#my disciple wants to tease me every day

[genshingorlsrevengeance]

I was reading some of your old stuff and saw the one where Beidou’s S/O scared of ocean.

So keeping the same energy how about Xianyun,Amber and Sara(or anyone who has thing for heights/flying) with an S/O who’s scared of heights?

Imagine teasing someone like Sara and her grabbing you, dashing towards the sky and dangle you by your leg until you say sorry.

Oh and sorry for sending too many asks you’re like one of the few most active on Reader x fandom blogs and your work is amazing!

(Genshin Impact) Xianyun, Amber, and Sara's S/O being afraid of heights

I don't think Sara would be THAT sadistic personally, and don't worry about sending asks! That askbox will just grow sentient and kill me soon anyway.

Xianyun to some extent, understands S/O's fear of heights.

After all, they could not easily fly like her, being a mortal human and all.

Nevertheless, this does not stop Xianyun from constructing a device that would help alleviate their fear.

She wished to show them how beautiful the world was from up high.

More pressingly, she couldn't invite them to her true abode since the domain looked like it was floating above an endlesss chasm, S/O would surely die from fear from that alone.

(S/O) "Xianyun? What's that?"

(Xianyun) "One has created a device that will let you soar up into the air."

(S/O) "...W-Why?"

(Xianyun) "So that we could help dispel your fear of flight, I can safely assure that is 100% safe."

(S/O) "I don't doubt it, but I don't think my heart could-"

(Xianyun) "Worry not, for One will be with you every step of the way."

Xianyun is patient, after all she had four disciples under her care.

Everyday she helps them practice and eventually start floating ever so higher off the ground.

Amber understands the concept of being afraid of heights, but since she glides all over Mondstadt, she can't fully comprehend it.

It does not stop her from at least trying to comfort S/O.

(Amber) "Hey, no worries! I won't force you to jump off Starsnatch Cliff with me-"

(S/O) "Y-YOU BETTER NOT!"

If S/O wanted to help conquer their fear, Amber takes it very slow.

No diving off cliffs, at least not yet.

Amber is always stoked to help them out, making sure that they will never get hurt, not on her watch!

(S/O) "I will never understand how you can do this every single day...!"

(Amber) "Psh, this height is nothing! I once did a backflip off Dragonspine-"

(S/O) "Of course you did..."

Sara doesn't fly often unless it's during a battle or an emergency, so thankfully S/O doesn't really have to deal with heights.

At least, as much. There were still lots of cliffs in Inazuma City, strangely enough.

Sara does her best to make sure they don't get near them often, but if she was ever approached on trying to face their fears.

Well, she could make some exceptions.

(Sara) "Are you sure? You can always just-"

(S/O) "A-As long as you're here, I'll...I'll try!"

Her heart began to swell with pride and affection, seeing how much they faith they placed in her, as well as themselves.

She was carrying them bridal style, before deciding to go for a little test flight.

(Sara) "Hold on tight, S/O."

[newkatzkafe2023]

Monkey Queen meets Male Y/N, she is constantly flirting and teasing him and they did the do and a few months later she comes back to male Y/N with a very noticeable belly bump.

@lara-legomonkiekid

If you're screwed and you'll know what clap your hands😨😨😨

(Lmk Wukong) You were a male celestial monkey who territories in a jungle biom And you were relaxing. Until the great sage equal to have been showed up, the monkey queens been flirting with you for months. You didn't understand why but she just had a very unique interest in you and will not leave you be. She once again came to your jungle island to Woo. You once again and that's when you finally had enough. Yup, you decided to throw the immortal monkey a bone and spend a day with her. And one thing led to another apparently your mate's now, according to her. But after the day do you went back to your island hopefully she'll leave you alone now that you gave her what she wanted.

But in a few months later, you weren't suspecting. Mk and the gang came barging onto your island demanding to see you. You came out of your tree house home to see what the commotion was Until you finally see the group It's Glaring at you with Anger and disbelief Even what appears to be a female Macaque is their.

Monkey (M/N) I'm sorry who are you and what are you doing in my territory

Female Mk: Forget your territory we need you to look at what you did!😠😠😠

Mk moved out of the way to See a blushing monkey queen With a belly that was not big like that before. Well aren't you screwed😂😂😂

(Mk Reborn Wukong) It all started when you were challenged into a fight. The monkey Queen had apparently felt inferior to you and came to you and challenge you to a battle. Of course you guys fought And totally kicked her ass. This enraged her to the max and she came every other day to challenge you to a rematch. You're wondering what's the point of any of this before you saw how she would move her body a Certain way. Or how she would wear nicer clothes or the blush on her face That's when it hits you like a freight train. She is in to you, she wants you And dare you say she is in love with you. Don't get it twisted. She is attractive herself, but you didn't think she would ever give you a second thought. And so finally neither if you couldn't take it anymore and release your passion, Rage, and desires in a very explosive but enjoyable way.

A few months later, as you were hunting for food. You came across a rather familiar monk and a group of pilgrims. The monk gave you a stern expression as the pilgrims looked at you dumbfounded.

Mistress tang: Excuse me are you (M/N) The boy any chance🙇‍♀️

Monkey (Y/N) That's me what can I do for you

Mistress Tang: Well my disciple has something to tell you or rather Show him Wukong 🤨😮‍💨

Sunny Wukong The great sage equal to heaven approaches you with a five Months pregnant belly bump. Oh what a world

(HIB Wukong) Okay so this time you approached her. You notice how clearly lost her and the little girl named Liuer.She's with so you thought you would give the two some directions. While you were leading the two out of your jungle territory, you chatted up with the monkey queen and fell when you have some similar interest with her. When you both got Got them through you said that they can call me. Visit you anytime and that's exactly what they did. One day the Wukong came by herself Ask you a very personal question. If you can help her throw her a heat. Because apparently she's been struck with it and And the only one that can help her was you. You were shocked as she trust you with this A hundred percent so you had no problem helping her.

A few months later after the defeat of Dun Hun And his demon army the Wukong and Liuer Came to visit you again. Apparently the little girl had some exciting news to share with you.

Liuer: Monkey queen has a monkey baby in her tummy!!!🤩

Your jaw touched the floor as you look towards the monkey. Queen with a very noticeable belly bump and a rather light blush on her face. Well this is interesting

(NR Wukong) Okay this woman is a whole new different breed of Whore. You always have a Blush and a look of horror on your face whenever she shows up. She spotted you in your Jungle territory and she would not leave you with a hell alone ever since. From very x-rated pick up lines to very inappropriate hand gestures You obviously know what she wants from you, but you Still avoid her like a plague. But she keeps coming back Like a girl scout or worse covid. One night she came over with alcohol To share with you and you're like you know what whatever because well You happen to like Bourban. You really wish you could take back the last few hours back because the next morning You woke up in her bed. And you speed it out of there like a bat out of hell.

A few months later There was loud banging on the door of your home. And when you open that you came face to face with a human girl??? Well, you think she's a human with? Because the ribbon on her wrist looks very familiar. She then introduced herself as Li And she said that somebody owes you an apology and an explanation. Being mad confused, you listened to what she had to say before she Dragged the monkey queen In your home and put her right in front of you. It would be even more confused if it wasn't for Belly bump And it hit you like a truck. Your immortal life just got a whole lot more scarier.

(Netflix Wukong) She was so innocent. She is innocent cute naive you name it. And very very young At least to you. You didn't mind having Her around your territory just as long she doesn't break anything. She came every day just a attempt to rizz you up or something Like that but her cheesy pick up lines just make you laugh like crazy. She's also pretty curious and has asked you some pretty bizarre questions. But other than all of that you genuinely enjoy her company. And over the time of being together, she shared some rather heartbreaking news to you. She feels that she's always gonna be alone and stuff. But you didn't want her to think that because she's got you. That's when you shared your guys's first kiss And then she told you that she trusts you with her first time as well. You discussed a little more But she claims that she's ready so you decided to give it a go.

You haven't seen her in a few months. And you're really beginning to miss her. Then again, she has told you about all the demon attacks in her village. So she's probably caught up with that. It's not far fetched to you so you just went back to your business. One morning there was a loud banging on your cottage door and apparently You came face to face with a little boy. The boy introduced himself as lynn And he says that he's friends with the monkey queen. You wonder what brought him here and then he calls over Wukong. The little monkey girl approached you shy leave While hiding something behind her armor. When Lynn told her to remove the armor you both saw a unusually big Bumping her mid section. Well that is Explains almost everything.🫥

FEEL FREE TO REBLOG

😇👍

[det2x-fanfic-dump]

SATAN'S INTERACTIONS WITH HEARTSLABYUL

Inspired by an Obey Me Compatibility Chart I found in Tumblr and X (formerly Twitter)

Note: Requests are open if you want to see more :)

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

What if Satan met the Heartslabyul boys and MC forces him to stay with them in their dorm.

Context:  (according to my fic)

Satan is the first demon brother who arrived and is staying in Heartslabyul. 

He can be a black cat living in Heartslabyul.

He will be a cat outside Heartslabyul tho. 

Satan in Heartslabyul:

He controls people’s wrath as a passive power as the Avatar of Wrath.

Heartslabyul will basically turn into a Satan cult because only Satan can control Riddle’s anger levels.

He will be Riddle 2.0.

Students will see Riddle’s collar magic be a lenient punishment.

Heartslabyul’s garden will be set on fire if Satan is mad.

Heartslabyul will be scorching hot like Idia’s hair.

Chen’ya will always be invited by Satan everyday cuz he’s a cat man.

Heartslabyul Dorm will be a cat haven if Satan isn’t stopped.

If ever Satan has to choose another human to make a pact with…most likely Deuce or Cater.

Riddle can be an option but Riddle might be too cautious of the consequence.

Trey will be a last choice

With Riddle : August 24

Virgo & Libra - 68% Mutual Understanding

Satan and Riddle share fondness of books and studying while having tea together.

They teach each other their specialty magic.

They have anger management therapy sessions together.

If they have an argument with each other, they refuse to apologize but after a day of separation, they will act like nothing happened and continue being friends. You can see them having tea together again.

Satan respects Riddle’s strict ideals.

However he can be that kind of demon to convince him to do simple pranks or to disobey  Riddle’s mother. 

Satan can teach Riddle swear words.

They will form named “a rebel group against their parents” club together.

Riddle will order everyone in Heartslabyul to be proficient in Animal Linguistic for Satan's sake.

With Ace : Sept. 23 

Both Libra - 75% (None)

They will be sparring buddies.

Ace will challenge Satan everyday for a practical session in magic.

If Satan is a cat,  Ace will tease Satan to catch a horsetail or something.

Maybe offer catnip for every request he’d want.

Satan is Ace’s tutor.

They will be a pranking duo menace in school but only if Satan complies.

He will always complies if it's an act of petty revenge.

MC and Grim are excluded from the pranks because Satan says so.

Ace finds this annoying but shrugged it off.

Satan will punish Ace for cheating by signing Azul’s contract.

Satan will burn Ace’s pants as punishment.

Will attack Ace for disciplinary measures.

A kitty slap will do.

With Deuce: June 3rd

 Gemini & Libra - 93% Harmonious & Great (Sexual) Chemistry

Their relationship will be a give and take thing.

Satan can be Deuce’s tutor in academics and magic practice.

Deuce can be his disciple along with Riddle. 

With  enough effort, There’s a chance Deuce can achieve his dream of being an honor student.

Satan likes Deuce more than Ace because of his perseverance to learn despite flunking each exam. 

Satan also likes that Deuce is a former delinquent trying to reform.

Because It reminds of himself and his struggles.

This can make Satan practice his patience in teaching Deuce who doesn't understand math.

Deuce will have to install a small car for his blastcycle in order for Satan the cat to ride with him.

Satan has shades and a little motorcycle helmet on as they ride in the wind.

Satan will also punish Deuce for cheating despite being Deuce's tutor.

However compared to Ace, Deuce will just write the sentence"I will not cheat again" again and again on a 4 page paper as punishment.

With Cater: February 4

Aquarius & Libra - 90% Harmonious & Great (Sexual) Chemistry

Cater will now have his own Riddle to keep an eye on.

They will be roommates.

Cater will have the top bunk and Satan will have the latter.

Satan will totally take advantage of Cater’s library card.

Cater’s room will be flooded with books just like Satan’s room in HoL.

Cater will totally take advantage of Satan’s cat form.

He will be Cater’s muse for his magicam because his account will be filled with cat pictures.

And he will buy all the cat accessories and clothes and treat it as an investment.

Cater is annoyed at Satan’s nightlight and mumbles reading a book every night but fell asleep anyway.

Satan is also annoyed at Cater’s keyboard mashing on his phone.

With Trey: October 25

Scorpio & Libra - 35% Nothing in Common & Highly Volatile

Trey don’t like Satan at first because he’s a demon of wrath according to MC.

He doesn’t mind the cat haven but the burning gardens? Hell no.  

In Satan’s eyes, Trey is Lucifer 2.0.

Trey will have to take care of five children instead of four.

Satan don’t like to be told what to do so he finds Trey annoying.

Trey will scold Satan for flooding Cater’s room with books.

He will also be mad in Satan for teaching Riddle to swear.

Trey will always remind Satan to brush his teeth but Satan refuses because he’s still reading.

As revenge, Satan will dip Trey’s toothbrush secretly on toilet water and not tell.

But at the end of the day,  Trey will be that asian mom who apologizes with tea and apple pie.

With Grim

They’re both cats so they’re cat buddies

Satan will scream internally every time he sees Grim.

He will always hold his chest trying his best not to have a heart attack.

Satan will ask MC for Grim pics

He will have a soft spot for Grim that lets Grim do whenever he wants around him.

Grim will take advantage of this favoritism and ask Satan for everything MC doesn’t want to give him.

He will use Cater’s or MC’s money to buy Grim tuna and other things for a cat.

[xxsycamore]

One Hot Love

╰┈➤ 📸 Because we're not ready to let go of summer just yet.

Fenrir Godspeed x Main Character + Fenrir/Alice/Ray/Sirius/Luka/Seth • rating: E (MDNI) • tags: Polyamory; they're all dating; but focus is on fen/alice; Beach Sex; Road Trips; modern elements; i gave them cars and car radios basically; Skinny Dipping; Water Sex; Vaginal Sex; getting caught; Outdoor Sex; Banter; Black Army polycule • wordcount: 1,780 • masterlist

a/n: That was me paying homage to the passing summer WHAT HAPPENED, WHY COUDN'T I POST THIS ANY SOONER? Anyway, One Hot Love by Makoto Matsushita was THE summer song for me this year, and at one point it aligned with my ikerev nostalgia so here we are... always wanted to write a black army polycule <3

"Man, that song is stuck in my head now. Putting the only CD we could find on repeat was no doubt better than going the whole drive without any music on, but…"

"What are you talking about, you could have listened to Seth's melodic voice instead~!" Alice gawks, a hand over her heart in a display of affection that seems to be aimed at riling Fenrir up. Though, knowing how the 10 of Spades has her head over heels for him, Fenrir won't be surprised if that's her genuine reaction to listening to the man's monologues for four hours straight. And despite that they all love Seth, Fenrir is sure that in this aspect Alice is alone.

They came here with the rest of the officers and the King to check out what was reported to be a group of disciples from the Magic Tower disrupting the peace around the coast. Ray insisted on checking it out personally and the others kind of tagged along and from there it turned into a (work) road trip.

"Uhuh. Either way, boss looked like he's seconds away from taking the gun from my holster and aiming it at the car radio."

"He wasn't even the one driving, though… Was he too sleepy or something? We did get here only after it got dark yesterday but I thought it wasn't past his bedtime…"

"Pfft, sounds like him! But no. I know what got him so worked up but I won't tell ya~"

"Feeeeen! C'mon!"

Stopping in her tracks for a second, Alice lets out a deep sigh when the Ace just keeps taking long strides across the sandy path, refusing to satiate her curiosity. Letting out a loud "Hmph!" that falls on deaf ears due to the sea breeze surrounding them, Alice dashes forward to join Fenrir's side again, and keeps the pace until he's the one walking behind her instead.

A harsh and sudden gust of wind blows by, and Alice all but feels her uniform skirt flying upwards.

"Eeek!"

"Ohh, so you're wearing the pink ones! Nice!"

Putting her hands protectively on her rear as if they aren't the only two people on this beach to begin with, and as if Fenrir didn't just see everything there is to see, Alice throws him the best mean look she can muster before slowing her step so they're side by side again.

"Sorry for teasing ya. I promise I won't cheat if you want to play guess the panty color with the others tonight."

"It's really not about that!!" The focus of Alice's bewilderment quickly shifts from his ridiculous logic to the way he stops her right there and then for a kiss, full on the lips and tasting like the minty ice cream they shared awhile ago. She finds herself savoring his sweet lips, feeling the sun's warmth engulf them fully now that they stopped in their tracks.

"Ya know, I could really go for a swim right now."

Seems like he's not the only one feeling hot now.

"Just like that? Isn't the water cold…"

"One way to find out." Fenrir grins boyishly, the same smile she once fell for, and then kept falling for every day since then. Before she can even blink, Fenrir is already pulling his hoodie over his head and walking in the direction of the shore. Following the rush of wildness, Alice is no different as she gives into the moment, stripping down to her underwear. At least she diligently folds her clothes before putting them down on top of one of the nearby rocks, even if it means Fenrir would beat her at getting to the water first.

"Woohoo! Alice, come here! The water is perfect!"

Losing no more time to join Fenrir, Alice gives up on her cautious approach and lets the waves splash against her as she runs towards them, even when they make her squeal.

"Liar! It certainly is at least a little bit cold…"

"I gotcha."

Before she can complain more, Fenrir enfolds Alice in his toned arms from behind, acting like a big blanket.

"Fen… you're not wearing any underwear…"

"Yeah? Are you?"

Alice shivers as he runs one hand down to check, but the touch is more than welcomed, to her own surprise. She turns around in his arms and places hers around his neck, looking at his deep magenta eyes.

"Remember what you promised me a few months ago? About the next time we go to the beach together?"

"That I'm gonna finally have my way with you in the water like I always fantasized about? Why are you smirking at me like that now?"

Being called out on it, Alice's grin only transforms into a series of chuckles that she tries to hide against Fenrir's broad chest, hoping that he'd get the idea already.

"Alice, mind if I check once more if ya still wearing those pink panties? Just to make sure."

"F-Fen-!"

Receiving her affirmation in the form of her arms tightening their hold around his shoulders, Fenrir's calloused fingers find their way down the curve of her ass and between her legs. They slip under the thin material, crawling inside to find her dripping sex.

"Haah-"

"Still making sure, hold on."

His touch ghosts over her folds, his other hand joining on her front to stroke her clit inside her panties.

"What were ya asking about my promise to you?"

"Do you…think us coming here today counts? Ahh-"

Rubbing on her aroused nub with no remorse as if determined to make her explode on his fingers in mere seconds, Fenrir uses the proximity to the fullest as he nibs Alice's earlobe playfully.

"Do ya want it to count, Alice?"

It's a silly question, with how far they've already gotten. When they're together, it's always hard to say who started things first. The firm erection pressing flush against Alice's belly tells her they're not leaving the water without one last unforgettable summer memory.

"Make it count. I want you so bad."

"Hah! You finally said it." Fenrir chuckles, leaving a trail of wet kisses across her nape all the way to her lips, capturing them with his.

It serves as a distraction as he picks her up, making her instinctively wrap her legs around his torso.

"Hold on tight, Alice. I'm not stopping 'till you're seeing stars."

Running her fingers through the unruly locks at the base of his neck, Alice groans as she feels him guide the tip in, letting gravity do the rest as she sinks down on his girthy length with delight.

"Gods- Why haven't we done this before-"

"That's what I was asking! Ahhh- Fuck, Alice. I want you everywhere, all the time, what are you doing to me?"

Alice's hearty laughter is interrupted by the erratic moans ripped out of her throat by Fenrir's deep thrusts, and she knows perfectly how he feels.

"You can have all of me, Fen! I want you so bad! Ahhh-"

Moving her body up and down on his length at a rapid pace, Fenrir kisses every part of Alice he can put his lips on, her sun-kissed shoulders, her arms sprinkled with small seawater drops that are salty on his tongue, her nape with the sweet strawberry scent of her shampoo mixing with the sea breeze.

Alice sinks her nails into his shoulder blades, knowing how much he loves it when she does that, and lets herself go; the orgasm rushes through her body like a lightning strike, pleasure spreading hotly from deep inside her and making her whole body glow in ecstasy. She opens her eyes while throwing her head back, and takes in the endless blue sky above.

Fenrir keeps thrusting into her, making water splash around them as he whispers how close he is, how good she feels around him - and then he brings her down on him hard one last time, keeping her flush to him before filling her with his warmth.

With the cease of movement, they can finally enjoy the kisses they can't hold back from giving each other, the rustling of the sea drowning the little moans of afterglow that escape their thirsty lips. Suddenly feeling giddy again, Fenrir holds her up a little more and makes a little spin in the water, enjoying the girly squeal she lets out. It's only when she is turned to face the shore that she notices.

"Oh my god, that's Sirius and the guys!!"

"Huh?" Fenrir looks over his shoulder and indeed, he can see the figures of one man with his arms crossed on his chest and another three standing not far behind him. "Should we wave at them?"

"Hell no! C'mon, let's go!"

***

"We already ate without you, by the way."

"What?! Noooo! I'm never going patrolling with Fenrir again!"

While Alice laments the loss of her lunch, Seth is already there to squeeze himself between her and Fenrir the very second Alice lets go of Fenrir's hand.

"But Alice!~ Your knight in shining armor is here to save you from the brute, and he even packed you leftovers! I'm not letting my Alice die from hunger like that. Oh my, your face is so hot! Why haven't you put sunscreen on?"

"There he goes again…" Fenrir frowns, resorting to joining Ray's side instead, the latter patting his shoulder sympathetically. Returning the gesture by bringing his arm around Ray's shoulders in turn, Fenrir notices the label sticking out of Rey's uniform shirt.

"Oh? What do we have here?"

Upon tucking it back for him, Fenrir sees something curious and pulls a little more on the fabric, leaving a confused Ray as the group stops in their tracks.

"Hey Boss, since when are your initials S.O.?"

Seth is the first to grin knowingly, chiming in. "And aren't your sleeves a little too long?"

Luka inspects the truth of those remarks, blinking in question. "A mishap with the laundry?"

Seth trades his dear Alice's presence for that of Luka's, just so he can lean down and whisper something in his ear, shielding it with his hand while looking directly at Ray.

"That's- Hey. You two better keep your mouths shut, or- And Fenrir, we haven't finished with you yet. We talked about this."

"What? Fucking on the clock? Like hell we're the only ones doing that. Besides,"

Fenrir arrives at Alice's side again, wrapping an arm around her waist for emphasis."…That's what summer's for. Having fun."

Alice blushes, attempting to make things better even if she's just as guilty.

"Fen, it's hardly summer anymore. But… I think you can blame our love for that.

"That's one hot love, then!"

Taglist: @arsnovacadenza @ale-teodora @kimi00twin @otomelady @privilegedpancake @g-kleran    @pumpumnnnp @thesirenwashere @ravenarld @kimmy-banana @devonares @galaxyprison @starshards26 @thewitchofbooks @acethephoenix256 @ikevamp-shrine-2 @nad-zeta @crystal13unny @lordsister @ikemen-banshou   @themysticalbeing @otome-scribbles @rhodolitesrose @coornn @kpop-and-otome @queen-dahlia @kisara-16 @chaosangel767 @ikemenlibrary @queengiuliettafirstlady @aurora-morning @aquagirl1978 ​ @ikemenlover24 @mcofthemansion @joy-the-reader @katriniac @ikemen-writer @tele86 @lovely-bubb1es @aria-chikage @babyblue0t7 @rhodoliteschaos @shrimpy-kitsune @nightghoul381 @xbalayage @lucyw260 @kittygrimm88 @lokis-laugh @judejazza Let me know if you want to be tagged/untagged!

[twistedappletree]

TYPE: One-shot

JURISDICTION: It’s extra fluffy with a dash of awkward angst, your honor.

PAIRING: Jin Ling/Lan Sizhui

SIDE CHARACTERS: Lan Jingyi, Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang

ELEMENTS: Lanling setting, canon universe, first kiss, implied SangCheng, Lan Jingyi salivating over chicken (literally), gift-giving, Jin Ling trying to make the first move (emphasis on trying) and Lan Sizhui fixing everything as usual~

•

Beautiful as their surroundings were, Jin Ling’s eyes were hopelessly transfixed on the boy in front of him—his starlight skin in the pastel light, the wonder and joy sparkling in his amethyst eyes, the way each gentle breeze danced through his dark hair and waltzed with the ends of his forehead ribbon.

Jin Ling stared at him intensely and walked further into the grove, the thick layer of petals on the ground cushioning his steps and making him feel weightless.

Every nerve in his body screamed and ached as he walked. Then jogged. Then ran.

•

In which Lan Sizhui keeps disappearing during a visit to Jinlintai, a worried Jin Ling goes looking for him in all the wrong places and an embarrassing run-in with his uncle and Nie Huaisang finally points him in the obvious direction, leading to an unforgettable night.

{AO3}

🌸

The gilded city of Lanling pleasantly echoed with quiet chatter and subtle serenades of bright chimes as Lan Jingyi groaned over his meal. ���That’s the third time you’ve asked me in the past hour! I didn’t know where he was thirty minutes ago and I still don’t know where he is now.”

Jin Ling sat across from him at their table outside of the restaurant and crossed his arms. “I just think it’s weird that he hasn’t spent a single day with us since he got here.”

Lan Jingyi listlessly swirled his food around with his chopsticks, the contents of the bowl looking less appetizing each time the other disciple opened his mouth. “Are you his mother or something? It’s really not that weird, he does this all the time when we’re in Caiyi Town.”

A swift foot kicked Lan Jingyi’s shin under the table, causing him to yelp. “I’m just curious, is that a crime?!” Jin Ling slumped back in his seat and looked off to the side. “Figured I’d ask you, since you two are so inseparable.”

Lan Jingyi caught a hint of jealousy in the other boy’s tone and raised a suspicious brow. He finally shoved a piece of chicken into his mouth and chewed with an annoyed rhythm. “First of all, we’re not inseparable. Second of all, I don’t wonder where he is every moment like a paranoid wife—“

Jin Ling suddenly slapped his hand down on the table so hard, Lan Jingyi’s bowl clattered. The young Jin disciple stood and turned his back to him, looking both angry and flustered.

“Leaving so soon, Mistress Jin?” Lan Jingyi teased.

Jin Ling placed a hand on his hip and glared over his shoulder, amber eyes burning a fierce gold in the sunlight. “I’ve hit my limit of Lan nonsense for the day. Run around and do whatever you want, I’m going home.”

Lan Jingyi chewed on another piece of chicken as he watched him leave. “Home? Sure,” he snorted, “See you in thirty minutes.”

Jin Ling was too far to hear him and he definitely wasn’t heading in the direction of Koi Tower. Instead, he walked further into the heart of Lanling and thought about all of the places Lan Sizhui could possibly be.

He didn’t even know why he wanted to find him so badly but there was an unmistakable feeling of dejection and worry festering in the pit of his stomach. Dejection because he felt like Lan Sizhui might be ignoring him and worry because Jin Ling wanted to know if he was okay.

He stopped in the middle of a bustling market street decorated with colorful paper lanterns, hanging ribbons fluttering in the cool breeze and golden chimes beckoning patrons to shop with their gentle song.

Sizhui likes animals, he thought. Maybe…

For some ludicrous reason, this thought compelled him to walk towards the local butcher shop, even though Lan Sizhui’s love for animals would certainly make him writhe at the sight of them being chopped to bits.

Before Jin Ling could turn away, the butcher lit up at the sight of his Jin sect robes, high quality weapons and golden accessories, knowing there was the possibility of a generous sale.

“Young Master Jin!” the butcher called, waving a large bloody knife above his head in greeting.

Jin Ling sneered at the sight and wondered if the man had any idea how insane he looked.

“In the market for some fresh meat? I’ll give you the best cuts!”

“Not interested,” Jin Ling said curtly, waving his hand. “Have you seen a cultivator of the GusuLan clan walking around anywhere?”

The butcher raised his brows, “Ah, I have!”

Jin Ling’s face brightened as he prepared to ask him another question but his face immediately flattened into annoyance as the butcher continued.

“He was practically drooling all over my chickens, making other customers uncomfortable. Had to chase him off before he drove away all my business!”

Jingyi, you idiot.

“I see,” Jin Ling muttered, “Never mind then.” He turned on his heel and began walking off as the butcher called after him.

“W-Wait, Young Master Jin! I’ll discount the cuts just for you!”

Jin Ling ignored him and kept walking, thinking of other places to search for Lan Sizhui.

A group of giggling children suddenly zipped past him towards a vibrant stall of various toys. Jin Ling followed them and browsed the items discreetly, attempting to look as uninterested as possible until one item caught his eye.

A sky blue notebook delicately engraved with silver-leaf clouds and several playful rabbits glimmered in the sun. He picked it up and examined its quality, wondering why it was being sold at a toy stand.

“Do you like it, Young Master?”

The shopkeeper, a tiny old woman with a gentle voice, noticed his interest in the notebook and smiled.

“Is this even for kids?” Jin Ling asked.

“Not necessarily, though I suppose the older tykes would appreciate it more than the little ones,” she explained. “But I’m sure it’ll eventually fall into the hands of a child who’ll treat it as a toy. You’re the first to take such an interest in it.”

Jin Ling blushed at the reason why he was so interested, then frowned at the thought of such beautiful craftsmanship being chewed and slobbered on by some random brat. “I’ll take it.”

The shopkeeper’s eyes widened with awe and delight. “Truly? It’s a bit pricey—“

Jin Ling shot her an annoyed glare, insulted that she’d even question his wealth.

She passively waved her hands in the air. “My apologies, Young Master—let me wrap this for you!”

The shopkeeper folded a cloth around the notebook to protect it and graciously exchanged it for Jin Ling’s money.

Jin Ling now had a peace offering in case he actually did do something to make Lan Sizhui ignore him, which was what his anxiety genuinely made him believe. He safely tucked the notebook into a leather pouch on his belt and continued through the market.

He likes tea, he thought, rubbing the bridge of his nose while realizing he might not know Lan Sizhui as well as he thought he did.

The local tea house greeted him with the calming scents of jasmine, mint and ginger as he stepped inside. An enthusiastic waiter immediately ushered him to a free table and served a fresh pot of tea that remained untouched as Jin Ling scanned every inch of the tea house for Lan Sizhui.

Just then, two very familiar voices sounded from the table next to his. Both tables were separated by a dividing screen but the voices were unmistakable.

He immediately stood and whipped his head around the screen. “Uncle?!”

Jiang Cheng jumped to his feet so fast his hair ribbon came untied, thanks to a stunned Nie Huaisang who was still seated with one end of the ribbon clutched in his hand.

Nie Huaisang promptly shoved the ribbon behind him and snapped open his fan, trying to hide the blush on his face.

Jin Ling glared at him, then narrowed his eyes at his uncle. “You’re with him again? Why?”

Jiang Cheng glowered dangerously. “I fail to see how that’s any of your business. Why aren’t you training?”

Jin Ling pointed his chin and crossed his arms. “I already trained today—“

“Then go train some more—!”

“I’m looking for someone!”

Nie Huaisang’s eyes glittered with interest as he peeked over his fan. “Oh? I might be able to help with that.”

Jiang Cheng scowled. “Shut up, Huaisang.”

“So meeeaaan, Jiang-xiong!” Nie Huaisang whined and stared up at him with the eyes of a kicked puppy.

Jin Ling scrunched his nose at the ridiculous sight, legitimately wondering if he entered a tea house or the circus. “I’m looking for Sizhui.”

Jiang Cheng raised a brow. “Who?”

“One of the little Lan boys, Jiang-xiong,” Nie Huaisang clarified.

Jiang Cheng’s jaw twitched at the mention of the Lans. “We saw one earlier getting kicked out of the butcher shop—“

“The funny one,” Nie Huaisang chimed.

Jin Ling narrowed his eyes. “He’s not funny—“

“A-Ling is talking about the boring one.”

“He’s not boring!” Jin Ling snapped. “And don’t call me A-Ling!”

Nie Huaisang waved his fan in front of his face, not expecting such an impassioned response. “Okay, okay! Truce, Young Master Jin!”

“Have you seen him or not?” Jin Ling barked, clearly losing his patience.

Nie Huaisang thought for a moment then lowered his fan. “No.”

“Great!” Jin Ling shouted, voice dripping in sarcasm as he threw his hands up and turned away.

“Jin Ling!”

The young Jin disciple turned to stone at the sound of his uncle’s voice and slowly pivoted back around to face Jiang Cheng’s intense, electrified glare.

“Stop acting like a child,” Jiang Cheng scolded. “You will show your seniors respect.”

Jin Ling still wanted to protest but he frowned at the floor and slumped with defeat. “Yes, uncle.”

Nie Huaisang stared up at Jiang Cheng and fluttered his fan like a swooning maiden before looking back at Jin Ling. “Just because I haven’t seen him doesn’t mean I don’t know where he is.”

Jin Ling furrowed his brow. “What does that even mean?”

“It means,” Nie Huaisang started, pausing to take a sip of his tea, “That in order to find a Lan, you must think like a Lan.”

His cryptic sentences were driving Jin Ling up the wall. Even Jiang Cheng slid back down to his seat and closed his eyes, seemingly meditating to drown out Nie Huaisang’s nonsense.

“Just think about it,” Nie Huaisang chirped. “What do the Lan’s love to do more than anything else?”

“Get kicked out of butcher shops, apparently,” Jiang Cheng muttered.

Jin Ling snorted and Nie Huaisang tapped his fan on Jiang Cheng’s head who batted it away like a vexed cat.

“I’m not talking about that Lan, I’m talking about the normal ones,” Nie Huaisang corrected.

A dismissive sound hissed through Jiang Cheng’s teeth. “Are any of them normal?”

“They like to study,” Jin Ling interrupted, ignoring their banter. “And—“ His face suddenly blanched and he mentally kicked himself for being so dense.

Nie Huaisang brightened and passed him a knowing look while Jiang Cheng’s eyes flicked between them, utterly confused.

“I have to go.” Jin Ling hastily bowed to them both and scampered off towards the entrance.

“You better be training when I get back to Koi Tower!” Jiang Cheng shouted after him.

Nie Huaisang noticed the vein on Jiang Cheng’s forehead and fanned some cool air in his direction. “Let him be, Jiang-xiong.”

Jiang Cheng grumbled and leaned back with crossed arms. “The hell was that about, anyway?”

Nie Huaisang grinned and refilled their tea cups. “Something you wouldn’t understand—not yet, at least.” He retrieved Jiang Cheng’s hair ribbon and wound it playfully around his own wrist. “How about we continue our… conversation.”

Outside of the tea house, several people moved away and watched as Jin Ling raced through the market and skidded to a stop in front of Lanling’s bookshop. He swung open the door and marched inside.

“Welcome, Young Master—“ the shopkeeper’s greeting was cut short as Jin Ling planted both of his hands on the counter and stared at him intensely.

“Lan disciple. Tall, quiet, too nice for his own good. Where is he?”

The aggressive tone of Jin Ling’s voice made the shopkeeper go rigid with hesitation. “Y-Young Master, if you’ve a quarrel with him, may I ask that you settle it outside? These books are quite fragile and—“

Jin Ling furrowed his brow. “Huh? I’m not here to fight him, I just need to talk to him.��

The shopkeeper exhaled with relief and nodded. “Right, thank you… he’s in the back of the shop, I believe.”

Jin Ling headed further into the bookshop, passing several shelves filled with scrolls, ink pots and brushes until he reached the back.

Lan Sizhui was sitting on the floor hunched over several books that were fanned out in front of him as neatly as possible. He dipped a brush into an ink pot and scribbled something on a piece of parchment, so immersed that he failed to notice he wasn’t alone.

Jin Ling crossed his arms and arched a brow. “You got enough books?”

Lan Sizhui whipped his head up in surprise, his amethyst eyes sparkling in the warm lantern light. “Young Master Jin…? What are you doing here?” His face suddenly paled and morphed into pure worry. “Is Jingyi okay? He didn’t break anything again, did he?!”

Jin Ling’s face twisted and he rolled his eyes. “He’s fine and I’m pretty sure the town is still intact.”

Lan Sizhui sighed with relief, tension leaving his shoulders. “Did Hanguang-Jun send you?”

“Nobody sent me,” Jin Ling muttered, sounding slightly annoyed. “I came here because—“ He stopped and bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to finish his sentence. “Because I wanted to see you.”

Lan Sizhui blinked at him before whispering a small, “Oh…” He folded his hands in his lap and gave him a concerned look. “Are you okay? Did you need help with something?”

Jin Ling shook his head and looked off to the side to avoid eye contact. “It’s just… we haven’t really talked since you got here and I thought maybe… maybe I did something to make you ignore me.” He mentally cursed at himself and dug the toe of his boot into the floor. “Never mind, forget I said anything, it’s stupid—“

“No,” Lan Sizhui interjected, looking up at him with a softness in his eyes and a frown on his lips. “It’s not stupid. I apologize for making you feel that way, Young Master Jin—I haven’t been ignoring you, I promise.”

Jin Ling’s eyes remained crestfallen as he peered at Lan Sizhui through his bangs.

His solemn expression didn’t go unnoticed by the Lan boy, who nodded at his books and smiled. “I know it sounds crazy but I’ve been studying. When I find something I really want to learn, I get a bit obsessed with it.”

Jin Ling surveyed the open books and lifted a brow. “So that’s what all this stuff is?”

Lan Sizhui nodded and patted the empty space next to him. “Come sit, I’ll show you what I’ve been working on. Maybe you can help me.”

The sudden invitation to join him sent Jin Ling’s heart racing but he quickly realized there was no graceful way to get to him. Lan Sizhui’s impressively large barricade of books made sure of that.

“Careful not to step on the books,” Lan Sizhui mentioned, “I haven’t paid for any of them yet.”

Jin Ling knelt down and grabbed one of the covers. “Why don’t I just close some of the—“

“NO!”

Jin Ling froze and stared at Lan Sizhui in bewilderment, not used to hearing him shout like that.

“Sorry,” said Lan Sizhui, “I’m still taking notes from that one.” He scanned the other books and pondered. “Maybe this one? No… oh! How about—eh, no…”

Jin Ling let out an exasperated sigh and awkwardly tiptoed between the small spaces, wobbling a bit off balance as he finally made it over. Lan Sizhui grabbed Jin Ling’s arm to steady him and gently guided him down to sit.

They were close enough that their shoulders pressed together and Lan Sizhui’s scent of orange blossom and cedar wood flooded Jin Ling’s senses, making him feel warm and lightheaded.

The aroma of ink and old books mixed in as Lan Sizhui dipped his brush and wrote a few notes. Jin Ling leaned over to read them and made a funny face. “Herbology?”

Lan Sizhui nodded. “I’ve been studying herbal remedies to use during night hunts in case anyone gets injured.” He pointed at one of the open books. “There’s also ways to use certain herbs for coating weapons and making them toxic to your enemies. We’d… have to use those carefully though, especially with Jingyi around. You know how he likes to touch things he shouldn’t be touching.”

Lan Sizhui laughed quietly and Jin Ling took a moment to get lost in the sound of the Lan boy’s voice, listening to him passionately go over what he’d learned.

Neither of them realized how close their faces were until Lan Sizhui turned to look at Jin Ling and accidentally brushed his nose against the other boy’s cheek.

Both of them jolted back and Lan Sizhui lifted his hand to his face, entirely forgetting about the brush he was holding. Jin Ling stared at him for a moment, then slowly broke into a fit of quiet laughter.

Lan Sizhui frowned and tilted his head. “What is it?”

“You—“ Jin Ling paused and swallowed another laugh, “You have ink on your face.”

“Oh!” Lan Sizhui reached his hand up to wipe it off. “Here?”

“Other side,” Jin Ling corrected.

Lan Sizhui wiped the other side of his face. “Did I get it?”

“No, it’s lower. By your nose—“ Jin Ling frowned as Lan Sizhui managed to miss it every single time. “L-Look, I’ll just… hold still.”

Lan Sizhui watched him curiously then blushed wildly as the young Jin disciple licked his thumb and leaned in close to clean the ink from his skin.

Something ignited in Lan Sizhui’s chest, molten and sparkling like drunken stars. All he could do was sit there and lose himself in every detail of Jin Ling’s captivating face, his amber eyes undeniably striking in the lantern light.

Jin Ling, on the other hand, noticed what he’d done and ripped himself away. He clutched at his robes above the knees and shook his bangs into his face, mortified by his own actions. “I-I’m sorry, that was—I don’t… I don’t know why I did that—“

“Is it gone?”

Jin Ling lifted his head to see Lan Sizhui smiling and pressing his fingertips to the flushed skin where Jin Ling had touched him, a dreamy glimmer in his amethyst eyes.

“It’s… it’s gone,” Jin Ling managed to mutter. He felt awkward, embarrassed and anxious but seeing Lan Sizhui’s smile settled his nerves a bit.

“Thank you, A-Ling.”

The heat invading Jin Ling’s cheeks was almost unbearable and he quickly filled the looming silence with whatever came to mind. “So… is this really all you’ve been doing all day?”

Lan Sizhui’s mind was still replaying Jin Ling’s hand on his face. The question confused him until he saw Jin Ling poking at one of the books. “Oh, um… well, not all day.” He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled. “The bookshop has to close eventually.”

Jin Ling gave him a suspicious look. “But you’re always gone until nightfall. Last time, you barely made it back by nine.” He lifted his chin and glared down his nose. “And don’t lie, I saw you running.”

Lan Sizhui blinked at him and laughed. “You’ve been watching me?”

“Wha—No!” Jin Ling crossed his arms and blew his bangs out of his face. “Don’t be ridiculous! I just happened to see you coming back a few times. I have more important stuff to do, you know.”

Lan Sizhui smiled fondly, unable to find the flustered Jin disciple anything less than adorable. “Of course, A-Ling.”

Suddenly, Lan Sizhui began closing all of the books and stacking them together. Jin Ling watched as the barrier of herbology that gave them an excuse to be so close gradually disappeared. He felt a pang of sadness in the pit of his stomach but did his best to ignore it.

“What are you doing?” Jin Ling asked.

“The shop closes soon,” Lan Sizhui explained. “I’ll have to put some of these back before we leave.”

Jin Ling frowned. “I thought you wanted to buy them?”

Lan Sizhui packed his notes and ink into his qiankun pouch and smiled sheepishly. “I can’t buy all of them, they’re far too expensive. But that’s okay, I don’t need them—“

“Which ones do you want?” Jin Ling interjected, picking up one of the stacks as he got up from the floor.

Lan Sizhui grabbed the other stack and stood up with him. “That’s like asking me which rabbits I’d pick out of a litter.” He laughed and shook his head. “It really is fine, I can just come back and take more notes—“

“Sizhui,” Jin Ling said, his tone resolute. “Take them to the front. I’ll get them for you.”

“But…” As much as he wanted to object, he couldn’t find the right words without sounding ungrateful. “A-Ling, I really can’t afford to pay you back—“

“I’m not doing it so you’ll owe me,” Jin Ling interrupted, sounding a bit insulted. “I want to get them for you. They’re obviously important to you, so I want you to have them.”

Lan Sizhui’s eyes softened and his entire body deflated with defeat, always knowing better than to argue with a determined Jin. “Okay.”

Jin Ling immediately lit up at his acceptance. He adjusted the books in his arms and proudly marched to the front of the store with Lan Sizhui trailing modestly behind.

The shopkeeper’s eyes went wide as the two of them placed the stacks of books on the counter, followed by a large sum of money from Jin Ling’s wallet that Lan Sizhui was actively trying not to look at.

“Have these wrapped and sent to Koi Tower, to the Lan disciples’ guest rooms,” Jin Ling ordered. “Make sure they get there by tonight.”

The shopkeeper slowly nodded, staring at the money with a dumbfounded look. “Right away, Young Master! Thank you!”

Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui exited the shop together and stepped out into the now peaceful and quiet market street as the evening sun painted Lanling in warm gold.

The fresh air helped calm Lan Sizhui, especially after being holed up in the bookshop all day. He turned to the young Jin disciple beside him and smiled. “Thank you, A-Ling. I’m not sure if this would be repayment enough but would you like to see what’s been keeping me out so long? I think you’ll like it.”

Jin Ling eyed him curiously. “We’re… we’re not gonna go talk to ghosts, are we?”

Lan Sizhui laughed and shook his head. “No ghosts, I promise. This is something special.”

An electric feeling spiked Jin Ling’s heart rate. He wasn’t sure what Lan Sizhui meant by ‘special’ but it both excited and terrified him.

“I thought about keeping it to myself but I’d like to share it with you,” Lan Sizhui added. “We should leave before the sun sets. It’s best when there’s still daylight.”

“Let’s go,” Jin Ling blurted, almost prematurely. Lan Sizhui beamed at his instant response and gestured for him to follow.

They passed through the market streets, residential districts and eventually into Lanling’s farmlands. Lan Sizhui veered off of the main road, leading Jin Ling past a large pond and through the weeping leaves of an old willow.

As they emerged from the leaves, they were greeted by a seemingly endless grove of cherry blossom trees. Sunlight filtered through the canopies and colored the grove in ethereal shades of soft pink as a rain of loose petals delicately fluttered to the ground around them.

Lan Sizhui had already gone further ahead, his white robes a striking contrast against the backdrop of deep, rich bark and blushing blossoms. A few falling petals clung to his raven hair as he spun around with a bright smile on his face.

Beautiful as their surroundings were, Jin Ling’s eyes were hopelessly transfixed on the boy in front of him—his starlight skin in the pastel light, the wonder and joy sparkling in his amethyst eyes, the way each gentle breeze danced through his dark hair and waltzed with the ends of his forehead ribbon.

Jin Ling stared at him intensely and walked further into the grove, the thick layer of petals on the ground cushioning his steps and making him feel weightless.

Every nerve in his body screamed and ached as he walked. Then jogged. Then ran.

Lan Sizhui barely had time to react before Jin Ling’s body crashed into his. He would’ve been knocked backwards if Jin Ling’s arms hadn’t wrapped around his waist and grounded him.

The Lan boy’s eyes went wide and his heart skipped a beat before racing uncontrollably, small flurries of pink petals flying off of his robes from the impact. He looked down to find Jin Ling’s face buried against his chest, a subtle bouquet of scarlet peach and clove melding with his own scent of orange blossom and cedar wood.

For a moment, Lan Sizhui worried if Jin Ling was okay but the other disciple didn’t seem upset in the slightest. He was just holding him, as though he’d been waiting to hold him his entire life.

Without another thought, Lan Sizhui embraced Jin Ling, pressing their bodies even closer together. He sunk his fingers into the other boy’s long hair, cool and soft as burnt umber silk.

The world was quiet around them, save for a gentle breeze whispering through the cherry blossoms and matching the now peaceful rhythm of their heartbeats.

As if stirring from a dream, Jin Ling lazily lifted his head but kept his eyes downcast, still too nervous to look Lan Sizhui in the eyes in case everything happening really was his imagination.

But Lan Sizhui had an immaculate talent for making things feel both dreamlike and real. It was his low, gentle voice saying his name that finally gave Jin Ling the courage to look at him.

Lan Sizhui smiled one of his impossibly charming, lopsided smiles that made Jin Ling’s heart flutter and his head spin. The Lan boy’s head was covered in petals and Jin Ling instinctively reached up to dust them off as though he’d done so a million times before.

“You’re gonna turn into a cherry blossom tree,” Jin Ling muttered, fussing over every petal while knowing it was just an excuse to keep touching him.

Lan Sizhui chuckled and tilted his head. “If I do, will you come and visit me?”

Jin Ling narrowed his eyes, exactly as Lan Sizhui expected he would. He then mumbled a quick shut up—also expected.

What Lan Sizhui didn’t expect was Jin Ling’s hands abruptly cupping his face and pulling him down into a spontaneous yet timid kiss. He froze with shock, eyes wide as Jin Ling’s lips trembled against his.

After realizing Lan Sizhui didn’t kiss him back, Jin Ling’s hands slipped from the other boy’s face. Anxiety and mortification wracked his body as he stumbled backwards and clenched his shaking fists at his side. “I… I’m—“

Just as he was about to turn and run, Lan Sizhui lunged forward and grabbed his hand. “A-Ling, don’t—“

“I’m sorry,” Jin Ling choked, eyes glossed and burning. I ruined everything, he thought. “Sizhui, I’m—“

He wasn’t given the chance to repeat his apology as Lan Sizhui tugged him into another embrace. “Don’t go,” he whispered. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

The second Jin Ling’s strained posture relaxed in his arms, Lan Sizhui felt tears soaking into the lapels of his robes. He barely pulled away to smile down at the young Jin disciple, lifting a hand to brush his hair out of his face and wipe the tears from his cheeks.

“You really know how to make someone speechless, A-Ling,” Lan Sizhui jested. “Can we try that again?”

Jin Ling nodded up at him, shivering when Lan Sizhui’s fingertips brushed along his jaw and tilted his chin. The Lan boy’s thumb gently passed over Jin Ling’s bottom lip before he leaned in close and…

The kiss was nothing like Jin Ling’s impulsive, hesitant crashing of lips.

Lan Sizhui’s kiss was soft, slow and confident, giving Jin Ling the overwhelming assurance that both of them wanted this. He stood on the tips of his toes, launching himself deeper into the kiss as he wrapped his arms around Lan Sizhui’s neck and carded his fingers through his raven hair.

The blush on both boy’s cheeks had never burned so bright as they explored and experimented with angles, movements, holding each other’s face, neck, waist. Neither of them had the slightest idea what they were doing, having never kissed anyone before but they quickly found a steady rhythm with each other’s guidance.

Jin Ling let his guard fall entirely, feeling dizzy and wanted and safe in Lan Sizhui’s arms. His surrender emboldened Lan Sizhui to hold him tighter, kiss him deeper, anything to let him know how elated he was that his feelings for him were requited.

They slowly broke the kiss but stayed close, warm breaths tickling each other's skin as they exhaled. Lan Sizhui surprised Jin Ling by pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. He smiled against his skin and Jin Ling stared at him in a trance, unable to look away.

A few cherry blossom petals fluttered between their faces, bringing the world around them back into focus. Lan Sizhui looked up to find that the bright evening light was now a deep orange, blanketing the grove in hazy twilight. “It’ll be dark soon,” he said, looking back at Jin Ling. “There’s one more thing I wanted to show you but I’d hate to get you in trouble with Sect Leader Jiang.”

Jin Ling recalled finding his uncle with Nie Huaisang at the tea house, knowing all too well that Jin Ling was the last thing on their minds. “Trust me, he’s occupied.” He absentmindedly played with a lock of Lan Sizhui’s hair as he continued. “Besides, he’ll only come here if I use a flare, so unless you plan on murdering me or something…”

Lan Sizhui blinked at him and laughed, shaking his head. “I don’t make a habit of murdering people I lo—“He stopped himself and nervously glanced at his feet.

“People you…?” Jin Ling raised a curious brow and waited for him to finish, his heart beating quicker.

“P-People I care about,” Lan Sizhui sputtered.

Jin Ling knew that wasn’t what he originally meant to say but it was still painfully sweet and the Lan boy was hopelessly adorable when he was flustered. “Well, good,” Jin Ling asserted, eyes narrowing mischievously. “Don’t think I wouldn’t fight back just because I like you.”

Lan Sizhui grinned admiringly, the young Jin disciple’s playfulness easing his nerves. “I’d expect nothing less. But you’ll never have to worry about that, A-Ling.”

Hearing his name in the low, dulcet tone of Lan Sizhui’s voice made the tips of Jin Ling’s ears redden and his chest flood with light. He looked down and fidgeted with one of his bracers. “So… what else did you want to show me?”

“Oh!” Lan Sizhui’s face illuminated with recollection as he broke himself out of the amorous spell they’d both been under. He glanced up at the darkening sky and smiled. “Perfect timing.”

Lan Sizhui held his hand out to Jin Ling who took it without hesitation, his mind immediately obsessing over the comforting sensation of the Lan boy’s strong, slender fingers wrapping around his own.

They moved further into the grove until they came upon a large cherry blossom tree that caved into an alcove at the base of its trunk. The two disciples sat down together and nestled into the space, Jin Ling quickly realizing the tree was giving him another chance to cozy up with the handsome boy beside him.

The wind seemed to approve of this scenario as a cold gust of night air whipped past and made him shiver against Lan Sizhui who was quick to act, shrugging off his outer robe and chivalrously draping it over Jin Ling’s shoulders. He wrapped his arm around him and held him closer as he nodded towards the grove. “Ready?”

Jin Ling mentally thanked the night for masking the blush on his face and leaned against Lan Sizhui, soaking up the warmth of his embrace.

Just then, something in the grove caught his eye. Little glowing balls of green light began flickering to life all around them—clinging to the grass, floating in the air, dappling the cherry blossoms’ canopies with ethereal fluorescence.

Jin Ling’s eyes lit up and darted everywhere, an excited smile spreading across his face. “Fireflies!”

Lan Sizhui grinned at his reaction and nodded. “They seem to like it here, probably because it’s so close to the pond—Ah! Hold on.”

He removed his arm from around Jin Ling, who frowned and huddled closer as Lan Sizhui rummaged through his qiankun pouch and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Jin Ling asked.

“I think I left my extra parchment at the bookshop,” Lan Sizhui explained. “I usually continue studying out here, but…” He glanced at Jin Ling then closed his qiankun pouch and smiled. “It’s not important, especially right now.”

Jin Ling suddenly straightened, remembering the notebook he’d bought for him at the market. A warm expression verging on bashful washed over his face as he fiddled with the leather pouch at his waist. “Um… A-Yuan?”

Lan Sizhui raised his brows in surprise, making sure he heard him right.

“Don’t get mad at me,” Jin Ling started, “But I got you something else from the market.”

The Lan boy watched curiously as Jin Ling removed something wrapped in cloth from the pouch on his belt and handed it to him. Lan Sizhui carefully unwrapped it while Jin Ling rambled nervously.

“If… if you don’t like it, it’s okay. I can take it back or you can give it to someone else or—“

Lan Sizhui’s mouth fell open upon seeing the magical cover of the notebook that emerged from the fabric—rich sky blue decorated with silver clouds and rabbits glimmering brilliantly in the moonlight. Occasional flashes of green reflected in the silver from the fireflies flitting above.

He gingerly ran his fingers along the cover and smiled, shaking his head. “How could I be mad at you? This is beautiful, A-Ling. But…”

Jin Ling’s heart sank for a moment before Lan Sizhui finished his sentence.

“It looks expensive. I hope you didn’t have to pay too much for it.”

The young Jin disciple exhaled a breath he didn’t know he was holding and narrowed his eyes. “You—what did I say earlier?! Don’t worry about that.” He pulled Lan Sizhui’s robe tighter around his shoulders and mumbled, “It’s… it’s just something I thought you’d like.”

Lan Sizhui gently nudged his shoulder against Jin Ling’s and beamed. “I love it. Thank you.”

Jin Ling huffed and leaned into him, watching the fireflies as the Lan boy fished his brush and ink pot from his qiankun pouch and began writing in the notebook.

Curiosity eventually took hold of Jin Ling and he looked down at the page to see a drawing of a flower he didn’t recognize, followed by a brief description:

Golden petals like velvet sun. Thorns are deceptive, soft to the touch. Defiantly grows alone but flourishes with others when given the chance. Unparalleled beauty. Inspires an overwhelming sense of euphoria when seen or touched.

He furrowed his brow after reading. “What kind of flower is that?”

Lan Sizhui looked up from the notebook with a smile. “A very special one.”

Jin Ling glanced around the grove and frowned. “I don’t see any flowers like that here.” He looked up at Lan Sizhui with a pout. “You’ll have to show it to me sometime.”

Lan Sizhui responded by leaning down and pressing a kiss to his forehead, making Jin Ling’s cheeks redden. “I will.”

The young Jin disciple rested his head against the Lan boy’s shoulder and watched the fireflies waltz with falling blossoms in the tranquil grove. Lan Sizhui sighed contentedly and continued writing, eyes frequently wandering to Jin Ling as he added more notes about the ‘flower.’

Sweet to taste, heaven to hold, a privilege to love—

Someday, he’ll see what I see.

{ 🖤 }

[rayan12sworld]

💙Never Again

By:Hauntcats

Summary:

Wen Qing finds herself back in the past right when she is removing Wei Ying's core. She changes her mind and changes the future.

Or Wen Qing and Wei Ying take no prisoners.

(Not Jiang Cheng friendly - if you don't like that, please don't read it.)

Chapter:24/24

Words:67,198

Status: completed

“What if he means what he says? What if it’s not just a matter of being drunk, or unable to share his feelings properly? What if that’s how he really feels? Should I just smile and take it? I’ve done that all my life. I’ve taken his temper with a smile, his cutting comments with a laugh; I’ve taken the blame for every time he’s caused trouble or every time any other disciple did something to make Madame Yu unhappy. I’ve moulded myself to smile and joke and write it all off as though I’m made of stone and nothing bothers me, like I don’t have any emotions. During all that time, no one stopped Madame Yu’s whip. No one stopped her from punishing me for the smallest thing, until I gave up trying to please her and did what I wanted because if I was going to get punished, I might as well have fun first. Soup and meaningless attention only heal so much.” Wei Ying tried to stop himself from spilling out everything, but he couldn’t. It was like he had detached himself from his body and someone else was talking while he floated around. “When Madame Yu was willing to cut off my right hand to satisfy Wen Chao’s leech, was it right for me to think, ‘Fine, I’ll just learn how to use my left hand,’? When Jiang Cheng nearly choked me to death for saving Lan Zhan and Jin Zixuan in the cave, and I let it go because Jiang Fengmian and Madame Yu told me to take care of him even if it cost me my life, did I not have the right to be angry? I have run interference for Jiang Cheng since almost the moment we met. I have allowed myself to play the fool to pull attention from his terrible temper and social skills. I have brought him friends, teased him out of sulking, and let go of every scathing word out of his mouth. Almost every day, I have listened to him and his mother make snide comments about my parents, who I barely remember. I have avoided asking about my parents, in case it started an argument and made Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli sad. I have pretended not to hear the gossip spread throughout the cultivation world, gossip that shamed my mother and her relationship with my father. It doesn’t matter that my parents hadn’t been back to Lotus Pier for a long time before my mother got pregnant. Doesn’t matter - where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Well, sometimes, the fire is the burning resentment of the person who started the rumour. According to Madame Yu and Jiang Wanyin, I owe the Jiang sect for existing. Answer me this, honourable Sect Leaders, when you take an orphaned child into your sect, do you expect them to pay you back for feeding them, clothing them, keeping them safe, and training them? Do you expect any child of your sect or clan to do the same? Do I really owe them for this golden core that I worked for, sweated for, and took beatings for? If so, then rip it from me and give it to them because my life has no value.”

(Not Jiang Cheng friendly)

[mitchmotch]

I'm so interested in your Anastasia au! will you tell us more?

yes of course i will! @revalito and i are genuinely so elated that so many people like the au HEHJKSDHJKS i will always want to talk about it trust

i don't know if there was something specific you wanted me to talk about, so i'll just talk about their time in the cloud recesses when they were younger =]

as i said before in my tags, wwx found lwj sitting outside the gentian cottage waiting for his mom and that's how they first met--he brought him a blanket and something warm to drink and offered to sit next to him. after that wwx would find lwj every now and then and hang around a bit but not for long. that does.. imply that his parents died sooner but well. HEJDSJKSD we figured one of the servants was his dad's close friend that agreed to babysit wwx for a while before they died, so now at least wwx has someone that was considered family (and that can tell him about his parents)

wwx didn't actually start working as a servant until he got older and that's when he was really allowed to interact with lwj. silly little comments turned into prompts to speak more and eventually, they'd have "conversations" (lwj would listen, wwx would talk) as wwx did what he had to. one day lwj asked wwx if he would be allowed to be a personal assistant on a quick task he had to do outside of the cloud recesses, and of course that's allowed. and that's the loophole they found to spend more time together =]

lxc knows about lwj's crush. he could read it on him easily HEJKSDJK i'd like to think one time wwx was called in to serve something to them, and as he did he made some comment to lwj. lwj acknowledged him with a small uptick of his lips and lxc was just ⁉️⁉️⁉️ HEHKJDHJKDHDJK he starts making excuses for wwx to go see lwj. the first time he asks a servant to call for wwx bc he needed something delivered to his brother it started a rumor within the servants immediately. this is where the teasing among them began HEHJKSDJKSDK lxc is the main reason why eventually wwx is the main servant/one of the only servants for lwj

wwx starts learning about cultivation in his free time--and we'd like to think the gusulan sect would set aside a teacher for willing servants on their breaks--but he never attends any actual classes. it isn't until they accept guest disciples when they're around 15/16 that he even entertains the idea. he probably makes a side comment to lwj, like "ah, guest disciples… it would have been nice to attend a class or two.." and lwj is immediately like i'm on it. he talks to lqr to attend the classes and ofc here lan qiren doesn't Need lwj to be a good example to wwx like he does in the novel, but we think lqr would still want to show him off HEHJKSJKSD also, lxc is probably like "it would be nice if wangji had more friends =] perhaps if we have wwx in there (someone he is already comfortable with) he would be more willing?" and that seals the deal HEJKSDHJKSD wwx is invited to his classes to be a "personal servant" to keep up appearances, but he is there to learn.

of course some other people there aren't to keen on the idea of having a servant in the class with them, so this time when lqr calls on wwx, it's not to test him, it's to prove his worth. he knows wwx and lwj are friends so in his head, his justification is that disciples are offending wwx -> they're offending lwj -> lwj is his nephew -> they are offending lqr too. ofc. HEHJKDSJKSDK lwj defends wwx in his own ways.

nie huaisang is the first to go up to wwx to chat and they become good friends, and since wwx is friends with lwj, nhs becomes friends with him too. it's a funny dynamic but lwj inwardly thinks it's nice.

thank you sm for asking! <3

[immoralimmortals]

A Song With Ten Names

Chapter 20: Misanthrapologist (3)

Chapter 1 ☆ Next chapter ☆ AO3 ☆ Featured song playlist

Summary of chapter: What does it mean to be beautiful? Is it the same as being wanted? The performer asks this of herself, of Hidan as he sits on his knees, waiting for her delicious wrath.

Author's Note: I still mean what I said before about chapters with this title! Knifeplay both consensual but unsafe abound in this chapter, discussion on self-harm behaviors. If this is uncomfortable or potentially triggering, please feel free to skip this chapter. The next should be posted relatively soon (within a week, if not a few days). The song is Misanthrapologist by Will Wood.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

I've seen the face of nature

Wasted constellations crumpled up in my hands

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“Fuckin’ tease…”

Perhaps no one else in this new world of hers can be like him. As the knife is lowered from his neck— oh so carefully, with utmost control like this in her hands is a live grenade— Hidan does not so much as flinch. The expression upon his face is closer to bored, or to annoyance. It reminds the disciple of their nights at the bar, the nights he sat by with nothing to do but wait. But she cannot do it, even after all of his promises. She cannot push her pain upon him.

“Sorry.” An inevitable word uttered as the kunai is taken back, the priest more wary with how he handles it than usual entirely for her pitiable sake. The man shrugs, buttoning back up the few notches of his cloak that he leaves closed in his regular work attire, slipping the knife into an inner pocket; the image of something so dangerous close to his beating heart has to be pushed from her head, lest she imagines blood, too. He says a very odd thing:

“Guess it’s a good thing you don’t wanna hurt yourself or whatever.”

And it makes all the more odd that he seems, without a doubt, disappointed.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Knowing if you're supernova, your light show is over

But too slow to know for sure if it's a part of the plan

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Shink!

Clin-clink!

The performer’s arm is looped around her fellow jester’s, Tobi able to feel every defensive, instinctive twitch as she withstands the sight of friendly sparring. It’s still just on the cusp of summer warmth, and so both fighters have their clouds cast aside on the chairs next to the audience, no shirts over the chest and back. She observes the two bloodthirsty shinobi, compares and contrasts:

Shink!

“Are you even trying?” The shark holds his own knife— one not unlike the one Hidan offered, the one he uses now to keep Kisame’s at bay. Though they both appear still, the great pressure is obvious from the way they swung with the length of their whole arms to the way both grips quiver with effort to keep them crossed in the few inches between them. Neither budge.

“What?” Hidan returns. There’s a smugness about him that the performer should have known by now, and yet it surprises her; it isn’t an emotion she gets often from him. Usually it’s either disdain or ennui. Kisame gives her a similar sort of impression. Both different sorts of calm, different kinds of casual. “You gettin’ tired just from me going half speed?”

“Not what my comment means, but whatever makes your pea brain feel better.”

“Oh, you fucker!”

Cl-clink!

This is an odd headspace to be in, the stranger acknowledges in her mind alone. Fresh from the fears of being figured out by the plant man, over possible second death or worse, she’s left here. Too much of a good person or just a coward to carry out the stress she wants to release onto another’s body that was offered. Guess Hidan decided to get it (whatever “it” is, on his end of their deal) out of his system by waging a sparring match, excuse used being to teach her more of what the ninja are capable of, just as the priest had promised Pain. So here they are, her ringside with an excited Tobi who deserves a bucket of popcorn for good behavior. The seconds pass long, minutes pass fast. In this state, between each blow and verbal retort, she notices something:

She’s gotten used to Hidan’s scars; they’re numerous, all over his body. This is to her memory the first time she’s seen Kisame’s. In contrast, ignoring the gill markings on his shoulders…—

—His...has...a lot more variety.

Shink!

The orange swirl has been fixed on the girl for a while now, about as soon as she started getting lost pondering the sources of injuries, of tattoos forced upon these men due to their work. She’s breathless, and this is all exhilarating, of course, beyond the phobia of blades...but most certainly the other spectator knows that she is thinking.

Another metallic clash and one of the kunai fling up into the air, causing the woman to squeak. It isn’t a scream, far from it, but it’s enough to alert one of the two men who too has had something on his mind. Hidan feels blue knuckles crash into his face the second he turns to look at her, the force of the tailless beast swinging the silver demon backwards in tumbles as many as the spins his knife takes midair; it hits the ground about the same time he knocks his back into a tree. Now she’s allowed to scream.

“HIDAN!”

Almost like a play’s rehearsal, everyone stops playing their roles, freezing in place. Kisame and Hidan alike look to the woman— the former turning his head and the latter raising it from his position on the ground. Before she can run from her seat on the front door’s porch, the named man raises his hand.

“Hold on, girly, I got this!” What the hell?! It’s like he’s felt NOTHING! It’s like Kisame didn’t even do so much as step on his toes! What is this man made of? Shouldn’t he be fucking concussed?! As she ogles in disbelief, the taller shinobi rubs the back of his head with a guilty, apologetic smile.

“...Perhaps we got too excited.” His hands come forward, palms up as Kisame looks to her awkwardly for forgiveness. “Sorry, prin—”

Hidan has a wonderful sense of irony. He’d be a great writer, especially for the punchline. Kisame’s sharp teeth look even longer as they’re forced to bare the gums, corner of the mouth pulled even further off center by the returning knuckles dragging skin by the lip. The kiri-nin digs up dirt under his feet as he prevents a tumble as embarrassing as the one he gave Hidan mere seconds before, a bit of dust blowing up from the aging grass. Soon as he’s pushed back, the yu-nin makes sure to take his sweet, sweet time waiting for Kisame to drink in the sight of him, back on his own legs and a coy smile on his face ready to gloat.

“What was that about not trying...?” A cool tease is returned by a growl in the shark’s throat. He frowns at first, but the thrill makes Kisame grin. The smile reaches so far up his face that it not only makes the pin-eyes crinkle but plaster him with a look downright animalistic, hungry for revenge.

“...Cheap shot.”

“Hypocrite.”

“Didn’t think you knew the word, let alone use it in proper context—”

“Shut up.” The silver-haired demon spits to the side as he recenters, lowering into a fighting stance that the woman can only describe as a predatory animal’s prowl before the pounce. “No weapons. Go on, just try it again, fishy.”

An easy way to rile Kisame up, that word is.

“Come on then, zombie—!”

It awe-striking, to put it lightly. The performer is left almost like she’s watching a horror movie: nervous yet ultimately (probably) safe and sound on the sideline. Her arms cling tighter around the man garbed in black, snaking his own limb like you do a stuffed animal when you’re worried about the next scene, who’s going to make it out alive. But they go on, seemingly like they could forever, jumping and dodging almost in a dance. It’s chaotic, it’s graceful. She has, most certainly, never even seen proper martial artists of her universe move the way they can. Superheros in real life, indeed, her assumptions of them continue to be affirmed.

...And yet Tobi sees her brow knit. When a film repeats its themes— as the fighters repeat their blows and guards— it gives a viewer time to consider beyond the actual scene and observe the details…:

Kisame’s scars have so many shapes and sizes. Some are darker. Some are deeper. It makes her heart hurt; why do they suffer? What horrible things must exist to make him feel pain?

But...distinctly...it makes Hidan’s look so much softer. The level of fade each have are nearly— merely— skin deep. They look more like former paper cuts than anything the swordsman has encountered on the battlefield. Does that mean the reaper has it easier? Somehow encountered less to hurt him?

...No. Surely not. Tobi’s sharp eye in the center of his vortex can tell she is fixed squarely on one of Hidan’s hands, the right one to be precise, as he is left handed.

As the right one is the one that he always chooses to bleed.

It’s not quite a thought that crosses her mind, not even a hypothesis. The woman blindly feels through the facts at hand aloud to someone who has seen this battle before:

“Tobi?”

“Mm? Takara-chan?” Without a face to emote, Tobi instead tilts his head as far off-kilter as one can without straight up unhinging it from his shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

But no, it isn’t fear on her face, even if she’s jumpy. Indeed, her grip has even loosened. Her bottom lip is pursed in confusion, up until it speaks a question she’s had for a long time. “Why does Kisame call ‘em zombies? Hidan and Kakuzu?”

“Oh!” Tobi chimes, the answer so simple it doesn’t fully register. “Because they’re immortal!”

“Oh, okay. That makes sense.”

…

…

…

The two men flinch simultaneously as she once again shouts.

“WHAT!”

Kisame, though caring as he is, doesn’t make the mistake this time of taking his eyes off his sparring partner. He instead speaks without looking to she who is so confusing, so very, very much:

“Takara-hime...I’ll have to request you either keep the volume down or take a break from watching.” Literally as polite as someone can ask you to shut up or fuck off; her face turns red, and it doesn’t get better from Hidan’s reply:

“Ditto. Fuckin’ hell, girly. The fuck?”

“I bet you’re the cause of it,” Kisame is quick to the draw, nearly unfazed. “Having Tobi tell her things that make her shout like that.”

“The hell I am! You wanna say that to my face?”

“Gladly.”

As they get lost one again in the fun of the fight, the woman feels as if she’s battling her own, having ten different strokes at once.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

I hear your heart beating under the floorboards

The rhythm is a gospel to me

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“Why didn’t you tell me!”

Hidan looks as if he has exactly zero guesses why this subject could be important. The woman continues to trail after him into his room, leaving the door open behind her.

“Does it matter?” Hidan responds.

“Yeah, if you were granted immortality by Jashin I think it kinda matters, I guess!”

“Why?”

“Why?! I- I-” She sputters, trying to explain the obvious. “I have NEVER met anyone that is straight up immortal! Is it even POSSIBLE?! How old are you?!”

He squints so hard over his shoulder, one hand having slung his cloak over his back, that his eyes are nearly closed.

“...Chemicals.” It’s a statement so nonsensical that it stops whatever else she was about to say.

...

“What?”

“Tell the chemicals to stop.”

She's now a mirror of Hidan, wearing the exact same boggled squint.

…

…

And her eyes return to a normal width in realization. “Oh.” Calm down. He means to calm down. She tries her best to, despite the...everything. The woman takes a breath. “Okay. Okay. I just...— This doesn’t exist where I’m from. It’s a thing of legends.” He raises a brow in response.

“Not dyin’?”

“Yeah.”

Hidan shrugs. “It isn’t common here. Thought I was alone till I met Kakuzu.” He bites his tongue about two others, a snake and a scorpion. “He’s a different kind, though.”

One mystery at a time, her mind begs, and so she redirects the topic to one track. “Well...what kind are you?”

…

He gestures to her, his palm brushing the air like to guide her in, lead her closer. She can only abide, deciding to kneel upon the floor as he sits upon an unmade bed.

“Guess you can’t remember everything from my book.” He assumes the sudden flush of her cheeks at this is due to the spoken folly instead of the fact she didn’t read it at all. “Put it easy on yer brain...—” He playfully flicks a painted finger against her empty skull. “—Just can’t be killed. Cut me, bash me, amputate me...I’ll make it out. Jashin protects me from a mortal death.”

The brow above a befuddled gaze curls, evaluating him once again, down from the light, fast-healing scars on his stomach to the hand that dangles over his knee— showing no sign of their pact—, up to the smirk on his face. He’s proud. Most certainly, if this is true, this is something to be proud of.

...But distinctly, despite the stitches on Kakuzu’s body...it’s Hidan that is more like a doll, the performer realizes. Shamefully, she remembers their earlier talk today. Her inability to damage him, no matter how much he asked. The next question is more personal, requires she whisper:

“...Is that why you’re okay if I hurt you?”

Instantaneously, the smile drops, his returning voice as serious as a man of prayer can muster. “I said it doesn’t matter.”

She isn’t really sure how to feel about that.

Hidan sighs in her silence, impatient and standing up, hangs his cloak on an old coat rack in his bedroom. He still halfway through the action, a small questioning grunt as she speaks his name.

“Hidan?”

Slowly, he turns. Down on the floor, her hand is reaching out. He pretends to be annoyed as he abides. To his surprise, she takes his own hand, the one they put an “x” upon, inspecting. He resists the protective impulse to close his palm, not let her thumbs press and smooth over the plushest muscles upon his hand.

“...Why doesn’t it matter?” she dares, sin in her heart.

The answer is simple. “’Cause Jashin would want your prayer all the same. Even if ya cut my head off.”

She won’t look at him. The woman cannot, even if he begged. “...You’d let me?”

“Yeah.”

The root of self-harm is often the same for one person, despite the different forms that arise above the surface. Pinching the skin on her fingers, biting the inside of her mouth, making herself live in an attic when she could have a proper bedroom...in some form or another, making these choices help her feel in control of her own body, reconnect with it. It’s wrong, she knows it, and yet it continues, varying frequency between the shapes self-control takes. The reason Hidan’s proposal has made so little sense— been so hard to conceive of— is not only due to the gray morality of it but that it does nothing to her own body. She’s not the type to express her suffering outward onto her environment. Some are, but that’s not in her nature. The performer is self-destructive.

And yet.

Curiosity feels so evil, tastes so enticing.

Having a great sense of irony is good not only for punchlines but plot twists, and so Hidan is accidentally masterful at those, too. He gives her the exact thing that perhaps she should absolutely not have in this time. His fingers linger on hers until it’s clear she can hold the kunai on her own, without his guiding touch.

Next thing she knows, he’s sitting in the middle of his ritual circle, hooded eyes halfway between meditation and ecstasy as he lets the disciple crawl over and around him, though none of her skin is upon his own. She doesn’t cut; she traces, brushes the edges of him with the knife experimentally, savoring the sensation, feeling the way he reacts. The long edge of the kunai tickles down his jaw, lines down the shape of his neck and keeps going. Hidan’s lips are parted, and he behaves as if a lover is stroking him with their fingers instead of a weapon.

He dares not speak it, lest she stop, but now she really is a tease.

Hidan loves it.

Her eyes are wide, a quiver in her grasp that is both so terrifying and so very, very thrilling. Hidan is so...beautiful. She’s admitted it from the beginning— she has fucking eyes, of course he’s beautiful. From the way he slicks back his hair to the way his violet stare beguiles to the way he carries himself like he has nothing to lose. He is, indeed, a very conventionally attractive man.

...But she, too, remembers that the first day they met, he told her she’s not pretty. Not even good enough to sell.

The priest’s disciple is not a conventionally attractive woman, she knows, at least not to his returning gaze. Intentionally or not, he made that clear from the start. She has no chance, not in that sense.

Does he remember that as well? Probably not. But he doesn’t need to. She understands; she can take it. It’s okay if this is the closest she’ll ever feel to intimacy with Hidan, likely with anyone at all. It’s absolutely fucked, and she whispers so to him as if she’s going to stop...but if he likes it, she’ll do it. She'll pretend she does it just for him. That a piece of herself doesn't enjoy this, too.

He does nothing but smile at her little comment about indecency, a twitch so handsome it makes her concentration break. To her horror, the millimeter’s difference of pressure and contact is crossed. Red begins to emerge from a slice, over flesh that protects his heart. She remembers— she remembers the first and only other time she has cut someone else, even by accident. It was the day she and the reaper crossed paths, the moment she stole his scythe to take another’s life like she had the right to. The nights she doesn't dream of hands on her body are the ones where she has nightmares of the way that man's midsection split horizontally, pooled her in his blood, wrapped her ankles in his intestines.

Hidan sucks in a breath, and she's so afraid, so sure he'll regret everything...

...But the immortal grins, nice and wide. And with that, they both share the same high, one very familiar with it and one not at all. She’s terrified, but he’s here to help his docile master know how to wield a blade. His exhale is nearly orgasmic, tinged with his magnificent, eager voice. Both Jashinists are crumpled on the floor, helpless and as low as insects of the dirt through the view of the old cracked door. A metallic scent wafts an aura around them, sharper than any weapon he can swing.

“...Good girl.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

So how could I stand a chance, let alone dance

With the way you sweep me off these two left feet?

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

[twotangledsisters]

What songs from Hazbin Hotel would you link up to each TTS character? Like what parts of the songs would they sing?

OH MY GOD THIS IS GOING TO GET LONG CAUSE YESSSS! I have given this a lot of thought, mostly because I keep a long list of possible animations, so here we go (in no particular order because my brain is chaos):

Stayed Gone is Demanitus and Zhan Tiri in world where Demanitus doesn't disappear into a monkey mostly because of the words but also the image of Demanitus teasing Zhan Tirir for being in little blueberry ghost form thinking she's harmless and she really isn't.

It Starts With Sorry is Rapunzel. Everything about it is Rapunzel! Sir Pentious in this song is Dwayne because his the most loveably pathetic and who I can best picture in this song. The 'Can't be just kill him?' is Cass and Eugene. Which makes extra sense because when Rapunzel goes 'But who hasn't been in his shoes?' she's looking specifically at Eugene who was a thief XD

Whatever it Takes I usually see as Arianna (as Carmilla) and Lady Caine (as Vaggie)... but that admittedly only makes sense in my Tangled Sisters AU.

Poison is a difficult one because of all it represents... I do think Flynn Rider like before Rapunzel but I don't think I'd ever animate or do anything with this one because it'd feel like underplaying the severity of the original song.

Loser, Baby. Could definitely see Lance and Eugene singing this one back when they were in the grip of the Baron, unable to escape criminal life. Lance calling Eugene a loser to cheer him up just feels right XD

Happy Day in Hell is Rapunzel just because she's so sunshine!

Respectless... This is going to sound odd but Zhan Tiri and Gothel. The fact Gothel is the only disciple who doesn't seem to have demon form always makes me think she didn't quite play by Zhan Tiri's rules, and the idea of a younger Gothel just going toe to toe with Zhan Tirir is very funny to me.

Hell's Greatest Dad... I can't remove Varian from my head cause of the voice actor xD but if I try to force Varian in there, my brain changed the word of the song so it becomes a 'science versus magic' issue and some saporians are trying to steal Varian's job!

Welcome To Heaven... It's my least favorite song... The palace employees can have it, they sing the beginning part as Rapunzel comes into the palace for the first time.

More Than Anything.

You Didn't Know, I could see Rapunzel singing this to Arianna and Frederic asking them to lessen the excessive sentences for criminals, Arianna can be Emily and Frederic Sera.

Lute and Adam can be Cap and Nigel although I feel bad but they're the least likely to accept change XD

Cass can be Vaggie but because as someone whose dream is to be a guard and part of the system Rapunzel wants to change that kinda fits?

Out For Love. Perhaps my fave song ever in the entire show. Whenever I hear it I see Arianna teaching Cass to use a spear, does it make sense as a choice? No. But my brain is convinced that's the right answer XD

Ready For This... There's a singular piece of this song that I REALLY REALLY want to do an animatic of with Zhan Tirir, Tromus, Sugracha and Cass... but that's an AU thing XD But ignoring that, it's a Rapunzel song. Rosie and Alastor could be Frederic and Arianna as proud parents, but due to the manipulation bit, it could also be Sugracha and Tromus if they're somehow manipulating her in an AU.

More Than Anything Reprise. This is Lady Caine and Cassandra. Nobody can change this for me. I ship them too hard. I'm sorry. And if my ipad weren't crashing every time I try to animate I would be animating these two sooooo hard!!!

Hell is Forever, another one where I can't get my AU out of my head, in this scenario I see Cass trying to convince the other kingdoms magic isn't irreversibly evil and them being like 'nah, it is', especially cause the burning goes to the witch burnings.

Finale, this is a Rapunzel rebuilding Corona after the finale song but maybe she didn't bring Cass back to life?

More Than Anything, I mean the 'protect and adore you' not realising he's getting in the way and being overprotective is a very Frederic line but I still can't stop hearing Varian XD It's just going to have to be a grown Varian and his kids and he finally UNDERSTAND Quirin XD

That was looong!

But also shorter than I expected!

I feel like I'm missing snippets but yeah, quick overview is there! :D

I love this show and these characters!

[delicioussshame]

Where OLBH visits SQQ and learns many interesting new things about him.

Luo Binghe loves imagining his double’s expressions as he discovers how fickle his husband is.

The weakling shouldn’t be surprised, really. He decided to marry Shen Qingqiu. Even if his Shen Qingqiu appears kinder, he must still be rotten at the core. Why else would he break so easily? Luo Binghe barely had to blackmail him for Shen Qingqiu to spread his legs and keep them spread.

These days, Shen Qingqiu’s façade of reluctance is only that, a façade. It lasts for a few minutes, maybe, before fading under his touch.

This, too, amuses Luo Binghe to no ends. Is Shen Qingqiu a slut, eager to open up for anyone that would have him? Or is his husband that terrible a lover? Surely any version of Luo Binghe is decent enough to please a partner, even the failure who lives in this world.

He asked, once, which one was the truth, but Shen Qingqiu had been too busy to answer, and Luo Binghe, more interested in his actions than a potential response. Still, the question remains, and Luo Binghe wants to know.

Soon. At the very moment, he’s rather enjoying melting Shen Qingqiu’s faked resistance into unwilling eagerness, teasing him with what will be coming until this parody of his master is flushed and panting but still biting his lips shut. It’s oddly endearing.

“Endearment” is something Luo Binghe rarely felt before deciding he would claim this Shen Qingqiu. Many of his wives could be quite charming, and some of his children had inherited their shared charm, but none of them made Luo Binghe feel like some distant, cold part of him was chipping away.

He’d questioned it at first, but had ultimately decided to ignore it. It felt good. Why not accept it? Luo Binghe deserves every shred of happiness he could steal from Shen Qingqiu, no matter how he did it.

He'll look for some more once he's done using him. He had prepared a fun game for his evasive shizun.

__________

"Drink this."

The amount of suspicion Shen Qingqiu demonstrates is justified. "What is it?"

"Nothing that will hurt Shizun if he does what he's told. If he doesn't, I won't be able to say the same."

Shen Qingqiu's hand trembles when he takes the vial, but he drinks it as requested.

Luo Binghe would reward his obedience with a kiss, but he doesn't want to risk absorbing a drop.

He settles for a condescending patting of Shen Qingqiu's naked thigh. "Good boy."

Shen Qingqiu flushes and turns away.

"We're going to play a game: I’m going to ask you questions, and you're going to answer them. Truthfully, because the potion I arranged for you won't let my liar of a shizun obfuscate."

As expected, Shen Qingqiu blanches, but he doesn't fight back

Not that he could. One of the first things he did when he decided to make Shen Qingqiu into one of his women was forcing some of his blood into him. He's taking a snake to bed; one can never be too careful.

"Let's see. Shizun warmed up to this disciple so quickly, he can't help but think that Shizun was unsatisfied before he came. Am I that much better than his husband? Or is Shizun always eager to receive any man, even when married?"

Shen Qingqiu doesn't answer.

Luo Binghe's nails dig into the flesh of Shen Qingqiu's thigh. "Shizun doesn't want to keep me waiting."

"I don't look for other partners."

"I see, I see, Shizun tries to be a faithful spouse. Surprising. I didn’t know Shizun had it in him to be loyal. Still, he seems to revel in my touch. I'll ask again: am I a better lover than his husband?"

"...Yes."

Luo Binghe is very tempted to reward him with more of the touch he so loves.

He restrains himself. It would be a shame to waste not to take advantage of their current situation. "Shizun is doing very well. If he continues like this, he’ll get a recompense once we’re done. One he just admitted he’ll enjoy. Now, I’ve always been curious about your marriage. How did Shizun and my weaker self become involved when Shizun was so cruel to this disciple? The Shen Qingqiu of my world would have never submitted himself to my touch. He would have rather died. And yet, here you are, married to him, happily taking cock like an eager whore. How did this happen? What was different?”

Shen Qingqiu whines in pain.

Luo Binghe looks down and deliberately loosen his hold on Shen Qingqiu’s thigh.

His handprint on Shen Qingqiu’s skin is very pleasing.

“I’m not Shen Qingqiu. I raised Binghe differently.”

Luo Binghe knows Shen Qingqiu can’t be lying to him, but that is certainly Shen Qingqiu. While he wasn’t as familiar with his body as he is now, he has seen the Shen Qingqiu of his world too many times to count. They are the same person. “Explain. Now.”

“Shen Qingqiu died. I was sent to replace him. I occupy his body. I have been him since Binghe was 12.”

… “How.”

“The System. It’s an entity with the power to move souls into others’ bodies.”

If anyone could manage to lie while under the effects of truth potion, it would be Shen Qingqiu.

But why would he? Why make up this ridiculous nonsense?

Then again, Luo Binghe is visiting another world, one where himself and Shen Qingqiu are married. Is it that impossible? “Does your Luo Binghe know?”

“No.”

Luo Binghe can’t help but grin. Now this, this is good to know. “You didn’t tell him? He’s been married to you for years, and he still thinks you’re the same man who abused him when he was a child? You arrived after his arrival to the sect, right? Shen Qingqiu had the time to hurt him?”

“I did. I haven’t told Binghe.”

“Why not? Please, Shizun, tell me how you justify to yourself keeping your own husband in the dark about such an important matter.”

“He might reject me if I tell him. He’ll be hurt I lied to him. I don’t want to risk losing him.”

“So you really love him?”

“More than anything.”

…This isn’t fair. It’s never been fair. How come he got a shizun would beat him, who ostracised him, who wouldn’t teach him, and this Luo Binghe gets a man who treated him so well he fell in love with him?

He’s still not a good man though. He tricked this world’s Luo Binghe into believing the shizun who hated him had a change of heart instead of telling him the truth, and kept the façade going even after they got married. “Why did you decide to care for him?”

“I knew that in the future, he would grow to kill Shen Qingqiu, so I tried to protect myself. Binghe was also very likeable and pitiable; it was just natural to do so.”

“How did you know?”

“This world’s story was written in a book I read back in my original world.”

…Luo Binghe’s brain hurt. “So you know the future? Anything I should be made aware of?”

“No. We’re past what I know.”

So this is still a man out to save himself. Someone not above using deception if it advantages him. Not someone who deserves Luo Binghe’s pity. “This is all very interesting. I’m glad that Shizun… no, that’s not right. You are not my shizun. You must have had a name before. What it is?”

“Shen Yuan.”

“Another Shen? Any ties?”

“None.”

“I see. I’m very glad that Shen Yuan shared his innermost secrets with me. I think that’s a secret we’ll keep between us, won’t we? Your Luo Binghe can keep thinking his shizun changed. When I visit, you’ll be Shen Yuan, the pretender who needs to repent for his many betrayals.” His own version of Shizun, one the other Luo Binghe will never get to know. “And if you think I won’t find out you’ve told him, you can take a chance. Just be prepared for the consequences if you do. My blood is flowing into your veins; I can check on you whenever I wish.” He can’t. That’s not how it works. But Shen Yuan is a coward. He won’t want to risk himself or the lives of his disciples. He won’t tell. “I have no desire to hurt Shen Yuan. In fact, since he’s been so obedient, I want him to have exactly what he wants.” Luo Binghe’s fingers leave Shen Yuan’s thigh to slip back into his open hole, still wet from their earlier encounters. “I know Shen Yuan is usually too shy to express himself, but I’ll insist on him telling me how he really feels tonight. It’ll be a good opportunity to learn how to please him best. Not that I think I need the help. Shen Yuan did say I was better than his husband.”

Shen Yuan’s breathing is already speeding up under Luo Binghe’s ministrations. Still, one can never be too certain. “I wouldn’t want to force him, so I will be magnanimous and ask: does Shen Yuan enjoys taking my fingers?”

“…”

Luo Binghe tuts. “I did ask for answers tonight. You’ve been doing so well until now. We wouldn’t want things to change, would we?”

“…Yes.”

Luo Binghe smiles. “There you go. That wasn’t so hard, was it? Here is the next one: you love how it feels when I fuck you, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you won’t mind me doing it again. The night is still young, and after so long, being called be your real name must be nice. I’m the only one that can do it, so give me good reasons to use it, Shen Yuan.”

[topzsun]

please sire may i have some more aventurine

SOMETHING HAPPENED (IM HEAD OVER HEELS)

── ♡ AVENTURINE

❝ desire is an ugly and beautiful thing. it makes you abandon every principle you've built your life around. it makes you care. ❞ author's note: of course you can have more aventurine, my disciple.

You liked to believe you were patient. You are careful with your words and temper. You work diligently with minimal complaints. Your track record for speeding through paperwork comes second to none. You could have been the poster child for the ideal IPC office assistant.

Unfortunately, Aventurine happened to be the one you directly take orders from. And he was much different than the other Ten Stonehearts, for better or worse.

“At the risk of sounding like I’m—God forbid—concerned about you, are you seriously going to take his deal?” Your frustrated face is reflected back to you, as you stand behind the man fixing up his fur-trim coat in front of the mirror. He finally looks over his shoulder, only to send you a mockingly serene smile. It’s become a routine ever since you began working under him. Every Friday night he will join a group of tycoons at a casino, and make a haphazard bet on his life. Predictably, he always walks out a free (and victorious) man but you don’t like to think about the day his luck runs dry. He’s abnormal, logic dictates that you shouldn’t worry. Yet, despite yourself, you care and you don’t think you can chalk it up to job stability anymore.

Aventurine isn’t a man you can underestimate. He’s intelligent and carries himself with a certain level of charm that you haven’t seen on anyone before. Yet, the most striking thing about him is his lack of regard for his own life. The IPC works under the principle of persistence and eagerness, and taking risks isn’t a foreign concept amongst the Stonehearts. However, Aventurine wasn’t just taking risks. He viewed his own life as if it were a chip to be traded in. To reduce his entire being into something tangible, that can just be passed around still bewilders you. He tells you he’s willing to give his all for everything. You suspect a severe case of an inferiority complex. You know his… background is difficult, though you are ignorant of any details. Aventurine likes you well enough, but you both don’t have the type of relationship where you can sit together and discuss the paths that made you both into the people you are today.

It’s not appropriate for him, as your boss. It’s not appropriate for you, as his assistant.

So you bite down any more complaints, signalling an end to your banter. You have pushed as far as the rules of your contract would allow you. He gingerly takes his fedora from your waiting hands and meets your gaze for the final time tonight.

“Lucky you, you get to have an early night today,” He teases, making the same joke he always does every Friday. Predictably, you roll your eyes.

“Yup, lucky me having to finish all the paperwork you don’t want to do,” You retort and he laughs breezily. “What would I do without you?”

“Probably get fired for never turning in your files,” You state flatly and he only gives a painted smile, amused. He checks his wristwatch and bids you a quick farewell when he realises he’s in danger of running late, and the large doors to his office shut close with a click. You are left alone inside the lofty walls of dark teal and gold decor and with Aventurine’s missing presence, it only then dawns on you how big the room is for one person and you imagine him sitting at his desk on his lonesome. You wonder if the echo in here ever drove him crazy.

The chilly air nips at your skin like bite marks, despite the bundles of fabric you huddled yourself in. Maybe it’s a sign to get a better coat and scarf, but right now your greatest concern was buying dinner and going home. The remaining paperwork finished without much fanfare, and Aventurine kept his promise that you’d be out of the office earlier than usual. You reminisce about the hot shower you will take, and the hot mug of cocoa you’d sip on as you languidly scroll through television channels. It’s the thought that keeps you moving on your two feet.

Until you stop at your favourite take-out place and are dismayed when you see an overwhelming queue formed outside the cramped, family-owned shop. Bodies pressed against one another, just the idea of tugging your way into the herd made your skin crawl uncomfortably. You are filled with reluctance, but your only option is to go hungry or walk back and take a train to the other side of town just for late-night dinner. You stand there listlessly, contemplating your options until an elbow is pressed against your side and someone gruffly chides “Move it!”. You are caught off-guard and shuffle out of the way, and suddenly your appetite doesn’t seem to take enough priority to have to deal with this type of crowd. You ready yourself to turn back and take the solemn walk home until there is a call of your name from a very familiar voice.

From the speed at which you turn around to face him, you think your head could spin. If Aventurine notices your sudden whiplash, he doesn’t comment on it, instead raising a gloved hand to give a brisk wave.

“Well, look who missed me so much they just had to see me again,” He drawls, stepping into the flickering light of the street lamp. There should be a word to describe how he makes you grind your teeth, and make your heart skip a beat.

There should also be a word for the specific type of shame that comes with falling for your boss.

“What are you doing here…?” You question and it wasn’t an odd thing to ask. This street, filled with humble stalls and corner stores, is not acquainted with people who have more money than they know what to do with. It is not a place for someone from the Ten Stonehearts. It is especially not a place for the likes of Aventurine. Despite your curiosity, he waves you off with an air of mystery that annoyingly reminds you of Jade.

“I just happen to be passing by on my way home,” He pauses as he gives a brief glance at the dimly glowing street. “When I see my poor assistant looking so frazzled. I’m not such a terrible boss to not help them out.”

You are sure he’s exaggerating your visible distress, but still, you instinctively look to the nearest glass window to see if it’s true. You miss how the corner of his lips quirks up to an affectionate smile, one he cannot fake nor conceal. By the time you turn back to face him, relieved that you didn’t look like a mess, he’s already donning his normally languid expression. “I suppose the queue is getting in your way of dinner, huh?”

Your silence is all the answer he needs as he slides off his sunglasses, revealing his muli-coloured eyes. Hues of cyan and purple melt together in a hypnotic way that reminds you of watching paint drip from a canvas. His eyes were his most prominent feature and symbolised so much about him that words fail to. It’s his origin, what people assume him to be, who he actually is, and the pain and anger that simmer in the depths of his chest. Of course, you are ignorant of this.

For you, they remind you what it means to look a man in the eye and feel entrapped by something greater than you could understand.

You are snapped back into the moment when he suddenly claps his hands together, as if coming to a sudden and genius revelation.

“Well, I can’t have you starving after helping me with all that work,” He steps closer to your space, and for some odd reason, you do not take a step back. “There is a bistro not too far from here. My treat?”

Professionalism will order you to politely reject his offer, to go home hungry and to distract yourself from the overwhelming feelings you have for this man. Unfortunately, these days your heart has gotten too loud for your ringing ears. So, you let yourself walk beside him, the brush of your fingertips sparking an electric sting within you. You remain none the wiser that after this, you will let him talk you into another dinner, and many more after that. The gap between the both of you creaks shut.

[casualflowerglitter]

Turn weakness into strength*

He was standing in front of the Guru with great faith. The Guru was testing him with his testament. Understand as a nine ten year old child. She didn't have a left hand.

What do you want from me? "The teacher asked that child.

That kid cleared his throat. Gathered courage and said, "I want to learn wrestling from you.

No hand and wrestling? This is a strange thing.

"Why ? "

"The rest of the boys in school tease me and my sister. They call me Tunda. Everyone's kindness has made my life haram Guruji. I want to live with my own courage, I don't need anyone's mercy. I must know how to protect myself and my family. "

But now I'm old and don't teach anyone. Who sent you to me? "

I went to many teachers, no one is ready to teach me. A big teacher told me your name and said only he can teach you because he has only time and no one to learn, he said this to me. "

Who would have given an arrogant answer, he understood that Guruji. It is because of such arrogant people that people of disturbance came into this game.

"Okay. Arrive in the arena tomorrow morning before the feet burst. It is not easy to learn from me, I tell you first. Wrestling is a killer sport. Use it for good, have full faith in what I teach you. If the man gets intoxicated with this game, then keep his head cool. Did you get it? "

Yes Guruji understood, I will follow everything you say. Tears rolled down that child's eyes because of joy. He touched the feet of the Guru and took blessings.

"Guru started teaching his only disciple. Traded the soil, removed the dust from the Mudgal and how to teach education to this one handed child, the guru's eye was caught.

Guru taught him only one step and kept practicing it everyday. Just one bet every day for six months. One day the disciple asked while pressing the feet of the teacher.

"Teacher, it has been six months, I have understood the nuisance of this bet very well and teach me some new screws. "

Guruji got up from there and the child thought that he made Guruji angry.

Even then, the child kept practicing believing in Guru's words. She never asked if there was anything else to learn.

Wrestling competition was organized in the village and big prizes were held. All arena selected wrestlers participated in the contest.

Guruji called the disciple and said "Tomorrow morning keep the bull in the car, you have to go to the nearby village to wrestle. "

First two wrestling this kid won without arms. The horse who has hope of losing and wins the race, the same way all the opponents have lost their mouth. The viewers were surprised. How can a child without hands win in wrestling?

Now in the third wrestling, the front player was not a newbie, the old brave. But with his clean handcuffs and right breaking the bet, this wrestling boy won.

Now this child's confidence has increased. The audience were with him now too. I can win too. This feeling was giving him power.

He reached the final stage of the competition in a glance.

The arena person who sent the disabled boy to this old teacher, the disciple of that egoistic was the last competitor of the child.

This wrestler was superior to this kid with power and experience. She had won many contests. It was obvious he would choke this kid in minutes. So the Panchas thought that this wrestling is not fair, wrestling is in equal people, this wrestling cancelled according to humanity and equality. Prize will be distributed equally in both. "Ponches expressed their opinion.

"I am many times experienced and powerful than this boy of tomorrow, I will win this wrestling, it is true that sixteen." So let me be the winner of this wrestling. "The competitor spoke in ego.

Yes, I am new and less in experience than elder brother. My mentor taught me to play honestly. Winning without playing is an insult to my teacher, I do not want this alms. The public applauded after listening to the self-respecting talk of that child.

Everyone was thinking, one hand has already been lost, and there should be no damage? Stupid of somewhere!

And then the wrestling begins.

And all the viewers were shocked. Cleaning attack and the stake thrown by a child in search of opportunity did not make that strong competitor to be tolerated. That mouth was lying outside the field. At least in diligence, the newbie contestant had dusted an old master.

The disciple puts his head and medal at the feet of the Guru.

"Guruji, I had to ask one thing. "

"The tail. "

“I only get one stab. How did I even win? "

"You had learned two bets. This is why I won. "

"Which two bets ? "

First of all, you had learnt this bet so well that there was no room to make mistakes. I would have made you fight in sleep, even then you would not have made any mistake in this bet.

You get this bet, your opponent had already known, but you only get this bet, did he know this? "

"And what was the other thing master? "

"Second thing matters more that every bet has a reaction! There is no bet that is not broken. There was a break to this bet as well. "

"So won't my competitor know that stake? "

"He knew it. But he couldn't do anything. Do you know why?... Because that breaker's left hand has to be held! "

Now you understand how a simple boy without hands became a winner?

The thing which we consider as our weakness, the one who teaches us to live as our strength, makes us victorious, is the true teacher.

From inside we are weak somewhere, handicapped. We need a teacher who can defeat that weakness and teach the art of living.

~PPG~

[incorrect-web-novels]

Di Jiufeng: Ning Guang, we need to talk about-

Ning Guang: The building was already on fire when I got there.

Di Jiufeng: What.

Ning Guang: What?

[yueqingyuan]

Chapter 27 up! We now have 200 total comments on my site, thanks for all your support!

[caffeinatedmoth]

Body and Soul

Signless x human s\o

A\n: I didn’t know if you wanted poly with Disciple or something in the bubbles, but this is what I could come up with hope you enjoy.

Exhaling through his nose, he sighs, as he presses his forehead against your own. You both sat at the edge of the cave, enveloped in his cloak. As you sit on his lap you think back to when you found each other. The kindness in his eyes and the softness of his voice. He was so delicate with you at that time as you were wary of his intentions despite how his reputation already preceded him. You were so different, it was hard to believe anyone could be so accepting of you.

Now you sit, mutants to troll kind, but bonded to each other body and soul. You can hear the others from the group roam around in the back of the cave to give you privacy. Normally Disciple would be spending this time with you both, but instead was helping Dolorosa prepare for the day. So much has happened since you've both met, you can’t help but ask, “Remember when you came to me about being your matesprit?” 

A nervous laugh is quick to follow, “How could I forget? You almost knocked me unconscious in your excitement.” You turn to him with a stern look that is extinguished by a forehead kiss. “I said I was sorry like a million times.” you complain to him.

His arms tighten around you as he chuckles, “I’m only teasing, my flush. Now why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to know… Why me? I mean don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t be happier, but… You know.” He understood what you were hinting at and was rather unimpressed. Nonetheless he smiles upon you.

Signless gently raises your chin with his thumb and index finger before choosing his words carefully, “It wasn’t a tough decision to make. When I close my eyes I can see a clear vision of us. It’s what used to keep me up at night before I courted you,” he strokes your bottom lip with his thumb as mutant red pierces your bashful gaze,”you match my passion like no other,” your name is like silk on his tongue,”since the start of it, I saw you at my side, as I yours.” Signless steals a chaste kiss before he rests his head against yours as he did previously. 

If you didn’t stop him now, you were sure he’d be going on all night, “Alright alright… good answer, Sign.” you were left flustered as you failed to remember that he was a troll of both words and actions. He only laughs at how you burn up in his arms ,”I aim to please~”

“Noted.” you grumble in his neck with your arms clinging to him.

This time, Signless was the one who couldn’t help himself. He grabs your waist with both hands to pull you from him so he could begin his assault of affection, kissing every inch of your face in a rapid fire. Despite moving your hands to weakly push at his face you both dissolve in a fit of giggling and laughter. As fun as it was, a loud clearing of somebody’s throat had you both pause to look over at the back of the cave. There stood the others with varying degrees of annoyed reactions; Psiioniic being the highest. 

“Are you almost done over there?” His lisp is prominent as is his irritation.

With a more polite tone, Disciple voices her concern, “Come on mew two, it's going to be daylight soon.”

You can hear Dolorosa giggle softly as you groan before rising to your feet. Holding your hand out to him, Signless hoists himself up as well. Hand in hand you both join the others; unable to hide the lovestruck look on your faces. Psiioniic makes a bit of a show of rolling his eyes before retiring to his side of the cave along with the others. As you and Signless lay in your pathetic makeshift nest you share soft whispers of endearment and cuddle into each other. All relationships had a fair share of ups and downs, but with Signless he held such patience with you and possessed a heart full of fiery passion. Despite being human he loved you all the same and more. Like it made no difference to him in the slightest. He eventually falls asleep before you, snoring lightly. You take in his features for just a moment before cuddling deeper into him. Being with him like this made you feel safe. Never feeling the need to compare yourself to him or others. He loved you with his body and soul and you reflected from that. You shut your eyes and fall asleep to the powerful beat of his heart.

[likeshipsonthesea]

mianmian gets to the lan sect lectures, discovers very quickly that every one of her peers has decided to use this time to figure out how quickly they can get into bed with someone of the opposite sex, and decides almost immediately that she has to pick a suitably unattainable guy to have a crush on.

the thing is, mianmian is lanling jin’s head disciple. she is capable, intelligent, and very very gay. the last of these things she isn’t exactly keen on telling people yet for a variety of reasons up to and including jin zixuan will be so awkward and stubbornly supportive about it and she doesn’t know how to deal with that yet

so when her friends giggle over the other young masters and finally turn to mianmian-- who’s trying to memorize at least some of the fifty-thousand rules before their quiz tomorrow--and they ask her, “who do you like, mianmian?” she says the name that she carefully picked out of a handful of options.

“lan-er-gongzi,” she says, without looking up from her textbook, and she assumes that will be the end of it. 

lan wangji is both incredibly attractive and unrelentingly resistant to all attempts to flirt with him. she, like half the other female cultivators, can moon over him (or pretend to moon over him) all they want and nothing will come of it. it’s perfect. she’s a genius. the worst she’ll have to do now is pretend to be infatuated with him when her friends start gossiping. it’s fool proof.

spoiler: it’s not

it’s not, no, because her friends are horrible and immediately start gossiping about it to everyone, and usually mianmian wouldn’t care but then jin zixuan finds out. jin zixuan, whose marriage complex is being brought to center stage with the forced proximity to his bride-to-be. jin zixuan, who for some reason decided he has to live his stolen crush-addled youth vicariously through his only real friend that isn’t related to him. jin zixuan, who for some godforsaken reason takes it upon himself to contrive situations for mianmian and lan wangji to be alone together incessantly.

it unfortunately takes mianmian longer than she would like to figure out what’s happening. she’d give herself a break for it-- she was being responsible and studying, thank you very much-- but she doesn’t have much sympathy for her own stupidity seeing as she’s currently locked in a section of the lan library with the second jade of lan

and suddenly, suddenly she’s just so fucking tired. of studying, yeah, the tests here are brutal and there’s no one to bribe to make sure she doesn’t lose points on stupid things, but also tired of lying to the people she loves and tired of training this hard and being an amazing cultivator only for people to care more about her eventual marriage-- to a man of all things!-- and also, let’s be real here, she’s been in lectures with beautiful capable intelligent women for like months and she’s losing her gay ass mind

and so maybe, possibly, as she’s locked in a library with a clearly confused and annoyed second jade of lan she kind of, momentarily, loses it and rants all of this at his steadily widening eyes

at the end of it, she realizes with no small amount of panic that she’s just confessed not only her attraction to women but the fact that she’s been letting wen qing’s ears of all things distract her from her studies. if anything, she’s sure lan wangji will fault her for inattention

but the second jade of lan, after a drawn-out moment filled only with mianmian’s labored breathing and rising panic, simply says, “i understand.”

mianmian stops. she squints. she tilts her head. she squints some more. lan wangji’s ears go pink and just like that she realizes -- “you’re a cut-sleeve.”

lan wangji’s ears go even pinker. he doesn’t nod, or agree, or outwardly react in any way, but mianmian is a capable, intelligent cultivator, and she’s sure of it.

mianmian sighs with a relief she didn’t know she could feel. “thank the gods.”

lan wangji doesn’t seem to know what to make of this response, or mianmian’s increasingly frequent trips to the library following their conversation, or mianmian’s staunch determination to befriend the guy, but that’s alright. mianmian is old hat at befriending awkward sect heirs by this point.

it’s not like lan wangji expressed any desire for her friendship, but the prospect of not being the only one with absolutely no interest in the straight shenanigans happening at gusu lan summer camp is enough to let mianmian ignore his obvious confusion. lan wangji is a great listener and only sometimes blushes when mianmian waxes poetic about the beautiful women she’s forced to surround herself with every day

“no but you don’t understand,” mianmian insists, alone in the library with lan wangji, “jiang-guniang asked me to help her with a sword form. i put my hands on her waist. i said something idiotic bc she was so pretty and right there and then she laughed. lan wangji. i’m in love.”

“yesterday you were in love with wen-guniang,” lan wangji says as he impassively turns a page in his book. “has this changed?”

“no, i’m in love with both of them. all of them. lan wangji. they’re all so pretty all the time. it’s horrible.”

lan wangji presses his lips into a firmer line, which mianmian’s come to understand means he’s repressing a smile. “i’m sorry to hear it brings luo-guniang such trouble.”

mianmian groans, fairly undignified, but that’s a lost cause with lan wangji at this point anyway. “i swear, if jin zixuan says one more bad thing about her i’m going to punch him and marry her myself.”

lan wangji says, “mn,” which mianmian takes to mean that he supports her in this line of thinking, which she finds both quite sweet and ridiculously funny.

grinning, she teases, “lan-er-gongzi, if i do end up marrying jiang-guniang, will you bear witness to our elopement?”

lan wangji’s lips press again, this time in the way that means he’s repressing a frown. “jiang-guniang’s brothers wouldn’t allow for an elopement,” he says.

mianmian huffs. “as if yunmeng or lanling will deign to host our wedding.”

lan wangji appears to ponder this for a moment before he says, “gusu will host it,” and it’s at that moment that mianmian realizes she’s actually gone and fucking befriended the second jade of lan.

what is her life.

of course, it’s not long after that that she goes to find jin zixuan and explain that she can’t make their weekly sparring match today because she has plans with lan wangji (jiang yanli tenderly brushed some of mianmian’s hair away from her forehead while they were working on sword forms and if mianmian doesn’t tell someone about it she’s literally going to explode) and she’s trying to be as polite as possible only for jin zixuan to scoff and pout (”i don’t pout”) and say, “i never took you for one of those women who throw themselves so wantonly at a man”

it’s only for having been friends with this absolutely horrible communicator for most of her life that she doesn’t immediately punch him in the face. “what did you just say to me,” she demands, but jin zixuan just sets his jaw and looks away, flushing down his neck in the way his mother describes as unbecoming and--

and mianmian suddenly realizes that her ridiculous best friend is jealous of lan wangji. 

(in a friend way, of course, he’s like her brother, the one time his mother implied that he ought not get too close to women in case it jeopardizes his betrothal to jiang yanli, he insisted he didn’t have any female friends repeatedly as his mother delicately danced around outright saying mianmian’s name until finally she broke and jin zixuan was basically like huh?? mianmian doesn’t count?? she made me eat dirt like six times when we were kids)

the sheer ridiculousness of jin zixuan, to set her up with a guy and then get jealous when she spends all her time with him

and fuck her, but she loves her stupid awkward ridiculous sect heir best friend and she doesn’t want him to think she’s gone and left him for someone else (gods know jin zixuan’s loyalty complex rivals his marriage one (on second thought the two might be connected)) and so, after making a few quick decisions, mianmian grabs her stupid best friend by the wrist and pulls him to the library

he protests all the way there, but he’s been letting her drag him wherever she wants since they were five and it isn’t as if he’s going to break the pattern now. she drags him to the library and sits him down across a startled lan wangji and then finally breaks and gushes about jiang-guniang’s fingertips brushing her forehead and doesn’t look at jin zixuan once the whole time

lan wangji, on the other hand, sends jin zixuan frequent glances, as if worried on mianmian’s behalf, which is super sweet and also how the fuck did mianmian get two awkward sect heirs to care about her platonically wtf. she spares a thought for her poor auntie, who would’ve loved to have a sect heir care about her niece in much less platonic ways.

at the end of mianmian’s rant, jin zixuan is blinking quite a lot. “you like women?” he asks. he’s always been a bit slow on the uptake. mianmian nods. “you like jiang-guniang?”

mianmian shrugs. “more or less. she’s just really pretty and i’m dying about it. it’s fine.”

lan wangji says, “mn,” sympathetically and jin zixuan continues to gape.

mianmian winces. “you’re not going to be weird about this, are you?”

jin zixuan shakes his head quickly. “no, no-- of course not, i--you know that i--you’re my best friend, i don’t care--what does it matter to me, who you want to--to touch your hair.”

it’s probably the most awkward sentence he’s said to her in years, but possibly more articulate than she’d been expecting. it makes her tear up regardless and she punches him in the shoulder to hide it, and that’s basically how the three of them start hanging out in the library nearly every day after lecture.

sometimes they go to the sparring ground, bc who’s better sparring practice than the second jade of lan? and sometimes (once or twice) mianmian manages to convince lan wangji to join her and jin zixuan for lunch in caiyi town when they don’t have lecture, but mostly they meet in a secluded part of the library where mianmian can rant about how pretty all the women at lectures are, jin zixuan can turn pink whenever she mentions jiang-guniang, and lan wangji can “mn” and nod sympathetically at all the right parts

and mianmian thinks that’s going to be the end of it, they’re just going to be friends now and everything else will move on as usual, bc by some ridiculous trick of fate lan wangji and jin zixuan seem to like each other. which makes sense in hindsight bc they’re both awkward sect heirs who care about cultivation and people a lot even if they’re not great at showing it 

(and he’d never say it but mianmian thinks jin zixuan’s easy acceptance of her liking women is probably the first time lan wangji’s ever seen someone accept that kind of thing before (maybe, possibly, other than his brother, lan xichen seems really cool, even if he does smile kind of intensely at mianmian whenever he happens upon her hanging out with his little brother.))

so they’re friends, they’re unexpected friends, and sometimes lan wangji even makes jokes in that dry deadpan way of his and sometimes jin zixuan doesn’t completely trip over his own words and manages to act like a normal human being and mianmian gets two idiots to care about and a perfect place to vent her womanly frustrations, and she thinks that’s the end of it and then wei wuxian accosts her after lectures one day

“do you like lan zhan?” he asks accusingly, eyes narrowed to slits. “what am i even asking, of course you like lan zhan, but do you like-like him?”

mianmian thinks sadly to herself that she’s much too into women to be dealing with all these men’s emotional problems. “lan wangji is my friend,” she says, carefully sidestepping wei wuxian, who continues to squint at her suspiciously. really, he’d been amusing when he flirted with her, but this? this is just ridiculous.

“does he know that?” wei wuxian asks. “because if he doesn’t, that’s just leading him on, and it’s really not nice to--”

“lan wangji knows we’re friends,” she says, trying to enunciate to get her point across clearly. “you can ask him, if you don’t believe me.”

wei wuxian squints a moment longer before he turns and flounces off. mianmian thinks this is the end of it until she’s accosted again after dinner with, “he said you were friends!”

for some reason, wei wuxian seems even more troubled by this than earlier. mianmian tries to suppress her eyeroll. “i told you he would?”

“but how,” wei wuxian says, suddenly whining. “i’ve been trying to be his friend for months and he refuses to acknowledge me.”

oh, mianmian realizes with a quickly dawning horror. she and lan wangji are not the only cut-sleeves at cloud recesses this summer. (she has suspicions, of course, but no confirmations on any of the others, but this. wow.)

she also realizes, decides really, that she has enough repressed sect heirs in her life and she cannot deal with wei wuxian’s cut-sleeve crisis or his evidently large attachment to lan wangji right now. she turns decisively and walks the fuck away. not her problem.

the lectures end eventually, of course, and mianmian and jin zixuan return to lanling with a horde of golden robed disciples, freshly deflowered and not all together more learned. it’s what, she thinks grimly, their sect leader would want.

the first few weeks go by and she realizes that she’s missed unloading about her frequent and fast falling-in-loves. jin zixuan just doesn’t sympathize right, bless him, and so mianmian takes to writing letters. she sends two without receiving a reply and just starts to write the third when a letter with the gusu symbol is delivered to her room.

she’s almost expecting to find a single mn written on the page-- she would’ve been delighted with just that, actually, the sheer hilarity of such a thing-- but instead she finds several pages filled with lan wangji’s perfect calligraphy.

it’s more than he’s ever spoken out loud, but it seems that propriety dictated that he return mianmian’s extensive letter with one of his own and he’s done so admirably. he responds to the events mianmian detailed in her letters-- most succinctly summarized as, woman are gorgeous and i’m dying-- and then writes about his own life in cloud recesses. apparently, he went on a little night hunt with wei wuxian and also nie huaisang and jiang cheng were involved? seriously, mianmian misses out on all the fun.

he’s also apparently taken in some rabbits, which mianmian immediately decides she needs to see. lan wangji, sitting prim and proper, with a bunch of rabbits in his lap? amazing. wei wuxian would die on sight, she’s sure of it.

he also ends his letter with a warning about qishan wen that has mianmian frowning. she takes it to jin zixuan who reads the paragraph and frowns. “i’ll talk to my father about it,” he says, which she can tell by his hunched shoulders he doesn’t expect to do much.

“talk to your father’s general too,” she suggests, because that man at least thinks with his head and not his dick.

jin zixuan nods but doesn’t hand back the letter. he skims it instead with a barely concealed surprise at lan wangji’s previously hidden expansive vocabulary. mianmian snorts and grabs the letter back. “you can write to him yourself, you know.”

jin zixuan flushes down his neck. “i know!” he insists and then turns and runs away because he’s a coward. mianmian shakes her head, smiling. what an idiot.

still, another week goes by and a letter arrives from gusu and, when mianmian takes it, assuming it’s for her, she finds it addressed to jin zixuan in lan wangji’s impeccable calligraphy and she grins to herself like an idiot. look at jin zixuan, making friends

(she suddenly understands why lan xichen gave her all those intense smiles during the lan lectures)

they go on in this way, writing letters to lan wangji from lanling. sometimes mianmian steals jin zixuan’s letters before he sends them so she can squeeze in some ranting in the post script without wasting a whole second thing of paper, and lan wangji replies dutifully, more verbose than he ever was in person, and it’s nice okay, like. she and jin zixuan have been best friends since they were kids but neither of them has ever been any good at listening and lan wangji is just so honest and earnest in everything, like they didn’t realize that people outside of lanling were actually not always plotting your downfall??? who woulda thunk

and then of course the wens go and ruin everything. they go to the wen lectures bc jin guangshan doesn’t want to “anger our trading partner” like the guy isn’t obviously going to burn carp tower to the ground the first chance he gets, and mostly mianmian and jin zixuan are just vaguely annoyed and put out about it

then lan wangji shows up with a broken leg and a burned sect and they are ready to murder some dudes

after years of breaking in and out of carp tower she and jin zixuan are old hats at this breaking and entering stuff and they manage to sneak into lan wangji’s guest quarters and tend to his wounds, ignoring all his silent glares and ranting furiously about how they’re going to murder wen chao by making him choke on his own dick (mianmian) and how they’re going to war with the wen sect even if he has to threaten his father with acknowledging all of his bastards as proper siblings in public to do it (jin zixuan)

lan wangji just says “mn” and makes various muted, distressed expressions, but mianmian thinks he’s touched.

“are your brother and uncle alright?” she asks, when she’s set his broken leg and forced pain medication down his throat.

“brother escaped with our sacred texts,” lan wangji says. “uncle is... unwell.”

mianmian knows lan wangji hates touch but the way he says it, with this horrible little frown, emoting more than she’s ever seen him, his barely suppressed anger and grief literally making his hands shake into fists, mianmian can’t help it, she hugs him. “we’ll make them pay,” she swears into his shoulder, ruining the lines of his robes with how she clutches at them. “i promise you.”

jin zixuan awkwardly pats lan wangji’s shoulder, which is a lot for him and mianmian spares a moment to be proud of his growth.

unfortunately, wen chao seems to delight in torturing lan wangji on his injured leg and lan wangji refuses to show weakness, which both impresses mianmian and pisses her the fuck off. she approaches wen qing (and her still gorgeous ears, sigh) and asks her to tend to lan wangji, since she’s like actually a doctor. wen qing does bc she’s beautiful, intelligent, and kind and mianmian spends most of that night sighing deeply as she relates this to a significantly drugged lan wangji

the cave of the xuanwu goes about the same as you’d expect. wei wuxian saving her from getting her face branded off is pretty rad of him, though he could’ve just like knocked the brand away instead of throwing himself in front of it but whatever, you do you boo. when lan wangji gets left behind the two of them don’t even have to wait for jiang cheng to grumble and ask for their help, they’re already on their way to carp tower for an army, thank you very much

when they rescue wei wuxian and lan wangji and lan wangji immediately turns to walk back to cloud recesses on a broken leg mianmian says, “fuck no, that’s not happening, you’re getting medical attention and then someone will fly you back home, okay, wtf wangji, sit down.”

and lan wangji is a stubborn bitch so obvs he’s like no but he’s also severely starved, dehydrated, and injured, so it’s not like he can just shake off mianmian holding him down and this goes on long enough for wei wuxian to wake up and see mianmian touching lan wangji, and something in his poor little brain just like breaks and he demands says, “lan zhan, come back to lotus pier with us.”

his argument, as he explains it, is that lotus pier is closer (it’s not; they’re just as close to carp tower as lotus pier) and that it’s closer to gusu for when lan wangji has to return home (it’s not; same deal) but then jiang cheng starts yelling, possibly in support possibly not mianmian’s not sure, and jin zixuan starts getting awkward, probably about the whole golden army behind him bc he’s a nerd and hates being overdressed at functions (this is basically the same thing), and mianmian looks at lan wangji and she sees--

something. she isn’t sure what exactly, but lan wangji looks at wei wuxian as he argues with his brother and he presses his lips into a thin line in the way that means he wants to smile and mianmian thinks, oh. maybe wei wuxian isn’t completely unrequited in his lan wangji obsession.

growing up in lanling, she knows how to use information to her advantage, so she immediately says, “young masters wei and jiang, what a great idea. lanling’s disciples would be pleased to accompany you and second young master lan to lotus pier to ensure everyone’s safe arrival.”

everyone splutters, indignant, confused, awkward (jiang cheng, wei wuxian, and jin zixuan, respectively) but lan wangji narrows his eyes at mianmian and doesn’t try to convince her to let him walk to gusu again, so she counts it as a win.

sect leader jiang and his wife seem surprised and annoyed, respectively, to be taking in so many guests, but sect leader jiang merely smiles pleasantly and directs them to some guest quarters and mianmian and wei wuxian ask, simultaneously, for doctors to tend to lan wangji and wei wuxian makes a face at her and mianmian sighs to herself that she really is too gay to be in the middle of his thing with lan wangji.

turns out, walking a lot and fighting a cannibalistic turtle on a broken leg doesn’t do wonders for healing. lan wangji is also the worst patient ever, he keeps trying to sneak out and get up even though word came from his brother that he’s safe and alright and that cloud recesses is starting to rebuild after qinghe nie and lanling jin came to its aid and pushed out the wen

but with the combined efforts of mianmian, jin zixuan, and wei wuxian (and even jiang yanli at one point, bc who could say no to her soup??) they manage to get lan wangji to just rest for a fucking second, really which results in the jin disciples and lan wangji staying in lotus pier for longer than anyone could’ve expected

mianmian spends most of her time (when she isn’t forcing lan wangji to just fucking stay in bed) working with the jiang disciples, practicing archery, sword forms, and mooning after all the beautiful women here.

(”lan wangji, i know she’s scary, but have you seen madam yu? she could whip me with zidian and i’d thank her” “luo-guniang, please don’t ask madam yu to whip you” OR “lan wangji, i’m almost positive madam yu’s maids are a thing, do you think they’d let me join them just like once” “luo-guniang, could you please pass me my sword?” “why” “i’d like to put myself out of this misery” OR “she made me soup. lan wangji. lan wangji, i know you’re not sleeping, wake up, you have to listen to me, this soup”)

they end up staying so long that when wang lingjiao shows up threatening a child about a kite while sect leader jiang is away, she has a lot more to deal with than madam yu. since none of this had been a “sanctioned visit” no one actually knew that there was nearly an entire troop of jin disciples staying at lotus pier, so when the wens attack they are sorely unprepared for what they’re going to face.

(and ofc lan wangji breaks out of bed heroically and keeps madam yu from whipping wei wuxian, which means they aren’t down one of their most powerful fighters and mianmian has to suffer through the moon eyes they’re making at one another in the middle of a battle no less, she knew wei wuxian had no shame but she’d been hoping lan wangji would have some)

after the wen attack (and defeat) on lotus pier and the jin’s inarguable part in it, the war starts in earnest. lan wangji, after his long rest, heals fine and goes back to gusu to help rebuild his sect and plan for war, and mianmian and jin zixuan return to carp tower to plan as well, ignoring jin guangshan and focusing instead on his general to ensure lanling supplies necessary aid in the war effort

and war is always shitty, of course, and mianmian hates watching her sect family die on the battlefield, hates waiting for updates after every battle to see who’s still alive, hates the politics and jin guangshan trying to wheedle his way out of fighting when there’s fucking lives on the line

(and she could never know, how much easier it is, with yunmeng jiang at its full strength, with one of the brightest minds of their generation there to plot and help, with two of the best fighters not out searching for someone and instead focused on the front)

they reach nightless city after months of fighting and mianmian is ready to just fucking stab wen ruohan herself when they’re suddenly trapped. blocked in on all sides by puppets, their fallen soldiers rising again to turn on them, and it--it looks like they’re gonna die.

“this sucks,” she says to lan wangji, stifling her fear and choking it down. “i never even got to kiss a girl.”

lan wangji just says “mn.”

jin zixuan, beside them, says, “i was an idiot about jiang-guniang.”

lan wangji just says, “mn.”

then wei wuxian pulls out a fucking flute and a-- floating piece of metal?  the army of puppets and corpses stops advancing, held in place by-- music, apparently? and wen ruohan emerges from his lair, black energy falling off him in waves, wei wuxian the idiot flies forward to meet him, gets wen ruohan’s hand around his throat for his trouble.

lan wangji yells, “wei ying!” and mianmian thinks, really not fair that lan wangji is gonna get a boyfriend before i get a girlfriend

and then wen ruohan gets stabbed by jin zixuan’s half brother of all people. wen ruohan, along with his puppets and wei wuxian, fall to the ground. lan wangji rushes forward to catch wei wuxian, mianmian runs after him, finds herself in company with jin zixuan and jiang cheng. when they get there, wei wuxian is barely conscious but he’s-- he’s fucking grinning up at lan wangji from the cradle of lan wangji’s arms

“lan zhan,” he says, “you caught me.”

lan wangji nods, says, “mn,” which is basically his equivalent of i’ll always catch you, wei ying.

“really,” mianmian says aloud, “it’s so unfair.”

the aftermath of the war is more annoying than the war itself, what with all the politics and in-fighting and jin guangshan trying to be the biggest dick there ever was. jin guangshan tries to name himself chief cultivator in wen ruohan’s stead but nie mingjue suggests jiang fengmian instead and the lan sect backs him. jin guangshan tries to demonize the wens but at wei wuxian’s loud rebuttal and sect leader jiang’s backing (which is then backed by both gusu lan and qinghe nie) he’s once again shouted down. and then jin guangshan tries to propose to jiang-guniang for his son and the poor woman just seems so awkward and her father doesn’t seem to know what to say and--

mianmian elbows jin zixuan whose eyes widen ridiculously but, after another, harder hit, he suddenly stands. all eyes go to him, which mianmian knows he hates, but he bows to his father, then jiang yanli, and says, “jiang-guniang, forgive my father’s impertinence. this is not the time or place to be making such an offer, but he--” jin zixuan winces visibly. “--he knows of my feelings and wishes to make his foolish son happy. please, do not feel the need to respond.”

then he promptly sits down, flushing down to his neck, and mianmian shares a disbelieving glance with lan wangji from across the horrible nightless city palace room.

she’d really only meant for him to suggest jiang yanli answer privately, at a later time, but wow, jin zixuan really went for it. also no way jin guangshan knows his son has fallen in love with jiang yanli, so nice save face there. maybe he has been paying attention in all of their etiquette and political espionage classes.

jiang yanli flushes way prettier than jin zixuan and nods politely, stands and bows and thanks the jin clan for being considerate in this time of turmoil, perhaps they can discuss this matter at a later date (jin zixuan looks like he nearly faints at this, and mianmian feels vindicated in all her forlorn ranting. overreacting her ass)

when everything has been settled, wen qing has been appointed the new sect leader of qishan wen with promises to return land to those who lost it and pay reparations to the hurt civilians, as well as have the yin iron destroyed for good. during the final ceremony where all the sects have tea and pledge to be loyal to one another (until the next great war, of course) mianmian leans close to lan wangji and sighs, “her ears look even lovelier with her hair tied back by her new sect leader hairpiece.”

lan wangji says “mn” because he’s a cut sleeve in love with wei wuxian and has nothing even closely resembling taste.

mianmian, on her own, decides to make them both happy. before the jin clan departs from nightless city, she goes up to wei wuxian and asks for a moment of his time. wei wuxian seems confused but follows and, once they’re alone, he says, “mianmian, are you about to get me into bed, because i must tell you that i am a respectable young cultivator and you’ll need to marry me before--”

mianmian gives him her best unimpressed look (she’s had much practice with it, thank you jin zixuan) and cuts him off with, “i like women.” 

wei wuxian’s eyes go wide. “but you and lan zhan--”

she cuts him off again before he can say something so stupid she has to stop talking to him to refrain from breaking all laws of propriety. “look,” she says, “you’re friends with wen qing. now that she’s sect leader, your brother can’t go after her. i, on the other hand, very much can. if you promise to figure out a way for me and her to get close, i’ll tell you a secret you’ll like very much.”

wei wuxian seems hesitant for all of half a second before he breaks. “tell me.”

“do you promise?”

wei wuxian raises three fingers. “promise.”

“on your sister’s life?”

begrudgingly, wei wuxian nods.

“on her soup?”

“just get on with it!”

mianmian smirks, pushes onto her tiptoes, and whispers the secret into wei wuxian’s ear. with that, she returns to the pavilion where all the sects mingle as they wait to depart, wei wuxian trailing behind her in a daze, his mouth hanging open.

lan wangji, who had been watching since mianmian asked wei wuxian for a moment to talk, frowns nearly imperceptibly. mianmian grins at him and his frown grows.

ah, whatever. she walks over to him, unbothered by the quickly growing alarm in his eyes. once next to him, she turns around to see wei wuxian staring unabashedly. her smile only widens.

“you’re going to thank me for this,” she says.

wei wuxian shakes himself, his eyes focusing, and immediately starts walking towards them.

lan wangji, voice flat but wavering, asks, “luo-guniang, what did you do?”

mianmian laughs, says, “i get to give a speech at your wedding,” and walks away just as wei wuxian reaches them.

(she does, actually, give a speech at their wedding. she may or may not be drunk during it, jin zixuan gets embarrassed for her, and she starts tearing up and has to hide it in the shoulder of her wife’s lovely well-tailored robes. it’s alright, though, wen qing doesn’t mind)

EDIT: now on AO3 with a real fic version from lwj’s pov!