(A/n: This story is set up when Lan Zhan and Wei Ying are ten years of age.)

"Wangji."

Looking up from my scrolls I saw brother approaching with a warm smile adorning his face. Like the sun above, wherever my brother would go, he would bring warmth to a person's heart. Unlike me, even at age ten who found it extremely cumbersome to make friends, he had no such issues.

"Brother." He was the only one who could understand me when I had no words to speak.

"I knew you'd be at Jingshi." Taking a seat on the ground next to me by the Peony Tree; he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Season is changing Wangji. Spring is almost here."

All I could do was nod and look at the vast expanse of Gusu. Spring is nearing. Colours are visibly changing.

"Aren't you going out with your classmates to the nearby village?"

At his enquiry I glanced back to my scrolls and shook my head, "Not interested."

I could feel brother's keen eyes on me. I didn't dare look up, for one fact that I didn't want to accompany my classmates and the other reason was even if I did go, no one would want me there. Rather than be treated like an outcast, it was better to be here in my own company in Jingshi. Here, there was no one to judge me.

"Uncle and I are traveling to Yunmeng Sect. Why don't you accompany us?" Before I could deny; brother plucked a leaf that had fallen on the ground and smiled, "Yunmeng Sect Leader Jiang Fengmian has three children; and of them two are boys. They're your age Wangji. Probably you could become friends with them?"

"I doubt that brother..."

"As always such a pessimist." With a chuckle brother caressed my hair and stood to leave. "Think about it. You accompanying would make me immensely happy." With that brother walked away and I glanced back at the scrolls on my lap.

'There is no one who would want to be my friend, brother.' But I never said those words aloud. They were never needed. He knew I was lonely. I was lonely, but in my own way I was contented too.

"Are we expecting guests?" I enquired as my eyes sought the delicious delicacies that were being prepared.

"Ah Xian, the Gusu Lan Clan are expected to arrive shortly. They will be staying with us for a day and tomorrow along with father, they would be leaving for LanLing Jin Sect for a conference."

Before Shijie could say more we both heard a stern voice of someone I wished to have had no acquaintance with.

Madam Yu!

"You will stay in your room until they leave. I don't want you creating any more trouble than you already are. Is that clear?"

Seeing Madam Yu's Zidian; I quickly nodded for the scars from before on my back pained at the memory of it meeting my skin.

I knew Shijie wanted to cheer me up, but she too was scared of Madam Yu and had to stay back to help her.

As I traversed towards my bedroom, a small hope bloomed in my heart at a memory from before.

Few months ago when Gusu Lan Clan were residing in Yunmeng, I happened to come across Young Master Lan XiChen who was sitting by the lotus pond in middle of the night.

Surprised to find someone with whom I had never conversed before but at the same time found it fascinating, I approached him with caution. At first he appeared intimidating but soon his warm smile eased my heart.

"What's your name?" Young Master Lan XiChen enquired softly.

"Wei Wuxian."

"That is a lovely name. Your name precedes you, Young Master Wei Wuxian."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. "You can call me Wei Wuxian. You've heard of me?"

"Youngest Archer of Yunmeng to score all round points. I am sure when you grow up, you will be a force to reckon with." His light chuckle made me grin too.

"Thank you."

"Next time I shall try to bring my brother along. Probably you can befriend him? He is same age as you and passionate of his martial skills as you are."

"I would love to meet him." I agreed enthusiastically at the thought of meeting someone my age other than Jiang Cheng. To be honest, I have never had the chance to meet any members from another clan. "What is his name?"

"Lan Wangji."

Lan Wangji. I rolled the name in my mouth and for reasons unknown; my heart beat erratically. I wanted to meet him. I really did.

"Hey!"

Bringing me out of my reverie, it was Jiang Cheng standing outside my window with a plate of assorted foods calling my name. "I got you your dinner. Open the door and let me in before mother catches me here."

Instantly I opened the door for him and the two of us huddled behind the bed and started eating the lotus pods. He was warm in ways other would find it exasperating. Jiang Cheng has always been cold by words but warm by his deeds.

"Have the Gusu Lan Clan arrived?"

"Yes."

I wanted to ask if there was a young boy with amongst them. But before I could, Jiang Cheng handed me a lotus pod and shared, "There is a young boy who has accompanied them."

Lan Wangji!

"His name is Lan Wangji. Odd boy. He just kept nodding and seldom spoke. Mother tried conversing with him, but the more we spoke, the more he seemed detached."

'Who wouldn't be scared of Madam Yu?' I wanted to jest but refrained knowing Jiang Cheng would not appreciate my sarcasm.

When I was assured that entire Yunmeng was asleep, I finally escaped my room and trailed down to my usual spot by the pond to have a midnight swim.

It was then my feet halted on its own at the sight of an angel donned in a blue robe with a band fastened on his forehead. The sight of him made my heart palpitate.

He turned at the sound of me approaching and as our eyes met, his widened subtly and my heart pierced with an unknown arrow.

I knew he was Lan Wangji.

"Hello." I approached him cautiously and with bit of courage took a seat next to him on the pier. Dipping my bare feet into the cold water, I glanced at his direction only to be surprised that his eyes were on me. They were shimmering gold under the moonlight.

Blue. The colour suited him.

"My name is Wei Wuxian." I was eager to hear his voice and he did not disappoint. His voice was a bit deep and I knew in future it definitely would be mesmerizing.

"Lan Zhan."

Frowning at the name, assuming I had the wrong person; I asked, "Aren't you Young Master Lan XiChen's brother Lan Wangji?"

His body visibly stilled and a moment later he replied, "I am Lan Wangji. My birth name is Lan Zhan."

He wanted me to call him by his birth name!

Bringing out few lotus pods from my pocket, I handed them over to Lan Zhan. With a huge grin I said, "Then call me Wei Ying!"

That was the night I met my best friend who years later turned out to be my everything, always and forever.

~Six years later~

I was excited to meet him. Six years ago, at mere age of ten, when he handed me those lotus pods, we formed an unbreakable bond. Often I wondered why sleep evaded me that night, the answer always led to fate wanting us to meet that night.

Today, he was coming to Gusu Lan Clan to study.

"Wangji." It was brother. I was waiting along with everyone to greet the disciples of clans coming to Gusu to study when he found me at the Orchid Room. "Go to Jingshi. There is something I need from there. You'll find them at the entrance."

With a bow I made way towards the path I have walked on forever, when at the sight of a young man, back facing me, dressed in white, was gazing at the Peony Tree. His red ribbon clasping his hair was stark contrast to the snowy surroundings of Cloud Recess.

My heart instantly knew it was him. Unable to contain the excitement, my stride was quick and I called out his name, "Wei Ying!"

Turning at the sound of my voice, he gave me his toothy smile. In all these years, his smile had not once changed.

"Lan Zhan!"

His arms opened for me and next second I was in them, safe and cocooned knowing he was by my side. Next to me. My best friend. My always and forever.