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I
Wei Wuxian is 11.
He is very upset with Wen Chao for saying that his parents must not have loved him because they left without him when the accident happened.
He is such a jerk!
He cannot stand him. That's why Wei Wuxian runs away from school to the cemetery to visit his parents' graves.
His tears start rolling once he reaches his parents' grave. Grief and feelings envelope him, but he doesn't want his parents to see his tears. He takes out the sandwich, which is supposed to be his lunch, from the brown paper bag. He divides it into two halves and presents them as offerings to his parents.
Then he takes the paper bag, pokes holes on it for his eyes, nose, and mouth, and then puts it on his head.
Now they cannot see my tears.
He kneels in front of the graves and prays for his parents. "Mom, Dad… I miss you. How are you in heaven? You know what, if you listened to what Wen Chao had to say, don't be sad. I know you love me. God loves you more. I believe it."
He pauses to sniff. His nose runs, but he inhales the snot back in.
"Don't worry about me. I just miss you. I am not sad. Wen Chao is an ass. Maybe he fell on his head when he was a baby. That's why he's so stupid. You took care of me when I was a baby. I am very smart!"
He sniffs again. "One day, I will make you proud."
He feels a soft breeze grazing the back of his neck, like an electrifying static on his body. Somehow, he understands that it's his parents way to agree to his promise. He shivers, yet he feels better.
After bowing to the graves of his parents, he wanders around the cemetery. He has time before school ends.
Wei Wuxian zooms in on a boy praying at another grave. He looks lonely and sad, but nothing comes out of his mouth.
When Wei Wuxian approaches him, a bunch of black-suited men stop him.
"Hallo, boy. What are you doing here?" the man asks.
This boy must be important. He has bodyguards! But why is he sad?
"I just want to see if he needs help. He seems constipated."
Getting their approval, Wei Wuxian kneels beside the boy.
There's a woman's name carves on the luxury grave.
Wei Wuxian tugs at the boy's suit's sleeve. "Don't show your sadness. She will be sad."
"I wasn't crying," the boy claims, his tone cold, eyebrows furrowed as he looks at Wei Wuxian.
"If you want to cry, I can lend you my mask. It smells, but it's bearable," Wei Wuxian offers. He feels bad because the boy looks fancy, and he doesn't have anything that's more presentable to the boy.
The boy shakes his head, frowning, and decides to ignore him. He refocuses his attention on his mom's grave.
Wei Wuxian grabs his hand and squeezes it. "I'll make sure he is not sad again, Madame; I will make him happy," he promises, bowing to the grave.
"I am not sad," he snaps, pulling his hand away and looking at him with offensive eyes.
Wei Wuxian ignores him. He continues talking to the grave, "Madame, you can meet with my parents there. They can vouch that I always keep my promises."
The boy scowls at him and shoves him. "I am not sad! Go away!"
Wei Wuxian falls to the ground. "Rude!" he shouts.
The boy just glares viciously at him.
This boy is actually handsome, but he is not friendly, he thinks.
"It's okay. I know you are sad. People who are sad do things they don't mean."
The boy stands up. "I'm going home," he declares in a low voice.
Wei Wuxian knows when he isn't wanted, but that sadness in the boy's eyes make him feel sad.
"My name is Wei Ying. What's your name? We can be friends."
The boy ignores him and leaves.
Wei Wuxian stays a bit longer in the boy's mom's grave. "Madame, he misses you. I will try to make him smile when I see him again."
The wind blows, bringing another current on his small body.
Wei Wuxian smiles, she agrees.
***
II
Wei Wuxian is 15.
His high school is going on a field trip to the castle. They are going to meet Crown Prince Lan Xichen, not Prince Lan Wangji. The gossip is that the second prince is cold, unapproachable, and expressionless, the opposite of the all-perfect Crown Prince.
Fortunately, he has a very attractive face that is still a sight to behold even when he glares.
Wei Wuxian is not interested in either prince, though. He is more interested in playing in the castle that is usually closed for public.
"Wen Ning, let's go roaming this castle!"
"I-I wouldn't dare i-if Teacher caught us. Jiejie w-will be f-furious!"
He scoffs. "Your sister is flirting with my brother. I don't want to see it. Do you?"
Wen Ning looks like he doesn't mind. But Wei Wuxian drags him anyway.
"Come on. The girls will be screaming over the prince. Some boys will, too, and some will be jealous of his good looks and title. You'd thank me later."
They roam the huge, beautiful yard of the castle. The fountains are out of this world. Very serene.
"Better than looking at princes, yeah?"
Wen Ning nods.
Not far from where he is standing, near the bushes, he sees a white bunny with red smears on its foot.
It must have hurt.
"Wen Ning! Look! A bunny in trouble! Let's help."
"B-but i-it's across the l-line."
The 'do not enter' line sits there, challenging him. He will not let it be a hindrance. "We've gotta help, Wen Ning. You stay here and keep watch. I'll go fix his foot."
Wen Ning nods, despite being scared. After looking left and right, Wei Wuxian jumps over the line and quickly checks on the bunny.
It was bitten by a mean-looking little turtle, and its foot is bleeding. Next to it, a black bunny is trying to sniff the bite mark.
They are so cute!
"What do we have here? A fight?" Wei Wuxian chides the animals. He takes out his backpack and finds his favorite red scarf. He tears a small part of it and uses it to bandage the white bunny's bleeding foot.
When he is done, he looks at the three miserable animals. "Okay, okay. I'll help," he tells them.
"Wen Ning!" he calls, "Go back to the group! I need to return little Xuan Wu to the pond!"
Wen Ning pales.
"I'll be okay."
Wei Wuxian has the brains to use the torn scarf to cover his face. He folds it into a triangle and covers his face from the nose down. Only his eyes are shown. He feels like a vigilante. He grins behind the scarf.
A cool vigilante.
He carefully takes the turtle and puts it in his backpack. "Don't eat anything! Listen to me! It's for your own good."
He then lifts the white bunny and holds it securely in his arm. The bunny nestles comfortably against his chest.
"Nice bunny," he says, stroking its fur. "You, show me where the pond is!" He orders the black bunny.
The black bunny hops like he understands and starts hopping in front of if.
After following it for few minutes, he found a small pond. The Yiling Pond is cozy, surrounded by big trees.
Wei Wuxian finds a good spot to sits and puts the white bunny carefully on the ground. The black bunny hops to brush its cute nose with the white one.
He chuckles, Lover bunnies.
He takes Xuan Wu out of the backpack. "Stop wandering around next time, silly turtle."
"I can say the same to you." He hears a low voice behind him.
Wei Wuxian's back straightened instantly, knowing that he has been found. He turns around and sees the prince. The younger one. The more handsome one. Prince Lan Wangji
I am caught trespassing!
By the rule-binding cold prince, his brain supplies.
"Aaahh, hahaha... you see... This naughty turtle bit this bunny's foot. So I came to the rescue. I am the hero here!" he stutters.
The prince looks worriedly at the white bunny on his lap.
So he does have a heart.
"He will be okay! Hanguang-Jun is strong!"
The prince glares at him. This prince looks super handsome from this distance. His nose is a beautiful shape, and his jawline is sculptured. Gorgeous golden eyes, too.
"You named my bunny?"
"Yes. Your turtle is Xuan Wu, he really likes to bite! This is Hanguang-Jun. Great names?" he rambles.
"Hanguang-Jun? Why?"
Wei Wuxian likes his voice. It's so deep and low, evoking some nerves on his body.
"Well, isn't he the bestest looking bunny ever? So pretty! And so ethereal! Just like the owner!"
Wait! What was I doing? Did I just flirt? With the prince?
He sees the prince's little mouth tick up very very slightly. He likes the name? Or the flirtation?
"This one?" The prince points at the black one.
Ah, he is curious.
"Laozu!"
"Laozu?"
Wei Wuxian nods. "Yiling Laozu. He is like the big shot here! Busy body, and knows his way around."
The prince nods. He seems to like that name.
Wei Wuxian grins. He is befriending the prince. He should be able to get away from punishment.
However, the prince still looks firm.
"You might be a hero. But you are still trespassing," the prince points at the 'do not enter' sign.
"For a good cause!" Wei Wuxian argues.
"Rules are rules. The guard will decide what to do to you," he states without any expression.
"Spare me, oh mighty prince!" he jokes. "I thought we are friends. Even these bunnies like me!"
He grabs his wrist. "You have to be responsible for your crime."
Wei Wuxian flinches.
Nope.
Apparently this prince is too disciplined to let a small offense go.
"Okay, okay… I'll listen to you! Let me grab my backpack."
The prince lets go of his wrist, his hand pointing to the guard's little hut.
He sighs, surrendering to his fate, thinking that he is going to be punished by his teachera, by his aunt.
He needs to escape. Wei Wuxian is racking his brain to get out of the situation.
They walk together for a while at a really slow pace.
He sees it. The school is leaving. His bus is the last one, but if he is fast, he can get to the first bus, which is already moving slowly.
"Sorry, my handsome prince! I have better things to do."
He grins as he suddenly breaks into a sprint. The prince tries to chase after him. He manages to grab his red scarf, pulling it hard. The scarf is torn, but Wei Wuxian keeps running without looking behind.
He catches the first bus as it starts to speed up. Once he is on the bus, he runs to the back of the bus to check on the prince from the back window.
The prince is holding his torn scarf in his fist, looking at the moving bus.
He looks pissed.
And sad.
Wei Wuxian winces. He hopes he wouldn't be in trouble later.
At least now the prince cannot chase him. He is safe.
***
III
Wei Wuxian is 18
He limps his way to the sports hall. But before he reaches it, he sees Wen Qing and Jiang Cheng at the side of the building. One looks furious, the other sad.
"What happened?" he asks when he is closer. Wen Qing is rubbing ointment on Jiang Cheng's right forearm.
"Wen Chao! He and Wen Zhuliu attacked A-Cheng! A-Cheng cannot feel his right hand now!"
Jiang Cheng looks dejected. "I was waiting for this tournament! I need this so much!" He tears up, disappointment flashing in his eyes.
He can never see him like that. He will never allow Wen Chao to get something he has given up for Jiang Cheng.
"Scumbag! I'll teach him a lesson!" he curses furiously. He needs to find a way to save Jiang Cheng.
"No, A-Xian! You've already had enough trouble with him. He is powerful. He will be able to kick you out of the school!" Wen Qing stops him.
"I will hold until graduation before I beat him up in the open! But now, he still has to face the consequences of his actions!"
He is going to be discreet. He knows Wen Chao hurts Jiang Cheng because he wants to win this tournament and get a chance to be accepted by the sports university.
He won't let it happen.
He already faked a sprained ankle so that Jiang Cheng would sail smoothly as the winner of this tournament.
It is not that he doesn't like fencing. He loves it. But he is not interested in attending a sports university. He wants to enroll in tech university. That's why he skips this.
And because he knows that Aunt Yu will be pissed if Jiang Cheng loses this opportunity.
He puts on Jiang Cheng's suit and beats all his opponents in the qualification round without opening his helmet. It's easy to deceive people since Jiang Cheng and he have the same fighting style.
Wen Qing kisses his helmet.
"Gross, ew!"
"It's the helmet that I kissed! Not you. Ew!" Wen Qing hits him at the back of the helmet.
Then she hands him his bottle. "Thanks for doing this for A-Cheng. I root for you. Now that I kissed you, people will think you are A-Cheng."
"Ah, you want me to beat Wen Chao up for him!
"You are not worried that he finds out our lies?"
"What can he do? It's not that he would admit that he beat him up before the tournament and injured A-Cheng. He can only pretend that I am A-Cheng."
"He'd know it's you, though."
"I have a sprained ankle, remember? He doesn't have any proof against me."
Wen Qing furrows her brows at him. "I'll really sprain your ankle after the tournament. Next time, don't lie to A-Cheng!"
Wei Wuxian chuckles.
"Thank you," she whispers. "For what you did before. And what you are doing now."
Wei Wuxian is aware of her sincerity. But he is not doing this for a thank you. He loves his brother so much, he wants what's best for him.
It doesn't mean that Wen Qing's recognition is unimportant. He winks at her and jokes, "Speaking like a cute girlfriend?"
She shoves his helmet, and Wei Wuxian curses. This girl is too mighty to be a cute girlfriend.
Wei Wuxian reaches the final and will be facing Wen Chao. Before the final starts, the commotion begins.
The entourage of Prince Lan Wangji arrives.
"Boys! Prince Lan Wangji has given us the honor of his presence.
Representing the National team as our nation's youngest fencing athlete, he will be awarding the winner of this final fight. May the best man win."
Wei Wuxian's gaze turns towards the prince. The man is looking at the crowd, as if searching for a person.
He suddenly turns his face and catches Wei Wuxian's eyes. His breath catches in his throat.
His prince is still as handsome, still has a rigid expression, and still has an authority aura around him.
He heaves a sigh. He wishes he can meet him as the champion. He wishes he can stand before him as he awards him the medal, and acknowledges Wei Wuxian's fencing ability.
But no. Not this time.
He needs to secure Jiang Cheng's place first. Jiang Cheng will get the award.
He nods to Wen Qing.
The fight is easy. Wen Chao is no match for him. This final goes by really fast.
He wins.
Or Jiang Cheng wins.
He is about to leave the arena when his prince shows up before him in the complete fencing suit.
He is stunned, barely hears the MC announcing that the prince os going to have a friendly spar with the winner.
He trembles.
No, the prince will never recognize him under this helmet, he soothes himself.
The 'friendly spar' begins.
He is good. And for once, Wei Wuxian feels the challenge to fight a worthy opponent. Their fight is like a dance; their swords move in harmony.
There is an indescribable feeling of joy when his sword touches his prince.
In the end, he loses.
He is fighting a national athlete, after all.
"Nice fight," he praises the prince. "I lost."
"Mn, nice fight," the prince answers. He gazes at Wei Wuxian.
"Open your helmet."
"Ah.. hahahaha.. wait.."
Shit! I cannot have this again! Why does he always catch me doing bad things?
Wei Wuxian pretends to open it. "It stuck! Oh no! I need help to open this."
The prince stretches out his arms to help, but Wei Wuxian backs up, eyes trying to calculate the beat way to run.
He suddenly turns around and sprints to the toilet.
He finds Wen Qing standing guard in front of an open stall, waving her hand vigorously. Juat as he arrivea at the door, she kicks him in the shin. His foot slips, and he gets a sprained ankle.
"Arrgghhh! It hurts! You could have waited till I am out of the suit!" he groans, jumping with one foot while holding his painful ankle.
"Hurry up before it's swollen," she smirks.
He curses, limping to the toilet.
Jiang Cheng finds him in the toilet. "If you didn't fake it, you'd be the one who got shoved by Wen Chao."
No, he won't let Jiang Cheng miniscule his sacrifice for him. He is almost caught by the prince!
"Both of us would have. Shut up, Jiang Cheng, and go get that medal. Now, your future is settled."
Jiang Cheng nods slowly. He pats Wei Wuxian's shoulder as a silent thanks. Wei Wuxian acknowledges that gesture of affection.
When he is out the toilet, Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing are gone. Fortunately, his best friend Wen Ning is there.
"Jiejie said to take you home and compress your ankle with ice to prevent major swelling."
Wei Wuxian smiles. That girl is going to be a good doctor.
He glancee the podium. His prince is awarding a medal to hia brother.
Somehow, Wei Wuxian can sense sadness dripping from his body.
Why would a prince be sad?
It must just be his imagination.
***
IV
Wei Wuxian is 21.
He is miserable. Yesterday was his 21st birthday. He can legally drink. And that's what he did last night, up to this morning.
He drank.
and peed in public.
and got arrested.
and got signed up to do a day of social labor.
His head hurts. He has a hangover. And the sun is too bright.
He just hates today so much!
He needs to feed and care for the pigs as his punishment. He threads on his dizzy scalp, walking slowly toward the area of duty.
The heaven really hates him.
As soon as he opens the pen's gate, a pig runs away.
Wei Wuxian curses his day for the umpteenth time today.
He closes the gate and runs after the pig. When he catches it, the pig hisses, looking stubborn. He coaxes it (naming it Little Apple), before it runs away again, stepping on Wei Wuxian's foot, making him fall. He gets up, curses again, rushes after it and there goes the cycle.
It takes him a long time and many falls before he finally catches it.
When he carries it back to the pen, the pig jumps off his arms, startling him. This time he falls face first into the mud trying to catch it.
He curses his day again.
The smell is unbearable.
Can this day be any worse?
It can.
He closes the gate and finds the nearest toilet to clean up.
Just his luck, he sees him again, his prince.
He can't get a break, can he?
Meeting the prince he has a crush on, the perfect person, the person he thinks so highly of, while he is being an offender, full of mud from head to toe, and extremely smelly.
Although he knows that his heart is thudding so hard against his ribs at the moment his eyes meets his, he wishes for the prince to just be gone.
He hates him seeing him like this.
But his eyes betray him. He studies the man in front of him, taking in the view.
Prince Lan Wangji has become substantially more handsome, if Wei Wuxian's eyes don't deceive him. He wishes he could see better if not for the mud sticking to his long eyelashes.
"What happened to you?" His prince asks.
"Bad day." He pretends he doesn't know that the other is a royal. He is not in the mood for polite conversation.
The prince offers his white handkerchief.
Wei Wuxian stares at it before harshly grabbing it, then continues his walk of shame to the toilet.
He seems unable to get the stench off even after cleaning himself. He gives the handkerchief a sniff. The fragrances of sandalwood enters his nostril. His prince smells so good. And his heart sinks deeper.
Why are they so different? Why is there so much distance between the two of them?
He slumps his shoulders, and looks at the long handkerchief.
I don't want him to know.
I don't want him to see me like this.
He ties the handkerchief over his nose after folding it until it resembles a long, wide ribbon.
He feels better.
Although he is wet all over,
At least the mud is gone.
And so is the prince.
Good.
He decides to lie on the bench to soak up the sun for a while. This headache is really bad. Sunbathing invokes a good, warm feeling on his stinky, wet body.
Soon, he falls asleep.
When he wakes up, the ethereal face of his prince is the first thing he sees.
He blinks his eyes again, and again, but his prince is still staring at him.
With pity, no doubt. And a hint of disapproval.
"You shouldn't fall asleep on your punishment."
"Sue me!"
Why does he have to meddle now of all days? He just doesn't have the energy or the decency to fight him.
"I can report you," he coldly reminds him.
They just glare at each other.
"Huh. You are also here. You are also punished. Don't be a fuddy-duddy."
"I am here as a volunteer."
Yeah. Of course. His perfect prince will never stoop this low. He os so righteous he belongs to the heaven.
Wei Wuxian snorts, not knowing how to face him. He chooses to be mean. "Wearing white? You do this voluntarily?"
His prince frowns, there is a hint of disappointment in his golden eyes.
Wei Wuxian hates seeing it.
"I work in the administration office. And yes, people volunteer for good deeds."
He nods.
He really cannot do this today. He cannot stop the self-deprecating feeling he feels when Lan Wangji is near.
"Look, I have a bad hangover. The sun is making it worse. The fall in the mud doesn't help. Please leave me alone."
Is that sadness flashing in his eyes?
Silence.
That big fat silence is deafening. Wei Wuxian hopes this encounter to end soon.
"Return my handkerchief," His prince finally says, breaking the silence.
I don't want you to see me like this.
"No! I cannot stand my smell!"
Wei Wuxian stands and walks away. He needs to breathe. "Don't worry, oh mighty prince. I am coming back to the pigpen. I don't want to stain you with my smell."
He barely works at the pigpen for 10 minutes when the coordinator finds him.
"Go home. You are wet. Return tomorrow for another day of punishment."
He can use this break.
He nods, and before he knows it, he blurts out a question to the coordinator.
"Will the prince be here tomorrow?"
"Prince Lan Wangji has to attend a formal event tomorrow. He doesn't have a fixed schedule. He just comes whenever he has time."
"Good."
But he lies.
He wants to meet with him .
In a better situation. Maybe when he looks good, doesn't smell, and isn't there because of an offense.
***
V
Wei Wuxian is 24.
Tonight is the 'informal wedding reception' for his sister and an arrogant duke. They have too many guests to invite that they had to hold three banquets to accommodate everyone. The duke's family can't afford to piss anyone.
Tonight's celebration is dedicated for the single youths and is being organized by renowned wedding planner Nie Huaisang.
He shows his invitation to the security guards at the gate, which is basically a barcode tag wrapped in a fancy leather holder shaped like a broken heart.
When he enters, the guard gives him a chip to put in his forehead. Once he does that, there is a masquerade mask covering his face. It's actually a hologram, not an actual mask. But it cannot be taken off as long as the party is still on.
His invention.
He is the CEO of a startup that deals with holograms. It is not famous yet, but it will be in a few years. He wills it.
Nie Huaisang, the MC, announces the groom and bride. The people seem very excited and clap. His sister looks happy and glowing. The duke seems constipated, but he doesn't look too bad.
Wei Wuxian has spent the whole day before the wedding with them, so now all he needs to do is enjoy the party.
Many people are invited. Wen Ning is somewhere. He needs to find him. He is sure Wen Qing and Jiang Cheng are going to spend the party making out.
A bunch of girls keep coming to him, starting a conversation. Wei Wuxian just smiles, frinking his wine and entertaining them with an engaging banter, but declines politely when asked for his phone number, reminding them that this single party is a masquerade party, he can't very well disclose his identity.
An hour into the party, Nie Huaisang's mischievous voice announces, "Find the owner of the half heart that is your invitation. This is a celebration of love. So tonight, all who come in single will have someone to spend the time with. And the couples will go home even more in love. There are tunnels of love, dare games, and watching sunrise and sunset together. The events here are sponsored by the Stygian Hologram. Find your partner and start the adventure!"
Wei Wuxian grins. The concepts from the well-known Nie Huaisang are never disappointing. Only he can use his invention as a matchmaking tool.
People start pairing up and getting into the game excitedly. The room becomes loud, guests are walking here and there to find their assigned partner.
Real couples are paired together by default. Singles are more shy. Since they are in masks, nobody knows who their partner is. It is a fun game, indeed.
Wei Wuxian smiles and gets himself some wine. He can wait for his partner to find him. Some people come by, males and females, but none matches his broken heart.
A while has passed when he notices a tall guy standing by himself. It's an oddity due to almost all guests having found their partner.
He takes out his invitation and shows it to him. "Do we match?" he prompts. He will not let this guy miss the fun of this party.
The guy turns to him. His masquerade covers half of his face.
Yet Wei Wuxian knows him. He has his features memorized. He dreams about them when he sleeps.
The prince.
His prince.
He has been obsessed with him since the fencing tournament. He reads all the news about him: about his accomplishments as a national athlete, about his over-the-top musical ability, about his kindest heart that never stops helping people with his money, his mind and actually being there for the people in need, and about his ideas for helping the community be more active toward the wellbeing of their country.
And about his lack of romance.
Of course, Wei Wuxian dreams of becoming his. He and most of the country's citizens
He has his pictures saved on his phone and daydreams about the prince.
When he is stuck on problems with his invention, he looks at those pictures for self-care.
At the end, he always solves his problems.
His muse.
Prince Lan Wangji.
The prince shows his invitation to Wei Wuxian. When they combine them, it matches. A hologram of a heart appears to confirm the match.
"
He can't believe his luck! He needs to thank Nie Huaisang.
"Shall we?" Wei Wuxian smiles.
His prince nods. "Who should I call you?" he asks.
"YingYing." He will not say his name. This is the time where he can be someone else, someone with no bad past. He wants to impress the prince tonight.
"Lan Zhan."
"Aaahh, a Lan, a descendant of the king?" Wei Wuxian teases, pretending that he doesn't know who 'Lan Zhan' is.
"Close."
Wei Wuxian chuckles.
So Lan Wangji doesn't want to be a prince tonight.
He is a guest who wants to enjoy the night. Wei Wuxian will make sure he has a blast.
"What do you want to do? Tunnel of Love?" Wei Wuxian suggests.
"Stargazing."
"I'm afraid we don't have that."
"The real one. In the garden."
It sounds romantic. Being alone with his prince. He wouldn't miss a chance to stargaze with his crush. "Okay."
It is quiet outside. Nobody but them.
Perfect.
"So, Lan Zhan. What do you do?" Wei Wuxian opens their conversation.
"Stuffs."
"Do you like what you do?" He tries again. He wants to have a decent conversation with him.
For once.
"Mostly."
It's going to be hard to get this person to talk more than a few words.
"What do you like doing most?" Wei Wuxian tries again. He will not let this opportunity go to waste. He wants to know if he is as good in person as he is in the magazines.
Lan Wangji shrugs. Very inelegantly of him.
Wei Wuxian grins. "Come on. There must be something that you do that will make your heart beat faster."
"Composing."
"Composing a song? Wow. I thought you'd be a jock kinda person."
"Why?"
"You have a nice bod." Wei Wuxian realizes too late that he just flirted with his prince.
Lan Wangji stares at him. "Yours is nice, too."
Wei Wuxian shivers at being the recipient of that golden gaze.
And that unabashed compliment.
Is he trying to return the compliment? He knows he just flirted with him, right?
He should stop flirting.
"Ah, my shoulders are not as broad as yours."
Wei Wuxian curses himself.
Why can't he think? Why can't he stop flirting?
"I like your lips. It has a cute little mole."
He is flirting back, isn't he?
Their eyes meet.
Silver and golden.
And a bunch of unknown emotions between them.
He doesn't know who starts it first, but the next thing he knows, they share a kiss.
A first kiss in life is never going to be repeated.
And he is beyond happy that he gets to share it with him.
His prince.
This kiss is tentative, shy, new, and so very good.
He just kissed his prince! His crush! And the most handsome person on the planet.
It hits him.
How many kisses that Lan Zhan has ever had? Is his kiss adequate? What if he hates it? What if he never wants to do this with him again?
"Good?" He asks with some hesitation, his lips a cm away from his prince's. He can feel hia hot breath breathing on him, a scent of familiar sandalwood in his nose.
He sure hopes his kiss is good enough.
"Mn."
A confirmation.
He is relieved. He wants a redo. Although it doesn't seem wise. He talks instead. "What song have you composed so far?"
"Instrumentals."
"Oh, I love instrumentals. Like that one famous YouTuber. Have you heard of The Second Jade? Check him out. He is good! Too bad he never shows his face; only his fingers play the piano."
"Mn."
His ears blush a good color of red.
Why does he answer with a monosyllable? Doesn't he know Wei Wuxian wants to know him personally?
"Sing me your song."
He looks shy at his request.
Seeing an opening, Wei Wuxian takes it. "Come on. I won't laugh at you!"
Lan Wangji slowly and very quietly starts humming.
Wei Wuxian loves his voice. He has been since that day at the castle, by the Yiling Pond.
He loves the song equally. He feels his hair at the back of his neck stand and his gut wrench.
During all this, his hands finds Lan Wangji's. Somehow, they are intertwined. They are still standing very close to eaxh other after sharing the kiss.
"Wow, Lan Zhan! It's very good!" He praises when he is done.
"You think?"
"It brings out emotion. I feel like you love it so much. You can record it, and I guarantee you it will blow up."
"This song is special. Nobody should hear it."
"Why did you let me hear then?" Wei Wuxian hopes.
"You're special."
Wei Wuxian's heart is caught in his throat. He feels his heart beating and involuntarily stares at the prince's parted lips. He leans in.
Lan Wangji responds.
This one is a more urgent one, with more passion. Or maybe lots of passions. They take their time enjoying each other's lips.
After this kiss, there is silence. How does one go back to conversation after that kiss.
“Tell me about you, YingYing,” Lan Wangji probes after a minute has passed.
“Me? I am just a striving engineer.”
No, let's make out and not talk.
“What do you do?”
“Stuffs.”
“What are you hiding?” he sounds agitated.
“I am not.”
“You don’t want me to know the real you,” Lan Wangji suspects. He seems upset.
Didn't he also hide himself? Why does this seem to matter so much to him?
“Probably.”
I am a nobody, Lan Zhan, he wants to say. Let's just spend the night as two strangers enjoying each other.
But the prince looks sad and hurt. “I thought we had something special.”
He stands up to leave.
Wei Wuxian cannot let him go.
Again he sees that sadness in his eyes. Again he wants nothing but to make him happy.
He stands up with him and pulls him into another kiss. This one is different from the others. This one is hunger, this one is passion, this one is desperation.
He devours his mouth, he takes his fill, he slides his tongue, and explores the prince’s.
The prince responds with the same hunger, the same passion, and the same desperation. He pushes Wei Wuxian until his back hits the wall and pins his hands above him.
He takes his time and starts necking him.
Wei Wuxian moans.
This is torture. This is heavenly.
“Be my boyfriend,” the prince orders.
“Mn,” he answers. His mind is clouded by pleasure. He cannot think.
The prince continues to lick his ears. “Is that a yes?”
Wei Wuxian is woken from his trance, a sudden fear clouds his mind.
He wants this so much. He wants him too much. His whole body is shaking with desire. But he is so afraid to grab something when he feels fake under the masquerade.
Lan Wangji stops and pulls back when he doesn't respond.
Wei Wuxian lets out a sigh. He is falling, he knows. He is falling for the prince too quickly and too deeply. This man has taken a lot of his time; this man has been his goal, and he wants him to look at him with pride. Their meetings before, he was always being scolded by him, he was never at his best.
One day, he promises.
One day.
“One day. I will stand before you without a mask. That is when I'll be your boyfriend,” he promises the prince. He promises himself. There is a power pulling them toward each other. He will not deny it anymore. He will just need to be worthy of his prince.
Lan Wangji stares deeply at him, giving him a look that evaluates Wei Wuxian.
“Tonight?” he asks, hope grazing in his voice.
Oh, there is a request in that question.
Wei Wuxian wants to believe it.
"Tonight, I am your secret lover,” Wei Wuxian answers.
He is.
He has always been his.
He trembles. He really wants this.
That answer seems to please the prince.
"Mn. My secret lover," he agrees, claiming Wei Wuxian's lips.
They continue cuddling and making out.
Till the party ends.
They go their separate ways.
***
+1
Wei Wuxian is 27.
He is sitting in the honorary seat in his best black suit and red tie. He is there to receive a medal of honor for being a hero for the community. The Stygian Hologram has helped the low-income community, especially the farmers and cattlemen, by using his technology to create an app that helps them sell their stocks to the next line of market.
A hero in technology.
He likes the sound of that.
Prince Lan Wangji is sitting on the stage with the rest of the panel. He has never taken his eyes off Wei Wuxian since he saw him. Or, maybe it is just his over-the-top imagination.
He, too, keeps his gaze on him. His heart burns with hope and blooms with love. He still has doubts that the prince recognizes him; he wishes he does, but nevertheless, he will stand before him. As he promised.
The ceremony is quite long, but soon it is time to get the award. The 10 heroes stand up. Wei Wuxian is lucky number 8.
The prince presents the medals to each hero with elegance. He is so very handsome, and Wei Wuxian just cannot stop staring at him.
Once upon a time, he was deprived of that elegant fingers bestowing a medal on him.
Time was nevet right for them.
But maybe, things will change tonight.
Maybe, he will finally be the reason of his happiness.
He is next. His prince has already locked eyes with him. His heart beats too fast.
Not because of the award. But because of the owner of those golden eyes.
“Wei Wuxian, Hero in Technology," the MC announces and continues to list all his achievements while the prince is walking toward him, his gaze never sways from him.
Wei Wuxian bows his head so it is easier for the prince to bestow the medal upon him.
When it is securely attached around his neck, Wei Wuxian steps back to look at him.
He smiles.
His prince smiles back.
No words between them. But he can hear the stadium gasp as they see the smile that xan melt the snow.
Wei Wuxian once kissed that smile.
Lan Wangji strecthes his hand to shake his. The grip is strong, and that voice he so loves says in his deep tone. “Congratulations, Wei Wuxian.”
It’s done.
His eyes widened.
Lan Wangji doesn’t recognize me.
Wei Wuxian shakes. He feels disappointment creep all over his mind, body, and soul.
He doesn't recognize him.
It is over.
He lost his chance.
He lets his hand go, but the prince grabs his wrist to prevent him from letting go.
Wei Wuxian grabs his wrist back.
They stare at each other.
Longing. Confusion. Fear.
He sees it all in his prince's eyes.
May I hope?
The secret services start to move closer. The reporters start to take pictures. Blitz everywhere, but their focuses are on each other.
“It’s good. He is safe. He is my….” Lan Wangji says to stop the secret services.
“Secret lover,” Wei Wuxian whispers.
“Boyfriend,” Lan Wangji says with confidence at the same time.
He looks at him tenderly. He seems happy. He smiles at Wei Wuxian, a really beautiful smile.
The nation's prince just announced to the world that he was his boyfriend. Wei Wuxian is suddenly weak at the knees.
The crowd goes crazy. Girls fainting, lots of screaming, but Wei Wuxian ignores them. “Lan Zhan….”
“Wei Ying,” he calls quietly.
“Stay.”
Wei Wuxian nods. With all the strength he can muster, he wobbles back to his seat after they let go of each other. Secret services are surrounding him.
He grins, delighted. So Lan Wangji is afraid he’s going to run again.
Doesn't he know that he has me wrapped in his little finger?
Lan Wangji goes back to present medals to the last two people.
When the ceremony is over, the secret services are handy for blocking the reporters. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji keep on locking gazes at each other.
They are boyfriends now.
He is giddy.
He is excited.
He is in love.
He doesn't notice when his family and friends approach to congratulate him. His focus is still on that person on the stage.
Until somebody whacks the back of his head. “How can you be the prince’s boyfriend?” Jiang Cheng shouts.
It's like cold water being poured into him, giving him his senses back. He answers his brother, “I met him once before. At Jiejie’s wedding. He was partnered with me.”
“Wrong. We met five times before,” he hears Lan Wangji's voice behind him. Smiling, the prince raises his hand as if to ask for Wei Wuxian's hand.
Wei Wuxian is stunned. He looks disbelievingly at the prince, the love of his life. He moves his eyes slowly to his eyes, nose, and lingers on the other’s lips. He licks his lips unconsciously.
Lan Wangji seems to understand what he wants. He doesn't wait for Wei Wuxian to take his hand; he grabs his wrist instead, impatiently. “Please excuse us. We have business to do.” he says so politely but with urgency in his voice.
He pulls him through the doors, with secret services following them, through the elevator, till they reach his suite in the hotel.
All the while, Wei Wuxian squeals in his head, willing the place wherever Lan Wangji is taking him to be private.
They enter his room. Lan Wangji starts to ravish him, pushing him until his back is against the closed door.
He can hardly breathe under the ministrations of those hands. His body trembles for the pleasure. It remembers those hands.
“You recognized me all this time?” he asks hazily.
“Mn. You stood before me. No mask. Boyfriend.” he says while necking him.
“I always had something covering my face. I thought you could never recognize me.” Wei Wuxian argues, his control is slipping.
Lan Wangji ceases his kiss, allowing them to catch some breath, but continues circling his thumbs on his neck, showering him with little comforting massages.
“I have known you since the day at the cemetery,” he says, and then he starts kissing again. "I have always loved you since that moment. You were kind to me and my mother even when you didn't know who I was that day at the cemetery," he says between his kisses.
“Cemetery?” he asks, confused.
“We were 11.”
Wei Wuxian tries to remember. “It was you?”
“Mn.”
“But I wore a paper bag on my head!” He remembered that sad little boy and how he was upset that Wei Wuxian annoyed him.
“That day you told me your name. I've always known you through all our destined encounters.”
“At the pond?”
“Mn. At the pond, you showed kindness to the bunnies, and the turtle even befriended those silly creatures.
And at the fencing tournament, when you showed kindness to your brother and took his place when he had too much to lose.
And at the farm when you did your punishment, you had a bad day yet you were still kind to Little Apple, trying to catch it while falling on your buttocks and face so many times.”
"You saw that?"
"It was hilarious!"
He takes out a red scarf. "Remember this?"
Wei Wuxian bobs his Adam apple.
Twice.
There is just too much saliva in his mouth.
“The first time I saw you, you had a paper bag over your head. Second, this scarf covered your face except for your eyes. Your beautiful silver eyes." He puts the scarf around Wei Wuxian’s eyes and blindfolds him.
"The third time, your face was fully covered, but I knew you anyway." He whispers so low in Wei Wuxian's ear, he shivers.
"How?" Wei Wuxian demands to know.
"I recognized your eyes. Your running reminds me of that day you ran away from me at the pond. Also, Jiang Wanyin could not even lift his right hand when I tried to shake his hands, although you fought well with your right hand."
Wei Wuxian applauds him in his head. "My turn now, Lan Zhan. The fourth time we met, I had your handkerchief covering my nose." Wei Wuxian pulls a white handkerchief out of his pocket.
Lan Zhan takes it. He looks smug.
"The fifth time, you wore a mask. I got to kiss you then, your cute little mole under your lips.”
“I love it when you kiss me.”
“Mn, you kept your promise. You met me with a bare face," he whispers in his ear this time. Wei Wuxian trembles.
“You are a good incentive. I strive to be at your side."
He needs to know that.
“You kept your last promise and your first one.”
“Huh?”
“You promised to make me happy, all those years ago in the cemetery. You promised my mother.”
Wei Wuxian smiles. He thanks Wen Chao for ruining his day back then. “That, I did. Do I make you happy?”
"Now, you do." Lan Wangji ties his hands with the handkerchief and pins them above his head. “I have always wanted to kiss you with your eyes blindfolded."
"I am yours. Do whatever you want," he resigns to his fate. A very delicious fate.
“I will. I waited 16 years.”
“That is a long time,” Wei Wuxian agrees, his eyes twinkling, a smug smile decorating his lips.
"My boyfriend. No longer a secret lover. You stood before me proudly. No mask. As a hero. Mine for the world to see." He licks his lips again.
Wei Wuxian moans. He is his, indeed.
"Forever?" he whimpers.
"Forever," his prince confirms.