Work Text:
The circumstances for which Wei Wuxian existed in the world were… odd.
Because he didn't just get summoned into a new body, he had a little friend–the same friend who originally called him back into this world.
Mo Xuanyu thought it was strange. Wasn't his soul supposed to be destroyed in the sacrifice? Wasn't the law of the universe that he had to exchange one soul to bring back the other? But neither of them could figure it out.
So the two spent their days sharing a body. When one took control the other could hide somewhere within or they could let their soul roam around nearby, unable to physically touch even the body they were attached to.
Everything was a blur to the both of them. After escaping the Mo family they tried to get as far away as possible. Wei Wuxian didn't want to run into any old faces–especially Lan Wangji. Mo Xuanyu was scared of what those cultivators may do with him being labeled a madman.
They spent many days together searching for a new home, hoping to find someone willing to take in and put to work an unwell man, with unhealing scars and always talking to himself. Most nights were spent in old shrines or under a makeshift roof made of sticks and leaves.
Mo Xuanyu didn't seem keen on talking much and Wei Wuxian had to drag words out of him. Some nights he managed to get Mo Xuanyu to let out a few words and everything he heard horrified him. He wished he could have been alive and helped the man out of such painful situations. He wished so bad he could hold the young man in his arms but he had to settle for motioning his hand as if he were petting his head and stroking his hair.
Sometimes Wei Wuxian would talk about his own past and Mo Xuanyu's face would take on such a sad expression it tore at his heart to see him so upset on his behalf. The two would press themselves together even if they couldn't really touch. They both were so hurt but at least they were away, at least they had someone.
Then they ran into Lan Wangji.
Mo Xuanyu was intimidated by him. Wei Wuxian didn't want to face his past. Neither one wanted control of the body so instead the body fainted while the two tried to decide who should take control.
Lan Wangji seemed to be suspicious or at the very least curious of them. So he took them back to the inn he was staying at. The body still breathed even though both souls were outside of it, it seemed as if it were asleep. Both souls were afraid so they just observed Lan Wangji caring for them, tucking them in a bed and feeding them medicine.
Eventually, Mo Xuanyu felt comfortable enough to slip into their body. Lan Wangji was taking such good care of them and he didn't want to see him grow too worried. The relief on the man's face tugged at Mo Xuanyu’s heart, making him feel guilty for not giving in and taking over the body earlier.
But Lan Wangji wasn't angry. Even through all Mo Xuanyu's bumbling apologies he only told him there was no need to be sorry before bringing a bowl of soup to him.
They spent days together, Mo Xuanyu was a comfortable companion for Lan Wangji who was investigating a case about a mutilated corpse–the one that had killed the Mo family when Mo Xuanyu and Wei Wuxian escaped. Lan Wangji was protective and didn't care that Mo Xuanyu seemed a little messed up in the head. Lan Wangji even held the young man and Mo Xuanyu couldn't help but cry, finally feeling that warmth he'd been missing for years.
Wei Wuxian didn't take control save for any moments when there was danger and they needed someone with more skills to protect themselves. Mo Xuanyu would talk to him whenever he thought Lan Wangji couldn't hear and through his conversations with both men, he put together the unresolved feelings between them.
With this, new feelings started to take form in Mo Xuanyu. So this was why Lan Wangji had taken them in and been so kind to them? It was obvious that Mo Xuanyu and Wei Wuxian looked alike. Could it be that Lan Wangji was missing his lost love and took in Mo Xuanyu because he reminded him of him?
Mo Xuanyu used the presence of Jin Ling as an excuse to retreat back into their body and force Wei Wuxian into control. It didn't take too long for Lan Wangji to realize someone else was inhabiting the body, Wei Wuxian couldn't conceal himself any longer. Mo Xuanyu didn't listen too closely to them resolving things, the discomfort of being stuck between two men who loved each other was suffocating him.
After a time, Lan Wangji asked where Mo Xuanyu went and Wei Wuxian responded telling him that the sight of Jin clan robes was stressing him out so he was hiding somewhere. They silently agreed to let him have some time alone.
Mo Xuanyu didn't go away completely. He would occasionally pop out to talk to Wei Wuxian or have him speak to Lan Wangji on his behalf. But as the investment continued, bringing them closer to Mo Xuanyu's past, the young man seemed to go quieter and quieter.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji grew closer, now that they can finally be together again, and their feelings being laid bare to each other. They worried for the third but with his silence and everything going on, he fell further to the back of their minds, assuming he'll return once everything is resolved.
But once it all was resolved everything was still quiet. Wei Wuxian tried calling him out but there was still silence. Lan Wangji tried calling him out but still, silence.
The two tried to lure him out by making his favorite foods, buying him cosmetics, anything.
Nothing.
It was a week before Wei Wuxian broke down.
Through hot tears he wailed, it was his fault. He and Mo Xuanyu were attached to each other; it was his responsibility. But he ignored him, thinking he was just stressed and needed space. What did he do? Did he say or do anything wrong? Lan Wangji held him tightly in his arms as he sobbed.
Mo Xuanyu's soul was gone. And in its place was the crying Wei Wuxian.