The few days before QiXi passed by in a blur, time going so quickly it was hardly noticeable. Now that Wei WuXian was sleeping properly, his energy levels were higher. The continued good nutrition (despite the disappointing and perpetual lack of flavour countered only by copious use of Popo's chili sauce, courtesy of Lan WangJi) and regular exercise kept him strong and helped him become stronger still. The resentful energy kept building within at the increased rate, so Wei WuXian made it a habit to release it both morning and night, often adding a small purge during Meditation practices in the afternoon. All in all, a pleasant, healthy routine was maintained on a physical level.
Unfortunately, no significant progress was made on the investigation. Lan XiChen had identified the individual tasked with overseeing the purging of Nightless City, only to discover they had delegated – Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi both preferred the word 'abandoned' – their duty to the leader of a smaller, secondary Clan, hardly more than a large Family. This information had resulted in a closed-door meeting with the intended overseer and Lan WangJi as the Chief Cultivator. The chastened Cultivator left the meeting to immediately enter secluded meditation, passing his responsibilities to his heir for the foreseeable future. A message had been sent to the actual overseer requesting he attend Cloud Recesses for a meeting with the Chief Cultivator as soon as possible. No response had been received yet, nor had he presented himself at the Gates. Wang Xiu continued to labour in the Library, going through all information that was received, setting aside mentions of Yin Iron for Wei WuXian's attention and further research. Wei WuXian dedicated his mornings to tracking down every snippet of information regarding Yin Iron that was discovered and his afternoons to physical and spiritual cultivation.
At last, the morning of the QiXi festival and banquet arrived. Excited nerves afflicted Wei WuXian and he had, most unusually, arisen at the same time as Lan WangJi. While Lan WangJi followed through with his usual morning rituals, Wei WuXian spent the meditation time extracting and releasing as much resentful energy as possible, knowing it would be difficult to find time to do so later in the day. Wei WuXian was looking forward to experiencing his first QiXi Festival with Lan WangJi, thinking back to the fun, carefree times of his youth in Lotus Pier and the innocent delights of festival foods and crowds, laughter and games shared with his siblings. A bittersweet pang was felt for the loss – both permanent and chosen – of his sister and brother, but nothing could shake the building anticipation of a day spent in the company of his soulmate, on an occasion devoted to the most famous love story ever heard.
Wei WuXian very deliberately chose to wear his Lan white and pale blue robes for the day, hoping his husband would see it as the romantic declaration of adoration and belonging it was intended to convey. For his part, Lan WangJi dressed in the darkest blue robes he owned, intending a similar statement. When the two men stepped from behind the privacy screens to reveal their chosen attire to each other, the appropriate expressions of appreciation – kissing, hugging, miscellaneous fondling – ended by requiring them to re-robe, which activity was heartily enjoyed by both men, appropriate to the sentimental holiday as it was.
Shortly after the morning meal, Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian joined the chattering disciples streaming out of the Gates, toward the festivities to be enjoyed in Gusu. Many vendors had set out their wares along the roadways and squares. Calls of children, the bright, blushing faces of maidens and youths, sweet scents of treats... everything contributed to the festive mood. Flowers were everywhere – tied in bunches and tossed from balconies to lovers below, presented with graceful bows to in-laws by newlyweds, shared with shy glances between adolescent sweethearts and swiftly tucked into robes for preservation. A beaming Wei WuXian wandered through Gusu on Lan WangJi's arm, delighting in his first QiXi as a married man, his first in Gusu, his first with his soulmate at his side.
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WangXian Untamed Together
FanficSequel to WangXian Untamed. Two souls bonded beyond death into a second life. They will do whatever it takes to protect their world, their loved ones and each other. Anything - as long as they're together.
