Soulmates are a thing?!

Part 6

                      Lan Wangji woke up at 5 am as he did every day. This day was particularly different since he woke up entangled with a beautiful sleeping Wei Wuxian. He was fighting not to panic and wake up the young man in his arms. Wei Wuxian's face was relaxed with a small smile as his dark, messy hair lay spread on the pillow beside him. Through the night, the boy had somehow ended up lying halfway on top of Lan Wangji. The boy's head was comfortably pillowed on his chest.

                   This was like something from a dream he had never allowed himself to entertain. He had thought his aversion to touch would have made it impossible yet he was happy Wei Ying was touching him. It was peaceful. For a few seconds, he entertained the idea that Wei Ying loved him instead of knowing that his soulmate was forced to be with him because of a curse. Lan Wangji had always been a realist and forced himself out of bed for his medically necessary music session, hoping not to wake the other.

                  At around 8 a.m., there was a knock on Lan Wangji's door. He was surprised to see Madam Yu there, looking expectant. Not seeing movement behind him, she sighed and asked him to lead her to Wei Wuxian. Reaching the bedroom, he was stunned at seeing the legendary Zidian activate. She gave him a warning look not to get involved. 

                  To his horror, the whip wrapped around Wei Wuxian's left foot, and she proceeded to get the man out of bed and through the door to the back forest. Wei Wuxian had panicked when he hit the floor but, seeing his predicament, just lay there as he was dragged away. When they arrived by the river at the bottom of the waterfall, she tossed him in. Lan Wangji watched as the boy sputtered water but still bowed respectfully to Madam Yu waiting for orders. 

                  This was really a new side to Wei Wuxian that Lan Wangji had never seen. "Wei Ying, we are stepping up your training, remember? You will be marrying Lan-er-gongzi and need to be able to protect yourself and your new position from anyone who tries to discredit you. You don't want to be used as a way to hurt your husband's reputation. You will do your workout under the falls today while I give you situations, and you will give me motives. Then we will spar for an hour...your lover may join us for that if he wants." Lan Wangji left for his own training, feeling upset that Wei Wuxian was being tortured because he agreed to marry him.

                   An hour before dinner, he drew a bath and used a talisman to keep the water warm. It made him happy that when Wei Wuxian came in dirty and exhausted, he still gave Lan Wangji a blinding smile. Lan Wangji got up from his work desk and led Wei Wuxian by the arm toward the privacy screen. "I drew you a bath." Wei Ying's tired eyes softened, and his smile became more private, stealing Lan Wangji's breath away. " Thank you, Lan Zhan. You didn't have to." Lan Wangji's ears were burning as he walked away to let Wei Wuxian bathe in private.

                 It was torture listening to Wei Wuxian talk about his day while splashing around in the tub. Knowing that just behind the privacy screen, the man was naked and wet but out of his reach. Torture. "Anyway, Lan Zhan, you should really join us to spar tomorrow. It will be fun to have a real spar with you." "Mn, I will go." 

                  That small response to appease Wei Wuxian backfired since the man came out from behind the privacy screen wet with just a towel around his waist. His hair was plastered to his toned torso with a bright smile and wide, surprised eyes. "Really Lan Zhan? That's great! I... Lan Zhan, are you ok?" Lan Wangji couldn't think. 

                   In a trance-like state, he walked up to the concerned Wei Wuxian. When he was close enough, his hand came up and moved a stray hair behind Wei Wuxian's ear. The man turned red, and his breathing was ragged. Looking at him in a daze, Lan Wangji fought his body for control. "Wei Ying, you will catch a cold. Go get dressed." He walked to his Guqin and started playing "Calming" repeatedly. 

                    Wei Wuxian watched Lan Wangji play, the cold being the farthest thing from his mind. He felt scorching hot where Lan Wangji's finger had touched his cheek. More subdued, he walked behind the privacy screen to get dressed, his mind working a mile a minute. Lan Zhan had said he didn't like touching others, but he had touched Wei Wuxian so gently. It made him feel treasured. He had expected to feel uncomfortable with another boy touching him so intimately, but he didn't.

                     Actually, he wanted more. Then again, hadn't he always wanted Lan Zhan's attention? He had always asked Lan Zhan to look at him, latching on to Lan Zhan's robes when he learned the other boy disliked touching. Even now that he had the man's attention, he wanted more. Was this the soulmate link, or did he truly like Lan Zhan? No Madam Yu would have ended up with his father if the soul link worked like that. So, I guess I have actually always liked Lan Zhan. 

                     The thought was actually relieving since they were getting married soon. Now, he just had to figure out how to get Lan Zhan not to fight the soul link. Hmm, he needed a plan. He refused to ask Madam Yu for help on how to seduce his soon-to-be husband. The man barely even held his hand.

                     The diner went by quietly, which made Lan Wangji worry. Wei Wuxian had that look on his face that he had come to associate with more elaborate pranks. He finished eating quickly while Wei Wuxian munched on his barely touched food. "Wei Ying, what's wrong? You are not eating." The boy's eyes came back into focus and seemed sheepish. "Ayo, sorry, Lan Zhan. I am just not used to the food here. It is very different from Yummeng food that has more spice." 

                     SPICE! Lan Wangji had completely forgotten about the hot sauce he had bought for Wei Wuxian. Reaching into his sleeve under the boy's curious silver eyes, he pulled out what a merchant had stated was the spiciest hot sauce in Caiyi. Wei Wuxian's eyes got as big as saucers, and his smile was brilliant. He quickly gave it to Wei Wuxian, who covered most of his plate with it vibrating with joy. 

                     He said nothing but felt that his heart might escape from his chest, knowing he was the cause of his soulmate's happiness. Wei Ying blushed as he used the hand not holding his chopsticks to gently grab Lan Wangji's hand. They held hands throughout Wei Wuxian's entire meal.

                     After dinner, they went through their nightly rituals separately, pretending that there was nothing strange about holding hands until bedtime. Laying in bed that night, both boys were even more conscious of each other's presence. Lan Wangji pretended to sleep by evening out his breathing even though he could feel Wei Ying's eyes on him. "Lan Zhan... are you awake?" was whispered with a light poke to Lan Wangji's arm, but he remained silent. 

                The setting was too intimate for innocent thoughts all his focus was on keeping control of his mind. Wei Wuxian let out a heavy sigh. He scooted closer to Lan Wangji, hugging his arm and wrapping one leg over his. Then he gently laid his head on Lan Wangji's shoulder and fell asleep within minutes. Lan Wangjicouldn't stay awake much longer even with his internal panic. The Lan bed time too ingrained in his body. Two more days passed in this manner lulling him into a false sense of security. He should have known better.