Lan Xichen's Promise

Wei Ying places his hand on one of Lan Xichen's. It's tacky with grime, and it flinches away from his touch before leaning into it. "Wuxian," he says again, "Wuxian-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

He lets Wei Ying go and bows his head to the floor, chanting apologies. Jiang Cheng takes the opportunity to yank Wei Ying back to him, and he shoves his brother behind himself and his sister. When they turn back to Lan Xichen, he's in a ball on the floor, his breathing slowing and his eyes drooping. Lan Qiren surges forward, as does Lan Wangji, but the man faints on the floor, his hand reaching out for Wei Wuxian.

"Xichen!" Lan Qiren yells, and it shakes the other version from his stupor. The Sect Leader stares at his other part, in shambles on the floor, and then meets Wei Ying's eyes.

They're thinking the same thing: what happened? Lan Xichen eyes the dirty hand prints left from his other self's tight hold and thinks, what did I do?

--

In which a Lan Xichen from the future drops into Cloud Recess during the lectures, burdened by inexplicable remorse towards Wei Wuxian.