Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 64 - Fragments Of Light (18+)

***This chapter features some scenes of explicit sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.***

Lan Xichen's expression shifted from surprise to contemplation, his features veiled in a subtle cloak of bewilderment at Ghost's statement. His eyes held a melancholic gaze, reflecting the tumult of thoughts and emotions swirling within him.

Ghost observed Lan Xichen's reaction with a calm understanding, already familiar with the complexities of Lan Xichen's character and principles. Despite this, doubts gnawed at Ghost, lingering in the silence between them. Yet, he chose to remain silent, guilt pricked at his heart, knowing he had thrust Lan Xichen into yet another moral quandary.

A soft sigh escaped Ghost's lips, laden with understanding and regret. He was acutely aware of the precarious position he occupied, as well as the rigid principles upheld by Lan Xichen and his clan. Dark magic, particularly the insidious tendrils of blood magic, held a sinister allure that threatened to ensnare even the most steadfast of souls. It tampered with the very essence of life, twisting and distorting it to serve the whims of its wielder.

"I'm sorry, Ze Wu Jun," Ghost murmured softly, his hand coming to rest gently on Lan Xichen's forearm. "I never intended to place you in such a difficult position." His voice carried the weight of regret, tinged with understanding. "I fully comprehend the principles by which you stand, and I hold them in the highest regard. I will not harbor sadness or offense should you choose to distance yourself."

Lan Xichen met Ghost's gaze with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow, his own hand instinctively seeking Ghost's in return. "Ghost..." His voice was tender, laced with unspoken words that hovered on the precipice of his tongue. There was a longing to express more, to delve into the depths of his feelings, but something held him back. Yet, his eyes betrayed the inner conflict that waged within him, a silent testament to the turmoil he grappled with.

Ghost's heart clenched at the admission, his gaze never wavering from Lan Xichen's. "Perhaps... no, I will indeed feel a profound sadness if you were to choose to distance yourself," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "But I also understand the reasons behind such a decision."

Lan Xichen's touch, warm and comforting, grounded Ghost amidst the whirlwind of emotions threatening to engulf him. Yet, his question pierced through the fragile facade Ghost had erected, laying bare the rawness of his own fears and insecurities.

"Do you wish to be apart from me once more?" Lan Xichen's voice, heavy with sorrow and touched by disappointment, hung in the air like a leaden shroud.

Ghost's breath caught in his throat, a sharp pain constricting his chest. Lan Xichen's query struck a chord within him, awakening a sense of unease he hadn't realized lay dormant. In that moment, the connection they shared felt fragile, teetering on the edge of oblivion. A surge of anxiety coursed through Ghost, his grip on Lan Xichen's hand tightening almost involuntarily. The distance between them stretched like an unyielding chasm, and the specter of disappointment loomed ominously.

A stabbing ache pulsed through Ghost's heart, the physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil raging within him. Unable to bear the intensity of Lan Xichen's gaze, Ghost averted his eyes, a silent plea for reprieve from the overwhelming weight of their shared uncertainty.

"I..." Ghost's voice faltered, the weight of unspoken words heavy on his tongue. But before he could gather his thoughts, another voice shattered the fragile calm, calling out his name with urgency.

"Ghost!" Phantom's voice pierced through the tension, drawing Ghost's gaze. Behind Phantom strode Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Jiang Cheng, their presence a stark reminder of the pressing matters at hand.