XiCheng: The Last Lotus [AU- OMEGAVERSE]

48

"He's alive."

Sometimes Lan Xichen wondered if he could just grow wings and fly. He was sure that it would be far faster than having to fetch his sword.

It would also be miles better than facing the fugitive looks shot at him as he raced out the Hanshi- forehead ribbon drifting in the breeze as his feet carried him through Cloud Recesses. The scandalized whispers that followed him- wide-eyed juniors and surprised seniors, all staring in shock at the figure seen streaking through the grounds. Gasps and cries- furrowed brows and beaming smiles. Elders that immediately perked up- a relieved look on their faces, softened by the joy they felt for their sect leader.

Because for the first time in eight whole years.

Lan Xichen looked... happy.

His face was radiant- untold hope shining behind those teary eyes. It wasn't anything like the same dreary, lifeless shell that he had been only hours earlier.

No.

This time- he looked alive. For the first time in ages- he looked like the youth of years prior. He looked like the young man he had been before his whole world came tumbling down.

He looked like Lan Xichen.

The beautiful First Jade. The acclaimed Zewu Jun.

This man was nothing like the rumors painted him to be. A dull, empty soul whose eyes looked as lost and broken as the man himself.

No no.

This man was stunning.

Fair skin lit up by the sun's soft light- illuminating him in an otherworldly glow. Long, raven-black locks falling softly down his back- messy with tendrils reaching out from under his hairpiece. Perfect, full lips stretched into a wide grin- his eyes shining with so much longing and disbelief. Trembling fingers clenched tightly to his sword- accentuating the bulging muscles under his robes.

Lan Xichen might've lost a lot of weight during his seclusion. He might not have the bulk of almost a decade earlier.

But a lifetime of training could not go away in the span of just a few years.

And Lan Xichen still looked as handsome and god-like as he had eight years ago.

Only this time- his face was alight with so much joy. Desperate hope clear in those pleading mahogany eyes.

He was smiling- his lips stretched into a buoyant grin.

Lan Xichen had always been an attractive man.

But it had been years since anyone but his children had seen his lips quirk up into anything even remotely resembling a smile. And ages since he would crack a real genuine smile.

So it was nearly impossible for people not to stare- to look and watch in wonder as the whispers of Zewu Jun's irresistible beauty proved to indeed, hold true.

Of course- Lan Xichen paid them no mind, his feet pounding on the pavement as he willed his body to move quickly.

Granted- he was going as fast as he could and was positive that if he went any faster- he would certainly be setting himself up for failure. As he was sure to fall right off his sword. And considering that they were miles and miles above the ground- Lan Xichen was pretty confident that he would drop right to his death.

Which would, you know- be quite tragic. Especially since for the first time in god knows how long- Xichen finally had a real reason to live again.

Not that his children weren't ample enough of a reason-