Without Sorrow

Chapter 3

Drunk Lan Zhan Chapter 31.  For darcy2073. Not sure if this is what you wanted sweetie, but here it is!

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Happy New Year!!

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Everything was too loud, the voices of others blurring and distorted but his feet unsteadily followed Wei Ying into the bright world of the inn. Following Wei Ying was as natural as breathing.

The stairs creaked unpleasantly as they ascended the rickety steps, but Lan Wangji focused his attention on the pale hand lifting charcoal black robes high enough, so he didn't trip. The hand seemed to blend with the shadows of the stairs, those long elegant robes and the deep black of his boots.

At the top, those artful fingers suddenly released the cloth and Lan Wangji blinked as the shadows seemed to swallow Wei Ying's hand. His mind missed the signal to stop when Wei Ying glided around the banister to the stand in the hallway and he bumped into his elbow.

Wei Ying's grey eyes flicked to meet his, amusement curving that sinful mouth. Lan Wangji marveled silently as the hand reappeared to steady him as he tottered on his feet, in a way that Uncle would consider very unbecoming of a Lan warrior.

He forgot as he always did, those teachings of Uncle's, and the expectations of his ancestors carefully transcribed for future generations. He forgot his brother and the mountains of Gusu as he stared into those grey gleaming pools.

Wei Ying huffed a laugh and stepped backwards. Afraid to lose him for even a moment, his own feet hurried forward slipping through the doorway that seemed more like a portal to another world, one of gloomy shadows and warm light.

Still quiet except for the occasional huff of laughter, Wei Ying tugged his arm and nodded towards the bed. "Sit down Lan Er-Gege." Those pale hands pushed lightly at his chest and Lan Wangji glanced at the bed, with the world dancing around him.

Wei Ying was so clever, he thought with great pride as he tried to sit down. He can so easily find answers to any strange problem. Perhaps the floor was moving in odd directions for him too? Like a boat in a storm. He did grow up in Yunmeng... Perhaps it was best to sit down.

The idea of Wei Ying in a boat was always to alluring. He had spent many hours thinking of how he might look on the lake of Lotus Pier.

Sitting down was easier, he decided. Once again, placing his complete trust in Wei Ying was rewarded. Uncle, he thought should try this.

There was pressure on his ankles suddenly startling him from his daydreams and he looked up to the beautiful crown of Wei Ying's head, the long sweep of his glossy black hair sliding slowly off his shoulder, the red ribbon struggling to contain the raven wing dark strands.

His mind was now torn between leaning forward or lifting a hand to touch the smooth waves as they rippled along his head. The pressure on his ankle increased and he glanced down to see Wei Ying's pale hands wrestling his boots off his feet, the snow white boot gliding as it fell to the floor.

Ordinarily he would have been embarrassed and aroused, tearing himself into pieces with indecision and fear. To be so in love and be so unable to bring any attention towards his feelings out of fear...to see Wei Ying so close, to have him touching his skin so carelessly...

It was a fantasy made flesh...and right now Lan Wangji did not trust that such a beautiful reality was possible...not when Wei Ying's head dipped, tossing his dark mane over his shoulder.

Breath froze in his chest as he watched the ribbon strain, then Wei Ying was lifting his head, rising so elegantly to his full height. This put Wei Ying's waist and lower chest right at eye-level, letting Lan Wangji admire the fold of his robes, the flash of red cloth and his fingers twitched aching to simply reach out and touch this perfect mirage.