The Bride of Dragon

9. Mine

On their third new moon together, Wei Wuxian forgoes another sword match—their first had ended in a draw and it is still a question of who was more surprised—and happily trails LanWangji back to his room instead.

"I want to play with you!" He insists, earning him a startled look that's hidden away quickly by Lan Wangji ducking his head. Wei Wuxian continues, undeterred, "Please, Lan Zhan! I've been practicing lots!"Lan Wangji, of course, already knows this as he always makes sure to pay rapt attention to WeiWuxian's newly added practice sessions in their routine. He nods with a quiet, "Mn," and works quite admirably to keep the reddening of his ears from being noticed. Thankfully—or not—WeiWuxian is not the most observant creature at times.

After they warm up, Wei Wuxian giddily follows Lan Wangji's notes like a puppy, they play one of Lan Wangji's favorites. A score from ancient times named Rest and is only interrupted when Lan Wangji frowns at Wei Wuxian's continued faux faltering notes and says, "Wei Ying. Play properly. You play well."

The notes do fumble for a couple more seconds as Wei Wuxian's face struggles to contain a blush and blooming smile, but he follows Lan Wangji's command and they join in perfect harmony as the duet continues. 

One song turns into three and when they finally put away their instruments, Wei Wuxian feels a contentment settle deep into his bones, thrumming through his body like a warm beam of sunlight. He's settled in nicely in his odd new home and the original loneliness that plagued his nights has almost faded entirely.

(Even if he does spend most of them wishing they were a night of the new moon.)

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian grins, leaning up and over the desk Lan Wangji is seated at. "I have a surprise!" Lan Wangji just blinks at him and Wei Wuxian's grin goes wider before he darts up and out of the room, a, "Just wait here for a second!!" trailing out after him.Lan Wangji does, frowning minutely with puzzlement when he can hear Wei Wuxian's continued humming and several clacks of jars hitting together.

"Ta daaaaah!" Wei Wuxian cheers when he returns, dropping two jars of wine atop Lan Wangji'sdesk. "What do you think!"

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji scolds, turning his gaze away like just the very sight of such things offended him. Wei Wuxian just rolls his eyes and drops down in the seat across from him, still looking rather mischievous."Come on, Lan Zhan! Don't be like that. It's for your birthday celebration!" Golden eyes snap back to his immediately. "That's right! Zewu-Jun told me! I know it was a few months ago so we missed it but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate now! Please, Lan Zhan? I even made some food for you!"

"You," Lan Wangji says with great difficulty, "cooked for me?"

"Of course! What kind of husband would I be if I didn't celebrate your birthday? But, the food only goes well with alcohol, so you have to drink with me too." Lan Wangji still hesitates, excuses mounting on his tongue. 

Wei Wuxian pouts. "It's just the two of us, Lan Zhan! I won't tell on you, I promise!"Outside, snow falls gently but still seems to whirl in what could be a panicked state at the short gusts of wind that whistle softly outside the window. Inside, Lan Wangji continues to quietly eye the bottles set before him. Wei Wuxian speaks the truth, it is only them in this sprawling and silent mansion and it is not quite lying if Lan Wangji simply holds his tongue if ever later questioned about this. 

While he considers these things carefully, it's the soft pout on Wei Wuxian's face and the words, "I even made some food for you! " still echoing in him that brings his head down in a nod."Really? Great! You're going to love this wine, Lan Zhan, I promise! It's really good! I tried all sorts before deciding what to bring to you!" To any who did not know Wei Wuxian, the phrase might seem sweet, but much experience has taught Lan Wangji that the man loved to drink. He decides to feel grateful nonetheless. "It's a little sweet but mellow at the same time! It's not as good as Emperor's Smile, from Gusu, but it's not bad... Ah! Lan Zhan, the royal family is fromGusu, aren't they? How could you live there and never try it!!"