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It's a normal day in the Cloud Recesses.
Well, it was, until Lan Qiren had requested for Lan Xichen to come in and have tea with him. Something he hadn't done after Lan Xichen had taken on the mantle of being a Sect Leader, since he had been busy handling all the paperwork. Lan Xichen didn't complain though, he did miss his Uncle's quiet presence.
What he found surprising, however, was Wei Wuxian being invited.
"Why is Uncle suddenly so open to the idea of Wei Gongzi joining us?" Lan Xichen takes a sip of his jasmine tea, closing his eyes in satisfaction as he hums. "Has Uncle finally realised that he makes Wangji happy?"
"Hm," Lan Qiren answered in an evasive way, avoiding the question. He takes a deep breath when Wei Wuxian's silhouette is seen through the window. "He's here."
"He is," Lan Xichen smiles, much open to the idea of visits since it has been years since he has left his seclusion, coaxed out of his shell by Wei Wuxian who insisted on bringing trinkets to him almost everyday. He sets down his cup of tea as Wei Wuxian nearly barges in, almost vibrating in excitement.
"Greetings, Lan Xiansheng, Xichen-ge!" Wei Wuxian bows, his face obscured by his hair. Lan Xichen can almost sense his smile.
"Mn," Lan Qiren nods, bowing stiffly. "Take a seat."
"Thank you, Lan Xiansheng!" Wei Wuxian beams, and Lan Xichen finds himself squinting at how much he's glowing like a ball of sunshine.
"I have called you here today to discuss… marriage," Lan Qiren nods to himself. He wraps his fingers around the ceramic cup as if he needed it for support to force the words out of his throat. "With Wangji."
"I… Really? You would let me marry your nephew?" Years ago, right when Wei Wuxian's identity was exposed, Lan Qiren had been furious. Though Lan Wangji stayed by Wei Wuxian's side shielding him, the latter had told Lan Wangji to leave it be. He didn't want to cause a rift between Lan Wangji and his family, and since they technically are already considered to be married…
Lan Wangji had seemed displeased, but he respected his wishes and clutched Wei Wuxian's hand close to his chest, and swore to give him a proper wedding ceremony one day. Even if they were already considered as lawfully wedded husbands.
(It still makes him swoon, making him blush whenever he thought back to that moment.)
"Why the sudden change of heart, Lan Xiansheng?" Wei Wuxian asks, his heart bursting with joy. Though his face didn't show anything but a polite grin.
"I know… you make Wangji happy," Lan Qiren responded, taking a sip of his tea. "I do not approve, but for the sake of Wangji's happiness, I will let this go."
"..." Lan Xichen's eyes were wide open, his eyes darting from Wei Wuxian to Lan Qiren.
"..." Wei Wuxian made eye contact with him, and tried to communicate with the narrowing of his eyes and the slight tilt of his head towards Lan Qiren's direction.
It was obvious that Lan Qiren was trying to pretend Wei Wuxian wasn't communicating with Lan Xichen about how bizarre Lan Qiren was. He occupied himself with the wall in front of him.
Lan Qiren clears his throat. He pushes a bottle of Emperors' Smile to Wei Wuxian that he pulled out from under the table. Wei Wuxian stares at him like he has grown rabbit ears. "I heard you liked alcohol. This is an exception and will only happen once."
Wei Wuxian's jaw drops. Lan Qiren smuggling alcohol? Into the Cloud Recesses? The same place with more than 3000 rules? Ridiculous. Absurd.
"I… I will accept with thanks, Lan Xiansheng," Wei Wuxian couldn't help the stutter. Being accepted into the family officially was his dream, to be able to belong somewhere with Lan Wangji without conflict sounded surreal. His heart pounded, his hands shaky as he poured the alcohol into a tiny cup. He bit back a smile.
"I see you are warming up to A-Xian," The corner of Lan Xichen's lip ticked up, his eyes shining with amusement at Wei Wuxian's reaction. "Sadly, I will have to attend a meeting soon with Sect Leader Yao." He almost grimaced but held back, though Wei Wuxian thinks he can decipher Lan Xichen's minuscule changes of expressions pretty well now.
"Good luck with that, Xichen-ge," Look who's laughing now! Wei Wuxian held in his snort, hyper aware of Lan Qiren's heavy presence beside him.
"Thank you, A-Xian," A-Xian… I will get you back for this. Wei Wuxian's eyes turned into crescents as he stared at Lan Xichen's retreating back. I want to see you try! He eagerly thought to himself.
But soon after, Lan Qiren raises an eyebrow when Wei Wuxian doesn't gulp down the alcohol immediately, like he always does on the roof of the Jingshi. Lan Qiren would look at him in disdain whenever he did that, like he was doing something unbecoming.
Once, Lan Qiren told him off for thinking he didn't have to follow the rules just because Lan Wangji had condoned his actions.
You are wrong if you think you are truly part of the Lan Sect. Be on your best behaviour and don't let Wangji lose face.
He didn't attempt to drink on the roof anymore after that. When Lan Wangji brought it up, Wei Wuxian brushed it off, ignoring the way the rejection from Lan Qiren stung.
The fact that he didn't belong once again hit him like a bucket of cold water.
Everything Madam Yu had predicted about him came true in the end, You will never find someone who likes you enough to keep you for long.
"Do you not find the alcohol to your liking? Is it not to your taste?" Lan Qiren sets down his cup, stroking his goatee. "I can have it taken away-"
"No! No, it's okay, Lan Xiansheng!" Wei Wuxian waves his hands in front of him frantically, his nerves frayed. I just can't seem to shake off the feeling that something is going to go wrong-
"Well then. Drink it," Lan Qiren nods in satisfaction as Wei Wuxian chugs it down, mirroring his actions with his own tea. He hums. "As I was saying, the marriage. When do you want to hold it?"
"Well, I would need Lan Zhan for this conversation-" It's marriage! He initially thought Lan Wangji would be asked to arrive with him, but Lan Qiren told Wei Wuxian to come alone to drink tea with Lan Xichen before getting Lan Wangji as he would be in charge of the juniors.
"Hm, he is teaching now," A casual dismissal, like the mask he previously donned was finally taken off for Wei Wuxian to witness. The temperature in the room seemed to have dropped several degrees, his gaze now cold. "You do not have to bother him anymore."
"Ahaha, I guess you're right," Wei Wuxian scratched the back of his head, feeling a chill along his spine, goosebumps forming on his skin. "But Lan Zhan-"
"Enough," Lan Qiren holds a hand up. "I believe you have done enough."
"Eh?" Wei Wuxian drops his hand onto his lap, the rough grain of his knuckles turning white with how hard he was clutching at his robes. Drops of sweat pricked and pooled against his skin. "What do you mean?"
"I believe it will be taking effect soon," Lan Qiren stands, dusting off his robes with the same kind of elegance Lan Wangji would exude. "Please stay in this room, I'll get Wangji to fetch you after class."
"What will be taking effect soon? Didn't you say we shouldn't bother Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian almost scrambles up to his knees as Lan Qiren steps out, right before the doors closes.
The last thing he hears before Lan Qiren leaves will forever be etched in his mind.
" You won't bother Lan Zhan," Lan Qiren sneers. "Not anymore."
"What-"
The doors slammed shut.
-
Wei Wuxian is shut in for almost an entire day.
He could only tell with the way the room turns completely dark, the sun sinking below the horizon. It's a beautiful sight, the slight pinkish colour peeking in through the paper windows.
Wei Wuxian takes a moment to admire the sight, considering the fact that no matter how much he scratches at the door, kicking and yelling at the top of his lungs just doesn't work. It hurts even just leaning against it, a slight burn as electricity shocks him like a warning. Do not come any closer. Nobody is usually near this tiny cottage, Chenqing isn't with him, and there's no corpses nearby to break him out.
The tiny cottage should have rung the alarm bells in his head, considering how isolated it seemed from the rest of the Cloud Recesses. Maybe he was gullible, foolish enough to think Lan Qiren had easily changed his perception of him other than that of a filthy brat his nephew picked up from the streets.
He's completely stuck. Alone.
Wen Ning is with Lan Sizhui on a night hunt after all, why would they put it all on hold just to save little old him? Wei Wuxian realises that he isn't merely shut in when the pain in his chest blossoms, his little spiritual energy gradually dissipating. It hurts , the agonising and searing pain of the poison making its way into his body. His chest heaves and he reaches out. To what?
Hopeless.
It reminds him of when he had recently just given his golden core away, him struggling in the Burial Mounds, him writhing in pain as the dead arose, digging their claws into his flesh-
Calling for help won't work. It never did. You will always be alone, Wei Wuxian.
"Calm down, calm down," Wei Wuxian murmured to himself, cold sweat dripping down his forehead as his entire body slumped against the door. It burns. Later, he laid down and pressed his cheek to the cold hard wood floor. His strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. "Your husband's uncle just wants to kill you, no big deal, right?"
Wei Wuxian huffed when there was no response.
"And here I thought…" Wei Wuxian dragged a hand across his face, holding back his cries. The tears fall anyways. "I really thought I could change that old man's opinion of me huh…?"
"If only I could have died a second time peacefully with Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian ends his sentence with a harsh cough, and he wheezes, fingernails digging into his throat. It's pathetic, the way he squirms and tries to make a noise that's louder than a whimper so someone saves him like a damsel in distress. His stomach aches, burning from the inside.
Vomit it out, vomit it out. He digs his fingers down the back of his throat. Vomit it out, vomit it-
The pulse of his warm yet weak core started to fade, his heartbeat slowing down. Whatever was inside the alcohol seemed to be taking effect which made him drowsy, tempting him to close his eyes and drift away.
It was like he was laying on a cloud, soft and pliant.
This was different from the usual buzz when he drank too much Emperors' Smile, the kind which made him woozy in a good way. This made him uncomfortably warm and cold at the same time, like his body couldn't decide on what to feel.
Wei Wuxian can feel it in a low-level thrum of exhaustion throughout his body, like a rope was offered to him and he just had to pull on it to end his suffering.
He has always caused trouble for others. Maybe, in the end, he got what he deserved.
Before he loses himself to sleep, he whispers.
"I'm sorry, Lan Zhan."
-
Lan Wangji knocks, two successive raps on the door.
When the door opens to reveal a slightly dishevelled Lan Xichen, he heaves a sigh of relief. If anyone had answers, it would be his older brother, a guiding pillar for him since his youth.
"Xiongzhang. Have you seen Wei Ying?" Lan Wangji swallows. What if Wei Ying didn't want to see him? "Is he alright? He hasn't returned. It is late."
"I met him for tea today with Uncle in the cottage near Wen Qionglin's," Lan Xichen answers. Panic surged through Lan Wangji, and he could see the worry etched on Lan Xichen's face too. It must have dawned on him why Lan Wangji was paying him a visit during their bedtime. After all, Lan Wangji knows Lan Xichen has started regarding Wei Wuxian as a younger brother of his now. "He has not returned?"
"No, he has not. Xiongzhang, do you think… something has happened?" Lan Wangji bit down on his tongue, his body going cold with dread.
"Are you implying what I think you are implying?"
"Xiongzhang. Uncle clearly does not appreciate Wei Ying's existence," Lan Wangji lets his worry seep into his every word, hoping Lan Xichen takes this seriously. He's one of the suspects as of now, and Lan Wangji's selfishly hoping it isn't him.
"Maybe they had a fight and Wei Ying left in a fit of anger?" Lan Xichen had his own suspicions. Lan Wangji didn't think that sounded like Wei Wuxian, with how he rambles about where he goes just to soothe Lan Wangji'a fear of abandonment.
"I…" Lan Xichen must have picked up on his thought process and nods sagely.
"Let's check what we know first, Wangji," Lan Xichen lays a hand on Lan Wangji's shoulder, a steady and comforting weight.
"The place where it started?" Lan Wangji points out, his knees weak like his legs are going to give out at any moment.
"Yes, Wangji."
"Mn."
-
A voice that sounds exactly like Wei Wuxian curses in his head.
If only he could hear it in real life and not as a figment of his imagination. Lan Wangji holds back a sigh.
"It's bolted shut with… spiritual energy. It has a blue aura around it," Lan Wangji comes to a halt at the front of the door. Blue aura… it could only be...
Lan Wangji squeezes his eyes shut, wondering if he should have just left the sect in the first place when eloping with Wei Wuxian. He opens them again.
"Do we break it open?"
"Hm," Lan Xichen steps forward tentatively, but the moment his fingers inches closer towards the door, he flinches back as if he was struck by lightning. It stung, but it wasn't life threatening. Lan Wangji's arm is outstretched, as if he wanted to pull him back and protect him. "Be careful, Wangji."
Lan Wangji frowns, doing the same despite Lan Xichen's words. It gets him the same result, but he doesn't react much. His concern for Wei Wuxian weighs heavy on his mind.
"You can't touch it," Lan Wangji grits out, his fist trembling as he furrowed his brows. "What do we do then? We need to save him. Please," He begs, as if Lan Xichen had the solution to all his problems.
"I believe only spiritual energy can combat spiritual energy in this scenario," Lan Xichen points out. "Perfect to trap those who may have another form of cultivation. If he somehow found a way to seal his golden core…"
Like what Jin Guangyao made Lan Xichen do in the Guanyin temple, when Wei Wuxian's life was hanging by a thread right in front of Lan Wangji's eyes. He doesn't want to be reminded of that.
Lan Wangji is sure his brother doesn't want to be reminded of those dire times as well.
Lan Wangji grips his brother's sleeve, clinging desperately, "Please save him."
"I will try. I regard A-Xian as my brother after all."
That's all that Lan Wangji needs to hear.
-
The moment they manage to kick the door down with a burst of combined spiritual energy, Lan Wangji almost steps on a hand and crushes it the moment he walks through the doorway.
A hand he recognises.
His blood runs cold.
Wei Ying?
The hand is outstretched from the side, his open palm splayed wide as if he seeked help before succumbing to slumber, his arm falling to the ground in the end. The tips of his fingers and the back of his clothes are charred, like he attempted to push the door open. The sight of his husband with his eyes closed peacefully, dried tear tracks on his cheeks-
He grabs the wall, the wood beneath his hand splintering. He sees red, his jaw clenching. Why, why, why-
"A-Xian-" Lan Xichen drops to his knees and uses his hand to place two fingertips on his wrist, inches beneath his palm. He gets up on his feet hurriedly. "There's still signs of life- Wangji-"
Lan Wangji knows what to do without his brother elaborating. He carries Wei Wuxian close to his chest, using his fingers to channel spiritual energy into his sealed core to unseal it. It is almost effortless for him as Lan Wangji has had an ample amount of time to become stronger, and now he's glad it is put to good use.
Wei Wuxian will not die.
Lan Wangji will not allow it.
"Get the healers!" Lan Xichen nearly shouts, but Lan Wangji can only focus on how his skin had deteriorated to a grey, sickly pallor. You won't die, Wei Ying.
He repeated it in his mind like a mantra, as he let go of Wei Wuxian's limp body in his arms soon enough, leaving him in the healers' care.
-
Am I in heaven?
Wei Wuxian winces at the bright sunlight streaming in from the open window, squinting his eyes as he pats his chest. Huh. It's back.
"Hm?" He blinks several times, adjusting to the brightness of the room as his eyes burned whenever he opened them. There's fingers interlocked with his, holding on tightly as if Wei Wuxian would drift away at any moment like an unsteady ship ashore. "L'n Zh'n?" He slurred, his throat dry.
A "Wei Ying!" and "A-Xian!" responded to him, an assault on his senses. He winces.
"Sorry, A-Xian," Lan Xichen tucks Wei Wuxian in further, pulling the blanket up his chin. "We were worried."
Lan Xichen pours him a cup of water, handing it to Lan Wangji who tilts his chin up and helps him drink.
"More than just worried," Lan Wangji sets the cup aside, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of his hand. "Afraid."
"Lan Zhan…" Wei Wuxian rasps out, his throat hurting with how hard he previously tried to retch, to vomit out the alcohol as if it hadn't taken root in his body the moment he swallowed it down. "Xichen-ge?"
"I'm here, and so is Wangji," Lan Xichen pats him on the head, like Jiang Yanli used to do. "Do you want more rest?"
"Mn. I want Lan Zhan to rest with me," Wei Ying makes grabby hands before Lan Wangji catches his hands with his own.
"Do not overexert yourself," Lan Zhan puts them on Wei Wuxian's chest and moves into bed with him, obliging to his request. Lan Xichen chuckles, but his eyes are devoid of amusement.
"If you'll excuse me," Lan Xichen bows to Wei Wuxian and nods in Lan Wangji's direction. "I'll have to settle some things-"
"Don't," Wei Wuxian has his weak fingers around Lan Xichen's wrist. He could easily break free of it with how frail Wei Wuxian was. "Don't make a big deal out of this."
"Wei Ying! Uncle- No, Grandmaster Lan tried to murder you!" Lan Wangji was close to shouting which made Wei Wuxian shake his head. Here he is, making Lan Wangji break his clan rules again.
"No, I don't want to cause you to lose your Uncle- I-"
"Wei Ying, I do not want an Uncle who would murder someone I love," Lan Wangji tucks a piece of loose hair behind Wei Wuxian's ear. "If Jiang Wanyin killed my brother, would you stand for that?"
"No! Of course not-"
"Mn. Then it is the same for me," Lan Wangji coaxes Wei Wuxian's hand away from Lan Xichen's, wrapping it in his larger ones. "I don't want to see you hurt again."
"Xichen-ge, what are you going to do?"
"I'll confront him. But in the end, you can decide his fate. Banishment or… the discipline whip." Lan Xichen steps closer to the bed, hesitant.
"But he won't be able to take the whip without dying-"
"Yes, A-Xian. It's between death and banishment."
"Your Uncle who raised you-"
"Is a murderer. Someone who almost murdered my husband," Lan Wangji pulls Wei Wuxian into a hug. He doesn't interrupt others unless there is a need to do so. It gives Wei Wuxian butterflies in his stomach, like he's someone worth fighting for. "Wei Ying. Can't you just accept that there are people who will choose you? Who doesn't care about losing face over your happiness and well-being?"
"Lan Zhan…" Wei Wuxian lets out a sob then, clutching the back of Lan Wangji's robes in fistfuls. The long fingers brushing through his hair makes him feel exposed, ragged and raw like a fingernail bitten to the quick. "I'm such a crybaby now. Stop making me feel things."
"You are not. It is completely normal to cry," Lan Wangji rubs his back. "Cry as much as you want. I will be here."
Wei Wuxian sniffs, and leans into Lan Wangji's comforting touch.
"I guess this is my cue to leave. Let me know your decision when you're ready, A-Xian."
-
Soon enough, with Lan Wangji fussing over him, Wei Wuxian had a speedy recovery.
"Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian tugs Lan Wangji along with him. "I can finally walk around without you being like, 'Wei Ying. No walking.'" Wei Wuxian snorts at his own impression.
"I did not say that," Lan Wangji sighs, but allows his official(!!!) husband to drag him across the Cloud Recesses. "I said you can go for a walk, but with me monitoring you-"
"Same thing, Zhan Zhan," Wei Wuxian shrugs it off. "Don't you want to get in bed with me? Don't you miss our everyday?"
"Wei Ying, you will overexert yourself," Lan Wangji wraps his arms around Wei Wuxian from behind when the latter doesn't stop moving and vibrating in excitement. "Behave. I will do whatever you want tomorrow when you get your last check up."
Wei Wuxian turns in his arms, facing him. His big doe eyes directed at Lan Wangji. "Really? What if you lie to me?"
"I will not. I will fuck you as much as you want if you behave."
Wei Wuxian pushes Lan Wangji's face away with a hand, his cheeks as pink as plum blossoms. "Lan Zhan! Language!"
"Hm," Lan Wangji lets himself be pushed away. His face shows no emotion, completely nonchalant. Then, he frowns. "Have you… decided on Grandmaster Lan's punishment?
"I…" The sudden change of topic made Wei Wuxian hide his face into Lan Wangji's chest. He groans. "Why do I have to choose?"
"Because he hurt you. If I did it for you, I may be biased," Lan Wangji kisses Wei Wuxian, something gentle and tender between both lovers.
"If I decide on it, will you blame me?"
"I won't, Wei Ying."
-
In the end, Lan Xichen managed to explain the entire scenario to the elders.
Wei Wuxian decided on banishment, and opted out of being around Lan Qiren when it was announced. Lan Xichen casted him an understanding look, and ushered him away along with Lan Wangji.
("Is he my bodyguard now, Xichen-ge?"
Lan Xichen laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Close enough. Right, Wangji?"
"Mn. I am Wei Ying's bodyguard now."
Wei Wuxian squealed as Lan Wangji hefted him up into his big, strong arms, carrying him away from Lan Xichen.)
Though he did not pay Lan Qiren's existence much mind after when Lan Wangji manhandled him into the Jingshi, setting him down on the bed. He lays him down like he's as precious as the ocean's treasures, too strong for anyone to measure.
Lan Wangji climbed on top of him on all fours and caged Wei Wuxian beneath him. It was like time stopped when Lan Wangji's lips met his. Wei Wuxian pressed his body closer to Lan Wangji's, chest-to-chest as his toes curled.
Wei Wuxian yanked at his hair, relishing in the growl elicited from Lan Wangji.
"Lan Zhan, hurry up," Wei Wuxian whined as they parted for air. His body tingled as Lan Wangji pulled him in again, claiming his mouth, hungry and intense.
"I missed this. I missed you, Wei Ying," Lan Wangji stroked his cheek. "I thought I would have lost you again."
"Lan Zhan… I would do everything I could just to never leave you again," Wei Wuxian pushed him onto his back, and the latter willingly went along with his antics. Wei Wuxian straddled his thighs and grinded down, eager to feel him rock hard against the cleft of his ass. "Take everything off, Lan Zhan. Hurry."
"Impatient," Lan Wangji clicks his tongue, and Wei Wuxian snorts.
They quickly undressed, with Lan Wangji huffing and giving him a hand when he saw how Wei Wuxian got himself tangled in his own robes.
"Kiss again?" Wei Wuxian pouts. Lan Wangji cups his cheeks with his hands and brings him in for another sensational kiss, their lips touching softly. "I love you so much, Lan Zhan."
"I love you too, Wei Ying," Lan Wangji releases him. "Shall I show you exactly how much I love you?
"Please do!" Wei Wuxian giggles and they fall in a heap on the bed, excited at just the prospect of being together, at being connected so much so that none of them knows where they start and end.