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37 - Separation

Wei Ying had left with Baoshan, leaving me behind. I was with my brother for most of the time Wei Ying and I were apart. I didn't like this separation but I understood it. Luckily, being with my brother was a good distraction. He helped me try on my red robes and had them tailored to my liking.

I also helped Brother with setting up Wei Ying's room for the consummation, decorating it red. Jiang Fengmian had my parents tablets made and placed in their ancestral hall. I hope that he knows that Wei Ying and I have plans to be free from the sects when this war is done. It isn't ideal for a wedding during a war but it was also a way to have some fun before everything goes down.

I had a hard time sleeping at night and ended up in my brother's guest room. He didn't mind, as it was just another way for us to hang out and bond. I was laying in my own bed in his room but I was wide awake. I knew I had nothing to worry about but my head decided that it wanted to keep me up anyway. I sat up and quietly put my boots on and an extra robe before stepping out of the room. I decided to go spend some time by the docks, as I needed some fresh air to clear my head.

I sat there for a long time just staring out at the lake, seeing the stars and the moon reflecting off the water. I could smell the sweet fragrance from the lotus flowers. Even though it was a long time that I was alone, my brother eventually noticed that I was out of the room.

"Want one?" He asked when he found me.

I saw him holding out a lotus pod for me. I took it from him, "thank you," I said quietly.

He then sat down beside me, "what's on your mind, Didi?"

I snorted, "my heart says I am fine but I head is all over the place. It's been so long since I have been away from Wei Ying. I know it's only a week but I still do not like it," I told him.

"The more you are together the stronger your bond gets," Brother said, "the stronger the bond, the more difficult it is to be apart. So after you fully become soul-bonds, it is important that you keep that in mind. Once word gets out that you two become soul-bonds, it will get dangerous for the both of you, especially if one of you gets injured enough to kill you. The oath you made with him is just an example, if you die, so does he. If he dies, so do you."

"I know," I said, "you are worried, aren't you?"

"I am your brother, it is my job to worry about you," he said, "plus, if uncle won't then I will. I told you long ago, that I am always here for you, and I am always on your side. If something is going on with you or A'Xian, please do not hesitate to tell me. I care for you both."

"Thank you for accepting me as I am," I told him, "it means a lot. As angry as I am at Shufu, I wish he would accept me. Why does he hate me so much?"

"I do not think he hates you," Brother said, "I feel like he has some issues of his own. Our father left him all of his duties, and he never wanted the role of running the sect. He just wanted to teach. He became strict because of what father went through and because of whatever he endured from Wei Wuxian's mother. I know it is not an excuse but that is just how I see it."

I sighed as I took out a seed from my lotus pod, "I do not know if I ever had one before."

"Try it," Brother said.

I put a seed in my mouth, it had a sweet chewy texture. I thought it was good, "Wei Ying talks about these all the time, no wonder he likes them so much," I said.

"Well, now there is something you two can bond over," Brother said and ate a seed, "lotus seeds."

"You broke a rule, Ge," I teased.

"So punish me, we aren't inside Cloud Recesses right now anyway," he said.

I couldn't help but smile, "I never asked, what do you think about Wei Ying?"

"He is such a brat, too mischievous," Brother teased.

"I am telling him you said that," I said.

Brother laughed, "I was just teasing," he said, "in all seriousness, I think he is a good person. His heart is in the right place and his values are like ours. He lives to fight for justice and aiding the weak. He is your opposite but he is definitely your match. He's good for you. He brings out a person in you that is always so hidden deep down. Makes me jealous sometimes."

"Jealous?" I asked.

"He can get reactions out of you that I don't think I ever could," he told me, "and he has a way of making you comfortable. I don't know what it is, but I am happy you have someone like him."

"What about you? Any idea when you will get hitched?" I asked.

"No, but I am always looking," he said, "I am in no hurry."

"I suppose it is on you to make an heir," I teased, "if you are even able to do it."

"Lan Wangji," he scolded, "what do you mean by that?"

I smirked, "I meant, do you know how to do it?"

"If course I do," he said, "do you?"

"I do," I answered.

"Why am I having this conversation with you?" He asked.

"I don't know," I said, "I just wanted to tease you."

"Well it worked," he said, "are you able to head back? Try to get some sleep?"

"I suppose," I said and stood up and followed him into the room. I stood there in front of my bed unable to get in. I wanted to ask my brother if I could sleep by him tonight but for some reason, I could not do it. I turned to look at him.

"Come," he said, "I know what you want."

I smiled as I removed my boots and extra robes before going over to lay down by him. It's been a while since I accepted comfort from my brother. It felt nice.

"I love you GeGe," I told him.

"And I love you Didi," he told him as he held me, "get some sleep."

I smiled as I closed my eyes and fell asleep shortly after he told me to.