#like wangxian's novel dynamics aren't shoved in because mxtx wanted stereotypes to top or bottom or whatever

[rynne]

Still on my “I go feral for established relationship” agenda. There are so many small moments in the extras I love for showing us how much the Wangxian relationship has developed.

With his elbow, he poked lightly at the stomach of Lan WangJi, who was currently marking the notes, his back straight. Without any change in expression, Lan WangJi replied, “Yes.”

After he spoke, he wrapped an arm around Wei WuXian’s waist, locking him in place so that he didn’t mess around, and continued to mark the notes that’d been handed in.

Wei WuXian struggled a bit, but as he still couldn’t get out, he decided to maintain this position as he continued to lecture Lan SiZhui[.]

(Chapter 124, ExR)

This scene, as grewlikefancyflowers highlights, is a progression of their kink dynamic and I enjoy it for that, but it also shows how much their relationship as a whole has progressed.

Lan “I don’t touch people casually” Wangji just wraps an arm around WWX and holds him there. He is comfortable in himself and in his partner.

WWX still has his inclination to mess around, but his priority is teaching. He is settled and mature while still having fun.

But the major thing is that WWX once feared that LWJ wanted to trap him. His fear wasn’t even entirely unfounded -- LWJ may not have intended that by asking WWX to come back to Gusu, but the parallel with his parents indicates that going to Gusu would likely have meant some sort of unbearable restriction. This has been a big obstacle in their relationship for a long time -- once he’s resurrected, WWX keeps trying to escape from LWJ because he’s still afraid of being trapped and punished.

Now there is complete trust. This is also part of why I enjoy their bondage inclinations. In his first life, WWX would never have been comfortable with LWJ tying him up with his forehead ribbon, or pinning him down and holding him somewhere. But after everything they’ve gone through, LWJ has proven that he will not trap WWX. WWX can feel free to enjoy the way LWJ does restrict him because he knows his essential self is in no danger in LWJ’s hands now. He can struggle, and not break free, and not mind.

WWX just...has come to trust LWJ so much, in small things as well as big things. And I love the extras for showing us their relationship beyond the “getting together” stage so we can see this.