A/N: Well, I am back onto the crack-pairings wagon again, but this time it seems I will be dipping my toes in the MDZS fandom now - really couldn't stop this piece of my mind from coming out.
This is heavily AU (also domestic fluff/family feels/slice of life/established relationship) - and I guess, hence OOC, with very hand-wavy cultivation matters expressed (or implied) therein. There is also light bashing of WWX and JFM.
Apologies to all Mandarin speakers out there - I've used online dictionaries and Wikipedia for words used herein. And I gave WRH a birth name - 'cause to me, Ruohan is his courtesy name.
Parts in '' are thoughts/mental projections or memories.
Hopefully, this isn't so bad - enjoy!
There was a stillness in the air of the falling night – one that brought about a rarely enjoyed calm, a luxury the tall man with dazzling garnet-like eyes greeting the stars that erupted one after the other in the inky skies from the wide windows of his quarters was seldom granted, despite it being a sought-after one. Even so, this longed-for atmosphere did nothing to quell the thrumming energy weaving within his veins, the near-tangible inner vibrations of anticipation doing away with the legendary patience he prided himself on.
Typically indifferent, and sometimes cruelly twisted, lips now found their corners tugging into a soft, barely-there, but still light-filled, expression of what their owner had not that long ago thought impossible and unwanted, and which now, almost three years later, had become an integral part of his very being. He barely felt the light current sweeping at the folds of his sleeping robes, the impatient, longing touches of graceful fingers instead ghosting over the light-coloured silk adorning his left wrist, tracing carefully the patters woven into it in an expression of the caresses he yearned to bestow elsewhere.
Just a little longer, only a moment more…and there it was - the tell-tale, so achingly familiar brush of mind to mind, fluidly flowing into a joining of cores, souls and beings, as even the otherwise impenetrable shields protecting his abode could not stop the one he'd long given all the keys to. Swirling around just in time to, akin to flowing with the breeze, meet halfway the waves of blinding energy as they reformed into their human self, right into his arms, the gentleness of his hold on the beloved form belied the urgency of being close, of finally being one once again.
"You came…" the near-breathless exclamation, awash with quiet joy, fell off the host's lips before he could even think of censuring it, not that there really was a desire to do so - not with the one in his presence.
"Always," the heartfelt, unhidden smile of his companion, as the older man tightened his arms around him mirrored his own bliss, before the former almost timidly continued "And you waited…". The elegant fingers of a powerful hand that could crush others in a blink, but whose touch on a flawless face's lines carried only infinite care, joined a radiant gaze shot through with powerful reassurance and accompanied by an equally soft "Forever".
Garnet met gold, each holding the other for an, as if eternal, second - pure delight dancing wild and free within, before the former's owner swept his visitor flushed against his strong form, the pendant adorning his brow kissing the silk lining that of the other. Only for the two ornaments to melt as if by the force of contact into opposing colours, sapphires and aquamarines replacing the rubies and garnets, while crimson and gold – the white and light blue. And their owners could taste the smile on the other's lips, so close they were almost a whole, at this so cherished expression of their bond – in their own little ritual, each lightly running their fingertips over the other's truth, the one that sole they could see reflected in those first courting gifts to each other.
Safe behind the barriers the host had thrown over the near-third of the Sun-Scorched Palace that made up his living quarters, both finally, rapturously set free their unique brand of cultivation, their minds' combined power fusing within the very streams of life and world, taking the reins of time itself. Only to bring it harshly under their command, halting and reshaping it and their surroundings into their own reality, where they could finally truly simply be - away from the judging eyes of the rest of the Jianghu, and those who shared their blood or Clan, just be…together, as they had always been meant to.
For a staggering second, the elder of the two released quietly his qi, checking frantically his companion's whole self for any after-effects of his displacement, mentally remining himself to urge the other to use teleportation arrays from then on as Mind cultivation had its own risks, particularly in his cultivation partner's state. Though the torrent of relief at not finding anything amiss was more than worth the half-playfully, half-reproachfully raised eyebrow of the golden-eyed man, even if there was no true heat behind it.
"Tis not that I do not trust your abilities, I just…" the older man breathed out so softly he may as well have only thought the words, as his addressee's just as quiet understanding was written in the gentle but firm squeeze of the Wen leader's left wrist, and his equally as breathless "I know…". And seeing the rapidly widening eyes of his bonded, and the mounting concern and perplexity in their garnet planes at having finally noticed the absence of a particular item that had become his near-constant accessory since they had acquired it on a rather interesting adventure, the Lan heir hastened to add "It is in a qiankun pouch under a dozen shields in my Hanshi - no one risks finding it."
The look he received brimmed in fond exasperation, just barely concealing the near-wild in its intensity worry of its owner "That is not-", but before the taller man could continue, his companion brushed a stray dark lock away from a frantic, searching gaze with a smile so awash with light that even the infamous Wen Ruohan was helpless against it "I am more than well-protected, a-Fèng – by both my mind's energies and yours, we don't need the sword anymore…and you know that, while it absorbs the warped shen before it can affect your third core, as with resentment it also amplifies its effects – I can't…"
Every element of the older man's being raged at hearing the tremor in his beloved's voice, at his brilliant strong Life-Bringer being subjected to the same turmoil that had been rattling the Wen leader from the moment he'd realised the full results of his cultivation. And at that, unbidden, merciless memories flooded his mind as if summoned by the burgeoning inner chaos that now threatened to drown away his sanity…visions, sensations, realities that had been, should have been, long-destroyed, but that still seeped through his defences in times of emotional upheaval.
Black chains infused with half-demonic qi snaking around his every limb, harsh garnet eyes - so like his, yet full of only apathy for the fate of their owner's counterpart, hard stone walls whose uneven ridges scraped his skin raw night after night… Dark whispers brimming with everything from derision to laughter… Cursed Mind, Cursed Mind, Cursed Mind…he could nearly hear his own silent screams, as even his voice had been taken from him at those times under the guise of not disturbing Nightless City…
Until gentle waves of mind-bent qi that decidedly did not belong to him dissipated, defeated, erased the nightmares of the first twenty years of his life, bringing with them only warmth, healing and peace. He was suddenly back into full sensation of his own body and mind, one Lan-strong arm holding him upright with familiar ease, while the other's hand gently threaded the unbound waves of his hair.
"Five truths, my Dark Flame…" came the soft half-question, the name he had used during the almost-year of their initial relations of only mind to mind with no faces and names, no duty or expectations, when used by his beloved ever making the corners of his lips turn up. "Yes…" was all he managed vocally, the single word coming out raspy with the exhaustion left in the wake of this attack, his mind even so reaching out to his bonded's own in waves of reassurance and silent worry.
But the younger man only slightly shook his head, placing lightly his partner's hand on his chest, their brows touching once again as his thoughts whispered 'Focus on my heartbeat, that's it…breaths matching my own, mind waves synchronised – that's it…there is just us here – only us.' only to sense the other's whole being relaxing as a result, relief washing powerfully over him before he leaned in lips barely touching his lover's ear with the first truth.
"These are your quarters, not your prison." long fingers gently squeezing those of the hand over his heart. "Yes…" was the other's quite acknowledgement, the reality of the cozy rooms they were currently in finally returning to him full-force.
"Your voice is your own to command." the warm digits now moved to caress the inside of his wrist, while the "Yes…" that accompanied it was clearer and louder, the sensation of power over his own body slamming back into him, his eyes snapping open at that.
"You had parents who loved you." the abrupt recollection of gentle male hands removing the chains, cradling him to their owner's body with such care as if he were a new-born despite his age, a joy-filled female voice calling him 'son', the loving faces of his cousins who had accepted him as their own flooded his mind.
"Yes…" he couldn't help affirming with the familiar force that he exuded for all to see within the Jianghu, each of his senses suddenly, finally sharp and alive once again, as his beloved's hand had moved to trace the lines of his eyes, garnet melting into gold while the latter's holder whispered against his lips "I am real.".
He was sure Lan Huan could feel his smile at his "Absolutely!", the bittersweet mix of relief and playfulness in his response unable to be kept at bay at that clearly intentional deviation from the usual steps. Even so, his heavenly companion only sighed in mock-exasperation, more than delighted this exercise they had come up with for such relapses had worked, before finishing breathlessly "And we are each other's."
The Wen leader's whole body now engulfed that of the Lan heir, fingers whisperings softly through the latter's black strands, his entire self responding with his own closely-guarded truth that sole the one in his presence knew the real depth of "Forever, my Midnight…" before swallowing the smile, so awash with happiness, that the counterpart to his 'Dark Flame' elicited in his beloved with his own, by sealing their lips into a single stream of life.
And it was as if this reaffirmation of the indomitable strength of their bond, of the seamless way every element of each fit within the other, eradicated any last traces of past nightmares, the pair finally falling fully within the power of that unparalleled oneness that was theirs alone. The force of their dual cultivation swept unrestrained through their cores, restoring state and sanity, healing all cracks of exhaustion, releasing away every worry, pain and fear. The older of the two couldn't hold back a smile of quiet happiness, the feeling still so very new, so thoroughly awash with exhilaration, even after the years he had been blessed with it on a regular basis since he had let himself take an uncharacteristic risk that had paid off beyond his wildest imagination.
The First Jade's now steady release of the streams of qi he had used to maintain both inedia and insomnia for what felt like at least several weeks hummed softly within his counterpart's meridians - the balance created between them replenishing the younger's self within a heartbeat, his dantian's combined power blessedly sparing him from the aftereffects lesser cultivators would have suffered from employing both techniques and for so long. The strain, though thankfully still far from threatening, on his whole being dissipated before either could draw a breath, the light-filled presence of the tiny life nurtured by Lan Huan's dantian reaching out eagerly to greet his other father.
"Looks like our youngest missed his a-die." the spring-like laughter of his heart at what would one day surely be quite the impatience on their third son's part teased a chuckle out of the garnet-eyed man, while his own mind just as keenly enveloped the fragile being so cherished by them both within the infinity of a parent's love. 'It has indeed been too long, little flame…' came his soothing response to the small, searching mind's innocent fervour at having both of his parents within reach (dream-sharing was a poor substitute for all of them), before the notes of now barely concealed thrill flowed into his tone, as his breath sensuously tickled his incorrigible enchanter's ear "Though, it looks like his baba couldn't wait to re-join my charming company either." And the mischief-filled grin from his addressee, promising exactly what each of them craved, was more than worth it "You have no idea – it was nigh-impossible to concentrate the last few days, even in the face of a waterborne abyss!"
With a fluid motion of a web of qi that barely registered with Lan Huan before he could even react, the young man found himself in their bed, divested almost entirely of his clothes - black waves now free of all restraints as they spilled over the crimson silk of the pillows. The burning lips assaulting his neck made his half-lidded golden eyes snap open in a blink, the garnet of a beloved gaze that met his own now darkened to blood-red with near-painful yearning – just a moment more, and they'd take this next, equally as treasured, step in their dual cultivation…
But instead, the First Jade felt his partner withdraw slightly, the hands that had previously intertwined with his as they pressed into the softness of the surrounding beddings now coming to skate over his brow and chest, in a calming gesture designed to relax. In a breath, the veritable inferno of mere moments ago was forcibly smoothed down to a boundless warmth, a sober expression overtaking still desire-filled eyes. Only the barely-there shaking of elegant fingers, as they struggled to simply caress instead of give and take in that unspoked language solely they understood, as was their common wish belied the now quietened but still visceral longing.
'You need rest more than that tonight…' came the whisper-like reassurance, infused with the life-giving light of that cosmically powerful emotion that bound them together, the younger's deepening disappointment erased beneath its folds only to meet a mental smile 'Round two will be for tomorrow.' And Lan Huan's answering grin proved quite the distraction for the feared Wen cultivator as before he could realise it, he found their positions flipped, his irresistible siren straddling his hips. A certain, very familiar friction both relished in on a regular basis suddenly made him direly regret his earlier decision, while sinful lips ghosted over his ear shell "I will keep you to that…Sect Leader Wen!"
Just as abruptly as he was there, that irreverent tease was gone the next second, leaving the older man to battle the effects on his mind and body that that particular address always had on him when uttered by the enticing being in his presence, silently thanking the Heavens for his iron resolve – and control. No sooner had he managed to finally completely reign in his rampant thirst for one specific Gusu clan-member, pulling himself up to rest his back against the pillows in an attempt to catch his breath and wits, that said young man practically flowed back between his thighs only to recline against a jade-hard chest.
Its owner gladly noted that his companion had used his hasty exit to instead grab the tray previously kept under a heating talisman on the small dining table in the corner and settle it onto his lap, gleefully already taking bites from the dishes on finding all his favourites prepared to his exact liking. Lan Huan's child-like pleasure at these simple gestures never failed to evoke the deepest warmth in the one who orchestrated them, knowing full-well that this is what his partner valued the most, still making the elder's heart clench painfully at this cruel irony.
His beloved's kindness extended to all, more often than not to the detriment of himself, yet the people who truly cared about him – not just in word, but also in deed, were (not including their children) so few they'd fit on the fingers of one hand. The Wen leader relished more than anything being one of them, his home having become theirs, his presence – a safe place for both to let go of the masks the world saw and let the other within their reality, the surge of protectiveness of the family they had built together threatening to drown him, but he welcomed its force. For there were many things in his long life that he didn't regret, and equally as many that he did – but none less than having found his jade-spun heart, and none more than very likely not being able to have forever with him and their boys.
He found himself silently thanking all the gods that - as with himself and most other cultivation-born children, even if his partner had been conceived naturally he'd still come into this world with his dantian already activated in all three levels, giving him an innate resilience that was unmatched… And that, unlike himself, Lan Huan had been taught from a very young age how to balance his three cores, so that the one that ruled them – and the mind, did not slowly destroy them…and him.
Even so, the young heir was to this day haunted by the price for his survival, sanity and power – and it had been their initial anonymous relations from what now felt like a lifetime ago that had helped towards him starting to heal from the guilt, and accept his parents' choices, what they had freely decided to sacrifice. One was already gone…and the other - well on his way, lingering with the last of his power for long enough to ensure that his eldest did not have to take on the leader mantle too early, but neither had regretted what they'd done – or loving their first son that much.
The latter was hardly surprising - the First Jade had that, perhaps unrealised, ability to tie others inexorably to himself without even trying, with a single kind smile and heartfelt gesture of care - Wen Ruohan himself wasn't spared, even if he'd admittedly put up only a token resistance in the end. He found himself smiling at the memory…two shadows meeting in the midnight garden of a golden tower, both unsure of acceptance and a future in the face of a reveal, but both braving the unknown for the chance at something incredible. And goodness, had it been worth it – through the secrecy, manoeuvring and staying always one step ahead - all for what had initially seemed like only a folly hope to finally, truly become reality, the man in his arms, the life they had spun by their joining were worth everything…
Including, he mused, a profound joy etching itself within the planes of his gaze as it took in the comfortable sprawl his bonded had adopted while positively moaning in pleasure at the simple yet doubtlessly flavourful bites, facing the rather formidable no-nonsense head cook with a last-minute request for what was essentially a small feast. "I take it, they are to your liking?" the unhidden smile in the depths of his voice underlay a gentle teasing lilt, as Lan Huan took another piece of the fish with a bit of lightly spiced rice, only to have it disappear between his lips with a movement that would make prim and proper Gusu disciples blush to the roots of their hair.
A deft tongue lapped up the juices that had spilled on the younger's fingers, eyes closing in pure bliss, their owner exuding only a quiet "Aah…". which left his partner marvelling for the umptieth time how the other man could inadvertently turn even the most mundane of actions into a sensual display, worthy of the most skilful seductress. Only to push the Wen leader into forcing his being through all meditation techniques he'd ever learnt, in a mostly futile attempt at remembering and keeping to his resolve of no strenuous activities tonight.
"Mhm, you have definitely spoiled me – even if I had no other ties to Qishan already, I'd probably invade it and refuse to leave Nightless City just for the food!" came the rather innocent admission from the golden-eyed man who had completely not noticed his companion's predicament, causing the latter to inwardly groan – his mountain-born fae would be the death of him! But speaking of, a rather disturbing recollection occurred to him "Wait – what was that about a waterborne abyss?!" his mind frantically going over where and how one may have been encountered, as those were practically unheard of in Gusu's territory – had they been called out to Yunmeng or perhaps Lanling on a night hunt for one?
Lan Huan though just leisurely put the already half-decimated tray beside him on the large bed, before leaning into his lover's embrace fully, one hand idly tracing light patterns over the latter's now semi-naked chest, a yawn punctuating his movements "There was one in Biling lake… I took certain of the guest disciples, ours and Wangji to investigate and we ran into a bit of a situation – but it's all sorted now, I sealed it when the others were with me and then went back last night to eradicate it." Another yawn, this time much deeper, nearly made the First Jade's form tremble, the arms around him tightening protectively, their owner's thoughts silently agreeing that this had been the best course of action, as the risks for his beloved's life and freedom were too great should he expose the true extent of his power.
Until something else struck the older cultivator "Biling lake, of all places? That is impossible – it is close enough to Qishan's borders, we would have heard about any drownings large enough in number to create a waterborne abyss, but there were no such reported…" as the realisation hit, the Lan heir's tired nod only confirming the sole possible conclusion, and the source of many a cultivator's fears had to physically restrain himself from lashing out in fury, taking deep breaths through clenched teeth, finally rasping out a resolute "You will have their heads by tomorrow!"
A gentle hand smoothed over his features, as he found his jaw muscles unwinding, fists slackening, while the soothing fingers of the other entwined with his own - the Gusu beauty's lips skating over his heart "While I truly appreciate the gesture, a-Fèng, those idiots would be of more use to me whole and alive – I am at a breakthrough in my tests," here the Wen leader couldn't stiffen the raging hope for a different future abruptly overtaking him for a single, powerful moment "where full bodies are necessary - but" a wicked grin that would seem so out of place on the revered Zewu-Jun – at least to those who didn't know him at all, made the darkened gold of his eyes dance "a prior visit to the Inferno Palace wouldn't go amiss."
That glaring privilege of being one of a handful allowed to see all facets of his heart's self – including those Lan Huan feared he'd be condemned for if he ever let others in, still took his partner's breath away, even after so long. And he had responded in kind since the beginning, only to uncover a unique life-giving strength in implicit trust, in openness and unity with his one. For it may be the Lan who were the sole to overtly believe in the concept and to actually search for that flawless fit, yet it had been a Wen who many had long declared devoid of humanity that had been blessed to meet its true embodiment.
The very incarnation thereof, however, did not seem inclined to the rest he decidedly needed, not helped at all by the arrival, in a burst of energy, of a messenger butterfly - a gift from an unlikely friend Lan Huan had made two years ago thanks to said friend's newly-discovered eavesdropping tendencies, and which the pair had modified for their needs. A thin stream of qi reached out from the wings to each of them as if with a mind of its own, seemingly debating which of the two to pass the information to, before it looked like it simply gave up and went for their entwined hands - them receiving it together.
Only for matching mirth-filled expressions to meet each other, the man used as a pillow remarking "Looks as if our rascals are ready to call it a day." The younger man chuckled "We had better go and relieve poor a-Xu then – he must be at his wits' end by now if you'd had him on minding duty this whole afternoon!" The tender hold of a tall body wrapping around him - an indestructible wall of safety, enveloped the Lan heir, the displacement - this time initiated by his partner, with a careful easing of the twists of energy, so that there was no strain on either, taking them straight to where knew they'd find their wayward boys.
Splashing sounds and happy screams met them from the rather large pool dominating the centre of the spacious room they ended their shot journey in, though the water was so disturbed by all the movement that it was impossible to locate their pair of queries immediately. Putting a finger to his lips with a conspirator grin to his companion, the Wen leader shot quietly a ray of otherwise harmless qi into the burgeoning waves that flattened them on the spot, the somewhat abrupt end of water movements prompting a pair of contrasting reactions - a joyful "A-die's here!", and a grumbling "Shit, Sun-gege got us again!"
Lan Huan couldn't hold back his laughter anymore, its crystalline sounds reverberating in a jubilant storm off the walls of this playground of sorts the 'Sun-gege' in question had had constructed, under the guise of having suddenly discovered for himself a particular love for swimming. The pair of small bodies engulfing the adults on having been presented with the result of a month's worth of construction noise in the Sun-Scorched Palace and just as long a brainstorming on how exactly to provide sufficient water supply for a pool this size, and the breath-taking mix of glee and gratitude conquering innocent eyes, had been well-worth it.
The children had cheerfully yelled as they'd stripped down to their undershirts and light breeches in a blink, before a-Yang had dived into the water head-first (thankfully for everyone's nerves on the deeper end), confident in his swimming abilities - his nightmare-inducing fear of drowning in a closed space no longer a factor. A-Yu had been shier, carefully inching towards the pool and taking the steps in one by one, before his Yang-gege had swum over to help him enter further with a 'Don't be a wuss, it's just water!', still gently guiding the smaller boy in, the latter's perpetual distress of open water deeper than a puddle long-forgotten. 'At least that way we'd be certain they'd actually get washed before bed.' Wen Ruohan had then quietly groused to a highly amused Lan Huan who was, now too, trying – and spectacularly failing, to hide his knowing smile at the memory of the "inauguration" of what had quickly turned into a favourite place for children and adults alike, though, the young man smirked, for different reasons.
"Language, a-Yang!" came the rather belated - and decidedly half-hearted, reproach from the third adult present, who was already almost laughing himself from where he'd sat down by a pillar, keeping a watchful eye on the exuberant pair while trying to lull an almost year-old infant to sleep. A giggling a-Yang stuck out his tongue at the elder "We've both heard worse, Xu-ge!", who raised an eyebrow in return "That is not the point - the last I need is a-Yuan picking those up, he is like a sponge right now - last week I could have sworn I heard him say "fuck"."
The eleven-year-old only shrugged it off with a grin, then sidling to the closest edge of the pool where a pile of towels awaited the dripping young adventurers' exit, only to drag the pair on top away with him and clumsily wrap one around himself and the other over a-Yu while both were still in the water. Wen Xu just rolled his eyes "You know, that sort of defeats the purpose, right?" a fond expression conquering his mien, as he used his qi to steady the pair when they nearly tripped over both their feet and the now soaked towels while climbing the steps out.
Finally noticing the other adults in the room, the Wen heir couldn't help a sigh of relief, shooting at his companions while the young ones were drying off and dressing "I really don't want to know what took you two so long to get to this point in time – I'm still trying to forget what happened at last year's discussion conference." not letting either of them put in a word edgewise, before addressing his Lan counterpart "Please tell me that stunt back then was a one-off thing."
Lan Huan blinked in seemingly innocent confusion, a blush rising up his cheeks "But it was a-Fèng's birthday – and he had mentioned that my swordplay was more graceful than a dance, it seemed like he'd enjoy the gift…" The arm the Wen leader had around him brought him even closer, their brows touching, as the former added "Enjoyable does not even begin to describe it – it was simply spectacular…". The flames infusing the garnet planes of his darkening gaze at the memory and the prospects of tomorrow was not missed by Wen Xu, a rather worrying piece of recollection assaulting his already reeling mind "Oh no - we are hosting this year's conference…"
He sent a pleading gaze towards his father "At least, spare my sanity this time!", though what he didn't expect was the full belly laugh at that and the ensuing "You need not fret, Xu-er, Chao-er will be in charge of the competition event and the hosting duties for all days, except the last." The skeptical eyebrow returned his parent's way didn't diminish said man's mirth in the slightest "Alright, perhaps not the best idea, but at the very least it would keep your brother, and by extension that insufferable woman of his, occupied and out of our collective hair – including his poor wive's-" Before either of the conversing parties was able to continue, however, the ear-splitting yells of "Baba!" and "Star-gege!" resonated as if amplified by a spell, making the three men instinctively reach up to cover their ears, in Wen Xu's case – nearly dropping the baby in the process.
Thank all that was good that he remembered himself on time though, instead tightening his grip on his infant son, even if that didn't spare him from a-Yuan's just as loud wail in protest at being awoken all of a sudden. The other two in his company simply exchanged a quiet grin, boundless warmth coursing through their veins at their boys' antics, nearly drowning out the younger Wen's grumble of "I swear, all three of them could be related for the lungs they have on them." as he tried semi-successfully to quiet down a-Yuan by lightly rocking and shushing him.
Meanwhile, with practiced ease Lan Huan's arms had bravely met two, still half-wet, blurs of energy - one gripping his hand and rapidly chattering about his training that day, while the other timidly hugged his leg, rubbing a small face in the familiar feeling of his baba's presence, a gentle hand caressing his messy hair. The young man's whole countenance radiated pure contentment, as he patiently quizzed a-Yang on what he had learnt - the latter's childish pride in his accomplishments shining within animated dark eyes, and teased a-Yu about needing a brush before bed which earned him a grimace from the smaller boy.
The trio had seemingly forgotten the fourth of their party, lost in catching up after being apart for nearly a month, though his silent presence closing around them akin to a shield didn't perturb them in the slightest. On the contrary, they couldn't have been more at home, more at ease, than in the folds of the dark aura of a cultivator so many feared – and with good reason, a barely-there, but still visible, upturn playing on his lips as he lightly coaxed Lan Huan and the boys on the way towards the latter's rooms.
It still amazed the Wen heir how neither child was in any way affected by the otherwise ever intimidating air of his father – a man even he, who he was closer to out of his two eldest sons, growing up had found hard, if not downright impossible, to approach, let alone seek or receive affection from. He now knew, of course, why that had been – once old enough, he had been trusted with likely the best-kept secret in any of the Great Sects, concerns for safety and burden and life having etched themselves so deep in his father's being that he'd been left as if in an eternal whirlpool just trying to digest everything. He considered it a blessing really, that nearly all of 'the family legacy' had bypassed him, solely certain of its aspects emerging with time and his cultivation's growth much to his relief, and with the elder Wen's help those had become tools, not threats – one of them having given him his son.
Still, it had been a lonely youth, there being no close-age peers in the other Great Sects for him to create any meaningful relationships with - Nie Mingjue had been the closest, with only three years difference (the next being Jiang Yanli and Lan Huan with six). But their characters clashed way too much for anything more than an acquaintance to come out of it - then of course had come the business with the late Sect Leader Nie, and even that fragile bond had soured.
Within their family there weren't many options either – Wen Qing sticking to her healing studies and craft, her brother jumping at his own shadow and utterly terrified of Wen Xu (who had never managed to figure out why, since he'd had little interaction with his younger cousin). A-Chao did not count, whether in the clan or outside it, for various reasons that had sent many a sane person running for fear of losing that same attribute – ironically enough, the elder brother discovered he got along pretty well with the younger's forgotten wife - training together and regularly measuring wits.
She also came from a rather prolific brood, with a number of siblings, which had been a life-saver when he'd separated a-Yuan, him not knowing the first thing about babies – other than from books, the very thought of which had appalled his poor sister-in-law. He could never forget when he had proudly presented his new-born son to her, only to receive a literal screech that had to have woken half the Sun-Scorched Palace "You don't hold babies that way! Do you want to kill him?!" before she had unceremoniously plucked the little one out of his arms and proceeded to enlighten him. An odd companionship had been born that evening and, he mused with an absent smile, thankfully it lasted – goodness knew they both could use it, and it had been of immense help in his interactions with his father's two young wards.
Their first year in Qishan had been spent with only Wen Ruohan and Lan Huan for company, the boys' past hardships and their need for time to acclimate to their new home and guardians having prompted their limited contact with others – especially other adults. Wen Xu, despite his curiosity as to what sort of children had managed to capture an interest so rarely piqued, had given the little ones a wide berth in understanding – he had eyes after all, and there had been signs he'd noticed of a life that had been far from easy on either. Nonetheless, as things settled - an initial, rather awkward, introduction later, he had quickly become 'Xu-gege' to both and a glaring favourite, what with sneaking extra sweets after dinner and telling not-at-all age-appropriate stories before bed.
When a-Yuan had come into the picture, being besieged by inquisitive minds and uncomfortable questions, and having a pair of helpers actively cataloguing the infant's milestones together with him, had been equal parts refreshing and mortifying - with those living examples of what he had to look forward to. Though, hopefully, he wouldn't have to contend with any murderous tendencies towards annoying people in general and grossly incompetent disciples in particular that seemed to be a-Yang's forte, even if they'd been more or less successfully diverted now to those that would actually merit such an end.
The object of his latest musings was in fact mimicking a full recollection of his weapons training – including, shutting several of his peers up on the spot with perfectly aimed daggers, when they'd dared to mock his initial clumsiness with the more complex sword movements, with somewhat disturbing delight. Neither of his parents seemed to care about that detail, one listening enthusiastically, the other - holding a half-asleep a-Yu who snuggled in his neck like a kitten, as he praised a-Yang's skill and approach to the situation, despite Lan Huan's slightly reproving look at that and reminder that words could have been just as effective.
"I will have to leave you here." Wen Xu interjected, unwilling to depart the peaceful atmosphere, but conscious of his presence being a factor very much against the boys going to sleep any time soon. "This little man needs a bath, and is due to be in bed himself." he added, smiling down at his son who rubbed a tiny fist over drooping eyes protesting "No bath!", his a-die raising a disapproving look towards his adult companions "See - your brats are bad influence." To which came a-Yu's sleepy "Uh-un, Yang-gege and I wash every day…", and the Wen leader's mirthful "Thank goodness for the bathing talismans in the pool."
A-Yang, however, had no intention of letting his absolute favourite person go without his dues first "No way, Xu-ge will have to tell us a story – the one about the two immortal, rival friends and the blood curse between them!" at which the designated cultivator shrunk visibly when he noticed the Lan heir mouthing to him 'age-appropriate', with a distinctly menacing gleam in his otherwise smiling eyes. Rolling his own, Wen Xu bent slightly at the waist, ruffling a-Yang's hair with one hand and returning with a grin of his own "Let me get a-Yuan to bed, and we'll see." the resulting pout not deterring him in the slightest, being by now immune to the entire arsenal the pair of rascals boasted – including the dreaded puppy eyes.
With one last nod and smile to the foursome remaining in his wake, they saw him off to his quarters - just down the corridor from their own, before proceeding into the boys' rooms, the youngsters already well-versed in the pre-bed rituals - with gentle hands untying braids and tresses, and brushing out stubborn knots. Hair now perfectly smooth and re-plaited (otherwise, they'd look like a pair of scruffy bushes in the morning), each was then lifted carefully - a-Yang protesting as usual that he was not a baby thank you very much, even as he snuggled in the arms holding him, and placed under warm covers. A brush of two pairs of lips on each small forehead, and a heartfelt wish for pleasant rest, later the tired adventurers were out like lights before they knew it, the two adults tucking them in with a soft smile, then displacing back to their rooms.
Finding themselves once again in their previous position on their bed and within the suspended time-stream created by their minds, Wen Ruohan gestured quizzically towards the rest of the meal from earlier, yet his partner shook a negative. "I know I am technically eating for two, but right now I can't continue – maybe later this evening." meeting the accepting, if still slightly worried, nod in response with a sigh. The elder, now once more tossed into the turmoil that had sprung from their earlier conversation, ran a soothing hand through the black waterfall caressing his chest, the minor tremors in his otherwise steady tone nonetheless betraying his concern "Are things well in Gusu…?" then adding with a smile "Bar the waterborne abyss, of course."
His lover's exasperated eye-roll did not help matters much, that is until he spoke, the notes of clear amusement pacifying the other man's apprehension at least to a point "That, and Wei Wuxian – I swear, he's a walking disaster that even a natural cataclysm will run screaming from, between him and the abyss I'd take the abyss any day! The number of times he has caused trouble for Jiang Cheng, or frayed that poor boy's nerves by forcing him to manage his shixiong's behaviour, is honestly alarming."
And Wen Ruohan himself couldn't help a frown at that – after all, it was no secret to the whole of the Jianghu that Jiang Fengmian decidedly did not parent his ward at all, letting him run unchecked as he pleased, while saddling his shidi with ensuring that the former's antics did not trouble Yunmeng Jiang, which wasn't helping either of the youths. The Wei boy was clever, he'd give him that, but his often-irresponsible attitude, rather pronounced absence of common sense when it mattered and complete disregard for choosing his battles, would get him killed one day, or at the very least land him a number of serious enemies.
That he continuously interfered with Jiang Wanyin's (and likely Jin Zixuan's) pursuit of studies, though, perhaps called for another session of "the missing months" - this time in Qishan, once this year's conference had ended, Lan Huan's mind supplying concurrently the same idea as the two exchanged a knowing grin. Yunmeng's version of the event the previous year had been a resounding success with the four young cultivators – or rather three, as the First Jade was technically part of the minds behind it (and had instead used the occasion to strengthen his bonds with the others), chosen to participate in it.
And the prospect of another half a year spent in good spirits and interesting activities, while not being pestered by demanding, condescending or flat-out neglectful parents and annoying martial brothers, would be the first thing Lan Huan would propose when next seeing the parties concerned. "Zixuan and a-Cheng will definitely take us up on it," he chuckled "if only to get away from Wei Wuxian for a while and actually learn something. Which would mean that roping in Yanli as well would not be an issue, especially" he added with a wink to his human-pillow "if them training with Zhuliu-ge again is on the table." both sharing a meaningful gaze at that last, the fearsome Core-melting Hand's prior involvement having been an unexpected, but not at all unwelcome, boon to the young Jiangs, and for said man himself it had seemed.
Though the direction that particular musing pushed the golden-eyed cultivator in also reminded him "I went to see a-die before I left today – just for a short while…" voice barely above a whisper, the mere recollection eliciting a familiar tranquility within. At this, a smile escaped the Wen leader's lips, knowing full-well that any longer, and Qingheng-Jun would have noticed that his son had been running on spiritual energy alone for way too long, and would have unceremoniously spoon-fed him and then frog-marched him to a proper bed to get some decent shut-eye.
"He asked if he could meet the boys…" the Gusu heir's addition, however, threw his companion into an involuntary shudder of breath reverberating under his beloved's palm where it rested on a marble-hard chest, the icy realisation of what - in all likelihood, underlay this request apart from the obvious, hitting both full-force. "Of course." came the quiet, comfort-laden response, a jagged blend of heavy understanding, silent reassurance and fervent support flowing through their joint hands and beings, together with what the elder didn't need to put into words, but which was received loud and clear, as his protective aura spiked around them…
'You are not to blame… You are not alone… They both loved, and love, you more than life itself…and will not have had it any other way.' the tender, yet indomitable, force of each powerful, unyielding truth resolutely erasing his heart's distress, weary self finally blessedly conquered by much needed respite. The time to fully process all would come, but it was not tonight – no, now was just for the two of them and the world that was entirely their own, a reality nothing and no one out there had the right or ability to destroy.
Tomorrow would bring much more joyful matters to light – crafty plans of flaunting certain of their secrets for all to see without the latter being any the wiser (only to laugh at their obliviousness later), the now-finished, if still a bit clumsy, second part of a heartfelt expression of them that would go on to become both a healing and a battle cry… And above all, enduring pure happiness that would seemingly last forever – for, time itself bowed to them…and they'd use that power to its fullest, wrestling from this otherwise merciless ruler always, eternally just a bit longer, just a day more…