Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I still can’t believe that you got to keep your own body. How unfair is that?” 

“You actually invented demonic cultivation though. That’s pretty impressive.” 

“Yes, but I caused way too much damage with it.”

“Well, to be fair, so did I.”

“…Seriously, you got to keep your own body. How is that even possible?” 

Wei Wuxian pouted, and his alternate self — the one who, very unfairly, still got to keep his own face and body — shot him an amused glance.

It was still a strange experience to look at his companion and see his own face staring back at him. Although only a day had passed since he had ended up here, and he doubted that was enough time to truly get used to any of this.

This time yesterday, he should have been lazing around in bed, waiting for Lan Wangji to return with their breakfast. Instead, he had decided it would be a good idea to tinker around with his new talisman — the one that was supposed to allow for instant transportation — while smiling at the thought of how sweet and thoughtful his husband was.

And then something had gone wrong, and Wei Wuxian had ended up here, confused, dazed, and still in his sleep clothes, much to the scandalised horror of those in the crowded village around him. After he had managed to procure some new robes, it had taken him some time to figure out that he was no longer in his own world anymore.

Bumping into someone wearing his old face had certainly helped with that discovery.

He was stuck here for the time being until he found some way to reverse what had happened; and honestly, he wasn’t overly concerned about that. He just needed to take a quick look at the talisman, figure out what had gone wrong, and work backwards from there. Simple.

He did kind of want to stick around a bit longer though. His husband certainly wouldn’t be happy, and Wei Wuxian hoped that he wasn’t too worried (oh, who was he kidding, this was Lan Wangji. Of course he would be worried), but when would he ever get a chance to talk to another version of himself? Other than when they used the incense burner, of course.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes glazed over slightly as he thought about the last time they had used that.

The point was, it was kind of fun — and at times more than a little depressing, although Wei Wuxian was trying to focus more on the ‘fun’ aspect of it — to find out about the little differences and similarities between their worlds. For instance, the existence of the Yin metal. That was new. And apparently everyone had studied together here? Wen Ning, Wen Qing, Shijie, everyone.

They had all still died though. Apparently this world wasn’t kind enough to spare them that.

“I don’t understand why you’re all the way out here,” Wei Wuxian mused. He and his other self — he was going to call him Wei Ying, to avoid any confusion — were in a field, lazing on the dewy grass. Little Apple stood a few feet away, munching on some of the grass. Wei Ying was apparently busy traveling, and Wei Wuxian would totally be on board with that if it hadn’t quickly become apparent that Lan Wangji was nowhere in sight. 

It wasn’t as if he didn’t spend any time away from Lan Wangji, but after leaving him alone for thirteen years, Wei Wuxian didn’t really feel like spending unnecessary time apart.

“What do you mean?” Wei Ying asked. He seemed to be taking the whole thing in stride, and quickly accepted that the stranger who had spent an awkward amount of time gaping at him the day before, was actually an alternate version of himself.

“Well, traveling is great and all, but why not bring Lan Zhan with you?” 

“Lan Zhan?” There was a sudden spark in Wei Ying’s eyes, that Wei Wuxian quickly recognised as longing. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, but this was his face, and Wei Wuxian could read its emotions well. “Why would Lan Zhan be here? He has better things to do than following me around. He is the Chief Cultivator after all…”

“Lan Zhan is the Chief Cultivator?” Wei Wuxian said, his eyes wide in shock. Back in his own world, they had yet to decide who would be the new Chief Cultivator. Everyone was still arguing about it, and while it would typically be a Sect Leader from one of the main sects, no one from the main sects wanted it. Jin Ling was too young, Jiang Cheng didn’t like dealing with people, and Lan Xichen was still in seclusion. Nie Huaisang simply looked horrified at the mere suggestion, as did everyone else at the thought of him becoming Chief Cultivator.

Lan Wangji had never expressed an interest in the role, but Wei Wuxian suddenly realised that the thought of it was incredibly hot.

“So you’re basically the Chief Cultivator’s wife,” Wei Wuxian teased. When he returned to his own world, he and Lan Wangji were definitely going to role-play being the strong, powerful Chief Cultivator and his adoring, delicate husband. He would have Lan Wangji take him right there in the discussion hall. It would be glorious.

“What?” His other self said, while Wei Wuxian continued to daydream.

Wei Wuxian shook his head slightly. “You. Lan Zhan is the Chief Cultivator, which would make you the Chief Cultivator’s husband. Which, on second thought, might become extremely tedious. Imagine how many more responsibilities poor Lan Zhan must have — ”

“What?” 

“Well obviously! No wonder he can’t come out traveling with you, he’s probably stuck indoors all day doing paperwork — ” 

“What do you mean his husband?!” Wei Ying demanded. “How — how would I be the Chief Cultivator’s husband?”

Wei Wuxian blinked. “Because Lan Zhan is the cultivator.”

“Yes,” Wei Ying said.

“…And you are Lan Zhan’s husband.”

Wei Ying gaped at him for a moment. “What?” he said at last, his voice weak and disbelieving. 

Wei Wuxian, who quickly realised his alternate self had no idea what he was talking about, realised in horror what this must mean. Either the man was playing an awful joke on him, and in that case he would be punching him in the face, and he didn’t care if it was technically his own face; or, somehow, even though the thought was almost impossible to conceive…he wasn’t married to Lan Wangji in this world.

What the actual hell?!

“You’re married to Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian said, while his other self continued to stare in shock. “Please, for godsake, tell me that you are married to Lan Zhan.” It was hard to comprehend that any version of himself could be apart from Lan Wangji. They were soulmates. Husbands. Meant to be. And sure, they had technically spent over twenty years letting misunderstandings and miscommunication tear them apart, but was he going to let that ruin his argument right now? Hell no.

“Of course I’m not married to Lan Zhan!” 

“Is it a long engagement then?” Wei Wuxian’s voice was almost hopeful.

“I’m not married to Lan Zhan. Why — why would Lan Zhan marry me?” 

“I don’t understand,” Wei Wuxian said, while his alternate self continued to stare at him with almost a look of hurt in his eyes. There was longing in there too, which Wei Wuxian would have easily recognised if he paid enough attention. “How could you not get together, after everything. What even went on in the Guanyin Temple if you didn’t confess?” 

“The Guanyin Temple,” Wei Ying repeated incredulously. “You’re asking me if I confessed at — honestly, a lot went on that day. It was a life and death situation. There was no confessing.” 

Wei Wuxian stared at him, appalled.

“Lan Zhan doesn’t feel for me that way! We’re just…friends. Best friends.”

Oh god, the miscommunication had prevailed. Best friends, best friends, the man said, as if Lan Zhan hadn’t waited for him with longing and grief for thirteen years.

“Sixteen years,” Wei Ying corrected him when he said this out loud.

“Sixteen?!” Oh God poor Lan Zhan. He was probably dying from desperation, and want, and love and — and how long had the poor man been a virgin in this world? 

“I don’t understand how you could possibly think that,” he muttered, shaking his head. “What do you think happened at the Inn then? Do you think Lan Zhan came close to having sex with you without having any feelings for you at all? Do you really think so lowly of him?” He didn’t mention that he had literally thought the same thing, but had of course thought that he was the one taking advantage, because he could totally twist this to his benefit right now.

“What? You had sex with Lan Zhan?!” 

“Of course I had sex with him! We do it everyday. That’s what married couples do!” 

“You’re married to Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying whispered, a wistful note in his voice. “Oh. You’re very lucky then.”

“Your Lan Zhan must love you too,” Wei Wuxian assured him, because he couldn’t conceive of any version of him and his husband who didn’t love each other. Especially in a world like this where everything seemed almost identical. “You just haven’t confessed to each other yet. For some reason.” 

For some strange, strange reason. What, had Lan Xichen not been feeling up to playing matchmaker that day? 

“I don’t think Lan Zhan likes me that way,” Wei Ying argued, sounding forlorn. “He thinks of me as a friend, that’s all. A good friend. His soulmate, actually”

'And you don't think THAT is a sign that he might think of you as more than a friend?' Wei Wuxian thought, with some despair.

“What about the kiss on Phoenix Mountain?” he said, as inspiration suddenly struck. “That was Lan Zhan! If he didn’t love you, then why would he do that?”

Wei Ying looked bewildered, and Wei Wuxian felt dread creep up his spine.

“So what,” he said, “in exchange for keeping your body, you basically traded some of the best things that would ever happen to you?! You’ve never even been kissed?!”

“I have been — okay fine, no, I haven’t. But — but — Lan Zhan kissed you?! Well of course he did, he married you, and that’s just so unfair…” Wei Ying’s voice trailed off, and he shook his head. A moment later there was a strained smile on his face, and the sound of weak, wavering laughter, and Wei Wuxian could easily recognise it as his usual method of pretending that nothing was wrong. “You’re lucky, really. Lan Zhan must make a great husband! But my Lan Zhan, well, I suppose we’re better off as friends…”

For a moment, Wei Wuxian honestly considered that maybe this was one very unfortunate universe where Lan Wangji somehow (inconceivably, impossibly, horrifically) did not have feelings for Wei Wuxian. That there could actually be a place where the two of them weren’t fated to be. Honestly though, Wei Wuxian had more faith in them that that, and something as insignificant as an parallel world couldn’t tear them apart.

He turned to Wei Ying, who looked like he was literally drowning in his own disappointment at the moment. “Everything else is the same though, right? Lan Zhan still protected you, he was still punished for defending you, still wrote — he still wrote that song for you right? The one he played at the Xuanwu Cave?” 

“Yes,” Wei Ying said, “but he didn’t write the song for me — ”

“He wrote the song for you,” Wei Wuxian sat flatly. “This is literally proof that he loves you! He did all those things because he loves you, and I know that because my Lan Zhan did the same for me!”

Sure, by the sound of things, everything hadn't gone exactly the same as they had in his world. There were similarities though, and those were enough to convince him.

Wei Ying still looked unconvinced, and Wei Wuxian felt a wave of frustration strike him. He remembered himself just a short while back, wholly believing that his feelings were unrequited, wanting Lan Wangji so badly, yet never believing that he could actually have what he wanted. Lan Wangji had felt the same, but had been unable to tell him, and the two had carried on apart needlessly for so long. And here he was, looking at another version of himself, going through the exact same thing, and Wei Wuxian just wished he could make him realise that wasting all of this time was so pointless.

“Alright,” Wei Wuxian said, “grab Little Apple, we’re going to Gusu.”

“What?” 

“Yes, this has gone on long enough. You need to go and talk to Lan Zhan.” Who cared if he was overstepping right now, this was technically him. He was allowed to overstep when his other self was clearly being an idiot. “Where are we right now?”

“Talk to Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying repeated, and let out a frustrated huff. “As if it’d be that easy. And we’re near Yunmeng right now.”

Wei Wuxian momentarily cursed their inability to use swords. He may have had a core now, but it was still weak, and it was obvious that Wei Ying wasn’t carrying a sword with him.

It would be a long journey back to Gusu. Hopefully he could knock some sense into his other self on the way there.

His husband might have to wait just a bit longer for him to return, but Wei Wuxian would be sure to make it up to him as enthusiastically as possible the second he got back. 

Chapter Text

By the time they finally reached Gusu, Wei Wuxian was fairly certain that he still hadn’t convinced Wei Ying. Oh, he had tried. It had been a long, arduous journey, and Gods had he tried. However, his alternate self seemed determined to deny the obvious facts, and Wei Wuxian tried not to judge him too harshly. After all, he had been exactly the same only a short while ago.

At least he was now fully certain that this Lan Wangji felt the same way. It was easy to see the love that shone through his actions and words, even from the descriptions that Wei Ying gave him. Wei Ying did not seem to see any of this, and mournfully brushed off any of these gestures as acts of friendship. 

‘Patience,’ Wei Wuxian reminded himself. ‘You were just as bad, and now look at you. Happily married to the most wonderful man in the world.’ 

As they neared the gates of the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian briefly wondered how they would get inside. Back at home, he had his own jade token, and the Cloud Recesses were technically his home, even if Lan Qiren and most of the elders would have happily kicked him out. 

The Lan disciples guarding the gate took one look at Wei Ying, and quickly stepped aside to let them through.

“Hanguang-Jun has instructed us to allow you inside if you ever came here,” one of them tsaid when they saw the confused look Wei Ying was giving them.

They did seem a bit wary at the sight of Wei Wuxian, but Wei Ying quickly assured them that he was traveling with him, and they didn’t seem to know what to do with that.

“See, Lan Zhan even told them to let you inside!” Wei Wuxian said cheerily. “What does that tell you?”

“That Lan Zhan is an amazing friend.”

Wei Wuxian’s eye twitched.

“He doesn’t love me that way,” Wei Ying said, his voice mournful. “This is a waste of time. At least I get to visit Lan Zhan, I guess. I haven’t seen him in months, and I really miss him…”

“It was a very long trip here,” Wei Wuxian said, his voice strained. “I don’t understand how you still don’t believe me.”

Wei Ying sighed. “No offence, but you don’t really know this Lan Zhan, do you? Just because…just because your Lan Zhan loves you, doesn’t mean that mine does.” 

“That’s — but your Lan Zhan has pretty much done the same things that mine has for me!” Except for the more physical aspects apparently, but perhaps he was just more shy. Or maybe he just had more restraint that his Lan Zhan did. Maybe the forehead ribbons here had magical properties. He just didn’t know, but that didn’t matter, because this was still Lan Zhan. 

Wei Ying still looked uncertain, because of course, despite the hours of convincing, and all of the evidence he had laid out, the man was still as oblivious as ever. Wei Wuxian told himself not to judge him too harshly. He had been just as bad. It had taken Lan Xichen having to take a break in the midst of their little hostage situation to literally spell things out for him, and up until that point Wei Wuxian had — 

Wait. Lan Xichen.

Wei Wuxian blinked. That…could work. 

“Senior Wei!” 

Both Wei Ying and Wei Wuxian turned, in time to see Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui hurrying towards them. Wei Wuxian’s face lit up at the sight of the two of them; it was good to know that even in another world, they were both still well.

“Xian-gege,” Lan Sizhui said, apparently just as adorable in this world as he was in Wei Wuxian’s own. From the way Wei Ying’s face lit up, it was obvious that he was happy to see him again.

“We didn’t know that you would be visiting so soon,” Jingyi said. “And you uh — you brought a friend with you…” He openly stared at Wei Wuxian, who simply grinned back in response.

The two Juniors watched him for a moment, and then continue to stare when it became obvious that neither Wei Wuxian or Wei Ying looked willing to give an explanation.

“Uh, yes,” Wei Ying said, after a long pause, “this is — someone. Actually, why don’t you tell me all about how things have been around here. Has anything new happened? Have any new rules been added to the wall? Honestly, I don’t think my heart can take anymore rules — ” 

“Have either of you seen Zewu-Jun?” Wei Wuxian interjected. Everyone turned to stare at him.

“Zewu-Jun?” Wei Ying repeated, his voice low. “What, are you now trying to say that he’s in love with me?” 

Wei Wuxian blinked. “No.”

He saw Jingyi and Sizhui exchange bewildered glances, before they turned back to him. 

“Forgive me, Senior,” Sizhui said politely. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced before?” 

“I’ve literally never seen you before,” Jingyi added, not polite at all. His voice sounded more indignant than anything. “And you come in here, demanding to see Zewu-Jun?!”

“Well, I was just asking,” Wei Wuxian said, with some amusement in his voice.

Wei Ying groaned, and ran a hand through his hair. “This is so annoying. Okay, you two, just tell us where…Zewu-Jun is, and we’ll leave you alone.” 

“You’re not even going to tell us about some of your journeys?” Jingyi complained. “We haven’t seen you in months.” 

“And I’m sure he’ll will have plenty to tell us when he has the time,” Sizhui interjected, smiling at Wei Wuxian. “Xian-gege, we’ll leave you and your companion to finish up whatever business you have here.” 

Sizhui began to pull Jingyi away, and Wei Wuxian could clearly hear Jingyi’s frustrated cry of, “Yes, but we aren’t even going to ask who that other guy is?” 

Wei Wuxian watched them go, amusement in his gaze. It seemed that those two didn’t change, regardless of the universe. He turned to Wei Ying, who was watching him with an irritated expression.

“You’re very annoying.”

“I’m literally you.”

“I am not this annoying.”

Well, that was debatable. If Wei Wuxian asked Lan Zhan, then his husband would lovingly tell him that he was not annoying. Since Lan Wangji was literally the most perfect man ever, Wei Wuxian was going to take his word for it. 

“So why are you looking for Zewu-Jun?” Wei Ying asked, sounding genuinely curious. “I thought the whole point of this was to talk to Lan Zhan.” He sounded way too sad about it as he spoke, which Wei Wuxian found absolutely ridiculous. No version of himself should ever feel disappointed at the thought of speaking to Lan Wangji.

(Nevermind that he himself had spent the whole of the Sunshot Campaign and what came after dreading speaking to him).

“Back when I was oblivious like you, someone helped me see the error of my ways,” Wei Wuxian said, smiling as he thought back to the Guanyin Temple. Sure, it had been a difficult situation, with people either nearly dying, or literally dying, but he had confessed his undying love for Lan Wangji there, and received the most romantic confession back in return. That would always be a special moment. 

“Lan Zhan’s brother is the one who told me about how he felt for me,” Wei Wuxian told him as he walked. “Otherwise, I would have had no idea!” Well, except for the time they had nearly had sex with each other, or the many times a drunk Lan Wangji had tried to confess, or a number of other things that he had just been too oblivious to realise at the time. 

They weren’t going to focus on that right now.

“So all we need to do is find Zewu-Jun, and ask him how Lan Zhan feels for you!”

It was simple, really.

“What?!” Wei Ying looked horrified. “We can’t go and ask Lan Zhan’s brother if he’s in love with me!” And if he said that any louder, the whole Cloud Recesses would hear him anyway. 

This was actually a brilliant idea. Wei Wuxian didn’t let the look of sheer horror on his counterpart’s face convince him otherwise. 

…

They found Lan Xichen surprisingly quickly, because apparently the man wasn’t in seclusion in this world. Wei Wuxian hoped that meant he had managed to find some semblance of peace this time around. In his own world, his brother-in-law had yet to leave seclusion, although Wei Wuxian was fairly confident that he and Lan Wangji were slowly easing him out of it.

Lan Xichen apparently wore a lot of blue in this world, which was an odd sight to see. Wei Wuxian didn't think he had ever seen him in anything but the white robes of the Lan Sect. He looked surprised to see Wei Ying, and confused by Wei Wuxian’s presence. 

“Young Master Wei,” Lan Xichen greeted politely. Wei Wuxian briefly wondered if he was still at the stage where Wei Wuxian was the ‘only mistake Lan Wangji had ever made’ or if they had moved past that yet. A series of meetings, friendly chats, and many cups of tea, had eventually gone a long way in helping his and Lan Xichen’s relationship in his own world.

Lan Xichen seemed cordial enough right now, but you never really knew with him. If people thought that Lan Wangji was good at concealing his emotions, then they had obviously never met his brother.

Lan Xichen’s gaze settled on him, and there was no recognition in his eyes. “And who is your companion?”

“No one important,” Wei Ying said, and shot Wei Wuxian a sideways glare. He had spent the last few minutes going over all the reasons why asking for Lan Xichen’s opinion would be a very bad idea. “Lan Zhan is not in love with me,” had been the usual argument. He had also added in a few comments about how he really just wanted to see Lan Wangji, and if that didn’t highlight just how painful the pining was, then Wei Wuxian didn’t know what did.

“Yes, I’m no one important,” Wei Wuxian agreed. “Zewu-Jun, do you mind telling him — ”

“Oh my god, could you not.”

“ — if Lan Zhan is in love with him or not?” 

Lan Xichen stared. “I’m sorry, what?” 

“Ignore him,” Wei Ying said hurriedly. “He’s just this crazy person I met on the side of the road, and he wouldn’t leave me alone. Zewu-Jun, how have you been? And Lan Zhan, is he well?” 

“Yes,” Lan Xichen said, after a brief pause. His eyes flickered to the grinning Wei Wuxian, and then back to Wei Ying again. “We are both well. And you, Young Master Wei?” 

“Oh, brilliant! I’ll just be on my way now — ”

“Ask him!” 

“Oh my god, why won’t you just stop?” 

“I’ll stop when you ask him. I’m not going home until all of this has been settled.” And he really, really wanted to go home. All this talk about Lan Wangji was reminding him that he hadn’t been fucked by his husband since two days ago. 

“Is everything alright?” Lan Xichen asked, looking uncertain.

“Actually, can I ask you something?” Wei Ying said, after shooting Wei Wuxian a sideways glare. “This is going to sound ridiculous, and it’s probably — definitely — not true, but…is Lan Zhan…er, does Lan Zhan have feelings for me?”

Lan Xichen’s mouth opened and closed for a moment. “That isn’t my place to say,” he said after a brief pause.

“That’s ridiculous!” Wei Wuxian interjected. “I’ve literally seen you announce this in front of Jin Guangyao of all people, so surely you can do it again.”

Of course this wasn’t his Lan Xichen, but Wei Wuxian was hoping they were similar enough.

Lan Xichen looked bewildered. “Who are you?” 

“It doesn’t matter,” Wei Ying sighed. “This was really stupid — I’ll just be leaving now, okay?” He reached out and latched onto Wei Wuxian’s arm, and began to pull him along.

“Wait,” Lan Xichen sounded hesitant, but there was a firm look in his eyes that immediately gave Wei Wuxian hope. “Young Master Wei — it really isn’t my place to interfere; but neither you nor Wangji seem willing to take the necessary steps yourself, so perhaps some interference is necessary.”

Yes, there wouldn’t be any universe where Lan Xichen wasn’t an overprotective big brother.

“My brother is in love with you. He has been for a long time. And if I am correct in my observations, if there’s any chance that you feel the same way, then — ”

“Lan Zhan is in love with me?!” 

Lan Xichen blinked, and then nodded. “Yes. He — ” Lan Xichen was still talking, but all Wei Wuxian could focus on was the expression on his counterpart’s face. Wei Ying looked like he was floating in state of complete bliss, his eyes wide and full of awe, his mouth hanging open. It looked like everything that Wei Wuxian had been trying to tell him for hours now was finally being heard.

“Zewu-Jun,” Wei Ying gasped. “Where — where is Lan Zhan?” 

“He’s in the discussion hall right now,” Lan Xichen replied. “There’s a discussion conference going on — I was about to head back there myself right now — ”

Then, without another word, Wei Ying was taking off in the opposite direction. Lan Xichen stared after him, his mouth parted in surprise.

“Thanks for your help, Zewu-Jun!” Wei Wuxian chirped, and Lan Xichen nodded weakly in the direction of the man he still didn’t the name of. “You might not want to go back there after all, unless you want to hear a very long winded love confession, that possibly includes mentions of future sexual activity.” 

Wei Wuxian didn’t wait for a response, because, after all the effort he had put into this, he was not missing out on the grande finale. He took off Wei Ying.

…

Lan Wangji was definitely the Chief Cultivator here, and Wei Wuxian’s desire to have he and his own husband reenacting a similar scenario as soon as he got back home was stronger than ever.

(Also, the Lan forehead ribbon was incredibly pretty in this world. He needed to find his husband a pretty forehead ribbon like that. Although, it might be a bit painful to be tied up with; he could imagine that silver thing digging into his wrists).

When Wei Ying burst into the room, he was greeted by a room full of Sect Leaders, who all looked various degrees of unhappy to see him there.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Cheng demanded, because apparently this version of his brother still hadn’t reconciled with him either. Wei Wuxian might have considered sticking around to help with that too if he had any idea what he was doing, and if he wasn’t desperate to be back in the arms of his own husband.

Wei Ying, much like he himself all those months ago in the Guanyin Temple, only had eyes for Lan Wangji. By this stage, Lan Wangji stood up, his eyes wide.

“Wei Ying?” he said, his voice full of concern. Wei Wuxian wanted to laugh at his counterpart’s obliviousness; how could he not see the sheer love on Lan Wangji’s face when he looked at him? Sure, Wei Wuxian hadn’t the been the best at realising it either, but he had also managed to realise it months before Wei Ying, so he had the upper hand here.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying cried, darting forward while the other Sect Leaders watched him incredulously. Wei Wuxian noticed Jin Ling turn to look at him, and his eyes widened in shock. Wei Wuxian gave him a cheerful wave, and turned back to watch the upcoming show.

“Lan Zhan you — you’re really great, you know?” 

“He came here to say that?” someone whispered harshly. 

Nie Huaisang watched the scene, his eyes wide with delight. Jiang Cheng looked like he wanted to hit something.

“I like you. Or in other words, I fancy you, I love you, I want you, I can’t leave you, I whatever you. And I want to night hunt with you for the rest of my life — ”

Wei Wuxian grinned. Apparently, no matter what universe, some things still stayed the same. Wei Wuxian was glad at least most of their brilliant confession was still intact here.

“ — and I really, really just love you, okay? It just took me a while to notice, and…Lan Zhan? Lan Zhan, you’re really quiet, are you okay? Is — oh my god, was Zewu-Jun wrong?” 

Lan Wangji was really quiet, but judging from the glazed look in his eyes, Wei Wuxian didn’t think it was because he wasn’t happy about this. In fact, everyone was pretty quiet by now, but the majority of the room looked utterly horrified.

“Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng choked out, his voice a mix of dazed and furious, “this — this is a formal meeting you idiot, what do you think you’re doing — ?”

Lan Wangji stepped forward suddenly and swept Wei Ying into a hug, his form shaking. Wei Ying froze.

“Lan Zhan?” he murmured.

“I love you,” Lan Wangji said, “Wei Ying, I love you. I — I do not want anyone but you, it cannot be anyone but you — ”

“Lan Zhan!” 

“Wei Ying, if I had known — I never imagined that you could return my feelings.”

“Lan Zhan, I never imagined either!” Wei Ying was practically blubbering by this point. Sect Leader Yao, who sat closest to where the intimate scene was taking place, looked like he was going to be sick. “Lan Zhan, you’re so amazing!”

“Wei Ying is more amazing.”

“Lan Zhan, how is my heart supposed to take this?” 

Wei Wuxian heard a series of footsteps sound from behind him, and was just in time to turn around and see Lan Xichen hurrying away at a fast pace. 

Well, he had tried to warn him.

“You are my soulmate,” Lan Wangji continued, apparently oblivious to the mortified people around him. “I never thought I would be fortunate enough to have my feelings returned.”

“Your feelings are definitely returned! Oh, they’re so, so returned, I’m just so happy right now Lan Zhan!”

“Leave!” Jiang Cheng roared. “Please, just leave.” 

Wei Wuxian chose that moment to burst into loud peals of laughter. Everyone froze, and slowly turned to stare at him.

“Oh, this is amazing!” he gasped out, tears of laughter streaking his cheeks. “You — you’ve definitely beaten me at public confessions! Even mine wasn’t as shameless as this! This is the best thing I’ve ever seen.” 

Oh, he couldn’t wait to go home and tell Lan Wangji all about this.

“Who are you?” Lan Wangji asked, his brow furrowed ever so slightly. 

“Oh, he’s just me,” Wei Ying said, tugging on Lan Wangji’s arm, and once again gaining his sole focus. “Well, me from another world, in Mo Xuanyu’s actual body —  it’s very complicated, and I don’t really want to explain anything complicated right now Lan Zhan. Right now I just really want to kiss you. Can I kiss you?”

“At least leave the room first!” Jiang Cheng spat.

Wei Ying and Lan Wangji pulled apart. Wei Ying didn’t seem bothered in the slightest, but Wei Wuxian could see how the tips of Lan Wangji’s ears turned red, even from here.

Lan Wangji tugged on Wei Ying’s arm. “Come with me.”

“Yes!” Wei Ying said eagerly. “Yes, let’s go!”

“You can’t just go,” Sect Leader Ouyang spluttered, as if actually still wanted them to stay. “You — you’re the Chief Cultivator! You’re supposed to be leading this meeting!”

With Wei Ying in his arms, Lan Wangji obviously didn’t care. Most of the people looked relieved to see them gone; Nie Huaisang looked disappointed.

Wei Wuxian watched them walk away, a wide grin on his face. This was a job well done, if he did say so himself.

Now he just needed to figure out how to get home.