Because of You

26

Xichen was in his home for a while one morning. He kept thinking back on Wei Wuxian and he said about siblings. It was only this time around that Wangji and Xichen were more playful and brotherly. Last time that wasn't the case. It was enough if he could even get a few sentences out of Wangji at the most. As he was lost in thought, he was taken out of it from a knock at his door.

"Hello Xichen," Yanli greeted.

"A'Li, come in," Xichen said.

Yanli smiled as she sat across from him, "how was your trip to the mounds?"

"It was alright," Xichen said, "everything went smoothly."

"That is good to hear," Yanli said, "you seem distracted by something though."

"I was just thinking of A'Xian," Xichen said.

"What about him?" She asked.

"He saw Wangji and me being playful a bit and he looked...lost," Xichen replied, "he said it's different having a sibling who may be blood related then having them not. What you told be a while back, I feel like being an older brother figure for him would be nice for him."

"A'Xian is unique, isn't he," Yanli said, "he has this effect on people where it's near impossible to be mad at him. Especially when you get to know him. It's almost as if he has the sense of wanting to feel connected or loved."

Xichen nodded, "he is also very smart. Wangji and I have an idea of making his own workshop for when he moves here after he marries Wangji," Xichen said. "Something that will allow him to invent, create, and craft."

"Fire proof and explosion proof as well, I hope," Yanli said with a giggle, "he has his accidents."

"I know," Xichen said, "was he born gifted or is he just naturally smart?"

"I would like to think he was born gifted," Yanli said, "my parents never spoke much on A'Xian's father's family history but he was a good disciple from what I have heard...I also don't know why he left the sect but my guess is because he wanted to be with his wife. A'Xian's mother on the other hand, she is the daughter and disciple of a very important and well respected cultivator."

"Baoshan right?" Xichen asked.

"Mnn," Yanli nodded, "at times I wonder if there was ever a chance to really find her. She is A'Xian's last blood relative so it would be nice to see if she would meet him."

"Maybe someday they will cross paths," Xichen said, "for now, all we can do is focus on what's to come...Wangji and A'Xian are going to come with to find the iron. They know things that we do not and it will be useful."

"I know, I am just happy that he and Wangji are doing well," Yanli said, "since they have their memories back...I do not know how they are so forgiving of everyone right now...unless they don't and they are doing a really good job at hiding it."

"I imagine they do not trust people that much right now," Xichen said, "so we should keep watch on that."

"Alright," she said, "I guess I should go then."

"A'Li?" He asked.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Did you want to...maybe allow me to court you?" He asked.

Yanli smiled and felt her face get warm, "I would like that," she said happily as she fiddled with something in her hands.

"What is that?" Xichen asked.

"Well, I've been wanting to give this to you, each time someone in my sect is fond of another, they made them their own clarity bell," Yanli said showing him the bell, "I've been wanting to give this to you as I have been fond of you."

Lan Xichen smiled as he took the bell and looked at it, "this is pretty," he said, "I'll have to make up for it by getting you something to reciprocate."

"You don't have to but I feel like you will anyway," she said.

"I will," he said.

Lan Xichen stood and moved over beside her. He gave her the most chaste kiss he could. It was gentle and innocent, just like Yanli herself. Xichen didn't let the kiss go for too long and pulled away.

"I'm happy to have you," he told her.

"I'm happy to be here with you," she said, "we have already been on quite the journey in the past. Here we are again...we didn't interact much back then did we?"

"Once or twice," Xichen said, "you were quite shy and also dealing with drama from the Jin Sect. Are you going to be okay without Jin Ling?"

"He may not be Jin Ling by name but if I have a son and he is my son with you, he is still the same boy as back them in my opinion," she said.

"Son with me?" He asked teasing her.

Yanli playfully pushed him, "such a mischievous boy."

Lan Xichen smirked, "I'm learning from your Didi."

Yanli sighed playfully, "don't pick up any of his three year old habits from him."

"Maybe I will," he said.

She giggled, "so silly."

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It's a bit of a shorter chapter.

My current upload schedule:

Monday — The White Phoenix
Tuesday — Red Prince: Hua Ying
Wednesday — Iridescence
Thursday — Because of You
Friday — Us Against the World
Saturday — Unbroken