For Wei Ying

[lan_wangji]

Filling the day is not the problem for Lan Wangji. His days have been filled, all his life, with every minute accounted for. One rose at precisely 5AM, had tea and a small meal, cleaned one's self and then began morning meditations. The rest of the day was filled with physical training, studies, and practical application. After the evening meal and bath, a meditation focusing on reflecting on one's progress and behavior was completed and notes made before falling asleep at precisely 9PM.

These things can, in some way or another, be done in this place as well. The course of studies are very different as are the practical application. They are...disappointing, largely. Every day reveals some new way he is weaker and duller and unable to provide to the world what he once could. He might have been cold and not particularly liked but he was unparalleled in skill. Here, well. Here he does not know quite who he is or ought to be. Wei Ying points out often, that not all of the 3000 rules he grew up under need apply so literally. But parsing through 3000 rules, some he holds very dear, and making such determinations feels impossible some days.

The days when he cannot make those decisions, he wanders without aim. This is definitely against the rules. He likes the market, early in the morning before the crowds have descended. At this time of day it is only himself and those out gathering supplies for the day's meals. He'd rarely gone to market in Caiyi Town, disliking the bustle and the stares and the comments he was clearly meant to overhear. But no one cares who he is, here. If anyone finds his silence off-putting they do not say so. He is looking over various trinkets, bits of leather and bone fashioned into jewelry when he sees an array of combs. He does not know where the impulse comes from, only that he has hazy memories of styling Wei Ying's hair (he really must never drink again). He takes it without another thought, horrified at the lack of payment system but determined to find a way to make it up to the merchant. It is a purchase born entirely out of impulse and affection rather than need, another rule broken.

A few quick strokes with a small knife have inlaid a small protection charm, likely useless in this place but he thinks Wei Ying will appreciate it. He has no idea how he will go about giving it to him but he wraps it up in a piece of cloth and heads over to Heimdall District, feeling light and not a little unsettled.

"Wei Ying," he sends through the bizarre bracelet contraption. "Am in Heimdall. May I come to the Haus?"

Comments

[yiling_laozu]

Lan Wangji's fingers soothe the strange, never before discovered point of pain in Wei Wuxian's temple and he sighs, using the momentary reprieve to shove more milky ice into his mouth.

"If we don't eat it now," he reasons, "It will melt. You will have to help me, that is all," he decides, holding up another spoonful for Lan Wangji. Compared with his last bite, it's much darker in color. "This has more of the deeper sugar taste."

[lan_wangji]

That is not what Lan Zhan meant but Wei Ying is insistent and the treat presented to him.

Shameful. Twenty years of intense study and devotion to self regulation and restriction all undone because of one person.

He leans in, taking this bite more carefully, grimacing as he cannot decide if the sensation is pleasurable or painful. "How does a person eat this much sugar?" he wonders, now very concerned about the amount Wei Ying has consumed.

[yiling_laozu]

"Is it very much?" Wei Wuxian asks, though the tingling on his tongue - and the grow tremors in his bones themselves - say that it must be. If they put it back, someone might find that they've taken some and track them down, but if they destroy the evidence that means destroying the last of their milky ice, too!

"Can we hide the rest in Odinhaus?" he asks hopefully.

[lan_wangji]

He takes a deep, slow breath, thinking over the proposal. It would be harboring a stolen good with full knowledge of what has done. And on the other hand, Wei Ying looks very sad about the prospect of permanently parting with his treat.

"Mm," he agrees, gesturing for Wei Ying to hide the treat, yet again. He floats the ball over to the door to highlight the exit which then winks out as soon as the door is opened. "Follow."

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian tucks the treat once more inside his robes, the position much more precarious now without its discarded lid, and nods solemnly.

"Wei Wuxian will follow without deviation," he swears.

[lan_wangji]

He steps out, quickly striding towards the nearest exit, trusting that Wei Ying will be following close behind. He does not look over or behind him until they are both safety outside the boundary of Heimdalhaus.

"Can bring your treat to my room if you desire to eat more," he offers, nothing Wei Ying cradling it underneath his robe. It looks like very bad idea. "But must eat many vegetables with dinner."

[yiling_laozu]

Hurrying after him, Wei Wuxian does his best not to disturb the treasure, but he can feel it growing sloshier by the moment. "I'm not sure it will last so long," he admits, cradling it all the same.

"We must eat it now or never, Lan Zhan. Or..." His eyes light on a pair of tow-headed youths playing not far away. "Find another to enjoy it."

[lan_wangji]

Lan Zhan is very, very dubious about asking Wei Ying what he means when he looks over at the children. It really could be anything from generously sharing to doing something disgraceful and he cannot decide on which is more likely.

He tugs Wei Ying into the shade of a nearby tree, deciding they must be far enough away to avoid any direct confrontations. "Safe here. No ridiculousness," he warns as it would only draw attention to their crime.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian hardly cares where he eats it, and he tucks in immediately, taking bite after bite until he has to drag the spoon around the edge of the container for the last of it. "So good," he groans when it's all gone, bouncing on his feet with frenetic energy.

"There was a larger tub beneath this one," he say, looking back at Heimdallhaus.

[lan_wangji]

"No," he murmurs, catching Wei Ying's wrist lest he bounce right back for the rest.

He is about to suggest heading to Lan Zhan's own rooms but takes stock of Wei Ying's energy and does not have the heart to pen him indoors. "Have heard there are small boats along a part of the river. Could take one out, if you want."

He's rather certain they are meant for fishing but ownership seems a looser concept in this place and unlike Wei Ying's treat, they will return it.

[yiling_laozu]

"A boat?" says Wei Wuxian, considering. It seems like a rather calm activity when he feels like climbing out of his skin, but perhaps he'll be allowed to run there and do all the rowing!

"If the water is calm," he decides. "Lan Zhan is not a strong swimmer yet, and rivers are treacherous. There are currents beneath the water that can't even be seen."

[lan_wangji]

"Lan Wangji will not fall out of the boat," he huffs, offended at the very idea. He may not have a core, but he still has strength and balance. He wouldn't dare do something so ungainly and embarrassing.

"If Wei Ying would rather swim, can do that, but the water is growing colder with each day."

He knows it is nothing compared to the Cold Pool but Wei Ying does not seem to run as warm as Lan Wangji and likely does not care to think about his own health.

[yiling_laozu]

"Best to be safe on the river, Lan Zhan," says Wei Wuxian, patting his arm. There might be creatures they don't know about, or a sudden storm. Wei Wuxian might not care what happens to him but he cares very much about what happens to Lan Wangji.

"Let's hurry to the river and see," he urges, grabbing Lan Wangji's wrist. He's like to have an imprint there, at this rate. "Probably it will all be fine and we can go!"

[lan_wangji]

There does not seem to be any reason to run, other than Wei Ying's near vibrating energy levels but he simply folds his free arm behind his back and hurries along with him.

He is willing to leave the insulting conversation behind but is determined to increase the time spent practicing swimming until it is mastered and Wei Ying can say no more to him about falling or slipping.

"Too much sugar," he huffs, half to himself. "River is fine, always."

[yiling_laozu]

Poor Lan Wangji is really out of his mind, Wei Wuxian feels incredible. Like he could run the length of the city three times without pausing for breath, like he could climb to every rooftop in the city! If his stomach feels less than excellent by the time they reach the water, it's surely only because he hadn't had a proper breakfast before the ice cream.

"Here," he announces as if Lan Wangji hasn't been present for their arrival. Wei Wuxian gazes out at the water thoughtfully. "It seems alright. But where are the boats?"

[lan_wangji]

"Didn't ask me where they are before starting to run," Lan Zhan murmurs, letting out a long-suffering sigh and pointing up the river. "Come with me."

He turns on his heel and starts to walk towards a clearing in the trees, where the city's official documents had seemed to indicate they would be kept.

He fishes in his pocket, pulling out a savory bun and hands it to Wei Ying. "Eat that."

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian grins in surprise, accepting the savory bun. The ache in his stomach has somehow begun to spread to the rest of his limbs, making him feel agitated when he doesn't mean to be.

"Thank you," he says, pushing the bun into his mouth, watching the land ahead of them curiously for any sign of the boats. "I hope they aren't horrid, ugly boats like the buildings here. Big boxes that float."

[lan_wangji]

"Mm, miss Gusu's buildings. No feng shui, here," he agrees, thankful at least for Odin's temple and their small pool, the closest things Lan Zhan has found.

A bit more distance reveals three small boats, more similar to what Lan Zhan has seen used by the peasants in Caiyi Town. They are not beautiful, but seem sturdy and float which should serve their purpose.

"Must return these in good condition," he warns. "Could go up river. Adventure."

[yiling_laozu]

"Adventure?" Wei Wuxian asks, his eyes very wide. This will be their second one before noon! "I woke up very lucky," he says, happily hurrying to the boats to inspect them. They're all the same in quality, and luckily not too boxy. One of them has blue trim, and Wei Wuxian announces, "This one."

Looking up again at Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian frowns. "I'll row."

[lan_wangji]

Lan Zhan is not certain if Wei Ying's insistence on rowing is related to his fear of Lan Zhan somehow throwing himself into the rier but he primly steps into the chosen boat and sits.

"You row until tired and then I will row. Hanguan-Jun does know how to row," he announces. "River and forest near the border supposed to be enchanted. Unsure how."

[yiling_laozu]

"Very lucky," Wei Wuxian murmurs to himself, looking out at the lands on the other side of the river as if the enchantment will immediately make itself known. He takes hold of the boat and pushes it into the water, running alongside it to hop in. His boots splash Lan Wangji's knees, and he winces in apology as he takes up his oar.

"Being an ordinary man is messy, Lan Zhan," he says, for if they're adventuring without their old magics, more will surely come. He pulls the oar smoothly through the water, working with the current to take them more swiftly towards the settlement's edge.

[lan_wangji]

Lan Zhan very much suspects that Wei Ying is just a particularly messy man but he does not voice the thought, choosing instead to take a patient breath and flick muddy water off his knees.

He looks around at the bright sun and the leaves that are changing from green to shades of gold, and wonders what it would be like to spend days like this. Simply following whims. He suspects it would get very agitating very quickly but he is glad for it, at least this day.

It's that thought that reminds him of his purchase and he carefully pulls out the comb, covered in soft green cloth. He has no idea what to say about it, what excuse to give. He realizes, just now, he's never really done anything like this at all.

"Here," he finally says, thrusting the gift at Wei Ying.

[yiling_laozu]

"Ey?" Wei Wuxian asks, finding a small, green parcel suddenly beneath his eyes. He puts down the oar and takes it. "Lan Zhan is giving me this? It's..."

Carefully unfolding the green cloth, Wei Wuxian finds himself gazing down at a wooden comb. It's fairly plain as combs go, but as he turns it over he sees a hand carved protection charm in the wood, and he smiles.

"Is this because you styled my hair in the river pool?" he asks, looking up at Lan Wangji. "Thank you, Lan Zhan. Now I have something tangible to remember it by."

[lan_wangji]

Lan Zhan is a little bit mortified but it is partially the truth and he doesn't want to say that the other is because he suspects Wei Ying does not know how to properly comb his hair.


He nods, relieved and pleased that Wei Ying seems to like the gift, rather than being offended which Lan Zhan only now realizes was a possibility. This sort of thing is as stressful as he'd always imagined.

"Remember doing without permission," he apologizes, scandalized at how bold he'd been. "Sorry. Shouldn't touch without permission."

[yiling_laozu]

"Lan Zhan has permission to touch me," Wei Wuxian scoffs. If a scenario exists where such touch would not be welcome, Wei Wuxian can't imagine it. "Always." He even holds three fingers to his head. "I promise I won't be bothered."

Forgetting the oars for now, Wei Wuxian lifts the comb, running it experimentally through his long hair. "It works very well, Lan Zhan! Though I don't expect I can manage such ornate plaits as the ones you gave me, fine comb or not."