Chapter Text
Despite Wen Qing’s extreme displeasure, Lan Xichen was once again led to Wei Wuxian’s cave to rest for the night. It was indeed highly improper, especially given Xichen’s sudden declaration of courtship, but neither of them seemed at all bothered by it.
Wei Wuxian supposed he could have encouraged him to sleep elsewhere for the night, an inn in Yiling would have provided Xichen with infinitely better quarters and yet somehow he was loathe for Xichen to go. It was the First Jade’s charm at work. Xichen’s mere presence had temporarily eased the turmoil in Wei Wuxian’s mind, his constant worry over the Wens, battling to keep the resentful energy festering in the Burial mounds at bay. His presence was soothing to say the least.
He couldn’t bring himself to think about Wen Qing’s warnings about having the First Jade too close. This was after all Zewu-jun, the first Jade of Lan. There was no way Xichen would try and despoil his virtue, no matter what Wen Qing implied.
Besides Wei Wuxian was not a cut-sleeve. Sure Lan Xichen was beautiful, in the same way that Lan Zhan was stunning. That was clear as daylight so of course he’d noticed. It would have been difficult not too. He’d recognized their beauty the first time he’d laid eyes on them. And if he spent some time now admiring Xichen’s broad shoulders as he took off the first two heavy layers of his robes, and the gentle arch of his neck as he removed his head piece and brushed his hair for the night, well that didn’t harm anyone, it didn’t mean anything.
Wei Wuxian had always been attracted to beauty after all. It meant nothing. He’d never acted upon it. He never would.
“I think my first gift to you will be food and oh yes timber.” Lan Xichen said suddenly, his gentle voice drawing Wei Wuxian out of his stupor. He hadn’t realized he’d been staring at Xichen’s sculpted chest for much longer than was appropriate.
“What? Why would you? What kind of courting gifts would those be?” Wei Wuxian was stupified once again. These past two days were turning out to be the weirdest days of his life, which was saying something.
Sure both gifts would be welcome and put to good use but they were rather strange choices.
Xichen stepped closer to him, and closer still. With one long tapered finger, he tilted Wei Wuxian’s face towards him. Dark, golden eyes met liquid silver and they both stilled. Wei Wuxian could not look away.
“It is a gift you’d appreciate, wouldn’t you, A-Ying? A gift for your family and not for yourself.” Xichen whispered, his sweet breath fanning over Wei Wuxian’s face. A-Ying? Wei Wuxian mused internally. Did Lan Xichen really think they’d become so close, in just a few days?
He didn’t dislike the thought at all. He rather thought he liked hearing his name falling from Xichen’s lips. It gave him the same warm feeling as when Lan Zhan looked at him or said his name. He opened his mouth, to thank Xichen for the thought and suddenly warm lips were on his.
Biting, feasting, nipping at his upper lip, kissing him wet and obscenely. Wei Wuxian’s entire body shook. His thoughts were a complete mess summed up in one word, heat.
A large hand cradled his jaw, another rested heavily on his hip, caressing his side possessively. He gasped for air, alarm bells blasting in his mind. Wei Wuxian should move, push Xichen away and yet. He’d enjoyed the various touches throughout the entire evening, the closeness, the intimacy of it all.
Xichen leaves a trail of kisses that follow the line of Wuxian’s jaw, the curve of his throat, the dip of his collarbone. “A-Ying,” he breathed into his neck, “I’ve wanted this all day. I don’t know how Wangji bears it, being apart from you, having wanted you for so long. He wants you more than he could ever say. Wangji saw you first, desired you so desperately.”
Wei Wuxian came to his senses and shoved Xichen to no avail, as the latter did not budge. “We spoke that night in Gusu about you. I told him to befriend you, not to be ashamed to get close to you. But he refused to speak more of it and even tried to shun you for some time. But you didn’t care. A-Ying do you not know what a treasure you are? You care so deeply for everyone but yourself. Come to Gusu. Wangji and I will care for you.”