The Golden Shackle

Touching You

Lan Wangji walked towards his home wanting nothing more than to sleep. He was well enough to attend to some of his duties but he also tired easily and today had been a particularly trying day. He knew his uncle meant well, that he wanted the best for him and that was for him to stay in Gusu but to insult Wei Wuxian's parentage in front of his own uncle and Wei Wuxian himself. He felt shame blossom on his cheekbones at the memory of it.

As he walked inside his courtyard his steps slowed as he heard laughter coming from inside his rooms. Knowing Wei Wuxian's siblings must still be there, he debated whether to disturb them. This was the last night they would be together for a while but he was also exhausted and it was already past eight in the evening and he still needed to perform spiritual transfer on his... Lan Wangji's thoughts halted as his mind tried to supply what Wei Wuxian was to him. Husband? That was a fact. Friend? That was debatable, so he settled on friend as husband was just too much for him at present.

He walked inside and tried not to feel rankled that the laughter inside died when everyone in the room laid eyes on him. He bowed and when he raised his head he spoke to the only sensible Jiang in the room, Wei Wuxian's older sister.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but it's past eight and I would like to retire soon."

Jiang Yanli smiled and started to say something agreeable, he was sure of it, when Wei Wuxian interrupted with a scowl. "Do I have a bedtime now? It's not yet nine so I'd appreciate it if you left and didn't come into my rooms unannounced."

"Wei Ying," his sister looked to him, worry in her eyes. "I think there has been a misunderstanding."

Wei Wuxian closed his eyes before running his hand through his loose hair. "What possibly could be the problem now?"

Lan Wangji stood perfectly still unable to explain that this was his home, one of the Jiang's could break that news since they had failed too already.

Jiang WanYin cleared his throat. "This is his home, Wei Ying, he lives here too," he finished while nodding to the extra bed on the other side of the room.

Wei Wuxian sat up a little straighter, some color returning to his cheeks. "O-oh."

Jiang Yanli walked briskly to the head of the bed and patted Wei Wuxian's hair. "We'll be back before we depart tomorrow XianXian," she said before kissing his forehead. She walked from the room and smiled at him on her way out. At least one Jiang doesn't hate me, he thought.

He watched as Jiang WanYin placed his hand on his brother's shoulder and leaned down to whisper something in his ear. Whatever it was had the desired effect he supposed when Wei Wuxian directed a bright smile at the other man.

He used to smile at you like that, his mind supplied in the most unhelpful manner.

When Jiang WanYin left the room he predictably brushed his shoulder skewing him sideways but he let is pass as he could already hear their sister scolding him. He turned his eyes toward his...friend, and after a few seconds of eye contact, Wei Wuxian looked away and down to his hands which held a slight tremor.

He walked forward knowing what was coming next would probably not be welcome but he didn't know how to ease the other into the comfort needed for such contact. He didn't have that easy way with people, not like Xichen. Stopping right next to the bed he observed Wei Wuxian from head to toe. His hair was down, twisted slightly behind his shoulder. His tone was less grey now but dark circles graced his eyes, and the tremor... he wondered how long that had been affecting him.

"Are you... in pain?" He asked lamely, knowing full well the other had to be but didn't quite know what to say.

Wei Wuxian just glared.