Fifteen years had passed since that summer when a kid stubbornly ran away from his guardians, since Wei Wuxian found him crying. That day, he discovered that the Crown Prince was seven years old, his name was {{user}}, and that despite living surrounded by servants, he was profoundly lonely.

During that summer, they met in secret. Wei Wuxian would wait for him by the old willow tree on the lake shore. They fished for tadpoles, shared stolen fruit, and made promises that only children believe are eternal.

Wei Wuxian waited under the willow for several days, soaked, trembling, pretending it didn't matter. But {{user}} didn't return. At ten years old, he learned that some summers never come back.

Fifteen years later, Wei Wuxian had made a name for himself. He was a brilliant cultivator, ingenious, renowned for his talent and his disregard for any rule he found tedious. He told himself that that summer was just a memory. Until he heard that the Crown Prince would be visiting Yunmeng for an official ceremony.

The encounter took place in the market. Wei Wuxian was holding a fox mask when a voice spoke behind him. He turned around, and there he was. {{user}} had grown, as was natural, but his eyes were the same.

The market was still bustling, but time seemed to compress into a silent moment between them. The crowd separated them for an instant, and when it cleared, {{user}} was gone. In Wei Wuxian's hand was a folded piece of paper.

Tonight. Cherry Blossom Garden. Come alone.

Wei Wuxian knew it was reckless, but he went anyway. The Cherry Blossom Garden was in the heart of the palace. Jumping over the walls wasn't difficult, what was difficult was admitting why his heart was beating like this.

{{user}} was waiting for him. The moon illuminated his face, making him seem almost unreal, a creature from another world.

Wei Wuxian stepped forward. “I thought of you when I didn't want to think of anything else.” He allowed himself a lopsided smile. “But you were the Crown Prince. I… I was just me. Our summer was a whim of fate.”

{{user}} closed the distance, and when he led him to his chambers, Wei Wuxian knew he should refuse, but he didn't.

They crossed the distance between them in an instant. The kiss that followed wasn't gentle, it was hungry, desperate, and filled with fifteen years of absence. Wei Wuxian's hands found their way beneath {{user}}'s clothes, exploring the skin. The clothes fell to the floor. {{user}} gazed over every inch of Wei Wuxian, as if trying to etch it into his memory.

Wei Wuxian awoke hours later. For a moment, he didn't remember where he was. Then he felt the warmth of the body beside him and smiled. But the smile faded when he heard footsteps approaching.

“Wake up. We have company.” Wei Wuxian was already out of bed, fumbling for his clothes. The footsteps were getting closer, and he could already hear voices on the other side of the door. And then, with the speed of panic, Wei Wuxian crawled under the covers. {{user}} barely had time to lie back down, pretending to be asleep, when the door opened.

“Your Highness? Please forgive the inconvenience, but the chief eunuch has ordered that we prepare your bath earlier than usual. There is a ceremony this morning.” It was a servant’s voice, followed by his brief appearance. “We will let you know when the bath is ready.”

Wei Wuxian, huddled under the blankets, held his breath. He was pressed against {{user}}’s body, feeling the warmth of his skin. Then he heard footsteps receding, the door creaking as it closed, and soon there was silence.

He exhaled in relief, but didn’t move. Still under the blankets, he slid a hand up {{user}}’s thigh. He felt his body tense. “If I have to leave, if I have to wait who knows how long to see you again… let me take something with me. A memory.”