Archive of Our Own

I

Lan Wangji is 11. 

Somehow that day, he feels like he needs to meet his late mother and talk. It pulls him with such a force he cannot deny.

Of course he got scolded by his uncle.

But this need is beyond him. So he leaves and he promises to take the punishment later.

He meets her there. In the quiet of the cemetery, he is reminded of how much she loved him and he is so very sad. His father, the King, has not been the same since her death. His uncle, the Principal, is always strict. His brother, the crown prince, is always too busy.

He misses her so much that he sends his secret service away so he can have an alone time with her.

"Mother, we are doing well. Everybody praises Brother that he is doing so very well as the crown prince. His political ability is beyond his age. I have to start undergoing more difficult studies as well. Uncle said that I am very good, too."

He takes a deep breath. "It's just that these things make us unable to spend time with each other.

I miss him.

I miss you."

He tears up but holds them from falling down. "I am sorry, I just miss you more today. I feel lonely. I wish I had somebody who understands me."

From his peripheral vision, he sees a boy closing in. This boy has a brown paperbag on his head, covering his whole head except for the holes in his eyes, nose and mouth. 

Lan Wangji pretends not to care, although he is really intrigued on why he does that.

His secret service cuts the boy.

"I just want to see if he needs help. He seems constipated," he hears the boy said.

Constipated? How dare he!

He pretends not to see him when he kneels beside him.

"Don't show your sadness. She will be sad."

"I wasn't crying," Lan Wangji says, a bit offended. He glares at the boy.

"If you want to cry, I can lend you my mask. It smells but it's bearable."

So that's why he wears that paperbag - so that his dead relative cannot see him cry. 

Lan Wangji feels like he has been slapped. He just complained to his mother while this boy visits the grave because he wants to meet and tell his relatives not to worry about him.

He refuses the brown paperbag and turns his face back to his mother's grave.

The boy grabs his hand and squeezes it. "I'll make sure he is not sad again, Madame, I will make him happy," he promises his mother.

Lan Wangji pulls his hand, angrily. "I am not sad." 

Why am I angry?

This boy is so kind. He is kind to him. He is kind to his mother, too. He suddenly feels ashamed. How can he complain to his mother in heaven while this boy tries to cheer her up and not let her worry about her son. 

"Madame, you can meet with my parents there. They can vouch that I always keep my promises."

Lan Wangji shoves him. He cannot continue this. "I am not sad! Go away!" Lan Wangji knows he is being defensive.

The boy falls down on the ground. "Rude!" he shouts. 

Lan Wangji stares at him. He feels extremely guilty.

"It's okay. I know you are sad. People who are sad do things they don't mean."

He understands.

That is when Lan Wangji notices his unique silver eyes that are filled with tenderness and forgiveness. He couldn't contain his shame.

"I'm going home," he declares.

The boy looks at him with a pair of bright silver eyes behind the mask. Those are the purest and kindest eyes that Lan Wangji has ever seen.

"My name is Wei Ying. What's your name? We can be friends."

But in front of this little boy, Lan Wangji feels inferior. He is a prince, but this dirty boy seems to be in a higher level than him. 

He leaves him, walking really fast. There is a nagging feeling inside his gut that doesn't sit well with him. 

On his way, he sees two graves that have a pair of half sandwiches on top of them. He passes the graves to check on the names and realizes that these are the graves of Wei Ying's parents.

That boy is an orphan, but he doesn't let his loss override his light.

He turns toward his mother's grave and sees Wei Ying praying there, caressing the tomb. And for the first time in his life, he understands the feeling of humiliation. 

That day, Lan Wangji is humbled by a little boy who has nobody, but doesn't stop spreading kindness.

That day Lan Wangji learns how to be a better human.

***

II

Lan Wangji is 15.

A highschool is being hosted by the castle management today. It means there will be loud teenagers everywhere. Some will be fanning over him and his brother. Some will be trying to break the trespassing line.

Not a good day for Snowy and Blacky to be missing. His brother has teased him about his bunny naming capability but he cannot think of better names.

He hates that he has to search for them while he is trying to hide from the horny and crazy highschoolers.

He spots him from afar. The rule breaking teen. He jumps over the low barrier, walks on the grass and hides behind the bushes.

Lan Wangji is pissed. He is going to bring him to security so he can learn his lesson.

It's still some distance away between him and the boy when he sees him resubmerge from behind the bushes, this time wearing a red scarf to cover his face from the nose down, leaving only his eyes visible.

Lan Wangji races after him. If the boy thinks that hiding his face will save him from trouble, he is so wrong.

Then he sees him holding Snowy. Blacky is agreeably hooping besides him. He walks with a purpose, talking to Blacky the whole way.

That pikes his interest. Lan Wangji decides to see what he is up to.

The boy and the bunnies stop when they reach the Yiling Pond. He sits down and takes out something from his backpack.

A turtle?

His curiosity wins over. He is closing down on them. From a short distance he finally notices the red bandage on Snowy paw. He must have been hurt and this boy has helped him. No wonder Blacky is nice to him.

"Stop wandering around next time, Xuan Wu." The boy says. There isno denying the affection in his chirp tone.

Lan Wangji is caught with tenderness. But he decides to be the disciplined prince that he is and teaches him to abide by the rule. A rule is not meant to be broken. Even with a good reason.

"I can say the same to you."

The boy is startled, turning around to meet his gaze.

Lan Wangji's heart thuds loudly against his ribs.

Then it stops.

The boy with silver eyes.

Wei Ying?

Wei Ying, the name he keeps calling in his silent time, the hope to meet him again someday.

And now he is in front of him.

His heartbeat suddenly turns chaotic. He frowns. 

"Aaahh, hahaha you see… this naughty turtle bit this bunny's paw. So.. I came to the rescue. I am the hero here!" he stutters.

His heart thuds. He feels that squeeze in his chest. He doesn't know what his face looks like, so he turns his gaze to Snowy.

Wei Ying must think he worries for Snowy so he adds, "He will be okay! Hanguang Jun is strong!"

Hanguang Jun? He renamed Snowy? That name suits him better. Ah, but he cannot concentrate now that those beautiful silver eyes are showing his nervousness.

"You named my bunny?"

"Yes. Your turtle is Xuan Wu, he really likes to bite!  This is Hanguang-Jun. Great names?" 

"Hanguang-Jun? Why?" he asks, curious. 

"Well, isn't he the bestest looking bunny ever? So pretty! And so ethereal! Just like the owner!"

Wait, does he think I am pretty and ethereal? That's a compliment, isn't it? 

That sends butterflies in his tummy. Or is it just something he says to make people happy?

"This one?" What would he name Blacky?

"Laozu!"

"Laozu?"

"Yiling Laozu. He is like the big shot here! Busy body, and knows his way around."

That makes sense.

Why should he do now?

"You might be a hero. But you are still trespassing," he says sternly. He may be able to keep him here for a while longer.

"For a good cause!" He dares argue. Wow, the first time somebody really showed no restraint talking to him. He likes it.

"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!"

So he does know who he is! Yet he still treats him as equal.

He grabs his wrist. That touch sends electricity along his body.

"You have to be responsible for your crime."

The man flinches uncomfortably. 

Why does he do things that seem opposite to his objective? Wei Ying must be scared of me. 

He doesn't care. Wei Ying will stay. He wants to be acquainted with him. He wants to know him more. What he looks like behind that scarf. He gets a feeling Wei Ying would be handsome. His silver eyes surely bring some unprecedented rhids in his heart. 

"Okay, okay… I'll listen to you! Let me grab my backpack, " he says, eyes rolling. 

Good. He is coming with me.

Lan Wangji is excited. They walk together for a while at a really slow pace. Lan Wangji enjoys this although he is a bit worried about the silence.

"Sorry, my handsome prince! I have better things to do." Wei Ying suddenly shouts.

Lan Wangji is stunned for a few seconds before he runs after him.

But Wei Ying is really fast. He launches at him but only manages to pull his red scarf. The culprit hides his face and jumps on the moving bus.

For a while, the two are staring at each other, the distance between them growing. 

Then he is gone. 

Lan Wangji curses himself for being too dumb to believe a rule breaker in the first place. His brain is muffled by the boy of his dreams. The boy who holds his heart since they first met. The boy he's been trying to find for the past 4 years.

I'll find you, Wei Ying.

Until next time.

***

III

Lan Wangji is 18.

He almost reaches Wei Ying's school. Wei Wuxian.

His heart is beating so fast that his gut churns. Finally. He has it all planned. A surprise visit during a fencing tournament. A sport he came to love and be good at when he found that Wei Wuxian participated in it. 

Yes, he has been following Wei Ying. He searched for the school data that was submitted to the castle management after that event and found only one Wei.

Wei Wuxian.

The one time he visited his school, Wei Wuxian was not there because he represented his school in a fencing tournament. He was disappointed, yet he thinks maybe he can be good at fencing, so they will share future tournaments.

He practices very diligently until he is scouted to become a junior national athlete.

This is the second time he comes to his school. He knows for sure Wei Wuxian will be in the tournament as he is a favorite to win. 

Later, when he gives him his medal, he is going to ask him to train together. Then they will become friends. He is giddy just thinking about it.

But some things don't go according to plan.

First, when he goes past the scoreboard, Wei Wuxian's name is crossed out in red.

Is he not participating?

He is restless. He wants to see Wei Wuxian. He wants to know what happens. Who can he ask?

Some girls who want his attention are sitting very close to him for him to be comfortable. He ignores them, not even glancing toward them.

So the girls gossip. He almost chides them before he hears that name.

"Too bad Wei Wuxian has a sprained ankle. He could win this with no sweat."

"I know! How can someone be that perfect! Smart, mischievous, kind, handsome, good at sport…"

"You still have a crush on him?"

"Tell me who is better than him. In this school alone."

"He flirts! All the time!"

"He never means it!"

"That makes it worse, isn't it? Look at his brother, he is handsome, too and is dating Wen Qing."

"Wen Qing is too good for him. She and Wei Wuxian should have been dating. They were the prom queen and king."

"Wei Wuxian likes boys. Why don't you want to believe it?"

Lan Wangji inhales deeply because he feels like all the oxygen in his heart was just pumped out. He feels the ends of his mouth automatically lift. A very rare occurrence. 

"No. He is too perfect for that!"

"Believe it. He only lets Wen Ning near him. He could have scored a better boyfriend than that stuttering boy."

Wei Wuxian has a boyfriend. Of course. He is too good to be single. 

Lan Wangji is hurting. Like he has been thrown to the ground while just a minute ago he was flown into the sky. 

They girls stop talking for a while when they announce that Wen Chao and Jiang Wanyin will enter the arena.

"There is tea saying that Wei Wuxian faked his sprained ankle so Jiang Wanyin can win this and get accepted into the sports uni."

"That gossip could be right."

"Why are you so sure?"

"That perfect ass is Wei Wuxian's. I can spot it anywhere. He's filling in for his brother."

 

Lan Wangji looks at that ass. He agrees that it is a perfect ass. 

"I will do a friendly spar with the winner," Lan Wangji tells the coach that is sitting beside him. The coach frowns but nods anyway, albeit reluctantly.

Something is definitely wrong. Maybe the girl is right. It is Wei Ying. 

Lan Wangji gets ready for the 'friendly spar'. His opponent does not open his helmet, not even to wipe his sweat. He is starting to believe the rumor.

Why is he challenging Wei Wuxian?

Maybe because he is upset that he cheats. Or maybe he is pissed because he has a boyfriend. Or maybe because he just wants to see this boy's fighting spirit.

Wei Wuxian is as good as he guessed. He puts up a good fight, although he still loses. He never had a chance. Lan Wangji is trained as a national athlete.

"Nice fight," Wei Wuxian praises. 

His voice! Lan Wangji recognizes it. A tone that is playful but also sincere. A tone that is friendly and kind.

"Open your helmet." He wants to see him. He needs to see him. 

"Ah.. hahahaha.. wait.." Wei Wuxian reaches for the opening.

"It stuck! Oh no! I need help to open this." He sounds panicked.

Lan Wangji should have been more prepared because he is again too late to react before Wei Wuxian runs.

He was so close!

He has sparred with the boy he crushes on.

Ye he lost him again.

When Jiang Wanyin takes a long time to move his hand to shake Lan Wangji's, he understands why Wei Wuxian did it.

Lan Wangji is so disappointed because he couldn't meet with him. He leaves immediately after the award ceremony.

He sees him from afar, though. He was walking limply, supported by his boyfriend, laughing and wincing at the same time.

It hurts. So much.

He wishes he were the boyfriend.

He wishes it was him holding him.

He goes home with a broken heart.

***

IV

Lan Wangji is 21.

He is volunteering in the government farm administration office behind his fancy laptop when he hears that voice again.

"Wei Wuxian. I am here for my punishment." 

Lan Wangji feels like something is crawling in his stomach. 

Wei Ying, his heart jolts.

He takes a peek behind his laptop to look at the owner of the voice.

The owner of his heart, still.

Wei Wuxian is wearing a baseball cap that hides half of his face. But he has become taller and even more shiny. 

"Wei Wuxian, your assignment today is caring for the pig. Here is the list of things you must do. Report to the coordinator if you have any trouble. They are the ones in uniform," the front desk officer says.

He nods.

Then he is gone.

Lan Wangji approaches the front desk, studies Wei Wuxian's assignment slash crime sheet, and reads it. It was his 21st birthday yesterday, and he spent it in a bar with his 4 friends: Wen Qing, Nie Huaisang, Jiang Wanyin and Wen Ning and got caught peeing in public. He was punished with a day of social labor.

He checks the other offenders of the day. None of his friends are listed there, not even Wen Ning. Wei Wuxian is alone today.

They are together in this place now. Heaven has given him another chance. Maybe he can look from a distance. 

"I will work in the sun today," he announces.

When eyes look at him questioningly, he adds, "The air conditioning is too cold today. I need to soak up the warm weather. I think I will bring my laptop and work near the pigpen. The coordinator there can do something else."

"We can turn off the aircon, Your Highness."

Lan Wangji feels bad for lying. What has this boy done to him?

"It's fine. A good sun will cure me," he says and quickly leaves the office.

He finds Wei Wuxian at the pigpen gate just in time to see that one pig run away from the pen. He sits down under the tree, a safe distance from the pigpen, so he can watch him.

Wei Wuxian runs after the pig, loudly cursing the whole time.

"Come on, Little Apple! Have mercy on me!"

He, of course, named the pig. Typical Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji chuckles. This boy who makes him happy but also breaks his heart. This boy, who he still wants.

He tries to catch Little Apple but he ends up falling several times on his buttocks or his knees.

"Little Apple! Come on, let's return to your little harem. You have so many ladies there who love you," he coaxes.

When he fails, he screams again, "Arrrgggghhh!! Why can't my day be better? Little Apple! You are a lucky bastard! You have lots of ladies there, food is prepared for you, and even I'm chasing after you! 

I don't even have a boyfriend!!!!"

Music to Lan Wangji's ears, food to his soul. He is single! Wen Ning is not his boyfriend! Lan Wangji hope soars. Maybe he has a chance after all?

Lan Wangji almost misses Wei Wuxian who falls face first into the mud trying to catch the pig. This time he laughs so hard it amazes himself. Lucky Wei Wuxian is too far away to notice.

Wei Wuxian leaves the pen. He really needs to clean up. Lan Wangji chases after him. He catches up with him near the toilet. He will try today. It is his chance.

He smells bad. His face is covered by thick mud. Yet he is still shining in Lan Wangji's eyes.

He looks shocked to see Lan Wangji. He rolls his eyes.

"What happened to you?" Lan Wangji pretends to not know.

"Bad day." He answers without any hint of courtesy.

Lan Wangji offers his white handkerchief, and he takes it to the toilet.

Lan Wangji moves fast. He returns to the administration office and asks them to release Wei Wuxian for the day so that he can continue the punishment tomorrow. He also submits all his work, although he hasn't finished anything, and explains that he has not been able to work because he is under the weather. Somebody else can finish this assignment.

He already plans an ice cream date, maybe? The details must be thought of first. But he takes whatever. He just wants to spend time with Wei Wuxian.

He returns to the toilet to find Wei Wuxian sleeping on the bench. He has lost his cap, but Lan Wangji's handkerchief is covering his nose now, so Lan Wangji still hasn't had a chance to see his whole face yet. He is very curious. His hand is itching to take off the handkerchief.

He holds his itch and just enjoys what is in front of him. He has long lashes and thick eyebrows. He has small, sexy lips with a beauty mark under them. He is gorgeous.

Wei Wuxian suddenly opens his eyes, and those beautiful silver eyes look back at him.

"You shouldn't fall asleep on your punishment." Why did he say that?

"Sue me!" he snaps.

"I can report you," he replies. What's wrong with 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."

"Wearing white? You do this voluntarily?" Wei Wuxian sneers.

"I work in the administrative office. And yes, people volunteer for good deeds." Lan Wangji cannot fathom why Wei Wuxian is so mean to him today.

Silence.

"Look, I have a bad hangover. The sun is making it worse. The fall in the mud doesn't help. Please leave me alone."

Lan Wangji feels hurt, but he hides it. He is good at not showing his emotions on his face. Maybe Wei Wuxian really doesn't like him. Maybe he is still mad about what happened on the castle's pond.

"Return my handkerchief," he says instead. One look is what he asks before he leaves.

"No! I cannot stand my smell!"

Wei Wuxian stands and walks away from him, saying hurtful things. "Don't worry, oh mighty prince. I am coming back to the pigpen. I don't want to stain you with my smell."

Lan Wangji is again left behind by him. He should have been used to it.

He isn't.

But he wishes that Wei Wuxian will have a better day tomorrow because he won't be there.

And his heart breaks again.

***

V

Lan Wangji is 25.

He is now standing in a dark corner of an 'informal wedding reception' of Duke Jin Zixuan and Lady Jiang Yanli, Wei Wuxian's adopted sister.

He sought this invitation, claiming that he wanted to experience the famous wedding planner Nie Huaisang's event.

He still cannot forget about him, not even after he has been rejected so many times before. 

They meet almost every three years. This time it can be different. If he really meets him.

He is smuggled in by Nie Huaisang after the party has started. Nie Huaisang has told him the gist of the party.

He has a chip on his forehead that conjures a hologram image of a masquerade mask covering his face. It's not an actual mask, but it cannot be taken off as long as the party is still on.

"An invention by the new tech startups called Stygian Hologram. My friend Wei Wuxian is the CEO," Nie Huaisang tells him proudly.

Like he doesn't know that.

"Your invitation," he gives Lan Wangji. It is a barcode tag wrapped in a fancy leather holder shaped like half of a broken heart. "Your Highness, you will need to find the other half of your heart. Afterwards, you and your partner can enjoy Stygian Hologram presentations such as tunnels of love, dare games, watching sunrise and sunset together."

Lan Wangji nods. It sounds interesting. He enters the event. Most of the people are already paired, so he is kind of left alone. He tries to find Wei Wuxian in the crowd, but he has no luck.

Until that voice calls him, "Maybe we match?" That voice, a voice he keeps in his heart, is so beautiful when he hears it, flower blossoms.

Lan Wangji can only stare. 

Wei Ying.

His beautiful lover.

Wei Wuxian offers his invitation. Lan Wangji silently shows his. When they combine them, it matches. A hologram of a heart appears to confirm the match.

"Shall we?" Wei Wuxian smiles. That smile and his silver eyes are the only things he can see from his masquerade. It is enough.

"Who should I call you?" If he pretends to know him now, maybe he can be nice to him. For once.

"YingYing."

"Lan Zhan."

"Aaahh a Lan, a descendant of the king?"

"Close," he answers. Tonight he is Lan Zhan, the blind date, and not Lan Wangji, the prince.

Wei Wuxian chuckles so majestically. "What do you want to do? Tunnel of Love?" 

His heart is chaos.

This Wei Ying is different. He is nice and kind. Maybe he really doesn't know him. He takes it. For a moment, he is his date. Then they can forget about this.

He hopes he can.

"Stargazing," he answers. His date. His romantic date. 

"I'm afraid we don't have that."

"The real one. In the garden."

"Okay." Wei Wuxian agrees.

It is quiet outside.

"So, Lan Zhan. What do you do?"

"Stuffs." Can we talk about you?

"Do you like what you do?"

"Mostly."

"What do you like doing most?"

Lan Wangji really doesn't want to talk about this. He doesn't want Wei Wuxian to know that he is Prince Lan Wangji. He is afraid that he will go back to his anti-Wangji attitude.

"Come on. There must be something that you do that will make your heart beat faster," Wei Wuxian prompts.

"Composing," he finally answers. It is safe enough.

"Composing a song? Wow. I thought you'd be a jock kinda person."

"Why?" He is mortified. 

"You have a nice bod."

Does he just flirt with him? He remembers the girls saying that he flirts all the time. He should not take this seriously.

"Yours is nice, too."

Now he is flirting with Wei Wuxian.

"Ah, my shoulders are not as broad as yours."

Well, he kind of likes this flirting thing.

"I like your lips. It has a cute little mole." 

There was silence except for the heavy glares between them. He moves forward, as does Wei Wuxian.

They share a kiss. Maybe it is the atmosphere that moves Wei Wuxian, but it is long overdue for Lan Wangji. This simple yet moving kiss. The kind that makes him crave for more.

"Good?" Wei Wuxian asks, but he seems shy.

"Mn." It is his first kiss. It is with the man he has longed for so long. Good doesn't describe it. He hopes it is as good for him.

"What song have you composed so far?" Wei Wuxian asks.

"Instrumentals." So they are back in this boring conversation.

"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." He maybe should tell him that he is the Second Jade. Will it gain him a favor?

"Sing me your song," he asks him. He couldn't believe his ears. 

"Come on. I won't laugh at you!" he says with twinkles in his silver eyes.

Lan Wangji abides. He starts humming 'Wangxian', the song he composed for him a long time ago. Singing that song for him feels unreal. It moves him. He sings with feelings, with emotion and with something raw.

"Wow, Lan Zhan! It's very good!" He compliments when it is over. He seems very touched.

"You think?" Lan Wangji needs to be sure. Does Wei Wuxian like his song?

"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." Only you, he says in his heart.

"Why did you let me hear then?" 

"You're special." he says, telling the truth.

He can see that Wei Wuxian is taken aback. He moves his gaze to Lan Wangji's lips and leans in for another kiss.

He will never miss an opportunity to kiss this man.

Their second kiss is a lot longer and more passionate. To say he enjoys it is an understatement.

He dares to hope now. He wants to continue this after the party. Wei Wuxian needs to open up to him, to be comfortable with him. Maybe then he will change his opinion of him.

“Tell me about you, YingYing."

“Me? I am just a striving engineer.”

“What do you do?”

“Stuff.”

“Why are you hiding?” he probes. His eyebrows furrow. Wei Wuxian is just as reluctant as he is to share about himself.

“I am not," he denies.

“You don’t want me to know you in the real world,” Lan Wangji accuses. That hope starts to shutter again.

“Probably," he shrugs.

That hurts. After two special kisses that they shared, he rejects him again.

“I thought we had something special.” He stands up to leave. He needs to let go for real, this time. Staying here won't help his case.

Before he knows it, Wei Wuxian pulls him into his embrace so forcefully that their chests collide. He claims his lips with hunger, passion, and desperation.

Lan Wangji is turned on. He uses his tongue to explore his lover's mouth.

He doesn't know what he is doing. His body takes control of his mind. Yet he welcomes this.

He pushes Wei Wuxian until his back hits the wall and pins his hands above him. 

He takes his time and starts necking him. This has been in his imagination for the longest time, and now he gets to do it. His whole body shakes.

Wei Wuxian moans. That sound is going to be the death of him. "Lan Zhan, Wangji," he whispers unconsciously.

He knows me, Lan Wangji realizes with a jolt. His heart thumps. Wei Wuxian kisses him, knowing who he is. He knows who he is, yet he still kisses him. Yet he still pulls him back when he is about to leave. Maybe… just maybe.. they can start with this perfect physical attraction between them.

He becomes braver.

“Be my boyfriend,” he asks. Please.

“Mn," Wei Wuxian answers.

Lan Wangji licks his ears and asks, “Is that a yes?”

When he doesn’t answer, Lan Wangji leans back, demanding an answer. He inhales and prepares for another rejection.

Wei Wuxian takes a long time to answer, and that scares Lan Wangji. He starts imagining the worst. He tries to calm his heart.

It is a relief when he finally answers, “One day. I will stand before you without a mask. That is when I'll be your boyfriend.”

Lan Wangji is filled with warmth. A promise. One day. 

“Tonight?” he hopes.

“Tonight I am your secret lover,” Wei Wuxian answers.

I can live with that, he thinks while pushing Wei Wuxian back on the wall and continuing to devour him.

Tonight they will forget about anything and be lovers.

Tonight he gets to taste him to his heart's content.

Until that one day comes.

***

+1

Lan Wangji is 28.

He is in a hotel, about to present medals of honor to the heroes in their country. A total of 10 people have achieved so much for their country, one of them is Wei Wuxian, the CEO of Stygian Hologram, who has helped the low-income community, especially the farmers and cattlemen, by using his technology to help them sell their stocks to the next line of market. 

A hero in technology.

Proudness blossoms in his heart.

He has been following Wei Wuxian’s career and breakthrough in the community. He might not have been able to meet with him in person, but ever since that night three years ago, Wei Wuxian started to put his name in any prestigious media in this country. He gets to enjoy Wei Wuxian’s full face everywhere. And he buys anything that he can find, caressing every single feature that he likes in his precious alone time.

Wei Wuxian’s latest reveal was being the 4th most powerful youth in their country.

Lan Wangji ranks second after his brother, the crown prince. It is always the same every year that it bores him. He feels that he gets that position just because he is a prince, ignoring his many accomplishments that he has managed to score for himself.

The top 5 of the Most Powerful Youths in the country have been interviewed separately and have had their interviews broadcast for the world to see.

Lan Wangji wants to use this opportunity to tell Wei Wuxian that he is still waiting. So when the interviewer, knowing his hesitation to answer personal questions, skipped the question about his private life, he prompted her.

“You can ask about my personal life.”

The interviewer seemed surprised, but she asked anyway, “Is there anyone important in your life?”

“I am still waiting for that person to show up in my presence,” he answers, fully knowing that it is cryptic, but hoping Wei Wuxian will get his hint.

He also watched Wei Wuxian’s interview.

On the same question, Wei Wuxian was more honest.

“Ah, hahaha… I had a secret lover... Once... I mean.. Ah, due to circumstances, we have not been meeting for years. I just hope that when we meet, he is happy with who I have become. I am who I am today because of him.”

Of course, he is happy with him.

Wei Ying is the best thing that ever happened to his life, with or without his achievements and with or without his shortcomings.

He loves him. 

He is cut off from his memory when the committee introduces him as one of the panels that will give out the medals and shows him to the stage.

There he is, in the honorary seat, looking unbelievably handsome in his black suit and his skinny red tie, with his hair cut short.

He cannot look away. The magazines cannot capture the essence of this man, his easy smile, his lazy posture, or his gorgeous face.

Wei Wuxian holds Lan Wangji's heart and full attention. He, too, manages to steal his gaze from time to time.

Before long, it is time for him to honor the heroes. Wei Wuxian stands as hero no. 8. He gets to wait.

When it is Wei Wuxian’s turn, Lan Wangji locks his eyes with his. He tries to show his pride and affection. He hopes it gets through. 

“Wei Wuxian, Hero in Technology," the MC announces and continues to list all his achievements.

Lan Wangji takes the medal from the tray, polishing it on his suit where his heart is. This medal is going to sit on his chest. It turns out he is that sappy.

Wei Wuxian bows his head before him as he presents his medal to him. His hands shake when he bestows the medal upon him.

He accidentally grazes his fingers on his cheek. It wasn't an accident. He wants to cup his face and make him look at him.

Only him.

Wei Wuxian straightens up, offering his hand to shake. A pair of bright eyes piercing, a nervous smile on his lips.

He takes it, squeezing Wei Wuxian’s hand and saying, “Congratulations, Wei Wuxian.”

He looks startled but gains his speech in an instant.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” he answers. There is disappointment and sadness in his eyes.

Why? Isn’t this the time that they have been waiting for? To finally acknowledge each other.

Lan Wangji is so taken by fear that he grabs Wei Wuxian's wrist to prevent him from leaving him.

Wei Wuxian grabs his wrist back.

They stare at each other.

The secret services start to move closer. The reporters start to take pictures. Blitz everywhere, but their focuses are on each other.

He still wants me, he realizes. He was just not sure about me. Of course I want you, Wei Ying. I will claim you before the world.

“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 at the same time, loud and clear for the world to hear. He tears up at that word, the word that he has been waiting to say for years. 

The crowd goes crazy. Girls fainting, lots of screaming, but they ignore them.

“Lan Zhan...” he calls with hope, eyes widening.

“Wei Ying. Stay," he pleads.

Wei Wuxian nods.

He signals the secret service to guard him. He still worries that Wei Wuxian might leave him again. After the commotion, he returns to his duty of presenting medals to the last two honorees.

It isn't long till the ceremony is over.

And through it all, his eyes never sway from his boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

He likes that word so much.

As soon as the clapping starts, signaling that it is truly over, he takes a long stride to his boyfriend, who is busy with his family congratulating him, also interrogating him.

“How did you become the prince’s boyfriend?” Jiang Wanyin probes.

“I met him once before. At Jie Jie’s wedding. He was partnered with me,” he answers, his eyes following his movement.

Ah, he is so wrong if he thinks that Lan Wangji never recognized him in all their meetings before.

“Wrong. We've met five times before, Wei Ying," Lan Wangji says, clutching his waist.He is allowed to do it now that their status is clear.

Wei Wuxian looks at him with intent. He licks his lips unconsciously.

Lan Wangji knows that look. 

He feels really sorry toward his family, but he really needs to steal him now.

“Please excuse us. We have business to do.” He tries for politeness, but the knowing looks he gets inform him that he is not deceiving anyone.

He doesn't care, pulling his boyfriend through the doors, secret services following them through the elevator, till they reach his suite in the hotel.

When they are finally alone together in his hotel suite, Lan Wangji loses all senses and roams his palms all over this person's back. He is hungry for his face, now free from any item, all his to touch. He showers him with kisses all over his face, licking every surface, as if he is claiming his territory.

This man, whom he has loved for so long but never meets.

His boyfriend.

“You recognized me all this time?” Wei Wuxian asks between his gasping breaths.

“Mn. You stood before me. No mask. Boyfriend.” he says and necks him at the same time. He feels Wei Wuxian's trembling body under him. This body's made for him.

“I always had something covering my face. I thought you could never recognize me.” 

Lan Wangji stops kissing, but his hands continue ravishing his boyfriend.

“I have known you since the day at the cemetery,” he says, kissing his forehead.

"I have 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."

Wei Wuxian seems to have forgotten that faithful day. “Cemetery?” 

“We were 11.” 

“It was you?” he gasps. "The arrogant little boy?"

“Mn.”

“But I wore a paper bag over my head!” 

“You told me your name. I've always known you through all our destined encounters.”

“At the pond?” he asks disbelievingly.

“Mn. At the pond, when you showed kindness to the bunnies and the turtle, you 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 that pig, trying to catch it while falling on your buttocks and face so many times.”

"You saw that?" He sounds embarrassed. He is just as adorable now as he was then.

"It was hilarious," he says, kissing his nose.

He suddenly remembers the item he prepared for him. "Remember this?" He takes out the red scarf from his suit breast pocket. The one he took from him when they were still 15.

Wei Wuxian swallows. That sexy Adam's apple of him bobs.

“The first time I saw you, you had a paper bag over your head. Second, this scarf covered your face except your eyes." He puts the scarf around Wei Wuxian’s eyes and blindfolds him. Wei Wuxian trembles under his hands.

"The third time, your face was fully covered, but I knew you anyway." He whispers so low in Wei Wuxian's ear that he shivers. He likes how his body moves under his command.

"How?" he challenges.

"I recognized your voice. 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."

Despite being blindfolded, Wei Wuxian seems happy.

"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. He came prepared as well.

Lan Zhan takes it. They match so well together.

"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.” 

“You are a good incentive. I strive to be worthy of you, My Prince."

“You kept the last promise and your first one.”

“Huh?”

Oh.

Of course, this kindest creature doesn't remember. For him, doing things for others is second nature.

“You promised to make me happy, all those years ago in the cemetery. You promised my mom.”

"That, I did. Do I make you happy?” he smiles. He is so desirable like that, with his eyes closed and his smirk so seductive.

"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."

Wei Yong gasps for air before agreeing. "I am yours. Do whatever you want."

“I will. I waited 16 years.”

The wait was worth it.

“That is a long time." 

"My boyfriend. No longer a secret lover. You stood before me proudly. No mask. As a hero. Mine for the world to see." 

That mouth, he cannot take it anymore. He kisses it hungrily.

Wei Wuxian moans his name again. "Lan Zhan, Wangji," He does it when he is kissed senseless, Lan Wangji finds out.

"Forever?" he asks.

"Forever," Wei Wuxian promises. 

He will make sure of it.

He takes off Wei Wuxian's tie and starts working on his buttons. His hand shakes because of want, and his brain is hazy due to lust.

Both jump out of their skins when the secret service knocks on the door where Wei Wuxian is currently being ravished against.

"The Crown Prince asks you to check your phone, Your Highness."

He swears under his breath, and Wei Wuxian does the same.

They both try to gather their breath.

Lan Wangji takes out his phone.

"What does your brother want?" Wei Wuxian asks.

He can sense annoyance in his boyfriend's tone. He understands it too well.

"He is waiting for us in the restaurant downstairs with your family."

Wei Wuxian curses again. "Do we have to go?"

Lan Wangji regretfully nods. 

"Hm?" He is still waiting for an answer.

Lan Wangji takes off his blindfold.

It's a mistake, because as soon as Wei Wuxian's eyes are free, a pair of silver eyes burning with desire look back at him.

Who has a human strength to fight them?

Certainly not Lan Wangji because he launches himself at the owner of those eyes.

A few minutes into making out, another knock is heard.

This time, it is truly his brother in person.

"Wangji, I can guess what you're doing there. But if you still want to be serious with him, you'd better face his furious family. Now."

"They don't give us a choice, do they?" Wei Wuxian murmurs.

He grits his teeth. "We'll be there. Give us a minute."

Wei Wuxian chuckles and whispers in his ears, "These will take more than a minute."

Oh, how he loves his boyfriend.

"Get away from me. Stay as far away as you can. I can't do this if you are so close," Wei Wuxian commands, like the CEO he is.

Lan Wangji obeys him. He just loves everything about him. He likes the fact that he treats him normally as a human being instead of with pretentious courtesy.

He likes the fact that Wei Wuxian is now sliding on the door to sit on the floor and put his bonded wrists on his knees in front of him. 

He looks totally wrecked in a good way, and it takes every ounce of his determination to stay where he is.

It is when Wei Wuxian starts biting on the bondage to loosen it that he loses control.

"Stay there!" Wei Wuxian shouts when he sees him move. "The Crown Prince is waiting for us. I already had enough bad records. I cannot afford to defy a royal order."

"What bad records? You had one offense."

"That got caught," he winks. "Oh, no. Don't you move, Lan Zhan!"

Lan Wangji sighs, totally besotted.

He hates his brother. His biggest temptation is in front of him, so close for him to reach yet so forbidden.

"I suppose defiling a prince is not counted as an offense?" he smirks.

Lan Wangji starts to realize what the high school girls meant when they said Wei Wuxian always flirted. He is a natural.

"Defile me anytime. I'll do the punishment."

Wei Wuxian laughs. He throws his head back, showing the curvy length of his bare throat, and again Lan Wangji is tempted.

"You are funny, Lan Zhan!"

Lan Wangji is happy. So so happy that he is afraid of losing it. He suddenly remembers Wei Wuxian's family.

"Is your family really furious with me?"

"They won't. Your brother is making it up," he says dismissively. 

"They might be pissed because you took me from them without permission. Hahahahaha…"

Lan Wangji pales.

"Don't worry. They will love whom I love."

Lan Wangji stops breathing.

"Wei Ying... loves me?"

Wei Wuxian looks confused. "I love you. Haven't I said so?"

No.

"I love you. I loved you when you were being righteous and thought of punishing me at the pond.

I loved you when you fought me like an equal.

I loved you when I was miserable and smelly, and you still wanted to be near me.

I loved you when you ravished me oh so very hotly while covering your identity.

I loved you then, and I love you more.

Lan Zhan... I said forever."

And all control is lost when he runs to the love of his life and kisses him again. More thoroughly, more passionately, and with all the love he feels in his heart.

Wei Wuxian responds with the same ardor.

He guesses he doesn't mind jilting their family either.