Revised 07/08/22
no one:
literally no one: every dark!harry fanfic be like
Also this is another double update so if you haven't read the last chapter, you should probably head out and do that lol
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The faint remnants of a dream tickled Wei Wuxian's thoughts like a distant memory of his childhood with his faceless, unreachable parents. As he came to, the small residual wisps of resentful energy remained, becoming one with the water he was enveloped in.
All was silent; his senses were somehow blocked, rendering him unable to see, hear or feel anything. And then, as if pulling him back to reality, something clasped around his bare leg, squeezing and squeezing until he was crying out in pain.
Wei Wuxian tried to tear off the entity with his fingernails but to no avail. He contributed to flail—to struggle until he felt multiple hands all over his body as he was pulled deeper into the dark water.
"Come, Wei Wuxian!" It hissed tauntingly.
"We're lonely without you, don't you see?"
"Come with us! We'll keep you safe... We'll protect you!"
"You belong here!"
"Come!"
"Come!"
"Join us!"
"Wei Wuxian!"
Wei Wuxian gasped loudly, inhaling masses of water in his throat as he did so, which made him gag and break into relentless coughs.
"Stop!" He mentally roared, channeling out his voice using the very resentful energy he was fighting against. "Shut up! You shut up!"
He thrashed and flailed and screamed and wailed, but the energy continued to persist and held him in place. It trailed across his body, it ate at his sanity, it invaded his body, forcing itself through his mouth and nose.
The feeling was almost intoxicating, however, and left Wei Wuxian breathless. It felt like he was home—where he truly belonged. It was just so, so familiar and Wei Wuxian felt more whole—more complete than ever.
Wei Wuxian lifted his arm, about to force the surrounding darkness into submission, but came to a halt when he saw a familiar white ribbon dance into view.
He was roughly hauled out of the water by a strong grip with a loud splash, and Wei Wuxian desperately inhaled the air he had been deprived of like a starved man being given food.
When his eyes finally opened and adjusted to the light, Wei Wuxian was greeted with the ethereal sight of Lan Wangji, his robes fluttering with the fierce movement of the wind and his eyes a fluorescent gold as bright as the sun.
Wei Wuxian gasped, although his sore throat was further injured by the action. "Lan Zhan?"
Lan Wangji glanced down, golden eyes met silver. "Mm?"
"Thank you," Wei Wuxian whispered with a small smile. "Thank you.."
"You're welcome."
A few more moments of silence remained before Wei Wuxian said, "Hey, Lan Zhan?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you holding me by my collar? Hold my hand!" And to enunciate his point, Wei Wuxian held out an offering hand.
Lan Wangji remained indifferent. He briefly glanced away as he replied, "But that would strain your arm."
"But Lan Zhan.." Wei Wuxian whispered slowly. "You can always hold me in your arms—HEY! You nearly dropped me!"
"Ridiculous."
"Who's ridiculous? You are! I'm not! You almost dropped me, I could have fallen in the lake again!"
"...."
After a pause, Wei Wuxian said. "At least switch it up a bit.. Ridiculous is getting so old.."
"Very ridiculous."
As the hours passed in Caiyi, the once pale blue sky became a bright and lively orange. The clouds remained, however, even as the sun began to set, creating an exquisite beauty.
Lan Wangji glanced at his brother with pinched eyebrows. "Xiongzhang, the Waterborne Abyss is still there; the local people will suffer."
Lan Xichen linked his hands behind his back as he narrowed his eyes. "A Waterborne Abyss is quite troublesome. We can only seal it in Biling Lake temporarily and act when Uncle comes back."
With a small sigh, Lan Wangji glanced towards a lone figure far away.
By the shore, Wei Wuxian sat by the docks while eyeing his reflection in the waters. He held out his hand and stared at it, recalling how he unconsciously controlled the resentful energy residing in the waterborne abyss.
Unable to contain his disgust, Wei Wuxian unconsciously shivered, although his throat was suddenly once again breaking into a hysterical fit of coughs.
Lan Wangji immediately stepped towards him to act but halted as Jiang Wanyin was already by Wei Wuxian's side, his hand gently rubbing the other's back. "Wei Wuxian! I just knew that there was something strange in that water! What if you caught a sickness or something? Let's go, you need to see a healer."
Wei Wuxian slightly chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "It's no big deal, this is just a little residue of the water. I'll be fine in a few days."
Jiang Wanyin slowly helped Wei Wuxian to stand, despite the other's persistent protests that he was fine.
"I almost forgot. Here, your sword." He handed Wei Wuxian Suibian and the latter accepted it gratefully. "Earlier you looked so.. distant. Why is that?"
Wei Wuxian glanced down at the sharp blade of his sword, staring at his reflection. "I was thinking.."
"About what?"
"The waterborne abyss."
"And?"
"In order for there to be a waterborne abyss, there needs to be a lot of resentment." Wei Wuxian reasoned. "The people in Caiyi town are proficient in swimming so it's unlikely that one should appear here."
"So? What are you implying?"
Wei Wuxian sharply sheathed his sword in one motion, his head slowly raising to meet Jiang Wanyin's eyes. "It must be from somewhere else."
"What do you mean?"
"It's merely a suggestion, nothing more." Wei Wuxian shrugged and kicked a rock as he said, "Jiang Cheng, where else has there been a Waterborne Abyss recently?"
"A Waterborne Abyss? They're quite unusual, but recently there's been one in..." Jiang Cheng said slowly, his face paling. "Qishan..."
The joyful banter from the disciples abruptly came to a pause.
"Qishan?"
"Outrageous! They couldn't take care of it themselves so they gave it to us to take care of?!"
"But.. they're very influential nowadays. They are feared by most other clans and are used to being domineering. Do you think anyone dares to point fingers at them?"
"But if we keep going easy on them, sooner or later there will be a disaster."
Jiang Cheng merely stared at Wei Wuxian, "Don't say something like that again."
Wei Wuxian smiled, "I know, mind my own business. But you know I'm right, Jiang Cheng."
Wei Wuxian looked through the crowd of disciples before he eventually found the familiar figure clad in white. "Lan Zhan!"
Lan Wangji merely nodded in acknowledgement. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, actually," Wei Wuxian replied. "Lan Zhan, I just wanted you to know.. that I'm really grateful to you."
Lan Wangji blinked, "What for?"
"For saving me in the lake, and... everything, I guess."
"Wei Ying says thank you too much," Lan Wangji murmured. "One must save his thanks."
"That is a very 'Lan Zhan'ish thing to say."
Lan Wangji hesitated, "Is that a good thing?"
"Very," Wei Wuxian replied as he skipped off into the distance. "Come on, Lan Zhan, let's go buy some Emperor's Smile!"
Lan Wangji watched him fondly, unaware of the small smile creeping up his lips.
"Young Master Wei is certainly quite the character."
Lan Wangji glanced at Lan Xichen, who had made his way beside him at some point. "Mm.."
"Wangji," Lan Xichen took Lan Wangji's hand in his own and placed a few taels into his palm. "Here. Go get Young Master Wei some Emperor's smile. He's our guest after all."
He closed Lan Wangji's fingers over the taels with a smile, "And.. Wangji, whatever your decisions may be, know that I will always support you."
"Thank you, Xiongzhang." Lan Wangji whispered, oblivious to the soft smile on his face. "I trust you."
Lan Xichen's hands twitched, as if he wanted to pull Lan Wangji into a hug but kept his hands at his sides, reciprocating the smile.
"I trust you too, Wangji."
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You guys know there's like 46 chapters of this story that I need to rewrite 😌 and I'm only on chapter 12