As usual, Lan WangJi awoke promptly at 5:00 AM. The novelty of holding Wei WuXian remained something to be savoured. The two men lay tangled in each others' arms, hair twisted together, long limbs entwined as if even sleep couldn't separate them. Wei WuXian half covered Lan WangJi with his warm body as if trying to climb inside him while they slept. Lan WangJi looked at Wei WuXian's peaceful face tucked closely on his shoulder, and gold eyes warmed with affection as they noted the flush of sleep, the bruised lips with a small bite still in evidence. He had wanted and waited for this man for such a long, lonely time and the miracle of his presence was wonderfully new. A gift from the gods, he thought with contentment.

A long and winding path where Lan WangJi's teeth had nipped and nibbled trailed down the side of Wei WuXian's throat and across the top of his chest, from shoulder to shoulder. The marks bloomed with colourful evidence of their activities the day prior, overlaid on those fading from their first meeting. That quiet, sweet smile illuminated Lan WangJi's face as he looked at his love, brightening his face with an unaccustomed light.

Ever so gently, not wanting to wake Wei WuXian, Lan WangJi carefully untangled himself from the sleeping limbs, pulling his own hair as he tried to untangle their locks without waking the sleeping beauty in his bed. Wei WuXian murmured in his sleep, casting about and not settling until Lan WangJi thought to tuck his own pillow, still warm from use, into those questing arms. With a sigh and a smile, Wei WuXian curled into it, and continued to slumber. Lan WangJi gently tucked up the quilt around Wei WuXian and turned to his daily routine.

Lan WangJi straightened the room, had a good wash, donned robes neatly arrayed and settled to meditate.

Some time later, a brisk knock at the door, repeated with increasing agitation, tore him from his contemplation. With a swift glance at Wei WuXian, still lost in dreams, Lan WangJi stripped the talisman from the door and opened it to an apologetic innkeeper.

Bowing and bobbing, the innkeeper's words tumbled out, even as he held forth a light blue missive that Lan WangJi immediately recognized as his brother's personal stationery.

"I'm so sorry, HanGuang-Jun! So sorry! I don't know how it happened. My apologies. Please don't be angry. I didn't mean to forget, really, I didn't! It was so busy..." the innkeeper's voice trailed off as Lan WangJi took the note from his hand.

"A young man from Cloud Recesses came with this yesterday afternoon. He wanted to see you but couldn't wait and asked that it be delivered to you immediately on your return. I put it on the front desk, but it was accidentally covered up and then we got busy, and things were piled on top..." the innkeeper began babbling again in his distress.

"Mn."

Lan WangJi turned back into the room and closed the door, a relieved innkeeper, now alone in the hall, wiped sweat from his brow and thanked his fates that HanGuang-Jun had not seemed angry. He took his way downstairs, determined to make a particularly fine breakfast as an apology for his failure, already wondering if there were extra eggs to be had from his chickens today.

Inside the room, Lan WangJi glanced to be sure Wei WuXian was still asleep before moving to the table. Sitting once more, he looked at the note, considering what it could contain. Surely XiongZhang could not yet have spoken with Uncle QiRen and the elders? Lan WangJi knew no response could possibly be ready this quickly so what could it be about?

Slim fingers broke the seal and unfolded the note. Eyes hardened as they read the elegant calligraphy, with only a subtle flare of nostrils to betray any reaction to the news within. Folding the note again, Lan WangJi straightened himself and settled to his ruminations. Today promised to be a challenge and he had some thinking to do.

Lan WangJi had been certain it would take days if not weeks for the elders to hash out all their issues and objections and formulate a response. He had planned to allow for them to work through their discomfort. He knew their pride in the Twin Jades would work against him, now he had chosen to walk a different path. Farewell to the crowded broad avenue and hello to your single log bridge, Wei Ying, idly wandered into his thoughts. He shook his head to clear the distraction and returned to contemplation. He once had a plan, but that was gone now. His jaw tightened. Returning to Cloud Recesses was necessary. He must support his brother. He must help shoulder the burdens of keeping the Clan business and activities moving. He must see what he could do to help Lan QiRen, the uncle who had raised both him and his brother. The man might be as irritable as the day is long, but he was the only father figure Lan WangJi knew, his own having been in secluded meditation his entire life.

His thoughts broke off. What do I have to? What is must? Of course, I choose to help! Of course, I won't stand back. Lan WangJi's thoughts curved. But I meant what I said. I will not return to Cloud Recesses without my Wei Ying. As my husband. He continued to think, seeking a solution to his need to stand with his family at this time of crisis and his vow to stand with his partner.

His thoughts warred with each other, pulling and tugging at his attention until the stress brought on a headache. At that, Lan WangJi knew he'd thought enough. With deep, careful breaths he sank himself deeply into his meditative state, withdrawing from the internal argument, certain that when he was done, he would know what was right and what he had to do. With a last thought, almost a prayer he was right, he released his conscious thoughts and allowed the universe to fill his mind.

Over on the bed, Wei WuXian began to drift pleasantly toward waking. He first became aware of the quilt, tucked snugly around his body, keeping him warm but restraining his movement. One sleepy leg kicked, the foot hooking until it caught the edge of the quilt, freeing more space for movement. A few minutes later, hands began to fumble with the unsatisfying pillow in his arms. This isn't Lan Zhan, his sleepy brain whispered. Where is Lan Zhan? Why is he so far away? Arms stretched out, seeking a partner who was not to be found. Wei WuXian's treacherous subconscious, so close to the surface in sleep, sent the dogs out to worry at his peace once more. Why can't I touch Lan Zhan? Did he leave without me? At that, Wei WuXian's heart skipped a beat and he sat up abruptly, panic in his eyes.

For a minute his pulse raced, as eyes still blinking from sleep scanned the room with desperation. Seeing his lover in peaceful meditation, Wei WuXian collapsed back on the bed with relief. Should have known, some things never change, and my love does need his routine. He rolled over, the better to enjoy the vision of cool beauty, peaceful and lovely in his sky and white robes, the silver cloud ornament of the forehead ribbon perfectly centred. A smile curved his lips as he drank in the sight before him. Lan Zhan really is as beautiful as everyone has always said, he thought. I love him so much.

As Wei WuXian enjoyed the simple pleasure of laying in bed, watching his love, he gradually became aware that there was something on the table. Sitting up, he looked closer. Blue parchment... that had to be from Cloud Recesses. What do they want? he wondered. He knew a response this quick was impossible. Looking more sharply at Lan Zhan, Wei WuXian noted the extra tension in the jaw, and the rigidity in the upright posture. Lan Zhan is either worried or upset, he thought. That can't be good. He glanced at the window, checking the brightening day. It was far earlier than he usually rose, but Wei WuXian knew Lan WangJi rose at 5:00 AM, so he had been in meditation a good two or more hours. With that thought he decided a disturbance could be forgiven and, wrapping himself in the bedcover, he went to sit beside Lan Zhan.

Wei WuXian snuggled close to Lan Zhan, hoping he would take notice, but Lan Zhan was too far away from their room to notice. Squirming ever closer didn't help, and Wei WuXian was still weary. Sitting here wasn't doing either of them any good and he was getting uncomfortable, too. He didn't want to forcibly break Lan WangJi's concentration, but he didn't want to leave him wrapped in meditation, either. Only for you, my love, thought Wei WuXian with a wry smile. Anyone else would get a cold washcloth to bring them out of it. But you've proven you really are worth the wait. A happier expression now in place, Wei WuXian settled in to wait a bit longer. He brought the quilt around his cold feet, and stretched out on the floor, his head in Lan WangJi's lap. From this vantage point he looked out at the note on the table. He wanted to know the contents but wouldn't break Lan WangJi's trust by peeking. A long sigh escaped, as he waited for Lan Zhan to finish.

A minute or an hour later – Wei WuXian wasn't certain as he had dozed back in and out of sleep while waiting – Lan Zhan opened his eyes. He noted the weight on one leg and in his lap and was confused by the unaccustomed warmth. Looking down he shifted, and Wei WuXian turned his face up so their eyes met.

"Good morning, my darling love, are you quite done?" chirped Wei WuXian.

Lan Zhan simply bent forward and kissed him on his nose, which Wei WuXian then wrinkled and wiggled.

"You missed!" He sat up and proved his own aim was far more satisfactory, leaning happily into his lover's arms.

Greetings done, Wei WuXian sat up properly on his own.

"Lan Zhan, is that letter from Cloud Recesses? How did they get back to you so soon? What do they want?"

Lan Zhan looked back at the note, then at Wei WuXian. Picking up the parchment he handed it over.

"Should have received yesterday. Read."

Wei WuXian swiftly scanned the letter, expressions chasing themselves across his face in response to the contents, until the final one – sadness and concern – settled to stay.

"Lan Zhan, I'm so sorry. Of course, you must go, you must help your brother, your Clan. I'll find some way to help, just send me a note and I'll work on anything, anything at all that can help." His eyebrows lifted as Lan Zhan shook his head.

"No."

"No?"

"Yes, I am needed. My brother. My Clan. They need me. I must go back. But I won't go back without my Wei Ying. As my husband."

Wei WuXian gave a patient smile, not sure what was going on in Lan Zhan's mind, not sure he understood at all.

"But we're not married, my love. I don't know when they will get back to you about that, especially now. We don't know when or if we can have a wedding. And they need you now."

"Need now, yes. Waiting for answer was courtesy. Not required. Marry is required. Can do today and return to Cloud Recesses immediately." Short, staccato sentences reported the results of Lan Zhan's meditation this morning, these matters already settled in his heart. "Must return. Won't without husband. We will take the single log bridge together." Lan Zhan looked at Wei WuXian. "Today."

Wei WuXian pulled the quilt more snugly around his shoulders, mind racing to take it all in.

"Lan Zhan? You're serious? You really want to get married today?"

"Yes."

"My love, I don't even know where the ashes of my parents are. Your ancestors are all in Cloud Recesses and you say you won't return until after we are married. How can we get married without our three bows? There are traditions and customs and... and I don't know what all. How can we get married today?"

"Crossed cups already. Counts. Three bows can be taken together anywhere. Hearts matter. Not place."

Wei WuXian cocked his eye, looking carefully at Lan Zhan, unsure what to think or how to respond. Of course, I'll marry you in a hot minute, he thought, but how?

"It looks like you've given this some thought. Is that why you were so lost in meditation this morning?"

"Mn."

"Would you like to share?"

"Crossed cups done. Three bows needed. Picnic tree for three bows. Cloud Recesses after. Keep my word. Return with husband."

Wei WuXian considered a moment. Lan Zhan had clearly been planning while Wei WuXian drowsed. This could work, thought Wei WuXian, I'll do anything to stay with you. He leaned forward and planted a solid kiss on Lan Zhan's perfect mouth.

"With a plan like that, how can I possibly refuse?", he giggled. "Go call for breakfast and I'll get dressed. We'd best be off quickly. Whatever is happening at Cloud Recesses has been missing us for too long and I hate to miss a good party."

Lan Zhan took care of the breakfast, the innkeeper moving more quickly than his usual, still upset over his forgetfulness. A brief meal, a thanks for the room, Wei WuXian's gay promise to return when possible, and the two men were off. The path to the stream seemed far shorter today, with purpose lending speed to their steps. At the stream, Lan Zhan lifted Wei WuXian once more, but no nonsense or silliness slowed their careful passage. Once back at the tree, Lan Zhan turned to face Wei WuXian.

"Ready?"

"Lan Zhan, I think I've been ready for years. You are my soulmate. For this or any other life. I never imagined this, but I want it more than I can say."

Straightening, the two men turned, as if it had already been discussed, although it had not. They faced the apple tree that had sheltered their picnic the day before, side by side.

Lan Zhan's low voice intoned the directions, as if he'd practiced for just this purpose, smoothly delivering the prompts to unite the men in marriage.

"Bow to Heavens and Earth."

The two men bowed deeply.

"Bow to parents."

Again the deep bows. On rising this time, they shifted to face one another.

"Bow to each other."

The deepest bows yet, filled with profound respect and full hearts.

The men rose, looking at each other.

Wei WuXian took a step forward and reached for Lan Zhan's hands, holding them in his own as he swallowed, trying to form the words currently stuck in his throat. A cough and they made their way out at last.

"I love you, Lan Zhan. You're my soulmate. For life. For every life I'll ever have. Forever."

"Mine."

They stood a moment, those two special smiles shared, each for the other, only ever for the other. A kiss, tender and sweet, in an embrace that promised forever, and it was done.

"Step Two done."

"Shall we start on that single log bridge of ours and make our way to Cloud Recesses now, my love?"

"Mn."