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@Lan Wangji Disciples had filled the main pavilion, all of them lugging their belongings behind them as they chatted and bade their goodbyes for the time being. The end of the Cloud Recesses was a good opportunity for many Sect Leaders to drop by and pay their respects once more to Gusu and Lan Wangji for training their children and disciples. Wei Wuxian found himself hoping, as terrible as this wish was, that Jiang Cheng didn't hold enough respect for Lan Wangji to come.

"Wei Wuxian!"

Wei Wuxian forced out a breath of relief. It was only Jin Ling, disrespectful as ever. "What?" he asked, as if he had only stumbled across the pack disciples whilst he was out on a stroll. He crossed his arms, stopping at the end of the clearing with the bustling disciples. The few near the edge had noticed his appearance (and possibly recognized him as the sleeping disciple), but Wei Wuxian paid them no mind. "Shouldn't you be saying bye to your friends?"

Jin Ling snorted, turning his nose up in an arrogant response. "You live here, don't you?" he demanded, averting the question entirely. "How come I've only seen you around once or twice?"

Wei Wuxian would have loved to believe Jin Ling missed him, or some crazy variation of that. He opened his mouth to retort, like these remarks they exchanged were a game, but a flash of purple robes shifted from behind Jin Ling, and Wei Wuxian took a step back instinctively, nearly stumbling over the hem of his robes. His skin pinched into gooseflesh as a tingle ran down his spine, as if already anticipating Zidian's strike. Of course, in Cloud Recesses, Jiang Cheng could only glower until his raised his gaze and met Lan Wangji's.

"Second Young Master Lan," Jiang Cheng said in greeting, though he gritted out each word with enough emphasis for them to be vaguely threatening. His face held more contempt than Wei Wuxian had ever seen, and he could not for the life of him figure out why. His younger brother was often /stupid/ in that regard. If Jiang Cheng had to look so hateful in Cloud Recesses, he shouldn't have bothered coming, Wei Wuxian wanted to say. Instead, he cleared his throat to fill the silence, his shoulder bumping into Lan Wangji's. "Good to see you, Jiang Cheng," Wei Wuxian finally said under the Sect Leader's heavy scowl.

His younger brother said, in a very agitated way, "Don't talk to me!", turned, and stalked away.

"Jiang Cheng! What did I do this time?" Wei Wuxian called after his retreating figure. His heart clenched painfully at the probably truth - his mere existence was enough to tick Jiang Cheng off. And to think that they had reached something like a truce those few months ago at Jin Guangyao's temple. The lump in his throat grew, and he nodded to Jin Ling as farewell and dismissal, unable to trust his voice.

@Wei Wuxian "It's over, the study."

"En."

Lan Wangji crouched on the ground beside the smaller male, setting Bichen against a tree as the burrow of rabbits flooded around him. His eyes met Wei Wuxian's and Lan Wangji waited earnestly for whatever it was the younger had to tell him. He picked up a rabbit, who was pliant in his hold as two fingers ran down its ears to its back, repeating the motion slowly and rhythmically.

"Lan Zhan. Sometimes I think you have too much on your mind. And that's not good, obviously. And as your..." Wei Wuxian started, that last bit making Lan Wangji's eyes meet the others, staring deeply as if he was expectant for the statement to continue, wanting to know who Wei Wuxian was to Lan Wangji. "As someone living under your roof and sleeping in the same bed with Hanguang Jun, I am concerned. But I might know just the thing you need."

Lan Wangji blinked a few times again, his lips slightly parted as if he were going to ask where Wei Wuxian got the idea that he had too much on his mind. However, the next thing he knew, the younger was suggesting for them to leave Cloud Recesses again, and Lan Wangji couldn't help but let his shoulders slouch, one corner of his lip twitching upwards in gentle amusement. So, his Wei Ying simply itched to go out again. Lan Wangji clearly remembered the promise he had made, about taking Wei Wuxian back to Yunmeng once the study was over. Maybe this was the younger male's way of reminding Lan Wangji without saying it outright, though it really wasn't Wei Wuxian's style at all. However, Lan Wangji nodded his head, not saying a word as the other instructed.

As Wei Wuxian stood up and brushed his robes off, Lan Wangji set the rabbit in his hands down, looking up at the younger with deepset eyes.

"I want to say bye to Jin Ling before he leaves." Wei Wuxian claimed, taking off without waiting for Lan Wangji. The older was quick to grab Bichen, standing and taking off after Wei Wuxian.

Considering that Jiang Wanyin had been the last to show up to drop off his nephew, Lan Wangji wouldn't be surprised if he was the last here to pick him up as well. He had a feeling Wei Wuxian didn't need to be in a rush.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian thinks he fell asleep, because when he was opening his eyes to the sound of Lan Wangji calling his name again, the sky was much brighter than before. Rabbits gathered around him in anticipation of their Hanguang Jun's arrival, knowing they would have to vie for his attention in competition with Wei Wuxian. The younger sat up, welcoming Lan Wangji with a beaming grin.

"It's over," Wei Wuxian said in greeting. "The study." Lan Wangji certainly did still have many responsibilities as acting-Sect Leader alongside his uncle, but it seemed as though the study was the event taking up the largest amount of Lan Wangji's day. One of the small rabbits clambered onto Wei Wuxian's lap, and he took the opportunity to hold it in place, rough with his handling as the creature thrashed in his hands. "Come, sit."

Knowing Lan Wangji, that man was more stubborn than a rock (and sometimes just as emotionally stunted, but Wei Wuxian loved him for that). He was afraid of how Lan Wangji might shut him down the moment he even dared present the idea that Lan Wangji needed /help/, and Wei Wuxian was beginning to regret not using his nap time to figure out how he was going to address this. "Well, you know," he began in a slow drawl, his fingers rubbing at the rabbit's head in his lap. "Lan Zhan. Sometimes I think you have too much on your mind. And that's not good, obviously. And as your..." He trailed off.

What were they exactly? All of a sudden, he was stuck, but Wei Wuxian recovered smoothly. "As someone living under your roof and sleeping in the same bed with Hanguang Jun, I am concerned. But I might know just the thing you need. /We/," he began, lifting the bunny off his lap and depositing it on the ground as he closed the distance between him and Lan Wangji, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Should leave Cloud Recesses. Gusu! We should leave Gusu for a bit, like Wen Ning and Sizhui, forget everything. Just the two of us. I can grow radishes, and you can mend our clothes and cook. Or we can roam, without a destination." He patted Lan Wangji's shoulder, using the older to help himself stand. "Don't say anything. I know it's a lot. But your uncle will be able to hold Gusu. Think about it, hm, Lan Zhan?"

Wei Wuxian stood, brushing at the grass stains on his robes. "I want to say bye to Jin Ling before he leaves." Without waiting for Lan Wangji or turning to watch if the older was following, he took off for the path that led them back to the main pavilion, his hands clasped behind his back as he ambled in a carefree way for the main gate.

@Wei Wuxian They were up early, even for Lan Wangji, but the extra time spent in embracing the smaller male was a good use of this time too. Lan Wangji sipped on the hot tea that the smaller prepared for him, finding that it must have taken Wei Wuxian such meticulous effort to make sure the tea leaves were all steeped, but none of the actual remnants were left in the little tea cup. It was little actions like this that made Lan Wangji's heart flutter again for his lover, reminding him that there was so much more to Wei Wuxian than what the rest of the world claimed to know.

Wei Wuxian was particularly still in his lap, simply clinging to Lan Wangji while time passed by. As the sun slowly came up, Lan Wangji pulled his chest back slightly, looking down at the smaller. "Oh, you should get going," Wei Wuxian commented, smiling up at the older and warming him once more. "I want to talk to you after you finish. I'll meet you where the little rabbits are." his partner said before getting up and in moments, was out and about again.

"En." Lan Wangji hummed in agreement. He would be there.

Lan Wangji got up, straightening his robes and redoing his sash properly before heading to class. With Bichen in one hand and the other one pressed to his back, Hanguang Jun emerged from the Silent Chamber, making his way to class. The disciples filed into the Orchid Classroom on time, the bustling and livelihood in the room noticeable as many of them were discussing how three months had flown by in the blink of an eye, how much they missed home, and how much they would be missing the new friendships developed here. Lan Wangji didn't quiet the disciples down until it was time to begin his lecture.

He concluded with the idea that practicing would always bring experience, and one should always do what is right, value their morals above all else when dealing with any situation. As long as they stood straight and spoke the truth, their cultivation journey would be the right path. He didn't mention anything that his Uncle would have about keeping away from the dark arts or anything that wasn't the sword path. His lecture was dedicated towards a certain someone, and Lan Wangji knew for himself that being an upright person was not associated to what kind of cultivation one practiced. He finished with a small nod of his head, "Class dismissed."

The disciples rose to pay their last respects to their teacher, many of them still gasping in awe as Lan Wangji walked passed them, leaving the classroom first. As soon as he was out, the white-robed male headed for the Back Mountains, remembering that his Wei Ying would be waiting for him there.

Indeed, Wei Wuxian was there, laying with the rabbits. Lan Wangji had a tight-lipped smile on his face, eyes blinking slowly as they conveyed affection towards the younger male who had yet to realize his presence. "Wei Ying." he called softly, "You wanted to...talk to me?"

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian was beginning to see Lan Wangji's smile a lot more often, but he wasn't about to start complaining. His arms looped around Lan Wangji's thick and sturdy waist, squeezing tightly. His robe opened up so that his bare chest rubbed with Lan Wangji's, and Wei Wuxian hid a smile as he drew closer. "I won't catch a cold if Lan Er gege is here to warm me up, especially since he's going to be so free after today," he declared shamelessly, pressing his cheek to the base of Lan Wangji's throat. "Come, I made tea."

Even after he forced Lan Wangji to take a seat after he dressed, Wei Wuxian went right back to clinging, his robe situation fixed with his own sash he found off the floor. Though Lan Wangji seemed fine now, the nightmare-plagued Wangji still worried Wei Wuxian way too much. It wasn't that Lan Wangji was going to break from a few bad dreams, but Wei Wuxian just hated feeling so /helpless/ when someone he loved hurt like that, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Or was there?

Wei Wuxian's expression contorted into one of extreme concentration. He was /Wei Wuxian/, Yiling Patriarch, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. If anything, nightmares were his /domain/. There /were/ going to be ways he could stop this, he just needed to reach into the deep recesses of his mind and get creative. His thoughtful expression began to morph into a scowl amidst his thoughts. What if he brought Lan Wangji to the back mountains to see the bunnies and let the other do whatever he liked with him? Wei Wuxian felt as though that would always bring him into a good mood. Or what if they went far from Cloud Recesses on a trip, one where Lan Wangji can just forget about his responsibilities and /relax/, just the two of them.

It wasn't until Lan Wangji shifted slightly that Wei Wuxian looked up. "Oh, you should get going," he said, his glare morphing into a bright grin. He reached up to kiss Lan Wangji's cheek. "I want to talk to you after you finish. I'll meet you where the little rabbits are." With that, Wei Wuxian tumbled off Lan Wangji's lap, redressed himself appropriately, tied his hair haphazardly, and skipped off for the back mountains.

He threw himself down into the clearing, lying on his back and looking up at the weak light of the dawn sky, leaf patterns from the trees overhead spattering over his figure. "Little rabbits," he bemoaned. "I want to help Lan Zhan. But I don't know how... if he was a maiden, I can just pick him flowers and wipe his tears with a pretty handkerchief." Wei Wuxian heaved a sigh, closing his eyes. "But Hanguang Jun's problem isn't that I'm not giving him attention..."

@Wei Wuxian Maybe it was a blessing to have Wei Wuxian wake him up in the middle of the night, because after Lan Wangji fell asleep again, he was able to have a few hours of undisturbed rest. It was the type of rest that he was used to, but had become unfamiliar with now that his night times were always occupied with nightmares. It may have been that Wei Wuxian's presence comforted him or maybe there just weren't enough hours left for his sub-conscience to deal any more damaging blows to him before it was time to wake up. Regardless, when Lan Wangji next heard Wei Wuxian's voice calling for him, it was to wake up.

"Wei Ying." he responded, blinking his eyes open slowly as he looked up at the smaller male. The room was slowly beginning to light up, but it was only dawn, so Lan Wangji was surprised to see that his lover was awake earlier than he was - especially since he had been particularly rough last night. Without hesitation, Lan Wangji pulled the younger into his embrace the moment he sat up from bed, smiling as he held the smaller tightly. "I'm awake." he said, the reassurance mainly for himself. It was good to be awake, to hold Wei Wuxian securely in his arms.

He also noticed that Wei Wuxian was wearing his robes again, an amused sigh escaping his lips as he pulled the two ends of the robes to meet in the middle, covering the smaller's chest, "Don't catch a cold." he said. Wei Wuxian had also prepared tea for him in the early morning and Lan Wangji accepted it appreciatively, "I'm...fine." he said, wondering if his Wei Ying would go back to his frantic ways of worrying day in and day out for Lan Wangji when he was sick. "Rest more." he chided softly, noting, "Today is the last day of lecture." And indeed it was, the Annual Study would be official concluded after Lan Wangji's lecture that morning.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian smiled fondly, though it was tinged with sadness, when Lan Wangji all but buried his face into Wei Wuxian's stomach. He moved his arms so he could hug Lan Wangji's head close, bending over so he could keep him safe, keep him secure. "I'll always stay with you," Wei Wuxian said, petting Lan Wangji's head the entire time. "You have nothing to worry about, Lan Zhan. It's over. I'm here until you tire of me. Where else would I go?"

Once the older seemed to have settled and calmed, Wei Wuxian shifted Lan Wangji's head back onto his pillow and lay back down himself. He kissed Lan Wangji's heated forehead, above the metal plate of his forehead ribbon, and wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji to drag him back into sleep. "Don't be afraid," Wei Wuxian said again, wanting desperately for Lan Zhan to feel nothing but happiness. "See you in the morning, Lan Zhan."

Oddly enough, Wei Wuxian woke before Lan Wangji, so he took the liberty of preparing tea while his lover was still asleep. Snagging one of Lan Wangji's outer robes out of the closet he passed, Wei Wuxian only slipped into that as he meticulously prepared a pot of tea. Once the leaves were steeped and a cup was prepared, Wei Wuxian leaned over the older, his long hair draping over Lan Wangji's chest and neck. "Lan Zhan. Lan Wangji, wake up."

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@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji sighed softly as he laid his head on Wei Wuxian's lap, looking up at the smaller male with his pale eyes. It was really the first time that he had waken up so abruptly in the middle of the night. Even if he were not in the Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji's nights were eventful and routinely. However, Wei Wuxian was the one who insisted that they didn't have to go back to sleep yet. The wave of sleepiness that had taken him over earlier was gone now anyways, since he was never the type to roll around in bed or need to sleep again after waking up.

"Don't be afraid. Do you want water?" Wei Wuxian asked, his fingers dancing against Lan Wangji's cool skin, providing an immense warmth that made the older lean into his lover's touch.

Lan Wangji shook his head, not wanting to move from their current positions. He closed his eyes, sighing softly as he turned his head against Wei Wuxian's body, nose brushing against the other's stomach while one cheek was nestled on the other's lap. "No...just stay with me." he replied softly, his voice slightly hoarse.

@Lan Wangji With his free hand, Wei Wuxian brushed at the tears on Lan Wangji's face, his heart shattering into impossibly small pieces at how the other man's voice caught and stumbled on their way out. He squeezed Lan Wangji's hand, holding their entwined hands to his heart, above his chest. "Lan Zhan, I'm here," he said quietly, blinking the last of the sleep out of his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

The enormous urge to baby and coddle Lan Wangji washed over Wei Wuxian, despite it being the middle of the night. There must be at least a few more hours before the sun rose, but Wei Wuxian sat up, the sheets sliding off his bare chest and pooling around his waist. Carefully, he shifted until he sat against the headboard and shifted Lan Wangji's head to rest on his lap. Careful fingers combed through Lan Wangji's undone hair, easily combing out the tangles. "It's okay, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said into the quiet of the night, thumbing over the frown lines that marred Lan Wangji's face.

Wei Wuxian surprised himself. His entire life, he could never bear to sit for longer than a few moments at a time. Jiang Cheng, notably, was always yelling for him to just calm down for /one/ second, and Wei Wuxian would struggle to do so. But now he sat completely still with Lan Wangji cradled over his lap, his hands gentle as he petted and soothed Lan Wangji. There were still the slightest traces of Lan Wangji's tears on his face, so Wei Wuxian wiped at them with his fingertips again. "Don't be afraid. Do you want water?"

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji was only aware that he had talked in his sleep once, and when he had shaken away by Wei Wuxian, the older was quick to realize what had happened again when he heard his lover mumbling, "Lan Zhan, wake up- what's wrong?...Lan Zhan, wake up, I'm here." in a soothing voice to calm him down. He shook his head, wanting to deny what was happening at first, but the tear stain on his cheek made him realize that he had been a little too obvious with the signs of his nightmare.

He shouldn't be bothering Wei Ying this late into the night, the younger male needed his sleep most definitely. Yet Lan Wangji knew that Wei Wuxian was genuinely concerned for him, would only think to help him if he trusted the other enough to admit his troubles. After a moment of silence, his hand gripped Wei Wuxian's tightly, closing his fingers over the other's knuckles as he admitted, "Nightmare..." he said, "Losing you...again and again."

It wasn't even the night time or his drowsiness that made Lan Wangji speak so quietly and in broken phrases. He simply didn't want to think about them, and it was almost as if saying these things aloud was equated to him finally giving in to the thoughts that taunted him day in and day out. He took a deep breath, closing the distance between himself and the smaller male again, "You're here...then that's good." he murmured softly. Lan Wangji didn't want to pursue the matter now, but he had been plagued with nightmares for quite some time now. With the cause still unknown, Lan Wangji finally confessed to Wei Wuxian, "Can't bear to lose you."

/"Again."/ he added in his head.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian made an indiscernible noise in content when he felt Lan Wangji's lips touch his forehead, like the other's kisses were a talisman that guarded him through the night. He never felt smaller with Hanguang Jun's strong arms holding him and their legs locked together, but Wei Wuxian strangely did not mind. There was a pride in him that refused to let others see him so small, so vulnerable. But beside Lan Zhan, Wei Ying could be anything. "See you tomorrow." Wei Wuxian yawned, sliding his bare legs between Lan Wangji's.

He had such a pleasant dream. It was almost like reality, Wei Wuxian sat atop Lil Apple and Lan Wangji walking alongside. There was no dialogue in his dream, probably, but Wei Wuxian was overcome with such a sense of serenity there was none needed.

"Wei Ying."

"Hm," Wei Wuxian grunted, rolling over in his sleep. Finally, the Lan Wangji in his dream was speaking. "Lan Zhan..."

"Wei Ying. Wei Ying!"

"Lan Zhan, why are you being so loud?" Wei Wuxian whined, his eyes still squeezed tightly shut. The arms around his waist tightened in a suffocating way, and Wei Wuxian struggled to push at them, his own arms sluggish and heavy. "Stop it." Something wet touched his neck, and Wei Wuxian jerked fully awake. His back was pressed to Lan Wangji's chest, so he wriggled to make some space, turning over onto his other side. "Lan Zhan, what are you-"

Oh. In the weak moonlight that filtered through the screen of their window, something shimmered off Lan Wangji's cheeks. Tears, Wei Wuxian realized when his fingertips touched them. A frown marred Lan Wangji's perfect face, and Wei Wuxian wanted nothing more than to take it away. He was having a nightmare. Wei Wuxian wasn't even sure if Lan Wangji /dreamt/, let alone have nightmares. "Lan Zhan," he whispered with urgency, shaking the older male lightly by his shoulder. "Lan Zhan, wake up- what's wrong?" What kind of nightmare was Lan Wangji having that involved crying and Wei Ying? Wei Wuxian's heart fluttered uncomfortably in his chest, but he had to stop Lan Wangji's tears, /now/. "Lan Zhan, wake up, I'm here."

@Wei Wuxian "Silly Lan Zhan. What are you thinking of that's more important than resting with me?" Wei Wuxian's voice inquired, penetrating the silence of the room and Lan Wangji's uneasy mind. The older male didn't want to bother Wei Wuxian with his troubles in the day, therefore even less so in the night.

"Nothing." he replied genuinely as he kissed the smaller's warm forehead softly, shifting in bed to hug Wei Wuxian tighter as he finally gave himself in to sleep.

/"Lan Zhan! Do you still remember the promise we made together back then? Have you forgotten it!?

"Lan Zhan, if there comes a time where I must have a battle, I'd prefer to fight with you. If I am doomed to die, at least, I should die at the hands of Hanguang Jun. It wouldn't be a grievance."

"Get lost."

"Lan Zhan, let go..."/

Flashback after flashback, scene after scene, it was on an endless loop in Lan Wangji's dreams. Sure, Wei Wuxian wasn't dying in front of him, wasn't being beat to death by his Uncle, didn't vanish into thin air without warning, but these words hurt more than Lan Wangji remembered. In his dreams, he held different responses to all these words. He wanted to tell Wei Wuxian that he had never forgotten their promise to protect the weak and support those in need. He also wanted to scream at Wei Wuxian for even suggesting the idea of dying. And by Lan Wangji's sword? Lan Wangji would never shoulder that responsibility. Rather, he wanted to tell Wei Wuxian that he'd stand by the other's side, fight with him, battle until they came out winners, or lost their lives together in the process. Lan Wangji wouldn't let him walk down the dark bridge alone. Lan Wangji was full of empty promises because in the end, all he could do was stay silent.

"W-wei Ying!" he exclaimed in his sleep, head jerking to a side as a tear rolled down his cheek once more. "Wei Ying!"

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian cried out in protest when he realized what that Lan Wangji was planning- or rather, /not/ planning on doing (oiling Wei Wuxian up). Lan Wangji still looked so cool and collected, his face white and composed as ever. The only thing that gave away Lan Wangji's excited emotions was the way his golden eyes swirled in his passion, like molten gold. Wei Wuxian reached a trembling hand up to cup Lan Wangji's face gently, almost in a silent plea for his lover to go gentle on him, but before he could get his words out, Lan Wangji was already in action.

"Not supposed to ask for your opinion."

"You already asked, you- Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian's word were cut off by a scream ripping from his throat. His sobs and moans of Lan Wangji's names filled the rest of the night as he was ravaged mercilessly, just as he'd always asked for. The Silent Chamber filled with their intermingling musk and the scent of raw . At some point, somewhere between his second and third release, Wei Wuxian wondered if anyone else was hearing their animalistic love making every night. The thought of Lan Qiren knowing Wei Wuxian was being defiled by his model nephew was such an oddly arousing thought.

"Good night," Wei Wuxian remembered uttering before falling asleep with Lan Wangji's length still buried deep inside him. He woke shortly after he felt silky sheets drawn over his bare body, feeling cleaner and dryer than before. The candles were out, but Lan Wangji was just lying there in the dark, his eyes open, as if he had no intention of sleeping. Wei Wuxian tucked himself into Lan Wangji's side, tilting his head back to kiss the other in a chaste peck. "Silly Lan Zhan. What are you thinking of that's more important than resting with me?"

@Wei Wuxian "Lan Zhan, rapists don't ask their victims for their opinions. But since you're offering, be kind and use a lubricant, please, I have a bad feeling about tonight-" Wei Wuxian rambled, his speaking pace increasing as Lan Wangji leaned in closer. The pinned down male was met with no response. The older male had reached for the bottle of floral oil tucked at the corner of their bed, going through the motions of uncapping it, pouring a little amount onto his fingers, bringing it closer, closer...

Lan Wangji then proceeded to smear the oil on Wei Wuxian's exposed length instead, none of the lubricant actually making it to where it needed to go. Seeing the confused look on Wei Wuxian's face, Lan Wangji could only offer apologetically, "Not supposed to ask for your opinion."

But to be fair, Wei Wuxian was quite right about that night. It was rather rough, and messy, and long. Lan Wangji had not only gone one round, or two rounds, but three full rounds with the smaller male, exhausting him to the point that he had fallen asleep as soon as the older male pulled out. Lan Wangji himself was drenched in sweat and covered in scratch marks. His lips were rather swollen too, from the way Wei Wuxian had been biting at him. However, when the smaller male's back and lower body finally made contact with the bed, he was pliant and out like a light.

Though it was time for rest, Lan Wangji still went through the motions of cleaning Wei Wuxian's unconscious body up with a wet towel, wiping until the other wasn't sticky or oil any longer. He then draped the covers of his lover's body, himself getting in to pull him close. But even then, Lan Wangji didn't want to sleep. He simply closed his eyes, meditating and trying to resist the wave of drowsiness that wanted to take over him.

It was a good thing his body worked like a clock, so all he had to do was go to sleep later. There would be less time for him to sleep if he slept late but woke up the same time. Consequently, there would be less time for him to dream.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian writhed beneath Lan Wangji, forgetting that he was supposed to be the one attempting to top tonight. He shrieked when Lan Wangji finished stripping his bare, the latter's length lying over his flat stomach. "Lan Zhan, why are you always like this-" Wei Wuxian panted, his hands grasping desperately at Lan Wangji's forearms, half pushing them away and half bringing the older man closer.

"Can you stop me if I go lightly?"

"Er gege, you're too much!" Wei Wuxian wailed in response, already acting pained despite Lan Wangji barely doing anything to him yet. He fisted up Lan Wanghi's sleeves in his hands, kissing Lan Wangji back desperately whenever the other slotted their lips together. "Lan Zhan, rapists don't ask their victims for their opinions. But since you're offering, be kind and use a lubricant, please, I have a bad feeling about tonight-"

@Wei Wuxian It was no wonder how Wei Wuxian was able to give instructions on how to be so clearly and quickly - he had all the experience through practice every night. "Lan Zhan, stop it! You can't the !" the younger exclaimed, exasperation in his voice.

Lan Wangji's tone was firm, but tender, "I cannot." By this, he meant that he couldn't not struggle, couldn't push Wei Wuxian away, couldn't scream for help. But since Wei Wuxian was an expert at this, Lan Wangji could learn through watching. Though his partner was making his best attempt to get on top, Lan Wangji had so expertly pinned him down that his hands were able to roam freely to remove layer upon layers of robes without applying any pressure to hold Wei Wuxian down.

"You're struggling too much! I said only struggle lightly!"

"Can you stop me if I go lightly?" Lan Wangji countered, purposefully distancing himself from the smaller male for a bit just so he could prove his point. In the end, Wei Wuxian was still pinned underneath him. His lover would come to accept the reality someday, Lan Wangji thought. Though this was clearly Wei Wuxian's , when Lan Wangji came in with an overwhelming victory after all their tomfoolery, he felt a sense of satisfaction too. Just like his mouth, his body was no less of a liar, displaying his very emotions right in front of Wei Wuxian, his bare length brushing against the other's now exposed stomach.

Lan Wangji leaned in nipping at Wei Wuxian's soft earlobe, "Should I use oil?" he asked the smaller male, teeth grazing along his jawline now, "Or is that too lenient?"

@Lan Wangji Lan Wangji really was such a stiff and strict person. Wei Wuxian would never dare say that out loud, but he was finding it difficult to get Lan Wangji moving. What kind of person would kiss their back while they were held captive?

"Wei Ying...can you stop me?"

"What?" Wei Wuxian had time to say before he was scooped up as easily as a sack of rice and thrown over Lan Wangji's shoulder before being dumped unceremoniously onto their bed. His breath was nearly knocked out of him, and before he had time to recover, Lan Wangji was already undressing him with rushed yet precise movements.

It was almost like second nature for Wei Wuxian to start pushing and shoving Lan Wangji's hands away. "Lan Zhan, what are you-" He squeaked when his chest was exposed, cool air hitting him hard. Lan Wangji always acted like he was possessed when it came to getting intimate, which Wei Wuxian /never/ minded, but he was supposed to be the right now, not Lan Wangji! "Lan Zhan, stop it! You can't the !" Wei Wuxias's struggle was futile, though. Lan Wangji was taller, broader, and much stronger than he was in his new body, and he was helpless as the older stripped him easily. "No!" he snapped, his leg hooking around Lan Wangji's waist in a poor attempt to flip him over and gain the upper hand. "You're struggling too much! I said only struggle lightly!"

@Wei Wuxian "Don't you have instincts? What if someone else was you? They won't be as lenient as me." Wei Wuxian exclaimed, earning a raised brow from the taller male. Lan Wangji was absolutely positive that there would never be a day for him to address that concern, as anyone who got within five paces of him, excluding his Wei Ying, would be met with an icy cold stare as Lan Wangji naturally repelled himself away from them. "Hanguang Jun, why aren't you trying to resist? If you're just going to stand there while I you, what's the fun in that?" He sighed softly, also wondering where Wei Wuxian got these whimsical ideas, thinking that he was actually able to someone who was consenting to his very core.

"When I grab you, you should struggle, try to push me away. Don't let me take off your clothes. Scream for help at the same time. Got it?"

If it was in his nature to laugh, Lan Wangji would have let out a howl of laughter at that statement. But it wasn't. He didn't want to scream and draw attention to themselves. In fact, he'd much rather keep a low profile, enjoying the solitary time he had with Wei Wuxian. As the smaller male started to kiss him all over, hands roaming over Lan Wangji's taut body, the older male closed his eyes, somewhat relishing in the kiss.

"Lan Zhan, you can start struggling now."

Lan Wangji blinked once, blinked twice. "Wei Ying...can you stop me?" he asked, wanting to verify that the other understood what he was asking for. Wei Wuxian should probably know best what Lan Wangji's arm strength was capable of. However, since the other was insisting for Lan Wangji to tussle with him, to give him a struggling reaction, the older male relented, picking and choosing from the advice the smaller gave him. There were things he ruled out, such as the screaming and pushing away. But since his clothes were just undone and not completely removed, he supposed he could start from there. Reaching a hand behind him, the bigger male took hold of Wei Wuxian's hands that were groping at his buttocks, removing them from his body. He collected the other into his arms, bringing them over to the bed.

Lan Wangji laid Wei Wuxian down on the bed, refusing to let the other's hands budge from his iron-like grip. His clothing, which was undone and billowing all over the place, was still draped over his shoulders. Lan Wangji shook the layers of robes off himself, his free hand going to tug at Wei Wuxian's sash and do the same with the younger's clothing. He worked silently and swiftly, not letting the other do anything else to touch his clothing. Wei Wuxian did tell him to use his instinct - and this was very much Lan Wangji's natural instinct.

@Lan Wangji "What am I supposed to do?" Lan Wangji had the audacity to ask with a smile. Wei Wuxian faltered, feeling his heart soften when Lan Wangji touched his elbows. The older looked so eager to hang off Wei Wuxian's next words that the latter was beginning to feel remorseful already for not taking care of such an earnest-looking man. But Lan Wangji had never been in his life, so Wei Wuxian figured he should give him some sort of experience.

"Lan Zhan! You're not supposed to ask your captor what you need to do. Don't you have instincts? What if someone else was you? They won't be as lenient as me." Wei Wuxian tore at the front of Lan Wangji's robes again, lunging forward to attack Lan Wangji's neck, his hands groping vulgarly. "Hanguang Jun, why aren't you trying to resist? If you're just going to stand there while I you, what's the fun in that?" Wei Wuxian hummed in thought. Lan Wangji must just be /inexperienced/. Wei Wuxian advised, "When I grab you, you should struggle, try to push me away. Don't let me take off your clothes. Scream for help at the same time. Got it?"

Wei Wuxian, ridiculously, had to stand on his toes to grip Lan Wangji by his jaw and press a forceful kiss against his mouth, his tongue prodding forcibly between Lan Wangji's lips. He drew back when he realized Lan Wangji presented him with no reaction. "Lan Zhan, you can start struggling now."

@Wei Wuxian As the end of the Annual Study drew near, Lan Wangji had eased up on the amount and difficulties of the assignments, instead wanting the disciples to write a self-reflection of what they had learned over the course of three months. Since he had stayed on top of the lecturing schedule, there was also much more leisure time near its end, thus why today was another empty day for the disciples to study on their own and practice whatever arts it was that they wanted. Lan Wangji had thought about bringing them out on a Night Hunt, to give them some hands-on experience, but since he had come up with this idea to late into the session, he figured it couldn't hurt to first experiment on Lan disciples first, then implementing it into next year's Annual Study if the opportunity allowed.

This thought had come up over the past week, as Lan Wangji was growing increasingly uncomfortable with being left to his innermost private thoughts. While most dreams would disappear as soon as a person woke up, Lan Wangji experiencing this when he did dream - which was a rare occurrence as his Wei Ying had accurately about - all the nightmares he'd been having for this extended period of time still rang clearly in his mind, from intonation in dialogue to the most miniscule action. Lan Wangji was having a hard time differentiating his imagination from reality, sometimes unsure if he should get too excited if Wei Wuxian was in his arms, only to disappear in the next moment. Lan Wangji had retreated to more intense meditation practice beside a stick of burning incense, intending to calm his mind and body. There really was no explanation for the root cause of these nightmares, and he refused to see them as anything else, such as impending omens.

That night, after their evening meal, Lan Wangji had returned the dishes back to the basket again, standing to bring it outside of the room, but he was effectively stopped in his tracks by Wei Wuxian's smaller figure. The smaller male's tone was inquisitive, almost a bit whimsical as he tried to tease Lan Wangji out of the shell he'd holed himself into.

"Lan Zhan...Do you really want me to embarrass you? You're acting like... /this/ because I didn't you yet, right?" his partner piped up, making Lan Wangji's pale eyes widen as he looked down, his lips parting out of reflex to explain that this was indeed not the case. But Wei Wuxian didn't give him time to finish, catching Lan Wangji in his moment of confusion to take the meal basket and throw it aside. Consequently, Lan Wangji felt the constraints around his waist loosen as the younger took the liberty to undo his sash right in that very moment. Lan Wangji blinked slowly, wondering what he had done to convey the idea that he was asking for this treatment from the smaller male.

Wei Wuxian scolded him, "Lan Zhan! Don't just stand there! I'm you, you have to defend yourself!" since obviously this was supposed to be part of the fun in his eyes.

Lan Wangji, his body ironically relaxing a little when he heard the playfulness in his Wei Ying's voice, simply asked, "What am I supposed to do?" His hand had come up to gently take hold of Wei Wuxian's elbows on each side, a light smile on his lips as he gazed fondly at the younger male. Lan Wangji supposed was supposed to be a scary experience, maybe even a traumatic one - like his nightmares - but with Wei Wuxian's bright face in front of him, he couldn't really take that concept seriously. Especially not when he would always consent to whatever Wei Wuxian wanted.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian couldn't even remember when he fell asleep, but when he woke, it was the middle of the night /again/, and Lan Wangji had him tucked in a death grip, his arms like an iron prison around Wei Wuxian. He swore just moments before he woke, there was an odd sort of whimpering noise that managed to infiltrate his dream, but he was unable to pinpoint it anywhere now that he was awake. It was awfully warm to be in such close proximity with another, but it was Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian threw an arm over Lan Wangji's waist before he closed his eyes again.

It was another one of Lan Wangji's free days, which Wei Wuxian was much too glad to spend with the older. He draped himself all over Lan Wangji whenever he saw fit, kissed him whenever he wished in the privacy of their own room, and tried to make wildly inappropriate grabs at Lan Wangji's crotch once in a while.

His lover had always been quiet, but Wei Wuxian found this type of quiet to be... unsettling. Lan Wangji barely reacted or displayed the smallest bit of interest. Maybe Wei Wuxian could have just put it towards a new attribute Lan Wangji developed, but it was odd. At least the older man would indulge in Wei Wuxian's antics most of the time- no, /all/ of the time. There was something wrong. Wei Wuxian wracked his mind for what he could have possibly said to upset the older.

Of course! Lan Wangji must be upset that Wei Wuxian had not held up his end of the bargain.

"Lan Zhan," the younger began after they had packed up their evening meal. "What's the matter? If you have something to say, just say it. Do you really want me to embarrass you? You're acting like... /this/ because I didn't you yet, right?" With that, Wei Wuxian plucked their meal basket out of Lan Wangji's hand, tossed it over the lacquered study table, and jerked open the front of Lan Wangji's robes so hard the white sash around his waist loosened. "Lan Zhan! Don't just stand there! I'm you, you have to defend yourself!"

@Wei Wuxian "I don't want to. I'm tired, Lan Zhan. I'll you another night." came Wei Wuxian's refusal, which earned him another tug from Lan Wangji in an attempt to convince

This feeling of rejection wasn't nice, Lan Wangji wasn't taking it kindly. However, his Wei Ying was so exhausted, what could he do? He sighed softly, relenting as the other pushed him away. He took his usual place beside Wei Wuxian in bed, sighing as he wrapped an arm around the smaller male, pulling him close and easily tucking Wei Wuxian's head under his chin. "Mm... ." the younger male finished off his night with that last statement as a gift for Lan Wangji, making the older male sigh softly and shake his head as he applied even more pressure around Wei Wuxian, holding him securely and protectively.

/"Uncle. Wangji knows his wrongdoing. If Uncle wants to punish anyone, punish me!" Lan Wangji begged, on his knees, dark, red blood staining the fresh white snow in front of him.

But the blood wasn't his.

Lan Wangji struggled to get up, but he was held down, two disciples to each side of him, exerting all their strength so Hanguang Jun, in this weakened state, wouldn't be able to overpower them. Lan Wangji wanted to close his eyes, to erase the image in front of him, but he couldn't.

"AGH-" came the painful cry, which wrenched at Lan Wangji's heart once more, this time feeling like the different veins within his forehead were on the verge of popping. His eyes lowered, vision blurred as he saw Wei Wuxian's black robes splayed on the ground, a pool of blood seeping out from the sides.

"Continue!" Lan Qiren bellowed, his eyes meeting Lan Wangji's menacingly. "Do not stop!"

The large wooden paddles came down in a flurry, one landing on Wei Wuxian's mid-back, where a loud snap could be heard. The second followed at the other's legs. Wei Wuxian's face was turned away from Lan Wangji's but the bigger male didn't need to see his lover's facial expressions to understand the extent of his suffering.

"UNCLE!" Lan Wangji begged, his dignity and rationale gone with the wind, "I'M BEGGING YOU." he roared, eventually using what energy he had left, throwing the disciples holding onto him behind, sending them flying into the snowy pavillion. He stumbled over, knees going out on him and sending him crashing onto the floor beside Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji threw his body over the smaller male, accepting the two incoming paddle whips with a tight lipped frown. Those were nothing, he could handle more. What he couldn't hand though, was when his hands carefully reached out to take hold of Wei Wuxian's delicate, injured body. The smaller male had stopped making noises, not even the labored pants could be heard anymore. Lan Wangji's heart sank to his chest as he carefully turned the black robed male around.

"WEI YING!" he cried out, the same feeling of 16 years ago crashing into him again. Wei Wuxian's eyes were closed, his chest unmoving./

A tear had strolled down Lan Wangji's face, resting at his cheek when he opened his eyes. This feeling was worse than any of the other feelings he had ever experienced at night. Not only was it his Uncle who administered the punishment, but once again, Lan Wangji was rendered incapable of protecting his lifeline. He released deep, labored breaths as he tried to calm his racing heart down once more, embracing the sleeping Wei Wuxian beside him tighter. The tear continued to roll down his face, disappearing down his chin. Lan Wangji sighed softly as he closed his eyes, too terrified to go back to sleep. He meditated, trying to calm himself of the demons that suddenly decided to wrack his being.

The next morning, he was up before the sun was, meditating until he heard the first chirp of birds outside. Lan Wangji didn't move from the bed though, still holding tightly onto Wei Wuxian as if he'd lose the smaller male if he were to even lose his concentration for a moment. He sighed softly, pulling the covers over Wei Wuxian's narrow shoulders, holding still until the other woke.

Lan Wangji didn't bring up what occurred in his dreams last night to Wei Wuxian, leaving the smaller male to make random guesses again. His Wei Ying seemed notice Lan Wangji's extra quiet demeanor that day, but he probably assumed it was for different reasons that what it actually was.

@Lan Wangji As expected, Lan Wangji was ready and willing to let Wei Wuxian do whatever he liked. The latter beamed, waved and bid Lan Wangji a good day of lecturing, and sent the older man off, but not before he forgot to take the jade pendent from Lan Wangji's waist. It had been a week since he'd visited Caiyi, and since Lan Wangji was supposed to have a longer lesson that day, Wei Wuxian wanted to spend the day running through town to energize and burn off the weird sleep schedule he was experiencing the past week.

Now that he's got money, Lan Wangji's money pouch bouncing against his thigh with every bounce, feeling every bit like a married man's spoiled mistress, Wei Wuxian spent much longer than he usually would have in town, not even trying to hold back on the drinking and snacking.

That evening, he returned to Lan Wangji relatively clean but obviously extremely burned out. He barely even uttered a greeting to Lan Wangji before making a beeline for the bed, not even bothering to remove his boots. Wei Wuxian simply left his feet dangling over the bed, his face pressed into the neatly folded stack of blankets. He thought he vaguely felt his boots being tugged off his feet, but the next time Wei Wuxian was able to properly open his eyes, Lan Wangji was hovering over him, his golden eyes shining with determination. They bathed, probably. Wei Wuxian also recalled opening his mouth once in a while and chewing on bland food. Then he was returned to the soft recesses of their bed. How warm, how cozy, and how nice it was to be enveloped with the scent of sandalwood.

Lan Wangji seemed to have other plans, however. He kissed Wei Wuxian, something like he was asking for more, but the younger man could only yawn in response, turning onto his side to avoid being kissed by Lan Wangji again. Lan Wangji said something again, something like a vague reminder for them to do their nightly activity, but Wei Wuxian only lifted a hand to swat at Lan Wangji's chest.

"No," Wei Wuxian mumbled, his hand falling over his sternum before pushing at Lan Wangji again, wanting to get the older off him. "I don't want to. I'm tired, Lan Zhan. I'll you another night." He opened his eyes blearily, making a poor attempt to blink away the sleep in his eyes to see Lan Wangji properly. "I have to break my promise tonight, gege. Why are you so eager, anyway? Isn't it time for you to sleep?" Wei Wuxian stifled another yawn. "Mm... ."

@Wei Wuxian The last thing Lan Wangji expected was to wake up one morning to find Wei Wuxian laughing at him. He wondered if the younger male had seen him do something funny in his sleep - only to be horrified to find that it was exactly the case. Lan Wangji's brows were tightly knit together as he tried to understand what Wei Wuxian was teasing about, but still finding it too embarrassing to ask the younger male what exactly he had said to bring the other to the conclusion that he was at.

The images of a bloodied and anguished Wei Wuxian flashed through Lan Wangji's mind again, which was a stark contrast with the bright and smiling face that was presented with him each morning when he woke up. His hand naturally shot to his heart, feeling how it raced because he had taken the dream for reality. Lan Wangji let out a long exhale, his eyes flickering up so he could admire Wei Wuxian's face and let the relief wash over himself.

"Lan Wangji, were you dreaming of me you? Lan Er gege, you were, weren't you?" Wei Wuxian laughed, almost doubled over as he continued to rail Lan Wangji with questions that had no answers. The younger male seemed to find this as one of the funniest occurrences that took place in a while, going as far as to promise Lan Wangji, "I'll you properly tonight, then!" The older had opened his mouth to protest, but then the thought of having Wei Wuxian by his side later into the night, such that he wouldn't have to go to sleep and face those awful dreams again, he closed his mouth, conveying a silent approval.

Lan Wangji didn't understand what exactly had triggered this onset of nightmares, but he found himself getting more restless with every passing night that he dreamt another one. During the daytime, his head would spin, and he'd take more time meditating, would could only do so much to supplement the building fatigue. Wei Wuxian had gone down the mountains a few more times since the first day, especially when Lan Wangji was busy lecturing. The younger male seemed to return safe and sound every day, and around the same time too, which eased Lan Wangji's initial worries. Upon realizing that he didn't give any money to Wei Wuxian the first day the other took off, Lan Wangji had handed over his own money pouch, refilling it with plentiful taels of silver every time Wei Wuxian claimed he wanted to go out. This past week, his jade pendant (that Wei Wuxian had painstakenly cleaned after getting it muddied) also hung around the younger's robes much more often than his own.

That night, after eating dinner and bathing together, Lan Wangji was laying out the covers to get ready for bed. He was still holding Wei Wuxian accountable for the offer he made that morning, though he didn't say anything about it. Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, was already slouching his shoulders and showing signs of fatigue after running around in town all day. Lan Wangji knew that he shouldn't send Jingyi to watch the other every time the younger male decided he wanted to go down the mountains, but he couldn't help it. The young disciple was excused from two writing assignments and Lan Wangji had taken an extra incense stick's worth of time to re-lecture on the material he went over in class those days. Lan Jingyi didn't seem to mind this slight alteration within his schedule, as he was allowed to go out to town for a little fun, and Hanguang Jun, the strict upholder of routine, had waived two assignments for him. So far, Jingyi only came back with miniature reports of Wei Wuxian going to inns to drink wine amongst some other mundane tasks.

Lan Wangji helped Wei Wuxian remove his black boots, placing them by the side of the bedframe, neatly beside his white ones. He turned, pulling the other into his embrace, pressing their lips together gently. When he pulled away, Lan Wangji's gaze met his lover's almost as though waiting for Wei Wuxian to make good on his promise. However, when he was simply met with a yawn in response, Lan Wangji swallowed hard, giving a vague reminder, "天天..."

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian bid Lan Wangji a farewell with an incoherent mumble, something along the lines of 'I love you', but he wasn't so sure himself. There was something wrong, like the slightest tremble, in Lan Wangji's tone, but by the time Wei Wuxian woke and Lan Wangji returned, the latter looked and sounded fine and dandy as could be. Wei Wuxian forgot about his original concern as he threw himself into the older's arms.

Strangely enough, Wei Wuxian kept waking again the next few nights, and always to Lan Wangji's subtle tossing and turning. He figured it was a new habit the other man picked up (though that really did make no sense) and he would reach over to lay a hand over Lan Wangji's thigh or his arm in an offer of reassurance. Lan Wangji would usually quiet right down and Wei Wuxian would sleep, and the same thing would happen again the next night.

Nearly a week had passed since Lan Wangji started his weird habit of moving around in his sleep, his movements becoming more noticeable and exaggerated, but Wei Wuxian nearly had a heart attack when the older man /spoke/ one night. He had a hand placed over Lan Wangji's hip, dozing back off to sleep, when Lan Wangji began to speak, his voice clear as day.

"Wei...Ying...don't..."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Wei Wuxian murmured back automatically, taking his hand off Lan Wangji's waist. He supposed the other was feeling a little heated beneath the sheets already.

"Don't..."

"I'm not touching you," Wei Wuxian groaned, his eyes fluttering open again. It was only then that he realized Lan Wangji was still asleep. His eyes were closed, his lashes casting shadows over his skin. Wei Wuxian gaped in disbelief before he broke out into a fit of giggles. Poor Lan Zhan, having a nightmare whilst Wei Wuxian was bent over in a silent laughing fit. Lan Wangji looked so distressed in the midst of his dream, too. Wei Wuxian closed the distance between them, clasping his hand over Lan Wangji's forearm and stroking it gently.

The next morning, Wei Wuxian made sure he woke with Lan Wangji so he could laugh at the older again. "Lan Zhan! I really didn't know you were capable of dreaming. But now you're talking in your sleep, too. You know what you said?" Wei Wuxian grinned up at the older as he prepared for his lessons, pausing for dramatic effect. "You were pleading for me to stop doing something. Lan Wangji, were you dreaming of me you? Lan Er gege, you were, weren't you?" Wei Wuxian sniggered, cruel and unforgiving with his teasing. "If you'd just accepted when I offered, you wouldn't be left just dreaming about it. I'll you properly tonight, then!"

@Wei Wuxian "Lan Zhan? What are you dreaming about?" Wei Wuxian's playful voice was the first thing that drew his attention in the morning. Taking the smaller's hand in his, Lan Wangji gave it a squeeze, shaking his head to push the question aside.

"It's nothing." he said softly, sitting up in bed. "I have to go now." Lan Wangji placed another chaste kiss on Wei Wuxian's forehead before getting up to prepare for class.

The first night he had such an awful dream, he didn't take it to heart. But when the dreams multiplied, then repeating themselves when Lan Wangji was at his most vulnerable - when he had no control of his consciousness and was subjected to the mental anguish - that's when he began to detest the night time.

/Back in Nevernight, Lan Wangji reached out, offering his hand to a crying Wei Wuxian, dried blood caking at the corner of the smaller's otherwise beautiful face. His own arm had suffered an injury, right at the connection of his shoulder to his tricep, blood streaming down to coat his fingers in a deep shade of red. His eyes were also twitching uncontrollably, Lan Wangji wholeheartedly pleading for Wei Wuxian to come back to him. The smaller male met his pleading gaze with a agonized smile. Wei Wuxian's hand seemed to tremor a bit, then it rose, reaching out, almost as if he were reaching out to accept Lan Wangji's hand.

The blood stained white sleeves of his robe hung in the air as a smile took over Lan Wangji's face, waiting for Wei Wuxian to make contact. But as the hand drew nearer, nearer, it suddenly vanished, and Lan Wangji found himself bent over the edge of the never night cliff, watching as Wei Wuxian fell backward, his figure dissolving into thin air, leaving Lan Wangji without a word of explanation.

"WEI YING!" Lan Wangji all but screamed, his body wracked with convulsions as he grappled at nothing. Absolutely nothing./

"Wei...Ying...don't..." Lan Wangji murmured in his sleep. Unbenownst to him, this was only a dream. To Lan Wangji, he was trapped in this moment, on the verge of jumping down their to join Wei Wuxian, the only thing preventing him was his idiotic rationale. In his sleep, his brows furrowed and he called out again, "Don't..."

Lan Wangji was silent, and Wei Wuxian figured the other was tired, too, and wanted to turn in for the night. He curled up obediently beside Lan Wangji, a gentle sigh escaping him when he felt soft lips touch his forehead. "See you tomorrow," he said in response to what he vaguely heard as a big goodnight from Lan Wangji. His legs shifted so they intertwined with Lan Wangji's longer, leaner ones. Wei Wuxian's exhaustion washed over him in a gentle wave, and the younger found himself drifting off within the minute.

When Wei Wuxian woke again, it was still completely dark in the Silent Chamber, and the space outside was completely void of the usual birds chirping to announce the impending morning. Wei Wuxian felt shifting beside him, but through his sleep-blurred eyes, he could only make out the dark shape of Lan Wangji tossing slightly in his sleep, which was weird, because Lan Wangji never moved whilst he slept. Or maybe it was that he did and Wei Wuxian never noticed since he always slept soundly throughout the night. His eyes closed against his own will again, but when he felt Lan Wangji's mouth pressed against his skin, he shifted closer, his arm snaking over the older man's waist and pulling himself close.

The next time Wei Wuxian opened his eyes, it was actually morning. The sunlight was weak, and Lan Wangji was still asleep, meaning it was still much too early. Oddly enough, Wei Wuxian rarely had such interrupted periods of sleep, and this time, it seemed as though he would not be able to fall back asleep again. He snuggled closer into Lan Wangji's side, tilting his head back to look up at his Lan Zhan's peaceful sleeping face.

Scratch that, it looked rather strained than peaceful. Wei Wuxian thought that the only time he would get a truly serene look at Lan Wangji was when the latter was asleep, but the older's brows were drawn together in something like a frustrated expression, the corners of his lips tight and turned down. Wei Wuxian reached up, his fingers brushing over the frown marring his handsome face. "Lan Zhan? What are you dreaming about?" The idea that Hanguang Jun /dreamed/, however, brought a snort and a snicker bubbling from Wei Wuxian. He'd be surprised Lan Wangji was capable of having dreams - wasn't it more than likely dreaming would be forbidden by one of the four thousand Gusu principles than anything?

@Wei Wuxian "I want to go to bed," Wei Wuxian murmured, his slurred words indicating his sleepiness.

"En. Okay." Lan Wangji replied, the right corner of his lip twitching upward in adoration again as he saw how his lover was almost falling asleep directly in his arms. He placed the chopsticks back in the basket, the emptied plates following. Lan Wangji intended to go to bed with Wei Wuxian, so he should clean up now. His movements were graceful, the ceramic dishes not making any noises as they were returned to the basket. Suddenly, underneath him, Wei Wuxian shifted, making an attempt to grab his robe and cover up his body again.

The other accused him, "Lan Zhan! Did you only give me this piece of clothing so you could peek at me when it opened? How inappropriate of you, Hanguang Jun! The people say you're a nobleman, I think you're a !" and to this, Lan Wangji gave no response, only huffing out softly to indicate that he recognized these accusations. Who was he to say that there wasn't a partial truth somewhere within that statement? Unlike Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji was very aware of laundry days, always having an extra set of clothing in the wardrobe. However, no explanation was given as he simply held the smaller male tightly in his arms and stood, bringing his Wei Ying over to bed.

Wei Wuxian was naturally placed on the inner side of the bed, Lan Wangji grabbing the blanket at the foot of the frame and undoing the folds to cover the smaller male. He waved the sleeve of his robe, extinguishing the flame at the tip of the candle wick in the dimly lit room, rendering it completely dark. Lan Wangji took his place beside Wei Wuxian in bed, drawing the other into his arms again and letting the smaller tuck himself against him. "Wei Ying, see you tomorrow." he gently bid the other in his baritone voice, pressing a light kiss to the other's forehead.

/"Wei Ying. Come back with me to Gusu. I promise I'll protect you. No one can harm you. I'll hide you away in the Cloud Recesses, I won't let anything happen to you!" Lan Wangji found himself making desperate, wild promises, "I believe you. I trust you. Come back. I will stand by your side. You don't have to be alone, don't have to walk on a lone bridge."

Lan Wangji's throat hurt from speaking so much, and in the midst of his panic too. His voice had been strained, as though he had been shouting for the past hour. It didn't really matter how loud his voice got, or how specific his promises were. He was met with a darkness that enshrouded him, not even a flicker of light to indicate where he might be.

"Wei Ying!" he called out again. There was no response.

Lan Wangji was in a state of helplessness, and a rather familiar one at that too. He sank to his knees, his shoulders quivering as he looked up and around him, eyes blinded by the sight of nothing. Where was his Wei Ying?

"Lan Zhan." came a voice in the midst of Lan Wangji's hysterical rambling.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Wangji looked around, turning in circles on his knees, "Wei Ying where are you?"

"Lan Zhan...how silly of you...to think you'd find me." the voice replied, a hint of amusement in it. "I guess you should keep looking...if you get out of here..." After this, the voice trailed off.

Lan Wangji's brows were furrowed, and he gave another helpless plea for "Wei Ying, come back!"/

The Silent Chamber was still darkly lit when Lan Wangji's eyes shot open from his nightmare. He gasped, heart racing as he looked around the room to orient himself. Quickly, his hands reached out to touch his side, only releasing his breath when he felt Wei Wuxian's sleeping figure beside him, the smaller male in the same position he was in upon falling asleep. Lan Wangji had to make the conscious effort to relax his tense muscles, pressing another soft kiss to his Wei Ying's forehead. He closed his eyes, willing himself back to sleep. It was just a nightmare, he reminded himself. But that was peculiar. Lan Wangji was never one to have nightmares.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian tucked himself tighter against Lan Wangji, curling up to take up as little space space on Lan Wangji's lap as he could. His robes fell open easily without a sash to hold them closed, so Wei Wuxian was constantly trying to pull them over his chest and cover his exposed parts. As daintily as he could, Wei Wuxian picked the pieces of vegetables off Lan Wangji's chopsticks, chewing thoroughly before he swallowed instead of inhaling the food like he'd usually do. The style of dinner had not changed, but Wei Wuxian would gladly prolong whatever time he had where Lan Wangji was feeding him.

He made sure the other man ate, too, guiding Lan Wangji's chopsticks towards the other's mouth once in a while if Lan Wangji tried to offer him food whilst Wei Wuxian was still chewing. Wei Wuxian could've gone all night, hugged in this Hanguang Jun's embrace the entire time, but dinner split between them was quickly finished. Wei Wuxian washed it down with a shot of tea, throwing it back like wine. His eyes were heavy with sleep (he found that he was easily exhausted after eating nowadays) and when Wei Wuxian could no longer bear it, he tugged on the front of Lan Wangji's robe.

"I want to go to bed," he said, his words slurring together. Ah, that's right. Wei Wuxian had spent half his day running up and down the mountain and through the village. It had been long since he'd been physically asserted like this, and it was obviously taking a toll on his body. His robe fell open again, and Wei Wuxian quickly pulled it close as if Lan Wangji was seeing something he wasn't supposed to be. "Lan Zhan! Did you only give me this piece of clothing so you could peek at me when it opened? How inappropriate of you, Hanguang Jun! The people say you're a nobleman, I think you're a !"