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23. We talk in the dark as we fall asleep, and we are objects in the night sky outside of time. (it is the exact opposite of alone.)

An entire lifetime can be traced on a person’s skin.

For his young age, Meng Yao had countless tales to share.

The scars he’d earned were not something he was proud of. He never meant to hide them either. The angry cuts on his torso meant resilience, the blisters and the chapped skin on his feet were his motivation, the scar on the back of his head was a reminder.

He drew his overcoat around him. The campfire was crackling, the smoke burning his already sensitive nose.

Familiar steps made him lift his gaze, a slight smile instantly curving up on his face.

‘If you wouldn’t mind the company?’  Lan XiChen asked, striding past the tall blades of grass.

‘Not at all,’ Meng Yao shook his head and scooted to his left, ‘I’m surprised you’re still up at this hour, ZeWu-Jun’  

‘Being under immediate threat of ambush would do that to a person’ Lan XiChen said, slowly taking his place next to him. He glanced at Meng Yao, a genuine smile on his face, if a little mirthless, ’It does unimaginable things to a person’s mind, when you can be called to arms any second’

‘I can’t disagree.’ Meng Yao nodded and reached for a spare blanket from the pile next to him. He looked at the empty kettle left with the rest of the pottery. ‘I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t offer you anything right now…’

Lan XiChen shook his head. ‘Don’t fret over it. You’re already doing a lot as it is, no need to concern yourself with such trivialities when it’s not your duty.’

Every duty is on you when you have no station, Meng Yao gritted his teeth. The remark didn’t irk him, however, not when uttered by ZeWu-Jun. There was something oddly disillusioned yet completely unscripted about every word the man said. He didn’t know if it was the rumored strict schooling of the GusuLan sect that taught their disciples out of prejudice and dishonesty, or the fact that the he was clearly sheltered, but it was as if his tongue was dripping with the kind of genuine belief and conviction he could never have imagined existed. Where Sect Leader Nie rewarded Meng Yao for his hard work despite of his background, Lan XiChen never seemed to take it into consideration. Never really reprimanding the gossip but never chiming in with all the remarks thrown at Meng Yao. He accepted anything Meng Yao gave without so much as a blink and thanked him. Perhaps having such an unburdened heart was inherent to the family.

He’d thought he’d arrived armed and prepared; he was completely unguarded against an honest soul.

‘Still. You’re too kind.’

Lan XiChen just smiled faintly, almost dismissive as he covered himself with the blanket.

Meng Yao leaned on the tree behind them. The sky was incredibly clear despite the clouds of the last few days. Curious how you can spot the brilliance of the stars even in the dim smoke, if you try hard enough.

‘Have you wondered what would come after this,’ Lan XiChen mused, leaning back alongside Meng Yao. ‘In all honesty, you never did join out of bloodlust or sheer honor, didn’t you?’

That much must’ve been written in the glint in Meng Yao’s eyes every time someone as much as breached the topic of his heritage. Or perhaps the man was able to read him this well already. He wetted his cracked lips.

‘Truth be told, I did join because I believed it to be a just cause.’ his voice was low. He never realized when he started toying with a pebble between his fingers on the soil next to him. ‘But first and foremost I wanted to prove my worth. To earn my place in LanlingJin Sect.’ No need for clarification in whose eyes he was to be proven worthy.

There was not even in a hum in response. For a quiet moment there were only the wisps of the wind and the occasional cry of distant owls.

‘I can not guarantee the Jins would be just enough to let you prove yourself,’ Lan XiChen said after a while, his voice dripping every ounce of sympathy, ‘But I know brother Nie is.’

The words hung in the air for a good moment. Meng Yao cleared his throat.

‘If ChiFeng-Zun would put in a good word for me it would be an honor, although I really don’t wish to insist or seem ungrateful’

‘Out of everyone I can hardly call you ungrateful’ Lan XiChen turned his head slightly and smiled, his lids already heavy.

Perhaps, Meng Yao thought, as the otherwise pristine-clad figure slowly drifted into slumber covered by a rattled blanket, perhaps he could still be surprised.

***

Sorry again for the delay.

When I got the prompt the idea just spiralled out and I envisioned an entire one-shot, a character exporation/LXC!recovery piece. I wanted to give it proper attention and…well, in short, life happened.