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Wei Ying was standing in front of Wen Zhuliu, alive and whole despite the rumors that he had been thrown in the Burial Mounds. He was different. There was a cruel twist in his smile, and he exuded a sense of calm that was both enthralling and terrifying. And then he raised his flute to his lips and started doing the most appalling thing known to the cultivation world.
Lan Wangji knew he should be horrified, but watching Wei Ying toy with the people responsible for burning his home, watching his lithe fingers, the intensity of his stare, and his confident stance, sent a wave of heart straight down the pit of Lan Wangji’s stomach. He always found Wei Ying attractive, but he never felt a desire as strong as this. He wanted Wei Ying, and it was unfortunate that he was having this realization while crouched next to Wei Ying’s brother, who actually had an appropriate reaction to witnessing demonic cultivation.
Lan Wangji didn’t hear the rest of the exchange between Wei Ying and Wen Zhuliu. His thoughts were buzzing and the heat in his belly had traveled further down his nether regions, making him squirm. He knew that Wei Ying is capable of disposing of the Wens by himself given his new abilities, but when Wen Zhuliu’s sword got a little too close to his throat, Lan Wangji reacted on instinct and caved the roof underneath them with a surge of spiritual energy.
Jiang Wanyin landed first and immediately whipped Zidian around Wen Zhuliu’s neck. Lan Wangji intended to help, but with Wei Ying right in front of him, he simply stood back and stared. Wei Ying refused to look at him.
When Wen Zhuliu’s lifeless body thudded to the ground, there was another conversation between Wei Ying and Jiang Wanyin, while Lan Wangji stood behind them, mentally rehearsing a speech in his head. He wanted to ask Wei Ying if he’s alright, where he has been, and quite possibly reprimand him on his new cultivation method to get him to stop, but when Wei Ying finally met his eyes, all thoughts flew out the window.
Lan Wangji allowed the months of pent up worry and longing for Wei Ying, as well as the conflicting desire he felt from watching him perform demonic cultivation, take over his body, and it resulted in him taking abrupt steps forward and kissing Wei Ying on the mouth.
It took them both by surprise. Wei Ying had his body angled slightly backwards, likely preparing to dodge in case Lan Wangji punched him, but it only lasted for a split second. Once Lan Wangji’s lips met his, he leaned forward, almost involuntarily, and deepened the kiss. In response, Lan Wangji opened his mouth and shoved his tongue in Wei Ying’s parted lips, earning him a gasp.
“Lan Wangji, what the hell?” Jiang Wanyin exclaimed after recovering from his initial shock, making them both spring apart. The color was high on Wei Ying’s cheeks, and Lan Wangji could feel his own ears burning.
“The past three months suddenly makes more sense now,” Jiang Wanyin said to himself, somewhat hysterical.
“Lan Zhan–” Wei Ying began, but Lan Wangji didn’t wait for him to continue.
“I apologize,” he said and bowed deeply to Wei Ying before turning around to flee.
Wei Wuxian watched Lan Zhan’s retreating back with a mix of confusion and amusement. On one hand, it was funny to see Lan Zhan move as gracefully as a swan despite the fact that he was literally fleeing from embarrassment, but on the other hand he still couldn’t wrap his head around what happened.
Wei Wuxian had a hundred reactions prepared if he ever ran into Lan Zhan again. He knew Lan Zhan wouldn’t approve of his new cultivation methods, so he planned to act cold towards him, and provoke him into anger to push him away. He didn’t expect Lan Zhan to kiss him! How could he when Lan Zhan would barely let him near the last time they saw each other?
“How long has that been going on?” Jiang Cheng asked. “What exactly were you guys doing in Xuanwu cave?”
“Not that!” Wei Wuxian said. “I’m just as surprised as you are. Are you sure that’s Lan Zhan?”
“How can I not be sure? I’ve been stuck with him the whole time you were gone!”
“Did he say anything about me?”
“No, he’s as talkative as a stack of rocks.”
A groan from Wen Chao interrupted them, which reminded Wei Wuxian of where they were. A look of understanding passed between him and Jiang Cheng, so We Wuxian diverted his thoughts from his crisis about Lan Zhan and focused on what he had been looking forward to since he got thrown into the Burial Mounds.
When it was done, Jiang Cheng volunteered to get rid of the bodies and collect evidence to prove to the other sects that Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu were dead. It was an unspoken agreement to allow Wei Wuxian an excuse to talk to Lan Zhan, and Wei Wuxian didn’t waste a second to rush out the door.
It turns out, Lan Zhan was right outside the gate. He turned when he heard Wei Wuxian’s footsteps. The moonlight casted an ethereal glow on his silhouette, making Wei Wuxian wonder if he was dreaming.
“I wish to apologize again,” Lan Zhan said, his expression openly embarrassed for once. “That was inappropriate of me.”
“Why did you do that?” was the first thing Wei Wuxian blurted, although his tone was curious rather than accusatory.
Lan Zhan was silent for a moment, seeming to be at a loss as well. “When you were missing, I feared the worst. I was just…happy that you are well.”
That couldn’t possibly be a rational reaction to being glad for someone’s well-being, but Lan Zhan had said in such a sincere and deadpan way, that he couldn't help but laugh. “Aiya Lan Zhan, don’t I even get a hug? You just went straight to kissing!”
Lan Zhan’s ears turned red again. “I apologize.”
“It’s alright. I liked it,” Wei Wuxian assured, then blushed when his brain caught up with what he said.
“I did too,” Lan Zhan said, barely above a whisper.
Wei Wuxian felt giddy at his admission, the dead thing in his chest suddenly swelling with affection. He wanted to tease Lan Zhan, wanted to kiss him again, but then he was reminded of the black flute hanging from his belt and the cold empty pit where his core used to be.
“You sure?” Wei Wuxian asked almost like a challenge. “Even though I turned out like this?” he gestured at himself.
“You are still Wei Ying.”
“How can you be sure?”
“You look the same. Your smile is the same…and you make me feel the same. Whatever has changed in you is likely due to the effects of your new cultivation method.”
Wei Wuxian’s expression closed off immediately. “I sense a lecture coming, but it;s not what you think.”
“I’m only concerned for you,” Lan Zhan said, his eyes narrowed. “Demonic cultivation will harm your mind and heart. You should not take my words lightly.”
“I’m not using demonic cultivation. I didn’t take their spiritual energy, did I?”
“Whatever method it is, it is still…”
“Abnormal? Evil?” Wei Wuxian supplied.
“Unpredictable,” Lan Zhan said instead. “Please, stop this, Wei Ying. I know you desire vengeance, but you cannot risk letting your cultivation method corrupt you.”
Lan Zhan spoke so earnestly, like he cared about him, like he couldn’t bear to lose him, and perhaps the dead thing in Wei Wuxian’s chest wasn’t so dead after all because he was overcome with the overwhelming urge not to hurt Lan Zhan.
“It’s not like I have a choice.”
“What do you mean?
“I don’t have a core anymore,” Wei Wuxian said, feeling as if the words were being wrenched out of him. Belatedly, he realized Jiang Cheng could walk into their conversation any time. He turned towards the Supervisory Office in alarm, but relaxed once he spotted Jiang Cheng’s shadow still moving around on the second floor.
When he looked back, however, he saw that Lan Zhan was openly devastated.
“How?”
“How else?” Wei Wuxian motioned vaguely behind him, towards Jiang Cheng–towards what used to be Wen Zhuliu. It was technically half the truth.
Lan Zhan clenched his fist in response, like he wanted to strangle Wen Zhuliu all over again.
“Don’t worry, he’s dead now, remember? And I won’t stop until Wen Rouhan is too,” Wei Wuxian said and tried to brush past Lan Zhan, but he stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“You should come to Gusu.”
“Why?”
“I could play clarity for you to help you purge resentful energy,” Lan Zhan explained upon hearing the wariness in his question. “But I would have to learn it first.”
Wei Wuxian pouted. “Aw, and here I thought you were asking me to go to Gusu to court me.”
Back then, Lan Zhan would have snapped at him and called him out for nonsense, but this time, he met his eyes and said: “That can be arranged as well.”
Wei Wuxian blushed again under the intensity of his stare, so he laughed and hoped Lan Zhan didn’t notice. “As much as I want too, I am needed in Lotus Pier. I promised Jiang Cheng I would help him rebuild.”
“Then I will go with you instead.”
“Lan Zhan, one kiss and you’ve become so clingy!”
“Am I overstepping?”
“No! I would love for you to come to Lotus Pier,” Wei Wuxian said, and then feeling a bit bold, he added. “Maybe you can buy me dinner on the way…and then maybe we can continue kissing?”
“Mn.”
“Really? You’re not disgusted at all even with my cultivation?”
“I would never be disgusted by Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan’s tone was firm, as if the idea offended him. “And the reason I kissed you was because…I found you attractive while you were playing the flute.”
A moment of silence passed before Wei Wuxian burst out laughing. “You were turned on by demonic cultivation?”
“I thought you said it isn’t demonic cultivation–”
“It isn’t, but that’s not the point!” Wei Wuxian didn’t know how many times he laughed within this single conversation, but he was starting to feel more and more human each time. “You thought I was attractive, while I was killing the Wens with my crooked cultivation methods! Wait until your uncle hears about this!”
Lan Zhan wasn’t even listening anymore. “I always think you are attractive regardless of what you are doing,” he said, seeming indignant.
“When did you become such a smooth talker, Lan Zhan?”
Before Lan Zhan could retort, Jiang Cheng appeared behind them, looking disgruntled. “Are you guys done?”
Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but frown. As glad as he is to see Jiang Cheng, he had more important priorities. “No we’re not. Stop being a cockblock.”
“What do you mean cockblock?” Jiang Cheng spluttered. “I cleaned up the mess in there myself just to give you two time alone, and if that’s still not enough, then I suggest you take it to an inn.”
“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian whined. “I’ve only been back for a few minutes and you’re already being so demanding.”
“I’m your sect leader now,” Jiang Cheng reminded him. “And I’m also speaking as your shidi who has been forced to witness an unspeakable act.”
There was currently evidence of an unspeakable act in the Supervisory Office, but somehow Jiang Cheng was more bothered by the kiss, and Wei Wuxian found it hilarious.
Jiang Cheng saw that he was trying to suppress a smile, which made him scowl deeper. “I’m glad you’re back, but I forgot how annoying you are. Now come on before the disciples send a search party after us.” He shouldered past them, while Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan followed behind him, walking side by side in comfortable silence.
They were so close to each other that their hands were brushing every few minutes. After a moment of contemplation, Wei Wuxian reached out and laced their fingers together. “Is this ok?”
Lan Zhan’s strides did not falter, and neither did he pull away. “Mn,” he said. To an outsider, it might seem like Lan Zhan was barely tolerating it, but Wei Wuxian felt him squeeze his hand back like he was a lifeline.