[pfsb]

[acrookedpath]

Lan Zhan, he writes, I'm swimming in the lake! I love you -- Wei Ying. After a moment's thought, Wei Wuxian adds a smiley face to the bottom like Madam Bar so often does with her napkin notes.

It's unseasonably warm today, more early summer than late fall. The trees have dropped enough of their leaves that Wei Wuxian knows such days will depart for good soon enough. And frankly, if he stares at his latest iteration of the energy-revealing array much longer, his eyes will cross and stick that way. He needs to clear his head.

After leaving one copy of the note in their room and another with Madam Bar, he requests some swimming attire; she provides a black short-sleeved shirt much like the one he wore to London Above, the fabric smooth as silk but much stretchier, and loose red trousers that end just above his knees. A little revealing for a lake shared by many, perhaps, but they'll do.

He changes in the public washroom and walks to the shoreline. Stepping onto one of the larger rocks, he eyes the water with a smile.

Then he backs up, sprints forward to spring off the rock, and cannonballs into the lake with a loud whoop.

Comments

[lightamidchaos]

He does not know what Wei Ying is thinking, but he knows that he is deep in thought. He says nothing that would disturb him, being content to hold him close, petted and soothed, loved and cherished, as he should always be and should always have been.

(Jiang Yanli's loss, he suspects, was greater far than anyone may have yet realized.)

He is not certain what he will do if the rumors are true. He has an idea how he can begin to find out, though, and it fits neatly with another plan he has already been thinking about.

[acrookedpath]

After a time, he lifts his head; smiles just a little at Lan Zhan, before leaning in to kiss him.

"Let's go inside?" he murmurs when it breaks.

The sun is slanting downward a bit more: enough to take some heat with it, and leave Wei Wuxian's bare skin colder.

[lightamidchaos]

“Yes.”

He helps Wei Ying up as he gets to his feet, and glances around for his robes. On not seeing them, he realizes that Wei Ying must have left them in their room or with Bar-guniang.

He picks up his own neatly bundled robes, separates his second and third layers from the rest, and moves to help Wei Ying into them.

(He knows that Wei Ying is perfectly capable of managing. He also knows that it is likely he might protest that Lan Wangji will need them, and this helps to sidestep that.)

[acrookedpath]

And indeed:

"Lan Zhan," he protests with a small laugh. "I'm not that cold."

He makes no move to shrug off Lan Zhan's robes, however. It is too small a battle to fight, especially when it makes an entirely different sort of warmth blossom in his heart.

[lightamidchaos]

“Mn.”

He finishes fastening the second layer and leans in to kiss Wei Ying before donning his own inner and outer robes.

“Thank you for indulging me.”

[acrookedpath]

"Sometimes it is fun." He wrinkles his nose, teasing. "I admit."

He gathers the shells he found in the lake bed -- he'll find some use for them, even if only as decoration -- and snags Lan Zhan's hand, linking their fingers as they walk back to the inn.

[lightamidchaos]

He squeezes Wei Ying’s hand and walks beside him with a lighter heart than before as they return to the inn.

“Do you want to eat in the common room, or upstairs?”

[acrookedpath]

He hums, considering. "The common room," he decides at last. "By the fire."

It's a nice spot! And, considering the warmth of the day, not too crowded at the moment.

[lightamidchaos]

He makes a quietly approving sound and holds the door open so that Wei Ying can lead the way.

[acrookedpath]

Walking into the common room wearing Lan Zhan's robes -- more than that, sitting in the common room wearing Lan Zhan's robes -- feels faintly scandalous. For all his thoughtlessness in physical affection, the kisses and touches he steals in public whenever he gets the chance, this is... different, somehow. It sends a tiny thrill through him: I am his.

He settles onto one of the couches with a low table in front of it, whistling to get a waitrat's attention. "Er kuai chicken and some wine, please?" he asks, before glancing Lan Zhan's way.

[lightamidchaos]

"Fānqié xiārén guō bā, and tea, please," he requests, dimly amazed that he is able to form words.

He had thought Wei Ying would want to change clothes, first, but he has not - and to see him here, like this, wrapped in white silk, openly displaying Lan Wangji's claim and care for him, causes a storm of emotion.

He cannot look away from Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

The rat squeaks and scurries away. Lan Zhan's gaze holds on him, and slowly, Wei Wuxian begins to smile.

"What?" he asks, all innocence.

[lightamidchaos]

He shakes his head, saying nothing, but a tiny smile touches the corners of his lips.

[acrookedpath]

"They're very comfortable." He shakes out the sleeves a little, in demonstration. "And -- "

He leans closer; lowers his voice.

"That's two fewer layers for you later."

[lightamidchaos]

“True.”

The tiny smile does not fade.

“They look good on you.”

[acrookedpath]

"Do they?" He grins, sitting back. "Perhaps I could be convinced to wear them for special occasions."

[lightamidchaos]

"Oh?"

[acrookedpath]

"Mm-hm."

Airily.

"Maybe if I misplace my own robes somehow. Though I can't imagine how that would happen more than once."

[lightamidchaos]

“A laundry accident,” he suggests, blandly.

“But in such a case, Wei Ying may wear anything of mine he wishes. Or nothing at all.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian cackles, bumping his shoulder against Lan Zhan's before leaning on him altogether.

"So kind of you to give me options!" he says. "I will save one for public and another for private, I think. In public, I would say they'd think me a Lan disciple, but here at the inn... they'd just know I belong to you."

His cheeks have pinked a bit by the end.

[lightamidchaos]

”Wei Ying.”

His voice is low, very nearly a growl, and he puts his arm around him and sets a possessive hand on his waist as he pulls him closer.

[acrookedpath]

"Yes, Lan Zhan?"

He's laughing even harder now, barely able to get out Lan Zhan's name as he lets himself be yanked closer.

(Lan Zhan still isn't blushing, though. Damn.)

[lightamidchaos]

“Mark your words.”

It is dark with promise and something more, something like surprise and satisfaction at once.

He starts to say something else, but is interrupted by an apologetic squeak from the waitrat standing near with a tray.

[acrookedpath]

"Ah!" Quickly, he disentangles himself from Lan Zhan so he can accept the tray, bowing to the rat. "Thank you very much. You are most kind."

It squeaks again and beats a hasty retreat, leaving them to their food and shamelessness. Wei Wuxian sets the tray on the table so they can begin divvying up their meal.

[lightamidchaos]

He helps set out the plates and bowls between them.

“I do like it,” he says, softly enough that no one else can hear. “Others knowing. That you are my Wei Ying.”