angryhearts | The walls have eyes

Entry tags:

The walls have eyes

WHO: Wei Wuxian (novel) and Lan Wangji (novel)

WHAT: Discovering the bonding has deeper feelings attached to it then just not being able to go too far apart. A lot to discuss because of Mad March, feelings, and more.

WHEN: Timing: right after their meetings with Mad March during the event

WARNINGS:With Wangxian..anything is possible.

Wei Wuxian had been enjoying a relaxing evening until the Mad March decided to come and disrupt it. He feels like he got nothing but frustration out of the conversation and perhaps a little more paranoid. His heart felt unsettled and so he decided he needed to find Lan Wangji and tell him about the encounter. It isn't hard to locate him, they have been bonded ever since he and River broke theirs. A relief considering it made things much easier. When one shares their feelings with another..it can be a little awkward given the circumstances and he wasn't sure River could handle any more of the feelings he had for Lan Wangji bleeding into her.

He tried to concentrate on those feelings as he stays in the woods, not wanting the others to see him since he knows he's wearing most of his emotions on his face right now. Something about the Mad March made him incredibly uncomfortable and he doesn't like that he was singled out. Apparently his tactics had gotten him noticed and although he isn't exactly new to being in the spotlight, he'd rather not be the target of someone as powerful as the Queen.

Wei Wuxian can feel his heart pounding faster, knowing that Lan Wangji is close and that their bond is getting stronger. He stops and looks around, "Lan Zhan..?" He places his hand on his heart, feeling like it wants to burst out of his chest. How did either of their previous partners deal with this?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lan Wangji's bond with Jiang Yanli takes a lot of effort to maintain. First, to physically tug himself away, gently bit by bit without hurting them both. Even though it was painful at first, then emotionally and mentally block his feelings which weren't easy until at last, there's an understanding between the both of them, and he was able to complete the bond and break it. It's a lot of effort, but eventually, the pain ebbed away.

This was shortly before the expedition to the ruins and what they found there. His bond to Wei Wuxian begins to gradually grow stronger during the entire time. His bond with him provides much of the relief and sharing since they're very connected.

All that changed when the Mad March appeared to him one night, and he becomes deeply unsettled. The feelings of paranoia and anxiety are running around in circles that he becomes distant from Wei Wuxian, not wanting to bleed any of his insecurities and fears into him, sparing him the emotional intensity as much as possible.

On the surface, he appears stoic and distant and doesn't talk at all, but he was deeply unsettled and upset, that he hasn't spoken of the encounter to anyone yet.

Sharing the bond, he felt his heart racing wildly also, perhaps more so than usual and not out of happiness or excitement. Hearing his voice calling out to him, he snapped out of it, his thoughts broke. His stoic expression melts into worry.

Appearing to be stoic, he pretended to be calm. "Wei Ying? What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Wei Wuxian hears him and turns towards the voice, running up to him and grabbing his hand. Without even slowing down he drags him deeper into the woods and away from the camp. The tents are thin and he doesn't want anyone else to panic with tales of the creepy rabbit.

He knows the other man is likely to feel all the little uncertainties in his heart. But he tries to keep everything in check. When they are far enough away, he stops and turns to the other man.

Everything the rabbit did was unnerving. It was like there was underlying threats to those he cared around, threats to himself if he kept snooping around...and just the fact he knew about his past. All of it is enough to put him on edge.

He lets go of that hand so that he can wrap his arms around Lan Wangji's waist and bury his face against him. They had already been separated by this hotel once. There is no way they are going to do it again. If he has a target on his back then he is going to do whatever it takes to keep this man safe.

Wordlessly he follows after him toward into the forest for some privacy, away from the camp. His emotions begin to flooding into him. The entire time, he tries to balance it out by trying to be calm when he isn't. Little is an understatement, as a rush of uncertainty comes flooding into him.

Once they acquired the distance they needed and they're out of the earshot, he faces him and waits for Wei Ying to explain. Only to be greeted by the much-needed embrace.

Trying to comfort him, he hushes him with gentle whispers, stroking through his hair, stroking his face with the back of his hand, then cupping his face. Knowing he needs the warmth, gentleness, his calm strength, and being assuring, and trying to calm him the same way he has to calm a panic rabbit under stress.

He closes his eyes and just enjoys that embrace for the moment, letting Lan Wangji's calmness wash over him and get some of his composure back. Speaking with Mad March shook him a little more then he expected it too. Trying to analyze the words of a creature that jumped around everything he meant to say without fully saying it was exhausting. But one thing was very clear..he was told to sit down and behave. And for Wei Wuxian, that's a nearly impossibly request.

Finally he turns his face upwards to he can look at Lan Wangji's face. "Lan Zhan..the Mad March came to see me." His expression shows it clearly rattled him. Replaying the words over in his head..how he knew so much about his past that should have had no reason to come up in any sort of conversation..He didn't like it.

It's like his entire life got played out for all to see and the thing decided to pick which parts would hurt the most if he was confronted. And even the fact he mentioned both Lan Wangji's to him..meant they were being watched in the hotel just as he had expected. This was why he wanted to put the note method of communication into effect. But apparently even that isn't going to be enough..not when they are watching their every move.

It makes him shudder and he desperately wants to stay calm knowing that Lan Wangji can feel every little ounce of his feelings at that moment and wishing he knew how to turn the bonding off because the flow of emotions between them was just too strong. There was nothing he could even hide if he wanted to at this point. But perhaps in a way..that made it he perfect time to talk about difficult topics. Because they wouldn't be able to lie to each other about their feelings. And right now..he has a lot he wants to discuss and all of it needed to be away from the camp. Away from anyone who might try and listen in. Away from the guards the queen had sent with them and even from their own family. Nothing is safe any more.

This trip has been nothing but exhausting on him in every way. He could feel the nervous energy from him, spreading to him, that it's difficult to keep up what has been going on. It's as if they are players on the field and there's an invisible force playing against them and moving them, like piece of chess on the field.

Feeling Wei Wuxian's intense emotions flooding into him, and without his golden core to keep himself steady, he does his best to keep it together. He only holds him in his arms, lending his support.

Taking a few deep breaths now, staying focus. Wei Ying is all that mattered to him. Being away from the camp and out of the earshot from the others, the privacy helps. Taking the matter seriously, he tried not to feel rattled from the inside as well, remembering his own encounter with the Mad March.

"He did? When does this happen and what did he said to you?"

"Let's..go sit by the water." He wants to be comfortable so he can try to untangle the rabbit's words. He finally lets the man go so he can take his hand again. "It just happened and I should have stayed calmer..should have asked better questions. But.." He got so mad. Everything the creature said made him angrier. But now he wants to be able to share that experience and see if Lan Wangji will know what to do with the information..what little of it there is.

He starts to pull the man towards the water. "I'm glad we're bonded now. This would have been much harder if we weren't." It would have meant they couldn't have gone far from the camp. Their partners would have felt everything..and that isn't fair to them. Wei Wuxian doesn't know why the hotel decided to play that game..or how it came up with the partners..but it certainly made things difficult for the first few days.

But if they can just sit together and work everything out then he knows that they will be fine. That there won't be anything the queen can do to them that they won't be able to handle.

Keeping a mask of calm for his sake, he decides to set himself aside, knowing Wei Ying feels emotions very intensely. He follows him to another place where they can talk privately and freely.

In a quiet voice, "I'm glad we're bonded too." Keeping his heart and emotion in check, his partner's emotions is effecting him through their established and reconnected bond, and being his partner, he is trying to find a balance. He is his true partner from their world, so he understands where his feelings come from, his past, his history. Lan Wangji knows him.

Near the water, if Wei Ying bid him sit, he will sit. Ever the constant companion and confidante figure in his life. He turns to him, ready himself to listen.

"Wei Ying, I am here."

He settles down onto the ground, looking out across the water as it reflects the moon. This reminds him of home moreso then even the rooms they live in at the hotel. Sitting under the stars, listening to the sounds of the nighttime. Even despite the hard times and how little he trusts the queen and the hotel, he is thankful that they finally were let out to see what the rest of Wonderland had to offer.

During this whole trip he had learned so much. Through the use of Inquiry and the spirit attraction he had talked to soldiers and kings..but somehow the meeting that has left the biggest impression is that of the Mad March. That thing that haunted him when he was locked away from everyone else. And now he had the audacity to find him at the camp. It's as if they aren't safe anywhere.

He looks over at Lan Wangji, shifting slightly so he can be facing him. "Lan Zhan...they know everything about us. About our past and what we have done here. They probably are watching even now despite how hard I've tried to make sure no one followed us."

He doesn't like the thought that they could just watch them during their most private of moments. And all he could do was hope that he wasn't out there stalking them even now.

To be honest, there's so much mystery about Wonderland, that Lan Wangji wanted to investigate and dig a little deeper to solve the mystery of this strange kingdom. He hardly finds anything wonderful about it.

Much of the hints and history as to what happened can be traced with the spirits. In the end, he think they found only the tip of the ice berg and piece together a connection.

Watching their reflection on the surface of the water, Lan Zhan more than ever felt homesick. It's a different moon, different sky, different world. He listens and with a heavy heart as he must shared what he discovered.

"Wei Ying. I already know. I met him as well."

He feels that homesickness through the bond and it makes his heart ache. Just as he is about to comment on it though, what Lan Wangji says next makes his blood boil. He latches onto the man's arm, looking up at him in shock.

"He came to you too?! He's been a busy little jerk...I wonder if he hit up our soul twins as well."

Wei Wuxian grows in displeasure. He hates to think the guy is going around threatening all the people he cares about. But at least he knows he wasn't targeted. Ever since that day he was locked up he was worried they had targets on their back..and perhaps that is the reason he came to talk to them. Although he wasn't particularly sneaky when he was walking in the woods with everyone. He was pretty sure if people weren't aware of his presence before, they certainly are now. He wishes he could understand what the guy's purpose was other then being annoying.

"I don't trust him at all..What did he say to you?"

Because if he threatened Lan Wangji then Wei Wuxian was going to run and hunt him down right now and break that ceramic head of his. He didn't care what the consequences would be.

Wei Wuxian's emotions of shock and outrage toppled his wall of calm over as he held onto his arm, demanding answers.

"Wei Ying, please. Remain calm." Eventually, he tries to calm him down by stroking through his long ponytail. He waited until Wei Ying is calm enough that he is able to answer. He has to word it in a way Wei Ying understands without letting his temper get the best of him.

"He comes asking for our cooperation."

"Tsk..cooperation..like hell will I ever cooperate with him." He growls and his expression clearly shows that he doesn't intend to do anything the Mad March asks of him.

But he relaxes and rests his cheek against Lan Wangji's arm as he pets his hair. He doesn't really have any reason to go against Mad March, but everything about that rabbit screams that he shouldn't trust him no matter what. And after everything he said..even if their conversation was short..it makes him trust him even less then he did when he was just a shadowy figure in the corner of his vision.

What does this guy want from them. "Has he even done anything to deserve our cooperation?"

Lan Wangji stiffens and tense as Wei Ying asks that question. The Mad March's modulated robotic voice is as good as his threat. What will you do to keep him? Does he love you enough to not go looking for trouble? Better go back to keeping him warm."

If he keeps him calm and placid, then he can persuade Wei Ying to stay out of trouble without him thinking about it. He wonders if the teas he drinks will help calm him by using the power in his voice.

His strokes through his long ponytail hair with his fingers, then gently stroking down the curves of his back with light pressure. "Nothing. Just drink the teas and don't mind him. Just don't cause trouble and don't think about. He simply warns the Queen is unhappy, but she is forgiving by supplying more tea. That is all. The fault is all mine that you got hurt. It won't happen again."

He continues to touch him gently, even though he wasn't in the mood to seduce him. Just words and touches to comfort him and lull him.

There is an odd calmness that washes over him as Lan Wangji talks. The man can usually settle his temper but something about this is different. Between the calmness he can feel through his bond and the soothing way his words make him feel, as well as that hand on his hair and back..he's feeling oddly placated.

But he doesn't want to feel calm..he wants to feel angry. "What do the teas have to do with making the Queen happy? What do you mean it is your fault?" He doesn't understand at all. Is he talking about when they were attacked and tossed in those rooms? That was so long ago for them..and that wasn't even Lan Wangji's fault. Certainly the rabbit didn't make him think that it was!

He feels like his questions are doubling the longer he sits there. Even despite the calmer mood he wants to know what the strange rabbit said to him. He wants to make sure that Lan Wangji wasn't threatened. He wanted them to be safe and happy and not have to worry that at any moment they could be ripped from each other. But he also doesn't want to just be some plaything of the Queen or her messenger.

At that, Lan Wangji fell quiet as Wei Ying barraged him with so many questions. Questions he cannot give answer to. Even if he doesn't understand, it's always his nature to misunderstood him.

He said exactly what the Mad March told him. "The Queen is a tyrant. She demanded we cooperate. As long as we don't harm her people and her place, then she'll be generous and give us peace." So the solution to keep them both happy and safe is to don't repeat the offense.

Turning to him, he slides his arms and hugs him close. "If we repeated the offense, I will loose you to her. So I plead you, let's try to stay out of trouble. It's my fault to let you break the rules."

"And what am I supposed to do? I can't just sit around and do nothing. I don't even know what rules I've supposedly broken!" Well..besides entering the room he wasn't supposed to and stealing the teas and switchblade. But certainly those crimes aren't enough to get him in trouble with the Queen. He hasn't done anything that would cause himself to be in danger. He had his punishment and got locked away. It should be in the past.

Whatever the Mad March said to him, certainly as Lan Wangji spooked and if he has to behave for awhile just so the man doesn't have to worry..then perhaps he can do that. But it would be easier if he knew what it was that he wasn't allowed to do.

He wraps his arms around him and buries his face into Lan Wangji's chest. He certainly doesn't want to be torn away from him again, "It's not your fault if I get in trouble, Lan Zhan. You can't possibly be held accountable for the things I do."

It seems calming him and placating him doesn't work. It only makes Lan Wangji loves his rebellious side all the more. Yet he wonders if he encourages him to fight, it will only riles him to do something reckless. It's take two ~~idiots~~ to commit a crime.

"I'm equally responsible. I was there with you. You're my home." He hugs him tight, giving him the warmth and comfort he needs. "That's why I fear loosing you above all else." Wei Ying has no idea how long he has searched for his soul even after his death, that people only pity Lan Wangji for not giving up on the search. This is Wei Wuxian's second chance at life. There won't be another. "I was reckless."

The stakes can only go so much higher.

"I don't know the rules either, but the Mad March insisted on cooperation, so that's probably the number one rule. Cooperate and obey. That's what she expects us to do. Do nothing. Remember what we ask the ghosts? It makes me wonder if our heads are next if we displeased her."

"I don't trust him and I don't trust what he says. If he went and visited the others there might be more to the story. We need to talk to everyone and see what they might have been told." He won't just back down from a fight if that is what takes to get answers. But he also doesn't want his mistakes to bring about pain and death to Lan Wangji. And it seems that both the queen and the rabbit want to hit them right where it hurts the most. And for them it means each other.

"She gives us these powers. All the teas just show up in the rooms. Why does she give us power if she doesn't expect us to use them? And if we use them then aren't we going to just feel more inclined to find out what she is hiding?"

Which in turn means disobeying her or going against whatever these random rules are that apparently no one actually knows. Just how many has he broken without realizing it? What is there are 3000 of them like at the Lan sect. He can't possibly be expected to follow all of them especially if he doesn't know what they are.

He turns his face so he can rest his ear against Lan Wangj's chest and listen to his heartbeat. It's the one constant despite everything that happens to him. The fact that this heart beats for him.

"I do not know. I think we should converse with the others on the matter. Make a meeting with our friends and family." Lan Wangji's heartbeat is strong and steady, pulse as strongly as the energy that swirls in his golden core, now the power he cultivated is flowing through Wei Ying's body, giving him life.

Lan Wangji is more afraid for him, not wanting him to experience the pain of death itself. If Wei Ying dies another death, he doesn't know what else he could do other than avenge his death if his soul is lost in this world. He refused to return to his world not without him, not without his soul, no matter.

"Wei Ying." He said, keeping his voice steely. "I promise we go home together. So no matter what happens, we'll go home together and we'll make sure everyone else goes home as well. Maybe this world has a problem and it needs our help, I do not know, but I was wondering."

He nuzzles on his hair as Wei Ying seeks warmth and comfort, which he happily gives as he holds him.

"When the rabbit was talking to me..he kept talking like they plan to bring more of our people here. What if they just keep adding people..the more that are here the harder they will be to protect."

He doesn't want the Queen to mess with any of the people he cares about. And there are so many back at the camp that he would die to protect. If those numbers grow..it will be harder. It's scary to think about who else they might bring into this world.

"I want us to go home together, but I'm worried that the opposite is going to happen..that more people from our world is going to get kidnapped." If the world has a problem that needs them to solve then they need to do so quickly before more show up.

Lan Wangji listens, and he listens carefully. Piecing together the information the Mad March has given and the information given to him.

"We can't protect anyone with just us alone. So we have to help each other." Each time Wei Ying suffers, it only pulls at his heartstrings and Lan Wangji search within himself to lend him his strength and guidance. Taking a deep breath, he can only offer his ideas and support.

"I'm not sure. It seems we're the only ones kidnapped. So far, for the months we've been here, I haven't seen anybody else from our world. It's just you and me." Consider that fact fortunate.

"Furthermore, when we returned home shortly, we don't remember anything that happened here."

"Even if the people come from our soul-twins world..wouldn't you feel the need to protect them as if they were our own?" Just because they were the only ones from their world didn't mean he was just going to ignore the others. They were as much a part of his family now as anyone else. And the rabbit felt inclined to bring up his senior sister and that..just didn't sit well with him.

They will all have to work together, all the Oysters, to protect one another and make sure nothing happens to anyone. There are some faces that you see once and then never see again, and that is terrifying. To not know if someone has been returned home or if the Queen somehow got them. He doesn't want to think that perhaps she is just making more and more of the Mad March creatures and that what they encountered..was one of many.

"I just don't want to think that she is bringing people to this world..just to harm them..or use them against us."

Lan Wangji sighs deeply, taking in the collective stress and his stress. Gathering his thoughts. He thought about his brother, his other self, the other Wei Ying, but also the others who were brought into this world for the Queen's purpose.

"...I will protect everyone. They are us in a way. Even if they are different, we're all in this together. I don't want to think about that either."

Seeing Wei Ying worry, "Let's do the best that we can and gather as much information." And hope for the best. "Knowledge and information is important. Wei Ying, don't worry. I will always be on your side."

He nods, trying to quell his fears and worry and not let them take over his heart. He just doesn't want to see anyone locked away like he had been. He hates to think that there might be even more dangerous things lurking in the hotel. He still didn't know what caused the banging in the walls or why the spirits were so afraid. He still had so many questions that he wanted answers to and if he had just stayed a little calmer perhaps the Mad March would have given them. But just the fact that he had shown up in front of him at all had made him upset.

But now he wants to forget about the rabbit and his threats. He wanted to focus on the better feelings that were passed through this bond between them. There was no point in worrying about things that he couldn't control and as far as he knew, there wasn't any more trouble that he could get into while they were out in the forest. They had already talked to the White King and knew just a little bit more about what they were up against.

The fact that Lan Wangji is willing to help him get more information is encouraging. They will have to cause trouble in order to do it, and although he doesn't want to put the other man in danger, he knows that they are stronger together.

"Let's promise to do whatever we can to keep everyone that is here safe..and find them all a safe passage home." Back to the people they love.

Lan Wangji was filled with his worries through the bond. So many of them. There isn't anything they could do for now, other than he offers his love and his support for his ideals, for he knows his heart always wanted to fight for the right causes.

"I promise to help you in anyway I can. Don't worry, Wei Ying. We won't lose anyone. I got you and we got everyone."

He could wrap his arms around Wei Ying and brings him to his chest, close to his heart to give him a hug. He can't promise they won't be fine, but he can promise he'll be there by his side to support him.

"Wei Ying is very strong. I believe in you. Always have and always will."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject