( The bracing rush of air and water that leads to his yelping, more in the suddenness of the temperature shock than anything remotely like pain, marks his entrance into the waters. Lan Zhan is there, hands warm and cold and water pouring over his shoulders, then clasped, then down, and he catches scant breath before he's under the surface of the stream, the river, whatever body of water moves past, carrying intent and history and self away in unequal measure.
Down, beneath the water, he slides his legs between Lan Zhan's, all but sitting on the smooth-rocked bottom, digging in his heels and hooking his hands behind wet-robed knees. Pulling. Strong, qi-fed, and aware he's inviting the fall into kneeling...
... over himself, even as his head breaks the surface of the water and he laughs, black hair plastered over his face, rendering him incapable of clearly seeing anything, even if there were legions beyond the whites and pale pinks of his husband's robes.
Birds resume chattering in trees, insects buzzing, though they still avoid the expanse over and around the flowing water: something in their play, raucous yet sincere. Further easing of the pressing burden of the mountain and its denizens settles into something closer to peace while two grown men all but attempt to drown each other in their morning ablutions.
In the distance, a hawk cries. Soars around, then aims away, shadow dancing across them both as they find cold skins and warm hearts in the shallow depths of the spring-fed river. )
Peace, peace!
( Wei Wuxian says eventually, laughing, flapping and clinging to Lan Zhan in turns. )
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( The bracing rush of air and water that leads to his yelping, more in the suddenness of the temperature shock than anything remotely like pain, marks his entrance into the waters. Lan Zhan is there, hands warm and cold and water pouring over his shoulders, then clasped, then down, and he catches scant breath before he's under the surface of the stream, the river, whatever body of water moves past, carrying intent and history and self away in unequal measure.
Down, beneath the water, he slides his legs between Lan Zhan's, all but sitting on the smooth-rocked bottom, digging in his heels and hooking his hands behind wet-robed knees. Pulling. Strong, qi-fed, and aware he's inviting the fall into kneeling...
... over himself, even as his head breaks the surface of the water and he laughs, black hair plastered over his face, rendering him incapable of clearly seeing anything, even if there were legions beyond the whites and pale pinks of his husband's robes.
Birds resume chattering in trees, insects buzzing, though they still avoid the expanse over and around the flowing water: something in their play, raucous yet sincere. Further easing of the pressing burden of the mountain and its denizens settles into something closer to peace while two grown men all but attempt to drown each other in their morning ablutions.
In the distance, a hawk cries. Soars around, then aims away, shadow dancing across them both as they find cold skins and warm hearts in the shallow depths of the spring-fed river. )
Peace, peace!
( Wei Wuxian says eventually, laughing, flapping and clinging to Lan Zhan in turns. )
Peace, Lan Zhan!