“You don’t want me to call you that?”

A small nod.

“Of course,” he says quietly. “Take all the time you need, Wei Ying.”

“…I don’t know when it started,” he admits softly. “All I know is that it happened somewhere along the way. I tried to ignore my feelings for you… but after the cave incident, they only kept growing stronger and stronger. That’s when I realized just how deeply I had already fallen for you.”

“Yes…” he whispered softly.

He slightly tilts his head to look at him, sadness clouding his gaze.

“Wei Ying, it doesn’t matter to me… Whatever you’ve done, whatever you think makes you undeserving — none of it changes how I feel about you.”

He wipes away the tear that trails down Satan’s cheek, then leans in, pressing his forehead against his.

“Don’t cry…” his voice is low and tender.

Lightly nods his head.

“That’s right… I am Lan Zhan.” He freed one hand and reached out, his fingertips brushing against the other’s cheek.

He drew in a slow breath, the faintest hint of a sad smile touching his lips.

“Lan Zhan… it was part of my celestial trial — a way to understand the mortal heart. And I did.”

“Wei Ying…”

He finally said it, looking at Satan.

“Yes…”

He looks away from him.

“I did…”

“…Have you ever loved anyone?” He stared intently into the other’s eyes.

There’s that word again — friend.

“Is that all I’ll ever be to you? Just… a friend?”

Why? Why did Satan want to protect him?

“Protect me? But… why? What makes you want to protect me?”

“If I was someone else, you wouldn’t mind then, right?”

“If you’re allowed… then kiss me on the lips.”

“Is the devil allowed to kiss?”