Together

32. Escape

The two men remained in each other's embrace for a while, feeling the warmth of the person they love. "Wei Ying." Lan Wangji said after some time. "Hm?" "Let's go." "Huh? Where?"

Lan Wangji didn't respond and dragged Wei Wuxian along with him to his uncles' room. Lan Wangji knocked the door and immediately, an annoying voice filled the air. "Who is it?" "Uncle." Lan Wangji replied. "Wangji, come in." Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji went inside the room with Wei Wuxian shivering like a timid bunny. Long gone was the wild, mischievous young boy who constantly created trouble. Now all that remained was a timid boy, broken beyond repair.

"Uncle, I want to leave with Wei Ying." Lan Wangji said shocking Lan Qiren. Wei Wuxian cowered slightly held Lan Wangji's hand tighter which the latter reciprocated. "What?! Wangji! You are not leaving anywhere!" Lan Qiren said loudly. "Wei Ying needs protection from Jiang Wanyin. And I will give that to him until my last breath." Lan Wangji replied sternly, his voice dripping with ice. "WANGJI!" Lan Qiren shouted. "Wei Wuxian is engaged to Jiang Wanyin! Carve that in your head! How can you stoop so low to steal someone else's fiancée!"

"Fiancée?" Lan Wangji asked, his voice was so cold that it sent shivers down everybody's spine. "Does Wei Ying deserve getting married into that family? Where his fiancée raped him? Where his in-laws killed his parents?" "Wangji! You should understand! If Wei Wuxian stays here-" "It would be trouble for the Lan Sect." Wei Wuxian finished. Lan Qiren looked at him with a guilty face. "I understand Master Lan. I will take my leave." "I will leave with Wei Ying." Lan Wangji said sternly. "Wangji!" Lan Qiren shouted.

"Uncle, you raised me since childhood. Taught me everything I know. Weren't you the one who told me to stand against injustice no matter what? Now that I am, why are you stopping me?" Lan Wangji asked. Lan Qiren looked at the two. When did his nephew grow up so much? Until a few days ago, he still obeyed his uncles every order. But after meeting Wei Wuxian, he started becoming more independent, even going as far as opposing him! Lan Qiren didn't know whether he should rejoice that his nephew finally grew up or be annoyed that he wasn't listening.

Lan Qiren sighed. His nephew was right. Wei Wuxian needed protection from that family full of snakes. And Lan Wangji was willing to give that. But still, letting go of Lan Wangji was a bitter pill to swallow. After all, Lan Qiren raised him since he was a child. He saw Lan Wangji as his own son and was extremely proud of him. And right now, his pride for him increased, although he wouldn't admit it even under torture.

"Alright." Lan Qiren finally accepted, sighing. Lan Wangji was shell shocked. He never expected his uncle to accept so easily. "You can go Wangji. And since you said you will protect him till your last breath, stick onto it. Never leave him, even if he pushes you away." Lan Wangji looked at Lan Qiren once to confirm if he was really honest.

"Protect him... from those monsters." Lan Qiren ordered. "With my life." Lan Wangji replied. "Farewell uncle, brother." Lan Wangji said bowing to both his uncle and brother. "Take care Wangji. Wuxian." Lan Xichen replied, making Wei Wuxian look at him. Wei Wuxian bowed to both Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen before exiting the room with Lan Wangji.

Once they stepped out of Cloud Recess, Lan Wangji held Wei Wuxian by the waist, making the latter blush, got on his sword and flew away into the unknown.