#Cave Survival (or: how the Xuanwu cave could have gone)

[wangxianficfinder]

In the mood for...

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1. Hello! I don't know if you'll get this by then but happy valentine's day! (Or belated) I was wondering if i could be led to a compilation of Good Person/ Parent Yu Ziyuan if you have one. It's hard to find any Wwx & Yu Ziyuan relationships in ao3 since the tags are mostly sarcastic 😂 anyways thank you!

some things go forward by everythingispoetry (T, 73k, WangXian, Modern AU, Hospitals, Teenage Drama, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Happy Ending) yzy is a very good mother to wwx in this! Content warning for cancer treatments and hospitals, but overall a fluffy story.

And Time Is But a Paper Moon by sami (M, 138k, WangXian, XiChengQing, Time Travel, Fix-It, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Healing, Mental Health Issues, PTSD, Hurt/Comfort, Depression, BAMF WWX, BAMF JC, BAMF LWJ, BAMF JYL, Getting Together) She starts still on the side of /harsh/ but nowhere near canon levels, and gets better as the story goes. There's also the actual Good Parent Yu Ziyuan (and the one conjoined with JFM) tag on Ao3

Still Waters by PorcupineGirl (G, 6k, wangxian, canon divergence, cloud recesses study arc, YZY pov, protective YZY, arranged marriage)

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2. Any recommendations with the Xuanwu of Slaughter theme? @izamoonie

Cave Survival (or: how the Xuanwu cave could have gone) by cerbykerby (T, 6k, WangXian, Trope Fic, Alternative Events, Canon Compliant, forced stripping, Almost-Crackfic, Pining, Pining LW, JOblivious Wwx, Almost-Drowning, kiss of life and other tropes, Humor, Fluff, Romance)

won't you let me know you now by tardigradeschool (T, 12k, WangXian, Star Trek Fusion, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Mutual Pining, Telepathy, Vulcan Mind Melds, Pre-Relationship, very background 3zun, Protective Siblings, Friends to Lovers)

Outside Another Yellow Moon by Vamillepudding (T, 10k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, YLLZ WWX, Fairy Tale Elements, Hurt/Comfort, LWJ Needs a Hug, Curse Breaking)

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3. Helloooo!! For the next IITMF, I'd like to request these :

A) fics where Lans are protective of WWX. (e.g. Hoards and Treasures)

B) omegaXian being pregnant and everyone's doting on him (especially Lans)

C) fics where WWX is famous for his invention/books/cultivation etc. (bonus if his parents are alive/he's not a part of the Jiang)

Thank you so much ✨ @utxqia​

3A)

Cluster of Clouds by Nika_Raven_Celeste (T, 19k, wangxian, LQR & WWX, JC & WWX, time travel, post-canon lans time travel, cloud recesses study era, confused WWX, soft LQR, soft LWJ, not JC friendly, not YZY friendly, genius WWX, horny LWJ, oblivious WWX, WIP) I think this one counts as protective Lans?

3B)

bridge & shelter by RennieOnIceCream (Hitsugi_Zirkus) (T, 3k, wangxian, ABO, pregnancy, mpreg, unplanned pregnancy, alpha LWJ, omega WWX, comfort, cuddling & snuggling, scenting, light angst)

3C)

To Respect a Scholar by FlautistsandPeonies (G, 5k, wangxian, WWX & LQR, genius WWX, not JC friendly, author WWX)

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4. good day (or night)! I am in search of fics where wangxian are each other's firsts, like they are in canon. first love, first kiss, etc. preferably ratings M or E, but I won't mind anything else. thank you!!

my life’s journey is far from over by thelastdboy (E, 148k, WangXian, Modern AU, Canon Divergence, Madam Lán Lives, JYL Lives, WQ Lives, Post-Sunshot Campaign, POV WWX, Slow Burn, YLLZ WWX, Hurt/Comfort, Modern AU but not too modern™, mlm/wlw solidarity, Kink Negotiation, Kink Exploration, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, WWX Lives, Mental Health Issues, References to Depression, Additional Warnings In Author’s Note, Burial Mounds Ensemble as Family, Single Parent WWX, Selectively Mute LWJ, Eventual Smut, Light Dom/sub)

Half a Bottle of Emperor's Smile by wuzhishan (E, 20k, WangXian, Modern AU, Romance, Fluff, Pining LWJ, Oblivious WWX, Love Confessions, Getting Together, Friends to Lovers, College/University, First Time, A Typical Modern Day No-Angst Get-Together Fluff Fic)

Somebody With Whom to Dance by failedcharismacheck (T, 2k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, Dancing, Slow Dancing, Friends to Lovers, Fluff)

In This Reality (it could only be you) by Khashana (E, 5k, WangXian, A/B/O Dynamics, fluff and porn, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Oblivious WWX, Lan Disciple WWX, very light somnophilia, blink and you miss it really, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Alpha-Alpha Sex, Rut Sex, Knotting, no dubcon, Alpha LWJ, Alpha WWX) (I hope the requestor is okay with ABO!) ((Also this I think was the response for a fic finder from before that I cant find 😵 I hope that person sees these tags and clicks on this fic!)

Sweet Ink Nothings by monarch_v (G, 2k, WangXian, High School, Fluff, Mutual Pining, Love Confessions, Secret Admirer, Friends to Lovers)

Rumor Has It by Ulan (T, 4k, WangXian, Getting Together, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, Canon Divergence, spoiler warning, CQL-Verse, Fix-It, we were robbed in the ending)

For a Good Time, Call by ScarlettStorm, 1st in series (E, 170k, wangxian, modern, getting together, pining, porn, onlyfans au, sexworker WWX, minor angst, mental health, therapy is good) despite the sex worker Wei Ying tag, WY is only physically with LZ and it’s quite sweet

Teach Me The Ways by likeafox (E, 58k, wangxian, canon divergence, porn with (is) plot, much smut much feelings)

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5. Itmf for fics where lwj is hurt or injured and wwx tames care of him? Im happy with Canon or AU!

Some strange magic by deliciousblizzardshark (M, 15k, WangXian, Fantasy, Witch WWX, Wizard LWJ, Major Character Injury, Sex Magic, Dual Cultivation, Love Confessions, Fluff and Angst, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Horny LWJ, Trust Issues, despite these tags, There's actually very little smut)

Careful hands by deliciousblizzardshark (M, 10k, wangxian, canon divergence, BAMF WWX, protective WWX, hurt LWJ, genius WWX, angst, hurt/comfort, getting together, first time, LWJ pov, not a fix-it)

my bones into your bones by butterflylungs (M, 17k, wangxian, post-canon, case fic, established relationship, whump, hurt/comfort, protective WWX, angst w/ happy ending)

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6. bonjour! est-ce que vous avez des fics avec Xiao Xingchen, Song Lan, et Xue Yang, mais ils ne sont pas romantique? merci beaucoup!! (Soft translation - Good morning! do you have fics with Xiao Xingchen, Song Lan, and Xue Yang, but they are not romantic? Thanks a lot!! - Mod C)

Au demandeuse/eur/aire du #6: faut-il qu'il soit en français ? La seule fic que j'ai trouvée en français sur AO3 qui liste même les trois est MDZS en passant par les UA, par TsukiyomiHimeKuran (E, 13k, wangxian, modern, fantasy au, college/university au, high school au, no powers au, stripper au, who framed Roger rabbit setting).

To the querent for #6: does it have to be in French? The only fic I’ve found in French on AO3 that even lists all three is MDZS en passant par les UA, by Tsukiyomi HimeKuran

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7. Hi! ITMF Yunmeng bro reconciliation while they are physically rebuilding Lotus Pier? Ie fics that focus on cutting wood, building houses, setting cobblestones, regrouping with any survivors, breathing the life back into their home.

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8. I'm in the mood for fics like Piecemeal Souls by hypermoyashi

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9. Hi there! 👋 so I have a request for itmf and im not sure if any of you will have much luck because, as often as fic of this general theme is requested, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of fic written for it. So! Being a little bit more specific here: are there any fics (modern or canon au) where lqr is a jerk to wwx and then, when he realizes he was wrong, actually has to apologize and work to be forgiven? I've noticed a lot of fics where he's not a great person to wwx usually end with "but he loves babies and a-yuan so I guess he has to tolerate wwx now 🤷‍♀️" and I hate it lmao thank you for any help you can give me!

Hello! I was the asker for #9 in the latest itmf. I just finished reading hope blooms and it was good! But lqr wasn't even mentioned at all in it? So not really what I was looking for 😂 maybe my request was just misread but I'm looking for fic with lan QIREN messing up and then having to work for forgiveness, not lan WANGJI. Sorry for the trouble and thank you so much!

hope blooms by orphan_account (T, 3k, WangXian, Hanahaki Disease, Pining, Amnesia, Epistolary, Fluff, with a soupçon of angst I guess?, idk i feel like we all calibrate angst differently, Happy Ending) not sure if this may work for Requestor ?

What Comes After Love by Rainbow_Horizon (T, 17k, WangXian, POV LWJ, Protective LWJ, LWJ Has Feelings, POV WWX, Sad WWX, Jealous WWX, Módào Zǔshī & The Untamed Combination, Post-Canon, Insecurity, Chief Cultivator LWJ, Break Up, Separations, Healing, Husbands, Angst with a Happy Ending, Established Relationship, marriage issues, Marriage Proposal) Asker, let us know if this works !

Deeper Seasons by piecrust (G, 8k, LQR & WWX, WangXian) I completely misread LQR as LZ 💀 sorry abt that 🙈here is another offering!

Judge Softly by Chrononautical (E, 32k, wangxian, LSZ & WWX, LQR & WWX, accidental voyeurism, non-consensual mind reading, oblivious WWX, bamf   WWX, genius WWX, post-canon Fix-it, angst w happy ending, LQR tries)

I'm Sorry & Thank You by Iamnotawriter (T, 12k, WangXian, LQR & WWX, Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, lqr's epipheny, Angst with a Happy Ending)

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10. Hi! I wanna know bout fics where a junior has a puppy crush (that doesn't go anywhere) on wwx. Or no crush but they admire him so much they are constantly hyping him up the way ljy is with lwj. Thanks!!

❤️ The One-Body Problem by metisket (T, 29k, LJY & WWX, LJY & LSZ, wangxian, possession, cohabitation) not a crush per se but ljy is in awe of Wei ying

🧡 I Don't Want to Debut! by countingcr0ws (G, 56k, WangXian, Modern AU, Reality show, Idols, Actor LWJ, Forced Contestant WWX, Tencent's 2021 Idol Producer) same thing here where it's not a crush but the juniors are amazed by Wei ying (modern au no cultivation but the Wei ying awe is real!)

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11. Hi mods! Hope you're all well! For your next ITMF, could anyone rec me a fic similar to Three Together by catty_the_spy? I fell in love with it but I've not found any other fics with that kind of premise. Thank you!

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12. I'm looking for trans man wwx

Trans WangXian Comp

Butter My Biscuit by LikeAFlamingKiss_Consume (E, 23k, WangXian, nonbinary!LZ, Transman!WY, Mpreg, WWX Has a Pregnancy Kink, Unplanned Pregnancy, Vaginal Sex, LWJ Has a Pregnancy Kink, ace spectrum WangXian, WangXian Have a Breeding Kink, Consensual Somnophilia, discussion of transphobia, Hints of dysphoria, Lactation Kink, Breastfeeding, Giving Birth, I guess a bit of sadism?)

strange feeling by siwona (M, 605, WangXian, trans man wwx, cis mxy, Dysphoria, Hurt/Comfort, Kinda?)

butter my biscuit by ariskamalt (E, 2k, WangXian, Modern AU, Trans WWX, Established Relationship, Cunnilingus, Consensual Somnophilia, Temperature Play, PWP)

it was the fault of the lips by luckymarrow (E, 15k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, First Time Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Vaginal Sex, Vaginal Fingering, trans!wwx, cis!lwj, Getting Together, Deepthroating, Safe Sane and Consensual, Cunnilingus, Fluff and Smut, Misunderstandings, Communication, Transphobia, trans!WQ, Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Sex Toys, Sex Talk, gender euphoria, Masturbation, non-sexual nudity, Squirting, Come Eating, Creampie, Barebacking, Coming Out, Porn with Feelings, Porn With Plot, Switching, Pining while fucking)

our shadows fall away like dust by lamusadelils (T, 4k, LQR & WWX, LQR & LWJ, WangXian, Modern AU, POV LQR, Trans WWX, Supportive LQR, Graduate Student WWX, Coming Out, trans feels, Family Feels, all the feels, Found Family)

Wangxian are Married and Have a Son (But Not Necessarily in That Order) by mercyandmagic (M, 24k, WangXian, Unplanned Pregnancy, trans wwx, Disappointing LQR, Gender Dysphoria)

It is a serious thing just to be alive by Itgoeson (E, 57k, WangXian, Time Travel, Trans WWX, Established Relationship, Angst with a happy ending)

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13. Hey, can you please rec fic(s) where LWJ fucks up badly and WWX does NOT forgive him? And maybe makes a fam of his own w/o LWJ?? @utxqia

To Be Filial by Samstagram903 (G, 3k, past WangXian, WWX/OMC, LWJ/OFC, Modern AU, Break Up, Sad Ending, Depends on Who You Ask, LWJ POV) LZ leaves WY because of 'Duty' and WY moves on 😌

drunk walk home by Anonymous (G, 760, WangXian, Mentioned WangCheng, Cheating LWJ, Sad WWX, Break Up)

drivers license by AG1234VL (T, 11k, WWX/Other, WangXian, LWJ/LQY, Modern AU, Hurt No Comfort, slight comfor?Non-Chronological, Song fic, Crying WWX, ice cream and beer, breakup weight gain, Lots of Crying, Angst, Homophobia, from lqr, wangxian breakup) Good breakup fic (for me is a we ain't never getting back together WWX and sad bunny LWJ). Chap 1 is breakup sad WWX. Chap 2 is happy WWX/ I've made a horrible mistake LWJ.

Infidelity AU Series by Asmayi (M, 38k, WangXian, WangYu, XianNing, Modern AU, Hurt No Comfort, Sad WWX, Cheating, Infidelity, Emotional Infidelity, OOC, Professor LWJ, Engineer WWX, Student MXY, Teacher-Student Relationship, College/University, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Heavy Angst, Married WangXian, Mental instability, Break-Up, Divorce, Not MXY Friendly) The first fic is pure agony and not meant for wangxian lovers. The following fics have WY moving on and finding happiness in a family of his own. There's also a fic with alternate timeline where LZ doesn't fuck up, for wangxian lovers.

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14. Hello✨✨✨ i tagged you in a post but just to be sure, i'm sending this as an ask too, can you pls help us find this fic?

(The OP talks about how if novel and cql wangxian met cql wangxian would all be up in arms bc novel lwj married some rando while novel wwx laughs and enjoys the ensuing chaos)

I think it could be either a mood for or a ficfinder so just put this wherever's next if it's not a bother thank you💕💕 @evadingreallife​

💙 feel better love by Anonymous (T, 8k, WIP, WangXian, implied WangXianXian, Post-Canon, Crack Treated Somewhat Seriously, in a haha jk...unless? way, Light Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Crack, Crossover)

Key Differences by pupeez4eva (T, 5k, WangXian, Humor, Dimension Travel, Crossover, Drama!WWX meets Novel!WWX, Public Confessions, Post-Canon)

We always get what we deserve!(Doesn't matter even if you think you don't deserve it. Fate has mysterious ways!) by Ajareenlovesbtsandshinee (Not Rated, 16k, WIP, WangXian, Post-Canon, CQL WWX and MDZS WWX Exchange places, Happy Ending, Post-Canon Fix-It)

The Young, the Horny, the Jaded and the Jade: Partners in Time by Admiranda (M, 43k, WIP, WangXian, Established couple, Crossover, road trip with your older selves, teasing your younger selves about their obvious crushes, yin iron does yin iron things, mdzs/cql crossover, adult wangxian, Teenage Wangxian)

I don't know if any of these are the fic you are looking for specifically but they do have MDZS WangXian meeting CQL WangXian - Mod C

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16. *Holding out a tin cup to the ITMF crowd* A) Wen Ning and the Juniors? Spare Wen Ning teaching and traveling with the Juniors? The juniors supporting and standing up for Wen Ning? Wen Ning being adopted by the kids from various sects, perhaps? Just a crumb of Wen Ning and the Juniors for this poor old beggar?

B) Also, if at all possible -- fics where Wen Ning becomes a sect leader? The particulars don't matter, I just loved Wen Ning becoming Wen-Zongzhu in Time Is But A Paper Moon and now I have a mighty need for more.

Thank you in advance! @lewiscarrolatemybrain

16A)

Waiting On The Night Hunt by JustAWanderingBabbit (G, 50k, Grudging Respect Friendship, Inappropriate use of lightning storms) post-canon; Wen Ning gradually earns the respect of cultivationdom, chaperoning the juniors, helping out on night hunts, teaching cultivational alchemy to Lan Jingyi, and cleaning up some unfinished business of Xue Yang’s

intertwined with

Pieces of Us by JustAWanderingBabbit (Not Rated, 32k, dead characters being dead, Mostly Canon Compliant, Snark, Implied Violence, Happy ending.) the same storyline from sapient fierce corpses Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue’s POV

different people with a common pain by littledust (G, 2k, LSZ & WN, Grief/Mourning, Hopeful Ending, Minor OCs get (non-graphically described) cholera but they get better!) in the course of their post-canon uncle-nephew bonding trip, Wen Ning and Lan Sizhui investigate a village’s spate of mysterious deaths; the solution lies in Wen Qing’s legacy of healing

seances are not forbidden in the cloud recesses by EHyde (G, 611, Fluff, [Podfic] seances are not forbidden in the cloud recesses by sisi_rambles) Lan Qiren discovers that Wen Ning has volunteered as a test subject for the Lan juniors’ Inquiry practice

Two fics in which the Juniors throw WN a surprise birthday party:

When Flowers Bloom, the Heart does too by DepthOfMusic (G, 1k, WN's Birthday, WN-centric, Cinnamon Roll WN, One Big Happy Family)

And

gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder by lao_you_tiao (G, 3k, WangXian, WN/Happiness, Birthday Presents, Birthday Fluff, Fluff, One Big Happy Family, Post-Canon, Slightly sassy WN)—along with Wangxian

The Energy of Youth(s) by Laylah (E, WN/Junior Quartet, Sex Magic, Group Sex, literal healing cock, First Time for Everyone, Fierce Corpse Sex, Protect the Ghost General at All Costs) if you’re up for a raunchy take on your request, has the Junior Quartet infusing vital yang qi into WN in a sexual quintuple-cultivational ritual

16B)

Mending the Pieces by JustAWanderingBabbit (G, 98k, 3Zun) sequel to Waiting on the Night Hunt and Pieces of Us. WQL, although not exactly a Sect Leader, is by then in a position of authority and respect, running a non-sectarian night-hunt training camp on Lake Caiyi; his young students include the 3Zun, reincarnated, and an adult LSZ and JL take part in the adventure.)

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17. Hello, hello! Hope you have a wonderful day/afternoon/evening. I was wondering if you have a list of "Wei Ying being adopted by other MXTX couples" or even couples that are not MXTX (ex: WenZhou). There is no list for that, no ~Mod L If not, I guess this could go to "I'm in a mood for...". Anyways, thank you for your hard work 🤠🤠

the hearth series by eccentrick (G/T, 65k, WangXian, HuaLian, Found Family, fluff with plot, Fluff and Angst, Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Disabled Character, Ableism, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, WWX Isn't Adopted by the Jiāngs, slow burn found family, Adopt WWX, Married HuaLian, Post-Canon TGCF, Kid Fic, TGCF Spoilers) "a warm coal in the hearth of our hearts" by eccentrick and "the hearth" series in general

The Young Masters of Four Seasons Manor by gaotamao (G, 91k, WangXian, WenZhou, YeRong, Time Regression fix-it, WKX raises monstrous sons, Not Jiang Sect Friendly, No Golden Core Transfer) or the one specific one I know where WenZhou parent Wangxian that I liked

Spirited Away series by PhantomWriter (T, 45k, wenzhou, WKX & WWX & ZZS, wangxian, canon divergence, WOH crossover, adoption)

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If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what  you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack,   whatever - it’s all good!***

[mojoflower]

Cave Survival (or: how the Xuanwu cave could have gone)

by cerbykerby

T, 6k, wangxian

Summary:  "Why," Lan Wangji said each word in sheer agony, "are you not decent?"

"My clothes are wet," Wei Wuxian answered. "If I don't take them off, I run the risk of freezing to death. Don't you live up in the mountains? I thought you'd know about the dangers of the cold."

"I do." Lan Wangji looked absolutely tortured, staring at the cave wall. "So long as there's a heat source and your clothes are no longer soaking wet, you can put them back on."

Wei Wuxian made a face. "But I just got dry. I don't want to put damp pants back on."

"Wei Ying!"

"Alright, alright, fine! But just the pants."

------------------

An alternate version of the events in the Cave of the Tortoise of Carnage. All the cheesy romantic tropes. All of them. ALL. Basically an excuse to write Lan Wangji panicking and Wei Wuxian being oblivious.

My comments:  Tropes!

Aw, hurt/comfort in a cave, huddling for warmth, mouth-to-mouth.... What's not to love?

Wwx is so damned oblivious, it's hilarious:

Lan Wangji flinched backwards. "You! Stay right there!" His voice was raspy.

Wei Wuxian stopped. "What's the matter now?" he frowned. "I saved your life and built you a fire, and this is the thanks I get?"

Lan Wangji looked anywhere except directly at him. "Why," each word was sheer agony, as if he had to say them under threat of death, "are you not decent?"

"My clothes are wet," Wei Wuxian answered. Was it his imagination, or were Lan Wangji's ears pink? "If I don't take them off, I run the risk of freezing to death. Don't you live up in the mountains? I thought you'd know about the dangers of the cold."

"I do." He looked absolutely tortured, staring at the cave wall. "So long as there's a heat source and your clothes are no longer soaking wet, you can put them back on."

Wei Wuxian made a face. "But I just got dry. I don't want to put damp pants back on."

"Wei Ying!" Lan Wangji growled, the name echoing off of the walls.

oblivious wei wuxian, cave, xuanwu, hurt/comfort, hurt wei wuxian, hurt lan wangji, humor, fluff, almost drowning, kiss of life, canon divergence

[robininthelabyrinth]

(Uh. You're bio says prompts are open but your ask button says prompts are closed? I'll send a prompt anyways, feel free to ignore me.) The Burial Mounds are not made for people. It's not willing to change this. So as people eat it's food, drink it's water, breathe it's air... /they/ change. They're still human, technically, probably, but they're... different

It affected the strongest first, Wen Qing found.

Strong was, of course, a relative definition – no one at the Burial Mounds was ‘stronger’ than Wei Wuxian, of course, but all his power was borrowed, not his own, not after what he’d done to his golden core. So rather than being considered the strongest, he was considered among the weakest, right up there with A-Yuan: the rest of them, despite being civilians, had at minimum been civilians in a cultivation sect, meaning that they either had golden cores or had made some progress in developing their qi.

Of them all, Wen Qing and Wen Ning had always been the best; it had been that which had made them Wen Ruohan’s favorites.

So, to no surprise, it affected them first.

It wasn’t that they didn’t know that the Burial Mounds was full of resentment: a battlefield so bitter that it had poisoned the earth and water and air, left without purification for years upon years, and eventually the resentment had solidified, turned into a rotten lump of it.

It was that they hadn’t realized that it had started resenting anyone who tried to change it, and that it instead sought to change them.

It was a little like Stygian Tiger Seal, Wen Qing reflected in those years where she had too much time to reflect. That had been a regular sword, once – some cultivator’s treasure, no doubt, right up until they stabbed it into the corrupted Xuanwu’s side as they did, leaving their mark on the beast even as it ended their life – but years and years of being near resentment had made it resentful itself.

Had given it power, but also – malice.

The Burial Mounds had malice to spare, and it did not like them when they were just – human.

When they were still cultivators, trying their best to purify what little evil they could before they planted their crops.

So it changed them.

Wen Qing was the strongest cultivator left alive from their Wen sect, but Wen Ning – Wen Ning was something else, of course. Literally, thanks to Wei Wuxian’s demonic cultivation.

Perhaps the Burial Mounds saw what he was – a fierce corpse, living and conscious and shot through with resentful energy, not needing to eat or drink or sleep, no ability to purify anything – and thought that it would be much happier if the rest of them were like that too.

Wen Qing was the strongest, and so it went for her first.

At first she thought it was her own strength showing through. She’d always refrained from meals when possible to allow her family to eat more, especially A-Yuan, because the amount they were able to buy or grow was simply not enough for all of them. But she’d closely monitored her inedia to ensure that she was not growing weak – that was equally unacceptable, someone had to protect them – and eventually she noticed that her ability to refrain from regular food had grown rather impressive, to the point that she barely ate a bowl of rice once every fortnight.

Meditating in a small cave seemed almost like it was enough.

It wasn’t until she was there, drawing in what she thought was natural qi, and something living came in – a bird of some sort, she though – that she began to realize that something was wrong.

Did realize.

It was hard not to, not with the way she had torn at the bird with her teeth and swallowed the heat of its blood down her throat, leaving it rich in meat but without any blood.

After that Wen Qing had quietly panicked – though of course she’d brought the bird back for the rest of her family to cook and eat the normal way – and she’d vowed that she would eat only rice and radishes, just the way the rest of them did, and not resort to her cultivation any longer.

It was too late, though. The rice tasted spoiled in her mouth, even though everyone else ate it easily; the radish made her gag even though it was fresh. She could not eat them.

Only blood was sufficient.

Wen Qing wasn’t sure what to do about it – she couldn’t just go and hunt all the time, there weren’t enough living things on the Burial Mounds to make that practical, there was a reason they’d tried growing food instead – but around that time Wei Wuxian got the idea of making a blood pool for his experiments.

She didn’t know where he got the blood or how he kept it fresh.

She didn’t ask.

In the beginning it was only a spoonful here and there, enough to keep her energized and healthy while she tried to force herself to live on human food again, but after a while she found that a single cup of blood each week was enough to sustain her entirely, meaning that her aunts and uncles and poor little A-Yuan could eat a little more.

(Wei Wuxian ate too much, just as much as he might if he were a normal human who had never practiced inedia or couldn’t because his core was gone, but he was their benefactor. Of course they had to feed him before all others, except maybe the growing A-Yuan.)

After a while, Wen Qing noticed some of the others – Fourth Uncle was first, but others weren’t far behind – also leaving food on their plates, unable to eat, only they were wasting away for lack of it. She should have let it happen, maybe, but they’d worked so hard to survive, gotten through so much together, and so she decided to slip them a little blood in their tea, just to see if it would help.

It did. It was like night and day, the way their faces filled with life again – animated and cheerful, the way she remembered them best.

So she kept doing it.

(She’d once had medical ethics that forbade experimenting on those who did not know or consent, she recalled vaguely. She’d thrown those ethics into Wen Ruohan’s face, refusing to do his bidding even if he killed her, and he’d rolled his eyes and given in, assigning her only to hospital work for his soldiers and a management position in a supervisory office – he’d been nasty and cruel, but also practical, at least when it came to members of his family; he preferred to boast of having an excellent doctor as part of his clan over yet another corpse in his Fire Palace, and she’d made it clear that was the choice.

Wei Wuxian hadn’t accepted her refusal, though, and once you decided there was something worth breaching your ethics one time, it made it so much easier to make the same decision again – and again – and again…)

And then, before she knew it, the end came.

Wen Ning struck down Jin Zixuan on Wei Wuxian’s sloppy, badly-designed orders – however unintentional it had been on either of their parts – and the Jin sect demanded blood, whether Wei Wuxian’s or theirs. And Wei Wuxian was their benefactor, and that meant it had to be them.

Wen Qing told the Fourth Uncle about what she’d been doing with the blood before she left, not wanting them to starve because she wasn’t there any longer, and then she went to Jinlin Tower to die, seething with resentment about the whole thing. And they took her brother away, and they killed her and scattered her ashes in the Burial Mounds, probably as a final fuck you to her.

They also killed the rest of her family.

She knows they did, because whatever they did to kill her, it didn’t quite – stick.

It was about a year before she fully reformed herself out of the ashes, piecing each ash together back into a physical body like they were all just puzzle-pieces, and crawled out of the ground. Her family was waiting for her: their bodies had been thrown into the blood pool, and the blood of the pool had interacted with the blood already in their bodies – the blood she’d fed them – and they hadn’t stayed dead, either.

“We’re going to need to be careful,” she warned them, settling into the role of leader as easily as always. “We’re living off resentment, now – I’m not quite sure if we’re mo or gui, depends on when we count it as having happened, but either way, we’re now the things that cultivators night-hunt. We can’t allow ourselves to become known, or we’ll be targets.”

Nods all around.

She looked around, reviewing the crowd. “…where’s A-Yuan?”

“I think he’s still alive,” Granny said. “I hid him away before the battle, and the place was empty when I checked it again. No corpse.”

“Good,” Wen Qing said. She hoped he stayed that way, alive, the way they weren’t. “I don’t know what happened with Wen Ning – they didn’t kill him along with me. Maybe we can try to find him, later.”

Maybe they could find A-Yuan, too.

Maybe they could finally make themselves the home they’d been trying to build for so long.

[theyilinglaozus]

To celebrate the absolute insanity that is this little blog reaching a follower milestone of over 1,000 followers (honestly, how did that even happen?) I have decided that I would like to say a huge thank you by providing you all with the (very long time promised) list of some of favourite fanfictions!

Be warned. This is quite the long list. We’re sitting at 60+ fic recs here, and I’ve done my best with adding the most applicable tags for each. Some I’m sure will be old favourites to many in the fandom, but there’s also a few here which could potentially become one of your new favourites too. There are just so many amazingly talented writers within this fandom, and this is really just the tiniest slice of some of the fantastic stories out there in the wild. Thank you to all the many fic writers out there that provide such incredible content simply for both the love of the characters and the love of writing in general! 💖 I appreciate you for providing so many wonderful escapes and new journeys that we can once again join our beloved characters on.

And finally, thank you, to all my lovely followers. This list is for you. 

Favourites

grow → cafecliche post canon. age regression. fluff.

(our friendship) up against the ropes → daltoneering modern au. friends with benefits. mutual pining. oblivious!wei ying. dom/sub undertones + other tags.

The Absolutely True Story of the Yiling Patriarch: A Manifesto in Many Parts → aubreyli post canon. junior shenanigans. fluff.

where the chaos is → darkredloveknot post!drama canon. reunions. first kiss. first time. domestic.

Not rage but grief → dezemberzarin jealousy. established relationship. light angst. 

tell some storm → qurbat post canon. hurt/comfort. fluff.

Sometimes the Shadow → northofallmusic rough sex. kink negotiation. breathplay.

your persuasions → phnelt modern au. size kink. pwp.

Cut Through The Clouds → phnelt modern au. pilot!lan wangji. flight attendant!wei wuxian.

Mo Money, Mo Problems → x_los canon divergence. confessions. getting together.

I’m Going Out (Gonna Make A Name For Me And You) → cosmicmilktea post canon. slow burn.

As You Like It → cosmicmilktea post canon. light angst. fluff. 

Deeper grows my longing → feyburner post canon. getting together. first kiss.  

one good thing → Yuu_chi modern au. ghost!wei wuxian. angst with a happy ending. 

Sex, Science, and True Love: A Rigid Analysis of the Practical Applications of Dual Cultivation → aubreyli canon divergence. taoist sexual practices. still in progress.

there’s no promised goodbye here → anonymous modern au. post break-up. roommates. getting back together. angst and fluff.

Saw My Life in a Stranger’s Face → timetoboldlygo post canon. established relationship. light angst. domestic fluff. 

How to Keep Your Diplomatic Asset Close (and Your Wei Ying Closer) by His Excellency → misscam cql!verse. getting together. fluff. smut. humour. 

i don’t wanna lose you (i hope this never ends) → annemari post canon. sick fic. getting together.

I Don’t Want To Know → kuro modern au. post break-up. pining. angst and fluff.

wuxian → livsn fixing relationships (lan xichen and wei wuxian reconciliation)

paint smears on sunny days → SnowshadowAO3 single dad!lan wangji. art teacher!wei wuxian. a-yuan!. mutual pining. fluff and smut.

made of sunlight → retts body horror. body dysmorphia (wei wuxian over mo xuanyu’s body not being his original). angst and fluff. hurt/comfort. nightmares.

Love wakes me → dea_liberty modern au. famous!lan wangji. coffee shop owner!wei wuxian. found families (wei wuxian and the wens). reunions. angst. happy ending.

you’ve ruined my life (by not being mine) → cicer modern au. slow burn. awkward flirting. fluff. 

Take Root, Come Home → piecrust post canon. angst and fluff. established relationship.

your heartbeat, across the grass → fakeplasticlily modern au. footballer/soccer player!lan wangji. a-yuan!. oblivious wei wuxian. mutual pining. fluff. childhood friends.

the recluse at the end of the moonlit path → b_ofdale modern setting. immortal!lan wangji. reunions. asexual character. mutual pining.  

between the lines → jywait modern au. gaming. mutual pining. fluff. 

Silver & Gold → beeswaxing post canon. canon divergence. established relationship. age regression. angst and fluff. romance. mutual pining.

These Things Stay the Same → notevenyou modern au. accidents. minor character death. parents!wei wuxian and lan wangji. angst with a happy ending.

i’ll have you and you’ll have me → sundiscus modern au. established relationship. marriage proposal. fluff.

Martial Claims → yeolinski modern au. lawyers!lan wangji and wei wuxian. established relationship. juniors as interns. fluff and comedy. 

r/relationships → vespertineflora modern au. viral reddit post. love confessions. oblivious wei wuxian. fluff.

nothing gold can stay → rikke canon divergence. golden core reveal. angst and fluff. 

Tears of Pearl ‘verse → FleetofShippyShips

rebuttable presumption ‘verse → sarah-yyy

long way home series → idrilka

Twelve Moons and a Fortnight ‘verse → stiltonbasket

More Amazing Reads

yeah they’re just bros thanks for asking → victortor modern au. established relationship. aromantic wei wuxian. intimacy. fluff.

promise me the universe → somersaulter post canon. confessions. drunk wei wuxian. wen ning pov.

it goes like this → moonsteps modern au. soulmates. oblivious wei wuxian. humour. fluff. 

The Guests of Cloud Recesses → cafecliche post canon. fluff. light angst. grief and mourning. 

总有一天; a place to hide (can’t find one near) → yiqie modern au. hurt/comfort. getting together. depression. happy ending. ⚠️ suicide attempt through overdose. 

The Way It Wasn’t → KouriArashi canon divergence. fix-it fic. angst. family.

Standing Engagement → x_los sunshot campaign. golden core reveal. misunderstandings. accidental engagement.

your touch in the dark (your voice in the silence) → b_ofdale modern au. buskier!wei wuxian. musician!lan wangji. mutual pining. friends with benefits. asexual!wei wuxian.

Orchids in Lotus Pier → Vamillepudding canon divergence. misunderstandings. friends to lovers. lan wangji and jiang cheng are friends.

Two Unlucky Guys → saved modern au. pwp. first time. miscommunication. fluff and angst. 

梅花开放 | the plum blossoms bloom → doubletan post canon. sickfic. hurt/comfort. angst. established relationship. ⚠️ major character death.

Charming → WangXianPatriarch post canon. jealousy. fluff. teasing. 

Cave Survival (or: how the Xuanwu cave could have gone) → cerbykerby pining. oblivious wei wuxian. humour. fluff.

it’s you, it’s you, it’s always you → Fleetling modern au. friends to lovers. slow burn. fluff.

Closer Than Eternity → Netrixie modern au. reincarnation. immortal!lan wangji. angst with a happy ending.

How to propose to the love of your life in one simple step → CloudyInk royalty au. prince!lan wangji. general!wei wuxian.

Crazy, Rich Cultivators → ShanaStoryteller modern au. misunderstandings. established relationship.

a stone to break your soul, a song to save it → rikke canon divergence. arranged marriage. 

This Time With Lanterns → ChaoticAndrogynous post novel canon. fluff. light angst. established relationship. wedding.

a single fire bright → magpie_fngrl canon divergence. fix-it fic. pining. 

Hello IT. Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again? → overmountainandmeadow modern au. IT director!lan wangji. graphic designer!wei wuxian. single dad!lan wangji. fluff. slow burn.

Walk the Circle in the Other Direction → notevenyou modern au. oblivious wei wuxian. bisexual!wei wuxian. childhood friends. fluff. coming out. brief wei wuxian/mianmian.

and in the spring i shed my skin → wvlfqveen modern/magical au. fluff. love confessions. shapeshifter!lan wangji. necromancer!wei wuxian.

the yungmeng accords series → cafecliche

misunderstood ‘verse → sysrae

Shameless Self-Plugging

Snowfall canon divergence. getting together. pwp.

A Brothers’ Love post canon. established relationship. fluff. gentle exposure therapy (wei wuxian working on his phobia of dogs).

Afternoon Retreat post canon. established relationship. fluff.

[wangxianficrecs]

Hey! Can you help me find a fic where Wei Ying comforts Lan Zhan in the xuanwu cave?

Hmmm, I know there are tons,but usually the xuanwu cave is only a chapter in a much larger epic, so I wouldnt call it a focus.  The only one that springs to mind is this:

Cave Survival (or: how the Xuanwu cave could have gone)

by cerbykerby

T, 6k, wangxian, my post here

Summary:  “Why,” Lan Wangji said each word in sheer agony, “are you not decent?”

“My clothes are wet,” Wei Wuxian answered. “If I don’t take them off, I run the risk of freezing to death. Don’t you live up in the mountains? I thought you’d know about the dangers of the cold.”

“I do.” Lan Wangji looked absolutely tortured, staring at the cave wall. “So long as there’s a heat source and your clothes are no longer soaking wet, you can put them back on.”

Wei Wuxian made a face. “But I just got dry. I don’t want to put damp pants back on.”

“Wei Ying!”

“Alright, alright, fine! But just the pants.”

——————

An alternate version of the events in the Cave of the Tortoise of Carnage. All the cheesy romantic tropes. All of them. ALL. Basically an excuse to write Lan Wangji panicking and Wei Wuxian being oblivious.

[vespertineflora]

WangXian Fics

Ongoing:

as the sun will rise E, Fairy Tale AU, Slow Romance/Happy Ending, 50k+ For centuries, the villagers surrounding the Qianlian Forest have been beholden to a fearsome creature. A once loved Prince was long ago cursed into a monstrous form, and ever since has required the sacrifice of maidens to ensure the safety of the forest and the people living around it. This forlorn tradition might have continued for centuries longer... but when it comes time for Lotus Pier to send a maiden as tribute, Jiang Yanli is chosen, and Wei Wuxian won't stand for it. His plan is simple; he'll send Jiang Yanli off to live the long life she deserves with her fiancé, and offer himself as a sacrifice to the Prince instead.

Completed:

at night your body is a symphony E, Post-Canon, Established Relationship, 7k Two weeks ago, mere days after Wei Wuxian’s confession and their first shared kiss, Lan Wangji had been a semi-clueless virgin. Now, Lan Wangji had seemingly unlocked whatever secret code was required to reduce Wei Wuxian to a quivering mess in just a few sparse minutes, playing him as expertly as he played his guqin. Wei Wuxian was half-convinced he'd been seduced by a demon.

do you know who tells the truth? E, Post-Canon, Confessions, 21k Wei Wuxian has been wallowing in feelings for Lan Wangji that he's had a hard time accepting and sometimes, when you need a healthy heaping of the truth, the best place to get it is from drunks and children. (the one in which a short-tempered Jin Ling and a drunk Lan Xichen open Wei Wuxian's eyes to some very convenient truths)

a call to motion E, Post-Canon, Confessions, 14.6k Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji take the junior disciples out on what they expect to be a standard night-hunt, but when Wei Wuxian is targeted with an odd talisman, they end up with a much stranger problem than any of them could have anticipated.

i'd like to drown with you E, Post-Canon, Hot Springs Sex, 7k As soon as Wei Wuxian learns the Cloud Recesses has hot springs, he insists his husband take him, but knowing Wei Wuxian, his intentions go far beyond just taking a relaxing soak.

so full of love E, Post-Canon, Co/ckwarming, 5.1k Wei Wuxian’s head lolled back against Lan Wangji’s shoulder behind him as he let out a faint and content sigh. It was late, well past when Lan Wangji would normally have headed to bed. The only light in the room was the warm glow of the lantern on the desk in front of them, illuminating the hunt notes that Lan Wangji would have graded earlier if Wei Wuxian hadn’t seduced him into bed immediately after their return from dinner. It was a chilly autumn night, and Wei Wuxian was naked, but he had found the warmest seat possible in Lan Wangji’s lap.

oh but you're good to me E, Canon Divergent, Omegaverse, 10k Wei Wuxian had never been good at keeping track of his heats, even though he'd been dealing with them for years. It was one of the many ways Jiang Yanli spoiled him too much, always warning him a couple of days ahead of time so that he'd be prepared... But he and Jiang Cheng had been in Wen territory for weeks now, and after accidentally leading a coup against Wen Chao and being left behind in a cave with Lan Wangji and the terrifying demi-xuanwu, the last thing Wei Wuxian expected was for his heat to sneak up on him now. (basically, an aboverse au where poor omega Wei Wuxian goes into heat while he and an alpha Lan Wangji are waiting for rescue in the cave.)

The Beauty of Love As It Was Made To Be (series, complete) love; it will not betray you E, Canon Divergent, Omegaverse, 17.9k (pt 1) When Wei Wuxian realizes how strange it is that Lan Wangji is the only disciple from his sect at the Wen Sect's indoctrination, he puts together a haphazard plan to get punished with him and get some time alone to talk to him--only to get punished again when Wen Chao catches him mid-conversation attempt. At first, Wei Wuxian laughs off getting shoved into the empty dungeon, but he soon notices that some strange scent in the room is making him go into heat, which is a twist that Wei Wuxian doesn't understand. It's only when a rutting Lan Wangji gets shoved into the room with him that Wei Wuxian realizes Wen Chao's idea for punishing him is far more demented than he could have imagined. (canon divergent from The Untamed, episode 12)

love; it will set you free E, Canon Divergent, Omegaverse, 25.5k (pt 2) Lan Wangji hadn't been prepared for the punishment Wen Chao had had in mind--and he certainly hadn't been prepared for how it would play out, from Wei Wuxian's suggested solution, to the claiming bite and resulting bond that revealed deeper emotions than Lan Wangji could ever have anticipated from Wei Wuxian. Surviving the indoctrination camp is only the first step down a long road towards the life he's desperate to have with his new mate.

imagine being loved by me E, Post-Canon, Rope Bondage, 11.2k After a year together, Wei Wuxian has been tied up with his husband's forehead ribbon enough times to get an idea of what he likes, and decides to get him a present to make things a little more fun for both of them. But as usual, when Wei Wuxian asks for trouble, he always gets a little more of it back than he's expecting.

the best of you (belongs to me) E, Modern AU, Bondage & Sensory Deprivation, 7.4k Having received no reaction from Lan Zhan, Wei Ying couldn’t help himself; he rubbed his hips more pointedly against Lan Zhan, moaning faintly at the fiction he’d generated as he inhaled slowly, the scent Lan Zhan was wearing filling his nose and making his head buzz with memories of Lan Zhan pinning him to the bathroom wall, taking him forcefully as he covered his mouth with his hand to keep him quiet...

The chopping of vegetables stopped. “Wei Ying, I started cooking because you said you were hungry,” Lan Zhan said, trying to sound patient, though his tone was faintly vexed. “Do you want dinner or do you want sex?”

Wei Ying huffed softly, pouting at his own inner turmoil, before replying, “...yes.”

the heart is hard to translate E, Post-Canon, Consensual Non-Consent, 10.8k For months, Wei Wuxian had been haunted by the most enticing fantasies of Lan Wangji kissing him on Phoenix Mountain turning into something quite a bit more explicit--which was nothing new for him, really. He'd been babbling about fantasies of Lan Wangji overpowering and ravishing his younger self ever since their very first time together, and it wasn't as if those fantasies had gone away over time. If anything, they'd just grown more diverse, more... creative. The moment comes almost out of the blue when, one relaxed spring afternoon, Lan Wangji decides that he's ready to offer Wei Wuxian an opportunity to play out that very delicious fantasy about their stolen first kiss.

and i'll get you lost E, Post-Canon, Fem!Wangxian, 8.4k After a year of marriage to her wonderful wife, Wei Ying's sex life is anything but stale--but she's nothing if not always eager to try something new. The minute Lan Zhan tells her she has a surprise for them, Wei Ying can hardly wait to find out what it is. (a canon-compliant, post-series AU where Wei Ying and Lan Zhan are both ladies)

these words are knives that often leave scars T, Post-Canon, Hurt/Comfort, 6.5k Wei Wuxian hadn’t been lying the night he’d told Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji that he didn’t remember the days after the massacre at Nightless City, but his memory had always been awful, so he hadn't given much thought to just how many pieces of his memory were missing. Since his reincarnation, memories from his past life have been coming back to him bit by bit, and he doesn't seem to have much control over it--but if he did, he would have chosen to never remember what happened those days in that cave in Yiling.

one last drink T, During Canon, Grief/Mourning, 1.1k Wei Wuxian had always said that the Emperor's Smile in Gusu was the best liquor he'd ever had. He'd never have a chance to drink it again now, so the least Lan Wangji could do was have a drink in his memory. (WangXian Week 2020 Prompt: Emperor's Smile)

how it was to feel alive T, During Canon, Grief & Hurt/Comfort, 4k On Lan Wangji's first day out of the Jingshi in the months since his severe punishment, he takes Lan Yuan to go visit his rabbits. The trip doesn't go according to plan, but it ends up being the push Lan Wangji needs to move forward. (An au where everything is the same, EXCEPT Lan Wangji's rabbits are Flemish Giants). Written for Untamed FallFest 2020: Remains.

r/relationships T, Modern AU, Pining & Confessions, 10.6k Lan Zhan has been in love with his best friend for nearly a decade and despite his attempts, has never managed to confess. Now that Wei Ying's lease is almost up, there's a chance he'll be moving in with him soon, and Lan Zhan isn't sure that's something he'll survive... The impending stress leads to a drink, which in turn leads to a desperate Reddit post that goes viral and attracts attention and advice from... well, none other than Wei Ying, resulting in a series of failed attempts at getting Wei Ying to realize just how Lan Zhan feels about him.

surely to the sea T, Modern AU, Hair Washing/Non-Sexual Intimacy, 2.1k Lan Zhan has had a rough week at work, so Wei Ying decides to do something very sweet for him.

[hiddenawayforme]

Cursed Sect Leader Yao Theory

(In which I make the case that Jiang Chang and Sect Leader Yao are more alike than you want to acknowledge and this gets long because I am apparently way too preoccupied with everyone but the main characters in The Untamed (as evidenced by my favorite Lan disciple and my favorite Jiang disciple))

The cultivators with the cute little hats are Yao Sect cultivators. Sect Yao, while not one of the five main sects, appears to have a significant amount of power and prestige in the cultivation world, similar to Sect Ouyang. Their sect leader is frequently given a front row seat to many of the cultivation world’s discussions, his opinion is given weight in debates, he is often seen in the presence of more powerful sect leaders, and he is capable of stirring public sentiment against his chosen opponent.

We first meet his disciples in the past at the Wen Indoctrination Camp. There, they are placed in rows equal to the other sect heirs and disciples. Their first disciple stands level with Nie Huaisang, Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and Jin Zixuan. Ouyang Sect disciples, in the red robes, are not afforded this front-row position.

(Note that it appears as though the Baling Ouyang Sect is the only other sect beside the Yao Sect and the four major sects to be forced to send disciples for indoctrination. Ouyang and Yao, while not part of the main five, are certainly higher than sects like Laoling Qin or Yueyang Chang)

The Yao Sect disciples are subjected to the same cruelty as the other sect disciples and are left for dead in the Xuanwu Cave along with our heroes. It is there that one disciple demonstrates his faith in his parents’ ability to save them (how adorable and tragic)

Alas, his parents do not come and save him. Instead, his fellow sect disciples are slaughtered by Wen soldiers as they flee back to their territory.

When Sect Leader Yao is brought to Lotus Pier, he is one of three survivors. By his own words, the rest of his sect has been brutally slaughtered by the Wen, including the disciples sent to the indoctrination camp. Sect Leader Yao’s severe wounds are a result of him fighting to protect the two who remain. That same earnest disciple who was so sure his parents would find him in the Xuanwu Cave is now left in the wreckage of his sect, covered in the blood of his brothers. 

It is possible that one of the Yao disciples at the Wen Indoctrination Camp was either the son of Sect Leader Yao or another close blood relative. After all, the Wen demanded that all sects must send an inner heir disciple. 

It does not appear as though the Yao disciple who stood first in line is one of the two survivors who flee to Lotus Pier with Sect Leader Yao. If we assume that the one standing in front is the heir to the sect, then Sect Leader Yao lost his son or nephew or other blood relative. 

Is it any wonder that Sect Leader Yao is so loud-spoken? His sect has been decimated, disciples killed and lands razed. His heir might have just been killed at the hands of the Wen. He has nothing left at this point. Nothing but his voice. 

Sect Leader Yao is in a precarious position. If someone wanted to use the local power vacuum to push Sect Leader Yao further away from those in power, they could. It is in Sect Leader Yao’s best interest to maintain ties to the biggest power in the land, the Jin Sect and Jin Guangshan. If he makes himself a valuable ally, makes himself indispensable, he can claw back power and return his sect to its former glory. If he can help guide immediate policy, other sects will look to him in the future and value his advice. 

It’s the same situation Jiang Cheng faces during the Sunshot Campaign, post-Sunshot, and even into post-Jiang Yanli/Wei Wuxian’s deaths. Jiang Cheng must focus on rebuilding his sect. He can’t risk going against the political winds by publicly supporting Wei Wuxian and the Wen survivors. His position is too risky. He doesn’t have the manpower or resources to oppose the other three major sects. Jiang Cheng must focus on clawing back any power the Jiang Sect once had. He is alone- those who once swore to stand by him are gone. Jiang Cheng has lost his family, lost his disciples, lost Lotus Pier. How can he honor his parents and his dead sect members if he allows his sect to fall into ruin? 

The two sect leaders are left in unenviable positions, trying to not just survive but to return to their former glory. They are facing the wreckage of brutal massacres alone. They are vulnerable to power plays by the other sects and cannot risk losing in the court of public opinion. They cannot be weak, they cannot lose focus. They are existing on the edge of desperation, just trying to make it to the next day. There is no one left to love them. Ambition is the only thing left. 

[aspiratixxn]

A price to be paid

Warnings: suicidal thoughts, canon-typical violence 

Inspired by: Monster (MDZS Animatic)

They’re coming. 

He pants in the demon slaughter cave, the once open space now crowded to the brim with his thoughts. His fears that whisper from the walls he’s built to protect himself. They claw at his throat and his chest. His reflection shows nothing but himself, tears streaming down his face and hand clutching his robes. The brand mark burns. 

They took everything from him. 

No, that’s not quite right. Wen Qing, Wen Ning, Granny, Uncle. They all left because they knew. He was supposed to be protecting them but in the end, he’s still the one being sheltered and hidden away. He raises his hands and they drip with non-existent blood. How much has been spilled by his hands? People who didn’t need to die, innocents he’s killed with his careless actions.

They’re coming.

Everything he’s ever done has been under scrutiny. It’s never good enough, he’s never good enough. He’s tried so hard to do what’s right. Hasn’t he? He grips Chenqing tight, knuckles white as he staggers to his feet. His reflection looks back at him, haunted eyes grey and exhausted. The shadows under them have never been deeper. 

In a sudden fit of anger, he snatches up a stone from the ground and throws it into the pond, sending ripples back and forth that disrupt his image until it’s distorted beyond recognition. Just like how the rest of the cultivation world view him, a caricature of who he really is. The powerful Yiling Patriach, controller of the ghost general and possessor of the stygian tiger seal. 

He wants to curl up and hide away. He wants to lay his head on his shijie’s lap and feel her hands stroke through his hair. He wants to tease Wen Qing and A-Yuan and Wen Ning until they’re all laughing so hard his sides hurt. He just wants, so desperately, to be left alone by the expectations that have weighed on him since he was first dropped in the Burial Mounds. He did what he needed to survive. He knows that. But still, a small part of him whispers that he didn’t have to take in the spirits when they circled him. He didn’t have to craft the seal. They could still have won. 

There are no winners in a war, he thinks bitterly. Just those who live on to take the burden of another day and those who die under the weight of their choices. He’s never wanted to be powerful. He wanted to be recognized and respected like anyone else but this, this wretched reputation has brought more ruin and harm than good. At the beginning he hadn’t cared. It was war after all, fear does wonders when it comes to the enemy. And then when he had taken in the Wen remnants, he hoped that no one would want to poke a sleeping bear. It had, for a while. 

Everything changed at Qiongqi path. It was supposed to be a joyous event, being invited to his nephew’s one month celebration. It was just going to be him and Wen Ning, who refused to let him go alone. It shouldn’t have been hard, even dealing with Jin Zixun’s ambush attempt. The dark spirits whisper to him now, why didn’t you just kill him? It would’ve been easy enough to pass off as an accident. Especially if the eyewitnesses had mysteriously vanished. He could’ve claimed he went around a different path.

Pain splits down through his head and he howls, falling to his knees. It feels like all those shattered pieces of his world are coming for him again. Jin Zixuan’s pained smile, his last words. Shijie’s unnaturally still posture in front of a golden grave. Jiang Cheng’s eyes, glaring and pleading all at once. Lan Zhan’s bleeding fingertips clenched into trembling fists. Wen Qing’s last words. Wen Ning’s apologies, spilling over and over again even as he screamed blame and threw him to the ground. 

His fault. All those terrible things are his fault. He was arrogant, he made mistakes that sent him down this tumultuous path. Forcing himself to his feet, he lurches toward the entrance of the cave. 

They’ll be here soon.

Carrying their swords and their morals high, denouncing him from their lofty thrones. Should he fight? There’s no one for him to fight for anymore. Doesn’t he deserve to die? Shouldn’t he allow him to rip him apart, to repent for the sins he’s committed in the name of… His own twisted brand of justice? He touches a sheathed dagger, one of Wen Qing’s. The gilded hilt feels cold under his fingers, the delicate swirls calling to him. The blade is sharp, it wouldn’t hurt too much. He could take that last bit of pleasure from them, a last act of defiance.

It wouldn’t be enough though, would it. To repay all the lives that have been given up for his own. His debts are so deep that he’ll drown in them. His last breath still wouldn’t be enough to pay off even one act of kindness from his worst enemy. He snatches up the dagger and unsheathes it, the blade shining in the early morning light. Silver, like his eyes. Silver like the bell that lays only a few feet away, the last gift Jiang Fengmian ever gave him. 

He rips the blade through his hair, chopping it off at his neck. So what if he nicks his neck and bleeds a little. So what if he cuts the last reminder of his parents in half. The red ribbon flutters down with the weight of his hair, landing in a soft pile on the ground. He feels a light touch as the jagged tips brush against his neck. His shijie would definitely be upset; she’d always loved playing with his hair. But she’s gone too. He’ll never be by her side again. Not even after death. 

The blade shines as he heaves, gasping breaths. One edge glints red. If Chenqing was made of anything less, it would’ve snapped in his grip already. He lifts the dagger, seeing himself again in the curved edge. More eyes stare back at him. A sharp stormy grey. Warm hazel gold. Piercing amber brown. His own eyes flicker between silver and crimson, resentful energy swirling like dust shifted by the wind. 

What is he supposed to do now? What can he do? Why can’t he do something right for once? 

He stumbles to the wall where he placed the tiger seal. Even through the layers of rock, he can  feel it pulse, calling to him. It would reach out to strangle him if it weren’t being restrained by countless layers of talismans painted in his own blood. He smashes the hilt of the dagger, now sheathed, into the wall and it crumbles easily. The seal reveals itself, bit by bit. 

It was strangely beautiful, in the way that only powerful things are. He drops the dagger and grasps it, feeling it quiver. He clutches his hand tighter until he can feel the sharp edges bite into his skin. He couldn’t even find fault in the wretched thing. It was just a tool after all, and a tool has no intentions. It’s only used in alignment with the wielder. In the end, it’s still his fault. He should’ve left it back in the Xuanwu cave, sunk in the depths. 

But he knows that wouldn’t have worked either. Once its existence was revealed, it wouldn’t be possible to hide it away again. People would still seek it out even in shards. If only they knew how the resentful energy choked when it coursed through his veins. How it felt like setting every nerve on fire and being unable to douse yourself in anything but boiling oil. They’d still want it, even then probably. They’d make lesser valued, disposable people use it so they didn’t have to get their hands dirty. 

Rage flares in his chest as he squeezes until his hand is bleeding. The seal instantly evaporates the red fluid, retaining only the rich iron smell. The energy gets absorbed, a little at first then growing more and more until he’s being enveloped in a cocoon of it. He lets it, lets it take from him. There’s nothing it can take that he wouldn’t give anymore. 

They’ll be here soon.

He can feel their thundering footsteps through the mountain. Hear their shouts through the whispers of the trees. He reaches down deep into the earth and calls upon the dead, who respond with enthusiasm. Some emerge slowly, clawing their way up. Some fly out, their clothes rotting but not quite fully decayed. They crowd around him, leering. To them who come to accuse. To him who teeters on the brink. 

They’re to blame too, they whisper, urging him to go forth step by step. They pushed you to this, they took everything away from you. From us. From you from us from you from us. They dance around him in their jerky movements, limbs not connected to their torso properly. It’s alright, they say soothingly. It’s alright, let go now. Let go and let us protect you. 

He looks at the seal that vibrates in his hand. It seems to smile back at him, the twin tiger carvings and their flickering eyes. Fear floods him, cold and sharp. Is this really right? Won’t this be more blood on his hands, more debts to pay with his life? It doesn’t matter, the corpses around him call. They’ve never paid you a debt, so why should you pay theirs? The wind ruffles his hair, so light now. He wonders if that’s just his hair or if he’s shed another weight by making this decision. 

They shout at the entrance. “Yiling Patriach Wei Wuxian! Surrender now and turn over the tiger seal!” 

He snickers, giggles as he plods forward. Their faces come into view, Jin Guangshan and his ilk, bursting at the seams with poorly masked excitement. Lan Xichen, smile absent for once. Nie Mingjue who’s got a set grimace on his lips but whose eyes shine. And...

Jiang Cheng. 

For a second he falters. For a second, Wei Wuxian thinks to step back and drown in the blood pool behind him. He sees his shijie, standing behind Jiang Cheng and smiling as she places her hands on his shoulders. Take care of A-Cheng, A-Xian. 

Jiang Cheng who he’s failed before too. Who he abandoned. He knows that, though he tried to deny it. It was for the best, he argued to himself. Jiang Cheng doesn’t need the Yiling Patriarch sullying his nacient reign. Jiang Cheng doesn’t need a brash, impulsive person at his side, unable to contribute because he gave up his core. Jiang Cheng who looks conflicted even now, all because of the choices Wei Wuxian has made. He’s put his little brother, no, his former sect leader into this position. 

A strained smile comes to his lips. “You’re here.” His words are meant for no one else, but they still see it fit to take his words for their own. 

“Surrender now! Don’t make this any harder on all of us.” 

He snorts, gestures a hand at the army they’ve brought. Harder for them? That’s the funniest thing he’s heard in a long time. He raises the seal and dangles it in front of them. It’s hilarious, the way their eyes follow it like animals begging for treats. They’ve never had to beg in their lives, have they. They don’t know what it’s like. Another funny thing.

He takes it in his hand again. Squeezes, even as it stings his barely sealed wounds. If they want it so bad, they can take it. He raises it high in the air, the energy screeching around him. It flows into the seal, making it burn hot. They look confused, rustling about with their swords. He forces energy into the seal until it’s unbearable to hold, to feel it drawing from him.

It’ll be over soon.

He throws the seal with as much force as he can muster and as it leaves his hands, the corpses surge forward, chasing it. The human forces bluster backwards, a few almost impaling themselves on their companion’s blades in their haste to get away. Jin Guangshan is screaming something but it all sounds hollow to him now. Nie Mingjue roars something in response, pointing Baxia forward. Purple flashes as Jiang Cheng unleashes Zidian and its motion is supplemented by the waves of energy coming from Lan Xichen’s guqin. 

Lan Wangji isn’t in the crowd he notes a bit late. He raises Chenqing to his lips one last time. Well, maybe he can play this last melody as a parting gift. It won’t reach Lan Zhan’s ears but he feels like he needs to play it. 

The tiger seal hits the ground and shatters into pieces. Shards fly everywhere, a few small ones rolling on the ground while the larger, sharper fragments embed themselves in some bodies, forcing resentful energy into their meridians. More resentful energy explodes, blowing cultivators in all colors back in every direction. Bodies, living and dead, fly in every direction. 

Wei Wuxian takes in the chaos, eyes seeking out only one person. Jiang Cheng bellows commands, protecting his own. He’s grown so much, become so mature. Wei Wuxian feels an inkling of regret that he wasn’t there to see it. But he doesn’t deserve to see it. But there’s some comfort in knowing that Jiang Cheng is just fine without him. He admonishes himself quietly; Jiang Cheng was always fine without him. He was never needed there. 

He raises Chenqing to his lips, breathes what will probably be his last. Jin Guangshan has run away. Nie Mingjue is starting to get overwhelmed. Jiang Cheng herds the last of his disciples into a corner and shields them singlehandedly with Zidian, Sandu flying remotely. He blows, a shrill note that stops everything. Even the resentful energy is frozen in the air. 

Will this be enough? He hopes it is. 

The resentful energy rushes back towards him, urged on by the song he plays. The corpses too begin to haphazardly pile back towards him, grisled hands outstretched and mouths eternally snarling. He plays even as the energy converges on him, pouring into his body until it’s overflowing. His eyes glow the brightest vermillion. He sees Jiang Cheng, just barely through the flurry of bodies, racing forward with Sandu unsheathed. Mouth forming words that he can’t hear or read. 

Wei Wuxian lowers his flute and closes his eyes. Hands tear at his robes, his throat. Energy ruffles his hair, forces air out of his lungs. It burns, quiet and dull. Maybe it’s the resentful energy, taking away his senses. He falls under the weight of energy and bodies. It’s not enough but this is all he can give to satiate their demands even momentarily. 

Even then, with everything he’s given up, it’s never enough. 

[rosethornewrites]

Fic: the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break, ch. 2

Relationship: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī & Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn

Characters: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Wēn Qíng, Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín

Additional Tags: Pre-Slash, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Secrets, Crying, Masks, Soulmates, Truth, Self-Esteem Issues, Regret, This Was Supposed To Be A One Shot

Summary: Lan WangJi and Wen Qing discuss the situation, and Wei WuXian.

Notes: I had intended this to be a one-shot, but isn't that how this always works? Yay, canon-divergence! Also, I did research on golden cores and qi for some details.

AO3 link

Chapter 1

-------------

As Lan WangJi carefully carries him to the barely-padded flat boulder that serves as his bed, he catalogs what must be done—a letter to XiChen with an invitation to visit (if the Wens are amenable), the purchase of proper supplies, perhaps helping Wei Ying cleanse himself of resentful energy so it does not damage him… if he is now willing to allow his help, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared.

Wen Qing is waiting in the cave. She sighs when she sees him, helping him situated Wei Ying on what passes for his bed before removing his belt and opening the top of his robes in a clinical manner, revealing a rather ugly bruise on his sternum near the Wen brand scar. Worse, it makes very clear how emaciated he is, his ribs prominent, his skin the color of paper.

Lan WangJi can see other scars, including a mottled one that starts above his solar plexus and disappears under his robes. It has surgical precision, and he knows what it’s from. His urge to place his hand over it is inappropriate at best, and he instead busies himself removing Wei Ying’s shoes. 

He remembers the cave, Wei Ying’s assertion regarding scars, and knows there are others hidden, and not just on his body. 

“This idiot,” Wen Qing mutters, pressing lightly around the injury. “At least he’s not broken any ribs.”

She completely ignores Lan WangJi for the moment, crossing the room to grab a small container, which turns out to contain a salve. After spreading it over the bruise, she rearranges his robes, not bothering with the belt, covering him with a meagre, threadbare blanket. 

The cave is chilly, and with an injury and no golden core… Lan WangJi supplements, pulling a heavier outer robe from his qiankun pouch to drape over him.

“At least I don’t have to drug him to get him to sleep this time,” she says, her tone tart but laced with worry. She reaches forward to wipe at Wei Ying’s face with a sleeve, gently removing what remains of his tears. 

He glances at her, concerned at the implication she has before. That he needs it to sleep. 

She inclines her head. “You have questions.”

“Yes.” He realizes he has told Wei Ying, but has not asked the Wens; this is, after all, their home. “I intend to stay.”

Her lips thin, and her gaze sharpens. “For how long?”

Wen Qing’s tone isn’t without judgment, and Lan WangJi deems it fair. He has failed Wei Ying, and failed to honor the promise they made in childhood, has failed to pursue justice in favor of appeasing sect politics.

“Indefinitely.”

Tension seems to ease from her small frame, leaving her just looking tired.

“Good. He needs an ally, at least.”

Something in her voice, in the way she says ‘ally,’ implies she believes he is more; she’s not wrong, but it is not something he intends to discuss with her.

“The surgery,” Lan WangJi states simply.

Wen Qing indicates a seat, and he quickly is glad to be seated. The details of Wei Ying’s sacrifice, the pain he endured without relief nonstop for days with only a fifty percent chance, how he had treated the gifting of his core as a necessity out of filial piety. How he had expressed that this was his duty, to protect Jiang WanYin with his life, his insistence that if the Jiangs had not taken him in off the streets as a child, he would never have had a golden core, so he owed the sacrifice.

Lan WangJi tries to imagine whether he could bring himself to do such a thing for XiChen, and finds he can;t. He would give his life for his brother, but the idea of giving his core is impossible. And yet Wei Ying had, without hesitation, gone far beyond duty. Wei Ying, who gives of himself until he has nothing left to give, and yet still tries to give more.

He only realizes tears stream down his face when Wen Qing hands him a cloth, her face composed but her eyes expressing regret.

“Wen Chao apparently caught him in Yiling before Jiang Cheng returned,” Wen Qing says eventually. “He was still recovering from the surgery, and without a golden core…”

The idea of Wei Ying helpless and alone, faced with certain death, with no one to come to his aid… And yet Lan WangJi is certain he faced Wen Chao with defiance. Wei Ying, who could fight so brilliantly with his mind and mouth, would have refused to show fear—would have unleashed both mind and mouth to their full capacity with the knowledge he was doomed anyway.

But he must have been terrified.

Lan WangJi is starting to agree that, as gruesome as his death had been, Wen Chao had died too easily.

“He boasted of beating him and throwing him here.” She smiles, but it’s without mirth. “A-Ning begged me to let him come here, to search. But no one comes out of the Burial Mounds.”

“Before him.”

Wei Ying strives for the impossible, always, and achieved it in surviving. But Lan WangJi knows perhaps not all of him did return, that he’d lost pieces of himself to whatever he experienced. In so many ways, Wei Ying had lost more than anyone else had in the war, and only continues to lose. He remembers the cold way Wei Ying looked at him when he and Jiang WanYin had found him finally, the way he’d pushed him away. 

He had wondered then if it had been the demonic cultivation, but he feels now it was more likely fear and trauma and perhaps Wei Ying feeling as though he was unsuitable for Lan WangJi’s company, pushing him away before he could be pushed, fearing judgment.

And unknowingly, Lan WangJi had done exactly that. .

Wen Qing nods. “He doesn’t talk about his time here. But his nightmares...”

Lan WangJi glances at Wei Ying, who appears for now to be sleeping peacefully. He has seen him after the defeat of XuanWu, burning with fever, half-conscious, babbling in terror of dogs and whips, calling for his parents. He had done his best to soothe him then.

“I will never do that surgery again. I wish I’d never come up with the idea,” she says softly, her own gaze on his still form. “I regretted it the moment his golden core was in my hands. It was so radiant, and I was taking it from him.”

He cannot imagine it and does not wish to; Wei Ying’s very essence torn from him by his consent. It takes him a moment to collect himself.

“If not for the resentful energy… if he was cleansed of it… Could he cultivate another golden core?”

This late in Wei Ying’s life, it would be a weak one, but...

“I doubt it,” Wen Qing answers honestly. “I suspect the scarring of the lower dantian would prevent that. I have no idea for sure, of course. Everything was just theory, and now he’s living it. It’s the same with the resentful energy; I have no idea how it could impact his mind and body long-term. Or if it’s even just resentful energy, and not a combination of that and the loss of his golden core and trauma...”

Lan WangJi watches her as she trails off, noticing her discontent. Wei Ying had joked about her sternness, but it clearly comes from a place of caring.

“I told him he should leave, you know,” she says finally. “That he’d done enough to help us, that he owes us nothing more. And he pretended he didn’t even hear me.”

He’d love to be able to tell her Wei Ying doesn’t think in terms of owing and being owed. But more realistically, it’s that Wei Ying feels he owes of himself more than he can ever give, while others owe him nothing. 

“He will not leave you unprotected,” Lan WangJi finally says.

“I know. It doesn’t seem to matter what it costs him.”

He realizes abruptly that she understands Wei Ying perfectly in this, as he does. That she has seen that he will sacrifice everything for others. That it pains her just as much to see it. 

“He gives his rations to a-Yuan most of the time. You probably noticed how unhealthy he is.” Wen Qing fixes him with a look he can only describe as beseeching. “I don’t care what else you do, if you help with the farming or whatever. Just help him.”

“I intend to.” Lan WangJi fishes his money purse out and hands it to her. “I will assist in any way possible. This should help to begin with.”

The way her eyes widen, he realizes to her what he carries is a small fortune, and knows it likely would be to Wei Ying as well. He remembers hearing gossip, once among Cloud Recesses students, that after the death of his parents Wei Ying had been a street urchin for several years before being found by Jiang FengMian, before being brought back to Lotus Pier. The lowly son of a servant. Though the gossip had been meant to put Wei Ying down, it had given Lan WangJi more respect for him, that he could smile, could make friends so easily, could be so powerful a cultivator and swordsman after having been through such hardship.

“We were going to have a special dinner tonight, to thank him. But I think we’ll need to hold off, at least until tomorrow night.” She smiles. “And perhaps a trip to town tomorrow will give a-Ning more to cook with. He’d be happier if the food was anything but radishes, I’m sure.”

“I will need to send a message to inform my brother of my decision,” he tells her. “He may wish to come here, to speak with me.”

Wen Qing studies him for a moment, and nods. “I can warn the others. Honestly, GusuLan worries me the least of the four main sects. Your brother’s reputation is honorable.”

He inclines his head in silent thanks before a murmur catches their attention, a shifting of fabric as Wei Ying moves restlessly in his sleep.

With Wen Qing’s mention of nightmares and the damage resentful energy could be doing to Wei Ying in mind, Lan WangJi manifests his guqin and starts “Cleansing.” He has played this for him before, at the end of the war during his days-long unconsciousness and for a bit afterward. 

How much pain could have been prevented, had he realized Wei Ying’s sacrifice earlier? What more could he have done to ease his pain? Regret cloaks him, weights him, and he plays for himself as well. 

...and to live without regrets…

He remembers a brighter Wei Ying, so many years ago it seems now, releasing a lantern he had deftly painted with rabbits for him. That part of his pledge, the pledge he had echoed, the pledge it seems he needs to work harder to fulfill. 

Lan WangJi cannot change the past; he can only move forward, acknowledge his mistakes and work to lessen the damage done and prevent further ill effects. 

Wei Ying settles quickly, and he runs through the notes only once for now, stilling the strings when he’s finished.

“He’s played that here,” Wen Qing says in the silence that follows. “On his dizi.”

He wouldn’t be able to infuse spiritual energy into it to make it effective, but Lan WangJi wonders if the music is comforting to him regardless.

He wonders, selfishly, if Wei Ying has played it thinking of him.

“He plays another one more often, though. A-Yuan loves that one.”

She hums a few notes, and Lan WangJi feels struck dumb, frozen.

Wei Ying plays WangXian, remembers it.

His fingers pluck the tune, running through the song he wrote for Wei Ying so many years ago, the song he played for him only once. The song he plays now, hoping it eases his dreams further. 

Wen Qing is watching him when he stills the strings.

“I wrote it. For him.”

He doesn’t owe her the information, but he shares it anyway. 

“You’re exactly who he needs.” Wen Qing’s smile transforms her, edging away the exhaustion that seems etched in her features. “You should tell him.”

Lan WangJi knows she means more than the song. “I thought he knew.”

He had told Wei Ying the name of the song in the cave, had thought the sentiment behind it was known, but Wei Ying had been burning with fever at the time, had fallen into fevered dreams, and Lan WangJi can’t be sure he even heard the name at all. And the next time he’d seen him, it was after he’d gone missing, and Wei Ying been twisted by his experiences.

“Wei WuXian is a genius, but he’s also an idiot.” Wen Qing’s smile turns bitter. “He’s the kind of person who cares for everyone but believes himself unworthy of anyone’s care. He won’t know. Not unless he’s told.”

Possibly the worst thing about her observation is how true it rings, how much it tracks with everything Lan WangJi has seen of Wei Ying. She doesn’t need to say what’s implied: that even told, Wei Ying may still feel unworthy. He does not recognize his own value.

“He is worthy,” he finally says, and knows it only touches the surface of how he feels about Wei Ying. “He is deserving.”

And Lan WangJi will spend the rest of their lives ensuring he understands that.

[wangxianficfinder]

In the mood for a Fic

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1. Hello can you recommended some wangxian highschool or college au?

The Twin Jade Problem by bonyenne (T, 23k, wangxian, LXC&LWJ, modern, college/university, humor, miscommunication) (link in #17B)

Trading Up by beeswaxing (G, 3k, WangXian, Modern AU, High School, College/University, First Meetings, Meet-Cute, Fluff, Rabbits, Established Relationship)

Make The Fireflies Dance Silver Moon's Sparkling by Sweetlittlevampire (T, 23k, wangxian, modern, highschool au, friends to lovers, teenagers, growing up, getting to know each other, getting together, slow burn, first kiss, first love)

Somersaults by salakavala (T, 3k, wangxian, pre-slash, board games, jealous WWX, oblivious WWX, embarrassing WWX)

The Fifth Type of Non-Contact Force by Caixx (T, 83k, WangXian, Modern AU, High School, Slice of Life, Slow Burn, Fluff and Humor, Actually Somewhat Canon, Mutual Pining, Horny Teenagers, Angst with a Happy Ending)

The Importance of a Friend and a Home Tutor by Leffy (T, 3k, WangXian, Modern AU, High School, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Fluff, Humor)

As You Wish by comforting_monachopsis (T, 12k, wangxian, modern, college/university au, pining, fluff & crack, idiots to lovers)

be still, my foolish heart by mirrorofprinces (E, 6k, wangxian, modern, friends w/ benefits, friends to lovers, pining, smut, misunderstandings, getting together)

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2. How are you doing? For in the mood for I'm desperate looking for fanfics where Wangxian starts dating/confess/fall in love, etc, during the Xuanwu caves or the Cold Lake caves. (This is not necessary to happen but If they gets engaged/married without WWX knowledge it would be a great plus!). Mostly I'd like confessions between Wangxian while they're alone in the caves. I hope you can help me! Thanks! ❤️

with intent by Lirazel (E, 10k, WangXian, Cold Springs, Canon Divergence, Huddling For Warmth, Marriage Consummation, Hypothermia, the inherent eroticism of the forehead ribbon, ace-spectrum!lwj, wwx is his exception)

tame by rikke (M, 11k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Very Dumb, very fluff)

Love Is More Than Telling Me You Want It by phnelt (E, 99k, WangXian, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Rut Sex, Knotting, Virginity, complex feelings about virginity, Angst with a Happy Ending, Sunshot Campaign, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies)

A Wedding of Choice by scifigeek14 (T, 17k, WangXian, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Marriage Proposal, Episode Related, Canon Divergence, POV Third Person Limited)

oh but you're good to me by vespertineflora (E, 10k, WangXian, A/B/O Dynamics, Mating Cycles/In Heat, POV WWX, Omega WWX, Alpha LWJ, First Time, First Kiss, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Multiple Orgasms, Knotting, Misunderstandings, Sex In A Cave)

Cave Survival (or: how the Xuanwu cave could have gone) by cerbykerby (T, 6k, WangXian, Trope fic, Canon Compliant, forced stripping, Almost-Crackfic, Pining LWJ, Oblivious WWX, Almost-Drowning, kiss of life and other tropes, Humor, Fluff, Romance)

我在。by tangerinechar (T, 4k, WangXian, Pining, First Kiss, Angst)

Outside Another Yellow Moon by Vamillepudding (T, 10k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, YL WWX, Fairy Tale Elements, Hurt/Comfort, LWJ Needs a Hug, Curse Breaking)

but if i know you by rasenna (G, 1k, WangXian, BSSR/LY, Fluff, Canon Divergence, Accidental Engagement)

won't you let me know you now by tardigradeschool (T, 12k, WangXian, Star Trek Fusion, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Mutual Pining, Telepathy, Vulcan Mind Melds, Pre-Relationship, very background 3zun, Protective Siblings, Friends to Lovers) this is a star trek au, but I think it will tick your boxes cause they're definitely characterized as Wei ying and Lan zhan!!

bleed by justdoityoufucker (T, 5k, WangXian, Sunshot Campaign, Canon Divergence, Time Travel, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Families of Choice, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Canon JC Characteristics, Not Jiāng Chéng Friendly)

break upon your shore by Annerb (M, 11k, WIP, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Getting Together)

有情人终成眷属 | And All Shall Be Well by bookwyrmling (T, 17k, WangXian, Twin Prides of Yúnmèng Dynamics, Gūsū Lán Sect Rules, Gūsū Lán Forehead Ribbon, Arranged Marriage, YZY is not a bad parent, Canon Divergence, Forehead Ribbon Wedding, Wedding Planning, Good Sibling JYL, Oblivious WWX, Protective JC, Supportive Sibling LXC)

Until The End by abCEE (M, 365k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, war changes people, resulting to OOC, no pinning, LWJ learns how to speak, WWX is not oblivious, Established Relationship, wangxian are married and have a son, Mpreg, Good Uncle LQR, a little grey LWJ, a bit of JC bashing from LWJ, BAMF JYL, 16 years of yearning, mainly CQL verse but has scenes from the novel as well, LSZ is WangXian's Child, WWX Has a New Golden Core, Canonical Character Death - WWX, Canon Rewrite, Happy Ending, Fix-It of Sorts)

My knee is pressing against his knee by Moominmammashandbag (M, 4k, wangxian, angst, fluff, smut, happy ending) It gets a little spicy in the middle but it's really good! An au take on the cave with the xuanwu

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3. Hi! I hope you are having a great day! This is for "in the mood for". Lately I'm looking for fics A) Canon Divergence where Wangxian fall in love and gets together when they're still teenagers. Happy Endings please. And B) Time travels fics fix-it Canon Divergence, where the Juniors travels to the past and saves WWX for dying and makes Wangxian fall in love and gets together. Happy Endings again, please. (Right now I'm not looking for modern aus or female Wangxian, thanks for understanding). Thanks for the amazing job y'all do! @perayasgirl

3A)

A Kiss of True Love to break a Curse by Wangxian101 (T, 5k, WangXian, Teenage Wangxian, Not Canon Compliant, kiss of true love, curse of lies, truth curse, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst with a Happy Ending, Teen Angst, Oblivious WWX, oblivious LWJ, Love Confessions, Getting Together, Gremlin WWX, Happily Every After, True Love's Kiss)

Straight at the Sun by diamondbruise (E, 33k, WangXian, Canon Universe, no war though, Mutual Pining, Pining while fucking, Misunderstandings, First Time, Anal Sex, wwx desperately wants lwj's attention, lwj desperately wants to marry wwx, Miscommunication, Jealousy, in abundance, Happy Ending)

And Again by tangerinechar (G, 1k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Fluff)

standing by you; holding on by Anonymous (T, 8k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, No Sunshot Campaign, YZY's terrible parenting, that is., Child Abuse, Hurt/Comfort, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Yúnmèng Siblings Dynamics, little bit of BAMF lwj too)

bleed by justdoityoufucker (T, 5k, WangXian, Sunshot Campaign, Canon Divergence, Time Travel, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Families of Choice, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Canon JC Characteristics, Not Jiāng Chéng Friendly) (link in #2)

To Sizhui by countingcr0ws (E, 21k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Librarian LWJ, Mistaken Identity, Requited Love, Mental Link, Soul Bond, Genius WWX, Romance, Fluff, Banter, Epistolary, Love Poems, Footnotes, Smut, Laughter During Sex, Cultivation Sect Politics, Love Letters)

to swim through the fires by littledust (M, 36k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Canon Divergence, Friendship, Male-Female Friendship, MDZS Big Bang 2020, Everybody Lives, Sunshot Campaign)

Rebound Betrothal by mondengel (Not Rated, 1k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Angst, Fluff, Humor)

every breath that comes before by tardigradeschool (T, 10k, WangXian, Hurt/Comfort, Poison, Golden Core Reveal, Sharing a Bed, Hair Brushing, very very background 3zun, Angst with a Happy Ending, PTSD, WWX's terrible self-esteem)

The Distance Between Fondness and Something Akin to Love by countingcr0ws (M, 20k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Not Canon Compliant, War, Cloud Recesses, Romance, Mistaken Identity, Impersonation, Awkward Flirting, Canon Divergence, Wedding Planning, Chinese tradition)

Five Ways to Provoke Lan Wangji by ekideme (E, 12k, wangxian, teasing, getting together, cloud recesses shenanigans)

3B)

#16 of this post might have fics that interest you

~*~

4. hello! For the next in the mood for, may I ask for genderfluid!wwx fics? or fics in which wwx has weird relationship with gender. Setting doesn't matter. Thank you and have a nice week! <3

💖 KILF (Knits I’d Like To Fuck in) by ScarlettStorm (E, 168k, wangxian, modern, established relationship, sex work, fiber arts, fluff & smut, mental health, genderfluid character, gender exploration, hurt/comfort, past trauma, 2nd in series) Be sure to read the first one too ^^

how to make your dad fall in love with your high school teacher in five steps; the complete and bulletproof guide by ravenditefairylights (T, 90k, WangXian, Modern AU, Coffee shop AU, NB LSZ, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst, Genderfluid WWX)

💖 By Any Other Name by ShanaStoryteller (Not Rated, 31k, Wangxian, Canon Divergence, Crossdressing, Misunderstandings, Identity Porn, Identity reveal, Polski Translation Pod każdym innym imieniem by tehanu, [PODFIC] By Any Other Name by sakizar) 

💖 you've ruined my life (by not being mine) by cicer (E, 132k, wangxian, modern, developing relationship, teenage romance, awkward flirting, slow burn, happy ending, bottom LWJ in ch 15)

See all this and more for just ten dollars a month! Series by ScarlettStorm (E, 382k, WIP, WangXian, Modern AU, Getting Together, Pining, OnlyFans AU, Genderfluid WWX, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Porn, Sex Worker WWX, Switch Rights, Autistic LWJ, Neurodivergent WWX, Fluff, Smut)

Crushing Weight of Paradise by Pip (Moirail) (E, 3k, WangXian, Genderfuck, Gender Exploration, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Oral Sex, Come as Lube, Modern AU, Face Slapping, Breathplay, Feminization, PWP, Creampie, Lingerie, Established Relationship)

all that and more by Euphorion (E, 20k, WangXian, Modern AU, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Recreational Drug Use, Alcohol, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Truth or Dare, Sexting, Nudes, First Time, Blow Jobs, "Straight" WWX, "Cis" WWX, Genderfluid WWX, trans WN, Intercrural Sex, Phone Sex, Rimming, Anal Play, Friends With Benefits, Mutual Pining, Weddings, Minor WWX/MXY, Facials)

to dwell inside a body Series by typefortydeductions (E, 106k, WangXian, Modern AU, The Porn Is the Plot, Kink Negotiation, Under-negotiated Kink, Safewording, Light BDSM, Dom/sub, Fisting, Sex Crying, Panic Attacks, Top Drop, Gender Dysphoria, Genderfluid WWX, Hurt/Comfort)

~*~

5. Hi! I'm in the mood for WWX going into seclusion. TYSM!

where do we begin (the rubble or our sins) by KouriArashi (T, 41k, wangxian, angst w/ hopeful ending, fix-it of sorts, temporary amnesia, kid fic, grief/mourning, hurt/comfort, family feels)

Back to Gusu by museaway (M, 58k, wangxian, canon divergence, hurt/comfort, marriage, married life, fatherhood, first time, falling in love, corporal punishment)

apples falling far from the tree by milkcartonkid (M, 8k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Marriage seclusion, Running away, Rogue WangXian, Implied sexual content)

also im having some trouble deciding if whipstitch by curiositykilled (M, 131k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Dysfunctional Family, Torture, WWX Lives, but basically no one else, Case Fic, Cultivation Sect Politics, Past Abuse, WWX Whump, YL WWX, JL Needs a Hug, JL Tries, Yunmeng Bro Reconciliation, Past Character Death, Body Horror, Non-Consensual Body Modification, POV Alternating, Flashbacks, Eventual Happy Ending, Heavy Angst, Suicide Attempt, PTSD, Depression, Not A Fix-It, Mouth Sewn Shut) fits the prompt for 5?

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6. Heloo do you know any wangxian fics like this tiktok or something similar? (for #6 the text of the tik tok says "trope in where a girl with powers removes herself from her assassin lover's memories so he can eliminate her for his mission without hesitation.")

~*~

7. hi!! can u reco a fic where wwx/jc/nhs/jzx are friends? @ner-u​

Song by WithBroomBefore (T, 41k, Platonic Soulbond, Hurt/comfort, Canon Divergence, No golden core transfer, JC&JZX stay in Xuanwu cave, Fix-it, Temporary character death, [PODFIC] Song by Gwogobo) This one doesn’t have NHS unfortunately but WWX & JC & JZX are/become friends

A little help (can go a long way) by syriala (G, 5k, JC & NHS & JZX, canon divergence, sworn brothers, fix-it, support, hurt/comfort, humor, phoenix mountain)

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8. I was wondering if you have any fics where Wwx and Jyl are really close/really good friends or that focuses on their relationship? Not Modern Au if at all possible.

for whatever we lose we find in the sea (and love is higher than any sky) by shadowspice (G, 5k, JYL & LWJ, JYL & WWX, WangXian, Sibling Love, Romance, Fluff and Angst, Domestic Fluff, Cooking, Husbands, Hurt/Comfort, True Love, Established WangXian, Sad WWX)

~*~

9. hiiii!!! for the next itmf, id love to see anything with multiple lan wangjis! duplicates, time travel, a curse, i don’t really care- i’d just love to see anything where wwx gets to deal with multiple of his husband, lol! explicit is welcome but not needed. thanks for all your hard work!! 💖💖

T.T.T (Triple the Trouble) by Tokiio (Not Rated, 7k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Canon Divergence, Foursome - M/M/M/M, Cursed LWJ, Demonic Cultivation, bareback, Fluff, Comedy, Porn With Plot, Anal Sex)

shrike to your sharp and glorious thorn by martyrsdaughter (E, 2k, WangXian, Canon Compliant, Incense Burner, PWP, Double Anal Penetration, Spitroasting, Foursome - M/M/M/M, Face-Fucking, Dubious Consent, Self-Lubrication, Rough Sex, Dom/sub Undertones)

~*~

10. heyyy for your next ITMF could you do fics where wwx was in an abusive relationship before getting with lwj?

Must Have Been the Wind by Akabara_13 (T, 4k, wangxian, LSZ & LWJ & WWX & LJY, JC & WWX & JYL, LWJ & LXC, modern, physical abuse, implied/referenced child abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, domestic violence, heavy angst w/ happy ending, blood, trauma)

💖 Talisman by Witch_Nova221 (M, 192k, wangxian, modern, theater au, rock band au, eventual romance, implied/referenced spousal abuse, implied/referenced child abuse, hurt/comfort, angst w/ happy ending, fluff, stalking, minor character death, friends to lovers, orphans, pining)

On Your Doorstep by jiejieaini (M, 18k, WangXian, Friends to Lovers, Modern AU, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Fluff, Angst, Kid Fic, Reunions, Really Just So Much Fluff, dadxian) not the focus, but it's mentioned

~*~

11. Hiiii !!!! Thank you so much for all your hard work 💜. I would like a request recommendations for wangxian modern aus where they are already in an established relationship. It can have misunderstandings and light angst but ONLY happy endings please. I've read soooooo many fics where it follows their "getting together" journey. Now im in the mood for ones where they're already in a relationship and how they grow and develop from there. Thank you 😊

relics of love by cl410 (T, 2k, wangxian, modern, celebrity au, child LSZ, fluff & humor, parenthood)

i think i wanna marry you by w_wxsparkles (G, 2k, WangXian, Established Relationship, Marriage, Boys Kissing, LWJ is Whipped, WWX is Pining, self-indulgent fic, LSZ is LWJ & WWX’s Child, Artist LWJ, Romance, Soft WangXian, they’re in love and that’s all that matters, Junkyards)

🧡 The World We Made by updatebug (T, 80k, WangXian, The Old Guard fusion, Immortals, Immortal LWJ, Angst with a Happy Ending, Reincarnation, Modern AU, The Old Guard AU, Temporary Character Death)

Just let Wangxian sleep in peace pls by like_a_bird_that_flew (G, <1k, wangxian, LXC & LWJ, modern, fluff, humor, married wangxian, cuddling)

Sunday Mornings by NightCrow712 (G, <1k, wangxian, modern, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, fluff, parenthood, baby LSZ)

Puppy by Speechless_since_1998 (G, <1k, JC & WWX, wangxian, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, modern, kid fic, hurt/comfort, fluff, slice of life, family bonding)

Wandering Souls, Wild Ghosts by belleweather (E, 49k, wangxian, post-canon, victorian au, case fic, rentboys, smut, married wangxian, immortality, canon-typical violence, period-typical sexism & racism & homophobia, voyeurism, families of choice)

…And they were Cultivators by pearliegloom (T, 4k, wangxian, modern, immortality, comedy, museums, outsider POV)

~*~

12. Do you know any good fics that focus on Nie Huaisang? Preferably about the steps he takes to ruin Jin Guangyao and/or how he feels after achieving his goal?

By Name by nirejseki (G, 1k, NHS & WN, SangNing, Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, NHS is Tired, Pre-Romance)

dead man walking by fensandmarshes (Not rated, 7k, NHS & JGY, NHS & NMJ, major character death, execution, rituals, NHS centric, grief/mourning, NMJ lives)

Got a Secret (Can You Keep It?) by 1PB2PB3PB4 (T, 22k, NHS & NMJ, NHS & LWJ, canon divergence, post-sunshot, NSH pov, BAMF NHS, protective NHS, trans NMJ)

💖 Deadset by 1PB2PB3PB4 (M, 76k, NHS & NMJ, major character death, tgcf style of ghost NHS, NHS pov, light angst, BAMF NHS)

~*~

13. For the next itmf I'd love some LQ and Wangxian butting heads over demonic cultivation. Not just LQ hates WWX personally but some orthodox vs unorthodox argument. And hopefully by the end they find some middle ground. TYSM!

decay by antebunny  (G, 16k, WQ & WWX, wangxian, WWX & LQR, angst w/ happy ending, canon divergence, misunderstandings, miscommunication, fix-it, hurt/comfort)

💖 Swordless by WithBroomBefore, 2nd in series (G, 32k, wangxian, JC & WWX & JYL, WWX & LQR, canon divergence, established relationship, WWX goes to Gusu, healing, trust, communication, golden core reveal, feelings, trans LWJ, philosophy, WWX pov) this one they have philosophic discussion about morality of using demonic cultivation in a scene or two

~*~

14. Hallo! Do you have any fics like Turn Left from kianspo (on ao3)? Just Wangxian and one of them is ugly for any reason (curse, accident,...) can be permanent or not, i don't care. Thank you in advance!

❤️ Beauty and the Boot by PTchan (T, 45k, wangxian, summoned by f!oc, WIP, Mojo’s post) maybe not quite what you asked for, but wwx is resurrected by a person deemed unattractive

❤️🌻The Book’s Cover by @eudoxiav (E, 50k, wangxian, canon divergence, WWX not in MXY’s body, canon retelling, humor, demisexual LWJ, genderqueer WWX, smut, Mojo’s post/art) like the other rec maybe not quite what you were looking for but similar

~*~

15. hi! do you know any fics wangxian with this trope "not actually unrequited love" please? thank you!

to arrive late is better than not to arrive at all by Moominmammashandbag (M, 34k, WangXian, Angst with a Happy Ending, Soulmates, Chronic Illness, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Hanahaki Disease, but as a curse, Feelings Realization, Fluff and Smut, Family Angst, sibling angst, Wedding, Motion Sickness, sect politics, Marriage Proposal) ‘not actually unrequited love’ is an ao3 tag you can search coupled with the wangxian tag, there’s several pages of stories available :)

A Kiss of True Love to break a Curse by Wangxian101 (T, 5k, WangXian, Teenage Wangxian, Not Canon Compliant, kiss of true love, curse of lies, truth curse, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst with a Happy Ending, Teen Angst, Oblivious WWX, oblivious LWJ, Love Confessions, Getting Together, Gremlin WWX, Happily Every After, True Love's Kiss) (link in #3A)

Pentimento. by orange_crushed (E, 73k, wangxian, modern, college/university au, art conservation, museums, pining, not actually unrequited love, angst w/ happy ending, misunderstandings, smut, major character injury, hospitalization, hurt/comfort, past incarceration, forgery)

More than a Dream of You by VoidRune (T, 8k, wangxian, canon divergence, time travel fix-it, sunshot campaign, hurt/comfort, pining)

~*~

16. For in the mood for, do you have any good mer wangxian fics? With either both or one of them as the mer or mer equivalent(jiaorin (no idea if im spelling that right) fics r also welcome Love the recs and the work that goes into these posts! Yall are amazing!!!

More Than This Provincial Wife by ApprenticedMagician (T, 5k, wangxian, arranged marriage, merpeople, first meetings, slow burn, happy ending, madam lan lives, mistaken identity, fairy tale elements)

Tears of Pearl series by FleetofShippyShips (with art by sweetlittlevampire) (T, 34k, wangxian, merpeople, merman LWJ, first meetings, Chinese mythology & folklore, pre-relationship, pining, light angst, misunderstandings, hurt/comfort, WIP)

Bottom of the Deep Blue by mondengel (T, 20k, WangXian, Mermaid AU)

Phrases and Themes form a Song by mondengel (T, 2k, WangXian, Mermaid AU, Mermaids)

When fish soar by mondengel (G, 2k, WangXian, Mermaid AU)

Secrets of Yunmeng's Lotus Lakes by Cy_anne (G, 73k, WangXian, Onesider SuXian, Omega WWX, Mermaid WWX, Cultivator LWJ, Teen WangXian, No War AU, Non-Traditional A/B/O Dynamics, Falling In Love, Getting Together, Interspecies Romance, Injury Recovery, Accidental Stabbing, Cultivation Accidents, Near Death, Kidnapping, Non-Explicit Torture, Mentions of major injury, Fluff, Attempted Sexual Assault, Courtship, Courting Rituals)

💖 you’re a bird in the water / i’m a fish on the ground by plonk (Not rated, 8k, wangxian, merpeople au, canon era)

Ever Distant Shores by fuddy_duddy (rainier_day) (T, 90k, WIP, WangXian, Merpeople, Sirens, Canon Compliant, canon adjacent, Angst with a Happy Ending)

oceans, drowned in starfire by stiltonbasket (T, 30k, WangXian, Modern AU, Novelist LWJ, Merman WWX, Accidental Baby Acquisition, (of the xiao-yu variety), Near Death Experiences, Family Secrets, Domestic Fluff, Happy Ending, The Little Mermaid Fusion, Inspired by Ponyo (2008) )

💖 Under every sky, in every way by naqaashi (M, 13k, wangxian, curses, curse breaking, fix-it of sorts, mer LWJ, love confessions, secrets, pining, genius WWX, angst w/ happy ending, fluff, hurt/comfort, flirting, feelings)

💖 depth, still waters by Sanguis (E, 6k, wangxian, fantasy au, merpeople, smut, love confessions, tentacles, mating, mating bites)

💖 splash;; by defractum (nyargles) (E, 11k, wangxian, modern w/ cultivation, gender changes, F/F, merpeople, rule 63, smut)

💖 seeking the magic below by Leahelisabeth (fortheloveofcamelot) (G, 10k, wangxian, high school au, mermaids, H2O au, bullying, first meetings, first kiss, necromancy)

💖 ten hearts for you by athylia (Not rated, 10k, wangxian, harvest moon au, farmer WWX, mermaid LWJ)

💖 sun beneath the sea by cringewerewolf (M, 19k, wangxian, modern, brief depictions of drowning, mermaid WWX, deep-sea diver LWJ)

💖 Buried in the Sky, Hallowed by thy Depths by themunchking (T, 9k, wangxian, Mojo’s post)

💖 Waltz for the Moon by LilyMaxwell (T, 3k, wangxian, LXC & LWJ, scifi au, mermaids, hurt/comfort, healing, sad w/ happy ending, brotherly love, suicidal references, romance, ocean imagery)

💖 Like the sea loves the shore by Say (E, 15k, wangxian, LQY & WWX, implied/referenced WWX/WC, F/F, rule 63, dark LWJ, protective LWJ, sirens, childhood friends to lovers, fluff, angst w/ happy ending, eventual smut, human WWX, siren LWJ, age difference, non-human genitalia, minor character death)

~*~

17. Hi! I hope you are doing great •.• I would like to ask for two kind of fics for your next "in the mood for", please. It would be A) Yunmeng Jiang sect leader Wei Wuxian and B) fics where people mistake the twin jades for one another (I read one about a dragon, I think it was Dragon's bride, in which wwx thought lxc was lwj, and lwj got seriously jealous, something like that, please). Thanks for your hard work~!

17A)

The River Runs Forever by Cerusee (T, 118k, WIP, wangxian, JYL & WWX & JC, NHS/JYL, WWX & NHS, character death, BAMF WWX, inventor WWX, sect leader WWX)

17B)

The Twin Jade Problem by bonyenne (T, 23k, wangxian, LXC&LWJ, modern, college/university, humor, miscommunication)

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If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

Thank you for all the suggestions!

[robininthelabyrinth]

Wei Wuxian sees the impossible, and gleefully achieves it, making trouble all the while. Jiang Cheng doesn’t even notice when he does impossible things.

1

Jiang Fengmian had been searching for his friends’ child for years, now. He’d known something had gone wrong when he stopped receiving Wei Changzhe’s letters, but the world was large and he didn’t know which way they had gone. How could he find a child like that?

“What are you looking for?” his son asked one day, shortly before he set out once again to search.

Jiang Fengmian didn’t question how his son knew that he was searching for something – his wife must have said some scathing comment within earshot. “Not what,” he said mildly. “I’m looking for a person. You’ll like them.”

“Oh,” Jiang Cheng said, and considered the issue with all the solemnity of a child. “I hope you find him, then.”

Jiang Fengmian did.

2

When Jiang Cheng dived into the water in the Xuanwu’s cave, he was sure he’d find a way out. After all, Wei Wuxian had said there would be one, and the presence of fresh leaves on the surface of the pool was the proof of it.

In the first dive, he found a small opening – no larger than two fists together, but with a steady current inward. It was more than large enough to carry fresh leaves in from a tree by the river.

But Wei Wuxian had said there would be a way out here, and Jiang Cheng believed his shixiong.

The second time he dived, he found it.

3

“I don’t think I’m going to make it,” Jiang Yanli said. There was sadness in her voice, but still strength: she was only being cool-headed and practical. The Wen sect cultivators had figured out where she was hiding at last – it was only luck that had allowed Jiang Cheng to find her first, his eyes still red from the trauma of having lost his core and regained it, only to lose track of Wei Wuxian along the way.

The only way out of their current situation was to fight their way out – and Jiang Yanli was an indifferent cultivator, and an even worse fighter.

“You’ll make it,” Jiang Cheng said stubbornly, his hands around hers. “You’re going to survive the war, jiejie. You’re going to survive the war, and you’re going to get married, and you’ll have a son on your first try. You hear me? That’s what’s going to happen.”

It did.

(It never occurred to him to specify what would happened after that.)

4

Jiang Cheng didn’t really understand the tangled web of loyalties and counter-loyalties, schemes and backstabbing, and all the political calculations that constituted the inner world of Lanling Jin. He didn’t care much about it, either.

“I will help raise Jin Ling,” he announced. “For the first year or two, at least, and then part of the year thereafter.”

Those cultivators that first heard him say it used their sleeves to muffle their laughter: what a ridiculous proposition! Jin Ling was the sole legitimate heir of Lanling Jin – why in the world would anyone allow him to be raised, even in part, by Yunmeng Jiang? It was his mother’s family, sure, but a girl married out was like a bucket of spilled water – there was no getting back what was inside.

And anyway, it wasn’t as though there weren’t plenty of people to raise him in Koi Tower. His grandfather, of course, and never forget his doting grandmother – they’d raised his father, hadn’t they, and they were hardly old. Or perhaps it would be his gentle little uncle, who always smiled, and if he was too busy to pay it much mind, then there was always the legion of maids and servants that could do the job by themselves.

And yet – Jiang Cheng took Jin Ling back with him to live for a few years in the Lotus Pier, and then part of the year each year thereafter.

Just as he’d said he would.

5

“Uncle,” Jin Ling asked with a yawn one night, curled up next to where his uncle was reading reports. He was too old to do it, too old and too proud, but on especially hot nights there wasn’t anything better for falling asleep, so sometimes he permitted himself the indulgence. “Have you ever wanted Wei Wuxian to come back?”

He’d heard stories through the years about the dreadful Yiling Patriarch and all the things he’d done – he hated him, of course, just like his uncle did. Even more: he had no father or mother to raise him, which was Wei Wuxian’s fault; he was mocked and bullied by all the children in Lanling about it, which was Wei Wuxian’s fault; and sometimes he thought about how much his uncle, his wonderful uncle, had suffered, the way he still suffered…that was Wei Wuxian’s fault, too.

Everyone knew his uncle maintained a strict search for all demonic cultivators, consumed with anger and fear that any one of them might be Wei Wuxian reborn – it was his duty, of course. The Jiang sect had been the one that had raised the rotten bastard to begin with, supported him during the war, and so it was his uncle’s self-imposed responsibility to keep Wei Wuxian’s demonic cultivation, much less a reborn Wei Wuxian himself, from hurting other people the way it had hurt him.

He was always searching.

But Jin Ling had never before asked if Jiang Cheng wanted to find Wei Wuxian.

Maybe he did, wanting Wei Wuxian to come back so that they could have a big fight, Jin Ling thought happily; it would be like something out of a storybook, and best of all it would put his uncle’s worried heart at ease to have finally put to rest his terrible nightmare.

“…yes,” his uncle said, his voice unusually soft. His fingers had frozen over the reports, and his gaze was distant, even lost, not that Jin Ling was looking. “I want Wei Wuxian to come back.”

Somewhere else, far away, Nie Huaisang put down his fan and asked the madman in front of him, “Are you really sure you want to do this?”

“Yes,” Mo Xuanyu said. “I’m sure.”

[robininthelabyrinth]

I don't know if you ship ChengXian, but maybe a soul mate au for them with a happy ending please?

1

They figured out that Wei Ying’s parents had died, and Wei Ying left alone, when Jiang Cheng’s fingers started scabbing over.

After all, that’d been the agreement: Jiang Fengmian would consent to his wife’s proposal to engage his eldest daughter to the Jin sect’s heir, and in return she would agree to allow him to bind his best friend’s son to his own the way he and Wei Changzhe had once been bound, before the latter dissolved it in order to marry. 

A soul binding contract, allowing the wounds incurred by one to be shared with the other – a life-saving panacea, halving the severity of the injury by splitting it among two people’s bodies.

It was supposed to be for Jiang Cheng’s benefit, or so Jiang Fengmian had said, but the more his father went out to search for the missing Wei Wuxian – because it had to be his fingers that were so cold that they nearly froze, his nails that were breaking off as he scrabbled for food, his palms that were scraped raw by landing too-hard against the earth – the more Jiang Cheng thought that it was actually for him.

The other persons’ child.

Jiang Cheng didn’t mind, though. He forced himself to eat twice as much as he needed at meals, thinking about how the way he still lost weight he couldn’t spare, but his father forced him to eat even more than that, more and more until his mother threatened to beat him with Zidian if he even suggested another spoonful. He carefully bandaged his fingers and stayed inside, not risking any injury that might spread to Wei Ying’s body, anything that might be the difference between life and death for him.  He took warm baths and wrapped himself in blankets to try to pass along what warmth he could in winter, huddling in his bed with Jasmine, Princess, and Lovely so they could add their warmth, too, licking his fingers whenever they hurt.

When his father finally came back with Wei Ying in his arms, Jiang Cheng was so happy to finally have a chance to meet the boy who was going to be his best friend, just like their fathers had been.

It was nearly all ruined when Jiang Fengmian sent Jiang Cheng’s puppies away, citing Wei Ying’s fear – the contract couldn’t survive hatred, would break at once if one of them ever really hated the other – but in the end Wei Ying came to him and whispered that he remembered little tongues licking his fingers, that maybe these dogs weren’t so bad, and maybe they could go find them again…maybe even together?

That was when Jiang Cheng knew that every bit of effort he’d put in all those years was worth it.

2

It was hard to tell which one of them got into more scrapes when they were younger, Wei Wuxian in his recklessness or Jiang Cheng in trying to keep up with his friend, so they got into the habit of patching each other up as quickly as possible before either Jiang Fengmian or Madam Yu could see – depending on who they encountered first, one of them would get blamed, and neither of them wanted to see that.

Madam Yu sometimes talked about arranging a marriage for Jiang Cheng so that he wouldn’t be burdened by the soul-contract any longer, but Jiang Fengmian refused, insisting that his son pick his marriage for himself, and Jiang Cheng was quietly relieved: he didn’t want to trade in Wei Wuxian for some girl he didn’t know.

Even when Wei Wuxian began to outpace him, being more skilled, more talented, more charismatic – even when people started saying he understood the Jiang sect motto better, that he would be a better sect leader, that he was Jiang Fengmian’s true heir –

Jiang Cheng didn’t care. Wei Wuxian would stand by his side, always, and that was worth a sacrifice.

A little pain in the body, a little pain in the heart, it was all the same.

They were by each other’s side in the Cloud Recesses, they were by each other’s side in the Nightless City, they were at each other’s side as they fell into the cave and came up against the Xuanwu –

And then Jiang Cheng had to be the one to go, while Wei Wuxian had to be the one to stay.

Jiang Cheng clutched his bleeding arm and ignored his burning chest as he hiked back to Yumeng from Qishan, running as far as he could and walking the rest until his feet started bleeding and then he stopped, because he couldn’t let Wei Wuxian face the Xuanwu with bleeding feet, could he?

“Don’t listen to your father,” Wei Wuxian told him after he’d been rescued, when Jiang Fengmian had praised Wei Wuxian and ignored everything Jiang Cheng had done. “I know what you did for me.”

He touched his ribs, which had ached with the exertion, and his feet that were so tired, his stomach that been filled with ill-tasting weeds from the side of the road, that old concern about Wei Wuxian starving rearing its head again, filled and filled until the point that Wei Wuxian had tasted bile that wasn’t his own –

Yes, Wei Wuxian knew that Jiang Cheng loved him.

3

One of the Wen guards slapped Jiang Cheng in the face when he captured him, laughing at their newest prisoner, and only a few streets away Wei Wuxian coughed up blood in response. He didn’t realize then what had happened, but when he returned to find Jiang Cheng gone…

Jiang Cheng would never in his life tell Wei Wuxian what he had done for him, but Wei Wuxian touched his jaw, thought of the timing, and put two and two together.

“It was supposed to be for you, idiot,” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes as he made his way back towards the Lotus Pier as quickly as possible. “It was supposed to protect you – why do you always insist on protecting me?”

Wei Wuxian went as quickly as he could, but he didn’t have his sword and didn’t dare try to find another; his progress was slow, and slowed further by the night he spent screaming up into the stars as the discipline whip fell on Jiang Cheng’s shoulders and chest.

By the way Wei Wuxian suddenly felt terribly sick, empty inside, and didn’t know why until he rescued Jiang Cheng.

(Wen Chao, Wang Lingjiao, Wen Zhuliu…Wei Wuxian vowed that they would all die horrible deaths, every one of them, for what they did to his shidi – to his Jiang Cheng. How dare they..!)

“Remember not to fidget too much,” Wei Wuxian called with a fake smile on his face as Jiang Cheng started his way up the mountain in Yiling, blindfolded and hopeful and believing in Wei Wuxian’s words the way he always had. “Don’t forget: when you get back down, we’ll have matching scars.”

4

“I refuse,” Jiang Cheng said, and turned away from Wei Wuxian. “I will not kick you out of the Jiang sect. I don’t care if Jin Guangshan is angry over what you did – I will not do it.”

“Be sensible for once, Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian said. “This is shijie’s marriage we’re talking about, and the Jiang sect’s well-being! The stupid things I’ve done are on my head – they shouldn’t drag anyone else down.”

“It’s not a matter of dragging it down – you wouldn’t say that I should abandon the sect because of my failures, would you?”

“What? No. Of course not –”

“Well, the Jiang sect’s as much yours as it is mine.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. “Jiang Cheng –”

“It is,” Jiang Cheng snapped. “And if you don’t know that by now, you’ll never figure it out, will you?”

He stormed off.

Wei Wuxian stared behind him for a long time, twisting his fingers together. “Oh,” he said, thinking about how Madame Yu would often declare that she was every bit the mistress of the Jiang sect as Jiang Fengmian was the master. “Oh – Jiang Cheng –”

But in the end, what had to happen had to happen.

5

“I’m his uncle. Do you have any last words?”

Wei Wuxian turned around, back going cold – that voice was Jiang Cheng, his A-Cheng, A-Cheng who he’d left behind and all alone.

Jiang Cheng who had run straight to him in secret as soon as the siege of the Burial Mound was planned, still clad in mourning clothes from the Nightless City and covered in the dust of burying Jiang Yanli, whispering in Wei Wuxian’s ear desperately that he had to run, he had to escape, that if he could only get out of the encirclement that Jiang Cheng hide him, he’d find a way, they’d find a way, I can’t lose you too –

Wei Wuxian had looked his lover in the eye and lied to him again as he’d lied to him before: he told him to go gather up his Jiang sect cultivators, as many as he could, and join the siege, told that he’d be able to claim Wei Wuxian for his own sect and demand the others stay out of his family business, told that it would all work out all right.

All lies.

The cultivation backlash had already begun at that point, building deep inside Wei Wuxian’s dantian that no longer had a golden core to help hold it back, and he knew there would be no escape for him. Better that his death serve some purpose in clearing Jiang Cheng’s name.

Now, back in the present, Wei Wuxian slowly turned on his heel.

Jiang Cheng was even more beautiful than he’d been when they were young. He had finally settled into his adult body, well-proportioned and strong; his entire being sufficed with an aura of power – with Sandu at his side and Zidian on his hand, he was every inch the sect leader he had always been meant to be.

But that wasn’t what took Wei Wuxian’s breath away.

Jiang Cheng’s clothing was high-necked and his sleeves were worn tight to his wrists – but there was still enough flesh visible for Wei Wuxian to see the silvery scars that were peppered throughout his skin, little flecks that shone in the light of the moon from every meridian he had.

As if his body had been torn apart by a thousand fierce ghosts, a cultivation backlash fierce enough to kill no matter how much it had been divided between two bodies.

Jiang Cheng must have refused to release the soul-binding contract until the very end, even as it nearly dragged him into the abyss at Wei Wuxian’s side.

“A-Cheng…”

“Who are you to call my uncle that?” Jin Ling cried out, furious, and he flung out his sword; Wei Wuxian was so shocked that he barely remembered to dodge in time, the sharp end of the blade cutting a thin line in his cheek as it passed him by. “You madman! I can’t believe I was nice to you once –!”

Jiang Cheng held his hand.

At first Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling both thought he was calling for silence, but then Jiang Cheng moved his hand to touch his own face – his cheek, where a thin line of flesh had opened up, and blood dripped down.

“…A-Xian?”

6

“I’ve heard so much about you, shishu!” Jin Ling said later, when they were back in the Lotus Pier, his eyes shining as bright as stars. “Jiujiu’s told me all the stories – I even know how to make Mother’s soup, he said that was your favorite! Do you want to try some?”

Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure how he’d manage to eat soup, even his shijie’s special one, given that Jiang Cheng showed no inclination to release his hand now or forever, but he smiled and nodded and watched as Jin Ling ran away to the kitchens.

“You’re not angry at me?” he asked, not for the first time. To think that Jiang Cheng had never released the soul-binding contract, even when Wei Wuxian had been a ghost, even when his soul had been recalled into a body not his own…

“I’m furious,” Jiang Cheng replied. “The only way you can make it up to me is to stay with me forever.”

[wangxianficrecs]

Hello my dude! Love you what you do and you are keeping wangxian fics running through my veins and keeping me conscious during these times. I come in my quest for a fic you recommended a little bit ago that was a wangxian fic that was a survival/realistic? take on Xuánwǔ cave times. There was a summary/quote where lwy is asking why wwx is stripping and he's just like "we are wet and it's freezing! of course I'm stripping soaked clothes. we need to stay alive not freeze to death. please and ty!

Ah, you want 

Cave Survival (or: how the Xuanwu cave could have gone)

by cerbykerby

T, 6k, wangxian (my post here)

Summary:  “Why,” Lan Wangji said each word in sheer agony, “are you not decent?”

“My clothes are wet,” Wei Wuxian answered. “If I don’t take them off, I run the risk of freezing to death. Don’t you live up in the mountains? I thought you’d know about the dangers of the cold.”

“I do.” Lan Wangji looked absolutely tortured, staring at the cave wall. “So long as there’s a heat source and your clothes are no longer soaking wet, you can put them back on.”

Wei Wuxian made a face. “But I just got dry. I don’t want to put damp pants back on.”

“Wei Ying!”

“Alright, alright, fine! But just the pants.”

——————

An alternate version of the events in the Cave of the Tortoise of Carnage. All the cheesy romantic tropes. All of them. ALL. Basically an excuse to write Lan Wangji panicking and Wei Wuxian being oblivious.

P.S.  I’d love to blame my slovenly habits on tumblr eating asks, but I’ve never actually seen that happen.  I just, answer asks that I know off the top of my head and often ignore the ones that require any extended action on my part.  Also, I deleted the 180 asks I hadn’t gotten to yet just after I returned from my little hiatus, hoping I could get a handle on them with a fresh start.

[rosethornewrites]

Fic: the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break, ch. 3

Relationships: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī & Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī & Wēn Qíng, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn

Characters: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Wēn Qíng, Wēn Níng | Wēn Qiónglín

Additional Tags: Pre-Slash, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Secrets, Crying, Masks, Soulmates, Truth, Self-Esteem Issues, Regret, It was supposed to be a one-shot, Fix-It, Eventual Relationships, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, wwx needs a hug, Nightmares, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD

Summary: Wei WuXian wakes.

Note: This is more an introspective chapter, but I guess they all have been. At some point action will happen, but obviously there’s a lot of trauma and shit to deal with as well.

AO3 link

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

-------------

Wen QiongLin brings dinner, largely comprised of radish-based dishes. From Wen Qing’s comment regarding Wei Ying’s dislike of the vegetable, Lan WangJi decides they should absolutely purchase something else in Yiling tomorrow. 

Though it is nearly time to sleep, Lan WangJi focuses on writing the letter to XiChen. He dares not include too much information, as letters can be intercepted. 

XiChen,

The situation in Yiling is not what was claimed. Lan principles dictate it is our duty to embrace the entirety of the world and to uphold the value of justice. Failure to protect the weak enables bullying of the weak. In failing to uphold these, I have forgotten the grace of our forefathers, who believed in righteousness.

Thus I have decided to stay at Burial Mounds to atone and make right my wrongs. You may visit if you wish to confirm the situation, but I am well.

WangJi 

 Despite the letter being addressed to his brother, rather than to him as his role as sect leader, Lan WangJi has outlined four of the principles he feels have been violated regarding the Wen remnants and reminded XiChen of the GusuLan sect creed. This would be more befitting such a letter, but he feels he must justify his decision.

He sets the letter aside to reread in the morning and take to Yiling, then rummages in his qiankun pouch for his bedroll, intending to sleep on the cave floor.

Before he can, Wei Ying sits up with a gasp, his eyes wild. His breath comes in short pants, and even in the dim light of the talisman he set up to write the letter, he can see the sheen of sweat on his skin. When Lan WangJi moves toward him, his hand comes up, ChenQing held clenched as a shield. 

“Don’t!” His voice is pure panic as he scoots back, and he’s dangerously close to falling off the makeshift bed.

Lan WangJi settles, moving slowly. He pulls out his guqin and starts “Cleansing,” reaching out with his spiritual energy through the music. The tension and panic start to ease from Wei Ying, and he idly wonders how long he has suffered like this, nightmares drenching him in cold sweat.

Wei Ying never seeks help, only shoulders his burdens with a smile. But there have been times when that smile has been a ghost of what it should be; when Wei Ying returned from being missing, a tight, careful smirk, something broken Lan WangJi didn’t know how to fix. Wasn’t allowed to fix.

Somehow Wei Ying never asks for help, regardless of how obvious it is he needs it, wouldn’t accept it when it was offered. He has, somewhere in his life, been taught he isn’t allowed help, is the only thing Lan WangJi can think.

He runs his hands over the strings to still them as “Cleansing” comes to an end, pleased to see that Wei Ying’s breathing has calmed.

“Thank you,” Wei Ying murmurs, not looking at him. “Sorry… for earlier.”

Lan WangJi isn’t sure what he’s referring to entirely, but knowing Wei Ying it’s for his emotional distress, as though he isn’t permitted such.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he tells him honestly. 

Wei Ying picks at his robes, then seems to realize their state and stands to straighten them, finding his belt. Lan WangJi is oddly reminded of the opposite—him stripping in the cave of the XuanWu of Slaughter, pulling off his belt and sodden robes to induce him to expel bad blood. Now, his robes are another way for him to hide.

“I still don’t think you should stay,” Wei Ying says when he’s done.

Stubborn. But Lan WangJi is stubborn as well. 

“I will stay as long as you are here.”

“That’ll be awhile.” Wei Ying sighs. “Well, you already know I can’t force you out.”

“Mn. You could.”

The power he wields through ChenQing, and he knows Wei Ying also is aware by the scowl on his face.

“I wouldn’t use resentful energy on you,” he mutters, sounding a bit offended.

“I know you would not. But you could and choose not to. I trust you not to.”

“You’re probably the only one who trusts me,” Wei Ying murmurs, almost too soft to hear.

Lan WangJi could tell him that the rest of the cultivation world are fools, but instead he starts plucking the strings of the guqin again, this time falling into a familiar song, “WangXian.”

He wonders if Wei Ying will ask him the name again. Wonders if he has the courage again now to tell him. 

Wei Ying’s empty, bitter smile, his return like a ghost after having disappeared for months, telling Lan WangJi his heart was not his business… 

The memory brings with it hesitation and fear; he had taken it as rejection, resolved painfully to endure unrequited love. 

“You have nightmares,” he says as he stills the strings again, moving the conversation away from what he may not be able to say. 

Wei Ying shrugs. “Memories, sometimes. The resentful energy comes from restless spirits. Sometimes I see what they regret, or how they died. Like a sort of Empathy, I guess. Sometimes after I dream, they’re able to move on.”

“Wei Ying.” 

He isn’t able to keep the concern from his voice. This is more information than he’s ever given, though, and he’s honored by the confession.

“If it brings them peace, it’s okay.”

Lan WangJi sighs, frustrated. This is, again, Wei Ying’s sacrificial nature. He’s willing to forego restful sleep to put spirits to rest. That anyone could consider him evil is obscene.

“And tonight?” he asks, putting his guqin away and standing.

A shudder runs through Wei Ying, and he immediately knows the nightmare tonight was his own. Lan WangJi approaches, and though he knows the tremble isn’t from chill, he gathers the heavy robe from the makeshift bed and carefully wraps it around Wei Ying’s shoulders. It is far too large for him. He has always been slender, but nearly as tall as Lan WangJi. Now he is so emaciated the robes hang, dragging on the ground.

Wei Ying doesn’t look at him, and he simply waits, unmoving.

“Being thrown into, well, here. Before.” 

His voice is soft, vulnerable, and cracks at ‘here.’ Lan WangJi is close enough to see his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows hard.

“They threw me from their swords, right into the center. The resentful energy of this place caught me. Broke my fall and pulled me in.”

He says nothing further, and Lan WangJi senses he won’t from the haunted look in his eyes. Some things cannot be spoken or shared, too traumatic. This place is eerie now, partially cleansed of resentful energy, but all of China knows what this place had been before Wei Ying made it livable.

“You survived,” he finally says. “Achieved the impossible.”

Wei Ying only shrugs, crossing his arms and pulling the robe more tightly around him, his posture defensive, as though he too wonders if he truly survived Burial Mounds.

He can do nothing to change what has happened to Wei Ying, but he can work to improve the future. Perhaps starting with his health.

“Wen QiongLin requested to cook for you when you woke.”

Wei Ying pulls a face. “I ate earlier, in town.”

Lan WangJi frowns at him. “Wei Ying, you are starving yourself. You cannot help these people if you do not take care of yourself. You can no longer practice inedia.”

“I know that!” He glares, clearly displeased at the reminder. “I went without as a kid. A-Yuan deserves better.”

“As do you,” he counters. “I brought money. We will go to Yiling for supplies tomorrow. No one need go hungry.”

Wei Ying, he realizes, might be even more susceptible to starvation-related illnesses, having gone through it once before. He reaches forward, only for Wei Ying to jerk back, the reaction one of engrained trauma. Though he knows it doesn’t necessarily represent a lack of trust, the thought that it could is painful.

He has done little these months after the war to earn his trust, but Wei Ying’s rain-soaked face, telling him he trusts him to end his life if it comes to it, springs unbidden to mind. Lan WangJi hopes that isn’t all he trusts him to do, that perhaps Wei Ying can trust him to save his life instead...

“Fine, fine,” Wei Ying says, brushing past him. “Let’s go find Wen Ning.”

Lan WangJi follows him, wondering if the only reason he acquiesced was to ignore his own reaction. Wei Ying tries to hide his pain, always, and this pain is no different. He wants to address it, but getting him to eat is, for the moment, more important.

The rest can be addressed later. He only hopes he can earn Wei Ying’s trust moving forward.