Moonlit Hearts

Chapter 1: The Forbidden Encounter

This was written for my friend who loves WangXian as much as I do. It's a story combining mythology and Wangxian, both are things I love a lot! It was inspired by a book called "The sandman" in french.

It is my very 1st true chaptered work in english, I hope to improve my writting skills with this! it is not beta read, I read and work on it alone ! Hope you guys will like this, enjoy !

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"Every story begins somewhere, children," the old man said, his voice warm and measured, "but how does one start the tale of a man both feared and revered-the Sandman? They say his name is whispered through shadows and dreams, a figure of dread, mystery, and wonder. In the realm where imagination weaves its magic, he reigns supreme. And yet, behind the legend lies a lonely soul."

Lan Wangji leaned against the frosted window, listening as the old man wove his tale for the children nestled snugly in their beds. The Sandman-his name, his title-always felt foreign on mortal tongues. Yet, it was true: each night, he crossed the fragile threshold between reality and dreams, granting the gift of peaceful slumber to weary souls. As he departed the village that night, his thoughts lingered on the name humans had given him.

Lan Wangji, son of the snow goddess and the wind god, possessed the rare ability to summon sleep and weave beautiful dreams. His elder brother, Lan Xichen, carried a different gift-the power to awaken with the melodic notes of his flute. Together, they lived atop Gusu Mountain, their ethereal sanctuary aptly called the "Cloud Recesses."

Lan Wangji cherished his palace nestled among the clouds. The temperature was perpetually perfect for someone of his nature-not too cold, not too warm. The ethereal realm, cloaked in mist and, to his mother's greatest delight, occasionally graced with snow, had once been a place of happiness. Yet, since her passing, the snow had become a rare and bittersweet occurrence. Raised under the stern gaze of his uncle, the god of the stars, Wangji had grown into a figure of unyielding discipline and precision. His uncle's firm and celestial nature shaped him into the embodiment of order and restraint.

This rigid demeanor set him apart from others, especially children, who kept their distance out of respect-and a touch of fear. Wangji found solace in their avoidance. He hadn't sought friendship, nor had he yearned for their company. The nickname "Sandman" first emerged during a childhood incident, when he refused to share his possessions with another child. A scuffle ensued, and in the heat of the moment, his powers accidentally put the child to sleep. By the next day, whispers of the "Sandman" spread, inspired by the powdery, snow-like substance he used to summon dreams. Though initially annoyed that his luminous dream dust was compared to common sand, he soon embraced the name. If it instilled fear and kept people at arm's length, all the better.

Over time, Wangji learned to wield his abilities with gentleness, his presence alone soothing even the most restless souls. The peace he brought was profound, a balm to weary hearts. But even this gentle touch could not erase the isolation that shadowed his existence. Beyond the rare visits from his brother, Lan Xichen, Wangji's days and nights were cloaked in solitude.

Though he lived to guide mortals in their dreams, direct contact with them was strictly forbidden. It was a rule he followed without question, for the balance between the divine and mortal realms was fragile. This distance was necessary, or so he told himself. Yet the swirling rumors and eerie stories surrounding his name made the separation feel heavier. While they served to ensure the world kept its distance, they also reminded him of the vast divide he could never cross.

Deep within the quiet of his heart, Wangji could not help but wonder if the loneliness he carried was the price of his gifts-or if it was something else entirely.