[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

[lightamidchaos]

He kisses his temple, his cheek, his hair, as he holds him close.

“Happy birthday.”

[acrookedpath]

"My Lan Zhan." He tips his head up to kiss him properly. "You extraordinary man. Thank you."

Beaming anew, he glances to the robes.

"Now I will always be warm if we walk together in the snow."

[lightamidchaos]

“Mn.” He sounds satisfied. “I will get you a new outer robe for summer-weight, too, when it is time.”

He shifts one arm, shaking something out of his sleeve, and sets another small wrapped package the size of his hand in Wei Ying’s lap.

[acrookedpath]

As if his eyes could not grow any wider!

"Lan Zhan. Another one?" he exclaims. "How many presents have you stashed away in those layers of yours?"

He scoops up the gift and starts to unwrap it.

[lightamidchaos]

As he does, a fine hair comb of pure white jade is revealed, carved with a cloud and lotus motif.

Lan Wangji just watches Wei Ying’s face, and waits.

[acrookedpath]

A soft oh escapes him. He touches his hand to his mouth, staring.

When he finally looks up, still speechless, his eyes are bright with tears again -- but oh, his smile.

[lightamidchaos]

That smile lights his world and warms him more than any flame. He leans in to kiss him, slow and sweet.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian returns the kiss, cradling Lan Zhan's cheek, hardly able to stop smiling even as their lips meet and part, meet and part.

"I love you," he whispers against his mouth. "Lan Zhan, ah. My Lan Zhan."

[lightamidchaos]

"And I you," he murmurs, between kisses. "My Wei Ying."

[acrookedpath]

When they finally drift apart, Wei Wuxian smooths his hand over Lan Zhan's hair, letting his thumb skate across his forehead ribbon.

"First you let me touch your ribbon," he says, with soft laughter. "Now you gift me a comb. We will be married outright at this rate, eh?"

[lightamidchaos]

"Mn."

He can feel it as his ears flush bright red.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's laughter is a bit louder now.

"You are adorable when you blush," he says, cheerily unrepentant, and strokes a fingertip over the shell of Lan Zhan's ear before dropping a kiss there.

[lightamidchaos]

He shivers a little at the touch.

"Would you want that?" he asks, almost too quiet to hear. "To be married to me?"

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian stills.

It feels very quiet all of a sudden, like the inn itself has held its breath as it listens for his response. As if he has stepped into a field of freshly-fallen snow, wide and white and hushed, the path waiting only for him to step forward and make his mark on this changed, quiet world.

He thinks: but I am dead.

He thinks: that would not be fair to you, to bind yourself so tightly to a ghost.

And yet he cannot hear anything but his heart, singing like the softest chimes on a breeze: yes, yes, yes.




"I would," he whispers. "How could I ever love another as I love you? You are my heart, Lan Zhan. You always will be."

[lightamidchaos]

He gathers Wei Ying into his arms and hugs him tightly, as everything within him soars with love and joy.

"And you are mine. You have been for years. You will be forever."

[acrookedpath]

The stillness dissolves into a radiant light, brighter and warmer than the sun, coursing through him until it bubbles up in another joyous laugh. He clings tight to Lan Zhan, fingers wound into his hair, so buoyant he thinks he might float away if he lets go.

"Yes," he says. "Yes. Always, Lan Zhan -- "

Only for his earlier thoughts to throw a shadow over the light. He cups the back of Lan Zhan's head; pulls away enough to meet his eyes, searching.

"But to marry a ghost. You would... Lan Zhan, is that all right? It will not harm you?"

[lightamidchaos]

"It has not yet," he says, simply.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian sputters, his whole countenance brightening again.

"I suppose it hasn't," he agrees, as prim as he can, before catching Lan Zhan's mouth in another kiss.

[lightamidchaos]

He is fairly certain that Wei Ying does not realize what he meant, and realizes that he must explain, little though he may want to. "Mn," he begins, when the kiss breaks. "Wei Ying."

His ears begin to flush again, just at the thought. "Do you remember that day, in Cold Pond Cave?"

[acrookedpath]

He cocks his head.

"Yes?" he says. "What about it?"

[lightamidchaos]

His ears are on fire, he is sure of it.

"When I wrapped my ribbon around both of our wrists?" he reminds him.

[acrookedpath]

"...Yes?" A little slower, his brow furrowed.

And then -- years and years too late -- the pin finally drops, and a blush of his own explodes across his face.

"Oh."

[lightamidchaos]

“I could have found another way to protect you that day,” he confesses. “But I wanted… too much.”

[acrookedpath]

"And -- "

His laughter, this time, is closer to hysterical giggles. Wei Wuxian covers his face with both hands.

"We even bowed to your ancestor. After we. Lan Zhan!"

[lightamidchaos]

“Mn.” His tone is almost impossibly fond. “It has always been Wei Ying, for me. But you could still have chosen otherwise.”