Nightmares and More

[alittlespicy]

Who: Lan Wangji + Wei Wuxian; Lan Wangji & open
When: Throughout February.
What: Nightmare; also various and sundry around town
Where: Gazin
Warning(s): canon-specific nightmare fuel, spoilers; in the open prompts, possibly none

I. Nightmare (closed to Wei Wuxian)

Wangji had used to be fall asleep and wake up like clock-work. But that had been a lifetime ago - his sleep was troubled or light over the years of solitude, and while having Wei Ying in his arms made his rest easier, it was not difficult for him to return to consciousness the moment he could tell his husband was having a bad dream.

Arms still around him, he raises one hand to caress his face. "Wei Ying. Wake up."

II. Around Gazin - Open

It takes Wangji a coupl of days of looking before he accepts that Sizhui is gone. It feels... complicated, but at least he trusts that their son will be safer back home. There will be many who will take care of him, and his friends as well.

So he returns to his usual tasks. Some hunting, but mostly helping with preparing food at the inn. And whenever he has gathered herbs on his hunts, he visits the druid to replenish the stores. It is only fair, after all - the gift of understanding granted on arrival means much to Wangji.

With regards to cooking, he sometimes can be found around the market, asking about this or that. "What dishes does this usually fit?" People who have cooked with other herbs and spices know them better. He will experiment, too, but at least he can get some direction.

Comments

1, ofc

[obliviouspatriarch]

The nightmare this night was one of the worse ones for Wuxian, one of the ones that warped and distorted his worst memory and play out the events that led to his death. Fortunately he never remembers the ones like this, or most of them for that matter, but they still rattle him and make him whine and whimper in his sleep. Occasionally even calling names out and saying he's sorry, this time apologising to Jin Ling over and over.

He barely feels the gentle caress or words, but it's just enough felt that it pulls him somewhat out of the dream.

"Lan Zhan?" Barely awake, yet asking if that's truly him or part of the dream touching him.

2

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang is out for a ride, grinning when he feels his stallion kicking his hooves and lets him burst into a gallop to spend some energy along the way. He guides the playful horse to Gazin proper and dismounts when he reaches the market, planning to get some things for dinner. Jiangzai is strapped to his back as usual, but he doesn't plan to use it unless it's to defend himself, his horse, or someone less able.

And he hopes he doesn't have to use it against Lan Wangji again, though the fight he remembers had been fun! Just...self-destructive. He keeps hold of his horse's reigns, stalking forward with a smile anyway as he boldly approaches. And the question he overhears the taller man ask has him curious.

"Hanguang-Jun!" He chirps, but there's no real malice - just the usual playful energy he gives off. "Can I help with anything?"

ofc.

[alittlespicy]

"I am here." Wangji's voice is quiet, but firm and certain. "Dreams are gone."

He reaches for one of Wei Ying's hands, long, guqin-callused fingers wrapping around his wrist, and raises it a little to nuzzle into the sweaty palm, then press his teeth lightly into it.

"Here and now, this is real. Nothing bad will catch you."

[alittlespicy]

Pale eyes narrow at the arrival, but no, he does not strike. Instead, after a long, long look, he lowers his eyes to the wares he was looking at on a stall.

What do you even do with asparagus?

[jiangzaid]

He doesn't laugh. He does not laugh. No matter how much he wants to when he sees Wangji glaring at the green bundles.

Ok so a puff of a giggle escapes. But can he really be blamed? It's funny! He twists his face up in a pout, tilting his head. "What did they do to you?"

His stallion stamps a hoof, flicking his tail as if to join in his amusement. "They're tasty in stews or just sprinkled with herbs and spices." Benefits of having been here a year!

[obliviouspatriarch]

Those three words alone are enough to wake him up just enough more, and the strong fingers around his wrist have him let out a small whimper. Relieved, but still dazed. The last time the nightmares were this bad were before Wangji had shown up, and wasn't there to comfort him.

"Don't leave, not like A-Yuan did."

The stress of the boy leaving, although he'd tried to hide that, was a trigger of the severity of the nightmare.

[alittlespicy]

Wangji's arms tighten around his husband. "I will not leave. Sizhui... we will find him again, Wei Ying."

A soft kiss presses against Wei Ying's temple. "You thought you had lost him once."

[obliviouspatriarch]

A few heavy breaths, clearly ones trying to calm himself further before he shakily nods and scoots closer. Wangji won't leave him, he can't, Wuxian needs him.

"But you found him." Another breath, more even. "Saved him, raised him while I wasn't there to."

Reality is finding itself slowly, but he doesn't dare let go of Wangji in case he's still in his nightmare.

[alittlespicy]

Wangji's eyes narrow, but he does not lash out. There are reasons why he usually avoids displaying what is happening in his mind - mockery is easy, after all - but he is more than adult enough to handle it.

"Mn. In stew, or raw?" Just sprinkled with herbs and spices, hmm. Just verifying.

[alittlespicy]

Wangji hums, then shifts so he is lying on his back and pulls Wei Ying on top of him. No, he is not going anywhere, and his husband can feel that. (If it is not enough, he can change positions, too. In a bit.)

"You will always be a part of him. He will always be a part of you."

No, the nightmare is over.

[obliviouspatriarch]

He lets himself be shifted, but holds himself tighter as well until he can feel his breathing even and realise he's not in that nightmare anymore. Deep breaths and focus on his husband, as well as his words.

"Mm, y-you're right." Inhale, exhale, breathe and focus. "We should go look for him, see if he's still around but got lost?"

A spark of hope at least, anything he can cling to and not face the fact the boy is really, truly, gone from Gazin.

[alittlespicy]

Inhale, exhale, breathe. Steady and certain, even as his eyes squeeze shut a little. Sizhui will be taken good care of back home. He knows. Still...

"Mn. Now?"

He is not moving, but he is absolutely agreeing to anything that will relieve his beloved. Without hesitation.

Besides...

There is clearly magic, here. What if Sizhui has been caught in a spell and needs assistance? Wangji has not seen any sign of such magic, but better look.

[obliviouspatriarch]

He only holds more, now isn't the right time. He'd be too distracted, even with being out of the nightmare. Some linger even as he's awake with a nagging anxiety, he knows better than to try and do anything like that, and he knows he'd only worry others.

"No, in the morning? I-I don't want to get lost too."

A rare moment of self-restraint he's learned, even if it's only used in times like this.

[alittlespicy]

"Mn." Wangji nods, seeming almost calm. But also. "You will not get lost when I am with you."

Plain statement of fact, that. Wangji will not let him.

But also, he is glad that Wei Ying is not alarmed enough to go haring off now.

[obliviouspatriarch]

That truth was even there for his nightmares, all he needed most times was to hear Wangji's voice and it could pull him back from all but the worst ones.

"Daytime will be easier to search for him, the white is easier to see."

It's half a question and half a statement, but mostly just to remind himself of that so he doesn't run off even with reminding himself it's bad to go out after a nightmare.