Chapter Text
The cottage stood in solemn stillness, nestled at the edge of the shore, where the waves whispered against the sand. Moonlight traced silver lines across the water, painting rippling patterns that shimmered like scales in the dark.
The juniors waited in heavy silence, their tails coiled beneath them in restless tension. Their gills fluttered against their throats, opening and closing in an anxious rhythm, as if they were struggling to breathe.
Lan Jingyi was gnawing at his nails, his golden tail twitching. Jin Ling stood stiffly, his shoulders squared, but his fins quivered faintly, betraying the nerves he refused to show. Lan Sizhui’s hands curled tightly around his sword, knuckles white. Ouyang Zizhen, wide-eyed and fidgeting, was muttering under his breath.
"Quiet mystery of lone dragons alluring,
calls of migrant geese echoing distances.
I meet sky, unable to soar among clouds,
face a river, all those depths beyond me…"
“Why are you reciting poetry?” Jingyi hissed, shooting him a look.
Ouyang Zizhen’s tail flicked nervously. “If I don’t, I’ll throw up.”
Jin Ling, still deathly pale, muttered, “Then keep reciting.”
Then–
The door creaked.
The juniors tensed.
A figure stepped out, shadowed by the dim glow of the lanterns. Black scales gleamed under the flickering light, a tail dripping saltwater onto the wooden floor. Red markings pulsed along his collarbone, faint but unmistakable.
Wei Wuxian tilted his head, surprised by the sheer terror on their faces.
Then–
Shing!
A blade flashed toward him.
Wei Wuxian’s fingers snapped up, catching the edge between two fingers just as it stopped short of his throat. His red eyes flickered with amusement.
“Well, now,” he mused, “that’s quite the welcome.”
Lan Sizhui’s sword clattered to the ground. His hands trembled as he dropped to his knees, bowing low, forehead nearly touching the wooden planks. His gills flared wildly, struggling to regulate his breath.
“Mo-qianbei, I have committed an unpardonable offense.” His voice was hoarse. “When we return to Gusu, I will accept whatever punishment Hanguang-Jun deems fit.”
Wei Wuxian blinked. “What?”
Lan Wangji, standing behind him, remained silent, though his expression was unreadable. His golden eyes, framed by frost-colored lashes, were turned slightly toward Sizhui, but there was no indication of how he felt about the boy’s outburst.
Wei Wuxian sighed, crouching down. “Oi, stand up already! You didn’t even touch me. If I got a punishment every time I nearly killed someone, I’d never leave seclusion.”
Sizhui did not budge.
Lan Jingyi finally snapped out of his frozen state and turned toward Jin Ling, who was staring blankly at Wei Wuxian as if he’d seen a ghost.
“What happened?” Jingyi demanded. “Why did you take so long?”
Wei Wuxian’s gaze darkened—just for a moment.
“Trouble,” he said, easy grin returning. “We had some… unexpected company.”
Jin Ling’s tail flicked sharply. “You were being followed?”
Wei Wuxian whistled. “Oh? You noticed?”
Jingyi groaned. “Wei-gongzi, that’s not a good thing!”
Wei Wuxian patted his head. “Relax, relax. You juniors weren’t in any danger. But if you see a merperson with a lilac-colored tail—get the hell out of there.”
Lan Wangji finally spoke. His voice was quiet, yet firm. “If you encounter him, do not engage. Evacuate at once.”
A shiver passed through the juniors.
Wei Wuxian clapped his hands together. “Alright, enough gloom! Let’s find an inn before I dry out.”
The journey was swift, the path well-worn from the tides. The sea stretched endlessly beside them, the scent of salt lingering in the air.
Wei Wuxian swam with an easy stride, but he didn’t miss the way Lan Wangji’s tail brushed against his. It wasn’t an accident. Even though he didn’t need to guide him, he let it be. The way Lan Wangji’s senses had sharpened in place of his sight was already impressive.
He caught the faint twitch of Lan Wangji’s gills, the way his long, pale tail glided effortlessly over the cobblestones.
‘So elegant.’
Wei Wuxian smiled to himself.
They eventually arrived in Qinghe, at the border of the city.
Wei Wuxian grinned, slipping a hand into Lan Wangji’s robes. He fished out his coin purse, shaking it with delight.
“Dinner’s on me, juniors!” He beamed. “Well, technically, on Lan Zhan, but same thing.”
Lan Wangji sighed.
The restaurant was lively, filled with the chatter of merchants, cultivators, and travelers passing through. The scent of sizzling meats and rich broths filled the air, mingling with the sharp bite of alcohol and freshly steamed rice. Among the bustling crowd sat a small group dressed in white and blue, their presence instantly recognizable as disciples of the Gusu Lan Clan—save for one.
Wei Wuxian, grinning as wide as the crescent moon, leaned forward onto the wooden counter, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Ah… Gongzi, what name shall this order be fulfilled for?” the waiter asked, his ink brush poised over the ordering slip.
“Ah and, I'll need a surname for our alcohol contest! If you manage to drink more than seven bottles, I'll change my last name to yours!” It was likely a marketing ploy and a way to get more wine sold, but Wei Ying didn't care. Wine was wine
He didn’t even hesitate. The Yiling Patriarch turned to Lan Wangji, the grin on his face growing ever wider before he flashed it proudly back at the waiter.
“My surname…is Lan.”
Jingyi choked on his tea, barely managing to keep it from spraying all over his blue and white tail. Around them, conversations stilled, gazes flickering toward Wei Wuxian with a mixture of confusion and intrigue. After all, what could this handsome young master have said to make the younger child so shocked?
Lan Wangji, who had been in the middle of adjusting his robes before taking a seat, nearly tripped over his own hem. Somehow. His tail flicked out instinctively, readjusting to counterbalance the sudden…misstep. It was just an accident, totally not caused by anything that the other man had said.
Wei Wuxian, the absolute menace that he was, let out a bright, shameless laugh. He clapped Lan Wangji on the back, guiding him to sit down before sliding into his own seat. “Ah, Lan Zhan, don’t look so stiff! You’re making it seem like I committed a crime.”
Lan Wangji said nothing, merely straightened himself and folded his hands in his lap, though his ears had turned suspiciously red.
‘Aiyo…The willow tree blooms, bright and sweet, as the sparrow sings with rhythm. The sparrow does not leave the willow, forever tied to him. Hanguang-jun seems so…enamored with Mo-qianbei! I don't think anyone else has noticed though.’ Ouyang Zizhen gazed at the elder duo, feeling his romantic heart expand.
Wei Wuxian preened, happy that he had gotten a reaction out of the stoic Lan Zhan. But then again, lately, the man had been showing much more emotion. Must be maturing, his twenties must’ve hit him hard with pressure to find a wife and all that. Wei Wuxian’s thoughts were once again just slightly off center.
Meanwhile, the rest of the juniors had already fallen into their usual rhythm—Jingyi and Zizhen chattering about something or another, Lan Sizhui listening quietly, Jin Ling occasionally sticking in his opinion, and Jing Bai silently shoving more food into Sui Qing’s bowl.
Before anyone could really dive into the topic, the waiter returned—shockingly managing to balance all the plates Wei Wuxian had enthusiastically ordered earlier.
“And wine!” Wei Wuxian cheered as another cup was placed before him.
The dishes were swiftly arranged across the table, the steam rising from the plates carrying a mouthwatering aroma.
“Lan-gongzi,” the waiter said hesitantly, glancing at the towering stack of spice-covered dishes. “You did request our spiciest option… alongside The Old Grandmaster’s chili oil.”
Jingyi, seated directly beside Wei Wuxian, visibly flinched and immediately scooted a full arm’s length away.
Wei Wuxian, already reaching for his chopsticks, paused and turned toward him, feigning offense. “Why are you suddenly moving away from me, child? Am I really that ugly?”
Jingyi’s face twisted in exasperation. “It’s not you, it’s–” He pointed dramatically at the food. “That.”
Wei Wuxian arched a brow, then grinned. “Oh? You're scared of a little heat?”
Jingyi crossed his arms. “I’m scared of my food getting contaminated by whatever fiery monstrosity you’re about to put in your mouth!”
Wei Wuxian cackled, grabbing the cup of wine the waiter had brought. He took a long sip, smacking his lips in satisfaction.
“Don't think we've forgotten the congee.” Jin Ling glowered, before turning back to his own massive lobster tail. He may be a brat, but he has taste.
Wei Wuxian raised a scaled hand, wiping away the spots of red wine on his dark lips.
Lan Wangji, who had been silent up until this moment, was now staring.
Heavily.
At his lips.
Before Wei Wuxian could tease him for it, he turned back to the waiter, raising an eyebrow. “Hey, before you swim off, have you seen or heard anything strange lately?”
The waiter hesitated. “Strange?”
Wei Wuxian leaned forward on one elbow, resting his chin against his hand, lips curling into a lopsided smirk. “Mmm, unorthodox.”
The poor waiter visibly swallowed, his inner alarm bells going off. His hands trembled slightly as he adjusted his tray. “Well… Since Lan-gongzi was so generous in buying nearly our entire menu, I have heard some rumors as of late…”
“Oh?” Wei Wuxian scooted even closer, his smirk deepening.
The waiter turned pink.
Lan Wangji, whose patience was already running thin, subtly narrowed his eyes.
‘The scent of vinegar is strong here.’ Sui Qing sipped his tea regally, watching Lan Wangji's eyes darken rapidly. Lan Sizhui bristled, likely feeling the tense atmosphere.
‘Aiyo, the wealthier looking Gongzi…why is he looking at me as if I'm stealing his wife!?’
The waiter cleared his throat quickly. “Ah–uh, yes! There’s been talk about a graveyard recently. Corpses flowing out left and right–”
At once, the juniors perked up, their expressions shifting from playful to intrigued.
“Since when?” Lan Wangji finally spoke, his voice calm but firm.
“Just recently! The town’s been saying that if only that headshaker of a sect leader wasn’t so incompetent, things would’ve been handled already.”
Wei Wuxian blinked. “Headshaker?”
The waiter sighed dramatically. “You know, one question, three ‘I don’t knows’--”
Ah.
Nie Huaisang.
Wei Wuxian snorted. “Aiya, don’t be too harsh on the poor guy. He’s just–”
“A coward?” The waiter cut in. “The last sect leader always took care of his people, but the current Nie-zongzhu? He swims to Lanling Jin or Gusu Lan for help.”
Wei Wuxian’s brows rose slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. He tapped a single finger against the table.
The waiter glanced around, noting the golden tails of Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling, the pale green of Ouyang Zizhen, and the white and blue of the Lan juniors. His gaze lingered on Jin Ling. “Ah, you and the younger Gongzi must be Jins! A very wealthy and helpful clan. Lianfang-zun has been so kind to Nie-zongzhu.”
At that, Jin Ling straightened just a little, puffing his chest out at the praise of his Xiao-shushu.
“Are you and the elder Gongzi father and son?” The waiter smiled expectantly, and Jing Bai snorted into his tea.
…
“No, he's…my Shushu.”
Wei Wuxian, ever the opportunist, couldn’t resist. “Oh? You finally admit that this elder is your beloved shushu?” His expression turned wicked.
‘Shouldn’t I be jiujiu, then? Or shishu? Ah, whatever.’
Jin Ling shot him a glare, grumbling under his breath.
Meanwhile, Lan Wangji was still focused on one thing: Nie Huaisang.
“Why wouldn’t he address this himself?” Lan Wangji murmured, more to himself than to the others.
Wei Wuxian hummed. “Good question.” Then, turning to the waiter, he flashed another easy grin. “I should find out.”
Lan Wangji nodded, slowly beginning to eat, while the juniors eagerly devoured their food.
The atmosphere shifted back into something lighter, conversation and laughter filling the table. Even Lan Wangji—rigid rule-follower and all—seemed more at ease.
Wei Wuxian, watching this, smirked. “Ah, so the stick is loosening up, huh?”
Lan Wangji paused mid-bite.
Wei Wuxian leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. “It’s you, Lan Zhan. You’re the stick.”
Lan Wangji promptly ignored him.
The waiter, in the meantime, had returned with another round of wine, barely masking his shock at how quickly Wei Wuxian had downed the previous batch.
As the evening carried on, Wei Wuxian let himself sink into the moment. Good food, good company, a mystery to chase after—what more could he ask for?
He poured himself another drink, his mind already spinning with possibilities.
Nie Huaisang. A graveyard. Corpses moving.
And the ever-generous kindness of Lianfang-zun.
A slow smile curled on his lips.
This was about to get interesting.
“Kids! Bed time,” he grinned, and half the juniors all flopped around, gills raising as they begged to be allowed to stay awake a few more hours. Wei Wuxian smirked and flicked Lan Jingyi in the forehead, “I suppose.” Even if he had told them no, they wouldn't have listened.
The juniors scurried off, and Wei Wuxian let his tail hang off the side of his chair. His thoughts of Hao Xiongdi came back, and he began pouring himself another cup of wine.
‘Hao Xiongdi…from the limbs we've found and the muscular tail, it seems like this person was very powerful and strong.’ His thoughts ran through him like a river, and he managed to not notice Lan Wangji downing his cup of wine.
With a…slightly indisposed Lan Wangji right next to him–Wei Wuxian whistled the waiter over, slamming the bag of coins on the table.
“Just leave whatever's left up in front of our door! Gotta go!”
The waiter looks confused, ogling at the bag of gold as if the Gods had given him a true blessing.
Yet Wei Wuxian didn't get to see his reaction as a tight hand grasped his own, fingers intertwined, and he was dragged out of the restaurant!
The street was empty, not a single soul or vendor in sight. Only the intertwined hands of white and red as they moved towards the center of the street.
A sudden memory appeared into Wei Wuxian's head, the similarities between both situations laughably the same.
“Aha Lan Zhan, you know what this suddenly reminded me of?”
“What?”
“When you caught me sneaking wine into Gusu of course! You grabbed a hold of me, just like this…are you feeling nostalgic tonight or something?”
Lan Wangji does not respond, rather seems to frog blink in his direction, eyes focusing in and out on Wei Wuxian’s face, tail, for some reason his lips…
Wei Wuxian laughs, suddenly jolting Lan Wangji out of whatever headspace he was in.
“Well,” he started, extending the word into a gleeful taunt, “I suddenly feel very nostalgic tonight! What do you say Lan Zhan, wanna chase me again?”
He dashes away before Lan Wangji could respond, dragging his tail through the sand to hide his tracks.
Wei Wuxian looked over his shoulder, frantically glancing every few seconds as he swam towards the roof. His tail brushed against the roof tiles, his nerves alight with tension.
The sudden rush of water against his neck made his fins twitch, the healthy joints responding with a quick flick as he swished to the side.
There in front of him was none other than Lan Wangji, his forehead ribbon slipping down his face as he fumbled with it.
Wei Wuxian giggled, something he hadn't done in a while. Probably during his studies at Foam Recesses?
He sighed, clicking his tongue to get Lan Wangji's attention again.
“Ahh Hanguang-jun, I thought this was a chase to vanquish the horrible Yilling Laozu…or maybe he'll let this humble Patriarch go, hm?
This was the final thread to Lan Wangji's patience as he dashed forward, hand reaching out towards his robes.
With a thrilled laugh, he twirls away, fins flaring out from behind to create a drag against the current.
“Oho? Is that the best you can do Lan Zhan?”
Under the dappled sheen of marbled light, two figures danced. A mix of white and red, of mourning and love, joined together in harmony.
Every grab was met with a block, every laugh was returned with a small smile.
They bounded over roofs and homes, their tails hitting and moving with precise twists.
Wei Wuxian grunted, his arm put and ready to catch Lan Wangji's wrist on his own, when suddenly another swept under his waist—curling around him?!
To his shock, Lan Wangji was doing the unthinkable. He still held a tight grip on his wrist, pulling it closer to his neck as the other was tucked underneath his tail, bringing him chest level to Lan Wangji.
“Ah?! Lan Zhan you cheater! you caught me off guard!”
He ignored how Lan Wangji's heart was bursting from the seams, its thumps going at light speed against his shoulder.
Quickly he was set down, a sudden determination crossed Lan Wangji's face. Suddenly, he started to swim away, leaving Wei Wuxian alone upon the rooftop.
‘Well, that was a…turn of events?’
Wei Wuxian rolled his shoulders, watching Lan Wangji look down from the rooftop for something along the seabed.
He watched Lan Wangji circle around, eyes glazed over as he seemed to be deep in thought.
Before he could ask what he was doing, a blurred object of something appeared!
Flying through the air were brown and black darts, their gleam perfectly visible under the ocean's light.
Yet before they could hit him—a flash of white went in front of him, Bichen drawn and slashing each dart until they were mere dust.
Yet another round came just as Lan Wangji had put his sword away, back turning towards Wei Wuxian.
Again, he somehow turns, grabs something from his robes, it was a wine bottle! With shock on his face, he watched as Lan Wangji threw a precious bottle of Emperors Smile towards the remaining darts, the liquid spilling onto the sea floor, never to be drunk.
He winced at the waste of such good wine, face pulling into a pout as he watched the ceramic drift down onto the sandy floor.
Before he could exclaim a good well done, Lan Wangji pushed his tail at lightning speed, darting away on a pursuit towards the swimming assassin. The assassin's tail was a familiar lilac color, with a robe trying its hardest to cover the color.
He knew Lan Wangji would somehow catch the assassin, so his frantic chasing was more calm rather than fast and determined like Lan Wangjis. The flashes of white and dark robes followed neck and neck as one swerved and cut corners, the other–Lan Wangji–following close behind.
The assassin suddenly cuts the corner, Wei Wuxian’s neck almost snapping towards the clever escape. He quickly swam over to Lan Wanji, watching as his chest rose up and down, his eyes closing as he concentrated on controlling his breathing once again.
A flash of color made his head turn, his neck straining with the sudden twist.
“There!”
Both quickly followed the sudden flash of light, but when they turned the corner, there was nothing. No mer, not even a fish.
Yet there was one thing in front of them.
A graveyard.
It was an expansive one, filled with overturned sand and uncared for gravestones. The names were all scribbled out, their names forever lost–never to be truly mourned.
Who would disgrace this many graves?
They swam forward, robes billowing behind them in gentle waves. He ran a finger over the grave, feeling the texture of the grainy stone beneath his fingers.
However, before he could question the situation even more–the sudden sound of digging perked his fins. He slowly made his way over, putting on a confident facade as the person aggressively digging appeared.
“So…watcha doing there buddy?”
The person startles, suddenly fumbling around their robes as they throw something against the hard ground. Whatever it was that they threw, definitely made an impact as the surrounding area between both him and Lan Wangji became shrouded in a mist-like substance.
The sea felt different now.
Gone was the warm glow of lantern-fish and the gentle hum of the city. As they swam deeper, the water pressed down heavier, colder. The ocean floor stretched wide and uneven, littered with the remnants of coral ruins, their jagged edges swallowed by drifting sand.
Wei Wuxian exhaled, watching the way his breath clouded and curled in the current before dissolving into nothing.
This place had once been alive. He could feel it in the bones of the ruins, in the crumbling arches swallowed by time. A city, a home, a grave.
A shiver, not of fear, but something else. Something unspoken.
Ahead of him, Lan Wangji pressed forward, movements swift and purposeful. His eyes gleamed like fire-opals, scanning the depths for any sign of their target.
The assassin had fled this way.
And yet–
Wei Wuxian slowed, his tail brushing against the soft seabed. “Lan Zhan.”
A flick of white silk. Lan Wangji halted, turning to him, silent but attentive.
Wei Wuxian gestured to the graves. “Doesn’t this place seem… odd to you?”
Lan Wangji glanced at the overgrown stones. Though his face remained impassive, something in his posture shifted—an almost imperceptible stiffness, the tightening of his grip around Bichen’s hilt.
“…Yes.”
Wei Wuxian hummed. “Abandoned graves, names scratched out… and yet someone was desperate enough to dig here. Strange, isn’t it?”
Lan Wangji didn’t reply, but his eyes swept the ground with renewed focus.
Something was wrong.
The graves weren’t just old, they had been defaced. Stone slabs cracked, inscriptions erased by something more deliberate than time. Even the coral that had overtaken parts of the graveyard seemed unnatural, curling too thickly around certain markers, as if swallowing them whole.
Wei Wuxian’s fingers twitched at his side.
There was resentment here.
It whispered beneath the sand, coiled around the forgotten names. It wasn’t strong enough to manifest, but…
Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji, lips quirking despite the unease curling in his stomach. “Well, Hanguang-jun, what do you think? A simple robbery, or something more exciting?”
Lan Wangji looked at him, expression unreadable. “…We should leave.”
Wei Wuxian blinked.
“Leave? What, so soon? You’re not even curious?”
Lan Wangji’s brows furrowed slightly, just the barest hint of disapproval. “Not without caution.”
Wei Wuxian smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He waved a dismissive hand, tail flicking against the sand. “Come on, don’t be like that. There’s something here, I can feel it.”
That much was true. His core thrummed with the faintest, most unsettling tug, as if something unseen had taken notice of them.
Lan Wangji shifted closer, just slightly, just enough that Wei Wuxian could feel the warmth of his presence even in the cold water. His voice was softer this time, quieter.
“Wei Ying.”
Wei Wuxian’s breath caught.
Not Yiling Laozu, not Wei Wuxian, but–
Wei Ying.
Something in him twisted, aching and sharp. Too familiar. Too much.
Lan Wangji rarely called him that, and when he did, it was always like this, low, careful, filled with a quiet intensity that Wei Wuxian never knew how to respond to.
For a moment, he didn’t speak.
Then, in an act of pure defiance, he grinned.
“Oh? Calling me by my name now, Lan Zhan? I knew it, you must secretly like me.”
Lan Wangji stared at him.
Wei Wuxian expected the usual reaction, an exasperated sigh, a small glare, maybe even the subtle clench of his jaw that always meant he was biting back a retort.
Instead, Lan Wangji said nothing.
Nothing at all.
He simply looked at him, gaze steady and unwavering, the silence stretching between them like a taut string.
Wei Wuxian’s heart skipped.
…ah.
That’s unfair.
Just as the tension became unbearable, a sudden crack echoed through the water.
Wei Wuxian barely had time to react before something moved beneath them—sand shifting unnaturally, a dark shape emerging from the graves.
A hand.
No, a claw.
Wei Wuxian barely had time to shout before the thing lunged.
Lan Wangji was faster.
Bichen cut through the water, slashing down with blinding speed. The creature shrieked, a sound warped and guttural, too distorted to be human.
Wei Wuxian twisted away, eyes sharp as he caught sight of its form.
Not a spirit. Not quite a corpse. Something in between.
Its body was bloated, skin mottled with decay, robes barely clinging to its form. Dark, empty sockets stared at them from where its eyes should have been.
It shouldn’t have been able to move.
And yet, it was alive.
Wei Wuxian clenched his teeth, instincts screaming at him. Not good. Not natural.
Lan Wangji moved again, blade slicing cleanly through the water. The creature reeled, but didn’t fall.
Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes.
“Lan Zhan–”
Before he could finish, the creature lunged again, but not at Lan Wangji.
At him.
Cold, clammy fingers grasped at his arm. Wei Wuxian twisted, breaking free just in time.
The creature let out another garbled, inhuman sound.
And then–
It spoke.
A voice thick with rot, crumbling like old parchment.
“…traitor…”
Wei Wuxian froze.
His breath stilled in his throat, heart hammering wildly.
Lan Wangji moved in a blur, sword flashing, but the creature dissolved into the shadows before the strike could land.
Silence.
Only the disturbed sand remained, settling once more over the forgotten graves.
Wei Wuxian swallowed, forcing a laugh. It came out hollow.
“Well. That was new.”
Lan Wangji turned to him, gaze unreadable. “…Wei Ying.”
Wei Wuxian exhaled sharply, waving a hand. “Don’t say it. I already know.”
Lan Wangji didn’t move, but his presence lingered, close enough that Wei Wuxian could feel the weight of his concern pressing against him.
A long moment passed.
Then, softly, hesitantly–
“…You are not a traitor.”
Wei Wuxian’s fingers curled.
The words should have meant nothing. They should have rolled off his back like water, just another empty reassurance.
But Lan Wangji had never been one for empty reassurances.
And that–
That was what made it hurt.
Wei Wuxian turned away, his grin razor-sharp. “Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you actually cared about me.”
Lan Wangji stared at him.
Wei Wuxian laughed, flipping in the water to swim ahead. His heart still pounded too fast, too loud, but he ignored it.
No need to dwell.
No need to think.
“Come on,” he called over his shoulder, “We’ve got an assassin to find, don’t we?”
Lan Wangji hesitated, just for a moment.
Then—without a word—he followed.
The ocean stretched before them, dark and endless.
But the assassin was gone.
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian stood at the edge of the ruins, scanning the darkness, but whatever had lurked in the graves had vanished, leaving nothing behind except the eerie silence.
Wei Wuxian exhaled, stretching his arms above his head. “Well, that was exciting.”
Lan Wangji didn’t reply. He was still staring at something half-buried in the sand.
Wei Wuxian followed his gaze, “Oh.”
Among the scattered remains was a body, or what was left of it. No head, no limbs—only a torso, well-preserved and eerily untouched by decay.
Wei Wuxian whistled, flicking his tail as he crouched down. “Now this is a fine catch. Look at those abs! So well-defined—like a statue! I wonder how much training he had to do! Ah, Hao Xiongdi is so muscular, Lan Zhan, don’t you think so?”
Silence.
Wei Wuxian turned, blinking.
Lan Wangji’s face was… unreadable. But the waters around him had turned colder, and there was something dark in his gaze, something brooding.
Wei Wuxian grinned. “Lan Zhan, don’t tell me you’re jealous of a dead man’s torso?”
Lan Wangji’s tail flicked sharply, his fins bristling. “I am not.”
Wei Wuxian smirked.
Yes, I'm sure Hanguang-Jun isn't jealous. It's not like the water suddenly decided to reek of vinegar on its own. Of course not. How preposterous.
Lan Wangji’s flowing sleeves caused ripples as he swished away.
Wei Wuxian barely had time to dodge before Lan Wangji swam past him, swift and purposeful, heading toward the wreckage. “Wait, where are you going?” Wei Wuxian called after him.
Lan Wangji didn’t answer. He simply disappeared into the ruins, leaving behind a faint ripple of his presence.
Wei Wuxian shook his head, amused. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing. But seriously, why do you always leave me alone in places like this—” A rustle.
Wei Wuxian turned.
From the tangled seaweed near the graves, a familiar figure emerged—pale, glowing eyes, silver hair drifting like strands of moonlight.
Wen Ning.
Wei Wuxian grinned. “Ah, just the man I was looking for!” Wen Ning inclined his head slightly. “Wei-gongzi.”
Wei Wuxian swam closer, lowering his voice. “Did you see anything? The assassin, maybe?”
Wen Ning shook his head. “No. But the juniors are safe. They’re still at the inn.”
Wei Wuxian sighed in relief. “Good, good. I don’t want to deal with Jin Ling screaming in my ear–” Suddenly, a blur of white.
Before Wei Wuxian could react, a strong force shoved Wen Ning back.
Lan Wangji had returned.
And he was furious. For some reason.
Bichen was already drawn, its blade glinting with a sharp, dangerous glow.
Wei Wuxian panicked. “Wait, wait, wait! Lan Zhan, what are you doing–?!”
Lan Wangji didn’t answer. He merely grabbed Wei Wuxian’s wrist, tugging him away with an iron grip.
“Wen Ning, go!” Wei Wuxian yelled. Wen Ning hesitated for a moment before nodding and disappearing into the shadows.
Lan Wangji didn’t let go. Wei Wuxian struggled. “Lan Zhan, what–”
He didn’t get to finish.
Because Lan Wangji swam off, dragging him along.
Wei Wuxian barely had time to register what was happening before they reached an open space, far from the ruins.
Then, a familiar gourd was pressed into his hands.
Wei Wuxian blinked.
“…Lan Zhan.” He looked at the gourd. Then at Lan Wangji. Then back at the gourd. “Are you giving me wine?”
Lan Wangji’s golden eyes were unwavering. “…Drink.”
Wei Wuxian laughed. “Oh, no, no, no. I think you should drink, my dear Lan Zhan.”
To his surprise, Lan Wangji didn’t argue.
He simply took the gourd back and drank.
Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened. “Wait, you’re actually–?”
A long sip. A pause.
Then, Lan Wangji fumbled.
His forehead ribbon slipped loose, drifting down in the water.
Wei Wuxian laughed. “Lan Zhan, you’re a mess. Just take it off.”
Lan Wangji did.
Lan Zhan stared at the ribbon.
Then at Wei Wuxian.
And before Wei Wuxian could react–
The ribbon moved. Suddenly, Wei Wuxian found himself tightly bound, wrists wrapped in the silken blue of Lan Wangji’s forehead ribbon.
“…Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian blinked. “What… what is this?”
Lan Wangji didn’t answer.
He simply grabbed Wei Wuxian again—and swam back to the inn.
· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·
“Hic!” Jing Bai wiped his lips and shoved the gourd of wine in Lan Jingyi’s direction. The other Lan smiled widely, yanking it to his mouth and drinking deeply, “Here's to surviving that place!” Jin Ling rolled his eyes to the heaven's, “You barely have an alcohol tolerance, don't drink so much you pass out. Because I'm not carrying you.”
“I'll try…” The muffled voice of Sui Qing came from the table where his face was slumped on wood. Ouyang Zizhen gently patted him on the back, flushed from the wine.
“Jingyi…maybe we should slow down, you don't want to end up like a drunkard.” Lan Sizhui sighed into his hands, refusing to drink the alcohol. What a good Lan.
“Or like Mo Xuanyu,” Jin Ling said and rolled his eyes, which…somehow Jingyi managed to notice. That boy really could feel when someone was silently making fun of him.
“Keep rolling your eyes and they'll roll out your head!” He scoffed, rubbing his chin roughly, staining his white chest covering with crimson. “Or they'll get stuck.”
Sizhui raised his eyebrows at Jingyi and Jing Bai’s quips, and was contemplating quickly stealing the wine when suddenly–
The door slammed open. All heads turned.
Lan Wangji swam in, graceful as ever, his face impassive.
But what made everyone choke on their wine, was the fact that he was dragging a tightly wrist-bound “Mo Xuanyu” behind him.
A cup clattered to the table. Sui Qing dropped his drink, mouth open in shock.
Jing Bai audibly gasped. “Mo-qianbei…why are you tied up with Hanguang-jun’s forehead ribbon?!”
A beat of silence.
Then–
The blind Lan Jingyi, now aware of the scene, blurted, “You can’t do that! Our forehead ribbon is re–”
Before he could finish, Lan Sizhui shoved a piece of chicken into his mouth. The tension in the room was palpable.
Wei Wuxian laughed awkwardly.
He didn’t know what was going on, but he did know one thing: Lan Wangji’s reputation could not be ruined by this misunderstanding. So he clapped his hands together and grinned.
“Ah, kids! Hanguang-jun is just doing a good demonstration of what you can use this ribbon for!” Wei Wuxian declared confidently. “Capturing fierce corpses!”
Lan Sizhui blinked. Then, after a pause, nodded seriously.
“Ah, I see,” Sizhui said, voice thoughtful. “I didn’t know the Lan forehead ribbon could be used like that. Very interesting, Qianbei.”
Lan Jingyi, still chewing his chicken, shook his head furiously. Ouyang Zizhen and Jin Ling, meanwhile, simply sat there.
Blinking.
Watching the entire Lan Clan internally panic.
Wei Wuxian sighed in relief. Crisis averted.
…Right?
Lan Wangji nodded at the juniors politely, before dragging the still tied up Wei Ying towards the stairs.
· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·