Lotus Flower

Early summer storm

Lan Qiren was sitting across the table from a very nervous Wei Wuxian. Once they had come inside, the demonic cultivator started acting anxiously and he was fidgeting a lot. Lan Qiren supposed that it was only natural. After all, he had yet to tell him what the message from Lan Wangji said. And knowing Wei Wuxian a lot better now, he could tell that once again, the boy had assumed the worst of the situation.

He did not know what kind of relationship there was between him and Lan Wangji but it was clear that Wei Wuxian was fearing the news. For what reason, Lan Qiren could not tell. He would have to make sure that he would not misunderstand and that he would let go of his guilt that he was sure to spiral down into once he would hear him out.

Lan Qiren knew he was stalling and making the boy even more nervous when he picked up his cup and drank a sip of his tea. He however needed a moment to still gather his thought. He knew that what lied ahead would be hard for both of them.

"Master Lan, what did Lan Zhan say?"

It seemed like Wei Wuxian decided that the wait had been entirely too long. And Lan Qiren had to agree with him, he could not postpone this anymore. He owed it to Lan Wangji to try and get the person who he loved to go visit him. He feared that if Wei Wuxian would not agree, his nephew would try to push his injured body and go see him himself.

And so he finally gathered his courage and started talking. More and more hesitantly as he approached the big bad news. He was watching Wei Wuxian's expression this whole time and saw how it was becoming more and more sombre until he was outright scowling.

"Wei Wuxian, I came to talk to you on behalf of my younger nephew, Wangji. He wanted me to rely to you that he wishes to see you if you will be amendable. He said there had been misunderstandings between you two but that he wants you to leave the past behind if you could. He would not bother you anymore, he wishes to remain friends. I do not know what exactly had happened between you but please, for Wangji's sake, think about his request and if you still value and respect my nephew, go see him. He needs some cheering up right now."

Once Lan Qiren finished, silence grew heavier in the room. He was still watching the boy sitting across the table from him and could not help himself but to wish for Wei Wuxian's good grace. He had said the truth; he really had no idea about what had happened between Lan Wangji and him but he could tell that his nephew was feeling sorry for that and wanted to apologize. The only problem was that he was way too injured to go do that himself. And would not be able to for a long time still. The lashes on his back would take months, if not years to heal.

Once again, he was overcome by guilt of what he had done. He had decided he would never disregard anyone who would want to explain anything to him, he would keep his ears and mind open. For Lan Wangji though, this realization and determination came too late. Lan Qiren would have given anything for a chance to able to turn back time; though he knew that it was impossible. He could only live with his past choices and try to make up for them. He lowered his head in shame.

He could now understand why Wei Wuxian would always feel remorseful and guilty. It would seem like he had also some things which he would have liked to undo and for which he thought he had to make amends. That poor boy, he was still so young and already so burdened. And those things he knew about, he was sure that those were just a tip of an iceberg. Wei Wuxian seemed to have been plagued with regret and guilt for much, much more.

"Lan Zhan wants to see me?" Wei Wuxian's voice sounded small but it still startled Lan Qiren from his thoughts. He watched the boy in horror as he continued, more to himself than taking with the elder it would seem: "Why is that? I though he hated me. Does he want to punish me for using demonic cultivation still? He does not know that I cannot go back to the righteous path anymore... He had asked me so many times during the war and afterwards. He even wanted me to come to Gusu with him to be able to cleanse the resentment."