Not so far away, he could hear someone chuckling, and a monotonous voice droning in. Smiling numbly to himself, Lan Huan kept walking. 

As they shuffled into the temple, Lan Wangji couldn't help but glance at his brother worriedly. He seemed to have stopped in his tracks, and Wuxian sensed that something was amiss. Following his lover's line of vision, he found the older Jade looking lost. His hair was messy, but his eyes spoke something of unmistakable grief and pain. This time, it was Wangji that ached for his brother. Not the other way around. Some little boy in his head looked confusedly at his brother, but all he could think of was if he'd realized earlier. Reading him, We Ying threaded his fingers through Lan Zhan's, squeezing his hand in affirmation and reassurance before walking up to Lan Xichen together. 

He knew exactly how it felt like to be betrayed. After all, he was no stranger to pain and grief, to feeling alone. 

So all he could do, was simply wait there, and remind him that he was not alone. 

"Zewu-Jun?" Lan Huan turned to the direction of that voice, and his eyes met warm grey ones, ones that were both familiar and alien. The younger man's eyes were filled with concern, and warmth. Lan Huan wanted to laugh softly. He now knew what had drawn his brother to this man. His warmth, his joy, his concern. But those eyes reminded him of another, of a man in grey and gold-edged robes. One he genuinely wished was here. It didn't matter what he did here, scold him, or reprimand him. He just wanted him here. His heart throbbed thinking of the missing man, and of the golden-robed 'Brother' in front of him. Just how long had this man been lying to him? Was anything he'd ever done or said ever real? Or was all that he'd ever been, simply his own wishful thinking? The fruition of his yearning for a family, a trustee. A brother? His selfish thinking. He'd left the broken shards of his family a long time ago, attached himself to other matters. All he had left with was Wangji, after all. And even then, he'd failed at being a brother. 

And now everything seemed gone. 

"Ge?" Lan Wangji's voice broke him out of his reverie. He gave a small smile.

"I'm, fine, di. And Brother- in-Law. " Upon hearing those words, Lan Xichen could see his little brother's ears turn crimson red, but he was at a loss for feelings. Wei-Gongzi's face changed as well, he was now faintly smiling, but the corners of his mouth showed his worry. Disentangling himself from Lan Zhan's embrace, he stopped before him, his hand still connected with Wangji's. 

"Alright. If you ever need me, I'm here," he breathed. "And thank you. " he quirked the corners of his mouth encouragingly, and Lan Zhan stepped behind him.

"Mnn." Was all his little brother said. He could easily read the affection in Wangji's eyes, the worry and the concern. He smiled slightly to himself, staring at their entwined hands. Knowing that they'd keep to that promise, if he ever wanted or needed. He wanted to feel safe with them, yet some part of his earlier foolishness and conscience gnawed at him. Still, those two were together again, and that was something. He'd be fine. Hopefully. 

But before he could speak, a voice he dreaded to hear spoke up. The two-faced snake showed up. " Wei-Gongxi, Han Guang-Jun and Ge," 

"What do you want? " Wei Wuxian snapped. Meng Yao's voice jarred his ears, and Wei Wuxian's eyes glowed red. If glares could kill, the cockroach would be six feet beneath the ground by now.  Were it not for the stupid barrier he set up- and the fact that he had little energy left as of now, he would have found himself dueling this asshole, or getting out of this damned place. Sharing a look with Lan Zhan, shaking his head. Not yet. They weren't sure exactly what they were up against, and both were taking no risks fighting early. Lan Wangji stood in front of Wei Wuxian and Lan Xichen protectively, and his eyes cast daggers at Jin Guangyao, who trembled under their combined gazes.

"I- I..." stuttering, Jin Guangyao's breath shook even more.

"You what? " but, by this point, Jin Guangyao's eyes widened unnaturally, and visibly paled, his face drained of blood. His shoulders shook, and his eyes were focused on something behind Wei Ying and Lan Zhan.

Lan Xichen was the first to turn around, and his expression mirrored Jin Guangyao's. His throat went dry, and all he could manage was "Bro-Brother..."

Wei Wuxian spun around, and his eyes fell upon shadows. His eyes furrowed in confusion, before coming to realisation staring at the towering figure behind them. Because of the sudden turn of events, they'd forgotten to play 'rest' to calm their 'Dear friend' down, and the fact that his saber was her had only made matter was, and they were now face to face with the buff, stealthy and headless corpse swathed in resentment energy.  

If Jin Guangyao was shaking earlier, he was currently thrusting himself back and forth on his heels now. His breathing was hitched, and cold beads of sweat dripped down his face. Pham. Beneath him, his legs gave way. He shrunk back, moving further and further. " No, no..."muttering to himself, Jin Guangyao tried to regain his composure.

Nothing worked. As the seconds trickled by, the decapitated corpse made its way to Jin Guangyao, with each footstep louder than the last. With incredulous and manic eyes , Meng Yao could only look on, rooted to the ground as the silhouette stepped closer. As it moved closer still, hands raised and wrapped over an imaginary pommel, he jumped to his feet quickly, and unsheathed a hidden dagger, directing it at the silhouette. Needless to say, it was useless. The moment he stepped forward to plunge the dagger, chilly fingers wrapped around his arm, and with inhumane strength, flung the useless man across the room.

Crunch.  As the snake hit the ground, blood trickled freely down the planes of his face, and stained the Chief Cultivator's robes crimson. Shit. Shit. He could only watch in sheer horror as the Fierce Corpse of his sworn brother wrenched the statue that decorated the room, the statue he'd so painstakingly commissioned, off its pedestal, and shatter it. The statue he'd created, the only thing he'd left of his mother, destroyed. Just like that.  But all he thought of, was his mother's lifeless body on the ground, his father's chortling face, filled with nothing but greed. Just like that. His vision seemed to blur red, and he struggled to keep his calm. Don't, he told himself,  as a guqin was swiftly pulled out. What's coming will be worse than anything that has already happened. 

Taking a deep breath, he stood up on trembling legs. And walked towards the corpse.

Wei Wuxian could only watch with widened eyes as Jin Guangyao recklessly threw himself in front of the corpse. Sensing his presence, Nie Mingjue made a few swipes at him, missing by mere inches. The corpse's moves were heavy and forceful, and would have knocked Jin Guangyao off his feet. The dishevelled man was taking deep, heavy breaths now, and was clearly terrified. A melody played from his lips, and the dirt, grubby, callused hand of Nie Mingjue's paused mid-air, and the corpse snapped its attention away from its current master, drawing its attention to Wei Wuxian. Fuck. Briefly meeting his soulmate's eyes, he nodded, and raised his flute to his lips. A youthful tune with a dark undertone rose and fell between his fingers, binding the horrific remains of the once great Chifeng-Zun in place. The corpse lurched forward in protest, while Lianfang-Zun's whistling got louder. It was like a scene from hell, a corpse half-struggling between, hung up between two invisible forces.Until....

" Mnnn....mnnnn....mnnnn!" Jin Guangyao's face scrunched up in frustration, struggling to break the infamous Silencing Spell. Were the situation not as dire as it was, Wei Wuxian would have stopped playing, and burst out in laughter. After all, who wouldn't, having been silenced by that spell countless times, only to find it used on someone else. In all honesty, there was more to it than that. But the situation at hand demanded his attention. Refocusing his attention, he let his fingers trace over the flute, playing an arching tune. Without looking at his soulmate, he sensed the thralls of pristine energy. 

Lan Wangji sat down readily, plucking the strings of his namesake, before letting his memory do its work. The notes were sharp and mournful, carrying an odd sense of hope. Listening to it, Wei Ying couldn't help the wave of sentiment, something about this song just seemed too...familiar. Wei Ying found his eyes drawn to the guqin, but wrenched his eyes away to focus on Jin Guangyao, who was still struggling with his lack of voice, and looked ready to throw a dagger at Wei Ying. Just as he was about to let the dagger loose, a sharp voice rang out, interrupting them all.

"Uncle Meng! What are you doing? And why is he here?" A sharp, sonorous voice rang out. It was clearly masculine, but echoed that of a young mistress's.  Well, here we go again...

This time, Wei Ying's face showed no sign of surprise, but his eyes softened with worry, darting back to his lover's. I wish you'd  have stayed out longer.... Jin Ling. 

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Lan Xichen breathed sharply. He'd simply stared in sheer horror as he saw Wangji's strings glow and shudder in response to his brother's questions. His mind held something of finality, as his fears and suspicions were confirmed. He knew he'd been told countless times, but some foolish, stupid part of him had clung on to non-existent hope, and all he could only detach himself, sitting as a distant stranger in his own mind as the rest of it collapsed around him. 

'我的感情是非笔墨所形容的。' 

My feelings are indescribable.

All that time? He'd been fooled this whole time? Was the man he'd regarded as his sworn brother even authentic? Had he ever truly cared? The questions rang on endlessly in his head as he concentrated on the jagged, concrete floor, wrestling control of his tears. But those words had echoed in his head long enough these few days, and he found himself increasingly conflicted. He could sense small amounts of affection his 'sworn brother' had for him. But the things he'd done...This was too heavy a burden for him to carry. Lan Huan had once thought the most painful thing he'd gone through was his parent's death. Was his family leaving, one by one. Even though he'd never admit it, his heart knew that Wangji had left him. Once. He'd been lonely most of his life, and in his sworn brothers, he'd found comfort. With them, he no longer felt alone. Yes, some could argue he had Wangji, but Wangji was never his to begin with. Yes, he knew his brother loved him, but he found something lacking. Something of his own pride, perhaps, something of his greed. Lan Qiren... he smiled bitterly, was more in love with his rules than his nephews himself. Lan Huan knew he was being bitter, but truthfully, could anyone blame him? the feeling of betrayal stung like empty bullets rattling around a cavern heart, filled with flesh and stone. It echoed, like a siren call. But all he could hear, see, were the few glimpses of green on Wangji's guqin. 

"相信我。 活。 谢谢你，别怪自己，再见。" the words of his true sworn brother echoed through his head, but something shattered at the voice of one. Young master Jin-

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A/N: 1971 words! @bhava_siri and @LittlefroggyGilmore here's the update you guys wanted! Not exactly good, and you guys sorta already know how this goes- so let's see! Anyways, thank you guys so much for reading!