Chapter Text
The great battle on the land of gusu finally ends with a victory of the gusu lan clan.
But there surrounds an air of gloom....with blood and death everywhere......
How can there be content with victory when there is so much sadness around?
People of the gusu clan were happy that the war had ended in their favour...surviving soldiers reunite with their families,shedding happy tears...& order would slowly but definitely be restored back on this divine land.
While there was happiness at one end...There was despair on other...The cloud recesses was brimming with tension....The reason?
On the last day of battle, Wei Wuxian was fatally stabbed by one of the opponent's generals...Quite close to the heart.
Now, He laid in one of the rooms, with doctors and heplers running around frantically and constantly watching over him. His vital signs were not at the best levels but he was still surviving.
" It is Young Master Wei's earnest will to live which still keeps him alive, though not in the best physical state..." one of the doctor tells Lan Wangji. He nodded and thanked the doctor for his service.
The doctor returns back to check Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji peeps through the window to catch a glimpse of his beloved. He didn't have enough courage to go in the room, though he did once.
Slowly, he makes his way to Cángshū Gé, the clan's large library where he found his older brother and current leader of the clan, Lan Xichen sitting, in a meditative state.
Lan Wangji stands near the entrance, staring at Chénqíng and Suíbiàn, kept in the library for the time being, with tears which still didn't escape his eyes, as he didn't want to break his brother's moment of calmness. He knew how stressed his brother is due to the war.. Being the sect leader he had to lookout for the wellness of the people and help in the restoration of gusu back to its former glory.
This man with an always smiling face had contained within himself a complex web of emotions...he never let the emotions tone him down but they weren't always calm either...so times of meditation did calm the turmoiling emotions down.
Lan Wangji was lost in his thoughts for quite some time before he heard a very gentle voice....
"Wangji, come inside. Why are you standing at the entrance for so long?"
"........yes, Xiongzhang."
He comes in quietly and sits beside his brother.
His brother, he respected him greatly. Xichen was his pillar of strength,since childhood, the only person who could see through Wangji. Xichen respected his ideals and beliefs and swore to always protect his precious younger brother from harm as much as he could. Though he now knew that this role also resided with Wei Wuxian.
Xichen could easily tell what was going on Wangji's mind and understand his feelings even when Wangji doesn't say anything.
And that's why ............
Xichen could clearly sense that his dear brother is not fine.
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"Wangji, how is Wei gongzi?"
" There has not been much improvement. The doctors are checking on him all the time."
" I see."
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"...how are you?"
(surprised facial expression)
" ...I am fine Xiongzhang. Why do you suddenly ask?"
" You and I both know that what you said right now was a complete lie. Well half a lie if we consider your physical condition. How are you feeling from within?"
Wangji was at first a bit surprised but instantly understood that there is no hiding from this man. He looked at his brother and then stared into the small candle that was lit at some distance.
".................I am fine Xiongzhang.... I can handle it."
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"I know Wangji, that you are very strong. Strong enough to keep your emotions under check and fulfill all you responsibilities despite having an inner riot. But I understand your feelings of having a loved one who is fighting for his life right now. So, it is very normal to feel upset."
Lan Wangji listened to every word his brother said. He knew that his brother could empathise with him. He knew that this is no time to feel weak and that is why he didn't break his calm demeanour in front of anyone.
But right now
He felt vulnerable.
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He slowly felt a rush of all the emotions he had been hiding in his heart for all these days after the war, after Wei Wuxian was hurt. These emotions threaten to break the composure that he maintained.
"Wangji, I am here. If you want to let out those tears, please do. Don't keep such a heavy burden on your heart. I am willing to listen to whatever you wish to say. You can let yourself be free from your inner turmoil. Atleast for now."
These words were said with such softness and gentleness....that it broke the wall surrounding Lan Wangji.
The held tears began flowing freely now.