Moonlit Hearts

Chapitre 2: Beneath the Moonlit Roof

Wangji and Wei Wuxian knelt side by side, awaiting their punishment. Wei Wuxian's ears twitched when he heard the number of lashes assigned to them—and his eyes widened as he realized Wangji was to receive more.

"But it was my fault! Why is he getting punished more than me?" he exclaimed, even though Odin had already left.

Freya, standing nearby, let out a heavy sigh. "A-Xian, why is it always you? And this time, you even dragged Hanguang Jun into your mess."

"This isn't fair!" Wei Wuxian protested, turning to Freya, who held the whip. "You can't do this—make us take the same number of lashes! No, actually, give me more, or better yet, don't whip Lan Zhan at all. He's innocent!"

Lan Wangji remained calm, his voice steady. "Carry out Odin's orders. There is no need for leniency."

Wei Wuxian stared at him, incredulous. "Seriously, Lan Zhan? Why are you—"

Freya interrupted, exasperated. "A-Xian, stop. Do you want me dragged into this as well?"

"No, but honestly, this is ridiculous! I get 150 lashes for trespassing, being loud—okay, fine, and maybe for trying to sneak into the mortal realm—don't look at me like that, I said maybe! But Lan Zhan gets 200 just for chasing me? Really?" Wei Wuxian's indignation was overflowing.

Freya crossed her arms. "It's called consequences, something you clearly struggle to grasp. It's supposed to teach you a lesson—a lesson you seem incapable of learning! Why do you always have to provoke him?"

Wei Wuxian's grin widened, unapologetic. "Because watching his face twist in displeasure is my daily dose of entertainment!"

Lan Wangji remained silent, outwardly composed but inwardly conflicted. How could Wei Wuxian joke like this? After everything they had been through, why was he so insistent on shouldering a burden that wasn't his to bear?

The joking stopped abruptly when Wei Wuxian grew serious. "I'm sorry, Wen Qing. Let's get this over with. Jiejie is probably already waiting for me."

Freya sighed, gripping the whip reluctantly. She hated this part of her role, but she had no choice.

"Alright," she murmured, stepping behind them. Orders were orders, no matter how unjust.

The first lash struck with brutal force, making Wei Wuxian falter. He steadied himself just in time, bracing a hand on his knee as the whip continued its relentless assault. Each strike burned his skin, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed Lan Wangji, motionless, expressionless—as if he felt nothing.

"Are you made of iron, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian wondered incredulously. This was Wangji's first punishment, yet his impassive face betrayed no pain, no weakness. The whip cracked again and again against him, but he remained a pillar of stoic resolve.

When Freya finally stopped, Wei Wuxian trembled, exhausted. He stayed rooted in place, silently waiting for Lan Wangji's punishment to end. He kept his eyes fixed on Odin's throne, refusing to look at the scene beside him. Only when the whip fell silent did he dare to turn his head, every movement drawing a grimace.

Wangji's back struck him harder than any lash could. Crimson welts marred his skin, and blood seeped through his once-immaculate white robes. Wei Wuxian's chest tightened with guilt; those marks, that pain—it was his fault. He knew all too well the sting of the whip, but seeing this suffering inflicted on Wangji crushed him with a shame he couldn't ignore.

Freya's voice broke the heavy silence. "Compose yourselves and leave. Stop by the cold springs if you wish—the nymphs can tend to you."

"That won't be necessary," Wangji replied, his tone as firm as his demeanor, his calm unshaken.