#under the bright moon

[underthebrightmooninterests]

The Untamed fic: Returning home (part 1/4)

3549 words, Yunmeng bros reconciliation

Disclaimer: I posted this full fic on AO3 too under the same title so if you want to read the full thing it’s available there. (link in bio)

summary: Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng not making up in canon hurts me so here’s the Yunmeng bros reconciliation fic we all need in which JC gets hurt and WWX and LW try to save him.

----

Light shines through the screens covering the windows of the jingshi, rudely awakening Wei Wuxian from his slumber. He rolls over and engulfs himself in the sandalwood scent of his loving husband. Although he excused himself from their bed hours ago, Wei Ying swears he can still smell the remnants of the night they spent together. Hours of tangling limbs and sweaty headbands leaving their traces on the previously squeaky clean Lan sect sheets. After all, every day means every day. And his husband is not one to forget his promises.

His husband. The time since his second shot at life has been a whirlwind of emotions. As if realizing that he’s a cut sleeve wasn’t shocking enough, finding out Lan Wangji not only loves him but has been waiting for him for years, was enough to make him feel like he’s living a dream. Every day he wakes up with a churning feeling in his gut that he’s still dead. Mo Xuanyu never gave him his body and his spirit is simply floating around the universe somewhere, desperately wishing for a second chance.

And then Lan Zhan walks in with their breakfast. Well, his breakfast, for the latter it’s probably his lunch judging by the time. The appearance of the eternal beauty of ice that is his husband is enough to quell those thoughts. No, this is all real. He got a second chance at life. He excitedly jumps out of bed, any lingering exhaustion vanishes at the sight of his soulmate.

“Lan Zhan! You brought me breakfast? What an attentive husband you are, always thinking of your lowly wife.” Wei Wuxian says with his usual dramatic flare. Hanguang Jun doesn’t even flinch as he puts down the tray of food and calmly says:

 “Wei Ying’s not a lowly wife.”

 He can’t help but laugh at his husbands resolute answer and giggles as he plops down next to him at the table.

“Ah, Lan Zhan! I’ve told you not to say things like that, my poor heart can’t handle it.”

If he sees the slight smile on Lan Wangji’s face, he ignores it.

“So why are you bringing the food yourself? Not that I don’t love it.”

“Everybody’s busy preparing for the discussion conference.”

Wei Ying gasps dramatically, nearly dropping the chili powder he was adding to his bland soup.

 “It’s that time already? Wow, time sure flies.”

Wei Wuxian picks up his food again and starts eating. Lan Zhan however doesn’t start eating. Wei Ying recognizes that this means he still has something to say and therefor doesn’t want to start the meal yet. He puts his spoon down and puts his head in his hands, dramatically showing Lan Wangji that he has his full attention.

“The first sects are starting to arrive.”

Wei Ying nods.

“Jin-zongzhu arrived in the cloud recesses this morning.”

Wei Ying stifles a gasp and he can’t help the excitement that bubbles up in his chest. It’s been two years since the incident in Guanyin temple and Jin Ling has been an ever growing presence in his life. Although the boy definitely has his uncles temper and father’s pride, he has his mother’s heart and everyone can tell he enjoys Wei Wuxian’s presence. He enjoys it in a very similar way Jiang Cheng once did.

He tries to ignore the fact that this discussion conference will mean he’ll see Jiang Cheng again.

“Jin Ling’s already here? That’s great! He probably came to hang out with Yuan and Jingyi. Tell me Lan Zhan, has the Baling Ouyang sect also arrived?”

“Mm”

“Ah, then he’ll probably be with them. Its good that he has such good friends around him. Becoming sect leader at such a young age can’t be easy but with them he can relax a bit. Besides…”

Lan Wangji starts eating as his husband keeps talking, clearly aware he’s not expected to add anything more to this conversation other then the occasional nod. Wei Ying periodically shoves spoonful’s of soup in his mouth while he talks. The discussion of no talking during meals was given up on a while ago and at this point Lan Wangji relishes in it. His Wei Ying was sad for such a long time. He still has nightmares sometimes or moments where he stares of into space, deep in thought of a different time. So seeing him in front of him, so excitedly talking about various things, warms a part of his heart that he thought died during those sixteen years of longing.

 ----

 Not very long after that they find themselves at the training grounds of the cloud recesses. Wangji is sitting as upright and proper as ever. If it wasn’t for Wei Wuxian’s figure draped over his lap, one could think he’s a statue.

Wei Wuxian, who looks very content with his spot on Lan Wangji’s lap, twirls his flute around in his hand as he yells pointers at Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi and a few other Lan Disciples. They are practicing archery as this year the discussion conference will once again hold an archery competition. It’s only for disciples under twenty so this is one of the last times they’ll be able to participate and Wei Wuxian was more than happy to help them practice.

“Master Wei, don’t you think we’ve practiced enough now?” Jingyi whines as he lowers his bow. Wei Wuxian scoffs in response.

“Nonsense! The conference starts tomorrow and during the banquet you won’t be able to do any practicing. Don’t you agree Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying looks up to his husband from where he lays on his lap.

“Mm, the archery competition is the day after the banquet so no time for practice.”

Jingyi sighs, unable to form an argument now that Hanguang Jun got involved.

“Sizhui definitely won’t be doing any practicing, what with the young lady arriving a few hours ago and all.” Jingyi mutters as Yuan turns to him with red cheeks.

“Jingyi! Jin-zongzhu will no doubt be very busy during the entirety of the discussion conference. “

“And he’ll no doubt still find a way to talk to you. In fact, I’m surprised we haven’t seen him since he arrived this morning.”

At this Yuan stills and looks towards the vague direction where Jin Ling’s staying. It’s true that he would usually look for them as soon as possible. Especially if he knows he might not have much time later.

“He’s probably just tired from the journey to Gusu.” Yuan says but, a seed of concern has been planted in the pit of his stomach as he continues to shoot arrows at the paper dolls.

As if the gods heard his concern, that exact moment Ouyang Zichen and Jin Ling walk around the corner, deeply engulfed in a conversation. Zichen spots them immediately and enthusiastically waves the way a sect leader like him probably shouldn’t. If Lan Wangji sees it, which he definitely does, he doesn’t comment. Wei Wuxian sits up and smiles as his eyes fall on his nephew. He stays back while Jin Ling greets his friends and gets up, chenqing in hand, once the boy turns towards him and Lan Zhan.

“Hanguang Jun.”

Jin Ling bows the way a sect leader should towards the chief cultivator and Wei Wuxian smiles. Jin Ling’s eye falls on Wei Wuxian and everyone is shocked when he ignores the latter and walks back to his friends.

Hmm? What’s that about? Jin Ling has never been that cold to him. In fact, he isn’t really the type to give people the silent treatment even if he’s angry at them. He immediately feels Lan Zhan tense up besides him and puts a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s fine Lan Zhan, I’ll talk to him.”

If he’s learned anything from his relationship with Jiang Cheng, it’s that you shouldn’t let ones anger fester for to long. His relationship with his broth- sect leader Jiang had been close to non-existent since the Guanyin temple incident, not that either of them have attempted to reach out. Conversations with his husband about the topic had taught him that talking things out would almost always solve things in the long run. Like how Lan Zhan wished he’d properly talked to Wei Ying about the carrying no sword thing and how they’d both begrudgingly agreed he probably should’ve talked to Jiang Cheng first before defecting.

His footsteps are heavy but he keeps a light-hearted smile on his face as he approaches Jin Ling when everyone’s finished with archery practice.

Jin Ling’s talking with Yuan and Jingyi when he notices Wei Wuxian approaching.

“Ugh, just what I need.”

He mutters and Yuan has to hold back a comment about the rude remark when he notices it’s about master Wei. Jingyi however, doesn’t seem too concerned with upsetting the Jin sect leader.

“What’s got your panties in a twist? You haven’t seen him in months, how can you be this annoyed with him already?”

Before he has a chance to answer Jingyi, Wei Ying has thrown his arm over Jin Ling’s shoulder.

“How’s my favourite sect leader doing?”

Jin Ling scoffs and Wei Wuxian is shocked to see the genuine anger in his nephew’s eyes.

“Fine, I’m completely fine.”

The look in Jin Ling’s eyes, he can’t help but be reminded of something. He pushes the thought away and lets Jin Ling storm off. Jingyi and Yuan apologize on his behalf before they go after him.

 -----

 “Are you sure you’re not coming?”, Lan Zhan asks for what feels like the tenth time.

“Sit amongst annoying sect leaders and listen to them bragging and complaining for six hours straight with only Lan food and water to distract myself? No thanks I’ll pass.” Wei Ying says, laughing as he turns back to his desk. Books, scrolls and talisman papers are scattered around it in a way anyone but him would find chaotic. Lan Zhan has given up on trying to clean up after his husband and just lets him do his thing in the mess.

“I will return in a few hours.”

Lan Zhan leaves a soft kiss on his forehead as he walks out of the jingshi. Wei Wuxian is happy he isn’t forced to go to the banquet. Although society has accepted him, he isn’t sure the distrusting stares will ever go away. He knows why they’re there and is aware that it’s not completely unwarranted, but it still hurts sometimes.

Talking about painful, Jiang Cheng will also be there. In another lifetime that would’ve been the only reason he’d go, now the latter’s presence is just another reason for Wei Ying to stay home. Jiang Wanyin is like a walking reminder to the life Wei Ying had, the life he loved, the life he can never get back too. Besides, he’s managed to avoid the man for so long, one more night won’t hurt. The Jiang sect leader made a life for himself these sixteen years, it would be rude to try and insert himself back in there.

He groans, anytime his thoughts go back to Jiang Cheng he can’t stop the memories of his previous life from spilling in. The memories of lotus pier, of his senior sister, the memories of his childhood and family.

He won’t get anything done like this, he might as well take a walk.

One can complain about the cloud recesses all they want, and Wei Wuxian does, but it’s a beautiful place to walk. The quaint paths, picturesque buildings and the beautiful trees leading the way.

The silence in the air is something he’s still getting used to. He’s called several places home, but none have ever been this silent.

The typical Lan silence is suddenly broken by the sound of a muffled scream. Not one of terror or pain, but one of anger. Everyone is at the banquet so he doubts anyone else heard it. He left chenqing in the Jingshi so he approaches the opening in the path with caution.

Whoever it is, must have a high level of cultivation since the sound of a sword moving stills as Wei Wuxian approaches. Once it comes into view he’s surprised to find Jin Ling there.

“Jin Ling? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the banquet?”

The boy scoffs.

“I could say the same about you.”

“Well I’m not the sect leader of a major sect, am I?”

Jin Ling’s scowl mirrors his uncle’s and doesn’t leave his face even as he sheathes his sword. He’s clearly very tense. Well if there’s anything Wei Wuxian has experience in, it’s making jokes to loosen the tension.

“Come on, people can’t see the Jin sect leader acting this way can they? You should act like an adult now, don’t be too dramatic.”

Maybe his skill in tension relieving jokes is rusty because he very quickly realizes he’s made a mistake. Wei Wuxian can see Jin Ling’s resolve snap as the boy scoffs, marches up to the older man, grabs him by the arm and says through gritted teeth:

“My apologies for being worried, not everyone is as good at abandoning their family as you are.”

Jin Ling storms away, leaving a stunned Wei Wuxian behind. Abandoning his family? What family does Wei Wuxian even have left to abandon? It’s then that a small voice in the back of his head kicks in.

Jiang Cheng

Something happened to Jiang Cheng.

 -----

 Wei Wuxian’s head races a hundred miles per hour as he tries to get his thoughts in order. Maybe he’s overreacting? Maybe he misunderstood? He should check just to be safe.

Lan Zhan, yes Lan Zhan will know what to do.

At a speed, probably not allowed in the cloud recesses, he runs over the quaint paths and through the beautiful trees, desperately looking for his husband. Seems Lan Wangji still has his innate ability to sense when Wei Wuxian needs him because he’s walking out of the hall the moment Wei Ying arrives.

Their eyes meet and it immediately becomes apparent to Lan Zhan that Wei Ying is in distress about something.

“Wei Ying-”

“Lan Zhan, is Jiang Cheng there? I need to speak with him.”

This causes confusion in the taller male who sighs a silent breath of relief. Seems the problem isn’t with Wei Ying but with Jiang Cheng. He doesn’t like seeing his lover so distressed but he can’t help but be relieved at the notion that he’s not the one hurt.

“Mmh, head disciple Jiang Hua came to represent the Jiang sect.”

Dread pools in Wei Wuxian’s stomach at the new revelation. What is he supposed to do now? Go to Lotus Pier because he has a ‘feeling’ there’s something wrong with Jiang Cheng? For all he knows he could be fine. Maybe he’s looking too far into Jin Ling’s throwaway comment. Everyone he cares for in the Lan clan is fine, he saw them all on their way to the banquet, the only other person that could be seen as family is Jiang Cheng. Although he doubts the man would still see him as a brother, it would explain why Jin Ling’s been so on edge these past few days. Maybe he should-

“Wei Ying.”

Lan Zhan’s voice breaks his train of thought. Wei Ying belatedly realizes he still hasn’t told Lan Zhan anything. He refrains from giving the exact quote but explains to his lover how Jin Ling’s words made him worried for Jiang Cheng. He knows Lan Zhan isn’t too fond of the other male but they both know Wei Ying won’t be able to rest until these worries have been dealt with.

They decide to look for Jin Ling at the banquet and ask him for more details. This seemingly very simple task got a lot harder when they realized Jin Ling was avoiding them. From pretending to be busy in conversations to just plain running away, Jin Ling seems aware they need something from him and is adamant to not give them anything. At one point Jin Chan even stops Wei Wuxian when he follows Jin Ling to the bathroom.

“Please refrain from bothering our sect leader when he’s doing his business.”

Wei Wuxian scoffs, he remembers Jin Chan bullying Jin ling, when did he become such a loyal underling? It seems his nephew has been doing a good job as a sect leader. That or Jiang Cheng scared them all into submission in his months at Koi tower.

Jiang Cheng…

He doesn’t have time for this. He can’t keep chasing Jin Ling around. Even if he manages to catch him, the younger male made it very clear he won’t talk to them.

It's then that Lan Zhan nudges him and nods at the other side of the room. There, in the corner of the big hall, discreetly hidden behind a fan and observing everyone is Nie Huaisang. The one who managed to fool everyone he was an idiot for decades as he conducted the biggest conspiracy the cultivation world had ever seen. Even now, although having done some impressive things, most people besides the big clans still see him as a fool. But Wei Ying and Lan Zhan know better. They know that he has eyes and ears everywhere. If anyone besides Jin Ling would know about Jiang Cheng’s status and reason for not coming, it’d be Nie Huaisang.

“Nie-zongzhu! It’s been a while.”

Wei Wuxian approaches with chipper in his step in an attempt to come off as casual but he can tell from the others posture that he’s already suspicious. Who wouldn’t be, they haven’t exactly been close since the Guanyin temple incident. Even the so ever courteous Lan Wangji felt iffy around the man. After all, he was part of the reason that his brother went into seclusion for years. Zewu Jun still struggles to be around the younger Nie without breaking down.

“Wei-gongzi, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Can we talk for a moment?”

Nie Huaisang lets out an awkward chuckle: “What could you have to discuss with me? Wei-gongzi I really don’t know.”

Wei Wuxian takes a breath as he feels his heartbeat quicken. His brot- no Jiang Cheng might be in danger, he isn’t in the mood to play these mind games. Nie Huaisang has played dumb for long enough, he’ll beat the information out of the other if he needs too.

Lan Zhan seems to notice his worsening temper as he puts a hand on Wei Ying’s shoulder.

“Nie-zongzhu, it’s urgent.”, Lan Zhan says as Wei Wuxian focusses on not punching anything or anyone.

A lot of emotions flash by on the Nie sect leaders face as he stays hidden behind his fan. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji both see the cogs turning in the man’s head and immediately know that Nie Huaisang knows what they’re looking for. Eventually he sighs.

“Follow me.”

They walk out of the hall and into the gardens. If Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan wonder how Nie Huaisang still knows his way around the cloud recesses so well, they don’t voice their curiosity. Eventually they stop at an area close to where Wei Wuxian found Jin Ling and Nie Huaisang turns to them, finally closing his fan and looking them in the eye for the first time.

“One of my subordinates happened to overhear Jin Ling talk to one of his people about his ‘sick uncle’.”

Wei Wuxian’s heart sinks. So he really is sick. Lan Zhan has to pull him back into the conversation for him to notice that Nie Huaisang isn’t finished speaking.

“I can’t tell you how I know, but I think he might’ve confided in Lan Xichen about it.”

This time Wei Wuxian holds Lan Wangji’s arm as the latter tenses up, hearing his brother’s name from the Nie sect leader’s lips still stirs something within him.

“Thank you Nie-zongzhu.”

They exchange greetings before Nie Huaisang sneaks back to the banquet. They only have to look at each other once and Lan Zhan knows what his husband wants to say.

“No, brother’s busy. We can ask after the banquet.”

Wei Ying sighs. He knows that if he pushes he might be able to convince Lan Zhan to ask now but he understands the sect leader’s busy. He’s only been out of seclusion for a few months and this banquet is his first big task after becoming sect leader again. He must have a lot on his mind, it wouldn’t be right to disturb him now.

So they wait. Wei Wuxian sits through multiple excruciating hours of small talk with people he doesn’t like and that don’t like him. Eventually he just sits in Lan Zhan’s lap as he takes the scandalous stares they receive in stride.

It’s because of this reason that Wei Wuxian’s basically bouncing when they finally go to the Hanshi after the banquet finishes up and everyone returns to their chambers.  Lan Wangji isn’t exactly jumping at the prospect that his brother is somehow involved in all of this, but be it the Lan in him or his love for Wei Wuxian, he wishes to know the truth.

It doesn’t take long before they find themselves sipping on tea in the Lan sect leader’s Hanshi.

---------

to be continued in part 2

[somedayillbepeterpan]

I'm pretty sure that this:

Is in the same thought process as this:

The tone and the eyes were the same 😢 the same embarrassment and the pain of feeling pitied and the despair of unrequited love (not knowing that he's going through the same thing).

I'm happy for her confidence in putting herself out there but the sacrifice of letting go of your first love after finally experiencing a kiss from him just breaks my heart. She was truly doing her best to move on.

[crabsnpersimmons]

hi friends! with chapter 3 out and our first day at the hair salon with the boys done, i'm curious:

*the poll may determine what comes up in chapter 4 👀

[rwbyrg]

Me everyday thinking about how Ruby would get Oscar to laugh really hard when the latter is too deep in his own emotions to express anything, and it'll mostly involve her trying to be silly or cracking a bad joke.

This boy would laugh so hard even if it's not particularly funny if only because it's an effort made by her specifically, I love these two so much I wanna I wanna scream into a pillow!!!!!!

Oscar has laughed so rarely since his first appearance and all of it has been really reserved...

I think about The Little Prince story and how one of the most important parts of his character, one of the things that lingers with the aviator the longest, is the prince's laugh. And I have to wonder if we'll ever see him actually smile so big or laugh so freely at some point. I have to wonder how Ruby would feel getting to see him so unburdened for once? I think if anyone could get him to laugh like that, she stands a pretty good chance.

[otiksimr]

I'm having... A VISION! That you just might draw Fatespeaker! (If you're still doing those Canon Requests.)

Ahh. A divine vision speaketh

[crow-quet]

y'all im already so excited for moonpaw so here's my take on her design without knowing Anything about her

[marcobodtlives]

Yeah, I’m crying about Moblit again well thanks! How are you? 😊

[littlefleamart]

(source)

[brightsstar]

Wanted to draw the end scene of LUAT

Blood (Oil) warning

Alt version (no sunlight)

[mrsoharaa]

the moon is sooo so pretty tonight! so full and bright and enchantingly elegant! 🌙💗

[underthebrightmooninterests]

The Untamed fic: Returning home (part 3/4)

Part 1 I Part 2

2341 words, yunmeng bros reconciliation fic

Disclaimer: I posted this full fic on AO3 too under the same title so if you want to read the full thing it’s available there. (link in bio)

Summary: the continuation of WWX and LW trying to figure out what’s wrong with JC.

---

Saying Lan Wangji regretted agreeing to Wei Ying’s plan was a massive understatement. They were on day 4 of Wei Wuxian absorbing the resentful energy around sect leader Jiang and Lan Zhan was ready to leave about six hours into the process.

Even with the nightly sessions of him playing cleansing for his husband he could feel Wei Ying getting worse. Wei Wuxian was worried about Jiang Wanyin, Lan Wangji understood that. He would be too if that was his brother laying there, in fact, the thought of his brother had been Lan Wangji’s biggest motivation for coming. Well, that and the fact that it meant a lot to Wei Ying. He can’t get Zewu Jun’s expression out of his mind. His brother had seemed genuinely very worried for Jiang Wanyin and as much as he didn’t like it, if his brother got attached to the Jiang sect leader Lan Wangji was going to do his best to save him.

At least that’s what he thought 4 days ago. What he thought before he saw the way Wei Ying refused to sleep, ate the bare minimum and spent every waking minute he wasn’t listening to cleansing at his ex-brother’s side. Lan Wangji spent most of his time just silently sitting next to the two, his meditation only interrupted with playing the guqin and convincing Wei Ying to take a break.

It wasn’t until a disciple came in and notified them of sect leader Jin’s arrival that Wei Ying left on his own volition without resisting for twenty minutes first.

Wei Wuxian’s steps are heavy but he has a smile on his face at the prospect of seeing his nephew. Lan Wangji silently follows Wei Ying as the latter seamlessly makes his way through all the hallways to the entrance hall where all the guests arrive. Upon finding it empty Wei Wuxian quickly concludes that they must be at the pavilion in the back before he grabs Lan Zhan and runs in that direction.

Neither bring up the way Wei Wuxian is still able to seamlessly find his way through Lotus Pier. His life here seems like forever ago and his memories of it are rapidly fading but like muscle memory he finds his way to where he needs to go.

When they arrive at the pavilion and find Jin Ling, Wei Wuxian doesn’t even have any time to pat himself on the back for finding the boy so quickly before he’s bombarded with questions.

“How is my jiujiu?”

“Why hasn’t he woken up?”

“I thought you were the ‘grandmaster of demonic cultivation’? Come on Yiling patriarch fix my uncle already!” 

Wei Wuxian sighs.

“Hey kid, I’m doing my best alright. I can’t just- “

“Then why is nothing happening? Is there something else going on? Something worse.”

Lan Wangji feels his husband tense up and watches the crease between his eyebrows get deeper. For days he’s been working hours on end to save Jiang Wanyin’s life so being chewed out like this must feel terrible. Lan Wangji puts a hand on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder in the hopes that it’ll be enough to calm him. But as Jin Ling keeps harping on and on it seems it isn’t.

Lan Wangji himself even shushes the boy at some point but he just keeps talking so he ends up just bursting out the Lan silencing spell before Jin Ling pisses his husband off so bad that he’ll say something he’ll regret. Jin Ling looks immensely offended but the lack of sleep combined with the resentful energy has made Wei Ying’s temper worse. He doesn’t want to know what’ll happen if he gets angry now.

Unfortunately, Jin Chan doesn’t notice this as he steps out from behind Jin Ling and begins barking at Lan Wangji.

“Hanguang Jun! How dare you silence our sect leader! We- “

“How dare he?! How dare you yell at him when he came all the way here for a favour for your sect leader!”

Well, it looks like Wuxian finally snapped. The yelling catches the attention from Jiang Hua who was talking to some disciples a few feet away from them. The man quickly runs over and tries to calm Wei Ying.

“Calm down master Wei, young master Jin meant no offense.”

“No offense? We’ve been slaving away for days with barely any sleep to save his life and the first thing he says is ‘why is nothing happening?’. Believe me, I want to save him too. I didn’t go through torture to give up my golden core just to let him die now.” 

Wei Wuxian says the last thing to Jiang Hua in a silent hiss, making sure that Jin Chan standing off to the side can’t hear him.

Lan Wangji doesn’t know Jiang Hua very well. Over the past decade or so he’s watched the boy at Jiang Wanyin’s side during discussion conferences slowly grow into a man. A polite man with who he only really exchanged greetings a few times. A man who seems keen on avoiding conflict and is often the one seen trying to calm sect leader Jiang when he once again loses his temper. His face has this eternal neutral expression on it and as the master of looking cold faced and bored, Lan Wangji respected him for it.

That man completely disappears as Wei Ying brings up the golden core exchange in a hiss. Lan Zhan knows it’s just because his husband is worried, stressed and sleep deprived. These past few years in Cloud Recesses Wei Ying hasn’t really needed to use much resentful energy, this body isn’t used to it. Lan Wangji knows his husband isn’t to blame for his current foul temper but Jiang Hua doesn’t seem to share the same sentiment.

The young man clutches his sword so tight his knuckles turn white; his brows furrow and his eyes widen in both shock and anger.

“Give up your golden core?! If it wasn’t for you, our sect leader wouldn’t have lost his golden core in the first place!”

Wei Ying scoffs: “What would you know? You were barely even born when it happened!”

Jiang Hua seems a little less concerned about who’s listening and Hanguang Jun releases the silencing spell on Jin Ling when he spots the young sect leader trying to dismiss all the Jin disciples around him. It seems Jin Ling senses where this conversation is going. After doing so he quickly turns to Jiang Hua.

“Jiujiu told us to never say anything about that!” Jin Ling’s voice sounds rushed and hushed, confusing both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying.

“Never say anything about what?” Wei Wuxian questions, calming down ever so slightly.

“Nothing!” Jin Ling quickly answers, wildly waving his arms about. The Jin sect leader suddenly looks very much his age as he quietly pleads Jiang Hua to please drop the topic. Jiang Hua’s anger doesn’t subside though as he simply shakes Jin Ling of his arm and points at Wei Ying angrily.

“No! Our sect leader would never reveal it but he needs to know!”

“Know what?” Wei Ying questions again, crossing his arms and leaning back with a quirked brow.

“The night he lost his golden core, do you remember leaving for a moment to get some supplies?”

“Yeah.”

“Jiujiu said no, Jiang Hua!”

“Do you remember nearly getting caught by Wen soldiers?”

Wei Ying frowns and uncrosses his arms as he responds a little more hesitant than before:

“Yeah…”

“But they got distracted at the last minute, isn’t that so very convenient?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Let’s be honest, the Yiling patriarch was many things but ‘lucky’ wasn’t really one of them, was it? What do you think distracted them? Or should I say, who do you think distracted them?”

Lan Wangji’s arms immediately shoot up to steady Wei Wuxian when the man starts swaying. Lan Zhan can almost see the world crashing down in his husbands’ eyes. The tears he fought for so long no longer stay at bay and are free flowing down his face. Wei Ying shakes his head violently and mumbles a quiet ‘no’ before his face contorts and a wretched sob escapes his throat.

The one thing he knew he did right in his past life.

The number of times he would lay awake trying not to blame Jiang Cheng for going back for his parents bodies.

Jiang Cheng was protecting him.

Jiang Hua, seemingly satisfied with the damage he’d done, turns to Jin Ling and simply asks him if he wishes to be escorted to his room. His tone of voice completely neutral as if there isn’t a man breaking down because of his words right besides him. Jin Ling can’t muster the same neutral facial expression and only manages a small nod. The young sect leader throws a few worried looks back towards Wei Wuxian but eventually follows Jiang Hua, leaving Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji alone.

Neither of them knows how long they stood there. Wei Ying sobbing in Lan Wangji’s arms, muttering something unintelligible every now and then.

Eventually Lan Wangji manages to get Wei Ying back to their room and into bed, not really with the expectation that any sleeping is going to be done but rest is required none the less.

Throughout the night neither of them sleeps. Wei Ying’s brain is too busy processing the information he just received and after getting over the emotional shock he’s now trying to look back on all of his interactions with Jiang Cheng through a new lens. And in true Wei Wuxian fashion this is a process he can not do in silence. So, in the dead of night as both of them lay side by side, every now and then Wei Wuxian interjects the peaceful silence with a new revelation. Lan Wangji answering mostly in hums and thoughtful silence.

“Do you think my senior sister knew?”

“…”

“No, there’s no way he would’ve told her.”

“Mhm.”

“That’s probably another reason that he was so mad about it.”

“Mhm.”

“He sacrificed himself for me and I just kind of threw that back in his face and reversed it.”

“…”

“I wonder why he never told me.”

“…”

“I mean he hates me so much, you’d think he’d tell me just to throw it in my face.”

“Mm. Probably doesn’t hate Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian sits up, looking at his husband in the dark.

“What do you mean?”

“Wei Ying’s room was rebuilt. Properly cleaned and taken care of too.”

Wei Ying chuckles: “And how do you know that? Did my Lan gege go exploring without his husband?”

Lan Wangji shakes his head.

“I got a tour when I came here a year ago.”

Wei Wuxian digs in his memories until he remembers Lan Zhan leaving for a few days to help the Jiang sect with a problem pertaining to a neighbouring sect. Neither Lan Zhan nor Jiang Cheng was really happy about it but as the chief cultivator it was Hanguang Jun’s job to solve such disputes.

Wei Ying gasps dramatically: “And you never told me?”

“Wei Ying didn’t want to talk about sect leader Jiang when I came back.”

Wuxian cringes away slightly at the memory of Lan Wangji returning home from Lotus Pier and trying to talk to him as Wuxian waves him off saying he doesn’t want to talk about Jiang Cheng.

“Fair enough.”, Wei Wuxian says as he lays down once again.

“I suppose it makes sense that after all that loss, Jiang Cheng would just turn to anger.”

“Mhm.”

“Do you think he… missed me?”

“Mhm, Wei Ying’s very difficult not to miss.”

“Aww.”

Another moment passes and as the full moon stands brightly at the sky, a crazy idea pops into Wei Ying’s mind.

“Lan Zhan, do you remember telling me about your cultivation getting worse for a moment after I died?”

Lan Wangji turns his head away; this is not a time he likes to discuss so he simply hums in agreement and hopes it satisfies his husband’s curiosity.

“It was like an emotional slump, right? One so strong it affected your cultivation? Your wounds from at the time took longer to heal too. You once described it as a minor qi deviation.”

“Mhm.”

“What helped you out of that?”

“Sizhui and brother.”

For the next while Wei Ying is quiet, clearly lost in thoughts that even he struggles to vocalize. Eventually Lan Wangji has to ask: “Why do you ask?”

“Do you think… there’s any possibility… that… that might be happening to Jiang Cheng?”

Lan Wangji frowns and shakes his head.

“No, very strong emotional torment necessary for this to happen.”

“I mean, he lost his parents before losing his sister and then his brother too. All the while being solely responsible for rebuilding entire sect from the ground up. And he did all this virtually alone, I can’t imagine tiny Jin Ling was much of a help.”

“Was very long time ago.”

 “I suppose that’s true. If it was going to happen it would’ve happened a while ago I guess.”

 “Mhm.”

 “Unless the sect and Jin ling acted like Sizhui and your brother did for you?”

 “…”

 “Lan Zhan you know the feeling right? The feeling of wanting to break down but there’s too many people relying on you. Holding on to that last string of sanity.”

 “…”

 “Maybe the golden core reveal brought everything back up? You know, maybe it snapped the string? They did say this started after the incident in Guanyin temple.”

 “Jiang Wanyin isn’t good with emotions.”

 Wei Wuxian chuckles:

 “Exactly! Maybe repressing all of this grief affected his cultivation. Maybe we should put our focus on his spiritual energy and not the resentful energy. The problem isn’t that he’s injured but that his body doesn’t want to heal anymore.”

 Lan Zhan nods: “Very possible, but first sleep.”

 With a hand to the chest, Wei Wuxian gets pushed down onto the mattress and shoved underneath the covers.

 “Wow Lan-er gege, so rough.”

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

to be continued in part 4

[barklikeagod]

@killrwolves same moon with a bad camera <3

[crabsnpersimmons]

I’m curious about the onesie now

also @pizzaplex-stargazer cuz you noticed too!

here's what Moon was rocking before Clip started making clothes:

after their PizzaPlex went under, the DCA bois had to figure out a lot of things, one being: clothes. unfortunately, Moon's really big, so he struggled to find things that fit him and were comfortable. the onesie is the first thing he found that fit him and made him feel really cozy. so he still wears it at home (he prefers comfy clothes at home anyways) when he needs a pick-me-up.

of course, he can't work at the salon in a bunny onesie, so here's what Clip made him (under Sundrop's direction):

Moon does prefer comfy clothes, but he has to admit, sometimes he likes the attention these clothes get him. he's iffy about them though, he feels that they show too much of him and he prefers the specific kind of comfort that comes from being an amorphous bundle of coziness.

[euesworld]

"Starlight, star bright.. what are you doing tonight? If you look at the moon the same time I look at you, I get to kiss you.. so keep looking up."

I would definitely love to kiss you under the moon - eUë

[ahogedetective]

there's a quick bite to his side, purposefully teasing him but before he could retaliate she was already hiding herself under his shirt. as far in as she could get but from this position his heartbeat was loud and clear c:

"Heek?!" Is the high pitched yelp that leaves Shuichi as his body jerks up from shock, when he feels her bite his side! Cheeks becoming a slight red, he was about to say:

"I-Iako!! What the-!" Until he feels her lift his shirt and sees her crawl under it, making a soft gasp leave him. "Ah! I.. Iako..."

His cheeks grow even redder, and she absolutely would be able to heart how loud-and much faster-his heartbeat was... "H-Hah...geez...." Now making sure to lay still, he pats the spot over his shirt where her head should be, smile softening on his face. "Making yourself nice and comfy, there? You big puppy, you..." He didn't mind this at all.... especially if he could make her feel snug against his bare skin like that.

[selfshippinglover]

Not me offering Alastor my still beating heart for Valentine's nope tootaally not noo nevvver not eveeen a liiiittlle