Pulled by the wrist, Jiang Cheng found himself falling backwards onto the table — a single hand on his back lifted him just inches away from crashing the tea table.

"Careful," Lan Xichen muttered.

Jiang Wanyin gulped and stood. Realising Xichen's grip on his wrist, he wriggled his hand. "Chief Cultivator," he nodded to his hand.

"Ah, that," Lan Xichen gripped it tighter, standing firm and unwavering before Jiang Cheng. "You didn't answer my question."

"Am I better? Well, no."

"Why not?"

"Perhaps you should ask A-Yao that," Jiang Cheng muttered. "Or maybe yourself."

"Pardon me? A bit louder, Wanyin, you can't expect me to have super-hearing."

"Nothing. I answered your question, now let go."

"Not when I know that you aren't well. You can rant, you know."

"Rant to the very cause of the problem? No thank you, I'm not that stupid. Now then, excuse me, Chief Cultivator," Jiang Wanyin bowed.

"Wanyin."

Jiang Cheng looked up, exasperation evident on his face.

"If I let go now... will you ever come back?"

"My shixiong's here, of course I'll come back."

"Not to Cloud Recesses. I meant to me."

Jiang Wanyin looked away, an expression of utter grumpiness written all over his sulking visage. "Chief Cultivator, it is an honour to be your friend, and why worry? Of course things shall stay that way, nothing happened to break a friendship, right?"

Xichen nodded. "Right then. Just..." he gripped the wrist tighter. "Just remember one thing. Even if you change from calling me Xichen to addressing me as Chief Cultivator... I'll always still call you Wanyin. Always."

For a split second, Jiang Cheng's eyes seemed to be like the Yunmeng lakes...

But then it was gone. Wiped off with a sour smile that radiated an aura of chagrin.

Lan Xichen bit the inside of his cheek and let go, watching Jiang Cheng striding out of the Hanshi, leaving the door open behind him.

The cold draughts of a nearing winter wrapped around his feet, making his sleeves and robes billow as he watched Jiang Wanyin meet up with Wei Wuxian on the compound grounds somewhere past the housing complexes.

One entire year at school...

Two years after graduation...

And yet-

Lan Xichen sighed.

And yet... Wanyin... three years, I've been trying and trying, but I've clearly failed, haven't I? Perhaps I mistook your words that day at school?

Lan Xichen gulped when he saw the brothers hugging, his mind drifting back to that one day...

**********

Three years ago...

*****⏳*****

"Wanyin, I'm really sorry about this..."

"It's fine, Xichen."

"Shufu insists on each os you going with someone else, still, since neither of you are yet graduated professionals. Our forests can be dangerous."

"I understand."

"Where is Wei Wuxian? Isn't he the one who usually goes on night-hunts with you after school hours?"

"A-Xian said he needed to go do something," Jiang Wanyin smiled cheekily.

"Oh?" Lan Xichen chuckled. "Let me guess, spying on Jin Zixuan because he's staying back at school with Yanli-mei?"

"Xichen!" Jiang Cheng gasped in amazement. "Truly are amazing, you are."

"Thank you, a compliment's a huge deal coming from YOU," Xichen laughed. "Well? A-Sang?"

"Nie-xiong... drank a bit too much, apparently."

Lan Xichen shook his head. "Remind me to talk to him next morning, better not have Da-Ge finding out about his endless nights at Caiyi's inns."

"And where's your brother, Xichen?"

"Wangji? Oh, he's studying at home." Practising Divergence stuff, of course...

"Mhm. Really though, Xichen, if you have work to do, you can go, okay? I can handle this, just one night hunt alone won't do much harm."

"No," Xichen shook his head determinedly. "Trust me when I say dangerous, we got reports of a gigantic demon spider yesterday morning."

"Cool!" Jiang Cheng looked around with excitement.

Lan Xichen smiled at his thrilling passion. "This excited?"

"I'm up for a fight any day."

"Yes, Yanli-mei says that about you too," Lan Xichen snickered. Seeing Jiang Cheng distractedly looking around, Lan Xichen pursed his lips. "Erm... perhaps it's uncomfortable for you."

"Hm?"

"You... I offered to come because of the rule but... maybe it's uncomfortable for you to be walking around in a forest alone with someone you barely know. I'll go if you promise to take care of y–"

"No-I-do-not-mind-being-alone-with-you-at-all!"

Silence...

Lan Xichen blinked.

"Erm..."

"..." Jiang Cheng gulped and looked away into the woods. "I... I meant... sure I don't know you but you seem kinda nice and I like you so I'm fine with this, really."

"... Like... me? Beg your pardon?" 

"Ah, erm, I meant as a friend of course haha!" 

"..."

"Sh............. Shall.... We go that way? I heard a rustle." 

*****⌛️*****

Watching the brothers chat, Lan Huan sighed. That was three years ago. I can't expect his feelings to last that long, or maybe I misinterpreted it out of glee...

Come to think of it......

It really might be just me.

Ugh, three years I've been kidding myself. Such an idiot, Lan Xichen shook his head and stepped out, slamming the door shut and walking away.

I'm sorry, Wanyin. I misunderstood just one line and went into a flurry. Fine. Friends it is, then. At least I won't lose you that way. 

**********

Wei Wuxian patted his shidi's back. "Wanna come see our son?"

"WHO'S??"

"Haha! Come on–"

"You mean that little boy?" Jiang Cheng sniggered as he saw a toddler stumbling towards them.

"A-Yuan, I keep telling you to not run away from home!"

"But I missed DieDie!" Sizhui wrapped his hands around Wei Wuxian's legs. "I fell asleep... and saw Mama again..." 

"Oh, angel..." Sighing, Wei Ying picked his son up and lifted him to the air, spinning around on one foot. "Wheee!"

A-Yuan squealed as he flew and spun like an eagle, making Jiang Cheng chuckle. "You know, Little Yuan, you'll get to fly really too, one day."

"Huh?" A-Yuan ogled at him when he sat on Wei Wuxian's shoulders.

"Yep. Sword flight."

"Yay!"

"A-Xian, when is he starting cultivation practice?"

Wei Wuxian frowned. "Lan Zhan says he can even start now but he's just four! I said we'll wait a few months. He needs to settle down, forget the recent grief, and be ready."

"He's still grieving over his mother?" Jiang Cheng looked up at A-Yuan who was busy twirling Wei Ying's long hair around his fingers.

"Mhm, that's why he keeps coming after us every few minutes. He needs someone with him as a distraction or he'll burst into tears. Leave him alone and he's a sobbing mess. Shower him with love," Wei Wuxian tickled A-Yuan's chin making him shriek with giggles. "He's a giggling bunny."

"Clearly."

"Ey, Xichen-ge! Xichen-ge!" Wei Wuxian waved as Lan Xichen walked past from afar. Right past them without a glance... "Xichen-ge seems distracted. Wonder what's wrong?"

Jiang Wanyin gulped. "A-Xian, I should get going."

"PROMISE me you're going straight home."

"Boat from Caiyi straight to Lotus Pier's East Deck."

"Good," Wei Wuxian nodded.

"You know I don't break promises."

"Hmph, so you said."

"What?!"

"What about your promise to fix things with Xichen-ge? Confess, get together?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Just no. I can't force him to love me if his heart's somewhere else."

"Wait, A-Cheng, no–"

"See you, A-Xian. And you, little Yuan!"

"A-Cheng, wait–"

"Bye, Jiang Gongzi!"

"Shushu," Jiang Cheng patted his head.

"Oh. Bye-bye, Shushu," he beamed his Weilan smile.

"And don't forget to come to A-Jie's party! Second of May!"

Wei Wuxian waved silently, sighing to himself. This brat. Won't stay to explain OR let me explain. I better fix things with Xi–

"Wei Ying," a hurried, panting voice echoed from behind.

"Baba!" A-Yuan clapped and made grabby hands towards Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian turned with a ready frown. Since when does Lan Wangji ever pant for air? "Lan Zhan?" Turning around, he saw who else was present. "Wen Qing!"

And Wen Qing did not look happy.