Lan Wangji led Wei Wuxian out of the Discussion Hall and into one of the serene, moonlit courtyards of Cloud Recesses. The air was still, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound around them. The glow of the crescent moon illuminated the neatly kept gardens, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Wei Wuxian folded his arms as he stopped by a stone lantern, his expression a mix of defiance and confusion. "So, Hanguang-jun," he began, deliberately emphasizing the title, "you wanted to talk to me. Let's hear it. Why do you even want this marriage? Was it really just because some fortune-teller said so?"
Lan Wangji stood a few paces away, his posture impossibly straight, his expression calm but earnest. For a moment, he didn't respond, as if carefully choosing his words. Then he said, "The fortune-telling only clarified what I already felt."
Wei Wuxian blinked, caught off guard. "What you already felt? What does that even mean?"
Lan Wangji's gaze didn't waver. "I do not believe in acting solely on the words of others. The prediction aligns with my intentions, but it is not the reason for them."
Wei Wuxian stared at him, trying to process the words. "Wait, hold on. Are you saying… you actually *want* to marry me?"
"Yes," Lan Wangji replied without hesitation, his voice calm and steady, as if stating an unchangeable fact.
Wei Wuxian laughed awkwardly, running a hand through his hair. "You can't be serious. You don't even like me! Every time we've met, you just glare at me or scold me about rules."
"You misunderstand," Lan Wangji said softly. "It is not dislike."
"What else could it be?" Wei Wuxian challenged, crossing his arms.
Lan Wangji looked directly at him, his usually stoic gaze softening just slightly. "Respect. Admiration. Understanding."
Wei Wuxian froze, his teasing grin faltering. "Understanding?"
Lan Wangji nodded. "Though our methods differ, I have seen your character. Your courage, your loyalty, your heart. These are things I value." He paused before adding, "And things that would bring balance to me."
Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to respond but found himself momentarily speechless. The sincerity in Lan Wangji's voice and the weight of his words were not something he had expected.
He finally managed, "But… I'm nothing like the Lan Clan. I break rules, I cause trouble, I'd drive everyone in Cloud Recesses insane."
"You are different," Lan Wangji acknowledged. "But difference does not mean incompatibility."
Wei Wuxian frowned, his defenses slowly lowering. "What if I say no? What if I tell you this is all crazy and I just want to go back to Lotus Pier?"
"Then I will accept it," Lan Wangji replied simply. "But I hope you will consider my sincerity before deciding."
Wei Wuxian sighed, pacing a few steps before turning back to face him. "You're really serious about this, aren't you? Even though it doesn't make any sense."
"It makes sense to me," Lan Wangji said.
Wei Wuxian stared at him for a long moment, his usual playfulness replaced by something almost vulnerable. He wasn't used to being spoken to like this—without expectation, without judgment, just unwavering honesty.
"Lan Zhan," he said quietly, "I can't promise anything. I don't even know what to think right now."
"I ask only that you think," Lan Wangji replied.
Wei Wuxian laughed softly, shaking his head. "You're something else, you know that? Most people would just give up if I acted the way I do."
Lan Wangji's voice was steady, resolute. "I do not give up."
Wei Wuxian's smile returned, faint but genuine this time. "Well, I guess that's one rule about persistence you'll never break."
Lan Wangji inclined his head slightly, the barest hint of a smile in his eyes.
The night around them grew quieter, and for a moment, neither spoke. Wei Wuxian looked up at the stars, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
"Okay," he said finally, breaking the silence. "I'll think about it. But don't expect me to change overnight or suddenly become a good, rule-following husband."
Lan Wangji's reply was simple, yet firm: "I would not expect you to be anything other than yourself."
Wei Wuxian glanced at him, searching his face for any sign of deception or hesitation but found none. He sighed again, waving a hand. "Alright, let's head back. Jiang Cheng is probably pacing in there, waiting to yell at me."
Lan Wangji nodded and followed him back toward the hall, the quiet weight of their conversation lingering in the cool night air.