CW: talk of r▪︎pe and dubious consent
As we know, MXTX likes to give her characters k▪︎nks based on their trauma. Let's talk about Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian because their k▪︎nks are rather intense.
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian share their C N C and r▪︎pe k▪︎nks. Both come from the shared trauma of their past and wishing that Lan Wangji would have forced Wei Wuxian to come back to Gusu Lan sect to be with him before Wei Wuxian's d€ath.
This is something that Wei Wuxian says outright during their first intimate interaction as a couple: "Why didn't you just force me all those years ago", this is Wei Wuxian's expression of grief about the past that can never be changed.
This is emphasized even more with the notorious incense burner chapter. The incense burner allows them to basically play out a scene, in the real world that's what it would be - a scene. (The real world would include safe words, discussion ahead of time, and obviously no magic dream device).
This scene includes various scenarios that Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian wish had occurred, all involving their k▪︎nks and desire to have been with each other from the first moment they met because they regret that those years are lost to them for good, and that both of them had to suffer so much before they were finally together.
The scenes in MDZS can seem bad, but remember Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian are married adults and understand each other better than anyone else. They love each other and discuss what they want physically. While safe words aren't brought up it can be assumed that, in this fictional world, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian know each other so well that they aren't necessary.
The only moment where anyone's boundaries are actually tested is when Wei Wuxian gets hit, he hates it, but Lan Wangji isn't in control and doesn't know this until the dream ends, then he tests it in the real world and Wei Wuxian tells him he doesn't like it and that's the end of it.
I think it's also worth mentioning that in MDZS aftercare between the couple is shown for pretty much any scene where they're intimate. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian hold each other, and speak sweetly to each other, and Lan Wangji always bathes Wei Wuxian. This is very important.
I hope this helps others to understand MDZS better. MXTX doesn't put many explicit scenes in her books, but when she does it isn't for nothing.
annaxmalina
stormborns
origamiaround
snowghoul
germansingergirl
ellievsbear
gummygunk
kianamaiart
theartofmadeline
