect but if he was bonded, his heats should be far less frequent. Especially if they have their own children. His heats would be next to nonexistent.
He looks at Xichen, who seems so willing to do all of this, to make it all work and his heart thumps loudly in his chest. What if he thinks he's not worth it after a while? What if Xichen changes his mind?
"A-Cheng," he says, shooting him a soft, wry smile. "You are strong and stubborn, with a fierce temper and a deadly fighting technique. You wear command as though you were not only born with it but earned it, bit by bit as you rebuilt the foundation of your sect. Under your hand, you not only recreated what could have been lost forever but you made it better, and you did it by sheer force of will."
He gives Wanyin's hand another squeeze. "I prefer to avoid conflict, to find a compromise. I am known for my kindness, my approachability, my patience and understanding. There are few left alive who have truly seen me in battle. When you are angry, I want nothing more than to soothe it away. These are not qualities that are unique to alphas or omegas, but you know as well as I what the ideal of each is considered."
Lan Xichen brings their joined hands up so he can press a kiss to Wanyin's knuckles.
"We are a good match, in temperament, in leadership, in everything. And I love you. Wanting you as my omega, desiring you like this, being enraptured with your submission-" The tips of his ears go a little bit red, and he ducks his head briefly. "That does not mean I would not follow your lead without question on a night hunt, that I would not defer to you in a discussion conference, that I would approach you with any less respect. What do I care what others assume?"
He gives Wanyin's hand another squeeze. "I prefer to avoid conflict, to find a compromise. I am known for my kindness, my approachability, my patience and understanding. There are few left alive who have truly seen me in battle. When you are angry, I want nothing more than to soothe it away. These are not qualities that are unique to alphas or omegas, but you know as well as I what the ideal of each is considered."
Lan Xichen brings their joined hands up so he can press a kiss to Wanyin's knuckles.
"We are a good match, in temperament, in leadership, in everything. And I love you. Wanting you as my omega, desiring you like this, being enraptured with your submission-" The tips of his ears go a little bit red, and he ducks his head briefly. "That does not mean I would not follow your lead without question on a night hunt, that I would not defer to you in a discussion conference, that I would approach you with any less respect. What do I care what others assume?"
He knows all of these things about Xichen. Zewu Jun, the man whose kindness and patience had known no bounds, the man who could change the world with his kind smile alone. He knows that Xichen is right. They're such a good match in so many ways. And when he speaks about being enraptured by his submission, Jiang Cheng's own face turns beet red, but he finds it sweet that even Xichen is embarrassed by his own passions.
For Xichen to promise such respect steals Jiang Cheng's breath away and, not for the first time, he finds himself falling deeper in love with the man--no, his bonded mate.
"Xichen..."
His blush deepens as he recalls what he had called him during the worst of the heats.
"...Huan-ge..."
The pair of them, somehow still managing to go red after everything they'd been up to the past two days. It's enough to make Lan Xichen shakes his head at them both, smiling fondly.
His smile grows when Wanyin calls him Huan-ge, expression lighting up, and he pulls him in by their joined hands to kiss him.
"My heart," he murmurs. "Will you marry me?"
His smile grows when Wanyin calls him Huan-ge, expression lighting up, and he pulls him in by their joined hands to kiss him.
"My heart," he murmurs. "Will you marry me?"
What was that about courting? Especially after the last few days? He stares at Xichen in shock, not even registering enough to pull away. He automatically kisses him back and takes a few moments to process it. Process that...that Lan Xichen just proposed to him after fucking him six ways from sunday. He barely could properly and he's more than sure that Xichen's seed has taken hold at some point over the last few days.
Xichen who is kind and solid and warm. Xichen who sees him as him, getting to know him through their correspondences. That Xichen is asking to marry him.
"Yes," he says breathlessly. "Xichen, yes."
Really, the idea of a slow courtship went out the window the moment that Wanyin suggested a doorway between Lotus Pier and Cloud Recesses to allow for instantaneous travel, and Lan Xichen realized he was prepared to send a message to Wei Wuxian right now to start working on making it happen.
Perhaps it's still the lingering effects of the heat, or the newness of their bond, but he is not willing to spend another day without being at Wanyin's side.
If they are truly planning for the future, if, as Lan Xichen suspects, they will soon be expecting a child - he sees no point in waiting for what he wants.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous, as he waits for Wanyin's answer, but when he gets it he smiles so widely it almost hurts his cheeks. "Yes?" he repeats, as if he's not quite sure he heard right, but he doesn't wait for a response before he's kissing him again.
Perhaps it's still the lingering effects of the heat, or the newness of their bond, but he is not willing to spend another day without being at Wanyin's side.
If they are truly planning for the future, if, as Lan Xichen suspects, they will soon be expecting a child - he sees no point in waiting for what he wants.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous, as he waits for Wanyin's answer, but when he gets it he smiles so widely it almost hurts his cheeks. "Yes?" he repeats, as if he's not quite sure he heard right, but he doesn't wait for a response before he's kissing him again.
He doesn't get a chance to respond before Xichen is on him again, kissing him and Jiang Cheng makes a pleased sound, letting go of his hand to pull Xichen impossibly closer and knocking both of them out of his seat and onto the floor. Jiang Cheng pulls Xichen over him, not caring,.
Yes. He mouths his affirmation against Xichen's lips and puts his arms around the man's waist. Marriage would simply be a formality. They've bonded, they potentially will have children just from this heat alone.
Lan Xichen laughs in delight as Wanyin knocks them to the ground and pulls him on top of him. The last time he had laughed like this was - when he was very young, probably, still able to get away with some lack of restraint where others could see, or possibly one of the handful of times he'd had alcohol without burning away its effects.
He can't ever remember being this happy.
Yes, Waynin repeats, and Lan Xichen kisses the corner of his mouth, his cheeks, his forehead, the tip of his ear, the line of his jaw.
Then he props himself up on one arm, just looking down at Wanyin with an impossibly fond smile.
"I love you."
He can't ever remember being this happy.
Yes, Waynin repeats, and Lan Xichen kisses the corner of his mouth, his cheeks, his forehead, the tip of his ear, the line of his jaw.
Then he props himself up on one arm, just looking down at Wanyin with an impossibly fond smile.
"I love you."
"I--"
The words are stuck in his throat and a brief look of distress passes over Jiang Cheng's face. It's still difficult to speak the words. He kisses Xichen instead, convoying what his voice cannot and could not say: I love you.
When the kiss ends, he touches foreheads with him before pulling away, the heat's finally ending, much to his relief. They should head back, they should tell Jin Ling, they should...But he's distracted when he goes in for another kiss from Xichen, reaching up to cup the back of his neck.
Very rarely, if ever, do they leave Cloud Recesses. For night hunts, usually, or if word reaches them that there is someone who needs healing or a particular kind of help - but for the most part, his uncle says that the world is not even sure the Gusu Lan exist anymore, and that is the way it should be.
Lan Xichen learned a long time ago to stop asking questions like how can we embrace the entirety of the world if we do not let ourselves be a part of it, but he has never learned to stop taking unsanctioned visits down the mountain. Well. They could be sanctioned, theoretically. Technically they're neither sanctioned or unsanctioned, when the sect elders are not even aware that they are occurring.
It's a loophole, but only as long as they don't find out. He knows what they would say.
But he likes the warmer waters of the rivers and lakes, sometimes, and he likes listening to the sounds of people going about their lives. He's even made some acquaintances.
Lan Xichen's never been to this particular lake before, but he suspects it could become one of his favorites, with its gleaming waters and abundance of lotus flowers. And then he hears the sound of someone singing, and he's definitely sure it could be one of his favorites.
He loops back around underneath the boat rather than continue on, swimming in lazy circles as he listens to the song. Before he's quite thought it through, he finds himself breaching the surface so he can hear it better, and oh.
The singer is just as beautiful as his voice.
"Your voice is lovely."
Lan Xichen learned a long time ago to stop asking questions like how can we embrace the entirety of the world if we do not let ourselves be a part of it, but he has never learned to stop taking unsanctioned visits down the mountain. Well. They could be sanctioned, theoretically. Technically they're neither sanctioned or unsanctioned, when the sect elders are not even aware that they are occurring.
It's a loophole, but only as long as they don't find out. He knows what they would say.
But he likes the warmer waters of the rivers and lakes, sometimes, and he likes listening to the sounds of people going about their lives. He's even made some acquaintances.
Lan Xichen's never been to this particular lake before, but he suspects it could become one of his favorites, with its gleaming waters and abundance of lotus flowers. And then he hears the sound of someone singing, and he's definitely sure it could be one of his favorites.
He loops back around underneath the boat rather than continue on, swimming in lazy circles as he listens to the song. Before he's quite thought it through, he finds himself breaching the surface so he can hear it better, and oh.
The singer is just as beautiful as his voice.
"Your voice is lovely."
What a day. Jiang Cheng got into another argument with Wei Wuxian and stormed off, this time taking a boat out onto the lake. It was over something trivial, as usual. This time, it was on whether or not mer people existed. Wei Wuxian seemed determined to prove that they did and that they're in the rivers of Gusu. Jiang Cheng is sure it's just an old wives tale. But of course, his father took Wei Wuxian's side.
At least out on the boat he could be himself. He lets himself hum a song he'd been working on. It's quiet here on this lake. And, at least, he's by himself among the lotuses.
There's a splashing sound and Jiang Cheng half expects it to be Wei Wuxian that jumps out of the water to tease him about the song. But it's...definitely not Wei Wuxian. He looks over the edge of the boat to look at who told him that his voice is lovely and is greeted with...
A merman?
He works his mouth a few times before he says something, "thanks? Who--what--"
He sits up on the boat and looks over the side. That's a tail. That's a huge tail. A huge white tail.
At least out on the boat he could be himself. He lets himself hum a song he'd been working on. It's quiet here on this lake. And, at least, he's by himself among the lotuses.
There's a splashing sound and Jiang Cheng half expects it to be Wei Wuxian that jumps out of the water to tease him about the song. But it's...definitely not Wei Wuxian. He looks over the edge of the boat to look at who told him that his voice is lovely and is greeted with...
A merman?
He works his mouth a few times before he says something, "thanks? Who--what--"
He sits up on the boat and looks over the side. That's a tail. That's a huge tail. A huge white tail.
That is indeed a huge white tail, with pale blue fins fanning out as it languidly twines back and forth. The man looks shocked, certainly, but that's hardly a surprise, and he hasn't shouted for anyone else or tried to attack him, so Lan Xichen is taking that as a success. He pushes himself further out of the water, then, so he can rest his arms on the edge of the boat as he smiles at the singer.
There is a small thrill at how daring he's being, but it's a distant background to how entranced he is with the young man who sings so beautifully, out here all alone in the middle of the lake.
Like Lan Xichen himself.
"What song is it?"
There is a small thrill at how daring he's being, but it's a distant background to how entranced he is with the young man who sings so beautifully, out here all alone in the middle of the lake.
Like Lan Xichen himself.
"What song is it?"
He pulls back a little when the merman raises himself up even more. Jiang Cheng has to blink a few times to make sure he's not dreaming. There is absolutely no way he'd call for anyone. He wouldn't want to share this with anyone. Especially Wei Wuxian. The merman is certainly handsome. That wasn't what Wei Wuxian had described them as. He said they were more...beastly.
"It's...a song I've written. It's nothing. It's...how..."
He struggles with the questions he wants to ask.
"There aren't...merpeople in Yunmeng." Though now, he questions that.
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