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

[53.] The vows.

**

The day came up, and they were almost surprised when it did. They were both exhausted, and really just wanted it to be over and done with. Wei Ying was very nervous about his vows – they had to stand in front of a crowd  –  everyone who knew them would be there. 

Lan Zhan had it worse, though  –  he was pale with anxiety and fatigue. Wei Ying smiled  –  he knew his fiancé was extremely nervous around a lot of people, and hated being in a crowd. He tried to be by his side the whole time, holding his hand as much as he could.

They were in their room – they had long ago moved in a shared, bigger room together  –  no one even talked about this any more. There were several servant-girls giggling and excitedly preparing their wedding attire, and getting their hair, skin and makeup ready. They both looked magnificent in the girls' eyes, but to each other  –  they would always look magnificent, clothes and jewels had nothing to do with it.

Wei Ying was bored  –  it took literally hours to get ready. Lan Wangji was very ready to pass out, he was hot and uncomfortable in the unusual clothes. The girls laughing and praising his beauty was annoying to him, it was wearing him out. When he looked up he saw Wei Ying's grinning face  –  he was sucking on a straw again, his lips blood-red and full with the crimson dye. He felt dizzy and really sorry they were not alone at that moment.

- Ahhhh, Lan Zhan – hold on a little longer! Just a little more! If you faint at our own wedding, I swear – I am going to punish you myself!  – he smirked and winked in the general direction of the young girls, who giggled without exception. 

Lan Zhan frowned and clenched his teeth, this was more than awful. He leaned in too close suddenly, so that he felt Wei Wuxian's breath on his cheek and snarled:

- We will see who  gets punished tonight, Young Master Wei!  I am fine!  –  he snapped, sweating still.

And now all the girls swooned and laughed, imaginations running wild. He stood up and snapped again:

- That's enough! Everyone out!!!

The servants snuck out without making any further sounds - the Lan Master could be really scary if he wanted to. Lan Zhan cast a quick and disapproving look as he saw his future husband also tiptoe towards the door at the end of the line of girls.

- And just where  are you  going?  –  he took a single step and grabbed his waist, pulling him in to himself. Wei Ying gasped – his belt was too tight for his taste, he liked to move freely.

- Umm, well, uhhhh... Lan Zhan, you did say everyone, so yea...right...  -  he grinned, not feeling guilty at all, teasing.

- You are awful, did you know that?  –  Lan Zhan showed him his teeth.

- Well, let me see... It really depends who you're asking. My brother will vote "YES"  with both hands. Your uncle will definitely agree...  –   he made a thoughtful expression as if they were discussing some philosophical existential matters of the universe and beyond.

Lan Zhan grunted.

- And what about me? Mmmm?  –  he hid his face in Wei Ying's fragrant curls.

- Ahhhhh, this is a very easy answer, Lan Zhan. You love me, so  –  yes, of course I am awful with you! I am the only one  who has the right to be...  -  he answered, and there was immense tenderness in his voice. 

He felt Lan Zhan's face smile in the nook of his neck. His heart was suddenly filled with happiness, not too soon, not too late.

- I love you so much, Shizun... did you know that?  –  he whispered.

- No. No, I didn't... Tell me again...?  –  Lan Zhan said coarsely, his grip on the waist of his lover tightening.

- I love you... I love you more than myself... You are my heart, my life...  –  Wei Ying was chanting, his heart fluttering in his chest yet again.

At this moment the door opened, without a knock, of course, and Jiang Cheng entered energetically  –  he was all red in the face too.

- You morons seem to have started things without us, huh? – he huffed. – I was... ughhh... sent here... ughhhh.... to fetch you. Everything is ready, so yea. Let's go. – he looked extremely embarrassed seeing them so flushed and hugging.

- Shall we?  –  Wei Ying led the way, holding Lan Zhan's hand and smiling.

The tall boy nodded, the smile of his lips touching his eyes as well. He knew full well what Wei Ying was doing all day. He knew him like he knew himself by now.

**

Neither heard any of the priest's words in the beginning of the ceremony. They held hands and were together and this was all that was important, this was all that they remembered later. Then suddenly, someone poked Wei Wuxian in the shoulder and whispered "The vows! Wake up, moron!" 

Uh, he knew that voice too well.

He stood tall, looking in Lan Zhan's eyes all the time, and said slowly and clearly:

- My love for you has grown with time, gradually, like a gentle flower that is watered and cared for daily. It came to me unexpectedly, it found me, as you, the bright star that you are, crashed and burned into my heart, showing me the meaning of passion. My love for you is so great now that it devours not only my own soul – it devours the worlds; it starts with the first breath I draw, and ends with your last sigh. You give me more than I can ever describe, every day, every moment – and I need it all, because I need all of you...

Lan Zhan's eye filled with tears. He knew exactly what those words meant.

- You are my happiness, my guiding light in the darkness of the world. You are the most precious treasure that I will never tire of. You are the music that the Gods envy. You are light, you are joy, you are beauty, you are life.... I love you. I promise to always cherish and love you.

Wei Ying's face was beaming. He was too happy to let the world know exactly how he felt. He overheard some people admire and sigh at his words, some people clapped and cheered, but his eyes were only focused on his love.

Lan Zhan was pale  –  he felt that whatever he said in the moment would not be good enough. How do you top those words? It was poetry. He bit his lip and sighed and said quietly, his voice breaking, so everyone fell very silent too, so that they could hear:

- I love you. This is the only thing I know for certain in this lifetime. I was lost, too lost, when you found me and put all my pieces together. You made me anew, you made me whole again... My love for you burned too brightly, and I thought I was being burned alive, but it seems that this flame brought you to me. You are the only thing that makes me feel alive, the solid rock beneath my feet, the morning star in cloudy skies. I cannot express how much you mean to me, but I hope to have a lifetime to show you...

Wei Ying squeezed his hands, and the bitter sweetness of these words was showing on his face. He tried to smile.


- I know the world is against us, but as long as you are by my side, I fear no one. You are my courage, you are my strength. I will forever be enchanted by your voice, your sharp mind, your pure heart... I promise to cherish and defend you until my dying hour, as you deserve. You are my life, you are my heart, you are my soul. I can be only thankful that I met you. We belong to each other.



They never heard the people around them cheering and clapping, as they lost themselves in their first kiss in front of everyone. It lasted more than was appropriate perhaps, but they were swept up by the strong emotions of these words, and cared not. 

It was their wedding day.