Work Text:
That day, the sun shone bright on the sky. The mist that seemed to be constantly around the Cloud Recesses had somehow disappeared, and Sizhui was determined to enjoy the rare rays of sunshine warming his skin. Days like these were uncommon in his home; one couldn’t enjoy this kind of weather more than 7 days a year, at most. That was why Sizhui thought it would be nice to pay a visit to his parents’ bunnies.
He got to the spot where the bunnies usually were. There was something soft and calming about that place, something that didn’t have anything to do with the weather. It was the memories he had, from both his childhood and youth.
He remembers practically living there when he was a kid, caring for the bunnies, but caring about his father too, in some way. He remembers the man’s sad eyes and longing gaze, something that has long changed since Wei Wuxian came back. Although he was a child back then, Sizhui had known about the man’s sorrow, and always had tried to make his father feel happier. Some days were better than others. Sometimes Hanguang Jun would sit peacefully, combing his son’s hair and petting the bunnies with him. Other days, however, the grief seemed to be too heavy. He would play a song, one in particular, whose longing was so strong Sizhui could almost touch it.
Sizhui remembers one specific day, where the sorrow got so unbearable that his dad had started to cry. It was the only time he had seen him cry. It started out as a sob while they were sitting in silence. Sizhui had turned around and looked at the man, a little bit confused. He was looking down, trying to hide his emotions from the child, who could still see his father shattered heart. The little kid, had got close to him and hugged him. “Baba don’t cry” he had said. Hanguang Jun had held him strongly in his arms, crying harder now, as if he was afraid the child would suddenly disappear, just like the man he loved had. Sizhui hadn’t understood what happened back then, but the memory was carved into his brain.
These days, both of them and Wei Wuxian, who he considered to be his other father, spent a good share of time there. It lacked the melancholy it had during his childhood, but it maintained the intimacy of it, as if it was their own space, something for the three of them. Sizhui was delighted to be able to create new memories with his family. The place was comforting, and Lan Sizhui went there not only with his parents, but also on his own, when he needed to be alone, or think because he felt at ease resting among the bunnies and listening to the water’s melody.
In conclusion: the place felt like family, like home.
He sat down. The sun felt nice, brushing his skin lightly in what it almost felt like a caress. The rabbits were relaxed and enjoying the sun just like him. Maybe after having lived among them for so long, the boy had picked up some habits from them. He lied down, and listened to the sounds that surrounded him, the birds, the water and the wind singing together and creating a beautiful calming song. He felt his muscles relax and before he even noticed the tiredness that suddenly surrounded him, he fell asleep.
He woke up later to some back pain and some heavy weight on his right shoulder. He opened his eyes, confused, and stared at the person who had fallen asleep curled next to him, using his shoulder as a pillow. It was Jingyi.
Jingyi was the only one he had told about his special place. He fit in there, like he was always meant to be by Sizhui’s side and sharing every moment with him. When he had told him it had been because he had felt like their friendship was strong, so it had seemed logical to Sizhui that he would keep him company there. As time passed, he realized that their relationship had much more depth than what friendship meant, and soon after he discovered the love he felt towards the young man. He remembered their first kiss had taken place there as well, followed by their love confession. He smiled at the memory with tenderness, and wondered how many beautiful memories they would build there.
He examined the boy’s peaceful sleeping face; mouth slightly open and long eyelashes. His headband was tilted and Sizhui fixed it softly, caressing Jingyi’s face afterwards. It was getting late, and by the colors that painted the sky; yellow, orange and red, colors rarely seen at Cloud Recesses, he figured curfew would begin soon, so it was best to return to their rooms. He picked Jingyi up trying not to wake him up and went to his room. When he picked him up, holding him close, Jingyi got even closer and hummed contently, making Sizhui doubt whether he was still asleep or not.
When they got to his room he put the boy in his bed, and he was about to tuck him and leave when he heard the boy groaning and saying:
“Stay? Just for today?”.
Sizhui was sure staying would mean breaking a rule or two. But could he deny anything to Jingyi? He sighed quietly and prayed that no one noticed. He got in the bed with Jingyi, and the small worry was already gone. The bed was big enough for the two of them, but they were so close no empty spaces existed between them. Not that they were complaining though. Jingyi laughed softly and brushed the strands of dark hair off Sizhui’s face and then kissed the tip of his nose. Then he pecked his lips. Sizhui pulled him into a tender kiss, caressing his cheek with his thumb. They stared at each other, and although no words were spoken, they weren’t necessary. They just knew. Words couldn’t describe their love anyways. Sizhui pulled Jingyi even closer, feeling his heartbeat. Their hearts beated just like one.
Sizhui already knew where he would propose to Jingyi.