Work Text:
There are many things that Lan Xichen will never hesitate to admit. His love for Meng Yao and the fact that Meng Yao is far from innocent are only two of those things-- But they are also the things that he has admitted most often in recent times-- One of which much more proudly and often than the other; both said and shown to the world around them. No matter how much people may scorn his decision... Nothing will change the fact that Lan Xichen loves this man more than anything.
Nothing will change that Meng Yao is the man that he has decided is his Fated Person.
Nothing will make him regret his actions on that night and nothing will make him regret his actions since.
He knows the looks he gets-- That the both of them get. The whispers that he hears before he enters a room. That he's foolish and far too trusting of that daughter of a whore. It makes his blood boil – But he makes an effort to keep himself under control. He is the leader of his sect, after all. It is his job especially to ensure that he follows each of the rules that have been taught to him since he was just a baby.
And there is no rule against what he had done for Meng Yao. There was no rule that said that he could not save the man he loved. That he could not forgive the deeds that he had committed. … That he could not protect him from further suffering under the pretense that he had suffered enough.
There was nothing against any of it.
… Even if there was he was certain that those rules would be broken. His love for Meng Yao was far greater than any of the rules that were carved into the Wall of Discipline. No matter what his uncle or the other elders thought... This was the man that he loved.
And he did not dare regret giving hi his ribbon on that night, announcing to the others within the temple that Meng Yao would be returning with him to Gusu.
He knew in the moment that he made that decision that the world would be against him. Just like the world would be against his Fated Person.
But he didn't care. He would stand by him no matter what-- Because he trusted him. He trusted that this man would not commit those atrocities again. … But he was also completely prepared to handle the situation if it came down to it. That was the statement that he had made on that night; the one condition to his action to save this man's life.
… His judgment meant little to those of other sects, of course, when it came to this particular situation. Something that was frustrating-- But it was not something that he couldn't deal with. It was something that he was willing to handle. All for the sake of the man that he loved.
The man who Lan Xichen was now going to retrieve-- To bring back to bed with him. The curfew that had been instilled in him for his entire life was growing near-- And he wanted the man that he loved to be by his side as he fell asleep.
It was always nice to have him by his side-- But especially then. Especially when he was tired, ready for sleep. He wanted to hold him close, to tell him how much he loves him-- Because every word that he says to him is true.
He deserves to be told that continuously.
… What Meng Yao does not deserve is the scene that Lan Xichen walks into. As he pushes through the doors his eyes widen as the loud POP of skin-hitting-skin fills the room-- Followed by the four words that makes his blood boil as the scene finally registers in his mind.
“Learn your damned place, you son of a whore!”
In an instant Lan Xichen is moving across the room-- His robes flowing gracefully behind him as he moves quickly and places himself between the two of them.
He can feel Meng Yao staring at him as he swiftly reaches forward. His blood is boiling.
His fingers wrap around this man's wrist. His grip tightens and his knuckles are white.
He says nothing as he glares forward, trying to find the proper words to say--
“Er-Ge--” He hears from behind him. He does not turn. “I'm fine--”
“He hit you.” Lan Xichen finally states, patience almost gone from his voice. He is still not looking back at the man that he loves so dearly. His eyes are locked with those of the man who had dared to strike him.
“... Er-Ge, your grip--” He can feel Meng Yao's hand gently wrap around his wrist-- Carefully tugging him back towards the doors that he had just come through.
Xichen easily pulls himself from his grip, his entire focus on the individual before him. He watches as the man's eyes widen as his grip tightens further-- And he can feel the man's wrist give way under the pressure of his grip.
He still doesn't let go. Even if this was not his intention, he will not just stand back without saying anything about what had just happened. His voice is steady as he speaks-- Thinly veiling the rage that boils through his veins. “I believe that I have made it very clear on several occasions that Meng Yao is my responsibility.” He releases his grip, turning away.
He can see the man grab at his wrist with his uninjured hand out of the corner of his eye. He can't bring himself to care about what he had done here, nor can he bring himself to care about the consequences that his actions will inevitably bring. (He has every intention of admitting to these misdeeds and taking his punishment; what he will have to face is nothing compared to the suffering that his beloved has already faced-- And the suffering that many seem to want to continue to pile upon him.)
“Please keep that in mind in the future on whether or not you should hold you tongue. Especially if your reasoning for such actions has no solid grounds, aside from the means of his birth.”
And without another word Lan Xichen makes his exit. He does not look back for any reason-- And just as he expects? Meng Yao follows behind him quietly.
“... Er-Ge, you really didn't have to do that-- You shouldn't break your sect's rules just for my sake--”
Hearing those words from Meng Yao's mouth... Lan Xichen stops in his tracks and gracefully turns to face him. He takes his hand in both of his carefully. One look at him shows that his blood is still boiling. But that does not change the absolute softness and love on his expression when he looks at the man that he loves so much.
“... I would break the rules a thousand times over for you, A-Yao,” he states calmly before leaning down to press a kiss on the man's forehead. “You have suffered enough. I will not allow you to suffer any further, if I can help it.”