dieva: (Default)
in my goth necromancer era (wei wuxian | 魏无羡) ([personal profile] dieva) wrote2025-12-30 10:24 am
shangba: (02.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-06 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
( Yes. And may he ask? Should he? There is a disquiet in him, a fear that he pushes Wei Ying past his natural comfort. That he takes advantage, a man raised and kept at a certain station through happenstance of birthright.

But the print of Wei Ying's mouth still burns his cheek, and Wei Ying's fresh scent, so naturally mixed with the house's sandalwood, overwhelms him. He nods, and he leans in first, drawing himself into Wei Ying's orbit.

Pretty. Pretty man, pretty token. )


Come here.
shangba: (Default)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-06 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
( They are too close for courtesy, perhaps even for comfort. Wei Ying straddles his lap and holds onto him as if he weren't an enemy, or an overlooked friend, or a dullard scion of Cloud Recesses.

Their hands bind together. Their foreheads knock. When he initiates the kiss, it isn't bashful or unassuming, it isn't heated, but faintly, knowingly patient. He has time. He will always have time, now they are married.

Their lips press faintly, their tongues intersect. He absorbs all that this man is. )


Yes. You are here.
shangba: (08.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-06 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
( No, you won't.

But he can't call the lie, can't name Wei Ying a traitor. Watches him with the mournful awareness of every man who's known winter will once again come, who can depend on nothing, on no one.

And he weathers the storm of his... husband's affection with strange, straining impunity. He nods, unbidden. Accepts it has come now, it will go some time after. Next he initiates a kiss, it's to Wei Ying's brow, firm. )


Words are simple.
shangba: (10.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-07 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
( Picky, fussy. Endearing, says Wei Ying. Kissable, say Wei Ying's actions. They come together, and it's more of the same, sweet kisses leading no where, building to nothing, wholly purposeless and all the finer for it.

He is enchanted by their restraint, their modesty, their willingness to abide. To court, as they might, if they had a chaperone. )


Be good.
shangba: (06.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-07 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
( Always good. Lover and liar and a wonderful man, Lan Wangji's own. And frustrated, in ways he begins to suspect relate far more with the feeling of inertia, of being forced to slow down to Wangji's own measured, simmering pace.

He wants to apologise. Can't. If he begins something here, hands already quarreling and tightening in white-knuckled fists on his lap, he will not gladly end it. He knows enough about himself and his weakness to conclude this.

Perhaps he has assumed in vain that Wei Ying does as well. For a moments, his gaze slips down, finds the floor. He hesitates. )


I... am not. That is why... I cannot be trusted to set aside what we begin.
shangba: (Default)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 03:25 pm (UTC)(link)
( Awkward, like the part and whole of him, as if he needs further disgrace. As if they don't both know his critical inexperience in matters of the heart is frankly ruinous.

For a moment, he holds silent, pensive, incapable of expressing himself wholly, of delivering the full extent of his thoughts. Then, he positions his hands on his knees, bracing, head still bowed as if offering the honours due to an elder, or to divinity.

He is a penitent in such things, owing his husband respect. )


I want you. ( Let this much be clear. ) But a marriage is not mere desire.
shangba: (08.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I believe... gratitude wears different robes.

( And that Wei Ying, so long submerged in the hatred, disbelief and contempt of others, might so easily mistake his own appreciation for admiration, for affection, for more. He shakes his head, tender. )

Wei Ying has long not received kindness.

( For a thirsting man, every droplet of water overwhelms. It cannot be helped. Wei Ying cannot be helped — nor, in his own way, trusted. It would be the simplest, the least demanding thing to submit to his instincts and presume to misinterpret Wei Ying's gentle acceptance as true interest.

Perhaps it is — while Lan Wangji is his only option. )


Bide your time.
shangba: (06.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
...no.

( How did they come to this? Distance, accusations. Wei Ying withdrawing into himself, the specter of outrage, virtue and character equally offended. Lan Wangji thinks to follow him, rises up, extends a hand —

But falls short of touch, coaxed back into discipline. He cannot selfishly inflict himself on a man clearly wounded, only to ease Lan Wangji's own mind. He cannot presume to take from Wei Ying, only to bring himself equilibrium. The principles and his own upbringing both forbid it. )


It is easy for Wei Ying to waste his affection on the only person present. One he dismissed in better times.

( And can he be faulted? In the absence of duress, Wei Ying never turned to him. )
shangba: (Default)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
( And he has mistepped again, heinously. Driven Wei Ying to some manner of brink, himself hot in those footsteps. He means to interject, to excuse himself, to contradict -

But this isn't his moment, his time. It is a selfish thing that he does, speaking his own mind, already. And so, more distance. A few steps back, and a few more, and he seats again, watching the shield of Wei Ying's back turned to him. )


Is it blame? ( Slow, even. ) Wishing for time that we may both settle with our feelings?

( If it is not mere gratitude, it will linger when Wei Ying's fortunes improve. Why disdain the test? )
shangba: (10.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
( He did not say — he did not intend

But Wei Ying is a whirlwind in motion, already dressing, already prepared to run, while Lan Wangji can only gaze after the trail of his retreating form, mouth cold. Clumsy. He shakes his head, seeks word, dissects them tens of times over before concluding: )


...I cannot speak to you in this way.

( With anger, with force, with venom, without regret. If Wei Ying needs time to cool off apart, so be it. They will come to no agreement in fits of wrath.

But Lan Wangji may rise first, studiously. )


Stay. This is your home. I may visit — ( But all the elders are congregating, his family is withdrawn from him. ) The cold streams.
shangba: (06.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
( Enough. Enough of this. He aches. Wei Ying aches. They cannot reach compromise, nor speak when Lan Wangji is verbally paralyzed and Wei Ying is... overwhelmed by anger the likes of which emanates from his person.

And here, now, Lan Wangji rises. Here, now, he draws the line. )


Wei Ying. What will they think of our request, if you are seen in this state?

( How will the elders be expected to believe that the Wen and the Yiling Patriarch alike are innocent and helpless, if Wei Ying trots about, radiating wrathful energy? He must be stopped. He must contain himself, and for once, it will not be Lan Wangji who makes his excuses. )

Sit. I will leave. ( He begins the preparations, slower, more methodical even in this, in layering up his defenses. Perhaps another way with Wei Ying will teach him how to dramatically flee the room. ) You may still have privacy.
shangba: (07.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
( Is there a world in which they may reach understanding?

He does not know so. Does not presume to assume its descent. Only nods, to acknowledge Wei Ying's concession, and honors the remainder of his own agreement, slipping on thick, boiled leather boots, then collecting another layer of fur-trimmed mantle, spread indelicately over his shoulders.

And where will it go? In the end, it does not matter. The streams, as he indicated. The library, if not. This is his home, and he is welcome, where Wei Ying might struggle to secure accommodations.

As a parting gesture, he sends a butterfly by Wei Ying's side, to take assignment once the hour is suitable. )


Send word, when you wish me returned.

( The door shutters firmly behind him. )
shangba: (08.00)

[personal profile] shangba 2026-02-08 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
( In the end, the streams and the library, a pacifying succession of activities that finds him listless when the butterfly at long last seeks him out. He's slow to rise, thoughts yet muddled, some part of him begrudging Wei Ying's own reticence, for all he volunteered his exile.

He delays, pettily, to pass by the kitchens and collect the tray with their dinners combined, along with the buckets of bathing water for Wei Ying and Yuan, in a perfect deployment of Lan strength. So saddled, he treks to his own home, renouncing the sword for fear of upsetting his balance.

He presents himself before his door, breathes in, then walks in without walking, settling down his wares before turning just in time to welcome a prancing Yuan who jumps into his arms. After, a whirlwind: stories of the day, Yuan's opinion of everything, of anything, slow murmured secrets, laughter. Lan Wangji dragged to the low table, where he safely deposits the covered dinner plates, positioning them one by one for service while Yuan claps excitedly.

No need for words between Wei Ying and he, hardly that of a shared presence. Not until it is unavoidable to avoid Yuan's suspicions. )


Please eat. The kitchens made exception to prepare fish for guests.

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-09 12:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-09 16:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-09 17:38 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-09 18:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-10 14:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-10 16:18 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-10 17:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-10 21:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 09:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 09:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 10:27 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 10:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 11:06 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 12:56 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 13:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 17:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-11 17:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-12 13:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-12 13:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-12 18:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-13 10:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-13 10:39 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-13 11:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-13 11:51 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-13 12:52 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-13 17:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] shangba - 2026-02-13 18:00 (UTC) - Expand