Pitched Normal

Part 23

Wei Ying cursed himself. Mentally of course, as he could never do such things with Lan Zhan present. His older brother was present as well, and XiChen...Wei Ying was not stupid. He knew that XiChen was a truly kind person, but he felt a bit...ill at ease when it came to the older of the two Jades. He knew that it was odd, most people enjoyed XiChen's presence far more than Wangji's, though he could not understand it. It was those eyes. Those eyes that continued to hint that they knew more, far more, than was relevant. As though he was looking through Wei Ying, seeing everything that he wanted to hide from him. Though, he knew that it was not the case, although there were times that he wondered if perhaps XiChen had realized far more than he was wont to, though Wei Ying could never bring himself to be within his presence too much to really think on it, and he would never go up and speak to him, oh no. 

It was a stupid reason to be so worried over the other. Especially to the extent that he would actually run behind Wangji, and clutch onto his robes like a scared youthful maiden. Wei Ying cursed himself inside of his mind once again, but surprisingly enough, Lan Zhan did not throw him off as he had expected. Perhaps...Perhaps Wangji was willing to deal with him, at least for now. Until Wei Ying made him angry, and put him through too much. It happened eventually. 

It always did. He made peace with that. For now, all he could do is enjoy the time that he had as Lan Wangji's friend, of sorts, and hope that it lasted as long as it could without him ruining it again. He always ruined things eventually. His relationship with the Jiangs is clear proof of that. So, a small smile met his lips when Lan Wangji, glancing back at him, did nothing to detach him from the talon like grip on his sleeves. 

"Xiongzhang," Wangji spoke softly, bowing his head softly, but not bowing entirely, having Wei Ying clinging to his arms. He did not really want to shake him off. 

It was...perhaps, comforting. Well, comforting in the fact that Wei Ying was comfortable of him so much that he would come to him for comfort, instinct having controlled him. He was slightly concerned that he would attach to him so quickly, but that was something for him to worry about later. He was happy that Wei Ying would cling to him for support, but it was rather sudden. He did not really have the heart to shove him away from him though. He had tensed originally, but forced himself to relax quickly so that he had not managed to get Wei Ying to feel uncomfortable. 

"I heard that you went to CaiYi today." XiChen said with a gentle smile. 

"T-That was m-my fault." Wei Ying said, moving in front of Lan Zhan instantly. 

The difference was so sudden. It took the Twin Jades by alarm. The moment that the question had been spoke, Wei Ying had pulled himself from behind the shelter of Lan Wangji, and then moved Lan Wangji behind him. XiChen noted this with some sort of fascination. Just seconds ago he was hiding behind Lan Zhan, and now he was holding himself in front of the boy. 

It was almost as though he was frightened for him. Which, it left something salty within XiChen's mouth, the thought that Wei Ying would expect his brother to be punished, or hurt, because he left the Cloud Recesses. They had returned before curfew, but it would seem as though Wangji had gotten him a protective one. The thought made him calm, and he glanced at Wei Ying, carefully assessing the way that he kept Wangji back, a look in his eyes stilling the boy when he tried to move forwards. 

"I am not angry, I am glad." XiChen said simply, giving Wei Ying a small smile. "Wangji had not been out of the Cloud Recesses in a while, it was good that you took him with you. I am glad that he is getting along with someone of his age." Wei Ying swallowed, seeming to try and understand this...unexpected information. He glanced around them, trying to figure out how exactly he should continue this conversation, somewhat unnerved now. 

"Ah," He spoke softly, almost unheard. "Right, of course," He gave XiChen a wide smile, one of those that he had seen him give almost everyone else, moving to the side a bit, still holding his body slightly in front of Wangji. "I would never have left without Lan Zhan." He gave XiChen a wary look. "I...wanted to get him to leave for a bit and relax. It was fun, right Lan Zhan?" He turned to the other, everything melting into a bit of a softer edge so suddenly, it was almost as though he were having a swing of emotions. 

"Mhm," Wei Ying smiled, turning his gaze back to XiChen. 

"I apologize if we were out a bit too late." He said simply. "I am not very familiar with curfews, and if anyone needs to be punished it would be me for keeping him out so late. Lan Zhan warned me, but I perhaps dwelt a bit longer than I should have." Lan Zhan moved to say something, but stopped, uncertain how to put it into words.  

Ah, so that was the worry. He thought that they had skipped the curfew. He also thought that Lan Zhan would be punished for it. He supposed it was not entirely unexpected. Though, he was a bit befuddled that he would willingly take the entire punishment plus one just because he was trying to save Wangji the pain of it. 

XiChen felt something almost warm at the thought that Wangji had someone who was so caring and protective to watch over him, but at the same time he felt something chilly fall through him at the thought of just how selfless it would seem that he was, and he wondered just how often had he taken the punishments of others in their place. 

How could he expect XiChen to harm his brother so callously. 

He did not really think he wanted to know the answer.