A Means to an End (WangXian)

Rumor Me This

Wei Wuxian didn't understand. He couldn't remember a time that Nie Mingjue had sent a letter while they were at the Cloud Recesses. Though, he supposes that at this point in time, he should be back in Yunmeng after getting expelled from fighting with Jin Zixuan. This didn't happen, therefore, Wei Wuxian hasn't been sent home. It makes sense that from now on, he will experience things differently.

This also concerned him. How much can he change before there are dire consequences? It's impossible to predict everything that will happen, and the smallest of movements can change everything and knock it off course. This is partly a good thing. If Wei Wuxian changes enough, there's a good chance that the future events he lived through won't happen, but then, that doesn't account for what could happen instead.

What if it's the Cloud Recesses that gets completely destroyed this time? What if it's Lan Zhan that dies instead?

A pain sat in Wei Wuxian's chest as he pondered these questions. There was a darkness that settled over him. He knew that no matter how much he tried or how much he sacrificed, it still wouldn't be enough.

Why?

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji called.

Wei Wuxian looked up at a pair of golden eyes. The two had just reached the Orchid room for their continued lectures. He had been walking in silence the entire time. Lan Wangji grew worried. He didn't know what was on the Jiang disciple's mind. Wei Wuxian was looking down, so Lan Wangji couldn't decipher his silence.

"What is it?" Wei Wuxian asked.

Lan Wangji noted his glassed over eyes, almost like he was about to cry. "Xiongzhan will meet with you after lessons," Lan Wangji said. He hoped to distract the boy's mind with other thoughts.

Wei Wuxian's eyes widened. "You already spoke with him?"

Lan Wangji nodded. "I did not tell him why, but he agreed to talk."

Wei Wuxian smiled. "Thank you! You'll be coming with me, right?" he asked.

Lan Wangji froze. He did not know Wei Wuxian wanted him there. He thought it would be too private of a matter for him to be included.

He was almost tempted to turn him down. It was not his place to discuss matters between two sects. That was his brother's job and even though Wei Wuxian wanted to get involved, Lan Wangji knew it was not necessary for himself to get involved as well. However, he couldn't deny the slight pout Wei Wuxian gave him after he had been silent for too long.

He nodded.

Wei Wuxian smiled brightly again. "Great! We'll talk with him later. I better get to my seat before grumpy yells at me."

Lan Wangji was tempted to scold him for calling his uncle 'grumpy,' but he ran off too quickly, and Lan Wangji couldn't help but feel a small sense of joy, knowing he had successfully distracted him from whatever painful thoughts Wei Wuxian was having prior.

He watched him join a conversation with Jiang Wanyin, Jiang Yanli, and Nie Huaisang. His bright smile still shining.

"Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Cheng called.

"Good morning, Jiang Cheng!" he called back.

Jiang Cheng grabbed Wei Wuxian's arm and pulled him towards him. "What is going on with you and Lan Wangji?"

"What are you talking about?" He was confused.

"You know exactly what I am talking about!" he shouted.

Wei Wuxian furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't know what his brother had meant. Him and Lan Zhan are exactly how they've always been.

Okay, so maybe we've been spending a little more time than normal with each other, but there's nothing weird about that!