MDZS Oneshots | The Untamed | WangXian

Thirty-three

Art by rokuon_
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Requests Open <3

Request Summary: After the episode 50 reunion, a confession is made. Lan Qiren threatens to double the scars on Lan Zhan's back if he stays with Wei Ying. Wei Ying takes the punishment for him.

Some of this is like... really really poorly written and I don't know why 😭 my head just went brrrr & I'm so mad about it (ps if you noticed I recycled a paragraph from another book... no you didn't)

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"Wei Ying."

He froze, still gripping the flute but unable to move. Had he stood so long in these hills the roots grew around him?

Hope buzzed like a hornet's nest beneath Wei WuXian's skin. He turned slowly, apprehensively, not quite certain yet this wasn't another product of his imagination or a hail of voices in the wind; but sure enough, it was neither the wind or his imagination. Lan WangJi was real, ethereal, standing in the way of the breeze like a proud staff of flags.

"Lan Zhan..."

The hornets inside were released all in one breath as he grabbed an armful of Jade and squeezed. Surprising for sure, but even more surprising, Lan WangJi hugged back (and though he certainly should have cared about the wrinkles being stretched into his regalia, he couldn't be bothered).

"Lan Zhan," Wei WuXian sniffed. "You finally came."

"I did."

"You're here."

"I am."

"I've been waiting..."

Ever since the day their paths diverged, Wei WuXian had been waiting for him. Everyday, he longingly played WangXian for the sky which saw them part.

Everyday.

For one year.

Then two.

But then, here in the infant beginnings of the third year, Lan WangJi dropped to his knees before him, forehead to the dirt and a plea dripping from his lips.

"Wei Ying, forgive this one's insolence!"

What!?

Wei WuXian panicked. He nearly fell on his bum as he rushed to crouch in the grass. Squeezing the man's shoulders, he asked, "Lan Zhan, what's wrong with you? Why are you kowtowing?"

Lan WangJi looked up and had on the face of a doe—fawn skin and large, golden-brown pastries for eyes. Wei WuXian first noticed the regret, but then he saw something else, something full of warm devotion.

"Aiyah! Why are you doing this? Your poor robes. What have you to apologize for?"

"Made Wei Ying wait." As he said this, he carefully unbound the ribbon from his forehead. Wei WuXian felt as if he was no longer talking about those two years. He watched through his lashes as the Lan took the sacred ribbon and tied it around his undeserving wrist. This time, no longer influenced by alcohol, the knots Lan WangJi tied were all purposeful, beautiful almost, and obnoxiously perfect.

Their knees touched. Skin brushed. Eyes met, gold and brown becoming honey together—sweeter than.

"Wei Ying, do you know what this means?"

"You know I have a bad memory."

He knew exactly what it meant. What he wanted more than anything was to hear it from Lan WangJi's own beautiful tongue and refined teeth, where it might sound like a Gusu folk song. He didn't necessarily expect it. Lan WangJi was not one to waste his breath on sentiments.