[♪♫♬]

[one_note]

[after Yi City and the second time Wei Wuxian gets Lan Wangji drunk, it takes about a day for them to reach the Garden of Annual blossoms. this curious incident takes place in the space of that day.

outside of appeasing the corpse pieces they've been collecting each night, it's not uncommon for Lan Wangji to take the time to practice on the guqin. he doesn't play entire songs, since he's not trying to interact with any spirits at the moment, but safely broken-up sections of Inquiry and Empathy (was Empathy always a musical technique? it is in this timeline, shut up) and the other songs he uses for battle hum through the walls of the rest stop they've paused at on the road.

it's partway through a passage of Empathy that there's a notable shriek of strings, and then silence; when Wei Wuxian goes to check, he'll find Lan Wangji half-collapsed over the instrument, his breathing harsh and a strange fluctuation of energy around him.

a qi deviation...? oh no.]

Comments

[one_note]

[with a faint hint of irritation, very like the actual teenager he knew]

If you do not want to answer then say so.

[weiyingdown]

I didn't mean it like that! I was answering seriously.

[he sounds chagrined though, like he's been called out]

It's not like I think about it. Wouldn't thinking about it all of the time just be depressing?

[one_note]

[looks at the spot where the corpse lay, then down at the guqin in his lap]

...it is...part of me.

[weiyingdown]

[that is an uncomfortable thing to be told by someone who has been mourning you for many, many, many years]

You're not thinking about it all the time, are you? That's practically the definition of letting something weigh you down.

[one_note]

[moves his gaze up to the grey sky]

This part is...old. Life is distracting. But the heart remembers.

[weiyingdown]

[what a good little Lan Zhan. his itchy fingers can't help it--he reaches over to give him a pat on the head]

That's fine, that's fine. I'm sure if you think of them from time to time, they'll be happy with that.

[one_note]

[he twitches, less tolerant of getting patted than the older version in the Burial Mounds, but only half-lifts a hand to fend him off before lowering it again]

You helped.

[weiyingdown]

[messing up his hair before removing his hand]

I didn't do much. Not wanting you to be cooped up in a cave isn't anything spectacular.

[one_note]

[very dignifiedly keeps kneeling there with mussed hair and a crooked forehead ribbon, thanks]

No one else has done it.

[weiyingdown]

No one else is here.

[pausing and actually looking around, like he half expects someone to appear]

No one else is here, right? I haven't seen anyone else.

[one_note]

Why would anyone else be so deep in my heart?

[weiyingdown]

[WELL WHY AM I REALLY DEEP IN YOUR HEART

he doesn't say

because he broke in without asking. it's different.]

Awwwww, Lan Zhan, are you saying I'm special?

[one_note]

Hm.

[weiyingdown]

You've really gotten better at taking jokes, haven't you.

I can guess the answer without asking, but I'll ask anyways: you're staying here, aren't you?

[one_note]

[he simply nods.]

[weiyingdown]

Do you want me to keep you company? I promised another you that I would fix whatever's wrong, but if you ask nicely I'll stick around for a bit. Since you like me so much.

[the teasing is clear in his tone]

[one_note]

[the oddest ghost of an expression crosses his face for a moment, in the slant of his eyes and the corners of his mouth]

Do what you want.

[weiyingdown]

[he puts on an exaggerated pout, not satisfied with the apparently indifferent answer]

That didn't sound like asking nicely.

[one_note]

...do what you want.

[weiyingdown]

[shifting in his seat and giving Lan Wangji a thoroughly dissatisfied look to make it clear that wasn't the response he wanted to hear. but it also seems to be the only one that he's going to get, so he hops to his feet and makes a point of brushing the grass off of his pants. an easy smile is back on his face in seconds]

I always do what I want! And I would actually love to stick around. But I have other things to do, promises to keep. If you can just point me in the right direction I'll be on my way, and you can have your peace and quiet again.

[one_note]

[he's still frowning in muted irritation, something tense in his kneeling posture]

...to what.

[weiyingdown]

[leaning down and peering at his face. one twitchy finger gets about an inch away from Lan Wangji's face, itching to smooth out those frown lines, but the question brings him up short]

I'm not really sure. I thought I was going to go further in, but isn't this the furthest to go?

[one_note]

[he is one moment of distraction away from getting his fingers nipped, frankly]

...no. One more place.

[weiyingdown]

[he's always been one to live dangerously!!!

but he likes all of his fingers. he pulls his hand back]

Hmm. That would make sense. The bigger you was fine with me coming here, but do you not want me to go any further?

[one_note]

...do what you want...!