The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 96 - Doubt

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Wangji pulled his soul-bond all the way to their room in silence. Wuxian was sure that the moment they're in an enclosed area where no one is listening, Wangji will bring up what's bothering him. His prediction was shot to hell when an hour passed as they ate their lunch in total silence. Wuxian was getting antsy.

Wangji simply took his hand and kissed it, getting up to return to attending to his duties. Before he reaches the door, Wuxian says in a loud exasperated voice: "THAT'S IT?"
Wangji turns to stare blankly at him, so Wuxian clears his voice and moves closer towards his soul-bond: "I know that my reaction to the vision bothered you. Don't you want to talk about it?"
Wangji shakes his head. Wuxian sighs in frustration: "Why? I'd be mad at my soul-bond if he ran away in doubt because of something I didn't do! Be mad! I deserve it!"

Wangji smiles sadly and pulls his frustrated soul-bond close: "If you have doubts, then I must be doing something wrong."
Wuxian looks down in sadness: "You didn't do anything wrong. You're perfect. I'm the one with trust issues."
Wangji leans to rest his forehead on Wuxian's: "Trust is earned. I will try harder to gain yours."
With one last gentle kiss to Wuxian's lip, Wangji made his way out to go finish his work.

That conversation made the smaller man feel much worse. Somehow, his soul-bond found a way to blame Wuxian's insecurities on himself. That's just wrong on so many levels, but the young Oracle had no idea how to fix this. It kept nagging at the back of his head until the next morning. While Wangji was happily brushing his hair as usual, Wuxian grabbed his hand and turned around: "I love you."

Wangji beams at him and says: "I love you more."
Wuxian pulls his soul-bond until he is close enough to embrace: "I don't want you to do anything for me that doesn't make you happy. I love you. I will always love you even if you choose not to love me back."
Wangji rubs Wuxian's back: "I thought you were going to cut off my balls and feed them to your snake if that happens."
Wuxian chuckles while burrowing closer to his warm soul-bond: "I don't make empty threats. You know that."

Wuxian is aware that this is a simple step into the right direction. Bonding is a process, not a final destination. He's in it for the long haul and they will help and nurture each other to grow and get over their fears.

Wuxian was anxious to meet the little girl from his vision. He hasn't seen her since the winter festival. For some reason, all he remembers is the distressed girl from his vision and not the happy child from the festival. He prays to all deities that she finds a good family that will help her live a better life than he did.

He was sitting in his Treasure Room, attending to the last sick visitor when the door opened to reveal Grandmaster Qiren holding Hweiru's hand. This is the first time she visits the Treasure Room and was distracted by the big space and lavish decoration.

Wuxian stood up and called her name. Her head snaps towards him and her focus zeroes in on the golden haired man. A small smile shines through and she runs towards the Divine Oracle like he's the savor she's been waiting for. He reacted spontaneously by kneeling to her level and opening his arms for her to crash into. The sigh of relief he heard coming from the three-year-old broke his heart a little: 'Was she waiting for me?'

Her tiny hands fisted his robes as she clung to him. Wuxian looks at Zewu Jun and Qiren in confusion. They did share a moment at the winter festival but this type of behavior was definitely unwarranted. Wuxian rubs her back and whispers: "Hey Princess Hweiru. I was going to ask if you remembered me but this warm hug definitely answers my question."

She nods while tightening her arms around his neck. She's not planning to let go any time soon. Wuxian picks her up and sits back in his chair, placing her in his lap. If she needs comfort during these trying times, then he's more than willing to provide it.