A Means to an End (WangXian)

Emperors Smile

The sun shone through the room brightly and annoyingly. Living in the burial mounds has forced Wei Wuxian to despise the sun. It's too bright and too early. He just wanted to go back to sleep and force himself to believe that none of this is real and he really is dead. Instead, Wei Wuxian painfully opens his eyes to the bright room that glares more from all the white.

He wasn't in the guest dormitories like he thought he would be. This time, he was in a different room even more boring than his and Jiang Cheng's room. It was all just white. White walls, white floors, white bed, white sheets, white desk white-clothed Lan Zhan-

Lan Zhan?

He slowly sat up in the bed, and it immediately caught the attention of the boy reading at the table in the middle of the room.

"Wei Ying," he called and placed his book down. He immediately came to Wei Wuxian's side and gently took his wrist, checking his pulse.

Wei Wuxian instantly pulled away. The instinct to hide the lack of a golden core kicked in, even when he knew he had one.

Lan Wangji withdrew his hands and decided to focus on the boy who only just woke up.

"Lan Zhan. How long have I been asleep?"

"Just the night. It's nearly lunch time."

No wonder he still felt exhausted. Despite passing out, he still did not sleep enough.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?" Wei Wuxian asked. It wasn't that he didn't want Lan Wangji there, but rather that he didn't want to bother him more than he already has.

"Lessons are canceled."

Wei Wuxian shot out of bed in surprise. His panic set in abruptly and caused his mind to instantly believe that something was wrong. Lan Wangji tried to still the boy, but it was too late, and Wei Wuxian was already falling towards the ground as his legs gave out beneath him, and he became dizzy.

Lan Wangji caught him before he collapsed to the ground. "C-Canceled. Why have they been canceled?"

"Sect meeting in Qinghe. Shufu left this morning."

That's right. Wei Wuxian had completely forgotten that after all the mischief that he had caused, he had temporarily gotten away with it because Lan Qiren was gone. This would also be the time they would fight the waterborne abyss.

Lan Wangji helped Wei Wuxian back to the bed. "By the way, where am I?" he asked, avoiding what just happened.

"The healers. It's a private room."

"Lan Zhan, you didn't have to bring me here!" he stated. "You could've just left me where I was really," he laughed. Wei Wuxian noticed the small horrified look cross over Lan Wangji's face, and it caused Wei Wuxian to quickly smile. "I'm only joking!" he laughed again. "Thank you, for taking care of me." He smiled brightly at the Lan.

"Mn."

They fell silent. Wei Wuxian looked at his hands in thought. He felt guilty for burdening Lan Wangji, but he couldn't help the small warming feeling that entered his chest. Lan Wangji's actions last night confirmed that he didn't hate Wei Wuxian.

At least, not at first. Wei Wuxian reminded himself.

"Wei Ying."

His head shot up. "Lan Zhan?"

Lan Wangji looked hesitant. His thoughts were consuming him. He didn't want to overstep his boundaries, but he also didn't know what to say. "Are you alright?" he settled for.

Wei Wuxian smiled again. "I'm fine! I had a nightmare last night that freaked me out, that's all! I didn't mean to worry you."

He shook his head. "No, it is fine."