Lan Zhan's Untamed (Lan Zhan x Wei Wuxian)

I will always choose him

"Come in Wangji" I hear my brother's warm greeting as I enter his chamber. I find him sitting on the patio, facing the setting sun. The last few rays of the sun, has painted the sky in gold and orange. With fresh flakes of snow caressing the ground of Gusu, I bow and take a seat beside his "I was informed, that you were looking for me".

"Did you meet, Lady Zhi Ruo?" He enquires and I nod "Did she bid you her farewell?" I look at him and nod again.   

He sighs "She is a good soul, I wish her eternal happiness".

"Hm" I hope so too.

"Wangji" my brother's voice is laced with heaviness and I turn to look at him "Tomorrow, we're leaving for the LanLing Jin Sect. You, me and" he pauses "Young Master Wei" his gaze finds mine and they are dazed with concern "and I am worried".

"Brother, please tell me what are your concerns and don't hold back" I try to assure him.

"I am worried that tomorrow, the history is going to repeat itself. What transpired 13 years ago, will test your faith and endurance again" taking my hand in his, he continues "Wangji, everyone present in the conference and especially A Yao, will definitely deduce the fact that Mo Xuan Yu is in fact not himself but he is Wei Wuxian" I look at him and before he could complete, I continue "and you're worried for me". He doesn't have to confirm, the concern in his eyes, speaks the truth.

"Brother, 13 years ago, I was unable to save him. I was wrong. I was too immersed in understanding what was right and what was wrong, but not anymore" I look at him and maybe for the very first time, I have to use words to explain the situation. Not that he won't understand, but for him to get a clarity and peace with what I have to say, I finally speak my heart out.

"I was late in saving him last time, but not now. You know where my heart lies and so does my loyalty. If it wasn't for Wei Ying, then like my name, except for you, nothing would have tied me to the world's affairs, but now, now I have him. I finally have him and this time, I am not giving up. I shall fight with every breath of mine".

I get up from my seat, walking few steps away, I turn back to look at my brother "I pledged my life for his, I lost him once, I won't loose him again".

Collecting the snow in my palms, I look up at the almost darkening sky "Do you remember when we were kids, you told me, that Father always loved our mother, and for her safety, he sacrificed his life and kept her safe in Jingshi? I too once thought that if I could bring Wei Ying back to Cloud Recess with me, I would keep him safe" I look at my brother "I was wrong. I would have killed him, had I kept him in here. He's not a soul to be captured and tucked away into safety, just like mother" I hear my brother gasp, but he does not reply. He knows that I speak the utmost truth.

"Wei Ying, is the boon to my existence. You have known the truth and what my heart desire, always" with that I kneel in front of him and my brother whispers in shock "Wangji!" as he immediately springs onto his feat.

"If tomorrow you have to choose between the Clan and me" I look up at the face who has forever been my guardian, my brother "please choose the Clan. If a battle ensues then make sure you protect the interest of the Clan. I am not burdening you with guilt but rather I am appealing to your good side, the Clan does not need a Hanguang-Jun, but they need their ZewuJun" I pause "I trust you, as the Clans leader and my brother, I know I might never enter Cloud Recess again, but I also know as my brother, you will always find a way to be in touch with me" I look into his eyes and warmly whisper "I choose him. I will always choose him" my brother sighs and placing his hands on my shoulders, pulls me up towards him.

With a proud yet sad smile, he pats my shoulders "Let me worry about all this, you remember to always follow your heart".

Gesturing me to take my seat again, he pours me a cup of tea and as I take a sip, the thought that lies heavy within me, I finally say it aloud "Brother?"

"Hm"

"If a battle ensues where Wei Ying and I have to leave the Clan" I pause and look at my brother "please take care of Sizhui. When the time is right, I shall come back for him".

He nods after a moment and the rest of our evening is surrounded by peace and tranquility, but we both know the truth, tomorrow's conference would be a game changer and I was ready to face the battle. For Wei. For me. For us.