we_bring_hell | This is Halloween!

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This is Halloween!

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.

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"And I love you."

He touches his cheek once more, a soft brush of fingers over skin.

"That is why."

His eyes fall closed; he turns enough to kiss the tips of Lan Zhan's fingers.

(The tiny movement feels much larger and wobblier than it should be -- which, he has to admit ruefully, means he probably really is as drunk as Lan Zhan insists.)

"Plenty of people weren't as patient as you," he murmurs, unconcerned. "Even if they loved me."

It is perhaps just as well that Wei Ying's eyes are closed. Lan Wangji closes his own, briefly, in hopes of hiding anything untoward in his expression.

"They are not me."

"I know." Softly.

It's still a marvel, though, one he can't put to words: this knowledge of just how deeply Lan Zhan loves him. The level of his devotion would frighten Wei Wuxian if he looked at it for too long, like blinding himself by looking into the sun. What could possibly make him worthy of it?

He doesn't know. But at least tonight, the Atlantean keeps him afloat on its warm, shining waters, so he doesn't have to worry too much about things like unworthiness.

He draws a quiet breath, then opens his eyes again and looks at Wei Ying.

With a faint smile, he slides one hand up his back to the nape of his neck and curves his fingers there to exert gentle pressure, trying to coax him to rest his head on Lan Wangji's shoulder.

"Mm."

Wei Wuxian wouldn't put up much of a fight even if he were sober: he lets his head fall onto Lan Zhan's shoulder, tightening his hold just a moment as the world swims pleasantly.

"You're warm," he mumbles against him.

"Are you cold?"

He curves both wings around them, trying to shelter Wei Ying from the lake breezes.

"Not very," he says, comfortably. "But you're still warm."

Especially when he wraps his wings around them like that. It's perfect.

"Mn."

He pulls Wei Ying a little closer, putting both arms around him.

His heart is so full it is overflowing.

He's practically in Lan Zhan's lap by this point, curled against him, the slow drunken tilt of the world rocking him gently. It would be so easy to fall asleep right here: warm, safe, at peace in a way he has not felt in years. But that would mean Lan Zhan would have to carry him upstairs, and Wei Wuxian retains just enough awareness to think, he should not have to do that.

Still. He is quiet, in voice and mind. The moonlight washes over them, scattering its light across the lake as late-season crickets sing in the grass. And it does not take very long before he muffles a yawn against Lan Zhan's shoulder.

He is watching the play of moonlight and starlight against the water, absorbing its crystalline beauty, quietly happy and at peace with Wei Ying in his arms and drowsing into his shoulder, loved and safe.

The yawn draws his attention, though.

"You are tired."

"Maybe," he mumbles, an involuntary smile quirking his lips. "A little."

He brushes Wei Ying's hair back from his face, looking down at him.

"Let me take you upstairs. To rest."

He nods, with care. Another yawn catches him off guard before he can answer.

"Okay," he finally says, and begins the slow, clumsy work of untangling himself from Lan Zhan.

"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.

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.

"Of course."

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

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.

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.

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."

"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.

"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.

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.

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.

"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.

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