Little Lan Demon

32. Apple Kiss

In the serene valleys of Cloud Recess, where the morning mist kissed the peaks, the quiet of the early hour was disrupted by the determined rise of Lan Wangji.

It was 7:00 AM, and a promise made the night before weighed heavily on Lan Wangji's mind became he had vowed to bring an apple to Wei Wuxian as an apology, a gesture that seemed simple but held immense significance in their fraught relationship.

After a quick shower, Lan Wangji dressed meticulously, each movement reflecting his mischievous nature.

Breakfast was a rushed affair but Lan Wangji's thoughts were consumed by the task at hand so he needed to find the perfect apple, one that could potentially soften the heart of the ruthless Wei Wuxian, the alpha he had reluctantly come to despise yet inexplicably drawn to.

Meanwhile, across Lan sect, Wei Wuxian awakened in a hospital bed, the sterile scent of antiseptic and the rhythmic beeping of old medicinal instruments surrounding him.

It was a stark contrast to Wei Wuxian's former life as a commander, where he thrived in chaos and battle but today, he faced the uncomfortable reality of being a patient, confined and vulnerable, his body still healing from severe injuries.

The Lan Healers had declared that it would take months for his wounds to fully mend, leaving him restless and irritable.

Oblivious to Wei Wuxian’s discomfort, Lan Wangji made his way to a nearby orchard, his determination unwavering.

Lan Wangji wandered among the trees, he meticulously inspected each apple, searching for the one that would convey his apology effectively.

Lan Wangji was aware of the animosity between them, but perhaps, he hoped, a sweet fruit could break the ice.

As Lan Wangji approached the hospital, he felt a mixture of anxiety and determination.

The thought of facing Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji filled him with trepidation because their encounters had always been laced with tension, and this time would be no different.

Upon entering Wei Wuxian’s hospital room, Lan Wangji found him lying still, eyes closed.

Lan Wangji thought, tiptoeing closer, "He must be asleep."

Just as Lan Wangji placed the freshly picked apple on the bedside table, Wei Wuxian’s hand shot out, grabbing Lan Wangji’s wrist with surprising strength.

Wei Wuxian's voice dripped with irritation as he glared at Lan Wangji, “Brat omega, why do you keep bothering me?”

Lan Wangji's heart raced; he had been caught as he stammered, trying to sound casual despite the sudden flutter of nerves, “I brought you an apple.”

Wei Wuxian eyed the apple skeptically, suspicion etched across his features, so he says, “You think I would eat something from you? What’s your angle?”

Lan Wangji declared, trying to sound earnest, “I’m here to apologize. It’s a fresh apple, picked just for you.”

Wei Wuxian replied, crossing his arms defiantly, “Yeah, right. I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Feeling the weight of his earlier efforts, Lan Wangji sighed, “I searched for hours to find the perfect one. You won’t even give it a chance?”

Wei Wuxian challenged, a wicked grin spreading across his face, "I'll eat it if you take a bite first. Who knows, maybe you have deliberately mixed poison in it and are plotting to kill me? Why did I trust you?"