Backlash Part 1

Chapter 67: Mysterious Array

Usually when Wei Wuxian was working he was very animated. He would fidget, make faces, sometimes even talk to his work. It was incredibly endearing and Lan Wangji loved it, but serious Wei Wuxian. Focused and determined, only speaking when it was to command Lan Wangji to do something as part of the process. It made Lan Wangji's mouth feel dry as warmth spread through his body to settle just below his stomach. Serious Wei Wuxian was entirely too attractive. It was a good thing Wei Wuxian wasn't serious very often, because Lan Wangji did not think his self control would survive it.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian called and Lan Wangji looked into the sparkling mischievous eyes.

"Mn." Lan Wangji responded.

"I had to spend hours working on this array, for seven days in a row. Not counting the hours coming up with this array, and the hours I had to spend replenishing my spiritual energy every day." Wei Wuxian counted off the things he had to do on his fingers, the entire time pouting adorably. Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji with big eyes, batting his eyelashes. Lan Wangji tried to swallow back the urge to pin Wei Wuxian against the library wall."

"Mn. Wei Ying worked hard." Lan Wangji tried to keep his voice neutral. It had never felt so difficult to do so until Wei Wuxian came into his life. Wei Wuxian came up to him and wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji's neck.

"So, how will my fiance reward me?" We Wuxian asked with an innocent smile on his face. The smile was innocent. The look in Wei Wuxian's eyes was not.

Lan Wangji captured Wei Wuxian's lips in a kiss before Wei Wuxian could say anything more. Wei Wuxian opened his mouth eagerly to Lan Wangji, allowing Lan Wangji's tongue to explore without restriction. The kiss sent shivers down both of their spines and Lan Wangji couldn't hold himself back from biting Wei Wuxian's lip. Wei Wuxian moaned and only Lan Wangji's hands around his waist kept Wei Wuxian from falling to the ground as his legs gave out. Lan Wangji pulled back from the kiss trying to recover his breath. Wei Wuxian was panting, his eyes were dazed and unfocused in the most beautiful way.

Lan Wangji scooped Wei Wuxian into his arms and carried him back to the Jingshi. Along the way, Wei Wuxian nuzzled Lan Wangji's neck happily. He loved the warmth of the arms around him and the scent of sandalwood, the scent that reminded him of Lan Wangji, always soothed him. Inside the Jingshi Lan Wangji set Wei Wuxian down on the bed and tried to step back, only to find Wei Wuxian was refusing to let him go.

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji said looking at the man he loved, who was once again pouting.

"Lan Zhan~. One kiss is not reward enough. I had to work hard for seven whole days in a row. That is definitely worth more than one kiss." Wei Wuxian complained.

"Wei Ying."

'My Wei Ying. I want to bite that lip that you stick out when you pout. I want to kiss you, mark you, touch you. You have no idea how much I want you.' Lan Wangji took slow breaths to try and calm himself down. 'You've exhausted your spiritual energy again. You have been pushing yourself so hard recently. I don't want our first time together to be painful, or marred by exhaustion and stress. I want it to be perfect for you.'

"Wei Ying is exhausted." Lan Wangji said once he was able to gather his thoughts. Wei Wuxian pouted.

"Who says?" Wei Wuxian said defiantly. "You're the one used to going to bed early."

"Bath first." Lan Wangji said calmly.

"More kisses after?" Wei Wuxian pressed.

'Wei Ying, do you understand what you are doing to me?' Lan Wangji sighed.

"Bath first. I will prepare it." Lan Wangji finally escaped Wei Wuxian's arms to prepare the bath water. Once the tub was filled he checked the temperature before turning toward the bed to let Wei Wuxian know.

"Wei Ying..." Lan Wangji prodded gently. He had found Wei Wuxian struggling to keep his eyes open.

"Mn? You took too long." Wei Wuxian whined sleepily. Lan Wangji smiled fondly at the man who had insisted just a short while ago that he wasn't tired. Lan Wangji scooped Wei Wuxian in his arms and brought him over to the bath. He helped remove his outer layers and turned away letting Wei Wuxian drowsily remove the rest on his own. He heard the sound of sloshing water as Wei Wuxian climbed into the tub followed by a deep contented sigh.

Lan Wangji listened to the sounds of sloshing water as Wei Wuxian bathed. After a while the noises stopped. Lan Wangji cautiously looked around the privacy screen to see Wei Wuxian clinging to the side of the tub, pillowing his head on one of his arms. Wei Wuxian struggled often with staying asleep, but he had been getting much better with falling asleep. Apparently to the point that falling asleep in the bathtub was now an option.

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji called gently. When that didn't work he called Wei Wuxian again and gently shook his shoulder. Wei Wuxian groaned unhappily. Lan Wangji sighed. Being cautious with his gaze he pulled Wei Wuxian out of the bathtub. Wei Wuxian woke up enough to stand on his own and immediately bury his face against Lan Wangji's chest. Fortunately Lan Wangji had held up the towel just beforehand and was able to wrap it around Wei Wuxian and dry him off with only minor whines of protest.

"Lan Zhan... You didn't give me more kisses..." Wei Wuxian woke up enough to remember his previous complaint.

"Get dressed for bed. Then kiss." Lan Wangji replied. Lan Wangji knew his ears were blushing dark red, but thankfully Wei Wuxian was too tired to notice.

"Two kisses." Wei Wuxian insisted. Lan Wangji had to take a steadying breath. Wei Wuxian like this was too adorable for words. He calmed himself down enough to nod his head in agreement.

"Mn. Wei Ying dresses for bed. Gets two kisses." Lan Wangji said with his most serious tone. Wei Wuxian dressed himself haphazardly then immediately buried his face in Lan Wangji's chest once more. Apparently standing by himself sounded like too much work. So Wei Wuxian had decided burying himself in Lan Wangji's arms and leaning against him was the best place to be. Lan Wangji smiled as he gently ran his fingers through Wei Wuxian's hair. Wei Wuxian's face emerged as he leaned his head back, chasing the feeling of fingers scratching against his scalp. Lan Wangji leaned down and kissed Wei Wuxian. The kiss was much slower than the one from earlier. Lan Wangji could feel Wei Wuxian melt against him. Lan Wangji easily scooped Wei Wuxian into his arms and carried him to bed. In bed he went in for the second kiss, softer and shorter than the one before it, but Wei Wuxian still hummed happily.

"Good night, my Wei Ying." Lan Wangji whispered gently. As Lan Wangji pulled the blanket over them, Wei Wuxian was already closing the distance between them. His arms and legs coiled around Lan Wangji, as though trying to prevent him from escaping. Wei Wuxian let out a contented sigh as he rested his head on Lan Wangji's chest.

"Love Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian mumbled groggily as he fell asleep. Lan Wangji wrapped his arms around Wei Wuxian and basked in the feeling of warmth in his chest.

"Love Wei Ying." Lan Wangji whispered happily.