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It was a warm, sticky summer evening. The air was thick and suffocating, pressing down as if it wanted to crush someone. Even though the sun was already halfway down the sky its heat was still relentless.
It reminded Wei Wuxian of the evenings he used to spend in Lotus Pier when he was younger. Summers there sometimes got even warmer. Soft memories of him and Jiang Cheng splashing water at each other while their shijie warned them to be careful resurfaced in his mind, though he quickly shut them down. He missed both of them much more than he would have ever liked to admit. He bit his lip drawing a slight bit of blood.
His eyes cracked open as he placed his hands behind his head, letting out a soft exhale leaning his head back to look at the sky. There were a few clouds rolling around on it. Soft fuzzy things. Like rabbits. Wei Wuxian scoffed, his gaze making its way back to the road in front of him.
It has been a while since he returned to Yiling. He left the Burial Mounds to clear his head for a bit but it didn't end up helping at all. If anything it made his worries even worse. Old memories resurfacing. Some were warm and sugary sweet while others were bitter and stale making his stomach churn and twist.
He still had around a day worth of walking in front of him before he reached the Burial Mounds. Wei Wixian hoped that Wen Qing and the others were okay, not that Wen Ning would ever let any of them get hurt but that didn't help with the worry that was clouding his mind yet again. Taking a deep breath he continued trudging forward. As he did so his legs buckled causing him to stumble forward.
Wei Wixian knew he needed to rest. He had been walking for three days without a single major stop, only allowing himself to quickly eat or drink something. The nearest town was around an hour away. He once already stopped there in the past so weighing his options he decided it was the best he found an inn to spend the night in. Deciding it was better than collapsing on a road in the middle of nowhere.
The sun was slowly disappearing behind the horizon, its last rays shyly hitting the ground as darkness began to overtake them. Enveloping everything with its cold embrace. It finally made the air feel slightly more breathable. Wei Wixian had diverted from the main road and started making his way to the town, patting his robes down to find his money pouch. He should have enough money left for a one night stay.
He hummed as he finally pulled it out and opened it. It indeed had a few coins left in it. As he tucked the pouch back in the safety of his robes a sudden pain shot through his head making his vision go black. His steps came to a halt as he clutched his head gritting his teeth. What the hell was going on? He had spent much longer without sleep without anything happening to him. He tried opening his eyes but even that simple action made the sudden headache worse.
“Fuck..”
He muttered under his breath as he tumbled forward, suddenly walking face first into something strong and warm. He could feel a heartbeat under his ear. This was clearly a person's chest! He wanted to open his eyes and look at the person but he knew it would only make his horrid state worse.
He felt strong hands grip his waist helping him stand. The person faintly smelled of sandalwood. Fresh and crisp, making Wei Wuxian's shoulders relax. They tried saying something to him but Wei Wuxian couldn't make out a single word. His head spun once more as the world around him fell completely silent, his body going completely limp.
.
.
.
The early morning sun enveloped the room, falling straight on Wei Wuxian's face. He cracked his eyes open, finding himself in a large soft bed. His gaze swept down, noticing that he was wearing a fresh set of white robes.
The events that transpired before he passed out were blurry at best. Only remembering that he crashed into someone. That same person probably brought him here. He looked around the room.
It was pretty large. There was a tea table in the middle. An empty cup of tea sat on it. His gaze swept up to the privacy screen that was in the far corner of the room, his old robes hanging on it. It was clear they had been washed, all the dirt and muck from his travel was gone. Had that person brought him here? This inn seemed quite expensive. Maybe he ran into some wealthy merchant. He made a mental note to thank them later.
Wei Wuxian let out a sigh, rolling onto his side so that his back was facing the rest of the room and curling into a ball. It has been a while since he slept in a proper bed. He closed his eyes wanting to drift off to sleep again. Just as drowsiness began to overtake him the door to the room opened.
Wei Wuxian shot up, staring at the man in white and blue cloud patterned robes who just entered the room. Their eyes met and Wei Wuxian's mouth fell open. He tore his gaze away from the man. Of course it was Lan Wangji he ran into. Of course it was the universe spitting straight into his face once again. Playing a sick and cruel joke on him. It made Wei Wuxian want to dig a home in the floor and never see the.light of day again.
“Wei Ying. You are awake.”
Wei Wixian bit his lip, choosing not to respond. He instead laid down into the position he was in before. Curling in on himself. Maybe if he fell asleep again he would wake up and realise all of this was a nasty dream.
He heard Lan Wangji's footsteps make their way over to the side of the bed. Long slender fingers found their way to his shoulder as Lan Wangji sat down next to him on the bed. Wei Wuxian wanted to snap at him, to tell him to fuck off and let go of him but he didnt have it in his heart to do so. Those slender fingers squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.
It made Wei Wixian slightly relax. The tension that was in his back disappeared. He gazed at the wall in front of him, considering if he wanted to speak or not.
“How long was I out for?”
His voice was rough and scratchy from not being used in quite a bit. He felt slightly embarrassed because of Lan Wangji of all people seeing him in such a state of disarray.
“Two days.”
“And you were here the whole time?”
“Mn.”
Wei Wuxian nodded. He wanted to speak again but his stomach got the word before him. Lan Wangji's hand moved from his shoulder and it made Wei Wixian miss its warmth. Lan Wangji got up, leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Probably going to get something to eat.
Wei Wuxian got up, deciding to put his own robes back on. As he shrugged these ones down it suddenly hit him. Lan Wangji was the one who changed his robes. Wei Wuxian could already picture his face, ears flushed pink at the tips. It made a smirk crawl its way on his lips. He would make sure to tease the other man about it later.
He pulled his pants up, reaching for his inner robe. Just as he was about to put it on the door slid open yet again. Lan Wangji's figure entering the room. He was carrying a tray of food, all different shades red. His golden eyes made their way to Wei Wuxian who was standing in front of the privacy screen, rather than behind it.
“Shameless!”
Wei Wuxian could see the tips of his ears turn pink and it made a laugh bubble up on his lips. Lan Wangji placed the tray down on the small table, kneeling down in front of it. Posture straight and perfect like always. When Wei Wuxian's gaze found his face again it was like he could see a sliver of relief in his eyes. But if dispersed as quickly as it appeared.
“Ah, cmon’ now Lan Zhan! You saw me naked anyway. You changed my robes after all!!”
Wei Wuxian said with a giggle, pulling his outer robe on and sitting down on the other side of the table, picking up a pair of chopsticks. He began gulping the food down like a starved man not sparing Lan Wangji a single glance but he could feel the other man's gaze on him.
“Wei Ying.”
Wei Wuxian paused mid bite, chopsticks halfway up in the air as he finally gazed up at the other man. His expression was soft (well as soft as Lan Wangji's face could get) as he looked at him. He placed the chopsticks back down.
“Ah yes you probably want me to repay yo-”
“Come back to Gusu with me.”
Ah yes. There it was again. Those six words. Every time he and Lan Wangji met after he left for the Burial Mounds those words were thrown at him. Even though they were never harsh they still felt like getting slapped in the face with a ball of thorns. Wei Wuxian knew he should have expected them by this point but gosh they still hurt in their own weird way.
“I do not wish to be your prisoner Lan Zhan.”
Wei Wuxian pushed himself up wanting to leave and head back to the Burial Mounds. Lan Wangji's hand shot out, gripping his wrist.
“Wei Ying, please.”
The warmth of those fingers mixed with those words made Wei Wuxian's heart flutter. Even though Lan Wangji asked him to come back with him multiple times he never asked more than once, let alone begged for it! Wei Wuxian's lips shook as he opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. His heart started racing as he gazed down at the floor.
“Why… Why do you want me to come with you anyway?”
“Wei Ying…”
Lan Wangji's grip on his wrist tightened as he tugged Wei Wuxian closer to him. Wei Wixian staggered back as he turned around to face Lan Wangji.
Lan Wangji's eyes were uncharacteristically wide as he looked at him, his pupils dilated. Wei Wuxian swallowed the knot that was forming in his throat as the two stared at each other for a few seconds. Just as Wei Wuxian wanted to tear his hand away from Lan Wangji's grip the other man spoke up.
“I just want you to be safe.”
Wei Wuxian felt the air get kicked out of his lungs. His mouth fell wide open as he began gasping for it back. His throat felt as if it was closing up, trying to suffocate him. The words Lan Wangji said floated in his head as his knees gave out and he slumped down on the ground. Kneeling beside Lan Wangji.
He felt his eyes brim with tears that threatened to spill as he collapsed onto the other man. Strong arms enveloping him in a tight embrace yet again. The scent of sandalwood filled his nose again except it was way stronger than before. Wei Wuxian imagined how it would be to wake up to this scent every morning. To wake up next to Lan Wangji every morning. Before he even noticed it he started crying into the other man's chest. Ugly muffled sobs filling the room.
I just want you to be safe.
Lan Wangji wanted him to be safe. Someone other than Wen Qing and Wen Ning wanted him safe. Someone still cared for him. Someone still wanted him here. Wei Wuxian's sobs slowly quieted down as he nuzzled deeper into Lan Wangji's chest.
The other man tightened his hold on him not caring for the wet patch Wei Wuxian's tears left on his outer robes. He slowly stroked Wei Wuxian's hair, twisting the dark strands in his fingers.
“You know I can't. If I did, who would protect them? I…”
Wei Wuxian's voice was still muffled against Lan Wangji's chest. He didn't want Lan Wangji to stop playing with his hair. The touch brought him a sense of comfort. Any touch from the other man actually brought him comfort.
“Wen Qing said it's for the best.”
“What?!”
Wei Wuxian pushed himself off Lan Wangji's chest, contradicting his own thoughts. He stared at the other man unblinkingly.
“You went to the Burial Mounds?!”
“Mn.”
“Why?!”
“Wanted to talk.”
Wei Wuxian was left stunned yet again. He felt tears prick up at the corners of his eyes yet again as he blinked rapidly to make them go away.
Lan Wangji's golden gaze was still focused on him. Patiently waiting for an answer as he rubbed soothing circles on Wei Wuxian's back. Wei Wuxian licked his lips before crashing his mouth into Lan Wangjis. His arms snaked around the others necks as Lan Wangji returned the kiss.
It was messy, teeth clicking against each other. Wei Wuxian nipped at Lan Wangji's lower lip, earning a sigh from the man. Lan Wangji's hands gripped Wei Wixian's waist as he pinned him down on the floor. Making sure that the other doesn't hit his head too hard.
They eventually pulled away to breathe. Wei Wuxian chased Lan Wangji's lips, already mourning their warmth. Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon was askew, his hair falling messily into his face. The tips of his ears were flushed pink, his lips swollen from all the kissing.
Wei Wuxian reached up, fixing the messed up forehead ribbon straightening it out again. This was the first time Lan Wangji didn't mind him touching it. After he did that he rested his forehead against Lan Wangji's heart hammering in his chest.
“Ill come back with you.”
His voice was soft, so soft that he thought he imagined saying it. He felt Lan Wangji stop breathing. Wei Wixian could see that his ears got impossibly redder. Suddenly all of his confidence went down the drain. He wanted to apologise but before he could Lan Wangji's lips curled up into what could barely be considered a smile.
It made Wei Wixian feel all giddy on the inside, butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He wanted to laugh but Lan Wangji's lips found his yet again.
“Lan Zha-”
The other man's hands found their way back to Wei Wuxian's head, scratching his scalp gently and making him whine against Lan Wangji's mouth.
“I love you, Wei Ying.”
Lan Wangji's words were murmured against his lips. Wei Wuxian giggled. He hasn't felt this happy in quite a while.
“I love you too, Lan Zhan”
Lan Wangji's lips attacked his again. Wei Wuxian sighed in content.
Yea, he could get used to this.