lastjinstanding | Brothel meme continued

Jiang Mentao nods along with the instructions until he belatedly realizes what Wuxian is asking him to do.

"Y- you want me to tell you how they react?" He asks with a little nervous tremor to his voice. He looks at the most senior ranking person around with wide eyes that have the slightest touch of blue to the dark color. "What if I miss something or misinterpret? I don't want to falsely accuse anyone." He flushes realizing how that might have sounded. "I mean.. yes sir. I- I'll do as you ask!"

Wei Wuxian puts a hand on his shoulder and smiles kindly.

"Jiang-gongzi. Just watch them carefully and tell me how they react, as much as you can. Take someone else with you if you'd like a second pair of eyes. Just do your best, you don't have to catch everything but anything you do see will help, do you understand?"

He doesn't need to rush off to deal with the room right this second, so he'll make sure Jiang Mentao knows what he's doing and feels confident about it first.

The young disciple is surprised to get this kind of reassurance. Jiang Cheng was a good man, but he wasn't very gentle or patient, so this is pretty new. He bows grateful for the encouragement and hurries off feeling better about his orders- especially getting permission to find a friend to help him. (Weren't all juniors the same on some level needing their buddies to back them up?)

When Wuxian goes back down the hall with the guest rooms, he'll find the song has changed quietly to Cleansing.

Wei Wuxian watches the young disciple rush off with a smile and then turns to head to the guest quarters. When he gets there and hears the music, he smiles slightly - he does so love it when his husband gets things started.

He shoos away anybody lingering near the guest quarters, peers into Jin Ling's room to give the sleeping boys a once over and his husband a grateful, loving smile before disappearing back into Yuan's room to deal with the body.

In this instance, the song and Wuxian's plans are a happy coincidence. The person's whose mind is being cleansed in Lan Zhan's room is Yuan's. All the horrors he'd just experience from being attacked were going to haunt him and if there was even the slimmest chance the song could heal any of that damage, he was trying it. It was better than feeling so powerless, knowing his child had suffered his whole life and again moments after Lan Zhan learned who he was. The guilt was almost more than he could bear.

Fortunately by now, Jin Ling was simply too exhausted to need any more help staying asleep. The soft music, the comfortable bed, and Yuan curled against him were plenty to keep him in a deep slumber. The Chief Cultivator was glad for this since he knew as soon as the young man rose, he would need to do the hardest thing he's ever had to do- let go.

At least this time it was into the arms of a loving family and not into a rocky cavern. His hands stop for a moment and he takes a shaky breath to steady him. No matter how long it's been or how often he has a very alive and happy Wuxian in his arms, a piece of him breaks whenever that memory comes back to him.

It doesn't actually take him that long to clean up the mess in the other room, and he makes use of the gentle music from his husband's guqin to ensure Xiaowen's resentful energy doesn't cause them any trouble - they have seen the last of that bastard and that's all there is to it.

Once he's finished dealing with it and making the guest room spotless, he gathers up all of Yuan's belongings (there's no way they're going to let him stay in that room again) and heads back to the other room with them.

"Lan Zhan?" he asks softly as he closes the door behind him, frowning at the expression on his husband's face.

His eyes flick sharply to the door, but the subtle alarm fades a second later seeing who it is. He looks away, embarrassed, moving a hand to dismiss his qin. He gets up and moves to the door to quietly shoo Wuxian out the door so they can talk without disturbing their baby bunnies.

Somehow though, the position he finds himself in is the most domestic and breath-taking one he's been in in a long time. His back was against the door to a room with their child in it and Wuxian was standing so close to his front. He realizes in that moment this has been a secret dream in his heart he never even knew about and despite his age and position- and even what Wuxian just saw him thinking about- there's the tiniest blush on his cheeks. "I don't want us to wake them," he explains, which in retrospect was completely obvious. Did.. he just 'babble'?

Wuxian isn't entirely sure what's going on in his husband's mind, but there's something so soft in his expression that his heart is already melting - and then Wangji blushes and says something wholly unnecessary and Wei Ying is winding his arms around Lan Zhan's shoulders and kissing him softly before he can even think about it.

"Something wrong, my love?" he asks quietly, wondering what is going on in his head. He pauses, then continues "Other than the obvious, of course."

Wangji's hands settle around his husband's waist, keeping him close as he returns the kiss. When they part, he has another small smile on his face, though he feels guilty for feeling happy too. It.. was confusing, especially to someone who already wasn't good with emotions.

"We have a son." A beautiful, strong son who has face the world and turned out sweet and kind.. and so hurt. That last thought brings a tear to his eyes. "Your nephew needs to let him come home with us." In other words, husband, make this happen. You're better at this. If left to Wangji, he'd just say Yuan was coming home with them and that was that. Somehow he figured Wuxian might want Jin Ling to get a little more support than that and could Jiang Cheng give him any right now?

"We do, and he does." Wuxian agrees quietly. He's seen the way Jin Ling and Yuan look at each other, he knows this isn't going to be easy on either of them - but he also knows it's what's best for them both.

"I'll talk to him," he promises - he can hopefully convince Jin Ling that this will be for the best, but his nephew is an emotional person, he might be difficult to reason with.

He presses another kiss to his husband's lips.

"Leave it to me. Our boy is coming home with us."

He lifts a hand and touches Wuxian's cheek gently. "Be careful. Letting go was the hardest thing I've ever done." And there was the hurt look from earlier. He initiates the kiss this time, letting it softly linger. His fingers curl around a stray lock of black hair.

He steps away a couple moments later and gives his husband another soft loving smile. As he turns to go back to the room where Jingyi is in, he comes face to face with someone he hasn't seen in quite a while, the Headshaker. He clears his throat and quickly finds his stoic mask again. He bows politely. "Nie-zongzhu." And.. continues on his way hoping he didn't see or overhear the two of them kissing and whispering against the door. His hand hadn't stayed on Wuxian's hips the whole time after all.

Understanding dawns on Wuxian's face as his husband leans in to kiss him, recognising that same expression on his face. Understanding and guilt, because he doesn't think he'll ever, ever forgive himself for leaving Lan Zhan all those years ago. Still, that lingering kiss is enough to chase it away a little.

"At least it won't be for too long." he says, letting go as the other man steps away.

"Your excellency," Huaisang replies smoothly, bowing in return, his expression entirely innocent - though of course that doesn't mean anything with him. He steps aside to let Lan Wangji pass and then continues on his own way towards his guest room - which is really not that far away from Yuan's. He's contemplating writing an anonymous letter to Jin Ling about the benefits of silencing talismans.

"Wei-xiong," he says as he passes his old friend - and this time there's just the hint of a smirk in his smile, but he doesn't say anything more, and he continues on his way. Wuxian just grins at him and turns to step back into the room with the two boys.

He takes a seat and waits for either of them to wake up.

Whatever, it sounded hot and you know it, Huaisang! (Okay so maybe Jin Ling might just *die* if he gets a letter like that).

Jin Ling sleeps peacefully for another hour. His brows furrow and he curls closer to Yuan, fighting off that awful 'wake' feeling. No! He doesn't want to! You can't make him! No!

Except.. hmm. There's a really nice warm body next to him. He nuzzles against a soft cheek and grins. As he wakes, he knows exactly who he's with and Yuan's always a delight to wake up to. He kisses his cheek and snuggles closer. His arm around Yuan's waist lowers..

"Jin Ling!" Wei Wuxian hisses, equal parts scolding and horrified - he had been almost dozing off himself, but he'd sat up a little when he realised his nephew was stirring, and he had been about to give a much more gentle greeting to let the younger man know he was there, but needs must.

He also doesn't say it too loudly, because Yuan is still asleep, and though he nuzzles closer to Jin Ling with a vaguely contented (and marginally croaky) noise, he doesn't seem inclined to wake up.

"Keep your hands to yourself." Wuxian adds, warningly.

Ling gasps and jerks his head around like he's been bitten by a snake on his foot to spot his uncle staring at him. His cheeks flare red and he quickly ducks his head. Oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god! His uncle just caught him about to cop a feel with his long lost son! He was pretty sure he was about to die for that one.

"Sorry!" He wonders if Uncle Wei has figured out.. no, no surely he hasn't. Jin Ling wouldn't still be alive if he knew about that. Although now that he is thinking about that.. he's really thinking about that. Dammit, why is Uncle Wei in here?!

"Uh.. Uncle Wei? W- what are you doing in here?" He peeks around Yuan's body to whisper at him.

Wei Wuxian has suspicions and he is doing his level best not to let himself think about them too much, because Jin Ling is his nephew and he loves him.

(And he's going to marry Yuan whether he likes it or not, as long as that's what Yuan wants)

"I need to talk to you." he says simply "About Yuan, so keep your voice down and let him sleep."

He needs to talk to both of them, technically, but he thinks this might be easier if he explains things to Jin Ling first, and gets him on side.

His expression shifts from embarrassed to suspicious in a blink of an eye. His arms curl just a hair more protectively around Yuan and he gets a stubborn, if a little childish, look on his face.

"What about him?" He asks, though to his credit, he does keep his voice down. "If you want me to stop seeing him than you can forget it!"

"No, not... exactly." Wei Wuxian says slowly. He'd been worried this was going to happen, he'll need to coax Jin Ling to the right decision and he's never been all that good at coaxing. He wonders if maybe just speaking to him like an adult would be the better approach.

"You want what's best for Yuan, don't you? You said you loved him?" he asks.

That reassurance helps some. As long as he isn't being asked to abandon Yuan or send him back to his old life, he might tolerate hearing whatever his uncle has to say.

"Of course I do," he says without hesitation. He wants Yuan to be happy and healthy. Why else would he be protecting him so strongly? What kind of question was that? It sounds condescending after everything that just happened. "Why would you ask me that? I'm not an idiot.. or..." My grandfather. "Wicked."

"I'm asking because what's best for Yuan might not be what you want." Wuxian says slowly, though he can't help the approving nod he gave that instant response. It's a good sign - both for what he has planned and because he wants his son to be loved that fiercely, the way he is. Yuan deserves that.

"Just... listen to me a moment, Rulan. Remember what we talked about, when you asked what it would mean for him if you bought his freedom? How I mentioned that rumours might get out? If he goes back to Carp Tower with you, if you pay off his debts, those rumours are going to be harder to suppress. Even if you can suppress them, what kind of life would he have? The Jin elders would never accept your relationship with the son of a low-level family, if he can still keep using the Zheng name, and they'd definitely never accept your relationship with a Wen." He pauses for a moment, letting the implications of it all sink in.

"But a Lan? The adopted son of the chief cultivator? A-Yuan could become more than what he's been forced to be. Could become someone that the rest of the cultivation world would accept as your partner, and I know their opinion doesn't matter, believe me I know, but also it does. You're a sect leader, Rulan, you have to care what they think when it comes to things like this," just look at his uncle, this very day "I know it's going to hurt both of you, but please, please, let A-Yuan come home with us."

All the emotions that pass over Jin Ling's face are obvious and predictable given the words he says until toward the end when all those vivid windows into his heart seem to close all at once. His expression takes on a calm that any sect leader would be striving to have. He looks down at A-Yuan and.. just hardens further.

He really should've seen this coming..

"Fine." He lifts his eyes to his uncle. "But I'm not leaving without saying goodbye."

"It's not forever," Wei Wuxian says gently, understanding exactly what that hardness means "it doesn't even have to be for very long. Just... long enough."

They can still write, maybe even visit, he has no intention of tearing the two of them apart - he doesn't want to see that look in A-Yuan's eyes that he saw in his husband's.

"And I definitely wouldn't make you do that, A-Ling." he adds, standing so he can leave the room and give them some privacy. He pauses just before he leaves, though, and looks back.

"Thank you. Not just for agreeing to this but also... I know you weren't looking for him but you found him, and you brought him back, and that..." his voice catches as he trails off, unable to find the right words "One day, when you have children of your own and you can really, truly understand what you've given to me, I'll thank you again, and you'll know what it means."

He nods, once, and walks out of the room.

Jin Ling wants to hate his uncle as he watches him leave. He tries to keep that expression of granite, but even after a couple years of forging it, Wuxian can see straight through it by the end. His eyes are rimmed in tears and the edges of his jaw are achingly tight. There's a quiet sob as soon as the door shuts.

There's no way he believes this isn't forever. He has no faith this isn't permanent just like all his other goodbyes have been. He hates that Wuxian brought up children again because he was going to be doomed to be the husband of some spoiled insufferable wife just for an heir. Yuan's happiness was worth it, of course, but that doesn't mean he has to like it or not be upset for his own fate!

He tries really hard to be quiet and let Yuan sleep, but how quiet and not bothersome can you be when you're shaking, sobbing, and clutching someone? Sorry Yuan...

It's not long at all before Jin Ling's sobbing makes him stir, his brow furrowing in confusion as he wakes - slowly at first, but his eyes flying open as soon as he's awake enough to realise what's happening.

"A-Ling, A-Ling what's wrong?" he asks, winding his arms around his love. His voice is hoarse, barely more than a whisper, but it's not quite as painful as it was before - not that pain would have stopped him from speaking in that moment. He strokes Jin Ling's back gently, waiting for him to tell him what was going on.

Crap! He hadn't meant to do that. He immediately feels guilty on top of everything else.

He fights to calm down enough to speak, knowing he appears anything but the sect leader he's supposed to be right now. He feels just like he did at the pier- having an emotional breakdown in front of the world like a five year old instead of in a private room with just his beau to witness it.

Eventually he finds his composure and realizes what a terrible person Wuxian is! He just left him to do his dirty work! Now Jin Ling has to break the news? Fuck his life! Sadly, it didn't change the facts.

"A-Yuan.. I- I've been thinking.." Sure, he can take credit for this. Why not? Wait, no, he might not want to do that. "Well.. your dad- Uncle W- er- dammit- Wei Wuxian!- he said you should go back with him and HanGuang-Jun to Cloud Recesses. It's where you belong and you're meant.. you're supposed to be this.. what we've been pretending you are since we started this trip. You aren't someone just pretending to be a young master, A-Yuan. You're the son of the Chief Cultivator from the.. noblest clan. They want to take you home." He swallows hard, mustering his courage, and looks A-Yuan in the eye. "I want you to go with them."

And.. there's his heart shattering all over again.

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