For Wei Ying - New Year's Eve

[lan_wangji]

This world is ridiculous. He is beginning to understand that some ridiculous thing will happen with regularity but as he delivers a sweeping kick to a group of what look very much like think cakes with sharp teeth and then fires off powerful notes from his guqin, dispelling enough of the cold inspects to make a path for a few more people to escape.

There seems to be no sense to these creatures, their origins and motivations a mystery that frustrates Lan Wangji to no end. Without understanding, fighting them is a frantic trial and error that does not always succeed. One sting on the back of his legs rendered the limb cold and pained before he managed the right combination of notes and now all he can think is that he cannot find Wei Ying.

Wei Ying's body cannot endure such cold.


He whips around, pushing back the swarm of bees approaching from the back before he ducks, some new horrid creature swooping out of the sky. "Wei Ying!" he shouts, taking the risk and leaping into the air, jumping to a clear spot and searching for a flash of red ribbon.

Comments

[yiling_laozu]

Eyes narrowing, Wei Wuxian lifts Lan Wangji's arm. His skin has lost its bluish hue, but it's not the pink it ought to be in such warm water, and he leans forward to turn the tap and replenish some of the heat the water has lost.

"A little longer, Lan Zhan," he murmurs, lacing their fingers. "Then we can sleep." He dearly wishes it could be at their home by the river, but he'll be glad for anywhere safe to hold Lan Wangji in his arms.

After a moment's silence, he adds, "I know you trust me." It's what makes lying to him all the more shameful, one more notch in the growing post of reasons for Wei Wuxian to come clean. He swallows. "You're frightened, that's all."

[lan_wangji]

He nods against Wei Ying's neck, fighting the urge to squirm as more hot water pours in. It feels good but too good, good in a way that makes him sleepy and pliant when he ought to be diligent and ready to give Wei Ying's needed energy.

He allows himself to huff a little and stretch out his long legs as best he can in the cramped tub. He can see the main room through the open door and the soft, secret, strange lounging bed that he had been a little sad to leave behind. "Can tell Wei Ying a secret," he murmurs, dropping a sleepy kiss against his throat. "When Wei Ying was not here, I slept on that," he says, nodding towards the piece of furniture. "Soft. Tell no one."

[yiling_laozu]

Well above his throat where Lan Wangji has dropped both his secret and a kiss, Wei Wuxian's brows lift. He half wonders if Lan Wangji is inebriated, somehow - it's not so impossible, the man could smell alcohol and become tipsy - but of course it isn't so. It must be the water, relaxing his tongue along with his body.

"I won't," he promises, mouth quirked. "Though it's not shameful, Lan Zhan. It looks quite comfortable," he adds, encouraging. "I'd like to sleep there myself."

[lan_wangji]

"Wei Ying can sleep wherever he desires," he offers, eyelids growing alarmingly heavy. He must remove himself from this water. He sits up, blinking to clear his vision and starts to try to push up.

"Done," he announces to the apartment at large as he tries to fold his legs back underneath himself to stand. "Wei Ying's turn to heal."

[yiling_laozu]

Eyes wide now, Wei Wuxian also stands, ignoring the spots in his vision from a too swift journey upright. He, at least, is on solid footing and not slippery tile. "Let us dry you first," he delays, holding tightly to Lan Wangji's arm as he steps from the tub.

There aren't any clothes here to change into, but miraculously there are still sheets on the bed, ones Wei Wuxian means to drag to the lounging chaise. Holding tightly to Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian manages to flop a towel around his shoulders, rubbing hard. "Will you show me how you like to lie on it?" he asks. "I've never slept on such a bed before."

[lan_wangji]

He nods, studying Wei Ying's face for any sign that he is being teased and taking the towel from him when he finds none. He dries himself efficiently, grimacing when he realizes he has no clean inner robe to wear. He wraps another towel around his waist instead, reminding himself that this is not the first time they have slept without proper clothing. Although Lan Wangji does generally sneak out of bed and put on his inner robe after Wei Ying is asleep.

"Wei Ying should lie down against the back portion, I will sleep on the edge," he instructs softly, wanting Wei Ying tucked away and safe. "Wei Ying may not like it. It is indecently soft. Not good for proper back support."

[yiling_laozu]

"Ahh," Wei Wuxian hums, heavy in his bones even as the smile on his face lightens his spirits. Tonight was very hard, but they're alright, and he is very close to getting Lan Wangji to rest.

"It sounds strange," he agrees, fighting a yawn. "But of course we have no other option tonight. I will be very happy to sleep between Lan Zhan and the edge of the fun, new bed."

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji nods, shuffling over to the lounging bed wrapped in multiple towels and sits on the edge, doing his best to be perfectly still and not give into the urge to let himself slump with exhaustion.

"I love you," he finally says, unable to think of anything else that will encompass how he is feeling at the moment. Ashamed, grateful, worried, frightened, all because of the same root of love. "Wei Ying needs more energy. Can give it now."

[yiling_laozu]

Once he's certain Lan Wangji won't topple over, Wei Wuxian collapses next to him, eyes heavy as soon as his body meets the glorious softness of the chaise. He's even more ravenous than usual, emptied out of all his energy spiritual and otherwise, and he wants to refuse but he knows if he doesn't, he very well might not wake up for days.

"Alright, Lan Zhan," he says, lashes fluttering. "But only a little."

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji stretches out pressed against Wei Ying, pulling the thin blanket over them both before cupping Wei Ying's hand in his. He activates the flow of energy, the light soft and blue in the darkness and feels exhaustion wash over him. He wishes he could do more, care for Wei Ying better as he cared for Lan Wangji this night but he knows he will fall asleep soon.

He drops a kiss onto Wei Ying's forehead and closes his eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of him as his consciousness starts to wane.