Everyday is everyday but what about the Special day??

 by sa.re

Chat-fic and other benign conversations #1 

A story about how Wei Wuxian accidentally caused Lan Xichen to end his seclusion. 

Or did he?

---

Wei Wuxian looked up blearily from the food laid out on the table to his beautiful Lan Zhan. His sweet and wonderful husband, as per his routine, had woken up at the crack of dawn and after taking care of his own business, he had gently woken up his sleeping husband.

Tempting Wei Ying with kisses and bribing him with his favorite spicy food, Lan Zhan had successfully managed to place him at the breakfast table.

"Aiyo, Lan Zhan. It's so early." He whined, opening his mouth dutifully for Lan Zhan to feed him the next bite.

"Mn. Wei Ying promised to see brother today."

Yes yes, Wei Wuxian did promise his worried husband that he would accompany him to visit Zewu-jun.

Wei Ying sighed resignedly.

"Wei Ying doesn't have to go." Lan Zhan said somberly, his face devoid of any expression.

But Wei Wuxian could read him now. What Lan Zhan meant was Wei Ying does not have to do anything he doesn't want to.

Wei Wuxian felt the warmth fill every pore of his being.

Would there ever be a day, he wondered often, when he would stop being so surprised at Lan Zhan's sole focus in life to be his happiness?

He mused whether he will ever not rejoice in feeling this all engulfing love, his ephemeral soul nuzzled securely into the warmth that kept pouring like an endless and enduring waterfall. Such contradictions, Wei Ying thought, throwing himself into his husband's arms, tangible yet intangible: Lan Zhan's love for me. My love for Lan Zhan.

It was a few moments later before Lan Wangji could resolutely direct Wei Wuxian out of the Jingshi and to Hanshi.

A few hours later found Lan Wangji walking the same path, woodenly. Wei Wuxian hovered beside his husband, biting his lips in worry. He tried to think of some way to comfort Lan Zhan. However, one look at Lan Zhan's face and Wei Wuxian realized that maybe it's better to be silent and to just stay close to him.

So he stayed by his side the entire day.

It was one of those rare days when there is no pressing work that demands Lan Wangji's attention. Becoming the pseudo Lan Sect Leader and the Chief Cultivator, definitely kept him busy. Not that he showed even a glimmer of stress. Of course not, the Second Jade of Lan was epitome of perfection.

In all his roles, Wei Wuxian thought with a lecherous leer at his ever stoic husband.

But his Lan Zhan was still upset. To an outsider, everything would look normal yet Wei Wuxian could see the way his eyebrows have moved an inch from its normal, relaxed position. Wei Wuxian frowned worriedly and his mind went into a thousand different directions, cooking up ways to shake the grieving Zewu-jun out of his seclusion so that Lan Zhan is not sad anymore. It was difficult to think of one. His brother-in-law's grief is so palpable that it is unbearable even to a stranger. It's not like Lan Xichen is blatantly uncaring about his physical health- he looks fine on the surface. But when you stare a beat longer at his white and thin face with a mockery of his genial smile, you would realize exactly how fragile he was in reality. The biggest giveaway was his fake smile, which never seemed to reach his once shining eyes.

If Wei Wuxian could understand the difference in Zewu-jun then for Lan Wangji it must be as easy as breathing. Wei Wuxian's heart broke further because Lan Xichen tried so hard to appear alright in front of his precious little brother that Wei Wuxian could see the visible strain in holding up his act.

From the corner of his eyes, Wei Wuxian watched, alarmed, as Lan Zhan's shoulders dropped.

Oh no, no no no, Wei Wuxian desperately tried to think of a distraction. Come on, you useless brain! Come up with something!

His mouth opened and out came the most prominent and absurd thought in his head.

"Honey, our sex life ain't exciting anymore!"

Lan Zhan’s mouth parted in surprise at the exclamation.

Wei Wuxian turned a vibrant red in utter embarrassment. A tiny part of him felt outraged for Lan Zhan and at his absolutely wrong accusation. It whispered to him snidely, "If Lan Zhan was a little more exciting, you won't be able to walk for days, you idiot!" But no, Wei Wuxian could not retreat. He had already said it. Besides, it looks like Lan Zhan has taken the bait! He thought triumphantly.

Lan Wangji's face evened out quickly.

"Everyday is everyday: not exciting for Wei Ying?" Lan Zhan asked seriously, looking deep into Wei Ying's eyes.

"Aiyo, Lan Zhan! Everyday is nice but you know… Ahh… Sometimes...um...you need something special which is not like everyday… ? Yes, that's right! We need special days too." Wei Wuxian managed to say, feeling proud of himself.

Lan Zhan's pretty golden eyes were intensely focused on Wei Ying as he watched him stumble on his words. He nodded and stayed silent for a while, thinking about Wei Ying's complaint. It's Lan Wangji's duty as his husband to take care of Wei Ying's every need. If his husband is not pleased then he will just have to try harder.

Determined, Lan Zhan nodded, "Lan Zhan will make sure that everyday is special." He paused and then added resolutely, "Today."

Done with the conversation, Lan Wangji stood up and tugged his still processing husband out of his seat. He swiftly pulled him into his arms, carrying him towards the bed behind the partition.

Wei Wuxian blinked at the sudden change, comfortably encased in Lan Zhan's arms, a growing sense of apprehension started crawling through his being. Surely, Lan Zhan is not thinking of doing it now, right? He glanced at Lan Zhan just as he threw him on the bed.

Wei Wuxian landed on the soft bed with an oof.

Not now, right, Lan Zhan?! Wei Wuxian looked at his husband's intense gaze and remembered belatedly that Lan Wanji, Hanguang-Jun, Second Jade of Lan, apart from being a dedicated albeit a possessive husband, was also a man confident in his abilities. The Lans with their thousands of rules would never boast but they were all pretty capable cultivators.

"Eh, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asked as Lan Wangji tugged his robes loose. Without replying to him, Lan Zhan gently palmed his face and pulled him into a searing kiss.

"Don't you have....stuff to do?" Wei Wuxian gasped out as Lan Zhan bit and sucked on his neck, satisfied in leaving behind red marks all over his skin.

"Mn." Lan Zhan murmured against his skin. Wei Wuxian shivered, hot breath blowing on his chest. His nipple was gently wrapped into a heated mouth and softly bitten. His back arched in response, pushing his body closer to the one hovering over him, crying out in surprise at the pain-pleasure. Lan Wangji slipped his hand to pull the arched body even closer, ghosting across the small waist he wrapped his arms, gripping tightly.

After one last nibble at the poor captive nipple in his mouth making Wei Ying mewl, Lan Wangji tipped his head up to glance at his beloved's face. The flushed face of Wei Ying roused a powerful wave of desire in him, he swiftly reached up and harshly kissed those panting red lips.

"Wei Ying is more important." Lan Wangji whispered, allowing Wei Wuxian to breathe.

Getting lost in the haze of desire, Wei Wuxian drowned into the sounds, smell and heat of his husband's sensual ministrations.

Well, he succeeded in distracting his husband.

***

Lan Xichen poured the tea into the cups laid out on the table and pushed one in front of his Uncle. Lan Quien hummed, sipping the tea. To say that his Uncle had barged into his seclusion would be… a right assumption.

Lan Xichen had woken up today with the hope that maybe he would be able to muster up the courage to stand in the sunshine and work in his small garden. He had put up such a facade for Wangji. Lan Xichen refused to admit that Wangji had not been fooled. He knew how worried his little brother was, so Lan Xichen will have to do his best to feel better. Feeling buoyant, Lan Xichen had started making his morning tea only to come across an empty container. He was rummaging through his kitchen closet when his hand brushed across a soft fabric. Frowning he pulled it out and his stomach dropped as he identified a faded green silken bag. He had slid down to the floor, his fingers trembling as they traced across the small bag, fumbling with the strings he opened it to find dried up tea leaves. He pushed his nose to them with the hope that he might be able to smell something but years had gone by and nothing remained.

Despair clung heavily on him, weighing him down. Da-ge had sent it to him as a birthday gift. Nie Mingjue had known Lan Xichen liked a special blend of tea leaves, which is very hard to acquire so he had sent him dozens of these small bags. There was no trace of the wonderful fragrance anymore. Nothing but some shriveled leaves and the unquenchable memories of torment. Lan Xichen curled into a ball.

No, today is not a day for hope. Not for him, at least.

He probably would have spent his entire day just like that, if not for his Uncle knocking on the door. It had taken him so long to respond that Lan Qiren had to call out for him. Hearing his Uncle's voice had been enough to jerk Lan Xichen upright. Years of being the dutiful nephew fell into place and after calling out a quick reply to his Uncle, he had rushed to right his appearance.

He looked up as his Uncle cleared his throat. He watched as several complicated emotions passed through his Uncle’s face before settling on frustration. Lan Xichen sighed internally, he had a feeling he knew where this conversation was headed. Just as he predicted, his Uncle began listing the recent offending things that Wei Wuxian had cooked up.

“...and today!” Lan Qiren continued, outraged. “He is limping around the Cloud Recesses and when one of the Junior disciples asked him the reason for his haggard appearence. Do you know, Xichen, what that Wei Wuxian said?!”

Lan Xichen’s smile was a little more genuine when he asked, “What, Uncle?”

“He said that Hanguang-Jun ran him ragged last night! He said..he said that he was kept awake all night! So shameless. That is not all. Wangji and I were coming out of a meeting when this shameless person threw himself at Wangji and yelled that Wangji had ruined his body!” His Uncle’s face was switching between mortification and anger; he looked close to a Qi deviation.

Lan Xichen's lips twitched, he could clearly imagine the dramatic scene in his head.

“No, things cannot go on like this. Something must be done to restrain his shamelessness. Your brother is of no help. Wangji turns a blind eye when it comes to Wei Wuxian. Perhaps a new rule…” Lan Qiren’s sentence trails off in a murmur as he thinks of a rule.

Lan Xichen, who had almost started grinning, suddenly frowned. “Uncle, it is not advisable to enforce any rule. That might prove to be counter productive. Maybe we can sit Wei Wuxian down and tell him that some restraint is needed on his part. Wei Wuxian is an intelligent person. He would understand.” Lan Xichen said reassuringly.

Lan Qiren frowned, not at all convinced. “Treat everyone equally. You are asking for a special treatment with Wei Wuxian. No, Xichen, there must never be an exception.” He said disapprovingly.

“But, Uncle, Wei Wuxian is special.” Lan Xichen insisted, “He is Wangji’s husband. My brother-in-law and your nephew-in-law. I know you disapprove many of Wei Wuxian's ways yet it is him that Wangji loves. If nothing then only for this reason Wei Wuxian is special to me.”

Lan Qiren huffed at his words.

“Uncle, let us have Wangji as happy as he is right now. I wish for nothing more.” Lan Xichen finished, already exhausted with the conversation. His smile turned brittle and he prayed for his Uncle to stop here.

Lan Qiren looked at him, his lips pressed into a thin line. Relieved that Lan Qiren won’t go any further with his ideas, the rest of his visit was spent in amicable silence. When he left, Lan Xichen quietly laid down.

He was done with this day. He just wants it to be over so maybe tomorrow he could wake up with hope, again. Sighing, he went to sleep.

***

Nope. Not a good day. Lan Xichen decided as tears streamed down his face, a sob choking his breath. The night was not kind to him either. He had too many sweet dreams turn into bloody nightmares. Hiding his face in the folds of his robes, he slammed his shaking fist on the mattress.

No, he has to get out of this! Otherwise...he would die. Grief and guilt weighed him down on him like a mountain, pressing him firmly to the earth until he couldn't even find the strength to hold himself up. How will he ever get out of this? How? Taking a broken breath, Xichen’s mind supplied one beloved face: his little brother. Yes, Wangji. How did you go on living?

Somehow he managed to get up and shakily take care of himself. It was a good thing he made himself presentable because there were series of heavy knocks and a body forcefully opened his door. Startled, Xichen stood up, his hands grabbed onto Liebing and searched for Shuoyue.

“I am so sorry for the intrusion Zewu-jun!” shouted a red faced Lan Jingyi, bowing deeply. He kept apologising a few more times before Lan Xichen snapped out of his surprised stupor and grasped Lan Jingyi by shoulders, stopping him from bowing again.

“What’s wrong, Jingyi?” he asked, worriedly. Lan Jingyi may be the most unLan Lan to ever Lan but he would not be so distraught for no reason.

“Grandmaster Lan, Master Wei and Hanguang-Jun are having a showdown at the Rabbit Mountain!” Jingyi burst out, visibly distressed. Snatching hold of Xichen’s hands, he pleaded, “Zewu-jun has to stop them! I left Shizui behind to calm everyone but I don’t think even he can calm Master Wei and Grandmaster Lan. Please, Zewu-jun.”

Lan Xichen sighed and nodded. Patting Lan Jingyi on the shoulder to comfort the young man.

That’s how an excited Lan Jingyi was found to be directing Lan Xichen, barefoot with his hair unbound, towards what the Lans had named the Rabbit Mountain.

When Lan Xichen came into the scene, he found his Uncle, who had turned an interesting shade of purple in his rage, trying to complain to Lan Wangji about his husband’s shameless behaviour. Lan Xichen wanted to slap his forehead in complete exasperation.  

Uncle, when will you learn that Wangji will never listen to anyone about Wei Wuxian?

His little brother stood absolutely still in front of Lan Qiren. A stubborn and resolute Wangji while a mischievously contrite Wei Wuxian peeked over his husband’s shoulders. He would glance at Lan Qiren’s colourful face and a giggle would slip past his lips, resulting Lan Qiren’s glare to instensify. Wei Wuxian would duck behind Lan Wangji, a hand clasped on his mouth to stop his giggles. Lan Wangji would step into Lan Qiren’s line of vision, making sure the attention remain on him while a cautious Lan Shizui hovered behind, trying to sweetly interject in his granduncle's triad.

“I do not expect you, Wangji, to fall prey to his scandalous ways! How can you be so shameless? Aren’t you supposed to have more sense than this!” Lan Qiren almost shouted, frustrated. Immediately, he wanted to take back any accusation against his favorite nephew's character but before he could do so Wei Wuxian, who had stopped giggling, had jumped out from behind Lan Wangji. Puffed up like an angry ferret, he started yelling the numerous qualities of his Lan Zhan. How dare anyone insult his husband when Wei Wuxian was here! His beautiful and perfect Lan Zhan!

Lan Wangji, on the other hand, was unmoved by his Uncle’s accusation yet he watched his furious husband start on his unending list, which was becoming more and more ridiculous the longer Wei Ying spoke.

Poor Shizui was trying his best to stop his loud father and infuriated granduncle to no avail.

This is the scene that a disheveled Lan Xichen stumbled across with Lan Jingyi, who did not waste a single second in jumping into the foray; fearlessly listing his own compiled notes on Hanguang-Jun’s various qualities. Lan Wangji’s ears had turned crimson as he tried to interject multiple times, just to be ignored by his two ardent fans. With a growing horror, and neck steadily becoming red, Lan Wangji hid his face in his hands. There seemed to be no end to this barrage of compliments when he heard it. So did the others and everything came to a stop.

Lan Wangji’s head whipped around and he watched in astonishment as his recluse of an older brother laughed loudly and unrestrainedly. It was not one of Lan Xichen’s elegant smile or his carefree grin or his stifled chuckle but a laugh coming from his being. It was the sound of pure joy.

Lan Xichen let out a few chuckles, clutching at his stomach. He found himself lying on the soft grass, eyes looking straight up at the deep blue sky. When was the last time he had laughed this hard? 

Oh yes, he remembered. He was out with Nie Mingjue at Unclean Realm. They were walking through an archway of trees, boughed down heavily by beautiful flowers; the landscape was otherworldly. Then Nie Mingjue turned to Xichen and said something nervously. Da-ge turned a marvellous shade of red as Lan Xichen burst into laughter. Poor Mingjue had suffered silently as he laughed until he gave up and chuckled along with him.

A sharp lancing pain pierced through his chest as the memory washed up to his eyes. Still the smile lingered on his face and he looked up at his gaping family. Lan Qiren’s face was unimpressed but his deep eyes were twinkling. Wei Wuxian was grinning like a madman. Lan Jingyi’s mouth was wide open in absolute astonishment which a gently smiling Shizui tipped close. Lan Wangji stepped towards Lan Xichen, with suspiciously shiny eyes and lips tipped upwards. He held out a hand for Xichen. Lan Xichen stared at his hand and looked up at his little brother’s eyes. He had always been the one who best understood Wangji so he knew that the gesture had a deeper meaning.

Let me help, brother. Like you helped me. I am here. I will always be here.

Lan Xichen sighed softly. Still smiling, he brushed away the stray tears from his face and confidently grabbed Wangji’s hand.

He may not be okay right now. He may never be okay. But he knew one thing for certain: living won’t be that bad with his chaotic family holding onto him. He gripped Wangji’s hand tighter and threw him a helpless smile. Wangji squeezed his hand back and held on as Wei Ying, Lan Qiren, Shizui and Jingyi surrounded them. Still Lan Xichen heard the quiet whisper from his brother.

“Welcome home, brother.”

Yes, it is good to be home. Sky is so beautiful today.