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“You’re cordially invited to…”
No matter how many times Wei WuXian has read the scroll, he still can’t help but break out into a smile. He has had it for over a month now and yet he diligently opens it every now and then, running a finger through the beautiful calligraphy bearing his name.
Wen Qing always teases him about it. How he sleeps with the scroll tucked underneath the straw mat he stays in. Wen Ning doesn’t join in the teasing. But he and the rest of the folks living in Burial Mounds smile and chuckle at the exchange of banter between Wen Qing and the ever so “scary” Yiling Patriarch whenever the subject emerges.
Wei WuXian is excited. A-Ling’s full month celebration is happening today and he’s so nervous and happy at the same time. He has A-Ling’s gift inside his sleeves, the bell ringing softly as he moves. He has worked on it day and night ever since he received the invite and he only hopes his nephew will love it too.
He wonders what his nephew looks like and prays to no one in particular that the boy will have his shijie’s looks rather than his father’s. He wouldn’t want his nephew to look like a peacock. Wei WuXian stops thinking about that though. He did promise to behave. So all thoughts he has about Jin ZiXuan will remain in his head and won’t ever be uttered out loud for now. Wei WuXian may think the Jin sect and everyone else that’s going to be there are a bunch of rich obnoxious hypocrites but tonight, he’ll try to be civil and make his shijie proud.
“Alright! I’m off!” Wei WuXian emerges from his quarters. “I’ll try to be back early tonight. Uncle Four, make sure they all behave while I'm gone, especially A-Yuan.”
Wen Qing scoffs. “A-Ning and I will be right here too. You think we’d let anything happen to them?”
Uncle Four laughs at their usual exchange. “I shall, Young Master Wei. It’s a good thing A-Yuan is asleep right now or else he’ll hold on to your leg and keep you from leaving.”
Wei WuXian chuckles. “A good thing indeed.”
Wen Qing walks up to him, arms crossed over her chest as she eyes him up and down. “Wei WuXian, don’t tell me you’ll be leaving in that .”
Wei WuXian pauses to take a look at himself. He thinks he looks fine.
“Why? What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
Wen Qing gives a small tsk and shakes his head. “I knew this would happen.” She then turns to her brother who’s passing by, carrying a sack of radish effortlessly. “A-Ning, can you please give Wei WuXian our gift?”
A gift? Wei WuXian turns to look at Wen Ning who puts down the sack and hurries to his quarters. He comes out shortly with a small bundle in his arms. Wen Ning smiles as he presents it to him.
“Young Master Wei, you would look very nice in this.” He says.
In his curiosity, Wei WuXian opens the bundle and his eyes widen at the intricate fabric that greets him. He can only guess that Wen Qing was the one who picked it having an eye out for such a style.
“Wen Qing, you know this doesn’t matter to me.” Wei WuXian says with a frown. “I could care less what they say about my clothes. And besides, don’t we need the money for more important stuff?”
“Oh never mind that.” Wen Qing waves him off. “We sold so many radishes and bought so much food in return. We had extra. Besides, think of it as our gift to A-Ling. For him to be able to see his uncle in such fine robes for tonight.” Wen Qing smiles. “Please, just wear it. You deserve a night out to enjoy and to dress handsomely too.”
“Oh, so you do think I’m handsome?” Wei WuXian grins. Wen Qing only smacks him in the arm at that.
In the end, he wears the robes only because Wen Qing wouldn’t stop badgering him about it. The fabric is delicate and soft and could only be of high quality material. It’s black and red with streaks of gold on the sides. Wei WuXian feels a bit embarrassed at having to be dressed like this but Wen Qing will not hear anymore of his complaints as she fixes his hair and ties it for him properly.
“There. Now everyone’s heads will turn to look at you when you arrive.” Wen Qing says, pleased with her work.
“That is the last thing I ever want to happen.” Wei WuXian groans but Wen Qing only shoos him away and tells him to get moving.
He arrives in Lanling just in time. Koi Tower was always majestic and beautiful, but more so tonight. The tower is lit with dozens of lanterns and adorned with banners and flowers. There’s so much gold displayed that Wei WuXian thinks his eyes can’t take too much of the brightness. There are hundreds of people, leaders from different sects, big and small, that are dressed in expensive robes sharing talk and laughter.
Wei WuXian doesn’t know why but he’s very nervous. He’s never one to shy away from crowds but tonight seems to be an exception. Everything is so extravagant and Wei WuXian feels so out of place.
“Invite?” The guard by the entrance asks. Wei WuXian takes out the scroll he’s been keeping with him for so long and shows it to them. The guard reads it over, eyes widening as they realize who he is, and steps aside reluctantly to let him pass.
His name is announced upon his arrival. At his entrance, Koi Tower turns quiet. Whispers and stares surround him as they eye the man decked in black and red with the infamous flute by his side. Wei WuXian should be used to such scrutiny. But he hasn’t been out of Burial Mounds in so long and everything suddenly makes him feel uneasy.
“A-Xian!”
Wei WuXian’s spirits leap at the sound of his sister’s name calling to him. He turns and is greeted with a beautiful maiden in bright gold. Jiang YanLi’s presence is like a breath of fresh air as she welcomes him. She takes both of his hands together and squeezes, eyes twinkling in happiness.
“Shijie!” Wei WuXian greets with the widest smile he could make. If this wasn’t a formal occasion, Wei WuXian would hug her and twirl her around in his arms.
“Oh A-Xian, I’m so happy you could come! It’s been so long…” Jiang YanLi cups her hand to the side of his face and Wei WuXian closes his eyes for a moment to savor such affection. He missed his sister so much that his heart ached every time he thought about her. Tonight was indeed more than just a treat for him to see her again.
Someone clears their throat behind them and Wei WuXian opens his eyes and turns to see Jiang Cheng crossing his arms in front of him. Decked in purple and silver with Zidian on his finger, the Jiang sect leader looked prestigious enough to make one want to bow at his presence. Wei WuXian would tackle him and throw his arms around him if he could. But people were watching and he wouldn’t want Jiang Cheng to lose face in the middle of Koi Tower. Besides, they weren’t supposed to be on good terms with each other. At least, that’s what everyone last heard of them and the two would like to keep it that way to protect the other’s image.
“You came alone?” Jiang Cheng asks, raising an eye at him.
Wei WuXian nods. “Don’t worry. Wen Ning isn’t with me.”
Jiang Cheng scoffs. “He better not be.”
“Now, now,” Jiang YanLi holds both of their hands. “Enough of this. A-Xian just got here. It would be nice if you two would get along tonight. For A-Ling.”
“Wait, where is he?” Wei WuXian asks.
At the mention of his nephew, Jiang YanLi looks to the side and catches her husband’s gaze. Jin ZiXuan, all dressed in bright gold as well, smiles at her from across the room where he was talking with a guest. He excuses himself and walks over.
Wei WuXian would gag if he could at the loving exchange between the man and his sister. But the image of a tiny bundle in Jin ZiXuan’s arms catches his attention.
“A-Xian,” Jiang YanLi takes the bundle from her husband’s hold. “Meet Jin RuLan. Your nephew.”
Jin RuLan was too young to understand why the man staring down in black was looking at him intently and had tears gathering in the corner of his eyes. Wei WuXian blinks them away, but it wouldn’t stop coming. A-Ling was so tiny, so precious, so innocent, in Jiang YanLi’s arms that right then and there, Wei WuXian vows to protect his nephew at all cost.
“Are you crying?” Jiang Cheng huffs.
“Shut up.” Wei WuXian says, wiping away the tears at the back of his hand as he strokes his nephew’s cheek with his finger. The boy gurgles up at him and Wei WuXian smiles.
“I brought him a present.” He says.
Wei WuXian takes out the wooden box from his sleeves. He opens it and dangles the bell in front of A-Ling. The baby coos at it, staring at the bell with all interest.
“It’s beautiful, A-Xian.” Jiang Yanli says.
“I placed inscriptions on it.” Wei WuXian explains. “They’re to ward off low level creatures. For as long as he has this, nothing bad can ever touch him.”
“Thank you.” Jin ZiXuan says. Wei WuXian looks at him and sees the genuine gratitude in his eyes and nods. Who knew this peacock would be so grateful.
“I shall have to put A-Ling down for a nap. A-Cheng, would you be so kind as to show A-Xian to his table.”
Jiang Cheng doesn’t say anything else but follows his sister’s request. Jin ZiXuan bids them one last thanks before accompanying his wife, a protective hand on her back as they leave.
“Please tell me the party is going to be quick and short.” Wei WuXian says, ignoring the stares that continue to surround him as they make their way to their table.
“Are you kidding? We’re at the LanlingJin sect. What makes you think this banquet will only be for a few hours?” Jiang Cheng’s reply has Wei WuXian groan at that.
He’s about to take his seat when the announcement of more guests sounds throughout the hall. One of those names catches Wei WuXian’s attention that he can’t help but ignore Jiang Cheng still talking about what the Jin family banquet has planned for tonight. Instead, his eyes fixate at the entrance, where an elegant man enters in the most pristine white robe with cloud patterns in front. His face is strikingly handsome as if sculpted in the finest jade. His long hair flows behind him gracefully. Nothing is out of place. Even the band around his forehead is as straight as it can be.
Their eyes meet as he looks up and Wei WuXian closes his mouth that had parted unconsciously at his arrival. Even from afar, the way Lan WangJi always looks at him sends Wei WuXian frozen for some reason. Not in fear. Lan WangJi always looks at him with the softest yet piercing gaze that it was just impossible not to look away.
Wei WuXian doesn’t want to admit it, but he has been holding his breath since this morning wondering whether Lan WangJi would come. This wasn’t his scene and he knew the reason why he was here was only because his uncle and brother dragged him to it. Wei WuXian finds that he’s relieved that Lan WangJi came tonight although he’s not so sure why he’s so pleased to meet him after a very long time.
Lan WangJi’s eyes leave his as his gaze travels downward for a moment. Wei WuXian is suddenly overly conscious of the robes he’s wearing, the way his hair is done, and everything else that he didn’t even take time to think about today. Butterflies skitter non-stop all over his stomach and he takes a few deep breaths before snapping out of it.
“Lan Zhan!” He waves once he gathers his bearings. He ignores the glare coming from Lan WangJi’s uncle, Lan QiRen. Nevertheless, Wei WuXian gives the senior elder and Lan XiChen a formal salute from across the room.
“It’s nice of you to come, Hanguang-Jun,” Jiang Cheng greets as Lan WangJi walks up to them while his uncle and brother head in a different direction. “It’s always a surprise whenever you show up here.” Wei WuXian doesn’t miss the disfavor in his brother’s tone.
“Sect Leader Jiang,” Lan WangJi only says, voice low and formal.
“Lan Zhan,” Wei WuXian grins. “Come sit next to me.”
Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes at him before leaving them to talk to the other guests.
“It’s been so long since we last saw each other. A-Yuan always asks about you.” Wei WuXian starts, making light conversation naturally now that Lan WangJi was with him. It was always comfortable to talk about anything with him.
“Please send him my regards.” Lan WangJi replies.
Wei WuXian chuckles at his formality. “Did you know, I planted him on the ground the other day and managed to make him believe that I could grow him little brothers and sisters too.”
Lan WangJi just gives a small “Mn” but Wei WuXian could see a small amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth at that as he sips his tea.
The banquet starts and it was everything Wei WuXian expects it would be. The Jin family brought out dancers, served cakes and wine (to Wei WuXians satisfaction although it still didn’t compare to the Emperor’s Smile he once had in Gusu), gave a magnificent fireworks display, and more. Wei WuXian hasn’t been to banquets in a while that he can’t help but shake his head at the display of wealth and power.
But if there was one thing that managed to lift his spirits up the most during that night, it was the image of Jiang YanLi with Jin ZiXuan up front, obviously in love with A-Ling in their arms. Wei WuXian would look at them in contentment, and he makes a mental note to actually thank the peacock for taking good care of his shijie. Wei WuXian hasn’t seen her radiate in such happiness in a long time.
More food was served and Wei WuXian was getting stuffy. Not only from the delicacies that they were eating and drinking but from the extravagance of it all, the stares, and the music. Wei WuXian excuses himself and steps out, stretching as he walks, eventually making his way into the garden.
He takes a deep breath as he sits on a railing by the bridge to enjoy the silence and the scenery. The pond below catches his attention for a moment. Lotus leaves are floating about the pond, making him smile. This was probably his shijie’s request so that it would make her feel closer to home.
Wei WuXian tips his head up, feeling the cool breeze and closes his eyes as he savors it. It’s not everyday that he gets to feel like this. Like he actually has time for himself.
The sky is beautiful tonight all littered with stars. It really is a wonderful day to celebrate A-Ling’s one month. A wonderful day to see Jiang YanLi and Jiang Cheng. Though he wasn’t given such a warm welcome by many, he didn’t really care. Tonight was all about seeing his family and especially seeing…
Wei WuXian sees something white from the corner of his eye. He focuses on the direction of it and sees Lan WangJi by the entrance standing there looking at him. Wei WuXian is not startled at all to find him there for some reason. Lan WangJi is somehow always wherever he is and his presence is always welcome.
Wei WuXian smiles at him and only then does Lan WangJi make his way to him.
“The party was getting boring, wasn’t it?” Wei WuXian starts.
Lan WangJi stands in front of him, looking at the ground. “Mn.”
Wei WuXian leans against the railings, relaxing his shoulders and enjoying the peace.
“Have you seen my shijie today, Lan Zhan? She looked so happy. I didn’t think that peacock could make her happy like this. But here she is. She’s so happy that she’s as bright as the moon.” Wei WuXian chuckles, recalling his elder sister’s beaming smile.
“And Jiang Cheng,” He continues. “You weren’t there earlier. But I could see how much he missed me too.”
Wei WuXian isn’t sure what has gotten to him. But his heart is just suddenly so full. It feels like any minute now it’s about to burst and he doesn’t want it to. He’s afraid that if it does burst open, he’ll lose whatever he’s feeling at the moment. This warm, overwhelming emotion.
He has craved such a reunion. At night, before he sleeps, he thinks about how his sister is doing or who Jiang Cheng talks to back at Lotus Pier now that both of them aren’t with him. He missed his family so much. Tonight has granted him the luxury of seeing them alive and well.
“Wei Ying?”
Lan WangJi’s low voice jolts him back to his senses. He wrenches his gaze away from the stars to look at him when he realizes how blurry his vision seems. Tears had gathered in Wei WuXian’s eyes again and he quickly wipes them off.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get all mushy like that.” He says, chuckling at himself. It’s the second time that night that he teared up. “It’s just that tonight was good, wasn’t it Lan Zhan? Even for us?”
Lan WangJi gives him a look as if to say, “How do you mean?”
“We always meet and then fight about something and part ways.” Wei WuXian explains. “But look at us. Tonight, we’re just enjoying the peace.”
It was true. When was the last time he and Lan WangJi met without getting into an argument? When was the last time they saw each other without tensions building between them? Last time, Wei WuXian even forgot to pay him for a meal when he was supposed to be the one treating him.
Today was special.
Wei WuXian looks at Lan WangJi and with the biggest smile he can muster, with his eyes crinkling in delight, he exclaims,
“I’m happy, Lan Zhan! I’m so so happy!”
One moment Wei WuXian is taking in how carefree he feels at the moment basking in the warmth filled with happiness, and the next, he’s suddenly frozen in his spot, back pressed against the railing of the bridge, as soft lips press unto his own.
It takes a very long time for Wei WuXian to process what is happening. He has his eyes open, unable to move just to blink or breathe. The sky behind Lan WangJi erupts in gold, red, and green, as fireworks are lit once more. It’s beautiful. But Wei WuXian can’t tell which one is more beautiful: the fireworks or this moment.
His lungs are about to burst. Wei WuXian has no choice but to push Lan WangJi away and the latter steps back, his golden eyes searching his frantically. Wei WuXian however can’t look at him properly. He’s too flustered to look at him so he fixates on the cloud patterns on Lan WangJi’s robes.
“Wei Ying… I’m sorry.” Lan WangJi says after a moment instead. Wei WuXian snaps his head up at that but he can no longer find his eyes as Lan WangJi turns his back to him and leaves, the sleeves of his robes billowing behind him.
“Lan Zhan, wait!” He yells after him.
But Lan WangJi doesn’t stop. He continues to go, his strides large and hurried.
“No, wait!” Wei WuXian rushes to stop him. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have pushed you away!”
Lan WangJi stops at that. He’s by the foot of the bridge already, having stepped down the stairs. He can leave without hearing him out. The exits to the gardens are just a few feet away. But he doesn’t move and Wei WuXian is glad he stopped.
Lan WangJi turns slowly, looking up at him. The once composed face that Wei WuXian is used to is filled with uncertainty.
“Then why did you?” He says, words almost inaudible from the way he could barely say them out loud.
“It was because I couldn’t breathe.” Wei WuXian scratches the back of his head, embarrassed at that. He gives him a sheepish smile and he’s glad to find that his reply has wiped off the uncertainty in Lan WangJi’s face.
Wei WuXian steps closer to him, going down the stairs one step at a time. Lan WangJi is following his gaze, eyes never leaving his. Wei WuXian doesn’t dare look away from him either. No amount of cloud patterns or beautiful display of fireworks can make him look away from this man.
He’s one step away from him now. Just one. But Wei WuXian doesn’t step down. Instead, he takes Lan WangJi’s face in his hands ever so gently, as if he’s the most delicate thing he’s holding in the whole world. The man’s cheeks are cold, but that doesn’t make Wei WuXian let go as he tips the man’s head up and bends down to press his lips to his.
He has nothing to compare as he kisses Lan WangJi a second time. Not even when he was just kissed by the same man minutes ago. Not even with the one he had in Phoenix Mountain, which to this day still feels like it was all a dream. This one is different. It’s not cautious and shy like the one he got and definitely not one sided. This one feels bolder and more sure, with Lan WangJi reciprocating the kiss.
Wei WuXian can’t help but move his lips, kissing more of the man in his hold. The affection is returned tenfold, with Lan WangJi taking that last step upwards, closing the gap between them and pulling him close by the waist.
He can’t breathe again but Wei WuXian doesn’t dare push him away. He’s not so sure when all this pent up feelings he has had for Lan WangJi started. It was all so confusing at first. It gradually became something he couldn’t deal with at times because of his responsibilities and the matters he always had to face. But in the rare moments he saw him, Wei WuXian will never deny that Lan WangJi gave him feelings more he can handle.
Now, he’s sure. He’s sure he feels more than just admiration and respect for this man.
The kiss feels familiar, now that they don’t stop. But Wei WuXian can’t place it where. Maybe it was only in his dreams when he yearned for affection such as this. He has never had someone in his life take away his heart like Lan WangJi has done to him. So he gives him his all, gives him this kiss as a way to show him just how he feels about him.
They part reluctantly, only because they do need to breathe. Their noses touch and linger, and Wei WuXian can feel the brush of Lan WangJi’s lashes on his cheek.
“How long have you…?” Wei WuXian can’t help but ask, his voice a soft murmur. He wants to ask so many questions. How long have you felt this way? How long have you waited to kiss me?
“Too long.” Lan WangJi replies, his voice sending a low rumble inside Wei Wuxian’s chest.
“And you never told me?”
Lan WangJi doesn’t reply but in a way, Wei WuXian understands.
“Lan Zhan, are you afraid of me?” Wei WuXian asks, looking at his golden eyes that have always mesmerized him. Wei WuXian is aware of his own reputation. He’s aware of the whispers and the stares that always follow him. The kiss that they shared just now is going to change a lot of things between them and he wants to know firsthand if the man in his hold thinks the same as the rest of them.
“Never.” Lan WangJi says firmly, as if the question is outrageous to him. The hold he has on Wei WuXian’s waist tightens as he answered.
“Then why… Why are you trembling?” Wei WuXian asks.
“It’s only because I want…”
“Yes? Tell me.” Wei WuXian strokes Lan WangJi’s cheek with his thumb.
There is nothing but silence from him. Lan WangJi only looks at him, frustration evident in his eyes.
“Lan Zhan, tell me.” Wei WuXian coaxes.
“I want to ... Kiss you.”
Wei WuXian smiles. So he does what he wants. He gives the man what he so frustratingly needs. He kisses him again. And unlike the first two where it feels like they’re testing the waters, this one feels like they’ve known each other all their lives. But isn’t that already true? They’ve known each other since they were teenagers. They were with each other in moments of life and death. Kissing Lan WangJi feels like they really were meant to be in each other’s arms like this.
If they were left to their own wants, they would have spent the night doing nothing but this. But they needed to leave since guards were making their rounds around the tower and the moment they just had was something they’d like to keep in private between them. And afterward, after the festivities, after Wei WuXian bids his siblings and his nephew a goodbye, he parts ways with Lan WangJi, with a promise from the man that he intends to see him again. That all they had shared tonight was not just a product of an impulse. That this was going to be a start of something between them that even Wei WuXian intends to keep too.
“So, did you have fun?” Wen Qing asks him as he arrives. Wen Ning lingers behind her, eagerly listening to what he has to say.
“I did.” Wei WuXian replies with a smile, the memory of his kiss with Lan WangJi lingers on his thoughts that he could still feel him on his lips.
“I’m glad you did.” Wen Qing says. “It looks good on you.”
“Thank you. The robes did look nice tonight.” Wei WuXian says in gratitude.
“No, I meant that.” Wen Qing motions to his face. “Being happy. It looks good on you.”
This time, Wei WuXian doesn’t deny anything. Because he is.
Because during that moment under the Lanling night sky, Wei WuXian has never felt happier in his entire life and he looks forward to when his and Lan WangJi’s paths would meet again.