Chapter Text
“A-Niang we’re gonna be late to my own engagement ceremony!” Wei Wuxian said as his mother once again combed through his unruly hair.
“And who’s fault would that be?” She asked as she fondly rolled her eyes. Not even on one of the most important days of his life so far could she get her son to wake up on time. She’d had to drag him out of bed and force him to take a bath as she prepared everything she would need to get him looking presentable.
Wei Wuxian scratched his nose and looked to the side, “Okay. Point made.”
Lu Yichen laughed, “Yeah. I thought you’d say that. Now stop moving around so that I can finish combing through these knots.”
Wei Wuxian sighed as he went back to reading the book Lan Wangji had gifted him. He’d heard Wei Wuxian say he was bored of the books at the library and so he’d surprised him the next day with an adventure book he’d bought at Caiyi Town. Wei Wuxian smiled at the reminder of how great Lan Wangji was, his future fiancé. He couldn’t wait to be engaged to the other boy.
His mother handed the comb to him, bringing him out of his reverie. He grabbed it and placed it on the low table he was kneeling in front of. He then grabbed the white ribbon on the table and handed it to his mother. She began expertly tying a proper ponytail, one that didn’t look like it had been tied up by a seven-year-old like the ones Wei Wuxian usually wore.
Once she finished, she squeezed his shoulder, signaling for him to stand up. He stood up and turned around to look at his mother. She smiled brightly at him, eyes watery. “You look beautiful a-Ying.” she said, voice sounding emotional.
Wei Wuxian laughed and grabbed her hand, “A-niang don’t cry!”
She wiped the single tear that had managed to escape from her eyes and shook her head, “I can’t help it! My 15-year-old son is getting engaged! You’re all grown up now!”
Wei Wuxian sat down beside her on the bed and rested his head on her shoulder, “No I’m not! I’m just three-year olds.” He said, making his voice sound as cute as possible as he raised three fingers. His mother laughed and grabbed his hand. “Is that so?” She said.
“Mhm.” Wei Wuxian said nodding. “I still need a-niang to help me.”
“Hm, and what does a-Ying need help with?” She asked teasingly. Wei Wuxian immediately stood up and went to his old room, the one he lived in before he moved into the disciples dorm the year before, quickly returning with something in his hand. He kneeled before her and handed her his forehead ribbon, “Will you help me put this on?” He asked quietly.
Lu Yichen smiled and nodded, Wei Wuxian turning around immediately. She knew her son didn’t need help putting on his forehead ribbon, he’d been doing it for long enough that he hadn’t needed help in a long time. But today was different. It was the last time he would ever be wearing this specific forehead ribbon, the one that she had given him when he was accepted into the Gusu Lan sect. Today he’d be receiving the official forehead ribbon of the members of the clan. This would officially signify that one day he would be marrying into the Lan family.
Tying her son’s forehead ribbon, she was suddenly reminded of all the times she had done so before. Wei Wuxian had been so young at the time and now he was getting ready to be engaged to Lan Wangji.
When Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian first came to her to ask for permission to marry, she couldn’t exactly say she’d been shocked. She’d seen how close those boys had been from the first moment they’d met. She’d seen how much they loved and cared for each other throughout the years. She knew them well enough to realize that once they got together they would never separate ever again. It hadn’t been a surprise that they’d wanted to officialize that even when they were only fifteen. But it was something that even though she’d known was coming, she hadn’t been ready for.
No one is ever ready to see their child grow up and, in this moment, she was reminded that Wei Wuxian was no longer the cute seven-year-old boy she’d brought back from Caiyi Town.
She finished tying the ribbon and tapped her son on the shoulder. The boy stood up and turned around.
To her surprise, he was the one tears in his eyes this time. She grabbed him and pulled him onto the bed beside him. “And why are you crying?” She asked as she wiped his tears away.
He shook his head and laughed, “It’s nothing bad.”
“Then what is it?” She asked as she fixed his forehead ribbon.
“I’m just really happy.” He said smiling. “And I’m so grateful to you for adopting me and bringing me to the sect. You saved me and gave me a second shot at having a life and I’m so happy because of it. Who knows what would’ve happened to me if you hadn’t found me that day? I probably would’ve never even met Lan Zhan if it hadn’t been for you.” He said as more tears streamed down his face. “I’m so glad it was you who found me and became my mother because I can’t even imagine a life without you. So thank you for being my mother!” He said.
As Wei Wuxian spoke, Lu Yichen felt tears stream freely down her face. “A-Ying,” She said voice full of emotion. “I’m so glad I adopted you that day. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m very proud of who you’ve become, and I know you will achieve great things. I know your parents are just as proud of you as I am.”
Wei Wuxian sniffled, “You really think they are?” he asked.
She nodded, wiping his tears. “I know so.”
Wei Wuxian smiled and then began laughing, “Ah a-niang! Why are we even crying? I’m not even getting married until I’m 20 and this is just a quick ceremony!”
Lu Yichen giggled at his words and wiped her tears, “It’s an emotional time.”
“Yeah it is.” Wei Wuxian quietly said as he smiled at her words.
Lu Yichen cleared her throat and stood up, “Well a-Ying. I think it’s time to go.”
Wei Wuxian nodded and immediately stood up. They both quickly made their way out of the room and towards the building where the engagement ceremony would take place. The only people that would attend the ceremony were their family members and the sect elders.
As they reached the building, they saw Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen talking outside. Wei Wuxian gasped at how ethereal Lan Wangji looked in his own ceremonial white Gusu Lan sect robes instead of his normal ones. As they came closer Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen finished speaking and turned to them. Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but laugh as he saw Lan Wangji’s eyes widen as he saw his own ceremonial white robes.
They all greeted each other, and Lu Yichen turned to Wei Wuxian. She placed her hand on the side of his face and gave him a kiss on the other cheek, “I’ll see you inside.”
Wei Wuxian beamed at her and smiled. She removed her hand from his face and turned to enter the building where the ceremony would soon begin.
“I’ll go in with you healer Lu.” Lan Xichen kindly said as he smiled one last time at the soon to be engaged couple and turned to follow after Lu Yichen.
Soon enough only Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji remained, both smiling at the sight of the other.
Wei Wuxian walked over to Lan Wangji and grabbed his hand, reaching over to give the other boy a quick kiss on the lips before anyone else could see. Lan Wangji happily returned the kiss, also not caring that such an act wasn’t allowed before the ceremony.
“Hi.” Wei Wuxian whispered as he hugged Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji immediately returning the hug, “Hello Wei Ying.”
“I can’t wait to be engaged to you.” Wei Wuxian said through giggles.
Lan Wangji grabbed the other boys’ hand and brought it to his lips, giving it a quick kiss. “Me neither.”
They swiftly separated and stood beside each other as they heard someone approaching.
“You may enter now.” The servant said as he bowed towards Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji.
Both boys nodded and turned to each other, smiling.
They held hands and entered the room, where their family awaited. They walked to the middle of the room where only Lu Yichen and Lan Qiren stood. The Gusu Lan sect elders sat on a table behind them all, Lan Xichen joining them.
They bowed to Lu Yichen and Lan Qiren and then to the sect elders, greeting them all. Lan Qiren, as acting sect leader was the one who would officialize the ceremony. He signaled for one of the servants to bring in a wooden box. The servant came and handed the box to Lan Qiren and then exited the room. He then opened the box and presented it to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Inside there was Wei Wuxian’s new forehead ribbon. The one that signified his future union to Lan Wangji and addition into the Lan bloodline.
Wei Wuxian smiled at the sight and looked back up at Lan Qiren. The older man looked as serious as ever, but even he could see the warm look in the man’s eyes. Lan Qiren turned to Lu Yichen and nodded to her. She nodded in return knowing her part to play in the ceremony. She walked over to Wei Wuxian and smiled at her son as he turned around. She then untied his forehead ribbon and placed it in the wooden box. Wei Wuxian turned around and she couldn’t help but place a kiss in the middle of his now empty forehead.
Wei Wuxian giggled at his mother as she pulled away from him and went to take a seat beside Lan Xichen. Wei Wuxian could see the obvious glee in the older boys’ eyes. He then turned back to face Lan Qiren and smiled as the man then presented the box to him.
Wei Wuxian reached into the box and gently took out the cloud motif forehead ribbon. He looked at the ribbon as he studied the unfamiliar cloud design. He looked up and saw that Lan Wangji was smiling brightly at him. Wei Wuxian wordlessly handed the ribbon to Lan Wangji and turned around.
Lan Wangji couldn’t help but smile as he helped tie Wei Wuxian’s forehead ribbon. He felt a mix of emotions at the sight. Knowing that this meant that Wei Wuxian was officially a member of his family, and although they still weren’t allowed to marry, they would in the future. This forehead ribbon was the promise that one day he would be able to call Wei Wuxian his husband. Lan Wangji hadn’t known it was possible to feel any happier than he already was whenever he was with Wei Wuxian, but being by the other boys’ side was always full of surprises.
Once Lan Wangji finished, Wei Wuxian turned around and smiled blindingly at him. Lan Wangji took his hand in his own and together they turned to face Lan Qiren.
To both of their surprises, the older man was smiling. Something neither of them had ever witnessed before.
“Wei Wuxian. Welcome to the clan.” He said.
As soon as he said those words the ceremony had ended. Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji and hugged his fiancé tightly, the other boy immediately returning the hug. They didn’t separate until they heard the sound of a clearing throat beside them.
Lan Xichen smiled brightly at them, “Congratulations on the engagement! And Wuxian welcome to the family!”
Wei Wuxian beamed at his words, “Thank you Xichen ge!” he said just as Lan Wangji said, “Thank you brother.”
“A-Ying” Wei Wuxian heard from behind him. He turned around and launched himself onto his mother’s awaiting arms. She held him closer as she kissed the top of his head and whispered, “Congratulations my love.”
He parted from her and grinned. She then turned to Lan Wangji and smiled kindly at the boy that she had always considered a second son. “Congratulations a-Zhan.”
Lan Wangji smiled brightly at her and nodded.
Once the ceremony ended, they all went to the banquet that had been thrown in celebration. They all ate a quiet meal, joined by the rest of members of the Gusu Lan sect.
Once the meal ended, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were bombarded by congratulatory messages from their fellow disciples and seniors. It was so much that they couldn’t wait until they could escape from the chaos and finally be alone.
After what felt like an eternity, they managed to get away from everyone and make their way towards Lan Wangji’s Jingshi. Once inside Wei Wuxian went to lay on Lan Wangji’s bed, “Ah Lan Zhan, we’re engaged! We’re actually engaged!” He said, the smile on his face obvious from his just hearing his voice.
Lan Wangji couldn’t help but smile, feeling just as happy in that moment, “We are.” He said as he laid on the bed beside his fiancé.
Wei Wuxian giggled as he leaned over Lan Wangji and pressed his lips on the other boys’ lips. Lan Wangji circled his arms around Wei Wuxian’s neck, bringing the other boy impossibly closer. Wei Wuxian smiled into the kiss.
After a while, the two separated, needing to take a breath of air. Wei Wuxian pecked the corner of Lan Wangji’s mouth and got comfortable over the other boys’ chest. The older boy hugged Wei Wuxian’s waist and took in a deep breath. “I love you, Wei Ying.”
Wei Wuxian smiled as he placed a kiss on Lan Wangji’s chest, “I love you too Lan Zhan! We’re finally engaged! I can hardly believe it actually happened.”
Lan Wangji nodded happily; it was something he also had a hard time believing had actually come true. It sometimes seemed too good to be true.
“I have something for you.” Lan Wangji suddenly said after a period of he and Wei Wuxian just enjoying the silence of each other’s company.
Wei Wuxian looked up from Lan Wangji’s chest and stared at him, “You do?”
Lan Wangji nodded, “Would you like to see it now?”
Wei Wuxian immediately nodded, feeling excited at the prospect of whatever Lan Wangji had to give him. He rolled off his fiancé’s chest and kneeled on the bed. Lan Wangji quickly standing up and kneeling before the low table in the middle of his room. He quickly put his hands on his guqin and begun playing a song.
Wei Wuxian smiled as he recognized the song, it was the one Lan Wangji had written years ago. He stood up from the bed and walked over to the low table, kneeling in front of it. Wei Wuxian had always thought there was something about the song that was so raw and emotional, he’d always felt drawn to it. He’d loved it from the moment he’d heard it.
As Lan Wangji finished playing, he put his hands over the strings, stopping their movement. He looked up at Wei Wuxian expectantly, only to see the other boy smiling.
“Wangxian.” He said quietly.
Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in confusion, “What?”
“The song is named Wangxian.” Lan Wangji replied.
Wei Wuxian’s mouth fell open from shock but soon enough he was bursting into laughter. “No wonder you never told me! The reason behind it is so obvious!”
Lan Wangji couldn’t help but laugh a bit himself as he nodded.
“I really like it Lan Zhan! Wangxian! It’s the perfect name! And it’s the perfect gift!” Wei Wuxian admitted, smiling at the other boy.
“I like it too.” He said.
“So, all along, you wrote this song about me?” Wei Wuxian asked fondly.
Lan Wangji nodded. Wei Wuxian leaned over the low table and grabbed Lan Wangji’s face in his hands. His lips met Lan Wangji’s own and kissed them, hoping to portray the love he felt in that moment. The older boy reached to his face and grabbed Wei Wuxian’s hands in his own. They kissed until the need for air forced them to pull away. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian smiled brightly at each other. If Wei Wuxian had loved the song before, knowing that it was written about him made him love it so much more.
Wei Wuxian let go of Lan Wangji’s face and sat back on his heels. He cleared his throat and looked down at his hands over his lap. “Actually Lan Zhan, I have something for you too.”
He looked up and saw Lan Wangji giving him a kind look, one that urged him to go on.
“I was going to give it to you tomorrow, but I guess I might as well give it to you now.” He said raising his left arm. He pulled down the sleeve from his ceremonial robe to reveal a red ribbon tied around his wrist.
Lan Wangji looked at it in question.
“I tied it here because I knew your uncle would’ve screamed at me if I wore it to the ceremony.” Wei Wuxian answered, laughing as he began to untie the ribbon. Once loose, he took the ribbon in his hands and passed his fingers over the designs stitched onto it. He looked up at Lan Wangji.
“I’ve told you the story of my parents before. I’ve told you how they decided to travel the country and night hunt after they got married and how along the way they had me. I don’t remember much about them, just that the three of us were really happy together. Most of what I know about them is things a-niang has told me.” He said, giving Lan Wangji a bittersweet smile.
“But I don’t think I’ve told you the story of this ribbon.” He continued.
“I don’t think you have.” Lan Wangji said in agreement.
Wei Wuxian took in a deep breath, “Well it’s a story a-niang actually told me when she found me at Caiyi Town. This ribbon belonged to my mother and was given to her by my father as a gift in Yunmeng. That’s why it has these beautiful lotus flowers stitchings, see?”
Lan Wangji nodded, “It’s beautiful.”
“It is.” Wei Wuxian said happily, “My mother loved this ribbon a lot. She’d wear it all the time. It’s one of the few things I remember about her.” Wei Wuxian said, smiling sadly.
Lan Wangji leaned over and grabbed Wei Wuxian’s hand, giving it a tight squeeze. The younger boy gave him a grateful look in return.
“She gave it to me one day and asked me to keep it safe. When my parents died in that night hunt, this ribbon was all I had left of them. And so everyday I made sure I made my mother proud by keeping her ribbon safe.” He continued. “When I came to the Cloud Recesses a-niang told me that I would get in trouble if I continued wearing the ribbon so I decided to put it away to make sure it would remain safe.”
“But sometimes, whenever something reminds me of my parents, I’d get the ribbon and wear it like this on my wrist.” Wei Wuxian finished. He turned his hand around and intertwined his fingers with Lan Wangji’s.
“I want you to have this ribbon Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian said.
Lan Wangji’s eyes widened in surprise, “Wei Ying,” he said sounding more emotional than even he’d expected. “I don’t think I can accept this.”
Wei Wuxian giggled, “I knew you’d say that Lan Zhan,” he said as he brought Lan Wangji’s hand to his lips and placed a kiss over it. “I know you might be thinking that this is too important to me to give it away like this.” He said, Lan Wangji nodding in agreement. “But the thing is Lan Zhan, that I don’t see it as me giving it away. Because it’s you and I love you. My father gave this to my mother as a token of his love and now I want to give it to you as a token of mine.”
“I think if my parent’s were still alive they’d want me to give this to you.” Wei Wuxian quietly admitted.
Lan Wangji’s eyes had begun to water at the sentiment in his fiancé’s words. He knew what this ribbon meant for Wei Wuxian, and the fact that he trusted him with something like this was a show of his love towards him.
“I know it’s not much” Wei Wuxian began saying, at Lan Wangji’s lack of a reply.
“I love it!” Lan Wangji quickly exclaimed. Managing to surprise Wei Wuxian and even himself at the sudden outburst.
Wei Wuxian giggled, “you do?”
Lan Wangji nodded, “This ribbon means the world to you, it would be my honor to keep it safe from now on.”
Wei Wuxian’s eyes watered as he smiled. “Lan Zhan you’re really amazing! You know that, right?”
Lan Wangji shook his head, “Impossible. Wei Ying is.”
Wei Wuxian laughed at the teasing look on Lan Wangji’s face. He let go of Lan Wangji’s hand and reached for the ribbon he’d placed on his lap. He turned back to the other boy, whose arm was already outstretched and waiting. Wei Wuxian gently tied the ribbon around Lan Wangji’s wrist.
Once Wei Wuxian finished, Lan Wangji brought his wrist in to carefully examine the ribbon. It was even more beautiful up close. The hand stitched lotus flowers were simple yet very elegant. The fabric of the ribbon itself was of high quality. Just from looking at it, he could tell Wei Wuxian’s father had truly loved his mother. He wouldn’t have given her this gift otherwise.
“Thank you, Wei Ying. I’ll wear it every day.” Lan Wangji said honestly.
“You don’t have to.” Wei Wuxian said as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
“I know. But I want to.” Lan Wangji replied. He stood up and walked over to Wei Wuxian. He gave the other boy his hand, helping him stand, and led him to bed. After the two of them removed their shoes and outer robes, they laid in the bed. Wei Wuxian once again laid his head over Lan Wangji’s chest, listening to the beating of the other man’s heart as Lan Wangji stroked his back.
Lan Wangji looked down at him and placed a kiss right over Wei Wuxian’s new forehead ribbon. Wei Wuxian looked up at him and rewarded him with a blinding smile of his own. Lan Wangji leaned down and kissed the smile away, something he would never tire of.