Let the water rush over you.

[madmeemey]

the intimate bathing meme;

Grooming is an important part of many species' rituals. It keeps them clean, healthy, and content. And a good bath? It can change the whole tone of a day from terrible to relaxed and blissful. But nudity is sometimes viewed as a weakness - and it is almost always sexualized - so bathing is often kept a private matter. If you do share these moments with someone, they're almost always a significant other or a sexual partner. Like you're doing now. Whether it be after a battle or after sex (or before sex, even), the two of you are going to get clean. Be sure to help each other out with that, won't you? After all, there are places on the back that just can't be reached... HOW TO PLAY: Comment with your character, your prefs, etc. If there are other grooming-related practices or kinks you'd like to include, like shaving, hair washing, mention them! Reply to others!

Comments

[crookedheadband]

It isn't the answer he anticipates. Wei Ying is a free spirit. Perhaps he wishes to travel once more. That day that they made wishes as teenagers...he remembers it clearly, of how he and Wei Ying had made wishes then that seemed almost childishly hopeful. Especially when things had gone wrong. It seems as if they have held true to their wishes. True to...most things. He knows that there were things that developed that day. His feelings.

He parts his lips as if to ask Wei Ying - would he not be happier wandering? Or even seeking his own cultivating partner? Or does he mean to imply that he has a cultivating partner here in Gusu?

He closes his mouth again. There are far too many questions that seem to swirl about in his mind.

"Wei Ying."

His name has always been comforting to say. He could convey so much with just his name. Right now, he says it fondly.

"Perhaps we can go into Caiyi tonight."

[sadflutenoises]

The soft way Lan Zhan says his name is more than enough to set his heart beating faster, and for the first time today he's glad for the chill of the water and the way it helps hide any semblance of a blush. No one else says his name with such familiarity, or such fondness, and he beams in response, tension starting to ebb away.

"Hm? You think we can sneak you out of your meeting early? I'll even treat this time!" it's hard to hide his excitement, or how easily the thought of spending time together distracts him. Just the thought of sect leader Yao's face when they leave brings a hint of laughter to his tone.

"It's not breaking any rules since you pretty much make them now, right?"

[crookedheadband]

He watches Wei Ying's features carefully. He can see that he relaxes and the excitement of a night together paint his features.

"I do not make the rules of Gusu," Lan Zhan gently reminds him. "We will need to return before nine in the evening."

He carefully moves to where his clothes are and pulls them on. Lan Zhan does have another meeting after all. He looks at Wei Ying as he finishes putting the rest of his clothes on. A hot water bath. Perhaps. Later on in the evening.

[sadflutenoises]

He groans, though it's mostly for show, then nearly trips over himself to follow Lan Zhan out of the cold pond.

"Oh- like, right now, right now?" he pulls himself from the cold waters, still covered in goosebumps, the cool mountain air not helping him feel any warmer. He bends to wring out his pant legs a little, then pulls on his red inner robe.

"Come on, if we're late, I dare anyone to try to punish the head cultivator," he laughs, shouldering Lan Zhan as he pulls on his black outer robe and hastily ties on his belt.

[crookedheadband]

He keeps his smile to himself as Wei Ying moves out of the cold waters. Lan Zhan wonders if Wei Ying would ever get used to the colder climes of Gusu. Respectfully, he looks away as Wei Ying gets dressed.

"I still have my meeting with Sect Leader Yao. The meeting will run its course, however long or short it will be."

The slightest tick of his lips upward does note that he may try to make the meeting as short as possible. Despite Yao's attempts at making things seem grander than they are.

"Will you accompany me to the meeting?"

[sadflutenoises]

He makes a face at the idea of more meetings, but follows, even so, once his belts are refastened and he's retained some semblance of decorum. Still, Lan Zhan invited him, and he definitely implied that the meeting would run as long or short as it needed to. Which also meant Wei Wuxian was sure to make that as short as humanly possible. Every moment wasted with Yao was one less he got to spend later with Lan Zhan.

"Of course, of course, I'll make sure we keep close track of the time," he smiles in a way that's all mischief. He won't go so far as to threaten any of their allies, but for someone like Yao, a few well-placed glares or clipped words was enough to silence him.

"I'm nothing if not efficient, you know," he hurries his pace so he can walk at Lan Zhan's side.

[crookedheadband]

"Wei Ying."

It's fond. There is no change in Lan Zhan's features or demeanor but the name is spoken warmly, as if anticipating and warning of the mischief. He holds Bichen and waits for Wei Ying to finish dressing before making his way back.

The meeting, indeed, runs shorter than usual with Yao being silently encouraged to get to his points and Lan Zhan providing the best courses of action for him.

The Head Cultivator stays behind while everyone else filters out, whispering among themselves that Yao seemed very slightly uncomfortable that Wei Wuxian was standing in the same room as all of them and were grateful that he was.

Without looking up from finishing his report, Lan Zhan is nearly ready to go into town, he calls, "Wei Ying."

[sadflutenoises]

The meeting ends and the sun is still up, and that alone is reason enough to call it a victory. He's almost bouncing on the balls of his feet waiting for the old sect leaders to file out of the room and leave them in peace. He's taken to twirling Chenqing idly on his fingers as he waits for Lan Wangji to finish his writing, eyes flicking over occasionally to admire the handsome brushstrokes.

He's startled out of his staring when Lan Zhan calls his name, and nearly drops his flute.

"Lan Zhan," comes the immediate reply, his tone excited and eager.

"Do you need anything from the jingshi on our way out? Let's go, let's go!"

[crookedheadband]

He nods. He needs to pick up his money bag from the jingshi. Lan Zhan carefully puts his reports away so that he could take them to Zewu Jun and his Uncle tomorrow. He picks up Bichen and makes his way toward Wei Ying, inwardly amused at how he nearly got Wei Ying to drop Chenqing. Once he picks up his money bag, he starts to walk along the path with Wei Ying beside him. It wouldn't take too long for them but the ambling pace is a nice break from his duties.

And without Li'l Apple braying between them.

"The juniors are enjoying your extra lessons for them," he says.

[sadflutenoises]

He doesn't miss how Lan Zhan pockets his money, despite how Wei Wuxian had said he'd treat. Then again, Wuxian has to do a quick pat-pat of his person to make sure he's actually remembered to bring his own purse. It's... oh, a bit lighter than he'd expected, but if he went without picking up some Emperor's Smile on the way back, he should have enough to cover a nice meal. He'd be hard pressed to say so aloud, but Lan Zhan is worth far more than even a hundred bottles of it, and if it means they get to spend some times together out of his busy schedule, then... he doesn't mind so much giving it up.

He tucks Chenqing into his belt, keeping pace with Lan Zhan as they walk in companionable silence, and he even breaks into a grin when Lan Zhan is the one to start the conversation.

"Oh? Did they say that?" he doesn't get praise often, at least, not in a backhanded sort of way, so when it's earnest and straightforward, it can be hard to accept. He certainly enjoys teaching them, though whether or not his unorthodox methods are appreciated, he hadn't been terribly sure. If Lan Qiren ever sat in on one, he'd surely pass out from qi deviation.

"And? What does the Head Cultivator think? The makings of a true master, wouldn't you say?" he teases.

[crookedheadband]

He doesn't start conversations. He merely makes an observation. When prodded, Lan Zhan simply replies with a non-committed hum.

The lessons are unorthodox, if Sizhui's reports are anything to go by. Yet the junior disciples seem to hang onto Wei Ying's every word as he teaches them more...practical methods that would add to their Lan education. Sizhui seemed amused by how his peers wanted to know everything about the former Yiling Patriarch. The braver ones seemed to want to ask how he ever forged such a friendship with Hanguang Jun.

It would be at this point when Sizhui would intervene.

Lan Zhan is glad to hear of it. Even if Lan Qiren had been more vocal about having Wei Wuxian living in Gusu, even the clan leader had to admit that Wei Wuxian had saved their lives and had redeemed so much of himself from his younger days.

[sadflutenoises]

He reads the hum for what it is, a quiet approval, at the very least, and keeps up a stream of conversation as they walk, how each of his students have been improving, from Jingyi's work with talismans to how quickly Sizhui has picked up the use of golden threads. They're at the outskirts of town by the time he's run low on things to talk about, and he grins, a new wave of excitement cresting at the sight of all the shops and things to see.

Out of habit, he takes hold of Lan Zhan's wrist, then tugs him along into Caiyi.

"Where do you want to eat, Lan Zhan? Do they still have that shop that sells the little sugarwork animals? Maybe I should get a few spices to take back with us..."

[crookedheadband]

He doesn't even flinch when Wei Ying takes his wrist and leads him into the night market. There are many things to see and hear as they wander through. His heart gladdens at Wei Ying's constant stream of conversation and to hear that he and Sizhui have been connecting and bonding more as time passes.

Lan Zhan remains silent as Wei Ying asks many questions about their activities for the evening. He looks around, then over to the tavern that Wei Ying had stayed at, or tried to, when he and the others first arrived in Caiyi town.

"Perhaps there. Do you like it there?"