Chapter Text
Lan Wangji awoke at 5am on the dot as was usual of his upbringing in the Gusu Lan Sector. Wei Wuxian was of course still asleep and a tangled mess half on top of him. He removed the man as gently as he could and tucked him back in as carefully as he could.
Getting ready for the day of travel back to Cloud Recesses was easy, he tied up his hair and put on his clothes, freshly washed and probably dropped off by the inn staff. Wei Wuxian’s clothes were also neatly folded and clean.
He let the man sleep as he took time to write to his brother about the situation. He was sure his brother knew exactly where he was: with Wei Ying. But nonetheless wrote to him asking permission to bring him back to Gusu.
It was now afternoon, the sun was high in the sky, a normal time for Wei Wuxian to awaken, and as Lan Wangji sat by the table playing his guqin, he noticed no movement from the other man.
He must be tired, as he should be. By evening, Wei Wuxian had still not awakened, and Lan Wangji was now worried. He walked up to Wei Wuxian, who was surprisingly quiet. He usually thrashed around once Lan Wangji wasn’t there for him to cuddle him.
Putting a hand to his forehead, Lan Wangji noticed he was burning. His entire face was a slight shade of pink, but his body was unmoving. His breathing was shallow.
Quickly sending a message to his brother for help he quickly requested a bowl of cold water from the inn and began cooling down Wei Wuxian.
A couple hours later, Lan Jungyi, Lan Sizhui and even his brother arrived. He was surprised, he knew Lan Xichen was in seclusion. He bowed to him, gratefully.
“How is Young Master Wei?” Lan Xichen asked, his voice laced with worry.
“He has been asleep for almost a full day and is burning up.” Lan Sizhui gasped a little.
“Are we sure he’s not just lazy?” Lan Jingyi whispered, receiving a slap to his arm from Lan Sizhui.
“Let’s go see him.”
Lan Wangji led the way to their room, he had been careful to clean Wei Wuxian up and dress him a little more appropriately, even if this was his family he couldn’t shake the thought of anyone seeing Wei Wuxian in his underclothes.
Lan Xichen looked at his brother before placing his hand on Wei Wuxian, and after he nodded his approval he checked, indeed he was extremely warm. The fact that his body was completely immobile, not even moving due to the uncomfort that the fever must be causing was alarming.
“We need to take him to the healers back in Gusu, surely they must know something.” He offered gently. “We can take him by sword quickly. Lan Jingyi, Lan Sizhui, you bring back Young Master Wei’s donkey.”
They quickly assembled, paying for the room the five men headed out, Lan Wangji carrying Wei Wuxian carefully, one arm under his knees another at his back. Would he be awake, he would surely be complaining of being carried like a princess. He missed his laugh already.
Even a day without Wei Wuxian made Lan Wangji’s heart ache. But he was here in his arms, not lost, and that was better than not having even a trace of him.
The whole ride, Wei Wuxian was unconscious and unmoving still. Upon arriving both brothers headed straight for the healers. Luckily Uncle Lan Qiren was away at the moment handling important Lan Clan business.
Lan Wangji held him as they walked to the healers, Lan Xichen was also worried. He knew how much his brother had suffered without him.
“Brother,” he spoke quietly, clutching Wei Wuxian closer. “What if the curse backfired? What if when he awakens he is…” no longer Wei Ying, he left unsaid.
“Do not worry Wangji, Young Master Wei wrote that curse himself, I’m sure the last few days have caught up to him. Lately you both have been through so much.”
As have you brother. He thought. Losing his friend Jin Guanyao, must have been hard. Made even harder that it was by his own hand. He knew the guilt his brother was going through all too well.
Lan Xichen knocked, an old woman came to the door and led them inside. After placing Wei Wuxian down to be examined, Lan Wangji refused to be even a foot away from him. He glanced at his face, it was so thin, the mark from the guqin still fresh on his neck.
“I’m afraid he is simply asleep, Young Master Lan. I cannot seem to find anything wrong besides the fever, if you’d like we can keep him here for a couple of days, and keep an eye on him.
“That won’t be necessary, he will stay with me.” He thanked both the healer and his brother and carrying Wei Wuxian again made his way to the Jingshi.
Placing him on the bed once more, his fever had not cooled any, he kneeled beside him and caressed his face. Cupping his cheek with his hand, he gently rubbed his thumb across it.
“Come back to me Wei Ying.”
___________________________________________________________________________
Several days later, Lan Wangji could no longer ignore his duties as the Second Young Master of Gusu. While his uncle was still away he was in charge of the students among other things.
Though he ached to leave Wei Wuxian’s side, his fever ever present and not seeming to ease up, he was a responsible man. His brother was back in seclusion, his Uncle still away. Today was the fifth day since Wei Wuxian had been asleep.
In the evenings he played his guqin, nothing worked. Not songs of clarity, not even their song Wangxian, had any effect on the man’s condition.
He slept next to him despite it. Holding him close, his ear on Wei Wuxian’s heart, and only then could he feel at ease that he was still alive. He still feared the day he woke up and it was no longer Wei Ying, but for now it was him, despite how small he looked, despite how unlike him Mo Xuanyu’s body was, knowing it was his beloved’s soul, sufficed.
⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫
It was the afternoon, or the morning, Wei Wuxian was unsure. He sat up, his head spinning, he placed his hand to his temples. This was the second time he had awoken not knowing where he was. The first, when he was brought back to life by Mo Xuanyu.
He looked at his surroundings, clear beautiful wood, light colors, almost like an unused room, everything was perfectly placed in its place. He must be in Gusu. Looking down at his robes, he noticed they were white in color, he owned no such clothing, not since his school days here in Gusu anyway.
His arm was tan, free of the scars from the curse at last. His chest started itching a little, and he scratched eyes widening; he felt the Wen burn mark! Ripping the robe apart he looked down and sure enough, there was the little sun of his past.
He glanced down and looked closer, there were all his old scars! Could breaking the curse bring back his old scars? He felt his face, his hair, it was longer! He jolted up from the bed almost tripping over.
There must be a mirror here somewhere, could it be possible? He didn’t dare to hope. Could he be back in his own body?!
Finally spotting one at the edge of the room he closed his eyes tight, standing in front of it, and carefully opened one eye. Staring back at him, was him! His old face! He looked down at the robe, half undone and there was the burn mark! While he pulled the robe further apart he saw all his old scars, the one Jiang Cheng had made stabbing him in the belly, although his other body had also had that one due to Jin Ling. Like uncle, like nephew.
While trying to pull his hair into a decent ponytail, he did not hear someone approaching from behind. It wasn’t until he heard a small gasp and a clatter of something falling to the ground that he turned, hair half up red ribbon in his mouth.
“Lan Zhan!” he yelled excitedly, the ribbon falling to the floor, he noticed the thing that had dropped was a bowl of water as it splashed his clothes and wet his bare feet. “Why are you making a mess Lan Zhan?” he whined in that cute voice Lan Zhan had so missed.
“Wei Ying?!” Lan Wangji was beyond shocked, not only seeing him awake but seeing him.
“The one and onl-” his words were interrupted by a sudden movement, Lan Wangji had pulled his arm and pushed him against his body in a tight embrace.
“Wei Ying,” he repeated, this time close to his ear. He was now his old height, and yet still perfectly fit into the other’s arms. They really were meant to be huh? He wondered. He had always wanted to feel Lan Zhan with his own body.
Lan Wangji thought the same. As he held Wei Wuxian, his beautiful body, perfectly safe, his Wei Ying, now awake. It was a huge relief. He had been away for several days, getting lectured for bringing Wei Wuxian back to Gusu by his Uncle, after his punishment of kneeling for 2 days he had been so worried over Wei Wuxian.
Thankfully Lan Sizhui had heard and had come to check on him everyday, sneaking away and playing the song of clarity for Wei Wuxian.
It was at this moment that they heard footsteps, it was probably Lan Sizhui, unaware that Lan Wangji was free, he had come to fulfill his duties and care for Wei Wuxian.
His eyes widened, his face going from shock to pink in a matter of seconds as he noticed the position they were in. Wei Wuxian, his robes fully exposing his torso and Lan Wangji clutching him close. The men parted, Wei Wuxian giggling.
“Young Master Wei,” Lan Sizhui began,
“A-Yuan!” he tried to run over but was held back by Lan Wangji as he straightened his robes for him. “Lan Zhan! He is our son!” At the mention of this, both Lan Sizhui and Lan Wangji’s faces had turned a light shade of pink.
Once satisfied that Wei Wuxian was decently dressed, Lan Wangji let him go, and he ran over and hugged the young man. “A-Yuan!”
“Young Master Wei! How is this possible?” he asked between the suffocating hug that he received, Mo Xuanyu had been short and delicate, Wei Wuxian was taller. He suddenly recalled these arms as he remembered his childhood and hugged him back.
“I don’t know! I wrote the spell designed to keep the other’s possessed body, but I don’t recall ever writing how to reclaim your old body” he let go of Lan Sizhui, again staring at his hands, his own hands.
“Well it’s good to have you back Young Master Wei.” Lan Sizhui smiled at him.
“A-Yuan! Why are you so formal,” he whined looking at Lan Wangji, “This is all your fault, call me Xian-gege” he teased looking back at Lan Sizhui.
“I-” Lan Sizhui was shy, sure he could do it as a child, he had not known better but now was just…
Wei Wuxian laughed seeing their expressions. That laugh was like magic to Lan Wangji’s ears, he desperately wanted to hold Wei Wuxian close and never let him go.
“Wei Ying, stop teasing” he said quietly, trying not to smile.
“Alright, alright” Wei Wuxian agreed, he suddenly realized his feet were still wet and he felt sticky, like he hadn’t bathed in days. “By the way, when did we get to Gusu and where are we?” he continued to look around.
“Young Master Wei, you have been in Gusu for a week.”
“A week?!” he turned to look at Lan Wangji who nodded.
“You have been asleep Wei Ying”
Wei Wuxian was shocked. He was definitely out of it. “So where are we?”
Lan Wangji’s ears turned slightly pink. They were in his personal chamber, a place someone had never been allowed inside, Wei Wuxian had been in here only once before after suffering his injury from Jin Ling, but he seemed to not recognize it.
It was at this perfect time that Lan Sizhui excused himself, adding that he would ask someone to draw up a bath for Wei Wuxian.
After the door closed and they were alone, Lan Wangji began to wipe clean the mess he had made, picking up the bowl and wiping the water.
Wei Wuxian watched in amusement. He felt like he hadn’t seen Lan Wangji for so long with his own eyes. He was beautiful. His white robes, perfectly clean, not a hair out of place.
He sat on the bed once more, his feet dangling. Lan Wangji approached him, a clean cloth in his hands and began to dry his feet.
“Lan Zhan!” the other squealed, his voice embarrassed. “D-don’t”
“It’s alright, Wei Ying,” he looked up at him, that gorgeous familiar face, with an unfamiliar red tinge to his cheeks. Lan Wangji had to restrain himself from kissing him right then and there. Sure he had kissed this body and those lips, but it was so long ago. He would have other chances he told himself.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, trying to distract himself, he sat next to him on the bed, placing his palm on his forehead.
This Lan Zhan was bold! Thought Wei Wuxian, where before he would hesitate and refrain from touching him, here he was casually checking his temperature!
“Now that you mention it, I’m starving!” Lan Wangji removed his hand.
“Good.” He was just about to have dinner, he sent news to his brother of Wei Wuxian’s awakening. “Bathe first and then eat dinner.”
“Lan Zhan! I’m hungry now!” he whined, his face once again forming that adorable pout, on the bottom of his lip that familiar birthmark was there once more. How he yearned to kiss it.
“Bathe first, then food” Lan Wangji insisted. He excused himself to bring food. Being with Wei Wuxian while he bathed... he was not sure if he could hold himself back. Especially now that he had his old body back.
Wei Wuxian watched him go, he entered the water and felt pure bliss. The water was the perfect temperature, he had wanted to keep teasing Lan Wangji but decided not to. In the corner of the room he saw some clothes. Would they fit him now that he was bigger?
He looked around at the various bottles laid out, sniffing them. So this was why Lan Wangji smelled so good! He laughed to himself and tried to find Lan Wangji’s distinct scent. The bottles were all good, but none smelled of that fresh sandalwood scent of Lan Wangji.
Giving up he finished his bath quickly and tried on the robes. They fit him perfectly! Actually these robes were from his student days! He couldn’t believe Lan Wangji would keep them after all these years.
He peeked into the other side of the room and noticed Lan Wangji, seated perfectly reading a book, a fine jade in the light, food at the table. He suddenly recalled their time in the library, as he watched and painted him. He was worthy of painting, such a beautiful face, as if carved by the gods themselves.
“Lan Zhan!” Quick to ruin the peaceful mood, he threw himself onto Lan Wanji’s back, wrapping his arms around his strong shoulders.
“Wei Ying,” he said calmly, he was still hard to surprise. Wei Wuxian buried his nose into the crook of Lan Wangji’s neck, there was the scent he was looking for. He sniffed, drinking in that familiar scent.
Lan Wangji put his book down.
“Time to eat,” he said, patting Wei Wuxian’s arms. The other withdrew a little unwillingly. The food was typical Gusu food, but served with care from Lan Wangji, he had never seen a more welcoming meal. Just when he thought it couldn’t get any better he noticed that familiar bottle of Emperor’s Smile!
“Lan Zhan you do know me!” he praised chugging down the cup that was already filled for him.
“Uhm” Lan Wangji looked at his smiling face, as he ate and drank. It seemed as if no time had passed, though he knew that wasn’t the case.
They had shared many meals in their days of travel, but looking at Wei Wuxian now, in his school robes, that familiar smile, his Wei Ying’s smile, his heart swelled.
It was as if they were 15 again, he regretted the time he did not spend with him then, but now seeing him in front of him again, he was beyond grateful.
Wei Wuxian was back, and he had all the time in the world to spend with him, what he hadn’t done in his previous life. A rare smile blossomed on Lan Wangji’s face as he refilled Wei Wuxian’s cup with wine.
Yes they had time now. Looking back up at Wei Wuxian, and meeting his eyes again, Wei Wuxian smiled widely, his eyes turning to those half moons.
His Wei Ying was back.