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\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Wei Wuxian.<\/em><\/p>\n Wei-gongzi.<\/em><\/p>\n Wei-xiong.<\/em><\/p>\n Wei Ying.<\/em><\/p>\n Whispers and darkness surround his body, his mind. Wei Wuxian doesn’t know where to turn, the voices so far away, yet close enough to touch his skin. Resentful energy dances along his pores, threatens to seep into his skin.<\/p>\n No one survives the Burial Mounds.<\/p>\n Wei Ying.<\/em><\/p>\n The resentful energy from his pouch, from Xuanwu Cave, has manifested back into the sword. In the light, it is teasing. Like it is a way out. The screams get louder as he approaches it, like gravity trying to pull him back.<\/p>\n Resentful energy hurts like a motherfucker, but Wei Wuxian does not feel it anymore. He does not feel his body or any kind of warmth; the screams get louder. It is like he knows everyone who has died here, who has been thrown into the Burial Mounds, and they\u2019re waiting for him. The energy is black and thickening, but does not resist as he drags himself to the sword.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian, do you want revenge?<\/em><\/p>\n By the time he reaches the sword, eons have passed. He has died, time and time and time again, the light in the swirling darkness of the Burial Mounds the only thing keeping his eyes open. His body feels lifeless,, limbs moving of their own accord, as if they do not belong to him. The only way he remembers his name is by the voices around him, screaming it.<\/p>\n He has watched two of his families die, watched himself die, and now it no longer matters. He no longer matters, when there is still evil in this world. The greed that lives in humans is no match for his greed for justice, to see the blood of his enemies spill. The screams get louder, urging him, wanting him; his core is empty, has been long since before he got here. It no longer matters what he is, who he is. Only what he will become.<\/p>\n Let’s be together.<\/em><\/p>\n If his body is hollowed out from the inside. If what makes him human is replaced with a curse, the desire of immortals, an eternal hunger. Death is nothing compared to bloodlust. Wei Wuxian embraces it all, winding into him, possessing his veins. The resentful energy is thick, syrupy, as his still-beating heart slows and slows. Its tremors cease, his skin running cold, and that hunger overtakes him in every cell of his body. No longer will his life be dictated by walking under the sun, breaths stolen into the night. Accompanied by the vengeful souls, he will hunt for his enemies, his prey. He will hunt for blood.<\/p>\n Vengeance is ours.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The memory of Wei Wuxian has haunted him since three moons ago. Three moons ago, when Jiang Wanyin declared him missing. When Lan Xichen helped him search high and low in all the sects, when they were supposed to be at war but Lan Wangji only wanted to know what happened to Wei Wuxian. Now, from the roof, Lan Wangji nearly doesn’t believe it at the sight of that infuriating smirk, the unfamiliar dizi in his hands, the black leather robes that have somehow gotten blacker.<\/p>\n He and Jiang Wanyin watch the proceedings, but when Wen Zhuliu attacks, Lan Wangji doesn’t hesitate to blow their cover. He blasts the roof beneath them, crashing into the room. Jiang Wanyin goes for Wen Zhuliu immediately, but all of Lan Wangji’s attention is on Wei Wuxian\u2014his pale face, his red eyes, the lingering air of something dead and bloodthirsty around him.<\/p>\n Once Wen Zhuliu is dead, Jiang Cheng approaches Wei Wuxian first, with the formalities, the sentiments, handing him Suibian again. But Lan Wangji watches Wei Wuxian, the grey in his eyes lifeless, the sharpness of his cheekbones, the starkness of his pale skin. Something is very wrong with him, and Lan Wangji knows that he and Jiang Wanyin saw the black wisps surrounding him when he played the dizi. The brutal way the Wen soldiers died, bleeding from every orifice in their faces. The type of cruelty Lan Wangji could never think himself capable of, much less anyone as good, as\u00a0bright\u00a0<\/em>as Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n He watches the darkness of Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes, how his jaw clenches the more questions Jiang Wanyin asks. Jiang Wanyin sits next to him on the bench, but Lan Wangji notices Wei Wuxian\u2019s nostrils flare, body visibly tensing. Wei Wuxian is not shy about physical closeness\u2014but maybe now he is.<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says, and Wei Wuxian\u2019s gaze snaps up to him. \u201cWere you the one who hunted down the Wen disciples along the way here?\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s voice sharpens. \u201cAnd so what if I was?\u201d<\/p>\n Jiang Wanyin starts. \u201cYou were the one who changed the talismans, too?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji ignores him. \u201cYou murdered them?\u201d And there it is again\u2014Wei Wuxian\u2019s infuriating smirk, despite all the restlessness held in his body. \u201cWhy did you give up the ways of the sword for some other cultivation practices?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does it matter to you?\u201d Wei Wuxian shoots back. He\u2019s stood up; as Lan Wangji inches closer, Wei Wuxian moves farther away from him. Usually it\u2019s the other way around. \u201cIt gets the job done, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt matters to me,\u201d is all Lan Wangji can think of to say.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian levels a stare at him. In the corner, Wen Chao is still whimpering. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I can\u2019t share,\u201d he says, and his teeth are bright in the low candlelight. \u201cIt\u2019s too long a story, you see\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome to Gusu with me,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cExplain there.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smiles. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n He is terrifyingly cold. Lan Wangji wants to know where his Wei Wuxian\u2014the Wei Wuxian he used to know\u2014went. He had always been powerful, intelligent, knocking Lan Wangji off his feet when he least expected it. And he still does, but now it feels like there is something underneath\u2014a crack, irreparably broken, and Lan Wangji wants to heal him. To repair him.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji says, \u201cThere will be a price for learning wicked tricks. History shows this. Your body and your mind will fall victim the more you practice dark magic.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s smile turns dangerous, an edge Lan Wangji\u2019s never seen before. \u201cDo not imply to me that you know my mind or body better than I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt has happened before,\u201d Lan Wangji says, \u201cto previous cultivators\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAm I a previous cultivator?\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian has brought himself up into Lan Wangji\u2019s space now, his nostrils flaring. His eyes darken, all pupil.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have strayed off the lightened path to do what only the cruel do,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cThe wicked, the evil\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas it not evil, when Wen Xu burned down the Cloud Recesses?\u201d Wei Wuxian\u2019s voice is incisive, chilling. \u201cWhen they left us for dead at the Xuanwu Slaughter Cave? When he\u2014\u201d and he points at Wen Zhuliu\u2019s unmoving body, \u201c\u2014and his men annihilated our family, our home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says quietly.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is shaking. \u201cI use music, I use magic. I do what is necessary to serve justice.\u201d His grip is tight around his coal-colored dizi. \u201cI know what I\u2019m doing, and it is not evil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou cannot make all these decisions for yourself,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why the fuck should\u00a0you\u00a0<\/em>care, Lan Wangji?\u201d<\/p>\n His teeth are close, so close; his nostrils won\u2019t stop flaring. Yet in his eyes, he looks like he is holding himself back, and Lan Wangji wants to know what from\u2014wants Wei Wuxian to lose control, take him, show him everything he\u2019s become\u2014<\/p>\n Jiang Wanyin cuts in; by the flicker in Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes, he might\u2019ve forgotten that he was there. \u201cLan-er gongzi, we still need to deal with the matter at hand with the Wens. And Wei Wuxian can help with manpower. Yunmeng Jiang needs it right now.\u201d Jiang Wanyin\u2019s tone brooks no argument. \u201cThere is no need for you to be concerned about Wei Wuxian\u2019s cultivation practices.\u201d<\/p>\n His words seem to be settling Wei Wuxian down, even though Lan Wangji doubts that was his intent.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, Wei Wuxian is not Gusu Lan\u2019s business,\u201d Jiang Wanyin finishes, and Wei Wuxian, gaze still locked with Lan Wangji\u2019s, nods in agreement.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji doesn\u2019t know how to respond, how to say that his worries have nothing to do with the politics, with Gusu Lan, and everything to do with Wei Wuxian. He and Wei Wuxian are two ends of a tightly bound rope, frayed in places but clinging, and Lan Wangji wants to bring him from the cliffside, to safety\u2014<\/p>\n And then Wen Chao stirs and begs, begs for forgiveness.<\/p>\n \u201cLan-er gongzi,\u201d Wei Wuxian says; his face is deceptively serene. Lan Wangji sees his hands trembling from the restraint. \u201cI believe my brother and I will now handle some of the domestic affairs of Yunmeng Jiang, if you could be so kind to give us some privacy.\u201d The grip on his dizi is tight; when he turns to Wen Chao, his gaze is merciless.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji doesn\u2019t know how to save him. If Wei Wuxian can be saved. He turns to leave, and feels the heat of Wei Wuxian on his back. They will have to see the Sunshot Campaign through, but Lan Wangji will not let Wei Wuxian spiral down this path. He departs the Yiling Supervisory Office.<\/p>\n He pretends not to hear the screams of terror behind him.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n He does not see Wei Wuxian again until they are both back in the Unclean Realm.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian looks even worse now, eyes bloodshot with heavy shadows underneath. The bones of his face are nearly visible through his gaunt skin, and though he moves and speaks as quickly as ever, he seems to be on the edge of something, of breaking himself and everything around him. The Sunshot Campaign wants to celebrate his return at dinner.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not attend.<\/p>\n Whatever is going on with Wei Wuxian is dark, disturbing. Lan Wangji remembers learning about the different methods of cultivation among the sects, the modes and functions of magic, where the energy comes from. All the cultivators that dabbled in anything remotely dark\u2014drawing on the pain of the living, the yin in one\u2019s heart\u2014it damages, poisons, kills you slowly. Torturously.<\/p>\n And the light in Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes is gone, replaced with something that craves darkness to fill them. Lan Wangji knows that they are both here in Qishan now, for a war that is bigger than them\u2014and yet, playing\u00a0Cleansing\u00a0<\/em>on his guqin this evening, Lan Wangji thinks only of the war between them. The war in Wei Wuxian\u2019s heart, and the goodness he used to know.<\/p>\n After a few rounds of\u00a0Cleansing\u00a0<\/em>, he takes a break to practice his movement with Bichen in the courtyard. Hai has not yet fallen. With his hand on his sword, he thinks of Wei Wuxian, not wielding his own\u2014how he\u2019d merely held Suibian, when Jiang Wanyin had given it back to him. And back in the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian had discussed using resentful energy, but had certainly treated it like something he would never do. And the glowing way he\u2019d looked at Lan Wangji, his shijie, everybody\u2026 when Lan Wangji had passed the Yunmeng Jiang rooms earlier, he had heard him talking with his shijie and Jiang Wanyin. Wei Wuxian\u2019s responses were short, whatever string of control he had on himself fraying.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not want Wei Wuxian to become their problem, too, when he has already suffered so much.<\/p>\n They are due to a strategy meeting the next morning, but Wei Wuxian does not appear. Jiang Wanyin takes responsibility acceptably, but Lan Wangji does not believe that he knows Wei Wuxian\u2019s condition any better than the rest of them do.<\/p>\n Even later when Lan Xichen invites him out to roam around the Unclean Realm, they run into Jiang Wanyin alone. Wei Wuxian is suspiciously absent here, as well.<\/p>\n Every part of Lan Wangji says to keep to his own sect, to not involve himself in the concerns of others. But in his heart, this is something that Lan Wangji needs to know, because Wei Wuxian cannot just crash into his life with the force of a tidal wave, and then turn and leave Lan Wangji to deal with the debris he left behind. After talking to Lan Xichen, Lan Wangji reroutes to the Yunmeng Jiang rooms, to Wei Wuxian\u2019s rooms.<\/p>\n But, with his knuckles raised to the door, he thinks\u2014Wei Wuxian does need his time. He had just come back after three moons, after all. And what right does Lan Wangji have to demand answers from him immediately? For all that Wei Wuxian has changed, he has never deliberately led Lan Wangji astray or put him in a position he did not want to be in. Lan Wangji is no such person to do that to Wei Wuxian now, either.<\/p>\n Tucking his hand away, Lan Wangji retreats from the door, untouched. He can wait for Wei Wuxian, for when he is ready.<\/p>\n \u201cLan-er gongzi.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a feminine voice\u2014Jiang Yanli, he sees when he turns around. She approaches him. He bows and greets her appropriately.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re here for A-Xian, then?\u201d she asks, and Lan Wangji prepares to leave. \u201cWait\u2014can I ask you something?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods, signaling for her to continue.<\/p>\n Jiang Yanli bites her lip. \u201cI\u2019m worried about A-Xian,\u201d she says. \u201cI know I don\u2019t know much about cultivation, but he is\u2014different. Carrying his dizi around instead of a sword. I was wondering if you knew anything about that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not know about Wei Wuxian specifically,\u201d Lan Wangji says, and her face falls. \u201cBut sword cultivation is defensive, grounded, while musical cultivation assists with understanding the spirits. The sword protects you from any threats.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan musical cultivation be\u2026 aggressive?\u201d Jiang Yanli asks.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji carefully does not ask why she wants to know. \u201cFor musical cultivation to be aggressive is to use dead and resentful spirits against the living,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is considered unnatural and disrespectful.\u201d<\/p>\n More and more worry lines appear on Jiang Yanli\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cJiang-guniang\u2014\u201d Lan Wangji finally can\u2019t stop himself from asking, \u201cDid something happen for you to ask these questions?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just\u2026\u201d Jiang Yanli\u2019s voice drops. She whispers, \u201cWant to know if he\u2019s alright,\u201d but Lan Wangji is unsure if she intended for him to hear that.<\/p>\n \u201cThese methods can harm your body and your temperament,\u201d he tells her. \u201cThis is why swordsmanship is the purest technique. Magic and music may assist it, but not as cultivation alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2026\u201d Jiang Yanli looks even more unsure of herself now. \u201cThen do you know if that alters parts of your body, too? Your human needs?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s eyebrows furrow, however discreetly.<\/p>\n \u201cLike a lengthened tooth,\u201d she murmurs, rubbing her fingers together in thought. There is a faint scar on one of them. \u201cOr not eating or drinking anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n This alarms Lan Wangji. \u201cJiang-guniang,\u201d he says. \u201cIs there something wrong with\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian rounds the corner.<\/p>\n This is not the same Wei Wuxian as just moons after his absence. This is hardly the same Wei Wuxian as when they\u2019d all recouped at the Unclean Realm, just days before. Wei Wuxian is paler than Lan Wangji\u2019s white robes, a permanent darkness under his eyes, the line of his neck so pronounced that it looks like he hasn\u2019t eaten in moons. And maybe he hasn\u2019t, Lan Wangji realizes. Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes are bright, red,\u00a0furious\u00a0<\/em>as he stares at Lan Wangji talking to his shijie. His hands are shaking as he approaches them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat were you telling my shijie?\u201d he demands. \u201c\u00a0Lan Zhan\u00a0<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji can only helplessly reply, \u201cWei Ying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were told to stay out of our business,\u201d Wei Wuxian continues, sneer marring his beautiful face. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize Hanguang-jun likes gossiping about cultivation practices he knows nothing about, interfering with another sect\u2019s business while we\u2019re in the middle of a war.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji spins around; he does not want to do this in front of Jiang Yanli. He does not want to do this at all, to see Wei Wuxian look half-starved like this.<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d Wei Wuxian storms behind him as he enters the courtyard.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji swivels and unsheathes Bichen\u2014but Wei Wuxian is like lightning, blocking his movement with his dizi.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is Suibian?\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cDo you think you can fight in a war with magic alone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the fuck is wrong with you?\u201d Wei Wuxian asks, as Lan Wangji tries to swing at him again and again. The way Wei Wuxian moves is atypical, nearly invisible; Lan Wangji struggles to adapt.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you using energy that\u2019s not yours? What kind of cultivator are you?\u201d Lan Wangji feels his own frustration coming out in waves, and he needs to reground himself, hold it in. He focuses on each swipe of his sword.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes glint dangerously. \u201cWhat kind of cultivator am I? Do you want me to say that I\u2019m\u00a0evil\u00a0<\/em>?\u201d His stance changes; all of a sudden, he\u2019s rushing towards Lan Wangji, with nothing but his body. Lan Wangji doesn\u2019t know how to use his sword to dodge him.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me this, Lan Zhan,\u201d Wei Wuxian snarls. \u201cWhat does it matter what kind of cultivator I am when Wen Chao is dead? Wen Zhuliu?\u00a0I\u00a0<\/em>know what kind of cultivator\u00a0I\u00a0<\/em>am, and what\u00a0my\u00a0<\/em>methods are. I don\u2019t need the great Hanguang-jun\u2019s approval.\u201d He is predatory, like he is playing with Lan Wangji before he eats him. Lan Wangji does not know what will happen if he runs out of space to back up.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian says, \u201cBut of course the great Lan Wangji is righteous, telling my shijie all about the Yiling Supervisory Office, my\u00a0evil magic\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour magic is dangerous,\u201d Lan Wangji says, not even bothering to correct Wei Wuxian\u2019s assumption. \u201cYou cannot think that you are an exception\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut what if I am an exception?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are you, Wei Ying?\u201d Lan Wangji tries to stand his ground as Wei Wuxian gets closer. \u201cWhat have you become?\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian laughs. \u201cYou think you know me, Lan Wangji?\u201d he sneers. His eyes flash and his teeth glint\u2014<\/p>\n Lan Wangji stops moving, and Wei Wuxian closes the space between them. And then there are two points digging into Lan Wangji\u2019s neck, painful for a second before it blends into numbness, to pleasure. He feels it when his blood pushes against his skin, gushes out of him, and Wei Wuxian is licking, sucking,\u00a0drinking\u00a0<\/em>, mouth searing on Lan Wangji\u2019s skin.<\/p>\n He does not know how much blood is pouring out of him, or at what rate; all he feels is it rushing out, hot, almost eager to make its way into Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth. And his veins sing at the sensation, something he\u2019s never felt before, a full-body wreckage as he turns weak in Wei Wuxian\u2019s hands. Wei Wuxian is consuming him, he realizes, dazedly, belatedly, like a starved man and Lan Wangji\u2019s body is a feast. Heat coils in his belly at the realization, and Lan Wangji does not need blood\u2014just this, this for Wei Wuxian and the dirty hot rush all through his torso and cock and limbs\u2014<\/p>\n Then Wei Wuxian tears away from him, stumbles backwards. There is blood all over his mouth, his\u2014fangs, teeth. A string of scarlet still connects his mouth and Lan Wangji\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n It breaks.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian has a bit of color in his face now, Lan Wangji absently notes.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes are wide.<\/p>\n \u201cShit,\u201d he says. \u201cFuck. Lan Zhan, I\u2014fuck. I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n He flees.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Lan Wangji searches, but cannot find him for the rest of the afternoon. He does knock on Wei Wuxian\u2019s door this time, after cleaning up the blood that remained in dark scarlet rivers along his neck and channeling his spiritual energy to heal up the torn skin. When he asks, Jiang Wanyin hasn\u2019t seen him all day, nor have the sect leaders or Nie Huaisang spotted him in the grounds. Lan Wangji would ask Jiang Yanli too, except after how Wei Wuxian had lashed out at him in front of her, he doubts that Wei Wuxian would want to confront that just yet.<\/p>\n On top of what just happened between him and Lan Wangji.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji had known, since Wei Wuxian\u2019s lessons at the Cloud Recesses had ended, that his feelings for Wei Wuxian were equally as strong as they were not entirely platonic. What had most surprised him about the encounter was Wei Wuxian drinking his blood, and how much Lan Wangji had enjoyed it\u2014wanted it, like it was all his body was made to do. He\u2019d heard myths of such creatures, needing blood, human mortality to survive. But he had no real evidence or experience of them before, so Lan Wangji does not know how to approach the issue. How to figure out what else Wei Wuxian might want.<\/p>\n It is not until nightfall when Lan Wangji finds him, lounging on a roof that had been empty only moments ago. Like Wei Wuxian wanted to be found. Lan Wangji tilts his head up; Wei Wuxian does not acknowledge him, but must know that he is there.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji joins him. Wei Wuxian sighs.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you want to talk now, about earlier,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. His dizi is spinning between his fingertips.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji sits next to him, and waits.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, there\u2019s not much to say,\u201d Wei Wuxian says to the night air. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji says, \u201cWei Ying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what came over me,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. He stops spinning his dizi, straightens up. He grits his teeth. \u201cI\u2019ve been\u2014it\u2019s so fucking hard, being back. I was\u2014I can\u2019t sleep. I don\u2019t want to eat or drink anything. Anything, except\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He looks at Lan Wangji\u2019s neck and laughs, bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it\u2019s not just any blood,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, \u201cbecause my shijie, she\u2014it\u2019s wrong, it\u2019s all\u00a0wrong\u00a0<\/em>. Except for you, Lan Zhan. You smell so good,\u00a0sweet\u00a0<\/em>, and I just want to\u2014\u201d He digs his teeth\u2014not his fangs\u2014into his lower lip.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s heart is pounding in his ears. \u201cWei Ying,\u201d he says again.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, you know,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019ve turned into. I feel\u2014way better now, since this afternoon. But I can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cIf it\u2019s what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian pauses. His gaze fixes on Lan Wangji\u2019s. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2014\u201d Lan Wangji swallows at the wording, \u201c\u2014drink from me, if it is what your body requires. If it is what you want. I do not mind.\u201d<\/p>\n The laugh Wei Wuxian lets out this time is light, false. \u201cAre you sick, Lan Zhan?\u201d he says. \u201cYou don\u2019t want that.\u201d<\/p>\n Heat rushes to Lan Wangji\u2019s ears, but he does not falter. He brings himself to his feet. \u201cIf it is my blood that Wei Ying requires,\u201d\u00a0wants, hungers for, craves\u00a0<\/em>, \u201cthen I am more than willing to provide it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t be serious.\u201d Wei Wuxian stands up as well, approaches him. When Lan Wangji does not balk, he brings a hand to Lan Wangji\u2019s neck. His fingers run over the small holes where he bit Lan Wangji earlier, and Lan Wangji has to close his eyes to resist the full body shudder that threatens to overtake him.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease let me help,\u201d he says. He meets Wei Wuxian\u2019s gaze again.\u00a0I do not want you to suffer alone\u00a0<\/em>, he thinks.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian lets out a strained exhale. \u201cBut I can\u2019t bite you on the neck,\u201d he says. \u201cNot like I did earlier\u2014it\u2019s too obvious, someone will see, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji is nodding. He\u2019s sure that Wei Wuxian is ashamed of these new urges, what he\u2019s become, but Lan Wangji\u2014he has his own secret perversions he doesn\u2019t want anyone to see, either. To know this thing that is only between himself and Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n \u201cI have thought about it,\u201d he says. \u201cMy thigh\u2014there is plenty of blood there, and no one will see. You can drink from me there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom your thigh?\u201d Wei Wuxian raises his eyebrows. \u201cLan Zhan, you really are too good, thinking of everything.\u201d He does not look disgusted at the idea, however intimate.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji inclines his head to the night sky. The moon makes Wei Wuxian glow paler than usual, paler than he\u2019s ever been. But he is still as beautiful as before.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever Wei Ying needs,\u201d he says quietly.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n They will try it tonight, despite Wei Wuxian\u2019s reservations. Because for all the blood he took today, it may not have been enough. They quietly make their way to Lan Wangji\u2019s room, so that Wei Wuxian can clean them up and leave if Lan Wangji ends up unconscious from the blood loss.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s body is singing with excitement. He wonders if Wei Wuxian can tell\u2014\u00a0sweet\u00a0<\/em>, Wei Wuxian had said, and Lan Wangji wants to know what else he smells. If he can taste Lan Wangji\u2019s true desire for it, not just generosity, at the tip of his tongue. Wei Wuxian could ask to drink from his dantian, his heart, and Lan Wangji would not hesitate in tearing himself open, for Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n They do not touch as they walk to Lan Wangji\u2019s room, but Lan Wangji isn\u2019t imagining it when Wei Wuxian falters, nostrils twitching when Lan Wangji steps a bit closer. Lan Wangji lets them inside\u2014Wei Wuxian does not follow him all the way in, and when Lan Wangji turns, he sees that Wei Wuxian is in the middle of the room, eyes closed, inhaling deeply.<\/p>\n \u201cYour scent,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n The words make Lan Wangji\u2019s skin go hot. Instead of replying, he sits on his bed, framed by the unlit candlesticks. He pulls the sheets aside so he can sit on the wood. \u201cWe do not want to get the linens dirty,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smirks\u2014and it\u2019s genuine, like before. \u201cThat wouldn\u2019t be so bad, would it?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not shiver, does not halt at the thought of Wei Wuxian wanting people to know, even if it is not necessarily true. To be marked by Wei Wuxian, to mark him in turn. To be\u00a0his\u00a0<\/em>. He carefully watches, instead, as Wei Wuxian approaches him.<\/p>\n \u201cIs there anything you want to do beforehand?\u201d Wei Wuxian asks. \u201cOr should we just begin?\u201d<\/p>\n Swallowing, Lan Wangji begins taking his trousers off. He rearranges his underrobes and lays himself horizontal on the bench. Wei Wuxian is still standing, hovering over him, eyes darkening as Lan Wangji pulls back his robes more and more.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to do this with your clothes on, Hanguang-jun?\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cYour pristine white robes\u2014will they not get stained with your blood?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji had thought about it, but he was unsure\u2014of stripping himself naked, in Wei Wuxian\u2019s presence. He hesitates, but Wei Wuxian places a hand on his knee and smiles. \u201cNo matter. I will be careful not to ruin the lovely Hanguang-jun\u2019s clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n He leans down between Lan Wangji\u2019s legs, calves. Lan Wangji\u2019s breathing is getting faster as Wei Wuxian nudges his knees apart, moving his face closer. \u201cYou smell so good, Lan Zhan,\u201d Wei Wuxian murmurs, breath ghosting over Lan Wangji\u2019s skin. \u201cI can feel your blood rising up to me. I can\u2019t believe you\u2019re offering yourself to me like this.\u201d<\/p>\n The side of his fang grazes the inside of Lan Wangji\u2019s thigh. Lan Wangji\u00a0whimpers\u00a0<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cI won\u2019t take too much.\u201d<\/p>\n And then he sinks his teeth in.<\/p>\n Even though Lan Wangji had known it was coming, he can\u2019t stop the small noise that escapes from his lips at the pain of his skin getting torn apart. His blood is pumping faster than ever, it feels like, as he tries to focus on lifting his robes up, out of the way for Wei Wuxian to drink. His lips are sealed around the bite, suckling every last trope of blood like he can\u2019t get enough, though it\u2019s probably to keep his promise of not dirtying Lan Wangji\u2019s robes. Wei Wuxian breaks for a moment to lick at the bite, wet on Lan Wangji\u2019s skin, and Lan Wangji tries to keep himself in check as dizziness racks his body, threatens to overtake him.<\/p>\n It\u2019s like he\u2019s lost so much blood, and yet not enough\u2014like Wei Wuxian has been drinking from him for ages, when barely any time has passed at all. The front of Wei Wuxian\u2019s fangs catches on his skin, and Lan Wangji, even in his drugged, lightheaded daze, manages to prevent himself from letting out a needy moan. This feeling of a part of him flooding Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth, of Wei Wuxian simply, greedily taking him, shoots bursts of arousal through his veins and he is powerless to stop it.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian stops drinking eventually, only licking at Lan Wangji\u2019s thigh. Lan Wangji enjoys the sensation and doesn\u2019t realize what\u2019s happening until Wei Wuxian runs a finger over where he had bitten him\u2014where he is only damp from his saliva, tingles from the sensitivity, but otherwise clean.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian lifts himself up from between his legs. \u201cMy saliva heals you,\u201d he says, looking pleased with himself.<\/p>\n His face has returned to full color, and though the light in his eyes is not the same, it is back. His lips are dark and his teeth are stained, blood dripping down his chin. Lan Wangji wants nothing more than to pull him close and kiss him.<\/p>\n He does not, knows he cannot. His body feels loose, though not necessarily weak. He opens his mouth but does not remember how to speak. A bit of drool waters under his tongue.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian chuckles. \u201cWell, clearly I took a lot, but at least you\u2019re still conscious,\u201d he says. \u201cI wanted to take more, but I had to think of you, Lan Zhan, because you still need your blood.\u201d<\/p>\n No, I don\u2019t, Lan Wangji wants to say. Take more. You can have all of it.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you sit up?\u201d Wei Wuxian asks. Lan Wangji tries to, but feels boneless. \u201cAh, well, I\u2019m not surprised. You might get used to it if we keep doing this, though.\u201d He rearranges Lan Wangji\u2019s pliant body on the bed, brings the linens back over. Lan Wangji watches in a haze, his mind floating, reveling in Wei Wuxian\u2019s warm hands on him.<\/p>\n He wants to say that he is glad that he can help Wei Wuxian now. That if he can help him with this, he can help him with his cultivation, too. He does not need to know where Wei Wuxian has been, as long as he can follow him now.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian strokes a knuckle along his cheekbone. \u201cSleep now, Lan Zhan,\u201d he says, pressing the pads of his fingertips to Lan Wangji\u2019s eyelids. \u201cI\u2019ll see you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n When Lan Wangji wakes, he doesn\u2019t know how to move at first. His body is stilled in pleasure, and it feels like there are hot spots of numbness all over him. The front of his robes\u2014his day robes, not his night robes, he realizes\u2014are wet, and a flicker of arousal pulses through his body as he awakens.<\/p>\n The sensations are there for a moment\u2014and then they\u2019re gone, like it\u2019s any other morning. Lan Wangji can feel the blood running through his veins again; he undresses and takes a preheated bath left in a tub this morning, goes through his morning motions. As he strips out of his clothing, and then back into them, he runs a finger over his inner thigh. The side of his neck. Two identical puncture wounds.<\/p>\n He cleans his teeth and continues on with his morning.<\/p>\n They are set to begin the Sunshot Campaign today, storming towards Nightless City. Jin Zixuan and Jiang Wanyin lead the soldiers at the front, as Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli see him off; Lan Wangji rides at Wei Wuxian\u2019s side as Wei Wuxian twirls his dizi.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you\u2019d be the one to go into the action,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cYou did not want to join them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Lan Zhan.\u201d Wei Wuxian waves his spare hand. \u201cI just got rejuvenated, I\u2019ll save my energy for something else. Besides, it\u2019s just Jiang Cheng and the peacock. It\u2019s more fun riding with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji says, \u201cWe did not discuss your new cultivation methods, what you plan on doing, if we go into battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHide behind Lan Zhan, of course.\u201d But Wei Wuxian\u2019s smile is still distorted, empty. The darkness under his eyes may have gotten deeper.<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cLet me help you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re helping me enough.\u201d Wei Wuxian\u2019s focus goes back to twirling his dizi. He glances at Lan Wangji. \u201cTrust me, Lan Zhan. Just this once?\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to, but Lan Wangji murmurs, \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n They continue on, but Wen Ruohan\u2019s puppets lay siege against them, and it overwhelms them. As they stop and set up camp, Lan Wangji helps observe the newly turned puppets, previously their own men. The way they behave, lashing out, longing for death is disgusting, inhuman. Yet Lan Wangji thinks of Wei Wuxian, how hungry he is. How Lan Wangji will not wait a heartbeat, will give his heartbeat to Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n They set up new attack strategies; Wei Wuxian does not attend this evening\u2019s meeting; Lan Wangji reminds himself to trust him. Over dinner, Wei Wuxian does eat with them, though when he meets Lan Wangji\u2019s gaze, he smiles and makes a motion like he\u2019s sick.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji sits with him. \u201cYou can still eat food?\u201d he asks curiously.<\/p>\n The back of their hands bump. Wei Wuxian\u2019s skin is cool. He says, \u201cI can put food and liquid in my mouth, but it\u2019s like ash.\u201d He makes a face.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji frowns. \u201cIf, tonight\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, no, Lan Zhan.\u201d Wei Wuxian smiles at him, though there\u2019s a tenseness around his eyes. \u201cI troubled you enough last night. Let\u2019s wait a while, yeah? I can live with this.\u201d He takes a bit of rice, scrunches his nose, tries to wash it down with alcohol. He scrunches his nose again. \u201cThough I\u2019m going to miss the taste of alcohol.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot much to miss,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian laughs. \u201cAh, the wise words of Hanguang-jun.\u201d<\/p>\n They turn in for the night, in separate tents. Lan Wangji wonders how Wei Wuxian is faring, thinking of Wei Wuxian talking about his scent, inhaling a bit more when Lan Wangji steps near. Lan Wangji wonders if Wei Wuxian can smell him so many tents away. If he can smell his arousal.<\/p>\n Midday next, while the sect leaders discuss their strategy, Lan Wangji finds Wei Wuxian observing the puppets, now asleep on mats, eerily still. Wei Wuxian twirls his dizi faster and faster.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan!\u201d he says, when Lan Wangji approaches. \u201cCome, we need your spiritual energy.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji makes his way over and discusses it with the doctors, the disappearance of their spiritual energy, the attempts to restore it. Lan Wangji sits with a body and channels his own into it; it is not quite like blood, like Wei Wuxian drinking from him willingly, hungrily. His energy seeps into the puppet, looking for a place to rest.<\/p>\n It has been severely drained, an already weak golden core with even less spiritual power as a puppet. Lan Wangji stops and gets up to hear Wei Wuxian arguing with a doctor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean, not recoverable?\u201d Wei Wuxian is demanding. \u201cThree moons of spiritual transference\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei-gongzi, we don\u2019t have the time to transfer the spiritual energy,\u201d the doctor tries. \u201cWe have to continue with the campaign, and none of the doctors\u2019 golden cores are strong enough. Over time the spirit will fall along with the body\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like you don\u2019t care,\u201d Wei Wuxian says bitterly. Lan Wangji wonders if he\u2019s been sleeping.<\/p>\n The doctor looks struck. \u201cWe have a war to fight, we can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Before Wei Wuxian can retort\u2014before Lan Wangji can think of something to interfere, a Jin disciple rushes up to them. \u201cWei-gongzi! You have to come\u2014Jiang-guniang\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n At the mention of his shijie, Wei Wuxian launches himself in the direction of the Jin tents. Lan Wangji follows, though by the time he gets there, Wei Wuxian is already holding onto the crying Jiang Yanli. They are flocked by Jin disciples, speaking to one of them. Wei Wuxian is getting angrier and angrier at each word she\u2014Mianmian\u2014speaks.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji stays as the explanation is given, but watches Wei Wuxian\u2014the paleness to his face has returned, hands shaking from where he has his dizi clenched in his fist. Jin Zixuan says, \u201cBut Yuan told me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me guess: she let herself get caught so she could say it wasn’t her, and you fell for it?\u201d Wei Wuxian says, venom dripping from every word. \u201cAnd when you saw shijie bring your soup today, you thought she was trying to imitate her, stealing credit from a\u00a0servant\u00a0<\/em>? You really think so lowly of her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t\u2014\u201d Jin Zixuan says.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014\u00a0know\u00a0<\/em>.\u201d Wei Wuxian laughs, stalks closer. His eyes are red, and he is not breathing. \u201cTell me, Jin-gongzi, what were the exact words you said to shijie?\u201d<\/p>\n Jin Zixuan hesitates. He says, \u201cI said that\u2014even though the servant wasn\u2019t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, the servant was nobler than her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrecious\u00a0Yuan\u00a0<\/em>,\u201d Wei Wuxian sneers. \u201cWhile my shijie was cooking day and night for you, that\u00a0whore\u00a0<\/em>of a servant was pretending it was her instead\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA-Xian,\u201d Jiang Yanli interrupts, and Mianmian, shocked, says, \u201cWei-gongzi,\u201d and behind them, in front of Lan Wangji, a Jin disciple says, \u201cJin-gongzi only made a mistake!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFunny,\u201d Wei Wuxian snarls, \u201cas some mistakes still must be punished,\u201d and with murder in his eyes, raises his flute, black tendrils swirling around him\u2014<\/p>\n Lan Wangji maneuvers around the Jin disciples, Jiang Yanli, until he\u2019s at Wei Wuxian\u2019s side, hand on his arm. \u201cWei Ying,\u201d he says, and Wei Wuxian turns to him, nostrils flaring, dizi still at his lips.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji presses close, his grip firm. Wei Wuxian inhales deeply. The swirls around him slowly retreat, disappear as he settles in Lan Wangji\u2019s hold. His body is as cold as before, before he had a taste of Lan Wangji.<\/p>\n He lowers the dizi but fixes Jin Zixuan with a scowl. He leaves the tent without looking at anyone else. Lan Wangji follows him.<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says, as Wei Wuxian marches off. \u201cWhat do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing,\u201d Wei Wuxian grits out. \u201cStay away from me, Lan Zhan, I don\u2019t need\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji steps in front of Wei Wuxian, in his way. His quick movement causes a small breeze, catching between them, in front of Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian stumbles.<\/p>\n \u201cGoddammit,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji says, \u201cDo you need to drink from me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t say it out in the open!\u201d Wei Wuxian rushes. \u201cAnd\u2014no, I\u2014I\u2019m fine. I can\u2019t\u2014shouldn\u2019t take any more than I need to, so\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to right now,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cYou\u2019re irritable, in a bad mood\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInteracting with Jins always puts me in a bad mood,\u201d Wei Wuxian mutters.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you need to feed from me, then you can,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cIt is not about taking what you need, but what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes darken at that. He meets Lan Wangji\u2019s steady gaze. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t say things like that, Lan Zhan,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji waits.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian sighs, then turns. Lan Wangji follows him to Wei Wuxian\u2019s tent. It\u2019s empty; as soon as the flaps close behind them, Lan Wangji says, \u201cI believe you will need to feed from me every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian turns. \u201cThat\u2019s too much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have become like this and not even two full days have passed,\u201d Lan Wangji points out. \u201cWe can do it at night, to be inconspicuous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can do it at night, huh?\u201d But Wei Wuxian is already trembling at the proximity, the seclusion, the look in his eyes getting darker and hungrier as they stand across from each other. Lan Wangji isn\u2019t sure if he\u2019s aware of it. \u201cLan Zhan, one day you\u2019ll regret giving me your body on a silver platter like this.\u201d He runs his hands over the cloud patterns on Lan Wangji\u2019s robes.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji replies, \u201cNever,\u201d as Wei Wuxian takes off his outer robe, his trousers, lays him on his bed. He leans in between Lan Wangji\u2019s thighs to drink.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n The tide of the Sunshot Campaign turns when the dizi touches Wei Wuxian\u2019s lips. The fierce corpses are unerring, relentless as they charge at their armies, the men\u2014but at the high sounds of the bamboo, the blackness swirls around Wei Wuxian perched high atop the statue, as if threatening to take him away. The fierce corpses turn their fiercest onto the mindless puppets.<\/p>\n And it is unbelievable to watch. Lan Wangji had seen hints of it: the night before; on the night with Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu. Yet not to this extent, with the deformed figures and their bulky swords, who are no longer attacking Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen and Jiang Wanyin and Jin Zixuan\u2014but the soulless bodies instead.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian had assured him, a couple of nights before, that he could control the flow of his energy, his magic, his mental state. Lan Wangji had told him in no uncertain terms that he would assist him on the battlefield if needed, and he has. But now, watching Wei Wuxian with his black dizi, calling for the fierce corpses like it is nothing, Lan Wangji wonders how much protection he really needs. With power like that, one would need more to be defended\u00a0from\u00a0<\/em>him, and something raw and primal burns in Lan Wangji\u2019s gut at the thought. Lan Wangji is on the precipice, Wei Wuxian the abyss\u2014no, Lan Wangji is already falling\u2014<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is unflinching when Wen Ruohan emerges from his palace. Wen Ruohan questions him about his power, fingers around Wei Wuxian\u2019s throat; Wei Wuxian\u2019s smile is stone. The resentful energy swims around him regardless, fierce corpses still fighting under his command\u2014and then Wen Ruohan falls, the puppets fall,, and there is blood dripping from the end of Meng Yao\u2019s blade.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji cannot bring himself to care. Wei Wuxian collapses, and then Lan Wangji is holding him in his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji murmurs.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smiles up at him. \u201cWe did it, Lan Zhan,\u201d he says, and passes out.<\/p>\n What happens after is a blur, dragging undead bodies out of Nightless City, assessing all the living soldiers with wounds, shattering the Yin Iron. Lan Wangji holds Wei Wuxian\u2019s body through it all, focused only on the coldness of his skin, like ice. Wei Wuxian no longer breathes and Lan Wangji knows this, having stumbled into his tent one night and seeing Wei Wuxian\u2019s unmoving body, horrified until his eyes popped open and he grinned at him. But Lan Wangji does not think anyone else should know of Wei Wuxian\u2019s\u2014differences.<\/p>\n At Jin Guangshan\u2019s quick command, the remaining soldiers in Nightless City take what was once Wen housing to rest. Lan Wangji briefly notes the enthusiasm of some of the previously absent Jin soldiers, now pillaging the city streets. But he focuses on getting Wei Wuxian\u2019s unconscious body a place to rest first.<\/p>\n He is unsure if Wei Wuxian will wake at all. The dark magic clearly took a toll on his body, however inhuman he\u2019s become. Lan Wangji swallows at the idea of him not waking up. Lan Xichen and Chifeng-zun beckon him for dinner that evening, but Lan Wangji does not go. He wants to be present when Wei Wuxian wakes up, and he is afraid of what would happen if Wei Wuxian wakes up alone, or with someone that is not him.<\/p>\n It is not until deep in the night and Lan Wangji is hanging onto the vestiges of consciousness when Wei Wuxian\u2019s body shifts. Abruptly, Lan Wangji is by his side.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian gasps. His nostrils flare. Suddenly, his eyes are wide open\u2014red, Lan Wangji registers, and he claws towards Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji barely has a moment to think before Wei Wuxian\u2019s iron grip is digging into his shoulder and he is sinking his teeth in his neck, like he did all those weeks ago.<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji rasps out, but Wei Wuxian doesn\u2019t seem to hear him. There is no tenderness in his movements, not even like the first time, the awareness that Lan Wangji is human. Wei Wuxian drinks from him like a jar of Emperor\u2019s Smile, slurping and licking and getting every last drop of blood. His fangs dig deeper now, on the other side of his neck, and Lan Wangji winces in pain as Wei Wuxian shifts his neck around to place his entire mouth on Lan Wangji\u2019s skin, all his teeth. And then with another lick, Wei Wuxian moves lower on Lan Wangji\u2019s neck, deeper than pinpricks and sending heat throughout his body.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji knows that he is growing lightheaded fast, but after having done this a few times now, he knows how to keep his mind in place even as the blood rapidly drains from his brain. Wei Wuxian is acting on base instincts, he realizes now, and blood will flow faster if Wei Wuxian reopens wounds. The first wound he\u2019d left, which almost feels so long ago.<\/p>\n He moves, and Wei Wuxian whines in protest, mouth against skin. But Lan Wangji bares the other side of his neck, and upon smelling it, Wei Wuxian eagerly grabs him again, tears the scars back open with his fangs. The sharp pain that courses through Lan Wangji is tinged with pleasure, and Lan Wangji tells himself not to enjoy seeing Wei Wuxian mindless, animalistic like this.<\/p>\n He is giving Wei Wuxian more blood than before; that is what Wei Wuxian needs right now. Still, when his drinking peters out, turns more into licks, savoring every taste and almost affectionate, Lan Wangji dazedly pulls away.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian makes a small noise in the back of his throat. His eyes are still red.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji pulls the collar of his robes up, covering the openings on his skin even as small trickles of blood run down his neck.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s gaze does not get any more conscious as he licks remnants of Lan Wangji\u2019s blood from his fingers. Lan Wangji pretends something does not stir inside of him at the sight.<\/p>\n Then Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes drift back shut, into an eerie silence.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji drags himself to bed. He is too lightheaded to clean; he will do that in the morning. His body is used to waking up at twilight, so even if he wakes a bit late, he can still make himself presentable undisturbed. The last thought he has before falling asleep is explaining the puncture wounds on his neck.<\/p>\n Luckily, it is long after Lan Wangji has bathed and wrapped a discreet bandage around his neck when Jiang Yanli comes to check on them the next morning. \u201cIs he awake?\u201d she asks, and Lan Wangji shakes his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Yin Hu Fu drained his energy,\u201d he says. \u201cHe will need a few days to recover.\u201d He does not mention the bloodthirsty haze Wei Wuxian had woken up in last night.<\/p>\n Jiang Yanli sighs. \u201cLan-er gongzi, please rest well. I can take over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not necessary. I will stay with Wei Wuxian,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n She requests to see him regardless, and if she notices him hesitate, she does not mention it. Lan Wangji does not want Wei Wuxian to horrify his shijie in his subconscious state, and hopes that, like before, he will only want to drink from Lan Wangji once a day.<\/p>\n Jiang Yanli strokes Wei Wuxian\u2019s cheekbone. \u201cHe\u2019s barely breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not mention that he is not breathing at all. He had cleaned Wei Wuxian\u2019s lips and teeth of any blood residue, this morning. Jiang Yanli pulls her hand back, and watches Wei Wuxian with worry.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji retrieves his guqin by his bed. \u201cI will play to ease his spirit,\u201d he tells her, and begins to play\u00a0Cleansing\u00a0<\/em>. Jiang Yanli smiles at this and stays by Wei Wuxian\u2019s beside until lunch.<\/p>\n Throughout the day, they receive other visitors\u2014Lan Xichen, who inquires after Lan Wangji as well as Wei Wuxian; Jiang Wanyin, who thanks Lan Wangji perfunctorily before hovering over Wei Wuxian\u2019s bed with a scowl on his face; Jin Guangshan, out of some feigned concern; and Jin Zixuan, with genuine respect despite everything. Jiang Yanli comes again at night with soup in the hope that Wei Wuxian would be awake, but her face falls when Lan Wangji tells her otherwise.<\/p>\n In the end, though, it is Lan Wangji who is still with him at the end of the night,\u00a0Cleansing\u00a0<\/em>ringing in the Qishan night, calluses sore with string marks. He is sure faint marks of blood are catching on the guqin strings, but he continues playing.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian shifts in his sleep. No air is coming in or out of his body, but he moves on the silken sheets, anyway. Then he breathes in, once.<\/p>\n His eyes shoot open.<\/p>\n It registers more quickly for Lan Wangji now. He is at Wei Wuxian\u2019s side in an instant, ready to uncover his bandages\u2014<\/p>\n \u2014but Wei Wuxian grabs for his fingers and licks them. He laps at each one of them like a dog, as heat pools in Lan Wangji\u2019s gut. He is, with guilt, glad that Wei Wuxian is not conscious in this state, as for all that Lan Wangji could tamp down his arousal before, he falls victim to it now. Wei Wuxian seems not to notice as he licks all of Lan Wangji\u2019s fingers clean, and then with his left arm, nips upward and upward\u2014<\/p>\n Lan Wangji managed to adjust Wei Wuxian further away from his wrist so Wei Wuxian can bite into a meatier and less vulnerable part of his arm. Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes flutter closed as Lan Wangji\u2019s blood starts flowing into his mouth. Where his fingers are cold points pressing into Lan Wangji\u2019s skin turn\u2026 warmer. It\u2019s unexpectedly erotic. The thought of Lan Wangji\u2019s warm blood, that Wei Wuxian feeds on, making Wei Wuxian\u2019s veins run with something hot again, a part of\u00a0him\u00a0<\/em>\u2014Lan Wangji shudders as Wei Wuxian pulls back his fangs, licks his lips and teeth, and bites back down, not precisely in the same place.<\/p>\n The skin tears and Lan Wangji cries out, but Wei Wuxian barely hears, milking the blood from his body. Wei Wuxian plays him like a guqin, a dizi, and Lan Wangji is powerless to stop him. He doesn\u2019t want to stop him, though he knows he will have to\u2014only Wei Wuxian\u2019s teeth, lips, tongue sucking every last drop of blood that leaves Lan Wangji\u2019s body is the only sensation he needs.<\/p>\n Soon enough, like before, with the drowsy feeling in Lan Wangji\u2019s body, Wei Wuxian\u2019s sucking tapers off into licks. Lan Wangji has the presence of mind to pull his arm back, and Wei Wuxian returns to his motionless coma. His chest does not rise and fall, his mouth does not let out soft noises. It was only disconcerting the first few times, but Lan Wangji is getting used to it, to the guilty arousal, faint pleasure as he winces at the slightest amount of pressure on his neck and arm as he returns to his bed.<\/p>\n Another day and night passes, with Jiang Yanli once again asking to stay with Wei Wuxian during the evening, and Lan Wangji declining. Wei Wuxian reopens the wounds on his arms, bloodier than before but of no concern as Lan Wangji has not picked up Bichen in days and each new robe he changes into is as pristine as always. He is not concerned about his strength, his fighting, when Wei Wuxian must drink from him to stay alive. Wei Wuxian is first; everything else is inconsequent.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian wakes on the third day. Lan Wangji knows, because when Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes blink open as he sits up, they are no longer crimson, but the soft, easy grey of before.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji finishes this round of\u00a0Cleansing\u00a0<\/em>before stopping. Wei Wuxian tilts his head at the sight of Lan Wangji sitting serenely with his guqin.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan, you\u2019re not who I\u2019d expect to wake up to.\u201d He looks around the room. \u201cWhere are we? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are in Nightless City. Wen Ruohan is dead and the Yin Iron has been destroyed.\u201d Lan Wangji pauses carefully. \u201cYou have been asleep for three days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree\u2014? What, really?\u201d Wei Wuxian looks down at himself in his red underrobes, then takes a closer look at Lan Wangji. His eyes narrow at something on Lan Wangji\u2019s shoulder. \u201cLan Zhan, did you get injured?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji moves from his guqin to sit by him. He knew he would not be able to keep this from Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian examines his bandages\u2014deeply breathes in the scent beneath them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile you were unconscious,\u201d Lan Wangji says, \u201cyou awoke in ravenous states. You needed to be fed.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian makes a choked sound in the back of his throat. Slowly, his hands feel the bandages along Lan Wangji\u2019s arm as well. He pulls back the sleeve and carefully unwraps them, letting out a pained sound at the sight of deep scabs lining Lan Wangji\u2019s forearm.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 did this?\u201d Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes are wide with terror.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji rests a hand on Wei Wuxian\u2019s wrist. \u201cYou needed to feed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2026 fuck,\u00a0look\u00a0<\/em>at you.\u201d Wei Wuxian trembles, tracing an open scar. \u201cI\u2019ve destroyed your body, Lan Zhan, how could\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will heal,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cYou have not destroyed anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand how you could be so calm,\u201d Wei Wuxian mutters. \u201cWith a monster like me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Wuxian is not a monster.\u201d If it was appropriate, Lan Wangji would cup his face, stroke a thumb along his cheek. But as it is not, he can only fist his own robes and try to rid that distraught look off of Wei Wuxian\u2019s face. \u201cI promise. Your shijie would have been more worried if you looked like death when you were out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShijie? She\u2019s here too?\u201d Wei Wuxian bolts up.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji urges him back into bed. \u201cLie down. You need rest. I will go get her.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n The next day is filled with everyone returning to see the now-conscious Wei Wuxian, occasionally interspersed by the Jins gathering up the Wens from outside. Wei Wuxian\u2019s brows furrow at this, but he says nothing, though Lan Wangji watches him carefully. When Lan Wangji tries to insist that he still needs three more days of rest, Wei Wuxian laughs.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean? I\u2019m clearly all better,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must cleanse your spirit. Ease your mind, purge any evil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to purge. I just used too much spiritual energy,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cUnless you mean to purge that\u00a0other\u00a0<\/em>part of me, that needs you. Because I think we\u2019re too far down that road now.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji flushes, because he was not thinking about that, nor would he be inclined to rid Wei Wuxian of that\u2026 bloodthirsty aspect of him, as ashamed as he may feel about it. Wei Wuxian craving him on such a primal level makes something in Lan Wangji\u2019s heart bow, expose its belly, giving himself to Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will have to attend a banquet to celebrate the end of the Sunshot Campaign,\u201d is all he tells Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n And they do. It\u2019s all meant to be gallivanting, Jin Guangshan acting like Head Cultivator as if he had any part in the Sunshot Campaign, Chifeng-zun too modest to take his place. Lianfang-zun is heralded as a new member of the Jin Sect due to his assassination of Wen Ruohan, Jiang Wanyin celebrated as the new leader of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji sitting outside to avoid the painful politics of it all. At one point they go back inside and Wei Wuxian defends his shijie from some sort of marriage arrangement. Lan Wangji thinks Jin Guangshan sitting in Wen Ruohan\u2019s throne is very gauche, and not at all appropriate.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian does too, by the way he gripes afterward, in the chambers that Lan Wangji has now designated theirs. \u201cEven worse than that peacock who almost married my shijie,\u201d he grumbles. \u201cNow I know where he gets it. He\u2019s ten times better than that\u2014Jin Guangshan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm.\u201d Lan Wangji is switching into his sleeping robes behind the screen.<\/p>\n \u201cGod. I\u2019m glad we\u2019re returning home tomorrow. War is so tiring.\u201d Wei Wuxian is in his red underrobe again when Lan Wangji steps out. He grins at the sight of Lan Wangji. \u201cHey, Lan Zhan, you can\u2019t come out here wearing so little. Someone might think you were trying to seduce me.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s gaze is unmoving, though his ears feel warm. \u201cWei Ying, there is something I have been thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Wei Wuxian pats a spot on his bed invitingly.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji goes and sits. He chooses his words carefully.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will not come to Gusu with me,\u201d he says, \u201cso I will come to Yunmeng with you.\u201d<\/p>\n There is a short moment where Wei Wuxian says nothing.<\/p>\n Then he says, \u201cI\u2014I\u2019m not protesting, I suppose, but why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Lan Wangji rakes his eyes over Wei Wuxian\u2019s cheekbones, already pale as jade, as it is nearing his feeding time. \u201cYou require my blood, like any other food or sustenance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan, I can\u2019t take you away from your sect duties,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, I could probably find someone else to feed from\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian stills. \u201cNo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. You must only feed from me.\u201d Lan Wangji thinks; he cannot let Wei Wuxian know that\u2026 his desires are mostly selfish, with only a smaller concern for others. \u201cIt is dangerous for you tell others of your condition. I know, and I am willing, and you enjoy the taste of my blood.\u201d He pretends the last part does not make heat flare up in his body.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian grins lecherously. \u201cI do like your taste,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd I do believe we are approaching that time of night, and my dinner is so conveniently in my bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRidiculous.\u201d Lan Wangji pretends his ears aren\u2019t hot. He lies down\u2014as he has the previous nights since Wei Wuxian had woken up\u2014and brings his underrobes up, devoid of trousers, only clothed by his underwear. Wei Wuxian\u00a0purrs\u00a0<\/em>and inhales deeply, leaning down and running his nose down the hairs at Lan Wangji\u2019s thighs.<\/p>\n \u201cI know I already told you this, but I can never get enough of your scent,\u201d he says. \u201cSweet and milky\u2026 all for me.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s far too intimate, making Lan Wangji lightheaded already. He says nothing, idly wondering again if Wei Wuxian is able to smell his arousal, and unsure if he wants to know. Wei Wuxian nips gently at his inner thigh\u2014not yet enough to puncture\u2014licks over the spot, then bites.<\/p>\n His fangs digging in is always a shocking pleasure which Lan Wangji will never get used to. He is well practiced in withholding his moan, as Wei Wuxian cups his thighs, drinking from him. His skin is cold, warming as Lan Wangji\u2019s blood surges out, surges in. Wei Wuxian is diligent with his sucking, gulping down Lan Wangji\u2019s blood without taking a breath\u2014not\u00a0needing\u00a0<\/em>to take a breath\u2014cleaning his thighs of stray drops, licking over the wound when he is done, only for him to sink his teeth into it again for more. Lan Wangji\u2019s thighs tingle as Wei Wuxian finally lifts himself up, closing Lan Wangji\u2019s knees and letting his sleep robes and underrobes fall back down.<\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. Lan Wangji\u2019s brain takes a moment to catch up with him speaking again. \u201cI\u2019ll let you come back to Lotus Pier with us. But only because you taste so sweet. I don\u2019t know if I can last without Lan Zhan for very long.\u201d<\/p>\n For someone who\u2019s had quite a bit of blood drained from him, Lan Wangji\u2019s ears grow hot at an alarming pace. He stumbles out of Wei Wuxian\u2019s bed and heads to his own.<\/p>\n \u201cHey.\u201d Wei Wuxian tries to steady him. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d Lan Wangji croaks out. He is channeling all of his spiritual energy to not get aroused right now.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian chuckles, like he hadn\u2019t just pulled the earth out from Lan Wangji\u2019s feet. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019ll be coming to Yunmeng Jiang with us. Then I can show you all the old places of my childhood!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn.\u201d Lan Wangji is back in bed now. \u201cWould like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! And I could pick fresh lotus seeds for you. And the street vendors, the spicy food\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSleep, Wei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says, and closes his eyes.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n (He\u2019s already told his brother of his plans; evidently, Lan Xichen has told the other sect leaders as well. This is no surprise, as everyone will have noticed Lan Wangji traveling back with the Jiangs, anyway, but Lan Wangji receives a summons the next morning before they depart.<\/p>\n The summons tell him to not invite Wei Wuxian. Curious, Lan Wangji dismisses the messenger, then tells Wei Wuxian, \u201cI\u2019ll be right back. My brother wishes to speak with me before we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, some Gusu Lan responsibilities before we go, eh?\u201d Wei Wuxian taps the side of his nose and grins.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji meets his brother in the former main Wen palace as requested. Chifeng-zun, Lianfang-zun, and Jin Guangshan are there as well.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji turns to his brother. \u201cXichen. What is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cZewu-jun told us you were accompanying Wei Wuxian back to Yunmeng Jiang,\u201d Lianfang-zun answers instead.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji inclines his head. \u201cI believe they require all the help repairing Lotus Pier they can get,\u201d he says, which was the explanation he and Wei Wuxian had agreed upon this morning, when discussing the practicalities.<\/p>\n \u201cOh! No, no, Hanguang-jun, I fully agree,\u201d Lianfang-zun says, smiling. Lan Wangji does not trust that smile. \u201cBut we had our concerns about Wei Wuxian and the Yin Hu Fu. It is similar to the Yin Iron, is it not?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not answer.<\/p>\n Jin Guangshan interjects. \u201cIt is powerful magic, and likely is not safe in Wei Wuxian\u2019s hands. Additionally, there is still a piece of the Yin Iron missing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it may be with Xue Yang,\u201d Chifeng-zun spits.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji turns to Lan Xichen. \u201cWhat is the point of this?\u201d<\/p>\n His brother\u2019s smile looks strained. \u201cWe,\u201d and Lan Wangji notes that his use of the word is apologetic, \u201cwould like you to keep an eye on Wei-gongzi. For his own sake, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t have another Wen Ruohan, after all,\u201d Jin Guangshan adds.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji levels him with a stare. \u201cNo, we cannot.\u201d But he meets his brother\u2019s eyes again. For all that he doesn\u2019t know the motivation of anyone else in this room, he knows his brother\u2014nothing short of genuine.<\/p>\n He nods. \u201cI will keep an eye on Wei Wuxian.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent!\u201d Lianfang-zun proclaims. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s fine, nothing at all wrong with the Yin Hu Fu, but just in case\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods, thanks them, and excuses himself.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u4e8c<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n If Lan Wangji had come to Yunmeng before the Sunshot Campaign, he does not remember it. When he enters the Lotus Pier with Wei Wuxian, Jiang Wanyin and Jiang Yanli in front of him, it is a travesty to watch.<\/p>\n The courtyard would have been beautiful. It should be beautiful; but as they step in, only dark bloodstains and the burnt remnants of the Wen flags remain. Lan Wangji lingers behind, as Wei Wuxian and his siblings now have the time to take in the grounds of the tragedy, the grief. Lan Wangji is reminded that he is here under the guise of helping, but he allows the remainder of the Jiang soldiers, who have come back with them, to remain ahead of him. Lan Wangji knows this is not his place.<\/p>\n Under the lavender fascia, partially obfuscating the title of Sword Hall, is a large ugly Wen emblem, almost gloating in its dark wooded glory. The zitan phoenix’s beaks are open in an ugly scream, a crude fixture in the quiet cove. The moment the three of them notice the emblem, Wei Wuxian\u2019s fists tremble, black smoke swirling around his fingertips like ink stains.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji is by his side in an instant. \u201cWei Ying,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n But it is no matter; Jiang Wanyin whips out his Zidian and breaks the emblem in half. It crumples to the ground.<\/p>\n This seems to shake Wei Wuxian out of his trance. He smiles faintly at Lan Wangji. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Lan Zhan,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m just not used to seeing such trash flaunted in the Lotus Pier.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFilth,\u201d Jiang Wanyin mutters. He retracts his Zidian and heads inside.<\/p>\n The Jiang soldiers hasten to clear out the remains of the Wen emblem before Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin decide to do something more violent to it, like set it on fire.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian gestures around regardless. \u201cWell, this is the Lotus Pier! It\u2019s a bit of a mess right now, but we\u2019ll make it home again in no time, with everyone\u2019s help.\u201d He shows Lan Wangji around, laments at the empty kitchens, locates the living quarters closest to his own and tells Lan Wangji he can sleep there.<\/p>\n \u201cJiang Cheng and I always shared, but now that the main chambers are his and we have more room, you don\u2019t need to stay with me anymore,\u201d Wei Wuxian says.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji wonders where Wei Wuxian got the idea that he should want that, considering there had been plenty of space in Nightless City. \u201cIf it is more convenient or comfortable for Wei Ying, I will take another room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell! It\u2019s probably not more convenient,\u201d Wei Wuxian says shiftily. \u201cBut Lan Zhan must be tired of being holed up with me all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeing with Wei Ying is no burden.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh,\u201d Wei Wuxian sighs. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about it later, when we\u2019re actually going to go to sleep. Come on, let me show you where my shijie\u2019s quarters are!\u201d He tugs at Lan Wangji\u2019s wrist and laughs at his reluctance.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is free as a bird as they flutter around Lotus Pier, as if Lan Wangji really is simply here to visit, and not provide him with his blood to survive. Wei Wuxian heckles Jiang Wanyin as he gets Sect Leader duties straightened out, gushes about all his old favorite foods that Lan Wangji realizes with a pang he\u2019ll no longer be able to enjoy, and assists his shijie in cleaning up the courtyard. Lan Wangji helps as well, despite both their insistences otherwise, because he is not just a visiting guest. He is here out of his own desires.<\/p>\n He knows shifu would disapprove, which is why he never bothered returning to the Cloud Recesses to ask for permission. His brother will have to deal with Lan Qiren\u2019s reaction, but he will not lash out if Lan Wangji is not there in front of him. Lan Wangji knows he should worry more about Wei Wuxian\u2019s cultivation, find better ways to ease him down from using so much spiritual energy, study the music scores that are likely in the Forbidden Library. But Wei Wuxian\u2019s hunger, his livelihood comes first. Lan Wangji will write his own scores if he has to.<\/p>\n Once, he thought his duty was to his clan, his family. And then fate\u2019s path led him to Wei Wuxian: a tsunami, a memory, a broken thing and barely human. Through it all, Lan Wangji has realized that the world is made up of more than just rules he is given, more than just duties. And as Jiang Wanyin declares his own leadership and loyalty to Yunmeng Jiang, Lan Wangji can only look at Wei Wuxian. No matter how much of himself Wei Wuxian decides to devote to his sect, to Jiang Wanyin, Lan Wangji will not do the same\u2014clans and wars have fallen short of Wei Wuxian\u2019s presence in his life.<\/p>\n After the ceremony, Wei Wuxian goes to Jiang Wanyin. \u201cAh, Jiang Cheng, that was such a blunt speech you gave up there. You didn’t make it sound nice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPiss off,\u201d Jiang Wanyin says, but good-naturedly. He turns to Lan Wangji. \u201cWei Wuxian better have been a good host so far.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am a\u00a0great\u00a0<\/em>host,\u201d Wei Wuxian protests.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods and says, \u201cHe is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell. Good.\u201d Jiang Wanyin doesn\u2019t seem to know how to deal with a compliment for Wei Wuxian from anyone other than his shijie. \u201cYou know, it\u2019s not typical for members of other clans to help repair a sect. You can go home and help restore the Cloud Recesses again whenever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy brother and uncle have already begun work on it. They don\u2019t need me,\u201d Lan Wangji replies.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Jiang Cheng, don\u2019t kick him out,\u201d Wei Wuxian warns.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not. I just don\u2019t want him to feel bound to you.\u201d Jiang Wanyin shoots Wei Wuxian a look before trudging off.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian scrunches a nose at his back. When he turns to Lan Wangji again, he says, \u201cHe\u2019s right though, you know, if you ever need to go back\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGusu Lan does not need me. I would rather help Wei Ying,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian sighs. \u201cI\u2019m waiting for the day you regret those words.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Since getting back to Yunmeng Jiang, Wei Wuxian sleeps more: during the day, while Lan Wangji keeps his word and helps out around the Lotus Pier, ridding the memory of the Wens and the massacre from the grounds. The burning of the Cloud Recesses had been scarring enough, but from what Lan Wangji had heard, Yunmeng Jiang had faced total annihilation, Wei Wuxian and the siblings barely making it out alive. Lan Wangji remembers Wei Wuxian calling it evil, when Wen Chao had destroyed their home, screams of torture in the night.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji could never do those things, could never be Wei Wuxian, but he thinks he understands.<\/p>\n Jiang Yanli is good company when they run into each other, and he and Jiang Wanyin have enough familiarity that Jiang Wanyin does not hesitate in assisting him with a doorframe. Jiang Wanyin gripes that Wei Wuxian is not assisting with reparations like he had promised, but Lan Wangji does not respond, simply cleaning off the wood.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji would be concerned too, if he did not know Wei Wuxian\u2019s consciousness was more inclined to the night. He wakes when Lan Wangji returns from eating dinner in town, feeling out of place eating with the Jiangs alone.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is sitting up in bed when Lan Wangji enters with his guqin, for another night of\u00a0Cleansing\u00a0<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan!\u201d Wei Wuxian stretches. His collarbone is visible, pale as jade. \u201cCome to entertain me with your music?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMeditate,\u201d Lan Wangji says; they\u2019ve been over the motions before. After that first night Lan Wangji had retreated into Wei Wuxian\u2019s rooms, Wei Wuxian has not been able to get him to leave since. Nor, really, has he tried.<\/p>\n \u201cRight, right, meditate.\u201d Wei Wuxian sits in the lotus position on his bed, knees twitching.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji begins to play\u00a0Cleansing\u00a0<\/em>. His calloused fingers run over the guqin strings. He hears Wei Wuxian sigh from his bed. Now is one of the few times he wishes he could be back in the Cloud Recesses to study music scores, but he has written some other scores on his own, while Wei Wuxian sleeps, during the day. He transitions into one, now.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian notices after a few notes. \u201cOh, this is new. What\u2019s this one called?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u00a0Repletion\u00a0<\/em>,\u201d Lan Wangji replies.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian chuckles, but Lan Wangji play until the end. Lan Wangji does another transition, this time into\u00a0Wangxian\u00a0<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, I know this one,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, grinning. \u201cLet me get my dizi, too, we can play together\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFocus,\u201d Lan Wangji says. In truth, he wants nothing more than for he and Wei Wuxian to play\u00a0Wangxian\u00a0<\/em>together, but Wei Wuxian doesn\u2019t even know its significance. Lan Wangji would not want him to play without knowing.<\/p>\n When he finishes, Wei Wuxian claps and clambers off his bed. \u201cThank you so much, esteemed Hanguang-jun,\u201d he says. \u201cMy soul is surely cleansed and repleted because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji casts him a dry look. Wei Wuxian pats his own chest.<\/p>\n \u201cHonest! But\u2026 perhaps not fully repleted, and you don\u2019t come in just to play qin to me, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji gets up from the table with his guqin and makes his way to the bed. He begins undressing, neatly setting his folded clothes aside before lying down. Wei Wuxian sits by him.<\/p>\n \u201cAh Lan Zhan, you still have your underrobes on,\u201d he says, toying with the top flap covering Lan Wangji\u2019s bare chest. \u201cIt\u2019s always in the way and it\u2019s just us two. You can take it off.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji looks up at him. He does not know the extent to which Wei Wuxian might have assumed his motivations, but\u2014if he is suggesting for Lan Wangji to disrobe, then he must not be uncomfortable with it. Hesitantly, Lan Wangji undoes his underrobe and lets it fall from his body.<\/p>\n \u201cThere we go.\u201d Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes flash predatory at Lan Wangji\u2019s bare skin, pleased. \u201cMy dinner\u2026 all out on display\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo not say things you do not mean,\u201d Lan Wangji tells him.<\/p>\n \u201cWho says I don\u2019t mean it?\u201d The coldness of Wei Wuxian\u2019s fingers send electricity up Lan Wangji\u2019s wrist. \u201cLan Zhan, you cut yourself while playing guqin.\u201d He runs his thumb over a scar on Lan Wangji\u2019s finger. \u201cPlaying day and night for me, you have to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s ears are hot. \u201cDo what you intend to do,\u201d he grits out through his teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I will,\u201d Wei Wuxian assures him. He bends over and puts Lan Wangji\u2019s finger in his mouth, where the small trickle from his guqin string comes out. Lan Wangji clenches his jaw so he does not let out an inappropriate noise.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian maintains eye contact as he sucks, licks the blood off of Lan Wangji\u2019s finger. It is much more different, more arousing when Wei Wuxian is conscious. Shivers run up Lan Wangji\u2019s skin, gooseflesh over his arms and legs. Wei Wuxian presses his fingers into the soft ridges on the tender side of his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you enjoy this, Lan Zhan,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n He gives Lan Wangji no time to respond, because then he bends down to the inside of Lan Wangji\u2019s thighs and sinks his fangs in. Without a robe, anything to give Lan Wangji the false sense of protection, he cannot hold back the cry in his throat. He sees Wei Wuxian\u2019s dark head so close to where his arousal might form, and though it is second nature to channel all his spiritual energy to prevent that, it is harder now. Cool air bites his skin as Wei Wuxian gets deeper between his thighs, letting the gush of Lan Wangji\u2019s blood flood his mouth. He bobs his head and drinks, his hands holding onto Lan Wangji\u2019s wrists\u2014his pulse points, thumbs digging in like he is trying to count each throb from Lan Wangji\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n As the blood leaves his body, Lan Wangji feels like he is drowning. The light, deep feeling in his head takes over, surrendering to Wei Wuxian. He does not know how time passes, pleasure sinking to numbness to pleasure again. Eventually Wei Wuxian licks over his wounds, sealing them. Lan Wangji watches as Wei Wuxian sits back up, blood drooling out of his mouth. His own blood.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji runs a finger over Wei Wuxian\u2019s bottom lip, and before he knows what he is doing, licks his own blood off his finger.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes go dark. \u201cFuck, Lan Zhan, you can\u2019t just\u2014you can\u2019t just do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji ignores him, reaches for Wei Wuxian again. To his pleasure, Wei Wuxian doesn\u2019t seem to be able to deny him. Lan Wangji touches a bloody fang, feeling the edges, the tip, stroking it. His finger catches and pricks slightly. Wei Wuxian immediately closes his lips to suck it, seal his skin back together.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to be the death of me,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t think Wei Ying can die,\u201d Lan Wangji admits.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you\u2019re wrong.\u201d Wei Wuxian moves away, into the washroom to clean himself. Lan Wangji watches him with heavily lidded eyes for a moment.<\/p>\n When Wei Wuxian returns, Lan Wangji has his underrobe back on, reclined on his own bed, ready to sleep. As Wei Wuxian perches by the candles to blow them out, Lan Wangji says, \u201cAsk me why I came back to Lotus Pier with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian stops. \u201cBut I know that. You don\u2019t want me to harm or feed on anyone else, so you want me to just feed on you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji has his eyes closed, hands crossed over his chest. \u201cAsk.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian sighs. \u201cWhy did you come back to Lotus Pier with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I wanted to,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cBecause what I want is best for Wei Ying, and myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Unconsciousness is grappling at his mind quickly. \u201cI will provide for Wei Ying as long as he needs,\u201d he mumbles, before falling asleep.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n He wakes to the feeling of a soft nail scratching his cheek. Lan Wangji blinks, and is met with the sight of Wei Wuxian gazing at him.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smiles when Lan Wangji\u2019s eyelids flutter in confusion. \u201cYou can\u2019t just say things like that then fall asleep on me,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2014\u201d Lan Wangji struggles to sit up.<\/p>\n \u201cit\u2019s not yet mao-shi,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cYou can go back to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji frowns at him. \u201cYou were watching me sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeing awake when everyone else wants to sleep is boring,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cAnd you\u2019re very peaceful. I like looking at you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji blinks again.<\/p>\n \u201cGo back to sleep, Lan Zhan.\u201d Wei Wuxian places his fingers on Lan Wangji\u2019s eyelids, gently closing them. It is familiar, safe. \u201cI\u2019ll be here when you wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not ask what Wei Wuxian does while everyone else is asleep. In the mornings, Wei Wuxian is in their living quarters, working on a talisman or merely watching Lan Wangji, tracking the very moment he wakes up. He smiles with all his teeth when Lan Wangji notices him, and Lan Wangji tries to ignore it as he prepares for the day.<\/p>\n He still wakes earlier than the rest of the sect, the city, working through his mornings while Wei Wuxian observes with grace. Wei Wuxian spins his dizi and laments, \u201cI really miss alcohol right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji is putting on his fourth layer of robes.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I miss my shijie\u2019s soup,\u201d Wei Wuxian continues. \u201cAnd spicy food, and picking lotus seeds, and Suibian. Fucking Wen Chao.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji turns at this. \u201cYou have Suibian,\u201d he says, because Suibian is resting against the wall in the room. \u201cDid Wen Chao do something to interfere with your ability to swordfight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Lan Zhan, so perceptive.\u201d Wei Wuxian watches his dizi twirl in his fingers.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji steps toward him. \u201cWei Ying.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian tuts. \u201cYou haven\u2019t put on your sixth robe, Lan Zhan,\u201d he says, frowning. He picks it up, drapes it over Lan Wangji’s shoulders, straightens the lapels, and tugs it closed. His palms are a cold pressure above the layers as he brings both ends of the sash into his hands, winding it all around Lan Wangji\u2019s waist.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji eyes him. \u201cAnswer me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm.\u201d Wei Wuxian ties a knot with the sash. It\u2019s tight and improper\u2014and shocks heat into Lan Wangji\u2019s gut. \u201cDon\u2019t feel like answering right now.\u201d He steps back and admires his handiwork. \u201cThere. Hanguang-jun is ready for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji repeats.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian flashes a grin at him. Lan Wangji knows him well enough by now to know that it is not genuine. \u201cDon\u2019t mind me, Lan Zhan, I\u2019m just being silly and sentimental. Plus, I have you, so everything I miss pales in comparison.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying would still have me if he were not like this,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian squeezes his wrist, his pulse. \u201cToo sweet,\u201d he says. \u201cLike how you taste.\u201d When Lan Wangji flushes at this, Wei Wuxian laughs.<\/p>\n He continues watching as Lan Wangji eats the breakfast that gets brought to their rooms, no longer reminiscing about whatever he may miss. There’s not a single trace of envy in the glint of his eye as he follows the movement of each of Lan Wangji’s bites; Lan Wangji has long suspected that any shred of humanity Wei Wuxian ever had is gone, but didn\u2019t know how deep it truly ran.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian rubs a thumb over Lan Wangji\u2019s bottom lip when he is done, unprompted. Lan Wangji does not know how to respond to this oddly tender gesture, so unlike before. He is vaguely aware something has shifted overnight, last night, but does not know how to read the look in Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n As dawn approaches, Wei Wuxian yawns. \u201cI could stay awake like I did before, but now I have the excuse of avoiding Jiang Cheng to sleep during the day,\u201d he says. \u201cGood morning Lan Zhan. I\u2019ll see you for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n The day passes again, Lan Wangji this time assisting Jiang Wanyin with training the Jiang disciples. Jiang Wanyin had been skeptical at first, perhaps worried that Lan Wangji might be spying on their fighting techniques; but now with Lan Wangji shadowing Wei Wuxian too much to be truly married to his sect loyalties, Jiang Wanyin only gives a conciliatory glance to Lan Wangji in the courtyard and says nothing. Trading sect secrets is not a concern Jiang Wanyin should ever have for Lan Wangji, anyway, unless Wei Wuxian develops a drastic change of heart and desires to disciple at Gusu.<\/p>\n Night falls when Lan Wangji is out running an errand for Jiang Yanli, outside of Lotus Pier. He stops at street stalls for his own dinner in the meantime, imagining that this is how Wei Wuxian\u2019s childhood had gone, bantering with vendors as if he were not a Yunmeng disciple, but simply one of the common people. Lan Wangji cannot lend himself to banter, but as he chews his mantou, he relishes in that imaginary memory of Wei Wuxian. He slots that part of what might have been Wei Wuxian’s childhood next to his own, the life they now share together. When he finishes, he returns to Lotus Pier.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s feeding time is approaching. Lan Wangji enters the bedchambers to Wei Wuxian pacing, muttering to himself. He doesn\u2019t start when Lan Wangji enters the room, but his gaze is hungry when Lan Wangji sits on his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cGod, Lan Zhan, you\u2019re awake when Jiang Cheng is during the day, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cHow can you stand him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe same way I imagine Wei Ying has for years,\u201d Lan Wangji says drily.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian laughs. His heart isn\u2019t in it. \u201cPolishing his sword all the time\u2026 ugh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA cleaner sword carries less weight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan! Don\u2019t tell me you\u2019re taking his side.\u201d But the tense darkness in Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes lightens as he eases over to Lan Wangji on the bed. The hunger remains, but transforms into something more of a patient lust, for Lan Wangji.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji says, \u201cI would never choose Jiang Wanyin over you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere you go.\u201d Wei Wuxian sits with him. \u201cYou always know how to make me feel better, Lan Zhan. You have so many talents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn.\u201d Lan Wangji has already begun taking off his robes, a mirror of this morning, with Wei Wuxian watching him.<\/p>\n When he reaches his white underrobes, he hesitates; but Wei Wuxian smirks and says, \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji discards his underrobes.<\/p>\n \u201cGod, Lan Zhan.\u201d Wei Wuxian rubs his palms up and down Lan Wangji\u2019s bare legs. Lan Wangji shudders. \u201cYou\u2019re so pale, like jade\u2026 and yet you embrace it when I mark you.\u201d He runs his fingers up the scars on Lan Wangji\u2019s arms, at his thighs, at his neck. \u201cYou really are selfish, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Heat is boiling at Lan Wangji\u2019s gut. His golden core throbs at the energy it takes to not be aroused by those words.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I can smell your qi, too, just as sweet.\u201d Wei Wuxian\u2019s nose skims along Lan Wangji\u2019s knee. His palms go over his dantian, his heart. \u201cWould you let me drink your qi, too, Lan Zhan? Let me taste your golden core.\u201d<\/p>\n Chills pulse over Lan Wangji\u2019s skin, rushing right back into warmth. \u201cDrink from me,\u201d he mumbles.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re that eager, huh?\u201d Wei Wuxian presses his lips to the inside of Lan Wangji\u2019s knee. \u201cHow does it feel, knowing that you fill me with your blood, Lan Zhan? Your warmth, your life?\u201d His teeth run over the most sensitive parts of Lan Wangji\u2019s thighs, and Lan Wangji doesn\u2019t know if he has any control over his body anymore. \u201cDo you want me to drain you until you are nothing? Until you\u2019re in me so deep that my body is your home, that you live inside me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease,\u201d Lan Wangji begs, and he doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s asking for\u2014for Wei Wuxian to shut up, to bite him, to follow through with what he is saying, making Lan Wangji a part of him, all of him.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian bites, but not deeply. Lan Wangji has to muffle a sound with his hand, anyway. \u201cImagine me marking you, biting you everywhere. Every part of your body is mine now. You can\u2019t be selfish, Lan Zhan, you can\u2019t be the only one filling my body. Let me fill your body, too.\u201d He bites a little deeper, further up Lan Wangji\u2019s inner thigh. Lan Wangji is tense everywhere.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about this?\u201d Wei Wuxian says. Lan Wangji needs him to stop talking\u2014he is sure, at this point, that his control over his arousal has disappeared. \u201cYou\u2019ll mark me from the inside, and I\u2019ll mark you from the outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u00a0Wei Ying\u00a0<\/em>,\u201d Lan Wangji grits out.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian chuckles, then sinks his fangs in properly. Lan Wangji is even more conscious of it now, the way his blood immediately flows, greets the inside of Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth like an old friend. His mind is so lost that he is sinking in the feeling of Wei Wuxian drinking, devouring him. His blood is running so fast and hot that all control of his own arousal quickly dissipates, hitting his golden core and his cock, sore and hot. His blood swells into Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth, aching to be a part of him, all of him, in him. Wei Wuxian sucks, licks, grins. Lan Wangji can feel it.<\/p>\n \u201cMine,\u201d he says, and the word makes Lan Wangji\u2019s brain white out for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cYours,\u201d he moans back.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian gasps against his skin. Lan Wangji feels wrecked, arousal bleeding to pure pleasure, carnal, his golden core trilling with happiness. Getting the life sucked out of him should not make him feel spiritually stronger. And yet, as the blood leaves his body, as his qi flows into Wei Wuxian, his core feels brighter and brighter, even though he is sure to pass out.<\/p>\n Faintly, he registers that Wei Wuxian has stopped, is licking over the wounds now. \u201cFuck, you taste so good,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. He pulls Lan Wangji\u2019s robes back on.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji lets him. He could not stop him. He does not know if Wei Wuxian has realized what just happened, but he would be willing to do it again. He tries to get this across to Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n \u201cYours,\u201d he murmurs again.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan, Lan Zhan,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, but nothing more. He pats Lan Wangji\u2019s cheek and smiles at him.<\/p>\n This is the last thing Lan Wangji sees before he sinks into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Jiang Yanli invites him to pick lotus flowers the next afternoon. Lan Wangji is unsure, because as long as he has overstayed his welcome, he is not a proper member of the Lotus Pier. But Jiang Yanli seems to detect his hesitance and suggests with a smile, \u201cIf A-Xian is awake, you can invite him as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji did not want to wake Wei Wuxian. But he had mentioned picking lotus seeds as something he missed doing, likely with his shijie. It\u2019s earlier than Wei Wuxian usually wakes, but perhaps he will want to. Perhaps he will be grateful to Lan Wangji for asking him.<\/p>\n He pads into their quarters; Wei Wuxian is asleep, under shrouded curtains, unmoving on his bed. Lan Wangji touches his shoulder. \u201cWei Ying.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian makes a noise, breathes in through his nose, opens his eyes and smiles at Lan Wangji. \u201cAh, Lan Zhan. Is it dinner time already?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour shijie wanted to know if you would like to join us\u2014\u201d Wei Wuxian raises his eyebrows at the use of the word\u00a0us\u00a0<\/em>, \u201c\u2014picking lotus seeds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh!\u201d Wei Wuxian shoots up out of bed. \u201cIt\u2019s been so long, of course I\u2014you\u2019re coming with us?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji swallows at the possessive glint in Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes. \u201cIf Wei Ying would like me to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Lan Zhan.\u201d Wei Wuxian finishes putting his day robes over his underrobes, then grabs Lan Wangji\u2019s hand. \u201cCome on. I can\u2019t wait to get you into a boat.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji has no choice but to be dragged as Wei Wuxian meets with Jiang Yanli in the courtyard, who lights up at the sight of them. Together, the three of them make their way to the pier, Wei Wuxian reminiscing about the other times they\u2019ve picked lotus, the two of them, or with Jiang Wanyin. Something inside Lan Wangji aches at the thought that Wei Wuxian has changed so much that he cannot easily do these simple things, the normal things. He wants to make an excuse to turn back and let Wei Wuxian enjoy himself with his shijie, but then Wei Wuxian grins and says, \u201cYou\u00a0have\u00a0<\/em>to try a lotus pod, Lan Zhan, it\u2019s the best.\u201d<\/p>\n They go out on the lake with other villagers from around town, and the lake owner\u2019s family. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli talk to them like they are old friends, cousins, rather than common people they are bestowing with their presence. Lan Wangji has never been a prideful person, but despite all his training, his separation and his headband had made him know that he is not a common person. Here, he can barely tell the difference between Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli and the villagers, except that Wei Wuxian is still the most radiant even when pale in the early sunset.<\/p>\n They row out to the lake to pick lotus in the baskets they brought. They share with some of the people from the town, who give Lan Wangji advice on how to find the best and sweetest lotus seeds. When they start picking and eating them without depositing them into the basket, Lan Wangji does not understand\u2014but Wei Wuxian has his own peeled lotus seed in his fingers, and pops it into Lan Wangji\u2019s mouth without warning. It is surprising, but Lan Wangji enjoys it\u2014and Wei Wuxian delights in whatever expression has crossed his face.<\/p>\n A child in the other boat almost falls out, reaching for a lotus flower. Wei Wuxian laughs, the rest of them laugh, tossing lotus at one another, and even if Wei Wuxian doesn\u2019t eat any for himself, eyes tinged red in the orange glow, he still splashes Lan Wangji with water, makes him eat lotus seeds until Lan Wangji can\u2019t eat anymore. They make their way back to Lotus Pier, baskets spilling over with lotus, Wei Wuxian and his shijie in high spirits.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji helps the Jiang servants put their share of the lotus roots and flowers away. Some of the villagers insist on helping as well, and so the kitchens are bustling and alive. Wei Wuxian has disappeared somewhere with his shijie, but no one treats Lan Wangji any differently when they are not around\u2014instead with a kindness that Wei Wuxian might have seen enough, that put all that love into his heart even if he has nothing else.<\/p>\n He is seeing the last of the villagers off when someone standing at the entrance catches his eye\u2014white and cerulean robes. \u201cXichen,\u201d Lan Wangji says with some surprise.<\/p>\n His brother smiles at him. \u201cWangji. I wanted to see how you were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am doing well,\u201d Lan Wangji replies.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Wei Wuxian?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji notices his brother\u2019s eyes raking over the bandages still on his neck, even though the wounds have long faded\u2014the bandages are just comforting to wear. \u201cHe is doing well,\u201d Lan Wangji says, because it is the truth. \u201cPracticing a new method of cultivation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm.\u201d Lan Xichen inclines his head to the outside of the Lotus Pier grounds, into town. \u201cWould you like to walk with me?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji steps out with him; even if he did not have a choice, he suspects his brother does not want to talk with him where they could easily run into Wei Wuxian or the Jiangs. Talking with his brother is no chore, and it certainly has been a lunar phase or so since they last saw each other.<\/p>\n Lan Xichen openly admires some of the food from the street vendors, but does not stop to eat or buy anything. \u201cIs Yunmeng Jiang treating you well, Wangji?\u201d he asks, glancing over a spiced meat stall.<\/p>\n \u201cMn,\u201d Lan Wangji replies. \u201cJiang Yanli is an excellent host, and Jiang Wanyin has easily become a competent leader.\u201d He knows that he and his brother are not concerned about politics as much as they are about harmony.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Wei Wuxian\u2026 he has not become more dangerous?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not reply, because he does not know and does not want to give his brother anything to report back, if asked. He busies himself watching some paper kites instead, decorating the sun-dimmed sky.<\/p>\n After a moment, he says, \u201cI have composed new spells. For the both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Lan Xichen looks pleased. \u201cI am glad to hear that you are continuing with your own improvements while having fun in Yunmeng Jiang.\u201d His eyes twinkle. \u201cYou know, when I said to you long ago that I thought you and Wei Wuxian would work well together, were evenly matched, this is not what I had in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s ears burn. \u201cBrother.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Xichen laughs. \u201cWangji, show through your brother around your new home,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n It has long been dark by the time Lan Wangji gets back. His brother had eventually caved to the food stalls, but having the same level of tolerance as Lan Wangji, had quickly been overwhelmed by the spicy vegetables and needed a couple pieces of mantou to soothe him. By the end it had felt a little more like Lan Xichen was there seeing\u00a0him\u00a0<\/em>off, even though Lan Wangji had been the one to stay when Lan Xichen left.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji did make sure that they wouldn\u2019t stay out too close to Wei Wuxian\u2019s feeding time. He is not in the bedchamber when Lan Wangji enters, so Lan Wangji begins his own nightly routine.<\/p>\n He has discarded his last robe when Wei Wuxian reenters, brimming with energy. He lights up at the sight of Lan Wangji sitting on his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cAh! Lan Zhan! I hope I didn\u2019t keep you waiting.\u201d Wei Wuxian rubs his stomach absently, but beams down at him. \u201cI got caught up\u2026 more reminiscing with Jiang Cheng and my shijie. Sometimes I think so much has changed, but then there are days like this where I feel like a lot has stayed the same, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji makes a noise of assent. Wei Wuxian grabs his wrist, thumbs over his pulse like he has been doing recently. \u201cSo much has changed though,\u201d he says, raising Lan Wangji\u2019s wrist to his nose and inhaling.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji clears his throat. \u201cMy brother stopped by this evening,\u201d he says. \u201cHe asked after us.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian pauses. \u201cOh? What did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat we are all doing well. That your shijie and shidi have been good hosts,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian sighs over his pulse point. Then, unexpectedly, he kisses it. \u201cI wish I was a better host, Lan Zhan. I forgot how good sleep is, even if I do it at other times than everyone else\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n This night feels different enough that it feels natural for Lan Wangji to bring Wei Wuxian\u2019s cold hand to his lips now, run his lips over his palm. \u201cWei Ying should do as he needs,\u201d he murmurs.<\/p>\n A breathless laugh escapes Wei Wuxian. \u201cGod, Lan Zhan, you have no idea what you do to me, huh?\u201d His eyes darken as Lan Wangji turns his hand over, still against his lips. It feels like a wire between them is thinning, preparing for the inevitable onslaught. \u201cAny creature like me should be lucky to have someone so willing as Lan Zhan. So eager to be consumed.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji meets his eyes. \u201cWei Ying needs me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if I didn\u2019t?\u201d Wei Wuxian is sitting on his bed; Lan Wangji lays himself down. Wei Wuxian draws a line between his robes, on his bare chest. \u201cIf I didn\u2019t\u00a0need\u00a0<\/em>Lan Zhan, merely wanted him\u2026 would you give me yourself then?\u201d<\/p>\n He presses his cold, cold palm against the beating of Lan Wangji\u2019s heart. Lan Wangji can feel where his skin warms Wei Wuxian\u2019s, if only for a moment.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji breathes, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n The sound that Wei Wuxian makes is primal, a growl. And before Lan Wangji knows what is happening, Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth is on his\u2014hot, dark, promising. He is not kissing as much as he is biting, devouring, all teeth like he is trying to crawl inside of Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji feels the same way, unable to move his own limbs with Wei Wuxian pressing down on him so much, lips and teeth and tongue twisting Lan Wangji inside and out. Pleasure and heat sizzles down to his cock, into his golden core. Wei Wuxian moans in his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cI can smell it, you know,\u201d he says. \u201cYour blood, your spiritual energy. You want it so badly, you love it when I just take from you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji makes small, embarrassing noises as Wei Wuxian shoves at his robes, at his underwear. His skin is like ice, but it doesn\u2019t stop hot arousal from shocking, pulsating through Lan Wangji\u2019s body.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan, the beloved Hanguang-jun, at my mercy.\u201d Wei Wuxian wraps his cold fingers around Lan Wangji\u2019s cock. \u201cWhat would the cultivation world say if they knew you were at my mercy? A demonic cultivator, something less than human?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying\u2026 is\u2026 Wei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji rasps out, as Wei Wuxian\u2019s fingers tease him, slightly.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smiles. \u201cSuch tender words from someone who loves to be marked by me,\u201d he says. He brings his free hand to Lan Wangji\u2019s neck\u2014not to where he bit him before, but at the underside of his throat, his pulse. \u201cWould you want to be marked all over by me, Lan Zhan? Have me drink from every part of your body?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji bucks against his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI could mark you everywhere, so you\u2019d never forget you were mine.\u201d Wei Wuxian\u2019s cold hand does not make him fully hard, keeps his arousal at bay, but it is a sure thing. \u201cWould you like that, Lan Zhan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I died at your hands,\u201d Lan Wangji manages, \u201cI would consider it an honor.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian gasps, then laughs again. \u201cLan Zhan, so earnest even when so vulnerable.\u201d His grin is wolfish. \u201cWhat do you want, Lan Zhan? Tell me. Let me hear your voice.\u201d<\/p>\n Only shudders and bitten off groans are escaping Lan Wangji\u2019s mouth. He feels inebriated, loose, and Wei Wuxian hasn\u2019t even bitten him yet. \u201cTo feel Wei Ying,\u201d he mumbles. \u201cEverywhere. To be inside of Wei Ying. To have Wei Ying inside of me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuch shameless things to say,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. Still, he begins taking off his robes, jade skin exposed to the night air. Lan Wangji wants to feel how cold he is, to warm him up. \u201cI didn\u2019t know Hanguang-jun could say such things, could want such things.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji is fully aware that his ears are hot, but is more taken with the display of Wei Wuxian\u2019s near-naked body in front of him. The burning in his gut increases tenfold. This is something he never allowed himself to want, and the arousal hits him with full force, straight to his cock. His golden core, his blood \u2014 they sing with the need to be taken.<\/p>\n Something must show in his eyes then, because Wei Wuxian takes one look at him and kisses him again. He slides his tongue into Lan Wangji\u2019s mouth, dirty, wet; bites at where he bit Lan Wangji on the neck before, the first time and all the times after when he was unconscious. He runs his teeth over his pulse point, palms his rapidly beating heart.<\/p>\n When Wei Wuxian breaks away, there is a string of saliva between them, to Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth. Wei Wuxian looks at him with dark, hollow eyes, and says, \u201cYou\u2019re so\u00a0alive\u00a0<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYours,\u201d Lan Wangji says. He raises his body, offering it.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes flash red; he grins. He prepares Lan Wangji with his cold fingers, Lan Wangji\u2019s knees spread by his shoulders. He kisses him throughout, smothering Lan Wangji\u2019s noises, cold fingers crawling inside, stretching him. It is wet and foreign and not completely pleasurable, but Wei Wuxian says, \u201cI think you want to feel it, feel it when you enter me,\u201d and Lan Wangji does.<\/p>\n His mind is hazy when he first feels the thicker push to his entrance, cold skin and slippery and bigger, nudging at his hole. Wei Wuxian groans and enters slowly. Lan Wangji thinks,\u00a0mine, mine, he is mine\u00a0<\/em>, to distract himself from the invading pressure. The full sheath of Wei Wuxian\u2019s cock slides into his body, Lan Wangji clenching around the unusual fullness.<\/p>\n \u201cGood, good,\u201d Wei Wuxian lets out. He thrusts a little and Lan Wangji exhales at having so much of Wei Wuxian in him. \u201cYou\u2019re so good, Lan Zhan, so pretty like this.\u201d His thumb travels down to where Lan Wangji\u2019s rim is embraced around his cool cock. \u201cDo you feel this? This is where you and me are joined.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u00a0Wei Ying\u00a0<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smirks. \u201cOkay, okay,\u201d he says, leans down, thrusts, joins their mouths together again. Lan Wangji grunts at the friction of Wei Wuxian\u2019s cool stomach against his cock, tongue pushing past Lan Wangji\u2019s teeth as Lan Wangji holds onto him. Wei Wuxian does not need to breathe, sucks all the oxygen out of his lungs, lips sealing over Lan Wangji\u2019s as he fucks into him more.<\/p>\n \u201cReady?\u201d Wei Wuxian says, and Lan Wangji moans, throws his head back, exposing his neck. Wei Wuxian rocks into him, tears at the bandages with his teeth, toys along the scars left there before, finds the first one, and\u00a0bites\u00a0<\/em>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s bliss. Lan Wangji cries out but the pain barely registers\u2014blood rushes from his body, past Wei Wuxian\u2019s fangs, and into his undead heart. Wei Wuxian drives into him deeply as he drinks, teeth deep in Lan Wangji\u2019s neck, cock deep in his body, the rhythm of his hips matching the blood flow. And\u2014Lan Wangji can feel it inside of him, the blooming warmth of Wei Wuxian\u2019s fingers, chest, cock, from the chill to the blazing heat, piercing him inside and out. It\u2019s\u00a0his\u00a0<\/em>blood,\u00a0his\u00a0<\/em>heat running through Wei Wuxian\u2019s veins, and he\u2019s getting harder and harder as Wei Wuxian drinks.<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost done,\u201d Wei Wuxian murmurs, but Lan Wangji doesn\u2019t ever want it to be done. Wei Wuxian feels so big and overwhelming inside of him, a wildfire. Lan Wangji wants to feel him lose control, put as much of himself into Lan Wangji as he has into Wei Wuxian, overtake his insides, his body with his bloodlust, his teeth, the thick length of his cock.<\/p>\n \u201cYours,\u201d he gasps out. \u201cWei Ying,\u00a0yours\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian moans and his chest halts, hips thrusting erratically as he comes inside of Lan Wangji, thick, hot, and pulsing, marking Lan Wangji from the inside\u2014and it is that knowledge that makes Lan Wangji come against Wei Wuxian\u2019s stomach, knocking back against him. His shudders are uncontrollable and even when he is done, Wei Wuxian\u2019s hips are still twitching from the aftershocks. Lan Wangji keeps him inside until he is no longer coming, then loosens, feeling his cock slip out. Wei Wuxian collapses on top of him, and Lan Wangji runs his hands over his back.<\/p>\n He moves his head, and his neck rolls into something wet. Lan Wangji feels there, and pulls his fingers away to see blood. Wei Wuxian hadn\u2019t finished sealing up the wound.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian lifts his head up, sniffing. \u201cOh, sorry,\u201d he mumbles, and takes his fingers into his mouth, sucking the blood off, lips stained red. Lan Wangji captures his lips, kisses him, the taste of his own blood in Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth, licking his teeth and inside his mouth eagerly.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian laughs. \u201cOne could mistake you for the bloodsucker,\u201d he teases, pulling back. \u201cI still need to heal you, though, Lan Zhan. You can wait to kiss me until later.\u201d<\/p>\n He bends down and licks the residue of blood on Lan Wangji\u2019s neck, soothing the open wound with saliva on the pad of his tongue. Lan Wangji falls away to the feeling of him cleaning him, making him whole again.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is watching when Lan Wangji wakes, still naked, curled around his body. He is not as warm now, but still comfortable, solid, as Lan Wangji blinks awake.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not returning to the Cloud Recesses, are you?\u201d Wei Wuxian asks. It does not sound like a question.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji searches his gaze. \u201cNot unless Wei Ying wants to go.\u201d Wei Wuxian smiles at this and kisses him good morning, and Lan Wangji has to calm them both down, tell himself to get ready for the day.<\/p>\n Things are almost the same\u2014except for how they aren\u2019t, as Wei Wuxian keeps trying to interrupt his morning routine with kissing and groping. When Lan Wangji prepares to leave the bedchambers, he says, \u201cI will miss you,\u201d and Wei Wuxian beams at him, says \u201cI\u2019ll be here.\u201d<\/p>\n If anyone notices that Lan Wangji is walking stiffer than usual, they do not comment on it. Midway through the day, Lan Wangji enters the main hall and sees Jin Zixuan sitting at a guest mat, accompanied by Jiang Yanli and Jiang Wanyin on the lotus throne, both of them on guard. Jin Zixuan starts when Lan Wangji enters, but merely says, \u201cAh\u2014Hanguang-jun! You are invited to the Night Hunt on Phoenix Mountain as well. Lanling Jin is hosting it as a hunting competition between the sects, although I did not see you in Gusu\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am still lending my services here.\u201d It is not a lie, but Lan Wangji thinks about Wei Wuxian asleep in his bedchambers. \u201cIs the night hunt for any willing participants?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d Jin Zixuan turns back to Jiang Yanli. Jiang Wanyin\u2019s gaze is dubious. \u201cI\u2014my mother would be honored, Jiang-guniang, if you were to attend as well.\u201d He bows, and then, when no one says anything for a long moment, shifts in his seat uncomfortably.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji has sat in the space next to Jiang Yanli. He says, \u201cWhy has Jin-gongzi traveled to deliver a mere invitation?\u201d<\/p>\n Jin Zixuan glances at Jiang Wanyin and Jiang Yanli as if expecting them to ask Lan Wangji not to intervene. When neither of them speaks up, Jin Zixuan says, \u201cThe\u2014we would like the Jiang Sect to grace us with their attendance.\u201d Then: \u201cAnd Jiang-guniang, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd these are your mother\u2019s wishes?\u201d Jiang Wanyin asks doubtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d But Jin Zixuan ducks his head under the combined gazes of Lan Wangji and Jiang Wanyin. \u201cAnd\u2014mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Considering what Lan Wangji knows of their previous association (and as complained vaguely by Wei Wuxian), this is surprising.<\/p>\n What is even more surprising is when Jiang Yanli says, \u201cThen at Jin-furen and Jin-gongzi\u2019s invitation, I accept.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n The hunt begins several days later, the sun barely a memory of Wen Ruohan high up in the air. Wei Wuxian had been eager to come despite all his eye rolling about the Jins. He had been far less concerned when Lan Wangji told him that, after the initial meeting, Jin Zixuan had asked where Wei Wuxian was. \u201cI don\u2019t bother trying to understand why peacocks do peacock things,\u201d he\u2019d said to Lan Wangji. \u201cBut Lan Zhan, you\u2019re coming too, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Lan Wangji had agreed and then Wei Wuxian drank from his thigh and fucked him into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n This is hardly what Lan Wangji is thinking about, as they watch the ceremony for the hunt to start. Jin Zixuan shows off his archery in a gratuitous display, arrows piercing past the trembling Wen prisoners. Lan Wangji wishes the ceremony was less distasteful.<\/p>\n Lianfang-zun calls for any other practice shots. Wei Wuxian grins at Lan Wangji and says, \u201cLan Zhan, can you help me?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji meets his gaze. \u201cWhat do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I borrow your headband?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not even bother with a response.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes and then approaches the five targets. He makes a show of wrapping one of his arm bands around his head, covering his eyes. Lan Wangji watches as he grabs five of the practice arrows, strings them into his bow, spins, and shoots.<\/p>\n All of his arrows land.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is smug as he takes his place back by Lan Wangji. \u201cI can smell your blood,\u201d he murmurs. \u201cYou\u2019re getting hot.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not dignify that with a response, either.<\/p>\n The hunt starts shortly after, Lan Wangji by Wei Wuxian\u2019s side despite the dismayed looks coming from the Gusu Lan disciples who had come with his brother. Lan Xichen, at least, shakes his head with a small smile and says nothing. Lan Wangji thinks that Wei Wuxian could do the hunt, as Jin Zixuan\u2019s cousin had suggested, with the blindfold on the whole time. He does not say this to Wei Wuxian, who is twirling his dizi and humming to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will be too easy,\u201d Wei Wuxian says to Lan Wangji with a smirk. \u201cHow much of the prey do you think I should leave for everyone else, Lan Zhan? Three-quarters? Two-thirds?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat will you do with the prey that you capture?\u201d Lan Wangji asks, though he knows \u201ccapture\u201d is not quite accurate to Wei Wuxian\u2019s methods of night hunting anymore.<\/p>\n \u201cLead them into Gusu Lan and Yunmeng Jiang\u2019s traps, of course.\u201d Wei Wuxian grins. They\u2019ve made their way pretty deep into the forest, and he brings his dizi to his lips. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll bring some over so you can capture some too.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji doesn\u2019t have time to think before he\u2019s playing, resentful energy drawn to him, luring a faint rustling from around them. Lan Wangji watches, entranced by Wei Wuxian\u2019s precise playing, fingers and lips flying over the dizi. He wonders if there is another world where Wei Wuxian hasn\u2019t been stripped of his humanity, his light, where they could both follow the conventional routes, become cultivators together. But\u2014he does want this Wei Wuxian, wild and lustful, on his single-plank bridge. Perhaps this is who he was always meant to be.<\/p>\n Some of the prey comes their way, Lan Wangji defeating them without a moment\u2019s hesitation. Wei Wuxian delicately moves out of the way and continues playing. The monsters attack, but between Wei Wuxian\u2019s careful dizi playing and Lan Wangji\u2019s quickness with his quiver and bow, they tread around each other like a dance, music with their bodies.<\/p>\n After Lan Wangji himself has defeated a good amount of demons and ferocious ghosts, he turns to Wei Wuxian. \u201cHow much of the prey did you lure?\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smirks. \u201cOh, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n It is afternoon and his skin is still warm, like the sun, with Lan Wangji\u2019s blood running through him. Yet as he approaches Lan Wangji with that unfaltering, powerful gaze, Lan Wangji wants nothing more than for Wei Wuxian to drink from him here, consume him, take him whole. His body, his blood yearns for it.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian stops just a hair\u2019s length away. Lan Wangji\u2019s golden core feels as though it is in his throat, pulled towards Wei Wuxian\u2019s body.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Lan Zhan, I\u2019ve turned you into something as depraved as me,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. He rests his hand on Lan Wangji\u2019s cheek. He could kiss him right now, Lan Wangji thinks, and it hasn\u2019t been too long since this morning, but it\u2019s been long enough, and Lan Wangji\u00a0wants\u00a0<\/em>\u2014<\/p>\n They\u2019re interrupted by the sound of footsteps\u2014the moment is broken, and they hide behind the trees. The footsteps turn out to be from Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli, whose apparent relationship isn\u2019t getting any better. Jin Zixuan\u2019s cousin makes matters worse, and Lan Wangji has to stop Wei Wuxian from lashing out as Jiang Yanli demands for Jin Zixuan\u2019s cousin to apologize.<\/p>\n The hunt ends with Yunmeng Jiang and Gusu Lan getting one-third of the prey each, Lan Wangji making no small contribution.<\/p>\n He and Wei Wuxian avoid the banquet back in Lanling by Wei Wuxian dragging him into town. \u201cWe can\u2019t be too close to the palace or else they\u2019ll make us attend,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, and Lan Wangji agrees\u2014if he were still a formal member of his sect, still cared about appearances, he would be there next to his brother. But he has decided that such things no longer matter.<\/p>\n They trawl through the city, Wei Wuxian not bothering to hide his disgust at the richer citizens flaunting their wealth in front of the poorer. The homeless are dismissed and abused in the streets. A particularly egregious Jin soldier shoves over someone in rags, and Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian turn.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji recognizes her\u2014in Wen red, bruises on her face. Wei Wuxian does, too, by the way his face flits across several different emotions, before landing on\u2014shame. He rushes over to her, and Lan Wangji follows.<\/p>\n \u201cWen Qing,\u201d Wei Wuxian says quietly. \u201cHow are you\u2014what are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d she says, though she is worrying at her bottom lip. And then: \u201cMy brother is missing. I can\u2019t find him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What happened?\u201d Wei Wuxian helps her up.<\/p>\n Wen Qing glances at Lan Wangji, but when Wei Wuxian makes no move to dismiss him, or he any movement to leave, she says, \u201cHe and the others at Yiling were captured by Jin soldiers. For a labor camp, I presume. We were separated.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of labor camps,\u201d Wei Wuxian mutters. His eyes flash red.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji wraps his fingers around his wrist. \u201cQiongqi Path,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen I was talking to my brother earlier, before the hunt, I heard Lianfang-zun mention it.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian meets his gaze, deadly serious, and nods. \u201cLan Zhan and I will help you find Wen Ning,\u201d he says to Wen Qing. \u201cWhen\u2019s the last time you ate?\u201d<\/p>\n Her hands shake\u2014not for some while. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, he could be dying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe could need your help, which will require more of your energy,\u201d Wei Wuxian turns to Lan Wangji. \u201cLan Zhan, can you get something from a street vendor?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods, and gets a few pieces of bread from a cart around the corner. When he comes back, Wei Wuxian is saying to her, \u201cWe\u2019ll take you there as long as you eat along the way. No stopping as long as you keep eating.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not a child, Wei Wuxian,\u201d Wen Qing fires back, although when she sees the food in Lan Wangji\u2019s hands, her eyes light up in the way of someone who hasn\u2019t had anything decent to eat in a long time.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian takes a piece of bread from Lan Wangji and waves it in her face. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n She glares at him and snatches it, taking a sizable bite. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d she says, more to Lan Wangji than anything. Lan Wangji waits for Wei Wuxian, who grins before they trek away.<\/p>\n On their way to Qiongqi Path, with snatches of asking for directions from the occasional townsperson, Lan Wangji asks Wei Wuxian, under his breath, \u201cThese Wens\u2026 are your friends?\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes narrow. \u201cAnd if they are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am not doubting Wei Ying\u2019s judgment,\u201d Lan Wangji says quietly. \u201cI am\u2026 merely not familiar with any member of the Wen Clan. I was unaware that Wei Ying was.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian relaxes slightly, though there is still a guarded look in his eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me that Hanguang-jun is having second thoughts about me,\u201d he says. \u201cAbout being mine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot about Wei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji replies. \u201cNever.\u201d<\/p>\n It is dark by the time they reach Qiongqi Path, traveling only by foot. A torrential storm thunders above them, drenching them as they approach the village. The Jin soldiers stop them from entering at first, but at the sight of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji together, they are too stunned as Wen Qing runs past them, calling for her brother.<\/p>\n She asks desperately at the Wens in the labor camp for anyone she knows; Lan Wangji dreads that her brother is nowhere near Qiongqi. The conditions are disastrous in the weather, Jin soldiers forcing the Wen common folk to continue shivering, drowning as they slave away.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s temper is rising again. Lan Wangji can tell by the way he trembles, the red glowing in his eyes. Lan Wangji holds onto his wrist and says, \u201cWei Ying. Gather all the Jin soldiers together.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian exhales even though he no longer needs to. Then he calls them all over, fury written across his face.<\/p>\n None of them want to answer when Wen Qing asks about the recent Wen cultivators brought into camp. At Lan Wangji\u2019s behest, eventually one Jin soldier stammers out that all Wens are brought here and only here\u2014that occasionally, Wen cultivators are asked for to do someone else\u2019s bidding. When another Jin soldier tries to suggest that Wen Qing\u2019s brother had escaped, leaving everyone else behind, Wei Wuxian steps forward and demands where, then, they disposed of the dead bodies.<\/p>\n They\u2019re led to a massive field of corpses, abandoned to perish in the rain. Lan Wangji swallows at the sight of the sprawled corpses, the innocent bodies of people he might have once considered his enemies. As Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian search through them, Lan Wangji lets their memory seep through him, rain thick against his skin and their lifeless ones. It is no good finding his own breath when Wei Wuxian finds new people to suffocate for; Lan Wangji is long used to this feeling of not being able to breathe next to Wei Wuxian. What had once been restrained for him has now broken, and he remembers once, a promise, a prayer: to stand by justice, with a clear conscience, without regret. Lan Wangji has known for a while now that this means to stand by Wei Wuxian, even at his least mortal.<\/p>\n They find Wen Ning\u2019s body, Stygian lure flag sunken into his body. Wei Wuxian\u2019s face is frozen.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji hears it first when the sound of swords slashing comes from the village. \u201cWei Ying,\u201d he rushes out, and Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes are\u00a0fire\u00a0<\/em>. Without hesitation, he raises his dizi, resentful energy spilling out from him, from the corpses surrounding them. He walks back into the village, murder intent in every step.<\/p>\n Wen Qing does not spare him a glance, still crying over her brother\u2019s body. Lan Wangji kneels with her. \u201cWen-guniang,\u201d he says, over the rain. He recalls hearing about an exceptionally good Wen doctor, a young woman around his age. \u201cDo you think you know how long he has been dead?\u201d<\/p>\n It is crude, but she needs something to focus on. She sniffs, then examines his eyes, his pulse, the wound of the flag lodged in his stomach. \u201cDays,\u201d she gets out. \u201cNo more than some weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji helps her up, her cloak soaked through.<\/p>\n No sooner than she\u2019s rising to her feet again does her brother\u2019s body twitch suddenly, eyes shooting open, pupils lifeless. Wen Qing gasps as her brother\u2019s body, a living corpse, leaps away\u2014towards the village, towards Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji and Wen Qing rush over, to see Wei Wuxian playing his dizi furiously, as Wen Ning\u2019s body attacks the Jin soldier with ruthless strength.<\/p>\n The dark energy pouring out of Wen Ning\u2019s reanimated corpse is violent, ferocious, tearing into each Jin soldier like a grudge. Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes widen when he realizes that whatever he did\u2014his Yin Hu Fu\u2014is no match for Wen Ning\u2019s spirit. He stops, screams Wen Ning\u2019s name over the rain, Wen Qing joining him. And then\u2014in a shocking moment, when Wen Ning is about to rip out the throat of one of the last Jin soldiers\u2014he stops, falls to the ground.<\/p>\n Wen Qing runs over to him as Wei Wuxian turns to Lan Wangji. \u201cWe can\u2019t leave them here,\u201d Wei Wuxian says.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d Lan Wangji looks around the drowning village. Most of the Wen prisoners have fled, and there are large stables that could easily house a good number of them. He makes his way towards it with Wei Wuxian in tow. They kick the door down.<\/p>\n The living Wen prisoners are indeed hidden in here. \u201cPlease, don\u2019t hurt us!\u201d one begs, while another asks, \u201cWho are you? What did you do to our supervisors?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Wei Wuxian starts.<\/p>\n \u201cCome with us,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n They gather the people together, and Lan Wangji fetches the horses. Quickly enough, they get each Wen prisoner to a horse, assisting the children and elderly. Some are gawking at the sight of Wen Qing with her brother when Lan Wangji brings them over as well, helping them up as well. He and Wei Wuxian each mount their own horse, last, and once everyone is situated, they take off into the night, into the storm.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian says to Lan Wangji, as they lead the pack, \u201cThere\u2019s no turning back from this, do you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n The prisoners of war behind them. Breaking in and escaping, the fresh corpses of the Jin soldiers left behind. Wei Wuxian and his demonic cultivation, his thirst for blood.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji says, \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n coda<\/b><\/big><\/big><\/big><\/big><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rain lets up the farther west they travel. Wei Wuxian insists they don\u2019t stop, but Lan Wangji can see the starkness of his skin, emptiness growing in his eyes. \u201cYou need to feed,\u201d he says quietly.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smirks, but there\u2019s no spirit in it. \u201cYou craving it now, Lan Zhan? Be patient, I\u2019ll feed from you when we reach where we\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji ignores the tease at their destination; Wei Wuxian has not freely offered it, he will not ask. Instead, he says, \u201cIt is well past your feeding time.\u201d Behind them, he is well aware of Wen Qing listening with interest.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian scoffs. \u201cI lasted without you, before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji snaps.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, and you really want me to feed from you in front of all these people?\u201d Wei Wuxian gestures. \u201cThe prisoners?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji thinks, then dismounts his horse. It continues trotting along the path obediently. He gets himself onto Wei Wuxian\u2019s still moving horse, placing himself in front of him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need energy, too,\u201d he says, pointedly. He bares his neck, unconcerned about any of the Wen prisoners watching, listening. \u201cDrink.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian huffs, like he is considering doing otherwise. But then two sharp points stab into his neck, and Wei Wuxian inhales. Lan Wangji ignores the immediate reaction it gives him, to his cock, his hot insides. Wei Wuxian\u2019s fangs are buried deep inside him, damp hair sticking to his neck, drinking up his blood as their journey continues on. Lan Wangji\u2019s head gets light and fuzzy quickly; Wei Wuxian holds onto him to prevent him from falling off his horse. Blood seeps from the now age-old wounds in Lan Wangji\u2019s neck, until Wei Wuxian licks, seals them up.<\/p>\n \u201cRidiculous Hanguang-jun,\u201d he says, against Lan Wangji\u2019s skull. \u201cToo concerned about me. Too shameless. Too irresistible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying\u2019s,\u201d Lan Wangji slurs out.<\/p>\n There is a kiss pressed to the back of his neck. \u201cMine.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n They arrive in Yiling, their apparent destination. Wei Wuxian does not bother to stop into town, leading them to the outskirts where dark, tight resentful energy lurks. It is not dangerous, Lan Wangji knows, but he has his reservations when Wei Wuxian begins helping the others down, leading them to the entrance of a cave. Everyone is relieved to stop, but Lan Wangji does not know this place, nor how Wei Wuxian knows this place.<\/p>\n He\u2019d gotten back on his horse this morning, after being roused from unconsciousness in Wei Wuxian\u2019s arms. He dismounts and pulls Wei Wuxian aside from helping an old woman and a child, asking in an undertone, \u201cWhy are we in Yiling?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, didn\u2019t you know? This is where I grew up.\u201d Wei Wuxian grins at the dead forest all around them, gnarled trees, promise of monsters hiding in the shadows. Lan Wangji does not believe he means what he is saying. \u201cOr, at least, it\u2019s where Jiang-shushu found me. I\u2019ve always felt a kinship with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, wait until everyone is settled, okay?\u201d Wei Wuxian goes back to Wen-popo and the child. \u201cLook at little A-Yuan, he\u2019s probably hungry, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHungry,\u201d the child says. He sticks his thumb in his mouth.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian beams. \u201cSee? We can start a farm or something, we just have to pick some fruit\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo need.\u201d The child has tear tracks down his face, and looks exhausted. Lan Wangji has his money bag tucked in his robe. \u201cI will fetch some food from town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t\u2014Lan Zhan!\u201d Wei Wuxian tries to stop him, but Lan Wangji ignores him; and, he suspects, Wei Wuxian knows how urgent the need for food is now. \u201cAh, rich people,\u201d he hears Wei Wuxian lament to the child. \u201cOff to purchase necessities at their earliest convenience.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s evident that word of their escape hasn\u2019t reached Yiling yet, though only a day has passed; people are more surprised than suspicious that Lan Wangji is in town, buying supplies. He realizes, amid buying mounds of potatoes, that perhaps he should have taken his hairpiece out at least, to be less conspicuous. But it is too late now\u2014doing so may draw attention to the fact that he does not want to be noticed. Word will get out soon, anyhow. And no one will dare approach him, at least, with ill intent, much less he and Wei Wuxian combined.<\/p>\n He gets as much food and supplies as he can carry, which is plentiful, before finding his way back to where Wei Wuxian had brought them. There is a large and potentially dangerous seal around a coven of trees now, which could pass as an entrance. Lan Wangji passes through untouched, assessing the shelter they\u2019ve crowded around, the people they\u2019ve rescued. Everyone has gathered at the mouth of the cave, precarious. Wei Wuxian is nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n \u201cHe went inside,\u201d Wen Qing explains, her brother\u2019s unconscious, possibly dead head leaning against her shoulder. \u201cMaking sure it\u2019s safe, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji passes around the food he bought, more than enough for everyone. Once they all have food in their hands\u2014A-Yuan is especially delighted by the sweet bun Lan Wangji had selected for him\u2014Lan Wangji heads into the cave.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is humming to himself as he examines the cave\u2019s walls; if Lan Wangji recognizes the song, he does not say so. \u201cI think Demon-Slaughtering Cave would be a good name for this place,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, turning to Lan Wangji. \u201cDon\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know this place?\u201d Lan Wangji asks.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian sighs. \u201cLan Zhan, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s important right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it have anything to do with what you\u2019ve become?\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian stills for a moment. There are dark shadows under his eyes, and the sparse light filtering in from the roof of the cave only makes them darker, deeper. Lan Wangji steps closer to him, runs a finger down his cheek, beneath his eyes. Wei Wuxian leans into the touch, his warmth and his heartbeat.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, \u201cthat I will tell you soon. But we\u2019ve just defected, Lan Zhan; I think we need to devote our time to the Wens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will tell me?\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian says, and kisses his thumb lightly, kisses Lan Wangji\u2019s mouth briefly. \u201cYes. Thank you for helping me, Hanguang-jun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou do not need to call me that,\u201d Lan Wangji says as they head back out.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian winks. \u201cBut it feels even sexier knowing that I\u2019m drinking all your\u00a0guang<\/em>.\u201d He laughs at the expression on Lan Wangji\u2019s face.<\/p>\n They organize the people, those with exhaustion (which is the vast majority of them) resting in the cave amongst the stone and hay, while those with energy are willing to help sort the supplies and hunt for durable tree branches. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to build houses and beds for everyone!\u201d Wei Wuxian says. His paleness is even more evident in the daylight, so Lan Wangji volunteers himself to do the heavy lifting, carrying supplies and setting up areas for livable houses. The best space, Wei Wuxian insists, is behind the cave and the temple, so people will have to pass through the cave to get to what they hope will be their little village instead of being vulnerable at the front. When one of the Wen cultivators asks Wei Wuxian about his own house, he laughs and says, \u201cDon\u2019t be silly, the cave is my home.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji understands\u2014these people are defenseless, less trained. But when Wei Wuxian teases Lan Wangji about being hard at work at his own home, Lan Wangji says, \u201cThis house is not mine.\u201d And when Wei Wuxian says, \u201cWell, do you want to build your house next?\u201d Lan Wangji turns to him and says, \u201cThe cave is my home, too.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wens say nothing, much less Wen Qing, who has allowed her brother to rest in a secluded area in the temple at the back of the cave, near a small pool. She shoots them a fairly indecipherable look as she drags some stones over for a house foundation. But Lan Wangji does not break. Wei Wuxian huffs and does not protest, because Lan Wangji knows that he knows it will be no use.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji goes into town again later, hairpiece safely hidden but headband still on, to ward off attention but not draw trouble. There are more things they need that he had not thought of buying before, like bathtubs and candles and rope. He buys plenty of food as well as seeds, along with tools and a cart if Wei Wuxian keeps up his farming aspirations. He had spoken like he was joking, but he had joked about planting turnips as well, and it will take too long for them to make money selling the fruits in the wood. Lan Wangji certainly has the money to spare.<\/p>\n When he gets back, Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian are talking in the cave. He pauses when Wei Wuxian\u2019s voice says\u00a0Hanguang-jun<\/em>. At the mouth, not close enough to be seen, he listens.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 is not the problem. The problem is he shouldn\u2019t be seen with us,\u201d says Wen Qing\u2019s voice. \u201cWe\u2019re prisoners. We\u2019re rogues.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShould I not be seen with you too?\u201d But Wei Wuxian\u2019s voice sounds tired\u2014like this is something he has thought about, and did not want to put into words.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but you have much less to lose,\u201d Wen Qing says. \u201cYou know this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d Wei Wuxian is quiet for a moment. \u201cWhile Lan Zhan is Hanguang-jun, a Twin Jade of Lan\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014and this is not his concern,\u201d Wen Qing finishes.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji steps in. \u201cIf people are inappropriately treated, it is my concern,\u201d he says. He drops the talisman paper he bought to the ground\u2014Wei Wuxian had been dreading pilfering talismans or making rice paper.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing have matching expressions of guilt on their faces. Lan Wangji continues, \u201cEven if Wei Ying were not here, I would think this is the correct thing to do. Your village was innocent, yet the Jin soldiers were abusing you and putting you to work because you are a Wen.\u201d His gaze slides to Wen Ning on the stone slab, unconscious, and by all means dead. \u201cIt is despicable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Lan Zhan, honorable Hanguang-jun,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, coming over to him. Lan Wangji does not break eye contact with Wen Qing. \u201cWhat a noble, noble man. But surely you should want to return to Gusu Lan, they must need you, you know? They miss you, and you\u2019re the venerable Lan-er gongzi, shouldn\u2019t your duties\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy duties are to Wei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says sharply. \u201cAnd to where I am needed. I have not returned to Gusu since the end of the Sunshot Campaign. I am not returning now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but.\u201d Wei Wuxian glances at Wen Qing briefly. She is still watching Lan Wangji. \u201cThis isn\u2019t\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0important to you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is as important to me as it is to you,\u201d Lan Wangji interrupts; he chose Wei Wuxian long ago, when his blood started running through Wei Wuxian’s veins. Perhaps, even, before. \u201cI have learned, now, that duty is not bound by what rules we are given, but what choices we have in the world we are brought into.\u201d<\/p>\n He moves past them into the temple to distribute food to the Wens who have been working all day, and to those who are just waking up: the old, the sick, and the young. Back out in the setting sun, he builds the houses.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian comes back out when the moon has risen and there are no more Wen cultivators left working. Sweat is pooling down Lan Wangji\u2019s back, but he continues stacking the stone on the crudely made clay. He barely looks up as Wei Wuxian admires the few houses he has already finished, down the path.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this rate, we\u2019ll have houses for everyone within days!\u201d Wei Wuxian grins at him. Lan Wangji does not respond.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian puts a hand on his arm. \u201cAh, Lan Zhan, stop for the night. Everyone is asleep in the temple. Plus, I\u2019m getting thirsty.\u201d His fingers trace a patch of sweat beneath Lan Wangji\u2019s robes. \u201cAnd you smell enticing.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji stops at this. He sets the stone in his hands down, and then heads back into the temple. Wei Wuxian bounds after him, and they slip in quietly, past where the Wens are largely sleeping, toward the entrance of the cave. They pass Wen Ning by the small pool. Various talismans are stuck to his body.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian chuckles as they move out of earshot. \u201cYou know, when I imagined us owning a farm together, I thought I\u2019d be doing all of the grunt work. But Lan Zhan seems to have found a passion in building houses!\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji looks him up and down. \u201cWei Ying is weaker in the day,\u201d he says, because he recognizes it now.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian scratches the back of his head. \u201cThat\u2019s true, isn\u2019t it\u2026 let me draw you a bath! And then I\u2019ll wash your underrobes, so you have something clean to sleep in.\u201d<\/p>\n The resentful energy around the cave, the forest, swirls like dust motes. It has already darkened Lan Wangji\u2019s outer robe, his five underrobes still pale, but Lan Wangji figures it will be a matter of time before their colors change as well, from Lan white to Burial Mounds grey, cloud patterns turning overcast. He finds that he does not mind.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian does indeed draw a bath with some of the water from outside, and talismans for heating and multiplying. He uses the tub Lan Wangji bought earlier; it looks well-used now, which is not a matter of concern for Lan Wangji. He settles in as Wei Wuxian uses talismans and a wash bin to wash his robes.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji says, \u201cI do not want you to think that I still prescript myself to the rules of the Cloud Recesses. That I am here out of anything other than choice.\u201d The water is too hot on Lan Wangji\u2019s skin, but he wants the touch of Wei Wuxian\u2019s body, winter cold at this time of night.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian runs his hands and the robe in the soapy water. \u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking about it that much, honestly,\u201d he says after a moment. \u201cBut then Wen Qing reminded me that you\u2019re Hanguang-Jun, that you\u2019ve got legacy, an entire sect\u2014and who am I?\u201d He laughs bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re Wei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji says. Wei Wuxian doesn\u2019t meet his eyes. \u201cYou have been brought into Yunmeng Jiang as a valuable disciple. And even if you were not, your life would still be precious.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYunmeng Jiang\u2026\u201d Wei Wuxian pauses in his washing. He laughs again. \u201cYou know, I promised A-Cheng and shijie that we would be together forever? And now I\u2019ve ruined that promise\u2026 I\u2019m a fucking joke.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Lan Wangji sits up. Hot water rushes off his body, shoulders hitting the cool air. \u201cYou have found a greater duty. You can return to them and they will welcome you home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan, don\u2019t be delusional,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, but Lan Wangji has seen how tenderly Jiang Yanli speaks to him, the softness of Jiang Wanyin\u2019s gaze when Wei Wuxian is not looking. How the people of the Lotus Pier and beyond look to him with adoration in their eyes.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian will not believe him, though. Lan Wangji knows. He leans back in the tub and lets himself soak. After a few minutes, with his eyes closed, there is a loud whipping sound and Wei Wuxian says, \u201cThere! Clean and dry and ready for you to wear. Ah, I can\u2019t believe you\u2019ve been naked next to me for so long and I haven\u2019t ravished you once.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji steps out of the tub and dries himself. He takes his robe from Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, I think tomorrow night you should fuck me,\u201d Wei Wuxian says thoughtfully. \u201cNot tonight, though, since you\u2019re probably too tired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn.\u201d Lan Wangji ignores that his ears are red.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian beams. \u201cThen it\u2019s settled. Though I\u2019ll need to drink from you first, tonight. You said that we\u2019re sharing this part of the cave, right? Does that mean we\u2019re sharing a bed too? Because I only got one prepared, so you\u2019ll have to find your own stone tablet if you don\u2019t want to share.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji doesn\u2019t respond, just lets Wei Wuxian lead him into where his bed is supposedly set up. The stone is lined with hay and pieces of cloth undoubtedly adapted from Wei Wuxian\u2019s robes. Some of the candles are lit, but there are far too few to shed proper light, drawing long shadows on the cavern walls. The tablet is certainly big enough for the two of them, crudely enlarged to be so.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it to Lan Zhan\u2019s liking?\u201d Wei Wuxian asks. Lan Wangji says nothing, merely climbs atop the cloth. \u201cYou know, for as long as we\u2019ve stayed together for me to feed from you, I think some part of me keeps expecting you to return to Gusu, one day.\u201d He gets on the stone with Lan Wangji, baring his fangs close to his neck. Lan Wangji can see how his nostrils are flaring at the proximity. \u201cBut I think you\u2019re too addicted to the feeling of getting your blood drained.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji glares at him.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, come on, I\u2019m teasing.\u201d Wei Wuxian grins. He looks up and down Lan Wangji\u2019s body. \u201cWhere should I drink from tonight? Your thigh? We haven\u2019t done that in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not fuck him this night, but even the exhaustion of the day does not make sleep easier in this new place he may call home.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Because of Wei Wuxian\u2019s propensity against daylight, they set up a system where Lan Wangji runs errands and builds and assists the Wens during the day, while Wei Wuxian trawls during the night, testing the talismans for Wen Ning, working on reclaiming land for their farm, perfecting his dark cultivation methods with such precision that most of Lan Wangji\u2019s concerns have turned to why he is doing it, rather than how or what. Wei Wuxian does sleep and wake earlier in the day to help them in the gardens, though Lan Wangji suspects it is because he has a fondness for Wen Yuan, who likes helping Si-shu with the vegetables. Lan Wangji does not blame him.<\/p>\n He knows that despite their best efforts, Wei Wuxian is struggling\u2014with not being able to do much during the day, with maintaining what is left of Wen Ning\u2019s consciousness, with feeding from Lan Wangji every night, but no longer in the comfort of Yunmeng Jiang. Lan Wangji does his best to coax the stress out of Wei Wuxian with his body, whether Wei Wuxian feels like giving or taking. But more often than not, they find discomfort with Wei Wuxian\u2019s cold insides around Lan Wangji\u2019s flaccid cock; Lan Wangji is content having Wei Wuxian inside of him, blunt fingernails gripping onto his hips in the cave while everyone else takes rest in their houses.<\/p>\n As Wei Wuxian predicted, they do finish homes for everyone within days, branching out to fields of vegetables to sell in Yiling. The air in the forest is thick but only speaks of ill memories, not poison to their lungs and food. The carrots and turnips and potatoes grow best, though, beneath the soil and easier to harvest. Lan Wangji\u2019s robes are dusted grey now and he only wears two or three layers at a time now, due to their money and storage constraints.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian comes out into the fields while Lan Wangji is helping Si-shu with the turnips, soil easing against his robes like a home. Wen Qing had gone in earlier to see if Wei Wuxian was awake; Wei Wuxian is alone now, eating the sweet potato Wen Qing had been cooking earlier.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji stands up. \u201cWei Ying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan!\u201d The shadows under Wei Wuxian\u2019s eyes have faded, slightly. \u201cLook at you, out in the field. Here, let me, wouldn\u2019t want to make Lan Zhan\u2019s hands get too dirty from work now, would we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji tries again, but Wei Wuxian laughs.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, I think I had a dream once, where you and I worked on a farm. But in it I was always the one outdoors for so long that the sun became my skin while you stayed inside with your poetry and music.\u201d Wei Wuxian grins up at him. Lan Wangji\u2019s ears turn pink.<\/p>\n Si-shu chortles and says, \u201cWei-gongzi probably has a lot of dreams about Lan-er gongzi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do, I do,\u201d Wei Wuxian agrees. \u201cNot all of which you\u2019d want to hear, Si-shu\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n They laugh. Lan Wangji clears his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is Wen Qing? And Wen Ning?\u201d<\/p>\n Wen Qing is civil\u2014talks with him the most, out of all the Wen remnants, likely because she is Wei Wuxian\u2019s friend; she insists on cooking when Lan Wangji moves towards their makeshift kitchen. But despite her ability to have a conversation with him without forcing it, she does not offer information about herself freely\u2014and she is in his care now, whether she wants to be or not. Her brother as well.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian lights up at the mention of them. \u201cOh! Well, Wen Qing found me while I was sleeping, but Wen Ning is doing great! He can hear us and recognize voices now. I think if we keep talking to him\u2014or at least if Wen Qing keeps talking to him, he\u2019ll wake up in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods. \u201cI will ensure that she spends all the time she can with him,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan! Why are you so earnest?\u201d Wei Wuxian shoves at his arm; Lan Wangji is warm at the contact. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about her, we\u2019ll make plenty of time to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer brother\u2019s wellbeing comes first,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cI will take on whatever duties she has acquired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really don\u2019t have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan-gege! Xian-gege!\u201d<\/p>\n Wen Yuan bumbles toward them, trying to clutch onto an inordinate number of toys at the same time; Lan Wangji had not been able to resist when he\u2019d seen the street stalls full of children\u2019s toys in tow, and bought whatever he thought Wen Yuan might like. Wei Wuxian says that Lan Wangji is spoiling him. Lan Wangji thinks Wen Yuan deserves to be spoiled.<\/p>\n At their knees, Wen Yuan latches onto Wei Wuxian\u2019s calf first, then Lan Wangji\u2019s. Two of his plush toys are in hand, the rest abandoned on the ground, and he thrusts them at them. \u201cDo the voices! Do the voices!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, A-Yuan,\u201d Wei Wuxian says long-sufferingly. Lan Wangji knows he is teasing. \u201cCan\u2019t you see that your geges are talking? We don\u2019t have time to be A-Long and A-Hu right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Wen Yuan pouts and wraps both of his arms around Lan Wangji\u2019s leg instead. \u201cLan-gege?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji grabs A-Long. \u201cA-Yuan is very cute,\u201d it says in a grave voice.<\/p>\n Wen Yuan giggles, and Wei Wuxian sighs. \u201cWhy do you make me look like the bad guy, Lan Zhan?\u201d he says, and Wen Yuan giggles some more. \u201cA-Yuan, when did Lan-gege become so likable? Don\u2019t you like Xian-gege anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXian-gege!\u201d Wen Yuan exclaims, and unravels himself from Lan Wangji and clamps onto his leg instead.<\/p>\n \u201cAh! I\u2019ve been captured by the Yuan-Yuan monster!\u201d Wei Wuxian feigns struggling in his grip. Wen Yuan keeps giggling and clings tighter. \u201cOh no, Lan Zhan, save me! What should I do to free myself from Yuan-Yuan\u2019s clutches?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji thinks for a moment. \u201cPlant him with the turnips,\u201d he says, and picks Wen Yuan up.<\/p>\n Wen Yuan squeals as Lan Wangji plops him into Si-shu\u2019s field, tucking dirt around his legs. Wen Yuan shouts, \u201cTurnips!\u201d and joins him, lacing dirt over his trousers.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian is wheezing with faint laughter. \u201cLan Zhan! Look at you two!\u201d He squats down and joins them. \u201cOkay, so A-Yuan is a turnip now? Will he have lots of turnip brothers and sisters?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d Wen Yuan says eagerly. \u201cThree of each.\u201d He holds up three fingers on each hand. \u201cAnd I\u2019m the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the baby, huh? Are the turnips going to take care of A-Yuan?\u201d Wei Wuxian asks. Lan Wangji continues to serenely pour dirt onto Wen Yuan\u2019s lap. \u201cOr will A-Yuan take care of the turnips?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXian-gege and Lan-gege will take care of A-Yuan and the turnips,\u201d Wen Yuan declares. He flings dirt into the air with delight. Some of it gets onto Lan Wangji\u2019s face and robes.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian makes him put his hands down. \u201cAh, A-Yuan, be careful. Don\u2019t get yourself or Lan-gege too dirty. Come on, let\u2019s get you up.\u201d Pulling Wen Yuan by the hand, he stands up. \u201cOh, now look, your clothes are all dirty. You should change.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have not yet finished cleaning his other set of clothing,\u201d Lan Wangji says. He wipes the dirt off his palms and stands up as well. \u201cI will do that this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian beams. \u201cLan Zhan is too good! Come on, A-Yuan, let\u2019s play with your toys somewhere else so Lan-gege can help Si-shu and wash your clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n He holds onto Wen Yuan\u2019s hand as he leads them away. Wen Yuan has long since gotten used to the cold temperature of Wei Wuxian\u2019s fingers, clinging as he waves another of one his toys in Wei Wuxian\u2019s face. Lan Wangji watches them go, lips pulled into a small smile.<\/p>\n Si-shu says, \u201cWe\u2019re grateful that you and Wei-gongzi can care for A-Yuan when we may not have the time or patience.\u201d Lan Wangji looks at him. Si-shu smiles. \u201cYou and Wei-gongzi have a lot of love in your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn.\u201d There is a swelling feeling in Lan Wangji\u2019s chest. It might be happiness. He picks up his rake again. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not know if Wei Wuxian knows that he sees the dead bodies. They are less obvious around the cave, and Lan Wangji and the Wen remnants have removed them from the fields near their houses, so Wen Yuan won\u2019t accidentally stumble upon them. But they are there, when Lan Wangji exits the temple, past the seal, into the forest, poking beneath the dead grass, woven around decaying trees, skeletons like roots tangled among the brambles.<\/p>\n The area is not a mass graveyard, but like an ocean floor where bodies have been left to rot. That Wei Wuxian brought them here to live, to find solace, speaks not of morbidity, but what Wei Wuxian went through for this to be a place for him to retreat to.<\/p>\n Several evenings later, Lan Wangji is spread on their bed, Wei Wuxian arched over him and drinking from his shoulder. The bed is a proper yet small bamboo mat now, bought at Lan Wangji\u2019s insistence, even though Wei Wuxian hadn\u2019t let him until everyone else had their own bed, then protested more until one day Lan Wangji came back with it and shoved the stone tablet aside. Tonight they are too tired to fuck, robes off but trousers on, Wei Wuxian\u2019s palm placed flat on Lan Wangji\u2019s heart, Lan Wangji’s headband that he’d undone earlier tied around his wrist. Wei Wuxian grinds his hips down as he sucks, a proprietary movement. Lan Wangji moans, body heavy and mind light from the blood loss, a soft space he can fall into.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian nuzzles at him when he\u2019s done. \u201cI think the Wens think you\u2019re my concubine,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not roll his eyes normally, nor does he when drunk on being drained, but it is a near thing. \u201cI think they know we are more than that to each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d Wei Wuxian makes a sound of contentment and kisses his shoulder. \u201cHey, Lan Zhan? Can I say something?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn.\u201d Lan Wangji\u2019s mind is drifting, but he forces himself to listen.<\/p>\n There is silence for a moment. Then Wei Wuxian says, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019ve\u2014become this, and you\u2019re\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying.\u201d Lan Zhan frowns. He shifts on his back to face him, but the world tilts. He does so anyway, clumsily, sitting up. \u201cI have told you. I am here for whatever\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever Wei Ying needs, I know.\u201d But Wei Wuxian looks resigned. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, too, for bringing you here without explanation, for doing things like with Wen Ning and you don\u2019t even ask about it anymore because you know I\u2019d avoid telling you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He breaks off. Lan Wangji says nothing because he is right. He stays sitting up, looking at Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian tangles their fingers together, his now-warm palm pressed against Lan Wangji\u2019s. \u201cDo you want to know where I was for those three moons?\u201d he asks.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji blinks, and nods. Those three moons feel like ages ago.<\/p>\n \u201cI was here.\u201d Wei Wuxian gestures around the cave. \u201cThe Burial Mounds. The Wens wanted to\u2026 wanted to punish me. I goaded them into not cutting off my arm, not killing me, so they threw me down here.\u201d He laughs. \u201cI nearly didn\u2019t survive. I had to learn how to control all the resentful energy around here, that could\u2019ve attacked me, killed me. All the walking corpses and the guai\u2026 but I purified it better than Wen Ruohan ever did. I mean, it\u2019s livable now, isn\u2019t it?\u201d His tone is sardonic.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji is horrified, head spinning even more. \u201cWei Ying,\u201d he says softly. \u201cThree moons?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it took me three moons to perfect demonic cultivation\u2026 enough to get out of here.\u201d Wei Wuxian swallows. He takes in the cave again, like he\u2019s seeing it for the first time. \u201cWen Chao intended for me to die, and I might have, even if I had\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Wuxian!\u201d Wen Qing rushes into the room. Her hair is in disarray, her voice panicked. \u201cThere\u2019s something wrong with Wen Ning\u2014he\u2019s shaking, growling\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Immediately Wei Wuxian is on his feet, Lan Wangji right behind him. They run to the blood pool, which Wei Wuxian had set up in the temple with talismans for them to heal their spiritual energy\u2014with Wen Ning\u2019s body nearby, however, his resentful energy had turned the pool red. Wei Wuxian is unconcerned because to him, Wen Ning\u2019s recovery comes first. Lan Wangji has been unable to get a reading on Wei Wuxian\u2019s spiritual health for moons.<\/p>\n Wen Ning is thrashing where he\u2019s set, talismans covering every centimeter of his body. Frustrated groans crawl out from his throat. Lan Wangji feels out of his depth.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian gets to work immediately, drawing talismans over his chest. \u201cAny later and he might\u2019ve broken out, started attacking for no reason,\u201d he says, drawing another talisman. \u201cWen Qing, talk, I think he\u2019s almost there and just needs something to hold onto.\u201d<\/p>\n Words spill out from Wen Qing\u2019s mouth. \u201cWen Ning, it\u2019s your jie\u2026 please, if you\u2019re in there, wake up.\u201d She clutches at him from the other side of his body. Lan Wangji watches the three of them. \u2018Wei Wuxian has done so much to keep your spirit alive\u2026 You have more than just resentful energy left in you. Please, A-Ning.\u201d She takes one of his hands.<\/p>\n Wen Ning\u2019s growls turn questioning. Then he stills. Wei Wuxian has his eyes closed, fingers still hovering over a talisman on Wen Ning\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n Wen Ning opens his eyes.<\/p>\n They aren\u2019t all white, like fierce corpses, like gui. His pupils dilate, then contract. He blinks.<\/p>\n Wen Qing doesn\u2019t seem to be breathing. \u201cA-Ning?\u201d<\/p>\n Her brother turns to her. \u201cJie.\u201d<\/p>\n With a small cry, Wen Qing takes him into her arms. Wen Ning seems confused, but happy in his sister\u2019s embrace. The talismans ripple from his body as he hugs her back.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian smiles fondly at the both of them. \u201cA-Ning, how does it feel to be the first conscious fierce corpse?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei-gongzi!\u201d As Wen Qing tears away from him, Wen Ning regards him with surprise. Then he seems to notice that they aren\u2019t alone, and sees Lan Wangji too. \u201cHanguang-jun!\u201d The shock is even greater on his face now.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hanguang-jun didn\u2019t do anything, it was all me,\u201d Wei Wuxian boasts. \u201cHanguang-jun wouldn\u2019t practice demonic cultivation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but Hanguang-jun helped all the shushus and ayis so I could spend more time with you.\u201d Wen Qing strokes her brother\u2019s cheek. \u201cI wasn\u2019t sure you\u2019d wake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m surprised too,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cThree moons of spiritual transference. Remember, Lan Zhan? It\u2019s been about that long but I didn\u2019t think it would work.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji had no such doubts. \u201cWei Ying should not underestimate his own abilities,\u201d he says. As Wei Wuxian splutters, he says, \u201cI am glad to see you with us again, Wen Ning.\u201d<\/p>\n Wen Ning\u2019s smile is welcoming.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Word spreads, not in the best way. There are cultivators who try to come to the Burial Mounds to hunt, but none too close to their cave and temple\u2014to their village. Still, Wei Wuxian takes Wen Ning out in the forest during the night to pick fruit, to occasionally hunt the stray guai, to wander through the village pilfering supplies while everybody sleeps. Lan Wangji knows this because Wen Qing complains about it to him.<\/p>\n On top of this, Lan Wangji has heard the mutterings in the village\u2014that the Yiling Laozu and Hanguang-jun are somewhere among them, with their pet Ghost General. (Lan Wangji does not mention this part to anyone, because he figures it may not go over well.) The mutterings are occasional and Lan Wangji has taken to wearing a bamboo hat when going into town, blending in with his pale grey robes. He is unconcerned when he asks Wei Wuxian if he or anyone else would like to visit the night market several evenings later.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, but I think we\u2019re all going to need bamboo hats,\u201d Wei Wuxian says cheekily.<\/p>\n In the end, though, it\u2019s only the two of them, Wen Yuan, Wen Ning, and Wen Qing, at the insistence of her brother. The other Wen remnants are concerned about attracting a crowd if they attend, and that the rest of them are young and should enjoy a night out. Wei Wuxian tells Wen-popo that she\u2019s young too, and she laughs.<\/p>\n Wen Yuan is excited to be out, though they all have to keep an eye on him. He\u2019s particularly attached to Lan Wangji\u2019s leg, though, and when they stop inside to sit down for dinner at Wei Wuxian\u2019s request (and subsequently out of Lan Wangji\u2019s pocket) he sees himself into Lan Wangji\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, A-Yuan,\u201d Wei Wuxian complains. \u201cCome here, let Lan-gege eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Wen Qing and Wen Ning know that Wei Wuxian doesn\u2019t eat anymore; they don\u2019t say anything. Wen Yuan doesn\u2019t move, and Lan Wangji wraps an arm around his waist. \u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d he tells Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n \u201cLan-er gongzi can speak for himself,\u201d Wen Qing says to the pouting Wei Wuxian; she still refuses to call him Lan Wangji. \u201cAt least A-Yuan is sitting down to eat rather than running all over the place with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo mean,\u201d Wei Wuxian grumbles. Lan Wangji feeds a bit of soup to Wen Yuan. \u201cBut what a tender image! Get me some brushes and paper later, Lan Zhan, I want to draw you two.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d Lan Wangji says, feeding Wen Yuan again.<\/p>\n Wen Ning has kept his head down the entire evening so far, it being his first time out among people again. But Lan Wangji notices his teacup is empty and offers the kettle to him, across the table. When Wen Ning meets his eyes and realizes, he goes, \u201cOh! Thank you, Lan-er gongzi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan Wangji,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n Wen Ning startles and nods, but does not correct himself.<\/p>\n When they\u2019ve finished (and Lan Wangji has paid), they go back out into the street, admiring trinkets and trying any pastries that catch Wen Yuan’s attention. He gets so distracted by a stall selling toys that Wei Wuxian actually has to tell Lan Wangji not to buy out the whole cart for him. And even then, Lan Wangji is still tempted.<\/p>\n Somewhere down the street, there\u2019s a small commotion; the four of them, with Lan Wangji holding Wen Yuan, rush over to see. In the middle of the commotion are four young men, two of them wearing red and black robes, the other two wearing blue and white. They\u2019re two pairs\u2014one of each, arguing with their counterparts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re<\/em>\u00a0the disciples of Yiling Laozu and Hanguang-jun,\u201d says one in a blue and white ensemble.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u00a0we<\/em>\u00a0are!\u201d says the other in black and red. \u201cAnd we can prove it, too\u2014we have an evil compass especially made by him!\u201d He pulls out a crafted compass from their bag of fraudulent goods.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat!\u201d Wei Wuxian peeks over the crowd. \u201cThat looks so well made! Mine\u2019s shitty so far.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShitty,\u201d Wen Yuan giggles.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we have talismans made by the Yiling Laozu himself,\u201d the other fake disciple says. \u201cAnd special never-before-heard scores from Hanguang-jun.\u201d His blue and white clad friend plays a few notes on his guqin.<\/p>\n All of them wince.<\/p>\n \u201cI want that compass,\u201d Wei Wuxian complains as they continue on. \u201cI wish we had turnips with us\u2026 Wen Ning, let\u2019s come into town tomorrow and sell turnips! And I\u2019ll see if I can exchange it for that \u2018Yiling Laozu\u2019 compass!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s so interesting about you two?\u201d Wen Qing grouses. \u201cI don\u2019t see why people want to pretend to be your disciples.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Lan Zhan has perfectly respectable skills.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see why people want to pretend to be\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0disciple,\u201d she amends.<\/p>\n Wen Ning and Wen Yuan giggle. Lan Wangji says, \u201cWei Wuxian has respectable skills as well,\u201d and Wen Qing rolls her eyes, but she\u2019s smiling too.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Lan Wangji buys parchment and brush and ink, and Wei Wuxian draws him and Wen Yuan, Wen Qing and Wen Ning, landscapes and lotuses and anything that catches his eye for the moment. He does not miss the daylight, Lan Wangji knows, because he is enough sunshine for one person; Lan Wangji would not miss daylight around him, either.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji and the Wens alternate selling the vegetables in their farm, browsing food stalls for other ingredients and taking Wen Yuan, as it\u2019s evident that while rumors of them being in the area have spread, no one is actively looking for them. The Wens are unrecognizable, and Lan Wangji is not concerned if someone were to accost him in the street; he keeps his eyes peeled for any robes from the major sects.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian\u2019s quest in making demonic cultivation inventions is not going any more smoothly. He does them at night, in their cave under the moonlight; Lan Wangji wakes up occasionally to the sound of mild disaster and Wei Wuxian\u2019s hushed, \u201cSorry!\u201d Yet Lan Wangji cannot bring himself to regret a single aspect of this new life; he cannot imagine Wei Wuxian shouldering this life alone.<\/p>\n One day when Wen Qing disappears in the morning and reappears later with a pallet of meat, Lan Wangji and Wen Ning keep Wen Yuan entertained with a paper butterfly. Wen Yuan runs around them; they watch to make sure he doesn\u2019t fall over.<\/p>\n Wen Ning asks suddenly, \u201cIs Wei-gongzi\u2026 like me?\u201d<\/p>\n When Lan Wangji looks at him, he hastens to add, \u201cI know he\u2019s off, that he is cold and pale all the time. That he\u2026 feeds on you.\u201d He frowns at the wording that his sister had probably told him. But Wei Wuxian had never tried to make it a secret around the Wens.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji slants his mouth. \u201cI do not know. I do not think he knows, either.\u201d<\/p>\n Wen Yuan calls for them then, and Lan Wangji and Wen Ning go and play with his stuffed toys with him.<\/p>\n That evening, shortly after Wei Wuxian wakes up, Wen Qing beckons them all into the main temple. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian enter, to an assortment of foods set up on all of the small stone tables. All of them except the one in the center have a meat dish.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cThey know I don\u2019t eat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSit down.\u201d Wen Qing tugs them towards the center. \u201cWe wanted to celebrate you, but we had a few things to say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCelebrate us?\u201d Wei Wuxian says incredulously.<\/p>\n \u201cWen-guniang,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cThis is not necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou two.\u201d Wen Qing rolls her eyes, and thrusts a shot of a drink at each of them. The other Wens have gathered around, beaming. \u201cWe were waiting for you, so we could say thank you. You\u2019ve saved us and have been working hard for us. Lan-er gongzi, especially.\u201d<\/p>\n It is at this moment when Lan Wangji remembers one of the rules of the Cloud Recesses:\u00a0Do not diminish the value placed unto you by others<\/em>. He accepts Wen Qing\u2019s words gracefully.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian, meanwhile, goes, \u201cAiyah, Wen Qing, is this really necessary?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes it is, Wei Wuxian.\u201d Wen Qing is all earnest now. \u201cYou restored my brother. You defected from the cultivation world for us. And yet you sleep in the day and wake only in the night to protect our houses or pick fruit for us or just keep us happy. And Lan-er gongzi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan Wangji.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan-er gongzi,\u201d Wen Qing repeats, smiling, \u201ctreats us as equals, gets his hands dirtier than all of us, still buys us things even if we sell our harvest now. But many of us are too intimidated to talk to you, or can\u2019t find the time to,\u201d she looks pointedly at Wei Wuxian here, \u201cor are afraid of annoying you. So we hung up lanterns in the forest, so you don\u2019t accidentally trip on a skeleton and hurt yourself, and\u2014we know you don\u2019t eat, Wei Wuxian, but we\u2019d just like you to sit with us. And Lan-er gongzi,\u201d she turns her sparkling eyes back to him, \u201cyou don\u2019t have to eat either, but Wen Ning prepared those dishes especially for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will eat,\u201d Lan Wangji says. It is the only thing he can think of to say.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian says, \u201cAh, I really wish I could drink right now and join you guys. Please drink enough alcohol for me and Hanguang-jun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLan-er gongzi, you don\u2019t drink as well?\u201d asks Si-shu.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji shakes his head. \u201cIt does not agree with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThough,\u201d Wei Wuxian says thoughtfully, \u201cyou could try drinking some and then I could drink your blood and see if I get the effects from it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji glares at him.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian laughs half-heartedly. \u201cAlright, alright. Not today then. Some other time.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wens eat well\u2014Lan Wangji is glad they treated themselves with meat; they should do so more often. Wen Ning\u2019s cooking is exceptional and Lan Wangji eats as much as he can, to let him know. Wei Wuxian does not eat or drink since he is not pressured to, but exchanges stories with Si-shu about his previous drunken antics, making all of the Wens laugh with delight, even Wen Yuan, who doesn\u2019t understand what he\u2019s saying but wants to join in on the fun.<\/p>\n Afterwards, the Wens don\u2019t let them help clean up, urging them outside to look at the strung-up lanterns. They must\u2019ve bought them from in town, as well; the lanterns are sprinkled in the forest, with two winding rows of a clear path. Wei Wuxian sighs happily and leans against Lan Wangji.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like we have our own sect, Lan Zhan,\u201d he says, and Lan Wangji kisses him.<\/p>\n Wen Qing comes out later when they\u2019re still kissing. Not even batting an eyelash at them, she says, \u201cThank you two for eating with us tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Wen Qing, we\u2019re friends, don\u2019t sound so solemn.\u201d Wei Wuxian\u2019s lips are bruised from mouthing at Lan Wangji\u2019s collarbone.<\/p>\n Wen Qing ignores him. \u201cWe\u2019re going to go sleep in our houses,\u201d she says, a mischievous edge to her tone. \u201cGoodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think she\u2019s telling us to fuck,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, watching her leave. \u201cLan Zhan, should we fuck?\u201d<\/p>\n They do, after a few rounds of\u00a0Cleansing<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Wangxian<\/em>, happy and pliant on their cot, while Lan Wangji\u2019s wound gapes open in the night air, while Wei Wuxian nips and licks him everywhere. \u201cI\u2019m opening you up,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, pivoting his hips, cock brushing that lovely place inside Lan Wangji again. \u201cLan Zhan, you\u2019re everywhere, around me, in me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s bliss burns brighter than a fire, hotter than Wei Wuxian\u2019s come deep within him.<\/p>\n They lay on the cot, bodies twined, Wei Wuxian still catching the blood dripping down Lan Wangji\u2019s chest. Lan Wangji hums absently, pushing his spiritual energy to replenish some of the blood\u2014not all of it, but enough. Wei Wuxian inhales like he can smell it, taste it, and licks again.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan,\u201d he says. \u201cCan I tell you something?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods. His head is hazy, but he is listening.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Lotus Pier burned down\u2026\u201d Wei Wuxian gnaws at his lip. \u201cIt was devastating. For me and Jiang Cheng. But more for Jiang Cheng, I think. He went back, you know, when I left for the market.\u201d Wei Wuxian takes a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cHe got his golden core melted.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji is more alert now. He stares at Wei Wuxian with wide eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would\u2019ve killed him,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cHe\u2019s the heir to Yunmeng Jiang and his parents just died. He needed to be a cultivator, protect people, in the best way he knew how. Or else he\u2019d be shunned, made a laughingstock of Yunmeng Jiang, disrespected on top of the memory of Jiang-shushu and Yu-furen. He was empty and weak.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, I\u2026\u201d Wei Wuxian licks his lips. \u201cI\u2019m not an heir. I don\u2019t have a legacy to uphold. I don\u2019t even have parents. I\u2019m just some guy.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I had Wen Qing transfer my golden core into him.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji isn\u2019t sure he can breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter to me,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cHaving a golden core? I\u2019d rather see Jiang Cheng restore Lotus Pier to its full glory, make it even better in the memory of Jiang-shushu and Yu-furen. So if it means I can\u2019t really fight with Suibian or be recognized as a proper cultivator\u2026\u201d He shrugs. \u201cWhat does it matter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes Jiang Wanyin know?\u201d is the first thing Lan Wangji asks.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian huffs out a laugh. \u201cNo. He wouldn\u2019t have let me. And I don\u2019t plan on telling him. Wen Ning and Wen Qing are the only other ones who know besides you now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you were thrown into the Burial Mounds,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have your golden core?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d This time, when Wei Wuxian laughs, it sounds painful to Lan Wangji\u2019s ears. \u201cAnd I would not recommend that experience to anyone.\u201d He licks at a trickle of blood on Lan Wangji\u2019s neck. \u201cI think that\u2019s also why I\u2019m so hungry for qi, too. It doesn\u2019t help my lack of golden core, but it tastes good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying.\u201d Lan Wangji cradles his face. So many half-formed thoughts are running through his mind, despite his lightheadedness; he has never seen anyone more beautiful, stronger,\u00a0better<\/em>\u00a0than Wei Wuxian. \u201cI want you to feed from me for as long as I live. I would like you to.\u201d<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian beams at him, brighter than the lanterns in the forest.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n The barrier ripples on a late afternoon.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian, with all his resentful energy, is attuned to it. Lan Wangji detects it too, the spiritual presence nearby, interfering with the seal that Wei Wuxian had set up. Wei Wuxian had been arguing with Wen Qing about potatoes and turnips while Lan Wangji had been tending to the fields with Si-shu again; Wen Ning is off to the side, bemused as he keeps Wen Yuan entertained.<\/p>\n Past the seal, out step Lan Xichen and Jiang Wanyin.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck,\u201d Lan Wangji hears Wei Wuxian mutter under his breath, before plastering on a smile. \u201cJiang Cheng! You\u2019re here! Do you think potatoes or turnips are better?\u201d He bows to Lan Xichen as well. \u201cAnd you too, Zewu-jun! I want everyone\u2019s opinion on this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei-gongzi,\u201d Lan Xichen says, smiling and bowing. His eyes stray to Lan Wangji immediately, and he walks over, amidst the dirt and crops. \u201cWangji. You look well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d Lan Wangji\u2019s stomach feels stuck in his throat. It\u2019s been more than just a few moons since he last saw his brother. He remembers talking with him at Lotus Pier. \u201cYou as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you guys looking at?\u201d Wei Wuxian suddenly says. The Wens have indeed turned their attention to all four of them, having stopped what they were doing. \u201cGo on, back to work!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you working?\u201d Jiang Wanyin accuses.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji thinks of the confession a few nights ago. But Wei Wuxian laughs.<\/p>\n \u201cHaven\u2019t you heard, Jiang Cheng?\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m the Yiling Laozu.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere you are,\u201d Jiang Wanyin seethes, \u201cgrowing food on a ground of skeletons, you and Hanguang-jun turning this graveyard into your home\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJiang Wanyin,\u201d Lan Xichen cuts in serenely. He turns to Lan Wangji. \u201cPerhaps you can show me around, Wangji?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods, and he and his brother step into the temple. Behind them, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin have resumed their bickering. Wei Wuxian\u2019s skin a pale blue under the dimming sunlight.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji shows his brother the communal dining area, the blood pool where Wen Ning once rested. Lan Xichen hums thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fierce corpse I saw playing outside,\u201d he says. \u201cWith the child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cIt was all Wei Ying.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Xichen examines a talisman near the pool. \u201cTruly impressive. Wei Wuxian really is one of the greatest cultivators of our generation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what about you, Wangji?\u201d Lan Xichen straightens and turns to him. \u201cAt Lotus Pier, I called it your new home\u2026 but this is your true home now, isn\u2019t it? For you and Wei Wuxian.\u201d There is an edge to his voice. It sounds like concern.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji meets his gaze. \u201cI will not be returning to Gusu,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought so.\u201d Lan Xichen peers into the blood pool again. The afternoon sunlight seeps through the cracks of the roof, making the pool look redder than before. Resentful energy cradles around Lan Wangji now, like an old friend, uninterested in his golden core. He does not mind it; it is harmless.<\/p>\n \u201cJiang Wanyin and I came to see if Wei Wuxian could surrender the Yin Hu Fu,\u201d Lan Xichen confesses. \u201cI decided to come along to see if I could get you to persuade him. But I see now that will not be possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji tilts his head. \u201cAnd if Wei Wuxian did?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Xichen hums again. \u201cA-Yao told me he could be reaccepted into the cultivation world, into Lotus Pier again. But while I would like to believe him\u2026\u201d He hesitates. \u201cJin Guangshan does not always have honorable motivations. I imagine even if Wei Wuxian were to return, it would still not be the same as before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn,\u201d Lan Wangji agrees.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe we will have to tell the other sect leaders about Wen Ning,\u201d Lan Xichen says, and Lan Wangji starts. His brother looks apologetic. \u201cEveryone knows about Qiongqi Path, how Wei Wuxian brought him back and murdered those cultivators.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey left him for dead,\u201d Lan Wangji says. \u201cThey buried a Stygian Lure Flag into his body.\u201d<\/p>\n A stricken expression flits across Lan Xichen\u2019s face, for the briefest of moments. If Lan Wangji did not know his brother as well as he does, he would not have seen it.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter. They are concerned, and we will have to tell them.\u201d Lan Xichen pauses. \u201cHe is strong, correct? Wei Wuxian can control him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he needs to.\u201d They have not run into a lot of trouble in the woods, but when they do, neither Wei Wuxian or Wen Ning hesitate, with dizi and brute strength, to fend off aggressive guai.<\/p>\n Lan Xichen smiles. \u201cThen perhaps we will say that you two are keeping him at bay. That he is a threat otherwise, that he is too dangerous for other cultivators to try to subdue or attack.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji exhales. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Wen Yuan runs into the temple then, a toy in his hand, barreling towards them. He wraps himself around Lan Xichen\u2019s leg, and Lan Xichen laughs.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s this?\u201d he says, in a fond voice Lan Wangji hasn\u2019t heard since he was young.<\/p>\n \u201cXian-gege said I should find Da Lan-gege,\u201d Wen Yuan says happily. \u201cBecause Zi-gege doesn\u2019t like children.\u201d He says it the way Wei Wuxian would word it.<\/p>\n Lan Xichen covers his smile. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Da Lan-gege likes children,\u201d he says, and pats Wen Yuan\u2019s head. Wen Yuan clings to his calf happily.<\/p>\n Lan Xichen turns to Lan Wangji. \u201cI cannot tell you that you are welcome in the Cloud Recesses,\u201d he says, which stings but ultimately makes no difference to Lan Wangji. \u201cBut I will see more about these visits, more. And to try to write to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would like that,\u201d Lan Wangji says.<\/p>\n Lan Xichen looks fondly at Wen Yuan, and around the temple. \u201cI am proud of you, Wangji. For dedicating your life to this, aiding the poor and the old and the young.\u201d He tucks back a lock of Wen Yuan\u2019s hair. \u201cFor building a sect with Wei Wuxian.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji does not need his brother\u2019s approval. But knowing that the rest of the Gusu Lan Sect will never think the same and will always think of him as a traitor, suddenly his throat feels tight.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Zewu-jun,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Eventually, they make their way back out, Lan Wangji holding Wen Yuan in his arms. They come back to Jiang Wanyin circling around Wen Ning and observing him like a hawk, while Wei Wuxian insists that, \u201cJust because he\u2019s a corpse doesn\u2019t mean he doesn\u2019t have feelings!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Jiang-gongzi,\u201d Lan Xichen says. \u201cI have discussed the matter with Wangji.\u201d And then to Wei Wuxian, \u201cNo harm will come to him or to anyone here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, thank you Zewu-jun,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, though he still looks doubtful.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.” Lan Xichen walks up to him. “In exchange, I would like you to be wise and not be the only mistake my brother will ever make.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji starts. \u201cBrother\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n But Wei Wuxian nods. He bows to Lan Xichen again. \u201cI will do my best to not allow those rumors to become correct,\u201d he says with a grin.<\/p>\n Lan Xichen seems to deem this acceptable. To Jiang Wanyin, he says, \u201cShall we go?\u201d<\/p>\n Jiang Wanyin hesitates. Then he cuffs Wei Wuxian around the ear. \u201cDon\u2019t forget, next moon. A-Jie will be so disappointed if you forget.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t forget.\u201d Wei Wuxian scoffs. \u201cAs if I\u2019d miss seeing my shijie in her wedding dress.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell.\u201d Jiang Wanyin seems at a loss for words. \u201cGood. And yeah, don\u2019t fuck this up for Hanguang-jun.\u201d He storms off with the final word, Lan Xichen mildly amused behind him.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji turns to Wei Wuxian questioningly.<\/p>\n \u201cLater,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. He plucks Wen Yuan from Lan Wangji\u2019s arms. \u201cDid you like Da Lan-gege, A-Yuan? Was Da Lan-gege nice to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNice!\u201d Wen Yuan agrees.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian laughs and tickles him, Wen Yuan giggling endlessly. Wen Qing comes to scold him and Wei Wuxian tickles her, too; to his and Wei Wuxian\u2019s surprise, she laughs. \u201cGugu!\u201d Wen Yuan says excitedly, and Wen Qing tries to tickle Wei Wuxian, and Wen Ning sends Lan Wangji a look like he is asking when they should step in.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji is proud of himself, too.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n That night at hai-shi, Lan Wangji is preparing for bed and for Wei Wuxian to drink from him. Wei Wuxian reclines on the stone tablet, amidst all the drawings he has pinned up to the cave walls, tested and testing talismans, other inventions for demonic cultivation.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. \u201cJiang Cheng told me that apparently there are rumors that I\u2019ve corrupted Hanguang-jun. A Jade of Lan.\u201d He laughs and toys with Lan Wangji’s headband in his hands. \u201cI told him that I couldn\u2019t get you to leave even if I tried.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn.\u201d Lan Wangji wears only his underrobes to sleep. He and Wei Wuxian keep each other warm, with the fresh heat of Wei Wuxian\u2019s body.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian casts his gaze over him. \u201cYou look so edible right now,\u201d he says, as Lan Wangji sits on the bamboo mat. Wei Wuxian joins him. \u201cPlay me something on the qin?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji nods, summoning it. The guqin rests on his lap as he stretches his fingers, plucks the strings. He no longer bothers with\u00a0Cleansing<\/em>\u00a0anymore, for lack of Wei Wuxian\u2019s golden core. He tries\u00a0Repletion<\/em>, in hopes that it might help, but mostly his fingers pluck the well-worn notes of\u00a0Wangxian<\/em>, and of newer songs now:\u00a0Sizhui<\/em>,\u00a0Wugu<\/em>, and\u00a0Home<\/em>. Wei Wuxian never asks for the names of the songs, his eyes lighting up when he hears something new. Lan Wangji will tell him, in time.<\/p>\n Tonight when Lan Wangji finishes\u00a0Wangxian<\/em>, Wei Wuxian claps. \u201cAh, my very own guqin player,\u201d he says, and laughs at the expression on Lan Wangji\u2019s face. \u201cWhat is it, Lan Zhan? I thought you liked being mine?\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji shuts him up with a kiss, vanishing his guqin so he can pull Wei Wuxian closer to him. Wei Wuxian laughs into his mouth, nipping and sucking, catching Lan Wangji\u2019s tongue between his teeth. They twist in each other\u2019s arms, Wei Wuxian pushing at Lan Wangji\u2019s robes, snaking his hand down to his cock. He strokes once and Lan Wangji makes a small noise in his throat; he feels Wei Wuxian smirking as he pulls his mouth away, running his teeth down Lan Wangji\u2019s jaw.<\/p>\n It is messier when Wei Wuxian bites him first before fucking him, and Lan Wangji isn\u2019t able to help as much, too lost in pleasure. But tonight Wei Wuxian says against his skin, \u201cLet me have you, my lover, my zhiji,\u201d and Lan Wangji arches his neck, making room for Wei Wuxian, carved out in every part of his body. On the underside of Lan Wangji\u2019s jaw, where the well-worn scars are, Wei Wuxian kisses so delicately\u2014and then slides his fangs along, making a home, and sinks in.<\/p>\n Euphoria rushes through Lan Wangji\u2019s body. His blood shoots into Wei Wuxian\u2019s mouth, eager. He\u2019s only vaguely aware of Wei Wuxian fumbling with their robes beneath them, stripping them off, fingers rubbing at Lan Wangji\u2019s cockhead again, as well as his own. He slides them together, and Lan Wangji is fully hard now. Wei Wuxian mutters, \u201cOh, you\u2019re so wet, I\u2019m going to stretch you wide open, Lan Zhan.\u201d His lips and teeth are crimson, and Lan Wangji kisses him, licks at his own blood.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian chuckles and licks at him, draws back. \u201cYou\u2019re still bleeding, baobei, and I\u2019m not done yet.\u201d His fingers run down Lan Wangji\u2019s perineum, to his hole, slick with their precome, slotting two in. Lan Wangji winces at the stretch, but Wei Wuxian says, \u201cOh Lan Zhan, you like it, I know you.\u201d His digits flex inside Lan Wangji, rubbing along his sensitive spot. Lan Wangji cries out and more precome drools out of his cock.<\/p>\n His insides pulse open like a wound. Lan Wangji clutches onto Wei Wuxian, delirious, still a bit of blood trickling out from his neck. Wei Wuxian helps him get on his hands and knees, skin bare and cool in the moonlight. Wei Wuxian is warm now, but Lan Wangji wants him everywhere, taking him until he is hot, veins on fire with so much of Lan Wangji inside him. Wei Wuxian licks at Lan Wangji\u2019s neck as he bows over him, and Lan Wangji\u2019s elbows dig into the mat. The first press of Wei Wuxian at his hole has him shuddering, pain a vague thing with the deliciousness of Wei Wuxian\u2019s teeth against his neck, in his veins, still swallowing down his blood. Lan Wangji bucks up against him as Wei Wuxian presses his teeth in a little deeper, drawing out more blood, opening the wound wider. He drinks as his cock sinks all the way into Lan Wangji, and Lan Wangji feels full, everywhere.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at you,\u201d Wei Wuxian gasps, mouth next to Lan Wangji\u2019s ear. His breath is not hot, but the press of his finger against his rim is. \u201cSo wet and loose for me. So pretty, Lan Zhan.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji moans and rolls his hips back, dragging Wei Wuxian\u2019s cock in deeper. Wei Wuxian laughs, \u201cThink I can feel your golden core this way, Lan Zhan? You\u2019re already so hot around me, giving me all your qi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying.\u201d Lan Wangji trembles. Wei Wuxian\u2019s thrusts are slow, unrelenting, taking his sweet time as he goes back to Lan Wangji\u2019s neck. His hand rests on Lan Wangji\u2019s dantian.<\/p>\n \u201cI love having you at my mercy. It\u2019s like your qi is wrapped around my cock,\u201d Wei Wuxian murmurs against Lan Wangji\u2019s neck. The sound of their skin slapping together echoes throughout the cave. Lan Wangji\u2019s mind is hazy, focused only on the pleasure of Wei Wuxian\u2019s fangs sunk into his neck, his cock thick in his body. \u201cAnd your blood is so good in my mouth, Lan Zhan. Do you think if I take enough of it, I could grow a new core, a new heart, just for you?\u201d His palm moves upward, to where Lan Wangji\u2019s heart is thumping rapidly beneath his ribs. \u201cOr should I just take yours, crawl into your body instead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWei Ying,\u201d Lan Wangji bites out.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian covers his body like a blanket, hands pressed into Lan Wangji\u2019s chest, hips grinding in faster, catching Lan Wangji\u2019s insides deep with each thrust. Lan Wangji moans as Wei Wuxian holds him, still drinking his blood so deeply that he could be draining him, emptying him, and Lan Wangji wants it. Lan Wangji wants Wei Wuxian to bleed him out so much that he has to fill him back up, with his body and cock and core, make Lan Wangji hunger for him as much as Wei Wuxian does for Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian\u2019s hand is burning against his heartbeat as he fucks him into the cot, gasping out into Lan Wangji\u2019s ear. Lan Wangji gets a hand around his own cock, feels it when Wei Wuxian comes in him, ropes of slick shooting deep into his body as his fangs deepen his wound. Lan Wangji tips over the edge as well, cresting onto his hand and the thin blanket beneath them.<\/p>\n His mind goes dark; it is like he is floating for an eternity. When he comes to, Wei Wuxian is licking up his blood, healing him up again. Lan Wangji watches him lazily. Wei Wuxian beams.<\/p>\n \u201cLan Zhan! You\u2019re smiling at me,\u201d he says, and Lan Wangji feels his face. Oh. He is.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian laughs. \u201cSo cute.\u201d He rolls them over, so they\u2019re curled up towards each other on the mat. Wei Wuxian licks at the blood still on Lan Wangji\u2019s collarbone, shoulder, dripped down to his chest.<\/p>\n Lan Wangji tips closer to him. Early on, he wouldn\u2019t know how to work his mouth, but now he manages, \u201cWarm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Only because of Lan Zhan, you know,\u201d Wei Wuxian says. He licks at a spot near the corner of Lan Wangji\u2019s mouth, then kisses him. Lan Wangji lets Wei Wuxian\u2019s lips flutter over his, opening his mouth automatically, mindlessly.<\/p>\n Wei Wuxian pulls back. His eyes crinkle. \u201cLan Zhan is just too good to me.\u201d He strokes Lan Wangji\u2019s cheek. \u201cI think I\u2019ll always want you, you know. Always want to be with you, drink from you. Build a sect with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lan Wangji\u2019s heart stutters. He is still floating now, but it feels real. Not just in his head, but because of Wei Wuxian.<\/p>\n He rests a hand on Wei Wuxian\u2019s chest now, silent\u2014warm. \u201cMine,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n And Wei Wuxian has been dead for a long time. His insides are black and hollow, and he has neither a beating heart nor golden core. But in Lan Wangji\u2019s eyes, he lights up, full of life. And Lan Wangji is full of him\u2014daylight everywhere, to the end of time.<\/p>\n \u201cYours,\u201d Wei Wuxian says, and Lan Wangji knows it\u2019s a promise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wei Wuxian returns from the Burial Mounds as a vampire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[210,51,209,683,211,208],"fandom":[464],"rating":[677],"ship":[577],"relationship":[606],"minorfandomships":[],"class_list":["post-122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-default","tag-blood-drinking","tag-canon-divergent","tag-fix-it-fic","tag-mdzs-kinkmeme","tag-vampire-wwx","tag-vampires","fandom-mdzs","rating-explicit","ship-wangxian","relationship-slash"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122"},{"taxonomy":"fandom","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fandom?post=122"},{"taxonomy":"rating","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rating?post=122"},{"taxonomy":"ship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ship?post=122"},{"taxonomy":"relationship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/relationship?post=122"},{"taxonomy":"minorfandomships","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/minorfandomships?post=122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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