.
Wuxian didn't know where he was heading. He was grateful that at the last moment he had the presence of mind to put on his shoes and coat before leaving. His legs were leading the way and he found himself in Little Sanctuary. Da Ziran felt his internal struggle and followed him, settling on his lap as a bunny when he sat down in the gazebo. Wuxian didn't know what to think. Was that a nightmare or a vision? It felt like a vision but it was distorted enough for him to question its validity.
A few minutes later, he felt someone approach him and sit a few paces away. He sighed in relief when he realized that it was not his soul-bond. He didn't know how to face Wangji with the amount of anger and jealousy he was feeling.
Mianmian watched as the bunnies, that were sleeping peacefully around the lake, made their way towards the gazebo and surrounded Wuxian. She wondered if he can speak to them or if they can sense his presence. Rabbits are not easily domesticated. Wuxian sighs and looks at her: "Why are you awake? It's the middle of the night."
Mianmian: "I was on watch."
Wuxian frowns at her: "Watch?"
Mianmian: "You still have a fever. Healer Shi and I are talking shifts near your room for emergencies. I'm surprised Hanguang Jun allowed you to leave."
Wuxian curled up, grabbing the coat around his shivering body: "He's asleep."
Mianmian nods: "It's been a stressful few days. He's probably too tired."
She stays quiet for a few more minutes, watching the scenery around them: "This place is breathtaking."
Wuxian felt sadness wash over him. The man he loves built this place as a testament to his affection. It took one bad dream for Wuxian to doubt him to the point of wanting to run away. He felt a few tears escape his eyes and wiped them away angrily: "Lan Wangji built this himself for me."
Mianmian nods her approval: "His love for you is epic."
Wuxian looks desperately at her: "Is it?"
Mianmian frowns over his somber expression: "Do you doubt it?"
Wuxian covers his face and groans: "I don't know what to think. I feel like the worst human being alive for even thinking about it but I saw something that's freaking me out."
Mianmian inches closer and looks seriously at him: "A new vision?"
Wuxian nods.. then shakes his head: "I don't know. It felt like a vision but it was off."
Mianmian gently grabs his wrist to measure his pulse and places her hand on his forehead: "Your pulse is rapid and your fever is still up. Maybe your illness is affecting your gifts?"
At this point, a few bunnies have hopped to settle around Wuxian and some on his lap near Da Ziran. Wuxian felt better having them around and started stroking their fur.
Mianmian prods him further: "Can you tell me what you saw?"
Wuxian tried his best to relay his vision/nightmare to her. When he finished, Mianmian understood his conflicted feeling and thought about it for a few minutes.
Mianmian: "You saw yourself in the future?"
Wuxian nods: "I think so. I looked different."
Mianmian: "You were screaming and the Lan Wangji in your vision didn't react to it?"
Wuxian: "I think it was a vision within a vision. As if I'm seeing myself see something else."
Mianmian: "That's confusing."
Wuxian pulls his hair in frustration: "I know."
He takes a long breath in and whispers to her: "He was with another woman."
Mianmian frowns: "We don't know what the nature of their relationship is. Don't jump into conclusions."
Wuxian glares at her: "I'm not! He said the same words he told me when he promised to bond for life. Why! WHY would he say it to another?"
Mianmian shakes her head: "I don't know. What I know is.. that man would move mountains just to be in your presence. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves you unconditionally. Whoever this woman is.. she is not a threat to your bond."
Wuxian sighs sadly: "How can you be so sure when I'm plagued with distrust and hesitation? I should be the one defending him, not you. I feel like a failure!"
Mianmian smiles at him: "It's because you've been betrayed so many times.. you became jaded. It's ok to feel cautious. What's not ok is accusing him unjustly when the crime hasn't happened or might not happen."
Wuxian digests her words for a few more minutes and sighs: "You're right. But what worries me the most is not the jealousy or the suspicion."
Mianmian: "Then what worries you?"
Wuxian lets out a strangled sob: "What.. What worries me is that I feel like.. like this fate is better for him. He deserves a good woman from a prestigious clan that can give him children and religiously follow the Lan Clan teachings. She's the exact opposite of who I am and I cannot help but wonder if he.. he would be better off with her."
Mianmian can sense that the fever and sickness is making the smaller man more emotional than need be: "He would've married a good woman if he wanted to. You were gone for 16 years and he kept looking for you even though everyone else thought you were dead. He wants you and nobody else."
Wuxian wipes his tears, frustrated over his insecurities: "It doesn't change my wariness over our compatibility. He deserves better."
When a strong shiver wrecked his body, Mianmian started to remove the bunnies from his lap: "Let's go. You're too sick to be out here in the cold."
She grabs his arm and drags him inside. When the bunnies hopped to follow them, Wuxian jokingly turned around and pointed his finger at them: "Stay!"
His mouth hung open when the little white balls of fur answered his command instantly. Mianmian looked impressed: "Wow! I didn't know you could do that."
Wuxian was shocked: "I didn't know I could do that either."
Da Ziran whispered into his mind: "We can communicate with them when I'm in their form."
Wuxian looks at the only golden rabbit between the bunch with a childish smile: "That goes for rabbits only or all other creatures?"
Da Ziran chuckles over his innocent excitement: "If I can transform to it, we can speak to it."
Wuxian's eyes glimmered with the thrill of his new discovery but Mianmian pushed him inside before he could experiment further.
She made him sit in the tea area of the Treasure Room and sip a hot herbal tea. They stayed in silence until the Treasure Room door burst open revealing a barely-awake, disheveled Wangji. His wild eyes zeroed in on Wuxian and he hurriedly made his way towards him. He kneeled in front of the smaller man and pulled him into a tight embrace.
Wuxian saw Mianmian purse her lips trying to smother a laugh: 'Epic. Love.'
He glared at her: 'If you dare say "I told you so" I will make a scene!'
Mianmian put her hands up in surrender and quietly made her way out.
Wangji places urgent small kisses from Wuxian's neck to his cheek. Wuxian chuckles, feeling ticklish and says: "Did I wake you?"
Wangji pulls the smaller man until he's in his lap, fully enveloping him with his strong arms: "I woke up and you weren't there. I got worried."
Wuxian felt regret seep into his skin. This man freaked out over an empty bed and he was hiding here, doubting his love. What a bunch of fools.
Wuxian melts into Wangji's embrace and decides that his insecurities must stop. He took a deep breath and steeled himself to face them: "Lan Zhan, I want you to answer me truthfully."
Wangji took a deep breath from under Wuxian's ear: "Anything for you."
Wuxian smiles at how bewitched his soul-bond sounds at the moment: "Did you prefer men or women before you met me?"
Wangji tightened his hold around Wuxian: "Neither."
Wuxian sighs in frustration: "I'm serious! I won't be mad. Just tell me."
Wangji pulls back to look directly at Wuxian's eyes: "Neither."
Wuxian was taken back by his soul-bond's strong resolve: "I don't understand."
Wangji leans in to place a gentle kiss on Wuxian's lips then says: "I was never attracted or cared for anyone before you. I told you, I had every intention of living the rest of my days in solitude until you came along and changed my life."
Wuxian blinks hesitantly: "Changed your life for the best?"
Wangji frowns at Wuxian: "Do you have regrets?"
Wuxian shakes his head: "NO! Not even for a second. I just can't help feeling that maybe.. maybe your life would've been better if you.."
Wangji pulled Wuxian back into his embrace: "I'd die a thousand deaths before giving you up."
Wuxian sighs in resignation: "For someone who has never fallen in love before, you sure know how to flirt."
Wangji: "Not flirting. Just stating facts."
Wuxian can feel Wangji play with a strand of his hair and can't help but wonder why did he ever doubt this wonderful man. Wuxian lets out a sigh of relief. Whoever the woman in his 'maybe' vision is, she is never going to replace him. Their love is truly epic and it will last forever and always.
.