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It was a beautiful day in Yunmeng, nary a cloud in the sky as the sun shone down brightly on the waterfront city. The winds were calm as well, a gentle breeze consistently passing through. The weather was so perfect that it hardly made sense to stay indoors and not make the most of it. And so, --at Wei Wuxian's insistence-- they grabbed up four kites, a few sets of bows and arrows, and made their way to a rocky hill not far from Lotus Pier.
Upon arrival, both couples sat themselves on the topmost part of the hill. First they set down the quivers and bows. Then they laid out the kites, smoothing them out so each person could select one of their liking. Among the designs were a simple but lovely violet lotus flower, an awe-inspiring dragon, a majestic luan and two koi fish positioned like yin and yang.
"I'm really glad you could join us, Zewu-jun," Wei Wuxian piped up. "Good thing today's sect leader conference starts later. It worked out perfectly."
Zewu-jun smiled, lightly nodding his head. "It did indeed."
The Lan sect leader was certainly delighted to be spending his morning with loved ones. His brother, brother-in-law to be, and most of all his beautiful spouse, his precious A-Yao.
A-Yao looked absolutely radiant today, sun rays beaming down on him like spotlights. The blue-grey hanfu he wore complemented his skin tone quite nicely. Strands of silky raven hair were pulled back into intricate braids, helping to keep those loose pieces out of his face. He was entirely focused, eyes darting from kite to kite as he tried settling on a design.
Zewu-jun had become so enamored at the sight that he couldn't resist leaning in and pressing a sweet kiss to Meng Yao's cheek.
"A-Huan," he whined, a furious blush swiftly coating his cheeks and tips of his ears. "I'm trying to concentrate."
"And just how long does it take to pick a kite, hmm~?" Lan Xichen lovingly teased, wrapping his arms around A-Yao's waist and placing a kiss onto braided hair. "Want me to pick one for you?"
Meng Yao didn't complain this time, leaning into the embrace if anything. Giving a light shake of his head, he said, "No, I got it." He scanned the designs a final time before ultimately choosing the pair of kois.
"Excellent choice! That's one of my favorites. I figured you'd like it too," Wei Wuxian reacted with a grin.
Meng Yao returned him a smile. "Why didn't you pick it for yourself, Wei-gongzi? Are you sure you don't want it?"
Wei Wuxian immediately tsked in response. "Now, now, none of that. One, you're our guest, so it was only fair to let you choose first. And two, we're practically family. You can call me Wei-xiong or A-Xian."
Meng Yao humbly conceded defeat, a soft smile on his face. He wasn't about to initiate a back and forth over who should keep the kite.
"Alright, you're up Zewu-jun," Wei Wuxian instructed. Prior to the outing, he and Lan Zhan had agreed that Meng Yao and Zewu-jun would pick theirs out first.
Lan Xichen eyed over what was left, not taking up too much time. "This one," he stated as he grabbed the kite with the luan on it.
"I figured you'd pick that one," Wei Wuxian proclaimed. "Honestly, if you were a mythical creature, you'd definitely be a luan. Don't you think so, Lan Zhan?" He lightly nudged his fiance.
"Mn," Lan Wangji responded in typical fashion.
"You'd be one too, you know. Too bad I didn't bring another luan kite for you," Wei Wuxian pouted. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine," Lan Zhan replied with a gentle shake of his head, rubbing Wei Ying's back in a comforting gesture.
Zewu-jun beamed with pride at his brother. Wei Wuxian was definitely helping him break out of his shell. And the two looked so happy together, akin to how he and Meng Yao were in their younger days (and still are to this day, without a doubt). "Well, it's time for you to select your kites. Wangji, Wei-gongzi."
Without another word, the pair selected their kites. Lan Zhan claimed the lotus flower, allowing his fiance to take the dragon. Wei Ying then rose to his feet, kite in hand. "And now the fun begins," he exclaimed. "Come on everyone!"
At the encouragement, the remaining three stood up. Zewu-Jun, ever the gentleman, helped his A-Yao get to his feet before he bent down to pick up both of their kites.
"Thank you, my love," Meng Yao said as he graciously took his kite from his husband.
"Of course, darling," Lan Xichen replied before leaning in close and rubbing their noses together.
Meng Yao blushed anew, utter joy on his face as his cheeks dimpled. He was truly lucky to have such a kind, gentle and amorous spouse. Had they been alone, Meng Yao would have loved to pepper his A-Huan with kisses, and more... But the truth was they weren't alone, and they were just about to initiate a game. Thus, keeping it short and sweet, Meng Yao belatedly returned a kiss to Lan Xichen's cheek. Zewu-jun brightened at the endearing action, but he didn't press for more. They would have plenty of time to dote on each other later when it was just the two of them.
Parting from one another for now, they got in position to release their kites into the sky. Wei Wuxian then glanced in their direction, Lan Wangji following suit. All four of them nodded to each other, silent indications that they were ready to start. Staring straight ahead now, they lifted up the kites and allowed them to catch some air. Holding onto the end strings, they hoisted the kites up further and soon let them go as they began drifting in the wind all their own. They eventually relinquished their grasp on the strings too, letting the kites venture out to grander distances and heights.
As they waited it out, the group of four prepared their bows and arrows for the shooting game. Wei Wuxian had explained the rules along the way, so Meng Yao and Zewu-jun were already familiar with how this mini-competition worked. Getting back on their feet, they all stood in proper stance to shoot down their targets. Whoever struck their kite at the farthest distance was proclaimed the winner. Keeping that in mind, all of them continued to play the waiting game until their targets soared to more considerable extents.
Lan Wangji was the first one out, taking the fourth place position. He had been cruelly tricked by his Wei Ying, thinking that his dear fiance was really drawing back his hand to make his shot. Wei Wuxian couldn't help laughing at his beloved's naivete, although he did find it cute that his Lan Zhan was willing to tie with him for third place.
What he didn't expect, however, was that Lan Wangji would pinch his arm in retaliation. Wei Wuxian yelped and recoiled in reaction, his hold on the arrow loosening as it soared into the air. But instead of striking the dragon kite or just simply missing a target altogether, it pierced the one with the kois instead!
"Oh no!" Meng Yao and Wei Wuxian exclaimed in tandem.
"Just look at what you made me do, Lan Zhan," Wei Ying added, lightly scolding his husband-to-be. "You made me take out Yao-xiong's kite instead."
"You're the one who started it," Lan Wangji reminded bluntly.
Wei Wuxian huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest. Then, turning to Meng Yao, he apologized with a slight bow. "Please forgive us, and take my kite instead. I insist."
With the matter of third place sorted out, Meng Yao was still in the running and he was up against none other than his dearly beloved husband.
"No dirty tricks, got it?" Meng Yao warned, wanting no funny business like they had witnessed earlier. "That includes going easy on me just so I can win."
Lan Xichen smiled widely as his beloved A-Yao laid down some new ground rules. Apparently his grin wasn't at all amusing to his spouse who narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. Knowing he didn't want to get on his darling husband's bad side, Zewu-jun lightly shook his head, traces of a smile still on his face. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Meng Yao merely nodded in response, eyes softening before he set his attention on his new target. It still wasn't far enough in his opinion, so he bided his time.
Zewu-jun was in the same boat. He was renowned for being an excellent archer, so it would be far too easy as well as far too humiliating if he were to take his shot now.
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, for their part, had made up and watched with keen interest to see who would come out the victor in this sudden duel.
A bit more time had passed, and neither of the two remaining competitors budged as the kites continued to slowly diminish in size the farther away they got. It was roughly around this time that Wei Wuxian would normally shoot down his kite, so he was mightily impressed when the couple still refused to make a move.
"Are you two sure about this?" He inquired in bewildered astonishment. "Don't let them become tiny specks now. It'll be a pain for you when you have to retrieve them later."
Upon hearing the warning, Meng Yao highly contemplated whether he should heed the advice or not. Lotus Pier was Wei Wuxian's home after all, so of course he'd know best. Not to mention he was usually the expert and first-placer at this game. But on the other hand, this was the very man who deceived his own fiance into making an early shot. Who knew what kind of trick Wei Wuxian had up his sleeve this time? In the end, Meng Yao chose to stay resolute.
The same could not be said of Zewu-jun, however.
Suddenly from beside him, Meng Yao heard the whishing sound of an arrow. Darting his gaze to his spouse, he saw that Lan Xichen had made his shot. As the two locked eyes, Zewu-jun offered him a gentle smile, accepting his loss with nary a hint of regret nor resentment. Something about the way in which his husband looked at him touched him deeply. Not wanting to leave his beloved A-Huan in the dust, Meng Yao reciprocated the smile before he looked back up at his target. Without a moment's hesitation, he shot it down so that it could fall alongside A-Huan's.
From behind them, Meng Yao could hear Wei Wuxian cheering and clapping for him. He'd won. He'd won this game, and it hadn't fully registered yet. In fact, he'd nearly forgotten that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were even here with them. It truly felt as if he and his A-Huan had come here on their own to enjoy the sights, to play this game together, to just be in each other's company. Meng Yao was suddenly reminded of the first day they'd met, how they'd looked at each other, how it was love at first sight. To even think of how far they'd come, married, living a happy life together. Meng Yao wouldn't want to have it any other way. And honestly, despite all the time they've been together, it always felt as if he fell more and more in love with his A-Huan day after day.