Time had never been kind to Wei Wuxian.

One moment, he was standing in the middle of an empty field, the echoes of the past ringing in his ears. The next, he was jolted back to the time before all of it—before everything had gone wrong, before the war, before the betrayal, before the last farewell he never had the chance to say.

When Wei Wuxian opened his eyes, he was standing in the familiar courtyard of the Lan Sect. The air was crisp with the scent of pine trees, and the moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light across the stone walls. The sound of a zither could be heard in the distance.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian whispered to himself, heart pounding.

For the first time in years, he was back. Back to a time when things hadn’t been broken yet, when Lan Wangji still looked at him like he was the most important person in his world.

The next morning, Wei Wuxian found himself walking through the familiar halls of Cloud Recesses, his heart pounding at every turn. He had a mission—to fix the mistakes he had made. But as he walked, he couldn’t help but notice how everything felt… different. The air felt lighter, the landscape a little more vibrant, as if the entire world was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

It was then that he saw him—Lan Wangji, standing by the flower garden, his usual stern expression softened by the peace of the morning.

Wei Wuxian’s breath hitched, and for a moment, he couldn’t move. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. But what did he even say? How did he explain all the years lost? How could he tell Lan Wangji he was here because he couldn’t bear living without him anymore?

Lan Wangji turned, as if sensing him, his eyes locking onto Wei Wuxian’s with a familiar warmth that made Wei Wuxian’s heart ache.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji said quietly, his voice rich with emotion that Wei Wuxian hadn’t expected. “You’ve returned.”

Wei Wuxian’s throat tightened. He didn’t know how to respond. There were so many things he wanted to say, but in that moment, nothing seemed enough.

“I… I didn’t want to leave,” Wei Wuxian finally managed, his voice barely a whisper. “But now that I’m back... I don’t know how to fix everything.”

Lan Wangji’s gaze softened, the edge of his lips pulling into the smallest, almost imperceptible smile. “You don’t need to fix anything,” he replied, his tone calm, but there was something unspoken in his words. Something that Wei Wuxian could feel in the pit of his stomach, something that told him Lan Wangji had never truly given up on him, even in the darkest times.

Wei Wuxian took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Lan Wangji’s. “But I hurt you,” he said, his voice thick with regret. “I hurt everyone. I left you when you needed me most.”

Lan Wangji didn’t step away. Instead, he reached out, his hand resting gently on Wei Wuxian’s arm, as if grounding him to this moment, to this reality. “I don’t blame you,” he said, his voice steady but filled with a deep, unspoken longing. “I only wanted you to be happy. And now that you’re here…” He trailed off, his hand slowly curling around Wei Wuxian’s wrist, his thumb brushing against his skin in a gesture so intimate, so tender, that it made Wei Wuxian’s heart race.

“You waited for me?” Wei Wuxian asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his chest tight with emotion. He couldn’t believe it. All the pain, all the mistakes—could Lan Wangji really have waited for him?

Lan Wangji didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his face just inches from Wei Wuxian’s. The air between them seemed to hum with the weight of everything they had never said. “I never stopped,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Even when you were gone, I never stopped thinking about you.”

Wei Wuxian’s breath hitched, and before he could stop himself, he stepped forward, his hands reaching out to touch Lan Wangji’s face, as if confirming he was really here, really in front of him. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked into Lan Wangji’s eyes—those deep, endless pools of sincerity and longing.

“I’m sorry,” Wei Wuxian whispered. “For everything. For leaving you. For not being the person you needed me to be.”

Lan Wangji’s hand moved to gently hold Wei Wuxian’s wrist, his eyes softening even more. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m here now,” he said, his voice full of the promise that Wei Wuxian had been waiting for, that deep, undeniable connection that had always been between them, even when they were apart.

Wei Wuxian felt something break inside him—a wall he had built around his heart, a wall he had erected to protect himself from the pain of losing Lan Wangji. But now, standing here, with Lan Wangji’s hand on his, the wall crumbled.

“I want to stay with you,” Wei Wuxian said, his voice barely audible. “I don’t care about the past. I just… I just want to be with you, Lan Zhan.”

Lan Wangji’s expression softened, and before Wei Wuxian could say another word, Lan Wangji closed the distance between them, his lips gently brushing against Wei Wuxian’s. It was a kiss that spoke of all the years they had spent apart, the regret, the longing, the love that had never faded, no matter the time or the distance.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Lan Wangji whispered, “You’re here now, Wei Ying. That’s all that matters.”

And in that moment, Wei Wuxian knew that no matter the mistakes of the past, they would face the future together. Hand in hand, they would build something new, something they had both been waiting for.

This is a little tale of Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi finally tying the knot. It’s set after everything settles down and peace is restored.

---

The sunlight bathed Gusu in a golden glow, the crisp mountain air carrying the faint scent of blooming lotus flowers. The Cloud Recesses was more alive than ever before, adorned with delicate white lanterns and soft ribbons that swayed gently in the breeze. It was a rare day where the usually stern and disciplined disciples allowed themselves to smile freely.

Wei WuXian stood in a quiet corner, fidgeting with the hem of his red robe. “Lan Zhan, are you sure this isn’t too much? I mean, the ribbons, the lanterns, the ceremony... Isn’t this a little, I don’t know, over the top?”

Lan WangJi, dressed in a matching robe of crimson trimmed with gold, simply gave him a calm look. “Mn.”

Wei WuXian rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the grin that tugged at his lips. “You and your mn. Is that a yes or a no?”

“It is perfect,” Lan WangJi replied, his voice steady and warm, the corners of his usually stoic lips softening into something that could almost be called a smile.

Wei WuXian felt his heart skip a beat. Even now, after all these years, Lan WangJi’s rare moments of openness left him breathless. “Alright, alright,” Wei WuXian relented, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “But don’t blame me if your uncle faints from the shock of me walking down the aisle.”

Lan WangJi tilted his head slightly, his expression as serene as ever. “Uncle approves.”

Wei WuXian blinked. “Wait, he what?”

Before Lan WangJi could answer, a young disciple appeared to usher them to their places. The courtyard was filled with familiar faces: Jiang Cheng stood off to the side, his arms crossed but his eyes betraying a flicker of pride. Wen Ning lingered quietly in the back, a soft smile on his lips. The rest of the sects had sent representatives, all gathered to witness the union of two legends.

Wei WuXian took his place opposite Lan WangJi, and for once in his life, he found himself at a loss for words. The ceremony began, the chants of the Lan Sect elders weaving a solemn melody that seemed to blend with the gentle rustle of the wind.

When it came time to exchange vows, Wei WuXian couldn’t help but inject a bit of his characteristic mischief. “Lan Zhan,” he began, his voice carrying both laughter and sincerity, “I promise to annoy you for the rest of my life. To steal your rabbits, challenge your rules, and probably embarrass you at every opportunity. But I also promise to stand by your side, no matter what. To protect you, cherish you, and love you with everything I have.”

Lan WangJi’s gaze was steady, his golden eyes filled with an unshakable devotion. “Wei Ying,” he said, his voice like the first rays of dawn, “I vow to protect you, to support you, and to treasure you. To ensure your laughter never fades and to share with you the peace we both fought for.”

By the time the red ribbon was tied between their wrists, signifying their union, there wasn’t a dry eye in the courtyard. Even Jiang Cheng was suspiciously wiping at his face, muttering something about the wind.

Later, as the night descended and the festivities carried on, Wei WuXian leaned against Lan WangJi’s shoulder, his face lit by the warm glow of the lanterns. “So, Lan Zhan,” he teased, his voice low, “how does it feel to finally be stuck with me forever?”

Lan WangJi looked at him, his gaze so tender it made Wei WuXian’s teasing falter. “Perfect,” he said simply.

And in that moment, Wei WuXian knew that, for the first time in a long while, he was truly home.

Wei WuXian stirs up some jealousy in Lan WangJi, just for fun.

______________________

The sun was setting over the Lotus Pier, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Wei WuXian was lounging on the deck, chatting animatedly with a group of visiting cultivators. Lan WangJi stood a short distance away, his golden eyes fixed on the scene with a calm expression that only Wei WuXian could tell hid a storm.

Wei WuXian threw his head back, laughing at something one of the cultivators said. The sound was bright, full of life, and Lan WangJi felt a strange pang in his chest. It wasn’t the laughter—it was the way one of the young men leaned just a little too close to Wei WuXian, his gaze lingering a little too long.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei WuXian called out suddenly, noticing the way Lan WangJi’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Why are you standing over there like a statue? Come join us!”

Lan WangJi walked over, his movements graceful and composed, but there was a tension in his jaw that Wei WuXian didn’t miss. He hid his smirk and turned back to the group. “You see, Lan Zhan here is the most perfect man I’ve ever met. But he’s also the strictest. He probably thinks we’re being too loud right now.”

“I do not,” Lan WangJi said firmly, but his gaze flicked briefly to the man sitting closest to Wei WuXian, who seemed a bit too interested in his every word.

One of the cultivators, clearly emboldened, leaned closer to Wei WuXian. “You must be quite the handful then. I can’t imagine anyone keeping you in check.”

Wei WuXian laughed, leaning slightly into the man’s space. “Oh, you have no idea! Poor Lan Zhan has his work cut out for him.”

Lan WangJi stepped forward, his presence suddenly commanding. “Wei Ying.” His tone was soft, but there was an edge to it that made everyone fall silent.

Wei WuXian turned, feigning innocence. “Yes, Lan Zhan?”

“We should go.”

“But I’m having fun,” Wei WuXian replied, though there was a teasing glint in his eyes. “What’s the rush?”

Lan WangJi held his gaze, his eyes darkening slightly. “It is getting late.”

The cultivators exchanged glances, sensing the tension, and quickly made their excuses to leave. Wei WuXian stood, brushing imaginary dust off his robes. “Lan Zhan, you scared them off! Now who am I going to talk to?”

Lan WangJi’s hand gently but firmly gripped Wei WuXian’s wrist. “Me.”

Wei WuXian blinked up at him, pretending to be surprised, but inside he was thrilled. “You? But you don’t even talk that much.”

Lan WangJi leaned in just enough for his words to be heard only by Wei WuXian. “I do not need to talk to make my point.”

Wei WuXian’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly covered it with a laugh. “Alright, alright, no need to get all possessive, Lan Zhan. Let’s go.”

As they walked away, Lan WangJi’s grip on Wei WuXian’s wrist didn’t loosen. If anything, it became firmer, as if to remind Wei WuXian—and anyone else who dared look—that he was the only one allowed to stand by Wei Ying’s side.

Wei WuXian glanced up at him, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “You know, Lan Zhan, jealousy looks kind of good on you.”

Lan WangJi didn’t reply, but the slight tightening of his lips and the subtle red tint on his ears told Wei WuXian everything he needed to know.