Oh - his heart skips a beat - Shen Yuan is really quite adorable, isn't he...?
Xichen sends a silent 'thank you' to his uncle for arranging this meeting; he'd probably implode if he had to deal with Wen Xu or Wen Chao for longer than an hour outside social functions. But even when he's not comparing Shen Yuan to what may have been, he finds that he is enjoying his company, and that he feels at ease by his side.
It is easy to picture their marriage further down the line: both are inclined to scholarly pursuits, and he can easily see Shen Yuan being good with the disciples and the other responsibilities marrying into the Lan Sect would demand.
His smile is effused with warmth as they walk the narrow paths of the meadow where the very wild rabbits frolic and play, and occasionally hop up to them expectantly, waiting for pets or treats.
Xichen, of course, indulges them.
"It is a good place to go when the Cloud Recesses can feel overly stringent," he explains. "I do not doubt you will thrive here - shufu told me you are of a scholarly disposition, and much of the lifestyle here caters to that - but I think it only fair to warn you that living here takes some adjustments."
His smile fades a little.
"You seem a kind and compassionate man. I would not want you to ever feel trapped here."
Shen Yuan cocks his head slightly, his arms occupied by yet another rabbit -- he can see how Lan Wangji wound up carrying several of them at once, they're adorable and all of them want to be cuddled but alas, there is only one of him and he only has two arms -- but he can sense an odd weight behind Lan Xichen's words, something that leaves him inclined toward melancholy.
It won't do at all. Let this be the beginning of his spousely duties, then: trying to reassure his husband, and cheer him up.
"I have no such concern," he says gently, and carefully sets the rabbit on the ground so he can (shyly, but with more confidence than before) set his hand on top of his husband's. "Lan-zongzhu is also a kind and compassionate man," he says softly. "I have every confidence that he will be a wonderful husband."
He jolts at the touch, surprised by the warmth of his betrothed's hand, and how it makes the fine hairs on the back of his neck prickle pleasantly.
(Xichen had expected that, if he ever found love, it would likely be quite chaste. Even in the throes of puberty, he never had much in ways of urges that a quick trip to the cold springs couldn't manage. Today, he is about to get in touch with his long dormant libido).
He smiles, sheepish, his jade-white cheeks flushed a pleasant shade of rose.
"Then, if you are sure that this is something you also want, we should head back and speak to your brothers and shufu."
And to ensure they aren't too worried that Xichen might have whisked the other young man away to have his wicked way with him before their wedding.
For a moment Shen Yuan hesitates, worried he overstepped -- but then Lan Xichen smiles at him, and he relaxes, certain he did the right thing after all. He gently squeezes his husband fingers, a fond goodbye until the wedding is done and they've gained leave to touch as much as they like behind closed doors, before nodding and taking a decorous step back.
"It is," he says simply. "I can think of no greater joy or duty than being wed to Zewu-jun."
Now it is his turn to turn slightly pink, as he ducks his head in recognition of the boldness of his words. But he means them, though. And he won't be taking them back.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 09:55 am (UTC)Xichen sends a silent 'thank you' to his uncle for arranging this meeting; he'd probably implode if he had to deal with Wen Xu or Wen Chao for longer than an hour outside social functions. But even when he's not comparing Shen Yuan to what may have been, he finds that he is enjoying his company, and that he feels at ease by his side.
It is easy to picture their marriage further down the line: both are inclined to scholarly pursuits, and he can easily see Shen Yuan being good with the disciples and the other responsibilities marrying into the Lan Sect would demand.
His smile is effused with warmth as they walk the narrow paths of the meadow where the very wild rabbits frolic and play, and occasionally hop up to them expectantly, waiting for pets or treats.
Xichen, of course, indulges them.
"It is a good place to go when the Cloud Recesses can feel overly stringent," he explains. "I do not doubt you will thrive here - shufu told me you are of a scholarly disposition, and much of the lifestyle here caters to that - but I think it only fair to warn you that living here takes some adjustments."
His smile fades a little.
"You seem a kind and compassionate man. I would not want you to ever feel trapped here."
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 10:44 am (UTC)It won't do at all. Let this be the beginning of his spousely duties, then: trying to reassure his husband, and cheer him up.
"I have no such concern," he says gently, and carefully sets the rabbit on the ground so he can (shyly, but with more confidence than before) set his hand on top of his husband's. "Lan-zongzhu is also a kind and compassionate man," he says softly. "I have every confidence that he will be a wonderful husband."
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 11:45 am (UTC)(Xichen had expected that, if he ever found love, it would likely be quite chaste. Even in the throes of puberty, he never had much in ways of urges that a quick trip to the cold springs couldn't manage. Today, he is about to get in touch with his long dormant libido).
He smiles, sheepish, his jade-white cheeks flushed a pleasant shade of rose.
"Then, if you are sure that this is something you also want, we should head back and speak to your brothers and shufu."
And to ensure they aren't too worried that Xichen might have whisked the other young man away to have his wicked way with him before their wedding.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 11:53 am (UTC)"It is," he says simply. "I can think of no greater joy or duty than being wed to Zewu-jun."
Now it is his turn to turn slightly pink, as he ducks his head in recognition of the boldness of his words. But he means them, though. And he won't be taking them back.