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By the time anyone can get a grasp of the situation, it’s too late— Jiang Yanli is barely able to process what just happened. Just as she was about to push Wei Wuxian she saw red, literal red as the top of a sword was just a few inches away from her face, the sword had pierced through his back and went out through his chest, dripping blood that belonged to the man that she had failed to protect.
The sword comes out and the Yiling Patriarch falls face down right on top of Yanli, all while Jiang Cheng feels nothing but fear as he did years ago when he lost his parents. Jiang Cheng was scared— his brother had become the enemy of the cultivation world, his sister was harmed by something that his brother couldn’t control, and now Wei Wuxian was dying? It felt surreal to even think about it, happening right before his eyes. It felt like it was too bad to be true. It couldn’t be true, it can’t be true! He needs to stay alive, they can fix this, clear his name and rebuild the lotus pier… they can do it!
It takes a few seconds, but it’s Yanli’s scream that brings him back to reality.
It’s as if she forgets she’s hurt. Yanli clumsily tries to sit up, hesitant to touch Wei Wuxian, but also trying to stop the bleeding now that the sword is no longer inside him. She turns him around, hoping to at least be able to see his face, finally managing to sit up and let his head rest properly on her lap. She whispers to him, begging him to stay awake, to keep his eyes open, to stay with them. Wei Wuxian can’t do much besides cough up blood and struggle to breathe. He can barely listen to his surroundings; he knows he’s dying, but he really doesn’t want to see his shijie suffer because of him.
“WEI WUXIAN IS DEAD! I… I KILLED THE YILING PATRIARCH!”
By now, the man is running around celebrating the victory. The fight has ended— all that can be heard is a man celebrating and the sobs and whispers of a grieving woman, caressing the face of her brother, laying in her arms. “A-xian…please…” Her voice, Wei Wuxian can’t make sense of what exactly he’s hearing, but listening to the sound of his shijie’s soothing voice is everything he needs right now. He's so focused on the sound that he barely notices when a blurry white figure enters the picture.
Lan Wangji simply drops Bichen; his legs give up and he falls on his knees next to Wei Wuxian. As of now, the silence that surrounded them has vanished, replaced by the sound of celebration, of rejoice. It's as if Lan Wangji’s world shatters before his eyes— he was supposed to keep Wei Ying safe from harm, but now all he can do is stay by his side during his last moments.
It’s like the world forgets about them, focused on the greater evil being defeated, preaching that no one would miss him. But in the middle of all the fuss, a little family is grieving.
Jiang Yanli finally takes her eyes away from her brother, now looking at Lan Wangji; She wasn’t blind, she knew since long ago how the second twin jade felt about her A-Xian. She knew that deep down his feelings were reciprocated, but realizing it again felt like torture— the thought of what could’ve been and never was.
She looks at him, inviting him to come closer. Lan Wangji feels like an intruder; Wei Ying should spend his last moments with his family, not next to the man who kept pushing him away… but he also wants to be selfish, to have him while he can, take him and make sure he survives.That’s impossible now, though. He isn’t Wei Ying, he can’t attempt the impossible.
He comes closer, reaching towards him, caressing his cheek. “Wei Ying…” He isn't sure if Wei Ying even really knows he's there with him. He can feel tears running down his face by now.Wei Ying manages to turn his face slightly; he doesn't say a word, but there is a faint smile on his face, and Lan Wangji tries so hard to not break down in that moment where it all feels too real. He had dreamed about Wei Ying smiling back at him again, but not here, not like this.
Wei Ying is able to open his mouth slightly, worry spread across his face as he tugs Lan Wangji’s sleeve with the little strength he has. He coughs some more blood in the process, but manages to get the words out. “A… yuan”.
The little boy he took care of, the one he sees as his own son. He left A-yuan hiding in a tree before coming here, hoping that would keep him safe in some way. If someone were to be able to save him, he could rest. Lan Wangji nods exaggeratedly, trying to make sure Wei Ying understands that he will do all that he can, because if he couldn’t save Wei Ying, he would at least save the ones he cared for. He would help those in need.
There's so much happening around Wei Wuxian— his brother is ordering him to be okay while asking for forgiveness; his sister is simply begging him to stay, that he still needs to meet his nephew; and Lan Wangji– Lan Zhan… Lan Zhan simply gets closer to his face, whispering something that took all of Wei Wuxian’s remaining efforts to catch.
“I love you.”
And with that he can rest– He's tired, after all, he hasn't taken a proper nap in years— hasn't been able to rest in years. He doesn’t think he deserves it, not after what he has done, but-- what's wrong with taking a nap just this once.
And so, surrounded by his loved ones, Wei Wuxian finally closes his eyes.
He doesn’t wake up, no matter how much Jiang Cheng begs, still screaming for a medic. No matter how much Jiang Yanli pleads, wishing she could have been able to push him in time, or just how painful Lan Zhan’s expression is. He has left their world already.
How is Lan Wangji supposed to move on? Why should he be okay with this? Why is the rest of the world celebrating? A man who spent his whole life putting others first, trying to help, trying to fight for justice, is laying dead— And they celebrate? He can't do anything but wish, wish for Wei Ying to open his eyes, to look at him and say, “Aiya Lan Zhan, so you do care about me huh?” with a smile on his face, letting out that laugh he adores while he looks at him with that spark in his eyes that drives him crazy. Still, there is no response.
Yanli isn't hugging Wei Wuxian anymore. She hides her face on Jiang Cheng’s chest, as they both try to console each other. Lan Wangji uses this as an opportunity and grabs his body, keeping Wei Ying close to him as he grows colder with the passing of time, hugging him like he never could, pressing him against his chest.
And so, he finally cries a river, holding the man that owns his aching heart. Lan Wangji, who is known as a man who shows no emotion, sobs loudly, because even though he's not the one whose heart stopped beating, a part of his died with his Wei Ying.