My favorite part of Lan Wangji's character arc is the way he goes from wanting not to be seen for who he is, even if it is lonely, to being determined to show everyone who he is and daring them to judge him.
This poor fifteen year old boy, totally overwhelmed with romantic thoughts about another man, while everyone he knew informed him that this person would never be accepted in his life. This eighteen to nineteen year old, plagued with the need to keep his affections a secret. The twenty year old who turned away from it due to the opinions of his uncle and elder brother.
The twenty two year old who lost the love of his life and faced punishment from his clan for daring to love someone they disapproved of... then went back and told them he didn't care: "This child of the Yiling Patriarch is now mine, thanks. I don't care if you punish me, I'm done cutting off the people I love for your sake."
Turned into a thirty five year old who shackled this man to himself for everyone to see. He became a person who refused to waver in his commitment to stand by them, despite the consequences. Ultimately, he told those same family members that if they had a problem with his spouse, he didn't have to be their family anymore.
He became strong enough to support his spouse through experiencing the judgment of a 'family' member who refused to accept him.
And through this journey, he found the security of self that allowed him to love freely and take chances. Self-acceptance allowed him to build the life he wanted--to share the safety he built for himself with the people he valued the most.
geto sensei 💪✨️
I aspire to his levels of bitchiness
Upstaged again
Baggy shirt 🖤🤍
Based on this post that has been stuck in my head for ages- the three straightest guys lmao
And also their husbands having a similar conversation
Guys I'm so normal about all of these books don't @ me lol
@here4hualian kissmas day 5: kissing the cursed shackles
Xie Lian is bathing himself in the river when he notices the little ghost fire.
He calls out to it. "Hello? Do you need anything?"
Xie Lian doesn't feel particularly concerned about his modesty. Maybe it's the fact that the ghost fire doesn't have visible eyes to watch him with, even if it is hovering rather intently.
"Are you alright?" Xie Lian tries.
The ghost fire finally responds. "I'm fine. Dianxia doesn't need to worry about me."
Xie Lian is too tired to deal with how being recognized makes him feel. "Did you want to use the river? I don't mind sharing."
Slowly, the ghost fire drifts over, although it makes to movements towards the water. It just hovers next to Xie Lian, giving off a faint blue glow.
Subconsciously, Xie Lian scratches at his cursed shackle. It's been hurting all day. Ah, that's probably how the ghost fire recognized him. Word of his banishment and the punishment he received has spread quickly through the mortal realm.
"Does it hurt?" the ghost fire asks, and Xie Lian startles.
"Ah, it's nothing, really."
The ghost sinks lower towards the water, and Xie Lian is reminded of the way a human might pout. Perhaps it was looking to emphasize? Who better could understand pain than someone who has experienced death?
"I tried to use my spiritual powers today," Xie Lian tells it. "This thing has been squeezing at me ever since. It's only a little painful, don't worry. I've felt way worse."
"Is there anything this one can do to help?"
"Unless you have some spiritual energy to lend me." Xie Lian means it as a joke.
The ghost fire takes it seriously.
It floats upwards, flying over to Xie Lian's neck. The sensation of cold flames on his bare skin tickles, and chills rise down Xie Lian's spine.
And then, there's a tendril of energy flowing into him. It's small, barely there at all, but to Xie Lian, who hasn't had anything like it in so long, it may as well be an ocean of power.
It feels almost like a kiss, the way the ghost fire is transferring it.
After a moments, Xie Lian pulls away. His cheeks are slightly flushed. "You'll burn yourself out if you give me too much, silly thing. You really didn't need to do that."
"But I wanted to. Does it still hurt?"
Xie Lian pauses. Because... "No. It doesn't. I... thank you."
WIP!!!
"And then he said, you like Mian Mian, right? Urgh!"
Kudos to the artist.
I think a MDZS Psych AU would be hilarious. WWX's this super observant genius who remembers everything he sees and can easily guess people's true motives, but it only ever gets him into trouble.
First, YZY hates him for getting better grades than JC, then he's kicked out of LP for calling WC on his lies at a charity gala, effectively blackening the Jiang name. After leaving, he gets caught up in a plot to assassinate him, which leads to him testifying against the Wens in court - which leads to a new, intense interest in seeking justice for those who can't.
...Unfortunately, even this gets him in trouble. WWX's called in one too many tips to the local police station and now he's a suspect! Oh woe! Whatever is he to do?! They're going to lock him up and throw away the key!
LWJ, an up and coming officer with a decade long crush on WWX: Do not worry. I will speak with Uncle to clear your na-
WWX promptly decides to announce that he's psychic.
"Impossible!"
LQR...doesn't believe it. No one really believes it, but LXC takes the opportunity to hire WWX as a consultant for cases...
"...Otherwise not easily solved," he explains delicately, very subtly not winking at his brother who's also very subtly not eavesdropping on their conversation. "You would of course be working with Wangji."
WWX considers it for a moment: a well paying job that interests him, and he gets to bother LWJ all day? How could he possibly say no?
And so he doesn't. In fact, he agrees.
WWX and LWJ become partners. LWJ the dashing young police officer, WWX the spooky, scary crackpot-
"Do not insult yourself, Wei Ying," LWJ chastises.
WWX can't help but swoon. "So protective of my reputation LZ!"
"Mn."
LWJ has good reason to be protective - and of more than just WWX's reputation. Since becoming 'psychic', WWX's attracted a number of very vocal detractors who find his methods disrespectful - along with several enemies in high places who can't afford to have their secrets uncovered.
Thankfully, LZ is always there to keep him safe. And when LZ's busy, WN is willing to step in and help.
(WWX is somehow blind to both LWJ's boundless adoration, and the fact that he's essentially employed WN as a part-time bodyguard behind his back.)
Still, no system is perfect. While investigating the murder of a local debutante, WWX is captured by one of his enemies' lackeys - Jin Zixun.
"...Who?" he asks, drawing a blank.
Jin Zixun pokes his finger in WWX's face. "You-! Don't you remember everything? How can you pretend not to know me?!"
WWX blinks. He's sure he's never seen this person before in his life. But when he says as much, Jin Zixun looks fit to beat him.
Thankfully, before things can get too heated, LZ breaks into the warehouse they're keeping WWX in and rescues him. Is this another swooning moment? Of course! Any moment is a good swooning moment with LZ around.
"Mn," LWJ agrees, picking WWX up in a bridal carry (after arresting the bad guys, of course).
WWX laughs, hiding his cherry-red face in LWJ's neck.
"LZ!" he whines, batting his partner's chest. "Don't just agree with me! Think about my heart."
LWJ tilts WWX's chin back, so he can look him in the eyes as he says, "I think of nothing else."
WWX almost swoons for real. What an unexpected confession! Maybe he isn't as observant as he's given credit for?
"Ridiculous," LWJ denies, "You are very observant. Just not psychic."
WWX laughs so much he almost falls out of LWJ's arms. Thankfully, LWJ is stronger than he looks.
"I am so psychic!" he argues once he's caught his breath. "I'm getting a vision right now!"
"Oh?" LWJ's raised brow shows exactly how little he believes Wei Ying.
"It's true!" WWX says. "I see...! It's us! We're standing side by side and...we're getting married! We're gonna be together forever, er gege."
Heart in his throat, he looks up to find LWJ staring back at him with dark, hungry eyes.
"Mark your words," he says in a growl, and WWX gulps.
That day, LWJ becomes a little less sceptical of his new fiance's preternatural powers, and WWX becomes a firm believer in LWJ's physical prowess. 😉
----
Jin Zixun, some hours later, still handcuffed to a chair in the abandoned warehouse: Hello? I think you forgot me? ...Hello??