Together

16. Blossoming Feelings

Lan Wangji continued staring at the sleeping face in front of him. Wei Wuxian seemed quite peaceful, but Lan Wangji was still worried. The wound on his head was no small injury. In fact, Lan Wangji still didn't get over his shock when the doctor said he can get up in another 4 to 5 hours. It's been nearly 4 hours and Lan Wangji didn't even move from Wei Wuxian's side. Although he tried hard to fight the sleepiness he was feeling, his body was slowly betraying him. It was already 10 in the night, and Lan Wangji wasn't used to staying up this late. Normally, he would sleep by 9 like any other member of the Gusu Lan Sect. However, right now, he desperately wanted to stay by Wei Wuxian's side and be awake when he wakes up.

However, luck was not by his side today as his body slumped forward and his eyelids started closing against his will. At that particular moment, he heard a rustle of bedsheets, snapping him back to reality. "Lan Zhan?" Lan Wangji heard the voice he so desperately wanted to hear speak. "You're awake." Lan Wangji said, feeling relieved as he lit up a candle nearby.

Wei Wuxian tried to remember what happened and finally did. While he was trying to stop Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan from fighting, he was pushed by Jiang Cheng and hit his head. Finally remembering, he tried to get up, only for his head to start spinning. Wei Wuxian winced and was about to fall back on the bed but was caught by Lan Wangji, who gently laid him back on the bed.

"Lan Zhan, can you help me up?" Wei Wuxian asked. Lan Wangji shook his head. "Wei Ying, take rest." Lan Wangji said. "Lan Zhan, how long have I been out?" "4 hours." "What? 4 hours? How did I become this weak?"

"You're stronger than I expected." Lan Wangji said, blushing slightly, making Wei Wuxian look at him in shock. "The doctor said than it would normally take 3 to 4 days to come out of coma with that kind of an injury. You, however managed to wake up after 4 hours." Lan Wangji said, full of awe.

Wei Wuxian blushed. It was true that he is stronger than others and than what he looks like. In fact, he heard these kind of praises way too often for them to even become too wary to him. However, when he heard Lan Wangji say the same, Wei Wuxian felt happy and embarrassed at the same time. "I've been told." He said, turning a deep shade of red.

"I've been out for 4 hours. Does that mean the time now is... 10?" Wei Wuxian asked, making Lan Wangji nod. "Lan Zhan, why aren't you asleep then? Don't you normally sleep by 9?" Wei Wuxian asked. Lan Wangji looked at him, ears turning red. How could he say that he had been awake for him?

Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji and smirked. "Are you saying...?" Wei Wuxian started but didn't complete, making Lan Wangji tense. "Saying?" Lan Wangji asked in a trembling voice. "You also sleep late in the night like me?" Wei Wuxian asked, making Lan Wangji look at him in shock while Wei Wuxian laughed. 

Lan Wangji tensed up when Wei Wuxian started his question but didn't complete. Did Wei Wuxian realize his feelings already? However, after hearing his teasing question, he got quite angry. Although angry, however, he realized that part of him was even relieved. This idiot was finally awake. After 4 hours!

"Lan Zhan, tell me the truth. Did you sleep or not?" Wei Wuxian asked sternly, making Lan Wangji obey and shake his head. "Why were you awake till now then? Waiting for me to wake up?" Wei Wuxian asked. This time Lan Wangji didn't respond and looked down, his ears turning red.

Wei Wuxian kept looking at Lan Wangji who remained silent. So it was true? Lan Wangji stayed awake past the curfew time for him? Right now, he didn't know whether he should be happy that Lan Wangji cares for him or whether he should be angry that Lan Wangji was straining himself for his sake. However, unknown to him, a small smile formed on his lips. "Lan Zhan, thank you. But please don't do something like this again." Wei Wuxian said to the boy in white, while smiling.

Lan Wangji was shocked when Wei Wuxian told him to not do something like this again. Does this mean Wei Wuxian didn't like his efforts for him? Feeling dejected, a small frown passed his face before he schooled his expression again. However, this didn't go unnoticed by the injured boy on bed. "Lan Zhan! I... My apologies. I didn't mean to say it in that way. I was only worried for you. You seemed really exhausted by staying next to me the whole time. I only said that to make you feel better, not with any other intention." Wei Wuxian said, giving him a warm smile.

Wei Wuxian instantly regretted the choice of his words and apologized to Lan Wangji when he saw his frown. He preferred his stoic and cold face over a disappointed one. Lan Wangji turned to Wei Wuxian after he apologized and was greeted with his smiling face. Lan Wangji's face heated up and ears turned red. His mind started thinking of all vulgar things he could do to Wei Wuxian by taking advantage of his situation. He shook his head and tried to calm himself down.

Wei Wuxian realized that Lan Wangji wasn't his usual self, although he wasn't sure what happened. He stretched out his hand and gently place it over Lan Wangji's palm to calm him down. However, it seemed to have made Lan Wangji even more nervous. He didn't understand what was going on with him. Just as Wei Wuxian was about to ask, he was pulled up by Lan Wangji. Before his mind could wrap up what was going on, Lan Wangji's arms were around his body, unwilling to let him go.

Lan Wangji was already having an internal battle with his mind and heart, or in other word the sane and insane parts. It was late in the night. Everyone was asleep. Only the two of them were awake, far away from everyone, in the same dark room with a small candle flickering. His heart was hammering so loudly in his chest, Lan Wangji was afraid Wei Wuxian would be able to hear it. Lan Wangji tried to calm himself down by shaking away all the thoughts he had. However, all his efforts went down the drain when he felt a hand touch his. Finally snapping, Lan Wangji grabbed Wei Wuxian's hand and pulled him into a hug.

Lan Wangji wanted to hug Wei Wuxian tighter than this but was afraid that he might injure the delicate boy, or even worse, have Wei Wuxian hate him. "Please." Lan Wangji begged. "Please, be careful next time. Don't act so rashly." He said, his voice quivering. One of his hands wrapped themselves around Wei Wuxian's waist while the other pushed itself into his hair, as he pressed Wei Wuxian closer to him. Lan Wangji was extremely nervous, for he expected Wei Wuxian to push him away in shock or disgust. However, something he never expected to happen, even in his dreams happened. He felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around him, as the boy in his arms leaned forward. "I promise." He heard the boy whisper.

Wei Wuxian was totally baffled with what was happening. Lan Wangji, the greatest cultivator of all time, was hugging him and shivering, while worrying about his well-being. Deep down, he was squealing with happiness. Lan Wangji, of all people, was hugging him! However, there was even a small part of him which was sad. Lan Wangji was only terrified of him because he was injured, otherwise he would've just given him his usual cold shoulder. Such a thought really was hard to digest, but Wei Wuxian tried hard not to think of it at the current moment and enjoy the hug while it lasts.

As they continued to hug each other, both young men felt a warmth in their heart, something they never felt before, and something they didn't want to end. At this moment, both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji started thinking the same thing. 'Does he like me back?' They were so immersed in their thoughts and the hug, that they didn't realize someone was peeking at them with hateful and jealous eyes.

Jiang Cheng came to visit Wei Wuxian as soon as his punishment was finished, but wasn't able to enter as he crossed the time to visit the infirmary. Hence, he decided to visit him at night, past the curfew while sneaking. As he came to the infirmary to check on Wei Wuxian, he was shocked speechless with the scene he saw in front of him. Even more than what he saw two days ago. He saw HIS Wei Ying hugging Lan Wangji and was even enjoying it!

Jiang Cheng slowly walked away from the infirmary. Enough was enough. He needed to teach Wei Wuxian a lesson. He had to make Wei Wuxian love him, even if it was in the hard way. Only then, would he stay with him.