[曦澄 | XiCheng]: The Fear Of Falling In Love [~PART 1~]

[102.] Dialogues. [I] [TW]

NOTE:

Trigger Warning

****

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were late for breakfast, but when they entered the hall they found it empty. The housekeeper was waiting for them, ready to serve.

- Where is my brother?  -  Hanguang-Jun asked sternly.

- I have not seen Zewu-Jun today yet, Master.  –  she bowed lightly.  -  Sandu Shengshou is still in his...new room, too.  –  she added before Wei Ying got the chance to ask the same question.

- New  room?  –  he frowned.

- Yes, Wei Qianbei. He requested a separate room yesterday.

- Hmmmm.

Lan Wangji sat down, letting his husband snuggle close to him.

- Lan Zhan, we must do something. Those two fools are literally killing themselves! My brother looks like a deadman already!  –  he grumbled.

- Breakfast first, sweetheart. We are talking about  grown-up  men here. Not children.  –  Lan Zhan scoffed.

- What do you think is happening with Zewu-Jun?  –  he raised an eyebrow, chewing.  –  I have never seen him so... upset.

- I blame your brother, Wei Ying.   –  Lan Zhan huffed.  –  He is making him behave irrationally. I cannot recognize him at all.

- I will talk to him. A-Cheng won't even let me in the room, I'm sure!  –  he pouted, knowing his brother all too well.

- Very well. I will make some time for Sandu Shengshou later too.  -  Hanguang-Jun hissed.

***

- Good morning, Sandu Shengshou.

Lan Wangji did not wait for an answer to his knocking on the door. He took a quick glance at the room – it was a simple spare room, quite smaller than the current master bedroom, but the housekeeper had chosen it last night as it was the fastest to be warmed up for the Master.

Jiang Wanyin was lying in a bed that seemed too big for him, silent. His head had fallen to the side, and he didn't want, or just couldn't move it to face Hanguang-Jun. This is why Lan Zhan circled around and pulled a small chair to sit on, and placed it next to the bedside.

- I am here to ask you why you are torturing my brother.  –  he said coldly.

Tears escaped the large sad eyes, and Jiang Cheng said in a weak voice:

- Torturing... I love him so much that my heart is breaking, Hanguang-Jun. It's... already broken.

- Well, I see you have taken a separate bedroom. Do you know how humiliating  this is, Sandu Shengshou? For a Clan Leader?  –  Lan Wangji's eyes were drilling holes, but Jiang Cheng was too weak to be impressed, or upset.

- I had... no choice.  –  he whispered.

- Really. –  Lan Wangji mocked.  –  And your refusal to eat? Do you know how much he worries for you? For your child? Do you realize how much you are hurting him? Do you see that  I was right,  Jiang Cheng?  -  Hanguang-Jun continued mercilessly.

Jiang Wanyin was unable to blink, and the tears were falling freely. It was hard to breathe, the sorrow and hurt were grabbing his heart and his lungs, and would not let go. He tried to turn his head to the other side to escape the awful man in front of him, with his cold, cruel face, but his head just swayed a little, and he failed.

- You are right...  -  he murmured.  –  You were right... I am sorry. I am so sorry. He deserves someone better. Find someone better for him, Hanguang-Jun.  –  he whimpered weakly.  –  Just please... Please tell him...that I love him... more than myself... Please.

Lan Zhan stayed a little longer, silent, frowning and staring at the man in the bed, wondering whether these words were true, or it was all an elaborate act. But then  –  the pale lips, the weak voice, the thin face... Jiang Cheng was extremely frail.

He had to do something  –  he realized that Wei Wuxian had been right, he was killing his baby.