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Consciousness returns to Wei Wuxian slowly.
He can't see. His eyes feel too heavy to open. And yet he knows his eyes must physically be open. Yet still, there is only darkness.
It is cold and damp here. Sounds echo from the walls. Water drips nearby. He does not recognize this place.
He senses that he is not alone, but he knows he should be. No one else should be near Wei Wuxian right now. This feels important, although he can't remember why.
He hears this person talking. He's murmuring softly to Wei Wuxian and he sounds so sad, so worried.
Wei Wuxian knows this voice. He knows this is a person he knows. But he can't seem to remember who that person is to him. Is this a friend? Or foe? He feels both are equally likely.
Either way, this person should leave. Before he has the chance to hurt Wei Wuxian. Or before Wei Wuxian has the chance to hurt him. Everyone who Wei Wuxian cares about seems to get hurt. So, this person should leave. Before someone finds him here.
Before who finds him here? Why would someone be looking for us? He thinks. He tries to grab on to this thought. He tries to remember but too soon the darkness claims him again and he slips back into nothingness.
Some time passes. He isn't sure how long. But he feels himself float back into his body again
This time he feels warm hands clutching at his cold ones. It feels nice. He can't remember the last time someone held his hand. Possibly never. He can't remember anything really so he can't be sure.
He enjoys the feeling for a moment but then he feels spiritual energy start to transfer from those warm hands into his own body. It feels wrong. This isn't a feeling Wei Wuxian gets to have anymore. It makes him panic.
He needs to get away. He needs to make this person get away. It isn't safe to be touched. It isn't safe to be healed. It isn't safe because he'll find out. He'll find out. He'll find out. He can't find out.
Wei Wuxian can't even remember what it is that can't be found out. But he knows it's important.
So he says something. He isn't sure what. But he keeps trying. Go away! Get lost! Leave me alone! He thinks he is maybe crying. It feels damp on his cheeks.
But soon he falls again into the nothingness.
The next time he wakes he still feels warm hands transferring him energy, murmuring softly to him still. But something feels wrong. There are footsteps and other voices approaching. Lots of them. This is bad.
This person, he needs to leave. Now. If they catch him here with Wei Wuxian… If they are seen together… Then surely they will… Oh no.
NoNoNo Lan Zhan needs to leave now! Please leave!
Get away from me! Go! Get lost! Get lost!!
He hears the new voices talking. They sound very close now. They sound angry. Someone is shouting at Lan Zhan. Somehow he knows that's this person's name now.
Lan Zhan says something in response to them and lets go of Wei Wuxian's hands. Good, maybe he'll leave now.
But he hears a sword being unsheathed instead.
NoNoNoNoNoNo
He fights through the fog of his mind, pushes his consciousness through, and finally, finally, his eyes open.
He blinks as he takes in his surroundings, adjusting to the light. They are in a cave. But it is not one he recognizes. This is not his home. He does not know where they are.
There is a group of men near the cave entrance. All older. All dressed in blue and white. All with ribbons tied around their head. Just like Lan Zhan. His own sect members. His family.
All he can see of Lan Zhan is his back. His body is tensed and ready for a fight. The blue glow of his sword softly illuminates the cave.
Wei Wuxian knows he needs to stop this. He can't let someone else sacrifice themselves for him again. But his tongue is heavy in his mouth. He has no strength to speak.
So he watches helplessly as the fight begins. There are flashes of blue as Bichen slashes through the air. The clang of metal as swords collide. Wet splattering as blood hits the ground. There is shouting and screaming.
Tears quietly fall from Wei Wuxian's eyes as he watches Lan Zhan turn against his own sect that he loves, in order to protect Wei Wuxian, who doesn't deserve protection.
But then, the others begin to retreat. They are all injured and bleeding. Lan Zhan stands victorious, breathing heavily, covered in dirt and blood, but heis still ready to fight. The others have realized they are outclassed.
They shout angry warnings at Lan Zhan before they mount their swords and leave. He watches them go until they are long out of sight.
Finally Lan Zhan turns around, and before Wei Wuxian can even think of anything to say, Lan Zhan speaks. “We must leave. Now.”
In a flash, he scoops Wei Wuxian up, mounts his sword, and flies off. Wei Wuxian pressed tight against his chest.
After a time, they descend. Lan Zhan sets Wei Wuxian down on the ground. They are just outside of Burial Mounds wards. He brought Wei Wuxian home.
Wei Wuxian is so confused. He doesn't understand why he would do this. Why would he help and protect Wei Wuxian? Why would he turn on his own people?
Lan Zhan crouches down in front of Wei Wuxian. He grabs his hands and begins to beg.
“Wei Ying. Please. Come back to Gusu with me.” There are tears trailing down his face, clearing paths through the dirt and blood.
Gusu?? NoNoNo. They can't go there! They'll either kill or imprison Wei Wuxian. Then they'll come kill the Wens. They'll take custody of the Yin Tiger Tally. And they'll kill Lan Zhan. There is no doubt about it. He turned on his own sect members in order to protect the evil Yiling Laozu. They will not be forgiving.
They will kill Lan Zhan.
It doesn't matter if Wei Wuxian comes with him or not.
He can't go back to Gusu.
Wei Wuxian shakes his head violently back and forth.
Lan Zhan looks crest-fallen. “I understand.” He says. He lets go of Wei Wuxian's hands and begins to stand.
Wei Wuxian bolts forward and grabs hold of Lan Zhan's hands before he can walk away.
“Stay.” Wei Wuxian begs. His voice is rough. He can barely speak. But he hopes it's enough. “Stay.” He tries again.
His eyes are clear and he looks pleadingly up at Lan Zhan.
There is relief in Lan Zhan's golden eyes. He squeezes Wei Wuxian's hands.
“Mn. I will stay.”