sadflutenoises | IC Inbox - Wei Wuxian

He did! I laughed, you know? Maybe that was rude...

[But now Lan Zhan's arms are shaking a little, is he too heavy? Maybe he's too heavy...]

Mmmm, I remember thinking... he's pretty sentimental, huh?

[He scrunches his nose at the question, not in disgust so much as frustrated to deal with such a difficult question when his thoughts feel like they're slogging through cold congee. He reaches up with his free hand, grabbing Lan Zhan's chin and tilting it toward him.]

Lan Zhan. You already want to hand me off to someone else? I didn't think you'd want to take it back so soon!

[ Sated with this answer, he breathes a sigh of relief and suddenly he's not shaking anymore as he walks with Wei Ying through the hallways. ]

You are mine.

[ It can serve as a reminder to the both of them. He shifts them a little bit, so Wei Ying can rest his head on Lan Wangji's shoulder.

He meant all the things he said, how he finds Wei Ying selfless and kind and clever and all those things. He'd never take them back, not for the world. He'd rather throw his lot in with the man he'd loved, he'd trusted, that he'd follow into darkness. ]

So you say.

[He lets go Lan Zhan's chin, but he doesn't lose the somewhat irritated expression on his face.]

How would you like if I asked you, hm? Would you prefer life with the other Wei Wuxian?

[ He freezes, slightly. There was something that he'd intended to tell Wei Ying. ]

No.

[ And then, a breath. ]

I carry you both in my heart.

But he is not the one I asked to marry me.

[ He gets them to their room, and gently lowers Wei Ying to the ground so he can fetch the key. ]

[He'd sort of expected the no, even in his inebriated haze, but hearing that they were both close in Lan Zhan's heart, it was hard not to feel a bit of jealousy.]

Aah... it's that close, hm? I guess it's hard to be too upset when I'm competing with myself... No matter what, Lan Zhan wants Wei Wuxian, hm?

[The other Lan Zhan too, hadn't he wanted Wei Wuxian enough to kiss him, during the Phoenix Mountain hunts?]

He has your soul. But he does not have our memories.

[ He picks Wei Ying up again as he walks them through the threshold, and places him seated down by a table to go get him some water. ]

I need to tell you something.

[ He places the water in front of Wei Ying, and does so with such a politeness, using the tongs so as not to touch the water, as if presenting tea to someone of very high importance. ]

Wei Ying was transformed into a rabbit...

[ He pauses. It's so tense. What's he about to say? He sounds so ashamed. ]

...And I kissed him. It was my fault.

[ He looks down. ]

Forgive me.

[Wei Wuxian lets himself be manhandled into the room and slouches into his seat with a pout. The conversation feels much too heavy for how intoxicated he is. Trying to think of how he and the other Wei Wuxian differed, about how the Lan Zhan's from their mirrored worlds were alike, but not the same.]

See, that's what I said! The other me... and me... are like... Wine from Caiyi and Yunmeng. They're both wine... and sweet... and might even have the same name, but they're not exactly the same. And I can like Yunmeng's wine, even if Emperor's Smile is my favorite.

O-oh but just because I'll drink anything, it doesn't mean I'll drink anything.

[He glances at the water, placed so delicately in front of him, eyes narrowing. It's never been good, when Lan Zhan starts a conversation that way. Well, with the exception of A-Yuan, perhaps. But before he can offer so much as a teasing retort, Lan Zhan is telling him a tale that seems better suited to children's bedtime stories. He rubs at his temple, trying to make sense of it. Did he just miss something, because of the drink? No, he was surely listening... but it still doesn't make sense.]

Lan Zhan... are you sure you're not drunk too?

[ Well, okay, this was going worse than planned. He doesn't know how better to say this. The other Wei Ying turned into a rabbit. He kissed him. He feels guilty, not just because of the kiss but because of all the relentless flirting and hand-holding and basically the things they did too, before they got immediately engaged.

He drew the line! At kissing! And then he went and crossed this arbitrary line he drew and now he's trying to apologize.

He's not really following along with the explanation about the Yunmeng wine and the Emperor's Smile, but he tries to figure out the gist. ]

It's important to me that you know, that I would do anything for you, you need only ask.

[ Why is he doing this when Wei Ying is drunk honestly is the question ]

[He leans on the table, nearly spilling Lan Zhan's carefully placed cup of water. He knows what Lan Zhan is saying is important, that it means a lot to him, so he tries his best to pay attention and not ruin the nice moment he's sure Lan Zhan is trying for.

It's a nice sentiment, but Wei Wuxian has never been terribly good at asking for the things he needs. Not unless it's in a joking and cavalier sort of way. The answer comes surprisingly easy.]

Oh- What I want? That's... for Lan Zhan to be happy.

[He grins, drunkenly proud of himself.]

[ Even drunk, he is sweet. And a gremlin. Like he'd just magnified himself by drinking too much. He already didn't have a filter.

It does feel silly, because Wei Ying's happiness is what he wants. So they both just have this cyclical thing, of wanting to do more for the other. Isn't that what love is about? Each person giving 50% into the relationship, but wanting to provide enough for 75%?

He reaches out for Wei Ying's hand, and gives it a squeeze. ]

I am happy.

[His slightly unfocused eyes follow Lan Zhan's hand where it squeezes his, then looks up, smiling easily.]

Then it's settled!

[He nods matter-of-factly, as if the answer has been obvious, the matter concluded.]

That wasn't so hard! Now. Now. No more somethings to know. Lan Zhan likes bunnies. I already know.

[ Okay, he should probably explain this better when Wei Ying is sober.

But he moves over to his side, so they can sit together. Perhaps the engagement was a bit hasty, but Lan Wangji can only feel solidified in his heart, how much it is he loves Wei Ying. He peers at his smile and counts how many blessings it is to see it every day. ]

How drunk are you feeling?

[Finally an easy question. He lets out a relieved sigh.]

...I've been drunker.

[Though those times he'd blacked out, unable to recall most of the night.]

...I think.

[Trying to gauge it on a scale of one to ten, he holds up his hands and raises seven fingers, then eight, uncertainly.]

Maybe this many...?

[ He takes a deep sigh and pushes water closer to Wei Ying. He was afraid this would happen, but at least he's here to take care of him. ]

Drink.

Downstairs, they must be strong.

[ To topple Wei Ying. Which means he is probably going to be sick tonight. Just their luck. Ah well. ]

Will you need help bathing?

[He sighs, but picks up the cup, drinking it slowly.]

They were strong! Lan Zhan, my pride was wounded, I had to finish at least three!

[He may have been this drunk before, but never with so few little drinks. Whatever they were serving, it probably would've knocked Lan Zhan out for a week straight!

As for getting ready for bed...

He finishes his cup of water, fixing Lan Zhan with a knowing smirk and a wagging finger.]

If I have help in the bath from Lan Zhan... I won't get clean, just more dirty.

[ Of course he would say that. He busses Wei Ying on the temple. ]

No. I would not take advantage of Wei Ying.

[ And at this rate, Wei Ying is going to drown if Lan Wangji makes him take a bath by himself.

Without another word, he gets up to go draw one. It's so much easier here in the hotel to do so. And the tubs are always so clean. ]

[He erupts into laughter at Lan Zhan's serious reply, almost toppling himself from his seat. It's a few moments before he can get it under control.]

Not even if I ask nice?

[He tries to give Lan Zhan a flirtatious look, though between trying not to laugh and the alcohol, he doesn't do so very well.]

Not even if you ask nicely.

[ He can wait until Wei Ying is sober, and Wei Ying can ask again and get a different answer.

But he does go to sit with him while the bath fills, once he's determined the water is the correct temperature. It's so interesting, how they even give them water that fills up at a singular temperature, and is hot almost immediately. ]

Did you have a good night, aside from this?

[He makes a show of pouting, but it's one of the few firm no's he's gotten from Lan Zhan and as much as he wants to keep teasing, he's also easily distracted.]

What makes you think I'm not having a good night now?

[Besides, the rest was pretty boring. Just chatting with the staff until they'd given up the information about the private party. But it was exactly that, just a party. No secrets, not a step closer to finding out more. Running into Lan Zhan had been the highlight of the evening, not the low point.]

[ He just assumed, since Lan Wangji is a square and Wei Ying is such the life of the party who likes to drink and flirt. Lan Wangji likes neither of these things. ]

You were having fun downstairs.

[ And also making some bad decisions, which is why his shoulder-angel came to the rescue. And also, wouldn't fit on his shoulder at all. ]

[He scrunches his nose just a bit.]

Both can be true.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment.]

But both are better with Lan Zhan.

[It might have been sweet, if not for the way he started tilting out of his chair and closer to the floor.]

[ Lan Wangji is there to catch him. ]

I don't like crowds, or touching drunk strangers.

[ And certainly doesn't like being threatened by dumb boyfriends whose girlfriends he accidentally walks into. ]

But if Wei Ying wants, I will go with him next time.

[ He would just like being told in advance... Please. ]

But touching drunk Wei Wuxian is okay.

[He laughs, as if he's made another hilarious joke.]

You don't have to if you don't like them, Lan Zhan! I can get drunk anywhere, it doesn't have to be one of those parties!

[He completely misses the point, but oh, Lan Zhan caught him. He looks up, still tipsy, and reaches up to pat the side of Lan Zhan's face.]

We can do things Lan Zhan likes too.

I like to spend time with Wei Ying.

[ That's a short list of things, but there are more. He likes to play qin, he likes to read, he likes to have tea with his brother, he likes to take care of his rabbits, he likes to train his juniors, and he likes to spend time with Wei Ying.

He misses cooking for others. Bathing in the cold springs. Picking out groceries at Caiyi town. Tending to the gardens out back of the Cloud Recesses. Writing. Night hunting.

But he counts himself lucky to have what he has. ]

Wei Ying. Is it annoying, when I try to take care of you?

[ He wasn't sure if that was wholly the tea. Or maybe some confusion. ]

Lan Zhan, didn't you hear I'm having a good night? I can keep saying it if you want.

[He still smiles, talking too much has never been difficult for him.]

It's not annoying...

[He tries to put it into words, but any of his usual eloquence is gone.]

I'm just not used to it. If I have to learn a new technique, and my muscles are all tired, it's only because I haven't done it enough.

[The only person who'd ever been so soft to him was his sister; cooking him meals, drying his tears, patting his head, and speaking words of reassurance. He smiles a little softer now.]

Is it annoying, to take care of me?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject