It's Not Running If It's Not Longing

Lan Wangji couldn't help but grow desperate while on his search for a certain male who he hopes is still in Caiyi town since Young Master Jiang is still here. Though he is very much aware that the possibility of him running into Wei Wuxian is slim to none. He also is aware of what his brother feels about this obsession with Wei Wuxian he has. Lan Wangji knows that Lan Xichen is right within reason almost every time. That Lan Xichen means well even though not always thinking about the feelings of others, and when it comes to Lan Wangji, Lan Xichen sometimes ignores those feelings, acting as if sometimes he can't read him like a book as he has done since Lan Wangji was born.

Shaking the train of thoughts Lan Wangji roams the streets however the sun is already going down and Lan Wangji knows his brother will be expecting him to return to their room before full nightfall. Sighing he was about to turn away and head back to the Inn to meet with his brother, just when he spots a shade of dark purple walking alongside someone with a sun hat and a vail on it.

Realizing he recognized not only the person in purple as Young Master Jiang but he remembers that hat that Wei Wuxian wore earlier. Relishing his luck he quickly follows them to another Inn that the Jiang disciples took residence in the town.

Jiang Cheng, "Please be careful whatever you decide to do next."

Wei Wuxian, "Don't worry Shidi, you will see me again once your year in Cloud Recesses is up. I will take care of everything at home so please take care of yourself."

Lan Wangji, "Wei Ying." he calls out to the two.

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng stop in their tracks and words they were exchanging, turning around to glare down the Second Young Master Lan.

Wei Wuxian sighs and bows to Lan Wangji before bidding his brother farewell, before turning to leave. Lan Wangji, "Wei Ying please wait!"

Jiang Cheng wanted to step in and stop this interaction between Second Young Master Lan and his brother, but he knew that this was between them and only they alone could solve this between them. Shaking his head, Jiang Cheng goes back inside of his Inn while Lan Wangji was "not running" to catch up to Wei Wuxian and stops him by taking a hold of his arm. Wei Wuxian stops in his tracks and stares down at his arm that was in the death grip of Lan Wangji's hand.

Realizing his mistake, Lan Wangji lets him go before starting with, "Please don't go again."

Wei Wuxian, "Lan er Gongzi, please don't make this any more awkward than it already is. I need to be going for I have a long trip ahead of me."

Lan Wangji, "Wei Ying…" he looks down disappointed, "Then let me accompany you."

Wei Wuxian was shocked to hear this news, "Lan Er Gongzi I am sorry to disappoint you but this trip might take months to accomplish. I am afraid I can't ask you to depart from your Sect. for this long."

Lan Wangji, "Where Wei Ying goes, Wangji wants to accompany you."

Wei Wuxian sighs but a small genuine smile escapes to his lips knowing he was never one to say no and break Lan Wangji's stubbornness before. He is still too weak-minded to do so now. Even though it was Lan Wangji who straight up killed him in his last life, Wei Wuxian never blamed him for it, for the way he sees it, if it was his Lan Zhan who deems him worthy of dying then Wei Wuxian must have really deserved death. Though that is why Wei Wuxian is making a big effort of making sure to never let the Second Master of Lan get too close and attach to him because Wei Wuxian, in his mind, knows that he is not worthy of this man before him.

Wei Wuxian, "Please Lan Er Gongzi don't be doing this to me." he begs the other, "We are two different people who will walk very different paths and you even deemed me to be walking on the wrong one before. So let me be on the path I chose and you walk the one that was given to you."

Hearing his mistakes being thrown at his feet caused Lan Wangji to look to the ground with guilt plaguing him as it has done for all the nights since the night of Wei Wuxian almost dying at Lan Wangji's own home. Lan Wangji, "Wangji is sorry... for what I have... caused you great pain… when you deserved better… Wei Ying is better and worth all good things in this world."

Wei Wuxian lets out a sarcastic laugh but more of a huff, "This world seems to disagree with that notion Lan Er Gongzi."

Lan Wangji, "Then the world is wrong."

This time a much bigger and broader smile appeared and caused Lan Wangji's heart to stop for a couple of beats but also wishing the world would stop spinning as well to witness this moment. Wei Wuxian, "That is such a big claim to make."

Lan Wangji, "Mn."

…

In the end, Lan Wangji begged for Wei Wuxian to follow him back to his own Inn, which Wei Wuxian couldn't seem to argue back against. Though he promised he won't disappear, Wei Wuxian waited for Lan Wangji on the outside of the Inn while Lan Wangji goes inside but to his dismay, his brother wasn't inside so he couldn't explain things to him, so Lan Wangji did the next best thing and leave a note on his bed and repack his belonging he brought along with him to Caiyi town before going back outside and meeting up with Wei Wuxian again.

Lan Wangji sends a messenger butterfly to his Uncle and he was set off along with Wei Wuxian. Even though Wei Wuxian planned to use his newfound powers to get to the destination he needs to be in, he just can't find it in himself to leave Lan Wangji behind. Besides, Wei Wuxian could use this time to push the other to the point where Lan Wangji would rather be anywhere else than by Wei Wuxian's side, to separate them forever.

Wei Wuxian, "Is there anything from Cloud Recesses that we need to acquire?"

Lan Wangji thought it for a moment, he has Bichen strapped to his side and Wangji on his back with a few pairs of robes in his satchel and if needed he has money for food and new clothes if it came down to it so he shakes his head. Wei Wuxian nods and leads the way to the docks to buy a boat to take them down the river to the next town over where they will go by foot onto the next.

They made it to Guangling in a day only resting for a night and to pick up food, mostly cheese and bread and goat's milk, for the road. The town was welcoming to the two wandering Cultivators, especially when they realized they were housing the Second Master of Lan by the ornament he wears in his hair. For this, they got to have the nicest room that the best Inn could offer. Thank goodness that the room had two beds because Lan Wangji wasn't willing to let Wei Wuxian sleep on the floor but he wasn't sure if his poor heart could deal with sleeping next to the other man.

Like normal, Lan Wangji claims it was time for bed, and they go into their separate sides of the room, however, Wei Wuxian waits in his bed until Lan Wangji is asleep, and thankful the man was a deep sleeper who won't wake until the morning. At that time Wei Wuxian would use this time to do what he needed to accomplish. The first night Wei Wuxian teleports to Cloud Recesses to their hidden caves where he meets Lan Yi and it didn't take much convincing for her to give him the Yin Iron as she recognized not only the boy to be related to her long old friend but also an immortal, and with the promise of destroying them and reassuring her that he alone could only destroy them he left with no trouble to return back to Lan Wangji's side.

This night however Wei Wuxian travels to Baling Tan Zhou, the city on the outskirts of Yunmeng Jiang to where the second Stygian Iron would be hidden in a flower garden that had magical properties, for you see, not only were these flowers unseemly beautiful but in the middle of the orangish reddish petals of the flowers there is a flame that is lit at the center of the flowers. The flames spark and glitters, and changes colors in front of one's eyes. It's a sight to behold and this is all thanks to the Stygian Iron that bewitches these flower's beauty.

Once Wei Wuxian motions the Yin Iron to come forth to him the flowers started to lose their flames but the flowers did not welt. They continued to flourish and Wei Wuxian plans to leave the garden to stay this way with a little help of his own power, he blesses the grounds he walks on. Once he leaves the garden of the Flame flowers Wei Wuxian returns back to Guangling in one piece and before the temples bells ring, signaling it was five in the morning and Wei Wuxian orders a bath to brought to their room and for screens to block the view of the other side where Lan Wangji rests.

Once the bell rings five times Lan Wangji opens his eyes and is greeted with a half lit bedroom and screens that separates the room and thanks to the candles there was a seen silhouette of Wei Wuxian bathing in a tub. Lan Wangji quickly turns away feeling a blush rise to his ears. He couldn't help but sneak another look before he got up and put on another layer of robes before going to the desk on his side of the room. He motions for Wangji to appear in front of him and gently he plays a lullaby he scored himself, that Wei Wuxian quickly recognized as their song Lan Wangji created in all lives.

Couldn't help himself, Wei Wuxian sinks further into the warm water and hums the song and before he knows it Wei Wuxian was singing along to the lyrics that Lan Wangji has hardly got a start on.

Startled and in bewilderment Lan Wangji listens to the angelic voice across the screen singing lyrics he hasn't even come up with, but words that Lan Wangji was already thinking off. Once the song was over Wei Wuxian rises from the tub and does a sloppy job of drying himself off before pulling on his under red robes before pushing the screens open to stare at a blushing Lan Wangji who couldn't seen to tear his eyes from Wei Wuxian exposed chest that was water droplets sprinkling down his porcelain skin.

Lan Wangji, "How did you…"

Wei Wuxian smiles for a moment, "Would you believe me if I told you I heard this song in another life?"

Lan Wangji gulps, "Mn." he nods.

Wei Wuxian lets out a humorless laugh, "Lan Er Gongzi, you're very gullible, you know that?"

Lan Wangji, "...Mn…"

Shaking his head, Wei Wuxian closes the screen door again and finishes getting dressed and making himself presentable for the public's eyes. Sighing, his hair that continues to drag behind him he starts to try to brush it out but struggles.

Somehow Lan Wangji knows his struggles and comes across the screen to see Wei Wuxian trying to wringle the comb out of his hair. Smiling softly, Lan Wangji makes his way behind Wei Wuxian who spots him through the mirror. Lan Wangji pushes Wei Wuxian's hands out of the way and gently untangles the comb and once it was free Lan Wangji starts to comb the hair taking great care. Wei Wuxian looks away from the mirror as a blush was forming across his face.

…

At noon, Wei Wuxian made an excuse of needing supplies for the trip so he excused himself to go to the market street, however, he didn't expect Lan Wangji to be right behind him the entire time not giving Wei Wuxian the time to make his grand escape. Teleporting out of here seemed more and more pleasing like never before. However, Wei Wuxian sucked it up and continued to do his "shopping" while being followed by his white shadow.

By the fourteenth stall, Lan Wangji finally realized that the other was just stalling. Lan Wangji was growing irritated but not with Wei Wuxian, no, but with himself. After hours of silence he now knows that the other wasn't going to start up any conversation or offer any explanation. Lan Wangji knew the peace in the silence and none needed words to be exchanged however this was more weird then peaceful. He knew if he was going to get any answers then he must be the one to ask the questions.

Lan Wangji, "Where are we heading?"

Wei Wuxian, "I've decided there was no need for my last destination so I will be heading back to Lotus Pier tomorrow. You, however, are needed back at Cloud Recesses I assume."

Lan Wangji, "I already told you, not needed, can be with Wei Ying as long as wanted."

Wei Wuxian, "Hmm, then I suppose you should be making your way back now then."

This stunned Lan Wangji for a moment, taking those words in. Lan Wangji needed a moment to remember his place as he couldn't fault Wei Wuxian not wanting his company. Lan Wangji, "May Lan Wangji, accompany Wei Ying to Lotus Pier?"

Wei Wuxian, "No."

Lan Wangji was sad, he looked down fighting back his tears wishing he could understand this man. One moment they are sharing a heartfelt morning, and then the next Wei Wuxian goes cold to him. He wishes he could go back in time and act differently towards this man, be more understanding and caring perhaps and then just maybe they could at least be friends unlike whatever this is between them.

Wei Wuxian could feel Lan Wangji's sorrow and turned around to see a tear fall from his eye. Stunned, Wei Wuxian only has seen Lan Wangji cry only a handful of times so it still tears him apart once he sees this man cry.

Wei Wuxian, "Tell me what is it that you want from me, Lan Wangji? What could you possibly gain from being around me? I am nothing but bad luck, and misfortune follows me wherever I go so what could you possibly do by my side?"

Lan Wangji, "I want another chance to bring Wei Ying back to Cloud Recesses with me so I have another chance to be Wei Ying's friend."

Wei Wuxian looks away for a moment before muttering, "I don't think I can give you that. I don't think I could ever go back there again."

Lan Wangji's heart breaks more and more with every word. He knows where he went wrong but can't help but feel also lost to the situation. Lan Wangji, "Year is almost up. Won't have to stay long."

Wei Wuxian laughs humorlessly, "Is that so?" he asks.

Lan Wangji, "Will stay by Wei Ying's side the entire time. Won't let anything else happen to Wei Ying again at my home."

Wei Wuxian, "Now tell me Lan Er Gongzi, is that in itself a blessing, or a curse?"

Looking away in shame, remembering his past behavior towards Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji did indeed follow Wei Wuxian the last time without good intention. Lan Wangji, "Lan Wangji apologize for his behavior from last encounter in Cloud Recesses, but wishes for more time with Wei Ying."

Shaking his head knowing this man wasn't going to let this go, he wasn't sure what approach would be best to shake this man off of him, for them to go their separate ways, always and forever. Wei Wuxian, "I don't like being with Second Master Lan." he was blunt, "In fact I hate it! I hate the way we met, I hate the way we left it once my clan left yours, I just hate being near you."

Lan Wangji, "Lying is forbidden."

Wei Wuxian, "Oh, but I am not lying!" he said and was indeed telling the truth. "I hate everything that is about us, in fact there is no us! No acquaintances, no friendship, no nothing. There is just you and I on our own and that is all it will be."

These words cut DEEP into Lan Wangji, unsure what to say about this fact that was slapped into his face. It was reality and he knows that with the intentions behind Wei Wuxian's words was and must be nothing but the truth. He wanted to scream, he wanted to cry, he wanted to curse the world and let it all out! In fact it seemed that the world let out a scream for him but it didn't come from him and the both of them came to a halt to hear a second scream be released into the sky.