Wei Wuxian | 魏无羡 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
singlelogbridge) wrote2022-02-25 01:37 pm
singlelogbridge) wrote2022-02-25 01:37 pmInbox: Ximilia
// Wei Wuxian
TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO
XIMILIA
singlelogbridge) wrote2022-02-25 01:37 pm
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（ there is a weary sigh, and then itachi shifts in the water like a dancer on steady ground — maintaining his balance in the water with one hand braced atop it, chakra making it seem like nothing else so much as earth. he turns to face the man, his friend, and then: ）
I have also missed you.
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But he argues none of that as Itachi moves to face him, the movement impossibly graceful in a way that belies the use of his abilities. The words sink into his heart and it aches. He'd hoped Itachi had missed him just a little. Not for want to cause his friend suffering but to know that even when Itachi needed time away, that he still wanted Wei Wuxian.]
I'm here now.
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I have yet to thank you for the art.
（ the sketches pressed down into pages of their linked journals, each telling a little story. he has largely kept it tucked away — if for no other reason than the fact he would likely be forced to give it up if another discovered he had anything of value, but. when he is able to steal private moments... he has not been unaware of all that wei ying has drawn for him. ）
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There's nothing to thank me for. [He says quietly into the space between them, meaning it.]
I like capturing the things we see on missions and I like being able to share them with you. If you aren't at my side, then at least I can share them like this. And I liked yours too. [He smiles and drapes his arms around Itachi's shoulders, as much for the closeness as to give his core muscles a small break.]
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（ it is not quite the man's usual deflection, but nevertheless. once wei ying puts an arm around him, and he can feel the pressure of his weight as the man rests against him, he shifts a little so he can hook one of his feet behind his ankle and bring wei ying's foot forward until it rests atop his own — giving him some semblance of solid ground. ）
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Then I'm glad. [Is what he says eventually, resolving to make time for a few more sketches. It's rare he has time for the intricate paintings, but it's easy to find a few minutes for a simpler sketch.
One of his hands twines in Itachi's hair and he leans forward to kiss him again, reveling in the closeness and the quiet of the moment.]
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（ it's said with — just the faintest trace of mischief. a rare thing, in him. ）
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A little more than three minutes. Why?
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Then take a deep one.
（ he forms the signs for the suirō no jutsu, and water coalesces around them, enshrining them in its embrace before it drags them down beneath the surface.
with the bioluminescence, and the additional help from wei ying's talismans, the underwater world is as lush and alive as anything on the surface, visible even without the sharingan. fish dart by, jeweled in the light, curious at the intrusion into their territory. itachi curls an arm around his companion, as much to gauge his body language and discomfort as they descend — though the pressure is equalized by the barrier — until they gently touch the ocean floor.
Inform me when you need to ascend. ）
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He turns to smile at Itachi and then nods his head in the direction of a bright collection of coral that's caught his attention.]
This is amazing. You know, the last time we did this you were a dragon. [There's laughter in his eyes that doesn't breach his lips.] How long can you hold your breath?
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Longer than you.
（ he is plainly teasing. though the truth of it is — not by much. his lungs were too damaged, too long by the illness that ravaged his body, and short of a transplant — which he is certain mccoy would offer, and perform — there is not much to be done for the scar tissue. ）
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This man! [He almost grins before remembering to conserve his air.
And then a minute later his eyes grow wide and his jaw falls open, just a little. Not enough to take in any water, but enough to cut his air supply down by at least a minute—or it would be if not for what he does next. With a few twists of his fingers, he crafts two bright red arrays and one of them sinks into each of their chests. Itachi will find that he can instantly breathe underwater.]
I forgot! Don't make fun of me, I've never had a chance to use it on a mission!
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and then he just cracks the dumbest smile, and reaches out to ruffle the man's hair. devoid of oxygen, all he succeeds in doing is stirring up a messy halo of long black tendrils drifting free of the tie he'd put it up in. ）
You are ridiculous. Please, never change.
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It lasts for at least thirty minutes but I can always refresh it again. [He lowers his hands and steps towards Itachi, taking him by the hand and tugging him along.]
How soon do you need to be back? [They'll probably need to get out of the cold before then anyway, but it's helpful to know.]
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（ so, you know. he's got time. ）
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As they walk along the bottom of the sea floor, a long snake like fish swims by and it takes him a moment to remember it's name. Eel he recalls. A name he wouldn't have known without how he'd read up on ocean life after Xrisora. Wei Wuxian follows the creature at a sedate pace, watching as it winds through the narrow tunnels of a structure of coral.
He only barely resists the urge to reach out and try to skim a hand along its spine. Eventually though, the eel winds out of the coral and around his legs, prompting Wei Wuxian to kneel to get a better look even as it darts away again.]
I think it's curious. [That makes two of them.
Wei Wuxian stays where he is and extends an arm, and after a while the eel approaches again, twining around his arm once before disappearing back into the coral for good this time. He lets his arm fall to his side again and resumes his spot at Itachi's side.]
Do you know what makes the water glow like this?
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（ and for a time it seems like that is all he has to say on the matter. wei ying asked if he knows, not to clarify that knowledge.
instead he watches, as the eel roams — makes its stop with wei ying, curiously encircling his arm before its retreat. red eyes track its progress as it dips back beneath the shadow of the coral.
he cannot help but wonder how, exactly, sharks might take to the man. he knows from long experience that they are neither as bloodthirsty nor as cruel as people say. would kisame object to that assertion, he wonders? or would he accept it as truth, now? four years of partnership no doubt resulted in considerable insights being made on both sides — although kisame would still despise him for the role he played as a double agent. if he had known, it would have come to blows long before his death.
finally — ）
There is an algae in the water. It produces a bioluminescent effect.
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In the meantime Wei Wuxian continues to explore the ocean floor, investigating, picking up a handful of shells, and occasionally pausing to simply take in the view. Eventually he feels a chill beginning to settle into his skin and he motions for them to retreat back to the surface.]
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and then he hauls himself up out of the water, intending to walk across the lagoon to return to where they'd shucked their clothing, not terribly interested in troubling himself to swim the distance. the air is a cold chill against his skin and there's a faint involuntary twitch as he suppresses a shiver.
once they've returned to the shore — ）
May I use your Qiankun pouch?
（ he keeps rough stock of its contents — and is well aware that wei ying carries all manner of useful items out of habit besides. he will certainly have blankets, easily substituted for towels as they dry. ）
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Here, let me. [He traces a symbol into the air in glowing red characters and it settles into Itachi's hair, drying it instantly. That one hasn't seen much use either, but it comes in handy now and he smiles at Itachi as he moves past him to retrieve his qiankun pouch. Instead of handing it over, he pulls a blanket from inside of it, easily able to figure out what Itachi might be looking for, and then sets a warming array on the blanket before handing it to him.
Itachi will find the blanket nice and toasty when he uses it, and Wei Wuxian returns to squeezing his hair out before using the same drying talisman on his own hair.]
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ah, but it does not truly matter what he expects, does it? wei ying has proved him wrong at every step. somehow, neither personal betrayal nor learning of the massacre has driven him away. and here he is, thinking first of itachi's own comfort.
his fingers clutch at the blanket, curling into the warmth reflexively. his teeth click together, caging a sentiment he decides is better left unsaid.
ultimately, he sends a clone off to collect firewood, and he sinks down onto the black sand; for once contented with not doing anything especially useful or pressing in the moment. instead, he simply watches wei ying as the man dries himself and once he is acceptably devoid of water — ）
Come here.
（ he lifts one corner of the blanket, offering the spot beside him. ）
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He leaves his pants on the floor and goes, kneeling to sit beside him and huddle into Itachi's side. Even without the warming talisman it would be cozy, but the combination of Itachi's body heat and the array warmed blanket have him sighing in contentment.]
This is much better than just getting dressed.
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（ but even in contrast to the words, he folds the blanket in around them both, and tugs the man in against him, curling an arm across his shoulders.
the clone, meanwhile — fully dressed, thank you — returns and deposits an armful of driftwood before self-dismissing. itachi, in a languid manner better suited to a cat satisfied in a sunbeam, reaches out with one hand to do the flickering hand seals of a fire jutsu — and then the wood sparks to life. it's dry enough that it burns almost entirely without smoke, casting shadows in an ageless dance around them.
he does not speak for a long while, gaze fixed on the flames. then: ）
This is... pleasant. Thank you for joining me.
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His eyes flutter back open at Itachi's words and he hums softly in agreement.]
Thank you for asking to meet. I really...ah, I really like spending time with you like this. You know I love exploring the worlds we visit. It's always better doing it with you.
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（ but there's a hint of playfulness to his tone, accentuated in the way that he turns his head to press a kiss against the crown of the man's hair, dried now with the help of the talisman but still faintly tacky with salt. ）
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