Wei Wuxian stepped forward to make a small correction to Jiang Yanli's footwork as she went through the techniques he had taught her. When Jiang Yanlie asked him to teach her how to fight he was more than surprised. He thought she either wasn't interested in such things or actively disliked it. Even though he was surprised, Wei Wuxian didn't think much about it when she asked him. This was his Shijie. She wanted him to teach her. He liked teaching. Of course he would teach her.

It had been months since she first made the request, and to say he was impressed was an understatement. Wei Wuxian had taught a lot of disciples. It was part of his duties as head disciple of the YunmengJiang sect. Even though it seemed like a lifetime ago, he hadn't forgotten what he learned or what it was like to teach. He remembered enjoying teaching, but teaching Jiang Yanli brought that memory to the forefront. He didn't just like teaching. He loved it. He loved being able to help. Finding interesting ways to explain and demonstrate things to help make it easier to understand.

However the biggest surprise was how quickly Jiang Yanli learned. Wei Wuxian didn't recall ever seeing her hold a sword before. Everyone learned at a different pace so he never really put any expectations on her for how quickly she would learn something. He was floored when he saw how quickly she was picking up the techniques. Every now and then he would introduce a technique that she would struggle with. They might spend weeks working on just that technique, but eventually things would click into place.

The first time this happened Jiang Yanli had looked so disappointed with herself. Wei Wuxian couldn't bear to see that look on his Shijie's face. He suggested they take a break. Jiang Yanli refused at first. She insisted she needed to keep going until she got it. Until Wei Wuxian started pouting. Wei Wuxian gave her his best puppy eyes and whined about being too hungry to keep practicing. He didn't stop until Jiang Yanli was laughing and walking to the kitchen to make something for him. Once they finished eating he asked her about how she learned how to cook.

He was only half curious about how she learned to cook. He prodded to find out what was hard for her, and how long it took her to learn. He kept asking until he heard what he had been looking for. Not all parts of learning to cook had been easy for her, and it took her a long time to get even the easy recipes perfect. Apparently she had adjusted the seasonings in her Lotus and Pork Rib soup dozens of times. Wei Wuxian had no idea she had made so many attempts and adjustments, but it did make sense why it was so wonderful. She had put so much effort into getting the soup just right.

'Learning to use a sword and learning to cook. It's the same kind of thing. Some parts are easy, and some parts take awhile to figure out. You'll do a lot better than me. You won't burn the kitchen down during your first try.' Wei Wuxian had said with a grin. The next day they started again and after a while Jiang Yanli got the hang of it. That first technique she had struggled with took weeks for her to get right. Once she got it she had the brightest smile he had ever seen on her face. Wei Wuxian wasn't sure he had ever seen her so excited as she was that day.

Today was a little different from their usual day, because today Jiang Yanli had brought someone with her. Apparently there were no classes so Jiang Yanli brought Luo Qingyang with to her daily training. Wei Wuxian didn't have any complaints. Luo Qingyang was energetic and a bit fiery. Wei Wuxian couldn't resist teasing her a bit at the start and he swore Luo Qingyang almost bit his head off. Not that that dissuaded him. Would he still be Wei Wuxian if that was enough to make him stop teasing someone?

The normal schedule was that they would practice for an hour or two before lunch. They'd stop and eat. Then they'd continue for another couple hours in the afternoon. It depended a bit on how tired they were, or if Wei Wuxian needed to meet with Lan Xichen about something. Today there wasn't anything planned, but Lan Wangji seemed to be acting a bit different. Lan Wangji often watched Wei Wuxian train Jiang Yanli. Sometimes he would do his own practice at the same time or meditate. After the first couple of months he started trying out leaving for short periods of time.

It was something Wen Qing recommended. She said it was important for them to both learn to be comfortable being away from each other. She only brought it up when Wei Wuxian was starting to do better and she recommended first introducing it while Wei Wuxian would be distracted. So more and more frequently Lan Wangji would disappear for an hour or two during training. Usually he would do so in the morning just after Jiang Yanli arrived. By now it was normal for Lan Wangji to be gone until lunch time. Specifically he would arrive back with their food and make sure Wei Wuxian stopped to eat.

Today Lan Wangji didn't leave. Wei Wuxian wasn't complaining. He loved having Lan Wangji around, but something just didn't feel right. Lan Wangji watched the entire time. He didn't meditate, practice his guqin, or train with Bichen. He also didn't seem relaxed. Usually when Lan Wangji watched him he would be relaxed. His shoulders would be dropped down slightly. There would be a warm soft look in his eyes. Sometimes there would be that tiny upturn to his lips that practically stopped Wei Wuxian's heart every time he saw it.

Wei Wuxian did his best to focus on training Jiang Yanli, and her friend. Since Luo Qingyang bothered to show up and Jiang Yanli seemed excited to have her join, Wei Wuxian wasn't going to say no. So he was watching the two of them practice. Stepping in now and then to adjust their form or correct a mistake. Wei Wuxian had started letting Jiang Yanli practice with Subian. He wasn't going to let her take it to practice on her own. Even if he had only recently become comfortable wielding it again. He still wasn't willing to send it too far from his sight.

Lan Wangji had previously offered to teach Jiang Yanli a few core strengthening techniques from the GusuLan sect. Just last week Lan Wangji said that Jiang Yanli might be able to form her golden core before the lectures ended. Jiang Yanli had been stunned and seemed even more determined to practice hard. Wei Wuxian tried to keep focusing on these details. The progress Jiang Yanli was making. How excited his Shijie was to learn.

Iit only went so far in helping him ignore the anxious feeling in his stomach. Why was Lan Wangji less relaxed today? Why was he watching them with such an unhappy look in his eyes? Wei Wuxian's ruminations were interrupted by Wen Qionglin bringing them food. Apparently they had missed the lunch hour completely. Now Wei Wuxian was absolutely certain that something was wrong and he could not ignore it. Lan Wangji never let him miss a meal.

Ever since he started working on his plans for improving the security of Cloud Recesses and Lotus Pier, Wei Wuxian had been horrible about remembering to eat. This was not a new problem for him, but this was the first time Lan Wangji was finding out about it. Ever since that first week Lan Wangji had been adamant about making sure Wei Wuxian never missed a meal. At this point Wei Wuxian was certain that Lan Wangji enjoyed picking him up and pulling him away from whatever he was doing. Although, since Wei Wuxian was usually rewarded with several kisses in the process, he didn't really mind.

Today was different. Lan Wangji had not interrupted their practice to remind Wei Wuxian to eat. He had not even gone to bring food. Wen Qionglin had brought it for them upon realizing they had missed the meal time. Wei Wuxian bit his lip thoughtfully. Once he decided what he would do he plopped himself down beside the table and put on an over dramatic display of being exhausted.

"Shijie. You make me work so hard today. I can't stand anymore, it is too much work." Wei Wuxian said, draping himself over the table.

"A-Xian, how old are you?" Jiang Yanli said with a smile.

"Xianxian is three!" Wei Wuxian announced excitedly. "And Xianxian missed lunch. Too tired to keep practising. Practice more tomorrow." Wei Wuxian said, pouting as pathetically as he could manage. Jiang Yanli smiled fondly at him and ruffled his hair.

"How are you tired? We were the ones doing the hard part." Luo Qingyang protested.

"I'm too delicate to miss meals. What should I do if I become weak and frail because of not giving my body proper rest?" Wei Wuxian defended. Luo Qingyang frowned.

"Mianmian. Why don't we give A-Xian a break? He has been training me every day. He deserves a break. We can go into Caiyi together and run through the drills ourselves when we get back." Jiang Yanli said calmly before Luo Qingyang could open her mouth to protest further. Luo Qingyang seemed happy enough with this compromise.

"Thank you for all your help A-Xian." Jiang Yanli said with a smile. Wei Wuxian grinned at Jiang Yanli.

"Shijie doesn't need to thank me. I'm happy I get to spend so much time with you. Teaching you is lots of fun. You work really hard and it shows in how much progress you're making." Wei Wuxian said, still grinning. A few tears fell down Jiang Yanli's face and Wei Wuxian immediately started to panic.

"Shijie?! Did I say something wrong?" Wei Wuxian asked urgently. Jiang Yanli shook her head. She raised her face to look at him, and even though she was crying she had the brightest smile on her face.

"A-Xian did nothing wrong. I'm just really happy." Jiang Yanli said. Tears were still escaping, but Wei Wuxian felt a bit better seeing that she was still smiling so enthusiastically. Wei Wuxian watched with a bit of concern as Jiang Yanli and Luo Qingyang left, but once they were gone his mind refocused on his biggest worry of the day.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian's previous joking and drama was completely gone. Lan Wangji set the food out that Wen Qionglin had brought for them.

"Mn?" He inquired without looking at Wei Wuxian.

"Lan Zhan... Before we eat, can we talk for a few minutes?" Wei Wuxian asked. Lan Wangji hesitated. He seemed to be debating whether to agree to Wei Wuxian's request or insist Wei Wuxian eat as soon as possible. Wei Wuxian pulled on Lan Wangji's sleeve successfully, getting the older boy to look at him.

"Please?" Wei Wuxian asked. There was no teasing tone, dramatic sighs, or deliberately childish voice. Wei Wuxian was completely serious and seemed deeply concerned about something. Lan Wangji stopped what he was doing and sat back down.

"Mn." Lan Wangji agreed, then waited for Wei Wuxian to say what he wished to talk about.

"Lan Zhan. Is there something wrong?" Wei Wuxian asked. Lan Wangji's eyes widened slightly before he recovered from his surprise.

"Wei Ying shouldn't worry." Lan Wangji replied quietly. Wei Wuxian's frown deepened.

"I should rephrase my question. Lan Zhan... I know something is wrong. You're stressed or upset about something and I'm really worried. Will you please tell me what is bothering you?" Wei Wuxian reached forward and grabbed Lan Wangji's hands. He held them tightly as he bent down to force Lan Wangji to look at him. Wei Wuxian saw the small crease form between Lan Wangji's eyebrows, a clear sign that he was worried about something.

"Wei Ying... was very close to Luo-guniang..." Lan Wangji finally muttered with much difficulty. Wei Wuxian repeated that sentence in his head several times.

'I was close to Shijie's friend? I mean, I suppose. I was teaching them. I had to correct her posture and... oh...' It finally clicked in Wei Wuxian's head why Lan Wangji had been looking so stressed and uncomfortable ever since Jiang Yanli arrived for training.

"Lan Zhan, were you jealous of Shijie's friend?" Wei Wuxian asked gently. Lan Wangji averted his gaze to the side before he gave a very small nod.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Wei Wuxian asked. Lan Wangji frowned, staring at the table to avoid Wei Wuxian's gaze.

"Wei Ying was having fun." Lan Wangji said quietly. Wei Wuxian let out an exasperated sigh.

"Lan Zhan, we talked about this didn't we?" Wei Wuxian questioned gently. Wei Wuxian frowned when Lan Wangji didn't respond. "Lan Zhan. Move your hands." Wei Wuxian said firmly. Lan Wangji's hands were resting in his lap. Lan Wangji glanced at Wei Wuxian in confusion.

"They're in my spot." Wei Wuxian said firmly. Without waiting for Lan Wangji to respond Wei Wuxian move Lan Wangji's arms out of his way. He then plopped himself down on Lan Wangji's lap before cupping Lan Wangji's face with his hands. Wei Wuxian gazed affectionately at Lan Wangji, caressing Lan Wangji's cheeks with his thumbs.

"You were afraid of upsetting me huh?" Wei Wuxian asked gently. Lan Wangji's arms had automatically wrapped around Wei Wuxian's waist to make sure he wouldn't fall.

"Mn." he responded quietly.

"Seeing me tease Shijie's friend, and probably when I touched her to correct her posture. That's what made you upset, right?" Wei Wuxian questioned calmly. He didn't want to assume. He wanted to make sure he understood exactly what had bothered Lan Wangji.

"Mn." Lan Wangji replied, his eyes looking toward the side to avoid Wei Wuxian's gaze. Wei Wuxian leaned forward and kissed Lan Wangji. The kiss was soft and focused, gently paralyzing Lan Wangji and stealing his breath. Wei Wuxian pulled back and gazed lovingly at Lan Wangji.

"I love you. Only you. I'm not interested in Shijie's friend." Wei Wuxian said in a quiet firm voice. He placed one of his hands over Lan Wangji's heart. "Lan Zhan. I don't want you to feel hurt or abandoned, or whatever else comes with jealousy. Don't worry about upsetting me. You won't upset me. Really, I would love it if you dragged me away from teaching so that you could kiss me and remind yourself that I am only yours." Wei Wuxian was grinning by the time he finished. Lan Wangji was staring at Wei Wuxian, his clear golden eyes had darkened slightly.

"Shameless." Lan Wangji whispered, but the way he said it sent shivers down Wei Wuxian's spine. The next thing he knew, Lan Wangji was kissing him fiercely. Wei Wuxian was happy to let Lan Wangji take control. All Wei Wuxian could feel was Lan Wangji's lips and tongue. Lan Wangji's fierce attack churned his insides causing an involuntary moan to escape from his throat. Wei Wuxian gasped for air as he felt the sharp sting of Lan Wangji biting his lower lip. Wei Wuxian leaned heavily against Lan Wangji, feeling like all the strength had fled from his limbs. He hummed happily as he felt Lan Wangji placed a soft kiss against his temple.

"Does my Lan Zhan feel better?" Wei Wuxian asked softly. Wei Wuxian felt the arms holding him pull him closer. At the same time he heard a deep sigh leave Lan Wangji taking with it most of the tension Wei Wuxian had felt in the shoulder beneath his cheek.

"Mn. Always better when Wei Ying is here." Lan Wangji whispered quietly. Wei Wuxian opened his eyes and saw the soft warm look in the crystal clear irises that watched him affectionately.

"Mn. In your arms is the best place." Wei Wuxian replied smiling wider when he saw Lan Wangji ears tint pink.

"Shameless."