[[[忘羡 | WangXian 1]] : The Second Kiss That Came Too Soon

[50.] Awake.

**

Two days passed before Wei Ying was strong enough to wake up on his own. He didn't remember much – it was all a dark fog for him, he couldn't even say how long he had spent in bed. He woke up to the sound of the guqin  playing. As he turned his head slowly, he thought he saw a vision  –  Lan Zhan was looking ethereal, the early rays of the sun were falling on his pale face as he was playing a soothing, gentle tune, no doubt to help Wei Ying's soul on his journey back to the light. He sighed. The moment was perfect, precious.

Lan Wangji, sensing even the slightest movement coming from that bed, stopped playing immediately, and lifted his eyes, worried.

- Wei Ying...  –  he gasped.

He could not say how he got to his bed, now kneeling down, his hand caressing and cupping Wei Wuxian's cheek.

- You came back, my love... Welcome back... -  he murmured gently, tearing up.

Wei Ying smiled faintly.

- I have missed you, my heart... How long was I out... I only remember the field and the taste of your skin, Lan Zhan...  -  he whispered.

Lan Wangji blushed, but shook his head and said quietly:

- Too long... I have been without you for too long... Don't leave me alone like that ever again, Wei Ying...  –  he took his hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly.

- Lan Zhan... your tune brought me back... I saw your light in my dream... Were you here all along? – Wei Ying saw only tenderness in Lan Zhan's eyes, as he nodded, so he tried to prop himself on his elbows and look around.  –  Ah, good morning, Zewu-Jun!  –  he tried to muster an even bigger smile.

Lan Zhan turned around sharply – he had not heard his brother approach. His face expressed extreme determination – he was ready to defend Wei Wuxian to his last breath. His hand slid momentarily to his sword, all his body tensed. Wei Ying raised his eyebrows, surprised.

- What have I missed? How long was I out, Zewu-Jun?  –  he whispered.

Lan Xichen had been standing quietly in the doorway from the moment the music stopped. He was listening with eyes wide open to the words the two boys exchanged. There was so much sorrow, and so much love in those few sentences. His heart was still bleeding for his brother  –  as the Clan Leader, he had to make hard decisions all the time, but nothing was more important to him than Lan Wangji.

Lan Xichen smiled carefully, and approached the bed a little.

- All is fine now, Young Master Wei. You should rest some more. I am discussing...well... I have been discussing wedding preparations with your Clan Leader.

Both boys were gaping now. These were the last words any of them expected to ever hear from the strict and detached Zewu-Jun.

**

In the next couple of days the two almost never left the room. Lan Zhan was there all the time, trying to cater to Wei Ying's every wish and whim – which was nice and amusing at first, but his extreme worry started to annoy Wei Ying at some point – as it would. So he abused his new power over his Shizun, blackmailing him into more kisses and caresses, or just the opposite – bribing him with small pleasures so that he'd do his bidding. Lan Zhan was too happy to oblige, living in a pink mist of sheer joy, feeling extremely lucky to have his most precious one alive and well. He would not leave his side, day and night; for him - it was heaven on earth.

**

One day Wei Ying managed to send Lan Zhan on an errand, finally convincing him that he was alright, and when a servant entered the room, bringing breakfast – he pulled her by the sleeve and promised to send some expensive wine her way, if she told him what had happened while he was out, grinning.

The girl was scared at first, but then – seeing his good mood, and the fact that there was no one around, she approached a little and whispered loudly, enjoying the opportunity to share the gossip with somebody new:

- Ah, Young Master, it was so scary!  You were dying! And Young Master Lan was on a dead-bed too, it seems for sure. The doctor said we should be preparing funerals! – she exclaimed, raising her wide eyes to the heavens. – And then there was a priest, and he said that you two were blessed, that's what he said... and...

She told the story all the servants were whispering in the dark corners of the house, exclaiming a lot, and sending silent prayers for protection against evil to the Gods. Wei Ying was amused at first, but the more he listened, the more he frowned.

- And Young Master Lan? He would not let anyone in this room, yes! He would be here with you all the time – we just left some food at the door! He bathed you himself, and he fed you water and soup himself  –  I have never seen a Master act this way before!! He had a brutal fight with his uncle and Zewu-Jun too! – she looked around scared, in case someone was listening – she would be whipped if anyone heard her say those things. – It was sad, sad times, Master... All the servants were afraid that the Masters would kill each other...Young Master Lan defended you every day. I have never seen anything like this in my life! – she grinned. – There is a legend now, that the two of you are magical when together.  –  she looked at him with curiosity.  –  Is it true?

Wei Wuxian laughed.

- What nonsense. I am me, and Lan Zhan is his annoying self. There is nothing more!

- Ah, but then: how are you two alive, eh?  –  she squinted her eyes in disbelief.  –  You both were dying, I saw it with my own eyes! I thought Zewu-Jun was going to go crazy! It was scary times, Master, I'm telling you, dark magic. –  she looked at the ceiling again, her palms connected in a plea to the Gods.

- You can go now.  –  Wei Ying said sternly, and she bowed and left.

Wei Wuxian came to realize that Lan Zhan had saved his life that night at lake Lin.