ALL P.O.V
"WEI YING!"
Upon hearing the scream, Lan Xichen's attention snaps from where Young Master Wei had vanished beneath the black waters, to Young Master Jiang who is making to dive after him. Moving quickly he catches Jiang Cheng's arm and holds him firmly. "You will be swallowed if you go down there."
"I HAVE TO GO DOWN THERE." Jiang Cheng tries to shake him off, then pry him off, he-he has to get down there! Wei Ying needs help! "HE'S GOING TO DROWN!" his focus is completely on the dark swirling waters; he doesn't even look up as he yells at Lan Xichen to let him go! Lan Zhan meanwhile had caught Su She and without wasting time had Raced him back to the docks. He deposited Su She rather roughly by tossing him onto the docks, not bothering to land, before returning to the main group. He doesn't even look at Jiang Cheng, his eyes are focused on the black waters below them, then apparently having spotted something amid the darkness he dives in his sword following him into the dark.
Wei Ying doesn't even feel the cold of the water to be honest, only the numb feeling of the dark energy as it tries to invade his body, this time though his core drives it out, he can vaguely hear the voices inside the dark energy hissing in anger. You belong to us! Your ours to play with! Ours to keep, they won't have you... no one will save you... they whisper and he's distantly aware that his lungs are burning and that he needs air, then that water is filling his lungs and he's very likely going to drown.
Above the surface, Lan Xichen knocks Young Master Jiang out to keep him from deviating, and stares down at the waters where his brother had vanished moments before worriedly. He turns to the other disciples, "Head back to the docks'' He tells them "Wait there." a few of them glance at each other in fear and confusion but they ultimately obey with a bow and a 'yes Zewu-Jun'. Moments later and much to Xichen's relief, Lan Wangji breaks the surface carrying an unconscious Wei Wuxian in his arms. He gives his brother a look that asks if the other boy is ok, and a curt nod is the only response he gets but the concern in Wangji's eyes tells him Wei Ying needs to be looked at more closely when they reach the docks.
Jiang Cheng P.O.V
When Jiang Cheng wakes up they are back in Gusu Lan, he soon realizes he can hear his father's voice outside the door. After looking around at the sparsely furnished room, what happened at the lake returns to his mind and his pulse begins to race, "Wei Ying..." the moment his brother's name flashes in his mind he basically jumps out of the bed. It's only after hearing the commotion that the door slides open, and Jiang Fengmian and a healer in Gusu's white robes enter the room. At this time in the past his fathers presence would have calmed him down but instead right now it makes him panic worse. "Fuqin... Wei Ying– he got sucked down by the water borne abyss." the moment he starts talking the words just keep tumbling out. "I tried to go after him but the Zewu-Jun wouldn't let me, I don't know where he– "
"Calm down. Everything is okay A-Cheng" Fengmian's voice is as warm and gentle as Jiang Cheng remembers, his tone is concerned but not pained or panicked in any way and it brings a little relief, Wei Ying must be okay. "A-Ying is asleep in the next room, the 2nd Young Master Lan is playing clarity for him." As his father says this Jiang Cheng realizes he can faintly hear the sound of the Gugin being played.
"How did he get free?! He was gone! I kept looking for him in the water but I couldn't see him at all– " Once again he's cut off, he won't totally calm down until he can talk to Wei Ying himself.
"2nd Young Master Lan went in after A-Ying" Jiang Fengmian says cutting off Jiang Chengs half panicked rambling, "1st Young Master Lan said that he was concerned you would Qi deviate so he knocked you out." he finishes, placing a hand on his son's shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"I kept remembering when he almost drowned last year." Jiang Cheng says, his tone is no longer panicked but there is still an edge to it, like he wants to cry. He's shocked when his father hugs him, even as a small child this sort of comfort was rare. "I thought he was gonna die..." he trails off trying to stop himself from actually crying. The healer has excused himself, undoubtedly to give them privacy.
"He didn't though. he's okay." Fengmian reiterates, adding with some relief "I was afraid the two of you were drifting apart. I'm glad that fear was unfounded" Jiang Cheng freezes at those words, he and Wei Ying had still been close at this point in time, but his father had been worried about them this early on?
"He's my brother... I don't want to even think about anything happening to him." Jiang Cheng answers after a moment. Of course his fathers words make Jiang Cheng think about the last time around. About the number of times he'd snapped at Wei Ying for one reason or another... Things he'd thought Wei Ying knew to take in stride previously, and winces. How many times had he said something that had hurt Wei Ying? And suddenly he feels more than a little guilty and unsure of himself. "I don't want to be like mom... not this time." He tells himself, he's going to be stronger this time... He never wants to lose his family again!
Wei Wuxian P.O.V
Wei Wuxian regains consciousness to aching lungs and a throbbing head, he can hear the familiar tones of his husband's Gugin notes drifting softly throughout the room. He's vaguely aware of calling out to his husband but to be honest at this point he is still waking up, and isn't sure where he is or what happened. "Maybe something happened during the night hunt with Jin Ling?" He feels someone sit down on the edge of the bed, then a hand reaching out to check his temperature. It's Lan Zhan, but he looks different than Wei Wuxian expected, much much younger. Suddenly his memories of being dragged under by the water borne abyss resurface and he's trying to sit up. "Wait... that's not right... fuck."
"Careful, Wei Ying." Lan Zhan says softly, helping him to sit up and moving pillows behind him for support. "Wei Ying almost drowned yesterday."
"Ah" Wei Wuxian says in recognition, wincing mentally at the way the sound hurts his throat, his head still hurts. "Sorry." He apologizes, it hurts to speak so he keeps it short... thinking isn't much better. Lan Zhan gives him a look that asks 'sorry for what?'.
"Wei Ying did nothing wrong." Lan Zhan says after a moment. Looking Wei Wuxian in the eye, his eyes are intense and after everything that's happened meeting his gaze makes Wei Wuxian miss his original timeline, he wants his husband.
"I made everyone worry." Wei Wuxian clarifies, staring at the sheets, wishing Lan Zhan would take his hand, his fingers curling into the white sheets trying to keep himself grounded.
"Not Wei Ying's fault." Lan Zhan tells him.
"But- if I hadn't-"
"Wei Ying did what was right." Lan Zhan interrupts him with "Nothing to apologize for."
"Ah, Lan Zhan, I thought you weren't supposed to interrupt people?" Wei Wuxian teases, trying to keep this 15 year old version of his husband talking. "I don't want to be alone right now... please stay." he pleads mentally.
"Didn't." Lan Zhan says, "Stopped Wei Ying from speaking untruths." Wei Wuxian could swear Lan Zhan just teased him. He stares at him for a solid minute trying to figure out how to respond to that.
"That rule is about bad-mouthing others, Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian's throat is still sore but for the moment he's distracted from the pain. "It doesn't count if I'm talking about myself"
"Won't allow it." Lan Zhan insists stubbornly. "Wei Ying acted bravely, should be proud."
"Aiya! Lan Zhan, warn me before you say things like that!" Wei Wuxian whines, whether it's because his mind is still recovering or because he was thinking about the other timeline, it takes him a moment to realize he was being overly familiar. The moment that the realization hits him his face turns red, and he shuts up. "S-sorry... that was-" Wei Wuxian stumbles through his words pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts before trying again "I'm being overly familiar, aren't I?".
"Mn." is Lan Zhan's response as usual, Wei Wuxian isn't sure how to interpret it.
Wei Wuxian looks up at Lan Zhan, his eyes briefly locking with the other youth's golden ones only to dart away. "It's just... I like you... Being around you makes me happy."his cheeks are most definitely burning, so much for being shameless, he has no idea why this is so difficult. It's probably a full minute and a half before he can finally look back up at Lan Zhan, and when he does, those gold eyes are wide with surprise.
"..." Lan Zhan says nothing, he is still looking at Wei Wuxian brows knitting slightly, he's still processing the information.
"Lan Zhan! I- it's okay... just forget I said anything." Wei Wuxian mumbles, on top of still hot cheeks he can feel his eyes burning, and it's mortifying. His feels like his heart is racing faster than one of the rabbits he'd given Lan Zhan a bit later on in the previous timeline. "Don't cry, don't cry... this is so stupid... why am I so emotional right now?" he thinks, blinking a few times subconsciously his eyes focus on Lan Zhan for a split second before shifting to the walls, the floor, anywhere to avoid those gold eyes.
"Wei Ying-" Lan Zhan starts, breaking off as the door to the room slides open, it's the healer as well as Wei Wuxian's Uncle and Jiang Cheng. Lan Zhan rises from his seat on the edge of Wei Wuxian's bed and bows to them politely. "Sect leader Jiang, Jiang Wanyin." Lan Zhan greets, before turning to glance at Wei Wuxian briefly "I will leave you to visit.". With those words said he turns and walks out the door.
Wei Wuxian digs his fingers into the sheets and tries to pull it together before looking up to his uncle and brother. "Jiang Bobo!" he forces himself to smile, though he's almost sure it's faker than he wants it to be.
Jiang Cheng P.O.V
Jiang Cheng has barely stepped into the room before his eyes narrow, Wangji is sitting on the edge of the bed like he and Wei Ying had been having a conversation. Needless to say the two talking isn't why his eyes narrow, no it's the fact that Wei Ying is staring at the wall next to the hospital bed like he wishes it would swallow him. Wei Ying looks like he's a few seconds from bursting into tears as well and the only thing Jiang Cheng can think is "WHAT. THE. FUCK." he doesn't even acknowledge the 2nd jade as he bows politely and greets them before excusing himself.
Jiang Cheng sees the way Wei Ying clenches his fingers in the sheets, and prepares himself mentally for what he knows is going to be a fake smile. And then Wei Ying looks up and Jiang Cheng simultaneously wonders how he was fooled by it before, and how he can hide a body because he's going to kill Wangji. Well maybe not kill, but at least kick the shit out of him... He needs to think of a way to excuse himself so he can go after that white robed prick.
"Jiang Bobo!" Wei Ying's tone is a little pitch-y, before he might have thought it was excitement–but he's getting better at reading his sibling.
"A-Ying, are you feeling alright?" Fengmian asks, this time Jiang Cheng hears the concern in his tone that he'd somehow missed for years... his father must have realized Wei Ying was struggling, it only makes Jiang Cheng curse himself more for having been oblivious.
"My throat is a little sore, but I feel fine otherwise." Wei Ying says, he pauses for a moment "Sorry I made you worry, You didn't have to come check on me."
Okay, something about that response makes Jiang Cheng's blood boil... Why wouldn't his FATHER want to check on his martial NEPHEW. He tells himself to breathe, gathering his thoughts and forcing himself to calm down. His father is telling Wei Ying that he was worried when Lan Xichen sent him a message about what happened in Caiyi town, he wanted to see that Wei Ying was safe with his own eyes.
Then Wei Ying asks about what happened, apparently, he blacked out almost immediately when the water touched him. "Did you have to drag me out again, A-Cheng?" Wei Ying's words jolt Jiang Cheng out of his thoughts.
"I would have, but I got knocked out." Jiang Cheng admits, rubbing the back of his head with his hand.
"1st Young Master Lan said that his brother pulled you out, A-Ying" Fengmian answers– not touching on the 'again' comment at all. "A-Cheng was panicking and 1st Young Master Lan feared he might Qi deviate." he explains. "He was very worried about you."
Jiang Cheng looks away awkwardly, he's never been good in these sorts of situations. "Be more careful next time..." He spits, "You damn near gave me a heart attack."
Wei Ying looks back and forth between them, his aura full of surprise and confusion. "I'll try A-Cheng, It's not like I was expecting the Water borne Abyss to grab me."
"I need better than that Wei Ying-" Jiang Cheng starts but his voice breaks, he regathers himself for a moment and starts again. "What part of I need you here and healthy don't you get? You are so much more than a servant, I don't care what A-Niang says, you're more than even a brother... You are my best friend, my only real friend." He emphasizes certain words, trying to get his feelings across clearly, he should have done this sooner.
"A-Cheng you don't have to-" Wei Ying starts
"YES I DO" Jiang Cheng snaps, cutting him off. There are so many things his father needs to know, and that Wei Ying has needed to hear for years, and Damn it. Jiang Cheng is done staying quiet, he won't lose everything again, no, Not. This. Time. "How do I know if I let you off with 'I'll try' you won't go and try to drown yourself again? How do I know you won't slit your wrists again? I need my brother to be here, I can't lose you." Jiang Fengmian looks horrified, and Wei Ying looks like he wants to vanish through the floor. "Good, no more avoiding things, Fuqin needs to know the truth... sorry Wei Ying but I won't stay quiet anymore." Jiang Cheng thinks.
Jiang Fengmian looks extremely distressed by his sons' revelations; he waits for Jiang Cheng to stop talking before speaking up. "A-Ying, is it true? Did you really try to..." He sounds hoarse, and trails off towards the end unable to say the words. Not that it mattered, they knew what he was asking.
Wei Ying looks down at the ground, he doesn't say anything but his body language says everything. At length he nods slowly, "I'm sorry."
"A-Ying, If anyone should be sorry, it's me and Ziyuan, You should have been able to come to us when you needed support." Fengmian's words are filled with regret, he knows he's let them all down, it's the same realization that Jiang Cheng had had himself a couple of days earlier.
"Th-Thats... I.. It had nothing to do with you, I was just struggling with some things." Wei Ying flounders for a moment with his words.
"You still should have been able to share that with us." Jiang Cheng responds, "You are family, we haven't done a good enough job of making sure you knew that."
"But-" Wei Ying starts and Jiang Cheng can see that his sibling is thinking about his mother's words again, he can practically hear 'son of a servant' in his head.
"A-Cheng is correct A-Ying, I will talk to Ziyuan, I've truly put this matter off for too long." Jiang Fengmian promises, "Please forgive me." Wei Ying truly looks like a spooked deer.
The healer who had followed them in, to check on Wei Ying clears his throat quietly. His face says 'this is all well and good but please leave so I can check on my patient.' Jiang Cheng and Jiang Fengmian say goodbye to Wei Ying, Jiang Cheng promising to come by later to see him again. Jiang Cheng sees his father off after telling his father more about Wei Ying's mental health, including his trouble with hearing voices, Fengmian thanks him for his honesty and asks him to take good care of his brother for the remainder of their time in Gusu.
After saying goodbye to his father, Jiang Cheng goes looking for the 2nd Jade, he knows their changes the past few days are likely a lot for everyone to take in. However, he won't see his brother look like that again, and Lan Zhan might be able to help when it comes to fixing things. He stops by the guest house he and Wei Ying have been staying at and grabs the documents he had written, then heads for the library pavilion. When he reaches the pavilion it's Xichen he finds, he informs him that his father has returned to Yunmeng and asks him where he can find Wangji, telling Xichen that he simply wanted to thank him for saving his brother in person. Lan Xichen tells him that Wangji is probably at his private dwelling, the Jingshi, and offers to take him there.
"I would greatly appreciate it, Zewu-Jun." Jiang Cheng says bowing politely, it takes active thought to be polite and respectful he finds, he'd been too used to being thorny towards everyone. "Something I have to change; I don't want to end up alone again." He thinks, he also wonders if maybe telling Xichen too might end up saving the older Lan some heartache in the end.
"Is Young Master Wei recovering well?" Xichen asks, as they walk together towards the edge of the cloud recesses.
"Lan Xie told us he needed a couple more days of rest." Jiang Cheng tells Lan Xichen, "He seemed well when I saw him earlier though."
"Good, Wangji will be relieved to hear that." Xichen says, his tone is earnest and Jiang Cheng can see the concern in his face. He works very hard to hide his displeasure towards the 2nd jade while talking to Lan Xichen. "He was very worried when Young Master Wei didn't wake up yesterday."
"It wasn't my brother's first close call with water, I'm more worried about any effects from the water borne abyss." Jiang Cheng says after thinking about it for a moment, he decides that having both jades on their side will prove to be an advantage ultimately.
"I'm sure you have had a few close calls living in Yunmeng." Lan Xichen agrees, Yunmeng Jiang often contends with flooding during the rainy season so some accidents with water are unavoidable. "Wangji was also concerned about the dark energy from the abyss having a bad effect on Young Master Wei." he admits.
"My brother's mental health isn't as good as people think, Wei Ying is good at hiding things but he has a lot of emotional trauma." Jiang Cheng explains, "after his parents died, he was on the street for 2 years before my fuqin found him."
"It's understandable he'd struggle with trust after having to survive in such a situation." Xichen responds, his expression is sympathetic and kind. Jiang Cheng begins to understand why Wei Ying had been happy in Gusu, even if Qiren disliked him; both of the jades and Lan Zhan's juniors had cared about him.
"I only found out how badly he was struggling a few days ago." Jiang Cheng admits, "I wonder how I missed seeing it now." Xichen looks at him in a way that seems to say 'ah, so that was why you panicked so much.'.
"Sometimes when you're too close to someone it's easy to miss things." Xichen says, "and sometimes it's just that you delude yourself into believing things are a certain way." His tone isn't judgmental in the slightest, if Jiang Cheng had to guess it would be that Lan Xichen has been in a similar situation before.
"That's true." Is all he says in response, they have made it to the jingshi quicker than he expected. Jiang Cheng mentally braces himself for what is a head, if he's lucky they will believe him without trying to get Wei Ying involved. If he's unlucky, well he'll be counted as mental again, it wouldn't be the first time. Lan Xichen calls out to his brother softly through one of the silk paneled doors, shuffling can be heard faintly from inside and a moment later the door slides open, Lan Zhan stares at them both for a moment before stepping aside.
"Enter." Lan Zhan says, giving them permission to come into the living area of his home, Jiang Cheng notices seemingly silent conversation that seems to pass between the jades as they settle at the tea table.
"I came to thank you for saving Wei Ying the other day." Jiang Cheng tells the 2nd jade, bowing his head respectfully. "My brother has been struggling a lot the past year and the events at the lake reminded me of another event... I acted irrationally as a result." It takes everything he has to be polite to the 2nd jade, a part of him really wants to tear into Lan Zhan for whatever happened earlier but he knows getting them on his side is important, so he puts on his sect leader mask.
"No need for thanks, Wei Ying needed help." Lan Zhan is as short of words as ever and Jiang Cheng tries supremely hard to not be pissed off by his piercing gold stare.
"Still, thank you for rescuing my brother." Jiang Cheng insists, "There was something else I wanted to talk to both of you about, I've thought about it a lot the past couple of days and I think it's important you know." He draws the papers and scrolls out of the qiankun pouch in his sleeve and lays them on the tea table.
Lan Xichen reaches out and takes one of the scrolls, opening it so that Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying's neat calligraphy can be read, it's a timeline covered in notes. "What is this, may I ask, Young Master Jiang?"
"This isn't going to be easy to explain, but please listen to what I have to say." Jiang Cheng begins, here goes nothing. "My brother can also confirm what I'm going to tell you."
Lan Xichen's eyes sparkle with curiosity and Lan Zhan looks at him with thickly veiled confusion. "We will listen." Xichen says, and Lan Wangji gives one of his infamous 'mn' responses.
"I'm not actually from our current time, or well, my memories aren't." Jiang Cheng begins, "Wei Ying and I accidentally sent ourselves back here from the future."
"when you say accidentally you mean?" Xichen asks, he's curious and interested, at least he's not kicking Jiang Cheng out yet.
"One of Wei Yings future experiments basically exploded and we ended up here roughly three days ago." Jiang Cheng says, "but that isn't what is important."
"Mn. Sounds like Wei Ying." Lan Zhan speaks up and Jiang Cheng tries very hard not to snort, because yes, yes it does sound like Wei Ying. Xichen looks at his sibling in a way that seems to say 'really Lan Zhan, birth name basis already?'.
"Agreed." Jiang Cheng groans, "At any rate, we're from 25 years in the future, and there are some things we really need to fix." Wangji and Xichen look at each other like they are trying to decide if he's insane. "I'm telling you both this because Wei Ying and I could use your help."
"I will decide after we hear everything." Xichen says, ever the impartial mediator. Lan Zhan says nothing but looks interested.
"That's fair. I was expecting to be thrown out" Jiang Cheng responds, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts before starting again. He begins with explaining what happened here at Gusu the first time around, including how Wei Ying had prank-ed Wangji the last time and how the water borne abyss had gone. Next, he tells them about how the events of the archery tournament hosted by Wen sect had resulted in an assault on both Gusu Lan and Yunmeng Jiang, during which the cloud recesses burned and lotus pier was almost completely annihilated (he also explains about the slaughter tortoise). As he continues on, he notices Xichen looking paler and paler, next to him Wangji is beginning to look concerned. When he starts to explain how he'd lost his core not long after the destruction of lotus pier and the core transplant he'd undergone, Lan Xichen stops him.
"A core transfer is impossible!" Xichen says, "And even if it weren't it would still mean that someone would have to give up theirs."
"I wish it was impossible, it would have saved a lot of heartache." Jiang Cheng says, "It was the famous doctor, Wen Qing who performed it, and it was her theory that it could be done in the first place."
"I thought you said that the Qishan Wen sect were the ones who started the war." Xichen states, his tone is questioning.
"They were, but not all the Wen's agreed, many of their people were being threatened." Jiang Cheng explains, "I would have died when I was caught if not for Wei Ying having befriended Wen Qing and her brother... I owe them a lot but I treated them horribly." He admits.
"I see, continue then." Xichen says, next to him, to Jiang Cheng's surprise he sees what looks like compassion in Lan Zhan's eyes. It won't be there when he's done, that much Jiang Cheng is sure of.
"The truth is I wasn't aware of what Wei Ying had sacrificed for me until five years ago in our time line. '' He continues, he can see the exact moment that they both realize what he is saying. "He kept the fact he had given up his core a secret, while the entire cultivational world started to turn on him.'' From there he goes on to explain to them how Wei Ying had been thrown into the burial mounds by Wen Chao and how after 3 months of tireless searching and fighting they had finally found Wei Ying, but he wasn't the same person. He explains to them about the Demonic cultivation Wei Ying had come to practice and the creation of the Stygian Tiger amulet. The eventual victory in the war, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan's falling out and Wei Ying's defection from Yunmeng Jiang to protect the remaining Wen's. He tells them about Yanli's wedding and the Birth of his nephew, then the events of Qionqi pass, and the death of Jin Zixuan. His eyes are stinging as he recounts how his sister had insisted to everyone that her little brother would never have hurt her husband, despite all the evidence to the contrary. He tells them how Wen Qing and her brother, the conscious corpse known now as the ghost general, had turned themselves in pleading that Wei Ying and their family be spared. His voice breaks when he gets to the events at the Nightless city and he has to sit in silence for a few moments.
"Breath, Young Master Jiang... take your time." Xichen says in a soothing tone of voice his eyes are full of emotion at this point, he knows that Jiang Cheng is telling the truth.
"Thank you." He manages at length, "That was a terrible night, I found out later that what happened was orchestrated by Jin Guangshan and Meng Yao." He explains shakily, "But for a long time I blamed Wei Ying for our sisters death." As he continues explaining what happened that night, including what Wei Ying had told him about that night from Lan Zhan, he notices the 2nd jade looks progressively tenser. Finally, he arrives at the events of the conference and the decision to attack the burial mounds, and he can see the anger in Lan Zhan's eyes. Jiang Cheng internally cringes as he describes what happened in the massacre and watching his brother being ripped apart by fierce corpses.
Xichen stops him there, "I thought you said both of you came from 25 years in the future?"
"Wei Ying did come back with me from the same point." Jiang Cheng confirms.
"How is that possible if he was ripped apart." Xichen asks, and in honesty Jiang Cheng was expecting this.
"He was dragged back by a self-sacrifice spell, 13 years after he died." Jiang Cheng says, "But there is more I need to tell you first." He tells them about Lan Zhan's punishment for protecting Wei Ying. Then he explains how Wei Ying had hidden Wen Qing's 4-year-old nephew in a hollow tree right before the massacre and how that poor child had been left on the burial mounds alone dehydrated and starving for 3 days before Lan Zhan had heard of Wei Yings demise and had rushed to the burial mounds in a blind panic to look for any traces of Wei Ying and had subsequently found him. He explains how Lan Zhan had ended up adopting and raising the child as his son, Lan Sizhui. He explains that the next 13 years had been peaceful but both he and Lan Zhan had avoided each other like the plague neither understanding the other's view of events and just focusing on raising the children under their care.
"So you are trying to prevent all these terrible deaths from occurring." Xichen says, thoughtfully after staying quiet for several moments after Jiang Cheng finished talking. Jiang Cheng is exhausted mentally after essentially reliving the most scarring period of his life, but there is more to tell.
"Basically, and hoping we can get through this without Wei Ying needing to be brought back through Demonic cultivation and human sacrifice." He adds, "My brother would actually like to save the boy he came back in the body of, from his fate as well."
"Wei Ying is kind, he would hate being in such a situation." Lan Zhan says, and once again Jiang Cheng finds himself agreeing, Wangji already reads his brother very well despite their short time knowing each other currently. It gives Jiang Cheng a strong feeling of relief.
"He did. He also hated being alone after he came back." Jiang Cheng tells them, "Actually after the next events he stopped leaving the jingshi unless You or Sizhui were with him." Both siblings look surprised at this revelation.
"He lived here? With Wangji?" Xichen asks, he looks amused but not surprised.
"They got married a year after he returned, and then proceeded to scar everyone by making-out all over the place." Jiang Cheng can't help himself, he has to pick at Wangji a bit, revenge for making Wei Ying cry earlier... "they couldn't keep their hands off each other even in public, at least not for more than five minutes." Xichen looks mortified and Wangji looks very uncomfortable, his ears are pink. "Serves you right, jerk." Jiang Cheng thinks and can't help smirking.
"I have trouble imagining Wangji being that shameless." Xichen admits, "he did throw tantrums though when he was little." he adds teasing. Wangji looks like he wants to vanish through the floor and Jiang Cheng has never been so happy about embarrassing someone.
"I think Wei Ying rubbed off on him." Jiang Cheng agrees "I doubt he would have done some of the things they did if he'd ended up with someone else." His brother is, after all, the king of shamelessness.
"So can you tell us what happened after he came back? How did it happen in the first place?" Xichen is still asking all the questions, but at this point it's mostly out of curiosity about how his brother and Wei Ying got together.
"I wasn't actually there when he first came back so I will tell you what he told me." Jiang Cheng starts, he goes over how Wei Ying had woken up on a blood array in a shack with gouges in his arms as his only clue as to what he was brought back for. He tells them about how Wei Ying had quickly learned he was reborn into the body of the lunatic from the Mo clan, Mo Xuanyu, who was a bastard child of sect leader Jin. He explains the workings of the body sacrifice spell and how Wei Ying had been confused as to how he counted as an evil spirit in the first place. He tells them about how the Mo's ended up being their own undoing after their heir stole an evil lure flag from the Lan disciples who had entered the area for a night hunt. How the boys had ended up having to call Lan Zhan for help after things had gotten out of hand and Wei Ying had to sneak away, only to end up running into his nephew, Jin Ling who he hadn't recognized on account of the boy only being a year old when he died. He tells them about his fight with Lan Zhan and about the stone idol that had come to life. How they had all been shocked to discover that the ghost general still existed when he answered Wei Yings flute music and appeared to fight the idol.
"You said Wen Ning and His Sister were burned.. how?" Xichen asks, this is another question he expected.
"Jin Guangshan apparently burned a different corpse, Wen Qing did die in the flames though." Jiang Cheng answers, "I saw it myself..." he sounds haunted when he says this. He never wanted to see her die, so the fact that he didn't stop it has been the source of nightmares for years. He continues after a moment's silence, telling them about the journey that Wei Ying and Lan Zhan had made across the cultivational world to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the arm. How Meng Yao had caught on to them towards the end and kidnapped the juniors of multiple sects in order to frame Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. How it had backfired when he'd kidnapped Lan Zhan's adoptive son and his juniors, who had all known their Hanguang Jun wouldn't hurt them. He tells them in detail about the argument between him and Wei Ying at lotus pier and how his brother's fainting had resulted in Wen Ning telling him the truth about his core. The last thing he tells them is about how they ended up back so far in the past, and about his brother's mental health issues even this far back in the timeline.
"Wei Ying is having trouble adjusting." Lan Zhan says, "called me something different when he woke up earlier." Lan Zhan had mostly been quietly listening all this time, so Jiang Cheng is slightly startled when he speaks.
"He called you Er-gege didn't he?" Jiang Cheng asks, "He hardly ever called you by your name after you got married." Suddenly Wei Ying's appearance before makes sense, he'd woken up confused and called out to his husband.
"Mn." Lan Zhan nods, "wasn't sure how to respond. Thought Wei Ying was sick." Jiang Cheng's temper cools at this, it was just a misunderstanding then.
"He looked like he wanted to cry when Fuqin and I went to see him." Jiang Cheng tells him he sees concern flash across Wangji's eyes.
"Coming into contact with the water born abyss probably didn't help his mental state." Xichen suggests, "Wangji, why don't you go and play clarity for him for the next few days? Or he could come here." The last statement comes off slightly teasing, slightly suggestive and for a moment, Jiang Cheng questions his life choices.
"Just don't make out in-front of me again and I won't say anything." He groans, rolling his eyes, he catches the mischievous look on Lan Xichen's face and feels like banging his head against a wall. What the heck is with Lan's... Seriously...
Wei Wuxian P.O.V
After Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng left, the healer introduced himself as Lan Xie. Lan Xie sits on the edge of the bed and asks for his wrist, Wei Wuxian stretches his hand out and the healer begins by taking hold of his wrist gently and using his Qi to check Wei Wuxian's meridians. Once satisfied he checks his pulse, "How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Lan Xie asks, his face is kind but stern and Wei Wuxian can tell he won't get away with 'i'm fine'.
"My chest hurts when I speak, it's just achy." Wei Wuxian offers, "and my heads been pounding since I woke up."
"That's understandable, you almost drowned and had to be resuscitated after our Hanguang Jun pulled you out." Lan Xie's response very nearly has Wei Wuxian turning red. "What about the voices?"
"They're quiet right now." Wei Wuxian says quietly, he hopes the healer won't push farther but much to his dismay.
"They weren't earlier though?" Lan Xie asks, and Wei Wuxian winces.
"I heard them while I was in the lake," Wei Wuxian admits, "They were louder than usual, they said no one was going to save me... they said I was theirs to keep." Lan Xie looks a mixture of concern and horror, Wei Wuxian regrets being so forthcoming.
"I see." is all the healer says for a moment, "We should continue the music therapy for a few more days, I believe it may help you."
"I... can we not..." Wei Wuxian pleads, he really doesn't want to see this Lan Zhan, not right now... he wants the one he's been married to for 5 years, the one who knows how to read him, the one who cuddles him when he's upset, the one who rubs his back and sings when he wakes up from a nightmare.
"Sorry, but I'm afraid there are still traces of dark energy in your system." Lan Xie insists gently, "leaving it will only hurt you." Wei Wuxian knows he is right but he still doesn't want to think about it right now.
At length the healer finally leaves, telling him to rest for the time being, someone will bring him food later. The moment he leaves Wei Wuxian buries his face in the pillows and starts crying, he should be happy, he has a chance to fix everything after all... But right now all he wants is to wake up in the jingshi and have Lan Zhan ask him what's wrong.
At some point he must have cried himself to sleep because the next thing Wei Wuxian knows he's waking up to the soft notes of clarity, he feels better than he did when he fell asleep. His mind is still clear of voices and he feels more relieved and at peace with his current situation, his head is also no longer pounding and the tightness in his chest has eased. He lays still for a few minutes, simply enjoying the peaceful music, at length though Lan Zhan seems to realize he's awake. The music stops and Wei Wuxian can hear the soft sounds of cloth sliding against cloth as the white dressed youth stands. Wei Wuxian sits up, and watches the other glide across the room before sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Morning Lan Zhan." he greets, if a little shyly, admiring the others appearance, Lan Zhan has never been anything but beautiful to Wei Wuxian and this young naive version definitely has an appeal similar to his older variant.
"Mn, Morning." Lan Zhan returns, he's looking at Wei Wuxian intently, it makes Wei Wuxian feel a little self-conscious and he looks away. "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Wei Wuxian asks, his eyes move back up to look at the other, trying to figure out what he's asking.
"Is Wei Ying really from the future?" Lan Zhan asks rewording his question, Wei Wuxian's eyes widen in shock.
"A-Cheng told you?" Wei Wuxian says more than asks, "he suggested we tell you when we first arrived."
"Mn." Lan Zhan responds, "Wanyin said Huan-ge and I needed to know."
"Th-then... you also know why I was being... overly familiar... right?" Wei Wuxian manages to get out after much hesitation. "Please don't think we're insane... please god don't think I'm crazy."
"Wanyin told Huan-ge and I." Lan Zhan confirms, "Said I should ask you if I wanted to confirm it was true."
"Consider it confirmed." Wei Wuxian says in an almost breathless manner, for some reason he feels pinched for air. "We eloped, our son caught up with us half way through our elopement and traveled China with us on our way back to the cloud recesses." Wei Wuxian's eyes are stinging thinking about Sizhui, but he could swear the way Lan Zhan looks at him can almost be described as tender.
"We will find him again." He promises, and Wei Wuxian's breath hitches in his throat.
"You don't think I'm crazy then?" Wei Wuxian asks nervously, not wanting to get his hopes up.
"Wei Ying is crazy." Lan Zhan says, and pauses long enough to confuse Wei Wuxian before adding "But I like it." in a teasing tone. Wei Wuxian can't help himself and throws his arms around the others neck, pulling him into a passionate kiss. Lan Zhan freezes under him at first out of shock, but quickly melts into it, adjusting the angle and deepening the kiss. Their hands tug at each other's clothes, scrambling for purchase on the smooth material, Wei Wuxian's hands tangle themselves in Lan Zhan's hair. They break apart for air just in time as the door slides open to reveal a horrified and borderline disgusted Jiang Cheng.
"Ugh, I'm going to have to deal with this already?" Jiang Cheng groans, "Remind me why I thought getting you two together sooner was a good idea?" he smacks himself in the forehead with his palm.
"Because you thought it would keep me out of trouble." Wei Wuxian snips, slightly flustered; he sticks his tongue out at his brother. He straightens his robes out self-consciously and Lan Zhan does similarly moving a respectful distance from him.
"Yeah? Well clearly, I was drunk." Jiang Cheng huffs sarcastically, "Be glad it was me and not your Shufu." Jiang Cheng sighs, looking at Lan Zhan. "He would be ready to skin both of you."
"Shufu has no say." Lan Zhan responds evenly, Wei Wuxian notes that the air between Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng is as cold and dense as it was in the future timeline... What died between these two? oh... never mind.
"Er-gege, A-Cheng, be nice, I'm right here..." Wei Wuxian says, looking back and forth between them. Lan Zhan's ears turn pink at the pet name and Jiang Cheng snorts, clearly finding his embarrassment amusing. They talk for a while, or rather Jiang Cheng tells Wei Wuxian what he's missed at class today, Wei Wuxian complains about having to catch up on said class work, and then fills the silence between them with pointless chatter.
Healer Lan Xie comes in to check on Wei Wuxian and gives him the all clear to go back to class tomorrow. He also tells Wei Wuxian he can return to the guest dorms, but tells Lan Zhan he probably still needs a few more music healing sessions.
The next couple of days are a blur to Wei Wuxian, between classes and going into Caiyi town with Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng in the afternoon, he doesn't have much opportunity to spend time with Lan Zhan. The music sessions are one of the few times they get to enjoy themselves, especially because Jiang Cheng avoids coming to the jingshi unless he's forced to. Lan Qiren upon his return had been shocked to learn that Wei Wuxian was actually behaving himself, he was also surprised to learn of the incident involving the water borne abyss. Much to Wei Wuxian's delight, classes became shorter and shorter as a result of Qiren having to deal with the water borne abyss at Caiyi town.
It's one of those days that Wei Wuxian remembers his husband telling him how much he loved the rabbits Wei Wuxian had gifted him back then. He goes looking for them and presents them to Lan Zhan the first chance he gets. "Lan Zhan, I brought you a present this time!" Wei Wuxian announces when he arrives at the jingshi after classes in the afternoon. Lan Zhan blinks at him, curious but also weary, he still remembers Wei Wuxians penchant for pranks. Wei Wuxian pulls the two little fat snowballs out of his outer robe, "I know you like rabbits so I found you a couple, I gave these little guys to you last time around too." Wei Wuxian explains, "Unless of course you don't want them. I'm sure the Lan cooks would make use of such fat bunnies." he adds a little mischievously.
"Killing isn't allowed in Gusu." Lan Zhan states, his face is neutral as ever but his eyes are slightly worried.
"I could always take them outside of gusu, prepare them and bring them back in." Wei Wuxian points out cheekily, messing with Lan Zhan is fun, but he doesn't actually mean it. This time around he knows how protective of the little fluff balls his Er-gege is.
"Give. Them. Here." Lan Zhan says, and Wei Wuxian can't help laughing as he hands the two male bunnies over.
"I wouldn't actually do it, you know." Wei Wuxian says, watching Lan Zhan pet one of the bunnies, "You still had them when I was brought back in the other time line... you'd even gotten a bunch more."
"Pets aren't allowed in Gusu." Lan Zhan says confused.
"Last time, you told Xichen-gege that they were a gift, he talked to Shufu." Wei Wuxian explains, he'd accidentally called Xichen big brother a few days earlier and had panicked only to have Xichen tell him it was fine, asking for permission to call him 'A-Ying' in return. Xichen had said it made sense because he was going to be his brother-in-law one day. "I already asked him this time; he said it was fine and that he'd talk to shufu." They are both silent for a couple of minutes, playing with the little white fluff balls and feeding them lettuce that Wei Wuxian had brought with him in a qiankun pouch. "I sort of freaked out and ran off when I gave them to you last time..." Wei Wuxian starts, "You aren't mad at me for surprising you with them are you?"
"Not mad. Surprised." Lan Zhan says slowly after a moment, "Like rabbits."
"Yeah I know..." Wei Wuxian laughs, "You've told me that more times than I can count in the other timeline."
"Still true." Lan Zhan leaves them to hop around the jingshi's main living area and begins to play his Guqin, at this point he's given up telling Wei Wuxian to meditate.
Wei Wuxian realizes as his eyes wander around the room that one of the rabbits is a lot like him, hyper active and persistent in annoying the other rabbit. "Ah, Lan Zhan... do you like me because I Remind you of a rabbit?" he's partially teasing and partially flirting.
"Mn." is all Lan Zhan says, Wei Wuxian looks at him and swears he's smiling.
"Aiya... I can't deal with you sometimes, just what is 'Mn.' supposed to mean anyway." He looks away. His face definitely feels hot dang it. "So I remind you of a rabbit, I'm not sure what to do with that information..." He thinks.
Then just like before, the larger of the two pins the smaller hyperactive bunny and starts humping him, and Wei Wuxian tries not to call Lan Zhan's attention to it. "Hmm... It's sort of ironic with how we ended up" Wei Wuxian thinks, briefly wondering if the cut sleeve rabbits were a sign of some sort.
Eventually the two rabbits go back to exploring the room and Wei Wuxian follows them with his eyes, the Jingshi at this point in time is very plain and boring. After Wei Wuxian started living with Lan Zhan the walls had become covered in his chaotic experimental arrays and art he'd done of he and Lan Zhan- some of it including the younger version of Sizhui. As is, this current version of the jingshi doesn't even really look lived in, it's so clean and neat and sparsely furnished. The time for the music cleansing session draws to a close peacefully, for once Wei Wuxian has nowhere to rush off to and instead offers to help Lan Zhan set the rabbits up. There are no natural predators inside Gusu so it's mostly a matter of setting up a temporary home for them in the jingshi's courtyard until a proper hutch can be set up. They spend the next couple of hours between setting up a 'den' of sorts for the rabbits, and playing with them.
Wei Wuxian had laid himself on the ground under a small tree at the courtyard's center, it was truly peaceful in the jingshi. He was watching the rabbits hop around the courtyard while Lan Zhan had gone to get something to hold water for the bunnies. He honestly hadn't realized he'd missed the jingshi itself until he was coming everyday for music sessions, it still feels like home even if it's currently bare and blank. He's beginning to doze when Lan Zhan returns with a heavy, shallow stoneware bowl and a bucket of water. He hears his Er-gege filling it with water and then the tell-tale crunch of gravel as Lan Zhan walks back over to join. He lays with his eyes closed, the pretense of sleep apparent on his face if not for the way he smiles as Lan Zhan comes and sits next to him. "It's so peaceful here Er-gege... do you ever sleep out here?" Wei Wuxian asks, he can imagine that the view of the sky at night must be lovely during the summer.
"Mn. Stars are lovely." Lan Zhan admits, "Not as lovely as Wei Ying though." His tone is teasing and affectionate.
"Aiya! Warn me before you say something like that." Wei Wuxian yelps in surprise, leaning up on his elbows quickly as if he'd been shocked, his face burning.
"Mn. Will warn Wei Ying." Lan Zhan says, but Wei Wuxian knows he won't, he can see the mischievous light in his Er-gege's eyes.
"Lying isn't allowed, Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian teases back.
"Will kneel later." Lan Zhan says so seriously that Wei Wuxian chokes in surprise, so he really was lying... he's going to be the death of Wei Wuxian if he keeps surprising him like this... Then Lan Zhan bends down and Wei Wuxian forgets about his teasing, thoughts lost in the press of lips against his.
Wei Wuxian leans into Lan Zhan wrapping one arm around his back before bringing the other up to the back of Lan Zhan's neck. Lan Zhan brings one arm around Wei Wuxian's back supporting him fully as he licks Wei Wuxian's bottom lip, Wei Wuxian parts his lips allowing the intrusion. Lan Zhan adjusts and deepens the kiss further, his free hand gripping at Wei Wuxian's thigh. He feels like a live wire, his whole body is buzzing. When they break apart for air Wei Wuxian feels Lan Zhan trail kisses down his neck, sucking and biting at the sensitive skin. Lan Zhan's free hand rubs his length through his clothes causing him to buck his hips. "Ah...!" He gasps, His pulse is racing and for the moment he's forgotten when and where he is, all that exists is the two of them and the friction that is beginning to send heat racing downward.
"So naughty, we aren't even properly courting yet..." Wei Wuxian teases but makes no move to pull away, he feels Lan Zhan grind against him in response. He wraps his legs around Lan Zhan's waist, groaning as he feels Lan Zhan grind against him, pulling him flush against his hips with both arms so that he's now sitting in his lap. Wei Wuxian leans forward, biting Lan Zhans ear gently, "Er-gege is so forward today..." Wei Wuxian breathes against his ear.
"I love it when Er-gege is so forward with me." Wei Wuxian moans softly in Lan Zhan's ear, Dragging his tongue over the shell of his Lover's ear and then down his neck. He sucks a hickey into the soft skin at the joining of Lan Zhans neck and jaw.
"Er-gege is so beautiful like this..." Wei Wuxian whispers, relishing the way Lan Zhan's pulse races under his ministrations, and grinding their hips together. Wei Wuxian pulls his head back with a whine at the shudder of pleasure resulting from the friction.
Taking the opportunity Lan Zhan's mouth trails down to his collar bone nipping at it gently, one of his hands has untied Wei Wuxian's outer robe slightly. Wei Wuxian feels Lan Zhans tongue trail down the skin visible through his loosened robe, one of his hands moves up to play with one of Wei Wuxian's nipples.
"Ah... Er-gege, go easy on me..." He whines breathlessly as Lan Zhan grinds into him again, still abusing the sensitive skin with his fingers. Then Lan Zhan's fingers dig into his ass and he bucks in response to the almost bruising grip, moaning as their erections rub against each other through the layers of fabric. Lan Zhan's only response is to recapture his mouth with Lan Zhan's own, as if to keep him quiet. They are both so engrossed in each other that they don't notice the sound of footsteps on the Jingshi's steps, instead it's the door sliding open that finally draws Lan Zhan's attention. He whines in frustration and resists as Lan Zhan pulls away, not aware of the other person's arrival.
Lan Zhan bites his lip hard and Wei Wuxian lets go feeling confused and annoyed, "Er-gege, why bite me so hard! You should be gentle with me!" He whines dramatically.
"Behave." Lan Zhan says stiffly, giving Wei Wuxian a much gentler peck on the lips- he grins victoriously at this, but his sense of victory is short lived. The next moment Wei Wuxian hear's someone cough, and looks up to see Lan Xichen standing in the frame of the back door. He realizes how they look and almost squeals in embarrassment as he disentangles himself from Lan Zhan and quickly tries to fix his robes. He decides he is very, very, grateful that hanfu are so lose and possess so many layers.
"If I had known A-Ying was still here with you I would have knocked." Xichen teases Lan Zhan, he looks more amused than disturbed by what he just walked in on, Wei Wuxian notes.
"Apologies Huan-ge" Lan Zhan says with a bow, "will lock the door next time." Lan Zhan's ears are the darkest pink that Wei Wuxian has ever seen, of course, his own face is beet red so who is he to judge?
"Sorry Xichen-gege" Wei Wuxian apologizes as well, feeling more than a little mortified.
"It was an accident, so don't worry about it." Xichen says he's not quite done teasing them though as Wei Wuxian notes from the mischievous glint in his eyes. "You should be glad it was me and not Shufu, Wangji"
"Mn. Shufu would be difficult." Lan Zhan agrees after a moment.
"Please don't tell him, he'd end me." Wei Wuxian squeaks, looking shy. He never did quite learn how to deal with Lan Qiren in the last lifetime, he had spent a lot of time avoiding the older man simply because he didn't want to cause problems for his husband; he still doesn't.
"I won't say anything to Shufu." Xichen promises laughing, "You will have to say something eventually, he'll figure it out even if you don't A-Ying."
As it turns out, Xichen had come to ask Lan Zhan for help with something on the behalf of their Shufu. Wei Wuxian says goodbye to them and leaves the jingshi, heading for a quiet and secluded area outside of the wall to take care of his erm... problem.. before heading back to the guest housing to study, after all, it was getting later in the day.