Backlash Part 1

Chapter 99: Return to Cloud Recesses

"Behave during your visit A-Xian. You can always come home when you need a break." Jiang Fengmian said with a small smile. Wei Wuxian forced his eyes to brighten and his face to smile. It took more effort than it used to, but Wei Wuxian still knew how to do it. He bowed lightly in acknowledgement and bid Jiang Fengmian farewell.

"Shufu. I'll get the disciples ready while you make the last farewells." Lan Xichen said politely. Lan Qiren nodded in acknowledgement. Lan Xichen began to lead Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji towards where the disciples were gathered.

"Wuxian, would you be comfortable with me sharing a room with you and Wangji when we stop overnight?" Lan Xichen inquired gently. "I don't know that Shufu is quite ready to realize that you two room together by yourselves. It will seem more natural if it is the three of us sharing the room, but if that doesn't work I can explain to Shufu for you."

"That's fine." Wei Wuxian said, slightly dazed. Lan Xichen smiled before picking up his pace to go speak with the other disciples. A warm hand took hold of Wei Wuxian's cold one. Lan Wangji interlaced their fingers as he searched Wei Wuxian's face. Wei Wuxian inched closer to Lan Wangji. Once he was close enough he let his head fall gently onto Lan Wangji's shoulder.

"Wei Ying?" Lan Wangji whispered softly. Wei Wuxian let out a sigh.

"That... went better than I expected." Wei Wuxian said slowly.

"Wei Ying is not alone." Lan Wangji replied quietly. A small tired smile found its way onto Wei Wuxian's face. That was something that still surprised Wei Wuxian once in a while. He expected to be alone, quite often. He guessed that he should stop thinking that. Lan Wangji had barely left his side in months. It was actually very rare for him to be alone.

"Now I just have to try and not be too shameless in front of my future shufu." Wei Wuxian teased lightly. Lan Wangji's ears tinted pink. Wei Wuxian laughed brightly in answer. By the time they were leaving Qishan, Wei Wuxian was almost calm.

It was only seven days ago that Wei Wuxian's awful trip to Qishan had ended. It had been, well, Wei Wuxian was trying not to think about it and just hoped the trip to Cloud Recesses would be better. At least he assumed he wouldn't be constantly enduring angry jabs and insults. Zewu-Jun had even already planned ahead for the inn. The security of knowing he would not need to have another confrontation about sharing a room with Lan Wangji was enough to ease a lot of his fears.

As the hours slipped by Wei Wuxian found himself growing more comfortable. He went from nervously waiting for something to happen, to enjoying the scenery. By the afternoon he had started to quietly converse with Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji didn't say much in response, but it was enough for Wei Wuxian. Then a few of the disciples started to ask questions.

By the time they arrived at the inn for the evening Wei Wuxian almost felt normal. He had spent hours pleasantly conversing about the conference, the archery competition, the places they were passing by. Wei Wuxian shared anecdotes from when he was younger. It was not the loud half shouting chatter he used to use, but it was still fast and animated. It created a warm atmosphere as they travelled. Small bursts of quiet laughter amid their soft conversations. More than once Wei Wuxian caught Lan Wangji gazing fondly at him. It made Wei Wuxian feel warm.

Lan Xichen reserved the rooms and gave out the assignments. Lan Wangji ordered a meal to be delivered to their room and led Wei Wuxian upstairs while Lan Xichen finished speaking with Lan Qiren and the other disciples. Wei Wuxian released a soft sigh as the door closed. During the trip to Qishan, Wei Wuxian had felt like he was suddenly dropping a lead weight whenever he entered the inn room. It was a mountain of anxiety that he dropped at the door when he entered, then picked up again when he left. There was still a difference between inside of the room and outside of it. There was a relief of tension, but the difference was much more mild than it had been before.

Food was delivered and Lan Xichen joined them. Wei Wuxian snuggled into Lan Wangji's lap and ate greedily. She commented enthusiastically about the food Lan Wangji had picked out. He complained about the mildness of a few of the dishes, but Lan Wangji noted that Wei Wuxian still ate those dishes with gusto. Lan Xichen chuckled softly in response. Wei Wuxian had finished his food long before the Twin Jades had, but he contented himself with relaxing comfortably against Lan Wangji.

"How was the visit to Lotus Pier?" Lan Xichen asked once they had finished their meal. Lan Wangji tensed reflexively as his mouth pressed into a firm line. Lan Xichen recognized the expression immediately, his expression grew grim.

"I see. I hope Wuxian will have a chance to rest in Cloud Recesses before the coming events." Lan Xichen said gently. He wasn't certain if Wei Wuxian was actually asleep, or if he simply had his eyes closed. In either case he did not respond to any of the questions, so Lan Xichen supposed it was best to act as though he was asleep.

"Mn." Lan Wangji agreed. He wanted Wei Wuxian to have time to rest and enjoy himself. Soon the opportunities to do so would become limited. "Any news from Wen Qing?" Lan Wangji inquired. Lan Xichen shook his head.

"Nothing yet. I suppose we should expect to hear something within the next week or so. Depending on whether Wen Rouhan is still behaving on schedule with Wuxian and Wen Qing's previous experiences." Lan Xichen replied. They lapsed into silence. Wei Wuxian shivered slightly and shifted as though trying to get even closer to Lan Wangji.

Lan Xichen smiled warmly as he watched Lan Wangji gather Wei Wuxian into his arms. Gently he watched his didi remove Wei Wuxian's outer layers and lay him in bed. Wei Wuxian whined and grabbed at Lan Wangji in his sleep. Lan Wangji bent down, speaking something, too soft for Lan Xichen to hear. An unhappy sound came from Wei Wuxian, but he released Lan Wangji.

Lan Xichen relished every soft and caring gesture of Lan Wangji. It was wonderful to see the warmth and peace that washed over his didi as he took care of Wei Wuxian. Lan Xichen made his own preparations for bed. Just before he went to sleep he took one last look at Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian was half on top of Lan Wangji, sleeping with his head pillowed on Lan Wangji's chest. Lan Wangji had his arms wrapped around Wei Wuxian, holding him close. A small smile traced itself across his didi's face, half hidden in Wei Wuxian's hair. Lan Xichen felt his heart squeeze. It was only with Wei Wuxian that Lan Wangji smiled in his sleep like that. Even when they were little Lan Wangji didn't smile in his sleep.

'I'm happy for you Didi.'