Lan Wangji did not know the word to properly convey what happened at that first inn. If Lan Wangji ever did find the correct words he suspected they would all be ones typically banned from the GusuLan sect vocabulary. Lan Wangji had been completely ready to drag Wei Wuxian to another inn and travel by themselves to Qishan. The slump of Wei Wuxian's shoulders throughout the day and the dull look in Wei Wuxian's eyes had made Lan Wangji more than concerned.

Lan Wangji feared Wei Wuxian might not have it in him to argue with the Jiangs. Lan Wangji was resolutely refusing to refer to them as Wei Wuxian's family. Lan Wangji had been internally bracing himself for the moment he may need to step in and refuse the Jiangs' on Wei Wuxian's behalf. Wei Wuxian had been told to share the room with Jiang Wanyin. Then Wei Wuxian very calmly announced that he would be sharing a room with Lan Wangji.

"Sect Leader Jiang stated he could not condone the two of us sharing a room. He stated it was inappropriate. Jiang Wanyin was more vulgar, but similar sentiment." Lan Wangji explained after a long silence to collect his thoughts.

Lan Wangji remembered Jiang Fengmian giving Wei Wuxian this tight smile as he told Wei Wuxian he understood how Wei Wuxian was feeling. Lan Wangji had tightened his fists to the point that small crescents were cut into his palms. It certainly did not feel like Jiang Fengmian understood. Lan Wangji doubted Wei Wuxian felt understood when Jiang Fengmian said it would be good for Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin to room together.

Jiang Fengmian felt it would be an opportunity for them to work things out. Dismissing the tension between the two as a childish argument between siblings. Wei Wuxian had been completely quiet during this patronizing explanation. Jiang Wanyin had rolled his eyes and grabbed Wei Wuxian by the wrist to drag him to their room like he might have done before they visited Cloud Recesses.

Lan Wangji might have physically removed Jiang Wanyin's hand, if he had not seen the change in Wei Wuxian's posture. The desire to harm someone touching Wei Wuxian without Wei Wuxian's consent was satisfied by the look of bewilderment on Jiang Wanyin's face when Wei Wuxian smoothly pulled his hand from Jiang Wanyin's grip. Completely calm and with no hint of a request or a question, Wei Wuxian had looked at the people he'd grown up with and repeated the statement that he would be sharing a room with Lan Wangji.

A gentle reprimanding tone from Jiang Fengmian, speaking to Wei Wuxian like a playful child being naughty. This was the least of their problems as Jiang Wanyin exploded. Hurling accusations at both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Shouting about their indecency. Accusing Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji of knowing no shame. Telling Wei Wuxian to stop being ridiculous and give up this nonsense so they could all get some sleep. Wei Wuxian looked Jiang Wanyin right in the eyes.

'You've been insulting me all day. Should I smile and tell you I'm fine? Should I say nothing and let you insult me all night?' Wei Wuxian spoke in a calm and even tone. He did not yell, or shout. There was no anger in his words as he spoke, but they were not hesitant or weak.

"Wei Ying refused to listen." Lan Wangji said as he failed to hold back a wide smirk. Well, wide for Lan Wangji. The look of complete and utter shock on Jiang Wanyin's face. The wide surprised eyes of Jiang Fengmian. Their expressions satisfied something angry and probably a little bit petty that lived in Lan Wangji's chest. The strong and calm certainty with which Wei Wuxian turned around, took Lan Wangji's hand, and walked to their room. Lan Wangji had been so proud. Even thinking back on it made him proud.

"Trip was... awkward after that." Lan Wangji admitted slowly. He didn't mention to Wen Qionglin how drained Wei Wuxian had been that night. He didn't break down, which Lan Wangji felt he had every right to do. He'd simply placed a few talismans, not wanting to deal with any intrusions. Then wordlessly wrapped himself around Lan Wangji's middle like a panda hugging a tree and sighed.

"Where will you two go after the conference?" Wen Qionglin asked somewhat nervously.

"Cloud Recesses. Wei Ying finished the protections for Lotus Pier. After indoctrination will add medicine to evacuation supplies." Lan Wangji explained. Wen Qionglin sighed with relief.

"Jie dislikes Xian-ge staying in Lotus Pier. She worries about him. She wanted me to make sure he would not return there alone." Wen Qionglin said with a small apologetic smile.

"Mn. Will never." Lan Wangji asserted. Wen Qionglin's smile widened at the response. The pounding of a drum announced that they should be making their way to the banquet and their places for the archery competition. Lan Wangji gently stroked Wei Wuxian's shoulder then bent down to kiss his cheek.

"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji spoke gently. Wei Wuxian stirred only enough to cuddle closer to Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji smiled softly. Leaning down Lan Wangji began peppering Wei Wuxian's face with dozens of kisses raining across his cheeks, his forehead, his eyelids, and his nose. Wei Wuxian slowly stirred, trying to chase the elusive mouth that was kissing everywhere except his lips. A small frustrated groan as Wei Wuxian jutted his lip out in a pout.

"Kiss'me p'operly." Wei Wuxian's voice was slurred by sleep.

"Wei Ying must wake up." Lan Wangji said softly.

"I 'm awake." Wei Wuxian muttered.

"Without seeing Wei Ying's eyes, can't tell." Lan Wangji replied. The pout deepened as Wei Wuxian opened his eyes to slits. Just enough to glare grumpily at the Second Jade. Lan Wangji smiled and abruptly stood, bringing Wei Wuxian up with him and forcing him into a standing position.

"Lan Zhan! You're so mean!" Wei Wuxian yelped, grabbing onto Lan Wangji's shoulders for balance. Lan Wangji bent forward and kissed Wei Wuxian's lips fully, not allowing the kiss to deepen too much. Lan Wangji pulled away as Wei Wuxian tried to blink away the sleep still clinging to his eyes.

"Competition is starting." Lan Wangji stated calmly.

"Oh." Wei Wuxian replied somewhat blankly. Lan Wangji's brow creased slightly.

"Wei Ying does not have to participate." Lan Wangji stated with mild concern.

Wei Wuxian had been contemplating not participating. The two of them had been up late the night before discussing it. Lan Wangji had spent most of that time listening patiently as Wei Wuxian rambled. Wei Wuxian did not always need someone to speak with him. Sometimes he just needed someone to listen. His brilliant mind worked so quickly and was filled with so many thoughts that sometimes the only way for Wei Wuxian to organize them properly was to say them out loud.

Lan Wangji suspected this was also why Wei Wuxian sometimes said things that people found ridiculous or inappropriate. Wei Wuxian needed to talk in order to properly sort through his thoughts sometimes. That did not give him the opportunity to decide if said thoughts should be shared out loud. Lan Wangji suspected many of Wei Wuxian's confrontations with Lan Qiren were caused by this. This and Wei Wuxian's difficulty staying still for long periods of time.

By the time Wei Wuxian had stopped pacing in their room he had already mostly convinced himself to either not participate or to just give a token amount of effort in the competition. While sorting through his thoughts Wei Wuxian found he didn't feel the need to demonstrate his skills like he used to. Wei Wuxian used to love showing off his sword skills and archery. It was one of the few times people would compliment him in a way that made him feel good. Additionally it was something he had felt he needed to do in order to prove to Jiang Fengmian that he had been worth taking in.

Wei Wuxian didn't feel that urge in the same way anymore, but he did still feel the pain of knowing it would hurt Jiang Wanyin when Wei Wuxian beat him. It always hurt Jiang Wanyin when Wei Wuxain beat him, and if Wei Wuxian really did try it was extremely unlikely that he wouldn't. Jiang Wanyin had always been competitive. Of course he was. Yu Ziyuan was constantly comparing him to Wei Wuxian. Sometimes it seemed like the only thing Jiang Wanyin could think about was proving he was better than Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji had listened while Wei Wuxian talked through it. He considered not saying anything. He did not wish Wei Wuxian to do things that would make him uncomfortable. Then again he also wanted Wei Wuxian to stop making all of his decisions based around protecting Jiang Wanyin's fragile ego.

In the end Lan Wangji decided to say something. He wouldn't pressure Wei Wuxian, but it would have been lying to deny that he desperately wanted Wei Wuxian to participate. Not lying as in denying the truth, but it would be omitting information that Lan Wangji knew Wei Wuxian would want to know. Wei Wuxian cared about Lan Wangji's feelings and opinions. So Lan Wangji had bit back the urge to remain silent.

Lan Wangji wanted Wei Wuxian to participate. Lan Wangji wanted to compete with Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji had excelled in his cultivation since he was young. The lack of challenge when sparring and competing with his cohort was boring and tedious. Two emotions he had spent far too long in the company of over the years. Lan Wangji wanted the excitement of the challenge Wei Wuxian could pose. He wanted to have to compete with Wei Wuxian for targets. He wanted to feel the thrill of having to push himself and still not know who might win.

When Lan Wangji explained it, although in fewer words than what he had thought through, Wei Wuxian's eyes had lit up with excitement. Those dark eyes glittered just like they had when the two of them fought on the roof for the first time. Wei Wuxian sneaking in, past curfew, with bottles of liquor. Lan Wangji floored by the audacity of a guest disciple breaking through their wards and blatantly violating their rules. The moment Lan Wangji realized that Wei Wuxian could actually hold his own in a fight against him. It had filled Lan Wangji with a thrill that had been completely foreign to him.

Suddenly Lan Wangji found Wei Wuxian was kissing him. Lan Wangji blinked in surprise before taking control of the kiss, not stopping until Wei Wuxian teetered slightly on his weakening knees. Lan Wangji pulled away leaving both of them slightly breathless while Wei Wuxian clung to him for support.

"How come you're never the one losing their balance?" Wei Wuxian complained. Lan Wangji kissed Wei Wuxian's forehead.

"Wei Ying is more expressive." Lan Wangji replied. Wei Wuxian paused. His brow creased as he frowned cutely in intense thought.

"That... Does that make sense?" Wei Wuxian questioned out loud. Wei Wuxian eventually huffed, dismissing this line of questioning. "So What were you thinking about so intensely?" Wei Wuxian asked.

"Wei Ying, competition. Your decision." Lan Wangji replied slowly. Wei Wuxian smiled.

"Lan Zhan. I already told you my decision last night. I'm going to compete. Last time you left the competition halfway through. I want to see which of us will win if you stay in it until the end." Wei Wuxian said grinning. Lan Wangji raised an eyebrow in confusion. Wei Wuxian saw the unasked question and shrugged in response. "I don't know why you left early. Just don't leave early this time." Wei Wuxian's eyes were sparkling in anticipation. Lan Wangji loved that look in his eyes.

"Mn." Lan Wangji agreed. Wei Wuxian beamed up at him and began bouncing on the balls of his feet. Wei Wuxian's gesture matched the way Lan Wangji was feeling. Excited.

"I-I will go on ahead." Wen Qionglin's quiet voice startled Wei Wuxian.

"Ah haha... We can go together." Wei Wuxian said, laughing awkwardly. Somewhere along the way he had completely forgotten that his didi was present. Wen Qionglin smiled kindly, a light blush dusting his cheeks in contrast to Wei Wuxian's bright red face. Lan Wangji took Wei Wuxian's hand, interlocking their fingers, and began leading his betrothed towards the opening ceremony.