[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]

"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.

[lightamidchaos]

"Wei Ying will always accomplish as much as he needs to," he murmurs, perfectly composed.

There are only two seats, something that they will have to rectify in the future if they are to entertain guests. For now, he gestures for Jiang Yanli to take one, Wei Ying to take the other, and starts to settle himself on the floor as carefully as he can.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian eyes Lan Zhan a moment -- but arguing the point in front of his sister would raise too many questions, he knows. So he accepts the offered seat, leaving anything he wants to say to a pointed look instead, and settles in to begin pouring tea for everyone.

"But not as much as I want to," he says, in cheery protest. "How cruel!"

[lotus_sister]

“A-Xian!” she scolds, gently. “Surely not cruel.”

Lan Wangji turns a perfectly bland look on Wei Ying and says, “Mn.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian bursts out laughing at Lan Zhan's unperturbed remark. "All right, not so cruel," he relents, as he sets the tea in front of Jiang Yanli and Lan Zhan. "You did allow me a little bit of coffee, after all."

Much-needed coffee, in fact. He picks up his own cup for a lingering sip.

[lightamidchaos]

He curves his fingers around his own cup and draws in its warmth.

"I want you both to have the whole night," he murmurs.

[acrookedpath]

Oh.

He lowers his mug, revealing the most heartstopping, aching smile. "The whole night," he echoes, far softer.

Oh, Lan Zhan. My beloved.

Glancing Jiang Yanli's way, he lifts his cup in a small toast and says, "A good thing I still have so much more to tell you!"

[lightamidchaos]

Jiang Yanli’s smile is gentle and warm, and Lan Wangji is quietly pleased at their shared joy.

He sits as still as he can, listening as Wei Ying chatters and his sister laughs with him, as time passes and the moon moves slowly across the sky, changing the angle of the light through their window. It is hard, so hard, for him to stay awake, exhausted as he is, but strangely the pain helps, and he sinks into it as into a wave and lets it buoy him at the edge of awareness.

And then all of a sudden it is gone, or almost, as light and warmth explodes within him, and a gasp escapes his lips.

[acrookedpath]

The noise cuts down Wei Wuxian's latest words mid-syllable. Startled -- and clearly worried -- he looks his way.

"Lan Zhan?"

[lightamidchaos]

“I am all right,” he promises. “I was only - I drifted, for a moment, and only returned to myself.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian studies him an extra moment. Indeed, he doesn't appear to be in distress; if anything, he looks less pale than he has been for most of the evening. Still, with a quick smile, he reaches to squeeze his hand.

"We are not boring you too badly, are we?" he asks, lightly teasing.

[lightamidchaos]

“You could never,” he says, immediately, and Jiang Yanli laughs in delight.

“The two of you are so well matched!”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian beams, cheeks reddening slightly. "We are!" he says. "You would not have thought it that first day we arrived at Cloud Recesses, eh?"

[lotus_sister]

She hums a smug little sound in answer, and watches in mischievous delight as both of them stare at her.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's jaw drops.

"Shijie! That early?"

[lotus_sister]

“You didn’t see how impressed you were when Lan Wangji arrived at the gates of Cloud Recesses,” she observes, and watches the upper curve of Lan Wangji’s ears turn pink.

“Until he cast the silence spell on you, anyway.”

[acrookedpath]

"Aiyo, if someone could have told me -- "

That's as far as Wei Wuxian gets before collapsing into fresh laughter.

[lotus_sister]

“That’s not the sort of thing you can tell someone,” she chides, but gently. “You have to realize it for yourself.”

[acrookedpath]

"I know, I know," he sighs. A smile still twitches the corners of his lips. "Besides, if you had told me after that very first meeting, I am not sure I would have believed you."