Lotus Serenade || Mo Dao Zu Shi x Reader

| 四十一 |

──❝The Weight of Disheartening Decisions❞──

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With the advent of the first light of dawn creeping over the Impure Realm, the initial tendrils of sunrise artfully brushed the sky with tones of gentle lavender and delicate blush. [Y/n] slept peacefully, her breathing slow and steady, as if completely unaware of the world outside. The soft sound of birds chirping faintly reached her ears, adding a serene melody to the tranquil atmosphere. She roused from her repose, stirred to wakefulness by the persistent rapping upon the wooden door, The rhythmic sound echoed through the room, gradually drawing her back from the realm of dreams. The bed beneath her felt cool, a cocoon of woven silk and cotton that cradled her in a gentle embrace. Slowly, she sat upright, the linens cascading down like a waterfall of muted colors. The air in the room was still, a tranquil haven that clung to the remnants of the night. She rubbed her eyes, trying to sharpen her focus on the forms surrounding her, and sensed a lingering haze of grogginess persisting within the recesses of her mind. The knocks persisted, growing in urgency. As [Y/n] placed her feet on the cool wooden floor, a tingling sensation coiled around her neck, eliciting a wince. Her fingers gingerly grazed the area where her bandage was wrapped, a delicate touch revealing the lingering tenderness beneath. The sensation was akin to a fleeting wisp of wind, a tingling dance that ghosted over her skin before dissipating into the morning air. With a puzzled furrow of her brow, [Y/n] wondered at the inexplicable feeling—a momentary shiver that seemed to hold the essence of both ephemeral discomfort and ethereal release.

[Y/n] ambled towards the door, gently nudging it ajar, whereupon a familiar, disheveled figure came into view—Wei Wuxian, his eyes bleary from the lingering effects of intoxication and his tousled hair betraying the aftermath of a hazy morning. Scratching the back of his head, a sheepish grin played on his lips as he mumbled about a punishing headache. "Morning," he groaned, his temples receiving the brunt of his discomfort. He rubbed his temples. "I think a herd of elephants trampled through my brain last night." His voice was hoarse, a raspy whisper that carried the weight of a sleepless night. [Y/n] couldn't ignore the subtle aroma of alcohol that clung to his attire, intertwining with the scent of morning dew permeating through the slightly ajar door. With a wry smile, [Y/n] ushered him into her modest abode. "Well, whose fault is that for drinking like a fish last night?" Wei Wuxian pouted like a child, flopping onto her bed with a melodramatic sigh. "It's not my fault! The wine was too tempting!" Responding to his antics with a sigh, [Y/n] cast a glance around her room, searching for remedies to bring him back to sobriety. Surprisingly, her eyes fell upon a collection of herbs renowned for their soothing properties. With determination etched across her face, she gathered the ingredients, her nimble fingers gracefully dancing over the delicate leaves and fragrant roots.

Swiftly, [Y/n] concocted a healing elixir, the rich aroma of medicinal herbs intermingling with the crisp morning air. Turning towards Wei Wuxian, she presented the remedy with a stern gaze. "Drink this. It should help with your headache." Wei Wuxian, wearing the expression of a scolded child, reluctantly accepted the concoction. "Ugh, I hope it doesn't taste as bad as it smells." Unamused by his complaints, [Y/n] urged him to consume it. "Just swallow it. It's good for you." As Wei Wuxian took hesitant sips, the herbal elixir gradually worked its magic. The soothing properties wove through his system, alleviating the throbbing pain in his head. A calming silence enveloped the room, interrupted only by the soft sounds of the morning outside. Slowly but steadily, the pain subsided, bequeathing a lingering sense of relief in its wake. Wei Wuxian looked up at [Y/n] with gratitude, his eyes sparkling with a cheeky smile. "You're a lifesaver, A-[Y/n]. Maybe I should get drunk more often if it means waking up to your care." Rolling her eyes at his playful banter, [Y/n] couldn't suppress a smile. "By the way, what happened last night?" [Y/n] froze in her tracks as memories of the previous night resurfaced. After a brief hesitation, she chose to share some of the details with Wei Wuxian. Coughing nervously, she admitted, "Well, you had too much to drink and ended up leaving just before I went to sleep," trying to conceal the blush that crept onto her cheeks. "Ah, I see," he drawled, finishing the medicine.