Xiao Zhan's POV:

"That quote is beautiful" his voice was kind and I turn to gaze into his eyes. My soul yearned to see those light eyes again, but I had no right to demand that from him.

"Thank you" the warmth in my heart could be heard in my voice.

"When you cupped my face" he takes a step closer to me "you didn't faint. Why?". For some reason my heart beats erratically but I knew for a fact that it wasn't from being scared. If anything, it was opposite of being scared.

"I have no possible explanation but maybe one theory could help" I smile as he tilts his head adorably to his right "Huh, what would that be?"

"Maybe because I have seen our past and are connected through the Red String of Fate" I grin and his eyes widen "You remember?" he enquires and I nod.

Back in that dark place he once tied a red string to give us a piece of hope and sense of comfort. Who knew that it was fate who bound us together for time and infinity?

"Yes, I remember and trust me we're not just hypothetically connected through the Red String of Fate" I raise my little finger to show him "for some reason we're literally connected by fate. Be it as Lan Zhan and his Wei Wuxian or us or even before them. Our soul's are destined to meet at every rebirth Bo Bo".

"Do you think I can see our past too? Can you possibly show me somehow?" he was inquisitive and I look at my hands.

Can I?

"I haven't ever tried it before nor have I ever willingly touched someone who is alive. You are my first" at my words his cheeks redden and I laugh.

Cute.

Taking a step closer to him, I could feel his cool breath fan my face and my heartbeat thundering in my ears. Never before have I felt a human warmth under my skin. My soul has longed to touch someone.

Somewhere, I am glad it's you.

Slowly bringing my palms near his face, at first my finger tips carefully touch his skin.

Warm. Smooth. Beautiful. Angel.

He leans into my touch and summoning all courage from the kind universe, I gently place my warm palms on his face and we both close our eyes.

At first there was nothing, but soon I felt a heat coursing through my body and together we're pulled into a vortex.

Silence.

Darkness.

Light.

Our concious leads us to a different dimension where we witness and behold the epic lovestory of Lan Zhan and his Wei Ying.

I am unsure if Bo Bo notices the Red String of Fate but I do. The red string is what binds Wei Ying to his Lan Zhan.

We observe their friendship, their care as well as an unspoken understanding of adoration and tenderness. We bear witness to the pain and undying love of Lan Zhan for his soul mate, Wei Ying.

We observe the antics of their enemies but also the duos triumphs against the bad. Their valour was one that the realm spoke about. Together they were unique and undefeated.

As their journey in life progressed, I kept sneaking glances at their Red String of Fate. It seemed to become thicker as their bond grew stronger.

It was when I lifted my own little finger to see the knot, it took me by surprise when I witnessed the knot that began in my finger and the other end in Bo Bo's finger glow. He was busy studying his past whilst I was looking at my future.

Do I have anything within me to give him?

Turning to look at our past together, I smile at the couple in front of me. They had their own shares of pain, troubles and yet they never gave up on eachother.

Love. Seems strong.

A tug in my heart lets me know it was time to go back to the reality where we belong and thus, bidding the past a sensory farewell, I open the prospect of our future with a warm welcome.

The moment I open my eyes, Bo Bo gasps and falls forward right into my arms and involuntarily, I clasp him into a tight embrace. His arms bands against my waist and tucks his face into my neck. My eyes widens with surprise.

He was shivering.

I lift my arms and gently caressed his back and it seemed that his body melted into mine.

"Bo Bo" playing with his tresses between my fingers, I call his name. A moment later still under his embrace, his face just inches apart from my face, he makes a request which makes my heartbeat falter "Zhan" he pauses as his eyes seeks mine. They were filled with such innocence "can you please kiss me?"

What?

"I" he pauses again "I want to feel that warmth. Just once. Please. Please" the last plea breaks my heart.

"I haven't ever kissed anyone" my confession makes him smile sadly "Neither have I" his eyes glaze with pain.

Maybe I was selfish. Never before have I felt these emotions. Was it because now I was finally capable of touching someone? Or was it because it was him.

"I don't want to take advantage of you, Bo Bo" my voice was coarse and he shakes his head "You aren't. I trust you".

I want to feel the warmth too.

My hand trails from his hair to his nape and the other carefully traces his jaws. Closing my eyes, nudging my nose against his, I place my lips against his cautiously at first and then gently apply pressure.

I won't ever know if the kiss was beautiful or the best but for two injured souls, that dawn, it was perfect.

His lips were warm and moulded perfectly with mine. The kiss wasn't erotic nor was it filled with love.

No.

It was a kiss for yearning that one human touch. When a soul is accustomed only to pain and beatings, such kiss can sear a soul. I knew he felt the same when I tasted his tears. He was crying. This pained him.

We parted slowly and as his gaze met mine, his were red with agony. He didn't have to say a word. We both turned to watch the hues of pink painting the sky and soon the place beside me was empty and all I heard was a bedroom door closing.

Wei Ying, did it hurt to love Lan Zhan?

Adrian's POV:

Watching your best friend, your brother break down isn't easy but it was very much needed. The one who can help and understand him is Zhan but that was painful too.

They both need to heal.

Wang was locked in his room and Zhan was in his office. As for me, I was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when my ears picked up a hurried but familiar footsteps. As he passed by the kitchen, I called out "If it were me, I wouldn't disturb Zhan at the moment" he needed time to recoup.

"Adrian" JC's voice was polite "where is Zhan?"

"In his office. He regained his conciousness a while ago" my eyes meets the pair of stern by beautiful ones "trust me. Don't go in there". Maybe there was a particular caution in my voice that made him listen to my plea. Walking into the kitchen bay he enquires "Do we have coffee?"

He looked extremely exhausted and as I handed a cup to him, my eyes trail over his body. He was in dress pants and shirt was in disarray.

"Where you somewhere?" I raise my eyebrows and he looks perplexed "with someone?" I trail away.

"Um, no. I had a meeting with some US based clients. We're in middle of the meeting when you called. Why did you think I was with someone?" He takes a sip and I shrug.

"JC"

"Hm?"

"Are you dating anyone?" My question was direct and his eyes widen.

"No" his reply is just above a whisper.

"Good" I give him my megawatt smile and tease him "because I plan on wooing you and if I'm successful, we can then start dating" he was shocked and I wink.

I hope he knows my heart is true and my feelings are genuine. If he doesn't believe me now, he will when the time comes. I won't call this love. Not yet.

Maybe one day.