@moonwaif Thanks for the awesome prompt!!
“I don’t like the way he looked at you.”
Lan Wangji stared wordlessly at Wei Wuxian’s lowered head. His husband’s fists were clenched and shaking, the knuckles as white as bone.
A few feet away, the man Wei Wuxian had sucker-punched was being dragged, unconscious, out of the inn by his two cultivator allies. None of them were particularly powerful. Even with a partially formed core, Wei Wuxian had been able to knock the leader out with a single blow.
If such a thing had occurred fifteen or so years ago, Lan Wangji would have blamed Wei Wuxian’s uncharacteristic outburst on his demonic cultivation. But now, knowing better, he could find no such scapegoat.
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji spoke soothingly, “A look is no cause for violence.”
Wei Wuxian didn’t argue. He just glanced up through his bangs, his expression twisted in pain. “I know,” he said, “I’m sorry—“
“No need,” Lan Wangji cut him off automatically. “Just... tell me why.”
“I told you.” Wei Wuxian shifted his gaze elsewhere. His bottom lip wobbled. “I don’t like the way he looked at you. Like... like you were a squashed bug underneath his shoe.”
Lan Wangji lifted an eyebrow.
“His companions,” Wei Wuxian explained, his voice strained and cracking, “They were telling him about you, about what you sacrificed for me, about us. About...” His eyes fell to his own wrist.
Though his sleeve was hiding it, they both knew was underneath. It was a red forehead ribbon, the one Lan Wangji had worn on their wedding day. That night, he had removed it and tied to Wei Wuxian’s arm, binding them together for the remainder of their lives. Wei Wuxian only ever took it off while bathing.
“Still,” Lan Wangji said, “That does not justify violence.”
Wei Wuxian stepped forward, hesitant. Lan Wangji immediately wrapped him up in his arms, pressing them together, chest to chest, heart to heart.
“I don’t care,” Lan Wangji murmured into his lover’s messy locks, “Even if everyone looks at me like that. Even if everyone in this world thinks me immoral. My conscience is clear.”
Wei Wuxian let out a shaky breath. “Oh, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. My good, good husband. This world doesn’t deserve you. I don’t deserve you.“
“Nonsense.” Lan Wangji gripped his lover tighter, trying to convey just a fraction of all the intense emotion wracking his body. He could feel their hearts pounding in sync. “You are my destined one.”
“Lan Zhan, no fair! Always with the grand romantic declarations. You’ll drive me to an early grave. I love you. I love you!”
“Mn.” Lan Wangji shifted his face so he could claim Wei Wuxian’s lips. “Love you.”
