Backlash Part 1

Chapter 13: The Infirmary

Wei Wuxian became very quiet. He knew Lan Wangji loved Lan Xichen dearly, and he didn't want to hurt Lan Wangji's feelings. But no matter how much he loved Lan Wangji, he couldn't just enthusiastically agree to the suggestion. First, he didn't really think anyone would believe him. His brain was still coming to terms with the fact that Lan Wangji seemed to have just accepted it as fact without question. He most certainly did not think anyone else would accept it so easily. Wei Wuxian fidgeted slightly, unsure how to voice his concerns.

"Would he believe it just from what we say?" Wen Qing asked skeptically. Lan Wangji seemed to consider her question carefully. Wei Wuxian felt slightly relieved. He didn't want to hurt Lan Wangji by doubting Lan Xichen. At the same time Wei Wuxian had already had the entire cultivation world turn against him. How could he easily trust people when he had already seen one course of action they might take. A course of action that led to trained cultivators slaughtering his already weakened innocent family. Wei Wuxian shivered slightly as the image of Granny's body flashed before his eyes.

Wei Wuxian felt a slight pressure that brought him back to the present. Lan Wangji had tightened his arm around Wei Wuxian and was looking at him with concern. Wei Wuxian bowed his head.

"Sorry." Wei Wuxian whispered.

"Wei Ying." There was a very gentle scolding tone in Lan Wangji's voice.

'Wei Ying never needs to say this to me.' Lan Wangji's words of only a moment ago played back to Wei Wuxian. Something inside of him seemed to relax and he leaned heavily against Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian still felt like Lan Wangji should stay far away from him. It would certainly be better for Lan Wangji, but Wei Wuxian no longer had the will to pull back. Watching the last of his family be slaughtered had been a line too far. He felt raw. It seemed like at any time a word or a thought could drag him back through the horror that his life had become. He no longer had the strength to continue on like normal. He no longer had the energy to convince everyone that he was okay. He no longer felt certain in his decisions or choices.

In his wounded and chaotic state, Lan Wangji felt steady. His presence washed Wei Wuxian in a feeling of calm. It soothed his raw painful emotions and helped quiet his racing thoughts. The arms around him felt safe. It had been so long since Wei Wuxian felt safe. Even in Burial mounds with his new family. He loved and trusted them, but he didn't feel safe. This feeling had been absent for so long that Wei Wuxian didn't know exactly when it left.

Something soft pressed against Wei Wuxian's forehead and his eyes suddenly flew open. Lan Wangji had leaned towards him, and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. Wei Wuxian felt his brain stutter momentarily. The gesture was filled with tender affection and soft reassurance. Wei Wuxian felt his face grow warm. He didn't need a mirror to know he was blushing pink. His face always reddened easily no matter how much he disliked it. He was aware Lan Wangji was staring at him. He vaguely hoped that the blush was light enough that Lan Wangji wouldn't notice. He cautiously lifted his gaze and saw the faint trace of a delicate smile light Lan Wangji's face. Wei Wuxian briefly forgot how to breathe. His face heated so much that he was certain it must have been bright red. Wei Wuxian rushed to hide his face in the folds of Lan Wangji's robes.

"You can't smile like that without warning me. My heart can't take it." Wei Wuxian whined from his hiding place. Then very faintly he heard a soft chuckle from above where he had buried his face. It was so light that it seemed almost illusory. The soft lyrical sound sent a shiver down his spine and stole his breath. Wei Wuxian slowly pulled back almost against his will. He forgot all about hiding his embarrassment. He needed to see Lan Wangji's expression. He needed to know if what he had just heard was real. When he saw Lan Wangji's face he knew he had not imagined the sound. Lan Wangji's smile was beautiful and pure. It held all the ethereal beauty of sunlight as it shattered and glittered across snow. Lan Wangji's pale gold eyes were filled with that mirth, seeming to dance with the same glittering light. Wei Wuxian was completely awestruck.