For Wei Ying - Courting Take 3

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji would be the first to admit that he knows little of courtship or marriage, not the details at least. It had not been a subject he'd received any instruction or advice on so he must rely on what little he has witnessed in his youth outside of Cloud Recesses. The hair pin and comb had been the obvious choice but the second is less so. He provides Wei Ying with food and drink daily so there would be no great gesture in such gifts.

The idea had finally come to him as he had flown home one evening and array of animals in the countryside.

It had not been hard to conceal the building of a small structure by Bunny's own hutch as Wei Ying rarely noticed such things or took part in the maintenance of the home. He had smuggled them home under the cover of night when he'd known Wei Ying would be in the city, fraternizing with Klaus and likely speaking of all manner of subjects Lan Wangji would rather not know of. The four chicks, two yellow and two black had seemed cozy when he had left them that night and again when he'd checked as the sun rose the next morning.

He opens the door to their room and smiles softly at the still sleeping bundle of blankets now in the middle of their large bed. He kneels onto the bed, pushing his fingers through the mess of black hair half buried by blankets. "Wei Ying. Wake up."

Comments

[yiling_laozu]

More than happy to swim naked, Wei Wuxian wears only his thin inner robe outside, grinning when he sees Lan Wangji gingerly make his way outside. Apart from what they look like, these little pants are the next best thing to swimming nude - Wei Wuxian thinks Lan Wangji will warm to them, eventually.

"Ah, my Lan Zhan is smooth like fish scales and will dart through the water," he says, leaning forward to kiss Lan Wangji's cheek before dragging his hair up into a topknot.

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji watches Wei Ying's fingers make quick work of an endearingly messy topknot, a stark contrast to Lan Wangji's own neat as a pin knot on top of his head. "Perhaps with more of Wei Ying's training I will do so," he murmurs, laying a hand on the curve of Wei Ying's waist, still unused to seeing him so disrobed for purposes other than intimate.

He takes a few steps closer to the shore and undoes the knot of his robe, keeping a careful eye out for boaters before cutting his gaze back to Wei Ying, unsure if the little pants will be cause for amusement. His legs look startlingly pale, is the first thought and he notices yet again the difference between the fine hairs and the dark hair that runs up Wei Ying's legs.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian's gaze is indeed fixed on him, and despite his smile he looks far from amused. Lan Wangji's legs are long and as white as jade, smooth and refined looking unlike Wei Wuxian's own dark streaked legs. The shorts are tightfitting, stretching pleasantly over his backside, and Wei Wuxian fights the sudden urge to touch.

He mostly succeeds, not grabbing Lan Wangji's ass but slapping it happily as he pushes his robes from his shoulders, diving naked into the water.

[lan_wangji]

He tries to admonish Wei Ying but all he manages is a startled splutter as he sees miles of bare flesh cutting through the water, graceful in a way he knows he will never be.

It is, however, bare flesh that Lan Wangji is very determined will be viewed by no one but him and he keeps an eagle eye out for any witnesses as he steps into the water. He is not yet willing to admit it, but the cold water is delightful against his bare legs, a welcome reprieve from the overwhelming heat.

"Ridiculous," he mutters, waiting for his beloved to surface.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian surfaces like a dolphin, blinking the water from his eyes as he surges back into the open air. The water never ceases to feel like home, and he heaves a happy sigh as he flops onto his back. "Ah, Lan Zhan, how is it?" he calls, floating happily. "Isn't it easier to walk in your new pants than all those cumbersome robes?"

[lan_wangji]

"The water feels very pleasant," he says mildly, making quick work to wade out to Wei Ying. He is...quite on display and Lan Wangji feels he needs to be ready to shield him from passersby at a moment's notice.

He carefully runs his hand down the curve of Wei Ying's side, reminding himself that they are here for a swim and not other activities. "They do seem easier for swimming. Less drag. Wei Ying has opted for the most aerodynamic option."

[yiling_laozu]

"Ah, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian laughs, reaching for his hand to use as an anchor as he drifts gently in the water while Lan Wangji stands rigid as a sentinel. "We will hear any boat long before it appears, you needn't protect my virtue with such ferocity."

He tugs. "Try a few strokes. To try out your pants," he adds with another laugh.

[lan_wangji]

"Not while you are laying in such a way," Lan Wangji counters, only his thumb running along Wei Ying's knuckles and soft gaze betraying his unyielding posture.

"Should attempt swimming outside of this inlet. Skills will not improve unless I try in the current. Does Wei Laoshi approve of this?"

[yiling_laozu]

"Lao Wei does not approve," says Wei Wuxian, standing up at once. "River currents are strong and difficult to predict. Even I dare not swim out in waters I don't know well, and Lan Zhan is still learning. Lan Zhan will practice here - " Wei Wuxian points.

"Where it is safe."

[lan_wangji]

"Hm," Lan Wangji hums in mild frustration. It was perhaps a mistake to ask in such a way, even if it did mean that Wei Ying's modesty in now more protected in his ire. Such a directly expressed wish will prevent Lan Wangji from simply trying it when Wei Ying is not present.

"If you learn the waters, you can teach them to me. Or we could learn them together," he counters, trying to tug Wei Ying close as it his automatic response to having his bare skin so close.

[yiling_laozu]

Wei Wuxian huffs. If he still had his core, this would all be different, but he can no longer fly to Lan Wangji's rescue, nor summon anything but darkness to pull him from the water. Lan Wangji is far too precious to entrust to his weakened self.

"First, Lan Zhan must become a strong swimmer to resist a powerful current," he says, eying the shorts for the first time with something less than glee. "Fill your sleeves with stones and swim the length of this pool five times, and then we will see."

[lan_wangji]

He has realized his mistake too late and can feel Wei Ying's agitation rolling off of him. "Do not need to do this, today," he concedes, grabbing at Wei Ying's hand in apology. It is...difficult to be presented with such a challenge that he is not able to simply tackle head on. Difficult to believe he could be bested by water.

"Today is Wei Ying's day. I will obey. Will not go out without your instruction."

[yiling_laozu]

Head filled with thoughts of Lan Wangji disappearing beneath dark water, never to be seen again, Wei Wuxian shivers, looking up only when he feels a large hand enfolding his own. Lan Wangji looks worried, and Wei Wuxian stands up straighter. "It's different than you think it is," he says.

"It is like fighting a Waterborn Abyss, but instead of over the water you are in its belly, pulled in so many directions you cannot get your bearings. You might be so turned around that when you do have a moment to move your limbs and swim, you won't know which way the surface is. I don't want Lan Zhan to endure that."

[lan_wangji]

His lips press into a thin like as he looks out at the seemingly placid river and back to Wei Ying's drawn face. He believes Wei Ying but he does not understand it. He cannot imagine his considerable skill could not best water.

But for all his considerable skill, the heat of the summer in this place grows harder and harder to bear without complaint for reasons he also does not fully understand.

"Have you experienced this? Did something happen?" he asks pushing wet strands out of Wei Ying's pale face.

[yiling_laozu]

"Once," says Wei Wuxian, startled to find them suddenly refocused on him. He tugs his face into something less dour. "Jiang Cheng and I were playing a few li from home. We were roughhousing, and he pushed me into the water, not thinking of where we were. I was lucky enough that an older disciple was passing and fished me out before I could be swept too far."

It had been terrifying, but Wei Wuxian is far more concerned with Lan Wangji not experiencing it than that he himself has. "Honestly coming home was worse. Madam Yu had me confined for an entire week until I could 'learn not to bother Yunmeng disciples on official business.'"

[lan_wangji]

He draws in a sharp breath, his rage towards both Jiang Wanyin and Madam Yu dark and deeply rooted. He knows he cannot tell Wei Ying of his final encounter for Jiang Wanyin, but his anger remains knife sharp.

"Unfair to you," he murmurs, wrapping his arms around Wei Ying's cold back. He will never fully understand Wei Ying's anger towards Lan Wangji's upbringing when his own had been so much more cruel. "If Wei Ying does not wish me to go into deep water, I will not."

[yiling_laozu]

"Ah, Lan Zhan, I don't mean to clip your wings," says Wei Wuxian, happy to lay his head on Lan Wangji's shoulder now that they are close together. "I only want you to recognize the river's power before you throw yourself into it, expecting that it, like so many things, will bend to your considerable will."

He chuckles. "Though of course, you are Hanguang Jun. Perhaps it would bend for you after all."

[lan_wangji]

He kisses Wei Ying's wet, dark hair, running a hand up and down his knobby spine. "It is," he admits, after a few moments of quiet. "Difficult to imagine being defeated by water with no magical properties. But I believe Wei Ying."

Another kiss is dropped to Wei Ying's temple before he pulls back. "Think we are both difficult pupils, in different ways."

[yiling_laozu]

"Eh?" Wei Wuxian also pulls back with a scoff. "I am a perfect pupil! I know most things without being taught, and I always try to think of better ways to do them. Any teacher would be thankful to have me, for they needn't do any work at all."

He folds his arms, gaze sliding sideways. "Lan Zhan is not a bad pupil either. Only eager."

[lan_wangji]

"Wei Ying was an infuriating pupil," Lan Wangji says, voice mild as he imagines years and years of attending classes with Wei Ying instead of merely six months. He is certain he would have suffered a Qi deviation out of sheer frustration.

"And I was stubborn. Inflexible. Interesting that we match well, now. Now I like Wei Ying's infuriating qualities."

[yiling_laozu]

"Oh?" Wei Wuxian's mounting indignation dissipates all at once. He winds his arms around Lan Wangji's tall, straight neck, leaning in until their torsos slide pleasantly together. "I am very likeable, aren't I? I must be, for everyone says I talk too much, yet I'm rarely told to go away. Only Lan Zhan has done that."

He grins. "I bet he is glad I didn't."

[lan_wangji]

"Am glad," he agrees, long fingers gripping Wei Ying's hips as he leans in for a kiss. "Do not want Wei Ying away at all."

It is a wonder they ever complete a real lesson, Lan Wangji's ability to focus utterly ruined by Wei Ying on display. "Like how you look in the water. Look natural. Lovely."

[yiling_laozu]

"Lan Zhan will look the same eventually," Wei Wuxian promises, lingering close after the kiss. "As powerful in the water as he is on land. And Lan Zhan is very powerful on land," he adds with a wink, helping himself to the sight he's been resisting all afternoon and grabbing two handfuls of Lan Wangji's ass through the wet fabric of the shorts. His brows raise, and he squeezes again.

"These don't leave much to the imagination at all!"

[lan_wangji]

"That is Wei Ying's fault," he points out, hips shifting against Wei Ying as he is firmly taken in hand. "This cannot be how they are meant to fit."

He does not, in fact, know that for certain as they had seen all manner of nudity at the beach but he does not understand how anyone can feel comfortable on display in public places. Even Wei Ying would not do so and he is nearly entirely shameless.

"Easier to move in than pants. You were correct."

[yiling_laozu]

"Aiya, I am so smart," Wei Wuxian agrees. "If I am wise, then Lan Zhan is all the more wise for courting me," he laughs. "They make loose swim pants as well, but they are not meant for swimming, I think, only lounging. You would not look nearly so handsome in them, even if Lan Zhan could make a sack becoming."

But he is curious now, and curious enough to abandon his current handholds, though he does so with reluctance. "Will Lan Zhan swim for me? Just the length of the pool and back."