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Lan Zhan sticks closely to his usual morning routine the next day, no matter how unsettled he feels.

The mourning white robes he has worn since Mother died are spotless and his posture is kept as perfect as always. Lan Zhan does his best to behave like normal but he is sure that Brother has noticed something is different.

At breakfast, Brother's gaze lies heavy on him. Lan Zhan would feel nervous if he did not know for certain that he has done nothing wrong. His brother’s lips are quirked upward in amusement and Lan Zhan is already dreading what words will come out of his mouth next.

He has no idea how Brother knows, but Brother knows.

Sure enough, when the dishes have been cleared away and Lan Zhan is readying himself for what is to come, Brother asks, “A-Zhan, which guest disciple did you catch after curfew last night?”

Uncle strokes his goatee, waiting for Lan Zhan’s answer. For his own part, Lan Zhan sets his shoulders and forces himself to push through this conversation. The sooner he replies, the sooner he will be able to leave and go about his day, trying in vain to not think about a wide, bright smile that is quickly robbing him of all sense.

“A Jiang disciple,” Lan Zhan murmurs.

“Must be their troublesome head disciple Madam Yu warned me about, Wei Wuxian,” Uncle sniffs, annoyance beginning to shadow his scent.

Lan Zhan tucks the name away for later, just in case. Brother’s gaze only becomes more intense the longer Lan Zhan goes without saying anything.

“A-Zhan?” Brother prompts.

Lan Zhan sighs and resigns himself to his fate. “He is my mate.”

His brother beams at the same moment that their uncle sputters. Lan Zhan forces himself not to wince, keeping his expression blank even as Uncle’s annoyance morphs into irritation and resignation.

“Are you certain, Wangji?” Uncle asks, voice devoid of hope.

“Mn,” Lan Zhan confirms with a nod.

Uncle sighs. “We shall see who the Jiang disciple in question is later today then. For your sake, I hope it is not the boy Madam Yu warned me about.”

Lan Zhan nods, sure of the fact that his mate most likely will be the Jiang Sect’s Head Disciple. After all, luck is not something Lan Zhan subscribes to and if fate decided to make Brother’s love life complicated, Lan Zhan is certain his own will be as well.

(If not, Lan Zhan is prepared to go to war with fate for not being kind to one of the most important people in Lan Zhan’s life.)

"At least our Clan Elders will not be able to dispute your future betrothal proposal, A-Zhan," Brother tacks on, his smile unfaltering even as his scent begins to sour.

Uncle scoffs. "It is much too soon to be thinking of marriage for your brother. Wangji is not even certain of his mate's identity yet."

Brother's smile only brightens at that. "But he is a man and that is all we need to know for now."

"Brother," Lan Zhan speaks up before Uncle can start his oncoming tirade. "Let us speak of other things."

Lan Zhan mentally sags in relief when Brother's smile softens and Uncle reaches out to cup his face. He leans into his uncle's touch, going through the motions of their daily morning scenting sessions. When Brother smooths back his hair, Lan Zhan admits to drawing his sword on the Jiang disciple last night and submits himself for punishment. Uncle rolls his eyes, something he only does in private when Lan Zhan or Brother have done something he expected but he found it to be ridiculous anyway. By the time Lan Zhan is happy with how his weyr's scent lies on his skin, he and Uncle have to walk at a brisk pace to get to the lecture hall early enough to set up for the first lesson of the year.

After putting his writing set on his desk, Lan Zhan helps Uncle make sure each desk has copies of the Lan Sect rules. Some guest disciples have already begun arriving, but they keep their voices below a whisper. Whenever their volume begins to increase, Uncle shoots them a withering look and their mouths snap closed quickly enough that Lan Zhan suspects the Lan Silencing Spell may secretly be in use.

All is well and quiet. Lan Zhan has almost convinced himself that he is not worried about seeing his mate again until he hears Nie Huaisang's voice. It is faint, mostly being carried on the wind to his ears, but Lan Zhan's senses are strong enough that he can hear most of everything going on in Cloud Recesses. It is through years of practice that he has learned to tune a majority of the everyday sounds out.

"Next year, I’m going to Yunmeng to study! Nobody can hold me back!" Nie Huaisang says with enough enthusiasm to make Lan Zhan feel fond.

Then he thinks to himself of the response that kind of statement would get from his Claw and finds his brows coming together in his own version of a frown. Uncle’s mouth twitches when their gazes meet, but he does not ask what could be bothering him and for that, Lan Zhan is grateful.

“Nobody would hold you back. Your older brother would just break your legs,” says who Lan Zhan recognizes must be a Nie disciple if they are speaking to Nie Huaisang in such a manner.

His Tail is still far enough away that Lan Zhan can only just pick up the sound of his voice and those surrounding him, but not smell him. He can still imagine how Nie Huaisang's scent is closing in, pulling away from the full bloom of his excitement. Even without having to see his face, Lan Zhan can safely assume that Nie Huaisang is now pouting. He disregards the promise of violence coming in his Tail’s direction, more than aware of the fact that Nie Mingjue has never once made it a habit to harm his younger brother and he most definitely does not intend to start any time soon.

“To be honest, Gusu is quite fun as well,” Lan Zhan's mate says then, his voice as clear as a bell.

Lan Zhan freezes in place, face showing nothing while his heart feels like it is doing its best to beat itself right out of his chest. Compared to Nie Huaisang, someone who has been a part of his weyr for years, it is easier for Lan Zhan to pick up his mate’s voice. Like he is right beside him instead of walking to the lecture hall with Nie Huaisang and other guest disciples.

Nie Huaisang speaks again. “Wei-xiong, listen to this sincere advice of mine. The Cloud Recesses is nothing like Lotus Pier. On this trip to Gusu, remember that there’s one person whom you shouldn’t provoke.”

That solves the mystery of his mate’s name then. No other guest disciple with the name of Wei is enrolled except for Yunmeng Jiang’s head disciple, Wei Wuxian. Uncle had allowed him one single glance at the roster after it had been confirmed for the third time in a row before Lan Zhan nodded and did not think about it again.

“Who? Lan Qiren?” Wei Wuxian asks.

Despite himself, Lan Zhan finds that he is paying more attention to this distant conversation instead of the guest disciples that are quickly beginning to fill up the seats around him. No one sits near him in the front left corner of the hall. Even if they do not know who he is, Brother and Nie Huaisang have both told him about the cold aura he gives off. Only the bravest of cultivators would be willing to dare and disrupt his peace without good reason.

Realizing this, Lan Zhan allows himself to inhale deeply, knowing even now that Nie Huaisang will be warning Wei Wuxian about him.

He is not disappointed when Nie Huaisang says, “Not Master Lan. The one you need to be careful of is his proudest disciple, named Lan Zhan.”

“The Lan Zhan from the Twin Jade Dragons of Lan? Lan Wangji?” Wei Wuxian asks, curiosity and intrigue more than apparent in his tone of voice.

Lan Zhan, who was busy thinking of how Nie Huaisang has never acted as familiar with him as he is projecting himself to be in front of these new guest disciples, is left reeling hearing his name spill from Wei Wuxian’s mouth. The name Mother gave him when he was newly hatched seems to hold an entirely new meaning when said by his mate. The sound of it captures Lan Zhan’s attention and does not allow him to pull away.

“What other Lan Zhan is there? Yes, it’s that one. He is the same age as you and I, but he is a dragon and so he has none of the energy of a normal teenager. He is kind and a good listener, despite what his cold appearance may have you think, and he is also my friend. Above all, he perfectly embodies the principles of the Lan Sect,” Nie Huaisang rushes to respond, sounding excited even as he pitches his voice in a way that makes it clear he is giving a warning to everyone and not just Wei Wuxian. “Please do your best to not provoke him while you are here, Wei-xiong.”

With Nie Huaisang’s words comes a burst of warmth that spreads across his chest. Lan Zhan knows what everyone thinks of him and Nie Huaisang does as well. He is well aware of Nie Huaisang’s position in his weyr and he is well acquainted with his scent, enough so that he could find his Tail through scent alone if pressed. Despite all that, Lan Zhan has not often thought of the fact that they are friends.

The truth of the matter is that Nie Huaisang is Lan Zhan’s only friend, but something tells him that will not remain true for very long.

And then Wei Wuxian calls him pretty and Lan Zhan begins mentally reciting Cloud Recesses’ three thousand rules as Wei Wuxian speaks of their first meeting the night before. He has just gotten to the fiftieth rule when Wei Wuxian praises his skills and Lan Zhan has to start his recitation all over again.

Their voices are closer now, Nie Huaisang’s scent easy to pick out thanks to the window behind Lan Zhan. Unfortunately, this also means that Wei Wuxian’s scent is filling his senses and not allowing him to focus on much else. Lan Zhan can barely hear Nie Huaisang’s new warning for Wei Wuxian, mentioning again that they are friends with the implication of being firmly on Lan Zhan’s side of any further conflict between them underlying his reminder.

Lan Zhan would be touched by Nie Huaisang’s loyalty if he wasn’t busy clinging to the self-control that has been instilled into him since birth by his fingertips. Then Wei Wuxian is standing in the doorway and all Lan Zhan can think about is how pretty his mate’s eyes are.

Nie Huaisang walks without hesitation to the empty desk behind Lan Zhan. He bows and greets him formally, a smile on his face that tells Lan Zhan his Tail is aware he overheard the conversation just now. Lan Zhan nods back in return, gaze quickly swiveling back to Wei Wuxian who continues to stand in the doorway.

“He’s after you. Good luck,” a boy beside Wei Wuxian says, clapping his shoulder once before he steps forward and takes the seat on Nie Huaisang’s right.

Lan Zhan does not spare him a glance but he does not miss the remnants of his mate’s scent on the boy’s skin. Nor can he deny that the smell of lotus flowers Lan Zhan noticed coming from Wei Wuxian last night must have actually come from this boy instead. This has to be Jiang Wanyin then, the Jiang Sect Heir Uncle mentioned in passing when he had finalized the class roster. Lan Zhan bows as well as he can while he is sitting after Jiang Wanyin bows and greets him first, following Nie Huaisang’s example before he sits down.

Wei Wuxian timidly makes his way to the only available desk on Lan Zhan’s right, his scent sprinkled with both nervousness and excitement. Lan Zhan does not greet or acknowledge him, but he does find himself disappointed when Wei Wuxian does not bow and greet him as their other seatmates had.

Instead, Lan Zhan stares straight ahead and focuses on Uncle striding down the middle of the room until he is at the front and turns to face everyone. He immediately begins reading the rules of the Lan Sect, giving Lan Zhan’s assaulted senses a much-needed reprieve. Lan Zhan focuses on the sound of Uncle’s voice, as familiar to him as his own. He recites the rules mentally as Uncle continues, ignoring the probing gaze of the one Jiang guest disciple Lan Zhan is unsure should remain in close proximity to him.

Uncle meets his eyes, raising one brow in question as his gaze flicks to Wei Wuxian and back. Lan Zhan minutely shakes his head, hoping no one is paying attention to him. His uncle huffs but returns to his recitation, the irritation in his scent growing as the lecture continues on.

That irritation grows to momentous heights when Wei Wuxian mutters, “How can he listen so attentively to something so boring?”

Lan Zhan closes his eyes in resignation, sure of the fact that everyone was able to hear Wei Wuxian just now. It is quiet enough that his voice carries even with Uncle’s recitation demanding most of the disciples’ attention. Uncle’s temper immediately gets the better of him and Lan Zhan does his best to remain neutral.

He answers when Uncle asks him to, ignoring the amusement in Wei Wuxian’s scent and the irritation that is coming from more than one source. Lan Zhan does not allow himself to look at his mate even when he finds himself answering his question in Uncle’s stead. His control is as strong as ever, but Lan Zhan would very much not like to test its limits when he is sitting in a room filled with disciples from more sects than he can count on his hands.

It is not until his mate begins speaking of using resentful energy to put a spirit to rest that Lan Zhan allows himself to look at Wei Wuxian.

Uncle, understandably, dismisses him from the lecture soon after that but it is not until his mate has left that Lan Zhan realizes this was the outcome he had hoped for from the beginning. When he finally turns to face forward again, Uncle has realized this as well.

Lan Zhan wishes for just a moment that he had never met his mate, that he had never agreed to attend these lessons held by Uncle. But then he thinks of Wei Wuxian’s bright smile under the light of the full moon and Lan Zhan wrenches his attention back on the lecture.

(He steadfastly ignores the fact that he did not once wish his mate was not Wei Wuxian.)

After the first day of classes has ended, Lan Zhan goes looking for Nie Huaisang.

He finds him standing beside Jiang Wanyin as they both look up at Wei Wuxian who has sprawled across a tall wall again. For a moment, he contemplates turning around and finding Nie Huaisang later, but then Nie Huaisang spots him. Lan Zhan resigns himself while he watches his friend’s face light up with excitement, unwilling to be the reason Nie Huaisang’s joy is thwarted. Lan Zhan inhales deeply before he makes his way over, eyes only on his friend.

In all honesty, Lan Zhan does not want to interact with his mate just yet and especially not after he was booted from the very first lesson of the year. It is clear, however, that Nie Huaisang has decided these two are worthy enough to befriend. His Tail chooses his companions very, very carefully. So if he believes Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian are good enough to be his friends, Lan Zhan will have to put up with them until he has made progress on befriending them himself.

“Wangji-xiong!” Wei Wuxian shouts as soon as he has caught sight of him, his smile just as bright under the sunlight as it was last night.

Lan Zhan cannot help but look at him, just for a moment, before he focuses on Nie Huaisang again. If Wei Wuxian wants his attention, he will have to greet Lan Zhan properly first.

“Huaisang-xiong,” Lan Zhan greets his Tail, bowing to affirm their close friendship.

He does not miss the shock in Nie Huaisang’s scent. Lan Zhan has, after all, been referring to him as ‘Nie-gongzi’ ever since they met. Even after Lan Zhan brought him into his weyr and had gotten to know him better as the years went by, Lan Zhan had never dared to be so casual. But Nie Huaisang had warned an entire group of guest disciples to not provoke Lan Zhan and had also told all of them that Lan Zhan is his friend. It would be more than appropriate for Lan Zhan to reciprocate the courtesy Nie Huaisang has shown him.

Nevertheless, he is glad his Tail does not allow his surprise to show on his face as he bows in return and says, “My Head. May I introduce Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian of the Jiang Sect?”

“Jiang Cheng, courtesy name Jiang Wanyin.” The Jiang Sect Heir bows and introduces himself.

Lan Zhan bows in return. “This one is Lan Zhan, courtesy name Lan Wangji.”

Nie Huaisang speaks up again, hesitant as he calls out to Wei Wuxian. “Wei-xiong, are you going to come down and greet Wangji-xiong?”

Finally, Lan Zhan turns his head upwards to look at his mate and cannot help the splash of amusement he feels when he catches the tiniest curl of jealousy in Wei Wuxian’s scent. Wei Wuxian’s mouth is twisted into a pout, but as soon as their eyes meet, he is smiling again.

He leaps down from the wall and lands on the balls of his feet, his grin becoming brighter still as he bows and says, “Second Young Master Lan, this one is Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian. You may call me Wei Ying.”

Jiang Wanyin sputters behind him, his scent shocked and irritated while Nie Huaisang chuckles nervously under his breath. Lan Zhan continues to look into the depths of Wei Wuxian’s silver eyes and finds himself liking what a tiny portion of jealousy will get his mate to do. Even if he is feeling surprised and hesitant due to Wei Wuxian’s forwardness, he is also very much pleased by these turn of events.

“Then you may call me Lan Zhan,” Lan Zhan states as he bows in return, ignoring the pointed shocked silences coming from both of the other two boys standing with them.

Wei Wuxian beams at him. “Ah, Lan Zhan! I wanted to apologize for last night. Since I now know the rules, I will not make the same mistake twice. I most definitely will not be caught breaking them again!”

Lan Zhan nods even as he realizes that his mate is only speaking a half-truth and considering the wording of his promise very carefully. “You are forgiven. Please, do your best to follow the rules while you are here in Cloud Recesses.”

Wei Wuxian opens his mouth to say more, the tilt of his mouth mischievous and teasing all at once. Lan Zhan stops himself from leaning in, curious as to how Wei Wuxian manages to smile like he is inviting someone to join in on a joke instead of being the butt of it.

Nie Huaisang speaks before Wei Wuxian can though and Lan Zhan turns to give his Tail his attention, no matter how unwilling he may be to tear his gaze away from Wei Wuxian. “My Head, was there something you needed?”

“I wished to invite you to join us for dinner tonight,” Lan Zhan replies, keeping his gaze on Nie Huaisang even as Wei Wuxian’s scent flares with jealousy and surprise again.

“Da-ge and Xichen-ge will really be relentless as they pressure me about my grades this year,” Nie Huaisang sighs, opening his fan to hide behind it as Lan Zhan inclines his head in agreement. Brother had made it a point to ask Lan Zhan to invite Nie Huaisang for a reason, after all. “I will be happy to join you two. Will Master Lan also be there?”

Lan Zhan shakes his head, tensing when he realizes how close Wei Wuxian is beside him now. He takes a step to the side, careful to not let it seem too deliberate but knowing that he will not be able to fool his mate regardless. Nie Huaisang fans himself, eyes flickering from Lan Zhan to Wei Wuxian and back. Jiang Wanyin is scowling, but his scent only holds confusion and annoyance instead of any genuine anger.

“I will see you later then. Goodbye, Wangji-xiong,” Nie Huaisang rushes to say, his fan fluttering nervously as he stares at Wei Wuxian.

Lan Zhan nods and reaches out before he can stop himself. He has not scented Nie Huaisang for a few days now and he wants his Tail’s scent on his skin. Usually, he would not ever dare to scent the Nie Sect Heir in public and especially not in front of strangers. Wei Wuxian is his mate, however, and his instincts do not categorize either of the two boys beside them as untrustworthy.

His hand grips Nie Huaisang’s nape in his usual manner of scenting, squeezing once when his Tail freezes under his touch. The surprise in the air is heavy around them, coming from both those who are not of his weyr and his weyr alike, but Lan Zhan ignores it. Nie Huaisang relaxes after a moment, reaching out briefly to do the same to Lan Zhan. They stand there for less time than it would take for them to inhale and exhale, yet the moment also feels like it has dragged on far longer than usual as well.

“Until then,” Lan Zhan dismisses himself from the conversation as they pull away.

He bows to Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian properly, amused by their gobsmacked expressions, before he turns on his heel and heads for the Library Pavillion. Wei Wuxian is not the only one who has his own punishment to fulfill.

When Lan Zhan tells Nie Huaisang what Wei Wuxian is to him, his Tail laughs.

He laughs until he is out of breath and then grips Lan Zhan’s wrist to reassure him before saying, “I wish you all the luck in the world, My Head.”

Lan Zhan does his best not to frown at Nie Huaisang’s ominous tone, but it is a close thing.

Wei Wuxian, Lan Zhan quickly realizes, is everything that Lan Zhan is not allowed to be.

Loud. Joyous. Arrogant. Carefree.

Lan Zhan would envy him if he was not so enamored with Wei Wuxian. His mate is his complete opposite in personality but when he makes a promise on the lantern he made for them to always stand by what is right, Lan Zhan realizes just how quickly he has fallen in love.

It is frightening to think of. That it took little to no time for a mischievous boy to steal Lan Zhan’s heart. Yet all he can feel is a quiet joy that threatens to overcome him whenever Wei Wuxian is nearby or stands a little too close to be considered proper as he teases Lan Zhan with a smile that could rival the sun.

Despite that, Lan Zhan knows even if he had not been born with his mother’s blood running rampant in his veins, if he did not have these instincts that shape his way of life, Lan Zhan would still fall in love with Wei Wuxian.

Lan Zhan spends an entire month with Wei Wuxian in the Library Pavillion as he works on copying the Lan Sect rules.

Wei Wuxian, he has come to learn, does not do well with being restrained. He has broken more rules than Lan Zhan ever thought possible in such a short amount of time. This has left Lan Zhan feeling annoyed and worried at the same time, but he does his best to not display either of these two emotions in front of his mate. He intends to befriend and court him after all, not scare him away with the cold, blank gazes he reserves for anyone who is not of his weyr.

It has been almost two full moons since Lan Zhan first met him and already he knows he will not accept anyone else in Wei Wuxian’s place. His mate is loud, brash, and not as well behaved as Lan Wangji first wished him to be. Yet Lan Zhan has learned to look past the obvious picture to see what exactly Wei Wuxian is doing when he acts out.

Like on the first day of classes when Wei Wuxian provoked Uncle so he could get out of the lecture early. Or a few days after that when Wei Wuxian got into a loud argument with a Jin disciple who had tried to pass the entrance that led to the female disciples’ dormitories. And even a week after that when Wei Wuxian had first been assigned his month-long punishment because he had taken the fall for a cheating ring that blew out of proportion thanks to a few of the guest disciples from minor clans Wei Wuxian had tried to help with their studies.

Just the week before, he had even blocked the Jin Sect Heir’s entrance to the main dining hall after Jin Zixuan ignored Nie Huaisang’s polite greeting that was appropriate for one Sect Heir to another. Lan Zhan had bristled when Nie Huaisang thanked Wei Wuxian after the lunch hour ended. Nie Huaisang showed his appreciation for Wei Wuxian annoying the Jin Sect Heir in retaliation for snubbing him but asked him kindly to not do so again lest word reaches back to his older brother and an entirely new set of problems arose.

Lan Zhan knew what response Nie Mingjue would have for one Sect Heir to disrespect his own and he had hummed to show his agreement. Wei Wuxian’s smile had not dimmed for a second even as Jiang Wanyin scowled and stared daggers at the Jin Sect Heir who had happened to pass them by at that moment. Instead of being discouraged, Wei Wuxian only laughed and threw an arm over Nie Huaisang’s shoulders as he pulled him in close. He then loudly exclaimed that anyone who did not show his friends proper respect would have to deal with him one way or another.

Jiang Wanyin’s scowl grew worse when Jin Zixuan’s gaze flickered in their direction and away again before anything could be said. His expression only relaxed when Wei Wuxian draped his other arm around Jiang Wanyin’s shoulders and dragged him closer so the three of them stood huddled in front of Lan Zhan with humor wafting the air between them. Lan Zhan clenched Bichen at that moment, overcome with a sense of belonging he could not openly acknowledge as his Tail’s scent mixed further with that of his mate’s.

On that same day, Lan Zhan had asked Nie Huaisang what he knew of courting after they had finished with dinner. Brother had not joined them that night, too busy with preparations for the oncoming Discussion Conference the Nie Sect would once again hold. Lan Zhan had decided this would be the perfect opportunity to ask his friend what had been on the tip of his tongue for days now and then did so.

Nie Huaisang had smiled knowingly and they both promptly lost track of time as they discussed gifts, chaperoned outings, and certain aspects of the betrothal Lan Zhan was planning to have with Wei Wuxian in the future. Lan Zhan had scented his Tail only an incense stick’s worth of time before the curfew bells rang and watched him leave in a flurry of white robes. He had felt confident after their talk, ready to set their proposed plan into motion. Even if Wei Wuxian is everything Uncle would never approve of in a partner for Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan finds that he cannot mind that fact when Wei Wuxian smiles at him like he is sunshine incarnate.

Oftentimes, Lan Zhan finds himself gripping Bichen for all that he is worth when Wei Wuxian decides to flirt with him. He knows that Wei Wuxian behaves this way with anybody who stands still long enough but there is sincerity behind his words as well. His scent is rich with amusement and desire when he meets Lan Zhan’s eyes, smirking as honey-sweet words spill from his pink lips. When the desire begins to outweigh the amusement, however, Wei Wuxian tends to draw back inwards.

Lan Zhan does not want him to pull away anymore.

In the Library Pavilion, they are alone. Every other junior disciple is attending a lecture or in a lesson of some kind and the older disciples rarely ever venture into the Library Pavilion during the middle of the day.

They are alone but it is never as quiet as it should be.

Wei Wuxian is not the kind of person who sits silently and does as they are told. Wei Wuxian cannot help but fidget even as he is immersed in his work, a fingertip tapping his nose here and his hand twirling a strand of his hair there. He is constantly in motion, never still. Lan Zhan finds that he has adjusted to this quirk of his without even meaning to.

Their first week here left Lan Zhan with headaches and harsh reprimands that he did nothing to bite down until Nie Huaisang pulled him aside to discuss his behavior. He had calmed since then, no longer finding Wei Wuxian’s interruptions as irritating as he once did before.

Lan Zhan has begun to indulge Wei Wuxian’s impulses and urges, accepting that he and Wei Wuxian have different working methods. Regardless of how often it seems like Wei Wuxian is not doing his work, Lan Zhan has been witness to the ever-growing pile of scrolls covered in Wei Wuxian’s handwriting that Uncle keeps in his quarters.

His mate also has many questions. His curiosity is never-ending and something Lan Zhan discovers he is quite fond of.

Wei Wuxian had asked what the Lan Sect did with all their copies of the three thousand rules they had no doubt accumulated over the years and Lan Zhan had told him of the visits to Caiyi Town a group of senior disciples made twice a month to distribute those copies for non-cultivators to use so they can learn how to read and write. Wei Wuxian had been beaming by the end of Lan Zhan’s explanation and Lan Zhan felt his ears warm as Wei Wuxian praised Uncle for starting the program, to begin with.

He had gone on to ask about the different kinds of dragons and Lan Zhan patiently told his mate everything his Head had told him when he was young. They had spent many hours discussing this as they worked. Lan Zhan has never been used to speaking so much but even with his terse, short answers, Wei Wuxian tends to know his mind well enough to fill in the blanks himself.

Now the last day of Wei Wuxian’s punishment has drawn upon them. Lan Zhan had decided the night before that he would make his intentions explicitly clear to Wei Wuxian before they parted for the noon meal today.

He is, understandably, nervous but he does not allow it to show. His face gives nothing away, as blank as it usually is. Wei Wuxian has been dutifully copying the rules for almost two shichen now and Lan Zhan has not been able to work up the nerve to disrupt their comfortable silence.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian suddenly groans from his desk, slumping down over its surface as he pouts. “I need a break.”

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan responds, not adding anything else.

Lan Zhan’s gaze may remain on the book he is reading but it is impossible to ignore Wei Wuxian’s presence in the corner of his eye. His mate is standing up and stretching, both arms bent over his head as he yawns exaggeratedly.

The fondness that burns through Lan Zhan’s chest like a comet leaves him breathless, a desire to reach out and touch Wei Wuxian overwhelming him. Wei Wuxian, oblivious to Lan Zhan’s internal struggle, decides to bend over at the waist as he retrieves a sheet of paper from his desk. Lan Zhan politely averts his eyes and refocuses on his reading. If Wei Wuxian wants his attention, he will make that clear soon enough.

It is easy to track Wei Wuxian’s progress as he makes his way over to Lan Zhan’s desk. Wei Wuxian kneels across from him, rapping his knuckles on the surface of Lan Zhan’s desk only once to announce himself.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian calls.

Lan Zhan sets his book down and gives his wholehearted attention to the boy who is like sunshine. “Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he presents Lan Zhan with the sheet of paper he had been holding. “A gift for the Second Jade Dragon of Lan. Today is my last day of punishment, but I hope you will accept this as a token of my appreciation for you putting up with my antics for Nie Huaisang’s sake and my desire for us to grow closer in the future as well.”

His next exhale is heavier than usual but Lan Zhan ignores the knowing look in Wei Wuxian’s eyes and instead stares down at his gift. He freezes as soon as he recognizes what it is.

It is a drawing. A drawing of Lan Zhan with a magnolia blossom in his hair, sitting by a window as he reads a book.

Throughout the month, Wei Wuxian has presented him with a multitude of drawings. Each one has been more detailed than the one before it, all of them being variations of landscapes and animals. Lan Zhan had done his best to compliment Wei Wuxian on his skill, genuinely impressed with what Lan Zhan’s untrained eyes recognized as sketches and not finished products.

None of Wei Wuxian’s drawings have included people. Not until now anyway.

Lan Zhan lifts the drawing up to examine it, aware of the apprehension he can smell in the air between them but ignoring it for the time being. His heart feels as if it has found a new home in his throat, the tips of his ears warming steadily as the silence continues.

Wei Wuxian is giving this to him for a reason and what other reason could it be except to start a courtship between them? With Wei Wuxian this nervous and his phrasing carefully thought out, there is no doubt in Lan Zhan’s mind what his mate is attempting to initiate.

When Lan Zhan discussed the courtship he desired to have with Wei Wuxian, Nie Huaisang had given him plenty of ideas for potential gifts. Lan Zhan intended to give Wei Wuxian the spices hidden in the qiankun pouch he always carries in his sleeve and carefully explain how much he ached to court him without making Wei Wuxian feel like he had to accept out of obligation. Wei Wuxian will do anything he believes he must do no matter how much he does not wish to, Lan Zhan knows that well enough. But he never expected Wei Wuxian to take the first step.

That of course will not stop him from accepting a courtship with Wei Wuxian. He only hopes that Wei Wuxian accepts him in return.

“Wei Ying, I accept,” Lan Zhan says, wincing internally at how shaky his voice sounds. “Your gift is lovely. I will treasure it.”

Wei Wuxian immediately blushes, one hand rubbing the back of his head as the other waves in the air dismissively. “Ah, Lan Zhan! It’s nothing compared to your actual beauty. You should be insulted by how bad it is!”

Lan Zhan shakes his head and hums, setting the drawing down so he can reach into his sleeve. “Wei Ying worked hard. I, too, prepared a gift.”

“You did?” Wei Wuxian asks with a frown, his brows furrowed together in confusion as he watches Lan Zhan pull his qiankun pouch out.

Lan Zhan does not say anything as he opens the pouch and pulls out the vials of spices he asked Nie Huaisang to help him choose. Nie Huaisang had to ask Jiang Wanyin which spices Wei Wuxian usually used in his food, but he had not asked why the Nie Sect Heir wished to know and for that, Lan Zhan is grateful. Lan Zhan lines them up according to size and only looks up once all five have been revealed.

“The food of Cloud Recesses does not agree with you. This one hopes that these will help you remedy that. I will hold nothing against you if you refuse this one’s gift,” Lan Zhan says carefully, aware of the weight of each word he speaks.

Wei Wuxian’s blush deepens but his smile has returned and Lan Zhan is breathless with relief. “Lan Zhan! Of course, I accept! How could I not after you have accepted my gift to you?”

“I would not wish to presume.”

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian laughs, pressing into Lan Zhan’s space with a smile that could very well rival the sun. “I could never say no to you, Lan-er-gege. You may be a fuddy-duddy, but Nie Huaisang was right to warn me about you.”

Lan Zhan fights the urge to frown, wondering how exactly he is meant to interpret Wei Wuxian’s words. Wei Wuxian laughs again though, picking up the first vial and opening it to examine its contents. He raises it close to his nose, taking a careful sniff and making Lan Zhan’s heartbeat quicken as his smile grows.

“I accept your gift, Lan Zhan. How did you know this chili was my favorite?” Wei Wuxian asks, attention already diverted by the second and third vials. “Never mind, that doesn’t matter. No offense to Gusu Lan but I always thought the food could use some more heat! Jiang Cheng even agreed with me once, in his own way. I think we both just miss Shijie’s soup terribly.”

And Wei Wuxian is off, lost on another trail of thoughts as Lan Zhan watches him. Wei Wuxian opens each vial and comments on all the spices, telling Lan Zhan why each one is a personal favorite of his. When his examination is done, Wei Wuxian puts the spices away in his own qiankun pouch before he smiles back up at Lan Zhan.

Perhaps it is the joy that is running rampant in his thoughts or the warm, golden feeling that is singing in his veins, but there is something that is pushing at Lan Zhan’s boundaries of control. It wants him to leave his scent on his mate’s skin, to wear Wei Wuxian’s scent on himself with pride in return. It wants him to immerse himself in everything that is Wei Wuxian and lose himself in the process but even if Lan Zhan is happier than he can ever remember being since Mother died, he does not allow it to take control of him.

He does, however, reach out and grip Wei Wuxian’s nape before he can convince himself not to. He has wanted to scent his mate since the first moment he properly smelled him, had been aching with the need to do so as they began to learn about one another.

Oftentimes, Lan Zhan mentally feels old beyond his years, but at this moment he is nothing but an almost sixteen-year-old boy entering his first courtship.

The way Wei Wuxian instantly relaxes in his hold settles Lan Zhan deep down to his bones. His scent is the same sweet of sugar, tart of berries, and spice of chili peppers. People’s scents tend to expand when they are experiencing strong emotions and for Wei Wuxian, Lan Zhan has noticed this only happens when he is happy.

Right now, Lan Zhan could drown in his mate’s scent if he was inclined to.

He is not, but if his posture turns from rigid to loose the moment Wei Wuxian reaches out and grips the back of his neck in return, no one is present to see it except them.

Lan Zhan intends to tell Brother about his courtship that very same day.

He has every intention of informing his future Sect Leader about his possible future marriage but Uncle joins them for dinner that night. He will be leaving in the morning to attend the Discussion Conference in Qinghe and Lan Zhan decides to wait until he and his brother are alone.

Telling Uncle about a courtship between him and Wei Wuxian after it has only just begun is asking for trouble. Where Lan Zhan is willing to indulge and gently correct his mate’s behavior, Uncle is quick to anger and shout at Wei Wuxian instead. The only reason Lan Zhan had been allowed to oversee Wei Wuxian’s month-long punishment was that Uncle considered him to be Lan Zhan’s responsibility.

Maybe in another life, Lan Zhan would hide his curiosity and attraction behind annoyance and dismissive words. In another life, perhaps he would take drastic steps to punish Wei Wuxian for even the smallest of infractions.

In this life, Lan Zhan watched his mother slowly die because of her own punishment. Lan Zhan has stuck to his Brother and Uncle, unwilling to let them go after Mother had left them. To this day, he continues to ache for her. If his soul was to be examined, he knows without a doubt that he would find himself as the small child who kneeled once a month before a door that would never open for him again.

Lan Zhan understands loss to a degree that leaves him desperate to stake a claim on Wei Wuxian as soon as possible. He wants his mate, but above all, he wants his mate to want him in return.

The chances of Wei Wuxian breaking their courtship off due to something Uncle says or does are low, but never guaranteed. Lan Zhan will simply wait to tell Brother the good news and then they both can gently inform Uncle at a later date when Lan Zhan is more assured in Wei Wuxian’s affection for him.

But even after Uncle has retired for the night, Lan Zhan finds himself unwilling to speak of it. He is not ready to reveal himself in such a manner.

One more day, he tells himself. One more day until he tells Brother could not possibly hurt.

He is proven wrong when he finds Brother in the morning and is confronted with the water ghoul problem in Caiyi Town.

Brother makes it clear that Lan Zhan does not have much of a choice in whether he will join or not, but Lan Zhan does not mind that. What he actually minds is Brother inviting the Jiang Sect Heir, Nie Huaisang, and Wei Wuxian along as well.

Lan Zhan resigns himself to the arrangement, glad of the fact that apart from Wei Wuxian touching him more than he usually would, his mate’s behavior has not suddenly changed for the worse now that they are courting. Nie Huaisang flashes him a knowing smile and a smug look after Wei Wuxian throws his arm over Lan Zhan’s shoulder and he does not pull away. Jiang Cheng is peering at him with suspicion, his usual scowl more pronounced, but he says nothing as they pass Cloud Recesses’ gates.

Brother’s scent grows with the force of his joy and Lan Zhan gulps, overwhelmed with the depths of his older brother’s love for him. Lan Zhan says nothing of the courtship, but he does not believe words are necessary when Brother watches him scent Wei Wuxian briefly before putting a respectable amount of distance between them again.

On Biling Lake, Lan Zhan shares a boat with Wei Wuxian as they sail across the water. He can sense the darkness in the water, but it is not unusually high for water ghouls so he takes no further notice of it.

Lan Zhan should have.

Maybe then he would have realized sooner that all was not what it seemed and maybe then Wei Wuxian would not have almost been dragged underneath the dark water in a vain attempt to save a disciple Lan Zhan vaguely recognized from a few of Brother’s sword lessons.

Brother is not able to go after Wei Wuxian himself because he is already carrying Nie Huaisang and another Lan disciple that lost their sword. Jiang Wanyin does not have the necessary power to support both Wei Wuxian and the Lan disciple gripping onto Wei Wuxian on his sword and also be able to fly away fast enough to not be dragged in himself. This does not stop the Jiang Sect Heir from trying anyway.

Lan Zhan is only focused enough on the moment to grab Wei Wuxian’s hand and think of nothing else. With more strength than he consciously thought of and panic overriding his senses, Lan Zhan pulls his mate close at the same moment that the Lan disciple is pulled under by the Waterborne Abyss. He does not recall the fact that he wrenched Wei Wuxian away hard enough to shake his grip on the Lan disciple until later and that is when the guilt descends.

That Lan disciple dies, but Wei Wuxian does not.

Lan Zhan was not calm enough to save them both and intends to shoulder the blame for his mistake in front of the elders, aware that he may be sentencing himself to death as he does so. To him, it matters little though. He failed and so he must pay the consequences.

Brother does not think the same. The Lan Sect Heir stands tall in front of the Clan Elders as he takes responsibility for losing the life of one of their disciples during the night hunt. He does not give Lan Zhan the chance to protest, glaring him down whenever it seems like he may open his mouth to speak. Lan Zhan greatly dislikes that his brother is taking the blame for Lan Zhan’s blunder, but Brother had made it clear that any punishment for their failure would fall to him as the leading senior disciple in charge of the night hunt.

The Elders give Brother a light punishment and by the time funerary rights are being arranged for Su She, Lan Zhan has another issue to think about as well.

After their courtship begins, Lan Zhan manages to scent Wei Wuxian twice more before he is expelled from Cloud Recesses for brawling with the Jin Sect Heir.

Lan Zhan is devastated about this news, to say the least. From what he understands, the Jin Sect Heir said something untoward about his own fiance, Jiang Yanli, and when Wei Wuxian confronted him about it, the situation only escalated from there.

Nie Huaisang tells him that he remembers Jiang Wanyin mentioning the Jin Sect not having any right to act as mighty as they do when another of the Jin Sect Leader’s bastard sons died after being thrown down the steps of Koi Carp Tower. The Jin Sect Heir had taken a single step in Jiang Wanyin’s direction but Wei Wuxian was already there in between them, taking the punch that had been aimed at his brother.

Lan Zhan asks Jiang Wanyin himself, glad of the fact that he does not sugarcoat any of the events. He is sullen by the end of it but Lan Zhan decides Jiang Wanyin will be punishing himself severely for his actions more than Lan Zhan ever will.

He instead makes sure to subtly show disrespect to the Jin Sect Heir at every opportunity that presents itself. He is unsurprised when Nie Huaisang and Jiang Wanyin join him in his agenda.

Brother is more amused than annoyed about what Lan Zhan is doing and that is all the incentive Lan Zhan requires to continue.

Still, it is high time Lan Zhan tells his brother and uncle about his courtship with Wei Wuxian.

Two weeks after Wei Wuxian leaves Cloud Recesses and while Brother is still in seclusion, Lan Zhan informs his brother and uncle that he has important news to share with them once they have finished dinner.

Brother has a knowing look on his face that leaves Lan Zhan wondering when Nie Huaisang managed to tell him first. Uncle, on the other hand, is waiting patiently to hear whatever Lan Zhan may say.

He inhales deeply and bows to his older brother and uncle. “This one wishes to formally write a betrothal contract for the Jiang head disciple’s hand in marriage.”

The hope he held of no one noticing his specific phrasing dies a quick death as his Brother’s scent expands to fill up the air around them. Lan Zhan exhales and readies himself for Uncle’s reaction once Brother points this out.

"A-Zhan,” Brother smiles while reaching out to grip Lan Zhan’s elbows. “Are you saying that you have been courting Wei-gongzi without telling your own family?”

Uncle sputters, scandalized but not angry. Lan Zhan nods, keeping his gaze at a respectable level on the wall behind them. He understands that when others first enter a courtship they do not have to mention it to anyone not directly involved. However, it is unfathomable to progress further into a courtship without seeking approval from both families. The courtship between him and Wei Wuxian did not have a chance to progress but Lan Zhan wishes to change that through the only way he knows how.

“This one apologizes,” Lan Zhan says as he bows once more.

Uncle huffs and grips Lan Zhan’s shoulder. “You will copy the rules twice for not informing us about your courtship sooner, Wangji.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan agrees, finally allowing his eyes to meet his uncle’s.

He expected there to be indignation and anger burning in his uncle’s eyes when he told him. Instead, Uncle is calm and clearly resigned to the fact that Lan Zhan has found the person he wants to marry.

“I will present your proposal to the Elders and if they approve, you will travel to Lotus Pier with the Jiang Sect Heir to ask the Jiangs themselves for their second son’s hand in marriage,” Uncle states like this is all a simple matter and not Lan Zhan’s potential future.

Lan Zhan begins to nod before the latter part of Uncle’s order clicks in place in his mind. “Wei Ying is the Second Young Master of Jiang?”

Uncle nods, a hand on his chin as he strokes his goatee. “Yes. Both formally and officially, Wei Wuxian has been adopted into the main Jiang family. His name is beside those of Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian’s children in their archives. He may have first been brought in as a ward, but now he is much more than that.”

"I did not realize this was common knowledge,” Brother comments, his smile light but his scent heavy with confusion. “This will, however, complicate matters for you, A-Zhan. I do not believe the Jiang Sect will easily allow their head disciple and Second Young Master to leave and join another sect after the public dissolution of Jiang Yanli’s engagement to the Jin Sect Heir.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan agrees. “We will join both instead.”

Brother blinks at him in surprise but Uncle nods approvingly. “It is not uncommon for a match like this to end with dual sect membership. It is, however, uncommon for those who are a part of the main family. I do not doubt the Elders will approve of this, but if we were to focus mostly on the political benefits this will give the Lan Sect, then they will hardly find a reason to deny your proposal, Wangji.”

“I love Wei Ying,” is all Lan Zhan says in response, knowing that Uncle will understand everything he is not saying.

“I do not doubt your affection nor your feelings, Wangji,” Uncle affirms. “We are simply emphasizing the part of your future marriage that we know the Elders will approve of. I do not understand the full implications of what a mate is for those of your mother’s kind, but I understand you, Wangji.”

Lan Zhan nods, reaching out to grip his uncle’s nape. Uncle is firm and rigid but he adapted to the needs that Lan Zhan and his brother had. He learned to relax in their presence and Lan Zhan will never stop being grateful to the man who raised him and Brother.

“Wangji understands,” Lan Zhan finally says.

When Lan Zhan looks in his brother’s direction, their gazes meet and a silent conversation ensues between them. Brother beams at him when he nods, reaching out to pull Lan Zhan close.

Lan Zhan goes and brings Uncle with him, buzzing with the love and support of his family around him.

Three days later, Lan Zhan finds himself waving Nie Huaisang away when they have gone on an excursion to Caiyi Town with Jiang Wanyin.

Nie Huaisang pretends to have many errands to run and makes excuses as he turns, hiding his beaming smile behind his fan. Lan Zhan watches him go before he sighs under his breath and turns to face the Jiang Sect Heir.

Jiang Wanyin is already staring at him, his expression sour. Lan Zhan blinks, sure of the fact that Jiang Wanyin should not have any idea of what Lan Zhan would like to discuss with him alone. He knows Nie Huaisang did not tell him, but perhaps Brother mentioned something and Jiang Wanyin was perceptive enough to recognize what Lan Zhan’s brother meant. He appears angry except his scent is anything but. Still, it would be wise of Lan Zhan to get this topic of conversation over with before he can think of an excuse to put it off for another day.

Lan Zhan opens his mouth then pauses as Jiang Wanyin holds a hand up to stop him from speaking. “Whatever you’re going to say, it can wait. What I want to know, Lan-er-gongzi, is what exactly you did to my brother that he won’t shut up about you in his letters.”

This is easy enough to answer.

“I initiated a courtship with him,” Lan Zhan replies.

The Jiang Sect Heir changes his demeanor instantly. His scent turns from curious to angry, his face twisting and coloring at the same time until his fury is undeniable. Lan Zhan is beyond confused about Jiang Wanyin’s reaction, but he keeps the part of him that is singing for blood pushed deep down. He is here to ask the Jiang Sect Heir if he may accompany him back to Lotus Pier when the year-long lessons are over and if he will give his blessing upon Lan Zhan’s marriage with his brother. Lan Zhan is not here to get into an argument with his potential brother-in-law.

“I don’t care who you think you are. If you intend to play around with my brother’s heart, I am going to make you wish you were never born,” Jiang Wanyin spits out, his teeth clenched hard enough that Lan Zhan would wince in sympathy for his jaw if he was anyone else.

However, now that Jiang Wanyin’s anger makes sense, Lan Zhan knows how to respond. “I intend to formally ask for Wei Ying’s hand in marriage.”

Jiang Wanyin freezes, the fire in his eyes dimming to embers. Lan Zhan is glad that his mate is loved to this degree, glad that he made the right choice in approaching Jiang Wanyin first. After all, it says a lot that Lan Zhan mistook Jiang Wanyin’s scent as a part of his mate’s own.

“And if my brother says no?” Jiang Wanyin asks once he has recovered from his moment of shock.

Lan Zhan ignores the way his heartbeat increases. “I will respect Wei Ying’s choice.”

“And if I say no?”

"I will respect the choice of Wei Ying’s family as well,” Lan Zhan says as calmly as he can manage.

They stand there for another moment, not yet in the town proper. Lan Zhan can hear Nie Huaisang at a vendor’s stall two streets away but he ignores the sounds of the bustling crowds in the marketplace. His attention is solely on Jiang Wanyin who is studying him akin to the manner the Elders have studied Lan Zhan since he was taken from his Head.

“Why do you want to marry my brother?” Jiang Wanyin asks to finally break the silence.

Lan Zhan replies easily, not once allowing his calm mask to flicker. “He is my mate and I love him.”

Jiang Wanyin scowls, confusion written plainly on his face. “I only know what Wei Wuxian has told me about dragons but am I correct in assuming mate means your fated one?”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan hums in agreement.

“What do you plan to do once you have married my brother? Take him from his home and tie him to you here in Cloud Recesses?” Jiang Wanyin snarls, his anger returning with a vengeance. “We both know my brother will never be happy here, so why should the Jiang Sect approve of a match that will take our head disciple away?”

Lan Zhan takes a deep breath and ignores the instinct chanting Claw, Claw, Claw, in his head as he continues to steadily meet Jiang Wanyin’s gaze. “We will join each other’s sects. I do not wish to take Wei Ying from what will make him happy. If he will have me, I will stand by his side wherever he may go until I die or he sends me away.”

Jiang Wanyin is still scowling at him, but his face is less flushed now and his scent is curling away from the fiery anger Lan Zhan is beginning to understand will always lie beneath the Jiang Sect Heir’s surface. He fights the urge to reach out and grip Jiang Wanyin’s nape in the same manner that he has done to add new members to his weyr. He must speak with Wei Wuxian first before asking Jiang Wanyin to be another of his Claws. There is, however, no doubt that Lan Zhan could ever hate this boy who loves Wei Wuxian so fiercely.

“Someone needs to keep Wei Wuxian in line. It may as well be you,” Jiang Wanyin says suddenly.

He still smells angry but Lan Zhan adds that to the list of things he is ignoring at the moment. “If I am allowed to marry Wei Ying, I will strive to do my best in keeping him happy. I also wish to accompany you on your return trip to Lotus Pier so I may present my case to your father.”

“Keep dogs away from him if you want to keep him happy. No matter how small or cute the dog looks, do not allow it near my brother,” Jiang Wanyin scoffs. “And don’t let him cook anything unless you want to burn your tongue off. Don’t let him get stupid drunk either. Agree to do all this and you can come back with me.”

Lan Zhan nods, understanding that this is the closest Jiang Wanyin will come to giving him his blessing.

“If you hurt or make my brother unhappy, you will have the Jiang Sect to answer to,” Jiang Wanyin adds, his brow set and mouth twisted into a firm line. “My sister will have more to tell you, but this is my one and only warning to you, Lan-er-gongzi.”

“Yes, Jiang-gongzi,” Lan Zhan replies, bowing formally and only rising when Jiang Wanyin has turned away from him in a huff.

Regardless of the bite behind Jiang Wanyin’s words, Lan Zhan is relieved to have the approval of his mate’s brother.

Lan Zhan departs Cloud Recesses months later with a request to initiate a betrothal contract tucked into the qiankun pouch in his sleeve and his mate’s brother by his side.

The journey to Lotus Pier does not take long but Lan Zhan cannot help but feel nervous as he moves farther and farther away from the mountain and rivers that have always been nearby since birth. Brother and Uncle bid him farewell at the gates to Cloud Recesses, wishing him well and reminding him that he could return at any time his instincts demanded it of him.

He assured them then that he would not need to return for three months at least but now he is not completely certain anymore. Already he can feel the part of him that he has always kept buried begin to ache for home. The new sights Lan Zhan is seeing do help in distracting him from the ache, but it has not been enough to keep Jiang Wanyin from noticing.

Since Wei Wuxian’s departure from Cloud Recesses, Nie Huaisang had been the one to run interference between Lan Zhan and Jiang Wanyin. It was not needed often but Lan Zhan recalls Nie Huaisang sidestepping in between them enough times for him to realize it must be necessary. While Lan Zhan has come to understand Jiang Wanyin, the Jiang Sect Heir has not had the same happen in return. Oftentimes, Lan Zhan has smelled jealousy wafting off Jiang Wanyin whenever he said or did something that showcased the fact he was closer to Nie Huaisang than he was to Jiang Wanyin.

At first, Lan Zhan was confused about Jiang Wanyin’s reaction. He had been led to believe that the only reason Jiang Wanyin continued to keep him and Nie Huaisang company was because he was friendly with the Nie Sect Heir. After Lan Zhan asked to accompany him back to Lotus Pier, he assumed it was then because Lan Zhan could potentially become family to him one day. As the months progressed, however, Lan Zhan grew less sure of this fact the longer he smelled the jealousy on Jiang Wanyin. Thus the confusion and uncertainty Lan Zhan felt around the Jiang Sect Heir has only continued to grow, even now as they are making their way back to Wei Wuxian.

Nie Huaisang had left Cloud Recesses a day before they did, flanked by Nie cultivators and a new fan in hand. Jiang Wanyin had softened momentarily when Nie Huaisang had bowed to them both at the gates but Lan Zhan had pretended to not see while he bowed to his Tail in return. Now they themselves are traveling with a handful of Jiang cultivators and no Wei Wuxian or Nie Huaisang to keep Lan Zhan from accidentally upsetting Jiang Wanyin.

So far, Jiang Wanyin has only spoken with him to talk about when they should land to rest and where they should stop to eat. Lan Zhan had not minded Jiang Wanyin’s suggestion of traveling by sword. It was very clear to him that the Jiang Sect Heir was impatient to return to Lotus Pier after being away for a year. He had passed Uncle’s lessons with little to no difficulty, as had Nie Huaisang who Lan Zhan had personally tutored, and Lan Zhan knows that without Wei Wuxian there with him at Cloud Recesses, Jiang Wanyin has been itching to come home for some time now.

Regardless, their travels do not end in bloodshed or another argument. Rather, it ends in Lan Zhan hovering on Bichen above a dock that leads straight into the heart of Lotus Pier with Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli waiting to greet their brother below him. Lan Zhan inhales greedily, holding his mate’s scent close. He no longer smells like lotus flowers but the rest of his scent is still the same.

Wei Wuxian spots him first, the grin that lights up his face soothing something deep within Lan Zhan. He waves at Lan Zhan, poised on the tip of his toes in excitement. Lan Zhan finds that even if Wei Wuxian was not being as loud as he possibly could, it would be impossible for Lan Zhan to not notice him right away.

“Lan Zhan!” He bellows over the wind, still waving his arm enthusiastically.

Jiang Yanli smiles at him even as her brows are furrowed but they relax as Wei Wuxian leans over and says, “That’s Lan Zhan, Shijie! The one I told you about.”

Her expression softens further as she pats Wei Wuxian’s head while Lan Zhan and Jiang Wanyin land. “The one who was very kind to my A-Xian. Did you know he would be coming as well?”

Wei Wuxian shakes his head at the same moment that Jiang Wanyin surges forward and hugs Jiang Yanli. He clutches her tight to his chest, hiding his face in her hair as Wei Wuxian watches them, his expression both fond and sad. Lan Zhan sheathes Bichen and moves forward to bow in greeting to Wei Wuxian, giving the Jiang siblings as much privacy as he can.

“Lan Zhan! What are you doing here? You didn’t mention you were coming in your last letter,” Wei Wuxian asks, his smile and the sunshine behind him making him look golden.

While he is correct, Lan Zhan does feel a small portion of guilt for not mentioning his visit earlier. A week after Wei Wuxian had left Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan had received the first of many letters addressed to him from Wei Wuxian. Uncle had sent a letter to Sect Leader Jiang to arrange a meeting between him and Lan Zhan, but he had not mentioned what it was for. Lan Zhan is surprised that Sect Leader Jiang did not mention his upcoming arrival to his children, but all he can focus on is the way Wei Wuxian’s eyes gleam like real silver.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan says just to feel his mate’s name in his mouth. “I came to attend a meeting with Sect Leader Jiang.”

Wei Wuxian’s face twists in confusion but before he can say anything, Jiang Yanli is by his side smiling right at Lan Zhan. Her smile is different from before, however, enough so that Lan Zhan knows Jiang Wanyin already told her what the meeting is about.

“Welcome, Lan-er-gongzi,” Jiang Yanli bows and greets him formally. “My father is busy at the moment, so I do not believe he would begrudge you a moment with A-Xian before you go to see him. A-Xian, why don’t you show Lan-er-gongzi around Lotus Pier and then to the rooms he will be staying in?”

Wei Wuxian is still confused but he nods anyway, looking between Jiang Yanli and Lan Zhan as he says, “I was already planning to do that, so thank you for giving me the excuse I needed, Shijie!”

Lan Zhan bows to Jiang Yanli, ignoring the nervous feeling building up in his chest as he thinks of asking Wei Wuxian to marry him. “Thank you, Jiang-guniang.”

Jiang Yanli’s smile softens at the edges, her expression serene. “I will send a servant to fetch you both when your rooms have finished being prepared, Lan-er-gongzi. A-Cheng and I will be in his quarters if you have need of us.”

“Don’t go making a mess, Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Wanyin butts in then, reaching out briefly to grab Wei Wuxian’s shoulder before he releases him. “Lan-er-gongzi, good luck with this idiot. Don’t let him lead you right into the lake.”

“Jiang Cheng, I wouldn’t do such a thing!” Wei Wuxian shouts in mock outrage, the grin on his face all Lan Zhan needs to know that Wei Wuxian was thinking about doing so before Jiang Wanyin mentioned it.

Lan Zhan nods and bows again as Jiang Yanli leads Jiang Wanyin away, leaving him standing alone on the dock with Wei Wuxian. He rises from his bow to find Wei Wuxian’s eyes on him, trailing over his form quickly before his gaze settles on Lan Zhan’s face.

Wei Wuxian’s grin returns, stealing all of Lan Zhan’s breath with it. “Lan Zhan, you look taller.”

“I am the same as before,” Lan Zhan responds as his ears begin to warm.

“I suppose you are,” Wei Wuxian says. “Let me show you the training arena first though. I have a feeling you’ll be using it often while you’re here.”

Lan Zhan hums in agreement, trailing beside Wei Wuxian as he turns and walks away. He listens as his mate prattles on, sharing stories from his childhood about specific locations or objects which Lan Zhan stores away like they are precious stones. To him, any information he can get about a Wei Wuxian he did not have a chance to meet will always be precious, but so will all the moments Lan Zhan gets to spend with him now.

As they are passing the kitchens, a servant stops and bows in front of Wei Wuxian. Lan Zhan watches as Wei Wuxian greets her by name with a smile and welcoming aura. The servant tells him that Lan Zhan’s rooms are ready and Wei Wuxian politely asks her to lead the way.

By the time they have reached Lan Zhan’s rooms, Wei Wuxian has coaxed the servant into a conversation about her wife and their three-year-old son. Even if Lan Zhan did not know him the way he does, it would be clear to him that Wei Wuxian is genuine in his excitement for the servant’s home life. Lan Zhan bows to her as she stands by the door, letting Wei Wuxian excuse her and continue to do all the talking for him.

The Lan Sect has its own servants, not many but enough to keep the sect running as smoothly as it can with its official Sect Leader in seclusion. Lan Zhan is in no way a stranger to servants waiting on him, but he has never initiated a conversation with one the way Wei Wuxian just did. His mate knew enough about her to keep her talking so that her work felt less like work and more of an enjoyable experience she would gladly do again. Lan Zhan is certain he could never emulate what Wei Wuxian does as easily as breathing and once again he finds himself grateful that Wei Wuxian is his mate.

“Do you want tea, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian asks after the servant has left.

Lan Zhan nods, the nervous feeling that he had been suppressing since he was first left alone with Wei Wuxian making itself known once more. This will be the only time Lan Zhan has the opportunity to propose to Wei Wuxian himself before he presents his case to the Jiang Sect Leader. Lan Zhan is certain Wei Wuxian won’t reject him right away, yet still, he wants his mate to be sure when he gives his answer.

Wei Wuxian has just set the teapot down after serving them when Lan Zhan reaches out to grab his hand. He squeezes it once before he lets go then wills himself to look up and meet Wei Wuxian’s eyes. His ears warm quickly under that piercing, silver gaze and his heartbeat increases its tempo in his chest. For just a moment, Lan Zhan can see the future he will have with his mate in Wei Wuxian’s eyes and then they blink simultaneously and the image is gone.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian says when Lan Zhan still has not decided on the words he wants to say. “What is your meeting with Uncle Jiang about?"

Lan Zhan speaks before he can convince himself not to, courage taking the reins. “This one wishes to present a betrothal contract to Sect Leader Jiang for your hand in marriage.”

Silence befalls them. Lan Zhan has never seen Wei Wuxian rendered speechless — did not believe it possible — and yet he is seeing it now anyway. Wei Wuxian’s mouth hangs open, shock clear enough on his face. Lan Zhan finds himself frowning before he can stop himself, wondering why exactly this has surprised Wei Wuxian so. They are courting, after all. The logical next step would be for one of them to propose marriage.

Why then is Wei Wuxian shocked into silence? Did he wish to propose first?

“Marriage?” Wei Wuxian croaks, his gaze stuck somewhere to Lan Zhan’s left. “You want to marry me?”

Lan Zhan nods, not allowing himself to falter now that he has struck this topic of conversation. “The elders of my clan approved of this match for the political ties it will give both our sects. Uncle aided me in drafting up the initial betrothal request and if Sect Leader Jiang agrees, he and Brother will come to Lotus Pier for the official negotiations.”

Wei Wuxian continues to stare past Lan Zhan, saying nothing. His scent is heavy with confusion and surprise but there is a happy undertone to it that Lan Zhan clings to with all his might. Wei Wuxian is astonished but glad about this all the same and that has to count for something.

“After we exchanged gifts and began our courtship, I believed this to be something we both wanted. If I was mistaken, please do not be afraid to tell me so,” Lan Zhan decides to add when Wei Wuxian has still not said anything.

“If it will benefit our sects, I see no reason to not want this,” Wei Wuxian manages to say, his voice hoarse.

“Mn,” Lan Zhan says to show he has heard Wei Wuxian. Still, that was not an explicit agreement to the proposal.

Wei Wuxian jolts into a proper position, eyes wide as if an important thought has just occurred to him. “Ah, but Lan Zhan, I do not think this would be the best for us. I would annoy your uncle and sect in Cloud Recesses and you cannot stay far from the area you hatched in. Isn’t it dangerous for dragons to leave their domains?”

“Mn. That is why we will join each other’s sects instead. We can spend half the year in Gusu and the other half of the year here. Uncle and Brother have already agreed to this condition and Jiang Wanyin said he approved as well.”

“Jiang Cheng said he approves of this match?”

“In his own way, yes,” Lan Zhan amends.

Despite the confusion Lan Zhan can still smell in Wei Wuxian’s scent, his mate’s shoulders relax as he smiles. “He probably told you that it was better it be you who marries me than anybody else, didn’t he?”

Lan Zhan nods, wondering how exactly Wei Wuxian knew of what Jiang Wanyin had actually said. Wei Wuxian’s smile turns teasing right then, his eyes back on Lan Wangji.

“He implied it in a few of his letters, but I didn’t understand what he meant until just now,” Wei Wuxian explains. “You’ll have to excuse me, Lan Zhan, but you have definitely caught me unaware. I did not intend for the drawing I gave you to be an official courtship gift and I’ve been so careless with your gift as well. I let Jiang Cheng keep those spices you gave me when I left Cloud Recesses. I should get you something better than a drawing to make up for it.”

Ah, so that is why Wei Wuxian is surprised. He did not believe their courtship to be official yet and so Lan Zhan’s proposal left him wrongfooted. Now that he has explained though, Lan Zhan knows how to proceed.

“No need,” Lan Zhan replies. “Your gift was special because of the effort you put into it. I am the one seeking your hand in marriage. I should be the one to present more gifts.”

“Ah, but gifts are mutual in a courtship, Lan Zhan, so I must insist!” Wei Wuxian beams. “As your future husband, you must get used to all my ridiculousness now before we marry to save the future you from so much grief. We are young now, but when we are older, I may become the bane of your existence.”

The corners of Lan Zhan’s mouth twitch upwards, not taking any stock in Wei Wuxian’s prediction of their future together. “I do not believe it would be difficult being married to you, Wei Ying.”

“I can be very annoying even to those I cherish. I am only warning you about one of my faults now since you could have anybody you want. Yet you are asking for my hand in marriage, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian says, nervous now as he bites his lip and earnestly meets Lan Zhan’s gaze.

Are you sure you want to marry me? is what Wei Wuxian is not voicing out loud.

He understands why Wei Wuxian may be hesitant. Their courtship was extremely short-lived back in Cloud Recesses, but Lan Zhan has ached for his mate every day that they were apart. Lan Zhan has known of his answer to this question for months now and he is more than certain that he wants Wei Wuxian.

“Wei Ying, it can’t be anyone but you,” Lan Zhan proclaims. “Will you marry me?”

Wei Wuxian smiles at him, his expression akin to dawn breaking over the mountain tops Lan Zhan has known since birth. He looks both awed and enamored. Both expressions make Lan Zhan’s heartbeat trip and his ears feel warmer than before.

His mate nods and reaches out to grip Lan Zhan’s hands. “Yes, Lan Zhan. I will marry you.”

Lan Zhan allows himself to smile then, pure joy lighting him up from the inside.

That same day, Lan Zhan bows before the Jiang Sect Leader and Madam Yu as he formally asks Wei Wuxian’s family for his hand in marriage.

At the first mention of Wei Wuxian’s name, Madam Yu’s demeanor changes enough to make Lan Zhan tense subtly. Her scent sours, a mix of anger and guilt that Lan Zhan does his very best not to react to. Lan Zhan does not know what Madam Yu may think of Wei Wuxian but he was under the impression that she must approve of him to some degree if she allowed his adoption into her family to occur. Her husband may be a sect leader, but both parents must be willing to adopt a child. He understands enough from things Uncle has said that she is not a warm person so he will have to watch her closely before he comes to any conclusions of his own.

Madam Yu’s expression twists when he calls Wei Wuxian the Second Young Master of the Jiang Sect, surprised despite herself. Lan Zhan waits, keeping enough of his focus on both of the foreign scents around him to know that Madam Yu is slowly pulling away from anger to something like contemplation instead.

“Lan Qiren approves of this match?” she asks him, eyes trained intently on him.

Lan Zhan nods. “Yes. Grandmaster Lan petitioned this match to the elders themselves. They believe the political advantages this marriage would give our sects are worth allowing dual sect membership for the Second Young Master of Jiang and I.”

That must have been the correct thing for him to say because a line he was not aware of in Sect Leader Jiang’s shoulders relaxes at the same time that Madam Yu’s gaze moves far away. Lan Zhan can tell that she, too, is considering the political connections a marriage between Wei Wuxian and him would grant both their sects. After the public dissolution of Jiang Yanli’s engagement to the Jin Sect Heir, a match like this would do plenty to still any wagging tongues.

As much as he often does his best to not think on the matter, Lan Zhan is aware that many would kill for his hand in marriage. To have a dragon of their own tied to them in some way would be enough to crumble whatever tight grip on morals they may have. As he stands before the Lotus Throne, he knows Madam Yu is pleased that she will have a direct claim to a dragon through marriage. He will be her son-in-law and a member of her sect. That is infinitely better than marrying her only daughter off to the Jin.

Madam Yu nods as her eyes focus on him again, her scent still shadowed with guilt even as her satisfaction pushes forward. “I approve of this match.”

Lan Zhan inclines his head to her, making sure his calm expression is steady as he turns to face the Jiang Sect Leader. Jiang Fengmian is watching his wife, his face blank of expression but his scent telling Lan Zhan enough. He is confused and a touch upset, but not angry.

“Do you not believe you are too young to marry yet?” Jiang Fengmian asks him.

“I began a courtship with Wei Ying when he was in Cloud Recesses for the year-long lectures. I do not mind allowing our courtship to continue for a few years yet,” Lan Zhan replies, bringing his hands together in his sleeves to hide the way they want to shake. “Jiang-guniang has been engaged since she was a child. I do not believe our age should impact Wei Ying’s decision to accept my proposal.”

Sect Leader Jiang studies him for a moment, thoughtful even as his scent tells Lan Zhan enough of his confusion deepening. “Why do you wish to marry our second son?”

Madam Yu is scowling again, most likely upset that her husband might ruin their sect’s chances of strengthening themselves politically. However, Lan Zhan does not falter. No matter how warm his ears grow, he will never be ashamed of how he feels about Wei Wuxian.

“I love Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan shares, doing his best not to react when Madam Yu scoffs in disbelief.

“Does he know that?” Jiang Fengmian asks, staring at him so intently that Lan Zhan feels his instincts struggle to rise and respond.

He pushes them down as best as he can and nods. Wei Wuxian must know how much Lan Zhan adores him. He has made it no secret and he never will. He is his mate, but Wei Wuxian is also intelligent, strong, brave, righteous, and brilliant above all else. Even if Lan Zhan’s instincts could never tell him that he is meant for Wei Wuxian, his heart would still know.

“Wei Ying agreed to a courtship between us,” Lan Zhan says.

Sect Leader Jiang sighs, his mask breaking to reveal the weariness he feels underneath. “And if you lose control?”

Lan Zhan’s expression does not change, even when he feels slithers of hurt slice through his chest. This is a valid question, after all. Jiang Fengmian does not personally know him and yet he is meant to trust that his son will be safe with Lan Zhan? He did not become a sect leader through blind trust and faith. Lan Zhan knows this and he will spend however long he must to convince the Jiang Sect Leader of his devotion to Wei Wuxian.

“Wei Ying is my mate. To hurt him would be to hurt my own self,” Lan Zhan admits.

“Your mate?”

Lan Zhan nods, giving his verbal confirmation only a moment later. “Yes.”

Jiang Fengmian shifts on the Lotus Throne, unsure as he asks, “And does he know of this as well?”

It is Lan Zhan’s turn to shift. “No.”

“Why not?” Sect Leader Jiang demands. “A-Ying deserves to know about something like this.”

He agrees wholeheartedly, but Brother assured him that his reason for not telling Wei Wuxian was valid and Brother would never lie to him. Omit something, perhaps, but never directly be dishonest with him. Lan Zhan does find it ironic that he told Jiang Wanyin first, but the Jiang Sect Heir can be trusted with this.

“I do not want this to impact his decision. If I tell him, he will agree to anything I propose out of mistaken duty,” Lan Zhan responds, concentrating on keeping his voice steady. “Wei Ying should do what he wants.”

Madam Yu scoffs, clear enough in her disapproval of any of Wei Wuxian’s actions, but Lan Zhan pushes his feelings on this away for later. His focus is on the man who very obviously cares about Wei Wuxian as a father would. Lan Zhan finds, however, that he does not like the way Jiang Fengmian’s eyes soften, his steely reserve fading as he continues to meet Lan Zhan’s gaze. It feels too much like he has bared more of himself than he ever intended to share with someone who is not of his weyr.

“I take it you mean you desire for A-Ying to want to be with you then.”

The shock rolling over him is not allowed to show in his outward appearance, so Lan Zhan holds that close to examine later as well. “Yes.”

“I see,” Sect Leader Jiang says before he nods and smiles at Lan Zhan, his expression warmer than it was before. “I assume you have already asked A-Ying.”

Lan Zhan nods once more, standing still as Madam Yu cuts into the conversation. “If that boy rejected you, I can correct that.”

Jiang Fengmian’s brows furrow but Lan Zhan speaks up before anything more can be said. “Wei Ying has accepted my marriage proposal.”

Madam Yu looks clearly pleased as she nods and rises. “Then you may court with our blessing. I await correspondence from Lan Qiren shortly.”

Her dismissal is neither subtle nor hinted, so Lan Zhan nods and bows again, thanking Wei Wuxian’s guardians for their acceptance. He waits until Jiang Fengmian has dismissed him as well before he turns and glides out the doors, ready for the day to be over. He has done too much talking for today, his nerves are frazzled, and he is itching to have Wei Wuxian near to soothe him. At least he can immediately send the letter he drafted before he left Cloud Recesses about Wei Wuxian and the Jiang Sect accepting his proposal.

Lan Zhan will enjoy burning the one he drafted in case the opposite happened.

Uncle and Brother arrive at Lotus Pier only three days after Lan Zhan and are immediately led to Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu.

Lan Zhan does not get the chance to speak with them until after dinner has ended and they both follow him back to his new quarters. Madam Yu had arranged for Lan Zhan to move into another set of rooms that are closer to where the main family stays. The rooms are smaller than what Lan Zhan was initially given but when he lies in this new bed, he can pick up on Wei Wuxian’s erratic movements from his own quarters and listen to his heartbeat as he waits for nine to come.

He is pleased with this arrangement for that and that alone.

Brother tells him how the discussions are going while Uncle looks over the draft of the contract that lists everything they have come to an agreement on. Both the Jiang and Lan Sects will allow them to hold dual membership as long as they spend an equal amount of time in Gusu Lan and Yunmeng Jiang. Brother asks him what he thinks of spending their autumns and winters in Yunmeng and their springs and summers in Gusu. Lan Zhan is not opposed to this arrangement himself, but he would like to ask Wei Wuxian first before he gives his answer.

Most of Brother’s questions go unanswered like this. The only one he answers without hesitation is where the wedding should be held and that is here in Lotus Pier. The kind of wedding Wei Wuxian deserves is the kind that could never be hosted in Cloud Recesses. If this makes Lan Zhan’s role that of a traditional bride, then so be it. He does not care which role he must fulfill as long as he is married to his mate.

Uncle’s expression twists with Lan Zhan’s decision but then he sighs and does not comment on the matter. Uncle was Wei Wuxian’s teacher, after all. It would be less stressful for everyone involved if Wei Wuxian’s wedding was held here instead of on a quiet mountain high in the clouds.

Brother nods and smiles with ease, reaching out to pat the top of Lan Zhan’s head. “You look happy, A-Zhan.”

“I am,” Lan Zhan assures both of his Treasures.

Lan Zhan is no longer allowed to be alone with Wei Wuxian now that they are engaged.

Brother and Uncle had quickly hashed out many details of their marriage and wedding within a week and returned back to Cloud Recesses after both Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian had agreed and signed their betrothal contract. Madam Yu had even called Wei Wuxian A-Ying and Lan Zhan had to fight with himself to not reach out and comfort his teary mate.

Lan Zhan had later tried to get a moment alone with Wei Wuxian to see if he wanted to discuss his relationship with Madam Yu, but Jiang Wanyin had seen them stepping out of the dining hall together and refused to leave them alone together. Officially courting couples require chaperones, unfortunately.

“Ah, but Lan Zhan’s going to be my husband! Neither of us can go back on the contract now,” Wei Wuxian had complained, pouting as Jiang Wanyin only crossed his arms over his chest and shot him an unimpressed look. “It’s not like either of us are going to try and do anything other than talk, Jiang Cheng! You worry too much!”

“Shut up. If you defile the Second Jade Dragon of Gusu Lan, Mother will whip you to death and Lan Qiren will ban the Jiang Sect from his future lectures,” Jiang Wanyin shot back.

Wei Wuxian only continued to pout, tilting his head to the side as he met Lan Zhan’s gaze. “Can you believe this, Lan Zhan?”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan had hummed in acknowledgment and nothing more.

His control is extraordinary but he struggles ferociously to maintain steady when faced with Wei Wuxian. They are promised to marry and that knowledge is enough to make Lan Zhan want more than what he can reasonably ask of Wei Wuxian. Oftentimes, he has found himself staring at Wei Wuxian’s mouth when he speaks, half of his attention on listening to his mate and the other half thinking of what it would feel like to kiss him.

Either way, Jiang Wanyin does not have to worry about Wei Wuxian being uncouth. If anything, it may actually occur on Lan Zhan’s end. He has always wanted to touch Wei Wuxian and spread his scent over him while Wei Wuxian’s scent intertwines with his own. Every instinct he has ever known has begged and screamed for it the moment he caught a whiff of his mate’s scent. With a marriage between them almost guaranteed, Lan Zhan wants to scent his mate at all hours of the day more than ever before.

He does not because he has more sense and self-awareness than that, but the urge continues to pester his thoughts whenever they happen to be in one another’s vicinity.

Their first official outing as a betrothed couple goes well. Wei Wuxian talks as much as he ever does, a genuine smile of excitement on his face. He flushes whenever Lan Zhan makes a point of complimenting him and waves any praise away with a flap of his hands and a change of subject. Lan Zhan buys him gifts from the market stalls they pass, bowing to each merchant that Wei Wuxian introduces him to.

By their third outing, Lan Zhan has been in Lotus Pier for almost three months and everyone from servants to disciples knows him as Wei Wuxian’s betrothed.

Lan Zhan quickly figures out that many of the residents of Lotus Pier care for their Second Young Master to a great extent when they give him subtle threats and charge him extra as he buys gifts for Wei Wuxian in the marketplace. Lan Zhan finds that he does not mind the protectiveness his mate ignites within others. It only shows him how loved Wei Wuxian is.

It is not just the merchants and servants that make their stances clear either. Lan Zhan had taken Jiang Wanyin’s threats against his life in stride. He had, after all, expected them from the moment he decided he was going to romantically pursue Wei Wuxian.

He was not expecting Jiang Yanli.

She had congratulated him and Wei Wuxian the same night Lan Zhan asked their parents for Wei Wuxian’s hand in marriage, her happiness genuine. Lan Zhan has since then had more luck getting to know her than he has Jiang Wanyin. She is intelligent and often sick due to the weakness of her golden core, but she is kind and her kindness is what makes her truly strong.

She invites him to tea one afternoon as she is prone to do, her smile the same as ever. Lan Zhan does not realize something is amiss until after they have finished their tea and Jiang Yanli makes a point of stating that even though she has fallen out of favor with the Jin Sect Heir, Madam Jin still thinks the world of her. They are both very aware of who actually runs the Jin Sect and it is not Jin Guangshan.

Lan Zhan tenses as she continues, not able to hold back his flinch when she mentions the dragon scales that are on display in every corner of Carp Tower. He wonders if she somehow knows that his grandmother’s scales are kept there or not.

Her scent curdles with guilt at that point, but her expression is unchanging and she dismisses him soon after with a reminder to keep Wei Wuxian happy. Lan Zhan does not know how he manages to politely bid her farewell and walk away but by the time he focuses back on his surroundings, he finds himself in his quarters.

He reaches for his sash and undoes it, methodically removing every layer of his robes until he is standing naked before a folded pile of his clothes on the bed. His skin is itching and every instinct is screaming at him to shift, to take safety in his first form.

Lan Zhan walks towards the door and steps out on all fours, his claws tapping loudly against the wooden boards underneath his feet. He takes a familiar path to the private, small dock Wei Wuxian often frequents, wanting nothing more than to swim until he is calm again.

Servants jump and scuttle to get out of his way as he passes them, eyes wide and mouths agape. Lan Zhan ignores them, intent on his goal instead.

At the dock, Wei Wuxian has just climbed off a rowboat with a handful of disciples behind him. He pauses as Lan Zhan comes into view, his gaze trailing down the length of Lan Zhan’s body before he looks into his eyes and frowns.

Lan Zhan moves slowly to him, focused on Wei Wuxian’s scent that is irresistible in this form. He watches his mate, taking careful note of the emotions he can parse out through his sense of smell.

Wei Wuxian is confused, but not scared and Lan Zhan feels relieved that he did not strain their relationship with this development. Before he can think better of it, Lan Zhan moves forward until his head is butting into Wei Wuxian’s hand.

His mate gets the message quickly and he pats his head gently as he chuckles, rubbing his palm on the space between Lan Zhan’s antlers. Lan Zhan makes a rumbling sound he cannot define at the moment and heads towards the water, sinking beneath its depths.

It is warmer than what he is used to but it is water, regardless. Something down below glints and Lan Zhan dives, picking the jar up with the very tips of his claws. He swims back to the surface then, sucking in deep lungfuls of air as his head breaks the water.

There is a small crowd on the dock, all eyes on him. Wei Wuxian is up at the front of the crowd with Jiang Wanyin scowling behind him.

Lan Zhan ignores all of that though and swims forward until he can place the jar on the dock. He looks up at Wei Wuxian then and moves the jar forward carefully with his snout.

Wei Wuxian picks it up and laughs. “Lan Zhan! How did you know I dropped this jar of alcohol in the water?”

Lan Zhan huffs, pleased that his offering has been accepted. Wei Wuxian smiles at him and moves forward to pat his head again.

Distantly, Lan Zhan can hear those crowded behind Wei Wuxian talking of how fortunate their Second Young Master is to have a dragon as his betrothed. Lan Zhan thinks of shifting into his second form to correct them by saying he is the lucky one to have Wei Wuxian as his mate. Except this would mean showing his naked body to everyone here and that is not something Lan Zhan wants to do.

Wei Wuxian’s laughter is enough anyway.

After Lan Zhan allows Wei Wuxian to touch him in his first form, he returns to Cloud Recesses for two months to settle himself before he comes back to Lotus Pier.

Wei Wuxian sends him countless letters during their time apart and rarely ever allows Lan Zhan to have a quiet moment by himself when they are together. Lan Zhan does not mind this though, he craves to spend any amount of time with his mate that he reasonably can.

Their chaperones may not think the same, but they accompany him and Wei Wuxian nonetheless. Jiang Wanyin is their usual chaperone, partly due to the fact that he is unafraid of stepping in between them when he believes they are too close but mostly because no one else is willing to put up with the rotten drivel of their disgusting young love as Jiang Wanyin put it.

(Lan Zhan is of the mind that Jiang Wanyin fought tooth and nail to hold this position since he has been barred from the wedding preparations themselves until he is older, but he is fine with not knowing for certain as well.)

Regardless, Lan Zhan spends the next year and a half frequently flying between Gusu Lan and Yunmeng Jiang.

Wei Wuxian always has a smile ready for him whenever they meet and Lan Zhan takes whatever chance he can to learn all there is to know about Wei Wuxian and those his mate adores.

Madam Yu is polite and cordial with him for the meals Lan Zhan shares with the main Jiang family, always pushing Wei Wuxian off on him to garner his attention. She has less disparaging things to say about Wei Wuxian after Lan Zhan had made it clear enough that he did not appreciate the insults aimed at his mate, but Lan Zhan knows there is more going on in Madam Yu’s head.

Sect Leader Jiang is kind and calm, always happy to see that Wei Wuxian is happy beside Lan Zhan. It does not take long for Lan Zhan to figure out that Jiang Wanyin is jealous of the attention his father freely lavishes upon his elder brother. Lan Zhan subtly places everyone in situations where Jiang Fengmian has no choice but to focus on Jiang Wanyin and is glad that no one realizes the strings he is pulling.

No one except Jiang Yanli. Her perception does not surprise Lan Zhan anymore but her viciously protective streak does. Whenever she invites him to tea, he is stiff and unbending. She reminds him too much of the scrutiny he has endured under the Lan elders and so it becomes a newfound habit for him to shift after spending time alone with her. He is grateful for the affection she holds for his mate and the lengths she is willing to go to for Wei Wuxian, but he cannot deny that she leaves him reeling often. His control never slips, especially not when he is with her, but his instincts continue to scream about approaching danger whenever she is near.

That is not to say that he dislikes her, however. He is certain that it would be almost impossible to genuinely dislike her. Which also means he has no idea how Jin Zixuan manages it.

Nie Huaisang once again arrives in the form of a reprieve that Lan Zhan has desperately needed ever since his official courtship with Wei Wuxian began.

The Nie Sect Heir arrives two weeks before Wei Wuxian's birthday with plans for the marvelous gathering he wishes to throw in celebration. Lan Zhan had missed the one they held the year before and he does not plan to miss more in the future.

Lan Zhan has had his main gift for Wei Wuxian picked out since he left Cloud Recesses the first time. He intends to give this one to him in private and the other two he bought with Nie Huaisang's help will be given to Wei Wuxian at the same time everyone else will be giving their gifts to him.

Of course, Wei Wuxian does not have the faintest clue what the decorations and food tastings Jiang Yanli and Nie Huaisang ask for his help with are for but Lan Zhan can tell his mate is happy to be included. When Nie Huaisang wants to plan something without Wei Wuxian being aware of it, he pushes Wei Wuxian off to Lan Zhan and sends them into town with Jiang Wanyin as their chaperone for a long series of outings.

Lan Zhan appreciates any time he can spend with his future husband, even if his angry future brother-in-law is also there with them. Lan Zhan continues to buy everything Wei Wuxian mentions liking and Jiang Wanyin haggles with the vendors when it becomes more than clear that Lan Zhan is willing to pay any amount for something Wei Wuxian wants. Jiang Wanyin complains loudly about Lan Zhan throwing his wealth recklessly around, but Wei Wuxian tells him later that is his brother's way of saying he will be upset if Lan Zhan ever stops needing his help.

As busy as Nie Huaisang is with the preparations, he still manages to spend time with Lan Zhan frequently for tea or a game of weiqi. Lan Zhan scents him every day and relishes having his Tail's scent on his skin when he cannot have his brother's.

While Nie Huaisang is in Lotus Pier, he chaperones Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian only once before loudly declaring that he refuses to have that responsibility again.

Lan Zhan understands why. His stronger sense of smell could easily pick out the jealousy that wafted off Wei Wuxian in waves whenever Lan Zhan's attention was on his Tail instead of his mate during the outing. It had been difficult to ignore in particular when Lan Zhan briefly reached out to scent Nie Huaisang when they were returning from town. Wei Wuxian's expression had not changed, but Lan Zhan had been overwhelmed by his scent all the same.

Wei Wuxian had then gripped onto his arm and refused to let go as they continued to walk, talking loudly and smiling widely for the entire world to see. Lan Zhan had given him a concerned look before he scented him as well and felt relief as his mate relaxed against him.

Of course, that is when Jiang Wanyin found them. The scowl on his face that he directed at their closeness was enough for Lan Zhan to put the appropriate amount of distance between them once more. Nie Huaisang had endured Jiang Wanyin's scolding about allowing such uncouth actions to happen while he was chaperoning and Lan Zhan felt his mouth twitch as Nie Huaisang swore off chaperone duties until the end of time.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian says on their next outing into town only a few days later.

Lan Zhan hums and looks up from the perfumes he was just studying, all of his attention now on his mate. Wei Wuxian blushes as their gazes meet, his scent telling Lan Zhan that he is both surprised and pleased with Lan Zhan's immediate response.

"Why did you ask for my hand in marriage and not Nie Huaisang's?"

Lan Zhan blinks, sure that he has misheard what Wei Wuxian just asked him.

Wei Wuxian's blush darkens even further as Lan Zhan continues to stare at him in silence. "Nevermind. That was a dumb question. You don't have to answer that, Lan Zhan."

Jiang Wanyin huffs from the stall beside them, looking at the selection of combs the vendor is doing their best to sell to the Jiang Sect Heir. Lan Zhan glances at him briefly, sure of the fact their expressions are showing the same exasperation. Jiang Wanyin rolls his eyes and very obviously turns his back on them, walking off towards another stall that is far enough away that he will not hear them but can still see them. Lan Zhan nods at him, grateful for the privacy before he turns back to Wei Wuxian.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan says, inclining his head towards another stall when Wei Wuxian looks at him once more.

They turn away from the perfume stall and walk, more than sure that Jiang Wanyin is still shadowing them. Lan Zhan ponders over the exact words he wants to speak as they walk, quickly analyzing everything he knows and guessing on what basis Wei Wuxian is bringing up this subject.

"My brother is in love with Sect Leader Nie," Lan Zhan says, aware of how Wei Wuxian's head whips around in his direction but he does not give his mate the chance to say anything as Lan Zhan quickly pushes on. "Nie Huaisang has agreed to give his sect an heir so his brother does not have to. Nie Huaisang was my first friend, but I do not harbor romantic feelings for him."

Wei Wuxian's shoulders relax further and further as Lan Zhan speaks, his expression easy-going once more when Lan Zhan finally deigns to glance at him. "The only person I could ever marry is you, Wei Ying."

Lan Zhan thoroughly enjoys the way Wei Wuxian smiles giddily at him and blushes a dark red that Lan Zhan would like to see in other places. He swallows and wrenches his gaze away, unsurprised when Jiang Wanyin reappears in between them almost instantly.

Wei Wuxian argues loudly with his brother for the remainder of the outing as Lan Zhan quietly follows them, continuing to buy any and everything his mate wants.

Wei Wuxian tears up the moment he realizes so many people are mingling about Lotus Pier to celebrate his birthday.

Lan Zhan is surprised his mate did not figure it out when the fifth person — who happened to be himself — had come up to push a present into Wei Wuxian's arms, wishing him good health and fortune.

(It happened after the twentieth person.)

His tears are only noticeable when the flames of the nearest lantern shine against his face, but Lan Zhan feels something constrict in his chest at the sight anyway. He understands the tears are due to happiness and not sadness, but Lan Zhan cannot deny that the image of a teary Wei Wuxian does not sit well with him.

Lan Zhan takes the next gifts meant for Wei Wuxian as Jiang Yanli comforts her younger brother who is still crying and will continue to do so until everyone is more focused on the food instead of him. Wei Wuxian wipes the last of his tears over the bowl of soup Jiang Yanli made especially for him, his smile more genuine when Lan Zhan hands him his favorite spices.

"Ah, Lan Zhan, you knew about this too, didn't you?" Wei Wuxian asks as he pours an abominable amount of chili flakes into his bowl.

"Mn," Lan Zhan hums in agreement, more distracted by Wei Wuxian's spice tolerance than the piercing gazes of his mate's siblings.

Wei Wuxian chuckles, stirring his soup before tasting it. His smile is wider when he looks back up, expression teasing. "You're already proving why you'd be such a great husband."

Lan Zhan straightens without realizing it, studying Wei Wuxian closely. "Mn."

His mate laughs again, louder this time before Jiang Wanyin cuts into the moment and begins another argument with his brother. Lan Zhan watches them rib each other, still wondering how their relationship can vastly differ from the one Lan Zhan and his own brother share.

Brother would never loudly scold Lan Zhan like Jiang Wanyin is scolding Wei Wuxian now and Lan Zhan would never tease his brother back the way Wei Wuxian is doing to Jiang Wanyin either. However, this dynamic of theirs suits them. Lan Zhan could never imagine either of them behaving similar to the Twin Jade Dragons of Lan and finds himself glad for it.

Wei Wuxian ends up crying again when Madam Yu hands him a gift after most of the guests have already departed.

As their engagement has become more solidified, Madam Yu has acted against Wei Wuxian less and less. Her expression and body language continue to remain the same, but her biting comments and harsh criticisms against Wei Wuxian have slowly been dying out. Lan Zhan continues to have more access to her thoughts thanks to her scent but he does not speak a word about it to anyone.

Her posture is stiff and her usual scowl is in place, but her scent is full only of trepidation and guilt once more. Her body relaxes as Wei Wuxian thanks her, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards before she remembers herself and orders them all to clean up their mess then takes her leave.

Sect Leader Jiang watches her go, turning to look at his children once she has disappeared from sight. "Ah, you know how your mother is."

Jiang Yanli and Jiang Wanyin nod, but Wei Wuxian keeps his head down and stares at the parcel in his hands instead of answering. Sect Leader Jiang pats Wei Wuxian's head and presents him with a small bag, smiling at his adopted son before he bids them all a good night and departs for his chambers.

Nie Huaisang appears then, gripping onto Wei Wuxian's sleeve as he begins to drag him towards the nearest table. Lan Zhan follows after them, unwilling to leave Wei Wuxian's side just yet. Wei Wuxian's siblings trail after him until they are all crowded around the table and Wei Wuxian opens Madam Yu's gift.

He bursts into tears again at the sight of the robes. They are purple, the Jiang shade to be exact. Lan Zhan reaches out and grips his mate's neck as his tears turn into heart-wrenching sobs that make Lan Zhan's instincts roar into existence again.

The meaning of this gift does not escape any of those present in the slightest. Even Nie Huaisang seems a bit teary as he carefully reaches out and rewraps the new robes before they can be ruined by tears and snot. Jiang Yanli is sobbing along with her brother, her face buried in his shoulder as she wraps herself around Wei Wuxian. Jiang Wanyin is sitting opposite his siblings, smiling in a way that Lan Zhan has never seen before. He is, of course, crying but he smells of relief and joy instead of the mix of emotions coming from his older siblings that Lan Zhan can barely make out.

Lan Zhan continues to keep his grip on Wei Wuxian's nape as he slowly recovers. He opens Sect Leader Jiang's gift to find a small, silver guan with a Jiang purple ribbon. Wei Wuxian did not burst into tears again, but his eyes did water suspiciously as he lifted the hair ribbon into the air before he set it back carefully in the bag.

His mate carefully places the gifts in a separate qiankun pouch from the other gifts he has received today and smiles at them all. Jiang Yanli is wiping tears off her face as she smiles back at him, Jiang Wanyin's expression reverts to his usual scowl, and Lan Zhan squeezes Wei Wuxian's nape before releasing him.

Nie Huaisang claps his hands together, startling them all out of the moment. "I think it's about time we cleaned up."

The siblings quickly agree and they all set to work. Lan Zhan knows his Uncle would most likely kick up a fuss about Lan Zhan cleaning up after others, but he finds himself enjoying the menial task. Wei Wuxian's laugh is bright and loud even in the late evening of Lotus Pier and Lan Zhan finds that he can never be upset when his mate is happy.

Later after they have cleaned up as much as they reasonably can and it is past Lan Zhan’s usual bedtime, he silently walks to Wei Wuxian’s favorite dock.

There are no servants bustling around as there usually are when he takes this route in the daytime. His plan depends on not being seen by anyone until he has arrived at his destination. He is still in the robes he was wearing earlier and internally thanks Nie Huaisang's forethought of choosing his robes. This shade of blue that the Lan Sect favors is still quite bright except it does not stick out as much as his usual white robes would. He may not be in his customary mourning white, but he is not devoid of it completely either.

When Lan Zhan arrives at the dock, he finds Wei Wuxian sitting at the end. His shoes are beside him, his bare feet skimming the water as he gazes up at the sky. Lan Zhan steadies himself with a deep breath and pulls out the qiankun pouch that he has been carrying in his sleeve for some time now.

Wei Wuxian turns as he approaches, his smile growing as soon as he realizes who has joined him.

"Lan Zhan! How scandalous!" Wei Wuxian laughs, his voice kept low enough to not draw attention.

Lan Zhan knows he is speaking about the lack of a chaperone, but what Lan Zhan is about to do is something that is private and should only be witnessed by the two of them. Besides, he knows that Jiang Wanyin is hidden out of sight right now. Lan Zhan had told him his plan the day before and had wrung a reluctant agreement from him.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan says as he bows in greeting and holds the qiankun pouch out to him. "This is another gift I have for you."

Wei Wuxian's expression furrows with confusion for only a moment before he leaps up and approaches Lan Zhan with a teasing smile on his face. Lan Zhan swallows as he approaches, reminding himself to not reach out and touch his mate. That would only result in Jiang Wanyin revealing himself in a flurry of yelled insults loud enough to wake the entirety of Lotus Pier at this late hour and Lan Zhan does not want that.

"You already gave me a gift earlier though. Did you happen to forget about this one?" Wei Wuxian asks as he gently takes the proffered pouch with a curious glint in his eye. "Ah, Lan Zhan, that's okay! I forget about things often too!"

Lan Zhan huffs out a breath to show his disagreement with that statement, feeling warm when Wei Wuxian laughs in response. He watches with trepidation as Wei Wuxian turns his attention to the qiankun pouch in his hands and opens it carefully.

When moonlight glints off the edges of the clear crystal in Wei Wuxian's hand, it feels like something has reached into Lan Zhan's chest and decided to squeeze his lungs. This kind of crystal is not the most expensive of gems out there, but when it comes to his feelings about his mate, wealth is not a factor he thinks about. Wei Wuxian holds the crystal up to the light and studies it closely, brows furrowed together until recognition flickers across his features and his gaze slowly lowers to meet Lan Zhan's again.

Shock layers the air around them in Wei Wuxian’s scent as he breathes out, "Lan Zhan."

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan responds, wondering how he can continue to speak when he has no air.

Wei Wuxian's gaze flickers between him and the crystal held loosely in his hand. "Is this what I think it is?"

Lan Zhan inhales deeply. "What do you think this is?"

"Isn't this what dragons do?" Wei Wuxian asks, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't they present their mate with a gem they believe embodies the depth of their feelings?"

Lan Zhan nods. Wei Wuxian looks to the crystal once more, his expression and scent telling Lan Zhan how dumbstruck he is.

"But I'm not—"

Lan Zhan promises to write the rules three times over for this infraction, but he interrupts his mate before he can finish that sentence. "You are my mate."

Suddenly, it feels like Lan Zhan can breathe again. There is no longer a mysterious force squeezing the air out of his lungs anymore. It had released its grip as soon as he had finally told Wei Wuxian the one thing he had wanted to say from the moment they met.

His lungs constrict again when he meets Wei Wuxian's gaze and finds tears in his mate's eyes. Lan Zhan reaches out before he can stop himself and clasps Wei Wuxian's hands in his, liking the sight of their hands holding the crystal up more than he can say.

"You are my mate, Wei Ying," Lan Zhan repeats himself as he looks into those silver eyes that had entranced him from the first moment their gazes met.

Wei Wuxian's smile wobbles. "That's what you meant? When you said it could only be me who you marry. Is that why?"

Lan Zhan shakes his head. "Even if I was not what I am, I would love you still."

"I thought this was for political reasons," Wei Wuxian whispers. "I knew we were friends, but I thought—"

His mate bites his lip then, cutting off whatever he was going to say. Lan Zhan waits just to make sure Wei Wuxian will not speak before he fills the silence himself.

Speaking and talking about emotions is not something Lan Zhan is proficient at. However, he has always made an effort for those of his weyr and he is not going to stop now. "You are my mate, Wei Ying, and I will only ever love you. It is fine if you do not return the sentiment. You do not have to accept me or my gift. The betrothal can be called off if you are no longer comfortable with this."

With me, Lan Zhan does not say. Wei Wuxian seems to understand his unspoken words well enough either way.

"No!" Wei Wuxian's scent sours with desperation and fear, one hand grabbing hold of Lan Zhan's wrist while the other holds the crystal more securely in his grasp. "I want to marry you, Lan Zhan! Who else could it be but you? I love you!"

Happiness expands in Lan Zhan's chest, his heart racing as he feels his lips lift with a smile. Wei Wuxian's eyes are still wet with tears, but his grip is firm, and the smile on his face could put the sun to shame. They are lucky that it is only the moon out at the moment to hover over them.

Lan Zhan finds himself leaning into Wei Wuxian's space before he can think better of it, eyes locked on his mate's mouth. Wei Wuxian tilts his head up to him as an answer, more than willing if his scent, body language, and smile are anything to go off of.

Before Lan Zhan can move any closer, however, that is when Jiang Wanyin decides to cut in between them.

“Lan Wangji, I am going to kill you,” Jiang Wanyin spits out through his clenched teeth.

Lan Zhan lets go of Wei Wuxian’s hands and bows in apology to the Jiang Sect Heir. “I apologize. I forgot myself in my happiness.”

“The tears on my brother’s face do not paint a happy picture,” Jiang Wanyin says, his grip on his sword tightening.

Wei Wuxian pushes in between them. “Ah, Jiang Cheng! You have it all wrong! These are happy tears! Lan Zhan loves me!”

Jiang Wanyin only scoffs, his hand still clenched around his sword. “Of course, he does. You think Father would let him marry you if he didn’t? Do you think I would let him if he didn’t love you, you idiot?”

“Jiang Cheng, you’re being too harsh. We were confessing, please excuse us for stepping out of line,” Wei Wuxian says in an attempt to appease his brother with rare formality, bowing to mirror Lan Zhan.

“You, I could understand, Wei Wuxian, but one of the Jade Dragons of Lan? Ridiculous!”

“I apologize. It will not happen again,” Lan Zhan responds, still bowing.

Jiang Wanyin scoffs again but finally releases his sword. “Next time you will be punished, Lan Wangji. I only agreed to let you have this moment because I trusted you to not act uncouth. I can’t believe you’re almost worse than Wei Wuxian!”

Lan Zhan nods and rises from his bow slowly. “I understand. And I expect nothing less from you if I am unwise enough to allow a second incident to occur. That is the duty of a Claw.”

Wei Wuxian claps his hands together giddily, grinning at Jiang Wanyin. “Jiang Cheng! He wants you to join his weyr.”

“Officially,” Lan Zhan clarifies when Jiang Wanyin shoots him an unimpressed look. “I have been meaning to ask you since the day I asked for your blessing.”

Jiang Wanyin’s brow remains furrowed and his scowl unchanging, but his scent expands around them. There is happiness and relief in it, but also a dash of smugness that Lan Zhan expects to see more of later.

“What is a claw supposed to do then?” Jiang Wanyin asks.

Lan Zhan’s jaw clenches minutely at Jiang Wanyin’s pronunciation before he answers, “A Claw protects the Treasures. Wei Ying is one of my Treasures.”

“So you want me to babysit my brother for you.” It does not sound like a question in the least, but Lan Zhan treats it as one anyway.

“No. I would like for you to protect Wei Ying from those who wish him harm whenever I am not present. I do not expect you to wrangle him into submission as if he were some misbehaving toddler.”

Jiang Wanyin’s eyes narrow at his tone of voice, irritation spiking in his scent. He opens his mouth to reply, looking angry again, but Wei Wuxian decides to cut into the conversation again at that moment.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to! And you don’t have to decide right now either, Jiang Cheng! I can give you books I picked up on dragons if you want to learn more about this before you decide,” Wei Wuxian chirps, throwing an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “Come on, Jiang Cheng. Let’s all go to bed and talk more about this later.”

“Fine,” Jiang Wanyin huffs as he leads Wei Wuxian away, shooting daggers at Lan Wangji as they leave.

Lan Zhan watches them go, looking up at the moon once they have disappeared from sight.

Jiang Wanyin accepts his offer three days later with a vulnerable look in his eyes that Lan Zhan has never seen before.

He takes Jiang Wanyin’s strange behavior in stride, glad of the fact that his future brother-in-law now understands the importance of his role as a Claw.

Lan Zhan scents him gently and guides him through the motions of scenting him in return before they both turn on their heel and return to their tasks.

When the wind begins to feel cold, Lan Zhan returns to Cloud Recesses for a month.

There he, Uncle, and Brother share a quiet dinner for his birthday. Uncle gives him a new writing set while Brother gifts him with a book that leaves Uncle blustering and Lan Zhan’s ears blushing.

Lan Zhan thanks them both and returns to Lotus Pier a week later, unprepared for the gathering of people that greet him as he steps off his sword onto the dock. As soon as he is steady on his feet, people begin giving him gifts and well wishes. They leave one by one after that until only Lan Zhan and the Jiang siblings are left.

Jiang Yanli bows to him in greeting as she takes some of his gifts and places them in his qiankun pouch so his hands remain free. Jiang Wanyin bows as well then crosses his arms over his chest and scowls as Wei Wuxian throws himself forward into Lan Zhan’s arms.

Lan Zhan catches his mate and holds him close for a reasonable amount of time before he sets him gently back on his feet. Wei Wuxian is grinning and talking faster than Lan Zhan can keep up. He grabs Lan Zhan’s wrist and drags him towards his quarters, Wei Wuxian’s siblings following close behind them.

Once there, Lan Zhan is roped into a game of weiqi with Jiang Wanyin. He wins by a margin but loses monumentally against Jiang Yanli. Wei Wuxian watches them play with a delighted look on his face but dodges all the offers made for him to partake in a game or two.

By the time dinner is ready, Lan Zhan has calmed down from all of the afternoon’s excitement. He will look through all the gifts he received before he gets ready for bed that night, he promises himself. It would be rude to do otherwise while he is still with company anyway.

Dinner is a quiet affair. Too quiet.

Lan Zhan is thoroughly suspicious as they clear the dishes away. His suspicions are further confirmed when Jiang Yanli takes the tray of dirty dishes and asks Jiang Wanyin to accompany her to the kitchens to return them. Jiang Wanyin says nothing as he stands and takes the tray from his older sister before stepping out the door. Jiang Yanli bows to him and winks before she turns and follows her brother, leaving Lan Zhan alone with Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian stands as soon as his siblings have disappeared, a qiankun pouch in his hands that he holds out for Lan Zhan to take. Lan Zhan opens it with caution, freezing when he pulls a large piece of jade out of the qiankun pouch.

Lan Zhan slowly lifts his gaze to Wei Wuxian’s, wondering if this is what he believes it to be.

“I know you don’t like the comparisons people make between you and jade,” Wei Wuxian begins with, which startles Lan Zhan even more since he has never voiced those thoughts before. “But jade made the most sense to me when it comes to how I feel about you. This jade embodies how I believe that you are the perfect person for me.”

Lan Zhan blinks, something sharp and cold sweeping through his chest. Tears spring to life in the corner of his eyes before they swell over and begin to trail down his face.

Wei Wuxian thumbs his tears away gently. “Ah, Lan Zhan, my Lan Zhan. I love you.”

“I love you, Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan manages to say as his tears continue to fall.

Wei Wuxian smiles and helps Lan Zhan clean himself up before his siblings return. They spend the rest of the night playing weiqi or listening to Lan Zhan play on his guqin.

No one comments on the obvious redness of his eyes, thankfully.

The seasons continue to pass and so does the cultivation world as Lan Zhan courts Wei Wuxian.

Lan Zhan is on the brink of his nineteenth birthday when the Wen Sect decides to show its hand.

He has only just arrived back in Yunmeng when Lan Zhan receives a letter from his uncle informing him that the next Discussion Conference will be held in Nightless City and he is expected to attend along with a number of other junior disciples from their sect. Lan Zhan sends a response to ask if he can arrive with the Jiang Sect and join the Lan progression after their arrival.

Uncle sends a letter back with his approval and a sack of loquats Brother thought he might like. Lan Zhan gives that sack to his betrothed and watches as Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin throw the loquats at each other during dinner. Jiang Yanli smiles at him over loquat peelings and Lan Zhan does his best to smile in return.

All too soon, the time for their departure to Nightless City closes in and Lan Zhan finds himself at his second Discussion Conference beside his mate. The Jiang Sect is the third Great Sect to arrive, so after Wei Wuxian has settled in the Jiang quarters, Lan Zhan goes to see Uncle.

"Uncle, Brother," Lan Zhan greets them both with a bow in Uncle's rooms.

Brother sets the teapot he was holding down and greets them in return. "A-Zhan and Young Master Wei, it is good to see you both."

Wei Wuxian grins, bowing to greet Lan Zhan's relatives. "Grandmaster Lan and my future brother-in-law. I hope your health has been well."

Uncle huffs but motions for them to sit. Lan Zhan picks up the teapot his brother set down and serves them all. Uncle pats Lan Zhan's shoulder in thanks afterward and Lan Zhan reaches out immediately to scent his uncle.

Brother smiles at them, his scent expanding with his joy, and Lan Zhan catches himself sagging under the force of his own happiness. Wei Wuxian cracks a joke that Brother laughs politely at as Lan Zhan loses himself in the moment.

By the next morning, Lan Zhan is regretting not entering Nightless City with his guard up.

He wakes up at his usual time and makes himself presentable in record time. He is wearing a new set of robes Uncle commissioned for this Discussion Conference and Lan Zhan awaits the response he will receive from Wei Wuxian after his mate sees him in these. Except Lan Zhan feels jittery and nervous for another reason as well.

There is a scent in the air that makes his stomach twist in discomfort. He cannot place its origins but it is all-encompassing and leaves him being hyper aware of his surroundings. Today is the first day of the Discussion Conference since the Jin Sect arrived late the previous evening, so the events will begin soon.

Lan Zhan goes to Uncle's room, where he finds Brother standing stiffly beside their Uncle as their sect members arrive. Most of the junior disciples are present already, but Uncle is fidgeting with the sleeves of his robes while Brother hovers so he must not be the only one whose teeth have been set on edge this morning.

Regardless, Lan Zhan greets them both as normally as he can and falls into line with the other junior disciples as they wait for the rest of their congregation to arrive. Today the archery competition will be held after breakfast with a hunt beginning as soon as the ranks have been given for the first event. They will break for the noon meal hour after the hunt and wait for tomorrow's events to be announced after the Sect Leaders have ended their first meeting.

The rest of the sect members arrive within an incense stick's worth of time and they all fall into line behind Uncle and Brother. Breakfast is a quiet affair and Lan Zhan finds himself adding small amounts of spice to his food without really meaning to. Brother and Uncle do not react because they have grown used to this, but Lan Zhan can feel the gazes of his fellow junior disciples swiveling towards him.

Lan Zhan ignores it and eats. The cooks at Yunmeng have done their best to accommodate his bland palette when he visits, but they have different definitions of bland. It is not uncommon for Lan Zhan to bite into his food and taste spice when there should not be any. As time has gone on, Lan Zhan has gotten used to Yunmeng's version of bland food and has taken to carrying more than just Wei Wuxian's favorite spices in his qiankun pouches at all times.

When he finishes, he stacks his bowls and cleans up after himself as best as he can. He waits until Brother and Uncle have stood up, their places also clean, before he stands and lines up behind them again.

Lan Zhan keeps his head down and his gaze level as they walk. Soon, they will find themselves in the courtyard set aside for the first event and Lan Zhan will be assaulted with many new scents he has not been exposed to before. He wants to find Wei Wuxian before the event begins but he also doubts that his mate will be awake this early.

He is pleasantly surprised to find the Jiang Sect and a few minor sects already gathered when they arrive, however. Uncle dismisses them with a reminder to remain courteous and heads upwards where the other sect leaders will watch over the event.

Lan Zhan stands by Brother until he inclines his head towards the Jiang Sect and Lan Zhan feels his shoulders loosening in response. He can feel stares from all around land on him as he breaks away from the Lan Sect and heads towards the Jiang Sect, but he ignores it. His and Wei Wuxian's upcoming wedding is no secret as many of the invitations have already been sent out. Soon he will also be a member of the Jiang Sect, so it stands to reason that he would split his time between his two sects during events such as this. The present is always a great time to practice what he will be doing frequently in the future anyway.

Jiang Yanli smiles at him as he approaches and Lan Zhan finds himself fighting to not smile back. Her attention on him garners Jiang Wanyin's as well, so Lan Zhan bows in greeting to his future siblings-in-law and steps closer after they have both bowed back.

"Wei Ying?" he asks.

Jiang Yanli sighs and opens her mouth to respond, but Jiang Wanyin answers before she can. "Idiot got lost, probably. I told you we all should have waited for him."

"A-Xian is not hopeless, he will be here soon, A-Cheng," Jiang Yanli soothes before she turns to address Lan Zhan. "He was taking longer than usual to finish his meal this morning and urged us to go on without him. That was some time ago, however, so we can only assume he is lost. Father went looking for him just now."

Lan Zhan nods, unsurprised. The only way he would be able to find his way around Nightless City is by scent and that continues to be marred by the sickening smell he still cannot pinpoint. Nightless City, as a whole, is a mess of swirling steps and curving paths that only make sense to those who are already familiar with it. Getting lost is something even he would worry about while here.

The Jin Sect arrive right then, their gold robes demanding all attention. Lan Zhan stares down Jin Zixuan when he happens to glance in their direction, unwilling to break eye contact first. It is childish and unbecoming of people with their status, but Lan Zhan has been in close contact with Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin for almost two years now. They worship the very ground their beloved older sister walks on, and even if she terrifies something deep within him, Lan Zhan adores her the same way her brothers do.

He genuinely does not understand how Jin Zixuan cannot.

Jin Zixuan looks away first, his scent colored with anxiety and the tiniest portion of fear. Lan Zhan shifts closer into Jiang Wanyin's space and allows himself to relax when his Claw pats his shoulder. He shares a glance with him quickly, humor filling him to the brim when Jiang Wanyin smiles at him. Jiang Yanli sighs from Lan Zhan's other side but she smiles as well when they both turn their gazes upon her.

"You and A-Xian are such bad influences, A-Cheng. Soon Lan Xichen will be demanding to know what we did to his pure and precious little brother," she comments, the slant of her mouth teasing.

Jiang Wanyin scoffs and nudges Lan Zhan's bicep. "Please, like Lan Wangji was ever pure to begin with if he decided he was going to marry Wei Wuxian of all people."

"Are we slandering Wei Wuxian again?" Nie Huaisang pipes up from behind them.

Lan Zhan turns to bow and greet his Tail, unsurprised about his presence. "Huaisang-xiong."

"My Head," Nie Huaisang greets him with a bow in return before he does the same for the Jiang siblings.

"What did your brother bribe you with this time to attend?" Jiang Wanyin asks as soon as he is standing upright again.

Lan Zhan tunes out the words being thrown around him then, more focused on the unmistakable heartbeat coming towards them. Jiang Yanli notices his distraction first and turns to face the direction Lan Zhan is pointed towards. Lan Zhan could hear his mate before he saw him but he did not catch his scent until Wei Wuxian had already entered the clearing.

That is also when Lan Zhan notices that the rest of the invited sects have arrived. There is still some time before the archery event officially begins, but already Lan Zhan can see cultivators lining up before the targets and testing their bows.

Brother catches his eye and Lan Zhan nods as subtly as he can back. He will return to Brother's side once he has greeted his betrothed. He has not talked to Wei Wuxian since they had tea with Uncle the day before and that has been entirely too long in Lan Zhan's opinion.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian greets him first, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "I missed you."

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan says.

Wei Wuxian smiles and takes a step closer only to be intercepted by Jiang Wanyin. "What? Nothing for me or A-jie? Father went looking for you because A-jie was worried and now you turn up and only greet Lan Wangji? Wei Wuxian!"

"Hello, Jiang Cheng! Thank you for worrying about me," Wei Wuxian laughs.

Jiang Wanyin slaps his arm, his expression tight with disapproval. "I can't wait until you're Lan Wangji's problem."

Lan Zhan stiffens as an unfamiliar scent comes closer. It is tinged with the disconcerting smell Lan Zhan can't place and he fights a particular instinct that wants him to remove the incoming danger before it can get any closer to his mate.

Wen Chao comes to a stop near their small group, a smirk on his face that Lan Zhan wants to tear off. He keeps his face blank, however, and steps closer to Wei Wuxian's side.

"I heard the Second Jade Dragon is getting married," Wen Chao directs at him.

Lan Zhan can feel the way his weyr instantly tenses around him. Jiang Wanyin steps up beside him as Nie Huaisang subtly pulls Jiang Yanli behind them. Wei Wuxian glances at him for a moment to silently ask how Lan Zhan wants to handle this and smiles when Lan Wangji raises one eyebrow at him.

"You heard correctly!" Wei Wuxian answers for him, grabbing hold of Lan Zhan's arm to cling onto him.

Jiang Wanyin frowns and pulls Lan Zhan closer to his side to separate them. "Can you at least pretend like you know the meaning of the word 'proper', idiot?"

Lan Zhan keeps his eyes on Wen Chao and despises the smug look he adopts after Jiang Wanyin has finished speaking. "I am surprised the Lan Sect would stoop so low as to marry one of their young masters to a bastard, but I suppose it is unsurprising considering you are a beast."

The emotions from Lan Zhan's weyr that greet those words almost overwhelm him. He inhales deeply and forces himself to hold steady, refusing to break his silence as Wen Chao continues to dig his grave. Lan Zhan cares little for what others think of him — he always has. Wen Chao cannot hurt him by insulting him, but he knows his weyr thinks differently. Already he can see Brother staring daggers into Wen Chao's back and he knows Nie Huaisang has already devised a plot to make Wen Chao look like a fool later. He is prepared to bear the brunt of Wen Chao's ire for today.

What he is not prepared for is Wen Chao saying, "And, of course, this bastard jumped at the chance for a proper marriage. The whore probably already opened his legs for you anyway, so I don't see the point in continuing this farce."

Lan Zhan feels something cold swell up in his chest, his next exhale only mist. The white puff stands out even in the middle of winter in Nightless City where the sun always shines, enough so that Lan Zhan can feel all eyes turning towards them almost instantly. Anger simmers in his veins, the urge to intimidate and retaliate against Wen Chao stifling strong. He knows his anger is clear by the triumphant look in Wen Chao’s eyes, but Lan Zhan forces himself to not react.

He is fighting with himself to not take this further, to not tear out Wen Chao's throat and dig out his heart after. Everything in him is screaming to move and let go, to defend his mate, but Lan Zhan has learned to be human for almost nineteen years. He cannot lose control. Not like this.

And then Brother is there as he steps right in between him and Wen Chao. Lan Zhan's sight is filled with the view of his older brother's back. His shoulders are a tense line, but he does not waver. He becomes aware of Wei Wuxian taking his left hand while Nie Huaisang takes the other before they both pull him backward, away from the disaster Lan Zhan could easily cause.

Jiang Yanli steps up beside Brother, her back straight and unbending. The same as it always is when she plays mediator for her family back in Lotus Pier. Jiang Wanyin falls into step behind their retreat, carving them a path through the Jiang disciples that help shield them from view.

Lan Zhan knows every sect here must have witnessed what just happened, knows that this will reach back to the Elders who have waited all these years for him to slip up again. He did nothing but breathe mist, yet it may as well have been his death sentence. The Wen Sect has intimidated too many sects to not have some sort of pull on other Great Sects, especially the clan elders who are rigid in their traditional ways.

The Elders will hold nothing back once they learn of this incident. Lan Zhan is sure of it.

Even as Wei Wuxian tries his best to assure him, he cannot focus on his mate. He looks up from Wei Wuxian's concerned gaze to find Uncle's and offers him a silent apology as best as he can. Uncle is frowning, obviously displeased, yet Lan Zhan cannot tell who he is upset with.

He meets Wen Rouhan's eyes as he looks away from Uncle and pauses as the scent he could not recognize finally clicks into place.

It seems that the Wen Sect is more poisonous than Lan Zhan was led to believe.