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Lan Sizhui trusts his best friend with all his heart. He dares think of him as a blood brother, unbeknownst to Lan Jingyi.
"Jingyi, my real name is Wen Yuan. Wen Ning, the Ghost General, is my uncle. That's the real reason why Senior Wei is my father. Not out of his marriage."
"Jingyi, my real name is Wen Yuan. Wen Ning, the Ghost General, is my uncle. That's the real reason why Senior Wei is my father. Not out of his marriage."
And Jingyi knows to interpret his friend's confession as a declaration of profound trust. Jingyi is special to Sizhui; in what ways, Jingyi has yet to know. "That's even better, because you are proof that clan names and blood ties don't define who we are."
"You are living proof that the Yiling Patriarch was right to defend you." And Sizhui smiles in a way that feeds hope to Lan Jingyi's heart.
"Why are you so protective of him?! Can't you see Sizhui is the best disciple amongst you Lans?!" Jin Ling challenges Jingyi for shadowing Sizhui during the hunt, intent on receiving any harm intended for his friend.
Sizhui interferes, like the natural moderator he has grown to be, "Relax, Jin Ling. I take no offense. You see, we grew up together amd are very dear to each other. Jingyi and I, we are like blood brothers, you see?" And Lan Jingyi's heart drops at those words.
Many years later, on a rare night hunt in which Sizhui participates, a break from his training to take his place after Lan Xichen steps down as Sect Leader, Lan Jingyi blindly throws himself between a corpse and his best friend.
"Jingyi! Why would you do that?! I had it under control! You should have more faith on your future Secr Leader, our brother."
Lan Jingyi has had enough already, "And because you will be Sect Leader, you are more important..."
Lan Jingyi has had enough already, "And because you will be Sect Leader, you are more important..."
No, that's not right. "Because you are not my brother, I must protect you."
Lan Sizhui's eyes grow unbearably sad, "N-not your-."
Lan Jinyi grits his teeth and closes his eyes until he sees spots behing his eyelids.
"Sizhui, I love you."
Lan Sizhui's eyes grow unbearably sad, "N-not your-."
Lan Jinyi grits his teeth and closes his eyes until he sees spots behing his eyelids.
"Sizhui, I love you."
"...W-we're brothers," Sizhui responds, downplaying the meaning of his statement.
"Wen Yuan! I love you! I want you!"
And Jingyi feels the droplets fall onto his face soon after. He won't open his eyes, because he knows it's pointless. He will always be just Lan Sizhui's brother.
"Wen Yuan! I love you! I want you!"
And Jingyi feels the droplets fall onto his face soon after. He won't open his eyes, because he knows it's pointless. He will always be just Lan Sizhui's brother.
Read the final version here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23518726
