Wei Wuxian's cheeks warmed with Lan Wangji’s unexpected praise, and he quickly looked away, feeling a flurry of emotions he couldn't quite name. The seriousness in Lan Wangji's voice, combined with that subtle warmth in his eyes, made his heart flutter in a way that was unfamiliar to him. Determined to hide his embarrassment, Wei Wuxian straightened up and flashed a bright grin.
"Well, Lan Zhan, since you're here, how about you teach me yourself?" he challenged, his tone playful but earnest. "Show me how to make this dance less awkward."
Lan Wangji seemed to consider this for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Very well," he agreed. "But you must follow my lead."
Wei Wuxian jumped up, his energy renewed. "Alright! Just don’t get upset if I step on your feet,” he teased.
Lan Wangji’s lips twitched ever so slightly at the corner, a faint glimmer of amusement. “We shall see.”
They moved to an open area of the training hall, and Lan Wangji took his place opposite Wei Wuxian. He began with the first steps, his movements fluid and graceful, like water flowing over stones. Wei Wuxian watched carefully, his own feet beginning to mimic the pattern.
“Focus on your breathing,” Lan Wangji instructed softly, his voice calm and steady. “Let your movements flow from your core. Feel the rhythm, not just in your feet, but in your entire body.”
Wei Wuxian nodded, trying to follow Lan Wangji’s guidance. He took a deep breath and attempted to mirror Lan Wangji’s steps, but his feet seemed too heavy, his movements too clumsy. He stumbled, nearly falling into Lan Wangji, who caught him gently by the arm.
“Careful,” Lan Wangji murmured, his hand warm and steady against Wei Wuxian's arm. “Don’t rush. Let the dance guide you.”
Wei Wuxian took another deep breath, calming his racing heart. He focused again, this time moving more slowly, trying to match Lan Wangji’s pace. As they moved together, Wei Wuxian began to feel the rhythm that Lan Wangji spoke of. He let the movements guide him, imagining it as a conversation between them, each step a word, each turn a sentence.
Gradually, the clumsiness faded, and Wei Wuxian found himself moving with more ease. He could feel Lan Wangji’s presence beside him, a steady anchor, guiding him without words. For a moment, everything else faded away — the worries about the marriage, the whispers of the other disciples, even the weight of the expectations placed upon him. All that remained was the quiet connection between him and Lan Wangji.
Lan Wangji nodded in approval. “Better,” he said softly. “You are beginning to understand.”
Wei Wuxian grinned, his confidence growing. “Of course I am! With you as my teacher, how could I not?”
They continued to practice late into the night, the moon rising high above the Cloud Recesses, casting a silver glow over the courtyard. Wei Wuxian’s steps became lighter, his movements more assured. And through it all, Lan Wangji remained patient, his presence calm and unwavering.
**A New Understanding**
As the days went by, Wei Wuxian continued to practice the Phoenix Dance with Lan Wangji, and with each session, he found himself growing more comfortable in the Cloud Recesses. Though the rigid rules still felt stifling at times, there was a sense of peace in knowing that he was not alone in this unfamiliar place. Lan Wangji’s quiet strength became a source of comfort for him, a steady presence in the midst of all the changes.
One evening, after a particularly intense practice session, they sat together on the steps of the training hall, catching their breath. Wei Wuxian stretched his legs out in front of him, his muscles aching but his heart light.
“Lan Zhan,” he began, “do you ever wish things could be different? That we didn’t have to follow so many rules?”
Lan Wangji glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. “The rules are there to guide us, to keep us disciplined and focused. But…” He paused, as if searching for the right words. “There are times when I wonder if there is more to life than just following rules.”
Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
Lan Wangji’s lips twitched slightly. “Even I have my doubts, Wei Ying. But it is not always easy to voice them.”
Wei Wuxian nodded, understanding. “I think… rules are important, sure, but they shouldn’t be everything. Life should have room for fun, for laughter, for… for things that make us happy.”
Lan Wangji looked at him, his gaze intense. “What makes you happy, Wei Ying?”
Wei Wuxian hesitated, caught off guard by the question. “I don’t know… I guess being with the people I care about. Doing things that make me feel alive. Like… like dancing with you, even if I’m terrible at it.”
Lan Wangji’s eyes softened. “You are not terrible,” he replied quietly. “You are learning. And you are… different from anyone I have ever met.”
Wei Wuxian’s cheeks flushed again, and he quickly looked away, feeling a warmth in his chest. “Well, I’ll take that as a compliment, Lan Zhan. Thank you.”
**The Night of the Red Moon**
As the wedding day drew nearer, the preparations intensified. The Cloud Recesses buzzed with activity — disciples hurried to decorate the halls with red lanterns and silk banners, flowers were woven into garlands, and musicians practiced their instruments for the grand celebration. Wei Wuxian found himself swept up in the excitement, even as he struggled to understand what this marriage truly meant for him.
One evening, Lan Xichen called a meeting in the main hall to discuss the final arrangements. Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and several elders gathered, their faces lit by the warm glow of lanterns.
“Wei-gongzi,” Lan Xichen began gently, “as the time for the ceremony approaches, there are certain rituals you must perform to honor our ancestors and the spirits of our sect. These rituals are important to ensure that the marriage is blessed and that you and Wangji will have a harmonious union.”
Wei Wuxian nodded, though he felt a pang of anxiety. “What do I need to do?”
Lan Xichen explained the series of rituals: offerings to the ancestors, prayers at the ancestral hall, and a ceremonial cleansing of the spirit with blessed water from the sect’s sacred spring. Wei Wuxian listened carefully, trying to memorize each step, but his mind kept drifting back to the questions that had been nagging at him. What would his life be like after the marriage? Would he truly be happy in a place so different from Lotus Pier?
That night, unable to sleep, Wei Wuxian wandered the grounds, his thoughts swirling like leaves in the wind. As he walked, he spotted Lan Wangji by the sacred spring, his silhouette bathed in the pale light of the red moon. Wei Wuxian approached quietly, drawn by the sight of his future partner standing alone, deep in thought.
“Lan Zhan,” he called softly, not wanting to startle him.
Lan Wangji turned, his expression unreadable in the moonlight. “Wei Ying,” he replied, his voice calm. “Why are you not resting? The ceremony is soon. You should be prepared.”
Wei Wuxian shrugged, moving closer. “I couldn’t sleep. Too many thoughts, I guess.”
Lan Wangji nodded in understanding. “What troubles you?”
Wei Wuxian hesitated, then sighed. “I just… I wonder what will happen after the marriage. Will I be expected to stay here forever? To follow all the rules without question?”
Lan Wangji’s eyes softened, and he took a step closer. “I do not know what the future holds, Wei Ying. But I do know that… you will always have a place here, if you wish it. And I will do my best to… make it a place where you can be yourself.”
Wei Wuxian’s heart warmed at the sincerity in Lan Wangji’s voice. “Thank you, Lan Zhan,” he whispered. “I think… maybe it won’t be so bad, as long as you’re around.”
They stood there for a moment, the silence between them filled with an unspoken understanding.
YOU ARE READING
"Bound by Destiny"
Fanfic"Bound by Destiny" is a tale of love unfolding amidst trials, a story of two souls finding their way to each other in a world where fate and duty are often the harshest of masters. #wangxian ff bxb story Age gap story Mature content characters ar...
