yiling_laozu | (no subject)

He has been expecting vegetables, and Wei Wuxian is surprised into silence by Lan Zhan's efforts with not one but two animal products to eat. The warmth that blooms in his chest is better than any healing magic, and he rewards Lan Zhan's efforts by not chattering in his ear until they reach his floor.

He can smell it when they walk into the room, and Wei Wuxian can no longer contain himself. "I am so excited to eat, Lan Zhan. Thank you!"

Lan Zhan startles at the sudden exclamation, trying to cover it by carefully walking to the bed to lower Wei Ying down. He had become so silent on the way over that Lan Zhan had been afraid he'd said something wrong, or jostled him in some way.

"Mm," he murmurs, more pleased than he thinks he ought to allow himself to be for such praise. He enjoys caring for Wei Ying, enjoys bringing him things that he enjoys. He stays crouched over the bed for a moment, hoping to steal a kiss before he gathers their lunch.

Lan Zhan needn't worry. His face hovers near to Wei Wuxian's own and he seizes it, pulling Lan Zhan down for a joyful kiss. It feels even better than food sounds, and Wei Wuxian indulges himself a beat too long, breathing hard when he releases him.

"Lan Zhan has eaten already?" he asks against his lips. "If not, please eat next to me. Even food tastes better when you are with me," he says, hopelessly besotted.

It is difficult to pull away, more difficult than it ought to be, considering Wei Ying's injuries and need for rest. Lan Zhan ought to not even think of such things but Wei Ying is entirely impossible to ignore in any context.

He nods, swiftly pulling off Wei Ying's boots and tucking the blanket around him, ensuring the pillows are able to prop him against the headboard. The room is warm enough but Wei Ying runs even colder when he is ill and Lan Zhan will not risk it.

He pulls over his desk chair right up against the bed before handing Wei Ying the soup, setting the tea down on the table where he will be able to reach it. "When Wei Ying is better, can add spice. Master Ye has some dried and stored he has shared. Can learn what Wei Ying likes and when the house is built, will make it every morning," he finishes before picking up his own bowl of vegetables and noodles and sitting in the chair.

Warm and buffeted by comfort on every side, Wei Wuxian accepts the soup, letting it warm his hands for a moment before reaching for the spoon. Thanks to shijie, soup has long been an act of kindness to his mind, and he finds his eyes growing more hot the longer he looks at it.

Drawing a breath, Wei Wuxian looks to Lan Zhan instead. "Lan Zhan does not like spice? Or was he told he shouldn't?" Spice makes a person's blood race, much in the same way Wei Wuxian has decided he makes Lan Zhan's blood race. "Have you properly tried it?"

Lan Zhan thinks on the question while he eats, thinking of the only time he has ever truly tasted it. It was an impulse, something to try and feel closer to Wei Ying and it had only been his formidable self control that had made swallowing the bite possible.

He sets down his bowl before answering, still unwilling to break that particular Rule.

"Spicy food was not allowed in Cloud Recesses. Too stimulating. Have no tolerance as a result. Tried once and it hurt."

Wei Wuxian nods. He doesn't know when he discovered he likes spicy food - the love for it has simply always been there, but even he once had a lower tolerance. "I imagine it did," he says, tucking into his soup.

"We found the juniors on a night hunt once," he says, though he's determined to leave out the tragic details of Yi City. "They had been poisoned, so I made them a spicy congee to sweat it out. You would think I had handed them fire itself!" he laughs.

Lan Zhan does not make a move to pick up his bowl, thinking instead on Wei Ying's story. They have both lived lives the other knows nothing about, lives the other one did not exist for. For Wei Ying, however, he did have a different version of Lan Wangji and he cannot help but be curious.

"Like the idea of Lan juniors being led by Wei Ying," he murmurs, imagining how startled and scandalized they must have been. "Do you miss your Lan Zhan?" he asks, wishing he could know all the differences that thirteen years have made. He cannot help but feel Wei Ying has received a lesser version. Surely thirteen more years would have made him better, wiser. Perhaps kinder and more open as well.

Wei Wuxian puts down his own bowl, sucking on the spoon as he considers. "This is difficult to answer," he admits. "There are times when I want to reminisce on something with you, but it hasn't happened to you yet. But to me, you don't feel very different."

He swirls his spoon through the bowl. "He is so much older than I am, and he has lived so much more. I like growing with you. I like that...you only had a few years of waiting instead of sixteen."

Lan Zhan cannot help but still think Wei Ying has received an inferior version, but he is too grateful to have Wei Ying to press the matter.

"Am twenty four after yesterday," he muses, only vaguely aware of the date as it had been so soon after their return. "Not too much older than Wei Ying," he muses, picking up his bowl again. It is against the Rules to let one's food go cold but he finds that the ability to talk to Wei Ying while Wei Ying eats to be worth it.

"I must be around twenty," Wei Wuxian answers with a bright grin. "I am so lucky to have an older man to look after me and make me food." His smile warms then, for he actually means it.

And then it falls right off his face. "What do you mean, after yesterday?"

Such words are ridiculous but he cannot help but smile, pleased that Wei Ying allows Lan Zhan to look after him in such a way. Lan Zhan is certain he would be a terrible patient for Wei Ying.

He takes a few more sips of his soup, mulling over what he has said for anything confusing before setting the bowl down, yet again.

"Turned twenty four yesterday," he repeats, unsure why Wei Ying looks like that. "Is that not good?"

"You had your birthday yesterday and didn't tell me!" Wei Wuxian exclaims, and if he were holding something kinder than a bowl, he might throw it. "I would have cooked for you instead! And made you some celebratory treats. And a present. I only have my drawings now, and they're meant for both of us!"

He sets the bowl down, collapsing to the sheets with a groan. Perhaps he can do something belated? Lan Zhan deserves to feel special - instead he spent the entire day looking after Wei Wuxian.

He is entirely baffled by the reaction, the words, all of it. Wei Ying has even stopped eating, which is indeed a dire sign. He shifts onto the bed, sitting at Wei Ying's hip to take his hand.

"Firstly, birthdays are not celebrated in Cloud Recesses. It is just another day, for me. It is fine," he explains, leaning over to kiss Wei Ying's hand. "Secondly, Wei Ying was in no state to do such a thing. Lan Zhan spent his day how he wanted, with Wei Ying."

It is a kind and solicitous response, just the sort of behavior that deserves a reward like a gift. He closes his eyes, still pouting despite Lan Zhan's assurances. He has tried so hard to do better by this Lan Zhan than he had the first time. Of course birthdays aren't celebrated in the Cloud Recessess, of course!

"But we are Xīn Jīhui now," he reminds him. "And in Xīn Jīhui clan, Lan Zhan's birthdays are celebrated, for we are very glad he is alive and he needs to know it."

Lan Zhan only just manages to smother a grin by kissing Wei Ying's hand yet again. His soup can grow cold and wait.

"Then we missed Wei Ying's birthday as well," he reminds him, a little pained that he did not think to do something. Birthdays ought to be celebrated if they hold meaning for the person. "Am sorry I did not acknowledge it. Does Wei Ying want to show me his drawings?"

"Ey, I did not keep track of the calendar when we arrived," answers Wei Wuxian, feeling lighter now that Lan Zhan has agreed that he can be subjected to celebrations and gifts. He hasn't outright said as much, but Wei Wuxian has heard enough to wriggle past any future protests.

He drags their joined hands to his lips so he can press a kiss of his own to Lan Zhan's knuckles, sitting up again. "I had some ideas for our screens in our home when it is built," he says, wincing a little as he leans a touch too far to grab them. He unfurls the first sheet and gives it to Lan Zhan. On the paper are a long series of steps disappearing into the misty heights, and on most of them, little white rabbits.

Lan Zhan frowns at Wei Ying's pain, immediately taking the paper carefully and kicking his own boots off. He crawls gingerly over Wei Ying to sit next to him, hoping he can take some of his weight.

When he is able to properly appreciate the drawing he realizes it is Cloud Recesses. It is home and the bunnies that had kept diligent watch over Lan Zhan during his three year exile.

"Like this very much," he whispers, pressing a kiss to Wei Ying's soft hair. "I know it is strict but there are many good things to it. Thank you for this."

He hates to make Lan Zhan abandon his bowl, but Wei Wuxian is just as happy to lean against him as he examines his work. Lan Zhan sounds as touched as he'd hoped for, and he smiles through the kiss to his hair.

"It is your home," he says. "I don't agree with every rule, but I know that you were content there for a very long time. I don't want want you to give it up. Well," Wei Wuxian amends. "Some things must go. Like ignoring birthdays."

He looks back to the drawing. "I haven't painted much. Do you think Asgard has supplies for me to practice with?"

Lan Zhan does not bother to argue, not yet. He has a year to dissuade Wei Ying of the thought that Lan Zhan needs some kind of acknowledgment. But Wei Ying's own day does hold meaning and Lan Zhan will not let it pass by, again.

His fingers softly trace over the bunnies and he cannot help but wonder if they are well. It bodes well that Wei Ying knows of them, thirteen years later.

"Think that Asgard has flying ships and jewelry that sends scripts and images. Imagine we can find Wei Ying supplies. Lan Zhan will ask."

"Be kind," says Wei Wuxian with a small smile. By now, he knows that unleashing his wishes through Lan Zhan can lead to...a certain intensity in his chosen.

"I do wish it would all be ready sooner," he laments, leaning into Lan Zhan. "When I am mended I will work twice as hard." He aims a solicitous smile Lan ZHan's way through his lashes. "I am eager to spend an entire evening with you."

"Lan Zhan will be polite," he offers, a compromise as he is unsure how kindness will be needed in what should amount to a business transaction. Lan Zhan has skills to offer than he is certain are worth more than paints. Wei Ying will get what he desires.

He holds him tighter as Wei Ying leans in, nodding before leaning in for a proper kiss. He very much wishes the same. "Want to wake up to Wei Ying," he confesses against Wei Ying's warm mouth. "Want entire nights. Lan Zhan has a list."

After such a kiss, the statement is far too intriguing to go without elaborating, and Wei Wuxian picks up his bowl, finding new purpose in getting well and soon. He slurps down a large mouthful of noodles, pushing some egg in after it, and swallows.

"What sorts of things are on Lan Zhan's list?"

Lan Zhan manages not to make comment on Wei Ying's eating etiquette, telling himself that eating in bed will only be reserved for illness or injury.

He hopes.

"Hm, should not discuss details of the list when we are unable to partake in them," he decrees, ears reddening. It is ridiculous, an entire life without indulging in any pleasure at all and now his body is yearning for something after only a matter of days without.

His scarlet ears, at least, give him away, and Wei Wuxian hums around another swallow. "So mysterious, Lan Zhan," he answers. "It must be very scandalous if you dare not even speak its name. What if it is too shocking when the time comes?"

Another spoonful. "You'd better tell me now just in case."