This is Halloween!

[we_bring_hell]

The Bar loves her holidays, but she is also capable of respecting religious strictures. That's why she put a lot of thought into finding a Halloween costume for Harrow that works with her face paint and general insistence on the monochromatic.

Harrow, for her part, is baffled by the white-pinstriped black suit and the oversized bow, but the gloves are very cool, and the buckled shoes suit as well. She has no idea what's going on but she can live with this.

The Bar seems even more unusually populated than usual, and there are a lot of gourds around. Hm.

Comments

[lightamidchaos]

"Wait," he says, hugging him closer.

Lan Wangji shifts position slightly, keeping one arm around Wei Ying's back, then slips his other arm beneath his legs and stands with Wei Ying in his arms.

[acrookedpath]

Oh. Huh.

"Lan Zhan, I can walk," he insists, even as he wraps his arms around Lan Zhan's neck to hold on more securely.

[lightamidchaos]

"Of course."

He does not seem inclined to allow him to do so, however, and starts slowly back to the inn, still carrying him.

[acrookedpath]

Well... it would probably be too much of a bother to argue. Besides, Wei Wuxian can't say he minds staying in Lan Zhan's arms a little longer.

He tries to tuck his wings closer to himself so they aren't in Lan Zhan's way. It takes a couple of attempts before he succeeds, and the effort is enough to pull another expansive yawn out of him.

[lightamidchaos]

There is something almost impossibly fond about his expression as he looks down at Wei Ying, but he says nothing.

As they reach the inn, he nudges the door open with his foot, then takes advantage of the trick Gideon had suggested to him earlier.

Both white wings sweep out to their fullest extent, forcing people to give them space.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian's eyes widen, awed, as the rush of white feathers expands like the canopy of a forest. He might be dreaming this; he isn't entirely sure anymore. Everything is so hazy except for Lan Zhan. Always Lan Zhan, the fixed point in every tumult, the constant of his heart.

"You're so beautiful," he mumbles. "I love you so much."

[lightamidchaos]

"My Wei Ying."

He leans down and kisses his forehead, then starts across the common room to the stairs, keeping his wings extended.

People clear the way for them, leaving their path unimpeded.

[acrookedpath]

"Yours," he agrees on a long, contented sigh. He closes his eyes as they ascend the stairs. "So glad."

The floaty, spinning feeling, intensifying with each shift of Lan Zhan's feet, makes him think they are flying. Just the two of them, so high in the clouds that no worldly concern could find them. Together.

[lightamidchaos]

He holds him a little more closely as they climb, protecting Wei Ying like the treasure that he is.

Once they reach the upper hallway, out of the common areas, the magic that Bar-guniang had imposed on them fades. Both sets of wings dissipate as they approach their room, and their clothing shifts back into their accustomed attire.

Lan Wangji will not admit it, but he is a little relieved.

[acrookedpath]

No more wings? Aw. Wei Wuxian was starting to like them.

Sensing their presence, the locking talisman activates in a shimmer of energy; the door clicks open to allow them inside. Wei Wuxian mumbles something faint and incomprehensible, winding his arms more snugly around Lan Zhan's neck.

[lightamidchaos]

"Mn."

He carries Wei Ying across the room and lowers him, gently, until he is sitting on the edge of the bed. Lan Wangji kneels down in front of him, holding both his hands.

"Do you want a bath?" he asks.

He is fairly certain that Wei Ying cannot manage the shower that the bathing room offers.

[acrookedpath]

He blinks owlishly at Lan Zhan, working to bring his face into focus, and squeezes his hands to keep himself steady.

Does he want a bath? It's a good question.

"I think so," he says eventually. "Should I?"

[lightamidchaos]

"I will help you. Wait here."

He frees a hand and brushes it over Wei Ying's hair, then alternately coaxes and helps him to lean back against the headboard.

Once he is sure that Wei Ying is not going to pitch over in the next few minutes, he goes to the bathing room and draws the bathtub full. While it is filling, he lays out clean clothes for him and locates the camellia oil for his hair, along with his own comb. When all is ready, he returns to Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

He's tipped his head back against the headboard, running his fingers over the bedclothes as he drowsily watches the ceiling swim. Even if Lan Zhan hadn't told him to move, he's not sure he would be able to go anywhere anymore. Not without help.

Maybe Lan Zhan was right earlier. Wei Wuxian should tell him, just to be certain.

"Lan Zhan, I think you're right," he says. "I'm much too drunk."

[lightamidchaos]

"I know. It is all right."

He puts an arm around him and helps him to his feet.

[acrookedpath]

"You don't mind looking after me?"

He wobbles upright; gingerly puts his feet where Lan Zhan directs as they shuffle toward the washroom.

[lightamidchaos]

"I like taking care of Wei Ying."

Very much so, if the deep fondness in his tone is any indication - which it is.

He maneuvers them into the bathing room and helps Wei Ying to sit on the wide edge of the bathtub, then starts unfastening his robes.

[acrookedpath]

He braces his hands on either side of himself and watches Lan Zhan work, a new smile tugging at his mouth. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

With exaggerated care, he leans forward to plant a kiss on the emblem at the center of Lan Zhan's forehead.

[lightamidchaos]

His breath catches, but he does not stop what he is doing.

"Mark your words," he murmurs.

Once the last of Wei Ying's clothes are dealt with, he gently pulls the red ribbon from his hair, then helps him into the bath.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian grins. While it's too unfocused to be a truly wicked smile, he makes a decent attempt.

The water's comfortably warm when he slips in, and he sighs, keeping hold of Lan Zhan's hand to anchor him. He wriggles low enough to lean his head on the wide ledge; his loose hair spreads around him like ribbons of ink.

[lightamidchaos]

"I will wash your hair," he murmurs. "Relax."

He works up a lather with the shampoo, then begins massaging Wei Ying's scalp with strong fingers.

[acrookedpath]

He hums, low and long, and shivers despite the warmth of the water. For a moment, he almost seems to lose touch with the boundaries of his body, as if he has turned to water himself. He only exists in the places beneath the pads of Lan Zhan's fingers.

"You're so good at this," he murmurs.

[lightamidchaos]

He makes a low, noncommittal sound, and keeps going.

Eventually he gets the soap all the way through Wei Ying's hair, lathering thoroughly before he gathers the black strands in his hand and tugs, tipping his head back so that he can rinse without getting soap in his eyes.

[acrookedpath]

His hand tightens on the bathtub's rim, and his next sigh shakes fractionally. He closes his eyes as Lan Zhan rinses away the soap, even though it makes the tub pitch beneath him like a storm-tossed boat. When he sways, Lan Zhan is there to steady him.

Unconsciously, he starts to hum beneath his breath: a melody with no name, formed from his scattered thoughts like fog gathered in a valley.

[lightamidchaos]

He listens, heart full of joy, as he secures Wei Ying's damp hair in a loose twist and moves on to help with the rest of his bath.

First legs, then arms, then he coaxes him first to lean forward so that Lan Wangji can wash his back -- and then to lean back, so that he can wash the rest of his body, gently supporting him all the while.