"Bound by Destiny"

Chapter 23 : Healing Through Time

The air was heavy with the scent of morning dew, and the sky was awash with pale hues of dawn as Wei Wuxian sat on the outer steps of the Cold Springs, his legs tucked beneath him, watching the ripples in the water. It had been nearly three years since his marriage to Lan Wangji, and though they had weathered many storms together, the weight of the world around them had yet to relent.

Lan Wangji watched from afar, as he often did, careful to give Wei Wuxian the space he needed. Over the past years, their relationship had grown, albeit in ways that neither could have anticipated. The boyish charm and carefree nature that had once been Wei Wuxian’s most defining traits had started to fade, replaced by the quiet, contemplative nature of a young man burdened by expectations too heavy for his slender shoulders.

But what troubled Lan Wangji most were the subtle signs of Wei Wuxian’s insecurities — the way his hands occasionally fidgeted when they were alone, the distant look in his eyes when they sat in meetings with the elders, and the slight hesitation before every word he spoke in public. The rumors about their marriage had grown louder in recent months, whispers of failure, inadequacy, and even suggestions that the marriage should be dissolved. And though Lan Wangji had done everything in his power to shield Wei Wuxian from these harsh words, he knew that some had inevitably reached his ears.

Today was no different. Lan Wangji approached slowly, his presence calm but commanding as always. Wei Wuxian heard him but didn’t turn around. Instead, he sighed softly, his fingers brushing the cool stone beneath him.

“You don’t have to pretend, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian said, his voice quiet. “I know what they say.”

Lan Wangji paused, the soft morning light catching his features as he stood just behind Wei Wuxian. “Let them say what they will. It does not change anything.”

Wei Wuxian let out a bitter chuckle, his gaze still fixed on the water. “It changes everything. People listen to them. People expect things from us.” His voice lowered, tinged with frustration and sadness. “They expect me to be someone I’m not.”

Lan Wangji’s heart clenched. Wei Wuxian had been dealing with this in silence for far too long. Without another word, Lan Wangji stepped closer and sat down beside him, letting their shoulders brush slightly. His hand hovered near Wei Wuxian’s for a moment before he gently took it in his.

“I’ve never asked you to be anyone other than who you are, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji said softly, his voice filled with quiet conviction.

Wei Wuxian’s fingers tightened slightly around Lan Wangji’s hand, though his gaze remained downcast. “But they do. They keep talking about heirs, about continuing the bloodline, about how I’m too… too young, too weak.” He paused, his breath catching in his throat. “I’m not what they want for you.”

Lan Wangji frowned, his thumb brushing softly over Wei Wuxian’s knuckles. “They do not know you as I do. They do not understand.”

Wei Wuxian finally turned to look at him, his eyes searching Lan Wangji’s face for answers. “What if they’re right, Lan Zhan? What if… what if you deserve more? What if you deserve someone who can give you what they want?”

Lan Wangji’s expression softened as he held Wei Wuxian’s gaze, his voice unwavering as he replied, “I do not care what they want. I care about you. What we want.”

There was a long pause as Wei Wuxian studied him, his lips parting slightly as if to argue, but no words came out. Instead, his eyes glistened with the tears he had held back for far too long. Lan Wangji’s heart ached at the sight, and he reached up to gently cup Wei Wuxian’s face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that threatened to fall.