Phoenix

Chapter 20*Revised*

               The date to return had finally arrived. Wei Wuxian was a nervous wreck. He couldn't sleep the night before, and it showed with the bags under his eyes. Instead of eating breakfast, he spent the morning pushing his food around and fidgeting. Lan Wangji was worried since his husband had not even taken the chance to tease Wen Li about her blooming relationship with Lan Junjie. 

               Normally, he did it every chance he got, even when they weren't doing anything as a couple. That day, they were feeding each other lovingly, a mating mark standing proudly on her neck. Yet, Wei Wuxian said nothing. It was like he hadn't even noticed. He looked around but it seemed all his age group was doing the same as Wei Wuxian.

              Baoshan hastily stood up, pushing the table and getting everyone's attention. " Okay, children, I know you are upset that you have to go back and separate, but we elders have been working on something for you guys. Stop with the brooding it is getting to us." All eyes were on her, ashamed of their behavior in front of an elder over 1000 years old. She huffed exasperatedly and pulled out 5 stud earrings and handed them out while Lan Yi pierced the top ridge of one of their ears. Red for Wei Wuxian, light Blue for Lan Wangji, White for Lan Huan, Green for Nie Hiasang, and Pink for Jiang Yanli. 

           " Now that everyone has theirs, even we elders have one, I will explain what they do. If you send some spiritual energy to the trinket, it will link to another person's mind.  All you have to do is focus your energy on it as you think about talking to that person. You can even link up all of your minds, and you will be able to mentally speak as if you were in the same room. Yes, you won't see each other as much, but you may still speak to each other daily. As a matter of fact, I encourage it so you can keep each other strong. Now hurry up and eat. We still have to get A-Zhan and A-Ying to the Lan ancestral lounge to unlock their full power as soulmates."

             Everyone ate their breakfast in better spirits, even though they were still scared of what was to come once they left their safe haven. Wei Wuxian leaned on Lan Wangji while they walked to the array that would take them back to the Lan Sect. Jiang Yanli walked on his other side, holding his hand in support while Nie Huasang stood behind, talking nonsense to ease the heavy atmosphere. Lan Xichen watched his brother and what he now considered his new siblings, trying to comfort his brother-in-law with a soft smile. 

           He would have never imagined his brother getting so close to others. It was a shock when he learned his brother had found his soulmate, but now he had another sister and younger brother who came with his soulmate's package. He got a new family too. It was refreshing to have someone like Jiang Yanli that worried about him as well as the younger men. 

          It was nice. Normally, he was the one who worried and kept the peace. With her around, it was hard not to get roped into Wei Wuxian's and Nie Huasang's mischief. Allowing him to feel like it was okay for him not to be in control since she had their backs. Sometimes, he found himself reacting like Wei Wuxian, pouting to make her giggle and pat his head. It wasn't just him. He had observed both Wangji and Nie Huasang snuggling with her like little kids for comfort. He was glad it wouldn't be over, and they were all just a thought away.

           They all stepped into the portal. The elders activated it, transporting them back to the cold pond cave. Lan Yi immediately started yelling orders. " Wen Li, Xichen, and I will take A-Ying and A-Zhan to the ancestral hall. Huasang, Baoshan, and Yanli try to stall for a time. Maybe, say, Baoshan was training the two of you guys, or you randomly stumbled on an array that led to her mountain, and she brought you back. Just Stall. Junjie, please go to Wangji's Jingshi and fix all the protection around the house. They can protect themselves, but you know our boys are too kind-hearted..... well, A-Ying won't let A-Zhan hurt his family. Let's go." Everyone nodded and went their own ways. Wei Wuxian's group was almost to the ancestral hall when the warning bells of the Lan Sect started going off.