[[忘羡 | WangXian 3]] : Our Flesh And Bones

[129.] The room a thousand years wide.

Note:

Source for picture above:

https://lovelyanimeboyswithangelhair.tumblr.com/post/174038192525

***

Lan Wangji thought that he had fallen asleep too and was dreaming. 

He was still holding Wei Wuxian in his arms, but they were dressed in their respective Clan's official robes and not in their night clothes any more. As Wei Ying stirred and woke up, they both looked around and then at each other, astonished. It was a huge hall, all bright, as if built on the surface of the sun, and neither the walls nor the ceiling could be seen. 

Wei Ying turned to caress his husband's face and murmured:

- I must be dreaming. But you are here, my love, so it is a good dream...

- If this is a dream, Wei Ying, then we are sharing it.  –  Lan Wangji frowned and helped him up.

- FINALLY, WE MEET AGAIN, LAO-TZU!

The voice startled them, as the room looked absolutely empty, and it was a colossal voice that seemed capable of piercing their ear-drums and breaking their bones. Neither of that happened. They looked at each other, and immediately Lan Wangji reached for Bichen,  and Wei Wuxian tried to embrace his resentful energy. But the sword was gone, and all their magic was gone. 

Very pale, Hanguang-Jun, moved to stand in front of Wei Ying, not knowing from where the danger might come, but adamant to protect him with his body at least. Their eyes roamed the space, searching for any sign of movement or sound  –  but the only thing discernable was a slight buzzing they had not noticed earlier.

Tense, they waited. There was a spell of silence, but they noticed that the buzzing was getting louder, and suddenly, what seemed like a small star fell down from the invisible skies and landed close by. They squinted their eyes to see better, but the small light was too bright; yet, it soon took shape slowly.

- Hello, Daddy! And hello to you too, Daddy!

They gasped as now a young boy of about 6 or 7 years of age approached them hurriedly and hugged them, barely reaching to their waists. He looked up and his face beamed at them, and they saw that he had long pure white hair, and his eyes were molten gold; he was wearing sparkling white Gusu robes, and on the whole was a miniature copy of Lan Wangji, but the smile  –  it was Wei Wuxian's smile without a doubt.

- Baby?  –  Wei Ying was the first one to come to after the huge shock of it all, and he bent down and lifted the boy up in his arms, looking at him incredulously.

Lan Zhan was gaping, watching the boy hug and cling to Wei Wuxian's clothes, laughing happily.

- My baby...  -  Wei Ying was crying and peppering his face with kisses, making him giggle, and call "Daddy! Daddy!"  happily.

- What is the meaning of this... What...  -  Hanguang-Jun was gasping, still unsure whether he was dreaming or not.

- Daddy!  –  the boy turned and stretched his arms out to be hugged by Lan Zhan too.

He stepped closer, a little afraid, and let the boy slide into his embrace too.

- Ah, Daddy was right! Nothing compares to Hanguang-Jun's embrace!  –  he smiled broadly, burying his face in Lan Zhan's neck, precisely like his father.

Wei Wuxian was sobbing, too happy, smiling and wiping his tears away, unable to stop either of the two.

- But how... How... Why are your eyes golden, my precious son?  –  he murmured, hungry for more hugs and kisses.

The boy turned around to face him and said cheerfully:

- Easy, Daddy! You wished for it! I listened, you know. I heard everything you told me. You were right, Daddy! Hanguang-Jun is very pretty! You are pretty too, Daddy!  -  he giggled.

Lan Zhan put him down carefully, and now the both of them kneeled next to him, touching him gently, still finding it hard to believe that all of this was happening. The boy giggled more, enjoying the caresses, kisses and hugs his dads were constantly giving him.

- IT IS TIME, LAO-TZU.

The voice thundered again, and as they turned in the direction from which it came, they discerned with difficulty the massive, writhing body of a giant beast, and it seemed that he was covered in burning gold. 

Two wise eyes opened up and stared at them, mockingly.

- Please, a little longer, Master!  –  the boy begged, squeezing his dads' hands in his own small hands as hard as he could.

- The Qilin...  -  Lan Wangji murmured, awe-struck and pale, unable to look away.

- SO THESE ARE THE GREAT CULTIVATORS OF THIS AGE? HILARIOUS.

The voice sounded so condescending that both men frowned.

- THIS ONE IS DYING. AND THE OTHER ONE WILL FOLLOW SOON. YOU DESERVE BETTER, LAO-TZU. COME!

Wei Wuxian bit his lip. He had been hiding his secret from his husband for months now, but when he looked up, he noticed that Lan Wangji was angry, but not surprised.

- I only wish I had my sword with me, so that I could defend my family.  –  he growled, staring at the monster with all his frustration and anger.

- HA HA, IS THAT SO? WHAT COULD YOU DO, PUNY MORTAL? THIS OTHER ONE PERHAPS COULD HAVE HAD A SMALL CHANCE... HE, AFTER ALL, HAS BAOSHAN SANREN'S BLOOD IN HIS VEINS, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY NAME WORTH REMEMBERING IN THIS ERA.

The voice thundered in the hall, mocking them, and Wei Ying could literally hear his husband clenching his teeth in his helplessness and fury. He hugged his waist, leaning his head on his shoulder sadly.

- I am so sorry, beloved...  -  he murmured softly.

Lan Zhan shook his head and took the boy in his arms, saying defiantly:

- I am not letting this child go. Not now and not ever.

- Daddy, please...  -  he boy whispered, worried.

- WE HAD A DEAL. IT IS TIME, LAO-TZU. I STAYED HERE TOO LONG.

The boy nodded and sighed, and turned to face both his dads, saying carefully:

- Daddy, and Daddy, please know that I love you very much, and I know how much you longed for me, and loved me all along. My mama too. But I have to go.

Wei Ying stepped closer, hugging Lan Wangji's waist, and kissing the small child's cheek gently, crying.

- My name will be Lao Tzun, and I will be famous one day. I will return to earth in years, when the people are ready, and the new Emperor is wise. I will miss you so much...  -  he sobbed, rubbing his eyes with his tiny fists, and immediately earning kisses from both his dads.

- The Master promised me gifts, and I promised him years. I know it is hard, but it is also the best and wisest thing to do.  –  he said, still sniffing.

- Gifts, my love?  –  Lan Wangji asked gently, holding him tight in his arms.

- Yes. For you. Gifts for you.  –  he smiled.  –  I have to go now, but please love each other and remember me. We will meet again.  Now close your eyes.

***

Tears were streaking down their cheeks, but they obeyed. 

Each got a burning kiss on his cheek and the room exploded in the heat and light of the sun again, so strong that they felt it even through closed eyelids, and when they blinked again, they saw that they were back in the Jingshi   and the air was burning lava.