The White Phoenix

Chapter 62 - Aftermath

Lan Wangji and Lan Ying stayed away at there island for about a week. It was just so that Lan Ying had some time to recover. He was going okay, but the morning after their talk about holding off from sex for a while, he understood why Wangji pulled back. He could now fully remember that moment Guiwang was on him, touching him, and forcefully doing lewd things to him.  That was what Wangji was worried about.

So, they went back to Cloud Recesses, mostly because Lan Ying needed more support than ever. Yes he had Wangji's support, but one person was not going to be enough. Lan Ying is someone who needs others to help him. Especially if it involves his mental state.

Lan Wangji had them land within the Jingshi. A note was on his desk saying that his brother wanted to see him and Lan Ying when they were able to. That was when he called a disciple to tell Lan Xichen they were back, and to meet him and Lan Ying in the Jingshi. Before he got there, a healer had just left. They prescribed Lan Ying something to help stabilize his mood if he felt depressed. The downside, it made him tired, so he would sleep more.

Wangji felt it was okay, as it would keep Lan Ying from potentially harming himself right now. That is how worried Wangji was right now. He didn't know when Lan Ying would be okay again, but he knew he had to be patient. Lan Xichen entered the Jingshi and saw his brother sitting beside a sleeping Lan Ying on the bed. Lan Ying's head was on Wangji's lap, and Wangji was running his fingers through Lan Ying's hair.

"Wangji?" Xichen asked quietly.

"Ge," he said quietly in return.

Xichen went over to him and hugged him, he didn't want to wake Lan Ying, "I am alright. Just about healed to be honest. Shufu is stable and will recover nicely. As for Guiwang, he and his entire crew are dead."

"Good," Wangji said and looked down and Lan Ying, "I am actually going to need your help, Ge...A'Ying needs support more than ever. I don't think I can do this on my own right now."

"Guiwang actually had the nerve to touch him in front of you," Xichen said, "how are you doing? I felt that A'Ying would be hurting but what about you?"

"My heart hurts for him," Wangji said, "he begged me for help but I couldn't help him in time, I didn't want to risk you getting hurt."

"I know," Xichen said, "I'm sure if the roles were reversed, Lan Ying would feel the same."

"How can we get through this right now?" Wangji asked.

"Take it one day at a time," Xichen said, "if you want, I can stay here at the Jingshi for a little while to help you both."

"You would do that?" Wangji asked.

"Of course," Xichen said.

"I would like that, Ge," Wangji said.

Lan Xichen looked at Lan Ying. Despite it seeming that he was okay, and sleeping peacefully, Lan Xichen knew very well, how good Lan Ying was at masking his feelings or making others seem that he is okay when he truly is not. Lan Xichen placed a kiss on his brother's forehead before stepping out of the Jingshi and went to his place to gather some things. When he returned to the Jingshi, Lan Ying was awake, but Wangji was out.

"A'Ying," Xichen said calmly, "how are you feeling?"

"Mnn, still a bit sleepy, but I was told my medicine would do that," Lan Ying said as he sat up, "are you okay?"

"I am just about healed," Xichen said.

"Lan Zhan keeps telling me not to, but I blame myself for what happened...do you blame me?" Lan Ying asked.

Lan Xichen frowned as he sat on the bed facing him, "I do not," Xichen said, "you are not at fault for what others have done."

"Are you mad at me?" Lan Ying asked.

"No, why would I be mad?" Xichen asked.

"You were taken so Guiwang could get to me. Your life was threatened several times. Guiwang touched me...I didn't want him to, but I couldn't stop him, I couldn't move," Lan Ying said feeling a bit overwhelmed now.

Lan Xichen pulled him into a hug, "you were sexually assaulted, you are not to blame yourself. You are a victim and survivor of that. My life is as in danger, yes, but I new that I would be okay. I knew that you and Wangji would be there for me. I'm sorry that you were the one who was hurt most," he said.

Lan Ying cried, "I'm so sorry," he said.

"Shh, you don't have to say that to me," Xichen said comforting him.

Lan Xichen adjusted and he sat back against the headboard of the bed. Lan Ying snuggled up close to him, "I miss you Gege," Lan Ying said.

Lan Xichen smiled, "I missed you too," he said, "before everything happened, how was your alone time with Wangji? Is he treating you well?"

Lan Ying smiled, "he treats me like I'm the only person in the world," he replied, "after the assault happened, I tried rushing into things. Lan Zhan said as much as he wanted to, he felt I wasn't ready to do that again for a while. He didn't want to take advantage of me."

"He cares about you," Xichen said, "and even though he declined then, doesn't mean it's a forever thing. He just wants you to heal. Recovering from a sexual assault is not easy. He will be by your side and help you. I will help you if you need it. Just don't ever forget that."

"I know," Lan Ying said, "the medicine that I have been taking, it helps me get my mind to calm down, but I get so sleepy from it. All I ever seem to do is sleep."

"It's alright if it's what you are doing right now," Xichen said, "it is helping you by keeping you from obsessing over thoughts that you don't need to be thinking about."

"By the way, do you like being a dragon?" Lan Ying asked.

"It's different," Xichen said, "but it makes me feel like I can protect my family and the sect better."

"How is Shufu?" Lan Ying asked.

"He is recovering nicely, is that where Wangji went?" Xichen asked.

"Mnn, he wanted to see him. I saw him laying unconscious outside the cave during the ambush. I helped him inside and the healers helped him right away. I don't know what happened after that. I had healers come from Sky Kingdom."

"I am thankful for you saving him," Xichen said, "and I am thankful for you helping repair the sect so quickly."

Lan Ying smiled, "it's my home. I didn't want to see it in such a state."

"I'm still very grateful, thank you," Xichen said.