Wangxian II

@Wei Wuxian Now that the official business had been handled, Lan Wangji reverted back to his shell, and he followed Wei Wuxian around closely. The last time he had been here, Lan Wangji had received a deadly blow to his frontside, reopening many old wounds that were inflicted on him before. Looking back, he had not paid particular attention to his surroundings in his hazy state of mind, and he had spent most of his days holed up in Wei Wuxian's room. As they stopped outside to look inwards, Lan Wangji commented, "You are still on his mind." To this, he was referring to Jiang Cheng, who was essentially wearing his emotions on his sleeves. After all, if he didn't care for Wei Wuxian anymore, why bother to keep his previous bedroom rather than destroy it? Why go through the efforts to maintain its pristine rather than let it collect dust.

@Lan Wangji If Jiang Cheng was going to be so /warm/ and /welcoming/, who was Wei Wuxian to say no? "Want to see my old room again?" he offered to Lan Wangji, not wanting to talk about Jiang Cheng's hesitance at the moment. With no one to them around, Wei Wuxian relied on instinct to take the twists and turns back to his room, where they'd stayed briefly last time Jiang Cheng hosted them. Last time, though, Wei Wuxian was in too much distress to notice the detail that Jiang Cheng had put into rebuilding Lotus Pier. Everything was just as Wei Wuxian had left it before he defected. Stopped outside the doorway to his room, Wei Wuxian was quiet for once as he took it all in. Suddenly, he turned to Lan Wangji with a smile. "What do you think? It's not as neat as your Cloud Recesses, but I lived here!"

@Wei Wuxian The moment the ordeal was over, Lan Wangji's shoulders relaxed. While he was not intimidated by the actual confrontation, he was concerned that Wei Wuxian would try to brush it off in the midst of the conversation in order to diffuse the tension between Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng. As soon as Jiang Cheng took his leave, Lan Wangji turned to look at Wei Wuxian, nodding his head for the other to decide what they would do now. They could stay, or they could leave. Lan Wangji could accommodate anything.

In all honesty, Lan Wangji also knew how important Jiang Cheng was to Wei Wuxian, and vice versa. Though he wouldn't be the one to suggest the two talking and coming to terms with each other, he knew that Jiang Cheng still held a great level of care for Wei Wuxian. And thus, Lan Wangji was using this as a subtle chance for Jiang Cheng to maintain his face and be involved in the process while also making sure his Wei Ying was surrounded by all the people he cared about.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian would've been happy to marry Lan Wangji in a cave, but as long as Lan Wangji wanted something, Wei Wuxian wasn't going to stop him. It wasn't like he could if he tried, anyway. He kept quiet as Lan Wangji tried to convince Jiang Cheng about it, while Jiang Cheng looked like he was about to suffer qi deviation. Wei Wuxian wished he would just say 'yes' so they could leave.

After all, Wei Wuxian never even thought that far ahead to his own marriage. He had no dreams of his family at his wedding, so he wouldn't be disappointed if Jiang Cheng didn't approve, or didn't come...

Finally, after a long silence, Jiang Cheng gave, though not completely. "I will consider your proposal," he said, though there was clearly not much to consider. Wei Wuxian could see, from the look on Jiang Cheng's face that the younger was just floundering about with it. He hid an amused smirk, trying not to laugh out loud and ruin all the work Lan Wangji put in. "You can stay in Lotus Pier tonight if you want," Jiang Cheng said dismissively as he stood, though his fumblingly casual tone was giving away how shaken up he was from dealing with this. Signalling that the meeting was over for now, Jiang Cheng added, a little hasty, "Just don't cause trouble in my home."

@Wei Wuxian "Sect Leader Jiang, as you are Wei Wuxian's closest relative, it is only proper for me to ask for your permission." Lan Wangji continued, unfazed by the harsh tone that Jiang Cheng was using with him. Although the sect leader was donning a scowl on his features, they all knew that Wei Wuxian still had a place in his heart. It was evident from when they encountered each other again in the Guan Yin temple, and no one could refute that Jiang Cheng had been hurt to lose his brother for so many years and have such a wake up call as to realize what Wei Wuxian had sacrificed for him. At one point, Lan Wangji held great animosity for the man who made his Wei Ying fall to his first death, but now, he settled on nonchalance and ambivalence. "Wei Wuxian needs a maternal home to reside in for the proper wedding ceremony, and I hope Sect Leader Jiang would be gracious enough to attend as the guest of highest honor."

@Lan Wangji The silence that followed was probably the worst that Wei Wuxian probably had to ever endure, and that was saying a lot since Wei Wuxian was usually the /cause/ of awkward silences. "He meant husband," Wei Wuxian tried to offer to a stone-still Jiang Cheng, though it didn't seem to help anyone. To remove himself from the situation, Wei Wuxian busied himself with sipping from the teacup that had just been filled for him. If Lan Wangji wanted to embarrass himself, so be it! But then Wei Wuxian remembered that Jiang Cheng would always associate the two of them together, so if Lan Wangji was going to embarrass himself, Wei Wuxian was caught in the crossfire.

"So you two are going to get marred, congratulations," Jiang Cheng spit out, his tone clearly far from congratulatory, his lips curling back into a sneer. "And to think you would know Wei Wuxian well enough to realize he'll do what he wants. This is not my concern." His reflexive response was to react aggressively, but there was a wavering in his eyes seeing the two of them beside each other.

@Wei Wuxian Although Jiang Cheng wasn't exactly the epitome of hospitality, things were progressing relatively smoothly for Lan Wangji. He took his seat at the table to a side of the main walkway into the grand hall, Bichen laying by his side. With his palms folded over his knees, Lan Wangji looked straightforward until Jiang Cheng seemed ready to hear what he had to say. Turning his head so that he could exchange looks with Jiang Cheng, Lan Wangji began on his well-rehearsed speech. "As Sect Leader Jiang may know, Wei Wuxian has been my cultivation partner for some time now. As Yunmeng Jiang Sect is his home, I thought it would only be right to come here and get the Sect Leader's approval as we carry on with our relationship." Lan Wangji's voice was even as his gaze didn't waver one bit despite the harsh squinting that he received from Jiang Cheng as the other seemed to get a clue of what was happening here. "I would like to ask for Sect Leader Jiang's permission to take Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian of Yunmeng Jiang Sect as my wife."

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian was sure that the sole reason why Jiang Cheng let them in was because he was curious about Lan Wangji's vague phrasing on what exactly involved him, and he had to say, he was pretty disappointed. Wei Wuxian had hoped Jiang Cheng's resolve would be stronger than that (so they wouldn't have to go in). Now, unfortunately, they did, so Wei Wuxian trudged along by Lan Wangji's side into the grand hall where visitors where received. As Jiang Cheng seated himself atop the sect leader's seat, Wei Wuxian didn't even dare kneel at a tea table until Lan Wangji did.

"Well?" Jiang Cheng demanded suddenly after tea was served. Crass and to the point as ever (especially for Lan Wangji), he spoke Lan Wangji's name as more of an insult than a courtesy. "Lan Er gongzi, speak. What do you want?"

@Wei Wuxian Jiang Cheng's appearance did not faze Lan Wangji at all. Upholding his propriety code, Lan Wangji stretched out his arms and clasped his hands together, bowing at an angle to greet the Sect Leader. "Sect Leader Jiang," he spoke clearly and lowly, "Wangji has come to today to speak to you of an important matter that requires your approval." That first exchange over, Lan Wangji lowered his arms and looked up, his pale eyes meeting Jiang Cheng's hardened gaze. The Sect Leader was donned in his dark purple robes, his sword also clutched in a grandiose fashion by his side. There was a moment of silence as they stood about fifteen feet apart from each other, neither saying a word.

After a moment, the grip on Sandu's hilt was relaxed, and Jiang Cheng whipped around, heading inside, "Come in," he said, though his tone sounded begrudging, "Someone, prepare tea."

Lan Wangji turned to Wei Wuxian and gave a small nod of his head for the younger to lead the way. This was, after all, his home. Now that they were here, the hardest part of being able to see the Sect Leader himself was already over, and Lan Wangji strode forward in sure steps, entering the Lotus Cove that was enshrined by water and blossoming lily pads.

@Lan Wangji Jiang Cheng had really put his all into rebuilding Lotus Pier, but it wasn't the same one that Wei Wuxian remembered. Before his defection from the clan, the road that led up to Lotus Pier's ever-open doors were always lined with vendors. Children from nearby households played and tried to sneak into the fields to watch the Yunmeng Jiang disciples practice. When Wei Wuxian caught them, he would have played with them. Now, the road was desolate and bare, Lotus Pier isolated on the river. Wei Wuxian mourned the loss of his chance to show Lan Wangji what his youth was like.

Walking tall by Lan Wangji's side, black robes a stark contrast from Lan Wangji's ethereal pale blue set, Wei Wuxian let the disciples run off to find their sect leader, stopping just at the entrance until he could receive his invitation in. The painful memory of Jiang Cheng's glare when the clans had escaped Burial Mounds for a second time returned as Wei Wuxian stared at the threshold of the Lotus Pier.

Before Wei Wuxian could turn to Lan Wangji for a comforting glance, Jiang Cheng had emerged. He looked regal and proud, as always, and there was a sneer on his face from being summoned so early in the morning, for Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, of all people. "Lan Wangji," he spit out in his usual aggressive tone. "To /what/ do I owe the pleasure of you two showing up at my door with no previous warning?"

@Wei Wuxian It took a lot of wrangling and repeating of his words (which Lan Wangji would never become accustomed to) but soon they were standing together in front of Lotus Pier. Despite all of Wei Wuxian's protesting and excuses before, the smaller male had fallen gradually more silent the closer they got to his childhood home. Lan Wangji stood in front of the same doors that he had entered not long ago, when they had escaped the Burial Mounds after the second siege. It was a much more quieter sight now, and the pier cove was lit up brightly by the sunlight, making the surrounding pond water gleam and the lotus flowers open in greeting to the visitors. Some disciples noticed their approaching, and Lan Wangji heard the hushed whispers of "It's Wei Shixiong! Wei Qianbei! Hurry and report to Sect Leader!"

@Lan Wangji "There is no 'must leave soon'," Wei Wuxian tried to argue. "Because Jiang Cheng does not know we are coming. So we could leave and he still would not know we meant to visit." Despite his protests, Wei Wuxian ambled off to wash his face, letting Lan Wangji pull at his hair as he sat sleepily. Being handed bread and pampered like a child or a particularly finicky maiden made Wei Wuxian feel warm inside, but did little to quell his anxiety. "It's just Jiang Cheng," Wei Wuxian mused aloud, doing it more so to convince himself rather than Lan Wangji. "No hard feelings. Right? Lan Zhan, why are we doing this? I know you don't care for Jiang Cheng's... blessing!"

@Wei Wuxian Wei Wuxian's little front was easily broken after a few touches, and Lan Wangji's lips were hovering right above his lover's lips. He hummed as Wei Wuxian became animated, responding to every little touch and already breaking the raspiness in his voice as he protested. After a soft and tame peck to Wei Wuxian's lips, Lan Wangji pulled the younger up and helped him sit upright. "En, too early," he agreed before wrapping Wei Wuxian with his robes again. "But we must leave soon." Without leaving any room for argument, Lan Wangji helped the younger out of bed. While Wei Wuxian was wiping his face, Lan Wangji brushed through his hair and tied it back in the half updo again. He handed a piece of bread over to Wei Wuxian first and motioned for him to eat. "Go early and finish quickly," he promised the other.

@Lan Wangji For a man who looked so proper all the time, Lan Wangji was even more wild than Wei Wuxian was. Of course, no one would believe Wei Wuxian if he said that aloud. He squealed when Lan Wangji grabbed at him, but accepted the kiss quickly and easily despite his original plan. His hands combed through Lan Wangji's hair, the silk-like sensation of it slipping between his fingers and falling in a perfect sheet down Lan Wangji's back and sides. Wei Wuxian moaned softly in protest at Lan Wangji's aggression. "Lan Zhan, calm down," he mumbled, his eyes beginning to open slightly now. "It's too early."

@Wei Wuxian Returning with two flat cakes and a kettle of hot tea, Lan Wangji set the items on the table before going to rouse Wei Wuxian. Hearing the snore, the corners of his lips tugged upwards a little in amusement. Since Wei Wuxian was going to , Lan Wangji was feeling happy to oblige. Pulling the covers that were draped over the smaller male's chest downwards, Lan Wangji's hand s to the sash that held the two ends of Wei Wuxian's robes together. With a swift tug, he undid the belt and watched as the male's chest was exposed. As if that was not enough to draw a reaction from Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji proceeded, sliding a hand under the younger's neck and leaning down into a hungry morning kiss.

@Lan Wangji Like usual, Wei Wuxian didn't move at all despite Lan Wangji's morning routine, sleeping soundly through it all. At one point, through his slumber, Wei Wuxian heard Lan Wangji shuffling around when he returned. /Unlike/ usual, he didn't spring up to greet the older, choosing to pretend he was so deep in sleep in hopes that Lan Wangji would just go see Jiang Cheng himself. The last time they'd been in Yunmeng, it had ended somewhat disastrously, and while Wei Wuxian couldn't say they parted on bad terms, they didn't part on very good ones either. Hearing Lan Wangji near him, Wei Wuxian forced himself to go limp, the next snore he tried to force out sounding comically fake.

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji wanted to retort that it was Wei Wuxian that was more impossible, but since he wasn't good with his words, this was bound to be an argument that he couldn't win. That being said, the younger male was also making way for them to lie and and hopefully get a glimpse of rest before daybreak. "En...I love you too, Wei Ying," the older male replied after a moment of silence. He closed his eyes and folded his hands together in front of him. Wei Wuxian would take his arm to wrap himself up against once he tired himself out. Lan Wangji would normally stay up a bit later to humor his partner, but given that tomorrow was a big day for him, it was better to let Wei Wuxian tire himself out.

Surely the next morning, Lan Wangji's eyes opened at the crack of dawn. He could still hear Wei Wuxian's faint breathing right under him, and true to his expectations, his arms were wrapped around his lover. Lan Wangji carefully unwound himself and got up to adjust his forehead ribbon and crownpiece. They could set off after a meal, he decided, and so he went downstairs to the dining floor of the hotel to bring back some breakfast after he had prepared himself for the day.

@Lan Wangji "Wife!" Wei Wuxian cried, stopping in the middle of stripping off his outer robe. It was one thing for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to joke about it between the two of them, but another for Jiang Cheng to hear it. The audacity of Lan Wangji to not even look a little bit embarrassed. Wei Wuxian checked his earlobes with a glance, and they stayed cool and pale. It was futile to argue with Lan Wangji, so Wei Wuxian just threw off his robe toward the older and laid over the top of the covers. "You are impossible. I love you so much. Lan Zhan, see you tomorrow." Rather than sleep, like Wei Wuxian suggested he was going to do, he laid on his side with his eyes wide open, looking up at the older and admiring with a persisting smile.

@Wei Wuxian By the time they had both settled in bed, Lan Wangji's inner clock was signaling that it was time for bedrest. And yet, he was not lying down with the covers pulled over him. Instead, he was still seated upright, his palms cupped over his knees as a chill breeze drifted in through the wooden window frames and grazed against his cheek. His eyes were half-lidded, focused straight in front of him on the streaks of wood that made up the floorboard. It took him a moment to consider Wei Wuxian's question, but Lan Wangji was not hesitating, he was practicing, "Sect Leader Jiang," he stated formally, making sure to describe himself humbly, "I would like to ask for your permission to take Wei Wuxian of Yunmeng Jiang Sect as my wife." Despite his words, there was a hardness in Lan Wangji's pale pupils that, when raised to meet Wei Wuxian's gaze, fully told the younger that he wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

@Lan Wangji It was so hard to rile up Lan Wangji now, Wei Wuxian thought again with a pout. He settled onto their shared bed, crawling to the edge to push open a window. "Lan Zhan," he called, trying again to earn some kind of verbal response. "You don't talk a lot, but I love it when you do. Tell me exactly how you plan on talking to Jiang Cheng." Kicking off his dusty boots, Wei Wuxian laid back onto the bed, his back hitting the board with a soft grunt. "If he says no... if he won't give his blessings, then?"

@Wei Wuxian The only response Wei Wuxian got when he suggested eloping with Lan Wangji was a side eye glance that lingered for only a few seconds before Lan Wangji walked off in the direction of the inn. As the free-spirited male should have known by now, Lan Wangji was the epitome of prim and proper at his core. And while it was true that Lan Wangji couldn't care less how the lay people and other sects would talk of his relationship with Wei Wuxian, he wanted to observe the proper rituals so that Wei Wuxian could call Gusu his home. Upon entering the inn, they were graciously greeted and escorted to a large room in the uppermost floor of the inn. Lan Wangji immediately set his belongings down and removed his outer robe, going through the nightly routines so that tomorrow would come and Wei Wuxian would be officially his sooner.

@Lan Wangji Lan Wangji just knew him too well, without Wei Wuxian needing to say anything aloud. He was happy to walk away from the direction of Lotus Cove, but that also meant one more night of tossing and turning and having a nightmare of what Jiang Cheng's reaction would be to the two of them walking in and demanding his blessing for their marriage. "We don't need his blessing!" Wei Wuxian suddenly declared when he had laid down in bed, muddy boots and all. "Elope! Hanguang Jun and his Wei Wuxian! Elope!" Glancing sideways, Wei Wuxian checked for Lan Wangji's reaction, and harrumphed, blowing a strand of hair out of his face. "Lan Zhan, it's so hard to make you angry now. You never get angry at me anymore."

@Wei Wuxian In the thirty something years of life that Lan Wangji had lived thus far, he believed this was the first time that Wei Wuxian, or anyone, called him "shameless". Upon hearing that word, there was almost a tiny smirk that tugged at his lips. He was not offended at all. On the contrary, this must be what Wei Wuxian felt like during all those times that he simply followed his heart and said what he wanted. Lan Wangji had spent a portion of his life trying to preserve the Wei Wuxian from his youth with him, and maybe he had just taken another step closer to the jackpot. That being said, he was more than happy to whip out his coin purse to splurge on the little eats that Wei Wuxian fancied, himself also trying anything that did not look like it was going to dehydrate him with a with all its spice. As the sun fell and the sky began to light up once more with twinkling stars, Lan Wangji relented with his lover and gave a nod of his head. He knew fully well that Wei Wuxian was only trying to buy time for himself, but there was nothing that a proposal couldn't wait. "Ehm, let's find an inn to rest at then," Lan Wangji agreed, leading Wei Wuxian towards the biggest and most grand one in sight, "Then, we set off tomorrow morning. No excuses."

@Lan Wangji For all the times Lan Wangji had called him shameless, Wei Wuxian wanted to scream it right back at him this one time in triumph. "Kiss you here? Lan Zhan, do you know where we are? We're standing in the middle of a street. You're /shameless/!" Satisfied, Wei Wuxian laughed before turning away in a whirl of black and red robes, a bounce in his steps as he led Lan Wangji from stall to stall, buying (or forcing the older to buy) a bit of everything in a desperate bid to revive Wei Wuxian's childhood. As the sun began to set, Wei Wuxian found their evening ending much too soon. There used to be much more to do in Yunmeng, but it seemed that many stalls and stores had closed over the years, and festivities and spirit dwindled. At this time, he was also sure Jiang Cheng would know to expect them from the eyes and ears around Yunmeng. "Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said as they reached the end of the market street, standing still amongst the rabble of vendors beginning to pack up, his back to Lan Wangji. "It's late. Maybe we can go to Lotus Pier tomorrow."

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji saw the look on Wei Wuxian's face, one that borderlined disappointment, when he handed the candy back to the younger male. Taking it back once more, Lan Wangji stared at the sugar stick in his hands, once more being reminded of the first time Wei Wuxian had brought the rabbits to gift to Lan Wangji. The younger had said if he didn't take them in, Wei Wuxian would simply eat them for lunch, and that was enough for the older to cave. This time, Lan Wangji knew better, and he brought the sugar to his lips, taking a small bit off the tail of it. The sugar was immaculate, but also slightly overwhelming for his tame tastebuds. Looking over to make sure Wei Wuxian saw his gesture, Lan Wangji was caught off guard by the next request. However, the request to kiss him did not deter him. Lan Wangji met his lover's eyes, his gaze telling Wei Wuxian that he was welcome to do whatever he wanted. After all, Wei Wuxian would be Lan Wangji's person soon and vice versa. Lan Wangji would be more than happy to oblige. "Kiss me then," he simply stated after a while, not giving his partner to brush it off as a joke this time.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian took the rabbit back with a crestfallen expression, his own already melting into sugar in his mouth. "But I bought it for you," he said in a small voice, trying to push the stick back into Lan Wangji's free hand. "You should at least try it." Since both Lan Wangji's hands were occupied with his sword and his candy, now, Wei Wuxian lovingly attached himself to Lan Wangji's side, his gaze flitting over Lan Wangji's lips. What was Lan Wangji thinking all those years ago on Phoenix Mountain? Was it something like this? The overwhelming urge to kiss? "Lan Zhan, I want to kiss you," Wei Wuxian blurted out, biting off the ear of his rabbit. "I'm hungry to kiss you."

@Wei Wuxian Wei Wuxian's flared reaction was quite amusing in Lan Wangji's eyes. His lover, with such a lively head and who had once labelled himself as the most shameless man was now blushing before and because of Lan Wangji. He took a step closer, pressing their two rabbit candies together again, "En, my fault. Tonight, double." he promised Wei Wuxian. Then, he placed the candy back in the younger's hand, since Lan Wangji was not the type to eat sweets anyways. "Wei Ying," he called as he turned, indicating that he was ready to keep walking, "Are you hungry? Should we get some food?" Lan Wangji asked. Now that they had dealt with the imposter shenanigans, Lan Wangji remembered what he had originally intended to do. It seemed that more stalls had set up now as the sun was high up in the sky, about the time for the noon meal. Knowing Wei Wuxian, Yunmeng's dishes would be very appealing to him, so it would only make sense to let the younger have his fill.

@Lan Wangji Wei Wuxian watched with anticipation of what Lan Wangji was trying to do, holding his bunny still in the air for Lan Wangji's bunny to interact with it. Although Wei Wuxian was more or less expecting the same response that Lan Wangji gave, he still flushed beet red in an instant, stammering like a fool and and heating up from the base of his neck to the tips of his ears. "Lan Zhan!" he exclaimed, pulling his rabbit away from the older's. "How could you say that so loudly! Aren't you embarrassed?" Wei Wuxian stuck the rabbit in his mouth, fanning his free hand over his face. Oh no. Now thoughts of Lan Wangji over him, beneath him, railing into him were beginning to invade his mind. He neared the older again, a mischievous grin stretching his lips upward as he rested a hand over Lan Wangji's lower back. "We didn't do it the other day, though."

@Wei Wuxian Lan Wangji handed over a bronze coin as Wei Wuxian finished choosing the candy of his choice. The stall owner accepted the money from him gratefully, and Lan Wangji dipped his head respectfully as well, all the animosity from the previous encounter gone from his eyes. Turning over to watch Wei Wuxian's little candy puppet show, his eyes shimmered as he remembered the first time that Wei Wuxian had presented him with bunnies - the same ones that Lan Wangji raised all while waiting for the younger to come back to him. Entranced, he jerked a little when Wei Wuxian asked for his opinion. In response to that, he reached out and took the bunny stick from Wei Wuxian's right hand and held it even longer against the left one. When he finally pulled away, Lan Wangji added, "Every day means every day."

@Lan Wangji Forgetting the first 'stall' of disappointing wares already, Wei Wuxian picked out the two most well-crafted sugar rabbits on a stick, not even waiting for money to change hands before playing with them. He held them in front of Lan Wangji's face, giggling as he began the impromptu play he thought of on the spot. "I like you," he said in a pitched, squeaky voice, moving the rabbit in his left hand up and down. "I like you, too," the rabbit in his right hand said in a deeper, more stony voice. The rabbit heads touched in a kiss. Wei Wuxian laughed again, easily entertained. "Guess what they did after, Lan Zhan. Guess! Don't 'mn' me!"