For Wei Ying - Nekkid Swimming

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji knows that he has been - intense, as of late. His instinct is to protect Wei Ying from what would harm him and as he is unable to protect him in that way, he finds himself wanting to protect him from every other possibility. His already present concerns regarding Wei Ying's diet and general health have only been magnified and compounded by worries about his mental state.

Not to mention that the seal still very much exists and that every time he tries to fathom the damage done to a person without a Core, he spirals into unshakeable fear.

All of this to say that he knows he has been a bit much. And Wei Ying deserves to do something enjoyable. And Lan Wangji has promised to do this.

He steps outside into the warm air to wait for Wei Ying still changing inside, barefoot and clad only in his inner robe feeling entirely ridiculous and even more naked than he has in their own bed. He has kept his forehead ribbon on but gathered his long hair up in a knot, all the while trying to will any boaters to steer clear of the river for at least a time.

He is uncertain he could endure the embarrassment.

Comments

[yiling_laozu]

He knows he'd whined and begged and sulked to get Lan Wangji to even consider swimming like this, but even so Wei Wuxian can't believe it's happening. He tears out of the door in only his pants, hopping on one foot as he attempts to both fling off his boot and tie his hair up at the same time.

"Hurry," he says, as if Lan Wangji is not already ready and waiting. "We must catch the best of the sunlight!"

[lan_wangji]

There is a significant part of him that is pleased to see Wei Ying tear out of their house in a whirl of chaos, it having been too long since he has seen his energy at such a level.

There is another part, however...

"We don't require sunlight to swim," he tries to point out, shuffling slowly towards the water with grave apprehension. "The dark would cloak us much more efficiently."

[yiling_laozu]

"Exactly, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian remarks, "If I somehow lose you to a current I'd never find you in the dark to fish you out again." It's a real danger while Lan Wangji is still so new to the act, even if Wei Wuxian expects to soon wake early and find him already outside, training furiously to become an expert in days.

"Besides, it's cold at night, and I hate being cold."

[lan_wangji]

"I am not going to be swept away," he huffs, insulted by even the idea of it. While he is unsure exactly how one would prevent it from happening, he is certain he would figure it out.

Wei Ying second remark has the desired impact, however, as he imagines how much colder Wei Ying must get without his Core and takes one look at his thin frame and grabs his hand, intent on swimming as soon as possible.

"If you get cold, let me know," he warns as they stomp towards the shore. "Can wrap you in my robe."

[yiling_laozu]

"I'll be warm once we start," says Wei Wuxian, already anticipating a bit of a workout to get stubborn Lan Zhan's body to relax long enough to float. He turns then, not pulling his hand from Lan Wangji's but tapping his chest with his other.

"You might get swept away," he warns, "Rivers can be treacherous. So listen to me and don't try to swim out too far just because you learned how to kick, yes?"

[lan_wangji]

He raises an eyebrow at Wei Ying but does not argue, unable to come up with any solid defense of his nonexistent swimming skills or refute of Wei Ying's statement.

"I agree if Wei Ying agrees to tell me if he grows too cold," he tries, as if he has any room for a compromise. It is just baffling to think that there is something children can do that he cannot immediately master. It is baffling and irritating if he is perfectly honest.

"Will not swim past where Wei Ying swims."

[yiling_laozu]

Satisfied, Wei Wuxian nods, now using his free hand to wriggle out of his pants. He toes them off onto the ground, then releases Lan Wangji so he can push at his robe, herding him towards the water. "It's best to get wet all at once," he advises with a large smile. "Less shocking."

To prove his point, Wei Wuxian runs full tilt towards the water, leaping with his legs drawn beneath him to hit the water with an enormous splash.

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji hardly knows what is happening before he sees Wei Ying's naked form streaking towards the water, leaving him open mouthed and staring. He is not sure why he imagined a more clandestine and slow transition to fully nude outdoors but he has once again underestimated Wei Ying.

He clutches at his robe where it has been pushed partly open and moves to the edge of the water the waves made by Wei Ying's entrance lap at his feet.

"People are going to hear you and come look!" he hisses, as if the noise they've made in the tub does not carry in the same way. "I - " is all he manages as he slowly, centimeter by centimeter begins to open his robe, ears already burning.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian buries his laugh beneath the water, bubbles rising as he stares at Lan Wangji. "It's hardly a shipping lane, Lan Zhan," he calls. Their home is remote, and the river traversed, yes, but only by the occasional lazy fisherman.

"But you are right! If any boater looks ashore and sees such a body as yours," he leers, "Our home will be overrun in no time."

[lan_wangji]

"Shut up," Lan Wangji mutters, walking into the water with his robes bunched up around his knees. He finally unties the fabric the rest of the way and takes a bracing breath and final look around before tossing the robe behind him and stomping into the water as fast as he can until he is covered to his waist.

The sensation is entirely strange, cold water touching him in such a way without any barrier and he can feel every muscle in his body tense as he fights the urge to run back to the house. He cannot understand how Wei Ying is so at ease with his body and finds himself deeply envious.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian beams at him, proud of his bravery - though not so proud that he does not immediately submerge himself, swimming towards Lan Wangji's pale ankle and pinching the knob between his fingers.

"Did you jump?" he asks, laughing as he surfaces, clinging to Lan Wangji's waist. "I couldn't see!"

[lan_wangji]

He watches the entire, ridiculous approach, taking a moment to appreciate Wei Ying's lovely form under the water before he bursts out, splashing Lan Wangji's torso with cold water.

"Somehow saw you coming," he intones, crouching in the water until his arms are around Wei Ying, fingertips immediately tracing the goosebumps along his back. "Wei Ying looks very lovely in the water." He pushes an escaped tendril from Wei Ying's face and tucks it behind his ear. "Look like you belong."

[yiling_laozu]

"I love the water," Wei Wuxian sighs, winding his own arms around Lan Wangji. "I missed it everytime I left Yunmeng, as much as I ever did my siblingd." He might not have truly belonged to Lotus Pier, but it left a mark on him, and Wei Wuxian lifts his feet, floating happily between the water and Lan Wangji's arms. It's impossible to return to those golden, peaceful days, but in moments like these Wei Wuxian feels the fabric of time grow thin, long dead algae tickling his feet and old sunlight warming his back.

"Are you ready to try, Lan Zhan?"

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji drops three warm kisses across Wei Ying's shoulder before he pulls back, feeling himself becoming affected by Wei Ying's closeness. Try and he may and even with all his significant self discipline, he still finds himself yearning for Wei Ying in a way he cannot control. A lifetime of doing without pleasure and he is now entirely unraveled, like trying to return spilled water to a cup.

"Mm, tried with you long ago at the lake. Managed to float. Remember it being difficult."

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian hums in turn, body buzzing from those short, warm kisses. "Because Lan Zhan cannot let go," he says, leading Lan Wangji deeper into the water, though the ground is still well in reach of their feet. "Let's start with that again," he suggests, holding on to Lan Wangji's shoulders, but only to press gently down.

"Lie back. I know it is difficult, but try not to think. Think of it as meditation, Lan Zhan."

[lan_wangji]

He remembers that time in the lake being particularly difficult because of Wei Ying's proximity and Lan Wangji's own, unspoken longing. This time is made difficult because as he starts to lie back, he remembers yet again that he is fully nude and wants very much to curl into a protective ball.

He wishes it was dark.

"If I lie back, I am not covered," he explains, hovering awkwardly halfway back.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian's mouth falls open. Of course...even if it is only Wei Wuxian here to see, they only see this much of each other in a certain context. Lan Wangji has never been naked among others as an innocent, and that is Gusu's failing, not his.

"Wait," he says, taking overlong, underwater steps towards the shore to grab his own pants. "I'm sorry, Lan Zhan, put these on. I was only thinking of how easy it is for me, but we aren't the same." Wei Wuxian kisses the tip of Lan Wangji's nose. "They will hinder swimming, but we're only working on floating now."

[lan_wangji]

"But this isn't what you wanted," he protests, berating himself silently for his childishness. Wei Ying said he grew up doing this, swimming like this, and Lan Wangji cannot even do it in front of his lover.

He tries to follow, finding himself heavier and slower than Wei Ying in the water as he attempts to catch up. "No, will not wear them. Wei Ying likes swimming like this, want to do what you like to do. I can try again."

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian waves a hand. "But I did not learn as a man," he reasons. "I was not even waist high when I first went into the water." He laughs a bit. "What did I care if my tiny manhood could be seen above the water? Of course it is different for you, Lan Zhan. Learn in a way that you are comfortable."

He climbs out of the water, holding out his hand. "Then, when you can swim like a fish as I do, you can enjoy the water without hindrance."

[lan_wangji]

He wants to argue, truly wants to force himself to do this but he knows there is no way will be project anything but discomfort and ruin the entire endeavor.

He accepts the black pants and tugs them on, finding them a little snug and a little short but immediately more at ease than he has been since they left the house.

"Promise Wei Ying we will do it his preferred way, soon," he murmurs, still feelings pangs of disappointment at himself. His Wei Ying has adapted to challenges Lan Wangji cannot imagine and here Lan Wangji cannot even float naked.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian hides a smile at the sight of his too small pants, holding out his hand to lead Lan Wangji back into the water. "I'm sure you will, Lan Zhan," he says, kissing his cheek before he starts to push his shoulders back.

"Now lie down in the water - you will float, but my hand will be beneath you just in case."

[lan_wangji]

He immediately slides backwards, emboldened by both Wei Ying's care and the fact that his genitals are safely covered from even Wei Ying's eyes. If a boater happens by, he need only shield Wei Ying.

It is difficult, too difficult for something that should be simple. He immediately lets out a soft, disgruntled noise as he starts to sink and tries to remember his previous lesson from so long ago. It is like meditation, he must let go of the physical self.

He feels like a child learning the basics of mastering one's body all over again. It is profoundly irritating. "This should not be so hard," he huffs, voice full of self recrimation.

[yiling_laozu]

"It isn't, you are making it so," says Wei Wuxian, leaning over him with a kind smile. "Let your mind drift, Lan Zhan. Think about things that make you happy. Like...the first time you brought Bunny home," he suggests. "How her fur felt against your hands. Think about all the plans you made to care for her. Don't think of the water, and your body will relax."

[lan_wangji]

When asked to think of something that makes him happy he immediately thinks of Wei Ying but that happiness tends towards excitement which is hardly helpful in this instance. Bunny is a good suggestion.

He closes his eyes once more and wills himself relaxed from his feet to his head, piece by piece. Wei Ying's voice is close and his hands steady underneath him and he finds himself relaxing, albeit slowly and with much effort. He can hear the rising hum of the nearby insects and the gentle lap of the water. He thinks of Bunny, of the early mornings just Lan Wangji and she on their porch as he meditates.

Wei Ying's warm, bare skin is still a terrible distraction, however. "Keep thinking of you naked," he murmurs, eyes still closed.

[yiling_laozu]

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian laughs. "How could you be so delightfully improper at a time when I am trying to earnestly teach you something? Lan Zhan is so unfair." He pinches his back in the water. "And you were doing so well. I bet you didn't notice I took a whole hand away."