[[[忘羡 | WangXian 1]] : The Second Kiss That Came Too Soon

[16.] Hope.

Wei Ying's face lit up. There was still hope.

- Lan Zhan, I am so sorry... Please? Can you forgive me?  –  he begged, searching for signs in that stone-mask face that maybe not all was lost.

- What...  -  Lan Zhan cleared his throat.  –  What did you call me?

Wei Ying blushed. He knew full well that he had heard the words too well.

- I... I spoke what I felt. Then. Now.  –  he blurted, embarrassed.

- Did you even mean it?  –  Lan Zhan asked, tears drying up, face aflush.

- Of course I meant it, you fool!!!  Would I ever say something like that if I didn't mean it!  –  Wei Wuxian scoffed, changing mood from upset to annoyed.

- I honestly don't know. People often seem to say things they don't really mean....

- Not me. Not when it comes to...you.  –  Wei Ying caressed the dear face, brushing away several stray strands of hair. – Do you... do you want... Do you still want to be with me? – he ventured.

- Yes. Yes. After all, I love you so very much.  –  Lan Zhan said sadly.

Wei Wuxian was staring, eyes wide open, afraid to even breathe. Did he dream this? Did he just say this? Those words?

- You.. said that you.... love  me? Did you just say... -  he couldn't go on.

Lan Zhan hid his face in the nook of the smaller boy's neck, and Wei Ying could hear his breathing there, and also the words, the best words:

- Of course I do. I would do anything for you. I love you. So very much.

"Shijie... what do I do???"  –  Wei Wuxian thought desperately. 

There was no doubt now. It was  a love confession... The only thing he knew for sure was that he had to find a way to reassure that silly boy and calm him down. He cuddled closer, forcing his way a little into Lan Zhan's embrace. 

Unsure what to do at first, and surprised at this boldness, Lan Zhan finally clasped him in his arms, pressing him fully and very close to his chest, and they lay like this, entwined, for some time.

- Lan Zhan... listen...  -  Wei Ying started. He knew the boy was thirstily catching every word he said. -  Please don't be mad...

***

- I am not too sure what love is. I don't remember my parents too well, but I remember well the times I spent all alone, hungry and cold after I lost them. Love was lost to me... even as a kid. The Yunmeng Jiang Clan showed me hospitality, affection, but I was not one of them, I was not, I am not  a son of that house. I never knew love like this. – Wei Ying sighed. - A love like yours...

- Today was too much... too overwhelming... for me. Imagine...  like, imagine being hungry for a month! And then suddenly there comes someone who gives you kilos over kilos of food – all fine and delicious food, the best food in the world! If you eat too much – you will be sick, right?

Wei Ying looked up, hoping to catch some emotion in those golden eyes. Lan Zhan was listening carefully, trying to understand, not moving a muscle, just pressing him close, holding him in his arms, tight and warm, as if afraid that if he let go of him, Wei Ying would just fly away, like a small bird, and will be gone forever.

- Today was the first time I have ever gotten a love confession... - Wei Wuxian blushed. – It was the first time someone bowed to me... someone kissed me with such desire and passion that I wanted to die there and then... Lan Zhan, you are giving me all the food in the world, but I can only take a little...  -  he whispered.

- What I feel for you is strong, and I have never felt this way with anyone else, I swear it. I don't know if it is love.... But I want to be with you. I do  feel safe and happy when we are together. Maybe this  is love?

- I think I understand... And those words? The words you said to me tonight? What are they?  –  Lan Zhan murmured.