Pitched Normal

33

The next morning took most of the disciples by surprise when Lan Wangji walked over to the Jiang table, where Wei Ying was sitting petulantly, and a bit downtrodden considering the continued fight with Jiang Cheng that he had thought he had ended the night before. Of course it had not ended, since when did Wei Ying get to choose when their fights ended. Jiang Cheng had a bad habit of constantly bringing up fights that did not need to happen. It irritated him more than anything else, because it meant that Jiang Cheng would get his way in almost anything considering he would just push the issue until Wei Ying was too tired to deal with it. Not this time, though, because Wei Ying was resolute, and it was obvious. Something which scared Jiang Cheng. 

Wei Ying knew, the other was used to being able to push him about and act as though he was the problematic one with unrealistic idealizations, but Lan Zhan was there for him, in many was that the Jiang Clan were not, something which really struck a chord with Wei Ying. Sure, the long wall of rules may be exhausting, and perhaps the teen was a bit of a recluse, but Wei Ying understood that, and he respected that. He was also definitely not going to allow the Jiang Heir to insult him. Lan Zhan was willing to do everything for him, it would only make sense that Wei Ying do so too. 

While perhaps it was a bit difficult, Wei Ying understood. Lan Zhan would leave his sect for him, but Wei Ying was not sure that he could do that to the youth. He valued everyone in the Lan Sect, and separating yourself from your sect was a big deal, especially among the Lans. Wei Ying could never be that cruel, so he had opposed an alternative, as he would much rather not see Lan Zhan amongst the Jiang, and would rather keep him safe in the place of the clouds. The Cloud Recesses was the best place for Lan Zhan, and Wei Ying really hoped that it would not be a bad thing for him to end up being stuck in the Clouds. Though he would admit it was rather peaceful, and it calmed a part of his soul that he did not even know. 

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji stated, his voice soft and gentle, as it typically was. Wei Ying did not understand how people could not see it, Lan Zhan was a bundle of emotions, you just had to know where to look. Lan Zhan had huge amounts of emotions, but sometimes he just found it hard to express them is all. Wei Ying knew that, and understood it quite well. He just is different, to others, they see this ice cold brick, but he is so much more. Everyone is just too scared to look properly. I m glad that...I am glad that I met Lan Zhan in this life. 

"Hey Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying stated, enthusiasm quite obvious. Lan Zhan gave his customary not smile, but a smile in Lan Zhan's world, and reached down, gently pulling him up by the arm and pausing, allowing Wei Ying to scramble to pick up his tray, before eagerly bouncing away from the Jiang table to the table which Lan Zhan and Lan XiChen were sitting, leaving everyone in the area gobsmacked, barring Nie Huiasang, who merely fluttered his fan over his face, allowing his eyes to peer just over the rim of the elegant object. 

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying laughed lowly, "What are we doing?" 

"XiongZhang wishes to speak with you." Wei Ying inhaled sharply, nerves instantly coming towards him. "Is nothing back," He stated simply, leaving Wei Ying to allow himself to exhale in relief. The swiftness o the two emotions slightly dazed him. He did not state anything, however, merely following Lan Zhan, relishing in the fact that the other still had not let go of his arm as he guided him through the throng of people. He was glad that Lan Zhan was not shying as much from physical contact as he normally did with others when it came to him. 

"First Master Lan," Wei Ying states softly, bowing deeply before XiChen waves his formalities away. 

"Oh, there is no need of that. We are to become family, soon, after all." Wei Ying felt something jump in his heart at the certainty of XiChen's sentence. Something warmed inside of him, grateful for it. He had the same sense of finality that Lan Zhan did. 

It helped, considering how nervous Wei Ying was about the situation. Not whether Lan Zhan would accept him, though perhaps he would have been had Lan Zhan not made himself quite clear regarding the situation. Had he not, Wei Ying would have his doubts and Jiang Cheng's poisonous words would have likely made their rounds, but he was lucky. Lan Zhan had been quite clear how he felt about Wei Ying, and it was definitely something he was incredibly grateful for. 

"I am glad to say that we are waiting for the Jiangs to return our letter." XiChen said simply, a smile plastered across his face. 

"We could just have me succeed." Wei Ying said softly, anxiety curling inside of him. What if they were so furious that they came invading into the Cloud Recesses? Specifically Madam Yu? It was probably just safer for him to publicly succeed from the sect, he did not want to risk the Cloud Recesses having to deal with the anger of the violet spider. He was also worried how they would react. 

"When...When should you expect a reply?" Wei Ying mustered the courage to ask. XiChen gave him a slightly pitying smile, one that made Wei Ying shudder a bit, not liking it. XiChen could be a bit unnerving when he wanted to be, but he also greatly respected the other. Lan Zhan obviously did as well, and took pride in what his brother stated, and considering that XiChen was doing so much for Wei Ying, and for Lan Zhan, to allow them to court each other, he really could not respect him enough. 

"Likely in the next couple of days. WuXian," The other started at the slightly overly intimate nature of his name. He did not refuse XiChen of using it, however, merely nodding in answer to his question.