Work Text:
II
Lan Wangji wakes up at 5 a.m. in his suite, thinking about whether last night was a dream. Until he sees the red scarf and the handkerchief.
His heart jumps; Wei Ying is mine.
Till he remembers. He has no way to contact his boyfriend! They have never exchanged phone numbers!
He is miserable now. But as a creature of habit, he meditates, during which his concentration is on how to see his boyfriend.
He thinks about calling Wei Wuxian's office, but he would have to wait until it opens.
He can maybe ask the secret service? That would be embarrassing.
He can surprise Wei Wuxian at the office if not for a commencement ceremony he has to attend this morning followed by lunch with the faculty members.
***
Back in the castle for breakfast with his cup of fine tea, he is reading his morning news, although in reality he is googling Wei Wuxian's personal information.
His brother joins him for breaksfas, "Good morning, Wangji."
"Good morning, Brother," he greets.
"You are so gloomy for someone who just found love," Lan Xichen teases.
He stays mute.
"Is it because of what Duchess Jin said last night? She messaged me after dinner that she was sorry she was too harsh on you."
He blinks, "You have her number?"
"Yeah. We exchanged it last night when you were still 'busy'," Lan Xichen grins. "Do you want it?"
Should I ask him for hers and ask her for Wei Ying's?
Nope, he has too much integrity for that. Imagine his brother's endless teasing and Jiang Yanli's even worse judgement of him.
He'd rather suffer.
***
He has been sitting for the last hour in that university's hall. He cannot concentrate on the commencement. He is planning on skipping lunch by pretending to have a stomach ache.
Out of nowhere, Nie Huaisang shows up and asks the guy next to him to scoot over so he can sit beside Lan Wangji. "Your Highness," he greets, taking the bottle of water that was provided for the person before him and sipping from it. A bit gross, he thinks.
Lan Wangji brightens nonetheless. "Young Master Nie. Good to see you." I can ask him for Wei Ying’s number.
"I am an event organizer. I am always at places of celebration. It's that you just never noticed me before," he answers nonchalantly.
The prince doesn't know how to answer that sarcastic remark.
"Anyway, I am here for an emergency," he says nonchalantly.
Lan Wangji immediately pales. His first thought is: Is Wei Ying okay?
"One of the dogs in the bicycle performance for tomorrow is sick. We need your approval to change it to a bunny on drugs. Can we do that?"
The prince stares at him blankly. Ok, so this is not about Wei Ying, is it?
The famous EO continues the conversation by himself, noting his confusion. "Ah, I see. You need to see the bunny first. Come follow me. It's urgent, so we have to discuss this now."
Lan Wangji obediently and absentmindedly follows him, still having no clue what it's about.
Once they are in a secure area, Nie Huaisang links their arms. Lan Wangji frowns as he takes a look at their linked arms.
"Why don't we get acquainted, Your Highness?" he asks in a threatening way.
"Is Wei Ying alright?" he nervously asks.
Nie Huaisang shrugs. "Ah, he is alright. He might be a bit restless, but he can wait.
So, I think 'Your Highness' is overrated among friends? I will call you Lan Wangji."
Lan Wangji nods. He doesn't have a choice but to listen to Nie Huaisang's babbling.
"Okay. Let's talk. Lan Wangji, why do you like Wei Wuxian?"
"W-what?" Is this another shovel talk?
He smirks, not pleasantly, "And please don't say anything about him being there at the right time at a grave."
Lan Wangji swallows. "I think that information is private, Young Master Nie."
He just notices that Nie Huaisang hasn't given him permission to drop the courtesy. He is still a 'young master' to him, clearly stating Lan Wangji's status: under his mercy.
"80% of the whole population of this country worships you. You are a royal. A prince. Handsome. Capable. You get women and men fainting over you on a weekly basis.
A-Xian is one of them.
Why is he different? Why did you choose him? I think an explanation is due." Nie Huaisang asks seriously, in that same tone that Jiang Yanli used last night.
In all the time he has known him, Lan Wangji has never seen him this serious. He always laughs with a fan covering his face or is extremely nervous. Wei Wuxian must mean a lot to him for him to challenge the prince.
Lan Wangji is still silent. He doesn't know where to start.
"Look, of all the meetings A-Xian had with you, he felt like he was a failure, not worthy to love a prince. So he held back, until he was good enough to be yours.
But if you truly have been in love with him for 16 years, with all your glory and colors, why didn't you chase him? Why wait?"
"I have my reasons," he answers stubbornly.
"Then forgive me if I don't believe that you really love him. Prove me wrong. Tell me 3 reasons why you love him," Nie Huaisang prompts.
That, he can do.
"He is the kindest person I have ever met. He has a smile that melts my heart. He makes me happy."
Nie Huaisang seems to like those answers, nodding at the straightforward answer.
"Lan Wangji, A-Xian loves you so much. What you have in your arms is one of the best creatures ever to walk the earth. Many acknowledge his beauty. If I got a penny for every date he turned down because of you, I'd be plenty rich. If I got a nickel for every time he used you as an excuse to drown into his work, I'd be as rich as you."
Lan Wangji feels conflicted. It is exciting to have Wei Wuxian's feelings for him confirmed, but it doesn't feel right.
Nie Huaisang continues, "He has a life size poster of you at his apartment. He said you were a goal to reach, a support system when he was down, and a friend when he was lonely. He is that crazy about you." Then the final blow, "If you ever leave him, if you ever take him for granted, you will face me. You don't know what I am capable of.
Do.Not.Ever.Break.His.Heart."
Lan Wangji feels offended, but he promises anyway, "I will never do that."
A second promise he made in less than 24 hours during shovel talks.
"Good," Nie Huaisang says cheerfully before splashing the contents of his water bottle at him, making his shirt wet.
Lan Wangji glowers at him.
He grins and says, "Oops. That will need to be cleaned."
He takes a deep breath, holding it in his chest. He is sure that this is another test. He has to take the humiliation in order to prove himself worthy of Wei Wuxian.
"Go on, clean up. I'll be right here if you need me," he smirks.
Lan Wangji exhales. Being with Wei Wuxian is challenging, as a bunch of family and friends are parading before him.
He enters the toilet defeated, dragging his feet.
He just enters the toilet when a pair of hands grab him to pull him into the stall.
"Hi, Boyfriend."
As soon as he hears the voice, his heart thumps, and then he is greeted by a sight of his beloved Wei Ying gazing at the love of his life.
A second later, he is deep kissing his throat.
"I miss you," Wei Wuxian whispers between kisses.
Me, too, he wants to answer, but his mouth is occupied.
They make out for a while until it becomes uncomfortable for them in that small stall.
"I'll move to the next stall. You will be having lunch with faculty members. I don't want my boyfriend to look less than immaculate."
"Why?"
"It's my second day as your boyfriend, and I don't want to be a bad influence on you... yet. I will have forever to do it," he smiles so seductively.
Lan Wangji reluctantly lets him go. He knows he is a lost cause if it comes to this beauty.
"Lan Zhan... about what Jiejie said last night. You don't have to do it," Wei Wuxian says over the wall once he is in the next stall.
"She was just messing with you. She specifically told me that, although she would claim deniability, I may seduce you."
Lan Wangji sighs. His life just became more challenging, because maybe, this is another test?
“I decided to keep my promise, Wei Ying."
"Why?"
"Just 24 hours ago, I didn’t have you in my arms. I couldn’t hold you, kiss you, or hug you; I was boyfriendless. But now, I got to kiss you, I got to see your beautiful face, hold your hands, and be so thoroughly loved.
This is more than enough. I will keep my promise if it means I can win her heart. She is important to you, so she is important to me.”
It’s quiet for a while.
“Okay,” he finally says, dejectedly. "Thanks, Lan Zhan."
"You are worth it," he means it.
Another silence.
"Here, Lan Zhan. My phone." Wei Wuxian hands him his phone from under the stall's wall.
"Somehow, Nie Huaisang arrived at my apartment this morning and said he knew where the prince would be today. Of course I came along. I could not stand not seeing you."
He reaches for the phone. The lockscreen shows his face staring back at him. That puts a smile on his face.
The phone chimes in as a notification appeared.
I put a 'toilet is under maintenance' sign.
Take your time in there.
Make sure your boyfriend is super wet so he has a good reason to bail on lunch.You owe me.
That Nie Huaisang is really resourceful.
It turns out he really had to thank Nie Huaisang, because not only had he brought him his beloved, he also cleared the way so they could make out freely.
And freely it is.
(almost).
"Wei Ying, let's make out."
"Was it Nie Huaisang?"
"Mn."
"He is the best!"
Lan Wangji frowns at the blatant compliment, but he can't deny it. Nie Huaisang did them a favor.
He goes out of his stall, waiting in front of Wei Wuxian's lock stall. As soon as the stall door is unlocked, Wei Wuxian shoots the sprinkler at him to make him thoroughly wet, then he licks his lips like he is enjoying his view.
"Aaah, sexy boyfriend," he praises him, drops the sprinkler, and roams his hands all over the wet white shirt.
Lan Wangji doesn’t stay still either. He picks his boyfriend up, swiftly turns around, and seats him on the sink table. Wei Wuxian needs to bend a little to reach his mouth, but he cups Lan Wangji’s face, circles his legs around Lan Wangji's waist, and has his way with him.
"Nie Huaisang said that you have a life size poster of me at your home?" Lan Wangji licks his ears and whispers seductively.
Wei Wuxian's ears become red, in fact, his whole face blushes. "Ah, that's my practice kiss before I did you."
"Was I your first kiss?" He trails a kiss to his boyfriend's mouth.
Wei Wuxian deepens his kiss till they are breathless. "Of course you are my first kiss, you stupid! You have the nicest mouth. Nobody ever compares."
He approves, getting more aroused as he learns that he is the only one for him. "You were made only for me," he smugly claims.
"Ah, Lan Zhan, a day on the job and you are already as flirty as me."
“Mn. Wei Ying is a good influence.”
The kiss is getting hotter, so Lan Wangji has to let go. He takes a step back from his boyfriend, who is currently supporting swollen, red lips.
From the reflection in the mirror, he himself looks like he has been lovingly ravished. Wei Wuxian's work is appreciated.
“Let’s make a rule,” he says to Wei Wuxian.
“What rules?”
“Rules of making out.”
Wei Wuxian sighs. He takes some time to think and comes up with the first rule. “1. Nothing below the neck.”
Lan Wangji sighs. He nods while looking at the love bites that are on their way to becoming bruises on Wei Wuxian’s neck. At least he likes them enough to let him make more of them.
“2. Clothes on?” Wei Wuxian gives another suggestion. Yeah, good thing he is dating a smart guy.
“Mn. 2 rules is enough.”
Lan Wangji is currently wet because Wei Wuxian just sprayed him with the toilet’s sprinkler. Being pressed up against his boyfriend with a wet shirt means that only small things are left for imagination.
“Lan Zhan, Wangji,” he moans as the prince bites his slender neck, bruising it, sucking it, and then licking it, then moves to his jaw, feeling his breaths heaving, along with his own racing pulse.
Having a boyfriend is awesome.
“My throat,” Wei Ying ordered, breathless.
He abides. Giving his Adam’s apple the same attention, chewing it, feeling the tremble as more writhing came out of his mouth.
One of the things he likes about Wei Wuxian is that he never hesitates to order him around. Although this is something he just found out yesterday, it has become their kink.
“Do you bring the red scarf and white handkerchief?”
Regretfully, no.
He didn’t expect to see his boyfriend here, at the university where he gave his commencement speech.
“Ah, you need to be punished, my prince.”
He nods.
“Step back!” the CEO commands.
Taking a step back, he can see how wrecked Wei Wuxian is. His hair is tousled, his lips swollen, his eyes misty, and his cheeks flushed.
He himself is not decent. He has never seen himself this messy, yet the reflection of the mirror behind Wei Wuxian also shows that he is content with being like that.
“Take off your tie!” The next command breaks his reverie.
He obeys, untying it but leaving it hanging on his neck.
“Now, since you forgot the scarf, this tie would have to do.”
Blindfold him.
“Your belt to replace the handkerchief.”
Tie his hands.
“Continue where we left off yesterday.”
With his tied hands, Wei Wuxian moves to unbutton the top button of his wet shirt, releasing his Adam’s apple from restraint, then blindly gives it the same treatment as he did his.
Another button is opened, and a love bite is created, just under his collar.
A third button, then Lan Wangji has to step back.
“Wei Ying, our rules...” he warns, breathless. Wei Wuxian is breaking both rules.
Wei Wuxian seems to read his mind. “Come here. We have clothes on.”
They continue making out, following the rules. So far, so good.
They enjoy their time in the toilet before they hear a knock on the door.
Lan Wangji leaps away from Wei Wuxian in shock, making his boyfriend grin stupidly.
"It's Nie Huaisang's secret knock."
"You have secret knocks with him?" He can't help being jealous.
He shakes his head fondly, "If you know what troubles we've been in...
Still, Lan Zhan pouts.
Wei Wuxian chuckles. "Stop throwing tantrums, Boyfriend. We can make a secret knock, too. Secret knock, secret handshake, secret language… anything you want!"
It eases Lan Wangji's mood.
Before they go out, Wei Wuxian makes sure that Lan Wangji is very, very wet. He needs the cold water anyway.
“Ah, it’s hard to leave you when you are in a wet shirt like this. Your hotness is up the roof.”
“Then don’t.”
Wei Wuxian laughs, throwing his head back, showcasing his bite marks on his long and sexy neck.
He is also somewhat wet. “Go out, now. You do your job, and I'll do mine. We’ll meet soon, yeah?.”
Lan Wangji goes into the dining area very wet, dripping with toilet water, his tie askew. "Excuse me, Dean, the toilet needs to be repaired."
The Dean is very surprised to see him, the look of guilt and fear in his eyes is unmistakeable. "I am truly sorry, Your Highness."
“It's not your fault, Dean," he tries to look innocent. "But I am afraid I will need to leave soon.”
“Please sit for a while, Your Highness. We’ll get you a towel before you leave. We don’t want you to catch a cold.”
Lan Wangji agrees.
Suddenly, it strikes him.
He still doesn’t have his boyfriend’s number.
Fuck!
He instantly gets off his seat to run to the broken toilet when a pair of hands cover his eyes. “Guess who?”
Lan Wangji is happy and relieved at the same time. He takes the hands that cover his face and kisses them several times. He loves how warm they are and how the warmth spreads all over his body. "You are warm and dry. You feel good."
"I have spare clothes in my backpack." His eyes glint, as he takes his boyfriend's cold hands and blows into them, rubbing them with his.
He can only stare at him with so much love, letting his hands be pampered. “I am glad you are still here.”
Wei Wuxian kisses his cheek and whispers in his ear. “Nie Huaisang needs the distraction to break the toilet for real. We don't do things half-heartedly. It's your reputation that's at stake.”
“Vandalism now, Wei Ying?” he whispers back, putting a naughty strand of hair behind Wei Wuxian's ear.
“Anything for you, Sweetheart," he winks. Plus, I need to be here just in case there are hungry eyes on you looking like this.”
He smiles, “We wouldn’t want that.”
His boyfriend tries to look menacing. “I have to protect my property properly.”
“Mn,” he says, gazing lovingly at his boyfriend. They are doing PDA. He loves it. He can feel the clicks on the phone around them.
Wei Wuxian’s phone rings. He takes it and swears. Lan Wangji is concerned.
“Nie Huaisang just left. I have to go back to the office by myself,” he reports.
Lan Wangji frowns, “I thought he had a job here?”
“Lan Zhan, he is a renowned event organizer. A mere commencement is below his paygrade.”
It dawns on him then, “So he is basically here to deliver a shovel talk?”
“He did?” Wei Wuxian's eyes widened.
“I am not telling you,” he realizes his mistake.
Wei Wuxian whines, “Aaawww, come on, Lan Zhan! Spill! Did he threaten you?"
He has to show him that he is the superior one, even when that wasn't the case during that shovel talk. "Wei Ying, he might try to shovel talk me, but he doesn't scare me."
"You should, Lan Zhan. He is very resourceful and can be initiating," Wei Wuxian grins.
That reminds him of what Nie Huaisang said.
"Wei Ying, if you ever doubt why I didn't chase after you all those years, it was because you rejected me four times before. It's never because you are not good enough," he kisses their linked hands again.
He looks confused, "How did I ever reject you?"
"You ran away from me twice—on the castle park, during the fencing event. You avoided me at the farm. You blatantly rejected me at the party, before you kissed me senseless.
Even yesterday on the stage, when I was ready to claim you and you didn't react, I was so scared.
Wei Ying, I am only human. I have self doubts. In front of you, I am just a man in love."
Wei Wuxian caresses his cheek. "I am sorry if I ever made you feel unwanted, Lan Zhan. It was never my intention. I had my reasons, but it was never you. It was always my stupidity."
He leans on his fingers on his cheek, agreeing. "We were both to blame. We were fools, wanting each other but thinking we were not good enough for the other."
"We are together now. That's what's important."
"Mn." Screw Nie Huaisang!
He soon got a notification on his phone from an unknown number.
It reads:
Don't underestimate me, Lan Wangji
Your Wei Ying is with you now because of me.
I can give him to you.
I can take him away.
Lan Wangji shivers. Nie Huaisang is a force to be reckoned with. He will make sure not to step on his toes.
***
III
"I'll wait here," Wei Wuxian says when they arrive at the castle entrance, refusing to go to his room with him.
Lan Wangji needs to change, and they plan to have a picnic for lunch. "Why?"
"You. Shirtless. Bed. Bad combo. I will never survive that."
"I have a bathroom in my bedroom, Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian stares at him, challenging him with those beautiful eyes that are blazing. "Do you think you can survive us in your room?"
Lan Wangji can't take his eyes off him. They just stare at each other like that for a minute before he admits defeat. "I'll ask someone to bring you to the bunnies."
Soon Lan Wangji joins him in the bunny cage, bearing lunch. Wei Wuxian had already crossed the names 'Snowy and Blacky' from the signboard and carved 'Hanguang Jun and Yiling Patriarch' in his scrawly handwriting.
He hides his smile as he spreads their food on a picnic carpet and they start eating in such a romantic way, feeding each other and 'accidentally' licking or biting the feeder's finger.
After lunch, they just lay there on the grass, side by side, watching the clouds. Wei Wuxian tilts his head, quickly cups Lan Wangji's face, and leans in very close.
"Say, Lan Zhan. Back then, how were you going to punish me?"
"For trespassing? We have an SOP for it. Usually cleaning the toilet," he answers.
Wei Wuxian shudders, "Wow. I am glad I ran away."
"But I had planned differently for your punishment." He smiles at his boyfriend so sweetly that he becomes mute. "After all, you were a hero. You saved Hanguang Jun and Xuan Wu."
"What was the punishment you had in mind?"
Lan Wangji smiles, remembering what he would have wanted from him back then. "A record of your name, phone number, and address."
Wei Wuxian smirks. "That's it? I regret running away now."
"There's more. Do 100x push-ups under the sun until you are wet with sweat."
Silence.
"I was 15," defends Lan Wangji.
Wei Wuxian looks at him with intent. "I can serve the punishment now."
That look does things to him. "Things have changed now."
"What do you mean?"
"You will have to pay interest."
"Oh, will I?" he asks mischievously.
"Yes. You will have to kiss me for every push-up you do."
"Hm.. yeah, you are right. It would be inconvenient on my part. Shall we start then?"
Lan Wangji lays down on the grass. Wei Wuxian positions himself on top of him. Lan Wangji's head is directly under Wei Wuxian's.
Wei Wuxian starts. Every time he comes down, he pecks Lan Wangji's face. His two eyes, his nose, his lips, his two eyebrows, his forehead, his two cheeks, and his chin—every 10th time, Lan Wangji opens his lips so he roams there. The more he does that, the more friction they experience, the more sweat they produce.
This is fun.
And so sexy.
They still maintain the rules.
They are hot messes.
At 100th, Lan Wangji flips them so he has full access to his boyfriend's mouth and has his way with it.
"Look what you've done, Lan Wangji! I will have to change again!"
To say they are wet with sweat is an understatement. Both of them are dripping with sweat and maybe other fluids.
"Showers may be necessary," he agrees.
Wei Wuxian glares. "I'll go to the public bathroom. There is no way I'm nearing your bedroom."
"You have more spare clothes?"
"I am out."
He nods, "I'll lend you mine."
"Ah, boyfriend's shirt is the best," he chuckles.
"You look good," he compliments his boyfriend in his shirt after they shower.
A shy smile on Wei Wuxian's face is new. He pulls his face closer to him. "What's this shy smile?"
He hides his face behind his palms. "You make me blush!"
Lan Wangji has to kiss him then, grabbing his hands away to peck him on the mouth. He smells like him, mixed with a scent that is so Wei Ying. “I hate that you have to go.”
“Should I just ditch work and go on a date with you?” his boyfriend suggests, still with the blush on his cheeks.
“Can you?” he hopes.
He smiles so beautifully. “Anything for you, Lan Zhan.”
Before they go for their date. Wei Wuxian has to stop by the office for a while and work for 2 hours.
Lan Wangji is reading his book, sitting on Wei Wuxian's office couch. Wei Wuxian is busy with work and ignores him. He lies on his tummy on Lan Zhan's lap, making him miserable.
"Do you really have to lie on top of me?"
He flirts. "Ah, Lan Zhan. If people hear you, they will get the wrong idea."
"Let them." Lan Wangji flips him over and dives in for a kiss.
Their lips almost meet when they hear a knock at the door. They knock their heads pretty hard instead.
"Ah, sorry, A-Xian. I'm just going to put these USBs here. I am leaving now," Wen Ning says awkwardly. "Take a look when you have time."
Wei Wuxian nods and smiles. Thanks, Wen Ning! I'll look at it tonight."
"Okay. S-sorry," he says before stepping out.
Lan Wangji notices Wei Wuxian' sudden mood change.
“I feel bad for him," his boyfriend confesses.
“He loves you.” Lan Wangji says this as a statement.
Wei Wuxian takes his hand and holds his gaze. “He knows he is my best friend.”
He nods. “You don't have to tell me that.” He understands.
“I want you to know, Lan Zhan.” he says softly. "I don't want us to have a misunderstanding."
“Mn. I know now." he answers, squeezing his hand.
***
They go to the aquarium together to just spend the rest of the day dating in the low light atmosphere, surrounded by water. It is a good idea. It is a romantic date.
Until one girl faints when she sees them together. They are not even PDA-ing except for the hand holding. But she falls, and Wei Wuxian catches her.
In a minute, social media is buzzing because of his gentlemanly act. The internet even has a picture of him holding the fainting girl.
Then some girls start to try getting his boyfriend's attention, screaming his name, which pisses Lan Wangji off. Wei Wuxian tries to avoid them, but they end up throwing themselves at him. The blow of several girls jumping on him slams him until he hits his head on the thick aquarium glass really hard and becomes unconscious.
Lan Wangji swears and curses. He lifts his boyfriend and princess-carries him to his car, where he brings him to the nearest hospital.
When he shows up, the front desk immediately calls Wen Qing like it is SOP.
He must have been here too often.
Wen Qing checks on him while Lan Wangji tries not to fidget beside them. Wei Wuxian has tears on his scalp and is diagnosed with concussion. Wen Qing addresses his injury. She works so efficiently that it seems too fast.
"He's staying here tonight." She orders the nurse to admit Wei Wuxian to the hospital.
***
Lan Wangji sits beside his unconscious boyfriend in the hospital. Why have things gone so wrong on their first date?
“Don't worry too much. It's just a mild concussion. He'll be alright. I can see you love him so much, Your Highness.” Wen Qing enters his room.
He nods, “I do.”
“He has done a lot of right in this world. He deserves the best.”
“I will do anything for him,” he promises sincerely.
Wen Qing chuckles, “Including being an old fashioned gentleman."
“Mn."
“His family loves him so much. For me and A-Ning especially, he has done a lot for us.”
“He is kind," he agrees.
Wen Qing nods, “He is the kindest. He takes everything that’s thrown at him. Including some silly girls who wanted his attention.”
“Mn.” He is annoyed when reminded about that.
“You need to protect him. If you can't, then you don't deserve him. Because he will protect you at all costs. He does that to the people he loves. He will be willing to pay for anything. He is that kind of person.”
“Ms. Wen, I will do the same for him. I will protect him with all I got," he says confidently.
“I am glad we got that settled.”
Lan Wangji nods again. “May I know what he did for you and your brother?” There is this feeling about Wen Ning he cannot eliminate from his heart. Maybe it is jealousy?
Wen Qing looks at him for a while before she sighs. “He told me not to tell anybody. Not even A-Cheng knows the whole details. But I think you should know. Consider this my shovel talk for you."
Lan Wangji nods mutely.
"A few years ago, he helped a boy when he was being beaten up. That boy then fell for him. A-Xian rejected him. But the boy would not take no for an answer, and he started to stalk him. A-Xian didn’t have the heart to report him, even when the stalker had already crossed some lines.”
Lan Wangji grits his teeth. He cannot imagine someone wanting to hurt his Wei Ying.
“That stalker's name was Jin Zixun. He was not a good person. He beat A-Ning up. Back then, everybody thought A-Ning was his boyfriend. He was hospitalized and needed a big surgery. We didn’t have the money to do it. A-Ning’s condition was really bad.
A-Xian felt so guilty that he sold his precious guitar, the only thing his mother left him. It was a rare item, signed by a very famous band of the 1970s, to pay for A-Ning’s surgery. Then he put a restraining order on the guy to protect A-Ning. A-Xian knew that the Jin bastard liked him too much to hurt him, but he had to stop him from hurting the people around him.
That guy was a high official, a count. A-Xian gets a lot of backlash. He almost got kicked out of university if not for Nie Huaisang’s brother vouching for him. He did get kicked out of his house. Jin Zixun spread a rumor that said A-Xian was assaulting him. It was fabricated, but who was going to go against a count? That was blown out of proportion and cost him his good name at the university. Once, he was stabbed in a dark alley, and I didn’t know about it until it was infected and he had a bad fever. He kept saying things were okay and claiming guilt. He felt guilty for what happened to A Ning. He took all the blame and said nothing. It was the darkest year of his life.”
Lan Wangji curls his fists. He shakes violently. His chest hurts so much that he feels the need to hit something right now. He must have suffered so much. He looks at him. His heart cries. He strokes his thumbs to gently brush his boyfriend's cheek, like it could ease an old pain.
"Don’t worry, it is over now. In our eyes, he didn’t owe A-Ning anything. A-Ning stayed beside him because he liked him. Although we agree that we owe him A-Ning’s life."
Wen Qing takes a deep breath and says, "He does that. He protects people. The one deserving and the one not. So if you love him, you will have to protect him.”
I will.
“Ms. Wen. Like I said, I’ll be anything for him. I’ll do anything for him.”
Wen Qing nods. She points to a spot on Wei Wuxian’s lower abdomen. “Here is where he was stabbed. Be it a reminder every time you see it that you promised to protect him.”
She leaves.
Lan Wangji looks at the boy he loves. There are things in his life that he doesn’t know. Scars, accidents, pains, bad events. He is so young yet he has been going through so much. This boy in front of him who always shines. In his eyes, he is the sun and the star.
Wei Wuxian stirs. He opens his eyes. Lan Wangji can see the twinkle in them.
“Lan Zhan… you are here,” he mutters hoarsely.
Lan Wangji offers him water to drink. He holds the back of his head with care so Wei Wuxian can drink with a straw.
“Why are you here?”
It is a stupid question, indeed.
“You are in the hospital, Wei Ying.”
Wei Ying chuckles. “I know that. This is not the first time I ended up here.”
Lan Wangji winces when he hears it. He pulls his shirt over the spot where Wen Qing pointed before. An ugly scar is there. He caresses and kisses it.
“Wen Qing told you,” he gasps.
“Mn.”
His eyes turn soft. “It doesn’t hurt anymore, Lan Zhan.”
It is too much for Lan Wangji to know that his boyfriend belittles his sacrifices. He voices his vow to him, “Wei Ying, I promise I will always protect you.”
“I am safe with you, Lan Zhan,” he smiles confidently, like he knows it for sure.
Lan Wangji is very touched by his faith in him. He kisses his hand. “Sleep now, Wei Ying. I'll stay.”
"You stay here tonight?" he asks, his eyes shining.
"Never planned to leave you."
His eyes glisten, “Lan Zhan… I have been admitted here many times. But never once did anybody stay for the night."
“I love Wei Ying,” he says it easily, like it is the reason for all his acts. He is granted the sweetest smile he has ever seen.
He strokes his forehead, holding his gaze. It is so serene, the two of them together, enveloped by small light. A tender moment. Wei Wuxian is asleep minutes later.
That night, Lan Wangji stays awake to keep guard over this boyfriend.
For the first time in his life, he has someone to protect.
***
Sometimes around 3 a.m., he fell asleep with his head on Wei Wuxian’s hospital bed, holding Wei Wuxian’s hand through the night.
He jerks up when he hears people's voices.
“Finally awake, my sleeping prince?” Wei Wuxian wipes his drool when he lifts his head.
“Wei Ying, how are you feeling?” he asks groggily.
Wei Wuxian laughs at his sleepy tone. “A lot better. Wen Qing said I can go home tomorrow.”
The relief on his face must be visibly seen for Wei Wuxian to cup his face and peck his lips. “You are perfect, my prince.”
“Come, eat my lotus pork soup!” Jiang Yanli offers him a bowl.
He takes it, blowing on the hot soup before feeding it to Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian looks at him with deep, deep love.
That’s enough for him.
“Do you know that there is an online video of what’s going on in the aquarium yesterday?” Nie Huaisang asks.
Lan Wangji is distracted when he sees Nie Huaisang. He doesn't know why Wei Wuxian's family is there this morning. Even his own brother!
“Oh, I want to see!” Lan Xichen is excited.
By then, Wei Wuxian has finished his soup, and Jiang Yanli hands him another bowl. He immediately slurps it. He just realized that he is super hungry, and this soup is super delicious.
Wen Ning takes over the phone and does something, so now they can all see the video from the hospital TV.
So this is what happened.
When all the girls jumped on Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji lifted him with both hands until he sat on his shoulder so the girls couldn’t reach Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian looked very proud of his boyfriend’s strength until the girls knocked Lan Wangji on the floor, and Wei Wuxian flew from his shoulder and hit the nearest aquarium glass.
“So that’s what happened!” Wen Qing laughs. Even Wen Ning smiles.
“You were not very bright, were you, Lan Wangji?” Nie Huaisang teases him.
Lan Wangji chokes on soup. Wei Wuxian pats his back. The whole gang look at him pitifully. His ears must have blushed bright red.
“Jealousy makes people stupid,” Jiang Yanli agrees.
“He is perfect," Wei Wuxian argues.
"I think he still needs to be a bit smarter, though," Jiang Wanyin points out.
"No, over the past 16 years, we already did too much overthinking. We are perfect now. Being together, we act with more impulse, our brains short-circuit, and our hearts take over. I like what we have," Wei Wuxian beams at him so proudly.
"Lan Zhan can stupidly protect me anytime," his eyes speak of love so deep. "Lan Zhan, please always be stupid for my wellbeing and protect me."
"For you, I will," Lan Wangji promises before tenderly kissing him on the lips.
Bonus:
Lan Wangji is back at the castle that morning.
Jiang Yanli and Wen Qing promise him that they will take care of Wei Wuxian so Lan Wangji can go home and rest for a bit before returning to the hospital.
He is feeding the bunnies when he realizes that he never gets his boyfriend’s phone number.
He almost runs straight back to the hospital when he sees a little note with bad handwriting pinned to the bunnies' home signboard.
My punishment: A record of my name, phone number, and address.
Wei Wuxian, Wei Ying to you. #phone number #address
He is lucky to have a smart boyfriend.