"Bound by Destiny"

Chapter 13: Growing Closer

As they stood outside their shared room, the air was cool with the promise of night, and the stars glittered like scattered jewels across the sky. Wei Wuxian's face was flushed from the day's excitement, his eyes bright even in the dim light. Lan Wangji watched him, his expression calm but with a warmth that he was slowly growing accustomed to feeling in Wei Wuxian's presence.

Wei Wuxian opened the door and stepped inside, kicking off his shoes haphazardly. "Lan Zhan, do you think we'll have more days like this?" he asked, his voice filled with a sleepy contentment as he sprawled onto the bed.

Lan Wangji followed him in, his movements precise as he set his shoes neatly by the door. He watched Wei Wuxian, whose energy, though dimmed by the onset of sleep, still radiated in the way he stretched out across the bed like a carefree kitten. "If you wish for it, Wei Ying," Lan Wangji replied, his voice soft.

Wei Wuxian rolled onto his side, propping his head up with one hand as he looked at Lan Wangji. "I do," he said earnestly, his eyes searching Lan Wangji's face as if looking for confirmation that his new husband felt the same. "I like being here with you."

Lan Wangji's heart gave a small, almost imperceptible flutter at the sincerity in Wei Wuxian's voice. It was such a simple statement, yet it carried so much weight, especially coming from someone so young and so new to the complexities of their arrangement. Lan Wangji knew that Wei Wuxian didn't fully understand the intricacies of their situation, but his innocent declaration made Lan Wangji's resolve to protect him even stronger.

"I am glad," Lan Wangji said, allowing a small, genuine smile to touch his lips.

**A Quiet Evening**

As the night settled around them, Wei Wuxian's energy finally began to fade. He yawned widely, his small body curling up on the bed. Lan Wangji, ever mindful of propriety and comfort, reached for an extra blanket and draped it over him gently. "Sleep well, Wei Ying," he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper.

Wei Wuxian mumbled something incoherent, already halfway to dreaming, and burrowed further into the blanket. Lan Wangji watched him for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. He felt a strange sense of responsibility - not just because of their marriage, but because Wei Wuxian was so young, so vulnerable in many ways, and yet so determined to face everything with a smile.

Lan Wangji moved to his own side of the room, where he settled into a meditative position, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing. His thoughts, however, kept drifting back to Wei Wuxian - the way he laughed so freely, the way he seemed to bring life into every space he entered. It was... different. A different kind of companionship than Lan Wangji had ever known.

**A New Day Dawns**

The next morning came with a soft knock on their door. Lan Wangji opened his eyes, already alert, and stood to answer it. It was one of the junior disciples, a young boy with wide eyes and a nervous expression. "Lan Wangji, there is a message from Sect Leader Jiang," the boy said, holding out a scroll.

Lan Wangji took the scroll and nodded. "Thank you," he said, his voice calm and composed. He watched as the boy bowed and quickly scurried away, then turned back to see Wei Wuxian still asleep, sprawled out in the most ungraceful manner possible.

Lan Wangji couldn't help but smile faintly at the sight before moving to unroll the scroll. The message was brief - Jiang Fengmian was requesting a meeting to discuss Wei Wuxian's training and future within the Lan Clan. Lan Wangji felt a slight twinge of concern; he knew that despite the outward calm, Jiang Fengmian was a man who carefully considered every aspect of Wei Wuxian's upbringing, especially now that he was tied to the Lan Clan through marriage.