Solstice Souls Book 2: Black Fire, White Flame

Confessions of a Heart

Lan Zhan's POV

No words could describe the feelings crashing together inside him, as Lan Zhan watched the long awaited reunion of mother and son.

Cangse Sanren looked so much better than when they'd seen her last... it was truly a miracle. And as she wrapped her arms around Wei Ying, hugging him just as tightly as he was holding her, Lan Zhan found that he had to look away.

He didn't even understand the tears in his own eyes, and he was even more shocked when two different arms grabbed him and suddenly, there were three people in this warmest of hugs.

A few moments had to pass before any of them could stand up on their own, with even a modicum of control over their rampant feelings.

Cangse Sanren wiped her face first, and then with the edge of her voluminous sleeve, she was wiping Wei Ying's face. Lan Zhan quickly blinked back any extra moisture so it couldn't escape from the confines of his eyes.

"Mama...we have so much to tell you!" Wei Ying says, as they turn around. "Where's Baba?"

"Now you ask for me!" a deep voice exclaims.

They look up to see a fit man walking normally towards them, the gate behind him wide open.

"Baba!" Wei Ying runs into his arms too, and it's a simple joy to witness.

Lan Zhan is thinking about his own parents.

There was a time he would have run towards his mother like that, full of Wei Ying's exuberance and love....but unfortunately, the same cannot be said for how Lan Zhan feels about his father.

Qingheng-Jun.

Lan Zhan hasn't seen him in so many years...and he's shocked...because he can't remember what his own father looks like any more.

He's distracted as Wei Ying jokes with his parents.

"I totally forgot to ask grandmother to hide her sweets!" he says, pretending to poke non-existent fat on his father's belly. His parents laugh and Wei Changze manages to flick Wei Ying on his forehead, affectionately rubbing it afterwards.

Lan Zhan remembers flying back with Wei Ying's father when Wei Ying was left behind at Lotus Cove. All he can see is the open skies and his heart breaking at every li they traveled. It is a pain like no other.

He doesn't even realise he's crying until warm fingers wipe away his tears.

"My love?"

Lan Zhan throws his arms around him, and this hug is desperate.

Wei Ying is here.

Wei Ying is safe.

And for just a few seconds, Lan Zhan doesn't have to be the strong one.

Wei Ying is holding him tightly and it's exactly what Lan Zhan needs right now. He's murmuring constant reassurances in Lan Zhan's ears...and Lan Zhan isn't even sure what he's saying; it is enough to simply hear his beautiful voice.

Moments pass and as his breathing levels out, Lan Zhan finally feels calm enough to stand up on his own.

Wei Ying's lovely silver eyes are filled with concern as he leans closer, and Lan Zhan breathes in deeply. This tantalizing scent swarms around him like an armour and he feels like he can do anything...as long as Wei Ying is right here, by his side.

"Are you alright, Sweetheart?" Wei Ying asks him.

"I am, now." Lan Zhan replies, feeling his ears becoming hotter.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Wei Ying sounds anxious.

Lan Zhan is embarrassed because he's looking around, but there's no one here except them two.