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1
Wei Wuxian is in the way. Well, specifically his tail is in the way.
This is not a new phenomenon for one Lan Wangji. Since he met the dragon a few odd years ago he’s become accustomed to the sensation of Wei Wuxian’s tail coiling at his ankles or wrapping around his legs. All while the dragon himself leaned in with an infuriating smirk and some ridiculous banter. Typically, Lan Wangji simply dismisses it. Like he dismisses all of Wei Wuxian’s idle and shameless remarks. The dragon only does it to get a rise out of him and Lan Wangji is already regretting the few times his anger has slipped. All he just has to do is ignore the dragon or wait for him to have his fun and leave.
Or, well, usually this is the case.
Today, something is bothering the typically animated Wei Wuxian, made evident in the way the end of his tail keeps flicking. He joined Lan Wangji, who had been studying some new musical scores gifted to the Lan Academy, in the library almost two hours ago, and within fifteen minutes of him spilling into the seat next to Lan Wangji, the dragon’s lengthy tailed had curled loosely around Lan Wangji’s seated form. The tip of his tail had come to rest in Lan Wangji’s lap and, at first, Lan Wangji had ignored it, like he did every other time. It was not in the way and Wei Wuxian, besides his sing-song greeting, was being quiet for once, so Lan Wangji didn’t wish to break the spell, lest it lead to Wei Wuxian turning his attention on him.
However, at the fifth flick to knock at his book hard enough it shifts in Lan Wangji’s grasp, Lan Wangji has had enough.
“Wei Ying,” he says, as cool and clear as the mountain ponds, lowering his book so that he may meet Wei Wuxian’s gaze properly. Wei Wuxian turns to him with a slow and puzzled blink, as if he’s genuinely startled to be call on.
“Hm? What is it, Lan Zhan?”
“Your tail,” Lan Wangji replies simply, gesturing to the offending item with his book. He’s expecting the characteristic grin of Wei Wuxian’s to blossom on the other’s face. For a couple shameless comments or for Wei Wuxian to simply knock his book away on purpose with an apology that hardly reads sincere. What he is not expecting is for Wei Wuxian to glance down, take in the sigh of his tail completely curled around Lan Wangji and go bright red.
“O-Oh!” Wei Wuxian stammers, looking more flustered than Lan Wangji has ever seen him. “I’m…! Sorry! Lan Zhan! I’ll…” He unfurls his tail quickly and wraps it around himself, squeezing it as if it were a comfort object, before diverting his attention back to the scroll in front of him. He manages to pretend he’s intaking any of it for about thirty seconds before forcing out a pale imitation of his usual laugh and going, “Actually, I forgot, I have to go see Jiang Cheng about something! Bye, Lan Zhan!”
Wei Wuxian then all but flees the library, leaving a stunned Lan Wangji in his wake. He hadn’t meant to upset the dragon. He only needed him to lower his tail so it stopped impeding with his reading.
He stares, with a new sort of uncomfortable emotion welling from somewhere within his chest, at the empty doorway and worries that he’s done something wrong.
2
Wei Wuxian is avoiding him.
He does not bring up the tail incident. In fact, he hardly even speaks to Lan Wangji over the next couple weeks. It isn’t common for them to spend a great deal of time together, but Lan Wangji learns he had become accustomed to the dragon spotting him and placing himself happily at his side whenever the duo found themselves in a room together. It’s… strange. This vivid sense of vacant space around him. And Lan Wangji doesn’t know what to do with himself when he recognizes the feeling taking root in his ribcage is loneliness.
Today, while they are standing only a foot apart, Wei Wuxian continues to pointedly ignore him. It’s likely obvious to only Lan Wangji himself, placed in a group containing his brother and Nie Mingjue—who were currently busy discussing the Lans’ problems with defending their northern border—while Wei Wuxian listens to a group of Jins discussing the upcoming wedding of Jiang Yanli and their young master, Jin Zixuan.
Despite the frown Lan Wangji spots hiding at the corner of Wei Wuxian’s mouth, there really is no reason for the other to approach him. However, since this has never stopped Wei Wuxian before, Lan Wangji can’t help but feel a little miffed.
The conversations continue, and it isn’t until one particularly grating laugh from some member of the Jin Clan crashes through the air around them that Lan Wangji feels the telltale pressure of Wei Wuxian’s tail around his ankle. He doesn’t move, nor does he mention it, and as the Jin Clan’s antics grow more exuberant, the tighter the tail coils. Eventually, their conversation is broken by Lan Xichen being summoned by another sect, but when Lan Wangji goes to move with his brother, he feels the tail at his ankle give a small tug. He nods briefly to excuse himself, his brother giving him an indulgent, if not a bit puzzled, smile before moving off and then turns to face the other crowd.
Jin Zixun is in his third retelling of his finest—and only—battle from the year before and stumbles briefly at Lan Wangji’s suddenly attention on him. This, naturally, catches Wei Wuxian’s attention who happily excuses himself from the Jins to step in towards Lan Wangji with a small smirk.
“Lan Zhan! It’s not often you come calling on me. How can I help you?”
Lan Wangji is once more puzzled by this reaction, but he is polite enough to keep quiet in order to prevent a scene. Especially with the ill-hidden sneers several of the Jins send in the direction of Wei Wuxian when they move off towards the drinks.
“Your tail,” Lan Wangji says quietly, inclining his head a breath to the side once the Jins are no longer in range. “I thought you needed something.”
Wei Wuxian’s eyes widen and his face falls into a small grimace. Then, without even looking down, he asks, “It’s curled around you again, isn’t it.”
“Yes,” Lan Wangji confirms. “My ankle.”
“Ah,” Wei Wuxian sighs. “My apologies, once again. I’m certain it was just trying to help me escape the Jins.” Lan Wangji gives a small hum of consolation. They’re not his favourite sect to encounter. “I will be unwinding it now and hiding next to my brother for the rest of this event. Good evening, Lan Zhan.
“Good evening,” Lan Wangji echoes, watching as Wei Wuxian goes and does just that.
3
Wei Wuxian is upset. It’s clear by the hunch of his shoulders, the lifeless drag of his tail, and the still echoing words of Madam Yu that are painting the far corners of Lotus Pier.
Lan Wangji does not understand the meaning of Wei Wuxian’s tailing wrapping around others, but he hardly feels as though Wei Wuxian deserved such a thorough scolding for letting his loosely fit itself around his siblings. But it is not his place to argue such, so he gently seats himself next to the huddled up Wei Wuxian instead.
The flowers around them are in bloom, perfuming the air with a delicate and pleasant scent. The evening air is sticky with humidity, but the wind from the water eases it enough that Lan Wangji’s isn’t uncomfortable—which is good, as he doesn’t plan on leaving Wei Wuxian’s side anytime soon.
Wei Wuxian tenses when he feels him arrive and then says, very slowly, “Lan Zhan. If you sit next to me my ugly tail will end up wrapped around you and I do not have the energy to be embarrassed by it.”
Lan Wangji continues to face the pond in front of him. Back when they first met, Wei Wuxian often boasted about him home. As Lan Wangji finally takes the time to look around, he has to admit that Wei Wuxian is right. Lotus Pier truly is beautiful.
He hears Wei Wuxian give a sharp inhale and when he goes to speak again, Lan Wangji says, very gently, “Your tail isn’t ugly, Wei Ying. You shouldn’t speak of it like that.”
He feels the weight of Wei Wuxian’s gaze for some time after that. As heavy as the thick summer air dimming around them. It’s only when the other releases a shaky sigh and ducks his head into his hands, does Lan Wangji feel the familiar pressure at his side.
“Thank you,” Wei Wuxian whispers. A warmth grows at the tips of Lan Wangji’s ears. Wei Wuxian’s words are honeysuckle sweet and as faint as fireflies. Lan Wangji can’t imagine what he’s done to deserve such gentle gratitude.
4
Wei Wuxian is flirting. And Lan Wangji doesn’t know if he’s more upset with Wei Wuxian’s brazen show of affection for a girl he’s just met, or with the ice that is currently flowing within his own veins at being upset with such a thing. Wei Wuxian has flirted his way through most of the sects—and many vendors—this is not news to anyone.
The girl, Mianmian as Wei Wuxian calls her, is from a smaller sect under the Jin Clan, and helping with the wedding preparations. Wei Wuxian, who is also supposed to be aiding in said preparations, is now simply showing off his lengthy tail to her. Something about her never having seen a tail like his since her clan is primarily made up of deer.
It’s shameless. Like all of Wei Wuxian’s antics. It’s not something Lan Wangji should be bothering himself with.
He turns, and in a show of pettiness only he will truly appreciate, strikes up a conversation with the first person to stumble close enough into range. This happens to be Su She, who had recently broken off from the Lan Sect to head his own. While he startles at Lan Wangji’s attention, it doesn’t take him long to puff out his chest and take to boasting about his clan’s invitation to such a prestigious gathering—that Jin Guangyao had personally seen to it.
Lan Wangji briefly thinks that such bragging is useless, the Jins had invited nearly every Clan and Sect as a show of their wealth and power, but it keeps his attention off of whatever show Wei Wuxian is performing behind him.
They’re forced to duck outside when several servants shoot them distressed glances—they need the spaced cleared into order to begin other preparations but are either too frightened of offending one or both of them that Lan Wangji is the one to guide them both to a open space outdoors—and it’s then, five minutes into what Lan Wangji knows will be a lengthy anecdote, that Lan Wangji feels a new presence beside him.
“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian chips brightly from his side, leaning in much closer than necessary or proper. Lan Wangji doesn’t bother pulling away, but he only angles his head the slightest bit to indicate he is listening. Wei Wuxian doesn’t seem terribly concerned and loops his tail tightly around one of Lan Wangji’s calves, higher than he usually does. “There you are! I was looking for you. I need your help with some preparations, okay?”
Lan Wangji just hums noncommittally while Su She’s eyes go wide, darting between Lan Wangji’s legs and face. The tail around him tightens. It almost feels like a claim and Lan Wangji doesn’t know what to do with how pleased he is by it.
“Lan Zhaaan!” Wei Wuxian whines, to the increasingly evident aggravation of Su She. Lan Wangji nods his consent before the sect leader has the chance to interrupt.
“Alright. Sect Leader Su, please excuse me.”
Wei Wuxian tugs on his arm, leading him through several bustling hallways and Lan Wangji soon learns he didn’t actually need any help when they stumble into the kitchen to “sample” some of the food instead.
“Shameless,” Lan Wangji mutters to the bright and mischievous grin of Wei Wuxian. The sugar on his fingers taste extra sweet.
5
Wei Wuxian is shining. The happiness radiating off of him is almost too bright to bear so Lan Wangji keeps himself quiet and tucked away in the banquet hall as he watches Wei Wuxian flit from sect to sect, clan to clan, thanking them for sharing in this joyous occasion. At the head of the hall sits Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan, radiating just as much happiness as they lean in and giggle to each other. Lan Wangji has not attended many weddings, but he can still attest to this being one of the grandest the clans have known in some time. And…
(His eyes meet Wei Wuxian’s when the man happens to glance over and Lan Wangji breath catches at the smile that blossoms across Wei Wuxian’s face.)
It’s nice to see Wei Wuxian so carefree.
“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian chirps as he drops himself into a chair he tugs in close to the other. “How are you enjoying the wedding! The food, is it good? I heard Jin Guangyao made such a fuss in order to ensure the Lans had just as many options as the rest of us!” The familiar sound of Wei Wuxian’s laughter echoes around them as Wei Wuxian leans himself in even closer, his tail having long since found its familiar coil around Lan Wangji. “I do hope you’re enjoying yourself. I know the Jins can be gaudy, but since they’re doing it to ensure Shijie gets the wedding she deserves, we just have to put up with it!”
“Mn.” Lan Wangji replies when it seems clear Wei Wuxian is waiting for a response. The tips of his ears prickle when something fond unfurls across Wei Wuxian’s face.
“I’m happy you’re here,” he admits, and Lan Wangji catches the scent of alcohol on his breath and clothes. He reasons that to be the cause of the looseness in Wei Wuxian’s body when he presses the shoulders firmly together. From the corner of his eyes, Lan Wangji catches sight of several of the other sects throwing them furtive glances, but he ignores them. “But, Lan Zhan, you should mingle more! You know how many people would be thrilled to have the chance to speak with the illustrious Hanguang-jun? And yet here you are, hiding in a corner! That’s not very kind of you.”
“I am happy speaking with Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji’s mouth says before he has the chance to better arrange his words. His honesty surprises them both and while he can barely see the flush that Wei Wuxian tries to hide on his face, the tail around him tightens.
“Is that so!” Wei Wuxian hums, pleased, “Then I suppose I can gift you with my presence a little longer.”
Lan Wangji inclines his head, playing along, “My humble thanks.”
A spark of laughter, bright and warm, along with a heightened pressure at Lan Wangji’s side. Lan Wangji is beginning to wonder how any wedding will top this when—
“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Wanyin hisses, appearing before them with a rush of purple silk and anger. Both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji blink slowly up at him, startled at his intrusion. “What do you think you’re doing!”
“I’m,” Wei Wuxian begins, a frown now pulling at his face. The din around his has lulled slightly, with many of the attendants being drawn in by the alcohol being freely poured by the Jin Clan’s servants. When Lan Wangji happens to glance around, he also notices a couple members of the Jin clan eyeing them, along with the concerned gaze of Jiang Yanli. “Talking to Lan Zhan?”
“Talking to,” Jiang Wanyin repeats with a splutter before darting forward and wrenching Wei Wuxian up by his bicep. “Stop being such a fucking nuisance!!”
“I—“ Wei Wuxian tries, before he seems to sense where the oddness lies, as as he moves, his tail keeps ahold of Lan Wangji, who lets out a small, “Ah,” when he’s displaced. When he tilts his head back up to try and calm the oddly infuriated Jiang Wanyin, he finds Wei Wuxian’s horrified gaze instead.
“Oh,” Wei Wuxian says very quietly. The warm flower of affection that been unfolding on Wei Wuxian’s face seems to wither immediately and he pulls himself away from both his brother and Lan Wangji, his tail slinking to his side when he salutes them. “My apologies, Hanguang-Jun.”
“It’s no problem,” Lan Wangji tries to insist, still lost at the sudden mood shift, but Wei Wuxian only ducks away and distances himself by engaging in conversation with Nie Huaisang, who had been watching them from farther down, his fan fluttering curiously.
“Sorry for Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Wanyin grumbles, “He—“
“It was no problem.” Lan Wangji interrupts, his voice going cold. He takes some petty satisfaction at the startled expression Jiang Wanyin gains before dismissing him with, “Good evening, Jiang Wanyin.”
+ 1
Wei Wuxian is hiding. He keeps amongst the crowds, playing the part of the delighted family member as he thanks guests and accepts their well wishes. Lan Wangji watches him in between greeting those who try and partake in any conversation with him (before letting his brother sweep in to immediately free him from this duty). It’s only once he’s noticed an absence of delighted purple, that he stands and slips out onto one of the quieter balconies.
“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji says in greeting, pausing at the doorway to wait and see if his company is welcome. There’s a light tension between them now, one that Lan Wangji is hoping to remedy quickly.
Wei Wuxian is facing the banquet, but his head is tipped back and he’s leaning against the railing with a look of exhaustion. He’s annoyed, Lan Wangji knows this by the harsh and intermitted snap his tail gives. But, when Wei Wuxian brings his head back up to meet his guest, a wincing smile still comes to his face.
“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian says as Lan Wangji tentatively joins him at the railing, turning to face him while straightening his posture. “What brings you out here?”
“Loud,” Lan Wangji replies, indicating the banquet with a small tilt of his head. It’s not a lie, but it’s not the whole truth. “And you?”
“Ahh, just… taking a break.” Wei Wuxian laughs, now turning to lean his arms onto the railing’s edge. “Can only listen to the Jins bragging for so long, you know?”
“Mn,” Lan Wangji says in agreement. Then, “You are upset.”
Wei Wuxian startles for a moment, Lan Wangji has not mastered the art of small talk and lacks any finesse, but then he softens and knocks their shoulders together, asking, “How could you tell?”
“Your tail.” Lan Wangji replies honestly. Wei Wuxian’s tail, which had started to curl at Lan Wangji’s feet, stills and whips back to return to its owner, his face flushed.
“O-Oh! Yeah. It really likes to tell on me.” Wei Wuxian explains. The tip of his tail is now flicking lightly it what Lan Wangji assumes to be embarrassment. “You Lan bunnies are lucky, your tails are too small to betray you.”
Lan Wangji blinks at the implication and repeats, “Betray?”
“Yeah!” Wei Wuxian huffs, gesturing briefly towards Lan Wangji’s much smaller and fluffier tail, which causes Lan Wangji to turn away and keep it out of conversation. “Your tails don’t do anything. Mine is giant and likes to act on its own all the time! I am sorry, by the way, for what happened inside and all those… other times. I can’t imagine it’s pleasant having my tail around you like that.” Wei Wuxian winces and there’s a genuine look of shame that crosses his face before he offers Lan Wangji a placating smile. This apologies bothers Lan Wangji, like the others before it, so he simply shakes his head.
“No need to apologize. I do not mind.”
“Oh!” Wei Wuxian looks surprised. “Really?”
“Mn,” Lan Wangji confirms. Wei Wuxian peers at him, as if looking for something.
“You can say if it bothers you, Lan Zhan,” he says slowly, “Most people think it’s ugly. I won’t be offended.”
Lan Wangji recoils. “Wei Ying,” he scolds. “Do not speak of yourself in such a way. There is nothing wrong with your tail.”
Wei Wuxian watches him and Lan Wangji can see him slowly accept the praise. His expression is cautiously curious when he asks “Are you sure you don’t mind…?” He doesn’t finish his sentence, his tail curling at Lan Wangji’s ankle finishes it for him. Lan Wangji ignores the faint heat of embarrassment climbing up his body—it suddenly feels much more intimate—and shakes his head minutely.
“It is fine. I am used to it."
“Used to…? Already?” A shaky laugh fumbles from Wei Wuxian. He replaces it with a cocky smile that holds more bravado than Lan Wangji suspects he feels. “Well, I have to hand it to you then! It took Jiang Cheng half a year to really get used to it and it’s been what, five times now I’ve decided to tug on you? You’re really quite impressive, Lan Zhan!” Lan Wangji narrows his eyes. Wei Wuxian catches onto his confusion and tilts his head, “What?”
“Wei Ying, you’ve been wrapping your tail around me since we first met.”
A silence hangs between them, formed by the breath now caught in Wei Wuxian’s lungs as horrified realization breaks across his face.
“What?” He asks, voice no more than a squeak.
“Your tail,” Lan Wangji explains, with a brief nod to it. “Will often do this whenever we are close together.” When the look of horror doesn’t fade from Wei Wuxian’s face, Lan Wangji feels something flip in his stomach. “Were you… not aware?”
Wei Wuxian doesn’t answer him, still stuck staring into Lan Wangji’s face as something akin to dread replaces his previous horror.
“The whole...? Lan Zhan, you don’t know what this means, do you?” There’s a tug at his ankles. Lan Wangji shakes his head.
“I assumed you were doing it to get a rise out of me,” Lan Wangji explains gently when Wei Wuxian seems no closer to speaking. “So I never thought to mention it. After a while, I simply became accustomed to it.”
“Accustomed?” Wei Wuxian repeats weakly. They’re so close Lan Wangji can see the swirl of greys in Wei Wuxian’s eyes. Can feel the puff of hair that comes from the still distressed man. Lan Wangji does not know what he’s done wrong but he aches to fix it. “Oh, Lan Zhan, you’re going to be the death of me.”
There’s a sudden heat that engulfs Lan Wangji’s hands and Wei Wuxian, with his eyes still boring into Lan Wangji’s own, tangles their fingers together.
“Tell me, Lan Zhan,” he whispers, barely heard over the deafening thrum of Lan Wangji’s heartbeat. “Do you know what this means?”
“Yes,” Lan Wangji replies, the word startled out of him. Wei Wuxian steps in closer, their chests nearly touching now and somehow drops his voice lower.
“And this?” He asks, caught in the moonlight streaming across them both. Like this, he looks more than mortal, with his scales catching the light and the arch of horns cradling the moon’s present to them. It washes down the deep v of his robes and Lan Wangji struggles to catch his breath. The din from inside seems like a fleeting memory. “Do you know what this means?” Wei Wuxian angles his head towards Lan Wangji who can only give a single sharp nod.
“Our tails,” Wei Wuxian begins to explain, swaying back to stare at the glint of the jewel pinned to the front of Lan Wangji’s robes. “Are apart of us. To wrap it around another is, well—“ Wei Wuxian’s shy gaze flickers to him for a brief second, as short and beautiful as a winking star, “Rather intimate. I remember my mother would often hold my father like this and when I was younger, I used to wrap my tail around Shijie or Jiang Cheng whenever I was nervous or upset. It comforted me. So, to wrap it around you, is…” Another wink of a star before Wei Wuxian averts his gaze completely and flushes. “Well, it’s a bit embarrassing.
Oh.
“I’m sorry,” Lan Wangji says softly, keeping a hold of Wei Wuxian’s hands when the other flinches and tries to pull back. “I did not realize it was so personal. I apologize if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
Something cold is filling the expanse of Lan Wangji’s chest. No wonder Wei Wuxian had always been so bothered whenever he came to realize he was holding Lan Wangji. Such a personal thing and—Lan Wangji can’t stand to have anyone near his own small tail, and he’s realizing what a misstep this might have been, allowing for Wei Wuxian’s to come so close. Locked in his own coil of dread, he misses the baffled expression Wei Wuxian soon wears.
“Why are you apologizing? Lan Zhan, I’m the one who—“
“But I did not mention it. It obviously bothered you, being that close to me, and I…” Lan Wangji struggles to find his words. “Wei Ying, I’m sorry.”
Part of Lan Wangji knew it had to be some form of affection, he just never thought that the gentle affection he saw Wei Wuxian share with his siblings would be something he would ever bother to give Lan Wangji. It felt too close to arrogance. It always felt safer to assume that it was nothing more than a mindless aggravation. Humiliation and fear hollow out his bones.
“You are seriously going to be the death of me, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian breathes out and suddenly Lan Wangji’s hands are released so Wei Wuxian can cradle his face instead and wide golden eyes meet yielding grey. “Lan Zhan, I am not mad that I was basically holding your hand every time I stood next to you. I’m embarrassed because I was apparently so infatuated with you that my tail decided to hold you without my consent.” Lan Wangji blinks. “And I’m upset because you had no problem with me doing so, but only because you didn’t know what it meant. You understand?”
Another blink, slow and stunned.
Oh.
“I understand now.” Lan Wangji tells him, because it seems important. He lifts his hands to cover the ones still holding him so carefully. “It’s no problem,” he still repeats, holding firm to Wei Wuxian. “Wei Ying’s tail, it’s no problem.”
Lan Wangji has seen the sun rise hundreds of time. But the beauty of the sky has nothing on the light that passes across Wei Wuxian’s face as he stares at him, draped and crowned by the orange hue from the lanterns inside and the muted silver of the moon.
“Oh,” Wei Wuxian whispers, before dropping his head to land with an almost painful thud against Lan Wangji’s cheekbone. This pain is driven away when Wei Wuxian nuzzles him next. “Good. I’m glad. That’s not how I thought this conversation was going to go.”
Lan Wangji frowns and loosens his hands to tug at Wei Wuxian’s waist, a little miffed by the lack of faith the other seemed to have in him. “Wei Ying, if I wanted your tail away from me I would have said so in the beginning.” Lan Wangji feels more than hears the laugh that reverberates and sings through Wei Wuxian’s body. Wei Wuxian then looking up at him with eyes narrowed in glee.
“Rather bold of you, Lan Er Gege! Cuddling so openly with someone you’re not even engaged too! What will the other sects think of such shamelessness? Hm? What about my virtue?” The teasing tone he takes is a familiar one and it leads Lan Wangji close to the strange behaviour Jiang Wanyin had displayed earlier. However, he’s not terribly interested in focusing on the young sect leader so he tightens the hold he has on the still preening Wei Wuxian and presses their foreheads together.
“Then I will simply have to marry you.”
The garbled shriek that escapes Wei Wuxian, which only comes after he flounders on both speaking and breathing, is an impressive one. Lan Wangji hums patiently through it as Wei Wuxian makes the adamant attempt at stitching their bodies together.
“Shameless!” Wei Wuxian cries, his fingers tightly wound in the fabric of Lan Wangji’s robe. “Utterly shameless! Unhand me this instant, how am I supposed to handle such talk?”
Lan Wangji doesn’t reply, he lightly cards his fingers through loose strands of Wei Wuxian’s hair and marvels at their softness instead, waiting for Wei Wuxian to stop trembling in his arms.
“Utterly shameless,” Wei Wuxian mutters, curled into Lan Wangji’s neck. “I am completely defeated, I hope you’re proud of yourself, Lan Zhan.”
Lan Wangji allows a brief curl of smugness to take root in his body.
“I am.”
+ + 1
The only wedding to ever top the one shared between Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan in Lan Wangji's books proves to be his own. Nearly half a year later, after the proper courting rituals have been accomplished and every member of the Lan clan has been assured that Wei Wuxian had not committed some great (and likely illegal) spell to win over their illustrious Lan Wangji.
Draped in red and more happiness than Lan Wangji believed he could ever contain, Lan Wangji lets his hand skirt down the familiar scales of his husband's tail, which has been neatly wrapped around him since the ceremony ended earlier. Wei Wuxian vibrates at his side, kissed by the glow of lanterns and the pink flush of alcohol as he thanks Nie Huaisang for his elaborate gift as well as his company. He's taken to thanking the guests and Lan Wangji is grateful, as it leaves him all the time in the world to watch as his husband shines with all the beauty in the world.
One Nie Huaisang bids farewell, Lan Wangji tugs lightly on the tail holding him, gifting him his husband's smile and indulgent kiss when Lan Wangji continues to pull.
"So needy, my Lan Er Gege," Wei Wuxian teases against his mouth, but he obliges him nonetheless. At least, until—"A-Yuan!"—their son decides his father's tail is his own personal plaything.