Wei Wuxian hopped off his sword mere inches from the guards at the gate to the Unclean Realm, earning an annoyed look from three of them. He gave a hurried smile and an apology, and barely managed to keep from shoving them out of the way to get inside, away from anyone who might want to talk with him.
He was agitated and angry and flustered in a way that he didn't know how to handle, and didn't really understand. He had an irrational need to pull Wen Yuan out of class and flee the Unclean Realm and go live in a cave somewhere where they would never have to see anyone from the cultivation world again. He could live in ignorance of whomever Lan Wangji was going to end up married to and keep Wen Yuan safe from all the shitty sect politics and maneuvering.
He wouldn't be so selfish as to actually upend Wen Yuan's life yet again for such a ridiculous reason, but the urge was still there. Since moving to a cave was out and Lan Wangji had found his secret practice field, the only option left seemed to be to lock himself in his room and at least avoid having to speak with anyone (especially Lan Wangji) for the rest of the day. The thought had barely been completed when a familiar voice pierced his half-baked plan.
"A-Xian!"
Wei Wuxian could count on one finger the times he had not been happy to hear his sister's voice, and this was it. Still, his Shijie did not deserve his rudeness, so he forced himself to stop and turn to face her.
" Shijie, " he said, forcing a smile. She was walking towards him, Nie Huaisang by her side. "I am feeling tired. I'm going to go lay down for a bit."
It wasn't a lie, but he felt the twinge of guilt at her worried expression. Nie Huaisang's eyes looked at him measuringly over the top of his fan.
"Wei-xiong. I hope you didn't overdo your training today," Nie Huaisang offered, despite Wei Wuxian not having told anyone where he was going or what he was doing.
Wei Wuxian's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly had a very good idea of how Lan Wangji had found him so easily.
"Big Brother has asked you to join the session for an hour or two. There are matters relating to you that are being discussed."
Jiang Yanli looked over at Wei Wuxian. "Are you well enough to go? Should I call Wen Daifu?"
Wei Wuxian took a slow breath. Of course, Lan Wangji had only come to find Wei Wuxian to let him know that he was needed in a meeting, and Wei Wuxian had launched into discussing Lan Wangji's potential marriage , which was none of Wei Wuxian's fucking business, and then run off like a crazy person.
If Nie Mingjue had information that Wei Wuxian needed to know, it was either about the assassination attempt or something relating to the seal. Either way, Wei Wuxian needed to get over himself and go.
He looked up to see Lan Wangji walking through the courtyard, face expressionless and his golden eyes locked on Wei Wuxian.
"Right. It's fine. I'm fine. Let's go."
Wei Wuxian turned and headed to the room where Nie Mingjue held these sorts of sessions. He heard Nie Huaisang and Jiang Yanli turn and greet Lan Wangji, but he kept walking. Lan Wangji did not call out to him and Wei Wuxian pretended he was fine with it.
Still, he could feel the weight of the man's gaze between his shoulder blades until he turned the corner and headed into the meeting room.
The news that Wei Wuxian had been summoned to hear was that Su She had been found and was in custody. He had been trying to create a new sect, setting himself up as the leader, and using bastardized Lan techniques as its basis. GusuLan had banished him for treason early in the war when he'd been found to have been passing information to the Wen in exchange for a promise of safety when they attacked.
Wei Wuxian tuned out the debate about whether the Lan sect still had jurisdiction to execute him, given that he was no longer technically part of their sect. He looked up to find Lan Wangji's golden eyes locked on him, face unreadable. Wei Wuxian looked away, trying to keep the flood of embarrassment down. Hopefully Lan Wangji would write off all the crazy ranting that Wei Wuxian had done back in the clearing as just another example of Wei Ying being an idiot.
MianMian was speaking now about how the Jin investigation was going. Evidently, she and Lan Wangji had investigated the group that had chased after Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli, Lan Wangji through Inquiry , and MianMian through physical intimidation of Jin Guangshan's staunchest supporters. The matter appeared to be under control, with no loose ends.
They work well together, Wei Wuxian thought, forcing himself to be happy about it.
In any case, it was safe enough that Jiang Yanli would be going to Koi Tower to visit Jin Zixuan. There were still grumblings from other sects about the powerful artifact in Wei Wuxian's possession, but - for now - most of the cultivation world seemed content to keep a wary eye on him, rather than try to kill him outright.
He was still banned from GusuLan territories, and still somewhat ambiguous about his welcome in Jin or Jiang lands, but the rest of the world was open to him and A-Yuan.
The thought had barely finished in his mind when there was a small scuffle at the door and Wen Yuan came bustling in, making a beeline for Wei Wuxian.
The young boy had learned to at least stay quiet when he interrupted a meeting that Wei Wuxian had been pulled into, so he didn't make a sound as he slid happily onto Wei Wuxian's lap. His little fingers were smudged with ink, indicating that today's lesson must have included some writing practice. At least the new robes Nie Huaisang had given the boy did a better job of hiding ink stains than the impractical white robes he'd worn before.
He looked up to see Lan Wangji staring at them. Unlike before, this time there was definitely a displeased expression on the man's face as he looked at A-Yuan. Wei Wuxian thought that it was because A-Yuan had entered the room without permission, but then Lan Wangji turned and glared at Nie Huaisang.
The Nie Sect heir slunk down in his chair, lifting his fan to act as a barrier between himself and the man glaring daggers at him.
The meeting continued around them, moving on to topics that did not require Wei Wuxian's presence. After a while, A-Yuan's tummy growled, and Wei Wuxian used the excuse to leave the meeting's endless drudgery. He nodded at Nie Mingjue in a request to be excused, which was acknowledged with a somewhat amused nod in return. The man was no fool, and had likely been expecting Wei Wuxain to find an excuse sooner or later like he usually did to avoid these types of discussions. If Wei Wuxian had an extra incentive to leave this time, no one needed to know about it. He took Wen Yuan's hand and headed to the exit. He could feel Lan Wangji's eyes on him the entire time.
The cooks in the main kitchens of the Unclean Realm were used to A-Yuan's late afternoon visits, and smiled indulgently at both him and Wei Wuxian as they handed them a plate of freshly made osthmanthus cakes to share. Whatever the cultivators thought about the Yiling Patriarch, the women who worked in the kitchens of the Nie ancestral home only saw a young father who doted on his son.
A young father who was way too thin and needed to eat more, which they viewed as their personal mission.
Sitting in the kitchens and being fussed over with Wen Yuan was usually one of Wei Wuxian's favorite times, but his nerves were still jangling and he found himself continually looking over his shoulder, looking for a flash of white robes. He kept his smile in place, not wanting to make A-Yuan or any of the kitchen aunties worry, but he needed to get out of the main hall and away from people who might try to rope him back into the meeting room.
One of the younger Nie disciples who was in lessons with Wen Yuan found them on their way back to their rooms and asked Wen Yuan if he wanted to see his rock collection. Wen Yuan most definitely did , and the two of them raced off with a promise from A-Yuan to return by dinner, which was still several hours away.
Wei Wuxian took advantage of unexpectedly having time to himself, and headed directly for the nearest tavern. It would be relatively empty at this time of day, and he really needed a drink.
Wei Wuxian idly traced his finger along the rim of the bottle of surprisingly high quality baijiu, the smooth feel of the ceramic familiar and comforting. It was almost as good as the Emperor's Smile from Caiyi Town, and the memory made the burn all the harsher. He was banned from all GusuLan territories, and would not be welcome to go drinking in Caiyi Town any time soon. He closed his hand around it, lifting it to his lips and ignoring the small cup that was sitting on his table. Tonight was not a night to bother with small glasses from which to drink. He tipped his head back, feeling the alcohol flow between his lips and down his throat, not taking the time to really savor the flavor the way he usually would after months away from any sort of decent alcohol.
The tavern hadn't been as empty as he'd hoped, as word of the guest cultivators' arrival had people gathering to gossip and speculate on what news was coming. Topics ranged from concerns about another impending war (fortunately, those were false), new trade deals, and - of course- the ubiquitous speculation of marriages. Most of the conversation revolved around whether either of the Nie brothers would finally wed, but there was also some discussion about the fact that Hanguang-Jun and Luo Quinyang had arrived together and what that might imply in terms of the rumors of an impending betrothal.
He signaled the innkeeper for another bottle. His third. Fourth? It didn't really matter. It was still long enough before he needed to be back that he would sober up enough to make it through dinner. The thought of having to sit through a meal with Lan Wangji sitting next to MianMian was something he would definitely need a few drinks in him to make it through.
A pretty, young woman sitting with two of her friends had been watching him for a while. Wei Wuxian had noticed it, but quickly determined her as not a potential threat… just a civilian traveling with some friends. She blushed prettily when Wei Wuxian's eyes skimmed over her, lowering her eyes (but then looking up at him through her lashes). He could have flashed her his best grin and probably had her up in a guest room for the evening, but he didn't. He knew of men who found that sort of thing to be better than alcohol in blocking out thoughts that were too loud, but it was never something Wei Wuxian was particularly interested in, despite the many offers he'd had. He wasn't modest about his looks. More than enough people had told him he looked good, but more than enough people had also told him that he didn't have much to offer besides his looks, with no manners, no sect, no family, and controversial cultivation practices.
In the past, these statements didn't bother him. After all, he was an orphan who had been taken in on pure charity. The fact that he was even alive at all was something he should be grateful for. Nevermind that the woman who was supposed to be his adoptive mother loathed him and blamed him for every failing of the family. Or that his sect brother had often viewed him more as a reason for why he never received the praises or respect he felt he deserved.
Madam Yu had been the one to force him out of the Jiang sect, but even Jiang Fengmian hadn't had anything to say. He had just looked exhausted. Evidently over a decade of dealing with his wife's seething resentment about the rumors that Wei Wuxian was actually Jiang Fengmian's bastard son had taken their toll. And - at 17 - it wasn't like Wei Wuxian had been a child anymore, needing their protection. He'd had a home for nearly two decades and had done everything he could to earn his keep there, even making First Disciple at the age of 13. But in the end, it hadn't mattered.
The lesson Wei Wuxian had learned in that moment was that - no matter how hard he tried, no matter how hard he worked - it was never going to be enough to truly belong in a family who had bloodline. He was the son of a servant, and his place in the world was defined by that.
Which was why he was so frustrated with himself. His feelings for Lan Wangji had snuck up on him, growing over time without his knowledge or consent. If he had realized it sooner, he would have avoided Lan Wangji like the plague, or at least tried to, before it was too late. Instead, he'd been an idiot and now the thought of watching Lan Wangji tie himself to someone else for the rest of his life was somehow even worse than being thrown out of Lotus Pier.
Wei Wuxian had never imagined himself being married, or having a cultivation partner, but he had always thought Lan Wangji would be with him, similarly unattached, and able to continue night hunting creatures of legend with him.
But now, Wei Wuxian would not be the one at Lan Wangji's side when he went on hunts. It would be someone else. Someone who - unlike Wei Wuxian - had the backing of a sect and a good reputation to offer. Someone who could bear him children. These were things that Wei Wuxian could never offer.
So fuck everything. For one night just… fuck. Everything.
He dug into his money pouch and left another piece of silver on the table as the innkeeper came and set another bottle down. There was nothing to be done about it. Lan Zhan would be forced to choose a spouse. One that will be by his side and practice joint cultivation, by Lan Zhan's own choice, and extend his life, if not indefinitely, then at least for a while longer.
Wei Wuxian chuckled hollowly, wondering at what point being the center of Lan Zhan's focus became so all-consuming for him. His first impression of Lan Wangji before they'd met had stemmed from the rumors he'd heard growing up. He knew that the man was beautiful and talented, but sort of a prim rule-follower. Maybe he'd be fun to tease, but really not all that interesting for someone as like Wei Wuxian, who prided himself in being unbound by rules.
After his fight with Lan Wangji, he had realized that he was still a prim rule-follower, but he was a prim rule-follower who could dismember his opponent without getting a speck of blood on his pristine white robes. This dichotomy between the calm, frigid obedience and the ruthless, decisive power that the man could unleash when he chose was much more interesting that just some stick-in-the mud that Wei Wuxian could annoy for fun. Although, he definitely had fun annoying Lan Wangji, but it was with a much different intent than it had been at first. There was nothing casual about Wei Wuxian's need to poke and test and disrupt the mindset of the Second Jade of Lan to learn more about where his limits were, what he cared about and what he would be willing to break his precious rules for. (Though - of course - Lan Zhan would volunteer for punishment immediately because he was just that honest .)
Wei Wuxian had always known that Lan Zhan had barely tolerated him for most of the time they'd known each other (in fact, often had NOT tolerated him). But it had been fine. Lan Zhan didn't really seem to tolerate anyone other than his brother and the younger disciples. Wei Wuxian had been content to be the one to irritate Lan Zhan enough to generate the tiny tick in Lan Zhan's jaw that would have been an apoplectic fit on anyone else. Or the side-eye that was like the unsheathing of a blade.
They had finally become... friends, and that was a unique position that Wei Wuxian had held with pride. Other than Lan Wangji's brother and uncle, Wei Wuxian was the only person who could claim that title with any truth.
And it had been enough, or at least so he had thought.
Now that he was more aware of his feelings, it all seemed so ridiculously obvious that it was never going to be enough, and there was nothing Wei Wuxian could do about it.
Lan Qiren had made his stance on Wei Wuxian clear, and Lan Wangji was likely to be wed within the next few months to someone else, someone worthy, given the fervor around building fresh alliances to secure the peace.
He took a long sip of the baijiu, savoring the burn, and allowed himself to briefly fantasize about a world in which he could have offered for Lan Wangji's hand. Part of the criteria for a cultivation partner was their level of spiritual power. After all, the whole point was to build a sort of… resonance between the two golden cores which strengthens both of them. On that dimension, Wei Wuxian was pretty sure he was not being arrogant in saying he would have been the best choice. On that dimension only, of course. Unfortunately, that was the only criteria that Wei Wuxian could ever have met, and it was one that was completely irrelevant for a political marriage.
Wei Wuxian had been taught well enough to know his place in the world. The sects might not like him, but sometimes they needed him. Wei Wuxian was a sword kept sharpened in storage. And that was all he would ever be.
He lifted the jar to pour himself another cup of wine, but a long, slender hand stopped him, the pristine white silk of the sleeve glowing in the dim light of the tavern.
"Wei Ying." The heat of Lan Wangji's hand seemed to sear Wei Wuxian's forearm through his sleeve, before it was withdrawn.
Wei Wuxian closed his eyes, fighting the urge to chase after the touch and pull Lan Wangji's hand back and press it against him. There was something about the way that Lan Wangji - the epitome of rules and cold, formal politeness with everyone else - said Wei Wuxian's birth name. Knowing that Lan Wangji broke this major social taboo to speak his name so intimately. Usually, Wei Wuxian reveled in it, but at the moment it was a knife in his chest.
Would this end, too, when Lan Wangji was married to another? Surely any spouse would object to such an act, given the implications of it to outsiders.
"Lan Zhan. Shouldn't you still be stuck in that meeting with MianMian and your brother?"
He opened his eyes to see Lan Wangji's flicker with confusion.
"Wei Ying did not come back."
Wei Wuxian blinked, trying to understand what Lan Wangji was saying. The alcohol was making it more difficult than usual.
"Yeah, well… it's not like I have anything to do with sect business. I'm glad they've got the assholes who tried to hurt Shijie , but the rest of the stuff around trade negotiations and sect alliances isn't something anyone would want my input on."
Lan Wangji looked… like something. Upset? Not exactly.
"I have not been able to speak with you for almost a month. You left. Twice."
Wei Wuxian wished his mind wasn't fuzzy, because then maybe he'd be able to think of some excuse for why he was avoiding Lan Wangji other than the truth. He couldn't exactly say 'I can't watch you with MianMian yet.' But it hadn't occurred to him that Lan Wangji actually had something to say to him.
"I thought you had just come to fetch me for the meeting," Wei Wuxian replied. It wasn't quite the truth, because Wei Wuxian had been so overwhelmed with seeing Lan Zhan at all that he hadn't even thought to wonder about why he was there in the first place. Wei Wuxian had been unable to get past his overwhelming surge of… whatever jumbled up mix of feelings were when Lan Wangji had appeared.
The look Lan Wangji gave Wei Wuxian was both skeptical and frustrated, which felt unfair to Wei Wuxian. The Second Jade of Lan had a lot of obligations, none of which included him now that the war was over. How was he supposed to have guessed that Lan Wangji had something to say to him?
"What? Lan Zhan, I'm still banned from GusuLan territories, so I can't help you on a night hunt, if that's what you're looking for." Lan Wangji frowned at Wei Wuxian's words which - fair enough. Wei Wuxian had never met a rule he wasn't willing to break. Regardless of whether or not Wei Wuxian was fully recovered, if Lan Wangji needed his help with a night hunt, Wei Wuxian would be more than happy to break Lan Qiren's edict. As long as Lan Wangji didn't get punished for it, at least. "I mean, I have no problem breaking the rules, so if you need me I definitely will come but I don't want you to get -"
"Wei Ying ," Lan Wangji interrupted, and this time he almost sounded angry.
Wei Wuxian could not deal with this at the moment. He'd tried to just stay out of everyone's way while he sorted his shit out. It was not his fault that Lan Wangji was looking angry and maybe even a little bit upset.
"Lan Zhan. If you have something that you need to tell me, then just fucking tell me. I'm not exactly in a state to guess at the moment." Wei Wuxian took advantage of the fact that Lan Wangji had loosened his grip on Wei Wuxian's arm to finish the last of his alcohol, drinking it directly from the jar.
A trickle of it missed his mouth and slid down the skin of his neck. Lan Wangji went utterly still, watching the bobbing of Wei Wuxian's throat and the path of the small droplets of alcohol that slid down his throat to disappear beneath the collar of his robes. Inexplicably, Wei Wuxian felt like the temperature in the room jumped several degrees, and his head spun dizzily under the intensity of Lan Wangji's stare.
The young woman who had been watching Wei Wuxian earlier seemed to find Wei Wuxian's defiance (or drunkenness) amusing, laughing softly and tilting her head down to look over at Wei Wuxian through her eyelashes. Wei Wuxian put on his best smirk, lounging back in his seat in the way that always seemed to irritate Lan Wangji, with his head lolled to one side, baring the long line of his throat that still held the wet sheen of the alcohol, and his legs sprawled inelegantly apart.
Lan Wangji looked over at the young woman, then back to Wei Wuxian.
The air seemed to crackle, and suddenly Wei Wuxian found his wrist nearly crushed in the vice-like grip of Lan Wangji's hand. With his free hand, Lan Wangji took the now-empty jar of alcohol from Wei Wuxian's hand and slammed it down on the table.
Wei Wuxian's eyes flared wide in shock, at the same time he felt a flood of heat rush south. He desperately hoped that Lan Wangji only noticed one of those two reactions.
"Wei Ying has had enough. I will escort you to your rooms. We have things to discuss privately."
Lan Wangji looked furious , just like he used to back when he caught Wei Wuxian breaking rules or flirting when they were in Cloud Recesses as youths. Wei Wuxian suddenly found himself being pulled to his feet, with Lan Wangji's hand still wrapped bruisingly tight around his wrist.
Wei Wuxian knew he should be annoyed or offended or something at the proprietary air with which Lan Wangji was treating him. They were no longer students in Cloud Recesses together, and Lan Zhan had no right to enforce rules with him.
The alcohol made him stumble, and Lan Wangji's other hand steadied him at his hip and...
Oh, shit. Wei Wuxian was suddenly realizing that he is very into Lan Wangji manhandling him and it was very definitely not the kind of response Lan Wangji would be even remotely ok with. Wei Wuxian forced himself to lean back, out of Lan Wangji's personal space, even as a slightly manic laugh escaped his lips. His forbidden fantasies about Lan Zhan were now most definitely going to include Lan Wangji punishing him for drinking in ways that he was very sure the virtuous Second Jade would be appalled at. Wei Wuxian would unpack that about himself later, but he could not deal with it when Lan Wangji was standing right there, so close, looking at him intently.
So he did what he always did when faced with emotions that he didn't understand swirling through him, and played it off as a joke.
"Lan Zhan! So forward! If you wanted to take me to my rooms, all you had to do was ask. No need to be such a brute about it!"
Lan Wangji seemed to realize the impropriety at the same time, and he released Wei Wuxian's wrist and stepped back as though burned. He glared at Wei Wuxian for a moment, eyes locked on his face as though he could read everything that was going on beneath its surface. Wei Wuxian certainly hoped the man could not, or he'd likely find himself facing the sharp end of Bichen.
"Mark your words," was all Lan Wangji said before he abruptly turned and stalked over to the exit of the inn. He looked back over his shoulder once to glare at Wei Wuxian and make sure he was following.
Wei Wuxian stumbled slightly, only partly due to the alcohol, but made his way towards the exit. None of what was happening made any sense at all to him, but he had always been more than willing to follow Lan Wangji whenever the man would let him.
"Wei Ying should be more careful," Lan Wangji said sharply, noticing the swaying motion of Wei Wuxian's steps as they made their way down the narrow street towards the main hall.
He did not grab Wei Wuxian to steady him this time, though his hand clenched tightly around Bichen's hilt. He maintained at least a somewhat socially acceptable distance between them as they walked. Wei Wuxian hated it, but he wasn't quite drunk enough to actually do anything about it.
Instead, he laughed once again. "Lan Zhan! I'm really not that drunk. I've fought demons and laid ghosts to rest in worse shape than this, you know."
Lan Wangji did not slow his pace, but he did throw another glare over his shoulder. "Irresponsible. Wei Ying should not be night hunting alone, much less while intoxicated."
Wei Wuxian felt his stomach twist. He had missed night hunting with Lan Wangji more than he would admit. The alcohol had loosened his tongue enough that didn't really manage to hide the bitterness in his tone when he replied.
"I've been drinking since I was twelve, Lan Zhan. I can handle my alcohol. And it's not like I have anyone to night hunt with, so I'm afraid I won't be able to take Hanguang Jun up on his excellent advice."
Lan Wangji abruptly stopped at the entrance to the main hall, and turned to look at Wei Wuxian. There was a short, tense silence, where Lan Wangji stared at him with the same intensity he had in the tavern, and Wei Wuxian didn't know what it meant or what to do about it.
"I will night hunt with Wei Ying," Lan Wangji stated, implacably.
Wei Wuxian gave a slightly derisive snort. As much as he wished it could be true, it wasn't and Lan Wangji was being either cruel or naive to make such a promise when there was no way a new spouse, much less his own sect leaders, would let him keep it.
"Lan Zhan. Your sect is going to have you married to a proper wife within the next three months. You're not going to be able to night hunt with me."
Wei Wuxian's words only seemed to make Lan Wangji dig his heels in more, based on the rigid set of his perfect jaw.
"I will night hunt with Wei Ying," Lan Wangji repeated bitingly, then turned in a fluid swirl of white silk and continued his purposeful stride into the building. Wei Wuxian didn't know how to respond, so he simply followed, his mind spinning frantically but coming up with not even a single coherent thought.
They had reached the door to Wei Wuxian's room, which somehow Lan Wangji seemed to recognize, as he pushed the door open. He held the door, looking expectantly at Wei Wuxian until he entered. Wei Wuxian followed him in, not exactly sure what to do about the fact that the man he'd been fantasizing about, the man he had jacked off to the night before in his bed was now standing in the room with him.
Lan Wangji closed the door behind them, and Wei Wuxian walked to the far side of the room to maximize distance between them and hopefully get his brain to function. He belatedly realized that he was now standing dangerously close to the bed, but as long as Lan Wangji stayed on the other side of the room, it should be fine.
"Not a wife. A cultivation partner."
It took Wei Wuxian's drink-muddled brain a moment to catch up with what Lan Wangji was referring to. When he did, he felt a rush of possessive anger flare through him with the same visceral reaction he'd had when Lan Wangji had stated a similar sentiment earlier in the day.
He took a step towards the man, but managed to stop himself before taking it further. Still, he didn't hold his words back.
"Lan Zhan. You hate people getting in your personal space, much less in your bed. How do you expect to be able to tolerate having a cultivation partner?" the words came out angrier than Wei Wuxian had meant, but an answering flare of... anger? seemed to light in Lan Wangji's eyes.
Lan Wagji narrowed his eyes, his whole body shifting in a way that reminded Wei Wuxian of how the man looked on a night hunt. Unlike Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji seemed to have no issues closing the distance between them as he slowly stalked towards Wei Wuxian. He didn't stop until he was less than an arm's reach away, the air between them seeming to spark dangerously, just like it had back at the inn.
Wei Wuxian could feel the heat from Lan Wangji's body, warming the space between them. Lan Wangji's gaze was locked on his, and for one wild, insane moment, Wei Wuxian thought Lan Wangji might lean in and kiss him.
Wei Wuxian wasn't sure if it was all in his head, or if it was relating to the 'tuning' that Wen Qing had mentioned, but he swore he could feel Lan Wangji's qi dancing along his skin, even though they weren't even touching. He tried and failed to shut out memories of what it felt like to have the cool, blue spiritual energy of the Second Jade pushing into his body. His skin felt like it was on fire, and the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. They were not the only part of his body beginning to stand to attention at the moment, and he desperately hoped that Lan Wangji did not look down, and that his multiple layers of robes would conceal anything from sight if he did.
"I have no reluctance with physical proximity with Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian knew his mouth had fallen open, but there was nothing he could do about it. Because… what the fuck?
"Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian choked out.
Lan Wangji stared at him for a moment, and seemed to be visibly struggling with his control, which was something Wei Wuxian had never seen him need to do in all their years of fighting together. Lan Wangji's breath was coming in short, shallow gasps and his eyes were dark as they stayed steadily locked on Wei Wuxian. It wasn't quite anger, but nothing else made any sense and Wei Wuxian didn't know what was going on but he felt like he was going to explode out of sheer tension if something didn't happen.
Lan Wangji seemed to be feeling some of the same pressure, because he closed his eyes and drew two deep, meditative breaths before opening them again. The odd heat in his eyes was gone, or at least banked, and Wei Wuxian felt himself finally able to breathe again with the return of the cool and composed face of his friend restored.
"Sleep," Lan Wangji said, pressing on Wei Wuxian's chest, gently but firmly forcing Wei Wuxian to sit down on the bed. "We will discuss this when you are sober. I will see to A-Yuan while you rest."
Wei Wuxian absolutely did not shiver at the touch. He also really hoped that Lan Wangji was not going to push him to lay down flat on his back, because otherwise it would become very obvious that Wei Wuxian's body was wildly misinterpreting Lan Wangji's strict adherence to rules as… something else.
Luckily, Lan Wangji did not linger and seemed to need to be free of the tension as much as Wei Wuxian did. He gave a short, sharp nod, then abruptly turned and left, leaving a lingering trace of the scent of sandalwood behind. Wei Wuxian flopped back on his bed, feeling as though invisible strings that had been holding him up had been cut. The room was spinning at the same chaotic pace that his mind was, and he cursed the fact that his sister had made him aware of what he really felt about Lan Wangji.