Chapter Text
Lan Xichen hears a loud yelled no, wants to move but is somehow stuck to the ground.
Then, a Nie disciple appears, holding two feet clad in boots that Lan Xichen's recognises instantly.
His heart beats wildly, a fear in him he can't shake.
He's fine, he's fine, he's fine!
Then appears the rest of Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen can no longer lie. His face is pale, deadly pale, a limpness to his body.
The disciples lie Lan Wangji down on the grass and up high a bird calls, the sound echoes through the valley.
Lan Xichen kneels next to his brother, reaches out with trembling hands, a hesitation in them that delays his movement.
He is only vaguely aware of Wei Wuxian emerging, helped by Wen Ning. Only vaguely registers the pitiful crying of Lan Sizhui.
Then, his fingertips touch skin, ice cold. Lan Xichen rests his fingers on Lan Wangji's neck, desperately willing there to be something.
There's nothing.
Lan Xichen leans closer, rests his head on his younger brothers chest.
A beat in the silence, soft and tentative but it's there, the beating of a heart in the distance.
Lan Xichen lays his fingers on Lan Wangji's wrist.
And suddenly he jumps up, Shuoyue flashes against skin and Lan Xichen hisses, 'The poison? Which kind was it!?'
Boqin flinches, mutters the name from under his breath, shaking.
Lan Xichen barks the name at Nie Huaisang, who looks very much offended and terrified at the same time and Lan Xichen feels a flash of pity but it dies out like a flame in the wind.
Lan Xichen drops back next to Lan Wangji and concentrates. Passes him all the energy he has left.
Lan Xichen vaguely hears Lan Sizhui offering to go get the medicine, another Lan disciple saying he'll go, someone else offering they go instead.
Lan Xichen is filled with a fear and nothing matters, he yells, 'Who cares who goes!? As long as SOMEONE does!'
He cares very little for the stares he receives, the shocked silence.
He only cares that someone goes, mounting their sword and leaving.
Wei Wuxian drops beside him, finally escaped from Wen Ning's arms.
Wei Wuxian, 'Will he be okay?'
Lan Xichen cannot form any other coherent thought, can only focus on Lan Wangji.
Lan Xichen, 'I-i don't know.'
Wei Wuxian sits on his other side, lifting Lan Wangji's head on his lap, framing his face with his hands.
A soft muttered prayer comes from his lips, only punctuated by the bird calling from the sky.
Lan Xichen, 'Sizhui! Help me!'
Lan Sizhui wipes at his tears and sits on the other side, taking Lan Wangji's other wrist.
The others stand around them in silence, watching the scene.
They move Lan Wangji but Lan Xichen will not move from his side.
He stares at his brother's face, so awfully pale, and is overcome with what he can only describe as regret and guilt. Intense pain because the one he loves is hurt.
The next morning the one who left appears, hands filled with herbs and medicine, a very distraught looking woman in green robes following closely behind.
She kneels next to Lan Wangji, taking Lan Sizhui's place.
Lan Xichen can only watch her as she examines his younger brother, jaw clenched, just a flicker of hope alight in his chest.
She looks up at him, the awe in her eyes telling him she's recognised both of them,
'ZeWu-Jun, he's badly hurt, the poison spread far. But the poison is common, I have the antidote ready.'
Then, she says the only words Lan Xichen registers, the rest of them lost in a jumble of fear, 'He'll be okay.'
'He'll be okay'