#I WROTE A SECOND CHAPTER

[frownyalfred]

Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: Batman - All Media Types Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne Characters: Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne Additional Tags: Unrequited Love, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Requited Unrequited Love, Longing, Developing Relationship, Bruce Wayne Has Issues, Clark Kent Needs a Hug, Light Angst, it's soft but it's also sad yaknow, Unresolved Sexual Tension, they're idiots your honor, One Night Stands, except it keeps happening, Poor Clark, Minor Injuries Summary:

Bruce’s ribs were broken.

[ranticore]

placeholder guy and his indistinct mandolin(?)

[davonati]

They make love out there in the field, before David has to leave for good. It’s fast and messy, with both of their emotions running so high. Yonatan comes with the taste of David’s tears on his tongue.

He stays lying on his back in the grass until the sound of crunching footsteps finally fades away, and only realizes later that, in their utter desperation for each other, he’d forgotten to take any of the usual precautions. But by then, it’s far too late.

***

Four months later, he goes to see David at Horesh. Even in the dim light of the hideout, David looks at him oddly.

“Something’s different about you,” he muses, and Yonatan has to stop himself from reflexively clutching his belly. He’s not showing yet, not really, but he can feel the life growing inside him.

He expects David to approach him then, to explore the planes of his body as he’s done countless times before. He readies himself to tell David the truth, to finally feel the weight of this secret lift off his shoulders. But David comes no closer. He eyes him for another moment and then turns away, pulling out a large map of the Judean territories as he updates Yonatan on his group’s movements over the last few months.

It’s better this way, Yonatan decides. David has enough to worry about at the moment without concerning himself with Yonatan’s health, and there’s no guarantee that the baby will make it to term anyways: it’s not as if Yonatan is willing – or able – to confine himself to bedrest for nine months. When David returns to Giveah, Yonatan can reevaluate the situation. Most likely Yonatan will never need to reveal his mistake; best case scenario, David will have an heir to secure his lineage as he ascends to the throne.

***

Years later, as Yonatan lies bleeding out under the stars, his last thought is to wish he’d gotten the chance to tell David about their son.

[fratboykate]

Yelena doesn’t pack.

She sits there, fists clenched on her thighs, jaw tight, every muscle in her body screaming at her to follow Kate and fix this before it spirals further out of control.

But she’s tired. God, she’s so fucking tired.

For once, she wants to be the one walked toward instead of always being the one doing the chasing.

But the minutes stretch. Ten. Fifteen. Twenty. The silence outside Kate’s office is oppressive, settling into Yelena’s bones like lead. No footsteps. No hesitation. No coming back.

And she knows...Kate’s not easing up.

That realization sends something sharp and dangerous slicing through her chest. Fine. If Kate wants to be stubborn, then Yelena can match her.

She heads to the door, grabs her keys out of the bowl, and heads out. She doesn’t rush. If Kate is listening, she wants her to hear every deliberate footstep, the soft click of the lock as she pulls the door closed behind her.

Let her know that Yelena isn’t bluffing.

She makes it as far as the car. Keys in hand, fingers curled around the driver’s side door handle. And then she just…stops.

Her pulse is a dull, steady thud in her ears. The weight of the night...the fight, the accusations, the sheer exhaustion of being caught in this cycle...presses in on her.

She should go. She said she was going. And Yelena isn’t the type to walk back on something once she’s put it out into the universe. She’s stubborn like that. Always has been.

But she's still here.

Kate is right here.

And maybe maybe this is the moment. The test.

If Yelena gets in the car and drives off, does Kate let her? Does she come outside, bang on the window, demand she come back inside? Does she call in ten minutes, or an hour, or tomorrow morning when she wakes up and realizes Yelena actually left?

Or does she do nothing?

That last thought sinks claws into Yelena’s chest. It sits there, heavy and festering, refusing to let her go.

She releases the car handle and pivots on her heel, marching back toward the garage elevator before she can talk herself out of it.

Inside, the lights in the hallway are dim. The office door is still wide open, her chair pushed back from the desk exactly how she left it. The fight sits in the air, thick and suffocating, but the house is quiet.

Uncomfortably so.

Yelena makes her way down the hall. There’s a sliver of light coming from the guest room at the end of it.

She hesitates, foot hovering over the carpet leading there, then she moves past it entirely. Instead, she veers toward the kids’ rooms. She’s not sure what she’s looking for. Some reassurance, maybe, something to anchor her in the mess of tonight.

She stops outside Alexia's door first, pressing her palm against the wood for a second before carefully pushing it open just enough to peek inside.

The room is dark, save for the faint glow of the nightlight in the corner. Alexia is curled on their side, one arm flung over the stuffed owl Kate bought her last Christmas. Yelena watches her chest rise and fall, slow and even.

She should’ve been here earlier. Should’ve said goodnight, should’ve been the one to tuck the kids in instead of leaving it to Kate again.

She shuts the door as quietly as possible and crosses the hall to the little one's room.

Maks is sprawled across the mattress in the most chaotic sleeping position imaginable, tangled in the sheets, one sock barely clinging to his foot. In the crib, Sonny is neatly tucked in, her tiny hand curled under his cheek.

Yelena lingers in the doorway for a long time.

She loves them. Of course, she does. That was never up for debate. But it still stings, the way Kate threw it at her earlier, like Yelena being a good mother was somehow optional.

Like Kate thinks she’s failing.

Like she thinks she’s failing.

She swallows hard, backing out of the room.

When she reaches the guest bedroom, the door is cracked open. A lamp is still on inside, and Yelena can just make out the shape of Kate sitting on the edge of the bed, one leg tucked up, fingers pressed to her forehead.

She doesn’t knock, just pushes the door open wider and steps inside.

Kate doesn’t look up. Doesn’t say anything.

Yelena exhales slowly, crossing her arms.

“I didn’t leave.”

Kate snorts, the sound dry, unimpressed.

“Want a medal?”

Yelena clenches her jaw.

“I don’t want to do this anymore.”

That makes Kate lift her head. Her eyes are red, tired, but sharp.

“Do what?”

“This. Fighting. This stupid back and forth. I don’t want to keep hurting you.”

Kate watches her carefully, searching for something. Then, with a quiet scoff, she shakes her head.

“That’s nice. Really. But you don’t get to say ‘I don’t want to fight’ like that fixes everything. You did hurt me. You keep doing it.”

“I know.” It’s the only honest thing Yelena can say. She shifts on her feet. “But you’re hurting me too.”

That seems to land. Kate’s jaw tightens, and she looks away.

Yelena takes a careful step forward.

“We can’t keep doing this. I don’t want to lose you.”

Kate laughs, but it’s hollow.

“You sure about that? Because every time shit gets hard, you disappear.”

Yelena shakes her head. “I don’t...”

“Yes, you do.” Kate cuts in sharply. “Physically. Emotionally. Take your pick.” She lifts her hands, then lets them fall limply onto her lap. “You think I don’t know what it’s like to feel like you’re fucking drowning? I do. Every single day. But I don’t get to check out. I don’t get to decide it’s too much and just…step back.”

“I don’t decide to do it.” Yelena’s voice is quiet now. “It’s not…it’s not something I want.”

“But it’s what happens,” Kate mutters, shaking her head.

Silence stretches between them.

Then, Kate exhales and leans forward, pressing her face into her hands for a moment before lifting her gaze again. Her voice is softer when she speaks next.

“What are we to you?”

"What?”

“Its a simple question,” Kate says, watching her. “If this...” she gestures vaguely between them “...is something you’re only holding onto because it’s familiar, or because leaving would be too hard, then we need to stop pretending.”

Yelena doesn’t answer right away. Because wanting something and knowing how to make it work are two different things. She exhales, crossing the room until she’s close enough to kneel in front of Kate, resting her hands lightly against her knees. Kate doesn’t pull away.

“You and them are the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you,” Yelena says, voice steady. “And I don’t want to stop trying.”

Kate studies her for a long, tense moment. Then, finally, she sighs.

“We have to try differently then,” she says. “Because whatever this is? It’s not working.”

"We'll figure it out. All we have to do is choose not to give up."

///

The next morning is quiet. Too quiet.

Yelena wakes to the sound of muffled voices. The house is awake without her. The kids are up. Kate is up. And Yelena is still in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling like she’s an outsider in her own home.

She drags herself up, pulling on a sweatshirt over her sleep shirt as she pads barefoot toward the door. Their bedroom feels wrong when Kate doesn't sleep in it. Foreign. Without Kate in here, Yelena feels she’s intruding. The space between her and Kate has never felt this wide.

Hearing them out there...it feels like they're already moving on without her.

Yelena makes her way to the kitchen. Kate must have said something hilarious because she hears Alexia and Maks cackle. She turns and corner and, the second she steps inside, she knows she’s walked in on something.

Kate, who stands by the sink, tenses the moment her and Yelena make eye contact. A few feet away, Alexia sits at the table with Maks and Sonny. Sonny is in just her diaper, swinging her legs under her chair, oblivious to the tension that just thickened the air. Maks is staring down at his half-eaten cereal like it might give him an answer to whatever the hell just happened here. Alexia, however, is bristling.

“You should have woken me up,” Yelena says, voice rough with sleep.

Kate doesn't say anything.

Alexia glances up, eyes flicking between them, and suddenly, Yelena realizes what this looks like. Kate slept in the guest room. She wasn’t here when they woke up. She walked in late.

Like a stranger.

“Mama, are you living with Deda and Babu now?” Maks asks, tilting his head.

Yelena’s stomach twists. “What? No. Why would you...”

Yelena glares at Kate. Before she knows it's happening, she's crossing the kitchen and walking straight to Kate.

“What did you tell them?” Yelena asks barely above a whisper.

"The truth." Kate turns, leveling her with a stare. “What was I supposed to do? Pretend like nothing is happening? They’re not stupid.”

“They’re also kids.”

Kate scoffs, dropping a spoon into the sink with a clatter.

“Right. And what do you think is worse? Talking to them about it or letting them figure it out on their own while we keep playing house?”

“This isn’t something they should have to deal...”

“They already deal with it,” Kate snaps. “Every single time you put your work first. Every time you miss a recital or a game or a school meeting. Every time I have to make excuses for you...they already know. So maybe, just maybe, don’t act so fucking surprised.”

Alexia chair scrapes backwards and she storms off.

"Alex..." Yelena pleads after her daughter.

But she's already gone, storming down the hallway and up the stairs. Maks looks like he wants to follow, but he stays put, chewing his lip. Sonny, blissfully unaware, bangs her little hands on the high chair and gurgles.

Kate sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This is exactly why I told you to fix your priorities.”

Yelena sets her jaw. “You told me? This isn’t just on me, Kate.”

“Really? Because I’m not the one who’s always gone.”

The words slam into her, harder than she’s willing to admit.

Before she can respond, Maks slides off his chair and follows after his big sister, leaving only Sonny at the table.

Kate watches them go, then turns back to the sink, gripping the edge of the counter like she’s holding herself together.

“I don’t want to fight in front of them,” Yelena mutters.

“Then don’t start shit at breakfast.”

Yelena's eyes flash. “Start shit? You told them I was going to stay with my parents.”

“That's what YOU said,” Kate hisses, stepping closer.

“I came back.”

“And you want me to give you points for that?”

“No. I want you to stop acting like I’m the only one responsible for all of this falling apart.”

Kate laughs, but it’s sharp, humorless.

“You’re really going to stand here and act like you’re not?”

“This isn’t fair...”

“What’s not fair is that I have to be the reliable one while you get to be at work. You get to show up when it’s convenient for you. You get to skip the hard parts. You get to waltz in late because you’re Yelena Belova, the brilliant scientist who’s too important and too busy to actually show up.”

“That’s not...” Yelena pauses. "Why did you call me that?"

"Call you what?"

"Yelena Belova."

"That's your name."

"It hasn't been for A LONG time."

“Don’t change the subject,” Kate warns, voice dangerously quiet. “Don’t stand there and pretend like you don’t see it. You have no idea what it’s like to be the one who has to hold it all together.”

Yelena’s chest heaves. “And what do you think I’ve been trying to do?”

“Trying isn’t enough anymore.”

There it is. The final nail in the coffin.

Yelena shakes her head, throat burning. “You’ve already decided, haven’t you?”

Kate doesn’t answer right away. Her gaze flickers, like she wants to take it back. But she doesn’t.

“I can’t keep doing this,” Kate says finally. “Not when nothing ever changes.”

A thick silence swallows the kitchen whole.

Yelena swallows around the knot in her throat. “So that’s it? You’re done?”

Kate exhales slowly, but there’s no satisfaction in it. No relief. Just exhaustion.

“I think I have to be.”

Yelena takes a step back, like she’s been hit. She doesn’t realize she’s shaking her head until Kate sighs and looks away.

“Yelena...”

“No,” Yelena breathes. “No, this isn’t...we aren’t...”She can’t finish it.

Because Kate isn’t stopping her. Kate isn’t walking it back. Kate isn’t saying 'I don’t mean it' or 'I just need space' or 'We’ll figure it out'.

She’s just standing there, watching Yelena unravel.

“When are you moving out?”

And that...That’s the moment it all falls apart.

[ilovedthestars]

On System Collapse, Sanctuary Moon, and saving one another.

I said the other day that System Collapse might be my new favorite Murderbot book. The first time I thought that was in the middle of chapter eight, the chapter where Murderbot and its humans make a documentary to show the colonists what the Corporation Rim is like. The whole book was good, but that was the chapter that felt like it was reaching out to me the most.

The thing that struck me about it is how Murderbot saves the colonists with media. It was saved by media—Sanctuary Moon helped it rewire its neural tissue, process its trauma, find a place for itself in the world. And coming up with the idea of using media to convince the colonists is what drags it out of the depressive state it’s been in for the entire book up to that point, and lets it start to feel hopeful again. It literally tells us in its narration that the emotional reactions it has when it comes up with this idea are similar to the ones it had watching Sanctuary Moon for the first time. The thought of creating its own media, of finding a way to tell the truth and be listened to, of being able to keep people from being trapped in the corporate world it knows all too well, is just as much of a lifeline for it as Sanctuary Moon was.

Murderbot has been been feeling like a failure as a SecUnit for the entire book, and it finds its way out of that not through regaining its normal SecUnit competence but through art. Something it was never meant to experience or understand, let alone create, but something that shaped who it is. It takes the thing that saved it and turns it around to save others—and saves itself again, in the process.

And the other thing that jumped out at me, thinking about chapter eight, is that so many of us have been saved by media, too. So many of us have been saved by Murderbot, in big and small ways. I’m certainly one of them. Murderbot and the community of readers who love it gave me the space to stop and consider some things that (not unlike Murderbot) I hadn’t really been willing to examine. And now I get to figure myself out in a community full of aspec people who understand. Murderbot has given that opportunity to a lot of people.

Martha Wells has talked in interviews about how parts of Murderbot were based on herself. She says, in her introduction to the Subterranean Press edition, that media “probably saved [her] life as a kid,” including the kind of media that isn’t “cool” to be saved by. We’ve seen that in Murderbot ever since the very first line of All Systems Red. What we saw in chapter eight of System Collapse goes a step further. It makes me want to hold a mirror up—I hope Wells was aware, when she was writing it, that what Murderbot does for the colonists is something she’s done for a lot of others.

The colonists that Murderbot saves with its documentary are not real people. That scene, of course, is fiction. But it’s the kind of fiction that’s true in all the ways that matter.

I really love Murderbot. Not in a weird way. 💜

[silentheiss]

“Binghe.” Shen Qingqiu says, unable to hold the question back even a moment longer. “Do you think you love me more than I love you?”

Luo Binghe’s arms drop. He takes a stumbling step back. His perfect, beautiful face freezes completely, not showing a single emotion.

A second later tears start rolling down his cheeks.

[ninja-knox-ur-sox-off]

OMG I JUST FINISH WOBBLY HEARTS and it was so good! I can't count all the times I've cried because of your story and I'm so glad you didn't abandon it during that hiatus

I've been wondering about that since halfway through the book, does Kai have like "his thing"? Like Jay has ADHD and his thing is engineering/math/triangles so I imagine Kai could maybe have his thing too. I imagine as Jay pointed out he's lucky because his thing is something that's taught at school so I think Kai would have something that involved being street smart

But I really wanted to see Kai show others something amazing and super difficult that Kai never told others about because he thought it wasn't interesting or impressive at all. If you want to write something about it let me know or if not you can just say what Kai's thing is to make my little fan heart happy...?

BEING A NINJA

[v7lgar]

regulus done getting fucked by barty and meeting james for the first time and quickly getting fucked by him soon after

if you wanna read regulus getting fucked by james and meeting barty and quickly getting fucked by him also you can click here :)

[toxooz]

regarding last ask ig this is my que to slap this up here lmfao

[whattheskyknows]

I've finished the full draft of the next chapter of Transfer Motive and I'm very excited to fix it up and post it!!! Aiming for it to be fully finished sometime next week?? Depends if I suddenly want to rewrite an entire scene or something!!!

[vexedmilky]

I always find it funny how I treat my favorite characters because for Kaito I'm always praising him and yapping about him to everyone I know and then with Kokichi I'll just call him a little bitch

[charmwasjess]

Dooku rose unsteadily, still holding him. The wind dragged him forward, and he staggered, barely catching himself. Rael bit back on a scream. He could feel how close they’d just come to falling.

Tension erupts between Dooku and Sifo-Dyas over the missing Padawan. Meanwhile, Rael's quest isn't turning out anything like he imagined.

[milo-by-the-fishtank]

The fact the best advice I have ever been able to find about determining what alter is fronting at the moment and detangling cofronting was from a fucking wttt fanfic is actually kind of crazy

 anyways you should go read we are America, that shit was fire 

[psychomusic]

so. I've been reading some posts on the jedi order tag AND i won't talk about my opinion on "are jedi good or bad discourse" BUT i wanna point out some lore to everyone who's complaining about the jedi taking kids into their order: (in the EU) it wasn't always like this.

if you take swtor era (more than 3000 years before the prequels) there were many jedi who joined at an older age. like, for example there was a guy who broke his engagement to become one. most jedi remember their families because they were old enough when they decided to go.

THEN in darth bane's book trilogy (circa 1000 yesrs before the prequels) there is a passage where two sith lords are talking about taking bane, already an adult, to study at korriban. one doubted him because he was too old, ans the other told him he sounded like a jedi, and that ONE DAY jedi will have to accept only kids into their ranks if they really want to find "pure" people that can learn their lessons quicker.

one day!! so it wasn't always like that!! the ongoing wars with the sith, who corrupted and killed many of them, had pressured them into taking always younger people into their ranks.

also, consider a thing that this video explains super well: training to become a jedi is not like exercising, because there is a transformative lesson at the end of the training that changes everything. you can't just do as much as you can, but not finish.

the transformative lesson, as the video explains, is that through the force, everything is the same - from rocks and ships to life and death. at the end of the training you have to understand this fundamental truth.

yoda says "you have to unlearn what you have learned". during times where they were constantly killed off or corrupted by the dark side (and if you haven't learned this lesson you are more susceptible to this corrupting), younger people were taken in to actually finish their training (a training that was ultimately about being a good person AND that you could leave at any point if you weren't sold on that, too)

(remember that for the sith failure = death. like. that was the alternative for force sensitive kids. it's not like sith had any moral problem with taking kids away without consent. sith don't have moral problems: they believe that them being stronger in the force means they can do whatever they want as long as their strong enough to go and do it. there are MANY passages in many different star wars stories, even in different mediums, that say this out loud)

AND (this is more of a critical thought than just stating the lore) the fact that they started doing it out of necessity doesn't mean it's 100% good BUT you know. the whole set up of the prequels is that we're starting off the story in a period of crisis and decadence all around. most of the systems of the times were about to fall. OF COURSE they had problems. if they didn't, we wouldn't have the story to begin with.

that doesn't automatically mean jedi = bad and sith are better, tho. you wouldn't take the last, chaotic and decadent period to jugde something, would you? it's like deciding that the athenian democracy sucked because people at the times of Demosthenes failed at recognizing the new schemes in which the world was evolving into, and still believed that their city would be important as it had been in the previous century. They just didn't fucking expect the Macedons would conquer half the world known and more, and have the subsequent political power. Still, their experiences in the 5th century with democracy were very good, even better than ours on many fronts, if you contextualize a little. the jedi had flaws, and most importantly, they didn't fucking know the future and everything that ever happened, ever, so they made mistakes. that doesn't automatically make the system ill, or bad, or not-working. systems can have setbacks when the world changes. (just like athenian democracy had one when they lost the empire that was funding the democracy. they even had a tyranny for a while and then fixed the problems. that doesn't diminish retrospectively their democracy)

[dailykugisaki]

Day Eighty-nine | id in alt

She's a violence first ask questions later kinda person because only she knows when the time is right for her.

[kanene-yaaay]

The Collection (Third Chapter)

3. Love

Kanene's Notes: I DID IT KJHGTHYUJIK LAST CHAPTER!!!!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE???? AAAAAAA Almost didn't manage to post today because I was resting oikuytyuj but it's here!!! Yay!!! :D

Warnings: Light Self Depreciation, Mouth Tickles (like, lots of it), Light Angst and mostly Fluff. Ler!Xichen + Ticklish![SURPRISE] Around 8.000 words.

[~*~]

In the end, for him, tickling was a way to show love, care, trust. To have someone’s vulnerabilities right in your hands and decide to hold them so tenderly and freely that your love could not ever be mistaken. To analyze someone’s reaction and discover what they like and didn’t like, to bring a bit more of playfulness and brightness to their days. It meant to show respect and at the same time create a song so unique as both of them danced to it. His collection was meant to hold someone, to laugh and relax and, above all, to strike happiness and love, whichever was the form the person decided to show him.

(...)

Wei Wuxian kept running.

He knew it wouldn’t be enough. No matter how far he pushed himself, for how long he kept running even when his body pleaded for a break, Wei Wuxian knew it was just a matter of time until he was caught. Mo Xuanyu’s body wasn’t nearly closer to be as strong, resistant and great as his original one, which could hold his breath underneath water for minutes and escape for days if necessary. However, by the sheer determination and power of his pursuer, even if he had his original stamina and velocity, maybe even so it would be a long battle to outrun the other. 

(Maybe he was simply doomed from the beginning)

He was panting, struggling already as he jumped over rocks and roots, taking wild turns and twists in the middle of the forest in an attempt to confuse. It still wasn’t enough. He would be caught. 

He would be caught.

Thinking back, it had been foolish, truly, to think he could face this without Lan Zhan. He was too far from his location now, without even realizing what kind of plight Wei Wuxian was trying to survive. 

At least… at least he had the chance to be his husband before his fall.

And fall he did. With a loud shriek Wei Wuxian collided with the grass, claws curling around him when he shouted with the despair of a man trying to buy one single more moment of life.

“We can make a deal!”

The claws stopped inches from his skin, right above his stomach, too close to all his fragile organs. They twitched and he could feel a shadow of electricity escaping from the points where it barely brushed the skin.

“A deal?” He sounded amused, not even worried, as if he already imagined them both in this outcome, as if capturing the former Yilling Patriarch was nothing but expected. Wei Wuxian couldn’t even complain, his attention too caught in the claws getting dangerously closer and closer, twitching and brushing and making him feel more and more each movement. Even if he wanted, he wouldn’t be able to look away.

“What is your offer?” “Lan Zhan’s secret spot.”

A chuckle ressounded across the yard and the hands immediately came down. Wei Wuxian shrieked once more and waited for his end. Those hands, however, simply rested on his belly, no further movement coming, being successful in only making his nerves prickle and buzz with anticipation and adrenaline. Wei Wuxian could listen clearly as the amusement grew bigger in his captor’s voice. “I have known Wangji since we were kids. There is no secret spot when it comes to me.”

“Even the one on…”

“The back of his lower ribs, the closer to the sides the quicker the giggles get? Yes.”

Wei Wuxian pouted. Although a quick digging on his stomach immediately exchanged it for a wobbling, giant smile that made the tickles stop automatically. 

Xichen-ge was such a tease. 

Besides, this one wasn’t even the spot he wanted to trade, but he slotted the information in his mind to explore more later.

Suddenly an idea appeared in his mind. The nervous smile in his face gave its spot for a wicked smirk.

Feeling the smugness on the other, Xichen’s attention honed in with interest.

Also aware of the Benefits of Teasing and Being a Little Shit, Wei Wuxian relaxed completely on the ground, stretching and put his arms behind his head, completely calm, as if there was no more danger to fall upon him after the next offer was out, a proud grin on his lips.

“You are absolutely right, Xichen-ge! You both grew up together and the two of us are the only ones who can truly read and understand Lan Zhan,” He stalled and Lan Xichen narrowed his eyes in suspicious, an amused light shining in them, although. “But I must give to you the merits you deserve for the extra years of experience you have. When it comes to you and Lan Zhan, there is no doubt that you know your didi wonderfully.” 

This was a pause for a bigger effect, Lan Xichen recognizes. He could tell Wei Wuxian is just trying to buy time, but both of them know how patient and stubborn Lans can be. It is only a matter of time before he gets what he came for anyway. 

Then, Wei Wuxian went for the kill.

“And yet so do I. If you let me go, I can tell you a special tickle spot that will transform Jiang Cheng into a laughing, flustered mess in seconds. 

Lan Xichen froze. Wei Wuxian’s smirk only grew, like a cat about to jump on his prey, knowing precisely how priceless and unmatched  his offer was. 

Got you.

“So, what do you say, Xichen-ge, my favorite brother in law? Will you let me go? From one big brother to another.”

Lan Xichen reflected quietly, fingers still tapping on the ticklish belly under them, as if deep in thought,  fingertips barely gracing the skin before going away, the little tickles just enough of present to keep the anticipation going and the bubbling giggles alive.

In the end, he sighed and Wei Wuxian beamed, already knowing what he was going to say. “Very well, you share this information with me and I let you leave for today.”

“Only today?! Why, why, Xichen-ge! Don’t be greedy.” He wagged his finger in front of his face and Lan Xichen’s hands digged a bit more on his stomach in reply. He wiggled, a triumphant grin still clued on his face. “The moment you attack Jiang Cheng there, he will know who betrayed him immediately! His bad temper will fall on me and I will certainly not survive such a vicious revenge, you see, especially after an attack of yours! Lan Zhan has shared plenty of information about his own falls in your claws.” He pouted and looked at the older with big eyes. “I will need at least three weeks to recover after his visit.”

In one week Wanyin would be visiting the Cloud Recesses to discuss sect matters, which would grant more than one month before Lan Xichen was allowed, by their deal, to take his revenge on him. The date fell suspiciously close to Jin Ling’s birthday, a celebration that would oblige Lan Xichen to travel away from the Cloud Recessess. Truly a brilliant mind his brother in law had.

“One week, at most. You did attack me in front of my students, afterall. It wouldn’t be well for them to know I granted you more mercy than that trick deserved. A punishment for breaking the rules must be given.”

The snickers that came out of his mouth had nothing to do with the tickles, but more with him remembering the other’s shriek at the surprise tickle attack. His next squeal, however, had, since Xichen decided to claw a bit on his sides. “One week and half!”

Lan Xichen hummed, and once more Wei Wuxian beamed. After being so close with Wangji, it was no surprise he hadn’t problem reading his tells. “Very well, one week and three days, but I retain the right to break the deal if when I try the spot no reaction is found or if you decide to tickle me again during this time, even if by mistake. If any of those cases happen, then I will come collect my original payment and bring Wangji with me for help.”

Wei Wuxian crackled, bowing at him with the best of his ability. “So little trust in my words, Xichen-ge! This lowly one would never dare to trick the almighty Zewu Jun, please have the mercy my dear husband won’t give!”

“You won’t have to worry about it if the information you share is true.” Letting him go, Lan Xichen got up, offering a hand for Wei Wuxian to bring himself up as well. He took a few leaves and dirt out of his still pristine robes, hesitating before the question came out in a low voice. “Wanyin truly won’t mind if I know?”

“Mind?” There was a mix of amusement and confusion in his face, then Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened as he came to a realization. “Xichen-ge! Don’t tell me! You never tried to tickle Jiang Cheng before?”

“I have not yet, no.”

Mischievous shine in his eyes, Wei Wuxian came close resting an arm on his shoulder, making him huff a laughter at the comic position, with their very present height difference. The other shook a finger next to his face. “Give me one more week free of your revenge, Xichen-ge, and I will share this one more secret with you, also! He will thank me for it anyways, later.” He scratched the bridge of his nose. “Probably.”

Having the feeling of what the secret was, Xichen simply shook his head, a smile on his face.

“I think this one I shall find by myself, young master Wei.” 

(...)

Lan Xichen rubbed the shoulders under him, feeling the way those muscles tensed unrelentlessly under his touch. Equally unrelenting, he pressed a soft kiss on each shoulder, feeling the other jolt under his lips in alarm before forcing out a tight sigh.

He didn't say anything, just kept rubbing those tensed shoulders, arms, hands and fingers, even taking his time as he trailed down from his back to his hips, squeezing too firmly to be nothing but comforting, before going up and repeating the cycle again, letting his hands warm and accostume the cold skin under him.

There was no hurry for any of them, no emergency or matter that would require their attention for the rest of the day. It was just the two of them and a cold evening perfect to better enjoy the warmth of each other.

His hands traveled across every muscle, pressing on it lightly as his soft pecks followed the line of his shoulder until it arrived at the middle and travelled to the other’s nape. Goosebumps appeared across the caressed skin and Lan Xichen chuckled, half fond and half smug, at the physical proof of how his touches affected him.

Jiang Wanyin tched.

“To think this is what finally makes you get quiet in bed. Unbelievable.”

Xichen huffed, still too close to his skin, which obliged Wanyin to hold back a small jolt at the series of shivers that followed his action. “I apologize for the lack of talking. I am simply… too excited, too thankful for this.” He nuzzled him, taking in the delicious smell of lotus flower and wood from the other, controlling himself to not bite the spot. “Although it is quite nice to know you like as much as me the words we exchange in our intimacy.”

“Of course you would take this as an opportunity to be sentimental.” Jiang Wanying groaned. “Don't think that just because I accepted your offer it doesn’t mean that I won't be breaking your legs and getting out if you start with your thing”

“... My thing?”

Jiang Cheng huffed and scowled, shifting self consciously on the mattress. “You know what I am talking about. Besides, I already accepted doing this, you don't need to keep flattering me.”

Lan Xichen frowned, confused. “It’s not flattery, simply my feelings.”

“Stop it, I know senseless praises when I see one and you do as well. We’ve grown to deal with the same politics, even with our clear different strategies to deal with it.”

Ah, he sees what is happening now.

Effortless, Lan Xichen gets out of the bed and kneels right by Jiang Cheng’s head, who blinks surprised for a moment before tensing more and pushing himself up on his arms to better stare firmly at the other, as if he was about to be sent away. Knowing how Wanyin usually thinks, this option probably wasn’t far away from his head.

Xicchen would have to prove him otherwise, then.

“Wanyin, I have been eagerly waiting for this day ever since I read your letter accepting my invitation. Last night, I was barely able to sleep, similar to a junior preparing for their first night hunt, getting too excited only in imagining how delightful it would be to be here now. I am honored you trusted me enough for this moment.” Fire began lacing across his face, yet Xichen refused to look away from the ther’s wide-eyed stare. “More egotistically, too, I am even more happy because your laughter has been haunting me for seasons, since that very day on the Fifth Conference in Yunmeng Jiang, when after the banquet we all have been a little tipsy and I fell on one of your lakes. When I resurfaced and saw your face… you were laughing so hard while offering me a hand.” And I haven’t gone a single season by without imagining being once more the reason for your laughter, he didn’t complete.

Jiang Cheng looked pleased. “So you were not drunk enough that night to have forgotten it. I knew it, you froze that one time I mentioned it.”

“It was a very beautiful laughter.” Xichen defended himself.

Jiang Cheng scoffed. “It’s a normal one.”

“Not for me.” As a slight hint of a blush appeared on the bridge of Wanyin’s nose and Xichen found himself struggling to not focus at it. He had to set his point across. His voice lowered, a bit soft, a bit vulnerable. “I wish to hear it again, but you must trust me enough to know that a Lan does not lie and I would not deceit you. How you feel here is important, and so you have to be sure that I will take care of you above it all and honor the trust that you placed on me, Wanyin. Only if you want, of course.”

Jiang Cheng got quiet, his frown lessened to a more thoughtful expression. After a couple of moments when the nerves began gnawing at Xichn’s mind, he sighed. 

“Go on, then.”

Lan Xichen almost jumped with how jittery he was, a happy smile appearing on his face. “Will you, really, Wanyin? Will you let me take care of you?”

“I am here, am I not?” His hands grabbed the sheet with force, a flame of irritation flaring up, pulling the attention away from the vulnerable tune of his words. “Or you think I would just come here to back away so easily? I am no chicken.”

Lan Xichen engulfed the hands on his, staring seriously at the other’s silver eyes. “You can step away if you don't want this anymore. At any moment, the second you want you can get out, I would never hold this against you, Wanyin.”

The sect leader rolled his eyes at this. “Of course you wouldn’t! Come back with these words when you manage to carry a grudge for more than five days.” At Xichen’s displeased huff, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His demeanor softened and his hands turned around to grab his, eyes scurrying away from his searching gaze. “No. I don’t want to go away, Xichen, I meant it. If you’re trying to convince me to get out, then do it better.”

“Wanyin…” 

Jiang Cheng huffed, finally finding his gaze again. Somehow, he always found it a bit comforting, sometimes even amusing, to get a little on the Lan’s nerves. “Aren’t you being the stubborn one, right now, or is your hearing already becoming faulty? Do no make me repeat that again: I am still here, am I not?”

As if to prove his words, he suddenly pulled his hands closer, making Lan Xichen stumble and lay partially on the bed, inches from his face. When he tried another remark, he was promptly cut by the Yunmeng’s Leader. “Also, no. Don’t try to go back to all your teasing flattery again.” Lan Xichen huffed, now he was trying to be purposely obtuse.

Jiang Wanyin took advantage of his position to press a fleeting kiss to his knuckles of the hands still on his grip, his words no longer carried any heat or bother, but a more mischievous (and vulnerable) tune. 

“How could I forget,” Lan Xichen acquiesced, recognizing the victory and permission for what it was. How could he not, when it came to Jiang Cheng? “That my Wanyin is such a tease to his poor Xichen.”

Jiang Cheng scoffed. “Get on with this at once because it's way too cold to just keep laying around with a bared torso.”

Lan Xichen chuckled lightly at that, his grin stretching when he felt a small, tentative, soft rub of thumbs on the back of his hands and his heart melted. He climbed back on the mattress, resuming his position on top of the other's legs, with those sifting, tensed muscles under his hands. This time, his determination was stronger than before.

Wanyin didn't allow himself to be fully relaxed under his ministrations, yet. Even with the permission and all his self reflection preparing himself for this moment, none of that erased the years of stress and exhaustion his body had survived under. He was no fool to not realize why Xichen had suddenly doubted his willingness to participate of this session, with the way posture continued to be held as if he was being scrutinized by a strict teacher and not in the presence of a dear friend, yet, no matter how much he tried to convince himself to relax, his muscles didn’t obey. 

The patience and stubbornness of a Lan must not be taken lightly, however. When his hands digged on his shoulders, Jiang Cheng tensed even further. Only to blink in astonishment when nothing happened. Lan Xichen… started massaging him. After a few moments of this, he turned his head slightly to his direction, a confused frown on his face.

“What are you doing?”

“Giving a good massage, I hope.”

“But you-” He looked at the gleaming shine in his gaze and his innocent smile, eyes narrowing. A trap. “You're planning something.”

Lan Xichen shook his head lightly. “My only plan is getting you to relax.” His words were completely  truthful, but he might as well have said the worst of the teases for the way that Jiang Cheng stared at him, a nice very weak shade of red painting his nose, then promptly shoved his face back on the pillow. An amused huff escaped Lan Xichen as he continued his ministrations, skilled and nimble hands finding every tense spot or unrelenting knot and pressing on them firmly until it became completely undone. 

He started at the base of his spine, thumbs sliding across its length and fingers squeezing (not the original type of squeezing he had been prepared to do, but alas) and digging on a tensed muscled until it relented to him before he continued to work upwards on another in the same rhythm, sometimes using his knuckles, his palms, his fingers, either be digging, kneading or pressing, always in a firm, soothing touch.

Some knots were too tense and old to completely disappear, still, by the moment he was back on his shoulders, pressing firmly on the base of it and sliding his thumbs up across his nape, following his spine, Jiang Cheng was like putty on his hands, melted and relaxed, an appreciative groan leaving his mouth unguarded, breathing slowly as if he was almost falling asleep. 

Lan Xichen rolled his tired wrists, smiling content and happy with the result, almost too happy to interrupt it with the next step of their session.

Again, almost.

In a lighter, but still firm touch, he ran his palms across his back, following a line on his middle and then letting his hands branch from the ribs until it rested on his shoulders, massaging it, fingertips almost brushing his ears and neck. Not even a twitch, a hilt or breathing or even a questioning word came from Jiang Cheng.

Perfect.

With just his fingertips and in even more of a lighter touch, Xichen roamed his hands to the base of the neck and then downwards in two paralleled lines. Goosebumps made their appearance and, if it wasn’t for his attentive eyes, he wouldn’t have noticed the way the other twitched to grip the mattress before relaxing and letting it go.

Lan Xichen smiled, lifted his hands just a little bit more, until only his short nails were grazing the sensitive skin, running to his ribs and swirling tiny circles across them, sliding down to trace uncaring patterns across his sides, scribbling so soft it was almost imperceptive on each one before gliding upwards once more and re-starting the cycle again until there was a tiny squirm and a forceful huff being pried from the other, his muscles tensing the slight bit at the touch.

True to his words, Xichen immediately stopped at that and went right back to massaging his back. He could almost see Wanyin’s confused frown, letting his tension go bit by bit as the moments passed without another soft, tickly attack from him.

The ke his guards were down again, the Lan immediately spidered his fingers across his spine, going from his lower back to his shoulder blades and deviating to skitter across them skillfully. The moment his nails grazed it, a hint of giggle was partially freed on the air before Wanyin bit and swallowed it down.

Interesting.

As previously, at the tension, Xichen went back to his massage.

Wanyin was having none of that. “What even is this!? Wasn't you going to…”

Lan Xichen couldn't help the amusement in his voice. “To…”

“Tickle me!”

Aw. How cute.

“Well, since you asked so nicely.”

He immediately latched back at that spot right between his shoulder blades, wanting to discover more about the spot that was able to make Sandu Shengshou giggle. Fingers dancing across it, his attentive eyes watched the way Wanyin squirmed from one side to another, a high sound being muffled and a giggly kind of tune taking over his voice.

“That is not what-” a snort broke free when he started tapping his fingers downwards, following the line of the bone gaze sharp and each scribble getting more and more precise as the giggles began growing quicker and louder the more he continued. “It’s not w-what I-” This time it was a squeak, a squeak and Xichen was beyond endeared. It was chased by airy titters. “NotwhatImeant! Fuck!”

Not even bothering to answer, too concentrated to find what exact place was pulling such delightful reactions, Lan Xichen stopped on the lower part of each shoulder blade and then moved a few inches to the side, pressing quickly. 

With a squeal, Jiang Cheng buckled.

They both froze.

Jiang Cheng must have realized just what happened at the same time as Lan Xichen, and he tried to lift himself to roll away just as the other pressed his thumbs on the same spot and digged. His arms wobbled and failed in the middle of the movement, body falling on the bed again in a soft impact as laughter poured freely and unstoppable from his lips.

There we go.

“S-stop it!” He continued squirming, louder, uncontrollable-er high pitched giggles and bubbling squeaks taking over the air as Xichen decided to try prodding and poking the same place, making his entire nerves get set ablaze, electricity running from every inch of skin that was tickled and racing across his meridians, making his Zidian spark in short bouts of useless of lightning that were unable to harm either of them (when did he get so soft for Xichen?). “How  snk-dihihihid you evhehen find out thihihis!” His eyes then widened as realization hit. “WEI WUXIAN!!”

Quick to divert his attention (Wei Wuxian really knew his brother well, Xichen sent his soul a quick prayer), Lan Xichen increased his tickles, successfully making Wanyin lose himself even more amidst snickers. 

“GEHEHEHeht oHOHOut!!”

Lan Xichen hummed, “Maybe my memory has been failing me afterall, because I do remember my Wanyin asking me to tickle him not long ago. He truly shouldn’t be surprised when I was quick to acquiesce with his request, then. Have I ever denied my heart from anything?”

“Yes!!” It was the immediate reply, another squeal painting his every word as he spidered downards to his lower back and got him into titters painted in a bubbly relief only to go back to that spot and unleash another unforgiving tickle attack the moment he recovered a bit more of air. “StohoHOHOP! Yohohohou’re lihihitEHEHErally DEHEHEHehenyihihing me- Dammit!”

“Perhaps my Wanyin is simply surprised by how ticklish he is?” Lan Xichen continued as if nothing had been said, musing out loud. “I must agree with such a feeling. It's been nothing but delightful to find just how sensitive every part of his body is. Afterall, my Wanyin is very kind and soft when you get to know…” 

Suddenly, he ceased his attack, letting his fingers trace the spot lightly and basking on the airy, fast and tittering like yelps and huffs of laughter that continued to flow from just a tease. Before he could get used to it, however, Lan Xichen jumped to his ribs and began kneading and clawing. 

“Right where to find it.”

Jiang Cheng shook his head, arms lowering themselves and twisting to his back in futile attempts to pry his hands away, snorts now mixing in a lovely melody with his laughter, even as Xichen slowed his ministrations to a soft kind of skittering running up and down his ribs, a kinder torment. With a few good nuzzles on his neck and lightly blowing air on his ears Xichen was successful in distracting those determined arms from trying to snatch his well deserved tickles away.

“Stohohohop sweet talkihihihing me!”

“Would you rather receive another kind of sweet, then?” He pointed his sentence with a raspberry on the side of his neck as his fingers climbed upwards to his pits, taking the opportunity of his laughing distracting at his raspberries to burrow his wiggling fingers on the spot. Since Jiang Wanyin was so fond of trying to pry his caring touches and playful nuzzles away, Xichen might as well give him an incentive to keep his arms down and nicely out of his way.

Just as he started to scribble and scratch quickly just the border of the pit, there was a loud screech and an even more delightful snorting laughter that made Lan Xichen laugh softly too. 

When the other simply shoved his face even more on the pillow at that, just like bashful maiden hide his blushing features away (and the Lan couldn’t wait to make his ears and neck at least half red as his face, later), Xichen captured his arm and held above his head, leaving his side, ribs and armpits unprotected, absolutely defenseless to his attack. 

Jiang Cheng squirmed once more, anticipation and adrenaline making his entire torso tingle in anticipation to the tickles, chuckles falling like waves from his lips even before he was actually attacked, planting a stubborn and way too silly smile on his face.

Lan Xichen scratched and drummed on every hint of skin around his unprotected armpit until he got next to the spot where his back connected to his armpit, leaded there by the anxious titters and protesting snickers that grew quicker and airy the closer he got to the place, immediately giving away to a short, strident screech when he drummed a single finger there. 

“So sensitive, so responsive for me…” He nosed the side of his neck, making sure to whisper the next words as close as possible from his ear, a playful tune jumping on his voice. “Tell me, my life, did we find another sweet spot?”

Since Wanyin refused to answer, Xichen would have to keep his conversation alive by himself. A pity, but, oh well.

“I think we did. It’s right here, isn’t it?” He traced the spot, watching with crickling eyes as the other controlled his jolt at the touch, muffling a tiny squeak. “So many places to enjoy, to discover, to tickle and tickle over and over and over again until we are satisfied. As I’ve said before, my Wanyin is really full of sweet and soft spots.”

He lifted his hand away from his back, in silence, patiently awaiting for the other to move his head to the side, a peaking eyes searching for the reason why he stopped. Only then, with a teasy, knowing grin, Lan Xichen formed a claw with his free hand and slowly began descending it towards the spot, wiggling his fingers plenty and letting them scrape the skin for a light, maddening seconds until giggles upon giggles were bubbling so much on his chest, begging to be free and Jiang Cheng closed his eyes, his already gigantic smirk growing even bigger at him.

He attacked. 

Instead of the previous strident giggles, a crackling kind of laughter exploded around the place and Jiang Wanyin hit the bed with his fists, his trashing increasing so much that Lan Xichen had to lock his legs more firmly around him to not have the risk of being knocked out, already tipping dangerously to one side with the movement. 

The more Xichen’s fingers danced on the spot, spidering and skittering, drumming and prodding, the louder his laughter sounded, the feeling exploding and taking over his mind completely, every thought, every doubt disappearing until there was nothing but a chant of “It tickles, it tickles, it tickles” in his head. 

Lan Xichen suddenly realized that his face was much closer to his torso than before, as his tickling hands slided to his armpits, stopping Wanyin’s arms once more from trying to pry him away (and to think Jiang Cheng was the very one who asked for those tickles…), an idea flashed in his mind and he was quick to jump to its execution.

Jiang Cheng jumped in the same place. “Do not-” His voice sounded higher than normal. “-Kiss me there!”

It was just a tad of too much panicked than normal that made Xichen stop, fingers stilling from the maddening tickles to a slower scraping. “You don’t like it?”

“No!” Jiang Cheng fumbled. “It’s not…” 

Lan Xichen lifted his head, tilting it so he could find the other’s eyes. It was both an unsuccessful and successful effort. The moment they met, Jiang Cheng seemed to relax a bit but the embarrassment in his face only grew. “It’s not a place to be kissed. It’s dirty.”

Everything went quiet and Lan Xichen froze, only when Jiang Cheng jolted once more under him he realized he was curling and pressing his fingers even more on the skin. 

Forcing them to lie flat again, he made himself start once more.

“Sect Leader Jiang…” Said one looked at him with a mix of feelings in his eyes, most weren’t pleasant. Lan Xichen pushed on, he laid his forehead on his back and took a deep breath, trying to not get too charmed by the way the other wiggled at that. When it came out, his voice had a purposeful calmness, with a hint of tightness. “Still smells like that lotus fragrance I gifted you on your birthday, perfect, delicious,” he let his teeth graze the bit of skin at the last word, happy at the goosebump this brought. His next words became softer, also grazing the sensitive spot he hadn't moved away for the entire conversation. “I am happy that you appreciated it. Convince me, then, Wanyin, why my hands, my attention, my lips shouldn’t be all over you.”

When he received no answer, he pressed his mouth in a circle around the spot, traveling to his armpit, kissing it with revence, softly, feeling each twitch, each shiver as he continued his way up and to the side,  pressing kiss after kiss until it grazed his neck - a safe ground - and then continued to follow to his other armpit, letting it greet as much of skin as he could. 

Jiang Wanyin pressed his face firmly on the mattress, feeling something in himself starting to lose the fight with the fear that protected his vulnerability. He wanted to smile, to huff, to push that stupid man with his stupid sweetness away and grab him closer. The feeling was only amplified as he felt two fingers drawing slow circles on his sides, tracing the skin as if there was nothing else they could ever wish to do with their time.

He suppressed a wiggle. “You shouldn’t-” he stuttered as the tickling changed the rhythm to something a little quicker, the hands now slightly pluckering and poking his side with tiny, playful tickles. It felt both soft and a warning. Watch your words. He pressed his smile even more on the soft bedding, swallowing giggles. 

A petulant snort escaped, its meanings clear. Sounds like a challenge.

“You’re being c-childish. You know I am right.”

“I can not in good conscience agree to this, Wanyin.” Jiang Cheng could feel the grin his answer elected. Gusu Lan’s example of self control, my ass. There was now the feeling of nails lightly scratching the skin, words being whispered on his shoulder, getting closer and closer to their target and yet stopping only enough to keep sending ticklish shivers across his spine until there were quiet, airy titter escaping from his mouth, bigger than his efforts to hide it. “Please, allow me to convince you otherwise.” 

…Dammit. Lan Xichen knew what he was doing, exaggerating his every move, asking softly, keeping his touches light enough so he could be just the slight amount of distracted… He was directing Jiang Cheng to a trap. One that would end up with him being honest.

“I know what you’re doing.” He accused, without heat.

Xichen hummed and then laid an playful nip and then a tiny apologetic on his back. And then another. And another. Soft touches of his lips as they moved and breathed and talked. “Don’t you like it?”

“Thahat is irrelevant.” Now he was snickering, great.

“Not for me.” Lan Xichen experimentally nipped that dammed spot that started all of this, smirking smugly at the sharp intake of breath and barely muffled squeal it created. He then stopped, holding himself tightly to not continue to pull such lovely sounds without the other’s answer first. “Do you like it?”

Silence. Jiang Wanyin frowned and pressed his lips together, now more less like holding laughter and more like holding words inside. There was no problem, Lan Xichen could distract him until they surfaced naturally.

His hands began fastening to a scribbling that fluttered upwards to his ribs, prodding and teasing each bone, lightly scratching in between them while he repositioned himself to whisper right behind his reddened ears.

“Or maybe is it something else that has you distracted? The tickling, perhaps. The way it keeps making you want to laugh, to let me listen to every one of your lovely sounds. Tell me, Wanyin, does it make it worse? Hiding your face and for doing so not being able to see where I will strike next? Knowing that I will continue to do it time and time again until you’re too occupied laughing under me to disagree?” 

“Xichen!” The Lan waited, but no further protests followed him.

He hummed, pleased, deviating his hands to his spine and spidering it, vibrating and pressing on each bone only the slight bit for maddening seconds before jumping away, only to poke another bone and continue his tickly treatment. “I am simply asking a few questions, Wanyin. Since you didn’t answer the first one I can continue to present more of them until  we find one of your liking.”

Jiang Cheng’s wiggles began  to get a tad more uncontrolled, too. From one side to another. One side to another. Lan Xichen smiled  at how lovely this was. He kissed his back, once more, a little far away from his armpit but still close enough to it so his next words wouldn’t be confused. Enough of teasing. “If you wish, I won’t press you anymore. Say the words and I will leave it alone and continue just the way we were before, but please be honest with me, Wanyin: Do you want me to continue?”

A moment of quietness, before his voice cut the room, more hesitant than Lan Xichen ever heard him being. “If you don’t think it’s dirty…” Lan Xichen dug on his ribs and began tasering in a stronger warning and Wanyin snorted in surprise, laughter pouring for half of a ke before he held it back again. “Damn it, Xichen. Yeah, I like it! Do whatever!” 

Lan Xichen stopped, warmth blossoming on his chest, and lifted his body until he could watch the other’s expression again. He wanted to be sure it was really okay. The moment their eyes found themselves, Jiang Cheng's entire demeanor seemed to soften a little.

“I am happy to find something else that you like, Wanyin.” He nuzzled his cheek. “Thank you.”

Ah.

And Jiang Cheng… Jiang Cheng melted. All his fight bleeded out from his muscles, the combination of such lovely words with all the caring and coaching touches from earlier, his massages, his teases, his light, soft, rough and maddening tickles, in the end it all culminated in him finally giving up to the warm, happy feeling on his chest that has been blossoming stronger and stronger at it small show of care from the other, mixing with joy and exploding like fireworks in his very soul. 

Seeing this, Lan Xichen sighed contently, adjusting his position to lay more comfortably. There was a tiny, expectant smile on his face.

Very well.

“My heart, my heart, then… May I?” He sounded as excited as his Yunmeng’s kids would when they came to their Sect Leader in a bundle, the braver one asking him to show them a cool trick with Zidian, like Jin Ling would sound when he called his Jiujiu to play with him and he accepted. The snort that left his lips held another kind of amusement.

“So dramatic. Tsk, since you’re being so stubborn about it, might as well do what you want.”

Lan Xichen grinned sweetly, kissing his neck. Appraisingly, he slowled his tickles once more to a soft drag of fingers and adjusted his position to lay cozily in Wanyin’s back. 

“What we want, Wanyin.”

Before the other could answer (or more likely, protest), he immediately closed his lips around the exact spot that made him jump before, nibbling on it with energy and making the other take a sharp intake of breath and let out a high pitched screech.  

“THAHAHAHAHAT IS NOT-” This time, the crackles were even louder, quicker than before, snorts and squeals chased each other across the room and Jiang Cheng couldn’t even trash anymore, both because of Lan Xichen draping his entire body on top of him and because the sheer force of his laughter, together with all the previous teasing and tickling, had been embarrassingly effective to transform him into a puddle of strident laughter and giggles. His tune changed to wheezy, almost silent snickers everytime when Lan Xichen noticed his crackles were slowing down a bit and then changed to the same spot on the other side, greeting it with reverent kisses before attacking with the real nibbles and nuzzling that made him let out another shriek. “NOHOHOHOHOHOT A KISS!!”

“Oh my, I apologize profusely for my mistake. Perhaps Sandu Shengshou, in his unyielding kindness will allow this lowly one to try again?”

“IHIHIHIH DO NOHOHOHOHOHOT!”

“Thank you, I knew you would understand.”

Pretending to not listen to the laughing protest, Lan Xichen lavished every tickle spot with all the nibbles, kisses and tiny raspberries anywhere he could reach. With one hand he took Wanyin’s right forearm and pushed above his head to enjoy the free reign of every inch of his unprotected torso, kissing his armpits with louds ‘mwah mwah mwah’ that would make Jiang Cheng squawk madly in protest, nibbling on his ribcage while doing all kind of silly munching sounds and even sneaking a lick once, which made the other shriek once more in protest and surprise, before finally settling on his side, shoving his face on the spot and blowing the biggest raspberry, shaking his head from one side to another until Jiang Cheng was  kicking his legs and hiccup amidst his uncontrollable belly laughter.

Pushing himself up, Lan Xichen adjusted his position so he could look at him. There was a wobbly, unending grin on his face, his eyes were closed with hint of tears on their corners and his face was painted with a delightful blush, even if it still didn’t reach his ears (something Lan Xichen would remedy soon, of course) and tiny chuckles just continues to fall and fall and fall non stop from his lips, body becoming completely pilant on the mattress, completely relaxed.

The Leader of the Lan Sect couldn’t even stop smiling, as well.

Seeing the snickers were already dying out, Lan Xichen rested his free hand on the lower of his back to adjust himself better and back to his straight position, but he was quick to pull his hand back in surprise when the other suddenly jolted and his chuckling went alive again.

Bright, grey eyes turned to look at him wide with equal parts of unbelief and surprise, Lan Xichen stared back with his own, fond ones.

“There too?”

Jiang Cheng scoffed with an amused and slightly-irritated huff. “How do you even keep finding them?”

“As I said before, my Wanyin is full of soft spots.”

“Rubbish.”

Twirling a single finger across the lower of his back, Lan Xichen simply looked smugly at him when another giggle quickly jumped from his mouth. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, still smiling, still melted like a relaxed (trusting) puddle in his hands.

“Just make it quick.” He grumbled and pouted (Xichen doesn’t know if he will survive this), which obviously made Lan Xichen fall from his back and drop on the mattress right by him, gathering Jiang Cheng in his arms and reverting their position. With Wanyin right above him, Xichen could kiss his cheeks and neck until that pout was rightfully replaced by a series of  giggles that were muffled when the Jiang hid his face on his neck (thankfully not noticing the way Xichen shivered and chuckled at that).

“It will be our last duet for today, then.”

At the small nod from the other, Lan Xichen began running the tip of his fingers on his lower spot, wiggling, skittering and scratching softly as he went from one side to another, keeping his tickles slow and soothing, giggled whispers dancing together across the room.

And more importantly, teasing those ears (and their owner) bright red with plenty of nuzzling and nibbling.

“If only I could, I would listen to this sweet melody of your laughter everyday.”

“Yohohohou want to kihihihiill me or whaahahat?!”

Lan Xichen huffed and gave a slight mean tasering on his lower back, closer to his side, in retaliation to his poke of fun, making him arch his back and guffaw on his neck as result. In reply, Jiang Cheng pinches his side and Lan Xichen snickers and lays a peck under his jaw in apology, going back to the lighter tickling.

“Finding your sweet, soft spots are a gift and to find and appreciate your reactions to every single one of them, over and over again, is something priceless. When you try to hide or expression and laughter but at the same time let me break you slowly, piece by piece until I can listen to your each giggle, each snort, each crackle or chuckle loud and free, that you trust me so much with them, with you means to me much more than I can ever express.”

“For fuhahahack’s sakeheheheee, Huahahan.” Xichen would probably spend the rest of his days replaying the way his name had sounded being giggled out like that, the mix of snickers and giggles already sounding completely loopy, airy and uncontrolled. He could watch the start of a blush creeping to Wanyin’s ears as Jiang Cheng held him even closer, as if he could disappear and snuggle forever in his embrace (and wasn’t that a nice thought?). Still, the Lan got more to say.

“Thank you, Wanyin, for letting me do that today. I love this and I am unspeakably amounts of happy that you enjoyed this just as much, as well, because it means that when you want, when you allow, I can keep giving you more and more of this joy. There is no scenario, there is no reality when I can see myself not loving to make you laugh, to find your every weakness and explore it while having you safe and sound in my arms for as long as you want it. When you let me pry, find every reaction and cherish it with my soul, my teases, my tickles, again and again and again. I love to tease you, Wanyin, love to tickle and discover what makes you smile more, what melts and leaves you so happy, so free… Thank you for allowing me that much, Jiang Cheng.”

“Ehehehenough, enohohohough, please.”

Lan Xichen stopped immediately and sighed happily. “Of course.”

One of his hands kept rubbing the other’s back, touch firm enough to chase every remaining tickle away as the other waited patiently to wipe those tears away. Lan Xichen couldn’t wait to look and caress every inch of Jiang Cheng’s blushy, smiley face, to try to commit it into his mind. He barely had time to do so, however, before the other was attacking every inch of his face with kisses, lips following the fabric of his (their) forehead ribbon and then pushing it up to kiss the cold skin under it. When the pecks began trailing to his cheeks, Xichen began tittering uncontrollably.

“W-wahahahayin, plehehease. Yohohou know, you knohohow Ihihi am the mohohost t-teheherribbly tihihihicklish there!”

“Serves you right.”

“Wahahahait, please hahahave-” oh my, his voice had already started to get high and giggly, how silly. “-Hahahave your wahahahater first! On the tahahahble, there is- oh, plehehehease, Wanyin!”

Jiang Cheng chuckled, amused, and teased him enough to put an equally wide smile and bright, slight teary eyes (which was quite easy when it came to Lan Xichen, something that would make him blush and pretend to hear nothing when mentioned) before they went sit at his writing table, enjoying the warm oolong tea (with honey for Wanyin) and a few snacks to replenish their energy so they could cuddle and enjoy the rest of the day without sleeping.

“I am,” Lan Xichen thought, when the night was already dark and the moon was shining, as he remembered about all his happy, giggly memories from earlier, warm, content and light as a feather that could be taken anywhere in the sky, “really, really lucky, for all the lovely people I have on his life, who let me share so much joy with them.” From his childhood, his worst and best days of life, all of this had only been possible for the wonderful people that were by his side who he saw grow up and whom he grew up with. Being lucky seemed an euphemism for them. 

Closing his eyes, Xichen thought about putting all of those memories on a book, so he could always remember and cherish them without any mistake or misremembered detail.

Perhaps he should. He could even call his friends and family to add a line or two about their feelings or thoughts in the part of their own memories.

He snorted softly, thinking about where he could hide it to not have curious eyes and outsiders wondering why Zewu-Jun, the First Jade of Gusu Lan, the actual Leader of the Lan Sect had pages and pages of such a playful, quite childish kind of mischievousness, thing so carefully registered on paper. 

If he actually wrote all of it down, it could make an entire story, with plenty of chapters and plenty of love. Perhaps those memories could fill more than a single book, even.

Nevertheless, he thought, a smile easing on his face as his thoughts were taken bit by bit by the unconsciousness of sleep, what a wonderful collection that would be.

[~*~]

EXTRAS

Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian only started to get into tickle fights because one day, while he was teaching about music cultivation to Wangji’s class, since he had to go to shufu resolve a serious matter, Wei Wuxian confused him for Lan Zhan and, in an unfair attack from behind, locked his arms in a hug and tickled his armpits. Of course, even after saying that he didn’t take the confusion to his heart and accept his brother in law’s apologies, his revenge was swift and merciless. Not one to be easily outdone, Wei Wuxian decided to compete to see who was the biggest tickle monster in Gusu Lan

This fic has exactly 26.022 words, crazy!!! The doc where I wrote it tho has 30.424 because I wrote there a all those extras, an extra scenario and The Only One Monser fica because I was procrastinating writing this fic kjhgfghujikjh rip