Wen Chao's reputation had never been good. Everyone was offended by the audacity he had displayed when he sauntered into the banquet of the opening ceremony late, already half drunk, indecently groping at his mistress. Everyone was offended, but even Wen Rouhan had not looked surprised. Even as the son of a sect leader, the sect leader of the most powerful sect, it wasn't enough to keep Wen Chao's reputation clear.

Wen Chao was incompetent. The entire cultivation world knew it. The only one who didn't seem to know it was Wen Chao himself, and perhaps the various mistresses he cycled through. Wei Wuxian was aware that Wen Chao had a wife and several mistresses, but Wei Wuxian had only ever met Wang Lingjiao. She was the current favourite and therefore was the woman that dangled off of Wen Chao like an ill fitting robe.

Wei Wuxian was someone who loved physical affection. He liked to cling to Lan Wangji. If he had his way he would always be sitting in Lan Wangji's lap. He would wish to constantly hold Lan Wangji's hand, touch his arm, or play idly with his fiance's hair. Wei Wuxian's issue with the physical displays between Wang Lingjiao and Wen Chao wasn't that they were touching. The issue was in the way they did it.

It wasn't sweet, affectionate, or supportive touch. It was vulgar. It was full of crass gropes, animalistic drooling, and gestures that were obscene beyond the point of merely forgetting you had an audience. In fact it was obvious that they always knew they had an audience. Wang Lingjiao was more eager to reveal her skin than a paid prostitute. There were times Wei Wuxian was almost certain she was about to smother Wen Chao with her very exposed endowments. If that had been the worst of their qualities Wei Wuxian would have just politely looked away and pretend he didn't see Wang Lingjiao's hand groping between Wen Chao's legs. Sadly this was probably the most savoury of their behaviours.

Wang Lingjiao was cruel, arrogant, and stupid. In many ways Wei Wuxian thought she and Wen Chao made an excellent match. The most clever thing Wang Lingjiao had ever done was to escalate herself from the servant of Wen Chao's wife all the way to his favourite mistress. She didn't seem to realize that she was not even the second woman to claim such a position. Had the sunshot campaign never occurred she would not have been the last.

Wang Lingjiao was maliciously jealous. She liked to hurt people. Anyone who she perceived as a threat. If Wen Chao looked at a girl too long Wang Lingjiao would thrust her breasts into his face, grope his crotch, and make sure to take the opportunity to kill or disfigure the 'offending' girl later. Wen Chao was lecherous. His eyes wandered and his mouth was quick to insult the girls that he didn't find appealing. He was equally fast to drool and leer at every girl he did find attractive. He did not care if his advances were welcome or not.

Every muscle in Wei Wuxian's body felt tense as Wen Chao traded snide remarks with half a dozen cultivators participating in the competition. This time Wei Wuxian had not been present when Wen Chao first came onto the field. Wei Wuxian couldn't say he felt like he missed anything. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji arrived just after Wen Chao missed his target. Even sober Wen Chao would not have been much of a competitor, but drunk as he was he could not even stand without swaying. Wei Wuxian doubted he had been on the field more than a handful of minutes.

"Is there something wrong with your vision? The flare was grey. That means you are disqualified." Wei Wuxian pointed out in a bright and calm tone. It did not match how he was feeling, but he was rather proud it came out with such a casual affect. Wen Chao scoffed, clearing intending to ignore Wei Wuxian as he knocked another arrow.

"What's the point of setting rules if you are not going to follow them?" Jiang Wanyin griped with a pointed glare in Wen Chao's direction.

"I am the rules!" Wen Chao sneered. He loosed another arrow, missing his target by a large margin.

"If the QishanWen sect is going to ignore their own rules what's even the point in competing?" A young teen from a minor sect was grumbling to his companion. Unfortunately he was not speaking quietly enough. Wen Chao drew his bow back and shot off an arrow.

Wei Wuxian had vaguely recalled events transpiring similarly and had warned Lan Wangji. The two of them sprung into action immediately. Lan Wangji leapt in front of the disciple, striking the arrow off course with his bow. Meanwhile Wei Wuxian used the distraction. Infusing a pebble with spiritual energy he flicked it at Wen Chao's bow. It struck the tip of the upper limb of Wen Chao's bow causing the string to snap.

Wen Chao was lucky. The string snapped and the tension caused it to strike his arm and torso. Both places were protected by his sect robes, if it had struck his face things could have been much worse. Wen Chao still cursed loudly in pain and alarm. He stomped off whining bitterly about useless equipment and disciples of inferior sects daring to act above their station.

Jiang Wanyin rolled his eyes at the receding figure. His gaze hovered on Wei Wuxian briefly. Jiang Wanyin seemed to want to say something, but ultimately he walked away continue with the competition. Wei Wuxian's eyes scanned Lan Wangji to make sure he was unharmed. Wei Wuxian chuckled. Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon was out of place, slightly tilted. There was something amusing about seeing something out of place on the always perfect Lan Wangji.

"Lan Zhan! Your ribbon is crooked. Let me fix it for you." Wei Wuxian said brightly. His hand reached out and grabbed one of the fluttering ends. Wei Wuxian tugged on it gently intending to guide Lan Wangji to come closer. The gentle tug was all it took for the ribbon to come loose. Lan Wangji froze in shock and Wei Wuxian suddenly found fear stealing his breath.

In another life Wei Wuxian had said similar words to Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian remembered teasing Lan Wangji about his forehead ribbon. First before the competition started. Then mentioning it was crooked after the incident with Wen Chao. Lan Wangji thought he was joking and turned away in annoyance. Much like now, Wei Wuxian had reached out and gently tugged on the ribbon. The look Lan Wangji had given him froze the blood in his veins. Lan Wangji had been livid. So enraged that he shattered the bow in his hands and stormed off after reclaiming it.

Wei Wuxian stared down at the ribbon in his hands. White silk embroidered with pale blue clouds. It marked Lan Wangji as being a direct descendent of the Lan Clan, but that shouldn't be enough to explain the rage Lan Wangji had shown regarding Wei Wuxian touching it. Right now that didn't matter too much. Wei Wuxian had no idea why he wasn't supposed to touch it, but he now vividly recalled why Lan Wangji had left the competition early. Because touching this ribbon had angered him so greatly that Lan Wangji literally shattered his own bow and left the competition.

"I... I'm sorry. Lan Zhan. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. I forgot. This happened last time and I forgot. You were so angry. I'm sorry. Please." Wei Wuxian knew he was panicking.

Wei Wuxian had been so proud of himself for keeping calm around Wen Chao. Wei Wuxian was able to stay calm while dealing with the man who had destroyed Lotus Pier, the man who had thrown him into Burial Mounds. Wei Wuxian had been terrified many times in his life. Faced people who disgusted him. Faced people who had terrorized him.

Given that he had died under siege by the cultivation world it was safe to say he had reason to be afraid of quite a lot of people. That was nothing. That was nothing next to the thought of upsetting Lan Wangji so badly that he might leave. Wei Wuxian's breath was coming rapidly, but he felt like he wasn't taking in any air. His ears were buzzing. He forced himself to look at Lan Wangji. He had to know. He had to know how badly he had just messed up.

Lan Wangji's eyes were wide with shock, like he was processing what happened. Then those gold eyes focused on Wei Wuxian and the shock was crowded out by concern. Lan Wangji was suddenly gripping Wei Wuxian's shoulder. A hand came up to Wei Wuxian's cheek. Lan Wangji's clear eyes were searching Wei Wuxian's face, eyebrows creased in worry.

"Wei Ying. Slow your breaths." Lan Wangji urged. Wei Wuxian's brain heard the words, but the meaning wasn't sinking in. "Wei Ying. Look at me." Lan Wangji instructed. Wei Wuxian's eyes had been trying to shift away, too afraid to see the face he loved grow angry. With the instruction Wei Wuxian's body automatically obeyed, his gaze returning to Lan Wangji.

"I'm sorry. Lan Zhan. Please don't be angry. I'm sorry." Wei Wuxian pleaded. Wei Wuxian did not think he could bear losing Lan Wangji. Whatever offence he had just committed, he would beg Lan Wangji to forgive him. Lan Wangji let out a slow breath. Lan Wangji suddenly became calm. The worry still lined his face, but his shoulders slumped and his jaw relaxed.

"Wei Ying. I am not angry." Lan Wangji said calmly.

"I..." Wei Wuxian froze. He had been about to throw himself on Lan Wangji's mercy and apologize until he ran out of breath. "You're... you're not angry?" Wei Wuxian asked tentatively.

"Mn. Not angry." Lan Wangji reassured. Wei Wuxian stared dumbly at Lan Wangji. Then he looked down at the ribbon still clutched in his hand.

"Last time. Last time you were furious." Wei Wuxian said, trying to think through his recollections. His body felt weirdly numb, a result of the terror that had rapidly flooded him. Lan Wangji gently pulled Wei Wuxian into an embrace.

"Wei Ying. Do you know the significance of the forehead ribbon?" Lan Wangji asked softly. Wei Wuxian tilted his head in confusion. Wei Wuxian thought it was just part of their uniform, like the clarity bell of the YunmengJiang sect or the vermilion mark of the LanlingJin sect. Wei Wuxian shook his head after several seconds of thought. Amusement and affection twinkled in Lan Wangji's eyes.

"The forehead ribbon of the GusuLan sect is sacred. It is not simply an accessory. Only family may touch it. Parents, children, and spouses." Lan Wangji said gently. Wei Wuxian processed those words slowly.

'Oh... Oh!' Wei Wuxian felt heat flooding to his face. With one arm still wrapped around Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji made enough space to see the hand that was clutching the mentioned ribbon. Lan Wangji gently placed his hand beneath Wei Wuxian's. With a curl of his fingers he closed Wei Wuxian's hand around the ribbon.

"This ribbon is only for you to touch." Lan Wangji whispered softly. Wei Wuxian swallowed, his throat suddenly felt very dry. Wei Wuxian slowly offered the ribbon back to Lan Wangji. Instead of taking it Lan Wangji lowered his head slightly.

"Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian wasn't sure what Lan Wangji was doing.

"Wei Ying offered to assist." Lan Wangji said, a small smile quirking at the corner of his lips. Wei Wuxian was almost certain his face was going to burst into flames.

'That smile is dangerous.' Wei Wuxian thought, even as his hands began to slowly move to secure the forehead ribbon properly. They remained silent until the ribbon was affixed, in place once more.

"Am... I supposed to be touching it when we are not married yet?" Wei Wuxian asked, slightly dazed. Warm lips closed over Wei Wuxian's mouth. His words, worries, breath, were all stolen in a swirl of tongues and soft brushing of lips.

"If Wei Ying does not have the right to touch it, then no one does." Lan Wangji whispered against Wei Wuxian's half parted lips. A warm hand encased Wei Wuxian's, interlocking their fingers before gently tugging Wei Wuxian back out into the expansive competition grounds.

They couldn't hold hands while shooting the targets, but when the signal came for the closing of the competition the two of them walked back out to the banquet holding hands. Wei Wuxian was subtly leaning against Lan Wangji while talking softly with a few disciples when they announced the winners of the archery competition.

"In fourth place, Jin Zixuan of the LanlingJin sect. In third place, Lan Xichen of the GusuLan sect. In second place, Lan Wangji of the GusuLan sect. In first place, Wei Wuxian of the YunmengJiang sect." Loud cheering erupted among many disciples. Wei Wuxian was swarmed by disciples from his sect, all too excited to hold themselves back. Wei Wuxian smiled and laughed, allowing them to congratulate him.

Lan Xichen was smiling fondly at Lan Wangji as the two of them accepted much calmer congratulations from their own disciples. Lan Xichen did most of the speaking, accepting the congratulations on both of their behalf. Lan Wangji scarcely noticed. He was watching Wei Wuxian with fond eyes.

"Wuxian is quite the archer." Lan Xichen said with a soft smile.

"Mn." Lan Wangji acknowledged. Lan Xichen seemed to be searching Lan Wangji's face for something.

"Your scores were extremely close." Lan Xichen commented.

"Mn. Stayed together during competition. Competed directly for targets." Lan Wangji explained absently. Lan Xichen began to have to fight to keep from grinning madly.

"Really?" Lan Xichen prodded. Lan Wangji suppressed a sigh. He knew exactly what his brother was so happy about.

"Mn. Had fun." Lan Wangji resigned himself to admitting this. He could practically feel the excitement radiating off of Lan Xichen. Lan Wangji decided this was an excellent time to extract his fiance from the young disciples who were so desperate for his attention. Wei Wuxian had not appeared distressed. He had been handling their eager conversation and enthusiastic hugs and pats with grace, but Lan Wangji was not entirely happy seeing so many hands touching his fiance. Wei Wuxian had said that Lan Wangji was allowed to drag him away if he became uncomfortable or unhappy with other people being close to him.