Because of You

48

Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan soon left Yanli and Xichen alone. Xichen had just finished tending to her wound when they left. It's been so long since the two saw each other so the moment they were alone, Yanli immediately pulled Xichen in for a hug; the hug was not only for missing him, but she really needed it. Between what she had discovered about Wei Wuxian and the recent harassment she just endured, she needed it. She couldn't help but let her wall break the moment her head fell onto Xichen's shoulder.

"Lan Huan?" She sobbed, "I missed you."

Lan Xichen did his best to console and comfort her, "I am here, and I missed you too. It will be okay."

"Are you doing okay?" Yanli asked sitting up.

Lan Xichen smiled at her and used the back of his hand to gently wipe her tears away, "I am okay. I'm of course, worried for our brothers but I believe in Wangji. He will be with A'Xian. If you want, you and I can go together and see them. I have yet to see Wangji since I arrived. Jiang Wanyin is doing okay as well. He held his own quite well. After Wen Chao and Wen Xu were both announced dead, many of the Wen's fell back to Nightless City. Everyone got their swords back as well."

"That's nice to hear. A'Cheng is a strong cultivator. He has had doubts about it for a while and has compared himself to A'Xian more times than I can count. I am always having to remind him it's not about who is better and how to surpass him. It's about focusing on his own strengths and weaknesses and how to improve them without comparing them with others," Yanli told him.

"I have come to realize that," Xichen said, "he seems to be doing well with Wen Qing. Her family is safe?"

"They are, they are all safe under my parents and they have decided to change their names from Wen to Wei," Yanli said with a smile.

"Already?" Xichen asked.

"Yes," Yanli said and stood, "why don't I get you to your brother?"

"Alright, but you have forgotten about something," Xichen said and stood up with her.

"What?" She asked.

Lan Xichen gently held her face in his hands and pulled her in to kiss her. Yanli found herself leaning him and gripping onto his robes for support. The world around her was spinning and she felt as if he was her sun making the gravity around her spin. He was so gentle with her but there was also a slight urgency in the kiss he was giving her. His lips moving a bit quicker then what Yanli was used to and her breath was soon stolen from her.

Xichen pulled away but still held her face within his hands. Her eyes were still closed and her cheeks were a bright pink. Xichen felt content with himself knowing that she helped her forget about the world for a moment; even if it was only a few seconds, it was still nice to help distract her like this.

"Okay, I think we are good to go," Xichen told her happily.

Yanli giggled as she took his hand and led him out. She then walked with him to visit Wangji and Wuxian. When they arrived, they saw that Wuxian had finally woken up. He seemed a bit better than when Xichen last saw him but he knows how well Wei Wuxian was able to mask his worries and his pain to avoid others from worrying about him. He knew what that mask looked like nowadays as he has seen it too many times in the past.

"Wangji, A'Xian," Xichen said.

"Huan-Ge, A'Li," Wangji greeted back.

"How are you both doing?" Xichen asked.

"I am doing okay," Wangji said and then looked at Wuxian, "I have yet to hear from Wei Ying how he is doing."

Wei Wuxian's lips curved into a little smile, "I am hanging in there," he said, "Wen Qing has given me something to help me calm my head a bit. It will be a long process, probably, but as long as I have my family and loved ones around, I believe I will get through this."

"That's the spirit," Yanli said, "are you both hungry?"

"Starving," Wuxian said.

"A'Huan, why not stay with the boys while I go make them something," Yanli told him, "I can see if Wen Qing is available to help me."

"Alright," Xichen said and tapped his finger to her nose before she giggled and walked out.

"I see you two are in love with each other, more than ever," Wuxian said as he couldn't help but tease.

"Of course," Xichen said, "now, how do you actually feel? I feel like you are trying to keep your sister from worrying. You do not have to do that with us you know."

Wuxian sighed, "I think I am okay," He said, "I can at least hug and kiss Lan Zhan and feel just fine...if that is what you mean?"

"Well, it is a start," Xichen said with a smirk and looked at Wangji, "and you Didi, how are you?"

"Mnn," Wangji nodded.

"I wanted to ask you both something, I understand if you need time to think on it or if it may be too much to handle right now, so if it is, tell me," Xichen told them.

"Sure," Wuxian said.

"I was with your family not long ago, we thought maybe if we can get the opportunity, that you should be the one to give Wen Ruohan the final blow," Xichen said.

"Meaning let me kill him?" Wuxian asked.

Xichen nodded, "if you need time to think on it or if you feel like you may not be able to face him again, the other option I brought up is to have Wangji kill him on your behalf."

Wei Wuxian giggled, "I almost want Lan Zhan to kill him on my behalf, as it may be satisfying to see what my Fiancé would do."

"Well, for starters, I'd cut his balls of first, then his tongue, then his head would be removed from his shoulders," Wangji explained.

Wei Wuxian laughed, "okay, you can do if for me. I can just watch. Maybe I can have a hand in helping. Though killing his sons and burning his face was fairly satisfying."

"I'm sure," Xichen said, "the brand mark?"

Wuxian moved his robes aside, "not there, almost as if my body protected itself from the iron."

"Maybe it did," Wangji said, "I am just glad you are here. Are you still tired?"

"I am a bit fatigued but I think it is because of the amount of energy I used. I didn't know I could do that, and it was like I did it unconsciously," Wuxian told them.

"Your abilities are still developing. There is no telling what you can do, as you have two different bloodlines. Both sides have their own unique strengths and properties. So all you can do is practice but be careful with what you are doing," Xichen said.

"If I can talk to Baoshan about how to control and improve my abilities I would," Wuxian said.

"I know," Wangji said, "maybe someday."

Wuxian nodded, "maybe."