Backlash Part 1

Chapter 49: The Jingshi

Lan Wangji couldn't get the image of Lan Xichen out of his mind. He'd been so pale. Blood stained his clothes, there was so much blood. Lan Xichen's expression had been filled with pain. Lan Wangji had never seen such an expression on Lan Xichen's face. Wen Qing seemed to think that it was mostly the last memory that had Lan Xichen so disoriented. She hypothesized that she recovered her senses faster because she had already experienced it before.  She didn't give any details about what memory was the last one they experienced, but it was apparently a difficult one.

Wen Qing examined Lan Xichen and supervised Wen Qionglin in providing treatment to both Lan Xichen and herself. She confirmed that both of them had suffered minor damage to their essence. She couldn't say with certainty whether or not there would be any after effects from this, but she did not expect anything too severe.  She called it minor damage, but that didn't really put Lan Wangji at ease.  Minor damage to something as important as the soul, a person's essence.  Even if the amount of damage was small, it did not feel like something that would be minor.

Wen Qionglin was going to supervise both of them overnight. Wen Qing estimated that as long as they don't do anything strenuous they should recover without too much issue. To assist with their healing Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had both transferred large quantities of spiritual energy. Probably much more than they should transfer since they both completely exhausted themselves, but Lan Wangji couldn't hold himself back.  Lan Xichen had spoken a little before passing out from exhaustion. He assured them that he believed them and would listen to what they had to say. Then Wen Qionglin had gotten both Lan Xichen and Wen Qing situated in the other residence so that he could watch over them.

That had been hours ago. Hours since Lan Xichen had gone to rest and recuperate from the injury to his soul. Lan Wangji could not seem to calm himself down. His mind kept going back to his brother's pale form and pained expression. Lan Wangji felt unsettled and could not seem to shake the uncomfortable anxious feeling pervading his body. Lan Wangji felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see a very tired looking Wei Wuxian give him a gentle smile.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian said gently. His eyes seemed to be reading him carefully. A small flicker passed through Wei Wuxian's eyes and he gave Lan Wangji a small slightly mischievous smile. "Is this seat taken?" Wei Wuxian asked, pointing at Lan Wangji's lap.

Lan Wangji's pale golden eyes stared at him with confusion. Lan Wangji felt like he wasn't focusing properly. He kept thinking about Lan Xichen, and every time he thought about Lan Xichen he would feel another wave of panic. Lan Wangji didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure why he couldn't focus properly. Almost without thinking he moved his arms out of the way. Wei Wuxian accepted this as consent and plopped himself down in Lan Wangji's lap.

"Lan Zhan... Zewu-Jun is going to be okay." Wei Wuxian said quietly. Lan Wangji felt a stab of pain in his chest. His eyes stung and he closed them hoping to conceal the gathering tears. Wei Wuxian looped his arms around Lan Wangji's neck. He pulled Lan Wangji into an embrace, guiding Lan Wangji's head to his shoulder.

"It's okay Lan Zhan. It must have been terrifying to see him like that." Wei Wuxian whispered gently. Tears began leaking from Lan Wangji's eyes. His arms wrapped around Wei Wuxian desperately. Something inside Lan Wangji seemed to loosen once he was holding Wei Wuxian. His tears dampened Wei Wuxian's robes as Lan Wangji cried soundlessly. Hours of trying to sort through his thoughts and calm himself down had been useless. Only now that he was holding Wei Wuxian did his emotions and thoughts finally clear.

He had been scared. The only other time in his life that had scared him this much was when Wei Wuxian attempted suicide. Lan Wangji could feel Wei Wuxian embracing him. A hand was gently trailing through his hair as his emotions poured out of his body with his tears. Wei Wuxian's sweet voice whispered soothingly beside his ear.