[pfsb] happy halloween!

[acrookedpath]

It's that time of year again.

The inn is bustling. All manner of strange outfits have been donned (some more willingly than others). Lanterns flicker ominously in the corners, pumpkins stand sentry at either end of the bar, and every order comes complete with a handful of wrapped candies.

And -- if you're Wei Wuxian -- Madam Bar has also gifted you with an enormous array of tiny cakes, each one with a little candle stuck in its center. His second birthday at the inn has arrived, and he could not be more pleased.

(He's also wearing a red T-shirt that reads, simply, I'M THE CHAOS. Just like last year, he has set his mild confusion aside in favor of delight at the bounty Madam Bar has given him.)

Comments

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian manages another aching smile.

"Is there anything else you would like us to do?" he asks, still hoarse. "For you, or anyone back home?"

He may not be able to do much himself, if it involves leaving the inn -- but he knows Lan Zhan will help however he can.

[lotus_sister]

She comes over to join them and takes hold of A-Xian’s other hand, smiling at him.

“My Xianxian needn’t worry. You’ve already promised everything I’d want. Looking out for my son, being so good to me here - don’t worry.”

[acrookedpath]

He sniffles, even as his smile grows wider, and blinks hard to force the tears away.

"I'll try my best," he says. "Aiyo, shijie, you and Lan Zhan are always comforting me even when you have been through so much."

[lotus_sister]

“We love you, silly,” she chides, but gently. “That’s why.”

[acrookedpath]

He laughs, choked.

"I love you both, too," he says, and squeezes both their hands. "So much."

[lightamidchaos]

Lan Wangji makes a quiet noise of affirmation deep in his chest, and merely holds on to him.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian breathes in, and out, as if to shake the weight off his chest. He holds on to the two most beloved people in his life, and watches the stars blur overhead as a few tears finally escape.

His throat is too tight to speak; the only sound is the quiet susurrus of the waves.

[lightamidchaos]

They sit there quietly for some time, together, listening to the water, holding on and letting themselves be held in turn.

“It’s beautiful here,” Jiang Yanli murmurs.

[acrookedpath]

"It is," Wei Wuxian agrees softly. By now, his voice has steadied. "The skies are so clear tonight."

He cracks a smile.

"Whenever I see them now, I think of the friends here who have traveled in spaceships. Everything they must be able to see from so high up."

[lightamidchaos]

He sees the question in Jiang Yanli's face before she can ask it.

"Ships that sail between the stars. Somehow."

[acrookedpath]

"Gaeta-qianbei did his best to explain it to me," he says. "Giant machines that can fly so high, and so fast, that the earth itself becomes like a speck of dust. Engines powered by burning metals, or by harnessing lightning like they do with the lights of the inn. Ways to navigate when the sky is so changed."

He sighs, dreamily.

"Someday I will see one for myself."

[lotus_sister]

"It's so hard to imagine," she says, "but it sounds amazing."

[acrookedpath]

"Doesn't it?" He aims a grin at his shijie. "The machines in that one room Lan Zhan mentioned can mimic what it's like, but I am certain it can't compare to the real thing."

[lightamidchaos]

“Mn.” He himself is not sure he wants to venture into a ship like that, but he will follow Wei Ying anywhere.

[acrookedpath]

"Lan Zhan, ah, don't worry." He leans his shoulder against Lan Zhan's. "I will not go far if given the chance. Two or three steps onto a spaceship, the front door open the entire time, just so I can say I have been!"

[lightamidchaos]

“I will go with Wei Ying,” he says, stubbornly. “But perhaps not tonight.”

Already exhaustion is settling into his bones, dragging at him in whole new ways, forcing him to fight his weakened body to stay awake. He is not sure what would happen on such a journey.

[acrookedpath]

"Mm. No, not tonight," he agrees, freeing his hand so he can rest it, very lightly, on Lan Zhan's lower back. "Tonight, we will keep all our adventures confined to the inn. Easy adventures, like tea and conversation."

[lotus_sister]

Jiang Yanli laughs. “You talk as if this isn’t already a great adventure!”

[acrookedpath]

"Ah, no, you are right!" He tosses his head back dramatically, starting to laugh as well. "How quickly I have become used to waking every morning in such a fantastical place! It is a great adventure, and even better when I share it with both of you."

[lotus_sister]

She squeezes the hand she’s still holding. “Happy birthday, A-Xian.”

[acrookedpath]

As he returns the squeeze, his smile shines far brighter than the stars above.

They linger on the beach a short time longer -- but, mindful of Lan Zhan's back, and the sleepiness he can feel beginning to overtake him, Wei Wuxian eventually suggests they go inside for tea. He pulls Jiang Yanli to her feet and helps coax Lan Zhan upright as surreptitiously as possible. So cold! he laughs as they cross the invisible barrier around the inlet. Next time we will have to bring the tea with us!

Once they tumble inside and make a beeline for Madam Bar, she is all too happy to give them a tray of tea and snacks to bring upstairs.

And, at Lan Zhan's quiet request -- and Wei Wuxian's bug-eyed awe -- a small cup of coffee.

(Very small. Half-caf. Plenty of milk to dilute the full strength of the brew. Lan Zhan, after all, is no fool.)

[lightamidchaos]

"What is that?" Jiang Yanli asks, curious.

"Coffee," he tells her. "It helps one stay awake even if they are tired. It works very strongly on Wei Ying, much as alcohol does on me."

He knows that she is aware of the shared punishment from so long ago at Cloud Recesses, but is not sure if Wei Ying has told her of the extent of the impact, and gives him a quizzical glance.

[acrookedpath]

"And because of that, Lan Zhan does not like me to drink it very often." Reverently, Wei Wuxian scoops up the mug, breathing in the scent of the coffee. "Ah, you have never seen Lan Zhan after drinking alcohol, have you? One sip and he will topple over as if he drank a whole jar! Just as one mug of coffee can propel me for hours and hours without any need for sleep."

Setting the coffee back on the tray, he picks it up so they may continue upstairs.

[lotus_sister]

“Without sleeping?” Jiang Yanli gives him a stern look and turns to Lan Wangji.

“Thank you for looking out for my brother,” she says, eyes dancing.

“Mn,” he replies. “Always.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian laughs, softly, as they ascend the stairs and turn down the hallway.

"Aiyo, the plans you two devise against me when you team up! I would never get any work done," he teases. The talisman unlocks his and Lan Zhan's door on their approach; he nudges it open with an elbow and leads them inside.