~*Lan Xichen's POV*~

Once Wangji and I knew A'Xian had managed to fall into his medication he and I decided to let him be. We sat at the table and watched over him. During that time, I decided to use this time to speak with Wangji.

"Wangji, can I talk to you about something?" I asked him.

He nodded.

"I wish that you would open up more to me. The time I have spent with A'Xian had me wishing it was you sometimes. No offense to him. I remember when we were little and you'd let me hug you, hold you, comfort you. After...mother...passed, that's when you turned me away. I want to be the older brother you deserve," I told him.

"I am sorry," he said, "I felt I didn't deserve comfort and love after she left. I felt I did something bad. It was my fault. The more Uncle punishment me, the more I knew I wasn't meant to be loved or comforted. I did not mean to push you away. I just felt like I wasn't a good brother."

I stood up and knelt down beside him, "you deserve to be loved, comforted, and more, Wangji. It isn't your fault about what happened," I said to him. He had tears falling, and so did I. I then pulled him into a hug, "I love you so much, Wangji, and I want you to know that. I want you to know you can come to me for comfort, to talk, to cry, to vent. Anything. I want to be the brother you deserve, and I want to treat you like I have been treating A'Xian. With love and care, support, and if I can, give you advice with what I can give."

"I love you too, Huan-Ge," he said. He hasn't called me that since we were kids.

"My Didi," I said as he finally accepted my hug and hugged me back. After a little while, he and I felt better. I went back to my seat across from him, "how are you feeling since A'Xian said those things to you a little while back?"

He smiled, "I feel happy," he said, "glad he told me. He feels the same way I feel for him...is it okay for us to feel this way?"

I nodded, "it is. It does not and should not matter what gender they may be. Love is love. It is more uncommon for love of the same gender but it is still a possibility. It doesn't change who you are. It just says you love like everyone else no matter who they are. A'Xian is your match. If anyone talks down on either of you two, tell me and I will deal with it. I will not tolerate anyone harassing my brother and his soulmate for being in love. I support you both," I explained.

"Thank you," he said, "he is your brother too."

"I know," I said, "and he always will be. I want to tell you, I don't want him back in Lotus Pier. Unless he really wants to go, but he has been tortured there for too long. His Shijie is the only reason he tolerates being there. He was abused Physically and verbally. His mind is clogged with things that confuse him. We tell him one thing, he says he was taught a different way. He said he doesn't value himself as much as others, thinking their lives are more important then his own. I want him to know that he has value, just like anyone else, and I need your help with that."

"I will help him with you," he said, "he deserves so much love. He learned a dark path out of desperation and had no choice. He just wants to stick to the promise he and I made long ago. Stand with justice, defend the innocent, and live with no regrets and a clear conscience. There was also him just wanting to protect his family and those he cares about. He means no harm to anyone else."

"And when was this promise made?" I asked.

"Light lanterns when the lectures were happening," he said, "I...frightened him a little bit...I was just shy."

"Why?" I asked.

"The lantern he made, it was for me. It had a drawing of a bunny on it. He caught me smiling and I overreacted," he said.

I laughed a bit, "that was nice of him though," he said, "out of everyone here, he was the first person who didn't seem scared of you."

"I fell for him the night we met," he admitted, "he made me curious and his smile was enchanting."

"Wow, Didi," I said, "you actually admit to me that you fell for him at first sight?"

He glared at me, "don't tease me."

"Okay, okay," I said, "I will leave the teasing to A'Xian."

His ears started to turn pink, "How frivolous!" He grumbled out.

I laughed but then stopped when I caught sight of movement to my left. I turned my head to see A'Xian. He had tears in us eyes and his hand was shaking as he placed it over his dantian. I looked at Wangji as he too, knew what may have happened. He and I got up and sat down with him.

"A'Xian?" I asked.

"I...I..I did it," he said, "I..have a...golden core..."

"You did it," Wangji stated, "attempted the impossible and you achieved it."

"Thank you both so much," A'Xian said.

Wangji and I pulled him into a hug, "we are happy to help you. We want you to take things carefully as you don't want to overwhelm the core. Continue with meditation a few times a day, one of those times, in the cold spring. Your body will continue to heal from the broken bones that are still there," I explained.

"I will," he said as we pulled out of the hug, "should we tell Wen Qing?"

"I will go speak with her," I said, "Wangji keep him company."

Wangji nodded and then I walked out to get Wen Qing.