"Bound by Destiny"

Chapter 7: The Night Before the Wedding

The red moon hung low in the sky, casting an otherworldly glow over the Cloud Recesses. The air was thick with anticipation, and Wei Wuxian could feel a certain heaviness in his chest. The conversation with Lan Wangji by the sacred spring had comforted him, but it had also brought a new wave of emotions he wasn’t sure how to handle. Would he be able to truly fit in here, among all these rules and traditions? And what did this marriage really mean for him and Lan Wangji?

Wei Wuxian shook his head, trying to dispel the doubts. “No use worrying about it now,” he muttered to himself, heading back to his room. But even as he settled into bed, his thoughts continued to swirl, and sleep refused to come. After what felt like hours, he decided he couldn’t lie there any longer. He slipped out of bed, dressed quickly, and crept out into the night.

The halls were quiet, the lanterns flickering softly in the darkness. Wei Wuxian found himself wandering aimlessly, his feet carrying him without any real direction. Eventually, he found himself standing outside the room where Lan Wangji usually stayed.

**A Late-Night Visit**

Before he could second-guess himself, Wei Wuxian knocked softly on the door. There was a brief pause, and then the door opened. Lan Wangji stood there, looking slightly surprised to see him.

“Wei Ying,” he greeted softly. “It is late. You should be resting.”

Wei Wuxian rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. “I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted. “Too many thoughts in my head. Can I come in?”

Lan Wangji hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside to let him in. The room was neat and orderly, just as Wei Wuxian had expected. A single lantern flickered on the low table, casting soft shadows against the walls.

Wei Wuxian sat down on the edge of the bed, his hands fidgeting nervously in his lap. “Lan Zhan, do you ever feel… scared?” he asked suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I mean, about the future. About… what’s going to happen tomorrow?”

Lan Wangji considered the question for a moment before replying. “Sometimes,” he admitted quietly. “But fear is not always a weakness, Wei Ying. It can be a sign that something matters to you.”

Wei Wuxian nodded slowly, letting the words sink in. “I guess that makes sense,” he murmured. “I just… I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

Lan Wangji moved to sit beside him, keeping a respectful distance. “You do not have to be ready, Wei Ying,” he said gently. “You just have to be yourself. That is enough.”

Wei Wuxian looked up at him, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You always know the right thing to say, Lan Zhan,” he teased, though his voice was soft and sincere.

Lan Wangji’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. “I am only honest,” he replied.

They sat there in silence for a while, the tension slowly easing away. Wei Wuxian felt a sense of calm settle over him, a feeling of comfort in Lan Wangji’s presence. Eventually, he leaned back against the wall, his eyelids growing heavy.

“Maybe… maybe I’ll just stay here for a bit,” he murmured, his voice drowsy. “Just until I feel like going back to my room…”

Lan Wangji nodded. “Rest, if you need to,” he said softly.

Within moments, Wei Wuxian’s breathing slowed, and his eyes fluttered shut. Lan Wangji watched him for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before carefully draping a light blanket over him. He sat beside Wei Wuxian, keeping silent vigil as the night stretched on.