Moonlit Hearts

Chapiter 3: Shadows and Tea: An Unexpected Connection

After regretting his harsh words that night, Wangji had hoped his sternness would finally dissuade Wei Ying from his persistent attempts at friendship. Yet, much to his confusion, it hadn't. Somewhere along the way, Wangji had begun to think of Wei Wuxian as Wei Ying in his own thoughts-a habit that had crept in without notice and now felt oddly natural.

Despite his cold facade, Wangji found himself strangely moved by Wei Ying's unrelenting determination. No one had ever shown such resolve in breaching the walls-both literal and emotional-Wangji had built. Though he concealed his feelings well, he was not immune to the warmth of such unyielding attention.

For years, Wangji had lived a life of solitude, his only company being a handful of disciples under his uncle's guidance. His duties as the Sandman allowed little interaction beyond what was necessary. Yet, even if he wouldn't admit it aloud, there was a part of him that didn't entirely resent Wei Ying's visits. Wangji never lied, after all.

If he believed his aloofness and stern refusals would discourage Wei Ying, he had underestimated him entirely. Wei Ying had perfected the art of scaling the towering walls of the Cloud Recesses, and now Wangji often returned from his duties to find him perched atop them, grinning and waving as if it were the most natural thing in the world. For thirty-two nights, Wei Ying simply smiled at him, content with just being seen.

But on the thirty-third night, things changed. Beneath the soft glow of the full moon, Wangji returned, his body weary from hours of lectures delivered by his uncle-lectures on rules, decorum, and the importance of boundaries. Fatigue weighed heavily on him, and all he desired was to collapse into the quiet sanctuary of his bed.

Unfortunately, that night, Wei Ying decided to break his silence. As Wangji entered the courtyard, hoping to ignore his ever-present visitor, Wei Ying called his name. Loudly. And with increasing vigor.
"Lan Zhan! Are you deaf tonight, or just determined to avoid me?" Wei Ying's playful voice rang out, echoing through the courtyard.

Wangji sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as weariness weighed him down. It was going to be a long night.

"Lan Zhan! Hey! Hello!" Wei Ying's persistent calls only grew louder.

With a deep breath, Wangji turned toward him, his expression stoic but laced with a flicker of irritation. "Wei Ying, it is late. I need rest."

Wei Ying, undeterred, leaped gracefully from the wall, landing with a playful grin. "Late? Lan Zhan, the night is still young! The moon and the night-they come alive together!"

Wangji arched a single brow at the dramatics. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"

Gesturing grandly to the full moon above, Wei Ying grinned wider. "The moon, Lan Zhan! Look at it tonight-so bright, so beautiful. It's practically begging us to enjoy it together."

"You cannot persist in scaling my walls and invading my realm simply to admire the moon," Wangji replied, his voice low and heavy with exasperation.

Wei Ying laughed, the sound light and teasing. "Oh, come now. Life is far more interesting with company! And I am not just anyone-I'm the God of Night, for heaven's sake! If I can't admire the moon, who can?"

Wangji's grip on his sword tightened. He sighed, knowing ignoring Wei Ying wouldn't work tonight. "You're insufferably shameless."

The moonlight bathed the garden, its glow soft and serene. Wei Ying, undeterred by Wangji's scolding, tilted his head and smiled. "Lan Zhan, tell me this: if you truly despise me, say so, and I'll never bother you again. But if that's not the case, let's just talk. No fights, no games-just talk."

Wangji's eyes lingered on Wei Ying for a moment before he gave a silent nod. There was something in Wei Ying's persistence that chipped away at his defenses, a sincerity he couldn't ignore.