Time Through Time We Remain Untamed.

Chapter 16: FIRST ALLIANCE

     News of Lan Zhan's and Wei Wuxian's new forming friendship soon spread among the 5th years. Students couldn't possibly believe that they, who had fought just a few months ago, were now buddy-buddy with each other. It was unthinkable yet here they were not only desk mates for the whole year but also outside class acquaintances who were beginning to hang out regularly. People took notice of the unusual pair during lunchtime, their numerous interactions in class and their newfound chemistry in Martial Arts club. It was a new and exciting thing to see and experience.

       For Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian, it was a new stepping stone. It had taken time but they had slowly gotten in tune with each other almost unconsciously and unnoticingly. For Wuxian, he had adapted to read Lan Zhan's body language, facials and eyes and had come to know how Lan Zhan expressed himself. He had learnt how to be around Lan Zhan and was aware that he couldn't cross certain boundaries with him just yet while still being himself. It was a very exciting and eye opening thing for Wuxian who didn't know that he could have such sides to him. The same went for Lan Zhan. It had been trying for him in the first few days of their comradeship but Lan Zhan had slowly let himself loose. He tapped into a side of him that seemed only Wuxian could open and little by little had come to also understand who Wuxian was.

     Turns out Wuxian was much more than he had thought and though Lan Zhan was aware that people had different depths to them, he was pleasantly surprised to find out that Wuxian had magnifying depth to him which brought out this curiosity. Lan Zhan had now gotten used to Wuxian's constant talking, his unending  energy and boyish charms. He had gotten into the habit of intently listening to him, correcting him here and there, tolerating and now slightly enjoying his youthful antics and slowly taking care of him. Lan Zhan also liked the fact that Wuxian didn't demand much of his reactions nor did he get upset with his lack of or little vocal responses but rather Wuxian read him and accepted Lan Zhan the way he was and that was something Lan Zhan treasured. All in all, the two were getting into the groove of each and it was much important as it set the foundation for the pair.

       However, not all were particularly impressed by this new found union. Jin Guangyao had multiple times stated that he wasn't interested or mindful about Lan Zhan's and Wei Wuxian's friendship whatsoever. He didn't care and frankly didn't want to know about it. It wasn't his business. Nevertheless, it didn't stop this new sensation to sprout deep within. You see, Jin Guangyao is a particular type of person. He was those people who loved rightful  attention and craved to be seen as admirable though not outwardly expressing it. Sure, he did some questionable things here and there and was a bit of a troublemaker but that was just part of the play. He deeply valued associating himself with people he thought were good for his image and valued loyalty to the bone. So when Wuxian had seemingly shifted to Lan Zhan, he had felt betrayed to a point.

Let's get this straight, Jin Guangyao had been among the first people to challenge Lan Zhan into becoming his friend so as to be seen as the one who had reached this icy Prince but he had gotten shut down way faster and harder than anyone. It had hurt his pride and it made him question himself for the first time in his life. Something Guangyao had never done before and he absolutely hated it. So it goes without say that he wasn't at all pleased by Lan Zhan's sudden acceptance of Wuxian whom he deemed much lower than him in status. It irritated him. Frustrated him. Angered him. And even though Wuxian was still his friend and they still hung out, Guangyao couldn't help feeling this way. This little seed of envy and jealousy had been planted in his heart and it wouldn't take long before it turned into red, vile hatred for both of them.

        “Heyy, Wuxian! Over here man!!” Guangyao called out to his passing friend in the gym court. They were having indoor P. E time since it was still winter and the temperature reading outside made people develop goosebumps alone. Wuxian threw a hand in greeting and jogged over to Jin and the rest.