Lan Zhan's Untamed (Lan Zhan x Wei Wuxian)

Have you eaten Lotus Pod?

Being away from you is the hardest, I wish I could be with you forever.

The cool breeze caresses my naked torso as I close my eyes and cherish the solitude within. The change in climate makes me wonder, how is Wei? He never liked the cool climate of Gusu. He's like the warm summer that shines its brightest on a sunny day.

You're my sunshine, Wei Ying.

I wonder how you are? What would you be doing now? Last I heard you're back in Yunmeng. Should I pay you a visit? Would you like that? At the thought of Yunmeng, I remisince our one such conversation where you asked me to accompany you to Yunmeng and you offered to feed me the Lotus Pod there. You said they were the best. 

Turning to face my brother, I admire his posture. He like me is on a head stand position, resting the entire weight on his right forearm and his legs are straight above. To others this is a normal punishment that one receives in Gusu. For us, it's mere meditation. They say we're mirror image of eachother, but to us, we're poles apart. He's more emotional and he often teases me to be the cold one.

"Brother"

"Wangji" he replies with his eyes closed as I ponder on how to ask him my question. At the end, I just blurt out my thoughts "Have you ever picked out Louts pods?". He opens his eyes slowly and turns to look at me. With a slight furrow between his brows, he shakes his head "No Wangji, I have never picked Lotus Pods". I sigh. I realise there isn't any need for it. If anyone in Gusu wishes to eat some, they just need to make it known.

"Change of hands" my brother declares and in unison, we change our stand from right to left. Breathing deeply, I am lost in my thoughts when I blurt out another fact "I have heard the lotus pod with its steam still attached to it, is the most delicious" I look at him and see him smile kindly at me. His eyes reflect that of a parent indulging their kid's conversation. "Do you wish to eat some, Wangji?" and I shake my head. It won't be the same. I sigh inwardly.

The silence between us is comfortable. Never before we needed any words. We were always contended. But today, my mind was wavering, it was impossible to mediate. Before he could continue, something in his peripheral catches his interest and his body shakes with a light laughter. "Wangji, you have a guest" and I turn to look at the direction to where he points out and in seconds, one of Wei's rabbit comes barging towards me.

"Out" I command and yet it refuses to listen to me and continues to play around my hand. Subtle laughter of my brother make me look at him. "Is this the boisterous one?" He enquires and I nod. "Wangji, it's good to be boisterous at times, there's nothing wrong with it" and I look away. Wei's bunny now becoming impatient, nudges his nose against my elbow, asking me to play with him. Caress him. Scared that he'll hurt himself, I change my hand.

"It's not time yet to change the hand" brother's voice resonates and I comply with him. Wei's rabbit continues to create ruckus when brother enquires "Where is the other one? Aren't they always together? Or does be prefer solitude like someone I know?" Brother teases me and I look at the bunny trying to pull the end of my ribbon.

"He'll be here soon" the moment I make the statement, true to my words, the other bunny comes in search of his companion. The one next to me gets excited and in that one moment, he pulls my ribbon and runs towards his partner. Next second, my hair gets undone and splays like a curtain all around my face and my eyes widen. Using my other hand, I swipe my hair to one side to look at my brother laugh at my plight. The bunny who took my band is all cuddled up and entangled with his companion next to my forearm and a unknown feeling stirs up within me ... Envy?

"What are their names?" Brother questions and I am too embarrassed so I shake my head and refuse to answer. The remaining hours are spent in silence and I enjoy the new company.