[ Never as vocally, as ignorantly, as unchained — never, in such a way that might whip his hair across another's nape, or make an obvious nuisance of his person. He is not yet so thick-skinned that these feats can be brokered easily. But he has learned to bend, before he chooses to break. Learned to shift, so Wei Wuxian can move and turn, to accommodate him in the negative space of Lan Wangji's body. ]
I play now.
[ And, to illustrate, he lends even more of his weigh onto Wei Wuxian's back, careful evidence that he knows all too well what he's doing — and crushing his feebler confidant is some strange plot of earning his laughter. Let Wei Wuxian, who boasted his skill with the bow and ease with callisthenics so often before, struggle, for a change.
He sounds smugger than any virtuous adept of the school of Lan has a right to, by the end of it: ]
[He cried out getting back into a better position to not be pushed over by Lan Wangji's sudden humor. Of course despite his outcry he is smiling, having fun in the moment and enjoying the moment of levity.]
[ As if, crushed into his own corner, Wei Wuxian has that great of a choice. Lan Wangji allows himself this one moment of victory, before a quiet exhale signals the start of mercy, and he pulls back in time with Wei Ying's push.
There. Let it not be said he pays no mind to his lesser, feebler companions. Like a rabbit, Wei Wuxian needs constant, proficient care. ]
Were you not building strength?
[ An entire core of it, to hear Wei Wuxian boast. And what's come of that? ]
[His tone was a mix of a pout and a whine, he was quite proud of his swiftness, he was pretty sure his sword was one of the fastest, and he had always been great at dodging even without his core. The streangth of his cultivation was completely seperate from his physical.]
Then next time I'll have to prepare.
[He leans back completely at the mercy given, allowing his full dead weight to lean. He will have to remember to go all out when another encounter rears it's head. Just to prove some decency still exists within him.]
[ Not muscled and hard-boned, but steel-willed and somehow still soft-hearted for all the hurt endured at ignobly bloodied hands. Lan Wangji allows the resistance, even feigns, at the last moment, a healthy degree of impressed recognition — why, look how Wei Wuxian carves space for himself. How wickedly forceful he is, indeed.
Never mind that Lan Wangji has half of a mind to lean back and gain himself a fine new mattress. It would teach him many a lesson deflected in Cloud Recesses, about foresight, caution, knowing his own measure. Taking a proper look at the adversary's strength. Acting wisely.
But then, when has Wei Wuxian ever learned, if he was not of a mind to? ]
[He might not always act with forethought, but he was always good at finding an unseen opportunity and gaining advantage when needed. If Lan Wangji wanted to prove a point by flattening him out, he might just decide to be dangerous in seizing openings. A lesson that could also be taught. They both had their failings and their strengths.
A good balance.]
You give me too much praise.
[He can't help but laugh, but again, it was a soft one, not so much self depreciating as much as respecting such a valued gift.]
But, I will do my best for it. It would not do well to not meat your expectatuons.
[ Well spoken for it, even as silence thralls them for the span of a few minutes, gently interrupted by the crack and scratch of nail on seed, rupturing the last few petals of hard skin to reveal a tender inside.
He feeds each and every last piece of Wei Wuxian, but for the one-two seeds he remembers to thieve for himself in an act of residual "sharing." Finally, the deed is done, and whatever bond had woven between them feels on the brink of overspilling — of solidifying in a way he can neither ignore, nor acknowledge.
He starts, slowly, to stir himself, numb limbs barely answering the call. ]
Thank you. I've stolen my fill.
[ He can only indulge in so much peace and relaxation, before he owes the world its war. ]
[In all honesty Wei Wuxian could sit there probably all day, as fidgety and wild as he could be he also greatly loved lounging and simply spending time with others.]
If you need to steal again, feel free to burgle.
[If that was an excuse that made it feel more palatable, he could play along.]
And tell me how it goes, I can't help but be curious now.
[The theory behind the curious situation, he wanted to hear about it.]
[ Curiosity killed the cat and buried Wei Wuxian at the feet of the abyss. Lan Wangji's brows lift incrementally, but he recovers the composure to turn around and search Wei Ying's face for the signs of that terrible madness, his love for purposeless drama. ]
Wei Ying. [ Be calm. Be good. Be composed. ] You know why I do not ask your company.
[ Not for want of skill, for distrust in ability, for of the ugliness of soul and heart that might have been suspected of the Yiling Patriarch, so many years ago, among the clans.
For his health. His welfare. For Wei Wuxian's own care, too often neglected, even by those who would claim his friends, let alone the man himself, in the new instrument of his fragile body. ]
Next time. I will take you. When your core returns.
[ A nod, subtle, the pact so sealed: if a story and a faithful account is all that Wei Wuxian wants (claims) for his study, then Lan Wangji will suit him. Heavens help them both, but they have lived long years without indulgence. Why not carve a humble beginning for it now? ]
And more lotus seed.
[ For all his reticence, Wei Wuxian has shamelessly erased most of the offered portion, a man seizing his bribe. Lan Wangji may not have counted each breath and each bite, but he knows when he has done well with his choices. Knows, too, that Wei Wuxian would never ask more of him. Not as they are now, each word measured, each kindness bartered.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Never as vocally, as ignorantly, as unchained — never, in such a way that might whip his hair across another's nape, or make an obvious nuisance of his person. He is not yet so thick-skinned that these feats can be brokered easily. But he has learned to bend, before he chooses to break. Learned to shift, so Wei Wuxian can move and turn, to accommodate him in the negative space of Lan Wangji's body. ]
I play now.
[ And, to illustrate, he lends even more of his weigh onto Wei Wuxian's back, careful evidence that he knows all too well what he's doing — and crushing his feebler confidant is some strange plot of earning his laughter. Let Wei Wuxian, who boasted his skill with the bow and ease with callisthenics so often before, struggle, for a change.
He sounds smugger than any virtuous adept of the school of Lan has a right to, by the end of it: ]
You are losing.
no subject
[He cried out getting back into a better position to not be pushed over by Lan Wangji's sudden humor. Of course despite his outcry he is smiling, having fun in the moment and enjoying the moment of levity.]
You're stronger than me. Of course I'm losing.
no subject
[ As if, crushed into his own corner, Wei Wuxian has that great of a choice. Lan Wangji allows himself this one moment of victory, before a quiet exhale signals the start of mercy, and he pulls back in time with Wei Ying's push.
There. Let it not be said he pays no mind to his lesser, feebler companions. Like a rabbit, Wei Wuxian needs constant, proficient care. ]
Were you not building strength?
[ An entire core of it, to hear Wei Wuxian boast. And what's come of that? ]
no subject
[His tone was a mix of a pout and a whine, he was quite proud of his swiftness, he was pretty sure his sword was one of the fastest, and he had always been great at dodging even without his core. The streangth of his cultivation was completely seperate from his physical.]
Then next time I'll have to prepare.
[He leans back completely at the mercy given, allowing his full dead weight to lean. He will have to remember to go all out when another encounter rears it's head. Just to prove some decency still exists within him.]
no subject
[ Not muscled and hard-boned, but steel-willed and somehow still soft-hearted for all the hurt endured at ignobly bloodied hands. Lan Wangji allows the resistance, even feigns, at the last moment, a healthy degree of impressed recognition — why, look how Wei Wuxian carves space for himself. How wickedly forceful he is, indeed.
Never mind that Lan Wangji has half of a mind to lean back and gain himself a fine new mattress. It would teach him many a lesson deflected in Cloud Recesses, about foresight, caution, knowing his own measure. Taking a proper look at the adversary's strength. Acting wisely.
But then, when has Wei Wuxian ever learned, if he was not of a mind to? ]
I would have asked nothing of the weak.
no subject
A good balance.]
You give me too much praise.
[He can't help but laugh, but again, it was a soft one, not so much self depreciating as much as respecting such a valued gift.]
But, I will do my best for it. It would not do well to not meat your expectatuons.
no subject
[ Well spoken for it, even as silence thralls them for the span of a few minutes, gently interrupted by the crack and scratch of nail on seed, rupturing the last few petals of hard skin to reveal a tender inside.
He feeds each and every last piece of Wei Wuxian, but for the one-two seeds he remembers to thieve for himself in an act of residual "sharing." Finally, the deed is done, and whatever bond had woven between them feels on the brink of overspilling — of solidifying in a way he can neither ignore, nor acknowledge.
He starts, slowly, to stir himself, numb limbs barely answering the call. ]
Thank you. I've stolen my fill.
[ He can only indulge in so much peace and relaxation, before he owes the world its war. ]
no subject
If you need to steal again, feel free to burgle.
[If that was an excuse that made it feel more palatable, he could play along.]
And tell me how it goes, I can't help but be curious now.
[The theory behind the curious situation, he wanted to hear about it.]
no subject
Wei Ying. [ Be calm. Be good. Be composed. ] You know why I do not ask your company.
[ Not for want of skill, for distrust in ability, for of the ugliness of soul and heart that might have been suspected of the Yiling Patriarch, so many years ago, among the clans.
For his health. His welfare. For Wei Wuxian's own care, too often neglected, even by those who would claim his friends, let alone the man himself, in the new instrument of his fragile body. ]
Next time. I will take you. When your core returns.
no subject
Next time I can be more helpful. But, just because I can't come and help, doesn't mean I can't know how it goes, right?
[This was on the level of local gossip enough, right? And the topic was interesting. How could he learn of it and not know how it ends?]
I'll train hard, so a story is a fair reward, right?
no subject
And more lotus seed.
[ For all his reticence, Wei Wuxian has shamelessly erased most of the offered portion, a man seizing his bribe. Lan Wangji may not have counted each breath and each bite, but he knows when he has done well with his choices. Knows, too, that Wei Wuxian would never ask more of him. Not as they are now, each word measured, each kindness bartered.
He lifts himself, but lingers. ]
One day, we may have another night hunt together.
no subject
Lotus seeds will never be rejected.
[Sacred as they were, the cure to all ills. There was nothing as comforting as lotus seeds.
At the mention of a possible night hunt he perks up excitedly.]
I hope it can be soon! I feel like I really need to try to show off and save my reputation.