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@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian nearly wept when he felt Lan Wangji's thicker, heavier arm rest around his back. Never mind the little audience they had attracted, Wei Wuxian had nothing else he wanted at that very moment. He had what he wished for in his arms: a family to call his own. He had the Jiangs at one point, the Wens at another, but to hold Lan Wangji and Lan Sizhui close, the two dearest people of his lives, was a completely different feeling. People he loved, and people who loved him, too, unconditionally.

"We'll talk inside," Lan Wangji said, prompting Wei Wuxian to remove himself from the two. He cleared his throat, avoiding meeting the eyes of the other Gusu disciples as he trailed after Lan Wangji. His vision was blurred, and he took a breath as he turned his face up towards the sky, blinking away the haziness. "Yeah, okay," he managed as he trailed after Lan Wangji. When he caught Lan Sizhui staring, he broke out into a grin, reassuring for the younger.

Taking his place across from Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian brought his knees up, his teeth snagging on his lower lips. Lan Sizhui sat, graceful as the older Lan, though his youthful face displaying his elation in full. "Everything is fine, Hanguang Jun. Uncle Ning and I returned to Yiling to build the epitaph for the Wens- our family," he corrected himself, though he looked almost apprehensive at admitting the Wens were once /family/ in front of Lan Wangji. He knew Lan Wangji respected that, but it didn't help his nerves. "We restored the Mound as best as we could, and then we moved around for a while before Uncle Ning took me back to Gusu." Lan Sizhui dipped his head slightly again, his composure still held together in front of the imposing Second Young Master. "Hanguang Jun, thank you for allowing me to go, once again. I think... I was able to find a closure of some kind, even if I can't remember them."

Wei Wuxian sat quietly beside Lan Sizhui, his own memories with the Wens moving through his thoughts. It was painful, no matter what, but Lan Sizhui had made it out. Wen Yuan, Lan Yuan, Ah-Yuan. Wei Wuxian sniffed, though his eyes remained clear from tears. Thank you to the Heavens, for keeping Ah-Yuan alive, and thank you to Lan Wangji, who raised the little boy Wei Wuxian watched over as his own.

@Wei Wuxian Well before Lan Sizhui had asked for his leave of absence, Wei Wuxian was already showing his longing for the young disciple to come back. It had been known that ever since Wei Wuxian was revived in Mo Xuanyu's body, the only junior disciple, not only in Gusu but in all the sects, to approach the black robed male with decency and respect was the one that Wei Wuxian had taken care of and raised as his own as a toddler. And while it was not known that it was this same toddler Lan Wangji saved back from the Burial Mounds and continued to raise as his own in Wei Wuxian's stead, was the same one that had matured and given the renowned Hanguang Jun a sliver of hope to continue living when all the light in his life had vanished alongside Wei Wuxian.

Seeing the young man standing in front of him now, dressed in his white Gusu robes and his light blue forehead ribbon still perfectly in place, Lan Wangji's heart was lightened just with Lan Sizhui's reappearance, part of it was from relief that the youth had returned safely, and another part of it was from amusement, glad that Wei Wuxian would have someone to spend his days with now when Lan Wangji could not be by his side. It was not that Lan Jingyi was not doing a good job about spending time with the older male, but ever since the incident, Lan Wangji knew that Jingyi was apprehensive about getting too close to either of them. Bygones be bygones though, because he was still Lan Wangji's informant about what Wei Wuxian was doing in town, the younger always showing Hanguang Jun that his robes were stocked with emergency signals in case the day (hopefully never) ever came that he would need to use them.

Wei Wuxian was getting to be almost as good as his elder brother was about reading Lan Wangji's facial expressions, probably being the second person ever who would ever have that ability, not that it was a useful one to begin with. However, after hearing Lan Sizhui's slip up, Lan Wangji let out a sigh, a little smile tugging at his lips. He nodded his head, greeting the disciple, "En." This was, of course, Lan Wangji acting completely in accordance with the sect rules. After all, with so many disciples watching, it would be downright improper for Hanguang Jun to just collect a disciple in his strong arms and hug him tightly. Wei Wuxian seemed to take a hint, dragging Sizhui in one hand, the other one reaching out to pull them both into Lan Wangji's embrace.

"Eh-" Lan Wangji gasped out, slightly surprised that they made contact so quickly. It really had been a while since he'd made any contact with any other person than Wei Wuxian, and it was a bit unfamiliar to have two smaller bodies suddenly pressed against him, hugging him tightly. Lan Sizhui indulged himself, seeing that his Senior Wei had just given him an opportunity to hug the father figure in his life that he missed dearly. After a pause, the oldest of the three finally relented, wrapping his arms around the two males against him.

Wei Wuxian was like a mother indeed, as the younger male looked as if he was close to tears just from this happy surprise. Lan Wangji had to break the hug after a moment, his arms returning to his side again as the normal, unreadable expression settled on his face. He looked around, dismissing the disciples back to their duties. Turning his head, he looked at Lan Sizhui, then at Wei Wuxian, "We'll talk inside." Lan Wangji said, knowing very well that Wei Wuxian would like more time with the youth. In fact, Lan Wangji wanted some too. Seeing that smile on Wei Wuxian's face was heartwarming. Though his lover always gave him a smile full of love, this was also a smile of love. But it was a different one. It didn't make Lan Wangji jealous. It made him want to see it more.

Bringing them into the Frost Chamber, he settled in his elder brother's previous spot, where the Sect Leader would sit. Motioning for the other two males to take a seat in front of him, Lan Wangji then looked back and forth from Wei Wuxian to Lan Sizhui, eventually asking, "Everything is well?"

@Lan Wangji Lan Wangji began to travel a bit further (without Wei Wuxian) to fulfil his duties as Acting Sect Leader, but that was alright. In fact, it worked out /great/ for Wei Wuxian, because that meant he got more time in Caiyi, time well spent alone. He had become well acquainted with the farmer he met and helped with his wagon once upon a time. The elderly farmer seemed to either have no idea who Wei Wuxian was, or didn't care at all, and that was fine by the younger. They didn't talk much, but Wei Wuxian helped out and it helped fill the days up.

Wei Wuxian had also begun to try and train Lan Wangji's rabbits to form a heart, but he found quickly that he was stupid for even /thinking/ it would work for a second.

Another two months passed simply, just like that, and Wei Wuxian was starting to think he might just be able to resign himself to a simple life of a maiden who's been married away. He tried to think of what he would do as a teenager when he lived in Yunmeng, but it was to no avail. Catching fish and chasing chickens was no fun by himself (he did make an attempt), and it wasn't as if he could convince any of the Gusu Lans to try with him. So when he wasn't glued to Lan Wangji's side (that was never boring), Wei Wuxian began to read. Not the type of skimming he did as a student, but actually properly began to study again. Mo Xuanyu's core, no, /his/ core was still weak since Wei Wuxian had been doing absolutely nothing with it for the past half a year. So when Lan Wangji was not around, he meditated, he practiced with a plain wooden sword with the younger disciples, he trained until his body was wracked with exhaustion.

When Lan Wangji was around, though, it was a different story. He would spend more of his time with Lan Wangji, stuck to the older's side whenever he was allowed He didn't need or want the older's pity. Because what if everything he did was all for naught? What if no matter what he did, he most his new core would be able to handle was to wield his sword long enough to defend himself until someone else came to his rescue? He knew Lan Wangji would pity him, or something like that, and it would just make Wei Wuxian feel even worse about never holding Suibian in his hands again.

Maybe he should just pawn it off to Jiang Cheng again and forget the whole thing.

But Wei Wuxian was not a person who could afford such self-pitying thoughts. He worked hard, until he was tired to the bone, sweat dripping off his face. It was one of these mornings where Lan Wangji was looking over paperwork and Wei Wuxian had excused himself to discreetly practice his footwork with Lan Jingyi (who had long seemed to move past 'the incident') when it happened. A dot of white appeared from the path leading in from the front gate. Wei Wuxian lowered his sword, placing it back on the rack as he squinted at the approaching figure.

"Senior Wei!"

"Sizhui!" Wei Wuxian shouted, closing the distance between them with a sprint. Lan Sizhui ran, too, so if Lan Qiren was around they'd both be getting reprimanded, but he /wasn't/, so Wei Wuxian threw his arms around Lan Sizhui's smaller frame, squeezing him tight. Finally, /finally/, his (not so) little boy was back, and Wei Wuxian would have someone else he could bother now. He pulled back, patting Lan Sizhui down for injuries, and let out a delighted noise when he found that there were none. He turned to another disciple, one who was excited to greet Lan Sizhui as well. "Go get Lan- get your Second Young Master, please." Then he was back to fawning over Lan Sizhui, much to the younger's amusement.

"Uncle Ning said he wanted to stay out and travel a bit longer," Lan Sizhui explained. "He came with my to Caiyi, but he's doing well, Senior Wei, don't worry."

Wei Wuxian did miss seeing Wen Ning around. He was like a little brother to Wei Wuxian, and it unsettled Wei Wuxian to go so long without direct news from the other, but at least Lan Sizhui was around. Wei Wuxian threw his arms around Lan Sizhui again, squeezing his eyes shut tight for a second to stop himself from bawling stupidly about it. He was vaguely aware of Lan Jingyi's excited chatter, but he ignored it, holding Lan Sizhui close. It was his time with the younger disciple right now, damn it.

When he opened his eyes again, Lan Wangji had appeared from around the corner, his expression visibly softened. Wei Wuxian straightened, grinning at his partner. Lan Sizhui turned, his face lighting up noticeably. "Da- Hanguang Jun!" With a rather ungraceful fumble, he dipped his head and bowed in greeting, obviously startled by the sudden appearance of Lan Wangji, looking ever so imposing. "I've returned."

Wei Wuxian watched, suddenly overwhelmed by the want to hug both Lan Wangji and Lan Sizhui at the same time. He looked expectantly up at Lan Wangji. Ignoring the few disciples who had come to linger and welcome Lan Sizhui back, Wei Wuxian took Lan Wangji by his wrist, bringing him closer. He didn't let go, his fond gaze switching from Lan Sizhui to Lan Wangji and back. His two favourite people at Cloud Recesses were together, and there was no time like the present. Wei Wuxian brought Lan Sizhui in with one arm, Lan Wangji with the other, and embraced them both, his heart overwhelming full and warm. For the first time in a long time, words failed him, and he simply clung to the ones he loved, his cheek pressed to the top of Lan Wangji's chest.

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji did not expect for Wei Wuxian to follow after his disciple into the Library Pavilion. From a distance, he watched as Lan Jingyi's figure disappeared, but then after a moment, a black-robed figure bounded in after him. The older male watched, a hint of amusement glinting in his eyes as he guessed at what Wei Wuxian would be up to. He always knew that the smaller male had his tricks to cheer people up, but in a situation like this, even Lan Wangji could not fathom what new ideas would ruminate in Wei Wuxian's mind.

Lan Wangji returned to his Silent Chamber, using the time he had to himself to light a stick of incense, meditating as he used to in the past. There was the saying that when Hanguang Jun walked past someone, a strong sandalwood and incense stick smell would emanate from his body. This was true of the younger Hanguang Jun, who would meditate every day inside his Silent Chamber after lighting sticks of incense. It was a good practice that he wished he had more time to continue.

Dinner time came, and Wei Wuxian did not return to eat with him. The older had finished all his work, even the tedious things, and went out searching for Wei Wuxian on his own. To his surprise, the other was still in the Library Pavilion, trying to cheer Lan Jingyi up. Stepping inside the room, Lan Wangji waited silently behind the two, waiting for Wei Wuxian to finish up. "Wei Ying." he finally called his partner, "Let's go." His eyes shifted to Lan Jingyi, the younger disciple greeting him quickly. As the upholder of discipline in the Gusu Sect, Lan Wangji was never one to call back a punishment, whether it be on himself or others. However, with the stonehard, cold expression on his face, he rescinded, "You're finished with punishment. Don't let it happen again next time." he told the disciple before turning and walking out.

Two months of relative peace passed in the blink of an eye. Lan Wangji was kept busy as the acting Sect leader, attending banquets and events in his elder brother's stead. He had seen Jiang Wanyin at a few of these gatherings, but Lan Wangji made no attempt to have conversation with the other male, and it seemed that the other reciprocated with the same feelings. He didn't mention this to Wei Wuxian though, as the younger male was still obviously not on the best terms with his brother, and Lan Wangji didn't want to rub salt into his lover's wound.

Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian had been getting out and about more and more in the Cloud Recesses, getting to know the disciples and being able to have more interaction to satiate his lively personality. Of course, it still came as a surprise to many that their Hanguang Jun's cultivation partner was not one of his own composure and mannerism, but in fact the exact opposite. The unspoken truth passed around though, that many Gusu disciples were happy to have Wei Wuxian as an addition to the sect, as this senior taught them to experience laughter and leisure that they did not know before.

Many things happened, but it seemed the most joyous of them all was when a disciple came knocking at Lan Wangji's door, announcing that Senior Wei called for him. Wei Wuxian would usually come find Lan Wangji himself, if he needed to talk about something, but Lan Wangji quickly realized the reason why when he arrived at the middle of the orchid pavilion, seeing Wei Wuxian hugging Lan Sizhui tightly. Lan Wangji's facial features softened as he took in the sight, waiting for the two to finish before going up to greet his disciple.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian's waist was already beginning to feel a little sore as he sat up at Lan Wangji's behest and let the older clean him off. He redressed himself in record speed, despite the way Lan Wangji's gaze told him to stay. It just seemed a little wrong to subject Lan Jingyi to such a disgraceful sight of his Hanguang Jun, then leave him to deal with it on his own. Surely, if Wei Wuxian caught sight of Uncle Jiang (rest his soul, Wei Wuxian simply wanted to make a comparison), he would need a little bit of emotional support afterwards, too.

Nearly choking on the water Lan Wangji offered him, Wei Wuxian downed it like a shot of liquor, wiping at the corners of his mouth with his sleeve."Run? Who's running? It's not me," he said in response to Lan Wangji's gentle reminder before sprinting out of the Silent Chamber in hopes of catching Lan Jingyi before the young disciple drowned himself, or something dramatic.

He found Lan Jingyi staring desolately into his reflection in a pond. Wei Wuxian wasted no time calling out, "Jingyi," gauging the younger disciple's reaction before skirting closer. "I knew I'd find you here," Wei Wuxian said, despite it clearly being not the case. "I won't say much, even though you know I like to talk." The black robed male took a quavering breath first. It was harder than he expected to start teaching kids about the perfectly natural intimacy between two people involved with each other. "It is just that I and your Hanguang Jun-"

Lan Jingyi gave a loud 'MMPH', possibly to stop Wei Wuxian from finishing his sentence. The younger shook his head vehemently, his cheeks easily flushing a bright pink when he made eye contact with Wei Wuxian again. Before the latter could say anything else, Lan Jingyi hurried away with Wei Wuxian scrambling to catch up with the younger.

It seemed that, most unfortunately, Lan Wangji got to Lan Jingyi first. Wei Wuxian could only watch in both horror and amusement as Lan Wangji doled out a punishment for what seemed like no reason, like he expected Lan Jingyi to know himself (because Wei Wuxian certainly could not guess). 'Copy the Sect rules 10 times?' Wei Wuxian wanted to say in protest, because he knew (from personal experience) that once was already torture enough. He could probably whine a bit, he thinks, and bother Lan Wangji to see a little reason in his punishment, but a better idea slipped into Wei Wuxian's ever moving train of thought.

"I'll copy with you," Wei Wuxian offered to Lan Jingyi after he caught up with the younger on the way to the Library Pavilion. He supposed Lan Wangji could come looking for him soon, and maybe then he would see how pitiful it was to do such a dumb and tedious task as a punishment.

"Senior Wei," Lan Jingyi began, his face clearly showing signs of protest.

Wei Wuxian held up a hand for silence. "Ah, ah, ah. You can't say no." And that was probably the closest he could get to an apology for Lan Jingyi. They spent the afternoon and evening copying the Lan Sect rules in silence, side by side. Ink smeared all over Wei Wuxian's hands and manifested in blotches all over his paper. He had always hated /copying/, and he was detesting it more and more by the minute, but at least Lan Jingyi's mood seemed to improve each time Wei Wuxian drew a small rabbit for him. Kids, Wei Wuxian mused, were easily distracted by anything.

@Wei Wuxian Wei Wuxian released slightly after Lan Wangji, his and jarred mumbling spilling alongside his . The bigger male maintained his grip onto Wei Wuxian, letting the younger fall sideways only when convulsions ceased to wrack through his smaller frame. As much as Lan Wangji was able to refrain from feeling any more jealousy since their return to the Cloud Recesses, he had to admit that Wei Wuxian's sense of urgency to talk this out with Lan Jingyi made him sulky. His lips were slightly protruded, reminiscent of the time he was drunk. Why was his Wei Ying in such a rush to go away? After all, Wei Wuxian was the one who wanted this, and Lan Wangji was simply delivering (more than happy to do so). However, since Wei Wuxian was so concerned about what the disciple would think about him, Lan Wangji gave a nod of his head, relenting in the end. "En."

He reached forward, untying his light blue forehead ribbon from Wei Wuxian's wrists with a single tug, letting the material unfurl and fall. Lan Wangji set it down to a side, wanting to wipe his sweaty forehead before putting it back on again. Before Wei Wuxian could run off, Lan Wangji helped the smaller up, sitting him down in an upright position while he shrugged his robes back over himself, doing the sash loosely and going to wet their bath towel in water to clean Wei Wuxian off first. Lan Wangji returned with a wrung out cloth, crouching and dabbing it at the smaller's forehead.

"Drink some water before you go." Lan Wangji instructed, still at leisure despite being caught by his disciple. Wei Wuxian, who seemed to be in a rush, could only comply if he wanted to get out of there sooner. Once the younger male had been cleaned off, redressed in his black robes and Lan Wangji had gotten some liquids inside him, the older then returned to his desk, rearranging the belongings and paperwork on it. "Wei Ying, don't run too fast." he calmly reminded his partner, then letting him loose. He had to remove a few papers that were stained with Wei Wuxian's release, but there was nothing important that they had ruined.

Wei Wuxian had been gone for a while, and after Lan Wangji had finished tidying his area and going through the remaining invitations, he rose from his desk, straightening his robes and going out the Silent Chamber to look for the smaller male. Wei Wuxian, he had yet to find, but Lan Jingyi just happened to cross paths with him again. Lan Wangji removed the silencing spell, knowing that he had given a clear enough meaning through the limited time it was in use. "H-h-hanguang Jun..." Lan Jingyi all but stuttered, bowing his head without daring to meet the older's eyes. "I-" the youth appeared to be admitting to his mistake.

Lan Wangji gave a nod of his head, "En. Sect rules, copy ten times." he stated. If was going to be impartial about this, it was the younger disciple's own doing by walking in without waiting for Hanguang Jun to give him permission.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian had just begun to recover from his laughter when Lan Wangji shut down his attempts to pull away. He was easily pinned down by the older against the table again. The edge of the desk dug into his stomach, and when Wei Wuxian was hauled higher up on it, his leaking sandwiched painfully between the hard wood of the desk and his stomach. The pressure on it wasn't helping either, but Wei Wuxian did not want to release all over Lan Wangji's papers. He struggled to roll Lan Wangji off, but to no avail.

The familiar feeling of Lan Wangji's release filling him up pooled as a heat in Wei Wuxian's stomach. He came shortly after, his sweat slicked skin causing his knees to slip against the wooden panels of the floor as he writhed in his , his toes curling in. "Lan Zhan!" he cried, his voice more pitched than usual. "Wait, I'm going to- I don't want to mess up please papers please Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!"

He did, in the end, spill all over Lan Wangji's desk, thick and hot ropes of white smearing over the dark wood and dampening the sheets beneath him. Wei Wuxian hoped they weren't important. He struggled to fall to the side, off the desk, hitting the floor with a soft /thud/. His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath, his eyelids fluttering open and close. "Untie me," he weakly, his bound wrists cradled to his chest. "Jingyi... I should go talk to him... Hanguang Jun, it's your fault, alright? If i admit to any blame in front of him, he'll never look me in the eye again."

@Wei Wuxian In the very moment that Lan Jingyi had broken his gaze away from Wei Wuxian, the disciple was unfortunate enough to meet Lan Wangji's gaze, the same pale eyes of Hanguang Jun reflecting a wildness that the youth had never seen before. Lan Wangji simply held the younger's gaze, the dimly lit Silent Chamber making it impossible to discern the pink creeking up his ears. Still, he continued his ministrations in abusing Wei Wuxian against the table, face unchanging otherwise.

Before Lan Jingyi could run away though, he was given his one and only nonverbal warning from Lan Wangji. Other than the cold stare that could ironically melt away his being, Lan Jingyi knew he should keep silent about what happened when his parted lips that were throwing out any words of apology he could muster suddenly sealed themselves shut and refused to open once more. Having finally regained some mobility after the shock, he scurried out of the private quarters.

Lan Wangji was so close, so close to the finish line. Though he realized what a humiliating situation just occurred, he had spontaneously decided that he would deal with the situation later. Afterall, he was not one who liked to leave his work unfinished.

Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, seemed to have a different idea, trying to get Lan Wangji to stop what he was doing, finding apparent amusement at Lan Jingyi's expense. When the younger made the attempt to wrangle himself outof Lan Wangji's hold, possibly so that he could run off and explain himself to the disciple, Lan Wangji's pulled Wei Wuxian back, impaling the smaller onto his length mercilessly and wordlessly. He didn't slow, much less show any indication of stopping. A hand wrapped around Wei Wuxian's length, giving it a few pumps as Lan Wangji bit down hard at the curve of his lover's shoulder.

The little mishap had put him off, but Lan Wangji eventually reached his release, bucking his hips against Wei Wuxian, releasing his load deep inside the smaller's entrance. To ride out his , he continued to roll his hips, also hoping to bring Wei Wuxian to his soon.

@Lan Wangji "Don't talk to much."

"Okay," Wei Wuxian choked out obediently, his incessant (and one-sided) conversation quelling as moans and mewls replaced them instead. The table shook beneath him from Lan Wangji's enthusiasm, threatening to collapse with every ricket and creak.

Wei Wuxian was much too lost in Lan Wangji surrounding him and filling up all his senses he didn't manage to register the barely announced arrival of Lan Jingyi at all. He didn't hear the door of the Silent Chamber slide open, his ears perked for the most subtle noises that Lan Wangji made sometimes. He didn't see, his face planted into the ink stained desk beneath him, His cries muted and muffled from his face buried in his forearms. When he finally did lift his head up to shamelessly beg Lan Wangji for more, he was met with the very out of place Lan disciple standing at the doorway of the Silent Chamber.

Before Wei Wuxian could stop it, a whimper escaped him, and he pushed himself up off the table the best he could with every intention of shielding Lan Jingyi's eyes from a completely bare Lan Wangji behind him. It was a bad decision, he came to discover, with his own resting obviously over the edge of the desk, screaming 'Look at me!'

"Jingyi," Wei Wuxian gasped, his heart threatening to either explode in his chest or jump up his throat and choke him from the shame. Lan Jingyi and the disciples knowing of the relationship Wei Wuxian had with Lan Wangji was one thing, /seeing/ it was a completely different one. He wanted to scream at Lan Jingyi for being such a dense and stupid child, standing there with his mouth gaping at his Senior Wei and Hanguang Jun. Words failed him, however, and for the first time in possibly Wei Wuxian's life, his cheeks burned scarlet as his fingers gripped the edge of the desk, at a complete loss for word. In contrast, however, Lan Jingyi's face was white as a ghost, all the blood drained from his round face.

It felt like the longest moment of Wei Wuxian's life, but something seemed to snap in Lan Jingyi before it did in the former. He young disciple stuttered out incomprehensible apologies, nearly tripping over his own feet and robes as he backed out of the Silent Chamber. The door slammed shut into its frame, and Wei Wuxian was vaguely aware of the patter of Lan Jingyi's feet bringing him far from the building.

Another second passed before Wei Wuxian broke out into laughter, collapsing over the table as he howled his mix of delight and disbelief at what had just occurred. "Lan Zhan, stop!" he cackled, his shoulders shaking form his boisterous laughing. "How can you continue after that! Lan Zhan!"

@Wei Wuxian "Don't talk to much." Lan Wangji gave a gentle prodding the the younger male when he was receiving complaints that he wasn't talking enough. If they were both talking as much as Wei Wuxian usually did, then this would be one, very un-Lan-Wangji-like and two, much too noisy for actually intimacy to take place. While Wei Wuxian was running his mouth, the older male continued his strong s, unrelenting as he tried to find the angle that got Wei Wuxian to shake and quiver against him earlier.

It was normal for the Silent Chamber to be left alone, no one would bother Hanguang Jun before, and even less now since Wei Wuxian shared the room occupancy with him. There was speculation about what would happen behind closed doors, but the disciples in Gusu never discussed them, because it would be a violation of their sect rules. However, Lan Jingyi, who seemed to realize that Hanguang Jun was asking him for daily updates of what Wei Wuxian did when he went down the mountain, always seemed to be the one that the Gusu Sect rules seemed to bypass. Considering that the black-robed senior had gone down the mountain that morning, Lan Jingyi was simply doing his duty, going to the Silent Chamber after his chores and practicing his writing to report to Hanguang Jun.

The teen knocked at the door when he approached the structure of the Silent Chamber, eagerly opening it when a sound from the other side could be heard. It didn't sound like Lan Wangji's regular soft and dim signal of permission to enter, but Lan Jingyi failed to think too much about the situation. Once the doors of the Silent Chamber swung open, the youth's mouth and eye coordination were only out of sync from one moment before both were widened, unmoving as they realized what was going on in front of him.

There, was Wei Wuxian, Wei Gongzi, Senior Wei, and sprawled across the wooden desk meant for writing and Hanguang Jun's use. That was not all because the older male was loudly - Lan Jingyi barely realizing this was the source of the sound he had heard earlier. There was a ricketing sound, coming from the table creaking and shifting under Wei Wuxian's weight. Lan Jing caught sight of something light blue around the other's wrist, a familiar feeling creeping up on him.

As if the situation was not humiliating enough, when the disciples eyes finally shifted upwards, he almost lost his soul at what came next. Behind Wei Wuxian, forehead bare along with the rest of his body, was Lan Jingyi's revered teacher, Hanguang Jun. Lan Jingyi's heart was threatening to beat out of his chest, because of all the things he just saw, he couldn't decide what was worse - his role model stripped bare, or his role model not wearing their sacred forehead ribbon.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian was half expecting Lan Wangji to hit him over the back of his head (this was the perfect opportunity to do so), but he supposed to be tied up wasn't that surprising, either. Lan Wangji seemed to have something for restricting Wei Wuxian's movements, and the latter wasn't going to complain. The restriction that came with their intimacy provided further reasons to be excited in their bedroom. Of course, who would be objecting to being tied up when it was the revered Hanguang Jun doing such a thing to them?

The angle Lan Wangji was pressed into Wei Wuxian as he worked to knot his ribbon around Wei Wuxian's wrist was new. The tip of his length pressed into Wei Wuxian's sweet spot hard enough for the younger's eyes to start rolling towards the back of his head. A long, drawn out moan fell past Wei Wuxian's lips, and he writhed beneath Lan Wangji in a silent plea for /more/

Once he was somewhat securely tied up, Wei Wuxian was pushed back over the desk, the ink on his elbow smearing over the beautifully done wood. He was almost sorry for it. Almost. But Lan Wangji's sudden snap of his hips sent Wei Wuxian reeling. He hiked himself higher up over the table, his hands gripping the far edge to keep him from sliding back. Despite Lan Wangji's absolutely refusal to talk to him whenever they were intimate (Wei Wuxian never understood why), the younger dropped his head into his arms, babbling away. "Lan Er gege, talk to me! Why would you just leave me to talk to myself like this? Ah-" A moan cut Wei Wuxian off, but he relented, his eyes squeezing shut from the force that Lan Wangji was using to drive into him. "Lan Zhan, please- you're so cruel, ge! Ow, I said /gently!/ Stop, ah- stop it-"

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji was used to hearing those same pleas over and over again, but it didn't mean he would tire of hearing them anytime soon. In fact, he would take note of the different intonations Wei Wuxian used each time to convey distress, helplessness, pitifulness. The nuances were quite distinct when the older male took the time to listen, which he enjoyed doing. It added to the overall experience.

Two hands gripped tightly on Wei Wuxian's curvy waist, hard enough that the hand prints would be left on the smooth skin when he took them off. Lan Wangji was letting out soft grunts as he ed his hips, his length being coated by Wei Wuxian's slick fluids. Since he wasn't trapping the other underneath him, the bigger male was able to watxh the obscenity that was taking place. The way Wei Wuxian's pink entrance would wrap so tightly around the girth of and everytime he pulled out there was a new coat of fluid glistening on it - it was much too arousing for Lan Wangji, chasing to keep it up, wanting to see each image repeat itself countlessly.

Suddenly, Lan Wangji was met with his lover's smiling face, and a light pink threatened as his earlobes. How could someone be so mischievous and shameless, yet capture Lan Wangji's heart fully without room for change? The older male raised his half lidded eyes to meet Wei Wuxian's, only letting out a small grunt of complaint when his forehead ribbon was suddenly removed without warning. He could read Wei Wuxian, or so he would like to think, and once he saw the younger's lips curve up into what looked like a smirk, Lan Wangji reached forward, snatching the forehead ribbon back.

His hips stilled, chest rising and falling as he maintained a steady breath. Messily, he did a loose knot around the other's hand, forcefully pulling Wei Wuxian back against him while he did so. His length only further impaled the younger, driving in at a new angle. Once the ribbon was put in place, Lan Wangji all but shoved Wei Wuxian back into place, hands easily finding their markers and gripping on exactly as before, leaving no room for conversation as he continued his ing.

It may have been the time of day, but the younger Lan felt like he had more stamina than most nights. He was relentless, abusing the sweet spot inside the younger remorselessly. It wasn't his fault that Wei Wuxian's moans only wanted to make him want more.

@Lan Wangji Lan Wangji never failed to surprise Wei Wuxian, and the younger learned to take it in stride. He bore his weight into his elbows and hung his head low, closing his eyes and blocking off the rest of his senses so all he could feel was Lan Wangji's wet tongue lapping and coating his entrance with saliva. He would feel Lan Wangji's hot puffs of breath against the delicate skin around his hole and keen softly, his forehead dropping with a solid /thunk/ against the desk again each time he tried to lift his head up.

Wei Wuxian's toes curled when the soft muscle lapping at him was replaced by the more familiar feeling of Lan Wangji's arousal pressing against his behind, forcing him open. Wei Wuxian trembled, his knees sliding against the wood panelling of the floor in a poor attempt to make the initial a little easier on his backside. "Lan Zhan," he groaned, his stomach tightening when he felt more of Lan Wangji slide into him. He didn't release the breath he began to hold until he felt Lan Wangji's hips pressed firmly against his bottom. There was a heat building up inside Wei Wuxian, warming him from his core and spreading across his skin in a pink flush.

The slapping of skin and Wei Wuxian's soft cries from his attempts to muffle them filled the Silent Chamber. Wei Wuxian was vaguely aware of birds chirping outside and the sun at its highest point in the sky then, but slowly, Lan Wangji was railing the little sense of shame Wei Wuxian had left out of him. "Gege," he moaned wantonly, blather still managing to spill out of his mouth as he was being taken roughly from behind. "You're always like this, you pretend you don't want it but when you give in you're so rough- ow! Gently, Lan Zhan, I- I can't take so much... I told you I'm a delicate man- ah- Lan Zhan, calm down, I'm begging you..."

Despite Wei Wuxian's pleas (which he did solely for the fun of it), he angled his hips and arched his back so Lan Wangji could have even better access to pounding into him. Not only did Lan Wangji never listen to Wei Wuxian's begging for him to slow down, the younger didn't /want/ him to. He thoroughly enjoyed Lan Wangji losing all his inhibitions and self control over his body, loved the way Lan Wangji took him like he was afraid Wei Wuxian would offer himself to another.

Twisting around the best he could since Wei Wuxian wanted to get a good look at his handsome young master, his eyes caught the glint of gold throwing off light over Lan Wangji's forehead. His ribbon. Without much thought, Wei Wuxian craned his arm backwards and pried at the cloud emblem, tugging off the ribbon easily. There used to be no easier way to provoke Lan Wangji than to bother his ribbon. It was hard to agitate the older now, but that did little to stop Wei Wuxian from throwing an impish, challenging grin up to his lover.

@Wei Wuxian To Lan Wangji, he simply tasted skin for what it should taste like - it was not much different than when he was marking up Wei Wuxian's chest or back. But right now, it wasn't his main priority - rather, he just wanted his saliva to serve as makeshift lubricant, not wanting to hurt Wei Wuxian in what was to come later. He could hear his partner , body trembling as he held himself up. That only served to awaken Lan Wangji's manhood, guiding it into while he tried to compensate for the lack of lube. Lan Wangji didn't answer the other's question, since he thought it was pretty obvious. And also, he wasn't one for words when actions themselves were self-explanatory.

Lan Wangji only pressed his flattened tongue against the pink entrance, running it up and down until it was thoroughly coated in saliva. Only when he felt he had given it a substantial coating did he finally pull away, his length erect and standing at attention. He gave a tug at Wei Wuxian's waist, pulling the younger down such that the tip of his length could prod against the glistening hole. Lan Wangji held onto his lover tightly, gently applying pressure until his round tip finally penetrated past the tight ring of muscles. He shifted himself, not wanting Wei Wuxian to sit on him. If he did, it would limit Lan Wangji's range of motion, something the older didn't need at the moment. He gave Wei Wuxian time to adjust, eventually pushing the other back onto his elbows and making him lean forward, Lan Wangji slowly pushing all the way in until his length was sheathed deep inside Wei Wuxian.

Entrance was harder and drier than what they were both used to, and Lan Wangji was careful to hold still until Wei Wuxian managed to calm his erratic breathing. Wordlessly, he began to move. His hips bucked inwards, slamming his length that was already deep inside even further in - if that was even possibly. Wei Wuxian always complained his tummy hurt when Lan Wangji was buried inside him, and this was probably the closest the older's shaft would ever come to the smaller's stomach. As they began to get adjusted in this new position, Lan Wangji's speed naturally picked up. It wasn't long before all that could be heart was the sound of skin slapping against skin in fluid, rhythmic motions, mixed with the sound of Wei Wuxian's lewd moans.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian's back arched, pushing his perking into Lan Wangji's hot and waiting mouth. The pressure from the ling turned into pleasure for Wei Wuxian, who let his lover know with little squeaks and quiet moans that were beginning to fill the Silent Chamber. His breaths stuttered whenever he felt Lan Wangji use his teeth, biting and tugging on his skin aggressively. Wei Wuxian's arms curled around Lan Wangji's chest, hugging him close and up Lan Wangji's robe and hair as he struggled to maintain his composure for as long as he could. Of course, knowing Lan Wangji, the older was not so sure what 'gentle' meant when they were in bed, and Wei Wuxian's composure would be all but destroyed within seconds.

Lan Wangji's hand touched Wei Wuxian's before resting the latter's hand over his firm chest. Wei Wuxian could feel the steady beating of his heart beneath the layers, feel the heat of the branding scar beneath his palm. He pushed Lan Wangji back to give him space, his hands beginning to tear fervently at the older man's layers. His belt fell aside in a fluttering white ribbon, and the rest of his layers were easily undone, falling to the floor behind Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian rested his hand lightly over Lan Wangji's chest as the older continued with his ministrations over Wei Wuxian's neck. The slightest tremble in his hands barely noticeable as he felt for the beating of Lan Wangji's heart and the thrum of blood moving through his veins.

A yelp slipped past Wei Wuxian's lips when he was gripped and flipped over suddenly, his arms and legs flailing to keep his balance. His elbow managed to lan in Lan Wangji's inkwell, and he quickly dragged the closest stack of papers to cushion under his elbow, not wanting ink to stain all over the well-polished desk when he bore his weight into it. "Lan Zhan! You're always so aggressive- ah!" Instead of Lan Wangji's (rather well-endowed) arousal just pressing into him and prying him over, it was something wet and hot, pressing flat over his puckered hole. Wei Wuxian whimpered at the foreign feeling, his knees boring harder into the floor. His thighs shook, but Wei Wuxian hauled himself further up on the table so he could support his weight before he collapsed. "Lan Zhan, w-what are you... what are you doing?" 'That's too dirty for you,' Wei Wuxian wanted to say, but he could only press his face into his forearms, muffling the little sounds he made.

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji was an audience as much as he was a participant. Wei Wuxian only let him do minimal effort before the younger was stripped bare in front of him. He really only got to do the first and last act of the scene, hands dragging down Wei Wuxian's trousers to have the full image in front of him. Lan Wangji pulled the smaller close to him by the hips, lips attaching to one of Wei Wuxian's s as he began to le on it. Lewd noises were beyond him, but the force of his lips and teeth grazing against the perky nubs were not. With ferocity in his actions, Lan Wangji left a few bites on Wei Wuxian's before trailing above and below it, starting to mark the other's chest again.

While he busied himself with that, he took Wei Wuxian's hand, pressing them to his clothed chest and leaving them there. Lan Wangji still quite liked it when the younger male would take initiative to remove his clothes for him, even if it meant it wasn't all that convenient since Wei Wuxian couldn't really see anything beneath him right now. The fumbling would be arousing nonetheless. The older male focused on making bite marks. He inhaled deeply, taking Wei Wuxian's part musky, part floral scent. It was an interesting combination, considering that they shower together and used the same oils, but Wei Wuxian's natural odor was not the same as Lan Wangji's, therefore the older male relished in smelling it.

He noticed his jade pendant hanging off Wei Wuxian's waist, off center to the right hand side, and for some reason, Lan Wangji made no effort to remove it, liking the way it encircled the younger's slim frame, almost as if Lan Wangji's personal mark was left on there (alongside his hundreds of love bites of course). No one else had ever worn this jade pendant, as ever Gusu disciple had to have their own unique one to enter and exit the barrier at the entrance into the Cloud Recesses. He simply rested a hand over the pendant as he continued his ministrations, pressing the cold rock onto Wei Wuxian's hot skin.

Once his clothes were removed, hair pushed back so that it was resting down the expanse of his back, Lan Wangji gripped onto Wei Wuxian's waist, flipping the smaller male over easily so that he would be lying against the table on his tummy. Now when he was turned over, the jade pendant seemed to glimmer even brighter, little sunlight radiating off the surface. Lan Wangji placed a hand between the younger's inner thighs, spreading his legs for him. He leaned in, pulling Wei Wuxian closer so he could attach his teeth to the other's lower back, starting to make markings. Eventually, he lowered himself down to Wei Wuxian's puckered entrance. They didn't have their floral oil on hand right now, and Lan Wangji didn't want to hurt the younger male. Despite never trying this before, a sudden urging called for him, and he leaned in, giving the tight hole an inquisitive .

@Lan Wangji "It's daylight..." Lan Wangji tried to say, and Wei Wuxian tried not to roll his eyes. As if the time of the day would stop either of them from doing or getting what they want. Wei Wuxian could see the weakness, the hesitance, lingering in Lan Wangji's gaze. Like any other respectable man, Wei Wuxian leapt at this weak link in Lan Wangji's otherwise strong facade. "So what if it's day? Does it not feel good if it's the day?" Wei Wuxian demanded, pressing another hard kiss over Lan Wangji's lips, his fingers curling the other's robes tightly in his fists.

"En. Okay."

Finally, /finally/, Lan Wangji gave in with what seemed to be a little sigh of defeat, and Wei Wuxian cheered internally. Lan Wangji may be apprehensive now, but he just knew his Lan Er gege would loosen up if Wei Wuxian worked really hard at it. He squirmed in delight, giving Lan Wangji space to begin undoing his belt. Chenqing clattered to the floor, and Wei Wuxian pushed at it with his foot, only having eyes for the beautiful, ethereal man before him.

Patience was not Wei Wuxian's strongest suite. Before Lan Wangji even properly took his belt away, Wei Wuxian let go of the older and began to strip himself off, starting with peeling off his outer robe. In his rush, his arm was caught in the fabric, but he freed it with a rough tug, letting the cloth fall and pool backwards. With nimble fingers, he undid the blood red inner layer, grinning at Lan Wangji as he let that fall off his shoulders, too. Lan Wangji's jade pendant glinted off his back, where he'd tied it to his torso in an attempt to keep it safe and clean.

Usually, they did it in bed, so there was some form of obscurement, but to present himself right in the middle of the Silent Chamber was just a tiny bit daunting. Wei Wuxian rose slightly to pull out the robes from beneath them, leaving him only in his trousers. He guided Lan Wangji's large, warm hands back onto his waist, over the top of his hips, inviting.

@Wei Wuxian "I want to sleep with you."

The violated rules included but were not limited to: committing acts of promiscuity, sitting with a disgraceful pose, taking one's own words lightly, acting impulsively...

But Lan Wangji didn't hold a single one of these against his Wei Ying. Rather, serious eyes met with the younger's playful ones, accepting the kisses and promiscuous words like second nature.

"Lan Er gege, did you hear me? I said I want to sleep with you. Is that so surprising? Give me a little more reaction, will you? Huh?"

"It's daylight..." Lan Wangji reasoned, thought himself not really believing his own words. To be honest, the older male always found it particularly arousing when his partner would openly state his desires like this. Lan Wangji could never do such a thing himself, so when Wei Wuxian did so, he ate it up. His hands moved with Wei Wuxian's hips, nether regions feeling the impact of the smaller's weight and purposefully added pressure.

"Wei Ying...don't be naughty." he tried again, only to be deterred by the other's kisses that trailed all over his light-skinned face.

"Lan Zhan..." Wei Wuxian all but pleaded with him. The younger male knew he would get his way in the end, that little vixen.

Lan Wangji closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, "En. Okay." he replied after a while. As Wei Wuxian wished, he would do his best to provide more reactions. Making no move to stand from his spot, Lan Wangji collected his scripts and placards, putting them to his side. Pressing Wei Wuxian back so there was enough distance for his hands to slip in between, Lan Wangji began to undo the smaller's belt, right there and then.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian watched Lan Wangji try and figure out what to do with him now that he had forced him to put his papers down and focus on the younger, who was fidgeting and squirming about like a mischievous spirit. He barely stilled when he felt Lan Wangji's hands on his waist, only pressing himself closer to the other, his arms draped loosely over Lan Wangji's shoulders. His bore his weight against Lan Wangji's waist, wanting to feel the other man grow /hard/ beneath him.

"Wei Ying...what are you doing?"

Wei Wuxian blinked with an air of innocent, as much as he could muster. "I want to sleep with you," Wei Wuxian said, as if it were the most obvious and normal thing in the world to say. He took Lan Wangji impossibly close in his arms, leaning forward to kiss him slowly. He parted his lips to slide his tongue along the underside of Lan Wangji's upper lip, prodding forcefully with the tip of his tongue. He drew away again to gauge Lan Wangji's reaction, his shoulders shaking in his silent amusement.

Framing Lan Wangji's face with his hands, Wei Wuxian pressed another chaste and cheeky kiss to the older's now saliva-slick lips, his thumb stroking over the skin of Lan Wangji's cold, smooth cheeks. "Lan Er gege, did you hear me? I said I want to sleep with you. Is that so surprising? Give me a little more reaction, will you? Huh?" Laughing, Wei Wuxian rolled his hips in the most casual way he could as he pressed his lips over Lan Wangji's forehead, his nose, his mouth. "Lan Zhan..."

@Wei Wuxian Even though he was freed from his lecturing duties, Lan Wangji found that being a temporary sect-leader was really not the job for him, much less a job for him. For so many years, his elder brother had assumed the position, and to Lan Wangji, the older had always done his job flawlessly, without any hesitation or apparent difficulties. But now, Lan Wangji was sitting in front of a stack of placards, all of which were the other leaders, of both big and small sects, requesting his attendance at banquets and ceremonies and festivities of all sorts. The Lan Wangji in the past used to be able to choose which of the banquets he'd go with Lan Xichen to. But now, here was was, even more afflicted by the fact that attendance was almost mandatory for each one of these.

Unamused, Lan Wangji was reading through another fancy placard from a smaller sect - the Ouyang Sect, when he heard the door of the Silent Chamber sliding open. His ears twitched the slightest when he realized that it was Wei Wuxian trying to sneak in silently again. Indulging the smaller male, Lan Wangji did not look up until Wei Wuxian was right in front of him, taking initiative to straddle his lap. The younger male had taken off earlier in the day to go down the mountain again, and quite frankly, Lan Wangji did not expect him back so early.

Their kiss was short, but exhilarating. Lan Wangji leaned forward when Wei Wuxian pulled away, almost as if he was longing for more, but was much too shy to admit it. The older male looked at his partner with deepset, half-lidded eyes as he tried to figure out the situation. Naturally, his hands came up to Wei Wuxian's side, taking hold of the other's lithe waist in a gentle grip, and Lan Wangji noticed the elfish expression on his Wei Ying's face by now, causing him to wonder aloud, "Wei Ying...what are you doing?"

@Lan Wangji Why was Lan Wangji so unsure of all his words all of a sudden? Wei Wuxian said nothing, leaning into Lan Wangji when the older pulled him close. He wanted to give him strength now that he seemed to be searching for it. A terrible, twisting feeling flared in his gut - perhaps bringing Lan Wangji to see his brother was not such a good idea after all. Lan Wangji came out of the Hanshi looking even more troubled than when he walked in. Wei Wuxian scolded himself silently, closing his eyes when he felt Lan Wangji's mouth on his forehead.

"Our trip... after he comes out..."

Was that what Lan Wangji had on his mind? Wei Wuxian thought that was the silliest thing in the world. To Hell wth the trip if Lan Wangji was unsure. Wei Wuxian smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it, Lan Zhan," he said, letting Lan Wangji go, let him have his own time. "How can you still think of me at a time like this? I will wait."

The next day, Lan Wangji seemed to have a bit of work to do, wrapping up the last of his reports and sorting through Lan Xichen's tasks his uncle began to delegate on Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian left him alone with the paperwork, taking himself down the mountain for breakfast and spending the morning watching little boats dot the complex network of rivers overlying Caiyi. He returned shortly after the sun reached its highest point in the sky, in good spirits as usual after a few hours in the city.

It seemed as though Lan Wangji's mood, unlike Wei Wuxian's had not improved the slightest. Though he sat stoic as always, his eyes were dimmed, cast downward at his work. Wei Wuxian paused at the door of the Silent Chamber, holding his breath in his chest before stepping in silently, sliding the door closed behind him. "Lan Zhan," he said simply to gain the older man's attention. Without an ounce of hesitation or flush of shame, Wei Wuxian strode confidently towards Lan Wangji, set his brush down on the table, swung a leg over Lan Wangji's waist, and sat to straddle his lap.

Wei Wuxian's hand found the lapels of Lan Wangji's robes, pulling on them and leaning forward to capture the other's plush lips in a quick-paced, heated kiss. During his outing, Wei Wuxian had thought long and hard on how to destress Lan Wangji, and what better way to make up for his previous blunder than to offer a little piece of himself, Lan Wangji's (hopefully) favourite pastime?

@Wei Wuxian He was inept with words, and therefore raised urgency in Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji saw how the younger male was looking at him with great concern again, and he quickly snapped out of his little trance, shaking his head once to indicate that there was nothing majorly wrong. "Elder brother...still needs time." he explained slowly, still feeling uncomfortable with asking for Wei Wuxian to accommodate him. The younger male could only go to and from the towns at the foot of Cloud Recesses before getting bored again. Wei Wuxian was, after all, born to be a free spirit. "Our trip... after he comes out..." Lan Wangji's words trailed off once more as his piercing gaze met Wei Wuxian's hoping the younger male could complete the thought on his own.

When Lan Wangji went through three years of solitary confinement, it was because his Uncle had ordered it to be so. His brother had come to talk to him a few times in those three years, trying to see if he could ever get over Wei Wuxian. Though Lan Wangji never fully approved of Jin Guangyao, and only accepted at face value the sworn brotherhood of the former Jin Sect Leader and his biological elder brother, he could understand where the pain was coming from, and why asking for more time was not unordinary. But what Lan Xichen said was right, Lan Wangji was losing a lot daylight that should instead be spent with his Wei Ying.

Sighing softly, he took the younger's hand, pulling him fully into the Silent Chamber, sliding the door closed behind them. Still unable to fully express himself, as a lifelong habit was hard to change in the span of a few days, weeks, even months, Lan Wangji stared down at Wei Wuxian's eyes, hesitating for a moment before lowering his head to press a chaste kiss on the younger's lips briefly. "I'm going to meditate for a while." he said when he pulled away, backing up to allow his partner further entrance into their shared space.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian stumbled backwards when the door opened all of a sudden, hopping backwards nimbly and whistling casually in an attempt to make it seem was though he weren't listening. No, not at all. Wei Wuxian's gaze searched Lan Wangji's for any change in feeling or mood, but to Wei Wuxian, it seemed as though there were more troubles than before swirling in Lan Wangji's molten gold eyes.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said in response, his hand laying over Lan Wangji's on his shoulder. For a moment, he was beginning to wonder if he had made it worse, just deepened Lan Wangji pain. "How was it?"

He didn't get a response until they were back in the Silent Chamber. "Elder brother..." Wei Wuxian nodded, forcing himself to stay quiet long enough for Lan Wangji to speak when it seemed like the other man was hesitating. But when Lan Wangji simply trailed off, looking more lost than Wei Wuxian had ever seen him, the latter's heart clenched painfully. "Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said tentatively, curling his hand around Lan Wangji's elbow. The older always gave him comfort, but Wei Wuxian just managed to make things worse and worse when he tried to do the same. "What is it? Did something happen? Is something happening? Are you okay?"

@Wei Wuxian As Lan Wangji was not a man of much words, the conversation was really only held by Lan Xichen, who was supposed to be on the receiving end of questions during this unexpected visit. However, the older Lan truly understood his brother, and thus continued to assure Lan Wangji that he would be fine, and that he appreciated Lan Wangji assuming his responsibilities for the time being. Lan Wangji had ended the visit with a bow to his elder brother, helping himself out of the Hanshi. His eyes were lowered as he slid the door open, only to find Wei Wuxian stumbling back from the other side.

Lan Wangji was quick to reach a hand out, gripping the smaller male by the arm so he wouldn't fall over. "Wei Ying..." he murmured, meeting his partner's gaze as he slid the door close behind him Lan Wangji didn't bring up the fact that Wei Wuxian was trying to listen in on their conversation, not wanting to make it awkward for the smaller. He removed his hand from Wei Wuxian's arm, a sudden inexplicable weight settling over his heart again. Lan Wangji's deep voice called for the other, "Let's go." he said as he started to walk off again, heading back to the Silent Chamber.

Maybe it was the fact that his elder brother needed more time, and had given Lan Wangji even more trust in assuming his responsibilities until then, the thought of suddenly leaving to accompany Wei Wuxian on a trip put a strain on Lan Wangji's values. Maybe his hopes had been too high after seeing the smile on his elder brother's face again, thinking that he'd just need to hold on for a little while longer. Lan Wangji was always used to working under the older anyway, feeling that it was rather incomplete to be running a Cloud Recesses without the other half of Gusu Twin Jades.

When they got back into the Silent Chamber, Lan Wangji closed the door behind him, turning to block Wei Wuxian from stepping past him. "Wei Ying..." he called the smaller's name, pale eyes staring deeply at the other's, "Elder brother..." he started but then trailed off, not sure how he should bring this up to the younger male. Lan Wangji probably learned that the thing he hated most in life was to stand opposite of Wei Wuxian. He couldn't bring himself to reject the younger male no matter what he wanted, always wanting to find some way to indulge him. So right now, when he wanted to ask for an extension, not to reject Wei Wuxian's proposal of going somewhere far, but just to push it back slightly, Lan Wangji did not know how to phrase it. At all.

@Lan Wangji There were actually some Lan elders milling about on the path, so Wei Wuxian didn't dare sit on the steps of the Hanshi as he waited for Lan Wangji. His presence was possibly already largely unwelcome, and he didn't need to embarrass Lan Wangji further. 'Yet,' he thought to himself, following the elders walking by with his eyes and returning their stare.

Wei Wuxian entertained himself with alternating between teetering on one foot at a time while twirling Chenqing. It wasn't a skill, per se, but there was nothing better for Wei Wuxian to do whilst he waited (which was, arguably, the thing he was worst at). Between wobbling and shuffling around, Wei Wuxian found himself closer and closer to the closed doors of the Hanshi. Soft, muted voices were beginning to filter through. It was not that Wei Wuxian liked to gossip or anything, but he was simply curious to whether it was going well or not. Yes, that was it, he told himself as he leaned in to listen carefully. He only wanted to know if it was helping Lan Wangji.

"... elder brother, its not hard..."

"Especially since... lost... with Wei Gongzi."

What? That's him! Wei Wuxian? Why would Lan Xichen bring him up? Wei Wuxian strained his neck in an attempt to get closer, his ear now angled towards the door in an effort to pick up more of the conversation.

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji had to admit, he was surprised that his Wei Ying was able to sit still for such a long period of time, as the younger male usually didn't make it past a quarter of an incense stick's worth of time before. He was almost halfway there this time. Looking up when Wei Wuxian's voice interrupted his zither playing, Lan Wangji flattened his hands over the strings to stop the vibrations, gaze meeting Wei Wuxian's as he waited for what the other had to say.

And again, Lan Wangji found it quite unusual for Wei Wuxian to ever have words stuck in his throat, given the other's history of eloquence. Furthermore, this was the Cloud Recesses, and Lan Wangji wasn't sure what his partner might have seen that he had yet to see, in his many years of living here. Silently, he waved his robe, concealing the zither once more and standing up to follow the younger male.

Lan Wangji had not taken these steps towards the Hanshi for a long time. When had Wei Wuxian come by here to discover something? He sighed softly as he followed quietly behind the younger male, only taking a step back when Wei Wuxian turned and looked back at Lan Wangji, smiling genuinely so Lan Wangji knew this was not one of the smaller's antics. "Wei Ying...what are you-" Lan Wangji began, unsure of why a sudden visit to his elder brother, who he last heard about, was still in solitary confinement, would be necessary.

"I can stay out here, Take as long as you need." Wei Wuxian encouraged, planting himself outside without any further explanation. Lan Wangji blinked softly, then giving a nod of his head (he didn't really know what compelled him to do so) and went up to the door, giving it a few gentle knocks.

His elder brother's voice was faint, but Lan Wangji heard the invitation to 'come in' anyways. Sliding the wooden door frame to a side, Lan Wangji stepped one foot in, turning his head back to look at Wei Wuxian once more before entering fully, closing the door behind him.

"Wangji...why are you here?" Lan Xichen asked, his hair down and only bottom two robes donning his body. There was the aromatic scent of incense in the room, the Sect Leader sitting at his desk and obviously in meditation, "Sit." his elder brother invited, a soft smile on his face that Lan Wangji made out in the dimly lit room.

Lan Wangji bowed his head, greeting, "Elder brother." he said, taking a seat when invited. Raising his head slowly to meet the older's, his pale eyes flickered just momentarily, then asking, "Elder brother-"

"I am fine." Lan Xichen smiled, already reading what questions Lan Wangji had for him, and knowing that his brother was still worried even if he couldn't verbally express it. "I'm still very confused, and lost. But I am working to get through this." he admitted. "Wangji, how is everything? Uncle visited me a while back. He said you were teaching the Annual Studies in my place? And you've been taking some of my responsibilities. It must have been tough for you..."

"Helping elder brother, its not hard-"

"Especially since you've lost time that could be spent with Wei Gongzi." the older Lan finished, and Lan Wangji sighed softly, hushing again.

Lan Xichen seemed to have gotten thinner, and his face paler, but when Lan Wangji looked into his elder brother's eyes, he still saw the same brown pupils that reflected clarity and serenity. It was hard to tell that just a few months ago, Lan Xichen had almost lost his will to live, walking around in a daze and unable to process, much less continue his duties. In just four months, this was great progress.

"Elder brother, will you..." Lan Wangji started but trailed off, not wanting to rush the Sect Leader to put a date on reassuming his role as Sect Leader.

"Not yet, Wangji. I've only calmed myself down recently. I still need a little more time...but I promise it won't be too long." Lan Xichen promised, smiling weakly again.

@Lan Wangji Truth to be told, there were times Wei Wuxian wanted to go far enough no one would he knew would find him. Though he had next to nothing to do beside Lan Wangji now, he found himself often thinking of what it would be to be truly free: unrestrained. But usually within minutes, he would be overwhelmed at the crushing guilt of possibly abandoning Lan Wangji whilst he went to do his own thing.

"Wei Ying, sit down. Calm your mind."

"My mind is calm," Wei Wuxian insisted, but he sat across from Lan Wangji anyway, crossing his legs before him. He did not enjoy meditating, sitting still for extended periods of time, or listening to healing music at all. But at Lan Wangji's request, Wei Wuxian settled, smoothing out his robes draped over his legs. At the first strum of of the zither, Wei Wuxian closed his eyes, slowing his breaths and emptying his busy mind. He let the cleansing music fill him with each breath he took, managing to lose himself in the music long enough to sit rigidly still.

The itch to move returned as soon as it came. Wei Wuxian was not sure how much time had actually passed, but when he opened his eyes, Lan Wangji was still strumming, head bowed and gaze fallen on the zither strings. Wei Wuxian watched him for a moment, more focused on the way Lan Wangji looked simply ethereal sitting there and doing something so monotonous. The latter enjoyed it, at least, and insisted that it helped, though Wei Wuxian would never admit out loud he didn't really feel a difference after. He was always, however, filled with such a warmth and love for this man before him.

"I think that's enough," Wei Wuxian declared after he let Lan Wangji play a bit more. Wei Wuxian was sure he did not need any calming to begin with. It was Lan Zhan who needed help! Lan Zhan, who's nightmares plagued him so terribly he spoke in his sleep or woke in tears. While Wei Wuxian was meditating, he thought of the perfect solution. During Lan Wangji's lectures, Wei Wuxian had taken the liberty to roam Cloud Recesses whilst all the disciples were busy with duties or training, and no one could tell him off. "I have something to show you" Wei Wuxian announced, standing so fast his head spun. "I mean, I have an idea." No, that didn't sound right, either. "... Just come!"

Without telling Lan Wangji what exactly was Wei Wuxian intending, the younger man beckoned for Lan Wangji to follow, strolling out of the Silent Chamber with slightly rushed steps. He had been contemplating the idea for a couple weeks at that point, and it had just clicked then that it might help Lan Wangji.

They stopped in front of the Hanshi. Wei Wuxian looked expectantly back at Lan Wangji, giving him a soft smile to encourage him up the steps. The four or so months they had been back, Wei Wuxian knew he took up enough of Lan Wangji's time that the man hadn't been doing anything but entertain him. The Two Jades of Lan were known to be close, but Wei Wuxian had witnessed that bond with his own eyes. Lan Wangji would be lying if he told Wei Wuxian he had not been thinking of his older brother at all. "I can stay out here," Wei Wuxian offered, stepping away from the door. "Take as long as you need."

@Wei Wuxian There was just something about Jiang Wanyin that irked Lan Wangji. He couldn't pinpoint the exact feature - perhaps it was his pride or his sharp-tongue, or maybe it was the fact that the Jiang Sect Leader had once forced Wei Wuxian off the cliff instead of helping Lan Wangji pull him up. Regardless, the white-robed male turned and noticed the sullen expression on Wei Wuxian's face, himself shaking his head slightly as he immediately recognized once again, who was the cause of his Wei Ying's misery.

Lan Wangji wanted to consider Wei Wuxian's proposal that they go somewhere together. He had originally intended to bring the younger to Yunmeng for a few days, just as he had promised before the Annual Study started. But if it was somewhere they hadn't been before, and if Wei Wuxian expected it to be far away from here, Lan Wangji wasn't sure where to start planning, or how he'd balance between this unannounced (and probably unauthorized given his current position) trip. His Uncle had been handling much of the meeting responsibilities while Lan Wangji held lectures for the Annual Study and managed the disciples. However, since lecturing was no longer an obligation for him, Lan Wangji felt like he'd be obligated to assume his elder brother's responsibilities now.

However pressuring that was for Lan Wangji, he eventually decided that he should prioritize Wei Wuxian. He had learned from his past mistakes to know what his priorities were. Though he still intended on upholding his duties and managing any responsibilities his Uncle expected of him, Lan Wangji managed the courage to reply, "En. Where do you want to go?"

Noting once more how Wei Wuxian's mind was wandering again, Lan Wangji sighed softly. Now that he had this opportunity, he should dedicate it all to his Wei Ying, to cheer the other up and to help him wherever possible. He unveiled his Wangji zither on top of his desk, starting to play the Purifying Heart Melody that he had once played before to help Wei Wuxian with his wounds. "Wei Ying, sit down. Calm your mind." he said, the smallest of smiles threatening at his lips, "Where you want to go. We'll discuss, later."

@Lan Wangji "Wei Ying."

Wei Wuxian kicked at a pebble on the path, watching it shoot off to the side and ricochet off a corner stone. "Lan Zhan?"

"If you want to go to Yunmeng, I'll bring you."

He had no answer for that. Of course, Wei Wuxian wanted to see Yunmeng again. He didn't even have the time to go into town that one night he was allowed back into Lotus Cove for the hurried discussion on how to deal with Jin Guangyao, but now that it was all over, Wei Wuxian had no reason to be back in there. There was no official rule barring Wei Wuxian from stepping foot into Yunmeng, even just visiting the cities that dotted the borders of the sect lands, but there was something from Jiang Cheng's attitude that told him if he had a shred of decency left, he would stay out.

For a moment, even when he heard Lan Wangji's retreating steps, Wei Wuxian stood grounded to his spot as he watched the the dots of purple and gold disappear down the mountain. Any hopes of ever truly reconciling with Jiang Cheng was thrown out of Wei Wuxian's mind. Slowly, he turned to shuffle after Lan Wangji. His fingers absentmindedly fiddled with Chenqing's tassel as he caught up with the other, pressing his shoulder into Lan Wangji's to announce himself.

"Maybe we could go somewhere else instead," Wei Wuxian suggested. He tried to sound light, tried to force a bounce in his step, but it only exaggerated way his strained smile did not meet his eyes. "Lan Zhan, somewhere we haven't been before. Far from here." They stepped into the Silent Chamber together, a defeated sigh leaving Wei Wuxian.

@Wei Wuxian The stone-hard expression was back on Lan Wangji's face as he saw familiar purple robes entering the premises of Cloud Recesses. He gripped Bichen in one hand, eyes gazing off into the distance until the figure approached. With his unfeeling gaze, Lan Wangji nodded his head in response to the other's greeting, of course making no attempt to further any conversation between them. He was simply waiting for his Wei Ying.

As enthusiastic as Wei Wuxian was, Jiang Cheng had shot the dark-robed male's attempts at conversation down without a second thought, causing Lan Wangji to twitch but still remain silent nonetheless. He watched as the purple-robed male leave as quickly as he had come, like a gust of wind. Seeing Wei Wuxian's slouching figure though, Lan Wangji relaxed himself, taking a few steps up to let his chest meet Wei Wuxian's back, offering himself as a leaning post. "Wei Ying." he called softly, looking down at his partner, "If you want to go to Yunmeng, I'll bring you." he offered, remembering how excited the other sounded earlier when presenting his proposal to Lan Wangji.

He could see the hurt in Wei Wuxian's eyes as he watched Jiang Cheng and his nephew disappear into the distance, exiting through the fog that bridged the world in and outside of the Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji sighed, turning on his heels, "Wei Ying, come." he urged, his head turned slightly to a side so the younger would be able to hear him. It had been a while since Lan Wangji would turn and take off without waiting for the younger male. If anything, he would usually be the one following tight on Wei Wuxian's tail, ready to go wherever the other wanted to take him. However, it was obvious that Wei Wuxian was feeling very sullen right now, and thus Lan Wangji could only take charge in the way he knew how. He'd properly embrace the other and try to cheer him up when they got back to their Silent Chamber.