Reader prompts

Go back with me -3

 The people were gathered around the lotus pier with equal looks of awe on their faces. They would not stop staring and it was clearly making people uncomfortable. 

There were at least 30 Gusu Lan Sect students who stood there in pristine robes, mounted on snow-white horses. Their forehead ribbons and individually engraved swords and bows gave them an aristocratic look. Their robes fluttered in the wind making them look like an army from the heavens.

Who wouldn't stare? 

In front of them stood Lan Wangji in similar robes with Bichen sheathed to his side. He stood there in front of the group for the gates to be opened. Shije and Jiang Cheng were both there to greet them. Wei Wuxian was still confused with their encounter from months ago, hence decided to stay in and meditate.

With all the commotion from the villagers, he could barely concentrate.

He got up and started pacing the room like a caged tiger. His dark thoughts were creeping up at him. His mind started making up reasons for why Lan Zhan wanted him to come with him. Did he want to imprison him? Extract information? Kill him?

His mind started wandering to the dark corners without his consent a lot these days. 

He clutched the railing of the balcony and almost broke it with his bare hands. He heard a knock and his shije's voice. "Wei Ying?"

"Yes, Shije?"

"It's rude to not greet your guests. Come greet them."

Wei Ying could never say no to his sister. He opened the door and followed her to the grand dining hall where all of them were seated. His eyes immediately went to Lan Zhan. Lan Wangji's eyes were fixated on him and barely moved the entire time he was in the room. Wei Ying was the first one to break the eye contact.

Wei Ying smiled and gave everyone a light bow. 

"Welcome. I hope the journey was good." He saw everyone politely nod and give him a bow of greeting.

Lan Wangji still hadn't spoken or moved. He kept looking at Wei Wuxian. To Wei Ying, it felt like someone had left him naked. He felt those eyes studying him. He fought the insane urge to cover him up.

He promptly walked out. He had greeted everyone as told by his sister. He knew this was childish behavior but he did not care. 

"Master Wei."

Wei Wuxian stopped in his tracks. The corridor was a long one and they were surrounded by water. The only escape is to jump into the water. Which seemed even more childish. He slowly turned around.

"Yes, second master Lan?"

"How long... must we avoid each other?"

"So you do have a voice? good. good." "You used to avoid me so much that it's surprising you want to have a conversation now."

Wei Wuxian knew he sounded bitter but he didn't care.

"....Walk with me...."

Saying this Lan Zhan walked in front of him. Wei Wuxian followed. 

They walked a while before they reached an open patio much away from the main complex. It was far away that no one will be able to hear it. 

"Wei Wuxian..."

Wei Ying held up a hand. "No, wait. My turn to talk."

"I did not call you here as a peace treaty between us. I called you here because Jiang Cheng agreed. It's entirely political master Lan. Let's be very clear about where you stand."

"Wei Wuxian.."

"You do not belong in my world. I'm grateful to you for saving my life in the cave but let us not forget that I returned the favor."

"Wei Ying."

"So take your patronizing elsewhere second master Lan. Or it is a Lan thing? Heavens, I cannot imagine what your father would've been like!"

"Wei Ying!"

He has never seen Lan Zhan lose composure. Ever. He stood, waiting.

"You've changed."

"I know." Wei Ying's eyes were grim when he said those words. They had this darkness to them that Lan Wangji had not seen before. That worried him.

"Wei Ying... I... it's not too late."

"For?"

"You can still go back to Gusu with me."

"I told you I am NOT going!!" Wei Ying roared. He no longer cared about who heard. "I warned you before not to interfere in my business."

He slowly advanced towards Lan Wangji. There was a dangerous glint to his eyes and that should've scared Lan Zhan. But he stood his ground. 

"I told you that you do not belong anywhere near me! Do not look at me with those virtuous eyes! Do not try to set me straight." As he spoke his voice kept getting lower and his eyes kept getting darker.

"Do. not. ever. speak to me that way again."

Lan Zhan remained unmoved but there was unmistakable shock in his eyes. 

As the haze cleared, Wei Ying realized that his right hand was clasped around Lan Wangji's throat. He slowly retracted his hands. He could not break Lan Zhan's shocked gaze. His hand felt foreign to him. He slowly backed himself into a corner and stood there shivering.

In fear of what he could've done or in barely restrained control, he did not know.

All he knew was that he had not felt like himself when he had wound his fingers around the other man's neck.

He turned around unable to feel those eyes on him and held onto the railings. His hands were getting red from the pressure but he couldn't feel the pain. He felt numb yet emotional at the same time. He clenched his teeth to prevent him from screaming out.

He knew day by day he was losing control. He knew he was slipping. But he refused to acknowledge it. He finally snapped into reality with two warm arms sliding around him.

One held him around his torse and the other one held his shivering palm.

The weight of a warm solid body grounded him back to reality. He did not want to shake him off. He felt real. solid. unlike his dreams.

"Breathe."

His voice made everything disappear. 

Wei Ying concentrated on the deep baritone of Lan Zhan's voice and did as instructed. The arms around him tightened as his breathing stuttered. 

Lan Zhan looked at the man in his arms and cursed. He cursed for the first time ever in his life. He cursed the universe for putting a good man through hell and expecting him to survive it. For not saving him when he needed it the most. Most of all he cursed the gods for making his heart bleed for this man. Curse it all to hell!

"Wei Ying. I am here."

Yes he was. Wei Ying had a feeling that he was going to be here for a while.

"I am.. I am okay. you can let go now..."

"No." it was a strong refusal.

"I will hold you."

So much meaning was packed into those four words. Wei Ying had not been held since he was a child. 

He gave into the feeling and turned around. Lan Zhan slightly loosened his arms and looked at Wei Ying. He bowed forward and hugged Wei Ying without saying anything. The other man's arms went around his body and refused to let go.

Time stilled to a stop. Neither of them remembered who let go first.

----------------------------------------to be continued.