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Part 2- Longing for you
The night was calm. Beautiful even, despite its deepening darkness, littered with specks of lights from the stars across the horizon. There was no moon tonight - only wisps of clouds gently floated along the whispering breeze.
It wasn't really cold, yet Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian into his embrace, shielding him from the caress of the wind, the kiss of the night chill.
Wei Wuxian merely snuggled closer to his husband, wrapping his arms around his husband's waist and laying his head on his husband's shoulder.
He was warm, safe and loved.
Right now, it was the only thing that mattered.
The only thing that he needed.
Forgiveness from Jiang Cheng, acceptance from Jin Ling, approval from Lan Qiren... He realized now that he would not yearn for those anymore.
Not when he had Lan Zhan by his side.
He felt Lan Zhan dropped a kiss onto his hair, heard his husband's magnetic voice in his ear, felt the rumble in his husband's chest, when his husband murmured, "What is the matter, Wei Ying?"
Wei Wuxian chuckled. "Perspective as always, Lan Zhan. How do you know that I was thinking?"
"I know Wei Ying."
The simplicity, the earnestness of Lan Zhan's answer somehow brought tears into his eyes. How could he not see sooner, how Lan Zhan had been by his side, steadfast and patient and strong, all this time?
"I was just thinking of all the things that I've been longing for, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said softly, clutching the lapels of Lan Zhan's pristine robes, like he was drowning and Lan Zhan was the only driftwood in the sea,
"I longed for Jiang Cheng's forgiveness, so one day we could be close as brothers once more. I hope that one day Jin Ling would accept me, regard me, address him as his uncle, because he is Shijie's son and I want to be there for him like I should have done long ago, if only he would let me. I wish for your uncle to grant his approval of me, of who I am, as I am, not who he wants me to be."
"Wei Ying..."
"But it's okay, Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian smiled up at his cultivational partner,
"I realize now that none of those matters anymore, because I have you now with me, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji dipped his head and captured Wei Wuxian's lips with his.
"Yours, Wei Ying," Lan Wangji said firmly. "I am yours, just as surely as Wei Ying is mine."
Abashed, Wei Wuxian laid his head on Lan Wangji's shoulder again. This time he carded their fingers together, silently marveling at how perfectly they fit.
"How about you, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asked. "Is there anything you long for?"
Wei Wuxian heard a soft exhale, felt Lan Wangji readying himself to speak.
"I long for Brother to overcome his grief. I long to be there for Brother just as he had been for me when I was in seclusion, if only he would let me." Lan Wangji confessed quietly.
Wei Wuxian caressed his husband's hand, as if by that gesture alone he was able to smooth out the pain and the sense of helplessness he knew his husband was feeling at the current predicament.
"I long for Uncle to acknowledge Wei Ying as family," Lan Wangji continued, "I long for Uncle to look at Wei Ying with respect, if not love, because Wei Ying is now part of his family too."
Wei Wuxian pulled himself away from Lan Wangji's embrace, to stare up at his husband with teary eyes.
"However, most importantly," Lan Wangji paused, to cradle Wei Wuxian's face, and used his thumbs wipe errant tears from his eyes,
"I long for Wei Ying to be safe and healthy, happy and warm, as long Wei Ying is mine."
Wei Wuxian raised Lan Wangji's hand to his lips, lightly brushing his lips across the knuckles. "Lan Zhan, I long the same for you, that you will be happy with me. And I also long for us to be together, forever. Not even death will do us apart."
Lan Wangji wrapped Wei Wuxian in his arms again, buried his nose in his hair.
