have you eaten Lotus pod?

Being away from you is the hardest, I wish I could be with you forever.

The cool breeze caresses my naked torso as I close my eyes and cherish the solitude within. The change in climate makes me wonder, how is Wei? He never liked the cool climate of Gusu. He's like the warm summer that shines its brightest on a sunny day.

You're my sunshine, Wei Ying.

I wonder how you are? What would you be doing now? Last I heard you're back in Yunmeng. Should I pay you a visit? Would you like that? At the thought of Yunmeng, I remisince our one such conversation where you asked me to accompany you to Yunmeng and you offered to feed me the Lotus Pod there. You said they were the best.

Turning to face my brother, I admire his posture. He like me is on a head stand position, resting the entire weight on his right forearm and his legs are straight above. To others this is a normal punishment that one receives in Gusu. For us, it's mere meditation. They say we're mirror image of eachother, but to us, we're poles apart. He's more emotional and he often teases me to be the cold one.

"Brother"

"Wangji" he replies with his eyes closed as I ponder on how to ask him my question. At the end, I just blurt out my thoughts "Have you ever picked out Louts pods?". He opens his eyes slowly and turns to look at me. With a slight furrow between his brows, he shakes his head "No Wangji, I have never picked Lotus Pods". I sigh. I realise there isn't any need for it. If anyone in Gusu wishes to eat some, they just need to make it known.

"Change of hands" my brother declares and in unison, we change our stand from right to left. Breathing deeply, I am lost in my thoughts when I blurt out another fact "I have heard the lotus pod with its steam still attached to it, is the most delicious" I look at him and see him smile kindly at me. His eyes reflect that of a parent indulging their kid's conversation. "Do you wish to eat some, Wangji?" and I shake my head. It won't be the same. I sigh inwardly.

The silence between us is comfortable. Never before we needed any words. We were always contended. But today, my mind was wavering, it was impossible to mediate. Before he could continue, something in his peripheral catches his interest and his body shakes with a light laughter. "Wangji, you have a guest" and I turn to look at the direction to where he points out and in seconds, one of Wei's rabbit comes barging towards me.

"Out" I command and yet it refuses to listen to me and continues to play around my hand. Subtle laughter of my brother make me look at him. "Is this the boisterous one?" He enquires and I nod. "Wangji, it's good to be boisterous at times, there's nothing wrong with it" and I look away. Wei's bunny now becoming impatient, nudges his nose against my elbow, asking me to play with him. Caress him. Scared that he'll hurt himself, I change my hand.

"It's not time yet to change the hand" brother's voice resonates and I comply with him. Wei's rabbit continues to create ruckus when brother enquires "Where is the other one? Aren't they always together? Or does be prefer solitude like someone I know?" Brother teases me and I look at the bunny trying to pull the end of my ribbon.

"He'll be here soon" the moment I make the statement, true to my words, the other bunny comes in search of his companion. The one next to me gets excited and in that one moment, he pulls my ribbon and runs towards his partner. Next second, my hair gets undone and splays like a curtain all around my face and my eyes widen. Using my other hand, I swipe my hair to one side to look at my brother laugh at my plight. The bunny who took my band is all cuddled up and entangled with his companion next to my forearm and a unknown feeling stirs up within me... Envy?

"What are their names?" Brother questions and I am too embarrassed so I shake my head and refuse to answer. The remaining hours are spent in silence and I enjoy the new company.

"Times up" he declares and slowly we lower our bodies, using the towel, I wipe my sweat and as I get up, my long loose hair tickles my bare back. Just as I turn to leave, I stop in my tracks when he teases me "You don't want to reveal, that's fine, but I heard you call their name the other day and I think it's adorable" he winks and leaves the room and I stand still all dumbstruck.

5

Ahead of me the bunny runs away with my band still in its mouth and all I can do is call their name "Wu" and "Ji". They stop, turn and bound back to me. Picking them up, I free the band and watch them snuggle in my arms.

Wu Ji. That's their name. (A/n: Totally made up name by me. It is never revealed in the book. So I am going to go ahead and name them Wu Ji. (Wuxian+Wangji))

The next day, unable to quell my curiosity, I walk down the Gusu mountain on a quest. My steps halt as I enter the main market and see the crowd in front of me, but taking the courage, I head towards my destination. Meeting an old lady, I ask her if she is aware of any lotus pond around and she guides me. Thanking her, I follow the lead.

What began as a quest, truly landed up being an adventure of its kind. Rain and mud caked my otherwise pristine clothes. Helping random strangers stranded in the rain, if my brother would have accompanied me, he surely would have said that I am living up to my name. 'where there is chaos, there would be me!

Finally reaching the lotus pond, I knock on their door. An elderly women opens the doors and her inquisitive eyes seek mine. "Yes?"

"I am here to pick up the lotus pod" I reply calmly.

"You're late. Come back tomorrow"

"I can't"

"Why not?" She eyes me suspiciously

"I have can't travel this far again" I am sure the disappointment in my voice is evident.

"How far have you travelled?" She enquires and I patiently reply "Far away"

"Look kid" kid? I look at her "why don't you stay somewhere for the night and then come back tomorrow morning?" She continues.

Feeling dejected I reply "I can't, I have lessons tomorrow and I have to head back. There's curfew". She sighs and looks around "alright, I'll allow you but be quick. If the owner finds out, he'll punish me" she opens the door and I enter.

"Please don't worry, I won't take much of your time" I bow and turn to leave when she questions further "What is it that fascinates you to pick out the lotus pod at this hour?"

"I have been told, Lotus Pod with stems taste the best" I reply truthfully and she laughs. "What? Who said that? It's all a lie!".

"It isn't" I know he won't ever lie to me. He would always speak the truth to me. I enter the pond and carefully pick out few. Taking one pod, I carefully pop one into my mouth and close my eyes.

Worth it.

I knew you would never lie to me.

Walking back to Cloud Recess, I watch my brother paint fondly. He eyes the stems in my hand but doesn't question further "If you still want some more lotus pod, uncle has brought some along with him". I shake my head and walk back to Jingshi. Outside my chamber, I place them in a jade vase made with intrinsic design. Bathed and changing into fresh clothes, I am about to exit when I see my brother look at the lotus stem curiously, but true to his nature, he doesn't pick them out secretly, knowing that I like them.

And in this world, I seldom like things. Smiling he leaves.

That night, as I sit on the patio, WuJi who are happily resting on my lap, bask the love as I caress their fur and I feed them each a pod and their eyes reflect my emotions.

Pure happiness.

Did you guys enjoy this chapter? I thoroughly enjoyed writing this sweet and innocent interaction between the brothers and WuJi

chapter and .