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Lan Wangji was a man of few words. He believed that humans should be judged by their actions rather than what they choose to say. Words can be misunderstood, actions are rarely deceiving. He's been pushing himself to the limit lately, not that he would ever complain. He was satisfied. He had everything he ever wanted and more. He looked at the sleeping man in his arms and couldn't think of anything more to wish for.
A few days ago, Lan Ran approached him and Zewu Jung with a proposal. He was against what she asked for until she pulled the 'Wuxian needs this' card. He cannot say no to whatever his soul-bond needs. That sneaky assistant sure knows how to play her cards right. Today was the winter festival and since Wuxian is not supposed to leave, they made plans to cheer him up so he wouldn't miss out on the joyous atmosphere. Wangji has had his own plans and reluctantly shared it with them.
Wuxian hummed in his sleep and scooted closer to Wangji. The weather was getting significantly colder and causing Wuxian more discomfort because of his natural low body temperature. He's been more clingy than normal recently and Wangji is secretly elated with his constant need to be close. Wuxian blinks his eyes open and looks at the smile on his soul-bond's face: "You look happy this morning. What's the occasion?"
Wangji leans in to place a kiss on his forehead and says: "You're here next to me. That's more than enough for me."
Wuxian chuckles and says under his breath: "You should be ashamed of yourself. The sun is barely up and you're flirting shamelessly."
Wangji pulls Wuxian close and sighs: "Mine. I'll do what I want."
Wuxian closes his eyes, hums and falls back to sleep. Wangji got up before him and checked to make sure that everything was in order before he woke up Wuxian. He cups Wuxian's cheek and moves his thumb to gently wake him up: "Wei Ying, it's time to wake up."
Wuxian grunts: "Few more minutes."
Wangji smiles at him: "I would like to show you something."
Wuxian's eyes fly open and he sits up: "What is it? Is it food?"
Wangji thinks for a second and says: "It can be food."
Wuxian chuckles: "It is either food or not. Nothing 'can be' food unless it is."
Wangji: "You can be the judge when you see it."
After eating breakfast, Keeper Daozi showed up with a big box in hand. He bowed to them both and handed Wuxian the box: "Treasure Wei, Grandmaster Qiren requested that we custom make this for you."
Keeper Daozi opens the box to reveal a white long cloak lined with fur. It was the most luxurious thing Wuxian has ever seen. It has embroidered snakes in gold all over it. Wuxian touched the fur and whispered: "This is too much! I'm supposed to wear this?"
Keeper Daozi takes it out and helps Wuxian wear it: "You represent our Clan. What you wear is testament to our status. This coat is double insulated to keep you warm when winter settles. We sent an disciple to Jin Clan Sect to get it customized to fit you and Da Ziran perfectly!"
Wuxian noticed the extra space around his torso where Da Ziran is happily tucked in. He smiles at Keeper Daozi: "Thank you so much! This is amazingly warm and soft. I will use it well."
Wangji grabs his hand after Keeper Daozi took his leave and asked: "Are you ready?"
Wuxian nods and lets Wangji lead the way. They arrived at the Treasure Room after a few minutes. Wuxian frowns and looks at his soul-bond: "I don't have duties today. Why are we here?"
Wangji: "Follow me."
Wangji took him into the Treasure Room, through the main hall and out the back. The area that Keeper Daozi kept sealed off was now open. It had a wooden arch gateway with a sign written on it 'Little Sanctuary'. Wuxian's eyes widened when he saw a lake similar to the ones in Lotus Pier but much smaller, filled with lotus plants. There was a small gazebo in the middle with a shaded sitting area. The lake was surrounded by a field of grass and different types of flowers. Wuxian gasps and runs towards the field: "MY BUNNIES!" He picked up a few hugging them and kissing their soft fur.
Wuxian was overwhelmed by the amount of details and care put into this. He looked at Wangji with love filled eyes: "You had this made for me?"
Wangji: "I built this myself for you."
Wuxian covers his face for a second to comprehend what his soul-bond just said: "You, Lan Wangji, built and planted all of this for me?"
Wangji nods. Wuxian runs towards the taller man and jumps on him, wrapping his legs around his waist and using his shoulders as leverage. He peppered Wangji's face with small kisses while whispering: "Thank you.. thank you.. thank you!"
Wangji has never felt more appreciated than at this moment. The time and effort it took to plan and built this place was worth it. Wuxian holds Wangji's face between his hands and finally kisses his lips with passion.
After a few minutes, Wuxian hops off of Wangji and drags him around Little Sanctuary to point out all the small details he noticed and likes. They spent the afternoon in their new happy place and had their meal in the gazebo. Wuxian pouts: "We're at the crisp of winter. I won't be able to enjoy all my meals out here for a while."
Wangji: "It took longer than anticipated to build this with all our travels."
Wuxian leans over the gazebo fence to pick some lotus seeds to munch on: "How long have you been working on this?"
Wangji: "Started just before our bonding ceremony."
Wuxian narrows his eyes at him: "How were you able to hide this from me? I didn't know you were good at keeping secrets."
Wangji smirks at him and instead of answering, he takes a seed from Wuxian's hand and eats it.
Wuxian insides were melting with the sheer amount of affection Wangji is not ashamed to express. He whispered to him: "This is by far the best gift, the best day and the best memory I've ever had. I have no words to express how much this means to me."
Wangji: "If you're happy, then I'm happy."
Wuxian chuckles and says under his breath: "Sappy fool."
Just before the sun started to set, Jingyi, Sizhui, Wen Ning, Healer Shi and Zewu Jun joined them. Wen Ning was carrying Wuxian's new cloak and looking around Little Sanctuary in wonder. Wuxian looks confused at their attire: "Are you guys leaving Cloud Recesses?"
Zewu Jun takes the cloak from Wen Ning and helps Wuxian wear it: "We are all leaving together."
Wuxian frowns at them: "What? Why? Where are we going?"
Sizhui and Jingyi grab both his arms and lead him out of the Treasure Room. Sizhui: "Just follow our lead." Jingyi: "Let's hurry before anyone changes their mind."
Wuxian was perplexed. They were leading him towards the gate. He turns to look at his soul-bond and when he receives a smile, he lets the young disciples pull him along. When they reached the gate Wuxian stopped them: "I cannot leave."
Zewu Jun stands next to him: "It's alright, brother Wei. We're just going to Gusu City and we will be back at midnight."
Wuxian looks desperately at him: "You guys go. I will stay here. It's fine."
Wangji held his hand: "There is a winter festival at Gusu city. I would like you to accompany me to it."
Wuxian pulls his hand away and smiles sadly at him: "I would love nothing more than to accompany my soul-bond and enjoy this evening with you all. But it would be selfish of me to ruin your night." He looked at his long golden hair and sighs: "I don't want you to waste your free time blocking people and defending me. I have accepted my blessings with the burden that comes with it. It's not fair to any of you to shoulder it with me."
Wuxian pulled his cloak closer around himself and smiled at his friends: "I have my Little Sanctuary now. It's enough for me. I don't need to leave Cloud Recesses."
Wangji steps close and grabs his shoulders to get his full attention: "Wei Ying, do you trust me?"
Wuxian: "Always."
Wangji steps back and holds his hand up for Wuxian: "Stop doubting and let us enjoy the evening.. together."
Wuxian swallows hard and looks uncertain for a few seconds. These amazing people around him will suffer because of him but when he made eye contact with each one of them, he received nothing but support. He clears his throat, pulls his hood up to cover his hair and grasps Wangji's extended hand: "If we get mobbed by a ton of people don't say I didn't warn you!"
Jingyi scoffs: "You're not the one who almost lost an eye last time."
Sizhui: "Yuxio tells it like it's a horror story."
They took their time walking towards Gusu City. Wuxian hasn't been out much so they wanted him to enjoy the scenery. They reached the city gate at sun down, just when the festivities were starting. Wuxian hunched his head, pulling his hood to cover his face and hair.
When they reached downtown, Wangji stopped and turned him so they would face each other: "Wei Ying, how can you enjoy the festivities with your face covered?"
Wuxian whispers to him: "It's fine. I don't want people to take notice."
Wangji pulls his hood down and Wuxian squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head anxiously: "No one will bother you here."
When nothing happened for the next few seconds, Wuxian opened his eyes cautiously and looked around. People were walking around like he's just another traveler in town. A few smiled and bowed slightly when he made eye contact with them but that was the extent of the attention he was getting. Wuxian was baffled: "Wha.. What's going on?"
Zewu Jun stepped next to them and smiled: "Lan Ran made a deal with the townspeople."
Wuxian narrowed his eyes: "What kind of deal?"
Zewu Jun: "She made every single person in Gusu City vow to not disturb you if you were to bless the winter festival by attending. She made them sign a contract and everything."
Wuxian's eyes widened and looked around at the huge amount of people present: "ALL THESE PEOPLE?"
Zewu Jun nods: "All these people."
Jingyi raised his hand: "We helped!"
Wuxian graced them with one of his joy filled smiles and said: "So.. I can walk around and do normal things?"
Wangji nods and takes his hand to walk towards the lake.
Wuxian couldn't contain his happiness even if he tried. He talked nonstop about this and that; fully narrating this outing like he was writing it in a story. Wangji sported a smile the whole time. Jingyi, Sizhui and Wen Ning took the lead while Zewu Jun and Shi lagged behind to give them space. The townspeople kept their promise and the most drastic thing they did was gawk or bow in passing at Wuxian while he laughed and bounced with excitement next to his soul-bond.
They reached the lake and met with Lan Ran who was holding a little girl's hand, accompanied by her sister and brother-in-law. Wuxian recognized the couple from his Treasure ceremony and they all bowed deeply to him. The man said: "Divine Oracle, we are pleased to meet you again."
The woman: "We have been traveling for the past month and heard many news about your blessings. We are honored to have you in our clan."
Wuxian laughed awkwardly and said: "The honor is all mine."
He turns to look at the shy little girl and kneels to be in her eye level, faking a drastic gasp: "I didn't know there will be a royal princess in the winter festival!"
He takes her hand and kisses it. She giggles shyly and plays along by curtsying.
Wuxian smiles at her: "What's your name princess?"
She bowed to him and said: "I am Hweiru from Gusu Lan Clan."
Wuxian smiles at the well spoken child. Only Lan Clan would produce such eloquently spoken mini adults.
Wuxian was determined to bring out the childish side in her: "I'm pleased to meet you Princess Hweiru. Are you having fun with your aunt Lan Ran?"
The girl nods and says: "She bought me so many gifts and candy."
Wuxian smiles at Lan Ran. The girl steps close to Wuxian and puts her small hand out: "Divine Oracle, may I touch your hair?"
Wuxian chuckles at her and places a strand of his hair in her hand. She brings it close to her face and rubs her chubby cheek with it. She sighs with happiness: "It's so soft!"
Wuxian pets her head and watches her play with his hair for a few seconds. It's official. All Lan Clan bloodlines share some type of hair fixation. Wuxian smothers a smirk at his revelation and asks: "Did you prepare a wish for today?"
She says: "Mama said that you make wishes come true."
Wuxian smiles at her: "I try. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Would you like to share yours with me?"
The girl got closer to whisper in his ear. He chuckled at her and said: "That's easy!"
He grabs the girl and throws her up in the air. All the people around could hear her loud laughter while she screams: "I'M FLYING! I'M FLYING!"
Wuxian settles her on his waist after a few throws and she snuggles into him. He looks at Ran and says: "I don't know how to say thank you for this."
Ran nods her head and says: "It's my pleasure."
The small family bowed and said their goodbyes after Lan Ran handed Wuxian a bunch of lanterns she bought as he requested.
They all made their way to the lake to light up the lantern with the other villagers. The townspeople seem to be standing on the sides, holding their lanterns and waiting for something. Wuxian whispered to his soul-bond: "What are they waiting for?"
Wangji smiles at him: "We have to go first. You're here to bless the festival, remember?"
Wuxian bites his lips and nods. This seems extreme for a normal person like him but if this is what he has to do to enjoy a day out, he'd do it a million times over.
Wangji and Wuxian shared a lantern, while Zewu Jun and Shi shared one. The rest each had their own to light. After the bonded couple set theirs into the sky the rest followed soon after. The sky was filled with light, watching over the people below as they closed their eyes and filled their hearts with hopes and dreams. Many will see a bright future while others will not be as lucky as they hope to be.
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