Chapter Text
Wuxian sat in the dark. His eyes unseeing, fingers quivered as he fidgeted as he waited for the figure next to him to stir. His mind would not let go of the image that made his heart sink into the blackest waters. It was all his fault. All of it… even-
A hand pressed on his shoulder bringing him back to reality. If it hadn’t been for the fact that he felt his husband’s presence he would have swung at the individual acutely aware he had someone to protect. Shamefully he had done just that the first time Lan Zhan had tried to help him when he was in such a state. He had even bit him in a fit of savagery when it looked as if he would have been subdued. The bite left a twisted scar just under the right wrist. Lan Zhan had witnessed so many dark things before from Wei Ying but never that. He had been startled but managed to wrestle him to the ground. He shouted Wei Ying’s name in his face telling him to wake up. When gray eyes finally gained recognition he let go. Wuxian tasted the blood in his mouth and a strange display of panic was then presented to the Lan. Fussing, trembling, then the sound… the sound he would pray every day to never hear ever again. A wail of grief so deep that it made him feel that wretched falling sensation when he heard his beloved had died. Wuxian was wailing, large pearls of tears slid down his cheeks as he put pressure on the wound. Lan Zhan broke himself free and pulled the crazed man into his lap. Held him tightly pushing his face into soft hair. They stayed there until the sounds finally died. He could still feel erratic heart beats and strangled breathing but at least Wuxian wasn’t crying any more. He was simply broken and needed time to pick up his pieces and put them back together.
“Wei Ying.” The soft melodious tone of Lan Zhan called through the fog.
A little noise was the response.
Lan Zhan took off his outer robe and sat on the floor. He pulled his husband carefully onto his lap before covering his head with the robe and wrapping his arms around him. He gave soothing strokes over back and shoulders as the other laid against his chest like a broken doll.
“I failed him.” Wuxian whispered.
The other suppressed a sigh. He had heard this before. In his honest opinion Wuxian had never failed let alone that prideful sour grape of a brother.
“You have not.”
“What would you know?” Wuxian sounded bitter even hateful but he still turned his face to press into his husband’s chest.
Lan Zhan went quiet. He didn’t know, how could he know? Wuxian never spoke about it. All he knew was whatever happened in the past was around the time that Lotus Pier had been raised to the ground. Something else happened. Something he had witnessed and kept as a terrible secret. Wanji wished he could get his husband to open up about it but when Wuxian decided to keep it a secret he kept it well.
It was in this position that Wei Wuxian had fallen asleep. Lan Zhan felt his pulse finding it finally calm and his qi was starting to steady. He picked up the other and tucked him into bed with great care. It was after the anniversary of the attack on Lotus Pier yet these… moments of Wei Ying’s were increasing in frequency. It happened last year as well. If his timing was right then the worst of it will happen within a month then it would dissipate to wait until next year.
His poor husband… what happened?
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“I’m sorry?” Xichen tilted his head in a curious manor from what Wuxian had asked of him.
It had been half a day since he woke up and had an idea. If anyone could get close to Jiang Cheng it would be this guy. His brother-in-law.
“I’m requesting that you take the next month off, go to Lotus Pier and befriend A-Cheng!”
That, uh…. That certainly was a bold request. It wasn’t like he was strangers with the Yunmeng Sect Leader. In fact they have held many intelligent conversations over the years. Jiang Wanyin was short tempered but he always was helpful and willing to assist in anything Xichen needed.
“Am I not already friends with him?”
“Not nearly close enough. I need you to do this.”
“May I ask as to why?”
“No.”
“Why should I agree to this?”
“Because it’s important.” Wuxian got exceedingly close to Xichen, so close the other could feel his breath as he spoke. “This can’t be put off and I need someone there with him. Someone that doesn’t judge him for his temper. Someone that can withstand his sandpaper personality. And there is only one person I can think of and that is you.”
Xichen leaned back feeling threatening energy starting to seep off of the other. Was this truly that important? This was terribly out of character for Wuxian to push such an issue especially with such urgency.
He gave a sigh, “Very well, I will send a missive and begin the process. Be aware that I will not lie to him.”
“I’m not expecting you to. I’m expecting you to befriend him.”
As long as they have an understanding.
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Jiang Cheng wasn’t certain as to why the Lan Sect Leader was on his way over. It was a bit odd that his reasoning stated in his letter that he needed time away from Gusu. Why? Well, whatever. He would offer a soft bed for the man to rest his head on. He extended a courtesy of meeting his esteemed guest upon his arrival. He personally showed him to his guest quarters which was situated next to his own. He informed him of meal time and how there were no formalities of a dining hall. With that he left and disappeared into his private rooms where Xichen could see disciples rush back and forth with letters and parcels.
He kept to his regular schedule and departed from his rooms in the afternoon with his head disciple at his heels as they made their way to the training ground. He stopped suddenly and stepped to the side. A hard gaze locked upon the visiting Sect Leader before he gave an ever slight tilt of the head before continuing on his way. Xichen smiled and happily accepted the silent invitation following at a respectable distance as a guest.
Jiang Cheng offered him a seat as the training grounds filled with people of different ages. There were even children as young as five. The little ones were gathered to a far off corner where some juniors would help them line into formation. Another corner gathered together the age group up from the children to the juniors where. They lined up beautifully as the seniors to instruct them stood at attention waiting. Then there was a surprising group that went into another area that was filled with cots and booths. This group took their time to shuffle their way to their station. Elderly, disabled and even a few mentally invalid were dressed in unique robes. Unlike everyone else that had purple and black, they wore white with a striking purple motif.
How strange… why were they here? People like that in other sects were used mostly as servants, kitchen workers, cleaners, etc. They would be placed somewhere they couldn’t be seen by the average person but here. Here they were on display.
He felt a sharp gaze on him. Xichen raised his sight to Jiang Cheng. The man seemed to be gadging him, no, daring him. Daring him to express displeasure upon seeing them. But Xichen only blinked innocently as he realized that the Yunmeng sect leader had stripped down to only pants and boots. Scars that others would hide were on display and Xichen felt his ears heat. So brazen.
One of the special disciples broke free from the group. A teenager with bright eyes like polished obsidian. He ran straight towards them. Xichen saw the movement and tensed upon instinct. Jiang Cheng didn’t look away from his guest as he was bodily slammed into by the teen and wrapped in a bone breaking hug. He finally looked away in order to pat the head of the boy as if he was five. He gave him such a tender smile that Xichen’s ears heated further.
“Pengtian,” Jiang Cheng’s voice rolled like thunder. “It is good to see you well and attending.”
“Didi,” the top disciple sighed as he crossed his arms over his own bare chest. “It’s almost time to start, you should be at your station.”
“Dishi,” the sect leader’s tone was firm, guiding. “There is always time for family.”
“Yes, Sandu Shengshou.” The other seemed abashed.
Jiang Cheng turned to the boy that was still holding him, “Do you think you will be able to learn today?”
Pengtian nodded fervently, “I’ll learn a bunch today!”
“I know you will.” Jiang Cheng gave Pengtian a gentle push to urge him away.” Pay your respects to your gege and go to your station.”
The boy did as told and happily rejoined his group. Jiang Cheng moved himself towards the center of the training ground to address the crowd. He gave a simple instruction of a time limit of training before he and Dishi would then inspect each group for progress and personal training. The disciples bowed, thanking him as propriety requested. A few glances were directed at Xichen but since their sect leader had not said any further word they simply went to focus on their training.
Xichen watched the Yunmeng Sect Leader stand strong and tall. Dishi shifted his feet in the dirt and brought up his hands in a fighting stance. Ah, hand to hand combat today. That was- why did Jiang Wanyin suddenly activate Zidian?!
The Gusu Sect Leader felt his heart hammer with anxiety as he watched the whip come striking down. The disciple stepped to the side. The crackle of the weapon sparked as it was wielded back to deliver another blow. Xichen winced as a few more moves had been exchanged before the boy’s long pony tail was grabbed by the end of the whip. He was yanked off of his feet and back. He slammed into the ground forcing him into a fit of coughs trying to get the wind back in him. With a flick of a wrist the whip untangled from the long black hair.
“Again!” Jiang Cheng barked.
“Yes, Shifu.” Dishi coughed, getting back onto his feet.
Xichen found the next few hours to be nerve wracking. Zidian was a dangerous weapon. Wanyin was using it against a-a child! Dishi seemed to be a bit younger than Sizhui and Jingyi but they were still practically babies. It did say something about Jiang Cheng’s control over the weapon though. Not once did he leave a mark. The dangerous cracking of the tip was close, always so close, to vulnerable skin but it never cut and whips… whips cut deep. He gripped fistfuls of his robes as he sat. His face never showed how he was feeling as memories of his brother’s back surfaced. The lacerations were terrible. He had to help hold the skin together as the healers stitched in deep sutures. He didn’t want to admit the feeling of betrayal he felt towards his uncle for hurting his precious baby brother so badly. That man had been so set in his ways that he maimed his own family because of what? Of being in love? Of wanting to protect the one dearest to him? Even back then Xichen never thought Wuxian was the plague that everyone tried to make him into. It was all lies and rumors. Worse yet, their own rules speak about believing, about following, lies and rumors so blindly and they had. It was disgusting.
A gentle presence came to him from his side. Xichen looked over to find the young man Pengtian sitting there as if he had been there the whole time. He smiled and reached up. His hand gently patted and stroked soft hair in the same action that Jiang Cheng had done to him earlier.
“It’s okay. He doesn’t blame you.” Pengtian sounded like one child speaking to another.
“P-pardon?” What did he mean by that? Xichen almost pulled away when he felt something gently feed into him from each pat, every stroke. Pengtian was feeding him small amounts of soothing qi with every touch. His eyes widened upon realization. Pengtian was a Tranquil!! He was a healing Tranquil.
The boy shrugged as if that was enough explanation.
Xichen smiled. How exciting! He had never met a Tranquil before, only read about them. Tranquils were said to have cognitive problems due to being touched by the gods. This touch allowed them to know things others could not. They were what fortune tellers wished they could be. Legend even states they could find immortals if they so desired. They were so rare! Amazing, so amazing.
He started up a conversation. It took over the rest of the time of the training and was only broken when Dishi came to collect his brother for dinner. The warm day had growing shadows and he was feeling very good. There was rustling of fabrics as Jiang cheng started to put on his inner robe. His hair was messy from rigorous training. The white cloth clung onto parts of his sweat soaked skin.
Xichen felt his mouth go dry. He wanted to look away but couldn’t. It made something stir in him that he couldn’t identify. He pushed it to the side and smiled.
“Was it a good training day?” He asked softly.
Jiang Cheng shrugged. “Average. Many are improving but some are lacking, so yes, average. Come, your meal should be in your rooms by the time you get there.”