Wei Wuxian's stomach dropped out of his body.

He fell silent for a while, staring out of the window in shock. For a moment, the notion that he was waiting for the exact same man, the exact same boy right now escaped him. So did the idea that he was meant to be his brother, not after all he'd done. "He...he..." Wei Wuxian whispered shakily, barely able to believe his own ears. "He did WHAT?"

Wangji flinched slightly at the loudness of his voice. Anger bloomed in his voice now, nothing like the calmness he had moments before. Not that he blamed him for it- Wei Ying had every right to be furious, and Wangji was seething on his behalf. He struggled to keep his voice under control, which was difficult considering how badly he wanted to strangle the shit out of the angry purple cat. It fit him, he thought cruelly. Only, it was an insult to all cats. Cats, which Wangji didn't adore, though he liked very much."I know. I couldn't believe it either."

"I..." a whirlwind of feelings hit Wei Wuxian, sending him down an odd spiral. "I don't know what to do anymore, Lan Zhan. Please tell me you rejected it?" Lan Zhan knew it was miserable, but he loathed how tiny he sounded, how vulnerable he sounded, insecurity seeping into his voice. But most of all he hated the person who placed the doubts there, anger flashing a blaring red in front of him. But the thought that Wei Ying could even consider him taking up the proposition hurt him, though he feared for the younger more than he did for himself. Someone else would have doubted his trust in Lan Zhan, but Wangji knew it wasn't that he didn't trust him, he just didn't know who and how to trust, for now, especially coming from Jiang Wanyin and the despicable Purple Spider. He hoped the old hag would get electrocuted by her own Weapon. Maybe a good shove in that bony, heaving ass would do it, send her tumbling into the ponds of Lotus Pier and electrocuting her with her own stupid Zidian. Purple electricity. What a stupid name for a weapon. He couldn't even blame Wei Ying for naming his sword Suibian. It suited him, in some way, but- purple electricity?

There were definitely more torture methods he wanted to list, but there was a limited number he could list safely, (more like a limited number this poor author can list without getting run over by a particularly excited person...)as well as the questions he needed to answer. He answered in harsh breaths, but worry filled his voice, as well as concern that melted Wei Ying. "Of course I did," he breathed, "It's you I'm in love with. My heart can't belong to anyone else."

"And there's no way it'll ever belong to anyone else. I want you, Wei Ying. I love you."

Stunned into silence for the nth time today, Wei Wuxian simply lay there, shell-shocked. More like love-shocked, but this author should probably shut up. It wasn't like he hadn't known, but to hear the words out of his mouth..."You mean it?"

"I mean it."

Unable to contain himself, Wei Wuxian erupted into tears. He didn't know whether to be hurt or happy. Devastated by the betrayal, or elated by Lan Zhan's love and 'confession'. An odd sense of déjà vu shot through him. Taken by impulse, the question shot out of his mouth. "Lan Zhan, you've tried to confess before?"

The back of the typically stoic Jade turned a flaming pink, one that rivalled the vibrant crimson of the ribbon embedded in his suit. "More times than you know."

Then it Was Wei Wuxian's turn to turn red, whacking his forehead and crumpling into it as a mess of strawberry pink. "Ah, Lan Zhan! You should have told me! No wonder Nie Huaisang said I was so oblivious...I couldn't even figure out who my secret admirer was the last time!"

An amusingly awkward silence fell between them before Wei Wuxian came to an awkward realisation. "That..." he groaned. "That was you, wasn't it?"

Instinctively, Lan Wangji nodded, promptly forgetting that his boyfriend couldn't see him. Though Wei Wuxian definitely got the hint...and promptly collapsed back into embarrassment. "Ahhhh, Lan Zhan! How could I not realise? And why didn't you tell me?"

"Didn't want Wei Ying to feel uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable? I had a massive crush on you-" the words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Clapping his hand over his mouth, he started babbling again. "Oh, shit- I didn't mean to say that- not that I don't like you but- oh gods, I just made matters worse-I...."

But before he could finish, Wangji stopped him. "Should have told Wei Ying earlier. Wouldn't have wanted to wait."

"Lan Zhan, your words again..." Lan Zhan let out a soft chuckle, one that sounded very much like music to Wei Ying's ears. But they were avoiding the main topic, terrified the moment they remembered, the cat would be out of the bag, wreaking havoc. But things that had to be done had to be done, just as one said that things that were assigned today should be completed by today, though some students didn't take those words to heart. But take the bull by the horns, Wei Ying supposed. Uncomfortable questions that were necessary had to be asked, no matter how much he dreaded them. Taking a deep breath to settle himself, he finally asked: "Lan Zhan, what do you think I should do?"

"I know it sounds wrong, hell, maybe even ungrateful, but I can't stand Jiang Cheng anymore! I can't stand it, the way he does things, the way he tries to assert his dominance on me like I'm some kind of puppet, like I'm simultaneously better than him and several rungs beneath him at the same time. Like he's supposed to befriend me and love me like a brother, but all he wants to do is to bury me."

"It's driving me crazy, Lan Zhan. I can't keep dealing with it."

"Can you tell me how it feels?" Another small shock for Wei Ying, considering the other tended to avoid feelings.

Wei Ying took a shuddering breath, the physical toll of his tirade starting to get to him. Call it an illusion, call it surreal, grey wisps started circling again, only this time he could see eyes. Being angry rarely helped, since it only made the voices in his mind grow. "I...I don't know," he drew a shuddering breath," It's like I love him, in some way I do, but I also despise him. I can't stand him, and it's a fury that burns through my stomach. I want out, Lan Zhan. I'm tired of being near him, of seeing him control me. It's exhausting, being near him. Exhausting to have to deal with his insults and praise him, exhausting to have to keep listening to his bullshit. Exhausting to have to pretend I'm always happy. It drains me."

"I can't tell if you're disgusted with me now, Lan Zhan- but that's the truth. I can't..."

"I can't bear it alone anymore."

Wangji smiled softly, not bothering to wait before answering. "Never, will never be disgusted by Wei Ying."

"Wei Ying is right. Wei Ying is valid. And Wei Ying should not be worried. Because emotions are always valid, even if they escape logic. But logic is logic no matter what, and Wei Ying is logical."

Lan Zhan's words were like a temporary reprieve from the cold, barren ocean Wei Ying drowned in, a warm hand that plunged through icy waters to drag him up, enfolding him in a warm embrace. It made him feel safe, the same way the baritone voice always did, the same way blue and white mixed with sandalwood always soothed him. "Thank you, Lan Zhan."

"Between us, there's no need for 'thank you' and 'sorry'."

A small chuckle escaped his lips, "I know, Lan Zhan. But still-"

"No buts. No need for them in this."

"But-"

"What did I just say?"

Wei Ying huffed, pouting."You win, Lan Zhan! No fun..."

Wangji simply rolled his eyes fondly, laughing."If you wanted fun, you'd be here now..."

"Lan Wangji! When did you become so shameless?" Now, the Second Jade of Lan erupted into chuckles, struggling to compose himself and relapsing into fits of giggles. On the other end of the line, the other finally gave up containing his laughter, guffawing. "Oh, how the tables have turned..."

Neither could keep a straight face for long, and the phone call became a beautiful mess of laughter again, idyllic despite the greyness of day (or gayness, if you prefer). "Either way, you do what you want to, Wei Ying. I trust your decision. I'll be with you, whatever it is."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

A sharp rapt knocked against the door. "Didi, it's time for the meeting." That meeting. This time, dread filled the crevices of his stomach, which churned as the thought of responsibility and tradition irked him, truly for the first few times in his life. "I'm not going."

Lan Xichen answered deadly, "You have to. It's your responsibility as my Heir."

"No. You know why."

"I know, Didi. But you still have to go."

"For what?"

Irritance began to show in his brother's voice, his gentle demeanour turning harsh. "You know the rules. You're required to follow them. No exceptions."

Like hell he did. Hard to forget them, plastered all over the stupid walls.

Taken by a sudden urge, Wangji abruptly got up from his chair, uncharacteristically yelling for his brother. "Screw the rules! Does it look like I care?"

"I can't see you." Was the dim reply he got. "And if it involves Wei Wuxian, wouldn't it be better for you to be there?"

The moment the words left his lips, Wei Wuxian was stunned. They....were talking about me? Why didn't Lan Zhan tell me? But something brushed against the back of his mind, telling him he'd forgotten something. With shaky hands, he fumbled around his phone for the chat button, his finger hovering above the contact labelled 'Lan Zhan🐇'.

I'm going to a meeting soon. They'll be discussing you.

Wangji didn't need to say anymore, because both knew exactly what that meant.'He told me,' Wei Wuxian thought, 'Why didn't I remember?'

Weakly, he whispered, "Lan Zhan, just go. It'll be better with you there."

But Lans were nothing if not obstinate. "No, I won't. Not unless Wei Ying comes with me."

"But I'm waiting for..." his voice trailed off, his muscles filled with dread at what he was about to do.

"Does not matter. Will pick Wei Ying up. Wants Wei Ying there, if Wei Ying wants to be..." there was an uncertainty to the edge of his voice as if he wasn't sure how much he could ask of him. They'd give their whole worlds for the other easily, that much both knew. Because if one went down, it was either both or neither. Wei Wuxian thought for a while, struggling to straighten his thoughts. But the knowledge of Lan Zhan being there gave him strength, and he finally agreed.

"I'll be waiting for you." Wei Ying whispered, reluctant to push the red button, an uneasiness gnawing away at his stomach as he prepared for what was to come next...

And the line went dead.