oceanic heart- Wangxian (English Version)

4- The Funfair

Faced with Wei Wuxian's insistence, Lan Wangji finally gave in. So the two men grabbed a coat and headed off to the famous funfair, where a festive atmosphere reigned.

-Look at all these attractions! Don't you want to try one?

-Mn.

-Can you say anything other than "mn"?

Lan Wangji didn't answer and stared at his surroundings. He'd never seen such structures. Here, people seemed to be enjoying themselves. He observed each stand and the games on offer. Wei Wuxian took his hand and guided him to a truck selling sweets.

-Don't you want some sugar?

Lan Wangji looked at him, then turned to the products, bewildered. Wei Wuxian bought six churros, and handed one Lan Wangji.

-Go ahead, taste it.

Lan Wangji grabbed the candy after a little hesitation and bit into it. After chewing a little, he observed what was left.

-Well? asked Wei Wuxian.

-Not bad.

Wei Wuxian smiled and pulled him away. Lan Wangji was stunned. He'd only just met the boy, and now he was being dragged off to who knows where. He stared at the laughing redhead, his cheeks rosy and his eyes sparkling. He couldn't help smiling. Not all humans were repulsive after all. Wei Wuxian eventually led him past a ghost train.

-Take a look. Don't you want to try it?

-Mn.

-I'll take that as a yes.

Wei Wuxian paid and pulled his friend into the carriage. Once the ride was underway, Wei Wuxian trembled with excitement. He couldn't wait to see if Lan Wangji would scare easily. His first attempts were in vain. The ride wasn't very scary. Then, when Wei Wuxian turned his head, he saw something hurtling towards him. Surprised rather than frightened, he clung to Lan Wangji's arm. Lan Wangji turned to him questioningly.

-Are you alright?

-Yes, haha...

Wei Wuxian detached himself from him and tried to regain some dignity. The attraction finally came to an end and the two continued on their way. They went through all sorts of things: shooting, slot machines, clamps... Then Wei Wuxian stopped in front of a new amusement. Seeing that his head was up, Lan Wangji looked up and saw a ball supported by two rubber bands and two metal pillars being tossed through the air.

-Lan Wangji, how about it?

Lan Wangji continued to stare at the attraction, not understanding its purpose.

-What's the point of launching yourself into the air?

-It's full of sensations, you'll see!

Wei Wuxian pulled him towards this new attraction. A few minutes later, it was their turn, and they settled into the ball.

-I hope you're not afraid of heights, haha! laughed Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji remained impassive. He stared again at his friend. The attraction began, and then the ball took off. Lan Wangji stared at his twirling hair. The sensations were there. Wanting to see if Wei Wuxian was enjoying himself as much as he was, he turned his head, and saw to his horror that the harness holding the young man was loose, and starting to go.

Wei Wuxian quickly sensed that something was wrong, and that he was about to take off. Time slowed down. His buttocks left the seat, and he closed his eyes. But he felt something grab him and pull him back against Lan Wangji's strong body. Lan Wangji gripped him tightly to prevent him from falling. Wei Wuxian continued to close his eyes, until the pull stopped.

_

-I'm very sorry, gentlemen! There's been a mistake we couldn't foresee," the showman tried to explain.

The man bowed as low as he could. Wei Wuxian could have let this pass, but Lan Wangji had ordered an apology with a killer look on his face. Now he stood there, stamping his foot, arms crossed, staring angrily at the man. Wei Wuxian took his arm.

-It's all right, Lan Wangji. Let's leave this man alone.

-If I hadn't seen it, you'd have been thrown out.

-Yeah, but I'm alive. That's enough, isn't it?

-No, it isn't.

-...

Wei Wuxian stood there, not quite sure what to do. The showman gave 400 yuan to Lan Wangji, who handed the money to Wei Wuxian. The two finally left. The silence was heavy, so Wei Wuxian tugged Lan Wangji's sleeve, so that he could look at him.

-Thank you for saving me. I'm very grateful.

Lan Wangji didn't answer. He wanted to tell the young man that he'd only done this because he had to help him in his quest, but what's the point of saying something you don't mean?

-You're welcome.

_

Lan Wangji opened the apartment door, carrying Wei Wuxian in his arms. The latter had ended up getting drunk in a bar and had fallen to the floor. Lan Wangji went to his room and laid Wei Wuxian on the bed with extreme delicacy. Then he sat down on the bed and looked at the sleeping man. He was beautiful. Far more beautiful than any fish he'd ever met. Lan Wangji had never met anyone who could match him. He leaned over Wei Wuxian's head and placed a light kiss on his temple.

-Good night, I'll be back tomorrow.

Then he got up and left the apartment for the bay, where he would spend the night.