To Give In. (The Untamed)

Dirty Deads.

|| A/N; sorry for the late updates! I had emergency surgery (2 procedures) & been in recovery. Slowly gaining energy and muse back. & only having my cell phone to write this on... it's been interesting. End; A/N ||

The fabric of reality enveloped him. He could feel the soft plush mattress beneath him, holding his weight. The pillow that held his head. He felt— comfortable?

In the process of waking up to the world around him, he could hear a slow and soft melody in the background. It was being orchestrated by a pair of elegant fingers; gently plucking away at the strings with care. Wei Wuxian began to stir, his limbs stretching.

Then, he began to recall the events. His blurry, fuzzy mind now swirling. His brows knit together as his eyes shot open.

Great...

He silently sighed as he adjusted himself to sit up. His back slouching against the back board of the bed. He observed his surroundings. The natural light blanketed the wide open room. He could tell by the long drapes from the floor to the ceiling, the rugs; this was Cloud Recess of Gusu.

His attention focused on the man plucking the strings. Lan Wangji. Sitting pretty as he conducted his melody. His long, soldi black hair running down his back, and cleanly down the front of his shoulders. Half done up in a fashionable bun with silver ornaments. A blue ribbon also running down his back. And ofc course, that signature Lan Clan headband. Wei Wuxian watched him for a moment in awe. Lan Zhan looked so relaxed yet professional.

He tilted his head, glancing down to his lap with a small smirk at his lips.

"Sixteen years later..." Wei Wuxian says barely over a whisper. Seeing him makes the overwhelming anxieties that buzz around him melt away.

Lan Zhan's eyes flicked up as he heard Wei Wuxian. His fingers pause as he casually glances to his partner on the bed. A sense of relief washes over him, knowing that he was now awake.  A small smile made an appearance over his features, but just for a moment. He lefts himself up from his spot, to pour some tea into a small tea cup.

He strides over gracefully, their eye contact locking on each other.

"Here," Lan Zhan says as he hands the tea over to Wei Ying. It was accepted without any hesitation. He pressed the rim to his lips, testing the contents.

"Oh, it's—" Definitely not liqour. "It's nice," he manages to say after the first sip. It was boring, and yet, slightly bitter against his tongue.

Lan Zhan ignored his comment. Knowing he would respond like that. He reached forward, grabbing the hem of the white robe and pealed it open with no ounce of shame. He observed Wei Ying's exposed chest and upper abdomen. Wei Ying's face grew warm instantly. A light pink dusting his cheeks as he grew shy. He averted his gaze towards the rug on the floor.

Lan Zhan observed the rash that ran along his rib that and down his side. It was from clan leader Jiang Cheng. His fingers gently ghost over the irritated skin, gingerly.

"Ah— Lan Zhan—" Wei Ying blurts from how sensitive it was. Not in a good way. He tried sinking back into the bed frame.

"Drink the tea," Lan Zhan responds in a demanding tone. He pulls out a small container of ointment. It was to help sooth and heal the rash. He applies it right away with care.

Wei Ying quickly forced himself to drink the tea down. It barely helped distract him from how sensitive the rash was. Liqour was easier. Hells, he'd even drink water over this tea. But Lan Zhan's touch always sent goosebumps throughout his skin. He tried his best to control his breathing, to remain cool and collected.

"So, uh— Lan Zhan," He begins, to bring up conversation. "I heard you went searching for me?" 

Lan Zhan's eyes flicker up to meet Wei Ying's. He sat up right, finished applying the ointment and putting the cap back on the round container. He could tell his touch had an effect on him. He could see the goosebumps. The energy shift in the room.

He gave a short sigh through his nose before speaking. "After 3 years, I did. There was nothing to be found. Not even bones." His voice held sadness. The shadow of helplessness looming over his being.

Wei Ying instinctively reached out to him, grabbing Lan Zhan's wrist as he sat up right.

Lan Zhan's gaze connected with Wei Ying's once more. He looked like a hurt puppy. The whites of his eyes were turning red. Repressing his emotions, as usual. The Lan Clan were stubborn, unable to release such raw emotions. Growing up under harsh regiments and three-hundred rules. The strong urge to kiss him suddenly pushed at him. But, like the other man; he didn't give into it so easily.

Lan Zhan avoided eye contact, but he noticed something on Wei Ying's wrist. It was the cut he noticed earlier as he changed Wei Ying into comfortable clean robes. His brows knitted together as he noticed it... wasn't healing...? How odd.

Wei Ying noticed, and quickly covered his wrist, letting go of Lan Zhan.

"Uh— haha..." He let's out a nervous, weak chuckle.

"Don't hide."

Wei Ying sighs heavily, glancing around the room. He then looks down at his wrist, pulling the sleeve back just enough to expose the cut again. "This represents the last guy I have to... kill..." He explains plainly. "Mo Xuanyu called me to revenge him. I just need to figure out who this last one is, and it will once the dead is done."

"Hmn," Lan Zhan responds.

"Turns out, the first few cuts were the Mo Clan. They bullied him relentlessly. He was the son of a whore. His father was supposedly a cultivator of the dark arts. They kept him locked up." Wei Ying adds on, giving more detail into the situation. Lan Zhan listened, not having anything to respond with just yet.

"But, someone is up to something. I didn't make those puppets." Wei Ying chimed up again. "Someone wanted me back, and they had a plan." He had a gut feeling. Everywhere he went, he felt as if he was being followed. Whoever was playing the extra flute nearby when handling the Ghost General. Lan Zhan arched a brow, watching Wei Ying intently. Slowly following his clues.

But then, they both displayed a look of shock on their faces.

"Xue Yang."

He was the only other man they knew of that could make puppets. Worked with the demonic. They needed to find Xue Yang. If anyone had answers, it was him.  He was always a pain in their asses.

Knock, knock, knock...

Knuckles wrapped on a pillar as the figure came into view. He also wore blue detailed robes. An older and taller version of Lan Zhan. Lan Xichen, Lan Zhan's older brother by three years. He was Lan clan's famous clan leader. He and Lan Zhan were known as the twin Jades of Lan.

Wei Ying's heart jumped into his throat. They both got to their feet in an instant. Did—? Did Lan Xichen know that he was...?

"Wei Wuxian," Lan Xichen greeted with a small, friendly smile. Wei Ying's eyes widened slightly from shock. Lan Zhan must have told him. He awkwardly looked away, glancing to Lan Zhan beside him.

Lan Xichen then focused on his brother. "Uncle is requesting your presence," he says before suggesting him to follow as he turned on his heal. Lam Zhan gave one last look to Wei Ying.

"Stay here," he says simply as he follows after his brother.

"Like I can just walk off, anyone could recognize me." He lightly teases, turning towards the bed. He plops down with a sigh.