It used to be a rare thing, to be held like this. Something he'd go to Shijie for when he was drunk and particularly down, and he could probably count on one hand the number of hugs he'd received from Jiang Cheng. There was something in it that made him feel safe, that chased away the buzzing of his thoughts and let him feel comforted, vulnerable. He never thought he'd have one, let alone two people in his life that would hold him like this, whenever he wanted, whenever he needed.

His thoughts feel like a jumbled mess, whenever he considers where he should stand with his own soul-twin and of course, with Lan Wanji's soul-twin as well. The differences in their histories feel like bare coin-flips, little changes here and there, while the foundation is still the same, and how is he supposed to not love Lan Wangji? Not feel his heart thrum in his chest when those eyes meet his, or the electricity when their lips meet?

Don't think, both versions of Lan Wangji had told him, and he tried desperately to listen to that advice. He lets his eyes flutter closed, and like this, the kiss is so very familiar, his lips like coming home. The gentle urging to deepen it is something his body reacts to on instinct, opening to him with the slightest tilt of his head and parting of lips.