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Lan Wangji was said to be the most patient and stern man in all of Gusu. He was obedient, never breaking a rule of his sect. He was said to be the best of the best, especially among the other clans. They all would send their student to Gusu to learn and hopefully return to be just like him. He was like an iceberg, floating on the water without disturbance, no one wanting to venture below the still waters to see what was really underneath this perfect snowflake. There had been no one to try to see the real him, the one he hid away from the world because that wasn’t what he needed to be and he only wanted to follow the rules, to listen to the teaching he was given and why would he question anything if it had never had lead him wrong in the first place.
This shattered the instant he saw him. On the wall, breaking curfew, holding forbidden substances. It was only then did Lan Wangji question things. That boy was the disturbance to his still waters, inching his way down to see what Lan Wangji held inside, under all the cold exteriors. Lan Wangji wondered why it had been him? The strange boy who was so intelligent, but irritated him so. He wondered about the ideas this boy had and despite how unethical they seemed he wondered if it could be done.
He questioned things he knew he shouldn’t, did things he knew were wrong, he broke so many rules and even though he took the necessary means of punishment afterwards it only felt like a dull irritation. He didn’t understand why he did it, only that he wanted to know.
He wanted to know.
Lan Wangji did his best to remain patience and stone faced despite the other’s antics, but he slipped for the first time in the library.
Such a stupid and foolish young man and yet, Lan Wangji wanted to know more about how he saw the world, about how this boy’s mind worked about all the crazy idea he had. It irritated him that he couldn’t figure it out. It was a problem that he couldn’t solve. Even after Lan Wangji banished him from the library he watched the other. He waited.
He knew it was foolish. How could he ever fall for someone like that?
Wei Wuxian. Even just thinking about his name would cause Lan Wangji to falter. He figited more, grew anxious, he tried his best not to. He tried to remain calm but how can you when you are with an idiot.
An idiot who put others before himself, a idiots who helped others, who was strong, who always thought outside the ways that he was taught and who was so brave.
Lan Wangji wished he didn’t think that way, but when had he been able to hold his breath long enough for it not to run away from him when he saw Wei Wuxian.
He didn’t know what to do, but still he never left.
Even after everything that happened, even when Wei Wuxian tried to push Lan Wangji away he stayed. And he was punished for it, but why did that matter? He just wanted to protect the one thing that became so dear to him.
And still he lost him.
Lan Wangji tried for 13 long years to try to find a trace of his love, despite everything Lan Wangji knew that Wei Wuxian could do the impossible, that’s just who he was. And Lan Wangji never gave up- even when the rest of the world had.
Where are you, Wei Ying?
He questions as he finds the small child that clung to him that day. He does the one thing he wished he could’ve done to Wei Wuxian and brings him back to Gusu.
He never wanted to keep him trapped, he knew how much Wei Wuxian hated Gusu, Lan Wangji just wanted to help him.
Please come back to Gusu with me.
I can protect you, I only wanted to protect you.
He felt himself falter, retreating into himself becoming that iceberg once again, afraid to let anyone else in. He’d lost too much already so why should he let anyone else in.
It wasn’t until the day that he ran into Mo Xuanyu, that he wondered again.
The Juniors mentioned him, once at the manor after Lan Wangji came to help them with their troubles. It was several days later that Lan Wangji himself ran into the strange man. He managed to save him from Jiang Cheng’s anger, but Lan Wangji thought it was ridiculous how the Jiang Leader could accuse such a mess of a man to be Wei Wuxian. And yet he had been right.
It had been a long time since he’d heard the melody, even himself had ceased to play it.
It could only be Wei Wuxian, who else would know it. Yes, it was terribly played and maybe Lan Wangji wished it was given more justice but it had to be him. His search was over, Wei Wuxian had returned.
It took time for Wei Wuxian to admit to Lan Wangji it was him but he remained patient through it all. He was happy to see him again and even through the ups and downs and misunderstandings, they worked it out. Several adventures awaited them and it was good because they could do it together. Lan Wangji noticed for the first time, he felt at peace.
Peace never seemed to be a thing that lasted long with the two of them, and Lan Wangji wondered why good things seem to end too quickly. They spent years together but even still neither one wanted it to end.
Lan Wangji grew worried when Wei Wuxian fell ill. He did everything to make his love comfortable, he did his best to find a way to make it go away.
The two sat on the bed. Lan Wangji was reading over a scroll and Wei Wuxian was leaning against him, his head resting on the other’s shoulder. Wei Wuxian was fidgeting with the ends of Lan Wangji’s forehead ribbon to which Lan Wangji sacrificed one of his hands to him instead. He put the scroll down and watched him.
Wei Wuxian played with his fingers before he laced their hands together and looked up at Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji brushed a strand behind the others ear before he heard his name.
“Lan Zhan?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you think we can come back?”
“En.”
“No no,” Wei Wuxian shook his head and smiled sadly as he looked away. “I don’t mean like how I did. I mean I am grateful for this but do you think we can like you know, come back for another lifetime?”
Lan Wangji thought about it before he nodded. “En.”
Wei Wuxian glanced at him. “The mighty Hanguange-jun, knows better than to lie to his husband.”
“I am not lying.”
Wei Wuxian sighed. “So even after everything that has happened you still think it’s possible?”
Lan Wangji knew that Wei Wuxian was asking because he wanted to know if he could return again despite not having a core. But yes, Lan Wangji believed Wei Wuxian could do many things, and this was one of them. Even without his golden core he’d managed to survive this long so why couldn’t he come back again?
“Wei Ying.” He said softly. The other looked at him, sadness filled his gaze.
“Lan Zhan…. I’m scared.” He admitted as he looked at their hands tangled together. “I don’t want to do this again. I know what it’s like to die, even if I can’t remember it the feeling still remains.” Wei Wuxian’s grip tightens. “I don’t want to leave…..not again.”
Lan Wangji gently put his hand under Wei Wuxian’s chin so they were looking at each other. He could see the silent tears streaming down his husband's face and he knew that Wei Wuxian was tired of pretending like this wasn’t going to happen.
“I will find you again, Wei Ying. I always will.”
His husband laughed lightly.
“I’ll be waiting, Lan Zhan.”
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Wei Wuxian was said to be the most intelligent disciple of the Jiang clan, but how was he also so foolish and stupid. Wei Wuxian was smart but in the way of actually putting effort into his studies that was another thing. He was quick witted and maybe that wasn’t exactly the best thing to use when you are up against a stick up the ass, rule abiding, funeral robe wearing Lan. So what made him decide this was the best idea? Lan Wangji just needed to loosen up a bit to know what fun was- or that is what the original plan was. It wasn’t like he meant for things to get further, he didn’t know if he meant to fall in love with him.
Wei Wuxian knew how to push buttons, he knew how to get under people’s skin and with these skills he’d managed to get quite far in his first life but it wasn’t like he meant to hurt anyone.
He was aware of the mistakes he made, he was aware of the problems he caused and if he could hit a reset button, he might be tempted to do so.
He wished for many things. He wished to not live with the guilt he had, that he’d had better control over the demonic forces, that he had more time to figure them out. He wished he could have saved more people and hurt less. He wished he could have given the innocent Wen’s the lives they deserved, he wished he could give his son a better life. He wished he could have seen his Shijie watch her son grow into the young man he had become.
And it was true there were days that Wei Wuxian wished for his old life, but Lan Wangji was here in this life. Lan Wangji was by his side, even when everyone else left. On those days where it was hard for Wei Wuxian to be reminded of the good that he’d done, he’d do his best to help around, to put on a smile, to laugh and enjoy the second chance he’d been given.
Even still he wondered if there was ever a place that held a reset button and if he’d been given the chance to use it, would he?
Would he want to go back to living a life of ignorant bliss with his loved ones?
It was true he missed them more and more everyday but he tried his best to live for them, to make a life that would have made them proud of him. But there were still people in this world that he missed as well. He often wondered about the Leader of the Jiang’s and how he was doing. And despite everything that had happened between them, he still loved his brother dearly and hoped that the other felt the same. Wei Wuxian wished he’d been able to explain himself but some things were better left in the past.Wei Wuxian also knew that despite all these awful things that he felt, despite all the wrong things he’d done in the past, it didn’t stop him from being the happiest he’d ever been. He got to be with the one he loved. He got to help others, he got to tease the juniors and harass others in the clan. He got to watch his son and nephew grow up into beautiful and respectable young men. He got to go on adventures, he got to learn things he never thought he would. He got to fix up that old broken compass and other trinkets he’d attempted to make. He got to refine what he’d known about the demonic arts and hopefully made it better for someone else to learn. He got to live a life that he was content with.
So even as he leaned against his husband, fighting off the illness that had befallen him and wondered about reincarnation and what the after life would be like this time, he knew that he was happy. Even if because he no longer possessed a core and would possibly never be able to visit this world again he was glad for the time that he got to spend in it and was even more grateful for the people he got to meet in it. He was able to make an impact of some kind and even if this time it was small and meaningless he was still happy.
He was also terrified about what those people would do without him.The thought made him laugh, they had lasted 13 years without him, what was a few more.“I will find you again, Wei Ying. I always will.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. The words sounding so odd coming from the stone face Lan. But Wei Wuxian knew them to be true. That if they were allowed another chance, they would find each other again.
“I’ll be waiting…..Lan Zhan.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
POV LWJLan Wangji wakes at his normal 5 am, only something feels off.He has a headache and he isn’t sure what is causing it. He hadn’t been doing anything different so he wasn’t sure where it was coming from. He blinks as a thought that makes him sit up quickly crosses his mind.Why does it feel like he’d spent the night drinking Emperor smile with his brother? More importantly, why does he remember that?This isn’t the first time Lan Wangji has had thoughts like that. It’s just never been with a headache.He quickly recalls one of the many lessons he learned in his classes.Reincarnation. The idea had always intrigued him, he never really was sure as to why it had but it just did. He liked to think that many immortal cultivators of the past were able to do this, that they could come back to the world and meet their loved ones again. However, he never brought up the idea to anyone, especially after what happened the one time he did. His Uncle told him to never to ask about it again and Lan Wangji was punished to write lines for a week. So like always Lan Wangji kept his mouth shut- life seemed easier that way.And yet he wondered.He frowned as he rose from his bed and got ready for the day. He didn’t really have to be up at exactly 5am but it’s a habit you get into when it’s ingrained into you from a young age. One of the many things that was a result of being raised by his Uncle.He still stuck to this schedule even when he ended up moving in with his brother. He’d get up at 5 am and then around 7 am his brother would come and invite him out for the day- everyday without fail. Routine, something that every Lan was taught from a young age. Maybe it was a result of the strict teachings from their ancestors or something else but everyone had to follow.Lan Wangji sighed.He wished to one day escape this prison of routine and rules he was locked in, but it really was all he knew. It didn’t matter, he liked mornings- they were quiet. And Lan Wangji liked the quiet.He sat down at his desk and opened up his readings for class. He’d already completed everything but he still found joy in reading the book. Because one it was something that could pass the two hours that it would take for his brother to emerge and he also loved to learn about music, especially where it had come from and how it had been used by the sects of the past. Lan Wangji had always been drawn to music. He’d even written a few pieces, but those he kept hidden away from the world- even going as far as to destroy some of the written pieces because Lan Qiren got upset about them.The Lan sect used to be known for their music as well as other teachings but in the modern world they were known to be doctors or nurses or people that worked with the ways of medical field healing. Lan Wangji didn’t want that. He really just wanted to teach about music history and play songs that he wrote for people to enjoy. So despite some backlash he was able to follow this path that he chose with his brother’s help. Lan Wangji knew that his brother just wanted him to be happy and would support him in any way he could. So even though Lan Wangji was able to get out of their Uncle’s grasp he was still sadly in a Lan household.Has his life always been like this? What about the one’s he’d already experienced?Lan Wangji’s attention vanished in an instant. He stared blankly at his reading but his mind was already wandering so he followed it.If he had been here before, how was it possible that he could remember events or little things that had happened in that life?Today’s example was the Emperor smile incident but there had been others, none ever triggered by the same thing. One time it was dogs barking and he protectively stood in front of his brother only to realize Lan Xichen wasn’t the one who was afraid of dogs. Another time was when he was at music practice and someone was playing a flute. Or more recently, when the boy who sat behind him wore a red ribbon in his hair- Lan Wangji felt his breathing stop. It had been things like that, so why today?He was very certain that he’d never tasted alcohol, let alone had it with his brother. It was forbidden to keep alcohol in a Lan household but Lan Wangji knew that Lan Xichen kept some under his bed.Lan Wangji sighed. He left his book open and turned away to try to find a sense of concentration.His room really was plain, but it was also simple and organized, just the way he liked it. The colour scheme would make one think that a blizzard had crashed here. His bed was tucked in the one corner opposite to the desk. It was neatly made, his bedside table was mostly empty except for a cloud patterned lamp that his mother had given him when he was young. There was a chest at the foot of the bed that held his music sheets and instruments. Across from it was one of the two bookcases that lived in his room. The other was beside the desk. The books being the only colour in the plain off white room. Small little trinkets that he’d gathered or been gifted by his mother or brother littered the shelves in front of the books.The desk was placed by the window, there was nothing out of place there besides the book that he’d been reading. There was a small walk-in closet by the door to the room and in it were many clothes but nothing that would say that Lan Wangji was just a student.He can’t find something to concentrate on but he also knows that nothing is out of place.So why does he feel so lost? Why does it feel like something- or someone is missing? It’s been years since he felt like this and yet the tug he feels makes his heart cry.A knock on the door startles him from his spiraling thoughts and he checks the time before heading to the door.7 am, right on time. Now they can begin the day. He closes the book and takes it with him as he opens his bedroom door to be met with his mirror image.If you didn’t know you would think that the two Lan brothers were twins or even the same person. The biggest difference between them physically was their eye colour. Lan Wangji’s were like golden glass where his brothers were like smooth gray river rocks. Personality wise it was very noticeable who was who.“Xiongzhang.” He acknowledges his brother before he nods and grabs his bag from the floor. He puts his book into it.“Lan Wangji, you really don’t have to be so formal with me.” Lan Xichen shakes his head but is smiling. Like always. Some things don’t change, and the consistency of it eases Lan Wangji. His life has always been structured like a stack of blocks. The two head to school and Lan Wangji wonders if one day that stack of blocks will get knocked over.__________________________________________________________________POV WWXYou would think that Wei Wuxian would be used to having to wake up in the mornings but he isn’t. He would rather sleep than admit that he has to be a functioning part of society. Jiang Cheng is the only reason he is mostly awake now. The asshole smacked him over the head with a pillow. Wei Wuxian is glad that it was that option and not the one he used last week. Regardless he still would have rather stayed in bed.He’s sitting at the kitchen table of their shared dorm room. Wei Wuxian is watching Nie Huaisang play with his newest painted fan, while Jiang Cheng is rummaging through the fridge.Wei Wuxian silently wishes for Jiang Yanli’s homemade cooking as he pours himself a bowl of cereal but you get what you can when you are on a budget.He plays with his cereal as he shifts between being awake and asleep. Sadly sleep wins again for this round.He is startled back to the awake world when he feels something wet touching his cheek and he jerks back, nearly falling off his chair. Nie Huaisang shakes his head.“Wei gongzi, you really ought to go to bed earlier.”Wei Wuxian frowns as he looks for a napkin to remove his breakfast from his face. Nie Huaisang holds one out to him and Wei Wuxian takes it.Jiang Cheng chuckles and pulls his head out of the fridge.“You really think he can change after 20 years? You can try but it won’t make much difference.”Wei Wuxian rolls his eyes. “Quiet you, your voice is giving me a headache.”Jiang Cheng turns to glare at him. “What would you rather listen to with Shijie’s voice?”“Sounds better than yours.” Wei Wuxian smirks.Jiang Cheng frowns at him and pour two glasses of orange juice.Nie Huaisang attempts to protest as the air of hostility begins to rise between the brothers. Wei Wuxian awaits for whatever anger that Jiang Cheng is going to throw at him but it turns out to only be a glass of orange juice that is set down harder than necessary on the counter top.Jiang Cheng sighs. “Well, I guess you are looking forward to this weekend then.”Wei Wuxian frowns at the glass before he takes it. What was going on this weekend?Jiang Cheng shook his head. “You forgot didn’t you?”“It’s ok, Wanyin. I would have forgotten too if you hadn’t mentioned it this morning. You are going home for the weekend, yes?”“Ohhhh! The party with the peacock”“Wei Ying!” Jiang Cheng raised his voice but Wei Wuxian knew it was an attempt to cover his laughter rather than actually being angry“I’m not wrong! I don’t even know what Shijie sees in him. He wanders around like he owns the place.”“Our mothers were best friends….” Jiang Cheng tries helplessly.“I think Shijie should be able to make her own decisions.”Jiang Cheng opens his mouth and closes it again. Wei Wuxian gets the feeling his brother also feels the same way but he is less verbal about it. Wei Wuxian doesn’t care much,he can say all he wants behind the other’s back but Wei Wuxian knows his Shijie is happy and to him that’s all that matters. Wei Wuxian gets up and puts his dishes in the sink. Well now he had something to look forward to all day.“We should get going or we’ll be late.” Wei Wuxian says as he heads to his room to get changed and grab his books for his class. He hears Jiang Cheng say something after he leaves the room but he pretends he didn’t hear it.……..He laughs as Nie Huaisang hides behind his fan in protest.“Wei gongzi, you really got to stop asking me. I really don’t know.”“Like I would fall for that again. You are like the smartest person I know.” Wei Wuxian snorts.“Truth be told, I really don’t know this time.”Wei Wuxian wonders how he is still able to walk with the fan so much in his face and can’t help but laugh. He turns to his brother as he rests his hands behind his head.“A-Cheng?”“Don’t look at me. Do your own damn assignment.” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes.Wei Wuxian moves his hands back to his sides as he steps ahead of the other two before he turns around. He leans forward slightly as he attempts to look cute. Which only pissed his brother off even more and solidified Wei Wuxian’s delight.“I was just asking a question, it’s really not like you two can help me.” He leans back and shrugs. “This class is quite interesting.”“If it is so then why don’t you know the answer?” Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow.“Oh I do know it, I was just wondering if you heard about it.”“Wei gongzi, it’s really not fair to ask us such things if we aren’t taking that class.” Nie Huaissang finally lowers his fan slightly.Wei Wuxian stops walking which almost makes the other two run into him. He taps his chin as though in thought. “Regardless, I thought you might know something,Nie-xiong. Isn’t your older brother friends with that Lan guy.”“Zewu-Jun?”Jiang Cheng shakes his head.“Where do you get these ideas from?”“I am right, am I not?” Wei Wuxian crosses his arms.“You are but just because I might know of a Lan doesn’t mean that I will be able to answer such questions.”Finally he got the conversation to go where he wanted. Wei Wuxian knew how to manipulate the situation and was fairly good at it. Though Jiang Cheng managed to catch him at times.“Did you know the younger one sits right in front of me? I thought he was the teacher’s assistant for the class my first day,but nope! He just dresses like that everyday and he just sits there all proper like almost as if there is a stick up his ass. It’s really off put-.” Wei Wuxian stops speaking as he turns and spots the exact person he was just talking about standing at the doorway to his class. Well wasn’t that some good luck. Wei Wuxian grins lopsidedly and gives a small wave which earns him a frown.Jiang Cheng sighed. “Huaisang and I really should be heading to our own class.”“I’ll see you afterwards?Same meeting place.”The other two nodded and turned to head to class. Wei Wuxian glances at them watching them leave. But he notices Nie Huaissang leaning over to whisper something to Jiang Cheng who ends up shaking his head.I wonder…..__________________________________________________________________POV LWJLan Wangji looks up as he watches the boy enter the classroom. His hair is down today, Lan Wangji notes that it makes him look rather silly. His long hair flutters behind him as he smiles at Lan Wangji who quickly goes back to looking at his notes. The boy makes his way to his normal seat and Lan Wangji can’t help but glance over his shoulder at him. The boy quickly notices and winks at him.“Ridiculous.” He mutters and turns away again.Lan Wangji isn’t sure who he is directing that at? Himself or the boy who had been so loudly talking about him in the hallway.What was wrong with how he sat in class? He’d been taught to sit like this so there mustn't be a problem. It hadn’t been like Lan Wangji had wanted to talk to them. It wasn’t like he’d completely lost the nerve to go over to them when he heard what the boy had said.Was he really like that? He wasn’t trying to be.He’d never really had friends growing up and his Uncle had always kept tabs on him so…He was snapped from his thoughts as he heard someone calling his name. He really was badly distracted today. He would have to meditate when he got home.“Lan Wangji? The prof’s taking attendance.”Lan Wangji turns to see the boy grinning as he is pointing to the front.“Is there something you wanted to say, Mr Wei?”“No sir. Lan Wangji is right here.”“As he is, but I do think he should be able to tell me that himself.”Lan Wangji turned around again. “Present sir.”That was a first. He really was out of it,but he couldn’t tell what the cause of it was. The only nice part was the strange feeling he’d had about missing something had finally dissipated.The class went on as normal after that. Lan Wangji might have been a little too focused on the strokes of his pen rather than actually taking the notes that were needed but he still made sure to get what he could. There would be something online or in his textbook he could refer to later if need be.As the end of the hour-long lecture the professor made mention of an assignment. One of the biggest ones for the class and the only one that required to be in groups- an idea that Lan Wangji didn’t like much. Groups always lead to him doing all the work or him being excluded.“Each of you previously gave in sheets with topics you wanted to cover for this assignment on them. With those I was able to create pairs or small groups to help with the presentation.”Lan Wangji frowned as the professor continued to say the topics and which group was covering them.“Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, you’ll be- huh?”Lan Wangji was standing to object to the pairing, but he hadn’t registered doing so until he glared over his shoulder. The boy behind him was also standing. The professor crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the pair.“These were already decided and there will be no negotiation. Besides that whether there was another choice you two were the only ones to choose a topic that had to do with the Sects and Music. I hope that isn’t an issue?”“Uh no sir.” Lan Wangji sat down quickly before something else would draw attention to him.“Mr Wei?”“No problem, I was just surprised.” He also sat down.“Now that that is settled, you are all dismissed. If you have any other questions, it’s all on your class site online or in the textbook.”And with that the class began to leave, except Lan Wangji. He sat there.What kind of sick joke was this?—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------POV WWXWei Wuxian didn’t know why he stood to object but when he noticed Lan Wangji doing so as well his mind was made up. The only reason someone would go to object something was that they hated him. That had to be the reason the guy mumbled under his breath and kept looking at him the same way someone would look at a cockroach. He sighed, well Wei Wuxian couldn’t entirely blame Lan Wangji for hating him. It was probably Wei Wuxian’s own fault for opening his big fat mouth and didn’t make the greatest first impression. Lan Wangji must have heard what he said in the hall before class. He must have- Wei Wuxian wasn’t know to have a quiet voice.He got up to leave after the prof stopped talking.“Meet me in the library.”He was sure he’d never heard such a quiet and cold sounding voice. He was sure that he had frostbite now. It made him stop in his tracks but he didn’t turn around. It took all his will not to shiver, never mind to look at the man who spoke to him.He noticed his heart sang out to the voice, but Wei Wuxian was certain that he was just experiencing some kind of sign of a heart attack.This was the first time the two had spoken directly to each other.“Uh yeah.”“This afternoon then?”“I have another class but after 4 I am free.”He wasn’t sure if it was better to keep talking to the wall in front of him since there was barely a difference between it and his new assignment partner.“4 it is.”Wei Wuxian made his escape at that, he shoved his notes and doodles into his bag and left.He had to get to Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaissang as quickly as he could and tell them the awful news.……The trio met at their normal spot for lunch, the one time they could spend together while still on campus.“You really have some bad luck there , Wei gongzi.”Jiang Cheng just smirked. “Serves you right for talking about him behind his back.”“Hey! I thought you two would be on my side.” He wrapped his arms around Jiang Cheng’s shoulders and put his entire weight into him. “You have to help me..this is some kind of punishment isn’t it??? What did I do this time?”Jiang Cheng scoffed as he tried to remove his brother. “What haven’t you done to deserve this?”Wei Wuxian didn’t budge. “I mean what exactly have I done to the universe to get placed with him.”“Hanguang-Jun isn’t bad. His brother is quite friendly, maybe he’s just shy.”Wei Wuxian laughed. “I highly doubt that.”If that pair of brother’s was anything like him and Jiang Cheng there were obvious differences. That and Lan Wangji spoke in a way that would scare a blizzard back into hiding.Jiang Cheng sighed. “Can you please go bother someone else with your whining.”“Nah,” Wei Wuxian finally removed himself from his brother as he headed to his favourite little place on campus. “You two are the only ones who deal with it long enough.”Wei Wuxian cooked up a terrible idea right there. What if he became the most impossible person to be partnered with? Maybe then the Professor would give him another assignment. He was really interested in learning about how the sects of the past used music as weapons and healing but there were other topics he was just as interested in covering. It wouldn’t be too hard to find information.“Nie-xiong, how much do you know about the Lan’s.”“Uh oh….”__________________________________________________________________POV LWJWei Wuxian was late. Lan Wangji checked his clock again just to make sure.He sighs as he turns to leave. It would be better to get started at home if the other wasn’t going to show.“Hanguang-Jun! Wait!”He stops. Something about how that name is called rings familiarity to his ears and he can feel his ears turning red.He blinks and Wei Wuxian seems to have materialized in front of him.“I’m sorry professor wanted to talk to me, I hope you weren’t waiting long.” He has the biggest lopsided grin on his face.“Was not long.” Lan Wangji turns and leads them to the quietest area of the library. It was also the only section that carried most of the books that they would need for the assignment and it might have also been Lan Wangji’s favourite spot. There was a single desk and two chairs surrounded by the book shelves. A perfect and peaceful place to study.They put their things down and Lan Wangji grabbed some books he thought would definitely help them. He made Wei Wuxian wait as he gathered them all. They had barely begun to look through the books, when Wei Wuxian spoke.“Hey Hanguang-Jun? Why did you choose the topic? Is it because you’re a descendant of the Lan clan?”“If you are going to speak then you have time to take notes.” Lan Wangji said coldly, though it was part of the reason he guessed. His mother had always held an interest in music and his father was a direct descendant of the Lan Clan so it seemed like only he should be able to present this topic properly to the class.“Ah.” Wei Wuxian tsked in a teasing way. “We can do both. If we are to be partners then shouldn’t we get to know each other a bit? I think that’s only fair, Lan Wangji.”Lan Wangji noted the change of name being used. He sighed. Truthfully, it’s not that he didn’t want to, it was more what was the point. Wei Wuxian seemed like the type of guy that was beloved by all, and what could he possibly want with Lan Wangji. It was true, his heart fluttered and he could feel himself losing his breath whenever the other spoke but he smashed it down. He went back to his reading.“Awwww come on, are you really that cold to everyone Hanguang-Jun? You really won’t find anyone if you’re like that.”“You shouldn’t concern yourself with others' love life. Especially when you have first met. Now read.” He handed Wei Wuxian a book.Wei Wuxian took the book.“I guess Hanguang-Jun is right. It is true that we have only just gotten acquainted. That was very rude of me. My apologies.” He opened the book and looked it over, but his mouth just kept moving. Lan Wangji’s patience was thinning. He wished he possessed the skill of the silence spell that the Lan’s used to make others shut up. Lan Wangji was so close to telling him to shut the hell up, when Wei Wuxian finally stopped asking him questions and instead introduced himself.“Anyways, I’m Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian.” He was grinning.Wei YingLan Wangji didn’t look up. It wasn’t that he was being rude, he just was trying to figure out why that name sounded familiar. Why this whole situation seemed familiar and yet was so different.It felt like since he’d woken up that morning he’d been thrown into a bad dream of some kind.Wei Wuxian sighed dramatically and finally got down to taking notes.Lan Wangji had given up reading and instead silently watched the other. An hour went by without a sound. Until Wei Wuxian started humming to himself. Lan Wangji stayed quiet as he watched Wei Wuxian doodle two little rabbits on his notes, each was a soft looking circle loaf, they both had ribbons and Wei Wuxian was colouring in the one a dark gray. He’d taken quite a few notes up until that point so Lan Wangji wasn’t too bothered by the distraction. It in fact made him smile lightly.Both their phones rang which ruined the moment and Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes as he hit the ignore. “It seems this study session is over.”“Seems so…”“Same time tomorrow, Wangji.”Lan Wangji frowned. “En.”“Tomorrow it is!” Wei Wuxian gathered all his things, leaving Lan Wangji to put the books away.__________________________________________________________________POV WWXWei Wuxian didn’t want to admit but reading all these books was actually kind of boring. He understood that in order to learn that they had to read but there were just so many. He’d looked at videos and websites when he’d gotten home and maybe had fallen asleep on his homework-again. The two had been meeting for about three days now and Wei Wuxian was pretty sure he had all the information he could possibly need to finish this assignment. And yet Lan Wangji insisted that they missed something.Wei Wuxian moved his chair closer to Lan Wangji which earned him a frown. “Hanguang-Jun, as partners we should be able to compare notes…hey!”Lan Wangji had moved a book over the notes he’d been taking. Wei Wuxian frowned and picked it up. “Lan Wangji I really don’t understand how this is helping.”“Gather all the information then compare.” Simple and to the point.“Wangji, all this reading you are making us do really is going to kill us. I am sure we have enough research between the two of us to start this assignment. How are we supposed to start the assignment if we still have reading to do?”Lan Wangji glanced up. “Would you rather read the 4000 plus rules that the Lan’s used to have?”That shut him up.There is no way there was that many….Imagine having to copy them down as a punishment.Wei Wuxian finished reading the book and taking some notes but this really was boring. He yawned and adjusted his ponytail.He wondered what Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang were up to. He smirked to himself. What if I make Hanguang-Jun force me to leave?He leaned over Lan Wangji’s shoulder, making sure not to touch him. “Lan-er-gege?”Lan Wangji just flips to the next page. There was no indication of him being annoyed by the teasing. Was there really nothing that could make this guy react?Wei Wuxian went to try again but was handed another book, which was also used to push him away.Wei Wuxian huffed as he sat down. He guessed he would have to try again in a bit. Just to throw the other off a bit.Wei Wuxian’s patience was almost non-existent. He really was bored from all the studying and it didn’t matter how interesting he found the topics, all the reading was making him tired.“Lan Zhan.” He whined as his face planted into his notes. Wei Wuxian heard a rustle and glanced up at him. Lan Wangji looked as if he’d just eaten a lemon. Wei Wuxian sat up quickly. “HA!”But upon further investigation Wei Wuxian noticed that the colour seemed to drain from the other’s face, and not in a good way. Lan Wangji just stares at him and it gets to the point that Wei Wuxian is a bit uncomfortable by the stare, and he usually likes having the attention on him.“Uh….sorry.” He moves his chair to the original spot it had been on the other side of the table and quickly opens up the book he’d been avoiding.__________________________________________________________________POV LWJ“Lan Zhan!”Lan Wangji felt all his insides freeze over. He’s not sure but he feels sick. A pit forms in his stomach. No one ever called him that, not even his brother. The only person who might have was his mother but she died when he was young so he didn’t remember.He wonders if something was wrong because Wei Wuxian immediately backed off, as if he’d been burned with a hot iron.“...sorry.”Lan Wangji watches him move away and quickly hides in the book that had been given to him. He watches the boy. Wei Wuxian is slouching, something that would make Lan Qiren slap him in the back of the head with a heavy book. He takes a few notes, his writing is practiced and he barely looks at the paper while he takes notes. Lan Wangji bites the inside of his lip.Did he make this awkward? He slowly closes his book and gathers his notes. He takes a breath and holds them out to Wei Wuxian. He hopes this is ok, he’s grown fond of hearing the other talk- even if he is just mumbling as he reads a section of a book so he can write it down.Wei Wuxian looks up. He gathers his own notes and holds them out to Lan Wangji, a big grin on his face. The two silently make the trade and Lan Wangji glances over the notes. They are surprisingly detailed and the writing is nice to read through. There are even silly pictures on some of the pages that are discussing the topic at hand and other pages that are just filled with doodles. Lan Wangji stops as he comes across a specific page, but the notes are snatched back quickly, before he can get a better look but it looks as if it might have been a drawing of him?“Sorry, it's 6. I have to head home.” Wei Wuxian shoves his things into his bag in a very unorganized fashion.“Wait.” Lan Wangji is standing.“Mhn.” Wei Wuxian stops but only briefly.“Tomorrow?” Lan Wangji asks quietly.Wei Wuxian adverts his eyes. “Uh yeah, sure.”“And Wei Ying, don’t be late.” Lan Wangji crosses his arms and smirks a bit.The change is instant. Wei Wuxian brightens like a flower coming back to life after a near death experience. “En.”Lan Wangji moves to begin putting books away.“See you tomorrow, Lan Zhan!”