For Wei Ying - Courting Take 2

[lan_wangji]

It has taken Lan Wangji a few days to regather his courage. He cannot simply recreate the picnic he had attempted as it seems poisoned in some way, a reminder of what had happened that night. He thinks of taking Wei Ying to the beach but he is afraid of doing it in public in case something goes wrong, again.

In the end, he decides to try at home yet again but this time as part of another gift. Digging a pond had proven more difficult than anticipated as the first few tries had resulted in leaks and uneven water distribution. He has finally achieved it, he thinks, and has brought partially grown lotus plants home to plant. By the end he is absolutely filthy and realizing he must purchase robes better suited to this task. He quickly cleans himself, forgoing his hair pieces and outer robes for loose hair and a thin, inner robe. The night is mild an the cool air feels refreshing on what little bare skin is exposed.

The wooden box is retrieved from its hiding place and with bunny in his lap and the sun setting as he sits on the porch, all he can do is wait and hope for better.

Comments

[yiling_laozu]

After ruining Lan Wangji's dinner and making him jump into their bath fully clothed, Wei Wuxian holds himself in tighter control these days when he comes home, no matter what he's met with in the city. Tonight, however, he needn't try to be in a good mood. The day has been usually warm and pleasant, and the ride home without incident. He'd even stopped at one point to let a duck and her ducklings pass across the road, a happening he's eager to recount to Lan Wangji.

He sees him on the porch now as he rides in, straight back lit in silhouette by the lights spilling from their home, and Wei Wuxian smiles, waving as he puts his bike away. "Lan Zhan," he calls. "Do you think we should have ducks?"

[lan_wangji]

As per usual with Wei Ying, there is no context to what Lan Wangji is greeted with upon his arrival but it is something he is long used to and horribly fond of.

"If Wei Ying wants ducks, we can have ducks," he responds, running a finger one of Bunny's ears as she startles at Wei Ying's arrival. He feels a few strands of his hair blow across his face in the breeze, feeling quite rebellious at letting it down so early in the evening. "How was your day?"

[yiling_laozu]

"Mostly satisfying," Wei Wuxian answers, squinting at him through the fading light of dusk. "Lan Zhan, you are - " Naked, he nearly says, for Lan Wangji is seated in only his outer robes, his hair loose as if ready for bed or freshly post bathing. He nearly pouts - bathing is something they normally do together!

"Relaxed," he settles for, deciding the sight is welcome despite his jealousy. He drops down next to him and kisses his cheek, giving Bunny an equally solicitous pat. "What did you do while I was gone?"

[lan_wangji]

"Mm, that is what I wish to show you," he murmurs, gently setting Bunny to the side as he leans in for a proper kiss. "Had to bathe early after I had finished. Decided to forego proper dress." He realizes, as he says it, that he is very grateful Wei Ying did not bring home an unexpected guest.

It may be time to learn to use the communication device.

"Can Wei Ying wait a little longer for dinner?"

[yiling_laozu]

"I'm sorry to have missed it," Wei Wuxian murmurs, and he does pout then, but only because Lan Wangji's lips are so warm and inviting. He nods, however. "I had two of the bubble teas," he says, patting his stomach as he cranes his neck to look around.

"What is it, Lan Zhan?"

[lan_wangji]

Two bubble teas are not, in fact, dinner and Lan Wangji makes note to ensure Wei Ying manages to eat something before they retire for the night.

He picks up the wooden box next to him and rises, holding out his free hand for Wei Ying.

He has kept the pond largely covered until now with a sheet of stiff material he had found left behind the house. It has been such a lengthy process that he's not entirely sure Wei Ying notices it, anymore. He has found Wei Ying to be a curious mix of sharply astute and oblivious. "Come with me. Have two gifts for you."

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian lets himself be helped up, eying the box in Lan Wangji's hand curiously. Ah, is it this that he meant to surprise Wei Wuxian with the other night? He's no longer certain he deserves it, but regardless, Wei Wuxian resolves not to do a single thing to disrupt Lan Wangji's plans tonight.

"Two?" he repeats, brows rising. "Lan Zhan, what have I done to deserve so much?"

[lan_wangji]

"You are my Wei Ying," he answers as it is the best and most correct answer he has. "You know of the first, the pond," he says as they step off the small front porch and walk around the side of the house. He has uncovered it and where there now has been alternately a mud pit, a dry hole or a covered patch of land, there is a small pond.

It is only a few feet deep and the green shoots of Lotus plant are small still but they have taken root and stabilized and Lan Wangji feels confident they will bloom in the summer.

"You spoke of wanting Lotus flowers. They will not be the same as what you had in Yunmeng , but they are yours."

[yiling_laozu]

"Ah! Is it finished?" Wei Wuxian begins, a little ashamed of himself for forgetting, but he's been so wrapped in his projects of late. He steps out to see it better in the semi-dark, stilling as Lan Wangji points out the lotus buds.

"Oh," he breathes, shucking his boots and rolling up his pants as if in a trance, stepping into the shallow water and approaching carefully. "Lan Zhan." He extends a finger and runs it along a delicate shoot, barely breaching the water. "They are growing so well." Wei Wuxian licks his lips. "Far better than they grew in Yiling."

[lan_wangji]

"That you were able to grow anything in Yiling is a testament to your patience and talent," Lan Wangji murmurs, smiling softly as he kneels. He is not sure why he is surprised that Wei Ying waded right in but the happiness and curiosity warms him and causes horrendous fondness.

"Am glad they please you. Want to give you everything you desire in your home. Want to give you everything you desire for the rest of your life. Want to also give you this."

He holds out the wooden box, posture perfect as the kneels and presents his second gift.

[yiling_laozu]

Despite the previous mention of a second gift, Wei Wuxian's mouth forms a tiny O, and he walks back through the water to take it with reverent hands. "Lan Zhan gives me so much," he murmurs. "More than I ever imagined for myself, more than anyone ever has."

He should probably open it, but Wei Wuxian holds it to his chest instead, feeling the brush of lotus shoots against his calves. "Being loved by Hanguang Jun is like a dream."

[lan_wangji]

He gently grabs Wei Ying's wrist and pulls him a little closer to his at his knuckles, looking for a moment at Wei Ying's wet, bony knees before letting him go.

"Promise I will try to keep loving you well. Will learn to be better at it," he murmurs, sitting back on his haunches as he waits for Wei Ying to open the box. "Feel the same way about Wei Ying. Sunshine after a lifetime of winter."

[yiling_laozu]

Lan Wangji is a man of few words, and Wei Wuxian's exhales shakily to hear such beauty said so simply, sliding past all his remaining defenses until his heart throbs. "Lan Zhan loves me well," he promises, lowering his gaze to open the box. He stares for a long moment at the two pieces of jade within, both white, one a pin and the other a comb, both of them pristine and elegant and breathtakingly beautiful, just like Lan Wangji.

"Lan Zhan," he murmurs, feeling his lower lip tremble.

[lan_wangji]

"I know they may not be what you would choose for yourself," he starts, gearing himself up internally while remaining entirely still, hands folded neatly in his lap.

"But wanted to do this in the proper way, the way Wei Ying deserves. If Wei Ying accepts the gift, I will continue. If Wei Ying accepts my intentions, I will continue."

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian would never choose finery for himself, if only because he knows he would lose or break it as his mind wanders to other things, but this is no ordinary finery. These are gifts from Lan Wangji, who says things to him so extraordinary Wei Wuxian begins to feel a buzzing between his ears.

"The proper way?" he says, staring at him with careful eyes, understanding quite clearly yet still more comfortable beneath his buffer of ignorance. "What are your intentions?"

[lan_wangji]

He had anticipated this, had anticipated Wei Ying may not understand the intent behind the gift. He knows that courting ought to be a mere formality after purchasing a home together, but the weight of it still feels great.

Wei Ying does not have to accept. Lan Wangji has not guarantee.

"My intention is to court Wei Ying, properly. Neither of us has ancestors to bow to or elders to give permission. But Wei Ying deserves to be courted as best I can."

[yiling_laozu]

He doesn't quite say it, but Wei Wuxian is grateful for the short bit of space. Were Lan Wangji to say he wishes to marry him, Wei Wuxian would lose himself to a spiral of unworthiness, he'd bring up every fear he has just to drown himself in them, but this - a comb, a pin - these quiet promises are far more easy for his shuttered heart to bear.

One day, perhaps one day soon, Lan Wangji will ask to keep him, and Wei Wuxian desperately wishes to be kept, even if the words seem unutterable and trapped deep in his chest. He reaches out, cupping Lan Wangji's pale cheek. "I love them, Lan Zhan." His hair is wild, pulled haphazardly into a high ponytail and buffeted every which way by the wind, but he tries to be brave. Only a brave man would dare to ask Hanguang Jun to sully his hands with such a mess. "Will you comb my hair for me now?"

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji allows himself to lean into the touch, lips twitching at Wei Ying's request. He carefully, slowly lets out a long breath at Wei Ying's acceptance. He must prepare the rest of the gifts, find a way to make the last special, but for now he has done well by Wei Ying.

"Mm," he hums, sitting down and crossing his legs. He holds out a hand for the comb and nods at the space in front of him. The sun is just starting to set, lighting the river and their small pond up in soft oranges and pinks. "Have asked the impossible of Hanguang-Jun. But he is honored to try."

[yiling_laozu]

It isn't the straightforward answer Lan Wangji deserves, but he accepts it as he does so many of Wei Wuxian's failings, and he feels the tension eke from his shoulders. Reaching up, he feels his hair in even more of a tangle than he'd expected, and Wei Wuxian laughs.

He does sit before him, deciding at the last moment to face him rather than show Lan Wangji his back. "It was very windy today. I lost my first hair tie to a gust before I even reached the city."

[lan_wangji]

He pulls Wei Ying a little closer and reaches up to carefully undo the ribbon, unwinding strands of hair from the fabric as he pulls it loose. Wei Ying's hair spills down his shoulders in a mass of tangles and waves and Lan Wangji smiles as he kneads at the top of Wei Ying's head as he does for him every night after removing his hair pieces.

"Will have to find Wei Ying a more insulated method of travel next winter," he murmurs, hating the idea of one of the metal carriages but uncertain the bicycle will keep him appropriately safe from the elements. He slides the comb in, starting with a section in the front, slowly undoing knots and tangles that Lan Wangji marvels at. "Do not think my hair is capable of doing this."

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian closes his eyes, groaning softly when those long fingers knead at his aching head. His headaches never truly go away until he's deep in his cups, but Lan Wangji's clever fingers comes close. He smiles, lashes fluttering as he feels the comb meet its first tangle.

"You are surprised? The wind would not dare disturb your hair, Lan Zhan."

[lan_wangji]

"Ridiculous," Lan Wangji murmurs with affection, carefully undoing tangles one by one. "It is that Wei Ying's hair is lively and untamed, just as he is."

He lets out a soft huff as he remembers what he wanted to tell Wei Ying, once he had managed to get through the gift giving without any major disaster.

"I met a friend of yours. Klaus-gonxi. It was interesting," he states, keeping his face carefully neutral, unlike what occurred at the actual meeting.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian beams. "Klaus-gonxi is wonderful. How much more tolerable would life have been at home if I had had such a friend?" he sighs. The cultivating world would likely have rallied twice as hard to murder them both, but Wei Wuxian chooses not to dwell on that now.

"Ah." He sobers somewhat. "Did you find him very trying, Lan Zhan? His mouth is even looser than my own."

[lan_wangji]

He carefully catches a frown at the idea that Wei Ying wished this Klaus had been a friend at home, knowing it stems from jealousy. Lan Wangji was neither fun nor particularly wonderful as a friend, he knows this.

"Mm, he took pains to inform me that he was the one who taught Wei Ying things. Bedroom things," he says, raising an eyebrow at Wei Ying as he continues to comb. "Think he enjoyed informing me."

[yiling_laozu]

"Ah," says Wei Wuxian again, darting a glance at Lan Wangji's dangerously blank face. "Lan Zhan. Perhaps you don't know, but there is a...particular enjoyment to be found in shocking those determined to be stoic. I felt it very much when we first met. Actually, shocking you is...quite irresistible. You shouldn't be cross with him."

He darts another glance. "Or me. You enjoyed what I learned, after all."