Phoenix

Chapter 15

               Wei Wuxian woke up to his face hitting the floor and many giggles around him. He jumped up embarrassed to see his Shijie and Wen Li staring at him holding his blanket. It took over a minute for his sluggish brain to realize what had happened. To get him to wake up they had worked together to tug at the blanket he was tangled with tossing him on the floor. He pouted at them for making fun of him making them laugh even more at his expense. 

               After getting their laughter under control they dragged him to the bath telling him to clean up. He entered the hot water feeling how it soothed all his sore muscles while laying there. He kept pushing away the thoughts of the confrontation with Jiang Cheng. All he wanted was to enjoy the time with the two women that had become so important to him. Jiang Yanli proved to be a true loving sister standing by his side. Wen Li was his teacher and great-grandmother but she treated him like he was her son. 

       The water started to cool slightly so he grabbed the scented oils and other bath items to wash up even his long hair. It was when he felt ready to get out that he realized he had a problem. There were no clothes there for him to change into. Grabbing a towel he dried off as much as possible before wrapping it around his waist. He called out for anyone to get him some clothes.

           To Wei Wuxian's immense surprise, it was Nie Huasang who came in with a thin red robe. He put it on and was about to walk to his makeshift room to find more clothes when Nie Huasang stopped him. " Wei-Xiong I have decided to get you ready for today... Well at least with clothes and makeup. No, I know you don't do makeup but it's such a huge day for you today at least let me put some charcoal around your eyes. After today you will be free to be with Lan Wangji I hope you don't forget me in all your happiness. Poor me always supporting my best friend just to be tossed aside for a pretty boy." 

        Wei Wuxian looked at Nie Huasangs teary puppy----no not puppies since they are scary but bunny....kitten eyes??? Safe to say his resolve crumbled and he agreed to play whatever game Nie Huasang had planned for him. It was strange to think he was 2 years older than Wei Wuxian when he looked so much younger.

            While Nie Huasang used charcoal on his eyes it gave Wei Wuxian time to think. Horrible idea since it allowed his nerves to run rampant. The Jiangs were here in Cloud Recesses and Lan Qiren was out for his head. What if they found him before he could make it to the cave? What if Lan Wangji decided it was too much trouble to be with him and turned him in? Worse what if they got there and Baoshan Sanren couldn't help them and they wasted everyone's time? 

            Nie Huasang tapped Wei Wuxian's forehead with his fan getting him out of his thought. "Wei-Xiong everything will be fine you have that my mind is spiraling close to a panic attack face. I promise that as long as you listen to me everything will work out." Wei Wuxian let out a relieved breath letting his muscles relax. He knew his friend was a lot more capable than people gave him credit for. He had to be with his brother trying to control every aspect of his life. 

               "Thank you Nie-Xiong." The boy just hummed and blindfolded Wei Wuxian telling him to bear with it while making sure to avoid the makeup. Nie Huasang forced Wei Wuxian up and started dressing him in what felt like 5 layers of robes. It was too heavy to move accurately if he needed to fight but Nie Huasang was having none of his complaints. After finishing he sat down pouting until he heard his Shijies giggle.

                 She was talking to Nie Huasang and Wen Li in hushed tones he couldn't quite decipher. He heard steps coming his way so he tried to stand up but was roughly pushed back down by small hands. "A-xian let your Shijie do your hair. Your grandmother wants you to wear a headpiece from her clan so sit still for Shijie." He nodded enthusiastically excited to wear something from his ancestors.