Fluffy WangXian Oneshots Book Two

Come Back To Gusu With Me Part 7

It isn't long until twilight as XiChen paces outside the guest quarters where Wei WuXian is staying, and he's not inside. XiChen is beginning to worry about him. He had made his apologies to the three people at the sanctuary, where they'd held the meeting to discuss a plan of action for Wei WuXian, but the man himself hasn't been seen since he left, and XiChen is wondering where he could have gone.

The meeting had upset A-Ying, that much was clear, and XiChen was anxious that Wei WuXian might have changed his mind about seeking treatment and left, even though he said he was going to think about it. That was the sort of thing you said to be diplomatic, and no one knows that better than XiChen does, placating those who won't listen to you.

But it's been hours now and soon it'll be dark.

He's just about to go and find some disciples to start a search party when he sees Lan WangJi coming towards him.

He falters, so that's...something.

"Xiongzhang." WangJi bows, a curious expression on his face.

He's not going to like what XiChen has to say.

"Didi, do you know where A-Ying is?"

Lan WangJi immediately stiffens and glares while shaking his head. "What happened?"

XiChen explains the situation, and he knows he sounds apologetic because he is.

"Wei Ying is upset."

"Yes, that's why we've got to find him. Can you smell the rain? I think there's going to be a storm, judging by the gathering clouds."

They both look up towards darkening skies, the air heavy with intent. Lan Zhan's nostrils flare with the scent of petrichor, and XiChen can see how angry he is.

"Search party."

"Indeed. Immediately."

As they both hurry towards the Great Hall, XiChen realises that any hope they had of keeping Wei WuXian's presence in the Cloud Recesses a secret is a moot point now. They will have to explain to those who are looking for him, exactly who he is and what he was wearing. What matters the most is making sure he's alright.

They gather a team of twenty-four disciples and pair them up, with explicit instructions to keep themselves safe. All are armed with flares in case they need assistance and a pack of first aid supplies should anyone be injured. The youngsters are both a little in awe that Wei WuXian is here at all - the man is infamous for his part in the Sunshot Campaign - and excited to go on the hunt for him, aware of the possible dangers if he really is lost somewhere high up in the mountains. XiChen has not discounted any possibilities and urges them to hurry.

Just as they exit the Great Hall, that's when the Heavens open, immediately drenching all of them.

Lan Zhan strides ahead of XiChen, making his way to the cluster of buildings that make up the sanctuary. Any traces of Wei Ying's tracks will be washed away by now, but he has to try, and he reminds himself again that his brother was only trying to help. But that is an indulgence which will only be extended towards his brother if Wei Ying is alright. Lan Zhan is on the verge of losing his cool, though.

As night falls rapidly upon them, the storm increases in strength until it is impossible to see further than his arm in front of him, and Lan Zhan thinks about what an upset Wei Ying would usually do. If his Shufu and the medical staff inundated Wei Ying with too much information, he might have felt overwhelmed despite XiChen's support and promise to be on his side. Wei Ying has always been a fidgety person, unable to sit still. That's part of his charm, but his restlessness, perhaps a need to be free and not under a roof would have driven him away as fast as possible, and he might not have cared where he was going.