The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 153 - Help Me

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Wuxian looks at himself in the mirror as his soul-bond fusses over his hair. He hasn't spoken to anyone yet and after Qiren forced him to eat food and drink some weird concoctions, Wangji took over getting him ready to face the world.

Wuxian didn't know what they expected from him. Sitting up for a few hours was so exhausting that he just wants to crawl back into bed and call it a day. From the weird combination of emotions evident in Wangji's face, Wuxian can safely assume that he will not rest in peace any time soon.

Wangji speaks up first: "Where is your red ribbon?"

Wuxian looks down at his shaky hands and whispers: "It doesn't matter."

Wangji stops what he's doing and wraps his arms around Wuxian's waist, placing a gentle kiss under his ear: "It matters.."

Wuxian sighs, still refusing to meet Wangji's eyes through the reflection of the mirror: "Liang took it after he found me in the snow. He thought I didn't notice but I was awake. He saved my life, so I didn't ask for it when we returned."

Wangji tightens his hold around Wuxian: "I will find you another one."

He starts to move away to look for another red ribbon but Wuxian weakly grabs his arm to stop him and turns around to look sadly into his eyes: "I'm sorry."

Wangji kneels in front of him and grabs his hands to kiss them: "Why are you apologizing to me?"

Wuxian's breath hitches as he tried to fight with his overwhelming emotions: "I've been difficult and a bad soul-bond.."

Wangji leans in to place his forehead on Wuxian's: "I just want to see you smile again.. Tell me what I have to do and I will do it."

Wuxian sighs and a soft sob escapes him: "Help me.."

Wangji leans back, a little surprised with Wuxian's plea. Wuxian takes a deep breath and says: "Help me, please."

Wangji looks deep into his desperate mate's eyes: "Help you?"

Wuxian grabs Wangji's robes: "I'm stuck and I don't know what to do. I feel like.. like I'm still trapped in that colorless world.."

Wangji nods his understanding and stands up. He extends his hand for Wuxian to take and with his help, they make their way out of their room to find Wuxian's peace.

Zewu Jun has been running on fumes ever since they returned. While handling his duties as Wuxian's consultant, he had to remotely monitor the progress of Mianmian and Liang, plan a funeral for the young boys who died and shoulder some of Wangji's duties as he tended to his sick mate. He was exhausted and worried about his brother-in-bond. Healer Shi has been so stressed out over Wuxian's declined mental health, and that made him deeply concerned. He didn't even have the time to go visit and console him. He sighs deeply and leans over the paper scattered on his disk, resuming his work and hoping he finishes early today.

A soft knock on the door was not enough for him to look up, he just told whoever it is to come in and waited. When the person did not speak, Zewu Jun looked up and was surprised to see Wuxian standing near the door with his head down. Wangji was standing behind him, with a supporting hand on his lower back.

Zewu Jun hastily stood up and went to him: "Brother Wei, what are you doing out of bed?"

Wuxian refused to look up. He whispered: "Zewu Jun, I'm sorry I yelled at you."

Zewu Jun was not expecting an apology. His concern peaked when Wuxian sways a little in his spot and the older man reached out and embraced him. He pats Wuxian's back and says: "Brother Wei, your anger was justified. I don't deserve your apologies. I just want you to find acceptance and move on."

Wuxian sighs, returning Zewu Jun's hug: "I was disrespectful towards you. I'm sorry. Please don't be mad."

Zewu Jun smiles, tightening his hold on Wuxian and enjoying his comforting smell: "I will never be mad at you, especially when you share your emotions with me. I cherish you and I share your grief, brother."

Wuxian nods and they stay silent for a while, enjoying the closeness until they hear Wangji cough loudly. Wuxian smiles a little and instead of letting go, he whispers loudly: "Zewu Jun, I didn't know you give such amazing hugs. You should charge people for this."

Zewu Jun chuckles over Wuxian's teasing and pitches in: "It's a gift that I only share with the ones I love.."

Wuxian feels his feet leave the ground as Wangji physically removes him from Zewu Jun's embrace and places him a step behind himself. Zewu Jun purses his lips to suppress his laughter and Wuxian winks at him behind Wangji's back.

The darkness that filled Wuxian's colorless world subsides a little. He has so much to overcome so he can heal but at least he does not feel alone anymore.

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