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@Wei Wuxian As much as he knew Wei Wuxian had the most extraneous ideas, Lan Wangji still couldn't tell if this idea of... the younger male was serious or just a joke. His fingers curled up into a fist under the water, as if already anticipating the unfamiliarity and uncertainty he'd be facing tonight. Well, Wei Wuxian was right. Lan Wangji could be full of doubts and concerns, but he wouldn't be rejecting the younger's requests anytime soon. He gave a small nod of his head, not withstanding Wei Wuxian's rambunctious movements, and answered, "En."

A penetrative, vigorous light took over Lan Wangji's pale pupils, his lips drawn tightly in a rigid line when Wei Wuxian brought the story of his first kiss. Wasn't Lan Wangji the owner of that first kiss? He had disobeyed several laws of the Gusu Lan Sect that day, and he was not ready to learn that his foolishness was not even rewarded with the status of Wei Wuxian's first. Who was it that would kiss his Wei Ying? Who was so smitten that they had beaten Lan Wangji himself to the younger's lips, the younger's first? He didn't reply, as if seriously contemplating all the sins he must have committed in his past lives to be punished so severely of knowing that Wei Wuxian's past firsts did not belong to him alone. His eyes narrowed slightly and his head tilted down just slightly, meeting his lover's playful gaze, waiting to find out who it was that Lan Wangji had lost this particular battle to.

@Lan Wangji "That means yes, right?" Wei Wuxian pestered, all but crawling over the older man in his incessant badgering. "I know you won't say no to me, Lan Zhan. It's because you love me. You said it before." Wei Wuxian knelt in the tub, the water reaching his belly button. He gave his stomach a delicate pat. "I can't wait to have your hand up here," he declared loudly before sinking back into the hot water, resting against Lan Wangji's side again. Wei Wuxian gave a contented sigh. Though he was back in the quiet dreariness of the Cloud Recesses, he was in it with Lan Wangji, and there was no other place he wanted to be, even if it was that much more exciting. It gave him solace that Lan Qiren did not, in fact, have eyes on the back of his head, so Wei Wuxian could do a little jog if the Master was looking the other way.

Wei Wuxian managed to rest silently for five counts before he turned mischievously up to look at Lan Wangji. His hands moved to brush his heavy, wet hair back so it wasn't intrusive while he set out to tell a story. "Lan Zhan," he began, to catch Lan Wangji's attention. He tried to suppress his smile, so his lips pressed into a thin line and his cheeks swelled. There was something about Lan Wangji's not-so-subtle protectiveness that Wei Wuxian enjoyed far more than he'd ever admit out loud. "Do you want to hear the story of my first kiss? Huh? Do you? Well, since we have nothing else to do, how about I tell you anyway? Huh?"

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji entered the tub and positioned himself opposite to his lover, though it was clear that there was space for Wei Wuxian to squeeze close against him anytime he wanted. It was unorthodox, to be taking a shower in the wee hours of the morning, when no one else was awake and especially when Wei Wuxian should be fast asleep. He didn't even know he was holding his breath when Wei Wuxian came up to him, pressing their lips together again. What could the younger have on his mind that made him so solemn, so pressed that he had to let Lan Wangji know they were going to have a serious conversation. "What is it?" he asked, bracing himself to receive bad news, the gears in his brain already working to find a solution.

"I wanted to ask you... if you'd put your fist inside me!"

Lan Wangji's pale pupils dilated, the two inner corners of his brows caving inwards as he tried to understand what Wei Wuxian was saying. His body was frozen, stiff as a stone as the room filled with the sound of Wei Wuxian's contagious laughter again. He grunted inaudibly, his bobbing adam's apple the only indicator that he had heard what Wei Wuxian requested.

"Put your fingers inside me... then your hand,"

Lan Wangji could feel his cheeks heating up this time, nevermind just his ears and neck. How could the younger, after all these years, still speak so unabashedly about matters like this? Lan Wangji had already been startled by the sudden stimulation this morning, but now this was making his muscly, tightly roped body feel weak. "W-wei Ying." he scolded very grimly, "Don't be naughty." Lan Wangji was already thinking about the many things that could go wrong. What if he got stuck inside? What if he hurt Wei Wuxian? What if he touched somewhere that he wasn't supposed to touch? The corner of his lips twitched and he glanced down at the coquettish male underneath him, refusing to give an answer. Instead, he just leaned in to capture the smaller's lips in another kiss. It was to hush him, yes, but it was also to distract Lan Wangji's wandering mind once more.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian waited for Lan Wangji before speaking. Once the tub was filled with hot water, steam curling all around them, he tucked himself into the older's side, closing his eyes as he pressed his cheek against the top of Lan Wangji's shoulder. Though he was always rolling in some sort of dirt or dust, it was undeniably a good feeling to sit in a steaming hot tub with Lan Wangji. He had barely been given the opportunity to bathe properly in the past month away from the Cloud Recesses. His hands wandered, brushing up against Lan Wangji's newly acquired scar. His heart clenched, and Wei Wuxian chased the horrible feeling away by kissing Lan Wangji. "I want to talk to you," he said lowly, gravely. "I wanted to ask you... if you'd put your fist inside me!" Wei Wuxian finished his ominous sounding request with a chirp and bright grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners when he sat up to smile at Lan Wangji. He drive his point home, he took Lan Wangji's right arm, his fingers squeezing around the tight muscles that felt like cords of steel beneath his own softer hands. There was no need to explain where he'd gotten the idea from. Wei Wuxian dove into his explanation. "Put your fingers inside me... then your hand," he said as he wrapped his own around Lan Wangji's wrist. His hands travelled further up Lan Wangji's arm as he spoke, reaching towards his elbow. "Put your arm as far as you can up inside me. I want to feel you here." He unfurled Lan Wangji's fingers to splay them across his flat stomach. "How does that sound? Good, right? Hanguang Jun, I've been dreaming about it for a while now. I don't want to have to ask anyone else..." At that, Wei Wuxian's eyes glinted in his mischievousness, and he pecked Lan Wangji's mouth. Despite /knowing/ just how much work Lan Wangji would have to catch up on after his month-long excursion away from the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian asked, "How about tonight?"

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji was taken aback, as he didn't know what he said to warrant such a shy outburst from the smaller male. He stared at Wei Wuxian's coquettish actions, hiding himself as if he were an innocent maiden, and his heart fluttered unknowningly.

"I want to talk to you. But let's bathe first."

Wei Wuxian sounded serious, and Lan Wangji looked up while throwing on his outer robe. "Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice mellow but still a hint of concern. He went over to the side of the tub, picking up the two basins lying against the bigger tub, motioning for Wei Wuxian to wait for him. They'd talk upon his return. Lan Wangji was quick to boil water in one basin and fill cool water in the other. He'd have to pour them in at the same time to avoid scalding his lover, who was already seated inside. When he returned into the Silent Chamber, he hefted a basin in each arm to pour the water in, watching for Wei Wuxian's reaction to make sure the temperature was comfortable. Once the water filled up three quarters, the older undid his outer robe once more, joining Wei Wuxian silently in the tub.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian's heart clenched painfully in his chest, then beat so rapidly Wei Wuxian thought it might implode. He whined loudly to hide his flustered state. "Lan Zhan!" he cried, turning onto his side so the older would not see his smitten grin. "How many times have I told you to warn me before you say things like that?" Nonetheless, he got up, pretending to protect his sacredness by covering his chest with his arms when he caught Lan Wangji's eye. There was nothing predatory in Lan Wangji's expression, of course, but Wei Wuxian liked to pretend. He took Lan Wangji's hand in the end to pull himself up off the bed, pressing into the older's side briefly before walking ahead to hop into the empty tub that sat on the other side of the Silent Chamber. He looked up at Lan Wangji expectantly in there, grinning impishly. "Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said in his most serious voice, dropping his smile from his mouth. "I want to talk to you. But let's bathe first."

@Wei Wuxian Whereas the older male went to many means to keep himself clean through most ordeals, Wei Wuxian was just the complete opposite of him, willingly and purposely getting his face covered in streaks of Lan Wangji's ion. The older stifled the last groan he had, peering down with his deep, half-lidded eyes into his lover's coated face. He wanted to reach out to pull Wei Wuxian into his embrace, but the sight in front of him was much too thrilling, the younger much too wild to be subdued right now. Lan Wangji felt heat creeping up his neck and ears again, murmuring in response, "You taste better." though he was sure that had nothing to do with the food that Wei Wuxian was eating here, most of it courtesy of Lan Wangji's personalized cooking. He was entranced with the sensual sight in front of him, his adams apple bobbing up and down once when Wei Wuxian brought his coated finger to his lips and cleaning off Lan Wangji's release. The older finally took a breath and swung his legs off the bed. He stood and turned to his lover, holding out his hand, "Come, let's wash off." he mumbled, squinting to see Wei Wuxian in this poorly lit angle.

@Lan Wangji In Wei Wuxian's defence, no dirty books he'd ever looked at warned about the dangers of trying to swallow something shooting down his esophagus at such a surprisingly quick speed. He choked, his heart pounding hard against his rib cage in his panic when his throat desperately tried to swallow but was met with resistance from Lan Wangji's instead. Wei Wuxian was forced to pull the thick, heavy length out of his mouth, his eyes squinting shut in anticipation of more of Lan Wangji's release to paint his face. It might have been cheating, a little, but Wei Wuxian rested his cheek to Lan Wangji's spurting , wanting to feel the warm release on his face. Once he was thoroughly covered and there was nothing more for him, Wei Wuxian pecked the tip of Lan Wangji's before rolling to lie on his back, open with his ness. "I like this so much," Wei Wuxian declared, finally, in answer to Lan Wangji's protests of him swallowing. "Lan Zhan always tastes so good. Must be what they feed you here." Giving the older a cheeky grin, Wei Wuxian wiped delicately at the release on his face with a single finger, the white substance off with relish each time.

@Wei Wuxian Finally, the stimulation was all too overwhelming that Lan Wangji, in all his reservedness and upright stature, let out a low guttural moan. It was a significant sound, louder than all the noises he'd ever made before. Wei Wuxian's visuals, so demure and willing to please, added to the constricting tightness around Lan Wangji's manhood made the older swallow hard, his eyes narrowing as he felt his stomach churning with an impending release. It seemed like the vibrations coming from the smaller's mouth were also getting more intense by the minute, each bout of pleasure coursing through all of Lan Wangji's body to feel like he were floating in the air with his sword, but his feet were ungrounded on the blade in this situation. He could feel the familiar approaching, and in fear that he'd choke the younger with his release, Lan Wangji cupped Wei Wuxian's cheek, stroking in a coaxing manner as he warned, "Wei Ying...come up...ngh-!" He had spoken a little too late, for just after the last sound left his lips, Lan Wangji's throbbed in the other's warn cavern, and ropes of white shot down Wei Wuxian's abused, swollen throat.

@Lan Wangji With Lan Wangji's encouraging to his face, Wei Wuxian found it in him (and so early in the morning) to push through with the commitment he made. Read: Lan Wangji's buried so deep in his throat he felt as though his jaw were about to split or break or fall off completely. Wei Wuxian shivered from the delectable pleasure, covering Lan Wangji's hand with his own and guiding his touch along his jaw to his neck. His throat was bulging in a grotesque sort of way from Lan Wangji's /enormous/ member, and when he pressed his finger against it he could feel Lan Wangji's pulse in there. Taking the older's fingers, he wrapped them around his neck, gagging and retching with every touch to his sensitive throat. Tears welled and spilled when he bobbed his head the best he could, stinging his eyes and running down his cheeks and dribbling down his chin. The whimpers that tried to escape his throat ended up translating into vibrations that wrapped around Lan Wangji's , and Wei Wuxian's eyes pled for him to finish already.

@Wei Wuxian This was one of those rare times that wrinkles would appear on Lan Wangji's face, the creases just under his right eye as the right side of his face scrunched up ever so slightly from the pleasuring down below. Wei Wuxian was getting adventurous, Lan Wangji could easily tell that from the stretch of the other's lips over his length, his slow movements to push himself lower and lower to engulf the entirety of Lan Wangji's manhood in his mouth. There was silence in the room again, since the smaller's mouth was occupied and Lan Wangji was too mesmerized. The sensation felt somewhat foreign, his eyes half-lidded as his pale orbs rolling back just slightly to welcome the lightheaded-ness that was settling over him, as if taking his conscience out of his body.

Wei Wuxian's choking noises would have normally startled Lan Wangji, making him pull away in panic, but right now, Lan Wangji was not the one in control. He could feel the younger's tongue tucked up along the underside of his length, the pulsing sensations of the younger's small throat only adding to Lan Wangji's increasing gratification. He collected himself though, training his eyes on the beautiful sight in front of him, a combination of lust and love, as he reached a hand out to cup at Wei Wuxian's bulging cheeks. A thumb d against the corner of the smaller's lips, viscous saliva coating Lan Wangji's fingers. He had started with the intention to clean, but now he felt the outline of his length along the outside of Wei Wuxian's cheek, and Lan Wangji couldn't help but begin to curiously, his gestures methodological and coaxing.

@Lan Wangji Lan Wangji's soft and shaking breaths only pushed Wei Wuxian to try and push a little deeper. His hand gripped at the base where his lips couldn't always meet, a little desperate as though trying to make up for how neglected that strip of skin was. When Wei Wuxian inhaled through his nose he breathed in Lan Wangji's musky scent that was so warm and comforting, the way it curled around him like a thick robe on a snowy cold day. His tongue felt cool to himself when he pressed it flat against the underside of Lan Wangji's hard length, the flesh firm and pulsing beneath his lips. 'I'm going to die,' Wei Wuxian thought when the tip of Lan Wangji's brushed against he back of his throat. It was so big, big enough that Wei Wuxian could never get enough of it in one night, always. His fingers curled a little tighter around the base of Lan Wangji's before he released his hold to give his mouth a chance.

Wei Wuxian would consider his first life wasted if he didn't put all the skills he picked up from Nine Huaisang's dirty material to use. He pulled his lips back so his teeth could gently graze over Lan Wangji's flesh, glancing up to check for a reaction. He was stalling, he realized, before he took a deep breath and forced himself to swallow all of Lan Wangji, pushing until his lips were wrapped tight around the very base of the older's . It was quite a terrible idea, even by Wei Wuxian's standards, because Lan Wangji's length was so long and thick that it was stretching open his throat in the worst, most painful way possible. He gagged as a reflex, his throat pulsing around the upper half of Lan Wangji's in its desperate panic to get the foreign object dislodged. Saliva pooled in his cheeks, leaking out the corners of his mouth, and Wei Wuxian glanced up towards Lan Wangji with large, pitiful eyes, gauging for a reaction.

@Wei Wuxian It was not dawn yet, the birds had yet to begin calling. Nothing was filtering the heavy, uneven breaths that came from Lan Wangji when his lover continued to be naughty in the wee hours of the morning. Lan Wangji tensed as a warm hand slipped between their bodies, taking his manhood and stroking him purposefully, mischevously, "Shameless..." he murmured, ears heating up at this new way of waking up. He had tightened around Wei Wuxian earlier but his slender vixen of a lover had easily slipped out of his grip, sitting up and confirming to the older that he had no intention of going back to sleep.

Lan Wangji swallowed a lump at his throat when the younger suddenly engulfed his flacid length in his mouth, easily taking up the length and bringing it to attention once more. He groaned gently, "Wei Ying..." as if to stop Wei Wuxian. But then Lan Wangji looked down, and his pale eyes were mesmerized on the scene down below. Even if "Everyday means everyday", it was rare for either of them to use their mouths /down there/ and Lan Wangji became hotter when he remembered how Wei Wuxian had first done this, out in the open in the middle of the day, Lan Wangji helpless under him in the tall stalks of wet, dewey grass. He sighed softly, thinking the smaller was trying to one-up him from their change in position last night. His breath was just a little shaky when Wei Wuxian swallowed around his length, squeezing Lan Wangji's with the action. "Wei Ying..." he murmured, his eyes meeting with the younger in a silent command, /"Don't stop."/

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian, for once, felt very awake at that time in the morning when sunlight barely lit up the Cloud Recesses. He considered Lan Wangji's request for next to no time at all. The day was young, and that meant making up for lost time. "Lan Er gege," he whispered, which was still louder than, say, even Jiang Cheng's whisper. "If I'm naughty, what were you last night?" Wei Wuxian's grin turned wicked as he slipped his hand between them, the heat of their bodies pressed together making it tempting for him to stop and rest his palm over Lan Wangji's firm chest. Instead, he reached lower, until the slim and delicate fingers of his new(ish) body wrapped around the heavy weight of Lan Wangji's thick member.

His lips found Lan Wangji's again, tasting the sweetness of his flesh through the bitterness of their sleep, hoping to distract the older as Wei Wuxian sandwiched Lan Wangji's length in-between his thighs. It was warm like the rest of Lan Wangji was, and he revelled in it. Before Lan Wangji could actually do something, like body-bind him, Wei Wuxian sat up to hover over Lan Wangji's nether region. He bent to take his lover in his mouth, as naturally as if he were eating. He took the length until his lips touched the hair around Lan Wangji's pelvis, the upper half of the older's length breaching and stretching his throat.

@Wei Wuxian Closure to their night was brought about relatively quickly in their new position, Wei Wuxian's subdued figure mercilessly trapped against Lan Wangji's chest seemed to ignite the fire pit in the older's stomach even faster, and soom he had once again marked up Wei Wuxian, from inside and out, as his. Lan Wangji usually got up to clean them up before falling asleep, but Wei Wuxian did not let him go this time. The smaller male turned and curled into him, face buried in Lan Wangji's chest and his soft breath warming Lan Wangji's cool skin. He'd clean them up in the morning, Lan Wangji decided, pressing a soft kiss over his lover's forehead and pulling the blanket over their bodies before closing his eyes as well.

It was not often that Lan Wangji would wake up drowsy, since his body adhered to a strict sleeping and waking routine. However, when he woke that next dawn, there was a bout of grogginess that washed over him, taking him a moment to realize what was going on. Wei Wuxian was kissing him, their lips massaging together under the younger's guidance. Lan Wangji collected himself and was quick to return the gesture, the arm around Wei Wuxian's waist tightening as he brought the younger male in closer, the pressure of their lips greater against each other.

When they pulled away to catch their breaths, Lan Wangji could see the faint outline of his lover's silhouette contrasting against the very thin fragments of light that scattered into the Silent Chamber. Lan Wangji's features were relaxed as he gently chided, "Wei Ying, don't be naughty. Sleep." he said in a deep, surprisingly raspy voice, pulling Wei Wuxian against his chest once more, preserving the heat between them.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian always thought that Lan Wangji was a predictable person, but when he felt a hand close around his neck he wanted to laugh. Not at Lan Wangji, bless his heart, but how thoughtful he was. Wei Wuxian rewarded the older with a lewd moan, pressing his neck into the fingers curled around it instead. He let Lan Wangji go until the latter finished, even though Wei Wuxian had released long before, his legs spasming gently beneath Lan Wangji's longer ones in his pleasure. By the time they were ready to turn in for the night, Wei Wuxian was so exhausted he did not even have the strength to add any more cheeky remarks. He turned to sink into Lan Wangji's, his arms trapped between their chests and his breath warm against the dip of Lan Wangji's collarbone.

Though it was rather late when he slept, Wei Wuxian woke early. In fact, it was so early Lan Wangji was not even awake yet. Wei Wuxian let his eyes half open, the sight of Lan Wangji's slumbering figure blurry to him. Wei Wuxian reached out to curl his fingers with Lan Wangji's, holding it tightly as he closed his eyes again, focusing on the warmth of their intwined hands. He found that he didn't mind these mornings. He could sleep again later, but he'd miss the rare sight of Lan Wangji looking so innocent. Not that he was /too/ dirty when he was awake, but there was something so vulnerable about this man sleeping that Wei Wuxian was ready to cut his sleeves for if he needed to get up.

Inching closer Wei Wuxian touched the tip of his nose to Lan Wangji's, holding his breath as if he would wake the older too abruptly if he even breathed wrong. He pressed his mouth to Lan Wangji's pink lips, interlocking them in a kiss and refusing to pull away until he felt Lan Wangji's mouth come alive beneath his own.

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji's one arm was now awkwardly splayed out under the weight of Wei Wuxian's while the other took hold of his lover's fleshy waist, gripping on so he could maintain their posture with minimal shifting. Lan Wangji had obviously not thought this part out very well, and so he was left to think about what to do on the spot while the smaller male was writhing in pleasure against him. His lips found purchase against Wei Wuxian's shoulders, starting to repeat the familiar nipping motions and along smooth, unblemished skin to declare this canvas as his. Lan Wangji wondered if would bring some new sensations to his lover, since it was obvious they had never done this before, consequently meaning that he was exploring new territory.

As Wei Wuxian began to move his hips against Lan Wangji's ing motions, the arm that was lying underneath awkwardly at the beginning had found its purpose, bending back so Lan Wangji could run his hand along the front side of Wei Wuxian's body, his fingers eventually finding their way around the younger's neck. He applied minimal pressure, just as if he were drawing Wei Wuxian's body against him in any other situation, pulling the younger back by his neck so his body would arch against Lan Wangji's, allowing the bigger male to angle his s in even deeper, picking up the pace of his rutting.

The sound of skin against skin was not so prominent as it was in this position, Lan Wangji discovered, so he found music in the sound of Wei Wuxian's little whimpers instead. He remembered long ago, the younger had instructed him to apply pressure around his neck, to choke him a little. Lan Wangji had remembered being hesitant to try it the first time, not sure if he was hurting the younger or if he was even doing it right to bring the sought after sensuous feelings. Despite the lingering hesitance, he tried it once more this time, his thumb and middle fingers that were comfortably pressing against Wei Wuxian's bared neck pushing upwards a little. Judging by the sound, Lan Wangji had done it right. But now, he really wished he could be on both sides of Wei Wuxian - to continue this pleasure and to see what beautiful face his lover was making now.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian couldn't help but laugh softly at Lan Wangji's one-worded answers, an obnoxious giggle bursting from his lips. "Oh, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian cooed, closing his eyes as he settled back and let Lan Wangji do the work. He was normally more proactive in their bedroom, but the exhaustion that had finally caught up with him after an entire month was finally taking its toll. Each time Lan Wangji slid forward inside him, Wei Wuxian grunted softly, his mouth setting in a tense line. He would cry out a little louder when Lan Wangji suddenly ed harder, but even then his voice was well below Lan Qiren's yelling volume. Still, he was too loud. He wanted to hear Lan Wangji while they were intimate, while he ed. The room was cool but Lan Wangji felt warm, and like a moth drawn to light Wei Wuxian wanted more and more until he burned himself over it.

Suddenly, the steady pressure stopped, and Wei Wuxian cracked an eye open to see what his partner was up to now. "What's wrong?" he asked, feeling Lan Wangji's hands brace beneath his legs. He let the older guide them, folding them over each other until Wei Wuxian was forced to twist his body and rest on his side. Wei Wuxian's gaze followed Lan Wangji lazily, sighing softly as the member inside him pressed against more sensitive spots while Lan Wangji shifted them about.

The feeling of being taken from behind yet so gently was foreignly but insanely pleasurable to Wei Wuxian. His lips parted to release his pants, and he turned his face into the sheets beneath him when he felt his cheeks warm. It must be such a sight, he thought. A horrifying scandalous yet arousing sight. It spurred Wei Wuxian on, and he pushed back with his hips to meet Lan Wangji's gentle nudges. The side of his thigh rubbed against the bed, and to look back Wei Wuxian needed to strain his arms to hold his upper body in place, but it was such an improper position that added duel to Wei Wuxian's fire. He grinned cheekily at Lan Wangji, reaching an arm behind him to rest his hand on the older's hip as if aiding his pace. With this new position, Lan Wangji's hard length brushed up against places it couldn't reach before inside Wei Wuxian, and the younger's moans became louder and more lust-filled.

@Wei Wuxian Wei Wuxian's words alone controlled Lan Wangji's every thought and action, driving the older male to do things he may have previously been hesitant to do because he only wished to gratify Wei Wuxian, to give him the loving that this world owed him. The little grinding motions helped Lan Wangji ease himself all the way inside, and he gave a few slow rolls of his hips to assure his lover that he'd start moving. "Mm." he murmured in classical response when Wei Wuxian asked if he felt good. The smaller male should have already known the answer, but it didn't hurt to reaffirm it if that was what made him happy.

Eventually, Lan Wangji began to . He took his time in pulling out, just until the girthiest part of his length was stretching Wei Wuxian's tight heat, then he'd slam himself back in, re-sheathing himself completely. Wei Wuxian's soft insides parted and made way for his intrusion each time. The slow, gradual process eventually evolved into more shallow s, the ones that he remembered the younger teasing about before. /"9 shallow, 1 deep"/ rang in Lan Wangji's mind, thinking that since it had been a while for them to engage in such activities, it was good to listen to Wei Wuxian's advice.

Only when Wei Wuxian was catching a breath between his moans were the austere, low groans from Lan Wangji's throat somewhat audible. The older male's brows were creased, eyes deadset focused on the writhing figure under him, at his complete mercy. His Wei Ying was beautiful, and there was no other way for Lan Wangji to see him. And knowing that this was pleasureful, Lan Wangji slowly shifted, wanting to see if he could make Wei Wuxian feel this same pleasure differently too. He gently brought the younger's legs together, turning Wei Wuxian to his side without pulling his own length out of the throbbing entrance. Lan Wangji settled himself behind the younger, pulling Wei Wuxian's back to his chest as he picked his hips back up and began ing once more, aiming in a new angle.

@Lan Wangji When Lan Wangji finally started cooperating, which Wei Wuxian found extra attractive, he reached up to run his hands through Lan Wangji's long, undone hair in praise, his fingers raking along the scalp and down the centre of his neck. His legs parted further, straining the tendons in his thighs when he tried to open them up impossibly wide for Lan Wangji. Small squeaks and moans slipped out of Wei Wuxian as he lay obediently, clutching Lan Wangji's hand that was pressing him down, as his hot entrance took in the older inch my inch until he was fully sheather in Wei Wuxian. The younger blinked at the stinging heat behind his eyes, turning his face away from Lan Wangji for a moment to hide the moisture that gathered at the corners. He clenched and unclenched around Lan Wangji's stiff length reflexively, laughing lightly at the immensely pleasurable sensation it brought him. "Does this feel good, Lan Zhan? You should hurry, I want more-"

Wei Wuxian's heart fluttered quick in his chest, like a bird's, and his breaths came in quick pants already as Lan Wangji eased himself into him. "I'm not rushing," Wei Wuxian insisted as he lifted his lips, trying to grind as carefully as one could grind without taking away from the enticingness. When Lan Wangji bent over him and their chests rubbed together Wei Wuxian froze, a lump immediately forming in his throat. He could feel the raised line that ran along Lan Wangji's torso. It felt delicate. Well, Wei Wuxian could not /feel/ it, but there was no reason for the wound to /not/ be delicate when it was so fresh? Wei Wuxian relaxed back into the bed, turning his head to catch Lan Wangji's mouth that had been trailing against his jaw. He kissed the older with all the apologetic words he couldn't trust himself to say at the moment, slow and sweet. "I'm okay," Wei Wuxian said, feeling his warm breath when he spoke against Lan Wangji's mouth. "Please, I'm okay. You can move. More, please..."

@Wei Wuxian After so long, Lan Wangji had been fully expectant to spend extra long preparing the smaller male, scared of inflicting the slightest amount of excess pain on his lover's delicate body. He had been hesitant to even press his fingers in, wanting Wei Wuxian to relax first so there would be no stress when Lan Wangji did try to breach him. But of course, his Wei Ying was unpredictable as always. Lan Wangji let out a little sigh when he felt long digits wrapping around his manhood, giving it a few rough and then pulling him in so his fingers had no room to probe anymore.

His eyes widened, brows creasing together as he realized that the smaller male was trying to skip the preparation, "Wei Ying-" Lan Wangji gently called, wondering if he had done something the smaller didn't like, and was therefore being given a cue to move on, "It'll hurt..." he said in unison with Wei Wuxian's little memory recollection. He pressed his thin lips together, ignoring the little teasing jabs as he shifted against the other, angling himself to help in anyway possible. Wei Wuxian was so adamant about getting penetrated though, that Lan Wangji's little warning had gone by unheard and now it was up to the male on top to finish up the little process.

Using the clean hand that was yet to be slicked with lube, Lan Wangji flattened it against his lover's chest and pressed Wei Wuxian down, wincing also as he felt the tight heat welcoming his equally hot length, swallowing it slowly as Lan Wangji inched forward. Slowly, wordlessly, he began to push his length in, eyes drawn to the expressions on his lover's face to see if he was being too rough. Wei Wuxian's insides were soft, raw, and very much untouched for a long time. When he was fully situated inside the smaller male, Lan Wangji gave a little sigh as his eyes locked with his lover's leaning in a little more and pressing his lips chastely against Wei Wuxian's jawline, "Wei Ying, don't rush. Tell me when." he murmured in his deep, baritone voice.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian startled when his palm flattened against Lan Wangji's chest. It was warm, and Wei Wuxian could feel his heart thumping against the wall of his ribcage when he shifted his fingers over the spot. He trained his eyes on the Wen brand over Lan Wangji's chest instead of the hideous, jagged scar that ran diagonal across his torso. It had healed, mostly. When Wei Wuxian daringly, with shaking hands, brushed his fingertips over them, he could feel that the scar was raised.It immediately brought forth overwhelming emotions for him, his lips pressing together into a thin line as he ran the pad of his index along the length of it, as if it would burst open once again if Wei Wuxian was too rough. He could feel heat behind his eyes, and he closed them so he wouldn't start crying and looking so stupid in front of Lan Wangji.

When Wei Wuxian opened his eyes again, Lan Wangji had returned between his parted legs. The former had more respect for Lan Wangji than to simply jump the other like that. He did feel his frustration rising, though, as Lan Wangji rubbed him in such a sensitive spot, promising penetration but giving none of it. Wei Wuxian reached down between them, clumsy as the oils stick and stain his skin easily when their hands knocked together. Wei Wuxian grasped at Lan Wangji's thick and heavy length, pressing it against his entrance without much thinking and trying to breach himself with a bit of sheer force. He winced when the tip forced him open, lips parting in a pant. "I forgot-" he began, cutting himself off with another wince. "How much this hurt. Lan Zhan, you're so talented everywhere, who would guess you were talented down there, too- ow-"

Nevertheless, Wei Wuxian was determined to get the damn thing in. His breaths hitched at each little movement, and his hole would not stop clenching each time he tried to guide Lan Wangji a little deeper. His face was shining pink from the effort, and he looked helplessly up at the older. "I can't," he whined, his cheeks heating in his frustration. "Help."

@Wei Wuxian There was never much emotion attributed to Lan Wangji's birth name, since it was rare for anyone to call him with to begin with, and the stoic expression he wore on his face always made people weary of speaking too informally to him. Therefore, to here Wei Wuxian's name calling his name with such a loving tone, to know those characters rolled from the younger's lips out of pleasure and self-will, Lan Wangji was tempted to ask for more. He noted the bare, unmarked skin that he had regretfully left empty for the past month. Lotus Cove was chilly at night, and there was never the need to remove their clothing. Lan Wangji's eyes traced the outline of Wei Wuxian's prominent collarbones, his body pulling back just slightly so he could get a better look at his lover's slim physique.

His voyeurism was soon cut off when Wei Wuxian kissed him once more, easily drawing Lan Wangji's attention back to the younger's lips as he pressed the smaller down against the bed, kissing him deeply. "Nonsense..." Lan Wangji murmured when the younger began teasing him, purposely ignoring the heat that was creeping up his neck. Lan Wangji would like to think its due to the temperature inside the room that he is like this. To remedy this, he pulled back, slipping the white inner robe off and depositing it at a far corner of their bed at their feet. He leaned in, taking Wei Wuxian's hands again and guiding them back to his chest. He wanted to feel the unadulterated touch of his lover against his skin - the only touch he'd ever welcome from anyone, quite frankly.

Lan Wangji reached a blind arm out to the familiar far right-hand corner of the bed, finding the little bottle of floral-scented oils. He would be needing that soon, and tonight he'd use extra since it had been so long since their last time. He popped the cap off easily, using one hand to manipulate the bottle and turn it upside down, collecting the lubricant into his palm and setting it aside so he could coat his hands and fingers in it. Wei Wuxian was so obedient (in bed at least), his legs already spread as Lan Wangji wanted earlier. Slipping the oiled hand between the younger's thighs, Lan Wangji slid lower and lower until he fount a little dip, Wei Wuxian's opening. Gently, he began to rub, wanting the younger to accustom himself to this feeling once more.

@Lan Wangji "Lan Zhan, you're so dirty," Wei Wuxian whispered in response, chuckling as he palmed Lan Wangji through his robe. "Where did you learn these things?" Nevertheless Wei Wuxian d Lan Wangji with a tender lovingness, his own arousal stirring inside him as Lan Wangji's length stiffened beneath his touch. Never in a thousand lifetimes did Wei Wuxian expect to have Lan Wangji pressing him down into the bed, ready to take him late into the night and into daybreak.

Lifting his hips when Lan Wangji's hands pulled at his trousers, Wei Wuxian ran his tongue over his red-bitten lip, He shivered when the cool air hit his bare thighs, then more violently when Lan Wangji's narrow fingertips grazed his sensitive skin. Wei Wuxian let out a soft sigh, bordering a whimper, and his fingers tightened around Lan Wangji's length. His legs spread for the older on command, opening them from his knees and sliding them over Lan Wangji's thighs and resting around his hips. "Lan Zhan," he said when his lover called for him, just for the sake of repeating the pretty name.

Wei Wuxian locked his knees around Lan Wangji's hips a little tighter, as if he would run away. His crimson inner layer still wrapped tight around his arms and chest, so he pushed at Lan Wangji to give him space. He shed the layer quickly, letting it drop from his shoulders and fall flat onto the bed. He chased after the thrilling feeling of being so /exposed/ for Lan Wangji, who was still thoroughly clothed, and knowing that no harm would come to him even if he pressed a blade into Lan Wangji's hand and held it over his heart. "Lan Zhan." he murmured before sitting up to press their mouths together again in a warm, wet kiss. It was filled with passion, but none of the urgency that Wei Wuxian always had. They had time, he thinks. They had forever. He nibbled gently on Lan Wangji's lips, kissing him sweetly. "Look at your ears, I think they're red, Lan Er gege. Are you shy? You shouldn't be, I've seen you so many times..."

@Wei Wuxian It had been long established that Wei Wuxian had free reigns over Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon, the piece of cloth now recognizing the younger's touch just as easily as its owner's. The older grunted softly as the light pressure against his forehead loosened and the he saw the ribbon wrapping around Wei Wuxian's pretty long fingers. Certainly the forehead ribbon was not meant to presented in such an unforgivably enticing and arousing manner, but anything was possible for Wei Wuxian.

Feeling the pressure against his nether regions, and his lover's sultry voice teasing him, Lan Wangji's lips drew into a long frown, chiding his lover gently, "Wei Ying, don't tease," as he reached his hand down, resting it over Wei Wuxian's hand and applying even more pressure. It had been a while since the younger male had even touched him there, but the feeling was familiar and very much welcome. The older male's pale eyes locked with his lover's and Lan Wangji only wished there was a little more moonlight in the room so he could catch the shades of pink that dusted Wei Wuxian's cheeks.

In the first time in a what seemed like forever, they were taking it gentle, and slow. Lan Wangji wanted to savor each waking moment with the male under him, wishing that the waking hours would pity him and give him a little more time to spend with Wei Wuxian. Slowly, the same hand that had been holding Wei Wuxian's earlier released the smaller's, giving his partner free rein of whatever ministrations he wanted to do. Lan Wangji began to tug at the younger's trousers, knowing exactly where the seams were even without looking and easily sliding them down Wei Wuxian's hips and thighs. Releasing the younger's length from its confines, Lan Wangji then gently slid a cool hand down Wei Wuxian's inner thighs, feeling that plush skin that he had not touched in a very long time.

"Wei Ying," he called his lover gently again, his hand making a flicking motion between the younger's thighs so they would spread for Lan Wangji.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian watched Lan Wangji’s organized, methodological way of stripping off his clothes. Urgency was attractive, but this seemed to be even more so. Wei Wuxian’s heart fluttered at Lan Wangji’s tender and routinely actions, extending his feet so his boots could be slipped off easier. For a moment, Wei Wuxian was awed at how /clean/ Lan Wangji’s white outer robe was despite their long day out. It had only been a day, albeit a very long one, he realized as he welcomed Lan Wangji back into his arms. He should be exhausted, but a thrum had struck up deep in his chest, buzzing with excitement as he kissed Lan Wangji hungrily. He leaned backwards, bringing the older with him, until he was lying flat over the bed. His hair was a mess, probably, full of dirt and grime, but they could really worry about that later. He nudged his knee against Lan Wangji’s nether parts, grinning in mischief against the latter’s mouth.

When they broke apart, Wei Wuxian stilled his small struggles in favour of admiring Lan Wangji’s beautiful sculpture-like face. A splash of moonlight that filtered through the paper windows illuminated his white skin with a pretty glow. Wei Wuxian’s heart stuttered and skipped a beat. He reached up slowly, as if approaching a wild animal that would skitter away if he moved too suddenly, and traced his fingertip against the cloud pattern of Lan Wangji’s headband. How it remained so clean the entire time, Wei Wuxian had no idea. The power of the Gusu Lans, he thinks. Holding his breath, as if Lan Wangji would refuse him, Wei Wuxian slipped his finger beneath the silky cloth of the headband, giving it a gentle tug that undid the loose knot holding it up. Now Lan Wangji’s usually ornately decorated head was all bare, all plain for Wei Wuxian to see. Wei Wuxian retracted his hand, now in possession of the headband, and held it in a fist over his chest.

Lan Wangji probably would not exect this. Wei Wuxian certainly did not. He laughed, then brought the ribbon up to his lips, letting the silk rest over his reddened mouth. "Lan Zhan," he breathed, his chest rising and falling dramatically with each breath. He clutched his free hand over his heart. grinning widely in the most enamoured way. "Who would have thought?" he whispered with a tone of mirth, as if sharing a secret with the older. "Lan Er gege would stay up past his bed time to do such inappropriate things?" And because Wei Wuxian liked to provoke the older like this, he dipped his hand downwards to at Lan Wangji's soft length. "Are you sleepy, Lan Zhan?"

@Wei Wuxian It had been more than a month since they had left Gusu, and while it was proper etiquette for Lan Wangji to greet the elders and the sect leader before doing anything else, the time of night did not permit such actions. But that was not at the top of his mind either. As he and Wei Wuxian were left on their own to take the path entering into the Cloud Recesses, they deviated from the trail leading up to the Orchid Pavilion, eventually finding themselves back in front of the Silent Chamber. He stopped in front, waiting to see if there would be anythig different that would come off apparent to him. Upon seeing nothing, Lan Wangji gave Wei Wuxian's hand a little squeeze, the two of them entering the private quarters together.

It had been so long since Lan Wangji felt Wei Wuxian's plush lips pressed against his for such a long period of time, that tight hold around his waist and their chests firmly pressed together. Bichen was naturally deposited on the ground in favor of Wei Wuxian's cheeks, and the white-robed male was quick to pull his lover in close, gently massaging their lips together in a familiar motion. They need not have words between them, the silence in the room only served to magnify their craving for each other's touch, the occasional smacking sound from their lips as the only thing to remind Lan Wangji that he had not gone deaf.

When Wei Wuxian murmured softly against his lips, the older did not protest. He nodded his head, dropping his hands from the younger's cheek as he moved to take the first outer robe off the younger, only leaving enough room so he could undo the sash and deposit it on the floor. It didn't matter that they didn't bathe tonight, and it didn't matter that it was past Lan Wangji's sleeping hours. Wei Wuxian was his sole commander of his attention, and he was more than willing to keep the younger up for the rest of the night. He pushed the robe off the younger's body, the layer underneath surprisingly clean despite the grime and mess that they had trekked through that day.

Repeating the movements on himself, Lan Wangji deposited his head piece, sash and outer robe in a pile next to Wei Wuxian's, the preference for cleanliness momentarily making way for something more important. Now, he refocused his attention back on the smaller male, capturing Wei Wuxian's smaller frame and picking him up easily, bringing the younger over to the bed. As if the younger were a delicate flower, Lan Wangji carefully lied his partner down on the bed, gently removing Wei Wuxian's shoes and setting them at the edge of the bed. His deep gaze danced over the younger's silhouette, outlined by the dim moonlight seeping in from the windows. Once his own shoes were off, Lan Wangji clambered over his lover, pressing their lips together hungrily once more.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian was uncharacteristically quiet on the journey back to the Cloud Recesses. He stayed standing most of the time, the papers he had retrieved from the hideout tucked against his chest beneath his robes. It rested heavily there, and Wei Wuxian wondered if he should toss it off the boat right there and then and be done with it. But there was something that stopped him from reaching into his robes and pulling it out. These scrolls were created from when Wei Wuxian was in arguably one of the most difficult times he’d been through. They were forged from his blood, sweat, and tears, and he could not just abandon something like that with a rash thought. Wei Wuxian crossed his arms so they rested against his chest, watching the rapids move before returning to Lan Wangji’s side.

Wei Wuxian must’ve dozed off, because when he opened his eyes again the sky was dark with the night and they were at the base of the mountain at Caiyi’s pier. The trek up was cold to Wei Wuxian. It might have had something to do with the lakeside draft, but he did not remember being so easily chilled before. He trudged up the mountain with a miserable air at the prospect of returning to Cloud Recesses. Although his slip up had nearly caused Lan Wangji his life, Wei Wuxian had not felt such excitement and adrenaline run through his veins in such a long time. Cloud Recesses meant rules, restrictions, everything he had to adhere to so he could save Lan Wangji some face in front of his family.

A hand that slipped into Wei Wuxian’s brought him out of his buzzing thoughts. Holding Lan Wangji’s hand made him realized just how touch-starved he was for the older. Lan Wangji’s hand was cool but comforting wrapped around his. The past month did not leave them enough time to indulge themselves with each other, mostly from Wei Wuxian being too afraid to hurt Lan Wangji while he was healing.

Lan Zhan is such a good man, Wei Wuxian thought as they walked up to Lan Wangji’s residence. He did not take his eyes off the older the entire time. How could there be such a man in the world? If not for Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian wondered where he would be now. Wandering each corner of the world, he supposed. He would have no one place to stay, forced to walk like some sort of vagrant cultivator. “Home,” Wei Wuxian repeated curiously. Gusu was not his home, he thinks. His home was where Lan Wangji was. At this thought, his heart swelled, and he clutched Lan Wangji’s hand a little tighter.

Once the door to the Silent Chamber slid shut behind them Wei Wuxian jumped the other, his arms sliding around Lan Wangji's sturdy waist and his hands curling at the small of Lan Wangji's back, holding him tightly. He had to stand on his toes to press his mouth against Lan Wangji's, running his tongue along the sweet flesh that made up Lan Wangji's lips. Wei Wuxian sighed softly against them, closing his eyes to relish in the moment. Tomorrow Lan Wangji, hardworking as ever, would return to his duties. Wei Wuxian thought it was rather unfair. Lan Wangji should take a break. With him.

It was past 9 for sure, but Wei Wuxian was selfish enough. He grappled at Lan Wangji desperately, pleading against his lips, "I don't want to go to sleep yet."

@Wei Wuxian "Wei Wuxian?" the captured male repeated under his breath as if he had heard wrongly the first time around when Jiang Cheng had said the black-robed male's name. "Wei Wuxian, Wei Ying, the Yiling Patriarch Wei Wuxian?" he asked, talking the most he had since getting captured. However, he was paid no attention by the Jiang Sect leader or the Yiling Patriarch himself. Only Lan Wangji heard and he looked back at his cultivation partner, answering the question silently in his head.

Jiang Cheng was hostile once again, nothing short of what Lan Wangji expected, but the younger Lan was beyond arguing with the Jiang Sect Leader now. He simply waited a few paces behind, listening to the conversation between the two brothers and eventually lowering his gaze down to Wei Wuxian's figure as the smaller male bounded up to him again. "En." the older nodded his head as Wei Wuxian suggested going home, sharing only one more look with Jiang Wanyin before turning on his heels, making his way towards the dock again.

The disciples hastily bid each other farewell before they hurried to keep up. Lan Wangji sighed softly as Wei Wuxian brought up his Uncle, a very serious expression on his face as he insisted, “Not your fault." to his lover. And even if it was inevitably going to be Wei Wuxian's fault, Lan Wangji could not even entertain the idea of letting the younger male endure even the slightest punishment, "I will talk to Uncle." he added for good measure as they reached the dock. He stepped in first, turning as he slowly held out his hand to help Wei Wuxian inside as well.

The group of boats that had arrived together previously now separated, half heading back to Yunmeng and the other further down the stream heading back in the direction of Gusu. Lan Wangji had taken a seat against of the benches attached to the side of the boat, a meditative expression on his face as he focused his gaze on the floorboards just a little out under his feet. It was a wonder how this unrestrained, happy-go-lucky male in front of him was one of the greatest minds that had ever inhabited the cultivation world. Even to this day, the inventions and legacy of the Yiling Patriarch were quite common at the tip of the commoner's tongue. He figured that the case at Chengguan had been resolved, but remembering how awed the man was by the name of Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji felt the slightest tinge of rejoice in his heart, glad that there was no longer such venom attached to his Wei Ying's name.

Upon their return to Gusu, it was well into the night. Lan Wangji had anticipated they would be back by dawn, but sailing with the current seemed to have expedited their process. The barriers were most definitely up now, and it was forbidden for anyone to go pass and enter between the sleeping hours. However, it was cold outside, and Lan Wangji did not want the disciples to suffer a night out in the cold. Thus, once his boots touched Gusu soil, he made his way up the dirt path that led to the entrance of the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian by his side. "Wei Ying," he murmured softly, "Don't trip." Lan Wangji then reached out to take his lover's hand, disregarding any stares from the disciples (if they could even see anything in the dark).

The shimmering outline of the blue barrier shone in their face when they approached. With a wave of his hand, Lan Wangji removed it, stepping back as he motioned for the disciples to enter first. "Go quietly. Rest early. Resume your duties in the morning." he instructed, accepting the bows and then seeing the group of white robes disappear into the Cloud Recesses. Before closing the barrier, he looked at Wei Wuxian, giving the other's hand a light squeeze as they crossed inside together, "Let's go home." he said, closing the barrier behind him.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian held up the scrolls he’d taken from the underground hideout, looking down at them to the cultivator on the ground. “Where did you get these?” He asked with much less anger than Jiang Cheng’s voice was already holding. Wei Wuxian sounded purely curious, almost like an approachable young cultivator as he stood over the bound man. “These were locked up in Lanling.” Well, they were. Wei Wuxian had no idea what had become of Jin Guangyao’s possessions after his death. He glanced at Jin Ling for any hint of knowledge the younger had about the Yiling Patriarch’s belonging’s whereabouts, but the young sect leader looked just as confused as Wei Wuxian felt. Wei Wuxian bent to pat his hands along the bound cultivator's body, frisking until his fingers pressed against a small piece of rock in the man's sleeve. He retrieved a shard of a rock no longer than his thumb nail, so small it was almost negligible. However, the energy that it released and danced along Wei Wuxian's skin was not. Wei Wuxian considered the seal fragment at eye level for a moment before looking back to the man. "This is crudely formed. But where did you find it?"

The man remained silent, trembling, for what felt like so long Jiang Cheng lost his temper. Wei Wuxian wondered why the Jiang sect leader, of all people, was allowed to have any part in Jin Ling's upbringing. Why, they had the exact same temper! "If you're not going to use your tongue and speak, maybe I'll just cut it off!" Jiang Cheng was yelling. Wei Wuxian snapped out of his thought, hurrying forward to lay his hand over Jiang Cheng's shoulder as if that could hold him back. "Jiang Cheng, enough," Wei Wuxian said, his fingers digging into the younger's shoulder when he felt him try to jerk it out of his grip. "Take him for trial! You are a sect leader, don't act so brashly! Do you go around cutting off every criminal's tongues or hands in Lotus Cove?"

"Wei Wuxian! This is a criminal of Yunmeng, I'll do as I please!"

"Jiang Cheng!"

"He hurt y-" Jiang Cheng stopped so abruptly Wei Wuxian thought the younger was suffering a . "He's killed so many of my people! Is this not justice? Wei Wuxian, do you know what justice is?"

Wei Wuxian had nothing to say to that. He backed away from Jiang Cheng, moving until his shoulders were level with Lan Wangji's. Jiang Cheng, however, seemed to calm down from the outburst he had, and flicked his hand in a gesture for the man to be collected and taken back to the boat. Wei Wuxian trudged behind the group, Chanting tucked away securely at his waist. Perhaps they would not get answers now, maybe not ever, but Wei Wuxian was glad to at least see it come to an end. The shard of Amulet in his sleeve weighed weighed him down, so as soon as the criminal was loaded onto the boat, Wei Wuxian held it up to Jiang Cheng. "Evidence," he offered sheepishly, rather than admit he did not know what to do with it. Destroy it, maybe, but Wei Wuxian could not bear to keep such dark matter near Lan Wangji anymore.

When Jiang Cheng did not say anything else after taking the shard from Wei Wuxian, the latter tried to smile. "I guess this is it," Wei Wuxian said as lightly as he could afford. "I don't suppose you would ask us to be your guests in Yunmeng for any longer."

"Absolutely not," Jiang Cheng said curtly.

"We'll get going," Wei Wuxian assured him in the same oddly polite and cordial tone. He considered offering a bow before departing, but settled on an awkward clasp of his hand over Jiang Cheng's shoulder before he turned away, his hurried steps taking him back to Lan Wangji's side. "Lan Zhan," he said as he approached, his arms hanging loosely at his sides despite how much he wanted to wrap them around Lan Wangji's waist. He gauged Lan Wangji's expression carefully. "Let's go home now. Your uncle must be worried to death." For some reason, the thought of Lan Qiren's red face as he would yell was inappropriately funny to Wei Wuxian, so he laughed. "I am sure he will find some way to blame me again!"