[ Patience is a thing Lan Wangji possesses in great quantities. He can manage.
Finally, he ties it up in Wei Wuxian's ribbon, the two slim braids standing out in his hair. It gives him time to think about what else he might like to do here. ] Learn another instrument. Some seem different than anything we have at home. Learn more, especially about the stars, and the world in which we have encountered. It is very different.
[ Figure out what actual justice is, to more people, so he can carry with him knowledge of what it means to walk a righteous path. Maybe get some parenting advice, so he can be a better father to Yuan.
Talk to Wei Wuxian without arguing. ] And you, Wei Ying?
[For a long moment he is quiet, uncharacteristically so, so long that it seems he might not answer. When he does, his voice is soft and the answer he gives is not to the question he had intended for Lan Wangji, but it is the truth all the same.]
...I want to do good. [To stand with justice and live without regrets he had once wished, and though he has failed horribly, perhaps here he has a chance to do something good with his life. To make it count. He doesn't want his whole life to have been a waste and source of pain and ruin for others. He doesn't want that to be his legacy.
Though he can't make up for mistakes already made, maybe he can make his life worth something here and leave behind something good in the world.]
I want to help people, Lan Zhan. [He goes silent again, before adding, tentative] Will you help me do that?
[ Unused to Wei Wuxian's silence, Lan Wangji stares at his back, waiting to see what he'll say. If he'll say anything at all.
Of all the people to give such an answer. He might not have believed it, years ago, but now it's firmly cemented in his mind, just how much good Wei Wuxian tried to do. It went terribly in the end, but the road Wei Wuxian walked was a just one. ]
I will. [ Not, he thinks, that Wei Wuxian needs that help. No. He's the one who would benefit. ] Wei Ying.
[ Words tremble on the tip of his tongue, to mention A-Yuan and reassure him that at least one of the Wen remnants was saved. That there's still a trace of Wei Wuxian in this world, in the child he helped to raise, and proof of one aspect of his goodness. But it feels selfish, to burden him with that knowledge and confirm the rest of the Wen's died. So he, uncharacteristically, clears his throat and glances to the side. ] We will find ways to help.
[The smile that Wei Wuxian whirls to grace Lan Wangji with is brilliant even in its softness, bright the way his smiles haven't been since before the war.]
Mmm, we will. Thanks Lan Zhan.
[Together he thinks, not like before. He couldn't have dragged Lan Wangji's name through the mud in their own time, unwilling to even ask it of him, but things are different here. These people don't know the name Yiling Patriarch, and Wei Wuxian has ever been better with Lan Wangji at his side. After one more moment, his smile turns mischievous and he reaches up to pat his hair with one hand.]
[ His ears burn, slightly red but luckily hidden beneath his hair. Wei Wuxian's smiles are unnerving, especially now. And he can't admit to how much he's missed them. Missed working with Wei Wuxian. They've always fought well together; few people can keep up with his abilities like Wei Wuxian can.
He settles his hands back in his lap after handing the comb back. ] I took liberties in doing your hair. I apologize.
[That pulls a laugh out of him and he shakes his head, reaching up now with both hands to run his hands along the braids woven in and smiling even brighter when he feels them.]
You only have to apologize if you've made me look hideous and I doubt Lan Zhan's hands are even capable of such a task. Do I look like a Nie? But prettier, obviously. [He laughs and raises a hand beneath his hair to toss it playfully into the air and laugh some more. Then, rising to his feet, he tugs Lan Wangji up along with him.]
Wei Ying is incapable of looking hideous. But you do not look like a Nie. [ Wei Wuxian is far too pretty for them, as said. ] Their braids are more elaborate. Brother learned to braid as a way to welcome Nie Mingjue.
[ He lets Wei Wuxian tug him up, looking over his rumpled blankets. He'll remake his cot later. ] There is one in the communal restrooms.
[ And aren't those great. Indoor plumbing, what a marvelous thing. ]
[He snorts at that, ignoring the way the comment makes him feel a bit flustered. It's hardly worse than anything he's said about himself. Thankfully, they near the restrooms soon enough and Wei Wuxian pulls Lan Wangji inside with him, grateful that there is no one else inside.]
Lan Zhan, it looks so nice! Did you and your brother practice on each other for fun? [He pats the braids again and then blinks as something occurs to him.]
Did your brother practice on you? Is that how he learned? Did little Lan Zhan wear braids?
Brother practiced on me. I would take them out after he finished. [ Unless Xichen looked at him and asked him to leave them and then he would quietly suffer the indignity of having his hair in braids.
It hadn't been so bad, really. ] He taught me how to do simple braids. I practiced on him, and sometimes my own hair, later.
[Help that's such a cute mental image, Lan Xichen patiently braiding Lan Wangji's hair. He lets out a soft huff of laughter and shakes his head.]
Hmm, I bet you looked good with braids, though you'd probably look good no matter what you did with your hair. Everyone knows Hanguang-Jun is indisputably handsome.
[He gives his hair one more pat and heads towards the door, grinning at Lan Wangji over his shoulder.]
Ridiculous. [ It doesn't fluster him, to hear such talk, but he does avoid looking at Wei Wuxian. He does not need to be excessively vain, and such talk only encourages that. ]
I do not mind doing your hair. [ It's a quiet, secret delight, and something scandalous that feels almost like breaking the rules. Maybe not a Lan sect rule but a rule nonetheless. ]
The movies are fascinating. I was not planning on attending tonight, but we can watch together.
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Finally, he ties it up in Wei Wuxian's ribbon, the two slim braids standing out in his hair. It gives him time to think about what else he might like to do here. ] Learn another instrument. Some seem different than anything we have at home. Learn more, especially about the stars, and the world in which we have encountered. It is very different.
[ Figure out what actual justice is, to more people, so he can carry with him knowledge of what it means to walk a righteous path. Maybe get some parenting advice, so he can be a better father to Yuan.
Talk to Wei Wuxian without arguing. ] And you, Wei Ying?
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...I want to do good. [To stand with justice and live without regrets he had once wished, and though he has failed horribly, perhaps here he has a chance to do something good with his life. To make it count. He doesn't want his whole life to have been a waste and source of pain and ruin for others. He doesn't want that to be his legacy.
Though he can't make up for mistakes already made, maybe he can make his life worth something here and leave behind something good in the world.]
I want to help people, Lan Zhan. [He goes silent again, before adding, tentative] Will you help me do that?
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Of all the people to give such an answer. He might not have believed it, years ago, but now it's firmly cemented in his mind, just how much good Wei Wuxian tried to do. It went terribly in the end, but the road Wei Wuxian walked was a just one. ]
I will. [ Not, he thinks, that Wei Wuxian needs that help. No. He's the one who would benefit. ] Wei Ying.
[ Words tremble on the tip of his tongue, to mention A-Yuan and reassure him that at least one of the Wen remnants was saved. That there's still a trace of Wei Wuxian in this world, in the child he helped to raise, and proof of one aspect of his goodness. But it feels selfish, to burden him with that knowledge and confirm the rest of the Wen's died. So he, uncharacteristically, clears his throat and glances to the side. ] We will find ways to help.
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Mmm, we will. Thanks Lan Zhan.
[Together he thinks, not like before. He couldn't have dragged Lan Wangji's name through the mud in their own time, unwilling to even ask it of him, but things are different here. These people don't know the name Yiling Patriarch, and Wei Wuxian has ever been better with Lan Wangji at his side. After one more moment, his smile turns mischievous and he reaches up to pat his hair with one hand.]
What are you doing? Is it done? Can I look?
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He settles his hands back in his lap after handing the comb back. ] I took liberties in doing your hair. I apologize.
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You only have to apologize if you've made me look hideous and I doubt Lan Zhan's hands are even capable of such a task. Do I look like a Nie? But prettier, obviously. [He laughs and raises a hand beneath his hair to toss it playfully into the air and laugh some more. Then, rising to his feet, he tugs Lan Wangji up along with him.]
Come on, I need to find a mirror.
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[ He lets Wei Wuxian tug him up, looking over his rumpled blankets. He'll remake his cot later. ] There is one in the communal restrooms.
[ And aren't those great. Indoor plumbing, what a marvelous thing. ]
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Lan Zhan, it looks so nice! Did you and your brother practice on each other for fun? [He pats the braids again and then blinks as something occurs to him.]
Did your brother practice on you? Is that how he learned? Did little Lan Zhan wear braids?
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It hadn't been so bad, really. ] He taught me how to do simple braids. I practiced on him, and sometimes my own hair, later.
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Hmm, I bet you looked good with braids, though you'd probably look good no matter what you did with your hair. Everyone knows Hanguang-Jun is indisputably handsome.
[He gives his hair one more pat and heads towards the door, grinning at Lan Wangji over his shoulder.]
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Take them out before bed.
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Ah, I won't forget.
Hey, have you seen any of the movies they show at night? Aren't they brilliant, Lan Zhan? Let's watch together tonight.
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The movies are fascinating. I was not planning on attending tonight, but we can watch together.