Time flew by, and soon enough, a month had passed since the pair returned to Gusu. What had changed in that month?
For starters, Xiao Zhan was no longer a guest disciple of the Gusu Lan Sect. Instead, he was occupied with his role as a guest trainer and instructor at the Cloud Recesses training ground, alongside Lan Wangji. When Lan Xichen persistently insisted on this appointment, Lan Qiren was initially reluctant to approve it. However, he and the other elders could not disregard the undeniably impressive results from the week of training that the pair had previously conducted. Furthermore, as soon as the duo took over the evening sessions amidst his busy schedule, Lan Qiren felt an immediate sense of relief. After several years of continuous teaching, he finally had the opportunity to relax and properly focus on managing the Lan household. With this newfound personal time, he was more than happy to delegate half of the day to the duo. Secretly, of course.
Xiao Zhan, on the other hand, was true to his words. A level up meant a level up. He trained the disciples mercilessly, and Lan Wangji went along with him, matching his antics. As a result, the young pair became the most 'cursed at' pair in the entire cultivation world due to their ruthlessness. They were even given the nickname 'the Yin and Yang demons.' Nonetheless, that did not matter to the duo; all they cared about was making the best out of their trainees.
At the same time, despite their never-ending curses, each disciple who trained under them would still show up the next day regardless of how badly they were kicked around the previous day. They did not care if they had bruises or black eyes; they just wanted to improve themselves. To do so, they needed to push their limits and work harder than before, and the brutal regimen offered just that. No matter how much they hurled their cursing, deep down in their hearts, they were still grateful. Albeit, their thankfulness never slipped outside their mouths because their lips were always busy with screaming, crying, scolding, et cetera. With that being said, the cold spring became a popular location and was always occupied by the end of the day.
The rule on excessive noise was constantly challenged during the training session, but Lan Qiren could not complain about it. After all, the disciples' cultivation levels were improving at a steady pace every day, and no one dared to question its effectiveness anymore. Although Lan Qiren would still occasionally comment on the crude language that Xiao Zhan used when he was deeply engrossed in his drill sergeant mode. His yells would echo throughout Cloud Recesses and were hard to ignore. Of course, Xiao Zhan would apologize with a sincere look on his face whenever he was reprimanded by the Old Man Lan, but the next day he would forget about it. After being nagged by the Elder a few times, Xiao Zhan eventually found a way to solve the issue. He designed an array that formed a dome of force field that was big enough to cover the entire training ground and made the whole venue soundproof. Since then, Lan Qiren was pacified and said nothing else. But for the disciples, the force field's existence caused another level up since Xiao Zhan had no more reason to hold back on increasing the intensity.
The two of them had developed a habit of meeting up at the waterfall at dawn. They would spend their time either playing their instruments together or simply snuggled into each other's warmth. Just like a pair of teenagers in their budding romance, they would have a kiss or two or three or more before returning to the population when the sun rose high enough. Afterward, Xiao Zhan would whip up a quick and easy healthy breakfast that only took him less than fifteen minutes to prepare, and the two would eat together. Sometimes Lan Xichen would join them and often ended up clearing the table with pink cheeks, full with good food and dog food. After the morning meal, Xiao Zhan would often be left on his own to do his research at the Pavilion library or carry out experiments at the empty training ground like a mad scientist. Meanwhile, Lan Wangji would be busy with whatever Gusu Lan-related tasks were handed over to him. They would only meet up again to orchestrate their hellish regimen.
Lastly, since his first foray into the kitchen, the main cook in the Cloud Recesses kitchen had learned to switch up the menu and cook according to Xiao Zhan's recipes. He would observe while Xiao Zhan cooked and follow suit. It is safe to say that everyone looked forward to filling their bellies at mealtimes now.
******
That early morning, as usual, the sun had not completely risen yet, and the sky remained dark. Xiao Zhan laid his head on Lan Wangji's lap while lazily playing with the hem of his partner's robes, taking in the tranquility of this little moment in which nothing mattered. Lan Wangji played with his hair as he looked down on him fondly. However, he seemed absentminded, and his mind was elsewhere.
"Lan Zhan, is there something troubling you?" Xiao Zhan looked up and asked. He then reached out his hand and cupped the smooth cheek of the Second Jade of Lan. "You seem distracted."
Lan Wangji shook his head as he placed his hand over Xiao Zhan's and brought the slender fingers to his lips, kissing them gently. "I am simply thinking."
Xiao Zhan blinked, "About what?"
Lan Wangji placed another kiss on his fingertips before he continued, "About the trial."
Hearing those words caused Xiao Zhan to tense up. He sat up straight. "What about it? Please tell me that the despicable man got what he deserved."
Lan Wangji's golden eyes gazed into Xiao Zhan's. "The elders have decided on his punishment."
Xiao Zhan, "Which is?"
Lan Wangji said in a reassuring tone, "An eye for an eye, but since the victim was an innocent child, his punishment is tenfold. He will lose both his hands."
"So, he won't be able to bully and hurt any more helpless kids?" Xiao Zhan asked.
"He won't." Lan Wangji took Xiao Zhan's hand and kissed his knuckles softly. He affirmed, "Chang Chi'an will never hurt anyone ever again."
Xiao Zhan smiled at the romantic gesture. "Thank you for keeping your promise, Lan Zhan."
"It is only fair and just. Xue Yang deserves as much." Lan Wangji's fingers caressed Xiao Zhan's cheeks tenderly, and he leaned down to press his soft lips onto his lover's forehead. "Wei Ying, I hope this world can be a safer and happier place for children." he murmured.
Xiao Zhan's heart ached when he thought how lonesome Lan Wangji must be as he was growing up. He buried his face in Lan Wangji's chest, breathing deeply. "Lan Zhan, you too are still a child. I want you to be happy too." He said.
"No, I am no longer a child, Wei Ying" Lan Wangji denied, brushing his thumb against his skin. "And I am happy."
Xiao Zhan lifted up his chin, "You are?"
"Mn. Because of you." Lan Wangji's voice was soft and filled with emotion as he spoke, eyes shining bright in that moment as they looked deeply into Xiao Zhan's.
With a smile etched upon his lips, Xiao Zhan pressed back into Lan Wangji's embrace as he whispered back, "Me too." The warmth that radiated from within Lan Wangji's body caused him to sigh contently. After a few minutes he heard the Lan Wang Ji's deep voice murmur, "And I want you to be safe too."
"I will be fine. I have you and you know how strong I am." Xiao Zhan replied.
"I know you are, but there's going to be a war." Lan Wangji squeezed his hands. "Please don't let me fail you this time. I can't bear the thought of losing you."
"You won't," Xiao Zhan replied, smiling warmly at him. He then reached out to wrap his arms Lan Wangji's neck and pulled him down, pressing a kiss to Lan Wangji's lips. The other man responded immediately, one of his arms wrapping around Xiao Zhan's middle, holding him tight.
Xiao Zhan could feel his body shudder slightly as Lan Wangji deepened the kiss. When they pulled away, they had to catch their breath, and Xiao Zhan let out a satisfied sigh, feeling his body relaxing gradually. He then laid back down onto Lan Wangji's laps, his hands played with the tail of the white ribbon. He asked, "Lan Zhan, do you want to see my world?"
"What do you mean?" Lan Wangji asked curiously as he looked down tenderly at the lovely person he was cradling.
Xiao Zhan lips stretched into a grin. Pulling his hands away from the ribbon, Xiao Zhan traced the line of Lan Wangji's jaw with his index finger. "Do you trust me?"
Lan Wangji smiled. "Always."
Xiao Zhan smiled back and placed a hand on the other man's cheek, "I will let you enter inside my head briefly and show you how it looked like. Do you want to?"
Lan Wangji nodded, "What should I do?"
"All you need to do is to feel my energy and let it flow into you." Xiao Zhan said cheerfully.
Lan Wangji asked curiously, "And what will you do?"
"Me? I will sleep," Xiao Zhan said playfully. He then took one of his partner's hands, intertwining them together so that they were interlaced. He guided them up toward his heart. "You just need to call my name to wake up. Alright? Now, close your eyes and relax."
Lan Wangji closed his eyes, his hands tightening slightly against Xiao Zhan's. Taking one last deep breath, Xiao Zhan closed his own eyes. His mouth moved soundlessly, chanting some incantations that only he knew. He channeled his spiritual energy toward Lan Wangji, combining it little by little. In the next minute, a purplish glow of energy emanated from their joined hands.
Lan Wangji did as he was told and felt a warm tingle run up his arms and through his body, like a river rushing down the mountainside. He took a deep, calming breath, and the sound of soft breathing filled his ears. He relaxed slightly as the energy spread throughout his entire being, flowed into him, and let Xiao Zhan's energy mix with his. It pulsed through his being like hot air, filling every crevice, and slowly, he became one with his soulmate. It was unlike anything else he had ever experienced, and he felt truly connected to something greater than himself. As he opened his eyes, Lan Wangji found himself surrounded by nothing but darkness. Despite that, he felt no fear or anxiety; all he felt was calmness. A light gradually came into view. It wasn't brighter than any other light he'd seen, but it wasn't as dim as anything else in his experience.
Slowly, ever so quietly, Lan Wangji approached the source of the illumination. As he got closer to the light source, he noticed that the light coming from a large window. He looked outside, and the skyscrapers and people passing below filled his vision. He took several steps backward as his confusion grew; he had seen this in Xiao Zhan's sketches before. This place was unlike the one he was accustomed to.
As he began to turn around, he noticed that he was in an unfamiliar room, and yet, the space had the same feeling of belonging to Xiao Zhan. His eyes traveled around, trying to make out what was what. The room itself was spacious. There was a huge bed in it with big, fluffy-looking pillows, and a thick duvet was neatly placed on it. He walked over and touched the surface of the covering. It was smooth and silky, very comfortable to the touch. Then he sat down on the bed. Unlike the wooden bed that he was used to, the thick mattress underneath it was soft but firm at the same time. The softness was soothing, and there was a familiar scent surrounding it. He smiled in recognition.
He stood up again and walked around, touching everything he came across in the room. There was a desk off to the side and a bookshelf filled with books with writing that he had never seen before. He saw a square frame on the top shelf; it was a picture of his lover, but with short hair, and he was wearing some clothing that was unlike anything he was used to seeing. He brushed his fingers over the image, admiring the bright smile that he had always seen. He smiled as he finally understood the meaning of short hair and a photograph. It was like a painting, but very detailed. After a while of memorizing the details of the image, he carefully placed it back where it belonged.
There were three doors in the room, each with a mechanism that he had to figure out how to use. He was intelligent, so it wasn't hard. One door was made of dark glass, and he walked toward it first. He pulled the polished metal lever down, and the door opened. The room suddenly lit up with bright light, as there were automated sensor lights built in that would light up whenever movement was detected. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he found himself in a room filled with clothes in different colors, shapes, and styles. He tried to take in the scene and the variety of garments that were hung in an organized manner in a few columns on both sides of the tall walls. There were probably hundreds of them if he counted. His jaw dropped slightly when he saw rows of shoes on display on one part of the wall. He took a closer look at the footwear. Some were shiny, some made of some sort of cotton with strange laces, and most covered only up to the ankles.
There was a huge mirror that reached up to the tall ceiling at the end of the room. He could see his own reflection, and looking at it, he felt so out of place. He moved to a different section, where there was a vanity table and a stool. Rows of glass bottles, the purpose of which he could not discern, were lined up on it. Some of them had symbols or words carved into them, but none of them looked familiar to him. There were drawers with transparent tops beside the table. He saw multiple metal straps that resembled bracelets, but in the middle, each had a round part that produced ticking sounds. There were some pieces of jewelry and more objects that looked just odd to his eyes.
He walked out of the room and went to the next one, which was the nearest to the bed. It was a bathroom. The tiles on it were white and gray, the bathtub was marble-like, the sink was a huge mirror with gold taps above and a glass wall. He stepped carefully on the floor as he entered the room, trying not to slip as the floor looked too smooth and polished. He fiddled with the golden tap on the sink, and flicking it upward did the trick. He watched as water trickled out and disappeared into the holes at the bottom, and when he pushed the tap down, the water stopped. Convenient, he thought. His reflection in the mirror made him uncomfortable, so he looked away and continued to explore. On the shelves were various potions, lotions of all kinds, and even candles that he had not seen before. He picked up one of the bottles, carefully smelling the liquid within. The smell alone made him smile widely. He put it back down and continued walking around the room aimlessly. Everything was new and exciting. He did not recognize half of what he was seeing. He kept moving and touching everything, guessing the functions of every button and each weird-looking contraption. He walked through another glass door, pondering why there would be a door when everything could be seen through it. He was almost drenched when he accidentally turned on the overhead rain shower. Luckily for him, his reaction speed was exceptional, so he did not get splashed too much with the water. He then understood the purpose of the door: it was to prevent water from wetting the entire room. He saw a towel hanging on the railing on the outside part of the glass door and dried his robes with it. When he finished, he hung it back in a similar fashion.
He stepped out of the bathroom and went ahead to open the final door. It led him to a space with a chair that was as long as a daybed but fully cushioned. Opposite it, there was a large, square, black object resting on top of a wooden shelf. More photos were lined up beside it, and they were larger than the one in the room. He smiled at the faces that were in all of them. A brightly smiling Xiao Zhan appeared to be the focal point of all of the pictures. Lan Wangji reached out his hand and grabbed one of the pictures, tracing the face of the person he recognized well and scrutinizing what he wore in each one. In one of the pictures, he saw Xiao Zhan in a more familiar outfit, and beside him was someone who looked like himself and was sporting almost the same Gusu Lan uniform as his, with some minor differences. His brows furrowed; he knew instinctively that that person was Wang Yibo. Xiao Zhan looked happy in it. He felt like there was something about it that he didn't understand. He put the photo facedown flat on the shelf because he disliked that picture very much. He looked through the other photos; most of them were of him alone, and each was better than the last. Xiao Zhan looked absolutely beautiful in each one.
After looking through all the photographs, there was nothing left to see on the shelf. Under it were objects that had wires on them, and he did not touch those things. He pressed one of the square buttons on the wall and heard a strange buzzing noise. Then, suddenly, the sun's rays entered and brightened the room even more. The floor was made of a white material that glinted in the sunlight, which came from a large window with glass walls. The drapes, made from thick fabric that had previously been fully covering the window, parted in the middle and moved to the sides. It was quite fascinating.
Lan Wangji went closer to the large glass-like door. It seemed like it was almost midday now. He figured out how to slide the door open and stepped outside onto the balcony. Looking down, it was frighteningly high; even a grandmaster would perish if he were to fall from that height. He gazed forward at the scenery before him. There were more tall buildings, smaller ones, and larger ones that stretched into the distance amidst the vast sky. This was a very strange place; he didn't know what to think about it. He could not stay outside long, as the sun was scorching hot and blinding, so he went back into the room with the large, square object.
He sat down on the couch and was almost shocked when the square thing suddenly turned on. He felt something hard under his buttock and fished out a rectangular object with buttons. He rested his arms over his knees and fiddled with the buttons on the rectangular object. The screen changed to a different one, and with each button, different moving images with sounds were played. He stopped pressing when he saw Xiao Zhan's face appear. He was singing on a big stage, surrounded by thousands upon thousands of people who cheered loudly and clapped for him, creating a sea of red lights. The camera angle changed until it showed him standing on a stage with something in his hand. He spoke into the device in his hands, and his voice came out loud and clear, as if amplified through speakers. A few seconds later, music began playing in the background. Xiao Zhan looked radiant as he started to sing. It was a song he had never heard before, and it sounded melancholic yet hopeful at the same time. He listened to the lyrics as if they were spoken directly into his soul. Then, as quickly as it had started, it ended, and Xiao Zhan bowed to the crowd.
Lan Wangji suddenly felt as if he is missing his beloved's presence. Missing his voice, missing being by his side, missing his smile and laughter. "Wei Ying," he whispered.
Just as the name slipped from his lips, he felt the same sensation that had brought him into the room engulfing him gradually and returning him to the cold, misty spot where they had been hanging out. A few moments later, he felt a warm palm gently stroking the side of his face. Lan Wangji opened his eyes slowly to see Xiao Zhan staring at him from his lap.
Xiao Zhan's hands was still holding Lan Wangji's on top of his chest, and he was smiling brightly at the latter. "Lan Zhan, how was it?" He asked.
"I missed you," Lan Wangji said as he lowered his head to capture Xiao Zhan's lips. He felt Xiao Zhan's warm smile as his lips returned the kiss.
Xiao Zhan laughed softly afterward. "It was only an hour, and you were literally with me the entire time."
"It doesn't matter. I still missed you." The warmth spreading across Lan Wangji's body caused him to feel an irresistible urge to pull Xiao Zhan even closer to him. As if hypnotized by an invisible force, his hands went to the back of Xiao Zhan's shoulders, lifting him up and letting his lips travel to Xiao Zhan's neck.
Xiao Zhan's breath hitched at the sudden gesture, but it didn't take long for him to fall into the enthralling feeling and revel in the sensation. The Second Young Master of Lan began to explore more of his exposed skin on his neck, which made him squirm. He then placed both hands on his cheeks, stopping him from roaming around. "Wait, wait. Lan Zhan, tell me first. What do you think of the modern world?"
Lan Wangji blinked, pulling back slightly to stare deeply into Xiao Zhan's eyes. "It was strange and different. The water system was convenient, just like how you described it. The buildings are taller than Koi Tower. Did you really stay in that kind of tall building?"
Xiao Zhan hummed, "Yes."
Lan Wangji, "The height is frightening for a residence."
A chuckle escaped Xiao Zhan. "How do you find my place?" he asked eagerly.
Lan Wangji's lips curled upward into a small smile as he spoke, "It was nice. Clean and tidy. The bed is large and soft."
Xiao Zhan's hands slid from his cheeks to the side of his neck, clinging to it. "And?" He urged for more review.
Lan Wangji stared at him for a few seconds, and now that his cheeks were free, he leaned back in once again and continued his smooching while murmuring against his skin, "Your clothes alone could fill the entire Jingshi."
"Well, what can I do? I like to dress up," Xiao Zhan said cheekily. "I should probably start a clothing collection here as well."
Lan Wangji pulled away and looked at him with raised eyebrows. "You want to?"
Xiao Zhan chuckled. "Why? Are you going to buy me clothes?"
"If you want me to." Lan Wangji replied without hesitation.
"Lan Er Gege, you might go broke buying me clothes in the future." Xiao Zhan teased.
Lan Wangji continued to trace lines against Xiao Zhan's skin before going back to peppering him with small kisses along the sharp jawline. "I can afford to buy you more than that," he stated earnestly.
"I will gladly accept the offer then." Xiao Zhan hummed happily, closing his eyes as he basked in the feeling of being showered with love. If these affectionate gestures were side effects from the new telepathic technique he had just come up with a few days back, he did not mind it at all.
Lan Wangji murmured under his breath, "Your footwear is interesting," he remarked.
There was an intake of breath before a laugh escaped from Xiao Zhan's mouth. "Interesting?"
"Colorful and odd." Lan Wangji deadpanned.
Xiao Zhan laughed. "Yes, they are, aren't they? But they're really comfortable."
"Your collection reminded me of a caterpillar," Lan Wangji added.
Xiao Zhan was slightly taken aback by the offhand joke. "Ah! Is that your way of saying that I have too many shoes?" He said, giggling.
"Mn," Lan Wangji replied with a nod.
Xiao Zhan laughed even harder, "You are too honest, Lan Zhan!"
Xiao Zhan could feel Lan Wangji's lips quirked up against his skin, and the sensation felt so good. Shutting his eyes again, he explained, "It was my job to dress differently every time I stepped outside my house, and people would pay me to wear their stuff."
"How so?" Lan Wangji asked curiously, still not leaving Xiao Zhan's neck.
Xiao Zhan smirked. "I was a pretty well-known person, alright? Whatever I wore was always seen by others, and those items would sell."
Lan Wangji pulled away enough to look at Xiao Zhan, asking curiously, "How well-known?"
Xiao Zhan could see the confusion on his face. He shrugged. "Figuratively? Hmm... Let's see, I had about thirty million followers on my platform."
"Millions? You mean people?" Lan Wangji's brow furrowed together in thought. He let out a small huff as he tried to wrap his head around the concept. "That means the whole world would be paying you for something."
Xiao Zhan could clearly see the gears turning inside Lan Wangji's head, as if he were trying to figure out how something so simple could cause such a huge impact on society. He couldn't help but smile softly. "Not the whole world. Only those who liked me and my works."
Lan Wangji tilted his head, still confused. He finally shook his head and concluded, "You must be very wealthy."
"I don't know if wealthy is the right word." Xiao Zhan laughed again, but this time it was brief. His tone changed to a more somber one when he spoke, "But there were days when I just wanted to throw everything away."
Lan Wangji, "Why?"
Memories flashed back into Xiao Zhan's mind. "Every so often, I wanted to live as a normal human and have a quiet life. A free life with no obligations. My jobs were great, but they were so exhausting that I barely had time to rest. At times, I felt a little like a bird in a cage."
Lan Wangji frowned at the words; he could feel the repressed emotions in them.
Xiao Zhan quickly brushed it off and chuckled softly. "But, it was all in the past, and it seems silly to think about it. I am here with you, and you're here with me. That's what matters the most to me now."
Lan Wangji smiled and placed another kiss on Xiao Zhan's forehead. "I am always here for you."
Lan Wangji's words always managed to make Xiao Zhan feel like he was truly cherished. "Mn." Xiao Zhan hummed in delight.
Lan Wangji caressed Xiao Zhan's face with his thumb. His skin felt so smooth, like silk against his fingertips. He moved his fingers toward Xiao Zhan's hair, feeling the silky strands beneath his fingers. The sensation of Xiao Zhan's soft hair running through his fingers was intoxicating. He resumed his trail of kisses down Xiao Zhan's neck. "Your hair was really short," he murmured.
The smooching nearly took Xiao Zhan's breath away. "You mean, in those photos?" he asked.
"Mn."
"Do you like what you saw?" Xiao Zhan asked languidly, his eyes half-closed as he took delight in being pampered.
Lan Wangji responded monotonously, "Most of it. There was one in particular that I disliked."
Xiao Zhan replied absently, "Oh, you mean the one with Yibo?"
Lan Wangji stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the unnerving familiarity in Xiao Zhan's voice when he said the name. He drew back and gazed intently. "Wei Ying, were you close to him?" he asked with furrowed brows.
Xiao Zhan belatedly realized how he had worded his answer. He bit his lower lip, and his eyes darkened momentarily. Eventually, he answered, "I was."
Lan Wangji felt his heart tighten and remained silent for a moment, processing what he had just heard. When he was done, he said quietly, "What was he like?"
Xiao Zhan avoided his piercing gaze, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to evade the questions related to the other person who looked like Lan Wangji. "Well, he was a good friend."
Lan Wangji took Xiao Zhan's chin and lifted it up to meet his eyes, pressing, trying not to let his jealousy creep into his voice, "Did you like him?"
Xiao Zhan looked back up at him, and Lan Wangji felt like he wasn't meeting his eyes anymore. Instead, he was focused elsewhere. Lan Wangji waited patiently, knowing that he was thinking about a difficult topic. Finally, after what seemed like years but was probably only minutes, Xiao Zhan swallowed hard before opening his mouth, his voice strained. "Lan Zhan, I promised not to lie to you."
Silence followed, and Xiao Zhan tried not to flinch under Lan Wangji's intense gaze. He confessed in a small voice, "Yes." He quickly added, "But he was just a friend."
Lan Wangji released his chin and broke eye contact. He exhaled deeply before speaking in a calm voice, "Wei Ying, who do you see when you look at me?"
This time, it was Xiao Zhan's turn to force their eye contact to resume. He answered without an ounce of hesitation, "You, Lan Zhan. Only you."
Hearing that, Lan Wangji felt the knot within his chest unwind. His eyes softened. "Really?"
"Yes, really!" Xiao Zhan said as he shot up to encircle Lan Wangji's neck in a tight hug. Lan Wangji wrapped his arms around Xiao Zhan's waist. After a few moments, Xiao Zhan pulled away enough to stare into Lan Wangji's eyes. "Don't ever doubt my feelings again."
"Mn." Lan Wangji smiled as Xiao Zhan placed a kiss on his forehead and another on the tip of his nose before ending it with a brief kiss on his soft lips.
Looking at the fully placated face, Xiao Zhan slowly traced his finger along Lan Wangji's jawline and then brought the finger down to trace over his neck. He playfully teased again, "But you have to admit, he does look like you, doesn't he?"
"..." Lan Wangji frowned once again. He tried to move away from Xiao Zhan's teasing. He didn't like being compared to a person who shared the same facial features as him.
Xiao Zhan quickly tightened his hug around Lan Wangji's neck before he could push him away. "I take that back; you are more handsome, Lan Zhan. Extremely good-looking!" he declared with conviction.
"Do you like me only for my looks?" Lan Wangji tilted his head in an attempt to find the answer in the depths of Xiao Zhan's eyes. He knew it was pointless, but he just couldn't help himself.
"Of course I do!" Xiao Zhan smiled brightly. "I would be lying if I said no."
"..." Lan Wangji didn't really know how to respond to that. He could feel Xiao Zhan laughing against his chest, so he guessed there wasn't much else to say.
"I'm kidding. Okay, maybe I'm half kidding. Your face was half the reason." Xiao Zhan paused briefly before speaking. "I can still remember the first time I met you; all I could think about was how beautiful your light golden eyes were."
Xiao Zhan's words brought forth a small, happy feeling inside Lan Wangji's chest. "My eyes?"
"Yes, you have such pretty eyes! The same color as the sun. When the sun shone on you, your eyes glowed like an extension of it. That's how I knew it was you, Lan Zhan." The memory of looking at his eyes in the lesson hall made Xiao Zhan smile. It felt like he was seeing them in his dreams. He looked up at Lan Wangji's eyes once more, this time pressing his lips against Lan Wangji's forehead affectionately.
Lan Wangji felt his heart race. He could barely hear anything except for the pounding of his own blood in his ears. "Wei Ying, will you always be with me, for me alone? Not anyone else?"
Xiao Zhan's eyes fell onto Lan Wangji's lips before glancing up to meet Lan Wangji's gaze. Smiling softly, he ran his thumb back and forth across Lan Wangji's lips. "Always."
Lan Wangji, not quite able to keep the smile off of his face, asked, "Do you promise?"
Xiao Zhan leaned in closer with a soft chuckle until their noses were touching. "I am your Wei Ying now, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji's heart swelled within his chest at those words. Everything seemed to slow down at that moment; everything around him disappeared except for the two of them. Lan Wangji moved forward and placed his lips on Xiao Zhan's, slowly moving his lips against his Wei Ying. The touch of their lips was electrifying. He cupped Xiao Zhan's cheek and gently pushed him back onto his lap. He ran a hand through his dark locks. He loved the way Xiao Zhan felt in his arms.
As they separated, they remained close, both breathing heavily as they smiled at each other in quiet satisfaction. Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian into a long embrace. Wei Wuxian hugged him tightly and nuzzled his nose against his neck. "I don't want to go back. Let's just skip it today."
A smile formed on his face. "I would like that too, Wei Ying. But you know we can't. You already planned the schedule for the entire week."
"Screw the plan." Wei Wuxian pleaded; his face filled with puppy dog eyes. "Just give me one day to be lazy. Please!"
Lan Wangji smiled. He knew Wei Wuxian did not like it when whatever he had planned needed to be changed or re-adjusted. He would be cranky and grumpy when that happened. He persuaded, "Not today. Maybe next week?"
A whine escaped Xiao Zhan's lips. "Okay, okay. Maybe I should stop planning so far ahead next time."
Lan Wangji leaned down and pressed a kiss to Xiao Zhan's forehead before pulling him up. "By the way, what was that technique you just used?"
"Telepathy." Xiao Zhan smiled. It wasn't hard to tweak Empathy and make it his own skill. After all, he was Wei Wuxian 2.0 with thirty years of life experience.